7 UNIJOS medical students die in blast

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62149

48 killed in fresh Borno attacks >>9

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 From left: Wife of former President of Mexico, Mrs. Matha Fox; her husband, Mr. Vincente Fox; former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; and his wife, Olufunso, during the 2014 Ogun State Investors’ Forum in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Photo: Akeem Salau.

7 UNIJOS medical students die in blast •We're still investigating report — School Management •Poor funding affecting military operations — Army >>13

•Father of abducted girl dies of heart attack

>>9

COLUMNISTS:

Nigeria's armed forces and the crisis of insurgency

MARIE-THERESE NANLONG, WITH AGENCY REPORT

J

OS—THE Univer sity of Jos was, yesterday, thrown into mourning when news hit the campus that a yet to be ascertained number of students, including seven 500 level medical students died in the bomb blasts on Tuesday.

Meantime, both the university authorities and Continues on page 8

•P.17

Mr & Mrs The swap we want •P.19

Beware: Third-term agents around

•P.19

JOS BLAST VICTIM—D-G, National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammed Sidi (L) with IGP Mohammed Abubakar, sympathising with a victim of the Jos bomb blast, at Jos University Teaching Hospital, yesterday. Inset: Another victim at the Plateau Specialist Hospital. Photos: NAN.

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 5

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Police recover hijacked luxury bus, passengers in Ogun

BY SEGUN OLATUNJI & DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA— THE Po lice in Odogbolu, Ogun State have recovered a fully loaded luxury passenger bus hijacked by suspected robbers along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

The luxury bus with number plate, LSD 235 XJ, belonging to a Lagos-based transport company, was on its way to Port Harcourt when it was snatched by the suspected highway robbers along with its passengers.

Also, the police in Ishara Division of the state have dislodged a gang of suspected robbers operating in Fidiwo area along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

A cache of arms and ammunition, including three single barrel guns, a dane gun and one English double barrel pistol with number 101 were recovered at the scene.

The suspected highway robbers exchanged fire with the anti-robbery team attached to Ishara Division on Tuesday at about 8.00 am.

The suspected robbers, however, fled into the bush following the gun battle with the police.

Traces of blood were found along the path leading to the bush.

Confirming the incidents, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said: “Some armed men who were suspected to be robbers had blocked the Sagamu/Benin expressway with a truck at Odogbolu area and snatched the luxury bus with registration number LSD 235 XJ along side the passengers.

"The Police team, while responding to a distress call, gave them a hot chase which compelled them to abandon the bus and flee into the bush. The bus was recovered with the occupants unhurt and intact.

“The anti-robbery team attached to Ishara Division on Tuesday, May 20 at about 0800hrs dislodged a gang of robbers that blocked the ever busy Lagos/Ibadan expressway at Fidiwo area while on routine patrol along the express.”

The PPRO stated that Commissioner of Police, Okoye Ikemefuna, has ordered the Department of Criminal Investigation to look into the case of the hijack of the passenger bus.

Bird turns to old woman in Lagos L

BY EVELYN USMAN & KINGSLEY NDIMELE

AGOS — RESIDENTS of Ajegunle area of Lagos were, yesterday, thrown into shock, after a bird was said to have transformed into an old woman who confessed to being a witch.

The dark-complexioned nonagenarian with tribal marks, who spoke in Yoruba, told a bewildered crowd that she was on her way back to Ibadan, Oyo State (as a bird) when she missed her track.

She was also said to have told the mammoth crowd that her mystical powers disappointed her because it was dawn.

Eye-witnesses told Vanguard that three black birds were seen at about 7am, flying side-by-side along Old Ojo Road.

Then, all of a sudden, one of them landed on a moving pick-up van owned by Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

An eye witness who identified himself simply as Mr Okafor said: "Immediately the bird landed on the van, it transformed into an old woman.

"Everyone ran away at first but we later gathered round the

The 90-year-old woman woman only to discover that she had a bruise on her forehead with which she landed.

"When we asked her what her mission was, she

said three of them were sent to Lagos from their coven in Ibadan but that on their way back, they missed their way.

"She said they started hovering in the area until it was morning, adding that she fell because she was tired.

"She also told us that she initially did not want to embark on the journey and that she used to restrict her witchcraft activities to Ibadan because of her age.

“She was thereafter taken to the Baale of Ajeromi, where she confessed to have killed her husband through witchcraft."

Policemen from Layeni Police Division were said to have been contacted to prevent the woman from being lynched and they came and took her away.

Police sources told Vanguard that the woman would be released to any of her relations who shows up, explaining that the law does not recognise witchcraft.

"She has not committed any crime and will, therefore, be released to any member of her family who shows up.

We did not arrest her. We only prevented a likely jungle justice," the police source said.

9 Fulani herdsmen gang-rape 15-yr-old girl, 2 housewives

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI — NO fewer than nine suspected Fulani herdsmen, yesterday, allegedly gang-raped a 15-yearold girl and two housewives (names withheld) at gunpoint, in Tse Ikyuer, Yandev, Mbagwen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Two of the victims, who narrated their ordeal to Vanguard in Makurdi, the state capital, said after beating and raping them, the herdsmen also made away with their N60,000 and two phones.

According to the women, who could barely walk, “one of us (the teenage girl) was raped repeatedly, after being thoroughly beaten by the herdsmen. At the moment, she is neither able to walk nor talk.”

Before they were taken to an undisclosed hospital in Makurdi for medical attention by the Police, the women, who spoke at intervals, said: “The men with their leader came to our home in the afternoon and pleaded that we give them water to drink.

“We obliged them, but they noticed the absence of our husbands, and when their leader asked of our husband’s whereabouts, we innocently told him that they travelled but would be back much later.

“After drinking the water, they left, only for about nine of them to come back later in the day, armed with guns and machetes and asked us to lie down and have sex with them or they will kill everybody."

The women who wept profusely, explained that four of the armed herdsmen fired shots in the air to terrify and also compel

them to submit to their demands.

She said: “After defiling us, they beat us mercilessly and collected over N60,000 from us and also took away our handsets.”

The women said that the leader of the gang was well known in

the community but he fled from the area with his family and cattle shortly after the incident.

Vanguard gathered from a Police source that one of the suspects had been arrested while the hunt for the leader of the gang

and seven others had begun.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent (SP) Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the incident, said investigations into the matter had commenced.

EFCC nabs 4 over alleged N168m oil fraud

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BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

AGOS — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is to arraign the Chief Executive Officer of Globtec Resources Limited, Joseph Idoko and three others over N168 million fraud.

Other suspects are Mahmud A. Mohammed, Chief Executive, Al-Maqarinaz International Limited; Ikechukwu Nkwucha-Philip and Ibrahim Ali, Chief Executive, Dano Interglobal Marine Services Lim-

ited.

They were arrested by operatives of the commission following a complaint by the Chief Executive Officer, Emex Oil Ndawta Ghana Limited, Ismaila Abdulgafar.

Vanguard gathered that Idoko and his cohorts, who parade themselves as oil merchants, met their waterloo when they allegedly conspired and fraudulently obtained $1 million (about N168 million) from Ismaila Abdulgafar for the supply of crude oil.

It was also gathered that

From left: The suspects: Danbaba, Mohammed & Nkwucha.

Abdulgafar was defrauded when he attempted to buy Nigeria's sweet crude, Bonny Light, through the suspects which was to be delivered through a vessel, MT AL-ALBAR. But Abdulgafar was said to have discovered after some payments, that it was a phony deal as the vessel was non- existent.

Spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, while confirming the arrest said the commission had concluded investigation into the scam and was set to prosecute the suspects.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—7

How 2 bankers, 8 staff stole N80m from company's account •FirstBank reacts

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — TEN persons, in cluding two bankers, have been arrested by the Police for allegedly stealing N80 million from a FirstBank account belonging to Daid Nigeria Limited.

It was gathered that eight of the suspects, identified as Olanrewaju Adeyemi, Oluwatosin Owoyemi, Adesanya Michael, Otuoba Godspower, Gbenga Fasan, Eboda Joshua, Kolawole Olusegun and Olusanya Oluyemi, were staff of Daid Nigeria Limited before their arrest.

The two other suspects, Oise Augustina and Nwachukwu Justin, were employees of FirstBank.

According to reports, the suspects were arrested by Policemen attached to Isolo Police Division, Lagos when management of the company detected the theft, but they have been released on bail.

A source who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said: “The manager in charge of operations at Daid Nigeria Limited, Isolo Industrial Estate, Isolo, Lagos, Folakemi Boyejo, reported at the station that while working in the chairman’s office, she received a call from FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Isolo Industrial Estate Branch, from one Tolu, to confirm the payment of a cheque written in the name of Lanre Adeyemi, the company’s accountant, in the sum of N2.4 million and that Oluwatosin Owoyemi was at the bank to cash

the cheque, but the Executive Chairman of the company, Dr. Olu Adeyele, also denied authorising such payment.

"Based on the complaint, a case of conspiracy, fraud, forgery and stealing was instituted and a team of detectives were deployed to the scene and they arrested seven of the suspects while Oluwatosin Owoyemi escaped from the bank premises.

"During interrogations, all the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that the sharing formula was based on seniority.”

The source further stated that

the bank staff were arrested when it was established that they aided the theft by not adhering to stipulated banking procedures.

FirstBank reacts

However, in its reaction, the bank's Head of Media, Babatunde Lasaki, said the culpability of the staff in question had not been ascertained as the matter is still under investigation.

According to him, "as an institution and a financial organisation, the bank takes very important issue of fraud or staff infraction very serious, but also very cautious so as not to unduly pun-

ish an otherwise innocent staff or miscarry justice.

"For a fact, be rest assured that FirstBank, as a responsible citizen with over 120 years value creation, will never treat any case of fraud lightly and all efforts are in place to get to the bottom of the matter and ensure appropriate redress.

"We thank you for your efforts at writing a fair and objective story as you may be aware that investigation into fraudulent cases will require a careful and detailed process. I will update you as soon as I have any new development."

Gombe grains market razed, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

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AGOS — A commercial bus, yesterday, killed two students from State Junior High School, beside Nigerian Army Barracks, Ibereko, Badagry expressway in Lagos.

The accident, according to reports, occurred in front of the school premises.

Vanguard gathered that the victims had alighted from a tricycle at the bus stop opposite their school and had successfully crossed to the other side of the road when a commercial bus hit them.

One of the victims died on the spot while the other who was rushed to Badagry General Hospital died hours later.

According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when the driver of the commercial bus lost control of the vehicle, and in an attempt to stop the bus he ran into the children who had crossed the road from the other side.

Vanguard gathered that the commercial bus driver and conductor narrowly escaped lynching by a mob that gathered. However, the bus was set ablaze.

Innocent motorists were not spared as several of them had their vehicle windscreens shattered by the angry students.

When Vanguard visited the school, the Principal refused to comment on the accident.

Efforts to confirm the incident

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AGOS—A 19-year-old woman, Uduak Effiong, has been arraigned before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, for allegedly stabbing one Eze Ossi Ajah with a pair of scissors and knife to death.

Uduak (defendant) who lives at 6, Gbadebo Street, Ijeshatedo area of Lagos, was charged by the state government and she pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of murder.

The charge read: “Uduak Effiong on September 4, 2011 at about 8.am at No. 6 Gbadebo Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, in the Lagos Judicial Division, did murder one Eze Ossi Ajah while armed with a pair of scissors and knife.”

According to the charge, the offence is contrary to Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C17 Vol 2, Laws of Lagos Stte.

Led in evidence by the state counsel, Mrs Akin-Adesomoju, a witness, Mrs Rosemary Nwaogu, told the court that she saw the deceased (Eze) screaming in the pool of his blood as the defendant pursued him with the knife.

Nwaogu said: “I heard their voice and stepped out of the house. Eze was screaming with blood all over his body. Behind him was Uduak running after him, still holding the knife. I had to run inside to call my husband.

Eze was taken to the hospital. I learnt that it was later that he died as a result of the injury that he sustained. The matter was reported at Ijesha Police Station.”

AGOS — An Abule-Egba magistrate's court in Lagos State, yesterday, sentenced to 120 hours of community service, a driver who caused the death of a teenager through reckless driving.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, sentenced 34-year-old Akeem Morain, who caused the death of a 16-year-old pedestrian on March 31, to community service.

Elias held that the family of the deceased applied to withdraw the case from court and had not been present in the court since the application.

According to reports, the convict, who lives at Baale Compound, Ikola Ilumo, Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, was arraigned on April 8 on a two-count charge of reckless driving and causing a pedestrian’s death.

He pleaded not guilty, and was granted bail but could not meet the bail conditions.

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through the DPO Badagry police division, CSP Aliko Dankoli, were also unsuccessful.

19-yr-old woman docked for allegedly stabbing man to death

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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18-yr-old clerk arraigned over N790,000 theft

2 students killed in Lagos auto crash

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

Driver gets 120-hr community service over teenager’s death

Another witness, Mr. Uchenna Odurukwu, informed the court that he saw the deceased running for his life, adding that when Eze ran to his flat, the defendant still pursued him there.

During cross-examination, the defence counsel, Mr. Amu Giwa, asked the witness if he was aware that the defendant’s family had given money to Eze’s family to ameliorate the bad situation.

“The defendant’s family pleaded with the deceased’s family with N500,000. The defendant’s family paid for the burial rites of the late Eze. The defendant’s family were compelled to marry a wife for the late Eze in the sum of N200,000 in line with Igbo tradition,” Giwa stated.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — AN 18-year-old clerk, Banky Dauda, who allegedly stole N790,000 from his boss was, yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate’s court.

The teenager, who was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju, is facing a one-count charge of stealing preferred against him by the Police.

The defendant resides at 1, Muricat Street, Agege.

The prosecutor, Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between May 13 and 14, 2014.

He said the incident took place at 5, Adeyemi Street in Agege area of the state, adding that the said sum that was stolen belonged to one Rotimi Odebata.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Section 285 (7) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Earlier, the defendant, had pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

M a g i s t r a t e Oshodi-Makanju, granted the defendant bail, in the sum of N100,000, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the matter till May 21.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

POCKET CARTOON

SEARCH FOR VICTIMS—Relatives of victims of the twin blasts searching for their loved ones gather at the morgue of Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos, yesterday. Photo: AFP.

7 UNIJOS medical students die in blast Continues from page 1 the Police could not confirm the news at press time last night.

Vanguard investigation revealed that most of the corpses taken to the hospital morgues were women and children.

Officials also said that 15 of the injured victims brought to the casualty unit died just before midnight.

Vanguard findings were corroborated by an

online medium, Premium Times, which claimed that most of the corpses seen on the floor of the mortuary were women and children, including seven pregnant women.

A hospital official said although there were a few donors, who volunteered to donate blood, the hospital needed a lot more to treat the victims.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), we had 15 persons who

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH God gave you gifts that make you unique, gifts that hold great possibilities. But you have to discover them and develop them. A sign on a DIY shop says it all: ‘We’ve got it, if you can find it.’ Nobody was ever born without talent, including you, but you’ve got to find it.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

“allowing” is the absence of negative vibrations or doubt. The best way to allow anything is to remove doubt. So how do you remove doubt? “Find proof or evidence,” “When we can prove something or we can get evidence, that helps us whittle away the doubt, and things can come to us much faster and much smoother — Michael Losier

DO

you feel you are only getting a fraction of what you truly desire? Do the things you want take too long to come your way? If that’s the case, you may need to work on the “allowing” part of the manifestation process. You must learn how to allow the law of attraction to work for you so you can create the life you want.

The proof you need is all around you — it’s everything and anything that you have desired, given attention and attracted. The more you notice the things you’ve attracted, the less doubt you will have and the more you will manifest, he says. “Become a seeker of proof, and start seeking things that you can say, ‘That’s here because of me!

came and donated blood freely to the National Blood Transfusion; we are calling for more donors", he said.

Also, apart from the dead already in the mortuary, Premium Times claimed that it counted at least 52 other corpses on the floor of the hospital mortuary including that of a little child.

It said: "When PREMIUM TIMES visited Plateau Specialist Hospital early hours of yesterday, an official confirmed that 15 of the injured victims brought to the casualty unit died just before midnight."

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had on Tuesday night said the casualty figure from the twin explosions stood at 118.

However, a laboratory manager at the National Blood Transfusion unit of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, said most of the 15 victims died during treatment due to loss of blood.

The Plateau Police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, had said on Tuesday that the area would remain shut until the police concluded its investigations and the debris were cleared.

Mr. Olakpe also explained that corpses and the injured were taken to four hospitals.

These were the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Bingham Hospital, Jos,

as well as the new and the old (temporary site) Jos University Teaching Hospital.

"When Premium Times visited the hospitals, hundreds of families and friends were seen trying to locate remains of their relatives or the injured ones.

Seven of my colleagues died

— Medical student Christiana Paul, a 500level Medical Laboratory Science student of the University of Jos, said seven of her course mates died in the blast.

She said five of the corpses had been found, two at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary. “The seven of them are my course mates, we are in 500-level. They went to Terminus to shop and the bomb caught up with them. Two bodies are here at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary,” the student said in tears.

"Also at the mortuary of the Jos University Teaching Hospital temporary site, which is adjacent to the blast scene, the corpses, about 100, were piled upon themselves and thus difficult to count.

The situation was similar at Bingham University Teaching Hospital."

In most of the hospitals visited, officials declined comment as they were

busy trying to attend to injured victims.

However, a medical personnel at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, who pleaded not to be quoted, said about 120 corpses were brought to the hospital, while injured persons were rushed to the permanent site for medication.

Meanwhile, the Jos main market, where the two explosions occurred in a spate of 15 minutes, remained closed yesterday morning.

Also at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, one Usman Adamu said he came to recover the body of his landlady, Amina.

He said the victim was at the market to buy a dress for her brother ’s daughter who is about to wed.

A cleric, Godwin Ejeh, of Kingdom Dominion Chapel, Dadinkowa, told Premium Times that his 18-year old daughter, Shekina Ejeh, who was sent to the market to buy groceries, died in the blast.

Keneng Choji, a civil servant, also said she lost her daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a neighbour to the explosion.

She said her daughterin-law was a fish trader at the market.

Some of the Muslims seen at the Plateau Specialist Hospital were already taking the corpses of their relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast although it is believed to have been carried out by the extremist Boko Haram sect.

The group has killed thousands of people since its insurgency began in 2009.

We're still investigating — UniJos Meanwhile, authorities of the University of Jos said, yesterday, that

it was investigating the report that 16 of its students were among the dead in the twin bomb blasts on Tuesday in Jos which claimed 118 lives and left over 100 others injured.

The Institution’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otowo said he could not confirm the information as the institution was still investigating the issue.

Otowo told Vanguard: “I personally went round the various hospitals yesterday but no such thing was recorded. The only student at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital with the University of Jos as his address was treated and discharged.

“I also learnt from a Medical Laboratory Science student that seven of her course mates died in the blast. She said five of the corpses had not been found but two were identified at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary”.

Otowo maintained he visited the temporary site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital where he saw two unidentified corpses while the mortuary attendant said no corpse was registered with the university as an address.

“We are still investigating and will have the true picture by tomorrow (today)”.

Similarly, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barr. Olivia Dazyem who had earlier gone round the hospitals where the victims were being treated told Vanguard she was yet to confirm the report.

Her words: “I am yet to confirm it. I got information that some UniJos students were passing around. Investigation is on to confirm the authenticity of the claim. We will get the true picture soon”.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 —9

F o r m e r Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu (3rd left) Pope Francis I and others after mass at St. Peters Square, Vatican City, Rome.

48 killed in fresh Borno attacks z Chibok schoolgirls sighted in 3 Boko Haram camps z Father of kidnapped girls dies of heart attack z NUT shuts schools for Bring-Back-Our-Girls rally z US troops hunt for schoolgirls in Chad

BY NDAHI MARAMA & LAIDE AKINBOADE

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AIDUGURI—NO fewer than 48 people were killed by insurgent group, Boko Haram, in Shawa and Alagarno villages of Askira Cuba and Damboa local government areas of Borno State, respectively.

The attackers also carted away food items after setting ablaze almost all houses in the villages.

Shawa is about three kilometres south of Kwapchi village which came under attack in the last two weeks, where 12 people were killed with several residential houses set ablaze, while Alagarno village is about 30 kilometres to Chibok town, where about 275 female students of Government Secondary School were abducted by the insurgents and about 117 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A local resident, Mallam Umaru Saina, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, said about 30 terrorists on 10 motorcycles stormed Alagarno village yesterday at 1:30a.m. and had a field day before they left.

He said: “A young woman in Alagarno village was missing during the attack, but nobody knows whether the woman was taken away by the insurgents who destroyed everything we had and burnt down our remaining food.

“The most painful thing is that, they did not spare children. They killed children, women, and men.”

7 Division

Meantime, Premium Times quoted senior military and administration officials as saying that Nigeria’s Special Forces from 7 Division have sighted and narrowed the search for the

abducted Chibok schoolgirls to three camps operated by the extremist sect north of Kukawa at the western corridors of Lake Chad.

Sources said the Shawa incident took place on Monday evening, while the Algarno attack took place yesterday morning.

Parents' death

Meanwhile, a father of eight, whose two daughters were among the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Mr. Mutai Hona, has died of heart attack as a result of high blood pressure, BP. Another parent, Madam Mary Lalai of Mbulabam village in Chibok Local Government Area died earlier of heart attack on hearing the news of her daughter’s abduction.

The news of Mr. Hona’s death was announced by his brother, Mr. James Yama. Yama, in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, said the deceased who was hale and hearty died last Sunday of psychological trauma when he realised that none of his two abducted daughters were among those shown in the video clip earlier released by the sect leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Late Hona, aged 56, survived by two widows, has been buried in Chibok.

Yama disclosed that most of the parents were neither eating nor sleeping due to psychological trauma.

He said: “We are suffering in silence. One of my brothers, Mr. Mutai Hona, whose two daughters were among those abducted, died last Sunday as a result of heart attack.

“Since the incident, he had

not been eating well, before he developed high blood pressure.

Relief materials rejected

“It will interest you to note that last Sunday, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in charge of North-East Zone were here in Chibok to distribute relief materials to the victims, but none of the parents of the abducted girls collected even soap.

“They protested to NEMA officials that all they wanted was for government to bring back their abducted daughters. In fact, most of those who benefitted from the relief materials were people whose daughters were not among the abducted.

“If we had seen the corpses of our girls, we would have forgotten about them. They have turned the whole episode into a hide-and-seek game with the authorities not letting us know what is really happening.

It is unfortunate.”

Teachers’ revolt

The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, yesterday, ordered the closure of all schools nationwide in protest against the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the killing of 170 teachers from Borno State and three from Yobe State by the insurgents.

National President of NUT, Mr. Michael Alogba, who gave the directive while addressing journalists in Abuja, said the union was depressed and sad over the continued incarceration of the Chibok girls by insurgents.

He urged the Federal Government and governments of Borno and Yobe states to exhibit true concern for the families of the 173 teachers.

Alogba said: “The NUT has resolved to hold Bring Back our Girls rallies simultaneously across the 36 states and Federal

Capital Territory, FCT, today.

“All schools nationwide shall be closed as the day will be our day of protest against the abduction of Chibok female students and the heartless murder of 173 teachers.

“At this junction, we demand that both the Federal and respective state governments should exhibit true concern to the families of the 173 teachers who lost their lives to the barbaric, uncivilised and wicked acts of terror by paying them adequate compensation to assist in soothing their misery.

“It is also important to take insurance cover for both students and teachers in the vulnerable political environment of the country.

Education should be publicly declared as fundamental human rights and abridgement should be criminalised.”

US troops

The United States of America, USA, has deployed 80 military personnel to Chad to help regional efforts to rescue the more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls, President Barack Obama said yesterday.

In a letter to the US Congress, he said: “These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area.

“The force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the kidnapping situation is no longer required.”

France also has forces in Chad, while Britain and the United States have sent small teams of specialists to Nigeria to assist the Federal Government in the search for the girls.

“It has been a most difficult but heroic breakthrough,” one senior military official said in Abuja, according to Premium Times.

That claim was supported by

another senior commander from the Army’s 7 Division, the military formation created to deal with the insurgency in the NorthEast. The 7 Division is headquartered in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

The news is also key for the Maiduguri-based 7 Division a week after a humiliating mutiny by troops of its 101 battalion who fired at the General Officer Commanding the division, Ahmadu Mohammed, a Major General.

Military officers coordinating the search and other officials in Abuja said Boko Haram insurgents split the girls into batches and held them at their camps in Madayi, Dogon Chuku and Meri, all around the Sector 3 operational division of the military detachment confronting the group’s deadly campaign.

Another source said there is a fourth camp at Kangarwa, also in Borno State. That claim could not be independently verified.

Sightings

“Our team first sighted the girls on April 26 and we have been following their movement with the terrorists ever since,” one of our sources said.

“That’s why we just shake our heads when people insinuate that the military is lethargic in the search for the girls,” he added.

The location of the abducted girls — North-East of Kukawa — opens a new insight into the logistic orientation of Boko Haram, responsible for thousands of deaths in a fiveyear long insurgency.

President Goodluck Jonathan said the group had killed at least 12,000 people so far. This figure did not include the hundreds killed in a car bomb, Tuesday, in Jos and the about 10 murdered on Sunday in Kano in a suicide bombing.

Boko Haram’s movement

Details established by the military shows that while the world’s attention is focused on the Sambisa forest reserves, about 330 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the terrorists mapped a complex mission that began at Chibok, and veered north east of Sambisa, before heading to west of Bama and east of Konduga.

With the sighting, officials fear that Boko Haram militants may be seeking to create new options of escape all the way to Lo-gone-Et Chari in Cameroon to its South-East, Lake Chad to its east and Diffa in Niger Republic to its north, providing a multiple escape options in the event of hostile ground operations against it.

Notwithstanding the sighting, the government is said not to be considering the use of force against the extremists, a choice informed by concerns for the safety of the students.

10— Vanguard , THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Sesan Ogunro’s murder: Court remands 5 in prison over killing, N4.5m theft

BY EVELYN USMAN & ONOZURE DANIA

I

BRIEFING: US Commerce Secretary, Penny Pritzker, and Chairman Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu when Pritzker who is leading a delegation of 20 American businesses to Nigeria, addressed the media and business leaders in Lagos yesterday.

Elumelu spoke on behalf of the private sector.

KEJA—AN Ikeja Chief Magistrate Court yesterday remanded five men, who allegedly murdered Sesan Ogunro, the marketing communications guru and Group Managing Director, Eminent Communications, last December, after robbing him of property valued at over N4.5 million.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Eniola Fabamwo, ordered that the accused be kept at Kirikiri Prisons, pending an advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions.

The accused are Gbenga Ojo, 28; Sheriff Abolaji, 20; Yusuf Isiaka, 32; Michael Ayinde, 21; and Segun Asiye, 25.

They are facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, murder and armed robbery.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP. Samson Ekikere, told the court that the accused with others at large, committed the offences at 8.00 p.m. on December 22, 2013 at 1, Jobifele Way, Alausa, Ikeja.

He said the accused, armed with a pistol and other weapons,

killed Ogunro.

Ekikere said the accused also robbed the deceased of a Toyota Yaris car with number plate, APP 120 AA, worth N2m, belonging to his wife, and they also snatched a Honda Odyssey space bus with number plate AAA 329 BA, valued at N2.5 million, property of one Mrs Adeoti Balogun.

Ekikere alleged that the accused

robbed Balogun of her phones worth N40,000 and N10,000.

The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 1 (2) (a), (b) and 5 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Fabamiwo adjourned the case until June 23 for mention.

The prominent marketing communications guru and Group

We’ve met your demands, LASU tells ASUU reversal of the high LASU tuition

BY EBUN SESSOU & IKENNA ASOMBA

L

AGOS—THE authorities of Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo, yesterday, said they had fulfilled the core demands of the institution’s striking members of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and had gone ahead to approve new academic calendar for the 2013/2014.

Members of the university’s ASUU had Tuesday declared an indefinite strike over what they described as failure of the management of LASU to meet their three core demands, on

regime from N348, 750 to a maximum N50, 000 across board; repeal of the no vacancy, no promotion policy of the institution’s administration and the implementation of the universities (Amendment) Act, 2012, which would see academic staff in the professorial cadre retire at age 70 instead of 65, in the university.

However, speaking to Vanguard, the university ’s spokesperson, Kayode Sutton, claimed the university had engaged over 413 ASUU members, which dismissed ASUU’s allegation that there was ‘no vacancy, no promotion policy in the university.

FG has stopped illegal deductions —LASG

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS—LAGOS State government yesterday said the Federal Government had stopped the one percent monthly revenue deduction from state governments from the Federation Account.

The money was being deducted to fund police reforms.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had dragged the Federal Government to the Supreme Court over the deduction, arguing that the deduction violated section 162 (3-5) of

the 1999 constitution.

However, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, at a briefing, said other illegal deduction for protection of oil pipelines in the country, had been stopped.

Gbeleyi said the deductions stopped based on the protests by governors led by Fashola contending that the Federal Government had no constitutional rights to deduct such funds.

He argued that the central government should not have deducted funds from Lagos account for police reform because Lagos had funded the Nigerian Police Force through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF.

FMBN calls for remittance of workers' deductions BYVICTORAHIUMA-YOUNG

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AGOS—FEDERAL Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, yesterday in Lagos, called on organised labour to monitor the remittances of employers’ deductions from workers' salaries into the National Housing Fund,NHF, to avoid problems in accessing the benefits of fund, saying it had been discovered that some employers deduct without remitting.

The management of FMBN spoke at a one-day interactive session on the

reintegration of Nigerian workers into National Housing Fund, NHF, scheme, organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA. Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Gimba Kumo, said labour leaders could ensure remittances by going to the payroll department of their employers to obtain data on the number of workers and their deductions and remittances.

Represented by the Executive Director, Loan, Mr. Bola Ogunshola, Kumo said one of the challenges the current management discovered on assumption of office, was that there were incomplete records of contributions and their contributors To address the challenge, he said the management deployed a technology known as E-collection where contributors would be issued with E-card like ATM, that contributors could use to among others, monitor contributions.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014— 11

Controversy trails approval of Ijebu State by confab delegates

BY OLAAJAYI

I

BADAN—FRESH disagreements have arisen among some prominent Yorubas over state creation in the South West.

Delegates at the on-going national conference from the zone were said to have endorsed the creation of only Ijebu State from the zone.

A statement by Chief Wole

Akinwande and Mr Jare Ajayi on behalf of the Oyo State stakeholders on states’ creation, yesterday, stated that by virtue of various demographic indicators, Oyo State was the most deserving to be split into states.

Decrying this reported endorsement, the group maintained that South-Western delegates to the Confab informed the group that at no time did they

(delegates) hold any meeting where it was decided that Ijebu state be created from the zone.

Justifying its position, the group listed five factors as reasons why Oyo State was the most deserving to be split into states.

According to the group, with a landmass of about 28,245.26km2, Oyo State was bigger than about ten states in Nigeria presently and that Ibadan, the Oyo State capital remains the only Regional and

How Nigeria can be developed — EX-MEXICAN PRESIDENT

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

B E O K U T A — FORMER President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, there was no doubt that Nigeria would be one of the powerful engines to drive the world economy in the nearest future.

He however urged Nigeria to align with powerful countries in the world to quicken her pace of development.

Fox, who was a keynote

Speaker at Ogun State investors’ forum 2014, spoke on agriculture and Urban Development as catalyst for growth, submitting Nigeria could not survive that in isolation.

The former Mexico President, who governed between 2000 and 2006 said the relationship that existed between his country and North America fetched Mexico $1 trillion.

“The association between Mexico and United States of America is about $1 trillion, we

in Mexico import half of that, we in Mexico export half of that in that association between Mexico and United States."

“This Nation Nigeria, the unity of all Africa, you have the potentials to be a developed nation, you have the great advantage to learn from wise men, to learn from success stories, we do not have to do what others are doing because it will have to take so long to move from basic economy, agriculture, mining, oil into a manufacturing economy.

Provincial headquarters that has not become a state of its own.

“By this, we are referring to such provincial headquarters like Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, etc all of which have assumed the status of states respectively. In the spirit of fairness, equity and justice, it is high time Ibadan too was given the same treatment. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.”

The Stakeholders argued that even after creating Ibadan State out of the present Oyo State, what would be left was still big enough to be split into at least two hence the demands for Oke Ogun and new Oyo states.

They added that they had been agitating for the creation of Ibadan, Oke ogun and New Oyo states for decades.

The stakeholders on states’ creation supplied various data to back up its argument that even when Oyo State is split into states, each of them may still be bigger than about nine of the present 36 states in Nigeria.

It therefore urged the National Conference and the National Assembly to relax the stringent conditions on states’ creation. while at the same urging the latter to expedite action on creating new states.

Oyo 2015: We'll field Ladoja for guber — ACCORD

BY OLAAJAYI

I

BADAN – FORMER Governor of Oyo State and national leader of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja will contest the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Ladoja governed the state between 2003 and 2006 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chairman of the party, Bashir Lawal, who confirmed the development while speaking with members of the state Correspondents’ chapel, said “Senator Rashidi Ladoja is our governorship candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election. We don’t have any other aspirants for the post. We have even told those joining the party now that they are free to go for any post in the 2015 election but definitely not governorship. It is settled, Accord governorship candidate in the 2015 election is Senator Ladoja. And that is party’s position.”

OAU fees hike: Ooni intervenes, promises reversal

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—THE Ooni of Ife , Oba Okunade Sijuade, has waded into the face-off between the students of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State and the management over the hike in the tuition.

The Ooni, who was represented by his second in command, High Chief Lowa, the Adimula of Ife while addressing the students during their protest that led to the blockage of the roads linking Ife with other communities, aligned with the demands of the students, promising to persuade the management to reverse the fee.

Oba Okunade alongside thirteen other chiefs at the palace condemned the sudden increment during the “Save Our Soul” visit by the placards carrying students to the palace.

“The Ooni will do something and within the next 24 hours, the fee will be reversed," he said

Ogun targets $1trn in new investment drive ...Focuses on agric, urban devt

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

A

B E O K U TA — OGUN State government is to partner the private sector in its renewed drive to attract investments worth $1 trillion into the state, focusing on agri-business and urban development.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this yesterday, in Abeokuta, at the second edition of the Ogun State Investors’ Forum, with the theme, ‘Agriculture and Urban Development’.

He said the state had already attracted a cumulative investment of $7.3bn within the last two years, from 46 companies, as direct fallout of the first edition of the Investors Forum held in 2011.

The governor noted that about 30 more companies were at various stages of completion, explaining that the state conducted the business of government and reformed the structures of service delivery to ensure that Ogun was not only open for business but indeed friendly to business.

According to him, the state had created an enabling environment for investment to thrive and was improving its investment climate capable of driving investment beyond the current status, saying “ we have the capacity to grow beyond where we are presently.

Today, we have created an enabling environment for investment to thrive and improved our investment climate, and thus make our state an investors’ destination of choice. For instance, between the hosting of the first edition of the Ogun State Investors’ Forum and now, about 46 major industries with a total investment of about $7.3 billion have established businesses in the state while over 30 others are in their various stages of completion.

“We have Lafarge WAPCO Cement, Wemco Cold Steam Iron Steel ,May & Baker, Shongai Plant, Procter & Gamble which is the largest single American investment in Nigeria, outside the petroleum sector."

C M Y K

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

I won't surrender state resources to individuals —Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that he will not be intimidated to use the resources of the state to service private individuals who do not have the interest of the people at heart, adding that his government will work for the masses and not godfathers.

Speaking at the inspection of the on-going Storm Water Masterplan Project in Benin City, Oshiomhole said he wished those who have defected from the state's chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, “safe journey” to their new destination."

He said: “I am aware that some people have left our party. We wish them safe journey. When I came, I was clear that I will work for the people of the state. I did not say I was going to work for individuals.

So, if individuals feel angry that I have not helped them in what they call ‘individual personal empowerment,’ I have the choice to make: work for individuals or work for the people. I choose to work for the people.

“Day or night, come sun or come rain, I know that the voice of the people is the voice of God and when God

stands by us, who can we be afraid of? I know that with time, water will find its level. Those who cannot cope will leave and many have left. Those who are happy with progress will stay and the overwhelming majority of the people have stayed.

“I know that many people were deceived and they are already returning because they were told to come for a meeting only to see people with micro-

phone saying they are resigning from the party. We will not decamp. We will continue to do what God asked us to do and I know that the people of Egor will continue to support me. In the last election, I got 96 percent in this local government.

“I know that the more we work, the more benefits people will see, because we are still going to build more

schools, the construction work will continue, we will deliver more transformers.

“Let me assure you, for us, it is ‘let the people lead’ not let the godfathers enjoy and allow the people suffer. If the godfathers like, let them move away, we will continue the development of Edo State and our people will continue to enjoy good governance."

VISIT: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd right) his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (2nd left), President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Felix Omobude (left) and Vice Chairman, PFN, South-South, Rev. Simion Okah, when the PFN President led members of the Delta State chapter on a courtesy visit to the governor in Asaba, Wednesday.

Photo: Henry Unini.

2015: Uduaghan warns against importation of arms zSays no room for violence in Delta

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, FESTUS AHON, EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & GODWIN OGHRE

A

SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, warned politicians against importing arms into the state in preparation for the 2015 general elections, vowing that his administration will do everything to frustrate such actions anywhere in the state.

Uduaghan, who briefed newsmen in the state capital, Asaba, said he was aware that some politicians were piling weapons in the state, adding that he has a responsibility to ensure that there was no violence in the October 2014 local government polls and the 2015 general elections.

He said: “I have also warned politicians not to heat up the polity by their actions, utterances and remarks in the media over their political ambitions. Some persons have interpreted that to mean that I am gagging people from expressing their feelings and ambitions. That is not what I

meant and I have no apology on that.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is yet to lift the ban on campaigns. That is a constitutional provision, not my order. But people are consulting and meeting and they are free to do that. But I am saying that no one should allow his personal ambition to heat up the polity and cause confusion in the society.”

Governor Uduaghan added that

it was for the reason of ensuring peace in the polity that he had to bar political office holders, particularly his cabinet members, from making political statements concerning their interest in 2015.

He said: “I was in the cabinet during my predecessor’s time. I know how such conduct created confusion and distraction in the cabinet. So I say you cannot be in the cabinet and be

making inciting statements.

Even the President (Jonathan) also saw the danger in these and declared that cabinet members wishing to pursue political ambitions could excuse the cabinet.”

On insecurity in the country, the governor said Delta State will this year observe a lowkeyed Democracy Day with a prayer session by children to seek God’s intervention in the plight of the abducted Chibok girls.

MEND lied over P-Harcourt Refinery explosion —IYC

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, yesterday, dismissed the claim by Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, that its armed militias were responsible for the explosion that rocked the Port Harcourt Refinery in River State.

IYC noted that its investigation revealed that the weekend explosion in the refinery, which led to the death of eight persons, was due to activities of oil thieves and

pipeline vandals in the area.

Spokesman of IYC, Mr. Eric Omare, told newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, that contrary to MEND's claim, preliminary investigation conducted by a three-man committee set up by the IYC over the incident, discovered that the explosion was caused by an open boat engine used by the suspected oil thieves.

He said: “We set up a committee to ascertain the cause of the explosion and the outcome was that it was not MEND or any particular or-

ganisation that carried out the explosion. It happened as a result of the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals rampant in the Niger Delta.

“What actually happened was that they went into the place with an engine that was not covered. As you know, crude oil is highly inflammable and the result was an explosion. Contrary to MEND's claim that it caused the explosion, citing alleged displeasure with the amnesty programme, the explosion was caused by the oil thieves.”

Kidnapped Rivers LG Chair regains freedom

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— CONTROVERSY is trailing the circumstances under which the chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State, Mr. Awori Miller, was released by kidnappers in the early hours of yesterday.

It will be recalled that Miller was taken hostage two weeks ago in the new GRA area of Port Harcourt.

While the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, alleged, yesterday, that it was the massive pressure from the Police that forced the kidnappers to release the chairman, some persons close to the chairman, who did not want their names mentioned, said N10 million was paid as ransom to secure Miller's freedom.

Meantime, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Ogunsakin, said he had created an additional Police station known as Egi Police station to beef up police operations in the Orashi area of the state.

Fire guts petrol tanker in Rivers ...seven vehicles razed

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

A

PETROL tanker fell yesterday evening in Rumukpokwu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State and burst into flames.

About seven vehicles parked on the road where it fell were burnt. No life was lost in the incident.

At press time, private companies and the state government mobilised fire-fighting vehicles and men to put out the fire.

Details were hazy on the cause of the incident.

But an eye witness said that the tanker was trying to avoid a vehicle when it skidded off the road, landing on its side spilling its contents before bursting into flames.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—13

MAINSTREET: EOI phase completed, says AMCON

BY INNOCENT ANABA

T

HE Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, yesterday, said that submission of Expressions of Interest, EOIs, phase in the divestment of Federal Government holdings in Mainstreet Bank has been successfully completed.

AMCON’s Head, C o r p o r a t e Communication, Strategy and Research, Mr. Kayode Lambo, said: “In confirmation of the earlier comment made by the corporation that the time frame given was adequate for serious, interested parties to submit all requested documents, 25 EOIs were received.

“This spanned a diverse group of interests which included local and foreign banks and local and foreign investment groups.

“It is worthy of note that the number of requests received for this advertisement exceeded expectations and the corporation is impressed with the profiles of the entities.

“Please note that the bidding process has not yet begun. All successful EOI applicants will now be required to submit further information to enable the advisers perform a due diligence on them.

“At the completion of that exercise, the successful applicants will proceed to the next stage, which will be the due diligence phase.

That phase is expected to take four to six weeks after which they will be required to submit their bids.

“This process included a thorough search for reputable advisers, who have been engaged.

AMCON remains committed to fairness and transparency in the entire process as it looks forward to the next steps in the divestment of its shareholding in Mainstreet Bank.”

INSECURITY: Poor funding affecting military operations — ARMY

BY BEN AGANDE & LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA — AU THORITIES of the Nigerian Army, yesterday, raised alarm over the negative impact of inadequate funding for military operations currently going on in the North-East and other parts of the country, noting that the development needed to be addressed urgently.

Chief of Accounts and Budget of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abdullah Muraina disclosed this in Jos, yesterday, even as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Kenneth Minimah who spoke in a similar tone said that ethno-religious crisis and terrorism has left serious financial demand on the Nigeria Army.

The two generals made their remarks during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Army Finance Corps Warrant Officers/Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Training Week, 2014 holding at the Headquarters of the Infantry Course Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

Muraina said: “Apart from the limitations of the envelope system, the Nigeria Army is enmeshed in the bureaucratic bottleneck for funding approvals for military operations.

“Currently, budgetary allocation for the military is inadequate to meet the contemporary security challenges and also cater for the welfare of the Nigerian Army. This calls for a review as the increasing speed at which the effects of conflict appear in the operational environment will continue to challenge military commanders”.

Consequently Muraina said: “It is our humble appeal that government could evolve other

means of funding and supporting military operations other than the normal budgetary allocation.

“Such means include but is not limited to strategic co-operation and liaison with other civil industries for the production of uniforms and other equipment”.

He suggested that, “a special operations fund could be included in the defence budget and placed under the control of the Chief of Army Staff for immediate disbursement to the required operation areas”, adding that “our focus is to provide financial management support to the Nigerian Army across the full spectrum of operations during this period of security challenges”.

Explaining the magnitude of the problem, the CAB said: “This year, N4.8billion was allocated for capital projects for the Nigerian Army. Of this amount, because of the security challenges, the army decided to buy ballistic helmets and fragmented jackets (2 items) for 20, 000 soldiers, at a cost of $1500, it will amount to about N3billion. Meanwhile, about nine items are needed for the soldiers”.

The COAS, on his part said: “No doubt, you are aware of the increasing wave of socio-political and ethno-religious crisis threatening the nation’s security lately. This has assumed a higher dimension, witnessing spate of bombings and attacks on vulnerable points and other strategic areas of interest to the country. This has left serious demands on the Nigeria Army resources.

“We also know that funding is fundamental to containing security challenges. Success in this pursuit, therefore calls for prudent and efficient management and application of funds. I envision an Army that will effectively

manage its available resources to be able to meet contemporary challenges”, he said. About 150 non-commissioned officers are attending the course, expected to end next Friday.

Terrorism: Northern govs not doing enough —Maku Meanwhile, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, yesterday, lambasted governors of the 19 northern states, saying that the insurgency in the zone has continued to fester because “they are not doing enough to win the war against terror.”

Briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting which he said discussed extensively, the recent bombings in Kano and Jos, Mr Maku said rather than preoccupy themselves with criticizing Federal Government, the governors of the northern states must mobilise their people to join the fight against terror.

“It is not the weaknesses of the armed forces, it is the same way the Americans are getting frustrated in Afghanistan.

“Every governor of the 19 northern states must monitor people at the grass root or local level. Until we have every state government determined to organize its people in terms of information gathering, we may not be able to defeat terror,” he warned.

According to the minister, the required result from the declaration of the state of emergency in some states in the North-east has not been achieved because of lack of adequate cooperation with security agencies.

“We have not seen this preparation going on, if we did this, Chibok would not have occurred. If we are organizing our people, I believe we would have defeated terror by now. You need

the co-operation of every little unit to expose these people who are terrorizing the people.

“The entire north must prepare its traditional rulers, each village head, each religious leader and the people to create the necessary synergy and mobilize the people against Boko Haram.

“We need to speak with one voice against terrorism. But the right political mobilization must be put in place and I think that this is what the media should support.

“When people tell you that because we have sent troops we can win the war, it is not true. It is a war with a few ideologically programmed individuals. You need the right networking. We do not have to wait a long time if we do what we are supposed to do and without this cooperation, these people may continue to waste more blood.”

Mr Maku cautioned against undue antagonism of the nation’s security services warning that “If we destroy our armed forces, we do not have alternatives. These are the people being killed daily and they are doing a lot for this country.

These are people whose children are being turned into orphans. This is a guerilla warfare and we believe that Nigerians can help to win it if we prepare ourselves and organize ourselves to defeat terrorism by mobilizing our people to give information about the terrorists” He equally cautioned politicians against unnecessary grandstanding saying that “the objective of terror group is to divide the opinion of Nigerians, put fears into the people and get them disunited and we need to understand that politics aside, we must unite to fight this terror.”

Reps begin probe of alleged N10bn jet scam

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA— SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, mandated the Public Accounts Committee to commence an investigative hearing on the alleged N10 billion air charter services scam involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Apparently angered by reports that the House had jettisoned the probe, the Speaker directed members of the committee to commence hearing on the issue.

Tambuwal gave the

directive barely five minutes after plenary resumed yesterday.

The directive was greeted with about three minutes of silence before other matters were tabled before the House.

steps, promising to seek legal opinion on the issue.

Then the reflection of most lawmakers was that there was an order restraining the House from probing AlisonMadueke.

Earlier

Court's order

Vanguard recalls that the House, in March 27 plenary, had mandated the accounts committee to commence an investigative hearing into the scam.

The probe, which was slated for April 28, was botched as the Minister of Petroleum Resources had gone to court on that same date.

For fear of violating the laws, the lawmakers retraced their

However, an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed doused the fear, saying he did not grant any order restraining the House from probing the alleged jets charter by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Also reacting on the incident on the floor of the House, Tambuwal had insisted that

whether the court stopped them from probing the alleged corruption or not, the House would study the court orders and seek legal advice on the matter before further probe.

Some lawmakers had raised a point of order that the House had the constitutional responsibility to investigate the allegation that the minister spent N10 billion on a chartered private jet, Challenger 850, in the last two years.

Tambuwal, however, explained that the House would seek the opinion of a lawyer if the court had the powers to stall its investiga-tion of the alleged scandal.

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14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Obiano moves to combat crime with job creation I N FULFILMENT of his prom ise to fight crime and criminality in Anambra State through a massive job creation scheme, Governor Willie Obiano has ordered the commencement of an exercise to create a comprehensive data bank on all unemployed youths in the state, with a view to offering them employment.

Announcing this Tuesday at the flag off of a road project at Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, the governor advised unemployed Anambra youths to go to the state Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the local government council offices for registration.

Obiano’s new administrative drive took its propelling force from his promise in his first Broadcast to Ndi Anambra in April this year, when he had declared the determination of his administration to push for a more crime-free society by creating jobs for the state’s teeming population of youths.

He said: “Ndi Anambra, my administration shall be sensitive and responsive to your needs. To this end, we have realized that our crackdown on criminals must go hand in hand with a robust plan for youth employment.

“We are well aware that if we replace the guns in the hands of our youths with employment letters and seed monies for small-

scale businesses, Anambra would be freer from criminals and social miscreants that have denied us a peace of mind.”

Largely hailed as a bold attempt to put a human face to the ongoing crackdown on criminals in the state, Obiano’s announcement

contains a comprehensive plan to train the youths in various agricultural and farming methods, including poultry, fish-farming, animal husbandry and other lifesustaining skills that will keep the youths off the streets. According to him, the data capturing

exercise will also provide his administration a rich reservoir of statistics that would not only help facilitate planning and budgeting but also help the realization of other initiatives as contained in his administration’s Four Pillars of Development.

2015: INEC dismisses claims of missing names in Enugu voters' register

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA — THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, dismissed claims that names of some prominent politicians were missing from the voters register in Enugu State.

Reacting to various media reports indicating that the names of the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sullivan Chime and that of the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Vita Abba, were missing from the voters register, Mr Kayode Idowu, Special Adviser on Media to INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega wondered where those making such allegations got their information since INEC had not yet displayed the voters register .

He queried: “Where did they see the Enugu voters' register? INEC is beginning a continuous voters' registration exercise in some states which includes Enugu tomorrow.

“It is when we distribute the permanent voters cards for that state that we would display the voters' register. So, I don’t know the voters' register from which their names have been omitted.”

He explained that during the forth-coming exercise, prospective voters who registered in some poll-

ing units in Enugu State in 2011, would be asked to repeat the exercise next Friday. ”There are some polling units in different states across the country where registered voters would be asked to come and repeat the exercise because when we consolidated the data, we discovered that the data for such units were defective.

Idowu denied claims that some polling units had disappeared from the list INEC provided in the state.

It would be recalled that there were media reports last weekend that 40 per cent of registered voters in the state had disappeared from the register released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

IPMAN accuses PPMC of diverting petroleum products

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU — INDEPENDENT Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, yesterday, raised an alarm over the diversion of petroleum products meant for the association by the Pipeline Products Marketing Company, PPMC, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC. The association urged President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently intervene to prevent looming fuel scarcity, which would aggravate the fragile socio-economic and security situation in the country.

The association offered to assist the Federal Government to expose shady deals and the oil cabals both within and outside NNPC/PPMC that make the nation lose billions of naira monthly in the name of petroleum subsidy, even as the products remained diverted and scarce.

Addressing a press conference in Enugu, National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chief Austin Ndigwe, also raised alarm over what he called “black market injunctions” purporting to have stopped the caretaker committee appointed by IPMAN national executive to run the affairs of Enugu Depot of IPMAN, pending when substantive elections would be held, from operating.

Group opposes registration of Isoko contractors/ marketers association

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GROUP, Isoko National Youths Movement, INYM, under the presidency of Comrade Jackson Ureghe and Lucky Okeremu as general secretary, has opposed the registration of Isoko Contractors, Marketers, Skilled and Unskilled Development Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAM, as published on page 11 of Vanguard of May 19, 2014.

INYM, according to its former president, Azino Onaemo, said it "completely objects to the planned registration based on the fact that the listed names in the publication were stooges used in the past to plague Isoko Nation.

Onaemo said: "The INYM opposition to the publication and planned registration is in order to ensure peace and tranquillity across Isoko Nation.

Curbing this futuristic upheaval is our primary motive for the overt opposition."

Ebonyi govt, rice mill boss, in ownership tussle ...3 workers, wounded in fracas

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — THE struggle for ownership of Abakaliki Rice Mill got dirtier, yesterday, as three staff of the company were wounded by thugs allegedly loyal to the fourman committee set up by the state government to take over operations of the company a week ago.

The government and chairman of the rice mill, Deacon Joseph Ununu, had been locked in a running battle over ownership and control of the privatelyowned company.

This culminated in the government setting up a four-man committee to work out modalities of taking over control of the Mill.

The victims, including Chidiebere Mbam, Chijioke Nwode and Albert Oketa, currently receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA, were said to have been attacked when they insisted on defending the leadership of Deacon Joseph Ununu, the elected chairman of the company.

When Vanguard visited the company, persons loyal to the committee were seen collecting toll at one of the entrances to the Mill, while workers loyal to the chairman were at another entrance performing a similar responsibility.

Briefing newsmen over the incident, the current chairman of the company, Deacon Joseph Ununu, who condemned the use of thugs by the committee to terrorise both operators and customers at the Mill, stated that the level of peace in the company was possible because of his display of maturity in the matter.

He alleged that the state government was using the committee members to cause chaos at the Mill so as to give the general public the impression that there was break down of law and order in the state.

He said no amount of intimidation will make him relinquish his position as chairman of Abakaliki Rice Mill Company.

He advised the state government to follow due process in its bid to ensure that they (rice millers) left the Mill, insisting that it was wrong for them to be driven out without due compensation.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 15

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Kwara raises N210m for local governments

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN — THE Kwara State government said it has sourced for N210 million to assist the local governments across the state meet their primary obligations in view of the shortfall from the monthly allocations from the federal account.

Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu made this known, yesterday, at a news conference shortly after a crucial meeting with all the chairmen of local governments in Ilorin.

Banu said from 2011 till date, the NNPC had withheld over N3trillion to the federation account, which he claimed was

largely responsible for the shortfall in the monthly allocations.

He described the development as an aberration and illegal, saying that all monies must first be

paid into the federation account before being appropriated. ”When we asked them in our meeting in Abuja why they did not remit this money, they claimed

that it was spent on fuel subsidy, which we all know was not properly accounted for,” he added.

Banu, however, assured civil servants and other stakeholders

that the present administration would do everything within its means to meet their yearnings in order to move the state forward in spite of the challenges.

25 APC members of Adamawa Assembly defect to PDP

BY UMAR YUSUF

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OLA — THERE was a major political development in Adamawa State, yesterday, when all the 25 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the House of Assembly defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the floor of the House, making it a oneparty house.

At the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ahmadu Fintiri, the APC members, who were led by the Minority Leader, Warfariniyi Theman (member representing Hong) defected from their former party, when proceedings were temporarily suspended to deal with a matter of personal explanation under Order 41 of the House Rules.

The APC members explained

that although they won elections under the ACN and CPC, respectively, the platform they claimed no longer existed by virtue of their fusion into the APC. They explained that they resolved to move to the PDP after due consultations with their constituencies.

Responding, the Speaker observed that the members acted in accordance with laid down procedures and particularly Section 109 (f) of the 1999 Constitution which empowers them to do so, describing their action as a welcome development.

“By this development, all the 25 members of this assembly are now PDP members,” Fintiri said, pointing out that their action confirmed the House’s support for the transformation of the

country by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Spokesman for the House, Adamu Kamale, who addressed reporters immediately after the sitting, declared that the PDP lawmakers had no plans to defect to APC. Kamale said that the allegations that 17 lawmakers romanced with APC, were untrue, saying that the lawmakers had never left PDP, or joined APC with Governor Murtala Nyako.

Reacting to the development, the former state Secretary of the PDP, Mr. P.P. Elisha, who defected along with Governor Murtala Nyako, to APC, described the action of the lawmakers as constitutional.

Wife, 2 others kill traditional ruler in Nasarawa

BY ABEL DANIEL

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AFIA — THE Nasa rawa State police command, yesterday, said that it arrested one of the wives of a first class chief in the state, suspected to have conived with two other persons to kill her husband, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdullahi Zubairu on February 15, this year.

Zubairu was the traditional ruler of Kwara in Farin Ruwa Development Area of Wamba Local Government Area before his death.

The state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, who addressed newsmen in Lafia, the state capital, yesterday, said that one of the late traditional ruler’s wives connived with a popular medical practitioner as well as the paramount ruler’s driver to kill him.

According to Idris, ‘’on receiving a report, detectives attached to homicide section of Wamba division

immediately mobilised to the scene at about 0430hours on February 15, and found the deceased lying on his bed with signs of injections on both hands and bruises on his neck.

“Search was conducted at the scene and one bottle containing some quantity of a chemical, popularly known as Ota piapia, and a Nokia handset were recovered with syringes and a woman’s sanitary pad in a- soak -away/septic tank in the compound.”

He said that the first wife of the paramount ruler who was a prime suspect with a known medical practitioner, one Halilu and his driver were all arrested and have been charged to the court.

Also, commenting on the 55 robbery suspects arrested by the police in the state, Idris said that items recovered from them included five AK47 riffles, 32 locally made shot guns, six locally made pistols, 346 rounds of live ammunitions, 15 cartridges, nine cutlasses, five cars of different makes.

JOGS 74/79 set holds meeting

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HE MONTHLY meeting of IjebuOde Grammar School Old Boys Association, JOGS, 1974/79 set, will take place on May 25, 2014 at 2p.m.

General secretary of the association, Mr. Adeola C M Y K

Adelana said the meeting will hold at No. 1 Olorunsogo Street, Molipa, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Host is Dr. Olowu Ademola, Principal Medical Officer, General Hospital, Ikorodu.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 17

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Tremendous sacrifices This is the sorry pass we have arrived at in our country. It is a reflection of the state of our armed forces; and I say that, not to demoralise our very heroic combatants who have made tremendous sacrifices contending with the challenge of the Boko Haram insurgency.

A very dangerous dimension was introduced recently, when troops of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, opened fire on the car of the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major General Ahmed Mohammed. The soldiers were reported to have been angry over the killing of 12 of their colleagues in an ambush by insurgents on their way back from the north of Borno.

Soldiers blamed the lack of adequate fighting equipment for their death. DAILY TRUST of Thursday, May 15, 2014, quoted an officer, who said: “The 101 Battalion has severally complained that they lack kits, including fragmented jacket.

They repeatedly complained

that strategic and tactical thinking were not quickly adapted to the new challenge while the provisioning and morale of forces suffered.

The Nigerian Army has also suffered a high attrition rate amongst its officer corps, with forcible retirements of highly trained and experienced officers, to ensure the promotion of favoured officers.

Surely, we cannot continue to lose our best-trained officers to retirements just to satisfy nepotistic elevations of favoured officers; in the long run, as we are discovering with the Boko Harm insurgency, it is the army that suffers.

Yet, this has not always been the situation with our fighting men and women. I can say, without ambiguity, that we have always possessed some of the best soldiers on earth. It is not for nothing that we have always been some of the greatest suppliers of troops to peacekeeping operations around the world. We can teach other armies around the world how to effectively keep the peace. In the course of my work as a journalist, I have reported from Darfur. I went on a Route Assessment Patrol with the Ni-

Nigeria's armed forces and the crisis of insurgency that they don’t have support weapons, they don’t have helmets, boots and basic things for survival like water”. The report also quoted another “credible source”, that the soldiers were angry over their inferior firepower compared to Boko Haram, as well as over delayed allowances.

How did we get to the dangerous pass, whereby soldiers will be confessing that: “It is not that we don’t know how to fight but we don’t have the equipment to fight. We always run for our lives whenever the terrorists come because they have superior weapons; it is difficult to confront them?” Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, to quote Shakespeare! As I noted on this page last week, Nigeria has appropriated almost N3 trillion, in the past few years, for the purposes of defense. So how come our troops

are so badly provisioned in terms of basic equipment, body armour and night vision equipment? Why did even President Goodluck Jonathan confess about the inadequacies which our valiant fighting men and women face? Related to this is the way some sections of the international community who have accepted to help us with the effort to free the Chibok girls, have been doubting the ability or willingness of our forces to engage the insurgency. While it is true that the Nigerian Army had historically been trained to fight conventional wars and enemies, not the asymmetrical war against an insurgency, it is also true that there seems to be a serious problem in the manner we have responded to the challenge posed by asymmetrical insurgency war. Looking in, from outside as an observer, there is an impression

gerian Army in South Darfur. I was with our soldiers in Juba, South Sudan; I saw our troops in action manning the mixed zone between government and rebel troops in Ivory Coast and I was equally pleasantly surprised to see our soldiers in Western Sahara. These are examples that filled me with patriotic pride, encountering Nigerian forces abroad.

Boko Haram insurgency They were professional and they provided leadership to the armies of other African countries. The Boko Haram insurgency has sapped the morale of our forces largely because of the way things have been handled by officialdom.

We need our troops to be taken to the highest levels of professionalism; with the best provisions in terms of equipment, combat gear, allowances and rotation from scenes of engagement. The enemy we face today, as a result of internal contradictions and external factors, continues to evolve; similarly, we must protect our borders and be capable of projecting force in our West African neighbourhood, as we did with ECOMOG and earlier in Chad, in the 1980s. And given the difficult job they do, Nigerians must recognise their sacrifices and give them support. Our armed forces are some of the best of our national institutions!

National conference 2014: Caucuses, posturing and friendships

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returned home a few min utes to midnight on Tuesday. I normally write my column between midnight and five am, Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I had a pretty crowded day today, attending different meetings: the Kwara State Group; the Northern Delegation and a host of other engagements in between. The re-commencement of plenary after three weeks of committee work should re-kindle the posturing by different groups around the fault lines that define the Nigerian psyche and space. From the commencement of the National Conference, I have

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ARLY this week, Nigerian newspapers carried on their covers the picture of local vigilantes in Borno State allegedly preparing to enter the dreaded Sambisa forest. They were ostensibly ready not only to rescue the Chibok girls, but to also confront Boko Haram insurgents. They carried local weapons, a few pump action guns and were “fortified” with an assortment of charms!

The motley group reminded me of the Kamajor hunters enlisted in the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, that Nigerian soldiers commanded by the late General Maxwell Khobe, eventually untangled. They also reminded me of childhood in Ilorin, during dry seasons, when local hunters accompanied by their mongrel dogs hunted for “bush meat”. Local vigilantes reflect deep-seated communal ethos of self-defense, hacking back to old days of precolonial warfare.

People transport themselves to idealised versions of their past when confronted with overwhelming crisis of modernity.

The appearance of local vigilantes also reflects the depth of crisis of national defense today in Nigeria. That picture is an expression of frustration in communities engulfed by the insurgency; they are prepared for self-help because the Nigerian state and its armed forces seem unable to guarantee their safety and security.

Self-help seemed to have received a boost, following the report last week, that local residents in the town of Rann, in Kala-Balge local government of Borno engaged about 300 Boko Haram insurgents and killed about 200 of them. The story in the media was that: “The people in Rann and environs used traditional fighting equipment and charms to repel the attacks (by Boko Haram)”, and BOOM, it has created a copycat effect!

the different committees, has given a fresh impetus to reengagement with shop-worn posturing that seem made for the Nigerian public space.

Nigerian elites are so suspicious of themselves, that the nationbuilding agenda is held ransom to the paralysing fears of what might be happening on the other side of our various fault lines.

There are many issues that we posture about, that ordinarily then get sorted out when we allow dialogue and reason to arbitrate our fears. The three weeks of committee work enabled me participate at close

The Boko Haram insurgency has sapped the morale of our forces largely because of the way things have been handled by officialdom

tried to be as engaged as possible in the process, while enjoying the imperative of an accompanying doppelganger that assists me to look in, like a detached observer, on the process that I am very much a part of! It is that doppelganger that I employ as scribbler of the reflections that I have been doing since the commencement of the National Conference.

The resumption of plenary, after the close quarters battles in

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quarters in a collective endeavour that was not without the drama, the hot air, the angst, the suspicion and assumption and also the brilliant insight, the grudging acceptance of a superior logic, developing respect for each other, commencement of friendly rapport and finally a tremendous team spirit and consensus building. By the end of the three weeks of work in the Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters,

we had literally become a genuine Nigerian family! There was not a single committee member who wanted the work to end. The mutual respect we had built was also enveloped in the ability of members to share a joke and when the need arose, to also check excessive overflow of emotions.

Iyorchia Ayu co-chaired the committee with Ken Nnamani; both were former presidents of Nigeria’s Senate and they brought to their role the experience of having presided over the often fractious body that reflects very much the Nigerian condition.

Mature calmness In close quarters, we could engage the humanity of exgovernors like Segun Osoba and Achike Udenwa; there was the effusive radicalism of Nasir Kura, who came from a civil society background; measured against the mature calmness of a Professor Nur Alkali or the seriousness of General Alani Akinrinade (he supplied kolanuts and bitter kola everyday!); and the all-round ability to give of themselves of Prof. Femi Mimiko, Festus Okoye, Ezinne Okoroafor, Sola Ebiseni and Remi Olatubora. A moment of hearty laughter was generously enjoyed at Sani Zorro’s ex-

pense, yet he never failed to excellently defend the media.

It was, therefore, a fitting finale that committee members, on Tuesday night, had dinner together as a measure of the mutual respect which flowed out of the serious work that we did together for three weeks.

I have come out of the experience of committee work reinforced in my belief that Nigerians really want to share the space of citizenship together; but they want a country built on justice and mutual respect for the aspirations of all its components.

The elite groups must learn the tolerance to accept that it is in the nature of diversity that we cannot always agree with each other. But even deeply felt disagreements cannot necessarily vitiate the content of the other person’s patriotism. It is a lesson that I believe will underline the posturing that we will have to deal with as we resume plenary again this week.

People will ventilate their angst with venom but in the long run, I do hope we will pull back from entrenched positions to the middle ground of realism that can help to provide the platform for us to begin to build an inclusive society. Let us see how the next few weeks pan out. Be assured that my beloved doppelganger continues to accompany this reporter.

18— Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 MERIAM Yahia Ibrahim Ishaq, until recently an unknown 27year- old pregnant Sudanese mother, is on the death row, after a court in her country convicted her of adultery and apostasy. She was sentenced to 100 lashes of the cane and death by stoning.

Her offence, according to the court, was that she renounced Islam and married a Christian man with whom she has lived for two years. The court held that Meriam, who has a Muslim father and a Christian mother “renounced” Islam. Evidence tendered during her trial, however, showed she never practised Islam since she preferred to stick with her mother’s religion. The court was unimpressed.

Under the sharia law, enacted in 1983, during the despotic rule of Gafaar Nimery, Muslims were forbidden to change their religion.

The penalty for those convicted of renouncing Islam was death.

Free Meriam Yahia Ishaq The irony of this discriminatory law which assaults the universal human rights of people to choose and practise any faith, lies in the fact that though they were of different religions, Meriam’s parents lived peacefully and raised their children. No court harassed them.

We view the death sentence on Meriam as inhuman. We strongly object to it. The barbaric judicial persecution is attracting almost the same level of universal revulsion as the abduction of the Chibok school girls by the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria. It follows in the odious tradition of

targeting women and girls by religious extremists and denying them their right to education and freedom of choice. We witnessed similar incidents in Nigeria about 10 years ago, where sharia courts in Katsina and Sokoto States sentenced young women to death for alleged adultery. A wave of protests across the globe saved them. The protests should save Meriam.

In Sudan, just like the Katsina and Sokoto cases, nothing was heard about the man with whom Meriam committed the adultery. It is another proof that the law is discriminatory.

We hope Meriam would be supported to escape the clutches of Sudan’s oppressive system. A committee of United Nations human rights experts has described the conviction as “outrageous”, calling for its immediate overturning and Meriam’s release. It reiterated that the death sentence, if it must be applied, may only be for the most serious crimes. “Choosing and/or changing one’s religion is not a crime at all. It is a human right,” the committee said.

The trenchant determination of Sudan’s northern ruling class to impose Islam on a multi-religious entity was responsible for the 30year civil war, Africa’s longest, that ended with independence for South Sudan.

Global pressure should be sustained on Sudan to respect the rights of its own people and give other Meriams a chance at choices.

OPINION

BY CLEMENT OMENEOGO

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MUAHIA main market has been there for as long as one could remember. For more than seven decades, the market was at the centre of the state capital, Umuahia. Even the colonial masters’ attempt to relocate the market in 1953 met a stiff resistance from traders and indigenes. On that note, successive governments even before and after the creation of Abia State from Old Imo State in 1991 avoided the idea of relocating the market in order not to incur the wrath of the few people who had been benefiting from the unenviable status of it being at the centre of the state capital.

With the creation of Abia in 1991 and Umuahia becoming the capital, human activities and population grew astronomically, just as business activities exploded in the market and its environs. Either as a resident or a visitor to Umuahia, you can easily walk into the market and buy whatever you want. Sometime the place could be a meeting point to share ideas and merriment of sort. I experienced, appreciated and enjoyed the situation then as a student and undergraduate, even though the market was obviously wrongly located.

When sometime in 2006, the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, came up with his government’s plan to relocate the market to a more suit-

Umuahia ultra-modern market as a model able place, I was among those who hastily and harshly criticised the idea. My criticism arose from the fact we have heard much of such talk in the past without any concrete action. Again how sincere and transparent will the government be in relocating the market, when and where? How better, accessible and suitable will the new site be and how soon will it be ready before government demolishes the old market and leave the traders and residents stranded? My fear and that of other critics of the government’s move were genuine because experience, they say, is the best teacher.

My disposition to the whole thing changed upon my return to the country sometime ago and I discovered that the state government has relocated the notorious and dirty timber market to a well-developed and secured area with all essential facilities, asphalted link roads and others. Also relocated was the Motor Spare Parts Market and Mechanics Workshop from the state capital to Ohiya along the Enugu/ Port Harcourt Expressway. With this development, I began to see the possible relocation of Umuahia Main Market as promised by the state government some years ago.

Back in Nigeria last month, I was greeted by a pleasant surprise.

While being driven from the

Owerri airport to Umuahia, I could see on getting to Mission Hill Road just close to the roundabout from where one can see the Umuahia main market, an empty vast land undergoing fencing. It was indeed a breath of fresh air as I was already thinking how we would beat the traffic jam usually caused by activities in the market to get to my village in time. On enquiry, the taxi driver told me that the market had been relocated to Ibeku Ubani since the end of last year.

After some days in the village, I took time to visit the new Ubani Ibeku ultra-modern market which is just ten minute drive from Umuahia, the state capital. On my way, I discovered that the single lane Umuahia/ Uzoakoli/ Ohafia road leading to the market was already being dualised by the government.

Apart from the public buses and tricycles that convey people from different places to the market, there were fully-airconditioned coaster buses provided by the state government to ease transportation to the market at subsidized rate.

On getting to the market, it was bustling as usual with activities and I also did not fail to notice the well-planned layout befitting a modern market. From the entrance to the exit was a dual carriage asphalted road and other link roads

that made movement of goods and people easy within the market. This is unlike what was obtainable in old Umuahia market that was governed by chaos. Already completed and occupied were about 4500 shops, while work is ongoing on the others. There are also essential amenities and facilities there like modern public toilet system, a police station, fire service, banks, street lightings, security, water, schools and hospitals. For easy trading, the market was segmented into the products/ services for the convenience of traders and dealers in sundry goods.

Also not too far from the market’s vicinity was a 5000-housing estate called Traders Estate. One of the traders informed me that it was built by the state government for traders interested in living close to the market for business exigencies. The trader disclosed that the market and the estate are already attracting rapid developments from the Umuahia/ Uzoakoli/ Ohafia to the market and beyond, stressing that there is already a rush for property along the axis.

On how the market and housing estate were quickly actualized, I was informed that on discovering that those who initially showed interest to invest in building the market were fraudulent,

the state government took it upon itself to embark on the project.

I learnt that the cost of each shop is not less than N2 million, but the state government gave it out to the traders at the sum N400,000 and N500, 000. Traders who were relocating from the Umuahia Main Market were asked to pay an initial N20,000 acceptance fee and a deposit of N100,000, while the remaining N300,000 would be spread across four years to enable the traders meet up. Non-shop owners who showed interest were asked to pay N400, 000 spread over four years and the deposit of N100, 000 and N20, 000 as acceptance fees.

Truly the market was a vision well conceived and executed. It is truly a modern market whose importance in the economic growth of the state and the country at large lies in the days ahead. Onitsha main market may be the biggest market in West Africa, but it lacks modernity, innovation and may not grow beyond what it is today. Ubani Ibeku International Market, from every indication, has the potentials of overtaking Onitsha Main Market in the nearest future.

*Mr. Omeneogo, a systems anayst, wrote from Toronto, Canada.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 19

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OKO Haram is as devious as the devil itself. From a ragtag band of misguided Islamic adherents which preached against Western education and everything Western as a whole, it has now become the most talked-about terrorist group in the world. It has overshadowed Al Shabbab in Somalia, the Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Chechen Islamists in Russia and the jihadist rebels that were dislodged from Mali. I will not go as far as glorifying them, as some have done, by saying they are smarter than the Federal Government. That is foolish talk.

Those who say so either do not understand the complexity of the challenge before the nation or they are merely acting out a script perfected by the enemies of the country who want to discredit the government and people of Nigeria to gain access to the Presidency; a mission that failed before and will fail again.

The single most important factor in the rapid growth of Boko Haram is not really because its

leaders have “outsmarted” the Federal Government. They are growing like bubonic sewer rats because of SABOTAGE. There are saboteurs in high and low places; from some of the Northern governors and highly placed political figures to compromise professionals in the armed and security forces down to the hoi polloi being forced or brainwashed to see innocent fellow Nigerians as “enemies of Allah” who must be killed or maimed, as captured fugitive and Nyanya bomber, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, was quoted as saying. Sabotage is viewed with utmost severity in normal, everyday circumstances, let alone situations of war. In Biafra, saboteurs were summarily tried and executed even at village levels. Boko Haram slaughter suspected saboteurs and send assassins after their family members.

But the Federal Government has allowed saboteurs, financiers, advocates, supporters and collaborators of terrorists to strut the landscape without fear of retribution. This

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is the first time I am seeing saboteurs and enemies of a nation at war dancing naked in the public square without the slightest fear of consequences. This is why Boko Haram has grown exponentially in spite of our huge investment in arms, logistics and human lives in the war against terror.

When Boko Haram killed, attacked villages at night and staged suicide bombings, they were just one of the many terror cells bedevilling Islam-dominated climes in Africa and Asia. But when they veered into burning of schools and massacre/abduction of students, particularly the

Beware: Third-term agents around T

HESE politicians may, after all, not be as smart as they pretend to be. Some of them are daft or simply hard of hearing. How else does anyone explain a situation where they keep doing the same old thing in the same old way and be expecting different outcomes?

To the fairly informed ones, it has since become clear that these conferences, by whatever name called, which are set up midstream in the life of an administration are mere euphemisms for seekers of tenure elongation.

Midway in his administration, General Olusegun Obasanjo assembled a group of friends to do the hatchet man’s job that collapsed half way, but not before billions of the tax payers’ Naira had been sunk into it.

From the very beginning, President Goodluck Jonathan knew what he wanted: he was not going to contend with five short years - one year inherited from the late Umaru Yar ’Adua and four years ostensibly won by him. The ink on his inauguration papers had hardly dried when he forwarded a Bill to the National Assembly suggesting the obnoxious idea of single seven-year tenure.

For as long as the idea for the sevenyear tenure did not fly, they kept reducing subsequent request Bills by one year until they got stuck at five years. Yet, the National Assembly could not pull it through.

So, let there be a conference. That explains why he quickly assembled 492 Nigerians, a few highly respectable and others not too honourable, to, as it were, work from the answer to the question. The silent message was to go there and find ways and means of extending the life span of the administration. This must be coated with other more attractive ideas in order not to expose the real thing. Plus, of course, it was another job for the boys.

That’s where we are now. All that has

been going on at the Jonathan Conference could be mere preamble to the real issue.

A senior delegate to the Conference, Chief Okon Osung, representing the SouthSouth geopolitical zone has just hit the nail on the head. This member of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue; Chairman, Nigeria Election Monitoring Group during the infamous June 1993 elections and former National Vice President of the NUJ, has called on the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to postpone the proposed 2015 general elections by at least 18 months.

Hear him: “With the present Nigeria’s national history and the insecurity [sic] challenges with Boko Haram engaging in massive killings of persons and wanton destruction of property in some parts of the country as well as cases of kidnapping, holding election in February next year is no longer feasible as it has become imperative for National Assembly politicoadministrative moratorium”.

In Osung’s reckoning: “If the current security crises are not properly managed before the holding of elections, there would be deadlock, which could lead to the possibility of military intervention”.

So naïve was the man that he did not introduce the main mandate of the Conference on the floor of the Conference.

Rather, he chose to put together a few journalists to launch his “manifesto”. Meanwhile, he has already set an agenda for his co-travellers to harp on.

Clearly, Jonathan wants the job but he does not want to do the work. A man cannot give what he does not have. Even if you give Jonathan 18 years more as President, things can only change for the worse.

Osung has just left us with fewer answers than questions. Such a man should have let his audience know exactly when his “insecurity challenges” will come to an

end.

In his naivety, Osung failed to inform his audience that seeking to extend the tenure of incumbents is not a constitutionmaking issue and, therefore, outside the mandate of the Conference.

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The swap we want

The Federal Government has allowed financiers, supporters and collaborators of terrorists to strut the landscape without fear of retribution; this is the first time I am seeing saboteurs and enemies of a nation at war dancing naked in the public square without the slightest fear of consequences

Chibok girls, they succeeded in touching the sore spot of humanity. Even some of their brothers-in-terror were dismayed and voiced their condemnation when “Abubakar Shekau” boasted he would “sell” the girls, like livestock, into slavery. Perhaps, this censure by their comradesin-terror forced Boko Haram to, for the first time ever, offer to swap the girls for their members in Federal Government custody.

Of course, their request was rejected outright. To the surprise of many, including your sincerely, as I write this piece, there are media reports that they have offered to return our girls in exchange for their wives, children and family members who are being detained.

I supported the Federal Government rejection of freeing Boko Haram commanders and fighters in exchange for the abducted girls. It is against the national interest to make such a swap. If we agree to such an ignominious demand, they may return the following day to ask us to divide the armoury of the nation and hand half of it over to them in return for the girls.

No responsible government will accede to that, and no hostage is worth that kind of swap.

But the offer to exchange their family members with our girls in their custody is, for me, quite another cup of tea. If it is true that Boko Haram actually made this offer, I am encouraged to believe that they may be human beings after all. Boko Haram has never made any reasonable offer. They have never issued any sensible statement. But this time, they have said something I am willing to consider. I am willing to

If there are inadequacies in the current instrument that need amendment, delegates at the conference should seek straightforward ways of effecting such amendments without trying to pass through the back door

,

That’s where the National Assembly steps in. But if there are inadequacies in the current instrument that need amendment, delegates at the Conference should seek straightforward ways of effecting such amendments without trying to pass through the back door.

We wonder if the Osungs of the Conference have ever looked at the provisions of Section 305 of our 1999 Constitution, which deal extensively with the procedure for declaring a state of emergency, particularly in the face of “insecurity challenges”.

While Section 305 aforementioned talks of a state of emergency of six months at a time, Osung should be seen now trying to convince his colleagues at the Conference to amend this clause to 18 months at a

advise that we set up the machinery towards making the swap take place if they will return those girls and others in their custody alive and safe. Let us return their wives and children to their families. Let us even treat them well and send their children to school because they are still Nigerian children.

Let us show a good example to shame Boko Haram and their misguided ideology.

If Boko Haram is willing to carry out this transaction, I am even willing, for the first time since they embarked on their murderous demonism, to suggest that we offer amnesty to those of them willing to take it and depart from their evil ways.

We can ask them to come out, surrender their weapons and denounce their insurgency. We can devise a means of processing the truly repentant ones back to normal society where they can be useful once again. But there won’t be any post-amnesty payouts. “Abubakar Shekau” and his top “commanders” must face trial.

The offer of amnesty should be the final olive branch to Boko Haram insurgents. Those who remain adamant after the deadline must be ready for the ultimate apocalypse. When we go for the final showdown we must go for broke. Shut down schools in all three flashpoint states, suspend democratic rule and impose martial law during the period of all-out war, evacuate civilian populations and deliver the final blow, even if we have to demolish the entire Sambisa Forest.

After that, we can rebuild, both physically and otherwise.

time, with his principal in view. That’s a civilized way to go.

Perhaps unwittingly, Osung may be endearing the military to the minds of Nigerians who will soon begin to ask what differences there are between this drab administration and the conditions under a direct military rule.

For one thing, most of the people running around in government today are of the same military stock. Or, is the khaki that makes the difference? For another, there are things, which only the military can do.

Under the military, you could go to bed one evening in State ‘A’ and wake up the following morning in State ‘B’ – a state had been created for you during the night!

In a civilian administration such efforts would be consumed by endless debates.

And if we really fear the military intervention like plague, why don’t we behave?

We have forever been celebrating the flagoff of the Second Niger Bridge, which we are told is about 1.5 kilometers long. Without the necessity for futile flag-off ceremonies, General Ibrahim Babangida built a 12-kilometre dual carriage bridge across the Lagos Lagoon. And no military administration would have given Ndigbo a toll bridge – a bridge whose criminally over-bloated cost they must pay, with the envisaged traffic jams!

Government is about human need, the satisfaction of which is the sole justification for government. Why don’t we remind the Osungs that there is no royal road to geometry and that it is not always too smart to be smart?

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

For Meriji, the 23rd birthday that never was

BY SUZAN EDEH, BAUCHI

ents”.

He said he has accepted the death of his daughter as the will of God because “everybody has a stipulated period of time to live on earth and when that is up, we must all go and meet our creator”.

Her Mother, Mrs Jumai Solomon

L

Gravity of the injury When VM visited the family in Yelwa Tundu, a suburb in Bauchi metropolis, relatives and friends of the family were there in their numbers to console them over the loss.

They are still to come to terms with the sudden demise of Meriji as they openly showed their grief through heart-rending wailing.

Some of the deceased colleagues in the university who came to symphatise with the family also could not control their emotions as they shed tears of grief and pain.

Mr Solomo Gantu told VM that his daughter’s death was like a nightmare to him because it never crossed his mind that such an incident could befall a young girl with such a bright future.

According to him: “I can’t imagine that Meriji, my favourite daughter, will die so soon because I never had any premonition that such tragic fate would befall her. Just the day before the accident, she came to tell me that she would like to celebrate her 23rd birthday in a big way and I supported her by giving her some money. The following day, before I went to work, she told me she would be going to the bank to withdraw some money

,

IFE will never be the same again for the family of Mr Solomon Gantu following the untimely death of their daughter in a ghastly motor accident in Bauchi State.

The sad incident which cut short the life of Meriji Solomon happened on May 8, 2014 along Yelwa, opposite an NNPC Mega Filling Station in the metropolis.

VM gathered that on the fateful day, the deceased was making plans to celebrate her 23rd birthday the following day. It was for this purpose that she decided to head to the bank to withdraw some money to enable her make adequate arrangements.

It was learnt that the late Meriji who is a 300-level student of Estate Department at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, boarded a commercial bike popularly called Okada from her residence in Yelwa Tundu to the bank. But on getting to the NNPC junction, the Okada man had an epileptic attack and lost control of the bike.

It was while the bike was swerving from left to right that it was hit from behind by a car. Both the Okada rider and his passenger fell to the ground. Unfortunately Meriji did not survive the impact of the fall as her head was said to have been smashed on the hard surface of the road. She died instantly due to the gravity of the injury on her head.

derstand the meaning of my dreams”.

She blamed herself over Meriji death’s, saying the dreams she had represented a warning sign from God over an impending disaster in the family and she did not take concrete action to avert it.

One of Meriji’s childhood friends, Mummy David, told VM that she received the news of the death of her childhood friend with shock, saying that she is finding it

It was while the bike was swerving from left to right that it was hit from behind by a car; Meriji did not survive the impact; she died instantly due to the gravity of the injury on her head

•The late Meriji Solomon one of her uncles sent to her. That was the last time I set my eyes on her and the next thing I heard was that my daughter was dead.

“I will definitely miss her because

she was my favourite child. She was very intelligent and hardworking at school and was not a troublesome person. She was very respectful and obedient to her par-

said that her daughter’ s death confirms the bad dreams she had been having lately in the last one month. According to her, “It is now that I understand the meaning of the bad dreams I have been having lately. Whenever I go to bed, I usually see myself in the midst of some people weeping. I kept asking myself what the dream meant.

Although I never told anybody about it, I just kept praying. For one month, I kept seeing myself weeping along with some people I didn’t know. It is now that I un-

,

hard to come to terms with it. According to her, the late Meriji was her classmate right from secondary school and they had been best of friends for over 15 years.

“I will miss her because we were very close friends right from childhood. Life has taught me that we have different paths in the journey of life. Some will live for 20 years, others will live up to 35, 40 and so on, depending on the time God has destined for each person on earth,” she posited philosophically.

Rape: A call for maximum punishment

BY MAYEN ETIM

R

ECENTLY, the Chairper son of National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Kaduna State Chapter, Mrs. Juliet Oyoyo, condemned in strong terms any form of discrimination against women. Mrs. Oyoyo said current laws were too lenient to deter offenders from acts of rape, saying that the only possible way of nipping the “madness” in the bud was for government at all levels to enact laws that induce stiff penalty such as death or life imprisonment.

She lamented the dimensions rape has now taken, adding that it has gone beyond mere affection and that women and children are the major victims. Her words: “The thing is on the increase now. It is not only here in Nigeria, but all over the world. It pains me as a mother to hear about a 70year-old man raping a child of even six months. So, one will want to ask the question: What is the attraction? To me, a lot of us see it beyond that. It is a ritual kind of thing. It has exceeded the issue of attraction, lust or sodomy.

“You see, why this thing is rampant is because the government is silent on it, even the judiciary. They have not yet enacted laws that will prescribe punishment like life imprisonment or even yet - sentenced to death. When there are laws like this, honestly other people will learn from it.

On our own part as women journalists, we have been suggesting that government, through the National Assembly, make laws to deter prospective perpetrators. We are, also, creating awareness for women on how to protect themselves and their children against rapists. As it is now, the moment you have a girl-child, you are afraid be-

cause you cannot leave her in the house with your neighbour or even your relatives. Are they telling us that it has now become a crime to have female children? Honestly Women protesting against rape we are worried”.

Another person who expressed sadness or sentenced to life imprisonment, adding that over incessant rape cases in the country is increase in rape cases should be of concern to the Director-General of Legal Aid Council, those in authority, whether as public office holdMrs. Joy Bob-Manuel. She spoke on acers, private or even religious leaders. cess to justice for the poor, which is a project Alhaji Garba frowned at indecent dressing and to assist the poor. Mrs. Bob-Manuel said the inability of some parents to correct their chilshe was looking for a society where disdren or wards in dressing manner. He observed crimination against women, children, and that some parents even buy clothes that expose people living with disabilities would be parts of the body for their children, especially eradicated. the female ones, thereby exposing them to sexual assaults and other types of violence. He, Preventing however, stressed that, even when a woman is potential rape not well dressed, or seen alone, or whatever, there is no justification to assault her or take She noted, “In an ideal world, the best advantage of her loneliness to perpetrate any way to prevent a potential rape is to eduevil against her. cate all men to respect and help women. It In the opinion of 21-year-old Ms. Gladys is good to first educate the men on how to Ephraim, rape victims should be properly respect and help women. If this is schooled on reporting their cases to family memachieved, then there won’t be any form of bers, and by extension to the appropriate ausexual assault on females again. We need thorities, knowing that it will help to stop the a holistic approach to curb the menace. perpetrator against the next person. She encourLet the government do its part, the judiciaaged parents and guardians to allow their fery, security agencies, religious leaders, tramale children to undergo Taekwondo or Kungditional rulers, parents and even the chilfu training for self-defense whenever the need dren so that the world will be safer for us arises; adding that the notion that such trainall.” An Islamic scholar, Alhaji Abdulwahab ings are for military personnel should be erased Garba Naibi has also observed that Islam from their minds. Ms. Ephraim added that what condemns rape, especially that of the mithe society has turned into demands devising nors. According to him, Sharia stipulates that every means to be at alert because there is noanybody caught in the act should be killed body to trust again.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 21

NEXIM claims creation of 24,000 jobs through intervention fund T

he Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) has said it made N5 billion financial intervention available to some key sectors of the economy. NEXIM Managing Director, Mr Robert Orya, made the disclosure in an interview in Abuja.

Orya said the bank had created lots of wealth and alleviated poverty through its intervention in the last four years, adding that it generated 24,000 jobs through its intervention fund. He reiterated the determination of the bank to ensure that it attracted N51.2 billion through its activities annually. The managing director said the bank gave N35.6 billion intervention to non-oil sector, and also guaranteed 27.3 million dollars about N4.3 billion to beneficiaries in the sectors. “ If you convert these two amounts of money together, it would be around N39.9 billion and that has created a lot of jobs for Nigeria. This is capable of generating an estimated foreign exchange of 320.12 million dollars annually,” he said. We decide to choose manufacturing, agro-processes, solid minerals and services, which include tourism, transportation and entertainment industry.

“Due to paucity of fund, the bank decides to choose four strategic sectors that we know can generate employment and alleviate poverty,” he said. He said the best way to develop the Nigeria’s economy was to give necessary fillip to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sectors. “In view of this, the bank has put in place structures to enhance the growth of SMEs in the country.

“From day one, I always say that if we want to move our economy forward considering its structure, the emphasis should be on the development of SMEs,” he said.

Orya said one of the things the bank did was to set up business development services to assist SMEs that had good idea but did not know how to put them in a bankable form.

CONFERENCE: From right:,Citi’s Sub-Saharan Africa Treasury and Trade Solutions Head, Mr. Peter Crawley; Citi’s EMEA Head of Payments and Receivables, Ms. Karin Flinspach; Citi’s EMEA Liquidity Management Services Head, Mr. Amit Agarwal and Citibank Nigeria Limited, Treasury and Trade Solutions Head, Mr. Segun Adaramola at the Citibank Treasury and Finance Conference in Lagos.

He said over 90 per cent of the intervention made was for the SMEs because that was where small jobs could be cre-

T

pact in the life of rural dwellers and make them less dependent on others.

Manufacturers raise alarm over 2,000 containers trapped in Lagos ports

BY GODWIN ORITSE

M

A NUFACTURERS Association of Nigeria (MAN) has raised alarm over the fate of about 2000 containers that are currently trapped in various ports in Lagos.

The group attributed this development to the faulty implementation of the newly introduced Pre-Arrival Assessment Report by the Nigeria Customs Service.

Disclosing this at a forum organized

Customs begins implementation of 35% duty on vehicles he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that it has commenced the implementation of new duties on imported vehicles and accessories introduced by the Federal Government with effect from May 1. The new policy, introduced by the government in November, 2013, requires importers of cars to pay 35 per cent duty on them, while tyres, buses and lorries attract 20 per cent duty in addition to five per cent Value Added Tax. The Assistant Public Relations Officer of NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the service commenced the implementation of the policy

ated.

The managing director said it was the SMEs that could make meaningful im-

based on a government directive issued in November 2013.

The Director-General, National Automotive Council, Mr Aminu Jalal, had on Friday said that the implementation of the new policy would commence on July 1. Meanwhile, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders have been protesting the sudden implementation of the policy in the last few weeks. The two associations urged the Federal Government to reexamine its National Automotive Policy, which occasioned the increase in duties, pending the establishment of car assembly plants in the country.

by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in Lagos,, a member of the association Mr. John Aluya alleged that wrong interpretation of policies at the port by Custom officers has caused various setbacks for the maritime industry.

Particularly, he said that more than 2000 containers belonging to importers are currently trapped in the ports as a result of the bureaucracy between the Ministry of Finance and the Customs.

Aluya said that the information emanating from government are conflicting in most cases, and that once they gets to the Customs, different interpretations are given to them.

“This should not be so, but it is like that because government has inadvertently allocated revenue target to Customs and It is longer interested in trade facilitation”, he stated.

“The delay in resolving the interpretation between the Customs and the Ministry of Finance takes about four to six weeks. While this is going on, manufacturers or importer are incurring demurrage and rents”, he lamented.

“Even ordinary circulars from government on how certain things are to be implemented, once it moves from the Finance Ministry different interpretations” Specifically, he said that, “there was a fiscal policy issued by the Finance Ministry on 23rd of February where government said that all those who have

perfected their documentation of import are allowed to pay the old duty, but the Customs said no”.

“As I speak with you, over 2,000 containers of our members are trapped at the port because of this wrong interpretation from the Customs and we are paying demurrage and rents, how can a country progress?”

182.4

1.6

2,889.00

-3.00

17.32

0.12

108.42 +0.53 100.58 +0.59 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING

EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA YUAN RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.73 260.5498 212.2741 173.5809 1.5297 0.3041 238.2888 24.8047 41.2525 28.4357 239.2899

155.23 261.3918 212.96 174.1418 1.5347 0.3141 239.0588 24.8853 41.3858 28.5276 240.0632

155.73 262.2337 213.646 174.7027 1.5396 0.3241 239.8288 24.9659 41.5191 28.6195 240.8364

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/05/2014

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

The business environment in the whole of Africa is crippled with massive infrastructure shortfalls that result in the continent’s high enterprise mortality rate

BUSINESS NIGERIAN NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES Date 5/20/14

Developing Entrepreneurial Spirit in Nigeria

A

RECENT collection of essays on entrepreneurial innovation in developing economies, titled ‘Lessons from the Poor’, mentions an aspect of Nigerian clothing design. Examining the traditional adire dye industry, author Thompson Ayodele informs that the bottom 19% of entrepreneurs polled for the study earned more than state and federal civil servants. For the purpose of this essay, the story is significant in more ways than one.

First, it is a classic instance of entrepreneurial spirit, describing the transformation of an established Yoruba craft into a venture for wealth creation and employment generation.

Second, and perhaps only in between lines, it reflects a measure of the serious imbalances that plague Nigeria’s economy.

Africa’s second largest economy is a bundle of extreme contradictions; with billions of dollars in annual oil revenue

engendering of a broad, panNigerian entrepreneurial spirit!

A slew of relevant policy redirections have already been initiated in this regard: The government has deregulated oil prices, disinvested public sector undertakings, created special economic zones and passed assorted legislation to encourage enterprise development.

While some of these measures are starting to show positive results, many have been largely ineffective while yet others have completely collapsed. For instance, a massive privatisation drive launched after 1999 managed to rake up private sector investment.

However, Abuja’s simultaneous inclination for microenterprises, instead of smallscale ventures, did little to curb unemployment.

The failure or even inadequate success of these measures is attributed primarily to disregard or ignorance of ground realities, and lack of a

,

Nigeria’s unique set of problems calls for broad-based policy intervention from the bottom up, and any individual law or policy that is not part of a unified effort is unlikely to make much difference

on one end and pervasive poverty for most of its 148 million people on the other.

Relative political stability since 1999 has delivered some reform and regulatory initiatives to correct huge and long-standing macroeconomic disparities, yet the country remains overwhelmed by persistently dismal indicators and human development indices. Nigeria’s current per capita GDP of $1,501.72 ranks it below much smaller African economies like Sudan, Congo and Swaziland.

The latest UNDP poverty survey of 108 developing nations placed the country at th the 80 position, below Rwanda and Malawi.

Achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and its own, and more ambitious 2020 target require a paradigm shift in mindset and priorities. It also requires the successful

,

coherent, consistent, macrolevel vision.

Nigeria’s unique set of problems calls for broad-based policy intervention from the bottom up, and any individual law or policy that is not part of a unified effort is unlikely to make much difference. The ‘bottom up’ analogy is pertinent, as one of the first things Nigeria ought to be doing is improving the condition of its roads.

The business environment in the whole of Africa is crippled with massive infrastructure shortfalls that result in the continent’s high enterprise mortality rate. Significantly, the rate of failure affects older and new entrants alike.

A leading cause is almost always infrastructure deficits that critically hamper genuine economic growth and productivity.

Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N) 154.73 260.3951 212.042 173.4836 1.5261 0.3046 238.5201 24.8015 41.2547 28.3992 239.1507

Central(N) 155.23 261.2366 212.7272 174.0442 1.531 0.3146 239.2908 24.8821 41.388 28.4909 239.9235

Selling(N) 155.73 262.078 213.4124 174.6048 1.5536 0.3246 240.0616 24.9627 41.5214 28.5827 240.6963

Use power connectio your business

BY CHERYL CONNER

T

HIS week I had the chance to re-connect with a “super connector” – my friend Judy Robinett, who I interviewed late last year. Since then, Judy’s book How To Be A Power Connector has emerged from McGraw-Hill this month and is racing it’s way to the top of the Amazon charts. There is no doubt that connections matter in business, and according to Judy, they perhaps matter most of all in finding funding for business.

To that point, she notes that small business founders who are better connected on LinkedIn are more successful, not only in finding funding but in finding management team members, advisory board members, and figuring out how to surpass challenges in customer acquisition, and yes, how and when to find additional funding.

(Here’s one of my own favorite LinkedIn Posts, by Guy Kawasaki, which talks about the Top 10 Lies Entrepreneurs and Investors tell each other. It’s an excellent read.

Connections are so important than Robinett recalls one investor actually saying to an entrepreneur, “If you can’t figure out how to get to me, you can’t figure out how to get to a customer. I won’t fund you.”

But hope looms. In her book and presentations Robinett has developed a system for how to find the right connections and how to leverage them well when you do. How to begin? Robinett acknowledges that networking is vital, but that most people are “in the wrong room.” In the case of entrepreneurs, the mistake she sees most frequently is that people

approach Venture Capital firms (VCs) at a stage when they should be speaking to angel investors instead. “A full 90% of early stage funding for high growth start-ups occurs through angel investors, not through VCs,” Judy says, and notes that friends and family are the largest provider of funding for start-ups overall.

“I see people frequently who are frantically ‘looking for love’ in all the wrong places,” she says.

“Whether it’s money, power or influence, great ideas or the best people it’s vital that you start by getting into the ‘right room’.”

Judy cites American business magnate Charlie Munger (Warren Buffet’s partner and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway ) who says that if you go to a conference of 100 people, 5 will be people you can’t live without, 15 will be of no interest and 80 percent he categorizes as “wait and see.”

New medical device Judy cautions against spending much of your time in groups of people who are similar to you.

Furthermore, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong place,” she says. For example, a friend of Judy’s, Annette, had invented a spectacular new medical device, but was speaking to the wrong people about funding and had failed to go to the right contacts and had failed to realize that the majority of new funding comes from San Francisco, or from the East Coast. Robinett helped her friend with a few key introductions. Within 8 months she’d secured $500,000 in funding and in less than 2 years

the company sold.

“Yes, the ecosystems of various industries are intricatepublishing, the device world, service providers, accountants and media there are many, many entry points,” she observes. “But as Phil Graham, of Y Combinator, has noted, there are primarily only two reasons for an early stage business to fail lack of a customer and lack of funding. Your ability to form the right connections is the answer to both.”

“There are more than 1,000 incubators and 300 angel groups. Almost all have websites and an application process.

And of course crowd funding is a change that influences them all.”

Her advice to budding entrepreneurs is this: “Take the time to understand who the players are. Figure out who you need to meet and create a plan to meet them.

Don’t wait until a moment of crisis to build a network. “Fear is the enemy.

Everyone faces fear. Learn to be resourceful and scrappy.”

You should also remember that in “power connecting” there has to be a

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—23

One of the myths in culture change is that we just have to tell everybody and train them about the desired changes and they will automatically implement it

& YOU COMMODITIES (20/5/14) Commodity Light Crude Natural Gas Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Last 102.46 4.55 17.67 183.95 2,969.00

Change ($) - 0.15 + 0.08 - 0.10 + 0.45 + 39.00

% Change - 0.15 + 1.86 - 0.56 + 0.25 + 1.33

ns to advance value proposition for both parties, always, in the process of finding a match, Judy says. “For a billionaire, their problem is that they don’t want their money parked in the bank or in stock,” say Judy.

“Their problem is to find good deals. A founder needs to find a good angel investor. There is always, ultimately, a match your problem is somebody else’s solution.”

As a first step, Judy notes that people are social and that we tend to flock by our interests into the ecosystems that most represent our personal and business needs. Getting into these groups (on sites like LinkedIn and in live networking groups) is a positive first step.

And in addition to using the strategies Judy presents in her book, she recommends entrepreneurs study the teachings of other successful power connection experts as well: Adam Grant, who at age 32 is Wharton’s youngest full business professor, is the other of Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success. Grant (a friend of Judy’s) strongly espouses the philosophy that people by their nature tend to be takers, matchers and givers (givers being the rare breed of people who give freely without the expectation of should I talk to?” It is the most efficient way to curate contacts and resources and to cultivate Take the time to leads. And like Arianna understand who the Huffington – a fairly new players are. Figure out who friend and connection in Judy’s circle, she espouses you need to meet and the philosophy of giving first create a plan to meet them. and receiving second (and in every case, character rules).

Don’t wait until a moment Fittingly, Judy shared her of crisis to build a network favorite quote from Arianna’s book Thrive : “Make small gestures of kindness and anything coming back in return). giving a habit and pay Judy also advocates the philosophy attention to how this affects of friend Bob Burg, the well-known your mind, your emotions, author of The Go-Giver, often and your body. recognized by his famous statement, During your day make a “All things being equal, people will personal connection with do business with, and give referrals people you might normally to, those people they know, like and tend to pass by and take for trust.” granted.”

Among strategies Judy advocates For more information that upon meeting any new contact about Judy Robinett, at be able to express your story quickly, www.judyrobinett.com. and then ask the two Golden Culled from Forbes Questions: 1) “What other ideas do you have for me?”, and 2) “Who else

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Leading cultural change in your organisation BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

“Changing people’s habits and ways of thinking is like writing your instructions in the snow during a snowstorm. Every 20 minutes you must rewrite your instructions - only with constant repetition will you create change” —Donald Dewar

C

HANGING the culture of an organization is a very difficult thing and usually results in over 75% failure rate.

By culture we mean what some people call core values. Core values are guides to behaviour that collectively create a culture of the organization. While we often talk of culture as a singular one in an organization, the truth is that there are many different cultures in every organization.

In addition we see subcultures based on race and sex, as well as ethnic, language and education.

So, in thinking about changing the culture of your organization it is not enough to define a set of core values and tell everyone to follow them.

It is not enough to just train employees in the cultural values.

They require regular ongoing and specific follow-up in support of following these values as well as any training, etc.

Organizations have people, they have processes and they have structures, all in support of the content or tasks of the organization. Therefore changing one’s culture requires a focus on all levels of the organization, all people, all management and all organizational processes as well as the infrastructure of the organization.

This is because some CEOs

and Leaders think that unacceptable cultural behaviours emanate only from the very lower level of employees. This is a false assumption. Everybody has a role to play.

One of the myths in culture change is that we just have to tell everybody and train them about the desired changes and they will automatically implement it. This is being very naïve as a leader at best and criminally negligent at worst. Each of us has across our chest, the letters WIIFM, or What’s In It For Me? Thus, each of us evaluates any change partially or totally based on what is in it for me.

This is natural, normal, and highly predictable. As a leader, each of us must pay attention to these legitimate needs of each person impacted by the cultural change. It is only when we individually see the benefit of the change that we truly embrace the cultural change desired. Yes it is true, that we can force the change on all the employees just like the dictators.

Aggressive behaviour However, this usually results in passive aggressive behaviour or secret behavior that undermines what the leader is trying to do. A leader should not just be a control freak or an enforcer but a leader who works with the hearts and minds of their employees to embrace the desired cultural changes. Hence there is a need for the leader to understand and work on the issue of WIIFM for all employees.

Another myth about culture change is that we can change the culture without violating the old culture or making people

unhappy or uncomfortable.

Culture change is all about violating the old culture and making people uncomfortable and unhappy with the current state of the organization’s overall behavior.

A third myth about culture change is called “the quick fix that fails”. And this myth of culture change is quite simple; we just have to send out an email, send an individual to training to get fixed, hold a meeting, or just train everyone to be better at something like accountability. In each of these cases we again see naïve or negligent leaders who have absolutely no understanding of the difficulty of cultural change.

Final note: The issue of culture should be taken seriously in your organization. This is because, culture is the strongest infrastructure in any organization and is the most difficult to change.

Therefore to change an organizations culture, you must attack it directly.

It is the most resistant to change and it will only change when the new culture is clearly articulated in terms of behaviours and the new behaviours are reinforced and recognized. Also, the old behaviours need negative consequences attached to them.

Therefore if you want to change the behavior, the most important thing is to ensure that there are rewards, recognition, and consequences for these old and new desired behaviors.

A funny fact is that when strategy and culture collide, culture wins almost every time.

Our BIG role will be to ensure that the wrong cultures in our organizations do not hinder our expected strategic growth.

Call or email us for your views or perspectives.

Email:uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

ACCION MfB records N389m profit in 2013

By WILLIAM JIMOH

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CUSTOMER FORUM: From left: Group Head, Retail Banking, FirstBank Ibadan, Mr. Sunday Akinpelu; Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adeyemo; Prof. Kolawole Kazeem; Group Executive, Technology & Services, FirstBank, Mr. Akin Fanimokun and Mr. Franklin Uwalaka at the FirstBank’s customer forum in Ibadan, Oyo State.

CCION Microfinance Bank Limited has recorded N389.5 million Profit After Tax (PAT) for the operating year ended December, 2013.

This represents 38.5 percent increase over N281.1 million recorded in 2012. Patrick Akinwuntan, Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, disclosed this while addressing shareholders at the company ’s 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos. Hes said that the bank

Report ranks Nigeria low on economic transformation

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he Africa Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Report said that Nigeria is one of the countries with the least economic transformation in the SubSaharan region.

Titled, “Africa Transformation Report: Growth with Depth”, the report was developed by African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), and was presented at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Kigali, Rwanda. The report defined DEPT as Diversification, Export Competitiveness, and Technology Upgrading.

The report ranked 21 SubSaharan African countries on the Africa Transformation Index (ATI), which measures change in the structure of the economy in terms of economic diversification, export competitiveness, productivity, technology upgrading and human economic well being.

Maritius ranked highest on the index with 73 points, while Nigeria ranked 19th with 15 points.

“Nigeria’s poor showing also reflects its extreme dependence on producing and exporting oil,” the report said. “The ATI shows Mauritius, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Uganda, Kenya, and Gabon as the top seven countries on economic transformation in 2010. The middle seven are Cameroon, Madagascar, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi. The least transformed are Benin, Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Burundi, and Burkina Faso,” it

said. The Report results from a three-year extensive research programne of country, sector and thematic studies to offer analyses and lessons that can be tailored to each country’s endowments, constraints and opportunities.

It was developed in collaboration with think tanks of 15 African countries.

The Report noted that, “Many African economies are growing faster than they have in 40 years. Six of the world’s 10 fastest growing countries in the 2000s were in Sub- Saharan Africa: Angola at 11.1 percent a year, Nigeria 8.9 percent, Ethiopia 8.4 percent, Chad 7.9 percent, Mozambique 7.9 percent, and Rwanda 7.6 percent and several others were above or near the seven percent growth needed to double their economies in 10 years.

But the structure of most SubSaharan economies has not changed much over the past 40 years. Production and exports

are still based on a narrow range of commodities; the share of manufacturing in production and exports remains relatively low as do the levels of technology and productivity across economies. On global markets African countries generally find it a challenge to compete, except in primary agricultural commodities and extractives According to Yaw Ansu, ACET’s Chief Economist, the

Report shows that African economies need more than growth. What was needed was growth with depth, meaning diversifying production, making exports competitive on the international market, increasing the overall productivity of farms, firms and governments and upgrading the technology that is used throughout the economy, which will result in overall improved human well-being in Africa.

Tower Global unveils ‘no margin’ solution for FOREX traders

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

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ower Global Markets Limited, a financial services company that provides online trading solutions for FOREX and commodity traders, has introduced a new

trading solution that allows traders to maintain a no margin call account with some level of insurance to mitigate losses.

The company said the solution is designed to solve the challenges that traders and investors in global foreign

Tambuwal to address 2014 Business Law Conference

By BOSE ADELAJA

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grew its customer base by 26 percent to 122,000 saving accounts during the year under review. The bank also recorded 52 percent growth in its active loan to customers to 22,000.

Akinwuntan said that ACCION recorded 93 percent increase in saving deposits which grew to N1.05 billion from N543 million in the previous year. During the year under review, the bank granted loans to over 32,000 customers, closing the year with N3.02 billion loan portfolio as against N1.87 billion in the previous year.

“To further increase our client’s access to their funds and deepen financial inclusion, the bank piloted the production of instant ATM cards. This initiative has revolutionalised the bank’s ATM service as customers can now receive their cards within few minutes. The bank also declared N6.5 kobo dividend per share.

Reflecting on the industry performance during the year, Akinwuntan stated that though it was a turbulent year with the licences of 83 Microfinance banks revoked, ACCION continue with its strategy of full automation of service through upgrade to T24 R10 banking software and servers.

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, CFR, will deliver the keynote address at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA’s Section on Business Law (SBL).

The keynote address will be delivered at the first session of the conference which is scheduled for Monday, May 26, 2014.

According to Chairman of the Section on Business Law, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, MFR, “We are delighted at the confirmation of the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives to deliver this year’s keynote

address at the conference. Clearly, the Legislature has a major role to play in ensuring that exemplary governance principles are adhered to for the promotion and sustainability of transformational and impactful economic and human capital development in Nigeria.”

Oyebode added that “the theme for this year’s conference is quite topical. ‘’This theme was derived, in part, taking into consideration the fact that the conference is being held in the penultimate year to Nigeria’s general elections. Therefore, it presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to address the imperatives of exemplary governance as a platform for enhancing economic development in the country.”

exchange and commodity markets are currently experiencing.

Speaking at the unveiling of the solution in Lagos, the General Manager of Tower Global Markets, Mr. Opabola Olatunde, said the solution was introduced to address some of the major problems that investors in the market face which include significant capital loss, lack of robust risk control, inadequate capital and psychological control.

He said the product team at Tower Global Markets Limited after engaging in deep thinking and research came out with Tower Solution in conjunction with its partners in Europe. He explained that, “With Tower Solution, the problems which traders and investors face have been solved since once an investor or trader registers for the Tower Solution service, any net losses incurred are written off while all net profits can be withdrawn by the investor.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 25

*The 160 Niger Delta students who won scholarships to study in the UK and USA calling on Boko Haram for immediate release of their sisters during their unveiling to the media, in Lagos.

What manner of Children’s Day? LAJU ARENYEKA

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APPY Children’s Day! The balloons dance in the air as the Chibok Girls cry in despair.

If there was a day that the parents of the nearly 300 girls who were abducted from the secondary school in Borno

Ubani’s book combines industry, academia

State could feel more pain, it would be on Children’s day.

Little wonder, many organisations had called upon Nigerians to boycott the celebrations. Happy Children’s day! But do the children of Nigeria really have any reason to celebrate? Vanguard Learning investigates.

Schools, battle ground for terrorism: Even in times of war, soldiers are sometimes lenient toward women and young children.

But in these times, terrorist target their activities at children. In 2013 alone, about 100 children were killed. Scores

have also been killed this year, and the untold horrors of the Chibok girls will ring true in the hearts of many for years to come.

No reward in education Of Nigeria’s 76 million children, 10.5 million are not in school. Despite a significant increase in net enrollment rates in recent years, 42 per cent of Nigerian children aged 6-11 do not attend any primary school with the northern region recording the lowest school attendance rate in the country, particularly for girls.

Increased enrollment rates

have also created challenges in ensuring quality education and satisfactory learning achievement as resources are spread more thinly across a growing number of students. It is not rare to see cases of 100 pupils per teacher or students sitting under trees outside the school building due to lack of classrooms.

To address this, the Federal Government, in 2004, approved the implementation of the compulsory and free Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act aimed at fighting illiteracy and extending basic education opportunities to all children in

the country.

Maternal-Child mortality According to UNICEF, every single day, Nigeria loses about 2,300 under-five- year-olds and 145 women of childbearing age. This makes the country the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world.

Although analyses of recent trends show that the country is making progress in cutting down infant and under-five mortality rates, the pace still remains too slow to achieve

Continues on page 26

'Boko Haram, release our sisters now'

Pg. 27

•as 160 Niger Delta youths get foreign education

BY DAYO ADESULU

Are Nigerian private varsities in trouble? (3)

Pg. 27

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Stem cells loaded with herpes virus kill brain tumours Pg. 30

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O fewer than 160 Niger-Delta youths on Monday launched a slogan: #Boko Haram Release Our Sisters Now, urging the dreaded Boko Haram insurgent group to without further delay, release their sisters. Just as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku charged the insurgents to release them to continue their education.

The girls who carried banners with inscription: “Boko Haram

Release Our Sisters Now” made this call during the orientation event for Niger-Delta youths who are leaving the country for university education in the US and UK. The 160 recipients of the NigerDelta scholarship who were elated by the kind gesture from the Federal Government, however, expressed mixed feelings over their abducted sisters urging the insurgents to release the girls.

“Boko Haram Release Our Sisters,” they chanted.

The event which held at Eko Hotel in Lagos had in attendance Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Chair-

man, Senate Committee on Niger-Delta, Senator James Manager, immediate past Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta, Chief Timi Alaibe, Chaiman, House Committeee on Niger- Delta, Hon. Warman Ogoriba. Others include, member, Senate Committee on Niger-Delta, Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, member, Senate Committee on Niger-Delta, Senator Abdul Ningi and President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ms Ibinabo Fiberesima to mention a few.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Kingsley Kuku said: “I use the

opportunity of this event to join millions of other God-fearing Nigerians to tell Boko Haram and its backers to quickly release the young girls that were dastardly abducted at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State so that they can continue their education just like the kids we are celebrating today.”

He said that in the face of unprecedented distraction, President Goodluck Jonathan has successfully collaborated with the globally acclaimed Kaplan Inter-

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Children’s Day: Sterling Bank organises Maths contest for kids

BY DAYO ADESULU

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*A cross section of the 160 Niger Delta scholarship recipients to UK/USA during their unveiling to the media at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Boko Haram, release our sisters now Continues from page 25 national Colleges of the United States of America to institute a localized United States Pathway Programme (USPP) for youths in the country who are keen on, and qualified for university education in the US and in the UK. He disclosed that 138 bright Niger-Delta youths who met all the academic requirements have been admitted into 10 universities in the US, just as 22 are admitted into universities in the United Kingdom. “Seventy-eight other Niger-Delta students who are beneficiaries of the special scholarship scheme of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta are currently studying for various degree and post-graduate programmes in the US,” he added.

Degree programmes In partnership with Kaplan, Kuku noted that Presidential Amnesty Programme had succeeded in placing 84 youths in five universities in the UK, adding: “the 84 kids have since successfully completed their foundation stage and have since began studying for their full degree programmes at the Universities of Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham Trent, Glasgow, Brighton, Brunei and Anglia Ruskin University all in the United Kingdom.”

“The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on NigerDelta currently has 635 students in over 60 universities in the UK,” he added.

He said, “With the experience we garnered from placing the 84 young kids in university foundation programmes abroad, we resolved as an office, that we could cut costs and have our young delegates do their universities' foundation here in Nigeria. Yet we were not prepared to compromise standards. It was at this point that

we challenged Kaplan International Colleges to come and invest in Nigeria, to set up a United States Pathway Programme for youths in the country that are keen on, and qualified for university education in the US. Kaplan accepted our challenge and about eight months ago, instituted right here in Lagos, Nigeria, a world class US Universities Pathway facility with full faculty members from the US. “One hundred and thirtyeight of the initial 180 delegates we enrolled in the school have successfully completed the required course load in Nigeria and have now been distributed across 10 universities in the US to continue their educational pursuits. Another batch of 22 delegates will depart for the UK in June this year to immediately commence their first year of stud-

ies at Nottingham Trent University. Unfortunately, 20 delegates were unable to meet the requisite course load. These ones are currently being processed for placements in Nigerian universities.

Academic excellence Kuku who congratulated the 38 delegates and their parents urged them to draw inspiration from several of their compatriots in universities in the US who, though in their first and second years of studies, are already winning awards for academic excellence. However, for any youth to benefit from the scholarship scheme, such person must hail from one of the Niger-Delta states of the federation. He must have finished his/her Senior School

Certificate Examination with relevant qualifications before application. Miss Chiamaka Aghaizu, 17, who topped her class in the foundation programme with CGPA 4.0 told Vanguard that she also had 4As and 4Bs in her WAEC before she was admitted.

Aghaizu who hails from Imo State said she is going to the US to study Chemical Engineering and come back to work in oil and gas industry.

Speaking in the same vein, Hon. Nurudeen Usman who spoke on behalf of Senator James Manager, Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger- Delta said: “We must create enabling environment for these graduates to thrive when they come back. If they don’t get what they want when they come back, they will revolt.

What manner of Children’s Day? Continues from page 25 the Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by a third by 2015.

Preventable or treatable infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles and HIV/AIDS account for more than 70 per cent of the estimated one million under-five deaths in Nigeria.

Malnutrition is the underlying cause of morbidity and mortality of a large proportion of children under-five in Nigeria. It accounts for more than 50 per cent of deaths of children in this age bracket.

The deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represent a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under-five.

The majority of these occur within the first week of life, mainly due to complications during pregnancy and deliv-

ery, reflecting the intimate link between newborn survival and the quality of maternal care.

Main causes of neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia, severe infection including tetanus and premature birth.

Similarly, a woman’s chance of dying from pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria is 1 in 13.

A future of unemployment Even after jumping the hurdles of primary and secondary education in the light of the challenges aforementioned, the Nigerian child will have to pass through the eye of a needle to get admission into a tertiary institution. If strikes allow, he might graduate in time, but will be faced with disillusionment when the time comes to enter the labour market.

According to The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 54

per cent of Nigerian youths were unemployed in 2012.

There is no indication that the situation is any better.

From terrorism, to abuse, from neglect to poverty, from a dwindling education system made worse by corruption, the Nigerian child faces myriad challenges. From May 27 in one year, to another May 27 in the next year, these challenges seem to go from bad to worse.

Those who see no reason to celebrate children’s day, sincerely understand the solemnity of the Nigerian situation, but those who do, salute the bravery with which these young ones face these challenges, beaming with hope in a way that only children can, making us believe against all odds that there is a future for Nigeria.

O mark this year's Children's Day, Sterling Bank is set to organise Maths competition for children in primary schools to boost their performance in Mathematics. Other programmes outlined include: ‘My One Bank’ competition among students, Mother and Child expo and Children’s Day party.

The Mathematics competition, according to the bank, is in line with its One Sterling Education initiative aimed at adding value to the Nigerian child in the area of education. A major goal was also to encourage students to embrace mathematics which is often considered a difficult subject among students.

Interested students have begun to obtain free forms at all the branches of the bank nationwide to register their interest in the competition. The closing date for submission of completed forms to Sterling Bank was yesterday, May 21, 2014. Students would obtain an examination slip from the branch to allow them sit for the examination at the Dola Hall of Caleb International College, Lagos on May 24, 2014.

One hundred successful students would be alerted via SMS two days after the examination inviting them to an Award ceremony which will hold on May 29, 2014 at the same venue.

Independent education To ensure transparency, an independent education personality from the Lagos State Ministry of Education will provide oversight on the conduct of the examination and prize winners will have their winning funds paid into their respective Sterling Bank accounts. As part of the reward system, some of the students will be entertained at Sterling Bank’s Children’s Day party on May 24, 2014. The event which will hold at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos is a funfair with various partner brands including Fan Milk, Chi, Farmer’s choice sausages and Ruff ‘n’ tumble.

Additionally, Sterling Bank will introduce its My One Bank competition among students between the ages of 5 and 17 and Mother and Child Expo. The participants in the My One Bank competition would be given the opportunity to draw a bank of their dream.

This will cover the structure, the types of products they will offer and their potential customers.

The project will run for three months starting from May 24, 2014. The Mother and Child Expo which will hold between May 24 and 25, 2014 at The Haven, Ikeja is designed to encourage a financial culture among children and their mothers.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 27

No Anambra child must be seen hawking during school hours — Prof Omenugha

,

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

Ubani’s book combines industry, academia

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BY LAJU ARENYEKA

NEW book by Ubani Uchechukwu Ubani has proved vital to all those interested in running businesses or in teaching business-related courses.

The book, titled Internal Control in Practice: Armour Against Frauds, Business and Financial Failure, was launched in Lagos recently and contains principles that can protect business from failure.

Apparently, as Ubani imputed, effective controls may not subsist without internal audits, inspections, investigations and procedural guidelines etc. He stated that all human efforts are never without error,even as investigations have shown that one third of employees of any given bank or firm would willingly commit fraud if given the opportunity. Hence, only the fear of being caught can stop them.

For him, there are three popular types of fraud: Internal Fraud, Collusive Fraud, and External Fraud. Antidote to these in his view should be prevention- hence he harped on the need for clear cut guidelines on procedures and processes.

Procedures and processes He stated: “Fraud has wreaked a lot of havoc to the banking industry and contributed greatly to the demise of many banks. Apart from the liquidation of 35 banks between 1994 and 2002, NDIC in its 2011 Annual reports, also noted that there were 2,352 reported cases of fraud involving a total amount of N28.40 billion. Of this amount, the expected loss was estimated at N4.071 billion as at December 2011, which is higher when compared with the figure of N11.68 billion as at 2010.”

Throughout the book, the author emphasised that the three main instruments against fraud include having and maintaining high level of personal integrity and remaining transparent. Secondly, knowing your customers very well and third, scrupulous compliance with internal control guidelines, procedures and standing orders or general instructions.

The book is written and presented in a very simple and easy to understand manner. The style employed by the author will enable students and non-students alike understand the inner workings of the financial sector.

S

O far, what is your assessment of education in Anambra State, considering that the state beat 36 other states including the Federal Capital Territory to come tops at the 2013 exams conducted by WAEC and the NECO? Well, we were sworn in on April 10, and what we have been trying to do is hand over and take over; know the rules guiding the ministry; do some form of familiarisation and read up a lot of files. Even though, there are still some challenges, the education system in Anambra State is actually working well in a number of ways. I am impressed that when I call for one file or one thing or the other, it is readily available. The ministry works in synergy with parastatals like the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and the Post-Primary School Board (PPSB).

I just had a meeting with the chair of the PPSB, and our target is to have 90 per cent pass rate. I must say we have the enabling environment to achieve it because the immediate past administration has done so well. It equipped the primary and secondary schools. It did a lot of renovation, all the schools are wearing a new look.

It even returned mission schools to their rightful owners. If you go to those schools that were returned, you will see a lot of difference, a lot of change.

Improved morals You will see the beauty of education and improved morals on the part of the children. Our administration has to do a lot of monitoring to ensure that these facilities are used properly and that they are not underutilised.

Training Right now, we are training some teachers, who are ICT instructors.

We have engaged them in what is called Training-of-the-Trainer (ToT), we are currently training those who will go back and train the other persons in the zones.

Also, within my ministry, we have the Schools Department in charge of private schools and having oversight functions of what

is done in ASUBEB and the PPSB. We have the Higher Technical section which is in charge of the universities and the technical schools such as the College of Education, Nsugbe and the Anambra State University, Uli, now Odumegwu Ojukwu University. As for technical schools, we currently have about 11, but only two are accredited, that is one area we are going to work on, to make sure the other nine get fully accredited.

The governor, Dr. Willie Obiano has also talked about vocational schools, because we are interested in agriculture. We want to have an institution where Anambra youths will be trained at affordable cost.

Also within the ministry, there are exams unit, a section in charge of nonformal education, and a *Prof. Kate Omenugha... We already have section in charge of a 10-year rolling plan for education research. So, the sector is well organised and as a ministry, we try to carry everybody environment. Most times you will see along and relate well with all people eating in terrible places stakeholders. unconcerned. We are, therefore, Anambra people, home and abroad, beginning to clean up Anambra State will like to know your plans towards and within the next 50 days, you will moving the state’s education to a see a viable Anambra State. We are higher pedestal... keying in. We are setting up a reward Practically, because I came in at a time mechanism to give prizes to the cleanest when we are in the news for coming schools, to be called Excellence Award first in WAEC and NECO exams, it is in Cleanliness. really a big challenge for us to maintain We need to do this because education that first position and aim for a higher is so pivotal that if you are talking about percentage. We already have a 10-year a clean environment, you have to get it Rolling Plan for education and if you into the psyche of the children in the look at the vision of our governor, he 10-year rolling plan.

,

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Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha is Nigeria’s second female Professor of Mass Communication. She was appointed Anambra State Commissioner for Education on April 10, 2014 by Governor Willie Obiano, having been head, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka and the immediate-past Director, UNIZIK Fm. In this maiden interview after her appointment, Omenugha, who is a motivational speaker and Nigeria’s first Professor of Gender and Communication, bares her mind on the 10-year Rolling Plan of the current administration and how Anambra will sustain its status as the best state in national examinations conducted by bodies like the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).

We want to fight every kind of malpractice in education; we want to run a system that will be transparent. We want to see how we can minimize to a great extent the so-called miracle centres

has said that education is one of the enablers that will help him get to where he is going. He has also talked about oil and gas, agriculture, industrialisation and security. One of the things he is actually out to do is to ensure that Anambra State is open for investors to come in, that is why he is currently clamping down on every form of criminality in the state.

Miracle centres In the Education sector, we are keying into the vision of the governor. We want to fight every kind of malpractice in education. We want to run a system that will be transparent. We want to see how we can minimize to a great extent the so-called miracle centres. If the governor wants to reposition Anambra State as a crime-free state, we do not have an option than to key in.

Filthy environment The governor has also talked about fighting filth. We live in a filthy

,

Child's rights law Another thing the Ministry of Education is trying to do is to work closely with the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that the Child Rights Law can be enforced. We don’t see why our children should be allowed to carry wares as hawkers during school hours.

So, we are working on enforcing this law to ensure that our children stay in school, so that we can reduce the rate of school drop-outs.

No Anambra child must be seen again carrying wares or hawking during school hours. The way we are planning it is that from Monday to Friday, we don’t want to see any child on the road.

We believe when a child comes back from school, such child should be given time to rest and study. We will enforce this policy to stop parents from sending their children to hawk wares during school hours.

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Are Nigerian private universities in trouble? (3)

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*From left:Group Head, Product, Diamond Bank, Mr Olumide Akindele; Founder, Gidi Mobile Ltd, Mr Tunji Adegbesan; Head, Customer Insight/Engagement, Diamond Bank, Mrs Michelle Nwoga; Head, Retail, Diamond Bank, Mr Jude Arele and Chief Marketing Officer, Gidi Mobile Ltd, Mr Dozie Anyaegbunam during the official launch of Diamond National Prep Challenge, in Lagos.

Diamond Bank boosts learning with ‘National Prep’

BY DAYO ADESULU

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ORRIED by the yearly decline in the performance of Nigerian youths in examinations, experts have begun to seek for unconventional ways to boost learning and enhance examination success.

Statistics have shown that about 70 per cent of Nigerian youths who sit for national school leaving certificate examinations (SSCE, GCE NECO and JAMB) fail annually. In view of this, Diamond Bank in partnership with Gidi Mobile are set to launch The Diamond National Prep Challenge aimed at improving students' performance in examinations.

Speaking at a Press briefing held at PGD Place, Lagos, the Head of Retail, Diamond Bank, Mr Jude Arele said: “The Diamond National Prep Challenge is tailored towards

advancing educational development and encouraging academic excellence.”

He explained that the innovation is designed to provide an engaging avenue for students to prepare for the secondary school certification examination by providing prep questions that act as refreshers for the students.

Speaking further on the initiative, Head, Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayona Trimnell said that the bank is making efforts to ensure the youth segment of the bank is empowered not just financially but also academically.

She said: “With the high level of distraction the youths are exposed to nowadays, we thought it fit to devise a means of making the use of their mobile devices a rewarding experience.” According to Trimnell, the national challenge

is open to all students preparing for national examinations and will be available on Africa’s first mobile learning platform - gidimo.

She said that their goal is to create a national movement to ensure its children prepare adequately for their exams and consequently help them form a good study habit.

Trimnell, however, said that students who participate in the challenge will be rewarded weekly with airtime based on their performance and rankings.

Her words: “Gidimo can be downloaded from get.gidimo.com, mobile app stores and is currently available on the following mobile devices: Android, BlackBerry, Symbian and Java enabled phones.

“To participate in the National Prep Challenge, a student has to simply download gidimo application, register and click on the Diamond Prep Challenge inside gidiPrep.”

Public schools shine in Lagos schools' debate

By TARE YOUDEOWEI

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UNCTURING holes in the speculation that private schools are better than public schools, Epe Senior Grammer School, Epe, has won the 5 th edition of the Lagos State Ministry of Education Schools’ Debate held on Thursday 15th May at Lagos Television Complex.

The challenge had over 300 private and public schools compete in preliminary stages and were cut down to 62 schools which qualified and competed through the elimination stages leaving six finalists from three schools for the grand finale.

Arguing against the topic Leadership is not a problem in Nigeria but followership, Amusa Zainab and support

speaker, Olabode Kaosara, took the first price of N500,000 to their school Epe Senior Grammer School, Epe, with a total of 79.63 points, while CMS Girls Senior Grammer School, Bariga, with a difference of 0.5 points came second bagging N350,000 for the 79.13 points Orekoya Bukola and Ayenuro Victoria garnered arguing for the topic.

Meiran Community Senior High School, Meiran came third, as Ogunmuko Oluwabusola and James Oluwa-Tomisin argued against the topic Employment is not the problem in Nigeria but mental poverty of graduates.

With 69.5 points they went to school with N200,000, while their opponents from Lagos Progressive Senior Secondary School, Surulere, who argued

for the topic got N100,000 for 68 points.

The debate which is aimed at building research skills, confidence and communication skills in students, also featured six individual speakers selected for their outstanding performance who debated on respective topics for cash prices.

Debating on the topic The Discovery of Petroleum is a Curse to Nigeria and not a Blessing, Adeyemi kehinde of Vetland Senior Grammer School, Ifako Ijaiye, came first with 35 points and went home with N75,000. Lawal Jeremiah of Isheri Senior Grammer School, Isheri, on the topic Nigerians should have the right to bear arms, got N50,000 as reward for getting 33.3 points in second position.

Y the same token, the offer to transfer some students to Law Programmes in other universities carries with it no guarantee of success. No other university is under obligations to accept them; and those who do might do so under conditions that might be financially, or otherwise, unacceptable. Level 300 students of the university might be asked to accept admission as level 200 students in the new university; they might also be asked to sit for written examinations before admission. Obviously, admission into new universities is not automatic.

Meanwhile, the lecturers and professors in the Faculty of Law now have no students to teach and they don't know when they will ever have anyone for a long time to come. It requires no great intelligence to know that, even if the programme ever receives accreditation, it will take years, if ever, before any applicants for admission will select the university for Law. Is the Law School now closed or what? Certainly, several of the lecturers, if not all, considered good materials, would have been snatched up by other universities.

That partly explains why the university has, inadvertently, created more problems than it realises and which it cannot solve in a hurry.

One problem it has not considered is collateral damage. If the Faculty of Law has turned out to be a waste of time and effort, can any other faculty be trusted? That is the question. One of the problems with marketing different products under the same brand name is that once a product experiences difficulties, it casts doubt on other products under the same brand name. If the refrigerator is lousy, perhaps, the air-conditioner is not good either.

It is sad but true that while public universities can make a thousand mistakes and still remain in business, private universities are not that fortunate. Two or three major mistakes will just about finish any of them.

The way out: From the universities I had visited and the people associated with them I had talked to, the short-term and long-term problems of the universities started at inception. The owners thought mainly about putting up impressive physical structures without considering the long-tern recurrent expenditures required to maintain the universities.

Private university In one of the oldest, the signs of decay are already apparent while the proprietor is still alive. Some of the units are well on their way to total collapse. Revenues are not coming in according to the feasibility study - if ever there was one. Certainly, nobody would establish a private university if all he expects are four students to apply in a year. So something must be wrong with the studies conducted before the funds were committed. Many of the proprietors of these private universities would be well advised to dust up their plans and take a second look to determine where the assumptions were totally wrong.

Secondly, it has probably never occurred to the owners of the universities that they are marketing services and like all marketers, they have to acquire all the skills of marketing - particularly product differentiation and value proposition.

Almost every advertisement by private universities, whether for students or staff, brings tears to my eyes. Almost none provides a good reason why the students must come or the good lecturers should resign their appointments where they are to join the university advertising.

I once met the Marketing officer of one of the universities in Lagos. He was, and perhaps still is, in Lagos to recruit secondary school students for the university. Prospecting for customers is tough enough when you have Coke or Toyota or Samsung to sell. It becomes a mission, almost impossible, for even professional sales people if your brand is an unknown brand of cola, car or iPad. Yet, that is precisely the situation in which the new private universities find themselves. They don't know the first thing about prospecting for 'customers' - meaning students and lecturers.

Finally, it is important to remind our "unipreneurs" that four out of five businesses fail globally. There is nothing to suggest that the average for universities in Nigeria would be better. Failure is a certainty when actual revenues fall far below budgets and estimates as several are now experiencing.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/biolasobowale

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 29

ICAN decries dearth of study materials for accounting students

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has decried the shortage of study materials for accounting students, as it donated textbooks and laptops to Accounting departments of seven tertiary institutions in the country.

Speaking at the donation ceremony nin Lagos, President of ICAN, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed said that the institute has been able to give expression to one of its objectives which is enhancing the growth and development of accounting education in Nigeria.

Mohammed said that Nigeria’s

fair share of the impact of global recession has adversely affected all sectors of the economy, most especially the educational sector, saying, “this ugly situation needs urgent focus, not only by government but by other stakeholders in both private and corporate organisations.

“The time has come for a change of attitude towards the funding of education, because the government which has been the major financier of the educational sector is finding it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to cope with adequate funding, especially in a period of global downturn in which we find ourselves.”

In addition, he said that the ac-

countant’s traditional functions of systematically gathering, classifying, recording, analysing and transmitting information based on data that are of monetary nature, have gradually been taken over by software. To this end, he said,

“it is in appreciation of the role of information technology on the accountancy profession and the dearth of study materials for our accountancy students that propelled the institute to commit fund into the acquisition of 15 laptops

to assist accountancy students in our tertiary institutions in their pursuit of information technology skills generally, as well as having insight into relevant accounting software.”

Beneficiary schools laud Dufil’s educational support

BY DAYO ADESULU

B

eneficiary schools of Dufil Prima Foods Plc's Educationl Support have lauded the company for donating science laboratory equipment to the schools.

Morrocco Junior High School, Magbon Segun

Community Senior High School, Jubilee Model School, Ibadan Grammar School and Kosofe Senior High School were beneficiaries of the donation of science laboratory equipment.

The Principal, Morocco Junior High School, Mr.

Adekunle Festus Babamboni, who received the team from Dufil during an assessment exercise, expressed his profound gratitude on behalf of all to Dufil for the educational support and subsequent monitoring to ascertain desired impact and progress.

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Stem cells loaded with herpes virus kill brain tumours I

T has been proved once again that nothing on earth is absolutely bad or useless. Who would have thought that measles and Newcastle disease viruses would be useful in the fight against cancer of the brain or that Herpes simplex virus types 1 & 2 responsible for cold sores, whitlows and genital herpes, could be the perfect cure for cancer of the brain (brain tumor)?

In a recent study by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US, the researchers discovered that cancer-killing or oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), has so much potential against malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common, most aggressive and most difficult to treat brain tumour in human adults.

Herpes simplex virus:

The report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute noted that oncolytic viruses have been used in many phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for brain tumours with limited success but oncolytic herpes simplex virus has been shown to be most promising "because it naturally infects dividing brain cells."

It was, however, discovered that the therapy was not very successful in human patients because the virus could not be kept at the tumour site long enough to do the job.They are washed out by the cerebrospinal fluid that fills the cavity.

A team of researchers at Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) led by Dr Khalid Shah, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and head of Molecular Neurotherapy and Imaging Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital, came up with a solution for keeping the herpes virus at the tumour site long enough to effectively kill the tumour cells.

How it works:

An oncolytic virus preferentially infects and kills cancer cells. As it infects the cancer cells, it causes them to disintegrate and as they disintegrate, new infectious virus particles are released to attack and destroy the remaining cancer cells.

Describing the process, Shah said that trapping virus-loaded stem cells in a gel and applying them to tumours significantly improved survival in mice with glioblastoma multiforme.

The team decided to use a type of stem cell that gives rise to bone marrow tissue called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because they are

,

BY EBELE ORAKPO with Agency Report

very attractive Researchers discovered that drug delivery vehicles as they cancer-killing herpes simplex trigger a minimal virus has so much potential immune response against malignant and can be utilised to carry glioblastoma multiforme oncolytic viruses.

(GBM), the most common, They loaded the herpes virus into most aggressive and most human MSCs difficult to treat brain tumor and injected the cells into in human adults glioblastoma t u m o u r s * Brain tumours killed with gel-encapsulated developed in mice. noticed that the gel kept the herpes- loaded stem cells.

They then watched the virus stem cells alive longer, which Source: www.genengnrws.com as it passed from the stem cells allowed the virus to replicate to first layer of brain tumour and kill any residual cancer cells cells and subsequently into all that were not cut out during the of the tumour cells using debulking surgery. This Shah said. "The work will have be needed to use the herpesmultiple imaging markers. translated into a higher survival direct implications for designing loaded stem cells for breast, rate for mice that received the clinical trials using oncolytic lung and skin cancer tumors Translating result from gel-encapsulated stem cells. viruses, not only for brain tu- that metastasize to the brain. lab to clinic: "They survived because the mours, but for other solid Shah predicts the approach will The next stasge was to virus doesn't get washed out by enter clinical trials within the tumors." translate the laboratory result to the cerebrospinal fluid that fills Further preclinical work will next two to three years. the clinic. the cavity," Shah said.

Said Shah: "We know that 70"Previous studies that have 75 per cent of glioblastoma injected the virus directly into patients undergo surgery for the resection cavity did not tumour debulking (surgical re- follow the fate of the virus in the moval of part of a malignant cavity. However, our imaging tumour which cannot be and side-by-side comparison completely excised, so as to studies showed that the naked enhance the effectiveness of virus rarely infects the residual LAIDE AKINBOADE & to transform itself and build RAPHAEL IZOKPU other forms of treatment), and tumour cells. This could give us peace, it needs men and women we have previously shown that insight into why the results from of courage who will speak out HE Veritas Univer and act in the light of the truth.

MSCs encapsulated in clinical trials with oncolytic sity Accounting departbiocompatible gels can be used viruses alone were modest."

The university recognises this ment has gotten a professional challenges and in her formation as therapeutic agents in a accreditation from the institute of her students tries to inspire Engineered mouse model that mimics this debulking. oncolytic herpes virus: of chartered accountants of them to become agents of "So, we loaded MSCs with The researchers also noted Nigeria ICAN. The Vice change in a troubled world. oncolytic herpes virus and that not all brain tumours are Chancellor of the university “We hope that proper accountencapsulated these cells in susceptible to the therapy so Prof. Michael Kwanshie, ing training, all these problems disclosed this recently in of corruption and accountabilbiocompatible gels and applied they came up with a solution. the gels directly onto the They engineered oncolytic Abuja, during a press briefing ity will be checked appropriadjacent tissue after debulking. herpes viruses to express an to intimate the society of the ately. They medium to call on "We then compared the additional tumour-killing landmark achievement by the ICAN, to always monitor other efficacy of virus-loaded, agent, called TRAIL. Again, us- university. accredited institutions to ensure Kwanshie said, the accounting that professional standard are encapsulated MSCs versus ing mouse models of glioblasdirect injection of the virus into toma-this time created from department was among the pro- maintained”, the VC, said. the cavity of the debulked brain tumour cells that were re- grammes that received full On the transformation of the tumours." sistant to the herpes virus-the accreditation by the National society by the students in the therapy led to increased animal University Commission, NUC, university, “We hope to bring at its first visit to the university out the leadership qualities in Result: survival.

Using imaging proteins to "Our approach can overcome for programme accreditation the students and motivate them watch in real time how the virus problems associated with exercise in 2012. towards action in the cause of According to him, “On the 9th justice in the world” the VC fight the cancer cells, they current clinical procedures," of July 2013, the institute of said. chartered accountants of Prof. Kwanshie, also used the Nigeria ICAN visited veritas occasion to informed the University for the professional general public that, “veritas accreditation of the accounting university has moved from its department or programme of the take-off campus in Obehie university. The accreditation where it’s first set of students team were impressed with was in 2008, to the main campus in available in the university in Abuja. Though we still have terms of stuffing and teaching. some few students there, but At the end of the visit, the within a short period of time, we institute of chartered hope to bring them here in the accountants of Nigeria gave full main campus”. professional accreditation to the He noted that, the movement accounting department”. to the main campus has the in“The accreditation corroborate stitution the opportunity to the university’s mission of pro- expand its programme base. viding its students with integral The university is expected to and holistic formation that com- build more classroom blocks bines academic and profes*Stem cells loaded with cancer-killing herpes virus attack a sional training with physical, and recruit more qualified brain tumour cell. Tumour cells in green, oHSV-loaded stem moral, spiritual, social and cul- stuffs, to maintain world class cells in red. oHSV-infected tumour cells in yellow. Image: tural formation. As Nigeria try standard that the university was set to achieved”

,

Veritas University Accounting Dept gets ICAN accreditation

T

Khalid Shah/MGH

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 31

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 33

C M Y K

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

So far, participants have examined issues relating to human and technical capacities, the interplay between exchange rate manipulation by the central bank and its impact on the ability of business people to set up private refineries.

Also germane to argument is the deficit in infrastructure as well as the policy options to develop the downstream sector. In this concluding part, the crucial issues of deregulation, liberalization and privatisation are explored as the essential tools to attract investment into the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

I

F I build refinery in the coun try, rather than going out to buy at the same international price, you buy from me but I don’t care how you get the subsidy. There is one principal thing that bothers government today, that is N1.3 trillion annual subsidy is too high.

So none of the dreams of government is to encourage the building of local refineries and still continue to pay for subsidy, they must be able to stop the payment of subsidy which is on the high side so long as they have built local refineries.

But even with the issuing of license to build refineries, government is still need to becareful about it. They are also spending less on subsidy this year than previous years, so they have been withdrawing. Instead of giving whole license in the first quarter of 2014, it was when people started com-

Mr. Ladi Cole, •Mr. Bayo Olowoshile, Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Mr. Ken Ogaziechi, Mr. Babatunde Oke and Mr. Henry Boyo at the Vanguard Conference Hall.

Photos: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Liberalisation, deregulation will unlock our down stream sector privatized companies are being rationalized. For instance, the railways are getting back, even their energy sector they are now rethinking if what they did is giving them what they expected.

In Nigeria, most of the things that were privatized have not really performed the way they should.

Look at the telecom sector today, what we have done there in Telecom sector is liberalization because NITEL, MTEL are still there. What Government did with Pentascope was concession, but they later realized that the N100 billion that was in the account had being squandered by Pentascope. They took back the concession and they

,

Somehow there is this effort on the side of government to encourage people to build refineries in Nigeria but the key questions we need to ask is how do we manage appropriate margin?

plaining that import allocation for Q1 was released.

Even when people complained, did they did not give to the entire marketers maybe 30 per cent is what gave out, that is why you are seeing this queues in our filling stations.

Even if Dangote is coming with his refinery, I don’t think government wants to continue with the issue of subsidy. So we need to think beyond what Dangote is thinking because government would not buy into idea of producing in Nigeria, selling at international price and still expected to pay for subsidy. So what else should be done?

What is our problem? Our problem is that we have looked at different modules of privatization. If you go back to UK you will realize that most of the things we do today is of Margret Thatcher syndrome. We saw what Margret Thatcher did in UK, we bought into Nigeria, but today some of those

,

have been thinking of what to do next. Nobody has told us the amount other agencies and individuals are owing NITEL, but they were telling us what NITEL was owing and they want to liquidate.

We have looked at the dif ferent models of privatization and some people would say; let them buy over these assets and turned it to the benefit of Nigerians, but what we have seen is that if you libralise the market, it works better than going into full privatization because has never worked the way it should. However, if we must privatise, let us begin to work through a public-private sector so that there would be some check and there should some measure of yardstick in ensuring that most privatization gives back added value back to the country and how they are able to bring back that multiple effect otherwise they should be a way of calling back those assets that have not been properly cared for as it relates to the

However, if we must privatise, let us begin to work through a public-private sector so that there would be some check and balances there should be some yardstick in ensuring that most privatization gives added value to the country and how they are able to bring back that multiple effect otherwise they should be a way of calling back those assets that have not been properly cared for as it relates to the commitment at the time of the bidding.

On our part we had an agreement with government when they went looking for investors to buy the refineries and we all agreed that they are not going to sell them because outright sale of the refineries is not the solution. What is the solution?

First, what has been the problem that we have had with the refineries? One, we have problem of the enabling environment, we also have problem of security which is key. If the government is unable to overcome these challenges of pipeline security and how to protect the facilities, then many people would have difficulties in building refineries not to mention the issue of getting the refineries linked to the various pipelines. We need to attend to this.

The other issue is-how do we support them with crude supply because it is not as if these refineries cannot produce even the Port Harcourt refinery in its current state if proper TAM (Turn Around Maintenance) is done will operate optimally.

Proper maintenance The manufacturers of these refineries often that every two years, proper maintenance routine must be undertaken, If we miss the maintenance procedures, you can’t expect the refineries to operate perfectly. Unfortunately, the inter-

ference of government in the run of the operation, management and funding of the refineries has been the bane of this country and of course we will not agree with government to have it their way. However, if there is a mix of public private sector just like the NLNG model where we have certain per cent going to Shell, Total and Agip while government holds 49 per cent has been the magic and success of the project. But then we would ask why is it working?

Maybe the off-take price was internationally agreed on at a concessional rate, maybe a lot of free holidays like tax concession were given and there was a guarantee of gas supply for about 20 to 30 years. So no matter what happens, the IOCs have been able to seal the agreement is such as way that fringes in their relationship with their international partners, which means they have wisely secure their business until the next 25 years.

•Mr. Hugo Odiogor

International partners It also has it snag because government are saying that they are not making enough revenue from the project. One of the problems why train seven has not been sign is that government said the relationship needs to be review. Government is of the view that they have had allowed the IOCs to have a free day and government has now realize that the project is more profitable than what was presented before them at the initial time of the agreement.

However, the IOCs said as far as they are concern, there is a 25 years agreement with their international partners and the agreement cannot be changed because Nigeria is not the only country selling gas, there are other parts of the world that sell gas hence there is every need to be competitive in

•Mr. Bayo Olowoshile

the market.

Therefore, government feels that something needs to be done and that was why when they had a problem recently and they wanted tax waver, government told them to go and pay their tax because they have been given enough concession.

So some of these problems that are on ground, we have to ensure

Continues on page 35

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 35

Govt should create the right environment for investors Continues from page 34 that we have a balance between government take, the private sector take and of course how to protect and sustain Nigerians who are meant to get the benefit of employment on a growing concern basis.

We need to tell ourselves the truth, how do we ensure that the private sector is made to align with our culture of business and over exploitation and undermining the ultimate interest and objectives of Nigerians and Nigeria because if you look at it today, the downstream is the beginning and it is going to be the end all over the world.

Like you rightly said, you would expect that we are able to produce locally but government focus is on quick money because the threshold of our budget is oil and I still believe that over 100 percent of our budget is oil dependent it is monolithic, we are not changed that culture and where the other money is going to only God knows.

So we need a clearer un derstanding on all the issues surrounding local refineries. Nigerians must be able to have future in their country because building the refineries, there must be some certain conditions that must be keyed into the relationship and how the whole refineries would be privatise.

We believe first you must start with libralisation. Forget about running into privatization in such a way that you want to sell the refineries because they are not carcass.

Gas infrastructure in Nigeria During Murtala regime and after the civil service became something else because everything has to go consultancy, contracts, and what have you. Most of these functions are performed by the civil servant in past and the same problem that we have with our members who are working in the refineries till now. Some of them are trained in Russia to maintained and repair the refineries and they have the technicality and knowledge to do the job.

,

We saw what Margret Thatcher did in UK, we bought into Nigeria, but today some of those privatized companies are being rationalized

Go to South Africa, Ghana, those refineries are quite old but I can tell you that they can still be sustained in the next 50 years, depending on how sincerely they are managed and the kind of managers that are kept there.

Even if they are going to sell it, those conditions must be put right, that is the right infrastructure, the right policies, the right institutional frame work is what we need. If we don’t get these things right, I don’t know where we will be and how we are going to achieve the appropriate direction toward local refineries and ensuring that we are locally dependent and in terms of petroleum products.

Oke: Let me add to what my Comrade has said. The issue of privatization in Nigeria you will notice that most of the problem that we have is that of corruption. Let’s take for example the issue of we want to sell whatever comes to place.

,

When the issue of refinery came up, the Petroleum Minister mention it in London, our people came up and said ‘how can you said we should sell these refineries’ government promised that they would do Turn Around Maintenance of these refineries and they have not done it and that most of the equipment needed for the maintenance they have it in the plant. They suggested that people should be brought to supervise while the trained Nigerians will do the job but because government has not been yielding to their plans, they gave another suggestion.

They said that for these refineries to work, there some are things that needs to be done there, they said they can make it work at least about 80 capacity but they gave government the ‘must do’ which is the engineering part.

After giving their ‘must do’ to the government, they gave it to the Minister after that, they gave it to

•Mr. Ladi Cole

•Mr. Babatunde Oke the technical committee set up by the NNPC. The prices that was in that quotation was jerked up and the workers said NO because government said that they have some items for the maintenance about 30 per cent of it on ground and they carry out the ‘must do’ with about $100million or there about.

•Mr. Bayo Olowoshile But they said no because they have given it to a consultancy firm for $350 million and the workers still insisted that the job should be done but nothing has been done till now and no reply has been gotten from either from the NNPC or the Ministry of petroleum.

These workers are still there and they are confident that they can turn the refineries around so why can’t the government give them the chance to do it.

Now let’s look at some of thecompaniesthathavebeenprivatized in the past, look at NITEL, Ajaokuta case, PHCN, and Daily Times, Nigeria Airways, have we had success stories on all these privatization? No, we have not, so why do we think the government should go ahead and privatized the refineries.

What happened to PHCN was the fault of government not the fault of the managers. It is government because people were saying don’t do this, don’t do that but they left NITEL to rot and that is

what the Minister said during one of our meetings with her. She said if we don’t want the refineries to be privatise then they will leave it that means they want to leave it to rot and by then just like Mr. Cole said, it would worth nothing then they will sell it at give away price to themselves.

That was what they wanted to do with Unity Schools because of the properties. It took journalists, civil societies to stop that project. They have already divided how they are going to share the unity schools to themselves before the fight started.

Supply of feed stock The major problem with the refineries is the supply of fixed stock and that is the crude to the refineries my boss here has mentioned it but the workers also came out with another option. If they can’t pipe it after all we have been exporting this crude through barges and through vessels, so why can’t we use the same system?

They said no, every year they have allocation of crude to these refineries, who is claiming those allocations? Who have them? The crudes are not getting to the refineries, they stop piping it, then who have the allocation? Who make use of it? Nobody knows.

Corruption has to be checked first if government want, to privatize Continues on page 36

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Continues from page 35 the refineries, let them start by punishing those contractors who failed to carry out the TAM, Turn Around Maintenance. At a time they the contract to Total and they accepted but government renege on the contract agreement simply because they wanted to inflate the agreement but Total said no and because they have paid Total the mobilisation fee then Total said if government does not want them to do any more they will go away and that was what happened KEN: What am saying is that whatever is the intention of government, the idea of selling the refineries is good because it will guarantee jobs. In the past eighteen years, I have seen managers who go to the refineries without doing any work. The refineries have been shut down for most of the time and people have been earning salaries.

If you ask them to operate the refineries, they cannot because they have not had three complete years of experience of operating a refinery.

If as a businessman and I run a refinery, I will look for alternative sources to get crude supplies. If the pipelines are breached, a businessman will look for alternatives which Mr. Cole just mentioned.

You can move the crude oil through barges. The businessman would not tie down his capital because he would be paying the banks for the loan.

Private operators will be more ingenious to manage and operate these refineries. They should not

•Mr. Ladi Cole

•Mr. Babatunde Oke

Government should create the right environment for investors scribe a one way approach, it can never work. But the environment But the environment those things will still be accomplished.

KEN: If you don’t set up the right model, look at the LNG even the PHCN that people are talking about, government still owe 49% of all the privatised plants. Government did not sell 100% rather the management has been left in the hands of the new operators and that is what they are trying to grapple with.

We need a model that should take government away from the

,

Every year they have allocation of crude to these refineries, who is claiming those allocations? The crudes are not getting to the refineries, they stop piping it, then who have the allocation? Who make use of it? Nobody knows

want their money to be tied down unlike what we have today where the Port Harcourt refinery that the Turn Around Maintenance was given to Chyoda at the Japanese company that worked on the Kaduna refinery. They handed the job to JGG who declined because of insecurity in the Niger Delta, they handed it over to their Italian partners.

Olowoshile: I can tell you that typical businesses that have been sold, look at the Aviation sector, the steel sector, the shipping line the model of the private sector is either this thing work or I canibalise it and divert to my use, that is why labour is saying that if the enabling environment is frustrated. A typical businessman will begin to think of alternatives that is what I am saying.

Business cannot be straight forward business to into liquidation, get restructure, businesses are done in all kinds of way based on what you see in the environment so we have seen the environment today and we knew we cannot pre-

•Mr. Ken Ogaziechi

,

management of the refineries, government should hands off control and financing and subsidizing crude oil sales. If government hands off, you can buy your crude at international price, you can get your crude from anywhere, refine and supply to the market.

The basic issues now is how do we get the refineries, if we do not liberalise or privatise the downstream? How does the investor recoup his investment if we do not liberalise the market or deregulate completely, the problem will continue. It has to be a gradual approach.

Olowoshile: There is something we are not getting right in this discussion. We have seen what happened in the telecom sector, the sale of NITEL was not made a pre-condition to liberalise or deregulate the sector. The sector was opened to the other sectors without privatising NITEL and we can see the success story. Privatisation and deregulation does not mean selling off public assets or trans-

ferring public sector monopoly to private sector monopoly. All we are saying is that other players can enter into the downstream sector without making the sale of the refineries and fixing of petroleum prices as the pre-condition.

We are saying that the business environment should be made favourable to new players, there has to be proper infrastructure to support the business. If our focus on the Telecom sector was predicated on the sale of NITEL first, perhaps we would not have recorded the successes that we have seen in that sector. The point that I am making is that I am encouraged by the exploits of Dangote who is sourcing N9 billion to build his own refinery.

I can tell you that a lot of value chain would arise from this effort. So let not the primary focus be on the sell off the refineries, before private sector people can come into the business. We should not make the sale of refineries the focus of deregulating the oil and gas sector. The issue of privatisation can still come to play.

Radical approach KEN: Like I said, it should be a two prong approach. We must liberalise and we must privatise, even if we get 45,000bpd,. It will still no satisfy the local demand.

We need new refineries, that is why we commend Dangote. We also have the Orient Refinery, Amakpe in Ibeno. The components for the Ibeno project is completed but because of the political issues between former Governor Victor Attah and Obong Godswill Akpabio, the components have not been shipped to Nigeria.

Walter Smith is planning a 5,000 bpd capacity refinery at Izombe from where he will do aviation fuel. So, we can say that

liberalisation is already in place.

We need a radical approach otherwise, we will sit down here and continue to import fuel.

COLE: I am challenged by the tone of the argument from Pengassan because I am conversant with the position of Labour and I have been listening to the argument of Mr. Ogaziechi.

Neither NUPENG or PENGASSAN is new to me because, I brought both of them into NADECO of those days. One thing is certain from their positions and that is about fiscal discipline in government. The distrust between the government and the people is because there is no fiscal discipline. I think government has a responsibility to-improve on that.

I prefer private sector led economy, not the one that government is the dominant player. I will not write-off privatisation and I like the concept of liberalisation because you have new players coming in. I think the government should also sell-off the refineries

•Mr. Bayo Olowoshile The arithmetic of importation is very clear. The spot oil price at Rotterdam is fixed, then you multiply that by the exchange rate, multiply by the fixed number of litres in a metric tone. For AGO, it is 165 litres and 13/14for litres for PMS. Once the exchange rate moves, every other thing will move. Look at the financial charges, look at the pricing template, everything will move. I do not buy the argument of the price differentials across the border as a motive to encourage smuggling of product across the border. Modern businesses have given way to barriers of boundaries.

How come those products from Honeywell, LBN etc have crossed the borders and have become formalised? In Nigeria, we should plan the consumption from Lagos to Dakar.

Products from Nigerian companies move from Lagos to the entire West Coast. Take a trip to Cotonou, Lome how many filling stations do they have? Do they really have 45 stations or 50 retail outlets, I am not sure but that cannot be as much as what you can get from Oshodi to Apapa. I am not sure that the argument of smuggling is sustainable.

PARTICIPANTS 1. Mr. Ladi Cole, Executive Vice Chairman,

because government is budgetImpact Business Consulting Services Ltd. ting money for them every year.

What you continueBoyo, to hear from 2.

Mr. Henry Vanguard Columnist NNPC is that they can fix the re3. Mr.they Ken fineries, willOgaziechi, tell you that theyPublisher, Energy Digest have the capacity to Turn Around 4. Comrade Bayo Olowoshile, Sec. Gen. Pen the refineries but if you leave themgassan to do it, you will hear more negative.

5.

Comrade Babatunde There will be corruption, in- Oke, Pengassan Media/ fighting, etc, as long as the job Information will be done by Nigerians, you 6. Mr.insulate Hugothe Odiogor, cannot sector fromConference Moderator, the general Nigerian factor. I feel 7. Mrs. Nkiru Nnorom, Conference Rapporfor labour because it is either you want teur,us to maintain the status quo or we begin a journey that 8. lead Mr.toKunle Kalejaiye, can increment at improve- Conference Secretary. ment.

9. Kehinde Gbadamoshi, photographer I want to address the issue of exchange rate.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 37

•Some of the abducted Chibok girls

W

HEN President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office in May 2011, he identified persistent violence and crime as a major problem confronting the country. He promised to “confront this threat against our collective peace and security, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

But recent events have shown that the president has failed woefully to keep his promise. The terrifying abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the notorious extremist group Boko Haram is yet further evidence of the increasing level of violence and crime, as well as unnecessary loss of lives and destruction of property.

Destruction of property It has taken weeks of demonstrations by civil society, and now international outrage, for the government to even admit that the girls, who are feared to have been sold into slavery, are missing. Yet in a televised speech, the president pointedly failed to mention the objectives of finding the missing schoolgirls, ending the years of terror, and ensuring justice for victims.

The simple fact of the matter is that the government has

MISSING SCHOOLGIRLS:

A matter of human rights and security conceded the initiative to the Islamist extremist group; it seems completely bereft of ideas of what to do.

Amnesty International’s research indicates that at least 2,000 people have been killed in politically-motivated, communal and sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2014 alone.

Yet the Nigerian authorities have failed to investigate the killings, bring suspected perpetrators to justice, or indeed prevent further attacks. To date, few arrests have been made and few people held accountable for the deaths.

At the same time, the government continues to illegally hold hundreds of people suspected of participating in violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram and is denying them access to lawyers. Most of those imprisoned around the country are held without criminal charges, and some of them have been summarily ex-

ecuted by security forces before facing trial.

In failing to put in place credible measures to prevent abduction and killings, and fully investigate and punish perpetrators, the Nigerian au-

,

By KOLAWOLE OLANIYAN

access to remedies, and a serious dearth of resources and political will to investigate incidents of violence.

Equally disturbingly, cor ruption seems to be present

The Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantee the right to life and physical integrity

,

thorities have neither respected, nor met their obligations to exercise due diligence to protect human rights.

Clearly, mere promises are not enough. The government must match its words with serious and concrete action.

In fact, the inadequacy of the government’s approach to security is evident at several stages: shortcomings in the prevention of violence, lack of adequate victim support and

A case of judgment without justice?

Page 38

and potentially widespread in law enforcement and security services, eroding the citizenry’s trust in the rule of law, and contributing to a sense of lawlessness that encourages violence and abuse.

To be sure, violence and crime are longstanding problems in Nigeria; they predate this administration. However, it is the primary duty of any government to guarantee the security of the population, and

the absence of concrete measures by this government has contributed to the continuation of violence.

The government’s persistent failure on internal security is also a serious breach of the government’s human rights obligations and commitments, including under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party. Nigeria has made the African Charter part of its domestic laws, which, in theory, should facilitate the charter’s enforcement.

Both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantee the right to life, physical integrity, and liberty, as well as rights related to due process. As a corollary, the government is required to ensure the effective function

Continues on Page 40

SBL promotes exemplary governance and economic development Page 39

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

JIBRIN ISAH Vs INEC :

A case of judgment without justice?

B

asically, “Lex non deficere protest in justitia exhibenda”, is a Latin legal maxim which implies that the law cannot fail in dispensing justice.

It is expected that the primary aim of any adjudicating process ought to be geared towards occasioning a harmonious marriage between judgement and justice. Consequently to achieve the end of justice, the law not only requires that all parties to any given dispute be heard (audi alteram partem), but insists on strict adherence to the principle of “Fiat justitia ruat caelum”, another Latin maxim that means “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

While saluting the industry deployed by their Lordships in arriving at the judgement of the Apex Court on 21st February,2014 in the Kogi gubernatorial tussle, I cannot help admitting that I do not share the views of the honourable Supreme Court Justices as a careful analysis of the judgment reveals that the Supreme Court committed several errors in both facts and law and also overlooked the vast amount of evidence presented before it , while arriving at the decision.

My Lords held in paragraph two (2) of the lead judgement written by Bode Rhodes Vivour,JSC that: “The facts are these: On the 9th day of January,2011 the PDP conducted its primaries to decide who it’s candidate would be for gubernatorial elections in Kogi State slated for April 2011. The appellant,and the 2nd respondent,both members of the PDP participated in the primaries” With respect I submit that, it amounts to delivering a judgement without justice by relying on a ‘fact’ that is non-

,

By OGBONNA V. OGBONNA Esq.

election as governor of Kogi State since his name had already been forwarded to INEC (the 1st Respondent) as its candidate for the said election. Legally and logically, if it was the decision of the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court that hindered the Appellant from contesting; the setting aside of those decisions by the Supreme Court revived his already vested right.

Put differently, since all parties are ad idem that is was the decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal (giving rise to the appeal and decision in Marwa v Nyako) that frustrated Appellant’s already vested right to context election as governor, it will amount with all respect to standing logic on its head to argue that a setting aside of those decisions would not confer any benefit on the Appellant irrespective of whether he was a party to the proceedings or not. With much respect, I assert that, the setting aside of those decisions mandatorily conferred appellant with benefits qua locus, because the law is clear that the effect of an appellate court setting aside the decision of a lower court is that in the eyes of the law the decisions of the lower court *Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC did not exist. See, Waziri & Anor v Ali & Anor (2009) 4NLWR (Pt. 1130)178 at 221 and 227 where Legally and logically, if it was the decision of the court held that a judgment delivered in respect of an appeal the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court from the decision of a trial court, being one in continuation of the that hindered the Appellant from contesting; case before the trial court is the setting aside of those decisions by the Sudeemed to have started from the date of the decision of trial court. preme Court revived his already vested right

existent and farcical Let me emphasize here that, none of the parties to the suit made such averment. So, how did their Lordships arrive at that conclusion?Why would my Lords render an opinion on facts that were not before them nor averred by any of the parties?

What is more serious is the confidence and certainty with which the Justices relied on the said non-existing ‘fact’ throughout its Judgment to dismiss the case. It was simply a clear reminder of the many dramatic twists and intrigues the case suffered at the level of the Appeal Court; as the date for the judgement on the case at the appellate court suffered up to four adjournments.

Serious error

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor)

It was initially fixed for 20th Dec.2012 , rescheduled to 16th Jan., 2013 and was again postponed to Tuesday 28th January,2013 before the court finally delivered the judgement on 31st January 2013; making it the fourth time the judgement would be postponed and the first time such a thing will happen in the history of the Court of Appeal.

The Supreme Court ap peared to also be in serious error when it held that,the appellant was not a party in Marwa v Nyako and as such

,

could not derive any benefit from the judgement.

With much respect to their Lordships decision, the Supreme Court, by the decision in Marwa v Nyako invalidated the decisions of the two lower courts, set aside and nullified all rights or interest that may have accrued from the decisions and of course restored whatever and whichever interest that was suspended or put in abeyance during the subsistence of the of the decisions of the lower courts. Against the foregoing we submit that it was the decisions of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal (that were set aside by the Supreme Court in Marwa v Nyako) that stalled and hindered Appellant’s already restored rights to contest

Decision of trial court The court further held that no legal consequence can be derived from the judgment of the lower court which has been set aside or declared a nullity.

Which was why, in compliance with the January 27, 2012 decision in Marwa Vs Nyako, INEC held governorship elections in Adamawa State on February 4, 2012, in Bayelsa State on February 11, 2012, in Sokoto State on February 18, 2012 and in Cross River on February 25, 2012. But INEC refused to hold fresh governorship election in Kogi State after the judgement.

Therefore, it is crystal clear that the nexus between the Supreme Court judgment in Marwa v Nyako and the Appellant is

evidently clear,unassailable and cannot be impeached by any impartial and unbiased panel.

With much respect to their Lordships decision in this matter, I am of the view that their Lordships failed to distinguish between “facts” and own interpretations and thereof making it look as if it were for the purpose of arriving at a predetermined conclusion when they held that, the appellant(Jibrin Isah) participated alongside 2nd respondent( Idris Wada) in the September 2011,that was conducted during the pendency of INEC’s appeal at the Supreme Court in Marwa vs Nyako.

The fact is that,the falsity of the assertion of their Lordships is confirmed in a document in respect of the said 2nd Primary Election prepared by the 1st respondent(INEC) titled: “REPORT OF THE SPECIAL STATE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) HELD ON 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2011 AT THE MINI STADIUM, LOKOJA, KOGI STATE” ,which was tendered before their Lordships (certified true copies on pages 1906-1909 of the records) where it was clearly stated as follows: “It is noteworthy to observe that only 3 out of the 7 cleared aspirants addressed the delegates at the venue.

Second primary election They were Addulrazaq Isa Kutepa, Capt. Wada Idris and Mr. Philip Salawu (Deputy Governor of Kogi State), and the remaining four (4) were absent.”

Besides,the records before their Lordships puts it beyond doubt that the appellant through his counsel intimated the 1st respondent (INEC) vide a letter of 17th November, 2011 of the illegality of the second primary election and the subsequent general election. In view of the germane facts drawn from the records, it is without doubts that the Appellant abstained from the second illegal primaries which was held on the basis of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal decisions and which was set aside by the Supreme Court in Marwa vs. Nyako (supra).

To be continued

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—39

SBL promotes exemplary governance and economic development M

r. S e n i Adio is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) Conference Planning Committee. He is also the Chairman of the SBL’s Committee on Consumer Protection and Products Liability. He is a member of the illustrious law school set of 1988.

In this interview, he spoke on some of the expectations about the forthcoming 8th SBL Conference, the challenging working conditions in the judiciary, and dispute resolution mechanisms in the country.

Excerpts: What should we expect from the forthcoming SBL Conference?

The Conference will kick-off in earnest on the morning of May 26 with key note speeches and welcome remarks in the morning and the First Plenary in the afternoon. Some of the dignitaries scheduled for the first day include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, Lord Mark Malloch Brown,Former Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, and Vice Chairman of the Soros Investment Funds, NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN).

The Conference will be declared open by the Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) of Lagos State.

What is the theme for this years’ SBL annual Conference and why did you choose that topic?

The theme for this year ’s Conference is quite topical.

The theme is: “Exemplary governance Enhancing economic development in Nigeria” This theme was derived, in part, taking into consideration the fact that the Conference is being held in the penultimate year to Nigeria’s general elections.

Therefore, it presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to address the imperatives of exemplary governance as a platform for enhancing economic development in the country.

Plainly speaking, we have very eminent experts as re-

source persons on the panels of the various Committees that have organized break-out sessions. The Conference is not intended to be a forum for back-slapping or just networking. Sure, people are encouraged to net-work.

However, the Committees will be providing very substantive seminars and interactive discussions and also provide written materials that attendees will jealously guard and take away with them.

The SBL has approximately 21 Committees.

These include Banking and Finance, Capital Market, Intellectual Property, Insurance, Sports and Entertainment, Tourism and Hospitality, Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructurings and, of course, my committee - Consumer Protection and Products Liability.

How do the Committees ordinarily key into the general theme of the Conferences or does the SBL Council provide some kind of directive on the way the sub-themes should be determined?

The Council provides guidance certainly but for the most part, the decisions are left to the Committee chairpersons. Usually, the chairpersons take a cue from the over-arching theme and derive sub-themes that dovetail with the main theme. As far as I know, there has never been a case where the Council threw out a topic from any

Mr. Seni Adio, Chairman of the NBA conference planning committee given Committee.

How do you think the programmes of the SBL has impacted government actions and policies?

Now on the scale of impacting on the government, the government too has on occasions tapped into the resources provided by the SBL and I can say that my committee, consumer

,

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Exemplary governance Enhancing economic development in Nigeria.

This theme was derived, in part, taking into consideration the fact that the Conference is being held in the penultimate year to Nigeria’s general elections

,

protection and products liability has contributed in this regard..

Moreover, I know that at the federal level, for example,

there’s a legislation of the National Assembly that is going through several readings to bring the current Consumer Protection Act to make it up to today ’s standards in terms of addressing various issues that are not addressed in the current statutes, particular prospect to “encouraging” service providers to be good cooperate citizens and in the rare circumstances that they are not, for there to be adequate remedies for people who are victims of those wrong doings.

For Nigeria, this is a preelection year, against the back drop, you earlier mentioned that the speakers at the conference will speak on good governance as part of the topic for the conference, but how do you think the outcome of this year’s conference would affect Nigeria as a country?

As a developing topic from last year, we touched on security challenges because we had a lot of security issues going on at the time, and then we touched amnesty, power, economic development, how has the SBL moved up from

all that were discussed? What happened after the discussions that were had last year, what has happened afterwards? Has anything been done about the resolutions and discussions, has there been any policy change that was actually influenced by the SBL Conference?

Let me deal with the first questions, part of the ways that the SBL has impacted locally on Nigeria, is that at the threshold, we raise awareness about different issues. We know that people pay attention to what the Nigerian Bar Association says in general; we also know that as a result of the efforts of this particular committee and as I mentioned earlier, it has caused a lot of human capacity development, the quest for excellence, expertise and part of what it has done for example; the issue of privatisation, part of what has come out of making the whole privatisation exercise, the strides that have been achieved is that we have a lot of people hopefully who are willing to carry the ball and move the ball forward.

Braithwaite expresses frustration over court’s adjournment of case

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

L

AWYER and rights activ ist, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite has expressed disgust over adjournment of trial by an Ikeja High Court in a N10 billion suit, he filed against Standard Chartered Bank over a building erected by the bank.

Braithwaite had dragged the bank to court accusing it of erecting a building in a residential area on Victoria Island, Lagos which he said constituted problems for residents in the area.

In the suit, Dr. Braithwaite is seeking an order declaring as illegal, the erecting of a 15storey commercial building by

the bank in an otherwise residential area.

More worrisome for Dr. Braithwaite is that the bank has installed giant industrial generators directly opposite his house.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the trial judge Justice Doris Okwujobi had adjourned till June 27, to rule on an application filed by the bank seeking for striking out some paragraphs of the claimant’s reply to the Bank’s amended statement of defence.

However, Dr. Braithwaite, who according to him took some times off the ongoing National Conference for the expected commencement of trial along with some experts witnesses complaint bitterly

when trial on the matter could not hold, following the bank’s application. Expressing his frustration over the delay in the four- year old suit, the octogenarian urged the court to ensure that trial on the matter commenced early by delivering her ruling timeously on the “frivolous” application.

He said that the claimant had taken time to respond to the defence’s application filed on Friday even when he had eight days to ensure that the trial was not truncated by the defence. He said further that the defendant was capitalizing on the delay to continue to dissipate the res, (subject of the case) as they are continuing building up to the 13th floor.

The defence counsel, Adeni-

yi Adegbonmire in his submission, refuted the claims that the defendant was deliberately delaying trial, saying that he had already started cross examining the witness before the plaintiff sought for the amendment of his statement of claims.

The lawyer who said the bank had the rights to build, stated that the matter had delayed so far because the plaintiff decided to seek injunctive reliefs rather than pursuing the trial.

He said the motion on notice filed on May 8, was predicated on the fact that the plaintiff decided to introduce new facts that should have been in its statement of claims in the reply to their amended statement of defence.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Continues from Page 37 ing and operation of governmental apparatus and, in general, all the structures through which public power is exercised, so that it is capable of ensuring the free and full enjoyment of all human rights for all.

T

hese Charter-based ob ligations must be performed in good faith, in keeping with Articles 26, 27 and 31 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

As noted, of particular importance to Nigeria’s current state of insecurity are the rights to security and life.

On the right to security of the person, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the body charged with the responsibility to oversee states parties’ compliance with the African Charter has interpreted this right to include “the right to national and individual security.”

According to the Commission, “national security examines how the State protects the physical integrity of its citizens from external threats, such as invasion, terrorism, and violence. Individual security on the other hand can be looked at in two angles public and private security. By public security, the law examines how the State protects the physical integrity of its citizens from abuse by official authorities, and by private security, the law examines how the State protects the physical in-

The RAF plane coming on a mission to Nigeria for the Chibok girls on ground in Senegal.

Missing schoolgirls: A matter of human rights and security tegrity of its citizens from abuse by other citizens (third parties or non-state actors).”

Regarding the right to life, this right is central both to the Constitution and the African Charter. It is a right that cannot be suspended even in case

•President Jonathan

of war, public danger or other threats to the independence or security of the States Parties. As with other human rights, it is not sufficient for the government to abstain from infringing this right directly: the government must

also adopt specific measures to actively protect and fulfil the right to life for everyone, regardless of their specific vulnerability or situation. A key part of the government obligation is to ensure that no one is deprived of his or her life

EBC set to empower lawyers in Nigeria

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

I

ndia’s leading law informa tion providers, Eastern Book Company (EBC), has said it intends to empower members of the legal profession and contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launching of its books, EBC’s Managing Director, Mr. Vijay Malik, pointed out that the company is open to those who would like to author books on Nigerian laws. ”EBC also has as its objectives, the development of legal thought and jurisprudence in Nigeria, through the publication of books authored by local authors. ”Towards this objective, we welcome all those who would like to author books on Nigerian laws, to work with us and make this possible. It also looks forward to empowering the legal professionals, and contribute to the continued development and strengthening of the rule of law in Ni-

geria,” Malik said.

According to him, EBC caters for the needs of people at all levels, the professionals and the non-professionals, like students, members of the legal profession, the industry, businessmen and government.

He added: “EBC has several firsts to its credit. It published the first book on the Constitution of India, the first compilation of the statute law of the

State of Uttar Pradesh in India, it published the first Digest of the entire case-law of the Supreme Court of India since 1950 till date, and the first electronic law information databases in India, and the first electronic eBook Reader. ”Its databases now cover the case law of Nigeria, U.K., West African Court of Appeal, India, South Africa, United States, and other commonwealth countries. In addition

EBC also has to its credit several innovative and well received works.”

Malik noted that since 2007, the official law reports of England, namely, “The Weekly Law Reports” and “Law Report” as published by the Council of Law Reporting (ICLR) of England are being printed under licence and marketed by EBC in India and some other designated countries.

Bank asks Appeal Court to stop FRCN over acquisition probe Intercontinental Bank, Dr

A

ccess Bank directors have approached the Court of Appeal, Lagos division, to set aside the Federal High Court (FHC) ruling granting the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) power to investigate acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc. Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr Aigboje AigImoukhuede and a director of the bank, Herbert Wigwe, had approached the appellate

court praying for an order directing FRCN to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of their appeal.

The Federal High Court In its ruling, delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris of FHC had refused to grant the prayers of Access Bank directors or made any preservative order on ground that his jurisdiction was being challenged.

Former managing director of

Erastus Akingbola had earlier written a petition to the FRCN, alleging complicity in the acquisition of his bank by Access Bank.

In a swift reaction, AigImoukhuede and Wigwe then filed a civil suit before the lower court, urging it to determine the power of FRCN to investigate Dr Akingbola’s petition with regards to acquisition of the defunct Intercontinental Bank plc by Access Bank.

arbitrarily.

Most worryingly, things may get worse before they get better.

Time is running out and the government needs to do something fast to ensure the safe return of the schoolgirls.

As Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, has aptly stated, “It is imperative that Nigeria acts swiftly and firmly to secure their safe return - with international support if needed but the process must also demonstrate a commitment to human dignity, human rights, transparency and accountability.”

Looking forward, one way the government can also comply with its positive obligations in the area of citizens’ security and safety would be for it to monitor, evaluate, and improve the effectiveness of its law enforcement and security agencies. This will be an important step for the President to start discharging his election promises.

Further, the government must truly make security and safety of those who live in Nigeria a public policy priority by tackling the root cause of violence and crime, which is extreme poverty and lack of opportunities, and creating greater freedom for people to seek personal development and prosperity.

V

ictims of violence and crimes must have effective access to legal and health services, and should have access to an effective remedy. The government should also ensure that law enforcement and security agencies have the personnel and infrastructure to provide quality services without discrimination or distinction.

In implementing these steps, the government must also uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in its law enforcement response to violence and crime in the country. Preventing and combating violence and crime must not put security before human rights, which can lead to erosion of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens.

Absent a serious political investment in public security with respect for all human rights, the government cannot secure effective protection of the right to life, liberty and security of the person. Indeed, true security requires full protection of all human rights for all.

It is time for the government to wake up and smell the coffee. If Nigeria is to foster peace, it must turn towards justice and respect for human rights.

•Olaniyan, Ph.D, is Legal Adviser at Amnesty International in London and the author of ‘Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa.’

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 41 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money GEMINI: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

CANCER: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

LEO: EVERYBODY needs other people’s co-operation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success VIRGO: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently. Don’t allow sex to distract you.

Share your experience

By Richard Eromosele

E

XPERIENCE sim ply put is the skill and knowledge you have gained from doing something over a period of time. No doubt experienced personnel is a rich reservoir of knowledge.

Unfortunately, many

of these experienced people do not like to share their knowledge with any one. The issue is why horde your knowledge? Some body taught you and

TERROR MUDA

that is why you suddenly become somebody to be reckoned with. If you share your experience, you produce your kind and multiply. This is what

in “Never say goodbye”

human immortality is all about. Document your experience so that generation after generation will be enriched by your knowledge.

Share your experience today. Don’t die with your rich and vast experience.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

SCORPIO: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner tomorrow. Be loving.

SAGITTARIUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it. Be more family minded.

CAPRICORN: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more loving

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

PISCES: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

ARIES: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances. Don’t try to buy love with money.

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 abut me?

Dear Joshua,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Ambrose, Lagos.

Dear Ambrose, What space can take will be given to you here-under Scorpio and Libra that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signs-health wise.

Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability.

That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues. Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urino-genital organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever.

Always take care of the stomach. Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Mr. President, beware the North won't help you — Salvador Former House of Representatives member, Salvador Adegoke Moshood, is a member from Lagos State representing Ethnic Nationalities at the ongoing National Conference. Moshood, who is also the Treasurer of the Yoruba Unity Forum, YUF, speaks on what the conference is out to do for Nigeria and how President Jonathan should tackle the security challenges facing the nation so as to make the country stronger and better for all Nigerians.

BY SONI DANIEL,

Regional Editor, North

W

HAT has the YUF achieved since it came out drumming support for the promotion of the core ideals of the late Sage, Obafemi Awolowo?

Well, our major effort is basically geared towards improving what Papa had done.

That is very important to us and we must continue to work in that regard.

How are you doing that?

One of the biggest opportunities we have had to propagate the values for which papa lived and died is the ongoing National Conference. It is more than agitating daily. It was the YUF at our last national meeting at Eko Hotel in Lagos that suggested to Mr. President that he should convoke the National Conference before the end of 2013 and he did so by appointing the Presidential

task but we will get there. We started this marriage about two years ago and we have been doing everything together since then. In fact that is why we have formed the Southern Nigerian Peoples Parliament, which has made the Arewa people very uncomfortable.

What do you think your group can achieve for the Southern part of Nigeria?

Go and look at the Yoruba agenda together with those of the South-East and South-South. You will discover that we have sat down together and harmonised our interests before coming out.

The South-South interest may not be the same with South-East but we have to get a middle position in our own interest. We have to tolerate each other and be able to move forward. We want something that will move Nigeria forward. You talk of regionalism; South-South can never go against it. You talk of true federalism, which the SouthSouth and South-West are

,

YUF has formed a partnership with others in the South to form the Southern Nigerian Peoples Parliament, which we are using to work for the National Conference

Advisory Committee on National Conference with Senator Okurounmu as the chairman.

Don’t forget that Okorounmu happens to be a major stakeholder and leader of the YUF. That was where we started.

Are you saying that the conference is a baby of the YUF? Yes, we can say so. It is a baby of the YUF. And immediately after the conference, we are moving to another level to get our views across to other Nigerians.

YUF has formed a partnership with others in the South to form the Southern Nigerian Peoples Parliament, which we are using to work for the National Conference. We started from Uyo, and then moved to Enugu before West. We have also done another one in Asaba, Delta State. The next one will be done in the South-East and we will ask Mr. President to implement the result of the conference.

Is it really possible to galvanise the different groups in the South to achieve a consensus on any issue?

I know that it is a Herculean

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clamouring for but in different colouration. The colouration has been agreed by all the zones and even if you give 100 percent to a region, taxation will significantly reduce it.

Are you really convinced that the National Conference will achieve anything for Nigeria?

Well, it is left for us Nigerians to make progress or not. If we want the status quo to remain, too bad, but if we want change, we should allow the recommendations being made from the conference to stand.

When we go to referendum, Nigerians should take the decisions they think are best for this country.

In specific terms what does the YUF want from the National conference?

They are asking for Regionalism. They initially asked for the six zones to be converted to regions and I said no let us go into the 12 regions template by Yakubu Gowon. The issue of having a region with seven states in the North and five in the South would not arise.

Salvador Each state should have the right and the constitution of their own.

They can create their own states and local governments and run their economy the way their want.

That way, we will not use the number of states and local

government for resource sharing and the cost of governance will be reduced.

Do you think the YUF position will be accepted by other delegates?

The beauty of the conference

is that it has provided a platform for all Nigerians to know themselves better. You will recall that in the first few days of the confab the delegates behaved as if they came for a war. But shortly after, we started eating Kola together and thinking aloud as a team. We should stand up and work for the progress of all parts of this country. We need to educate Nigerians that no part of this country should stop the other parts of the country from developing.

Do you think the government has done enough to tackle insurgency in the country?

You have to add the name Boko Haram. You cannot remove the name from what is going on in the country today. Boko Haram means education is forbidden.

And if you forbid education and you can see the number of people in the North who came out to do NECO and other public examinations compared to the number of students from the other parts of the country and see the havoc that these renegades have done to their people in the name of insurgency. If you forbid education it means you don’t want growth; it shows that it is an internal war and you cannot say whether government has done enough or not. Government will be doing as much as it needs to do but they need to change their strategy. That is why I said the other day to Mr. President that there should be no sacred cow.

I have said it many times; the President needs to take serious action to arrest the situation. He does not need to shy away from the evil that is fast spreading. He

Ambode: The quintessential

BY AYO OYOZE BAJE

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SIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of the Centre of Excellence describes him as “ an uncommon civil servant” in whom he discovered an embodiment of the sterling attributes of a great accountant. The acclaimed political strategist with a knack for discovering great talents surely knows his onions. His successor, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN) in his letter of commendation poured encomiums on him for “the high sense of dedication, selflessness, loyalty and integrity” which he brought to bear during his glorious day as a public servant.

And during the recent public presentation of his biography, The Art of Selfless Service written

by Marina Osoba deafening applause greeted the enviable life trajectory from a cross section of those who have known him

Ambode closely for the past five decades.

So, who is this illustrious son of Lagos state, nay Nigeria?

Our subject is none other than Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Managing Consultant/CEO of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance and management-consulting firm

with deep knowledge of the Nigerian public sector. Born in Epe, Lagos on June 14,1964 his educational journey traversed St. Jude’s primary school Ebute Metta, Federal Government College, Warri and the University of Lagos.

What is more significant to this writer are the moral lessons and traits of a sound professional that Nigerian youths should drink and digest from the flowing fountain of his wealth of experience, within a short span of 27 years.

One of the lessons has to do with his vision to excel in whatever situation he finds himself. This, combined with an inner strength to conquer the hurdles that fate may place along his path marks him out as a unique Nigerian. Ordinarily, he would have capitulated and turn himself into an area boy when his father died at the age of 18.But he didn’t.

Continues on page 41

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—43

referendum? And in an election year, will somebody at the National Assembly say that he is fighting against what Nigerians feel should be the direction for the country?

On how to make the local government system more effective We have to ensure that we establish democratic structures at the local government councils, that is fundamental and that is what the statutes say. Our Constitution makes it very clear that the administration at the local government should be by democratically elected councils.

First and foremost, that is what we should have, so that the local government will have a legislative council that can plan, look at the budget and pass the budget, and can ensure that the different needs of the different wards, communities, quarters, towns are addressed.

Delegates must make councils stronger — Okafor, ALGON President A

S the National Conference continues plenary on the recommendations of its 20 committees today, President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ozo Nwabueze Okafor, has urged the delegates to shun moves that would further emasculate the local councils.

One of the confab committees recommended that the scrapping of the councils as a tier of government and yet another recommended devolving of power from the Federal Government to the states and councils and better funding.

Looking at these issues, Okafor, who said local councils were expecting a lot from the confab, enjoined the delegates to recommend policies that would the councils functional, noting that the only way to make the local government system very effective in Nigeria is to establish democratic structures in all the 774 councils in the country.

On challenges faced by local councils Local governments in Nigeria have to contend with issues of being emasculated by the states and inability to fulfill their mandates because of lack of

autonomy. We have stated that over the years and we have continued to talk about it. Local governments in Nigeria need to be free so that they can take on the peculiar problems of their different local areas and address them because they are closest to the people and know what the people in the grassroots need.

Within a state, local government areas have peculiar challenges.

There are some ethnic groups in the country that exist in a particular local government.

Promoting language They need the local government to drive their objective as a people. And they need their local government to promote their language and their culture because some of these ethnic groups are so small that they are swallowed up by the others in the state not to talk of the country.

On irregular conduct of council polls Election is very critical because it firms the government. Some states could not organise local government elections for a long as 10 years. But for those periods, elections were organised for state Houses of Assembly, National

public servant Only a man with the passion for selfless service would do that.

And truth be told, there are few of them, not only here in Lagos but the entire Nigerian nation.

Rising from the humble position of a junior Accountant, he moved rapidly up the ladder of success

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Instead, he chose to focus his energy fully on his academics which paid off handsomely. From recording the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981 to graduating with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21 and a Masters’ degree in Accounting combined with being a Chartered Accountant all at 24 the stage was set for a brilliant career in Accounting. One could therefore rewrite his biography with the title: Ambode and the Power of Focus.

That brings us to his choice of where to ply his trade. Many in his shoes would have opted for a private practice for quick monetary gains.

Instead, Ambode chose the civil service, with its bureaucratic bottleneck and slow-grinding rise to self actualization! Why did he do so?

The answer, as exhibited by the landmark achievements he recorded at the various places of work is to leave an enduring mark on the sands of his Accounting profession.

Financial autonomy Okafor: we need functional local governments Assembly, gubernatorial and Presidential more than three times in those areas. Some of those states would tell you they could not local government election because of security challenges. It sounds funny.

If you can hold Presidential, governorship and election into National and State Assemblies and you cannot hold local government elections that is telling you that the problem is not security.

But the good news is that, unlike when we came in that we had 11 states that had

resulted in the state budget’s performance of over 80 per cent. But of a remarkable achievement was how he assisted to keep the state running during the embattled period when the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration unilaterally stopped allocation to Local Governments in the state. A

One could therefore re-write his biography with the title: Ambode and the Power of Focus

to becoming the youngest ever Auditor General for Local Governments in Lagos State in 2001. Subsequently, he was made the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance in January 2005 before being combined with the additional responsibility as the Accountant General in February,2006 . As one determined to make his mark the genius in him restructured the financial transactions that

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more critical look at his book: Public Sector Financing may shed more light on the strategies used to keep the state afloat in those dark days.

The book simplifies government accounting system from the local government through the state to the federal level.Or, he may have to write another book specifically focused on how states and even individuals could survive the hard times.

democratically elected local government councils, we now have about 24 states within the last two years. We are asking that we should have democratically elected local government councils.

Advice to the National Conference and the issue of referendum At the end of the day, the bottom line is the people. My advice to the people at the conference is that they should ensure that whatever they recommend should be one that addresses the needs of the people of Nigeria. In spite of the conference, we have democratic structure that we cannot ignore.

,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

There is also need for administrative and financial autonomy.

The local governments need to have the resources to carry out programmes that will affect the lives of the people. The people are so removed from government because we do not have functional and robust local government system. The gaps between the people in the different communities and the states and federal governments are so wide and distant. They don’t have the access to reach the state and federal government.

The governments they can reach are the local governments.

So, if we put that in place, we would be able to get right a lot of things that are going wrong in Nigeria. Some of the challenges we have in Nigerian arose

There must be local governments where you have councillors representing the different communities

Certain people will feel comfortable with adopting whatever comes out of the conference.

We have democratic structures that will challenge that position if you try to overlook them. But we have a shortcut to this: if there is a very strong feeling that we should have a referendum, why not make our representatives in the National Assembly pass a bill for a referendum for whatever is the outcome of the conference?

There’s a way you can do this and kill too birds with a stone because we have democratic structure you cannot ignore.

The President has the power to establish the conference; National Assembly has power to make laws for the country. So, why not make a bill to the National Assembly saying that the conference will go for a

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because we don’t have a functional local government system.

If you watch, you will see that most of the states where the security problems started don’t have functional local government system. Some of them just started having local government elections. Some like Borno State have not had local government elections since 1998. So, you need to have a functional local government that is really functional, that the people can accept and that can address the needs of the people.

There must be local governments where you have councillors representing the different communities. The people can reach the councillors even if they can’t solve all their problems, at least someone, has listened to them.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Edo petroleum c'ttee tasks NNPC on fuel scarcity

Kwara gov, Fowler, others for HOG awards

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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O V E R N O R Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State will be honoured alongside Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, and Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Chairman, Slot Systems, at the forthcoming House of Grace, HOG, award and gala nite.

Managing Custodian of the awards, Rupert Ojenuwa, said the selection was based on the recipients’ achievements in their various spheres in the society. Other honorees are Mike Ezuruonye, Sean Tizzle and Linda Ikeji.

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ENIN— CHAIRMAN and Executive Director of Edo State Petroleum Monitoring Committee, Mr. Soni Idaghagbon, has called on the management of Benin Depot of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to take adequate steps to end the scarcity of petroleum products in the state.

Idahagbon, who sued for the co-operation of stakeholders in the petroleum industry, spoke yesterday when he visited the depot.

He addressed the Depot Manager, Engineer Musa and other stakeholders, during the visit.

Idaghagbon said: “I am here with other members of my committee to acquaint ourselves with the operations of the Benin Depot and to forge a synergy of co-operation to ensure that petroleum products are available to

Don donates to Delta Poly

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communication expert and lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State, Professor Andrew Moemeka, has donated textbooks to Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. During the presentation, Moemeka said: “This donation, which is the second I am making to this polytechnic, is my little contribution to the growth and development of the polytechnic and the Anioma nation in general.

“Books are some of the most important things needed in an academic institution. I will continue to do my best in partnering the management of the polytechnic in its drive aimed at taking the polytechnic to a higher pedestal.”

Edo State consumers at regulated prices.

“Let me also inform stakeholders in the petroleum distribution industry that there is no

controversy about the leadership of the committee in Edo State as I am in charge.”

He commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for supporting the committee in the supply and monitoring of petroleum products in the

state.

Musa, in his response, congratulated Idaghagbon for his appointment and promised on behalf of other members to collaborate with the committee in ensuring harmonious working relationship.

FG urged to reposition corporate governance

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— REAR Admiral Akinsola Johnson has advised the Federal Government to adopt best practices in corporate governance, occupational safety, health and environment to enhance the country ’s international competitiveness.

Johnson, yesterday, in his address at the first annual Professional Development Conference of the Nigerian chapter of American Society Safety of Engineers, ASSE, said that Nigeria needs to adopt these best practices

because of the contribution of these sectors to the nation’s gross domestic product.

Johnson, who was the chairman at the event, said that the conference was expected to engender close networking between participants by sharing knowledge about the opportunities that abound in entrenching international safety standards in Nigeria.

Commending the organisers of the programme for their efforts in bringing together safety professionals and captains of industry to give voice to safety, he advised that participants should seize the opportunity to become

functionally acquainted with the current trends in safety as well as the new products available for the enhancement of safety.

Jonathan cautioned over ‘political detractors'

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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socio-political group, Safe Tower International Organisation, STIO, has cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan to beware of persons it described as ‘political detractors’ bent on distracting him from fulfilling his transformation agenda to the people, using subjective criticisms and propaganda.

In a statement by Mr. Fidelis Aburime, STIO

President, the group noted that in its recent opinion poll, President Jonathan had been the most criticised, disrespected and insulted of the country’s heads of state.

Aburime said: “As revealed in the opinion poll carried out by STIO, President Jonathan has been the most criticised, disrespected, dishonoured and insulted, often times through direct verbal attacks and name calling, than any former Nigerian president, civilian or military.

“Why should this seemingly approachable, gentle, civil personality, who obviously is God-sent, given his ascendancy, be so vilified?

Why the opprobrious chants against his policies no matter how popular?

“Why will people from a particular region; governors, emirs, clerics, academics and politicians both from the opposition and those from his own party not show some respect to a sitting President?”

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KPIDE-IRRI Youth Movement has given a seven-day ultimatum to a serving lawmaker (names withheld) in Delta State, to retract his alleged threat to the life of their leader, Prince Gabriel Udemude.

The group gave the ultimatum in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Okpoho Godswill, at its meeting in Oleh, Delta State, saying that the lawmaker should tender an unreserved apology to their leader or face legal action.

The statement said: “We cannot sit back and allow the life of our leader and that of his families to be threatened in the name of politics. The threat is not a child’s play because life has no duplicate.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

Delta lawmaker gets 7-day ultimatum over alleged threat

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Should the President visit Chibok?

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IGERIANS should stand up and fight for their rights because this issue is affecting us one way or the other. As citizens, for how long are we going to face this mess?

Enough is enough. That is what I say and that is just it.— Ms. Ogbole Mercy, Student.

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HE excitement over international help is the disgraceful, belated response of a government caught napping in broad daylight. We have immobile, nit-witted security operatives that are more decorative than operative.— Mr. Darlington Ehondor, Businessman.

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ONATHAN does not need to visit Chibok to be on top of the game.

All those kangaroo visits by even APC governors are distractions. What have the governors of the affected North-East states done with the millions in security vote?— Ms. Brenden Ugwu, Worker.

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F George Bush can visit the US Military in Iraq during the Iraq war; if Barack Obama can visit Afghanistan while the war is on, I really do not see any reason why Jonathan cannot visit Chibok in Borno State.— Mr. Yunusa Ja’afar u, Businessman.

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HE leadership of this country and the ruling party must sit up.

Things are not just working out fine in this country. These Chibok girls must be brought back safely to their families. They have to be reunited with their families.— General J.T. Abamu, Officer.

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OVERNMENT must take over the education of the 53 girls that have escaped and those that will be freed.

Their educational dream must not be allowed to die. Whatever is needed to rescue the rest should be done swiftly.— Ms. Bukola Okereke, Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 45

Edo APC:

LCCI Freight Forwarding Group outlines challenges

Party'll benefit from defectors' exit— Erhahon

BY IFEYINWA OBI

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HE Freight Forwarding Trade Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has said that members were facing challenges of obtaining debit notes, effecting payment and getting cargoes released on time.

The Chairman, LCCI Freight Forwarding Trade Group, Mrs. Julie Ogboru, in a 10-point document obtained by Vanguard, said that there were delays in positioning of containers by terminal operators for Customs examination, noting that terminal operators lacked adequate cargo-handling equipment.

She lamented that there were “increasing incidences of cargo block-stacking at terminals, including Duncan, Classic and Mid Maritime.”

Delta 2015: Women root for Uduehi

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HE chairman of Achiwame Ladies, AL, Mrs. Grace Ovili, has called on Dr. Esther Uduehi to publicly declare her intention to contest the Delta State governorship election in 2015.

Ovili made the call while addressing newsmen in Ebedei Obiogene, Ukwuani Local Government Area of the state.

She also commended Uduehi for her interest in serving the state, noting that she was qualified to govern the state, having served the country in different capacities.

According to her, “Dr. Uduehi, a former Special Adviser to the President, former Permanent Secretary in the defunct Bendel State, among others, has all it takes to be the governor of Delta State.”

Ovili called on Deltans to rally round Uduehi and ensure that she wins the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ticket in the state to contest the election.

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COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr. Ubong King, MD/CEO, Protection Plus Service Ltd; Mrs Ivy king, Executive Director; Rear Admiral Obiora Medani, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Caommand; Commodore Jeremiah Onubi, Commander, Nigerian Navy Hospital, Calabar, during the recommissioning of a borehole water project for Nigerian Navy Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.

Rivers 2015: Monarch drums support for emergence of Ogoni gov T HE President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Gininwa, has appealed to other ethnic nationalities in Rivers State to give the people of Ogoni an opportunity to produce the next governor of the state come 2015.

King Gininwa, who made the appeal when the Ogoni Democratic Movement, ODM, led by its President-General, Mr. Godwin Bazari, paid him a courtesy visit in Korokoro, Tai Local Government Area of the sate, said he will consider such gesture as a retirement benefit.

He said: “My appeal as the father of Rivers State is that Ogoniland should be supported to produce the governor in 2015, which will serve as my retirement benefit. Give it to me

and I will even in my retirement continue to serve Rivers State and Nigeria until the end of my life.”

King Gininwa, who is Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, said as an individual and a traditional ruler, he supported the emergence of past governors of the state from other ethnic groups and pleaded with them to support the people of Ogoni in 2015.

“I have done my bit for other people. I supported late Chief Melford Okilo to become governor. I supported Chief Rufus Ada-George, Dr. Peter Odili and Mr Rotimi Amaechi. I will like the support Ogoni people gave them to be reciprocated.”

Earlier, President-General of ODM, Mr. Bazari, appealed to political parties, groups,

leaders of thought and stakeholders in the state to consider the clamour by the people of Ogoni to produce the governor come 2015.

Bazari appealed to Gininwa to assist the group in the campaign for the emergence of an Ogoni son to be governor by talking to traditional rulers from other ethnic groups in the state, insisting that traditional rulers were closer to their subjects than any other group.

The ODM leader, who also paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Tai council, Gbenekanu Kuapie, at the council headquarters, Saakpenwa, advised members of the group to put aside personal ambition as they seek to actualise the Ogoni project.

Omo-Agege urged to join Delta guber race

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, the Urhobo Nationalists Movement, a pan-Urhobo organisation, has endorsed Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege for the 2015 governorship election, describing him as the only candidate to beat in the Delta State gubernatorial poll.

The group, in a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, said: “Ovie Omo-Agege is the

only force that can withstand other candidates from any other party in the state,” pointing out that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, cannot afford to lose the state considering the importance of the state, being the economic and political nerve centre of the country.

“If Omo-Agege is given the opportunity to run, he will not only defend his mandate, but will secure victory for the PDP. He is one man that is committed to the Delta project and has the capacity to build on the legacies Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will leave behind,” he added.

Appealing to all ethnic groups in the state to give their support to the former Secretary to the Delta State Government, the group appealled to the Urhobo nation to support him, describing him as a bridge builder for a sustainable democracy in the state and for the people of the state to reap the dividends of democracy.

“What Deltans are yearning for is good governance which Omo-Agege will deliver to them,” it said, commending Governor Uduaghan for his development drive in the state.

ENIN—FOLLOWING the defection of loyalists of the former South-South Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the APC in the state has said that they wished them well in the “lion’s den.”

According to the interim state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Godwin Erhahon, “We wish them well and we wish them safe journey to the lion’s den. And because they are seasonal birds, we are sure we are parting to meet again. They will come back in the next season.

“I congratulate Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the major relief and assure the people of Edo State that they stand to benefit from the exit of these people. We wish them well.”

Group assures on support for women

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—EDO State Coordinator of Women for Change and Development Initiative, W4CDI, Mrs. Sera Adetugbobor, has promised to provide a strong and unifying voice for women in the country.

She also said that the First Lady of the country and wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, was the initiator and grand patron of the group.

Mrs. Adetugbobor, who addressed newsmen in Benin, Edo State, listed other objectives of W4CDI to include the advancement of strategies for gender equality and promotion of the 35 percent affirmative action, which she said was already being implemented by the Federal Government in appointments.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Motorists lament neglect of Ohafia Arochukwu federal road BYANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA— MOTORISTS using Ohafia-Arochukwu federal road in Abia State are lamenting the bad condition of the road, describing it as a death trap.

The road, which contract was awarded in 2012 and flagged-off in grand style, had since been abandoned by the contractor, as no work is going on there now.

The worst portion of the road is the stretch after the 14 Brigade Barracks at Ohafia, down to Arochukwu.

The deplorable condition of the road has forced commercial motorists to increase transportation fare, thereby causing commuters hardship.

An angry bus driver who plies the road, said "Our people are going through hell going to Umuahia and other places because this is the only road we use."

Egun - Awori petition APC, want guber ticket zoned to Badagry

Jos blasts callous, totally unacceptable — EKWEREMADU

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned Tuesday’s twin bomb blasts in Jos, Plateau State, saying it was not only callous but completely unacceptable.

He said for the current war against insurgence in the country to be won, security agencies must reward operatives through prompt promotion and adequate welfare.

Senator Ekweremadu spoke yesterday in Abuja, while

GUN-AWORI people of Badagry in Lagos State have called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, to zone the governorship ticket to the Badagry Division of Lagos State in 2015.

Similarly, a group acting under the auspices of Gunuvi Right Initiative of Nigeria, GRIN, also said Egun-Awori people remained the only eligible division to produce the next executive governor of the state.

Rising from a meeting in Badagry, President of Gunuvi, Mr. Bokoh Seyido, faulted the statement credited to the spokesman of APC in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, that the party had zoned the governorship seat to Lagos East senatorial zone, being the only zone yet to produce a governor in the state.

According to him, the statement is not only unfortunate but also amounts to an injustice to Egun-Awori people.

those who lost their loved ones in the blasts, stressing, however, that “in such monumental catastrophy, we are all joined together in pains and the resolve to end the onslaught”.

He congratulated Sergeant Utuh and other security personnel attached to his office on their promotions, said their promotions were merited, having acquitted themselves creditably as gallant and highly disciplined cops.

UNIZIK VC race: 3 aspirants protest modalities for selection

BY VINVENT UJUMADU

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PUBLIC PRESENTATION: From left— Senator Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra State; Afam Ogene, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Publicity and Chairman of the occasion; Mr. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, representing Aminu Tambuwal, House of Representatives Speaker; Philip Balepo, and Mr. Pat Anyadubalu, author, at the public presentation of his book, 'Banking Law and Mortgages inNigeria, in Lagos.

Stakeholders dismiss vote of no confidence on lawmaker

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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decorating his police orderly, Edward Utuh, with the rank of inspector.

The Deputy Senate President commended the Nigeria Police Force for the promotion, saying the officer worked hard to earn it, just as he insisted that prompt promotions and adequate welfare were critical in boosting the morale of security agencies in the war against terrorism.

Ekweremadu described the culture of bombing as “completely alien” to the country and called for a united front against it.

“We cannot continue to live this

way. I hope and pray that we see to the end of this insurgency, the bombings and destruction of innocent lives in our country. This is not the Nigeria we used to know because it not in our culture and our practices.

“The only ideology of this common enemy is to eliminate the entire mankind. We must all come together to condemn it, resist it, fight against it, and stamp it out.

“I must also use this opportunity to appeal to all security agencies to continue with their good work and to redouble their efforts in protecting the lives and property of Nigerians because it is the essence of governance, “he said.

He condoled especially with

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WKA—THE committee of ward chairmen of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Awka South local government area of Anambra State has dismissed the vote of no confidence allegedly passed on the member representing Awka South and Awka North in the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Nwogbo, for nonperformance.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Awka, the stakeholders said the group that passed the vote of no confidence lacked the credibility to take such decision affecting a member of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the party.

The communiqué, which was signed by Mr. Agunwa Ndubuisi, read: “The decision passed by the group is illegal and does not conform with the party ’s constitution because as the higher office holder and elected federal lawmaker, Emeke Nwogbo has remained the only leader of APGA in Awka South and Awka North federal constituency.

“People parading themselves as leaders of the party are usurpers and we advise them to desist from such misconduct.

“APGA is open for anybody who wishes to contest for any elective position, but that person must pass through due process of party primaries. As stakeholders, we will

resist any undemocratic process of imposition or anointed candidacy or hand picked candidate by any group no matter how highly placed.

Kobian commends Coscharis Technologies on service delivery

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OBIAN, the manufacturers of Mercury products has commended Coscharis Technologies Limited for its superlative performance, describing it as world class.

At a meeting held in Lagos between Kobian and Coscharis Technologies, the exclusive distributor of Mercury products in sub-Saharan Africa, Vice President of Kobian, Mr. Sajid Shaikh, while speaking on reasons for granting Coscharis Technologies exclusive distributorship of Mercury products said “Coscharis Technologies has shown good level of dependability and transparency in running an enterprise, which can be equated to any world class company in Europe, Asia and America etc.

He further stated that Coscharis was willing to make mercury a household name in Nigeria and beyond, stressing

that the the new management on board of Coscharis has shown great expertise in IT and power business as such; the relationship between the two companies can only wax stronger.

In his response, the Managing Director of Coscharis Technologies Limited, Mr. Sunday Mukoro expressed delight in the relationship with Kobian and promised to do everything within his power to make the over 15 years relationship mutually beneficial to all concerned.

"Nigerians should take advantage of the quality products Mercury has and being distributed by Coscharis Technologies in all our offices nationwide to address the issue of power in their neighborhood and beyond’’, he said.

Coscharis Technologies Limited is an information and communications technology (ICT) solutions company.

WKA—THE race for the next vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has taken a new dimension with three aspirants for the exalted position protesting the modalities adopted by the governing council in scoring them.

Vanguard gathered yesterday that those who have submitted their petitions to the chairman of the governing council, Air Vice Marshall Larry Koinyan (rtd), include the provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Clement Ezechukwu, a professor of Accounting, Benjamin Osisioma, and another professor at the Awka campus of the university.

Essentially, the aspirants are complaining that the selection committee headed by the chairman of the governing council jettisoned the guidelines stipulated during the executive session of the council on April 24.

At that session, it was agreed that no mark or score adjusted for any candidate should be allowed at any point in time and that where total marks by individual candidates were the same, they should carry the same ranking order and have the same recommendation.

It was also agreed that the shortlist committee should not make or apply any procedure outside the guidelines which can detract or derogate the overall aims and objectives of the entire process.

But the petitioners argued that the laid down procedure was not followed due to what they described as vested interests by some members of the selection committee, adding that the right thing to do was to start the entire process afresh.

At the Awka campus of the university yesterday, tension was high and the issue of the appointment of the new VC dominated discussions among lecturers.

Some of the lecturers said they would not accept any move to foist an unpopular person as the next VC of the university.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2014—47

RACE: From left, Group Managing Director of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Executive Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Obinna Nwosu; General Manager of the Bank, Mr. Dapo Olagunju, and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, during the Corporate Challenge Race Against Cancer, in Lagos.

GROUNDBREAKING: Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, President Goodluck Jonathan, Architect O. C. Majoro, Project Consultant to the Nigeria Maritime University, and Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, at the groundbreaking of NIMASA Shipyard/Dockyard and the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.

SEMINAR: From left, Special Adviser to the Minister of Industry, Trade and InvestDECORATION: From left, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator ment, Oguche Agudah; Project Fame runner up, Immaculate Patience, and Izuroa Ike Ekweremadu, decorating his newly promoted Personal Orderly, Okafor, CEO, Palmas Co. Ltd, during the MTN’s entrepreneurship seminar, tagged Inspector of Police, Edward Utuh, with his ADC, DSP Amaechi Ohayi, ‘Link Forum,’ weekend, in Enugu. and Escort Commander, ASP Albert Izunna.

SEND-FORTH: From left, Mr. Sani Bako, Director of Research,TAC Technical AID Corps; DG of TAC, Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi, and Director, Admin and Finance, Mr. Segun Ibidapo-Obe, during a send forth ceremony, in Abuja, for volunteer lecturers to Islamic University, in Uganda.

PRAYER: From left, Mrs. Deborah Olubukola, Ona Ara Local Government Coordinator; Chief Yetunde Ajibola,Oyo State Coordinator; Mrs. Abiodun Balogun, and other members of Women for Change Development Initiative, Oyo State Chapter, at a prayer session held to round off the seven days fasting by the NGO Women for Change Development Initiative Oyo State Chapter in Ibadan for the release of the girls kidnapped at Chibok by Boko Haram. Photo: Dare Fasube

BURIAL: From left, Honourables Ike Chinyeye, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, at Ukwa, in Abia State, during the burial of Nkem-Abonta's mother.

HAND-OVER Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, handing over to the new Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, at the bank's head office, Marina, Lagos.

MEETING: From left, Mr. Bob Steetskamp, Mr. Gregory Skikas, Mr. Peter Eshikena MD, WAMCO Nigeria Plc, and Mr. Jacob Ajekigbe, during Friesland Compina WAMCO Nigeria Plc's 41st Anual General Meeting, AGM, 2014, at Shell Hall Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

POWER: FG to spend N652bn on transmission infrastructure

BY EMEKA MAMAH

A

BUJA — THE Federal Government is to spend $4 billion (about N652 billion) on the construction and rehabilitation of transmission infrastructure in the country.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Vice President Namadi Sambo, Alhaji Umar Sani, said Sambo made this known in Abuja, yesterday, when he received the Vice President of the State Grid Corporation of China, Mr. Cheng Wei in his office at the State House.

The vice president, who said he was highly impressed with the experience, capacity and the capability of the company, noted that the firm was coming into the country at the right time when the government was set to provide adequate power supply to Nigerians, even as the consultancy services for the project had been already been advertised.

According to Sambo, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, would implement the projects with the active participation and supervision of the Ministry of power.

He also said some of the major power projects that would improve transmission included the Mambila Hydro Power project which was to be executed under a public private partnership arrangement with the consultancy services costing about $6.4billion (about N1.7 trillion).

Sambo streesed that the counterpart fund of $1.6 billion had already been provided by the government for the important project.

Other include the Zungeru 700mw hydro power project, the Gurara Phase II Hydro power project due to be completed at the end of the year and the Itisi Hydropower project. All the projects would generate 20,000mw of electricity by the 2018 when completed.

Earlier, the Vice President of the SGCC had said in his power-point presentation that the State Grid of China Corporation had an annual revenue base of about $300 billion, pointing out that they intended to set up a company that would fabricate and eventually manufacture electrical equipment as well as provide training for staff on manufacture and installation of such equipment.

I'm not a religious bigot — Nyako

ACF condemns Jos blasts

•Says his govt not discriminating against Christians

K

BY UMAR YUSUF

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OLA — GOVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has dismissed as fictitious, allegations that his government was discriminating against Christians, saying he was not a religious bigot.

Nyako said all religious groups were given equal opportunities to practise their religions without let or hindrance, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

The governor also denied allegations that he refused to sign the Certificates of Occupancy, C-ofO, for Christian groups in Adamawa State, describing it as utterly false.

In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mallam Ahmad Sajo, Nyako noted: "With concern, the deliberate falsehood being promoted by a group called Christian Elders Forum of Northern States which stated that the state government was discriminating against Christian minorities.

“This is not only blatantly false but a clear indication that the group has motives other than the promotion of peace and peaceful co-existence in our state. Their assertion is totally at variance with realities on ground in Adamawa State.”

Nyako said the use of minorities in Adamawa State was a misnomer as the 21 local governments in the state have large and fair distribution of Muslims, Christians and other religions.

He said: “The term Christian minorities is a misnomer in Adamawa State because we have 21 local government areas and about one-third is predominantly Moslim populated; another onethird predominantly Christian dominated while the remaining one-third has nearly equal populations of both.

“The first eight years of the current democratic dispensation had a Christian governor in the state.

“The first four years of Murtala Nyako’s leadership had a Chris-

tian Deputy Governor and a Christian Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service were all Christians. We have eight first class traditional rulers in Adamawa State, four are Muslims and four are Christians. ’’We are not aware of any outstanding C-of-O of any Christian group in Adamawa State. As a matter of fact, Governor Murtala Nyako had even given his personal piece of land to a Christian group while serving as governor.

“Both the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Drambi Ngidda and the Commissioner of Education, Mr. Gabriel Hamman Adama, are devoted Christians who will never superintend over a system that discriminates against any group in the education sector and the education policy of Adamawa State is and remains the same under the current democratic dispensation from 1999 when a Christian was governor to date.”

ADUNA — THE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has condemned Tuesday’s twin bomb blasts in Jos, capital of Plateau State, describing the incidents as barbaric.

National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Muhammad Ibrahim made this known in a statement in Kaduna yesterday.

Ibrahim said: "The northern part of Nigeria has witnessed and experienced too many bomb blasts in the last six years which have distorted the economic life of the region thereby undermining our socioeconomic development.

"The activities of the Boko Haram sect in the North is most unfortunate as innocent people have continued to suffer unjustly for the sect’s perceived grievances.

"We, therefore, appeal to the perpetrators of these crimes to embrace the civilized way of addressing them. Killing innocent people through bomb blast and gun attacks is not a solution to the grievances of the perpetrators.

"ACF finds it agonizing and traumatic to always condemn such barbaric acts by insurgents and gunmen.

"The forum, therefore, calls on governments to take proactive measures that will halt the occurrence of these dastardly acts.

"Furthermore, governments should implement the recommendations on similar bomb blasts reports that were investigated and immediately prosecute the arrested suspects."

Star wins 2014 OAAN grand poster awards MEETING: From left: Oba Michael Adesina, Olowu Of Owu-Ijebu; Engr Kashim Ali, President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and Engr Ademola Olorunfemi, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers during the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Governing Board meeting at the Presidential Villa Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Kogi Assembly summons CP, DSS Director over incessant robberies

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA — KOGI State House of Assembly has summoned the state Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, over increasing cases of armed robbery and burglaries of residential houses in the state.

The state Assembly has also called on the management of Dangote Cement, Obajana to adequately compensate victims of road accidents allegedly caused by its trucks on the highways.

The resolution on compensation for accident victims fol-

lowed the adoption of motions on matters of urgent public importance raised by the member representing Lokoja 1, Suleiman Babadoko, during yesterday’s plenary.

Babadoko said: “Apart from armed robbers invading private residences to rob people of their cars and other property, burglars in Ganaja and other areas of Lokoja have now resorted to invading premises of civil servants to burgle and steal their property during office hours. ”In some instances, housewives and their daughters were raped or molested in ad-

dition to losing their valuables to the robbers. The situation calls for intervention of the House for security of lives and property.”

Seconding the motion, Majority Leader, Alhaji Yakubu Yinusa, described the security situation as precarious and urged all members to condemn the situation with vehemence.

Speaker of the House, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Lawal said there was no need to over flog the issue as it was a wellknown fact and ordered that the two security chiefs be summoned to appear before the House.

L

AGOS — STAR lager, one of Nigeria’s favourite beers, has won the “Grand Poster” Award, “Best Creative” Award, and the “Grand Prix” Award at the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) Awards.

At the eighth OAAN Exhibition and Poster Awards held at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, Star was awarded the “Grand Poster Award” for producing the best creative among all the brand winners in eight categories.

The categories included Dairy/Food/Beverages; Non Alcoholic drinks; Alcoholic drink and Electrical/Electronics. Other categories were Public Service; Telecoms/ICT; Household and Financial Services.

Star also received the “Best Creative award” and the “Grand Prix Award”for the most innovative Brand in Outdoor Advertising 2014.

Mr. Charles Chijide, President OAAN, said “the award was initiated to reward excellence in outdoor creativity.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 49

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 51

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

DAY 38

Our girls will be back,

by Prof Adefuye Prof. Ade Adefuye, Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America presented this address at the monthly meeting of Constituency for Africa held at Ritz Carlton, Monday, May 19, 2014.

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IGERIA has been in the news for the past couples of weeks. We hosted the World Economic Forum Africa, WEFA, May 7– 9, 2014 in the aftermath of the expansion of the activities of International Terrorist Group called Boko Haram. Let me hereby repeat my President’s gratitude to the one thousand one hundred people from seventy countries who participated at WEFA. We appreciate the confidence reposed in Nigeria by their participation.

The forum has been the most successful WEFA held in Africa.

Investors posted $68billion for the continent. This amount provided Africa with a strong platform to project itself to the world as a huge unexplored market despite the challenges facing the continent. We defeated Boko Haram one of whose objectives was to scare potential participants. The successful WEFA boosted international confidence in the future of Africa.

In spite of the success of WEFA the effect of the Nyanya bomb blast followed by the Chibok kidnapping of over 200 of our secondary school girls was a talking point among the participants.

Words are inadequate to condemn the dastardly act by a group whose sense of humanity stand to be doubted. We do appreciate the international outrage that greeted this incident. But before reacting to the series of comment on the incidents, let me assure the

them rescued. But we also find it necessary to react to some statements on the remote and immediate causes of Boko Haram and the reaction of our government in the immediate aftermath of the kidnapping of our girls from their hostels.

It fell on me to explain to the CNN, that our security agencies took actions immediately on learning of the kidnapping of our girls. Allegations of delayed response made in some sections of the media are as wrong as they are unfortunate. The nature of the challenge dictated the nature and style of response. The pursuit of their abductors needed to be done in a covert manner shrouded in secrecy and away from the glare of publicity. You do not engage in an inconclusive covert action and rush immediately to address a press conference. Our security forces took immediate steps to pursue the abductors of our girls with the aim of getting them released. But the details of the action taken were such that it did not easily lend itself to publicity.

If Chibok parents and some sections of the media accuse our government for not taking immediate action, it was because they were not made to be aware of the steps being taken by the government. I wish to affirm here that there was nothing a responsible government ought to do in the circumstance of the abduction of our girls that we did not do. We

,

Boko Haram is the West African Branch of a Worldwide Alqaeda network with recruiting and training centers in Mali, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon. Boko Haram is now a threat to West Africa and by extension Africa

American community that our girls will be back. President Goodluck Jonathan as well as members of the government are parents. It is impossible not to imagine the psychological trauma which the parents of the girls as well as the victims of the Nyanya bomb blast are going through. Our government is committed to rescuing the girls as well as finding and punishing their abductors and the perpetrators of the Nyanya bomb blast.

The Mission is aware of the comments of sections of the American community including the print and electronic media, politicians of all shades of opinion, and the larger civil society. We do appreciate their universal condemnation of the abduction of the girls and the express wish to get

,

acted promptly. It was just that details could not be released to the public as at that time.

Some comments on the origin, remote and immediate causes of Boko Haram are as wrong as they are unfortunate. Every nation at one time or the other is confronted with a security challenge. Nigeria is no exception. It is the manifestation of Boko Haram that the world is now witnessing. The causes are rooted in the inherited structure of our country, its porous borders, and acts of bad governance of the post independence era. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is now having to face the consequences of acts of omission or commission of the previous regimes. Part of his transformation agenda is to root out the fundamental defects in our politics,

Solid Women Initiative for Development group seeking the release of abducted girls from Chibok in a Photo:Gbemiga Olamikan protest at National Assembly Abuja yesterday.

economy and society. A massive and fast tracked economic and educational and social programmes for Northern Nigeria is now in progress. It is wrong and unfair to blame President Jonathan for a problem he did not create but against which he has been taking carefully planned and executed measures to resolve.

The competence, preparedness and determination of our Armed Forces to deal with Boko Haram should not be in doubt. Terrorism is an intractable and now a worldwide phenomenon. It was strange to Nigeria.

Vigilance and effectiveness In spite of that our armed forces have being doing their best to confront it. It is when Boko Haram strikes successfully that the world becomes aware of its existence.

What is not known is how many attempts of the dreaded sect to strike have been frustrated by the vigilance and effectiveness of our armed forces. The world is now beginning to realize that Boko Haram is not just a local group advocating local demands. It is the West African Branch of a Worldwide Alqaeda network with recruiting and training centers in Mali, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon. Boko Haram is now a threat to West Africa and by extension Africa.

It is gratifying that the international community now recognizes this and has expressed support for Nigeria in its effort to combat Boko Haram. Within the last ten days, military experts from the USA, United Kingdom, France, Israel and China arrived Nigeria to support the government to deal with the Boko Haram menace.

Last week, President Hollande of France hosted a meeting of Nigeria and its immediate neighbours to design a comprehensive strategy to deal with Boko Haram focusing on intelligence sharing, surveillance, joint border patrol

among many other steps. It is expected that the steps to be taken will lead to the eventual demise of Boko Haram.

Over here in the United States, the Embassy is immensely grateful for the solidarity and empathy with the abducted school girls and their families at this particularly difficult time for them and Nigeria. The level of support and concern has been incredible and humbling. It came right from President Obama, first Lady Michelle, Congressmen and the general public. They tweeted, sent personal mails, made phone calls and joined rallies in support of Bring Back Our Girls Campaign. When these girls eventually return to their families as surely as they will, Americans can expect the eternal gratitude of all Nigerians.

Rescue mission This goes to show that we all belong to the same common humanity. We in the Embassy have begun a series of engagements with key stakeholders and interested groups briefing them on the progress of the rescue mission of the girls. This meeting is one of them.

But in all this show of friendship and support by an incredibly compassionate American nation, Senator John McCain has been a sad footnote. The ranking Arizona Senator and former Republican Presidential candidate has inexplicably seized on the pain of a distressed nation not only to show contempt to our country but also denigrate the office and person of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is this President of the largest economy in Africa, 26th largest economy in the world, Americas largest trading partner in Africa and Americas most important strategic partner in the continent that McCain described

as •e•esome guy called Goodluck Jonathan•f•f whose consent he would not have sought before deploying US troops to rescue the abducted girls. But we hasten to ask: whatever happened in McCain mind to the principle of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nation States?

Has Senator McCain forgotten the results of such acts just a few years ago?

Unilateral military interventions Could he not learn from the results of previous unilateral military interventions? One wonders what could have happened if the 2008 elections have gone the other way and McCain became the President of the most powerful nation in the world. But thanks providence. The good Lord has a better plan for the people of the world.

It is instructive that only a week after McCain made his disparaging remarks which might have reinforced his image as a hawk and reminded us of his status as a veteran, the US Senate ignored him and passed a balanced Resolution on May 14 condemning the abduction and urging the US government to assist Nigeria in its effort to rescue the girls safely.

This has strengthened the hands of the US government to cooperate with Nigeria in dealing with Boko Haram.

While looking forward to constructive and meaningful engagement with Senator McCain, we will like to call on his well paid staff to brief him properly on Nigeria and accord our country as well as the Office of the President the respect they deserve. Finally, we want to assure the American people that with their support, and that of their government and other members of the international community, our girls will be safely rescued and Boko Haram will cease to be a menace!

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014—53

Fayemi gets flag

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI & DAPO AKINREFON

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R. Kayode Fayemi was yesterday presented with the APC party flag for the forthcoming election with strong support from the top hierarchy of the party.The flag was formally handed over to Fayemi at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium just as the governor who is seeking a second term, unfolded his manifesto with a pledge to rededicate himself to further development of the state.

The ceremony which commenced with a minute silence in memory of the victims of the Jos bombing was toned down in deference to the mood of the nation.

Yesterday’s event was graced by the top chieftains of the party including the national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, erstwhile head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, members of the National Executive Committee, NEC of the party among many others.

Ekiti is moving forward In his speech, Fayemi said although the state has witnessed a massive change in the last three and half years, he said he was motivated to present himself for re-election because of the need to build a society where all Ekiti people will be partakers of a collective prosperity.

The governor officially unveiled his manifesto for second term which was tagged “Roadmap to Rapid Economic Growth and Development” otherwise known as the Ekiti Agenda.

The agenda is made up of policy thrusts of his administration from 2014 to 2018 and beyond.

The APC standard- bearer stressed that he has kept faith with Ekiti values as the people of the state have kept faith with him, noting that “Ekiti is moving forward under his administration with the future of the state already assured.”

In addition, he said “I was raised to understand that the life well lived is a continuum of service; service to God and service to humanity. Indeed, my mentors and parents pressed upon me that service to God is demonstrated by serving others positively, impacting the people around us, and by demonstrating a fierce resolve to leave people better than they were when they met you. Leadership itself is merely the opportunity to serve and power is a God-given re-

source with which we are meant to change lives for the better. I went into politics because I believe that committed purposedriven servant-leadership can provide people with the tools that will empower them control over their destinies”, he said.

We support Fayemi—Buhari: In his remarks, Alhaji Buhari urged the people of Ekiti state to cast their votes for Fayemi’s second term saying the governor has performed well. The crowd that came to witness the flag He said “I am truly Inset: Fayemi gets flag from Akande impressed with the mobilization and the response, gathered here to give honour to not only by Ekiti people, but peo- who honour is due, we are gathple all over Nigeria. I congratu- ered her today to celebrate excellate the governor for his capacity lent performance and vision of to move and deliver because we one of our own. The entire 16 govhave seen what he has done in ernors of the APC are here to not the last three and the half years. only support but to endorse this I also thank the great son of Ekiti State.”

Presenting Fayemi with the members Progressives Governors’ Forum for giving him the APC flag, interim national chairsupport he deserves and the man of the party, Chief Bisi leadership of the party. We are Akande commended Fayemi for proud to have a competent per- being a good representative.

Akande said “the APC has testson in the saddle. We pledge full ed Governor Kayode Fayemi and support to the governor.” has found him worthy to be our candidate for the June 21 govDo not sell your votes ernorship elections. May God —Tinubu On his part, former governor of Lagos State! Asiwaju Tinubu appealed to Ekiti people not to sell their votes.

Tinubu said “APC is the cure of ineptitude, the cure of the security problem, the cure to poverty, the cure to unemployment. The party is the cure, Fayemi is the doctor. I do not have to sell Fayemi to you again. We thank all of you for your presence but your presence can only materialize in the sustenance of developmental programmes of this state and the south western states.”

He further enjoined the people of the state not to be intimidated by security personnel saying “Do not sell your votes, make sure on the day of the election, do not fear. We pay the salaries of the police and the army because we are their employers and they are supposed to protect us.

Do not be afraid, demand your right because you may not have this opportunity again until after four years”.

Fayemi deserves honour— Okorocha: Speaking on behalf of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Governor Rochas Okoroacha of Imo State said ”we are

off at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti yesterday. bless our aspirations.”

ROLL CALL Dignitaries present at the event include ;former Head of State, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, interim national chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu. Others are Governor Rochas Okoroacha (Imo), Governor Raji Fashola (Lagos), Governor Tanko AlMakura (Nassarawa), Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Governor Rauf Areg-

besola (Osun), Governor Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Governor Geidam (Yobe).

Also present were former governors of Ogun, Bayelsa and Ekiti States, Chief Segun Osoba, Chief Timipre Slyva, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Engineer Segun Oni, the deputy governors of Osun and Ekiti States, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori and Professor Modupe Adelabu, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Sen Osita Izunaso, Sen Femi Ojudu, Sen Jide Omoworare, Sen Olorunnimbe Mamora, Aminu Masari, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje and Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

Fayose flays Fayemi for flag off

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI, Ado Ekiti

T

HE governorship candi date of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 21 governorship election, Mr. Ayodele Fayose yesterday accused the APC of being behind the Boko Haram insurgency, saying increased terrorist activities of the insurgents were aimed at distracting President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP from Ekiti

•Fayose

and Osun State Governorship elections.

Fayose who spoke at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti equally hailed the postponement of the president’s visit to the state for the formal hand over of the party’s flag to him. The president was supposed to perform the ceremony today, but that has now been shifted by one week on account of the twin bombing in Jos, Plateau State. ”It is disheartening that the APC went ahead with its own campaign rally in Ado-Ekiti today, despite the number of lives that were lost in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday.” ”God will surely visit His wrath on anyone shedding the blood of innocent Nigerians just for political gains.” The PDP gubernatorial candidate said “Questions Nigerians must begin to ask are; why is it that anytime President Goodluck Jonathan is about to attend a major political event, the Boko Haram will strike? ”Why did the criminal activi-

ties of the Boko Haram insurgents increase a few months to the Ekiti and Osun State elections?” Fayose further asked. He, therefore appealed to members of the PDP in the state to remain resolute and continue to work for the success of the party.

Fayose said a new date would be announced for the flag-off ceremony soon. In his own reaction, spokesperson of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organization, Dimeji Daniels said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer was suffering from General Anxiety Disorder Syndrome (GADs).

Daniels added that the PDP rally was cancelled for fear of failure as the party has self-destruct from the inside.

According to him, the PDP rally was cancelled as President Jonathan had well cancelled his earlier planned attendance in view of the internal bickerings associated with the strange and undemocratic manner of its controversial flag-bearer, Ayodele Fayose.

C M Y K

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Extolling the virtues of master printmaker, Bruce Onobrakpeya at 80

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

H

E is an artist, teacher, scholar and founder of the Harmattan Workshop, Agbarha- Otor, Delta State. Acknowledged as Africa’s master printmaker, Bruce Onobrakpeya belonged to the vanguard of the first generation of contemporary artists who were educated in colonial Nigeria, but who set the pace and standards for innovation and professionalism in a new, post-colonial space. He has produced many works, exhibited widely all over the world and his works are amongst the most sought by many great collectors/museums.

This great institution last year turned 80 and the need to immortalise him was the driving force behind the publication of a book, entitled, Onobrakpeya: Masks of the Flaming Arrows, an exceptional body of work which demonstrates the versatility of Professor Onobrakpeya’s works and showcases a broad range of masterpieces from his glittering career spanning over 50 years.

The book which would have been presented last year as part of activities for his birthday was delayed due to logis-

field of art in Africa.

In his welcome address, Mr Jonathan Barzilay, Director, Ford Foundation, the organisers of the event, stated that Ford Foundation has been in the forefront of promoting arts and creating an equitable environment for the growth and development of talents. He pointed out that there are two types of artist, those that speaks for themselves and those that speak and mentor others, that Bruce Onobrakpeya belonged to the latter as he has used his creative talents to speak and mentor many budding artist in Africa.

The book reviewer, Prof. Ola Oloidi said the book is compendium of essays by noted authors, interspersed with an astonishing array of sumptuous colour and black and white reproductions of drawings, paintings, prints, and installations by the artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya. Edited by Dele Jegede, noted art history professor and Onobrakpeya scholar, Onobrakpeya the book features insightful and critical contributions from scholars who include John Agberia, Osa Egonwa, Olakunle Filani, and Basil Nnamdi. Among the list of contributors also are Gani Odutokun, David Okpako, Pat

,

The forum provided another opportunity for lovers of art, especially those who followed the artistic strides of Onobrakpeya for years to pour encomiums on him for his giant strides in the field of art in Africa

tic problems, but finally last week at The Ford Foundation office, Banana Island, Ikoyi notable personalities, diplomats, art patrons, collectors, scholars, students and others gathered to pay homage to the master printmaker, founder of the Harmattan Workshop and a man who has brought joy to many homes for his great contributions to the development of art in Africa.

The occasion which was well attended was the public presentation of a new book entitled, Onobrakpeya: Masks of the Flaming Arrows and exhibition of some of his works organised by The Ford Foundation Office for West Africa. And as it turned out to be, the forum provided another opportunity for lovers of art, especially those who have followed the artistic strides of Onobrakpeya for years to pour encomiums on him for his giant strides in the

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Oyelola, and Frank Ugiomoh.

The highly educative book which should be purchased and read by students of arts, sociology and all who needs inspiration is not just a book about Bruce, but a book of life which should be in various art galleries all over the world.

Dr Pat Oyelola, one of the contributors who described Papa Bruce as an extra ordinary man disclosed that one of the striking features of Pa Bruce is his generousity with time and knowledge. “He is not somebody who keeps his knowledge to himself. The success of the Harmattan Workshop series shows how good he is to Nigeria, teaching and encouraging them.”

Dr Kunle Filani, another contributor described him as "an artist who can give so much to people, relates so well and so robustly with people. His romance with people did not af-

* One of the works displayed at thexhibition

est birthday gift I have ever received.

The prime motivation for my creative art works you see them documented in a book form. By producing a book, you have created a master piece.”

Onobrakpeya also used the forum to call on the federal govern* L-R;Mrs Ngozi Ezi-Ashi;Mr Joseph Gitarr;Representative of Ford Foundation/ ment to address Director for Freedom Of Expression work;Dr Pat Oyelola;Prof JP Clark;Prof David Okpako;Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, celebrant ;Prof Ola Oloidi,Book Reviewer;Dr two urgent Kunle Filani; Prof Osa D.Egonwa and Prof Godini G. Darah at the Launch of the needs, the erecbook,Onobrakpeya ;Masks Of The Flaming Arrows at Ford Foundation Banana tion of art gallerIsland Ikoyi Lagos. PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU ies in all the cities of Nigeria and fect his artistic work. His visuty and Freedom Expression the ratification of Nigeria art al interpretation of Urhobo who presented the book to the culture that will help the artist. myths was great. Bruce is public said, “People say that Continuing, he stated that the someone who invented a speNigeria do not have institupartnership between Ford cial thing and in spite of his tions, but we have one of them Foundation and Bruce Founage he is still inventing more. today in the person of Bruce He is favoured with age, still Onobrakpeya.” He described dation has succeeded in raislooking agile and producing the book as a wonderful gift of ing the standard of art in Nigeria. Several people have benworks even more than the artists collection. efited from it because of the younger ones.” partnership. Finally, he comProf. David Okpako, another Artists mended the contributions of all contributor, said that "Bruce collection towards the success of the book has been of particular inspiraespecially his amiable wife, Viction to us, not just Urhobo but Bisi Silva, of CCA who de- toria whose diligence made it the world. He has taught us scribed Bruce as one of the few possible to manage the studio and made us. The different that document their works said, and home front. ways he has inspired people “the launching of the book In the same vein, Prof. Oloidi is quite amazing. He discovmeans that your legacy will not also called on all lovers of art not ered one of the African culture die, it will keep on going. With to allow the government to perthat has to be pursued." He this publication, people who fect the planned merger of the Nastated that Scientists have a lot can’t come to Nigeria will learn tional Gallery of Art and Nationto do to explore about African about your works through the al Council of Art and Culture. thinking, belief and superstibook.”

After the presentation, the audition to show that they are real.

On his part, an elated Bruce ence had a feast with some of the Joseph Gitarr, who representthanked God for the gift of life, art works mounted on all the cored Hillary Pennington, Vice intellect and wisdom. The book ners of the compound.

President, Education, creativiaccording to him “is the great-

Edison debuts with Tip of the Iceberg

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FTER plying his trade in the ancient city of Benin for years, University of Benin trained sculptor and painter, Edison Ekwueme is finally out with his first solo exhibition tagged Tip of the Iceberg, an exhibition of paintings and drawings.

The Imo State born multi talented artist who has mentored many younger artists and participated in many group exhibitions says that the exhibition is just to show some of the works he had done for the last three years mainly paintings, but that he will soon come out with a another that will showcase both sculptures and paintings.

Featuring about 27 works that address some of the immediate issues in the nation, the first phase of the exhibition opened on May, 16 at the Pan African University, Victoria Island and ended on May, 18 while the second phase will open on May 24th, at the National Museum, Onikan and run till May 30th.

A cursory look at some of the works being showcased for this exhibition, presents a versatility of pictorial elements that hinges their essence on good draughtsmanship. Some of the works include;Grass to grace; Leap on runway; Sakponba love;Sarah of our time; The richness of black nation, Varieties etc.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 55

56—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

BITS Bits

Retain Labour on the exclusive list — HR Expert

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NASU seeks more funding for research, allied institutions

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ON-ACADEMIC Staff Union ( NASU), has decried poor funding of the nation's research and other allied institutions, which it says plays a major role in the development of any nation.

NASU members in the research and allied institutions, in a communiqué at the end of the research and projects trade group council regular meeting, in Benin City, Edo State, called on government to devise a steady means of ensuring an increased flow of resources to the sector so that the national aspirations for which they were established can be achieved.

According to the communiqué "Conscious of the fact that the Research and Allied Institutions play prominent role in the development of a nation, the Council-in-Session therefore urged the Federal Government to implement the portion of the agreement it had with the unions on the need to increase the annual budgetary allocations to the sector in line with the recommendations of UNESCO and approve a Special Intervention Fund, for a period of three years on a 50:30:20 ratio annually like it did for the universities as well as create a Special Fund to be called National Research and Technology Development Fund, NRTDF."

Workers celebrating May Day in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. (Inset) NLC president, Abdulwaheed Omar

Dubai trip: NLC hits back at OATUU ON February 24, Vanguard published an exclusive story on a trip of the NLC leadership to Dubai for a ‘retreat’. Former president of the NLC and immediate past secretary-general of OATUU, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu in his comments said, the trip could have been held in Nigeria even as he insisted that he had not heard their side of the story. Barely a month after, the leadership of NLC whom we learnt was angered by the story devised a means to get back at Sunmonu. What did they do and how? Details in today’s edition of Labour Vanguard. It’s exclusive to Vanguard.

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

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T'S been over 17 months since the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) elected, Comrade Owei Lakemfa of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) secretary-general of OATUU. Whatever reservations the NLC had with the election and subsequent confirmation of Comrade Lakemfa were not expressed.

Recall that the immediate past secretary-general of OATUU is Comrade Hassan Sunmonu who is also the first president of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The election of Sunmonu’s successor was held in Algiers, Algeria on 6th and 7th December, 2012.

On March 27, 2014; precisely a month and three days after Vanguard’s exclusive story on the Dubai trip, in which Comrade Sunmonu was critical of the NLC leadership’s choice of Dubai for a retreat, the NLC wrote the President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity with the title “Absence from OATUU activities.”

The first paragraph was used to congratulate the president of OATUU on his election and expressed confidence in his leadership. NLC president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar who signed the letter wrote: “Given your remarkable experience and sacrifice to the cause of workers in your country and

globally you will perform creditably as President of OATUU”.

However, the NLC expressed reservations about the choice of the Secretary-General who was from the NLC. Comrade Omar wrote “As you are aware, the NLC has been conspicuously absent from the activities of the OAT-

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human re source expert and president of Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, (HuCaPan), Mr. Neye Enemigin wants Labour retained on the exclusive list.

He told Labour Vanguard in an interview: “That is a serious issue because it will not just be as simple as what we are talking about. It would mean that the unions will no longer be centralized if it is on the concurrent. It means that the states will have their own unions and deal with them. It means that minimum wage will be legislated by states; it has its wider implications. If you look at it from the narrow perspective, you will say yes, that is the right thing but if you look at the wider implications, Nigeria is not yet ripe for Labour to be on the concurrent list, so, I think it should still remain on the exclusive list”.

another official of the NLC was deemed fit for the position, we cannot but feel highly disconcerted at the arbitrariness and highhandedness employed by OATUU in selecting our member of staff and imposing him on us to accept without the decorum of following established due process of the NLC in such nomination”.

Given the historical perspective of how Comrade Hassan Sunmonu was elected Secretary-General of OATUU, it was a fact that he was nominated by the NLC. However, what has come as a surprise to many is that NLC president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar who signed this letter was in Algiers for the same election only to start complaining after about 15 months.

The issue is, why didn’t the NLC complain then?

Comrade Omar added, “It is important to point out to you that no official of the NLC has ever aspired to a position in our international organization or represented the organization in any statutory body in Nigeria without recourse to the mandate of the relevant organs of the NLC, which is the National Executive Council ( NEC).

We feel highly concerned at this attempt to derogate the democratic process in OATUU and believe that if this arbitrariness is allowed to be hallmark of the OATUU, then the organization will be tottering on dangerous grounds and apt to remain moribund in realizing the ideals and aspirations of poor and exploited African workers through collective action”.

The NLC president further stated: “While not claiming to being the best in standards, we do cherish and jealously guard our historical traditions of consultations and collectivity in the decision making process and would defend same in any international organization so affiliated to. This is the only means,

While not claiming to being the best in standards , we do cherish and jealously guard our historical traditions of consultations and collectivity in the decision making process

UU in recent times. This had been contingent on the embarrassing situation we found ourselves during the election of OATUU Executive Committee members at the Ordinary Congress, which took place in Algiers, Algeria on 6th-7th December 2012”.

The NLC president continued: “At the said Congress, we were surprised that the Head of Information of the NLC, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, was not only being nominated by the OATUU, but was elected Secretary-General of the organization without any prior consultation or consent by the NLC. While in normal circumstances we would have been very proud that after our one-time former President, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu had been Secretary-General of the organization and

,

we believe, that the leadership of the African working class movement can overcome the clannishness, nepotism and tyranny often associated with African leaders, and which has subjected our continent to years of stunted growth and underdevelopment with dire consequences on the working people “ A source in the labour movement, who prefers anonymity described the NLC’s letter as “ a material for the dustbin”.

He told Labour Vanguard that the leadership of NLC simply wrote the letter to hit back at Comrade Sunmonu.

The source asked said, “ those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Which organ of the NLC did the leadership consult before they made their selfish nomination for the on-going national conference?"

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 57

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

#Bring back our girls:

Delegates stage protest •Condemn Jos twin bomb blasts

BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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ELEGATES, yesterday, staged a protest to express their grievances over the abduction of over 200 school girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The delegates, who were not happy the girls are still in captivity five weeks after their abduction by Boko Haram, demanded for their unconditional release and urged the Federal Government to ignore the prisoners’ swap term demanded by the terrorists.

The protest was spearheaded by members of the committees on Labour, Civil Societies and Sports, who were later joined by other interested delegates. Most of the protesters wore white, black and green shirts on which was written “Rescue our girls

n o w . ” One of the leaders of the protest, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, said Boko Haram must produce the girls alive.

Also yesterday, the delegates condemned Tuesday’s twin blasts that claimed 118 lives in Jos, Plateau State, even as the Conference observed a minute silence for *Cross-section of participants at the ongoing National Conference those who lost their l i v e s . loving Nigerians, the death of their pains. The Boko Haram terThe decision of the Conference victims of the Jos bomb blasts will rorists have murdered sleep and was sequel to a motion by Gen- never be in vain. But most im- they shall no longer sleep. I can eral Jonathan Temlong, which portant is the fact that our girls tell you that as parents, we have was seconded by Nasir Kura. must be rescued now. stopped sleeping long time ago Speaking on the issue, Okei- ”We are worried that since April and that is why we are gathered Odumakin said: “We want to 14, when our girls were abduct- here to reiterate the fact that the prove a point and those who ed, we have not heard anything terrorists have done havoc to our have abducted them. Boko from them. We are therefore em- young girls. We cannot accept Haram has murdered sleep and barking on this mild protest to our girls to be swapped for the it will not have any sleep. On demonstrate the fact that we feel release of Boko Haram criminals, behalf of all mothers and peace-

who are being held by security agencies across the nation’s prisons. We want them back alive.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Civil Society and Sports, Bola Ogunrinade said, “as parents, we are concerned and we don’t know where the girls are, the girls will come back alive."

Derivation: N-Delta people dissatisfied with 13 % —Annkio Briggs •Want 100 % resource ownership to pay 50% tax to FG

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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IGER-DELTA environmental activ ist and Federal Government Delegate, Ms Annkio Briggs, has said that the recommendation of her Committee on Devolution of Power that status quo be maintained on the current 13 per cent derivation is unacceptable to the people of the oil-rich region.

Consequently, she disclosed that the people have now taken a position saying that it is 100 percent resource ownership to pay tax of not less than 50 percent to the Federal Government or nothing.

Reacting to the decision taken by her committee on the issue, Briggs who spoke to Vanguard yesterday said that there was never a time a unanimous decision was taken on derivation.

She said: “My people want the issue of derivation to rise to 50 percent. Now, what we are actually saying whichever way you are looking at it is, it should go up to 50 per cent or we control the resources and pay not less than 50 percent tax to the Federal Government. So whichever one is acceptable, it is okay by us. But where I found myself highly disagreeing with the rest of my committee members is where they said that the status quo remains.

It was not the issue of derivation. That we wanted 50 percent was never discussed. It was put on the table and withdrawn. I refused to withdraw that position. I refused to withdraw the demand by my people. ”Now, the fact that I found myself standing alone in that committee does not surprise me and it doesn’t bother me at all. What would have bothered me was if I was not able to stand on that which is what my people want and I have stood by my people and I have said it. Now, however it turns out and the reaction that may C M Y K

or may not follow it will be determined by my people and not by me.”

Briggs further stated that even if the decision on derivation eventually succeeded, her dissenting voice must be heard.

Also stating her impression on most recommendations of the committees as the conference kick-started debate on the report of the Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Other Related Matters, yesterday, Annkio-Briggs said that NigerDelta people would reject the proposal to site grazing lands for Fulani herdsmen in the South-South zone.

Trading and personal ventures ”There are disagreements in some areas. The most critical areas where I have seen people disagreeing are in areas, for instance, it is being recommended that cattle rearers should be given some kind of privileges in states where they can move from place to place and engage in their type of living, trading and personal ventures. Some people have spoken against the recommendation and resisted it and I am not surprised because some of these people are directly affected by the cattle rearers’ movement and some of these people will be affected if this recommendation is allowed to go through and then it becomes law. ”For instance, I come from a mangrove area in Rivers State. The North has claimed that they own 80 per cent of our land mass. So it means that the whole of the South, Igbo, Yoruba and Niger-Delta ethnic groups are sharing 20 per cent.

Out of the 20 per cent, you want us to also give grazing land to cattle rearers. And it is only Citizenship and Immigration Committee report that we have discussed so far,” she said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

— 59

Following Mike Tyson:

Where is the Nigerian Vegetarian celebrity?

Hakeem Jimo’s T HE new poster on the wall at Veggie Victory of Famous 'Vegan & Vegetarian Stars and icons and portrays four dozen or so celebrated vegan or vegetarians.

Some from recent history like Mahatma Gandhi, physicist Albert Einstein, US statesman Benjamin Franklin, or iconic Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Some from recent history like the King

Ve ggie Victory

veggienaija@gmail.com of Pop Michael Jackson, Apple founder Steve Jobs or singer Barry White. The rest are modern politicians and people from the entertainment industry like

former US President, Bill Clinton, TV entertainer Ellen Degeneres, musicians Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu and Brandy, actor Brad Pitt or

• L-R: Ayoola Azifat ,3rd prize winner and Latifat Sufiat, both pupils of Basic School Okaka in Itesiwaju LG; Nestlé Creating Shared Value Field Officer; Mr Bola Audu and 1st Prize winners Agborin Abraham and Ogunrire Emmanuel, Pupils of Baptist Primary School Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa LG of Oyo state during the first Nestlé Healthy Kids Quiz Competition for public primary schools held in Ibadan, recently.

civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

They all have one thing in common: they live on a veg diet.

Be it Vegetarian as in no red or white meat, nor seafood or even stricter as Vegan which means further no diary products.

The idea behind the poster to the wall at VeggieVictory Nigeria's 1st Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant - was to show that it is not a fringe or hippy movement or a but amazing and inspiring modern way of life with relatable role models.

Some of guests stare at the poster for a long time and realize that they did not know this important part in the lives of many of their heroes. Because the decision of becoming a vegetarian or vegan is not random and you cannot simply belittle it. It is a deliberate decision and a statement for one's life, health and the way they want to be seen.

One of my favourite Vegan & Vegetarian celebrities is Mike Tyson, former undisputed

heavyweight box champion of the world, turned vegan.

Unforgettable for his rage, tantrums and fierce knock-outs.

Most people in our restaurant cannot believe to find this then self-proclaimed 'killer' on the famous Veg star list.

But needed to change. About 5 five years ago. In an interview Mike Tyson talks about having become a vegan: “I wish I was born this way. When you find out about the processed stuff you have been eating. I wonder why I was crazy all those years. The food. All that garbage I was eating running around, the drugs didn't help either”. He says he does not only feel awesome now and balanced, he also lost about 50kgs.

At VeggieVictory in Lagos we had already welcomed some Nigerian veg celebrities like the musicians Nneka and Keziah Jones. However, we still want to see many more. Veg Nollywood where are you?

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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And that’s it for this week. More new products to follow next week. Be rest assured that there is a solution for whatever sexual problem you have. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

C M Y K

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY MAY 22, 2014 — Page 61

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14th Oil Industry Games: Yakubu honours NNPC Onyeanwuna for burial medalists August 31

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HE Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu has commended the NNPC Contingent that won laurels for the Corporation at the just concluded Nigeria Oil & Gas Industry Games (NOGIG 2014) held in Lagos.

The GMD gave the commendation while receiving the Corporation’s victorious sportsmen and women at the NNPC Towers on Tuesday.

The NNPC team won 14 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals, beating 11 other oil companies in the oil and gas sector to emerge the overall winner of the bi-annual tournament.

Engr. Yakubu, who described the feat as “one

T

HE Anambra State Governor, Dr Willie Obiano has pledged support for the family of the late Nigerian football icon, Albert Onyeanwuna and said the state would accord him a state burial.

Onyeawuna died in Lagos on April 21, 2014.

Speaking at the late Onyeanwuna’s family home in FESTAC Town, L agos yesterday, Anambra State Commissioner for

GMD NNPC, Engr Andrew Yakubu in a group photograph with some members of the victorious NNPC Team that came tops at the NOGIG 2014 held in Lagos. with great significance in our Corporation’s history,” said he was very proud of the athletes’ achievements which reflected the spirit of sportsmanship displayed during the

games.

He charged the athletes and officials to immediately start preparations for the 2016 edition of the Games and assured of the management’s support to

win it back to back.

“I urge you not to rest on your oars because getting to the top is often challenging and most times very tough.

Sustaining the top position is even more daunting,”

Sports, Tony Nnachetta said, the Governor is prepared to work with the federal government, other state governments, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation and the entire sporting community to give Onyeanwuna a befitting burial. He announced that the burial of the late legend would begin on August 26 to 31in Lagos, Awka and Abatete, his home town.

IAAF World Relays: injury hits Team Nigeria camp

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EAM Nigeria’s preparation for the inaugural edi tion of the IAAF World Relays, scheduled for May 24 in the Bahamas has suffered a setback, due to injuries sustained by sprinters.

A statement by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Wednesday in Lagos named the injured sprinters as Obinna Metu, Bukola Abogunloko, Josephine Ehigie, Ada Benjamin, Rita Ossai and Chukwudike Harry.

62— Vanguard, THURSDAY MAY 22, 2014

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McIlroy dumps tennis star Caroline DAWN Games: Oyo humbles Lagos A

hard fighting Oyo State football team stopped the ambition of Team Lagos from reaching the final of the male football event at the ongoing DAWN Games at the Agege Stadium on yesterday.

The pulsating encounter saw Team Oyo scoring two quick goals in the first half of the match through Tajudeen Sodiq, while efforts of Team Lagos to equalise could only produce a goal in the second half through Michael Andrew.

In the other semi final match, Team Ogun thrashed Team Osun 1-0 to set up a final clash against Team Oyo on today. Lagos

Tennis star Caroline Wozinacky and Golfer Rory Mcllroy

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GA golfer Rory McIlroy shocked golf and tennis fans Wednesday by announcing that he has broken off his engagement with former world No. 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.

Even more stunning: The 25-year-old golfer called things off after the invitations were sent out over the weekend.

He issued a brief statement, describing the break-up as mutual and amicable. The two reportedly planned to marry in New York in November and had spent the last week together in Monte Carlo.

“The problem is mine,” he said in the statement.

“The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realise that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.

“There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people. I wish Caroline all the happiness she deserves and thank her for the great times we have had.”

He and Wozniacki, 23, had been a couple for more than two years.

Rumors of a split dogged them last year, but then they announced their engagement on New Year’s Eve, both posting the happy news on Twitter.

“Happy New Year everyone! I have a feeling

Enyeama Continues from BP and believes Stephen Keshi’s men have what it takes to reach the semi-finals.

The reigning African champions have never made it past the round of 16 on the four previous occasions that they qualified for the final, but the Lille goalkeeper has little doubt they can cause a surprise this time around. ”I think we are going to make big progress,” Enyeama told the official Fifa website. ”We are focused on the World Cup, to make Africa the proudest continent. ”Ghana almost reached the semi-finals four years ago. We are going to achieve a better result and be the first African team to get to the semi-finals of the World Cup.”

Nigeria will possibly meet France in the first round of the knockout stages, but the Lille goalkeeper is not thinking about taking on the country where he’s been plying his trade since 2011. ”If we play against France, it will be interesting, but if we play against Switzerland, it will also be interesting.

The important thing is to qualify. ”Playing France for a place in the last eight is not really what matters to me right now, I just want the team to make it to the second round. ”But maybe we will come out first, and then we will not have to play against France.”

Nigeria meet Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran in the group stages.

coach Leo Lawson blamed defensive errors for the defeat, saying that his boys lost concentration when it mattered.

“Our target now is on the third place match against Team Osun. We beat them in the group stage and I expect my boys to do the same again when we meet for the bronze medal tie. I hope to present a new set of players that had not played since we began this competition,” said Lawson.

Secretary of Ogun State Football Association, Leo Adenekan is however looking forward to his state winning football gold at the expense of Team Oyo.

Wisdom boosts Supporters Club EVERYTHING TO IT — Dazzling Tennis star, Caroline Wozinacky powers home a backhand in one of her outings before the shocking break-up announced by Rory yesterday. it’s going to be a great year!! My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!”

McIlroy tweeted after proposing in Sydney.

Two hours after issuing the break-up statement McIlroy, at times holding back tears, appeared at a packed press conference at Wentworth in England for the BMW PGA Championship. The European Tour’s flagship event starts on Thursday.

“This was an incredibly courageous effort by the

Ribery Continues from BP The 31-year-old, who also featured in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments, wants to sign off in style by winning the trophy.

“First, it will be my last World Cup,” he told French radio station RTL. “Then we have to go (to Brazil) to do something, to try to win the World Cup, quite simply.”

Ribery, who has scored 16 goals in 80 games for France, has not announced his international retirement, however, and will hope to figure in the plans for Euro 2016 which France hosts.

25-year-old, whose sombre demeanour, heavy eyes and solemn words left absolutely no room for doubt about his heartache,” The Irish Independent in Dublin noted of the Northern Ireland golfer.

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HE Nigerian Sup porters Club are not relenting in their efforts to ensure that the Super Eagles get all the support at the World Cup in Brazil.

With about 1,000 strong members ready to storm Brazil, the Supporters yesterday got another support from Wisdom Publications who promised to produce stickers on the Eagles as part of the mobilisation on Nigerians to support the Eagles.

Suarez

Continues from BP And now it’s been revealed that 31-goal Luis Suarez is statistically the most influential player in Europe’s big leagues.

An exhaustive analysis

by Bloomberg Sports of every player and every game in the English, French, German, Italian and Spanish first divisions has produced the 2014 ‘Power 50’ rankings

and the Uruguayan tops even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Bloomberg claim their evaluation of Europe’s leading five leagues is the most scientificallyadvanced in the world and takes into consideration the defensive and attacking responsibilities of each player as well as the strength of the opposition.

Balotelli

Continues from BP some fans shouted “black piece of shit” towards him.

The 23-year-old, who played for Manchester City between 2010 and 2013, did not react to the insults initially but reportedly told his teammates later: “This only happens in Rome and Florence.”

The Italy players met up this week to start their preparations for this summer ’s tournament and face Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Craven Cottage on Saturday 31 May. At the World Cup Cesare Prandelli’s team face England, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.

Managing Director Agboola-Oluwa Wisdom presented the stickers to the President General of the Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Ladipo in his Surulere office yesterday..

Ladipo thanked him for his foresight and urged Nigerians to buy the stickers titled ‘’Goodluck to Super Eagles’’ as their contributions to a successful outing of the Nigerian national team.

Eto'o Continues from BP ly describing his boss as a “fool” in comments which are almost certain to signal his departure from Stamford Bridge.

Eto’o, who won the Champions League under Mourinho while at Internazionale, said on cafonline.com: “Contrary to what a puppet says about my age, I am still physically fit. At 33, I feel real good.

I have proven that I could do better than youths.”

Mourinho was caught on camera making unguarded comments suggesting Eto’o was older than his official age earlier this season.

Eto’o, who scored 12 times for the Blues, celebrated his next goal by acting like a geriatric and repeated his aim is to continue playing at the top level in Europe.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 — 63

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Suarez is Europe’s most influential player •Ahead of Messi, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo TOP 10 POWER LIST

Enyeama: Eagles ‘ll reach World Cup s/finals G

OALKEEPER Vincent Enyeama is brimming with confidence ahead of this summer’s World Cup Continues on Page 62

S A F E HANDS — Enyeama

It’s my last World Cup – Ribery

1 Luis Suarez (Liverpool, 86.02) 2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona, 85.43) 3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG, 84.91) 4 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, 84.59) 5 Kevin Strootman (Roma, 81.86) 6 Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid, 81.68) 7 Mehdi Benatia (Roma, 81.30) 8 Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund, 81.21) 9 Tiago (Atletico Madrid, 80.79) 10 David Silva (Manchester City, 80.79)

H

IS electrifying performances lit up the Premier League and very nearly delivered Liverpool their first title in almost a quarter-century.

Continues on Page 62

Eto’o hits at ‘puppet’ Mourinho again

F

RANCE winger Franck Ribery will play in his last World Cup in Brazil, the Bayern Munich player said on yesterday.

Continues on Page 62

S

AMUEL Eto’o has again hit out at his detractors – notably the Chelsea manager José Mourinho – over his age.

In an interview with the Confederation of African Football website, the 33-year-old Cameroon striker made reference to Mourinho as a “puppet” after previous Continues on Page 62

World Cup: Balotelli racially abused

M

Balotelli

•Ribery

•Suarez

ARIO Balotelli was racially abused at the Italy training centre Coverciano yesterday as the national team continued their preparations for the

World Cup. The Milan forward, who has been targeted by fans throughout his career, was training with the rest of the squad as Continues on Page 62

Eto’o

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Tolerate (6) 5 Row (4) 8 Permit (5) 9 Lettuce (3) 10 Facts (4) 11 Lake (4) 12 Composition (5) 13 Divided (6) 16 Simple (4) 18 Dash (4) 20 Donkey (3) 22 Because (3) 23 Lair (3) 24 Haze (4) 25 Rush (4) 28 Knife (6) 30 Lift (5) 32 Appear (4) 33 Flavour (4) 34 Strike (3) 35 Cut (5) 36 Act (4) 37 Ball-game (6)

DOWN 1 Flight (6) 2 Anguish (8) 3 Save (6) 4 Daubed (9) 5 Turned (7) 6 Absent (4) 7 Sovereign (4) 8 Consumed (3) 14 Thawed (9) 15 Male (3) 17 Fish-eggs (3) 19 Stretch (8) 20 Help (3) 21 Caressed (7) 26 Hang (6) 27 Free (6) 29 Pleased (4) 30 Stockings (4) 31 Sailor (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Sabre 9, Larder 10, Owning 11, Trade 12, Ague 15, Wise 17, Madness 20, Lee 21, Torch 23, Lees 25, Tire 26, Debit 28, Pot 30, Conceal 33, Anew 35, Hale 36, Tiara 38, Appear 39, Instep 40, Needy.

DOWN: 1, Glean 2, Proud 3, Set 4, Arrest 5, Rode 6, Ewe 7, Civil 8, Agree 13, Galleon 14, Ended 16, Several 18, Sonic 19, Act 22, Hitch 24, Sex 27, Torrid 28, Pagan 29, Tempt 31, Earth 32, Leapt 36, Tan 37, Any.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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