NUPENG anti-Nigerians,says Okonjo-Iweala

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61693

SALAMI VS PDP CHIEFTAINS: Police secure MTN's flash drive •P.6

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

How Facebook friends strangled Cynthia, ex-General's •P.9 daughter

NUPENG anti-Nigerians, says Okonjo-Iweala

BY EMMA UJAH & VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

•Meets labour unions, marketers, others today •Tanker drivers insist on Friday strike if...

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BUJA—THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, lambasted the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, describing the union as anti-Nigerians over its insistence to embark on nationwide strike from Friday unless oil marketers are paid their subsidy claims.

The union said that only the payment of subsidy claims to verified Continues on page 5

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

HAKEEM BABA-AHMED •P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P.60

Mr & Mrs SALLAH VISIT—Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, displaying the souvenir presented to him by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhamad Sa'ad Abubakar (111) during a Sallah visit to the Sultan in Sokoto yesterday.

SPECIAL REPORT: 100 years of trade unionism in Nigeria •Serial on OWEI LAKEMFA'S Pgs.38&39 latest work

Bandits in military uniforms raped my sister to death Pgs.42&43

Police arrest gunmen, uncover bomb factories in Kogi Pg.8

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

—3 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

NUPENG anti-Nigerians — Okonjo-Iweala Continues from Page 1 oil marketers by the Federal Government would avert the planned nationwide strike from Friday as leaders of the union meet with Government today to find solution to the lingering dispute.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said the report from government on the implementation of the communiqué at last week meeting would also determine the next line of action in its face-off with government over the deployment of armed soldiers to Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, and pending labour issues ahead of planned privatization of PHCN. The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke with Vanguard in Abuja, yesterday, said that NUPENG was collaborating with the wrong people, referring to the fuel subsidy cabal that has been milking Nigerians of billions of Naira in the past years.

According to her, “NUPENG is anti-Nigerians. NUPENG is siding with the wrong people. There is no reason for NUPENG to hold Nigerians to ransom on

behalf of people who have been taking public money for fuel they did not supply.”

The minister who has been meeting several stakeholders in the oil industry said that NUPENG was working for the interests of corrupt people.

She said that if NUPENG was interested in the welfare of Nigerians and the nation’s economy, it would join forces with government in stopping the impunity that has been associated with subsidy corruption which has even attracted public outcry.

She explained that a lot of progress has been made from the discussions between the federal government team and the oil marketers who have agreed to work with the government towards an efficient and transparent fuel distribution system, adding that the current administration will always insist on transparency in the interest of Nigerians. She, therefore, urged the public to stand with the government on this matter.

The Group Managing Director, GMD, of the NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu who also spoke with Vanguard confirmed that the corpora-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

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N life everyone must think ahead, that is the only way that anyone can get ahead in life.

The problem with most people and most nations is that the people who are supposed to be doing the thinking are not thinking. God our maker always thought ahead. He created man in His own image and man is expected to think.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own — John Donohue

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ONOHUE in his many uplifting writings also said that, if you try to view yourself through the lenses that others offer you, all you will see are distortions; your own light and beauty will become blurred, awkward, and unattractive. Your sense of inner beauty has to remain a very private thing and once your light awakens from within, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfilment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of risk hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfilment. Take heart and follow your bliss.

tion’s branch of NUPENG did not join the strike that crippled fuel distribution in Abuja in the last five days. He said that the claim that the union was striking on behalf of NNPC was not true.

We held no meeting with Finance Minister — NUPENG Speaking with Vanguard on today’s meeting, Acting General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Isaac Aberare, dismissed any meeting with Finance Minister as reported in the media, saying “we read it in the newspapers today (yesterday). There was no meeting and no contact with the Finance Minister. We only received an invitation from the Minister of Labour for us to attend a crucial meeting tomorrow (today) by 11 am.”

On the union’s expectation from the meeting, NUPENG’s General Secretary, said “we expect government to plead that we suspend the planned strike and that everything will be done to pay the marketers. But if that is all they will tell us without evidence of payment, our Monday ultimatum subsists because the jobs of our members in Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Jetties and Petroleum Tank Farms Owners of Nigeria, JEPTFON, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN , are at risk. In fact, they have not been paid for the past five months. They have suffered a lot. What I am saying is that if the government fails to provide convincing evidence of payment, I am afraid, we will commence full blown nationwide strike after Thursday.”

Acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Chris Uyot, on his part said: “We will attend the meeting with the Minister of Labour. We expect government to present a report of the last meeting which recalled the demands of NLC that the Minister promised to take to the appropriate authorities for action.

Some of the demands are the withdrawal of soldiers from PHCN installations. It is the report that will determine the next line of action.”

It would be recalled that NLC had threatened a nationwide solidarity strike of workers of PHCN to force government to address the workers’ concerns and had already set up strike committees across the country.

NUPENG had on Monday in Lagos issued a Thursday deadline to the Federal Government to pay oil marketers their verified subsidy claim or members would begin a nationwide strike by Friday.

At briefing in Lagos, President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, demanded the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accusing her of not only undermining the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, but also paying subsidy claims to “portfolio importers” because of their closeness to corridors of power.

Oil marketers are claiming N200 billion unpaid subsidy claims.

Vanguard gathered from MOMAN that only one of its members has been paid while five were yet to be paid.

It was gathered that no members of JEPTFON, IPMAN and DAPPMA, had been paid. Achese dismissed allegation that the union was being used by marketers, saying not even the government could use it, but was fighting for the interest of members who had not been paid for the past five months because of the unpaid subsidy claims.

The NUPENG President equally accused the Minister of selective payment of subsidy claims and asked the government to distinguish between real importers who had invested massively in the industry and 'portfolio importers'.

Achese called on government to publish names of marketers that had been paid and those not paid as well as explain reasons for their non-payment.

He said the union restricted industrial unrest to Abuja, the Federal Capital, because of the

Ramadan and the Sallah celebration, warning that should government fail to pay the marketers between now and Thursday (tomorrow), the union would declare a full blown nationwide strike by Friday.

He recalled that the union’s last strike over the same matter was suspended based on a memorandum of understanding, MOU, signed with all the stakeholders and the Finance Minister that payments would commence on the subsidy owed the marketers.

According to him, “NUPENG cannot and will never be used by the Federal Government, institutions, companies because we are

stakeholders in the industry. The fight and struggle for the enthronement of democracy in this country during the June 12, 1993 struggle cannot be in vain. The struggle for the emancipation of Nigerians from the hands of the military cannot be rubbished or swept under the carpet by some ministers. It is our firm belief that His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the number one worker of our great country, Nigeria, will heed this clarion call in order to move the transformation agenda forward.”

Success of ‘Cash-Less Lagos’ 'll determine expansion of scheme — CBN

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AGOS—THE Cen tral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is conducting an assessment of the ‘Cash-Less Lagos’ scheme, to determine when to introduce it in other states of the federation.

The Director, Banking and Payments System Department of the CBN, Mr Dipo Fatokun, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday, in Lagos.

Fatokun said that the success of the pilot scheme of the policy would assist the apex bank to determine what to do in the next phase of the scheme.

He said that an assessment of the policy carried out recently, had revealed that the policy had recorded some success.

According to him, the success of the pilot scheme will also assist the regulator in implementing the policy nationwide.

Fatokun said that the CBN had identified some challenges facing t h e p o l i c y, noting that the recognition of the challenges would help in identifying future problems.

He expressed optimism on the preparedness of the CBN to confront whatever “setback” that might arise in the implementation of the policy in other states.

The director, however, did not disclose when the policy would start in other states but said that only the board and management of the CBN could determine that.

“Once we get it right in Lagos, we will get it right in other states."

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

State Police: Ex-IG, Senator disagree

BY SONI DANIEL

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INTERACTION—President GoodLuck Jonathan (middle), Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (right) and Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) during the President's interaction with beneficiaries of scholarship in Yenagoa, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Salami Vs PDP: Police secures MTN's flash drive

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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B U J A — INDICATIONS have emerged in Abuja, yesterday, that the National Judicial Council has released the flash drive containing the call logs of alleged conversations between suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami and Action Congress of Nigeria chieftains and party's legal representatives, among others.

Vanguard learnt that the release followed demand made to the Chairman of the National Judicial Council and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, by the Inspector general of police, Mohammed Abubakar.

NJC sources disclosed that the flash drive which was earlier released by MTN to the security agencies for onward transmission to the judicial body, was last Friday, hand-delivered by a staff in the office of the NJC’s Secretary, Danladi Umar Halilu, to the office of the IGP for forensic analysis.

Vanguard learnt that the IG made the demand for the flash drive following the claim of interrogated MTN officials, Rotimi Odusola and Rotimi Oghenerume, in a six-hour session with detectives of the Special Task force early this month, during which the telecoms giant said it could not have forwarded incomplete call data records to the security agencies and asked the Police to call for the flash drive with which MTN

released the controversial call data records.

Former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is the petitioner, is insisting that MTN manipulated the call logs it released to the security agencies and the NJC by sending only the in-coming components of the call logs and deliberately excluding the period under investigation at the time, in order to conceal the interactions between Justice Ayo Salami, his bosom friend, Tunji Ijaiya, on the one hand, and Action Congress of Nigeria chieftains and the party’s lawyers on the other.

Allegation of impropriety against MTN Having taken possession of the flash drive, the Inspector-General of Police is set to pass the flash drive to the CP Ali Amodu-led Special Task Force for detailed analysis. If contents of the flash drive indeed reveal that only the in-coming components of the call data records were released to the National Judicial Council by MTN, allegations of impropriety levelled against the telecoms giant by the ousted governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, will certainly have to be investigated further by the Police to establish a motive.

MTN, however, insists that it is a non-partisan concern whose operations are guided by sound corporate governance

principles.

It will be recalled that the National Judicial Council’s Special Investigative Panel, was set up to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the allegations made by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Segun Oni (erstwhile governors of Osun and Ekiti states respectively), in their different petitions to the National Judicial Council, that Justice Ayo Salami breached the code of conduct for judicial officers by interacting with ACN chieftains and the party’s legal representatives while they

had matters before the Court of Appeal President.

As a result of the interactions, they alleged that Justice Salami was handed a clean bill of health based on the fact Mr. Rotimi Odusola of MTN’s Commercial Legal Department allegedly appeared before the panel to disown the call logs.

Recall also that MTN, according to NJC sources, have since confirmed the authenticity of the said call log; released to the Area G Command headquarters, Ogba, Lagos, in an affidavit the same Rotimi Odusola deposed to, last April.

BUJA—FORMER Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Aliyu Attah, yesterday voiced his opposition to the introduction of state police in Nigeria, saying that it would breed more trouble than the country could imagine.

Attah, who spoke exclusively with Vanguard, described proponents of state police as people lacking a proper sense of history.

Attah said, “Those who are clamouring for state police should go back to the history of policing in Nigeria and learn what the nation passed through in the days of Native Police Authority and decide if Nigeria can handle the consequences of state police in the 21st century.

The former police boss cited a case in the former Anambra State where the governor ordered the state commissioner of police to ignore the visit of the then Vice President, Alex Ekwueme and prepare to receive him (the governor), because they belonged to separate political parties at the time.

He said when the commissioner of police failed to take his instruction, the then governor ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of the police commissioner.

“If the situation was that

bad then, you can imagine what it would be like if we were to allow governors set up and manage police in their respective states.

“Although I would not support outright scrapping of the police ministry, it is important to allow the IGP to procure what he wants for the force; he knows where the problems are and he should be allowed to manage his people for the good of the country,” the former police head added.

Meanwhile, as the controversy over the recommendation by the Parry Osayende-led Committee for the scrapping of the Police Affairs Ministry deepens, a member of the National Assembly has supported the call to do away with the ministry.

Senator Sulaiman Adokwe, who is the Chairman Senate Services Committee, told Vanguard in an exclusive interview that there was no need for the police affairs ministry since all matters relating to the internal security of Nigeria could be effectively handled by the Ministry of Interior.

Senator Adokwe, who represents Nasarawa South in the Senate, said the existence of the Ministry of Police Affairs is a usurpation of the function of the police force and an indirect way of frustrating the effective performance of the outfit.

2015 poll: I'm not running with Lamido — Amaechi zAs ex-Gov Kure asks Obasanjo to leave North alone

BY SONI DANIEL

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BUJA—RIVERS State Governor, Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed reports that he had been anointed by certain forces within the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to run for vice presidency in 2015.

The report, which was published by a tabloid on Monday, quoted unnamed sources close to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as having endorsed Amaechi and his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido, to run on a joint ticket as presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively.

But in a swift reaction, Amaechi denied nursing any political ambition in relation to 2015.

The governor, who spoke through his information commissioner, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, described the reported political ambition as the imagination of political speculators, which has nothing whatsoever to do with him.

Semenitari said, “the information was shocking to us here in Rivers State because the governor has no such political ambition.

He does not have any plan for 2015 as we speak.

“I just think that it is the handiwork of political jobbers; Amaechi is simply

focusing on ways and means of taking Rivers State to the next level and is not discussing or thinking of any vicepresidential position in 2015 as speculated.

“The governor is not also working with Lamido on any presidential issues relating to 2015”.

In spite of Amaechi’s denial of his joint ticket with Lamido, former Niger State Governor, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure, yesterday, blasted former President Olusegun Obasanjo for attempting to cause trouble in the North.

Kure, who accused the former president of messing up the country, pleaded with him to mind his

farming business and allow the North to sort out themselves, as they were capable of doing so.

Kure said, “In 2015, the North will decide for itself and choose a candidate that the whole united North, acting as one, will support.

Obasanjo has messed up the entire country and particularly the North. We shall not allow him to do that again. Let him go and face his poultry farm and leave us alone.”

“Obasanjo lacks the locus standi to decide who will represent us in 2015. We will not allow him to do that again. Let him face his poultry farm in Ota and leave the North alone.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 7

2 feared dead as transporters clash over Police arrest gunmen, uncover bomb factories ownership of park in Onitsha

BY VINCENT UJU-

MADU

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WKA—TWO per sons were feared dead, yesterday in Onitsha and several others sustained serious injuries when rival groups loyal to two transport companies, Uguchukwu and Sons Limited and Mic Merah International Agency, engaged themselves in a free for all over ownership to the controversial Nwugo Motor Park at the Upper Iweka area of the town.

At the time of this report, stern-looking policemen in Onitsha had cordoned off the entire park and took over security to avert renewed hostilities to ensure security of lives and property following reports that the two factions were allegedly perfecting strategies to attack each other.

The incident was said to have started in the early hours of yesterday which prompted the police to storm the park and took control of security.

Addressing reporters yesterday, the manager of Nwugo Park, Chief Gregory Ezechukwu said he received information from his security men that policemen numbering over 50 accompanied by youths wielding machetes had taken over the park at about 3.30 am. Yesterday, lamenting that the incident took place despite court judgments and orders against Mic Merah over the ownership of the park.

He alleged that the Anambra State Police Command had not allowed the Inspector-General of Police, IG, to know about the court judgments and orders secured by Ugochukwu and Sons Limited against Mic Merah International Agency.

He said: “It is unfortunate that the police in Onitsha have compromised themselves and are being used to disobey the valid court judgments and orders we

have secured in this matter, by refusing to forward same to the IG and the police legal department.

“The armed thugs who accompanied the policemen, chased away Ugochukwu and Sons staffers, broke into some offices while the policemen were shooting sporadically in the air apparently to scare us away. I had to tell my people to leave because we don’t want to take laws into

our hands and we don’t believe in violence, since the court judgment is there.

“I went personally to see the Area Commander and gave him copies of the judgment and orders, but he still went ahead to deploy policemen to take over the park, thereby ignoring the court order, which to me, is an abuse of court process and I know, that the IG is not aware of this development.”

UBA VISITS EAST AFRICA: From left, MD, UBA Kenya, Tunji Adeniyi; Kenyan philanthropist and Chairman Comcraft Group, Kenya, Manu Chandaria; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza and Chairman, UBA Kenya Ltd, Mr. Ngugi Kiuna, at the breakfast session organised by UBA Kenya for business and government leaders, in Nairobi.

Obi of Onitsha to Obi: You must be part of choosing your successor

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—AS the race for the successor to Governor Peter Obi in 2014 thickens, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred

Achebe, said, yesterday, that everybody in Anambra State, including the incumbent governor, should be part of choosing and electing the next governor of the state.

Speaking at the commissioning of a newly constructed secretariat for the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council at the Government House in Awka, Achebe justified his position by insisting that good men should not stand aloof and allow bad men to decide those that govern the people.

According to him, “it is everybody that would suffer the consequences if the good people chose to re-

main indifferent.”

He cited the position of the Oba of Benin, Omonoba Erediuwa, during the recently conducted governorship election in Edo State in which the Oba took a decisive stance by insisting that serving Governor Adams Oshiomhole should be allowed a second tenure,havingservedhispeoplewell during his first tenure.

The royal father, who poured encomiums on the governor for providing good governance to the state, assured that traditional rulerswouldcontinuetopromote good governance by offering advice and telling the governor what is both palatable and unpalatable to his ears for the good of the state.

in Kogi

BY BOLUWAJI OBA-

HOPO

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OKOJA—KOGI State Police Command, has arrested gunmen in a luxury bus at Muhammed Murtala Bridge, Jamata, Lokoja, on their way back to the state from one of the northern state of the country. The also uncovered two bomb factories in the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammed Katsina, who conducted journalists round the bomb factories in Abu Limit Estate and Eyika Adagu in Okene and Okehi Local Government Areas of the state, said the suspects arrested with explosive were among the Deeper Live Church killers.

Muhammed who said information from the arrested leader of the 21man gang, who masterminded the attack on Deeper Life Bible and killing of soldiers led to the discovery of the bomb factories, noting that those arrested at the Jamata Bridge left the state as reinforcement from the core North He said that his men launched attack on the terrorist group when his command got wind of their training camp in Eter Hill, where they were planning another attack, saying the gang opened fire on sighting his men, but were suppressed by superior fire

power of the police, injuring some of the gunmen while others escaped to a farm settlement in Ondo State.

Muhamed, who said that the suspected gang leader, who was arrested at a banana farm settlement in Owo, Ondo State had informed that the group had planned to launch serial attack on Sunday to coincided with the Eid- el- filtr celebration before his arrest, stressing that the killers of the church worshipers and two soldiers had been arrested, while one of them died due to injuries sustained during exchange of guns fire.

“They planned the two attacks at their hideout in Eyika. Three persons each were detailed to attack the church and the soldier respectively. The pastor was the target of the attack but because of confusion as they entered the church, they shot sporadically to make sure they hit their target,” he said.

The commissioner noted that eight suspects had been arrested so far while two clan heads where bomb factories were discovered had also been arrested Items recovered from the intercepted bus were seven AK 47 rifle,1000 live ammunition, 29 loaded magazine, six locally made guns, gas cylinder, two rocket launchers and other bomb making accessories

Paucity of funds stalls Nigerian embassy officials pay in Switzerland

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG

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AGOS—OFFICIALS and staff of Nigerian embassy in Geneva, Switzerland have not been paid their salaries since January, following alleged failure of the Federal Government to release funds to ministries including Foreign Affairs.

Investigation revealed that the fall out of this development is that families have had their insurance stopped even as landlords are threat-

ening to evict them.

A source in the ministry of labour attributed the situation to lack of funds.

The source confirmed that the ministry’s representative at the International Labour Organisation, ILO, Mr. Peter Ajuzie has not been able to secure funds since he arrived Abuja from Geneva in June.

It will be recalled in 2010, labour minister, Chief Emeka Wogu paid all pending arrears of staff salaries.

Shortly before then families were evicted for defaulting in rent.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Police kill 4 kidnappers as hostage escapes

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HE Nigerian Police said yesterday they have killed four kidnappers in the southern part of Edo State following a car chase where the hostage escaped, in the latest abduction in a region home to Africa’s biggest oil industry.

Criminal gangs kidnapping for ransom have blighted Africa’s second largest economy for years, with the vast majority of people abducted Nigerians, although foreign oil workers have also been t a r g e t s .

Violence and crime in the oil-producing Niger Delta pushes up the cost of doing business.

Shell spent almost 40 percent of its global security budget in Nigeria between 2007-

2009, according to an oil industry watchdog.

Senior civil servant, Benson Ojoto was kidnapped earlier this month in Delta, one of the three states that make up the bulk of the Niger Delta. He was freed on Sunday, police said.

"Luckily, the man escaped while the gang headed to Edo with his car.

We trailed them to Benin-City where we engaged and gunned down four of them. One escaped with gunshot wounds,” Delta State police spokesman, Charles Muka said.

Muka said they strongly suspected the gang was behind the kidnapping this month of Delta State Judge, Marcel Okoh, who has since been released.

Wonder banks: SEC investigates commercial banks' connivance

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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HE Securities and E x c h a n g e Commission, SEC, yesterday, said it was investigating some commercial banks over their connivance with illegal fund managers, also called wonder banks, to defraud unsuspecting investors.

According to a statement by Yakubu Olaleye, Head, Media, SEC, said the Commission had sealed two illegal fund management outfits, Green Planet Association International, Bukuru and Wiscom Ventures, Jos North, while it was investigating connivance by the banks’ branches in Plateau State with the illegal fund managers.

Mr Eric Elujekor, Head of Department, Enforcement and Compliance, SEC, who led the sealing of the two outfits in Jos, Plateau State, said in order to restore customers’ confidence in financial institutions, SEC would carry out a thorough investigation on the issue.

According to him, the outfits were illegal because majority of them were not licensed by SEC. He said, “Some of them were licensed as funds managers, but as fund

managers if you want to mobilise fund and invest, you have to register the fund with SEC. Even those we registered as fund managers never registered the fund they are floating.

“Investors who volunteered information to SEC officials have said they were encouraged to part with their monies because they saw bank officials in those offices receiving money.

“They said the bank officials after receiving their money, now personally deposit it with their banks. So it is something that we need to investigate.”

Olaleye said operators of some of the illegal funds outfits resisted attempts by SEC to sealoff their premises forcing SEC officials to beat a retreat.

At one of the illegal operators, Guarantee Global Resource (House of Wealth), one of the investors, Adams Saleh, said they were on queue waiting to be paid interests on their investment, saying that they trust the fund managers, who give them information on the telephone, after investing N500, 000.

“The investors blocked the team from taking away the manager of the company.”

Kuramo: I'm yet to understand he is dead—Wife of deceased zAs Lagos govt begins release of corpses to families

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSOR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—AS the search for possible recovery of more bodies swept away by last Saturday ocean surge at Kuramo Beach in Victoria Island came to an end yesterday, Mrs. Saidat Oke, widow of Mr. Joseph Oke, security officer, who died alongside others narrated how she received the news of her husband’s death saying, “I am yet to believe he is dead.”

Saidat, who initially declined to speak after the state government released the corpse of her husband to the family, said the loss would for a long time affect her psyche and the only child he left behind.

Saidat, who spoke in Yoruba language, muttered “I was at home when my phone rang, I picked the call only to be informed about the death of my husband.

Immediately I heard it, I cannot explain how I felt at that moment and to come to reality of what has happened.”

Vanguard gathered that she had earlier urged Joseph to resign from his job as a security officer at Kuramo Beach and to go for a better job elsewhere.

It was also learnt that Joseph who was employed by the company (name withheld) on March 6, 2008, earning N3, 000 weekly as salary, died while trying to rescue some residents.

Speaking on the death of Joseph and others, Area Commander of Crime Prevention Campaign of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Shobowe, said “I knew it would happen because that day, I did not know what held me back from joining other security officers in the rescue effort.”

According to Shobowe, “immediately Joseph called me at about 3:00 am, I was reluctant to join them immediately.

But about an hour later, I called the phone number of Joseph and

his colleagues, Olorunwa to know how the rescue operation went, their numbers were switched off.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government yesterday, commenced the release of corpses to families to ensure prompt burial rites.

Chairman of IruVictoria Island Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr. Abayomi Daramola, said the corpses would be released to the families after they must have conducted screening for proper identification.

Daramola added that the state government would assist the families with the burial of the deceased.

He noted that the number of casualties

would have been high had the LCDA not demolished several structures at the beach last June, and ordered the occupants to vacate the premises.

He explained that “ we ordered them to vacate because of the security threat it posed to the state. The place had become hideout for criminals. According to him, “during the demolition, we discovered three pistols and other ammunitions which had been handed over to the appropriate authorities.”

Daramola debunked the claim by the owners of the structures that the state collects ground rent from the occupiers.

He said: "There was never such levy being

collected by the state government or the council from the occupiers. I challenge anyone to come forward with a copy of the receipt.”

He added that what the state government collected from them was for the maintenance of the area because they littered the shoreline which the state spends huge sums of money to clean, by constantly clearing the refuse that were being deposited there.

Vanguard gathered that the bodies were deposited at the Isolo Mortuary. Meanwhile, at press time, no further body was recovered yesterday as five more bodies were said to be missing.

EID-EL-FITRI— Children playing at the Emir of Bauchi drive in Bauchi, yesterday.

Shake-up: IG orders redeployment of 18 CPs

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—THE Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, yesterday ordered the immediate redeployment of 18 Commissioners of Police, CPs, to various commands and formations of the Force.

A statement by Force Spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, noted that the IG also directed the affected officers to ensure an effective policing of their new areas of jurisdiction in line with the administration’s reform policies.

He advised the newly deployed CPs to act as

agents of positive change and guide against acts inimical to the fundamental rights of the citizenry while enjoining citizens of the affected states to give the new command helmsmen maximum support to guarantee their success.

The affected officers and their new commands are CP Femi Adenaike, Kaduna State; CP Godfrey Okeke, Adamawa State; CP Mohammed Iyanda Gombe State; CP Baba Adisa Bolanta, Imo State ; CP S. L. Gambo, Sokoto State; CP Joseph Mbu, Oyo State; CP Tonye Ebitibituwa, Kebbi State and CP Abdullahi Yuguda, Kebbi State.

Others are CP Sunday

Ogbonna, CP Admin ‘C’ department, Force HQ ; Mgbakor Ogugua, CP Criminal Central Records, FCID Annex, Lagos, CP Mark Idakwo is the CP in charge Provost at Force HQ, CP Edgar Nanakumor is the CP in charge Inspectorate ‘C’ Department, CP Patrick Dokumor is CP in charge Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, CP Mohammed Ibrahim is CP, Special Protection Unit, CP Sylvester Umeh is CP in charge Border Patrol, CP Suleiman Lawal is Deputy Commandant Police College, Kano, CP Idris Farouk Umar, CP AntiFraud, FCID.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—9

BY EVELYN USMAN

I

KEJA—INDICA TIONS emerged, yesterday, that the late Cynthia Osokogu, the only daughter of General Frank Osokogu (rtd), whose body was discovered in a Lagos morgue a month after she was declared missing, could have been murdered by her facebook acquaintances.

Already, six persons, among them two university students, a pharmacist and an employee of the hotel where the 24year-old post-graduate student was murdered have been arrested.

Investigation into the murder, as reliably gathered, revealed that Cynthia was strangled to death in the hotel by her assailants, who thereafter left with an undisclosed amount, her student identity card and phones.

Report said the beautiful and vivacious Cynthia had chatted with the two undergraduates on facebook for months.

In the process, they reportedly got to know that she owned a boutique in Nasarawa State, following which they reportedly had a business proposal with her, promising to host her whenever she visited Lagos.

On her arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, on July 22, 2012, she was reportedly picked up by the two undergraduates and driven to a hotel in Festac Town.

Unknown to her, she was embarking on a journey of no return.

At the hotel, her drink was reportedly drugged before she was strangled to death. Vanguard reliably gathered that after her death, one of her as-

How ex-General's daughter, Cynthia, was killed by facebook ‘friends’ z2 undergraduates, pharmacist, hotelier, 2 others nabbed zHow we lured, drugged her, by Suspects

DEATH BY FACEBOOK: The late Cynthia Osokogu sailants left the room and later put a call to the hoteliers, informing them that there was a corpse in one of the rooms.

The hotel, as gathered, took the corpse to the Isolo General Hospital mortuary. Sources informed that efforts by the hoteliers to contact family of the deceased proved abortive as there was reportedly nothing to trace her close relatives or friends.

Meanwhile, back in Nasarawa State where her

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

I

KEJA—OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over the weekend arrested a 26-year-

zAsk for 6 months grace to comply

L

AGOS—AHEAD of the planned enforcement of Lagos Road Traffic Law, okada riders in the state have expressed fears over what they termed the “ambiguity of the law” even as they called on the state government to give a six-month grace of intensive sensitisation for road-users before the enforcement.

It would be recalled that

How the suspects were arrested Vanguard reliably gathered that after the murder, the killers deleted all information and chats with the deceased from their

facebook. But, along the line, the deceased phone was dialled and one of the suspects reportedly answered. When the call log was checked from the service provider, the receiver was traced to Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

Again, the Close Circuit Television stationed in the hotel was said to have revealed identities of the killers following which two of them were arrested

Man, 26, hides N27m drug in metal pipes

Okada riders term new Lagos traffic law ‘ambiguous’

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

family is said to be based, apprehension had set in following her disappearance. She was, therefore, declared missing, with her pictures dropped at some police divisions in the state.

and their confessional statement led to the arrest of others.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to have bought the drugs with which they drugged Cynthia’s drink from a pharmacist, thereby leading to his arrest. It was at this point that her family was reportedly contacted.

Vanguard reliably gathered that during investigation, the two undergraduates, whose identities could not be ascertained, confessed to have killed Cynthia.

They also reportedly confessed to belong to a syndicate which specialised in luring unsuspecting rich women with the aim of dispossessing them of their belongings, particularly cash.

The late Cynthia, as gathered, was not their first victim, as they were said to have confessed to the police that she was their sixth victim.

When contacted, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the arrest, but was not forthcoming with details.

the enforcement of the law has been put on hold pending when it would been gazetted.

The Isheri-Igando branch of okada riders, under the umbrella of Motorcycles Association of Lagos State, MOALS, made the submission at a sensitisation event on new road traffic law and presentation of reflective jackets, sponsored by a social club in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Lagos State Command.

old man for allegedly smuggling 8.5kg of methamphetamine worth about N27 million tactically concealed inside metal pipes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The suspect, Mr. Afunaya Thaddeus Izunna, who sells phone accessories in Ikeja, Lagos, was apprehended with the narcotic drug during the screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline flight to New Delhi, India.

Speaking on the arrest, the NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the drug was discovered when anti-narcotic officilas insisted in searching the metal pipes inside Izunna’s luggage.

According to Umar, the drug with a total weight of 8.5kg is one of the highest seizures recently recorded at the airport.

He said: “This is one of the largest seizures recorded at the Lagos airport in recent time. It was

a clever mode of concealment, but I am glad we were able to detect it and the suspect apprehended.

The case is under investigation.”

On the development, NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said: “This is a spectacular seizure because the drug was carefully concealed in

a way that makes detection difficult. The significance is that a warning signal has been sent to the enemy camp that one of their best tricks is not good enough. This has been my position and order to the officers that drugs should be intercepted regardless of the mode of concealment.”

Briefly

Reclamation of Epe Marina shoreline starts

E

PE—AN official of the Epe Local Government in Lagos State said, yesterday, that work on the Epe Marina Shoreline Reclamation Project would start next month.

Mr. Abiodun Ajero, Special Adviser on Markets Development and Revenue Generation to the Epe Local Government Chairman, said this in Epe. He said the project would be carried out in collaboration with the state government.

According to him, affected residents and businesses along the shoreline have started relocating, to pave way for the movement of reclamation equipment and personnel to the project site.

He said the exercise would stretch from Erepoto area to Oluwo market on the Marina at Epe.

Meduoye, others for convocation

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AGOS—GENERAL Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Reverend Felix Meduoye, will be ministering on the theme “Glorious Expectation” at the convocation and first anniversary of Iba District.

Others expected at the convocation, which holds between August 24 and 26, at Iba District headquarters of the church in Iba Estate, Ojo, Lagos, are Rev. Dele Abegunde, Rev. John Adesanya and other anointed men of God.

Tambuwal, Fashola, Kukah for talks on Nigeria

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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AGOS—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Raji Fashola and Bishop Mathew Kukah are among dignitaries expected at a town hall meeting put together to celebrate the best faces in Nigeria’s socio-political and economic advancement.

The event, which is being convened by Business

Hallmark Newspapers, holds on September 14,at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

In a briefing, yesterday, in Lagos, the Chairman of Public Policy Forum, Ambassador George Obiozor, said the event, titled: Nigeria’s Road To Transformation, would be hosted

by Mr. Steve Sackur of BBC Hard Talk fame.

He said: “The town hall meeting will showcase some of our best and brightest Nigerians at various levels of our society. After painstaking ef-

fort by our editorial board of the public policy forum selected 13 eminent governors in the country, four ministers, 10 private sector operators and three corporate organisations to participate in this phase of Hallmark Town Hall Meeting.”

He said Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole, Godswill Akpabio, Babangida Aliyu of Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Niger states respectively would be among governors to be celebrated at the forum.

10— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Briefly

I won't scrap Mimiko's projects if elected — Akeredolu

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE gover norship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, yesterday, allayed the fears of the people of the state that he will scrap or abandon on-going or completed projects initiated by the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration if elected.

Akeredolu, on a tour of the four wards in Akoko area of the state ahead of the October 20 governorship election, assured the people of the state that none of the projects will be abandoned or scrapped.

Meantime, four hoodlums were arrested by policemen and detained in Owo Police Division over the attack of the convoy of Akeredolu at Oke-luse in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

Two motorcycles used by the campaign team of the governorship candidate were said to have been snatched by the attackers while two vehicles belonging to chieftains of ACN were allegedly damaged after a rally in the area.

Ologbese warns Afenifere over Mimiko

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AGOS—PATRON of Ondo-Ekiti Councils of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Prince Olu Ologbese, has warned the Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere to avoid partisanship and negative actions that may divide the Yoruba nation.

Ologbese, who spoke in Lagos, yesterday, while reacting to the recent endorsement of Mimiko by some Afenifere leaders, said: “These gentlemen need be reminded that every household in Ondo State is blessed with learned people who could recall that these same leaders were part of the arrangement that there should be no second term for any elected governor.''

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS—THE crisis rocking the Ogun State chapter of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, deepened, yesterday, as chieftains of the party led by the Chairman-elect at the congress organised by the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, Mr. Bayo Adedayo, berated former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for allegedly betraying mem-

Ogun PDP leaders blast Obasanjo, Olurin, others bers of the party.

One of the chieftains, Mr. Buruji Kasamu, a major financier of the party, chided the former president for allegedly failing to intervene in the crisis.

Kasamu said: “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General Tunji Olurin (rtd) are betrayers, they are not worthy to be called lead-

ers of PDP in Ogun State.

I recall that during the tiff between Obasanjo and the former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, I was the only one who stood behind Obasanjo.

But why is he allowing his name to be dragged in the mud by Oyinlola and Bode Mustapha?”

Also, leaders of the party

have warned of dire consequences if urgent steps were not taken by the national leadership of the party to resolve the imbroglio.

Also speaking in Lagos, yesterday, Adedayo expressed worry over what he described as “criminal behaviour against democratic institutions,” noting

ORITSEJAFOR VISITS MIMIKO: From left, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ondo State Chapter, Bishop Emmanuel Igbokoyi; CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chairman, Ondo State Christian Welfare Board, Pastor Ayodeji Asabia, during a courtesy visit of the CAN President to the governor, at the Government House, in Akure, yesterday.

I

BADAN—THE Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West has insisted that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, must first ask the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and the House of Representatives Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, to resign before the party can be taken seriously on national issues, especially those bordering on corruption.

PDP said it was ridiculous that ACN could claim that Ikuforiji, who has

Alleged graft: Ikuforiji, Gbajabiamila must resign, S-West PDP insists been charged to court because investigation on his case had been concluded and a prima facie case established against him, cannot be asked to resign while at the same time clamouring for the sack of Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan over yet-to-be substantiated report of his investigation by the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged contract scam left much to be desired.

In a statement in Ibadan, yesterday, PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Babade, said if anyone must be sacked or asked to resign from office, they were Ikuforiji, who is facing trial for alleged theft of over N7 billion public fund and

Osun budgets N20m to mark 21st anniversary

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—OSUN State Government, yesterday, declared that the celebration of the 21st anniversary of the creation of the state would be lowkeyed to avoid unnecessary waste of the state’s resources.

The state, which was created on August 27, 1991, through a proclamation by the former Military President, General

Ibrahim Babangida, would be 21 on Monday and the state government has planned a two-day event to celebrate the anniversary.

At a briefing, in Osogbo, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, said the government would expend between N15 and N20 million for the celebration.

The reason for the low key celebration, according to Akere, was to ensure

that the government continues with its developmental projects, adding that, “we don’t want to divert the money we have decided to use for developmental projects to the anniversary celebration, hence we resolved to make the anniversary low-keyed.”

He said the celebration will climax on Monday, with a state-wide broadcast by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Gbajabiamila, who was convicted by the Supreme Court of Georgia, United States of America, for defrauding his client of $25,000.

that the democraticallyelected executive officers through a congress were not allow to act as dictated by the law.”

The chairman, who is recognised by the courts, wondered why congresses held across the nation five months ago, would be nullified, adding that the imposition of an “illegal caretaker committee in the state” is unacceptable.

Flaying the actions of some national officers of PDP for failing to comply with court orders, he said, “the rule of law is on our side, if anyone is properly elected, he should be allowed to operate in that capacity.”

While he warned against anti-democratic acts that could lead to anarchy within the party in the state, the party topnotcher said, “some big elephants are trying to impose their surrogates to be at vantage position for 2015.”

He said disobedience to court judgments was an invitation to anarchy that would do nobody any good, noting that “democracy is about the rule of law.”

He said: “We are frustrated, but if this issue goes to worse, the result is better imagined. What the other faction is doing negates the constitution of the party.''

Other leaders at the meeting included Messrs Ajibola Oduyele, Kayode Amusan, Segun Seriki, Tola Ogundeji and Ola Kukoyi, among others.

Misconduct: SSANU suspends Ife varsity branch

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Secretariat of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has suspended the association’s Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, branch for alleged gross misconduct, insubordination and indiscipline.

The suspension order was conveyed in a letter dated August 15, and signed by Mr. Promise Adewusi, the association’s National General Secretary.

The letter, a copy which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, yesterday, was addressed to the OAU branch chairman, Mr. A.O. Oketunde.

It said the decision to suspend the branch was

reached at the emergency meeting of SSANU’s National Administrative Committee, at the association’s National Secretariat in Abuja on August 15.

He said: “After deliberating on the face-off between the OAU management and the SSANU OAU branch, it was observed that the latter’s executive body has violated Article 23 sub (i) of our constitution. The article stipulates that, subject to any statutory law, members of the union shall not take part in any strike or in any way withhold their services from their employers without the express approval of NEC and union members as determined by a majority of votes of the members in a secret ballot.''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—11

Youths flay Agip's slight on Rivers commissioner

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

From left: Wife of Delta State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nelly Utuama, the State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama and Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. John Afareha, at the Canonical Erection of St. Andrew's Catholic Parish, Otu-Jeremi.

Insecurity: Delta CAN prays for peace zAs cleric’s abductors demand for N30m ransom

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—WOR RIED by the security situation in the country, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, held a prayer session in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, calling for peace in Nigeria.

The prayer session, held by CAN, Ughelli North chapter, according to its chairman, Rev. Diamond Emuobor, was to seek God’s intervention in the security challenges facing the country.

He appealed to government at all levels to take steps to address the problem of insecurity in the country.

He also decried the kidnap of Rev. Israel Unutame, General Overseer of All Saints Pentecostal Ministry, who was abducted last Sunday in Ughelli on his way to

church.

He said: “Nigeria is passing through a turbulent period. The security of this country is in the hands of God and those He has appointed to lead. It is only through prayers that Christians can defend themselves against incursion.”

Emuobor described the

abduction of Rev. Unutame as shocking and painful, and appealed to those behind the series of kidnappings in the country to put a stop to the act.

He called on those protecting the kidnappers to repent, saying, “because this is not the life God gave to them.”

Prevail on IGP to obey court order, Ugolor's solicitor begs AGF

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—COUN SEL to detained Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, has raised alarm over what he described as the deteriorating health situation of the activist and appealed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Jus-

tice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, to prevail on the Inspector General of Police to obey the order of the Edo State High Court, which ordered Ugolor’s release.

It will be recalled that Ugolor was arrested on July 17, 2012, after one of the suspects held by the police in connection with the killing of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Olaitan Oyer-

8 Mobile Policemen arrested for mounting illegal check points

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

C

ALABAR—EIGHT Mobile Police officers of Force 11 Squadron, Calabar, Cross River State, have been arrested between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States by a team of Mobile Force deployed from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for allegedly mounting illegal road

Meanwhile, the abductors of Rev. Unutame have established contact with the family.

A close family source told Vanguard that the abductors got in touch with them on Monday night and demanded N30 million as ransom for the release of the cleric.

blocks and improper dressing.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, it will be recalled, had on assumption of office disbanded all road blocks in the country and also constituted a monitoring team to ensure compliance with his directive.

The team was mandated to arrest any officer, who defied the directives

and possibly institute disciplinary actions against those involved in any form of illegal escort, improper dressing, and unauthorised check points, among others.

The team led by the Commander in charge of Ethics, Doctrine and Monitoring, Mr. Anietie Eyo, arrested three mobile policemen, who allegedly disobeyed the IG’s directive in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

inde, allegedly confessed that one “David” paid them to kill Oyerinde.

Following his continued detention, an Edo State High Court, last week ordered the Inspector General of Police to release him on bail condition.

Despite the order, Ugolor's family and his friends have alleged that he was yet to regain his freedom.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, Counsel to Ugolor, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, said: “As the chief law officer of the Federation, we are of the opinion that apart from being a party to the suit, your attention should be drawn to the non-compliance with the order of court in respect of Ugolor’s detention.

“The order of court was served by the bailiff of the court and as counsel of the applicant, our chambers still wrote a letter to the IG, wherein we communicated the order of the court to him through a letter and same was acknowledged vide the letter dated August 17, 2012."

ORT HAR C O U R T — YOUTHS in three Agip Nigeria Limited host communities in Rivers State have expressed concern over recent denial of the state Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Nyema Weli, entry into the company's premises on fact finding mission in connection with alleged oil spill involving the company’s facilities.

The commissioner was said to have visited the company's base to see

things for himself following alleged large scale spill of suspected toxic substance, which spread into rivers in Mgbuoshimini-Rumueme and Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Communities, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Wondugba Commmunity in Port Harcourt City Area.

Community leader, Mr. Livingstone Wechie, who witnessed the incident, told Vanguard that the commissioner “arrived the Agip base but was refused entry to prevent him from ascertaining the magnitude and proofs of the spill.”

Ogbe-Ijoh youths deny impeachment of leaders

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—THE Ogbe-Ijoh Clan Youth Council, OgbeIjoh, in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has described as false, media report that its President and Vice President had been impeached.

The council, in a statement by its President, Mr. Stephen Numah and three others, said the sec-

retary of the youth council “had been suspended for disobedience since August 3 and, therefore, he has no mandate to impeach any member.”

It said that the OgbeIjoh Governing Council had waded into the matter, adding that there was no misappropriation of fund as alleged, hence, the act of blackmailing the leadership was baseless and had no legal backing.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Delta ACN crisis deepens

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VISIT: From left: Director General, Nigeria Institutte of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Epiphany Azinge, receiving the Do The Right Thing plaque from the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, during an advocacy visit by Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies to NOA Corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Attempted jail break: Fear grips Edo prison staff

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FOLLOW ING Sunday's attempted jail break at Oko Prison in Benin, Edo State, by yet to be identified gunmen during which no fewer than eight inmates were alleged to have escaped, there were indications, yesterday, that the jobs of some prison staff in Benin may be on the line.

Vanguard gathered that the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, who was in Benin to assess the situation in the prison and other prison formations in the state, allegedly threatened to ensure that prison staff found culpable in the attack were shown the way out of the service.

A source at a closed door meeting between the Minister and the prison authorities, said the Minister expressed

dismay at the conflicting reports on the matter between the State Prison Comptroller, Mr. Jimoh Ewelu and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun.

While Balogun, during a news briefing in Benin, Monday, claimed that no prisoner escaped during the jail break, insisting that the only two in-

mates who attempted to abscond were rearrested, the Comptroller told reporters that eight inmates escaped during the attempted jail break while four others were re-arrested.

The Minister was said to have blamed the Prisons Comptroller and some of the staff for not being proactive.

Nigerian content: Group wants Alison-Madueke to battle Agip boss

W

ARRI—NIGER Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, NDIMRC, has urged the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to call the Vice-Chairman/Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, Mr. Ciro Pagano, to order over the Nigerian Content Act, imploring Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to also investigate

activities of the company.

The group, in a statement by its President, Nelly Emma, praised the Petroleum Minister for her transparency in the industry and encouragement of indigenous companies, but urged her to sanction Agip boss, over his alleged continued subversion of the Nigerian Content Law. The group noted that two years on after President Goodluck Jonathan

Why FG reviewed qualification for varsity lectureship —Jonathan

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, shed light on Federal Government’s decision to raise the prerequisite qualification for lecturers in Nigerian universities to Ph.D and the setting up of post graduate scholarship schemes for gifted Nigerians, saying

According to the source: “The Minister's observation indicates that there was a blast during the attack even as he scolded the Comptroller, whose duty it was to inform the public on the position of the incident and not the police; because the incident happened in his territory.”

that the policy was aimed at stemming the falling standard of education and boost human capital development.

He said that no fewer than 400 Nigerians are qualified for the special post-graduate scholarship for exceptionally gifted students under the Federal Government sponsorship.

President Jonathan was in Yenagoa on a private

visit to receive the 100 beneficiaries of a scholarship programme initiated by his administration as governor of Bayelsa State in 2006.

He noted that the human capital development policy of his administration was a replication of the on-going educational policy of successive governments in Bayelsa State, including that of Governor Seriake Dickson.

signed the Nigerian Content Bill into law; Agip was still carrying on its operations as usual and has allegedly refused to carry indigenous companies along.

It assured the minister of its preparedness to fully support her actions in enforcing the Nigerian Content Law to the letter.

It said: “Our findings have revealed that Mr. Pagano is bent on frustrating the Nigerian Local Content Law as he has ordered all his general managers in charge of projects to put on hold all projects meant to be executed between now and 2015.

“He is doing this to spite President Jonathan; he wants the President, who is spearheading compliance to Nigerian Local Content Law, to be out of office in 2015 before these projects are awarded as the Agip boss does not want the Local Content of the Federal Government to succeed.”

ARRI—THE crisis rocking Delta State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, appears to be deepening as the Uvwie Local Government Area chapter of the party has denied a statement credited to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Frank Eghomien, wherein he described Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu as a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP impostor in ACN. Uvwie chapter of the party, had accused Eghomien of lacking knowledge regarding happenings in Delta ACN, adding that, “Dr. Ogbuagu, who was ACN House of Representatives candidate for Uvwie, Okpe and Sapele Federal Constituency in the

2011 elections singlehandedly brought ACN to Uvwie council and has shouldered the burden of the party till date.”

Acting State Financial Secretary, Mr. Joel Umukoro and the Uvwie Local Government Area Publicity Secretary, Mr. Okorefe Mudiaga, enjoined Eghomien to withdraw forthwith, his statement which they described as hilarious and tender an unreserved apology.

The Uwvie chapter of the party said that Ogbuagu never attended any meeting at Asaba, where a vote of confidence was purportedly passed on the state party Chairman as claimed by the party’s Publicity Secretary.

Edo Ag Gov charges community leaders on security

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

E N I N— A C T I N G Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, yesterday, urged community leaders and religious groups in the state to be vigilant and ensure that they report any strange face in their communities to law enforcement agents.

Odubu, who commended Muslim and Christian leaders in the state for the existing religious harmony, stressed the need for indigenes of the state to ensure that members of

Boko Haram do not infiltrate Edo State from neighbouring states.

He lamented the killings in some Northern states due to the activities of the religious sect, and urged the perpetrators to use the opportunity of the Eid-elFitri celebration to have a rethink. Odubu, who spoke to newsmen shortly after he met with Muslim leaders in the state, said: “Everybody here in Edo State, whether Muslim, Christian or traditional practitioners, are all from one common ancestry. We are all brothers and sisters and we must all relate as such."

Sonnie Amen clocks 75

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RHUNMWUNSEE Sonnie Amen, a seasoned administrator, philanthropist, advertising and public relations consultant, has clocked 75. He is also a life member Bible Society of Nigeria, Fellow, Institute of Independent Marketing Management Nigeria and Justice of the Peace.

He was also awarded Phd, Business Administration (Honoris Causa).

He attended Eweka Memorial School, Benin City, Provincial Teachers’ Training College, Agbede, Benin–Delta Teachers’ Training College, Benin City, Rural Education College, Asaba, and University of Lagos, where he read Mass Communication.

A Rotarian of note, Rotary Past President, past president, Boys Brigade, Edo State Council; past president Cedar Club of Benin, Paul Harris Fellow

(PHF), Fellow Institute of Business Executive (FIBE), full member, APCON, member, NIPR, pilgrim of Holy Infant Jesus and Managing Director and Chief Executive, Sonnie Amen Ltd, Benin City.

He won the award of Certificate of Honour from the Oba of Benin as a Benin Achiever. He is in good health and sound mind.

Dr. Sonnie Amen

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 —13

Alleged rights violation by SARS to the Awkuzu SARS ofworries CD fice which it described as

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

INAUGURATION: From left: Traditional ruler of Awka, Chief Gibson Nwosu; Aguleri monarch, Chief Christopher Idigo; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Godfrey Muotolu, at the inauguration of the state Traditional Rulers' Council Secretariat in Awka, yesterday.

M UA H I A — T H E South East branch of Campaign for Democracy, CD, has expressed concern over what it called “high level human rights violation” by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu, Anambra State, and urged the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, to wade in and sanitize the place.

The organization appealed to the Police Commissioner to redeploy without delay, all the officers and men attached

BZM leader alleges threat to life

Families sue COAS, others over alleged E killing of their sons

BY EMEKA MAMAH

E

NUGU—TWO fami lies in Nsukka, Enugu State, have dragged the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Divi-

sion, Nigerian Army and the Commander, Nsukka Military Urban Patrol Team, to an Nsukka High Court over alleged extra-judicial killing of their two sons.

The families of Ferdinand Onah and Peter Obute al-

leged that military personnel attached to the Nsukkka Military Team arrested and subsequently killed Chukwuebuka Onah, 25, a second year student of Mechanical Engineering student of the University of

Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, and Obiechina Obute, 27, an NCE holder.

The petitioners claimed Onah and Obute were both killed last month (July).

According to a suit filed by their lawyer, Mr Elly Ugwu, Chukwuebuka who was a highly talented artist and Obiechina who read Fine and Applied Arts from the College of Education, Technical, Enugu were arrested along with one Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Uchenna at Cleson Guest Inn, Ofulonu, Nsukka about 7.45 pm on July 10, 2012 and taken to their different homes for search apparently to get incriminating materials, which were however, never found.

The plaintiffs who filed the action in pursuant to Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009, sought a declaration that the alleged arrest and subsequent killing of the two young men by the respondents were illegal, unconstitutional and a flagrant breach of their fundamental rights to life as guaranteed by Section 33 of the 1999 of the Constitution, as amended.

They are equally demanding the award of N100 million jointly and severally against the respondents for unlawful killing of the deceased.

In a 25 paragraph affidavit deposed to by Peter Obute, father of Obiechina, he said: “The deceased were beaten mercilessly by the said officers and taken to their Military Base in Nsukka” before they were transferred to the 82 Division and killed.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the case.

“very notorious.”

CD specifically singled out one Superintendent of Police (name withheld), attached to the station who it alleged was known for his “terror activities against the suspects detained in the station.”

South East CD, in a statement by its Chairman and the Secretary, Mr. Uzor A. Uzor and Dr Jerry Chukwuokolo, respectively, alleged that the human rights violation at SARS Awkuzu “has reached its alarming rate and therefore should be addressed without further delay."

BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—BIAFRA groups, Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, and Movement for the Actualization of a Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, are currently locked in a silent war over the recent announcement that the Republic of Biafra would be redeclared on November 15.

Leader of BZM, Mr. Ben Onwuka, who briefed newsmen in Enugu, yesterday, alleged that leadership of MASSOB has not been comfortable with their recent inroads in the struggle including the applica-

tion for Biafra membership of United Nations hence it has allegedly hatched plans to eliminate the leaders of BZM. But in a swift reaction yesterday, Spokesman of MASSOB and an aide to Uwazuruike, Mr. Uchenna Madu dismissed claims that MASSOB had ordered for the killing or abduction of the BZM leader.

Uwazuruike had earlier dissociated himself from the November declaration but Mr. Onwuka had replied saying that Biafra would be realised with or without the MASSOB leader.

Imo youths lament high rate of unemployment

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, YOWICAN, and Imo Youth Assembly, IYA, have expressed concern over the high rate of youth unemployment in Imo State, leading to upsurge in crimes.

At a briefing in Owerri, on behalf of the two bodies, IYA National President, Dr. Harold Wilson Onumo, said they were equally disturbed by the brigandage and political instability currently ravaging the state.

“This one week of fasting and prayer has become very pertinent in view of the worrying high rate of youth unemployment, insecurity, brigandage and political instability currently ravaging our dear state and country”, the youths lamented.

While lamenting alleged high rate of kidnapping, armed robbery and human trafficking, the youths decried “the monumental unemployment and indiscriminate sack of youths from gainful employment.

The youths of Imo State, who contributed immensely to the emergence of the present administration have been at the receiving end. Unfortunately, unemployment has worsened with the sacking of beneficiaries of the 10,000 jobs.”

Passage

M

ADAM Apu Narebor, 86, a community leader in Esanma, Bomadi Local Government of Area of Delta State, is dead.

There will be a lying-instate at her residence on January 25, 2013, followed by an all-night wake-keep.

She would be buried the next day, at her ancestral home in Esanma.

She is survived by her children; Ken Narebor and Mrs. Tamara-Eyemieme Ernest and relations.

Late Ma Apu Narebor

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 15

NO FUEL IN ABUJA: Motorists

patronise black market operators at Gwarimpa Estate, as fuel shortage hits the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTOS: Abayomi Adeshida.

Jonathan mourns Meles Zenawi

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock and sadness at the death of Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, describing him as a great African statesman.

In a statement in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Ni-

geria, President Jonathan extends his deepest sympathy and condolence to the people of Ethiopia, especially members of late Prime Minister Zenawi’s family.

“His death is a major loss for Africa. He was a great African statesman, who is also a friend of Nigeria, a nation-builder and a great servant of the Ethiopian people.

“Prime Minister Zenawi will be remembered for his vision and integrity.”

Queue for fuel in Asokoro. INSET: Fuel station locked up at Aso Estate Junction, Airport Road.

Doing business in the rain at Area 1, Garki.

Northern govs meet ahead of NGF parley

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—WORRIED over the security challenges in some parts of the country, the 19 Northern state governors will, today, meet as part of move to take a position on the agitation for the creation of state police.

Vanguard gathered that the Northern governors meeting, which is

taking place ahead of today’s meeting of the 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, will discuss among others, the issue of state Police.

It will be recalled that the Northern governors had, at their last meeting in Abuja, rejected the demand for state Police.

It was also gathered that the meeting will take place in the morning at the Niger State Government Lodge, while the 36 state governors will meet in the night at the Rivers State Governor ’s Lodge.

The Northern Governors, through the Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Babaginda Aliyu, had said: “The forum was not in support of the creation of state Police.”

It, however, resolved to prevail on the Federal Government to embark on Police reforms that will assist the states in control and management of Police affairs.

However, Governor

Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who is the chairman of NGF said he was not aware of any division in the governors’ de-

mand for a state police, adding that a decision had been taken unanimously to demand for state police.

My party's behind me —Akume

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—SENATE Mi nority Leader, Senator George Akume, said, yesterday, that any move by persons to remove him will not succeed as his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, was strongly behind him.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the former Benue State governor, who noted that he was not in any way threatened by rumoured plans to sack him, said: “I am not threatened in anyway. I am a very strongwilled man. I believe in the sanctity of democracy, of human life and of what is in the best interest of our country.

“Nobody pushes me around. I am a believer in democracy. The question is do we all believe in democracy? If we do, we will show love for the democracy we practice.

“For me as a person, I will continue to represent my people to the best of my ability no matter what happens. We must continue to work to sustain democracy and national cohesion.”

Akume, who is also the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, added that “the issue is very simple.

The office of the Minority Leader is a decision of minority leaders. In their wisdom, I was elected and I have been holding forth that position.

“Due to sinister motives, somebody from the majority party decided to interfere for obvious reasons.

“I don’t want to go into details, but the bottom line is that the party that controls leadership positions in the minority leadership of the Senate has made a wonderful statement that: ‘ we are totally behind Senator George Akume’.”

Youth organisation partner FG on security

A

N international youth organisation, Great Nation Global Youth Foundation, GNGYF, has said it will use its members spread across Nigeria to engage in rural and urban policing as part of its contribution to ensure security of lives and property.

International President of the foundation, Dr. Charles Omini, said GNGYF was concerned about the way and manner youths are used to cause insecurity in the various geo-political zones.

He said the organisation had resolved to partner with the Federal Government by using its vast network of

members to gather information and share them with the various security agencies with a view to reducing crime in the country.

Speaking at the end of its meeting, South-South Zonal Coordinator of the organisation, Ambassador Nene Duke, explained that the foundation had set up a committee to raise N1 billion endowment fund, which it planned to use to pursue the urban and rural network policing, empowerment of the youths through talent development, capacity building, among others.

He noted that the organi-

sation was basically aimed at promoting global peace, security, unity and justice.

Inaugurating the committee, Omini charged members of the foundation to remain committed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, as well as do things that will bring about peace, security and development.

He said the association was committed to “Promoting good governance and quality leadership at all levels as well as contribute to empowering the people, especially the youths, so that they can become useful citizens.”

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

AU, Ethiopians mourn late PM, Zenawi

BY OKEY NDIRIBE and UDUMA KALU

B

L-r: Osun State Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere; Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth, Sports and Special needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade and Abiodun Awolola representing Egbedore Constituency in the State House of Assembly, during the Press Conference on the 21st Anniversary of the creation of the State

Gunmen kill 2 in Biu mosques attacks

BY NADAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI— TWO persons were killed, yesterday, at two different Mosques in Biu, Borno State. Biu is 187 kilometres South of Maiduguri metropolis and is a stronghold of the Boko Haram Islamist sect.

A resident told Vanguard: “Two gunmen joined our Mosque for the early morning prayers and shot a worshiper at close range.

He died on the spot.

“Two hours after the incident, a local Islamic cleric was trailed to another mosque by separate gunmen, who opened fire on the worshippers.

“The worshippers had to run for safety. But the cleric was shot dead before men of Joint Task Force, code-named Operation Flush II arrived at the scene and condoned off the area to prevent further attacks and killings.”

He said the killings in Maiduguri had spread and continued to claim lives in Biu. Confirming the incidents in Maiduguri, yesterday, spokesman of Borno State Police Command, Mr. Gideon Jibrin, said it was true that gunmen attacked two separate Mosques in Biu. The attacks and killings, he said, occurred Monday night and in the early hours of yesterday, when the police headquarters received reports from the Biu Police Area Commander, indicating that two persons, including an Islamic cleric, were killed by unknown gunmen, suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

He said no arrests had been made, adding that providing information to the police will help in apprehending the culprits.

Jibrin urged residents to continue to cooperate

with JTF and police, by providing information on the hideouts of criminals, who are terrorising innocent citizens, including soldiers and policemen in the state.

... as Suswam reads riot act to warring communities

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has threatened to arrest and prosecute any paramount ruler in the state, who through commission or omission, encourages or fuels communal conflicts in any part of the state.

The governor handed down the warning in Otukpo, where he held a reconciliatory meeting with stakeholders and paramount rulers of the warring Ojantele and Ijekwu communities in Otukpo and Obi local government areas.

He said: “What has hap-

pened in your communities that led to deaths and destruction of lives and property is, to say the least, unacceptable and condemnable.

“It is more painful because we hardly hear of such sad developments in this part of the state; and that is the more reason why you must all talk to your people to desist from further escalating the crisis.

“I must also caution that if the fighting continues, we will not hesitate to apprehend the paramount rulers of the affected communities and if necessary, RESIDENT Barack we will also not hesitate Obama warned to depose them.”

Monday that he would consider military force if Syria’s Bashar Assad either tries to relocate his regime’s arsenal of chemical and biological weapons or attempts to that “we can achieve sucuse them on his own cess for the faith by fightpeople in a bid to crush ing with guns.” an uprising that could The Archbishop gave the topple him from power. charge, yesterday, in Jos President Barack Obama while addressing particispeaks after dropping by pants at 10th Annual Genin the press briefing eral Meeting of the Archroom at the White House Diocese of Jos tagged The (Larry Downing/R … “I Challenges of Christian have, at this point, not Faith in a Crisis-Ridden ordered military Society: The Nigerian Exengagement in the perience. situation,” Obama told He said: “The society is in reporters during a crisis because our political, surprise question-andreligious and traditional rulanswer session in the ers have failed the people White House briefing in many ways, but we need room. “We have been very to make clear that the Chrisclear to the Assad regime, tian faith is not in crisis.” but also to other players on He called for understandthe ground, that a red line ing among Nigerians, irrefor us is we start seeing a spective of ethnic or reliwhole bunch of chemical gious differences. weapons moving around

Cleric seeks religious tolerance

BY AKANINYENE EZEKIEL

J

OS—THE Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Plateau State, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama, has stressed the need for adherents of Christian and Islam religions to live in harmony and understanding, not on the basis of religion but as human beings created by God so that the nation can develope for the good of humanity.

Kaigama urged Christians not to lose focus but to retain their sanity even in the face of crisis and violence unleashed on innocent worshippers in the North and also keep trusting God and not believing

ARELY one monthafter the death of former Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, 68, who died lof throat cancer, Ethiopian Prime minister, lost its Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, who died of an undisclosed illness in a Brussels hospital on Monday at the age of 57.

Reports from Addis Ababa said acting Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will be sworn in to serve out the remaining three years of Mr. Meles’ five-year term.

Meles becomes the fourth African leader to die in office. Reports of his ill health became rife when he failed to attend an African Union summit last month. .Meles’ death comes barely a month Before Mills’ death were Malam Bacai Sanhá, President of Guinea Bissau, Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi., all who died in office this year. Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon announces the death of prime minister Meles Zenawi in Addis Ababa, and declares a period of national mourning.

During his 21-year rule, Meles reportedly turned Ethiopia into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies and proved to be a key US ally in the war on terror. But he was also regarded as an authoritarian strongman whose critics suffered

•Meles persecution, imprisonment and torture. African Union Commission has described

the death of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Mr Meles Zenawi as a great loss to his country and Africa. This was contained in a statement issued in Addis Ababa yesterday by the Chairman of the Commission Mr Jean Ping.

Ping also also expressed his condolences to Zenawi’s family and the Government and People of Ethiopia over the death of their leader.

Indonesian envoy hopeful of increased trade wth Nigeria

BY VICTORIA OJEME

I

N D O N E S I A Ambassador in Nigeria , Ambassador Sudirman Haseng, has expressed optimism of rise in the volume of trade between Indonesia and Nigeria to $2.5 billion this year. Ambassador Haseng made this known weekend, in a statement made available to foreign affairs journalists to mark 67 year of independence of Indonesia on Friday, August 17, 2012.

The Indonesian envoy described his country’s relations with Nigeria , inaugurated since 1965 as cordial and fruitful. On the economic front, he noted that trade between the two countries reached, “$1.24 billion in 2010. And in 2011, the trade volume of the two countries reached

$2billion and it means about 60% increase from previous year.

“Confidently, with the increased of businessmen visits, the trade volume of both countries could reach US$ 2.5 billion this year” he added. Ambassador Haseng stated further that, the trade relation between both countries had been in favour of Nigeria ,“due to Indonesia ’s imports such as leather, cocoa, crude oil and oil-related products and so on.He noted that, the expected increment in volume of trade between Indonesia and Nigeria would have a significant boost due to the visit of a group of Nigerian business men to Indonesia to explore further business opportunities.

Syria: Obama hints of US intervention

P

or being utilized. That would change my calculus.

That would change my equation,” he said. Syria said in late July that it possessed chemical weapons and could use them to fend off any “external aggression” but not to crush rebels against Assad’s rule. “We’re monitoring that situation •Obama very carefully.

Akin apologises for rape comment

F

ACING a fury of calls from his own party to drop out of the Missouri Senate race—and a 5 p.m.

(CT) deadline to do so— embattled Republican Rep. Todd Akin released a new campaign ad early Tuesday apologizing for his comments about “legitimate rape” and asking for forgiveness.

“Rape is an evil act,” Akin says in the 30-second ad. “I used the wrong words in the wrong way and for that I apologize. As the father of two daughters, I want tough justice for predators. I have

a compassionate heart for the victims of sexual assault.

I pray for them. The fact is rape can lead to pregnancy.

The truth is rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness.” A poll conducted and released on Monday found that U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, who’s under fire for his comments about “legitimate rape,” still has an edge over Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill in Missouri’s Senate race.

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012— engaging citizens on their misfortune.

Or perhaps he has decided to let spokespersons explain the limitations of the administration, which they appear to be taking up with gusto. We now know there are three different types of Boko Haram, and that they are like misguided siblings you do not send an army after. From the release of the Borno Elders Forum, it is obvious that the military in Borno and Yobe states has not heard the bit about not sending soldiers after your own children.

“A hen with chicks does not perch on a high branch of a tree”-Nigerian Proverb

Y

Much ado about Federal workers' salary

F

ederal workers are paid through banks, and those who were not paid on Friday last week won’t get paid as the President directed. This will not be the first time President Jonathan directed that salaries should be paid on a certain date, and they weren’t. If majority of federal workers didn’t get paid last week, their estimation of the administration and Mr President’s standing will plummet. This was a risky gamble that need not have been taken.

Mr President could have ordered payment of federal workers salaries without fanfare, and only after assuring himself that the Ministry of Finance, Accountant-General’s Office and all banks will be in a position to pay every worker between Friday and Saturday. If by a miracle this happened, the President’s people can then go to town, for what it is worth, with the image of a

All decisions, small

President Goodluck Jonathan compassionate and firm President, who can even order payment of salary when workers do not expect it.

You cannot avoid getting the

great

and

be paid due to the forthcoming Sallah, the Borno Elders Forum issued another statement calling for restraint on the part of both security agencies and the JASLIWAJ (a.k.a Boko Haram) insurgents. The elders say many innocent and fasting Muslims are being killed in their hundreds, and their community is facing genocide.

If you know the people in the Borno Elders Forum, you will know that they will not use the word genocide lightly.

This statement, dripping with elderly tears and passion, has been taken up by the very JTF they complain about, which says there is no cause for alarm.

Not by someone higher in the military hierarchy than the JTF spokesman. Not

by Mr President’s spokesmen and image makers. Not by the new NSA, and not by the President. So who decides

,

OU really do have to wonder who assists President Goodluck Jonathan in terms of his engagements with the public. It is possible that he chooses what he says, when and where he says it, and why. But surely with a full complement of Special Advisers, Ministers, and sundry political appointees, it is reasonable to expect that the President’s decision-making process, including decisions on his public engagement, will be better handled. Perhaps Dr Doyin Okupe is still in the process of settling down, or has had to hit the ground running, but it will be comforting to believe that he tried to dissuade the President and the Minister of Finance from making public, the decision to direct that federal workers must be paid salaries before the end of last week, so that they will enjoy Sallah.

If it was important for the administration to pay its workers salaries before Sallah, why was it necessary for the President to have to order it, and publicise it, on the very last working day?

Why does it require Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, whose job it was to have paid the salary if that was what Mr. President wanted, to make such a song and dance about it? Why should paying federal workers, (people who are used to erratic payment days, or going for months on end without salaries) in the middle of the month elicit such excitement?

Even his best admirers will concede that President Jonathan has a tendency to leave too many of his flanks open for attack by his opponents; his style, if that is what is, of running a government with gaping holes, and then hoping that time and fortune will fill them up is not working

,

impression that the administration is really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of its public image. Perhaps, it is all too complex and intimidating, what with all the daily challenges on security, on corruption and a media that is unrelenting in its criticism. But Goodluck Jonathan is still President, and we look up to him to reassure us that he is dealing with our most burdensome problems. On the very day he ordered salaries of workers to

operational matters, and who decides when the public needs assurances that it is not being targeted in a genocide by the military? Is the military now entirely on its own to fight a war as it pleases, and interprete the manner in which it responds to public demands for accountability?

Perhaps Mr President has said too many of the wrong things regarding this threat, and he is reluctant to continue to get involved directly in

OPINION

BY OKOFU UBAKA

Continued from Pg. 18

O

THER aquatic lives have also not been spared.

With the eating up of the mangrove trees by the salty water from the Atlantic Ocean, getting fire woods to prepare their meals as well as smoke their fish-which is not even there- is posing a herculean task to the inhabitants. It is pathetic that the swamp land which accommodated dense mangrove forest has become a wasteland with grasses taking over the marshy land.

Mr. Ugbagba is a teacher at the only secondary school in the community. He lamented the hardship the people of Tsekelewu are made to go through in a community which sits on oil and gas. He said they were sick and tired of calling on the relevant authorities to come to their succour. The only option left to them, he said further, was to live with the frustrations and believe that one day the time will come for a farreaching change in the country.

Interestingly, this fear has been confirmed by a World Bank report long before now. The report warns that 40 percent of habitable terrain in the Niger Delta area will disappear in 20 years. Also in the report the World

Whither the Defence Minister?

A

s we speak, the President has not decided on who should become the Minister of Defence, months after he fired Dr. Halliru Mohammed. If he had a Minister who could work with the new NSA, some of the collateral damage which is creating massive hostility among the population may have been reduced. Is it possible that in a population of 160 million Nigerians Mr President needs months to decide who should be Minister of Defence? Some will argue that the vacancy is really not central to the administration’s strategy to deal with numerous threats to national security.

After all, there is a Minister of State in place. So why doesn’t Mr President just move her up and juggle his cabinet to address the Kebbi State issue? Whoever is appointed Minister of Defence should worry intensely over how much influence he will have on current policy and strategy as well.

Even his best admirers will concede that President Jonathan has a tendency to leave too many of his flanks open for attack by his opponents. His style, if that is what is, of running a government with gaping holes, and then hoping that time and fortune will fill them up is not working. There is need for some decisiveness around fundamentals, and the President as a leader, must lead. He must find a handle on the deteriorating security situation. He needs to assure citizens who are victims of all sides that he cares. He should visit Borno and Yobe states, and meet with the community.

He must get a grip on corruption and our dislocated economy. He needs to be seen working on crime, on unemployment, on building bridges between communities and sections of the country. He still has more than two years of his mandate to run. He can make a difference if he wants to, but his decision-making capacity must be completely overhaudled.

Warri North where water is gold Bank claimed that the shorelines, creeks and other inhabitable areas will be washed away by erosion as well as spills due to vandalism, system failure and other related operational activities which disturb the ecosystem. The buck stops at the Federal Government table to remedy the gross neglect of oil producing communities. If for nothing, it should ensure that oil bearing communities get a better deal from interventionist agencies as well as oil exploration companies. All interventionist agencies set up by the Federal Government have not been able to live up to the expectations of the people. These agencies are waist deep in corruption such that there is nothing to show for the constitutional approval of at least 13 per cent derivation for oil bearing communities. It should be noted that the 13 per cent derivation was constitutionally provided for as a result of agitations for the amelioration of anticipated environmental devastation.

I

n time past, there had been buck-passing between government and its agencies. While the

Federal Government puts the blame on the state government, the state government in turn shifts it to the local government. In all this, the people in question suffer. Obviously, when the head is sick, the body is bound to be sick. However, the LGA which is closest to the rural dwellers has not been supportive in anyway. Particular mention can be made of the Warri North LGA that has recently abandoned its responsibilities to the people. It remains to be seen how the council can justify the purpose for which it was created by the then Babangida regime on August 27, 1999. Perhaps, then we can now talk of a functional LGA administration in Warri North. For now, there is no government in Warri North because for the two weeks I traversed the nooks and crannies of Polobubor (Tsekelewu) and adjoining villages, there was apparently no indication that Tsekelewu and its adjoining villages are still in Warri North LGA. Concluded *Mr. Ubaka, a social critic, wrote from Koko in Warri North LGA, Delta State.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22, 2012 IGERIA’S state oil monopoly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently stirred the hornet’s nest by rejecting a request by Daily Trust Newspapers to furnish it with details of a recent recruitment exercise, over which the paper accused the corporation of favouritism.

The paper based its demand on powers parties and prominent legal practitioners, granted it by the Freedom of Information such as Chief Femi Falana and Professor Itse Act, which President Goodluck Jonathan Sagay.

The Managing Director of the corporation, signed on May 28, 2011. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Andrew Yakubu later came out with an Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) had followed affirmation that the NNPC is not only bound it up with a circular (HAGF/MDAS/FOIA/ by the Act but has always made its operations 1) addressed to “all government ministries, transparent to the public. Not much has been departments, agencies and corporations for said as to whether the request of the newspaper has been granted, except that, implementation.”

NNPC’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, according to Yakubu, the current Anthony Madichie, wrote back to Daily recruitment was so transparent that his own Trust, saying the corporation was not bound daughter, who applied could not secure a job.

It is not clear whether Madichie’s earlier by the FoIA, as it was not a statutory corporation! Expectedly, this strange arrogant response was the studied position response was roundly shellacked in the of the corporation and the MD’s recant a media, the human and civil rights rethink. What is clear is that the NNPC, one community, and by opposition political of the last surviving state monopolies and

N

NNPC and the FoI Act

BY OKOFU UBAKA

P

OLOBUBOR-as the indigenes would prefer to call it- is the largest Ijaw settlement in Warri North LGA. This sprawling community, albeit rustic, is located in the thickest of the Benin River mangroves. It rests on the far end of a fresh water creek that snakes through Gbokoda and Opuma from the main Benin River, and at a point where the river flows into the estuary of the Atlantic Ocean.

Fishing used to be a robust source of income to the natives that are mainly Ijaws. And the depleting mangrove forest used to be a source of firewood and games to a people who would wish for nothing short of to live and die in Polobubor (Tsekelewu). But the stark reality on ground is that these thick mangroves are disappearing in an alarming speed that the inhabitants of Tsekelewu are bothered of their own economic survival.

Long before now-and when exploration of crude oil has made mess of their environment, even though, government was very, very far from them in terms of infrastructural amenities, the people were at peace living in a serene environment yet to be provoked by the said unguarded activities of oil companies and aided by successive Nigerian governments.

Those who were born to meet the utopian Tsekelewu (Polobubor) had still not ceased to long for it, even as they mourn the

Nigeria’s number one cash cow, whose affairs are usually shrouded in secrecy, will never be able to carry on with business as usual. The Trust inquiry is just the beginning of a crusade to ensure total transparency and eventual transformation of the corporation into a modern, viable and accountable business organisation.

The opacity of the operations of the NNPC and other departments under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources made it possible for public servants, in cahoots with wellconnected crooked oil marketers and politicians to fleece Nigeria of billions of dollars under the petrol subsidy scam. The country is still spinning from the effects of this.

Trust’s commendable effort has helped the NNPC to own up to its responsibility as an accountable public institution. Coming in the heels of the petrol subsidy strike, which led to the probes that exposed the massive frauds in the oil industry, we are reminded that the people possess enormous powers to bring about change.

OPINION Warri N or th where w Nor orth wat ater at er is gold depredation of the hitherto endowed environment, as well as the distortion of the ecosystem. For those who were born after the life-changing 1992 dredging of the Tsekelewu creek, it was a desire to have a feel of the good old days. To both the young and the old, living in Tsekelewu has been hellish soon after the dredging of the creek to connect the Atlantic Ocean to allow a flow of large volume of water into the creek so that large barges could bring in oil exploration equipment. Today, beside the loss of source of income, the people have to grapple with one of the essentials of lifewater.

Water, if not a sine qua non to living, it is essential. This, perhaps, is why it is presumptuously true that a good percent of creations sprouted from it. Even though this is evidently true, not all water is good water.

The indelible lesson from the travails of the Mariner in Coleridge’s Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner is a pointer to this fact. The Mariner had to go through the ordeal of thirst as a testimony of rejuvenation for the unprovoked murder of an innocent bird.

Small wonder”there is water everywhere yet there is none to drink” Although the Tsekelewu community is noted for the numerous oil wells dotting the marshland, there is hardly anything to show for it. Not even the call on oil exploration

companies by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resource to provide a palliative to communities affected by their operations has brought about any significant change in these host communities which Tsekelewu is one.

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he problem of the people of Tsekelewu is not oil spillage, but that from the neglect of the community, and several others in the environs by companies operating in that area. Although, it is an island of a sort, the people perish from acute short supply of drinkable water. A situation one wouldn’t have wished to liken to the travails of the "Ancient Mariner” who in the thick of an ocean yet couldn’t get a drop to drink.

Perhaps the "Ancient Mariner" became susceptible to such fate to give way for the purgation of sin in preparation for the journey ahead. But this cannot be the fate of a people whose only sin was allowing Shell and Chevron to dredge their hitherto freshwater creeks to connect the Atlantic Ocean for convenience in transporting workers and equipment to the various oil facilities in the environs.

Before now, the people of Tsekelewu had no problem sourcing for drinkable water as they have been drinking from the freshwater creeks for ages. But today the story is far from being normal as the Atlantic Ocean

has made a complete mess of the creeks. The Tsekelewu creek is presently the trash can of all debris from the Atlantic Ocean. The situation is such that water is rationed among the five clans making up Tsekelewu (Polobubor). This, however, was not before Chevron Nig. Ltd, under the supervision of the Egbema/Gbaramatu Central Development Council, sank a bore hole in the community. The sight of women and children skipping work and school, respectively, to get water is irritating. Most youths within schooling ages missed classes to get water whenever it is the turn of their clan to do so. Apparently, any family which fails to utilize the turn of its clan would have to endure water scarcity or paddle a long distance to get water from the nearest oil platform. At that, what they get is water whose purity is in doubt!

The deplorable state of the creeks around Tsekelewu was not accidental, the effects were gradual and cumulative yet there were no palliatives to cushion the hardship. With the effects of the surge of the Atlantic Ocean becoming critical, living, for the people of Tsekelewu and several others in adjoining villages has become miserable so much that their main source of living-which is fishing has been cut off.

Continues on Ahmed's pg

*Mr. Ubaka, a social critic, wrote from Koko in Warri North LGA, Delta State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012— —19

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IHAD as an Islamic concept must be one of the most misunderstood- all thanks to those practitioners of a muscular form of Islam who believe the one and only way to propagate their religion is through the sword. The impression this category of Muslims create is that force is the only means through which people with a view of life different from theirs could be persuaded. The use of brute force thus becomes a legitimate means for the conversion of so-called infidels. In Nigeria, people with such views are not too difficult to come by and the fact that they have more or less succeeded in their ways, their idea of what Islam represents is, unfortunately for other peaceful followers of the faith, what nonMuslims believe the religion stands for. But with the coming of insurgent groups like those that have turned Northern Nigeria into something of a no-go area, the impression is further strengthened that violence is the language of a religion that the apparent majority of Muslims believe proclaims peace as its central tenet. There is

no compulsion in religion is what we hear adherents of Islam say but the hawkers of violence that are fast taking over different parts of the North don’t share this belief in the voluntary conversion of others.

Not only have they been emboldened by their criminal pursuit of anarchy, killing and maiming innocent people in their hundreds, they now demand the resignation of a president they certainly see as an infidel simply because he proclaims faith in a religion different from that of the terrorists. The demand by the group of terrorists who have persistently operated in the shadows- the demand of these terrorists that President Goodluck Jonathan become a Muslim or resign from office is one such face of intolerance that gives Islam a bad name.

It is such reckless display of intolerance that makes it difficult for an increasing number of Nigerians to separate the agenda of these terrorists from that of other peaceful but silent followers of the Islamic faith. I have in this column, last week, talked about the anarchist agenda of the terrorists

,

and how that agenda makes no distinction between Christians and Muslims, nobles or menials. But many Nigerians may not find such explanation persuasive, not only because of the activities of the terrorists who claim they are out to spread their brand of Islam which they claim is the authentic brand but also because of the manner some people have defended them in the past. Some respectable people, not necessarily avowed members of the terror sect, initially talked about the terror campaigns embarked upon by the group as response to the persecution of Muslims by the Nigerian state.

They felt and said the group was only responding to the violence unleashed on Muslims by Nigeria.

T

hus they felt no pang of conscience even as Christian

The US, China and Africa

BY CHARLES ONUNAIJU

A

S usual, the largely symbolic and vale dictory 11-day tour of 10 African states, by the US Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton grabbed headlines and prime airtime on major media outlets across the continent. Mrs Clinton, ostensibly on her last tour of Africa as Secretary of State, delivered pulsating messages.

Apart from cajoling her hosts to remain loyal to Washington’s prescriptions of democratic practice, she urged them to take ‘tough decisions’ on economic measures, an allusion to neo-liberal economic policy which has been ruthlessly enforced by several regimes in Africa in collusion with the Bretton Woods Institutions, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Thirty years into the neo-liberal economic reforms, whose major components includes privatisation whose obvious result has been massive asset stripping of public utilities, deregulation and its consequence of free fall of the local currency, wage freeze, massive lay-off of workers and the sustainable trend of de-industrialization across the continent.

As usual with such high level visit, as Mrs Clinton made her way to the various presidential palaces, roads are cleared of destitutes, child labourers who hawk assorted wares to sustain their families, former workers-turned-beggars and other “social miscreants” who hardly make it to official statistics of the unemployed.

Then, secluded in the opulence of presidential palaces, the Washington August visitor delivered her homilies, paying tribute to the brilliant success of the years of painstaking neo-liberal economic reforms, evident in the bulging tummies and robust cheeks of her official hosts. With nothing to offer, since there is really noth-

ing to give, the American Secretary issued rebuttals about some certain international partnership with the continent that might aim to “extract resources” and even urged the Nigeria President, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, beleaguered and almost overrun by local insurgency, to stay focused on taking the tough decision on economic reforms. With the continent reeking from infrastructural decay, depletion of human capital and down on all human development indexes as contained in the recent report of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the former US first lady who has only words for all her hosts across the continent and the words, which ranged from rebuttals, homilies and subtle threats, made headlines across the continent. merican leaders have ways of venti lating outside when the domestic political situation becomes cagey. Before Mrs Clinton’s foray into Africa, the Republican challenger of his principal, Mr Mitt Romney has taken time off the domestic brouhaha of his sleazy tax profile to venture abroad. From London to Tel-Aviv in Israel and Poland, Mr Romney did his best to provoke a world outrage, ostensibly to sell to his American audience an image of a tough guy. Not to be outdone in the international dimension of the US looming presidential election, Mr Barack Obama sent her erudite and glamorous Secretary of State to Africa, where she could re-echo the American political ideals and Washington’s determination to ensure its triumph on a universal scale, without challenge.

As the media lauded and laundered Mrs Clinton 11-day forage to the continent was in full bloom, a far more significant and life-changing event in Africa, which held earlier in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China got a very modest

A

worship places and Christians became targets of attack. When the group’s activities were widened to cover state institutions and security personnel, again their apologists saw the matter as one of confrontation between the state and a section of society out to protect itself against the unconscionable onslaught of the state. Rather than viewing the attacks against security personnel as a gradual drive by the terrorists towards downgrading the capacity of the state to resist its terror campaigns, a move towards anarchism, excuses were made for them. Until subtle attacks were launched against other Muslims, individuals seen as having offended against the unstated nonagenda of the terrorists. Then did it begin to dawn on their supporters that something else might be afoot. But that realisation would take a long while to come.

The attack on individual Muslims continued for some time before Muslim worship centres were subjected to the violent ministration of terror attacks. The embarrassment this must have created within the voluble minority of the Muslim community that had thought the terrorists were for Islam can only be imagined.

Now the chickens have come home to roost with the ongoing attacks on both Muslims and nonMuslims. Are we to believe that those places with majority Muslim population that have been attacked by the terrorists are inhabited by false Muslims? What of emirs emerging from prayer places only to be attacked by killer squads while others have been visited in their homes by the merchants of death? Are these people not Muslims? Who are the

,

Of true Muslims and terrorists

There had been an apparent conspiracy of silence in the North, a reluctance to condemn in the strongest terms the activities of the terrorists by leaders in this part of the country

With China's robust engagement in Africa affecting the critical areas that would boost the continent’s capacity and capabilities, the West's standard response has been to instigate scare-mongering

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media attention. Between the 19th and 20th of July, the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, held its fifth ministerial conference in Beijing. At the conference of China and Africa, a review of the past three years since the fourth ministerial conference was held in the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharma-el Sheikh, concluded that Beijing has remained faithful to all its commitments to Africa, including the disbursement of the $10 billion in concessionary grants to African countries and has in addition built over 100 schools, 30 hospitals and agricultural demonstration centres as was contained in the eight point practical measures read out by Premier Wen Jiabao to boost ChinaAfrican co-operation. More significantly and even symbolically, China finished and handed over the new African Union Secretariat and office complexes in practical demonstration of Beijing’s effort to enhance African institutional capacity and forging of Pan-Africa institution to effectively tackle the challenges in the continent. In fact, the Beijing conference concluded that in spite of the political turbulence in some countries in the continent, China swiftly and on schedule met all its commitments to strengthening and boosting of co-operation between the two sides.

true Muslims- the peaceful followers of a religion or the belligerent murderers in religious disguise? It’s not surprising therefore that prominent Nigerians, Muslims from the North, are beginning to cry out that the terrorists are not Muslims.

I’m sure not many of those who tried to sell Nigerians on the idea of mass poverty in the North being responsible for all these attacksnot many of such people, I believe, would be willing to follow their earlier line of argument that was in fact a mere excuse for terror. It may, therefore, sound hollow to many non-Muslims that Junaid Mohammed, the Peoples Salvation Party chair, would want them to believe that these terrorists are not Muslims. There had been an apparent conspiracy of silence in the North, a reluctance to condemn in the strongest terms the activities of the terrorists by leaders in this part of the country. This situation has led some religious and political leaders down South to take their Northern counterparts to task. But whether such leaders speak out or not, the responsibility is that of the state, symbolised by the President, to take control of the situation and do what is appropriate before the law. The perennial debate over the need for state police has again come to the fore basically because of the sense of insecurity that many have that Abuja can no longer guarantee their safety. Although the situation is not as simple as it may appear, especially for a leader, but President Jonathan must stand up on the side of law and order. He must do what is right and call the bluff of the mindless killers and their supporters that are bent on turning Nigeria into a lawless state.

A key component of the commitment of zero or very low tariff of African products to Chinese market was fulfilled. In comparison to the America much hyped Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, the preferential non-tariff entry of African products into China’s market has been hugely successful. t the Beijing conference last month, China‘s President, Mr Hu Jintao outlined a practical road map to further strengthen and boost China-Africa new type of partnership. He announced fivepoint priority areas where he said China and Africa would work together.

Among the priority areas, the Chinese leader promised that Beijing would provide $20 billion in concessionary grants to enhance infrastructure, boost small and medium scale business among others.

More significantly, he promised that China would participate in transnational and trans-regional infrastructure development in Africa that would provide functional linkages to practical integration efforts in Africa. Since the notorious Berlin Conference in the 1880s, where Africa was arbitrarily partitioned and carved up among European powers, the legacy of the ruthless and savage exploitation of the continent has endured to keep the continent not only physically apart but the later vicious America imperialism ensured that Africa’s need and desire to act in unison is shorn of any enabling capacity and capability. Such state of affairs in Africa could embolden the US and its militarist allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, to ride roughshod on the continent and take out regimes that are not in their good books as in Libya or put pressure on others through damaging sanctions as in Zimbabwe and the little Eritrea.

With China's robust engagement in Africa affecting the critical areas that would boost the continent’s capacity and capabilities, the West's standard response has been to instigate scare-mongering and hype the ‘resource extraction’ mantra.

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Mr Onunaiju, a journalist, wrote from Abuja

20 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 21

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

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HE National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), Lagos State Chapter, has revealed that its bad loan has moved up to N16 billion.

Speaking at the South West Zone capacity building programme organized by the association in Lagos, the Zonal Chairman, Mr. Olufemi Babajide, maintained that as at June 31st 2012, the bad loan was N10 billion but has since increased.

“Our biggest problem is bad loan, customers are not in position to pay back their loans. Bad loan is part of our business and ours is to manage it well.

We need a structure that can refinance that bad loan so that we can continue to have liquidity.

“We are running within availability of liquidity, we are running within the funds that we have from depositors, from investor, from entrepreneurs, that is what we are using and that is why we cannot cover our target market.

“In Lagos state alone, we have a target market of eight million but we have customer base of 1.4 million, so you can see that the funds we have are limited, if we have more fund we will be able to cover the entire market.”

Meanwhile, Babajide recalled that Nigeria MFBs started operations on the wrong template, which according to him was a high fixed cost.

“When the likes of Asha MFB came in, we now knew that we can operate low fix cost. So the issue was the issue of template, they came in 2009 and we started in 2005, so it was a question of template. When we first started, you will see branded microfinance bank vehicles on the street of Lagos, but you can not see that now, we have advised ourselves,

From right, Engineer Adebayo Banjo, President, Nigerian Internet Group (NIG); Mr. Tosin Oguntuase, Internet 4 Jobs (I4J) 2012 Grant Winner, and his team member while I4J Competition Coordinator / NIG I4J Committee Chairperson, Miss Nkemdilim Uwaje flanked them from left at the presentation of the cheque to the winner of the 2012 I4J competition, in Lagos.

NAMB’s bad loan rises to N16bn we are now using the right template, low fix cost.

“But we have been surviving with this, a number of MFBs have been surviving, if we have survived up to date we will continue to survive into the future.”

Calling for reduction on operation

cost, he said there should be regular electricity supply. “If you look at most of our financials, the amount we spend on power is very high, it is about onethird of our overhead, so once we have that one taken care of we will be okay.

“The future of the sub-sector is bright.

Funding is our major challenge and we

Nigerian Internet Group targets jobs creation

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

A

PPARENTLY tired of mourning the inability of the Nigerian government to create sufficient jobs for its teeming youths, the Nigerian Internet Group, NIG, has decided to use the means available to it to remedy

162.45

+0.65

2,438.00

+38.00

20.36

+0.65

113.78

-1.49

95.77

+0.17

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.8 POUNDS 242.9586 EURO 191.0387 FRANC 158.9975 YEN 1.9494 CFA 0.2704 WAUA 232.4657 RENMINBI 24.3441 RIYAL 41.2778 KRONER 25.6508 SDR 233.6706

155.3 243.7434 191.6557 159.5111 1.9557 0.2804 233.2165 24.4232 41.4111 25.7336 234.4254

155.8 244.5281 192.2728 160.0247 1.962 0.2904 233.9674 24.5022 41.5445 25.8165 235.1801

CBN Exchange rate as at 17/08/2012

the situation.

It created the Internet for Jobs (I4J) Initiative designed to explore the potential of the Internet to create jobs for the people and transform the nation into a knowledge society.

The initiative creates environment where business and government services are available on-line and the citizens are positively engaged in knowledge driven activities.

Every year the NIG gives out grants to young and innovative IT entrepreneurs, who have built webbased solutions with potential of creating thousands of jobs. The target is to identify good solutions which with the help of expert network engineers, would be turned into great solutions.

Meanwhile, in its 2012 edition, about 4 teams of young Nigerian developers, content developers, medical doctors and financial analysts were chosen as the I4J grant winners.

Their digital ventures are focused on the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and creating jobs for young Nigerians using the Internet.

The 4 digital revolutionary projects were chosen from approximately 40 submissions in 5 categories by a panel of 6 renowned judges. The judges scored each project based on different criteria including Innovation,

Creativity, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Proof of concept, Versatility, Implemented solutions, Sustainable concepts, business models and solutions, collaboration and teamwork as well as Presentation Skills.

Having determined the four winners, NIG last week, awarded the recipients with a whopping N4,000,000.00 grants that will help enhance and grow their projects with the view of employing more young Nigerians as they grow Although the four groups would go home with 1million each, NIG will also play a mentoring and monitoring role to ensure that grant is applied in the best way possible with the core focus of making sure these projects all succeed.

However, the winning category that attracted much attention is the Efiko app category. It is a social mobile quiz platform designed primarily for secondary school students to enhance their learning experience by engaging students in topical quiz related to their school’s curriculum. It promotes healthy competition by providing student rankings by demography and provides a social learning platform where student’s can learn from one another and adult mentors. This project was born at the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria during the popular TechInEd event.

need funding, We have issues of bad debt. We are saying that CBN should set up an outreach that can buy up our bad debt, refinance our bad debt so that we can pay overtime. We have legal issues, we need special court to try debtors of microfinance bank and staff of MFBs involved in fraud,” he said.

Enterprise Bank assures FSFS staff of fair treatment

By RITA OBODOECHINA

E

NTERPRISE Bank Limited, EBL, has assured staff of its subsidiary, First Spring Franchise Services, FSFS, Limited, that the planned sale of the company to a new owner in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive does not in any way portend any problem for them.

This reassurance, according to a statement signed by Olusola LongeOkenimkpe, Head, Corporate Communications, Enterprises Bank, came as a sequel to a brief demonstration

by FSFS staff, where they expressed fears over their fate in the aftermath of the hand over to prospective outsource company owners.

Longe-Okenimkpe said, “Enterprise Bank has ensured that no staff will suffer as a result of the transfer of service to a new owner. As a matter of fact, the bank has put in place a number of positive measures to protect the interest of every staff.

“Some of these measures include instituting measuring and monitoring parameters to evaluate the service providers and ensure there is no destruction of value in all its ramifications, the continuance of payment of existing remuneration and future career development structure.”

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

UnityKapital reclaims 30% equity in Transcorp Hilton …Awaits NAICOM guidelines on takaful insurance

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

U

N I T Y K A P I TA L Assurance Plc has regained its 30 per cent equity out of the 51 per cent stake of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel sold by the Federal Government as the company’s shareholders fund rose to N8.42billion in 2011 financial year.

Disclosing this at the 36 th Annual General Meeting held in Abuja, Chairman of the company, Dr Falalu Bello assured shareholders that the company has the capabilities to pay for the 30 percent shareholding whenever they are called upon to do so.

According to him, “finally on investment, mention need to be made

on efforts being made to resolve the hiccups surrounding our investment in Transcorp Hilton Hotel. I am pleased to inform you that our 30 percent of the 51 percent sold by the federal government is no longer in dispute but the quantum of money to pay to take up our said holding is what remain to be agreed.”

He assured, ‘The viability of this investment is not in doubt and the ultimate resolution of the issues will enhance your company ’s overall profitability and sustainability. We are capable because we have the wherewithal to pay or borrow from the bank if it calls for it” M e a n w h i l e ,

Unitykapital Assurance Plc’s shareholders’ funds grew to N8.415 billion during the financial year ended December 31, 2011 from N8.001 billion within the period under review whilst its total assets to N9.443 billion from N8.878 billion announced the previous year, 2010.

Despite the challenges in year 2011, the Chairman of the company improved its performance significantly in the year under review, compared to the previous year. The company grossed premium income of N1.872 billion for 2011, up from the N0.941 billion of the previous year 2010; an increase of almost 100 percent. profit before tax stood at N541 million against the near loss of N6.5 million recorded by the company in 2010 as the company declared a total of N130 million dividends for its shareholders this year.

Bello said not minding

the dividend for the year under review, he enjoined shareholders to launch UnityKapital to the group of genuine and profit-oriented companies in the country.

The company also gave a bonus issue of “one new share for every fifteen currently held which brought the total return to a modest 4.33 kobo per 50 kobo share representing 8.67 percent.

He said that the company products aree making waves in the market especially its travel insurance product.

“We intend to move to other areas of insurance, and plans have been concluded for this. On products innovation, our overseas travel insurance product is already in the market and is being reinvigorated with negotiations at an advanced stage for expansion of the territorial limits of the policy.

Shareholders task Aso Savings on investment diversification From left: Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ekunno and Mr Chris Mmeje, Finance Director, both of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals International Plc, cutting the tape to declare the company's new reception open.

Neimeth targets N7bn sales revenue in 2 years …Commissions new reception, gives out 15 cars to staff

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

N

EW management of Neimeth pharmaceutical company, has explained the rationale behind its transformation process and launch of its Quantum Leap Vision _ ‘QLP-7’ saying, the company is projecting a N7 billion sales level within the next two financial years.

Giving the explanation during the commissioning of a new reception outlet of its Head Office and reward of cars to Senior Marketing officers, in Lagos, the Acting Managing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Ekunno also disclosed that the company has adopted 25 per cent reduction cost for its products as strategies to grow its profit in two ways.

Ekunno further reaffirmed its readiness to always deliver superior products and services to its esteemed customers across Nigeria.

Speaking through the Finance Director, Mr Chris Mmeje, he said: His words, “The new phase of Neimeth is to sale the company ’s brands of products, bring them to be known widely by the generality of the Nigerian public.

“If the company when it was doing a lot of research was able to bring up new products, then at this point, we want to take up and really grow our profit.

What we need is to bring it to the knowledge of the public. Our 25 per cent reduction in cost was to solely pursue the objective of growths,” he stated.

Further reeling out its

stride towards c o n t i n u o u s transformation, he noted that the move was important in reminding its customers on how they are venerated by the company.

Commissioning the new-look reception, he said: “Today, we are celebrating one aspect of our new initiative which is the commissioning of our Head Office new reception. The reception has been given an ambience that will provide a relaxed atmosphere for our customers while waiting to transact their various businesses.”

He further stressed that the new look of the reception was in line with its vision of actualising one of the company ’s corporate core values and strategy which are centred on customer

focus and satisfaction.

Ekunno highlighted that the company ’s journey of transformation began with the introduction of customer oriented package which was sustained through accelerated innovations.

The Acting Director further explained that the transformation process facilitated the repackaging of Pancemol, a brand of Paracetamol 500mg which, he said, has a unique feature that makes it to work faster.

Reinstating the company ’s focus on innovation, he said, “We would continually innovate and transform because we believe that by doing things differently and building on a foundation of new and proven ideas, we can change any market situation.”

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

S

HAREHOLDERS of Aso Savings & Loans Plc have advised the management of the company to embark on i n v e s t m e n t diversification drive as well shore up its capital base.

The National Coordinator of the I n d e p e n d e n t Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, who spoke the minds of shareholders, commended the mortgage finance bank for its ability to withstand the harsh economic situation of the industry during the 2011/2012 financial year.

He said, “There are need for the company to diversify its investment and shore up capital in order to attract big business transactions.”

Nwosu made the commendation at the bank’s 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, expressing delight on the company’s recovery to profitability after the downward trend in the 2009/2010 financial year.

To the management, he

said, “The organisation has been stable and increases its investment portfolio, though the profit margin in this year financial report isn’t as profound as that of last year but we are pleased that we are not recording loss.

“We also commend the organisation in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity which focused on education. I am pleased that the summer camping activities to orphans, the leadership programs, the school facility donations and health education initiatives have brought so many values to the less privileged students in those public schools that we have adopted for these exercises.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman Board of Directors, Mr. Olatunde John Ayeni, thanked the shareholders and the board for reposing confidence in him by appointing him the board chairman.

Ayeni stated that the bank has remained resilient and continued to be ahead of competitors despite the slow economic growth being witnessed in the country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—23

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

DIARY Select ICT events zInternet Show Africa. Holds Sept 1112 in Johannesburg, South Africa. z Submarine Networks World. Holds Sept 11-13 @ Marina Bay Sands - Singapore. z The Mobile Show Africa 2012.

Holds Sept 11-13 @ Sandton Convention Centre - Johannesburg, South Africa. z PDS 2012 Technology. Holds Seop 19 - 20 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US.

Preview

Chemical injetion restores sight in blind mice RESEARCHERS have discovered a chemical able to temporarily restore sight in blind mice, which could open doors to new vision loss therapies.

The chemical, called AAQ, is a photoswitch. It binds to the ion channels on the surface of the rod and cone cell and changes the flow of ions when it is exposed to light, which excites the neurons and makes the retina cells sensitive to light. The chemical eventually wears off, which makes it an alternative to more permanent experimental methods like stem cell therapies, and it is less invasive than implanting chips in the eye.

In clinical tests, blind mice injected with AAQ showed light avoidance and pupil contraction, and the team is currently working on developing improved versions of the chemical.

I N S I D E

FORUM: From left, Professor Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media & Communication, Pan African University, Lagos, Bayero Agabi,Coordinator Cyber Nigeria Forum & President Tribe Media and Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson at the event.

Govt'll tackle cyber crime by empowering youths — CT MINISTER

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

C

YBER security was major issue that dominated discussions at the just concluded Cyber Nigeria Forum 2012 and Africa Information Society Merit Award organised

by Tribe Media Company, an ICT programme on TV- AIT Infotech Network and Cyber Africa in Lagos.

With the theme “Economics of Cyberspace and Cyber Responsibility”, the event attracted stakeholders from the Nigerian ICT industry, manufacturing, Science and technology, the academia and entertain-

Police BCMR: Good idea, but....

ment.

Discussants spoke on cyber crime, maximizing the potentials of the internet and the Nigerian state in a fast changing world. They also stressed the need to strengthen and secure information infrastructures both in the public and private sectors.

,

New inventions shaping life and living

In her lead discussion, Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson said that government is leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that the issue of cybercrime is adequately tackled through empowerment.

“Government is not resting on his oars in

ensuring that cybercrime is reduced to the barest minimum by encouraging young people to channel their energy positively into ICT innovation,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address on “Social Media, Citizen Journalism and the State,” Professor Emevwo Biakolo of the

Government is not resting on his oars in ensuring that cybercrime is reduced to the barest minimum by encouraging young people to channel their energy positively into ICT innovation

School of Media and Communication at Pan African University, Lagos said that the role of the media in the new age can not be over-emphasized.

He noted that social media tools have become enablers both for the professional journalist and citizen journalists and called on the media to focus on the positive roles this medium can play in the national life.

In his speech at the event, president of the Nigeria Internet Group, Engr. Bayo Banjo noted that hackers are becoming more sophisticated

Continues on Page 27

We have capacity LG introduces Clown caught with for students' PCs, battery Steve Jobs' stolen say Balogun powered TV sets iPad

24 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Police BCMR: Good idea, but....

F

,

C M Y K

OR some time must we kill ourselves in now, commercials the bid to create a good have been run- society?

The second is that this ning in the media aninitiative should have nouncing another innovation from the Nigeria Po- awaited completion of lice, called Police BCMR, both the National SIM or Police Biometric Cen- Card Registration exercise and the harmonisatral Motor Registry.

This document, accord- tion of other identity daing to information from the tabases by the National Police BCMR portal Identity Management (www.policebcmr.org) is a Commission. I think a har“technological means of monised identity dataattaching automobile base will be more useful owner ’s special and to the Police than what we unique biological charac- have currently, and this teristics (biometrics) and BCMR certainly can wait personal data to their ve- for that.

Where we are, there alhicles for authentication, ready exists too many protection, crime prevenidentity databases which tion and conare not actrol purposes cessible for which operproper A harmonised ates on a use. Examsmart card identity data- ples inand handheld clude the card reader. base will be I N E C This is also a Voters’Register, more useful specially dethe Nationveloped ento the Police al Drivers’ terprise soluthan what we L i c e n s e tion for cendatabase tralization have current- belonging and validation to both the of vehicle docly, and this Motor Veuments in orhicle AdBCMR cerder to create ministraand authentitainly can tions of the cate the datastates and wait for that base for police the Federal operational Road Safeuse and manty Comagement nationwide.” mission, as well as the ImFurther, the Police on this portal says, and dem- migration Service’s passonstrates with photo- port database. These are graphs that handheld de- besides the various bank vices will be used to ac- accounts records, JAMB, cess data on the BCMR WAEC, the universities card, which motorcyclists and polytechnics, and a will obtain for N1,500 and legion of other organizations that issue identity motorists for N3,500.

There is a whole train- cards to people who are load of information justi- part of their systems, and fying the need for Nige- all of them are closed sysrian motorist to have this tems.

Then, I have this document, with which I agree, but I believe other sneaky feeling that enconsiderations should forcement of compliance have been factored before with the BCMR might operationally bring back going public with it.

The first is that it adds the outlawed checkpoint enormously to the amount system, which the ebulof money an average mo- lient IGP has assured us torist needs to cough out is gone for good. Apart before he can legally drive from that, optionally, a vea vehicle here. As things hicle owner can subscribe stand now, and this is ver- to the tracking system ifiable, registration charg- that is part of the BCMR es for new vehicles begins features as a value-addfrom N35,000 in Lagos, ed service. Good, but it while renewals are in the will have the effect of makneighbourhood of ing the Police compete N10,000. If you add with vehicle tracking N3,500 for BCMR, the firms. That will not be amount goes higher. In good for employment and short, the tax burden on the economy generally, people in this country is since no tracking firm can being increased by vari- ever hope to rival the Poous agencies of govern- lice in capacity. In this ment under various guis- regard, the Police should es. We are all Nigerians, only be a regulator, not a competitor with tracking firms.

,

Clown caught with Steve Jobs' stolen iPad

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AMILIES waiting for San Francisco's cable cars on a recent morning couldn't help but notice Kenny the Clown, who wore a curly rainbow wig as he twisted brightly colored balloons into animal shapes for visitors, blasting Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" from an iPad at his feet.

Little did the clown know that the tablet doubling as his stereo would turn out to have been stolen from the home of the late Steve Jobs.

"The thing that is embarrassing to me is I'm a huge fan of Steve Jobs," said Kenneth Kahn, 47, a professional entertainer who police say unwittingly received a silver 64GB iPad pilfered from the home of the Apple cofounder last month. "It's just bizarre."

Kahn's friend, Kariem McFarlin, 35, of Alameda was arrested on suspicion of breaking into Jobs' Palo Alto residence on Aug. 2.

The pair had been planning a vacation to Hawaii, and when their trip fell through, Kahn said McFarlin gave him the iPad

zKenny the Clown: Took Steve Jobs' stolen iPad from friend unknowingly in exchange for money he had borrowed.

"He owed me $300 for the plane tickets, so he said he had an Apple computer that he wasn't using anymore. I said fine, not having any clue what the hell was going on," Kahn told The Associated Press on Friday.

Kahn, a well-known local street performer who has also made unsuccessful bids to become mayor of Alameda and San Francisco, said he never ex-

amined the contents of the device and had no idea where it came from. It was unclear if Jobs had ever used it. The device has been returned to the family of Jobs, who died last Oct. 5.

Apple investigators identified McFarlin after he used the stolen device to connect to his iTunes account on the Internet, police said. He acknowledged to police that he broke into Jobs' residence, as well as other homes,

and wrote an apology letter to Jobs' widow, according to a police report.

The unoccupied Palo Alto home was targeted on July 17 because it was under renovation, authorities said. When construction crews left, a burglar hopped a fence and found a spare key, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

The newspaper said the thief apparently didn't realize he was in Jobs' house until he saw a letter addressed to the Silicon Valley icon.

During the 15-hour overnight heist, Jobs' wallet and driver's license were taken as well as iPhones, iPads, iPods, Mac computers, champagne and $60,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry, police said. Kahn said he met McFarlin when he coached him on a high school basketball team in Alameda more than a decade ago.

"Kariem and I used to talk about ethics all the time, so I thought we were on the same page," Kahn said. "I guess he just got desperate, and made a terrible decision."

McFarlin remained jailed on $500,000 bail and was expected to appear in court Monday. If convicted, he could face almost eight years in prison. Kahn said he has not been questioned in the case. Law enforcement officials did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

— AP story.

New millionaires emerge in Glo's Text4Millions promo

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

N

ATIONAL telco, Globacom last week made good its promise of empowering its subscribers by presenting cheques worth over N6 million to lucky subscribers who won cash prizes in the ongoing Season 3 of its popular and highly rewarding Glo “text4millions” promo.

Among the winners are Oluwole Agboola, who won one of the weekly prizes of N6 million, Yusuf Olaitan Lukman who won N1.5 million; Comrade Hossana Fetimi who won N300,000 while Mujidat Odunoye and Yomi Afolabi won N60,000 each in the promo.

Others winners who collected their cheques are Andrew Iheagwam and Eniola Omoniyi who won N30,000 each.

Speaking at the occasion, Globacom’s Head of Value Added Services, Samson Isa said that the presentation was in line with Glo’s promise to reward millions of its subscribers and thank them for their loyalty through the instrumentality of the

A cross section of winners in the Glo “text4millions” promo who collected their cheques at a special ceremony held at Globacom’s corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.

Glo “text4millions” promo.

“Today, we are here to witness the presentation of prizes to some lucky winners in Season 3 of the promo. These winners, who are from several states across the country, will begin to see a positive transformation in their lives as they collect their prizes. They, indeed, can confirm that it truly pays to be on the Glo network”, he said.

Agboola, a regional manager with WAMCO

Friesland Campina who said he will use the N6 million he won to complete his ongoing building projects, saying he “never had any doubts about participating in the promo because Glo is well known for being a credible company that rewards its subscribers and empowers people to rule their world”. He said that the two projects are in Lagos and his village.

Yusuf Olaitan Lukman, a building materials trader who won N1.5 million

told the audience that he was excited to win because his prize is a befitting present from Glo for his birthday which comes up in a week. “I will invest the money into raising the standard of my building materials business,” he stated.

Glo “text4millions is an sms-based promotion that simply requires subscribers to send WIN to a short code (2012) and accumulate points in order to qualify for the daily, weekly and final draws.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 25

NATCOMS blasts UFRU on demolition of telecom masts

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

We have capacity for students' PCs

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

HILE Original Equipment Manufacturers, (OEMs) jostle for the students PC ownership scheme to be rolled out October this financial year by the present administration, the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer Brian Integrated Systems, Mr. Tunji Balogun has assured that his company has the capacity to partner with the government and schools on scheme expected to put PCs in the hands of Nigerian students.

Unfolding the company’s plans for the student's PC ownership scheme to the Minister of Communication Technology. Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Balogun noted that Brian Computers which is one of the local PC assemblers in the country would increase production for the capacity building project that has been hailed by the IT industry.

The Minister after facility tour of the company however commended the motorized conveyor driven assembling plant of Brian Computers that has not less than 200 production capacity per day.

The Minister who also toured the computer Village market also disclosed that the students PC ownership scheme when fully implemented will not only put PCs in the hands of the students but will also create thousands of

— Balogun,Brian Systems boss

zMr Tunji Balogun, CEO, Brian Integrated Systems

jobs in the country for lot of Nigerians that will be involved in the manufacture of the these computers.

The scheme, the Minister said is expected to make personal computers available to students of tertiary institutions at affordable prices with the payment done in such a way that students may pay as little as N3, 000 every month over up to 24 months to own a laptop. “ We want to put PC in the hands of the Nigerian students. We will work with the banks. We will work out the payment structure so that no student runs away without

adequate payment for the PC. We cannot continue to be consumers of foreign products. With the student population, we will create demand for our local manufacturer’s with a level playing ground and healthy competition among the local PC assemblers”she added.

She restated the present administration commitment to local device penetration among Nigerians but lamented that only 10% PCs in use were locally manufactured.

She further said that with broadband roadmap of the government, more devices will be pushed into the market through

this scheme so that local brands can create jobs for Nigerians.

Earlier in his response, Balogun assured the Minister that Brian Integrated Systems promoted

by Balog Technologies would increase capacity so as to meet up with the capacity building project of the government that will put digital tools in the hands of students for the challenges of 21st century society.

According to Balogun who is also the President of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria, (CAPDAN), We have the capacity to partner with the federal government on this laudable initiative. Our products including Brian Platinum Laptop, Brian Gold Laptop, Brian Classmate PC and Brian Platinum Desktop among others have the state-of-arttechnology to support the students PC ownership scheme.

While taking the Minister round the motorized conveyor room, Balogun further said that the company’s PCs products have stayed the taste of time.

“We have already partnered with many states and schools across the nation on PC ownership scheme. We are prepared for this," he said.

S

HORTLY after Twitter announced a stricter set of rules for its application programming interface (API), developers and engineers turned to platform to use the #OccupyTwitter hashtag in protest.

“Twitter ’s API has more rules than North Korea,” said Aaron Levie, CEO of Box. Nova Spivack, CEO of Bottlenose.com, started a Change.org petition to urge Twitter to keep its developer API ecosystem open.

He said, “Twitter, what kind of bird are you becoming? Are you still that cute little bird that everyone loved, or are you becoming a scary bird of prey?”

“Blind people use special third party Twitter apps,” Spivack added on Twitter. “If Twitter closes its APIs they will be cut off.”

While Spivack’s fears

T

HE National Associ ation of Telecommunications Subscribers had kicked against the recent demolition of telecoms base transceiver station by the Lagos state Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development called Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit under the headship of Mr. Joe Igbokwe, describing it as unacceptable In a statement signed by the group's national President, Mr, Deolu Ogubanjo and the general Secretary, Barr. Bayo Omotubora and made available to Vanguard said it does not stand against government generating revenue to fund its laudable projects, but condemn the agency resorting to self help and what it called unprovoked ag-

gregation, describing it as a total negation of the rule of law professed by the state government.

The statement reads “Whilst we are not against the government generating revenue to finance its laudable projects, the agency’s resort to selfhelp and unprovoked aggression is a total negation of the rule of law professed by the state government. Our concern here is that the illegal acts of the agency stated above affected adversely the telecoms needs of our members in the areas where such illegalities were carried out, and they have complained to us.

It therefore, appealed to the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, to restrain the agency.

...hosts telecom subscribers' summit

T

HE National Associ ation of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has said that it has concluded plans to host the maiden edition of the National Telecommunications Subscribers Summit in Lagos.

President of the Association, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo who announced this, said that the summit with the Theme: Nigerian Telecom Revolution: Consumerism as the last mile challenge, will be held at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos on Friday, September 28.

According to him, the objective of the Summit is

to create an independent forum where Subscribers will have firsthand knowledge about the service delivery processes of telecoms operators. He said that the event is a onestop shop for telecoms operators where common causes of network failure and other challenges in the industry will be examined and possible solutions proffered.

He added that the summit will get subscribers input on addressing industry challenges, and get them to consent to the line of actions that will be presented to the National Assembly.

Teledom partners Transition on broadband

BY EMEKA AGINAM

T

New Twitter rule spurs online protests might be overblown, it’s clear that Twitter seeks to limit the number of third-party app users by barring apps from supporting more than 100,000 users. If they already over the limit, they will not be allowed to grow beyond 200% of their user base without Twitter ’s permission.

Aside from limiting user growth, Twitter will be imposing more stringent authentication rules. It will also

compel developers to take a different direction in creating apps by “encouraging” them to focus on engagement and analytics. After the updated API is launched, developers will have a six-month deadline to to migrate to the new version.

Tom Scott, creator of Klouchebag, predicted that the changes would cause his site’s death in six months. “They ’re steadily squeezing out third-party clients like

Tweetbot, Echofon and Dabr, and they’re removing unauthenticated API calls,” Scott said in a blog entry.

“The latter means that every Twitter app, no matter how minor, will require a ‘Sign in with Twitter’ button. For me, the immediate effect of this is that my Klout parody Klouchebag, along with a few other things I’ve designed, will die.”

— From Mashable

ELEDOM Interna tional Limited in partnership with United States based company, Transition Networks are gearing up to facilitate the rapid penetration of broadband internet in Nigeria.

CEO of Teledom, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who disclosed this last week in Lagos at the presentation and launch of a variety of products provided by Transition Network said that his company decided to partner with Transition Networks Limited in view of the world class technologies the company offers.

In n terms of quality, ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, he said that Transition Networks products would stand the test of time.

Ekuwem stated that the

products are manufactured to last long thus giving the users peace of mind and real value for investment.

Presenting the range of products of his company, Zak Admani, Regional Director Sale, Asia and Africa said the collaboration between the two companies will see Teledom International Limited, a leading broadband infrastructure and technology provider in Nigeria distributing world class products of Transition Networks in the Nigeria’s vibrant Information and Communications Technology market.

According to him, Transition Networks offers networking products that enable ICT Infrastructure builders, network designers and builders, systems integrators and network operators deliver and manage their networks efficiently, excellently and cost-effectively.

26 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Govt'll tackle cyber crime by empowering youths Continues from Page 23

LG LAUNCHES BATTERY LED TV: From left, General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Dave Shin; Product Marketing Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics, Mr. James Odejimi; and Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Mohammed Fouani during the official launch of the LG Battery LED TV at Shopright Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

LG introduces battery powered TV sets

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

T

HE issue of peren nial power outage has not only become a household name to Nigeria but a national embarrassment to citizens as well.

Tapping into this problem, LG Electronics last week introduced the world's first bathery LED TV into the Nigerian market.

The novel LG LED TV called LG 32LS3800 Bathery LED TV, though operates on electricity has a long lasting battery that ensures TV viewing is not unnecessarily interrupted when in it is use.

According to LG, the TV comes with exciting features that make for exciting entertainment experience. It is portable and easy to carry which makes it convenient for it to be moved from one place to the other.

The company said this unique feature ensures that the fun and entertainment is not limited to indoor settings alone, as it can also come in handy for alfresco gatherings. Apart from watching favourite TV programs, the 32LS3800 Battery TV also comes with a USB slot which enables consumers watch Divx Movies from their flash or external hard drives.

Amongst various features of the LG Battery LED TV is also the in-built surge protector for long lasting durability and better performance against Power surge; the battery which comes in handy during power outages

has a long battery life as it can last the duration of a football match.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics, Mr. Dave Shin said that the LG Battery TV has come to end the embarrassment faced by Nigerian TV viewers by solving they problem experienced as a result of the constant Power outage that households and businesses in Nigeria experience’.

The LED lighting system which is said to guarantees quality pictures is also capable for the TV’s excellent energy efficiency; it uses 50% or less electrical power, which in the long run is estimated to be cost effective. The Battery TV’s has an ergonomic body that will appeal to consumers looking for a TV that can perform on many levels.

In terms of design and features, Shin said the Battery TV sets a standard that will be hard to beat.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr Mohamed Fouani Said: ‘Owing to our unflinching commitment, to making available to our teeming consumers only products that would enable them achieve their aspirations and dreams of the good life, we would stop at nothing to continually enrich them with products of technological innovations, stylish designs and most importantly giving them value for

money spent’.

Fouani further, said that the ultimate aim for the launch of the LG Battery TV is to enrich family time which is waning as a result of the power interruptions that is the reality in Nigeria. It is our belief that it will create a unique platform for individuals to be rejuvenated and realize utmost relaxation and entertainment with their families, friends and loved ones anytime, anywhere Some of the guests who spoke to Hi-Tech at the end of the programme, described the product as a big relief to Nigerian viewers and commended the company for the innovative depth technology

that distinguishes LG LED Battery TV. Unlike the conventional TV sets, the bathery LED TV eliminates the problem of TV viewers having to scamper for alternative power supply sources like generators; because with the Battery TV they can continue watching TV programs uninterrupted.

The product is also said to be designed to avoid the inhaling of fumes from generating sets, with the health implications. For some some people, the introduction of the technology, could spark the birth a new experience in the nation’s entertainment industry.

Project X trains 200 youths on basic IT skills

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

I

N continuation of its youth empowerment programme, Project-X recently organized a two day free information technology awareness training for youths in secondary and tertiary institutions.

The initiative seeks to empower individuals with ICT skills with a view to make them become self reliant and financially dependent. The 2012 edition of the training covered the basics of ORACLE, CCNA, JAVA, among others IT oriented areas.

Speaking on the training, the Director of the programme, Fegho

Umunubo said the objective of the initiative was among other things to develop strategies for maximum awareness of ICT and media Tools amongst young individuals and as a post plan to Partner with credible and reliable ICT & Media organizations to render their services at a lower rate with Global standard.

Umunubo said that ICT illiteracy rate among young people in and out of secondary and higher institutions of learning in Nigeria stands at an alarming rate which he said was attributable to either low access to adequate ICT materials or high level of ICT illiteracy in the country.

and as such requires that the security operatives should constantly train to be able to cope with the challenges posed by increasing cyber threats.

He warned that the economic impact and consequences of cyber attacks against critical infrastructure such as the banking system, essential government and industry data and services could be extremely high, especially as more Nigerian businesses are automated.

High point of the event was the Africa Information Society Merit Award platform for individuals, organizations and initiatives that continue to promote the knowledge economy in Africa’s largest nation.

The awardees who were drawn from key sectors of the economy were rewarded in recognition of their contributions to science and technology and ICT applications, usage, deployment and development across Africa.

Meanwhile, the United States Commercial Service was recognized for its role in promoting ICT in business through the CTO, while the best e government initiative award went to the Edo State Government First Bank won the best technology application in service award. Phase3 telecom got the best Internet Infrastructure Company while Samsung Electronics West Africa was honored as the Most innovative elec-

tronic Brand in Africa in recognition of its ecofriendly Solar powered laptops.

The climax of the award was the presentation of the special award to the minister of the communication Technology Ministry- Mrs. Omobola Johnson for laying a solid foundation for an innovative nation.

In the individual category CKN Nigeria, a bourgeoning online news platform got the New media award, while Emma Okonji of Thisday Newspaper was best ICT reporter. Larry Izamoje of Brilla FM got special recognition for promoting broadcasting in Africa.

Addressing newsmen, the President of Tribe Media Company and Group Co-ordinator of Cyber Nigeria Forum, Mr Bayero Agabi said Cyber Nigeria Forum represents a gathering of top professionals who gather to discuss critical issues of human cum national development.

For him, the presence of who is who in some of Nigeria’s critical sectors showcased the revolution of the innovation taking place in the government and private sectors and unwraps the who, what and how of various initiatives that are enabling digital life.

The event was instituted in 2009 by AIT Infotech Network and Cyber Africa to mark a decade of reporting and producing ICT programme on television by renowned technology broadcaster, Bayero Agabi.

Superflux adds Courier Plus

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

I

N continuation of its drive to become a leading security printing service provider, Nigeria secure print solutions provider company, Superflux International Limited, last week extended its frontiers by acquiring Courier Plus Services Limited, a subsidiary of the former Intercontinental Bank.

At the hand over ceremony held in Lagos, the Executive Director, Financial Markets, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Olufowose said that the bank decided to sale the company in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria directives that all banks operating in the country banks should face core banking businesses.

He said that Superflux emerged the preferred bidder for the courier company after the bid process, which was trans-

parent by all parties concerned including the Official Receiver to the company appointed by the Federal High Court, Chief Olurotimi Williams of Rotimi Williams &Company, Legal Practitioners and Public Notaries.

“We have concluded one of the major processes of facing core banking business as directed by the CBN. The process was very transparent and competitive and at the end of the day it went very well,” he said, adding that “We followed the court process and the bidding started since the beginning of the year.

The process was conducted under the superintended of the Official Receiver appointed by the Federal High Court and we are happy to see that it has been concluded”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 27

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

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C M Y K

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 37

W

orried by the spates of capital flight in the insurance industry, the Chairman of Niger Insurance Plc, Mr. Bala Zakariya’u has urged sector operators to reposition themselves in order to underwrite big risks locally.

Zakariya’u kicked against the trend where many of such big ticket risks are ceded to foreign insurers.

According to him, such structural weakness in the industry meant that most of the large insurance business are still being underwritten by foreign companies.

Accordingly, he urged insurance practitioners to reposition themselves so that they can tap into the developmental efforts of NAICOM and correct the structural imbalance.

He lauded NAICOM for forging ahead with its determination to deepen the market through Market Development and Restructuring Agenda, MDRI, to meet the N6 trillion premium target, through the enforcement of compulsory insurance which has been on since 2011.

While decrying the harsh operating environment in which insurers operated in the last financial year, Zakariya’u said “Not much progress was recorded in the power sector during the year 2011 as efforts were still geared towards building generation as well as transmission infrastructure.

BRIEFS Generali seeks $1bn for U.S. Life Business

A

The Freight forwarders consultative forum (FFCF) of the council for the regulation of freight forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), picture shows, Increase Uche submitting the report on categorization of forwarders committee to the Chairman of FFCF, Dr. Sam Onyemelukwe..

Insurers tasked on underwriting big ticket risks STORIES BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA "Total output therefore continues to fluctuate between 3000 to 4000 megawatts, leaving companies with huge expenditure on internal power generation.”he said.

He however expressed hope that the local content Act which was introduced by the federal government holds significant potential for the growth of the Nigerian insurance industry, adding, “The policy places responsibility on foreign oil companies to retain a

substantial portion of their operations in the local economy.

Aside from addressing capital flight, the regulation provides Nigerian insurers with an appreciable level of exposure to complex oil and gas underwriting risks that could rub off positively on human capital development and underwriting expertise in the industry.”

Leadway grows earnings by 21%

L

eadway Assurance Company Limited has recorded gross earnings of N22.4 billion for the 2011 financial year.

This figure is a 21.75 per cent increase from N18.4 billion recorded in 2010.

According to the financial statement of the company, gross written premium also increased by 38 per cent to N19.6 billion from N14.2 billion the previous year.

But with huge reinsurance cost, which went up by 29 percent from N7 billion in 2010 to N9 billion at the end of 2011, the company’s net premium earned stood at N10 billion as against N8.6 billion in 2010, a 16 percent rise. The performance was, however, eroded by a significant increase in claims incurred which rose by 129 per cent from N2.4 billion in the previous year to N5.5 billion in 2011. The rise in claims incurred affected the underwriting profit, which dropped by 19 percent from N4.3 billion to N3.5 billion in 2011, resulting in 24 percent drop in company profit before tax of N1.55 billion, down from N2.03 billion in 2010 while the

profit after tax dropped by 49 percent to close at N1.04 billion in 2011. The profit position of the company was enhanced by investment income, which appreciated by 38 per cent, moving from N1.3 billion in 2010 to N1.79 billion in 2011.

The company’s balance sheet size grew by 9 per cent from N39 billion in 2010 to N42.5 billion in 2011, with the value of insurance fund rising by 55 per cent from N11 billion in

2010 to N17 billion in 2011, while shareholders fund closed at N11 billion.

The statements further revealed that with economic / infrastructural reforms, the potential for growth exists and the company is well positioned to take advantage of the insurance value chain.

According to its Chairman’s statement, “the company is positioned to benefit from the National Insurance

Commission (NAICOM) Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) by increasing the level of awareness needed to deepen insurance penetration in Nigeria through mass awareness campaigns and other programmes for the sale of compulsory insurances”.

Meanwhile, the company declared N500 million dividend, which translates to 5.7 kobo per share.

Royal Exchange wins best web transaction processing award

R

oyal Exchange Plc has won the ‘Best Web Transaction Processing’ website award in the insurance category of the 2012 Web Jurist Award conducted

by Phillips Consulting, Nigeria.

The award was presented to Mr. Ejike Osisioma, Group Head, Information Technology Royal Exchange Plc’s representative at the award ceremony by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Mrs. Omobola Johnson,

In a statement said that the orgerniser said that the award was a major endorsement of Royal Exchange’s E-business platform and the management’s investment in the upgrade of its website and information technology tools and processes to ensure products and services are offered to customers, how and when they want it.

It would be recalled that in 2010, Royal Exchange pioneered the introduction of its scratch card payment solution to cover motor vehicle

and personal accident insurance policies.

These policies can now be acquired in a faster, more reliable and convenient manner than conventional methods because of the virtual process that the Royal Exchange scratch card payment system offers.

“Royal Exchange has invested heavily in technology to create seamless and secure platforms through which our existing and potential customers can access Royal Exchange products and services.

SSICURAZIONI Generali SpA plans to sell its U.S. life reinsurance business as Chief Executive Officer works to restore the profitability of Italy’s biggest insurer, people familiar with the process said.

Generali has hired Citigroup Inc. (C) to advise on a sale of Generali USA Life Reassurance Co. and the unit may be worth $800 million to $1 billion, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is private. Sales documents are being prepared and could be sent to potential buyers as early as next month, they said.

Assicurazioni Generali SpA CEO Mario Greco said this month that he is working on a new business plan to restore profitability and strengthen capital. Source: Zurich Insurance Group AG via Bloomberg CEO Greco said this month that he is working on a new business plan to restore profitability and strengthen capital. Generali’s main investors ousted CEO Giovanni Perissinotto in June after the insurer’s profit fell for four consecutive quarters.

Last year, net income slumped 50 percent to the lowest level since 2002, and the insurer’s stock sank to an almost twodecade low on May 31.

China mandatory car insurance market faces further losses — Fitch

I

NSURERS operating in China’s compulsory motor insurance market (CMIM) face further significant underwriting losses in the next one to two years due to rising claims, tightly regulated pricing and the potential for further competition, Fitch Ratings says.

We expect this to lead to a modest decline in overall motor insurance underwriting margins, which is already factored into the stable outlook for China’s non-life insurers.

However, if competition led to a big drop in margins it could result in a negative outlook for the sector.

We believe the higher medical expenses and rising repair costs insurers are having to pay out could lead to a deteriorating claim experience. The loss ratio of the CMIM sector is likely to be consistently above 80% in the short term, after 82.3% in 2010 and 81.9% in 2011.

However, ongoing underwriting losses are unlikely to lead to Chinese property and casualty insurers reducing their exposure to the CMIM market.

38 —VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF TRADE UNIONISM IN NIGERIA

•Road block and bonfire...major symbols of the workers protest

Photos: Kehinde Gbadamosi

The political strike that floundered

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The December 1964 general strike was effective in Lagos, Enugu, lbadan and a few states. It was mainly spearheaded by the militant railwaymen and the public workers unions. It petered out on January 6, 1965 having wobbled all along. The powerful JAC which humbled the Federal Government in June was six months later unable to sustain a similar strike

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This is the tenth edition of the serial on OWEI LAKEMFA's latest work: "One hundred years of trade unionism in Nigeria". The nineth part was published yesterday.

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O strong was the JAC’s in fluence and so successful was this strike that four months later, the traditionally conservative unions in the education sector formed their own JAC, and went on a country-wide strike “for the first time in the history of Western education in Nigeria.”

This teachers' strike which ran from October 1-9, 1964 was over their insistence that a national joint industrial council be established for the education sector in accordance with the agreements on the Morgan Commission Report. The teachers won and the council comprising sixty members was established under the chairmanship of Justice J. A. Adefarasin.

The political strike that floundered: As the country slid into political anarchy and electoral fraud, the JAC in December 1964 called another general strike, the third in fourteen months! The Federal Government having just fought a scalding battle with labour, decided to settle for the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT,

General Secretary E. E. Esua as chairman of the National Electoral Commission charged with conducting the December 1964 general elections.

Matters came to a head on December 28, 1964 when the President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, disagreed with the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa, over alleged malpractices in the nomination of candidates for the elections scheduled for December 30, 1964. Balewa was infact rumoured to have put Dr Azikiwe under temporary house arrest to pressure him to support the elections. The same day the president - prime minister disagreements on the elections became public knowledge, the JAC met and passed a resolution: “That it will not stand by while the elementary rights of the citizens of Nigeria to freely elect their representatives and government is being shamefully denied the citizens of this country; that it will call country-wide sit down strike with effect from 10 a.m. on December 29, 1964 and refuse to

offer the co-operation of the workers until steps are taken to ensure that the freedom we so dearly paid for is preserved and that this is demonstrated by the free vote of the citizens of this country in electing those who will govern them; that the election scheduled for December 30, 1964, be postponed until a free and fair election can be guaranteed.”

The December 1964 general strike was effective in Lagos, Enugu, lbadan and a few states. It was mainly spearheaded by the militant railwaymen and the public workers unions. It petered out on January 6, 1965 having wobbled all along. The powerful JAC which humbled the Federal Government in June was six months later unable to sustain a similar strike.

Preparations and mobilisation There were five principal reasons for this. First, the strike notice by JAC which was less than eighteen hours was too short. So no preparations and mobilisation were carried out before the strike.

Even workers willing to carry out JAC directives only joined days after, due to lack of communica-

tion.

Secondly, unlike the June 1964 general strike which had to do with wage increases and enhanced conditions of service, this strike had no clear economic advantage to workers nor did it address their immediate problems.

The workers clearly were neither ripe nor ready for a purely political strike. Thirdly, workers belonged to various political parties, so calling a purely political strike that was tied to scheduled general elections was a somewhat a slippery path to take. Fourthly, leaders of the less radical United Labour Congress, ULC, whose president Haroon Adebola was the JAC chairman, disassociated themselves from the strike and asked workers to ignore it. Fifthly, the Balewa government backed by the Northern Region administration of Sir Ahmadu Bello was able to isolate the JAC in that region through its supporters in the Northern Federation of Labour.

Commission's wage zones The Northern Region government had made nonsense of the Morgan Commission AgreeContinues on page 39

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—

The political strike that floundered Continues from page 38

ments of June 1964 by unilaterally reviewing the Commission’s wage zones. It collapsed the four wage zones in the region from four to two but in a deft move, it increased the nationally agreed wage increases by a further 10 per cent for its workers.

The Northern regional government in creating this divide and rule strategy, and attempting to derail the agreed federal wage system had said that the extra wage increases it introduced was “in appreciation of the good leadership and maturity shown by the labour leaders (in the North) in bringing to an end the last nationwide strike.”

Morgan Commission member, T. M. Yesufu, wrote that the Northern Region government’s unilateral action “... destroyed both the elements of officialism and bargaining, as well as the moral force

Robin Cohen argued that following the June 1964 general strike “The support of the army and police force in particular was now in question. Both the army and the police had been called to suppress the strikers... significantly for later events, the army had been used to suppress a political demand to which they were not entirely unsympathetic... it seems clear that the 1964 strike helped provide a staging ground for the army’s own intervention eighteen months later.

With the JAC and the battles it fought, there was hope that it would succeed in unifying the four labour centres in the country and become the sole labour central organisation. Following the failed political strike, the United Labour Congress (ULC) and the Nigeria Workers Council, NWC, broke ranks with the other labour centres in the JAC to form the

This may as well be a mere conjecture.

MINISTERS WHO SHAPED THE FACE OF LABOUR The Federal Ministry of Labour is responsible for government’s social engineering; it is, therefore, a major ministry. Since the pioneer Labour Minister, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was appointed in 1952; there have been twenty nine Labour Ministers.

They have been so many because over half of them spent an average one year in the Ministry.

The longest serving is famous patriot Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro who served for eight years from 1967 to1975 under the General Yakubu Gowon military regime. He is followed closely by Chief Joseph Modupe Johnson, JMJ, the former Second World

pointed the Labour Minister, I was so young that Pa Imoudu, the then Labour Leader, refused to have a handshake with me saying this boy is too young to be a Minister”.

Another Labour Minister, Dr. Emmanuel Mbella Lifafa Endeley, who served from 1952 to 1953 lost his nationality and was deNigerianised. The first Labour Minister, Akintola was a teacher at Baptist Academy, Lagos; a journalist, and later a lawyer and leading politician. Akintola who was imbued with the power of oratory was opposition leader in the Federal House of Representatives, and Premier of the Old Western Region. He lost his life in the first Military coup on January 15, 1966.

His successor in the Ministry, Dr. Endeley was from Anglophone Cameroon that was administered as part of Nigeria. He at-

39

were. The Northern Cameroon by 292,985 votes to 97,659 opted to join Nigeria and was renamed the Sardauna Province. On the other hand, despite Endeley’s spirited campaigns that his people remain part of Nigeria, they decided by 233,571 votes to 97,741 to join French Cameroon.

So Endeley became a Cameroonian.

Chief Festus Samuel OkotieEboh who was Labour Minister from 1954-957 was a flambouyant, colourful and controversial politician. He had joined the British Bata Company as a clerk and rose to become a manager. He studied Business Administration in socialist Czechoslovakia but returned to become one of the staunchest anti-socialist politicians; like America’s Senator Joseph Raymond McCarthy, Okotie-Eboh could sniff out a communist thousands of kilometers away. He is best known in Nigerian history as a Minister of Finance. An August 2007 British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, investigative programme reignited claims that Okotie Eboh was one of the politicians the British Colonialists rigged elections for in the 1950s in order to ensure that the NCNC swept elections in the South to actualize their plan for a Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, alliance with the NCNC to form the post-colonial government.

Continues tomorrow

, •Okada operators also joined in the January strike to implement the rates.” So when the JAC called the December 1964 political strike, labours leaders in the North saw it as pay back time for the Region government’s gesture.

Uba Ahmed, a trade unionist who was to later play a not too complimentary role in the Labour Movement, disassociated northern workers from the strike.

Ahmed who spoke as secretary of the Northern Federation of Labour blackmailed the JAC leaders like Michael Imoudu and Wahab Goodluck as partisan politicians who wanted to use workers for their selfish purposes. Although the last general strike failed, JAC had generally fought well; the Balewa government could not fully recover from its June 1964 smacking.

Trade Union Supreme Council, TUSC. With that, the glorious JAC died. It was not the JAC alone that died; the Balewa administration could not survive for too long also. On January 15, 1966, the army struck, and it fell. The new Head of State, General Johnson Aguyi-Ironsi met leaders of the four labour centres on February 14, 1966 and told them that “The trade unions will now be required to play a more constructive role”.

Perhaps if the Tafawa-Balewa administration had harkened to Labour’s cries against the massive rigging of elections especially in 1964 and not used armed soldiers against civilian protests, the January 15, 1966 coup might not have taken place, and the subsequent counter coup and civil war might have been avoided.

War soldier-turned politician who served as Labour Minister for seven years from 1957. The Labour Minister with the shortest stay in office is Senator Ibrahim M. Kazaure who was Minister for thirty five days from February 10, 2010.

Mbu, the youngest labour minister On another hand, the youngest Labour Minister in Nigerian history is Chief Mathew Tawo Mbu who was 23 years when he was appointed Labour Minister in 1953 under the Balewa administration. Chief Mbu in a 2009 interview with Vanguard spoke on this appointment at such a young age. He had said: “I think it was destiny. When I was ap-

tended the Native Authority School in Buea his home town, Government College, Umuahia, Yaba Higher College, Lagos and the Nigeria School of Medicine.

He and twelve others from Cameroon were elected into Nigeria House of Representatives, Lagos and the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly.

Dr. Endeley was appointed Labour Minister in 1952. Cameroon like Togo, had been one of the German colonial territories seized by the victorious European allies and shared by Britain and France.

The British share were the northern and southern Cameroons. On February 11, 1961, a Plebiscite was conducted to allow the people of the two areas decide whether they want to be part of Nigeria or Cameroon as they originally

The longest serving is famous patriot Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro who served for eight years from 1967 to1975 under the General Yakubu Gowon military regime.

He is followed closely by Chief Joseph Modupe Johnson, JMJ, the former Second World War soldier-turned politician who served as Labour Minister for seven years from 1957

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40 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

TRUE FEDERALISM:

The governors'plots THE nation’s governors will meet tonight to strategise on their positions in the ongoing constitution amendment exercise being spearheaded by the National Assembly. Their plot is to fendoff the domineering powers of the Federal Government and hammer out how to keep the local governments totally subservient to them.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HIS evening’s meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, is expected to again stir up the clamour for state police as a response to the increasing insecurity in the nation. The arguments for and against the establishment of state police recently split the NGF along a North-South divide.

After an initial agreement by the governors to jointly push for the establishment of State Police, southern governors were taken aback recently when their northern colleagues pulled out from the initiative.

However, beyond the arguments for and against state police, other issues concerning the constitution review are ex-

I

T was not surprising that the Federal Government expressed outrage on the performance of the country’s delegation to the 2012 Olympics that recently ended in London.

As it is with the many other fiascos that have marked Nigeria’s continuing struggles for emergence into the comity of serious nations, the government is expected to constitute a panel to investigate the fiasco. If not openly then secretly.

It would be recalled that this government like its predecessors has also constituted committees, task forces, panels or by whatever name they go, into other sectors of the polity including aviation, security and petroleum among others.

The Jos crisis is, indeed, one example of how government has turned probes into a mockery. It is now the refrain from all and sundry that it is the failure of the government to implement the recommendations of the different probe panels that has emboldened the militants in Jos to sustain their agenda of genocide.

The President Goodluck Jonathan administration has lately, in a surprising departure, introduced the novelty of constituting committees to compile and advise the

pected to be tackled by the governors at today ’s meeting, which was rescheduled from a previous appointment on account of the just concluded Ramadan fast.

The constitution limits the process of constitution amendment to the legislature at the federal and state levels with the still unsettled argument of the role of the President in giving his assent to the final bill as passed by the National Assembly and endorsed by twothirds of the state legislative houses. It is as such not surprising that governors are clubbing together to fight for a common cause in the ongoing review of the constitution by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The governors, remarkably, are conscious of the fact that

*Amaechi: Insists on true federalism despite their dominant positions in the polity they indeed have no specific role in the process of constitution amendment. They are, as in many other cases, expected to pull the strings using the state legislative houses. The last time the constitution was amended the

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN

Who 'll probe Nigeria's failed 2016 Olympic outing? administration on the recommendations of the different probe panels on several issues that litter the corridors of the presidency.

One example of this was the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee, which studied the reports of several constitutional review panels preceding the Fourth Republic. The administration has also constituted a Committee to study the reports articulated by past Federal Government panels on Jos crises.

The 2012 Olympics should have been a special outing for Nigeria, given the country’s historical and political links to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s realm.

Instead of a superlative

performance from Nigeria, another commonwealth country, Jamaica, with a population of three million, consolidated its position as the world’s new wonder in the sprints.

Uganda, another commonwealth country also came from the backwaters to announce itself at the London Olympics when its long distance runner, Stephen Kiprotich, shocked the favourite Kenyan marathoners to pick the gold. It was the first gold for the country in 40 years.

The Nigerian media had celebrated local sprint champion, Blessing Okagbare and Taekwondo expert, Chika Chukwumerije, as sure fit-ins for

governors scored an extra-ordinary success when they compelled the majority of state legislators to reject the amendment that would have granted the state legislative houses autonomy in funding. It was the case of a slave throwing away the key of the lock chaining him! medals at the games. The way the commentaries ran, it was as if the other members of the Nigerian delegation were accompanying the duo of Okagbare and Chukwumerije to London. How a population of 160 million people came to rely on two persons for glory is to say the least bewildering.

Even with the prayers of our 160 million people, who temporarily put aside religious differences to pray for the team, the duo of Okagbare and Chukwumerije simply could not overcome the competition when push came to shove.

As one of the officials of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, NOC confided, the failure of the Nigerian delegation was not a personal failure for the team members, many of whom according to him stretched to achieve their personal heights in their respective sporting activities. But alas, the personal best of our athletes simply was not good enough among their competitors.

The meaning of this is that the degradation of the Nigerian brand has now fully consumed the sports sector. It is all reflective of the rudderless leadership at all points of endeavor.

When patriots such as Adokie

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Chairman of the NGF gave an insight of the feelings or perhaps frustrations of the governors on the present constitutional framework that some allege places them as errand boys of the president.

Speaking at the recent retreat organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, SCCR, in Asaba, the Delta State Capital Governor Amaechi said: “We want the Federal Government to reduce the responsibilities that they have as well as the resources that they have because I am first of all a Rivers citizen before I became a Nigerian.”

Making one of the strongest arguments for State Police that day, Amaechi said: “I used Rivers resources to train 300 policemen; these policemen were trained by the Israelis. We had an understanding with the police authorities in Abuja that they will remain in Rivers for sometime after their training. But the Continues on page 41

Amasiemeka and Segun Odegbami cried out over the illegalities of our sports administrators, they were shouted down by those at the helm who prefer temporary gains to lasting glories.

Remarkably, the administrators have forgotten the details of how our past glories were achieved.

It is not as such surprising that the training facilities at Afuze, Edo State and the National Stadium in Lagos are today almost wholly decrepit.

Only if the homes and bank accounts of the sports officials are as decrepit as the training facilities. The administrators have also forgotten the usefulness of school sports as they now prefer age cheats for temporary victories.

Unfortunately, the country is yet to learn from the London Olympics fiasco which was long predicted. Serious countries hoping for glory in the next Olympics are already preparing, but certainly not Nigeria. So it is easily predictable that Nigeria would be trading blames in four years’ time.

What is, however, a matter of guess now is on who would chair the probe panel to investigate the Brazil failure?

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012— 41

TRUE FEDERALISM:The governors' plots Continues from page 40 moment a certain IGP came, just because he did not like a certain Amaechi, he posted the policemen out. But if we have State police, such a thing will never happen,” he argued.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who is chairman of the SCCR, had at that same occasion given indication of the direction of the ongoing move of the Senate during the constitution review exercise.

“It is expressed that the legislative list in our constitution is skewed in favour of the Federal Government and needs to be revisited, to give our constitution a true Federal character,” he said during his welcome remarks at the retreat.

Just before that retreat, Ekweremadu at another forum at the Sixth Annual York University Oputa Lecture on Governance in Africa, delivered at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada, also noted the deterioration of the federal set up in the country.

“At independence, the Exclusive Legislative List contained 44 items while 28 items were contained in the Concurrent List. However, in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution born forty years after, out of 28 items on the Concurrent List in the Independence Constitution, 16 items - which translates to roughly 57 per cent - were lost to the Exclusive List in the 1999 Constitution.”

The former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, who moderated the panel discussion at the Senate retreat concurred with Ekweremadu that the powers of the Federal Government were progressively increased from independence to the present situation where the Federal Government now has a domineering influence on the states.

Exclusive and concurrent lists

Amaechi and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN. “The Federal Government has no business building schools and hospitals. All it needs to do is to set minimum standards and allow the states to build them. State police can be set up, to take adequate care of *Jonathan: Will he assent a true federalism constiour internal *Ekweremadu: Heads the constitution amend- tution? security chalment panel lenge. We could also consider setcation of powers as we have today tend in the country. ting up a regional court appeal, to al“Most of the matters reserved for the more to unitarism than federalism, even low quick dispensation of justice,” Gida- National Assembly to legislate upon are though the 1999 constitution links it to do said. "A situation where a matter not of national interest. For instance, Ev- federalism,” Oyetibo submitted. takes 15 years to go through appeal and idence Act, Labour and registration of Essien was, however, an exception as sometimes five years or more to go common business name among other he strongly kicked against State Police through the Supreme Court is not matters. What we have is not in tandem though he supported the application of healthy for our system. We have enough with federalism. Devolution and appli- fiscal federalism. states, no need to create additional ones.

If states are allowed to develop on their own, people will not clamour for more states.

Decentralization or devolution of powers will not lead to disintegration; rather it will lead to development.”

Amaechi said: “You have resources somewhere, you kept it, but you say you want to legislate on oil, it will not happen. How can I employ workers, yet it is the Federal Government that will fix salaries for the workers? I have never seen a federal system where this is obtainable, except here in Nigeria.

All matters relating to states should be left for states. These suggestions are not for me, but for those coming behind, and it may be you. Amaechi will leave by 2015. The palm oil in the South East has disappeared, same with the groundnut pyramid in the North. Let us live like a nation, not as individuals. If there is justice, nobody will ask for more states. I used Rivers resources to train 300 policemen; these policemen were trained by the Israelis. We had an understanding with the police authorities in Abuja that they will remain in Rivers for sometime after their training. But the moment a certain IGP came, just because he did not like a certain Amaechi, he posted the policemen out. But if we have State police, such a thing will never happen.”

Oyetibo, in his own comments, also flayed the implementation of federalism

The governors, remarkably, are conscious of the fact that despite their dominant positions in the polity they indeed have no specific role in the process of constitution amendment

“By 1960, 44 items were on the exclusive list, while 28 were on the concurrent list. In the Republican constitution, 45 items were on the exclusive list, while 29 were on the concurrent list. In the 1979 constitution, 67 items were on the exclusive list, while 12 were on the concurrent list. In the 1999 constitution, 68 items were on the exclusive list, while 12 items were on the concurrent legislative list.

Since 1979, the powers of the central government have increased to the detriment of the states,” Uwais submitted during the panel discussion, which incidentally was chaired by him.

The other panelists at the Asaba Senate retreat, who also spoke in the same manner included Professors Maxwell Gidado, Enefiok Essien, Governor

42 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

How bandits in military uniforms raped death •Chilling account of a 26-yr-old man in Lagos •Community send S.O.S to police

BY DONALD ARJI

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ALPABLE fear has gripped residents of Sabo-Oniba community in Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos State, following incessant attacks by men of the underworld. In fact, the attacks have become so regular that some of them have re-located to other areas for safety of their lives.

Worse still, the bandits have become so daring to the extent of attacking the palace of the Bale of the community. For now, the people seem to have taken their fate in their own hands by resorting to the involvement of local vigilante groups to ensure their safety.

Crime Alert gathered from those interviewed that they have been having sleepless nights as a result of those attacks. They recounted their heart-rending experiences on the hands of the bandits. One of the victims, Samuel Eze, a 26-year-old man from Nkanu local government Area of Enugu State, and also a tenant at Alhaji Irorum street, off Sabo-Oniba bus stop said he will forever live with the trauma of his ugly experience on Tuesday, August 6, 2012. It was a day he witnessed the bestiality in some

human beings. On that day, dare-devil bandits clad in military uniforms, invaded his house and raped his sister to death in his presence. The fair-complexioned tall man narrated the chilling story of how the bandits carried out their deadly mission to Crime Alert in tears.

He said: “They forced their way into our house, pointed a gun to my face asked me to give them N50,000 or else they would kill me, but one of them turned to my 15 year-old sister and together with others, they rape her to death. That was a very traumatic day for me because I saw my own sister raped to death.”

A female victim narrated that robbers invaded their house, pointed a gun to the face of her husband and forced him to bring out all their valuables and “after giving them what we had, they brought out N2000 and gave to me because I am pregnant.

They said I should give it to my unborn child.”

Other residents relived their ugly experiences on the day another gang of robbers invaded their street and killed a night guard after which they forcefully dispossessed them of their property. The landlord of one of the houses the bandits broke into, Mr. Jelili Irorum told Crime Alert that it was not the first time such thing would take place in the area. Irorum said: “My brother, I am short of words because nothing I say to you will bring back our stolen property or help us bring these hoodlums to book because, we have written to the Lagos State police boss complaining bitterly about our sleepless nights but to no avail. Even during this latest attack, I personally called the Ilemba-Hausa police station but we didn’t get their response not until I called Area E commander who gave an order to the station.

For now, the people seem to have taken their fate in their own hands by resorting to the involvement of local vigilante groups to ensure their safety

Umaru Manko, CP Lagos

They only arrived the scene after the robbers had leisurely perpetrated their atrocities and left. We are no longer sleeping with our two eyes closed. Please, we need the government to come to our aid.”

Another victim who pleaded anonymity told Crime Alert that three weeks ago, a six month-old baby was sliced into two by the robbers when the family failed to meet their demands and that the pain of loosing their first child made the mother drink a poisonous substance that killed her. The victim also disclosed that the widower relocated to an unknown area after loosing his first child and wife.

When Crime Alert visited the palace of the Bale of Sabo Oniba community, he was said to have gone out but one of his cabinet members, Alhaji Usmani, showed us the walls and windows of his palace that was pierced by stray bullets of the robbers. He said that the bandits have been operating freely in the community without hindrance and that the palace of the Bale located on Oseni street was not left out.

Usmani noted: “In fact, it has become so incessant that Goriola street dominated by the Igbos introduced a vigilante group named “Bakasi” to act as a watchdog since the police in the community are not always available.” He also applauded one Alhaji Saka a leader of a vigilante group named “neighbourhood” stating that he has been the only source of relief to them. “We are grateful to Alhaji Saka and his group for saving us. Theirs was the group that chased the robbers away af-

Oseni street at a glance

The palace of the Bale (right) is the window with bullet holes ter a gun battle. We are fervently praying that the Commissioner of Police whom we were told has zero tolerance to crime will remember us and check the excesses of these men of the underworld in our area. We are also praying that the local government should provide buses and ammunition to these vigilante groups that assist the police to curb crime in the area,” he stated.

8 persons Ogogoro

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & IBUWARISO EMMANUEL

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IGHT persons including four women have been arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate court in Lagos, for allegedly drinking local gin (popularly known as Ogogoro) and smoking in an unacceptable manner in the public.

Nkereuwen Akpan, 29, James Patricia, 39, Jenifer John, 27, Salami Kazeem, 37, Festus Opara, 35, Princess Pius, 26, Gold Johnson, 27 and John Idoh, 32, were charged on two counts of misdemeanour and unlawful assembly.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Uche Kalu, told the court that on August 14 at 1:20 a.m at Kazuma roundabout, Apapa, the accused persons unlawfully gathered to smoke and drink the local gin in a manner to cause fear and panic in the neighbourhood. Kalu said the offence of the

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012— 43

Musicians arraigned for taking nude photo

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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WO friends, Ekene Uzor, 24, and Eni Daniel, 21, have been arraigned before an Ejigbo magistrate court in Lagos for allegedly taking nude photo of a teenager and forcing her to suck their penis.

The 17-year old teenager, during resumed hearing on Thursday, informed the court that she knew Daniel Uzor at her mother’s shop in Surulere, Lagos, adding that Uzor, who is in the entertainment industry, promised to groom her to become a star in the industry. She said that it was under this guise, he invited her to his residence at 10, Joe Ejeye, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo.

On the day of the incident, according to her, when she arrived Uzor ’s flat where his friend, Eni Daniel was already waiting, Uzor immediately locked the door to the flat and they started touching her body.

In her words: “They came to me and started fondling my breasts and other parts of my body. They ordered me to remove my dress. They start-

ed taking my nude photographs and threatened to post them on the internet. They forced me to suck their penises. They had rounds of sex with me in turns. When they were satisfied, they told me to go. But they did not delete my nude photographs in their camera phones.”

The teenager said she was afraid of having her nude pictures posted on the internet, so she decided to keep her ordeal in the hands

,

my sister to

They came to me and started fondling my breasts and other parts of my body

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of the duo to herself. However, after some days, she summoned courage to inform her grandfather of the incident.

On hearing what transpired between the two upcoming musicians and the teenager, her grandfather wasted no time in taking her to the police station to report the matter and the duo were arrested.

When the charge was read to them before the trial magistrate, Mrs. M.B. Folami, they pleaded not guilty. The police prosecutor, Mr. Oladejo Balogun, charged Uzor and Eni before the court with the offences punishable under sections 409 and 259 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Mrs. Folami admitted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum, but they (Uzor and Eni) were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail condition.

The matter was adjourned to August 31, 2012, for continuation of the trial.

CONFESSION OF A TEENAGER

arraigned for drinking in public accused contravened Sections 409 and 44(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

However, when the charge was read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. K. Shonubi, granted them bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in the like sum each and adjourned the matter till September 17.

Man,62, remanded for alleged murder of wife

BY BATHLOMWEU MADUKWE

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62-year-old man, Christian Agbaga has been remanded in prison custody by a Yaba Magistrate court, the alleged murder of his wife following her purported refusal to grant him sex in the night.

Wife of the accused, Regina Agbaga, was said to have been strangled by her husband at their 10, Ligali Street, Ajegunle, Lagos home. She allegedly held her neck on their matrimonial bed. The accused (Agbaga)

is facing a murder charge under section 221 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Refusing to the plea of the accused, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. S. K. Matepo, ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri, Lagos and urged the prosecutor to duplicate his file for the DPP’s advice. The matter was adjourned till 15 October for the DPP’s report.

My Father had sex with me for 7 years

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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EMBERS of O’odua Peoples Congress, OPC, have apprehended a 45year-old bricklayer, Elijah Olusesi, who allegedly has been having carnal knowledge of his 14-year old daughter since she was seven, on laying ambush for him at Adeosun Street, Adiyan, a remote community in Ifo Local Government, Ogun State.

The Ekiti State-born bricklayer, whose wife (Shade) had fled to Adiyan when the purported act between her husband and their daughter started, was banished from the community, after he allegedly confessed to the crime after the OPC members took him round the community, and was banished from the community afterward.

Shade, who is also a nurs-

ery school teacher in the neighbourhood, when queried by the community, claimed to have reported the incident to her in-laws when she caught her husband in the act with their daughter, but was begged.

She told the community that her husband equally begged her and promised that he will not repeat the shameful act again, noting that to her surprise, she found out that whenever she was not at home, her husband would continue the act with their daughter.

Elijah’s dirty secret According to her, Elijah was sleeping with both of them (mother and daughter) simultaneously without her knowledge. And when she found out, she stopped him from

sleeping with her immediately, stressing that she had to run away with the girl from their former home to Adiyan in Ogun State, where her husband was able to trace them.

Elijah’s dirty secret was exposed when his daughter ran out naked in the middle of the night and was held by security men protecting the community. After interrogation, the 14-year old girl confessed she ran out naked because her father wanted to kill her with sex.

In her words: “I ran out when my father wanted to kill me with sex. He has been having sexual intercourse with me since I was seven years old and my mother knew about it.

My mother and I ran away from him to come and hide here but we don’t know how he was able to trace us down here,” she reportedly told the security men.

44 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 45

46— Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Federation Cup Special

Heartland face Prime fury without Lodewijk H EARTLAND Dutch import, Lodewijk de Kruif will miss his side’s Federation Cup semifinal against Prime FC in Ilorin today.

The Dutchman who took the Owerri club side to a Federation Cup win against Enyimba last year disclosed that he is out of contract with Heartland and he is unsure of when he will return to the fold.

“I have been working for

•Lodewijk

Heartland for free because my contract has long expired. It expired in June 2012 and nobody at the club is saying anything about me extending my deal,” de Kruif said.

General Manager of Heartland, Fan Ndubuoke corroborated de Kruif’s claims but insisted that the gaffer ’s contract would be reviewed at the end of the current season.

“He is saying the truth. His contract elapsed between June and July this year.

Heartland is owned by the Imo State Government and we have already submitted a report to the government as regards his (de Kruif ’s) situation.

However, Mr. Ndubuoke disclosed that this will not stop Heartland’s march to the final of the Federation Cup. “ We want to win not just this game (against Prime FC) but also go on to defeat whoever we play in the final and get a ticket to represent Nigeria on the continent next season,” he explained.

Keshi: Let me do my job in peace

S

UPER Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi has begged overbearing Nigerian football enthusiasts to allow him concentrate on the job of seeing the national team back to winning ways.

This is against the backdrop of a reported mandate given by the Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi for the Eagles to win the 2013 Nations Cup ‘at all cost’. Keshi acknowledged that pressure is on the coaches and players to perform. He however, stated that he was doing his best to keep the team on track.

The Eagles will face Liberia on September 8 in Monrovia and the Sports Minister jaded by the failures of Team Nigeria at London 2012 is not in the mood for another blight. “ I will plead and ask for me to be left alone to concentrate on my job as the national coach,” said Keshi.

“I will take advise from every well-meaning Nigerian, but I will not take insults and distractions,” he added.

Keshi believes his team will qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa and the next World Cup in Brazil but the team needs to concentrate and not be distracted by the various comments coming out from various quarters.

He also added that he is happy that the board of the Nigeria Football Federation is in support of his programmes fully and that has allowed him to continually blood new players from the local leagues.

• Rabiu in action

Pillars target a double K

ANO Pillars’ duo, Victor Namo and Ali Rabiu believe that club is on target to achieve a double this season.

Pillars face Lobi Stars in today’s Federation Cup semifinal in Calabar and according to the players, the Makurdi side does not pose a threat to their ambition. Pillars currently top Premier League with 64 points. Namo said: “We are still in both competitions to win them. In football anything is possible and we will work very hard to make sure that we realise our dream of winning the FA Cup and the league.

“Other clubs too want to win it (the Federation Cup). Lobi have done well too this season and we expect a tough game

from them in the semifinals (of the Federation Cup). They are also in the title race for the league like us and it’s going to be tough.”

Attacking midfielder Rabiu acknowledged that Lobi Stars will be strong as usual but is keen to see his side reach only their second final of the Cup competition.

“Lobi are very good. I’m not surprised by their performance and that’s why we can’t just overlook them.

It will be a difficult game for us but we want to win it.

“Our ambition now is to win the FA Cup and the league.

We have a very good chance,” said Rabiu Meanwhile Pillars’ manager, Mohammed Baba Ganaru has said top striker,

Gambo Mohammed will be sorely missed in the semifinals clash.

“We’ll definitely miss him (Gambo) against Lobi Stars.

“He’s a workaholic and our backbone, though I’ve good replacement but if I said I won’t miss him then I must be lying. “His dream is for us to win and head to the final to clinch the title. “That’s what we’ll do on Wednesday, beat Lobi silly, progress to the final and win the title. “Anything short of the Cup title will be a failure on our part and that won’t be acceptable.

“Our ambition for a double is still on the top banner, we’re on top of the league with a match to go and we’re playing in the Cup semifinals.”

Akoh in frame for Golden Boot S

• Akoh

IBI Gwar may be in the race for the highest goal scorer award in the Nigeria Premier League, but the Federation Cup race presents a new star in the horizon.

That player is Isah Akoh, who has banged in five goals in six matches.

There is no doubt that Chinedu Effugh, Emmanuel

Olowo and Joseph Jackson in the Heartland defence must watch out for this player, who is set to put his name in the record books of the competition. If the plans goes as planned, then expect Akoh to put the ball behind Heartland’s experienced goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.

Akoh has chosen the right

platform to leverage his prowess in front of goal.

The Prime forward leads the goals chart with five goals and looks ready to add more with two matches to go.

“I will do my best for my team to win and that is to score goals. If I can’t score, then I’ll provide assists for my teammates,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 47

Barca tops Euro power rankings A S leagues around the continent kick off, stalwarts Barcelona top the first edition of our European Power Rankings.

Barca started their season in fine style, hammering Real Sociedad 5-1, with Lionel Messi picking up where he left off last campaign with a brace and David Villa marking his return to action with a goal.

It was enough to take the Catalan club to the summit of the standings, with Spanish arch-rivals Real Madrid in second spot after drawing with Valencia in their opening game.

English - and Mancunian - duo United and City occupy third and fourth respectively, the former holding their position off the back of last season’s results as their defeat to Everton has not yet been reflected.

Bayern Munich are in fifth and reigning European champions Chelsea are in sixth, with Arsenal behind Porto and Borussia Dortmund in ninth.

To determine our Power Rankings, we use the Euro Club Index, which scientifically analyses hundreds of thousands of matches from the top divisions in all European nations as well as Europa League and Champions League games.

The Index takes into account all matches played over an eight-year period but with recent results carrying more weight than older ones.

The performance of a league’s teams in the Champions League and Europa League reflects the rise or fall of the sporting level in that league. So, for example, if English teams perform well in Europe, all Premier League teams receive a small bonus in their ECI score. The ranking and its predictive power are thus made even more accurate.

Di Matteo jittery as Chelsea host Reading

R

Ben Arfa banned for European matches

H

ATEM Ben Arfa will miss the start of Newcastle’s Europa League campaign as he serves a European suspension dating back to 2010.

Alan Pardew and his players will fly out to Greece on Wednesday for their first leg of their play-off clash with Atromitos, but the Frenchman will not be with them as he starts a three-match ban incurred during his time at former club Marseille.

The 25-year-old, whose late penalty against Tottenham on Saturday evening got the Magpies off to a winning start in the Premier League, was sent off in Marseille’s 2-1 home defeat by Benfica in March 2010 which saw them miss out on a place in the Europa League quarter-finals that season.

De Rossi dismisses City links

R

OMA midfielder Daniele de Rossi has announced he has no intention of joining Manchester City this summer. De Rossi, 29, had been targeted by City manager Roberto Mancini and held a press conference on Tuesday to explain his position.

The Italy midfielder, who was born in Rome and has only represented Roma during his career, said he had no intention of joining the Premier League champions. “I have decided to stay,” De Rossi said. “I never asked to go to Manchester City. “One club, the one you all know, made an enquiry. One or two others, but that was just talk.

•Lionel Messi

Luka Modric still training with Spurs L

UKA Modric trained at Totten ham’s Spurs Lodge base yesterday, ending reports tha t he was already in the Spanish capital and ready to sign for Real Madrid.

Madrid sport newspaper Ma rca said its reporters had spotted the 26-year-old near the city ’s Croatian embassy, accompanied by his girlfriend, but he was in fact being put through his paces in London.

Modric has been training on his own since making it clear to Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas that he no longer saw his futu Chairman Daniel Levy has bee re at White Hart Lane. n haggling with Real over a fee in a bid to get an offer close to £40million, which is what Chelsea offered last sea son without success.

With ten days of the transfe r window left, negotiations are getting tense and the Lig a side are said to be getting exasperated with Levy’s hardba ll tactics.

OBERTO Di Matteo admits he is wary of the threat posed by newly-promoted Reading ahead of Chelsea’s first home game of the Premier League season on tonight.

The Blues got their top-flight campaign off to a winning start with a routine 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic on Sunday, with new signing Eden Hazard setting up both of the Londoners’ goals at the DW Stadium.

But Di Matteo is refusing to get carried away with his side’s positive display on Sunday and admits the Blues can take nothing for granted against Brian McDermott’s men at Stamford Bridge.

“I’m very wary of newlypromoted teams like Reading,” Di Matteo told a news conference yesterday. “We saw at the weekend how well Southampton played against Manchester City.

It’s going to be a very difficult game when you play a newlypromoted team early on, full of enthusiasm and spirit. We will try our best to win our first home game.”

•Harzard

Adebayor set for Spurs pay cut

E

MMANUEl Adebayor hopes to complete his £5million move to Tottenham this week.

Spurs agreed a fee with Manchester City for the striker last month but the deal stalled because of personal terms.

Adebayor has two years left on his £170,000-aweek contract and has now indicated that he is ready to take a significant pay cut to move to White Hart Lane, according to the Sun. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini said recently: “I am sorry for Adebayor because he’s a good player. There is no chance of him playing for us, so for that reason it’s important we find a solution.”

City ‘ll carry on without Aguero, Kompany declares

V

INCENT Kompany believes the knee injury suffered by Sergio Aguero will not hamper Manchester City ’s push to defend their Premier League crown.

Aguero claimed via Twitter that he had not sustained a “significant injury” following Sunday evening’s clash against Southampton.

However, while doubt remains over the Argentina international’s recovery period, Kompany insists the club have the depth to cover the loss.

“We lost Sergio, which was

sort of a blow, but I just go back to when we lost Carlos [Tevez] for most of the season and coped well with that,” Kompany said.

“I hope Sergio won’t be out

• Aguero in pain

for that long [eight months] but I would point to last season where we had to cope with these kind of issues and we did it very well. If we have to, I’m sure we will again.”

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

20,000 Delta students receive govt assistance

BY FESTUS AHON

U

From left: Deputy Route Commander, UTSO, Ikotun, Abayomi Dada;Chairman, Motorcycles Association of Lagos State, MOALS, Comrade Lawrence Peter; Lion Gboyega Ogunoshun and President, Isheri Platinum Lions Club, Lion Ladi Fagbenja, during the presentation of reflective jackets to MOALS Chairman, Igando New Town at the sensitazation programme on the new Lagos Road Traffic Law, in Lagos.

INVESTITURE: Past president, Rotary Club of Maryland, District 9110, Rotary International, Rotn. Henry Akinyele, presenting an award of excellence to a past district 9110 governor, Rotary International, Rotn. Deinde Soga, at the investiture of Rotn Rosemary Ifeonye as the president, Rotary Club of Maryland, Rotary year 2012-2013, in Lagos.

GHELLI—NO fewer than 20,000 students have benefitted from Delta State Government’s Special Students' Assistance Scheme, SSAS, for the 2010/2011 academic session, Chairman, Delta Bursary and Scholarship Board, Rev. Buchi Aninye, has said.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday, on activities of the Board, Aninye said the Board recorded a total of 52,297 students from 145 institutions of higher learning across the country, adding that the Board, through its electronic screening, pruned the figure to 28,849 students, who qualified for the scheme.

He said: “It is on the strength of this figure that the Board secured the sum of N635.7 million for the payment of the 2010/2011 Special Students' Assistance Scheme. The list of 28,849 students was sent to the various institutions for final verification by the Dean of Students Affairs.”

He noted that the Board constituted a verification committee consisting of staff and Board

Police quiz suspect over demolition of Asaba Sports Club

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—A MAN laying claim to ownership of the land on which Asaba Sports Club, Delta State, is situated, has been arrested over alleged demolition of the complex.

Asaba Sports Club, founded in 1863, was brought down by bulldozers in November last year and since then, the club members, under the leadership of Mr. Ben Anazia, have expressed concern that the culprits, including some policemen who provided security for a bulldozer to demolish the club, had not been brought to book.

Delta State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest, said, yesterday, that the key suspect had been arrested.

He said: “The suspect was invited, questioned and released on bail

while the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, is investigating the matter.”

Affected in the demolition was one of the courts

named after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Uduaghan had, a few years ago, donated N10 million to the management of the club to resus-

citate the premier club.

Facilities provided at the time included two lawn tennis courts, which were also pulled down by the suspect.

Kwara PDP alleges plan by ACN to foment crisis

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—THE ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State, yesterday, urged security agencies in the state to check alleged plan by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to cause crisis in the state.

It will be recalled that ACN state chairman, Mr Kayode Olawepo, had in a statement in Ilorin, said that there could be no “reasonable” explanation for the habitual delay in the payment of salaries, a problem he said was unique to Kwara State.

He had alleged that the non-payment of salary was a symptom of “political deceit and a sabotage championed by the PDP-led state government in connivance with the party’s leadership.”

But PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe, alleged that it had uncovered a plot by the state’s ACN to cause civil disobedience in the state.

He said: “Impeccable sources confirmed the clandestine mobilisation

by ACN’s leadership holding secret meetings with some groups suspected to be against the

government of the day under the pretext that it was sympathising with the affected workers at local government areas, who are yet to receive their salaries.

“PDP wishes to draw the attention of the general public to this dangerous move by ACN to cause more hardship for our people under the guise of playing politics.

PDP in the state, therefore, calls on security agencies to, as a matter of urgency and in the interest of public peace and security of lives and property, apprehend the leadership of ACN with immediate effect.”

members to commence the verification of claims as submitted by the students.

Aninye added that of the 131 institutions visited, 118 returned their verified lists, and in all, 20,000 qualified for the scheme, adding that the exercise had ended with the payment of the SSAS to those, who qualified, leaving a balance of 8,849 students as un-

claimed SSAS. Noting that the unclaimed SSAS of N172.5 million would be paid back to the state government’s coffer, he said: “The 33,000 entries, if allowed would have cost government N660 million. When savings from the last minute screening is added, you can imagine the drain Delta State Government would have gotten into.”

Ondo 2012: Mimiko blasts PDP, ACN guber candidates

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HE Olusegun Mimiko campaign Organisation has described statements credited to both Olusola Oke and Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) respectively, on the October 20 election, as capable of destroying existing legacies in the State.

It enjoined people of the state to reject alleging that they have no genuine plans for them but would take the fortunes of the state to the dogs if

either of them is elected.

The Mimiko Campaign Organisation alleged that there were plans by each of these two candidates to destroy the developmental projects put in place by Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the last three and a half years.

The Organisation in statement issued by its Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi noted that utterances of the oppositions candidates in recent times have shown that they both harbour sinister motives for the people.

EGCDC commissions 44 projects in Delta

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

A

S part of efforts to develop Warri Kingdom, the Egbema and Gbaramatu Central Development Council, EGCDC, has commissioned no fewer than 44 completed and furnished projects in the communities in Warri South –West and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State.

The projects were requested by the communities to alleviate their sufferings and according to Chairman of the Council, Mr. Doyah Tiemo, they include schools, health centres, teachers’ quarters, guest houses, town halls, concrete jetties, and waiting sheds.

He said the contractors for the projects were drawn from the communities as part of the General Memorandum of Understanding, GMOU signed with Chevron Nigeria Limited to develop the oil bearing communities which the EGCDC is executing for the benefit of the people.

Tiemo noted that the

council “is involved in scholarship scheme from secondary school level to any reputable foreign university level; Micro credit scheme for small scale business which the women and youths can benefit greatly from.

Iboma passes on

E

LDER James Ibo ma, of Uzere kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, is dead, aged 80.

A burial programme released by the family indicated that a service of songs takes place Friday, August 24 at his family compound, while interment holds Saturday, August 26, at the same venue.

Late James Iboma

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—49

The untold story of Hilary Clinton’s visit in Nigeria

By HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

T

HE role of media in monitoring and reporting diplomatic activities took the centre stage last week in Lagos where Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States, Prof. Ade Adefuye, carpeted the fourth estate of the realm for its negative coverage of the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of state Mrs. Hilary Clinton to the country.

Perhaps some people may see it as the usual rococo of Government office who are quick to make the media the scape goat for their bureaucratic tardiness, but Prof. Adefuye is known for his friendly disposition towards the media and could be aptly described as a friend of the media. Any complaint from a man of his pedigree is bound to be taken seriously by practitioners. Prof Adefuye was the guest speaker at a post mortem review of the visit of US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton entitled: Mrs. H Clinton, the future relations between Nigeria, the US and the role of the media.

The forum was organised by Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Lagos where intellectuals, diplomats, media practitioners and researchers took a critical appraisal of the form and content of the visit of the number three top official in the US government under the leadership of President Barack Obama.

Independence anniversay The event which commenced at 2pm was preceded by another one where the 67th independence anniversary of South Korea was used to examine the relations between Nigeria and the Asian country especially in the areas of Foreign Direct Investment. Incidentally, both events were chaired by the amiable Prince Julius Adeluyi Adelusi, the chairman of Julie Pharmacy Plc and one time Health Minister.

It was an evening robust intellectual encounter, as The lead speaker, Prof Adefuye provided the audience with detailed background account of what went into preparing for the visit, the essence and the accomplishments of Mrs. Clinton’s visit which was not made known to the Nigerian media, and by extention, the Nigerian public. But Ambassador Adefuye gave an elaborate account of negative portrayal of Mrs. Clinton visit by the media, which according to him was

celebratory in their report that the US Secretary of State had excluded Nigeria from the list of the countries she was billed to visit.

The clash of dates According to Prof Adefuye, the date of the visit had clashed with an earlier obligation of President Goodluck Jonathan to Jamaica to mark the national day of the Caribbean Island nation of 2.5 million people. He said the Caribbean visit had been fixed five months before the visit of Mrs. Clinton came up. Jamaica is a country which is not only a major influence in Caribbean Island but a country where majority of the population strongly believe the heir roots is Nigeria.

It was therefore difficult to cancel the presidential visit to Jamaica at the same time, was also difficult to put off the scheduled visit of Mrs. Clinton, whose tenure as secretary of state will end in November whether or not her boss, Barak Obama wins the presidential election.

r-l: President Jonathan, Ashiru, Amb. Adefuye and US Secretary of State, Clinton ...in Abuja

agreed to meet in September in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where the Niger Delta component of BNC will be examined. Critical to this discussion will be the issue of oil exploration and environmental degradation in that region, the three years of the post amnesty programme and the security of US business operation in the region, the concerns of ethnic minorities, the rising wave of piracy, the challenges posed by the declaration of self determination

by Bakassi and Ogoni people and its potential threat to the source of oil supply to the US. The Americans are increasingly Special getting concerned that the relations Chinese have gradually entrenched themselves in Ambassador Adefuye equally Nigeria and in other African traced the special relations that countries to the detriment of US had existed between the Clintons interest. Even with Boko Haram and Nigeria starting from when terrorists ravaging the North and killing Christians at will, her husband Bill the Americans are not in was the president a hurry to leave Nigeria. of United States.

The second leg of the When the schedule BNC meeting is of her visit was expected to be in released by the Washington in October state department, Nigeria was not Perhaps what where the focus will be on Good Governance, among the Ambassador Transparency and countries listed and this captured Adefuye needs Integrity. According to Ambassador Adefuye, the attention of the to work at is the Washington meeting media, to the how to get will focus on issues of displeasure of of A m b a s s a d o r officials of the development infrastructure namely Adefuye who had roads, rail, air transport, worked tirelessly to ministry to power, agriculture, trade ensure that the purge themand investment among Clinton visit took selves of the others. place.

Ambassador Adefuye A m b a s s a d o r pathological would want to see a more Adefuye used the arrogance and patriotic Nigerian media, post mortem to tell which places the interest his audience that disdain that of the nation above the Mrs. Clinton’s visit they feel for partisan interest of the provided Nigeria and the US the media profes- owners and practitioners of media profession. He opportunity to sionals said we need you as the strengthen their fourth estate of the realm, diplomatic and we need you to join economic ties hands to project Nigeria especially in positively. Even in setting a firm foundation for the America, the Republicans and Bi- National Commission, BNC Democrats are on each other’s agreement between both throat than we do here but when countries. the issue concerns their national Behind the Closed door interest, they all came together He said “first the two countries and form a common force.

The Republican congratulated Obama when Osama Bin Laden was killed. When the unmanned drones target and get a Taliban, either in Afghanistan or wherever, Americans rejoice as one, even when the target is on American that turned against his country.

The media on trial: Perhaps Ambassador Adefuye expected the Nigerian media to be in celebratory and jubilant mood for the success of the visit of America’s number three citizen, who had been a first lady for eight years and was a possible presidential hopeful.

The Ambassador expected the media to show understanding to the predicament of the Foreign Affairs Ministry which has a legendary record of lethargy and tardiness in handling its diplomatic assignments. The media was completely kept in the dark because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, has never hidden its avowed disdain for the Nigerian media. It could not reach out to the media to explain the complications that it was facing to handle two intricate diplomatic assignments. Even when Madam Clinton arrived in Abuja, there was no information of who she was to visit and the subject she was to discuss. The entire process was shrouded in secrecy in an era where the concept of citizen diplomacy is what the bureaucrats in the Foreign Affairs Ministry have always professed to be practicing.

The media and the unsolicited advocate But the media got an unsolicited advocate and defender in the person of Prof.

Bola Akinterinwa, the DirectorGeneral of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, hosts of the parley, who took time to educate the audience on the dynamics of media practice in Nigeria.

The challenges that journalists face to get information from officials of government, the warped concept of government people about national interest and the role of the media in

democratic governance, the issue of national security and security of media practitioners in contemporary Nigeria.

According to Professor Akinterinwa, the people in government have always seen national interest as the exclusive preserve of the powers that be.

The issue of national interest in Nigeria is controversial at best some people have argued that what we call national interest is basically what the government in power defines as national interest.

We have another school of thought which say that constitution has defined what should be the national interest yet there is another school that say that at the end of the day, it is neither the first or the constitutional school of thoughts that have the correct answer, rather it is said that national interest is that of the president, the individual politician elected into public office or the minister, his attitudinal disposition is basically what he feels is right, so at the end of the day, when we are asking the media to uphold national interest, we must be clear in our mind which we want the media to uphold.

National interest According to the NIIA boss, I think government needs to articulate which national interest it has in mind because the concept of national interest is at best ambiguous.

Prof. Akinterinwa said “the media has a constitutional duty to monitor and report the people in government from the executive to the legislature and the judiciary.” In doing its monitoring and reporting duties, the media reports to the public and in the process, plays the rule of maintaining checks and balances in the polity.

The Director General told the audience that even in the age of Freedom of Information Act, (FOIA) bureaucrats dribble journalists and deny them access to information that is of public interest.

To be concluded

50— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

STATE POLICE: The fears, doubts and sentiments AMONG the various issues emanating from the ongoing Constitution amendment process, the question of the manner of policing to be adopted in addition to the existing federal policing structure, appears to have dwarfed other unfolding aspects of the exercise . With concerned stakeholders already divided on the issue, there are worries that the needed unbundling of the force might be consumed by the current debate over its possibility.CHARLES KUMOLU reports

I

N the beginning: WHILE the event was at the instance of then Police Affairs Minister, Major General David Jemibewon (rtd), the host ended up stealing the show, following the demands he made to the Federal Government.

Specifically convened in July 1999 to honour Jemibewon at the end of his tour of Zone Two Command of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, the dinner was an opportunity for the host, then Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, to declare that a centralised police force would never meet with the growing security challenges in the country.

Tinubu, who had barely spent six month in office at that time, called on the Federal Government to review sections of the Constitution and allow states to form and maintain their police as is the practice in other advanced societies. Alluding to the Nl00 million spent monthly on the police in the state, the governor said N1.2 billion was spent in a year which is more than enough to float and sustain its own Police.

Modern equipment

response, Jemibewon stated that the Police will undergo changes but called for public support when such a change becomes expedient.

He also read part of a book he wrote in 1978 where he advocated for the decentralisation of the police and explained that his tenure will witness the decentralisation as already started by way of zoning.

Tinubu/Jemibewon’s curtain raiser: Aside Tinubu and Jemibewon, it was gathered that the National Vision 20:2020 Report also recommended community policing to complement efforts of the NPF. The report, called for the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force through deliberate and sustained implementation of an extensive reform which it said, is central to creating the platform for the success of Vision 20:2020.

"Extensive attention will also be placed on enhancing the effectiveness of Nigerian intelligence organisations, in forestalling the outbreak of conflicts,” the report stated.

Further checks showed that the first o f f i c i a l recommendation on the matter, was courtesy of the Constitutional/Law Review Report of the National Think-Tank.

Consequently, he called for the decentralisation of the hile these calls Force, the training of its preceded this personnel with modern year, current efforts at equipment to meet the amending the 1999 challenges of adequate Constitution by the security necessary to National Assembly, sustain democracy. In again kicked off the line with this on the manner decentralisation, Tinubu Nigeria is debate of policing to be said the tax payers' fund adopted in Nigeria. should not be spent on a the only This debate which has Federal agency when federal assumed a high the Federal Government tempo, appears to still holds a greater country in have dwarfed other percentage of the funds the world unfolding aspects of accruingtothenation.He the exercise, as most added that control should where we stakeholders are be vested on the Chief have fiercely divided on the Security Officer of the central matter. State police state who has overall according to responsibility for the police Wikipedia "is a type of security of his domain. sub-national territorial Tinubu noted that there should be no building up of police force, particularly in the foreign reserves until Nigerians United States of America and the were absolutely secured. As he put Commonwealth of Australia. In the it, "then and only then can we be United States, the primary goals proud of our democracy”. In his of most state police agencies are

W

C M Y K

the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who argued that Nigeria deserves a State Police.

Ekweremadu, who cited the United States, India and Australia, as countries operating a decentralised policing, said other countries that operate federalism have state police.

Governors Forum, NGF, had while reviewing the security situation in the country, supported calls for community policing. As far as the NGF is concerned: “State governments are currently overstretched in funding security, hence they called for a special intervention fund, from the Federal Government, especially to the states that are most affected. The Forum identified the increasing need for state police as a strategy for combating the rising insecurity in the country”.

These proposals have come under heavy condemnation, especially from the Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF. The NSGF in a communiqué signed

Policemen on duty...but can state governments run them effectively He argued that though Nigeria by its Chairman and Governor of the safety of motorists on interstate highways and the enforcement of was virtually the only federal state Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, traffic laws on those interstate running a unitary police system, it on behalf of his colleagues, was up to Nigerians to seize the stressed that rather than have in highways."

While those calling for this kind opportunity of the ongoing place state police, the Constitution of police system are taking a cue Constitution amendment exercise must be amended to allow for state from these countries, it is pertinent to come up with ideas on how best governors to control the to note that Section 214 of the 1999 to reform the police to better Commissioners of Police in their Constitution provides that the safeguard lives and property in the respective states.

The Forum stated: "The Forum Nigeria Police Force shall be under country. He said: “Nigeria is the the full and exclusive control of the only federal country in the world is not in support of creation of state Federal Government. Section 215 where we have central police. Even police. It, however, resolved to (2) also stated that “the Nigeria countries without this system of prevail on the Federal Police Force shall be under the government, like the UK, have a Government to embark on Police command of the Inspector- decentralised police arrangement. Reform that will assist the states in "If Nigerians agree on state control and management of police General of Police and any police, what will happen is that we affairs, and sound philosophy of contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a state shall, are going to address the fears of modern policing by amending the subject to the authority of the Nigerians regarding the abuse. So provision of Section 215… : Subject Inspector-General of Police, be what we need to do is to see if we to the provision of this section, the under the command of can structure it around the example Governor of a state or such Commissioner of Police of that of the National Judicial Council. Commissioner of the Government The reason is clear. Security is a of the State as he may authorise in state.”

But advocates of the local issue and with our security that behalf may give to the decentralised Police Force, would challenges, we need a Commissioner of Police of that State police such lawful directives with respect not accept anything short of having decentralised to the maintenance and securing the NPF placed on the concurrent arrangement.”

Similarly, the Nigerian list. Leading the present call was, Continues on page 51

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 —51

Citizen Daniyan’s ordeal at Ikeja Army Cantonment

BY MIKE EBONUGWO, CHARLES KUMOLU & BOSE ADELAJA

S

ATURDAY, July 14, 2012 is a day Dr. Afolabi Daniyan says he will never forget. The medical practitioner has his reason which bordersonarecentbitterexperience he and his wife had in the hands of some soldiers on guard duty at the Ikeja Cantonment of the Nigerian Army. Weeks after the incident, the bitter experience still rankles and constantlyremindshimofthebetter forgotten era in Nigerian history when the military held sway with authoritarian intolerance, a period whenthecivilpopulacewasalways on the receiving end as harsh decisions and actions were always the rule rather than the exception.

ThisisbecausewhenDr.Daniyan agreed to chair a wedding event on July 14, little did he know that he waskeepingadatewithhumiliation in the hands of the men in military uniform. But honouring the invitation was important to the veteran medical practitioner given that the groom, who is a medical representative, holds him in high esteem. Like the practice in most places, Daniyan felt comfortable

attending the event with his Ukrainian-born wife, but it was a decisionthatturnedembarrassing for them, no thanks to the soldiers they encountered at the gate of the military establishment.

Narrating his experience to Vanguard Features, VF, he regretted that his wife was denied entry into the venue on the basis of her race since she was considered a white woman who should not be permitted to enter the Army Cantonment. He said: "Saturday, July 14, was a day I’ll never forget. It was a day that I realised that in Nigeria the more things change, themoretheygofrombadtoworse.

Wedding reception My wife and I were invited to a wedding reception at the Ikeja CantonmentoftheNigerianArmy.

However, we weren’t just going as regular guests, as I had been humbled by the bride and groom witharequesttobethechairmanof the wedding reception. Not one to say no, I agreed.

"The wedding was due to start at 2pm; in light of the role I was to play, and in order not to be the

Dr Afolabi Daniyan...Embittered by unfair treatment of wife causeofanydelayintheceremony, my wife and I made sure we got there before 2pm, we actually arrived at 1:45pm. Once we got to the gate, we were stopped by three security officers, one had on a blue shirt with black trousers, one had onthegreenapparelofthemilitary police, and the third was in civilian clothing. The officer in the blue uniform asked the driver to lower the window so he could speak to him. The driver complied with the request, only to be asked to lower the windows in the back as well so he could speak to the people in the back seat (my wife and I).

Again, the driver complied. At this point in time, the security man

The fears, doubts and sentiments of state police Continues from page 50

of public safety and public order within the State as he may consider necessary. A Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directives or cause them to be complied with.”

Time for state police is now: Although, the frightening insecurity in the country and the need for true federalism, may have informed the latest debate on the matter, VF investigations revealed thatalotofpeopleareeagertoknow why both the protagonists and antagonists are enthusiastic about their stands. Leading the group of those who are agitated by the controversy is a member of Advocacy for Peoples Plolice Network, APPN, Mr. Emenike Chukwuemela.

Mounting opposition Chukwuemela, who is also a human rights activist, described the mounting opposition to the idea, as misplaced, noting that NPF as presently constituted requires local policing to complement its efforts.

Not negating fears that antecedents of state governors in Nigeria indicatedthattheycouldmisusethe police if it falls under their purview, Chukwuemela said there is no other auspicious time to decentralise the NPF than now.

He asked: "What are we saying? calls for state police, a former Police How can this nation move forward Commissioner in Lagos State, with this wave of sentiments trailing Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, told VF that the state police proposal? Those state police would be counter opposing the idea are not ignorant productive in the country. He said: of what the nation stands to gain "I do not agree with the governors from it. They are only being on the creation of state police as a sectionally selfish and greedy. All solution to the insecurity situation in the country, because over the world it will rather worsen the where federalism is already bad insecurity practised, the created by some power policing system is drunk politicians. The decentralised to creation of state police allow for results. would also destroy TheUnitedNations professionalism and stated that an unleash job insecurity average of one at the top echelon of the police man should Nigeria Police Force, police about 400 NPF. people, yet we have "Myexperienceinthe not met that Creation of police force, coupled requirement. And state police will with the behaviour of to meet up, we politicians and some must not toy with destroy the idea of state professionalism state governors show that the creation of state police. I dont think police will destroy these people know in the police, professionalism in the what state policing breed job police, breed job is all about, I enjoin insecurity of senior them to know more insecurity of police officers, about the pros and senior police encourage and protect cons of political thuggery in the d e c e n t r a l i s e d officers states. Worst still, it will policing. Are they be used as instrument ignorant of the of intimidation and harassment history of NPF? Anybody within and outside this country knows that against the opposition. This is just the country is due for state police." as state police will be used for In an apparent puncturing of the election manipulation and rigging."

took a look at my wife, who incidentallywasdressedin AsoEbi and then declared “Madam, you cannotenterthebarracks!“Why?” my confused wife asked, to which he replied “Can’t you see you are Oyinbo, the Ministry of Defence has declared that no Oyinbo is allowed to enter any military barracksandthatisfinal!”“Kilode” my wife replied in Yoruba, stating that she is Oyinbo in skin only, having lived in Nigeria most of her life."

Daniyan added: "On my part, trying to appeal to his common sense, I asked him if it would make a difference that my wife and I had been married for about 40 years, with 30 years of our union being spent residing in Nigeria, and that she was also a Nigerian citizen by virtue of marriage. Getting rude and impatient, the officer retorted by saying he doesn’t care if she had been in Nigeria for 100 years, shewasnotcominginas “Ogahad given the order.

Leaving the scene "I asked if I could see the C.O, to which he replied with a “No.” I then proceeded to ask what his name was, to which he replied “Intelligence, at the gate is my name.” Obviously getting impatient he then indicated that I cancomein,butmywifewasbarred, and if I dared argue further, he would ensure our “vehicle got shattered with bullets.”

He saidthat atthispointhemade attemptstocallsomeretiredmilitary personneltointervene."Icalledone ofmyclassmatesandhesaid:‘Bola, I am a military man, it is better you leave the scene. I tell you, it is a sad situation’. I asked him whom I can address my complaint to, he asked metoaddressittoChiefofDefence Staff, Abuja. The following day I called Brigadier Falola, an ophthalmologistwhogavemetheir email. We have been sending the letterbutitisbeingreturned.Ispoke toalawyerwhotoldmenottobother myself. I then went to tell a senator friend of mine; he said he read the storyonhiswife’sIpadandthought I was just writing a play about Nigeria. He said he was surprised

that such a thing is happening in Nigeria in the 21s Century. My thinking is that in the military hospital where I worked, we had white women. So with this type of restriction, are they going to tell white people working in military institutions to stop work?"

In a bid to avoid being physically humiliated, Daniyan, had to take his leave without entering the barracks. He said: "The whole encounter left me wondering. Is it possible that one man at the gate of a public institution can decide to unilaterally create laws that go against the laws of the land? After all, nowhere in Nigeria’s Constitution is freedom restricted based on skin colour. Ultimately, we decided to leave the officer at the gate to his own devices, called thebrideandgroomtosaywewould not be able to make it in, and went about doing what we had on our agenda for the rest of the day."

Daniyanis,however,demanding an unreserved apology from the military authorities, stressing that hiswifeofnearly40yearswasmade to endure psychological trauma through the incident. "I want the Military authorities to correct the wrong and apoligise, they should tell the whole world that this is the law we have made about thewhite people. Do they want my children to leave Nigeria for their mother’s country in Europe?

Psychological trauma My in-laws have been asking us come to Europe. You know how traumatised it is for children. For instance, my grand children can read and write, they read it and said: ‘Whao! And grand pa has always told us to come to Nigeria’.

The psychological trauma is there that despite that I have been marriedtothismanforanumberof years, the society the man belongs to does not accept me.

"When did this law come up, that iswhatIdon’tunderstand?Iregard my wife as a Nigerian; what was she going to spy? She doesn’t have a camera, if she was asked to drop herphone,Iwouldn’thaveminded dropping my own also. My wife asked them: ‘If ‘Iwere to be ablack woman, would you have denied me entrance’, to which the soldier replied no. My wife even asked if shewasamemberofBokoHaram.

I am sure the venue was not within an administrative block."

But reacting to VF’s inquiry on the incident, the Army Public Relations Officer, 81 Division, Lieutenant Col. Kayode Ogunsanya, affirmed that foreigners are restricted from entering into Military facilities in the country, adding that “if they must come in, then, they have to getpermissionfromtheauthorities.

The personnel at the gate were on orders not to allow any foreigner intothebarracksandifanyforeigner must go into the barracks then he or she must have to get some permissionfromtheauthority.” But he could not explicitly confirm whether the order also applies to foreigners married to Nigerians.

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

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60 —VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Why does he close his eyes?

Will he dump me if I don’t comply?

Dear Bunmi, I met this guy a few months back and I really fancy him.

Unfortunately, there’s one thing we just don’t agree on.

He wants me to give him oral sex because he loves it. But I can’t stand the thought of oral sex— let alone comply. I’ve never given it and I don’t intend to start now.

I know his other girlfriends have obliged and he’s sort of taken it as the right thing to do. Will I lose him if I don’t fall in line?

Motola, by e-mail.

Dear Motola, If you had no objection to oral sex, but were just a bit nervous about it, I’d tell you to at least give it a try. Often, trying something new in bed

makes you realise you like it— particularly if your man encourages you. But you’re absolutely against the idea— so I don’t think you should do it.

There are plenty of other ways to arouse your man.

As to whether he’ll leave you if you don’t oblige, the q u e s t i o n shouldn’t even crop up.

If he loves you, he’ll respect your feelings and won’t pressure you. If he doesn’t care, he may well leave— but you’ll be well rid of him.

A lot of men aren’t verbal while they’re doing the deed because they prefer their partners to do the moaning and screaming

She dumped his children at our house Dear Bunmi, It was only recently that I discovered that my husband of almost 20 years had two other children by his mistress. Apparently, when he used to tour a lot for his company, he had this mistress outside Lagos and naturally, I was the last to know about this.

Anyway, after several heart-wrenching meetings, it was decided that these kids should come on holidays once in a while.

However, this last Easter break they came as usual only for their mother to phone later that she was now in America and was not coming back in a hurry as she was one of the lucky American Lottery winners. I’m now stuck with two children I don’t know anything about.

My husband is embarrassed and the woman’s mother has absolutely refused to have anything to do with raising them. My children are grown and I don’t think it is fair that I should be turned into a nanny when the period of rearing kids are over for me. Is there a light at the end of this particular tunnel?

Franka, by e-mail.

Dear Franka, I quite sympathise with you, but your primary concern should be about the poor children in this tug-oflove. They must be feeling really bewildered at the moment and you and your husband have to work out a way

of reassuring them that they are not misfits.

Agreed you shouldn’t have the responsibility of raising infants at this time in your life, but you can’t wish the kids away.

Ask your husband to snap

out of his belated embarrassment and seek a permanent solution that would be in the interest of everybody. If need be, you will have to employ the services of a nanny if you can afford one. Good luck.

He’s a shameless adulterer!

Dear Bunmi, I am in my mid-forties and run a clinic in the heart of Lagos. I have been in love with the MD of one of the companies that use my services for years. I am a seemingly happily married woman but I fell out of love with my husband ages ago.

He was very nasty to me in the first few years of our marriage. He had a couple of affairs and has two illegitimate children to show for it. My lover is married too.

I worked late at the clinic one day when one of the nurses confided in me that she was pregnant and that my lover was responsible.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know about our relationship and wanted me to have a word with him against the termination of the pregnancy.

When I confronted him on the nurse’s allegations, he didn’t deny it. He was actually surprised I took it as a betrayal. He said we never promised each other anything besides the good times we were having as we were both married.

I have since ended the re-

lationship but was unprepared for the depth of the heartache I felt and still feel.

I snap at my husband and children at the slightest provocation. My husband has asked me what was wrong and how he could help, but I can’t tell him anything of course. How can I get over this betrayal and will I find love again?

Ann, by e-mail.

Dear Ann, What sort of love are you looking for when you obviously have a husband who cares enough for you to want to make you happy? He has hurt you in the past but the hurt was not deep enough to make you leave.

Since you have decided to stay with him, you should find it in your heart to forget the past and move on.

Infidelity seldom works and brings a lot of heartache in its wake. In an attempt to pay back the hurt your husband caused you, you have brought nothing but misery on yourself. Forget this man as soon as you can and look inwards into your marriage for a happiness that lasts.

Dear Bunmi, I’m very close to my boyfriend of nine months and enjoy the intimacy that exists between us.

The thing is that when we have sex, he closes his eyes and stays silent. He says he enjoys cuddling more than sex, yet he also says he wants more excitement.

How do I interpret his mixed signals? It’s impossible to read his feelings when his eyes are closed during sex, whilst he says nothing.

Lanre, by e-mail.

Dear Lanre, A lot of men aren’t verbal while they’re doing the deed because they prefer their partners to do the moaning and screaming.

However, men are believed to be visual creatures, so a man shutting his eyes during sex sounds a bit strange. He may be hiding

something. What exactly that is, I don’t know.

Maybe your boyfriend is insecure about his sexual prowess, so it’s easier for him to shut his eyes and concentrate. Or it could be he is prone to premature ejaculation, and looking inward helps him slow down.

Try to draw him out of his shell by telling him that it would really turn you on to gaze into his eyes during sex. Then probe a little further and get him to talk about what’s wrong. Clearly, he isn’t satisfied with the current sexual status quo. So ask him nicely and constructively to help you understand what he craves.

He may give you an answer you can work with or he may confuse you further, in which case you have to decide whether you’re happy being an over-cuddled, under-sexed mind reader!

My dad is a serial cheat Dear Bunmi, My dad has had several affairs in the 30 odd years he’s been married to my mum. Up until now, she’s forgiven him every time. But his latest conquest is upsetting everyone. She’s in her early 30s and looks a typical golddigger.

As things are now, my dad and mum barely speak and she seems so sad all the time. I feel really sorry for her and hate him for how he’s treating her after all these years of staying faithful to him. Is there anything I can do to make him stop?

Elohor, by e-mail.

Dear Elohor, I don’t think there’s anything you can do. It looks as if your parents’ marriage has reached the end of the road. They have stuck it for 30 years, but now you

children are grown and they don’t need to be together any more. So rather than having hush-hush flings, your dad’s started a serious affair.

Rather than forgive him as she’s always done, your mum’s started to object. And rather than accepting what your dad does, you’ve started to hate him for it. He’s becoming sidelined— very soon, he might pitch his tent with his new-found love.

You can’t make your father stop what he’s doing. And in spite of her resentment, you can’t make your mother leave a marriage she’d tolerated for decades. Their marriage has become a convenience and no one can break it if your parents don’t want it broken. They’re adults— so are you.

Do your own thing and let them do theirs.

Isn’t she too young to be on the pill?

Dear Bunmi, My son is in his first year at the university and he recently brought home a girlfriend who is currently seeking admission into a university. My son is 19 and the girl is 17.

We hadn’t really given him any sex education and we broached the subject after the girl had gone, as we didn’t want to have to cope with any unwanted pregnancies.

My son was really amused by our ‘talk’ and told us not to worry, that his girlfriend’s mother had put her on the pill. We were really taken aback by this. Telling your teenage daughter about sex is one thing, but kitting her against unwanted pregnancy is

carrying liberalism a bit far. Don’t you agree?

Janet, by e-mail.

Dear Janet, Your boy’s girlfriend’s mother is doing exactly what hordes of mothers all over the modern world are doing. Whether or not you want to face the fact that your daughter might be having sex, it is a great possibility these days.

Same goes for your teenage son!

Like the saying goes, better to have the facts and not need them than to need the facts and not have them!

Now that your worries are over regarding your son’s sexual experience, don’t stir up another one on morality!

Share your problems and release your burden.

Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

— 61 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012—

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

Reading will attack Chelsea, vows Leigertwood Uche Kalu loses dad, Bridge to take on a reviEADING have night. a 90th minute penalty talised Blues team with team mourns Rvowed to throw evThe Royals marked from Adam Le Fondre. erything at Chelsea when the newly-promoted side visit the European champions to-

their return to the Barclays Premier League on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Stoke thanks to

Brian McDermott’s men face a completely different task tomorrow when they visit Stamford

Mikele Leigertwood (left) competes against Stoke on Reading’s Premier League return

Chelsea set to complete Azpilicueta’s and Chelsea, but I remove spect the team

C

ESAR Azpilicueta is keen to join Chelsea, according to L’Equipe on Tuesday Chelsea have been linked with Azpilicueta throughout the summer, and could be set to complete a deal before the end of the week.

Azpilicueta, 22, has played in both of Marseille’s Ligue 1 games this season and Sunday ’s 2-0 win at home to Sochaux could prove to be his last appearance for the club.

Marseille could go to Moldova on Thursday for their Europa League play-off tie against Sheriff Tiraspol without the player.

“Everybody thinks it is not easy for me, that I’m torn between Marseille

[Marseille] and the fans,” Azpilicueta said.

“I will be at 100% as long as I wear this jersey. If my departure could help the club to get some money, everybody will be happy.”

The fee for the player, who was part of the Spain squad at London 2012, would be in the region of €8 million.

New Marseille coach Elie Baup praised the player’s performance in the first two matches of the season despite the speculation over his future.

“It’s never easy for a guy in this kind of situation,” said Baup. “Everybody talks about him.

He had two great games [against Reims and Sochaux].

•Azpilicueta

an embarrassment of riches.

With the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar bearing down on them, the Royals would be forgiven for playing defensively in the hope of salvaging a draw, but Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood insists the underdogs will go on the attack in west London tomorrow.

Last season Swansea’s enterprising game saw them take points off Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, and Leigertwood thinks his team should employ the same approach against Roberto Di Matteo’s side tomorrow evening.

“You can’t go in to any games fearing teams or sitting back. You have to attack and put teams under pressure and I’m sure we’ll do that tomorrow,” Leigertwood said.

“We have pace in the side and strength up front with Pog (Pavel Pogrebnyak).

“We’ll play with a high tempo and that will be good for us. We want to give a good account of ourselves and go there and win hopefully."

“We have taken belief from watching teams like Swansea, Norwich and QPR. They all stayed up and it shows that if you go and attack you can do well in this league.”

WANSEA City mid fielder Scott Sinclair is on the brink of a move to Premier League Champions Manchester City.

The Swans revealed last week that Sinclair had turned down the offer of a new contract and was determined to leave the

club.

And now first team coach Alan Curtis has revealed that City are in pole position to sign the Team GB winger.

“He’s not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid,” said Curtis.

ENNES claim Yann M’Vila is an option for Arsenal as Arsene

“So it’s just a matter of time now before it happens and it’s good for both parties,” continued Curtis. Sinclair could replace Adam Johnson who looks set to leave the Etihad with Liverpool and Sunderland both interested in the winger.

Di Matteo praise Moses

C

•Sinclair

HELSEA manager, Roberto di Matteo has praised Nigeria winger, Victor Moses following the 21-year-old’s impressive performance on the opening weekend of the 2013/13 season.

The flying winger put in

an electric display on Sunday as Chelsea beat Wigan 2-0 at the DW Stadium and Di Matteo was quick to put in words of commendation for the player who has continually been linked with a move to the European champions.

MERGING Super Eagles striker, Uche Kalu, has lost his father and has been permitted to go to his native, Igbere, Aba, in Abia state to make burial preparations for the father who died while he was was away on national assignment in the friendly against Niger Republic last week in Niamey.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi on behalf of the team, said he wishes the Kalu family in Igbere, the fortitude to bear the loss, especially when the death is coming at a crucial point in Nigeria’s preparations for the qualifying game against Lone Star of Liberia in Monrovia.

Kalu has been a main-

stay in the national team, since Keshi took over from Samson Siasia, posting positive outings in the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers with no goals so far but several assists. He scored in Eagles friendly against Egypt in Dubai, and posted the two assists with which Sunday Mba scored twice against Lone Star of Liberia in a friendly played in January in Monrovia.

He is expected to return to camp early enough to be part of the trip to Monrovia for the first leg of the Nations Cup qualifier after family arrangements have been concluded for the burial of his late father.

Enyimba striker Uche Kalu happy with progress under Stephen Keshi

M’Vila still an Arsenal option R

Sinclair set for another City S

E

•Victor Moses

Wenger looks to replace Alex Song before the transfer window closes.

The France international has been linked with a number of clubs over the summer including Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham and Zenit St Petersburg.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted recently the club had been tracking the player but had cooled their interest after failing to agree a price.

Rennes are also said to be unhappy with the size of the other offers that have been tabled so far and would rather hang on to the defensive midfielder until their evaluation of £15million is met, with Arsenal reportedly leading the race after selling Song to Barcelona for a similar amount.

•M’Vila The arrival of Jean Makoun on loan from Aston Villa could open the door for M’Vila to leave but Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi is adamant he will not let the 22-yearold go on the cheap.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012 — 63

Egbunike urges support for Abdullahi

T

HE head coach of Team Nigeria track and field team to the London 2012 Olympic Games, Innocent Egbunike has urged Nigerians to support the planned restructuring of sports in Nigeria by the Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. ‘’ Between 1999 when we returned to civil rule and today, we have appointed about thirteen to fourteen Sports Ministers , this is not good for development. Sepp Blatter became the President of FIFA in 1998, he is still there today, Lamine Diack has been the president of IAAF since Primo Nebiolo passed on 2000,, for development to take place, we need somebody like Mallam Abdullahi to be given a free hand and all the supports he will be needing to build a foundation that his suc-

cessor as Sports Minister in 2015 will build on” Egbunike, the first Nigerian to win an IAAF world champioship medal on the track also exonerated Abdullahi from Team Nigeria’s failure at the London 2012 Olympic Games. ‘’ The rot in our sports has been there for about two decades or more,

there is no way Mallam Abdullahi, who was confirmed Sports Minister two months ago can turn around the situation.

Even if we give him all the support and encouragement he needs to rebuild sports now, his efforts will not start yielding result in another four years."

•Egbunike

Eagles Euro-based list out Thursday Continues from B/P

Keshi refused to give any further details about those who will make the list but added that names of players have already been forwarded to the NFF Technical Committee and they have made their input to the list, adding for the umpteenth time that only players who are on form and play regularly for the clubsides will be called upon for the September 8 clash in Monrovia.

When announced the players are expected to complement the home based side that has been in camp, since two weeks ago and played an international friendly last week against the Menas of Niger Republic in Niamey, which ended goalless.

Meanwhile, former Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Idi Farouk, visited the Super Eagles Bolton White Apartment camp

Falconets face Brazil Continues from B/P Tuesday at 3pm which is the official kick off time for today’s encounter and 7am in Nigeria.

Weather condition in Japan is 29 degrees centigrade. ’You saw how they came back in the dying minutes of the match to score their equalizer. It shows that they are a team that you should not dismiss so easily. Yes, Italy had a player sent off ,but we have to be careful. ”This is a tournament that a game can change in five minutes.That is why my players must know the importance of being focused till the last minute,” he added.

Defender, Josephine Chukwunonye and

Striker, Desire Oparanozie who were slightly tackled by their opponents have been declared fit by the medical personnel for today ’s match.

For the two sides, it will be the third meeting and sixth appearance in this competition.

On November 13 at the 2004 edition in Thailand Nigeria defeated Brazil 3-2 in the group stage and two years later in Russia, the South American side got their pound of flesh winning 3-2 in the quarter final.

Interestingly, Felix Ibeh (late) who handled the team in Thailand was also the head coach of domestic side, Rivers Angels that Okon now handles.

on Tuesday afternoon in what Coach Keshi described as a Sallah visit from a friend and supporter of the national team set up.

Faouk, who came in at about 2pm, said he was there to support the team in their quest to qualify for the SA 2013 Nations Cup and the Brazil 2014 World Cup after missing out of the last edition of the African championship hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Why did you park the van?

Continues from B/P penetration and, with Robin in your side, you know you want to use his ability against the centre-backs. But we didn’t use him enough.”

Ferguson, suffering his first opening-game defeat in eight years, was also upset that referee Andre marriner favoured the Goodison side.

He blasted: “I thought Danny Welbeck maybe was pushed as he went in the box. That was a big moment.

“It’s difficult here, you have the crowd influencing the referee all the time and it makes it difficult for you.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2012

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Falconets face Brazil •Kick-of f time (3pm Local time) (7a.m. Nigerian time)

Orji eyes milestone

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IGERIA’S U-20 women’s national team have put behind Sunday ’s 2-0 victory against Korea Republic and have their eyes fixed on today’s Group B encounter against Brazil at the on-going FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan. The match comes up 7 a.m today.

On Monday the team returned to training with Chief Coach, Edwin Okon drumming it into the Players ears not to underrate their opponents who share a point with Italy after a late minute equalizer through striker, Amanda. Falconets are leaders in their group B with 3 points.

Training continued on

Continues on Page 63 TODAY'S

ANCHESTER United crashed to a disastrous openinggame defeat — as £22million new-boy Robin van Persie sat on the bench.

Boss Alex Ferguson was left scratching his head as Marouane Fellaini’s 57th-minute bullet header gave Everton a deserved victory.

RVP came on with just 22 minutes left — but Fergie was fuming at the service his Dutch superstar received.

The United boss moaned: “We played around him too much.

We didn’t show enough Continues on Page 63

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NE more goal for Ebere Orji will lift the Nigerian attacker to six strikes in her third FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, alongside New Zealand’s Rosie White who is the current top-scorer amongst players at Japan 2012.

STRENGTH IN UNITY: Nigeria’s Falconets celebrate together in victory.

Eagles Euro-based list out tommorow T O douse ongoing speculations over which of the European based stars will make

PUZZLES

the national team list for the Nations Cup clash against the Lone Star of Liberia, Head Coach of YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has revealed that the list will be officially made pub-

ACROSS 4 Malice (6) 7 Ditch (6) 9 Untruth (3) 10 Consume (3) 12 Loiter (5) 13 Trudge (4) 15 Abase (5) 17 Lottery (6) 19 Country (4) 20 Object (5) 22 Tree (3) 24 Unshaven (7) 27 Epoch (3) 28 Shabby (5) 31 Fashionable (4) 33 Yearned (6) 35 Beneath (6) 37 Face (4) 38 Trap (5) 39 Father (3) 41 Adage (3) 42 Grid (6) 43 Prise (5)

lic this Thursday, August 23 in Abuja.

Continues on Page 63

•Ebere Orji

DOWN 1 Witless (6) 2 Distort (6) 3 Expert (3) 4 Team (4) 5 Gem (5) 6 Gifted (8) 8 Moiety (4) 11 Endured (9) 14 Smear (4) 16 Unite (4) 18 Release (4) 21 Barter (8) 23 Network (4) 25 Parched (4) 26 Action (4) 29 Eatable (6) 30 Shouted (6) 32 Swear (5) 34 Rock (4) 36 Close (4) 40 Arid (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scar 4, Pad 6, Mass 9, Urn 10, Gorgeous 11,Stay 14, Gum 16, Scale 19, Embraced 21, Peril 23, Disagree 24, Elect 27, Tap 31, Undo 33, Enriched 34, Gun 35, Cede 36, Toy 37, Dumb.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Cook 2, Rage 4, Produced 5, Dash 6, Music 7, Art 8, Snarl 12, Fence 13, Above 14, Gap 15, Merit 17, Award 18, Expel 20, Disarray 22, Lap 25, Lunge 26, Crone 28, Heat 29, Scum 30, Feat 32, Dud.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place 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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