ASUU takes protest to streets

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61997

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

FCDA to demolish nPDP's Abuja office 10

ASUU takes protest to streets

Boko Haram insurgents kill 10, raze public •Holds rallies in Osogbo, Ile-Ife buildings •Accuses Jonathan of double standards in Borno •Says strike continues until...

L •Some varsity lecturers are heartless — FG 6

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OLA AJAYI, SIMON EBEGBULEM, DAYO ADESULU, AMAKA ABAYOMI, MICHAEL EBOH & DAUD OLATUNJI

AGOS—THE faceoff between striking university lecturers and the Federal Government entered a new phase, yesterday, as some lecturers took to the streets with Continues on page 5

National dialogue should be credible —N-Central •P.9 COLUMNIST:

•P.17

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed's column resumes tomorrow

Mr & Mrs

DINNER: President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left), flanked by South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark (3rd left)and the PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; while former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (2r); Guest Speaker, Rev. Jesse Jackson and wife of the S-South Leader, Dr. Bisola Clark watch during the opening events of the N25 billion Fund Raising Dinner for the Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Foundation at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Corruption, most terrible monster confronting Nigeria — Carrington

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2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

CONVOCATION—From left: Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti,(ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola; Minister of Interior, Abba Morro; Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committe, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan at the commisioning of Obasanjo Way and 1st Convocation of ABUAD in Ekiti State, yesterday.

ASUU takes protest to streets Continues from page 1 both parties engaging in war of words. While the Federal Government accused members of ASUU of being heartless for the prolonged strike, the lecturers tackled President Goodluck Jonathan on his appeal to them to be patriotic enough and call

off the strike.

Taking their protest to the streets yesterday, some striking lecturers at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU and Osun State University, UNIOSUN, staged rallies at Ile-Ife and Osogbo respectively, in bids to sensitise mem-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Do not despise adversity; learn from it— Pastor Taiwo Odukoya. There is definitely a lesson in everything.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HE world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken place —Ernest Hemingway Po Bronson, in his writings tells a true story about a scarred and stately elm tree. In the 1950s the family that owned the farm kept a bull chained to the elm.

The bull paced round and round the tree. The heavy iron chain scraped a trench in the bark about three feet off the ground. The trench deepened over the years threatening to kill the tree. But, though damaged so severely, the tree strangely did not die.

Then one year agricultural catastrophe struck the area in the form of Dutch elm disease. Most elm trees in the vicinity of the farm became infected and died. But that one noble elm remained untouched.

Nobody could understand why it was still standing in a vast area where most every other elm tree was gone.

Plant pathologists from Michigan State University came out to study the tree. They looked closely at the chain necklace buried deep in the scar. These experts reported that the chain itself actually saved the elm’s life. They reasoned that the tree absorbed so much iron from the chain left to rust around its trunk that it became immune to the fungus. What certainly could have killed the tree actually made it stronger and more resilient.

In a beautiful summary, Steve Goodier concludes that this is a reminder that the very things that hurts us, physically as well as emotionally, also a lay the great foundation for our growth and unfoldment in life.

bers of the public to the union’s demands from the Federal Government and implementation of agreements reached in 2009.

While some OAU teachers marched through streets of Ile-Ife, lecturers from Osun State University held their rally at the newly constructed Freedom Square at Old Garage, Osogbo.

The striking lecturers from the two institutions held the rallies peacefully and under Police protection, condemning the action of Federal Government for attempting to politicise the demands of ASUU over the agreement reached with the former.

ASUU rallies in Ile-Ife There was traffic jam at Ile-Ife as the rally kicked off from the Oduduwa Hall of the institution to the main gate and major streets in Ile-Ife. The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, co-ordinated the rally at Ile-Ife, preventing it from being hijacked by hoodlums.

Chairman of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, branch of ASUU, Dr. Adegbola Akinola in his address said the Federal Government was yet to fulfill agreements reached with the leadership of the union.

He explained that the

sensitization rally was in compliance with the directive from the National Secretariat of the union, stressing that the government has not been faithful with the agreement reached with the union.

Akinola maintained that government was not transparent over ASUU’s demands, declaring that the union’s position was to sanitise the tertiary education sector.

Also speaking, Dr. Amos Adeoye Idowu from the Department of Public Law said that the enlightenment rally was to ensure that tertiary institutions in the country were funded the way they should, saying that “we are saying no to bastardization of tertiary educational system as was done to primary and secondary education system.

“We are covered by the law which gives Nigerians the right to express their minds. We are out to claim civil and political rights by educating members of the public on why ASUU is on nationwide strike so that government will be proactive in taking care of education in the country.

“We are looking for a situation whereby the government runs away from wastage. What we are saying is that government should give tertiary institution priority attention. We don’t want a situation whereby our

youths get out of schools without job”, he said.

Dr. Abiona Joseph, chairman, Osun State University branch of ASUU expressed worry that majority of Nigerians have been misinformed by the blackmail from the government.

He said that the rally was to “educate the people on what is actually happening and correct the impression by the people that ASUU rejected the offers of government”.

Reacting to the appeal made by President Jonathan urging ASUU members to be patriotic and call off the strike, the ASUU Ibadan Zonal chairman, Adesola Nasir, said that President Jonathan can’t be urging ASUU members to be patriotic because “patriotism is about helping your country move forward and ensuring equal welfare of the citizens. He said: “Rather than appealing to sentiments, government should do what it is supposed to do by adequately funding education sector. Appealing to sentiments can’t put our universities on global ranking neither would it fix the decay in the system. By asking us to be patriotic and call off the strike, the President is asking us to continue to churn out unemployable graduates.”

Speaking in the same vein, the National Secretary, Education Rights Campaign, Mr. Michael Ogundele, said the President’s appeal reveals that there’s nothing positive to expect from this administration.

“Government is neither ready to recognise nor implement the 2009 agreement. The ERC is urging the general public to mount pressure to do the right thing and fund education.”

In his own reaction, Vice-chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU, Ambrose Alli University,

Ekpoma, Dr Monday Igbafen said President Goodluck Jonathan was “the one on strike."

According to him, “President Jonathan is the one on strike because he has refused to implement agreements, so he should be disregarded.

He said he will soon call off the strike; what has he done to warrant suspension of the strike?

Nothing concrete. I don’t know where he is getting his information from.n.

'We can't suspend strike' “You are not implementing anything, you are not doing anything as President to end the strike yet you said you want to suspend strike.

We are watching him. We have not seen anything concrete to warrant the suspension of the strike.

If we have seen him implementing the 2009 agreement or the January 2012 MOU government entered with the union on how to implement 2009 agreement then we will say he is correct.

“As it is now we have not seen anything. The position of the union is still very clear to us that the strike continues. We held our rally today to sensitize our people that we are still on strike and it was successful. So I don’t understand what Jonathan is saying. Until government implements the 2012 MOU we will not call off the strike; that is simple. This is the position of our members in Edo and Delta and the position in all the states.

Even the vice-chancellors are saying the N100 billion will not even be enough to sustain the universities yet the Federal Government is there playing games. Ministers are buying bullet proof vehicles every day yet they said no money

Continues on page 59

6—Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Commercial sex workers invade Bayelsa community

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA— THE sleepy Ogbogoro community in the outskirts of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, is gradually losing its rustic look in the wake of its invasion by girls of easy virtue and increase in the number of emerging relaxation spots.

Vanguard investigation revealed that this may not be unconnected with the presence of an Asian construction firm in the area, with its attendant large workforce and the ongoing strike by universities lecturers across the country.

Ogbogoro settlement is the take-off point of the ongoing YenagoaOporoma Road project.

The project is aimed at linking the riverside Oporoma town, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, to mainland Yenagoa.

Prior to the mobilisation of the construction firm to site, the community, which is less than five minutes drive from Yenagoa, could be described as a ghost town at night. But not anymore.

‘My husband treats me like a maid’

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LORIN— A housewife, Rukayat Mohammed, yesterday, urged an Ilorin Area Court to dissolve her three-year-old marriage to Gani because the husband treated her like a housemaid.

Rukayat, 29, of Sango Area, Ilorin, told the court that Gani did not respect and honour her as a wife.

She told the court that her husband was fond of maltreating her and did not accord her any marital status.

Gani objected to the prayer of his wife, saying he was still interested in the marriage.

The presiding judge, Mr. Yusuf Abdulkareem, adjourned the case till November 5 for a report of settlement.

Boko Haram insurgents kill 10, raze public buildings in Borno

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI— GUNMEN, suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday morning, invaded villages in Kawuri district and Fori of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing 10 residents, including three vigilante youths, suspected to be Civilian JTF. This is coming 24 hours after the insurgents’ attack on Logomani village in Dikwa Local Government Area of the state left 20 dead and 10 injured.

Kawuri District is one of the big villages in Konduga, along Maiduguri-Bama Expressway, which is about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri.

The district is 20 kilometres from Bama Local Government Area, which had witnessed series of attacks and killings of civilians, soldiers, policemen and prison warders.

A female passenger, who gave her name as Madam Hauwa Musa, said that she was among the early passengers from Mubi town to Maiduguri after the attack in Kawuri villages.

She said: “I was among the passengers that boarded a taxi from Mubi to Maiduguri. In the villages along the main road, we saw some burnt buildings.

“There were security operatives and men of the vigilante youth, popularly called Civilian JTF, in the village. The attackers had fled into the bushes.”

Some residential houses and

public buildings, such as clinics and a primary school, were affected.

Attack

Although details of the attack were still sketchy, report had it that the gunmen, numbering about 30, came in two Hilux vehicles and motorcycles, using rocket-propelled launchers and improvised ex-

plosive devices, IEDs. They were said to have stormed the village at 3a.m., ordered residents to come out from their houses and opened fire on them.

They threw explosives and petrol bombs into some private and public structures.

It was gathered that the three vigilante youths that were killed attempted to arrest

the fleeing gunmen, but were shot dead in a bush near Fori village by the attackers.

Owing to lack of telecommunication services in Born State, the acting spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Captain Aliyu Danja and the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, could not be reached for confirmation at press time.

ACCOMMODATION: Seniors' hostels at Government Secondary School, GSS, Toro, Bauchi

Royal father's house, others destroyed as Oro ends in communal clash

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO— THE Oloba of Oba-Oke in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Dahunsi Iyiola, narrowly escaped death, Sunday, when irate mob from the neighbouring community of Oba-Ile invaded his palace and razed it alongside other buildings in the town.

According to sources, crisis started when the people of Oba-Ile invaded Oba-Oke after the celebration of their annual Oro festival.

The source said: “The crisis happened when the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Adebisi Adeeyo, was celebrating Oro festival and the youths prevented

neighbouring villagers to cross their boundary.”

During the melee that ensued between the two communities, cutlasses, guns and machetes were freely used by both sides, causing injuries of vari-

ous degrees.

The state Police Commissioner, Mrs Dorothy Gimba, who confirmed the development, said his command, on receiving the information, moved to the area of conflict to douse tension.

Gimba said the Police, on arrival, were shot at and the

windscreen of their official vehicle damaged by the youths. She said they prevented the Police from entering the town.

She added that no death was recorded, while Oba Iyiola whose palace was razed before Police arrived, was rescued.

24-yr-old remanded in prison over N.4m theft

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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KEJA— AN Ikeja Magis trate’s Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded a 24-year-old man, Ndubuisi Nweke, alleged to have robbed some residents of valuables worth N389,500, at the Kirikiri Prisons, Apapa.

The Magistrate, Mrs Margaret Dan-Oni, ordered that the accused be detained,

pending legal advice from the state Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. The accused, who resides at 4, Badalu St., Maza-Maza, Lagos, is facing a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery.

The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, had earlier told the court that the accused, with others still at large, committed the of-

fences at 2.30a.m.on September 6 at 22/24, Alhaji Kareem St., Olodi-Apapa, Lagos.

Okoi said that the gang went from flat to flat and dispossessed the residents of phones, recharge cards, jewelleries and cash, all worth N389, 500.

The plea of the accused was, however, not taken.

The case was adjourned till December 3, for mention.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—7

Kidnappers of Osun Speaker's wife jailed 27 years

Gunmen kill vigilante, friend

BY EMMA AMAIZE

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO— AN Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo, yesterday, sentenced five persons that had been standing trial over the kidnap of the wife of Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Alhaja Muibat Salaam, to 27 years imprisonment each.

The convicts, Chukwudi

Okereke (40), Ogbole Ochijile Elijah (25), Okonkwo Lucky (33), Kaikine Mahah (35) and Nwadinnor Philip (30) were, last year, arrested in Ilaro, Ogun State, by the Police.

They were said to have conspired, while armed with AK47, and kidnapped Mrs. Salaam, who was returning from her shop in her Honda Accord car with number plate OSHA02

at 8p.m. around Oke-Oyo Road in Ejigbo area of the state on October 9, 2012.

According to the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Adewale Afolabi, the convicts had confessed to the kidnapping of the Speaker ’s wife in their individual statements to the police during investigations.

Judgment

Delivering his judgment, which lasted for over an hour, Justice Moshood Adeigbe said that the prosecution had been able to establish their case against the defendants.

Justice Adeigbe said: “The confessional statements were clear that the accused persons met at Royal Hotel in Agbor, Delta State, where they planned the kidnap, perfected it in Lagos and carried it out in Ejigbo.

“The exhibits also showed that the five accused persons kidnapped Mrs. Salaam, forced her into a trailer and dragged her into the bush on their way to Lagos, before Ogun State Police Command arrested them.

“I hold that the prosecution have established their case and therefore found the five accused persons guilty of conspiracy, kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.”

Although the defence counsel, Messrs Sam George and Fredrick Komolafe, prayed the court to temper justice, Justice Adeigbe maintained that the five convicts deserved the full punishments for their offence, saying that the act was heartless and condemnable.

Jail terms

i State. NAN PHOTO.

2 suspected cultists docked for assault

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— TWO suspected cultists, Olowo Ibrahim, 24 and Iyiola Ibrahim, a.k.a Old Soldier, 23, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society.

The defendants, who reside at 66, Brown Street, Oshodi, and 4, Balogun Street, Oshodi, respectively, were docked before Magistrate Miss Akinde.

The defendants, said to be friends, are facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, unlawful association and assault preferred against them by the Police.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, said that the defendants and others at large, committed the alleged crime

between August 12 and October 17, respectively, at Mafoluku, Oshodi.

He told the court that the suspects, who belong to an unlawful society, assaulted one Lukman Adeleke of 35, Adedeji Street at Mafoluku, Oshodi area of Lagos.

According to him, the offence committed is contrary to Section 409, 40 (1) (a) (b) and punishable under Section 171

of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The defendants, who are clearing/forwarding agent and labourer, respectively, pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them.

However, the magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till December 5 for mention.

For the count of conspiracy, Justice Adeigbe ruled that each of the five convicts is sentenced to seven years imprisonment, while he sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment for the count of kidnapping and 10 years for the charge of unlawful possession of fire arms.

Justice Adeigbe, however, noted that each term of the sentence shall run concurrently since the counts arose out of the charges of the same act.

Reacting to the judgment, the defence counsel said that they will appeal the judgment, saying that his clients were found guilty based on confessional statements.

He said the confessional statements were not verified, adding that the best option was trial within trial to authenticate the confessional statements.

Robbers kill policeman in Owerri

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RMED robbers, Sunday morning in Owerri, Imo State capital, killed a Policeman wearing mufti.

The suspected robbers invaded Icefish Market along Uratta by Erekwerenwa Street, raided one of the cold-rooms

belonging to one Madam White to rob fish dealers.

According to an eyewitness, the robbers did not know of the presence of some armed policemen in the market, who took on the invaders.

A shootout ensued between

the police and the suspects, while traders ran for safety.

During the gunfight, a policeman was killed, his body riddled with bullets.

The body, it was gathered, has since been removed by the police authorities.

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ARRI— FOUR gunmen, yesterday, killed the chairman of a vigilance group in Agbassa, Warri, Delta State and his friend.

Criminals in Agbassa area reportedly resolved to eliminate him as he was an obstacle to their operations in the area.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased was walking along Ginuwa Road, off Warri-Sapele Road, Warri, with a friend when the gunmen attacked them.

While his friend died on the spot, the vigilance group head died in hospital.

Residents ran for safety, while shop owners closed business for the day.

A source said: “The vigilance group member was the target.

“He had foiled many robbery operations in the area and also gave information that led to the arrest of a number of bad boys in the area.”

NURTW member accused of rape

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS— A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, remanded in prison custody, a member of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Ajao Akinyemi, after he was arraigned for allegedly raping one Shomefun Mariam, 19.

Akinyemi, 29, who lives at 22 Agoro Street, Lagos Island, is facing a count charge of rape, but pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the defendant, Miss C. Obasi, told the court that the defendant was granted bail when he was first arraigned before a magistrate court, and urged the court to maintain the bail.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, held that the court cannot continue with the magistrate court’s bail, saying “a proper bail application should be made to this court.”

The matter was adjourned till December 4.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Nigeria faces UN council today on rights abuses

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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HE United Nations Human Rights Council, wil today, debate Nigeria’s human rights record, at the United Periodic Review, UPR, session in Geneva, Switzerland.

Among the issues the Nigerian Government will respond to, are efforts it had to prevent politically motivated and sectarian and religious-based violence in the country.

It will also answer to efforts made to ensure that freedom of expression is respected and that Nigerian journalists take on their mission of providing information without suffering harassment, including that the rights of journalists to report, comment on and criticize government policy freely and without fear.

It is also to respond specifically to measures it had taken to address the disfunctioning of the judicial system and the lack of internal and external monitoring of the police.

Others include, efforts made to speed up the introduction of a reform of the justice system, including the penitentiary centres and national police, additional measures taken to improve the Nigerian criminal justice system and ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to justice, including the law enforcement officials suspected of committing acts of torture and ill-treatment or extra-judicial executions.

Nigeria is also to state efforts made to halt torture and illtreatment as well as eradicating impunity for such acts and that alleged perpetrators be brought before justice and the establishment of an independent and effective national investigative mechanism to ensure that perpetrators of crime are brought to book.

Specifically, Nigeria is to respond to action it had taken to tackle the backlog of prisoners, who have been detained without trial or beyond the end of their sentence as well what had been done to ensure that all detainees are tried without undue delay or freed if no accusation is presented; improvement in the conditions of detention within prisons, access to health.

N250m cars: More trouble for Aviation minister as EFCC gets set to probe deal

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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ORE trouble may still be lurking the way of Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, over the controversial purchase of two bullet-proof cars for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, without necessary approvals.

There was indication yesterday that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, might move in to unravel the untidy deal, which has added to the list of misgivings denting Nigeria’s battered image before the international community.

A competent source at the commission confided in Vanguard that the agency was under pressure from Nigerians, particularly civil society groups to probe the purchase of the controversial High Security Sedans, HSS. The source, which pleaded anonymity because he had not been authorised to speak to the media on the matter, said however that the operatives were studying the situation and could move in without notice.

“It is not our duty to serve notice to those we want to investigate so that the suspect might not be put on notice. When we want to do our job, we simply swoop on the suspects, the source said.

“We have been inundated with queries as to when we are going to investigate the purchase of the cars for the minister but we cannot give any notice because they would no longer be a surprise.

“In a matter of this nature, the necessary steps must be taken at the appropriate time,” the source explained.

There were indications that the whole transaction did not pass through the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP, since the cars were allegedly bought based on what a source described as ‘Anticipatory Approval’ and delivered on Hire-Purchase Agreement to the NCAA. Efforts to get clarification from the Director-General of the BPP, Mr. Emeka Eze, proved abortive, as calls to his phone, rang out. Eze did not also respond to text messages sent to his phone.

BPP’s Head of Media, Dr. Biodun Adeniyi, could not also be reached for comments on the matter, as his phone was switched off at the time of filing the report.

Controversy over the cars has thrown up a serious image problem for both the minister and the NCAA since the papers were leaked last week.

Initially, the minister’s office had owned up on the purchase of the cars, justifying it on the need to protect the minister’s life given the far-reaching changes and innovations she had introduced that angered some unnamed

persons in the country.

However, following public outrage, the statement was later withdrawn and the DirectorGeneral of the NCAA, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu, made to explain that the cars were

procured for the use of the minister and visiting foreign dignitaries, a claim that further infuriated the Nigerian public.

As a result, many Aviation stakeholders and civil society organisations have asked

Princess Oduah to resign and save her face from further indignation.

The Presidency is said to have been seriously embarrassed by the unfolding drama over the luxury cars and might be considering measures to save its face.

MEETING— From left: Professor Remi Raji, Rapporteur; Dr. Segun Ajiboye, ASUU UI Chairman; Chairman of the meeting, Dr Dele Layiwola and Dr Duro Adeleke at the stakeholders' meeting to review ongoing strike by ASUU at the Trenchard Hall of University of Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube.

Multiple taxation destructive to our economy, says Okonjo-Iweala

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

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BUJA—MINISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has reiterated the need to streamline and harmonise taxes across the country to stem the damaging effect on the nation’s economy.

Okonjo-Iweala said this, yesterday, in Abuja, at the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Implementation Committee on National Economic Council Resolutions on the Harmonisation of Taxes and Levies across the Federation. She noted that the issue of multiple taxation, which has been on the front burner for many years in Nigeria, has remained unabated despite several attempts by the government to tackle it.

“This is particularly harmful to the economy because multiple taxation increases the cost of doing business in Nigeria, discourages local trade and investment and also gives a negative perception of the Nigerian business

environment to foreign investors.

According to the MAN report, some states have as many as 97 different taxes, levies and charges that are imposed on businesses. This is simply not economically viable - the costs to the government of administering these various taxes and the costs to business of paying these taxes outweigh their benefits to both the private businesses and the government.

A recent World Bank Report shows that for every N100 that businesses have to pay in taxes, they pay about N35 in compliance costs. This is a waste of capital that could be reinvested in these businesses to grow them and create more jobs for our economy. By streamlining and harmonizing taxes across the federation, we would increase Nigeria’s productive potential.

“In addition, the multiplicity of taxes on the transportation of goods impairs the integration of internal markets and the establishment of a fully integrated economic space within Nigeria. By impairing

the integration of the national market, these mobile levies also reduce competition between companies located in different states in Nigeria. With increased competition, we could bring down prices for consumer goods produced by these companies and make our local companies and exports more competitive in the global market.

The minister further noted that uncertainty in the tax environment makes it difficult for businesses to thrive, and therefore called for a transparent process that will make it easy for people to know what taxes and levies to pay and harmonise these activities across the country.

She said: “Reducing the number of taxes paid, increasing transparency as to how and what to pay, and facilitating procedures for filing taxes, will be essential to reducing high compliance costs and in so doing increase Nigeria’s tax compliance rate and also the revenue. If Nigeria will continue to attract foreign investment, diversify our economy and create more jobs, and become one the top 20 economies of the World by 2020, we must get our tax system right.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—9

IBB canvasses higher revenue for states, LGs M INNA — FORMER military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday called for the devolution of powers between the federal, states and local governments in the spirit of true federalism.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Babangida made the call when the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Elias Mbam, paid him a visit at his residence in Minna.

The former president said

that besides proper devolution of powers, there was need for a review of revenue sharing formula in favour of the states and the local government councils.

He said that a greater percentage of revenue should go to the state and local governments because of their closeness to the masses.

The former military president also canvassed for diversification of the economy from the current mono-source - oil, to other revenue alternatives.

Babangida commended

the commission for carrying out its assignment diligently in spite of the challenges.

Earlier, Mbam said the visit was part of extensive consultation with stakeholders before drawing up a new revenue sharing formula.

He noted that the review of the revenue sharing formula was last held during the Babangida regime.

The chairman said that the new revenue sharing formula would be ready by December.

Education promotes good governance, democracy — Obasanjo

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI — FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, described education as the veritable weapon for the sustenance of good governance and democracy.

Obasanjo made the statement during the first convocation of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.

He urged Nigerians not to despair in the face of the myriads of socioeconomic and political crises confronting the nation.

The former president who along with three others – Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, Deputy Director General, UNESCO, Dr. Lalla Acha Ben Barker and an industrialist, Engr. Tunde Yusuf bagged the honorary

awards of the institution, said the founder of the university has been able to demonstrate this based on his hard work, diligence and commitment to the best in everything he does.

Obasanjo said: “I know that those thinking that Nigeria has no future will today have change of heart. This is because one person, Chief Afe Babalola has been able to make a difference in the field of education.

“The other time, I heard Chief Babalola saying that education is the best instrument to fight poverty. But I want to add that it remains the best instrument to sustain good governance and democracy.”

Charging the students to be good ambassadors of the university, the

former president added that, “ you have had a good beginning having graduated from a good university, but this is not enough. You have to build on it and if you don’t, the good beginning becomes nothing.”

Other dignitaries at the event included former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore; Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by his deputy, Professor Modupe Adelabu; representative of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; former Ekiti governors, Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida and Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, among others.

National dialogue should be credible, patriotic — North Central zone

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS—THE train of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue yesterday berthed at the North Central zone with the venue of discussion being Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Stakeholders from various ethnic groups in the zone presented their memo with the Middle Belt Forum led by its Chairman, Professor Jerry Gana maintaining that the Middle Belt paid a great price for Nigeria to stay one but the area is under threat by incursions which turned the area into tension zone.

He appealed to the committee to ensure that the National Conference is truly representative, credible and patriotic.

According to Gana, “We thank President Jonathan for giving Nigerians this opportunity to make fundamental resolution to live in peace as one nation under God. His words, “After a thorough review of key issues affecting the wellbeing of our federation, we have resolved that serious attention be paid at the conference to the following issues.

“Structure of the Nigerian federation, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation and

resource control, citizenship rights, protection of minority rights, recognition of indigenes, resolution of the land question, the population question, national security for life and property, resolution of community conflicts.

“National infrastructure for national development, governance institutions, creation of States, the fight against corruption, structure and funding of local government, management of the national economy, foreign policy, education, science and technology, as well as health and social policy issues should be addressed."

10— Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

N1.1bn Subsidy scam: Court dismisses Alao's suit

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

A G O S — JUSTICE Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court, yesterday, dismissed the application filed by Abdullahi Alao, son of an Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao, seeking to quash the alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge levelled against him by the Economic & Financial Crimes, EFCC. The trial judge dismissed the application over lack of merit.

Abdullahi Alao, is standing trial, alongside two other oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, and their companies - Majope Investment Ltd. and Axenergy Ltd. The oil marketers and their companies are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery, uttering and use of false documents.

Alao and his company, Axenergy Limited had in a motion dated July 23, 2013 filed through their counsel, O Awonuga to urge the court to dismiss the eight-count charge preferred against him for lack of jurisdiction.

In her ruling, Justice Okunnu, held that the EFCC acting in pursuant to its enabling laws can prosecute a criminal case in any court.

Okunnu said the EFCC is authorised by the Constitution to prosecute criminal cases in any part of the country.

The judge further said that contrary to the submission of the defendant’s counsel, it is the motion papers that shows the case and not the submissions of the counsel.

She held that the EFCC is a common agency for both the states and federal and can prosecute criminal cases in any part of the country.

She therefore dismissed the application for lack of merit and adjourned further trial till October 30, 2013.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I, Mr Christopher O. Orebela, state that I am the original Allottee of Flat 6 Block 9, 2nd Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos. That, that flat was allocated to me by Federal Housing Authority, Lagos.

The documents of the property got lost in transit in July 2013. FHA FESTAC Town, Lagos and the general public should be aware.

FCTA marks nPDP secretariat for demolition A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—CRISIS rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDF, yesterday, took a new turn as the official secretariat of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led new PDF located on Plot 3206A, Number 4, Oyi River Crescent, off Babangida Way, Maitama has been marked for demolition by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed.

Vanguard gathered that Bala Mohammed has ordered the Development Control of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, to carry out the exercise.

The agency thereafter marked it on October 11, 201 3 as a notice to new PDP that the action would be carried out.The latest development is coming forty-four days after heavily armed policemen put the secretariat under lock and key, on Saturday, September 7. During a visit to the secretariat yesterday, the storey building was marked for demolition with red ink by the development control with the following inscription: Demolition by DC October 11, 2013 with bold red ink.

Meanwhile, the Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, earlier stationed in front of the River Oyi Crescent office of Baraje-led new PDP has been moved and the Police monitoring vehicle near the entrance at the National Lottery Building adjacent to the new PDP building has been removed as well. Only an anti riot police man was seen there maintaining what could be described as skeletal security within the area.

Besides the new PDP secretariat that has been marked for demolition, an event centre, A-Park Gardens owned by Senator Aisha Alhassan, Taraba North located near the OAU Quarters in Maitama District in Abuja, has also been marked for demolition.

Senator Alhassan is a loyal member of the new PDP. It was gathered that development control has served her a demolition notice on the excuse that the government wants to use the land as part of monorail for public transportation, even as Senator Al Hassan explained that she was given the permission to build the event centre, adding that she would drag the FCTA to court.

Meanwhile, following report that the new PDP has agreed to respect the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja which recognised the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee, NWC, as the authentic PDP, the FCTA immediately unsealed the Adamawa State Government's lodge located on number 12, Gurara Street, off Yedseram Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

It will be recalled that the FCTA

minister penultimate week ordered that the Adamawa State Government's Lodge which was the operational base of the new PDP be sealed on the grounds that the new PDP was using the lodge for political activities as against its original purpose of being used strictly for residential purpose.

The FCTA administration which explained that it was illegal for the building to be converted into a political party of-

VISIT: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle) presenting a gift to the national president, Association of Senior Civil Servants, Mallam Bobboi Kagama (left) and Ogun State Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, during a visit to the governor in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Aregbesola woos Ijeshas in Lagos over schools merger zSays reforms are painful but necessary

BY LEKE ADESERI, SOUTH WEST REGIONAL EDITOR & CHARLES KUMOLU

L

AGOS—OSUN State gov ernor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that the recent reforms in the education sector in Osun, were not meant to inflict pains on the people, describing the policies as necessary.

He also noted that the re-

structuring was informed by the decay and dilapidation which the sector had witnessed in the past.

Aregbesola, who said this at an event convened by Ijesha community in Lagos, acknowledged that the reforms are generating pains.

His words: ‘’On the surface, it looks as if we are deliberately out to inflict pains with the reformation of our school

Stop overheating the polity, Gowon begs politicians

A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—FORMER head of State, General Yakubu Gowon yesterday pleaded with Nigeria politicians across all political parties to sheathe their swords and stop over heating the polity, just as he expressed his worry over the current political bickering in the country. , “Iam worried by the current over heating of the polity, I will beg all politicians and parties to love Nigeria above all, this bickering must stop and be replaced by patriotism to uplift the country. Let us look at the future of Nigeria which us greater than all of us. Let us leave Nigeria a better place for our children. This is my appeal

fice, also extended the plot of the governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, member of the new PDP into a green area.During a visit to the Adamawa State Government Lodge at Gurara Street, yesterday, the private security men at the gate said that the Policemen drafted to seal the lodge had stopped coming since last week, even as they could not give answers as to why the Police stopped coming to the lodge.

to politicians; I have th love and loyalty of my country and we must support the leadership.” General Gowon said.

Declaring open the formal launch of the Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Foundation and 25 billion Naira Fund Raising Dinner, Elder statesman Gowon who was the Chairman however eulogised the former Federal Commissioner for Information and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, describing him as an ardent lover of education and one who portrayed genuine intention to educational development, adding that his enthusiasm and many other civil servants helped him to succeed then as head of state.

According to him, his long standing relationship with Chief Clark made him cut short his birthday celebration in the United States and returned to Nigeria, even as he stressed that the visit of Chief Clark along side former military governor of old Bendel, Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia affirmed his immediate pronouncement if no Victor, no Vanquished after the Nigeria Civil War and he immediately began process of true reconciliation, adding that Chief Clark is a great nationalist who was so committed to reconciliation and healing of wounds after the war that was a necessary and brotherly one to keep Nigeria as one.

system. Nothing close to that is our intention.

"Not at all! We saw the hopeless situation of our basic education system. Because of my experience with the comatose educational system in the state that we were about to inherit, even from the days of my campaigns, long before we assumed office, I made it very clear that we would carry out surgical action on it during our campaigns. “ We mentioned our intention to the whole world that we will address the issue of poor and totally dilapidated educational infrastructure of basic education to aggressively solve the problem. But as usual, people do not take politicians serious because of their experience.

“Some of our policies are necessary but painful and may not be well accepted now. We are, however, convinced that surgery is not always pleasing and soothing to those who need it but the joy of recovery and healing afterwards more than compensate for the temporary pain of going under the knife.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—11

Corruption, most terrible monster confronting Nigeria —Carrington

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN — FORMER United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Walter Carrington has said that until Nigeria begins to rely less on capital intensive sectors of the economy and more on labour intensive ones, the country will find it difficult to meet its ambitious goals of being one of the world’s 20 most important economies.

Ambassador Carrington spoke, yesterday, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital while delivering the 29th convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN. He pointed out that,”diversification is urgently needed to make the economy less vulnerable to downswings in the petroleum prices. Even when oil prices were historically high, the unemployment rate, instead of fall-

ing rose from 21 per cent in 2010 to 24 per cent in 2011."

Nigeria’s recent economic growth has been mainly driven by the non-oil sector because of high consumer demand and the cruel irony is that whatever Nigeria and others in Africa might do to improve their economies their efforts in the short run could be undone by a renewed global financial crisis.

“As I was writing this, there was still much uncertainty over the consequences that might ensue if the United States failed to meet its international debt obligations, thus this continent (Africa) remains at the mercy of a world financial order which it has little or no influence on.”

Walter Carrington also noted that USA and others around the world profit from Nigeria’ greatest export, her accomplished people at

the expense of the growth and development of Nigeria.

He said: “I often ask Nigerians who are legally in US why they remain, the two major impediments to going back which they cite are fears of corruption and the growing absence of security.”

According to him: "They cringe whenever they hear Nigeria belittled on television comedies because of 419 schemes.

They have so much to contribute to their homeland and ways must be found to create the environment which will invite them to return and reverse the brain-drain which does so much damage to the polity.

“As we all know, he said, "corruption is the most terrible monster that confronts Nigeria, but we must all work hard to tame this monster. In order words, I

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR PETER OBE, LATE VETERAN PHOTO-JOURNALIST

From left, Mr. Dolapo Obe (Son), Mr. Olufemi Obe (Son), and Mrs. Janet Obe (wife ), during the Service of Songs for veteran photo-journalist, late Peter Obe, at Calabar Club, Surulere, Lagos. Photos: Diran Oshe

From left, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Executive Director, Daily Times; Mr. Sola Odunfa, former Editor, Lagos Weekend (Daily Times), and Sir Odafe Othihiwa former GM, Daily Times.

am certain that virtually all the problems associated with governance would be removed if we can summon the courage to tackle corruption and banish it from our activities.”

Carrington added that development does not have a bigger enemy than corruption and the development of Nigeria is hinged on ridding politics from corruption and corrupt practices.

“But I regret to say that I have seen too many good people of high character yield after putting up a good fight, which is why efforts must be redoubled to create an environment in which character and virtues are rewarded and not scorned.

"The question must now be asked, why is Africa’s most endowed country which earn $57billion a year in oil revenue not yet able to solve its persistent problems of electric power and infrastructure,” he queried.

He therefore challenged stakeholders in Nigeria, saying, "a cure must be found for the corrosive cancer of corruption."

Jonathan appoints Ahmadu Ali, 19 others as board chairmen

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

P

RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan, yesterday, approved the appointments of the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmadu Ali and 19 others as chairmen of 20 Federal Government parastatals.

The list indicates that Senator Ali, also one time Federal Commissioner for Education during the military administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, would now head the National Universities Commission, NUC, as Chairman.

This was contained in a statement issued last night by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Oshiomhole urges NBA not to jeopardize kidnapping law

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FOLLOWING threats by Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Edo State chapter, not to defend cases of suspected kidnappers standing trial due to the recent kidnap of a High Court Judge and other victims in the state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, appealed to members to have a rethink in order not to jeopardize the law on kidnapping which he signed last week.

The governor also said that the state government, in conjunction with security agencies in the state, was looking into the option of the reintroduction of checkpoints in strategic areas of the state as a way of checkmating incidents of kidnapping in the state.

Oshiomhole spoke at a town hall meeting organized to discuss with stakeholders, the plans by the state government to sell Edo House in Lagos and the security situation in the state.

The governor, who said he understood the sentiments of the NBA which led to that decision, however, cautioned that such decision would work in favour of the kidnappers and not the state.

He said: “There is no

doubt that we are all worried about the activities of these criminals, but if we decide that you will not defend kidnappers, we should also remember that under our law, criminals are entitled to legal representation and if any criminal cannot afford one the state will provide for the person. So, if you don’t defend them, it means that we will never convict any kidnapper in the state. The court must prove beyond reasonable doubt that a person is a kidnapper. Our law says one is innocent until proved guilty. So, I want to appeal that you reconsider your decision on that so that the law on kidnapping will benefit our people.

“The Bar and the Bench must also help to ensure that this law we passed succeeds by avoiding endless adjournments. If we all agree to carry out accelerated hearings it will be better for us. We have to reconsider the reintroduction of road blocks in the state because we discovered that each time people are kidnapped here they are always rescued in Delta State where you have so many road blocks. Our roads here are very free and that is why these criminals get away with a lot of things.”

Responding to critics of

the planned sale of Edo House in Lagos, some of who put annual accruable revenue from the property at over N100million, Oshiomhole said the best that government could make on the investment in a year was N34 million and about “N1.6 billion,” in 40 years time.

He added: “My obligation is Edo State and Edo people, not Lagos State. I believe in divesting from Lagos State and investing in Edo State.

After reviewing the situation, we decided that the house be sold so that we can use the proceeds to develop Benin City.

We decided to advertise the sale because we believe in transparency.

But there were governments in this state that sold property of the state without people knowing about it. But we said we would not do that because we want to make a difference.”

Meanwhile, EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the state government to rescheduled the stakeholders meeting which was called at the instance of the governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, claiming that its invitation letter to the meeting was only delivered yesterday.

...as royal fathers, others back Oshiomhole on Edo House sale

T

HE Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, the Crown Prince, the Royal fathers of Opoji, Okpella and many other stakeholders, yesterday, threw their weights behind the plan by the Government of Edo State to sell the Edo House in Lagos.

Speaking at a Town Hall meeting to address the twin issues of security and the proposed sale of the state’s Liaison office in Lagos, called Edo House, the Oba of Benin said the Edo House had become a liability and had lost its appeal.

Speaking through Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin Kingdom, the Oba

frowned at the controversy generated by the planned sale and told the governor to “go ahead and sell it.”

Also the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, HRH Ehenede Erediauwa, said he fully supported the sale of the Edo House.

He said: “My presence is to support the position of the palace, the position of the traditional rulers that the governor has taken the pains which he did not have to do. There have been governors who would not even talk to anyone but go ahead to do what they have to do.

“Here is a man of integrity and principle and he has the time to

call this kind of meeting.

I have been to Edo House in Lagos and it is nothing to write home about. It is just that we have a kind man who has the interest of the people at heart giving out all these facts which could easily have been given out by his officials.

“I am personally here to say sell it and invest the revenue in Edo State. Invest it in a five star hotel and convention centre which is very important because many big conferences are going elsewhere. When conferences are being held, Edo State is screened off. How many retreats have we witnessed in Edo State?”, he asked.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—13

Experts blame failed projects on corruption

SECURITY: Army begins massive recruitment —Ihejirika

BY DANIEL GUMM

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

W

ARRI—EXPERTS in the civil engineering profession have blamed the incessant collapse of structures and failed projects in Nigeria on corruption, lack of knowledge transfer from veterans in civil/structural engineering to younger engineers.

This came as the new chairman of Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, Warri Chapter, Engr. Okeke Donald Chijioke, appealed to members of his executive and practising engineers in the area to work together to advance the course of civil and structural engineering in Delta State.

The experts, who spoke at the 2013 NICE Annual Seminar with the theme: Management and Value Optimisation of Civil Engineering Projects in Nigeria, held at Ugborikoko, Effurun, identified lack of technicians, craftsmen and other low cadre manpower in engineering as another major impediment to the practice of civil and structural engineering in the country.

Maidoh’s first year remembrance holds today

A

THANKSGIVING service to mark one year remembrance of late Justice Augustine Maidoh, will hold today at All Saints Catholic Church, Onicha Ugbo in Delta State. The service will be followed by the unveiling of his statute at his residence.

Late Maidoh was appointed a judge in 1976 and President of the Customary Court in 1993 before his retirement in 1997.

T

VISIT: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right) explaining some points to Colonel Federick R. Swart (left) and Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu, Commander, Eastern Naval Command, during a courtesy call at the Governor's Office, Uyo.

Edo LG by-election: Soldiers, police flood Uromi

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THERE is apprehension in Esan NorthEast Local Government Council of Edo State as soldiers and mobile policemen deployed in the state from Abuja, flooded the streets of Uromi, ancestral home of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, ahead of today’s rescheduled Local Government Council election.

It would be recalled that the election was cancelled twice due to violence perpetrated by

rival political parties.

The by-election is also expected to hold in Isi-South, ward 8, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

Already, palpable fear has gripped the people of Esan North-East over the heavy presence of battle ready mobile policemen numbering over two thousand, and scores of soldiers, raising apprehension that the election may be marred with low turnout.

John Yakubu is the candidate of the PDP while Sam Oboh is flying the APC flag.

The presence of Chief

Anenih in the area up till Sunday when he left for Abuja, is allegedly creating panic in the camp of the APC. Their fear was further compounded by the deployment of mobile policemen from Abuja, which heightened allegation by APC in the state that the PDP intended to rig the election with the army and the police.

The Acting chairman of the APC in the state, Thomas Okosun warned that “the people will resist any attempt to use external forces to rig the election. We are ready for the election and that is why we have been campaigning seriously.”

CDHR to NUT: Suspend planned sympathy strike with ASUU

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

A R R I— C O M MITTEE for Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Delta State chapter, has called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, to suspend its planned sympathy strike with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. “We feel strongly that it is not necessary. Another strike by NUT at this time will compound the problems already encountered by parents of their wards,” the state chap-

ter said in a statement by the chairman and secretary, Benefit Orugbo and Chief Fred Omereyone.

According to Delta CDHR, “The problems of insecurity and moral decadence will be worsened among pupils in the various schools in the country if NUT fails to heed this modest advice. NUT should not bow to pressures by embarking on a sympathy strike as the Federal Government has not failed the NUT in its obligation to members in the past.

“We have experienced over time that, like a game of foot-

ball where two giants fight, the grass bears the main brunt of the battle. The grass in the ASUU strike appears to be the students in this case, as members of ASUU and the government may not suffer any pains at the end of the strike, but students, definitely, will lose ground by the time they will graduate.

“The respective interests in the ASUU strike ought to be addressed by the deliberating parties to protect, promote and secure the future of the average Nigerian student who cannot afford education abroad.”

HE Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said yesterday, that the Army had commenced massive recruitment to tackle the security challenge in the country even as retired army generals warned that the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable.

At the opening of a fiveday seminar organised by the Army’s Department of Civil-Military Affairs, at the 2Division Odogbo, Ibadan, yesterday, Ihejirika said: “I have commenced the recruitment of 9,000 persons in our various training institutions.”

The COAS, represented by Maj. Gen. John Ewansiha, reiterated the intention of the army to train and retrain its officers to meet the security challenge of the country.

Aghedo for burial

W

IFE of former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and retired Inspector General of Police, AIG, Sunday Aghedo, Mrs Rabiatu Aghedo is dead.

She died in an Indian hospital.

Her remains, brought back to Nigeria recently, will be buried on October 31, at her residence, 3-5 Dada Aghedo Street, Ago- Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

Late Mrs. Aghedo

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 15

C M Y K

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 17

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S Nigerians, we are all acutely aware of what is wrong with Nigeria, especially since we are all part and parcel of the Nigerian affliction. It is quite amazing that when you visit that uncle who stole government funds to build his mansion at Banana Island, he sits you down to talk about the problem of corruption in Nigeria. When this happens, you find it difficult to resist saying: “But, uncle, you are also a thief! I know you stole the money to build this house when you were the Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Culture.”

Where two or three Nigerians are gathered, you can be sure we are busy running down our country. What we don’t do enough is talk about some of the things that are right with Nigeria. Let’s face it; there are quite a few of these as well, even if they are often quite enigmatic.

The genius of Nigeria: One of the things right with Nigeria is Nigeria. It does not matter how the country came about. It does not matter if Nigeria is an accident of history. It does not matter that Nigeria is several countries haphazardly lumped together into one. Irrespective of the ifs and the buts, the fact remains that Nigeria is a pure genius of a country. The very existence of a country called Nigeria is a masterstroke of providence.

As a graduating doctoral student at Oxford University, England, I was interviewed for jobs I did not apply for.

Multinational organizations, including the World Bank and Bank of America, came on campus to interview us for jobs.

In the case of the World Bank, I

The ‘Goodluck' called Nigeria million and growing, Nigeria is difficult to miss on the map.

As the most populous black nation, soon to be the third most populous in the world, Nigeria and Nigerians cannot be ignored. Nobody wonders why Barack Obama, the President of the United States, did not visit Burkina Faso on two different trips to Africa. But every student of international relations wonders why he did not visit Nigeria. If Obama visits Nigeria, he makes a statement.

If he does not visit Nigeria, he makes a statement. The reason is simple: Nigeria, by its very essence, is a major actor on the world stage.

The country, and its people, command attention and demand attention. If a Nigerian is somewhere, you will know.

You will hear his voice because he will be loud and outspoken.

It is not easy to pretend not to see the elephant in the room, and Nigeria is the only elephant in black Africa. However, the onus is on us to ensure that this

,

,

Nigeria is the only elephant in black Africa.

However, the onus is on us to ensure that this elephant does not die of elephantiasis

was even flown to Paris. There was always a sticking-point in the interviews I agreed to attend: my insistence on returning to Nigeria after having spent thirteen years abroad.

What precisely is the attraction of Nigeria? Why is Nigeria such a difficult country to live in and yet, once we are out of the country, we cannot wait to get back? One of these days, I may be able to answer that. One thing I can say right now is that, without Nigeria, the world would be a much poorer place.

Black man’s Prometheus: The first casualty of a world without Nigeria would be the black race.

Never mind the fact that Nigeria remains one big mess, and has been for the longest time.

This is perhaps inevitable, as we work out the curious alchemy of this peculiar nation of over 250 nationalities.

The fact remains that the black man would be absolutely insignificant in the world without Nigeria and Nigerians.

With a population of over 160

elephant does not die of elephantiasis.

Nigerian politicians: Don’t let me get carried away. Nigeria is important because it exists.

Nigeria is a brilliant masterstroke, even if created by colonial happenstance. But one other thing that is fantastic about Nigeria, but that Nigerians themselves fail to realise, is that coupled with the enormous resource endowments and potentials of the country, Nigeria has some of the best politicians in the world. Yes, yes, yes; Nigerian politicians are thieves. They are crooks. They have stolen the country blind. They are leading the country into the ditch. Yes indeed! Nevertheless, they are excellent at what they do best.

Nigerian politicians are devilishly excellent politicians.

This country cannot do without them.

Precisely because Nigerian politicians are crooks, they have a vested interest in Nigeria.

That vested interest is in the continued existence of Nigeria.

If Nigeria ceases to exist, the

politician crooks of Nigeria will not have Nigeria to steal from.

Since there is oil in Nigeria, nobody will secede from Nigeria. To secede from Nigeria is to secede from Nigeria’s oil. Neither can anyone be allowed to secede from Nigeria with Nigeria’s oil. When that happened, even thieves and robbers fought that Nigeria must be one.

Make no mistake about it: we were not fighting President Goodluck Jonathan because we believed in Nigeria.

We were fighting because we believe in a Southerner, M.K.O. Abiola, in Nigeria’s resources. We believe 1993; instead of their own in Nigeria’s wealth. I have yet Northern favourite-son, Bashir to meet a Nigerian who does Tofa. It was also Northerners not truly believe that Nigeria is who fished out a Southerner, a country with huge potentials. Olusegun Obasanjo, from Accordingly, our politicians prison and then secured his form and join different political election as president in 1999.

So what am I saying here? parties, but it is all one big lie.

All Nigerian politicians belong There is more to Nigeria than to one single party: Politicians meets the eye. There is an invisible hand guiding the Party of Nigeria (PPN).

Northern nationalism: The affairs of this nation, and our Nigerian military, on the other politicians are its instrument. hand, is reckless. It was under Yes, we are going through fits the military that the East and starts. We are seemingly seceded as Biafra. It would not floundering from one problem have happened under civilian to the next. Nevertheless, there politicians. The patchwork is a method to the madness that quilt that is Nigeria would have is Nigeria. When you stand back and take a deep hard look, been mended and amended. you cannot escape the fact that, in spite of all our palaver, we Debating and are nevertheless on the horse trading trajectory of becoming a nation.

Nigerian “goodluck”: We There would have been a lot have been fighting against a of debating and horse-trading. determinate providence out to Odumegwu Ojukwu might create a united states of black have been elected President of excellence out of Nigeria. That Nigeria by a landslide. He invisible hand put Hausas, Ibos, might even have been the sole Yorubas, and a host of other presidential candidate. The unlikely ethnic bedfellows, in Igbo would have been mollified the same Nigerian melting-pot. for the wrongs done to them; and Nigeria would have So doing, it gave us Maitama Sule, one of the greatest orators remained one.

If you don’t believe me, think of his generation. It gave us back to what happened when Aliko Dangote, the most the troublesome military enterprising businessman in annulled the free and fair Africa. It gave us Chike Obi, of the greatest election of 1993. The matter was one mathematicians the world has resolved by a political ever seen.

It gave us Wole masterstroke of the Nigerian political class. The decision Soyinka, Nigeria’s Nobel was taken that a Yoruba man laureate in Literature. It gave should become the president of us a country with by far the most Nigeria. In that process, the enterprising people on the much-vilified North emerged as entire continent of Africa.

That invisible hand also gave Nigeria’s greatest nationalists. is Goodluck Jonathan. The It was Northerners, after all, message is written in his name. who voted overwhelmingly for

I am convinced Goodluck Jonathan never imagined, growing up, that he would one day be the president of Nigeria.

I doubt if he ever thought he would even be the governor of Bayelsa State. As a doctoral student, he probably aspired to become a university professor or even a university vicechancellor.

However, “Goodluck” propelled Goodluck Jonathan to be Nigeria’s president literally overnight.

What are we to make of this?

A decision was taken somewhere and somehow that a South-South man needed to become President of Nigeria at a precise moment of our history.

For some absolutely ridiculous reasons, a terminally-sick man was “installed” as president. He promptly died in office. That unfortunate comeuppance was Nigeria’s “goodluck.” There is something incongruous about having the whole country benefit from South-South oil, without thinking it imperative to have a South-South president at some juncture. Therefore, the time for Nigerian inclusiveness of the SouthSouth was decreed. Out of the blue, a South-South man, by the name of Goodluck Jonathan, became president of Nigeria.

We must not lose the message of this inclusiveness. If pioneering Barack Obama was re-elected as president of the United States in 2012, pioneering Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected as president of Nigeria in 2015.

Misguided militancy This has nothing to do with the nonsense of some SouthSouth militants who declare that if Jonathan does not remain president until 2019, Nigeria will cease to exist. That kind of bombast and blackmail should be ignored. Nigeria is not going anywhere. But in the interest of Nigeria, the SouthSouth should retain the presidency until 2019. Even the APC should also consider fielding a South-South man as their presidential candidate in 2015. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians. Therefore, our acceptance of a South-South president should not be grudging. As a matter of fact, Jonathan’s South-South presidency is well-positioned to advance the Nigeria project significantly.

Jonathan’s biggest legacies are already unfolding. He is the first South-South president.

Under him, giant strides are being taken in Nigerian agriculture yet again. The perennial problems of power shortage are beginning to be addressed with appreciable results. Under Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians will finally get the opportunity to determine their future, under the aegis of a Sovereign National Conference.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

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HERE has been an alarming increase in crisis of confidence between state governments and religious organisations, particularly Christian churches in our society. It is coming in different variations from different parts of the country. In each instance, we see either side acting as though it is not bound by law, morality or simple decency.

In Osun State, the regime of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has acted with impunity, merging Christian mission schools with those of Moslems or state-owned institutions in the name of educational reclassification, which Christian interest groups allege as “Islamisation of education” in the state. In Enugu State, the government ordered the demolition of the Cathedral of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in the Coal City, even when a court case on the matter is yet to be decided. The state government alleges that the church is built on a drainage channel.

In Ogun State, it was the church that was branded the aggressor. Staff of Bishop David Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel in September 2013, reportedly beat up tax officers of the Ogun State

Curbing government, churches’ showdowns Government, who were on official duty. Another assault was reported when officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, accompanied by journalists, went to serve notice over an illegal building project.

The most recent case was the sealing of the headquarters of the Lord’s Chosen Church by the Lagos State Government over alleged dirty environment and blocked drainage, though the church continues to function in spite of the closure.

This ugly trend, if not checked, will one day lead to breakdown of law and order. We do not want to see a repetition of the mishandling of the Boko Haram sect, which became an insur-

gent organisation when its leader was extra-judicially killed in police custody. Religion is a very sensitive matter. There is an onus on both state actors and leaders of religious organisations to understand the thin line between the spiritual and moral force of religion and the constitutional mandate of state authorities. Both sides must act within the law at all times.

Any time a state authority wants to introduce a socially-relevant policy which might affect the interests and estates of religious organisations it must meet, discuss and agree with the affected religious stakeholders before seizing their property. But where such property stands against public good, government must do its work but without prejudice to the legal rights of the religious bodies. The church must abide by the dictum: “Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to Him.” Religious groups and the state must work together because society cannot do without either.

Leaders and elder statesmen must not sit idly by and watch government officials and church or mosque members slug it out. It is an ill wind that blows no one any good.

OPINION

BY FRED IKEDIALA

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MO State touts education as its biggest industry.

This is not surprising as the State records one of the highest annual school enrolments and the greatest number of JAMB registration almost on a yearly basis.

Government after government in the State therefore strives to make a mark in this all important sector.

It is no different for Governor Rochas Okorocha who promised free education up to the tertiary level.

Whether or not the promise has been kept thus far, is a matter for another day but what are the likely effects of the rumoured relocation of the Imo State Library, and other education-related actions of the Governor on the growth or otherwise of education in the State?

The Imo State Library Board is a statutory body established for the purpose of providing library and information services for the teeming reading population in the State. The board has its equivalent in every State in the federation and the structural design of the library in every state capital (at least in the South East) is, without doubt, the same, while the location also approximates to the same thing, that is the city centre.

This is not without reason. The function of the library as a repository of information encompasses acquisition, collation, analysis and dissemination of information in book and non-book materials for the benefit of information seekers. But dissemination of information by the library or information centre relates more to cataloging, abstracting and indexing to facilitate the retrieval of data from materials therein by users of the

Why the relocation of the Imo State Library Board library. It is different from dissemination as we know it in the electronic media. Whereas for instance, the radio and television avail you of information while you are in the comfort of your living room, you need to visit the library to access data/information in the books, periodicals and other information materials housed therein. The location of the library/information centre is therefore of paramount importance. It should be at a place where it can be easily accessed by all categories of information seekers.

This, no doubt, accounts for the central location of Imo State Library and those of the other states in the federation. t is therefore not surprising that the much talked about relocation of the Imo State Library to somewhere near the Central Bank area removed from the city centre is attracting so much flak from the reading Imo public. The advertised intention of the Governor for the planned relocation namely, to give readers a more serene environment for better assimilation, reasonable as it may sound, fails to cut ice when one realises that the library is meant for children, adults, handicapped and the aged alike. All these classes of people need to have access to the library without much difficulty.

About 80% of Owerri inhabitants live within and around the city centre and it will be quite a burden for a blind person, for instance, to be given the extra

I

tedium of having to find his way to such a removed location in his bid to gather information. He and other such handicapped and aged people will need to look for a cab to get there. They will be discouraged.

Some observers have queried why the trees which have for years been part of the library surroundings and lent some serenity to its environment, were uprooted if the reason for the planned relocation is to achieve serenity. Trees have come to be identified with library locations all over the world and not only do such trees provide needed shades but readers also use the shades as recreation ground when they feel saturated.

Is it possible that there are personal reasons for the planned relocation? Some critics of the Okorocha Government who claim to have inside information, say the Governor plans to build a shopping mall for one of his relations at the present location of the library.

They are quick to make reference to many such precedents set by the Governor since he assumed office to corroborate their assertion. While not buying into that line of thought, one is hard put fathoming why the relocation of the library should be a priority for a Governor who has numerous uncompleted (some say abandoned) projects littered all over the State.

*Mr Ikediala, a political analyst, wrote from Owerri, Imo State

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—19

HE crash of the Associated Airlines flight 361 on Thursday, October 3, 2013 in which about 14 persons died is quite tragic and regrettable. Coming at a time when the Federal Government and the aviation authorities have done so much to build on the nation’s enviable safety record is very ironic and paradoxical.

The facts on ground do not, however, lend credence to suggestions that Nigeria’s airspace is unsafe. In fact, the Nigerian airspace has never been safer than it is presently, given the quantum and quality of the safetycritical equipment and infrastructure, as well as certified manpower that the present administration has put in place in the past two years. A quick take: Apart from the remodelling of airport terminals across the country- a critical component of aviation safety and security which everyone can see; a lot has been done in the area of safety infrastructure. Particular note must be taken of NAMA’s Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria, TRACON, which even the greatest critics of the Aviation Ministry concede is working excellently well; instrument landing systems, airfield lighting and multilateration equipment, NIMET’s Doppler Weather Radars, Wind Shear Alert Systems, and Accident Investigation and Prevention, AIPB’s Scientific Laboratory, amongst several others. There is also NCAT’S state-of-the-art training equipment and

Revised Civil Aviation Policy which places high premium on safety. It is therefore absolutely false, incorrect and misleading to suggest, as some commentators are doing in the wake of the Associated Airlines crash that it is all about terminal rehabilitation and nothing else.

While we take every constructive criticism in good faith, we are totally averse to the ones that are self-serving, false, mischievous and ill-motivated. Femi Fani-Kayode’s latest vituperations against the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, fall squarely into this category. Femi Fani-Kayode had a woefully failed career as Aviation Minister. Now, he is trying his hand as a social critic and public commentator. Tragically, he is failing again, very woefully at that.

For the records, Fani-Kayode served as Aviation Minister for six months (November 2006-May 2007), during which period he is gloating that the nation did not record any plane crash. That no plane crash occurred during these short six months cannot be a laurel worthy of any mention for anyone with higher goals, standards and expectations. But since FaniKayode lacks any sense of high achievement, we cannot blame him for living up to his understandably low expectations.

If we were to take six months as the average, I doubt if Oduah whom he is vilifying today would be a culprit. But this is beside the point. The real question to interrogate is what exactly, in terms of projects, policies, institutional

What the present Aviation Minister has achieved is so substantive that attempting to put her side by side with Fani-Kayode is a huge disservice to Nigerians

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reforms or safety infrastructure Fani-Kayode put in place as Minister that ensured that no plane came down from the skies during his watch? Absolutely nothing!

As far as records show, he was clueless, frightened to take any initiative whatsoever and eventually exited without any garlands. Regrettably, he left a trail of retrogressive missteps still haunting the aviation sector today by the scandalous recruitment of hundreds of misfits into managerial positions in the aviation parastatals! The bulk of the crisis of institutional bankruptcy suffered in the agencies today, and for which Oduah has been busy cleaning up, is directly traceable to this policy of nepotism and ethnic empowerment enthroned by FaniKayode during his short sojourn as Minister.

It is therefore very fraudulent for Fani-Kayode to claim credit for what he contributed absolutely nothing to achieve. The 2006 Civil Aviation Act, the closest ‘achievement’ he could have stretched his hands to lay claim to, was already completed and

Urhobos Senatorial Tsunami

BY WILLIAM BOZIMO

A

TYPICAL Delta pidgin goes this way:“Play play naim de turn to eat and go”. The Delta Central Senatorial byelection which took place on October 12, 2003 turned out to be such that most people in Delta felt the APC, a party that had nothing on ground and the DPP decided to change the fortune of the Urhobo Nation by coming back in their droves to vote PDP and reclaim the glory which the PDP lost narrowly in 2011 to DPP. I knew and told anyone that cared to listen after the unfortunate demise of Senator Pius Ewherido, a former PDP man, who joined the opposition DPP and literally ran away with the Delta Central Senatorial seat, that PDP would win back the temporarily lost mandate. For one, in Delta, the PDP’s goodwill and love by the people has remained intact.

One could see how odd it looked with the lone Senator in the Red Chambers representing a major ethnic group. Recall that the Urhobos were calling on the Federal Government’s attention to the seeminglymarginalised plight of the Urhobos .

This time around, to retake what belonged to the PDP by virtue of its popularity, the Urhobo Nation spoke as One-Man, in very loud voice to proclaim their “Ovuovoness” and common destiny by emphatically voting in a Tsunami style, reminiscent of the 2012 flood by giving the PDP 263,024 votes to defeat eight other candidates.

The PDP won in all the eight local government areas in the Senatorial district; indeed it was PDP all the way as it moved fast like a train ready to crush any obstacle on its path.

Though the victory was predictable, a lot of zeal had gone into its execution as the

PDP leadership ensured that they were not taken for a ride a second time. With the kind of scenario playing out in some parts of the country where some seven rebelling governors had the effrontery to test the will, authority and determination of the ruling PDP, Delta State,with Governor Uduaghan, a staunch supporterof President Goodluck Jonathan, the least expected of him was to overrun all the opponents even in their strong holds and bedrooms. And permanently erase or wipe any traces of the opposition in Delta where PDP is the only party standing.

As expected, the losers have given several excuses why they lost out, alleging that the election was rigged and characterised by massive fraud. We know that in Nigeria, people do not accept defeat at the polls, especially when a party that was registered two months ago like APC was expecting miracles to happen and record victory on a platter of gold. They wrongly described the election as a sham and alleging impunity and violence.

For Dafinone: “We are here to tell the world that the people of Delta Central were denied the right to choose a Senator of their own choice" (whatever this means).

Emerhor, the APC candidate, said: “I hereby place it on record that no bye election took place in Delta Central on October 12, 2013. What took place was a sham calculated to select a Senator.” What do we make of this?

The APGA candidate is moving to the court with his team of lawyers. These reactions are also too familiar and Delta PDP had witnessed several election tribunal cases and had won them all. These threats would not be different and the Governor is ever so prepared to take them all in his stride.

Uduaghan's tradition after winning an

awaiting passage in the National Assembly when he was redeployed to the Aviation Ministry. He did not make a single input to that document.

Far from any positive contribution to the growth and development of the aviation sector, Fani-Kayode left a catalogue of very inglorious imprints on the aviation landscape in his short sojourn in the sector. If anything, what we saw, and still see of him is sheer display of ignorance, arrogance and impunity.

For instance, as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, long before he was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism, Fani-Kayode displayed what later emerged as a cultivated culture of impunity when he refused that his Police Orderly be disarmed or drop his arms and ammunition while trying to board a plane at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos in accordance with international best practice. When all effort by security operatives to stop the Orderly from carrying the weapons on board failed, then FAAN Airport Manager, one Mr Okuyiga telephoned the pilot to report the danger posed by Kayode and his Police Orderly to other passengers with their dangerous weapons. Again, when the pilot’s entreaties to Kayode to see reason why Aviation rules and regulations disallowing weapons on board should be obeyed failed, the pilot put off the engine of the aircraft and ordered every passenger out of the plane.

It was only the outrage that other frightened passengers expressed, and their insistence that Kayode and his men cannot be allowed on board with dangerous weapons that saved the day. The Orderly, left

,

T

BY JOE OBI

,

Re:Rumours of sacrifice, Agagu and Oduah simulators as well as NCAA’S

The senatorial bye electionsis a dress rehearsal; 2015 will have a similar show of PDP supremacy in the governorship poll and all other elections, including the council poll

,

election is usually to church to give praises to the Almighty. It was not different this time as he said that it was the power of God that “the PDP regained its lost territory in the state which is Delta Central Senatorial District. The victory is worth celebrating as some parties had even written petitions ... while the election was going on, claiming there was no election in the state.”

He urged Chief Emmanuel Aguawariavwodo to give effective representation to his people and attract democracy dividends to the state.

For the PDP State Chairman, Chief Peter Nwoboshi, the oracle turned miracle, told the opposition party leadership in this frank response to the DPP chairman: “I do not want to respond to unfounded allegations by the losing parties”. He pointedly told the DPP Chairman, Chief Eseagwu that: “He is not even a political party chairman because he was not elected by any congress. You are journalists, go and find out.”

Peter Nwoboshi, a lawyer said that by the provisions of the Electoral Act, the DPP with Ezeagwu and APC do not have any party chairmen in the state but the PDP did not want to rely on technicality to knock their parties out of the polls. Its votes speak of its general and broad acceptance anyway.

with no other choice, surrendered the weapons and the plane departed.

Fani-Kayode never forgave the airport manager and waited patiently for his day of vengeance.

Providence would give him the day of reckoning he had been waiting for when he was redeployed, months later to the Aviation Ministry. Expectedly, his very first assignment as Minister was to transfer the very experienced, professional Manager who insisted that global best practice in the Aviation industry be upheld, to a nondescript airport in the Northern part of the country.

It is very instructive that in the entire diatribe against Oduah, Fani-Kayode never claimed any other ‘achievement’ beyond the puerile claim that no plane crashed under his watch! If anyone were to claim credit for the safety record attained during that period, it should in fact be the immediate past Director-General of the NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, and not Femi Fani-Kayode. We cannot therefore hazard comparism between Oduah and Femi Fani-Kayode because there is absolutely no basis for comparism. What the present aviation Minister has achieved is so glaring and substantive that attempting to put her side by side with the loquacious Fani-Kayode is a huge disservice and insult to the psyche of Nigerians who know where we are coming from as far as aviation in Nigeria is concerned.

Fortunately, Oduah has rolled up her sleeves and is currently cleaning up the mess left by FaniKayode and his ilk.

*Mr Obi is SA (Media) to the Hon Minister of Aviation

“And that was why we said let us go to the polls and prove who is who,” I can recall Nwoboshi saying.

The outcome of the by-election has again proved beyond doubt that Dr. Uduaghan is not just a true Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, but also as a task master of the art of winning elections.

This he did by pushing back what I would call a band of OPC mercenaries from Oduduwa Republic with a mixture of some miscreants from Edo and Abiku enclaves.

Governor Uduaghan has sent a very strong message to the invading political merchants who mistook Delta for Edo State and believed that they could re-enact Tinubu’s and Buhari’s party in Delta State.

For turning them back to their zones, the Governor has proved that he is solely in charge in Delta State and would not brook all any rubbish from those trying to use brooms to sweep themselves into power.

‘Delta No dey Carry Last’.

So, what the opposition have been told, in their numbers and quantity, and not necessarily quality, and also in very emphatic terms through the bye election in Delta Central, is that 2015 will have a similar show of PDP supremacy in the governorship poll and all other elections, including the council poll.

The senatorial bye electionsis a dress rehearsal; the biggest is coming and what would hit the opponents in 2015 will be a bomb shell- a political equivalent of Hiroshima where a nuclear bomb was dropped off by the Americans during World War Two. I have spoken with stakeholders and the people and all they are saying is: Welcome, Aguawariavwodo Emmanuel, relate well in Abuja and keep all the election promises.

THE PEOPLE TRUST YOU!

*Mr Bozimo, a veteran journalist, wrote from Asaba, Delta State

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 21

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HE Nigerian Association of Petroleum E x p l o r a t i o n i s t s (NAPE) says the country has the capacity to meet the 40 billion barrels oil reserves as projected by the Federal Government.

The President of the association, Mr George Osahon, said while briefing newsmen on the association’s 31st Annual I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference scheduled for between Nov. 10 and Nov. 14 in Lagos.

Osahon, who is also the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), said that Federal Government had targeted 40 billion barrels reserves and four million barrels per day production by the year 2020.

According to him, the Nigerian oil and gas industry is currently experiencing declining reserves owing to reduced exploration, a situation that has caused much concern. Osahon said that successful exploration and development of new oil fields would require the use of novel integrated technologies.

He said that the association would at its 31 st Annual International Conference and Exhibition examine critically the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Osahon said that government was committed in meeting the 40 billion barrel oil reserve target, but decried the rate of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the country.

He said as a country, it was in the best interest of the government to increase

R-L: Mr. Emeka Akoh, Group Head of Operations, Enterprise Bank Limited, Mr. Olusola Ajao, Head, Central Clearing, whose team won as the ‘Best Department’ in a Departmental Service Survey (DSS), during this year’s edition of the Customer Service Week, Mr. Aminu Ismail, an Executive Director of the bank; Mr. Nduka Mba-Uzoukwu the bank’s Head of Customer Service and Mr. Lawrence Jompe, Head, Branch Coordination & Credit Operations in a group photograph shortly after Ismail presented the award to Ajao at the Corporate Head office of the bank, weekend.

FG’ll meet 40bn barrels oil reserves by 2020, says NAPE production.

“It is for all of us as stakeholders to work together, minimise the distraction and face the business of boosting the reserves production to 40 billion barrels.”

Osahon said that exploration successes in other African countries had put pressure on Nigeria as a competing destination for oil and gas investments.

He stressed the urgent need

to examine the effectiveness of existing policies to drive growth in the oil and gas industry as well as the development of road maps and new policy initiatives.

Osahon said the association was committed to providing other learning o p p o r t u n i t i e s , including short courses and field trips to the carbonate sedimentation areas in the Eastern Dahomey Basin in

South West Nigeria.

On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the DPR director said the association would continue to advice government on the need to pass the bill into law.

“Stakeholders believe that as exploration and production experts in the oil and gas industry, NAPE should have made greater impact to ensure the passage of the bill into law. The only thing the

Guinness, First Bank, others adjudged best places to work

T

WENTY eight companies were adjudged as the best places to work in Nigeria because of their strong ethical standards and workfriendly environment.

The companies include Guinness Nigeria Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, GlaxoSmith Beecham Nigeria, Akintola Williams & Delloitte, and Microsoft.

Others are Johnson Wax Nigeria Limited, Mansard Insurance Limited, United African Company Plc, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).

Also, the Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Dr. Bamidele Makanjuola and the Registrar, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Mr Sunday Adeyemi went home with awards.

Speaking during the second edition of the Great Place To Work

(GPTW) Awards in Lagos, on Wednesday, the Managing Director GPTW Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Malomo said the awards are one way of contributing to the human capital development in the country.

Malomo said the firm organised a two-day intensive training programme for the Chief Executive officers of companies, adding that the training has helped in knowing the most engaged CEOs in Nigeria, adding that Trust Index and Culture Audit are the two criteria used in determining the companies that have won the awards this year.

He said: ‘While the Trust Index is based on employees’ knowledge of their working environment, the Culture Audit has to do with information on best working practices employed by the companies. We combined the two

modalities, sent them to the company ’s head office in San Francisco where they are analyzed.

There, they agreed on the rankings that we are communicating through this award,’ Malomo said a globally acceptable control standard has been put in place to ensure the success of the exercise, stressing that companies/ individuals that do not meet the cutoff point are not considered for the award. ‘ We have a trust index score known as Global Great Place To Work Trust Cut Off Index. If your company does not meet the cut-off point, there is no way you can be ranked. Often times, there are issues that need to be resolved.

One of them is when companies have tight scores. When this happens, we go to Francisco where they are sorted out, he said.

body can do is to advice and can not force the government to do what they have to do.’’

He said that the National Assembly had the responsibility of either passing or rejecting the bill.

Osahon, however, said that what stakeholders should do was to make representations to the National Assembly in form of memoranda on the bill, adding that the association had already done so.

114.45

-0.25

2,714.00

19.59

-53.00 0.59

110.01 +0.90 101.42 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.81 POUNDS 247.4793 EURO 209.9843 FRANC 170.1583 YEN 1.5758 0.3011 CFA WAUA 236.7172 RENMINBI 25.3429 RIYA 41.2772 KRONA 28.1452 SDR 237.4791

155.31 248.2786 210.6625 170.7078 1.5809 0.3111 237.4818 25.4252 41.4105 28.2361 238.2463

+0.75 SELLING 155.81 249.0779 211.3407 171.2574 1.586 0.3211 238.2463 25.5075 41.5438 28.327 239.0135

CBN Exchange rate as at 18/10/2013

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

I

invested in company XYZ in 2000; I have not heard anything from it since then. No certificate, no dividend, what should I do?

The above is one of the types of complaints received by Investors Forum, almost on weekly basis. It is usually from victims of ‘One-Chance’, investment.

There are significant inefficiencies in the capital market, but the fact is that companies listed on the stock exchange, which are still doing business, posting periodic reports, still ensure they communicate with their shareholders and investors as required by the regulatory authorities. Despite their monumental flaws, the registrars of these companies do try to ensure that all the registered shareholders of these companies are contacted with necessary information.

The communication or correspondences may be late, or delivered to wrong address, but they make attempt to ensure shareholders are updated. So when you have ‘invested’, or bought shares of a listed company for five to 10 years, and you have not received any communication,

Victims of ‘One-chance Investment’

chances are that you have fallen victim of ‘one-chance investment’. If you bought the shares through public offer, the registrar should send you your share certificate, and later dividend warrant, whenever the company declares dividend. If you did not indi-

cate your address properly, or you changed address without informing the registrar, then these documents will be posted to the wrong address. That is why when we receive complaints such as the one above, we advise the individual to contact the registrar of the com-

pany concerned. If the money you paid for the shares was received by the company during the offer, your name will be in the register of members.

But if the company did not receive the money, your name will not be in the register. This implies you are a victim of

Top 10 performing stocks O

n the top ten performing stocks last week were Forte Oil Plc, Conoil Plc, Cadbury Nig. Plc, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Academy Press Plc, and Vi t a f o a m Nig. Plc. The rest were International Breweries Plc, Total Nig. Plc, PZ Cusson and Aiico Insurance Plc. Forte Oil added 33.96 percent or N16.30 to its share price to close at N64.30 from N48.00 per share. It was one of the companies that successfully acquired one of the generating plants in Nigeria in the recent privatisation exercise of the power sector by Bureau of Public Enterprise, where it secured ownership of 434MW Geregu Power Plant.

The company recently revealed plans to extend its operation to other West African markets including Liberia, Togo, Sierre Leone, Chad and Niger Republic. It already has presence in Ghana through APOG, its fully-owned marketing subsidiary. Nine months financial statement to

September, 2013, showed revenue increase of 28.97 percent from N71.43 billion to N92.13 billion in 2012. Cost of sales rose significantly by 32.13 percent to N83.6 billion from

N63.27 billion in equivalent period of 2012. The profit before tax at N3.22 billion was 258.40 percent increase over N898.33 million recorded in 2012, while post tax profit rose by 316.99 percent to N2.74 billion as against N656.39 million in 2012 despite 99.45 percent increase in tax paid within the year. So far, the stock price has risen by 731.82 percent.

Another petroleum marketing company, Conoil Plc, advanced by 21.49 percent or N6.19 to close at N34.99 from N28.80 in the previous week.

Year-to-date, Conoil has returned 106.31 percent capital appreciation to shareholders, though it reduced its dividend to N1.00 per share in 2012 from N2.50 in the previous

year. The half year result for the period ended 30th June, 2013 showed that revenue rose marginally by 4.5 percent to N79.6billion from N76.2billion in 2012. Gross profit also rose by 7.7 percent to N8.32 billion from N7.73 billion. The company was also able to reduce its operating expenses by about N436 billion helping to boost operating profit to N3 billion, 52 percent higher than N1.9 billion posted in 2012.

The effect of the reduction of about N18 billion in loans a l s o saved the comp a n y about N 3 0 0 million in finance cost. Pre-tax profit rose to N1.9 billion, a 199 percent increase over N663 million posted in the same period of 2012.

Confectionery giant, Cadbury Nig. Plc went up by 10.47 percent or N5.40 from N51.60 to N57.00 per share. The company recently announced investment of $100 million in upgrading its facility. An additional $300 million would

also be spent in the second phase of the upgrade to satisfy increasing demand for the product. The company grew revenue by eight percent to N17.43 billion from N16.09 billion for the halfyear ended June, 2013. It reduced cost of sales by six percent to N10.52 billion from N11.16 billion in 2012. It grew its profit before tax by 123 percent from N1.61 billion in 2012 to N3.59 billion, while the post tax profit rose by 136 percent t o N2.52 b i l lion from N1.07 b i l lion.

Custodian & Allied Insurance Plc went up by 9.88 percent or N0.16 from N1.62 to N1.78 per share. Following B e l o w Listing Standard tagged against the company’s name by the Nigerian Stock Exchange,

‘one-chance investment’ decision. The person you gave your money for the shares did not pay into the account of the company that sold shares. He or she just cornered the money for him or herself.

It also happens to those who give money to stockbroking firms or staff of stockbroking firms. We have being receiving complaint from individuals that gave money to staff of stockbroking firms or individuals that own companies that claim to help people buy shares, and they never got dividend from such companies. They had entered ‘onechance investment’, without knowing.

So, if you are out there and you had bought shares and never received communication from the company, you may have become victim of ‘onechance investment’. The only way to confirm is to contact the registrar of the company whose shares you bought or was bought for you. If the registrar cannot find your name in the register of members, sorry, your investment entered ‘one-chance’.

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

NSE, it recently explained that the delay in submission of its 2012 quarter one and two financial statements was due challenges in adopting full International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS. Efforts, according to the company are being made to ensure that three of its companies, including the subsidiaries – Crusader General Insurance Ltd and Crusader Life Insurance Ltd- key into IFRS reporting standard and harmonise the results of those companies.

Academy Press advanced by 9.52 percent or N0.18 to close at N2.07 from N1.89; Vitafoam went up by 6.75 percent or N0.27 from N4.00 to N4.27; International Breweries appreciated by 6.57 percent or N1.32 to close at N21.40 from N20.08; Total garnered 6.03 percent or N9.50 from N157.50 to N167.00; PZ Cusson rose by 5.98 percent or N2.23 to close at N39.50 f r o m N37.27, while Aiico Insurance appreciated by 5.75 percent or N0.05 from N0.87 to N0.92 per share.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 —23

INVESTORS SPEAK

How registrars frustrate dematerialisation C

SCS was introduced to eradicate physical share certificates from the capital market, but investors that have CSCS account numbers are still getting shares certificates. Even if you notify them, they will acknowledge your letter; yet shares certificates will be posted, which shows that company registrars have no proper records. Shareholders have over three account in some companies bearing the same name and same address without merging them to bear one account. Those multiple account is a waste of shareholders’ fund. Also, if the registrar makes any mistake, the shareholder is made to bear the cost by getting a Bankers Confirmation. For example, somebody bearing Mary may receive dividend warrant bearing Mariam, hence unclaimed dividend exist.

Finally NSE, SEC, CSCS should help to intervene in the above issue so that issuing of share certificates can be stopped. The issue of multiple account should be tackled by the regulatory authorities in the capital market, this would help shareholders to embrace edividend. (Ajari Praise, in response to Investors Forum article titled, “Feeble effort to address unclaimed dividend” )

COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS FirstBank where is my 2011, 2012 dividend?

Please help me to find out why First Bank of Nigeria Plc stopped sending me dividend from 2010 to 2011. I bought shares from them in 2007 and I only received dividend in 2008, 2009 and 2012, which was sent in 2013 which is normal. Finally, I want all my dividend paid into my Account by electronic payment system. Can it be possible? (Obilor Charles. I) Investors Forum Yes your dividend can be paid straight into your account. It is called e-dividend. Contact First Registrar and tell them you want to do e-dividend. Also complain to them about the dividend for 2011 and 2012 you have not received. The contact of First Registrar is. Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 08033018295, 08191410456 I need the contact of City Securities I am a shareholder of Ashaka Cement Company. Many years ago,precisely 2006,I was supposed to receive a dividend warrant (Payment No.25) from the company but it never came. I wrote the Regitrar,City Securities Limited(CSL) but got no reply. I called CSL about two years ago and they said that based on their records, that particular dividend had being paid and that if really it wasn’t paid in by me, I should write them so that they would investigate the matter. I wrote them again and all they sent me was an edividend mandate form. What should I do? Does CSL have an e-mail address? I would like to have it. Lastly, if a shareholder dies (without a will), how will his shares be transferred to his/her next of kin? (Okoye Benneth)

Investors Forum If City Securities is silent on the

outcome of the investigations into the matter, it implies the company is culpable. We advise that after contacting the company, if there is no positive response, send a complaint to Securities and Exchange Commission, and c o p y vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com.

The contact of the company is: City Securities Primrose Tower, 2nd Floor, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos. Tel: 234-1-2641298, 234-1-7924462. To your question on how the shares of a late shareholder can be transferred to next of kin without a will. It is a long process and you need to engage the services of a lawyer and stockbroker. But the first critical requirement is who late shareholder indicates as his next of kin when he purchased the shares.

Eurocomm, where are my share certificates?

I bought 3800 & 2100 shares of Fidelity Bank & FCMB respectively via EUROCOMM SECURITIES LTD RC 359573 of 2/4 Customs St. Lagos vide receipt no. 012719 dd. 16/01/2009. The certificate number are 448944 for Fidelity & 260265 for FCMB. I have been writing them to send me my certificate to no avail. Please help me out. (Ignatius Obinozie)

Investors Forum If the company bought the shares on the stock exchange (from existing shareholders), there should not be any certificate issued. Maybe what you referred to as certificate number is CSCS transaction number. But if the shares were bought during the public offers of the bank, the registrars should have sent the certificates to you directly and not Eurocom. We advise that you visit CSCS to ascertain if Eurocomm created an account for you and if any share was credited into the account.

Alternatively, contact the registrars of the two banks to ascertain your share-

holding status. If your findings are negative (No shares in your name), report Eurocomm to NSE and SEC. No communication from Daar Communications I bought share for my baby in Daar Communications since 2007 I have not received any information since then,what will I do? (Basirat Akintola) Investor Forum Daar Communications is yet to pay dividend but if you are yet to receive share certificate contact First Registrars @ Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 08033018295, 08191410456 No dividend from UBA Please assist me in finding out why I have not received dividends for my shares in United Bank for Africa for the past three years.( Emmanuel Bratte) Investors Forum Please contact Africa Prudential Registrars Plc at 220B, Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos. You can call 018401153, 01-8931501, and 01-4606460 or send message to info@africaprudentialregistrars.com.

How do I sell my shares I bought 1500 units shares from FCMB in 2005 how do I dispose it now ( Taiwo . A)

Investors Forum The first thing is to engage a stockbroker to help you deposit the shares in a CSCS Account (or dematerialise).

It could take as long as three months.

After the shares are dematerialised, then it can be sold on the stock exchange.

I lost my Daar Communications

share certificates I have shares with Daar Communications since 2008 and I need to sell these shares to start good business.

And also I am unable to find my certificate sent to me by Daar Communication but i don’t know what to do.

Please advise me.(Godwin Ameh Abah, Otukpo Benue State)

Investors Forum You can’t sell the shares if you without the share certificates. You have to contact the First. Registrar to advise you on what to do with respect to the missing certificates. The contact of First Registrar is Plot 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu or call 08033018295, 08191410456 No communication from Access, UBA & Co I am a shareholder with ACCESS, OCEANIC, U.B.A, INTERCONTINETAL BANK and R.T BRISCO. For over three years I have not heard from any of them, please help me.

(Ojo-Asague Orimoloye, Benin. City)

Investors Forum Contact the registrar of each company. For Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank- United Securities Limited 10, Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Telephone: 01-2714566 or 012714567); For UBA- Africa Prudential Registrars Plc at 220B, Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos. You can call 018401153, 01-8931501, and 01-4606460 or send message to info@africaprudentialregistrars.com; For Oceanic Bank-ESL Registrars Ltd, 16/A Rauf Taylor Close, Off Idego Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

08034550924, 07042952312; For R.T Briscoe-Meristem Registrars Limited 213, Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba, Lagos. Tel: 01-2809250-4, 01-89204912.

Email: info@meristemregistrars.com.

No dividend from Berger Paints

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

NERC earns N390m from licencing fees

By MICHAEL EBOH

T

HE Federal Govern ment has earned about N389.975 million from the issuance of operating licenses to the new owners of the privatised assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. This is apart from the over N400 billion received as proceeds from the sale of the privatised companies.

The money, according to a document obtained by Vanguard, from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, was earned from licensing fees paid by the buyers of the generation, distribution and transmission companies, over the last couple of months.

Analysis of the schedule of fees for the NERC “Licence and Operating Fees Regulation” shows that Government received the following sums from the new licencees: Generation fees of N23.15 million each: *Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited Consortium, MESL, - 1,338.4 megawatts Kainji/Jebba Power generating plant *North-South Power Company, - 600MW Shiroro Power Plc

Furthermore, for operations not connected to the transmission grid or embedded generation, the NERC requires the generating companies to pay the following: *1 – 10MW - N1.675 million *11 - 25MW - N5.825 million *26 - 40MW - N6.663 million *41 - and 60MW - N7.538 million *61 - 85MW — N8.375 million *86 - 100MW — N9.213 million *101 - 200MW — N12.45 million *201 - 400MW — N15.8 million *401 - 500MW — N24.75 million *500MW and above — N32.9 million Distribution and Transmission fees The NERC also received a total of N148.5 million or N13.5 million each from the 11 privatised distribution companies. The management of the Transmission

Company of Nigeria, TCN, paid a licensing fee of N49.5 million.

The combined licensing fees are: *Transmission company N49.5 million *Distribution companies — N13.5 million *System Operations — N49.5 million *Trading — N13.5 million For distribution operations not connected to the grid, companies are to pay a combined licensing fee of N3.35 million.

The fees The licensing fee is a combination of processing fees for application and amendment of licenses, license fees. Also included are annual operating fees, processing fees for renewal and extension of tenure.

Firms in the generation, transmission, system operations and distribution system with operations connected to the transmission grid are expected to pay an annual operating fee of 1.5 per cent of licensee charges/Kilowatt hour.

While those in distribution and trading are expected to pay annual operating fee in the form of 1.5 per cent of their charges per kilowatt hour net the cost of generation and transmission.

For firms not connected to the transmission grid, annual operating fee is 1.5 per cent of tariff charge per kilowatt hour while distribution companies are to pay 1.5 per cent o f their charges per kilowatt net the cost of generation and transmission as annual operating fees.

Transnational corporation *Taleveras Group - 776MW Afam Generating Company *Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Transcorp, - 972MW Ughelli Power plant *Korean Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO, - Egbin Power Plant, and Sapele Power Plant.

Other licencees paid: *Amperion, - N19.875 million - 414MW Geregu Power plant *China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation, CMEC and SEPCo-Pacific Energy N16.6 million each for 304MW Omotosho, and *304MW Olorunsogo Power plants respectively.

There are also other fees for other categories of generating companies. These include: *1 - 10MW - N905, 000; *11 - 50MW - N5.02 million *51 - 100MW - N6.7 million. *101 - 200MW — N9.975 million *201 - 300MW — 13.325 million *301 - 400MW — N16.6 million *401 - 500MW — N19.875 million *500MW and above — N23.15 million.

An illegal structure very close to NNPC Piple-line in beside Diamond Estatem, Isheri-Olofin, along LASU-Isheri road in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

… Licences valid for 10 years

By MICHAEL EBOH

O

PERATING licences issued to the new owners of the privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN companies, and other operators in the power sector is valid only for 10 years, the Federal Government has said.

The licences may thereafter be extended for a maximum of five years.

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, in a notice pasted on its website, titled, “Public notice on the interpretation of sections 71 (10) and 72 (1) of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005, regarding the tenure of its licences,” said upon application, the license can be renewed for an additional 10 years.

According to the NERC, Section 71(10) provides that: “A licence shall be valid for a period of up to, but not exceeding ten years, provided that the Commission may extend the period of a licence taking into account the nature of the undertaking or business, for an additional period not exceeding five

years at a time it determines that it is in the public interest to do so” the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who signed the notice, said the clarification became necessary following the need to mitigate the risks associated with short licence tenure.

The move is also meant to provide financiers as well as other contracting entities the comfort they require to accommodate the long-term gestation of most electricity industry projects He said: “This notice serves as clarification of the position of NERC on these provisions to assure stakeholders in the electricity industry and other interested parties that upon application and subject, only to compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Licence.

“The combined effect of sections 71(10) and 72(1) guarantees the Licensee a cumulative licence tenure of twenty five (25) years made up of the initial ten (10) year grant, a five (5) year extension and another ten (10) years upon renewal.”

FG reconstitutes Team on NEITI Reports

By CHRIS OCHAYI

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reconstituted an Inter Ministerial Task Team, IMT T, to implement the recommendations of Audit Reports of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI. The Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who disclosed this in Abuja at a Dinner in honour of the International Chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative EITI, Clare Short, said the reconstructed Inter Ministerial Task Team would soon be inaugurated by Mr. President.

He explained that President Jonathan’s decision to reconstitute the committee was as result of Government’s decision to fully reintegrate the NEITI mandates into the country ’s economic policy agenda.

According to him “In the wisdom of Mr. President, it is necessary to strengthen the Inter Ministerial Task Team with high ranking officers from all key agencies covered by NEITI process who have requisite authority to take decisions on NEITI Audit Reports findings and recommendations and ensure that these recommendations are implemented.”

The members of the include the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources; Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria; the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources; and Accountant General of the Federation.

Others are the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; the Auditor General of the Federation; the Chief Economic Adviser to the President; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance; the Managing Director, Pipeline and Products Marketing Company; and the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission.

Also included are the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency; the Chairman, Nigeria Miners Association; the Director General, Mining Cadastre Office; and the Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 25

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Oil & People •FELIX AYANRUOH felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

Why Public Private Partnership Can Boost Refinery Projects

I •Port-Harcourt-refinery

FG owes marketers N220bn

By SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE Federal government owes importers of petroleum products over N220 billion claims under the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF. As a result, the marketers said they may not be able to adequately supply products during the Yuletide season unless the debts are cleared.

The Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr Obafemi Olawore, told Vanguard that they are being owed “mainly this year’s imports plus interest charges and fixed fluctuations.”

He also said that the outstanding subsidy pay increased as a result of delay in the payment of verified claims and principal sum, unbearable bank interest rate and foreign exchange differentials.

According to him, the development has put importers at cross roads as they do not have money to continually import petroleum products for the consumption of Nigerians.

Olawore further warned that the development may launch the country into another round of fuel scarcity if nothing is done to offset the outstanding claims of the marketers.

He wondered why marketers are being owed such huge amount despite their efforts in ensuring that the country is not in short supply of petroleum products. The Federal government had recently established a Technical Working Committee of Stakeholders on Delayed Payment of PSF Subsidy Claims of Marketers, to quicken the payment of subsidy to importers.

The Committee’s recent report said the interest rate regime provided for financing in the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) template is indexed to

the 45 days payment cycle in the PSF Agreements.

It stated that marketers are debited by their banks on additional days of non-payment of subsidy refunds which is usually a minimum of 22 percent and can go as high as 25 percent.

This, it said, resulted in huge exposures of the marketers on transactions carried out.

The report said the prevailing reality is that the essence of the sovereign instruments has been defeated by the prolonged delay in payment of marketers’ claims. “The unfortunate reality today is that the Sovereign Debt Notes (SDNs) which are supposed to be redeemed immediately upon maturity now stay unredeemed for an additional 21 days or more. Out of the 271 transactions for marketers in 2013 for instance, 132 are yet to be paid; while indebtedness range from 50 days to 200 days

for transactions that were funded based on a provision of 45 days’ financing cost.”

The report also stated that marketers demanded the immediate payment of all their outstanding arrears plus interest and forex differentials for all delayed payments.

According to the report, “The 45 days credit cycle is sacrosanct and should be respected by all parties for all due debts going forward. In the interest of all parties, these issues should be resolved speedily in view of the fast approaching fourth quarter and yuletide season which are characterized by increased demand for petroleum products

by Nigerians”. The report stated that given the fact that the PSF dwells on the principle of restitution, reimbursement under the scheme on the old naira exchange rate is inimical to sustaining products supply to the system.

NAPE to focus on metering, accounting

By SEBASTINE OBASI

F

LUID accounting and metering issues in the Nigerian oil and gas industry will take centre stage at the forthcoming 31st Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE. The President of NAPE, Mr. George Osahon, said a special workshop will focus on the issues and challenges of effective oil and gas production accounting and metering, as well as the need for a robust framework for defining the volume of hydrocarbons produced in Nigeria.

According to him, “This

topic is especially relevant in the light of recent public discourse on the exact volume of hydrocarbons being produced in Nigeria and how much is lost due to pipeline sabotage and other causes.”

This may have informed the invitation of Mr. Randy Stubbs, an international expert on hydrocarbon metering technology, who is expected to offer insights into global metering standards and technologies.

Osahon also said that the conference will examine the effectiveness of existing policies to drive growth in the oil and gas industry, as well as the development of road maps and new policy initiatives.

N an attempt to best achieve self sufficiency of petroleum product in Nigeria, within a strong commercial framework, the Nigerian government constituted the National Refineries Special Task Force (NRSTF). “Changes in the ownership structure and business model of the refineries are necessary, in order to turn them around” the NRSTF recommended, “the Federal Government should relinquish control of the operation and management of the three Nigerian refineries by divesting a majority of its 100% equity to competent, resourceful and experienced refining private partner(s) in accordance with the Public (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Enterprises Act 1991.”

The Bureau of Public Enterprise’s (BPE) recent statement at the Nigeria Investors’ Summit held in New York was a remarkable clarification of the recommendations of the National Refineries Special Task Force. The BPE cautioned interested investors in the oil and gas sector that when the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed, the nation’s refineries would be available for privatization. Perhaps the best part of the BPE’s presentation was that the network of oil and gas pipelines would also be available for concession. Private Public Partnership (PPP) is a crucial component of public policy in the globalized world today. It is a cost efficient or effective mechanism for the implementation of public policy across a range of policy agendas such as the state of the nation’s refineries and the devastating PPPs are longeffect of fuel shortages in term, contractual Nigeria.

Uncertainty frequently exists partnerships bebetween infrastructure tween the public financing and infrastructure investing. While infrastructure and private sector financing can arise from agencies, geared privatisation of existing facilities, infrastructure towards financing, investing involves the designing, impledevelopment, operation and menting, and operownership either by the private sector alone or in joint venture ating infrastructurbetween the government and private sector entity.

Accordingly, PPPs are long-term, contractual partnerships between the public and private sector agencies, geared towards financing, designing, implementing, and operating infrastructural facilities and services in a country. These joint ventures are built around the expertise and capacity of the project partners usually government and a private player and are based on a contractual agreement, which ensures appropriate and mutually agreed allocation of resources, risks, and returns. PPPs could be in the form of Build Own and Operate (BOT), Build Own and Operate among others.

Under PPP contractual arrangement, the government is the coordinator and facilitator, while the private partner is the financier, builder, and operator of the service or facilities, PPP’s goal is to combine the skills, expertise, and experience of both the public and private sectors to deliver quality standards of services to customers. The public sector contributes assurance in terms of stable governance, and establishment of clear legal, regulatory and fiscal regimes. The private sector brings with it operational efficiencies, innovative technologies, managerial effectiveness, access to additional finances, construction and commercial risk sharing. Since the 1990s, there has been a rapid growth of PPPs around the world. Governments in developing as well as developed countries are using PPP arrangements for improved delivery of infrastructure services. Governments are building transport, energy, healthcare, waste management, and water infrastructures.

Given the Nigerian government’s intention to establish a clear regulatory and fiscal regime, and deregulation of the downstream sector, the author is of the opinion that public private partnership of our refineries is a sine qua non to a viable and bankable petroleum product transaction in Nigeria. fayanruoh@ayanruohlaw.com

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—27

FG to complete 10 NIPPs by mid 2014 ..Grants $75m to NBETC

By KUNLE KALEJAYE

I

N line with President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s power sector reform; the Federal Government has promised that 10 National Independent Power Projects, NIPPs, will be ready in the second quarter of 2014.

When completed, the projects will add 2700 mega watts of electricity to the national grid, thereby improving power supply across the country. Part of the agenda is also to fully privatise 10 of the NIPPs, after they were commissioned.

Jonathan, who gave the assurance in Ondo State at the commissioning of the NDPHC NIPP 528MW Omotosho Phase 2 Power Plant, said government and the private sector play a vital role in the successful reform in Nigeria’s power sector.

The President expressed delight with the private sector sustained enthusiasm, adding that “we have the confidence that they will perform.”

According to him, “Our target is to greatly enhance generation capacity to 2700MW through our 10 NIPP projects across the country. By God grace before the end of the first quarter of next year, we would have commissioned the 10 projects. ”This commissioning is part of our effort to provide adequate, reliable and sustainable electricity supply to our country men and women.

It is gratifying to know that numeric stake holders that shares this important occasion, I commend you all for your support and commitment to our power sector reform ”Two weeks ago, I inaugurated the 434MW Geregu Phase 2

NIPP power plant and transmission switch light for Power evacuation in Geregu, today, we are adding the Omotosho Phase 2 power plant with a design capacity of 528MW. The power plant will greatly enhance the ability to boost power supply to further drive government effort towards increase productive capacity across our national economy.

“Just last month, I handed over the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN assets to private investors. The private sector would do what they have done

in the banking and telecom sector. ”The decision to privatise the sector was made in the long term interest of our great nation which provides us the best opportunity to simply address the national electricity power and meet the needs of our expanding economy. ”To support the ongoing process, the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company has been provided with capitalisation of over $750 million. We equally want to effectively execute this mandate without the apprehension of Financial

From left: Business Development Manager, Simba Industries; Mr. Arijit Mukherjee; Country Manager, Genus Power india, Mr. Anup Srivastava; Vice President, International Business, Genus, Mr. Arum Saxena; Business Head, Simba Group, Mr. Sunil Gondhali; Service Head, Simba, Mr. Anil James, at the launch of Genus inverter.

NNPC refutes stoppage of product importation

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has refuted allegations that it has stopped the importation of petroleum products as is being reported in some national and international media.

The Acting Group General

Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Tumini E. Green, made this known in a press statement.

She stated that NNPC Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) supply in the system is in line with its approved quota for the national demand with a view

Fidelity Bank restates commitment to power financing

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

constrains. ”Arrangements are also in place to adequately fund the Nigeria Electricity Liability Company, what we call NEMCO to effectively assume liability management associated with the privatisation of PHCN assets to successors companies as well as other liabilities and other issues. ”I will like to reassure all PHCN workers that are yet to receive their full severance payment that government is working hard to make your payment. So there is no need for industrial action.”

IDELITY Bank Plc has reiterated its commitment to continue to support the Federal Government’s power sector reforms through active involvement in the various Independent Power Projects, IPPs, in Nigeria.

The bank said that the decision followed the realisation that millions of lives were usually touched by the success of any power project.

The Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, stated this, weekend, in Lagos during the inauguration of the 10.4MW Alausa Independent Power Project (IPP) that was solely financed by the bank.

According to Ihejiahi, “It is not an easy thing to raise capital to work with government.

However, we are happy to finance the Alausa Independent Power Project.”

Ihejiahi also noted that the Aluasa IPP is the third of such IPPs financed by the bank, coming

on the heels of the Akute and Island power projects. “This is not the first time we are financing a power project. We worked with Oando; we participated in the Akute power project,” adding that the bank is ready to work with reputable organisations to finance more power projects with a view to touching more lives.

Lending credence to Ihejiahi’s statement is the fact that the Lagos State Government, for instance, potentially saves about N600 million per annum based on the services enjoyed from the Akute Power Plant, whilst ensuring that many Lagosians have access to uninterrupted supply of potable water to their homes.

The power plant which operates a 12.15MW (4Nos. 3MW gas-fuelled engines) for Lagos Water Corporation in Akute, has helped the Lagos Water Corporation to achieve a 300 percent increase in its existing capacity utilisation.

to ensuring seamless supply as we approach the peak period in the last quarter of the year.

The NNPC as supplier of last resort has responsibility for maintaining a robust strategic reserve with additional reasonable buffer in line with the nation’s energy supply policy.

Green maintained that the corporation’s PMS stock holding is in tandem with the approved PPPRA allocation to NNPC, while emphasizing that the stock level covers marine, inland and strategic stock.

The NNPC spokesperson specifically stated that as at October 17, 2013, the marine stock offshore stands at 19 cargoes translating to 25.6 days’ sufficiency, which is part of the National strategic reserve. Incidentally, the aggregate strategic reserve and buffer has been misrepresented in some media as marine stock lying offshore.

Meanwhile, with a view to ensuring stable PMS supply during the end of the year festive period, she said NNPC has taken proactive measures to schedule its delivery laycans in order to guarantee steady fuel supply to the nation.

Simba Group launches Genus inverter

By UBONG NELSON

S

IMBA Group in partnership with Genus Power Infrastructures Limited, have launched Genus Inverters, a product designed to address the epileptic power situation in Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch of the product, the Vice President, International Business, Genus Power Infrastructures Limited, Mr. Arun Saxena, said Genus Inverter has four distinct features which distinguish it from others.

These are “Pure Sine Wave Technology that eradicates humming sound and noise; 300 per cent surge protection. Practically, other competing products cannot stand this test, as their system will burn instantly.”

Continuing, he said, “The product also offers protection against lightening; there is also the unique feature of ASIC technology (Auto Sense Intelligent Control), which senses battery ’s internal health, and uses input supply’s variation for battery changing, and finally, Genus Inverters offer True Deep Cycle batteries of 200AH at “C -10”rating, giving required back up on full load condition,” he added.

Saxena explained that Genus is the flagship brand of the $400 million Kailash Group of Companies in India, adding that the company ’s emphasis on Research and Development, was deployed along with high-level technology in manufacturing the inverter.

He said the company ’s decision to partner with Simba Group is because of its strength in distribution channels and responsive service delivery.

Also speaking, an official of Simba, Mr. Sunil Gondhali, said “For 25 years in Nigeria, distribution and reach have always been core to our selling strategy, and today represent the key strengths as a customercentric organisation.”

He said Simba Group operates from eight branches in Nigeria, adding that the partnership between the two companies will benefit endusers with the offer of six months pro-rata warranty on Genus batteries.

A participant at the launch, an electrical engineer from Benin City, commended the companies especially for the durability and dependability of the inverter.

28— Vanguard,

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

By Theodore Opara

Ford storms JIMS with Evos concept, all-new Fusion, Transit Ford Evos Concept, inset Ford Fusion

F

continuing evolution of Ford’s kinetic design and offers a premium feel with a range of new, high quality materials. The new Transit was also confirmed for introduction at today’s JIMS unveiling. Ford’s new full-size Transit van will provide professional tradesmen and commercial fleet customers unmatched fuel economy, innovative new configurations and leading versatility when launched in South Africa in the first-half of 2014. “The Transit Custom, launched earlier this year in South Africa, has been very well received by the public who can now look forward to the continued expansion of our commercial vehicle line-up,” says Nemeth.

Visitors to the Johannesburg International Motor also viewed the Transit Connect, recently named the International Van of the Year. Not yet confirmed for local introduction the show provides an opportunity to gauge interest in the cargo van which is set to provide cost-conscious commercial fleets and small business owners with impressive fuel economy and versatility in an expanding commercial vehicle market.

“We have the unique opportunity to engage with our customers at the show in order to gauge their interest in the Transit Connect and better understand what their requirements are,” explains Nemeth. Also on display is a concept kit showcased on the Built Ford Tough Ford Ranger.

The Black Edition model, created especially for the occasion features black alloy wheels as well as unique wheel arch mouldings, grille, nudge and roll bars all in black.

ORD Motors is taking the on-going Johannesburg International Motor show by storm with the display of its new vehicle range.

The renowned world auto-maker is showcasing its Evos concept, all-new Fusion and award winning Ford transit at the show ground. This is in addition to other Ford range like the Ford Transit, Escape, and Figo models.

According to Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO Ford Motor Company, South Africa which also oversees the sub-Sahara African market, the Ford Evo concept demonstrates future of Ford’s smart mobility, while the Ford Fusion was revealed ahead of its official South African debut in the coming 12 months.

the vision for its capabilities, the Ford CEO said.

With information from the cloud, the vehicle can provide the same connected lifestyle the driver experiences at home or office. The car knows the driver, and automatically adapts handling, steering and engine controls to deliver an exceptionally dynamic driving experience.

Ford researchers have also developed technologies focused on driver wellness, such as the heart-rate monitoring seat and certified allergy-free interiors.

With a seamless connection to the cloud, the Ford Evos Concept monitors the physical state and workload of the driver and

Design language

Nissan to produce iconic patrol SUV in Nigeria

“The Ford Evos Concept represents the ultimate expression of Ford’s new global design language and explores key future powertrain and vehicle technologies, says Jeff. He added that the Ford Evos Concept embodies the global Ford product development team’s vision for future Ford products.

“With the Evos, designers have sort to enrich a customer’s every experience with their vehicle by personalizing and adapting it, thus creating unique, unexpected features that surprise and delight them,” explains Jeff Nemeth.

The concept’s technology experience embraces a new generation of driver interaction and awareness currently under development in the Ford Research and Innovation laboratories. Seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the driver’s ‘personal cloud’ of information is at the heart of

N

ISSAN and Stallion Group will produce the Nissan flagship Sports Utility Vehicle, the Nissan Patrol at the VON Automobile Limited Plant in Nigerian as from next year.

Mr. Mike Whitefield, Nissan South African Managing Director disclose this at the on-going Johannesburg International Motor show in South Africa recently.

The Managing Director who also oversees the sub-Sahara African market disclosed that the first set of Nissan patrol cars will roll out form the Nigerian plant in April next year.

The Managing Director explained that Nissan is committed to the Nigerian market which he described as very important to Nissan.

The production according to him will start on a low level and product of other Nisaan models will follow later”, he said.

The Nissan South African boss

adjusts the driving experience accordingly.

“The Evos Concept highlights Ford’s vision for greener, smarter vehicles with outstanding customer appeal,” adds Nemeth.

“The bespoke concept vehicle also showcases Ford’s global design language as the momentum of the company’s One Ford product plan continues to develop.”

The Ford Evos Concept was conceived as a dramatic fastback concept, combining a striking new profile with innovative proportions. Attention-grabbing lines conceal a unique new format, with a four-door, four-seat layout which combines dynamic appearance with surprising

further noted that a lot of work has to be done to make the dream a reality, while thanking their Nigerian partner VON and Federal Government for their support.

According to him Nisan has met with the Nigerian government and discussions are going on to make everything possible for the production to take off next year.

The statement from Nissan on the new assembly plant reads: Nissan and West African conglomerate Stallion Group have announced their intention to jointly launch vehicle assembly in Nigeria.

The announcement is in expectation of final approval by the Federal Government of the new Automobile Industrial Policy, designed to encourage development of the auto industry in Nigeria, and would see Nissan become the first major international manufacturer to

practicality. With the length of a typical C-car, but with width of a CD-car, the Ford Evos Concept has a powerful, sporting stance.

The same visual cues found in the Evos Concept inspired the design direction of the new Fusion.

Stylish and technologically advanced, the Fusion will feature a fresh exterior design, a stylish interior, new high-efficiency Ford EcoBoost powertrains and a host of driver comfort, convenience and safety technologies.

“The Fusion will take up its position as the flagship model in the company’s portfolio when introduced in South Africa in the future,” adds Nemeth.

The Fusion benefits from the

launch vehicle assembly in the country following the new legislation.

The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will result in Stallion – already Nissan’s exclusive distributor in Nigeria – increasing capacity at its existing plant, VON Automobile Ltd in Lagos.

Stallion currently produces commercial vehicles at the facility.

The plant’s annual capacity will be expanded to 45,000 units to assemble a range of cars, light duty trucks, pickups and vans.

Full details of the product lineup will be confirmed at a later date.

However it is anticipated the first product to be introduced will be the iconic Nissan Patrol SUV in spring 2014.

Capacity at the plant will also be opened to Nissan’s Alliance partner Renault, to be utilized according to future business needs.

Nissan President and CEO

Carlos Ghosn said: “We welcome the proactive measures being taken by the Government of Nigeria to encourage inward investment and job creation driven by local auto manufacturing. Together with our local partner, Nissan is preparing to make Nigeria a significant manufacturing hub in Africa. As the first-mover in Nigeria, we are positioned for the long-term growth of this market and across the broader continent.”

Sunil Vaswani, Chairman of Stallion Group said: “The new automotive policy spearheaded

by His Excellency The President and Commander–in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Jonathan and the Honorable Minister Olusegun Aganga is a laudable Government initiative aimed at making Nigeria the regional leader in the industry.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—29

Weststar lights up Abuja motor show with exciting models T

HE Abuja Motor Fair, organised by BKG Exhibition Limited, has always been an avenue for the automobile industry to shine and for different auto companies to display their various brands. Weststar Associates Ltd, the authorised sole distributors of Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram in Nigeria has always made its presence positively felt. In the past, their classy array of a variety of passenger and commercial vehicle

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models such as the AClass, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL, GLK, Sprinter, Actros, Zetros, including the Chrysler family of Ram, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Dodge Caliber and Wrangler have perpetually dazzled the audience with their outstanding features and attractive prices.

This year 2013, which marks the 15th edition of the show, will be no different. Weststar will not only be participating in the renowned event, but

promises to once again amaze visitors with their eye-catching newest products and offers.

Mercedes-Benz, known for its luxurious style and class, is the oldest, best known and established automotive brand in the world. Take for instance, the dynamic, agile and athletic new A-Class. It stands out with its curvy exterior and exudes technological comfort and pleasure.

The all new E-Class is stylish, and combines Active and Passive so-

phisticated systems technology, taking protection to a whole new level.

Weststar plans to markout special days to showcase the Mercedes-Benz SUVs, the new A-Class, and a special unveiling of the extraordinary and attractive new S-Class.

This remarkable new model of the MercedesBenz brand is perfection down to the last detail, and wonder to behold and experience, thereby earning it “The Essence of Luxury”. This pursuit of the best or nothing is

particularly noticeable in the interior: whether it is the seats or the air conditioning, the controls or the design, the infotainment or the comfort and safety in the rear – new ideas, their painstaking realisation, and highest perceived quality underpin the high standards that the engineers have set for the MercedesBenz flagship model.

Weststar will also have the Chrysler/Jeep/ Dodge/Ram products on display. The all new Ram1500 Laramie will

be on display and a mini-launch of the new 2014 SRT 8 is set to thrill visitors. They are built with the utmost quality and are highly beneficial in their ability to cater to the driver/owner ’s needs.

Manufactured on over 70 years of renowned legacy, Jeep is the genuine SUV brand with leading class craftsmanship, potential and adaptability for people seeking extraordinary voyage. The Jeep Grand Cherokee certainly delivers an unprecedented combination of best-inclass fuel economy and driving range, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, and a host of advanced user-friendly technology and safety features. Inexplicable and fun buttons are seldom spelt out clearly as in the Jeep SRT8. The “Launch Mode” brings the engine, suspension, transmission and driveline together for swift launches by revving the engine at a standstill and launching the 5,000pound SUV like a rocket. Jeep’s launch control is standard on SRT8s for reliable, superior fast starts of the high-performance SUV. A refined exterior design – complete with signature LED running lamps – provides a premium appearance. Premium interior amenities include Natura-leather, exotic openpore wood and new colour offerings.

The 2013 Ram 1500 is a pick-up which raises the bar with remarkable pioneering, fuel-saving systems and first-in-segment technologies. The 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4x4 exudes with a sharp two-tone exterior treatment, displaying 20-inch chrome-clad aluminium wheels with plenty of exterior chrome to match, and an interior typically associated with class. It runs at 305 HP with its powerful 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, has a 6Speed Automatic Transmission, and delivers impressive fuel economy.

The SLT Quad Cab 4x4, on the other hand, possesses a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 powerful engine and offers an 8 Speed Automatic Transmission.

Weststar will have all these products and more on show at the 2013 Abuja Motor Fair and even promises

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By Theodore Opara

Vice President to flag-off 15th Abuja Motor show Int'l

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HE Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo will lead other dignitaries from the public and private sectors to declare open the 15th edition of the Abuja International Motor Fair on Wednesday at the Eagle Square, Abuja. About 50 local and foreign copanies are expected to showcase their products at the events.

M r. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Fair said that having the fair declared open by the vice-president underscores the seriousness the Federal Government attached to automobile sectors.

Mr. Agwu who is also the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions LimitedOrganizers of the Fair noted that the presence of the Vice President will go a long way in reinforcing the aims and objectives of the show which is fast tracking the development of the automotive sector of the country. His presence according to the Managing Director would give the needed encouragement and boost to existing and potential investors in the industry.

Meanwhile in support of the

concerted efforts of using Abuja International Motor Fair to raise the stakes in the automotive business in Nigeria, Oando Plc a leading giant in the Oil, Gas and Power sectors has brought in her wealth of experience with more innovations in a bigger dimension into the sector by becoming the official sponsor of the 15th Abuja International Motor Fair. The company will showcase its world-class Lubricant Vice President Namadi Sambo Oleum range at the fair ground.

The Oleum range are high encouragement it can get from quality lubricants developed for the public and private sectors in passenger motor vehicles with other to sustain the gains exceptional anti-wear, anti- already recorded in the quest corrosion properties and high to developing it; this also detergent and dispersant levels informed the need for a leader for advanced protection for all in the lubricant sector in modern petrol and diesel Nigeria, to stand by the engines. industry.”

Mr. Agwu explained that the Mr. Agwu furhter noted that automotive industry is “it is indeed a very good and undergoing serious challenges commendable development in in the country and therefore the industry. For a global needs all the support and company, like Oando Plc, to find

it auspicious to become an official partner to the fair at this time, shows that the management of the company has a good understanding of the sector in Nigeria and believes strongly that it is worth developing.”

The BKG exhibitions boss explained that the Abuja international Motor Fair remains the unparalleled gathering of established brands as well as new entrants, ranging from busses, cars, trucks, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, financials and many more. He added that the importance of continuously staging the show cannot be over-emphasized as all hands must be on deck to promote and support investments into the sector, as it occupies a strategic position in enhancing the economic development of Nigeria” “As part of our efforts at promoting investment in the automotive sector, in addition to the usual display of products and services by participants, this edition will include Managing Directors’ of automobile Companies Forum with Heads of arms of

government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies which activities impact on the sector. Virtually all the major brands of automobiles, spare parts, accessories, lubricants, banking, insurance, regulatory and policy making agencies and bodies are taking part..

The entire days of the Fair have been laced with lots of crowd pulling fun and side attractions. Visitors, exhibitors and the general public at the fair will experience a bumper of fun-filled days at the arena.

Each of the nine days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions, Mr. Agwu, revealed further.

Some of the companies and agencies that are participating are: Weststar Associates Limited (distributors of Mercedes Benz brands), CFAO [distributors of Nissan and Mitsubushi brands], Stallion Group [distributors of Nisssan Porsche, Honda, Skoda, Audi, Volkswagen, Mahindra, Hyundai brands], Toyota Nigeria Limited [distributors of Toyota brands] and, Lanre Shittu Motors [distributors of Mack Trucks and Yutong Buses].

BMW 5 series lci designed to lead —Maduka T

HE President of Coscharis Motors, Dr. Cosmas Maduka has described the all-new BMW 5 series LCI as a car that has been designed to lead.

Dr. Maduka who spoke recently at the InterContinental Hotel, Victor Island during the launch of the 5 series explained tha the car is loaded with irresistible features that are only found in high-end super sedans.

Said he, “today, Coscharis Motors has enthused the BMW brand’s market leadership in their respective segments and this is driven by the premium luxury orientation of the current BMW philosophy of joy: the story of BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI), a car designed to lead.

As you are well aware, it’s exactly 3 years ago we launched the BMW 5 Series Sedan in our Utra-modern Showroom, Abuja. But now, we are not only celebrating our successful past as a company, but more importantly, we are looking into the future as part of our drive to incessantly reinvent the company and our BMW brands’ portfolio.

The successful BMW 5 Series story continues with the new C M Y K

•BMW 5 Series LCI lifecycle model introduced in May, 2013. No major changes have been made to the already stunning exterior of the car.

However, the interior is more advanced than ever.

Continuing, he said, “as a matter of fact, this car as encapsulated in its Communication campaign, is designed to lead and this aptly epitomizes the Coscharis’ philosophy: captivating our customers and prospects through a combination of aesthetics, quality and comfort in sales and after-sales deliveries.

The BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI) basic features include parking assistant (turns narrow into wide); active cruise control (turns rush hour into leisure hour) ; traffic jam assistant (for some it’s rush

hour, for you the driver, it’s time to enjoy the scenery); night vision (turns night into day) and head-up display (turns confusion into clarity).

In other words, BMW 5 Series Sedan defines a perfect and unique balance of sporty and elegant design,

performance and efficiency, driving experience and driver orientation, and these complement the Coscharis brand.

Dr. Maduka howeve stated that Coscharis Motors shall endeavor to provide the highest levels of customer service for

the BMW brand, in line with international quality standards and is highly committed to serve its customers, who seek innovative and high performance luxury cars like the BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI).

Kia launches 'Buy Now, Pay in 2014' promo

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ANA Motors Limited,sole distributors of KIA Motors in Nigeria, has launched a sales bonanza tagged ‘Buy Now, Pay in 2014’ in partnership with Access Bank. Under the promo, one could drive away his dream KIA car and pay in 2014. “As per the scheme, a moratorium period of upto 90 days exists wherein customers have to begin paying the 1st instalment only in 2014” said Mr. Sandeep Malhotra, CCO of Dana Motors Limited.

“Customers seeking Auto loan are supported with fast approvals, low interest rates and easy documentation” he stated.

Your could own the chic, compact and colorful ‘All in Small’ Picanto or the new that Rio boasts a bold and distinctive personality. The all new Rio comes with 1.2 liter & 1.4 Liter engine packed loaded with features while the Cerato comes with a choice of two gasoline engines – the popular 130 ps 1.6-liter Gamma engine and Kia’s 161 ps 2.0-liter Nu engine. In SUV segment, you have the big size SUV Mohave or the Sorento to choose from.

Sportage 2.0L (4x4)manufactured in Europe 2.0L offers an impressively high degree of reliability and durability and delivers like no other car.

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Unmasking economic saboteurs at Tinapa Calabar

BY OKEY IBEKE

•Tinapa in Calabar...a first class business resort

It must be noted that Tinapa was conceptualized to be like Dubai where foreigners can come for holidays, enjoy themselves and do some shopping.

People from neighbouring countries Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Central Africa Republic, etc. - can come and enjoy the facilities at the zone and do their shopping. Though people from the host state and neighbouring states also can come to the zone for their shopping, the main targets are foreigners who are expected to come with foreign exchange.

Critical observation of the free trade zone shows that inhabitants of Calabar hardly go there to shop, let alone citizens from other local governments or people from neighbouring states. One can find Tinapa bubbling with activities, that is, the business of buying and selling as you have in a market or supermarket.

That raises the question: where do all the high volume of goods shipped into the free zone go to?

The answer to this question is not farfetched as on investigation, it was revealed that importers at the zone use fictitious names to raise invoices of less

,

Unlike in manufacturing zones where investors may find it difficult to leave because of machinery and other fixed assets, free trade zone investors can ship out at the drop of a hat because they are engaged in trade

is why it will be easy for any of them to leave the zone at the slightest provocation.

Hear one of their arguments in the said publication: “Tinapa could easily be killed because it is basically a free trade zone. Unlike in manufacturing zones where investors may find it difficult to leave because of machinery and other fixed assets, free trade zone investors can ship out at the drop of a hat because they are engaged in trade. That is to say, they can close shop if they cannot replenish their stock and bringing them back will not be a piece of cake.”

That the so-called investors “can ship out at the drop of a hat”clearly shows that they have no investment in the zone.

All they are interested in is buying and selling and then collaborating with fraudulent foreigners to defraud the Federal Government of revenue.

Investigations have revealed that most of these traders are fronting for fraudulent Chinese business men whose activities are well known in Nigeria.

This is the concluding part of this piece

by Prof. B. I. C. Ijeoma which was first published yesterday.

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F

OR sometime now, the Nigeria Customs Service has been having a running battle with operators in the Tinapa Free Zone and Resort, Calabar, Cross River State. At the centre of the battle is the temporary stoppage of unrestricted movement of imported consignments to the free trade zone by Customs. As a result of this action, all manner of vitriolic attacks and invectives have been poured on the Customs by some so-called investors in the zone.

There have been a series of publications, news stories and feature articles sponsored by these ‘investors’ all in a bid to paint the Nigeria Customs Service in bad light and portray it as a killer of foreign trade instead of a facilitator.

In all these media outings, conscious efforts were made to portray the Customs as an organization that does not know its responsibilities in trade matters, or is out to frustrate investors in the zone. The publications even tried to play the management of Customs against the people of the South-South and South- East, all in a bid to draw unmerited sympathy to the unpatriotic acts and economic sabotage that have been going on at Tinapa.

As a keen observer of the events in Tinapa and someone well-acquainted with Customs operations, one is constrained to debunk the falsehoods, half-truths and wild claims contained in this particular publication. First, one would like to know what manner and level of investment these so-called investors have at Tinapa. What have they invested? It is pertinent to know that these people who call themselves investors are mere importers/traders whose investment is only renting shops and market stalls at the free zone. That

National Confab: Notes of caution

,

than N50,000 each and use them to spirit goods out of the zone. By so doing, they beat Customsmen who are supposed to collect duty only on purchases in excess of N50,000. It is not really a case of loading the goods in trucks and passing through the gate and one lane access road without Customs stopping them as insinuated in the said publication.

The article stated that a trade attaché of the Cameroonian Consulate and his delegation visited the zone sometime ago. According to the writer, “their mission was to find out why goods belonging to Cameroonian nationals were being detained at Onne.” He added that his investigations revealed that “businessmen from Cameroon and elsewhere have started using other routes to transit their goods into their home countries.”

Reacting to this, a maritime operator, Chief Lawal Adekoya, questioned why a Cameroonian national who imports goods through the Onne Port should route it through Tinapa. “Is Tinapa a

port? The importer should complete his Customs formalities at Onne and take delivery of his goods and go. If the consignment is not meant for sale at Tinapa, why should it go there? The Cameroonian attaché coming to Tinapa in Calabar to ask why goods destined for Cameroon is being detained in Onne does not really add up. Naturally, the goods that should leave Tinapa are goods purchased from the trade zone. It is not consignment going to Cameroon or elsewhere.

Lots of contradictions Is the writer and the Cameroonian attaché he is quoting saying that goods purchased by Cameroonians at the trade zone are being detained by Customs?

You can see a lot of contradictions,” he said.

Commenting on the clampdown, chief spokesman for the group that calls itself ‘Investors Operating Within Tinapa’, Mr.Namso Nyong, questioned if the smuggling Customs are alleging in Tinapa take place when the goods are being transferred from Onne to Tinapa.

He maintained that since Customs officers escort the container that leaves Onne Port to Tinapa, Customs should be held accountable for any diversion.

To some extent, this argument is valid.

But the question is: Can one say because a Customs officer escorts a container and the container is diverted, a case of smuggling or cargo diversion cannot be established? Does the collaboration of a fraudulent Customs officer vitiate the crime that has been committed? No doubt, there are some collaborators among Customsmen that aid and abet the economic sabotage and abuse of the free trade zone policy. But that does not mean that the Nigeria Customs Service should take its eyes away and allow the crime to continue.

Another argument of the group that needs to be corrected is where it faulted Customs blanket action in a bid to get the culprits. The argument: “So, if you want to engage or take action against an individual, you trace him or her and take the necessary action. I have not seen where they closed Nigeria because some Nigerians are fraudsters.” This simplistic argument can sway any uninformed mind.

To be concluded

F we go back to the constitutional conferences, especially the events of 1953 -1954, the President will agree with me that the qualification for coming to this Jonathan’s conference will be, first and foremost, acceptance that Nigeria must remain one and united. And, therefore, people coming to the conference must be people who will agree to keep Nigeria one.

We also know that throughout existence in Nigeria, every little misunderstanding has been greeted with attempts at breaking up of the Federation. Let me also point out for those who probably did not follow the Constitution of the country, that the constitution of 1951 had envisaged a closely knit Federation. But as a result of the disturbances in the North, especially the Kano Riots in which many southerners were killed, it was then concluded that the envisaged 1951 Constitution was not workable. The colonial government decided to agree on a flexible federation that will grant regional autonomy.

The northerners had threatened that they would not return to Lagos again for any discussions, and announced an 8-point programme which if implemented would imply that they would secede from Nigeria.

The northern threat to secede was a very serious threat to the existence of Nigeria.

The colonial office then modified its envisaged 1951 Constitution, and therefore worked for greater regional autonomy for the country.

Regional autonomy Consequently, during the meeting of the parties in London between the Nigerian government and the colonial office from July - August 1953, a flexible constitution was agreed upon, what you may call the Regional Constitution of 1954.

The Western Region on its part had also threatened a secession if Lagos was not allowed to remain in the Western Region.

So it would appear that the threat of secession has been with us ab initio.

Therefore Jonathan must ensure that in this conference, delegates are not allowed to put the threat of secession as an issue.

Delegates must come to discuss one Nigeria. I believe that if this conference fails, it is capable of saying goodbye to Nigeria, and that will be a very serious and dangerous situation. Ahmadu Bello on his own part spoke on a motion to adjourn the legislative house with a brutal observation.

He made only one statement, and I quote: “The mistake of 1914 has come to light, and I should like to go no further”.

We have lived with the mistake of 1914 for 100 years and the mistake of 1914 has refused to die. Therefore, the conference that the President is convening must be a conference that will see how we can correct the mistake of 1914, and all the subsequent mistakes of the military so that we can have a workable Nigeria. History is watching us.

Let us seriously examine what we did or how we mismanaged Nigeria.

Concluded Professor B.I.C Ijomah is of the Centre for Policy Studies and Research, Asaba.

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Vanguard Vanguard,,

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Similar to yesterday but, today more emphasis’ll be on money. Thus those of you who are more financially ambitious’ll have better and rewarding day than others. However that is not to say you should neglect your health.

SCORPIO; Positive things are happening from (and around) you. The more enterprising you are the better for you today. And some of you will be mixing business & pleasure without harm. Lovers can have their way moderately.

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when things’ll go according to your plans. And you’re advised to hit very hard not minding minor pressure from your base.

CAPRICORN; Once again success would come if you experiment with good ideas rightly at the right time.

Those of you travelling are in for an exciting day.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

ODAY, climate is the new chorus.

There seems to be a general agreement that the weather has changed drastically from what we used to know.

The truth is that apart from the change in

Change, is it? the weather, we humans too need to change. It is not enough for us to be saying it, we must be the change. If you do not want to change, who do you want to change? We must be the change we talk

about. It is only when we change that we can change others. Our attitude to governance, our idea of leadership, our attitude to transparency must be seen to be above

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

board. You can’t be asking your followers to tighten their belt while everyday your own waist and cheecks are getting fatter.

If you want to effect a change in others, first change yourself.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity along your business/business lines.

Work and your health must be taken very seriously PISCES; Like yesterday the Moon will operate from your Star sign again to the betterment of your cause.

Think of both your immediate and far future now.

ARIES You can still count on the supports of your tried and trusted friends. But it’s imperative you keep secrets as much as you can positively do.

TAURUS; The more receptive and willing you are to give and take co-operation the better for you today.

It’s wrong of you to neglect your friends in need now.

GEMINI; You’ll have the needed opportunity to consolidate on progress you have recorded yesterday along your career/business lines. Try to work harder.

CANCER; Element of luck will work favourably for you. Therefore you’re advised to expand the scope of your tentacle for better results. It’s another fairly favourable day for lovers who are more enterprising today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LEO; Joining forces with other people is not a sin but it’s important everybody knows the clear term of the venture , be it of short or longer duration. Be very practical.

VIRGO; Many of you’ll travel either physically or within your mind; whichever one you’re involved with the out come will be favourable. Be more receptive, especially if your priority is commercial success.

Take your new ideas more seriously today.

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

Basic characteristics of Aquarius Aquarius is ruled by freedom loving Uranus-the planet of unpredictability, eccentricity and genius. Aquarius is friendly, loving, hopeful and very altruistic in nature. That is why they are nice persons who truly care for others, especially the less fortunate ones.

They are loyal friend willing to belong to powerful social clubs or reasonable community.

The quality of Aquarius is fixed. That means it is important for them to watch the way they change their minds on important issues; Uranus factor makes all Aquarius natives freedom loving and whoever tries to impose any idea on you will be resented The element of Aquarius is the air. That makes you an intelligent person with fair share of sense of humour. Aquarius is the star sign that rules considerable social influence, and the natives of this star have better chances to have at least some influential friends. Then, Aquarians are truly good friends and bad enemies; it is not in the best interest of anybody to frustrate an Aquarian..

Aquarius being a scientific sign. Aquarians can be inventive. Any Aquarian who falls to take his sudden flashes of ideas seriously is doom (to fail eventually) because, Uranus the ruler of Aquarius, usually bring success to Aquarians unexpectedly through ideas that come suddenly, and unexpected luck usually accompany their sudden inspiration and/or ideas.

The most dangerous weak points of Aquarian are the tendencies to procrastinate things and willingness to take opponents or enemies for granted I mean you must not believe that some body you might have had heated argument with will not try to undermine your progress after what will look like intervention of peace makers.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 39

C M Y K

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

ICPC, COREN join forces to fight corruption in engineering projects •Onu, NITP President

•Nigeria lost $400 billion to corruption in engineering projects

•A road under construction … ICPC and COREN set to fight corruption in the procurement of such infrastructure

T

BY CALEB AYANSINA

HE incessant collapse building and related infrastructure due to large-scale corruption in the execution of civil engineering, has prompted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, to forge a partnership to fight corruption in the procurement of engineering projects. Nigeria is said to have lost over $400 billion to corruption in engineering projects in the last four decades.

At the maiden meeting of the two bodies held at the ICPC Headquarters, in Abuja, the Chairman of COREN, Engr.

Kashim Ali solicited the

brazenly present such forged certificates to tender for engineering jobs. Engagement of such quacks has always led to colossal loss of lives and properties in the areas of collapsed buildings and other infrastructural facilities”, he said.

Ali noted that Nigeria had lost over $400b to corruption in engineering project in the last four decades, saying that, the money could go a long way to develop infrastructure in the country.

“There is a report saying that about $ 400b was lost to corruption in engineering projects over a period of about four decades, and just a fraction of that money can do a lot to infrastructural development in our country,” he said.

,

There is a report saying that about $ 400b was lost to corruption in engineering projects over a period of about four decades

intervention of the Commission in the engineering sector. The COREN boss requested the ICPC to help curb the activities of contractors, who were not qualified engineers, but have continuously executed engineering projects. Ali noted that these quacks were able to win such contracts because some decision makers awarded the contracts to them even though they knew that they were not competent to handle them. “It has been difficult to track down and prosecute quacks who parade themselves as professional engineers. Some of them even go to the extent of forging COREN certificates and

,

Ali who stated that over 80 per cent of government spending is on engineering projects insisted that Nigerian engineers are competent to handle the projects. He lamented that “one of the greatest challenges of COREN is the issue of quacks”.

The COREN boss disclosed that the Council had identified some lapses in some of the estates under construction in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and had made some recommendations to appropriate quarters. He however regretted that nothing was being done about it.

“Some estates that are currently under construction, we have

what we called Engineer Regulation Monitoring Team, that have been going round, and they have raised issues with some of them, and each time we do that, we report to the authority that is concerned to take action, but we can only recommend.

We don’t have the power to stop anybody from doing what they are doing; we need the additional power from ICPC to force the relevant authorities to stop the project. We have the power over our own members, but we don’t have on those who are not our own colleagues because they signed no pact on ethics with us.

When you give the job to the people who are not qualified, there will be collapses,” he said.

Responding, the Chairman of ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, a lawyer, said the commission would not hesitate to move into any agency or company that failed to adhere to laid down regulations in engineering projects.

“When we have notice that in the configuration of a building plan that somebody has paid for the process to be subverted, and that person is probably in government, ICPC will come in, because that is a corruption prone process, we must always distinguish between corruption and other type of infractions,” he clarified.

Nta maintained that a situation where engineering certificates are forged to certify a project would no longer be tolerated. He warned that government officials and their collaborators found subverting the process would be arrested and prosecuted. He noted that the partnership would benefit of the society.

Planners brainstorm on land use and national security at Owerri confab

BY JUDE NJOKU

I

SSUES pertaining to land use planning and national security will take the front burner when town planners under the aegis of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, storm Owerri, the Imo State capital, for their annual general meeting, AGM and national conference.

Top on the agenda of the conference are securityrelated papers to be delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar and a retired Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro.

While the CDS is billed to speak on ‘Enhancing the defence of territorial integrity through regional development,’ the IGP’s paper centres on ‘new dimensions in criminality and the role of town planners’ in curbing the situation. Mr. Okiro who is the Chairman, Police Service Commission is expected to speak on Slum and criminality – what correlations? while Brig. Gen. Olatunde Reis. rtd is expected to deliver the lead paper at the conference. The AGM which would kick off at the Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri on November 5, would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a letter of invitation to the President, the NITP National Secretary, Mr. Nathaniel Atebije listed the goals and objectives of the conference. “The goal of the National Conference this year is to take an overview of the security challenges facing the country with a view to exploring the application of physical planning strategies to minimise them and thereby facilitate growth and development in various aspects of our national life. This issue, we believe is of paramount importance to this nation particularly in the face of our current experiences,” he said.

The objectives include: To review the origin, types and modes of security challenges in the country; identify major impediments and their relationships to safety such as development patterns, infrastructural provisions, mapping information; compare global prevalence with local episodes, and draw relevant examples of global best practices in security management. Others include: To improve on the skills and competences of practitioners in the built environment in designing human environments with minimal security challenges; explore the application of physical planning and urban design strategies to minimize criminality and recommend appropriate policies, programmes and strategies for minimising security challenges in the country to relevant stakeholders for consideration and implementation.

The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is expected to deliver a keynote address at the annual confab.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 —41

Nigeria’s ecosystem is under threat — Environment Minister

BY FUNMI OLASUPO

THE Federal Government has decried the apparent disregard for environmental laws and regulations, lamenting that the nation’s ecosystem is under threat.

The Supervising Minister of Environment, Mr. Darius Ishaku, an architect, stated this at the Federal/States Regulatory dialogue, on the Implementation of Environmental Regulations and Review of Draft Regulations, organised by National Environmental Standards and Regulation Agency, NESREA in Abuja.

Ishaku listed the key environmental challenges facing Nigeria to include “ water pollution, indoor and outdoor air pollution, industrial pollution, biodiversity loss, erosion, flooding, land degradation, desertification, sprawling urban solid waste, open bush, indiscriminate dumping of wastes like plastic, polythene bags, etc. burning, noise pollution, visual pollution, as well as wildlife crimes”.

Ozone depletion According to him, climate change and ozone depletion can be attributed to man’s failure to adhere to environmental laws and regulations.

The Minister described the environment as a natural endowment which serves as a sink for our waste and provides services such as the maintenance of climate system and ecological cycle.

It is a life-support system.”

He disclosed that “the Agency has developed 24 environmental regulations which have been published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Extraordinary Gazette.

“Care for environment is a moral obligation, an ethical belief that we should protect those things we all share, the

air, the water and land. The dos and the do not s evolve into rules and regulations which serve as ingredients of laws. Environmental laws represent the body of rules that guide the proper use of resources for the good of the society, the economy and the environment in line with the

principles of sustainable development,” he said.

To create desired effect, he posited that“these laws must be enforced as a corporate responsibility”. He charged the agency to ensure that the laws are complied with and mechanisms are put in place to monitor the degree

of compliance.”

Speaking earlier, Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulation Agency, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo said the dialogue was meant to harmonise all the various views to facilitate the implementation and

operationnalization of environmental regulations in Nigeria as part of the collaborative efforts of the Federal and State regulatory agencies in the environment sector.

She maintained that, “the vision of the Agency is to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment for Nigerians, while her mission is to inspire personal and collective responsibility in building an environmentally conscious society for the achievement of sustainable development in Nigeria.”

Lagos woos household utilities manufacturers •Sets up industrial parks with uninterrupted power supply

BY JUDE NJOKU

W

ORRIED by the influx of substandard household utilities into the country, the Lagos State Government last week, challenged suppliers of household utilities and gifts items to partner with the foreign manufacturers of these products, to come and set up manufacturing plants in the state.

The Government explained that it has created the enabling environment for such industries to thrive. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olushola Oworu who gave the challenge at the formal launch of the Lagos State chapter of Gifts & Household Items Suppliers Association, explained that the 15,500 hectares Lekki Export Free Trade Zone and industrial parks in three zones, were established to woo investors to set up manufacturing companies in Lagos State.

Import dependence “We are largely importdependent as a country but as a state, we have been trying to ensure that we encourage local manufacturing. This is why we established the Lekki Free Zone along the Epe axis. The idea behind that free zone which has 15,500 hectares of

Mrs Oworu being conducted round the exhibition by Mrs. Odusanya

land is to ensure that we encourage local manufacturing in that area so that they can share facilities. We have a master plan; it is a multifaceted development. We want to encourage people who would produce these household utilities like furniture, light industries, heavy industries, a mixed-use industrial development. That is already going on as we speak and the State is investing in infrastructure there and trying to encourage investors to come and set up within the free zone.

For those who don’t want to be in the free zone, for smaller enterprises, we have industrial parks and enterprise plots. We are building an agro-allied park to encourage agro allied processing in Imota. We also have an enterprise zone in Berigbe. The idea is for

industries to actually set up and in some of these places, we are putting in power. For instance, we have an industrial outlay which wee have put in a 500 KVA generator. The people occupying that industrial estate don’t use individual generators anymore. They are all linked into the power generating plant that we put there. We are doing the same thing in Matori. We are addressing the issue of location and power . The idea really is for these industries to ultimately come and set up in Nigeria because we don’t want a situation where our people will continue to go to the far East to import these items,” Mrs Oworu said.

She explained that so far, her Ministry has registered over 300 associations. “The reason we do that is to first and foremost have a data of all the

various associations that we have in the State. That helps us to plan for them, for their infrastructure requirements and other requirements. So, we meet with them regularly, we understand what their requirements are, and see how the State can assist because as a ministry, what we are really incharge of is policy issues that will affect them and make their businesses to thrive,” she said.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Mrs. Mojisola Solebo-Odusanya said the group came into being to checkmate the influx of substandard household products into the country. “We want to tell the government that it is even better for us if these items are produced in Nigeria,” she said.

Nigerite wins best kept industrial premises competition

By Kingsley Adegboye

M

essrs Nigerite Limited, a building component solution company, has bagged the 2012/2013 best kept industrial premises award for manufacturing companies in Ikeja, Lagos. The competition organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Ikeja branch, has always been the highlight of the

annual general meetings of MAN in the last 15 years.

The National President of MAN, Chief Kola Jamodu who presented the award during the association’s 46th annual general meeting, explained that the award is a demonstration of Nigerite’s leadership position on environmental issues in the sector.

Chief Jamodu commended the company for its distinct track record

over the years in meeting global environmental friendliness standard in its work place. He stated that the company ’s commitment to environmental friendly ideals is a unique selling point that has distinguished it as a responsible corporate citizen.

Representative of Nigerite, Mr. John Bamigboye said the award was a great achievement that would encourage

the company to continue to do more, not only in the area of environment, but in all ramifications. He disclosed that the company was also recently awarded the “Exceptional Safety Culture Company Award” by NECA under the NSITF-NECA Safe Workplace Intervention Project, SWIP as one of the leading safety conscious companies in Nigeria.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

5.24m people to be immunised against meningitis in Kaduna

Tukur hails Gowon at 79

BY HENRY UMORU

A

K

ADUNA—A TO TAL of 5.24 million people will be immunised against meningitis in Kaduna State, an official of the state Primary Healthcare Agency, has said.

Alhaji Hamza Ikara, the Health Educator of the Agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, in Kaduna that the immunisation would run for 10 days, from November 2.

He said that 631 health workers had been trained to conduct the exercise across the 23 local government areas, and would target people from the age of one to 29 years.

Ikara said adequate vaccines had been received for the immunisation,adding that the measure was to forestall any outbreak as witnessed in 2012.

“We have recorded cases of meningitis last year and we hope to reduce it this year, that is why we are starting the immunisation exercise early.”

He noted that the disease is very common during dry season and affects all age groups.

KWASEIC promises free, fair election in the 15 LGs

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—THE Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission, KWASEIC, has expressed its preparedness to conduct a free and fair election in the 15 remaining local governments,on Saturday.

The electoral umpire had earlier conducted election in the Offa Local Government Area on the order of the Election Petition Tribunal in the state.

Chairman of KWASEIC, Dr. Uthman Ajidagba made this known at a news conference in Ilorin.

TURBANING—From left: Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State; Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa; Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the turbaning of the new Talba Adamawa, Mr Daniel Madu Bwala at the Emir's Palace in Yola.

NLC, others condemn Ilorin Sallah gift stampede

BY EMEKA MAMAH

L

AGOS—THE Nigeria La bour Congress, NLC, has described as ‘’unacceptable and criminal,’’ the alleged death of about 20 Muslims in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State while struggling for Sallah gifts by a faction of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

The victims mainly the poor, the aged and women were reportedly killed during a stampede by the party faithful to get food, meat and clothings as part of the Sallah celebrations in the state.

Similar deaths occurred in 2010 and 2011 at the Mandate Office of the PDP in Ilorin under the same allegation of stampede while people were ostensibly collecting gifts at Sallah.

An NGO, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has also condemned the Sallah stampede in Ilorin which left more than 20 people dead and called for a strong policy to protect women’s rights.

CISLAC made its position public in a release signed by its Executive Director, Ibrahim Musa, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ilorin.

However, the NLC Vice President, Comrade Issa Aremu, said that ‘’the Ilorin Sallah massacre’’ was one too many, pointing out that it had become a routine for human beings to be gathered and killed in the name of Sallah parties.

Aremu said, ‘’Ilorin deaths have introduced a dangerous dimension to violence in Nigerian politics. When “accidents” become addictive as they are in Ilorin, they become rituals that must be condemned, investigated and stopped once and for all. ‘’The reported deaths of as many as 20 poor aged, mostly women in another stampede at a Sallah rally in Ilorin on Wednesday were massacres getting too addictive, inhuman and unacceptable. ’’This latest tragedy and human wastages should not be swept under the official carpet of the ruling party in the state. On the contrary the organizers of these periodic murders in the name of charity must be identified and prosecuted for negligence and murder by Kwara State government failing which private

citizens reserve the right to resort to private prosecution. ‘’Similar mass deaths occurred in 2010 and 2011 at the Mandate Office of the PDP in Ilorin under the pretext of an alleged stampede while people were ostensibly collecting gifts at Sallah. ‘’The recent report of the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO, of the United Nations report disclosed that 842 million people between 2011 and 2013, (around one in eight people in the world) suffered from chronic hunger. However even at that, there is no known place in the world where the poor, the hungry are annually assembled to die like rams and goats on account of their deprivations for “gifts” during Sallah than Ilorin", he siad.

BUJA—NA TIONAL chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has hailed former Head of State and elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon at 79 , describing him as an apostle of the unity and oneness of Nigeria.

In a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Assistant, Media, Oliver Okpala, Tukur said: “On behalf of my family and the entire leadership of the PDP, I congratulate you for attaining the age of 79 in the service of humanity and crusade towards making Nigeria an egalitarian society. ”You are a man of courage, wisdom, administrative acumen and political sagacity which you have displayed in and out of government.

“It is noteworthy that you once gave your life to fight for the unification of Nigeria and her existence as a cooperate entity. In a sense you can be described as an apostle and epitome of the unity and oneness of Nigeria. ”You have by your service to the nation and the Christians immortalised your name in the annals of Nigeria’s heroes.

As a student of history, I am aware of your catalogue of services to the Nigerian nation and as a co-patriot and elder statesman, your wise counsel, experience and knowledge are still very much needed by Nigerians. ”For these reasons we pray to Almighty God to elongate your life span with abundant blessings and good health.”

Unongo decries killing of Tiv farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—ELDER statesman, Wantaregh Paul Unongo has decried what he described as the “unwarranted killings of Tiv farmers by suspected Fulani herdsmen in parts of Benue state.”

Unongo, however, promised to use his position as the spokesman of Northern Elders Forum, NEF, to explore possible ways of ending the cri-

sis and the killings.

He spoke weekend when major stakeholders of Tiv land in Benue State converged on Makurdi under the auspices of the “Tiv Unity Forum” to brainstorm and harmonize their views to the National Conference Steering Committee.

In his speech, former member of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission RMAFC, Chief

Abu King Shuluwa, stressed the need for Nigerians to de-emphasize the policy of indigenous and non-natives or settlers from the country’s body politics. ”That issue has denied bonafide indigenes of a particular region of the country, irrespective of state of origin, the right to participate in socio-economic activities after staying in such areas for a reasonable number of years.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 43

House of Assembly threatens contractors

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA— ANAMBRA State House of Assembly yesterday threatened to blacklist road contractors found doing shoddy jobs on the road projects awarded them by the state government.

Chairman, House Committee on Works, Chief Idu Emeka made this known during a meeting with contractors, the commissioner for works. consultants and the ministry’s road engineers at the House of Assembly.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Emeka said some of the contractors had not been executing the projects awarded them according to specifications. ’’We decided to invite the contractors because governor Peter Obi has been awarding and flagging off many roads in the state. In line with our over sight functions, we want to really know what they have been doing with the jobs given to them, whether they had been doing good or shoddy jobs,” he said.

FG tasked on alternative energy

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BUJA—DR. Emmanuel Onyejose, the chairman, local organizing committee of the Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo, has advised the Federal Government to focus more attention in the area of alternative energy sources.

Dr. Onyejose who stated this at he end of the threeday event in Abuja, weekend, noted the progress made so far by the Federal Government in the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, facilities .

He said: “We are here to create greater awareness for the use of alternative energy. This is because, all of us are aware, even the man on the street has known the problem we are facing on energy inadequacy in generation and transmission.”

He also called on the private sector to leverage the ongoing privatization of the power sector to diversify their investment in alternative energy sources.

Anambra guber: APC accuses INEC of bias A

BY GBENKA OKE

WKA—THE All Progres sive Congress, APC, in Anambra State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of breaching the Electoral Act by not publishing the voter’s register because of its alleged pact with the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to shield Chief Willie Obiano over his reported double registration saga.

Spokesman of APC in the state, Mr. Okelo Madukaife made this allegation in a statement in Awka yesterday.

Madukaife said that Obiano did not transfer his registration from Lagos State as he reportedly ‘’did a fresh registration in Anambra State on September 3, 2013 and was issued with a new voters’ card with VIN number 90f5B15E7D378.’’

Okelo’s statement read, ‘’strong indications have emerged that the decision of the INEC to flout the Electoral Act by not publishing the voter register on October 17, 2003 in accordance with the timetable released in July, which is causing disquiet in Anambra political camps was as a result of many meetings the last of which took place n a four-star hotel in Abuja to help conceal the double regis-

tration of Mr. Wille Obiano, APGA candidate in the election from the eyes of the general public. ’’Obiano has been confirmed to have registered twice on the INEC voters’ list, one in Lagos State and the other in Anambra State.

An application for transfer, by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 emanates from the bearing centre of registration/state and not the re-

ceiving state. In this case, an application can only emanate from Lagos State and not Anambra State.’’

The Electoral Act 2010 ,as amended, in Sections 19 and 20 stated that: Subject to the provisions of section 16(1) of this Act, the Commission shall, by notice, appoint a period of not less than five days and not exceeding 14

days, during which a copy of the voters’ register for each local government, area council or ward shall be displayed for public scrutiny and during which period any objection or complaint in relation to the names omitted or included in the voters’ register or in relation to any necessary correction, shall be raised or filed

CAMPAIGN: Enugu State chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Okechukwu Nkolagu handing over flags to candidates of the party for forthcoming local government election at Isi-Uzo LGA, yesterday.

Jonathan’s critics are insincere —Gov Orji U MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State, yesterday, in Umuahia said that those criticising President Goodluck Jonathan are not being sincere to the transformational agenda of the present ad-

Independents, future of Nigeria oil, gas—Orjiako

A

CCRA—CHAIRMAN of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Dr. A.B.C. Orjiako, weekend, said that the future of the country’s oil and gas industry was tied to the emergence and continuing growth of Nigerian independents.

Orjiako who made the declaration at the PWC oil and gas leadership conference in Accra, Ghana, said, “in the next five years indigenous companies will contribute 20 per cent of the nation’s oil and 40 per cent of domestic gas supply. They are likely to be responsible for 100 per cent supply for domestic refining by 2020.”

He noted that these figures point not just to the significance of the indigenous E&P players but their rising profile and need to pay more attention to their activities.

Orjiako who traced a historical trajectory, noted that Nigerian independents who were distinguished by their not being International Oil Companies,IOC,orNationalOilCompanies, NOCs, came into the picture first via discretionary Awards of acreages in 90s –99.

ministration.

According to Governor Orji, “the lack luster criticism of the noble objectives as enunciated by the president in a holier than thou attitude of a jittery opposition is not only insincere but also an orchestration of incoherence.”

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Mr. Ben Onyechere, the governor said: “This is evidently clear in the manner in which they have continually pre-empted and fabricated falsehood which is tantamount to insubordination. It is unbecoming for anybody to take on the President over his courage to allow this much desired subject of National discourse which the generality of Nigerians have yearned and as-

pired for in this democratic dispensation particularly from the so called opposition quarter.

“It is important to understand that our democracy has attained a high level of conscious awareness for which reason nobody can take Nigerians for a ride in the name of opposition, especially for those whose only agenda is to forsake decorum by placing the cart before the horse in the quest to gain recognition. Otherwise what is the rationale behind the support of ASUU strike or the criticism of the efforts to reactivate the power sector, rather than admit and applaud the progress being made so far in vital sectors of the economy.”

Continuing, he stated that “the

opposition is afraid of the soaring personality of the President which is the reason they have resorted to the instigation of fear in the polity. The problem of ASSU is well known in this country particularly when there is change in their leadership with any new incumbent seeking to assert his authority through strike by unnecessarily arm-twisting government and thereby punishing innocent students. The President deserves the support of all and sundry in the onerous task of evolving a brand new political economy which can enhance the individual and group aspirations of a responsible majority of Nigerians.”

Amnesty: Itsekiri youths vow court action over alleged discrimination youths who disarmed within the to the President on Niger Delta

W

ARRI —THE current crises besieging the implementation of the Federal Government Amnesty programme for the exmilitants in the Niger Delta region took a new dimension yesterday as the Itsekiri youths umbrella body, the Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, is seriously considering a formal protest to the National Assembly over what it considered as “orchestrated ethnic motivated denial and discrimination perpetuated against Itsekiri former agitators.”

The body, noted that it was through the intervention of the National Assembly that Itsekiri

stipulated time were included in the programme, even the proportion included was negatively disproportionate to the number that disarmed.

Also put up for consideration by the apex Itsekiri youths organisation, is the possibility of sending a formal protest to President Goodluck Jonathan or going to the court to seek redress on the allegation of ethnic discrimination.

So far, these options were still at considered stage as at weekend without the body being able to unanimously opt for any of the options it is considering against the office of the Special Adviser

Affairs, which is the office saddled with the responsibility of implementing the programme.

At the meeting of the central executive council of the body held in Warri to review “how the Itsekiri nation has fared in the programme,” the youth body in a unanimous resolution expressed serious ‘reservation’.

According to Mr. Gbubemi Abigor, the Public Relations Officer ofthegroup,“wewereinvitedlastweek to meet with Mr. Kingsley Kuku, but the meeting could not hold as he was on an official trip outside the country, even we travelled to Abuja, and even went to the office of the Special Adviser, only to meet his absence.”

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

2015: Edo groups disagree over Obende's performance

BLESSING: Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke (right), blessing Dr. Chris Ngige, All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Anambra State, during a celebration service at Onitsha Prisons, Sunday.

BY KELECHI AZUBUIKE

A

HEAD of 2015 general elections, Edo North Professionals’ Forum, ENPF, has disagreed with the North Movement for Democracy and Justice over the performance of the Senator Domingo Obende, representing the area.

ENPF, in a statement by Mohammed Aloaye, its President, said the people of Edo North were not satisfied with the Senator's performance, and that he needed to improve to get the support of the people if he intended to return to the senate in 2015.

According to the group, “that it is on record that Obende is one of the few Senators that regularly consults his people and periodically presents his scorecard is to be economical with the truth.

“We have since commissioned a fact-finding team for an on-the-spot verification and assessment of the claims he published as scorecard.

“Part of our preliminary findings showed that the alleged borehole drilling rig was parked in his constituency office in Auchi over a year ago. We will also investigate and ascertain the date it was bought and abandoned.

“Most of the people that allegedly got federal jobs through him are roaming the streets of Edo State today, while others are seeking for gainful employment.

“For instance, the Senator claimed he employed about 27 persons into Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. “We make bold to say we have not been able to authenticate the claim. We have approached some of the names being mentioned around, and they denied such employment.

“We shall not spare him for any falsehood, but will congratulate him on any meaningful achievement; it is about constructive criticism.

“When we conclude our fact-findings, we shall address a world press conference.”

NDDC: My hands're clean, says Dan-Abia

BY SONI DANIEL

A

BUJA— FORMER Acting Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Bassey DanAbia, has dismissed petitions against his choice as the commission’s Managing Director as the handiwork of political jobbers.

Dan-Abia, whose name has been penciled down for appointment as the substantive Managing Director of NDDC by President Goodluck Jonathan, is facing opposition from some Niger Delta groups that claimed he was sacked last year from the Larry-Koinyan board that failed to perform despite huge sum of money at its disposal.

One of the groups, Niger Delta Alliance, NDA, said in a petition to President Jonathan that it would do everything possible to stall the emergence of Dan-Abia as NDDC boss, given his recent past with the commission.

However, Dan-Abia told Vanguard that his traducers were political jobbers who had no genuine case against him to warrant being dropped by the Presidency from the job.

The former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State noted that those that wrote the petition against him were hired thugs meant to cause tension and create fear where none existed.

Dan-Abia, who had served twice as Akwa Ibom State representative on the board of the commission, stated that he did not commit any infraction throughout his tenure and during his brief stint as the acting chairman of NDDC.

Petition petty— Abia

He said the petition against him was borne out of ignorance

and pettiness, arguing that there was nothing like collective responsibility for offences said to have been committed by a board on individual members.

Abia said: “Those writing petitions against me should be bold enough to state clearly what they claim I did wrong while serving on the NDDC board or shut up forever.

“My records are very clear and I am ready to defend them at any point in time.”

A source close to the Presidency told Vanguard that the President Jonathan was favourably disposed to Dan-Abia’s nomination, which was made

by Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is also the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.

The source said that barring some petitions against the nomination of Abia and other nominees, the President could unfold the membership of the new board any moment from now.

NDA’s petition

NDA, in a petition to President Jonathan, warned that it would resist Dan-Abia’s appointment with open protest and make it impossible for him to assume the headship of the commission given his link with the past leadership that mismanaged the agency.

The petition by its Chairman, Dr. Allen Anga and Secretary, Orok Pius, claimed that DanAbia had lost the locus to serve as the MD of the commission,

having been earlier sent packing by the President over alleged misconduct of the former board.

The group said that while it was not opposed to Jonathan’s power to appoint people into public offices, it would nonetheless move against the appointment of persons that had nothing to offer.

NDA said: “Mr. President, we have no quarrel with your right to appoint, but we will certainly resist, in very strong terms and with all available resources, any attempt by selfish politicians who have mapped out their devious plans to take over the Niger Delta Development Commission for their selfish interest to the detriment of all of us.”

CONFAB: MCF seeks common position for Midwest

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN— AHEAD of the pro posed national conference, leadership of the Midwest Consultative Forum, MCF, led by the former governor of old Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, will on October 24 meet in Benin to decide the positions to be canvassed by the region at the conference.

The group also plans to hold

a mini conference in November, where decisions will be reached on the position of the people of the old Midwest in the national dialogue.

It would be recalled that the forum had been meeting in Benin for the past four years, discussing issues on sustaining unity in the area.

Dr. Ogbemudia had on one of the meetings told Vanguard that “the forum is made up of

our brothers in the old Bendel State: Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Delta Igbo, Isoko and others within the old Midwest region.

“We always discuss issues that will bring and continue to sustain the unity we have enjoyed.

“We also try to ensure that we speak with one voice on national issues and that is why we meet from time to time to discuss issues that are bothering us and we find solutions to them.”

E. K. Clark's daughter weds

U

GHELLI— ELDER Statesman, Chief E.K. Clark, has given out his stepdaughter, Rita Oghenro Erhurhe, in marriage to Ebioke Victor Akposhiben.

The colourful event, which took place Saturday in Ughelli, Delta State, attracted dignitar-

ies from Ijaw, Urhobo and friends across the globe.

The event, like a mini festival started at the bride’s family compound at Awhinawhi Street, Ughelli, for the bride price and other traditional marriage rites, before the couple consolidated the union with a

Marriage Registry session at Uvwie Local Government Council, Effurun.

The marriage celebration proceeded to Airport Road, Effurun, for a grand reception, where Chief Clark advised the couple to live in love and harmony.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 45

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46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 —47 ,

PRAYER: From left, Former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State COMEDY: From left, Okey Bakassi, Lagbaja, Basket Mouth, Julius Agwu Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN; first civilian Governor of Lagos and Nigeria's king of comedy, Ali Baba, at the Glo Laffta Fest, acclaimed as State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and wife, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, during the Africa's biggest comedy show, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

Janazah Prayer for the late APC chieftain, Alhaji Lateef Odunsi, at the Wahab Folawiyo Central Mosque, Surulere, Lagos, weekend.

COMMISERATION: From left, Olupo of Ajase-po, Oba Sikiru Sanni; FLAG-OFF: From left, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser to Lagos State Gover- Etsu Pategi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, commiserating with the Governor nor on Public Health; Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, and Mrs. Adejoke of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, over the death of Peoples Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, during the flag-off of Oregun Democratic Party, PDP, supporters, at Charity Home, GRA, Ilorin.

Public Heath Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

OPENING: From left, Mr. Olumide Ale, executive director, marketing/franchise, Tantalizers Plc; Mrs. Bose Ayeni, MD/CEO, Tantalizers Plc, and Mrs. Folake Mustapha, area manager, Festac axis, at the opening of Tantalizers' new outlet, in Isolo, Lagos.

CONFERENCE: From left, Treasurer, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Mr. John Adaji; General Secretary, NUTGTWN and Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Issa Aremu, and Deputy General Secretary NUTGTWN, Mr. Silvester Chimeze, at a press conference, reacting to the recent sallah gifts stampede in Ilorin, that claimed lives. Photos Olu Ajayi.

BURIAL: From left, Dr. Lucky Akaruese, his wife, Roli Emko Akaruese, with others and children, during the burial of Akaruese's mother in-law, late Madam Ekoko Okitia, at Aja Ugbodudun, in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

INTERNATIONAL DAY: From left, Mr. Tunde Popoola, Guest Speaker/ Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, CRC Credit Bureau Limited; Engr. Onipede Adeoye, Sectional Head, Product Certification Directorate, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SEMINAR: From left, Engr. S.K. Orumu, Engr. Chris Ekpekurede, SON; Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf, President, Nasrul-lahi-Fatih Society of Nigeria, NASFAT, Engr. Joseph Eghwrudje, Engr. Okeke Chijioke, Engr. Sylvester Osuji, and Alhaji Olalekan Saliu, Director, Flour Mill of Nigeriac Plc, during the 2013 and Engr. Innocent Ugiomoh, during the 2013 NICE Annual Seminar, grand finale of NASFAT International Day of Poverty Eradication, at Auditorium Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi weekend, in Ugborikoko near Warri, Delta State.

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A Special Projects Unit Publication

FINISHING STRONG IN DELTA:

Celebrating Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan @ 59 T

HE adage is sacrosanct here: “It is not how far but how well.” The hallmark of good governance on any continent is the solid safe landing. Or put it in a direct way, the start does not justify the ending. In Delta State, the Big Heart of the Nation under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, the Executive Governor of the State, dividends of governance are getting multiplied and stronger on a daily basis.

Today in Delta State, thousands of the sons and daughters of the State are fully prepared to celebrate their icon, Dr. Uduaghan as he celebrates his 59th birthday anniversary with glamour, candour and thanksgiving to God Almighty for enabling him to achieve the unquatified achievements since his assumption of office.

Since becoming Governor of Delta State on May 29, 2007, Dr. Uduaghan has made stability of the oil rich state the central plank of his administration’s governing policy. Located in the western part of the volatile Niger Delta region, Governor Uduaghan’s policy of peace and security has insulated his state from the crisis that engulfed the region. Delta State under him has been widely acknowledged as the most peaceful and stable state in the region.

Accessible individual Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan was born into the family of Chief Edmund D. Uduaghan and Mrs. Cecilia Uduaghan on October 22, 1954. The father hailed from Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, while the mother Cecilia hailed from Ubiaja in Esan South-East of Edo State. His mixed parentage made him an open and accessible individual without any inhibition about people, their backgrounds and origin. With this background, it is not unusual that as a politician and leader, he has retained his being seen as a humane and approachable person.

As a child and young student, Uduaghan was precocious and focused, a trait people thought showed him as having the potential for leadership. In life after school, selfless service, hard work, discipline and commitment to duty have been the qualities dotting what one would call his road map to success and frontline role. His profile is as intimidating as it is enviable.

His academic career began in

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan Baptist Primary School, Mosogar in then Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State, where he was a pupil between 1961-1966. He went to Federal Government College, Warri, for his secondary education from 1968-1974. The college was one of the elite secondary schools in the country in those days and was rated among such schools as Government College, Ughelli; Edo College, Benin City; Kings College, Lagos; St. Patrick’s College Asaba; and Government College, Umuahia to mention a few.

On successful completion of secondary school in 1974, he longed for greater academic heights. Because he viewed what he had achieved so far as just like laying the foundation for a future career in life. The choices varied from Engineering to Medicine, Law to Accountancy and such other popular courses of those days. Emmanuel opted for Medicine at the University of Benin. The choice of study was not only determined by the need to have a means of livelihood, but mostly by an undying urge for selfless service through bringing succour to the sick. It is this motivation that has continued to influence his activities even outside his professional area of medicine.

He was in the University of Benin from 1975 to 1980 after which he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, MBBS. In 1981, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, fresh from the university was posted to Kwara State for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Here again, he excelled and stood out as a shining star. He was honoured as the most outstanding Corps

Doctor in Kwara State at the end of the service year.

The award by the State’s NYSC Director was a deserving acknowledgement of his remarkable contribution to the health care delivery system. This award by a state other than his own was a clear manifestation of Dr. Uduaghan’s commitment to hard work and a desire to succeed. This was a pointer to a future life of sterling achievements.

He still needed to enrich his knowledge in his chosen career, to stock up his academic arsenal.

He did this successfully by obtaining a Diploma in Anesthesia from the University of Benin after a course lasting from 1985 to 1986. A difficult and challenging course, it has to be said.

His life of work outside school has been quite interesting. He made his debut as an employed medical doctor at the Delta Steel Company, DSC, Medical Centre, Aladja in Delta State. Here again he continued to demonstrate his desire to contribute his best in service in his line of chosen career. He won the DSC General Manager’s prize for outstanding service. Deservedly, he rose to the rank of Senior Medical Officer, SMO, within a period of six years; another milestone on his way to success.

Between 1989 and 1994, Dr. Uduaghan served in a number of healthcare facilities such as Shell Clinic, Ogunu; Westend Hospital, Warri, and Benoni Clinic, Benin City, Edo State.

Perks for a medical doctor and consultant anesthesiologist employed in any of these hospitals were quite attractive.

But Dr. Uduaghan, propelled by the urge to offer satisfactory

service to the people free of the constraints of paid employment, opted to become a private medical practitioner, he then set up his own Abode Clinic in Warri in memory of his grandmother.

Outside his professional field, Dr. Uduaghan’s main preoccupation has been politics and in this, he has been successful. A grassroots politician, he was chairman and foundation Member of the All Nigerian Congress Association, Warri South Local Government Area. During the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s short lived civil rule programme, he was a founding member of the Grassroots Democratic Movement, GDM, and later rose to become an executive officer of the party. He is today a foundation member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Before then, he had served as Secretary, All Itsekiri Politicians Forum.

When the nation returned to democratic rule in May 1999, Governor James Ibori, recognising his ability to perform, appointed him into his cabinet as the Commissioner for Health.

After several years of neglect under the military, the Delta State public health care system that was near collapse, underwent remarkable reforms under the astute and competent leadership of Governor Uduaghan. Existing

,

BY ALEX KOLA FOLORUNSO

NANS, honoured him as the most outstanding Health Commissioner in the SouthSouth Zone of the country. Given such enviable background, proven ability and experience, not a few Deltans welcomed his appointment on June 6, 2003 to the exalted position of Secretary to the State Government, the engine room of government. He was in that position seen as the head of cabinet secretariat to drive the programme of that government. Most people score his performance as SSG very high. Those familiar with his pedigree were hardly surprised.

As Secretary to the State Government, he continued to display transparency, honesty and hard work. He told a seminar organized by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, that the Ibori Administration was determined to check unethical and fraudulent practices. His words “We will henceforth ensure that discipline is brought to bear in the conduct of our duties as public officers. If we must meet the expectations of our people who desire qualitative public service, then, of course we must necessarily be proactive and more efficient in the use of the meager resources available”.

Dr. Uduaghan can be remembered for his prominent role in conflict resolution in a state that has suffered from communal strife in the Warri area at the inception of the Ibori administration in 1999. He played a prominent role in dousing the tension and ensuring the peace and stability that now reign in the Warri area and the State in general.

A staunch supporter of resource

His administration’s three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development have been executed with precision making the Big Heart one of the model states in development

public hospitals and other health institutions needed rehabilitation. New ones needed to be constructed to meet growing demand. Health workers needed to be motivated.

The system in short needed clinical transformation. In all these, Dr. Uduaghan performed creditably to the commendation of all. During his tenure as Commissioner for Health, all the public hospitals in Delta State were rehabilitated and many upgraded. New hospitals were built across the State, while equipment were provided for better services. The out-of-stock syndrome for drugs at the hospitals became a thing of the past. Medical staff were motivated through enhanced allowances and other benefits. In reality, the health sector came back to life and was better positioned to serve the people.

His successor must have felt relieved to have something good to build upon. In recognition of his efforts, the National Association of Nigerian Students,

,

control, true federalism and other causes of the South-South people, he has remained an arrowhead for the attainment of the crusade. His commitment is not in doubt. Running for office of governor, Dr. Uduaghan was clear in his mind what he wanted to do if in charge. He once said, “The immediate direction of our government shall be to make our State accessible to all for investment, business, agriculture, commerce and improving on the welfare of the people through creation of jobs and safe neighbourhoods.”

His administration’s three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development have been executed with precision making the Big Heart one of the model states in development. The Uduaghan administration is building a brand international airport in Asaba, the state capital.

We wish the Governor a happy birthday , many happy returns, long life and prosperity.

54—Vanguard, TUESD AY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 TUESDA

Grape seed extract treats colorectal cancer

C

• Members of the Cycology Riding Club Lagos during the Lagos Bike-A-Thon to readicate polio held over the weekend.

‘You can’t afford a heart attack!’

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

Y

OU cannot afford to have a heart attack and die unnecessarily!

Indeed no Nigerian can afford to have a hear t attack. This is the message to the average Nigerian in the wake of rampant cases of hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular accidents witnessed in recent times.

There are times when heart problems could be quite probable, for instance if you suffer high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid and kidney problems and other cardiovascular disorders, you are

certainly at risk for a heart attack. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared at all times.

Experts say the first few minutes in most heart episodes are critical and immediate and prompt action is usually necessary to avoid disaster.

So imagine having an early warning system that could alert about an impending heart attack?

Enter the ZAP Tropinin I Test - an In Vitro diagnostic device for qualitative determination of Troponin in human blood, serum and plasma.

Cardiac Troponin I has been established as the

gold standard for diagnosing myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) in patients with chest pain. Most patients who have had a heart attack have increased troponin levels within two to 12 hours.

The test detects presence of blood based biomarkers related to muscle damage - myoglobin and Troponin I to confirm if the patient has suffered a heart attackn said Mr. Adedamola Abiola, Vice President, Commercial Operations, Innova Healthcare Solutions Ltd. In a presentation, he explained the test can be

used at home and almost anywhere for self-testing, noting that alll it requires is a single drop of whole blood to provide a diagnosis in less than 15 minutes. “It is a combination of early detection of muscle damage (myoglobin) and more specifically cardiac muscle damage (Troponin I) in a single test.

“The tests enable physicians, front line healthcare personnel and healthcare environments in Nigeria to have at their disposal technology for rapidly assessing cardiac markers based on global healthcare standards.”

OLORECTAL cancer cases continue to grow globally largely fueled by a diet of processed convenience foods and a sedentary lifestyle void of regular exercise. But a research team from the University of Colorado Cancer Center has published the results of a study a journal, Cancer Letters demonstrating that the more advanced colorectal cancer cells are, the more Grape Seed Extracts, GSE inhibits their growth and survival. Conversely, GSE does not affect healthy cells and is shown to specifically target only cancerous cells. The authors note that this is an important finding in light of the increased number of late stage colon cancer

cases currently being diagnosed.

This research could provide a critical starting point to encourage the use of natural therapies to treat colon cancer, rather than the traditional slash, burn and poison methods that cause more harm

than good for many who suffer from the disease.

Scientists studied the effect of GSE on various stages of colon cancer cell lines, and discovered that GSE targets colorectal cancer through inducing oxidative stress that leads to the programmed cell death known as apoptosis.

The many bioactive compounds of GSE are able to target multiple mutations.

The more mutations a cancer presents, the more effective GSE is in targeting them." Nutrition experts recommend supplementing with a standardized whole grape seed extract (150 to 250 mg) daily to provide a protective shield against colon and digestive cancers.

• Dr Vijaya Rajakumani,

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL) • Dr Vijaya Rajakumani,

T

HERE are two men in my life. My true love does not love me back and is pursuing a relationship with another woman. The man that I have no feelings for is the one that really loves me. He is a nice guy and really treats me well. What do I do? Gloria Dear Gloria, true love is meaningless when the one you love does not love you back. The world is filled with men and women who are in relationships where they don’t feel loved and most of these people want to get out of these relationships. When you are with someone who doesn’t love you, you will be miserable. You will feel a major disconnect and it is only a matter of time before they begin an affair with someone they actually love. I am sure you don’t want that.

On the other hand, you can learn to love a person that you were not attracted to at first. You just need to give yourself the chance to know that person and appreciate their other qualities. Being with someone that loves you is a blessing. Love is security. Love protects us and watches out for us. Love cares for us. Everybody pursuing a relationship should go after the person that loves them back. So if this other man really loves you, give yourself the chance to get to know him. You will be shocked to find yourself gradually falling in love with him – Uche I have been married for nine years and I am very depressed. I don’t remember ever enjoying sex. Which of these novelties can help me? Thanks – Mrs. Shittu

Dear Mrs Shittu, a vibrator, orgasm gel and some adult movies can work wonders for your love life. The Extreme Tri Twister Rabbit vibrator is a top of the range vibrator for women that rotates in two different directions and is capable of simultaneous penetration, clitoral stimulation and internal G spot stimulation. I recommend it. And for orgasm gel, take the 69 Minty Orgasm Gel. Massage it on the clitoris minutes before intercourse.

This will help you enjoy intercourse or your vibrator. For the movies, you will enjoy DVDs such as Nurses, Cheerleaders and Fly Girls – Uche

I have started using my Explosive Thunder supplement for hard erections and performance and it is very good but I also want a penis enlarger. Can I combine Explosive Thunder with Max Size? Fred Hello Fred, all of the above mentioned products are pills and in some ways, they do similar things such as stimulating blood flow to the penis so I don’t recommend taking them together. However, you can take your Explosive Thunder with a penis pump for organ enlargement such as the Bull Fighter Pump or you can go for any of the enlargement creams such as Maximus Enlargement Cream – Uche I am 57 years. Each time I am having intercourse and I climax, I feel so weak that I just want to sleep afterwards. But I cannot afford to sleep because my wife wants more. I last for two minutes in bed and that is not good enough for her in any way. I need your help.

Thanks – Eze Dear Eze, among other things, sex is a sedative. That is why we feel tired and a bit sleepy immediately after ejaculating. Sex is naturally intended to enable people sleep better amongst other things. So if you want to keep having sex after climaxing the first time, you need an energising supplement. Go for the Wonderland Performance Drink. It is a superb energy booster for hours of love making. And for your premature ejaculation, apply Rock Hard Delay Cream before intercourse. It will help you last longer – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments and novelties can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—55

10 reasons Ngige is better than others

by Joe Igbokwe

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

LAGOS APC spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe is undoubtedly one of the most prominent credentials supporters of APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige will give to debunk insinuations that the APC is a Yoruba party that hates Ndigbo. As the face of the APC in Lagos State he has had cause to return home to tell his people the advantages of electing the APC candidate in the election.

Mr. Igbokwe, one of Nigeria’s leading commentators on public issues has now articulated ten reasons he claims why Ngige is well above all the other candidates.

Igbokwe who spoke in an interview said: “Dr Chris Ngige is a trained Medical Doctor of almost 40 years. He was in the Federal civil service for 18 years. He has served as a Governor for

three years and made unprecedented impact under very difficult and dangerous circumstances. He is serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is first President General of Aka Ikenga, an organization of

Igbo intellectuals. He liberated Anambra State from despicable money bags and notorious godfathers.”

“Of all the candidates contesting for the Anambra Governorship, Senator Ngige is the most experienced both

in politics and governance.

Ngige is the only candidate that opened the eyes of the people of Anambra State that there is money in Government contrary to the picture previous Governors painted.

Ngige initiated and started

the extensive road network we have in Anambra today.

Ngige is the boldest, the most courageous, capacity driven, independent minded, most outspoken, fearless, strong willed, and firm among the lot.”

We’ll demolish kidnappers’ dens — Obiano

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

A

PGA candidate Willie Obiano has promised to continue the policy commenced by the incumbent administration of demolishing houses used by kidnappers as a form of punishment for owners of such buildings.

Speaking to reporters, he also dismissed electronic advertorials by one of the candidates in which some schools in the state were depicted as dilapidated, adding that education is one area where the outgoing governor, Mr. Peter Obi had

•Obiano: APGA flagbearer done better.

The APGA flag bearer, who

regretted that the incumbent is being portrayed negatively by some candidates said: “Take the case of advert where a particular candidate goes to different schools in the State.

Coming to a school where three out of the maybe six existing buildings have been rehabilitated, he will shoot those yet to be rehabilitated and present same as the state of Anambra schools.

I have personally done on the spot visits of projects going on in the State for a first hand understanding of what obtains

in Anambra State.

“One area Gov. Peter Obi has done marvelously well in is in education. Now, the man doing selective shooting is merely showing us his deceptive character.

You cannot, because you are standing for election, categorically propagate that the incumbent is doing nothing.

This shows that you are inherently deceptive and will continue to deceive the people in whatever capacity you find yourself.’’

Voters’ register: stakeholders fuss over INEC slip

I

NEC last week released the voters register for the November 16 governorship election but many people are still not satisfied with what has transpired so far.

Some party chieftains are arguing that from what is happening in the commission, there are fears of the likelihood of the election being marred by irregularities.

Some of the people, who were

at the INEC headquarters in Awka said: “INEC did not disclose whether the 53 missing polling units in nine LGAs of Awka South (34), Ayamelum (1), Anambra East (2), Ihiala (2), Idemmili North (1), Nnewi South (4), Nnewi North (5), etc, have been found and restored or not.

It also did not disclose the fate of the affected registered voters in the areas. The public did not

know whether the 93, 354 double registrants discovered by the commission have been deleted from the voters’ register.

The number of dead and fictitious voters that were possibly deleted was not disclosed, so also the number of voters registered during the continuous registration and revalidation exercise and number transferred into the

transferred voters’ list.

No information was given with respect to the alleged discovery of illegal polling centers in Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Oyi LGAs as well as those malicious citizens imported by some desperate politicians from neighboring states during the continuous voters’ registration and revalidation exercise.

registers, he said, signifies that the organization which by its position was an election empire had recognition for two factions of PDP, an action which he said would ultimately lead to production of two candidates for PDP. “INEC must ensure that it does not do anything that

would create undue advantage to PDP in the forthcoming election.

“INEC instead of discouraging the negative tactics of PDP, and invoking the law, it was leaning to the party by keeping mum and even went a step further to recognize the two factions by giving

•Jega

PDP’s two registers worry Umeh

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

W

HEN it was faced with the difficult decision of handing over the official voters’ register to the parties involved in the election, INEC was faced with the problem of which of the many factions in the PDP to give the register. In a solution that could reflect the wisdom of King Solomon, INEC decided to give two copies of the register to two of the main factions of the PDP respectively led by Kenneth Emeakayi and Ejike Oguebego.

Now APGA chieftain and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Maja Umeh says the duplication of registers is to enable the party double its rigging efforts in the election.

Chief Umeh, who spoke in Awka, said that unless the INEC chairman stops the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner from the imminent electoral fraud, his action would spell doom for the forthcoming November 16 gubernatorial election.

Issuing PDP with two

voters register to the two factions, thereby fueling political tension and heating up the polity.”

Chief Umeh therefore called on INEC Chairman to take measures that would ensure that aspirants who were not on INEC published list should be called to order.

Obiano’s blueprint attracts praise in Enugu

T

HE APGA gubernatorial candidate , Chief Willie Obiano has been commended for demonstrating a great foresight in crafting his blueprint for the state by coming out with a revolutionary concept known as the 4-Cs. The commendation was made by a Port-Harcourt-based entrepreneur and businessman, Engr. Ifeanyi Ozumba while

speaking with news men in Enugu over the weekend at the fund-raising dinner in honour of Obiano.

The 4-Cs is the core of Obiano’s 10 pillars of development which emphasizes Continuity, Completion, Commissioning and Commencement of fresh ideas that will accelerate the development of Anambra State.

According to Engr. Ozumba, in

rolling out the 4-Cs, Obiano is assuring the Anambra people that his government would continue the on-going exploits of the APGA government in the state, complete all existing projects, commission them as quickly as possible and commence a fresh set of new projects and ideas that will keep the state on the path of rapid progress.

According to him, “I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of thought and the depth of ideas embedded in Obiano’s blueprint. It shows that Obiano’s team has a good grasp of the development needs of the state and has taken the time to discover the amount of progress made by the current regime in the state.

56 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 57

France summons US envoy over espionage F

RANCE has called in the US ambassador to protest against allegations in Le Monde newspaper about large-scale spying on French citizens by the US National Security Agency, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

“I have immediately summoned the US ambassador and he will be received this morning at the Quai d’Orsay [the French Foreign Ministry],” Fabius told reporters at a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.

France and Mexico have demanded prompt explanations from Washington following fresh spying allegations leaked by former US security

contractor Edward Snowden.

Reports in Le Monde and German weekly Der Spiegel have revealed that the National Security Agency secretly recorded tens of millions of phone calls in France and hacked into former Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s email account.

The spy agency taped 70.3 million phone calls in France over a 30-day period between December 10 and January 8 this year, Le Monde reported in its online version, citing documents from S n o w d e n .

According to Le Monde, the NSA automatically picked up communications from certain phone numbers in France and

Charles Rivkin, the US ambassador to France, declined immediate comment on reports that he had been called in by the French foreign ministry but stressed that French ties with Washington were close.

Egypt’s PM slams Coptic church attack

E

Hollande recorded text messages under a programme code-named “US-985D”.

Le Monde said the documents gave grounds to believe that the NSA tar-

Obama geted not only people suspected of being involved in terrorism but also high-profile individuals from the world of business or politics.

Western powers set to discuss Syrian conflict

E

UROPEAN Union foreign ministers have arrived in Luxembourg for talks that will have the Syria conflict high on its agenda.

Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief, said yesterday that the delegates will discuss how the bloc should act on the issue of Syria’s

chemical weapons, political developments and humanitarian crisis.

Western and Arab diplomats have been trying to build support for long-delayed peace talks aimed at bringing together President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Syria’s opposition.

Nabil el-Araby, the Arab League chief, said in Cairo on Sunday the talks would convene on November 23.

However, Lakhdar Brahimi, the joint UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, said the peace talks were in doubt unless a “credible opposi-

DRC rebels disagree over amnesty

M

23 rebels and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo have suspended peace talks only days after the rebels spoke of “major breakthroughs”.

The two sides have been meeting in Kampala, the capital of neighbouring Uganda, which is brokering the peace talks.

The suspension of talks yesterday comes just hours after UN envoys warned of the dangers if a deal was not agreed soon to end the year-anda-half-old rebellion ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo’s volatile east.

Lambert Mende, the Congolese government spokesman, said the talks had been suspended because of disagreement over the extent of an amnesty for the M23 army mutineers and their reintegration into the nation-

“This relationship on a military, intelligence, special forces ... level is the best it’s been in a generation,” Rivkin told the Reuters news agency as John Kerry, the US secretary of state, arrived in Paris.

tion” agreed to take part.

“There is an agreement to attempt to hold Geneva 2 in November, but the date has not been officially set,” Brahimi said. “The final date of the conference will be announced at a later time.”

The opposition’s Western and Arab backers are facing resistance from some among the opposition to attending the Geneva talks as long as Assad remains in power.

GYPT’S prime minis ter has condemned an attack outside a Coptic church in Cairo on Sunday that killed four people, including an eight-year-old girl.

Hazem Beblawi said the security forces were searching for those responsible for the “callous and criminal act”. He also vowed that it would “not succeed in sowing divisions” between the Christian and Muslim communities.

Coptic activists have accused Mr Beblawi’s interim government of failing to protect churches from attack. Their community has been targeted by some Islamists who accuse it of backing the military’s overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July.

In the latest attack, two masked gunmen riding on motorbikes fired indiscriminately at people emerging from a wedding

service at the Church of the Virgin Mary in the capital’s Waraa district on Sunday evening. What is happening is that all of Egypt is being targeted, not just the Christians” Father Dawoud Church of the Virgin Mary Health ministry and ambulance service officials said four people were killed, including the girl and a woman, and 17 others were wounded.

Meanwhile, Egyptian police are searching for an armed man who killed three people at a church wedding, in the first attack targeting Christians in Cairo since the overthrow of Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

An eight-year-old girl was among those killed at the Church of the Virgin in Cairo’s working-class neighbourhood of Al-Warrak while 18 others were wounded in late Sunday’s attack, officials said.

Army probe CCTV footage of Kenyan Mall looting stormed the Nairobi Kenyan soldiers can be

K Members of the M23 rebels in DR Congo al army.

Last Saturday M23 released a statement saying there had been “major breakthroughs” as a result of “the heavy involvement of the international community in the dialogue”.

The rebels take their name from a peace agreement they signed with the DRC government on March 22 2009, paving the way for their integration into the national army, but they mutinied

in April 2012 over poor salaries and living conditions, renewing an armed rebellion in the country’s mineral-rich east.

ENYAN military au thorities has announced that it is investigating allegations of looting by soldiers during the Westgate shopping Mall siege by Al Shabah Islamists last month. .At least 67 people died when suspected al-Shabab militants

shopping centre on 21 September.

Reports from Nairobi said security camera footage has emerged which appears to show Kenyan security forces looting goods during last month’s siege of the Westgate mall.

In the footage, some

S/Leonean Editors held for insulting the President

A

SIERRA Leone po lice official says two journalists have been arrested after publishing an article stating that the president “behaves like a rat.”

Ibrahim Koroma, head of the Criminal Investi-

gations Department, said yesterday that Jonathan Leigh and Bai Bai Sesay, both editors at the Independent Observer newspaper, had been detained over the weekend for an article

criticizing the president’s treatment of the vice president.

It was not clear what the men might be charged with or when they would appear in court.

seen carrying white shopping bags, while others appear to take white boxes from a mobile phone store.

News agencies say the CCTV footage is taken inside the entrance to the Westgate mall’s Nakumatt supermarket, which sells everything from food to televisions.

In one section of footage, several soldiers are seen walking out of the supermarket, past a blood-spattered floor, carrying plastic carrier bags.The Westgate attack sparked a four-day siege in which large parts of the shopping centre were destroyed.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013—59

ASUU takes protest to streets Continues from page 5 to improve our educational system, that is a shame and we are really embarrassed with the President”. In Abeokuta, Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA), yesterday, warned both the Academic Staff Union of Universities and t h e F e d e r a l Government to stop grandstanding over the ongoing strike, calling on them to find a common ground for the sake of students in the country.

This was even as students and herbalists in Oyo State expressed their support for ASUU, calling on them to ensure that all issues leading to the current face-off are resolved before the strike is called off.

ANUPA, which comprises Registrars and other professional administrators in all public universities across the country, said the action of some officials of the Federal Government has worsened the situation.

The National President o f the Association, Samuel Mwansat, who stated this during the annual retreat for the National Council members of t h e Association, held at Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, described ASUU ‘s demand on the need for infrastructural development on campuses as germane, and also cautioned it to mellow down and shift its stand for the sake of the countr y.

According to him, as a professional association, we have a responsibility to this nation at large.

“We feel this has gone quite long enough; I think both parties should find a common ground. I don’t see anything impossible in this issue. It’s a question of both parties meeting themselves half way,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr. Arunoyemi Asanlaye, president of herbalists in the state, said, “We are in support of ASUU on the on-going strike”.

Speaking in a town hall meeting in Ibadan, students who attended the forum, tagged, Save Public Education Campaign, which was organised by

ASUU, University of Ibadan, UI, chapter showed their displeasure at the seeming docility and indifference of the Nigeria Labour Congress calling on the labour union to embark on solidarity strike to force government to respond to ASUU demands.

Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, Chairman, ASUU UI chapter, said the union would use any method to actualize their demands clarified that the struggle was not about the salaries of lecturers but the funding of education in the country. Ajiboye said, “We are using so many methods. We cannot tell you when to move to Bodija Market. That is part of our strategies.

Instead of begging ASUU, the government should declare a state of emergency in the education sector”.

ASUU to take more stance tomorow Responding to the call by the students, Mr. Bashir Olanrewaju, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress in Oyo State, said, “By Wednesday, we will come out with a more proactive stance on the strike.

Though, students have called on us to go on strike, we will not go on strike now. We will only mediate. If an affiliate has a problem, joining it in strike will collapse the whole system.

Chairman, of ASUU, UNIBEN, Dr Anthony Monye-Emina, in his reaction said “the government appears to be deliberately refusing to do what they are supposed to do. By the way, he was reported to have gone to commission a project in a private university recently. It is bad for the President of a country whose universities have been locked up in the last four months plus, due to an industrial action, going to commission project in private university. That to me is an insult on the sensibility of Nigerians. He is making a big mistake.

FG blames ‘heartless’ university lecturers for prolonged strike The Federal Government, yesterday, blamed

some elements in ASUU, who it described as being heartless, for frustrating the efforts of the government to resolve the strike. The Federal Government also appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to rethink their approach towards the ongoing strike and listen to the yearnings of wellmeaning Nigerian in the interest of the nation.

In a statement, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, also condemned attacks on the person of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, saying the attacks have taken academic unionism to a new low by infusing it with unnecessary politics.

He said the Federal government has not adopted a take-it-orleave-it approach in its negotiations with ASUU, stating rather, that the approach is focused on positive engagement and achieving sustainable solutions to the challenges facing higher education in the country.

He said, “ASUU elements who want the strike to continue should have a heart and rethink their current take-it-orleave-it approach to negotiation. Government has demonstrated its commitment to improving the university system. And it is even ready to do much more going forward. ASUU should listen to the voice of reason and the yearnings of Nigerians on this issue.”

Nwabuikwu exonerated the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from complicity in the ongoing strike, saying that she understands and sympathizes with the plight of both students and lecturers.

He said, “Some elements in ASUU have been distributing pamphlets and flyers with abusive and inflammatory messages against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in mosques and other places. This is taking academic unionism to a new low and infusing it with unnecessary politics. I am sure majority of ASUU members are not in support of this."

60 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2013

Falconets set for Sierra Leone T

HE U-20 Women National Team, nicknamed Falconets, has intensified training programme in Abuja ahead of this weekend’s 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against their counterparts from Sierra Leone.

Earlier scheduled to play the U-20 Women’s Team of Burkina Faso, the Falconets now have Sierra Leone on their plate following the withdrawal of the Burkinabes from the qualifying race.

It would be recalled that the Sierra Leonean girls were to play the Falconets in the first round of the race to the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, but withdrew. The Nigerian girls then vented their spleen on Zim-

babwe and Democratic Republic of Congo girls to emphatically seal a place in Japan, there they reached the semi finals.

New Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo, has been taking 30 players through their paces in Abuja for the past two weeks and said on Monday.

“Surely, we are ready for the Sierra Leoneans.

I have the girls to do the job and I can assure Nigerians that we will make the nation proud.”

Nigeria’s pedigree in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup include a runner-up position at the 2010 finals in Germany, plus a semi final place in Japan last year and quarter final berths in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Garba warns Eaglets

Continues from B/P

Monday, Manu said the victory against Mexico is all but forgotten when they face Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Tuesday(5 p.m.

Nigerian time).

Manu reminded the players about the unfortunate incident at the CAN African Championship in Morocco when they won their opening match with an identical 6-1 against Ghana only to concede a 1-0 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the second match .

“We want you to focus only on our match against Sweden because that is the only thing that matters to us now,” he said at the training.”Don’t forget what happened to us in Morocco when we beat Ghana 6-1 in our first match but lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the next match.”

That defeat at Mohammed V stadium in Marrakech which was the teams first in almost 30 matches still pains Manu as he spoke in clear terms:” Brazil and Italy have both qualified for the second round because they won their first two matches. “We have no excuse not to follow on their footsteps

by winning our second game against Sweden and I have no doubt in my mind that you can achieve it.”

History indeed favours the Golden Eaglets’ aspiration since they have failed to qualify for the second round stage of any tournament only once 10 years ago at the 10th edition held in Finland in 2003. ”We won’t and can’t allow history to repeat itself ,”noted hardworking Chidiebere Nwakali who was bashed by the press and public for that cheeky penalty kick in the 5-4 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at CAN Cup final.”It was very unfortunate that we lost to Cote d’Ivoire in Morocco and that was a big lesson for us. ”Our focus is on Sweden and the coaches have reminded us about the need for total concentration,” added Nwakali who was singled out for his virtuoso performance against Mexico.

The same was said by Japhaet Raymond at the press conference: “We have forgotten about Mexico; our focus is on Sweden and by the grace of God, we shall be victorious.”

Falconets players celebrate

Osun to unveil Governor’s Cup

T

HE State of Osun will on Wednesday, October 23, launch an awareness campaign for the organisation of Governor’s Cup U-17 football competition for the discovery and nurturing of young football talents across the s t a t e .

The project coordinator, Mrs Tola Usman, informed that the “programme instituted in honour of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in appreciation of his development efforts, is a grassroot development initiative designed to raise players for both the State of Osun, the national teams and various football clubs across the country, and to also engage youths in sports as a means of directing them away from in-

volvement is social vices.”

Ahead of the kick off of the competition slated for November 4 to tally with the anniversary celebration of the swearing in of the governor, the organisers, Double Accord Resources, in conjunction with the state sports establishment, are launching the awareness campaign to enlighten participants from the thirty-one local government areas of the state and prospective sponsors and supporters on how they can partake in the programme and what to expect.

According to Mrs Usman, notwithstanding that the Osun Governor’s Cup is a talent hunt programme, the organisers intend to make it a state wide celebration of sports.

Amuneke

Continues from B/P when they play their second match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup today. The Eaglets have sent out warning signals with their 6-1 humiliation of defending Champions, Mexico in their first match on Saturday.

“We already have a strategy in place for.

Sweden and we are ready for whatever antics they would throw at us, “said Amuneke, holder of UEFA Pro-License. ”We watched their game against Iraq and we already know how they deploy their players which are typical of Europeans and Scandinavian teams.”

Reminded of that famous battle of Toulouse

when a Scandinavian side,Denmark against all expectations, comprehensively demolished the Super Eagles at the France’98 World Cup, Amuneke shrugged off the threats of the Swedes, insisting that all hands are on deck. ”We would be business-like against Sweden,” he assured.”We would be frontal in our attack because they would naturally want to defend and wait for counter attacks.”

Pressed for the likely loopholes to explore against Sweden, Amuneke said matter of factly: “We would deal with that but the most important thing is that we respect our opponents.

Owunmi leads Wolves

F

ORMER Nigeria Premier League (NPL) boss Davidson Owumi has been appointed as chief executive of Warri Wolves.

According to a release made available to Vanguard Sports by Delta Football Association Media officer Timi Ebikagboro and signed by the Secretary General of the Delta State Football Association, Mr Friday Onothoja, the former Rangers international supremo will take charge under a new management.

“The Delta State Sports Commission in conjunction with the Football Association dissolved the management board of the team, having reviewed the performance of the club in the justconcluded 2012/2013 season,” the statement added.

According to the release, the new management of Warri Wolves comprises of Godwin Abigor, chairman, Davidson Owumi - Manag-

ing Director/CEO and Emmanuel Ibru - Executive Director (Marketing) Others include Kenneth Nwaomucha - Executive Director (Youth Development& Strategy),. Ogheneochuko Ambakederemo – Director and Lawrence Omohwo – Secretary.

The reconstituted management board of Warri Wolve will be inaugurated very soon by the executive chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick.

•Owunmi

Argentina ref Continues from B/P Juan Pablo and Diego Bonfa would serve as Assistant Referee 1& 2 while Hugo Cruz would serve as the Fourth Official.

The match commissioner is burly President of Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT); Mr. Pedro Ch-

aluja.

Meanwhile, both Sweden and Nigeria would be wearing their contrasting famous national team jerseys. The Golden Eaglets would spot their traditional green colours while the Swedes would wear yellow attire.

Portugal face Sweden Continues from B/P The first legs will take place on 15 November, when Sweden will travel to Portugal, France will be in Ukraine, Greece will host Romania and Iceland will entertain Croatia. The second-legs will be played on 19 November.

The four eventual winners will qualify for next summer ’s finals in Brazil, joining the nine nations that have already progressed as European qualifying-group winners: Belgium, Italy, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, BosniaHerzegovina, England and the 2010 World Cup winners, Spain.

Portgual finished sec-

ond to Russia in Group F while Sweden were runners-up to Germany in Group C. The last time the sides met in qualifiers both games finished goalless, yet with Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely to feature for the respective sides, there should be plenty of attacking play on show.

Portugal, Ukraine, Greece and Croatia were the seeded nations in the draw. France, who were surpisingly unseeded, face the team who finished runners-up to England in Group H. Iceland, meanwhile, would qualify for their first ever World Cup were they to overcome Croatia.

Vanguard, TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 61

Arsenal out to subdue Dortmund

A

RSENAL are turning the toughest looking Champions League group into a walk in the park so far and they would take a huge stride towards their customary place in the last 16 with victory over Borussia Dortmund on tonight.

A dazzling 4-1 victory over Norwich City at the weekend, in which Mesut Ozil scored twice, kept Arsenal on top of the Premier League and had fans and commentators alike drooling over the quality of their display.

Early days it may be, but with 10 wins and two draws from their last 12 matches in all competitions, including Champions League triumphs over Marseille and Napoli in Group F, there is talk of something special brewing in north London.

With record signing Ozil fitting into the Arsenal midfield like a silk glove,

Mesut Ozil (l) on duty for Arsenal.

Aaron Ramsey unable to stop scoring, Jack Wilshere at his best and Santi Cazorla back from injury, manager Arsene Wenger has the look of the cat that got all the cream.

Last season‘s runnersup Dortmund pose a considerable threat to the

feeling of euphoria sweeping the Emirates stadium but victory would be a huge psychological boost, according to Mikel Arteta, another of Arsenal‘s midfield gems.

“We have two very difficult games coming up against Dortmund,” Arteta told Arsenal`s website

Champions League Fixtures Schalke 04 AC Milan Marseille Austria Wien Arsenal Celtic

vs vs vs. vs vs vs

Chelsea Barcelona Napoli A/ Madrid Dortmund Ajax

7.45 pm 7.45 pm 7.45 pm 7.45 pm 7.45 pm 7.45 pm

Efe's coach vows not to lose N

EIL Lennon admits his side’s chances of being involved in Europe after Christmas would hang by a thread if they failed to take all three points from Ajax at Parkhead on Tuesday.

Celtic are bottom of their UEFA Champions League qualifying group after defeats in their opening two matches against AC Milan and Barcelona.

Ajax have one point against their name following a 1-1 draw against Milan in Amsterdam and Lennon insists anything less than a victory would leave the Hoops on the brink of elimination.

“Put it this way, tomorrow is a must-not-lose game as I am confident with this team that we can perform away from home as well,” he told Sky Sports News.

“Winning the game would put us in a really good position within the group but losing would probably end our aspira-

tions for trying to qualify.

“I watched Ajax on Saturday night (drew 1-1 at Twente) and they came on very strong in the second half and probably deserved to take something out of the game.

“They are going to give us problems the way they move the ball about, the way they play the game.

They have pace in their team in wide areas but we’re ready.

“And we’re looking forward to it. We know what’s at stake and the fact that we are at home gives us a slight edge.”

And Lennon is confident Kris Commons will be back in his starting lineup for the return in Amsterdam early next month after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Tuesday’s match.

“He’s been for a scan and we’re waiting on confirmation but he is feeling a lot better now,” he said.

Commons will be

joined on the sidelines by Scott Brown (suspended), Adam Matthews (shoulder) and Derk Boerrigter (ankle) but Emilio Izaguirre has recovered from illness and should start while Mikael Lustig will undergo a late check on his hip injury.

Efe Ambrose

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

World Cup 2014 play-off draw: Portugal face Sweden •Cristiano Ronaldo verses Zlatan Ibramovic in pick of ties •France must beat Ukraine to reach finals

P

which took place at Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich on Monday af ternoon.

ORTGUAL will face Sweden in arguably the pick of the European World Cup play-offs, the draw for

You’ve no excuse not to beat Sweden!

•Garba warns as Eaglets go for their jugular

Continues on Page 60

FIFA U-17 W/CUP Canada Argentina

vs vs

GROUP E Iran Austria

2.00 pm 5.00 pm

Mexico Sweden

vs vs

GROUP F Iraq Nigeria

2.00 pm 5.00 pm

RESULTS 1 Panama

Croatia Tunisia

1

Kick-off: 5p.m.

Russia

0 0

Argentina ref for Eaglets

R

C

OACH Manu Gar ba (MFR) has warned his boys against overconfidence as the Golden Eaglets eye a place in the second round; knockout stages of the 15th edition of the

FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE. Speaking at the team’s final training session as well as the official Press Conference on

Continues on Page 60

ON RAMPAGE: Golden Eaglets players celebrate after scoring against Mexico, Saturday night. They go for Sweden's jugular today.

Eaglets ‘ll sting Sweden — Amuneke

G

OLDEN Eaglets coach, Emmanuel

PUZZLE

sting Sweden with goals Continues on Page 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Amuneke has predicted that the Eaglets would

EFEREE Nestor Pitana from an area of early Roman Catholic missionary called CorpusMisiones in Argentina would be the umpire when Sweden and Nigeria exchange fireworks at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium today.

Designated Match No. 24, the kick off is fixed at 20:00 pm local time which is 5:00pm in Nigeria with the 38-year-old Argentine alongside two of compatriots and another official from Costa Rica taking charge of the game.

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Attain (5) 5 Squandered (6) 8 Reappear (5) 10 Dance (6) 11 Parched (4) 14 Courteous (6) 15 Suppose (7) 18 Number (3) 19 Insect (3) 21 Act (4) 23 Before (5) 24 Expensive (4) 27 Lair (3) 29 Fix (3) 31 Ludicrous (7) 32 Poured (6) 34 Cupola (4) 35 Smear (6) 38 Change (5) 39 Disclose (6) 40 Lure (5)

DOWN 2 Self (3) 3 Fold (6) 4 Girl’s (3) 5 Envelop (4) 6 Dirty (6) 7 Guard (6) 9 Order (7) 12 Decay (3) 13 Eat (4) 16 Part (4) 17 Go in (5) 20 Smallest (7) 22 Nobleman (4) 24 Tremble (6) 25 Imitated (4) 26 Distant (6) 28 Digit (6) 30 Jewel (3) 33 Trade (4) 36 Encountered (3) 37 Breach (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stream 5, Fear 8, Banal 9, Rut 10, Lout 11, Isle 12, Scene 13, Bitter 16, Dell 18, Evil 20, One 22, See 23, Dam 24, Sign 25, Pest 28, Solace 30, Being 32, Lair 33, Deaf 34, Old 35, Tenet 36, Tied 37, Tender.

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 1, Scribe 2, Rotating 3, Allied 4, Matchless 5, Fainted 6, Else 7, Rued 8, Bus 14, Responded 15, Vim 17, Lee 19, Vagabond 20, Oil 21, Entered 26, Toffee 27, Render 29, Clot 30, Bite 31, Get.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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