Jonathan, Buhari lay siege to S'East by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62367

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MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Jonathan, Buhari lay siege to S'East

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

AGOS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; THE two leading presidential candidates, President Continues on Page 6

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POCKET CARTOON

Jonathan's town hall meeting in Aba President Jonathan is MEETING: From left: Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Amb. Nuhu Audu Bagoga; Vice President himself expected also to Namadi Sambo; Gov. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State; and Peoples Domocratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Kaduna State, Alhaji Abubakar Gayya Haruna during Vice President's meeting with religious leaders from Zone Two, Kaduna, yesterday.

Jonathan, Buhari lay siege to S'East Continues from Page 1 Goodluck Jonathan and Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) are today and tomorrow shifting their focus on the SouthEast with separate bids for the zone’s 6.6 million voters. The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Buhari, is trying to puncture the seeming strength of President Jonathan in the SouthEast with rallies and town hall meetings in the zone today. The tension shadowing the efforts of the two contenders are expected to be tempered today at a joint meeting between the two contenders and President John Mahama of Ghana. The meeting, it was understood, is expected to provide an opportunity for the two major contenders again to pledge a determination to abide

by the rules of the contest. The APC candidate is expected to attend a strategic meeting of the party ’s governors and senior party officials in Owerri today. Buhari is also expected to preach his message of change at the South-East zonal rally holding on the sidelines of the meeting of the governors and senior party officials. Following the meeting, the APC candidate is to proceed to Onitsha where he is expected to have an interactive session with traders and religious leaders in the commercial city. Buhari, according to campaign officials, is also expected to provide assurances to the traders during the session of his determination to ensure a conducive environment for their businesses to flourish. Buhari’s visit to Onitsha is coinciding

with a visit to the same town by First Lady, Patience Jonathan, who is also scheduled to hold a women sensitisation rally in the commercial city. Mrs. Jonathan, who

Ikuru's defection: More APC govs, deputies to join PDP soon —Secondus, •Says it'll be landslide victory for PDP By Henry Umoru

BUJA — N A T I O N A L leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disclosed, yesterday, that following his nationwide consultations and discussions in the last couple of weeks, some governors and their deputies on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, would in the next few days return to the PDP. Speaking in Abuja, Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, BY ELLA RANDLE Prince Uche Secondus, To be successful, choose your thoughts wisely and who noted that towards deliberately— Ella Randle the last days of campaigns, the APC Your attitude is so much like an inner architect building resilience in your mindset. What’s at stake? would totally crumble, Your outlook involves your perception of success (or stressed, however that failure) and has a big impact on the viability of your with the defection of deputy governor of career. The great thing is, setting your attitude is your Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, choice. What you think about yourself, your abilities, to the PDP, it was a clear financial gains (or losses) and your assessment of indication that President your ability to succeed becomes what you might Goodluck Jonathan has actively live out. the vision to take Nigeria Actions follow thoughts. When your attitude is to the next level which unproductive and you need to shift from a negative Presidential thought pattern, draw upon your inner coach: the candidate of APC does Reprogramme fearful, defeatist thinking toward thoughts charged with power, conviction and faith. not have. Secondus, who Focus on your ability to meet your goals.

TAKE HEART

has maternal links to the South-East, is expected to appeal to the sentiments of her Igbo brothers and sisters in keeping their in-law in office.

visit Aba, Abia State for a major town hall meeting with the business community in the South-East tomorrow. At the town hall meeting, the president is expected to address the concerns of the business community, giving facts and figures on the efforts of his administration in bolstering the environment for small and medium scale

businesses. The president’s renewed interest in the South-East is on the strength of recent mutterings from some stakeholders that the president had disregarded the region and put his focus on the South-West. President Jonathan swept most of the states in the South-East in 2011 and got more than 90 per cent in most of the states. However, his political supremacy has faced challenges on account of allegations of inefficiencies in the system.

described the defection of Ikuru to PDP as a welcome development, stressed that with the exit of the deputy governor and other candidates from the APC in Rivers, it was an indication that Governor Rotimi Amaechi was not providing any governance and the people have lost confidence in him, adding that it was now a landslide victory for PDP in the country.

DPPCO urges others to emulate Ikuru Meanwhile, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, yesterday called on other leaders of the APC to emulate the deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, by decamping to the PDP. In a statement. yesterday. by the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the PDP was happy to

receive Ikuru back into its family. According to FaniKayode, “ we are glad to hear about the return of the deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family. This was a deeply courageous step and we welcome him with open arms. “We encourage other key leaders of the APC to abandon the ranks of the doomed and to join the PDP. We urge them to see the light and retrace their steps in the same way that the deputy governor of Rivers State has done. “The defection of the deputy governor at this critical time represents a deep and grievous spiritual wound on the APC. They are falling apart at the seams and they are crumbling. We agree with the deputy governor that the APC are a party of rebels and anarchists and they are a party of deceit. “With a governor like

Rotimi Amaechi, we wonder why the deputy governor took so long to leave. The stench of filth and corruption that emanated from Amaechi’s government must have been too much for his deputy governor to bear any longer. “May God forgive the APC for that stench and for trying to deceive and destroy Nigeria. Others should emulate the deputy governor and take the path of honour by leaving the APC before it is too late.”

Mr & Mrs

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Saturday election stands, Jonathan insists ...Corruption, insecurity, economy, top presidential debate agenda By Henry Umoru, Charles …Buhari shuns interraction Kumolu & Ben Agandety

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reassured Nigerians that the March 28 and April 11 dates set by the Professor Attahiru Jegaled Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the conduct of General elections remain sacrosanct. Speaking in Abuja during the second session of the presidential debate organised by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group, NEDG for presidential candidates of six political parties held at the International Conference Centre, President Jonathan said, “Elections will be conducted as scheduled for March 28 and April 11 as fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The government in these fours years has improved in all the sectors and COMMISSIONING: Minister of lands, housing and urban development, Mrs. Akon in the next four years, we will Eyakenyi with the Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Gimba consolidate, we will move forward, Ya’u kumo and Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, at the commissioning of Sky we will leave legacy for our Diamond Estate, Kaduna Millennium City, weekend. Photo by Olu Ajayi. children, we cannot think of going backward.” put in place measures to the only way to check it. he disclosed that his government reconstruct the north east and to Enforcement alone does not was working on developing a APC shuns debate rehabilitate the people affected by work. Armed robbers have been technology that would check the The parties that took part in the the insurgency. caught and killed but this has not stealing of crude oil, adding that second session of the debate were stopped armed robbery in the with the planned liberalisation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; On plans to rebuild N' East country. Prevention is better. We the sector, more transparency National Conscience Party, NCP, He stated that apart from will ensure that nobody has access would be brought in and the United Democratic Party, UDP, normal budgetary provision of to steal funds. We will strengthen passage of the Petroleum KOWA Party and United Peoples funds to reconstruct the areas the institutions so that they can Industry Bill, PIB by the national Party, UPP, just as the Presidential affected by the insurgency, fight corruption” he added. assembly would address other candidate of the All Progressive government has set up the The president further called for problems in the sector. Congress, General Muhammadu Presidential Initiative for the a change of attitudes towards Buhari (retd) was the only North East and the safe School people who acquire wealth in On agric sector presidential candidate who failed Initiatives in order to dubious ways noting that ‘if we On the agricultural sector, to attend the debate. ameliorate the sufferings of the don’t honour people who cannot President Jonathan said he will The Presidential candidates were people of the area. defend their source of wealth, sustain the achievements his Professor Oluremi Osonaiya of people will change’ he said. administration has recorded in the Kowa Party, Chief Martin Onovo On corruption sector by ensuring that there is of NCP; President Goodluck Speaking on corruption, On revamping oil sector greater mechanisation, Jonathan of PDP; Godson Okoye President Jonathan who On how he intends to bring in availability of fertiliser to farmers of UDP and Chief Chekwas Okorie acknowledged that it remains a more transparency to Petroleum and full processing of agricultural of UPP. very major issue emphasised that sector, President Jonathan said products. During the last lap of the debate, enforcement of existing laws on his administration will focus on President Jonathan who asked which was moderated by veteran corruption only was not enough the proper management of the Nigerians to vote for him come broadcaster, Eugenia Abu of the to check the trend. upstream sector by strengthening March 28 because of the progress Nigerian Television Authority, NTA “Corruption is a major issue. the regulatory capacity of agencies made in the last four years and to and two-man panellists, Martins People think that enforcement is in charge of the sector, even as sustain the achievements in all Oloja, the editor of The Guardian newspapers and Professor Pate, candidates were asked questions on issues of insecurity, corruption, education, agriculture, educational NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha, who the PPMC depot, Port Harcourt By Michael Eboh sector, among others. was represented by Mr. Adebayo are 6.94 million litres of Premium UPPLY of petroleum Ibirogba, Group Executive Motor Spirit, 2.44 million litres ...President seeks for more products is expected to rise Director, Engineering and of Dual Purpose Kerosene and time to consolidate 3.2 million litres of Automotive President Jonathan, who urged in the coming days, as the Technology, NNPC. Speaking during the Gas Oil.” Nigerians to vote for him to enable Nigerian National Petroleum He further stated that the roads his government consolidate on the Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, commissioning, Dawha disclosed various achievements it had said it has completed the that with the rehabilitated roads, would go a long way in recorded in the last four years, rehabilitation and reconstruction daily evacuation of petroleum promoting safety and reduce the however revealed the change in of several kilometers of internal products will rise to 260 trucks per spilling of petroleum products on asphaltic surfaces. the security architecture in the access roads at Port Harcourt days from 210 trucks per day. According to Dawha, with the He noted that the deplorable north east ,which included the use Refining Company (PHRC) as of drones to monitor the activities well as Pipelines and Products completion of the roads, tankers condition of the roads made of the Boko Haram terrorists in the Marketing Company (PPMC) could now evacuate about nine loading operations at the million litres of petroleum depot a nightmare to North east, which has sufficiently Depot in Onne. The NNPC, in a statement by products on a daily basis from the members of the Petroleum changed the tide against the its Group General Manager, depot adding that at peak the Tanker Drivers and had led to terrorists. According to the President, apart Group Public Affairs Division, loading bays can service 350 several industrial actions which obstructed the smooth from government’s commitment to Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said the roads tankers per day. He said, “The installed evacuation of petroleum products ensuring that the country was freed were commissioned by the from the terrorists, government has Group Managing Director of the operational storage capacities of from the depot in the past.

the sectors, promised that his government will continue to fund education in order to ensure that Nigerian graduates and scientists compete well with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

UPP promises federalism

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The presidential candidate of the United Progressive Party, Chief Chekwas Okorie in his remarks promised that his government would ensure the practice of true Federalism, introduce state Police, review the land use act and ensure that the cartel in the oil sector which has held down the sector for too long is death with, adding that his leadership would be creative with plans to open up the economy with a revolutionary agenda. According to him, his government would probe the previous ones by throwing stones and tearing corrupt persons, adding, “ We will like he Tiger tear corrupt persons, we will throw stones, we will ask questions, we cannot be embraced, surrounded by corrupt persons and say change.”

Kowa Party decries public officials' high salaries

For the Kowa party, the Presidential Candidate, Professor Oluremi Osonaiya, the party would allow for private ownership of the sector without government’s interference, just as she described huge salaries being paid as unacceptable in a developing country like Nigeria, adding that the party when elected would ensure that the country retraced its lost tracks as put in place by the nation’s founding fathers.

Leadership, Nigeria’s major problem — NCP

In his contribution, the NCP presidential candidate, Chief Martin Onovo who noted that leadership was Nigeria’s major problem, however stressed the need for Nigeria to get the right leadership who will not come from the moon, but would come among Nigerians, adding, “ there is no justification why we should e where we are.”

NNPC boosts fuel supply with rehabilitation of PHRC/PPMC access roads

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He maintained that the refinery and the depot remain crucial value chains to the core business objective of the NNPC, especially as the NNPC remains the only integrated oil and gas company in the country that has the capacity to produce crude oil, refine crude oil and sell same through its network of pipelines and depots across the country. He further stated that the NNPC would ensure that the ongoing rehabilitation and Turn Around Maintenance of the refinery is carried out with every sense of responsibility in order to produce petroleum products that meet the specification of its numerous customers.

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Chadian troops return to Gamboru after Boko Haram kill 11 persons C

HADIAN troops, which weekend accused the Nigerian troops of being afraid to occupy recaptured towns returned to the northeast Nigerian border town of Gamboru after Boko Haram took advantage of a lack of military presence to kill 11 people. “Hundreds of Chadian troops moved into Gamboru this morning (yesterday) from Fotokol,” said Babagana Karimbe, who lives in the town in northern Cameroon which is separated from Gamboru by a bridge. Troops from Chad were credited last month with liberating Gamboru in Borno state from Boko Haram control but the Chadians’ withdrawal from Nigeria last week appeared to have left the town exposed. The Islamists returned on Wednesday, killing eight people, while three more were killed on Thursday. Karimbe told AFP that the deployment began at about 7:20 am (0620 GMT) and involved dozens of vehicles, including tanks. According to him, “they (Chadian troops) are now in Gamboru. It is clear Boko Haram gunmen had fled before the troops deployed arrived because we have not heard a single shot since the Chadian soldiers moved in. Our prayer is for the troops to remain in Gamboru because if they withdraw again Boko Haram will definitely return and continue killing people.” Chadian troops had pushed into Nigerian territory after freeing Gamboru, going on to retake the Borno town of Dikwa, near Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold. Fotokol resident Umar Ari said by telephone that Gamboru residents welcomed the soldiers with clapping and cheering, supporting Karimbe’s account that no shots were fired. He said, “From Gardumba

neighbourhood (on the outskirts of Fotokol) we can see the Chadian soldiers moving around Gamboru but we have not seen any Boko Haram gunmen. We catch glimpses of Boko Haram gunmen whenever they are in Gamboru. On Wednesday we saw them riding around Gamboru on motorcycles brandishing guns”. The Chadian Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki Mahamat was quoted in a report by The New York Times on Friday that “the Nigerian Army has not succeeded in facing Boko Haram. The occupation of these towns is up to Nigeria and our biggest wish is that the Nigerian Army pulls itself together, that it takes responsibility in the towns, we are ready to disengage right away. Also, Second Lieutenant Hassan of the Chadian Army was quoted as having berated the Nigerian troops as failing in their responsibilities. He had said,

“we asked them to come and receive this town from us but they have not come, it is because they are afraid. We fought on the night of the 14th and on the 15th and called the Nigerian troops on the 16th to come and occupy the town we liberated but they didn’t believe we were here. It is up to them to hold the town, not us. Our role is offensive, our mission is to chase the terrorists”. The Nigerian military however explained that the reluctance to occupy the liberated towns was informed by past experiences whereby Nigerian troops were lured into ambush by sympathisers of Boko Haram terrorists Vanguard gathered that the Military High Command at the weekend directed Commanders of troops in the epicentre of the battle to stay in their bases and captured locations until distress calls from unknown sources are verified. A military source said, “in the

past, our troops had been lured away from liberated communities by unpatriotic elements to respond to distress calls only for them to either be ambushed on their way or for terrorists to be able to re-occupy those communities. Consequently, we have warned them to maintain their positions and hold every community that they liberate pending further official instructions and we expect our Multinational Joint Task Force partners to also keep their own part of the bargain in line with the memorandum of understanding that we all signed.” According to the senior military officer, “some of the unsavoury comments have been attributed often times to unnamed officials of its neighbouring Francophone countries involved in the MNJTF which were obviously meant to disparage the image of Nigeria and bring its armed forces to ridicule” a source said.

MEETING: From left: Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo; First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Affairs and State House mosque, Alhaji Tahir Umar at the National Muslim Women town hall meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

CBN fixes capital base for Devt banks at N100bn By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rolled out policy for establishment of development banks popularly known as Development Finance Banks (DFIs) stipulating a minimum capital base of N100 billion and N10 billion for those that would operate in the wholesale segment and retail segment respectively. With this development a major adjustment has been effected in the structure of banking industry in Nigeria creating a big ticket uptier subsector in the industry. Hitherto the key driver-subsector of the industry is the traditional deposit money banks with two C M Y K

segments, the commercial and the merchant banking segments. The minimum capital base for them is N25 billion introduced by Chukwuma Soludo’s CBN in 2004, though the merchant banking segment had been eliminated with a universal banking regime then but reintroduced by Lamido Sanusi’s CBN in 2010. The other tiers of the industry are the discount houses which is the top crust but with lesser capital base and then the microfinance banks, the grass-root tier. Also the DFIs have been operating in the banking and finance sector but just as government agencies and the capital base of the leading ones

amongst them ranged from N29 billion for Infrastructure Bank, N45 billion for Bank of Industry and N50 billion for Nigerian Export Import Bank. With the new policy roll out on DFIs the CBN has not only upped the scale in the sub-sector it has also signaled a private sector-led DFI regime going by the indications that Federal Government is set to privatise all the existing DFIs it runs. However, a note of policy discord appears to be in the horizon considering that earlier this month, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala indicated that the ministry would be

setting up an SME Development Bank soon. A DFI is a specialised financial institution established with specific mandate to develop and promote key sectors of the economy considered to be of strategic importance to the overall socioeconomic development objectives of the country. Under the guidelines rolled out last week by CBN, the Wholesale Development Finance Institution (WDFI) is a DFI devoted principally to providing wholesale funds to a group of other financial institutions under the new arrangement to be known as Participating Finance Institutions (PFIs) for on-lending to enterprises in identified sectors.

Ebola returns to Liberia, two weeks after discharge of last patient By Sola Ogundipe, with Agency report

ARELY a fortnight to the official declaration of Liberia as an Ebola-free country by the World Health Organisation, Liberian health officials confirmed a fresh case of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, over the weekend. Coming more than two weeks after the last known Ebola case in the country was discharged from the isolation centre on March 5, experts say the development represents a major setback for the West African country. The new case was detected in a 44-year-old female food seller that health officials said had not been on a monitoring list for possible exposure and had not travelled outside Liberia. It was gathered that the patient, from the Caldwell area near Monrovia, first developed symptoms around March 15, according to Dr. Moses Massaquoi, leader of the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Liberia and national case manager of the Ebola response. In a statement, the Liberian Information Ministry said it was unclear how the woman had been infected. It noted that initial suspicion showed that the woman could have had sexual intercourse with an Ebola survivor. Liberia along with Sierra Leone and Guinea have been severely hit by the Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 10,000 people since it began a year ago. While that is only speculative, researchers have found evidence that Ebola may persist in semen for up to three months after recovery, and abstinence is recommended. In part for this reason, the World Health Organization intends to release new guidelines for when an Ebola epidemic ends, a WHO official said. To be declared Ebola-free, countries must wait 42 days from when the last patient tests negative for a second time. The new guidelines would recommend “heightened surveillance” for an additional 90 days, to take into account the potential for sexual transmission and hidden transmission chains.

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Maritime workers decry crisis rocking NLC ...Seek veterans’ intervention By Victor Ahiuma-Young

ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, weekend described as unacceptable and a shame the crisis rocking the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, following disagreement over the outcomes of March 12 rescheduled election in Abuja. In a statement by the PresidentGeneral of MWUN, Comrade Emmanuel Tony Nted, the union said it was sad that the desperation of some individuals had reduced the Congress to a laughing stock both locally and internationally. The union noted that it had been vindicated when its President-General, on the eve of the rescheduled election withdrew from the race because the election had been reduced to ethnic, tribal and sectional contest by those who wished the movement no good. According to the statement,

“today the movement has been taken over by thugs and irresponsible individuals who do not understand what it means to be addressed as comrades. While we are not going to side either of the factions, we insist

that the movement is greater than any individual or groups. We will remain neutral as Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria until this crisis is resolved. ''Like we said on March 11, while we were withdrawing from the contest, we said we did not want to be associated with what

PDP RALLY: Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members on a solidarity walk along Lekki - Ajah expressway in support of the party's candidates in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

POLL: I’ll make C of O easier to get — AGBAJE By Dapo Akinrefon

A G O S — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has promised to remove the bureaucratic difficulties affecting the issuance of C of O (Certificate of Occupancy) in the state. He also agreed the electioneering is telling on him. Speaking at a fund-raising dinner titled, ‘An evening of interaction and dinner with Jimi Agbaje’ in Lagos, Agbaje noted that Governor Babatunde Fashola, had worked in several areas but argued that Lagos would have experienced

transformation but for “vested interests”. Lamenting that there is a deficit of over two million houses in the state, Agbaje promised the construction of at least 200,000 housing units yearly if voted as governor of the state. Agbaje said, “The journey has not been easy. I am sure those

AGOS—THE Lagos State Head of Service, HOS, Mrs Folashade Jaji, has said that there were women capable of occupying the highest office in Nigeria if given the necessary support, urging mothers to train their sons to respect women. She added that women in Lagos State government, for instance, had gone beyond advocating the affirmative action to taking their destiny in their hands by achieving goals and making their marks. Mrs Jaji spoke at 2015 International Women’s Day celebration on Equality for Women, Make it Happen, organized by Trade Union Congress, TUC, Women Commission in Lagos. C M Y K

who knew me would know that I have lost quite some weight. In fact some have asked that 'Jimi, I hope you are well' and I say there is nothing wrong with me, it is this serious business that we are after. It is not meant to be easy because we are facing a lot of hurdles. We have a government that has been there for 16 years

and so pushing them out of office is not going to be a child’s play but we are winning.” Among those at the event were Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister for State (Works), Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Olabode George, Senator Florence ItaGiwa, and many others.

…As Ambode promises better teachers’ welfare

EANWHILE, the All Progressives Congres, APC, governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has stated that his government, when elected, will not in any way undermine the role of the

Lagos HOS advocates women equality By Oboh Agbonkhese

is happening now because it is a shame. We have been vindicated. ''There are allegations of manipulation of the election to favour some individuals and we are just going about as if nothing has happened. These are things not associated with labour in general and NLC in particular.

Earlier, Chairperson of the commission, Mrs Oyinka Olasanoye, said: “Whether you have chosen to be a stay-at-home mother, in full-time employment or running your own business, it is essential that you are committed to developing yourself with additional training and knowledge.” She said two-thirds of the over 700 million illiterates in the world were women, with the ratio worse in developing countries. On his part, TUC President, Mr. Bobboi Bala-Kaigama said: “Equality for women is equality for all. Records testify to the truth that countries and companies with higher levels of gender equality have higher socio-economic growth and development.”

Teachers, while also assuring that adequate welfare for them is nonnegotiable. He stated this today during his interactive session with the Lagos state teachers held at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. In his address, Ambode readily identified with the teachers, while describing himself first, as a son of a Teacher, and then, a fellow civil servant; he therefore promised to use his understanding to serve the best interests of Teachers. “I am the son of a Teacher, and also a civil servant like you. So, I have the capacity in the firsthand to understand your concerns and adequately deal with them. I recognize you as the ones who help to build the society that we hope to govern, I therefore assure that, all I will do as Governor of this state will be in favour of your welfare and interests”, he said. “I intend to continue and even improve upon the good work done in the education sector by the present government, and with your support, I am sure the best is yet to come”, Ambode stressed.

Speaking through the Chairman of the Lagos state Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Adesegun Ibrahim, the teachers stated that Governor Fashola has done quite well in the Education sector, however, they firmly expressed their strong desires for better welfare and recognition.

Bar election offenders from public office – SERAP By Abdulwahab Abdulah

IVE days to the 2015 general elections, SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for a legislation barring anyone found guilty of violating electoral laws from holding public office in the country. SERAP, in a statement by its executive director, Tokunbo Mumuni said it is mandatory to establish a law to: “Explicitly bar for life anyone found guilty of electoral-law violations, including hate speech and violence before, during and after the general elections from being elected to or appointed to public office.” “Inciting or perpetrating election-related violence should also be included in the constitution as an explicit stand-alone ground for the impeachment of elected officials.” Mumuni further said, “Election-related violence is a very serious problem and it really is something we need to look at in a number of ways. Barring from public office those found guilty of violence is perhaps one of them.” “It’s patently wrong to allow anyone guilty of hate speech and violence around elections to occupy public office. ''It shouldn’t matter what political party those complicit in these crimes are from. If they have got that kind of charge against them, and they have been convicted, they should surrender the right to hold public office,“ he added.

Lekki deep seaport construction to start soon — NPA stakeholders that as an investor

A G O S — ARRANGEMENTS had been concluded to commence construction of Lekki Deep Seaport project in April, Malam Habib Abdullahi, Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), has said. Mr Musa Iliya, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, NPA, said this yesterday in Lagos in a statement. Iliya quoted Abdullahi as describing the Lekki Deep seaport project as “an example of Public- Private-Partnership (PPP) success story.” Abdullahi assured

and technical regulator, the NPA was committed to the actualisation of the project, which would make Nigeria a hub port in West Africa. The MD said that the NPA had paid its N1 billion equity for the project as at 2015. The statement quoted Mr Haresh Ascoani, Managing Director, Lekki Deep Seaport, as saying that the port would transform the Lekki Free Trade Zone into a new industrial city if it becomes operational. He said that the seaport would be the deepest seaport in West Africa and second in Africa after South Africa deep seaport.

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No plan to sack workers in Osun —APC By Gbenga Olarinoye

S O G B O — A L L Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has debunked the rumour making the rounds that the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, was planning a massive retrenchment of senior civil servants on grade level 12 and above, including other workers above the age of 50 from the state’s employment after the general elections. A statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC described the rumour as, “The usual silly spin of falsehood characteristic of PDP’s evil genius for manufacturing and propagating wicked lies especially in Osun state.” According to the APC, “At no time did Aregbesola contemplate to retrench any staff of any grade or age, and no such thing will be allowed to happen any time soon or in the future. The statement read in part: “From day one, the policy of gainful employment of the APC governor, Rauf Aregbesola, had been, continues to remain and will be the intensified mantra of the party in the months and years ahead. The only monstrous obstacle to this policy is the evil construct of the PDP-led

Federal Government in starving Osun State of its legitimate statutory funding. “Not many people knew, until Governor Fashola of Lagos State revealed recently, that to further starve APC states in particular of funding assistance, the Minister of Finance, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, ordered the banks not to help fund state government

projects. “This kind of frustrating impediment is what the PDP is using to force states of the opposition to look for ways to overcome deliberate strangulation, through forced retirement of workers. “But the APC government is more innovative and constructive than the PDP had imagined.

“Rather than contemplate retrenchment as being schemed, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is planning the creation of more jobs for the people; and one of the ways, indeed the most effective way to achieve this for Nigerians, is to defeat the PDP on March 28 and April 11 presidential and general elections.”

DEFECTION: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd right); Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi (right) and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Yewa North Local Government Area, Chief Sunday Akinyemi (left), when a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and three-time member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rasak Adewusi (2nd left) defected to the APC in Ijoun,Yewa North Local Government Area, yesterday.

ASUU blasts FG over failure to release N1.3trn Intervention Fund

By Ola Ajayi

B A DA N — A CA D E M I C Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has expressed disappointment over the failure of the federal government to release the promised N1.3 trillion NEEDS intervention fund. The union, through its national Chairman, Dr. Nasir Fagge and University of Ibadan chapter Chairman, Professor Segun Ajiboye, said apart from the N200 billion that was released in 2013, the government had reneged on its promise by not releasing any money in 2014 up till now. In addition, the academic union noted that the leadership in the country as presently constituted lacked integrity. Fagge, who was at the University of Ibadan 63 Interdisciplinary Discourse also lamented that the reasons for going on series of strikes for 21 years were hinged on governments not honouring their the agreements they freely signed with the university lecturers. According to the ASUU president, while the federal government continues to cripple the operation of public universities C M Y K

through stiffening under funding, the effects of such deliberate action of government are the “Contemporary assessment of products of the system characterized them as unemployable and lacking in basic social, emotional and literacy skills. The educational curricula, programmes and pedagogy today

are as irrelevant and unrealistic as they were in colonial times.” Speaking on the topic “ASUU struggles and the Revitilisation of Public University Education in Nigeria”, Fagge, who was represented by his Vice president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, said the condition fuelling ASUU strikes included poor funding, inadequate remuneration, inadequate capacity, brain drain,

poor infrastructure, violation of university autonomy and academic freedom, failure of government to implement recommendations of its own review panels, violations of agreements freely entered into by governments, inconsistent policies and poor planning, corruption and poor management of funds by university administrators."

PVCs: Isiaka calls on INEC to wade into Ogun case By Dapo Akinrefon

GUN State governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Nasir Isiaka, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to wade into the distribution and collection of the Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in the state. The governorship candidate, in a statement, expressed worry over the poor handling of the PVCs in Ogun State saying, “Nothing appreciable has been

done to substantially ameliorate the situation.” According to him, “I have been inundated with several calls and complaints from a lot of our people in various local governments across the state; especially in Yewa North, Ijebu East, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Abeokuta North and Obafemi Owode have yet to receive their PVCs with just a week to the Presidential and National Assembly elections. "I also understand that it is not that INEC has not been receiving these complaints and

also that the commission is willing to make the cards available to as many beneficiaries as possible, but it is clearly lacking in capacity to do so.” He said the poor distribution of the PVCs might lead to the disenfranchisement of the electorate in Ogun state. He said “having rolled out the statistics last week and seeing that not much has been done as at now, I wonder what magic will be done in the next five days to give the PVCs to the huge numbers of eligible voters that don’t have it yet."

POLLS: Place Ekiti under special watch, APC urges INEC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it has uncovered plot by the state leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to compromise INEC voting materials for a repeat of June 21 governor poll to rig the March 28 presidential poll in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan. It asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and all election monitors to put Ekiti State under special watch to forestall electoral fraud. But in a statement issued yesterday, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said Nigerians will never succumb to the deceit and falsehood of the APC, saying; “It is self deceit taken too far for anyone to list Ekiti as part of States to be won by the APC in the Saturday’s presidential election."

Codub Group, Nigeria High Commission, London, hold summit on infrastructure By Clifford Ndujihe

HE Codub Group UK, in conjunction with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Nigeria High Commission, London will hold the fourth annual infrastructure asset summit, in Lagos today. Holding at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island,, with the theme: ‘Transforming and sustaining the economy through effective asset management & maintenance culture,’ the summit is expected to attract over 200 senior professionals and decision makers from real estate and facilities, government, banking, oil and gas, manufacturing and utilities. It will end tomorrow. A statement issued by the organisers of the event stated that the event is expected to proffer lasting solutions to infrastructural challenges in the country.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Resign, join politics, Edo Majority Leader tells IG By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—MAJORITY Leader of Edo State House of Assembly and House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Etsako federal constituency, Edo State, Mr Philip Shaibu, has accused the Inspector General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba of being a stooge of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, urging him to resign his position and join politics. He said the IG’s comment that Nigerians should cast their votes and leave the polling units was an indication that the IG was allegedly working with “enemies of democracy to rig the elections.” According to Shaibu, “The IG should leave politics alone and face his work as the head of the police, particularly catering to the welfare of the rank and file of the Police. The IG should make sure that policemen get their pension as and when due. The IG should ensure welfare of police officers so that policemen don't buy boots and uniforms for themselves. He should leave politics alone. “If he wants to be a politician he should resign as IG and come and contest the election. Nigerians should disregard him because he is acting the script

of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. Nigerians should remain at the polling units after voting. Everybody should be peaceful and ensure that their votes count before they go home. They should remain in their polling units after voting. Those

who have the energy must ensure that they monitor their votes to the collation centers. “We expected the IG to face the very worrisome issue of promotion of police officers. If he wishes to be a politician he should resign instead of turning

the Nigeria Police Force to PDP Police Force. I want to put him on notice that Nigerians will resist him. Nigerians will stand behind the police that are sincere for a free and fair election not Jonathan’s IG."

MEETING: From left: Mr. Nwonye Emmanuel, Coordinator, Deltans Diaspora, Abuja chapter; Prince Sani Usman, President, Non-Indigenes Forum/PDP Youths in Delta State; Miss Anita Ekpheshe, former Miss Lagoon University, Ghana, Mr. Ochuko Odugba, Patron, Non-Indigenes Forum/Deltans Diaspora, and Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria, Secretary, NonIndigenes Forum/PDP Youths in Delta State, after a town-hall meeting with Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State PDP governorship candidate, at Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

Vote to determine your future —AMAECHI G OVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has urged Nigerians to vote cautiously in Saturday's presidential elections in order to shape their future. He said that it was their only power to transform both the country and its leadership and appealed to the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Amaechi spoke at the 27th convocation of Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt, weekend. According to him, Nigerians would be faced with the reality of voting on March 28 in the country ’s Presidential election. He said: “Today, you are confronted with one reality, the reality of Nigeria. That reality begins from March 28, the reality to choose between good and evil and the reality to choose between peace and corruption and those who want to change your life; the reality of the fact that after now, most of you will be unemployed. The reality of the fact that I sit here as governor and students

C M Y K

are fighting over electric fan, compared with the reality of the fact that in other universities outside this country, convocation arenas are built with air-conditioners, so students don’t fight over fan.

That reality is what confronts you today. “It is the reality of asking your lecturers, what are their qualifications, why don’t we have enough lecturers in each faculty? When I was in the

University of Port Harcourt, I had enough lecturers in my faculty and I’m proud to say that I graduated from that university knowing my lecturers were those who could defend their degrees."

Urhobo youths endorse Jonathan

By Festus Ahon

SABA—LEADERSHIP of the youth wing of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate in the March 28 presidential election. National President of the youth wing, Mr Anthony Ovie, who disclosed this when he led other members of his executive, representing over one million youths of Urhobo nation, on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Stephen Oru, said: “Our support for Jonathan is anchored on the ground that he is the most qualified in terms of experience, qualification, capability, capacity and competence to lead the Nigerian federation. “He has provided the best leadership in the history of Nigeria. His transformation

agenda has been very successful and he has, through dint of hard work and God’s providence upon his life, distinguished himself as a good ambassador of the Niger Delta

region.” He commended President Jonathan for listening to the cry of the Urhobo by appointing one of their sons, Dr. Oru as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Maritime workers threaten to disrupt oil firm's operation in Bayelsa By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa district, has threatened to cripple drilling activities at the Ango Field Operations in Koluama clan operated by Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited on the Atlantic fringe of Bayelsa State over the company's alleged insensitivity to the plight of its members. The maritime workers, led by Mr Lloyd Sese, hinted,

yesterday in Yenagoa, of their decision to picket the company ’s operation on Wednesday at the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum given to the management of Conoil. Sese said the union had severally written to the company requesting for a meeting with its management concerning its operations in Ango Field location at Koluama which by virtue of its maritime environment falls within the coverage of the union, to no avail.

Rivers monarch predicts victory for Dakuku By Davies Iheamnachor

ORT HARCOURT— HIS Royal Majesty, Eze Victor Nnanna Woluchem, Epara Rebisi XII, the paramount ruler of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, has predicted victory for the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, saying he is the best option for the state. Eze Woluchem, weekend, made the declaration at his palace when the APC candidate paid the Epara Council of Chiefs a courtesy visit during his ward rally. Woluchem said that for the governorship election, the APC candidate was already victorious, adding that there is no contest at all in the race. He said there was no match to Peterside’s candidature based on his past legacies.

Delta LG PDP factions resolve differences By Onoja Innocent

O M A D I — OPPOSING factions in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, resolved to work together to ensure 100 percent victory in the forthcoming general elections in the council. The decision was reached at a reconciliatory meeting held at Chief Broderick Bozimo’s residence in Warri, is a chieftain of the party and chairman of the PDP Elders Reconciliation Committee in the council. Chief Bozimo, a former Minister of Police Affairs, who addressed party members, said opposing groups within the party had agreed to embrace one another in the interest of the party, stressing that PDP would have nothing less than 100 percent victory in the coming elections in the area.

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Rivers deputy gov dumps APC for PDP By Emmanuel Aziken

HE deputy to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Mr Tele Ikuru, yesterday, dumped his All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing the APC as “A party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit.” Governor Amaehi, has, meanwhile, expressed shock at the resignation, even as he regretted what he described as the ‘dishonourable lies’ given by the deputy for making his exit from the party. However, the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation welcomed the development and called on other leaders of the APC in Rivers State to emulate Ikuru, and totally agreeing with Ikuru's description of APC as a party of deceit. Ikuru, in a statement, said: “My dear people of Rivers State, I bring you honest and sincere greetings. Today (Sunday), I address you out of the fullness of my heart. Recall that in December 2013, out of extreme loyalty to my boss and friend, I joined the APC, along with other then disillusioned Rivers people. “Ever since, as the true nature and motives of APC are unveiled, I have continued to twist and turn in extreme mental and emotional agony. The more I struggled to belong, the more the Rivers man in me rejects the APC. “After carefully studying, interacting and analyzing the leadership of the party, I have come to the sad conclusion that the APC is a party of rebels, insurgents and anarchists, clothed in robes of pretence and deceit. APC is a party founded on deception and it thrives on unholy propaganda and falsehood. “I, therefore, on behalf of my teaming supporters, and my humble self denounce the APC and we all jointly and severally resign our membership of the APC. “My dear people of Rivers State, we of this generation will not in good conscience expect forgiveness and compassion from our forebears, posterity, and the spirit of our unborn generations if it is recorded in the annals of history that after 48 years of Rivers people supporting leaders from all other parts of this country with our votes and resources, we were the same that witch hunted and hounded down the very first ever president from this region, granted us by providence. I wash my hands off the treachery. “In the light of the above, I wish to urge all my supporters, the good people of Rivers State to join hands with others to vote for President Jonathan and the transformation agenda that has brought so much relief and succor to the greatest number of

Nigerians. I also urge all Rivers people to vote for Chief Nyesom Wike (PDP governorship candidate in the state), who has shown by his antecedents, track records and boundless capabilities that he will deliver good governance to the people of Rivers State.” Governor Amaechi in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said the action of his deputy had confirmed speculations in several quarters that he was a mole in the APC, adding that like every Nigerian, Ikuru was free to belong to any political party. “Whilst the news remains

unofficial at this time as the Deputy Governor is yet to notify the governor of this move, Governor Amaechi, however, wishes Engr Ikuru all the best in his future political endeavours. “He, however, wishes to note that the reasons adduced by Engr Ikuru are shocking as Deputy Governor lkuru has consistently been the one driving political activities in his local government area of Andoni and has been the second in command driving politics and governance in Rivers state," he said. President Jonathan, speaking through his campaign spokesman, Chief Femi FaniKayode, said in a statement, in Abuja that the PDP was happy to

receive Ikuru back into its family. He said: “We are glad to hear about the return of the deputy governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru, to the PDP family. This was a deeply courageous step and we welcome him with open arms." Rivers State Chairman of the APC, Dr Davies Ikanya, said that Ikuru's exit from the party was inconsequential, dismissing allegations of power tussle between him and the deputy governor. “His exist does not mean anything to our party. Everybody has one vote. He has only one vote. Watch out, now that he has left more PDP members will join the party from the area."

ST PATRICKS DAY: Edo/Delta Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Vincent Mokweye (R) congratulating the President, St Patricks Edo/Delta, Mr Greg Ekatah, during the St Patrick Edo/Delta celebration at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, in Abuja, yesterday .

No plans to secure N50bn bond, says Delta govt D ELTA State Government has denied media reports that it was about to secure a N50 billion bond with just about two months to the terminal date of the administration. The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Chike Ogeah, in a statement, yesterday, said: “The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to false reports in a section of the online media alleging that a N50 billion bond was about being drawn with just about two months to the terminal date of the administration. “The most bizzare of the reports by one Fejiro Oliver of Secret Reporters claimed that 'over N40 billion will be diverted to private pockets as farewell gifts for loyal aides' while the balance will be used to bribe officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC and banks. “There is absolutely no truth in the allegation that the

governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is seeking another N50 billion bond from the capital market. There is no such plan and no move has been initiated to that effect. “It is our contention that in his morbid haste to portray the

administration of Uduaghan in poor light, the author displayed total ignorance of the workings of the capital market or genuinely lacked adequate knowledge to distinguish between an executed bond and a tranche that was not taken."

POLLS: Security agencies in Show of Force exercise By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—THE Police and other security agencies in Edo State, determined to ensure free, fair and non- violence election, weekend, staged what they termed, ‘Show of force’ exercise. The demonstration, led by Garrison commander, Lt Col Amatso, began at 9.30 a.m., and ended about 5p.m. Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi, told journalists in Benin, weekend, that the exercise was aimed at letting the public know their readiness towards ensuring free and fair elections and demonstrate the unity among the security agencies in the state. He added that it was also to encourage the populace to feel free and safe to exercise their constitutional rights of voting and being voted for without harassment or intimidation. “What is going on today (yesterday) is a show of force, a way of demonstrating our preparedness for free, fair, peaceful and credible elections. It is meant to show the level of unity existing among the security agencies in Edo State and how we will work together to ensure we have violence-free elections. “As you can see, we have men from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Air Force, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Prison Services, and numerous others. They are all here."

Okunbor, Igbinedion, others rally support for Jonathan By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—AHEAD the March 28 presidential elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo South senatorial district of Edo State, yesterday, held a rally tagged “Operation final push,” appealing to the people of the area to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan so as to enjoy the government at the federal level. The rally was attended by chieftains of the PDP in the area,

led by its major financier in the state, Captain Hosa Okunbor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Senator Rowland Owie, Chief Lucky Imasuen, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Victor Ebomoyi, among others. Though the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih and the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolemenmen, were not from the area, they later joined the rally. The duo declared that they

were using the rally to give Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his All Progressives Congress, APC, quit notice in the state, adding that Edo is a PDP state “and must return to PDP from the federal to the state.” Captain Okunbor, in his address, pointed out that “Apart from the fact that President Jonathan is our son and brother, he has performed more than any president in this country. So, it is in the interest of our people, the Binis, to support his re-election."

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

SUSPENSION OF FIVE MONARCHS: PDP, APGA trade words By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, and the main opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State are currently trading words over the suspension of five traditional rulers from Ngwa axis of the state. The suspended traditional rulers include Eze Nelson Nmerengwa of Isiekete autonomous community, Eze N.N. Nwachukwu of Ovungwu autonomous community, Eze Peter Emereonye of Okporoahaba autonomous community, Eze Sampson Jinanwa of Amaise Ovungwu autonomous community and Eze Gbufor, all from Isiala Ngwa council area and another Eze from Ariam Usaka in Ikwuano local government area. While APGA alleged that the traditional rulers were axed because of their support and loyalty to its governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, noting that four of the sacked monarchs were from Otti’s Isiala Ngwa South local government area, PDP dismissed the claim as baseless. A statement by APGA Campaign Organisation, and signed by Chris Aka, described the action against the monarchs

as cowardly and vindictive, claiming that they were sacked for failing to abide by directive of the government that no Eze in the state should identify with APGA. But in a swift reaction, PDP/ Okezie Ikpeazu Govenorship Campaign Organisation dismissed APGA’s position as a mere weeping up of sentiments for political gains, explaining that the monarchs were axed for alleged security breaches.

“No responsible government could have folded its arms and watch events escalate out of control in those domains. More so when there was already plethora of petitions against the royal fathers by their subjects and town unions,” PDP/Ikpeazu campaign said. The campaign organisation, in a statement signed by Kingsley Emereuwa, said: “We are constrained to clarify some issues

that bother on the development because of Otti’s futile attempt to whip up sentiment by linking the action of government as aimed to give an edge to the governorship project of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu. “Whereas we are not speaking for the state government, it is a common knowledge that the issues that led to the suspension of the affected royal fathers bothered on serious security breaches and abuse of their positions as royal fathers an action capable of undermining the pervading peaceful atmosphere in the state.''

PROMO: From left; President, Entrepreneurs' Organization, EO, Abuja, Mr. Rotimi Martins; Global Vice President, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Miranda Barrett; Winner, EO GSEA, Prince Joshua Oyeniyi; President, EO East Africa, Mr Sriram Bharatam and President, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, Lagos, Mr Tony Okoye, during the EO GSEA finals in Lagos.

Onitsha industrialists demand N30bn compensation for 2012 flood disaster By Vincent Ujumadu

W K A — INDUSTRIALISTS at the famous Harbour layout in Onitsha, Anambra State, are demanding N30 billion compensation from the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the 2012 flood disaster that ravaged most manufacturing companies in the area. The industrialists said during their interaction with the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, who is the deputy director-general of President Jonathan Campaign Organisation in Onitsha that they were making the demand because they were aware that the Federal Government had set up an intervention fund to assist companies that sustained losses during the disaster. Chairman of Harbour Industrial Layout Association, Chief Paul Okonkwor said the companies in the area lost over N100 billion to the flood, adding that the compensation would enable them recall thousands of workers laid off as a result of the flood. Okonkwor said: “We express deep concern over the absence of well coordinated preemptive flood mitigation operation at the industrial layout due to our

geographical location, in spite of the climate change warnings. “We also want to express our heartfelt concerns over the manner in which the floodaffected industries have been left to fend for themselves since the flood disaster in the area, as most of the industries lost most

of their assets to the flood. “ Okonkwor said it was for that reason that most of the industries rationalized their workforce, a development he described as unfortunate because they had spent a lot of money to train the affected workers. Addressing them, Obi said

government would not toy with a group that employed about 30,000 workers directly, adding that they needed industrial harmony created by the Jonathan administration to remain in business and should therefore ensure that the President was returned to office on March 28.

Fr Mbaka shuts Adoration Ground over alleged threat to life By Austin Ogwuda

NUGU—OUTSPOKEN Catholic Priest, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministries, Enugu, has suspended his weekly crusade until after the general elections due to alleged threat to life. This left no fewer than 100,000 worshippers stranded and disappointed last Friday. The Adoration Ground in Emene, Enugu, is noted for attracting over 100,000 worshippers every Friday from the South-East zone and beyond for spiritual healing and deliverance from satanic attacks. Mbaka had in a statement signed by his Media Officer, Ike Maximus Ugwoke, stated: “It is with a deep sense of concern that we are constrained to make this

statement on the continued threat to the life of Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka over his 2015 New Year message titled 'From Good Luck to Bad Luck.'

“Last Wednesday, mean looking men in a black Hilux besieged his parish compound but they left disappointed when they could not see him”.

POLLS: Enugu Police boss warns politicians against violence By Austin Ogwuda

NUGU—AHEAD of the general elections coming up in the next few days, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, has warned that his men were battle ready to curb any act of violence before, during and after the exercise. He also reminded candidates that they will be made to pay, if they breached the peace accord they signed. Political party chairmen in Enugu State, including candidates contesting various seats in the forthcoming general elections, had at the state police headquarters in February, signed a peace accord, pledging to maintain peace with their supporters before, during and after the elections. They promised to fully abide by all rules and regulations as laid down in the legal framework for elections in Nigeria. The CP reminded them of the accord and the subsequent penalty should there be any breach when he received the African Union Observation Mission for the general elections, led by John Maphephe, at the weekend. The AU team visited the police boss to find out his readiness for the conduct of the elections, especially on the issue of security. The police boss said: “We have covered all the polling stations in the state and if you mention a particular polling station, we know the officers posted to the polling station and all the key points close to the polling station.''

PDP chieftain mobilises youths for Ogor, Okowa

SOKO—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Isoko North Local Government Area, Mr. Ochuko Odugba, yesterday led more than a thousand Isoko youths drawn from the various Wards in the council area to endorse the candidature of Hon. Leo Ogor for Federal House of Representatives and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for Governor, Delta State. He noted that the decision of Leo Ogor to seek re-election was as a result of the experience garnered

over the years, adding that to bring purposeful representation, Isoko must line behind not just any politician but one with vast knowledge in politics and the general welfare of the people. His words: He is the most qualified and has all it takes to give the people of Isoko a voice within the larger Nigeria spectrum.” Speaking further, he described Okowa, the PDP governorship candidate in the state as a seasoned grassroots politician who, if given the opportunity,

would bring abundant smiles to his people. He said: “No progressive representative should be afraid to go back to his people to renew his mandate; and that is the beauty of democracy. It is only those who alienated themselves while in office and who never kept in touch with their roots that find it hard to approach his people. So I urge the people to come out en-masse on March 28 and April 11 to vote for all the PDP candidates.”

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Lack of respect for individual choices worry Archbishop By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI — THE Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, has expressed serious reservation at the way some politicians exhibit lack of respect for individual choices. Dr. Obinna made his feelings known while speaking after the re-consecration of Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, that was desecrated by suspected political thugs during the botched governorship debate organised by the Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, of the Archdiocese. “It is disturbing that some people brazenly resort to intimidation and violence in order to push forward their own claims and opinion. "They express lack of respect for individual choices, views or expectations,” Obinna said. According to the fiery Catholic cleric, such violent politicians want everybody to vote for the same party. He stressed that such a position marked the beginning of the problem.

Why Wabba, others visited DSS, Labour Ministry—Ajaero faction of NLC By Victor Ahiuma-Young

ACTIONAL President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and the National Administrative Council of the Congress, NAC, have alleged that evidences were emerging that former NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, colluded with agencies of state to ensure the emergence of Ayuba as president at all costs against the will of majority of workers. The faction in a statement in Lagos, weekend, said last week’s visits of Ayuba Wabba and others to Federal Ministry of Labour and Director General of the Department of State Service, DSS, was suggestive of alleged attempt of Wabba to surrender labour movement to the government. The statement by Segun Esan on behalf of the faction, said: “The visit of Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his cohorts to the agencies of the state is so unfortunate. ‘’These hurried visits vindicate our position that the former president, Comrade

Abdul Omar, colluded with agencies of the state to perpetrate the fraud called election to ensure the emergence of Ayuba at all costs against the will of the majority of the Nigerian working people. ‘’After all, the Ministry of Labour is aware that the tenure of Ayuba Wabba as President of Medical and Health had ended since 2013 and could not carry out his oversight function to ensure that the constitution of the union is not violated with impunity as Wabba had done in the last two years. “Apparently, the visit to the Director General of DSS was also a 'thank you' visit for the role the security agencies played during the disputed elections in Abuja. ‘’The DSS and the police unleashed dogs and policemen on horses to chase away majority of the private sector unions that were behind Ajaero. "Such unsolicited visits to the agencies of the state are clearly suggestive of Wabba’s

indebtedness to the state and his willingness to surrender the labour movement to the government." ‘’We are concerned that such frivolous visits could give invitation or encouragement to the government or any of its agencies to interfere in the affairs of the labour movement. The Labour movement is a nongovernmental organisation that owes its powers and legitimacy only to workers/members." Such unsolicited visits to the agencies of the state are clearly suggestive of Wabba’s indebtedness to the state and his willingness to surrender the labour movement to the government. ‘’We are concerned that such frivolous visits could give invitation or encouragement to the government or any of its agencies to interfere in the affairs of the labour movement. The Labour movement is a nongovernmental organisation that owes its powers and legitimacy only to workers/members."

ELECTION: Security agencies complete exercise in Onitsha By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

HE JOINT security force, comprising Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigerian Prisons Service, Directorate of State Security, DSS, has declared its preparedness to ensure free, fair and credible general elections in Anambra State. The Commander of Onitsha Military Cantonment, the 302 Artillery Regiment, Col. Mohammed Bello, who spoke on behalf of other security organisations, disclosed this after a joint security force simulation to showcase the role and channel of communication of security agencies on election days. The exercise, tagged, 'Exercise Nsogbuadiro (No problem),' is to harness the synergy between other security services in the state as well as see practical lapses that needed to be addressed before the elections. He said: 'Exercise, Nsogbuadiro,' is basically to prepare us, the military with the assistance of other security agencies here, so we come up with good exercise that will prepare our troops for eventual deployment for election duties.” “Yes, Onitsha is not known for election violence because it is in the urban area and there are units here to contain any problems that may arise, but where we think there would be problems is at the hinterlands, the riverine areas. ‘’In the rural areas where we have less security agencies massively deployed, we have put in adequate measures to ensure that we cover those areas in terms of troops deployment. ‘’In that regard, we have good communication network and mobile patrols that will dominate those areas that are isolated and rural in nature. "

PRESIDENTIAL POLL:

Jonathan loses bid to get Igbo bloc votes By Francis Igata

NUGU — WITH five days to the presidential election, fresh indications emerged, yesterday, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, may have lost ground for a bloc vote in the South East geopolitical zone. This is even as the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, endorsed Jonathan which had received the bashing of groups and individuals across the Igbo nation. Speaking on last Friday’s endorsement of All Progressives Congress, APC, p r e s i d e n t i a l candidate,General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) by Igbo leaders in the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the aegis of Igbo Delegates Assembly, IDA,urging him to rescue the country from being run aground by Jonathan. The party ’s spokesperson, South East, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said in a statement: “Ndigbo should not make the mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket. “With IDA’s endorsement, it means Ndigbo will be part of the victory squad which was what the late Rt. Hon. Chuba Okadigbo predicted in 2002, that Buhari would not only spearhead a coalition to stop one party’s system in our dear country, but would fix a broken Nigeria. “The Yoruba are 60-40 per cent and the Hausas are 80-20 per cent, in support of Buhari and Jonathan respectively. Why should Ndigbo support Jonathan 100 per cent? Is it not a gross error?"

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

ELECTIONS:

Group urges security agencies to remain neutral By Gbenga Oke

GROUP under the auspices of All Progressives Congress State Publicity Secretaries, CAPS, has called on security agencies to remain neutral, unbiased and professional in the discharge of their duties during the general elections. The group also called on the security agencies to arrest all those involved in the purchase of voters cards and other related electoral offences. In a statement by CAPS after a summit to review the coming 2015 elections, the group charges the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, State Security Service and all other civil authorities connected to security in the coming elections and being paid by Nigerian tax payers to remain neutral, professional and unbiased in the discharge of their duties during the Elections. We also urge the law enforcement agencies to ensure that no money is shared to voters in or around voting centres in Nigeria during the elections to avoid election disruption which may arise

POLLS: Vote

peacefully, group urges Nigerians By Dapo Akinrefon A SOCIO-POLITICAL group, the Goodluck Mandate Worldwide, GMW, has called on the electorate to participate fully and peacefully in the March 28 and April 11 general elections, to ensure they get the leadership they desire. National president of the group, Prince Ani Chidiebere, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, also called on Nigerians in diaspora to come home to contribute their quota to the development of the country. While urging Nigerians to eschew ethnicity, tribalism and nepotism in the choice of who governs them, he called on citizens and politicians to draw inspiration from the national anthem of the country, to arise and serve diligently.

Nigerians're clamouring for change more than APC, Buhari tells private sector forum ...assures of end to insecurity By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA—PRESIDENTIAL candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, General Mohammadu Buhari has said that the clamour for change in Nigeria’s political governance has become the desire of all Nigerians and not limited to APC as a party. Buhari made the statement during a dinner meeting with

Abuja Private Sector Forum in Abuja on Saturday night. Addressing the forum, the presidential candidate said that every Nigerian had been affected in negative manner by the bad system of government of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP noting that the worst hit was the business community. According to him, the desire for change has culminated into a national movement.

He said: “I am glad to state that desire for change in Nigeria today is not just an All Progressives Congress (APC) party affair but has turned into a national movement underpinned by a National Agenda of arresting the drift and promoting the unity and development of our country. This desire for change has been embraced by all and sundry from all over the country. “I am sure you are all

CONFERENCE: All Progressives Congress, APC, National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed (middle), his Personal Assistants, William Adeleye (right), and Femi Odutale, during a press conference on the planned arrest, detention and prosecution of the party leaders by the ruling PDP prior to March 28, 2015 presidential election, in Lagos,weekend.

concerned about the general deterioration in all sectors of the Nigerian society, in particular the business environment which has been negatively affected by mismanagement, profligacy, bad governance, corruption and above all pervasive insecurity in our land and therefore has not been able to advance the course of doing business in our country.” Buhari also assured the community that if elected the next president of Nigeria on Saturday, insecurity would be history in Nigeria, stating that the victims of the insurgency would also be rehabilitated. He also pledged to review the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework and make it more result oriented. “If by the grace of God I am elected President, in the next Saturday’s election, the security and stability of our nation, which have been threatened in recent times, more than at any time since the Civil War, shall be properly addressed as a number one priority by enhancing the capacity of security agencies to safeguard lives and property. “We shall decisively bring the Boko Haram insurgency to an end and promote lasting peace and stability in all the nooks and crannies of our nation. We would ensure that the victims of the insurgency are adequately rehabilitated and supported to restore their means of livelihood.

You don’t change a winning team — PDP ..insists Nigeria’s economic future secure under Jonathan By Henry Umoru

BUJA — AHEAD of the Presidential and general elections slated for March 28 and April 11 respectively, National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said yesterday that no one changes a winning team, just as it urged Nigerians to re- elect the party’s Presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan because of his achievements in the last four years. In a statement yesterday by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP noted that with the reelection of Jonathan, the nation’s economic future was guaranteed, just as he cited his performance in wealth creation as well as strategies already mapped out for continued economic and social growth in the country. According to Metuh, the multisectoral development approach adopted by the Jonathan administration resulted in a stronger economy, which not only withstood the shock of the global financial downturn that

ravaged most nations of the world, but also created an exceptional enabling environment and support for investments and businesses to thrive in the country. The PDP Spokesperson stressed that it was indisputable that investors and entrepreneurs in the country have fared better, more than ever before, in the last four years under President Jonathan making the nation the largest economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world, “a fact businessmen, even

those in the opposition cannot contest”. He continued, “no body changes a winning team just for the sake of change”, the PDP said what the nation needs at the moment is “an uninterrupted flow of the transformation effort which can only be best handled by a President Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration, especially as the opposition has failed to articulate any workable alternative to Nigerians. “We restate that our nation has

been blessed with the meticulous application of deliberate economic policies and programmes in the last four years under President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. Within this period, there has been a phenomenal growth of small and medium scale enterprises in addition to the revamping of the manufacturing sector with unprecedented volume of domestic and direct foreign investments empowering our people in all walks of life.

Monarchs flay attacks on Hon Mrakpor

TA K E H O L D E R S , LEADERS and members of the traditional rulers council of Delta North senatorial district have expressed dismay over continuous verbal attacks member representing Aniocha South constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Onyemaechi Mrakpor. Speaking at a press conference in Asaba, the spokesman of the monarch’s council, Chief Solomon Onyejeoseh said for sometime now, a few disgruntled and faceless

persons have continued to sponsor publications in the newspapers aimed at smearing the name Hon. Mrakpor. The leaders stated that they decided to come together to put the records straight, adding that as custodians of the laws of the land and tradition of their various communities, they would no longer fold their hands and allow some desperate persons destroy the good things they have enjoyed over the years through the effective representation of Mrs. Mrakpor.

The group described Mrakpor, currently the PDP candidate to represent Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency in the coming elections as a humble, respectable daughter of the area, who had used her two terms in office as a lawmaker, to attract monumental developments, which include, construction of a 60-bed hospital, doctors, nurses quarters, provision of ambulances, construction of markets, as well as scholarship schemes for the less privileged.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015—17

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18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2014 MARCH 22 was the World Water Day. It was the 22nd anniversary of the United Nations World Water Day. The theme, Water and Sustainable Development, aptly captures travails of living in Nigeria, where the Water Day is celebrated with rehashed speeches, indicating poignant disregard for development handles water provides. The connections between water and sustainable development and their impacts on the lives of people across the world have drawn attention to the resource and its uses. Many countries have realised that without water, development, prosperity and successes are impossible. Among objectives the United Nations set for the World Water Day, are identifying policies, approaches and solutions to water uses and sustainable manners to achieve greater economic and social impacts. Relevant stakeholders in water and sustainable development should be engaged in charting more water and development linkages. For Nigeria, focus on water is critical to the attainment of the economic and social prosperity. Water is very essential to survival. Sustainable development is impossible without water, which is crucial for energy, health, industrial, commercial and social engagements. Yet none of

Water – Important, Now, Forever contestants for office is approaching the matter with any discernible manner. Issues of water and their implications are profound. The lackadaisical approaches to water and sustainable development are difficult to understand against the background of the general improvements they can make on lives, and creating jobs across industries and various enterprises. Nigeria’s situation is worse: we do not have drinking water. Water defines some countries. Water is so important that nations go to war over it. Egypt and Ethiopia cannot do without the Nile. Their agriculture, electricity, and water for other daily affairs, draw from the river they share with Burundi, Democratic

Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The 6,650-km Nile, the longest river in the world, serves over 450 million people with more than 200 million of them depending directly on it for their food and water security. The linkages from the uses of the Nile affect both economic and social lives of their peoples. Agreements on the uses of the Nile date back to 1902. The larger national picture is of urban areas without safe drinking water sources. The hazards from such living, which is worse in rural Nigeria, are ominous and hamper sustainable development. Lamentations about the poor state of our energy and water infrastructure should stop. Government budgets for the sectors are so low that it is obvious they cannot solve the problems. Sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s water and development crises lie in more robust and sustainable partnerships with the private sector, and users, with emphases on more efficient uses of this valuable resource.

OPINION ByOkofu Ubaka

F Hon. James Manager wins in the forthcoming general elections to represent the people of Delta South Senatorial district in the ‘Green chamber’, equity, justice and fairness would have lost their true meaning to the aggrieved Itsekiris and Isokos of the same senatorial district. Amidst deafened protest in 2013 against Manager’s second term in the place of an Itsekiri candidate whose turn it was to represent the district at the senate, Manager was imposed on the people. An action which starred the hornet nest and caused so much disaffections among the Itsekiris and Isokos political class who have been victims of Manager ’s manipulation. Manager ’s shenanigan broke down completely the mutual understanding between the three ethnic groups to rotate the senate seat a single term bases. It is commonplace to hear of ‘mutual agreement and rotation’ among stalwarts of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP). Why such agreement among the three ethnic groups in Delta South Senatorial district was frustrated, abused and jettisoned by James Manager and his lieutenants is beyond comprehension. For the Itsekiris and the Isokos who are principal victims of this manipulation, the mutual trust between the former ethnic nationalities and the Ijaws of the same district would for a long time to come suffer frustration unless something bold and drastic is done about the imposition on the other two tribes in the district by the leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. C M Y K

Rape of equity equity,, justice and fairness in Delta South Nonetheless, signs are ominous that the PDP is in for the worst and humiliating defeat in this senatorial district since the inception of the party. Let me quickly add here that not all Ijaws are in support of Manager’s imposition. Hence, to say that some discerning Ijaws in the state are brooding over Manager’s ‘third coming’ to the senate is stating the obvious. It is the duty of this minds therefore to callJames Manager to order or at best desert him to keep the unity of purpose in Delta South. This is not intended to whip up undue sentiment or cry wolf where none exist. Yet, the truth must be told because only fairness and justice can guarantee peaceful coexistence among people of diversified ethnic backgrounds. It is sad that it is only in Delta south that this kind of Manager’s impunity can take place. Manager had openly aborted the agreement entered into by the older generation of politicians from the district without the least respect for fairness and decency. Unlike what is obtainable in other senatorial districts of the state, the

What makes him feel he is the only qualified person in the district to return to the senate?

agreement to rotate the seat among the different ethnic groups in the district was arrogantly messed up by this politics of attrition and personality assassination. In Delta North for instance, we have the Osimilis, the Ikas, the Aniochas and the Ukwanis bond peacefully together as a result of each ethnic group abiding by the agreement to have the senatorial seat for one term and relinquish the seat for another ethnic group on expiration of the former’s four year-term. The same practice and understanding is obtainable in Delta Central where we have the Agbons in majority yet share with the Udos, the Uvhwes and the Okpes. Such is the demonstration of an egalitarian society, not the repressive and hostile political atmosphere which Manager’s action is capable of plunging Delta south into should he have another smooth sail to the Senate in 2015. Before now, there had been equitable and triangular rotations of the senatorial seat among the three ethnic nationalities ( the Ijaws, the Isoko and the Itsekiris ) in Delta South Senatorial district. The rotation arrangement had enthrone peace and people had been better for it without any form of acrimony and bad taste. In 1979, Chief T. Atake, an Itsekiri stood in the Senate for the people of the district for a single term. In 1983, it was the turn of the Ijaws to produce a candidate for the seat. Chief Edwin Clarke won the seat with the support of the other two ethnic groups; the Itsekiris and Isokos.

Upon creation of Delta state, the triangular rotation was maintained, not even time and events could distort the orderliness and frustrate the community of purpose of the older generation of politicians from the district in enthroning peace by giving equity and fairness a prime consideration. In lieu of this, Chief Mrs Stella Omu went to the ‘Green chamber’ on the auspices of the Senatorial district, and was there for a lone term. The questions most people fromDelta south are asking, are; what has changed this far to make Sen. Jame Manager feel he can eat his cake and have it? Why will Manager want to add salt to an injury his second term in the Senate had already caused the people? What makes him feel he is the only qualified person in the district to return to the senate? It is against this backdrop that we ask all the good people of the district to throw their weight by casting their votes for a conscientious and sellable candidate in the person of Hon. Prince JFK Omatsone, an Itsekiri. He has been tested and can be trusted. Omatsone was one time Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly during the James Onanefe’s tenure as the executive Governor of the state. He is a good listener, and always a step ahead for his people. Like the people of Delta south, Hon. Omatsone is passionate for a change. •Mr. Ubaka, a political analyst, wrote from Koko, Warri North LGA, Delta State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015—19

from. He never contributed in any way in bringing about the return to democracy. Instead, he rode on the back of the Sharia uprising in Arewa North between 2000 and 2001, where he became its main political figure after embracing it publicly, vowing to ensure it was taken to all parts of the country.

FTER about four months of frenzied campaigns, we have just five days to the rescheduled presidential election 2015. I consider it necessary to make a few concluding remarks on the two major presidential candidates: President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, the flag bearer of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari, during this period, has made more headlines than the incumbent president. It all started shortly after he clinched the APC presidential ticket at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on December 11th, 2014. From that moment on, he became the exclusive property of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) political camp, which has shouldered the bulk of his campaign needs, with the Director General of the campaign organisation, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, acting as a very visible and audible sidekick.

Missing northern political elite Surprisingly, the political elite of Northern Nigeria in the APC quietly withdrew from his side. You name them: Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mr. Nda Isaiah, the three others who vied for the ticket with Buhari; northern governors on the APC platform, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was briefly favoured by Tinubu until he withdrew in favour of the governorship seat of Sokoto State and top figures in the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) such as Professor Ango Abdullahi and Dr. Junaidu Mohammed, who openly declared that Buhari was the candidate of the North after he emerged. The only person from the North who is regularly seen with Buhari is the midget man from Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el Rufai. They may have withdrawn from Buhari for tactical reasons, but you can be sure they are hiding in the shadows, just out of sight, waiting for the moment they hope Professor Attahiru Jega will announce Buhari as the winner of the poll. Then, they will show up in their full colours and numbers. If Buhari wins the election, we are soon going to be treated to rounds of Jeremiads from his current intellectual, financial and material backers from the South West. They will complain that the monkey worked and the baboon is enjoying the spoils. This is by no means a prophecy. It is a statement based on empirical surmises. If tomorrow comes in Buhari’s favour, we will surely remind you we said so long before it happened. The moment Buhari picked the APC ticket, it was pretty clear that the task of selling him must target the South, and

Certificate scandal

Concluding remarks (1) Buhari more especially the South West. The choice of most people in Arewa North was obviously Buhari. He was already sold out there. Jonathan was already sold out in South East, South-South, and to an appreciable extent, the North Central and the Minority enclaves of the nation. It was in the South West that Buhari had to be rebranded for acceptability. Overnight, we started seeing posters of Buhari, (a man who has only worn babanriga and kaftan since he retired from the army) clad in dinner black suit, white shirt and bow tie. Buhari has put the lie to this as he has never worn a suit since he started campaigning. He only wore an overcoat while in London for medical attention and the Chatham House appearance, but even at that, he discarded it for his usual flowing robes once inside the building.

The message Buhari has projected throughout his campaign is that he will ensure the security of all Nigerians and jail corrupt leaders. When it became obvious that he would have no choice but to jail the same people who are bankrolling his campaign straight from the coffers of their state treasuries, Buhari decided he would only jail those who “steal” from the period he assumes office!

By Bobson Gbinije “Tis all men’s office to speak patience To those who wring under the load of sorrow, But no man’s virtue nor sufficiency To be so moral when he shall endure The like himself.” – SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616) HERE is no gainsaying that good things come to those who wait and that mammoth largess is the portion of those who labour and strive hard. These two perspectives about the approach to success are correct, but they draw their discipleship based on the principles of the collectivity or the individual. Where stands the Igbo nation in the light of the next president after Jonathan or Buhari, given the Igbo's many years of political servitude? Is it political pragmatism or “waiting on the Lord or Godot” that will give them the presidency? Demographic statistical data in Nigeria shows that the Igbo people constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. They are economic, social and educational giants in their own right. Their spirit of mercantilism and commercial dexterity has made them universally ubiquitous. The Igbos in the Diaspora spread to parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. But at home in Nigeria, the Igbo people are political midgets and administrative homunculus. The demoniacal political fire and vibrancy in them is stoked by economic demonolatry. But for how long will this playing of political second fiddle continue? When will Igbo nation and the Ibo-man be able

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The APC's mantra Buhari was advertised as the man who will bring about change, the mantra of the APC. I wonder what will happen to the mantra if APC wins the presidency. Will they still want change? The machinery of the South West media was fully mobilised, while an army of young internet bloggers was mobilised to extol the virtues of Buhari and his party, while savaging the PDP and its presidential candidate. They invaded every polling site and clicked like mad for Buhari, thus orchestrating a momentum for him. This same section of the media was talking from a different side of its mouth when Buhari was contesting against Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003. At that time, what we heard was that Buhari was an anti-democrat who truncated civilian rule in 1994, a despot who jailed politicians and confiscated their property at his kangaroo tribunals. We were reminded, correctly, how Buhari hastened the death of Yoruba political patriarch, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, cancelled the metro line project conceived and initiated by Alhaji Lateef Jakande to decongest the Lagos traffic, used draconian decrees to cripple the Press, which is the right arm of Yoruba political clout and did not initiate or complete a single capital project in all his twenty months in power. We were also reminded that Buhari, as Executive Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) denied the South West its fair share of projects while massing projects in the North. We were made to remember that Buhari never said a word when the struggle for the restoration of Chief Moshood Abiola’s mandate was on. Rather, he was a great fan of General Sani Abacha, who gave him the PTF job. Till date Buhari maintains Abacha never looted, but he has not told where those Abacha loots repatriated from Western banks came

These rebranders were the ones who took up Buhari’s battles when his certificate scandal broke open. People who set the pace in western educational pursuits and were ahead before others came up; people who always boast of their many professors and the commanding edge Awolowo’s free education gave them suddenly started saying that Buhari’s lack of school certificate “does not matter”. Buhari was unable to pronounce correctly the name of his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; it did not matter. The message Buhari has projected throughout his campaign is that he will ensure the security of all Nigerians and jail corrupt leaders. When it became obvious that he would have no choice but to jail the same people who are bankrolling his campaign straight from the coffers of their state treasuries, Buhari decided he would only jail those who “steal” from the period he assumes office! Someone should please tell him that a president has no power to jail anyone. He can cause corrupt people to be prosecuted. It is the judges that jail convicted people. He will not have the power to promulgate decrees. This is democracy!

Binding ideological ties Up till this moment, Tinubu and Buhari have not shown us the ideological ties that bind them together in the APC. Tinubu says he wants true federalism. He wants state police. He wants states to control local governments under them. But Buhari has never promised anything in that direction. Buhari is against true federalism. He believes in a super-strong centre, like most Arewa politicians. The only real tie that binds Tinubu and Buhari together is their hot desire to unseat President Goodluck Jonathan. Tinubu is not really bothered about dispensational change. Just change Jonathan, and he is ok. But an old adage warns: “be careful what you wish for, you might get it”. The possessed masquerade always begins by flogging the man that dresses it up. If Buhari should win this presidential election, Tinubu will bite his finger in regret. His political kingdom will be taken away from him, and some of his loyalists of today will be willing tools in the hands of Buhari’s Arewa cabals that are hiding in the shadows, for now.

OPINION When will the Igbo presidency be? to take his political destiny in his/their own hands? When will the Igbo people wake up from their politically slumberous stupor? Do they feel the impact of erosion and topographical menace in their land? So they cannot see the hands of neglect and marginalization in their lives. They cannot decipher the glaring prevalence of political cronyism and administrative ethnic cleansing in their so-called fatherland, which implies that an Ibo man is not competent to be the Nigerian President. When will their chains of commercialism wear away? The English playwright William Shakespeare posited that, “the fault is not our stars, but in us that we are underlyings” The fault is with the Igbo people themselves. Do they know that Alhaji Tafawa Balewa ruled Nigeria for six years, General Yakubu Gowon nine years, General Murtala Mohammend six months, But for how Alhaji Shehu Shagari four years, Abiola’s election long will this disallowed, Ernest Shonekan playing of three months, General Sanni Abacha five years, General political Abdusalam Abubakar a year, General/President Olusegun second fiddle Kikelola Aremu Obasanjo in continue? both military/civilian

computation ruled Nigeria for over 11 years, Yar’Adua two years and President Ebele Jonathan six years so far. Where is the South-East or the Ibo man in this political algebra or are they counting the figurehead of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Aguiyi Ironsi and or Alex Ekwueme as political leaders? What a shame! Since the institutionalization of the Lugardian albatross of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, the commencement of the Direct and Indirect Rule System in 1916 and the inception of the political engineering process through constitution making which manifested in the 1922 Sir Clifford’s constitution, the 1945 Richard’s constitution, the 1946 Milverton constitution, 1951 Alan Burns constitution, the 1952 McPherson’s constitution, 1954 Littleton’s constitution, 1960 independence constitution, 1963 republication constitution, the military-manipulated 1989 and 1999 constitution etc. the Igbo people have never been at the Centre stage of the political process in Nigeria. The 1957 constitutional conference offered Nigerian Nationalists implicit opportunity to proffer a date for Nigeria’s independence and not regional autonomy. But whilst other ethnic groups were calling Nigeria a fragmented Nigeria the Ibos stood firmly for a united strong and virile Nigeria. Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

By Bashir Hassan

ITH total banking assets in excess of N22 trillion ($110 billion), Nigeria simply has the largest financial system in sub-Saharan Africa. Such a huge asset base places Nigeria’s Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, as one of the leading deposit insurers in Africa. In effect, NDIC has huge responsibilities as a risk minimizer with other broad mandates of deposit guarantee, bank supervision as well as providing mechanism for orderly resolution of failure, including bank liquidation. Fulfilling these tasks will require not only a sturdy legal framework but a vigilance that will ensure that such frameworks are constantly updated and brought in line with world best practice and standard. Last week NDIC was at the Senate Public Hearing on its quest for amendment (repeal and reenactment bill) 2006 Act to strengthen its operations which focus on protecting the depositors. To understand this quest, one needs to go back in history on the one hand and consider the economic realities that increasingly underlie the complexity of its challenges on the other. One piece of history took place in 2011 when NDIC was subjected to the International Association of Insurers, IADI, peer review exercise on the extent of its compliance with best standards set under the IADI’s 18 core principles of effective deposit insurance system. The outcome of the assessment revealed that the Corporation had complied fully with seven core principles; largely complied with eight; materially non-complied with two while the last one was found to be not applicable to NDIC. This means NDIC needs to do more to bridge the gaps in its compliance scorecard. But doing more will require amending any

NDIC and depositors' protection legal frameworks that are hindering its operation or bringing into existence legislation that will enhance its operational excellence. It is pertinent to mention that Nigeria is one of the respected members of the IADI, a global non-profit organisation formed in May 2002 to enhance the effectiveness of deposit insurance systems by promoting guidance, best practice and international cooperation. Another piece of history was the recent economic recession and realities in Europe, which were partly the consequences of the global economic meltdown of 2008 to 2009. Witnessed across the financial system throughout the world, the meltdown further dictated the need for another round of amendments to its statutes, particularly in the areas of target funding, treatment of systemically important financial institutions and bank living will. The emerging risks and changes in the global banking practices and cross border operations of the Nigerian banks are strong imperatives for the Corporation to re-engineer its enabling laws in order to be ahead of such emerging threats and challenges. Now, let’s consider NDIC’s quest for amendment influenced by reasons of our economic realities. Take example of the credit risks posed by the recent nosedive in the price of oil and gas. This turn of events continues to put pressure on the nation’s currency -- the Naira - and the capital market is taking the beating for it with massive capital flight from major off shore investments. All these pieces of events in history and the realities of Nigeria’s economy as of today and the ultimate mandate of NDIC as risk minimizer which seeks to protect the depositor, combine to push NDIC to seek for amendments of its 2006 Act.

By Chiduluemije Sunday

HE raging issue of the sad state of press freedom in Turkey which has eventually gained the attention of the US Congress is essentially a grave indictment on the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.Though this is one action that obviously was long overdue, the fact that scores of members of the US Congress are beginning to take some steps towards taming President Erdogan’s unfriendly inclination to the freedom of Turkish media goes to show that it is no longer the case of business as usual. Or the unending blame game that is usually initiated and passed to either the members of the opposition politicians in Turkey or to the Hizmet movement. As it were, there are reports that just last month 88 members of the US Congress wrote and duly signed a letter directed to the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, requesting him to speak out against the apparently deteriorating condition of press freedom in Turkey. According to a publication in Today ’s Zaman Newspaper of March 10, 2015, there has been intense pressure from Turkish government, politicians and a section of the Turkish media alike on Congress members who appended their signatures to the letter to review their stand or, possibly, denounce the letter. And needless to say that this has not only been rejected by the concerned Congress members, but also they are poised to slugging it with the Turkish government. Of course, arising from the fact of the recently reported arrest and detention of Journalist Mehmet Baransu, among others that are currently languishing in

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So what are these amendments NDIC is seeking? They are many but the major ones are as follows. The proposed bill (give title of the bill) is aimed at strengthening the Corporation's supervisory capacity and addressing other challenges in the area of failed financial institutions as well as ensuring compliance with the principles of an effective deposit insurance scheme in Nigeria. In its bid to reduce the pains of depositors who are subjected to untold hardship anytime erstwhile owners of the banks attempt to forestall liquidation of the failed bank, the new bill empowers the Corporation to pay insured deposits to depositors of an insured institution whose operating license has been revoked even when litigation challenging revocation of the failed institution's operating license or winding-up order is pending in court. It has become common knowledge that Nigerian banks have established a number of banking and non-banking financial subsidiaries, affiliates and associates companies beyond the purview of their primary regulators and supervisors. Although the provisions of consolidated supervision have not really been put to actionable test, we all know that Nigerian banks have been widely diversified beyond our shores. However, in order to prevent such business relationships being exploited in circumvention of

The proposed reenactment provides for the appointment of NDIC as statutory Liquidator, rather than Provisional Liquidator

banking laws or as avenues for abusive ownership and mismanagement of depositors' funds, Section 32 (5) of the proposed bill empowers NDIC to have enough access to the books of all such related entities of insured banks with a view to assessing their transactions under the risk-based supervision. Also, the NDIC Act, 2006 does not make provisions for Public Policy Objectives. The proposed amendment explicitly provides for Public Policy Objectives in line with global best practices in Deposit Insurance Scheme, DIS. Unlike the extant law which makes no provisions for parttime members, the proposed amendment seeks to provide for tenure of part-time members of the Board who would hold office for a period of four years renewable for another four years. Economic analysts say the move would enhance policy formulation, strategic focus and effective discharge of NDIC's oversight functions in the banking system. Although the Act empowers the NDIC Board to prosecute directors and officers for violation of the provisions of the Act, the provisions have not been effectively complied with due to the difficulty in their implementation. However, the new proposal ensures that NDIC is empowered to seek legal redress for infringement of penal laws relating to banking other than the Act. It also seeks to improve the economic value of the legal redress mechanism in the deposit insurance system by subjecting the convicted erring official(s) to civil penalty that would be related directly to the amount involved in the provisions of the law violated. In addition, the amendment bill seeks to enhance the General Reserve Fund of NDIC which have been negatively affected by

Dissecting Erdogan's sins detention, these lawmakers appear so infuriated that “media freedom in Turkey has taken a wrong turn” such that they could no long be quiet. Curiously, these lawmakers are now at the receiving end of a series of polemics emanating from the Turkish government and its media agents for holding on to their gun. Apart from having been called names by the Turkish based progovernment media, it has been alleged that these Congress members were bribed to append their signatures to the letter. Accordingly, the Turkish based Milat Newspaper in its front page reportedly accused Congress man Aaron Schock of having collected bribe from Gulen Movement (equally known as Hizmet Movement). Also, Sabah Daily (another progovernment media owned by President Erdogan’s son-in-law) claimed that other members of the Congress were equally bribed and that their trips to Turkey were reportedly sponsored by business men close to Gulen Movement. It further accused the lawmakers of paying lip service to the issue of media freedom in Turkey and merely using that as a pretext for signing the letter “based on bribes and donations”. Critically viewed, however, it might be of little or no importance to begin to pay

The facts of violation of media freedom in Turkey cannot be swept under the carpet

heed to all these allegations leveled against the US lawmakers by the Turkish government and its agents. Truth is that these allegations are not the real issues for consideration. Instead, they are at best like matters arising and as such seem to be somewhat diversionary. The bottom line, therefore, remains that the facts and figures about the violation of media freedom in Turkey go beyond what can ordinarily be swept under the carpet.Essentially, there are a number of questions that are yet to be addressed by President Erdogan-led government as contained in the lawmakers’ letter to the US Secretary of State. First and foremost, it has not been denied by Ankara or the pro-government media that up to 10 journalists, including Baransu and STV network executive, Hidayet Karacaa, are still languishing behind bars in Turkey. And here lies really the ice of the cake. So it is clear that President Erdogan whose catalogued cases of violation of the Turkish freedom of press can hardly come clean from the Congress’ letter. In the same way, given the stand of US lawmakers in their letter to John Kerry that President Erdogan has so violated the Turkish media freedom that the country has now taken the unenviable position of 149 out of 180 countries in the latest press freedom index released by Reporters Without Boarders, there is obviously nothing to exonerate the government of President Erdogan from being found

some of the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. The Corporation is entirely dependent on the incomes derived from the investments of the premium paid by the insured deposit-taking financial institutions. The income from the investment of DIF is not government revenue but funds meant for the operational activities of the corporation and to build up the DIF reserve to meet future funding gap. This is the essence of target funding ratio. When passed into law, income from the investment of the fund will not be liable for remittance to government, contrary to the provisions of the FRA Act of 2007 which compelled the remittance of 80% of the operational surplus. Although the provisions on the mandate of NDIC as Provisional Liquidator has been tested with the revocation of the operating licenses of 103 micro-finance banks, observers say its efficiency is still in doubt given its experience with the defunct Fortune and Triumph banks. Consequently, the proposed reenactment provides for the appointment of NDIC as statutory Liquidator, rather than Provisional Liquidator, in order to ensure effective winding up of the affairs of all failed insured deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria.To meet the objectives of approximating to international best practices, the expectation of stakeholders is that, by the time NDIC participates in the 8th Regional Workshop of IADI on “Assessment of Compliance with the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance Systems” holding in Pristina, Kosovo, next May, the National Assembly would have passed the proposed amendments so the Nigeria will hold her head high for her implementation of a credible Deposit Insurance Scheme, DIS. •Mr. Hassan, development strategist, wrote from Abuja.

wanting over the Congress members’ charges levelled against him. This is in addition to the fact that not even the listing of Turkey in the “Not Free” category in the media freedoms by the Freedom House has helped in any way to mitigate the complicity in President Erdogan’s reported abuse of the freedom of the Turkish media. But then, assuming that these US lawmakers’ letter has some issues surrounding it as being alleged by the officials of the Turkish government and their media agents, could it be said too that the leadership of the European Union was also bribed in its conclusion on the abysmal state of media freedom in Turkey? Now considering the Union’s stand on the issue, Today’s Zaman Newspaper of March 13, 2015, reported that “Freedom of expression, the separation powers and the rule of law have been progressively eroded under (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan”. And since this is the case, then it follows that the US Congress members could not have been making fuss about the appalling state of media freedom in Turkey, as contained in their letter to the Secretary State, John Kerry. In like manner, the same could further be argued about the position articulated by the New York Times magazine in its Friday, 13th March, 2015 Editorial. According to the editorial, Turkey as a member of NATO has not only grown more authoritarian in the recent time but has even drifted away from keeping the core values of the organisation. •Mr. Sunday, an international relations expert, wrote from Abuja.

MARCH 23, 2015

Parties spend N4.9bn on political adverts ...As regulators, agencies decry unvetted political ads BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

ITH just five days to the March 28 elections, advertising spend on political campaigns has been estimated to have cost political parties, friends and well wishers of those seeking elective offices a princely N4.9 billion so far. However, federal and state advert regulatory agencies have expressed displeasure over publications of unapproved advert materials. According to data gathered from different advert agencies and reports from advert regulatory bodies, the print media have so far raked in about N1.382 billion of the advert spend, with the All Progressives Congress, APC spending N332.503 million on its presidential candidate, while its Peoples Democratic Party, PDP counterpart spent N1.049 billion, which is 65.5 per cent higher than the amount spent by APC. Field reports further put other expenses on campaign rallies for PDP and APC at N1.057 billion and N595.082 million respectively. Both parties also spent N224.36 million on outdoor campaigns. The broadcast campaign coverage for the presidential candidates were put at N508.35 million and N391.05 million for PDP and APC. Electronic media adverts were N733.9million for PDP and N555.6 million for APC respectively, bringing the total amount to N2.5 billion. In summary, a total of N4.973 billion has been spent on campaign expenses, with PDP and

APC spending N3.549 billion and N1.424 billion respectively. Last year, the Advertising Agencies Association of Nigeria, AAAN had projected that the 2015 general elections will contribute billions of naira to the advert industry, an amount it said will form major part of the advertising spend for the 2015 advertising year. But from recent development and the run of political campaigns so far, the projection has been surpassed in terms of adspend. However, advert practitioners feel the estimate is much less than what has been spent, going by the inability of heads of sectoral bodies in the advert

industry to track the amount spent by politicians, as a result of the haphazard nature the adverts were given out. It would be recalled that in 2014, former president of AAAN and Chief Operating Officer of 141 Worldwide, Bunmi Oke, predicted a bright future for any ad agency that puts its act together to tap into the windfall expected from the election year and the huge budget politicians would earmark for the 2015 political campaigns. Worried by the bulk of political campaign materials, Financial Vanguard sampled the opinions of

stakeholders who were particularly disappointed at the manner unapproved political materials litter advertising spaces in the country. It is a fact that Nigeria has a history of not coming out with election spending figures, and data are equally unavailable on the actual spending of politicians on campaigns. But going by the volume of materials churned out through the different media of communication for political parties, it is no longer in doubt that billions of naira were spent in the 2015 election campaigns. Continues on page 22

LECTURE: MD/ CEO of Wema Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi here makes a presentation on 'Growing Your Money' to students of Government Secondary School, Moraba, Ilorin, in Kwara State to commemorate the Child & Youth Financial Literacy Day.

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22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Cover Story

Vocation & technical education – A key to improving Nigeria’s development

MEETING - From left: Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, Chairman, Coleman Wires &Cables; Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, SSG Ogun State; Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria; Prof. Ganiyu Olatunde, Chief of Staff, Ogun State; and Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce&Industry, during a Breakfast meeting with Governor Amosun organized by the Ogun State Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Abeokuta.

Parties spend N4.9bn on political adverts Continues from page 21 The AAAN members observed with great concern the spate of unhealthy smear campaigns by the political parties and shadow interest groups across the various media channels. AAAN said: “In obvious disregard of the advertising code and ethics of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, a body saddled with the responsibility of regulating and controlling advertisement in the country, and the AAAN, most of these political advertisements have been exposed without going through the vetting procedures and consequent approvals from the Advertising Standards Panel, ASP, of APCON. “Our concerns are that the professional values of the advertising practice and indeed, public sensibilities, as well as the very stability of the polity have been severely undermined by the continued character assassinations, wanton abuses, unrestrained attacks, threats and counterthreats that have become the bane of political communication building up to the elections," AAAN said in a release. Kayode Olagesin, Managing Director of Towncriers, an activation agency said: “There is no time in the history of the country that we have witnessed this volume of campaigns. I tell you, I don't see them spending less than N5 billion on each of the presidential candidates. C M Y K

“If you look at the way they have used the press, wrap around that costs millions, there are lots of heavy charges paid, lots of them up to N20 million for one material, five or more pages of newspapers in a day, and you have several days in a week, I tell you, they have spent billions, but the truth is that it is difficult to know

The truth of it is that it is difficult to know exactly how much they are spending

exactly how much they are spending. Mind you, the spending still continues, so you do not know yet, may be after the whole campaign, you can sit down and calculate and put some figures to it. "What is more interesting is to find out what portion of the advertising materials that passed through professional advertising practitioners in Nigeria. I daresay, a lot of it did not pass through the professional advertising practice. So it will not, therefore, have added that much value to the revenue of advertising agencies in

the country." He went on to say that the impact on advertising agencies is minimal through third hand or second hand, passing to the agencies. "I do not think agencies are on the table, the strategy and the energy are disbursed to agencies outside. I think a few agencies in Nigeria are actually having those direct contracts with political parties. We should urge the political parties to do what is right; to appoint proper Nigerian agencies to run their campaigns. That is what needs to happen. “I do not know the elements of it that are produced and done outside. I don’t know the details of that, but I know that the direct contact have not been given to Nigerian advertising agencies, a lot of them are given to people who are probably politicians to help them broker it through first, second or third party agents,” he stated. On the other hand, the OAAN, on their part, said all political adverts posted on their billboards were duly vetted by APCON’s ASP. Also disturbed were state regulatory agencies. For example, the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, OYSAA, complained that adverts posted in different sites and unauthorised places, including lamp poles around the city, is a flagrant breach of the extant laws and regulation of the agency. This, however, prompted the Director-General, Mr. Continues on page 23

echnical education is a fingerprint technicians to planned programme of conduct criminal courses and learning investigations. And due to experiences that begins with poor training, military officers exploration of career options, are known to beat up the supports basic academic and citizens who challenge their life skills, and enables powers and go scot free for achievement of high academic their inhumane actions. The standards, leadership, danger posed by preparation for industryenvironmental pollution and defined work, and advanced fake drugs is alarming. The less and continuing education. educated in the society lack the Vocational education and skill to manage AIDS, cancer training prepares learners for and diabetes among other careers that are based in serious health problems. One manual or practical activities, wonders what the nation’s traditionally non-academic health minister and the 36 and totally related to a specific state health commissioners are trade, occupation or vocation. doing to tackle these issues. In other words, it is an Every good citizen is aware that “education designed to the neglect of technical and develop occupational skills.” vocational education is Vocational and technical socially and economically education gives individuals the injurious, because it is robbing skills to “live, learn and work the nation of the contributions as a productive citizen in a the graduates would make on global society.” national development. For Technical and vocational that Nigeria is today wearing education has been an integral the toga of a poor state. part of national development Although technical and strategies in many societies vocational education seem because of its impact on deficient in ‘citizenship or productivity and economic leadership training’ (Friedman development. Despite its 1982). It provides students contributions the leaders of with “life skills to become Nigeria have not given this productive entrepreneurs as it aspect of education the engenders creative and attention it deserves, and this innovative ideas, enlarge the is one of the reasons for the economic pie, and increase nation’s underdevelopment. personal freedom. Most of the This article focuses on the so-called “expatriate dearth of skilled technical and engineers” who are being paid vocational manpower in millions of dollars to build Nigeria and argues that Nigeria’s roads and bridges are technical and vocational graduates of technical and education holds the key to vocational colleges. Yet the national development. leaders do not take technical Every facet of the economy institutions seriously. has been affected by lack of Nigeria’s current skilled technicians. The preoccupation with university financial sector lacks education reduces economic technicians to regulate the opportunities of those who are banks and to develop financial more oriented toward work software to than academic. Not properly tackle everyone needs a the rising u n i v e r s i t y fraudulent education. activities in the Awarding licenses banking sector. to greedy Without security, organizations and Many development is individuals to impossible in a graduates lack establish private society; no nation 'employability' universities that can sustain its are not even as skills, which democracy if the equipped as some citizens lack would easily of the technical and confidence in the be acquired vocational schools police. The police in the United States violate the from technical and other citizens’ human and vocational advanced nations and civil rights colleges cannot develop the and lack forensic society. laboratory and

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 — 23

he 2015 election will certainly come and go but the after effect may linger for a long time. Whether it is PDP or APC that eventually wins the presidential election, the party that will come to power post-election, had better get prepared for the handling of the economy. As it stands, the nation is on a financial cliff that can fall off any time except a miracle happens. The one commodity that provides life support for the economy has seen its price at the international market fall to as low as $58 per barrel. The International Energy Agency has predicted that crude oil prices may fall to as low as $20 per barrel. Oil prices might have stabilised only temporarily because the global oil glut is worsening and U.S. production shows no sign of slowing. The US may soon run out of spare capacity to store crude, which would put additional downward pressure on prices. That process would last at least until the second half of 2015, when growth in US oil production is expected to start abating. Behind the façade of stability, the rebalancing triggered by the price collapse has yet to run its course, and it might be overly optimistic to expect it to proceed smoothly. As a result of the above oil market scenerio, the incoming government will have a Herculean task running the country effectively. Many states will not be able to pay their bills, same with the Federal Government. As it is now, money that would have

been judiciously used is being frittered away in foreign currency in the name of election. Right now, politicians have invaded the foreign exchange market to buy up the available dollar to pay electorate for votes. Instead of saving the windfall from oil when prices were high, state governors clamoured for the sharing of the excess crude account, now the account has nothing to be shared. Indications are that the pressure on the naira now is as a result of political activities in the country. Postelection, the naira may see between the bank naira some level of stability at N197 dollar rate and the black market rate after the to the dollar. November 2014 devaluation, is now about 13 per cent in less than five months. This is not in the best interest of the economy and after the election, if prices of crude continue its southward journey, things will become worse as fewer dollars will be available at the foreign exchange market for importation of essential consumer goods. This, of course, will give rise to hyper-inflation which is already rising and will continue to rise. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last week, released the Consumer The unusual use of dollar in Price Index (CPI) report for political campaign has led to February 2015 saying that further depletion of the prices of goods and services nation’s foreign reserves as rose slightly by 20 basis money is carried around in points, which is about 0.2 per sacks to people whom the cent. It said that rise in prices, politicians believe have some headline inflation - measured influence over a certain Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y), was section of the populace and estimated at 8.4 per cent, their presidential voting 20bps higher than 8.2per cent choice. As a result of the reported in January 2015. mopping up of the dollar from This is largely the expectation the system for non- as inflationary pressure productive use, a less than intensified in February due to three per cent differential

Tough times ahead after elections

There is no doubt that with dwindling oil prices, Jonathan or Buhari will have no option than to remove fuel subsidy completely

the weakness of the domestic currency over the past six months. This had a knock-on impact on prices of both imported food and non-food items. After the election, which ever party comes into power, Nigerians should expect a rough time going forward. There is no doubt that with dwindling oil prices, Jonathan or Buhari will have no option than to remove completely fuel subsidy. It will not be a matter of choice, it will be a matter of survival for the government to continue to meet its internal financial obligation. The first shot at raising revenue will be subsidy removal. Nigerians should not be deceived. This will certainly come into play early in the life of the new administration. None of the political parties has made it an electoral issue and Nigerians have not asked either Jonathan or Buhari what they intend to do with subsidy on petrol. The Nigerian banking sector will feel the heat as they are likely to lay off employees after the election is successfully concluded. Many companies may not be able to service their facilities and non- performing

loans may mount. Banks may be tempted to stop giving out loans due to high cost of funds. In a bid to tighten monetary policy after the election, the CBN may demand to sterilise public funds in the banking system or demand that all public sector funds be placed directly with it. The private sector deposit in banks may see some increase in the amount the CBN will withdraw from banks. The banks will then be under extreme pressure to perform postelection 2015. The Federal Government under pressure to raise money, may after the election allow the naira to further depreciate to raise more money for government as crude oil prices probably falls below $53 which is the 2015 budget benchmark. More manufacturing companies will close or reduce operations due to stifling business environment wreaking havoc on their businesses. Nigerians should expect higher electricity tariff, naira devaluation, less power from the national grid which means more expenses incurred to run generators. For now, there is no light in the tunnel.

Business & Economy Continues from page 22 Yinka Adepoju to direct all political campaign organisations/committees to apply and obtain approval of OYSAA before posting their campaign materials in any location. The agency said the warning became necessary in order not to exacerbate the already tensed political climate in the country, and to maintain the pervading peace enjoyed in the state. Speaking on the development, Mr. Adigwe Iwuala, Deputy Managing Director, Orlick Communications, said: “This will remain a conjecture until the elections are over. What you will get from any person now is an estimated amount which may be low or high. “The print industry may be pocketing about N900 million

Parties spend N4.9bn on political adverts for various adverts. If you aggregate this by the number of newspapers and magazines in the different parts of the country, you may find out that it is running to above N900 million.” On social media, Michael Uze, a public commentator, observed that the social media ad spend cannot be tracked as there is no registered body saddled with the responsibility to track what is spent on that platform. Reacting to the issue of nondisclosure of amount spent on the 2015 elections so far, Mr. Andre Nduneche, Lead Consultant, Image Machine Advertising, said Nigerians can only speculate as politicians are secretive when it comes to disclosing budgets on advertising. "The politicians are very secretive about these

things. They will not want you to know how much they are putting into it, but from all indications, you can tell by the volume of contents in all the advertising platforms which is running into billions of naira.

The 2015 electioneering campaign period is just the Christmas of advertising

“The 2015 electioneering campaign period is just the Christmas of advertising. Everybody waits for years, and that too, increases the price of advertising as it is only in four years that such opportunity calls. Money that should have been spent in four years is now spent within a short period of time. So we are looking at a very substantial amount of money,” he said. Corroborating, Mr. Ewat Okonokon, a brand analyst with Brand Campaign International, said that during electioneering periods like this, advertising contents across various advertising platforms prior to elections are increased. He noted also that the 2015 election has attracted more advertising than any period of election in the country, pointing out that politicians are beginning to

understand the power of advertising in shaping the minds of people. He went further to say that the close contest between PDP, APC and other fringe parties in 2011, did not experience a strong competition like 2015, and this has impacted greatly on the advertising industry. It will be recalled that the issue of non-disclosure of the amount political parties spend on the 2015 election prompted the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to institute an action demanding that all political parties make full disclosure of sources of their campaign funds, a way of invoking the Freedom of Information bill, an action seen as a step in the right direction for public accountability. It is still in doubt whether that move will yield any positive result.

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24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 — 25

Business & Economy

WORKSHOP - From left: Managing Director /CEO Shoreline Natural Resource Ltd, Dr. Ladi Bada discussing with Managing Director &CEO First E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero during 2015 Nigeria Oil & Gas Workshop in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Deloitt e sur ts surge Deloitte survvey repor reports in Africa’s mega pr ojects tto o projects $326bn in 20 14 201 By ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA, General Editor

nvestment in African mega projects surged 46% to US$326 billion last year led by heavy investment in transport, energy and power, according to the third annual Deloitte African Construction Trends report, which monitors progress on capital intensive infrastructure on the continent. To qualify for inclusion in the Deloitte African Construction Trends report, projects must be valued at more than US$50 million and had to have broken ground by at least 1 June 2014. While the number of projects that qualified for inclusion in the 2014 report fell to 257 from 322 the year before, the total value of projects under construction increased from USD 222.77 billion in 2013. “Africa’s rapidly growing middle class continues to drive demand for sustainable social infrastructure,” said Mr Andre Pottas, Regional Director at Deloitte. “Africa is en route to a brighter future and overall we see the opportunities surpassing the challenges facing our continent.” Of the projects included in the 2014 Deloitte African Construction Trends report, no less than 143 were led by the public sector with a further 88 being private sector initiatives and 26 classified as public private partnerships (PPPs). Energy & Power accounted for 37% of the number of mega

projects undertaken in Africa in 2014, followed by transport (34%), mining (9%), real estate (6%), water (5%), oil & gas (4%), mixed use facilities (2%) and health care (1%). “More than 10% of the projects included in this year’s survey were structured as PPPs, which is an increase from about 4% the previous year,” said Mr Pottas. “That is very encouraging to see as we believe that significant private sector participation is required

alongside government initiatives in order to enable Africa to close its infrastructure gap with the rest of the world.” Southern Africa led construction activity on the continent, accounting for $144.89 billion in projects or 44.5% of the total value of mega construction projects on the continent last year. West Africa overtook East Africa with the region attracting US$74.84 billion in projects, or 23% of the total projects on the

continent by value. Central Africa experienced a massive 117% surge in the value of construction projects which reached $33.21 billion while North Africa saw the value of construction projects jump almost 36% to $9.12 billion. East Africa experienced a moderate 10% decline in the value of projects, which nevertheless totalled a respectable $60.67 billion in 2014. “Africa continues to be a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and intraAfrican capital inflows,” said Mr Pottas. “With a 76% completion rate of projects collected from our previous report, expectations remain high for infrastructure to provide the developing continent with much needed market expansion.” Africa’s infrastructural transformation is being driven by increased output in the natural resources sector, which in turn has underpinned rising fiscal expenditure on infrastructure projects to facilitate rising international trade with the continent. At the same time, rapidly growing urbanisation and rising domestic demand in Africa has ushered in an unprecedented wave of foreign direct investment in the continent’s biggest and most dynamic economies. “The African Construction Trends report confirms continued, intensive construction activity across the continent,” said Mr Pottas. “The journey may not be high speed just yet but it is unfolding at a steadily increasing pace.”

SMEs can access finance with appropriate strategies — BoI BY NAOMI UZOR

he Bank of Industry, (BoI), has said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria can overcome the challenge of lack of access to finance by employing appropriate strategies suitable to their peculiar characteristics. Disclosing this at the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, BOI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, said SMEs are recognised as playing key roles in the economy of any society and Nigeria is not an exception.He noted that in job and wealth creation however, they face numerous challenges including access to finance which can be overcome by

appropriate strategies that must address their peculiar characteristics, adding that, VCF is one such strategy that can facilitate access to finance by MSMEs “Since challenges facing MSMES are numerous and multidimensional holistic approach is required to de-risk MSMES. All hands must be on deck: entrepreneurs, governments, operators along the financial value chain, foreign development partners, governments at all tiers Local Govewrnment, state, federaland regulator ” he stated. Olagunju stressed that factors limiting the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria are market access: weak local patronage, infrastructure: power, transport, water etc, support services: business development support, finance / capital: perceived risky by DMBs, information: what to

do and how to go about it and technology: dependence on expensive sophisticated imported technology. The President and Chairman of Council, NASME, Alhaji Garba Gusau, challenged the political gladiators on their programmes and policies for the MSMEs at all levels of governance, saying, that MSMEs development should be in the front burner of the political discourse. According to him, to develop the MSME sector requires strong and supportive institutions and holistic infrastructural development as well as key and impactful sectoral intervention by Nigerian financial system, as a deliberate effort towards addressing the many neglect of the sector and that now that the elections are here again.

13 ships laden with petroleum products, other cargo arrive Lagos

hirteen ships laden with petroleum products, general cargo and food items have arrived the Lagos ports, waiting to berth. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its daily publication, ‘Shipping Position’ made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos. According to the publication, seven of the ships sailed into the ports with petrol, kerosene and aviation fuel. It indicated that six other ships came in with rice, soya beans and general cargo. The document stated that 42 ships were scheduled to arrive at the ports between March 18 and April 6. It said that 18 of the ships would sail in with containers, while eight others were expected with general cargo. The document said that seven ships would sail in with rice, frozen fish, crude palm oil, buckwheat and bulk sugar. It also indicated that the remaining nine ships would arrive with kerosene, base oil, aviation fuel and petrol.

FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N522bn for Feb

he Minister of State for Finance, Mr Bashir Yuguda, said that N522 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for February, 2015. Yuguda announced this in Abuja when he addressed newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting. He said that the shared amount comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N401.4 billion and N6.3 billion refunded by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “Also, there is the exchange gain of N55.9 billion which is proposed for distribution. “Therefore the total revenue distributable for the month of February, including VAT of N58.2 billion, is N522 billion.’’

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Corporate Finance

Quoted firms research reports: Related brokerage firms should not be involved —Analyst BY PETER EGWUATU

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

he Senior Africa Investment Analyst, Mr. Jude Fejokwu has said that Board members of listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange , NSE that own or partly own stakes in brokerage firms and/or investment banks should be prevented from publicly disseminating equity research reports and related materials on the companies they are board members of using their in-house analysts. According to him “ Real life example: Chapel Hill Denham analysts should be prevented from writing reports on Lafarge Africa, Stanbic IBTC analysts should be prevented from writing reports on Cadbury and Nigerian Breweries just to name a few. Why? Simply put, its a conflict of interest that places inherent doubt on the views that are held in the report by the “home base” analysts. Secondly, the risk of unfair disclosure is high in which the analysts of the particular company may end up being privy to non-public information before the generality of the investing public or privy to information that no one else will ever be publicly aware of. This sets an unfair advantage and sets our stock market backward when information is not fairly disseminated.” Buttressing his view , he said “ People (companies) get sick and then they get well (e.g. Forte Oil); sometimes, they get sick and then they never recover and die (e.g. Starcomms) Sometimes our blood pressure rises beyond normal and sometimes it drops below normal. My point here is everything in life has its ups and downs. Companies also have their ups and downs. Owners and significant shareholders in Nigerian companies tend to forget this fact of life. Their companies have to always be portrayed on top when they are on top and also when they are down and business is no longer as smooth as a brand new dollar bill. Failure to adhere to this “Nigerian rule” is usually taken as a personal affront by the ‘larger than life” owners of the companies in question and the analyst(s) now finds that there is an invisible professional enemy lurking somewhere hunting them in alleys and crevices. A personal

First Bank spends over N500m on savings promo

PRESENTATION - From left: Head, Product Management, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oladipo Omotoso; Chief Executive Officer, Chapel Hill Denham Securities Limited, Mr. Akeem Shadare; Executive Director, Business Development, NSE, Mr. Haruna JaloWaziri and Compliance Officer, Chapel Hill Denham Securities Limited, Ms. Ewere Mgbeke at the presentation of appointment letter as a Primary Market Maker at the exchange vendetta is now established between someone at the top and someone below; truth and fiction take center stage to determine who will stand taller at the end of the day. Owners/ stakeholders should accept that businesses have circular life cycles (just like the planet we live on) and go through boom and bust cycles. Learn from these ‘down time” experiences and change them; do not fight reality!” Fejokwu, further stated that investment banks need to provide a deeper level of disclosure about the exact nature of the business relationship they have with a company and/or if they were paid in cash and/or kind to produce the particular equity research product in question each time a report is

disseminated. According to him “ In the first-half of 2009, Intercontinental Bank management was dealing with widespread speculation that the bank was in distress. When the negative news refused to go away despite using a bevy of journalists to get out their

Companies also have their ups and downs

positive message, management turned to Renaissance Capital Nigeria for succor. Management turned over their books to the Rencap analyst(s) who came out with a report stating in a nutshell that the bank is not in distress and we should all calm down. A few months later in 2009, we all know what happened to the bank. Regardless of what people may think about Sanusi’s taking over some banks and the intrigues surrounding it, my analyses in 2008 did foretell that Intercontinental Bank was a bank heading south. The events that befell Intercontinental Bank (as it relates to the bank’s performance) did not surprise me one bit when it all came to a head.”

Stanbic IBTC launches Priority Pass access card By NKIRUKA NNOROM

tanbic IBTC Bank has launched the Stanbic IBTC Priority Pass, a customized card that gives holders access to unique benefits at over 700 airports around the world as part of its determination to deploy technology to bring added value to the lives and businesses of its clients. Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport lounge access programme. The Stanbic IBTC Priority Pass allows members access to over 700 airport lounges in more than 120 countries and 400 cities worldwide including Nigeria. In addition, the pass gives the holder comfort, makes travelling stress-free even in the event of flight delays, cancellations and crowded departure halls. It also keeps the traveller

relaxed in a serene ambience until he boards a flight. The cards will be issued to Stanbic IBTC Bank’s credit Speaking at the official launch in Lagos, Yinka Sanni, Stanbic IBTC Bank’s Chief Executive, said the product represents another milestone in the drive to move customers forward by continuously introducing value-added products and services that suit their lifestyles, whilst giving them access to financial options wherever and whenever they want it. Sanni said the product is another step towards leveraging innovation and evolving technologies to serve customers better. “At Stanbic IBTC Bank, we are poised to always avail the best solutions to enhance the lives of the people we serve. This product is yet another manifestation of this quest,” he stated.

irst Bank Nigeria Plc said it has expended over N500million as cash gift to over 5000 customers in the six years of its ‘Savings Promo Bonanza,’ as the bank presents a car to wound off its promo. This was revealed when the Group Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya presented one of the cars, a brand new Toyota Corolla to the winner, Mrs. Ebisan Onyema at the bank’s head office in Lagos. The promo, according to Onasanya, has rewarded over 5000 customers since inception six years ago with over N500million given out in cash, household appliances, cars and a four bedroom duplex terrace house in Lekki area of Lagos. The GMD also stated that the ‘Savings Bonanza’ delivers to the bank’s promise of putting the customer first as it is designed to reward customers for their patronage and loyalty to the brand over the years. “First Bank has been changing the life style of average Nigerians with its Savings Promo since 2008. We would continue to churn out innovative and tailored-fit products to support customers’ needs and aspirations”, he stated.

More winners emerge in Fidelity Bank’s ‘Save 4 Scholarship’ promo

he Fidelity Bank Plc ‘Save 4 Scholarship’ Promo has produced 49 more winners that went home with N15.9 million in a final draw that took place in Lagos. The draw, which took place weekend, at the bank’s head office, brought the total amount given out throughout the duration of the promo to N80 million. Besides cash prizes, which ranged from N2 million, N1 million, N500,000 to N210,000, other consolation prizes of generating sets and fridges were also given to the winners that emerged from the six geopolitical zones of the country. Mr. Ik Mbagwu, Executive Director, Lagos & South West Directorate, Fidelity Bank, who spoke at the event said the bank has other loyalty reward promos lined up that would be more exciting than the just concluded ‘Save 4 Scholarship’ promo. He listed two of such products to include School Support Scheme through which N50 million will be given out annually and Extra Income Scheme.

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Banking & Finance

Ecobank offers products at Enugu International Trade Fair

cobank Nigeria array of cutting edge financial product were offered to participants at the 26 th Enugu International Trade Fair. Special products that represent the banks’ ebanking, transfer and middle class solutions were all displayed and customers’ access and easy use were demonstrated to visitors at the fair. The bank also offered financial solutions and advise to the various Small and Medium Enterprises and local corporate size companies, on the new CBNs single digit intervention facilities, such as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME ) and Real Sector Support Finance(RSSF), of which Ecobank is a championing bank.

Access Bank reiterates commitment to financial literacy

ccess Bank has reiterated its commitment to encouraging financial literacy amongst Nigerian youths. Speaking at a session which held at the Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, Lagos on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 in commemoration of the 2015 Global Money week, Mr. Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Personal Banking Division, noted that Access Bank has pioneered a number of industry defining financial literacy initiatives aimed at promoting awareness for Financial Inclusion and Literacy amongst women, small and medium scale entrepreneurs (SMEs) and more especially children and schools in Nigeria. During the session with the theme “Save Today, Safe Tomorrow”, Mr. Etuokwu said, “Several years ago we launched Nigeria’s first funfilled interactive financial literacy campaign for kids, parents and educators with the Access Early Savers campaign. This shows that we have always been involved in empowering young ones”.

Transition to e-payment of taxes will be gradual — OBARO BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

n order to make tax payment more convenient for tax payers, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) last month introduce electronic filling and payment of taxes. The initiative was in partnership with SystemSpecs, owners of the Remita electronic payment platform, which can be used for electronic filling and payment of taxes. In this interview, John Obaro, speaks on the objectives and benefits of e-filling and payment of taxes and the role of Remita in the initiatives. Excerpts What does e-filing imply to the taxpayers? Well before now, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has been collecting tax reports manually. So, they have now created a platform for organisations to be able to file electronically. Now, when you submit your documents into their portal, you will get a reference called document number. You will take that document number to your Remita platform, to make payments and your payments leaves your bank account and goes to FIRS account, you get an acknowledgement and you also have proper records of the taxes you have paid. What exactly is the role of Remita in this scheme? The role of Remita is a payment engine. Now, a number of organisations today already use Remita to pay vendors, to pay salaries, pension fund administrators and different types of payments. But now, they are able to make tax payments to FIRS. When they pay through the platform, they don’t need to submit any document again because we are integrated at the back to FIRS. So, we submit the data that, that organisation has provided to the FIRS in addition to moving money to the FIRS. But does e-filing means that the manual way of paying tax in the country will no longer be in existence? Well, I believe it is going to happen gradually because not all the FIRS offices have been converted. So, they are doing them in phases. There will be a period of transition, but ultimately the idea is that it goes to a paperless filing arrangement. What will be the impact

•John Obaro, MD/CEO SystemSpec

The truth is that many times we judge people that they don’t want to pay taxes

of this scheme on the economy? The truth is that many times we judge people that they don’t want to pay taxes. But the truth of the matter is that the payment process, if it is too cumbersome, some people who want to pay would just end up not paying because they would get carried away by something else. By making it easier for people to pay, it is expected that the collection would improve. Now, you have a 24-hour arrangement to pay. There is no need saying the managing director is out of town and he is not going to be back until next week. You don’t need those excuses again. It is now easier to pay from your home, from your offices and from your mobile devices. So, it is expected that the total collections would grow. Did the federal government and others involved in the introduction of this scheme take into

consideration the technological challenges we have in the country? And for those that are not technologically savvy, how will they be able to use this system? Well, the first thing you talked about was infrastructural challenges. The mere fact that there are infrastructural challenges has not stopped the rapid growth of e-payment in Nigeria. We are not where we were five years ago. In fact, we are not where we were two years ago. So, a lot of things are improving. We know we are not yet there, but we should not discountenance the fact that a lot of progress has been made. We cannot wait and say we cannot practice e-payment until everything is perfect because that day will not come. Even if you go to the developed countries, you still have occasional failures. You still have communication challenges. It may not be as much as we have here, but they still happen. So, I really would not want us to focus on a glass that is half empty, let us focus on the portion that is half full. We have the opportunities with us here and things are happening and things are getting better. So, let us focus on the fact that it is growing and the challenges that are coming up are not unresolvable. But the process of the e-filing seems to very long. Let’s consider the average individual, would that not be discouraging to him or her? For e-filing, we can say that this is the first version of the product. With the first version of the product coming out, there would be some lessons learnt and in the not too distance future, we would expect some improvements. But for clients on Remita, what we have done is to create a simply access point for them to be able to make all their payments and save themselves some cumbersome processes. So, like I said earlier, things may not be perfect, but they will improve with time. There is e-filing and e-payment, are both accessible through Remita? Remita is basically an e-payment platform. It is expected that you must have done your e-filing to collect your reference. When you now come to Remita, we will now interrogate the FIRS platform to bring out all your information, and then you make your payment. What is your expectation from the e-filing scheme generally? My expectation is that the taxpayers now know that there are electronic options for them to begin to make tax payments. They may file electronically and effect their payments. They do not necessarily need to go to a bank branch again and they need not move from one bank’s internet banking to another bank’s internet banking again. Log into Remita and make payment from anywhere. What is the relationship between Remita and the banks? Now, when customers register on Remita, they fill an application form to their banks, it is their banks that actually register them on the platform. It is a multi-bank platform, so customers come on the platform and put in all their bank accounts. When it is time for them to make any payment, they just select which account they want to fund from. It need not be tied to any particular bank. You may have accounts with different banks. So, you just select the one you want to fund from at that point in time and it goes through the internal approval rule of that organisation.

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Economy

Debt Office recommends $12.4bn borrowing ceiling for FG in 2015 Stories by EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

he Debt Management Office (DMO) has recommended a maximum of USD12.4 billion total borrowing (domestic and external) for Federal Government in 2015. This would amount to N2.5 trillion addition to the existing N7.9 trillion outstanding debt as at end 2014, bringing the total indebtedness to about N10.4 trillion. DMO which centrally manages Nigeria’s debt however said in its Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) report, 2014 that the solvency and liquidity indicators under the Baseline Scenario show that Nigeria is at a very low risk of debt distress. In fact

Nigeria is actually underborrowing as at today. But under its Pessimistic Scenario DMO report shows that though the results of its analysis indicated that the country would remain at a low risk of debt distress it also shows a rising trend for all the

Prolonged deterioration in one or two variables such as reduction in GDP growth rate, increase in inflation, decline in revenue...could increase the risk of debt unsustainability

he total value of Nigeria’s external merchandise trade at the end of fourth quarter 2014 was N5.7 trillion, indicating that exports outperformed imports leading to visible trade surplus. This was, however, 11.9 per cent lower than the value (N6.5 trillion) recorded in the preceding quarter, according to the report released at the weekend by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). At the end of 2014 Nigeria’s external trade stood at N24.4 trillion. This was N3.2 trillion or 14.9 per cent greater than the value recorded in 2013. This development arose from a sharp rise in the value of exports from N14.4 trillion in 2013 to N17.2 trillion in 2014 (an increase of 20.8 per cent). A slight increase of N215.6 billion, which amounted to only a 3 per cent rise in imports, also contributed to the very favourable trade balance of N9.97 trillion recorded in 2014. The crude oil component of total trade increased by N982.3 billion or 8.3 per

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•Dr Abraham Nwankwo, Director-General, DMO debt indicators throughout the projection period (2014-2034). This means a prolonged deterioration in one or two variables such as reduction in GDP growth rate, increase in inflation, decline in revenue,

etc, could increase the risk of debt unsustainability. Also a standard stress test under the Baseline Scenario shows the impact of most extreme shocks in the solvency and liquidity

indicators which, though remained above the baseline for all the debt indicators, were well below internationally a c c l a i m e d s t a n d a r d thresholds. The result further confirmed the fact that though the country has no risk of debt distress in the near term under both Baseline and Standard Stress Test Scenarios, DMO warns that the country is highly susceptible to revenue shocks based on deterioration in m a j o r macroeconomic variables. The revenue block, according to the report, clearly show that any shock in revenue would lead to debt distress in the medium-term with a high probability of being sustained in the long-term if other sources of revenue are not developed to bridge the gap.

Economy recorded strong merchandise trade growth in 2014 — NBS cent over the level recorded in 2013. Nigeria’s import trade stood at N1.9 trillion at the end of fourth quarter 2014. This was 3.7 per cent more than the value(N1.8 trillion) recorded in the preceding quarter. The structure of Nigeria’s import trade, according to Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) was dominated by the imports of ‘’Machinery and transport equipments”, ‘’Food and Live Animals” and ‘’Manufactured Goods” which accounted for 35.4 per cent, 15.5 per cent and 15.1 per cent respectively in 2014. These commodities contributed the most to the rise in the value of import trade in 2014, whereas commodities like ‘’Crude inedible material, ‘’Oils, Fat and Waxs”, and

‘’Beverages and Tobacco” contributed the least, accounting for 1.3 per cent, 1.2 per cent and 0.7 per cent respectively. Analysis of import trade by section was dominated by the imports of ‘’Boilers, Machinery and Appliances”, which accounted for N1.7 trillion or 26 per cent of the total value of import trade in 2014. Other commodities which contributed noticeably to the value of import trade in 2014 were ‘’Mineral Products” at N1.1 trillion or 15.3 per cent, ‘’Vehicles, Aircraft and Parts” N876.5 billion or 12.1 per cent, ‘’Base Metals and Articles of Base Metals” at N673.3 billion or 9.3 per cent, and ‘’Products of Chemical and Allied Industry” at N583.5 billion or 8.1 per

cent of total imports value. At the end of 2014, the import trade classified by Broad Economic Category revealed that ‘’Industrial Supplies Not Elsewhere Classified” ranked first with N1.98 trillion or 27.4 per cent. This was followed by ‘’Capital Goods and Parts” with the value of N1.7 trillion or 22.9 per cent and ‘’Food and Beverages” with N1.2 trillion or 16.7 per cent. Nigeria’s import trade by Economic Region revealed that the country consumed goods largely from Asia with import value of N3.1 trillion or 43.5 per cent. The country also imported goods valued at N2.4 trillion or 33.7 per cent from Europe, and N1.04 trillion or 14.4 per cent from America.

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Insurance

Citibank Nigeria commemorates global money week 2015

itibank Nigeria Limited joined the rest of the world to commemorate the annual Global Money Week. The event which held at Aunty Ayo Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Lagos featured a fully interactive session on financial literacy, titled “Growing Your Money”. The program focused on educating Nigeria’s youth about the economic environment whilst impressing upon them the importance of saving, entrepreneurship and financial value creation. The event was organised in partnership with Junior Achievements of Nigeria (JAN), a financial education non-governmental organisation. Executive Director and Head of Global Subsidiaries Group, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Nneka Enwereji was at the event to deliver a lecture on financial education. While speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Enwereji encouraged the students to be accountable for their financial health by prioritising their needs over their wants. She also stressed the necessity for the students to be financially aware and empowered to save and make monetary decisions. Also present at the occasion was Junior Achievement’s Program Officer, Ms. Efe Adefulu who further reiterated to the students on the importance of saving. Addressing the girls, Adefulu expounded on the significance of financial literacy to the fiscal independence and economic sustainability of Nigeria. Global Money week is a yearly celebration which is commemorated across the world in honour of empowering the youth to be involved in reshaping their finances and their futures. Financial Literacy day serves as a time to focus on Nigeria’s youth in primary and secondary schools nationwide, equipping them through the enhancement of their financial knowledge and planning skills to create their own livelihoods. C M Y K

Brokers hinge success of businesses on professionalism Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

resident of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu, has said the foundation of any business behavior is hinged on moral principles and practices of those people involved and the standard set for or by the profession. Shoderu made the statement at the 2nd Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Ghana Insurance Brokers Association (GIBA). He said that the discretion

of the organisers of the conference in making the issues of ethics and professionalism the kernel of discussion is quite commendable because these are issues that have continued to generate an undying attention and ideation amongst professionals all over the world. “While people are part of business solutions; they are also mostly responsible for many business challenges. Business challenges which organisations may face include responsible and informed decisions making, confidentiality, piracy, fraud and misuse of information,

trade secrets and so on. “Whilst noting that there exists a thin line between professionalism and ethics in

Prescription of ethical standards for the professional cannot be a once and for all thing

LAUNCH - From left: O’lorogun Sonny Kuku, Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria; Mr Jibril Aku, Managing Director, ECobank Nigeria; Mr Patrick Akinwuntan, Group Executive, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated; Mr Olusegun Aina, Former President, CIBN and Mr Tony Okpanachi, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria at the launch of Ecobank SME Club held in Lagos on Thursday. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

Cornerstone, SuperGeeks to launch Nigeria’s first gadget protection plan

ornerstone Insurance Plc in partnership with SuperGeeks, an after-sales tech support and gadget repair service provider, is set to launch Nigeria’s first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) agnostic supplementary warranty service – Gadget Protection Plan (GPP). The Gadget Protection Plan is the first of its kind in the Nigerian market to cater for the discerning consumers who crave for security and peace of mind with the purchase of their dream devices. The Gadget Protection Plan (GPP) is developed for customers with a view to eliminating their fears and frustrations of a wrecked device. Should a device covered by GPP experience any damage - be it the user or manufacturer’s fault, SuperGeeks will be on hand to fix it. The claim process is simple and free of any hassles. All customers have to do is sign-up for Gadget Protection Plan at the point of purchase of their next device at any of certified retail partners. Chief Executive Officer of SuperGeeks, Mr. Sam Uduma, said, “At SuperGeeks, we develop technical competence across a wide

variety of device manufacturers which allows us to offer best-in-class service quality and efficient service delivery.” Addressing the value of Gadget Protection Plan to the people, he says: “More and more, gadget users are becoming very attached to their devices, where any downtime impacts their quality of life. With GPP, we aim to migrate gadget users from a ‘break & fix’ mentality to a more preventative approach, greatly reducing the turnaround time for repairs while saving them money overall”. Managing Director, Life and Retail, Cornerstone Insurance, Mr. Tokunbo Bello, said, “We are delighted to be at the forefront of another innovative initiative that will provide Nigerians with the opportunity to benefit from the security and peace of mind that this value-rich product offers. GPP provides a quick and dependable solution to a major customer dissatisfaction which may arise from the purchase of a new device – damage. More so, you have the peace of mind that your gadget is covered by Cornerstone Insurance.”

insurance business, which is our own constituency, it is apposite to note that professionalism connotes the utmost demonstration of integrity and probity. That is, the professional must always display ability to stand up to the test of accountability. He must not do anything that will not stand to private or public scrutiny. The professional must be a person of impeccable character who will not compromise moral principles and the ethics of the profession. Professionalism also includes continuous demonstration of competence acquired partly through continuous leaning and personal development. Ethical behavior on the other side may be defined as a set of moral principles and it derives from the Greek word meaning “ethos” which means “character.” It has also been seen as a set of a system of moral principles and branch of philosophy which defines what is good for the individual and the larger society ” Shoderu said. According to Shoderu, since insurance itself is built on the principles of utmost good faith, insurance brokers are fiduciaries and insurers are trustees of policy holders’ funds. “An insurance professional must therefore put service above self and should always endeavor to employ the most effective and economic ways to doing business and achieving the legitimate objectives of his company” he said. Shoderu noted that every country must continually subject its professionals to some forms of regulations, and this may be in form of government or self -regulation or a combination of the two. “Since the society is not static, prescription of ethical standards for the professional cannot be a once and for all thing. The insurance operators must constantly challenge their regulatory institutions to come up with regulations and laws that are in line with the changing global environment. In view of the increasing temptations to cut corners or embrace unethical acts, the professionals must be vanguards in societal reformation. Professionals must realize that they are the conscience of the respective nations where they operate and refrain from the temptation of staying aloof in political, social, economic and environment matters,” Shoderu noted.

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E - Commerce

‘Technology, key to diversification of Nigerian economy’ Stories BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

xperts have identified technology as one of the key component in the diversification of the Nigeria economy. They reached this consensus in Lagos at the Signal Alliance Customer Week Workshop organized i n conjunction w i t h Cisco.

“ We are quite satisfied with the outcome of the conversations that took place, considering the challenge the Nigeria economy is currently facing due to fall in global oil prices, exchange rate collapse, and uncertainty surrounding the elections. This is compounded by the fact that Nigeria is largely an import-based and a monoproduct economy,” said Adanma Onuegbu, CEO Signal Alliance. The experts called on all

stakeholders to work together to “build an ecosystems that will support start-ups from setting up investment institutions from seed funding to technology backed private equity, and promoting incubators and accelerators; deepening government structures that supports indigenous technology like the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, NITDA, SMEDAN, etc, as well as encourage consumption of

local technology through strict implementation of the local content law and standardization of local technology products to enable them to compete internationally. The workshop which has the theme: ‘Diversification & Innovation: A technology roadmap to grow Nigerian economy’ has in attendance, business leaders in the public and private sectors, technology leaders and entrepreneurs, and the media. The workshop is one of the major activities of the annual Signal Alliance Customer Week that includes; customer visitation across the country, corporate social responsibility programmes in Lagos and Abuja, and customer appreciation programme.

PRESENTATION - From left: Dr Joseph Odumodu, D-G, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, presenting the final document of Nigerian National Quality Policy (NNQP) to Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment while Dr Patrick Korma, UNIDO Country Representative looks on in Abuja.

Lamudi.com educates users on spotting real estate scam I

n an effort to tackle online related real estate fraud, Nigeria’s online real estate platform, Lamudi.com has compiled a guide to help their users avoid falling victim to scam. They noted that “while new technologies have made it easier than ever before, for property seekers to get all the information they need to supercharge their house hunt, the Internet has also made it easier for online fraudsters to target both buyers and renters. But by being aware of a few tell-tale signs, house-hunters can learn to quickly sort the scammers from the legitimate real estate agents.” To protect themselves, they say users should take the following steps. *Avoid paying inspection fees Never agree to make any payments upfront or sign a contract without first inspecting the property no matter how official the documentation looks. Viewing the property and meeting the agent in person are the best ways to guarantee that the C M Y K

listing is legitimate. *Verify the identity of the person you are dealing with Take steps to check the agent you are dealing with is a licensed broker or agent. In the first instance, a simple online search can help you detect a scam. Try searching for the property’s address, the name of the agent and their email address. *Avoid listings that have been posted multiple times One common scam is for fraudsters to copy an existing (and legitimate) listing of a property for sale and repost it

as a rental, with their own contact details attached. Look out for duplicate listings which have different asking prices. *Never give away your personal information or documents You should never be asked to provide your bank account details or personal identification documents to someone over the internet. Importantly, never provide your credit card verification *Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is One of the most important rules in real estate is that if a

deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Be sceptical about any online listings for attractive properties which are very well priced for the area. Scammers often use these very low prices to lure property seekers. *If you detect a scam, get in touch Focus your search on properties listed by wellknown real estate agencies and trusted classifieds websites. Once you have detected a possible scam on a real estate search website, notify the platform immediately.

Royal Air Maroc ferries 1.3 million passengers

oyal Air Maroc , the official airline of Morroco, weekend said it transported about 1,3 million passengers on its African destinations in 2014 during the period spanning from November 1st, 2013 to the end of October, 2014. This, according to the airline, represents an increase of 16 % with regard to the previous year. It further said during the year, the national company operated 16 285 flights on 32 air routes towards the continent. “The bulk of this increase is ascribed to

nine air links, namely flights connecting Morocco to Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia and Gabon. Through these regular connections, Royal Air Maroc could carry 782,000 passengers.” “This result shows the commitment of the national company in the strengthening strategy of its anchorage in its natural environment, by developing its network on the continent and improving its offer and its services for the benefit of the clientele in Africa.

CSR: Rosabon empowers SMEs in Lagos, Rivers

osabon financial services, a development finance institution has empowered over 1,500 small and medium enterprise, SME operators spread across Lagos and Rivers States. This was part of the company’s 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. The SME operators were empowered with umbrellas. Rosabon said the gesture was “to encourage the hard working men and women of the marketplace by ensuring that they are well protected against the elements.” The Rosabon team distributed the over 1, 500 Umbrellas in the most populated marketplaces in Lagos in areas like the Yaba market, Oyingbo, Lagos Island, Bariga, Orile and in Artillery Junction, Airforce Junction, Rumuola, Garrison, Oil Mill Junction in Portharcourt. Speaking about the initiative, Head of Strategy and Marketing, Rosabon Nigeria, Chidimma Onyeokoro, said: “At Rosabon, we are passionate about community building and development, and we never allow the economic climate to affect our commitment to our customers and our community. In 2014, we embarked on a series of community building drives, and this year we plan to increase this with several initiatives planned by the team.” Recall that the company recently launched its new customer friendly website and celebrated the end of the year with daily mobile phone giveaways and a star prize of all expense paid trip for three lucky customers to holiday destinations. It had also embarked on notable Customer social responsibility drives like its health focused initiatives like the distribution of state of the art IT learning systems and relief materials to the management of Heart of Gold Hospital Surulere and the Little Saint Orphanage, Palm groove, and financial literacy focused initiatives like training camps and meetups. C M Y

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40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

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t was beautiful and simple as all truly great swindles are”, O’Henry, 1862-1910. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p239). Banking consolidation introduced by Professor Soludo, shortly after becoming Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should actually be called ConSOLUDO-tion. It was a great swindle as a result of which millions of Nigerians, including traders, teachers, pensioners, accounts holders with banks, were lured into the capital market to buy shares from con men and women who Soludo praised continuously until Sanusi blew the whistle on the monumental scam in 2009. Today, shares which sold for N70+ and N50+, while Soludo and the banks conspired to deceive us, are on offer for N10 or less. Millions of Nigerians lost trillions – while Soludo’s friends (Directors and Chief Executive officers of the banks) literally stole depositors and shareholders funds. Yet, in his reply to OkonjoIweala’s, admittedly selfserving rejoinder, after claiming credit for everything which went well as a result of Con-SOLUDO-tion, he did not once mention the trillions lost by shareholders, the bankers now facing prosecution or the one who had been convicted – and, after plea bargain, kept

Battle of two truth benders: Soludo versus Okonjo-Iweala — 3 half the loot. He also failed to recognize that he left 25 banks he told us were healthy. But, today, Intercontinental, Oceanic, BankPHB, Afribank, no longer exist. Yet all these were banks whose MDs were winning awards as “Bankers of the Year”. So when Soludo lists all the awards he won, he deliberately omitted to reveal to the readers that the accolades came before the truth about the banking catastrophe was known to the whole world in 2009. Two such testimonials illustrate how Soludo bends facts to suit his self-exculpation. He cited one from Obasanjo in December 2004, and another by Yar’Adua in May 2009. Consolidation policy, requesting banks to have a minimum of N25 billion paid up capital, was announced in mid-2004 and the banks were given up to December 2005 to raise the capital. There were approximately 73 banks in operation in 2004; by January 2006, when “ConSOLUDO-tion” took effect there were only 25 left. Thousands of bank employees lost their jobs and many remain unemployed till today. Depositors with the banks

which failed to qualify were also adversely affected. But, reading Soludo’s indictment of Okonjo-Iweala and his selfcongratulatory submissions you would not find a word about these calamities. Obviously, Obasanjo’s comments in December 2004 could not have been referring to Consolidation which had not been concluded. Similarly, Yar’Adua’s comments were for understandable reasons very diplomatic. The late President had made up his mind to replace Soludo, an Igbo, with Sanusi, a Fulani. In a country where ethnicity is very

Shares which sold for N70+ and N50+, while Soludo and the banks conspired to deceive us, are on offer for N10 or less

sensitive matter, Yar’Adua did not want to antagonize Igbos twice – by replacing “their” man with “his” man and adding insult to injury with harsh criticisms. At any rate, even Yar’Adua did not know the disaster Soludo had been covering up at the time. It was after Sanusi blew the lid off the can of worms that the late President knew the extent of damage Soludo and “his friends” in the banks had inflicted on the nation. The unwary reader, not being aware of the sequence of events would be tricked into believing that the two former Presidents endorsed “ConSOLUDO-tion. That is a blatant lie. Meanwhile, was everybody praising Soludo? That again was not true. Atedo Peterside of IBTC was the most prominent among those who thought that Soludo had borrowed a good idea, consolidation, from abroad, but he was too hasty in its implementation and there was the possibility of a major banking crisis in the near future. Atedo was not alone. Let me remind readers and Soludo of a series, which was published in VANGUARD in

2009 titled BANKING CRISIS –THE ROAD TO HELL. Below is reproduced the opening paragraphs of that essay. In July of that year, while Soludo was still CBN Governor, I had raised alarm about banking supervision and the conspiracy of silence between CBN bank supervisors and the banks. In plain language, every single one of CBN bank supervisors, at the time were corruptly enriching themselves and were ignoring bare-faced fraud being perpetrated by the Directors of the banks – led by the MDs. Please read on. The real truth about the banks became known, as my article suggested, after Soludo was removed and the conspiracy of silence was exposed. Whether or not Soludo personally gained from the grand larceny is unknown. But, his entry into the race for Governor in his state and the money involved in that venture leave room for skepticism. However, irrespective of whether he benefited, directly or indirectly, or not, the result was devastating to the banking sector. Unfortunately, Soludo mentioned Dangote and Arik among the beneficiaries of “Con-SOLUDO-tion”. It would have been better if he had not done that; because he had merely pointed to what can be described as an apt summary of what “Con-SOLUDO-tion was all about.

Micro-Finance Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

WIMBIZ: Imoukhuede urges women to be visionary

a vision, everything that you see has been achieved through a vision. It is vision that makes you entrepreneurs and makes you succeed, vision is fundamental to survival, your vision is your anchor of hope and without a vision when you are beaten down you have no reason to get up. “Your vision is your source of confidence, stability motivate your passion and your conviction to succeed. Dreams are good but then we wake up, plans are the actionable steps you must exude successfully to make your vision a reality. Without a game plan there is

resident of Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede, weekend, urged women to have a vision and game plan so as to thrive in a challenging environment. He said this during the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Annual Lecture themed: “Thriving in Tough Times: Navigating Challenging Environments.” Imoukhuede noted that societies that do not allow women to contribute to societal development cannot grow, adding that companies with more women on board suffer fewer crises. He said that the WIMBIZ has become a beacon of light not for only women but all well meaning stakeholders in Nigeria and across Nigeria. Describing vision, he said, “There is nothing more important than having a vision and there is nothing in life that has not been achieved without C M Y K

nothing to focus on, focus is relevant in the contest of a plan, focus without a plan is meaningless,” he said. He added those crises are test of ability to overcome crisis, saying, “if you do not thrive in crisis you do not worth leading others.” In her welcome address,

you go into business with a long term vision, you find out that regardless of the ups and downs and some challenges you face, at the end you are able to achieve those goals. So I think is a process but we needed to be prepared for that process having a strong decision.”

We'll assist MFIs to access MSME fund — Group

group, Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN), has said that it would facilitate access of microfinance banks,

Lagos water regatta holds

WIMBIZ Chairperson, Mrs. Osayi Alile, said that the topic was chosen as a result of the realities of Nigeria and the need for people especially women to prepare and learn the most out of the situation. Alile said, “When we go into business we are always looking at the profit of today but when

rganisers of the Lagos Water Regatta have announced plans to hold this year’s edition of a fun filled water-based event depicting the socio-cultural, traditional folklores and occupational aspects of the people of Lagos State The fun filled water-based cultural sporting and recreational activity is billed to hold on April 19, 2015 at the Regatta Village, Oyinkan

cooperatives and other organizations to the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) funds.

Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi Lagos with the theme “Celebrating the Aquatic Splendor of Lagos”. The Regatta will feature a parade of boats and yachts, including large fishing boats, ferries, barges and other marine vessels that are beautifully adorned. Speaking in a media chat with the Chairman, Organizing Committee, Lagos Water Regatta, Engr. Olusegun Jawando said that in addition to the colorful array of decorated floats.

The Lagos State Cordinator of the group, Mrs Funmi Bello, said this at a workshop organised by RUFIN for banks and other financial institutions. According to her, “Most Nigerians in remote areas lack access to credit, therefore in facilitating access to the fund, RUFIN will be fulfilling its objective of full financial penetration to the rural areas in the country to reduce poverty, especially among women and the physically challenged persons.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 — 41

People in Business

Natural medicine has huge potential for Nigeria — OLU ADEOLA By EBELE ORAKPO

r. Olu Adeola is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Abeokutabased Globalherbs Na t u r a l He a l t h c a r e Product Company . In this chat with Financial Vanguard in Abeokuta recently, the Business Administration and Management graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, speaks on why he ventured into natural/traditional medicine and why Nigeria has not been able to exploit her h u g e b i o-r e s o u r c e s potential. Excerpts: Why natural medicine? According to Adeola, he got into natural medicine because of its huge potential for Nigeria. "I have been in this business for over a decade. I was seconded from Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA). I was in a collaborative venture with the agency and while there, they discovered the enormous potential in me and my ability for in-depth research into our traditional medicine because Nigerians as a people, only look forward but fail to look backward. You have to look at the past and move on in the present to project the future. "What fascinated me in natural\traditional medicine is that it has a lot of potential in arresting most of the ailments especially in sub-Sahara Africa that orthodox medicine does not have cure for. As everyone knows, malaria is our major problem in Africa and for a very long time, we have depended on western countries for solutions to most of our problems. This should not be the case because God has created us in this environment and has given us all that we need to survive under this environment but it is

•Some of the natural medicine products It takes about 10 years. In orthodox medicine, they have to do a lot of writeups and carry out a lot of tests."

•Olu Adeola ...God has created us in this environment and has given us all that we need to survive under this environment perhaps, our inability to look inwards that has made it impossible for us to unlock the potential within our environment. Since I came into natural medicine, it has been a blessing to me, my family and mankind because over the years, I have been able to collaborate with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) in Abuja in the research for drugs for diabetes, tuberculosis, malaria and other ailments." Asked whether they have come up with any natural drug for diabetes, he said: “A lot of good things have been done by NIPRD and even the NNMDA, but you know, the problem in Nigeria is lack of funding. I know that at NIPRD, a lot of

work has been done on that but as you know, research is not something you start one day and come out with your findings the next day.

Natural medicine has a lot of potential in arresting most of the ailments that orthodox medicine does not have cure for

Some of the products developed: “I developed a product called Valueplus, a dental drop and mouthwash. It is 100 per cent Nigerian product and it has been submitted to NIPRD for scientific investigation. It can help HIV-positive people against opportunistic infections like oral thrush as well as HIV negative people who want to preserve their dental health. Other products are Dr. Malaria, hyperherbs, combatol range of hair and skin products, bitters etc. "NNMDA has been up and doing as it relates to most of the products I have developed because I have a good working relationship with the leadership of the agency. Also, the DirectorGeneral of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Dr. Mohammed Jibrin has been highly resourceful and supportive. To most entrepreneurs at the Technology Incubation

Centre, Abeokuta, it is like going back to the classroom because for every product you make, there is a mandate that you must be able to present it for external investigation. So it is not just to claim that you have done so and so, you have to defend it,"he said. Adeola who presently has three employees and hopes to employ more if he is able to access funds, appealed to the Federal Government to make the conditions for accessing loan from the Bank of Industry less stringent so entrepreneurs can easily access loans from the bank as that will help Nigeria move from a mono economy to diversified economy to enable her exploit the huge potential in bio-resources. "Nigeria has got it but the only thing is our inability to exploit it. “All my raw materials are locally sourced except some of the packaging materials which we import because most of the companies that produce the packaging materials are not in the country so we resort to buying from outside the country. Aside that, virtually everything has been given to us in Nigeria free of charge." C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

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Advertising & Promotions

State ad agencies abandon regulatory brief for revenue generation By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

he signage and advertisement regulatory agencies in western part of the country have abandoned their primary duties of providing cleaner, saner and beautiful environment that could attract investors to the states to revenue generation. The investigation conducted by Vanguard on the activities of the agencies like the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency, LASAA, Ogun State Signage and Advertising Agency, OGSAA, Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency, OYSAA, Ekiti State Signage and Advertising Agencies, EKSAA and the Kwara State Signage and Advertising Agency, KWSAA, showed a drastic reduction in their primary objective of environmental beautification. The law setting up LASAA is the same law setting up others as most of them copied from Lagos State as states controlled by the same political party, in exception of Ekiti state. LASAA was established by the Lagos State government through Law No. 9 of 2006. While section 3 of the Law empowers the Agency to: Control outdoor structures to be used for signage and advertisements; Issue licenses and permits for the construction and placement of outdoor structures in any part of the state; Protect the environment from potential adverse impact from visual blights and; Control the number, size and location of outdoor structures. Other functions are: Ensure the outdoor structures are soundly and carefully designed, erected, modified, maintained or removed when no longer in use to avoid potential danger to lives and property; Ensure that

outdoor structures are compatible with surrounding land uses and environment and further ensure the beautification of the immediate surrounding and vicinity of the advertisement; Control the pasting and display of posters on public structures and highways; Organise the procedure to regulate the ownership and operation of outdoor structures for the purpose of signage or advertisements under specific regulations as contained in this Law and; Reject, revoke or modify a permit if found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Law or the conditions for its grant. The agency is also to: Prepare and keep all records related to the issuance and denial of

outdoor structures permit as well as appropriate general records; Monitor and inspect through its Monitoring Unit any outdoor structure and verify its compliance with this Law; and; Establish a database of all the outdoor structures used for signage and advertisement, their owners and operators as well as their location and the reason for the operation.

The law setting up LASAA is the same law setting up others as most of them copied from Lagos State

erman Technology Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Salhab Group, has opened the first Karcher range of cleaning equipment office in Nigeria market. Speaking at the inauguration of the showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos, Mr. Axel Stolz, Vice President, International Sales and Marketing, Alfred Karcher GmBH, said, “We are excited at the opportunity to bring our cleaning equipment and solutions to Nigeria. We are offering Nigerians a broad variety of equipment that meet a wide range of cleaning needs across various industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, food and agro, automotive industry etc.’ Continuing, Mr. Stolz said, ‘The potential of the Nigerian market is huge. We recognize that the country is the largest economy in Africa and as such our headquarters in Germany will be providing all the logistics and support for the local partner over here. Service is an important sales tool for us. This has necessitated the setting up of a world class after sales center along with this showroom to ensure that we deliver quality product care to customers.”

'Diversification of economy via GIS is deliberate' *PROMO - From left: Specialist, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ife Oyeyipo; Nigerian Hip Hop A-List Artistes, Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru (Reminisce); Specialist, Merchandizing and Communications South-West Region, Etisalat Nigeria, Femi Adewuyi and Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh;at the Etisalat Cliqfest held at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

Outdoor practitioners for capacity building training

he Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, said its going to North Dakota State University, NDSU, for a capacity-building training programs to acquire

more skill.. The program according to the association starts with the Executive Education Workshop Focusing on the theme: “The Art and Science

Colgate introduces toothpaste reinforce with technology

It appears that the state governments were deliberately careful to emphasize outdoor advertisement structures as opposed to outdoor advertisement (content/ message) per se. It seems that those who crafted the LASAA law are particularly concerned about the nature and location of the physical structures that display outdoor advertisement rather than the advertisements that are displayed on these structures. This understanding of the spirit of the regulatory law is consistent with the obligation of the states to provide for the safety, protection and beauty of the environment, but not for revenue drive since the agencies collect subvention from the state governments.

Karcher Centre opens in Nigeria

n a renewed bid to combat dental cavity and enhance oral health in Nigeria, Colgate Palmolive Nigeria has introduced new toothpaste, Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection, MCP, produced with Pro-Argin Technology, a new anti-cavity technology. The new toothpaste, which is also a sugar acid neutraliser,was recently presented to dental care professionals at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos. Speaking, Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo, Marketing Director, Colgate Palmolive Nigeria, said that the company has a lot of initiative for the country, adding that the introduction of Colgate MCP was just one

of such. Mr. Cheslin Twigg, Profession Manager, Colgate West/East Africa, said Colgate MCP was the first and only family toothpaste with a unique sugar acid neutraliser technology and fluoride. He stated the company was introducing the best cavity-protection toothpaste to the professionals, adding that research had shown that the product was so advanced that it decreased early decay by half. Fluoride, he added, does not neutralise sugar or prevent cavity, unlike Colgate MCP, which is the future of cavity protection and would make things easy for the dentists.

of Outdoor Advertising in the Age of Digital Media.” The five-days training will hold from April 12 to 17, at the Department of Communication of the University. The resource persons are drawn from other American Universities and the field of American Professional Outdoor Advertising Practitioners. Dr. Mark Meister, Professor and Chair of NDSU’s Department of Communication said his team is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with OAAN in co-hosting this special Training Program, which demonstrates the University’s commitment to serving its publics, locally and internationally.

he Director of Projects, Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, Peter Papwa, said diversification of the economy to the non-oil sector is a deliberate attempt by the Federal Government through its GIS sponsored Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program, SUREP. The Director made this assertion at the stakeholders/ Feedback session for Interns and Firms representatives in Lagos, where he said that the GIS is in line with FG’s resolve to diversify the economic base of the country. He also stated that government was deliberate by keying into the non-oil sectors through the GIS with a view to developing capacity and skills required to compliment the oil and gas sector. The Director observed that the initiative has culminated in partnership established with several government and nongovernmental Organizations with Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signed especially as relating to export trade promotion.

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44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

he Nigerian Stock Exchange was founded in 1960 to provide a platform for buying and selling of shares of listed public companies. Consequently, the size and vibrancy of domestic stock markets generally provide a bird’s eye view of the degree of confidence and scope of activities in an economy. The forced consolidation of banks in 2005, increased the market value of shares by over 100% from $14bn in 2004 to over $32bn by 2006. Nonetheless, the obnoxious practices of insider and margin trading in a boisterous speculative market, eventually spurred capitalization beyond $80bn (N13.4Tn) in 2007. However, the underlying unethical practices in the banking consolidation exercise and the selective covert operations of sponsored market makers became unexpectedly exposed by the international financial crisis of 2008 which led to the stock market shedding over half of its value to close below $34bn (N5.6Tn) by 2009. Sadly, the deflation in stock values resulted in extremely stressful consequences for everyone who had adopted the equities market as a safe financial refuge. Nonetheless, the market never fully recovered until it was again lifted beyond N8Tn ($56bn) in 2010 with the listing of Dangote’s heavy investments, particularly, in the cement industrial subsector. Former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi’s regulatory reforms, especially in the area of risk management, as well as the various internal reforms embarked upon by both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange sustained relative stability and confidence in the capital market and gradually pushed

Shareholders as victims of devaluation average market capitalisation beyond N12Tn ($72bn) until crude oil prices tumbled rapidly within the last six months to fan speculative embers which burned off almost a quarter of value to bring capitalization below N10tn by March 2015. Ironically, however, the nominal N10Tn present market capitalization is not even a true reflection of the actual fall in value of equities, as the listed values camouflage the devasting impact of Naira devaluation; st for instance, the 2014 1 quarter average market capitalization of about N12.5Tn was equal to about $75bn, when the Naira exchanged for less than N160=$1. Ironically, however, even the N2.5Tn reduction in stock value in one year, is not also truly reflective of the real actual loss in market capitalization. Indeed, twelve months ago, the equity value of over N12.5Tn was valued at about $78b when the Naira exchanged for N160=$1. However, the current N10Tn market capitalization is barely $50b at current exchange rate of about N200=$1. Instructively, if the Naira had remained stable at the old rate of N160=$1, the current market capitalization of N10Tn would command the higher value of about $60bn rather than $50bn with the reduced Naira exchange rate of N200=$1. Thus, the stock market lost about $30b from the speculative run instigated by falling crude prices and the double devaluation of the Naira between December 2014

and March 2015. Similarly, the total market value of bonds (government debts) was over N4.25Tn or ($25.5bn) just a year ago, when Naira exchanged for about N160=$1. Today, regrettably, the same Bond value of N4.25Tn will barely command the dollar equivalent of about $21bn with N200=$1 exchange rate. Similarly, your investment in stocks would inevitably, lose over 20% of its purchasing value against the dollar equivalent barely 12 months ago because of Naira devaluation. In effect, it is as if someone brazenly picked your pocket while you watched helplessly! Infact, if your share certificates served as collateral for any transaction, your bankers or creditors, most certainly, would already be making repeated calls for you to augment the value of your collateral or in the alternative, you may be forced to liquidate your debt and or lose your collateral.

Several countries who could not manage the same eternal burden of surplus cash have travelled this path

Business & Economy Non-oil export drops by 9%, says NEPC BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

he Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has said that a 9 percent decline from $2.970 billion to 2.714 billion was recorded in the country’s non-oil export between 2013 and 2014. Meanwhile, with the dwindling oil revenue coupled with the quest to increase the basket of exportable products from Nigeria, the council has concluded plans to launch the One State One Product (OSOP) initiative targeted at developing and promoting one product for C M Y K

environment. Indeed, if in spite of an annual average inflation rate of 10%, the Naira further crashes because of the ever present burden of surplus Naira chasing dollars rationed from CBN, the dollar exchange rate could rise to N300 or above against the Naira, such that another 50% may be rubbed off the dollar value of market capitalization. This is not a false cry of wolf, several countries who could not manage the same eternal burden of surplus cash have travelled this path; indeed Ghana, our sister nation in ECOWAS suffered a steady decline from one Cedi equals one dollar to the present 35,000 Cedis (or 3.5 New Ghana Cedis after redenomination) to the dollar. Incidentally, in spite of media reports of increasing oil revenue and alleged better economic management, the Cedi lost almost 40% of its purchasing value against the dollar in the last 12 months; thus unless, we arrest the root cause of surplus cash , the Naira will inevitably travel the same path to challenge the virtue and economic significance of savings. Ultimately, since investments depend on availability of savings, the rate of investments will invariably also drop in response to the reduced level of savings. Thus, the adverse impact of speculation, inflation, and unyielding Naira depreciation will ultimately strangle and reduce the enthusiasm for fresh investments, so that the flow of new equity into market will also be reduced, while the already listed existing shares may attract little interest from a suspicious and apprehensive public. In this event, the economy will unravel and deepen poverty nationwide. SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIANS

export per state. To this end, the council has identified 13 National Strategic Export Products (NSEPs) that will replace oil as part of diversification of the economy using the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the Nigerian Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) as key strategies. The NSEPs are grouped under three categories Agro-industrial (Palm oil, Cocoa, Cashew, Sugar, Rice); Mining related products (Cement, Iron ore, Metals, Auto parts/cars, Aluminium); Oil and Gas industrial products (Petroleum products,

Fertilizer/Urea, Petrochemical and Methanol). Speaking at a two-day capacity building programme for State Committees on Export Promotion and City Chambers of Commerce and Industries in all States of the Federation with the theme: “Techniques of Non Oil Export Project Formulation and Implementation,” Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said that Nigeria’s exports are still dominated by oil while its nonoil exports are dominated by Agriculture.

Either way, these are trying times for all Nigerian income earners and stock market patrons, as the doors to distress and inevitable deepening poverty open wider and wider with a sliding Naira, which will in turn invariably instigate inflation beyond 10% to further reduce the real purchasing value of the N10Tn present stock market capitalization below $50bn. Instructively, an annual inflation rate of 10%, means that the present market capitalization will additionally also lose about N1Tn ($5bn) of its domestic purchasing value every year. Thus, unless average annual dividends from equities exceed 10% annually, your investment in the stock market may ultimately be gradually whittled away to make your once valuable share certificate as worthless as a mere piece of paper. Incidentally, the earliest stocks listed in the exchange were 50 kobo shares. For example, the 50 kobo UAC share was the equivalent of over $0.70 (70 US cents) at the time of issue about 40 years ago. However, the current market price of N36 for UAC PLC shares is barely equivalent to US $0.18 (18 US cents!). Nevertheless, even if the price remained at N36 per share, if the Naira further declines to say N300=$1 because of surplus naira, the real value of this share would fall below 12 US cents. The above narrative is indicative of the plight of investors under the present unstable and hazy economic

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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Vanguard CLASSIFIED AYENI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayeni Abosede Olaide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afolayan Abosede Olaide. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

HASSAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Falilat Hassan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abimbola Williams. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name My correct name is Olatunji Alliu Adeniyin, but was wrongly written Olatunji Aliu Adeniyin. I now wish to be known and addressed as Olatunji Alliu Adeniyin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Okoh Future Chinedum, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Future Chinedum. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Okoh Faithful Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Faithful Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKAFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okafor Eucharia Nwanneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinwuba Eucharia Nwanneka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AT E W E H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Ateweh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Augustine Maureen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Egbe Nneka Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Odileke Nneka Favour. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A N YA KO R A — I , formerly known and addressed as Anyakora Winnie Chikodili, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odiaka Winnie Chikodili. All former documents remain valid. IBTC Pension and General Public should take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Maryknoll Ngozi Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maryknoll Ngozi Eziagulu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015—51

are Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate and Governor Sullivan Chime who are both on the surface rooting for the president. But given the wounds that the governor received and the fact that he has no stake in the presidential election he could decide to pay back the president with bad coins so that both of them could retire from public life together. Also to the advantage of Buhari is the presence of Father Ejike Mbaka, who has openly endorsed Buhari against the president. The prospects of Buhari getting 25 per cent in Enugu are not impossible despite the efforts of Ekweremadu.

POLLS: The battle on ground PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his major rival, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have remarkably rewritten former assumptions putting the contest into what has become the most competitive election since the return of democratic rule in 1999. It is a battle being fought on every inch of Nigerian territory. Buhari, who in his former contests practically ignored several areas, is going out meeting and soliciting for votes from all over the country. Besides the strategic meeting with governors, he is also expected to address the concerns of traders in Onitsha. President Jonathan, on the other hand, has practically laid siege on the Southwest with the prospect of winning over the people of the region. A state by state detail of the battle on the ground is presented hereunder. By Our Reporters ANAMBRA State 2011: Jonathan 1,145,169 Buhari 4,223 Anambra was a state Jonathan won with more than 99 per cent in 2011 with 1,145,169 votes. The president is believably headed for another victory in the state in 2015, but only fools will believe that the president could get the kind of victory he got four years ago. The momentum for Buhari has been tempered in Anambra by internal divisions within the Buhari campaign especially around the personality of the leaders of the campaign. Senator Chris Ngige, who is leading the campaign in the state, is not in the good books of a handful of many other supporters. Dr. Jonathan is also boosted by the unqualified support he is receiving from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA government in the state. Dr. Jonathan would win handsomely in the state, Buhari

would not get 25 per cent but the bad news for the Jonathan campaign is that the swelled vote would not be obtained given the introduction of the card reader. Ebonyi 2011: Jonathan 480,592 Buhari 1,025 Jonathan got more than 99.5 per cent of the votes he got in 2011 and was helped by the fact that Buhari practically did not have an organisation in the state and the state opposition leader, Senator Julius Ucha was drained of resources. However, with the reinvention of the opposition and the internal discord in the PDP that led to the movement of Governor Martin Elechi’s supporters to Labour Party, the APC could be tempted to smell an opportunity. However, chances of that were as at weekend not viable given recent efforts by the president to keep Elechi from being impeached. Unless Elechi decides to play a rascal, Buhari will not get 25 per cent in Ebonyi

IMO Dr. Jonathan got almost the entire 1,406, 289 votes in Imo State in 2011. However, the defeat of Ikedi Ohakim in the governorship election that took place about the same time by 290,496 votes to 336,859 votes in the same constituency has led many to believe that the presidential election results may have been bloated. Given that less than 600,000 persons voted in the governorship election has resulted in questions about where the voters in the presidential election came from. With the opposition in control of the state, Imo looks the brightest opportunity for Buhari in the Southeast, but he would yet be lucky to smile home with 40 per cent of the votes. Enugu Jonathan won here with 882,144 votes to Buhari’s 3753 while Ribadu went home with 1,755 votes. The major players in the state

ABIA Jonathan got 1,175,954 to the 3,608 votes Buhari received in 2011. Though with the introduction of the card reader the prospects of Jonathan getting that many votes have been seriously reduced, but there is little doubt he would easily trounce Buhari in Abia. The closest opposition is APGA which has interestingly adopted Jonathan as its presidential candidate. The factors against Buhari could only be sentiments against the outgoing administration and the slowdown of the economy which has affected businesses in the state. Still, Buhari is not expected to get 25 per cent in Abia. Remarkably, unlike the situation in many other states where losers in the PDP governorship primaries defected or went underground, many of those who lost out in

the PDP including Emeka Wogu are fanatically working for the PDP. DELTA Jonathan won here with 1, 378, 851 in 2011. However, since then a number of political shifts and miscalculations have been made to cause a radical alteration of the permutations. While the PDP remains almost unified the humiliation the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan suffered even after surrendering his senatorial ticket and inability to position his own man as governor has led some to believe he could seek vengeance. However, the governor has almost remained steadfastl in support of the Jonathan project. Anyway, other issues including the reported overbearing attitude of Jonathan’s Ijaw kinsmen which has led to the repeated postponement of the groundbreaking of the EPZ in the state, and the sidelining of the Urhobo may hurt Jonathan . Buhari is, however, not helped by the fact that his governorship candidate in the state, Otega Emerhor was not universally accepted by the party leaders. That nonetheless, Jonathan is no longer looked at as “our brother” by the non-Ijaws, a situation that has put Buhari in good look to get at least 30 per cent of the votes in Delta. EDO 2011: Jonathan 542, 173 Buhari 17,795 The results in 2011 would be of little consequence in 2015 given that Governor Adams Oshiomhole practically sat on the fence that year. In 2015 the comrade governor has taken the Buhari project as a personal one. The challenges that have faced the Jonathan administration make it a tempting ground for Buhari to pull away victory. However, the PDP is marshalling several personalities including Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Tom Ikimi among others to help the president. Edo is too close to call. BAYELSA 504,811 691. Buhari got only 691 votes last time. He is destined to do better given the internal discord in the state chapter of the PDP but it would be a foolish guess to say he could score more than 5 per cent of the votes in the state.

The momentum for Buhari has been tempered in Anambra by internal divisions within the Buhari campaign especially around the personality of the leaders of the campaign.

CROSS RIVER 2011 Jonathan 709,382 Buhari 4,002 Not much of change is expected for Buhari in Cross River given the absence of a strong internal party in the state. Jonathan should score a minimum of 80 per cent of the votes in Cross River. However, like in many other states the total number of votes is expected to be suppressed by the anti-rigging device, card reader. AKWA IBOM 2011: Jonathan 1,165,629 Buhari 5,348 Jonathan is expected to be seriously challenged in Akwa Ibom Continues on page 52

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Continues on page 51 by the support Buhari is getting from the machine transferred to him by the APC governorship candidate, Umana Umana. The popularity Umana is getting and the largely unexpressed attitude of the Ibibio population towards Governor Godswill Akpabio would pose serious dangers for the president. If the election goes smoothly, the president will win but Buhari would get more than 25 per cent of the votes. RIVERS 2011 Jonathan 1, 817, 762 Buhari 13,182 This is where the president’s political problems started and it would come to a head in six days time as the president again seeks the support of his in-laws. The PDP has traditionally harvested an approximate two million votes in presidential and governorship elections in Rivers State and that was when the PDP was in control of the Government House, Port Harcourt, where many of the winning strategies were formulated. But with the APC now in control of the Government House the PDP’s leverage has been greatly diminished. The prospects of Governor Chibuke Amaechi delivering Rivers to Buhari are daunting as the president is expected to win again, but with a significantly suppressed number of votes. The votes will count if all goes well and the traditional two million votes will not be available to the PDP candidate. Buhari will smile home and be satisfied with at least 30 per cent of the votes. LAGOS Jonathan 1, 281, 688; Buhari 189, 983; Ribadu 427, 000 Buhari took third in 2011 largely on account of the support Ribadu got from the APC machine in Lagos. But with the same support now actively being shifted to Buhari and given the challenges of the president and the Osinbajo factor, the president is in danger of losing Lagos State to Buhari. The president was politically shrewd to push forward a popular governorship candidate in the person of Jimi Agbaje, however, that is not going to be of much help to him given the erosion of the Islamic label on Buhari and the momentum he has received. Lagos is too close to call. The president would be helped in Lagos by the sentiments of the vast Igbo population, majority of who are chorusing for him. OGUN This is a state the president won in 2011, but he would need a miracle to help him overcome the challenges against him in 2015. Besides the strong support Buhari is getting from Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the president is not helped by the disarray that is in the state chapter of the PDP. Even though he is not much of

•Buhari

•Jonathan

POLLS: The battle on ground LEANING TOWARDS BUHARI

Adamawa Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Jigawa Kaduna, Kano, Katsina Kebbi Kwara Niger Ogun Osun Oyo Yobe Sokoto Zamfara an asset on voting day, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is from Ogun State and would do everything to ensure the rejection of his one time political godson. Buhari is projected to win Ogun convincingly and the president would be happy going away with 40 per cent of the votes. OSUN This was the only southern state the president lost in 2011 and is headed towards the same direction in 2015 despite the increasing challenges facing the Rauf Aregbesola administration in Osogbo, notably the growing difficulties in payment of salaries. The APC is, however, telling whoever cares to listen that many of the challenges they are having are coming from Jonathan in Abuja. Dr. Jonathan is projected to score about 35 per cent of the

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Benue Edo Imo Lagos Ekiti

votes in the state. OYO Jonathan 484, 758 Buhari 92, 396 Ribadu 252, 240 Jonathan won in Oyo with

Even though he is not much of an asset on voting day, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is from Ogun State and would do everything to ensure the rejection of his one time political godson

LEANING TOWARDS JONATHAN

Abia Akwa Ibom Anambra Bayelsa Cross River Delta Ebonyi Enugu Kogi Nasarawa Plateau Rivers Taraba Ondo

about 52 per cent of the votes in 2011 and that was when a PDP government was in office. With the reverse the case now and the challenges in office around the president, his ability to get the plurality of 2011 is in serious doubt. The president’s chances were not helped last week after a senior chief in Ibadan came out to endorse Buhari. Besides, the PDP seems to be doing well in covering its internal fractures, but that fact is obvious to many people. EKITI The chances of the president in Ekiti have been boosted by the fanatical support he is receiving from Governor Ayodele Fayose. However, the support is almost matched by the recent reconciliation between Dr. Fayemi and Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele who are both working for Buhari. Nevertheless, there

are still mutterings that the old progressives allegedly shut out by Dr. Fayemi while in office are still to be fully reintegrated into the APC. Whatever, Ekiti is too close to call. ONDO This is a state that ordinarily should go to Dr. Jonathan given the dominance of Governor Segun Mimiko in the affairs of the state. However, as with many second term office holders, the governor has caught the syndrome and his political invincibility once the subject of political folklore is no longer taken for granted. Dr. Jonathan will win handsomely in Ondo, but Buhari is in good position to get 25 per cent. KWARA The choice of a relatively unpopular governorship candidate has not done the PDP good in Kwara. Many of the governorship aspirants who were in better position to Marshall the votes for the president are looking from the sidelines and so, giving opportunity for Senator Bukola Saraki to handsomely deliver Kwara to the APC presidential candidate. BENUE Is a state that Buhari has never won in a presidential election, however, the troubles of the PDP administration and the choice by the APC of a grassroots governorship candidate has opened up the state to battle. Many voters could translate their fury at the non payment of salaries to the president. Benue is too close to call. PLATEAU This is a traditional PDP state and Jonathan is expected to win

Continued on page 53

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015—53

2015 POLLS: The battle on ground Continues from page 52

expected to get much from here.

convincingly. However, Buhari would for the first time make an inroad as he taps on the groundswell of misgivings against Governor Jonah Jang. Such grudges include irregular payment of salaries and the governor’s decision to discard the zoning principle in the choice of his successor. Many leading political stakeholders on the plateau are seriously embittered by the outgoing governor’s decision to enthrone someone from his senatorial constituency and his Berom tribe as his successor. Should the misgivings translate fully into votes, Jonathan could be in trouble.

JIGAWA Governor Sule Lamido is working seriously to deliver Jonathan in Jigawa. In 2011, Jonathan narrowly missed getting 25 per cent in Jigawa. It is possible for the president to get that figure this time.

NIGER Jonathan lost here in 2011 and despite the alleged schemes of some powerful generals in the state to stop Buhari and return the president, it would be a difficult task. The failure of the outgoing governor to adequately deliver democracy dividends is, of course, no help. Governor Babangida Aliyu would be desperate for Jonathan to win despite his assertions in the past that the president signed a one term agreement. Victory for Jonathan would position Dr. Aliyu to run the presidential contest in 2019. Given the judicial interpretation of the senatorial election that took place in Aliyu’s senatorial constituency that was won by the APC, the chances of Buhari winning are convincing. NASARAWA The president won in Nasarawa last time, but that was when a PDP governor was in office. Now with an APC governor in office, the challenges against the president are obvious. The unity in the PDP was recently broken with the defection of Labran Maku to APGA. But that nonetheless, Nasarawa is too close to call. KADUNA The president lost his running mate’s state last time. The same configuration is in place the only difference is that Buhari has a better organisation in 2015 than he had in 2011. Kaduna, as ever, remains too close to call and it is expected that people may vote according to religious lines. Kaduna too close to call. KANO Buhari won handsomely here in 2011 and is expected to do the same thing. The president’s recruitment of his 2011 rival, Shekarau would do little to change the tide against him. KATSINA This is Buhari's homeland and he is expected to sail comfortably to victory here. Jonathan is not C M Y K

KEBBI 2011: Jonathan 369, 198; Buhari 501, 453 The president did well by scoring more than 25 per cent in Kebbi last time and he is projected to get about the same figure this time. ZAMFARA 2011: Jonathan 238, 980 Buhari 624, 515 Buhari defeated Jonathan without much of an organisation in 2011 in Zamfara and he is expected to do the same this time. SOKOTO 2011: Jonathan 309, 057; Buhari 540, 769 In 2011, Jonathan was helped by the sentiments of the ruling PDP in the state. But given the discord that followed and the parting of ways, the president would have to face the serious challenge to get the 36 per cent he scored last time in the state. BAUCHI Jonathan 258,000 Buhari 1, 300,000. This was the state where the president’s convoy was pelted with stones and in the account of Governor Isa Yuguda, those who pelted him were renegade PDP

members. The president’s recent enthusiasm in other parts of the country is not helped by the division in the ranks of the PDP largely between the governor and the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed. Though they claim to be working together, there are underground insinuations that one party is not putting all his eggs in one basket. ADAMAWA 2011: Jonathan 508,314 Buhari 344,526 The president’s victory here in 2011 could ordinary be replicated given the fact that unlike 2011 when he did it Ribadu, a son of the soil is not running. However, the Boko Haram factor is an issue for many people who are questioning the rationale it took the president until election time to decisively rid the state of the terrorists. Adamawa is too close to call. GOMBE 2011: Jonathan 290,347 Buhari 459, 898 Buhari won in 2011 despite the presence of a strong governor, Danjuma Goje who at that time was against him. With Goje now seriously backing him, it ordinarily would be a plus for the APC candidate. However, the incumbent governor, Ibarahim Damkwambo is the Northeast coordinator for Jonathan and is expected to put up a hard battle for the president especially as his re-election battle comes up in two weeks time after the presidential election. Buhari is expected to win and Jonathan should get more than 25 per cent. TARABA 2011: Jonathan 451,354 Buhari 257,986 Jonathan won here in 2011 and is expected to win again despite the internal divisions that have lately arisen within the state chapter of the PDP.

The president lost his running mate’s state last time. The same configuration is in place the only difference is that Buhari has a better organisation in 2015 than he had in 2011

YOBE 2011 Jonathan 117,128 Buhari 337, 537 Buhari won Yobe and is expected to win again. Sentiments against the president’s handling of the Boko Haram crisis will not be a good omen for the president in Yobe. However, one serious challenge for Buhari is the perceived failures of the incumbent governor in providing morale to the people of the state in the face of the crisis. BORNO 2011: Jonathan 207, 075 Buhari 909,763 Buhari won handsomely in 2011 and is expected to do the same despite the changed permutations that have seen the former governor, Senator Ali Sheriff (SAS) cross over to support the president in 2015.

•Ballot box

Voting procedure for 2015 general elections By Jude Opara IT is imperative for the voters to know that no person shall be allowed to vote at any Polling Unit other than where he/ she had registered and was duly accredited. Accreditation begins at 8 am and ends by 1 pm or until the last person on the queue before 1 pm is accredited. After that, voting commences at 1:30 pm or whenever the accreditation process ends. The Presiding Officer, after setting up the Polling Unit layout in the approved manner shall explain the voting procedure to the voters by informing them that the voting process is about to begin. The presiding officer is expected to at this point remind the people that the voting in the unit is for only those that registered there as well as haven been accredited. The presiding officer will equally educate the voters on what they should be issued with including; a stamped, signed and dated ballot paper because if any of these is mistakenly omitted, the person’s vote would be rejected and would not count. When casting the vote, it is important that the voter thumbprints in only one box, that is the box of his or her chosen party, also a ballot paper folded vertically inward would be given to the voter, it is highly important that the voter folds it in the same manner after thumb-printing and place it in the ballot box. This is to ensure that the thumb-print does not smear on another party and render the vote invalid. The voter must also be very careful not to write anything or make any other mark on the ballot except for his or her thumbprint as anything to the contrary will invalidate the vote. The presiding officer while maintaining the first come, first served order, should however give priority to the physically challenged persons, nursing mothers and the elderly who cannot stay long on the queue. Also he must check the cuticle of the appropriate finger/ thumb-nail of the voter to confirm that he or she has been accredited and received the number tag for easy location of voter ’s name on the Register.

54 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, MARCH 23 , 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Iran is building nuclear bomb at their own peril —CIA I

RAN would build a nuclear bomb “at their own peril” if nuclear talks with the United States and other leading countries falter, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan said yesterday. “I think they realize that there’s going to be tremendous costs and consequences and implications if they were to decide to go for a ‘breakout,’” Brennan said on “Fox News yesterday ,” referring Iran amassing enough of the materials necessary to build a nuclear bomb rather than use those materials for civil energy “There are a number of things that the United States has available to it to prevent Iran from getting a bomb,” Brennan said. “President Obama has made it very clear that we are going to prevent Iran from having that type of nuclear weapon that they may have been going on track to obtain. So if they decide to go down that route they know that they will do so at their own peril.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (2nd L) and German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier (R) attend a meeting about the recently concluded round of negotiations with Iran over Iran’s nuclear program with their British, French and European Union counterparts in London, England March 21, 2015

Yemeni city TTaiz aiz ‘seized bbyy Shia rebels’

ARTS of Yemen’s third largest city Taiz have been seized by Shia rebels, reports quoting security officials say. The city’s airport was among the areas taken by Houthi insurgents. Meanwhile, there has been mounting violence by rival armed groups in Yemen, including the Houthis, al-Qaeda and

Netanyahu allies blame US criticism on misunderstanding

ENJAMIN Netanyahu’s allies yesterday acknowledged that his election-eve disavowal of a Palestinian state had caused a rift with the White House, but blamed U.S. President Barack Obama’s unprecedented criticism on a misunderstanding. In the United States, where relations with Netanyahu have become a partisan issue after generations in which support for Israel was a point of bipartisan unity, Republican Senator John McCain said Obama

should get over his “temper tantrum”. The Israeli prime minister pledged on the eve of his re-election victory last week that there would never be a Palestinian state while he is prime minister. The remarks were widely interpreted as a rejection of the “twostate solution” that has been the basis of decades of talks to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, brokered by successive U.S. Republican and Democratic administrations alike.

Islamic State militants. President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi was overthrown by Houthis in February and fled from the capital, Sanaa, to the southern city of Aden. On Saturday, the US said it was withdrawing its troops from the country due to the worsening security situation. Houthi fighters dressed in military uniform could be seen arriving at the airport in Taiz and patrolling parts of the city, eyewitnesses said. Dozens of tanks and military vehicles were reported to be heading from north Yemen towards Taiz, which lies between Sanaa and

Aden. Some local residents took to the streets to protest against the Houthi presence, prompting rebels to fire into the air to disperse them. The UN Security Council had held an emergency meeting on Yemen’s security situation yesterday The rebels declared a new government in February and said a transitional five-member presidential council would replace President Hadi. However, the Houthis are minority Shia from the north, and their declaration has not been recognised by Sunni and southern leaders.

al-Nusra Front, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Four crew members were captured, while a fifth was killed, the group said. Syria’s civil war, which began four years ago, has killed more than 200,000 Syrians and dis-

By Lewis Chukwuma

HEAD of the presidential election holding March 28, several biased and selfserving predictions have inundated the political space. The two key candidates are President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Unfortunately, the science of poll prediction is still in infancy here and not surprisingly much of the local ‘prophecies’ are mere drivel. This is why the recent survey by UKbased Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates, a research and political risk consultancy firm which projected victory in the March 28 poll for President Goodluck Jonathan deserves some commentary. The firm which utilized a combination of what it called “monkey survey” and “Political Risk Index” to forecast the election projected that President Jonathan will win by 13 per cent probability if everything remains constant. Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates’ survey rationale and parameters are straightforward and sophisticated. This was properly communicated to Nigerians by Mr. O.C Vince, Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates’ Vice President for West Africa. His words: “Many people around the world, including politics and business leaders are focused on Nigeria. They want to see how the ongoing democratic process is managed. Hopefully our non-partisan efforts will help strengthen democracy, encourage peaceful

Anti-Houthi protesters took to the streets of Taiz on Saturday and yesterday.

Syria helicopter crashes in rebel-held Idlib A SYRIAN govern ment helicopter has crashed in a rebelheld area in the country’s north-west, activists have said. The helicopter went down in Jabal al-Zawiya in Idlib province, an area held by opposition fighters, including those from

Jonathan win: UK firm’s survey on target

placed 11 million. The helicopter was forced to carry out an “emergency landing due to technical failure” near the northern town of Maarat al-Numan, the UK-based observatory said. There were at least six crew members on board,

and the fate of the sixth member is unknown, it added. Syrian state television confirmed that an army helicopter made an emergency landing in northwest Syria, and said a search for the crew members was underway, Reuters reported.

Many people around the world, including politics and business leaders are focused on Nigeria

and credible election and enable the different contending parties manage their final push towards the May 28 Presidential Election as scheduled.” Vince stated his firm had no partisan interest in the outcome of the election as it is left for the people of Nigeria to decide and explained it decided to conduct the survey because of the general global interest the Nigeria election has generated. This clarification was very important. According to the Briton, his firm randomly conducted a nationwide opinion poll focusing on the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria: North east, North-West, NorthCentral, South-West, South-East and SouthSouth. In this connection, the sampled population were asked three questions centering on human rights, the economy and security. As it is not possible to exhaust the research body’s survey content, suffice it to touch on a few here. “Between General Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan, who would best protect the fundamental human rights of Nigerians? While APC’s Buhari scored 30 per cent Jonathan scored 70 per cent. “Between the elections holding in February 14 as previously scheduled and March 28 as postponed, which date do you feel safer to participate in the presidential election? 35 per cent think the election should have been held on February 14 as scheduled while 65 per cent think the March 28 new date is a safer and more secured date.” These facts unearthed by UK’s Kevin, Charlyn & Kimberly Associates simply go to confirm the direction the March 28 poll will go. Unfortunately, in an environment where truth is the first casualty in political elections, the countries security agencies must be prepared to safeguard Nigeria. We have had enough bloody postelection violence. Politicians who instigate this must also be made to pay heavily.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015—55

C M Y K

56 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

APC presidential rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State

General Muhammadu Buhari (middle), flanked by the Nasarawa State, Governor Al-Makura; former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and APC chieftain, Senator Sirika Hadi, on arrival at North Centreal APC zonal rally, at Lafia, Nasarawa State, weekend.

Cross section of people with disabilities, other supporters at the rally.

General Muhammadu Buhari, greeting a crowd.

From left, Audu Abubakar, former Gov of Kogi , APC Women Leader Hajiya Hamatu Saratu Falmata; former Governor Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki; APC Presidential Candidate, General Buhari, and others.

2015 presidential election debate in Abuja

President Jonathan and others, at 2015 presidential election debate in Abuja. Photos: State House

Cross section of guests.

President Jonathan visits Kano, Daura

President Goodluck Jonathan, cutting the tape to inaugurate fly-over named after the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, at Kundila Round-about, Kano, Saturday. With him are, from left, Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolomemen; Senator Basheer Lado, and others. Photos: State Hous

President Jonathan, receiving a horse from the Emir of Daura, Katsina State, Alhaji Faruk Umar, during the President's visit to Daura Emirate Council, weekend.

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MTN boosts Christian subscribers’ faith with new proposition LAGOS — IN its bid to ensure that its Christian subscribers get connected to their faith on daily basis, telecommunications giant, MTN, has rolled out various life-enriching and spirit-filled Christian Value Added Services (VAS) offerings. These offerings, according to MTN, will enable Christian faithful have easy access to daily devotionals, Bible quotes, children prayers, sermons, songs, prayers, prayer points, hymns, callertunez and other spiritually uplifting content, that will keep them connected to their faith on a daily basis. In a release, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, Mr. Olubayo Adekanmbi, explained that the strategic crux for the initiative was aimed at uplifting and encouraging subscribers to get closer to God through the company’s bold new digital Christian VAS. According to him, “we are committed to the total wellbeing of our customers as we strive to make their lives better through our propositions, products and value-added services. “The MTN Christian Service provides subscribers with lifechanging prayers and prayer points from anointed men of God; prayers for children, inspirational messages from spiritual leaders, daily bible verses,

praise and worship songs, hymns, Christian Callertunez and other spiritual-enriching contents to keep us in-tune with God every day. Subscribers can access these offerings by dialing 797 on their mobile phones and follow the voice prompt.” On the importance of the MTN Christian Service

during the Lenten season, Adekanmbi said: “This is a way of showing our commitment to our esteemed customers of Christian faith by connecting them at this period of spiritual reflection and appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross of Calvary (laying down his life for mankind).

Clark's wife empowers Ogun central residents

S part of her m o n t h l y e m p o w e r m e n t programme for the benefit of residents of Ogun Central Senatorial district, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark has embarked on distribution of 200,000 litres of kerosene to help ameliorate the expenditure profile of her people, owing to the recent inflation as a result of the fall of oil prices in the international market. She also said the kerosene would help reduce felling of trees which will in turn improve the eco-system in the state. The distribution which commenced over the weekend is cosponsored by the Adeife Akinola Foundation

founded by Mrs. SodipoClark. Hundreds of Abeokuta residents thronged the several points of distribution, while other local government areas shall be visited in the cause of the week with free gallons of kerosene and other materials for the benefit of Nigerians. Dr. Sodipo-Clark who is married to Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has stated that the kerosene distribution was one out of many projects her foundation has vowed to undertake for free in the coming weeks, months and years.

Ukwuani reiterates support for Ochei’s candidacy

HE people of Umuaja, Umutu, Ebedei, Umukwatta and Eziokpor in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State have declared their support for Mr. Victor Ochei, Accord Party ’s Delta North Senatorial zone candidate. They made their position known during Ochei’s interactive sessions with the electorate in the local government area. Ochei, the former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, informed the people that his long-standing relationship with the locality will spur him to bring more critical infrastructural projects. He said he would bring positive change in diverse spheres of human endeavour to the people.

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Blame NFF for Brazil 2014 bonus row – Yobo By Jacob Ajom

ORMER Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has exonerated the players from blame over the bonus row that overshadowed Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Soon after the team qualified for the second round after the group matches, Super Eagles players embarked on a protest, refusing to train, even when the match impending against France was less than twenty four hours away. But the former Fenerbahce of Turkey defender said those who criticise the players, calling them selfish were unfair. “ The problem is when you have agreed something with people then make it happen. At the World Cup or during bonus rows, it was not

•Yobo about the money for some players but the motive behind it. “As a captain my concern was for some of the local players and youngsters, who travelled thousands of miles, sacrifice themselves on dodgy planes and gave

Ugandan coach aims to cage Eagles

RANES of Ugandan coach, Micho Sredojevic said his team will give the Super Eagles a tough test in their March 26 International friendly at the Uyo Stadium in Akwa Ibom State. The 45 years old Serbian who has been in charge of the Ugandan team since 2013 stated that though they have a lot of respect for the Eagles, his wards will be in no mood to be rolled over as Uganda was using the match to set the tone for the 2017 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers starting in June. “Nigeria has big name players. I watched six of

*Sredojevic them at the weekend in Big European games. “They deserve respect but not over respect as we need to think about ourselves, have self-respect and most importantly, check where our players making the travelling team are at present - in mental, physical, technical and tactical aspect.

•Mrs Yetunde Oni, Head Commercial Clients, Standard Chartered Bank (3rd left), presenting the Trophy to Captain of Super Seven Football Club, Ojo Babatunde Damilola, the winner of the just concluded Standard Chartered Road to Anfield 2015 competition.

their all on the pitch. Those of us playing in Europe for years, by the grace of God, $10,000 is not our problem but those playing at home were being deprived an incentive promised.” Yobo is still proud of his 100 caps, the first

F/Eagles Continued from BP Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar. Over 40,000 fans were at the match venue most of them supporting the home side. Sidy Sarr was the first to scare the Nigerians with a long range shot which was comfortably gathered by Joshua Enaholo. Flying Eagles gradually began to settle down to their usual free flowing game and utilised the runs of captain Musa Muhammed. They were soon in front through a moment of pure magic from Bernard Bulbwa in the 20th minute.

Zambia Continued from BP out of their shell. “If they (Zambia) could come here and get a draw, we could go there and beat them 2-0. We are not going to relent; we will give our best in the second leg. “We did very well. We kept possession and created chances in the first half. “The fact that we did not score does not mean this is a bad team. We only have to improve in our finishing,” Siasia said at the post-match press conference. The second leg in Zambia comes up in two weeks.

Nigerian to achieve that feat. “ It’s amazing when you look back and see how far you’ve come. I think I probably didn’t realise how important it was until I quit international football. I think it’s a great achievement.” He is not envious of Vincent Enyeama, his long time former assistant who, with 99 caps is threatening his record. “I am very happy for Enyeama, congratulations to him. He’s a great goalkeeper. He has his time. We took a different route. He had to start from the bench, coming off and fighting for his place before he became a super regular. I started and just continued. We started about the same time so I’m very happy that he’s matching the record and I hope he can break all the records because he deserves it.” Bulbwa showed great skills outside the box before unleashing an unstoppable screamer to the top corner of the net. It was a candidate for the goal of the tournament. Flying Eagles played a tactical game and tried to exploit the weak area of the hosts. Despite leading onenil as at 31 minutes, coach Manu Garba kept dishing out instructions to his wards from the sideline.

Pillars Continued from BP “We are not supposed to lose the game woefully as we did. The referee contributed to the heavy loss,” Loute alleged. “Mohgreb’s first goal was a clear offside, and he allowed it. We then had a clear penalty appeal when the game was 3-0 but he turned it down. Had it been awarded and we scored, it could have changed the course of the game.” A hat-trick from Mouhcine Iajour was all the Moroccan champions needed to thrash Pillars in a first round, first leg clash on Saturday. The former Raja Casablanca forward opened the scoring in the 14th minute, he doubled his team’s lead in the 27th minute and eight minutes later, he completed his hat-trick.

Stop fielding over-age athletes, Itanyi warns AFN By Ben Efe

ORMER national heptathlon champion, Patience Itanyi has called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to stop parading over-aged athletes at local and international meets, as this was inimical to the development of the sport. Itanyi, was once AFN athletes’ representative in the USA and has helped to convince Nigerian-born athletes in America to come back home and run for their fatherland. She argued that there were abundant grassroots talents in the country and the AFN should strive to discover new faces every calendar year rather than rely on the same faces in two consecutive African juniors as was witnessed at African Junior championships in Ethiopia. “It is quite a shame that we are rather concerned about winning and not development. How can we explain that an athlete who won gold at the 2013 African junior, the 2014 World junior and the 2014 Commonwealth Games is still running at the 2015 African junior? “Even if these athletes are still within the age limit once they have Moghreb’s fourth goal was scored in the 90th minute. Pillars now need to win by at least 5-0 in return leg in Kano to advance to the next round of the competition. Hat-trick hero Iajour was part of Wydad Casablanca team who eliminated Pillars in the 2013 edition of this same competition. Pillar started the game well initiating attacks but could not find the cutting edge. Reuben Ogbonnaya was close to goal when his free kick in the 18 minute missed by a whisker. The star for Pillars in this encounter was Rabiu Ali, who shone in midfield. Tony Edjomariegwe was brought down at some point in the second half but Pillars appeal for a penalty was ignored by the referee.

Oreva Edafe... Nigerian junior long jump champion proved themselves capable at the senior level they should move on. There are so many undiscovered talents in Nigeria and here in the USA that can be called upon to represent the country. By so doing, we will be expanding our pool of young athletes,”said Itanyi who held the national heptathlon record, before it was broken by Uhunoma Naomi Osazuwa in May 2012 with 6049 points. Itanyi who represented Nigeria in the long jump at the World Championships 1995 and 2000 Olympics games urged Nigerian officials to do their best in the development of athletics as the country was a force to be reckoned with in continental and world contests.

Wrestler Continued from BP fellow wrestler Oscar Gutierrez, known as former WWE star Rey Mysterio Jr., according to video of the match in a municipal auditorium in Tijuana. The match continued for almost two minutes before other participants and the referee realized Aguayo was seriously injured and tended to him. He was taken to a hospital a block away and died about 1:30 a.m., prosecutor ’s spokesman Raul Gutierrez said.

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CAF club licensing system

ERMIT me to go back to the seminar I attended last week in Cairo and its attendant coincidences. The CAF Club Licensing System (Already operational in FIFA and UEFA) is a bold attempt aimed at professionalizing clubs in Africa. Its objectives as found in the CAF Club Licensing Regulations include but not limited to •Promoting and improving the quality and the level of all football aspects in Africa. •Ensuring that the clubs have the appropriate infrastructure, knowledge and application in respect of management and organization •Adapting and improving the clubs sporting infrastructure •Improving the economical and financial capacity of the clubs, through proper corporate governance and control. •Ensuring and guaranteeing the continuity of the international competitions of clubs during the season. •Allowing the parallel development and comparison amongst the clubs by ensuring the necessary compliance in terms of financial, sporting, legal, administrative and infrastructure criteria etc etc Very loaded and instructive, if you ask me. As a CAF Instructor on Club Licensing, one of the six in Nigeria, I set out to Egypt last week and coincidentally came across officials and players of Dolphins Football Club who regrettably had spent the night at the airport because they had missed their flight the day before. (Five minutes drive from the airport are hotels that charge as less as five thousand naira a night). In a chat with Coach Eguma, we concluded that a lot of things were wrong and that it was a pity that they were found in Nigeria by noon on the eve of an international match in far away Tunisia. Worse, their flight was not direct as they still had to transit in Dubai. On getting to Cairo, news filtered in that Dolphins got to Tunis late (of course) and were walked over by Club Africain. This, was the kernel of Club Licensing and Dolphins case became a case study throughout our stay in Cairo to the chagrin of the Nigerian Instructors ( General Oneya, Mazi Uchegbulam, Dr. Ojo-Oba, Samson Adamu).

Our football has been a subject of so much ridicule in Africa that it was high time the decline was arrested

An important feature of the Club Licensing Criteria is that Member Associations are responsible for granting licenses. In this case, the Nigeria Football Federation as Licensor is the body that operates the Licensing System and grants the necessary license. Don’t forget that the regulations also stipulate that “ If the License applicant (Club) does not fulfill any ‘A’ criteria requirements, then it cannot be granted a license to enter the CAF inter club competitions. We arrived Cairo to the preliminary report, that of assessing those Member Associations that have fulfilled necessary criteria in advancing the Club Licensing development. Incidentally the NFF ranked high on the table. According to documents made available to us, “NFF has inserted the Statutory Club Licensing Clauses in its Statutes, it has sent out the regulations, it has set up the Decision making bodies (First Instance Body (FIB) and Appeal Body (AB) it has confirmed organizing seminars for clubs

NOC names Igali Technical Commission Chairman

HE Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, has appointed President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Daniel Igali as it’s Chairman of Technical and Development Commission as Team Nigeria looks set to better it’s third place finishing in the last All Africa Games in Maputo. President of NOC, Engineer Habu Gumel announced the appointment with the tacit approval of the Board and Exco members of the NOC during their meeting at the Boardroom of the NOC, National Stadium, Surulere. Honourable Igali, a politician, Olympic Gold medallist, coach and a PhD holder thereby becomes the first man to be appointed by two different NOC’s. The former NOC led by Engr Sani M. Ndanusa also appointed him as the Technical head before the C M Y K

Commonwealth Games in Scotland. The beauty of the appointment was that Igali was not present at the deliberations. “”He’s a young man of many parts. He is highly intelligent and a go-getter. You can see the support from his Federation colleagues was overwhelming. We want him to use it to the good of Team Nigeria””, President Gumel said. A shocked Igali why speaking on phone thanked the Board and Exco members for finding him worthy to hold the position. ”I’m surprised. I thank all of them and promise that Team Nigeria will benefit from this appointment”. He also promised that Nigeria will do better than it did at the last All Africa Games. Other Commissions announced include Marketing Commission with Chief Fatai Williams as Chairman, Amuwo

•Dr. Igali Odofin Project Development Committee (Chief Solomon Ogba as Chairman), Athlete Commission (Enefiok UdoObong), Sports For All Commission(Henry Amike), Women And Sports Commission with Mary Onyali as Chairperson. The Commissions and Committees would be inaugurated after the general elections.

HE Nigerian Communications Commission has given Nigerian tennis a big shot in the arm with the announcement at the weekend of a team tennis championship that would offer a total prize money of N11 million with the winning team getting N5 million. The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Mr Eugene Juwah, speaking at a media launch in Lagos said the sponsorship was the NCC’s “modest contribution to youth engagement in Nigeria.” “The competition will feature all and the very best players in Nigeria and would introduce about 30 weeks of tennis into the Nigerian tennis calendar. “In addition,” the chief executive continued, “the team tennis championship will take top level tennis to parts of the country which otherwise will not have the opportunity of seeing Nigeria’s best players in action.” The EVC was represented by Mr Tony

especially in the premier league and it has confirmed appointing a Club Licensing Manager (CLM). That official who is saddled with running all the Club Licensing affairs in the Member Association. Incidentally while NFF claims to have appointed a CLM, those countries that are Club Licensing models like Algeria, South Africa are yet to do so. The argument then was, if the NFF has done this much and gotten this far, how come one of its clubs could be so naïve in the approach to an international fixture? With CAF still investigating the circumstances of their walk over, we (Nigerians Instructors) decided to keep mum, knowing quite well that the story back home was one that could shock Africa especially those countries like South Africa, Algeria, Egypt (Al Ahly has a register of 50 million card carrying and fee paying Supporters!) Morocco, Tunisia etc. Briefly, two days into the seminar, I got into my room Tuesday evening and sent a release calling for a probe of the Dolphins Shame. This was one case too many. Our football has been a subject of so much ridicule in Africa that it was high time the decline was arrested. While at it how can I forget the embarrassment suffered by Kano Pillars in Sudan? According to Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima the club got to Sudan to discover that the new CAF Regulations mandating clubs to make their own accommodation and feeding arrangements had not been passed on to the clubs, yet the NFF claimed to have had a seminar with the clubs prior to their continental assignments! So Pillars arrived Sudan and waited for the hosts to take them to their hotel and the informed hosts waited for them to direct them to the hotel they (Pillars) had reserved according to the latest regulations! DON’T LAUGH. Briefly, never again. Let us arrest this ugly and reoccurring issue NOW.

The return of Keshi A journalist rang me up on Saturday to inform that Keshi was back and sought my opinion. That Keshi has in the process agreed to turn a new leaf etc etc…. I told him I wished Keshi well for Nigeria’s sake. See you next week.

NCC’s N11m tennis tourney will promote unity — Kienka Ojobo, the director of Public Affairs in the Commission. Reacting to the development, the President of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Sani Ndanusa, described the initiative from the NCC as “a massive contribution to sports development in Nigeria and a game changer for Nigerian tennis.” Mr Odein Ajumogobia, who was special guest at the occasion said the NCC Tennis Cup will definitely motivate Nigerian players to improve their game and hopefully push them to qualify for Grand Slam events which Nigeria has not featured in since Nduka Odizor. The event also featured the draws for the eight teams which met the criteria for registration. According to Godwin Kienka, director of the International Tennis Academy, organisers of the

championship, the teams will play in two groups of four with the best two emerging for the semifinals. The teams in the White Group are Kalotari Foundation Port Harcourt, Team Ogun State Abeokuta, Team FCT Abuja and the CBN Futures Team based in Kaduna. In the Blue Group are the Civil Defence Team based in Ibadan, Team Tombim Abuja, Team Delta State Asaba and Team Anambra State, Onitsha. Mr Kienka further said that the NCC Tennis Cup will kick off with a mouthwatering challenge between players based in the North and those of the South. “This will come directly after the elections and will serve to test-run the championship, promote unity through sports and whet the appetite of tennis enthusiasts for the main ties across the nation.”

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Gerrard accepts blame for Liverpool’s defeat S

TEVEN GERRARD said he takes full responsibility for Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United after being sent off in just 41 seconds during yesterday's English Premier League game against Manchester United. Gerrard lasted less than a minute after replacing Adam Lallana at half-time. He stamped on Ander Herrera and all but ended hopes of a Liverpool fight back. And while the Reds skipper was at a loss to explain what was going through his mind at the time of the challenge, he did accept full responsibility for his actions. He told Sky Sports: “I need to accept it, the decision was right. “I’ve let down my team-mates and the supporters. I take full re-

sponsibility. I’ve been in the game long enough when you do something like that. I take full responsibility. “I don’t know what caused it. I don’t know.

Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle. “I shouldn’t say more about it really, I’ve just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters.”

Juan Mata: Win over Reds my best United game

UAN MATA was de lighted to fire Manchester United to a crucial victory over bitter rivals Liverpool. The Spaniard opened the scoring in the firsthalf with a well-placed finish past Reds keeper Simon Mignolet before his stunning scissor kick effort after the break doubled their lead. Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for Liverpool but United held on to pull clear in the top-four race. He told Sky Sports: “I

think it’s my best game in a United shirt, yes. It’s a massive game, probably the biggest in English football, so to score two goals is great for me. “The second goal has to be up there with my best. After Steven Gerrard was sent off we needed a second goal because they pushed us to the end. “It was important for me. The last few months I’ve not had the best moment. It is the manager who decides but I’m happy today.”

Simeone wants more from Torres

Early Shower... Steve Gerrard takes a long walk to the dressing room after seeing red.

Chelsea too comfortable at the top —Wenger A RSENAL boss Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea have too much security at the top of the Premier League for his side to be in the race for title. Wenger, who watched his Gunners secured a 21 victory at St James’ Park over Newcastle United on Saturday, has, however, insisted that his side will continue to fight as they aim to gain as many points as possible between now and the end of the season. As it stands, Arsenal are seven points behind Chelsea, but the Blues have one game in hand on their rivals. But, despite Chelsea’s big lead, Wenger ’s side are ready to fight, as he told reporters: “Look,

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Chelsea have good security and at the moment, I feel they have enough cushion to be quite serene. “We have Manchester City in front of us and behind us it is tight as well - the only thing we

can do is to win our games. I think Chelsea have too much security. I just think at the moment we are not concluding, we are in a fight. You have seen the game today - in every game, we need to turn up and fight until the last minute to get the points."

IEGO Simeone singled out Fernando Torres for praise after Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Getafe but admitted “we need more” from the striker. The 30-year-old scored his first La Liga goal since returning to the Vicente Calderon earlier in the season on Saturday, and the Coach was optimistic it would be the first of many, providing he continued to work hard for the team. “Torres is getting better and now has a better understanding with his teammates. We need more from him, but he knows what’s asked of him and is accustomed to it. He lives for goals and needed to score in the League again. He’s great competition for [Mario] Mandzukic, who for us is a decisive player. We need more from Torres than what he’s currently giving us.”

AAG: Falcons put one foot in Congo

HE Super Falcons have one foot in the All Africa Games, scheduled to take place in Brazzaville, Congo, in September after holding hosts Mali to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, last round of the qualifiers. Mali were on the back foot for most of the first half, but Nigeria missed a plethora of chances before both teams went

into the break. On 52 minutes, Delta Queens star Ngozi Akobi broke the deadlock, five minutes after the introduction of Portsmouth forward Iniabasi Umotong, who replaced Amanze. Midway through the second half, the hosts would have leveled matters if not for a brilliant stop by Ibebuleye

Whyte. However, Mali kept pressing for an equalizer and it arrived eight minutes from time after a defensive mix up between Whyte and Ngozi Ebere. In the next two weeks, the country that will qualify for the AAG will be known when the return leg is played in Abuja.

Simeone

Referees chief calls for video aid

REMIER League referees’ chief Mike Riley has called for video technology to be tried in the wake of another blunder that saw the wrong West Bromwich Albion player sent off at Manchester City. Neil Swarbrick apologised on Saturday night for wrongly red-carding Gareth McAuley in the second minute of West Brom’s 3-0 loss at the Eti-

had Stadium, when it was team-mate Craig Dawson who committed a foul on Wilfried Bony. It followed last month’s Old Trafford mistaken identity muddle that saw Sunderland’s Wes Brown sent off by Roger East for bringing down Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao, when the offence in question was committed by John O’Shea.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2015

Wrestler dies during match T

HE son of a Mexi can wrestling legend died early Saturday from a blow suffered in the ring, the Baja California state prosecutor’s office said.

Pedro Aguayo Ramirez, known as Hijo del Perro Aguayo, fell unconscious on the ropes, apparently after receiving a flying kick from Continues on Page 61

F/Eagles win 7th AYC title Beat Senegal 1-0

•Late Aguayo

Pillars cry foul after 4-0 mauling

IGERIA claimed her seventh African Youth Championship title after beating hosts Senegal one-nil in the final of the 2015 edition last night in Dakar. Flying Eagles played in their first final since 2011 when they defeated Cameroon 3-2 after extra time. It was a very tensed atmosphere at the Continues on Page 61

Ghana 3 Mali 1

•Ali GOAL! Substitute Loic Remy’s strike gave Chelsea all three points despite a spirited Hull City performance. Chelsea won 3-2.

Zambia hold ‘Olympic Eagles’

ATIONAL Under-23 team were held to a goalless draw yesterday by their Zambian counterparts in the first leg qualifier of the All Africa Games at the National Stadium Abuja. The team coached by

Samson Siasia must now pull the chestnut out of the fire in the second leg, otherwise, they will be left to regret the countless missed opportunities in the game they clearly dominated, but failed to find the back of the net. Striker, Oghenekaro

Etebo missed three begging chances, as the Zambians effectively cleared their lines. However, coach Siasia is hopeful that his boys will get the job done in the second leg as the Zambians will be forced

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PUZZLE

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NPFL RESULTS Sharks Wikki Enyimba Taraba I Ubah Utd Giwa El-Kanemi Heartland

1 1 1 0 1 1 3 5

Akwa Utd Kwara Utd Bayelsa Lobi Rangers Sunshine Abia Warriora Nasarawa

0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2

EPL Results Liverpool Hull City QPR

1 2 1

Man U Chelsea Everton

2 3 2

QUICK CROSSWORD

•Etebo

TODAY'S

ANO Pillars defender Isaac Loute has said the referee caused his team’s heavy loss to Morocco’s Mohgreb Athletic Tetouan (MAT) 4-0 in a re-arranged CAF Champions League tie. Loute said the loss could have been a respectable one had the referee been fair and firm in the game.

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 4 Capture (5) 7 Choice (6) 9 Friend (3) 10 Twitching (3) 12 Intended (5) 13 Nobleman (4) 15 Cringe (4) 20 Lariat (5) 22 Weaken (3) 24 Soared (7) 27 Males (3) 28 Repentant (5) 31 Invoice (4) 33 Figurine (6) 35 Change (5) 37 Precipitation (4) 38 Swelling (5) 39 Immerse (3) 41 Newt (3) 42 Relegate (6) 43 Centre (5)

DOWN: 1 Force (6) 2 Emphasis (6) 3 Bed (3) 4 Arrived (4) 5 Vigilant (5) 6 Contemplate (8) 8 Pleasant (4) 11 Agreed (9) 14 Repose (4) 16 Sport (4) 18 Chamber (4) 21 Height (8) 23 Plague (4) 25 Direction (4) 26 Obstinate (4) 29 Cause (6) 30 Pulled (6) 32 Beer (5) 34 Parched (4) 36 Departed (4) 40 Favourite (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Leapt 5, Wicked 8, Lotto 10, Balero II, Over 14, Fading 15, Censure 18, Nip 19, Eat 21, Tear 23, Ensure 24, Deer 27, Ten 29, Lad 31, Defiled 32, Despot 34, Epee 35, United 38. Ruled 39, Redden 40, Tenet.

DOWN: 2, Ego 3, Please 4, Tor 5, Woof 6, Credit 7, Dagger 9, Torrent 12, Van 13, Ripe 16, Edge 17, Ease 20, Tuneful 22, Ague 24, Dodder 25, Else 26, Rapped 28, Divide 30, Doe 33, Tern 36, Net 37, Ewe.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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