FG, NYSC rise against killings in Rivers

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62900

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

FG to inject N350bn for revival of economy 8

Due to skyrocketing prices of newsprint and printing consumables, we have come to the painful conclusion to slightly raise our cover prices begining Monday, March 28, 2016, as follows: Monday-Friday— N200

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We acknowledge the inconveniences this might cause our dear readers, but we promise to make your refreshingly different VANGUARD richer to make up for this increase in cover prices.

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FG, NYSC rise against killings in Rivers UK, US condemn violence, irregularities Perpetrators will not go unpunished — FG Release collated results, Wike, PDP, others urge INEC APC candidates flay Wike, seek cancellation of polls

By Jimitota Onoyume, Ben Agande, Emman Ovuakporie, Omeiza Ajayi, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Caleb Ayansina & Davies Iheamnachor

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-HARCOURT— THE National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has threatened to review its collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on conduct of polls, following recurring deaths of corps members on election duties.

This came as the Federal Government, the

Continues on Page 5

CBN tightens money supply, raises MPR to 12% 9 Mr & Mrs CONDOLENCE—Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmud Yakubu; Director General, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig Gen Johnson Olawumi and Minister of Youth and Sport, Solomon Dalung during a condolence visit of INEC Chairman to the Headquarters of NYSC in Abuja, yesterday, over the death of a corps member, Samuel Okonta during the Rivers re-run election, Saturday . Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

COLUMNISTS: AGRIC REVOLUTION:

Ebonyi earmarks 50,000 hectares for rice production See Inside C M Y K

Donald Trump, Can a virgin the Nigerian masturbate? within •P.17

•P.26

Women and the struggle for gender parity (2) •P.19

Buhari seeks global unity against terrorism, as attacks leave many dead in Brussels 46

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POCKET CARTOON electoral officials during the elections, the two embassies, in separate statements in Abuja, said the development was totally condemnable and unacceptable.

Major parties must encourage their supporters to be peaceful – UK

2016 TONY ELUMELU ENTERPRENUERSHP PROGRAMME: (L-R) Selection Committee member, Nimi Akinkugbe; Tony Elumelu, Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, CEO Tony Elumelu Foundation, Parmindar Vir, Tony and Awele Elumelu Foundation Prize Awardee, Shadi Sabeh, Selection Committee Members; Angelle Kwemo, Sam Nwanze and Accenture Development Partner, Osato Noah during the announcement of the second round selection of 1,000 beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) in Lagos yesterday.

FG, NYSC rise against killings in Rivers Continues from Page 1 United Kingdom and the United States of America, condemned the killings in Rivers State.

During the 2011 presidential election, 11 corps members were killed in Bauchi State and about 150 others had their limbs hacked off in Kaduna State by people protesting the outcome of the polls.

Last weekend, another corps member, Samuel Okonta, was killed by gunmen in Rivers State and some went missing during the federal and state legislature re-run polls in the state.

The NYSC Director General, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, who vowed that the scheme would not relent until the killers of Okonta were brought to justice, said NYSC had set up a committee to look into the killing of Okonta, adding that the committee would determine whether or not the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU it

signed with the INEC on participation of corps members in electoral process would be reviewed.

Olawumi spoke when the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung and INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, paid a condolence visit to the NYSC in Abuja, over the death of Okonta.

“I want to use this avenue to call on the Rivers State government and community leaders to do everything humanly possible to bring those who killed this young, innocent man to book. We shall work with relevant agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Perpetrators will not go unpunished – FG Meanwhile, the Federal

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO OUR feelings are always subject to your will.

It doesn’t matter how you feel at the moment, if the will and determination is there, you will achieve your goals.

Y

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I like kindness. Who doesn’t? Life is definitely too short for being with self centered abusive people —Ellen Greene TAY centered in love. Keep your thoughts and sights on Divine Love, and you’ll notice beauty and attract positive experiences. No matter what, keep faith and embrace an optimistic attitude towards life. Instead of allowing other people to pull you down, stay centered in peace and lift them up with your bright shining light and words.

S

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE You cannot be taller than me and shorter than me.

Government assured that the perpetrators of the

electoral violence in Rivers would be fished out and punished.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who blamed the violence on politicians, who refused to play the game according to the rules, described the crisis as a display of primitive political culture.

The minister, who attributed the death of Okonta to the inordinate ambition of politicians, said “under the administration of change, this impunity will never be celebrated.”

Dalung said: “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerian politicians that in playing the game, officials for the match and spectators are not players. I observed that each time we play this our political game, our tentacles and anger are extended to wrong persons.... It is very terrible that we cannot conduct ordinary election without conflict and crisis."

Earlier in his remarks, the INEC chairman, conveyed the electoral commission’s ‘sincere condolence’ to NYSC over Okonta, saying "the other corps member, who could not be accounted for, has been found alive, hale and hearty but we understand she was traumatized and

unconscious."

UK, US condemn violence, irregularities

Also, the United Kingdom and United States embassies in Nigeria, yesterday, condemned the violence and irregularities that hallmarked the polls and indicted supporters of the major political parties for the ugly incidents.

Disturbed by the irregularities, violence and reported attacks on

Specifically, the British High Commission in Nigeria, in a statement by its Sp okesperson, Joe Abuku, said the UK government was disappointed by reports of violence, in particular against electoral officials and the INEC. “UK observers in Rivers State saw irregularities around the voting and noted the low turn-out of voters at polling units which was in part a consequence of fear of violence. The British High Commission urges the leadership of both major political parties to encourage their supporters in Rivers to behave peacefully and call on those still dissatisfied to pursue resolution of their grievances through the courts in accordance with the rule of law," it added.

On its part, the US embassy said: “We condemn the use of violence and disruptions of the democratic process. We call upon the leadership of Nigeria’s political parties to urge their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process. We call on those dissatisfied to pursue a resolution of their grievances peacefully in accordance with the rule of law.”

APC candidates flay Wike, seek cancellation of polls

Candidates of the APC in Rivers East senatorial district, yesterday, lashed the state government, saying Governor Nyesom Wike’s style of governance was putting the state in bad light.

Senatorial candidate of the party in the district, Andrew Uchendu, said as leaders in the state, they would not keep quiet when things were going wrong.

Flanked by Maureen Tamuno, candidate of the party for Okrika, Ogubolo Federal Constituency, Mr Ogbona Nwonke contesting for the Etche Omuma federal constituency seat and other candidates of the party in the senatorial district, they alleged that some adhoc staff of the INEC, who were not authorised went ahead to declare results in areas where elections had been allegedly suspended.

Wike, PDP urge INEC to release collated results

However, Governor Wike, the PDP and the party’s Reps Caucus have

called on the Electoral Commission, to declare results of the rerun elections that had so far been collated.

The governor, who spoke, yesterday, when the Federated Correspondents Chapel of Nigerian Union of Journalists, in Rivers State paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, said it was shocking that the electoral body was still holding back several results already collated and announced at the various collation centres.

Continuing, the governor said the commission lacked powers to cancel results that had been announced at the various local government collation centres.

The national leadership of the PDP, spoke in like manner. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday afternoon, the National Chairman of the Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, also called for the immediate constitution of a panel to carry out a d i s p a s s i o n a t e investigation of the circumstances that led to the violence during the rerun with a view to unraveling the truth and bringing the culprits to book.

Senator Sheriff condemned the role played by some members of the Armed forces who were supposed to provide security during the elections.

The statement read in part: “The PDP is also appalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, after results had been collated and declared on the ground in many Wards and Constituencies, yielded to the pressure and instruction of a highly placed politician in Rivers State to suspend the much-awaited declaration of final results and return of the winners, who are already well known to the electorate. We stress that the Electoral Act 2010 (as

Amended) and applicable regulations do not support the suspension of the declaration of results after collation has been completed. We, therefore, demand for the declaration of all results already collated and the

return of the winners of the elections.

Wike lauds Buhari over noninterference Meantime, Governor Wike, yesterday evening,

lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for distancing himself from the rerun elections in the state, saying he did not interfere with the exercise.

Wike, who spoke in Government House, Port Harcourt while addressing PDP party faithful, said Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi came into the state noisily and left quietly after results showed he could not deliver his candidates.

“No Army is stronger than the people. No police is stronger than our people. How many times will they cancel elections for the APC? Those who were overzealous during the rerun elections did so without the knowledge of

the president.”

INEC summons REC, other officials

Meantime, INEC has summoned its Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak and other officials involved in the exercise. The commission will today meet with all the affected officials with a view to determining what exactly transpired and, thereafter, take informed position on the Rivers electoral logjam.

Vanguard checks revealed that all the concerned officials have relocated to Abuja and are set to brief the INEC Chairman and other national officers of the commission.

Director, Voter Education and Publicity at the commission, Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, in a telephone chat, said the commission would not be quick to make any pronouncement

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY MARCH 23 , 2016

Sunmonu takes over as Julius Berger chairman

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HERE has been a major boardroom change of guard at Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with the appointment of Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu as the new chairman of the board of the company.

Sunmonu, erstwhile Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Limited is replacing AVM Nurudeen Imam, who is resigning with effect from 1st April, 2016.

The out-going Chairman, Imam, who had served on the Board of the company for more than 16 years, thanked the members of the Board for the opportunity given to him to serve the company and wished the in-coming Chairman, Sunmonu, a successful tenure in office.

AVM Imam, whose decision to retire as a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors was to give a younger generation the opportunity to lead and take the company forward into the new millennium. This, he said, is in the greater interest of the company.

The new Chairman, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, also pledged to deploy his wealth of experience to work and build upon the worthy foundations and entrepreneurial legacy of his predecessors and take the construction giant in the right direction during his tenure.

WORLD WATER DAY: Ambode assures residents

of 733m gallons of water

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has assured residents of his administration’s resolve to exceed the projected 733 million gallons of water supply for

By Lawani Mikairu

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HE World meteorological day is being celebrated all over the world today. Each year, on March 23, the World Meteorological Organization, WMO, and its 185 member states and six territories celebrate the World Meteorological Day, WMD, to commemorate “The entry into force on March 23, 1950, the Convention creating the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as the successor to the International Meteorological Organization established in 1873.”

This year’s theme is “Hotter, Drier, wetter, face the future.”

Each year, the WMO chooses a theme for the celebration to focus on a topical meteorological issue affecting the society and the environment.

additional water works to make water supply adequate for its residents.

Ambode, represented by Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Babatunde Adejare, gave the assurance in his speech at the 2016 World Water Day celebration,

SIGNING: From left; Capt. Femi Adegoke, Trustee, King's College Old boys Association; Prince Tola Sotinwa, Chairman, Centenary Publication; Kunle Tejuoso, MD Glendora International ; Busuyi Onabolu, Facilitator and Dr Leke Oshunniyi, Vice President, during the Agreement signing in Lagos between King's College Old boys Association Centenary committee with Glendora and FedEx Red Star to distribute King's College history book titled: 'Floreat Collegium 100 years of King's College, Lagos'. Photo by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

themed; “Water and Jobs”.

The governor, who acknowledged the deficit in supply of water to residents, said the intention of government was to discourage the drilling of boreholes by individuals because of its inherent danger and risk to the environment.

He said that the cost of drilling boreholes or patronizing illegal water sellers was far more expensive and dangerous compared to getting water from the government.

While assuring that the 2020 target for adequate water supply for residents of the state is very achievable, Ambode maintained that the cost of building water works runs into billions of Naira hence, the need for corporate organisations to assist government in meeting the water needs of over 21 million residents.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Arc. Ahmed Abdullahi said that the yearly programme provides government the opportunity to draw the attention of concerned stakeholders and the general public to the importance of fresh water and how the limited potable water made available by government could be sustainably conserved.

Navy to combat maritime crimes through surveillance, others

By Evelyn Usman, Esther Onyegbula, Faith Ake & Angela Okpe

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Today is World Meteorological Day

residents of the state by 2020.

Ambode said the present administration is collaborating with both local and international investors under its Public Private Partnership initiative, in addition to the expansion of its existing water works and creation of

...To discourage individual borehole drilling

AGOS—THE Nigerian Navy , NN has reinstated its resolve to combat the myriads of criminality in the nation’s maritime domain, with an operational concept based on what it termed traditional tripod of surveillance, presence and interdiction.

To achieve this, it disclosed that it had acquired 30 ships, with an additional 50 Offshore Patrol Vessels expected by the end of May, 2016.

Director, Naval Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe said this during a courtesy visit to

Vanguard’s Corporate headquarters in Lagos, yesterday, that the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibass had also instituted the use of house boats with organic platforms in the Navy’s pursuit to secure the nation’s maritime domain.

The CNS according to him, directed that the boats be placed on major junctions of the nation’s water ways, with a view to further limit the possibilities of crude oil thieves and pipelines vandals to move their loots to mother vessels off shore.

Aside this measure, the CNS, he said, had also directed that each of the operational

How phony firms defrauded me of N360m, by EFCC witness

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—AN Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecution witness, Emmanuel Ugoakaeze, yesterday told a Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja, of how a phony company, Nospecto Oil and Gas, allegedly defrauded him of N360 million by giving him a false information that his money had been invested in an industrial fuel business.

Nospecto Oil and Gas, alongside four others are being tried on a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and collecting deposits illegally from the public without a licence, preferred against them by EFCC. They were accused of fraudulently converting the sums of N360m, property of Gladys Cho and Associates, and N180, 750,000, belonging to Rivotel International Ltd.

commands; the Western, Central Eastern naval commands kept to sea one capital ship everyday, in order to increase the level of patrols and operational activities as well as naval presence on the nation’s maritime space.

“We have also attempted to improve upon our surveillance systems. We have the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability

centre headquarters here in Lagos but with develop satellite stations all along our coast. The satellite station has the capabilities of radar coverage of 25 to 35 nautical miles. So, essentially our territorial waters are well covered by the surveillance system but the problem is the Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.

King’s College publishes centenary celebration book

By Bartholomew Madukwe & Onozure Dania

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AGOS—FOLLOWING the celebration of King’s College, Lagos, 100 years of existence, old students of the school have published a book, “Floreat Collegium 100 Years of King’s College, Lagos.’’

The book was published by the old students under the aegis of King’s College Old Boys’ Association, KCOBA. At a media briefing yesterday, former permanent secretary of KCOBA, Mr. Bukar Usman, said that an agreement was signed with Glendora International Limited and FedEx Red Star Express by the association over the distribution of the said book.

He explained that while

Glendora would handle the sales and distribution of the book, FedEx Red Star would ensure delivery of the book to interested buyers.

“This means the books are now available at all Glendora International Limited shops at 164 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Shoprite, Ikeja, MM2, Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Kaduna.

“Arrangement have also been concluded with FedEx Red Star Express to provide information and distribute copies of the book through all 165 outlets nationwide,” Usman stated.

KCOBA’s former permanent secretary noted that the book was deep with historical value not only to past and present staff and students of King’s College, but also all Nigerians.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 — 7

PDP member docked for calling Kashamu drug baron, jail breaker

Tony Elumelu Foundation announces 2nd round of TEEP 2016

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP member, Deji Babington-Ashaye was yesterday, arraigned before a chief Magistrate court in Isabo, Abeokuta for calling the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu a drug baron and jail breaker.

Babington-Ashaye, who was reported to have hurled abusive words on Kashamu on “PDP WHATSAPP group” known as PDP match to victory was arrested and charged to court for engaging in the act that threatens the peace of the state.

The Prosecuting counsel, Sunday Eigbejiale said the accused committed the offence on between March 13 and 14 ,2016 at about 2:30pm at Opposite community High School, Ogere, Remo in Ogun State magistrate district.

Eigbejiale said BabingtonAshaye conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by passing insult on Senator Buruji Kashamu.

According to him, the accused called Kashamu a drug baron and jail breaker, challenging him to go to the USA and clear the doubt. He was thereby said to have committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 249 (d) of the criminal code cap 29 Vol.11 laws of Ogun state of Nigeria 2006.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the one count charge of breaching public peace.

The defence counsel, Bola Oluwole, said, the offence was bailable and asked the court to grant his client bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Oriyomi Ogunfowora, granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in the like sum.

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RELEASED: Mr. Akanni Afolabi, a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly on a hospital bed in Abuja, after his release by the DSS, yesterday.

Detained Ekiti lawmaker released by DSS

By Ben Agande

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BUJA—MR. Akanni Afolabi, of the Ekiti State House of Assembly who became the subject of a death scare in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS last week has regained his freedom. Afolabi who was freed after 18 days in detention was, however, immediately admitted in a private hospital in Abuja for treatment.

The lawmaker was very weak and could barely speak when Vanguard visited him at the hospital even as he kept repeating “I am not well. I am sick. I am sick.”

He was receiving intravenous fluid in the private hospital as at the time of the visit. He, however, disclosed that he was treated for malaria at the DSS detention facility after he collapsed two times.

He said his release may not be unconnected with his deteriorating health situation, adding that he was not told by the DSS operatives why he was he held.

Afolabi was picked up on March 4 when DSS operatives stormed the premises of the State

How Ekiti varsity was freed of certificate racketeers – VC

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—THE Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele, has disclosed that the university has unmasked ‘certificate racketeers’ in the institution and have been shown the way out of the university.

The Vice Chancellor said this becomes necessary in order to maintain the University standard and dignity, noting that all the students would have to obtain their certificates after rigorous

academic exercises, contrary to what used to obtain in the past where marks were being awarded at will by some unscrupulous elements.

He said the University discovered that ad-hoc lecturers engaged by the institution were responsible for the unwholesome practices and this accounted for their sack.

House of Assembly in Ado-Ekiti.

Ekiti Assembly reacts The Chairman of the Ekiti Assembly Committee on Information, Hon Gboyega Aribisogan, told Vanguard when the news of the lawmaker ’s release filtered to town that; ‘’We

are very happy about the development. The entire state state is agog with jubilation. ‘’His incarceration really bothered us. ‘’I can confirm that every other person detained with him has also been released. ‘’Immediately he was released, Governor Ayodele Fayose ordered that he be taken into a hospital, which is where he is now.’’

MISSING UBEC FUND: Fayemi shuns

Ekiti Assembly's summon Asks members to study his hand-over notes

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—THE Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and the Minister for Solid Mineral, Dr Kayode Fayemi yesterday replied Ekiti State House of Assembly over allegedly missing N852.9 million Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC fund, saying his handover notes to Governor Ayodele Fayose, a copy of which was sent to the Assembly contained all they needed to know about his stewardship.

The Ekiti State House of Assembly had on March 10 passed a resolution inviting Fayemi to appear before it to explain how he expended N852.9million Universal Basic Education Fund.

Fayemi, in a letter dated March 21 and signed by his Personal Assistant, Tolu Ibilola, said his government stewardship during his tenure as the executive Governor was contained in his hand-over notes.

But the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Kola Oluwawole, insisted that Fayemi may still be summoned

to clarify issues on the allegedly misappropriated counterpart fund of the State Universal Basic Education Board.

“That is because the people of Ekiti State will like to know how he spent the money. Right now, Ekiti schools and our pupils are suffering because he failed to pay the SUBEB counterpart fund. That is why the state has not been able to access the funds like other states right now.

Oluwawole, in a statement issued by his media aide Stephen Gbadamosi, stated that the replied letter from Fayemi would be forwarded to the joint Committees of Public Account and Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions.

According to Oluwawole; “Former Governor Fayemi has sent us a letter stating that he will not be able to come owning to some national assignment, adding that his stewardship was fully contained in his handing-over note.”

He added that Fayemi, had also said he would be willing to offer necessary explanation if need be.

AGOS—THE Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) announces the selection of 1,000 entrepreneurs for the 2nd round of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP).

Launched in 2015, TEEP is the largest African philanthropic initiative devoted to entrepreneurship and represents a 10-year, $100 million commitment, to identify and empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs, create a million jobs and add $10 billion in revenues to Africa’s economy.

Over 45,000 entrepreneurs from 54 African countries applied, more than doubling the number of applications received in 2015. Successful candidates represent diverse industries, led by agriculture, ICT and fashion. The highest numbers of applicants came from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon. All five regions – North, East, Southern, Central and West Africa are represented.

Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, CON, commented: “In TEEP’s first year we spent over $8 million of our $100 million commitment – with $5 million going directly to entrepreneurs as seed capital — and the results have far exceeded our expectations. We have funded entrepreneurs, established networks and helped extraordinary people take control of their destinies.

The 2016 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs will become a generation of newly empowered African business owners, who are the clearest evidence yet, that indigenous business growth will drive Africa’s economic and social transformation.”

Over the next nine months, the 2016 cohort will receive the intensive online training, networking and mentoring, that provide a tool kit for success and sustainability.

They will also participate in the three-day Elumelu Entrepreneurship Forum later in the year, the largest annual gathering of African entrepreneurial talent.

Parminder Vir OBE, CEO of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, said: “We saw phenomenal success with the first cycle of TEEP – the success stories of the TEEP 2015 alumni are a testament to the transformative power of the programme we have built.

Through TEEP, we are proving to the next generation of entrepreneurs that their ideas can change their communities, their countries and their continent.”

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

FG to inject N350bn to revive economy To achieve self-sufficiency in rice, wheat production

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — TO rebound the dwindling economy, the Federal Government, yesterday, announced its readiness to inject a total of N350 billion in the next few months.

The decision was reached at the end of a two-day retreat for governors of the 36 of the federation and members of the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, made the disclosure alongside Minister of National Planning, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma; Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State, who is also chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor Willi Obiano of Anambra State at

Boko Haram: Troops kill 58 terrorists, lose a soldier

a press conference.

According to her, part of the money will help offset the debt owed local contractors, who had laid off their workers for lack of funds.

The minister added that the state governors were also advised to reduce the number of political appointees and aides as a way of reducing the cost of governance.

She said: “We deliberated extensively on the drop in revenue, particularly as to how it affects the state governments and their ability to pay salaries and obligations. The general resolve of the house and consensus was that there was need to bring in more cost efficiency in their operations.

"In particular, to look at the setting up of the efficiency unit within the state governments, to rationalise expenditure and, of course, to increase IGR. To that end, there was a need to generate data because data is the basis of any revenue collecting efforts.

“The federal and state inland revenue services collaborate to do joint audits to invest in revenue, relevant technology and efforts to improve collection.

There is a need to develop incentives for both federal and state revenue generating agencies to ensure that there is an alignment of interest.

"There is a focus at state level on property and consumption taxes to help in improving revenue in a fair manner. Tax payer education must be intensified and to expand the tax base and ensure that there is a buy-in in the revenue collection agencies from the populace.

“State governors were encouraged, where possible, to rationalize numbers of commissioners and general political appointees and, in addition, cost control measures to be identified and implemented on an on-going basis and there was a sharing of best practices from a number of states that could be applied elsewhere.

“From the Federal Ministry of

Finance in anticipation of the approval of the budget, we have virtually lined up about N350 billion which we would be pumping into the Nigerian economy in the forth coming months. We explained our rational and the processes that we have put in place, safe guards to ensure that this money actually achieves the desired objective which is to stimulate the economy."

In a similar note, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, stated that the council resolved to focus on agriculture. The resolve was in collaboration with state governments.

According to the minister, Nigeria has slated December 2018 and 2019 to achieve selfsufficiency in both rice and wheat productions.

He also revealed that state governments had been encouraged to identify at least two crops in their respective states for development just as they were also enjoined to open up some rural and feeder roads in their states.

As PSC promotes AIG, 10 CPs, 145 others

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA— THE Nigerian Army said, yesterday, that it lost one of its soldiers and killed no fewer than 58 terrorists, following a clearance operation to rid insurgents from their hideout at Musari.

The Army in statement signed

by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “In continuation with the clearance of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, troops of 153 Task Force Brigade, 5 Brigade, Monday, had an encounter with terrorists at Musari village.

“During the clearance operations, a soldier paid the supreme price, while the troops killed 58 terrorists and recovered two hand grenades, 52 motorcycles, and several bags of foodstuffs such as beans, onions, sweet potatoes and guinea corn, as well as cartons of fish.”

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, yesterday, approved the promotion of 156 senior police officers to the next rank, including one Assistant Inspector General of Police, 10 Commissioners of Police and 19 Deputy Commissioners of Police.

The new AIG is Musa Katsina Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State, while the new commissioners of police include Ero Oga; Yunana Y. Babas; DanMalam Mohammed; Mu’azu Zubairu Halilu; Rabiu Yusuf; Sanusi Nma Lemu; Ahmed Iliyasu; Isyaku Muktar Garko; Mohammed Uba Kura and Alhassan Mamuda.

BRIEFING: From left, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma; Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara State, and Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, during a joint press briefing after the closing ceremony of a two-day National Economic Council, NEC, retreat, at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

CCT trial: Judge hands off Saraki’s suit over alleged N2bn bribe

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — OWING to allegation that N2 billion bribe was traced to his bank account, Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, disqualified himself from a suit seeking to stop the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT. Though the suit was scheduled for judgement, Justice Kafarati, however, said he was left with no option than to hands off the matter after his attention was drawn to two online publications alleging that he had been compromised by

the Senate President.

The judge bemoaned that his integrity was gravely “maligned” in two separate reports carried by Sahara Reporters and Naij.com, which he said claimed that the N2 billion was traced to his account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Kafarati said: “The two publications made allegations against my person, alleging that I have been compromised with N2 billion. They also alleged that I am known in the legal cycle for being susceptible to corruption.

“What this has done is to put my integrity to question. I, however, regard the publishers

as people of unsound mind.

They know that what they said is not true. They derive pleasure when they malign the integrity of a judicial officer.

“It is unfortunate that we don’t have the appropriate laws to take care of this. As it stands, I am caught between two devils. If the judgement goes in favour of Saraki now, they will say that I have been compromised, on the other hand, if it goes against him, they will say I have been intimidated.

“In light of the allegation, the right and appropriate thing to do is to disqualify myself and return the case-file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another Judge.”

Customs re-imposes ban on rice importation

By Kingsley Omonobi & Godfrey Bivbere

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BUJA— THE Nigeria Customs Service has reintroduced the restriction order on importation of rice through land borders across the country.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), gave the approval for the reversal of an earlier policy in October 2015 which allowed rice imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

At a review session held with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units in Abuja, yesterday, the service noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders did not match the volume of rice landed in ports of neighbouring countries.

The Customs in a statement

by Wale Adeniyi, Public Relations Officer, said: “Rather, reports from border commands indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.

Implementation of the restriction order got off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015.

"However, revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers blaming access to forex as major impediments.

“During the five-month period when the importation was allowed, October 2015 to March 17, 2016, a total of 24.992 metric tons of rice valued at N2,335,131,093 were imported through the land borders."

FG declares Friday, Monday as public holidays

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BUJA— THE Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday, March 25 and 28, 2016, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter respectively.

Making the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (retd), enjoined all Christian faithful and Nigerians in general to support, co-operate and join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in his sustained efforts to build a peaceful, united and virile nation.

In a statement signed by the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Muhammadu Maccido, the minister further urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace and unity across the nation.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—9

CBN tightens money supply, raises MPR to 12% Increases banks’ CRR to 22.5%

Says excess liquidity driving forex speculation No plan to convert $20bn in domiciliary accounts to naira

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Babajide Komolafe

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BUJA — IN a bid to tighten money supply in response to the sharp increase in inflation in February, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, raised its Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 12 percent from 11.

The bank also increased the portion of customers’ deposits that banks must keep as cash, known as the cash reserve ratio, to 22.5 percent from 20 percent, while it retained the liquidity ratio, LR, at 30 per cent.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who announced these decisions at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting in Abuja, yesterday, said the decision to tighten money supply was informed by the balance of risk against inflation.

Inflation rate rose to 11.38 per cent from 9.6 per cent in December.

Emefiele said while the sharp rise in inflation was caused by structural factors as scarcity of petrol, rise in electricity tariff and exchange rate, the MPC was worried by huge excess liquidity in the banking industry. He added that the MPC noted that the excess liquidity was driving speculation for foreign exchange and also feeding into prices of goods and services.

He added that the committee was also concerned that the spike in inflation could discourage local and foreign investors from investing in the country.

financial crisis era has further alienated investors from access to credit as banks prefer to build liquidity profiles in anticipation of government borrowing.

“From the monetary data, the Committee noted that the excess liquidity in the banking system was contributing to the current pressure in the foreign exchange market with a strong pass-through to consumer prices. The Committee further noted that previous efforts to reflate the economy in order to spur growth did not elicit the required response from DMBs, hence; the surfeit of liquidity in the interbank market.

“Obviously, the attendant low rates at that market have not transmitted to the term structure of interest rates. Concerned about the need for low interest rates to support growth and employment, the Committee

urged the CBN to explore innovative ways of ensuring the unhindered flow of credit at low cost to key growth sectors even as monetary policy has to, under the circumstance, address the liquidity surfeit in the banking system as well as the pressure on exchange rate and consumer prices. The Committee hopes that fiscal and other structural policies would soon be deployed to strengthen the overall response of macroeconomic policy to the shocks.

Price stability

"The Committee remains committed to price stability across the range of consumer prices, exchange rate and interest rate, which is fundamental to reviving economic growth and employment generation."

In summary, the MPC voted to: raise MPR by 100 basis points

from 11.00 per cent to 12.00 per cent; raise CRR by 250 basis points from 20.00 to 22.50 per cent; retain Liquidity Ratio at 30.00 per cent; and narrow the asymmetric corridor from +200 and -700 basis points to +200 and -500 basis points.”

No plan to convert $20bn in Dom Acc to naira

Responding to questions, the governor said there were no plans to convert the $20 billion held by Nigerians in domiciliary accounts to naira.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the bank will continue to allow domiciliary account holders unfettered access to the funds in their accounts. I need to seize this opportunity to explain that these funds are not idle as have been wronged reported. Those funds on the balance sheet are funding assets on the other side of the balance sheet,” he said.

Inflation rate

He said: “The bank had adopted accommodative monetary policy since July 2015 in the hope of addressing growth concerns in the economy, effectively freeing up more funds for DMBs by lowering both CRR and MPR, with excess liquidity arising from the lower CRR warehoused at the CBN. "DMBs were to access these funds by submitting verifiable investment proposals in the real sector of the economy. The funds have not impacted on the market yet because the CBN was still processing some of the proposals submitted by the DMBs. “In the first episode of easing which resulted in injecting liquidity into the banking system, DMBs did not grant credit as envisaged. Moreover, the delay in passage of the 2016 budget has further accentuated the difficult financial condition of economic agents as output continues to decline due to low investment arising from weak demand.

"The cautious approach to lending by the banking system underpinned by a strict regulatory regime conditioned by the Basel Committee in the post global

BRIEFING: Lead counsel to the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Mr Festus Okoye (middle); Mr Maxwell Kyon (left) and Miss Suhaila Ibrahim Zakzaky, daughter of Ibrahim Zakzaky, at a press conference on their withdrawal from on-going commission of inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

NASS to debate, pass 2016 N6.8trn budget today

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE National Assembly will today debate the report of Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Appropriation on the 2016 Appropriation Bill before proceeding on its Easter recess.

The debate and passage would take place after weeks of buck-passing on alleged missing figures and errors in the budget estimates.

With the report, the National Assembly would approve President Buhari’s Bill for an Act to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, the of N6,077,680,000,000.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, presented estimates of the 2016 Budget of N6.8 trillion before a joint session of the National Assembly.

As a prelude to today’s debate, the National Assembly, yesterday, laid the report of the Committee on Appropriation on the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

While the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje, laid that of the Senate, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, laid that of the lower house.

The report of the conference committee on the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Stretegy PAper (FSP) was also laid on the floor of the Senate.

It was laid by the chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Enoh, PDP, Cross River Central.

NAICOM workers continue strike, meet lawmakers, AUPCTRE chairman, NAICOM NAICOM", "Minister of FiFinance Ministry officials chapter, Comrade Ibrahim nance confirmed undergraduBy Favour Nnabugwu

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BUJA — STAFF of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, have vowed to continue the on-going strike as they take their grievances against the executive management of the commission to the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

An official of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Service Employees, AUPCTRE, who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, said they met with the Senate Committee on Banking,

Insurance and other Financial Institutions and the House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters, who promised to wade into the matter.

The workers, who paralysed activities at the Abuja head office of NAICOM for the second day, also went to the Ministry of Finance, where the officials of the ministry directed that they suspended the strike and continue negotiation with the executive management before they could wade in.

The staff had threatened that the strike could last for a week, if no meaningful action was taken to address their grievances.

Abdulateef, claimed there had been gross mismanagement of funds by the executive management and lack of due process in the running of the commission’s affairs.

But the Assistant Director (Press) of the commission, Mr AbdulRsaaq Salami, in a swift reaction, denied all the allegations of the workers, stating that no such thing happened in the commission.

The protesters carried several placards, with such inscriptions such as “Corruption in NAICOM’, "N9m- NAICOM executive management bribes politicians"; George Onakhena spent $70,000 on medical fitness", "Mismanagement in NAICOIM", "Nepotism, Favouritism in

ate as Director (Inspectorate) in NAICOM.” Abdulateef further alleged that the commission lavished money on politicians at the detriment of staff overdue for training.

It was gathered that following a collective agreement between the management and the union in December 2015, the management agreed to release the 2016 training plan/schedule to enable staff know through their respective heads of department or the approved commission’s information media when they were to embark on their training to prepare ahead.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

FG, state, LGs share N345.095bn

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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EDERAL Government, yesterday, shared N345.095 billion with the states and local governments for the month of February, N25.293 billion short of the N370 billion shared in the preceding month.

A breakdown of the figure showed that Federal Government received N127.200 billion; states, N64 billion, local governments N49.740 billion.

According to a communiqué by the Technical Sub-Committee of Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, yesterday, on the Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting for the month of March, the gross statutory revenue was N270.499 billion for the month was lower than the N290.96 billion received in the previous month by N20.462 billion.

According to the committee, oil production increased slightly between December 2015 and January 2016, despite explosions at Escravos terminal, force majeure declared at Brass Terminal, shut-in and shutdown of pipelines at other terminals for repairs and maintenance.

The reduction in revenue was attributed to revenue loss of $45.90 million as a result of drop in average price of crude from $39.04 in December 2015 to $29.02 in January 2016.

Also, a substantial drop in income was recorded in the month of February from oil and gas royalty, companies’ income tax and import duty.

However, Excess Crude Account, ECA, slightly moved to $2.259 billion from the $2.258 billion recorded in the previous month.

Army/Shiite clash: How my parents were shot, by Zakzaky’s daughter

By Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA—SHUHAILA Zakzaky, 23, one of the daughters of detained leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky, yesterday, spoke at a briefing in Kaduna, on the tragedy that befell IMN in its December 12, 2015 clash with Army in Zaria.

Meanwhile, Femi Falani (SAN), Mr. Festus Okoye, Mr. Maxwell Kyon and others have formally withdrawn from representing IMN at the ongoing Judicial Commission of Inquiry, JCI, into the Army/Shiite clash, saying they would not allow themselves to be used for a pre-determined position against IMN. Suhaila, 23, a student of Engineering Architecture from

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AGOS State Police Command is investigating a teacher at Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, one Mr. Osifala Olaseni, over allegation of sexual assault of a Junior Secondary School 2 student.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, disclosed this yesterday when

‘They burnt some alive’

“When people were saying

FLOODED: Dillion Street, Kirikiri Town, after a downpour.

‘How magistrate remanded my wife after their cars brushed’

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Onozure Dania

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traffic dispute between a mother of three, Mrs. Yetunde Osijo, and a magistrate, Funke SuleHamzat, which occurred in Oworonsoki area of Lagos, led to Osijo’s arraignment and subsequent detention in Kirikiri prison.

Meanwhile, Vanguard learned that ‘the accused’ was released last night from Kirikiri Prison after the family was able to perfect the bail conditions.

She was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety.

There were different accounts of the traffic disagreement which occurred between the driver of the Magistrate and Osijo in Oworonsoki before she was pursued to Surulere by the magistrate, who subsequently ordered her arrest by the police.

According to Osijo’s husband,

Dipo, Sule-Hamzat’s driver, who is a magistrate at the Ogudu Magistrate Court, allegedly bumped into Osijo’s car, but the furious magistrate ordered that Osijo be arrested and taken to her court, where she promptly ordered that Osijo be remanded in Kirikiri Prison without giving her the opportunity to get a lawyer.

Dipo said: “From information I gathered from eyewitnesses, it was the magistrate’s driver that was wrong at the time of the minor accident.

“Yetunde, who bumped into the magistrate’s car assumed she would be asked to leave only to realise that SuleHamzat’s car was chasing her from behind.”

Dipo also told Vanguard that his wife started driving in January, and that it was just a traffic offence that resulted in a minor scratch.

He said that the magistrate and her driver chased his wife

Police probe alleged sexual assault at Queens College the Commander of 435 BSG, a panel to investigate.

By Esther Onyegbula

a Malaysian university, said: “Around 10p.m. on that day, we heard gunshots from afar. It turned out that the military were shooting at people and advancing towards the house.

“We spent the whole night with the shooting going on. We were told that people were being killed.

Mr. Paul Masiyer, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

He said: “As a responsible organisation, we are aware of a story accusing a male teacher of Queens College, one Mr. Olaseni, of assaulting a student.

“We did not wait for a formal complaint to begin investigation into the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, constituting

Anwukah, according to a statement by Mr. Ben Bem Goong, Director of Press, assured the public, particularly parents and guardians whose wards are in any of the Unity Schools and other Federal Government Colleges that their children were in safe hands.

One Mrs Chinyere Okoye had claimed that her JSS 2 daughter was sexually molested

by Olaseni, a Biology teacher.

and when they caught up with her, she was arraigned and sent to prison on Monday at about 5:30p.m., adding that because his wife told the magistrate that her father was a former clerk at the House of Assembly, she got angrier and sent her to prison.

It's a lie—Chief Registrar

However, another account by the Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court, Mr. Emmanuel Ogundare, said the entire story as told by Mr Osijo was far from the truth.

He said: “How can a magistrate in Lagos, involved in an accident, order the arrest of the other party and arraign her in own court?

“This a judicial officer, who knows the implication of such actions. It was unfortunate that contrary to the report, the case was brought before Magistrate A. Elias, who sits in Ogba Chief Magistrate’s Court, that has the jurisdiction to handle the case from the area the accident happened.

“Can we say because she is a judicial officer, she is not entitled to complain to the police or be heard when her rights is trampled upon?

“The lady in question was arrested in Surulere, from Ogba where the incident occurred and taken to the police station, where her statement was taken.

“She was subsequently arraigned and granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum, which is the least bail condition for such offence.”

the early morning prayers, the Army got the opportunity to knock down the fence, entered the house and started shooting.

They killed as many people as they could find and burnt others alive.

“We were in a part of the house that was not burnt down, but I assumed they thought everyone was burnt or dead. So they really did not search.

“We spent the day with shooting going on from afar.

There was fire all over the place.

“Then we spent the next night likewise. In the morning they (Army) came back. When they got to where myself, my father, my brothers and other members of the family were, they took shooting position and started shooting at us randomly for some seconds.

“My father, mother and three brothers and some of the people that were around us were shot dead.

“They eventually took us away. Myself, my sisters and those that were with us were beaten thoroughly and taken to the Army depot in Zaria by trucks. Since then I have not had any contact with my parents or anyone taken away. We were kept at the depot for four days.

“It is not easy to say how I have been coping. But I want to say thanks to Allah subuhana lahi tala; we are coping. We are waiting for justice. We hope that we find that.”

Legal team quits

Before then, Mr. Festus Okoye had addressed the press on the position of the legal team representing IMN. Okoye, who spoke on behalf of the leader of the team, Femi Falana, said it was completely unethical for the team to continue to represent a client whose well-being or state of health was unknown and held incommunicado since December 2015.

He said: “We have been patient enough since the beginning of the commission’s sitting as regards to the matter. ”All efforts to have access to the El-Zakzaky have been in vain and we have no option than to withdraw from the commission. The legal team of the IMN will not be used and will not allow itself to be used to legitimise a pre-determined position and agenda against the leader of IMN. “The legal team has resolved that in the light of the realities of lack of access, briefing and representation for the movement, the most honourable thing to do is withdraw completely from appearance before the commission in whatever form and manner and cease any form of representation in whatever form or manner for the movement.”

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—11

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12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Ibru, architect of modern Delta —Okowa

Court sentences killer of 11 policemen to death in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—A BAYELSA State High Court, in Oporoma, has sentenced to death by hanging, one of the killers of the 11 policemen in Lobia II community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on April 5, 2013.

The accused, Jackson Feutubobai, was found guilty on all the 11-count charge of murder preferred against him.

According to the charge, Jackson Feutubobai was accused of killing one Police Inspector, Joseph Ofozini. Police prosecutor told the court that the accused has

over five cases in various courts bordering on alleged kidnapping, sea piracy and involvement in the killing of 11 Policemen in 2013.

Trial judge, Justice M. Ayemieye, after taking into account the nature of the offence and the passionate plea for mercy made by the defence counsel, said that the sentence for murder was death and it was mandatory.

Justice Ayemieye accordingly sentenced the accused to death by hanging.

The state Prosecuting Counsel, Arthur Seweniowor, while speaking with newsmen, said that if the accused fails to ap-

By Charles Kumolu CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Chief Goodie Ibru; Mrs. Matilda Ibru and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, during the governor’s condolence visit to the Ibru family, in Lagos, yesterday. peal in three months, the governor would sign his death warrant and he will be hanged.

Counsel to the accused, Efieseimokumo Bipeledei, had ear-

lier pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying that the accused person was a family man, who has five children, who are all depending on him.

Implications of CBN’s Monetary Policy reversal ANALYSIS

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By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

HE Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, held its second meeting of the year early this week, March 21 and 22, 2016, amidst some adverse developments since the meeting that preceded this week’s, which held in January, 2016.

Among the adverse developments are the sharp decline in gross domestic products, GDP, steep rise in headline inflation rate, turbulent foreign exchange market and sharp depreciation in the Naira value at the parallel market.

More important was the negative outcome of some monetary policy measures the committee had taken in the past three consecutive meetings spanning over six months, chiefly, the expansionary liquidity management measures in favour of real sector lending, and the foreign exchange controls.

The committee reviewed recent domestic, international and financial developments, including challenges facing the Nigerian economy in the near to medium term.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee voted to review the monetary policy rate, MPR, upward from 11 per cent to 12 per cent. It also increased the cash reserve ratio, CRR, upward from 20 per cent to 22.5 per cent, while maintaining the liquidity ratio at 30 per cent with an asymmetric corridor of plus 200 basis points and minus 700 basis points.

MPR is the benchmark interest rate which determines all lending rates, with banks adding their profit margins on the benchmark rate to fix their prime lending rates. CRR is a specified minimum fraction of the total deposits of customers, which commercial banks have to hold as reserve deposits with the CBN. Liquidity Ratio is the given portion of bank’s deposit that the bank must hold in cash against the

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amount it uses to do business.

MPR is basically a tool for controlling and managing cost of funds and interest rates while CRR is basically used to control money supply and ultimately the inflation. Liquidity Ratio is basically a safety net policy to cushion and protect banks and the depositors from adverse drop in the liquidity of banks.

Implications:

In overall the MPC decisions have signaled a major policy reversal as the apex bank had mid last year begun easing supply of money as a means of reflecting the economy and propping up GDP which had recorded significant quarter-onquarter and year-on-year decline.

Stimulating economic activities CBN had expected that a lower MPR and CRR would release cash into the banking system and enable the banks to do same into the economy, specifically channeled to the real sector to stimulate economic activities and targeted growth sectors.

With the increases yesterday, the apex bank appears to have admitted a policy failure and hence a reversal to monetary tightening.

In the first place, the basic mandate of the CBN is maintenance of price and exchange rate stability.

The basic reason for the increase in MPR yesterday was to starve off the negative effect of the recent spike in inflation rate to 11.4 per cent from 9.6 per cent. Inflationary pressure is a basic sign of price hikes, or upward price instability, contrary to CBN’s basic mandate.

But then, at the previous 11 per cent MPR was yielding negative returns on monetary investments, a situation which would automatically discourage savings and financial investments.

Certainly this would necessitate the upward review above the headline inflation mark.

However, other issues would arise from this development as many analysts see inflation shooting beyond 12 per cent in a few months time, wondering if the apex bank would continue to raise the MPR as a response.

But more important implication is the lending rates across board.

Obviously cost of borrowing and overall costs in the economy would be pressured upwards by this policy review.

Hence, the policy reversal appears contradictory as it is headed to setting off a cycle of inflationary pressure, which would require further policy adjustments, a containment measures, which would also signal policy instability.

On a positive note the MPR increase would spur investments in the financial markets as yields on the various treasury instruments would rise.

However, this may channel the available funds into financial investments to the detriment of real sector. Obviously, this would also be running contrary to the earlier position of CBN to influencing money supply into real sector. A similar circumstance would be playing out with the increase in CRR, less money in the narrow measure of money supply (M1).

Irrespective of what happens in the broad measure of money supply (M2), the new CRR would ultimately squeeze bank’s ability to lend to the economy and pressure GDP further down.

However, the focus of the apex bank appears primarily to contain the huge pressure on foreign reserves which has been plummeted by huge demand out-stripping supply in the official window of the foreign exchange market in the past 10 months.

As one of its primary mandates was to maintain exchange rate stability, with the increased CRR, CBN hopes to considerably weaken bank’s ability to pile up Naira resources for foreign exchange in its weekly auction, and hence starve off speculative demands and pressure on ex-

change rate in the parallel market which has created one of the world’s widest parallel market premium since last month. But financial market analysts have considerable doubt if this would work out as planned on a sustained basis beyond two to four weeks. It is believed that the preponderance of foreign exchange chase by banks and the speculators was being fueled by policy weaknesses which have created a great incentive for arbitraging and huge quick profit in the foreign exchange market.

Analysts also see the relative shallowness of the financial market, with few investible instruments and bearish stock market as circumstances that have forced banks and other dealers into foreign exchange trading.

Surprisingly, yesterday’s MPC was silent on foreign exchange policy, except for a hint by the CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, that the apex bank was helpless in the face of dwindling reserves, expressing the hope that an oil price rebound in the international market may save the day.

This did not go down well with financial market observers who indicated that it triggered off fresh panic buying and speculative positioning in the foreign exchange market. Hence, expected outcome of the policy reversal by yesterday’s MPC may be ineffective, sub-optimal or at best short-lived salutary effect.

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ELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has described the late Olorogun Felix Ibru as the architect of modern Delta State, saying that as the first civilian governor of the state, he did a lot of work to lay the foundation for its growth.

Okowa stated this, yesterday, in Lagos when he paid a condolence visit to the Ibrus at the family’s residence.

He described the late Ibru as a man of great accomplishment, humble and caring and loved by his people.

His words: “Our late elder statesman was a man of great achievement. He did not stop as a governor. He represented his people as a senator of the Federal Republic and went on to lead the Urhobo Progress Union as its PresidentGeneral. That tells you that he was a great achiever.

“He did so much to lay the foundation for our young state then. I recall that I was a Local Government Chairman when our late elder statesman was the governor of the state. My predecessors in office tapped from his wealth of experience, but now he is gone. So I can say that I feel the loss most.”

Okowa announced that a committee would be set up by the state government to liaise with the Ibru family in planning the burial arrangement of the late former governor.

Earlier, Governor Okowa, while signing the condolence register, wrote: “We lost a great leader and a statesman. A great community leader, distinguished Senator and father of our young state.

Adieu, our great leader,”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—13

Alleged N35bn fraud: EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

By Innocent Anaba

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in absentia over alleged N35 billion fraud.

Arraigned alongside Tompolo were former boss of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh .

Earlier arraignment of the accused persons had been stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest Tompolo.

At the last court sitting, last month, Festus Keyamo, counsel to EFCC, requested for an adjournment to enable him separate the charges , leaving out Tompolo, who would face a separate charge when arrested.

In the new charge, Mr. Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh are accused of conspiring to commit the fraud between 2012 and 2015.

They all pleaded not guilty.

The accused persons’ lawyers prayed the court to grant their clients bail “in the most liberal terms.”

Keyamo did not oppose the bail applications.

Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, granted bail to all the

accused persons, except Mr. Enisuoh, in the sum of N50 million with “one reliable surety in like sum.”

Mr. Enisuoh, who was charged in two out of the 40 counts, totalling N8 million, received a N10 million bail with one surety.

“The defendants who are already on bail are to perfect their bail conditions within 24 hours or be remanded in prison.

“Those appearing before me for the first time should perfect their bail conditions today or be

remanded in prison,” the judge said.

Justice Buba adjourned till May 23, 24, 25 and 26 for trial.

The judge also adjourned till April 18, for arraignment on another 22-count charge of fraud involving Tompolo, Akpobolokemi and about 11 others.

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Mr. Keyamo said Tompolo would be charged separately “when we get him.”

“It is the duty of the security

agencies and they are still making efforts to get him. He is on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever.

We will get him.”

It will be recalled that a Federal High Court on January 14, issued a warrant for Tompolo's arrest, after he allegedly shunned an invitation to appear before the EFCC last December, has lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, praying the court to vacate the order for his arrest made by the lower court.

CELEBRATION: Comrade Joseph Evah, Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG and chief host (left) with wife of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Mrs. Otuaro, guest of honour, during the celebration of Prof. D.D. Moro, as the first Ijaw Arogbo professor, by Ijaws in Lagos.

We're yet to pass 2016 DESOPADEC budget —DTHA

By Festus A hon

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S A B A — D E LT A State House of Assembly, yesterday, said it had not passed the 2016 budget of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, into law.

Reacting to media reports that the Speaker of the House, Chief Monday Igbuya, had allegedly collected N1.3 billion from the commission for the passage of the budget, Chairman, House Committee on DESOPADEC, Chief Denis Omovie, said that the House had not received the 2016 budget of the commission let alone passing it into law.

Describing the said media report as mischievous and C M Y K

laughable, Omovie said: “The Speaker does not sign budgets into law.”

He added that those behind the said media report were ignorant of the workings of government.

He said, “The Speaker

of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Igbuya, does not have as part of his duties, the signing of budgets into law. It is strictly the responsibility of the governor to sign budgets into law. It is also a statement of fact

that the Speaker is not privy to the formulation of budgetary allocations to various agencies of government until the state governor forwards same to the House.

“It is most laughable for anybody or institution to

Royal fathers' suspension of UPU exco illegal —URI

A

GROUP, Urhobo Renewal Initiative, URI, has said that the counter directive by some highly respected personalities and kings to suspend the duly and constitutionally backed executives of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, led

by Chief Joe Omene as its President General, remains invalid, null and void.

It said that the kings’ setting up of a caretaker committee, led by Chief Gabriel Ofotokun, to stop the activities of Chief

Omene, was the source of UPU problems which had created serious regulatory risks across the entire Urhobo nation.

In a statement by its C o o r d i n a t o r, Oghenebrume David, the group said that sections 32, 33 and 37 of the 1965 constitution of the union, as amended, which dwell more on how to unseat or impeach serving members of UPU that had been duly elected, appointed and or co-opted, do not allow for personalities and royal

fathers to suspend a duly elected executive.

The group explained that as true and unbiased sons and daughters of Urhobo, the UPU constitution does not in any of its articles empower any other group, or individuals the right to make a binding pronouncement on duly elected officers of UPU. The group suggested a holistic probe into the previous activities and decisions reached by the Chief Omene led UPU executive.

ascribe to the Speaker the responsibility of signing DESOPADEC budget into law.”

Dickson orders payment of workers’ salaries through BVN

By Samuel Oyadongha

G

OV E R N O R Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has assured civil servants that the government will commence the payment of salaries to workers who have completed the process of verification, through their Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, at the end of March.

He, however, warned perpetrators of payroll fraud and other sharp practices to stop forthwith or face the full weight of the law.

Dickson, who gave the assurance, in a radio interview programme in Yenagoa, insisted that the government would drive the process to a logical conclusion.

He explained that his administration has good intentions for the state, adding that the situation has informed the government’s decision to embark on the verification process.

Urging genuine workers not to entertain any fear of sack, he expressed confidence that the technology and method being used in the ongoing exercise would further reduce the wage bill of the state from its current N4 billion to a more realistic figure.

14—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—15

BIAFRA: ICC only credible entity to investigate army killings in Aba —IPOB •United Nations' silence on killing of protesters, disturbing —MASSOB

By Nwabueze Okonkwo & Ugochukwu Alaribe

O

“Now That the Nigerian Army Has Admitted They Killed Unarmed Biafrans Who Were Conducting Prayer Inside the Football Field of Ngwa High School, Aba, What Next, IPOB quoted Buratai as arguing that “his soldiers could not have opened fire on the activists without provocation.”

They quoted the Army Chief to have stated that ,'We have our rules of engagement, ROE. The troops cannot just open fire.

"While dismissing the constitutionally-backed respect for human rights and sanctity of human lives as guaranteed in section-33 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, Lt.-Gen. Buratai boasted that in situations that entail the use of fire, the protection of human rights does not apply.'"

IPOB maintained: “in his display of crass ignorance of the

Constitution and the Laws of Nigeria, the Army Chief surmised that the 1999 Constitution, and the Armed Forces Act, all provided for the use of force when necessary. But we could not locate in any of the 320 sections and seven schedules of the 1999 Constitution, which section supported the dastardly acts of his soldiers. Neither did we find in any of the 292 sections and four schedules of the Armed Forces Act, CAP – A20 LFN 2004, where it stipulated the shooting of unarmed peaceful civilians in peacetime within the Federation of Nigeria.”

United Nations and other international organizations on the killing of protesters agitating for the actualization of an independent state of Biafra.

The group said it is worried that the international community has closed its eyes to the injustice being meted out against the people of the former Eastern region by the Nigerian government.

MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor who stated this in an interview with Vanguard accused international agencies of leaving Biafrans to their fate while condemning such injustices in other parts of the world.

He said: “MASSOB is disturbed by the silence of the international community in what has been happening in Nigeria where pro Biafra agitators are being killed."

NITSHA—THE Directorate of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has said the only credible entity which can carry out in-depth investigation into the shootings and killings of unarmed Biafrans in Aba, Abia state on February 9, 2016 is the International Criminal Court, ICC based in Hague.

IPOB said the so-called team arranged by the Chief of Army Staff is foundationally riddled with conflicts of interest and lacks the moral compass to conduct quality investigation in a case of this magnitude.

It therefore, urged the United Nations Human Rights Commission and other allied organizations to intervene and work with the ICC to conduct a thorough investigation now that the Nigerian Army through the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has confessed that they actually shot and killed unarmed Biafrans on the fateful day.

In a press statement signed on their behalf by their Spoke persons, Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, IPOB noted that, "now that it is indisputable that unarmed Biafrans were mowed down by the Nigerian soldiers on the fateful day, it is incumbent upon the authorities concerned to convocate an impartial investigative team and not the group hurriedly set up by the Army Chief considering that the Army is the aggressor in this case."

In the statement entitled;

HONOUR: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (left), congratulates the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubaka Sani Bello, after Alhaji Bello’s conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, by the Imo State University, Owerri.

Pa Dickson Egwuatu for burial

Abia govt's N100m debt to EEDC throws residents into darkness

M

R. DICKSON Kaka Egwuatu, the father of Vanguard Newspaper ’s Assistant Business Editor, Mr. Peter Egwuatu is dead, aged 80 years.

Late Pa Dickson, a retired staff of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, died January 25, 2016 and hailed from Ndieke village, Ariam/Usaka Community in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State.Heissurvivedbywife,andseven children. HewillbeburiedonSaturday, March 26, 2016 in his compound at NdiekeVillage.

Late Dickson Egwuatu

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By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—SCORES of Umuahia residents sharing Enugu Electric Distribution Company, EEDC electric transformer with Government House, Umuahia have been thrown into total darkness for upwards of one month due to inability of Abia State Government to pay accumulated electricity bill of about N100 million.

Mostly affected are residents of No. 1, Factory Road, made up of blocks of houses; the entire factory road including private schools operating on that street, numerous shops and other business premises around the area have been in darkness.

The residents who are up-todate in the payment of their electricity bill have been disconnected by the EEDC and thrown into darkness for one month by the electricity

Disturbing silence

Meantine, the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, said it is disturbed by what it described as the seeming silence of the

company which has even continued to send consumption bills to them despite the fact that they have not seen light in the last one month.

The management of the company has also been reluctant to relocate these people to other lines to enable them enjoy electricity as the Abia State

Government, according to them, was not willing to pay the bill.

When Vanguard visited Umuahia district office of EEDC, a senior manager in the Operations Department, confirmed that the residents of the area have been thrown into darkness because of the government’s debt.

Gov Umahi vows to recover money from non-performing contractors

A

BAKALIKI—GOVERNORDavid Umahi of Ebonyi State has vowed to recover all money paid to contractors for jobs not completed by the immediate past administration.

Umahi madethisvowwhilereceiving interim report of the Dave Nwachukwu-led Market Development Committee in Abakaliki on Monday.

He noted that the contractors had ignored several invitations for joint measurements with the ministries in

charge of their contracts and warned that the government would take all necessary steps within the armbits of the law to ensure that they complied.

His words: “ A lot of the state fund is in the hands of the contractors. We invited one of the contractors or a number of them to come for joint measurements but they are not complying and when that is not possible, whatever joint measurement done by the supervising ministry stands."

LP gives Obiano 2 weeks ultimatum to conduct LG polls

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA—ANAMBRA State chapter of Labour Party, LP, has given Governor Willie Obiano two weeks ultimatum from now to conduct the elections that will usher in democratically elected chairmen and councillors of the 21 council areas of the state.

The party said the state government should be prepared to face court action and mass protests if it fails to conduct the elections.

State Chairman of LP, Chief Luke Ezeanokwasa who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, however gave Obiano pass mark in the area of security of lives and properties in the state.

Flanked by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Eddy Okoye, Ezeanokwasa contended that apart from the non conduct of the local government elections, they were yet to ascertain the direction and tone of Obiano’s government especially as related to the welfare of the people of the state.

According to him, “Willy Obiano’s administration, for the past two years, is bedeviled by lack of developmental blueprint and has brought the state to its present financial quagmire."

Imo govt appoints new SSG

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—IMO State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has announced the appointment of a career civil servant, Mr. George Eche, as the new Secretary to the State Government of Imo State, SGI. Mr. Eche’s appointment came barely four days after the Governor relieved the immediate past occupant of the office, Sir Jude Ejiogu, of his duties.

The new SGI, who is a native of Obiangwu, Ngor Okpala local council area of the state, was first appointed a Permanent Secretary by Chief Ikedi Ohakim and posted to the Ministry of Finance.

However, when Okorocha came on board as Governor in 2011, Eche was appointed the Accountant General of the state but was later backloaded to the Ministry of Finance.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 , 2016

VERDANT ZEAL HOLDS 5TH INNOVENTION LECTURE SERIES IN LAGOS PHOTOS: Lamidi Bamidele

Sir Steve Omojafor (right) presenting a gift to Prof Pius Adesanmi, From left: Mr Ade Adeniji, Member, Board of Directors, Verdant Zeal; Mr Femi Professor of Literature and African Studies, Carlton University, Ottawa, Oyewole, Chairman and Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Group CEO at the Verdant Zeal 5th Canada and Keynote Speaker, during the Verdant Zeal 5th Innovention Innovention Series 2016 held in Lagos. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele Series.

From left: Mrs Biyi Tunji-Olugbodi; Abiola Sobowale-Sanni and Tolulope Ajayi.

Mr Toye Arulogun, MD, The Tall and Wide (left) and Mr. Paul Obanua, GMD, Greenfield Assets Ltd.

Dr Tunji Olugbodi, Executive Vice Chairman/ GCEO, Verdant Zeal Group, at the event

NEC sets up implementation c'ttee, sets target for sufficiency •Tomato paste – 2016, •Rice – 2018, •Wheat – 2019 •recommends gradual increase in VAT •increase borrowing to fund infrastructure •Targets single digit lending for agriculture

By Omoh Gabriel

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HE national economic council retreat, yesterday, set up an implementation and implementation monitoring committees to oversee the implementation of the outcome of its decisions. According to a statement from the office of the Vice President, the committee on implementation is to be headed by the Vice President and Chairman of NEC, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The implementation committee is to provide appropriate steers to the Implementation Monitoring Committee to ensure that the resolutions agreed at the retreat are duly followed up. Other members are Abdulaziz Y. Abubakar, Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Zamfara

State Member, Adams Oshiomhole Governor of Edo State member, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor of Kwara State Member, Rauf Aregbesola Governor of Osun State, Member, David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State Member, Badaru Abubakar Governor of Jigawa State Member, Mohammed Abubakar, Governor of Bauchi State.

Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning Member, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance Member, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment member, and Chief Audu Ogbe Minister of Agriculture. Others are Dr. Kayode Fayemi Hon. Minister of

Solid Minerals, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mrs. Nana F Mede Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning Secretary.

The Council also constituted implementation monitoring committee with the responsibility to follow up the implementation of the resolutions of the retreat, receive steers from the Steering Committee regarding the follow up of the implementation and to provide progress reports to the Steering Committee on the implementation. It is to be chaired

by Mrs Zainab S. Ahmed, Minister of State, Budget and National Planning with eleven other members.

At the close of the retreat the members resolved that there was need for concerted and consistent efforts to diversify the nation’s revenue sources and expand compliance on VAT, adopting a gradual plan for rate increase

Members of the council also agreed on increase expenditure through borrowing, which should be invested in infrastructure. They urged both the Federal and State Governments to focus on fiscal responsibility as a critical element in macro-economic balance stating the need for increase investment in infrastructure through public private partnership (PPP).

Members it was learnt agreed to the need to develop financial inclusion strategies to cater for the poor and vulnerable population and also to maintain a minimum level of capital expenditure of 30 per cent in the budget On Agriculture: The Council urged the Federal Government to re-position Bank of Agriculture to enhance its capacity to finance agriculture while stating that funding for Agricultural sector is considered critical and sources of intervention funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria should be considered. The Council said that a single digit interest rate for agricultural loans should be considered while duties and taxes for

Agricultural products and equipment should be waived. The Council said that there is the need to develop strategic partnerships between Federal and State government and that each State should make specific commitments to crops in which it has comparative advantage and request Federal Government intervention The Council also resolved that: •National targets for self-sufficiency should be set for identified crops, which should be monitored. Tomato paste – 2016, Rice – 2018, Wheat – 2019, •The Federal and State Governments should roll out agricultural extension services nationwide , •The Commodity Exchanges should be established for price regulation and avoidance of losses due to lack of markets. The Abuja Commodity Exchange should be revitalised, •The National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, should be re-established.

•Federal Government should develop an Agriculture Implementation plan whereby State Governments are encouraged to identify at least two crops in which they have comparative advantage.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 —17

I

T is somewhat amusing that public commentators in Nigeria find a man like Donald Trump horrifying, while we in our country have consistently voted for and empowered men like Donald Trump in both business and politics. “The Donald”, with his racist, fascist rants about Muslims and foreigners,is the same bigoted, narcissist one finds in positions of authority across Nigeria.

He is an aberration to any society that values political correctness, human rights and freedom, which unfortunately, doesn’t include ours. Many aspects of Trump’s campaign are based on blaming foreigners (and Muslims) for White America’s economic woes. His divisive tactics would probably send the average Nigerian politician into ecstasy.

The spectre of the Mexican illegal immigrant is his own Biafra, a trump card (no pun intended) to be used and re-used in any conversation where he is lacking in argument. His success shows the breakdown of American public school education, where, much like Nigeria, civic education has been pushed to the background, paving the way for irresponsible, opportunistic politicians to manipulate public affairs to their own advantage.

Degrees and certifications Public education, besides equipping people with degrees and certifications, has the wider objective of preparing them for citizenship, enabling them to think deeply and broadly, something that in the hinterlands of Nigeria and America, it is no longer recommended to do. An addiction to religion (or rather its external trappings), particularly to the evangelist strain, created a society, in both countries, where “ rapture”, “miracles” and “prophets” determine ideas and conversations rather than rational thought.

The Republican fear of Islam and would-be Islamisation of the world, mirrors our own even more peculiar obsession (given that Islam in Nigeria has always coexisted with Christianity) with the spectre of conversion, used to prevent the citizenry from looking too closely into other issues of na-

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Donald Trump, the Nigerian within tional interest: in our case, a Muslim President leads a fight against corruption, so it is all too simple to distract from the real issue (corruption and the many ways it kills Nigerians) by obsessing over his faith, forgetting that past Presidents used the Christian Association of Nigeria like it was an arm of government.

“The Donald” would love Nigeria: our pathological need to fabricate and sensationalise events, our tacit encouragement of violence (electoral, domestic, you name it), our refusal to see women as fullfledged human beings (Trump, if he has heard of the Nigerian Senate is probably giving it a thumbs up right now), etc.

Donald Trump’s rise in America might seem surprising, but his Nigerian counterparts’ existence isn’t. Their offensive remarks, totally lacking in value policy-wise, are not so surprising, given that our system was built to discourage talent from emerging and to perpetuate an anti-meritocratic political culture where rottenness

At the heart of America’s Trump problem, one finds the same puzzle which is turning our federalism into an assortment of delinquent and badly behaved, antipeople governments

Unchallenged supremacy

Donald Trump as a set of principles, is the fastest way to money, power and social relevance.

Emotional bias on issues serves all “Donalds” purposes, in a global media environment that favours reality TV political backbiting over serious discourse, enabling Trump, or any agitator and manipulator like the average Nigerian politician, to thrive. The most unfortunately “Nigerian” thing about Donald Trump, which he himself in an ironically and horrifically candid moment confessed, is his love of “illiterates”.

Trump thrives in states and counties where white high-school dropouts outnumber college graduates, where a sense of agency is lacking in most people’s lives and where unemployed Americans no longer look for work.

Like the Nigerian politician whose children go to expensive schools while he preys on the ignorance of his voters, encouraging them to blame other people (read ethno-

religious groups) for their problems, Trump is adept at turning politics, a gathering force, into something uncivilised and unspeakable.

At the heart of America’s Trump problem, one finds the same puzzle which is turning our federalism into an assortment of delinquent and badly behaved, antipeople governments: in America, it’s institutional racism, the belief and portrayal by mainstream media and politics that Blacks should “get over themselves” and “get on with it” while simultaneously pampering White voters and telling them poverty or lack of economic success is everyone else’s fault. In Nigeria, it is the same sort of discrimination and animosity toward the poor, while ironically blaming them for their situation, but with a more heinous consequence.

Here, we teach that “sharp”, illegal practices will make you rich, hence our “do-or-die” poli-

Rivers State

Obasanjo

D

H

OES being an oil rich state justify the level of violence seen during the recent elections? The phrase “clash of the titans” seems to have taken on a darker meaning in Rivers, as state juggernauts seem engaged in “do- or-die” combat.

It is beyond all understanding. The alleged assassination attempt on Dakuku Peterside, currently DG of NIMASA, shows just how much the situation has degenerated. In the '90s and early

•Rotimi Amaechi

tics.

The Nigerian elite loves and encourages the poor’s prejudice and bias towards various ethnic groups, yet it is united in its belief that Nigeria belongs only to a certain class of individuals.

Trump’s success is predicated on a long held pact between the Republican Party and their unemployed, White constituents whose collective memory of segregation and the constant scapegoating of minorities, has united. As for Nigerian politicians, keeping the majority wallowing in illiteracy has been their greatest weapon. Today, those who cry “witch-hunt” because they are being asked stringent questions as to the whereabouts of huge sums in their care, do so because it is the very identity of the Nigerian politician which is being challenged: who are they here to serve?

•Gov Nyesom Wike 2000s, gangsterism, cultism in the state seemed almost uncontrollable and their resurgence is more than worrisome.

In 2007, the EFCC under Nuhu Ribadu accused the Odili administration of fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and other offenses, while a Human Rights Watch report spoke of corruption and mismanagement destroying local government structures. Perhaps in taking a closer look at that period, one could find the keys to what is happening now.

E reportedly described those asking him to account for the Abacha loot as “illiterates” and “stupid”, saying all questions should be directed to the Ministry of Finance, the CBN and their heads at the time. That is a dereliction of duty. The buck stops at the President’s desk. Like any CEO, he is responsible for the executives he names who cannot operate without his consent, which is why it is probably worse for former President Jonathan not to have known about #ArmsGate than the opposite. Nigerians should keep up the pressure when it comes to the Abacha loot, our commonwealth, as we are yet to see or feel tangible evidence of its appropriate use. As for acknowledging that picking Jonathan was simply an ethnic consideration, it is further proof that ethno-religious politics or zoning does not produce the sort of progress or development for all, that Nigeria needs. Who is the best man for the job? That is the question to be asked from now on.

Themselves or Nigerians? And it makes sense that when one’s identity is challenged in such a central way, the response (the witch-hunt defense) becomes an attempt at protecting the beliefs and actions (corruption, nepotism, ethno-religious discourse) which enable their hitherto unchallenged supremacy. Nigerians,let’s not feel sorry for Americans,despite Trump’s onslaught on the values of liberal democracy. Their individual lives are protected by institutions sworn to serve them.

We, on the other hand routinely demonise and impatiently chastise the one person standing between us and chaos. We might dislike Trump, but we have a multitude of Nigerian versions in the Senate for example, whose wealth and lifestyles we idolise, while they preside over our ignorance, trading our adoration for their subtle manipulation.

We are a nation that breeds Donalds: our laws have been unable to protect us from oppression, because those sworn to do so have court cases to answer themselves. It’s one of the biggest scams of our time: a democracy defended by people who hate democracy. The Donalds, the people international media call fascists, they would be so proud.

•Obasanjo

*Tabia Princewill is a strategic communica- tions consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Women and the struggle for gender parity (2)

By Deborah Adeojo

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OW, the debate over the years is that because the man is different from the woman then one has to be greater/ better or of more relevance than the other. But in the real sense, different and unequal are not interchangeable concepts or words. The age long fight has really not been about equality because God already made the man and woman equal. The movement, however, is to ensure that everyone everywhere recognise and embrace this unchangeable equality. It’s simple; though we are different, we are equal. But are we equal enough to have a fair shot at leadership and excel at it?

Absolutely.

Every society needs true inclusion of all persons in national leadership and at all levels of societal participation. To explain this let me give you another illustration. Let’s look at the evergreen rice or beans debate. Which is better? Rice or beans? Well, as far as I am concerned, both and neither. Rice cannot give your body the

nutrients that beans will and beans will not do for you the things that rice will. Yet your body needs the nutrients that both can offer. If you choose to always eat only rice, you’ll soon suffer from a nutritional deficiency. And if you choose to always eat only beans, you’ll get sick soon. Just as our bodies need a little rice and a little beans to be healthy, our organised governments and societies need nutrients from both men and women.

And really, true inclusion is not about giving women a quota in leadership. The quota system only implies that if the quota has been filled up and there are more suitable female candidates for the vacant positions, we’d rather settle for the less qualified men.

It also means that, if the allotted quota is yet to be filled and the women available aren’t qualified, we just have to put them there even when we have more qualified men. We don’t need a 35/65% or even a 50/50% representation. Leadership is more than representation, it’s about deliverables. If leadership must work, we must leave the

doors open. Let the best human win but let every human have a fair chance to be considered based on what they can deliver.

There has been the question of what happens when biological differences and cultural roles interfere with the responsibilities of leadership.

Well, I think it’s time we permit a revision of these cultural roles and allow our culture to truly evolve. A good example on the “notion of interference” will be to deny a young woman a sit at the helm of affairs in a company she has invested so much in just because she is married and may get pregnant and this may interfere with her ability to perform. The truth is, if she is good enough then she is good enough for exemptions and extra help.

Let us look at it in another way.

If you have two boys in school and one happens to be a one-way Jack with academics and the other

Leadership is more than representation, it’s about deliverables. If leadership must work, we must leave the doors open. Let the best human win but let every human have a fair chance to be considered based on what they can deliver

Kanu: Authoritative ambiguities and dilemma of powerless

By Austin Eweroke

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S a development professional with some international exposure, the anomic social order in Nigeria is heartrending. The social situations in the country occasioned by endemic corruption, bad governance and lack of responsiveness to civic duties among the general population has for long reached a critical level. Besides my concerns for the state of worsening deprivations of the common people, the utter decay in social values is more worrisome as the entrenchment of materialism and moral decadence has reach an epic dimension, with common criminals enjoying social accolades. The traditional institutions of society are so decimated, and the holy places such as the church are not even spared as some of those who are supposed to be the custodian of morality and social ethics are all engrossed in the macabre dance of indiscipline.

Given the ethical travesty that has become a threat to the Nigerian social fabric, like many other well-meaning Nigerians, I have longed for a change both in governance and the general way of life among the populace. Thus, when the duo of Buhari and Osinbajo were chosen as candidates of the main opposition party in the last presidential election, I was really glad, and most of us abroad campaigned for them in our own unique ways. My strong support for Buhari and Osinbajo was based on their personality and antecedents. To me, Buhari represents the opposite of most of our past leaders in terms of indiscipline and corruption as he had earlier demonstrated during his short term as Nigerian military head of state. For Osinbajo, my belief is that with his character as a

clergyman, he would provide a good support in steering the nation out of moral deficit and towards good governance. The uniqueness in characteristics of these two reputable Nigerians raised the hope in me that the time for change has come.

Although my belief in Buhari and his deputy is still intact, there are certain developments that are being witnessed at the moment, which are raising some concerns regarding the focus and priority in achieving our expectations from the Buhari administration. One of the main issues at the moment is the detention of Nnamdi Kanu. There is a proverbial adage that says “you don’t carry an elephant on your head and at the same time seek for an ant on the ground.” Our expectations and existing need for change at the moment, makes the focus on Nnamdi Kanu a distraction. What I have read from the press is that this man operates a Radio station in the UK, which campaigns for the Biafra. Before now, most of us who live in Europe do not know this Kanu nor have heard about his Radio station, likewise other Nigerians at home.

While those untouchables are enjoying the luxuries gained by shortchanging Nigerians, Kanu and other unarmed protesters are the ones facing the full weight of state power.

This is a loss of focus and the dilemma of the powerless

though brilliant, also performs well in extracurricular activities like athletics. Will you say to the latter, “Boy, focus on the extracurricular” or “Abandon the extracurricular activities for academic?” or will you say “Boy, since you are brilliant at both, we must find a balance and if it means making exceptions and investing extra resources, we’ll make sure you become your best in all you do?”. I think a considerate parent would choose the latter option. So, if she’s good at all, she must be good enough for extra investments.

Nevertheless, whatever your thoughts are, I think everything about Hillary Clinton (to go back to my earlier reference to her) screams “Men-O-Pause”.

I see her place in the ongoing presidential contest as a barrierbreaking one- especially if she wins, even the primaries. I do look forward to her winning but I don’t think Hillary Clinton will make a better president simply because she is a woman.

Similarly, I don’t think that the men vying against her will lead better because they are men.

Being a good and resourceful president has nothing to do with gender. Like every other candidate, Hillary has the skill set, exposure, insight and foresight that qualifies her for the seat. But, unlike every other candidate, she holds a key. Not just a key, the key. The key to female freedom and in some sense gender equality.

Eight years ago, Obama held a similar key that had been crafted and forged over centuries by the blood, sweat and voices of warriors like Dr. Martin Luther King and opened the door to endless possibilities, dreams and aspirations for the black race. A

Freedom of speech is one of the unique attributes of democracy. Emphasis on freedom of speech is based on its usefulness for achieving good governance and keeping the government of the day on track. Though moderation and constructive opinion is necessary. I am not a supporter of Nnamdi Kanu as I believe in the oneness of Nigeria. However, the manner in which this young man is being handled is raising questions over the priority of the government on the real issues. The question is: does the suffering of this young man, who is continuously detained and paraded with handcuffs really worth it? There are situations in the Nigerian political sphere and social development that is fuelling the present agitations, which needs to be looked into, if promoting fairness and maintaining the oneness of the Nigerian agenda is in the heart of the present regime. The treatment that is being meted to Kanu and also the killing of those unarmed people, who were protesting for Kanu’s release, indicates the fate of the powerless, which may also make the narrative of ethnic antagonism and humiliation attractive.

Kanu’s situation presents an analogy of using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. The irony of the matter for most people who are watching as events unfold is that the weight of punishment being given to Kanu, who is dragged around in handcuffs, is what we expect to see of many of those celebrated criminals in previous administrations, who have created and nurtured the social woes that Nigerians are facing at the moment. Rather, those enemies of the Nigerian progress are enjoying freedom, which is raising questions whether the government is losing focus. Nnamdi Kanu did not take arms against Nigeria, neither did he kill anybody, and his activities were even done abroad. Meanwhile, even with the weight of evidence against politicians, who plundered the treasury and caused the death of many Nigerians, only but a

black family in the white house was the needed push that millions of Africans all over the world needed to dream big, seamlessly and pursue their dream.

Hillary can do much more.

Hillary holds the key to the freedom of not just billions of women across cultures and races but for men as well. With her as president, our boys and men can be encouraged to embrace equality in ways that no finely crafted speeches, persuasions or persons can convince them to.

They can dream better for their daughters and sisters and give them access to opportunities that will launch them to remarkable inclusion, productivity and greatness.

Hillary can give our girls the license to dream and dream wild and big. If a woman becomes the President of the United States of America, then our young girls and women will be emboldened to step out and lead at whatever level, in whatever capacity.

There will be a coming out revival across all cultures and in fact, where there is reluctance on the part of women, the men will do the pushing because they have seen and now know that the wall of gender limitation is a needless obstacle to true societal growth and development.

I have high hopes for Hillary and I stand with her. But above all, may the best candidate win.

God bless Nigeria and those who love her.

Concluded

*Deborah Adeojo, is a broadcaster and writer of the blog #Shewrites. She sent in this piece from Ibadan to celebrate the International Womens’s Day

few are being tried. Even those who are being brought to book are not facing the kind of situation that Kanu is going through. They are even granted bail while Kanu remains in detention. This is the situation of the powerless. Many of those politicians and their accomplices, who diverted public funds and aggravated the suffering of the common people are the ones who should by now be languishing in jail and paraded for Nigerians to see their real enemies. Many of those eminent criminals are walking freely and enjoying their loots. Some of them and their accomplices even have the guts to challenge the government and frame the criticism of being persecuted by the government. These persecutors of the common people, who should be languishing in detention, are now the ones turning the table against Nigerians.

Ironically, while those untouchables are enjoying the luxuries gained by shortchanging Nigerians, Kanu and other unarmed protesters are the ones facing the full weight of state power. This is a loss of focus and the dilemma of the powerless.

I still believe in Buhari’s government, and for this reason, let me remind him that the world, and indeed most Nigerians in diaspora who trust in the Buhari personality and character, are expecting something better.

There is a concern among the international community at the moment, especially regarding the detention of Kanu, and for Buhari’s capacity to fight corruption. There is need for the president to take advantage of the international support at the moment to get things right before the table turns against him.

If the government loses the present support by failing to do the right things, the continuity of the APC as the ruling party will be jeopardised, which may also reverse situations to a status quo.

*Mr. Eweroke, Social and Institutional Professional Research Scholar, University of Bath, wrote from UK.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

2016 budget padding, global embarrassment to Nigeria —Adesanmi •Needs good governance to drive youth innovation

By Franklin Alli & Princewill Ekwujuru

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PEAKERS at the fifth Innovention series, an annual talkshop organized by Verdant Zeal Group, themed: “The Next Big Thing: Identifying Africa’s Untapped Potential,” yesterday in Lagos described 2016 budget padded by civil servants as a global embarrassment to Nigeria.

The speakers have also prescribed that the country needed visionary governance or good leadership to drive youth innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship beyond the 21st century.

Prof Pius Adesanmi, Professor of English and Director Institute of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, who was the keynote speaker in his lecture, ‘Iyalaya’ Anybody: Pencils, Nigerian Innovation, & Africa’s Path in the 21st Century,” said, the 2016 budget padded by civil servants was a global embarrassment to Nigeria.

Adesanmi also said, “all over Nigeria, Fulani herdsmen have been having bloody clashes with their host communities, culminating in the recent Agatu massacres resulting in about five hundred deaths in some estimates.”

Innovative genius of the people He said, “the Nigerian state’s predictable response to a problem which calls for the facilitation and mobilization of the innovative genius of the people is to retort that she would import grass from Brazil to feed the cattle and solve the problem. This got me thinking about the boy who recently resolved a problem for the Masai of Kenya. Lions kill their cattle. The boy invented a flashing light device which scares away the lions. The boy’s invention is trending in Kenya.

Bring that problem to Nigeria and the Nigerian state’s reaction would not be how to inspire genius and innovation. Some minister would have suggested we import lions that are allergic to the cattle of the Masai.

“But I insist that the lack of enabling or inspiring official environments for the unleashing of the creative intelligence of the continent’s youth demographic is an ironic advantage. When you understand that all over the world, the youth demographic is being called upon to harness the resources of the global knowledge economy to solve the critical problems of their societies in the present and to innovate pathways to the future; when you understand that leadership and the state have a significant role to play that is largely absent in Africa, then you understand that C M Y K

the cards are stacked against you and you must double your effort.”

Prof Adesanmi, said leaders of America, United Arab Emirates and Asian countries are already scrambling for the future by inspiring their youth to unleash their invention, innovation and entrepreneurship potential.

According to him, with the global shift from resources to human capital development, the youth demographic is the next big thing – the single most strategic key in creating prosperous societies of the future. “Take the overwhelming emphasis on the youth demographic out of any of these documents and the lofty dreams, hope, vision, promise, and aspiration contained therein will collapse completely.”

His words: “If you want the wealthiest people in the world to replace you with Paris and other chic Western destinations as the world’s headquarters of tourism, there must be a visionary leadership able to channel the imagination and potential of the youth to finding innovative ways to have ice rinks and ski resorts in the desert.

The leaders of the United Arab Emirates have been providing this strategic vision that has enhanced the creative and innovative juices of their youth.

And today, the leaders of Dubai are inspiring their youth demographic that whatever futuristic unimaginable they can imagine can be done. Every time you think that Dubai has taken us to the very limits of futuristic architecture and construction, some youth somewhere innovates an engineering marvel that allows Dubai to add more floors to those skyscrapers.

Visionary leaders “The American example is also instructive. In America, the leadership is telling a restless youth demographic that the moon is not enough – they must conquer Mars. Today, people look at Mark Zuckerberg and his generation as the very apex and epitome of 21st century youth innovation, invention, and entrepreneurship. “But the foundation for this spirit was laid by generations of American visionary leaders. Long before Mark Zuckerberg was born. An American leader had taught his people that there is no limit to

It is imperative to make projections into the future by conscious planning and not by accidental coincidences

L-r, Audu Maikori, President, Chocolate City Group; Kelechi Nwosu, President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria; Siju Alabi, Moderator; Prof. Pius Adesanmi, keynote speaker and Mr Tunji Olugbodi, MD, Verdant Zeal at the Verdant Zeal’s fifth Innovention Series 2016 held in Lagos. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele

make a difference to Nigeria, Africa and by extension, the globe. “For instance, our independently born and homegrown industries like Nollywood have projected Nigeria to the number two Prof Pius Adesanmi, delivering his lecture position amongst the largest producers of human will and desire. films worldwide.

Our He gave them a deadline to agricultural, mineral (huge extend themselves beyond us all deposits of coal, columbyte, and conquer the moon. This no- limestone, tin, oil, gas, and gold), limit philosophy to human and human capital resources daring, imagination, and hold great opportunity for our innovation is the philosophical country. matrix into which the generation The high rate of technology of Mark Zuckerberg was born. adoption is pointers to the Do not make the mistake of immense opportunities in Africa. thinking that these kids just Nigeria is the 14th largest happened along ex-nihilo. “All producer of tomatoes worldwide over Asia, youth are imagining and the world’s fourth producer and shaping our future in huge of cocoa behind Ghana, Cote innovation leaps because their d’Ivoire and Indonesia. Our leaders are telling them that they tourism potential in Nigeria and must beat American kids. That is Africa in general is largely why Chinese kids go to Harvard, untapped and holds a lot of MIT, Yale, Stanford, and promise for wealth creation and Columbia and make American great foreign exhange earnings kids look like dunces in those – Many countries have actually places.” survived and grown on tourism.

Conversely, he said that the These are just a few statistics opposite is the case in much of which show why doing business Africa. “Take Nigeria for in Africa is more than just hype. example. While visionary Africa is really the ‘Next Big leadership and the state are Thing.’” making it possible for the youth For Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Vice in America and Asia to dream of Chairman/ Group Chief conquering Mars and opening Executive Officer, Verdant Zeal up the next frontiers of science Group, the pace of innovation and innovation, the Nigerian would be a critical component of Federal government recently African growth story in the next assured her own youth that with few decades. patience, dedication, and prayers, we may be able to Accidental manufacture pencils in two or coincidences three years. Yes, you heard me right. Manufacturing pencils by “It is, therefore, imperative to 2018 or 2019 is how a Federal make projections into the future Minister framed the aspirations by conscious planning and not of the Nigerian government. by accidental coincidences. The With any luck, the Nigerian days of folding our arms and government may inspire our saying it is well have to be put youth to try and see how we on the back burner, as this might be able to manufacture passive attitude would not take toothpicks in 2020. us to the next level any time soon.

Also speaking, Mr. Femi We have to deliberately plan to Oyewole, Chairman, Board of be great. There is a need for a Directors, Verdant Zeal, noted paradigm shift in the form of a that as a nation, Nigeria is reorientation of minds to help rightfully positioned for the Next reengineered the nation towards Big Thing – Strong Population, development. Our complex and Variety of good natural, longstanding challenges. Lack of Industrial, creative and artistic vision or good leadership, resources along with a host of corruption and a host of other other factors that stand in our social challenges hamper our favor to catalyze us to untold growth,” he said. greatness.

What panelists said: Here are He stressed that creativity, what discussants at the event innovation, invention and new proffers to tap the continent’s thinking will lead sectors of the potential: economy that would eventually Joel Chimhanda, Founder &

CEO JC Capital: “Unless a group of people follow a single part and identify and apply those plans we cannot witness success. So this is my observation, Africa Union Agenda 2063 is a thing that all 54 Head of states and all Africans should study and clearly understand how we are going to tackle Africa problem.

Looking globally you have got the United Nations, UN, which are the organizations of the continents of the world. We have the World Bank , the G4, G8 and G20, then there is something they call BRICKS . America, Britain, China, Russia , France, Germany, get the world to work for them , “they have packaged us in a way that they come and place their order with different groups of people to achieve their goal.

Shackles of economic poverty Now if you bring the above analysis to the African continent.

We have the African Union, AU, which is the equivalent of the UN. The World Bank which is the African Development Bank, AFDB. The bad news is that the AFDB is still owned by the West.

They have what they call G4, South Africa and Nigeria should be the greatest friends, because if south Africa and Nigeria don’t talk to each other Africa is not going to progress and you need Egypt, Kenya , you need Ethiopia Angola and DR Congo to be part of the discussion, is not because they like them , but because they have the mineral resources , the capacity and the capability of how Africa will remove the shackles of economic poverty.

The event was graced by Audu Maikori, Founder /President, Chocolate City Group. Also on the roll call were Joel Chimhanda Founder/ CIO, JC Capital, Kelechi Nwosu, MD TBWA Concept & President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), including Siju Alabi, Managing Consultant, Phoneme Associates Limited, Udeme Ufot, Group managing director SO &U, Paul Obanua, Group Managing Director, Greenfield Assets Limited, Ade Adeniji, Member Board of Directors, Verdant Zeal, Mrs. Biyi Olugbodi wife of Tunji Olugbodi, GMD of Verdant Zeal, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, Managing Director 141 Wordwide, Mr. Sam Amuka, the publisher of Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief; Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager also of Vanguard, among others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 —

21

Arco records successes at the African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition

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VISIT: From left, Chairman, Lagos Mainland District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Rasaq Adesokan; National President of ICAN, Otunba Samuel Deru; Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), Ben Langat; Chief Financial Officer, NBC Limited, Mrs Seun Oni; and Director, Legal, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC Limited, Sade Morgan during the courtesy visit of the president and members of EXCO of Lagos Mainland District, in Lagos.

FG to focus on rail, inland waterways for trade facilitation

By Godfrey Bivbere & Favour Nnabugwu

ity in the sub-region.

Amaechi who was represented by the minister of state, aviation, INISTER of Trans Hadi Sirika, at the event hosted portation, Rotimi the Nigerian Shippers Council, Amaechi, has said that the FedNSC, said that government workeral Government is to focus railing at creating a conducive enviways and inland waterways as a ronment for Public, Private, Partmeans of enhancing the nation’s nership, PPP to help achieve the inter-connectivity to reduce the desired connectivity for the nacost of its global trade. tion.

The minister made this known According to him, “The main at a two day workshop for West policy thrust of this administraand Central Africa sub-region tion is to evolve a multimodal, inwith the theme “Transport cost tegrated and sustainable transand regional connectivity of Afriport system, with greater emphacan countries.” sis on rail and inland waterways Amaechi also assured repretransportation in order to foster sentatives of the region that the quality connectivity within the Nigerian government would supsystem. “ An enabling environport efforts to achieve connectivment for Public-Private Partnership, PPP, is being created by designing new policies, legislation and institutional frame$132.75 -1.55 work that would support the envisaged improve$3,114.00 -4.00 ment of the sector.

“However, the ports $15.83 -0.14 alone are not enough to connect to markets, other modes of transport (road, rail, air transport, inland $41.21 0.01 waterways and inland $ 38.91 -0.53 ports) are essential since trade logistics now inCURRENCY BUYING SELLING volves door-to-door or factory to warehouse US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 movement of goods in inPOUNDS 284.0236 284.7482 285.4727 ternational trade transacEURO 221.3624 221.9271 222.4918 FRANC 202. 584 203. 1008 203. 6176 tions.

YEN 1.7571 1.7615 1.766 The minister stressed CFA 0.3188 0.3288 0.3388 the need to adopt a hoWAUA 275.2285 275.9306 276.6327 listic approach towards RENMINBI 30.2483 30. 326 30.4036 RIYAL 52.2569 52. 3902 52.5235 addressing the chalKRONA 29.6848 29.7606 29.8363 lenges of transport cost SDR 275.5956 276.2987 277.0017 and connectivity. He noted that such an apCBN Exchange rate as at 22/03/2016 proach must take into

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considerations important issues such as: Cost effectiveness of shipping services, competitiveness and survival of national and regional operators.

Other steps he said are, efficiency of seaports, efficiency of transit corridors/special needs of landlocked containers, availability of coastal shipping service, efficiency of multi-model transport systems, protection of shippers interest and partnership with service providers.

Speaking earlier, Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hassan Bello, noted that there are two kinds of connectivity which are “outside market and intra-regional market.”

Bello stressed the need for intra-regional connectivity especially with the changing global trade. This he explained, will enhance trade, investment, tourism development, narrow developing gap and facilitating people-to-people contacts.

HERE have been remarkable moments for Arco Group Plc at the 4-day 6th African Petroleum Congress and Exhibition, Cape VI that took place in Abuja, during the week.

Arco was one of the Gold Sponsors of the event.

The highlights of the successful outing of Arco at the Congress and Exhibition were: the visit of dignitaries to the Arco Stand at the exhibition hall; the presentation of the Group Managing Director of Arco Group, Mr. Alfred Okoigun at a strategic session during the Congress and the unveiling of the two ISO Certifications of Arco Maintenance and Engineering Limited, AMEL a subsidiary of Arco Group.

The momentum started with the visit of the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the Arco Exhibition Stand after declaring the Congress open. He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Oil and gas industry The Vice-President was received by the Group Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Okoigun who briefly presented to him, Arco’s advent into the oil and gas industry in Nigeria as a service rendering company to the oil majors in the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry.

He informed the visitor that the one-man business he founded in 1980 has become a threesubsidiary organization today with Arco Group as the holding company and among them employing over 400 Nigerians engineers, technicians and other professionals as well as ancillary staff.

The Managing Director of Arco Integrity Solutions Limited, Mr. Pius Ajabhu who is the pioneer of the business model told the visitor that the Arco subsidiary has the largest number of radiographic crawlers as a Nigerian company. The company also pioneered the American Welding Society Training that certifies welding inspectors.

He said that the Arco subsidiary is now carrying out jobs in some West African countries including Ghana, Togo and Bene Republic and is eyeing job offers in other African countries.

He said, “Our subsidiary is now an international company by virtue of its proven expertise in integrity solutions.”

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources told the Vice-President during the visit that Arco Group is a company that has maintained its focus on the services it renders in the oil and gas industry over the years.

Among the earliest callers at the Arco Stand was the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Mr. Babachir David Lawal who expressed his delight that the company has recorded marvelous growth over the years.

Arco GMD’s presentation on Value Addition through Local Content in the Oil and Gas Industry in Africa on day 3 at the Congress was an opportunity for him to bear his experience as a player in the industry which had spanned a period of nearly 40 years.

He cited the experience of countries like Malaysia, Norway and Brazil as the early starters in the implementation of local content development policies in their nation’s oil and gas industry and expressed his views that African oil producing nations had not done well in that regard.

Confab on global oil crisis holds in Lagos

By Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

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LOBAL oil crisis, labour and employment reforms in the Nigerian oil and gas industry is the thrust of a two day International conference put together by the Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, university of Lagos, UNILAG, to address the global oil crisis and other challenges facing the country.

The conference tagged “Global oil crisis and labour &

employment reforms in the Nigerian oil and gas industry”, which begins today, will attract stakeholders in the oil industry, government officials, politicians, academics among others.

A statement by Professor Dafe Otobo, Chairman, Organising Committee, said issues to be discussed included: “Dwindling global oil prices and governance in Niger, Globalisation, oil crisis and terrorism, oil and gas Nigerian economy, Alternative energy, Environmental pollution,

Fuel subsidy, Crude oil price, Gas flaring and pipeline vandalism.”

Other are; “Change mantra and employment reforms in Nigeria, Managing unemployment in a recessed economy, Trade union response to the global oil crisis, Global economic meltdown, employment generation and wealth creation in Nigeria, Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, Corruption/crude oil theft and role of unionism and trade union.”

22 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

The role of a regulator is not to withdraw operational licences of companies or brokers. We don’t create unemployment as one of our responsibilities.

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PenCom harps on need to save for retirement D irector General of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu has advised Nigerians to learn to put some savings aside for retirement.

Anohu-Amazu said, “Whatever you have, learn to put some away for tomorrow. Part of the problems we are having now in Nigeria is that in the period of boom we didn’t save. We did not make concerted effort to take only what we needed and leave what we did not need for tomorrow. Now there is problem everywhere because the reserves are not reflective of the boom we had earlier on.”

Anohu-Amazu who stated this during a media parley in Lagos said that there are some people that just wake up in the morning and roam the streets, they can’t produce, adding, “We need to empower more people and that person that you are empowering need to have a Retirement Savings Account, (RSA).

“Those that work with their hands now, at some point will not be able to work as efficiently as they do. The tailor is matching all over, sometimes the eyes fail.

The mason will get to a point where he cannot turn out a certain amount of blocks again. By that time if they have saved nothing, then the liability is on all of us.

So these are the very challenging issues surrounding bringing them aboard the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). We have to take them into consideration because they have to be protected and they have to have a means of sustainability where at some point when they are old and cannot work.

That is why we want to create a platform where they can set aside something so that when they are not in their prime, they will have something to fall back on.”

Anohu-Amazu said that the pension industry has been working on the micro pension scheme for the past three years, adding, “We have done a lot of studies and what we are looking at now is the technology that will allow everyone, no matter the kind of phone you have or the kind of occupation you are in to cue in. They will need a bit more access than those who are in the formal CPS. So we are trying to work out an acceptable percentage for them. We need to have an idea of how much they earn, how much is their disposable income, and then we will move from that place down to the individual man working on the street and the regulation would probably be more than the formal one because as they are coming on the system you are also introducing them to the financially inclusive literate world they were not part of before. So we are raising the standard of the average man on the street.

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Anohu-Amazu called on Nigerians to join hands together to jumpstart the economy for the overall good of the citizenry.

She said, “We were in Kaduna sometime ago to engage the Nigerian union of textile workers even as most of them were shut down. So why are we not interested in jumpstarting our manufacturing sector? Why would we get into an arrangement where they ship things down to us? We should build the factory here. Nobody has engaged Nokia to come and put a plant here even when 70 million people use handset in Nigeria. We have to think through the nation and how we can push for the right agreement.

You sit down at the table with a foreigner, it is what you push for that you get. They are never going to offer you what you didn’t ask for. In fact their first offer is to their benefit and then you push back and they say ‘well’, you push further and then they say ‘ok’, you insist, they say ‘ok fine’.

“How many industries, factories do we have here that are working with the kind of population that we have here? We were talking with the governor of Kebbi state who is the chairman of the rice producing states association. We told him that we can produce all the rice we need, the key thing is bring in the machines to refine them so that they are just as good as the ones you buy from elsewhere and export. My governor in Anambra state is now processing and exporting Ugu. It is one thing that is hugely abundant in the east. They are exporting it because it is highly medicinal, useful, even just for people who have a penchant for it. And that is the only way that we can empower each and everyone of us.

INSURAN Unethical practices: We encourage whistle blowing from public —Kari Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

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ommissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari spoke to journalists on efforts the Commission is making to improve compliance to compulsory insurances and other issues in the insurance industry.

Some operators in the insurance industry still engage in overriding commission, what is NAICOM doing about it?

We cannot know who is paying overriding commission or additional charges out there in the market that is why we encourage whistle blowing.

We have gotten few reports and we have dealt with them but if we don’t know we can’t do anything about it. Even if there are pockets of such practices, it has drastically reduced because the few we have found we have dealt with seriously. The role of a regulator is not to withdraw operational licences of companies or brokers. We don’t create unemployment as one of our responsibilities. So we try to measure our actions in line with what is appropriate and what can continue to save the companies. That is why financial penalties are the best option in regulation until

you find some reckless recklessness that is when you can be excessive. If you look at the history of regulation in Nigeria, the last set of licenses were cancelled in the last consolidation exercise and not for failure in practice.

So we try as much as possible to avoid that. Any little stretch of regulation, operators will accuse us of creating unemployment.

Why are underwriters refusing to give business to brokers with lapsed

If you don’t have an operational license, you cannot operate. It is simple logic. If your license expires or lapses, it means you are not licensed and cannot operate and if you are not licensed by us, it will be difficult for us to penalise you.

licensed?

If a broker does not receive patronage of insurance companies because his license has expired, then the insurance companies are being sensible in that regard.

If you don’t have an operational license, you cannot operate. It is simple logic. If your license expires or lapses, it means you are not licensed and cannot operate and if you are not licensed by us, it will be difficult for us to penalise you. So we can panelise a license operator who does business against the law. Insurance companies don’t want to take business from a broker who is not licensed because they will be penalised. So the licensing is the permission to operate and when you don’t have it, you don’t have a right to operate.

We did not delist any broker’s license, we just published for the information of the public the brokers that did not have licences and this will continue for the interest of the public because it will be a misnomer for a regulator to allow the general public to be misled by anybody who will claim he can operate when he cannot operate. We published a list of brokers that have attended interviews way back in July 2015. The question is, why are some still not licensed? The idea of publication was to get public comment on these brokers that have applied and you

From left: Zonal Sales Manager, Startimes, Olumide Oke-Olawuyi; Mrs. Femi Ajibade, Startimes dealer in Ilorin; Sales Director, John Oseimeme and Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji, both of Startimes, at the presentation of a brand new Hyundai car to Mrs Ajibade in Lagos by Startimes for being the best dealer in 2015.

EEDC urges consumers to help arrest ‘energy theft’ VOL. 1 NO 60 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2016

—Page 25

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION: Ebonyi earmarks 50,000 hectares for rice production

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—NOT lesser than 50,000 hectares of land have been identified and set aside by the state government across the 13 local government areas of the State for rice farming and production.

Similarly, the state government after procuring 13 graders among other equipment to aid rice production, decided through the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to choose three Pilots schools, Girls’ Technical College Agba in Ishielu local government area, Government Technical College, Abakaliki and Ehugbo Technical College, Afikpo, for the implementation of its Schools’ Agricultural programme in the State.

The purpose of the programme is to reintroduce and establish the modern methods of agricultural practices and inspire students at the secondary school level on the need for them to be part of the agricultural revolution making wave in the state.

As this agricultural policies begin to gain prominence across the state, the government has also handed over 292 hectares of land to Ebonyi state University, EBSU, Abakaliki for use as demonstration farms to grow all kinds of crops including maize, rice, tomatoes, yams among others.

Mechanized system of agriculture In a chat with South East Voice, the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr Uchenna Orji stressed that the government was determined to boost rice production across the state adding that professionalism, commercialization and mechanized system of agriculture would be adopted as part of its work plan.

According to him, no land would left fallow in the state as Governor David Umahi has exemplified same by establishing a demonstration farm within the state Government House which has began to yield dividend as crops are being harvested therein on regular basis.

He called on investors, non-governmental Organizations, NGOs , including agricultural experts to come and partner the state government in its agricultural policies geared towards boosting food production across the state.

Commenting after inspecting the three pilot schools across the three senatorial zones of the State, the Chairman of the Committee on Ebonyi state School Agric programme, Mrs. Juliet Okoro who stated that the inspection exercise was to enable the State Ministry of Agriculture identify at least 6 hectares of land in each school added that clearContinued on Page 24 C M Y K

Bulldozers ready for rice production

Ohanaeze’s relevance threatened, as new body emerges

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA— A NEW Igbo sociopolitical and cultural organization, the Igbo Improvement Union, has emerged and indications are that it might be operating in parallel line with Ohaneze Ndigbo, which has been facing leadership crisis for some time.

Promoters of the new organization, who met in Awka weekend, said its first major task is to reach out to all the governors and leaders of thought in all the Igbo-speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states, adding that branches of the organization were already being launched in the various states.

Among prominent Igbo behind the new organization include Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah, Chief Edozie Njoku, Senator Anthony Agbo, Hon. Emeka Maduagwu, Hon. Eugene Odoh, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. Hon. Chuma Nnaji, Dr. Amanze Obi, Chuka ObeleChuka, Chief Nnachitta Udoka, Nze

Onwulali, Barrister Vincent Okwale, Mr. Enyinnaya Orji, Mr. Ike Olu and Mr. Chinnaya Mba. At the launch of the Anambra State branch of the organization in Awka, problems facing the Igbo nation in Nigeria were identified and measures towards solving the problems were also suggested.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting in Awka, members of the organization said their driving force remained the social, political, economic and cultural mobilization of Ndi-Igbo at home and in the Diaspora through community efforts and projects geared towards addressing the problems besetting the Igbo nation.

Socio-political and cultural organizations Apparently referring to the style of operations of Ohaneze, the organization vowed to “avoid treading the familiar path that could make it look like other Igbo socio-political and cultural organi-

zations whose activities have not helped the cause of the Igbo.”

The communiqué read in part: “To this end, the organization is working towards identifying the missing links and gaps in the effort of the Igbo people to address the nagging Igbo question in order to fill the gaps.

“The organization has already identified some problems confronting the Igbo nation and set up committees to address them. They include Committee on production of a concise document on the vision and ideology of Igbo Improvement Union; Committee on Igbo Marginalization; Committee on Social Media; Legal Committee; Committee on Erosion Control and Committee on Igbo Festival of Sports, Arts and Culture.

The organization also set machinery in motion for the mobilization of Igbo youths, women, market and religious organizations, the economic and social class, as well as intellectuals and Igbo in diaspora.

“The Igbo Improvement Union conContinued on Page 24

24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION Continued from Page 23

How cultists beheaded 2 ABSU students

By Anayo Okoli

A

BIA State University, ABSU, Uturu is located in serene hilly in Uturu community. The community hosts another private University, Greg University and a famous Catholic primary and secondary schools, Maris Schools. It therefore can rightly be described as an academic community.

The community has been quiet and peaceful until last week when there was a horrible development there. Two level three hundred students of ABSU were gruesomely beheaded by a cult group. Another level three hundred student was also badly butchered by the same group and he is critically lying ill in a hospital.

The dastardly act took place in a private hostel located in an isolated area of the community and surrounded by forest and valley, about 3 kilometres from the University campus. The assailants said to be members of Bourkina Faso cult group, scaled the high fence of the hostel with a ladder to gain access into the room of the victims, said to be members of another cult group, Mafia.

Gruesome killing The victims, Nwigbo Chukwuebuka, a 300 hundred level student of Estate Management and Samuel Ethelbert, a third year student of Political Science were slaughtered and beheaded Saturday night in their hostel. Umeaforo Chigozirim, also a 300 level Political Science undergraduate was luckier as he was not killed but sustained serious injuries resulting from machete cuts.

The gruesome killing was said to be a revenge act the Bourkina Faso group for the death of their leader, called Collins Agwu, alias Biggy, said to have been killed by the Mafia group, who was said to have been buried on the Saturday the two students were beheaded.

This ugly incident threw the University into mourning and great shock. Though cult activities have existed in the University over the years but last week’s gruesome beheading of the two students was outrageous and unprecedented.

Though the incident did not disturb academic activities of the university as the students went on to write their first semester examination, nevertheless many of the students, especially those in year one have been enveloped in fear after C M Y K

the horrifying incident.

For the vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Uche Ikonne, who is just about four months old as the head of the institution, the incident was “a despicable act” but assured students of the university to remain calm and face their academic activities, saying that the university has stepped up its security in collaboration with security agency.

Ikonne who lamented that the university has enough hostel accommodation within the campus, some of which are unoccupied blamed the craze to live in private hostels outside the campus to the quest for some student to have absolute freedom.

The vice chancellor also advised parents and guardians to take ownership of their children and wards by making out time to know where they stay in school. According to him, the university charges only N30000 for accommodation while some students collects as much as N150000 from their parents to pay for accommodation in these private hostels.

And as part of the new measures to curb the activities of cult groups in the university, Prof.

Ikonne held a meeting with members of Uturu Traditional Rulers Council, all landlords of buildings in and around Uturu as well as chairman and secretary of Uturu Youths to fashion out mode of admitting tenants into houses in the community.

Meanwhile, Abia State Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu expressed shock over the gruesome killing of the students, and directed the University management that henceforth all proprietors of student commercial hostels must take responsibility for the activities that take place in their facilities.

The Governor said that they would be required to take interest in the identity, back-

TOP: Cult war house. ABOVE: University officials taking journalists around. ground and profile of the students living in their hostels, and directed that the proprietors must conduct regular identity audit of the persons living in their hostels so as to be able to ascertain the credibility of the

persons in their custody.

The Governor warned them that student hostels will no more be operated as a mere business venture available to whoever that can afford to pay.

FESTAC in the eyes of CBAAC—DG

By Chinenyeh Ozor

C

ENTRE for Black African Arts and Culture (CBAAC), an off shoot of F E S TAC where an assemblage of the world anchored in Nigeria, explored the history of Africa, culture, existence and ways of demonstrating the African culture, showing the unique contributions, qualities of African arts and culture.

CBAAC Director General, Chief Ferdinad Anikwe in a brain storming lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka shortly after signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with University on African Arts and culture, noted that 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) remained the best collection of arts in the world, both in songs, music, drama and demonstration of the rich cultural African heritage, most importantly collection of beautiful ideas, origin and what Africa can offer to

humanity. ‘’ FESTAC was the best forum for pan- Africanists to energise the contributions of African cultural heritage of all ages’’ he remarked.

Chief Anikwe pointed out that diverse Nigerian languages should be encouraged for tribal orientations, noting that Alhaji Ahmadu Bello made Hausa language a linqua Franca in northern Nigeria by making sure that any Hausa descent who wants to study any course in the university, must pass Hausa language.

In that instance, Hausa language became the most important subject in the northern Nigeria.

He said: “State governments in the south east geo-political zone should as a matter of necessity come up with programmes that will make study of diverse languages in south east compulsory at primary and post primary schooll as the pride of the zone.”

ing and preparation of the lands hitherto identified would commence immediately for agricultural purposes.

Okoro who is also the HOD Agric in the Ministry noted that it was the intention of the present administration to boost agricultural produce and instil in students the interest for agriculture through a well designed programme and mechanized system of agriculture.

The Principals of the selected schools, Rev. Sister Amaka Asike, Dr. Emmanuel Ewa Ibe and Okeh Stephen Ike of Girls’ Technical College, Agba, Ehugbo Technical College, Afikpo and Government Technical College, Abakaliki respectively thanked the State government for the initiative and pledged to contribute their quota towards the success of the exercise.

Ohanaeze’s relevance threatened, as new body emerges Continued from Page 23 tinues to note and regret that Igbo marginalization has become a deliberate and willful policy of the Nigerian State, even as reflected in the exclusion of Ndi-Igbo from the commanding heights of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“The Union expresses serious concern about the ecological and flood disaster in Eastern Nigeria, particularly the erosion menace ravaging the South Eastern States, and urges the federal government, through the instrumentality of the Ecological Fund or any other intervention fund, to find urgent and lasting solutions to the problem.

“The Union calls once again for urgent closing of ranks among all the Igbo groups, organizations or movements so as to foster the much needed unity. Never again should any Igbo group attack or undermine another.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—25 —25

26—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

He accuses me of favouring my first husband

I was nasty to her, now I want her back Dear Bunmi, A few years back, I fell in love with a woman and had a child with her. She was very nice to me and obviously loved me more than I did her. But I was ashamed that she was overweight and got worse when she had our baby, so I cheated on her. She eventually realised I wasn’t as keen on the relationship as she was and we split up.

After the split, I finally settled with someone who fitted my picture of ‘the perfect woman’ - thin, career -driven, booksmart. But something was missing, and I realised that the love of my life wasn’t some abstract idea - she was the warm, cuddly mother of my child. I made it clear I wanted to try again and showed her that I have grown up.

She said she still had feelings for me, but she advised we should both move on. Have I left things too late?

Solomon, By e-mail.

Dear Solomon, Part of growing up is that you don’t always get what you want. To enhance the likelihood of a second chance with her, you need to show her that you understand the gravity of your past actions. Not only did you betray her, you sent the message she wasn’t good enough for you. You lied to her

and demeaned her, and you threw the relationship to the dogs. The best thing you can do to restore her faith is to create a new history of being reliable, a good parent, a good companion (if she lets you) and a transparent person.

Conduct yourself as the man she or any other woman would want and see how things go.

But remember, tliere no guarantees.

The fact remains, when you fell in love and had a child with her, you weren’t willing to marry her. This fact is not lost in her. She would also

want to know how things really ended with your not-so-perfect ‘perfect woman’. Did she get sick of you and kick you to the curb? Did she leave you on the rebound, making you desperate for a familiar place to land in? If the mother of your child wasn’t good enough for you before, why is she good enough now?

Lastly, do you think your ex is going to trust you, even after you show consistent commitment? Hopefully, you’re on your way to discovering that beauty is fleeting but character is forever.

Can a virgin masturbate?

Dear Bunmi, I am in my late teens and have been masturbating now for months. I look forward to it all the time as it is better than messing up with men and catching AIDS. I have boyfriends of course and we kiss and cuddle at times, but I’ve never been penetrated as I come from a strict Catholic home.

The problem now is that, I feel guilty whenever I masturbate in case I’ve damaged my hymen.

Justina, By e-mail.

Dear Justina,

Virginity is not really about whether the hymen (that is, the flap of skin covering the vagina) has been broken. It is about whether you’ve made love with a man. Clearly you haven’t done that yet.

However, when you finally have sex, it may appear that your hymen has been broken.

Apart from the fact that young girls are more energetic these days, they also do a lot of exercise and the hymen often stretches so it doesn’t cover the vagina.

Don’t feel guilty about masturbating, it is normal and convenient until you’re ready for sex.

Dear Bunmi, I was married to a very loving responsible man for 14 years until he died in the hands of armed robbers. He cheated on me a fewtimes but was so contrite on each occasion that his philandering just made the marriage stronger.

We had two lovely children before he died.

A few years after, I married my current husband and he is an alcoholic. He goes straight to his favourite beer parlour from work and sometimes comes home so drunk that he smashes things in the house. I told him I’ve had enough.

He calls me a hypocrite as he doesn’t understand why I can’t forgive him for drinking when I forgave my dead husband for always cheating on me. I told him I’d rather be with a cheat than a drunkard. Do you think I’m being unfair?

Jumoke,

By e-mail.

Dear Jumoke, I have sympathy for your view point. A man who cheats is in many ways easier to deal with than a drunk. And many wives who forgive their husbands find, as you did, that their relationships get stronger.

An affair often happens for a particular reason, because of stress on the relationship. If you care, you can get that sorted, you can often live happily ever after.

But what I think does really matter is that your values are your own. And if you find it impossible to live with a drunkard that’s your choice and you have every right to make it.

Whatever your husband says, stick to your guns.

Ignore his arguments and do what you believe is the right thing for you to do. It’s your life.

Will I be betraying my husband?

Dear Bunmi, Since my husband had an operation for his prostate cancer, he has not been able to perform.

Now our sex life is non-existent.

He asked me a few times if I missed sex and I always reassured him I don’t.

I am in my thirties and have three lovely children. Recently, a new manager joined the firm I work with and we’ve become great friends. He is married too.

In one of our discussions, I told him about my husband and he was sympathetic. He told me that until my husband is able to make love to me again, he wouldn’t mind to be a substitute.

He is quite good looking and I miss sex. Should I grab this

convenient offer?

Obiageli, By e-mail.

Dear Obiageli, Don’t you dare! An affair could create more problems than it could solve. Sure you miss sex, but an affair could take away the magic in your marriage. If your husband finds out it could kill him.

He wants sex too and is frustrated that he can’t be much of a husband to you. Prostrate cancer sufferers often bounce back after a successful operation.

Keep on assuring your husband that he has all your support for a full recovery and tell Mr. substitute to take his ‘kindness somewhere else.

Why am I losing hair?

How can I convince my daughter not to leave her husband?

Dear Bunmi, My daughter has been married for 14 years and has two small children. She runs her own business which she admitted could be stressful. She says there is no longer any spark in her marriage and she wants a divorce while she’s young enough to try another relationship. Her husband is generous and respectful. As hard-working as he is, he spends most of his free time with their children.

My husband and I understand it’s her life to live, but we want to stop her from breaking up her family. How can we convince her that she’s making a huge mistake?

There isn’t any other man involved as far as we know.

Abiola, By e-mail.

Dear Abiola, You say that you understand it’s your daughter’s life to live, but it’s obvious you don’t understand that at all. You can C M Y K

encourage your daughter to be thoughtful; you can suggest that she avoid making life-changing choices too hastily; you can propose that she gets professional help. But you are wrong to decree that divorce would be a ‘huge mistake,’ and you are wrong to influence her to remain in a marriage she no longer finds fulfilling.

You praise your son-in-law, but there are things going on behind closed doors that you don’t understand, nor should you because they ’re not your business. I suspect there’s a part

of you that wants your daughter to stay in this marriage for your own peace of mind and convenience, not hers.

You’re obviously concerned about your daughter and want the best for her. Let her know how you feel and encourage her to consult with a psychologist or other counsellor during this difficult time, then butt out. If she decides the marriage is over, your job will be to offer support, help her to go through the trauma of divorce, and bring stability to her life and the lives of your grandchildren.

You’re obviously concerned about your daughter and want the best for her; let her know how you feel and encourage her to consult with a psychologist or other counsellor during this difficult time, then butt out

Dear Bunmi, I used to have thick shiny hair, but lately, my hair is thinning.

Whenever I come back from the salon, the expensive hair-dos I have don’t last longer than a day or two.

I am in my 30s, so I don’t think I’m losing my hair to old age.

What can I do to get my full hair back with its lovely sheen?

Nkechi, By e-mail.

Dear Nkechi, The health of your hair depends to a large extent on the food you eat. Nutritionists advise that you should boost your vitamin C level by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. This will help straighten your hair and reduce split ends.

Be sure to top up on greens to help prevent dandruff. Seafood, eggs and milk are all good sources of mineral. Eating green vegetables also increases your iron levels.

Meat, poultry, fish and dried fish are also helpful.

To reduce stress, practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga. Stress pro uces adrenaline which can have an adverse effect on hair growth.

Avoid going on crash diets.

Sudden weight loss, which often results from faddy diets, can reduce real nutrients. The body then compensates by directing nutrients away from the scalp to other parts of the body and this can trigger hair loss.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 —

,

CE & YOU

SEMINAR: From left, Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari and Ogun State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru, at the seminar for insurance correspondents organised by the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, in Ogun State. will be surprised the kind of information we got. From the list we published, some people wrote to complain and asked if it true that a particular broker didn’t have a license and it is just now that his name is being published even when they have been doing business together. Such action is an illegality and such broker will not pass the next stage of consideration because the fact that you have been published doesn’t mean you have an approved license. Secondly, when we investigated further with Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC), because we realised that some have registered with CAC about five or six years before they came for interview, we found out that they have been registered and doing business without our knowledge and from CAC they went straight to the market. This class of brokers will never be licensed, so we won’t proceed with their application. For others, people objected with members of directors they chose and we asked them to change them.

Meanwhile, we have been issuing licenses from the

published list; even now we still have some that are waiting to be cleared. There are some we have already told that ‘Sorry, your application has failed and we cannot proceed further.’ So, the fact that names were published in the paper is just a stage of final clearance and we have been attending to them as we resolve their cases.

What efforts is NAICOM making to ensure that companies give out simple policy documents to consumers?

Insurance companies are compelled to submit their forms and documents for

approval before they start selling products. We try as much as possible to scrutinise them before they are issued out. If any form is issued out or given to consumers different from what we approve, unless we get a complaint, we wouldn’t know.

But we have now introduced the principles of treating customers’ fairly which is to simplify all forms of policy documents in simple English to ensure that they are understood by the prospective consumer or the policy holder to avoid misguidance that people claim insurance companies provide.

The game will totally change and as we go from state to state to sensitise them how insurance can help their economy, how it can create employment and how together we can enforce insurance, I am ensuring you, we expect a huge deepening in insurance penetration within the next 12 months.

What efforts is NAICOM making to enforce compulsory insurances?

We don’t have the capacity to enforce the compulsory insurances for lack of human resources and infrastructure but the current trust of our efforts now in developing the market is to see how much of compulsory insurances we can enforce and it is towards this that we have now approached the state governments. We want to bring enforcement to the state level and we are asking for permission to consult and discuss with the state commissioners and the revenue generating agencies on how we can partner and enforce at the local level. At the federal level we have already sent out circulars to all MDAs demanding to have a list of all insurable assets and reminding them that it is their responsibility in law to protect public asset. We have the support of government in the sense that the circulars we have issued have been widely circulated with a deadline on which to submit the information. When we receive the needed information, we are going to guide government in setting up proper insurance desks in various MDAs. There is need to have an insurance person to man the insurance desk in establishments. We have always complained that insurance is the only profession where you find a non insurance person heading the insurance unit especially in government. You don’t find any accounting department

TOP INSURANCE GAINERS & LOSERS

impact, scale and innovation.

Speaking at the announcement of the results, Dr. Bola Fajemirokun of DIN Resource Centre stated that financial literacy can only be achieved through targeted financial education initiatives and these must be grounded in a thorough understanding of the financial behaviours and attitudes of Nigerian consumers.“The inaugural edition of the Financial Literacy Excellence (Filex) Awards recognized leadership and innovations that have promoted financial literacy in Nigeria.

The Awards, which are in four categories, celebrate the important work by individuals and organizations that is improving knowledge and awareness of financial matters among consumers so that they

can make sound financial decisions and engage effectively with financial institutions.

Regarding the four winners, the Nigerian Stock Exchange has been awarded the Financial Institutions Corporate Achievement Award for its annual essay competition and investment education programmes on the capital market.

The Innovation Award goes to the Enterprise Development Centre, Lagos Business School for the customized content on its online portal known as the SME Toolkit. “Nonprofits and social enterprises have not been left out with Financial Literacy for All, a Nigerian NGO, being awarded the Non-Financial Institutions Corporate Achievement Award for its

,

headed by any other person than an accountant likewise legal department is always headed by a lawyer. But in ours, you find just every profession being posted and free to man the insurance desk. So we have sensitised government about the need to have relevant people heading insurance desks, that way they will be able to negotiate better terms for government when they are negotiating with a provider as against the provider being adviser, provider, claim adjuster and so on.

The issue of collapsed building has been occurring frequently, how can the insurance industry ensure that builders take up building insurance?

This is the issue of compulsory insurance. In Lagos though they have a law compelling builders to insure, the implementation has been faulty and the implementation of that is not NAICOMs responsibility like most implementation of the sections of the law. But we are now working with various state governments and the federal government to see how we can ensure enforcement of these compulsory insurances. The game will totally change and as we go from state to state to sensitise them how insurance can help their economy, how it can create employment and how together we can enforce insurance, I am ensuring you, we expect a huge deepening in insurance penetration within the next 12 months.

DIN deepens financial literacy campaign T he Development Initiative Nigeria (DIN) has restated its commitment to deepen financial literacy in the country.

This the organisation is doing to support government policy in that direction.

It has also released this years Filex Awards which showcases successful financial education initiatives by reference to

27

savings education programmes for children and the hearing and sight-impaired.

The only individual award, the Consumer Champion was awarded to Sola Salako, the founder of the Consumer Advocacy Forum of Nigeria (CAFON), in recognition of her pioneering role in enlightening financial consumers on their rights and responsibilities.“The Filex Awards run on an annual basis as a showcase for successful financial education initiatives by reference to impact, scale, replicability and innovation. Dr. Fajemirokun called for more collaboration across sectors in this field because the task at hand cannot be handled by government agencies or the financial institutions on their own.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Oboabona confident of 3 points in Kaduna

T

urkey based Super Eagles defender, Godfrey Oboabona is confident the team will secure all three points on Friday when they face the Pharaohs of Egypt. Nigeria currently trail the seventime African champions in Group G and will host the north African side at the Ahmadu Bello stadium in Kaduna.

Oboabona, who plays for

•Oboabona

Rizespor in the Turkey Super Lig, maintains that the quality in the Eagles side can starve off the visitors.

Iwobi senior wants son to be future Eagles captain

T

he father of Arsenal youngster Alex iwobi has said that he not only hopes his son establishes himself with Nigeria, but goes on to the captain the country’s team, just as his uncle the legendary Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha did.

The younger Iwobi played 11 times for several agegroup England teams before he changed his international allegiance to his father’s country of birth last year.

He has already won two caps for the Super Eagles, but both were in friendly matches.

And after crowning his first Premier League start for Arsenal with a goal in a 2-0 win at Everton at the weekend, he was favourably in line for his first official game for the three-time African champions, but this may now have to wait after he suffered food poisoning at the team’s dinner on Monday.

“Alex is fully committed to Nigeria and I hope he goes on not only to establish himself in the team, but also goes on to captain the country,” said Chuka Iwobi, a London-based lawyer.

“He has shown character, keeps working hard and above all, he is humble and listens and learns from both his manager Arsene Wenger and the senior players at Arsenal.

“He is only starting out in his career and he knows he has a lot he needs to do to improve on his game.”

Iwobi senior is equally delighted that ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has been an adviser for Alex.

“You cannot have a better adviser than ‘Jay Jay’ in your corner,” said the man, who is married to the sister of the former PSG, Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.

C M Y K

2017 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIF t: Nigeria v Egyp

Mu worried by Elneny, vows to

•Iwobi

S

uper Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa feels so strong that he will score against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Friday when they clash in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Speaking after their first training yesterday morning at the Abuja National Stadium, Musa said while the ultimate will be to beat Egypt soundly in Kaduna, he has strong

feelings that he will score at least one goal in the game.

“I am not desperate to score against Egypt but I get this inner feeling that I will register my name on the score sheet on Friday,” Musa said.

Continuing, he added “the important thing is for us to play as a team and win the match but I will take my chance if it comes. We are determined to win here and go for the return leg in Alexandria with all our might to get a result.

“We are not under pressure to beat Egypt because we are at home and our fans will

Renard begins qu

N

Adi savouring his first call up

C

ompetition in the Super Eagles camp ahead of the AFCON qualifier against Egypt, for the striker ’s position, will no doubt be keen, but MLS star, Fanendo Adi is focused on giving the team his best. The Portland Timbers forward, earned his first call up for the national team but will face competition from Europe based, Odion Ighalo and Aaron Samuel for the top spot against Egypt.

Adi, 25, who arrived the Eagles camp in Abuja yesterday expressed his excitement with the opportunity he was handed by Caretaker coach, Samson Siasia and has tried ever since to bottle the joy.

•Adi

ew Morocco coach Herve Renard begins his quest for a recordequalling third Cup of Nations title with back-to-back qualifiers against Cape Verde, the top-ranked African team.

A seven-day, 50-match schedule starts today and the co-Group F leaders meet in Praia on Saturday and in Marrakech on Tuesday in key matches as only mini-league winners are guaranteed places at the 2017 tournament in Gabon.

Both countries beat Sao Tome and Principe convincingly and Libya narrowly in previous Matchdays with Cape Verde

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 — 29

NOC tasks sports federations secretaries on strategic management T

IERS

usa not y Salah, o score

he President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr.

Habu Gumel has urged participants of the recently concluded Strategic Management Seminar to ensure that the experience and knowledge acquired during the two-day programme are usefully applied to the administration of their respective sports federations.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the NOCorganised sports seminar held at the National Institute for Sports at the Abuja National Stadium last week, Gumel said he hoped the participants used the opportunity of the

programme to broaden their understanding of the techniques of Strategic Management Planning.

Speaking against the backdrop of the generally perceived low depth in management matters of not a few sports federations Secretaries Generals, Gumel, who is an Executive Committee member of the International Olympic Committee said the rigours of the course work and the hectic nature of the seminar have combined to raise the stakes for the secretaries, who are now expected to translate what they have learnt into the daily administration of their secretariats and athletes.

I’ll stop the slide at Ikorodu Utd — Okpodu vows

•Gumel

Okanlawon, Ogunshina emerge best athletes as Blue House wins FNSB Interhouse sports

A

delani Okanlawon of the Red House and Deborah Ogunshina of the Blue House distinguished themselves from the rest of the students as they emerged the best male and female athletes of the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind ( FNSB) 2016 inter house sports which took place at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos last weekend.

Both students featured in virtually all the sporting events in which Blue House also emerged the overall winner . The events include march past, Tug of war, 50 metres race, three legged race, skittle Game, walking race in both male and female categories.

Reacting to his feat as also the best winner of the 50 metres race, an elated Okanlawon could not hide his joy for his achievements.

“I am so thankful and grateful for today’s events, sports is one

of the things I like. Sports enhances physical growth as well and make you fit for anything you want to do in life.

So my advice to the visually impaired people is that they should not lose hope in life, there is nothing we cannot do even better than those with good sight. The visually impaired people should not be ashamed to come out to the FNSB vocational training centre in Oshodi here to acquire knowledge in crafts that can better their lots. The teach computer, crafts and so many things and they can learn one or two things that will make them a better people in life”.

Also speaking for the overall winner, Blue House, Justice Osagie Odigie attributed their victory to doggedness, dedication to duty and God’s blessing as he assured that they are going to work harder to maintain their top position.

acknowledged the enormity of the task at hand as he moved ewly appointed to begin the rebuilding process technical adviser of at the club.

“It’s enormous,” he said, after struggling Nigeria Premier League debutants, Ikorodu watching the boys go down 1United, Sam Okpodu has 2 to visiting Giwa United FC in an explosive NPFL match at the Onikan Stadium Sunday.

Just when everybody thought the tie was going to end at 1-1, be rooting for us all through Giwa FC midfielder, Amos the game. They should be the Gyang struck to give the ones under pressure because visitors a deserved 2-1 lead few we shall go at them with all minutes from the end of the we have and ensure that they match. Okpodu said he was not crumble”. He stated that the discouraged by the defeat Super Eagles have the quality because the situation was and experience to pick the redeemable. maximum points with a good “The task is enormous,” he win on Friday, adding that admitted repeatedly, adding, “it •Sam Okpodu Ramoa’s Mohamed Salah and is surmountable. The situation Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny is not as bad as it looks do not scare the Nigerians at because the team is good.” all.

He is full of optimism and said he was sure of turning things around because of the quality ans who wish to watch the Night, which holds on the same of players in the African Cup of Nations day. It is our view that the topping the table on goal difference. team. qualifying match between the Eagles need the support of all Renard, a 47-year-old who Supe r Eagle s and the Nigerians and we are offering succeeded Badou Zaki last Pharaohs of Egypt have been an avenue for the enjoyment of month after indifferent offered free viewing on a giant the match as well as support Moroccan performances, TV screen to be mounted at the for the national team. guided no-hopers Zambia to National Stadium. This was “We are inviting fans to come 2012 glory and repeated the of isers organ by nced annou and watch on high resolution feat with perennial GOtv Boxing Night in Lagos big TV screen, after which they underachievers Ivory Coast last at the weekend. can conti nue havin g more year.

Jenkins Alumona, CEO of sporting excitement at GOtv Hassan Shehata coached Egypt Flykite Productions, promoters Boxin g Nigh t 6,” said to three consecutive titles between of GOtv Boxin g Nigh t, Alumona.

2006 and 2010, but only Renard has explained that the gesture is to GOtv Boxing Night 6 will won the Cup of Nations with different enable fans provide support for feature six professional fights, countries. the Eagles in their quest to the pick of which is the West His successes in Africa contrast with secur e a ticke t to Afric a’s African middleweight title bout failures in France. He could not prevent biggest football event. betw een Nige ria’s Abola ji Sochaux being relegated and a second will be played a “Afonja Warrior” Rasheed and match “The •Renard Ligue 1 stint ended this season with Lille few hours before GOtv Boxing Ghana’s Adjei Sowah. sacking him.

By JACOB AJOM

N

uest for third African title

AFCON Qualifier:

GOtv Boxing Night organisers offer free viewing on big screen

F

C M Y K

30—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

market leading tower company in Nigeria and provides IHS the opportunity to optimise a larger portfolio through innovative green energy solutions and delivery of market leading quality of service. IHS will work to roll out its renewable energy solutions and diesel reduction initiatives whilst maintaining unparalleled network uptime.

According to Darwish, “this transaction is significant because it combines Africa’s two original tower companies and will enable us to strengthen our service offering to our customers while focusing on their needs. We remain committed to the Nigerian tower market where coverage levels are yet to mature and

Nigeria needs additional 40,000 towers to meet growing data traffic demands •as IHS acquires Helios Towers for mobile infrastructure consolidation

By Prince Osuagwu

W

ITH a population of nearly 180 million people, increasing smartphone penetration and limited fixed line infrastructure, Nigeria’s vibrant mobile industry could still maintain a sustained period of network investment and growth. However, with the continuous explosive data growth, new and developing areas springing up by the day, coverage levels continue to dwindle. This also calls for exciting market opportunity for the tower market.

In fact reports say that with level of data traffic and anticipated data growth, Nigeria needs up to 40,000 more towers to meet demand.

This revelation was one of the reasons, according to Executive Vice Chairman & Group Chief Executive Officer of IHS holding limited, Issam Darwish, his company recently acquired frontline tower infrastructure sharing company, Helios Towers Limited, HTN. The acquisition means that HTN’s portfolio of 1,211 diversified tower sites throughout Nigeria now belongs to IHS. According to the companies, the transaction will allow the continued delivery of best-- in-- class solutions to customers and additional investment in infrastructure upgrades.

Under the terms of the transaction and subject to requisite regulatory approvals, IHS will acquire the entire issued share capital of HTN from HTN Towers Plc which is ultimately owned

by Helios Investment Partners, Pembani Group, First City Monument Bank and other minority shareholders.

Upon completion of the transaction which is expected to close in Q2 2016, IHS will have full operational control of the underlying business and will market independent infrastructure sharing services to mobile network operators and internet service providers in Nigeria.

Business will continue as usual for HTN’s towers which will be seamlessly integrated into the IHS network and connected to IHS’s state of the art network operating centre which monitors each tower 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

IHS is committed to maintaining the existing relationship and position

with the bondholders. IHS believes the benefits of the transaction extend to all stakeholders. Its deep shareholder base includes global institutional investors such as Wendel, GIC, IFC, ECP and KIC, and the strength of IHS’ balance sheet enhances the HTN credit profile. The net leverage position of

the combined entity is likely to be approximately 50% lower than the current HTN stand-- alone leverage position. In addition, there are meaningful synergies that management believes will be derived from the transaction given a considerable part of the IHS portfolio is located in

Nigeria.

With a population of nearly 180 million people, increasing smartphone penetration and limited fixed line infrastructure, Nigeria’s vibrant wireless industry is poised for a sustained period of network investment and growth.

This transaction strengthens IHS’s position as the

explosive data growth continues. The growing data traffic and increased smartphone use presents an exciting market opportunity for IHS, with the potential for up to 40,000 more towers required to meet this demand.”

For Chief Executive Officer of Helios Towers, Inder Bajaj,

ALTON makes 8 point demand from NCC

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE Association of i c e n s e d Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the Umbrella Association for all licensed and network operating companies in Nigeria, last week made an 8-Point demand from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. Led by its Chairman, Engr.

Gbenga Adebayo, the association enumerated key areas of concern which it believes hold the key to unlocking the potential growth of the Nigerian telecom sector.

It noted with disappointment that issues of the multiple taxation, indiscriminate closure of telecom sites and Right of Way among others were still persistent and reduces the speed of industry leapfrogging to the next level.

Multiple Taxation The association said that while acknowledging the fiscal pressure on government and its agencies in the face of the dwindling federal allocation, multiple taxation on the telecom L

industry has remained one of the most critical risks to the growth of the telecom sector.

He charged the Nigerian Police, the regulator (NCC) and all other critical stakeholders to do a lot more on public awareness on these taxations and the attendant impact of incessant site closures to enforce them Declaration of emergency in telecoms sector: Adebayo also argued that unless Operators receive first level of protection by government, with the declaration of state of emergency on the telecom sector, growth will still remain stunted.

Damaged telecom infrastructure in N/E While taking a stock of the impact of damage telecom infrastructure in the North Eastern part of the country, the Association Chairman lamented the destruction of base station sites, exchanges and other critical equipment in the regions by insurgents and appealed for support, considering that it has remained increasingly difficult to restore services in those areas.

•Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta

•Gbenga Adebayo

Sim cards data harmonization On harmonization of sim cards data, he reminded the EVC that ALTON had submitted some position papers to the NCC on it and urged the Commission to ensure definition of Controlled Environment and seamless approach in the entire exercise.

Communication Service Tax Bill: He warned on the potential impact of the proposed communication service tax bill 2015, which he said portends danger of widening the digital

divide the more. The bill, which is already with the National Assembly is for the establishments of communications service tax, and for the imposition, charging and collection of Communication Service Tax. The Report: The association demanded a critical look and implementation of a report “Industry Report on the SocioEconomic Impact of Telecom in Nigeria, aimed at tackling the challenges to usher in the Nigerian ICT industry into the

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 — 31 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS: Secretive deals are sources of avoidable trouble; meaning that you will need to do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Think positively about your image and prepare to protect your name.

GEMINI: Unless you are more vigilant some people will call themselves your friends and make your purse very uncomfortable. Your personal family must be given priority attention today. Be more loving.

CANCER: Similar to yesterday but there will be more pressure on you through either career or business related issues. Your willingness to be as gentle as necessary while trying to assert yourself holds the needed solutions.

LEO: Those of you in the middle of legal battle will need to prepare for both expected and unexpected confrontation. Exhibition of maturity the way you will not run your way into avoidable problem will see you through.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

God is watching

R

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds, wicked acts, ways and

sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught.

We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Scavenger Elite”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Female members of this Star Sign will need to be as receptive as necessary while handling their sex life, especially if you are married. Say no to any negative advice, especially from not too close (so call) friends.

LIBRA: Proper management of your image should top your priority list today. Those of you nursing false hope will need to wake up from slumbering and be as practical as necessary. Matters-of-the-heart are looking favourable SCORPIO: It is important you exhibit maturity and love while handling your personal family affairs. Don’t forget your ability to be secretive when necessary. Respect the law and it’s enforcement agents around you.

SAGITTARIUS: Unnecessary argument can not help either you or your partners now, that is why you will need to encourage receptive approach. But whatever happens you will win and succeed today eventually.

CAPRICORN: Unnecessary aggression on your part may send wrong signal about you to others who you may eventually need their co-operation in both now and in the immediate future. Think money and your family.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: You may be tempted to give in to temptation to become unnecessarily complacent about health related issues, either of yours or others that are important to you. Avoid unnecessary argument at work.

PISCES: Although element of good luck will put smile on your face today, don’t forget that there will always be tomorrow; meaning that it is important you don’t step on toes because of your immediate needs and wants.

ARIES: Those with sugar coated tongues may take undue advantage of you, especially if they discover that you will like sycophants to surround you today. Take good advice from your reliable friends seriously.

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

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AQUARIUS RULER = GENIUS RELATED URANUS. QUALITY =FIXED. ELEMENT=AIR. SYBOL = A MAN WITH A BOW OF WATER OF KNOWLEDGE/THE WATER BEARER. GROUP = MASCULINE. ZODIACAL NUMBER = 11TH. Aquarius is ruled by freedom loving Uranus-the planet of unpredictability, eccentricity and genius. Aquarius is friendly, loving, hopeful and very altruistic in nature. That is why you are a nice person who truly care for others, especially the less fortunate ones. You are a loyal friend willing to belong to powerful social clubs or reasonable community. But you can exhibit eccentric nature.

The quality of Aquarius is fixed. That means it is important for you to watch the way you change your mind on important issues; Uranus factor makes all Aquarius natives freedom loving and whoever tries to impose any idea on you will be resented Element of Aquarius (air) makes you an intelligent person with fair share of sense of humour. Aquarius is the star sign that rules considerable social influence, and the natives of this star have better chances to have at least some influential friends.

And as Aquarians are truly good friends and bad enemies it is not in the best interest of anybody to frustrate an Aquarian.

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

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

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

ASUBEB committed to quality education—Nwosu

The smell of trivia

A

By Garba Shehu

GOOD number of the reactions to President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement that Nigeria has joined the Islamic Coalition Against Terrorism, show quite clearly that many Nigerians do not fully understand the president’s motives for this decision. With the rise of the Boko Haram Terrorist group of the past few years, Nigeria faces a threat such as no other in its entire history and existence.

Desperate times require desperate, unusual, measures. The girls in Gwoza who were raped by militants do not care where the help comes from as far as they will eventually be able to move about freely without fear of being kidnapped and used as sex slaves. The mothers in Bama whose sons were slaughtered before their eyes do not worry whether Boko Haram is defeated by a Christian or Muslim coalition.

The hundreds of thousands in IDP camps are concerned simply about when they can safely return to their homes and resume their normal lives. For these ones most hard hit by the Boko Haram terrorists, whether the help they so desperately need comes from the United States of America or from Saudi Arabia does not matter. One of the main thrusts of President Buhari’s campaign was the war on terror. He promised that his administration would bring an end to Boko Haram, and set about doing just that as soon as he was elected, travelling to different countries and meeting with various heads of state to discuss the way forward on the issue.

Defeating terror At the time, no Nigerian worried that President Buhari was seeking help from the West.

No one worried about the ideology of those willing and able to help our country to defeat terror. Nigerians were simply united with their President in a determination to bring Boko Haram to an end so that our brothers and sisters in the northeast can resume their normal lives.

It is on account of these people and their desperate situation, and on the basis of national interest only, that President Buhari accepted the offer, with both hands, of assistance from G7 countries at the commencement of his administration. Religion was not a consideration then. It is also not a consideration now that he has made the decision to embrace help in fighting terror from the Middle-East. The safety of Nigerians and the total annihilation of Boko Haram is of more importance than the unfounded worries of Nigeria’s so-called Islamisation.

President Buhari Those efforts by President Buhari led to several gains, including the technical defeat of Boko Haram by the end of 2015 as he had promised during the election campaigns. Once again, our commander-in-chief has sought help where he believes our country will benefit and the religious affiliation or ideology of our benefactors should not be the paramount consideration. It is simply one of those cases where the enemies of our enemy has become our enemy. The enemy of terrorists all around the globe is our friend.

The fears that our country’s membership in this coalition will draw Islamic State, ISIS’s attention to Nigeria are too late.

As the President has repeatedly maintained, it is Boko Haram that proclaimed allegiance to ISIS, thereby dragging us into the global terrorism network. By pledging allegiance to ISIS, the terrorists already drew the international terror group’s attention to this part of the world. ISIS proudly and openly accepted this proclamation of allegiance. They have their sights set on us already. Terrorism is heathen and knows no religion. It can only be defeated by the unity of entire humanity. Criticism of the membership of this alliance only shows our disarray and a lack of unity against terror and will only make the terrorists happy. The fears of so-called Islamisation are strange and unfounded, and meant only to feed the fear and suspicions existing among Nigerians.

With a precedent as shown above, it will be unkind and uncharitable of anyone to accuse President Buhari of executing deception. In an unusually harsh commentary, this country’s most respected newspaper The Punch on Sunday succeeded

Terrorism is heathen and knows no religion. It can only be defeated by the unity of entire humanity

Nigeria in exactly doing this. Read this: “The presidency’s doublespeak on Nigeria’s membership of the Saudi Arabia-led anti-terror Islamic coalition is unfortunate in the extreme. In the beginning, an aide to the president on media and publicity issued a statement to the effect that the president had declined Nigeria’s membership of the coalition and therefore did not attend its meeting while on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia.

But barely two weeks after, President Muhammadu Buhari himself confirmed Nigeria’s membership of the coalition in an interview with a foreign television station, Al- Jazeera.

Buhari, who never tabled such a sensitive matter before the National Assembly, said there are terrorists in Nigeria who have claimed to be Muslims.

Coalition to fight terrorism So, according to the him, “We are part of it because we have got terrorists in Nigeria who claim that they are Islamic. So, if there is an Islamic coalition to fight terrorism, Nigeria will be part of it because we are casualties of Islamic terrorism.

“This explanation is simplistic, to say the least and does not do any good to expected political astuteness of President Buhari.

In the main, membership of any such coalition is unacceptable for it offends the sensibilities of Nigerians in their diverse inclinations and should be reversed.” Sensibilities offended?

Can anyone face the more than two million unhoused, mostly Muslim refugees displaced by terror now being fed, almost exclusively by Christian charities that it is offensive them, or that it matters to them who, between Christians and Muslims is supplying the next meal? The one who raised a tent over their heads?

Let me say that the presidential aide in question is no other than myself. Although I write statements emanating from the Presidency, I don’t choose what headline writers will use to caption those stories. To that extent, it is untrue of anyone to say the President had ab initio rejected a membership of the coalition against terror.

•Shehu is SSA to the President (Media and Publicity).

Mr. Kenechukwu Ugochukwu Nwosu is the Acting Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). A graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) from Umunwanwa in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State. He is an award winning author who has written over 40 educational books for primary and secondary school students for over thirteen years across the country.

Mr. Nwosu is also a philanthropist who has assisted in scholarships to many students and provided desks and other educational aids to many schools across Abia state, a lover of education who has passion to discover youths and help them make impact. He assumed his present position on December 7, 2015. Nwosu fielded question from journalists, on all aspects of the parastatal and developmental efforts of the present government in improving and impacting on the educational standard of the state. Below are excerpts:

By Eric Ugbor

H

OW has it been since you assumed the saddles are what did you meet on ground as the function of the parastatal?

Well, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) is a parastatal that works with the Universal Basic Education Commission ( UBEC ) in Abuja to provide and ensure that every Nigerian child from the level of nursery to junior secondary School, JSS3 has assess to free and Abia gov Ikpeazu qualitative education. So this commission works with UBEC to ensure that in their retirements. We Abia State here every Abia administer funds that are State child that is within this provided by the Federal age bracket of nursery to JSS3 Government through UBEC to has access to free and quality the states for projects and we and compulsory education. supervise the schools and the And basically ASUBEB projects and ensure that ensures that teachers are well quality learning is in progress taken care of. in the schools.

Retrogressively, since the inception of the present Comfortable democratic dispensation in furniture 1999, low can you evaluate impact of the ASUBEB provides the infrastructure used in the government on the board construction and reconstruction and the education sector?

Yes, I must say that from the of school classrooms and administration of the provides comfortable furniture and also provides textbooks that immediate past Governor of are distributed from Abuja to the the state, Chief T.A Orji now a states and we extend these Senator representing Abia textbook to the schools across Central Senatorial Zone from 2007, that was when the dream the state.

We also train and retrain of Abia State to get to the teachers and this is done zenith of primary schools annually by the Board and we education was actualized. see to the affairs of teachers Within this time that we especially in recruiting achieved quite a lot in Primary teachers, their promotion and School education in Abia State.

There are so many achievements so numerous to mention. Let’s start with the provision of infrastructure, it is on record that the administration of the else while Governor, T.A. Orji constructed and reconstructed 635 classroom blocks across the three senatorial zones of the ASUBEB provides state, trained and retrained 70,687 teachers and provided infrastructure used computer sets and in the construction infrastructural materials were provided for schools. Toyota and reconstruction Hilux cars were provided for of school the 17 Education Secretaries for effective supervision of classrooms schools.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—33

Ese Oruru: UPU to engage SAN for Yunusa's trial

By Perez Brisibe

M

OSOGAR—THE leadership of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, led by Chief Joe Omene, has accused the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, of bias in the role it played in securing the N9 million bail granted Yanusa Dahiru in his trial over Ese Oruru's abduction.

Speaking, yesterday, in Mosogar, Delta State, Omene lamented the quality of legal representation Yunusa was given, saying that UPU would send a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to represent them at the next trial date.

Describing the case as a test case on the relationship between Arewa and the Urhobo, Omene said: “There is more than meets the eyes in this matter.

“Yunusa, as an individual, cannot afford a SAN to represent him hence we believe ACF, which has been at the background in the matter, won’t stand on the part of justice and fairness in this case.

“If ACF is biased in this

matter, it will strain the relationship between them and the UPU as they are supposed to be law abiding

in protecting the rights of the under-aged girl child.

“Our SAN representative, who is the UPU Secretary

General, will represent us at the next date of proceedings and advice us on what is going on.”

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo State, the National Auditor, South South, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Berry Negerese, has charged the leaders of the party in the state to adopt the recommendations of the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Committee by selling the manifesto of the party to Edo voters.

He noted that the party's elites alone cannot guarantee victory for the PDP unless the entire people of the state were carried along on the activities and visions of the party ahead of the governorship election.

Speaking in Benin City shortly after a meeting with leaders of the party in the state, Negerese said: “Edo is a PDP state and you are aware that this is the only state in the South South that is not controlled by the PDP. It was internal disagreement that led to the then ACN winning the state but we are ready now to take Edo State back to PDP. “We have been meeting and talking to our leaders in Edo State on the need to reconcile our differences and face the real election with a focus to win. We have told them that we must adopt the Ekweremadu report of PDP, we must bring the party back to the people. My advice to Edo PDP leaders is that the mighty, the low, the rich and the poor, should all come back

By Victor AhiumaYoung

W

BRIEFING: From left: Davies Ikanya, Rivers State APC Chairman; Mr. Asita Asita, running mate to APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general election in Rivers State and Dandyson Uku, Organising Secretary, Rivers State APC, during a press briefing by Rivers State APC calling for the cancellation of the National and State Assemblies re-run elections in the state. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Edo 2016: PDP chieftain calls for adoption of Ekweremadu report

By Simon Ebegbulem

Iara Oshiomhole donates N2m to charity

together and see the party as superior to anybody.

“The masses, I can tell you, are with PDP. We must all come together and tell our people that the party is for everybody,

the elders, the youths and women. PDP is the only alternative to All Progressives Congress, APC-led government in Edo State because we must win this

election and bring back Edo State to PDP. The state cannot be left out in the South South and I can tell you that the election will go to PDP whether the APC likes it or not.”

Buhari gets kudos over appointment of N-Delta indigenes

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—A Niger Delta peace advocacy group, Concerned Progressives for Development and Good Governance, CPDGG, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of capable and upright indigenes of Niger Delta region into his cabinet.

According to the group, though the progressive minded indigenes of the Niger Delta have never been in doubt over the capability of President Buhari to reposition development in the region, it described the recent political appointments, particularly the appointment of Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) as the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Implementation Committee, as commendable and needful for the growth of the region.

The group, in a statement by Chief Timnadi Oweilabofagh (Bayelsa), Oghenekaro Umukoro (Delta) and Chief

Fred Fuberesima (Rivers), described Buhari's administration as concerned about the complex issues of development and empowerment in the region.

It said: “Unlike in the immediate past, the indigenes of the Niger Delta have come to realise that the present

administration is a product of the region in spite of unfounded claims and propaganda meant to whittle down its impact.

Boroh's appointment as Chairman of the Amnesty Implementation Committee and other key appointments have shown that square pegs are now in square hole for the implementation of accelerated development in the region."

Delta govt releases N100m for polytechnic’s stadium project

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH—DELTA State Government has released N100 million to facilitate the completion of the stadium of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro.

Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Jacob Oboreh, who disclosed this during the 14th matriculation of the institution, commended the state gover nor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for his support for the development

of the polytechnic and release of funds for its functional operations and prompt payment of staff salaries.

Noting that the polytechnic had become the fastest growing institution in Nigeria with numerous modern architectural structures and befitting facilities, Oboreh said that most of the projects and facilities were funded through internally generated revenue realized between 2012 and 2015.

E Care Trust, pet project of Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Edo State governor, has donated N2 million to the Trinitarian Missionaries of Merciful Love Congregation, Benin City.

Mrs. Oshiomhole, who made the donation during an assessment tour to orphanages such as Iwinosa Orphange Home, rehabilitation of the Marginalized Remar Association of Nigeria and the Trinitarian Orphan and Helpless, said that the donation was to complete payment for the house presently occupied by the orphans at Trinitarian.

According to Mrs. Oshiomhole, the gesture was in keeping with her commitment to the wellbeing of the needy in the society.

She said the visit was to assess their living condition and provide comfort and basic necessities to help them attain their God-given potentials.

Mrs. Oshiomhole said her gesture was made possible through the donations of philanthropists and wellmeaning persons to her pet project.

A-Ibom retired permanent Secretaries demand pension harmonization

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—ASSOCIATION of Retired Permanent Secretaries in Akwa Ibom State has demanded the harmonization of the pension of its members.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Kufre Okon, yesterday, in Uyo, the group made the demand when its leadership led by its President, Mr. Francis Ikpe paid a solidarity visit to the state House of Assembly.

The group, according to the statement, said that the responsiveness of the House, under the leadership of the Speaker, Onofiok Luke, to matters of public interest gave them hope and confidence that the issue of their pension harmonization would be properly addressed.

“This association is rest assured that with your wealth of experience in handling legislative issues and especially your quick response to matters that concern members of the public that our demand will be given the attention it requires," he said.

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Soldiers repel Fulani herdsmen attack on Benue town

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—AN attempt by armed Fulani militia to attack the already deserted Otholonya village in Agatu local government area of Benue State was yesterday repelled by the soldiers who were stationed in the community.

Vanguard learned that the invaders who were unaware of the presence of security personnel in the village, stormed the community in their numbers at about 5am and attempted to burn down the village and after which move to another, but met stiff resistance from the security personnel.

According to one of the villagers who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity; “The armed Fulani militia actually attempted to march into Otholonya, a riverine community, to burn it down and also move to other villages. Unknown to them, soldiers were already positioned in the abandoned village and their plan was foiled by the security

operatives who chased them away.”

Corroborating the story, the Agatu Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onah, said the effort of the soldiers stopped the militia from matching into the riverine villages in area.

According to him: “They were stopped and chased away by the soldiers in Otholonya. Without

the presence of the soldiers, they would have gained access to the villages in that axis. Apart from that we have not had any other major issue in Agatu for now. I must also say that our people are eager to go back to their villages but they can only do that when the armed herdsmen completely move out of our villages.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO,

Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu who claimed that Agatu had been enjoying relative peace, said two units of the Police Mobile Force and two detachments of the Army had been drafted to the area to maintain the peace.

Yamu appealed to the fleeing residents to return to their ancestral homes without fear of being attacked by the herdsmen.

PROTEST: Staff of Nigeria Insurance Commission (NAICOM) protesting against the Management on the issues of welfare and other benefits in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

Electricity workers issue 14-day strike notice

By Victor Ahiuma-Young & Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—THE erratic power supply in the country may be heading for the worse following a 14-day nationwide strike notice by the electricity workers, who accused the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Louis Edozie of wanton destruction of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN Headquarters’ property.

Workers on the platform of National Union of Electricity

Employees, NUEE, claimed the Permanent Secretary, arrived the Corporate Headquarters of PHCN on Friday March 18, to forcefully take over the premises, disrupting work and normal activities and threw caution to the winds, while destroying doors and other property within the premises.

But reacting, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing claimed the Permanent Secretary, Edozien and other top officials of the Ministry were attacked by those it called a mob while performing their lawful duties.

Though no mention was made about the union’s allegation that Edozien and other top ministry officials willfully destroyed PHCN property, in a bid to forcefully take over the offices, in a statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji, the Ministry said it was an affront on the Federal Government that its officials on lawful duty could be so attacked by whatever group under the guise of unionism, Oyedeji insisted that the culprits would be brought to book.

He added that a report of the incident had been submitted to

Pay your taxes promptly, APC charges Osun citizens

T

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has urged eligible citizens

of the state to pay their taxes as a commitment to their responsibility for social and economic

Group urges transparency in Saraki’s CCT trial allegation of false declaration of

By Dave Oso

V

ALUE and Integrity Group, VIG, has called for transparency in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, stressing that the case is a litmus test for the anticorruption war of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, the group’s chairman, Mr. Sina Odugbemi, claimed the fresh application by counsel to the Senate President, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN) challenging the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute him over

assets, was an abuse of the judicial processes, since the Supreme Court had already ruled on the same issue.

According to him: “This is one case that has gone through all available judicial process up to the Supreme Court. Also, Saraki is one principal leader of the ruling party that is currently in court for betrayal of public trust.

Thus, Nigerians are watching the process with keen interest. ''This is why any attempt to proffer any form of compromise; be it judicial or political, will not only mar, but finish Buhari’s anticorruption crusade and result in loss of public confidence in the administration.''

development of the state.

The party said in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, that all public-spirited persons should contribute ideas to solve the economic crisis ravaging the country and the state, rather than indulging in ‘self-defeatist criticism’ of the Rauf Aregbesola-led APC government of the state.

The party said the current economic crisis was avoidable, but for massive corruption of the PDPled Federal government that squandered the country ’s resources within a period of 16 years from 1999 - 2015.

It added that “Matters were complicated by the crash of oil price from over 120 dollars per barrel to 27 dollars as at January 2016, a catastrophe that affected Osun terribly, for we were the most ambitious in the country to accelerate human, economic, and social development in our state.”

the Inspector General of Police.

The union had alleged that Edozien, alongside others, attempted to forcefully take over PHCN headquarters and was resisted by the workers and in the process broke the doors to get access into some of the offices at the fourth floor of the building.

The workers who took journalists round to show them the broken doors and others, said they were resisting the takeover because among other pending issues, about 2,233 former disengaged workers of PHCN were yet to be fully paid, while 980 others who retired and those whose relations died in active service had not been paid their entitlements.

They equally claimed that they have not been paid 16 months arrears among others.

In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari, General Secretary of NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said: “We are highly disappointed that such top government official could condescend so low as to bring this highly placed office to ridicule.

This show of shame is not surprising since there is no record of any government Ministry where he served even as a Clerk before being appointed to the exalted office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power. ''At the scene the Permanent Secretary who removed the button of his cloths to fight the workers called the Workers and leaders “hooligans and nincompoops” but for the intervention of few people who walked in and identified him as Permanent Secretary, there would have been breakdown of law and order.''

David Mark barred from using stadium I gave no such order — ORTOM

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—AS the battle for supremacy between the All Progressives Congress, APC and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State intensifies, immediate past Senate President, David Mark, was yesterday, allegedly barred from using the Oju township stadium in his ongoing visit to his constituents in the Benue south district.

Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to Governor Samuel Ortom, Mr. Terver Akase said the Governor never directed anybody to deny Senator Mark the use of any facility in the state.

Akase said, “Mark is a former number three man in the country and the government recognizes that. If it is true that he was barred from using a facility, the directive certainly did not come from the Governor because he is a man that does not believe in impunity of any sort.”

Senator Mark was in the area to thank the people for voting him at the recent rerun election.

However, after waiting for a long time in Oju town without getting the nod of the local government boss, who was allegedly approached for the release of the venue for the event, Mark and his entourage and other PDP faithful converged at a private resort in the area for the meeting.

Be sensitive to issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, Oyedepo tells Buhari

By Demola Akinyemi

I

L O R I N — T H E Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, and founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has challenged the present administration headed

by President Muhammadu Buhari to be more sensitive to issues that affect ordinary Nigerians, saying ordinary Nigerians have been going through very difficult times.

Oyedepo, described the socioeconomic challenges in the nation as those borne out of systemic failure, contending that there is no point blaming any political party or individual for the current problems.

He spoke to journalists in Omu Aran at the fifth founder’s day celebration of the university.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016 — 35

OWERRI MALL: From left— Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe; Chairman, Owerri Mall Development Company, Chief Herbert Chikwe; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; his wife, and Managing Director, Resilient Africa, Mr. Jason Buhrs, at the opening of Owerri Mall, Egbu Road, Owerri, Imo State.

SENATOR ADEOLA: From left— Chairman, All Progressives Party, APC, Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Michael Dawodu; Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Senator representing Lagos West, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, and with his wife, Temitope, during the first town hall meeting/ empowerment and poverty alleviation programme of Senator Adeola held in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

ADVOCACY: From left— Head, Policy and Public Affairs, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Michael Onuoha; Deputy Controller General, Strategic Research and Policy, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Paul Okeigwu; Managing Director, Guinness, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Comptroller General, NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd); Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness, Mr. Sesan Sobowale; and Deputy Controller General, Finance, Admin and Technical Services, NCS, Idris Suleiman, during an advocacy visit to the Comptroller General in Abuja.

SKY ROUNDTABLE: From left— Chief Consultant, BAA Associates, Dr. ‘Biodun Adedipe; Chief Regulatory Officer, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Mrs. Khadijah Ade-Abolade; GMD/ CEO, Skye Bank Plc., Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, and MD/CEO, Touchstone Limited, Mr. Tunde Ojo, at the roundtable on Manufacturing Outlook ’16 in Lagos.

AWARD: Deputy Commissioner of Police, General Investigation Department, Alagbon, Samson Awoniyi (right) and Zonal Pastor, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Badore, Pastor Akin Abioye, during the presentation of Distinguished Leadership Award by Africa International Magazine, in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: Prophet Jeremiah of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries, Warri, Delta State (right) presenting N1,100,630 and a car gift to HRM Igwe Sylvester Ayogu, EzeNdigbo 1 of Ofu, Kogi State, and his wife, on behalf of Diamond Partners of Mercy TV and the congregation.

LAUNCH: From Left: Chairman, Mentoring Committee, Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy, Mr Jimi Agbaje; President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Managing Director, Glaxo Smithkline (GSK) Nigeria, Mr Lekan Asuni; and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi, at the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy Mentoring Programme yesterday in Lagos.

FUNERAL: From left— Deputy Director, National Mathematical Centre, Professor Peter Onmanyi; his wife, Mrs B. Onmanyi; Prince Ademola Oladipo, and sister, Mary-Rita Oladipo, at the funeral service of late Mary Adebimpe Oladipo, first deaconess, First Baptist Church, Offa, Kwara State.

36—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

By Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Omeiza Ajayi

A

PC should stop putting INEC under pressure— Babatope In his remarks, a former Minister of Transport and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said: ‘’I think the APC must examine itself properly because they are putting INEC under pressure to do what is impossible. Wike as the governor of Rivers State is loved by his people. I don’t know why APC should put INEC under pressure to do its bidding.

“When Goodluck Jonathan was the President, he allowed INEC to conduct elections without undue pressure. While I don’t subscribe to any form of violence, the APC should learn to accept defeat instead of putting INEC under pressure.

I want to appeal to the APC to desist from pressurising INEC.” We still have the do-or-die mentality—Odumakin On his part, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin lamented the do-or-die mentality that exists in the polity.

Odumakin also expressed worry over the conduct of future elections in Nigeria by INEC. He said: “I think it is a big shame for us that after Dr Goodluck Jonathan made his concession and we thought we were going to improve on that to make our system better, unfortunately, our electoral system is going back into the era of do-or-die and garrison mentality. Form Kogi to Rivers State, we have a reversal of trends that we should see in a peaceful, orderly elections.

Throwback to the 2011 elections "This is because of the ‘we must win at all cost mentality’.

We have now seen that there is a renewed effort that they must win at all cost. There is nobody who does not know that in a place like Rivers State, a party like the APC can only try.

"If PDP goes to Kano State today, it can only try, look at the lives that have been lost, look at the youth corper that has been killed, this is a throwback to the 2011 elections. It is a big shame that in an era were we thought we should be moving forward, we are moving backward.”

Speaking further, he said: “INEC should re-assess the electoral process but the problem is that no matter the level of INEC preparedness, once politicians have this door-die mentality, every

RIVERS: Diminishing

public confidence in elections THE unimpressive outcome of last weekend's re-run elections in Rivers State has further fuelled the seeming crisis of confidence that had challenged the country's electoral system and the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC. For an electoral body that is yet to achieve a success in elections since its present leadership came on board, the Rivers outing irrespective of the violent nature of the local politicians in that state, has left in its trail, questions regarding the capacity of the INEC management.

This was reflected in the mood of critical stakeholders, who

•Babatope

preparation made by INEC, will be fruitless. We are worried that if INEC cannot conduct elecions in parts of a state, how would INEC manage a national election in 2019? there is a cause for concern.”

INEC can no longer conduct free poll—Mohammed In his reaction, second republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, said the present Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC) as being constituted cannot conduct any credible election in Rivers State or any part of the country.

According to him, the present set of personalities in INEC are so corrupt and cannot conduct any credible elections.

He said, “I don’t believe INEC is prepared for any election or as presently constituted can conduct any credible elections in Rivers state or any other place. When Professor Yakubu was appointed newly, a lot of Nigerians thought the competence was there, but that has not been proven with what we have seen so far by this INEC”

expressed fears over the commission’s capacity in the discharge of its statutory functions. The seeming doubt is such that observers think should not be easily dismissed especially on the weight of the assumption that future polls are already threatened. Those who spoke to Vanguard in this respect, included a former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, Spokesperson of Afenenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, and former Spokesperson of Arewa Consultative Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani among others.

Mohammed

•Odumakin

He said further, “Professor Jega himself did not do a good job before he left, even the smart card reader he introduced has failed woefully. But as far as I am concerned, INEC alone should not be blamed for the

whole thing, the judiciary should also share in the blame because some of them are so corrupt and they could not prosecute electoral offenders”.

Blame politicians — Bashir, IPAC chairman Chairman Peoples Democratic Movement PDM/ Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC, Ibrahim Bashir said: “The information from Rivers is not very clear as to what happened but I think the main problem is a security challenge created by politicians and not

by INEC.

Conduct of

While I don’t politicians subscribe to any If they (politicians) had form of violence, allowed for the peaceful the APC should conduct of the elections, INEC would have played its part learn to accept well. But INEC does not control defeat instead of the security. It has no police or putting INEC under army. I condemn in totality, the conduct of politicians in Rivers pressure. I want to State which made the elections look like a war. appeal to the APC Unfortunately, this is not to desist from about the people of Rivers State, it is about the control of pressurising INEC

the treasury of Rivers State. I do not have a problem with INEC. I have a problem with the politicians especially those who are responsible for securing the lives of Rivers people”.

Too many things are wrong — Sanni Also, former publicity scribe of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Elder Anthony Sanni said: “I do not really have much facts as to what transpired in Rivers but to my mind, too many things are wrong. The contending parties in Rivers State do not see elections as sports or a free and fair competition. They engaged in violence and made it difficult for INEC to conduct a free, fair and credible election. So, I am trying to find out why it is like that."

It is so serious in that place as to ignore the sanctity of human life. They are looking for power to govern human beings and not animals, so, they should respect the sanctity of human lives. If the people are not ready for a free and fair elections, there is nothing INEC can do."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016—37

•National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun and President Buhari: Nothing

lasts forever

How 2019 politics is paralysing APC WHEN the once unthinkable quarrel between former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje broke out, it was easy for the camp of the incumbent governor to cite the alleged 2019 aspiration of

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

H

OW President Muhammadu Buhari came to divide the 16-year union between Kwankwaso and Ganduje is still a mystery to many.

Ganduje had served as deputy to Kwankwanso between 1999 and 2003, and after their loss to Ibrahim Shekarau, who won on the coattails of Buhari in the 2003 election, Ganduje served as Kwankwaso’s special adviser while the latter was the minister of defence between 2003 and 2006.

When he returned to power in 20011, Ganduje was again his faithful deputy who eventually succeeded Kwankwanso in 2015.

But what broke the cordiality between both veteran politicians remains a matter of

Kwankwanso as the reason for the spite.

Beyond the quarrel in Kano, there are many other reasons insiders in the All Progressives Congress; APC, are now pushing President Muhammadu Buhari to give indication on his 2019 agenda.

conjecture though the Ganduje camp would want the public to believe that Kwankwanso’s famed 2019 presidential aspiration as the reason.

As the governor said earlier this month following the noisy Kwankwanso condolence visit to him, 2019 remains the issue.

Obvious weaknesses “The people of Kano are ready to fight any politician apart from Buhari that is eyeing the presidential seat come 2019.

Whoever challenges Buhari, you the people of Kano should deal with him politically! You should show him that Kano is meant for no other person than Buhari,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Kwankwanso was quick to rebuke his successor and charge him not to use Buhari’s name to cover for what he described as the governor ’s “obvious weaknesses.”

The former governor, however, did not disavow a 2019 presidential run.

Kwankwanso, a former governor, former member of the House of Representatives, minister and now senator, like many other kingmakers is waiting in the wings for what options Buhari would take on 2019.

Not surprisingly, the wait on Buhari is having a crippling effect on the politics of the party with party chieftains not knowing how their actions could compromise them before the president.

Besides the fight between Kwankwanso and Ganduje, some other internal squabbles

are believed to be directly related to the aspiration for ascendancy by i n t e r n a l groups within the party.

Many of the i n t e r n a l disputes have inevitably hindered the i n t e r n a l workings of the party and in the view of some may have also negatively impacted on the chairman, Chief John O d i g i e Oyegun who is apparently c a u g h t between many of the powerful fighting blocs.

The conflict between the President of the Senate, S e n a t o r Bukola Saraki and the powerful Southwest bloc in the party is also directly related to 2019.

Saraki it is acknowledged was opposed by the Southwest bloc mainly because of insinuations by the powerful leaders of the caucus that given the position of Senate President that he, Saraki would use it to actualise his “plans” for the presidency in 2019.

The opposition was despite the fact that Saraki even before the 2015 APC primaries withdrew himself from the contest in deference to

The internal squabbles have in a way also paralysed the workings of some of the organs of the party, notably, the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee, NEC, which have met quite infrequently

Buhari.

The internal squabbles have in a way also paralysed the workings of some of the organs of the party, notably, the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee, NEC, which have met quite infrequently.

Even the BoT has yet to be formally inaugurated mainly on account of the failure of the party’s leading chieftains to agree on a chairman of the board who would not use the position to project either his own or the interest of his bloc towards 2019.

Atiku, who had been projected for the chairmanship of the BoT, is now said to be no longer keen on it and would only take up the position if it is offered to him without a contest.

“Atiku’s life does not revolve around politics,” a very close associate told Vanguard last Sunday while he was on the way to the Abuja airport to welcome the former vicepresident back to the country from a business trip overseas.

It is also not surprising that governors and other stakeholders with an interest in controlling the party are said not to be keen to fund the party.

Internal contentions The governors are said to be keen on finding a replacement for OdigieOyegun with the intention of having someone they can control perhaps ahead of 2019.

Party insiders believe that the president should be prevailed upon to declare his intention to run in 2019 as such a declaration would squash the internal contentions that are now dividing the party.

“The time for President Muhammadu Buhari to signal his intention to contest the 2019 presidency is now.

That will largely lay to rest the political schemings by the Tinubu and Atiku camps.

As a matter of fact, the APC administration requires more than a four-year term to repair the damage caused by the 16year misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” a party source revealed.

Remarkably, the various contenders in the party have one way or the other cast their ill-luck or the good fortune of their rivals to alleged actions of the party chairman, Chief Odigie-Oyegun.

It is a difficult position for the chairman who has had to manage the different political tendencies and that without derailing the overall change mantra of the Buhari administration.

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Terrorist attacks leave many dead in Brussels *As Buhari calls for international cooperation against terrorism

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

M

ORE than 30 people are believed to have been killed and dozens injured in attacks at Brussels international airport and a city metro station.

Twin blasts hit Zaventem airport at about 07:00 GMT, with 11 people reported killed.

Another explosion struck Maelbeek metro station near EU headquarters an hour later, leaving about 20 people dead.

Brussels police have issued a wanted notice for a man seen

pushing a luggage trolley through the airport.

He was pictured in CCTV footage with two other suspects who are believed to have died in the blasts.

The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attacks in a statement issued on the IS-linked Amaq agency.

Belgium has raised its terrorism alert to its highest level. Three days of national mourning have been declared.

Prime Minister Charles Michel called the latest attacks “blind, violent and cowardly”, adding: “This is a day of tragedy, a black day... I

would like to call on everyone to show calmness and solidarity.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Michel and Belgians.

He assured Michel and the people of Belgium that Nigeria stands in solidarity with them.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “The appalling attack on Brussels reinforces the need for greater international cooperation to effectively confront and destroy global terrorism and its perpetrators.”

PRESIDENTIAL POLL: How opposition candidate won in Benin Republic

I

N the First Round, the incumbent Prime Minister and Ruling Party Candidate, Rival Lionel Zinsou won but with 27%.

In the second round, Opposition gathered under one Umbrella and Patrice Talon defeated the Prime Minister and ruling candidate.

The President-elect Talon attacked his main opponent Zinsou dual French citizenship, presenting himself as the real Beninese. Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, a former economist and investment banker backed by both Boni Yayi and the main opposition Democratic Renewal Party.

Mr. Talon, 57, beat the candidate of the country’s ruling party and prime minister, Lionel Zinsou, in an election to select the replacement for the President of the West African country, Boni Yayi, who has spent the constitutional allowed two five-year terms in office.

In a move reminiscent of the action of Nigeria’s immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Zinsou has called Mr. Talon to congratulate him even before official release of results.

Mr. Talon, a successful businessman and former ally of incumbent President, Mr. Yayi, who rose from a humble beginning and made his money by running the port at Cotonou,

AFCON qualifier: Pharaohs don’t rely on Salah, Elneny— Koka GYPTIAN striker Warda and me, the team E Ahmed Hassan consists of 11 players,” ‘Koka’ said the Super Koka told Sada El-Balad

Koka

Eagles would be making a mistake if they concentrate on keeping the likes of Mohammed Salah and Mohammed Elneny quiet in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier billed for Kaduna on Friday.

Koka who plays for SC Braga of Portugal argued that the soul of the Egyptian national team is the home-based players who are equally as gifted as their foreign-based stars.

“The team don’t rely on foreign-based players like Mohamed Salah, Mohamed Elneny, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Amr

Channel on Monday.

“Players who play for the national team make every effort to represent their country in an honourable way,” the Egyptian striker added.

Koka noted that the Super Eagles are a top side in Africa but was optimistic that the Pharoahs will win in both legs of the tie.

Koka SC Braga player has scored 13 goals for his team this season since he joined them from Rio Ave during the previous summer transfer window.

Barca’s Ekpolo set to lift Nigeria in friendly against Brazil

B

ARCELONA FC defensive midfielder, Godswill Elohor Ekpolo said he is keen to begin his début with the Nigeria Under-23 team on a winning note, when they play their Brazilian counterparts in a friendly on Thursday ahead of the Olympics.

Ekpolo, who is the captain of the Barcelona reserves, joined the team in Brazil on Monday and according to him,

training with the team on Tuesday was rewarding.

“It is a pleasure to be in Brazil to represent my country. I am looking forward to having a good match with the team and with God on our side, we will give a good account of ourselves,” said the player yesterday.

He was invited to the team during the Under23 AFCON in Senegal, but couldn’t make the team due to club commitments.

Ekpolo

Omagbemi happy with Super Falcons progress UPER Falcons coach, team. I am 100 per cent

S

Talon presented himself to voters as the authentic Beninese while attacking his opponent’s dual French nationality, media reports say.

His supporters nicknamed Mr Zinsou, “ yoyo”, which means “the white man” for his complexion. Mr. Zinsou, 61, is of mixed birth and attended an elite French University. He was the former speechwriter for former prime minister Laurent Fabius.

Mr Zinsou, who was the frontrunner after the first round of voting with 27.1 per cent, was favoured to win the second round but 24 of the 32 candidates in the election, including thirdplaced Sebastine Ajavon, who won 22 per cent in the first round endorsed Mr. Talon, who had won 23.5 per cent in the first round, as their candidate during the second round of voting.

Mr. Talon bankrolled Mr Yayi’s successful campaigns in 2006 and 2011 but fell out with the outgoing President and fled to Paris after he was accused of planning to overthrow Mr. Yayi in a coup.

He only returned to the country last October after he was granted a presidential pardon.

He endeared himself to young Beninese with his taste for luxury. Many of them look up to him as being able to come up with solution for the country ’s high unemployment.

President Thomas Boni Yayi is stepping down after two terms.

His decision to leave office is in contrast to leaders in other African nations like Burundi, Rwanda and CongoBrazzaville, which have altered their constitutions to extend presidential term limits.

Omagbemi

Florence Omagbemi finally joined up with the team training camp in Abuja and was hopeful that the Falcons will regain their lost pride.

Omagbemi, a former captain of the team, was appointed along side Perpetua Nkwocha and Ann Agumanu, but has not been able to join the camp of the Falcons which opened earlier in the month in Abuja.

“Right now, I am in camp.

I worked alongside my other coaches with the girls on Monday morning.

I’m very happy with what has been done in my absence with the

with the team and I am happy with everything that’s going on.”

“I am happy with my assistants. These are my people. We are one family here in camp.

Ann Chiejine and Perpetua Nkwocha, we all played together for years and we are just like sisters. We are happy to work together now.

“When I first heard the news, I was so excited because I believe this is the time to come and give back. We fought battles on the field for Nigeria, now is when to do our job and be role models to the girls.”

Okpekpe 10km road race: Momoh excites North Ibie athletes the second and third

C

HANNELS TV CEO,John Momoh has offered cash prizes for the top three men and women athletes of North Ibie origin at the fourth edition of the International Association of Athletics Federation’s bronze label (IAAF) Okpekpe international 10km rod race which holds

on Saturday May 7 in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo state.

Momoh, a proud son of North Ibie and owner of the best television station in Nigeria will offer N.6M as prize monies to the top three men and women at the race with the first going home with N150,000 while

placed finishers will go home with N100,000 and N50,000 respectively for both men and women.

The North Ibie comprises of Okpekpe Clan and the Three Ibie Clan : Imiegba, Imiakebu and Itsukwi of Etasko East Local Government Area, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2 016 — 47

Iwobi ‘ll play against Egypt – NFF T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has revealed that Arsenal attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi is not in danger of missing the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Egypt.

The former England youth player did not participate in training with the rest of the Super Eagles squad yesterday morning and the initial reports that emanated from Abuja suggested that he was suffering from food poisoning.

The NFF posted on its official Twitter page that Iwobi is well and set to play against Egypt.

Spokesman for the football house Ademola Olajire confirmed to Vanguard Sports that Iwobi had returned to camp. "He is back in training. He will play against Egypt."

And based on the pronouncement by the Federation, the 19-year-old can no longer represent England internationally if he is given a run out against the North Africans.

FIFA investigates Beckenbauer

T

HE Fifa ethics com mittee has opened an investigation into Franz Beckenbauer and five other officials connected with Germany’s 2006 World Cup bid.

The world governing body named the other five as Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the DFB (the German FA) and a current member of the Fifa and Uefa executive committees; Helmut Sandrock, former secretary general of the DFB; Theo Zwanziger, former president of the DFB; Horst R Schmidt, former secretary general of the DFB; and Stefan Hans, former chief financial officer of the DFB.

Shocker!

Continued from B/P flew with him from London, has visited the youngster in hospital.

The midfielder has played two friendlies for his father’s native country, but he has yet to play an official game since he switched his international allegiance.

At the weekend, he crowned his first Premier League debut with a goal in Arsenal 2-0 win at Everton.

In the meantime, 19 other players trained on C M Y K

T

HE Hotel Ilha Do Boi camp of the U23 National Team, Dream Team, in Vitoria, Brazil came alive on Monday as eight of the overseas –based players invited for tomorrow’s friendly match arrived ahead of their colleagues from Nigeria.

The early birds to arrive were former U-17 captain Musa Mohammed and his former team-mate Taiwo Awoniyi, before Nathan Oduwa, Sodiq Popoola, Imoh Ezekiel, Agboyi Ovbokha, Theophilous Solomon and Godswill Ekpolo joined them.

The rest of the overseas

Ikpeme leads U-23 into Brazil –based professionals hit camp on Monday night, just ahead of the delegation from Nigeria, made up of nine players and the technical crew led by interim head coach Fatai Amoo.

The delegation from Nigeria, led by NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, departed from Lagos via South Africa from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Sunday, aboard a South Af-

*Ikpeme rican Airways flight. The team flew from Johannebsurg to Sao Paulo before connecting the city of Vitoria.

Zenith Bank WBL: First Deepwater record third victory on at the sports hall of Queens beat Coal City

F

ORMER champi ons, First Deepwater of Lagos made it three wins in four games after beating Zamfara Babes 48-41 in one of yesterday’s games in the first phase of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League currently going

*GETTING SET: Iwobi

the Abuja Stadium.

It was a tight game, but the Lagos team did all that was needed to record the hard-earned victory. First Deepwater’s only loss came in the 45-50 defeat in the hands of AHIP. In some other games played, IGP

Match officials in today, NFF appeals to fans O FFICIALS for Friday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt in Kaduna are scheduled to arrive in the country today.

Referee Janny Sikazwe, Assistant Referee 2 Romeo Kasengele and Reserve Referee Wisdom Chewe are all expected to arrive in Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa, alongside the match commissioner, Abbasi Ssendyowa from Uganda.

Assistant referee 1 Arsenio Chadreque Marengula, from Mozambique, will come into town tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has appealed to spectators coming to the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Friday to ensure they do not have any weapon of any kind on them.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, made the appeal in Abuja as the NFF continued the countdown to the big match.

“We are specially appealing to our football fans not to come with any item that might be seen as a weapon, be-

wearing green and white colours. We want the venue proudly adorned in our national colours.”

Players and officials of the Super Eagles arrived in Kaduna on Tuesday afternoon, led by Head Coach Samson Siasia.

Pharaohs more stable than Eagles – Enyimba coach OACH of Enyim- ons is optimistic that the while there are a tians. I think the best for C ba, Paul Aigbo- Super Eagles can get a number of changes in Nigeria is a win here gun, has predicted a win in Kaduna and play Nigeria, “ Paul Aigbo- and trying to get a point tough game against Egypt and admitted that the north Africans are in an advantageous position because the squad is stable unlike the Super Eagles, who are building a new team.

However, the manager of the NPFL champi-

for a draw in the return leg in Alexandria, stressing that the players in the squad deliver most when they are under pressure.

“Will be a tough game certainly, I know that the Egypt team is in good condition now

Siasia

We know them and we have to make sure they don’t have that room to operate.” On why he seemed so relaxed going into the big match, Siasia said; “You know that Egypt is not two countries put together, and again I have utmost confidence on the players we have and with such players, you don’t have to worry about anything.. I am also at home and so must not have any pressure here.”

He also revealed that the boys will train again in Kaduna on arrival so as to help them get ready to the hot Nigerian weather.

Continued from B/P Tuesday morning at the Abuja National Stadium.

They also trained in Kaduna later same day.

The players include skipper Ahmed Musa, Mikel Obi, Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Etim Matthew, Ifeanyi Matthew, Oghenekaro Etebo, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Orji Kalu and Fenando Adi. Others were Umar Aminu, Aaron Samuel, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Chibuzor Okonkwo and Kelechi Iheanacho.

cause security will be very tight on the day. We also appeal passionately to the fans to co-operate fully with the security agents to make for hitch –free entry into the venue.

“Similarly, we are appealing to the fans to come to the stadium

Queens 63-26, while Benue Princess also defeated Nasarawa Amazons 70-37.

First Bank BC and Dolphins will resume play today after resting yesterday. The Elephant Girls (First Bank) will take on Benue Princess at 3:30 pm, while reigning champions, Dolphins will battle Customs at 5pm. In other games, AHIP will take on Oluyole Babes, Taraba Hurricane will take on Nasarawa Amazons, Delta Force and Immigration will fight for the two points at stake, Sunshine will take on FCT Angels, GT 2000 takes on Zamfara Babes, while Plateau Rocks and Coal City Queens plays the last game.

means they are not the only ones to be closely watched throughout the duration of the encounter.

“We are not going to be afraid of attacking the Egyptians, we know them already but all that we want to ensure is that we get our tactics right. We have to play as a unit together and not to give those guys that we believe that can give us problems room to play because if you give them room to play, they will destroy you.

gun told reporters.

“In contrast, the team of Egypt is in a state of stability now, which would benefit any team for sure.

“But at the same time the Nigeria squad is known to me , they offer the best performance when playing under pressure. “ Aigbogun continued: “But Kaduna match will not be easy on the Egyp-

off the second game.

“But all that will be determined according to the result of the first match. “ Nigeria will face group leaders Egypt in the third round of qualifying in Kaduna on March 25 before the Pharaohs host the West Africans in Alexandria four days later.

Pharaohs Continued from B/P NFF of their arrival plans, but did not give details of the number of the contingent on the trip.

“We are making arrangement to welcome them in Kaduna and provide them with the necessary things they need to prepare for the match.

We shall make them comfortable in Nigeria as good host,” the source stated.

*Mikel

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Pharaohs storm Kaduna today

S-h-o-c-k-e-r!

Iwobi hospitalised for food poisoning ...Nothing to worry about —Siasia ...He’ll play against Egypt –NFF

...Match officials in today

A

*Iwobi

NPFL Fixtures Warriors v Wikki MFM v Pillars Tornadoesv 3SC R/United v Sunshine Giwa v El-Kanemi I/Ubah v Heartland Akwa Utd v W/Wolves Lobiv Rangers All matches start at 4pm

RSENAL young ster Alex Iwobi has been hospitalised in Abuja after he suffered from food poisoning, according to Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia.

Iwobi, 19, did not train with the rest of the Super Eagles squad on Tuesday morning ahead of Friday’s crucial AFCON qualifier against Egypt on account of the food poisoning.

“He suffered from food poisoning and so was not part of the training. But his condition is stable,” disclosed Siasia.

It was further gathered that Iwobi ate a meal of salad from where he got the problem.

His father, Chuka, who Continues on page 44

TODAY'S PUZZLE

*ON A MISSION: Pharaohs, Kings of the Nile

Today’s AFCON 2017 Qualifying Fixtures Chad Sao Tome Principe Guinea-Bissau South Sudan Zambia

v v v v v

Tanzania Libya Kenya Benin Congo

3:30pm 3:30pm 4pm 4:30pm 6pm

We won’t give Egypt room to operate – Siasia

By JUDE OPARA, Abuja

S

*Siasia

TAND-IN-COACH of the Super Eagles Samson Siasia has revealed that his boys will not give the Pharaohs of Egypt room to operate during the forthcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between the two teams this Friday in Kaduna.

Siasia who spoke yesterday after the team rounded off its training session in Abuja before

A

FTER securing the green light to land in Kaduna, the Egyptian national team, the Pharaohs will arrive Kaduna today in their chartered plane, direct from Cairo.

An official source said yesterday that the Egyptians have informed the Continues on page 47

departing for Kaduna said he knows that the Egyptians have some sleek-footed players which means they will not be given the chance to play their game.

According to him, the duo of Roma of Italy winger, Mohamed Salah and Arsenal of England midfielder, Mohamed Elneny may be very good players but only them cannot win the game for their country which Continues on page 44

*Musa: Eagles Captain

QUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Public transport vehicle (3) 3 Distance across a swimming pool (5) 6 Variety dancers (9) 7 Sea movement (4) 8 Buy things (4) 11 Ten out of ten! (4) 12 Synthetic fibre (5) 13 Adam’s wife (3) DOWN 1 Assail (with obstacles) (5) 2 Rapier-like debate (9) 3 Weekly earnings (4 4 Unknown competitor (4,5) 5 Is in possession of (3) 9 Outdated (5) 10 Sign of some future event (4) 11 Distant, remote (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 5 Lull 6, Oval 7, Shipwreck 8, Brow 10, Yawn 12, Jetstream 15, Beau 16, Note.

DOWN: 1, Author 2, Clap 3, Poorly 4, Talc 9, Washup 11, Wealth 13, Eyes 14, Rink.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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