Treat Boko Haram like Al-Qaeda - France

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62150

Bomb 16 blast: Jos residents recount experiences

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N150

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 AGM— From left: GMD FirstBank/ Director FBN Holding Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; CEO FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Bello Maccido and Chairman, FBN Holdings Plc, Dr. Oba Otudeko at the 2nd Annual General Meeting of FBN Holdings Plc at Oriental Hotel,Lagos, yesterday.

Treat Boko Haram like Al-Qaeda — FRANCE

BY VICTORIA OJEME, NDAHI MARAMA, Emmanuel Elebeke & LAIDE AKINBOADE

•Jonathan blames insurgency on Boko Haram's sponsors •Says "I'm not slow in finding abducted school girls" A •Boko Haram kills another 29 in Borno village

BUJA— FRANCE, yesterday, declared that the Boko Haram sect will be treated like AlQaeda, just as the sect's members, again, killed 29 people in a Borno border village.

Also, yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan declared that although the Chibok school girls have not been rescued 39 days after their abduction, he was not slow in the rescue operation as he was in constant touch with his security chiefs Continues on page 5

COLUMNIST: Donu Kogbara

Foreign •P.17 intervention •P.8

PROTEST:Men of the Nigerian Police form a ring, blocking people protesting abduction of the Chibok girls in Abuja, yesterday.

INSET: Government officials, led by SGF Anyim Pius Anyim listen to address by Oby Ezekwesili during the protest. Photos: NAN.

NUT shuts down 9 schools nationwide for Chibok schoolgirls C M Y

FG pushes for road, fuel taxes

14

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—3

TERRORISM: Jonathan to confer with other African leaders on joint action

Okrika explosion: Amnesty Office dismisses MEND's claim

BY BEN AGANDE

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BY SONI DANIEL

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BUJA — THE Presi dential Amnesty Office has described as untrue the claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that it is responsible for the oil pipeline explosion that occurred in Okrika in Rivers State on Sunday.

The Amnesty Office, in a release in Abuja by its Head of Media and Communications, Mr. Dan Alabrah, said the shadowy group's claim is an abominable attempt by a band of vandals and criminals to take credit for an unfortunate incident that claimed lives.

It noted that it would not have dignified the group with a response after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had cleared the air on the incident but for MEND's reference to the Presidential Amnesty Programme as "a fraud."

According to the statement, "we suspect that those behind the group are being used once again by agents of destabilization, who do not mean well for the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a country.

"It is a truism that the relative peace enjoyed in the Niger Delta is the result of the diligent implementation of the amnesty programme coupled with the highly commendable efforts of the security agencies, which has ensured the stabilization of security and peace in the region.

"At the time MEND made the claim on Monday, 160 Niger Delta youths were being presented to the media in Lagos prior to their departure to the United States of America and the United Kingdom for university education.

"The successful delegates had undergone a one-year training programme in Nigeria in partnership with the reputable Kaplan International Colleges of the United States Pathway Programme (USPP). Is that the programme that is a fraud?"

From left: The United States Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins; US Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Penny Pritzker and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State during a meeting with the governor as part of the US Department of Commerce, West Africa Energy Business Development Mission to Ghana and Nigeria led by the Secretary of Commerce, in Lagos, yesterday.

Insurgency: Northern Govs lambast FG, Maku over comments

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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INNA— GOVERNORS under the aegis of Northern Governors Forum have lambasted the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, over his recent comments on the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country, describing the statement credited to Maku after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday as unfortunate.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, reacting to the statement at the opening of a one-day meeting of Federal and State Government's Security Administrators in Minna, said if the views expressed by the minister was the opinion of the Federal Government "it is very uncharitable, it is more than unfortunate."

Maku had been quoted in the media, yesterday, as saying that governors in the northern part of the country were not doing enough to contain insurgency in the region.

According to Governor Aliyu, “I was very sad when I read today (Thursday) in virtually all the papers where the Minister of Information was accusing us (northern governors) of not doing enough to fight insurgency in the region.

“If it is his views, then it is very unfortunate. If it is the views of the Federal Government that is very, very uncharitable. It is more than unfortunate and I think it is part of hypocrisy because no governor as far as I know and as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, no Governor will be accused of not doing enough.

Not doing enough

“But given the circumstances that we have found ourselves, how can we do enough when we are aware that people like Labaran Maku would be play-

ing politics of their states with a serious matter. I think the statement came out because of what is happening in Nasarawa State and now he generalises it to the northern states.

“How can we do enough when some people believe that what is happening is a deliberate plan to stop some people and, therefore, the action that should have been taken from the start was delayed.

“Why should anybody accuse us of not doing enough with even the children that were kidnapped and some people are trying to make it look as if nothing happened.

“I am not aware of any governor that has either been invited by the National Security Adviser or the Director of DSS to be told what to do and he did not do it. I

am not aware of that.

“We as Northern governors set up a committee that went round all the states, we sent our report and recommendations to the Federal Government and what did the Federal Government do? They set up another committee which went round and plagiarized the report of the Northern governors.

“So, for any minister to wake up and start castigating people that will not solve the problem. I thought with what has happened that we need to stop this blame game and start to find solution to what is happening.

“If we are serious, if there is political will, with the assistance of the international committee, we should be able to finish this thing in three months. We still insist, all the agreements entered into should be finished withing three

BUJA — PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan leaves for Pretoria, South Africa today for high-level discussions with other African Heads of State and Government on combating terrorism in Africa.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the continent's five regions will each be represented by two heads of state and government at the talks which will focus on collective action to effectively roll back the scourge of terrorism in Africa.

He said others expected at the talks, which will take place ahead of President Jacob Zuma's inauguration for a new term in office, include the leaders of Ghana, Republic of Congo, Chad, Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, Mauritania, Algeria and Ethiopia.

Abati said Jonathan, who will be accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and some key aides will return to Abuja after attending President Zuma's inauguration tomorrow.

Power: FG faults claims on banks' collapse for their books.

According to him, "furthermore, no assets of the SCs were BUJA — THE Federal Gov ernment, yesterday, urged pledged as collateral. It should investors to discountenance be noted that it was the acquirclaims of the imminent collapse ing companies or SPVs that borof commercial banks that in- rowed based on their cash flows vested in the nation’s power and accounts. The SPA signed also requires that the consent of sector.

Director General of the Bureau the BPE is obtained before the of Public Enterprises (BPE), core investors can borrow.

“The banks lent to the core Mr. Benjamin Dikki faulted the claims while speaking at an investors based on their capaall-parties meeting, Wednes- bility to pay. The investors are day, in Abuja during a presen- supposed to have made adtation to the owners of the Power equate provisions to take care Holding Company of Nigeria of their obligations to their fin(PHCN) Successor Companies anciers from the outset. They (SCs) by the Africa Energy knew that they were not going to make profit immediately on Team of the World Bank.

Dikki noted that the fears by take-over of the SCs. Their finsome of the eminent take-over anciers also were aware of this.”

During the presentation entiof SCs due to the purported non servicing of loans or about tled “Reform of the power secthe prospect of stress to the tor in Latin American countries banks due to their exposure to in the 1990s,” aimed at sharing SCs, were misplaced as the experiences of the power sector successor companies did not privatization in these countries, borrow directly from the banks Mr. Pedro Antmann reminded

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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the investors that their primary focus should be to provide adequate and efficient power supply to Nigerian consumers.

He said there were unusual challenges at the initial stages of the privatisation exercise but that with determination and the right strategy, it would be surmounted.

Antmann urged the investors not to aim at making profit now but to endeavour to develop infrastructure and to meet the cost of supply.

The World Bank official advised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to make a provision in its rules to adjust tariffs in times of low generation and shortage of gas supply.

Antman, drawing from experiences in other countries, said these challenges were normal at the early stages and urged investors not to focus on short term gains, but invest in infrastructure that will guarantee sustained future profits.

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Senate approves bill to establish College of Alternative Medicine

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, gave its nod to the establishment of College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the country, as a bill to that effect scaled second reading.

The college is aimed at carrying out clinical work and research as well as providing an alternative method of treating ailments.

It will also train and retrain

alternative medicine practitioners in the health care delivery services.

The bill, being sponsored

by Senator Clever Ikisipo, PDP, Bayelsa East, proposes a take off grant of N3.9 billon that will cover consultancy, capital costs, personnel emoluments, and cost of specialised training for staff, among others.

In his lead debate at the Senate plenary yesterday, Senator Ikisipo said the bill

was aimed at providing constitutional backing for the Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, created as an agency under the Federal Ministry of Health in 2007.

He canvassed the support of his colleagues in giving legislative backing for the passage of the bill, saying if the college was established, it would ultimately complement Federal Government’s efforts at encouraging alternative

medicine practice which, he noted, had already been supported by medical practitioners in European, Asian and other African countries.

Its philosophy

He said: “Complementary and Alternative Medicine is the branch of medicine whose philosophy is grounded in the enhancement of the body’s own healing power through the use of natural means.

BUILDERS MEET: From left— Joseph Akande, Chairman, Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Lagos State branch; Mr. Kunle Awobodu, President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild, BCPG; Dr. Abimbola AnimashaunOdunayo, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency; Mr. Ladipo Lewis, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, Lagos State chapter; Mr. Roti Delana, past President, Association of Consulting Architects of Nigeria; Mr. Charles Majoro, past President of NIA, during the general meeting of BCPG at the architects' forum in Lagos.

Lightning kills pregnant woman, man in Benue

BY PETER DURU

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A K U R D I — A pregnant women (names withheld) and a middle aged man, identified as Barber, were, yesterday, killed by lightning during a downpour in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard gathered from eyewitnesses that the deceased persons were both operating a business premises at a popular hotel on Gboko West area of the town when they met their untimely death.

According to an eyewitness, the victims had close shop for the day and where locking up their business premises at 7p.m. when they were simultaneously struck.

According to one Mr. Haanya Aondoakaa, who claimed he witnessed the incident, “ when the rain started we were all happy because we have had scarcity of rains this year, but the thunder and lightning that accompanied the rain scared everyone.

“It was not quite long after the rain started that we heard

loud screams and wailing which compelled people to scamper for safety.

“In the mist of that confusion, we discovered that the two victims were struck to death by the lightning.

“It was a sorry sight. But we managed to render assistance by taking them to a hospital for medical attention, which was however too late in coming because they were already dead.”

When contacted, the

chairman of Gboko Local Government Area, Mr. Nahan Zenda confirmed the incident, he added that the council reported the incident to the police, and officers were quickly deployed men to the area.

WCC meets over churches in conflict, climate

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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HE Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, WCC, will meet from July 2 to 8, for its first full meeting since it was elected at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea in 2013.

The meeting, scheduled for the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, may deliberate on the current security challenges facing Nigeria, especially the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, on April 14 by Islamist militants, Boko Haram.

The Central Committee, which meets every two years, serves as the chief

governing body of the WCC until the next assembly.

It is responsible for carrying out the policies adopted by the Assembly, reviewing and supervising WCC programmes and the budget of the Council.

During the upcoming meetings, the group of 150 representatives from the WCC member churches will review WCC programme planning for 2014 to 2017 and participate in a series of plenaries and committee meetings.

During the weekend of June 2 to 3, they will be visiting congregations in the Geneva area. The new Central Committee will also be welcomed to Geneva by leaders of the Swiss church-

es and local government.

The theme of the meeting is Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, reflecting the final message of the 10th Assembly which said, “We intend to move together.

“Challenged by our experiences in Busan, we challenge all people of good will to engage their God-given gifts in transforming actions. This Assembly calls you to join us in the pilgrimage.”

In addition to review of the programme plans of the WCC, there will be a series of plenaries on unity through solidarity with churches in conflict, climate change, economic justice, churches and the sharing of resources.

“This branch of medicine is coming to the forefront of health care in most Asian countries, African countries, European countries and America, thus having the effect of a healthier and stronger society and enhancing our very valuable human resources.”

He said the college had done tremendously well in research into various remedies that can cure major diseases like cancer, cholera, vesicovaginal fistula, VVF, as well as advanced management and cure of HIV/AIDS since its establishment in 2007.

He regretted that the college had been producing remedies for ailments over the years without the proper legislative framework required for its development and sustenance.

He said: “At present, the college is the first of its kind in Africa teaching osteopathy, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Natural Medicine and other related disciplines in one single institution.”

Increase in life expectancy

He expressed optimism that the college was capable of increasing life expectancy in Nigeria from 45 to 75 years based on the quality and effective health care services it was capable of providing.

He said the legislative support will enable the college to give a proper structure to the required formal training ground for the important medical input.

Almost all the senators that spoke on the issue said the bill was timely but feared that the development could be abused by the extreme traditional medicine practitioners in the country.

Mark's concerns

In his remark, Senate President, David Mark, warned against what he described as allowing alternative medicine practice go beyond using herbs.

He said: “We should be careful. This is because most of the native doctors do incantations and people say they get well. Would you take that as one of the things the College would encourage?

“There are areas where we just need to exercise a bit of caution. Sometimes, when you are sick in the village they do not give you anything to drink.

“They just give you something to tie on your waist or to carry in your pocket and then it is assumed that you would recover.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

OGUN INVESTORS FORUM— From left: Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Chief Ernest Shonekan at the second day of Ogun State Investors Forum, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Treat Boko Haram like Al-Qaeda — FRANCE Continues from page 1 on a daily basis.

French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, who made the declaration in Abuja said his country would not hesitate to offer intelligence support, pointing out that collective effort was needed to tackle insurgency.

He made the remarks while speaking with newsmen at the reception organised by the Chinese Embassy to

mark the assumption of duty of the new ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie in Abuja.

He said: “As a matter of fact, we live in a situation that is very different from what happened before. Before, we had international network and people on ground and each with a local course, the connection now is much simpler to establish.

“Therefore, we believe the mobilization against Boko Haram should be

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When you encounter rejection, shake it off and move on. Sooner or later you will succeed if you don’t quit. Don’t personalise it; because someone rejects what you have to offer doesn’t mean you are being rejected.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness and the state of joy is ever lasting when it comes from within— Take Heart Quotes

U

NHAPPINESS lies in that gap between what we have now and what we think we need. But the truth is, we don’t need to acquire anything more to be content with what we already have. We don’t need anyone else’s permission to be happy. Your life is magnificent not because someone says it is, or because you have acquired something new, but because you choose to see it as such. Don’t let your happiness be held hostage. It is always yours to choose, to live and experience.

And from the experts of wisdom notes, Mack and Angel Hack comes this beautiful saying. “As soon as you stop making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness, the happier you’ll be. If you’re unhappy now, it’s not someone else’s fault. Take full responsibility for your own unhappiness, and you will instantly gain the ability to be happier. Stop seeking in vain to arrange conditions that will make you happy.” Simply choose to appreciate the greatness that is yours in this moment, and the right conditions will start to line up around the contentment you seek.

the same as the mobilization we have seen before against al-Qaeda and for the same reason.

“These people cannot stop; it will only be getting worse and (it) has to be dealt with collectively.

It is well known that a lot of connections are existing among a kind of dark side of globalization, where you can find drugs, money and people,” he said.

Labriolle said his country offered to assist in finding the missing girls because “Boko Haram problem is not only a Nigerian problem but a regional and international problem.

“As for the girls, the idea is to localise where they are; this requires intelligence. What can be done in Nigeria on the ground will be done by Nigerians, not by us.

What we can do is to help in intelligence. Locating 200 girls is both easy and difficult, depending on the size of the population of a country.”

Also speaking to newsmen, the Israeli and Chinese ambassadors, Uriel Palti and Gu Xiaojie respectively, spoke on the commitment of their countries to flush out insurgency in Nigeria.

For Mr Palti, “Boko Haram, Alkeem, AlShabbab in Somali, etc, are all part of the arms of Iran; the influence of Iran, Al-Qaeda influence.

“We share the challenge of Nigeria. So, we have to fight international terrorism legally, militarily, religiously, by

all means.”

According to him, the Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, condemned these terrorist attacks and offered Nigeria the assistance of Israel in combating terrorism.

On the composition of the Israeli team in Nigeria, he simply said: “I won’t go into details but as I told you, the telephone call between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Goodluck (Jonathan) was a sign of great friendship between Israel and Nigeria.”

His Chinese counterpart, Mr Xiaojie, who condemned terrorist attacks in the country, said his country ’s position was against any form of terrorism, especially violence against innocent people.

He said China had taken note of Nigerian government’s request and was ready to help in combating the insurgents.

Boko Haram: Again, 29 killed in Borno border village At least 29 people were killed in Chukungudoua village of Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State when some Boko Haram terrorists laid ambush on Wednesday, morning.

The attack, according to a resident, Mallam Bakura Mustapha Alhaji occurred barely 10 days after the withdrawal of troops from the village.

Chukunguduoa village, predominantly Kanuri and Hausa extraction is a border community between Gamboru and Kala Balge council areas of Borno and Cameroon Republic and about 174 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital.

Within this month, some terrorists invaded Gamboru Ngala Main Market, killing over 300 people, mostly traders with the setting ablaze of the entire market and over 100 vehicles. Likewise, two weeks ago, over 200 members of the terrorists group were killed in three villages of Kala Balge Council area by residents after all the weapons used by the terrorists failed to work/operate in the botched attack.

Sources said, the gunmen using 15 vehicles and several motorcycles with AK-47 rifles, Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDs) and petrol bombs stormed the village at about 11am on Wednesday when most residents were on their farms and opened fire on harmless residents, killing 11 peo-

ple, while 18 of those who were charmed against gunshots were crushed by the terrorist’s vehicles.

Another source said, after killing about 29 people, many residents of the village also sustained gunshot wounds and are now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Cameroon Republic.

He said the whole buildings in the village were completely razed down with only three structures remaining untouched by the attackers, while the 29 dead bodies were still lying on ground as most of the villagers who were supposed to bury them according to Islamic rites all ran away from the village. They are taking refuge in Gamboru Ngala and other neighbouring villages of Cameroon.

“As I am talking to you now, we have counted 29 dead bodies on the streets, out of which, 18 were crushed down by vehicles while 11 have gunshots wounds on their bodies. The whole houses and shops were razed down, the village is deserted with no presence of security operatives.

“Some of our people have fled to Gamboru Ngala council area, while others fled into neighbouring Cameroon villages. Please I am appealing to you to tell government about the situation we found ourselves in. It is really shocking, 76-year-old Mallam Jidda Yaro Mamadu said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin could not be reached for confirmation at press time, but a top security source, confirmed the incident.

“Yes we received a message that one of the border villages in Gamboru Ngala was attacked by some group of terrorists on Wednesday morning killing 29 people, while the entire village was set ablaze by the insurgents."

Chibok girls: I am

not slow— GEJ Meanwhile, 39 days after the abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State, President Jonathan, yesterday, condemned in strong terms the insinuation by some Nigerians that he was slow in bringing back the abducted girls.

He stated this while addressing the protesters from #Bring Back Our Girls campaign group in Abuja.

He said he was not slow in acting because he was in constant discussions with security chiefs on a daily basis as well as having constant consultations with regional and global partners on the terrorist threats.

He also said that the Federal Government took action from the first day the girls were abducted, and directed the security services to go after the abductors, noting that the search for the girls had now assumed regional and global proportion and that Nigeria had received strong support from neighbouring countries and the international community, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom and the entire African continent.

“It is wrong and most unfair to suggest that there has been slow reaction to this kidnapping. From the very first day this occurred, the Federal Government took action directed our security services to go after the abductors. The search for our daughters has now assumed regional and global proportion and our nation has received strong support from neighbouring countries and international communities "We are working hard with other nations in order to secure the release of the girls as soon as possible”, the president said.

The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and FCT Minister, Bala Muhammed, among others.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

12 guns, 102 live ammunition uncovered in Yola

BY UMAR YUSUF

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OLA—FEAR has gripped residents of Yola metropolis following the discovery of 12 guns and 102 rounds of live ammunition tucked in the perimetre fence of Damare Secondary School in Damare Ward of Yola South Local Government, Adamawa state.

The development caused anxiety among residents who claimed they don't sleep well following incessant armed robbery in Yola and its environs in recent times.

The weapons were discovered by children who were playing around the area, according to eyewitness.

According to the sources, “some children, who were playing around the area, spotted the things tucked inside block holes and quickly alerted the public.

“When residents observed that they were guns and live ammunition, they called the Police who came and demolished the fence, leading to the discovery of the large number.”

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adamawa Command, Mohammed Ibrahim confirmed the incident, saying: “Some children playing around the Damare Secondary School were behind the discovery.

Man docked for pelting Police Inspector with stones

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — A middle-aged man, Michael Oshibanjo, was yesterday arraigned before a magistrate's court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta for allegedly pelting a Police Inspector, Ayeni Raphael, with stones during an argument.

The accused was reported to have hit Inspector Raphael with stones on the head while he was mediating an argument between the accused and two other Police officers at Lafenwa around 10:pm on Wednesday.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Augustine Ozimini told the court that the accused had a disagreement with one Inspector Olowolabi Sunday and one Corporal Abel and when the victim intervened, the accused picked stones and started attacking the defendant.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the onecount charge of assault levelled against him.

Electricity consumers protesting alleged outrageous bills being served on them by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC at the company's headquarters in Abeokuta, yesterday.

Gunmen kidnap Rep Minority Whip's father again B ENIN — THE father of Hon. Samson Osagie, Minority Whip of the House of Representatives has been kidnapped again.

According to reports, Pa Samson Agharese Imariagbe was abducted in his house at Urhokuo-osa town, near Ehor, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Local Government Council of Edo State.

The gun-toting men, according

to our sources, stormed his house around 6 p.m. on Sunday, went straight to the living room where the elderly man was relaxing and took him away to an unknown destination.

At press time, the abductors had not made any contact with the family of the victim.

In an exclusive telephone interview, Hon. Osagie, currently out of the country, was quoted as saying that the abduction may

not be unconnected with the crisis in the community whereby some youths, who he described as hoodlums, have registered a community association with the primary aim of selling community lands.

Pa Imariagbe has been in the vanguard of those in the community that have been working against the illegal sale of lands because he believes the so-called community lands belong to indi-

viduals.

He further said the abduction had been reported to the Police Commissioner in the state, adding that their action is in spite of what he has done for the community.

It would be recalled that the septuagenarian was abducted about two years ago and was reportedly set free after payment of ransom.

200 workers protest termination of appointment by detergent firm

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & IFUNAYA OKAFOR

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AGOS — NO fewer than 200 workers of Europeans Soaps and Detergents Limited, for a third day running, have been protesting the alleged termination of their employment without due process and non-payment of their benefits.

The aggrieved workers, who have been protesting at the LSDPC Industrial Estate, Amuwo-Odofin, Mile 2, premises of the company since Tuesday, also accused the management of not remitting their pension and tax deductions to the appropriate quarters.

While they insisted that the owners of the company had right to disengage workers, they argued that this must be done through due process and must pay workers their entitlements, wondering why the management should use the word 'termination' and not retrenchment.

According to the workers, "we are not going to end this

The protesting workers, yesterday. protest until the right things are done. We are calling on Governor Babatunde Fashola and leaders of the state House of Assembly to prevail on the management to pay us our entitlements and re-write the termination letter to read retrenchment."

Efforts to speak with a representative of the management staff of the company proved abortive.

However, a notice on the gate of the company, titled

"Notice to all staff on restructuring" read in part: "We, therefore, inform you that with effect from Monday, May 19, 2014, the factory shall be closed down until further notice.

"There will be downsizing of staff which will leave only 35 staff to perform skeletal services. 197 members of staff will be affected by the downsizing with their appointments duly terminated with immediate effect.

"Letters of termination of employment will be delivered to the affected staff and their entitlements will be negotiated and paid in accordance with agreements we will reach with representatives of those affected.

"Members of staff whose appointment are terminated will be given an opportunity to re-apply for re-appointment whenever the major restructuring is completed and the company resumes full operation."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—7

Our mother is not a witch — Children BIRD TURNS WOMAN SAGA:

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — TWO men, who identified themselves as children of the old woman alleged to have transformed from a bird into a human being, Wednesday, in the densely populated Ajegunle area of Lagos, yesterday went to Area ‘B’ Command, Apapa, to effect her release, declaring that their mother is not a witch.

Rather, the children with undisclosed identities expressed shock over the accusation, describing it as baseless.

They were said to have explained to policemen at the command that their mother lives with them at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos but that apprehension set in following her disappearance.

While efforts to find her was on, the children said they were shocked to read about her alleged

transformation from a bird into a human being in some national dailies yesterday.

According to Police sources,"they said they have never known their mother to be a witch and wondered why such rumour was spread about her.

"They said she left home without informing them of where she was going. They were, however, happy that the publication made it easy for them to locate her and

also expressed joy that she was not lynched in the process."

The traditional ruler of Layeni, Baale Rafiu Olayemi, who stated emphatically that he did not believe the claim, told Vanguard that he had to intervene during the panic and confusion by mobilising some of his loyalists to rescue the woman from the surging crowd before contacting the Police at Layeni.

Gridlock on Apapa-Oshodi road as 40-ft container falls on bus

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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AGOS— A 40-foot shipping container, yesterday morning, fell off a truck and landed on a white bus, thereby causing a serious traffic gridlock at the ever busy Toyota-Ladipo bus stop en route Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The accident that occurred around 9 am caused a traffic snarl that backed up beyond Iyana Isolo.

Bystanders at the scene of the accident, who were mostly traders at the popular Ladipo spear parts market in Mushin Local Government Area, said no casualty was recorded.

Some of the traders who witnessed the accident told our correspondent that impatience on the part of the bus driver caused the container to fall on it.

According to an eyewitness, Mr. Chris Nwokolo, "impatience of our drivers is always the cause of most of the accidents recorded on our roads. Everybody wants

Scene of the accident, yesterday. to go at the same time, but at the end of the day, nobody will go.

That is exactly what happened in this case.

"If the bus driver had exercised patience and allowed the truck carrying the container to go with ample space between them, he would not have been involved in

the accident.

"People are being knocked down at the bus stop daily because of impatience of motorists who have no regard for driving rules.

"For instance, Oshodi-bound motorists will be on the service lane up to Toyota bus stop. At the

bus stop, they will now be negotiating their way through to the expressway, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic for those going to Airport Road.

Another eye witness, Mr. Ifeanyi Izu, who said the driver of the bus with a load was coming from Ladipo market inward Airport road blamed the driver for being in a hurry, pointing out that if he had given the truck driver enough space, he would have been able to avoid the container.

Explaining the busy nature of Toyota-Ladipo bus stop because it leads to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Izu noted that there was hardly a day without an accident happening on the spot. He also said pedestrians are knocked down almost on daily basis there.

He, therefore, suggested that a pedestrian bridge at the spot would save pedestrians from being knocked down by vehicles.

Police arrest two suspected motor parts thieves in Abeokuta

BY DAUD OLATUNJI & SEGUN OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA— THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it had arrested two suspected motor car engine thieves at a mechanic workshop along Abiola Way, Abeokuta.

The Police which said one Kayode Adenekan, 34, was the suspected mastermind of the theft while Funsho Ogungbade, 44, was the suspected receiver of the stolen item, however, disclosed that the duo have been charged to court.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement explained that the Police detectives attached to Adatan division of the command burst a syndicate of thieves who specialises in stealing motor parts from mechanics workshops in Abeokuta and arrested two of them.

He said: “The detectives had got a tip off on the stealing as the mechanic in whose possession the engines were kept for repairs before the incident and the own-

The suspects. ers of the items volunteered to assist the Police in their investigation.

“The duo had been charged to Magistrate's Court 1, Isabo, Abeokuta with charge No MA/

3426/2014 and were granted bail with the sum of N100,000 each.

“The command wishes to collaborate with all stakeholders particularly various associations of workers in Ogun State to tackle some of these social vices that

are of great concern in our society."

“The command also advises artisans and/or mechanics to fortify the security of their workshops by relating with the local

Ex-convict jailed 4 yrs for stealing motorcycle

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA— A mag istrate's court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday, sentenced 32-year-old Kolade Adelakun to four years imprisonment over theft of a motorcycle.

The accused was said to have stolen a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number MAP 010 QD valued at N130,000 belonging to one Wale Omilere.

The accused pleaded guilty to the one-count charge, saying he stole the motocycle with the intention of selling it before he was caught.

He added that he was recently sentenced to prison from December 2013 to March 2014 and was serving at Agodi Prisons, Ibadan over the same act.

The accused was said to have committed the offence on the May 19, 2014 at Orile-Ilugun in the Abeokuta magisterial district.

However, the accused prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, promising to look for a legitimate means of living if he could be pardoned.

The prosecutor, Sunday Eigbejiale objected to the plea, saying the accused was sentenced over the same act and did not learn his lesson, adding that he would still engage himself in that act.

He added that the accused committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of Criminal Code Vol. 1 Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The presiding magistrate, Martins Akinyemi, in his ruling, said the gravity of the offence was seven years imprisonment but, because he has pleaded with the court, the judge said he was motivated to temper justice with mercy and thereby sentenced the accused to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The magistrate said he believed the convict would be reformed during his stay in prison.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

More investment coming to Nigeria — US SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

MOU: From left— Lee Zak, Director, United States Trade and Development Agency, USTDA; Jeffry Hawkins, US Consular General; Penny Pritzker, U.S Secretary of Commerce; Dr. Teddy Ngu, Head, Corporate Development and Investment Honeywell Group; Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment; and Professor Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power at the signing of MoU on the Sagamu Independent Power Project in Lagos.

BY FRANKLIN ALLI & PROVIDENCE OBUH

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HE United States Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Penny Pritzker, yesterday, said more US investments are coming into Nigeria, describing the country as a destination of choice for American investors.

Pritzke, who disclosed this during a bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, in Lagos, said Nigeria currently has enormous investment opportunities which US investors were willing to explore.

Pritzker, who led a delegation of about 25 US investors, mainly in the power sector, to Nigeria, said: “About 100 American businessmen indicated interest in coming with me on this delegation to Nigeria, but we couldn’t accommodate all of them.

“We are aware that there is an industrial revolution going on, which is a very good development. We would like to know more about it so we can be part of it.”

She commended President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, noting that American companies would leverage on it.

N10BN PROBE:

Alison-Madueke, NNPC file fresh suit against National Assembly

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA— THE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, yesterday, instituted a fresh legal action against the two chambers of the National Assembly, challenging their powers to probe allegations that she spent N10 billion on chartered private jets.

The Minister filed the suit on a day the House Committee on Public Accounts invited the her, the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, and Federal Airports Authority, FAAN, to appear before it on June 15 to explain their roles in the alleged N10 billion jet scam.

Others invited were the Managing Director, MD, of

Pipeline and Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, Vistajet International Limited and other stakeholders.

The suit

Specifically, the Minister, in the suit prayed the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to go ahead and determine whether by virtue of the provisions of Sections 88, 89 and 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the legislature or any of its committees are legally and constitutionally empowered and/or competent to personally/physically probe or conduct investigation into allegations of fraud or other criminal activities said to have occurred in agencies under the supervision or control of the Ministry of Petroleum, when agencies exist that are legally and constitutionally empowered to carry out or

conduct such investigations into alleged fraud or other criminal acts and prosecute offenders on conclusion of their investigations.

In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/346/2014, Diezani and NNPC, through their lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN), insisted that the National Assembly lacked the constitutional powers to summon or investigate allegations of fraud against the Minister of Petroleum.

Consequently, Ozekhome urged the court to issue an order restraining the Assembly, whether by themselves, servants, staff, committees, privies, proxies or any other persons howsoever called, from summoning the applicants or any agencies under the applicants’ supervision or control, to appear before them for the purpose of giving

PDP, APC in war of words over comments on security

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor & HENRY UMORU

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HE relative peace between the nation’s two major political parties arising from the spate of insecurity in the land was shattered yesterday after Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and major political parties tore at one another over alleged indiscretions.

The PDP, at a press conference in Abuja, lampooned All Progressives Congress, APC, and its leaders and notably, the governor of Kano State who was vilified as an ingrate.

The APC, in a riposte,

ridiculed PDP as a clueless and callous party, saying that its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, was diligently training himself to become the spokesman of the opposition after the 2015 general elections.

APC particularly accused PDP of mischief in its denunciation of the APC gubernatorial rally in Ekiti State, saying that its rally was remarkably different from what it called the PDP’s “Azonto dance party ” in Kano just hours after the first Nyanya bombing last month.

PDP, in a statement by its

National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, vilified Kwankwanso for his recent attack on PDP, saying “ whilst the PDP recognises the inalienable right of citizens to hold opinions and identify with political platforms of their choice, we indeed find it very difficult to understand the type of bitterness that have taken hold of an elected person like Governor Kwankwaso who hugely benefitted from PDP on which platform he was twice elected governor in addition to being appointed minister.”

APC, in its statement, apparently reacted to the PDP

statement of last Wednesday where the ruling party described the opposition party as one that celebrates terrorism on account of its campaign rally in Ekiti, a day after the Jos bombing.

It said: “Despite the presence of musical groups and other performers, all musical breaks in the programme and all other scheduled performances were cut out, while the rally itself was drastically abridged.

“There is no doubt that the PDP’s spokesman did not bother to get the full details of the rally before rushing to the media.”

evidence and/or producing any papers, books, records or other documents, which relate to the unpublished official records of the applicants, without the consent of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Seek restraining order

The applicants further prayed the court to grant a perpetual injunction restraining the legislative House, whether by themselves, servants, staff, committees, privies, proxies or any other persons howsoever called, from further conducting direct personal or physical probe, inquiry and/or investigation into any alleged fraud, corruption or other criminal activities in the agencies under the first applicant’s supervision or control.

Letters to Mark, Tambuwal

Besides, the Minister, through her lawyer, yesterday, wrote two separate letters to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Mark and Aminu Tambuwal, respectively, urging them not to take further steps on the probe as doing so would not only amount to contempt of court, but also prejudicial to an earlier suit pending before the High Court.

The applicants argued that it was trite in law that once the pendency of a matter has been brought to the attention of a party, steps should not and ought not to be taken that will prejudice the outcome of the case or render nugatory whatever judgment the court would eventually arrive at.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 9

NUT shuts down schools nationwide for Chibok schoolgirls zTasks govts on sincerity, calls for compensation for killed teachers

BY OUR REPORTERS

P

RTOTESTS swept through most state capitals in the country including Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as teachers, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, protested the death of 173 colleagues killed during the Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe states.

The protest was also part of global Bring Back Our Girls campaign, demanding immediate release of the more than 200 abducted girls of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, over a month ago.

National Leadership of NUT had declared yesterday a day of national protest to mourn the dead colleagues killed by insurgents and the continued abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram terrorists.

The protesting teachers called on government and security agencies to ensure the abducted girls were brought back ‘safe and alive’.

Lagos

In Lagos, most public primary and secondary schools were shut because of the protest. When Vanguard visited some primary and secondary schools, they were under lock and key, which signifies a massive compliance with the directive.

Secondary schools at the Tolu Complex, Ajegunle, with over 15 schools, also complied with the directive.

When Vanguard visited Awodi-Ora Secondary School, the students and their teachers were in school. However, at 11 a.m. the school authorities directed the students to go home.

In a letter addressed to Governor Babatunde Fashola, the teachers demanded for the release of the girls, pointing out that they had been thrown into sorrow since the abduction on April 14.

The Chairman, Lagos NUT, Mr. Adesegun Raheem in the letter said: “It is pertinent at this time to call on Nigerian government to bring back our girls safe and alive by demonstrating enough social responsibility and concern to guarantee security of lives and property in the land, which is the primary responsibility of any government.

Ogun

In Ogun, leading the protesters to the governor ’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state Chairman of NUT, Dare Ilekoya, described the

abduction of the girls as a stumbling block to the realisation of making education available to all by the year 2015.

The NUT, which had shut down all the schools in the state, marched to the governor’s office where they presented a speech delivered

by Ilekoya.

Ilekoya said the union felt burdened and depressed just like the parents of the Chibok schoolgirls.

He said teachers in the troubled areas were living under constant fears of attack with their social condition further plummeting. He urged the government to give their plight immediate national priority.

Ondo

Similarly, in Ondo State, the protesting teachers led by their Chairman, Ojo Fanimokun, displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Boko Haram is evil,” “Bring an end to Boko Haram insurgence,” “Western education is a means to civilization.”

Fanimokun urged the Federal Government to demonstrate enough social responsibility and concern to guarantee security of lives and property in the country, saying “as teachers, now living under constant fears of attack with their social condition further plummeting, a national concern for our plight must take immediate national importance.”

Oyo

In Ibadan, scores of women and secondary school girls

trooped to major streets calling for more proactive steps that would lead to the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

This came as National Association of Women Academics, NAWACS; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso branch, described the continued incarceration of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls as ungodly.

Speaking during a rally to protest the incident in Ogbomoso, yesterday, the President of the group, Professor Akin Akintunde, said the continued incarceration was “a blow” to the promotion of girl-child education in the country.

Akintunde said that the abduction was in conflict with the holy books which recommended the protection of women.

She also said that the action of the abductors negated the dictates of morality through perversion of values.

She said: “We in NAWACS feel so bad that our future mothers are being inhumanly treated and subjected to dehumanising conditions.”

In Abuja

Also in the FCT, the NUT Chairman, Hassan Jibril, said the rally was in solidarity with the families of the abducted girls in Chibok.

Jibril said: “All teachers in Nigeria today (yesterday) in solidarity to the families of the abducted Chibok girls are demonstrating and protesting their feelings through this rally to show our concern as

people who are directly affected and who have been under direct attacks of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian teachers are demanding from the Federal Government that they should ensure safe release of the abducted girls. We do not want a situation whereby the rescue operations may be exchanging gunfire and probably get anyone killed.

“We say no to this. We want them back into the classroom safe and alive so that we can continue to teach them their curriculum and they perfectly seat for the conclusion of their examinations.”

NUT, Delta State wing, Jonathan Jerieyigbe, in an address he presented to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, observed that education remained the bedrock of the society, stressing that the abduction of the Chibok girls and killing of teachers is a direct attack on the educational system.

He said: “In abducting the Chibok girls, Boko Haram is attempting at stopping our girls from what they are and inhibiting them from what they want to become through education and this is playing God. On this, we say bring back our girls safe and alive.”

Rivers

Bauchi

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State branch of NUT, led by the state Chairman, Mr. Godfrey Nwogu, matched on a portion of Aba Road in Port Harcourt, calling for the unconditional release of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

He said: “We are praying God to touch the minds of the kidnappers to release the girls unconditionally. Government should also provide security around schools to protect everyone.”

The teachers, who described the kidnap of the female students as shameful and barbaric, also called for payment of compensation to families of teachers that have been killed by the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

They further appealed to government to secure schools round the country.

Delta State

Also in Asaba, Chairman of

In Bauchi, Chairman of NUT, Danjuma Sale, while leading the protesters who marched on Bauchi streets to the Government House, said: “We demand that the Federal and all the respective state governments in the country exhibit true concern for the affected families of the 173 teachers in Borno and Yobe states, who lost their lives to the barbaric, uncivilised and wicked act of terrorism by paying them adequate compensation to soothe their misery.

“We are pleading with the Federal Government to do all it can to bring back our abducted girls safe and alive.

The government should also demonstrate a sense of social responsibility and concern by guaranteeing the security of lives and property in the land which is the primary priority of any responsible government.”

... as Jonathan blames insurgency on Boko Haram sponsors

BY BEN AGANDE

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, asked Nigerians to join hands with government in the fight against terrorists, saying that the current insecurity in the country is caused by terrorists and their sponsors and not the Federal Government.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke, when he received a group of protesters, Bring Back Our Girls, in Abuja, led by former Minister of Education and World Bank Vice President for Africa, Oby Ezekwesili, said what the country ’s security services need now is the support of all Nigerians and not condemnation.

The Bring Our Girls Back group has been protesting in Abuja for the past 23 days over the abduction of about 200 schoolgirls at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State.

Chanting songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘bring back our girls and alive now’ and ‘ we are Chibok women’, the group staged a peaceful protest walk beginning from the Unity Fountain in Maitama to the Federal Secretariat complex where they were received by senior government officials.

They were received by a delegation of government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,

FCT, Minister of Environment, Minister of Information, Minister of Women Affairs, and Special Advisers on Media and Public Affairs.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke, read the response of the President said: “Our security services are in the field confronting the enemies. They need our support not attacks and discouragement; they are also losing their lives for us.

“When terrorists see Nigerians turn against each other, it gives them a great morale boost. We must not lose sight of the fact that the terrorists are the real enemies.

“We encourage civil society groups to use their influence to encourage Nigerians to supply useful information to

security services using the emergency number, 112.

“When a bomb detonates in Baghdad, Kabul, Afghanistan, the people there do not blame the government, they blame the terrorists.

“When a bomb blows up in Nigeria, we must all unite to fight the terrorists. This is the task of this generation. Our daughters must be freed to come home to their parents and loved ones so that they can return to school and continue their education.

“This is our fight. We must unite. The Federal government is united. “ Leader of the group was however not satisfied with the representation of the President and the response and she demanded for another neutral meeting with the President.

10— Vanguard , THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Lagos releases burial arrangements for Otedola

Amowu Odofin, a den of robbers — COUNCIL BOSS

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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A G O S — CHAIRMAN of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, of Lagos, Mr. Ayodele Adewale, yesterday raised the alarm that the local government had become a haven for robbers.

He spoke while debunking claims by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP, Umar Manko that the fake military officers paraded recently were working for Amuwo Odofin Local Government.

Lamenting the increasing spate of armed robbery attacks on residents in the area, Ayodele said recently Governor Babatunde Fashola’s in-law was attacked at her Festac residence, while Mr. Akorede Oyedele was shot on his way from mosque at Mile 2 Estate.

According to him, “Mr. Oyoma Edewor was killed by a police officer attached to the Area E Command, while Chief Vincent Obianodo, CEO, Young Shall Grow Motors, lost his driver and orderly in an attack in Festac Town.”

He wondered why the Police had not found a lasting solution to the crime wave in the area, “which has led to residents now living in fear and some moving out of the area."

Meeting

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HE annual celebration meeting of Apapa Family of the Redeemed Christian Church of God tagged EXCEL comes up June 1, 2014 at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. It has as theme; Signs of Change.

The focus is on activities and efforts of the organisations as signs of positive change in society.

A statement from the church said the General Overseer of the church, Pastor E. A. Adeboye would minister while music would be supplied by Wale Adenuga, Nathaniel Bassey, Freeborn and Oba. The Excel celebration of the family has become a reference point in Christian social responsibility in Nigeria where members of the family in Europe, USA, Oceania and Asia chapters will be in attendance.

BIRTHDAY: From left—Lt–Gen. Oladipo Diya (rtd), Chairman of the occasion; Archbishop Atilade (celebrant) and Professor Olusegun Humponu-Wusu at the celebration of Archbishop Atilade’s 70th birthday in Lagos.

LASU students, JAF protest hike in fees L

AGOS—THE Lagos State University Students Union, LASUSU and the Joint Action Front, JAF, yesterday staged a peaceful march in Lagos over the Lagos State University, LASU, fee hike.

Scores of LASU students protested at Onipanu through LASU, Anthony campus to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos.

They displayed placards with inscriptions: “Fee hike, the root cause of crisis in LASU”, “We

demand immediate reversal of increased fees,” and “LASU is for all and not for the rich only.”

LASUSU President, Nurudeen Yusuf said the protest was staged as a result of a directive received from the university authority that all students should pay their fees before May 30.

“The Management released a memo on May 21, directing all students to pay the outrageous fee for the 2013/ 2014 academic session, on or before May 30,” he said.

88 babies adopted in 2013—LASG

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said it had released about 88 babies for local and international adoptions.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Youth and Social Development Dr. Dolapo Badru who disclosed this during a briefing, said the state government released the babies after screening over 1200 applicants for adoption.

Giving the statistics at a joint briefing with Commissioner For Sports, Youth and Social Development Mr. Enitan

Oshodi, Badru said “ 88 babies were released for adoption while 87 adoption were legalized through family courts, 62 were local, 20 international and five were relative international adoption. One fostering order was extended at the family court.

“The state government is committed to ensuring that adequate care and protection are provided for vulnerable children, abandoned homeless, abused or other children whose right and privileges as stipulated by the Child Rights Law have been trampled upon,” Badru said.

Yusuf said that the authorities’ decision was against the position of the union to the state government for a reduction of the increased fee.

According to Yusuf, the students in its congress had unanimously agreed not to pay the increased fee for the session until government approved and implemented the reduction, as proposed by the union.

“We proposed N46,500 for returning students and N65, 500 for fresh students as the new tuition fee, as against N198,000 and N350,000 for medical students, “As directed by Governor Babatunde Fashola in a meeting on April 3, the union had submitted the proposal for the new tuition fee on April 24.

The student leader said since the union was still on the discussion table with the government, the students had agreed not to pay the fees until the reduction was made.

He said the protest was to sensitise the public to the plight of LASU students and why the reduction must be implemented immediately.

“We will not pay the outrageous fee until the reduction is made.

“For a state that generates N77 billion a year and all LASU needs to sustain itself in a year is N10 billion, free tuition is even possible,” he said.

Agency boss tasks procurement officers

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AGOS—GENERAL Manager, Lagos State Procurement Agency, Mr. Akin Onimole, has urged procurement officers in the civil service, to attend to complaints promptly and put in place a review mechanism to handle problems that may arise from tenders’ solicitation.

He spoke at the maiden edition of the Procurement Academy

Programme in Ikeja, Lagos, convened by Daca Consults Limited, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm, with theme “Examining the Legal Framework of Public Procurement Management in Nigeria.”

President, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, CIPSMN, Alhaji Mohammed

Aliyu, canvassed professionalism as a panacea for “rapid development” of the country, noting that until procurement professionals were entrusted with strategic government acquisitions, “we will continue to have cases of corruption, abandoned and inflated projects.” He berated professionals who dump ethics for the filthy lucre.

AGOS—LAGOS State Government yesterday released burial arrangements for the late former Governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, with a special farewell ceremony, tagged, “Day of Tributes”, fixed for Wednesday, May 28th, 2014.

Former governors of the state, prominent citizens and indigenes of the state are among expected guests to attend the funeral.

Sir Otedola, died on Monday, May 5, 2014, at the age of 88 years after a protracted stroke-related illness.

He was a philanthropist of great repute, a feat that got him Lifetime Achievement Awards from many organisations.

A statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, said as a way of giving a befitting honour and recognition to Otediola, the state government would hold a special farewell ceremony, to commemorate the passage of the great leader in Lagos.

According to Ibirogba, “The state government, which had earlier declared a week of mourning and the lowering of flags at half-mast in respect of the former Governor, has set aside Wednesday, 28th May, 2014 as “Day of Tributes”, for the recognition of the late politician.”

The programme is slated to hold at Onikan Stadium from 10.00 a.m.

Ibirogba said remains of Otedola would lie-in-state at his Epe Odoragunshin residence on Thursday, May 29th, 2014 from 2.40 p.m. while Christian wakekeep would hold at the same venue from 4.00 p.m. that day.

The body would be interred on Friday, May 30th, 2014, after a funeral mass/rites at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ibowon, at 11.00 a.m., after which guests would be hosted to a reception at St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Eredo.

...to register professional sureties to check touting

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HE Lagos State Government has said it would soon register professional sureties to check the activities of touts abusing the bail bond system.

Mr Ade Ipaye, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, made this known at a stakeholders’ summit on the creation of bondspersons yesterday in Lagos.

A bondsperson is an individual or corporate body who has been licensed by a chief judge to stand as surety for a defendant under a legal bond.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014— 11

Urban population to rise 70% by 2050, says ex-PM of Slovenia

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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B E O K U TA — V I C E President of European Investment Bank and former Prime Minister of Republic of Slovenia, Antom Rop has said that by 2050, there would have been an increase in urban population to the tune of 70% of the total population.

Rop however, urged government to take advantage of the urbanisation growth rate towards developing its

agricultural potentials.

The former Prime Minister spoke yesterday in a keynote address at the just-concluded two-day 2014 Investors’ Forum held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital He urged developing nations and particularly Ogun State to learn from the success stories from the European countries on sustainable development of cities.

According to him, private investors should join core funding institutions in accelerating

potentials in developing projects in the cities, adding that there should be a policy framework to develop the cities on the impending overpopulation.

At the end of the sessions, stakeholders, through a communique agreed that government must create an enabling environment for private investors to operate, thus improving public-private partnership on a long term.

The communique reads in part: •Reorganise the agricultural

value chain to improve processing capacity above 50% as well as warehousing.

•Identify new locations for urban development and build clusters along corridors such as the Lagos-Ibadan corridor. The Governor should assemble a team of professionals with a clear mandate to develop the Agro Industry.

•Take advantage of Information Technology adopting mechanised farming such as the use of machines to plant and harvest cassava, and rice reapers for rice production,” among others.

Oyo 2015: Ajimobi faults ‘no second term gov’ myth

BY OLAAJAYI

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INSPECTION: From left:Mr Tokumbo M. Arewa, Airport Manager; Mr Mwaogu Mathias, Site Engineer; Engr. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,[FAAN]; Dr. Samuel Ortom, Supervising Minister of Aviation, and Capt. Alkali, Director of Air Operations, Ministry of Aviation, during the inspection of facilities and new perishable cargo terminal under construction at the Makurdi Airport, Benue State, yesterday.

Protest rocks Osun over Tinubu’s comment about monarchs

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO—Members of a socio-cultural organization, Yoruba Liberation Movement, YLM, yesterday protested in Osogbo, Osun State against a statement credited to the former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, that only three traditional rulers in Yoruba land are worthy of their stools.

The group, led by Olusola Kazeem, also visited prominent

traditional rulers in the state to solidarise with them and acknowledge their leadership roles in the country.

Some of the traditional rulers visited were Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran and Oba Tajudeen Laminisa.

At the palace of the Ooni, the group maintained that Oba Sijuwade was a well-respected

traditional ruler not only in Nigeria, but in the whole world, stressing that the monarch had contributed tremendously to the growth and development of Yoruba race since he ascended the throne over 30 years ago.

Tinubu was quoted by the media to have said that only three traditional rulers were worth their offices, mentioning the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona as the traditional rulers, while he failed to mention the third person.

Ekiti indigenes in Europe meet over election

E

KITI indigenes living in Europe will converge on the German financial city of Frankfurt tomorrow, May 24 to deliberate on the coming governorship election in their state of origin.

Speaking on behalf of the Ekiti Diaspora Europe 2014, the coalition of Ekiti groups from all parts of Europe, Femi Awoniyi, publisher of bimonthly magazine, The African Courier, said the ongoing Boko Haram terror campaign in the north and the abduction of 234 school girls in Chibok have especially

shocked all Nigerians abroad and motivated them to play a bigger role in the affairs of their country.

“We feel that the current situation in Nigeria is so grave that there is need for all of us, both home and abroad to become actively engaged for a strong, stable and secure Nigeria that we all desire,” According to Awoniyi, the Frankfurt meeting will review the political situation in the state, especially the coming governorship election, which is “taking place at a point in our history, when there is widespread

concern both nationally and internationally about the direction in which our country is moving.”

He explained that “now more than ever before” the situation in the country calls for a more active intervention of citizens in the political process.

Four main groups of Ekiti associations would make presentations at the meeting.

The groups are those representing UK/Ireland, Benelux/France, Germany/ Austria/Switzerland and Spain/Italy/Greece.

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has dismissed the myth that Ibadan people and by implication Oyo State, don’t serve a governor twice saying the proponents are poor students of history.

Ajimobi who has not hidden his second term ambition said this during the swearing-in of the 33 local government caretaker chairmen in the state.

According to the governor, such people should cross-check their records to discover that the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief S. L. Akintola, Premiers of the Western Region, ruled the West from Ibadan and were given mandates to rule twice by the people.

“Those who say they don’t do second term in Oyo State should cross-check the records.

“Chiefs Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola did it twice. Those who say Ibadan people don’t serve anyone twice may not be wrong, however, but they are wrong in the context.

What they may be referring to is Ibadan and we are not serving Ibadan people alone but the whole of Oyo State. Perhaps, they are referring to the throne of Kabiyesi, the Olubadan. When someone ascends the throne, it is until that person dies that another person comes to the throne. It means a king only rules Ibadan once and not twice. In any case, we are serving Ibadan people and they are not the ones serving us,” the governor said.

Governor Ajimobi also expressed optimism that with the various unprecedented achievements of his administration, the people would not leave a development-oriented government for those who will drive them backwards.

Chibok girls: Traditionalists blame Islam, Christianity

BY OLAAJAYI

I

BADAN—IFA priests across the country yesterday converged on Ibadan and put the blame of Boko Haram insurgents on both Christianity and Islamic religion.

The Ifa adherents, who came from Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Edo and others offered prayers in their own ways for the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

The prayers were said by Chief Yemi Elebuibon, Chief Udenta Chikeebere, Chief Ifayinka Odutolu, Chief Ifasayo Alabi and Osunkemi Bogunpe, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional religion believers, President of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Professor Idowu Odeyemi, said, “Nigeria is neither a Christian nor a Muslim nation. Nigeria is a nation of three major religions; African Religion, Islam and Christianity.

Now that the two other religions have boxed Nigeria into a corner of confusion, violence, chaos and anomie, practitioners of African religion and spirituality have now stepped in to halt the rot."

Protests over inflated electricity bills, others in Abeokuta

BY SEGUN OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—OVER 200 electricity consumers drawn from across Ogun State yesterday stormed the Ijeun-Tuntun district headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to protest alleged outrageous bills being served on them by the company.

IBEDC is the new managers of the facilities of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN in Ogun State.

The protesters, who carried out the action under the aegis of the Movement Against Corruption and Injustice, MACI, were dressed in black and clutched kerosene lanterns, lamps and other crude lighting devices to protest perpetual outage being experienced across the state due to the failure of IBEDC.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

We'll review tax policies if elected —Edo PDP

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has promised to review what it described as, “the obnoxious tax policies” of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government in the state with a view to giving same a human face, if elected into office.

It also promised that a PDP government in the state will re-introduce bursary awards and scholarships to deserving students from the state.

State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, made the pledge at rallies in Ekpoma and Irrua in Edo Central senatorial district, yesterday, to welcome defectors from the APC into PDP. Thousands of former APC members defected from the party to PDP during the rallies in both towns.

He said that a PDP government in the state will create conducive atmosphere for motor-cycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, to operate in all parts of the state to save them from harassment and intimidation from the various tax agencies put in place by the current government.

He said: “The current administration in the state has subjected our market women,

taxi drivers, Okada riders, teachers and workers to various forms of obnoxious and oppressive tax policies. Our market women, taxi and bus drivers are being humiliated daily and forced to pay excess levies and taxes daily. We will review this once we take over the reins of government in the state.

“I appeal to workers, teachers

and market women and indeed all the oppressed people of Edo State, to be patient as their problems would be over very soon.”

Orbih, who praised former governor of the defunct Bendel State, late Prof. Ambrose Alli, for his achievement in the field of education, lamented that the current ad-

ministration in the state could not even achieve a quarter of what the late governor did in four years, saying that in their six years in office, “they only painted and re-roofed existing school buildings without constructing a single block of classroom."

VISIT: Major-General Abubakar Gana, Commandant, Nigerian Army College of Logistics (left), and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, during a courtesy visit of the directing staff and students of the College to the governor in Benin City, yesterday.

Delta Varsity ASUU decries colleague's kidnap U

BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—ACADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Delta State University, Abraka branch, has called on the state government and security agents to ensure the unconditional release of one of its members, Mrs. Enajite Ojaruega, abducted by kidnappers.

Mrs. Ojaruega, a lecturer in the Department of English and Literary Studies, was on her way to Abraka on May 19, 2014 when she was ambushed and kidnapped at gun point near Eku, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

ASUU, in a statement by its Chairman, Professor Abel Diakparomre and Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, condemned the incessant harassment and kidnap of its members, lamenting that “the way things are at present, the lectures are in danger and the guarantee of their safety is in serious doubt.”

The statement notified government and the public of a standing action principle of “ASUU national” regarding the kidnap of its members, saying: “Further delay in the release of Mrs. Ojaruega would compel the branch to

activate this principle which will not be in the interest of the society.

“We must state that it is extremely sacrilegious to temper with an academic anywhere in the world. When a Harvard lecturer was harassed by policemen a few years ago, it caused serious uproar in the United States and across the world.

“The matter was formally settled in the White House

by President Barrack Obama. But this is usually not the case in Nigeria and especially in Delta State, where professors have often been kidnapped like the way hawks pick chicks. Kidnappers now deal with academics the way a wanton child deals with grasshoppers.

“All over the world, lecturers are held in the highest esteem. They form the basis for societal and national de-

velopment. To tamper with them is to tamper with the destiny of the society and the nation. Thus, the kidnap and harassment of lecturers must stop immediately.”

The branch urged the Delta State Government and security agents to provide a conducive atmosphere devoid of insecurity in Abraka and environs to enable the institution’s workers function excellently and fearlessly.

Stopping Jonathan from contesting 2015 poll calls for disintegration —Ex-NDDC rep

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—FORMER Edo State representative on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, yesterday, said that those asking President Goodluck Jonathan not to contest the presidential election in 2015 were calling for the disintegration of the country.

Iduoriyekemwen who, also warned the leadership of the PDP in Edo State against imposing candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections and the 2016 governorship election in the state. He said that President Jonathan has performed better than any President the country had produced in the past, insisting that the call in some quarters that he should not run for election due to the Boko Haram insurgency was uncalled for.

He said: “When Niger Delta militants were fighting, it did not stop the late President Umaru Yar’Adua from contesting the election. So, the fact that Boko Haram is waging war against Nigeria cannot stop Jonathan from seeking re-election. I don’t see the Boko Haram insurgency disrupting elections in 2015. That is actually the motive of those people trying to frustrate government from conducting peaceful election in 2015."

Jonathan urged to keep abducted Chibok girls under watch

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and security operatives in Nigeria have been urged to keep the abducted Chibok school girls under watch when eventually released, to ensure that they have not been brainwashed to commit more terrorism.

Former Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government in Delta State, Mr. David Tonwe, who gave the advice in Warri, noted that the caution had become necessary in the light of the mind games the Boko Haram abductors are playing on the Federal Government over the fate of the abducted girls.

He said: “I join the rest of the world in sympathising with parents of the victims and call on Boko Haram to release them unconditionally. But the authorities must not lose sight of what these terrorists are capable of. When you hear of the abuses they are reportedly putting these innocent girls through in forced confinement, there is the danger that they could brainwash them with all sorts of evil doctrines."

Madam Ajaja for burial

M

RS. Grace Ajaja (née Olokor) of Olokor and Ajaja families in Abavo Central, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta Dtate, is dead, aged 87.

Christian and social wake keep will hold on May 30, at the Ajaja family compound, 14, Palace Road, Abavo Cantral, followed by a mass at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Abavo on May 31.

Late Mrs. Ajaja is survived by five children, nine grandchildren and other relatives, among whom is Prof. Patrick Ajaja, Dept. of Curriculum and Integrated Science, Delta State University, Abraka.

Late Mrs. Grace Ajaja

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—13

Uduaghan cautions NUT against shutting down schools over Chibok girls

Retrieve weapons from youths, Navy boss urges Ogidigben/ Ugborodo peace committee

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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S A B A — D E LTA State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, not to shut down schools nationwide in protest over the abduction of students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Governor Uduaghan, yesterday, when he addressed members of the Delta State wing of NUT, who staged a peaceful protest to Government House, Asaba, explained that closing down schools as a form of protest would be playing into the hands of those who are against Western education.

The NUT protest was in compliance with the decision of the national leadership of the union, which had directed teachers across the federation to embark on the protest to press for the safe release of the abducted Chibok girls.

Uduaghan told the protesting teachers, who carried placards with various inscriptions that efforts are being made by President Goodluck Jonathan, the security operatives and international forces to bring back the girls safe and alive.

2015: Youths back Jonathan, Uduaghan

BY SIMON ADEWALE

A

socio-political group, The Nigeria Youth Mandate, has lend its voice to the clamour for the return of President Goodluck Jonathan to power in 2015.

Coordinator of the group in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Isaac Akpoyibo, at the inauguration of the group's chapter, yesterday, said that the group had assessed Jonathan’s administration and scored him high.

Akpoyibo said that the group had also assessed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the state and had decided to support the governor for a seat in the Senate.

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, flanked by some of the 160 Niger Delta youths proceeding on scholarship to the United States of America and United Kingdom during their presentation to the media at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos .

ERA, Bayelsans protest Chevron's alleged environmental degradation

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—AN environmental rights group, Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, Nigeria, yesterday led some concerned Bayelsans to protest against what they described as Chevron Nigeria Limited's promotion of environmental terrorism in the Niger Delta region.

The group also decried Chevron’s alleged unrepentant behaviour in persistently dodging responsibility for the mess created in the region and urged the company to end the impunity in its areas of operation.

Executive Director, ERA/ FOEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, led the protest in Yenagoa to mark the International Day Against Chevron, tagged, “Ending the Impunity Now.” Ojo said the event was aimed at drawing global attention to the ecological devastation and ecocide allegedly perpetrated

by Chevron.

He insisted that ending Chevron's impunity means that the company takes responsibility and liability for the environ-

mental destruction from consistent harmful decisions that had resulted in the loss of lives and sources of livelihood.

“This ecological crime against humanity or ecocide, must be accounted for by the company and it’s Chief Executive Officers,” he said.

ERA called on the United Nations Human Rights Commission to ensure a uniform global and legally binding mechanism to put an end to environmental racism and bring corporations to account for their crimes of ecocide and crimes against humanity.

The group also insisted that Chevron conduct environmental and social assessment of the environmental and economic damages associated with its operations, especially the Apoi North incident.

Ojo said: “The international oil companies operating in Niger Delta do so with reckless abandon. Transnational Company TNC are often not keeping to their in-

ternal regulations and national laws regulating the oil and gas industry as the activities of Chevron have come to scrutiny.”

He recalled the Apoi North gas rig explosion which resulted in a fire outbreak and release of toxic chemical pollutants into the Atlantic Ocean resulting in poisoning of fishes and other aquatic animals at Ikebiri, Ezetu and Kolauoma, in Southern Ijaw communities in Bayelsa state.

ERA also condemned the killing of two youths during a peaceful protest in 1998 at Ilaje in Ondo State by soldiers engaged by the oi company.

The group, however, commended the Bayelsa State Government for implementing a social security scheme for the elderly in a bid to reduce old age poverty and stressed the need for national and state policy backing the institutionalising of a National Basic Income Scheme for all Nigerians who are unemployed.

Suspected hoodlums kill cop, two others in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—THE Police officer in charge of Anti-Robbery Squad, Okhoro Police Divisional Station, in Benin metropolis, Edo State, Mr. Yakubu Dikko, has been shot dead by gunmen on Wednesday night.

Dikko, 33, was reportedly attacked by the gunmen, while returning home in the neig-

bouring community of Ugbowo in Benin City.

He was said to have been trailed by his killers to his residence, where he was murdered.

Similarly, a female thrift collector and a tricycle operator were at separate locations in Benin, shot dead by suspected gunmen, yesterday.

The thrift collector was said to have been killed at a pop-

ular business district in the state capital and an undisclosed amount removed from her bag.

The tricycle operator, identified as Kingsley James, 33, was said to have been killed at his residence in Uwelu community.

The hoodlums were said to have burgled his two-room apartment and dragged him out of his bedroom before shooting him.

ARRI—COMMANDER, Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Captain Musa Gemu, has urged the Ogidigben/Ugborodo Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Interface Committee to network with the factions in the Ugborodo crisis to recover the cache of arms allegedly stowed by the youths.

Captain Gemu gave the directive when the Security Committee on the Ugborodo crisis, comprising the Navy, Police and Army met in Warri, yesterday, with members of the newly inaugurated peace team, headed

by Mr. Austin Oboroegbeyi.

The meeting was convened to explore ways the security and peace committees will work together to implement the agreement reached by the two factions for the success of the Federal Government EPZ project.

He said: “I want to say categorically that within the two previously warring factions, weapons were used, but when we got there, we did not see the weapons, they had either been buried or hidden."

Edohore passes on

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RS. Patricia Edohore of Edohore and Okwechime families of Ikoko Quarters in Oncha-Ugbo of Delta State, is dead.

She is survived her widower, children, mother, brothers, sisters and in-law.

Late Mrs. P. Edohore

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Anambra NUT pays N14m to teachers BYENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA — N A M BRA State chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has paid N14 million to teachers as part of its annual welfare package for members.

Speaking, yesterday, with Vanguard, the state secretary of the union, Mrs. Nnena Okonkwo, said the money was paid in two phases two years ago, while the next payment would be made available to them, including the kinsmen of dead members, in July this year.

She said already, the branches of the union in the state were compiling the list of teachers, adding that as soon as the exercise was concluded, the union would inform the beneficiaries on the date to collect their money.

A

FG pushes for road, fuel taxes …as budgetary allocations dwindle

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

HE FEDERAL Government has taken steps to introduce road and fuel taxes to enable it appropriately maintain its 35, 000-kilometer road network, in the face of dwindling budgetary provisions.

The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, disclosed this at the Pilot Leadership Forum in Abuja yesterday.

He said Jonathan’s administration was on an irreversible mission to ensure that Nigerian roads were better and safer, adding that the sustenance of the transformation could only be guaranteed through alternative sources of funding as it was in other parts of the world.

His word: “In most countries of the world, road tax is one of the veritable ways governments collect revenue for the maintenance

of their roads.

“It depends on the class of car you drive, at the point of registration, you are classified.

“If you car is more of an executive car, like the 4-wheel drive, you pay more tax than the smaller cars. In the UK, for instance, it varies from about 500 pounds to the very small cars for which owners pay something even lower than 100 pounds. And it is an annual thing.

“It is one way of raising money for the maintenance of roads, but here we are not doing that yet.

We are not just talking about road tax just now because it is not in our status.

“However, the proposed road fund talks about a possibility of having the road tax because for you to be able to sustain the improvement of our federal road network today, we have to think of maintenance and relying on yearly federal government bud-

get is not enough to maintain the over 35 , 000 km of federal roads.

“The one that has been promulgated into law which is part of the Amendment Act of FERMA, talked about the fuel tax.

And the fuel tax, unfortunately, is not being collected in the country today and we have made a strong case for the collection of the fuel tax.

“We have engaged critical stakeholders like the PPPRA on the need for them to give effect to that Act which is a law in this country. At the highest level of this country we have had to discuss that and I want to believe that sooner than later the implementation of the 5 per cent Fuel Tax would come on stream- so that will guarantee the sustainable maintenance of roads across the country.”

Consultants for right-of-way The Minister also disclosed that his ministry would soon call

APC flays demolition of suspected kidnappers’ buildings in Anambra

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA — ANAM BRA State chapter of All Progressives Congress, has flayed the recent demolition of three buildings reportedly providing shelter to suspected criminals in the state, on the directive of Governor Willie Obiano.

In a press statement issued to newsmen yesterday, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Okelo Madukaife, described such a directive as not only vile and crude, but also patently runs against the grains of fundamental human rights enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The party said: “In our considered view, it could be a deliberate destruction of evidence which could point to the direction of some of the major partakers in the demolition process. “However, for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to emphasize that there cannot be any justification for kidnapping a fellow human being, and it remains not just a crime according to the criminal statute, but also a cardinal sin against humanity.

PRESENTATION: From left, Miss Corronata Nwanya, teacher, St. Saviour School, Lagos; Mrs. Niyatha Krishnan, Vivian Fowler Memorial College, Ms Finutanoluwa Onanuga, student of St. Saviour School, Lagos, receiving award from Mrs. Biyi Tunji Olugbodi, during presentation of prizes to winners in the Annual Science, Mathematics and Essay Competition, organised by Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, at their school premises, Alausa, Ikeja. Photo: Shola Oyelese

NEITI to expose bizmen behind Nigeria’s oil blocs

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA — THE Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, plans to disclose the names of owners of oil blocs and companies involved in the oil and solid minerals exploration in the country, which evaded payment of taxes into the government’s coffers.

Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mitee, who made this disclosure at the capacity building workshop for civil society organizations in Abuja yesterday, explained that the practice was in line with the revised standards by the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, to hold the companies accountable.

Mittee explained further that the new standards also required improved reliability of data transparency on the part of stateowned companies and other government entities on revenue collected on behalf of the government.

The chairman, who vowed to restore transparency in the extractive industry, said the agency was ready to engage the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, to identify those people behind the companies.

According to him, “if you say XYZ Limited is this company and all that, sometimes its abstract, it does not convey the information you want to convey, so the new process is going to ask us to re-

port on the beneficial ownership which means, for first time, engaging the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, so you can say these are people behind these companies.”

He explained that the new standards focused on expenditure on social services, public infrastructure and fuel subsidy payments, adding, that the revised standards encouraged contract transparency in companies and government.

On disclosure of oil bloc ownership, Mitee said the revised EITI standards required disclosure of production figure as well as disclosure of ownership of license holders (disclosure of beneficiary ownership.)

for expression-of- interests to consultants who would assist the Federal Government in the administration of the right-of-way of federal highways.

According to him, “we want to do it professionally. We are going to engage consultants to manage our right-of-way. We believe that enough can be generated from an appropriate management of right- of-way that can be deployed through FERMA for the maintenance of these roads .

“That is what we want to do and soon the ministry will be placing publications calling for Expressions of interests for consultants to express interests in the management of our Right of Way so that we can fully document the activities of Right of way.

“So that we can also enhance the collection of revenue to be paid into the proposed Road Fund because that is one of the sources of financing the National Road Fund and we want to begin the journey now that we know that work has commenced on the Bill.

“Today, state governments collect taxes on our right of way and we want that money to be properly channeled into the maintenance of the federal roads”.

Otukpo-Otukpa Road Fielding questions on the abandoned Otukpo-Otukpa Road, Arc. Onolomemen said that the project was facing challenges of budgetary provisions, as funds had not been allocated to it for a while.

“That road is on maintenance but because of paucity of funds, that road has not been put for full reconstruction because in the previous years’ budgets, no reasonable amount of money was provided for the road, and you can only do work with what you have.

“I do know that the contractor is always complaining of the paucity of funds and you can only give what you have in the budget in a given year.

In fact I know about this project that it is the lean budgetary provision that has affected this project.

“It also dovetails into the fact that with about 118 projects, there is no way the kind of money we received in 2013, which fell below our budgetary allocation we could have done this road the way we had wanted,” he said.

The minister revealed that the Jonathan administration had completed work on 250,000 of 350,000 killometres of federal roads across the country.

He however, lamented that activities of the Boko Haram sect was hampering steady progress of the Kano-Maiduguri Road, where the insurgents had killed five construction company’s staff and two engineers of the ministry, while the whereabouts of another seven foreigners abducted from another construction companyremained unknown till day, after one year.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 15

HALLMARK OF LABOUR AWARD

From Left; Chief Folake Solanke, [SAN], Prof Grace Alele Williams, and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Former Secertary General of Commonwealth From Left, Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State; Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, awardee; Mrs. Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, Author of the Book; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secertary General of Commonwealth; Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of Ondo State; Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki, Chairman of Ceremony, and Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Lagos State Deputy Governor, during the public presentation of Hallmark of Labour Volume 7, at Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

From Left; Mrs Helen Aina Eso, Wife of Late Justice Kayode Eso, Prof Oladipo Akinkugbe, and Mrs Chukwurah Nkechi, Daughter of Prof Ben Nwabueze

From Left; Chief Sunny Kuku, Ven Ladipo Eso, and Prof Ayo Banjo

From Left;Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Chief Ibukun Akinduro

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Training of snipers: Al-Mustapha withdraws case against cleric

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA — FORMER Chief Security Officer to late Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has withdrawn the case of “defamation of character and spreading of wrong information on his person,” brought against a Kadunabased Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil last month at the Upper Sha’riah Court, Daura Road, Kaduna.

Addressing the Court yesterday, counsel to Al-Mustapha, Garba Sadau, said the withdrawal of the suit came after several interventions by prominent Nigerians who called on both parties to mend their fences by following Islamic injunctions.

He said that in Islam, the court should be the last source of justice.

“May I announce to Your Honour that we are withdrawing our suit because we have arrived at an agreement based on the defendant’s public retrieval of his earlier statement accusing my client of training some snipers to kill 1000 Nigerians.

Group criticises APC rally in Ekiti after death of 118 in bomb blast

T

HE DEMOCRATIC Advancement Option, DAO, has criticised the rally held by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, yesterday, despite the killing of 118 Nigerians earlier at Jos, Tuesday.

This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesman for the DAO, Abdullahi Garba.

The recent bomb-blast that rocked the mining city of Jos, Plateau state Tuesday was a monumental disaster that claimed the lives of 118 Nigerians and injured several other innocent citizens. The PDP, abruptly cancelled its scheduled campaign in Ekiti State the next day in honor of those that lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

Bomb blast: Jos residents recount experiences We've not found our 5 dead students, says University of Jos

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS — FORTY-EIGHT hours after the twin bomb blasts in Jos main market which claimed 118 lives and several others injured, residents of Jos who narrowly escaped the blasts have recounted their experience even as

the University of Jos disclosed yesterday, that the corpses of five of its students who died in the blast had not been found.

A resident, Ladi Emmanuel who cheated death on the fateful day said, “it was just God that delivered me”. Narrating her experience, she said, “I went to the bank to withdraw some money, the first ATM was not working so I went to the next bank.

After getting the money, I decided to get some things in the market. On getting to where chickens were being sold, I heard a loud noise and a plank fell on my hand. I was dazed and was half unconscious and saw people running. I didn’t join the people until I saw fire burning and people were shouting that I should run.

“As I started running, I heard

INTERACTION: Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara (left), interacting with pupils of Jubilee Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin, at Ilorin Airport, yesterday,

173 teachers killed in Borno, Yobe by Boko Haram since insurgency — NUT

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI & SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI — THE Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Bauchi State chapter has said that 173 teachers were killed

by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno and Yobe State since the insurgents started their terrorist activities The state Chairman of the union, Danjuma Sale made this known yesterday, during a one day protest in support of the over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, abducted by Boko Haram last month in Chibok, Borno State.

Thousands of primary and post-primary school teachers in Kwara ara State yesterday also protested along major streets of Ilorin over 200 schoolgirls and the killing of 173 teachers by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Addressing a crowd of teach-

ers who marched through the streets in Bauchi to the Government House over the issue, Sale said, “we demand that the federal and all the state governments in the country exhibit true concern for the affected families of the 173 teachers in Borno and Yobe States who lost their loved ones to the barbaric, uncivilized and wicked act of the terrorists by paying them adequate compensation to soothe their misery. ”We are pleading with the Federal Government to do all it can to bring back the abducted girls alive. The government should also demonstrate a sense of social responsibility and concern by guaranteeing the security of lives and property in the land which are the primary priority of any responsible government.”

He further appealed to the Federal Government to provide conducive and peaceful atmosphere for learning as educa-

tion was one of the major catalysts for national development.

Receiving the teachers on behalf of Governor Isa Yuguda , the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo commended the teachers for being peaceful and pledged to deliver their message to the governor who would later take the letter President Goodluck Jonathan.

In Kwara State, Vanguard reliably gathered that the protesters came from the public schools across the 16 local government education authorities in the state .

The chairman of the NUT in the state, Alhaji. Musa Abubakar who led the procession said that, “we had received the news of the abduction as a tale from wonderland.’’

He stated further that,”the NUT joins the world to call on insurgents and their collaborators to Bring back our girls safe and alive.

the second blast and got more confused but I just knew I was alive by God’s grace because I was not stampeded where I was, I decided not to run as I did not know what was ahead but I survived though so many were not so lucky, it was God who saved me”.

Another woman who gave her name as mama Funmi, said, “I did not know I was alive until I woke up in the hospital. My shop was at the spot where the first bomb exploded. I left the shop at about 2.50 pm to see someone inside the market, I didn’t meet the person so I decided to come back.

As I was approaching my shop, I heard a loud bang which sent me sprawling on the floor.

“People were stepping on me as they ran but I managed to get up and joined the crowd regardless of the pains I was feeling. I was already until I saw the flame razing shops and goods and I just passed out”.

She said a neighbour who saw her took her to a clinic where she got a First Aid treatment and was discharged. Though her shop was burnt, she remained grateful to God who rescued her from untimely death.

Another resident, a native of Orlu, Imo State who said his name was not “important” said his people were in the morgue of the State Specialist Hospital to look for “the corpse of Francis, a peaceful man who did not deserve a violent death”.

He said “Francis was a Keke NAPEP (tricycle) operator, a father of three who died and left an old mother in the village”.

According to him, “I am not a relative by blood but we are from the same village, live in the same area here in Jos and worship in the same Church. We met on Monday evening and as usual, we were together discussing how business went in the day.

“On Tuesday these evil people came, he passed by my shop at Railway Line and waved as if he knew he was saying goodbye”.

He described the late Francis as “an easy going man who went out in search of daily bread but was killed by these evil people”.

Another relative who gave his name as Chilobi Amadi and the Chairman, Railway Line Traders’ Association who was physically shaken said he was still going round to locate his people.

He said, “I am the owner of Do Good Curtain World, Tuesday was terrible. I was in the shop with my wife and children. At about to 3pm, I was expecting my Reverend who was to come and pray for me because my business was not going well. My Reverend later came and immediately we ended the prayer inside my shop and I said Amen, we heard a loud explosion.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 —17

Foreign intervention 1960, our country has been severely undermined by corruption, tribalism, crime, sectarian violence and incompetence.

Nigeria is one of the luckiest nations on the planet. God has blessed us with abundant natural resources. We have

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HILE debates were raging about whether President Goodluck Jonathan should or should not invite the American Government to help him rescue the abducted Chibok school girls, Senator John McCain – the Republican Party candidate who was electorally defeated by Barack Obama in 2008 – expressed the view that the US should intervene in the crisis without prior approval from our Government.

McCain told an online publication known as the Daily Beast that: “…I wouldn’t be waiting for some kind of permission from some guy named Goodluck Jonathan…”.

I grant you that Jonathan has not handled the Chibok drama adeptly, but I found the above comments immensely offensive, my view being that some patronising, bellicose guy named John McCain has a nerve thinking that American troops have a right to stomp into Nigeria without official consent!

Having said this, I have long felt that Nigeria will do much better if foreigners become much more involved in our dayto-day affairs on many different levels, given that we have not hitherto displayed a talent for good governance.

Since we started to rule ourselves in

I have often expressed the view that Nigerian followers are almost as culpable as Nigerian leaders because we are too docile and allow those who run the show so lousily to get away with spectacular failures and unacceptable conduct

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huge hydrocarbon reserves. We have several solid minerals in commercial quantities. We have plenty of forests that are full of quality hardwood trees. We have vast tracts of fertile land.

We are not landlocked. We have what it takes to become the maritime hub for the entire Gulf of Guinea region because we have a significant coastline.

We are not short of productive human resources either. We have millions upon millions of citizens who are smart, ambitious and capable of working hard.

Nigeria has the potential to become a REAL African Giant, a universally respected player on the international stage

and a thriving land of milk and honey in which everything goes very smoothly enough most of the time.

But we are nowhere near this vision because we aren’t getting the honest, caring, efficient, altruistic and dynamic leadership that we desperately need.

I have often expressed the view that Nigerian followers are almost as culpable as Nigerian leaders because we are too docile and allow those who run the show so lousily to get away with spectacular failures and unacceptable conduct.

We complain bitterly when they steal, but do not insist that they quit stealing or be jailed for stealing. We criticise them, but do not make a massive fuss when they sidestep local facilities that are pathetically inadequate because of their negligence and then blithely proceed to provide themselves, their cronies and their relatives with superior foreign medical treatment, education, etc.

We weep and wail when they shamelessly rig elections but we do not flatly refuse to recognise beneficiaries of rigged elections - and even hail them.

We just keep bovinely swallowing the toxic s- -t that is regularly dumped on us!

And it doesn’t look like there are going to be any major changes in the average Naija follower or leader’s mindset and behaviour patterns anytime soon.

Frankly, I am languishing in a gargantuan Slough of Despair at the moment and have abandoned all hope that we can govern ourselves well in the near future.

Whether they are home-trained or overseas-trained, most of our government officials perform disappointingly, to put it politely. And if I had the clout, I would ditch most of them and hire top-class foreigners – the type who possess sterling track records, formidable skills and integrity with a capital I - to handle certain public sector responsibilities on be-

half of the Nigerian people.

Forgive me if I sound like a brainwashed advocate of Western neo-colonialism. But I know in my heart that I am a genuine patriot.

I grew up in London and often feel British. But I also feel Nigerian and have never applied for the British passport to which I am entitled. And I fear that Nigeria – which is floundering dangerously like a rudderless vessel - will become a complete basket case if something is not done to drag us back from the brink.

Crisis scenarios require radical solutions. And, in the global village that is today’s world, I see no reason why Nigeria should not emulate other countries that have outsourced certain top government functions to outsiders.

Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, is Canadian, not English.

He was hired by the UK authorities because he was deemed to be more likely to deliver a great performance than any Briton who wanted the job.

So would there be anything wrong with going a few steps further and hiring nonNigerian CBN/INEC/EFCC bosses and non-Nigerian Ministers to work with a Nigerian President for two terms (that is, eight years) and transform Nigeria?

When I ran this idea past an equally disillusioned Nigerian friend, he said that it would never fly unless we also hired a non-Nigerian President!

What do Vanguard readers think?

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

OPINION

BY JOHN UDUMEBRAYE

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N Monday, May 19, 2014, newspapers and other news outlets across the country were awash with reports arising from a press statement signed by Chief Tony Anenih, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, BoT. Anenih, who has been a firm fixture in the upper echelons of the ruling PDP since the party’s early days, made a noteworthy departure from partisan politics by calling for national unity against the threat of insurgency.

In his statement titled, ‘Let us unite against Boko Haram’, Anenih struck a statesmanlike note when he said: “At a time that our nation is facing the menace of terrorism, it is of utmost importance that all Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country.”

Showing concern as a father, Anenih said: “I deeply sympathise with the parents of the abducted Chibok girls and pray for their safe return. No parent should have to experience what the parents of these innocent girls are passing through on account of this outrageous abduction by Boko Haram.” The elder statesman went further to add: “I also understand the anger that has been expressed through the global #BringBackOurGirls movement and wish to state that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are fully committed to ensuring the safe return of our daughters.”

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That Anenih advice on Boko Haram If that was all that Anenih’s statement contained, there would not have been a need for this article. For, if there’s an issue which should clearly unite Nigerians across all ideological divides, it is the need to resist the insurgency being waged by Boko Haram with one voice. Unfortunately, stemming from an apparent need to score political points, some discordant opposition voices have been launching attacks on the Federal Government, as if such people are in cahoots with Boko Haram.

Clearly, it was for this reason that Anenih cautioned: “I must, however, deplore the situation where some opposition politicians have tried to make political issues out of it by calling for the resignation of President Jonathan over a group that is waging war against the Nigerian state. Such behaviour is unbecoming of patriotic citizens of a democratic nation like Nigeria. When militant gunmen attacked a shopping mall in Kenya, killing many people and holding many others hostage, the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, stood right beside the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, while the latter was addressing Kenyans on the dastardly attack.”

The foregoing quote from Anenih’s statement is an important point that must not be lost on anyone. Our freedom to peacefully disagree with one another—even the Federal Government—is one that is guaranteed under our democracy by the Constitution. It is this freedom, among others,

that Boko Haram seeks to take away. It is therefore the duty of all Nigerians to eschew political considerations at this time and come together as one to stand against Boko Haram.

As Anenih was quoted as saying in his press statement: “Boko Haram is a threat to Nigeria and to our democracy.” The PDP BoT Chairman also stated that: “The Boko Haram insurgency is not against Jonathan as an individual, rather it is against the Nigerian state. That is why our collective efforts are needed to tackle the challenges.”

However, it is clear that some opposition politicians do not fully appreciate the need for national unity in the fight against Boko Haram. If they did, they would not be spouting invectives on the person of the President or ridiculing the efforts of the military and other security agencies. That is why Anenih’s advice that “all Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country” needs to be re-echoed until everybody in Nigeria internalises the message.

A point which is well-known and bears repeating here is that: “All over the world, fighting terrorism takes time and requires patience, cooperation and national unity.”

Those who imagine that there is a big button somewhere that President Jonathan needs to push in order to immediately bring the nefarious activities of Boko Haram to an end

should recall that the United State of America, with its allies such as Great Britain and Australia among others, have been fighting terrorist organisations like al-Qaeda and the Taliban for over a decade.

One is not saying that President Jonathan needs more than a decade to fight Boko Haram. However, expecting that a scream from Jonathan will automatically silence Boko Haram is an unrealistic expectation.

Moreover, as Anenih reminded us: “President Jonathan has said it several times that in fighting Boko Haram, the Federal Government is dealing with fellow Nigerians, who are our brothers and sisters. Consequently, the military cannot deploy its full might against them. Besides, doing so would be against international rules of engagement.”

Although cynics are within their rights to say whatever they wish about the Boko Haram insurgency, Anenih has clearly placed national interest above all else in advising that the country should unite in fighting the terrorist group. It may be a cliché, but it is still true that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

In the words of the wise statesman: “The message to Boko Haram from all Nigerians must be: we will never bow to terror!”

*Mr. Udumebraye, a public analyst, wrote from Port Harcourt, River State.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 THIS is not about Chibok girls. It is about Nigerian students, the unceasing uncertainties of concluding studies in Nigerian public schools, the scant attention the authorities pay to education, and our endangered future.

Isolated stories like students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, protesting a hike in fees and the unattended nine-month-old strike of polytechnic lecturers, though routine, merely illustrate how our governments have given up on education.

How do ordinary Nigerians benefit from our public institutions? Why would public schools increase fees at whim, and at such outrageous rates, in a society without sustained scholarship schemes? Is education in public schools also only for the rich?

Tuition fees in Ile-Ife were increased from N17, 000 to N100, 000, excluding an acceptance fee of N20, 000 for new students. Which economies tolerate

BY OBINNA OBASI

T

HE month of May has a lot of historical importance both internationally and at the national level. May 1, every year is recognised by the International Labour\ Organisation, ILO, as workers’ day – a day set aside to celebrate the unquantifiable contributions of workers to the economies of nations of the world.

Also, May 27, every year is recognised by the United Nations International Childrens’ Fund, UNICEF, as Childrens’ day – a day dedicated to celebrate children, the hope and future of the world.

Since the advent of the current political dispensation in 1999, May 29, every year has come to stay as democracy day – a day Nigerians commemorate the return to civil rule, after years of military stranglehold on the nation’s polity.

Perhaps, it is no coincidence that May 18, 1956, heralded the birth of a man who would make invaluable contributions to the development of his country in particular and humanity in general.

When the parents of Charles Uzodimma Nwambueze Amanze, of Umuachalu, Uvuru, in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State gave birth to him, they did not deliberately choose May, rather they were mainly

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Our Endangered Future such increases? The tuition fee for returning students is N50, 000 from N7, 000. The students still have to accommodate and feed themselves, buy books and pay sundry fees.

Most of them are from poor homes.

It seems nobody cares whether our youth get higher education or not. The first argument that policy makers, most of whom enjoyed free education make, is that education is not cheap anywhere. We agree.

It is convenient for them to forget the public paid for their education through scholarships, low fees and in some cases outright free education.

In societies education is expensive, there are public schools that offer

quality education at affordable fees.

Loans, grants and scholarships are available so that social status is never a barrier to those who aspire to higher education.

Arguments about cost of tertiary education do not even scratch the issues. Governments are busy expanding the costs of education. Most of the costs go into more buildings, more staff, whose remunerations remain poor, and the attendant bureaucracy.

Cost of acquiring education is barely a consideration. Governments’ indifference to unilateral decisions on fees in public schools and the frequent comparisons made with fees in private

institutions indicate a poor understanding of governments’ roles in developing the brainpower pool to run Nigeria.

How would Nigeria grow when access to education is treated as inconvenience to governments? Why would governments prefer establishing more institutions to better funding of existing ones? Why do policies that expand schools facilities ignore obstacles - like fees - to education?

The Constitution in Section 18 (3) states, “Government shall …eradicate illiteracy; and…when practicable provide (a) free, compulsory and universal primary education; (b) free secondary education; (c) free university education; and (d) free adult literacy programme.”

Our governments are too steeped in politics to realise they are doing little for education even by the expectations of the Constitution that keeps them in office.

OPINION Amanze: The quintessential medical doctor concerned with raising up a child, who would maintain the family integrity, as well as be a shining example to the society. They therefore set out to lay a solid foundation on which their first son would accomplish their wishes. As professional teachers and foremost educationists of their time, they did not hesitate to introduce little Amanze to early education. It was no surprise that Amanze got enrolled into Christ the King Primary School, Lagwa, at a very tender age, ahead of his contemporaries. He did not disappoint. With a manifest brilliance, he became the rallying point of his mates who always swarmed around to solve one subject or the other. His brilliance also earned him a place at the Mbaise Secondary School, Aboh, popularly known as MSS, a foremost college in the then Mbaise Division. For his advanced level studies, he went through Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, Onitsha and finished at the College of Immaculate Conception, CIC, Enugu, two elite colleges which have produced prominent Nigerians in such diverse spheres as politics, engineering, medicine, law, journalism, architecture, academics, pharmacy, etc.

His sojourn into medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was not by chance. He had long chosen to be an agent of positive change through selfless service to humanity and so saw medical practice as a veritable platform to render such services. Having completed the mandatory housemanship and youth service, Amanze secured job at Pamo Clinic and Hospitals Limited, Port Harcourt, where he rose to become the Clinical Director and Chief Medical Officer.

A self-effacing man, it is worthy to note that that he had at various time discreetly defrayed the medical bills of some less-privileged patients, who otherwise would have been refused admission abinitio. In recognition of his sterling qualities in the medical field, he was appointed Chairman, Management Board of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, where he spearheaded the formulation of policies, rules and smooth operation of the UNTH in line with the Federal Government policy in the health sector and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. Mention must be made that he championed the successful relocation and

commissioning on April 19, 2007 of the UNTH, from its old and dilapidated site to the ultramodern Ituku-Ozalla permanent site, 25 years after its completion and two failed attempts by previous management boards.

In appreciation of Amanze’s achievement as Chairman, Management Board of UNTH, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo commended him thus: ”I write to acknowledge the pro-active measures which the Management under your leadership has put in place for the regeneration of the teaching hospital. I commend your Board’s dedication to being part of the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring the provision of adequate and accessible health care for the majority of our people. You can be assured of Government’s support for your efforts”. That is not all. The Tamil Nadu Dr. M. G.R. Medical University Chennai, India also appointed Amanze, visiting Professor (International) of the university “in recognition of his meritorious services rendered to the medical profession.”

Among the numerous awards he garnered was conferment of the life patron and friend of the disabled award in recognition of his contributions towards the upliftment

of the disabled in Imo State and Nigeria in general, by the disabled International, while the Rotaract Club (Rotaract District 914) of the University of Science and Technology conferred on him with “outstanding humanitarian service award.” A staunch Catholic, Amanze holds the knighthood of the Catholic Church of the national traditional Order of Saint Mulumba and is a patron, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Owerri Ecclesiastical Provision. He also holds the unique and prestigious traditional chieftaincy title of Ugochituwere (honour bestowed by God) of Uvuru, as well as Ikesinachi (Power comes from God) of Lorji, in Aboh Mbaise, Local Government Area.

At 58, Amanze could be said to have accomplished a lot. However, at a time when our dear country is going through tough socio-economic and political challenges, the citizenry still needs his enormous wealth of experience to stir us to the path of r e c t i t u d e .

Amanze. This is your life.

Humanity still needs more of your contributions in the quest for a decent, vibrant and fair society. *Mr. Obasi, a social critic, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014— —19

T

HE nation of Israel has never been a stranger to wars from the Biblical times to this day. They, therefore, built and developed structures and systems that make them succeed and dominate their environment and situation. Israel has become self-sufficient in almost all sectors of their economy through the use of lessons from numerous war experiences.

This piece is about Ndigbo of the South East of Nigeria who, like the Jews, are presently scattered all over the 36 states of Nigeria, but unlike the Jews have suffered only one defeat in a civil war that lasted three years. But from all available facts Ndigbo have learnt little or nothing from the experiences of that defeat.

Most wars are avoidable, but when they come, they bring lessons which should help the parties to live with greater respect for each other. Not so in Nigeria, where those who supposedly defeated Ndigbo have expectedly only helped themselves with the spoils of the war.

A few examples. They own most of the oil wells and blocs even though the oil comes from the South-South and South East. They have many precious solid

minerals, but have managed to ensure that there is no national body like a commission to harness the gains from the exploitation of solid minerals to the benefit of the whole country.

So they can shout and try to intimidate the rest on the sharing of proceeds from oil at any gathering, while none exists for us all from the solid minerals buried in the bowel of their lands.

They claim to have greater population based on figures they concocted. They are the leaders and captains of Industry, have laid good foundations for enduring agriculture and manufacturing. They have managed to carefully manipulate the situation to knock the head of Ndigbo against their natural good neighbours, the Niger Deltans, such that some Igbos now believe the they are not loved by their neighbors, while Niger Deltans who bear Igbo names and speak Igbo avoid to be identified as Ndigbo. And to crown it all, they have settled with the notion that they are born to rule the country and dominate the Igbo man who must never be allowed to produce a presidential candidate being elected a president.

To achieve this, they fight

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anybody whose body language is favorably disposed to Ndigbo, and in that frenzy, they brought terrorism into Nigeria. Led by men like Governor Nyako of Adamawa State, they are now using the same terrorism as their reason to call for an uprising in the North against Ndigbo, all because they perceive President GEJ as an Igbo man.

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ut has the Igbo man realised that the battle is just to stop him? Has he learnt anything as a people from the losses and experiences of the same civil war that has so rewarded his co-sailors in the ship of the Nigerian state?

During the war, life became so tough for the Igbos; food and medicines were scarce. There were no means of transport; to own a motorcycle was a rare privilege, all because of the economic

FG-Innoson synergy on skills acquistion

BY CHUKWUDI ENEKWECHI

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VER the years, lack of basic skills among Nigerian youths and indeed most job seekers has been a great challenge to addressing the unemployment problems in the country. In most cases, the preference for the elusive white collar jobs by job seekers has tended to exacerbate, rather than ameliorate the problem.

It is, therefore, gratifying that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has opted to partner with the INNOSON GROUP, Nigeria’s first local manufacturer of vehicles in the area of skills acquisition for our youths. With the plan for some youths to undergo on–the-job training at the INNOSON VEHICLES MANUFACTURING PLANT, and other factories, there is no doubt that the youths will acquire necessary skills that will enable them to be gainfully employed in the future.

Similarly, the promise by the INNOSON management to offer employment to those the Federal Government may not hire after the training period is also reassuring as it will go a long way to reduce the number of job seekers in the country.

While this innovative approach by the Federal Government is commendable, the patriotic effort of the INNOSON GROUP in assisting the Federal Government to reduce unemployment in the country ought to be emulated by other companies with such capacity. By this, they would have answered the clarion call by the Jonathan administration on the private sector to collaborate with it to rescue the country from the unenviable position of high youth and graduate unemployment.

If this novel method is replicated across the country and by most of the blue chip companies declaring jumbo profits yearly, there is no doubt that the scourge of unemployment will be significantly C M Y K

tackled. This assumption is hinged on the fact that government alone cannot provide jobs for our people, but with the concerted efforts by all stakeholders.

In this era of privatisation and public private partnerships, it is only natural that both the private sector and governments pull resources together, to address the menace of unemployment, and one of the best ways towards achieving this is to ensure that job seekers possess the required skills that will enable them key into the evolving industrialised economy.

There is no doubt that with government divestment in public enterprises, the new owners will need workers with requisite skills to ensure the survival of their companies and adequate return on investments. Therefore, it is indeed remarkable that the INNOSON Group has stepped forward to lead in equipping our youths with relevant skills towards driving the nation’s economy.

As a corporate entity, INNOSON Group has set a track record of not only discharging its social responsibility, but has remained in the vanguard of assisting the Federal and state governments in providing job opportunities for Nigerians.

The current vogue of producing thousands of graduates from our higher institutions with paper certificates and little skills knowledge cannot lift Nigeria from its dependent status in industrial development. From USA, to Europe, China and Africa, it is important to note that it is only the skilled group of workers that drive the economy. No wonder, most industrialised economies pay little attention to paper certificates but to practical application of skills.

The direct result of this approach is manifested in the output from the industrial sector. Therefore, it is a mark of patriotism that INNOSON Group is

blockade. The blockade was so effective because we had no access to the sea in the form of a seaport. The only airport in Igbo land was the Uli Air strip, used mostly for war purposes. But 43 years after that war, Igbo land still has no seaport. We have a barges port in Onitsha, which means nothing in terms of our experience from the civil war.

There is no plan anywhere, either by government or private efforts, to provide a deep seaport to serve the South East, and they are not working on building one in the South-South under any form of partnership or arrangement to remove that challenge or failure. Should Ndigbo not be building bridges across to their neighbors? The only international flight to and from the South East happened under President GEJ, and we expect a sea port worthy of note with direct access to the sea like in Apapa under him. Any Igbo man that has or may join in fighting GEJ, irrespective of his political party, has refused to learn from the civil war.

During that war, our sources of protein were sheep and goat meat, pork, rats, snake meat(very delicious), lizards, frogs, and certain insects like the cricket, grasshoppers, asparagus of all sorts, larvae from the oil palm and raffia palm trees which were delicacies with some medicinal values, and assorted vegetables, especially the green and fluted pumpkins we call Ugu. We had only the native Igbo cow we call Ehi. The cattle from the North

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BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

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Where are the lessons Ndigbo learnt from the civil war?

Today, Ndigbo have abandoned yam, cassava and cocoyam to other zones to produce; we have become major consumers because we chose to learn nothing from that war

In this era of privatisation and public private partnerships, it is only natural that both the private sector and governments pull resources together to address the menace of unemployment

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offering a window of opportunity to Nigerian youths to acquire relevant skills in their factories.

The plan by the company to build mechanic schools across the country for the purpose of imparting requisite modern technological knowledge to Nigerian mechanics is equally laudable. This innovative approach will greatly enhance the capacity of our artisans to learn modern technological trends, and ultimately bring such knowledge to bear in their service delivery to the general public.

It is common knowledge that many Nigerian motorists usually lament their unpleasant experiences in the hands of inexperienced mechanics. Therefore, the plan by the INNOSON Group to improve their skills will, no doubt, reduce the frustration of Nigerian motorists who suffer incalculable damages to their vehicles as a result of the activities of half-baked mechanics.

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n developed countries of United States, Europe and Asia, motor servicing, repair and maintenance is a serious business, which requires certification by relevant authorities. We will therefore save time and resources when we have our mechanics equipped with necessary skills as being envisaged by the INNOSON

called Nnama was not known, and no one cared for it.

But today, Fulani herdsmen want to run over us because we abandoned our God-given resources, including ehi, and have developed a strange appetite for Fulani nnama.

Ndigbo should have an Institute for Insects and Reptiles as a tribute to those creatures that helped us overcome and survive the war. There is one in Israel with good tourist impact to copy from.

Ndigbo should have a plan to be self- sufficient in protein supply without depending on nnama.

Our main sources of carbohydrate in that war were yam, cassava, cocoayam and the corn meal from the WCC and Caritas International. Today Ndigbo have abandoned yam, cassava and cocoyam to other zones to produce. We have become major consumers. As useful and famous as the corn meal was, no one talked of producing it because we chose to learn nothing from that war. Our Governors pay lip service to gully erosion which is washing away farm lands, and even our bankers join others in making lending money to develop agriculture in Igbo land very difficult.

Nigeria is blessed, but the North wants to rule or scatter it.

An Igbo proverb says that ‘it is only the deaf grasshopper that gets consumed by the woodpecker.’ *Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

Group.

At the rate our army of unemployed youths is growing, only this kind of synergy between the Federal Government and the private sector can help nip it in the bud.

It is, however, expected that government will create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. Such policies as patronising locally-made vehicles by states and Federal Government will no doubt help to improve the earning capacity of our indigenous companies, and the resultant effect is increased capacity and expansion, which direct corollary is the ability of the beneficiary companies to employ more Nigerians.

As at today, apart from the civil service, other key sectors of the economy that have supported the Federal Government’s drive for job creation are the auto manufacturing sector, cement industry, hospitality, telecommunications, housing sector, power sector among others. If government should therefore lend the needed support to these sectors of the economy, as well as steel, textile, coal industry and agriculture, Nigeria will no doubt be on the right track to realising the much touted vision 20:2020 as one of the most developed economies in the world.

Developed economies like USA, Europe and Asia did not happen by accident, rather through a deliberate action plan by them to tap into the available human and material resources of their various societies. For example, the US government at critical moments intervenes with various incentives including monetary grants to help revitalise their industries like Ford and GM motors in order to keep them strong, thereby saving millions of jobs for Americans.

Nigerian government ought to periodically adopt the same approach in dealing with conglomerates like INNOSON and DANGOTE who are presently in the lead as companies with passion to assist the Federal Government reduce unemployment and increase productivity.

*Mr. Enekwechi, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG, Jos

O

N Monday, Jos,the Pla teau State capital, was agog as a mammoth crowd of various ethnic nationalities in the State gathered at the premises of the National Museum, Jos to showcase their cultural heritage during the 2014 International Museum Day. The celebrants who were dressed in their ancestral attires, performed their ancestral dances to the admiration of the spectators. The happiness was palpable as the gathering celebrated the return of peace, a happy development repeatedly acknowledged by the different speakers at the event.

The following day, being Tuesday, residents woke up and as usual went about their businesses with no cause to suspect that danger was lurking in the city centre. Children were in school, workers at their places of work.

Many also found time to reminisce on the event of the previous day.

Then tragedy struck between 3pm and 3.20pm. This came courtesy of twin suicide bomb attacks that left many people dead, several seriously injured and some survivors with chilling tales of their near-death experience.

With the deafening explosion, shrapnel flew everywhere, cutting down everything they came in contact with, including human flesh. The accompanying fire completed the destruction. And at the end of it all, many shops were reduced to burning faggot, while several charred bodies were dispatched to hospitals’ morgues.

The ensuing confusion could

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*Burning cars at the scene of the bomb-blast. INSET: One of the injured survivors on his hospital bed

Jos: Peace process suffers setback again •As residents count losses of fresh bomb blasts During a visit to the temporary site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Bingham University Teaching Hospital and the Plateau State Specialists Hospital, all in Jos, Vanguard Metro , VM, was shocked to see many charred bodies, including those of children and pregnant women, on the floor of the mortuaries.

The State Police Command through the Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, said a Fiat bus and a Si-

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People were stepping on me as they ran but I managed to rise and joined the crowd, not minding the pains; I was okay until I saw the flame razing shops and goods and I passed out

only be imagined. Vehicles crashed into one another, panicstricken people scampered for safety, even as security and medical personnel, the Red Cross, civil society organisations and other rescue volunteers went to work. As fear and panic subside, residents whose immediate response to the explosions had been an exclamation of “not again!” are presently counting their losses.

At day break on Wednesday, the search for missing relatives continued for those who could not account for their family members the day before. Others had gone to secure their business premises to prevent looters from having a field day. The town became a shadow of itself as residents who were not affected remained indoors, discussing the events of the previous day.

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,

enna bus were involved in the twin attacks adding: “In a situation like this, we don’t rule out high casualties but we are following up to check the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH and other places to verify”.

But the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Olivia Dazyem said: “Plateau State Specialist Hospital has 35 injured, 44 deaths; Bingham University Teaching Hospital has 30 injured, six deaths; Our Lady of Apostle Hospital has 10 injured and no death; Jos University Teaching Hospital has 45 injured, 25 death; FOMWAN Clinic has five injured and no death, while Yellow Clinic had oneinjured and the person later died”.

But while emotionally traumatised survivors recounted their near-death experiences, they were also quick to give God the

glory for their survival, with Ladi Emmanuel who narrowly cheated death on the fateful day saying: “It was just God that delivered me”. Narrating her experience, she said: “I went to the bank to cash some money. After getting the money, I decided to get some things in the market. ”As I passed where chickens were being sold, I heard a loud noise and a log of wood fell on me. I was dazed. I saw people running, but I didn’t join them until I saw fire burning and people were shouting that I should run. As I started running, I heard the second sound and got more confused but I just knew I was alive by God’s grace. I decided not to run as I did not know what was ahead”.

Sprawling on the floor To a woman who gave her name as Mama Funmi: “I did not know I was alive until I woke up in the hospital. My shop is at the spot that the first bomb exploded. I left the shop to at about 2.50 pm to see someone inside the market; I didn’t meet the person so I decided to come back. As I was approaching my shop, I heard a loud bang which sent me sprawling on the floor. ”People were stepping on me as they ran but I managed to rise and joined the crowd not minding the pains. I was okay until I saw the flame razing shops and goods and I passed out”.

She said a neighbour took her to a clinic where she got a First

Aid treatment and was discharged.

As at Thursday, people whose loved ones are still missing wore long faces as they frantically combed different places in search of them.

Some banks whose offices are too close to the scenes of the incidents remained shut. A resident, Mr. Ezekiel Sunday who went to a commercial bank at about 9am on Thursday for transaction was turned back at the gate and told to “check back later in the day”.

Though the off-limit areas remained cordoned off at the time of this report, residents were seen going about their businesses, albeit cautiously, while discussing the recent incidents.

Meanwhile, reactions from individuals and organised groups continue to trail the incidents.

To Pwakim Choji, Programme Officer, Conflict Mitigation and Management for Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights, CAJR: “Tuesday’s bomb blast in Jos was a shocker to the peace loving people because in the past three years there has been relative peace in Jos, as there has been no serious security problem that has been recorded in the heart of Jos, apart from attacks in rural areas. ”The attacks have again led to a terrible security blow to the nation as most affected victims were women who woke up in the early hours of the morning with the hope that they would either buy or sell at the market and return home in one piece, but the reverse was the case. We sympa-

thise with the families of the affected victims and encourage them and other Nigerians to remain strong, especially in the face of this national challenging moment of our history”.

The member representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives, Bitrus Kaze said: “Citizens on the Plateau demand as of right, maximum security and welfare from their elected government. This is the primary essence of government. We demand action; the time for spewing statements in the face of terror is long gone.

Crime against humanity Although we are no longer captivated by these press statements, we cannot help but define this crime against humanity within its proper context; it is despicable, callous and reprehensible.

“We know that on no account will any responsible government allow its citizens to take the laws into their hands, however it does not offend any law for the people to be vigilant with the view to defending their lives and properties. Against this backdrop, the demand for state police cannot abate; the inability of the Federal Government to effectively police over 150 million citizens is all too obvious. I urge all citizens in Jos and indeed the whole of Plateau to remain calm but very alert! The global trend in counter-terrorism is to prevent terror from happening in the first place”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 21

FG to attract investments in power sector — Nebo

T

From left: Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Emmanuel Oriakhi, Marketing Manager, Consumer Market Intelligence, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Charles Chijide, President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN); Babu Akinbobola, Chairman, Media Link and Ita Bassey, Senior Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, at the 8th Exhibition and Poster Awards in Lagos.

US gives conditions for increasing investment in Nigeria T

HE United States Secretary of Commerce, Ms Penny Pritzker, Wednesday, gave conditions that would motivate more American companies to invest in Nigeria.

Pritzker, is leading 20 American companies on an Energy Business Development trade mission to Ghana and Nigeria.

Pritzker, who spoke to a group of business leaders in Lagos, urged the Federal Government to urgently involve Nigeria’s business

182.4

1.6

2,889.00

-3.00

17.32

0.12

community and civil society in the fight against corruption.

The US official said the American companies would invest in countries that observ e d rule of law, maintained ethical standards and promoted workplace safety and encouraged training. ”For U.S. businesses to come here, stay here and help you achieve your full potential, Nigeria needs to take the tough steps that allow businesses to truly thrive.

“Our companies want to do business in countries that

108.42 +0.53 100.58 +0.59 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.73 STERLING 260.5498 EURO 212.2741 FRANC 173.5809 YEN 1.5297 CFA 0.3041 WAUA 238.2888 YUAN 24.8047 RIYAL 41.2525 KRONA 28.4357 SDR 239.2899

155.23 261.3918 212.96 174.1418 1.5347 0.3141 239.0588 24.8853 41.3858 28.5276 240.0632

155.73 262.2337 213.646 174.7027 1.5396 0.3241 239.8288 24.9659 41.5191 28.6195 240.8364

CBN Exchange rate as at 22/05/2014

follow the rule of law, maintain ethical standards, abide by workplace safety, encourage workforce training and protect intellectual property.

Businesses must have the conditions to operate free from unnecessary regulation, government interference and corruption. These are the conditions that will increase confidence among international and local business leaders and encourage further investment in Nigeria.’’

Pritzker also encouraged the

Nigerian Government to implement its public procurement laws according to international best practices.

Th e s e c r e t a r y a l s o advised the government to sign the World Trade Organisation’s Government Procurement Agreement. Pritzker urged the Nigerian Government, business and civil society leaders to close ranks in developing solutions to challenges facing the investment environment.

Sound reforms led to exponential growth of Lagos economy — Commissioner

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he Lagos State Government on Wednesday said the economy of the state grew exponentially in the past few years as a result of sound reforms and interventions.

Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, spoke on the economy at the state’s 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.

He said that the state’s GDP of 100billion dollars was higher than that of Ghana, Kenya and some other African countries.

According to him, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the state has also risen to N20billion monthly from less than N500million before 1999.

The commissioner assured that the government would continue to do its best to promote the state’s financial sustainability.

Gbeleyi urged residents to pay their taxes to further help drive the wheel of

development in the state.

Speaking on the state’s N275 billion bond programme, the commissioner explained that the bond was being issued in tranches for development projects.

He listed some of the projects as the expansion of Ikorodu Road, execution of the light rail project and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway project.

Gbeleyi said the bond was being redeemed to quicken the pace of ongoing key projects.

According to the commissioner, the World Bank has granted the state an additional facility of 200million dollars (approximately N32 billion) for development projects.

He said that the Federal Government’s approval was being awaited for disbursement.

The commissioner also said that the Federal Government had stopped some deductions from the states’ monthly allocations.

he Federal Government will continue to create the enabling environment to attract investment in the power sector for efficient generation and distribution, the Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, has said.

Nebo said in Awka that there has been a lot of improvement in power generation despite the challenges in the sector. He said this was as a result of the successful privatisation programme in the sector which was concluded about six months ago.

Nebo said that vandalism and poor gas supply remained a big challenge to growth in the sector.

The federal government, he said, is already applying effective measures to check the menace, and assured that all would soon be a thing of the past. The minister said he was certain that power generation and distribution companies could drive the sector without financial constraints as they had the resources to do so. He further called for equal emphasis on distribution as against generation where most investment interest had been directed.

“The federal government is already tackling the challenges of vandalism which is actually shutting out gas supply with the deployment of high-tech protection systems. We are also trying to stabilise the market as well as the national grid itself. The Gencos and Discos cannot say they do not have the finance to drive the power sector because they promised they could do so.

“What the government is doing now, is to create enabling environment by attracting financial institutions from all over the world and multinational development partners to come to their aid. The major trend is that these investors prefer to fund Gencos as opposed to Discos, and in a matter of time both would be getting fair share,’’ he said.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Harmonised corporate governance code’ll help tackle corruption — ICSAN

By EDIRI EJOH & IKENNA ASOMBA

O

NGOING moves by the Federal Govern ment to develop a harmonised national corporate governance code for both private and public sectors will go a long way to curtail corrupt practices in Nigeria’s public service.

This was the view of some experts on corporate governance, who spoke to Vanguard at the 13th Induction ceremony of members of the Institute

of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) in Lagos.

Speaking at the event where 114 students, 10 Fellows and 33 Associates were inducted, Mr. Dele Togunde, Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, ICSAN, said: “The Foreign Direct Investment that we are craving for in this country could only come if there is effective practice of corporate governance. And this involves a situation where people are doing things they should do in the right way. That is, do-

ing things according to international best practices.”

Speaking further, Togunde said: “The federal government has currently set up a committee to harmonise all the codes of corporate governance in Nigeria. We have four codes currently guiding our operations in Nigeria. But the federal government has come out with the idea of having one code guiding both the private and public sector. ”You will discover that corporate governance has been thriving for long in the private

From left: Mr Dickinson Odikayo, Training Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa; Brovo Kim, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa and Ogundipe Oluwaseun Bolanle, beneficiary during the first graduation ceremony of Samsung Engineering Academy, in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU.

sector. The government has now decided to extend it to the public sector. So, I want to believe that by the time the harmonised code is out, at least it will create some changes in our lifestyle in the public sector. The public sector happens to be the largest spender in our system and that is where we have challenges in terms of spending. So, I want to believe that by the time the harmonised code is ready with the change of orientation and not forgetting prayers, we will get there.”

On his part, Vice President, ICSAN, Dr. Nat Ofo, said: “Corruption is a major problem in our environment. ICSAN is an institute that preaches and practices corporate governance. We don’t condone corruption. We are against corruption in all its ramifications. And we also urge Nigerians in the private and public sectors to fight against corruption, ensuring it is eliminated in Nigeria. ”If corruption is eliminated in this country, I tell you, Nigeria will be a paradise. This is just a matter of having a culture of doing the right thing at the right time for the right people. Let the person who is qualified to get a thing get it. Let those in authority serve the people and be concerned about their welfare.

Ensure that things are done properly, that flouting of the rules is not tolerated, and this must come from the top.”

Caverton targets expansion to more African countries ...Promises improved returns

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

C

averton Offshore Support Group has expressed determination to extend its presence to more high growth African markets as it pursues its goal of being the leading marine and aviation support and logistics provider in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, who stated this at the Facts behind the Listing of the company’s shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, said that Caverton is poised to continue its tradition of dividend payment, having paid dividend consistently in the last five years.

The company had listed by introduction 3.35 billion ordinary shares of 50 obo each at N9.50 per share.

Addressing stockbrokers at the event, Makanjuola stated that the company

intends to expand to countries like Congo, Mozambique, Angola and Ghana, saying that they meet its desire to expand to markets with attractive regulatory environment, as well as offer attractive competitive landscape and opportunity for leverage of capabilities, assets and cross market relationship.

He said the company will also leverage Nigerian Local Content and Cabotage Laws to attain scale through organic and inorganic means to reinforce leadership position.

Explaining the rationale for capital market listing, Makanjuola said that the company decided to list six years after a private placement as a result of the quantum leap in its operation and the need to employ more capital to meet its growing financial needs.

According to him, the capital market provides a good avenue to diversify the

company’s capital structure.

He further stated that the company would continue to pursue exclusive technical partnership in order to become the first choice maintenance and training service provider in Nigeria and other African countries.

Also speaking, the Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Samuel Ileoma, said the company recorded turnover leapt from N7 billion in 2010 to N18.6 billion in 2013, an increase of 165 percent within three years, while profit grew from N1.36 billion in December 2012 to N1.88 billion as at December, 2013.

He explained that growth in revenue was driven by major contracts with International Oil Companies, IOCs, such as Shell and Total in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

He stated that 38 percent growth year-on-year in profit after tax as at the year ended December 2013, illustrated the financial potential of the business, adding that growth is further evidence of a resolute business model and the capability to deliver maximum shareholders’ returns.

BITS Briefs Shareholders approve Champion Breweries’ fresh capital bid

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HAREHOLDERS of Champion Breweries Plc have approved decision by the Board of Directors to increase the authorised share capital of the company from N3 billion to N4.5 billion.

The approval came even as the company ’s turnover increased to N2.3 billion from N1.8 billion in the previous year.

Eager to see the company return to profitability, the shareholders, who spoke at the company ’s 38th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, applauded the Board’s efforts and the turnaround plan being implemented in the company.

They overwhelmingly supported that the fresh capital should be raised by the creation of additional three billion ordinary shares of N0.50k each, to rank pari-pasu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares in the capital of the company, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.

Addressing shareholders at the meeting, the Acting Chairman, Chief Senas Ukpanah, said with the commitment and co-operation of the company ’s core and major investors, the Board has been re-assured that the recapitalisation and refinancing programme will be implemented and successfully turn-around the company.

SKG Pharma unveils new product

S

KG Pharma Limited has introduced new pain relief product into the market. It is called Novadex brand of paracetamol.

The product was unveiled to the public during the company ’s annual Trade Partners Conference in Lagos.

Okey Akpa, Managing Director/CEO of SKG Pharma, described it as a user-friendly brand with decades of quality history. Akpa reiterated that the conference is a “family meeting” during which the company and her partners share ideas on how best to serve the customer better.

“It is also provides a platform for the company to reward the distributors for their efforts and commitment towards the growth of the company,” he said.

In a presentation entitled “Winning the War against Pain,” Ms. Victoria Okon, Technical Promotion Manager, explained that Novadex is a dependable pain-killer and very useful for fast and effective relief from aches and pains.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 23

Agriculture: Mimiko reiterates commitment to youth empowerment

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Next Crop of Seed Scientists Graduate trained at the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) situated at the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES) of the University of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.

ov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through agriculture.

Speaking at the opening of a one-week training programme and inauguration of “Profarmers and Agropreneurs Sustainable Scheme, for recently engaged 280 graduates, Mimiko tasked the graduates to show commitment and absolute dedication to the programme, warning that anyone found wanting would be shown the way out.

“Agriculture provides the best

African seed industry taken over by local companies — Report

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

F

rom production of 600 tons of seed in its first year in 2006, Maslaha Seeds has grown rapidly over the years producing thousands of tons of seed each year for a wide menu of crop varieties, including high-yield sorghum, millet, and cowpea developed specifically for Nigeria’s growing conditions.

“Nigeria has the potential to become one of the world’s great breadbaskets, and giving our farmers access to certified seed for high-yield crop varieties is crucial to fulfilling that promise,” said Ibrahim Abdullahi, managing director of Maslaha Seeds. The story of Maslaha Seeds is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit percolating in communities across Africa and to the pentup demand among Africa’s smallholder farmers for improved, high-yield crop varieties.

A new report released at the Grow Africa Investment Forum alongside the World Economic Forum on Africa by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) reveals 80 small- to medium-size African seed companies in 16 countries are on track to produce over 80,000 metric tons of professionally certified seeds in 2014.

Locally-owned African seed companies participating in AGRA’s Program for Africa’s Seed Systems (PASS.) to offer high-yield crop varieties to smallholder farmers across the continent have collectively become the largest seed producers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Joe DeVries, Director of AGRA’s PAS disclosed that the program was launched in 2007 C M Y K

to inject new energy into Africa’s commercial seed sector, which was failing to provide African farmers with a steady supply of locally-adapted, improved crop varieties— something that farmers elsewhere in the world take for granted. “The stagnant state of commercial seed production often is cited as a key reason why yields per hectare in Africa for staple crops like maize are up to 80 percent below what farmers outside of Africa achieve.”

According to the report, “Planting the Seeds of a Green Revolution in Africa,” PASS started out working with a handful of companies that together produced about 2,000 metric tons of seed. Today, seven years later, it is partnering with some 80 companies across the continent that produce professionally certified seed for an array of African staple crops including maize, cassava, millet, rice, sorghum, beans, sweet potato, cowpea, groundnut, soybean and pigeon pea.

These companies, according to DeVries, are focusing on varieties “carefully selected by local crop breeders for their compatibility with specific African agricultural environments.” He explained that when Maslaha Seeds was launched in Nigeria in 2006, it was producing mostly seeds for high-yield rice, such as the popular “New Rice for Africa” (NERICA) developed by the Africa Rice Center, and for a type of high-yield maize known as a “hybrid.”

“But it worked with PASS and other partners to rapidly expand and now produces thousands of tons of seed each year for a wide menu of crop

varieties, including high-yield sorghum, millet, and cowpea developed specifically for Nigeria’s growing conditions.”

There already are indications that increasing access to the improved seed is helping farmers coax far more food out of the same amount of land. A 2013 survey of farmers in nine countries found that the majority of farmers who have invested in improved crop varieties have seen yields rise by 50 to 100 percent.

For example, 69 percent of farmers surveyed in Kenya, 74 percent in Nigeria, and 79 percent in Mozambique said improved maize varieties had

allowed them to double the amount of maize harvested per hectare.

Meanwhile, 79 percent of farmers surveyed in Ghana reported doubling rice yields, and 85 percent of farmers surveyed in Uganda reported doubling yields from cowpea.

The report noted that for majority of smallholder farmers in Africa to have access to improved crop varieties and other inputs required to achieve their full yield potential, that there is need to free up the supply of foundation seed developed by national governments publicsector breeding programs.

avenue for employment and wealth generation aside oil and gas. “Let me state clearly that youth empowerment through agriculture is part of this administration’s policies aimed at engaging youths in productive venture,” he said.

He said four agro-business cities with state-of-the-art facilities, comprising hostel accommodation for more than 1,000 youths, dams, fish ponds and poultry houses, had been established in the state’s three senatorial districts.

Mimiko restated his determination to key into Federal Government’s programmes such as Growth Enhancement Scheme and Cassava Value Chain Programme.

He said the government had started clearing 1000 hectares of land at Ore for use by profarmers out of which 500 hectares would be used for rice project in collaboration with its Malaysian partners.

The governor also said that about one million oil palm seedlings were being transplanted from the nursery to plantations in Ore under the state’s oil palm revolution.

According to him, the cocoa plantation in Oda is being revitalised to facilitate establishment of the state’s chocolate academy.

Earlier, Mrs Bola Olafunmiloye, the chairperson of the state’s wealth creation agency, said each graduate would receive N30,000 monthly.

Agriculturist seeks improved livestock production, protein consumption

P

rof. Michael Orheruata, an animal breeding and genetics specialist, has called for more research to increase livestock productivity and protein consumption in the country.

Orheruata, a lecturer at the Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, who made the call in Benin noted that

such research would help to meet the protein needs of Nigerians.

He explained that improvement in livestock production was concerned with increasing the yield of animals and not necessarily increasing the numerical strength of the animals.

“In spite of the high livestock

Dr Ininda working in AGRA’s Programme for Africa’s Seed Systems (PASS).

population in the country, the average Nigerian still consumes 17.7g/h/d, which is less than the WHO/FAO recommended value of 34g/h/ d animal protein consumption per day.

“Majority of our livestock are reared in village and harsh conditions, and this leads to low productivity.

“To be able to meet the protein needs of the populace, livestock productivity has to be increased.

Orheruata said improvement strategies should focus on techniques that will be easily adopted by the rural/smallscale farmers and on the prevailing environment.

He noted that Nigeria had a large population of livestock, adding that improving livestock productivity through research would encourage exportation.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

By JIMOH BABATUNDE ORDAN holds different ex perience for different tourists.

The country has long been a destination not only for religious pilgrims, but also those interested in biblical and Middle Eastern history.

The kingdom itself is so steeped in histories that to visit Jordan and ignore them is impossible.

As part of a team that visited Jordan recently, I discovered that tourist sites like Madaba, Mount Nebo Bethany and Dead Sea apart from having religious significance also happen to be quite beautiful, and at times inspiring, regardless of your own beliefs.

The trip South from Amman along the 5,000-year-old Kings Highway is one of the most memorable journeys in the holy Land, passing through a string of ancient sites.

The first city to encounter is Madaba, “the City of Mosaics.”

The city is charming, quiet and has an interesting history. Arriving in Madaba, the first point of call was the Church of Saint George which houses the oldest known map of the holy land.

The Madaba mosaic map is considered the oldest known geographic floor mosaic in art history as it is considered a remarkable example of the Byzantine Christian art. The map, which happens to be a 6th Century Byzantine mosaic, was said to have been found while locals were building the church in 1894. The city itself is known for its mosaics, both ancient and modern. Since its discovery, the mosaic map has been protected by the patriarchate of Jerusalem, which also invited scholars to study and document it.

With two million pieces of coloured stones, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. A significant aspect of the map is the inclusion

J

A modern Orthodox church dedicated to St. John the Baptist built next to the Jordan River.

Air connectivity increases Nigeria, UAE trade volume … Emirates celebrate 10 yrs in Nigeria

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Jordan beckons on religious tourists

clearly the Dead Sea, Jericho and Jerusalem in the distance. The Moses Memorial Church at Mount Nebo displays a large number of beautiful mosaics.

Of interest also was the Serpentine Cross, which stands just outside the sanctuary, symbolizing the brass serpent taken by Moses into the desert and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.

Baptism site of Jesus: Looking at the small and brownish water at the baptism pool, I was forced to ask the Tour Guide if it is true that Jesus Christ was baptized there. MuIt was discovered that the Christian idenhammed Kadheer tity of Madaba was and still part of the answered in the afnational identity of Jordan firmative that that was the point of the areas East of Jordan River and parwhere John who lived East of the River ticularly Madaba, although most of those Jordan opposite Jericho, met Jesus and parts of the map are no longer in existbaptized him. ence. It was discovered that the Christian “River Jordan during the time of Jesus identity of Madaba was and still is part of was 60m wide, it became 40m wide when the national identity of Jordan. The belfry the land was captured by the Israelis and of the Church of Saint George amongst the water diverted but today, it is just two others, and the minarets of the city’s metres wide,” he said. The site is Bethany mosques together adorn the skyline of also referred to as the ‘Baptism Site’. It is Madaba today. believed, and some say archaeologicallyThe journey moved to Mount Nebo, litproven, to be the baptism site of Jesus erally minutes from Madaba, whose fame Christ. This is where John the Baptist is is derived from the Biblical event in Deusaid to have done most of his work and the teronomy 34, the death of Moses. It is bearea has now become a Vatican-sanctified lieved to be the very spot where the Prophsite that pilgrims visit each year. The area et Moses viewed the Promised Land in known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” the moments before his death. has been discovered between the River It is today the most revered holy site in Jordan and St. Elijah’s Hill. The Jordan the country as it was blessed by the Pope River or River Jordan, as it is commonly in 2000 as one of the sites for Christian called — is one of the most sacred places, pilgrimage. I joined other tourists atop the both historically and symbolically, for Chrismountains trying to see as Moses did, the tians throughout the world. vast panorama that encompasses the JorJoshua, Elijah, Elisha, and John the Bapdan Valley. Due to poor visibility on the tist and Jesus Christ all crossed it during day of the visit, it was impossible to see their lifetimes, and it is associated with

,

Serpentine Cross at Mount Nebo

some of the most important events in the Bible. The river today is the natural border between the state of Israel and Jordan. Stationed on the other side of the river were Israeli soldiers.

One of the focal point of the baptism site is the St. Elijah’s Hill, where it was said that he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. Findings from the early 1st Century AD is said to have confirmed the site was inhabited during the times of Jesus and John the Baptist.

Moving round the sites, the tour guide was glad to draw attentions to the churches dotting the area now. There are the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church, the Armenian Church, the Coptic Church and the Russian pilgrims’ house. He added that most of the churches organise events at the holy sites yearly like the Day of Epiphany.

As the night was drawing nearer, we proceeded to the Dead Sea, which is reported to be the lowest point on earth lying some 400 meters below sea level. In addition to the historical significance of the “Salt Sea,” as it was referred to in the Bible, the Dead Sea is today an important and rich source of minerals essential for agricultural and industrial development, as well as for the treatment of various medical conditions such as psoriasis.

With the reported healing power of the sea, very early the following morning, I joined other friends to take a dip in the water, that dip became an unforgettable swimming experience, as the high density of the water makes sinking virtually impossible. The Dead Sea is 75 kilometers long and from six to 16 kilometers wide. It is fed by the Jordan River, but it has no outlet. As its name suggests, the Dead Sea is entirely devoid of plant and animal life.

he coming of Emirates Airline into Nigeria ten years ago increased the value of bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) from 106 million US Dollars at the start of Emirates’ services in 2004, to 857 million US Dollars in 2009. This represents a 710 percent increase in a five year period”.

This was revealed by Emirates’ Regional Manager for West Africa, Manoj Nair, at an event organized to mark the airline’s 10th anniversary in Nigeria.

Nair said the 710 percent increase in a five year period is due mainly to the air connectivity between both countries. “Air connectivity between countries plays a major role in economic growth and development, and we are confident that travel, trade and business will continue to grow.”

He explained that Nigeria being Africa’s largest economy now is very important market to Emirates.

“Since the start of our operations 10 years ago our services have grown significantly.

Nair disclosed that they started out with a four times weekly flight that was linked with Accra in Ghana, using an A330-200 aircraft, “ whereas now we operate double daily flights between Dubai and Lagos with the larger Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, and we will soon welcome Abuja and Kano to our network.”

“We are very excited about the launch of flights to Abuja and Kano, as this will provide Nigerian travelers even greater convenience and comfort to access our worldwide network through our Dubai hub, particularly to destinations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. It will also further boost tourism and create business opportunities,” he added.

The airline used the event to appreciate its travel partners and customers for their contribution to their success in the past 10 years of operations in Nigeria.

More than 20 awards across eight categories were presented to travel agents.

,

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—25

I N Yes, we have put S APC to shame I – Suswam pg 26 D E

Insecurity ‘ll worsen without credible polls — Ikunna pg 27

2015: Enugu North demands more — Pg 27

•Fashola: The Actualiser

•Tinubu: The Pathfinder

•Ambode: The Project Manager

Lagos 2015: The Ambode phenomenon The ascension of a one time accountant, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as a top player in the 2015 political milieu is a deliberate effort to keep the political dynasty established by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

U

NTIL two years ago, he was buried in bureaucratic obscurity; to be seen, but not to be heard. That is the immediate past Accountant-General of Lagos State, Mr. Akin Ambode who has emerged as the front runner in the keen race to succeed Mr. Babatunde Fashola as governor of Lagos State.

Just few weeks ago only a few members of the Lagos bureaucracy could have claimed acquaintance with him. But his star rose early and in his mid thirties against all odds became the youngest accountant-general of the state at the age of 37.

Given his position as the chief custodian of the treasury it was not long before his path crossed that of the then governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu had at the turn of the century become stressed on account of the political war he was waging against the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who through legal technicalities impounded the funds ear-

marked for the state’s local government councils following the controversy that trailed the creation of additional local councils in the state.

Ambode became a quiet star in the eyes of Tinubu and his inner circle when he framed the financial infrastructure that helped the state to survive through those challenging times. It was as such inevitable that Ambode would become a memorable presence in the consideration of Tinubu, the state’s number one political leader.

Political leader So when few years ago the variations on how a successor to Fashola would emerge began to be discussed, Ambode easily fit into the considerations that were framed by Tinubu.

Though Tinubu had repeatedly dismissed insinuations of religion as a factor in the consideration of a successor to Fashola, not few believed that it was a consideration in the eyes of the Asiwaju.

Though a Muslim, Tinubu had almost always buried his religious inclinations outside

his politics. His religious liberalism is accentuated by the fact that his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is a Christian evangelist, and also chose as successor, a Muslim married to a Christian.

Given that the last Christian to have governed the state was the just deceased Sir Michael Otedola who left office in 1993, many Christian leaders had privately sought out Tinubu on the issue. He was said to have listened to them with a promise of taking their views into consideration, but without a promise of zoning the governorship between the two dominant religions in the state.

What was of more consideration in the matter of zoning was the crave by the Lagos East Senatorial District to have a go at the office and that was where Ambode fit in perfectly.

It was gathered that Ambode had been selected by leaders in the state for the past two years to succeed the incumbent in 2015.

According to a party chieftain who did not want to be mentioned in the media, “The party leaders pencilled Ambode for Fashola’s seat when he (Am-

bode) was secretly asked in 2012 to tender his resignation even when he was not due for retirement.”

“The strategy then was to place him in good stead for the job ahead of 2015 which he accepted in good faith. Ambode is good public servant who reengineered the financial fulcrum of Lagos economy, an astute administrator which earned him much respect from the former governor of the state and

,

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & AKONI OLASUNKANMI

learnt that Tinubu, sent Akiolu to announce his intention to the people .

The traditional ruler gave his endorsement while addressing the audience at the public presentation of the biography of Mr. Akin Ambode, titled: The act of Selfless Service, written

by Marina Osoba, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Akiolu, the elders of the state had met and decided that Ambode would be

Ambode became a quiet star in the eyes of Tinubu and his inner circle when he framed the financial infrastructure that helped the state to survive through those challenging times

national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Though, the slot is very open to other qualify candidates in the party, the primaries will justify the end.”

It will be recalled that Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, last week, publicly, expressed his confidence and support for Ambode as the next governor of Lagos State to succeed Fashola. As part of the game, it was

,

the next governor of the state.

“Ambode remains the best man with the required pedigree and character to take Lagos to the next level,” The royal father however, acknowledged that he was not against anybody contesting for the governorship of Lagos and that all political parties, including APC have their own procedure for selecting their candiContinues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Yes, we have put APC to shame – Suswam Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State recently spoke to journalists following the Supreme Court judgment that again affirmed his victory in the 2011 gubernatorial elections. Excerpts: •Suswam

T

HE Supreme Court recently dismissed the suit filed against you by the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prof. Steve Ugbah. How did you receive the judgement?

I knew all along that they were only wasting their time and that was why the Supreme Court was not happy and decided to award cost and that is the highest cost that the Supreme Court has ever awarded. That shows the level of anger because that was an abuse of court process.

A decision had been taken and both the electoral law and the constitution are very clear as to the sacrosanct 180 days. Yet, people will still go back and ask the same people who passed that judgment to review it themselves.

This should serve as a deterrent for people to stop abusing court processes. What I can say is that the entire people of Benue State are vindicated. There has been so much noise. This is the first

time in the history of the state that a governor who has won election clearly, will be in court for three years and it is a bad precedence actually, for the state. If I didn’t want to do anything in the state, I would have used that as an excuse to say that I’m still in court. It’s not good for the state and they have been put to shame and I believe that next time, no other party or person will do that to any subsequent person that will come in as governor.

Exercise in futility This is a victory to the entire people of Benue State and the deceit of the leadership of the APC will stop. They have been deceiving their followers saying they will soon move into Government House. That will stop and people will concentrate. For me, I was not distracted because I knew it was an exercise in futility.

Are you extending an Olive Branch to the opposition considering the level at which they

pursed the case against you?

No, we are decamping all of them. I’m not extending anything. We are ready to receive those who have suffered deceit for a long time and they are in their numbers. We have very prominent former APC sons of Benue who, as men who have served this country and out of anger, they left and saw the deceit that it was better they come back to their own family. And a whole lot of this younger generation who initially had their own misgivings.

Thousands of them are decamping in all the local governments of our state. APC is a party where only one person will sit in his room and write the names of party congress and you know the outcome of that. In PDP, even as a Governor, I recognize that there are leaders in each community and when we are conducting any party activity, those leaders are the ones I will rely on. I won’t sit down in Government House here because I’m Governor and write names of congress people. But that is what is

Lagos 2015: The Ambode phenomenon Continues frompage 25 dates for elections.

Given Akiolu’s strong bondage to Tinubu, the proclamation inevitably threw up the fact that Ambode is Tinubu’s man for the job.

The outgoing governor, Fashola, according to sources also endorsed him when he was presented by Tinubu.

However, it should be noted that Tinubu, being a master player may not have laid all his cards on the table but could spring a surprise at the d of the day because whatever the oracle says, according to party faithful, is the final.

There are others still waiting in the wings either for Asiwaju to change his mind on Ambode or for circumstances to move Ambode out of contention.

Among them is Dr. Lekan Pitan, a former commissioner in the state, Speaker Adeyemi Kuforoji of the State House of Assembly and Rep. Abike DabiriErewa.

One star of the lot was Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the incumbent commissioner for works who according to some sources was in serious consideration and a favourite of both Fashola and Tinubu until his own father and a political leader in the state took up a traditional title

in their native Ogun State. One source disclosed that Tinubu gnashed his teeth when news of the father’s decision to become an oba was broken to him.

Another contender on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC is Senator Ganiyu Solomon. The senator, however, is apparently not waiting on Asiwaju and has gone ahead to open a campaign office on Obafemi Awolowo Road, Ikeja in pursuit of his ambition.

Solomon apparently would fight it out on the campaign ground in what could be the most phenomenal challenge to the authority to Tinubu’s lordship of the political landscape.

happening in their party. It is not just in the state here but both at the national level because the party is owned by one person.

So, the people at their branches here also feel they own the party. So, how do people operate in a party like that? So, we are not extending any olive branch to them but we are decamping them. My arms are wide open to receive anyone of them back to PDP. You have less than one year to go, how do you intend to complete some of your on-going projects in the state; and also

,

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

place we can get that money because allocation has gone down by 40% and it is across the entire nation not just Benue. That is not peculiar to Benue because in Ekiti State, Governor Fayemi only started paying the 27.5% which we started paying three years ago.

And there has been no strike in that place. Why is our situation peculiar? All our teachers here needed to do was to stay in class and negotiate but they have been on strike for six months now.

It doesn’t make sense and I have no other place of raising this money except that I and leadership of Benue sacrifice. That is the only way. The other alternative which I have given and which I’m going to do if this does not work is to downsize the workforce by 40%. So, we have two options, either I downsize or people sacrifice N6000, N25,000 given the outrageous salary increase that I gave them.

It is over one month since the Chibok school girls were abducted. What is your reaction to this?

Dealing with terrorism is a very difficult thing. You will agree with me that even the developed nations like America, Israel, Britain and others who have suffered terrorism, it took them years to come out of it. Even in the UK where the IRA was a thorn in the flesh of their government, that took more than 20 years for it to

We are not extending any olive branch to them but we are decamping them. My arms are wide open to receive anyone of them back to PDP

resolve the nagging issue of minimum wage for striking primary school teachers?

I’m going to prioritize some of the projects and as for the teachers’ strike, I hope to end it this month. I have taken some measures which I believe will address that because we cannot keep our children out of school for six months. I don’t sleep because I went through the same process like most of us here.

Majority of us went through public primary school and so, why should we kill these public schools? What I’m doing is asking everyone of us to sacrifice.

When I came in, some staff who were on grade level seven who were taking N19,000 are now collecting N61,000. I’m the one who increased those salaries in that manner and I’m asking that let us take N6000 out of that amount to enable our children return to school.

The permanent secretaries, when I came were collecting N73, 000 and now are now taking over N400, 000 and all I ask is that they give us N25, 000 out of that money. I don’t think that is too much. There is no other

,

finally subside. When Al-Qaeda bombed the World Trade Center in New York, it took them a long time to track down those people.

You see, it is a new phenomenon that nobody anticipated and when it comes, you must absorb the shock and then find an appropriate way of addressing it.

The Israelis, when they suffered terrorism, when the situation of Black September happened during the games in Germany, it took them a long while to be able to track down those black September terrorists. So, I’ve not slept as I imagine my own blood child of 14 or 15 years in the hands of those animals. So, no parent or any reasonable person will sleep.

Let us sit together irrespective of our party affiliation and address this problem. It is something that affects everybody both Christians, Muslims and even pagans. So my own considered opinion is that let us all join hands together with government and with the help and assistance now being offered by the international community, I believe that this problem will be put to rest once and for all.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—27

2015: Enugu North demands more ment he is representing they are entitled to equal treatment and they are entitled to proper representation.

The people of Enugu North Senatorial zone have been clamouring for the governorship of the state. However, they are not ready to accept the office hook, line and sinker

BY TONY EDIKE, ENUGU

I

T was a dinner to honour one of their own who had recently been appointed into the board of the Board of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The man of the moment was Mr. Chinedu Onu representing the Southeast geopolitical zone in the board of the TETFund, but the guest of honour was Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate who facilitated the appointment.

But the oracle or main speaker of the day was former minister of information, Chief Nnia Nwodo who used the opportunity to press home the demand by the Nsukka people for representation in various level of governance.

Given the almost universal call by the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to zone the governorship of the state to Nsukka, Nwodo was to bring another dimension to the people’s demand that day with his call for independent assertion in the election.

He said that Nsukka people

ception.

“One local government in this state has taken governor, they have taken Chief of Staff by extension, they have taken the Attorney-General, which is the first Commissioner of a state, they have taken the Secretary to Government, they have taken Minister of •Chime the Federal Republic of Nigeria, they have taken special adviser, they have taken Class A Ambassador, and they have dominated our executive with reckless abandon.

“They have moved to the parastatals, they have the Chief Medical Director of Enugu Teaching Hospital; they have been ViceChancellor of this University twice, and walk around as if they are the emperor of the state. Nsukka has remained quiet and in dungeon,” Nwodo said.

Continuing, the former minister

,

We want a governor who will know Aninri, Ezeagu, Uzo-Uwani, Igboeze North and South are part of Enugu State and treat them equally

would not want anybody to dash them governor stressing that they were only interested in having a governor that would get the endorsement of the people through the ballot box.

His words: “We the people of Nsukka want to be governor of this state but we don’t want anybody to dash us a governor. We want to choose which of our children is fit to be governor. What is disturbing among our children who want to be governor is that none has the courage to come out and say I want to be governor.

‘Thank God that the Nigerian road is now double and let me tell you sir, (turning to Ekweremadu) the people in this audience from Nsukka belong to a bipartisan platform, they are not only in your party; if your party doesn’t do us well, we shall leave you, but if you do us well, we shall follow you.”

He lamented the marginalization being suffered by Nsukka people presently saying no Nsukka person was considered for appointment into any of the top cabinet positions by the regime just as the University of Nigeria, UNN, hosted by Nsukka had not been allowed to produce an indigenous Vice Chancellor and other top officials of the institution since its in-

,

said, “We walked in shame as if we were nobody; that shame has continued till today. This University (UNN) has principal officers of Librarian, Bursar, Registrar and Vice-Chancellor; no Nsukka man has occupied any of these four

Proper representation

•Nwodo seats since the beginning of this University. If I’m wrong please prove me wrong. We have never been found qualified to occupy any of these important positions.

“The Vice-Chancellorship of this University will be vacant in a few weeks; I do not want to predict doom but we should not take our docility for granted because we do not take the instrument of violence in our hands, because we respect constituted authority, and wee because we respect the government in power because we put him there; don’t take us for granted.

There is no part of Nigeria where this kind of ignominy will be visited on a people and they remain docile. Our people have had enough of it.’

He thanked Senator Ekweremadu for ensuring the appointment of Mr. Onu into the TETFund board even when he (Onu) is not from his senatorial zone, stressing that “with a man like you whose ingenuity has helped to ensure that we have peace and

stability in Nigeria, you shall not allow Nsukka to erupt. Ekweremadu If you are willing to rise I am willing to rise with you.”

Addressing the people, Chief Ekweremadu stressed the need to give opportunity to honest people to get into leadership position saying Nigeria would be a much better place the moment people are trusted and selfless were given the chance to lead.

The Deputy Senate President pledged to work closely with Nsukka people to ensure the emergence of the next governor from the zone butt noted that the governor that the people of the need “is one that will see the entire Enugu state as his constituency and treat every part of the state as his own.”

Said Ekweremadu: “We want a governor who will know Aninri, Ezeagu, Uzo-Uwani, Igboeze North and South are part of Enugu State and treat them equally.

That is the type of leadership we want; we want a senator who will believe that every local govern-

When we get such people, Nigerians will not bother where you come from, they want people who will deliver their mandate, who will deliver their promises, people who will serve them with honesty and be able to ensure that there is justice.

“I want to tell you that unless there is justice you will never know peace; a man you rob of justice will not be interested in peace. So that is what we should begin to strive, to ensure that in this state, there is justice at all times, justice to everybody, justice to every part of this state. Unless that happens we will never know peace. So we believe that whoever is going to be the next governor of Enugu state will not only be interested in delivering democracy dividends, but must be interested in ensuring justice to every part of Enugu state.”

“So I’m not here for politics, I will like to assure the people of Nsukka that whatever is their aspiration, I Ike Ekweremadu will support it. I’m going to support it genuinely and honestly because I believe in a just society.

Now, some people will begin to wonder what is my interest in Nsukka, my interest is nothing more than that God has given me an opportunity, a privilege in this country and I believe that my state should benefit from it no matter any part of the state it might be; whether it is Enugu West, Enugu East or Enugu North, they are entitled to benefit from the opportunity the society has given me in this country.”

Insecurity‘ll worsen without credible polls — Ikunna Born in England in 1966 where he spent the first 10 years of his life, Joseph Chukwuka Ikunna, an entrepreneur with exceptional management skills and the founder of the Joseph Chukwuka Ikunna (JCI) foundation, has recorded impressive achievements in the business world as well as in humanitarian services. As an entrepreneur, Joseph Ikunna sits atop various businesses which cut across oil and gas and general commerce. An active member of ‘Ndi Igbo Lagos’, he was one-time chairman of the labour Committee of ‘Aka- Ikenga’ and also a member of the Nigerian Institute of marketers. In this interview, Ikunna, shares his aspirations and dreams of a more prosperous Imo State.

W

•Ikuna

HAT inspired the JCI foun dation?

Being a strong believer in the concept of giving, I have always believed that if God blesses you, you must share those blessings with people who have less and who don’t have the same opportunities as you.

Accumulation of wealth is therefore not important; we should strive for

a positive legacy, by positively impacting and influencing the lives of the people around us through our deeds. Understanding this and witnessing the level of poverty around me, in 2009, my wife and I decided to start the JCI foundation.

In what ways has the foundation impacted on the lives of the people of Orlu Continues on page 28

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

A

NY place, anytime, insurgency news appears always tragic.

Nothing had become more tragic in USA than the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York, killing and maiming hundreds of people of various nationalities. Since then, citizens of United States have become more security conscious and the government of the United States has become the world leader in antiterrorism crusade.

In Nigeria, the Boko Haram insurgency which started as a minor offensive group has grown out of proportion to become an international terror group that requires international collaboration for its eventual defeat and total annihilation. Judging by the array of weapons (security advices) set against the terrorists; it is a matter of time to see the end of any type of insurgency in the country.

It is true that many approaches to terminate terrorism have foundered on the mighty rocks of optimism or lack of proper understanding of its structure and major characteristics. There is no doubt that terrorism has long been under estimated that the gallant security forces seem to look like Barmaid Shaws “Chocolate soldiers”. The terrorists appeared to have the ability to strike at will with deadly precision, confusing and confounding many civilians and security personnel as well.

However, it is not false optimism (though not cautious) to envisage the end of Boko Haram through assumed consciousness of all patriotic Nigerians and international help. First, Nigerian politicians must forget now the romance of 2015 elections and the doomsday forecast of all local and foreign pessimists. It is clear that the Nigerian politicians could kill or maim to achieve influence, power and money which the political uncertainties of 2015 offer. The crossing over of certain politicians and their followers from the same party of the same political ideology and economic principle, but bearing different names, appears as a treasonable diversion at this moment of

The insurgency tragedy: What next? need for unity.

It is a pity that those calling for less emphasis on 2015 elections are being grossly misunderstood. Many things have been left undone in the pursuit of democratic dividends – peace and prosperity. If the resolution at the National Conference could point the right way to achieving the position of egalitarianism and prosperity under a peaceful environment, it is worth the trouble. This looks as a very nice opportunity that should not be missed.

The eventual restoration of peace should have the decentralization of security apparatus in mind. A single police unit in a federal set-up is undesirable. Each zone should be able to maintain its police and other security apparatus without undermining the existence of the federal Nigeria Police Force. Any zone that is not ready for such a step should be left to catch up later. The same goes with the Judiciary – each zone to have its Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court. The Federal Supreme Court would be the final arbiter in all legal matters. Such arrangements would create greater opportunities for more employment at the zonal level; apart from reducing heavy job loads on the shoulders of federal courts and law officers.

It is generally agreed that political arrangements in a plural society should

be so arranged that no section of the society is cheated. In the distribution of amenities and the exercise of political power, care must be taken that the minority is not suppressed by care-free majority. The main problem with the present 36 states structure is that except in some lucky states in South East, South West and Bayelsa, other states feature predominant tribes and restless minorities.

While hopes are rising for the cessation of hostilities within the country, efforts should be seen working towards electoral reforms which would usher in responsible government of the people by the people for the people. This is possible where election is free and fair and electoral rules are clear and simple.

It is suggested that election to be fair in a plural society must produce a government approved by all members of the community. This is possible in a situation where proportional representation method of voting is adopted. The government will be formed on the basis of votes secured by each party. In a multi-party system, if party A scores 40%, party B- 35% and party C- 25%, the result would be a coalition government of A, B and C parties. This arrangement leaves no party isolated and no room for divisive politics.

The present experience of Nigeria is the opposite; it is “winner takes all” mentality. The winning party takes all offices, shares all booties and distributes juicy posts to its supporters leaving the Opposition to sulk and plan evil.

The beauty of the Swiss democracy is that its federal government is a coalition of its main political parties. Its major decisions are agreed to by all parties in the Cabinet. Thus, Switzerland enjoys a relatively politically stable state supported by economic prosperity.

Though German, French and Italian human and materials predominate, there is nothing like Ibo problem, Yoruba agenda and Northern hegemony as we have in Nigeria.

As a friend phoned me last night that even if Boko Haram insurgency ends, there would still be problems of mass unemployment, power supply (not stable under federal government control, and sometimes epileptic under private ownership) and unequal distribution of income. Where unemployment is growing (especially amongst university graduates), there is tendency for idle hands to find some sinister work to do. Inadequate power supply would tend to retard economic expansion and unequal distribution of national resources would always cause disaffection.

It has been stated many times that a serious government in order to increase will have to reject funds into the economy to stimulate effective demands and therefore, increase opportunities for extra production of goods. This is possible under a policy of budget deficits (spending more than what is taken in, in taxes) for infrastructural developments and not consumption.

In a policy of full employment, there is no room for tightened monetary policy as being presently pursued by the Central Bank.

All these problems have to be addressed even when Boko Haram insurgency is forgotten.

2015: Insecurity ‘ll worsen without credible polls — Ikunna Continues from page 27 Senatorial zone and Imo State?

In Orlu zone, we’ve rehabilitated impassable roads, installed street lights in some communities, which are powered daily by our generators, provided water in communities that do not have, empowered women and youths with funds for training and to start up small businesses. We have also encouraged women through our breast and cervical cancer tests, of which a major round of testing will commence within the next couple of months. We’ve assisted organizations in building youth centres; donated exercise books, text books, chairs and desks to schools, embarked on youth-focused computer literacy training and also given out laptops and used clothes to youths and children. The foundation organises a number of sports competitions annually as a way of exposing grassroots talent to the state, country and the world. In fact, there are a whole range of things we have done to empower our youths and women to a certain extent but there’s still a long way and a whole lot more that needs to be done.

So far, has the foundation received support from any organizations?

No, not at all because I have not solicited for that yet.

What is your advice to politicians on

the 2015 elections?

Can we please have free and fair elections in 2015? Let there be no rigging, let INEC do its job properly. If we do not have free and fair elections, I fear that the security issues in this country will increase and more people will lose their lives.

While I say that we have to keep on fighting over and again for our democracy, I think 2015 is a time and a year in which the people of this country must fight more than ever before to protect our democracy, if not, the country Nigeria in its current form might not exist beyond 2015.

What is your thought on serving your people if called upon to do so via elections?

I have not made up my mind whether I want to contest for an elected position or what that position would be.

However, if that opportunity arose and I see that it is feasible and the conditions are right, and it is at the request of the people that they want me to serve them in a particular capacity, after due consultation with my wife, I will probably consider it positively.

But it’s not something I will want to think about at this stage because we are still serving the people in different ways. There has been a lot of speculations that I may be about to declare for certain electoral positions but those speculating do not understand how

flawed our democracy is at the moment and what it takes to win. Popularity and ability is not enough to win an election in Imo State today. You need a platform, and you need those that were there before you, to give you their blessing, otherwise one risk wasting the good will people have for one.

Are you at the moment affiliated to any political party based on their ideology?

I am not so sure that political parties in Nigeria are based on ideology. M o s t p e o p l e g o i n t o politics today for what they want to gain and benefit. So when it comes to pure and strict ideology, I’ll tell you that, that political party has not yet been set up; and if it has, it has not been registered.

Involvement in politics If I have to get involved in politics, I will have to join any of the existing parties; I have been a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) card-carrying member for a number of years now, so I think if I was going to get involved in politics, that’s where I will start from, not because of their ideology or anything, but to see what changes I can make to the society.

Above all, I will like to see a political party that encourages more young

people and more women. We should have Senators in their 40’s, we should have governors in their 30s, and we should have people going to the Federal House of Representative in their 30’s. Look at the setup of the current confab and ask yourself whether it’s a reflection of the society in general, the answer to that is ‘no!’ A particular group of people that do not represent the statistics of the country as a whole have been sent to deliberate on matters that are very important to us all.

What is the average age in the confab and what is the average age in Nigeria? When you look at its set up, you are forced to ask yourself, can these people possibly come up with what the entire society of Nigeria needs? Our government is a poor reflection of the society. I am sure that if there had been more women in the Senate, they wouldn’t have been able to pass the bill on under-age child marriage. I am sure that if the Imo state House of Assembly had between 30 to 50 percent of women, there would be a strong fight against female genital mutilation which goes on in Imo State today and has harmed the lives of thousands of women. This is something I am very much against. We need strong legislation to protect our girls from rape, and strong punishments for perpetrators.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—29

French model of immigrant integration ‘T

RAVELLING abroad was never in my plans, but when the opportunity presented itself, I could not decline and so, I became an immigrant in France. I was welcomed with open arms upon arrival, but at present, the situation is no longer safe.

I find it difficult to integrate into the French society, more so, the climatic condition of the country as well as police frequent and random identification checks make life

less interesting.”

These are the words of a Nigerian immigrant who travelled to France for continuous business transactions with a brother, but felt embittered with the impartiality of the French model of immigrant integration.

According to the source, (names with held), “many of our men and women in France still find it hard to move freely, and slowly, they are being stripped of their rights, even as a non-immigrant.

“The laws introduced almost

on a monthly basis have made it even harder for foreigners to live here. Many of us are treated like second-class citizens and often times, subjected to oblige on detrimental condition, else, stand the risk of spending the rest of our days in custody,” source said.

He also stated that Africans, mostly Nigerians, make up the bulk of France’s estimated number of immigrants, totaling above 6.9 million and it is almost impossible to jump ID checks, which on many occasions, ended up into

detaining the victims, and or ended in fatal results.

“Although, I have never been subjected to any form of ID checks since arrival in

,

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

reason to have left the shores of their countries to foreign countries abroad and should be treated fairly with some measure of respect, rather the

I have lost count of the number of times reports of denial of opportunity to a good job to many Nigerian reputed men and women France, owing to my visa status, I regrettably condemn the anti-discrimination legislations here. Many immigrants have a better

,

reverse was always the case, as a large number of them however, are accommodated in prisons.”

The population of African immigrants in prisons is a clear indication that France’s discriminating attitude towards immigrants is glaring and well above abuse of human rights,” he submitted.

Vanguard Consular Advisory also gathered that African immigrants are usually subjected to meager jobs and are denied the chances of declaring their eligibility in the country ’s civil service jobs.

Satisfying job in France In other words, it is much more imaginative than anything for an immigrant to think of a satisfying job in France, no matter his or her e d u c a t i o n a l qualification.

Also suggesting a way forward, our source stressed the importance of allowing immigrants feel at home in several countries of abode abroad, as long as they migrated with the intention of taking part in nurturing and growing those countries economies.

Continuing, he said, “I have lost count of the number of times reports of denial of opportunity to a good job to many Nigerian reputed men and women. And each time I was told by French friends and business colleagues that they would rather appreciate individuals from other African countries, than Nigeria, my heart bleeds.

I know I left Nigeria as a Ghanaian, I sometimes conclude that France has more in common with Nigerians than it does with those from the other African countries it preferred to associate with.”

30— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Miracles happen by dancing to my music - Solo Urete I

soko gospel musician, Solo Urete, is not a pretender on the scene, he is a man who knows what it takes to make music and he is about it with vigour. With the release of his 54-track dance medley titled Jehovah Overdo, Solo announces his preparedness to take on the world of gospel music, not only the Isoko kingdoms but a larger audience, comprising of other tribes as he has infused more languages to his music for wider appeal. In a recent encounter with WG Solo lets us into his music, his personal life and the reason behind his music.

Excerpts:

By JULIET EBIRIM

Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Y name is Evangelist S o l o m o n Ogagaoghene Urete. I’m from Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

I’m a music artiste.

What kind of music do you do?

I do the gospel Niger-Delta kind of music called the Ebio music. The word Ebio is dance, so Ebio music means dancing.

We, the Niger- Deltans dance a lot.

How and when did you start music?

I started music professionally in 1995. We started as evangelists, preaching the ‘word’ from one village to the other. I sang in the choir too. Then I started going to the studio, but it wasn’t working, but I kept trying, till I did Jehovah Overdo. Actually, I have done 12 albums. Jehovah Overdo is the 13th album. A lot of people told

M

I can never be attracted to a poor man — Lizzy Gold C M Y K

me to quit when things were not working, but because I know the God I serve, I kept trying.

What are some of those challenges you encountered in the course of your journey?

One major challenge is finance. When you are doing something and it’s not working, nobody appreciates you. They say ‘Failure is an orphan’. Inadequate finance is not an excuse for failure though, as long as the vision is there, one day, you’ll definitely make it.

Why did you choose the Ebio kind of music? want to be myself. I’m from Delta, I can’t be an Igbo,Yoruba or a White man.

So, I choose to be myself, because I know the beginning and end of this music. If it is well packaged, it will be well appreciated. I discovered that a lot of people like this kind of

I

music, but they sing it wrongly, mixing up the dialects and confusing the message of the song and even end up abusing themselves inadvertently. So, I decided to make it right for the lovers of the music and that’s basically why I chose to do this kind of music.

Why not secular music? can’t do secular music.

I’ve been serving God since my childhood. I know the

I

There is so much to learn from the Bible and most of my songs are derived from the Bible, the teachings, the words of God and even experiences therein Bible, it’s the beginning of every song. I can compose songs when I l look at the Bible. All my songs are from the Bible.

What inspires you?

The word of God. All the Psalms of David are songs. If you read the Bible well, it’s

COSON, BON embrace peace at last! ...sign MoU

very inspiring. There is so much to learn from the Bible and most of my songs are derived from the Bible, the teachings, the words of God and even experiences therein.Secondly, I listen to people a lot and I’m also inspired by life experiences.

Why did you choose music?

When you have a talent, you’ll just enjoy doing it even if it doesn’t pay. I started by singing in church. It’s not as if I went to a competition or that someone discovered me, I just found myself singing in church. I never knew I’ll end up being a musician.

On your album, you said ‘Sing and dance till something happens’. Do you expect people to experience miracles while dancing to your songs?

This music has blessed Continues on page 31

Few tricks you never knew with your iPad/iPhone

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—31

Miracles happen by dancing to my music — Solo Urete I do core native African songs, I go to the roots.

I’ve played with them on stages in the past, but we are yet to do any studio production together. But if God permits, we might do that one day.

What project are you working on currently I just came out with Jehovah Overdo Part 2. I’m currently working towards making the video.

Jehovah Overdo has to do with the exceeding favour and grace of God. His word says that he’s able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. A

Continues from page 30 thousands of people. When you listen to it, you hear the word of God accompanied by instruments and it inspires you. I’ve had testimonies from a lot of people who listened to the music while encountering one form of challenge or the other and the burden was lifted. Many homes have also been united through this music.

By listening to my music and dancing to it, something is bound to happen in your life as they contain nothing but words of God which heals. Yes, miracles happen by listening and dancing to my music.

What gives you the greatest joy about what you do?

I’m overjoyed when I get testimonies from people about my music. It’s not about the money, but the impact my music has on people’s lives. I know the money will come, but my greatest joy is that people love the music and it has a positive impact on them.

Is that what has kept you despite the challenges?

Yes and I’m doing the work of God and I can’t quit. I know that gradually the money will come.

Don’t you do shows?

I do, it’s my job, but I don’t put money first.

But you get paid for shows?

Of course, I get paid, but I don’t go after money. I have to eat, so I must be given some amount of money, but that’s not my top priority.

What distinguishes you from other Niger Delta gospel artistes like Sammy Okposo, Asu Ekiye and others?

They are my seniors in the industry.

C M Y K

I’m overjoyed when I get testimonies from people about my music. It’s not about the money, but the impact my music has on people’s lives lot of people never thought they would have achieved the level of success they have achieved, but God did it for them.

He gives you more than you ever imagined.

What was the title of your first album?

When I started singing initially, I was doing core Isoko songs before I diversified. The title of my first album is Oyolemeno, which means ‘He has answered my prayers’. I sing songs of hope and faith.

Are you married?

I am happily married with four kids – two boys and two girls. My wife is Mrs.Caroline Urete.

Who are those you look up to in the music industry?

I want to be like Asu Ekiye, but I have a mentor, a man that has really trained me. Most people think I’m based in Delta State because I’m usually involved in all his work. He is Evangelist Emmanuel Ofano, he is my mentor. Even though I want to be like Jesus, physically I would like to be like that man. He is a father to me and I learnt a lot from him.

N O B , COSON at last! e c a e p e c a embr U o M n g i s ...

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

A

FTER months of war of words and disagreements, the Copyright Society of Nigeria,COSON and the Nigerian broadcasting industry under the auspices of Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria,BON, and Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria,IBAN have finally agreed to sheathe their swords as they embrace peace again.

The bodies have been at loggerheads for over seven months now, following the latter’s decision to stop the airplay of musical works belonging to Nigerian artistes registered with the former over the payment of royalties.

The peace process was sealed on Wednesday, after the parties gathered at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

The signing of the MOU was witnessed by the DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Mr Emeka Mba, Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission,NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude, Mr Umar Emakpore, former Director-General of NBC who initiated the peace process, foremost broadcaster, Julie Coker, chairman of Broadcasting

Organisation of Nigeria, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa, Chairman COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji and Mr. Kenny Ogungbe who represented the chairman of Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria.

Speaking at event, Director-General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba said, the essence of the MoU was to open a new chapter for the nation’s creative industry.

According to him, the struggle is not about the broadcasting, but also, it’s about the entire industry and having respect for intellectual property in the country. “Signing of the MoU will set a new standard for those who are abusing the works of creativity,” Mr Mba said.

Mr. Umar Emakpore who is also the Chief negotiator, said, the essence of the MOU was to create a level playing ground for the warring bodies. He, however, urged the parties to ensure that they respect the MoU to the letters.

Both chairman of Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa, Chairman COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji and Mr. Kenny Ogungbe who represented the chairman of Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, respectively expressed happiness for ending their seven-month old feud on a good note.”I am extremely happy to be part of history today. We are together and and together we will move this industry forward,” said Kenny Ogungbe.

Chairman COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji and Mr. Kenny Ogungbe

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Stories By AYO ONIKOYI

Divas who expressed love for money, sex!

Poor men T

can do and undo – Liz

By Kehinde Ajose

he stories that dominate the media these days are usually tied to the tripartite of money, power and sex. The Nigerian entertainment scene isn’t an exception as some of our entertainment divas have openly expressed their love for money and sex. It is not as if those featured here, are the only ones, they have only been honest enough to express it. In no particular order, here are your favourite divas who are not ashamed to declare their love for money and sex.

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I have a lot of sex toys — Maheeda

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VER since she launched her gospel of nudity, Maheeda, who calls herself the Holy Chick, has been feeding her fans all over with her raunchy pictures. Going nude in her music videos, showing the world she has a fabulous body, her blackberry fans aren’t spared too as she inundates them with nude pictures of herself on daily basis. Hear her:”I have sex at least once every day, and if there’s no guy around me, I’ll help myself by masturbating. I have a lot of sex toys; in fact, I’m a regular customer. It’s like food to me, and you have to eat. It is very healthy and it gives you the right curves and my body is used to it,” she said in an interview.

I can never be attracted to a poor man

Liz Anjorin

it , d n i bl t o n e is h e c v U o l My money – loves gait that merakaensd h a ITH rool over entre of d c r n e e h rn m akes S t a t e - b o le m t a ib th o hips t i o n , I m e irresist ose h t n f w e o t s h e at is on actresse her fans e h c U wood sets make Nolly cal assets their TV Aci phys lued to is on air. an g y he wom a t s ver s her:’ “A e indee n e wh n g t o o b why self t i cord make her an, that’s ney. must ent of a m or my mo can f pend to work ot mean I eve n v s o l an. N oe I hat d a poor m ardworkt t u B with an. I t be h settle man mus be my m ith w er! A d rich to business e in n v a y e i n g l a e n i ve Ib a , h an I s t e ’ Y don r man. ot me d I n s e n a poo u t t h a t d o e l o v e a v b o l e v I o l lind. am b oney.” m love

W

– Lizzy Gold

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ORMER Miss Delta state and fast-rising actress Lizzy Gold Onuwaje does not hesitate to hide her views when it comes to her inclination in men and the fact that she cannot have an affair with a man whose bank account isn’t fat. The outspoken beauty opened up in a recent interview with Vanguard , hear her : ‘It’s not like I’m a very rude person, but I’m blunt and friendly at the same time.

But I like rich guys, if you are not rich; I can never be attracted to you. I like rich, clean, fresh guys. When I say rich, I don’t mean ‘Yahoo’ kind of guys, because they are not hardworking. I want a guy who is consistent with his work and rich,”. She continues: ‘It’s not just money; he has to be a man down there!’

C M Y K

IGHT-skinned and charming actress, Liz Anjorin who recently launched her long anticipated film ‘ Kofo-‘ The First Lady’ isn’t one to walk the lane of popular opinion. Whenever she is dissatisfied withsomething she finds a solution to it.

She recently converted from Christianity to Islam amidst harrowing criticisms and once said she cannot compromise her standards by marrying a poor man:” Poor men are terrible people. They can do and undo. Because they don’t have money or name to protect, they will be ruthless. They will even be after your life. You will see them going from one newspaper to another, saying nasty things about you. A comfortable man will hardly go on air to abuse his wife.

ng i o g ot n m a im.

I d s with h to s e in n s u n , a rystal perform I hatvoebneo ab complettoe mmaarry a x e s e ay ve You ha e. I don’t pr ho can comm w I lov etend – C h n t i a w m ve sex, a be an but are of me. I lo etend I m r r o o p take c t going to pr n fake to p fortably ls eve m no

C

•Lizzy Gold

RYSTAL Okoye can be de scribed as a fresh face in Nollywood yet she describes herself as having the best shape in Nollywood. It is crystal clear that Crystal will mince no words when it comes to her choice of man and her sexual choice .In her words: ‘’ A God-fearing and understanding man who will love me. It doesn’t matter if he is rich or poor. What is most important to me is love and he has to be a complete man. I am not one of those women who would tell you sex doesn’t matter, it matters a lot in a marriage. If a man cannot

and I a know most gire their partdon’t. I just to pleas at kind of orgasm t I am not th ners bu

•Crystal Okoye

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 —33

C M Y K

34

— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

FEMME FATALE: Deconstructin the Politics of Sexuality

BY ANINO AGANBI FEMME Fatale is a term that has been used extensively as a stereotypical representation of women in literature, cinema and visual arts throughout the century. What does femme fatale mean to women? Does it empower or limit you? Men need to be disabused of the notion they have of placing women either in the role of mothers or whores.

Medina Dugger, the art curator at African Artists Foundation (AAF) says the platform was started as a means to identify creative women in the community because they were not being heard.

The exhibition was not restricted to Nigerian Women alone; several women have come from around the globe to exhibit their works. The programme is basically about self awareness and identity building. Women every where are being put in a mold.

It is assumed that because you are a wife and mother you can’t do other things but this should not restrict women from finding means of expressing themselves. The exhibition is being used as a forum for network exchange. The exhibitors would also mentor secondary school girls for two months using the youth empowerment scheme (YECA).

Exhibiting artistes Some of the exhibiting artists present were Tyna Adebowale, Jenevieve Aken, Karima Ashadu, Elisa Bortolussi, Sesu Tilley Gyado amongst others.

Women naturally have the tendency to be creative but it doesn’t necessarily have to be visual. You can be creative decorating your homes, baking cake, writing and lots of others. Creativity is not all about visual art. All of these gives you an out let and would make you have high esteem of yourself.

For women out there who are creative and don’t give it much thought, dig into your creativity and it just might make you happy. African artist foundation hopes to make this event running every year and expand on the mentor ship aspect. We want to reach out to the public and show them that women are capable and have

•Shannon Lawrence ,Jenevieve Aken ,Selina Sutherland of ROF ,Tari Sikoki ,Carmen Sutherland of ROF,Elisa Bortolussi ,Omoligho Udenta . wonderful works of art.

Tari Sikoki, writer, scholar and feminist portrays her work through stories. Basically, there are issues of misconcep-

tion that rules the world at large even when people try not to be racists. Just as cultural representations of blackness, Nigeria-ness and Africa-

ness exist, so also do damaging representations of womanhood and female sexualities.

The merging of these into representations of African female

sexualities uncovers stereotypes that are historically rooted. The preconceived ideas men have about women, especially African women needs to

Girl-child education: Satellite Central Lio

By DOTUN IBIWOYE

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HE learning environment of the girl-child students goes a long way in affecting their focus , assimilation and also hold the key to the well being of their families, neighbourhoods and nation.

If given quality basic education, and skills the confidence and befitting place to learn, their contributions to the society will be multiplied in many folds and the Satellite Cental Lions Club recently renovated a school in Lagos.

The amazon behind the renovation was the 2013-2014 President of the Club, Lion Muna Anozia and her Club Members of Lions Club who left no stones unturned in giving succour to the students.

Hitherto, Fazil Omar Ahmadiyah (FOA) Nursery and Primary School 3 located at Okokomaiko Lagos, needed complete facelift. Hence the Club de-

•Right-left: Lion Kelani, Lion Muna Anozia, President, Lion Grace Egieya, project di tor, all of Satellite Central Lions Club and Mr. Tolani Sule, Executive Secretary, Educat Ojo LGA during the renovation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

but I was able to communicate. The appreciation I got for counseling them and helping to take care of their health is my reward, because it means that I have been able to impact a change in their lives. I believe that when I go back to the US, they will put what I taught them to practice. I appreciate their willingness to live a healthy life.

Main focus?

I am a hospitalist and by that, I am exposed to different health conditions ranging from minor to critical. I love the fact that I am able to counsel people because a lot of them don’t know the basic things they can do to stay healthy and prevent those chronic conditions that could cut short someone’s life.

I take a lot of time educating people and increasing awareness on solutions to health challenges. And because of my focus which is not aimed at administering drugs but teaching people how to prevent diseases and infections, I do a lot of nutritional counseling to help people not to be diabetic, hypertensive, etc. In a situation where the person requires medication, it is hoped that with adherence to counseling within a short period, the person begins to live without drugs. So far, the people I have met and counseled have added to the experience I’ve gathered over the years as a hospitalist.

ng be eradicated. If women want the opinion of their being weaker sexes changed, they need to stop seeing themselves as clingy, needy women. The definition of equality varies with different people. For change to be possible, our society needs to be willing to go about that change.

Jenevieve Aken, photographer and model tells her story through pictures on a woman through different stages of undress. The way in which a woman dresses tells its own tale. A woman who is half dressed is probably referred to as a seductress not minding if she dressed with seduction in mind or not.

Should a woman be proud of her sexuality or is it something she needs to be ashamed of?

Omoligho Udenta, lecturer, graphic artist. She works in a field that is highly dominated by men .she endeavours that the men and women she teaches work well together regardless of their sex. She inculcates team work among them so that the idea of men being better than women is not too rampant. She further encourages women to be more creative in whatever they do.

The Third Female Artists’ Exhibition was organized by the African Artist Foundation (AAF) as a platform to bring together women with one goal. It was started to give a voice to women artistically.

•Dr Olujoke Jones

To stay healthy, women must win war against illiteracy, poverty – Dr Olujoke Jones

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU DR. Olujoke Jones is a US based Nigerian trained physician. She trained at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. With a two-year training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the United Kingdom,and Internal Medicine Residency training in New York, Dr Jones managed a rural health clinic in Mississippi as well as set up a Biametric practice before proceeding to hospital medicine. With a pas-

ons Club upgrades learning

irection,

cided to take it as a project in order to make the school suitable for learning.

According to her: “Once you become the President of your club, you look for a core project to carry out.

Therefore I visited FOA School 3, saw that it was in utter disrepair, an environment not conducive for learning. I and my members adopted this project for children irrespective of whether or not they are of privileged background.

“We are happy that we have been able to touch lives. We have

— 35

plans for other interventions such as eye screening, diabetes screening, and care for old people, the deaf and dumb so on.

For example, we have the Lions Youth Outreach Program which we believe is ‘Changing Tomorrow Today’. This is to help and challenge youth to learn, to achieve and to serve.

There is also the annual Peace Poster Contest where students of secondary schools exercise their creative minds through paintings.

During this Lions Year, Lions encourage reading habit through visits to improved libraries. Also by providing books and allocating time for students to read at all times, children are urged to imbibe reading.

At the National or local level, Lions Club organisze quiz competitions. We believe this will expose children to be creative and be original at discussing topics concerning their environment and world issues

All of what I have analyzed are done purely on charity basis depending on the funds we have available. Most of the funds however come through donations at our annual investitures of Presidents and other officers of the club.

sion for mission work, having worked as a hospitalist for 8th years, Jones set up ‘Labours of Love Mission’, a platform through which she reaches out to people.

She was in Nigeria recently with a 10-man team of medical personnel where they ministered to the health needs of women at different places. During the Succour for Women Care Experience?

Y experience with the women in Nigeria has been wonderful and very rewarding. My team had loaded programme and so we chose 8th of May as best to work with other health collaborators at SWCF health programme.

This is home coming for me and as you know, there’s no place like home. I grew up here in Nigeria and went to high school here before going to the US. Many times I had to apologise to the women that my Yoruba is no longer as good as it used to be

M

Nigeria women’s health?

In terms of health, Nigeria has a long way to go. I discovered that there is a lot of poverty among the people especially the women. A lot of people cannot afford two meals per day how much more a balanced diet. This is a big problem because when anyone is faced with such serious situation, you just have to survive. Usually in this condition, there are lots of things on one’s list and health is like the last thing on the individual’s priority. People are struggling to get common food and water on a daily basis and that is why their health is impaired. Many Nigerians just want to survive.

Let me share this experience. During a testing and counseling exercise, women were on queue and at some point; I was alerted about a woman who had 7months old twins. She was breastfeeding them because she had no money for extra formula. My team asked me if I could see her since it wasn’t her turn I said yes and she was brought in. She had each child on each breast. She looked so pale and worn out as though she would pass out the next minute. We pulled her out of the crowd and attended to her and the babies. Thereafter, I discovered she hadn’t taken a common cup of water that day and didn’t know the importance of water to one’s health especially during breastfeeding.

So apart from poverty, lack of adequate information is another major undermining factor to women’s health. Since there is so much hardship in the country, indigent women should be taught that they do not need to pay so much to survive.

Can you imagine that from our experience, some people are moving about with blood pressure of 200 over 100 without knowing. I tested a lady whose blood sugar was 400 and when asked if she was diabetic, she confessed not knowing what diabetes is.

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Bisi Ibidapo-Obe opens adult shop, says demand for sex toys is high

By KEHINDE AJOSE

•Banky W

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ONTROVERSIAL lightskinned Yoruba actress, who became popular for her outstanding role in a movie flick Bisi Omo Logbalogba and as a result of her celebrated romance with Hon. Dino Melaye, has been resting for a while. But it seems the Omo Ologbalogba might have been resting to hit on the next big idea, which definitely has come in form of a movie but lingerie/adult shop which she opened in upscale Magodo area of Lagos.

Elated Bisi revealed that the idea came to her when she released there is a high demand for sex toys in Magodo. “The demand for sex toys is high, especially around Magodo. More so, women have started paying special attention to their bodies and this has prompted my decision to take this route.

I need to earn a daily income and I intend to sell the toys wholesale.

The sex toys are not exposed

in the open. So customers have no reason to be ashamed or afraid to make purchases. The toys are kept in a remote section of my store. Their privacy is protected and many people are

Nse Ikpe-Etim plays a JJC in Elvis Chucks’ “I Come Lagos”

interested in these toys want to remain unnamed which I respect a lot,” she said.

Banky W to become Ciroc Vodka ambassador

By IYABO AINA

I

T seems this year is going to end well for this music dude, as indications have emerged that Nigerian R&B artist Olubankole Wellington popularly known as Banky W is actually preparing to become Ciroc Vodka ambassador.

The singer who is already an MTN ambassador, might have stylishly announced his new deal with Ciroc Vodka worth millions of dollars.

If the deal sails through, Banky will be joining the likes of P.diddy, Rick Ross, DJ Khalid, French Montana, Olamide and others who have already become faces of the liquor drink.

Banky broke the news when he posted on Instagram; “Taking a #SamsungSelfie, while signing my @MTNNG contract, while sipping on Ciroc. #NaGod#ThankYouJesus #Grateful #andWeAintDoneYet#

Iyanya, Emma Nyra and others birth The Evolution T

By IYABO AINA

T

HE Nigerian entertainment industry is really growing in a fast pace as movies are been premiered and released almost every month.

This time around, popular actress, Nse Ikpe Etim and Mercy Johnson would dazzle the industry in the new sensational movie that has just hit town, ‘’I Come Lagos”.

The hilarious movie we gathered is coming from the stable of the award winning actor, producer and director, Elvis Chucks.

We reliably gathered that the star packed movie will hit the cinemas across the country on Friday, may 23,2014, as it will parade array of stars such as Mercy Johnson, Nse Ikpe Etim, Ik Ogbonna, Chelsea Eze, Clarion Chukwura, Paul Sambo among others.

C M Y K

HE Tripple MG (Made Men Music Group) , the label that houses the talents of Iyanya, Emma Nyra, Tekno , Selobobo, Baci has released the official group album entitled The Evolution.They believe the title evolved as a result of the breath of fresh air and the new age sound that their artistes have infused into the Nigerian music terrain.

Ubi Franklin, the label boss of Tripple MG calls the album a gift to their fans across Africa and the world.

“Your waist” sensation Iyanya says: “This project portrays the different talents that we posses within our camp through music production and vocal range, and I’m very honored to be apart of this Album and the Triple MG enterprise.”

•Emma Nyra

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 —37 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Few tricks you never knew with your iPad/iPhone G etting the iPad or iPhone to belong to the Apple class is just one thing.

Remaining in that class depends on whether you maximize the apps and functionalities available in the gadgets.

For most people, these high class gadgets have become just status symbol. They operate the iPhone or iPad like most legacy communication equipment long phased out.

Now, here are few tricks that may not only make you feel like you know your portable device so much better, but also allow you faster and easy use of them. *You can do more with airplane mode Ordinarily, users know the airplane mode more for keeping their phones from ringing when in a meeting or in the case of an iPad, when entering the plane. But a major problem this feature solves which is not known to many is that if you put your phone on airplane mode, it will charge twice as fast. Try it today and see.

using the devices in the night particularly phones because the dialing pad is dark. But you can invert your colors to turn the screen black and the text white for less eye strain.

To do this, go to Settings, scroll to General and there, locate Accessibility. In the options that will appear, turn on “Invert Colors.”

*You can invert your colors for better nighttime browsing.

You find it difficult

*Create app folders on your iPad Apparently you never knew that on the iPad you can add more apps

to the home row and or add folders to it Even on the bottom dock of the iPad you can add or alternate apps from the four on default.All it takes is to just click any app and hold until you get the jiggly icons.

Then, you can move folders into the folder dock as well. This helps you to keep your most important apps just two clicks away. *Get to the Camera app without having to unlock your phone.

Swipe up on the little camera icon in the bottom right corner of your home screen. The Camera app will open, bypassing the unlock screen.

This is especially handy when something incredibly photo-worthy is happening and you need to access your camera immediately.

It’s also great when handing your phone to others for taking photos — they won’t need to enter in your password.

4G SMILEs getting wider S

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communications is claiming that innovations in its 4G/

LTE broadband platform is giving Nigerians wider smiles. The company is claiming that more than two

months after launch is currently making remarkable difference in Nigeria’s internet access market.

Its commercial launch was touted to follows more than two years of extensive testing and development, which culminated in the launch in 2013 of Smile’s network and service in Ibadan.

Group Chief Operating Officer, Tom Allen, said that Smile Communications will continue to “provide

Nigerians with speed, quality, reliability and simplicity”.

According to Allen, “our customers are already experiencing speed and quality. They will experience average speeds in excess of 6Mbps, and some customers are already running at average speeds in excess of 20Mbps, which is substantially faster than the speed that can be achieved in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom.”

Innovation is the washing machine!

S

omeone once defined a robot as any device that makes like easier for man.

Though simple, that definition is not far from the truth. While technology that can feed, bathe and study on man’s behalf is still in its developing stages, the washing machine, one of the machines created in 1691 to make life easier for man, is evolving tremendously.

Apart from replacing the back-breaking manual method of cleaning wears for many families, washing machines are spotting modern innovations that are bringing development into homes.

However, the difference is that when these machines are dysfunctional or substandard, the fatalities far outweigh the gains.

So when LG electronics introduced its new Front load washing machines recently, Glamtech raised the question of quality, but LG said it was ready to stake its market position in defence of standards of its products are standard.

The product features Intelligent Washing System, Auto Balance, Cycle Reserve System and Load detect. There is also a child lock feature for safety of children.

It has a high temperature water wash that eliminates germs, bacteria and allergens.

Auto restart system built into the machine enables washer to resume wash when power fails and returns.

General Manager, Home Appliance Division, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, said that With a variety of innovative features, such as 6 Motion technology and Direct Drive motors, LG provides more options for getting clothes clean, while being gentle on even the most delicate fabrics. “ Our washing machines have proven time and time again that they are second to none when it comes to performance and value.

LG’s proprietary 6 Motion Direct Drive technology is the magic behind our success and it’s the type of innovation that will continue to drive us toward our goal to create value-added solutions which bring greater convenience and efficiency to our consumers’ everyday life.”

He said that the front loading washing machines earned top ratings in Spain and Italy for superior performance and efficient operation. “Spanish consumer title OCUCompra Maestra and Italian consumer advocacy organization Altro Consumo gave LG washing machine the highest marks in their latest product rankings. In tests carried out for the March edition of Spain’s OCU-Compra Maestro, LG’s front-loading washing machine (Model F10B8NDPA) scored 60 points, earning it the “Mejor del Analisis” (Best Product) award. The machines were rated on their ability in 15 categories, including washing, rinsing, drying, energy efficiency, noise level and convenience.”

38—V anguard 38—Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MAY 23 , 2014

Thinking Beyond Boko Haram

Policing the Nigeria of our dream

T

By SAM IGBE

HERE is no form of government that does not need a police organization in its administration. The oligarchy, the monarchy, and the republican governments of yesteryears, the socialist regimes, ancient and modern, all ran and still run their governments with the active support and participation of the police. Dictatorships, totalitarian, and even military regimes do accept the help of police forces. These governments require the police to keep them in power and frequently use them for personal protection, and for the protection of specific interests associated with the maintenance of their pomp, power, and even their vanity.

Some of the earliest forms of policing in Nigeria were found among the many servants used as palace officials, especially in the central emirates of Northern Nigeria, and the Edo and Yoruba kingdoms of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria. They were appointed by the kings to whom they were responsible, and for whom they combined the roles of bodyguards, messengers, and at times, those of executioners.

Their duties increased, as time passed, with the development of community police functions to apprehend and discipline offenders, and guard the towns during which they were also expected to prevent crimes from being committed. They were effectively used as instruments of their masters for legitimate oppression. This reputation has grown with them as they developed into modernity, and it has become a feature which the modern police force in Nigeria has found difficult to shed.

The need for police to protect rather than oppress citizens has been appropriately established in the legal instruments setting up the modern police force in Nigeria expressed in section 214 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for •Prevention and detection of crime; •Preservation and upholding of law and order; •Apprehension and prosecution of

offenders; •Protection of life and property; •Due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and, •performance of such military duties within and outside Nigeria as may be required of them under the authority of this constitutional provision and any other laws.

The general administration of the police force and the organization of its logistics rest with the Inspector-General of Police, with specific aspects of their administration held by the Police Service Commission and the Ministry of Police Affairs for the President under whose overall powers the force is run. However, in our opinion, the Ministry of Police Affairs seems to constitute the odd man out in the set up, as one does not readily appreciate what the ministry does in the chain that the Police Service Commission cannot take care of.

This is the concluding part of this piece which was first published in Wednesday's edition of Vanguard

BY BOLAJI ABDULLAHI

,

The unclean and insanitary conditions and paucity of police barracks accommodations across the nation, and the general lack of essential working apparatus speak volumes.

T

,

The presence of the ministry in the chain is obviously an unnecessary and unwanted bureaucratic imposition. As a result of ignorance and, or lack of the knowledge of what is appropriate for the force, there are bound to be disturbing delays, and at times deliberate stalling, by biased staff; and, in truth, there are only very few Nigerian civilians who are not, in the Nigerian circumstances, biased against the police. In this respect, the unclean and insanitary conditions and paucity of police barracks across the nation, and the general lack of essential working apparatus speak volumes.

Every effort must be made to eliminate all obvious obstacles to improvement and progress. Perhaps all that is required is a connect to pass policy requests to the President.

To be concluded

HE ossification of Islami yya education is therefore a danger to all of us. As long as we continue to breed an army of young people who feel excluded from the ‘enjoyment’ of this world, vision of a happier hereafter would always be a goal worth dying for.

Reform of Islamiyya education should be at the heart of any post-Boko Haram plan. These schools have to be repackaged as credible pathways to pursuing professional and other careers of economic values.

This is not about promoting Islam; it is about recognising the fact that we are equally imperiled by the failure of a system that provides a recruitment ground for any lunatic that comes along in the name of religion.

The third challenge is that of redefinition. As a Muslim, I feel personally embarrassed by the kind of evil that Boko Haram has perpetrated in the name of my religion. It is good to see that the

Democracy day: The count down begins

BY MARY OYIBOCHA AGBAJOH

I

T is indeed necessary to look back and assess how our journey to democracy has been. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan has, in spite of numerous challenges, sustained the evolving democracy notwithstanding the many challenges. Nigeria, under the president, has turned out to be one of the most enviable nations on earth.

The current challenges are "carry overs" from past military and civilians administrations but President Jonathan has, since mounting the saddle of leadership, resolved many of the issues. Like the saying goes that Rome was not built in a day, so it is that President Jonathan cannot resolve all the issues at the same time. That is why we have to give him another opportunity in 2015 to consolidate the work he started.

As democrats, we know that politics is a game of numbers. We need people and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP is anchored on people for membership, people for votes and people for solving the problems of Nigerians.

We should, therefore, use this basic doctrine of all-inclusiveness in the membership of the PDP, rather than godfatherism, this or that faction syndrome, to resolve

problems in States where there may be crisis. There must be total inclusivity of all party members in the membership and the running of the party. The umbrella is so big and can indeed accommodate all that wish to come under it.

PDP is a party that was founded on concrete principles. It rode to power on the massive support and enormous goodwill of the Nigeria people. Over the years, the party has squandered this goodwill to the point that even some of the members are no longer proud to be identified as PDP members, while other Nigerians now say that the problem of Nigeria is the PDP. This is the time and here is the place to begin to restore the people’s confidence in the party.

We must sustain the internal democracy, trust and confidence in the party, credibility in our electoral process, all-inclusiveness in membership. We must also entrench democratic ideas in our party politics and above all, excellence as hallmark in fulfilling the party's covenant with the people. Loyalty to the party and the ideals enunciated by the party's founding fathers must remain its beacon light. The same patriotic spirit that inspired the party's founding fathers on August 19, 1998 should be invoked in party members today, and

President Goodluck Jonathan this is "that in the irresistible tides of history there comes a time that individuals must rise and dedicate themselves completely to larger causes, set aside the simplistic notions of selfishness, greed and sectionalism." Such times as we have today in the party, nay country, call for the humanity and compassion of men - a deep desire to associate together in the pursuit of nobility of purpose, devotion to duty and dignity in individual existence and love of one’s country.

•Agbajoh, a lawyer lives in Abuja

condemnation of Boko Haram has come from both Saudia Arabia and Egypt, the epicentresof Islamic theology and s c h o l a r s h i p respectively.

However, it appears that over the years we Muslims have surrendered the task of defining our religion to pathologically sadistic, self-assigned custodians of the Islamic faith in whose warped understanding, as ZiauddinSardar noted, Shari’a has only one rule: “kill everybody who disagrees with you, or is seen by you as deviant, or breaks your rule.”

The Holy Qur’an says there is no compulsion in religion, yet the Shari’a of these self-appointed custodians prescribes death penalty for “apostasy.” Nowhere in the Qur’an is there anything even remotely related to stoning.

Yet, their Shari’a prescribes death by stoning for adultery while making no distinction between adultery and rape. The big question therefore is what should be the goal of Muslim politics in a multi-cultural and complex country like Nigeria?

We Muslims must have the courage to acknowledge that some aspects of the Islamic law were socially constructed and were intended to serve sundry purposes for a different era. We therefore need to update these laws and bring them in sync with the reality of modern existence and in consonant with Qur’anic principles of social justice, equity, peace, forgiveness and mercy.

Forgiveness and mercy Unless those who have the moral and intellectual credentials to define Islam speak up now, we would continue to have depraved people like the leaders of Boko Haram doing dirt to the name of Islam and a compassionate and loving God reduced to a coercive one that is oppressive of women.

Members of the Christian elite also have a crucial role to play.

From what I have seen as responses to Boko Haram, it appears that a major section of the Christian elite is driven more by the emotionalism of Nigeria’s identity politics than by a genuine concern to help bring peace to our country.

Scare-mongering about some Islamic conspiracy somewhere would always stand in the way of clear thinking on the true nature of the problem that we are faced with. This is why we must salute Bishop Mathew Kukah for his usual lucidity on this matter.

This is not about Muslim versus Christians. This is about a band of anarchists waging a war against all of us, and we stand a better chance of defeating them if we stand together and resist paranoid reaction to anything labelled Islamic. *Abdullahi is a former Minister of Sports/Chairman National Sports Commission and former Minister of Youth Development.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 —39

In Ijora Badia, scarcity of potable water persists

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

D

RIVING along Ibadan and Bola Streets in Ebute- Metta, Lagos State, one is confronted by a long queue of people with buckets and jerry cans. The queue is of people scavenging water from a broken pipe lying in the gutter by the roadside.

When accosted, one of the water scavengers was explicit in her reply. “We thank God that we are even seeing water free of charge.

Go to Ijora-Badia where there is water, but people have no access. They have no choice than to buy water.”

This statement prompted investigation into what could be amiss. This reporter headed straight to OjoraBadia where another story entirely unfolded as people narrated their experience.

Kayode Oluwakanyinsola who resides on Fadaini Street disclosed that it had been three years since the •A water hawker making brisk business. street enjoyed pipe-borne water. “I can tell you categorically that in that, the World Bank water project which the whole Ijora Badia as at today there is was done about six years ago, only nothing like government water, no free functioned for about three months. Ever water we buy water. Although three years since it had packed up. ago, only people on Fadaini, Baale and On Church, Obale and Akorede Streets Gaskiya Streets usually enjoyed pipe water people only depend on water from the even though the water is not usually clean. bore holes.

But we managed it like that.”

A staff of the Lagos Water Corporation, A businesswoman on Baale Street noted

water hawkers in the area. However, his bigger challenge is that he often has to search long distances to get water to satisfy his customers.

Situations like this are forcing many persons to drink water from questionable sources which puts them at high risk for various water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid fever.

Ijora-Badia Micro WaterWorks claimed water was regularly pumped, but he had no idea where it goes to. “I just stopped pumping water now, but for the residents of Fadaini Street down to Gasikiya to say they don’t have water, then I don’t know where the water is going because nobody has come to complain that they don’t have w a t e r .

Concerning the other area of Ijora if they say they don’t S the first round of the 2014 Martenal, Newborn and Children have water, I Health, MNCH, Week rounds up in Lagos today, the State can agree Government announced a reduction in under-5 and infant mortality with them,” rates.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande h e Adeshina, who released the breakdown stated that the MNCH is aimed remarked.

Interestingly, at meeting the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs 4 and 5 in the c e r t a i n State. Goal 4 has to do with reduction of Under-5 mortality rate by twoindividuals thirds in 2015, Goal 5 targets reduction of the maternal mortality ratio w h o by three-quarters by 2015.

Adeshina, who quoted the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 4 confirmed for the reduction in child mortality rates in Lagos, added that the the scarcity MNCH along with other health interventions in the state has helped of water in Ijora- Badia, to reduced maternal and child deaths to appreciable level. According are those to her, under-5 and Infant Mortality Rates in Lagos state have reduced who percieve from 157 per 1,000 live births and 75 per 1,000 live births in 2008 NDHS t h e to 65 per 1000 live births and 45 per 1000 live births respectively as development reported in the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 4.

“These figures are still high and this is an indication that we still have as lucrative lot of work to be done before 2015. The full implementation of the because it is IMNCH strategy nation-wide could prevent up to 72 percent of neonatal fetching them money. deaths, more than 70 percent of under-5 deaths and two-thirds or 62 “I normally percent of maternal deaths”, the Special Adviser posited.

Numerous services to be offered during the week include antenatal realise like care, immunisation of pregnant women and women of child bearing N1,700 per d a y age against tetanus, etc. The free services include routine immunisation; sometimes vitamin A supplementation, growth monitoring and promotion, N 2 , 0 0 0 , ” malnutrition screening for all Under-5 children; deworming of all children confessed from 12 -59 months, and distribution of ITNs to all Under-5 children one of the and pregnant women who registered during the week.

Child, infant mortality rates drop in Lagos

A

Chibok Pain Syndrome (CHIPS) W

E see somatic, psychological and psychosomatic pain in the course of pain management.

The World Health Organisation defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage”.

"Emotional" because some people experience pain in the absence of any actual tissue damage or other clearly definable physical cause.

You do not have to be a Psychiatrist to know that the kidnapped Chibok girls are likely to suffer emotional pain and distress.

This may have already begun with the trauma of their military style abduction, of separation from family, siblings and home environment, of strange men and women in a dark hostile environment infested with wild animals. Then there's the impending trauma of their anticipated rescue and freedom.

What then?

An intensive debriefing period is mandatory after their ordeal.

The girls must expect to feel

pain for a while - it's normal.

They must not suppress or deny it, or pretend they don't feel it.

They must be taught to identify all of their feelings heartbreak, anger, relief, guilt, betrayal, insecurity.....fear. This helps in processing all the emotions.

Unfortunately, things that cannot be cured must be endured. Time heals.

They will need to be shown compassion, love; that their pain is understood.

They must remember they are greater than their ordeal; that they have a past and a future.

Their experience can be used to learn better coping skills and to develop wisdom and perspective about life that will help them deal with many difficulties in the future.

Whatever doesn't destroy can serve to make one stronger.

Finally they can be encouraged to identify things to be thankful for; their freedom for instance, and returning to people who love and care for them. Being thankful is naturally healing and will balance out any trauma over time.

In 2006 the World Health Organization published a Report on Mental Health in Nigeria. The actual data in the report was gathered in 2004.

Sadly, it is the most current statistical information we have.

The report is based on data collected from six states represented by: Lagos, Calabar, Enugu, Kaduna, Sokoto and...( Chibok) Maiduguri.

The Report concluded: There is considerable neglect of mental health services in the country.

No desk exist in the ministries at any level for mental health issues and only 4 percent of government expenditures on health is earmarked for mental health.

In all seven government mental health facilities "no beds are set aside for children and adolescents".

Family and patient associations focusing on mental health issues do not exist in the surveyed areas.

The NGOs in the surveyed areas are generally not involved in individual assistance activities like counselling, housing or support groups.

There is no coordinating body

doctor@lagospainclinic.com to oversee public education and awareness campaigns on mental health and mental disorders.

There are no formal structures or provisions for interactions between mental health providers and primary healthcare staff. And "no systematic reporting of information exists for mental health".

We hope, and pray, that our Government is working with psychiatrists, psychotherapists, social workers, as well as "physical" physicians like obstetricians and gynecologists, in preparation for the rescue and release of each and every one of these our daughters and sisters.

A special rehabilitation medical centre should be ready NOW. Staff, medications and facilities should be ready NOW! Many celebrities have taken

on the cause of our Chibok girls worldwide ( I haven't seen many Nigerian celebrities pose with #BBOG, have you?).

Even if they wanted to donate, the spectre of corruption hovers like a thick cloud. The talk and noise is enough. Let us leave the intelligence and military experts to do their work. Let us leave our Government and our foreign helpers (for whom we are grateful) to work without hindrance and speculation.

A popular song says: "When going through hell, pass through quickly, before the Devil knows you are there."

Whenever our Chibok girls are freed from their "Hell", there must be no delay in offering medical and psychological rehabilitation, before any permanent psychological damage sets in.

We keep them in prayer.

40— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 BEING an open lecture delivered by Sheikh Mustapha Sanusi Zuglool, Mudeer Dharu-Dawah WalIrshad, Isolo, Lagos entitled: Gay marriage: The Islamic Perspective. The lecture was organised by Allahu-Samad Foundation of Nigeria (ASFON) in Lagos recently.

W

E thank Almighty Allah for giving us the grace to be Muslims and also love the noblest of Prophet, Muhammad (s.a.w). There are places in the world where the mere mention of the name of Holy Prophet Muhammad will cause pain and crisis because they will attack the Muslims.

But we thank Allah that many of us are Muslims and we can come together to chant the name of our Prophet and as well commemorate his birth.

The occasion of eid-ilMaolud is a global event to

Sheikh Zuglool on gay-marriage law same source; you must honour them and revere them.

You cannot believe in Allah without believing in all the Prophets; you cannot believe in the prophets without also believing in all the scriptures; or in the existence of the angels, believing in the day

,

,

It is our pride that Islam has forewarned mankind on this ugly trend that is rearing its head in the world today

commemorate the birth of the Prophet of Islam.

All the prophets of God are loved by every Muslim and that is why we pride ourselves as being the best of creation for loving all the prophets of God. Let us take a cue from the culture of naming of our children after the prophets of Allah. This is done only by the Muslims.

We have not heard any Christian who named his new born baby boy Muhammad simply because Christians dont believe in him. But Muslims could name their baby boys Isa just because of the universal love and believe in all the Prophets of Allah.

It is the Muslims that are the true believers because no one can pass as a believer without believing in what God has created including the prophets. The entire prophets are the same and from the

of judgement as well as destiny. All these articles of faith form the basis for sound faith in Allah, if you disbelieve in any one of them, you cannot be called a believer.

Almighty Allah sent prophets to different people to carry out different tasks.

Among the long list of prophets, 97 per cent of them were sent to stop people from paganism while only three per cent were sent for other different purposes.

Among these three per cent were Prophets Shuaib and Lut. While Prophet Shuaib (a.s) was sent to the people of Madian (the Midianites were Arab race who were neighbours of the Canaanites.

Prophet Yusuf was sold into slavery to the Midianites merchants who took him to Egypt) to stop them from hypocricy, greed and dishonesty, Prophet Lut (a.s)

was sent to the people of So- we have shared development dom beside river Jordan (So- ideas on socio-political and dom & Gomorrah) to stop them economic situation together in from homosexualism. Proph- the past but on this issue we et Lut warned them against are happy to be different. We this act. “We also sent Lut; should not be bothered by he said to his people: Do you their threats after President commit lewdness sich as no Jonathan signed the anti-gay people in creation has ever bill into law. committed before you? For That was why I said earlier you practice your lusts on that Islam is the best religion men in preference to women; because this issue of sameyou are indeed men who a sex marriage or people transgressing homosexualism has been beyound bounds.” (Q 7: 80- condemned over 2014 years 84) ago. Islam specified stiffer It is at this point that we punishment more than what commend the step taken by President Jonathan who signed into law the antigay/same sex marriage law which carries 14 years jail term for anyone found guilty of the offence. We also condemn all the We s t e r n nations that have joined in legalising same sex marriage and its activities.

We accept the fact that some of them were our colonial masters who •Sheikh Mustapha Sanusi Zuglool

we have ruled on the issue.

It is our pride that Islam has forewarned mankind on this ugly trend that is rearing its head in the world today. In 1965 when I visited the city, (Sodom & Gomorrah) I saw how Allah dealth severely with them. In what has become a tourist attraction today where a lot of people even from this country visit, it is enough to learn from what led to their predicament.

It was reported by five of the authentic sources of hadiths: Dawood, Ibn Nisai, Ibn Majah etc, that Ibn Abass reported that the Prophet said: “Any one found guilty of sodomy or practising what the people of Lut did, (homosexuality) such people should be killed.

Again, Seidah Aisha reported that the Prophet at a time in the morning after performing ablution and while proceeding into the Mosque said: “Woe and punishment of Allah be unto the people of Lut.” The Prophet was said to have said it in tears rueing over the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Ask Your Imam How do I overcome bad dream?

As-salamu alaikum. What is the significance, if any, when a Muslim had a bad dream at night? If the dream involves doing a haram activity and feeling guilty about it in the dream, even though I don’t do any haram activity in my daily life, what does it portend for me?

Answer:

From left: Alhaji S. Salami; Alhaji M. Kola Animasaun, Agbesinga Adini of Dopemu land and former Editorial Board Chairman, Vanguard newspaper; Bashir Adefaka, Alhaji M. Dada Adekola, Cartoon Editor, Vanguard newspaper and Alhaji M. Mustapha (all members of Islamic Estate, Lagos) presenting a gift to Animasaun during his turbaning as the Agbesinga Adini of Dopemu land, recently.

Wa alaikum-Salam, All you need to do is try and forget it. Disregard it and do not bother to talk about it anymore. This is the way we have been taught by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). What you can do is to seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, ask Allah to keep the accursed enemy away from you, and God willing, you will again become calm and

overcome the shaytan. The prophet said, ‘’ A good dream is from God. So, if any of you have a dream of what you love, do not speak of it except to someone you love. And if any of you had a dream of what you dislike, then seek refuge in Allah from its evil, and from the evil of obsession; and spit out thrice and do not tell anyone of it, for in fact it will not harm you’’.

Again, make sure you perform ablution before you go to bed and r e c i t e Ay a t a l - Q u r s i y, S u r a t u l Ikhlas, Falaq and Nas three times while on bed before you sleep.

God knows best.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 41

Boko Haram is anti-Islam — Muslim graduates •Seek unconditional release of abducted girls

The ne w hijabit e sist er new hijabite sister I

T often occurs to me that many of our sisters in Islam are not properly encouraged once they begin to observe the requirements of Hijab. It may be that a sister has been obliged to wear the Hijab without truly pondering over its social benefits.

Perhaps she has reached the age of puberty and her parents have instructed her to wear it.

Perhaps she has recently accepted Islam and her close companions have told her of its obligation.

Alternatively, perhaps her husband has commanded her to wear Hijab.

A sister who does not truly know the superiority of Hijab will always

remain envious of disbelieving women. Why? Because they observe these misguided disbelievers attempting to look beautiful for all to see. Hence, the Muslim woman then compares herself to that woman which causes her to feel ashamed of her own Hijab.

Therefore, what follows is a reminder for sisters in Islam. It is a reminder of the true status of these so-called beautiful women. It is a reminder of the excellence of the women who wear Hijab.It is well known that the Muslim woman is a creature of modesty.

Again, it is their outer protection from the decadence of this life.

They are modest and they are not like those women who show themselves off to the world. How can you compare the world of a woman with hijab with others who flaunt their bodies with tights and mini-skirts, open chests and others. It may be quite difficult for the Muslim woman to go out wearing Hijab in a society that mocks wearing of hijab but the gains are incomparable.

However, if you know how uselss and undignified the unbelieving women who flaunt their bodies are before decent men and God, you will crave to wear hijab always and with dignity.

T

HE University of Ibadan Muslim Graduates’ Association (UIMGA) has joined other Nigerians on the call for unconditional release of the abducted Chibok school girls in Borno state.

The association stated that such action and other nefarious activities perpetrated by the group are not supported by Islam in anyway.

In a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Saka Adewumi and the Public Relations Officer, Mallam Fasasi Abdullah, the group said: “As it is well known even by non-Muslims that Islam connotes peace, therefore all manners of terrorism, gangsterism and hooliganism are condemned by the religion.

Our association has at different fora, symposia and conferences condemned such acts.”

“It is equally expedient to state unequivocally here that there is no compulsion in Islam. This is clearly stated in the Holy Quran 2 verse 256.

So, under no circumstances is any Muslim encouraged to compel any other person to worship Allah.”

Empathizing with the parents of the abducted school girls, the group said it would support all efforts by the federal government towards securing the freedom of the schoolgirls.

The group urged Nigerians irrespective of faith to continue to pray for the extermination of all acts of terrorism in the country and the world in general.

The truth about 27th day of Rajab

BY HARUN RAZAQ

I

NNOVATION in religion is one of the serious matters which go against the Book of Allah and the Sunnah. The Prophet (s.a.w) did not die until after the religion had been perfected. Allah says: “…This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”

(5: 3) It was reported that ‘A’isha, (r.a), narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.” (Bukhaari & Muslim). According to a report by Muslim: “Whoever does an action which is not a part of this matter of ours, will have it rejected.”

The believe that the great event of Mi’raj (ascension of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) to the heavens) took place in the night of 27th of Rajab; a renounced Islamic Scholar Shaykh Safur -Rahman AlMubarakpuri in his book entitled: “Ar-Raheeq Al- Makhtum (the Sealed Nectar)” award winning book that was awarded first prize by the Muslim World League in a worldwide competition on the biography of the prophet held at Makkah Mukaram in 1399 AH (1979 CE), page 178, presented six different views of scholars concerning the Miraj date. Also, a professors of Islamic History Muhammad Mohar Ali in his book entitled “Surat Al-Nabi and the orientalists”, published in Madinah in (1997CE) page 826 concurred with the aforementioned scholar that opinions differ among scholars concerning the actual date of Miraj.

Attaching special merit to ibadah such as fasting, tilawah, tahjud etc on the 27th of Rajab.According to Hadith scholars, there is no proof in the Shari‘ah to support these practices. Although, all the recognized modes of ‘ibadah are commendable any time, and obviously the 27th night of Rajab is not an exception.

From left: Ustaz Abdul-Ganiy Muhammad Awwal; Faizah Lawal of NewBridge Hall School, Ikorodu,winner of the Junior category of Quran Recitation Competition organised by Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ikorodu (right) and her teacher (middle) held at Suratudeen Central Mosque, Ikorodu, Lagos, recently.

Performing of ibadah Therefore, if someone performs any recognized ‘ibadah in this night from this point of view, nothing can stop him from doing so, and he will be entitled to the reward allocated for that recognized ‘ibadah inshaAllah. But it is not permissible to believe that performing ‘ibadah on this day is more meritorious or carries more reward like ‘Lailatul-qadr’ etc.

The great scholar of Islam Shaykh Ibn Bazz has this to say “It is an act of bid‘ah to single out the month of Rajab for offering Salat-ulRagha’ib or for celebrating the 27th night, which people believe to have been the night when Isra’ and Mi‘raj took place. These are invented practices that have no basis in Shari‘ah. Analytical scholars have warned against them and we have written and stressed that Salat-ul-Ragha’ib, which is offered on the first Friday night of Rajab, is a bid‘ah. It is also a bid‘ah to celebrate the 27th night of Rajab believing it was the Night of Isra’ and Mi‘raj. There is no proof in the Shari‘ah to support these practices. There is no report specifying the exact night when Isra’ and Mi‘raj took place.

Even if such a night had been specified, it still would not be permissible to celebrate it, since neither the Prophet (s.a.w), nor his Sahabah, nor the Rightly-Guided Caliph are known to have celebrated this night. If celebrating it was Sunnah, they would have done so.”

From left: Imam Sheu Egba, Ustaz Abdullah; Imam Abdul Hafeez Abojututu, Chief Host; Ustaz Abdul-Wahab Shittu, Panelist; Ustaz Yusuf Ishaq, Panelist; and Ustaz Abdul-Ganiy Muhammad Awwal during the Quran Recitation Competition organised by Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ikorodu held at Suratudeen Central Mosque, Ikorodu, Lagos, recently.

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 43 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS; Monetary Venus makes an ingress into your Star sign with good luck to you. Financial success is closer to you than you can imagine. Give it a big push.

GEMINI; Here is a good day when influential personalities around you will be willing to assist you but you will need to take the initiative. Take good advice.

CANCER; This is your day. The more ambitious you are along your career line the better for you.

And friends are willing to give the needed supports.

LEO; Your mind is truly active and if you’re more practical about it success’ll crown your efforts.

Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

VIRGO; Coming of monetary and loving into a positive angle to your Star sign is a big plus. On a day like this the more ambitious you are the better.

It’s good to be loving

By Richard Eromosele

G

UESS what our man did?

I mean can you imagine what our friend did? He chose the bus driver ’s style ‘handover ’ ( a

Are You Lazy? system whereby a driver gives out his vehicle to another driver to work with while he relaxes). Our friend gave out

TERROR MUDA

all the money he was given to another man to do business while he stays at home doing nothing but just expecting the

in “Never say goodbye”

other man to trade with the money and pay him some amount monthly.

And that was how he lost everything.

Brethren, don’t be a lazy man (woman). No food for a lazy man.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA; The more willing you are to listen to your partners and/or spouse the better for you today.

Friends are trying to convince you that the are reliable.

SCORPIO; The more push-full you are along your career/business lines the better. Embrace new method at work. Don’t neglect your love life.

SAGITTARIUS; Here is a day you are not meant to ignore new ideas that come suddenly. It’s good to take matters of the heart more seriously. Listen to your spouse please.

CAPRICORN; Monetary and romantic Venus is joining mighty Sun at positive angle to your Star and bringing you good influence. Be more ambitious.

AQUARIUS; Although your being co-operative can enhance your scope, your personal ideas and initiative are guarantee for a bigger do.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

PISCES; Those of you who are more consistent will have more to gain. Good ideas on monetary issues will enhance your finances. Be more family minded.

ARIES; Entrance of monetary and romantic Venus into a positive angle is meant to enhance your finances. The more willing you are to take good advice the better. Be loving.

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,

The date that important for you

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I am a regular reader of your work since you were with The Punch Newspapers. I want you to please tell me my lucky dates and dates to beware this year (2014). More ink to your pen.

Chris, Asaba.

Dear Chris, On your lucky dates try to maximise your gains on one hand and or the other hand, try your best possible to avoid trouble and/or loss during those dates to beware of. But take note that there is nothing to worry about concerning dates to beware of because, they are mere warnings. However the lucky dates are for real.

Important days for you till December 2014 YOUR LUCKY DATES June – 2*, 7*, 16* 20, 25 & 30.

July – 4, 11, 13***, 17, 21** & 26.

August– 1***, 10, 14, 23 & 28.

DATES TO BEWARE OF Sept. – 5 Oct – 18 Nov – 1 Dec – 6 Prince Joshua Adeyemo

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

NIMASA boss lauded

INSURGENCY: Uduaghan cautions politicians over comments

T

HE Ijaw indigenes in the oil and gas sector and National Union of Ijaw Students, NUIS, worldwide, have commended the good works of the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokami and asked President Goodluck Jonathan to extend his tenure.

National Coordinator, Ijaws in Oil and Gas and the National Union of Ijaw Students, Mr. Ebipams Johnny, in a statement, said: “Akpobolokami has impacted positively on the lives of majority of people in Niger Delta and Nigeria in general and on human capital and infrastructural development.”

It added since Akpobolokami's appointment as DG, he had been initiating programmes to restore the economy.

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

G

OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has called on political leaders in the country to refrain from inflammatory statements on the current insecurity in the country, noting that doing so would make efforts at curbing the security challenge counterproductive.

He spoke in Lagos when the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, conferred an award on him.

Uduaghan, represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, said: “As Nigeria grapples with the challenge of winning the war against terror, Governor Uduaghan, has urged political leaders to always use their positions to unite the country and join hands with relevant authorities in defeating the enemies of the country.

“The fact that the international community is aiding the country to combat

Burial

terror, leaders, irrespective of political leaning, should be statesman-like in their utterances and support the Federal Government in the

T

M

ADAM Alice Dosumu, aged 72, is dead.

Funeral ceremony will hold tomorrow at 20, Ezeagu Street, 7Up Bus Stop, off Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

BY BY IFEYINWA OBI

N

O fewer than 244 vessels have been intercepted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, over alleged involvement in illegal

years.

The vessels were alleged to have been involved in piracy, illegal bunkering and other criminal activities.

This was disclosed by the Director-General, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta

Seplat hits 72,000bpd mark

A

FTER 36 days of Shell’s Trans Forcados Pipeline, TFP, shutdown in the first quarter of the year and seven days in April which affected Seplat Petroleum Development Company’s oil and gas production, the firm yesterday said production had resumed at projected rate.

“through your encouragement we have been able to build town halls, health centres, walk-ways, jetties, water projects, guest houses and among others for the 17 communities that made up the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation”.

Chief Clark Gbenewei and Chief Godspower Gbenekama, who spoke for the monarch, said the foundation had made them proud.

Seplat, in a statement, said it remained on track to deliver its 2014 target gross operated exit rate of 72,000 barrels per day.

This came barely one month after the company concluded its highly successful IPO on the Nigerian Stock and London Stock Exchanges which raised $535 million at N576 (£2.10) per share.

It said: “Average operated production in the first quarter was 36.5 mbbl/d of oil and 66.9 mmscf/d of gas.

“The total gross production deferment in the first quarter due to the TFP shut-down was approximately 2.2mmbbls gross.

“This was partially offset by the shipment of approxi-mately 0.1 mmbbls to the Warri refinery, when the new pipeline was completed, just before the end of the quarter.

“Near term drilling programme is currently being modified and it aims to accelerate field developments.”

maintained that the collaboration of the agency with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies had helped it maintain and sustain physical presence in remote areas of Nigeria’s maritime domain and reduce incidences of security breaches.

He argued that through the partnership, the powers of the agency to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Cabotage Act had increased.

Transition

S

ISTER R. U. OLUKU, aged 70, is dead. She died April 13, 2014.

A registered nurse and midwife who studied at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna, she rose to become Chief Medical Officer at Kano State Health Service Management Board, Kano.

Survived by five children, grandchildren and a greatgrandchild, she will be laid to rest at her home town of Kano tomorrow.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

described Uduaghan as one of the governors whose policies and programmes had brought about transformation in their states.

NIMASA intercepts 244 vessels over oil on Nigeria’s State. theft, piracy activities territorial waters in the last two The NIMASA helmsman

Foundation donates car to Gbaramatu Monarch HE EGBEMA G b a r a m a t u Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF has presented a Toyota Prado Jeep to the regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief P. T. Heavens for his encouragement and support for the foundation since its formation.

Speaking during the presentation, Executive Chairman of the EGCDF, Chief Michael Johnny said

war against terrorism.”

Also speaking at the event, National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Mohammed Garba,

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Should the President visit Chibok?

N

IGERIANS should stand up and fight for their rights because this issue is affecting us one way or the other. As citizens, for how long are we going to face this mess?

Enough is enough. That is what I say and that is just it.— Ms. Ogbole Mercy, Student.

T

HE excitement over international help is the disgraceful, belated response of a government caught napping in broad daylight. We have immobile, nit-witted security operatives that are more decorative than operative.— Mr. Darlington Ehondor, Businessman.

J

ONATHAN does not need to visit Chibok to be on top of the game.

All those kangaroo visits by even APC governors are distractions. What have the governors of the affected North-East states done with the millions in security vote?— Ms. Brenden Ugwu, Worker.

I

F George Bush can visit the US Military in Iraq during the Iraq war; if Barack Obama can visit Afghanistan while the war is on, I really do not see any reason why Jonathan cannot visit Chibok in Borno State.— Mr. Yunusa Ja’afar u, Businessman.

T

HE leadership of this country and the ruling party must sit up.

Things are not just working out fine in this country. These Chibok girls must be brought back safely to their families. They have to be reunited with their families.— General J.T. Abamu, Officer.

G

OVERNMENT must take over the education of the 53 girls that have escaped and those that will be freed.

Their educational dream must not be allowed to die. Whatever is needed to rescue the rest should be done swiftly.— Ms. Bukola Okereke, Student.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 — 45

Delta community demands 9 additional wards before 2015 polls

Edo PDP urges NJC to probe election appeal judgment

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

A

B

ENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the National Judicial Council, NJC, to investigate the judgment which was delivered by the Edo Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal, upholding the election of Mr. Sam Oboh of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the disputed chairmanship election of Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.

The state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who made the call at a rally to welcome defectors from the APC to the PDP in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, said the biggest concern of his party was that the judiciary had been drafted into the politics of the state.

He said the judiciary in the state was sick and appealed to the NJC to immediately intervene before it collapsed completely.

Soroptimist International marks UN Women’s Day

I

N celebration of International Women’s Day 2014, the Soroptimist International of Eko Club awarded a Certificate of Achievement and donated N100,000 to Mrs. Adebola Jaiye-Ojo, President of Refuge and Fortress Centre for Women and Children, an NGO giving physical, material and spiritual care to battered women and children.

Presenting the award, the President of Soroptimist International of Eko, Mrs. Cordelia Barber, said that one of the primary objectives of the centre was to “ restore the minds and dignity of women and children” which is very much in line with the Soroptimist motto - “Women inspiring action - transforming lives.”

C M Y K

16TH ANNUAL TAX CONFERENCE: Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe (middle), with the President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Chief Mark Dike (right), and the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon, during the 16th Annual Tax Conference of the institution at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort on Wednesday.

Stakeholders fault moves to appoint Delta Auditor-General from LG system S

TAKEHOLDERS in Delta State civil service have faulted alleged plans by the state government to appoint the next state Auditor-General from the local government system.

A source, who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the contention of the stakeholders was based on the fact that both the local government system and state civil service have different laws guiding them, noting that appointing an Auditor-General for local government as the state’s Auditor-General will run contrary not only to the laws guiding both systems but also the constitution.

According to the source, the Audit Department in the civil service is a statutory one and not a political or an administrative creation.

“The instruments establishing the office of the state and local government auditor-generals are distinct and different in scope and in law. That is why we have two auditors-general for the state and the other for the local government.

“The two offices have two different auditors-general, who have the same status and who, by law, cannot be swapped,” the source said.

Scheming

Referring specifically to alleged scheming by the current Auditor-General for local government, Mrs. Mary Njokanma, to be appointed to replace the immediate past state auditorgeneral, who retired a few months ago, the source said aside from the fact that she was not qualified to be appointed by virtue of the law guiding appointment of state auditor-gen-

eral, she had also been long due for retirement.

The source said Njokanma was moved from the office of the state auditor-general as a director to the local government audit, adding that she was duly confirmed as substantive auditor-general for local government service in 2005 and wasn’t, therefore, qualified to return to the office of state auditor-general.

Said the source: “Her confirmation was fully gazetted in the official documents of the state House of Assembly. As a statutory local government auditorgeneral, she cannot now be retransferred to the office of the state auditor-general, and expect to be re-approved by Delta State House of Assembly and for a re-appointment and re-gazetting as state auditor-general.

“We understand too that Mrs. Njokanma was supposed to have retired in 2008 and that this issue is yet to be resolved in the Industrial Court. Delta State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress and all well meaning public and civil servants have

tried on several occasions to advise the government to do the right thing by confirming the acting state auditor-general.”

Bad blood

According to him, "any attempt by the government to appoint Njokanma as state auditor-general will not only be illegal, but also engender bad blood in the civil service."

He cited section 126 (1) of the constitution to support his argument. The section reads: “The Auditor-General for a state shall be appointed by the governor of the state on the recommendation of the State Civil Service Commission subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly.”

The source also said by virtue of subsection 3 of the same section of the constitution, the current acting auditor-general of the state ought to be confirmed in substantive position, as the constitution specified a maximum period of six months for anyone to act as state auditor-general.

SABA—THE Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to look into the possibility of creating additional nine wards before the 2015 general elections in view of the increase in the population of the state since its creation to avoid disenfranchisement of many Deltans.

It noted that the only existing ward is inadequate as the population of the community has increased following the influx of persons, especially civil servants, who now live in neigbouring Okpanam town due to overflow from Asaba, the state capital.

The community in a letter to the INEC chairman by its traditional ruler, HRM Michael Ogbolu, Ugo Ani of Okpanam and Diokpas (heads of quarters) and others, said: “We bring to your notice our grief based on the fact that our communities were excluded in the recent units/ward survey conducted by your office.

“Since the creation of Delta State in 1991, our communities have played host to government workers and businessmen.

Since 1991 our communities have played host to government workers and businessmen. The Delta State crisis of the 1990s created opportunities for all Deltans and Nigerians, especially those from Central and South senatorial districts of Delta State, who acquired land and built houses in our communities."

Itsekiri graduates petition Chevron over recruitment slots

W

ARRI — THE National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, led by Ms Alero Tenumah, has petitioned Chevron Nigeria Limited over the recent recruitment of 12 Itsekiri persons out of the 36 invited for interview in the Vocational Training Programme 6, VTP6, describing the action as “an insult on the Itsekiri nation.”

NAIG, in petition to Chev-

ron’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, gave the oil company 21 days to invite all 36 Itsekiri graduates that attended the interview to resume at the VTP6 programme in Ogere, Ogun State or be prepared to face “the biggest showdown with the Itsekiri graduates, youths, women and elderly across Warri Kingdom.”

It described the situation, where provision was not made for transportation, accommodation and feeding for those who attended the recent VTP6 recruitment exercise as “inhuman, uncivilised and falling short of global best practice.

“A situation where Itsekiri will be shortchanged to make others happy to the detriment of Itsekiri ethnic nationality will no longer be tolerated."

46— Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

‘Why we passed vote of no confidence on lawmaker'

Imo wins NNPC South East zonal quiz competition BYANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—IMO State has won the 2014 South East zonal secondary schools quiz competition organised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The state scored 60 points, while Anambra State came second with 50 points, followed by Enugu State, which garnered 45 points.

Ebonyi and Abia states scored 30 and 25 points respectively to come forth and fifth.

Imo was represented by three students from Living Word Academy Secondary School, Nkwere, and Christ the King Grammar School, Okigwe.

Speaking on the occasion held at Ibeku High School, Umuahia, Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Monica Philips, commended NNPC for the annual quiz competition which, according to her, has helped immensely in the promotion of high standard of education in the country.

Man docked for forging Magistrate’s judgement

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS—32-yearold Ojewole Oyewale, who forged a judgement of a Magistrate and also impersonated a sheriff of Ikeja High Court, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court.

The defendant and seven others at large, are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, burglary, stealing, forgery, impersonation and unlawful damage preferred against him by the police.

Oyewale, who was paid by one Qudus GbolahanFolami, landlord of number 23, Muri Folami Street in Ogudu, Ojota area of Lagos, to act as the Ikeja High Court sheriff, was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

Police prosecutor, ASP Eranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant and seven others currently at large, conspired to commit the offences on March 12, 2014, at 23, Muri Folami Street, Ogudu Ojota area of the state.

BY TONY EDIKE

E

FORUM: From left—Engr Alex Ogedegbe, Honorary Secretary, Nigerian Academy of Engineering; Prof Ayo Ogunye, President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering; Engr Akinwunmi Adegboye, Fellow Nigerian Academy of Engineering, and Prof Oritsegbemi Omatete, Guest Speaker/Chemical Engineering Deptartment, Covenant University, Ota, during the 2014 Fellows Forum, with the theme'' Serendipity to Production-Developing a National Knowledge Base'' organised by Nigerian Academy of Engineering, yesterday at the Confernce Room, Chemical Engineering Complex, University of Lagos. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Boko Haram: Jonathan might be Nigeria’s last President —KALU BYDANIELETEGHE

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AGOS—FORMER governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan might be Nigeria’s last President, if Boko Haram insurgency was not checked as quickly as possible.

Speaking to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos after arriving from the United Kingdom, Kalu urged Nigerians to work together to ensure a stable internal security system in the country.

According to him, the problem of Bokom Haram is not only about the President but all Nigerians.

He pointed out that one of the major ways of resolving the problem was for Nigeria to collaborate with international organisations and countries in fighting the terrorists.

He said: “Well, when I was travelling precisely on April 26, I left this airport and I spoke to

the airport correspondents and I said there was a need to collaborate with international organisations.

“You see, this issue is not about President Goodluck Jonathan, if we don’t take time and work together as Nigerian people, Jonathan might be the last Nigerian President. Jonathan might be the Gorbachev of

APGA wants EFCC to probe former LG chairmen, coordinators in Ebonyi BYPETEROKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Jerry Obasi, yesterday called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the financial records of past chairmen and coordinators of local

Group urges quick rescue of Chibok girls

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AGOS—A group, Association of EhimeMbano Indigenes, Lagos State chapter has joined other Nigerians to condemn the abduction of the school girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The association, in a statement issued after its executive meeting in Lagos, expressed concern over the prolonged search for the abducted girls and asked the government to do something quick as the girls must be

Nigeria. And that is the truth, so we better wake up.

“The political class, business class, military, civilians must now stand up to work for our internal security. Internal security is more important than anything we have done and I believe that once we are able to come together, Nigeria will be alright.

having a traumatic time.

According to the group, Boko Haram insurgency is an ill wind that blows no one any good, Moslem or Christian, and should be condemned by all and sundry.

It also said the offer of assistance in containing the sect’s insurgency by US, Britain and other countries, is a welcomed development, but cautioned against politicising the issue.

The group said it was poised towards charting a course in installing good governance in its local government, state and nation at large.

government areas in the state.

In a chat with Vanguard, the APGA chieftain expressed dismay over the insensitivity of the leadership of the state to check every form of corrupt practices within the local government administration, alleging that the situation was so in the state because the governor and his cohorts were equally involved in corrupt practices.

But in a quick reaction, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Chike Onwe, asked security agencies to probe the allegation.

He said: “The allegation should be probed; the political party should be able to name any officer involved in such financial malpractices.

“This government is transparent and does not meddle into such act.

We don’t respond to such hallow allegation. One thing that is characteristic about opposition parties is that they make baseless allegation to get public attention and the unsuspecting public should not be cowed into such misdemeanour.”.

NUGU—FORMER Commissioner for Education in Anambra State, Chief Chukwuma Okoye, yesterday, gave reasons stakeholders of the party passed a vote of no confidence on the member representing Awka South and Awka North in the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Nwogbo.

According to him, the lawmaker ’s tenure is not beneficial to the constituency.

Okoye, who is a chieftain of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, also lashed out at the National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, saying his hasty utterances on the party’s decision against Nwogbo without first ascertaining why the stakeholders moved against him was condemnable and unacceptable.

Okoye told reporters in Enugu, yesterday, that the vote of no confidence passed on Nwogbo for alleged nonperformance became necessary after reviewing his alleged abysmal performance at the National Assembly.

He said: “Leaders of our party, APGA, in Awka South and North federal constituency had carefully evaluated the performance of Emeka Nwogbo and came to realise that there is nothing to show that his constituents have benefited anything good from his representation, hence we decided to make our resentment known by passing a vote of no confidence on him and the decision was taken by majority of party leaders in the constituency.

Obsequies

M

ADAM Ezinne Agbakwuru of Umuosiche Amawo Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, who died on May 4, 2014 will be buried on Friday, May 23, in her family compound after funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Mbutu.

Ezinne, who died at 81, is survived by six children, two stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, among whom is Johnbosco Agbakwuru of Vanguard newspapers.

.Late Madam Agbakwuru

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—47

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. John Obayuwana, CEO/MD of Polo Ltd; Mr. Alessandro Patti, Managing Director, Cartier Africa; Ms Jennifer Obayuwana, Executive Director, Polo Ltd, and Mr. Pierre-Emmanuel Placette, Area Manager, Cartier Africa and Israel, during press briefing on activities of the two companies, Polo Ltd and Cartier Africa, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, photo editor

HEARING: From left, Major Hamza al-Mustapha; Sheik Sanusi Khalil, and Alhaji Nasiru Ayuba, during the hearing of a case of defamation of character against Major al-Mustapha by Sheihk Sanusi at the Sharia Court, in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

PRESENTATION: From left, one of the students of Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Ikoyi, Akwape Abel; Director/Principal, Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Ikoyi, Ajiboye Olabode; Specialist, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Okanu Ibeanu, and another student of Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Ikoyi, Joshua Martins, during Etisalat presentation of sporting materials to Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School, Ikoyi, 2nd place winner of Etisalat 2013 FCB U-17 School Cup, at the school premises, yesterday.

CHECK UP: Corps pharmacist, dispensing free drugs for patients, during Free Medical Check up organised

by Dominion Faith International Church, Ayobo, Lagos, in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps Community Development Services and Mediservices Community Hospital.

PRESENTATION: From left, Dr. Arigbabuwo, State Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN; Mr. A. M. Assomull, Director, and Mr. I. K. Adesanya, Quality Controller, Sunflower Hygiene Ltd, during presentation of SUNFLOWER HYGIENE LTD's Mothers Pride Maternity Pad and Lady Soft Sanitary Pad to AGPMPN, at the General Hospital, Ikeja.

CONFERENCE: From left, Mr. Inam Wilson, Lt Governor Marketing, District 94; Mr. Akindele Semowo, Chairman, Organising Committee; Mrs. Remi Abere, Past President, Eagle Club; Mr. Ademola Adewumi, President Lighthouse Toastmaster, and Mr. Paul Uduk, Past President, Eagle Club, during a conference, in Lagos to announce the visit of the Toastmaster International President, George Yen to Nigeria, on May 23, 2014. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

PARTY: From left, Mr. Ashiwaju Tope, PR/Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods; Dame Abimbola Fashola, Special Guest of the occasion; Mr. Deepak Singhal,MD/CEO, Dufil Prima Foods, and Mrs. Faith Joshua, Indomie Fans Club Coordinator, during the Annual Indomie Children's Day Party, organised by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

AWARD: President,Soroptimist International of Eko, SIEKO, Mrs. Cordelia Barber, giving an award to Mrs. Adebola Jaiye-Ojo, president, Refugee and Fortress Centre for Women and Children, with other members of SIEKO.

CONFERENCE: From left, Joseph Okonmah, Managing Partner, Jasek Consulting Limited; Taiwo Oluboyede, Project Co-ordinator, Top 50 Brands; Oluwadare Victor, Managing Director, Top 50 Brands/Townsway Investment, and Oscar Macaulay, Director, Daraju Group, during press conference of Top 50 Brands Nigeria, in Ikeja. Photo: Akeem Salau

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Bond: Kwara PDP asks Gov Ahmed to disclose state's debt profile

Niger cancels Children's Day celebration

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BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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LORIN — THE Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has challenged Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to publicly disclose the debt profile of the state before taking another bond.

Chairman of the party in the state, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, who made this known in a statement yesterday, said the government should let the people know what they were owing as it had not accounted for the N17 billion and N10 billion bonds taken in 2009 and 2010 respectively, before taking another N23 billion bond.

He said: “They should let us know how much the state is owing before they can take another loan. Governor Ahmed should not take a loan of N23 billion without accounting for all he has taken since 2011.”

According to Oyedepo, none of what the state government claimed it used the N17 billion for had any direct effect on the well-being of the people of the state, adding that the agricultural modernization the government said it had done was a ruse, since there was no modernization in the sector.

Oyedepo listed Secretariat phase II, Ilorin Water Reticulation, Aviation College, Cargo Terminal, Kwara State University, urban roads and settlement of outstanding debt as projects government claimed to have used the bond for.

“No agriculture has been modernized in Kwara. The PDP position is that the Songa farm experiment is a total failure,” he said. He added that the Songa farm was unable to pay the N650 million the state guaranteed for it, as N850 million was later deducted from the state’s statutory allocation to offset the Songa loan.

“A farm that cannot pay back its loan is nothing but a failure. I challenge the government to proof that it is the proceeds from the Songa farm that paid the loan,” Oyedepo said.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left) and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State at the VIP Lounge of Dutse International Airport during Dangote's visit to Jigawa State. Photo: Aliyu Dangida.

FG to bear hospital bills of Jos blast victims A

BUJA — THE Federal Gov ernment has pledged to bear the hospital bills of victims of Tuesday’s twin bomb explosions in Jos. A statement by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, signed by Mr Sani Datti, Senior Information Officer, quoted its Director-General,

Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, as saying that emergency rescue operations had also been concluded at the scene of the blasts.

The statement issued, yesterday, in Abuja said NEMA had completed evacuation of people affected by the explosions.

It said Sani-Sidi had directed the NEMA zonal office in Jos to

immediately conduct an assessment of the situation for appropriate relief supports from the government.

It said Sani-Sidi was in Plateau to convey the sympathy of the Federal Government to the government and people of the state, especially the injured persons and the bereaved families.

Alleged libel: NEXIM Bank boss sues CNPP scribe for N600m

A

BUJA — MANAGING Di rector and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian-Export-Import Bank, NEXIM, Mr Robert Orya, has dragged the Secretary General of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, before an Abuja High Court, claiming N600 million as damages for alleged libel contained in a statement issued by the defendant.

Orya is further asking the court to restrain the defendant, whether by himself, his servants, agents, privies, associates, friends or otherwise from further publishing or causing to be published the said words or any words similarly defamatory of the plaintiff.

In his statement of claim, the plaintiff stated that he was appointed MD of NEXIM in August 2009, and that he was appointed as Managing Director of NEXIM to halt the deterioration of the bank and to revive and refocus its operations to enable it effectively deliver on its mandate on behalf of the Nigerian people who, through the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Finance, are the shareholders of the Bank.

“Upon assumption of duty at NEXIM whose poor state of affairs was such that its operational and functional performance had deteriorated to a very alarming level, the plaintiff embarked on a five-year strategic repositioning which centred on strategy,

risk management and corporate governance, financial performance, operations, organization and staffing.

“As part of the general and total overhaul of NEXIM’s corporate governance architecture to ensure probity, transparency and effectiveness in the management of the bank, the plaintiff set up a system of checks and balances in the bank to strengthen the institution and ensure that no single individual or group of individuals can compromise the functions of the Bank.

“The words contained in the press release aforesaid were sent by the defendant to the defendant’s email address and then copied to hundreds of journalists, blogs, media organisations, internet platforms such as tweeter and Blackberry messengers, internet users, politicians and

members of the public with access to the World Wide Web.” “In their ordinary and natural meaning, the said words meant and were understood to mean: a: That the plaintiff is guilty of dereliction of duty, gross abuse of office and incompetence; b: That the plaintiff is a criminal and a thief who has misapplied, misappropriated or stolen the N200 billion stabilisation and loan guarantee fund advanced to NEXIM when no such amount of money had ever been advanced to NEXIM in its entire history.”

“The words published aforesaid concerning the plaintiff are malicious, false and untrue and in consequence of the words published aforesaid, the plaintiff’s integrity has been gravely and flagrantly damaged by the defendant.”

INNA — THE Niger Government, yesterday, cancelled this year’s Children and Democracy Day celebrations in the state in deference to the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram sect on April 14.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo, told reporters in Minna that the cancellation was to respect the abducted girls and those affected by the current security challenges.

Ndayebo said the day would instead be marked with prayers for the nation.

According to him, “owing to the security situation in the country, Gov. Babangida Aliyu has directed that this year ’s Children’s Day and Democracy Day be used to seek God’s face and intervention for the nation.

“The Ministry for Gender Affairs and Social Development will mobilise children on that day across the state to pray for the release of the girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.”

On Children’s Day, Ndayebo said children, both Muslims and Christians, would pray for Nigeria as well as the safe return of their colleagues who were abducted from school on April 14.

He said the governor had appealed to workers to also pray to God to bring an end to terrorism and to restore peace in the troubled north east region and Nigeria at large.

He urged the residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies, stressing that security for all is the responsibility of all.

Toastmasters Nigeria holds conference

L

AGOS — TOASTMASTERS Nigeria, a non-profit personal development organisation, is to host Mr. George Yen, President, Toastmasters International, at its District Conference in Lagos.

Speaking at a forum to herald the conference, scheduled for May 23 and 24, 2014, at the Newcastle Hotel, Lekki, Mr. Akindele Semowo, Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, said the programme, which has as its

theme, ‘Persuade with Power, Speak with Passion,’ will also have in attendance Toastmasters from the West African region.

According to him, Yen, a successful Taiwan businessman who sits atop five international joint ventures as CEO, has attained the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation — the highest level of achievement in Toastmasters.

“He will be on a one-week

working tour to Nigeria. He will be in Lagos and Abuja where he will pay corporate visits to some corporations and corporate entities including the Nigeria Stock Exchange where on Friday 22, 2014, he will be ringing the bell,” he noted.

On why Nigeria is hosting the international conference, Semowo said the country had grown the club membership at an unprecedented speed in the history of the club.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—49

World Council of Churches, RABIIT condemn killings in Jos

BY SAM EYOBOKA

W

ORLD Council of Churches, WCC, and the Royal Ani Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, RABIIT, have joined the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in condemning the latest bombings in the northern Nigerian city of Jos, in which more than 100 people have been killed.

Expressing “heart-felt sorrow and condolences” in a joint statement, WCC general secretary, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit and RABIIT chairman, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, said: “We strongly condemn the recent bombings in Jos, Nigeria. The location and timing of the bombings clearly were designed to cause indiscriminate and widespread casualties among passers-by, and rescue workers who were coming to their aid.”

Both religious leaders, who were in Jos, Plateau State in 2012 leading a ChristianMuslim delegation in Nigeria, have stressed that the horrific acts which have just occurred in Jos do not represent in any way either of their two religions.

“They have made us even more determined to find ways to support the people of Nigeria and those who are seeking to put an end to violence in the country.

“Peace is a blessing from God. Christianity and Islam call for peace and harmony among all of humanity, and do not condone offensive warfare or aggression,” their statement said.

The country is also in the news due to the abduction of more than 200 school girls by Boko Haram fighters, an event which prompted a “profound concern” from the WCC general secretary urging “swift and peaceful” action to restore the girls to their homes.

Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in its statement signed by its president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the dastardly attacks bring to mind the evil that has continued to ravage communities, villages and other productive segments of our society.

The Christian group also threw its weight behind Federal Government’s directive for additional deployment of troops to conflict prone areas and the distribution of relief materials to victims of the crisis.

The statement said: “On behalf of my family and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I condemn the recent bomb explosions in Kano and Jos in which many lives were

lost and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

“The dastardly acts remind us of the evil that has continued to ravage communities, villages and other productive segments of our society.

“CAN condemns the unprovoked attack on innocent Nigerians in the name of religion, politics or ethnic ideology and calls on Nigerians to rise strongly against such acts.

“I commiserate with the victims of the two attacks while praying God to give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear their losses.

“I recall that in a similar attack in Nyanya last month, I called on Nigerians not to despair or lose hope in government or in their country and also emphasized the need for citizens to remain committed in prayers, be vigilant and to carefully observe happenings around

them.

“I will like to state again for clarity that `this war is not for the military alone, soldiers don’t go to war, it is a nation that goes to war, so we must understand our roles as citizens in this fight.

“It is now obvious that the insurgents are losing grounds hence their resolve to hit soft targets such as innocent women and children in market places. This is clear in the recent attacks in both Kano and Jos. “My call on Nigerians especially Christians is to remain vigilant, supportive of government and most importantly remain prayerful; I don’t want us to succumb to wishes of these criminals.

“I want to use this opportunity to again appeal for support for our troops by all citizens and the policy makers. Whatever our troops require to win this battle should be provided by government."

INAUGURATION: From right: Mr. Kasarachi D. Oparah, National 2nd Vice President; Chief Osita Ifediora, National 1st Vice President; Comrade Jerry Ugwu, National President, and other EXCO members of the Igbo Youth Congress at thier inauguration.

Utuama lauds DELSU V-C on leadership D

ELTA State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, has lauded the Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof. Eric Arubayi, for his visionary and exemplary leadership qualities, describing him as an educationist who has succeeded in reaching the pinnacle of his career both as a scholar and an administrator.

Utuama further said that Prof. Arubayi has successfully prosecuted qualitative education while also maintianing industrial harmony which has brought peace and stability to the institution. He described education as the biggest industry in the state which is central to the policy of the Uduaghan administra-

tion, noting that education has become the biggest industry today.

He said: “In Delta State, education has become the biggest industry. Therefore, the future of the state and indeed Nigeria lies in the quality of its human capital; hence qualitative education is a central policy of the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan administration which Prof Arubayi has successfully prosecuted.”

Prof. Utuama, stated this during the presentation and book launch of Above the Ivory Tower, a book put together by the Faculty of Education in honour of Prof. Arubayi at the DELSU Ultra Modern 750 Capacity Theater, site 3, Abraka.

He noted that the book is appropriate to complement the achievement of Prof. Arubayi

within the last four years as the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University.

According to him; “There has neither been rioting by students nor industrial dispute between any of the unions and the Delta State government since he came on board in 2009. He is also a midas, who deployed University resources to create profitable enterprises to boost the institution’s internally generated revenue.”

He added that the vice chancellor has keyed the university into the oil industry.

While commending the Faculty of Education for deeming it fit to putt up a book in honour of the vice chancellor, he congratulated the honouree on his ad-

ministrative excellence, asserting that Prof. Arubayi is one the rare academics who believe in the policy of town and gown not only to run his personal affairs but the University affairs.

Prof. Utuama commended the Prof. Arubayi for his administrative wealth of experience in bringing transformation to the university. He said, “if you are a poor man with poor thoughts, vision and ideas, we will not witness this kind of transformation today in the school”. He added that Prof. Arubayi is the kind of person needed to propel the students to great height in their academic pursuit.

Military'll stamp out insurgency —CDS

BY MARIE THERESE NANLONG

J

OS—THE Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Bardeh, has said that the military will surely stamp out insurgency in the country.

He said this when he visited the scenes of the twin bomb blasts which rocked Jos city on Tuesday leaving about 118 dead and over 100 injured.

The CDS, who also visited the victims who were receiving treatments in the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, among other places, called for the “enforcement of the law banning street trading,” as most of the casualties were street traders.

Air Chief Marshal Bardeh cautioned residents to be vigilant, arguing that as the war against insurgency was gaining ground, and the North-Eastern part of the country was becoming difficult for the insurgents to operate in, they could seek refuge elsewhere.

He urged Nigerians to be patient as the fight against insurgency cannot be won in one day but will surely be won.

He called for the enlightenment of the people on the need to stay calm in cases of bomb explosions and desist from rushing to the scene of the blast.

His words: “There is need for the enforcement of the law banning street trading.

Whenever there is an explosion, people should stay away from the scene, those at the scene should lie low on the ground because the bombs have shrapnels in them and they fly upward and sideward.

So, if you are on the ground, it is not likely to affect you.”

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant at all times.

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Navy admits failure in battling oil thieves

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA — THE Nigerian Navy, yesterday, admitted not winning the war against oil thieves in the Niger Delta, citing circumstances beyond its control.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, who admitted this at a briefing on the upcoming 2014 Navy Week in Abuja, said it would soon bring stakeholders to a roundtable to seek ways of ending the persistent economic menace in the oil rich region.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Amin Ikioda, the CNS insisted that curbing the menace involved inter-agency cooperation.

He said: “What we do now is that any arrest we make, once it is confirmed to have violated the laws of this country or found to have been involved in illegalities in our maritime space, we handover such a vessel and the crew to the EFCC, police and sometimes to the Civil Defence because those people have powers to prosecute. You know the processes.

“When you go to court and the application of justice, sometimes takes years, so most of the cases, when we handover, we leave them to the prosecuting authorities to do.

“But from time to time, we still assist them in one way or the other anytime such case comes up, so since these years, we cannot concretely tell you the number of convictions that have been secured, but we know that the cases are still ongoing at the various courts.”

Speaking further, Jibrin said Nigerian Navy constantly carried out surveillance and patrol of the maritime areas with available surveillance systems, ships and helicopter.

According to him, such policing operations are specifically aimed at checking crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy/sea robbery and illegal fishing, among other vices.

He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy had been unrelenting in its operations to protect the nation’s maritime environment against all forms of threats to the country’s interest.

Jibrin recalled that this year, the Nigerian Navy had arrested 38

ships involved in various illegalities in the maritime domain and currently have eight Chinese ships in its custody.

The CNS noted that the Navy Week celebration would be followed by a conference for the Nigerian Navy and maritime stakeholders to proffer lasting solutions to oil theft. ”The objective of the conference is for Nigerian Navy and maritime stakeholders to brainstorm on how best to combat crude oil theft, which has attained worrisome dimension lately,” he said.

The Naval boss added that the conference would also be an avenue for the Nigerian Navy to

solicit support from all maritime stakeholders in dealing with the menace of crude oil theft in the nation’s maritime environment.

He also disclosed that the Navy would embark on a grassroots social and medical outreach programme in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and other areas it had major events.

According to him, after the public holiday on May 29, the Nigerian Navy will continue its week with a 2-day fleet evaluation exercise, which would feature fleet manoeuvres, interception, board and search, as well as arrest, if necessary.

COMPETITION: From left, Mr. Rotimi Ajayi,Project Manager, Shericare Foundation; Mr. Manpret Singh, Marketing Manager, Dufil Prima Foods;Miss Zaniab Olawale of Unity Middle School, Osogbo, winner of Spelling BEE Competition, in Osun; Mr. Tope Asiwaju,Public Relations, Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, and Mr. Akin Olu-Philips,Spelling BEE Coordinator, during the visit of winner of Spelling BEE Competition to Dufil Prima Foods Plc, in Surulere,in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola

Education: W-Bank promotes African centres of excellence with $129m

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA — THE Federal Government said, yesterday, that the World Bank would invest about $129 million on 19 African Centres of Excellence, ACE, with each centre receiving $8 million.

Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, stated this at the formal launch of ACE, Africa, in Abuja.

He said the centres would ensure the abilities of Africans to make, create, innovate and guarantee a secure future for generations yet unborn.

Wike said: “I am particularly delighted to be part of this historic moment to formally launch the ACE, which is a World Bank supported initiative to promote regional specialisation among higher education institutions in West African. This is with a view to addressing specific areas of common regional development

challenges.

“The World Bank is investing about $129 million in this initiative to promote the creation of ACE. Each centre is eligible to receive funds up to $8 million.”

He said Nigeria was proud of the progress Africa was making in education.

“These efforts will lead to the realization of Africa’s potentials, through our universities.

It is also a thing of pride to know that Africa and Africans are being more introspective and looking to take care of our challenges in an organized and sustainable way.

“These centres are needed to inform our abilities to make, create and innovate to ensure a better future for generations yet unborn. Kwame Nkrumah and other great African leaders of his time will be very proud to see that the seed of Pan-Africanism they planted is gradually taking a stronger hold on the continent, through

academia,” he said.

He noted that ACE project offered African universities the opportunity to improve on agriculture, health, science and technology through research, to meet the dire development needs in specified areas.

He, therefore, challenged all the 19 ACE to brace up for the challenges in the imple-

mentation of the projects.

Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Professor Julius Okojie, in his address, said universities in Africa had in the past two decades, fallen behind in terms of research.

According to him, “it is very important to have effective leaders to manage the project.”

‘Disobedience of ECOWAS community court judgments bad’

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA — PRESI DENT of ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, has expressed concern over the lack of compliance with commission’s court of justice judgments by individuals and member states.

Ouedraogo, who spoke while presenting the status report on the state of the community to the parliamentarians at plenary, disclosed that the ECOWAS Community Court was faced with challenges, including the non-enforcement of the rulings of the court by member states.

He lamented the unfortunate development and called for a reversal, submitting that “if judgments are obtained and are not complied with, it means there is no judgment because justice delayed is justice denied.”

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Dr. McIntosh Toga, however, urged all national parliaments to ratify the protocol establishing the Court of Justice.

He charged members of the ECOWAS parliaments who are members of their respective national parliaments, to prevail on their countries to ratify ECOWAS Protocols and Conventions.

He also called on ECOWAS parliament to facilitate prompt ratification of protocols to ensure effective implementation of decisions of the authority of Heads of State and Government.

Ouedraogo disclosed that about five protocols and agreements were currently not ratified by any of the ECOWAS member states.

NTI DG advises Muslims on good conduct

D

IRECTOR-GENERAL AND Chief Executive Officer of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, has tasked Muslims ummah in the country to imbibe exemplary conduct. He made the call during the public presentation of two books written by him, with the titles “Fasting According to Islamic Law and Matsayin Azumi A Shari’ar Musulunci’, in Kaduna.

Dr. Aminu emphasised the

need for Muslim ummah to close ranks and work together for the unity and progress of the religion and the entire nation. Making a reference from the holy Qur’an, the author of the books urged Muslims not to be divided.

He said Muslims had the responsibility to contribute to the overall well-being of the society through exemplary conduct and character. He said the book would encourage unity among Muslims and non-Muslims since both of

them observed fasting as part of their religious practice.

“It will provide knowledge on how to improve the health condition of the people, irrespective of their religious background.

“It will serve as simple guide to the observance of fasting in Islamic religion,” he said.

He advised readers of the books to acquaint themselves with the content and apply the knowledge in practical fasting.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—51

DAY 39

The obscenity that is Boko Haram fined or can even be taken for granted against the Federal HEN, in the late fifties Government of Nigeria. and early sixties, a gloThe constitution of the Fedbally acknowledged and cel- eral Republic of Nigeria of ebrated literary icon; Profes- 1999, as amended, makes the sor Chinua Achebe, lamented country secular and not relithat “things had fallen apart gious or sectarian. There is, and were no longer at ease” therefore, the expectation that not a few failed to comprehend Nigerian citizens have the his lamentation from a futur- fundamental right of freedom istic devolution. of worship. On what basis is Could readers of Chinua the sectarian Boko Haram inAchebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ sisting on the islamization of Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists and ‘No Longer at Ease’ ever the Nigerian government and have imagined that the Nige- her people? rian society could snow-ball Here surely lies into a state in which manifes- the obscenity! tation of man’s inhumanity to The worst man could rather become the thing that can norm instead of exception? happen to an entity is not to Islamist acknowledge fundamentalism when a war has been declared Who in Nigeria then would against it and to ever have thought that a gang appreciate the of human-beings, acting strict- gravity of such ly on Islamist fundamentalism war.

Boko and drunkenness, could delib- Haram, which erately cause the explosion of may be receiving improvised explosive devices substantial supin a Catholic Church in port from such Madella in Niger State that out-lawed orgawould lead to the death and nizations like Boko Haram leader, Shekau maiming of hundreds of Osama bin ladChristian worshippers on a en’s Al-Quaeda, has never piece of intelligence should be lodge the insurgents and rehidden its effrontery against ignored. In a war, every piece possesses the vast area.

Sunday? of information should be thorOn the issue of the more As at the time Achebe drew the Nigerian State.

Thank God, President oughly investigated and ap- than two hundred girls abthe attention of the world community that things had so fall- Goodluck Jonathan, as com- propriately analyzed before it ducted from Government Girl’s Secondary School, Chien apart that the centre could mander-in-chief of the Armed could be said to be worthless.

Indigenes of the local com- bok, the global community that no more hold, did any person Forces of the Federal Repubfrom the global community an- lic of Nigeria, is appreciative munities in the three North has already condemned this ticipate that innocent and de- of the enormity of the war at Eastern States of Adamawa, absurdity should not, under fenceless Nigerian female stu- hand. This is a time when Ni- Borno and Yobe where insur- any guise, be demoralized is most pronounced in from bringing her diverse exA shot has been fired into the Nigerian com- gency the North of Nigeria, should perience in rescue operations pound and patriotism demands that every know that what is principally to assist in rescuing these inat stake is their future. nocent Nigeria’s future hopes. worthy citizen of this great country; the pride The issue of exchanging these of Africa and the Black World, should stand children who have never comMaximum mitted any atrocity against the cooperation up vigorously in arms in defence of our heriNigerian State for insurgents tage They should, therefore, be who have caused terror, dedents who were sitting for gerians from all walks of life sincere to themselves by giv- struction and countless deaths their Senior Secondary School and different shades of opin- ing maximum co-operation to should not, under normal cirCertificate Examination in not, ion should come together and security agents operating in cumstances be imagined, hitherto publicized, Chibok in work in unison in order to their zone. A situation where much more entertained. But in Borno State in the North East save our dear country. A time a local would deliberately give our present situation, the Fedof Nigeria would be rounded such as this cannot be favour- information to security opera- eral Government may have to up by Abubarkar Shekau’s able to unguarded utterances tives that could even lead to bend the rules. Any thing we Boko Haram and hauled to emanating from partisan po- soldiers being ambushed and can do to secure the release desolate Sambisa Forest? litical differences. killed would affect the morale of these innocent girls, who As Professor Wole Soyinka The fact of the matter is that of security operatives very must be undergoing the worst rightly put it, Abubarkar Shek- a shot has been fired into the negatively and would end up psychological, spiritual and au; the self-acclaimed leader Nigerian compound and pa- compounding the security physical trauma of their life, of Boko Haram, is enmeshed triotism demands that every challenges in the affected ar- must have to be done. in decrepit obscenity. He and worthy citizen of this great eas. his gang of followers are ei- country; the pride of Africa and As for the now internation- Physical ther religiously infatuated or the Black World, should stand alized Sambesi Forest; a trauma are irretrievable victims of ex- up vigorously in arms in de- former game reserve which tremity of drug addiction or fence of our heritage.

Nigerian politicians should was renowned for its wild life even both. Be it as it may, the As has been suggested by but has now been converted learn a lesson from the present reality on ground is that Boko many, Nigeria’s security to being the stronghold of ter- holocaust that is Boko Haram.

Haram has declared a war for agencies should devote more rorists, Nigerian security Before the 2011 Presidential which its geographical bound- time to intelligence gathering agents should do everything election, a particular presidenaries are not very easily de- and counter-intelligence. No within their competence to dis- tial candidate of a political

By DON UBANI

W

,

party had threatened that the country would be made ungovernable should he fail in that election. As it is often said in African tradition, the witch has cried and the child has died?

It is equally important to observe that in prosecuting a war, the policy of taciturnity should rather prevail instead of verbosity. Security strategies are best felt through action than being openly advertised. The enemy should constantly be left in the dark. It does appear that a lot of comments on strategies geared towards rescuing our Chibok Girls are randomly and unprotectedly being discussed in the public domain. This may strengthen the enemy.

Nigeria’s neighbours of Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger should appreciate the obvious fact that insecurity in Nigeria certainly is insecurity in their countries.

Absolute confidence They should, therefore, give maximum co-operation to Nigeria in her fight against terrorism.

With regards to the Nigerian security agents, this time calls for absolute confidence in them. The most terrible thing that would happen in this war against insurgency is for secret information passed to security operatives by civilians to get to the Boko Haram. This would be suicidal.

Finally, Nigerians should be conscious of the fact that a time comes in the life of a people when their faith in God could be put to test. This is one of such times. If the Israelites could walk out of Egypt into freedom in the land of Cannan, with faith in God Almighty and constant prayers, Nigerian would surely triumph over this sadistic intrusion of satanic terrorists.

•Sir Ubani writes from UkwaWest L.G.A.Abia State, Nigeria

,

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

DAY 39

UN blacklists Boko Haram, imposes sanctions

T

HE United Nations blacklisted Boko Haram as an Al-Qaedalinked terror group and imposed sanctions yesterday, a month after the it claimed the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria.

The designation, immediately welcomed by Britain and the United States, came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security Council’s 15 members.

The move automatically subjects Boko Haram to UN sanctions, including an arms embargo and asset freeze.

The group, which was created 10 years ago, Members of ZONTA International during a peaceful protest round the city of Ibadan in support of the Photo: Dare Fasube kidnapped Chibok Girls by Boko Haram yesterday.

American Muslim leaders task Shekau •Accuse him of stealing girls, lying against Islam

BY SONI DANIEL

M

USLIM leaders in the United States of America have asked the self-acclaimed leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, to free the more than 276 girls the group seized from their school in Chibok on April 14, 2014.

In an open letter addressed to the Boko Haram leader, the Muslim leaders drawn from various walks of life in the U.S, said it was wrong for Shekau to have abducted the children from their school under the guise of satisfying Islamic injunctions.

In the strongly worded letter posted on the United States Embassy in Nigeria, obtained by our correspondent, yesterday, the Muslim leaders accused Shekau of lying against Islam by abducting the girls and trying to stop them from acquiring education.

The statement said, “We urge you to immediately release the young children you have unconscionably taken. Your actions have shocked Muslims across the world and have disrespected Islam and the teachings of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).

“Your justification for stealing these children – that education for girls goes against Islam – has no basis whatsoever in our faith. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) wisely emphasized that every Muslim man and woman has a duty to seek education.

You have truly strayed from Islam when your actions betray its first command: “Iqra!”

“You do not represent Islam or what Muslims know to be the teachings of Islam. Your attempt to transform a central tenet of Is-

lam into a vile lie used to kill and maim innocent Nigerians of all faiths is transparent. You treat children like cattle. It is abhorrent and sinful to pretend to be a Prophet to whom Allah has spoken. A faithful reading of the teachings of Islam compels you to immediately return these children to their families. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) instructs us to set an example of justice and mercy. In Surat Fussilat, Ayah 34,

we are told that “the good deed and the evil deed are not alike,” and we are instructed to “repel the evil deed with one that is better.

“If you would like to follow the teachings of Islam, listen to the global chorus of voices that are enjoining you to do what is right: return these children to their families and replace the evil in your heart with peace and learning,” the Imams advised.

Schools close for abducted girls

M

ANY schools across the country closed, yesterday, to protest the abductions of schoolgirls by Boko Haram, the government’s failure to rescue them and the killings of 173 teachers by the Islamic extremists in recent years.

Families of some of the kidnapped girls and their supporters also planned to march, yesterday afternoon, to the presidential villa in Abuja, to protest the failure to rescue the girls more than five weeks after they were captured. Police in riot gear and fire engines with water cannon were waiting for the protesters outside the Aso Rock presidential complex.

In Jos, family and friends searched mortuaries and hospitals for people missing since two huge bombs hit a busy market and bus station two days ago. The death toll rose to 130, making Tuesday’s blasts in Jos the deadliest bombing yet committed by the Boko Haram extremists, though they have not claimed responsibility.

Many of the dead may never be identified, University of Jos

student leader Dickson Odeh said after his group searched several hospital mortuaries. They were able to identify the bodies of seven students, some only from ID papers on mutilated bodies, but still are searching for others, he said. “It’s horrible,” Odeh said in front of the Jos University Teaching Hospital. “Many bodies are burned beyond recognition.”

Among those identified was Michael Obgole, a medical student. He “ was ready to sacrifice at any time,” said a friend, Ejiro Otete “I think our generation will miss somebody like him.”

Inside the hospital, 23-year-old survivor Franklyn Anderson cried into her mother ’s shoulder “Mommy, mommy that fire was terrible.” She said she got hit by the blast because she had a yen for fried yams and wandered into the market to find some. Lying beside a young woman whose legs were blown off, Anderson thanked God for her survival, intact. “I’ll pull through ... because I know God is here for me, He gave me another chance, He gave me another life,” she said.

wants to establish an Islamic state in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria.

Its militants have killed several thousand people in a campaign of violence since 2009.

US envoy to the UN Samantha Power said it was “an important step” in support of Nigeria’s efforts “to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities.”

“It is significant step,” Nigerian ambassador Joy Ogwu told reporters in anticipation of the move Wednesday.

“The important thing is to attack the problem and that is terrorism.”

80 US troops begin operation in Chad

E

IGHTY U.S. Air Force personnel have begun their mission in Chad to help locate nearly 300 schoolgirls kidnapped in neighbouring Nigeria, a U.S. military spokesman said yesterday.

The girls and young women were kidnapped on April 15 from a school in the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok by an Islamic extremist group known as Boko Haram. The group’s leader has threatened to sell most of the estimated 276 schoolgirls still being held into slavery unless the Nigerian government releases detained militants.

Reports say some girls were taken across borders into Chad and Cameroon.

Chuck Prichard, a spokesman at the U.S. military’s Africa Command

in Germany, said yesterday that the 80 Air Force personnel were moved to Chad from a location inside the United States. Prichard did not say precisely where the 80 were previously stationed.

President Barack Obama told Congress in a letter about the deployment. Obama said the service members will help with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the nearby region. A senior U.S. official said the drone is a Predator and will be in addition to the unarmed Global Hawks already being used. The new flights will be based out of Chad and allow the military to expand its search to that country.

Comoros bans ‘#bringbackourgirls’ march

C

OMOROS— THE majority Muslim island nation of the Comoros has banned a march over the kidnapping of over 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamic extremists, amid accusations the government wants to dodge religiously sensitive issues.

Officials in the capital Moroni rejected a request to march from children’s rights group Maeecha, saying “it is not possible to grant you permission to walk in the streets of the capital, for reasons related to the circulation of traffic.”

But NGOs accused the government of the Indian Ocean island of trying to silence debate on the actions of Islamist radicals.

The non-governmental Solidarity Association of the Indian Ocean Islands had appealed to the government to speak out on the kidnapping by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, but met a wall of silence.

“Authorities that I consulted just after the kidnapping told me to wait because according to them it concerned a sensitive topic, religion,” said the group’s Soilha Said Mdahoma. Boko Haram, whose name loosely translates as “Western education is forbidden”, kidnapped the girls from their dormitory on April 14, has claimed they converted to Islam and has threatened to sell them.

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MAY 23 , 2014 — 53

BRIEFS

NEWS ON BRIEFS BRIEFS

Somali extremist threatens US, Kenya with attacks

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Thai military takes over power, suspends constitution T

HAILAND’s army chief announced a military takeover of the government Thursday, saying the coup was necessary to restore stability and order after six months of political deadlock and turmoil.

Gen. Prayuth Chanocha said in a statement broadcast on national television that the commission which imposed martial law Tuesday would now take control of the country’s administration.

Yesterday ’s coup announcement came after a second day of negotiations in the capital Bangkok between the army, political groups, senators and members of the election commission failed to resolve the country’s political crisis.

The Military dissolved the government and

Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures during a news conference at The Army Club after the army declared martial law nationwide to restore order, in Bangkok

suspended the constitution.

The nationwide 10pm 5am curfew was

immediately put into effect to stem the persistent street protests by the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra groups in

Thialand which forced the prime minister to resign. . This is the country’s 12th coup since the absolute monarchy ended in 1932.

There had been 19 attempted coups as well in the period.

“It is necessary for the Peace and Order Maintaining Command which includes army, navy, armed forces and police - to take control of governing the country,” Chan-Ocha said.

Hundreds of troops surrounded the venue of the talks from where Suthep Thaugsuban, who led more than six months of anti-government protests, was taken away.

The army now controls the government. We do not know what is going to happen to the leaders of the Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts.”

US, Nigeria outline new partnership for growth of business HUGO ODIOGOR AND VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker yesterday restated the commitment of America’s business community to partner with their Nigerian counterpart to create opportunities to uplift the economy of

Africa’s most populous nation.

Pritzker who was leading a delegation of 20 American companies on an Energy Business Development trade mission to West Africa, was in Lagos yesterday where she addressed representaives of Nigerian business gruop at the Intercontinental Hotel

Victoria Island, Laogs.

Secretary Pritzker arrived in Lagos at the statrt of a three-day visit aimed at promoting U.S. exports and expansion of U.S. companies’ presence in Africa.

She said American firms have launched initiatives to increase their businesses in the energy sector. According to

Russian envoy set for UK talks over Prince Charles comments

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senior Russian diplomat is expected to hold talks at Britain’s foreign ministry yesterday after Prince Charles reportedly compared President Vladimir Putin’s actions to those of Adolf Hitler, a government source said.

The heir to the British throne made the apparently unguarded comment during a trip to a museum in Canada, in private conversation with a Polishborn woman who had fled the Nazis as a child.

Moscow has not formally commented but Russian media said it threatened to further “complicate” relations between Britain and Moscow, already tense

•Prince Charles over the crisis in Ukraine.

A British government official told AFP that “it’s likely that the Russian deputy ambassador will come in later today” to the Foreign Office over the comments.

There was no immediate comment from the Russian

embassy in London.

Charles and Putin are both attending commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of DDay on June 6, although royal aides said no formal meeting was scheduled.

The 65-year-old British royal’s comments were reported by the Daily Mail newspaper on Wednesday.

“I had finished showing him the exhibit and talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada,” 78year-old Marienne Ferguson told the paper.

“The prince then said: ‘And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler’.”

Pritzker the Trade mission is “In line with President Obama’s U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, designed to connect U.S. company products, services and expertise to support Africa’s enormous power potential.”

She said President Obama approved the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) on SubSaharan Africa on June 14, 2012, which has become known as the U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Pritzker “The Strategy recognizes that Africa holds the promise to be “the world’s next major economic success story and this is the first time that promoting U.S. trade and investment has been a cornerstone of a PPD on Sub-Saharan Africa”.

Pritzker who addressed the Nigerian business group said: “One of the Commerce Department’s bottom-line goals is to increase the global fluency of U.S. businesses and make trade and investment a bigger part of the U.S. economy’s DNA. Trade missions like these are one way of accomplishing these priorities.”

AKING a rare threat against the United States, a senior member of Somalia’s Islamic insurgent group that has carried out terrorist attacks abroad said yesterday that holy war will come to America and that Islam’s flag will one day fly over Washington.

The al-Shabab fighter, who has a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head, said in a speech broadcast on the rebels’ radio station that al-Shabab fighters would carry out jihad, or holy war, in Kenya and Uganda “and afterward, with God’s will, to America.”

“America is waging a war in the Horn of Africa because they are responsive to the Quran verses saying that the Islamic flag will fly in every corner of the world,” Fuad Mohamed Khalaf, also known as Fuad Shongole, said, referring to Islam’s holy book.

Koreas exchange fire in disputed waters

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ORTH and South Korean warships exchanged artillery fire in disputed waters off the western coast, South Korean military officials said, in the latest sign of rising animosity between the bitter rivals in recent weeks.

Officials from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defence Ministry said yesterday that a South’s navy ship was engaged in a routine patrol near the country’s disputed maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea when a North Korean navy ship fired two artillery shells. The shells did not hit the South Korean ship and fell in waters near it, they said.

Chadian opposition calls for Derby’s resignation

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HADIAN National People’s Peace Organisation, CNPPO has called on President of Chad Republic, Idris Derby to resign.

They accused him of running a government that favours only the members of his ethnic group, official corruption by his government and blatant abuse of human rights.

In a statement titled, ‘Militarised democracy must end in Chad, enough is enough’, and signed by Yousuf Adam, the group alleged that, “The political affairs causing problem within the African sub region like Sudan, Mali and Central African Republic can be traced to Presdient Derby and his colonial master strategists.”

Apostasy: Husband appeals sentence

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HE husband of a Sudanese woman sentenced to death for converting to Christianity says he will appeal against the ruling. Mariam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag had been ordered to abandon her newly adopted Christian faith and return to Islam.

She had also been charged with adultery for marrying a Christian man.

Her husband, Daniel Wani, was pronounced innocent but their marriage was revoked.

Ishag says she was born to a Sudanese Muslim father, who was absent, and raised by an Ethiopian Christian mother. Wani was quoted as saying on Saturday he would appeal against the decision.

“I was considered innocent and the marriage revoked - the revoking of this marriage means that my son is no longer my son and the one coming is not my son too, will not be my son - so this innocence means nothing and I will appeal for myself and I will appeal for my wife,” the Reuters news agency reported.

Obama brands North Korea a ‘pariah state’

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ORTH Korea is a weak “pariah state” whose heavily militarised border with the South marks “freedom’s frontier”, US President Barack Obama told American troops in Seoul.

The border between of the two countries is a division between a “democracy that is growing and a pariah state that would rather starve its people than feed their hopes and dreams”, he said on Saturday.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, May 23, 2014

The return of Fayose KITI people are known for their love for education and honesty in all areas of human endeavour. They equally detest injustice and cheating in any form. This tends to portray them as a people who write petitions on any act they perceive as unjust.

While many people in Nigeria today accord honour and recognition to those who acquire wealth illegally, the Ekitis treat such individuals with disdain.

Despite all these fine attributes, Ekiti as a state is backward in terms of development and social infrastructure.

Ekiti indigenes who worked with the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha must have had this at the back of their minds hence they fought for the creation of the state.

When Ayo Fayose emerged as the governor of the state, many believed that he did not win the election on his pedigree or popularity but as a beneficiary of ethnic solidarity votes for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

In fairness to Fayose, he brought great changes in Ekiti State in terms of linking many towns and villages with tarred roads. His portraits that adorned every

billboard shortly after Ilesha in Osun State attested to his recognition and acceptance.

The treatment he meted to some elders particularly the traditional rulers, many believe, led to his downfall. Chief Obasanjo who was not happy with this, found one form of allegation or the other to orchestrate his impeachment by the members of Ekiti State House of Assembly.

Fayose’s popularity among the masses in Ekiti State in spite of his past travails, is not in doubt. Many believe that he performed creditably but blamed his attitude towards some elders and traditional rulers on youthful exuberance.

Fayose has graduated from the University of Life which is greater than Harvard University and is now more mature to govern Ekiti State. The magic wand used during his first governance has not left him hence he should be given second chance.

James Adeyemi, Iludun, Sango/Otta LG Area, Ogun State.

Towards a better Nigeria

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IGERIA would be better if the leaders and the led change their attitudes, love one another, and turn to God, for him (God) to heal our land. We all need to turn around and sow in righteousness, so that Nigeria would see better days.

Prophetically, I want to assure Nigerians that we should not lose hope in the country, despite the socio-political and economic challenges. We should always be in fervent prayers, repent of our sins and look unto God with faith.

This is because God will shower his blessings and favour on the faithful (believers).

Also, our economic management team should adopt policies that have human face and the effective utilisation of the nation’s resources for the development of the country.

The leaders and the led should shun selfish interests, as capitalism is returning Nigeria to the era of slavery and the solution is the abolition of greed and antagonistic competition in our economic system.

The Federal Government should use its political will to tackle the seeming insurmountable power problems in the country to fast-track our country’s socioeconomic and infrastructural development.

Nigeria will be great if we do the right things; if we embrace righteousness and listen to God’s word and the Holy Spirit.

I want to plead that all of us should work seriously to ensure that Nigeria remains one united nation. By 2014 Nigeria will be 100 years and we just have to make it work, as there is power in number …. As in China, India, USA and Indonesia We cannot fold our hands and see our unity shattered. Let us all join hands to see Nigeria work. Also, we must all be concerned about the security of our nation that has been threatened.

Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel (Baba Sekunderin), The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries Int’l, Lagos, Nigeria babasekunderin@yahoo.com 08033733470

What Jonathan should do on Boko Haram

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HE President should expose and prosecute whoever he strongly feels is funding Boko Haram’s activities in Nigeria. He should stop relying entirely on the military to checkmate the activities of the sect. The fight to crush insurgency should be a combined effort involving members of the international community.

The President should also reduce his numerous state visits and attendance of birthday ceremonies. He should ponder over the mass killings and the abduction of over 200 students by the sect in Chibok.

The President should be decisive and give to the security agencies an ultimatum that these girls must be brought back home safe and alive. He should re-train our security personnel in line with international standards of concentrating security efforts on intelligence gathering and utility.

He should insist that Boko Haram members are not be killed. Rather they be caught alive and encouraged to give information to the law enforcement agents. They can be prosecuted later.

I love GEJ as a person, but he surely needs to do more as our President.

Nigerians should allow him complete his two terms in office.

Okachikwu Dibia Abuja.

Boko Haram’s attack of innocent victims

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OKO Haram is just going to be a tip of the iceberg as long as our leaders continue to treat the country as their footstool.

But the biggest concern is the attack on innocent people who are themselves victims of misgovernance by these greedy and glutonous leaders.

We all and the Boko Haram sect know the country’s enemies, but yet the Boko Haram and others go after the already injured citizens.

Elvis Obire 08079018001

Nigeria, biggest economy in Africa

It is obvious that the Federal Government is not yet tired of lying to Nigerians. Realising the level of its failure, it went ahead with fictitious figures to deceive the entire world and claim the biggest economy in Africa. How was this confirmed? Which international bodies looked at our books and records?

Anonymous writes in from FCT, Abuja

Immigration tragedy

Boko Haram’s activities

Boko Haram has launched more deadly attacks in the country. It is therefore not out of place to assume that they are better armed than the Nigerian armed forces.

,

E

The ill- luck that trailed the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS recruitment has clearly shown the extent Nigeria is bewildered with the menace of unemployment.

About 3,000 vacancies were advertised and over 80,000

They have progressed from a mere sect to a deadly terrorist group that has links with the world’s worst terrorist organisations; the Nigerian armed forces should step up their game to salvage the situation before it consumes the nation

,

They have progressed from a mere sect to a deadly terrorist group that has links with the world’s worst terrorist organisations.

The Nigerian armed forces should step up their game to salvage the situation before it consumes the nation.

Pst.Vincent Daudu 2348137518785

applicants showed up, What a national disgrace.

The onus lies on the Federal government to provide employment for the teeming unemployed if the so much talked about transformation agenda will become anything to write home about.

Anonymous writes in from FCT, Abuja

Kwakwanso’s accusation of GEJ

Nyanya bomb blast

Mr. President allegedly said that Kano is one of the major beneficiaries of Federal government projects since he assumed office.

His administration, he said, had awarded N14billion dual carriageway that would link Kano and Kastina in addition to two major fly-overs been constructed at strategic locations in Kano.

Kwakwanso however accused President Jonathan of constructing one bridge of not more than N2billion. Why did he not go ahead and tell the world the roads and bridges he has constructed?

Doom is the resultant consequence of a child that has no respect for his father.

Osaezue Chukwuyenum Abbi 07067442140.

I think the second Nyanya bomb blasts is an unmistakeable pointer to the fact that Nigeria is in a state of political anarchy and religious schism that defies President Jonathan’s solution.

In civilized climes he should have resigned after the abduction of about 234 school girls from Chibok, Borno State into the Sambisa evil forest. President Jonathan has become the problem because he lacks the courage to find and implement a lasting solution to the Boko Haram menace.

He should resign and let Nigeria move forward.

Chief Bobson Gbinije,Mandate Against Poverty(MAP) 2347068621168

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014 —55

C M Y K

56—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Lagos to create data base for professional sureties

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS State Govern ment, yesterday, said the registration and creation of central data base for all professional sureties in the state, would soon begin.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who disclosed this while delivering a note at a Stakeholders Summit on the Creation of Bondspersons in Lagos, said the move was to check activities of touts abusing the bail system by forging various documents including tax certificates and Certificate of Occupancy, to perfect the granting of bail to defendants.

Ipaye said once the law comes into force, the issue of defendants absconding from trial after being admitted to bail will be reduced.

He added that over the years, the inability of indigent defendants to perfect their bail conditions has led to an increase in touting and other undesirable practices, which has also led to prison congestion and loss of faith in the criminal justice system.

Also speaking, at the summit, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, said the prospective bonds agents would be thoroughly screened to ascertain their credibility.

Phillips said the agents would be in charge of verifying the particulars of any defendant granted bail to ensure that such persons appear before the court during his trial. She added that the bond agents are also to verify the particulars of the guarantors provided by the defendants which would reduce their chances of jumping bail.

Stop abusing Jonathan, our governors, PDP tells Kwankwaso

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA— NATIONAL lead ership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, lampooned Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano for attacking President Goodluck Jonathan and Governors elected on the platform of the party, saying he should reflect and ever remain grateful to the party for giving him the platform to become a governor and a minister.

A statement by PDP national secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo, PDP said, “Our attention has been drawn to the recent outburst by Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso wherein he poured vituperations on President Goodluck Jonathan and governors elected on the platform of our great party.

“Of particular note is his direct attack on the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio and other southern governors who accompanied the President to our unity rally in Kano State recently.

“Whilst the PDP recognizes the inalienable right of citizens to hold opinions and identify with political platforms of their choice, we indeed find it very difficult to understand the type of bitterness that has taken hold of an elected person like Governor Kwankwaso who hugely benefitted from the PDP on which platform he was twice elected governor in addition to being appointed minister.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored him, but in the interest of the nation and our teeming supporters we are persuaded to post this response, put the records straight and expose the real intentions of Governor Kwankwaso.

“It is very shocking that an elected governor could show his inability to manage his political failures and miscalculations by condescending so low to attack governors from a section of the country even to the extent of describing his own colleagues as “vultures.”

“Kwankwaso has not only shown his aversion to the unity

of the nation but also the agenda of his party, the APC, to attack well-meaning individuals and leaders as a means to cause confusion among Nigerians and destroy our oneness as a people.

“We wish to inform Kwankwaso that the PDP and our teeming supporters are aware of the plot by the APC to use people like him to cause disaffection among our leaders and destabilize our party, a plot which has already failed.

“It is common knowledge that the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio, has remained completely loyal and committed to the PDP and the success of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration. It is also public knowledge that Governor Akpabio is not interested in the Presidency or any other executive position for that matter. Instead, Governor Akpa-

bio has declared his intention to run for the Senate in 2015.

“Rather than venting his frustration the wrong way, Governor Kwankwaso should learn from Akpabio and other PDP governors who have continued to deliver the dividends of democracy to their people," the party added.

Tukur lauds 25 APC decampees over return to PDP

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ORMER National Chair man of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described the defection of 25 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP in Adamawa State as a landmark political development for the party in the state.

In a statement signed by Tukur’s Special Assistant, Oliver Okpala, he said the decision by all legislators to return

to the PDP where they originally belonged has portrayed the members as great men of proven political honour and integrity.

Expressing happiness over the issue, he said that the action had "concretized and effectively cemented the positive claim and control of Adamawa politically as a PDP state. As an elder statesman, and one of the founding fathers of the party who hails also from Adama-

wa, I am confident that the PDP will certainly take-over the governance of the state in 2015.”

He, however, asked the legislators to support President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership at all levels, assuring that all of them were equal owners and members of the party, who would be given their rights and recognition irrespective of events of the past.

L-r: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Olatunde Agoro, Special Adviser on Rural Matters, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, former chairman, Community Development Advisory Council, Alhaji Moshood Dosunmu, Woman Leader, Lagos East Senatorial District Chief (Mrs.) Fausat Gbadebo, Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi and Chairman Ijede LCDA Mr. Adefarasin Hassan at the handing over of Ijede Micro Water Scheme to Ijede community. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Musdapher accuses National Assembly of sitting on bills

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

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UTSE—FORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, GCON, has accused the National Assembly, NASS, of sitting on relevant bills that would aid quick administration of justice in the country. Musdapher said that some of the bills he submitted to the two chambers of NASS while serving as CJN in 2012, for consideration and passage were still to be attended to, adding that even the Freedom of Information, FOI, Bill which passed into law was due to much pressure from

N i g e r i a n s .

He named some of the bills waiting for the attention of NASS members to include, the "Remuneration of the former Presidents, Heads of State, Government of the Federation, Prime Ministers, Heads of Legislative Houses and Chief Justices of Nigeria Bill, 2010, the National Food Reserve Agency Bill, 2010, the Petroleum Industries Bill, PIB, Community Service Bill; Police (Amendment) Bill: The Prisons Act (Amendment Bill); The Victims Act Bill, The Elimination of Violent Acts Bill and the Bill to Amend the Legal

Practioners Act among others.

He spoke in a lecture entitled, "Law Reform in Nigeria:Challenges and Opportunities," at the Jigawa State University.

He stated, "I perceive what I regard as deliberate, indifference or absolute lack of commitment and political machinations on the part of the political class in the area of law reforms.

The need to review our laws in line with the prevailing international standard gravitated towards the attainment and sustenance of democratic

principles was not within the contemplation of the military regimes during this period in question.

Thus, an atmosphere of anomie in the review of our laws pervaded for about three decades; a period long enough to make a country suffer corporate amnesia and abdicate her responsibility in the reformation of her laws. One would have thought that with the return to democratic governance in Nigeria in 1999, she would have accelerated her law reform process, just to catch up with

present needs and aspiration of her citizens.

"This is because the advent of democracy brought with it excitement and reinvigorated hope and aspiration that the situation has changed for the better for the country. This expectation was reasonably so, because democracy thrives on the rule of law. And the rule of law can only strive where the law is relevant to the yearnings and aspirations of the society. But it was as if the injury inflicted on our collective psyche was too much to wear out so soon and so easily."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—57

Zamfara suspends launching of fertiliser sales

BY SALISU MARADUN

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USAU—THE Zam fara State government, yesterday, postponed its launching of this year ’s rainy season fertilizer sales, following the sudden resignation of the commissioner in charge of the ministry, Alhaji Malami Aliyu, few days to the ceremony.

Malami tendered his resignation from the state executive council and ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The former commissioner, who had been in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture in the last three years, submitted his resignation through the Office of Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and immediately vacated his office.

The resignation takes effect from tomorrow, although Malami was said to have left the state for Abuja for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sources told Vanguard that though no reasons were given for his resignation, Aliyu took the decision to enable him contest the senatorial seat which he had been reportedly eyeing for a long time now.

However, apart from being dissatisfied with the style of Governor Abdulaziz Yari’s administration in the state, some of his political associates told Vanguard that the former commissioner decamped to the PDP where he believed he would be given an automatic ticket for the Senate come 2015 election.

Nigerian troops not involved in Borno killing fields—DHQs

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HE Defence headquarters, yesterday, de nied allegation that troops which are currently engaging in the war on terror in the Borno State were involved in genocide against innocent Northerners, saying it was a diversionary ploy to weaken the resolve of the military to tackle terrorism.

A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade reads, “The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has found the latest allegation of genocide against the Nigerian military by a Kaduna based cleric as not only diversionary but unfortunate.

“The DHQ wishes to unequivocally dissociate the Nigerian military from any involvement in the alleged genocide as depicted in the graphic pictures which appeared in the front page of a Kaduna based national daily entiElder & Mrs Elder C.O.G. Awani and children during the burial of his mother in-law tled, 'Alleged killing field in Borno.' “While the Madam Oristegbubemi Chukwurah at Immanuel Anglican Church, Ugwunabankpa, military will continue to respect freedom of exInland Town Onitsha pression of Nigerians, it will not submit to desperate blackmail and propaganda aimed at diverting attention and pitching public opinion against the armed forces. Although the real motive of the report and presentation with the apparent intention to impute milscheme. “There is need for Govconference to commemorate the

BY CHIOMA OBINNA itary complicity in the event deernment to focus more on primaWorld Family Doctors Day, also IGERIAN private medical ry healthcare.” picted in the pictures is yet to unraised alarm over recent abducdoctors have leaned their fold, the DHQ sees this allegaHe stated that government of tion of medical doctors from their weight to the Federal Govern- states that promote free healthtion as the manifestation of yet consulting rooms. ment’s universal health coverage, care should divert the money of another grand design to tarnish Arigbabuwo threatened that saying, the country’s poor health free healthcare to health insurand denigrate the image of NigeNigeria was drifting to an era indices stand the potential of re- ance. "No health policy can be rian Armed Forces. where doctors may start subjectcording better scoring with effec- absolutely free. Whatever mon“The Nigerian military remains ing patients to security scrutiny tive implementation of health in- ey for free healthcare should be a professional force whose operabefore attending to them no surance. tions is guided by high standard diverted to the pool of health inmatter the nature of emergency Medical doctors under the ae- surance. The Federal Governof professional ethics and will not in question. gis of the Association of General ment should begin think of legbe party to such dastardly act. At “If this happens, he expressed and Private Medical Practitioners islation and should stop promotno time or event in the course of fear, that the already very poor of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch ing health as concurrent. There the counter-insurgency operations health indices of the country will have called for the health insur- is need for the government to have the troops embarked on the not only be affected but will form ance to be made compulsory for think of legislation across board extra-judicial killing of civilians as part of the challenges in achievevery Nigerian through a legis- that will make health insurance exhibited in the gory pictures. The ing universal health coverage lation. location and occasion where the compulsory for every Nigerian. in a time bound target of coverSpeaking in Lagos, Chairman, events captured in the pictures age."

Dr. Jimmy Arigbabuwo main- Health were taken is unknown and has He further called on family tained that health insurance will insurance no bearing whatsoever as insinudoctors to remain focused by address challenges of patients ated in the report by the Blueprint accrediting their facilities going to far places because of newspaper.

“We should not insist that evthrough the various authorities their inability to afford cost of treat- ery form of insurance must be “The individual holding stick and operators of the health inment in a private hospital. Arig- National Health Insurance which the paper mischievously surance, state and national; inbabuwo, who proffered strategies Scheme, NHIS. States should described as “a soldier stand(ing) cluding community based to ensure the success of univer- have their freedom to initiate and guard…” is certainly not a Nigehealth insurance to pave way sal coverage, explained that at- evolve their health insurance. rian soldier neither is any of those for universal health coverage. tention should focus more on the NHIS should play more of regucaptured in the pictures. The meCorroborating his views, Secactors in the healthcare delivery latory role. Health budget should dia are once again advised not to ond Vice Chairman, Dr. Ganiyu and the end – users. make themselves available to not be politicised because if you Saluudeen noted that universal According to him, there is need are not healthy you cannot run those who are desperate to tarnish health coverage would exact out for government to create enabling other sectors." the good name of the Nigerian of pockets payments from Nienvironment for more social marArmed Forces”.

The AGPMPN Lagos State gerians thereby putting away kets for the health insurance Chairman, who spoke at a press frictions usually arise between the doctors and their patients on the issue of payments.

“Universal health coverage will bring about multiplier effect indicated that phase one of the the opportunity to re-register durfurther declared that this is conby the time Nigeria goes into distribution of voters cards will last ing the Continuous Voter Registrary to suggestions that persons full blown coverage. The poputill May 25, 2014, in the follow- tration (CVR) that holds from in so-called ‘zero polling units’ lace and the providers will bening states: Taraba, Gombe and Wednesday, May 28, 2014, to need not show up. efit because they will operate in Zamfara. Others are Kebbi, Be- Sunday, June 1, 2014.”

Idowu also stated that “the a very relaxed atmosphere,” he nue, Kogi, Abia, Enugu, AkwaThe Commission further statCVR is for the following categoadded.

Ibom and Bayelsa. ed that there will be a display of ries of people: (i) Persons who Speaking, Dr. DuroJaiye, SecThe statement said, “Persons the valid register of voters at the turned 18 years after the last retary Agege Zones of AGPwhose data have been appropri- polling units where the PVCs will registration;(ii); Persons who MPN, expressed concern over ately captured will be handed be distributed adding that it is were 18 years at the time but did implementation of the project their permanent voters cards at important for every voter to visit not present themselves for regisadding that, “If in all sincerity the polling units in accordance his or her polling unit from Fritration; and (iii) Persons whose we carry out the project well, with set procedures. Those with day, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, data were not adequately capeverything will improve.” defective data, for whom PVCs 2014, to ascertain his or her regtured previously and for whom have not been produced, will have istration status. The statement PVCs have not been produced.”

Universal health coverage will improve Nigeria’s health indices — AGPMPN

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2015: INEC distributes voters cards in 10 states

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, called on registered voters in 10 states across the country to check their registration status during the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, beginning today.

This was contained in a statement issued by Kayode Idowu, Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega. The statement further

58—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Fayose leads street march against insecurity

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — THE PDP candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose yesterday led a protest march in Ado Ekiti, to condemn Tuesday’s bomb blast in Jos, Plateau State and other security challenges in various parts of the country.

Amidst presence of other chieftains of the party including his former Deputy, Chief Biodun Olujimi, Chief Bola Olu Ojo, Chief Bisi Kolawole and his wife ,Feyisetan the procession marched through the major streets of Ado Ekiti the state capital and stopped at the popular Erekesan Market , where the PDP gubernatorial candidate addressed the people The protesters, were all clad in black vests with an inscription,” Ekiti PDP mourns the victims of Jos blast.”

The PDP gubernatorial candidate cautioned the political class against bringing down the country to its kneels just because of power, saying nothing would distract the President

Declare your assets or face court action, group urges Bamidele

T

PDP RALLY: From left— Mr. Koko Eshiet, member; Prince Ebile Dudu, National Coordinator, both of Niger Delta Youths for Jonathan, and Dr. Ayo Fayose, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, during a rally in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Goodluck Jonathan PDP-led Government from moving the country forward.

Fayose described the contin-

ued shedding of innocent blood as extreme show of madness, calling on the opposition to stop making politics out of the car-

nage that has brought grief and anguish to thousands of innocent Nigerians .

HE Labour Party, (LP) can didate, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, has been challenged to openly declare his assets, following the example earlier set by the incumbent governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The South West Social and Economic Foundation, (SWEF) in a statement made available to Vanguard said Bamidele needs to explain the source of his ‘enormous wealth.’

The group in a statement issued by its Director, Ahmed Olokoju said that Mr. Bamidele has been preaching openness, justice and equity but that his failure to declare his assets shows that his public conducts negate what he professes.

Vote personalities, not parties —Kole Ajayi

OTERS in Ekiti State have Vbeen Alleged burning of Fayose’s billboard, a ruse, says EYEM personalities advised to vote for and not political

T

HE Ekiti Youth Emancipa tion Movement (EYEM), an organization of concerned Ekiti State youths, has urged Nigerians and Ekiti State people in particular, to ignore the allegation by the PDP candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose, that his billboards were being burnt by supporters of the candidate of the APC, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Reacting to the allegation in a press statement jointly signed by its President, Mr. Taiwo Olatunji, and Secretary, Mr. Kunle Adewumi, the group said Ekiti people could not be fooled over what it described as the shoddy way Fayose is running his campaign.

•Gov Fayemi The group described Fayose as a master of many tricks, including destroying his own

property to subsequently blame the opposition in order to attract cheap sympathy, it said the PDP candidate had used the same tricks in the past.

“It is clear to every Ekiti man and woman that Fayose has no single billboard in the entire state. This infuriated the national leadership of PDP that it sent a delegation to Ekiti State to ask Fayose why he did not erect a single billboard while other candidates have their billboards across the state,” the group said, adding: “To defend his action, Fayose told PDP leadership that APC is removing and burning his bill-

boards. However, he could not defend himself when the leaders of the party asked him to take them to the sites where his billboards were either removed or burnt. The leaders knew Fayose is deceiving them after finding out that he is not spending the money he collected from Abuja to run his campaign,” the group said.

The group alleged that Fayose is running his campaign as a pure business enterprise to make money, stressing that it would be mischievous to blame APC for non-existent billboards.

parties in order to ensure good governance for the state.

Speaking after attending an emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees of Ekiti State University Alumni Association, the Accord governorship candidate, Mr Kole Ajayi stated that since there are no clear cut ideologies among political parties, the only yardstick for taking electoral decision is personality.

Ajayi further said that political parties are not sincere enough in view of the way parties operate without ideologies.

LP accuses APC of buying voters card

HE Labour Party in Ekiti Corruption allegations: Bamidele accuses Fayemi of plot TState has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, to arrest LP members sion, Barr Bayo Idowu, former having failed to frustrate and of buying off voters’s cards

BY DAPO AKINREFON

L

ABOUR Party Governorship Candidate, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the APC in Ekiti State arrest his supporters across the State as a way of distracting him from his preparations for the election.

Among those especially targeted in the plot according to Bamidele are former aides of the incumbent governor who left him to join Bamidele’s campaign against Governor Fayemi.

Bamidele in a statement by his media aide, Ahmed Salami accused the APC of hiding under the violence that erupted during the LP campaign rally in Ipole Iloro Ekiti, Ilawe, Ilejemeje and Okemesi to carry out massive clamp down on some of the high profile personalities in his party.

Bamidele said he had it on good authority that the APC-led government had perfected plans to open spurious corruption cases against key supporters like former Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Commis-

Special Adviser, Chief Akin Olayisade, former Chairman, Ekiti State Waste Management Agency, Hon Morakinyo Adebayo and those who had earlier served under Fayemi’s government but defected to LP, having lost faith in the present government.

The LP flag bearer called on the people of the State to prevail on Governor Fayemi and APC to drop the evil plan, saying the “outcome of such exercise could heat up the polity and immerse the state into unprecedented crisis.?”

It alleged that “Multiple grapevine sources revealed to us that

stop us from campaigning across the State in preparation for the June 21 poll, their plan now is to open spurious and phantom allegations against some of our members.”

Continuing, he said “they are not stopping at that, those who served under Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni-PDP-led Governments but now playing pivotal role in Michael Opeyemi Bamidele Campaign organization are being thoroughly investigated with the intention to rope them for shady financial dealings while serving in government.

ahead of the June 21 governorship election.

In a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Mr Bolanle Olatunde-Bruce, the party said, “We have it on good authority that the Ekiti APC is buying off voters’ cards preparatory to rig the gubernatorial elections coming up on Saturday, June 21, 2014.”

It urged the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014—59

Derivation: We’ll take the battle back to the Creeks — N/Delta delegates •Accuse Kutigi of serving northern interests

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

N

IGER-DELTA delegates, yesterday, declared that they would be heading back to the creeks should the conference refuse to grant them 100 percent control of the mineral resources in the area.

This is coming on the heels of the rejection of a minority report

by Ms. Annkio Briggs arising from the report of the Committee on Devolution of power.

Briggs who was a member of the committee had disagreed with the retention of 13 percent derivation and subsequently drafted a minority report.

But voting during the submission of the document, the conference rejected the report.

The recommendation of retaining the status quo on derivation has made the Niger-Delta people to renew their agitation for resource control.

In their latest position, they asked to be given 100 percent control of the resources while they pay tax of not more than 50 percent to the Federal Government.

Addressing Journalists on the issue, Briggs who insisted that she was never part of the committee’s unanimous decision on derivation stated that her people would in due time react to the decision.

Producing wealth of the nation She said: “The content of the minority report is once again reemphasizing the position of the Niger-Delta that is producing the wealth of this nation and the two other oil producing states in the South-East and of course, Ondo State. The position has always been that we are here to ask for 50 per cent derivation or we have 100 per cent resource control and pay not more than 50 percent to the Federal Government. Whichever way, you look at it, we will be satisfied, I mean the people of Niger-Delta that have paid such a huge price for over 50 years in environmental devastation, lack of development and all of that. We think it is time we look back to the 1963 constitution where other people had 50 percent of what they were producing. ”And if we say we are here to see how Nigeria is going to move forward on the basis of justice and equity, then I think that we should start with 50 percent derivation.

Anything short of that, I think we will be deceiving ourselves. I think in the Committee on Devolution of Power that was not achieved at all on the issue of discussing re-

source control and derivation. It was just put on the table and suggestion was made that status quo should be allowed, that is 13 percent should be maintained. The issue of whether it should go up or come down was never discussed and so, I am amazed to hear there is a claim that it was unanimous.”

Also speaking, Dr. Isaac Osuka, Civil Society Delegate from the South-South geo-political zone faulted the report, saying that there was an inherent lie in it.

He warned that the conference would be setting a dangerous precedent by not accepting the minority report.

Osuka added that the scores would be settled in the creeks of the Niger-Delta. ”The point is that there is an inherent lie in the report of the Committee on Devolution of Powers.

The claim they made that the report they submitted was based on consensus is a lie because if you have a situation where there is a minority report, it means that consensus was not achieved. If a member of the committee did not append his or her signature to the

Delegates at a session report, it means that there was no consensus. If you had a situation where that member made her position clear to that committee, it means that there was something

fundamentally wrong in preventing voting because there are two options we have in this conference.

It is either there is consensus or voting. In this case, there was no

voting. So, there is something very fundamentally wrong. The right of the member to present her minority report cannot be taken away from her.

Confab gets 4 weeks extension T

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

HE FEDERAL Government yesterday extended the National Conference by four weeks to make up for lost time occasioned by many public holidays and the hosting of the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA).

With this, the conference will

now end on July 17, 2014 and not on June 17, 2014 as was scheduled.

Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, announced this to delegates, saying that after a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Federal Government agreed to grant the conference

four weeks extension.

He revealed that the conference had applied for six weeks to enable it cover some lost grounds but was instead granted four weeks.

Deliberating on the issues, the conference secretariat suggested that sittings should also be held on Saturdays and Sundays.

However, delegates rejected the idea and suggested that two hours of lunch time should be reduced to one hour.

Again, that was not taken as the secretariat use the two hours lunch time to prepare minutes of proceedings of the conference.

Delegates’ aides threaten to disrupt proceedings over welfare

BY HENRY UMORU

S

TRONG indications emerged yesterday that smooth considerations of reports of the 20 Committees may be affected following threats by some personal aides attached to delegates to disrupt proceed-

ings over issues relating to their welfare.

The aides which mostly comprise of drivers, security details and other ad-hoc staff were alleged not to be happy with the leadership of the conference which made no provision for

Confab delegates in a group picture with President Goodluck Jonathan

their welfare prior to the planning of the conference.

At yesterday’s plenary session, Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi had told delegates that there was a security report from the Department of State Security(DSS), saying that delegates’ aides were warming up for a protest over their welfare issues.

Kutigi, in a letter he read to the delegates, said the aggrieved aides had also written a letter to the presidency and copied same to the conference secretariat, expressing their grievances.

He appealed to the delegates “to talk to your aides to leave us alone to conduct this conference successfully or in the alternative we would get them arrest-

ed if they do not conduct themselves properly.”

Although, it is not clear how much each delegate would receive at the end of the exercise, it was however speculated that each delegate would earn a minimum of N12million at the expiration of the conference.

It will be recalled that at the commencement of plenary on March 18, a day after the conference was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan, a motion was raised by some delegates seeking a clarification of who should foot the allowances of the aides and Kutigi explained then that the budget for the conference only covered the 492 delegates’ allowances and feeding for the three months the conference would last.

60—Vanguard, FRIDAY, May 23, 2014

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08053068728

Continues from BP has predicted Nigeria will reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.

Omeruo also said Nigeria have what it takes to brush aside Argentina in the first round of the tournament.

“I’m hoping we’ll get to

Omeruo the final,” Omeruo responded confidently when asked how far his side would go.

“But I think at least the semi-finals.”

The former Sunshine Stars defender, who was handed a big role at age

Mexico Continues from BP Herrera has banned all his players from indulging in love making, alcohol or smoking at next month’s World Cup, insisting they are not in Brazil “to party”.

Herrera, whose team has been drawn in a difficult group alongside Croatia, Cameroon and hosts Brazil, wants his squad to remain focused at the task at hand.

“All the players we have selected have a pretty good resume, they all have won great things, they have been champions and obviously, they know what they want to achieve,” the national

manager told Reforma.

“So then we will not be looking for women or making love at the World Cup just to have it, we are going to go after what we came for, a competition that gives us the opportunity to rise above and do something really great.

“If a player can’t go one month or 20 days without having relations, then they are not prepared to be a professional player.

“Let’s play a World Cup, we’re not going to a party.”

The Mexico boss insists his players must not be distracted during their stay in Brazil.

Argentina Continues from BP Sabella, dropped four players from his 2014 FIFA football World Cup line up including Lisandro Lopez, Fabian Rinaudo, Franco Di Santo and Gabriel Mercado..

Sabella needs to reduce his provisional 30-man squad to a requisite 23-man team

by June 2, 10 days before the tournament kicks off.

The four players who didn’t make the cut, Mercado (River Plate/ Argentina), Lopez (Getafe/Spain), Rinaudo (Catania/Italy) and Di Santo (Werder Bremen/ Germany), will be sent home before the team begins training next week at an Argentine Football Association facility in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of the capital Buenos Aires.

Madrid Continues from BP League final in Lisbon as Real Madrid take on Club Atlético de Madrid in the first one-city showpiece.

The UEFA Champions League final will take on a new dimension as Real Madrid take on Club Atlético de Madrid in Lisbon – the first showpiece between teams from the same city in the 59-year history of the European Cup. • This is the fifth onecountry UEFA

Champions League final and, having come out on top in the first 14 years ago, Madrid have cause for optimism as they seek their tenth European crown. In contrast, this is only Atlético’s second European Cup final appearance yet, as the last unbeaten side in this season’s competition, there is no danger of them being underestimated at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

19 at the AFCON 2013 where he was key to Eagles victory, said the experience was great as he was surprised to get such opportunity.

“It was unbelievable,” Omeruo said. “It was my first appearance for the national team at the start of the tournament, and then there we were, lifting the trophy. I felt good and it was a day I will never forget.”

Omeruo said the African champions are capable of stopping one of the World Cup favourites Argentina.

“I’m really looking forward to the game against Argentina,” he said.

“We will try as much as possible to keep a clean sheet. It will be difficult but we have to do that. They are the best players in the world and we have to show our quality by standing up to them. We will first of all have to make sure we get maximum points from the first two games.”

Continues from BP Nigeria as the African country that will produce the best finish at the Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Apart from Nigeria, there are four other African countries that will take part at the World Cup from next month.

Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast are the four other nations.

But the Tottenham Hotspur forward has picked the African champions to shine at the World Cup ahead of the other African representatives saying they “have all the ingredients to be good in the World Cup.” He explained that Nigeria’s Super Eagles because of their coach, Stephen Keshi, who managed Togo between 2004 and 2006 and qualified them for the 2006 World Cup. The former Arsenal and Manchester City man also talked on the influence the trio of John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Vincent Enyeama will have in the Nigerian team during the World Cup. “Out of these teams, it [my choice for which of the African teams will go the furthest] would be Nigeria because of their

AYG: Continues from BP warning signal to other contenders in the African Youth Games which started yesterday in Gabrone, Botswana by forcing two bitter goals down the throat of the hosts.

Two strikes from supporting striker Nasifi Yahaya, in the 4th and 90th minutes of the game ensured that the coach Danladi Nasidi led side silenced the huge crowed at the Botswana National stadium.

Nigeria had a commanding control of the game that even Botswana fans could not help but to appreciate the beautiful artistry of the Nigerian lads.

Football was one of the sports that kick-started the Games yesterday with about 2,500 athletes from 54 countries participating.

Adebayor concentration. Because of Stephen Keshi [the coach] - he knows a lot about football and everything. He has been there as well as a player for Nigeria.

“And they have got Victor Moses, who is a great friend of mine, and I like the way he plays. Jon Obi Mikel played a lot for Chelsea this year and showed how good he is.

Their goalkeeper (Enyeama) is very good.

Nigeria have all the ingredients to be good in the World Cup,” Adebayor told British newspaper, Express.

Adebayor also gave a noholds-bar verdict on the chances of Ivory Coast and Ghana.

“I never trust them (Ivory Coast). They are the country that will always let you down. I know all of them from the bench to the manager. Sabri Lamouchi [their coach] is my very good friend.

“How come for the last four or five years have they not won the African Cup of Nations? They have got the best striker in Europe in Didier Drogba. They have got the best midfielder today, Yaya Toure. You’ve got one of the best strikers in the league today, the one that plays at

In the day ’s other game, South Africa played a 3-3 draw with Swaziland.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Sani M Ndanusa and Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye have commended the Nigerian football team for their fine opening on a winning note but reminded them that they must not relax until the win the prestigious gold.

Ndanusa and Elegbeleye also visited the athletes village where they charged the team to go all out for medals. ‘’We’re not here to play second fiddle. You must go all out for medals in all your events’’, Ndanusa said while Elegbeleye reminded them to be disciplined and not to do anything that would bring Nigeria’s name to disrepute.

Swansea, Wilfried Bony.

You have all of those players.

“But the thing is, are they going to be collective enough? I don’t know. I am not an Ivorian. They will be talking, laughing and enjoying themselves but when the time comes, they will forget about their job.

“There’s no togetherness. Everyone wants to be the hero.

Everybody wants to be the one to finish on a high so the folks remember them for what I have done, not for what we have done as a generation, nor for what we have done as team.

Everyone wants to be like a hero and that is what is killing Ivory Coast.

“Ghana have a good team. I hope they do well but they have done everything that is possible.

“Asamoah Gyan is a great player and great friend of mine but is now playing in Dubai. He is still their main man. If he is not in form or if he does not match the level of the World Cup, then Ghana will struggle,” said Adebayor.

The African champions, Nigeria, will begin their World Cup appearance when they face Iran at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba on June 16.

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Ronaldo on the road to Lisbon

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D

IEGO Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti go head-to-head on Saturday as Madrid pair Real and Atletico meet in the Champions League final.

Having both enjoyed success during distinguished playing careers the pair have seemingly always been on opposing sides.

While Ancelotti played for Roma and AC Milan, Simeone starred for Lazio and Inter and the rivalry will continue in the Estadio da Luz dugouts as both manager’s will hope to mastermind their club from the Spanish capital to victory.

So these two have always been on opposite sides?

Pretty much so. Simeone for Lazio and Ancelotti for Roma. Simeone for Inter, Ancelotti for Milan. And now on opposite sides of the great divide in Madrid.

What did they win?

Ancelotti won four Italian Cups and one Scudetto with Roma. Some years later Simeone won

CONTEST....Atletico Madrid star (l) vies with Real Madrid counterpart during their previous match.

Simeone vs Ancelotti: Tale of rivals as Real, Atletico clash one league, one cup, One European Super Cup and one Italian Super Cup with Lazio.

And in Milan?

Ancelotti won two European Cups under Arrigo Sacchi. He has

quite a relationship with this tournament – six finals in total two won as a coach and one lost; two won as a player and one lost.

And Simeone at In-

ter?

A Uefa Cup triumph in 1998. The same year he played a certain game at St. Etienne and got a certain England captain sent off.

Koke: Atletico Madrid’s C/L match-winner •Koke

RISTIANO Ronaldo has taken a big step towards playing in the Champions League final during Real Madrid’s final training session in the Spanish capital before travelling to Lisbon.

He completed part of the session with the rest of the group and part of it training by himself.

Pepe and Benzema, meanwhile, spent the morning continuing to work with the physiotherapists.

The positive news for Carlo Ancelotti regarding Cristiano Ronaldo was marred by concern over the Portuguese defender Pepe and the French striker Karim Benzema.

T

HE Champions League final is just 24 hours away, it is the first time the competition’s finale will be contested between two teams from the same city as Atletico face Real Madrid.

Atletico wrapped up La Liga at the weekend, earning a point at the Nou Camp to seal their first title triumph in almost 20 years. They have the chance to lift their first ever European Cup this weekend, should they reign victorious over their closest rivals.

Both teams have exceptional talents in their first-team; Real have the two of most expensive players ever in Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo sandwiching the effective Karim Benzema, while Atleti can boast - fitness depending - the fiery talents of Diego Costa, Arda Turan and Diego Godin.

Another of their stars who has lit up the European stage this season is Koke. The diminutive Spaniard has been phenomenal all season long and could be the key player in the final in Lisbon on Saturday.

So who had the better career?

Ancelotti has the cups, Simeone has the caps.

The Italian has won the Champions League twice but Diego played even more games for Argentina (106) than the other Diego, Maradona.

And did they ever actually face each other on the pitch in one of those Rome or Milan derbies?

No. They only started locking horns as managers.

So what’s the balance?

Simeone got the better of Ancelotti at the Bernabeu in the league earlier in the season becoming the first coach to lead Atleti to victory in a league match over Real in 14 years. Honours were even in the return fixture in a 2-2 draw. In the cup Real knocked Atletico out winning both legs. So it’s one win to Carlo, one to Diego, and one draw. All to play for in the biggest game of all.

•Ronaldo

Simeone: Atletico know how to succeed

A

TLETICO Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his side are reaping the rewards of the winning mentality they have built over the last three years.

The Argentine took over the Spanish club back in 2011 and quickly transformed their fortunes, delivering the Europa League, the Copa del Rey and the Liga titles.

Vanguard, FRIDAY MAY 23, 2014 — Page 63

08053068728

Eagles vs Scotland: Anya ready to pounce on Eagles

Milo Africa Championships: Amuneke to visit Team Nigeria on Sunday

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C

N May 28 when Brazil 2014 World Cup bound Super Eagles square up against Scotland in a tune-up match at Craven Cottage in London, one player that will be ready to wreck the Nigerian ship in the colours of the Tartan Army is Nigerian-born striker, Ikechi Anya.

The Watford winger was named in the Scottish squad by coach Gordon Strachan after the 25 year old instantly established himself as a firm favourite with the Tartan Army after he marked his first international start with a stunning performance and goal in a World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia.

Anya could have played for England, Nigeria or Romania but former England manager Glenn Hoddle who guided him from youth push him to playing for Scotland.

Hoddle revealed: “When Ikechi left our academy and joined Sevilla we contacted the Scottish Football Association and told them that their Under-21 boss should have a look at him, but I don’t think they did.

“I actually thought Ikechi was good enough to play for Scotland’s Under-21s when he was still at our academy before he signed pro forms again because he was that good. I was a little bit disappointed for Ikechi at the time but I guess he is now making up for lost time.

“If Scotland had involved him earlier then he would have been a lot more experienced in international football than

he is just now.

“It is a shame in some ways but at the same time I’m glad he persisted and is now making his mark for Scotland.“It is also good for Scotland because he is a very good player who could quite easily have gone on to represent Romania or Nigeria and he also qualifies to play for England.”

Hoddle still keeps in regular contact with Anya and has already congratulated him on his first international strike.

“I saw Ikechi’s goal,” added Hoddle. “I texted him after the game and he sent me one back saying thank you for all the help we gave him at the academy. I am very proud of him.”

Dawn Games: Team Lagos win 30 of 32 gold medals in swimming events

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AGOS yesterday won 30 out of the 32 gold medals in swimming events at the ongoing South-West Secondary School Games tagged “DAWN Games”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the event, the Lagos boys and girls also won 27 silver medals and three bronze medals, respectively.

Oyo State swimmers came second with two gold medals, three silver medals and 22 bronze medals, while Ogun state came third with two silver medals and seven bronze medals.

The swimming event

DAWN Games 2014 ends today

C

URTAIN will fall on the maiden edition of South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games 2014 today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The schools sports

•Oshodi

•Ikechi Anya

tournament, which saw over 2000 students and officials from Ekiti, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States competing in 12 sports will come to a close in a glamorous ceremony expected to be attended by the Executive Governors of all the participating states.

The closing ceremony, which will be chaired by the host Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos, will also be attended by eminent Lagosians, members of Lagos State Executive Council..

began on May19 and ended on May 21 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Morayo Okugbowa of Lagos won a gold medal in 200m girls’ freestyle in a time of 2 minutes, 50.68 seconds.

Another Lagos swimmer, Bello Ayomide, was placed second in 2 minutes 54:66 secs, while the third placed Oyo swimmer, Ifeoluwa Akano, posted a time of four minutes 11.69 secs.

Ibikunle Daniel of Lagos won gold in the 200m boys’ freestyle in 2:35:84 secs.

He beat his compatriot, Seun, who returned a time of 2:36:79 secs to win silver, while Hope Ibori of Oyo claimed the bronze in a time of 4:32:85.

Seun, who won gold in 800m freestyle boys and silver in 200m backstroke as well as the 200m freestyle, said he was happy with the competition.

He said that his performance was as a result of the motivation he received.

“It was a good competition and it is good for our build up in preparation for future competitions.

OACH of the National U-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke is scheduled to pay a morale boosting visit to players of Team Nigeria after they fly into Lagos on Saturday, May 24.

The players and their handlers are arriving Lagos after weeks of camping at the Kwara Football Academy where they were put through their paces by technical officials of the prestigious academy led

by Paul Adams Odey.

The team that received commendation from the General Manager of the Academy and former Super Eagles forward, Mutui Adepoju will be hosted to a welcome dinner by officials of Nestle Milo, sponsors of the tournament, National School Sports Federation (NSSF), Lagos State Ministry of

Sports and the Sports Council.

Revealing the plans for the pupils of St. Barnabas LGEA, Ilorin, Mrs Doja Ekeruche, Category Business Manager, Beverages, Nestle Nigeria PLC said “Team Nigeria is expected to stop over in Lagos and Nestle Plc will be hosting them to dinner in line with our tradition as sponsors of this event”.

The itinerary of the team shows that they will travel to the International Sports Academy, Wasimi in Ogun State on Sunday, May 25 where they will be visited by Amuneke.

President of the NSSF, Ibrahim Mohammed had recently urged Amuneke to keep an eye on the boys for possible selection into the Eaglets.

Nigerian Sports Award celebrates Okagbare

N •Suarez

Suarez: I will be at World Cup

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UIS Suarez said he is working to be 100 percent ready for the World Cup after the Uruguayan FA (AUF) confirmed he had undergone an operation to remove damaged meniscus from his left knee.

Liverpool striker Suarez, 27, felt pain in the knee during training on Wednesday with his international squad in Montevideo, and after an immediate scan the procedure took place at the Medica Uruguaya

hospital in the Uruguayan capital.

“Be calm — I am going to get there,” he told Ovacion. “Thanks for all your support. I am going to work really hard in the coming days to be at 100 percent and help my teammates!”

AUF president Wilmar Valdez said Suarez could return to training in just over a fortnight.

“We know the surgery was a success and that the injury is not serious. We have to wait and see how he recovers,” he told media.

IGERIAN Sports Award Hails Blessing Okagbare for Diamond League Triumph Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, May 19, 2014: Unmissables Incentives Limited - organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award has commended Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare for her outstanding performance at the ongoing Shanghai Diamond League.

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare who is also the reigning fastest woman in Africa displayed an excellent performance at the event setting new records and winning the Women’s Long Jump and 200 metres events.

Blessing Okagbare won the Sportswoman of the Year and the Track & Field Star of the Year awards at the 2013 edition of the prestigious Nigerian Sports Award for her exploits and excellent performance in the world of sport.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014

Inside today's Sports Vanguard

•The trophy

Madrid, Atlético set for final

World Cup: Argentina coach sends 4 home

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HERE will be a new dimension to the UEFA Champions

A

R G E N T I N A’ S national football team coach, Alejandro

Continues on Page 61

Continues on Page 61

Kick-off time: 7.45 p.m.

•The battle

Adebayor tips Eagles as Africa’s best T

AYG: Team Nigeria whip Botswana 2-0

Omeruo targets World Cup semis

OGO striker, E m m a n u e l Adebayor, has tipped

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Continues on Page 61

Continues on Page 61

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EAM Nigeria footballers sent out a

HELSEA defender Kenneth Omeruo Continues on Page 61

Mexico coach bans WAGs at W/Cup M

EXICO national coach Miguel

Continues on Page 61

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Postpone (5) 5 Overlook (6) 8 Danger (5) 10 Pass (6) 11 Cheese (4) 14 Pointing (6) 15 Gigantic (7) 18 Through (3) 19 Youth (3) 21 Adroit (4) 23 Punitive (5) 24 Loathe (4) 27 Barrier (3) 29 Skill (3) 31 Enduring (7) 32 Crippled (6) 34 Place (4) 35 Coarse (6) 38 Elbow (5) 39 Ebb (6) 40 Bordered (5)

DOWN 2 Fish (3) 3 Beg (6) 4 Aye (3) 5 Insect (4) 6 Wandered (6) 7 Objective (6) 9 Abused (7) 12 Immerse (3) 13 Mud (4) 16 Jot (4) 17 Waterway (5) 20 Harmed (7) 22 Cringe (4) 24 Impede (6) 25 Follow (4) 26 Fur (6) 28 Stocked (6) 30 Golf-peg (3) 33 Sand-hill (4) 36 Era (3) 37 Colour (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Endure 6, Rank 8, Allow 9, Cos 10, Data 11, Tarn 12, Essay 13, Parted 16, Mere 18, Elan 20, Ass 22, For 23, Den 24, Mist 25, Reed 28, Dagger 30, Hoist 32, Look 33, Tang 34, Hit 35, Sever 36, Deed 37, Tennis.

DOWN: 1, Escape 2, Distress 3, Redeem 4, Plastered 5, Rotated 6, Away 7, King 8, Ate 14, Defrosted 15, Man 17, Roe 19, Lengthen 20, Aid 21, Stroked 26, Dangle 27, Gratis 29, Glad 30, Hose 31, Tar.

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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