It's a disgrace 27 states can't pay salaries —Buhari

CBN opens discount window as interest rate hits 74%

By Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, opened its discount window in

apparent bid to save the banking system from scarcity of funds which sent interbank interest rate to 74 percent at the close of business.

The discount window is the medium through

•Naira appreciates to N283/$ which banks use financial instruments like treasury bills, to borrow from the CBN on short term basis to meet

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63056

temporary cash shortages.

Meanwhile, the naira appreciated to N283 per dollar, yesterday, in the

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revived interbank foreign exchange market while competition for funds in the money market intensified, sending interest rates to 68 per cent.

The decision of the CBN to sell $4.2 billion to clear backlog of matured foreign exchange obligations had triggered intense demand for funds in the Continues on page 4

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

It's a disgrace 27 states can't pay salaries —Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Vows to fight corruption to standstill ‘27 out of the 36 states couldn’t pay salaries. This is a disgrace to Nigeria.

It is a disgrace. Up till now, most of the states cannot pay salaries.'

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, said it was a national disgrace that Continues on Page 5

Ambassadorial nominees:

Senate vows not to commence screening 9

Health sector crisis deepens as JOHESU begins strike

13 Mr & Mrs ACCIDENT: Scenes of an accident involving a fuel tanker at Kara-Ibafo along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, yesterday.

Lamidi Bamidele.

Story on Page 7.

COLUMNISTS:

Photos:

Buhari orders transfer of policemen from N-Delta

Ode to MKO: A Beyond Buhari’s Nigeria cannot parody of •Over alleged compromise with militants Tom-and-Jerry with be broke Shakespeare •P.19 •P.19 Fayose 8 •P.17

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY June 23, 2016

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 –3

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4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 23, 2016

CBN opens discount window as interest rate hits 74% Continues from page 1 interbank market as banks sourced for N1.1 trillion to fund the dollar purchase.

Consequently, interest rate has more than doubled from Monday to yesterday. On Tuesday, interest rates rose by average of 165 per cent and yesterday by average of 33 percent.

Vanguard investigation revealed that interest rate for overnight lending shot up to 74 per cent, yesterday, in some segment of the interbank market, while the Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) disclosed that average interest rate for overnight lending rose to 68.5 percent, yesterday, from 51 per cent on Tuesday, while interest rate for securitised lending rose to 63.3 per cent from 45 percent on Tuesday.

Vanguard investigation, however, showed that the CBN, yesterday, opened its discount window to allow banks use their treasury bills to borrow cash.

Disclosing this to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, a banker said the situation was getting out of hand as there was no fund in the interbank money market.

“There was no other option, otherwise the scarcity of funds could lead to distress in the system or failure of some banks to meet their foreign exchange obligations,” the source said.

Naira appreciates to N283/$

Data provided by the FMDQ showed that the naira appreciated in the spot market but recorded mixed fortunes in the futures market.

In the spot market, the naira appreciated by N2.03 or 0.7 per cent to N282.8 from N284.83 per dollars. However, in the futures market, the naira depreciated for six months and one year futures while it appreciated for seven days to three months futures.

The naira exchange rate for the six months futures rose by N4.61 or 1.5 percent to N306.74 while the rate for one year futures rose by N9.87 or 3.2 percent to N317.82 per dollar.

The rate for seven days futures, however, dropped by N2.01 or 0.7 percent to N284.04 while 14 days futures dropped

by N1 to N286.3 per dollar.

Similarly, the rates for one month, two months and three months dropped to N291.7, N297.62 and N301.11 per dollar respectively.

FG declares commitment to complete 2nd Niger Bridge, Zik’s Mausoleum M

INISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, has undertaken a one-day inspection and stakeholders’ consultation tour of the Second Niger Bridge, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to its completion along with the Zik Mausoleum in Onitsha.

The existing Niger Bridge was built in 1965 and had remained the crucial East-West link over the years. However, due to the immense traffic arising from the economic activities on the South-

East and South-West transport corridor, the Federal Government under the last administration initiated the construction of the Second Niger Bridge but work had since stopped at the stages.

However, speaking at both the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba in Delta State during a consultative visit and in Anambra State at a stakeholders’ meeting that had the Governor of the State, Dr Willie Obiano and the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe in attendance, Fashola pledged the

determination of the present administration to complete the bridge, pointing out that the project was one of priority to President Muhammadu Buhari.

While speaking at the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba whom he visited first after being received by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro at the Airport, Fashola told the Royal Father who was represented by the Iyase of Asaba, Patrick Onyeobi, “I have come here to convey the commitment of Mr. President to the continuation

VISIT: From left; Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers; Waziri Adio, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI); Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Director of Communications; Mrs Obiageli Onuorah, Team Leader, Outreach and Asmau Dahiru-Maibe, Oil & Gas Officer, all of NEITI during a courtesy visit of NEITI Management Team to Vanguard head office, Apapa, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Akeem Salau.

FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N305bn as May revenue

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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BUJA—FEDERAL, state and local governments yesterday shared the sum of N305.128 billion as revenue for May, 2016.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, announced this when she addressed newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting in Abuja.

She said the shared amount was an improvement on the N281.500 billion shared in the previous month by N23.628 billion.

She attributed the rise in the revenue sharing to improvement in revenue collection at all levels, both in mineral and non-mineral avenues, despite the decrease in oil production.

“The shared amount, comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N237.466 billion. Also, there is the exchange gain of N2.546 billion and N302.582 from Value Added Tax, VAT, which are proposed for distribution bringing the total revenue for distribution to N305.128 billion,” she said.

Adeosun said also the money shared included the N6.330

billion refunded to the federation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

PDP condemns freezing of Fayose’s account and has called on the Economic

By Ben Agande

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BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the freezing of the personal account of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State as unlawful, undemocratic, autocratic, oppressive, draconian

EPILEPTIC POWER SUPPLY: DISCOs not responsible for Nigerians' plight Discos in the current power they do not have kilowatts of

By Gabriel Olawale

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IGERIANS should not be deceived by trade unions to embark on strike as a result of the erratic power supply being experienced in the country.

Mr Sony Anaeto, a public analyst, while reviewing the electricity situation in the country, said the daily reports of sabotage of oil and gas pipelines confirmed the innocence of the

supply, even as he blamed them for slow metering distribution across the country.

Anaeto said it would be uncalled for to portray DISCOs as exploiting the Nigerian masses with the new electricity tariffs as they are not saddled with generation and transmission of electricity.

“The discos do not exist in a vacuum but are at the receiving end of a value chain in electricity generation and transmission. If

and completion of the Second Niger Bridge. And having been briefed in the office, I believe this is the time for work to begin and it is time for me to go and see for myself and match what is on paper with what is on ground”.

Also while addressing the governor, some members of Anambra State Executive Council and the Obi of Onitsha among others at a consultative meeting, the Minister said, “I come here first in pursuance of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria and that of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to complete this bridge and from the very day of my inauguration as Minister, he made it clear what priority the completion of the Second Niger Bridge meant to him”.

Stating other reasons for his visit, the Minister said aside continuing the implementation of the budget as it related to the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, another reason for his visit was “to pay homage to the communities that have been the custodians of this national assetDelta and Anambra states”, adding that he also undertook the tour in order to address some of the issues that had arisen as a result of the project.

He told the Asagba of Asaba, “I am also here to address some of the issues that have come up as a result of this project, compensation issues, community issues.” Fashola adding that he had also come to seek the support of the government and people of Delta State “towards providing a conducive environment for the work to take place without disruptions, without court cases, without community fracas and so on and so forth”.

electricity transmitted to them for distribution, their distribution capacity is denuded if not nonexistent.

“It is sad to note that some trade unions are deliberately portraying the discos as exploiting the Nigerian masses with the new tariffs approved by NERC and equating that with the highly explosive fuel price increase.”

Anaeto assured that with the new electricity tariff, better days were ahead.

and Financial Crimes to unfreeze the accounts.

In a statement issued yesterday, the head of Publicity of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said the action by the Federal government represents “the height of desperation by the Buhari administration to cover up for its failure to deliver on his campaign promises to Nigerians.

According to Adeyeye, recent events in the country has shown that President Buhari and the APC has no agenda for nation building but on a revenge mission.

“This government is all out to silence any voice of the opposition”, he said.

He noted that the former spokesman of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, is being prosecuted by the EFCC for receiving campaign funds and “since his arrest by the anti-graft agency, Chief Metuh could not challenge the APC government on policy issues until he left office.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

TRIAL RUN: From left: Deputy Director, Public Relations, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Abdulrauf Akinwoye; Managing Director of NRC, Mr Fidel Okhiria, and Director of Operations, NRC, Mr Niyi Alli, during a strategic inspection and trial run of the Abuja-Kaduna standard guage coach, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

country because I said more than 30 years ago, there is no other country but Nigeria.

It's a disgrace 27 states can't pay salaries —Buhari

We must rehabilitate our country

Continues from Page 1 most states of the federation couldn't pay salaries of their workers.

The President said this while addressing State House staff, who gathered at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to formally welcome him back from his vacation in London.

Vanguard learned that this would be the first time ever a President would be addressing State House staff.

Giving highlights of the journey so far, the President told the workers that the economy was down and that agriculture which used to be the mainstay of the country was the only alternative now.

Blaming the failure of past administrations to save during the boom times of high prices of

crude oil, the President decried the inability of many states to pay workers’ salaries, describing it as a national disgrace.

His words: “27 out of the 36 states couldn’t pay salaries. This is a disgrace to Nigeria. It is a disgrace. Up till now, most of the states cannot pay salaries. What happened to all we have got over the years? We look up and down, left, right and centre, what have we saved? There was nothing because we developed a consumption culture that we were not supposed to develop.

“Most of your colleagues that have left service, I doubt if they are getting benefits. That is the situation we find ourselves in.

“You know we have

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192

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O one will ever treat you better than you present yourself. How you present yourself is a function of how you see yourself. Respect who you are and people will have no choice but to treat you better.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 The simplicity of life is simple, yet we make it so unnecessarily complicated— Take Heart Quotes.

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IVE it one day at a time, each day should be spent finding beauty in your life. Do something you love, write poetry, sing, play an instrument, or simply show tenderness in all you do. At spare moments, pause and day-dream a little.

The imagination is the creative play house of soul where big ideas are born and manifested. Be content with your life as you strive to be better. And remember to cultivate beautiful friendships, first, with yourself and then others.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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HEN you take a knife away from a child, give him a piece of wood to play with.

gone through a lot of change over the past year. We met 42 ministries and we found out the economy cannot take it because of the ineptitude in place. We have turned ourselves to a mono -economy, depending only on oil.

“Most people threw away their farms and solid minerals equipment and rushed to the city to collect oil money and enjoy. What used to be an average of $100 from 1999 to 2014 went down to $30. What should concern us and the rest of the Nigerian elite is how we can continue to sustain ourselves in terms of materials and security.”

Agriculture, our only alternative “What I am asking Nigerians really is: What is our alternative? Our immediate alternative is agriculture and solid minerals.

“That was why we voted a lot of money for agriculture so that we can at least feed ourselves. Once we can feed ourselves, we can say okay, let the struggle continue. At least we can eat two to three meals per day.

“We have to quickly go back to the farm. It is too late for this year. But next year, we will make a better arrangement to make sure next year, we can feed ourselves.”

I’m allergic to corruption The President also reiterated his resolve to fight corruption to a

standstill, vowing that all fraudulent acts in Nigeria must stop.

Stern and unequivocal in his speech, President Buhari warned the staff and, indeed, Nigerians across all disciplines to cultivate the right attitude and eschew all manner of fraudulent acts, stressing that jail awaits anyone found culpable.

Recalling his days back in secondary school, President Buhari said he had always been allergic to corruption and will deal decisively with anyone who indulged in any illicit deals.

The President, who also emphasized personal integrity, urged the workers to be conscious of stigmatization which may bring shame to their families.

He said that ridding Nigeria of corruption was necessary to secure a better country for posterity.

He said: “I thank you for welcoming me back from my health break.

You are the judges, perhaps I look healthier than I left or I came worse.

“All fraud must stop. If they don’t believe us, they should go, try and see those we caught red handed with public funds. This exercise will continue as long as this leadership is here.

Whoever takes anything that does not belong to him or that he is not entitled to, it will be documented and the person will be taken to court. This is the only way I think we can bail ourselves out. I am asking you to dedicate yourselves more to your

“We are determined to rehabilitate our country for the sake of our children and our grandchildren. I have never in my life from class monitor to this place, twice in different forms, believed in corruption. In what we are doing, if we had made mistakes along the line, the country would have been further backward than this. But we don’t touch anybody who did not touch public funds.

“You should behave yourself. If you don’t have houses in Abuja and the whole of Europe, you will sleep soundly.

You and your family will earn respect. But if you shortchange the treasury, you will be caught and I pity your family because people will be abusing them.

People will be calling you big thieves, that how did you raise money to build all the houses in Abuja and Europe with your meagre salary.

“I think personal integrity is something to be encouraged. I assure you that I am absolutely dedicated to serve Nigeria. Those who behave themselves will never regret, but those who don’t behave themselves, na their problem.”

Change must come to Nigeria Speaking on antiterrorism war in Nigeria, President Buhari said r e m a r k a b l e achievements had been recorded so far.

He stated that the change his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, promised to

Nigerians must eventually come, despite the present challenges.

“On the insecurity in the North-East, the army has made a lot of r e m a r k a b l e improvements, no matter what anybody wants to say. Unfortunately, there is the other unstable part of the country, the Niger Delta, with their myriads of organizations that are competing over which one can do more damage to the country and the oil companies and oil wells.

For how long are we going to do this?

“It is not easy to preach change when people are used to something from 1999 till now. The change must take place because, as I said, we were used to getting $100 per barrel...this reflects on the economic predicament the country finds itself.

“This has affected the morale and integrity of a lot of people who bother to ask what is happening to their country. The fact that you work here, no matter what level, people expect you to know and they expect you to discuss with them intelligently and show your concern for your country and what we are going to leave for our children and grandchildren. Let’s not lose the opportunity for the future so that we can build infrastructure.”

Past leaders failed in power sector The President who also decried the epileptic power situation in the country, regretted that past administrations failed Nigeria in the power sector.

“Look at power. How much did we spend on power? From barbers to factories, shops, we all depend on power. There is virtually no improvement from 1999 till now no matter how many billions they have spent,” he said.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

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Abducted Otukpo Catholic Vicar found dead

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—THE Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, who was kidnapped about three months ago, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, has been found dead at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The decomposing body of Adeyi was found behind the office complex of Ogbadibo Local Government Education Authority by the search party combing the entire Benue South zone for him.

It would be recalled that Fr. Adeyi was abducted at Odoba village, along the busy Otukpo-Enugu road after mediating in a crisis between the parishioners and the parish priest of Odoba at the behest of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Apochi.

However, after he successfully resolved the crisis and was returning to Okpoga, armed men on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle and kidnapped him.

His disappearance sparked angry reactions from his family members and Catholic faithful in the state, who warned that the priest had health challenges.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, A s s i s t a n t Superintendent Moses Yamu, confirmed that the decomposing remains of the cleric was discovered in Otukpa, adding that “Police have handed over the recovered body to his family.”

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom, who also confirmed the development at a town hall meeting in Oju, vowed that his abductors and killers must be brought to justice.

Ese Oruru gives evidence in private as court bars parents, others from proceedings

By Emem Idio

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ENAGOA—MISS Ese Rita Oruru, the minor allegedly abducted and forcefully converted to Islam and married off in Kano by one Yunusa Dahiru, appeared before a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, where she was crossexamined in private.

At the resumed trial, prosecution counsel, James Amate, had informed the court that Miss Oruru had successfully put to bed and available to give her evidence.

The trial judge, Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, said that the court will take her evidence after all cases of the day had been dispensed with.

At 2p.m., Miss Oruru was sneaked into the court room through the back door, after the judge had ordered everybody, including Ese’s parents and journalists, to vacate the court room, leaving only the counsel of both parties.

At press time, Miss Oruru was still being cross-examined in private by Yunusa Dahiru’s defence team, led by Kayode Olaosebekan, while the prosecution team was led by James Amate, while the Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, legal team representing Ese’s parents was led by Mrs. Dise Ogbise.

However, a source who was privy to the goings-on during the private session, revealed that Ese was asked questions relating to her alleged abduction and journey to Kano.

The source said: “She told the court that she did not know how she got to Kano. That she only woke up to find herself in Kano.

“We also learned that the judge acceded to the request of the defence team to vary the conditions for Dahiru’s bail.”

The defendant had been in prison custody over his inability to meet the bail conditions of a level 12 civil servant, a traditional ruler from Bayelsa axis and a surety of N3 million.

While the judge reduced the conditions to a level nine civil servant, he also reportedly granted the prayer of the defendant to allow an Hausa traditional ruler from any community to stand surety.

Justice Nganjiwa eventually adjourned the case to July 1 for further hearing.

... reviews Yunusa's bail conditions, adjourns to July 1

Ese Rita Oruru

Yenagoa FMC gives 121 corpses mass burial

By Emem Idio

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ENAGOA—JUSTICE Aliya Nganjiwa of a Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, granted leave to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Yenagoa, for the mass burial of 121 abandoned corpses in their morgue.

In his ruling, Justice Nganjiwa, while granting the

HE Adamawa State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Othman Abubakar, yesterday, said 19 persons seeking enlistment into the force in the ongoing nationwide recruitment had been arrested for being in possession of fake results.

Abubakar said that the suspects had been charged to court.

He said: “We have arrested 19 of them for result falsification and they have been charged to court.”

He warned persons trying to

ex parte motion, urged the court to grant the hospital an order to conduct mass burial of the corpses, contending that the 21-day notice informing the public of its decision and asking owners of the unclaimed bodies to identify theirs and have them evacuated had elapsed.

He lamented that many of the corpses had been abandoned for over 10 years.

Sales girl raped, killed in Delta

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—A sales girl, simply identified as “Yellow,” has been bludgeoned to death after she was raped.

It was gathered that her

RECRUITMENT: Adamawa police arrest 19 over fake results

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ex parte motion of FMC, held that it was expedient for the hospital to “bury all unclaimed, unidentified and abandoned corpses to give them a final resting place.”

The judge directed that all departments in the hospital responsible for the mass burial should ensure that the court's order was complied with.

Counsel to FMC Yenagoa, Mr. K. Clement, had in an

use fake result to join the force to have a rethink, saying that it was no longer business as usual.

“The force is not a dumping ground and anyone who tries to play smart will face the music.”

assailants attacked her inside the building material store where she worked at Afiesere community, Ughelli, Delta State.

Her lifeless body was discovered at about 5p.m. on Tuesday, by her employer who came to the shop, following reports that the shop had not been opened for business all day, only to discover her lifeless body.

Giving detail of the incident, a resident of the community who gave his name as Efemena Omokaro, claimed the lifeless body of the victim was discovered naked and

mutilated inside the inner room of the shop.

He told Vanguard: “From what we saw on the corpse, she was attacked and killed in the morning by someone close to her. But the manner in which she was attacked calls for concern as such a thing has never happened in this community.”

Confirming the incident, a senior police officer, who spoke in confidence, said police had commenced investigation, having been briefed by the employer of the victim and the land owner of the building where the shop is located.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—7

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Police checkpoint accident claims 4; patrol vehicle vandalised

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, at a checkpoint mounted by police at Ogbor Hill Waterside Bridge, Aba, Abia State, when a truck’s brakes failed and it rammed into a commercial bus and tricycle, killing a driver and three passengers.

Vanguard gathered that three passengers in the bus and driver of the tricycle died on the spot, while five other passengers, who sustained serious injuries, were taken to a nearby hospital.

Eyewitnesses claimed some policemen from the Eziama Division had mounted a checkpoint in the area, leading

to a gridlock, which the truck ran into.

Angered by the incident, a mob attacked the police team and vandalised their vehicle.

A detachment of policemen was later deployed to the area to bring situation under control.

When Vanguard visited the scene of the crash, the police

team, the truck and the crushed tricycle were still there.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, ASP Ogbonnaya Nta, who confirmed the incident, however, denied that it was caused by the checkpoint mounted by the Police.

7 dead in Lagos fuel tanker explosion

By Faith Ake

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AGOS—SEVEN persons were feared dead with several others injured after a truck loaded with 33,000 litres of petroleum product exploded at Ibafo, along the Lagos-Ibadan Express way, Tuesday night.

There were different accounts on how the explosion occurred.

A version said a tanker, belonging to Total Oil Nigeria Limited, collided with a heavy log, skidded off its lane and fell on the expressway, spilling its content.

Another version claimed a commercial bus marked (LAGOS) AGL 373 XR, rammed into the truck with number plates RAN 571 XA, while transferring its content into another truck, leading to multiple accidents, involving four vehicles.

A third version said the driver of the fuel-laden truck moving towards Ibadan, Oyo State, attempted to overtake another truck at a diversion point, but lost control, veered off its lane and crashed into the commercial bus that was coming from the opposite direction.

Road side hawkers of petroleum products, occupants of some shanties at Kara area of Ibafo were affected.

Eyewitnesses said some of the victims were scooping the spilled content when the fire started.

Users of the ever busy expressway were trapped for over 10 hours, as the resultant gridlock stretched from ArepoPrayer city to Mowe.

Eyewitnesses accounts

An eyewitness who said he escaped death by the whiskers, Muhammad Ali, called on the Borno and Kano states governors to come to the aid of the victims, majority of whom he said were from the states.

Another eyewitness said a passenger attempted to jump out of a Plateau-bound vehicle, but hit his head on the ground and died before reaching hospital.

Assistant Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mowe Unit, Mr. Dare Ogunjobi, could not ascertain the number of casualties.

He said: “After clearing the traffic, we are going to visit some of the private hospitals in the neighbourhood to ascertain the

The accident scene and traffic gridlock (inset). More pictures in front page. number of injured victims and the casualty figure. But currently, we have not received any report from the Hausas community about any casualty.

“No death has been reported to us officially. We have not seen the driver of the vehicle since Tuesday night after the crash and we are still investigating the cause of the incident.

“We received a distress call at about 10:22p.m. and immediately mobilised our men to the scene and police and the

Army officers were on ground to prevent break down of law and order.”

On his part, Ogun State Treasurer of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Mr. Khalifa Muhammad, said three of the Forum’s members died in the explosion.

Seven other persons, who he said were not members of the Forum, were also affected.

He said: “When we rushed the victims to a private

hospital in the community, the doctor was demanding for N100,000 for each victim before admitting them. We could only pay N130,000 for Adam.

“The rest were brought back home where they were receiving local treatment.

They are Abdullahi Umar, 22; Issa Yahaya, 24, and Sallah Muhammad, 23.”

The wreckage was eventually cleared at about 3.30p.m., yesterday.

Militants kill 1, kidnap 3 expatriates, 2 others

By Ike Uchechukwu

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ALABAR—NO fewer than 30 suspected militants, in the early hours of yesterday, attacked a convoy of Macmahon staff at Idundun Bridge, killing one driver and kidnapping five others.

Vanguard learned that the deceased, who was driving one of the Toyota Hilux vans with number plates AKD 568 DS, was shot dead by the militants, who later kidnapped three expatriates, one of the company’s supervisors and a driver of one other vehicle in the convoy.

According to Vanguard’s investigation, the Macmahom staff, a contractor to Larfage Holcim were on their way to Mfamosing (Larfage plant in Akamkpa) when they were ambushed by the militants.

An eyewitness, who spoke

with Vanguard at the scene of the incident, said two SUVs and two other vehicles were part of the convoy that was attacked.

According to the eyewitness, “It was a convoy of four vehicles, including two SUVs. The militants opened fire at the convoy, killing Matthew on the spot.

“One of the expatriates hid under the vehicle and they did not see him because it was still dark.

“They also took one of the drivers, Mr. Owen, a supervisor and three white men. It was like they had a boat by the beach already waiting for them.”

Another eyewitness told Vanguard that the militants were heavily arm, sending the security men attached to the expatriates scampering for safety.

Larfage reacts

When contacted, the Communications Director, Larfage Holcim, Mrs. Viola Graham Douglas, in a text message to Vanguard, confirmed that one of the company ’s contractors (Macmahon) informed Larfage that a security incident occurred on the road from Calabar.

Her text read: “One of our contractors, Macmahon, has informed us that a security incident has occurred on the road from Calabar involving some of their employees.

Macmahon is working with security agencies to resolve this situation.”

When Vanguard contacted the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ubgo, she confirmed the incident actually took place and that investigations were ongoing.

Man, 70, allegedly rapes 6-yr-old girl

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Kaduna Chief Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, remanded two men, Yahaya Mohammed and Mohammed Yusuf, in prison custody for alleged rape of a six-year-old girl.

Mohammed, 71, and Yusuf, 30, appeared before Magistrate Naheed Abdallah on a two-count charge of rape and gross indecency.

Prosecutor Akinga Akila said the offence was committed on June 13, in an uncompleted building located in the Tudun Wada Area of Kaduna State.

After reading the charges, Akila said the court had no jurisdiction to try the accused persons.

He, thereafter, applied for adjournment, pending the legal advice.

The magistrate remanded the accused persons in prison custody and adjourned the matter till July 14.

Court admits confessional statement on murder of Abuja bizman

By Faith Ake

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HE High Court II, Maitama, Abuja, has admitted the confessional statement made by suspected killers of 39year-old businessman, Tony Eze, in the Federal Capital Territory, two years ago.

Justice Salisu Umar admitted the statement following submissions by the prosecution and defence counsel.

Defence counsel had opposed the submission of the statement on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made by the first suspect in the case.

Those charged for the alleged murder are Anayo Eze, Samuel Okoro, Emmanuel Igwe, Idris Shaibu alias Calamity, Okechukwu Nelson and Augustine Nwamba.

In its ruling, the court held that there was no legal impediment baring the court from admitting the confessional statement of the first accused in evidence, and then adjoined till June 24 for further hearing.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 23, 2016

N120bn Aviation Intervention Fund: Senate c’ttee clears Jimoh Ibrahim of Air Nigeria’s N35.5bn debt

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

B U J A — CONTRARY to allegations that he did not only receive the N35.5 billion debt, being share of Virgin Nigeria’s Aviation Intervention Fund, but unilaterally mismanaged the money, former Chairman of defunct Air Nigeria, Jimoh Ibrahim, walked out of a Senate panel a happy man, yesterday, when it was discovered that he was wrongly accused.

This came even as arguments ensued between Mr. Ibrahim, who denied collecting N35.5 billion from the Bank of Industry for his defunct airline and the UBA, which insisted that the millionaire businessman actually wrote through it to the Bank of Industrial, BOI, for the money.

He, however, queried the management of the UBA for writing a letter, giving him a clean bill of health to Air Nigeria when, indeed, the airline was still indebted to it (the bank).

While explaining his side of the controversial fund, Ibrahim argued that the BOI did not give him any loan, but that it was the UBA which actually applied and obtained the loan which had nothing to do with Air Nigeria.

According to him, the money, which was used to resuscitate the defunct airline, was sourced from his conglomerate.

“Government did not give me loan and I did not collect any loan from the Bank of Industry or any other agency of government. What has government to do with me?

“When we bought Air Nigeria, I did not see any intervention fund, no cash was paid to me or credited to Air Nigeria from the fund.

When we came in, Air Nigeria had a total of about $250m with two aircraft parked at the terminal that nobody was using. ‘’Mr. Richard Brandson, walked out of the Airline. It was in a comatose state and the company was winding up before I was called upon. We decided to use our group of companies to grow the national carrier."

Buhari orders transfer of policemen from N-Delta •Police to retire 20 AIGs, as Idris takes over •NPF'll now focus on integrity, accountability —Idris

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA— THERE were indications in Abuja, yesterday, that the Federal Government may have given the go-ahead to the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to clean up the top hierarchy of the Police Force.

Sources disclosed that over 20 senior officers may be involved in the forthcoming gale of retirements in this regard.

The looming clear-out of the officers is coming just as it also emerged that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a massive redeployment of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Niger Delta, following what was described as their inability to checkmate or contain the destructive and bombing activities of Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups on oil

and gas platforms critical to the nation’s revenue base.

The 20 senior officers, mostly Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, are those who enlisted in the Force before the Acting IGP. Already, seven Deputy Inspectors General, DIGs, have been retired, following the retirement of former IGP, Solomon Arase, after 35 years in service.

Vanguard, however, gathered that the retirement of the 20 senior officers, who form a generation of officers of the police, would create a massive vacuum of both experienced and highly sound professional officers, who are specialists in fields that will affect the force badly.

Redeployment of officers

Regarding the redeployment of police officers from the Niger Delta, Vanguard learned that the alleged discovery that several billions of naira were distributed

through a serving Major General in the Nigerian Army, who commanded a Joint Task Force in the area, has shown that security agencies in the Niger Delta had been compromised, and could hardly do much about the marauding and destructive activities of Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups.

Already, new Commissioners of Police have been posted to some of the states, while others would follow suit.

A source disclosed that the redeployment would cut across all ranks of the force, down to Commanders, Squadron Commanders and other ranks.

Police to focus on integrity and accountability—Idris

Meanwhile, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said that under his watch, the Nigerian Police Force would, henceforth, focus on integrity and accountability.

He said: “In order to establish and maintain high standard of behaviour in our official conduct and to eliminate impunity and ensure transparency in application of the core values, we will ensure that henceforth, it will be against work ethics for any police commander at any level to treat complaints with levity.

"Complaints received from members of the public must be treated within the shortest possible time to the satisfaction of the complainant.

“In our efforts to give a boost to the current administration’s war on corruption, the police management will strengthen the Police X-Squad units in police commands, with the deployment of thoroughly vetted, selfless and patriotic officers to tackle corruption and abuse of office within the police organization at the federal, state and local government levels.

“The personnel deployed to this anti-corruption unit will be supported with incentives to make them more effective in the discharge of their duties.

“In order to enhance the investigative capacity of the Nigeria Police, concerted effort will be made to establish, at least, one Police forensic laboratory in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.

"This will boost the capacity of the police to effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute crime within the organization.

On welfare of policemen HANDOVER: Acting Inspector General of Police Mr Ibrahim Idris (left) and the outgoing Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, during the handing over ceremony at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Senate moves to establish grazing reserves , ranches commission for herdsmen

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

B U J A — T H E controversial bill for the establishment of a National Grazing Reserves Agency for Fulani herdsmen, yesterday, reappeared before the Senate and scaled the first reading.

The Bill seeks to establish Grazing Areas Management Agency to manage demarcated National, State and Local grazing areas, routes and livestock ranching reserves in states that require it. This is expected to facilitate peaceful co-existence between nomadic pastoralists and agriculturalists, thereby enhancing farmer’s capacity to

have increased food production and safe rearing of animals.

The bill further seeks to create a mechanism for prevention of crises on getting early warning signals, by setting a standing mediation committee in states and local government areas where the grazing areas, routes and ranches are located and saddled with the responsibility of mediation between the parties.

According to the proposed bill, which was obtained by Vanguard, the Vice President of the country shall be the chairman of the board; even as deputy governors of the 36 states; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Agriculture Minister; among others, are members of the Governing Board, while there will

be a director-general of the agency, who shall serve as the Secretary.

The National Grazing Reserves Agency Bill was sponsored by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kano Central and co-sponsored by others.

In the proposed bill, no Nigerian shall alienate, mortgage, sell or transfer any right affecting the land allocated for grazing areas, reserves and stock routes without the consent of the Governing Council of the proposed agency.

According to the bill, a person shall not enter into any grazing area exclusively reserved by the agency.

“This administration will leave no stone unturned to look into the issue of provision of cheap and affordable accommodation for the police ranks and file.

“Making uniforms and accoutrement available for members of the ranks and file will be a priority of this administration. Henceforth, appearance of every police officer will be taken seriously.

“Prompt and timely payment of salaries of serving personnel will be a cardinal objective to be vigorously pursued by this administration. "

Joint operation centres

On the establishment of joint operation centres, the Acting IGP said: “Coordination with other security agencies is very critical at this period of security challenges in the country.

"In every Police Command, a joint operation centre for effective synergy with other security agencies to respond to major crises 24/7 will be created. This will bring our daily operations closer and will build more trust and confidence among us.’’

Arase expresses satisfaction

Vanguard, THURSSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—9

SENATE:

I know nothing about alleged forgery

—SARAKI Vows to explore all legal options As Malami appears before Senate today

A

ByHenry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA— SENATE President, Bukola Saraki, said yesterday that he knew nothing about the alleged forgery of the 2015 Standing Rules, saying he was simply a senator-elect, prior to the inauguration of the 8th Senate.

He also vowed to explore all legal options necessary to ward off what he described as a fresh case of persecution and distraction.

Saraki said the current attempt to shut down the Senate by dragging its presiding officers before a court for a phantom allegation of forgery would not add to attempts to solve the problems confronting the nation by the All Progressives Congress, APC.

even if their current efforts to nail him through the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, fails, they would find other ways to carry out their vendetta.

“This so-called forgery case is another wanton abuse of the judicial process and making a mockery of the institution of justice. As the Senate earlier stated, the sponsors of this plot are not only gunning for Dr. Saraki, what they have just launched with this latest antics is a grand onslaught on the foremost institution of our democracy.

Dictatorship and democracy

‘’The only institutional difference between dictatorship

and democracy is the presence of the legislature. Therefore, by seeking to cripple the National Assembly, they have declared a war on our hard-won democracy and aimed for the very jugular of our freedom.

“Let us restate the fact that the Senators who initiated the Police investigation in the first place had raised the same matter on the floor and were overwhelmingly overruled. ‘’They also filed a civil suit and were told by the court that neither the judiciary nor the executive can interfere in the internal affairs of the legislative arm.

“The Senate President recognises the sundry problems bedeviling our nation today - food insecurity, devaluation of the

Naira, inflation, unemployment, failing national infrastructure, insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country, restiveness in the oil producing areas, and general insecurity, among others - and believes that finding solutions to them should be the priority, at this period, for every individual in government, not the pursuit of narrow political objectives."

Malami to appear before Senate

Meanwhile, in line with the summon by the Senate, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, would today, appear before the Senator David Umaru-led Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to explain his reason for initiating legal action against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, over alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules.

Needless distractions

He added that these needless distractions would do nobody any good as it would not help in delivering on the promise of bringing positive change to the lives of Nigerians who voted for the APC in the last elections.

According to him, the ongoing efforts to drag him into a case of forgery before the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court is another phase in the orchestrated persecution he has been facing since he emerged as Senate President a year ago.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that he was not a part of the leadership of the 7th Senate that made the rules in question.

He said prior to his unanimous election as Senate President on June 9, 2015, he was merely a senator-elect like all his colleagues, and was, therefore, not in a position to influence the rules used in the conduct of the election.

The statement read: “The Police in their investigation were conscious that the incumbent Senate President was not in office prior to June 9, 2015 and that was why in their letters inviting some individuals for their investigation, they only mentioned officers of the 7th Senate. The last of the letters was written to the Clerk of the National Assembly on June 7, 2016 and he was not among those invited.

“Those who decided to smuggle the name of the Senate President into the charge sheet after the fact knew perfectly well that only the leadership of the 7th Senate were invited for investigation. ‘’But they needed to implicate him in keeping with their declared vow to ensure that

ADDRESS: President Muhammadu Buhari addressing Presidency staff during a parley at the forecourts of the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Boko Haram fracturing, says US General

U

SA—A senior U.S. military general, yesterday, said the terrorist group, Boko Haram, had fractured internally.

Thomas Waldhauser, a Lieut.-Gen. and the nominee to lead U.S. military’s Africa Command, said this in Washington during his nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He said the problem in the group resulted from some members splitting from the leader, Abubakar Shekau, over his failure to adhere to guidance from the Iraq and Syria-based Islamic State.

Mr. Waldhauser said the internal division was illustrative of limits of Islamic State’s influence over Boko Haram so far, in spite of the West African group’s pledge of allegiance to it last year.

“Several months ago, about half of Boko Haram broke off to a separate group because they were not happy with the amount of buy-in, if you will, from Boko Haram into the ISIL brand,” he explained.

He said Shekau had not fallen into line with Islamic State’s instructions, including ignoring calls for Boko Haram to stop using children as suicide bombers.

“He’s been told by ISIL to stop doing that, but he has not done so, and that’s one of the reasons this splinter group has broken off. But, the Islamic State was trying to reconcile those two groups,” he said.

AMBASSADORIAL NOMINEES: Senate vows not to

commence screening

A

ByHenry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA—FOLLOWING criticisms that have continued to trail the ambassadorial nominees sent

by President Muhammadu Buhari for screening and confirmation, the Senate yesterday vowed not to commence screening until the Presidency corrected the anomalies associated with the nomination.

Against this backdrop, the Senate summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, David Babachir Lawal, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, to appear before the Senator Monsurat Sunmonu’s Committee on Foreign Affairs today at 11am to explain the manner the list was drawn and what led to the

Summons SGF, Foreign Affairs Minister

omission of some states from the list sent by the President.

States as Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Ondo have complained about their omission from the ambassadorial list sent last week by the President.

The Senate has, however, given the committee one week to carry out the assignment and submit its report.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday, June 9, released the list of ambassadorial

nominees which was contained in a letter sent to Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The decision of the Senate was taken, following a point of order raised by Senator Joshua Dariye, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Plateau Central.

PROTEST: Adeosun bows to staff as calm returns to Finance Ministry

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

BUJA—THE Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, bowed to pressures from staff to be paid accumulated allowances which stand at about N1.2 billion.

Calm returned to the ministry yesterday after two days’ protests by staff over unpaid allowances.

The staff forced the minister to walk from the gate of the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, when she

resumed work at about 8.00 am, to the main building where she addressed them at the auditorium.

Members of staff who locked the gate of the ministry on Monday and Tuesday, had earlier insisted the minister must address them in the open but the minister declined and maintained that she would only speak to them at the auditorium.

Mr. Ade Olaniyi, Chairman of Joint Unions Council of the

Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, told Vanguard that at the end of the meeting, the minister promised to approve the allowances and asked the Director of Finance and Accounts to submit the files to her office.

He said: “She has asked the Director of Finance and Accounts to submit all the files that relate to the allowances to her for approval.”

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 23 , 2016

Seek int'l accreditation, Nigerian hospitals told

By Chioma Obinna

N

IGERIAN hospitals have been urged to seek international accreditation in order to operate under global best practices that would deter Nigerians from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

Giving the admonition in Lagos, one-time National President, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigerian, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola, said international accreditation would put local hospitals at par with hospitals in other countries.

Speaking ahead of the 2016 Nigerian Health Care Excellence Awards, NHEA, Omolola called for healthy competition among healthcare providers.

“When there is no competition, health care providers can offer poor health services to their clients.

“The health sector in Nigeria is presently in a state of chaos.

Resident doctors are on strike, funding and medical tourism are challenges. We must spur health care providers and professionals to do better despite the hurdles,” he stated.

OJB Jezreel for burial July 7

T

HE family of late music producer and artiste, Babatunde Okungbowa, popularly known as OJB Jezreel has said he will be buried in Lagos on July 7.

The funeral arrangements will include candle light procession, Monday July 4, at 5pm. Kick off point will be his apartment, 4, Gbaja Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Wake keeping/Service of songs/Tribute will be on Thursday, July 7 at Ojays, National Stadium, Surulere, by 5pm.

Funeral lying-in-state will take place at his residence between 7a.m and 8a.m followed by service at RCCG, Grace Chapel, 129, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, at 9a.m. While burial will take place at Ikoyi cemetery after the service.

Aircraft not responsible for Synagogue building collapse — WITNESS

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewodo

F

ORMER Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde yesterday disclosed that the distance between the collapsed guest house in Synagogue church and the aircraft that flew around that direction on the fateful day was like the height of four NITEL buildings put together.

Ayinde made the disclosure while he was led in evidence for the second day running, before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court by the state Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Idowu Ajanaku.

Management of the church had argued that the building collapse was a planned work, which was probably carried out by an aircraft that flew low near the collapsed building on the fateful day.

In his testimony, Ayinde informed the court that immediately after the building collapse, the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor T.B. Joshua invited him and the then Lagos

State Governor, Mr. Raji Fashola, to his office and gave them a video CD implying that the collapsed building was caused by an aircraft.

“Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA’s response after analysing the video after our request for expert advice showed via their Flight Path that the aircraft that passed that day was about 103 feet away from the collapsed building,” he said.

He further said that they equally

took the NCAA’s response to the office of the Surveyor General of Lagos State to plot the graph to determine the closeness.

Meanwhile, he could not inform the court if it was possible for the aircraft to have caused the collapse or not.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel to the 1st defendant objected to a request made by prosecution counsel, Mrs Alakija to tender documents as exhibits to the court.

From left: Prof. Abayomi Somefun, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos and Guest Speaker, Dr. A.S. Taiwo, Dean and Chairman Committee of Dean Federal College of Education, Oyo, Prof. Abiola Ademokoya, President, SPAAN and Mrs. Olufunke Akanle, Registrar/ CEO, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists [Registration] Board of Nigeria[MRTB] Chief Host, during the 2016 Speech Pathologists and Audiologists Association in Nigeria [SPAAN] international Conference, Tag; Communication Disorders in Children: Assessment and Interventions, at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos,.

Lagos seals 30 illegal patent medicine stores, pharmacies

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State Ministry of Health said yesterday that it had sealed 30 illegal patent medicine stores and pharmacies in AjeromiIfelodun Local Government Area.

It also seized fake drugs from the stores worth millions of naira.

Dr Olufemi Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Primary Health Care, disclosed this while reviewing the report of the recent raids by the Taskforce on Fake, Counterfeit and Unwholesome

Processed Foods. of drug distribution system in the Onanuga said the affected state. outlets were sealed off for “The raid was necessitated by violating the provisions of the law. the persistent violation of He said the pharmacies and government’s stipulated patent medicine stores were sealed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter C34 of the Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

By Emeka Aginam “The closure is part of the government’s renewed efforts aimed at ridding the state of fake, ATEST Ericsson City substandard and illegal drugs Index for 2016 report and outlets through streamlining published yesterday has ranked Lagos 40th in the Network Society City Index.

The report also named Stockholm as the top-ranking city, from the Nigerian Army, two followed by London, Copenhagen, from the Nigerian Navy and Singapore and Paris.

The index measures the 13 from the Nigerian Air Force , will be passing out tomorrow, performance of 41 cities from after undergoing a training in around the globe from sustainable Managerial Entrepreneurship urban development and ICT skills at the Nigerian Armed maturity perspectives.

This year, key African cities like Forces Resettlement Centre ,NAFRC Oshodi Lagos, as part Lagos, Nigeria and Johannesburg, of preparation to re-integrate South Africa, are listed in the report and signs of improvement in the them into civil life.

L

DHQ retires 464 Military personnel

By Evelyn Usman

L

AGOS—THE Defence Headquarters is set to retire no fewer than 464 members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who have put in the mandatory 35 years of service, next month.

To this effect, the retiring personnel comprising 449

By Innocent Anaba

C

ITIZENS Advocacy Initiative for Accountable Leadership, CAIFAL, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the N1.3billion realised from the

regulations on drug production, importation, manufacturing, sales, hawking, distribution, adulteration and possession of drugs by illegal operators.

Lagos ranks second from rear in Ericsson City Network Index

Group wants N1.3bn posting fees by corps members probed

Late OJB Jezreel

The documents include NCAA response letter; letter of approval of a five-storey church auditorium, pictures of the collapsed building, letter requesting for the documents of the collapsed building from the church and the survey of the collapsed building.

The defendants in the matter are the Trustees of the Synagogue Church of all Nations, the two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun and their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited.

illegal N3,000 paid by prospective National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, members for them to access their postings in the last three years.

Chief Abdullai Dania, Chairman, board of trustees of CAIFAL, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, on the illegal registration fees charged

prospective NYSC, members by the management of the Corp since 2014, said even though the private company hired by the management of NYSC had admitted during a public hearing on the illegal levy that about N1.6bn was realised, the group investigation shows that over N2.4bn had so far been realised.

Networked Society City Index are however reportedly evident in Lagos, Karachi, Delhi, Jakarta, Manila, and Johannesburg Nigeria’s infrastructure, according to the report is regarded as a major constraint facing businesses in the country.

Internet access in the city, the report indicated is expensive compared with Gross Domestic Product, GDP, per capita, while the penetration rate for smart phones and computers is low.

On the other hand, internet usage and electronic payments, according to the report score reasonably well considering the weak ICT infrastructure.

Lagos, according to the report, has a low ranking in the social dimension of the index. “The biggest challenge lies in health factors, as the city has the highest infant mortality rate and the lowest life expectancy out of all indexed cities. The literacy rate is also very low, as is the rate of educational attainment”, the report added.

Despite its fast-growing economy, Lagos, the report revealed performs poorly in the economic dimension.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 11

WORLD PUBLIC SERVICE DAY: Labour seeks end to privatisation of public enterprises

Oyo govt, labour take fight to industrial court

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

By Ola Ajayi

A

S Nigeria today joins the World to mark the Public Service Day, PSD, Organised Labour has called to both the federal and state government to halt further privatization of public enterprises, saying privatization of public enterprises has worsened the nation’s socioeconomic woes.

Speaking through the Ayuba Wabba-led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, labour lamented that increasing Value Added Tax, VAT, pump price of petroleum products, devaluing the Naira among others, have been punishing the poor and exacerbating the hardship and miseries of indigent Nigerians.

While commending public servants in Nigeria for their commitment, devotion and sacrifice over the years, Wabba said: “The Public Service is the infrastructure for service-delivery, and accordingly is the soul, the conscience, the memory, the unseen force in the projection of national sovereignty and power and the preserver and furtherer of core national values and interests. In order for it to deliver on its mandate, we need a strong and professional Public Service, fully equipped and alive to its responsibilities.

The commemoration of Public Service avails us the opportunity of re-stating that one of the effective and genuine ways of tackling poverty, inequality, want, deprivation and misery in Africa is to consciously and consistently implement state-driven public services delivery programmes and not to privatize them.

“We call on the Nigeria government to scale down, halt and reverse where possible, the decision to privatize public services. According to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the state still remains the driver of the commanding heights of the economy, and the provider of jobs and services. Congress holds the strong view that aggressive privatization should not be an excuse for failing to stem illicit financial flows (IFF) from Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. The case for serious, aggressive, brave and sustainable inward looking cannot be more

I

INSPECTION: From left: Comrade Peter Esele, APC governorship aspirant; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Mr Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate; and Hon Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, APC governorship aspirant; during the inspection of the ongoing asphalting of the dual-carriage 2nd East Circular road in Benin City, yesterday. urgent now that the country is confronted by nearunprecedented economic challenges to the extent that the performance of basic and fundamental state duties such as payment of salaries and pension as when due is under real threat.”

He lamented that 16 months after the African Union-Economic Commission for Africa, AU-ECA, report on Illicit-Financial Flows, IFF, from Africa was adopted by the AU Heads of State in Addis Ababa, no action has been taken by the Africa Heads of State even when the report pointedly said $50billion is lost to Africa annually through IFF activities. The report had noted that IFF activities in

Nigeria, especially in the oil sector is “humongus and ravenous.” ''The need for action is underscored by the increasing poverty and social discontent in the land. Congress is concerned that little or no progress has been made with regard to the implementation of the recommendations in the Mbeki Panel Report. ''The recent Panama Papers leak further exposes the depth of the financial hemorrhage to which Africa is exposed as asset theft and tax evasion schemes and activities go unchecked. ''Congress is not in doubt that these lost revenues would boost

HIJAB: Osun CAN files appeal, stay of execution

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—BARELY 20 days after the judgment of an Osogbo High Court allowing Muslim female students in the state public schools to wear Hijab, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN yesterday filed a stay of execution on the June 3 judgement.

This was disclosed in Osogbo by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya during a solidarity visit to the state CAN headquarters by South-West leaders of association.

CAN representatives from Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo states stormed the state expressing their support for the state Christians on the issue of controversial Hijab judgment delivered by Justice Saka Oyejide Falola and their readiness to fight against any form of alleged Islamisation agenda by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

In his address, the Secretary of South-West CAN, Rev. Alfred Aro, who spoke on behalf of the association’s Zonal Chairman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, warned that any attempt by

APC chieftain petitions Oyegun over suspension

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Ladi Lukuti has petitioned the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, seeking his intervention over his purported suspension as chairman of the Ijebu-Ode chapter of APC.

and complement finances necessary for achieving the rollout of social services that could considerably alter the quality of life of the citizenry. ''Rather than commit the same zeal and attention to dealing with these criminalities and their perpetrators for which Congress will ever be ready to support the government, we are not amused that government has chosen to pursue tax policies such as increasing Value Added Tax, raise the pump price of petroleum products, devalue the Naira and other policies that will punish the poor and exacerbate the hardship and miseries of indigent households.''

Lukuti, in a letter to Oyegun, stated that his suspension from office is a gross violation of the relevant sections of the party’s constitution which stipulates the conditions to be met before any member could be sanctioned.

In the letter written by his counsels, Messers Ajibola Kaka & Co the party chieftain said he is “of firm legal opinion that the state Exco has acted ultra vires of the

constitution of the party. Article 21 clearly envisages fair hearing and thus made provision for it when disciplining any member.

“The question that arises is: can it be said that the state Exco is fair in the manner this allegation and counter allegation is being handled? The answer is no. We are of firm legal opinion that the state Exco has taken side without being fair to both sides.''

Muslim students to wear Hijab to schools after the appeal has been filed would make CAN to okay all forms of garments to be worn to schools in the state.

He noted that Falola’s judgment negated the spirit of secularism of the nation “and it violates the religious rights of the original owner of the missionary schools as agreed upon when the schools were taken over by the then government of Oyo State in 1975”.

The Zonal CAN also expressed their concern on ban of morning devotion and assemblies in schools in some states in the country, saying the action must be rescinded.

“We note with dismay despite several appeals as a law abiding association, the ban on morning devotions and assemblies in some schools in Nigeria especially South-West Nigeria based on flimsy reason on insecurity.

“Now that President Muhammadu Buhari had confirmed the end to insurgency, we urge all states to unban the unfair decision within the next one month.''

BADAN—THE Oyo State Government has dragged the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress to the National Industrial Court in Ibadan over the on-going strike which was declared on June 13.

The workers had embarked on the strike to register their displeasure with the state government over alleged commercialisation of some secondary schools in the state.

The government asked the court to stop the strike but the court fixed Thursday for the appearance of both parties.

According to the state Chairman of NLC, Waheed Olojede: “What really happened was that the state government approached the NIC to stop labour from going on strike. But the government got it wrong because the strike had begun before it sought the order and because we had never written the government informing it that we were going on strike. ”The order was denied while the court decided to put the two parties on notice to appear before it on Thursday. The state executive of NLC did not order the strike, rather, the national body did, after seeing the plight of workers who have not been paid in the past six months.''

Glo special account rewards 270 police officers

T

HE Nigerian Police Force, (NPF) Cooperative, through its Globacom-powered Closed User Group (CUG) Account, has rewarded 270 of its officers and members of the CUG, with diverse prizes including the star prize of N500,000 each, won by twenty officers.

Seven out of the twenty who won N500,000 each were present at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday to pick up their cheques. They were Rabiu Hussaini, Olasunbo TokunbohAjayi, Sunday Edoka, John Otame, Abiodun Mudasiru, Sikiru Opakunle and Thankgod Esechie.

12 — Vanguard, THURSDAY June 23, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—13

Health sector crisis deepens as JOHESU begins nationwide strike FG warns health workers against strike

By Victor Ahiuma-Young, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS— THE relative peace in the health sector, yesterday, suffered another setback as health workers in Federal Government hospitals embarked on a sevenday nationwide warning strike.

Also, the striking resident doctors were yet to resume work even in the face of sack treat by the Federal Government, just as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, began recruitment of a new batch of trainee doctors.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, yesterday warned health workers in the country against strike, saying seven days of illegal absence from work is tantamount to abandonment of work.

At about 10 a.m when Vanguard visited some of the hospitals on Lagos Mainland, little or no healthcare activity was ongoing.

Health workers under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, and the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, had embarked on an indefinite strike to pressure the government to meet their demands.

In a jointly signed statement, Medical and Health workers under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and the Assembly of Health care Professionals, AHPA, expressed displeasure over what they described as Federal Government nonchalant attitude.

In an interview with Vanguard, Chairman, JOHESU, Shaba Adetokunbo, explained that the leadership of JOHESU had met with the Ministry of Labour but the meeting ended in deadlock.

He queried why government

would continue to dishonour agreements it entered into with the union.

Meanwhile, LUTH has began its annual recruitment of new resident doctors. When Vanguard visited the hospital, over 100 doctors were seen waiting to be interviewed.

Reacting to the recruitment, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Chris Bode, said the recruitment was a coincidence to the Federal Government’s directives.

He said the new doctors had

earlier undergone examinations before the directive and a date for the interview fixed.

FG warns health workers against strike

In a statement by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said: “We wish to add that we are fully committed to the implementation of the Trade Dispute Act, hence, the overriding need for these unions to ask their members to return to work immediately as negotiation

DECORATION: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (left), assisted by Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Murtala Mani (right) to decorate SP Udofia Titus with his new rank at the Conference room of Governor’s office, Uyo.

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APELE—A group, Niger Delta Development Movement, NDDM, yesterday, condemned the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which had consistently claimed responsibility for recent attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, over the latter’s refusal to be party to the recent truce brokered in Asaba, Delta State, by Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, between the Federal Government and militants in the region.

NDDM’s National Chairman, Paul Toruwei, said: “The recurrent bombings of oil C M Y K

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By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— NATIONAL Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called on the Police to release the result of the autopsy conducted on a final year student of the University of Port Harcourt, Mr Peter Ofurum, who was shot dead during a protest by students of the school on April 11.

It will be recalled that students of the school had protested what they termed outrageous charges by the universityonApril11,asituationthat resulted in the closure of the school afterOfurumwasshotdead,allegedly by the Police.

Coordinator, ZoneBofNANS,Mr Peter Obi in a statement, yesterday, in Port Harcourt said that the students welcome the constitution of a panel by the Governing Council of the University to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the protest and murder of the final year student.

The student body blamed the university management for the protest, saying its insistence on shutting out some students who had not paid their fees from writing the exams triggered the protest.

Army officers contacted militants on plot to topple Buhari —MILITANTS

By Emma Amaize, South, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

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ARRI—JOINT Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, yesterday, alleged that some top Army officers planning to overthrow President

Muhammadu Buhari goverment had approached Niger- Delta militants to continue bombing oil installations to give pretext and justification for a coup against him.

The militant group in a

Group condemns Avengers for non-involvement in govt's peace initiative

By Godwin Oghre

continues on Thursday, June 29, as agreed at the last joint conciliatory meeting of June 21, 2016.

“It is important to add at this juncture that there is nothing like ‘warning strike’ as strike is strike and must follow all procedures as clearly stipulated in the labour laws. Seven days of illegal absence from work is tantamount to abandonment of work and we therefore appeal to the members of these unions to attend to theirdutiesinthevarioushospitalsand health establishments throughout the country.”

Release autopsy of murdered UNIPORT student, NANS tells Police

pipeline facilities across the Niger Delta region by militants, is too bad and condemnable and we are asking the militants to embrace other peaceful means of handling marginalisation issues in the region.

“We know that the people of the region, especially the Ijaws have been neglected and marginalised for too long. The failure of the socalled amnesty programme also contributed to what is happening in the region now, but that is not enough to take arms and be destroying oil facilities in the region.

“If actually the Avengers want development which the Federal government is promising to bring to the area, then they must embrace peace and be party to the present truce pursued by the Federal Government.

“We are condemning all forms of armed insurrections in the Niger Delta region as a means of pressing home our demand for justice and development of our land. The avengers must sheathe their swords and come to terms with the Federal Government.

Let them allow the President (Buhari) to carry out his developmental plans for the region.”

statement by the Commander, General Duties, Joint Revolutionary Council, JRC, of JNDLF, General Akotebe Darikoro and others, said: “We are constrained to let the cat out of the bag today that President Buhari should be wary about the security of this country as some military men are making moves to remove him from power by instigating civil unrest in the country.

“Some top military men through their civil agents approached us to cause and continue the vandalization of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region to serve as an excuse to take over the government from democracy to military rule in the country.

“We said no, as such plan is not in conformity with our genuine desire of agitation. The military want to disgrace him now and let him quickly look into the issues and make pronouncement for his administration to be in peace.

“Let the President analyze certain memo from the military concerning Niger Delta region before taking actions, otherwise the military will use that as a

platform to remove him.

“We know that the issue of Niger Delta is political and we prefer political solution to resolve it, but if the president refuses, that is not our problem.

“Since some military men want to use various agitations in the country and the President’s probing of the military, which they said exposes the respected uniformed personnel to disrepute and ridicule before the civilian populaces as an excuse to strike.

“We received several calls from unknown persons to persuade us to continue the bombing and that when they succeed in overthrowing the government, we will be in a better position.

“We said capital no, when asked of their names, they said they are above Major General level. They refused to disclose their names but their intonation seemed like Yoruba and Hausa.

“Our agitation is not for selfish interest but for the overall benefit of the Niger Delta region. We will not kidnap any person or kill expatriate in the country but will continue our agitation with clear determination to actualize our cause in Nigeria.”

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

FG to review auto policy

By Theodore Opara

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HERE are strong indications that the Federal Government will soon fine-tune the national auto policy introduced three years ago by former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, going by the outcome of the auto stakeholders forum held in Lagos, Monday.

The one day stakeholders’ forum put together by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, was attended by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Dr. Aminu Jalal, chieftains of Nigeria auto industry and other stakeholders, who gathered to address the grey areas militating against the implementation of the national auto policy.

Enelamah told newsmen that the essence of the gathering was to listen to the stakeholders and know what they wanted from the policy, adding that the whole idea was to get feedback from the stakeholders on how to make the policy succeed.

He said: “We want the stakeholders to tell us what they want. We are a listening government.”

Governing Nigeria not a joke— Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said leading Nigerians was a huge task and urged his ministers and everyone to pray for the country.

He, however, said that instilling patriotic spirit in the people for the benefit of posterity, was a task that must be done, adding that the month of Ramadan was a special time when God answers prayers of the faithful.

The President spoke, Tuesday night, while breaking fast with members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at the presidential banquet hall, Aso Villa, Abuja.

He said: “It strengthens our resolve to build our country to make it stronger and to make sure that the incoming generations are sufficiently motivated to be patriotic.

“It is no news that we are the biggest country in Africa; we are the economic engine of Africa, which is true by the way. But we must always be patriotic in our dealings with others.

“In this (Ramadan) month of prayers and service to God, let us believe that God in His infinite mercy will listen to our prayers, give us peace, security and better the economy once more, so that we can quickly rebuild and even do more for the country.

“The time of Ramadan is making us more conscious of what leaders at every level ought to do, and leading the people is not a joke. It means accepting responsibilities for

Observing seclusion in last 10 days

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AMADAN fast has been prescribed for all Muslims for the development of their souls and to enable them subdue their carnal appetites.

This much exertion and sacrifice of sensual desires has been made obligatory upon every Muslim; that he neither eats nor drinks anything nor seek sexual satisfaction during the whole of the blessed month, in compliance with the command of Allah (SWT) and in the process avoid all sinful acts.

It is the general, compulsory course of spiritual training and self-purification for the month of Ramadan and for higher spiritual development that I’tikaf (seclusion) becomes necessary. But before you embark on this seclusion, there are some conditions that must be met. These are: C M Y K

Sound state of mind: The person must be mentally stable; I’tikaf is not for unstable and unsound mind, so he does not distract others.

True Faith (Eeman): Belief is the only thing that distinguishes non-Muslim and a Muslim performing I’tikaf.

Permission: I’tikaf could infringe on the man’s marital rights with his wife and other members of the family if their consent was not sought. It becomes necessary for the Mutakif to seek permission from his spouse or family before embarking on it.

Similarly, if one’s parents are not happy about his absence for days, then the Muslim is not permitted to go forth for this act of worship. One must have the permission of the person

good or wrong.”

...on Biafra

On the agitations for the state of Biafra, President Buhari reminded the people of the Nigerian Civil war that claimed over two million lives.

“At that time, as young military officers, you hardly heard of anything about petroleum or whatever money you got from it.

“General Gowon said ‘to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done,’ and every soldier, whether he has been to school or not, knew what the General

meant.

“But we were quarrelling with our brothers; we were not fighting an enemy and then somebody is saying that once again he wants Biafra.

“I think this is because he was not born when there was Biafra. We have to reflect on the historical antecedent to appreciate what is before us now and what we intend to leave for our children and our grandchildren.”

He said: “We need a lot of prayers, with the nation’s economy going down.

Having developed

agriculture, we are still trying to talk to those who will come and develop the solid mineral for us.

“The militants in their various homes; we need to reflect very seriously on what happened between 1967 and 1970, where about two million Nigerians lost their lives.

President Buhari thanked the ministers and other members of the cabinet, who identified with his government, despite all odds.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke on behalf of members of FEC, expressed gratitude to the President for inviting them to break the fast with him.

VISIT: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (middle) with all national officers of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee, NULGE, during a visit to Obasanjo, yesterday. PHOTO: Wunmi Akinola.

National summit holds soon—LAI MOHAMMED

By Rufus Ike

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HE Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said plans have been concluded to hold a summit on or a family whom he is responsible to.

Intention (Niyyat): I’tikaf must be performed for the purpose of seeking closeness to Allah and not to show off or due to societal, family or peer pressure.

Fasting (Sawm) during I’tikaf: The person who is not able to fast, for whatever reason, is derived from this act of worship. Therefore, if a person is a traveller or one who is not able to fast due to some impediments, he cannot partake in I’tikaf.

Place: One must stay inside the Mosque for the entire period for his I’tikaf to be correct.

Ramadan timing for today City Fajr Iftar/Maghrib Abuja 4:49am 6:53pm Ibadan 5:09am 7:05pm Ilesha 5:05am 7:08pm Ilorin 5:02am 7:05pm Kano 4:38am 6:53pm Lagos 5:10am 7:04pm Asaba 5:00am 6:55pm Zaria 4:42am 6:52pm Maiduguri 4:20 6:35pm Jalingo 4:35am 6:38pm Please, note that at Farj time, sahuur ends and Magrib time, Iftar begins.

national rebirth, values and ethics alongside a national reorientation campaign.

Mohammed, who made this known in Abuja when he welcomed the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, led by its Chairman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, on a courtesy visit to his office, also said that contrary to the impression in many quarters, the executive and legislative arms of government were working

together to improve the socioeconomic welfare of Nigerians.

He said the obligation of the current administration was to ensure good governance, provide adequate security and restore the depreciating economy to deliver the change Nigerians yearn for.

He said: “If the spokesman of the Senate wants to meet the spokesman of govern-ment, it says a lot about the trust, understanding and also the confidence between the two arms of government.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—15

FG sues Anambra govt for N50bn over land

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE Federal Government has slammed a N50 billion suit against the Anambra State government over the latter’s alleged revocation of the 148.337 hectares of land acquired for Federal Government site and service scheme at Amansea in Awka North local government of the state.

In the suit, which has the Attorney-General of the Federation as plaintiff and the Attorney-General of Anambra State as defendant, the Federal Government is claiming the amount as exemplary and aggravated damages it suffered due to what it described as unconscionable actions of the defendant.

In the writ of summons signed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation is seeking for: “ declaration that the 148.337 hectares of land at Amansea, Awka North local government area, Anambra state, comprising Federal Government Site and Service Scheme, Amansea/Awka, was lawfully acquired by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Anambra state government in 1992, under the Land Use Act of 1978 (as amended); “a declaration that the Federal Government of Nigeria had duly paid the required compensation that was assessed to the knowledge of and active collaboration with the Anambra state government; “a declaration that the Federal Government of Nigeria had duly granted Statutory Rights of Occupancy to her allotees and development partners, members of the public and original land owners to the knowledge of and

active collaboration with the Anambra state government; “a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Governmet of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government Site and Service Scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra State government vide a public notice dated 1st September, 2014, is wrongful, unlawful, null, void and of no effect whatsoever as same is neither supported by any extant law in force in Nigeria, nor done for any justifiable reasons; and “a perpetual injunction restraining the Anambra state government whether by itself, its agents, servants, representatives, or privies, howsoever, from further interfering with the rights and interests of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her allottees and development partners over the said Federal Government Sites and Services

Scheme, Amansea/Awka.

Other reliefs sought include “a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Governmet of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government Site and Service Scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra state government vide a public notice dated 1st September, 2014, is null, void and of no effect whatsoever as the plaintiff was never served the purported notice of revocation as required by the Land Use Act, 1978; “a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Governmet of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government Site and Service Scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra state government vide a public notice dated 1st September, 2014, is null, void and of no effect whatsoever, since the defendant merely

purportedly assigned same site and services scheme to profitdriven private developer, and not for public purpose howsoever; and “Fifty billion naira only being exemplary and aggravated damages suffered by the Federal Government of Nigeria by the unconscionable actions of the defendant resulting in disruptions of the lawful activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her allottees and development partners over the said Federal Government Site and Service Scheme, at Amansea/ Awka, Anambra state.”

Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed who presided over the panel of Judges handling the matter adjourned the case to February 13, 2017, for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by the counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) for interim order of injunction.

DECORATION: Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right), being assisted by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Basen Gwana, to decorate the ADC to the Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Nwakanma, to his new rank as Superintendent of Police, in Umuahia.

Biafra killings: IPOB challenges FG, security agencies to show evidence of its violent activities

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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HE INDIGENOUS People of Biafra, IPOB, has challenged the Federal Government and its security agencies, especially the Army, Navy, DSS, and Police to show evidence of violence or crime committed by IPOB members that justified the gruesome and unwarranted killings of its members and non-members who had shown them solidarity by coming out to watch, each time they were marching on the streets.

The group also condemned the delay by the Federal Government and the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano in setting up a panel of inquiries into the circumstances that led to the alleged brutal murder of its members and non-

members numbering over 50 when they were praying in the premises of St. Edmond Catholic Church, Nkpor Agu, in Idemili North Local Government area of Anambra State.

In a statement by IPOB National Coordinator, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe and Media and Publicity Officer, Mr. Emma Powerful respectively, the group said that its members and non-members were killed and lots of lies were

placed on their heads by their killers to justify their cowardly act and therefore, warned that it would no more tolerate a situation where soldiers will open fire on unarmed civilians in the name of fighting IPOB unarmed members.

IPOB said the May 30, 2016 gruesome murder of its members and non-members, who were watching on the streets of Nkpor would be regretted by the soldiers who did the dastardly act.

“It is unacceptable to us for any

government and security agents to prevent us from remembering and celebrating our heroes, who were killed in genocidal civil war by the same people preventing us from expressing ourselves.

“We must continue to remember and celebrate Biafrans and those killed by the Nigerian Navy, Army, Police and other security agents during the previous peaceful protests and rallies in the state including the recently murdered victims in the church in Nkpor.

Land reform team to Anambra not for grazing reserve —Nnacheta

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—ANAMBRA State government said, yesterday, that the Federal Government team on land reforms expected to arrive the state soon was not for the controversial grazing reserve being proposed for the states.

Briefing reporters after the state’s weekly executive council meeting in Awka, the Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta said though the state government would not preempt the federal government on the proposed land reforms, it has nothing to do with any grazing reserve.

The commissioner said: “The Federal government has informed states that it will embark on land reforms. We cannot preempt the motive of the Federal Government until we are given the mandate."

According to him, the state government would present its position paper on land matters to the federal government team, adding that commissioners for lands, local government, among others are to prepare the state position paper on the matter.

He also explained that a land committee would be put in place, adding that the state government would mobilize stakeholders, including traditional rulers and local government chairmen, while the deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke would head the state delegation on the presidential committee on land reforms.

Nnacheta also spoke on the planned state government’s execution of N20 million projects in each of the 177 communities, adding that the projects would be decided by the stakeholders, including the traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, among others.

Ikpeazu gives scholarship to 17 best WASCE students

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has awarded tertiary education scholarship to 17 students, who performed very well

in the May/June 2015 West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE. They were drawn from the 17 Local Government Council areas of the state.

The governor had also approved that henceforth, the best

performing student in WASCE from each of the 17 council areas would get automatic tertiary education scholarship from the state government.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikpeazu, Enyinnaya Appolos, explained

that the decision was in appreciation of the ranking of the state as number one state in the May/June 2015 West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE, result as released by the West African Examinations Council, WAEC.

16 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

You underestimated terrorism like Nazi threat, Putin accuses West

ANGOLA: President says no revenue from state oil company since January

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USSIAN President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of underestimating “terrorism” just as it once apparently underestimated Nazism in order to vilify Moscow instead.

Putin spoke at the final plenary session of the current lower house of parliament before a summer recess and new elections in September. Putin’s own United Russia party are doing poorly in polls with a June survey showing support for the party was at its lowest point this year (35 percent) and dropping, while the Communist Party of Russia and the far-right, nationalist Liberal Democrat Party of

Russia were gathering momentum.

Putin began his address on Wednesday with a sombre reminder that the day

marked the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.

AMPAIGNERS on both sides of the crucial vote over whether Britain should remain in the European Union crisscrossed the country Wednesday, their last day to win support from the undecided.

Prime Minister David Cameron outlined his vision for a future with Britain retaining its place in the

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Nazi German invasion, by the Kremlin walls in Moscow, yesterday.

the notion that the country would be headed in the wrong direction if it stayed in. He flatly rejected the charge that the institution is moribund.

“We are not shackled to a corpse,” Cameron told the BBC. “You can see the European economy’s recovery.

It’s the largest single market in the world.”

The most notable figure in

former London Mayor Boris Johnson, kicked off a whirlwind tour of England as he pushed for a British exit - or Brexit. Touring the Billingsgate Fish Market, Johnson mugged for the cameras with fish in hand a not-so-subtle reminder that this is an island nation - and one very proud of its independence and self-assurance.

Trump lashes out at Clinton’s personal record, policies

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EPUBLICAN presi dential hopeful Donald Trump lashed out at his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton’s policies and personal record on Wednesday, arguing that she is part of a political

establishment that has undermined the U.S. economy and national security.

In a speech in New York, Trump hit back at Clinton as the candidates seek to land early blows against one another in

the fight for voters in the Nov. 8 presidential election “We will never be able to fix a rigged system by counting on the same people who rigged it in the first place,” Trump said.

N/Korea test-fires banned ballistic missiles

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ORTH Korea has conducted back-toback tests of mid-range ballistic missiles from its eastern coast, South Korean officials say.

One test of the powerful Musudan intermediate-range missile made considerable improvements in flight distance and altitude over previous failed launches, but still fell well short of the missile’s projected range.

Wednesday ’s tests marked Pyongyang’s fifth and sixth attempts since April to successfully launch its Musudan missile.

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Jose Eduardo dos Santos spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of an economic meeting of his Council of Ministers.

His comments were reported by the news website Rede Angola.

Angola is Africa’s largest oil producer, and falling oil prices have hit hard. The Organization

of the Petroleum Exporting Countries says oil production makes up about 45 percent of Angola’s gross domestic product and more than 95 percent of its exports. Dos Santos this month appointed his daughter, Isabel, the head of the state oil company, Sonangol.

EGYPT: Court acquits 22 over Red Sea islands protest

UK divided on eve of historic EU referendum 28-nation bloc, bristling at the “leave” campaign,

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NGOLA’s president says the state oil company has not been able to pay revenues into the country ’s budget since January and that low oil prices have caused a lack of foreign currency and made managing affairs “extremely complicated.”

“South Korean defense officials didn’t want to label it as either a success or a failure, but that does appear to be the most effective test of this

Musadan intermediaterange missile so far even though it did fall far short of its expected range,” said Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Beijing.

ISIS’ capital under attack as air strikes kill, injure many

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CTIVISTS say at least capital 18 civilians have been killed in air strikes in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the headquarters of so-called Islamic State (IS).

Dozens more people were injured in the raids on Tuesday, according to the Syrian Observatory

for Human Rights.

It said it was not able to determine who carried out the strikes, though another group blamed Russian warplanes.

There were further air strikes on Raqqa on Wednesday, but this time reportedly by the US-led coalition against IS.

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Cairo court acquit ted on Wednesday 22 people on trial for protesting against a government decision to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, a judicial source and a defence lawyer said.

The ruling comes a day after Egypt’s administrative court annulled the

maritime agreement, announced in April, that would have seen Egypt lose control of Tiran and Sanafir.

The accord had caused uproar and rare protests in Egypt, where many have long considered the islands Egyptian.

More than 200 people

were arrested in connection with protests over the islands in April.

Since then, more than 150 have been handed jail sentences or fines, according to judicial sources. Wednesday ’s verdict will bring to at least 107 the number of people acquitted.

Ghana’s president to be probed over $100,000 car gift ual, adding that it had inti-

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HANA’s president, John Dramani Mahama, could be asked to appear before a constitutional body to answer questions on the circumstance surrounding the receipt of a gift of a car from a Burkinabe contractor back in 2012.

The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) confirmed to local media networks that they had received two petitions in respect of the president’s controversial gift saga.

CHRAJ said it had re-

•Mahama ceived two written petitions in respect of the same case, one from a youth wing of one of the country’s political parties and the other from an individ-

ated steps that could lead to an investigation.

“The moment we get the petition, we should first assess it to see if it is proper and triggering our mandate under chapter 24, we should write to the person concerned, in this case the President, whether he admits to the contravention or non-compliance allegations made against him, and if he does not admit, then we have to cause an investigation to be carried out and that is where we are now,” a CHRAJ commissioner is quoted to have said.

Two shot dead by police in S/A as looters ransack shops

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OUTH African police said on Wednesday they had shot dead two people suspected of looting shops in South Africa’s capital in continued violence triggered by the ruling party’s choice of a mayoral candidate for local polls.

Police said they also ar-

rested 40 of the rioters who were targeting foreigners’ shops as public anger mounted over economic hardships in the build-up to Aug. 3 elections likely to become a referendum on President Jacob Zuma’s leadership.

Residents of Pretoria’s

townships started setting cars and buses alight on Monday night after the ruling African National Congress’ (ANC) named a candidate in the Tshwane municipality where the capital city is located, overruling the choice of regional branches.

CONGO: Opposition leader sentenced in absentia

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EMOCRATIC Re public of Congo opposition presidential candidate Moise Katumbi was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison and fined $1 million on Wednesday after being convicted of selling a

house he did not own, his lawyer said.

Katumbi had denied the charge and says it and another charge brought against him last month, of hiring mercenaries in a plot against the state, are aimed at derailing his presidential bid.

•Katumbi

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016— —17

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ROLOGUE: We will not die in that man’s company that fears his fellowship to die with us. This day, the 12th day of June, shall be our day of the ‘feast of Saint Crispian’. Our version of the martyrdom of the Saints of abnegation.

This is the day about which the supremest sacrifice was paid by ‘one’, so that the tree that is dear to us all –of our democracy- may thrive. He that shall witness this day from hence should, yearly, remind his neighbors and his friends; and say to them ‘this is the 12th day of June’, the day that the gods themselves, of ‘democracy’ hath made.

Then will he strip his sleeves and show, if he has, the scars of struggle and say with pride ‘these wounds I had in defense of June 12’.

Or at the very least he should tell the story that he knows or the tale that he had been told, about this historic day, the ghost of which will know no rest, till it be appeased with the validation of its mandate and the recognition of its martyrdom.

Poisoned Chalice: On the 12th day of June, a mandate was given; by the ‘many’ to one worthy of the peoples’ trust. He was a ‘man of the people’; he was the ‘peoples’ man’ -the great MKO, my Principal, my liege and my mentor.

The ‘freest’, the ‘fairest’ election, in unison everyone had said. And the nation’s joy for once was to know no bounds. The ebbing pond of her geo-ethnic unity about, in ages, to brim, and –in fact- seeming to runneth over.

States to states, region to region, zone by zone, all in league of amity –ready to chart a new dawn, where ‘though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood yet we would have stood’.

Pre-eminent policeman But just then came the off-key note which did jar the hymn of vaunted praise. The ‘freest’, ‘fairest’ election, soon cowardly annulled; and the innocent mandate holder cruelly put to jail.

And as though that was not enough, on the 8th day of July after years in their gilded gaol, the great MKO was now felled at last. My Principal breathed his last right before the world’s preeminent policeman. Yes, he died right before the omni-hearing, eagle-eyed one, named Uncle Sam. But ‘Big Brother’ Sam, famed to ‘see’ beyond the limits of sight, and to ‘hear’ beyond the ken of all decibels, on this very day of infamy when my Principal was felled, he saw no evil he said, he heard no evil.

But all discerning minds had known, that between Uncle Sam and our own agents of State, a lot had been kept mum, a lot left unsaid: for how could a man who bravely had endured, for years in jail braving the harangues of operatives of State, suddenly die a couple of minutes to freedom’s gate? How could a prisoner hale and hearty just a while ago, soon lay dead after a hot, steamy cup of tea? How could his body after such suspicious death, from all its follicles soon be drenched, in C M Y K

which they claim till date is our ‘Democracy Day’. Meaning that between the ‘fig’, the ‘olive’ and the tree of ‘vine’, they chose the accursed tree of Jesus that bore no fruits.

Essay of our new democracy

Ode to MKO: A parody of Shakespeare

The Late Chief MKO Abiola profuse sweat like a petal wet in morning dew?

A poisoned chalice was the ‘justice’ that my Boss was finally served; for daring to ask that his mandate be preserved. MKO was murdered in mock-appeasement of the ghost of the jackbooted, bespectacled one; who earlier too they said, the hemlock had been fed, to even the score of eminent death, in mollification of contending tribes and tongues.

Traitors all: But this was the very top, the height, the crest or crest unto the crest, of murder’s arms; this was the bloodiest shame, the wildest savagery, the vilest stroke, that ever wall-eyed wrath or staring rage presented to the tears of soft remorse. All murders past, do stand excused, and this, so unmatchable, shall

If the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, June 12, not May 29, is our 'Democracy Day give a holiness, a purity, to the yet un-begotten sin of times; and prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest, examplified by this heinous spectacle. The earth had not a hole to hide this heinous deed.

Great men, Shakespeare wrote “often die by vile bezonians: A Roman sworder and bandit to slave” he said “murdered sweet Tully; Brutus’ bastard hand stabbed Julius Caesar; savage

They chose May 29 in spite of ‘June 12’, or the 8 of July. And the question again is asked: What hath this day deserved? What hath it done that it, in golden letters should be set among the high tides in the calendar? If the tree may be known by the fruit, as the fruit by the tree, June twelve is our ‘Democracy Day’.

All too soon the political antichrist has taken over the altar of our sacrifice; undeserving beneficiaries of the struggle have become architects of the new dawn; those with scars to show are a mere parenthesis in the essay of our new democracy. All too soon night owls shriek where mountain larks should sing; and “more pity” as they say “that the eagle should be mewed while kites and buzzards prey at liberty.

But ‘with eager feeding’ they say, ‘food doth choke the feeder’; for many of the traitors of yesterday, the curtains have long been drowned; others today are

islanders killed Pompey the great” and “Suffolk himself by pirates died”. My Principal the great MKO was felled by the army of his fatherland.

Socrates corrupted youth they had said; and by a compromised judicial system, the hemlock he too was fed. But my Principal without a proper charge, was baited to L-R General Manager/Editor in Chief, Vanguard drink a Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye presenting the poisoned tea. A 2016 Marketing Edge Advertising Excellence Award to the General Manager, SBI Media Ltd, Mr. Olaolu thousand Abimbola. daggers they had hidden in their thoughts; which they had whetted to sharpness on their stony hearts. They smiled as they murdered, yet in mock-grief to occasion their faces were framed, wetting their cheeks even with phony tears.

Bogey of ‘May 29’

Soon the army of exigency had become the army of mischief.

Av o i d i n g remembrance of ‘June 12’ or recognition given to the 8th of July.

And they came up with a barren May 29

home a-bed, frail and attended to by their own kind. The few that walk by still, like the owl by day, they are mocked and wondered at. And like MKO, they too shall be food soon, very soon, for the maggots. Because ‘kings and mighty potentates must die, for that is the end of human misery’.

Epilogue: When is our day of the feast of Saint Crispian? That day is not the 29th day of May! For none there is that day to strip his sleeves and show his scars, and say to the multitude: these wounds I had on May 29. Our Day of the Feast of Saint Crispian is either the 12th of the month of June or the 8th day of July.

Between these days an icon was made and unmade. Such a mighty rise, dogged by so treacherous a fall! But we grieve not because he died so that the essay of our new dawn may be made legible to read.

Lie still in thy mute grave my liege. Thy rest is nigh; thy repose will soon come. Thy tongue-less tomb will soon be laced with the waxen epitaph: ‘Here lies the President who, in Heaven before the angels, took his oath; and posthumously is now crowned the Third ‘Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’.

Amen, and amen again!

SBI Media bags 2 coveted awards

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HE team of SBI Media Limited, Friday, in Lagos, won two of the most coveted awards at the 2016 Edition of the Marketing Edge Advertising Excellence Awards. The awards are: the Fastest Growing Agency in Nigeria and the Media Agency of the Year. SBI Media was the only company that won two awards at the event the most at the ceremony.

The Marketing Edge Award for Marketing Excellence is an annual event to celebrate practitioners in the marketing and advertising professions who have excelled in their various fields of practice. The event included a National Marketing Stakeholders Summit on Brands.

Commenting on the awards, Rotimi Bankole, MD/CEO SBI Media said “undoubtedly, awards such as this are not gratuitous, they are earned. They are also a result of a team effort as opposed to an individual one; no matter how sterling such effort is. It is with this in mind that I dedicate this award to you all as a sign of ‘result-of-hard work’. You deserve the best recognition and I think you must have it.

As they say, with such accolades comes higher responsibilities. What this means is that we will need to consolidate these gains, double our efforts and ensure that not only do we keep these titles next year, we must strive to win even some more.”

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY June 23, 2016 ON June 2, 2016, the Federal Government announced the cancellation of post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) tests instituted by tertiary institutions, mainly universities, in 2007.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, announced this at the 2016 Combined Policy Meeting on Admissions to Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions. The meeting also pegged cut-off scores for admissions into tertiary institutions at 180, or 45 per cent of 400 obtainable in the UTME test.

Announcing the decision, Mallam Adamu said: “as far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing; the universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complaint against JAMB, let them bring it and then we can address it.”

Actually, it was complaints against JAMB that led the same Federal Government to allow universities to

No to scrapping of post-UTME tests conduct post-UTME tests. The Joint Admissions & Matriculations Board (JAMB) was set up in 1978 to conduct unified matriculation examinations and place students in universities.

This effectively ended the autonomy which universities hitherto enjoyed in selecting students who met set criteria for admission.

However, over the years, admission racketeering blighted the process.

Not only that, examination malpractice became a monster such that mercenary students wrote the tests for others, who gained admission but failed woefully in the

tuition process. Coupled with a general feeling that educational standards have fallen drastically, there was a cacophonous cry that JAMB should be scrapped and universities allowed to admit their own students as was the case until 1977. The Federal Government was unwilling to scrap JAMB but instead allowed institutions to conduct postUTME tests.

Now that post-UTME tests have been scrapped, it is back to square one. Our government’s public policy inconsistency continues. With 1,700,000 students applying every

year for approximately 800,000 admission spaces, it is understating the fact that the nation has an admission crisis of leviathan proportions.

The latest policy is likely to put the admission racketeers back in business. Our concern is that successive governments embrace policies without adequate research on theireffectiveness or relevance to our development. Where is the evidence that this latest policy will improve the quality of education or that the scrapped one was detrimental to our university system.

We condemn capricious changes in government policy in Nigeria. It gives an impression of us as a confused country. After over fifty years of indigenous university administration and ownership, we ought to have laid a solid and dependable foundation upon which our educational sector can steadily grow, rather than this see-saw inconsistency.

OPINION Drug abuse and Nigerian youths

By Martin Agwogie HE use of mind altering substances of natural origin has been known since T the prehistoric times. For centuries, man

has tried to either complement some pleasant features of life or escape from the unpleasantness of life, whether real or imaginary, by using fermented liquor and different plant products. For example, drinking of palm wine and locally brewed alcohol such as “ogogoro”, “burukutu” as well as chewing of different stimulating plants and their products in Nigeria have been known for ages. Reports have it that the use of these substances was more of occasional and in moderation with few exceptions. This was the trend of substance use in Nigeria until after the Second World War in the 40s when cannabis (hemp) was introduced through the war veterans who brought back the cannabis seed from India.

The 70s and 80s witnessed the introduction of other drugs like cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and pharmaceutical opioids (codeine, morphine etc).

This trend changed dramatically in the 90s to include the abuse of non conventional drugs such as volatile solvents or inhalants (gasoline, correction fluid, rubber solution, aerosol, nail polish removal, kerosene, petrol, and bytul nitrate). These volatile solvents produce psychoactive vapour which when inhaled goes straight from the nose to the brain, heart and lungs with instant intoxication and diverse consequences. Today, ingenuity has been

introduced into drug abuse with complex mixtures, experimentations and new discoveries. This has resorted to the abuse of lizard dung (especially the whitish part), pit toilet/soak away fumes (bio generic gas), “goskolo” a concoction of unimaginable substances, robin blue powder cocktail, “gadagi” (a substance resembling tea leaves), pharmaceutical products (tramadol, rohypnol) and many more.

The problem of drug abuse among students is the problem of everyone

Codeine containing cough syrup mixed with soft drinks is gradually taking over alcohol in youth parties. Due to new technologies which have improved the mass production of some of these drugs, many of them have become very cheap and therefore affordable.Unfortunately, the presence of new substances of abuse are usually not detected until someone suffering from the consequences visits the hospital for treatment or law enforcement personnel intercept or seize a supply of suspected substances.

Substance abuse in Nigeria and the new trend is becoming a significant medical, psychological, social and economic problem facing the nation. More worrisome is the increasing number of secondary school and tertiaryinstitution students who are getting involved in drug abuse. These are the future leaders of Nigeria. What will the future of the nation be if it’s supposedly future leaders are drug

addicts?

Five major predisposing factors to drug abuse among students are peer pressure, curiosity, ignorance, academic induced frustration and lack of parental care.

Adolescence and young adult are characterised by new identities/peer selection, adventurism, curiosity, excitement and role confusion. Where students are not well guided, either by the home or school, they choose wrong peers which will lead to experimenting with drugs.

Also, the storm and stress of life such as academic workload, learning to be independent from parents put them under pressure to find solace in drugs. In some cases, they take drugs to have momentary relief and out of ignorance of the consequences. Some have been initiated by peers without knowing what they took. They would probably notice that they felt differently and would want to have a similar feel. Before they realise what they are taking, they would have been addicted to a particular substance of abuse. That is why some cannot tell you exactly the name of the substance they took until they go for drug test. In some cases, they mention a substance of abuse whose effect is a contrast to their behaviour.

The consequences of drug abuse by students include extreme violence, gang rape, drug induced suicide, paranoia, poor academic performance, larceny (to feed the habit), school dropout, poor health condition, indebtedness and waste of resources (money and material). Drug abuse is also associated with anti social vices among students such as cultism, thuggery, racketeering, and armed robbery.

This means that the problem of drug abuse among students is the problem of everyone – the parents, the school, other students and the general public.

Addressing drug problem among youths in institutions of learning therefore, requires collective efforts. Some institutions have put in place policies against drug abuse by students. Most of these policies are however penal such as suspension and in some cases rustication from school for students who test positive to substances of abuse. Some Institutions refer offending students for drug treatment and rehabilitation as a condition for re-admission into the school. As commendable as these policies may be, they need to be implemented with extreme caution. Otherwise, penal measures will become counterproductive with a good number of the students frustrated, not return back to school and would become additional burden to both the family and become security threat to the society.

Beyond referral for rehabilitation, counseling units in institutions of learning should be resuscitated with capacity to provide drug counseling, referral for more complex cases and follow up services after discharge from treatment and rehabilitation centers. Drug education, including drug refusal skills, should be incorporated into students’ orientation programmes. Alumni Associations should incorporate drug education and parenting skills in their programmes to help parents, institutions of learning and the government to collectively address the emerging threat to the future leaders of tomorrow. *Dr. Agwogie is a Drug Demand Reduction expert with NDLEA.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 –19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Beyond Buhari’s Tom-and-Jerry with Fayose IF you examine the battle of wits between President Muhammadu Buhari and his most outspoken critic, Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, you will see yet another déjà vu of Nigerian politics; a theatre of the absurd where the same drama sketch is repeated at different epochs but not necessarily by the same thespian talents.

Buhari is carrying on, much like his co-traveller ex-military dictator-turned elected president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

When Obasanjo was president between 1999 and 2007, he fought like a deranged dictator and in all directions.

He caused the change of Senate Presidents FOUR record times in six years, thus ensuring that all the five states of the South East produced Senate Presidents.

Some gullible or foolish-minded Nigerians, rather than put the blame for the high turnover squarely on Obasanjo, blamed Igbo federal lawmakers for scrambling to outdo one another for the post.

Obasanjo caused the abduction of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State by Police AIG Ralph Ige, who was carrying out the orders of Ngige’s political

godfathers in Obasanjo’s employ, the Uba brothers. Ige died a month after. Obasanjo tried (unsuccessfully) to sack his Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, but succeeded in driving him out of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He illegally stopped the disbursement of the Local Government allocations of Lagos State from the Federation Account in the hope that the government of his enemy, Governor Ahmed Bola Tinubu, would be weakened for his party, PDP, to grab Lagos. It failed.

Obasanjo pushed Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, out of PDP, but failed to stop the latter from getting elected (albeit crookedly) for a second term. In fact, Kalu successfully installed his protégé, TA Orji, in power in 2007 even while the latter (Orji) was languishing in Obasanjo’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, detention cell. Under Obasanjo, a number of his political enemies were mysteriously killed, and no one has been held to account till today. These were: Chief Marshall Harry, an All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP, hothead from Rivers State; Chief Aminasori Kala Dikibo, a PDP leader from the same Rivers State

and Obasanjo’s own Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Chief Bola Ige. Obasanjo saw enemies everywhere and he fought them all, winning most, losing some and carrying the suspicions of some murders on his way to his grave.

The same trait – fighting of real or imaginary enemies – has been evident with President Muhammadu Buhari, but admittedly at a much lower scale with more sophisticated focus. So far, no one can accuse Buhari of depriving any of his opponents of his life. No politically-related murder has taken place in the

Obasanjo and Buhari played the same trick on Nigerians – using the war on corruption as a smokescreen to feather their political nests through the persecution of their political adversaries past one year, which is a positive for Buhari. No governor has been impeached, let alone Buhari being accused. In fact, Buhari would have been as clean as former President Goodluck Jonathan in the area of permitting the Federal Parliament to function without interference, if he had kept his word about the emergence of its leaders. But he allowed himself to be dragged by his co-party leader, Bola Tinubu, in insisting that Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Deputy, Ike

Nigeria cannot be broke N his justification of the recent In the new frontier, we met easy money.

I increase in the pomp price of fuel, the Things became so rosy to the extent that Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai money was not our problem but how to Mohammed, postulated that the issue was not about oil subsidy but that Nigeria was skint.

Does this fit into God’s original plan? At creation, God blessed Nigeria. All the necessities of life, He gave to us freely and in abundance – the precious air we breathe; the water we drink; and the expanse of fertile land – were just there.

Where the terrain was difficult, He tucked underneath the earth, the wherewithal for its development.

And by Lai Mohammed’s standard, if all else fail; we can increase the pomp price of the few available drops of petrol to N500 per litre. Then four lean seeds of tomatoes could sell for N200. All that matters is that we always have a fall-back situation, which is unavailable to many nations.

In the beginning, agriculture formed the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Before the advent of the oil boom of the 1970s, the nation’s economy was largely dependent on revenue from agriculture.

We recollect, with nostalgia, that Nigeria’s palm oil seedling was adjudged the best the world-over and that was when Malaysia and other countries came to collect the seedlings as the nucleus for their own production. In whichever direction we turned, we were blessed – the groundnut pyramid of the North; the cocoa of the West; the rubber and timber of the Mid-West; and the palm produce of the East – all of which have today gone virtually into extinction. Nigeria has never had any reason to be broke.

Then came the oil regime, which was supposed to bring greater prosperity and enhanced economic boom; but which has ended up spelling doom for us. As it were, this was the opportunity to abandon our original pursuits in agriculture and we then put all our eggs in a single basket.

C M Y K

spend it.

There is, though, the often mistaken impression that our earnings from the oil sector was totally wasted. Truly, we threw money around but the argument cannot be sustained that the money we spent in

The recovered loots cannot be treated like what past leaders did with the Excess Crude Account that became a veritable source of slush funds of all sorts, including electioneering campaigns assisting our brethren in South Africa during their struggle against apartheid was money flushed down the drains.

Even at that, we earned enormous reputation and goodwill in the process.

Nigeria stood tall in the comity of nations.

Again, Nigeria’s development was never at a standstill. We built bridges over water and on land; we built highways; we constructed airports and seaports; and provided schools and hospitals, etc.

Development has always been on the move.

You can only truly appreciate the fact that development is ongoing if you leave this country for say ten years. By the time you return, you can hardly find your bearing through any part of the country.

The only reasonable argument we can make is that the oil regime also succeeded in throwing up many fat cows that, besides being richer than the country, are also

Ekweremadu, must be removed for torpedoing the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, choice of parliamentary leadership.

Again, Buhari has been neatly picking up and putting away the voices of the opposition, notably, Mr. Olisa Metuh and Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode. If Fayose were not pavillioned with immunity, he certainly would have been in the slammer. Instead, Buhari’s personalised Directorate of State Services,DSS, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC have been pecking at Fayose’s soft underbelly. First, DSS filched Hon. Afolabi Akanni and detained him for nineteen days.

The poor chap nearly died in detention, and that would have been the first blood on Buhari’s head. Now the EFCC has frozen Fayose’s personal bank account on “suspicion” that it was being used to “move” money.

It is not as though the Commission has no right to do this, since Fayose’s personal accounts do not enjoy the immunity which he enjoys. But the law says a competent court order must be obtained before such an action could be carried out. EFCC never showed any evidence of such an order to the media when the news broke.

Fayose’s account has joined former NSA, Sambo Dasuki and Radio Biafra Director, Mr. Daniel Kanu in the growing queue of victims of impunity wreaked by federal operatives on Buhari’s perceived enemies.

Our history of the past seventeen years of renascent democracy teaches us that Obasanjo succeeded in crushing some of his governor opponents.

These included DSP Alamieyeseigha whom he got impeached and sent to jail. He

intent on continuously bullying the rest of us with their ill-gotten wealth.

Contrary to n a t u r a l expectation, Nigeria is t o d a y perceived as broke at every bend. On Wednesday, 11 March 2015, an International Rating Agency, Standard & Poor ’s, warned that Nigeria’s economy was in “clear and present danger”.

What makes the situation more confounding is that in the face of this damning report, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, also revealed that “On annual basis, the total exports of Nigeria stood at N17.204 trillion at the end of 2014, representing a rise of N2.959 billion or 20.8% over the level of 2013”, even when the nation’s budgetary outlay for 2014 was less than N5 trillion.

The current war on corruption is not about any person. It is not about President Muhammadu Buahri. Rather, it is about the soul of Nigeria.

To be truly meaningful, the war must be properly organised. It cannot be won by sporadic shots at a few individuals. It must be comprehensive. That war is bad which at the end of tenure succeeds in picking up the Governor for stupendous accumulations; while leaving the legislators who gave the Governor the annual appropriations to walk our streets in freedom. What, then, is the whole essence of checks and balances, including the legislative oversight of the administration enshrined in our Constitution?

This fight against corruption must continue to open new vistas as we go along. The funds realised from the war cannot remain idle for too long. We must promptly decide what to do with the money.

also got Fayose impeached and put on EFCC trial/detention, though Oshoko came back six years later to reclaim his electoral mandate. He got Peter Obi impeached, but Peter defeated him in court and reclaimed his mandate.

On the other hand, Tinubu and Kalu (who, incidentally, used to be close friends as governors) triumphed over Obasanjo, and today, Obasanjo is pussyfooting in the sidelights of a political administration that Tinubu helped bring to power.

It is obvious that Fayose has what it takes to overcome Buhari’s bully tactics. Like Tinubu, Kalu, Obi and Ngige, Fayose is a warrior-politician, and we can see that in his reprisal release of Aisha Buhari’s alleged but hitherto-unknown involvement in the Halliburton scandal, a graft among so many others that the Buhari administration has played a blind eye to. In fact, the Chairman of Buhari’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay, recently made it known that there is no evidence of corruption against any APC officer holder (including those indicted for large scale of Rivers State treasury to fund Buhari’s campaign).

Obasanjo and Buhari played the same trick on Nigerians – using the war on corruption as a smokescreen to feather their political nests through the persecution of their political adversaries. Though many Nigerians are still carried away by this old trick, the world out there is beginning to take note, going from what Pete Hoekstra wrote in the Wall Street Journal a week ago, saying that Buhari is a problem and not the solution to Nigeria’s problems.

Useful information on the fight cannot remain over-classified for too long. For instance, one way of ensuring that the funds do not get re-looted, as happened in the past, would be to make the system transparent. Like other revenues, Nigerians want to know what comes into the Loot Recovery Account on a monthly basis.

The identity of the looters cannot remain shielded for too long. For example, it is when we know the looters that we can determine where the money belongs. A recovery from an ex-Governor of a State belongs to that State. While the State gets back the recovered loot, it must also be prepared to contribute to the cost of recovery.

A recovery from a player in the oil sector clearly belongs to the Federation Account from where it would be re-distributed as appropriate.

The recovered loots cannot be treated like what past leaders did with the Excess Crude Account that became a veritable source of slush funds of all sorts, including electioneering campaigns.

At all levels, the legislature must be involved in re-appropriating the proceeds from the recovered loots; and the judiciary must be handy in the process of reward and punishment of offenders.

The much talked about idea of diversifying our economy cannot remain in abstraction. It must be real! Like the old Spirituals, if Nigeria counts her blessings, it will be abundantly clear that she has no reason to be broke.

20 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

CHURCH VERSUS TRADITION:

Catholic priest clashes with royal father * Stories by Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

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N uneasy calm still pervades Abbi community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State after the priest in charge of St. Francis Catholic parish of the community allegedly disrupted a funeral ceremony. He was also said to have allegedly assaulted the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Eze Fidelis Eze at his palace.

The Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ugwu, was said to have gone to the palace of the traditional ruler, rained abuses on him and attempted to slap him but was stopped by soldiers who were on guard duty at the community.

Speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, the traditional ruler, Eze Fidelis, condemned what he termed as the “aggressive behaviour ” displayed by the Catholic priest. He accused the priest of refusing to allow things to be done according to the custom and tradition of the community, insisting instead on having his way on all matters without consultation of the Church Council.

Norms and values “There was a burial at the community which the priest officiated; and after the burial ceremony, he did not allow daughters of the community to be served with food and water.

He threw away the food being served, saying that such norms and values stood abolished as long as he remained the priest in charge at the parish. And after concluding the requiem mass for the deceased, he physically restrained the daughters of Umuoyo village in Abbi from being served food and water,” he recounted.

The traditional ruler noted that by so doing, Rev. Fr. Ugwu succeeded in denying the daughters of Umuoyo village of their right at the funeral. He said on the strength of this, he had no choice but to report the incident to the eldest man of the community (Onyishi Oha) Anthony Odo who in turn summoned an emergency meeting which took the decision to send four men to invite the priest to a parley.

The priest, he said, bluntly refused to honour the

*Rev Fr Anthony Ugwu

•Igwe Eze Fidelis invitation on the grounds that he is answerable only to the Bishop of the diocese.

Following the attitude of the priest in this regard, the community had resolved unanimously to take the matter to the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah. Vanguard Metro’s efforts to see the Bishop to get his reaction on the development, however, proved abortive as he was said not to be available.

Fr. Ugwu contravened the traditional law of the community and in effect would need to cleanse the land with a cow The parish council reacts Meantime, the parish council of St. Francis Catholic Church Abbi was said to have appealed to the priest to go to the traditional ruler and make

peace. But the priest was said to have refused based on his claim that the church is the

authority in the community and not the traditional ruler.

Planned protest by Abbi community: Speaking on the matter, (Onyishi) Anthony Odo noted that Fr. Ugwu contravened the traditional law of the community and in effect would need to cleanse the land with a cow, saying that the community had planned to protest to the bishop of the diocese to request the removal of the priest from the community.

Rev. Fr. Ugwu reacts on

phone: When VM visited St. Francis parish, Abbi Rev Fr Ugwu was said to be conducting mass. Later our reporter placed a call and equally sent a text message to him. He had responded by saying: “You were fed with falsehood by the traditional ruler and you believed it; so go ahead and publish what you like. But remember that we are all mortals; God will certainly judge us according to our work”. He, however, did not respond to the question sent to him by text.

Herdsmen attack: Nsukka in diaspora petitions Ugwuanyi the herdsmen during the •Donate relief materials to victims

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ITIZENS of Nsukka in diaspora have sent an open letter to the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to set up a restitution fund for the surviving victims, families and the affected community, as well as establish a special anti-terror task force to investigate and unmask the perpetrators of the Nimbo massacre. The task force would also be expected to formulate pragmatic actions and policies to forestall future occurrence in any part of the state, establish and support permanent active policing in all farmlands and ensure that all communities in Enugu State are properly policed.

The open letter was presented

by Mr. Iyke Ugbo under the aegis of ‘Nsukka USA in diaspora’ on a day the group donated relief materials to the community. The group said that given the magnitude of the killing, the law enforcement agents should hasten action in

apprehending all the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The association also called on the governor to thoroughly investigate the brutal and senseless massacre to ensure that the victims and their respective families get justice.

Immediate renovation The Special Adviser to the governor on diaspora matters, Mrs Olangwa Eziekwu who led the delegation to Nimbo community, said that the open letter endorsed by the president of the association, Idoko Evelyn and Secretary, Sim Ochi, charged the state governor “to compile an accurate record of names of the deceased and the wounded victims of Nimbo community, undertake the immediate renovation of all public and private structures damaged by

terrorist attack”.

The association further charged the governor to: ‘’Provide opportunities for adequate training and retraining of leadership development of police officers in the areas of community building and policing, fortify Enugu State borders with other states by increasing targeted police patrol and strategic checkpoints”.

The governor was also enjoined to initiate and implement a law that bans haphazard herding of animals across towns and farmlands in the state, adding that those who want to graze cattle in the state should legally acquire land, build ranches under the control and supervision of the state ministry of agriculture, while the state government as a matter of necessity should strengthen the state judicial process to enable residents feel comfortable in seeking redress through the court and not to be forced to take the law into their hands.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

— 21

Male hairdressers:

Why women prefer them

•Ugo Igbokwe, celebrity hairstylist

By Josephine Agbonkhese & Anino Aganbi

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HEN you think hairdressing, you naturally think women and nothing more. But that isn’t the case anymore as more and more young men continue to give female hairstylists a real run for their money. A visit by Woman’s Own to major hairdressing hubs around town proved this—and

we’re sure you’ve got proofs in your neighbourhood too.

Interestingly, these men do not require luxurious shops to steal the hearts of customers.

With a makeshift salon of any kind, any female hairstylist who has got a shop near one of them either folds up in no time or branches into other trades to stay relevant and earn a living.

It however still remains a mystery how men would become better at dressing a woman’s hair—a business that was traditionally female, than women

themselves.

Attention to detail: But are they (men) actually better at hair making or is it all in the mind of women who are perhaps thrilled about having the opposite sex touch their hair? Why do customers swarm around them like bees to honey?

“I think they pay more attention to detail. That’s where they beat female hairstylists.

Women around me prefer them too. If you go to prominent hairstylists in Surulere in Lagos for example, you’ll find that they are owned by men and also attract A-list artists and celebrities from across the country. In fact, one of the best hairstylists in Nigeria today is Ugo Igbokwe and he is male.

“One thing you also notice when you visit these salons owned by men is that women would prefer to queue up and wait for their male workers to make their hair rather than let their female workers who are probably less busy, make their hair,” said Christie Anyanwu, a Lagos-based professional who resides in Surulere, an area of Lagos renowned for hair-making.

Mubo Alade, a front-desk officer in a telecommunication firm in Lagos, also finds male

patient than female hairstylists.”

Like a couple of other women spoken with, Alade confessed that she went all the way to find a male stylist when the female stylist making her hair just could not stop getting on her nerves.

“People kept asking if it was a carpenter that did my hair. Her finishing was nothing to write home about. So, I decided to try a male stylist I came across in my area and I was wowed. It wasn’t just the fact that it was a guy who did my hair; he did the finishing in a way that by the time he was through with the closing, you would have thought I was wearing a wig if I didn’t tell you it was weave-on,” Alade said.

In all fairness, while most women spoken with spoke in favour of male stylists, we however ran into a young lady with a different opinion.

hairdressers very intriguing.

“Sometimes when they fix your hair, you’ll think you’re wearing a wig because the weavings underneath isn’t pronounced.

And then when you pack the hair upward, the whole thing just looks real. I think these guys have studied hair making and seen where female hairstylists are missing it.”

To Alade, the fact that these stylists are also of the opposite sex brings in a whole lot of

We generally spend more time making each hair. Of course also, you know women will always want to dictate until they get exactly what they want

Thorough professional “There’s nothing special about them,” Margaret Odia, a banker by profession, averred.

Her verdict, we soon gathered, was borne of the fact that she was grossly disappointed the two times she patronized one.

Odia recounted: “This guy has a very beautiful shop close to my area and behaves as if he is a thorough professional. I actually had not met any of his clients before giving him a try. But you need to see the hair he made for me. The stitches were already falling out in less than one week and the centre part was looking very wide.”

Odia’s grouse was worsened by the fact that she had to pay twice the amount she spends usually on fixing her hair.

Pricing and male hairstylists: Without denying that they indeed charge higher service fees, Abuja-based male hairdresser, Adebowale Babatunde, popularly known as Wale Swagger, said that it is because women could be very problematic.

“We generally spend more time making each hair. Of course also, you know women will always want to dictate until they get

advantages because “They imagine you’re a girlfriend whom they want to look beautiful and then they pick the best style and colour that suits your face.

They tell you if a centre or side part will suit you better or not. In fact, they are practically more

Need for critical rescue for Nigerian child

T

HERE is lack of effective, purposeful and focused parenting especially in these present day when parenting comes with a huge task. In a nutshell, raising children has eluded many a parents and this poses a great danger for many parents and the society at large with far reaching implication for the nation’s future.

It is, therefore, in consideration of this fact that stakeholders recently came together at the

Breach Repairers’ National Parenting Conference, tagged: “Critical Rescue,” to deliberate on the need for a critical rescue in parenting the Nigerian child and the need for an overhaul in the upbringing of Nigerian children in every aspect and not just in education.

The conference, which had in attendance, wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo; wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode;

First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, as well as First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Martha Udom.

Speakers at the event included Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Mrs. Nkem Okoro, Victor Diali, Rev. Christie Bature Ogbeifun, and Praise Fowowe, among others.

Coordinator, The Wife, Mrs. Nkem Okoro, said in her presentation that the solution to good parenting lies in swift critical rescue through regular effective parenting training and advocacy programmes to empower all stakeholders

such as the recently held national conference on parenting hosted by the Breach Repairers, adding that all hands must be on deck for a critical rescue.

Highlighting the roles of stakeholders in effective parenting, Okoro noted: “It is often expedient, while training on parenting, to incorporate all stakeholders which include

Continues on page 22

Continues on page 27

INSIDE Nigerian women rocking the online business world Pg 22

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

IT is apparent that lack of training and apathy in parenting is the root of most problems in the country ranging from juvenile delinquency to corruption, violence and all forms of abuses. At a recent national parenting conference, tagged, “Critical Rescue”, it was argued that what parents and stakeholders put into children, is what they will get in return and as such there was an urgent need to rescue the recent crop of youths from destruction., writes Etop Ekanem

Waje, Jamie Oliver, launch food revolution day Pg 28

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Nigerian women rocking the online business world

By Kehinde Ajose

The internet has completely changed the way business is being done and more women are leveraging on this tool to start their businesses and pursue their passion. According to a report by the Center for Women’s Business Research in America, black women are part of the fastest growing entrepreneurial segment in the country, growing at a rate of 191.4% from 1997 to 2007. Technological advancements and innovations have also created low cost tools women can leverage on, to grow their businesses. In Nigeria women are breaking away from their traditional roles to starting their online businesses. This piece takes a look at Nigerian women with thriving online businesses

Saudat Salami

— Founder, EasyShop EasyCook

B

usinesses are created out of problems. •Saudat Saudat Salami is the founder of Easyshop Easycook an online business that delivers customized domestic services to the working professional who is too busy to go for shopping due to timing challenges. She revealed how she started in an interview.

“I.T fascinated me at a young age and I was good at it, but if you want to be a programmer or developer you have to be ready to upgrade your certification regularly, learn new coding skills otherwise you’d easily be obsolete and I was not ready to do that. When I was brainstorming with a close friend of mine the idea of Easyshop Easycook came about and I went online to research about it. The online groceries retail industry in 2005 was non-existent. To find out if the business was viable in Lagos, I had to do feasibility studies. When the responses were positive I went ahead to start it with my savings and money from friends and family. Easyshop Easycook has grown from just an online grocery retailer to a customized domestic outsource company targeted at the working woman.

Everything we do is to make life easier for the working woman to pursue her career without neglecting the home. “

Kelechi Anyadiegwu —Founder Zuvaa

K

elechi’s achievements belies her age. She began her online fashion store; Zuvaa in 2013.The vivacious young entrepreneur saw an untapped need in the market for

•Kelechi

African textile and fashion and tapped into it. Last year she was named on Forbes 30 under 30 listfor her contributions to E-commerce. According to her: “I’m originally from Nigeria but grew up in the U.S. I’ve always looked for ways to integrate my love and pride for African culture into my wardrobe.

I love wearing print and African textiles and when I would wear them people would constantly ask me where I found those pieces. I realized there was really a demand for this product so I used my experience in online marketing, web design, and user experience to create a platform to connect the talented designers around the world with consumers who were looking for these beautiful products.”

Nkiru Balonwu —CEO Spinlet

•Nkiru

N

kiru is the brain behind the popular indigenous mobile music download platform Spinlet. At a time when Nigerian musicians were complaining about monetizing their music, Nkiru created Spinlet as a platform to help them showcase and earn from their music. The company is a game changer when it comes to online sales of home grown music. Spinlet’s technology enables customers to purchase, stream, share, and discover music, while offering integration and storage of users’ music libraries, accessible globally through mobile apps and browsers. Nkiru Balonwu has a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Manchester. She also has a Master of Laws (LLM) from University College London (UCL).

She has a Doctor of Juridicial Science (SJD) from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

...Why women prefer them

•Wale Swagger

Continues from page 21 exactly what they want. If we do not charge higher, we might lose the monetary value of hours put into making each hair. So, that’s how we make up for the extra attention and care we give to clients,” he told Woman’s Own in a telephone interview.

Also, the operator of one of the most popular hair salons in Ikotun area of Lagos, Bright Dread Hair Salon, who simply identified himself as Bright, attributed the high fee to the

quality of their work.

“We take our time.

Beside, female hair dressers can hardly do what we do. When you talk of dread locks; whether natural or artificial, we beat them to that. Talk about short hair fixing and styling, we are by far different.

“We know what fits every face and we are also more accommodating.

Unlike most female hairdressers who do not even care about building good relationships with or respecting their customers,” Bright boasted.

True to his claim, Bukola, one of the female stylists working in Bright’s salon, said her experience with her former boss (female) was nothing compared with the months spent with her current male boss.

Bukola said: “I’ve noticed that male hairdressers strive to be trendy and perfect. They don’t stick to old school hairstyles like their female counterparts do.”

What makes them tick?

As Wale Swagger puts it, the ability to listen to customers and

give them what they want is what makes him and his male colleagues special.

“We always follow trends to know exactly what is reigning and how to perfectly make them.

Some customers come with styles they found on Instagram and Google, and they are always in search of a stylist who can give them exactly the same styles. I always try to do my best by making sure I follow trends as well.

Female hairstylists “Another thing is that we tend to be more careful than most female hairstylists. For instance, if you come and tell me to make you the hairstyle called Rihanna, I will sit you down and show you the different types of Rihanna: Take a bow, Shut up and drive, Live your life, etc. If you are still confused, we Google the different styles and search until you find exactly what you want,” he explained.

Swagger who told Woman’s Own he never learned hairmaking but only picked up the skill when he helped to manage his sister’s salon in Lagos, had worked in Ikeja in Lagos before relocating his trade to the Federal

Capital Territory.

But things aren’t all rosy with Another male hairdresser who male hair dressers; many of them spoke from Benin City in Edo suffer sexual harassments and are State, Prosper Amahwu, said he perceived as gay in extreme simply brings to play his cases. It’s actually very natural love for common to hear cases of beautiful things. customers making sexual “Because I am advances at them. a guy, I like good Swagger however things. So when explained that such I see a girl who challenges depend doesn’t look good, I largely on the location don’t like it. I want of one’s business and her to look good, so, I crop of customers. give my best. Every “When I was in day, I also try to Ikeja, most of my improve on my customers were runs techniques to be able to girls (commercial sex compete favourably in workers). Some of the field. them can entice you “I’m most particular when they don’t have about finishing. Some money to pay for their people do not hair. But if you have understand how to self-control, you can •Bright close weave-ons easily tell them to properly. Thus, I focus come pay when they on that part because it’s have the money. Doing what people see first. I pedicure is even worse. make sure that You must have selfwhenever I am closing a control to be able to parting, I give it all of my ignore when a woman’s time. I look at it as if I am laps are exposed in the the one who wants to wear course of you treating that look. As a result, even when her feet. I cannot mix I am not around, you find work with pleasure. customers waiting for me to So, I just had to come back,” Amahwu. develop a thick Challenges skin.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Dangote writes EFCC to discontinue investigation on BoI over cement fund

By Omoh Gabriel and Naomi Uzor HE President of Dangote group and Chairman, Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discontinue investigation on cement fund managed by Bank of Industry since the issue has been resolved.

The Acting Managing Director/CEO, BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, in a parley with pressman, yesterday, following the story that he escaped EFCC arrest due to CTIN fund, a story he described as fiction, said the matter has been resolved between BoI and CTIN. He disclosed that Dangote has earlier written to the EFCC to discontinueactionconcerningthepetitionofCTINfundmanaged by BoI, asbothbodieshavereachedanagreement.

Satisfactory interest Inaletterdated20thJune2016and signed by the Chairman of CTIN to EFCCAlhajiAlikoDangotesaid“Furthertoourpetitiononthesubjectdated November23,2015wehaveengaged themanagementofBOIontherecovery/management of the CTIN funds in the custody of the Bank (please see copiesofthecorrespondencesattached herewith). “These engagements had resulted in an agreement in principle, betweenCTINandBOIforthelatterto managethefundsonconditionedofa satisfactoryinterestratetobeagreedby both parties. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide the agreement is being worked out. “It is in view of the foregoing that I request youtodiscontinueinvestigationsofthe subject in respect of Bank of Industry.

Award for Ovia: From left, Chairman, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Oye Hassan Odukale; Awardee and Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia; Executive Secretary/CEO,LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun at the presentation of a special recognition Award by LSSTF to Ovia in Lagos.

Thank you for a job well done so far” Olagunju also disclosed that the CTIN asked the BoI to manage the funds for them which was invested in moneymarketinstrumentandisyielding return till date, noting that as at May 31st 2016, a letter from BoI was senttoCTINonupdateof thecement

fund. Theletterreadsinpart“Asagreed during the discussion at the meeting, theCementDevelopmentFundwith us has been accruing interest of 8 per centperannumfromFebruary23,2016 to date. Please be advised that going forward, the investible fund amounting to N13, 260,335,254.80 (thirteen

billion,twohundredandsixtymillion, threehundredandthirty-fivethousand, twohundredandfifty-fourNairaeighty kobo only) as at May 31, 2016 will attract a net interest rate of 9 per cent for the next 90 days i.e June 13, 2016 to September10,2016.Weshallthereafterroll-overthefundsplustheaccrued interestatmaturity”.

Shipping: Nigeria lost $2.2bn in 2014 — Committee Chairman

C

HAIRMAN, Ministerial Committee on Modalities for the Establishment of Nigerian Fleet, Mr. Olu Akinsoji has said that Nigeria lost $2.2 billion dollars in 2014 due to the lack of ships. Akinsoji said this while submitting the committee’s report to the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi in Abuja.

He said that in $139.00 0.50 2014, over 5,000 ships sailed into Nigeria, $3,166.00 -4.00 but noted that most of $ 19.16 -0.08 them were not owned

by Nigerians. “If 50 per cent of the number of ships that came to $50.78 0.16 Nigeria in 2014 were Nigerian ships, earn$50.07 0.22 ing 3,000 dollars per person, Nigeria CURRENCY BUYING SELLING would have generated 2.2 billion dollars US DOLLAR 279 279.5 280 POUNDS 408.4839 409.216 409.948 in that year.

EURO 316.1628 316.7294 317.296 “That is apart from FRANC 290.232 290.7521 291.2722 the freight that is acYEN 2.6658 2.6706 2.6753 cruable by carrying CFA 0.3171 0.3271 0.3371 Nigerian cargoes; the WAUA 276.2086 276.7036 277.1986 RENMINBI 42.3675 42.4439 42.5202 seafarer who would RIYAL 74.3921 74.5254 74.6587 have worked on those KRONA 42.5065 42.5827 42.6589 ships, would have SDR 395.4267 396.1354 396.844 earned 2.2billion dolCBN Exchange rate as at 22/06/2016 lars.

C M Y K

Investors cheer CBN naira float but won’t rush back yet

N

T

“Every family of that seafarer would have benefited from the cargoes; so, these are the kind of losses we are making for not having ships that are carrying our tag. All the international cargoes we generated were carried by foreigners; we do not have ships in inter-

national waters carrying dry cargoes.“ According to him, if Nigeria has ships in international waters carrying dry cargoes, the country will generate huge financial resources and create jobs for youths in the maritime sector.

Total raises Nigeria’s oil output by 65,000bpd

By Ediri Ejoh

M

ANAGING Director/ Chief Executive of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, has disclosed that on completion, the Ofon 2 project would help boost Nigeria’s crude oil production by 65,000 barrels per day and also increase the country’s gas output by three million cubic meters of gas per day.

Terraz stated this in a statement announcing the commissioning and sail away ceremony of the Ofon platforms, fabricated solely by Nigerdock for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC/Total joint venture , at the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Lagos.

According to Terraz, the project will help develop addi-

tional reserves with water injection to maintain reservoir pressure and ensure increased oil recovery, adding that the delivery of the project by Nigerdock is a key milestone in the Ofon 2 project execution.

The statement explained that the project is also expected to help stop gas flaring and deliver gas to Bonny Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, plant in Rivers State. Also speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Nigerdock, Mr. Anwar Jarmakani, said “in this high risk and health safety and environmentcritical work system and environment, Nigerdock had executed over five million man hours of productivity and achieved over three million man hours without a Lost Time Incident.”

— 23

IGERIA’s swift one-step movetoafloating currency has been welcomed by investors but most nonetheless will stay away until economy shows signs of recovering.

Nigeria on Monday ditched the peg that had throttled foreign exchange markets, led to widespread capital flight and caused its first quarterly economic contraction since the 1990s.

But while investors welcomed the float as the right first step, most plan to watch Nigeria from the sidelines anticipating more pain in store. “It is positive, it is a more credible and flexible exchange rate regime in the longrun, you will see an external rebalancing of the economy, a fiscal adjustment and so on,” said Jonas David, emerging market specialist at UBS Wealth Management in Zurich.

“But in the near term, things will get worse before they get better.”

A slide into recession after the economy shrank in the first quarter of the year and a fresh spike in inflation are among issues investors will want to wait out, said David, together with confirmation that the new regime is functioning properly.

Once that happens, focus will shift to fundamentals such as returning the economy to growth. Inflation too is running at the highest in more than six years - it hit 15.6 percent in May - already above the central bank’s 12 percent interest rate.

The currency devaluation is likely to push inflation north of 20 percent in the second half of the year, meaning authorities will need to ramp up interest rates if they want to lure back foreign money to bond markets. “Right now you have negative real interest rates, so investors will not be enamoured with buying Nigerian bonds given where inflation is or where it is headed,” said Kevin Daly at Aberdeen Asset Management. “You need somewhere between 15-20 percent to make this attractive.”

Nigeria’s bourse has avoided the same fate, as index provider MSCI has retained it in its frontier equity indexes with a sizeable 12.4 percent weight. But local stock exchange data shows foreigners’ share dealings are down 66 percent from a year earlier.

While the market has surged about 8 percent this month in anticipation of foreigners’ return, fund managers, eyeing an ominous combination of rampant inflation and slowing growth, may not rush back.

24— VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

— 25

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 —27

•Cross section of participants at the event

Need for critical rescue for Nigerian child Continues from page 21 parents, teachers, the society and the government.” She said that the ultimate aim for this is to empower them for effective grooming of children - the next generation.

She described parental absenteeism as a huge drawback to effective parenting, noting that parents these day have very tight and busy work schedules hindering them from creating time for proper nurture, care and direction to their children.

“They are caught up in the rat race to source funds for the family upkeep. Overloads of tasks especially on the mothers who are the nation builders and nerves centres in families, compounds the problem,” Okoro noted.

She stressed further that parenting is a continuous task that demands regular input from all stakeholders who often leave it to some others, especially parents, adding that it has been proven that parents cannot do it all.

Well rounded next generation “All hands must be on deck at every point in time as we have limited time to achieve our goal”, she said, adding that the training will challenge parents and other stakeholders to invest their time effectively in the lives of children as it was so important that we raise a well rounded next generation.

This year ’s conference appropriately tagged, ‘Critical Rescue,’ stakeholders believe is a step in right direction to rescue the nation’s future leaders and the society at large.

Reminiscing on how it all started Founder of Breach Repairers, Pastor Chuks Nduka, said this whole concept started many years ago when as a youth corps

member, he did his primary assignment with the Scripture Union in Ogun State.

He said: “I found out that there were lots of delinquency youths; there was failure in WAEC and JAMB. I was not a teacher but was working for Scripture Union but of course, I worked with young people and I wanted to find out what was the cause of the mass failure in these exams. I realised that there were so many distractions. Issues like teenage pregnancy was happening unknown to parents and the children were so much involved in sexuality issues covered up and yet they were coming to church. They were involved in worship, carried Bible in the daytime but in the night time

Emphasis must be laid on quality time from the limited time available, chores can be done together, so you can bond with them whilst imparting knowledge and catching up on your child’s activities of the day

other things were happening.

And so I had to find a balance between Christianity and educating them.

“For me, it was just a way of trying to change the order that I met and to give young people a proper orientation and also to find out what was going on in the hearts of these young ones.

Strange things were happening

which adults were not aware while some were into cultism, but because I had come down to their level, they were able to confide in me and so I built on that and after service when I came to Lagos, I also realised that it was same story every where – youth issues and the re-orientation had to begin for me to bring young people together and find means to reach out to them and that was how we started”, Nduka recalled vividly.”

Speaking on the topic, “Total Child”, First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun said that considering the myriads of challenges presently confronting our society in recent times, ranging from unpleasant incidences of insurgency, suicide bombings, kidnappings

and other societal vices, it is important to look inwards and try and see where things went wrong.

Stressing that these ugly trends have naturally become a major source of concern for parents and other stakeholders, Amosun noted that the making of a total child involves various agents of socialisation, ranging from the family, the school, the society, peers, religion and media.

Behavioural development “The family serves as the initial point of enlightenment for any child, the bedrock of their cognitive and behavioural development, and a determining factor of the child’s values and

morals. The family forms the foundation for all other social agents to build upon and it is most essential that this foundation is established properly right from the start”, she noted.

“Emphasis must be laid on quality time from the limited time available, chores can be done together, so you can bond with them whilst imparting knowledge and catching up on your child’s activities of the day. Listen to them, don’t do all the talking, Set proper earmarked routines and rosters so your child is gainfully engaged when they get back from school and not just left to wonder about aimlessly till you get back at night, set specific rules and boundaries to guide them, not to impose on them,” she urged.

CILT boss wants more women in logistics, transport biz …as WILAT marks Founder’s Day

By Josephine Agbonkhese

V

ice-President, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport International, CILT, Ibrahim Abubakar Jibril, has called on womenfolk to identify and take up careers in the logistics and transport industry to facilitate growth in the economy.

The logistics and transport industry is one traditionally-male terrain which only started to feel the vibes of womenfolk recently, leading to the formation of a women’s wing now known as Women in Logistics & Transport, WILAT, by female members of CILT Nigeria, comprising the aviation, maritime, road, rail and logistics industries.

However, according to Jibril who spoke at a health walk organized by WILAT in commemoration of its 6th Founders’ Day anniversary in Lagos, women are still very much under-represented in the industry.

“There is so much we can achieve with women. That’s why we need as many of them as we can gather to become professionals in the logistics and transport industry. That is our aim and that is what we want to achieve,” he said, while also reaffirming CILT’s support for WILAT. Jibril disclosed that a core area of CILT’s programmes for the next few years is built around women as it concerned about improving women in the industry by moving WILAT forward.

Speaking on the rationale behind the choice of a health work from Ikoyi to Lekki through the link bridge, in celebration of WILAT’s 6th anniversary, Hajia Aisha Ibrahim, Founder, WILAT, said: “We operate in very hazardous environments.

We have more challenges than women who do duties in the office. Hence the need for this healthy approach to mark our day.

Walking, they say, helps people stay both physically and mentally healthy.”

28— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Waje, Jamie Oliver, launch food revolution day

By Anozie Egole

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USIC sensation and Glo brand ambassador, Waje has joined leading cookery personality Chef Eros, and Jamie Oliver, as they recently unveiled food revolution day in Dowen College, Lagos.

The event which was launched last month amidst fanfare of celebrities, with live cooking demonstration was aimed at ensuring that children below the ages of 20 are properly fed.“ Speaking about the event, the singer said, “This is such a brilliant initiative by Jamie that combines the two best things in life food and laughter. But at the same time it highlights such an important issue of a proper food education in a world riddled with under nourishment, obesity and eating disorders.

Creative campaign It is a great initiative. It is so important to empower our youth with the knowledge about healthy food and nutrition. We live in a country that is riddled with under nourishment and obesity. So let’s

keep the food revolution going and support Jamie’s creative campaign to promote healthy eating globally!" she said.

The event saw Waje and Jamie joined by, Jacqueline Fernandez and Chef Kunal Kapur (Mumbai, India); well known chefs and personalities, all of whom carried out Facebook Live broadcasts from the around the world to help make history. Some of the notable names included Gennaro, Chef Clodagh McKenna, Charlotte Crosby, Alfie Deyes, Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman (London); Kris Jenner, Wolfgang Puck and Cody Simpson (L.A. USA); Chef Donna Hay (Sydney, Australia); Chef Ali and Juliani (Nairobi, Kenya); Chef Tim Malzer, Chef Steffen Henssler and Janina Uhse (Hamburg, Germany); Chef Ana Luiza Trajano and Chef David Hertz with guests Marina Person and Felipe Solari (Sao Paulo, Brazil); cookery personality Marion Elias and AliKiba (Dares-Salaam, Tanzania); Chef Eros and Waje (Lagos, Nigeria); Chef Lynn Crawford (Toronto, Canada); and Bart Van Olphen and Miljuschka Witzenhausen (Netherlands).

•Waje and Chef Eros.

New online TV raises hope for women’s empowerment

By Dotun Ibiwoye

W

OMEN seeking liberation, empowerment, and transformation will have unlimited access to it through the new online Television by Stronger VesselsNetwork which is set to provide succor the women.“The platform, which is called More Than a Woman, will particularly reach out to women from all walks of life, who are enduring a difficult phase or have been through a painful experience.“ Speaking in Lagos at the launch of the platform, Dolamu Badejo, founder and host of the initiative, unveiled a transformational book titled: 'The Journey To Your Personal Transformation: Your Own Workbook' , said the platform would feature programmes including live broadcast interviews, talk shows, workshops, counseling and makeover sessions that would support women to contribute meaningfully to national development.“According to her, the book takes people on an experiential journey toward becoming better by following simple steps, and more importantly working out their own

‘salvation’.““We believe strongly that women play a very crucial role in the development of any nation. Hence, we thrive on the philosophy that a woman empowered is by extension a

No matter your present circumstance, we want you to get the best out of life and live your truth. What we need is for many women to join and support our community and growing network

community liberated. We would give you a voice, ease the burden, offer you the support and love that you need, and introduce you to a healthy and successful family of victors, she said““We would also encourage you through a

transformation process and help you live the better version of yourself. No matter your present circumstance, we want for you to get the best out of life and live your truth. What we need is for many women to join and support our community and growing network.“ According to her, the platform will also treat real issues plaguing women of interest, release transformational documentaries, engage in mastermind trips and classes.“This is possible.

Our desire is that you join us today and set yourself quickly on your transformational journey to self.

Unveiling a short film to echo the transformational story of a young woman, who was battling her biggest enemy; herself but eventually lost her mind, became lonely, encountered threatening health issues and attempted suicide, the organisation disclosed that the film would be accessible online to the general public at a later date to be announced on its social media platforms.

The foreword of the book was written by sensational musician, Eva Alordiah, who is also the author of eleven, while the afterward was written by founder and publisher of Africa Oil & Gas Report, Toyin Akinosho.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—29

Common nail conditions that you shouldn’t ignore

T

By Gabriel Olawale

AKE a close look at your fingernails and observe how they look. Are they strong and healthy or do you see ridges, dents, or discoloration?

Many such undesirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper fingernail care. As these conditions might indicate an underlying disease or nutrient deficiency that demands attention.

These can fall anywhere between anemia to thyroid disease. Nails are one of the last ones to receive nutrients that we take and therefore, care is of utmost importance.

Our fingernails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin which grow from the area at the base of the nail under the cuticle.

Here are some tips to make you nails beautiful and healthy: Brittle or split nails: Lack of moisture or not enough of the B vitamin biotin.

Solution: oral medicine Biotin (a vitamin) should be taken for at least six months. Available in 1mg size and smaller the medicine should be taken 3 times a day to get started. Pregnant women should avoid taking this drug.

Upward bending soft nails are a symptom of thyroid infection. Caused by Iron deficiency. If tests confirm low iron, take 325 mg of iron sulfate three times a day.

Nail Vertical ridges: Vitamin or mineral deficiencies as well as general malnutrition or other illness if they run horizontally.

Solution: Use few drops of almond oil to polish the nails and a chamois buffer so as to remove the upper thin layer of the nails. This should be done every week to keep this condition from recurring.

Horizontal ridges or dents: Some conditions like high fever, nutritional deficiencies, psoriasis, or trauma from surgery can affect the nail growth and create some dents. Solution includes

giving the recommended daily allowance of protein which is 55 grammes.

Yellow nails: Caused by lack of vitamin E and could mean endless bronchitis. One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection.

As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble.

For treatmenr, take adequae vitamin E twice every day to prevent discoloration. Oils like Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and wheat germ oil are additionally great antioxidants.

Fungus: Yeast or microorganisms that develop when the nails are consistently under warm, damp and wet environment.

Toe nails are most affected in these conditions. Soak nails in antibacterial tea tree oil for 15 minutes a day until the parasite clears. Apple cider vinegar is also an excellent solution for the same.

White Spots: Caused by nail injury or zinc deficiency. Nutritionists prescribe 50 mg of zinc every day.

Zinc is also available in red meat, sesame seeds, pumpkinseeds, and peas.

White nail beds could mean liver infection.

Ogun State adopts SafeCare quality assurance standard

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O improve the quality of healthcare services in the state, Ogun State government has adopted the PAF SafeCare Standards as its state quality improvement standards.

The initiative is aimed at monitoring progress in quality of healthcare services enjoyed by the people as well as help both private and public health facilities to improve their service delivery.

Speaking during a stakeholder ’s meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye explained that adoption of quality improvement standard in the state will set a benchmark that successors can improve upon.

“To have quality healthcare, you need to set standard by which every facilities can improve upon and in doing this, the state government is adopting PAF SafeCare Standards by which both public and private healthcare facilities in the state will be rate and grouped for improvement.

On her part, Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Njide Ndili said the agreement with the State government focused on institutionalising quality improvement at the central level rather than at the facility level. This means that people know what needs to happen to provide quality care, they have the skills to make it happen, and they are committed to making it happen over time within the available resources.”

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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S masturbation bad? Secondly, what are the disadvantages of anal sex? – Mudiare Masturbation serves a purpose. It is how the human body gets sexual relief in the absence of a partner to have sex with. This sexual relief is very important because it helps lower stress and depression levels and also helps keep rape and sexual violence in human society to a minimum.

Secondly, anal sex like all other forms of sex does have risks such as bruising/bleeding due to lack of lubrication and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial infections when protection is absent. If one is able to clean the anal passage before and after intercourse and use a good lubricant and protection, they will be fine. Lots of couples are into anal play - Uche I will like to order more of the Boss Rhino Gold. I tried it a few weeks ago after a friend recommended it and I cannot believe how it transformed my love life at 58years. My erections are strong again and I can perform well, last long and keep performing for days – Chike I am currently using Volume Pills after I could not find Max Load. I understand that it is also good for fertility in addition to increasing semen quantity. Is it true? I have noticed the semen increment part but the fertility bit is yet untested. I also want to know if I can also take it when taking an erection supplement – Sola Yes Sola Volume Pills aids fertility by boosting motility.

Motility means the speed of movement of the sperm cells towards the egg when couples are trying to get pregnant.

Another supplement that helps improve motility is Motility Boost so that is another solid option for couples trying to conceive. And for your second enquiry, yes you can combine Volume Pills with an erection supplement like Boss Rhino Gold or Man Up Now. Their functions are different and they don’t clash– Uche I have started using the Man Up Now Erection Enhancer as recommended by you for weak erection and it is doing the job. Now I want penis enlargement

as well but I don’t know if I can take both drugs at the same time – Yakubu An alternative way to enlarge your penis when you are already taking an erection supplement is through the use of an enlargement cream or pump. So for this, get the Classix Penis Enlargement Pump – Uche Hello sir. I have no problem with getting an erection.

I get good erection but I just don’t have the power for second round of sex – Chinedu Get the Max Stamina supplement. It will give you the necessary energy and quick recovery time between erections. It is also good for arousal and firm erections – Uche My husband and I are interested in novelties that boost performance and sexual play. Our preference is toys and movies. Do you have anal toys and something that can make him maintain his erection for longer?

For anal toys, you can take the Beginners Butt Plug. It is slim too for easy and comfortable use. Of course you need a lubricant for this so I recommend the LS Anal Desensitizing Lubricant. To enable your husband maintain his erection for longer, take the Stay Hard Vibrating Cockring. This will enable him remain firm even after ejaculation for an additional twenty minutes. And for you, since you didn’t specify what you need in particular, a great female toy for sexual play is the Ovo k5 Rabbit Vibrator. You will enjoy this vibrator a lot. It has a very sophisticated modern look and is very pleasurable and durable too. And for movies, get the Kamasutra Sex Position Guide for couples and The Masseuse. You will love those too – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for privacy. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 07086754515 or 08171912551 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Every successful entrepreneur has people's skills and those who do not have it hire someone else who does

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Entrepreneurial skills needed for today

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BUSINESS

Deciding on the right business

By Fred Agbata

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eing an entrepreneur can be both fun and challenging. Before you venture into the world of entrepreneurship, you need to find out if you have the entrepreneur skills that will help you succeed in your new arena. Here are some of the entrepreneur skills you would need to run your business successfully: Jack of all trades This figure of speech may leave a bitter taste in the mouth nowadays but this is exactly one of the skills you would need to start your own business and to see it grow from scratch, minus of course the “master of none” part.

Among all the other entrepreneur skills, this one gives you the capacity to see how things are interconnected and allows you to run the show.

Managerial skills Most of the multinational corporate ventures employ hundreds of people with their own specialisations. Forget about that if you are starting small like most entrepreneurs. Even hiring an assistant is a luxury you would not be able to afford, so basic entrepreneur skills in the administrative department would come in handy for posting in your daily income and expenses, making your receipts and even for making sure you pay your bills on time. On top of that, you need your managerial skills to be at the top of the situation when you business starts to operate. It means making a sound decision about approving a certain account while answering the phone as part of your customer service.

Planning skills Planning is one of the entrepreneur skills you should arm yourself with especially if you are starting a home business. Better yet, hone your time management skills so that you do not waste your time puttering in the house when you have loads of unchecked emails in your mailbox. Your planning skills would make sure you have, not only an idea of what you have to accomplish for the day, but you are bent on sticking to your plan. Multitasking is clearly the name of the game and you have to be really good at it to accomplish things.

Financial skills Since you are in business not only to render service or to fulfil a dream but also to make money, you need to brush up on your financial skills to make ends meet. and more than that.

One of the most essential entrepreneur skills you need to have even for small business ventures is the ability to manage your finances so that at the end of the day, you have money to pay for your business and incidental expenses and have some left for your profit box.

People’s skills Establishing a business will require you to deal with people from all walks of life and this is one of those entrepreneur skills that will take your business far. Every successful entrepreneur has people’s skills and those who do not have it hire someone else who does. You will always deal with people at any phase of your business so make sure you are inherently interested in people and how they work. Entrepreneur skills are the abilities, inherent or learned, that will make or break your business. *Culled from SME Toolkit Nigeria

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report

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ne of the most serious mistakes made in business is not picking the right business to begin with. The following are important evaluation techniques to decide which business is right for you, provided by My Own Business Institute (MOBI), content partners for SME Toolkit Nigeria.

Success characteristics Guts: G u t s means you must have an entrepreneurial instinct, which is an overwhelming desire to start your own business. You must have the guts and dedication to be completely devoted to your g o a l .

Incidentally, devotion to your goal is much more likely if you have a love for your intended business. Life is too short to start your

own business only to discover that it doesn’t give you satisfaction and joy. And, through good times and bad times, you will stick with something you love.

Brains: While appropriate educational credentials are important, entrepreneurial “brains” means more than scholastic achievements. To become a successful entrepreneur, you must have a working knowledge about the business you

How to get a fair wage I

n 1997, when Lilly Ledbetter was nearing retirement from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plant, she received an anonymous note in her mailbox detailing the salaries of men with the same job title and level of responsibility. Not only were they making 40 percent more than she was, but they’d been doing so for years.

She took her case first to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, then to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, where she was awarded $3.6 million in damages in 2006. Goodyear appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 5-4 that she’d filed her claim too late; at the time, the statute of limitations was within 180 days of a paycheck.

Ledbetter began lobbying Congress on the need to close the gender pay gap. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 was the first bill President Obama signed into law after taking office.

Thanks to Ledbetter, there’s no

time limit on seeking damages for wage discrimination. She shared her advice with Forbes.

Do your research “There’s all manner of information for people out there today,” said Ledbetter, noting that the culture of silence and secrecy around pay she experienced at Goodyear seems to be becoming a thing of the past. If there isn’t information on salary expectations internally, look outside your company, to wage comparison and review websites like Glassdoor and PayScale. “Now you can go out there and you can find out in your area what the going pay scale should be for your education and the job you hold,” she said.

Always negotiate your salary “Women must get their pay up front,” she said. “Learn to negotiate. If you don’t, what you miss is gone forever.

It’s your retirement. You can’t go back and get it.”

Know what’s legal “Know all of the laws that pertain to an individual depending on whatever job they’re in. Maybe they’re in

plan to start before you start it.

Common sense combined with appropriate experience is the necessary brainpower. Prudence, follow through and attention to detail are very important.

Capital: To start your own business you will need seed money of your own plus sufficient cash to maintain a positive cash flow for at least the first year. In a future session you will learn how to forecast future cash requirements

cosmetology. Then there are going to be other laws that they’ll need to know that pertain to them so that they do not get taken advantage of,” Ledbetter said.

Sort it out internally first “Every case is not an Equal Employment or a federal case,” said Ledbetter. “Most things can be worked out.” She advises finding a mentor internally to talk things over before approaching H.R. “Find someone you can trust — and you cannot trust everybody at your place of employment,” she said.

“Find someone to give advice.” If you’ve exhausted your options at your workplace, then don’t hesitate to take your case further.

Ignore naysayers “A lot of people would say, ‘why did you take that man’s job?’ Because I took a job that had been traditionally done by men. I was the only woman at my level for some time.” There was, Ledbetter remembers, another woman with her job description, who quit “because the pressure was so great.” Today?

She’s a plant manager.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 31

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& YOU through cash flow control. Many businesses can be started on a very small scale with a small investment. Then, as the business grows and you gain experience, cash flow from your business can be used for growth.

In some cases you don’t need starting capital to hire other people because you might start by doing everything yourself.

The “do it yourself” start is a good way to learn everything about your business and also makes you better qualified to delegate work to others later on.

You can control your risk by placing a limit on how much you invest in your business.

Step-by-step approach

To become a successful entrepreneur, you must have a working knowledge about the business you plan to start before you start it Deciding to start: You will be putting some of your net worth at risk when you take the plunge and start your own business. You will run the risk of becoming eccentric, meaning creating a life that is out of balance, with working hours taking away from other family or pleasurable activities. There may be levels of stress you have not experienced as an employee.

What and where: Once you have decided you have the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur and that you definitely want to be in business, then you must decide which business is best for you and where to locate that business.

Selection strategy is covered later on in this Session.

Full or part-time: There are some interesting advantages and some pitfalls in starting as a moonlight (or part-time) business. That is, a business you start in your off hours while still working at your current job.

More often than not, the advantages of starting your business as a moonlighter outweigh the risks: You avoid burning your bridges of earnings, including retirement,

health and fringe benefits and vacations. Your full-time job won’t suffer if you maintain certain conflict of interest disciplines, including compartmentalizing your job and business into completely separate worlds. You can avoid conflict of interest with your job by choosing a business that is appropriate for moonlighting, such as: single products, real estate, specialised food, e-commerce, direct marketing or family-run operations.

There are great advantages for operating a family business. The family can run the business while you are at work. You have a builtin organisational structure. You can teach your children the benefits of being in business. But there are also some pitfalls to consider in starting a moonlight business: There is a temptation to spend time at your job working on your moonlight business. That is unfair to your employer and should not be done under any circumstances. (You may need a family member or some trusted person to cover emergencies when you are at your job).

Another problem may be competing with your employer, which, again, is not right. Think of how you would feel or handle this employee if you were the boss.

Any kind of conflict with your regular work can jeopardize your job and your moonlight business.

Overwork and mental and physical exhaustion can also become a very real problem for moonlight entrepreneurs.

Selection strategy Selecting the wrong business is the most frequent mistake that start-up entrepreneurs make.

Take your time and wait for the business that is just right for you.

You will not be penalised for missing opportunities. The selection process takes a lot of planning and your experience and complete knowledge is vital for your success when learning how to start your own business. Don’t tackle businesses that may be too challenging. It is better to identify a one-foot hurdle than try to jump a seven-footer. Try to identify a business that has long-term economic potential. Follow Wayne Gretzky’s advice, “Go to where the puck is going, not to where it is.”

A big mistake can be an error of omission. This means you may fail to see an opportunity that is right in front of you. Look for a business that will grow in today’s and tomorrow’s markets. Many small retail stores are no longer in business because huge stores such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot provide more choices to the customer and often at a cheaper price.

Then it occured to me, why not invent a bucket water heater which can trip off automatically when the water boils?

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THE SAFETY HEATER:

A boiling ring that trips off

By Yinka Kolawole

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magine a water heater, Boiling Ring in local parlance, which switches off after the water has boiled for a few seconds. That is exactly what the Exelin Safety Heater does; a 1.2KW electrical appliance invented by Eze Franklin Ukandu.

Inspiration Speaking to Vanguard on what prompted the invention of the Safety Heater, Ukandu said: “It all began like a drama when I returned from making inquiries from an electrical engineer on how to get the desired timing device for incorporation into the Track Genie, a device designed to take the burden of starting well in a track race away from athletes, which I had just invented. Then it occurred to me, why not invent a bucket water heater which can trip off automatically when the water boils? This will be similar to what happens in the electric kettle and will eliminate the fire hazard associated with existing heaters. Thus if it works, the advantages of the electric kettle over the existing unsafe heaters like automatic safety shut-off facility - and the advantages of the unsafe existing appliance over the kettle like portability, ability to be used for big or small volumes of water, simplicity and cheapness - would be integrated into one compact bucket water heating appliance called Exelin Safety Heater.”

According to the inventor, he had observed that too often, users of bucket water heaters switch on the plugged-in devices and forget to duly switch them off sometimes resulting in fire outbreaks. This has made a lot of people abandon the use of

*Ukandu, Safety Heater inventor

*Typical Boiling Ring the existing heaters, viewing them as hazardous electrical devices. “An elder sister had encouraged me to invent such a device if possible as in one testimony session in church, according to her, three different women had given separate testimonies of how God saved their respective households from being gutted down by fire from bucket water heaters which each of them had forgotten to switch off before leaving the house.”

Technology But a safety heater would require some thermostat or sensor to function and as a mechanical engineer, Ukandu reasoned he may not be able to face the electrical engineering challenges that this invention certainly would bristle with, and then decided to partner with the electrical engineer and make it a joint invention. This was sometime in early October, 2015. “I called the engineer and sold him the idea of making the device. He embraced it as a great

proposal and decided to search for a thermostat which could do the job. However, three weeks later he reported that the thermostat that could do that kind of job was not in the market. His interest in the project soon waned and by and by he backed out of it.

But even as he was searching in the market for this ‘right thermostat’ my own idea was to come up with some contraption (call it thermostat or whatever) that would sense heat in the boiling chamber and guide the heater to trip off at a certain stage in the boiling process.”

After calculating and experimenting for a week or two, Ukandu said he came up with a heat sensor that perfectly did what he wanted and in the process might have uncovered new vistas in thermostat technology.

But in retrospect it will not be absolutely correct to say it was during this inventive effort that he discovered this new heat sensing technique.

In 1998 just to satisfy a curiosity he had invented a cooking pot which sits on gas or stove, cooks rice, beans or any other cereal and automatically turns off the flame when cooking is done.

For this invention on which he placed no value, he had contrived a heat sensing unit working on the same principle as that which he employed seventeen years later in the Safety heater.

Mode of operation The safety heater dips into water required to be heated, with its switch knob pressed down is plugged into the mains and is switched on.

Depending on the quantity of water being heated, the water begins to boil with time. At this point the user is expected to switch off the heater from the wall socket switch. If however this does not happen (may be because the user has forgotten), the boiling continues for some more time and at a certain point when the temperature (not the temperature of the boiling water which of course is now constant) rises above a certain degree the heater trips off.

The inventor said he’s seeking local/foreign partnership and investors for patenting of his device.

C M Y K

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Which way for varsity admissions?

SCRAPPING OF POST-UTME:

It is no longer news that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu recently cancelled the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (post-UTME) introduced in 2005 by the then Minister of Education, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji. The policy mandated all tertiary institutions to screen candidates who had passed the JAMB exam before admitting them. This became necessary as many believed that just using JAMB results will not throw up the best candidates due to exam malpractices. In this report, Vanguard Learning sought the views of stakeholders on the way forward. Below are their responses.

By Ebele Orakpo RIGHT policy, wrong timing: In the view of the ViceChancellor of Fountain University, Oshogbo, Osun State, Professor Bashir Raji, although JAMB exam has improved and exam malpractices drastically reduced, there is need to still give them a little time before scrapping post-UTME. "I know that JAMB of recent, has actually improved on the conduct of its exams. With the introduction of computer-based exams, exam malpractice has reduced drastically. But the question one needs to ask is; have we reached the point where we can boldly cancel post-UTME? The minister may be going in the right direction but this may not be the right time. We could give it another two, three years and see how JAMB handles it."

Teething problems "There are still some teething problems even with the computer-based exams but once JAMB gets that right, there won’t be any need for people to conduct another exam. But I know most universities will do screening, especially private universities.

Private universities check the background of candidates to see whether they have anything

in their background that can lead them into cultism. A lot of them who come into private universities left other universities for one reason or the other so you need to screen them so that they don’t infiltrate into private universities," said Raji.

Riots "Recently, we had student riots in some private universities which was not there before. So screening might still be necessary but may not need to be a written exam. Prof. Dibu Ojerinde of JAMB is doing a good job but have we reached a point where JAMB itself can say yes, we are 100 per cent ready? So it is the right direction to go but may be in the next two, three years, yes. Most universities will still conduct screening, it might not be written but they will conduct screening," said Raji.

Revert to oral interview Mr. Ajibola Olatoye, a polymer engineer and Managing Director of Ibadanbased AugustMoon Plastics Limited called on universities to go back to oral interviews, saying the fees charged for post-UTME is too high.

"Post-UTME has turned to a lucrative business for some universities (not all) charging between N2,500 and N10,000

as exam fee and between N10,000 and N60,000 as admission fee per candidate; how many Nigerian parents are comfortable enough to bear this cost? Some universities still conduct free oral interview for intending students after JAMB, just as in 1963 when I applied for admission to University of Ibadan. I think all the universities should accept government's proposal in the overall interest of this nation and

Have we reached the point where we can boldly cancel post-UTME? The minister may be going in the right direction but this may not be the right time

revert back to oral interview after JAMB examination."

In his reaction,Chairman, University/Industry Research Committee of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Professor Frank Ogbo said the Committee of

Vice-Chancellors is still discussing the matter.

Merit in post-UTME "My Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Joe Ahaneku said there are still matters arising so I don't think they have taken a decision. But in my view, I think there is merit in the second exam. I appreciate there is inconvenience for both candidates and parents in arranging to do the exam particularly because it is done in the universities. But there is merit because even in science, when we perform an experiment, we do what we call repetition. If you do an experiment three times, you are surer of the result than if you do it once. So the post-UTME is a kind of repetition. You are surer about the quality of a candidate who is able to do well in JAMB and in the postUTME." Decentralise "So I think it should be continued but universities can make arrangements to decentralise the exam so that candidates and their parents would travel shorter distances and have more convenience, writing the exam around them.

I don’t think it will be wise to completely eliminate it. We know how things work in Nigeria. That is my own personal view,” said Ogbo.

Window for screening Speaking on the issue, Professor Isaac Adeyemi, ViceChancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State said the Secretary-General of Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities

(AVCNU) will prepare a position paper on behalf of Nigerian universities. He believes there is still a window for screening. "There won’t be exam but there will be screening/interaction with the candidates. This will depend on each university.

"Some universities also use the school certificate results, plus JAMB score and post-UTME score when we had it. They compute everything together in getting their candidates so they did not rely on JAMB or postUTME score alone. They factor in the candidate's school cert result. So it will depend on each institution on what and what to do. So we await the position of the AVCNU on the matter," Adeyemi said.

Decision shocking For Prof. Titilayo Kuku of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, “I think the universities are still in shock as to what is happening. I think the ministry or people who attended the meeting with the minister ought to have told him the genesis of the post-UTME, that mostly, people who used to score very high in JAMB will come to the university and fail while those who are able to score 200, 220 and all that, will be the ones having first class."

Buying of marks "A research was conducted here in Ife and it was revealed that people were buying marks from JAMB. "People will come to us that time and we will say ok, the cutoff mark for medicine is 280 whereas the candidate has 275.

He goes and within a week, he returns with a score of 290. So this was happening and I don't think it has stopped. We were able to curtail that with the postUTME even though we are not getting the very top students, but one way or the other, the issues of buying marks and some students just sitting at home and getting people to write the exam for them, have reduced.

"We can, with confidence say that we get the best candidates through the post-UTME. Now that we are going to be using JAMB result alone, it's like going back to what it used to be. Universities will find other ways which may not be the type that will get them extra income like the minister was trying to say.

They will have to scrutinize the school certificate alongside the JAMB result towards ensuring that they have quality candidates," said Kuku.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 33

Obsolete curricula, weaknesses of our educational system – Stakeholders

By Dayo Adesulu

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DUCATION stakeholders, at the 2nd Annual Blossom Career and Entrepreneurship Summit convened by 'Best of the World Enterprises Limited (publishers of Blossom Magazine), spoke with one voice on how obsolete curricula is the cause of the rot in the education system.

Led by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as Chief Host and Bishop of Lagos West Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, as Co-Host, stakeholders converged to address the problems of the education sector and canvass the need for curriculum reform in the face of rising youth unemployment in the country.

Welcoming guests to the event, Chief Executive, Best of the World, Mrs. Joy Chinwokwu, said the summit aims to chart a focused direction towards tackling the job crises in Nigeria by advocating curriculum review in secondary and tertiary institutions, inspire students and their guardians to focus on careers and skills with prospects for employment, among others."

In his keynote address titled Curriculum Misfits, Reform Perspectives and Strategic Imperatives, founding VC, National Open University of Nigeria and immediate past Secretary-General and Chief Executive, Association of African Universities, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, emphasised that one of the current

weaknesses of our educational system is the obsolete curricula used in training students at the various levels of education, especially the tertiary level.

He said: “Our review of the curricula used at our institutions of higher learning has not kept pace with global development, research outcomes and current societal needs.

Our review of the curricula used at our institutions of higher learning has not kept pace with global development

"It appears we still use analogue thinking to solve current issues which have gone digital, while tertiary institutions are still producing graduates for the labour market without constant review of what the market requires."

The curriculum review, he noted, must aim for fit-for-purpose personnel to avoid wastage in resources and industry having to retrain graduates they hire from the tertiary institutions.

In agreement is Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, Officer in Charge (Regional Office), United Nations

Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, who underscored the need to revamp the whole curriculum and begin to produce graduates that employers need. Ezedinma who spoke through Mr. Francis Ukoh, UNIDO ICT expert said; "nations are built by hands, technical competence, skills and not speeches.”

He stressed the need for parity between HND and BSC qualifications in terms of job placement to send a clear message that competence and skills are great importance than undue emphasis on paper qualification.

On his part, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by the Special Assistant on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, lauded the organisers of the summit, as he noted that the initiative is in line with Lagos State’s vision of having students focus on acquiring quality education that will enable them conveniently fit into the job market after graduation.

The Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji, in his remark delivered by the Dean of Archbishop Vining Memorial church Cathedral, the Ven. Abel Ajibodu, said the church, which is in the vanguard of the quest for the return of missionary schools to its original owners, is set to tackle the unwholesome crave for certificate acquisition without commensurate acquisition of knowledge.

He called for concentrated curriculum efforts on skills acquisition as a way of creating jobs and encouraging youths to explore their potentials in all spheres.

From left: Manager, CSR, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi; Specialist, CSR, Etisalat Nigeria, Chiweta Uraih; Principal, Government Girls College, Dala, Kano, Mrs. Aisha Ahmed and Director, Schools Services, Kano State Secondary School Management Board, Alh. Abdulshakur Nuhu Abba, during the World Environment Day 2016 Seminar at Etisalat's adopted school in Dala, Kano.

Coys fund researches in German varsities —Consul-General

By Amaka Abayomi HE German ConsulGeneral in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert, has attributed the high quality of education in German universities to the collaboration between the varsities and companies in areas of research and trainings, adding that for any country to attain accelerated development and growth, it must invest massively in the education of its citizens.

Speaking at the launch of SJJ Education, an education consultancy firm for students seeking admission into German varsities, Herbert said Germany is the third country, after UK and USA, with the highest number of foreign students, a fact he hinged on its free education policy.

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Political decision His words “Education in Germany if free, from primary to tertiary level, and this is as a result of a political decision taken a few years back, and this applies to Germans and foreigners.

German higher education is based on several sections such as the classic varsities, technical varsities which deals with engineering and technological courses and this section alone has 25% of its students as foreigners.

“On the other hand, the applied sciences varsities work closely with companies to meet their

Ar-Rahman School holds inter-house sports competition

By Tare Youdeowei

T

WENTY year old Ar-Rah man School, Magodo, has held its inter house sports competition at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, which saw Yellow, Green and Blue houses come first, second and third respectively.

The school, whose last competition was held in 2010, had Barrister Mustapha Mustapha as Chairman of the Day, who

Etisalat holds advocacy seminar for students in Kano

By Elizabeth Uwandu

I

N line with its efforts geared towards creating and improving a sustainable environment, telecommunication giant, Etisalat Nigeria, held a one-day seminar on environmental protection and preservation for students of one of its adopted schools, Government Girls College, Dala, Kano State.

Themed “Driving Nigeria’s Environmental Health”, the event was organised in commemoration

of the 45th celebration of the World Environmental Day which holds annually on June 5 with the primary goal of creating awareness for a healthy environment while calling for the development of an imbibed culture of environmental safety among various stakeholders.

In her opening remarks, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Oyetola Oduyemi, said the occasion was a reflection of the company’s commitment to the sustainable development of the

nation.

She said “at Etisalat, we are committed to the advancement and wellbeing of the nation and we ensure that our impact is felt globally. This celebration is to create awareness on the state of our environment and also to drive positive environmental action, to protect and preserve our planet.

This is of utmost importance as some parts of our nation are prone to desertification, deforestation and drought.”

Highlight of the event was a presentation on the environment

needs. In general, the German education system combines teaching and research, and quite often, these researches are funded by companies."

Urging Nigerian leaders to intensify efforts in equipping the teeming youths with quality education at all levels, the Consul-General said the German government took the step to completely scrap tuition fees in all public varsities, and with this arrangement, in 2014, 300,000 of the 2.7 million varsity students were foreigners.

Pointing out that SJJ Education’s main objective was to create more awareness on its activities and opportunities that abound in German varsities, its Chairman, Mr. Saturday Jackson, said over 200 Nigerians have benefited from its services.

He said “We act as a bridge between German varsities and Nigerian students by screening these candidates for these varsities. Our job is to package all the education needs and travel requirements for students who genuinely show interest in studying in Germany.

“As Germany opens up to international students, many of her institutions now offer courses and programmes entirely in English language. This means Nigerian students can take up Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, as well as PhDs and Research Fellowships without a prior study on German language.”

and its health significance by the Mary Elika Foundation (MEF), an Abuja-based nongovernmental organization.

The Strategy Manager of the Foundation and Head of the School Environment Club Program, Mr. Emmanuel Adikwu, called on students and guests to take up the challenge of becoming environmental ambassadors so as to safeguard the environment against unwholesome activities that are threats to its sustainability.

declared the event open with words of encouragement.

“It gives me great pleasure to be at this 20th anniversary celebration of this great school and inter house sports competition.

This event speaks of the commitment we have towards sports. I am sure that we will witness athletic performances of the highest quality today. Do your best, compete in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play,” he said.

Quoting an Olympic gold medalist Mustapha said; “Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards corrode but friends gather no dust.’ I would like to give special praise and congratulations to the sports staff who have exposed you to rigorous practice sessions. Their effort has contributed in raising the overall standard of the school sports competition.

The competition which comprised of 20 meters toddlers race, 25 – 200 meters races, elephant race, hurdles, 4x100m relay etc, saw Yellow house come first, Red house come second and Green house come third in March Pass event.

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Do your job or get sacked, Ugwuanyi warns teachers

Drop threat to bomb Abia, Ohanaeze youths tell NDA

By Anayo Okoli

U

M U A H I A — OHANAEZE Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, has warned Niger Delta Avengers against threat to bomb Abia State, saying that there is no IPOB/MASSOB member being detained in the State as alleged by the Avengers.

They called on the Avengers to embrace dialogue and allow peace to reign for the good of the people of Niger Delta.

In a statement signed by Israel Ogbonnaya and Chetachi Ikpe, Abia state chairman and the State secretary of the council, respectively, Ohaneze youths said, “we also call on the Niger Delta Avengers to sheathe their sword and drop threat to bomb and attack Abia state and other Niger Delta states.

“There is no IPOB/MASSOB detainee in Abia state. Finally, we recommend dialogue as the only means to address all contentious issues at stake”.

Meanwhile, OYC has commended Governor Okezie

By Emeka Mamah

E

N U G U — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, warned that his administration would not admit any teacher who would constitute a cog in the wheel of the state’s education system.

The governor gave the warning in Nsukka at the grand-finale of a quiz competition he cosponsored, under the auspices of Ochudo Foundation, with Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly.

The competition, which involved 32 secondary schools in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, ended with Community Secondary School, Agu Umabor emerging the champion, while Community Secondary School EdeOballa came second.

At the end of the exercise, computer sets and cash prizes were given to the two schools, as well as the St. Cyprians’ Special Science School, which came third in the competition.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the commissioner for education in the State, Prof. Uche Eze said his administration was passionate about education and that he would not allow any teacher to frustrate such efforts.

Ikpeazu for securing N1 billion agriculture loans for the State and insisting that it would go to only genuine farmers in the State and not to internet farmers and urged him to keep his words so as to boost agriculture in the state.

“We urge farmers and youths in the state to utilize the loan judiciously and massively

produce food to feed the people.

“We are also encouraged by the decision of the Abia state government to boost agriculture in the state through the one billion naira agricultural loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This will go a long way to boost agriculture in the state and serve as a youth empowerment

MASSOB petitions NJC over detained members

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has petitioned the National Judicial Commission, NJC, over continued detention of 19 of its members, including a cripple, in prison custody since April, 2007.

The detained MASSOB members are Sebastian Amadi, Ikechukwu Chikwem, Peter Igbokwe, Uchenna Nicholas,

Uche Idika, Casmir Odokara, Eni Kalu, Chidiebere Ekwem, Chima Asoh (cripple), Ojimba Anyanwu, Ndubuisi Okanu, Emmanuel Orji, Michael Okezie, Ikechukwu Aghari, Mmaduabuchi Asika, Chinwike Irondi, Chukwuma Kalu, Innocent Orji and Onyekachi Orji (female).

MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu told reporters in Awka yesterday that continuous adjournment of their case at the Federal High Court, Awka has

Employ physically-challenged as Special Assistants, Ikpeazu directs TC chairmen

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has directed the 17 Transition Committee Chairmen of the state to appoint persons living with disability as Special Assistants.

Governor Ikpeazu said the directive was aimed at reducing unemployment in the state and to give persons living with disabilities a sense of belonging.

The physically challenged who had seized any opportunity of meeting the Governor to ask that they be given opportunity to contribute to the development of

the state by giving them employment.

The governor also warned his kinsmen of Abia South extraction not to expect for much favour as he is a governor for the whole of Abia State, not just for the Abia South.

Ikpeazu who spoke at the Abia State Polytechnic during a town hall meeting with the people of Abia South senatorial zone drawn from Obingwa, Aba South and Aba North council areas, however assured that his administration would carry everyone along.

He announced that the sum of N4b has been set aside for the renovation of 170 primary schools

across the state. Ten primary schools would be rehabilitated in each of the 17 Local Government Areas.

Ikpeazu said youths with skills would be used in the schools rehabilitation exercise and encouraged them to patronize the Skills Acquisition Centres established by his administration to acquire skills that would make them self reliant.

Ikpeazu disapproved of the rush by youths to engage in the operation of Keke NAPEP, saying that it was not the best way to empower the youths, adding that his idea of youth empowerment was to have youths acquire skills.

t is a very sad news to hear of the death of Justice Niki Tobi, an extremely brilliant judge. He started as counsel to the Ministry of Justice and eventually rose to be judge at the Supreme Court. It is definitely a great loss to the country. -Prof Itse Sagay SAN, Lawyer

complicated the matter, adding that many of them have become very sick.

The affected persons are facing a seven-count charge bordering on treason, acts of terrorism and kidnapping.

When their case came up in Awka, the presiding judge was absent and the affected MASSOB members cried and wailed, wondering why they should be in detention for nine years without being granted bail.

Madu said: “The pro-Biafra members have been languishing in prison since 2007. Three judges have handled the matter, yet they were not granted bail.

Justice Peter Olayiwola started the matter and handed over to Justice Ojukwu before Justice M.I. Abubakar took over. Justice Abubakar was later transferred to Abakaliki, yet he has not allowed the new Judge in Awka to handle the matter as he comes occasionally from Abakaliki to preside over the MASSOB case.

“Since nine years, the prosecution has called only three witnesses and our lawyer has not been allowed to call any witness.

What surprised us was that the judge said he would transfer the case file from Awka to Abakaliki which, to us, will make the attendance to court sittings more difficult for us."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08051019450) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

I

programme and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth council worldwide will participate fully”, they said.

The statement also lauded the governor for holding town hall meetings across the state, saying he demonstrated democracy at work and “a clear evidence of leadership by example and concern for the grassroots”.

On death of former Supreme Court judge, Justice Niki Tobi

H

e was a judge indeed.

He bestrode the academic and judicial arms of law. In University of Maiduguri, he gave the law faculty a gigantic status. As a justice of the Supreme Court, the law reports will guarantee him immortality.

-Chief Goddy Uwazurike, Lawyer

C

ertainly, the death of retired Justice Niki Tobi can be likened to another national archive in flames. Stakeholders in the justice sector will miss him for his uncanny erudition and exceptional knowledge. -Chief Morah Ekwunoh, Lawyer

T

he death of Justice Niki Tobi is one that I consider very painful. His judgments are always resonating to deep thoughts in an issue. He was the best judge to have risen to the Supreme Court. His countless works still speak.

Mr Monday Ubani, Lawyer

I

t is a very painful loss to hear the death of Justice Niki Tobi. He was one of the perceptive and deepthinking philosophical justices of the Supreme Court.

From that point of view, he would greatly be missed by the judiciary and nation. Comrade Femi Aborisade, Activist

T

ransition of Justice Niki Tobi remarks the end of another era in the judicial firmament. His judgments showed the depth of knowledge of law he had; they remain incomparable, having chosen to lay his judgments with a lot of prose. Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, Lawyer

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 35

Nigerians spend $100m on cancer treatment abroad

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

...Says party hijacked by opportunists

A

BUJA—WORRIED by the huge sum of money Nigerians spend for cancer treatment abroad, amounting to $100 million, the House of Representatives yesterday passed the Bill for an Act seeking to establish a National Cancer Institute for prevention, treatment and control of cancer in the country to second reading.

The bill was sponsored by Sunday Karimi, who represents Yagba/Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State.

Karimi said the institute would serve as the country’s principal agency for the research on cancer related issues.

The lawmaker said the institute would play advisory role to the Ministry of Health on best practices in the management of cancer in Nigeria, noting that the purpose of the bill was to minimise the rate of deaths caused by cancer in the country.

He blamed the increasing deaths caused by cancer on ignorance.

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

ORDINATION: From left; Chancellor, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Justice Babasola Ogunade (rtd); Bishop of Egba West, Rt Rev. Samual Ogundeji; Retired Bishop of Ifo Diocese , Rt Rev. Akin Odejide; Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Bishop Olushola Odedeji, his wife Lydia; Registrar, Diocese of Lagos West, Prince Bambo Adesanya and Bishop of Ogbomoso Diocese, Rt Rev. Titus Olayinka at the 2016 Trinity Ordination Deacon and Priest held at St. Paul Anglican Church Oke-Afa, Isolo Lagos. Photo By Diran Oshe.

He said: “The problem is lack of awareness on the control of cancer. On daily basis, one Nigerian man losses his life because of prostate cancer.

“Cancer kills more than HIV and Malaria. However, if detected early, it can be controlled but most

cases escalate because of lack of knowledge. The purpose of this bill is to minimise the rate at which people lose their lives to cancer.”

Contributing to the debate on the bill, Muhammed Usman, APC-Kaduna, expressed worry that cancer had caused a lot of

BOKO HARAM: Insurgents flee Lake Chad axis under massive JNTF pounding

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Multi-national Joint Task force for the Lake Chad Basin Commission, comprising troops from Nigeria and its North East neighbours, said yesterday that the firepower of Operation Lafiya Dole had caused massive movement of Boko Haram Terrorists escaping from Sambisa Forest into Northern Borno State border with Niger Republic and Lake Chad Islands.

Col. Mohammed Dole, spokesman of the MNJTF

said in a statement: “In a concerted effort to keep up with its mandate, the Headquarters, Multinational Joint Task Force (HQ MNJTF) launched Op Gama Aiki to clear all remnants of BHT in its general Area of Responsibility (AOR)” a statement said.

EMBERS of the Police Assistance Committee (PAC) are participating in the two-day conference/seminar being conducted by the Intelligence Support System ISS World, South Africa.

The conference is holding at the Sandton Convention centre Johannesburg, South Africa, July 10-12, 2016.

ISS World South Africa is the world’s largest gathering of South Africa Law Enforcement intelligence and Homeland security

“This is aimed at ensuring that the terrorists are prevented from establishing another sanctuaries and hideouts in the Lake Chad region. Op Gama Aiki involved the MNJTF troops and National Air and ground forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and

FCMB’s ‘Millionaire Promo Season 3 winners emerge

F

OUR customers of First City Monument Bank, FCMB Plc, have emerged

PAC for ISS World conference

M

PDP Senatorial aspirant in Niger dumps partisan politics

Analysts as well as telecom operators for lawful interception, Hi – Tech Electronic Investigations and Network intelligence gathering.

In a statement in Lagos, the Director General of PAC, Dr Oni said the ISS World programs present the methodologies and tools for law Enforcement, public safety and Government intelligence communities in the fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and other criminal activities conducted over t o d a y ’ s telecommunications Inves-

winners in the bank’s on-going reward scheme tagged, ‘‘Millionaire Promo Season 3.”

A job seeker resident in Abuja, Sharon Ike; a trader based in Obosi, Anambra State, Toochukwu Onwuamaegbu; another trader in Lagos, Mistura Ibrahim and a customer in Ibadan, Oyo State, Abimbola Olayinka, are the latest millionaires to emerge in the promo.

The lucky customers emerged from the electronic draws across the country.

In addition, 640 other customers of the bank were rewarded with various exciting gift items such as LED televisions, power generating sets, decoders, tablets, smart phones and other consolation prizes.

havoc in the country and that one cancer treatment machine in the country was grossly inadequate.

The speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill to Committees on Health Institutions and Health Care Services.

BUJA—A former People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senatorial aspirant in Niger State, Air Cmdr Peter Gana (retd), has formally jettisoned partisan politics, lamenting that the party has been hijacked by opportunists.

He said at a briefing in Abuja, that after due consultation with members of his family, it was agreed that it was time he left partisan politics and play the role of a statesman henceforth.

Gana, who was a strong member of PDP, said with the way things were going in the economy, it was time that all hands were on deck to steer back the ship of state aright.

He cited the case of Niger State where Governor Abubakar Bello is on the path of returning the state to progress and prosperity.

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

From left— Commission Secretary, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Mr. Felix Adeoye; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, and Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, during the Corporate Governance Forum held in Lagos, yesterday.

PHARMACCESS: From left—Hygeia Community Healthcare, Dr. Peju Adenusi; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Director, Hygeia Group, Mrs Fola Laoye; Director, Mr. Pieter Walhof; Country Director, Mrs Njide Ndili, both of PharmAccess Foundation, and Director, Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation, Mr. Kwasi Boahene, during PharmAccess Strategy Day on Nigeria in Lagos.

COMPTROLLER TOURS: From left— Newly-appointed Comptroller, Lagos Seaports and Marine Command, Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs. Modupe Anyalechi; Deputy Comptroller, Tin-Can Island Ports Command, Amuda N. S.; Special Duty Manager, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, Mr. Kola Saka, and Chief Security Officer, Mr. Casmir Ihedioha, during the familiarisation visit of the Comptroller to Ports and Cargo Handling, operators of Terminal ‘C’ of Tin-Can Island Ports, Lagos.

CLOUD HOSTING: From left—Product Specialist Cloud Services, MainOne, Adewale Adeyemi; Chief Executive Officer, Whogohost, Oluwatoba Obaniyi; Enterprise Technology Specialist, Intel Corporation, Oluwatobi Shada; and Senior Marketing Manager, MainOne, Tayo Ashiru, at a briefing to announce local cloud hosting services for small scale businesses in Nigeria, in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE:

NOT IN MY COUNTRY: From left— Member, Not in My Country crew, Martins Adun; Efe Mayford-Orhora, Not in My Country actress; Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari; Creator/ Producer, Mr. Akin Fadeyi, and member, Mr. Idris Kazeem, both of Not in My Country, after an official engagement with NOA in Abuja.

MEST: From left— Founder & CEO, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, MEST, Jorn Lyseggen; Interswitch-sponsored MEST graduate, Esther Olatunde; Group Managing Director, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, and Non-Executive Director at Cadbury Nigeria, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, at the MEST graduation ceremony in Ghana.

LG: From left—GM, LG Electronics West Africa, Air Conditioner BU, Mr. Chol Yong Park; Product Marketing Manager, LG Electronics, Mr. Omotayo Somefun, and GM, Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa, Mr. Rajesh Agnihotri, at the LG Gencool Inverter V Air Conditioner product demonstration in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—37

Assembly grants Wike approval to access FG's N41.16bn facility P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State House of Assembly has approved the request by Governor Nyesom Wike to access N14.16 billion Federal Government budget support facility.

Speaker of the House, Mr Adams Dima read out the letter by the governor, saying that the fund was to among other things pay salaries of civil servants and pensions.

The governor in the letter to the House, said that the facility will be collected in three instalments.

“The Federal Government has offered the Rivers State Government, the sum of N14.16 billion as federally guaranteed from the Federal Government Budget Support Facility to enable us bear the present economic challenges and continuously meet our financial obligations, especially to pay civil servants and pensioners.

“The facility accessible in three tranches of N1.39 billion for three months, followed by N1.11 billion for nine months and attract a subsidised interest rate of nine per cent and one year moratorium.

"Furthermore, it is to be secured on future dividends or refunds

due to the state from the Federal Government.

“As you know, the need to explore and utilise every economic opportunity to meet our financial obligation to civil servants and pensioners on a sustainable basis cannot be overemphasized. This was the basis of our earlier request for

N10 billion bailout fund approved by the Federal Government for states, which regrettably has not been granted.

“However, not withstanding the frustration on our request for bailout fund, we consider the present offer of N14.16 billion Budget Support Facility to be of economic interest to Rivers State

and therefore, acceptable.”

Leader of the House, Mr Martins Amewhule and other lawmakers who spoke said the facility will assist the government run the state, stressing that Governor Wike had been paying salaries and pension since he assumed office.

PRESENTATION: From left: Mrs. Nkechi Ajah, HOD, Enforcement and Compliance, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Benin zonal office; Mr. Williams Olise, HOD, Regulation and Monitoring of the commission, Mrs. Gloria Kadiri, 1st price winner in the premier edition of Yes for Equity, Justice and Peace Initiative, YEJPI- EQUITY PROMO receiving the keys to a brand new Kia salon utility car from the zonal Coordinator of the commission, Benin zonal office, Mrs. Sehi Audu and Manager, Mr. Iyore Ehidiamen representing the vision bearer, founder and spiritual leader, Citygate Homes Foundation of Citygate Church Ministries, Prophet Emmanuel Akhigbe-Agge, yesterday, in Benin City.

We'll demolish your houses, Okowa warns kidnappers, collaborators

By Fesyus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the state government will demolish houses and properties of convicted kidnappers and their collaborators in the state as part of efforts to check incidents of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

Okowa, when the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, said that the amended kidnapping law would go beyond jail sentence for kidnappers.

Saying that the law provides for the demolition of property and houses of culpable individuals and their collaborators considered as proceeds of crime, he noted “We will do all we can to stop kidnappings in the state. It is becoming a menace in the country, we are amending the Antikidnapping law in the state to make sure that those involved and their collaborators will not go free with the proceeds of the crime.

“The houses and property of those involved, their beneficiaries and collaborators will be brought down. We will implement the law to the letter when the amended bill is passed and signed into law.”

Commending Mr Ibrahim Zanna for his plans to partner communities and vigilante groups

in crime prevention and intelligence gathering, Okowa expressed the resolve of the state government to ensure “a crime free Delta State.”

Disclosing that the state’s vigilante law would be amended to make it operational and clear all contentious issues, he said: “We welcome your advocacy as

it will enable the communities build confidence in the police and information will be given to the police without fear."

Ayade to boost electricity supply in Calabar with 180 transformers

By Emma Una

C

ALABAR—FOLLOWING persistent poor power supply in Calabar, the Cross River State capital and environs, the state government has procured 180 transformers for distribution to various parts of the capital to enhance power distribution.

Director General of Cross River State Electricity Agency, CRSEA, Mr Jake Enya told Vanguard, yesterday, that the state capital has been suffering epileptic power supply for a long

time which prompted the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade to intervene by ordering the procurement of a large number transformers for installation in all parts of the city.

“So many transformers have been vandalised while some have since gone bad leaving most parts of the city without electricity or at best receive power supply once in a long while which is why Governor Ayade decided to intervene by procuring the transformers for distribution across the state capital.”

Enya said a Lagos company, Skiper supplied the transformers at all cost of N624 million after it emerged successful at the end of a keen bidding process conducted by the agency.

“We set up a team comprising engineers from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Works and our in-house engineers to conduct a rigorous test on the transformers and their quality was certified okay before the supply went ahead.”

Welders association sets up caretaker c'ttee

LEADERSHIP CRISIS:

By Tare Youdeowei

W

ARRI—THE Nigerian Welders Association, has appointed a nine-man Caretaker Committee to run its affairs following failure by the immediate past President to call for an election to elect a new leadership in line with the body’s constitution at expiration of the

executive committee in June 10.

This was the major resolution reached at the association’s special delegates conference held at its Zone D Lagos Secretariat with Kaduna, Delta, Ogun, Edo, Bayelsa and Oyo zones also in attendance.

In a resolution, yesterday in Warri, Delta State by Joseph

Idjai, Chairman, Delta Zone who presided over the welders’ conference, said that, “The national executive council assumed office June 11, 2013 and their tenure expired February 10, 2016 as provided in Rule 12 Section 4 of the association’s constitution.

AMBASSADORIAL LIST: APC

chieftain flays exclusion of Bayelsa

By Godfrey Bivbere

Y

ENAGOA—A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, in Bayelsa State, Bolous Indiamowei has flayed the exclusion of indigenes of Bayelsa State in the ambassadorial nominees submitted by President Mohammadu Buhari for confirmation in the National Assembly.

Indiamowei, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, said that it was the height of injustice for the people of the oil and gas rich state to be left of the exercise.

The former legislator said that it was wrong for the Federal Government to have excluded the indigenes of the state among the ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation.

He wondered why Buhari will chose to deny the people of the state their rightful position in the scheme of things despite their contributions to the national economy and his successful election in the 2015 presidential election.

According to him, “From my findings, there are at least three indigenes of Bayelsa State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that are qualified to be appointed as ambassadors. Yet, Buhari did not deem it fit to appoint any of them. How can someone be so insensitive to the feelings of the people? It is more baffling to me because in the same list that Bayelsa State did not have a single nominee, some states have three while some have two. What did the people of Bayelsa State do to deserve this kind of poor treatment from the Buhari administration?”

He expressed dismay that the exclusion of the indigenes of the state in the ambassadorial list, follows a similar pattern of marginalization and neglect since Buhari took over the reins of administration over a year ago.

“For instance, the APC flag bearer in Taraba State in the 2015 general election is already a member of the FederalExecutiveCouncil,FEC,just as her counterpart in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside is the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, but this is not the case of the APC gubernatorial candidate in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva.”

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

T

HE Edo State government and the PDP were yesterday locked in a war of words over alleged plans to compromise the ongoing voter registration exercise.

The state government in a press statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua had accused a neighbouring PDP controlled governor of recruiting thugs to register in neighbouring communities on the Edo State side of the border to the purpose of being used as thugs during the main election.

The PDP in a sharp reaction accused the Edo State government of equally plotting to compromise the integrity of the voter roll by inputting Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs from the north into the voter ’s register.

The statement issued by the Edo State government read in

VOTER REGISTRATION: Edo govt, PDP in

war of words

•Ize-Iyamu: PDP flag bearer part: “According to information at our disposal, forty political thugs have been dispatched to each of these border

•Obaseki: APC flag bearer villages with the sole aim of “We wish to place the registering them as voters security agencies on notice of before engaging their services this untoward intention of the to perpetrate violence during (neighbouring) State the September 10 election.

Government with their Edo

APC moves to woo Edebiri

Orbih rejects Sheriff

By Rufus Ike

T

HE state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih has rejected insinuations by the immediate past national chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to the effect that the PDP primaries which produced Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu was illegally convened.

Speaking to Vanguard on the claim by Sheriff, Orbih affirmed that the PDP followed the stipulated procedure in holding the governorship primary which he said was fully attended by a delegation of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC after the stipulated notice.

Orbih further washed the

state chapter of the PDP from whatever schemes anyone may have against the PDP at the national level.

“For us in Edo State, we are totally focussed and united and cut off from whatever anyone may be trying to do at the national head-

T

•Orbih: We don't know Sheriff quarters.

The party formally wrote was without bickering or INEC and gave 21 days notice mudslinging.

So, we have moved on from before the primary and INEC duly responded and attended there,” Orbih said as he the primary with six senior affirmed that the party is officials who monitored the united behind Pastor Izebest-organised primary which Iyamu.

By Emmanuel Aziken

HE APC has initiated its move to puncture the unity in the PDP through alleged plans to woo the second runner-up in last Monday’s primary, Dr. Solomon Edbiri. The APC candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Vanguard learnt yesterday, visited Mr. Edebiri in his Benin home on Tuesday, a day after the PDP primary.

Obaseki had in his entourage, Senator Domingo Obende, General Charles Airhavbere, (rtd.) among other senior officials of the APC. Details of the meeting between Edebiri and the APC delegation were not available as at press time.

Obaseki’s move was being seen yesterday as a script drawn

Ize-Iyamu’s will be meat for Obaseki --- APC aspirants

By Simon Ebegbulem

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INE of the 11 governorship APC aspirants who lost out to Godwin Obaseki in last Saturday’s primary yesterday declared that the emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as the PDP candidate has set the victory tone for the APC candidate.

The nine excluding Dr. Chris Ogienwonyi and Kenneth Imasuagbon spoke at a press conference in Benin where they also urged Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon to drop their protest against the outcome of the result.

Gen. Charles Airhiavbere addressed the press on behalf of the nine losers said: “the outcome of the PDP primaries with the emergence of Pastor Ize-Iyamu, the PDP is dead on arrival.

We will leave it at that level until we get to the field.

Victory for APC on the 10th of September is a task that must be done.

On the condemnation of the APC primaries by Dr Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon, Airhiavbere stated that “ when we went to

Abuja, the twelve of us, we signed an agreement that whoever wins the primaries we all will support him. And Godwin Obaseki has won, so that agreement remains.

“A winner has emerged out of the twelve of us so we are all obliged to collapse our

structures behind him to ensure victory for APC in the September 9 election.

That is what all of us have signed to do, and that is what we stand for. The delegates have spoken loud and clear, and we should not doubt them.

Why I congratulated Ize-Iyamu --- Obaseki

By Simon Ebegbulem

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OVERNORSHIP candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki yesterday said he decided to congratulate the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu because “I don’t play politics of bitterness”.

The Director General of the Obaseki Campaign

PDP collaborators to cause a breach of security in Edo state.”

The PDP in a sharp reaction said: “Even within their party, they use guns and all sort of weapons to settle political scores. Whenever they are up to something sinister, they employ diversionary tactics.

Edo people will not fall for his deceit and lies as they are prepared to vote his party out in the September election.

“We know for a fact that he has concluded plans in collaboration with the Northern sponsor of his puppet candidate to register northerners in the IDP camps as well others transported from Kogi and Kano States to boost his party’s dwindling political fortune.

Organization, Osarodion Ogie, had in a statement congratulated Ize-Iyamu for his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate and admonished him to base his campaigns on issues and solutions that will better the lives of the people of Edo state.

However, Obaseki in an interview with journalists explained that “If you look at my politics, it is quite different

from the way people play it here. I prefer to talk about issues that will better the lives of our people and not on individuals.

“I expect that the governorship contest will be a fair and civilised one where the interest of Edo State and her people are the primary goals. Our politics should be based on issues and solutions for the benefit and progress of our people” he stated.

directly from Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s political school.

Four years ago after Kenneth Imasuagbon lost out in the PDP primaries which some protested was manipulated to favour Gen. Airhavbere, Oshiomhole made a visit to Imasuagbon in his Benin residence where he was alleged to have sought to woo him, Imasuagbon, away from the PDP. Remarkably, Airhavbere was in the the delegation that visited Edebiri.

Put aside your differences and work together, Makarfi charges Edo PDP

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By Ben Agande

HE chairman of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has congratulated the winner of the primaries held in Edo state, Pastor Osagie IZE-Iyamu over his victory.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the party noted that the emergence of Pastor IzeIyamu as the party’s candidate in a free, fair and credible primaries was “a victory for those who cherish freedom of choice” and “a triumph of a popular candidate and victory for democracy.” The statement, which was signed by a member of the caretaker committee in charge of Publicity, Prince Dayo Adeyeye noted that “the outcome of the Election in Edo State, which is one of the best elections so far in Nigeria has proved to the opposition in the State that the PDP is a one united house built on the principle of delivering power to the people.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—39

saying ‘you hit me in the face’.

The representatives of Department of State Services, DSS, the Sergeant-at-arms and other police officers on duty at the time the incident took place told the committee that they never witnessed any slap from the Prisons officers.

However, an officer of the Sergeant-at-Arms at the gate, Chike Igbo who claimed to have witnessed the confusion at the gate said he was there when the prison’s personnel pointed his hand on the face of the lawmaker and her pair of glasses fell.

DIRTY SLAP SAGA:

Reps slap back

Pilot and back-up cars

•Mrakpor: House of Reps comes to her rescue. Inset: former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service, Peter Ekpendu

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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OR an ordinary Nigerian, it is a taboo to attempt to overtake the convoy of any government official even if the road is free to accommodate many vehicles. This mentality which was inherited from military rule has become a norm even without any legislative backing and attempt for motorists to do otherwise attracts the wrath of the overzealous security personnel in the convoy.

However, it was a different ballgame on April 20, 2016 at the National Assembly complex when the convoy of the former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Prisons Service, Peter Ekpendu had believed that it was business as usual decided to descend on the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, Evangelist Joan Mrakpor, who having closed for the day’s activities was also heading home.

With Ekpendu’s convoy in its militaristic mood and Mrakpor rushing for a divine appointment, something was bound to give way.

How Mrakpor's vehicle confronted Ekpendu’s convoy remains a matter of dispute but what happened was that the legislator’s vehicle was alleged to have refused to make way for the prison CG’s convoy prompting an officer in the convoy, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Prisons, Usman Shehu Kangiwa, to bang on the door of the legislator.

As the melee went on, an Inspector and a more junior officer to the Comptroller, Idaa Odey, in a manner to protect his boss from any suspected insult, allegedly attempted to or slapped the lawmaker.

This development did not go down well with the House, which on the next day’s sitting ordered the immediate appearance of the Comptroller General, Ekpendu and the Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Danbazzau over

the alleged physical assault on their colleague.

The lawmakers equally compelled the House of Representatives Committee on Interior to investigate the matter and report to the House on Tuesday 26th April 2016.

Every day you get assaulted, but for the assault of a prison officer, I am yet to find out my offence, you either allow a person to overtake the convoy or you stop the person Ekpendu, who was about proceeding on retirement when the incident happened eventually appeared before the committee and said that though he had gone out as at the time

the incident took place, that he had decided to take responsibility for the actions of his officers.

The Jagaba Adams-led committee was told that the Comptroller General of Prisons had already left the gate where the incident took place with the pilot and the back-up cars.

Testifying before the Committee, Rep Mrakpor, who introduced herself as a television evangelist said that before she approached the gate that there was a long convoy of SUVs made up of Prado Jeeps and that she told her driver to overtake the convoy.

She said that just close to the exit gate, two vehicles she had overtaken stopped and suddenly the occupants of the vehicle started banging on her vehicle which made her to ask what the harassment at the National Assembly was all about.

She said, “ when I wound down, the person by my right said, you useless prostitute and slapped me, then I came down.

The man who hit my vehicle told me don’t you know it is the convoy of the Comptroller General.”

She also said that security agents at the gate were against her and that one police lady went to her Orderly to tell him to tell the Honourable not to enter any convoy.

“I have been a politician and been holding offices since 1999.

Every day you get assaulted, but for the assault of a prison officer, I am yet to find out my offence, you either allow a person to overtake the convoy or you stop the person,” the lawmaker who was betrayed by her emotions during the public hearing said.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of the National Assembly and a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Nancy Ajakuna in her testimony said going by the report before her, the security agents did not observe any physical assault as according to her, they said they only heard from the lawmaker

Citizens rate Udom after one year THAT Governor Udom Emmanuel inherited one of the best road networks in the country was not in any doubt.

How he is moving the state forward is the challenge many stakeholders are now looking at which will determine his legacy. government area.

By Chioma Onuegbu The project is among other HE governor it seems may projects that delighted Akwa Ibom have inclined himself towards citizens especially those involved industrialisation as a legacy with in the business and those from which he would want to be oil producing areas of the state. remembered for. Apart from Besides, the project is targeted reviving some moribund at providing massive industries in the state such as the employment for the teeming idle Peacock Paints located in Etinan youths of the area and indeed of local government area few the entire Akwa Ibom as well as months after coming into office, empowerment programmes.

Emmanuel has laid the It will also provide training in foundation stone for industrial different skills for the youths projects such as the Automobile particularly those from the host Assembly Plant in Itu and, LED community who never had the industry also located in Itam, Itu opportunity of going outside their LGA; Metering Industry in Awa- immediate environment to look Iman in Onna LGA. for white collar jobs due to lack Recently the governor skills acquisition and education. performed the groundbreaking of Dr. Austin Odili, Chairman a petrochemical terminal/ Jetty in Delmar Group, was quick to note Itak Idim Nne Ekpe in Ibeno local that the new terminal which is

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•Udom: How has he scored? expected to be completed in 18months from the date of commencement will put an end to scarcity of refined products and the attendant security problems in the country. His words, “People have gone through a lot just to buy fuel. So with this, there will be no scarcity anymore in the country. This is

The CG, who came with his Deputy Comptroller Generals, said that he was not at the venue of the incident when it took place as he had already driven out with his pilot and back-up cars but only heard of the incident when he went to see the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. He said, “I do not tolerate indiscipline. I am ashamed of what happened; I am never associated with such. I have a wife and a mother, the act is barbaric, embarrassing and runs contrary to my belief.”

He said that the officer involved in the incident would face disciplinary measures according to the Act establishing the Prisons even as he read the query he had already issued to the officers involved in the alleged assault.

Presenting the report of its investigations, Rep. Jagaba said during the consideration of the report at plenary that, from the testimonies of six credible witnesses, the committee established beyond reasonable doubt that SIP Idaa Odey assaulted Rep. Mrakpor and therefore, guilty of contravening the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2004. because it is going to store from 50, 000 to 150, 000 metric tons that can last Nigeria for one whole month and beyond. But the highest we have today in Nigeria is about 30, 000 metric tons. So that is a far cry. And with this there is extinction of demurrage payment in Nigeria shipping business.”

Bishop Etim Ante the SouthSouth Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a former Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Akwa Ibom State branch that he had never doubted the ability of Emmanuel to fulfil his agenda to industrialize the state. He pointed out that the ability of the governor to bring in such projects involving huge capital like the Petrochemical Terminal and Jetty despite the paucity of funds facing the present administration could be linked to his experience as a banker.

40 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

FOI Act: Much expectations, less impact

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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HE challenges and inadequacies facing the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, FoI, five years after it was passed into law by the National Assembly, no doubt exposed the weakness of the law as well as the failure of majority of Nigerians to tap into its provisions to make public records and information easily accessible.

The long title to the FoI Act states that : “it is an Act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and established procedures for the achievement of those purposes and for related matters.”

This explained why the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies, NIALS last week organised a three-day training/ workshop on the Freedom of Information Act, where participants observed that five years into the implementation of the FoI Act in the country, there are still more grounds to be covered for effectiveness of the law.

The three days training programme organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies,NIALSforNigeriansacross all works of life, however brought to the fore the necessity to improve on the provisions of the law as well as making Nigerians, especially the FoI desk officers of government establishments as well as other Nigerians know what the law is out to achieve.

For a bill that spent 11 years in the National Assembly, and was passed into law five years ago, one wouldhaveexpectedthatitscoming into being would eventually pave way for public access to information in government circles which it seeks to promote. The reality is however the opposite.

EDITORIAL Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

A cross section of participants at the FoI Act training organised by NIALS in Lagos At the opening session, which held at Ayo Ajomo Auditorium of the Institute, the NIALS DirectorGeneral, Professor Adedeji Adekunle, underscored the importance of the training to the participants.

According to him, the bill which gave birth to the FoI Act suffered for over 11 years before it was finally passed by the National Assembly on May 24, 2011 owing to sustained publicdemand.Heemphasisedthat the training will help the participants to understand on the workings, application and challenges of the Freedom of Information Act. He also disclosed that the institute put the programme together in order to make the law achieve the objectives for which it was enacted as applicable in some developed countries of the world.

Promotion of transparency To kick start the training program was a presentation from a research fellow from the institute, Maduka Ngozi who spoke on- “The FoI Act: SectoralResponsibilities”,whereshe narrated the objectives of the Act. She disclosed that specifically, the law was enacted to among others“make public records and informationeasilyaccessible;protect public records and information; promote transparency and accountability in the public sector; protect public officials from consequences for disclosing certain public information (Official Secrete Act, Evidence Act).

Besides, she said the law will establish procedures for the discharge of responsibilities consistent with the interest of the general public; gives the general public the right of access to information and creates corresponding responsibilities for public institutions.

She emphasised that there were lots of factors responsible for lack of implementation of the Act which includeinadequaciesininformation management,recordcreation,record keeping, organization and maintenance. She also noted that lack of adequate knowledge of the responsibilities as provided by the Act, misinterpretation of the provisions of the Act, and lack or inadequate proactive measures for handling information requests bogged down the implementation of the law. She didn’t failed in mentioningtheobligationsattached to the law as applicable to sectoral and general responsibilities.

An international legal practitioner and expert in the workings of the Freedom of Information Act, Alimi

Apart from saying that the Applicant can approach the court, the provision does not say by what means, form or method the Applicant must approach the court

Adams took the baton as he explained what is needful in responding to FoI requests by FoI officers as well as explaining what proactive disclosure meant in the implementation of the FoI Act. He argued that without much ado, a Freedom of Information desk officer is expected to do the needful by fashioning proactive steps in making “its non-exempt records publicly available without waiting for specific request from the public.”

He listed platforms such as information board, online platform, mobile alerts, community meetings, social audits, community based organisation, centralised disclosure platform, news media, flyers and bulletinasoneofthenumerousways to make information available to the public.

On the second day of the programme, a Lagos lawyer and human rights crusader, Mr. Tokunbo Mumuni spoke extensivelyon“Balancingthepublic interest to disclose information or not”, while a senior advocate, Chief Anthony Idigbe, spoke on: “The FoI and Official Secrecy” as well as “WhistleblowerProtectionunderthe FoI Act.” Mumuni in his presentations noted that the Act came into being, “in a manner of speaking more or less to circumvent the secrecy in government functions and businesses which was the hallmark of the Official Secret Act.” He discussed the scope and extent of the Act, what are the litigation issues under the Act and the appropriate method for commencing a FoI application before the court.

The lawyer noted that the Act provides that applicant denied access to information may apply to the court within 30 days for a review of the matter after he is refused the application by a public institution.

Mumuni however explained one of the inadequacies of the Act when he said: “Apart from saying that the Applicant can approach the court, the provision does not say by what means, form or method the Applicantmustapproachthecourt.”

Discussing the issue of balancing the public interest to disclose information or not, he listed some of the shortcomings to include but not limited to the relevance of the issues of the locus standi to the application brought under the Freedom of Information Act and whether the FoI Act can be applied

retroactively.

He however, disclosed that in line with the principle of Section 12 (1) (a) (i)-(vi) (b), whatever the situation may be , “an application for information shall not be denied where the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs whatever injury that disclosure would cause.”

In conclusion, the lawyer submitted that in the context of democratic governance, public interest must outweigh that of an individual public official whose identity of personality must be protected.

He said : “Public interest can definitely not be the interest of the people who are in government and who hold the lever of authority and instrument of power and its paraphernalia.”

Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Udombana who made presentation on “Institutional andReportingRequirementsUnder the Freedom of Information Act, 2011,” dwelt extensively on the institutionalrequirementsonFoIAct, disclosure of information by public institutions, obligations as to time for granting or refusing applications, institutionalframeworkandtraining obligation and general comments on institutional requirements.”

Beside, she articulated on reporting requirements of the public institutions, the Attorney General and the general comments.

Potential for success She concluded that the FoI Act is a well thought out and deserved piece of legislation intended to assist the country in the realisation of an effective and accountable government. She submitted that effectiveness however, is not limited only to the amplification of legal doctrine but also its implementation, enforcement, impact and the compliance.

She added that, “there are substantive as well as syntactic gaps leadingtoambiguityandpracticality problem in the law which obviously affect its effective implementation.”

Also she said that the law has potentialforsuccessbutthiscanonly be realised if the identified gaps and grey areas are addressed, while its enforcement mechanism is strengthened.

Iriekpitan Okukpon-Adesanya spoke on “Data protection and Privacy”. In his presentation, he recommended that Nigeria must review the content of its data protection and privacy laws with a view to updating and where necessary, revising them so that when they are implemented, they will be effective and workable.

He however cautioned that such review“mustbedoneinconsonance with the FoI Act in order that a data protection and privacy Act will be consolidated and recognised as part of the freedom of information law and policy in Nigeria.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

SBL working with NASS in law making process —— Ighodalo MR. Asue Ighodalo is Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Section on Business Law, SBL. In this interview, he takes a look at his tenure in office and speaks on the on-going SBL annual conference in Abuja. Excerpts:

By Innocent Anaba

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S Chairman of NBA-SBL, what has been your experience?

First of all, I would like to say that it has been a great privilege to serve as the Chairman of Council of the SBL and pilot the affairs of the Section for two years.

I have had the opportunity to interact with my colleagues and to lead a section of the NBA that is very dynamic, comprises hard working and innovative practitioners. I am grateful for the opportunity given me by the President and the National Executive Committee of the NBA, the Council and the members of the SBL to serve first as the ViceChairman for two years and then as the chairman for another term of two years. It has really been a wonderful, but humbling experience heading an organisation of colleagues and peers.

My experience has been very enriching and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and to put in place some of my ideas as to the way the SBL should progress. I can say that my two years has been more or less a continuum from Mr. Gbenga Oyebode’s two years which was the tenure before mine.

Which other committees made your tenure a memorable one?

We also set up a committee on publicity and research which is chaired by Ms. Theodora KioLawson. That committee has also worked very hard and has helped in publicising the activities of the section and has also created two active virtual journals, a monthly and a quarterly.

Judicial decisions Members of SBL contribute articles to the Journals and they are sent to members of the SBL and to our other stakeholders. The journals discuss and highlight contemporary legal and economic issues, judicial decisions, recently enacted laws, and laws under consideration in the National Assembly. Again I am very grateful to that committee.

The committee has also helped to improve our membership drive to increase and extend our membership across all the nooks and cranny of Nigeria. For some time now, people have erroneously viewed the SBL as a Section of the NBA, for certain lawyers in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.

Commercial and business law is practiced all over the country and we want our membership to cut across the whole country so we

have been working hard to correct this impression and create a totally inclusive Section.

Most of our other 19 committees have been very active, through the year and their activities have been well publicized and Asue Ighodalo well attended .I sincerely thank all the committee chairmen for the amended, repealed and new ones support they have given to the enacted to create an enabling Council and the work they are business environment and doing. As you are aware, the enhance growth. I will like to committees are the life wires of the thank the Senate, particularly the SBL and the functionality of the Senate President for the foresight committees determines how well and hard work that has gone into the SBL does through that period. this. It is fundamental that we I am really grateful, many of our improve our business climate. The committee chairmen have given a way things are going, we need to lot of their time and resources to create the kind of environment make sure that their committees where we have serious business perform very well, they and the people coming to invest in Nigeria. committee executives have really From where we are today, it appears to be an up hill task but if done a lot work.

What efforts have you made to we start by or amending or improve our commercial laws repealing our outdated and and improve the cost of doing investment unfriendly laws the environment will be more business in Nigeria?

We have increased our conducive and we will be able to interaction with the National follow the footsteps of countries like Assembly. We are a bit more active Georgia who have been able to in working with in looking and at move from low rankings in the ease of doing business index to very high rankings, among the top 10.

I think that it is doable, we just need to be focused. I commend the work that the Senate has been doing in this regard and also the House of Representatives. As you For some time are aware, recently there was a National Assembly joint forum now, people have with Capital Markets Operators, erroneously viewed looking at Capital Market laws.

I view this as a proactive the SBL as a intervention. The SBL has been Section of the NBA, involved in different ways in these interventions. for certain lawyers You paid a courtesy call on the in Lagos, Abuja, Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Port Harcourt and Commission, CAC, what was Ibadan the outcome of that visit?

The Council of the SBL took a decision to meet with regulators draft bills, and coming up with our and open up avenues of own ideas, views and dialogue and collaboration. We commentaries on these draft bills.

I like to thank all the members of decided to start with the CAC. the committees that I have called We met with the Registrar upon at short notice to intervene General and his executives to and to represent us at public discuss areas where we can hearings and to propagate SBL’s collaborate to make the CAC views on a lot of these bills that even more users friendly and are on their way to being enacted also ensure our colleagues act into laws. We have been working appropriately in accessing the with the Senate, DFID, NESG, CAC. I thank the Registrar and their appointed consultants, General of the CAC who has led by Prof Paul Idornigie, SAN, been extremely accommodating, and reviewing business and understanding commercial laws that need to be collaborative. We have a joint

— 41

NBA to adopt E-voting at election

By Dayo Benson The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has concluded plans to use electronic voting in its forthcoming general elections slated for July.

The NBA president, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, reaffirmed this at the just concluded National Executive Council, NEC meeting held in Benin, Edo State capital.

According to Alegeh, the web administrators have assured him that a fail-proof system has been put in place to ensure that there would be no systems failure on the day of the election. He also informed NEC that the administrators further assured that the portal can handle over 100,000 voters at the same time, an innovation which was highly commended by lawyers.

During proceedings, the NBA boss also informed NEC that the Dafe Akpedeye Election Monitory Committee of the NBA reported that 79 branches have successfully conducted their branch elections free of rancor. All the other branches that have not conducted their branch elections were urged to do so before the end of June, in line with the guideline expressly provided in the new association's constitution.

However, the elections in Ikeja, Bukuru and Otuocha branches were canceled, due to noncompliance with the new NBA constitution and electoral guidelines.

For Bukuru and Otuocha branches, the earlier candidates who met the requirements for

elections were ordered to be deemed as returned unopposed and NEC approved this.

As for Ikeja Branch, the election for the office of Chairman was canceled and all the three candidates disqualified for not meeting the new requirements as provided in Section 6(3) of the new NBA constitution.

Essentially, two of the candidates were disqualified for having held offices on two previous occasions and the third for non-payment of branch dues as at when due.

Mr. Nurudeem Ogbara, pioneer Chairman of Ikorodu Branch was mandate to oversee the affairs of Ikeja branch as Caretaker Committee Chairman which must conduct election into the office of chairman before the end of June as provided by the new NBA constitution.

The NEC also condemned in the strongest terms, the recent nationwide rampage of the Fulani herdsmen which claimed several lives, while expressing dismay at the lackadaisical attitude of the government over the wanton attacks on communities across the nation.

Citing the recent mass murder of indigenes of Nimo farming community in Enugu State, Chief Okafor Ofodile SAN and Chief Niyi Akintola SAN who raised the motion at the meeting urged the Augustine Alegeh leadership of the NBA to draw the attention of the government and its relevant agencies to the continued massacre of innocent Nigerians by these herdsmen.

NBA Executive Director of Administration, Mrs. Ifueko Alufokai, former Attorney-General of Delta State, Chief Dafe Akpedeye SAN and NBA Chief Protocol Officer, Mr Kazeem. working committee of the SBL and the CAC, they meet periodically nearly every month where we bring the issues from practitioners forward to our regulator the CAC, the CAC brings up its own issues and we try to synchronize the issues so that we can have a better structured, more active, more understanding CAC that is available to efficiently assist lawyers in their business . We have also worked jointly with the CAC to put together certain training activities.

I hope that this collaboration will be sustained. It is one of the things I will like to uphold as a success story in the last two years and we are of the hope that we will replicate this with one or two other regulator. I am hoping that with that kind of interface, the relationship between practitioners and regulators will improve and be strengthened.

What are the highlights and

expectations from the on-going SBL conference in Abuja?

The theme of our conference this year is ‘Law Reform and Economic Development’ that dovetails into what I discussed earlier, the work of the National Assembly in reforming our laws.

It is clear in our minds that for us to be able to have the leapfrog economic growth and diversification that we require in Nigeria, particularly now that the pricing of the mainstay of our economy and the pricing of mineral products are falling so drastically in the world market, if we have well reformed, effectively enacted, appropriate and compliant laws, it will then be easier for those who seek to come and invest in our economy to do so. Most importantly we need laws laws that will enhance capital formations, infrastructure development, education, security and ensure prompt and effective dispute resolution processes.

42—Vanguard,

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

King Emene: Sofola's account of bad leadership haunts Africa

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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T is not for nothing that the Bible says in the book of Proverbs that when an evil king is on the throne, the people groan. Nigeria and indeed Africa as a continent, have had and are still having experiencing the pain of living under despot rulers who reign as though they were sent from the pit of hell to annihiliate the masses.

When Professor Zulu Sofola, widely celebrated as Africa’s first female Playwright and first female Professor of Theatre Arts, wrote King Emene, she may not have known how relevant her book would still remain till today.

Glaring irrelevance The evergreen masterpiece tells the story of a king unrightfully occupying a throne and refuses to relinquish it even when his position leads to death, famine, protest etc, in the kingdom. This is not far from the experiences of most African countries. The leaders leathe relinquishing their positions in the face of their glaring irrelevance.

Pushing boundaries in their effort towards upholding their tradition of excellence, The Childville School, Ogudu GRA,

Lagos during their annual stage performances, re-enacted King Emene in their usual pulsating manner. It is the sixth in the series and it doubled as a period of celebration as two of their

Beyond the thrilling theatrics, the play is a wakeup call on the importance of selfless leadership students, the head boy and girl came 1st and 2nd in a recent Microsoft competition in Nigeria.

They are billed to represent the country in Orlando, USA. King Emene began with fracas between mother –in-law (king’s mother played by Edikan Eyoma) and her daughter-in-law (Queen, played by Tolani Fashola) over who pours libation for the protection of the king. The

genuine and selfless leadership to Africa’s development.

Speaking on the choice of King Emene, the Producer and Artistic Director of the Play, Mr Gboyega Jerome said it was awesome working with the children, adding that “Its not easy especially when I had to work with 80 cast. The resolve to nurture them from the early stage of their lives is however, the main • The Childville students re-enacting King Emene at Muson Centre, Lagos motivating factor. Its a lot of hard work. It is the rites are necessary as Peace Week depict the era and setting Sofola tradition of The Childville to approaches. It is the week during portrayed. Use of a live cock, teach the children the culture of which the King (played by white chalk (Ibanzu), gourd for Nigeria. Its not that we cannot Opeyemi Ogundimu) transforms palm wine, etc also made the stage works by foreign authors into a god and enters the shrine, performance believable and but King Emene teaches us facts on how to be honest, not to go loaded with the problems of the enthralling. citizens, to their god. Before this The young traditional dancers for things that do not belong to all important transformation could in their cultural attires blew the us because it will boomerang. Its take place, the oracle and the minds of the audience while little better to wait for God’s time, it is goddess must confirm that there trumpeter, Joshua Oloriegbe the best.”

For some of the children is purity. The eyes of the gods added style to the performance. discover that a sacrilege has been Later during one of the Opeyemi Ogundimu, Babafemi committed by the King's mother interludes, he performed a solo Alokolaro and Victory Orakaeze – She killed her step-son so that with the musical instrument, who spoke, stage fright was their her son becomes king. She luring the audience into singing major challenge even though that wasn’t obvious during the refuses to confess so that the along with him. performance, they were able to palace could be cleansed before scale through the play. It was the king enters the peace week. Thrilling disappointing however to learn The king, instead of heeding the theatrics that they will only take acting as advice of the messengers, banishes them and appoints his Beyond the thrilling theatrics their hobbies and not as a stooges. He stubbornly enters the aimed at exciting and profession.. peace week and the end is better entertaining the audience, as imagined. well as reminding the audience The performance was laced with who filled the hall to the brim, of rich African proverbs as the actors the essence of promoting the rich delivered their lines effortlessly. cultural heritage of the country, The drummers led by Gboyega the staging of King Emene by added African flavour to the The Childville School, is a wake drama. The stage was as usual, up call on the importance of

By Prisca Sam-Duru aesthetically accessorised to

Soyinka clears air on Lagos @ 50 Project

Music, books mark Uncommon Legacy award night

By Prisca Sam-Duru

T

HE gorgeously dressed women, beautifully decorated and serene Asian Hall of the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos as well as music resonating from a live band that lit-up the evening, confirmed that the occasion was marked out for nation builders who have excelled in the arts, humanities, etc.

The occasion was the maiden edition of the 1st African Women of Uncommon Legacy Royal Award, AWUOLRA and Lectures held in recognition of the outstanding contribution of African women to humanity. It was organised by the Uncommon Legacy Media International.

History of women award

Amidst the glitz and glamour, AWUOLRA, under the umbrella of African Uncommon Legacy Award initiative, is the first of its kind in the history of Women's Awards in Africa.

During the event, women ssuch as Nollywood actress, Amaka Okoye, a graduate of English and Arts, from the University of Lagos was honoured for her

• D r Joseph Echekoba handing award to M r s Neoma Kalu contributions to humanity. She is renowned for her roles in Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Enugu soaps. Okoye has also featured in movies, acting alongside veterans such as Ejike Asiegbu and Camilla Mbrekpe.

The occasion also served as opportunity to unveil the current edition of the Uncommon Legacy Magazine as well as showcase 6 inspirational books; Poverty Must Go, Send Down Prosperity, Royal Road to Uncommon Fortune, A New You, A New World, A New Spirit, Get Up Ready and No Star Is Hidden, from the stable of the media organisation. Themed, ‘Women

As Empowerer to African Development’ the Lecture was presented by Mrs Florence Okorji, Proprietress of Matterdie Group of Schools, Lagos. She stressed the importance of empowering women which she insisted must be done through reforms in institutions and practices.

The Award event had in attendance, over 20 awardees, friends, colleagues and families who gathered to show support to their loved ones honoured for impacting lives positively.

AWUOLRA, according to the Chief Executive Officer and Publisher Uncommon Legacy

Media Int’l, Dr. Joseph Echekoba, is solely for women who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavour adding that the time is ripe to showcase some African women at home and in the Diaspora who have contributed to the growth of the continent as well as those who are still making their impact felt across the globe.

“A lot of women have played and are still playing significant roles in the development of the great continent of Africa. These we are out to highlight. The award is a platform to encourage young women to strive to live decent lives so as to grow into virtuous women that will contribute to the development of the society. It is essentially to spur Africa's development and is purely on merit,” Dr Echekoba said.

Other recipients include; Women Leader, All Progressives Congress South West Zone, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson; Managing Director Famod & CO/Famond Engineering Ltd. Lagos, Professor Fagbemiye Christie Modupe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Neokal Oil and Gas Ltd., Mrs Nneoma Kalu; and many more.

N

OBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has debunked some reports that monetary expenditure earmarked for the celebration of Lagos at 50 has been misappropriated by the committee he co-Chairs as well as information that the celebrations will run for a year, Soyinka, at a press briefing held at the Freedom Park, Lagos, stated that the scope of the festival is very wide but plans are still ongoing to see that all the necessary logistics are provided.

“It is a dangerous trend and a distortion to create a negative mood about the celebration of Lagos@50. We are here to correct that misconception. Sponsors of the paid advertorial want to cause disaffection between the state government on the welfare of the workers with regard to the hard economic situation in the country.

So, it is tendentious when people do that kind of thing,” he remarked.

He maintained that the funds earmarked by the state government had not been tampered with and that the committee has taken it upon itself to raise funds for its assigned master plan of the festival. “ It is going to be a two-week long programme. Based on paper, everything is there. But the funds are being awaited,” he said.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016—43

TUC rues Life Pension for NASS leaders

T

A cross section of pensioners protesting unpaid benefits, among other issues

PenCom unleashes EFCC on employers over unremitted pension deductions Stories by Victor Ahiuma-Young

E

MPLOYERS that deduct employees’ salaries and fail to remit same into the Retirement Saving Account, RSA, of workers under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, may end up in the dungeon of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, as the National Pension Commission, PenCom, is partnering the anti-graft agency to tackle the alarming cases of non-remittance of deducted staff ’s funds. This came as PenCom raised alarm that from 2014 to date, there was decline in budgetary provision in funding the Retirement Benefit Bonds Redemption Fund, RBBF, Account and the remittance of monthly contribution.

In a memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Pensions, looking into the level of compliance with CPS, the Commission decried a development “where companies

deducting pension contributions from the emoluments of their employees and not remitting same. The employees often initiate investigations into the pension liabilities of companies by way of complaints. However, instances abound where complaints of this nature gravely expose the employee to loss of job and an ultimate price for whistle blowing on ground of the perpetuated illegalities of their employers. The Commission views this as a financial crime and has accordingly approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to collaborate with it to address this situation.

“The Recovery Agents engaged by the Commission examine the pension records of employers, determine the pension liability and compute penalty accrued as a result of the non-compliance.

The Recovery Agents subsequently issue demand notices, subject to the approval of the Commission upon verification

and/or validation of the records of the employers.

Some companies challenge the basis of the liabilities determined.

However, the disputes are resolved by reconciliation sessions between the employers and the Recovery Agents.

The reconciliation exercise ultimately strengthens credibility of the processes. “Employers that fail to remit outstanding pension contributions and establish penalties are further approached for civil compliance through administrative mechanisms as set out in the Regime of Sanctions of the Commission.

Records of the employers This sanction regime includes but not limited to the issuance of demand letters, letters of warnings, letters of caution and outright sanctions. Resort to litigation is the last option exercised by the Commission. As at 2014, Two Hundred and Forty

Three (243) employers that failed to remit outstanding pension contributions and established penalties have been subjected to legal action and are at different stages of prosecution at the National Industrial Court.”

Compliance by Federal Government: According to PenCom, “From the inception of the pension reform in 2004, the Federal Government had been religiously implementing the Contributory Pension Scheme by payment of monthly contributions of its employees in a dedicated account in the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Contributory Pension Account.

The Federal Government was equally making payment of 5% of its monthly wage bill into the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account for the payment of the accrued pension rights of its employees who had worked under the old Defined Benefits Scheme and transited to the CPS.

Pensioners hail FG over payment of 12 months arrears

L

By Gabriel Ewepu

AGOS—UMBRELLA body for pensioners in the country: Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, has hailed the Federal Government for the payment of pensioners’ 12 months out of the 42 months arrears owed them.

In a statement by NUP President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, and General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal,the union appreciated the effort of the government to give respite to the pensioners in the face of president economic challenges.

According to the statement the

payment was made to federal civil and Para-military pensioners as part-payment.

The statement reads in part: “It was dream come true as the Federal Civil and Para-military pensioners started receiving payment alert for the payment of 12 months arrears out of the 42 months owed them by the Federal Government.

The pensioners were full of joy and praises for the Federal Government for the pleasant surprise package which came at a time when ordinary Nigerians, including the pensioners were feeding

from hand to mouth. This gesture is indeed a big relief to the pensioners. The feeling of joy and relief was expressed by the pensioners through their union, the NUP which is the only constitutionally recognized and statutorily approved voice of the Nigerian Pensioners.

“The union through its leadership hereby expresses satisfaction with the payment which came at the time Nigerian masses are going through hard times and opined that this is indeed the beginning of good things that

would happen to Nigeria and indeed Nigerians in line with the saying that, after the rain comes the sunshine. We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to complete the payment early so that our Union members can enjoy the fruits of their labour and or benefits while still alive. The Union equally wishes to request the State and Local Governments to follow the example of the Federal Government by making the same payments to their respective pensioners.”

RADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has condemned and described as unfortunate the proposed life pension for presiding officers of the National Assembly after their tenure, contending that it is self-serving even at a time the nation’s economy has collapsed and brought about massive job losses and unprecedented poverty.

TUC in a statement by Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Simeso Amachree, President, and Acting Secretary General, respectively, said: “Sometimes we wonder if our politicians are truly abreast with the groaning of the poor masses and the opinion of the international community about them. Is it not laughable and ridiculous that if our lawmakers are not acquiring 108 Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps for every member and increasing salaries/allowances they are talking about awarding contracts to themselves and cronies? Is it not unfortunate that while we are yet to recover from the shock caused by some lawmakers who molested some white ladies in a hotel in the US another drama is unfolding with the latest proposal of life pension for Senate president, deputy, Speaker of House of Representative and deputy?

How come the senators are not perturbed by the prevailing realities? Why are they bent on frustrating the effort of the president at revamping the economy and recovering our looted treasury? We want to assure them that they will not have their way this time, not any more. The benefit of the office of the Senate President and other principal officers is too juicy to demand for more.

The benefit accruable to politicians is immeasurable, which of course, is why they can do anything to remain there. The Congress is against the excessive privileges and calls for a drastic downward review. It is regrettable that in our clime a senator will not initiate a bill in a whole four year term yet earns higher than the President of the United States.

According to the statement, “Congress is disappointed because we had thought that the two day retreat on Constitution Review organised by the Senate Adhoc Committee in Lagos, would have been used to address some grey areas in our constitution, little did we know that such ungodly and disgraceful proposal will be made.

44 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Both your personal ideas and suggestions from your tried and trusted friends should be taken more seriously today, more especially if such will have direct effect on your finances. Be more ambitious.

GEMINI: Although you are power house of ideas, there is nothing wrong in your becoming more receptive to others with good ideas meant to enhance both your business and money-making-ability. Be more loving.

CANCER: Mercury in your Star Sign at positive angle to Uranus in Pisces will bring you new ideas very suddenly.

Such ideas should be noted in black and white so that you don’t forget what can bring great breakthrough.

LEO: It is good to be as confident and ambitious as you are now but, it is equally important you give in to spirit of co-operation as others can come up with good ideas meant for your success very suddenly.

VIRGO: Forget about tough challenges you went through yesterday and concentrate on the best way to move forward today. Here is a day when unexpected from your partner can positively lift up part of you.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

lady recently said to me - This weather is just not friendly. The sun is too much. Let the sun subside before I do it.

And I looked at her and said, supposing it starts raining now what will you do? The

The Weather truth is that the weather has never been friendly. Of course, it is not the business of the weather to be friendly to you. But

TERROR MUDA

your duty is to do everything within your power to be able to use the weather as it is. Tell me, have you ever seen a perfect weather? Whether

in “Never say goodbye”

rain or sun, people have always complained. Yet, some people are making fortune from it, rain or sunshine. You too must do the same.

For he that must succeed does not need to look at the weather.

By Kola Fayemi

LIBRA: Those of you willing to embrace hard work and practical approach will have genuine cause to smile for unexpected financial success. Don’t discourage your colleagues with new ideas at work.

SCORPIO: New ideas that cross your mind very suddenly today should be taken very seriously as such can lead to tangible success either now or in the near future. Family issues and matters-of-the-heart are favoured.

SAGIT TARIUS: Your creativity quotient will be enhanced. And you are part of those that can come by new and powerful ideas suddenly today the way your working pattern will be lifted. Try to be as family minded as possible.

CAPRICORN: Tomorrow will bring you good result in many ways but if you are more co-operative today, you will have genuine cause to smile. This is the wrong time to reject good ideas from your spouse and/or business partners.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: Good ideas to enhance your working method and considerably enhance your finances will come your way very suddenly; you are therefore advised to go around with pen and paper. Be more family minded.

PISCES: Uranus in your Star at 120 degree angle to Mercury in Cancer will play positive role over your mind and if you take your personal ideas more seriously today, unexpected success will be yours. Be more loving.

ARIES: Your friends may come up with good ideas about your social life the way both your career/business and finances will be benefited. Good suggestions from younger persons within your home and other base of operation should be taken more seriously today.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PISCES RULER = COMPASSIONATE/SPIRITUAL NEPTUNE. QUALITY = MUTABLE. ELEMENT = WATER. SYMBOL = TWO OPPOSING FISHES. GROUP = FEMININE. ZODIACAL NUMBER = 12TH. Mutable aspect of Pisces indicates that people born under it are changeable, by this I mean they change their minds often times. Being a water sign, natives of this Star have very strong intuition and can flow into anybody heart and/or mind.

Neptune as the ruler of Pisces brings compassion and ARTISTIC talent into Pisces born peoples’ creativity quotient. Neptune rules psychic related thing and many of things that cannot be placed above board; Neptune makes most natives of this star sign secretive, hard to understand and dreaming.

Two opposing fishes as joint symbol of Pisces oftentimes responsible for occasional confusion suffer by all natives of Pisces one time or the other. It is truly important for them to learn how to control both their emotion and mind.

Because it is easy for Pisces people to become pessimistic unnecessarily. The reasons are while one of the fishes may head for optimism and day dreaming, the other inclination may be of fear, despondency and timidity. Thus, confusion can creep in and that will be to the detriment of their confidence.

Cultivation of practical nature and adoption of realistic method in all you do will be of great importance. It is equally important for Pisces born people like you to take psychic related things more seriously because they can make use of psychic and/ or spiritual related things.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 45

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY June 23, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016 — 47

Copa America: Messi breaks Argentina goals record as USA fall 4-0

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IONEL Messi scored his 55th international goal to become his country ’s all-time leading scorer as Argentina thrashed hosts, the United States 4-0 to ease into the final of the Centenary Copa America on Tuesday.

Many of those in the 70,858 crowd in Houston had come to witness the Barcelona star etch his name in the history books and he did not disappoint, curling a sensational free kick past Brad Guzan after 32 minutes to put Argentina 2-0 ahead. Messi brought his Argentina goals to 55 ahead of Gabriel Batistuta’s 54 goal tally.

“I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta’s record and I want to thank my team mates, it’s theirs as well,” Messi, who turns 29 on Friday, told reporters.

The win, meanwhile, advanced Argentina into Sunday ’s final.

Colombia and reigning champions Chile, were playing the second semi-final at press time on Wednesday night.

Argentina reached the finals of their last two tournaments, the Copa America in 2015, and the World Cup in 2014, but were narrowly beaten in both.

Continues from BP

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC...Argentina’s Lionel Messi (c) is marked by USA’s Michael Bradley (l), Kyle Beckerman and DeAndre Yedlin (R) during their Copa America Centenario semifinal football match in Houston, Texas, United States, on June 21, 2016.

Footballer Continues from BP Dany Kako gave him his marching orders for blowing off – and assumed the official must have thought he had broken wind into his hand and hurtled the ghastly gas in his direction.

Ljungkvist told Swedish newspaper Lanstidningen Sodertalje: “I needed to fart, I had a bad stomach. So I just farted. Then I received a yellow card and then a red.

“I was shocked, it’s the strangest thing I have ever experienced on a football field.

“I asked the referee: ‘What, you can’t fart on

NFF

Super Eagles and other national teams will no longer be paid dollar bonus.

This is part of the recommendations of the Technical Committee of the NFF at its meting in Abuja on Tuesday.

A reliable source at the meeting told Sports Vanguard that under the new regime, players will only be paid what is known as performance based bonus which will be tied to how they fared in any given championship.

For instance during the qualifiers for the forthcoming Russia 2018 World Cup, Super Eagles players will no longer be paid the usu-

al $10,000 dollars each as match bonus per match.

Rather the federation will tell them how much they stand to gain if they qualify for the tournament only and only if they pick the qualification ticket. They are also to be paid in Naira for any match played at home.

“We all agree that the revenue base of the federation is dwindling by the day and if you consider the new policy of the government on foreign exchange, you must agree that there is no way we can sustain the era of paying each Super Eagles player $10,000 dollars per match and when we fail to qualify for the tourna-

the field?’, he replied: ‘No’.

“He may have thought that I farted in my hand and threw it towards him, but he didn’t say.”

Jarna SK’s reserves striker Kristoffer Linde admitted he couldn’t believe it when he heard Ljungkvist let one go from the other side of the pitch.

He said: “I was standing a good distance away but I heard the fart loud and clear. It was the strangest thing I’ve seen on the field, and I have been playing football since I was eight years old.”

Referee Kako later confirmed that he had disment, the federation loses everything.

“Now we will be paying them based on their collective performance as a team like it is done in most other countries of the world.”

Our source further revealed that Golden Eaglets players will no longer be paid match bonuses in foreign currencies.

According to our source, henceforth parents of the Eaglets will be made to sign an undertaking to attest to their real ages. That way as minors they are not supposed to be given huge sums of money.

Instead they will be paid camp allowances while their parents will collect their bonuses in Naira on their behalf.

missed the stinking Swede for farting on the pitch, claiming the fetid footballer did it “on purpose”.

He explained: “I perceive that it is a provocation against another player. He did it on purpose and it was inappropriate behaviour. Therefore, he received a yellow card.”

Amazingly, the ref admitted it wasn’t the most absurd yellow card he has ever dished out in his career.

He said: “Yes. No one must get a yellow card for farting on the field. Once there was a player who stood and peed next to the pitch. That was also a yellow card.”

It’s not the first time a player has disgraced himself with his toilet antics on the pitch.

Former England striker Gary Lineker once accidentally followed through at the 1990 World Cup when the Three Lions took on the Republic of Ireland, and also blamed a bad stomach.

Visa denial: NBBF petitions FIBA, may seek compensation

F

OLLOWING the de nial of visas to the national U-17 women’s team for the FIBA U-17 Championship in Spain, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has formally written basketball’s world governing body, FIBA, asking it to investigate the sad and embarrassing development.

The federation had to take this step because the Spanish Consul in Lagos did not only deny Nigeria its hard earned opportunity to play in the Fiba Women’s U17 Championship and caused the country a huge embarrassment, but also caused the players and staff of the NBBF serious emotional stress.

The federation is pained because it took serious steps in filing the visa application which included writing all Nigerian au-

Ronaldo Continues from BP and made one for Nani as he inspired his team back from the brink of elimination against Hungary.

Three times the Hungarians led and Portugal, chaotic at times in defence, were starting at the grim reality of an

early exit.

Three times, Ronaldo hauled them back into it.

He didn’t do it alone, of course. Nani’s goal was crucial, the introduction of Ricardo Quaresma changed the pattern of the game and Joao Mario excelled in the second half.

McIIroy Continues from BP McIlroy, 27, said in a statement: “After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to

withdraw my name from consideration for this summer ’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

Nigeria Continues from BP qualifier group stage draw billed for Cairo tomorrow.

The Super Eagles were earlier placed in Pot Two alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, Mali and Congo DR. But with the Egyptian Football Association lodging a formal complaint to express their discontent after being zoned in Pot Two despite being the fifth best ranked team among the 20 teams – the Pharaohs have now been promoted to Pot One with Tunisia dropping to Pot Two. Five teams remain in contention to qualify for Russia 2018 through Africa, with those sides to be divided into five groups of four. The top team automatically picks a ticket to the competition.

For the draw, Ghana, Senegal, Algeria, Cote

d’Ivoire, and Egypt make up Pot 1, while Cameroon, Tunisia, Congo DR and Cape Verde join Guinea in Pot Two. Nigeria, Congo, Morocco, Mali and South Africa are in Pot 3 while Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon and Libya complete Pot 4.

thorities like the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons(NAPTIP).

While the Customs and Immigration acknowledged the NBBF letter and pledged their support in seeing the smooth passage of the team to the championship, NAPTIP never replied. Every document for the visa application requested from the NBBF concerning the team, including affidavits of consent sworn to by the players’ parents for them to represent the country were all endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presented to the Spanish Embassy in Lagos and despite all these, the applications were turned down without any reason till now.

MFM fined N2m, to play behind closed doors

M

FM FC of Lagos has been fined N2m and ordered to play three games behind closed doors following the crowd incidence that occurred during their Match Day 23 fixture against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) at the Agege Stadium last Sunday.

The Club was also ordered to identify and report the supporters who committed the act to relevant security agencies for prosecution within 7 days failure of which it stands to be fined N25, 000 for each day until the culprits are apprehended and charged to court.

Reporter's microphone Continues from BP miss against Austria and his outburst against Iceland’s “small mentality”, showed his frustration after being asked by the CMTV reporter if he was ready for their game against Hungary.

Portugal are without a win so far at Euro 2016, and have scored just

once from 18 shots on target. They now have to beat Hungary to be sure of a place in the last 16.

After training on Tuesday, during which Ronaldo appeared in a bad mood, the coach Fernando Santos dismissed reporters’ queries about his state of mind.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2016

Footballer sent off after farting too loudly A

SWEDISH footballer was sent

NFF abolishes Dollar bonus for players

R

EMEMBER C r i s t i a n o Ronaldo before all that bad stuff started happening?

Before insulting the nation of Iceland, missing a vital penalty and throwing a reporter’s microphone into a lake?

The heroic striker,

A

S part of the restructuring going on in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), players of the Continues on Page 47

World Cup qualifiers seedings: Nigeria drop down to pot three IGERIA will be in pot three of the Africa World Cup Continues on Page 47

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo reacted angrily after being approached by a television reporter while out walking near Portugal’s hotel in Lyon

Zika virus: McIlroy pulls out of Olympics

•Mikel

TODAY'S PUZZLE

preening and posing and winning football matches?

Well, he’s back. Like a Portuguese re-make of Superman III, in the most thrilling game of Euro 2016.

Ronaldo scored twice

Continues on Page 47

...Throws Repor ter’s microphone into lake

N

R

stages of his side Pershagen SK’s game against Jarna SK’s reserves in Sweden’s ninth tier.

The smelly star was left in disbelief when referee Continues on Page 47

Hungar y 3-3 Por tugal: Ronaldo scores twice to save Portugal

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

ORY McIlroy has decided not to compete at the Rio Olympic Games due to fears over the Zika virus.

Continues on Page 47

off for “unsportsmanlike behaviour” because he farted too loudly.

Adam Lindin Ljungkvist received a second bookable offence for a particularly putrid parp during the latter

I’M BACK... Cristiano Ronaldo performed his trademark celebration after levelling the game for the second time as Portugal made it through to last-16

— grabbing the microphone and throwing it into a lake.

The Portugal captain, facing mounting media pressure after his penalty Continues on Page 47

COPA AMERICA:

Messi breaks Argentina goals record — Pg.47 QUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS DOWN 1 Boat (5) 2 Expel (5) 2 Recede (3) 7 Plaster (4) 8 Choice (6) 3 Epoch (3) 4 Child (3) 9 Explosion (5) 11 Seed-case (3) 5 Pig-pen (3) 13 Observe (3) 6 Round-up (5) 10 Story (4) 15 Check (4) 11 Result (7) 16 Ovum (3) 18 Particle (4) 12 Agitate (7) 13 Ship (7) 19 Greed (7) 14 Feeling (7) 20 Facts (4) 22 Acid (4) 16 Happening (5) 23 Anonymous (7) 17 Enlarged (5) 18 Perform (3) 25 Wagon (4) 27 Brown (3) 21 Insect (3) 24 Kiln (4) 28 Nothing (4) 26 Presage (5) 30 Bath (3) 31 Managed (3) 29 Recover (5) 33 Endure (5) 32 Mire (5) 36 Forthcoming (6) 33 Fixed (3) 37 Leer (4) 34 Years (3) 38 Handle (5) 35 Spot (3)

FRIDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Oral 4, Air 6, Avid 9, Tan 10, Confused 11, Once 14, End 16, Heard 19, Reporter 21, Repel 23, Donation 24, Stem 27, Toy 31, Fret 33, Alacrity 34, See 35, Held 36, Due 37, Damp.

DOWN: 2 Rook 3, Lift 4, Assented 5, Rude 6, Atone 7, Van 8, Incur 12, Cross 13, Space 14, Err 15, Depot 17, Acid 18, Doing 20, Renovate 22, Lay 25, Terse 26, Rated 28, Hard 29, Prod 30, Stem 32, Eel.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.