We killed Shekau in Nigeria—CAMEROON

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62237

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N150

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

NLC confirms N400m mortgage scam

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We killed Shekau in Nigeria—CAMEROON

By Soni Daniel, Clifford Ndujihe, Adekunle Aliyu & Kingsley Omonobi (with agency report)

•No, we killed him in Konduga, says Nigerian Military •Confusion over his true identity, place of death •Chibok girls: Exchange deal flops again

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BUJA—NIGERIA and Cameroon were, yesterday, locked in an arguement over who killed Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and where he was killed.

In a rare public show by the Cameroonian army (Armee Continues from page 5

IBB is fine •P.9

COLUMNIST:

A Northern Christian presidential candidate for the APC •P.17

FG takes over expansion of Lagos Badagry Road

Will 2014 UN General Assembly be different?

52

•P.

Mr & Mrs

Gang runs parallel govt in Kokori See Inside

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zPhoto released by Armee Camerounaise (Cameroon Army) of the Shekau it claimed died from Cameroonian fire, from the portal of Cameroon Concord.

SYNAGOGUE: Death toll now 115 — S-Africa

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2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

NATIVE & VOGUE IN PORT HARCOURT

Helen Ajayi wins Style Icon award

By Jemi Ekunkunbor & Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— Former Miss Nigeria and Lifestyle Consultant, Mrs. Helen Ajayi has emerged Allure Style Icon 2014. Nominated along with her in this category were Nkiru Anumudu and proprietor of Ebony Life TV, Mo Abudu.

The presentation of the award plaques took place yesterday in Port Harcourt during the closing ceremony of the

three-day Native and Vogue Port Harcourt International Fashion Week.

The award was presented to her by the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Tele Ikuru.

Also announced last night was the winner of the Young Designers Competition, Ibiteim Thompson.

While presenting a blank cheque to Thompson, Mr. Ikuru said she will be trained for one year in South Africa by the state

Delta South PDP chair suspended

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—THE Delta State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended its Delta South senatorial district chairman, Mr. Simon Efenudu for alleged high-handedness and dereliction of duty.

The party, in a statement by Mr. Deinghan Macauley, said: “The suspension order was given at the end of the

State Working Committee meeting held on September 16, at the party secretariat.

“Meanwhile, a threeman committee headed by the state Youth Leader, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, has been constituted to look into the allegations levelled against him.”

Efforts to reach Mr. Efenudu for comments on the matter proved abortive at press time.

government in fashion design and other related field.

He explained that the blank cheque meant that the government will pick her bills for the one year she would be in South Africa.

Other winners in the different categories of the Allure Style awards include Lexy Mojo Eyes, Fashion Promoter of the Year; Bimpe Onakoya, Makeup Artist of the Year; Zhalima Grazioni, Young Designer of the Year.

Also on the winners list were, Amaka Chirah, who emerged Model of the Year and Recare, for Beauty Brand of the Year.

The annual awards were instituted to recognise and applaud stakeholders who have excelled in the fashion and beauty industry.

Editor, Allure, a publication of the Vanguard Newspaper, Mrs Remmy Diagbare, who later announced winners in other categories, said focus was on passion and creative powers in choosing winners of the various prizes.

Reyenieju describes criticism of Oritsejafor as unfortunate

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ARRI—THE recent criticisms of President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor by some individuals and groups over the usage of his private jet in transporting $9.3 million to South

Africa has been described as unfortunate.

In a chat with Vanguard yesterday, the member representing Warri federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, noted that the fact that relevant

Oruarivie-Abraka alleges marginalistion on pollings units

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HE people of Oruarivie-Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State have demanded for more voters’ registration and polling units, saying the demand became necessary for the sake of equity and justice.

Their demand was contained in a statement

by Chief David Emaniru, for Urhuoka Ruling House; High Chief F. O. Okotie, Urhuogo Ruling House; Chief Peter Erakpotobor, Urhuovie (Ogodo) Ruling House and Chief S. E.

Ogidiagba, Ekrejeta Ruling House It said: “It could be recalled that during the Second Republic (1979), we had 22 voters’ registration and voting units in Oruarivie-Abraka.

Today, the voters’ registration and voting units have been reduced to 12.

“The commission should revert to the 22 units of 1979 and create five additional units for Monkey Joint, Ivie Road Junction, Lucas Road (Off Police Station Road) Junction, NUT Road Unit and DELSU Campus III, totaling 27 units.”

authorities allow individuals who own airplanes to lease such out completely exonerates Pastor Oritsejafor of any blame.

The lawmaker said: “I had once personally made use of a plane leased from one of Nigeria’s Christian leaders, and the owner of the said plane was not at the airport to determine who should board the plane at that material time.

“I am disturbed by the present ranting and orchestrated fuss emanating from some few individuals over the issue, when the said money belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria which the government has openly acknowledged.”

Reyenieju said the fact that relevant security agencies allowed such cargoes to leave the country was indicative of the fact that no illegality ever took place, and Pastor Oritsejafor’s plane, which was on lease, was never used for anything illegal.

The three-day Native and Vogue Port Harcourt International Fashion Week, organised by Allure Vanguard, came to an end yesterday. PHOTOS: Oscar Ochigbu.

From left: Mr. Clement Clement, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Rivers State Commissioner for Information, and Mr. Tele Ikuru, Rivers State Deputy Governor.

K a t e H e n s h a w, Nollywood star (left) and Mr. E m e k a Nkwocha, A d v e r t Manager, Va n g u a r d Newspapers.

From left: Mrs Helen Ajayi, winner of Allure Style Icon award; Mr. Ikur u and Mrs. Remmy Diagbare, Editor, Allure.

Chief Ade A d e n i j i , Director, Verdant Zeal Marketing Communication (left) and Mrs. Kemi AdeAdeniyi.

From left: Ahmed Mazlouh, Claire Idarb and Samson Ogidi .

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

JONATHAN IN LONDON—From left: Sen. Emmanuel Paulker; Sen. Philip Aduda and Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida, welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan at Heathrow Airport in London on Sunday. Photo: NAN.

We killed Shekau in Nigeria —CAMEROON Continues from page 1 Camerounaise), photos of Shekau were made public alongside a statement claiming he was killed during a cross-border raid deep inside Nigeria by its military.

A Cameroon military source, according to Cameroon Concord, said on Sunday night that Shekau was killed following an aerial bombardment of his hideout inside Nigeria.

On the other hand, the Nigerian Army is also laying claim to the same feat but without photographic evidence yet.

The Nigerian Army said its soldiers might have killed Shekau in Konduga, a town some kilometres away from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

According to a report posted on its twitter handle, DHQ said yesterday that, “there was no raid whatsoever in any part of Nigeria’s territory in pursuit of terrorists as claimed in some reports allegedly quoting Cameroon military au-

thorities.

“All operations on-going in the environs of Konduga and all associated border locations within the country are completely being undertaken by Nigerian troops."

Reportedly, the Cameroon armed forces since Sunday have been in serious combat against thousands of Boko Haram fighters trying to enter Cameroon via Fotokol from Gamboru Ngala in Nigeria.

This came amid confusion over Shekau’s identity as military experts are trying to ascertain whether the dead ‘Shekau’ was Isa Damsaka or Bashir Mohammed, who are both top commanders believed to be posing as Shekau.

Meanwhile, efforts to exchange some of the abducted Chibok school girls with Boko Haram prisoners have flopped again.

The Nigerian military claimed that its troops might have killed Shekau on September 17

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Adapt yourself to changing circumstances. The only thing that is constant in life is change.

during a desperate attempt by the sect to capture Konduga as part of their plot to eventually march on and capture Maiduguri.

“It is getting more certain that the terrorist commander who has been mimicking Shekau in those videos is the one killed in Konduga on September 17, 2014, the military revealed.

The military, however, cautioned that “the process of confirming the dead body we have is the same as that character who has been posing as Shekau is ongoing. He is definitely a prominent terrorist commander. I don’t want to say anything about this yet, please.”

The military source insisted that the resemblance between Shekau and the corpse in their custody is too striking to be a coincidence. They cited his facial marks, beard and teeth in addition to the recovery by Nigerian troops of some of the armoured vehicles and Hilux SUVs that had featured in previous videos of the prime suspect.

The source assured that the Defence Headquarters will soon address the nation after full investigation of their latest

discovery.

The counter-claims by both countries have raised some posers: Who actually killed Shekau and where was he killed and how authentic are the claims?

Confusion over Shekau’s identity Indeed, confusion reigns supreme over Shekau’s identity. Strident efforts by the Nigerian military high command to establish the true identity of the top Boko Haram leader who was shot dead last week, continued in earnest yesterday, even as the video of the slain man was obtained exclusively by Vanguard.

The military, it was learnt, had been cautious in making a formal announcement that Shekau had been killed as a similar declaration last year, was instantly countered by the sect, following the emergence of another ‘Shekau’ in several video posts on the Internet.

Vanguard gathered from top security sources that although a bearded man, who resembled Shekau in several material details, was shot dead in Konduga last

week, the military was not sure whether the slain man was Isa Damsaka or Bashir Mohammed, who the security agencies claim had been mimicking the real Abubakar Shekau, said to have been killed since June 2013.

The apparent fear over the death of Shekau, in the battle for Konduga, it was also learnt, has caused some disquiet in the Boko Haram camp, especially as the video of the dead commander surfaced on the internet yesterday.

In the six-second video, the critically wounded ‘Shekau’ was seen lying on the ground writhing in pains as men in military uniform and civilians surround him with some voices saying, “Waste that man! Waste that man!”

However, the Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, who claims to have worked closely with Abubakar Shekau, said yesterday that he was convinced that the real Shekau was killed since June 2013 by the Nigerian security agencies.

Shekau killed June 2013 — Davis Davis, in a mail to Vanguard , said that Abubakar Shekau was killed around June 19, 2013 while they were close to concluding a peace deal on the Boko Haram insurgency.

Davis said: “I continue to hold to the position that Shekau was killed on or about June 19, 2013 when we were close to concluding a peace deal. Videos immediately prior to that time were produced using a “fake” Shekau. The fake Skekau is Isa Damsaka.

It was confirmed to me

by Boko Haram that he was killed in the recent military engagement at

Konduga.

“Most members of Boko Haram have never seen Shekau. They believe what they have been told that Shekau is their leader. The real Shekau is dead. The Shekau the world has been seeing in videos is a “fake” and Boko Haram fighters have been fooled. They have followed blindly.

“The message of Boko Haram purifying Islam is also fake. When the Boko Haram leaders broke the news of Shekau’s death in June last year, they said he had diverted from the Holy Qu’ran through the kidnappings, rapes and beheadings. The fake Shekau continued these atrocities under the patronage of the sponsors and escalated their terrorist activities. Shekau is dead but they will try to find another to perpetuate the lie.

“This is the time for Boko Haram commanders to come forward and release the captive girls.

There are Chibok girls and many other girls who have been kidnapped.

Let commanders come forward and release a large number of girls as a first step towards a peace dialogue.

“I have no doubt the sponsors will try to prevent any commander releasing the girls as part of a peace deal. The pressure must therefore be put on the sponsors so the commanders can come forward.

“Shekau was killed on or about June 19, 2013 as we were concluding a peace deal. I have spoken at length to several senior people who were present. The Shekau impersonator recently killed was Isa Damsaka.

Boko Haram leaders have been using him for quite some time to make their propaganda videos.

The script is written for him by another commander which he then Continues on page 14

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—45

3 die in Bauchi auto crash

By Suzanne Edeh

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AUCHI— NO fewer than three persons died while 13 others sustained injuries in an auto crash at Lafun village along Dukku Road in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Vanguard gathered that the crash, which occurred at around 8.57a.m., involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus with number plate XB 162 WKR and another Hiace bus with number plate TRN 48 XA. An eyewitness said the accident happened when the two buses collided due to a careless overtaking.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said 16 people were involved in the accident, out of which three persons lost their lives.

Mohammed said one of the drivers of the Hiace bus, whose name is Musa Yusuf from Tabara State was critically injured and was unconscious.

He said policemen attached to Darazo Police Division went to the scene of the crash and conveyed both the dead and injured to Darozo General Hospital.

Man allegedly rapes 20-year-old girl, uploads her nude photos online

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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30-year-old man has allegedly raped a 20-yearold girl (names withheld) and uploaded pictures, taken during the act, on the social media.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect, Olaniyan Oluwakayode, who hails from Osun State allegedly, raped the victim in his apartment at IfakoIjaiye Local Government Area of the state.

The victim, a native of Akwa Ibom State, alleged that after being raped, Oluwakayode took her pictures and uploaded them on a popular social media despite pleas from his sister not to do so.

Oluwakayode, the suspect, however denied ever raping her, saying “she was my girlfriend.”

He (Oluwakayode) was arrested by the Police at IfakoIjaiye and brought to the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA. Speaking to newsmen, the victim said Oluwakayode was never her boyfriend or fiancée, saying “I have my own boyfriend.

“He is a guy that used to stop me any time I was going to work. He approached me for friendship and I refused.

My story— VICTIM

35-yr-old man in court over N1.2m theft

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AGOS— A 35-year-old man, Stanley Njoku, who allegedly stole N1.2 million from one Mrs Chinyere Uka, yesterday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Njoku, a resident of Satellite Town area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Cpl. John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 14 at FESTAC Town, Lagos.

He said the accused, with one other still at large, conspired to steal N 1.2 million belonging to Uka. Iberedem said: “Uka asked the accused to assist her in paying the money into the bank. But Njoku and his accomplice absconded with it.”

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Section 285 prescribes three-year jail term for stealing.

“I did not go to his house as he alleged. On my way back from work Tuesday last week, I saw someone running out of his house. He held my hand saying he wanted to do what was on his mind.

“I asked him why he would do what was on his mind when I had not even accepted his advances. He insisted and dragged me inside the bush.

When I wanted to shout, he brought out a knife and said he would kill me there.

“From the bush, he dragged me to his house and locked the door. He used his legs to hold my neck, tore my skirt, my pants and bra, beat me up, and then raped me.”

According to her, “When Oluwakayode’s sister came back around to 9p.m., she asked her brother to open the door, asking him if he wanted to kill me.”

“He has been asking me out for a long time. I was never his girlfriend. I have my own boyfriend.

“He raped me; painfully. Even his sister was crying and he snapped me immediately and his sister even threatened to call his mother.”

‘I only had a fight with my girlfriend’

Narrating his own side of the story, Oluwakayode said: “I

Olaniyan Oluwakayode, the suspect. only fought with my girlfriend (the victim), but they are accusing me of raping her. I never deny the fact that I snapped her picture when she was naked.

“We were fighting. Any other allegation levelled against me is a big lie. The only thing I did, which I do not deny, is that I took her nude photographs.

“She had been hurting me for a very long period and we had

an issue which made me delete her number from my phone. Last week, I got a missed call. I called the number immediately. When I heard her voice, I asked her what she wanted.”

According to him, he met her passing by in June, when he asked for her phone number and she gave it to him.

“She even came to my house and we sat outside and talked.

She agreed to date me. There

Police arrest six kidnappers in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—SIX suspected kidnappers were amongst the 48 suspected criminals paraded by the Police in Ondo State yesterday.

The six suspects were said to have requested for N50 million ransom before they were arrested.

Parading the criminals, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said in Akure that the kidnappers robbed one Adeniji Ayewamide in Idanre and later kidnapped him.

Eke said the victim was dragged into a Golf Volkswagen car and taken to the leader of the group, Basiru Ijimiga in Odigbo Ore. Luck ran against the kidnappers on the fourth day when detectives from the state

Criminal Investigation Department stormed their hideout.

According to the Police Chief, two of the suspects initially escaped arrest but were later apprehended last week Saturday, while planning to carry out a robbery operation.

The two suspects are Christian Jacob and Basiru Ijimiga.

Eke said men of the state command also apprehended a bus filled with Indian hemp in Owo area of the state, while the driver of the bus and the other suspects fled.

Eke said the substance was concealed in the roof of the bus, adding “subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 295 compressed parcel of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

was a day we spoke on phone and she was asking me if I had an apartment. I told her that I didn’t want to rush into anything that I wanted to settle down in my business. I do branding in my house at Ifako.

“They said I raped her; one thing is that I have conscience and she also has conscience: our conscience will judge. I never denied beating her. I did beat her with my head on her face and on her back when she held my manhood.

“All the allegations of bringing out powder, a knife and belt are lies. I have conscience and she has too.

That’s all.”

Youths invade co

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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DO EKITI—A presiding judge in an Ado Ekiti High Court, Mr. Justice Isaac Olusegun Ogunyemi, yesterday, narrowly escaped being lynched by some youths who accused him of desperation to give expeditious hearing in a case against Ekiti State governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to possibly stop his being sworn in on October 16.

A socio-political group, Ekiti E-Eleven and the Citizens Popular Party, CPP, had dragged Mr. Ayo Fayose to court, challenging his eligibility to contest the June 21 governorship election.

Also, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—7

Ijebu-Ode banks shut over fear of robbery attack

EBOLA: A pupil of Madonna Nursery and P r i m a r y School in Gwagwalada, Abuja, being screened for Ebola Virus Disease during resumption, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

By Daud Olatunji

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60-yr-old ex-policeman kills wife, self in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA— THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it would unravel the circumstance that prompted a 60-year-old retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sunday Isokpehi, to shoot himself and his 40-year-old wife, Gladys, to death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who stated this while reacting to the tragic incident, said the Command would investigate whether or not the late Police officer legally acquired the double-barrelled gun he used to perpetrate the crime.

The late Isokpehi was reported to have shot his wife to death on Saturday after returning to their home in Ota

zAs police recover 116 vehicles, nab 92 suspected cultists area of the state after accusing her of being drunk, and shortly after killed himself.

Adejobi said contrary to reports that late Isokpehi was a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, the officer retired as Assistant Superintendent of Police, adding that he did not kill his son.

He said: “We are still investigating the immediate and remote causes of the tragic incident. We will find out whether the man was depressed or was under any influence, because a normal human being will not open fire on his wife and then kill himself.

“We will investigate how he

got the double-barrelled gun he used to commit the dastardly act.”

He said Isokpehi retired in March from the Special AntiRobbery Squad unit, Lagos Police Command, and was living in Eledi area in Ado Odo/ Ota Local Government.

220 robbers arrested

Meantime, the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has said that no fewer than 220 armed robbers were arrested, saying 37 others were killed during shootout with police while 48 guns, which include 10 AK-47 rifles and 1,600 ammunition were recovered within nine months.

ourt over Fayose's case, chase out judge and Chairman of Ado West Local Government Development Authority, Mr. Sunday Ibitoye and one of the plaintiffs, Mr. Adeniyi Ajakaiye, were harassed and beaten before they were finally chased out of the court premises, leading to an abrupt termination of the hearing of the case.

The youths, who emerged from nowhere midway into the trial, stormed the courtroom, brandished dangerous weapons like clubs, cudgels and disallowed Justice Ogunyemi from commencing the hearing of the case.

The rampaging youths called the trial judge unprintable names, saying they were irked by the rulings that favoured the

plaintiffs, describing it as a conspiracy against the governor-elect.

The timely intervention of law enforcement agents saved the situation as the judge was spirited out of the court premises.

Ekiti govt reacts

Meantime, the state government has condemned the attack at the premises of the State High Court, where two cases involving Mr. Fayose and the Ekiti social group, E-eleven and CPP was being heard.

The government said it viewed the invasion of the hoodlums as “an unwarranted desecration of the temple of justice,” and blamed the escalation of the crises on the

nonchalant attitude of policemen at the court premises.

The government, in a statement, said it amounts to a barbaric act of epic proportion for a group of people to gang up to invade a court in a bid to avert hearing in a case brought for determination before a judge.

It urged the relevant security agencies in the state to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to book.

The government said it would do everything possible to ensure that the law was brought down on anyone found perpetrating violence, just as it assured members of the public of adequate security for their lives and property.

Okoye said this while briefing newsmen, yesterday, on the success recorded by the command between January and September.

Narrating other achievements, Okoye stated that 116 vehicles were recovered, while 92 suspected cultists were arrested.

Making reference to the recent arrest made on Saturday by his men, he said 31 suspected cultists, who belonged to Eye Confraternity, were arrested in a hotel at Obantoko area of Abeokuta, during their initiation ceremony.

He said: “Based on an intelligence report, our men swung into action and 31 of the suspected cultists were arrested.

The banner, berets and T-shirts used during their initiation were recovered.”

Some of the suspects, who spoke to Vanguard, said they were innocent.

One of them, Oladegun Toyin, who claimed to be accounting graduate of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, said he was about leaving the hotel when he was apprehended by the police.

He said: “A friend had invited me to the hotel and when I saw what was on ground, I did not like it. So I was about leaving the hotel when I was arrested.”

Okoye said the command would always make policing proactive and urged members of the public to relate and partner with police to further stem the tide of crime in the state.

B E O K U TA — PALPABLE fear gripped residents of IjebuOde and Ijebu-Igbo yesterday, following the report that armed robbers were planning to attack them.

This development, according to the findings, prompted some banks in the areas to close shop.

The rumour of the impending attack spread like wild fire as many residents were seen discussing the development in hush tones.

Some of the residents, who spoke with Vanguard, claimed that the robbers wanted to unleash mayhem on them because the only Armour Personnel Carrier, APC, stationed in Ijebu-Ode was faulty.

He said: “The people believed that with the absence of APC, the robbers would have a field day to rob banks and other places.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said no bank in Ijebu-Ode was closed for fear of robbery attack.

Judgment in case against Ogbulafor adjourned

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BUJA—JUSTICE Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court, yesterday, adjourned judgment in a case filed against Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, till September 24.

Bello adjourned judgment after counsel to the second accused, Miss Eghwere Osagie, informed the court that her client was unable to appear in court due to ill health.

He said: “My Lord, it will not be in the interest of justice to deliver judgment in the absence of the accused person in the court room.

“The law clearly stipulates that the accused person must be present from the beginning to the end of trial.”

However, the prosecution counsel, Olayemi Akomade, insisted that judgment be delivered since counsel to the second accused was present in court.

8 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, yesterday, called for the appointment of more Judges, saying it would help towards expediting the dispensation of justice in the country.

The CJN who made the request while flagging-off the 2014/2015 legal year of the Supreme Court, equally decried the high ratio of remand prisoners or awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria as alarming, a situation she said could be linked to an “inefficient judiciary”.

According to the CJN, “As we inch closer to the completion of the 2nd decade of our nascent democracy, we cannot afford the degeneration of the Nigerian Judiciary. Therefore attention, in the form of an institutionalized pragmatic response must be carried out in several key sectors of the judiciary.

“Despite the existence of a dual principal enactment that governs the trial procedure in criminal cases in Nigeria, there are challenges in the administration of Criminal Justice System in the country.

The level of delay in the dispensation of justice in Nigeria is disturbing and has over the years yearned for attention”.

The CJN noted that though the new practice directions that were recently introduced by the various courts in the country helped to boost the speedy delivery of Justice, she said there was need to ensure a Civil Justice System that is effective and responsive to the aspirations of the general public.

“May I also suggest the appointment of more judges and Magistrates on merit, improved legal criteria and practice, alternative to pretrial detention as well as introduction of pre-trial victim offender mediation and most importantly ensure a speedy dispensation of criminal matters.

“As it is with our Criminal Justice System, so also is our civil justice. As the back bone of our legal system, the common man in Nigeria should be able to resolve their grievances and obtain remedy in conformity with fundamental rights through institutions of justice. In an effective manner, civil justice requires that the system be accessible, affordable, effective, impartial and culturally competent. Effective civil justice also implies that court proceedings and judgments are delivered and enforced without unreasonable delays.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, as

2015: CJN calls for appointment of more judges we approach election year, let me reinstate the resolve of the judicial officers appointed to pilot the Nigerian Justice system and assure you of our commitment to give our best in the new

legal year ”, she added.

The CJN who also used the occasion to swear in 17 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, disclosed that in the course of the 2013/2014 legal year, the apex court had 1288 cases,

made up of 180 civil appeals and 86 criminal appeals. She added that the court entertained 44 political appeals.

The CJN stated while 83 Civil Judgments and 42 Criminal Judgments along with 21 Political Judgments were delivered by the court.

NEPAD: From left; Mr Dosumu Oluwole, Acting Head, NEPAD Business Group Nigeria, NBGN Secretary; Chief Victor Oyolu, 2nd Vice Chairman NEPAD Business Group Nigeria; Chief Nike Akande, 1st Vice Chairman of NBGN; Chief Chris Ezeh,Chairman, NBGN, and Archbishop, Prof M.A Atilade, National Chairman,Nigeria Opportunities Industrialization Centre at the opening ceremony for the NEPAD Business Group Nigeria Graduates Employability Improvement and Development Initiative, GEIDI in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

In total, she said that 146 judgments were disposed off by the court in the last legal year.

Meanwhile, in his own speech, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, stressed that though there was a remarkable improvement in the output of the court, he urged the apex court justices to reflect on the performances of the court with a view to improving on the present indicators.

Likewise, Adoke, called for the reappraisal of the current performance evaluation mechanism in the judiciary which he said tends to emphasize quantity at the detriment of quality.

“My Lords, a Judge’s performance should be measured by a cock-tail of performance indicators including but not limited to: the quality of rulings/ judgments delivered over a period of time relative to the court’s cause list; the quality of such judgments; the number of decisions upheld or overturned on appeal; the degree to which judges take effective control of their courts; case management skills and sitting at when due”, he added.

Lagos/Ibadan Expressway to be completed 18 months early — ONOLEMEMEN

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AGOS—THE Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, on Monday said that the ongoing Lagos/Ibadan Expressway reconstruction would be delivered for public use in 30 months instead of the initial 48 months completion period.

Onolememen told newsmen during his inspection of road projects in Lagos that the new completion date was made possible by a new template adopted for the project which gave more banks opportunities for funding.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Goodluck Jonathan launched the Lagos/Ibadan express road reconstruction in July 2013, which would gulp about N167 billion The Federal Government awarded the 105 kilometres express road to both Julius Berger and Reynolds Construction Company Plc whom had since commenced work.

Julius Berger is handling the reconstruction from the defunct Lagos Tollgate end to Sagamu interchange while RCC is handling from Ibadan Tollgate end to Sagamu interchange.

The Minister also told newsmen that there were over six other first class banks, whom he declined to mention “for corporate reasons,” co-funding the project with the Bank for

Infrastructure.

“The banks are raising their portions of the funding so as to reduce the expected completion period of the project by 18 months ,“ he said.

He said the government had spent N25 billion on the project and had made provision for

another N25bn in 2015 budget to bring its counterpart funding to 100 per cent.

“We are already kick-starting the re-negotiation period because of the new template that has created opportunity for more funding.

“We are going to be engaging the contractors in the next couple

of weeks to bring the completion period down from 48 months to 30 months,“ he said.

The minister said that high quality materials, which are water resistant and had never been used before in the country, were being used to make the road durable.

This fresh attack on Gov Amaechi —Our Position

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HE Rivers State Government, yesterday, described recent media report, saying that the state governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, made some remarks about the new Police Commissioner, Mr. Dan Bature, as a plot to pitch him against the state police boss.

The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, in a statement, said “We are constrained to respond to the latest, no doubt, deliberate attacks launched against Governor Amaechi, in order to pitch an innocent man against his guest (Bature).

“In recent publications and broadcasts, it was widely reported that Gov Amaechi launched a verbal attack against the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bature. In reaction, as was later reported too, in the media, CP Bature claimed Gov Amaechi made the alleged remark to provoke him. But what are the facts?

“Two newspapers not owned by the Rivers State Government, reported what were supposed to be their stories. Neither Gov Amaechi nor the Rivers State Government had any link with the source or particulars of the said story.

“In the reports, the newspapers said the new Rivers Police Commissioner had been instructed by the Presidency, both papers fingered the First Lady, to use draconian style and tactics in causing crisis in Rivers State. Additionally, the newspapers reported that Mr. Bature was to tackle Gov Amaechi, his supporters and Rivers people and then install a preferred governor for the state.

“The publication fingered the Presidency (again, the First Lady) in Bature’s deployment to Rivers State for the purpose of executing the said script. In no section of the story was Gov Amaechi named as source, or, alluded to as accessory to source either by direct or third

person link.

“It was therefore, with shock that we read comments attributed to the CP against the governor. Well, we may take it that CP Bature must have been quoted out of context.

"We made bold to put it on record that at no time did Gov Amaechi speak ill of CP Bature. Except on the day AIG Tunde Ogunshakin, out-gone CP, and Mr. Bature visited the governor at the Government House, at no other time had the governor met the CP or made any remark about or to him.

“So, we were shocked over the CP’s recent remarks that Gov Amaechi’s reported comments were meant to provoke him. The Rivers State Government again for the avoidance of doubt wishes to reassure the new Commissioner of Police that the Rivers State Government stands by its pledge to work with the CP and a non-partisan Police Command.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—9

NLC confirms N400m mortgage scam

‘IBB is fine'

By Funmi Komolafe & Victor Ahiuma-Young

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday confirmed that workers might have been defrauded by one of its business partners, even as it assured workers who deposited money into the NLCKriston-Lally account, to which NLC is a signatory that “their funds are safe''.

Vanguard exclusively reported yesterday that workers who deposited money for a housing scheme, in which NLC is a major partner might have lost about N400 million.

NLC, in a statement by its president, Mr. Abulwaheed Omar said it was working with relevant agencies to ensure that subscribers, who might have been manipulated into paying money into wrong accounts in the NLC—Kriston-Lally Housing Project, were protected.

It however did not state how much had been paid into “the wrong account” by workers.

The statement was also silent on the roles allegedly played by NLC officials in the scam.

Vanguard had yesterday exclusively reported a N400 million scam involving some officials of NLC and a private developer.

NLC, in a statement by its President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, advised workers who subscribed to the project “that we are doing everything possible to secure their interests”, declaring that “all funds deposited in the advertised NLC-Kriston-Lally account” were safe and secure.

Part of the statement reads: “In its bid to promote workers’ welfare, the Congress went into understanding with a number of developers to provide affordable housing for workers. One such understanding was with KristonLally, with whom Congress signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). ''Based on this, and subsequent advertisement, a large number of workers subscribed to the project. Under the MOU, Kriston-Lally was to build specified housing types at agreed prices. The funding of the project was to be provided by financiers from abroad whom Kriston-Lally had identified.

The NLC was, on its part to ensure that there were off-takers of the housing units by mobilising workers to subscribe by paying ten per cent of the price of desired house type.

“The response of Nigerian workers to the advertisement of the project was overwhelming.

Congress was excited by this.

However, on the 4th of October, 2013, Congress decided that further subscription and collection of money be stopped to enable the project consolidate and deliver the first phase of houses to those who had subscribed within the promised time frame of December,

I

VISIT: Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akinolu I (left) with the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II (right) during the Emir's visit to the Oba of Lagos at his Iga Idunganran Palace, Lagos, on Saturday.

2014. This decision was served on and acknowledged by KristonLally on 4th of October, 2013.

“Congress became worried, however, as the take-off of the project kept on being delayed.

Due to the delay, a number of subscribers applied for a refund of their deposits. In the process of processing the application for refunds, we encountered a bank teller which showed that a subscriber had paid the initial

deposit into an account, other than the advertised NLC-KRISTON LALLY EPC.” According to Omar, “ We found this disturbing because Congress, in order to guarantee the safety of workers’ deposits, had insisted on being joint signatory with the MD of Kriston-Lally. The discovery that some workers may have made payments into accounts unknown to us led us to undertake further enquiries. We have enlisted

official assistance in further investigation.

“We therefore wish to assure all workers who subscribed to this project that we are doing everything possible to secure their interests. All funds deposited in the advertised NLC-Kriston-Lally account mentioned above are safe and secure. All depositors into that account can rest assured that their funds are safe.”

N order to correct the false impression by an online report of former President Ibrahim Babangida’s “grave” state of health after President Goodluck Jonathan’s courtesy visit to him in a German hospital on Sunday, a close associate of the former President has disclosed that IBB is doing fine.

The press statement says that IBB is on a routine medical checkup on his famous “Radiculopathy case,” an injury he sustained during the Biafran war for which he had a back operation in a German hospital years ago while he was still in office.

The statement says: “From time to time, IBB goes to his doctors in Germany for routine medical review, and that’s why he’s in the hospital there right now”.

Why we resumed Sept 22—PRIVATE SCHOOLS

By Dayo Adesulu, Ikenna Asomba & Tare Youdeowei

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AGOS—DESPITE the directive given by Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, that all learning and teaching activities for 2014/2015 academic session be suspended until Wednesday, October 8, several private schools resumed for academic activities yesterday.

Management of the schools said that they had already put in place all precautionary measures to combat the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Speaking at an interactive session with principals, viceprincipals, head-teachers and assistant head-teachers of public primary and secondary schools in the state, Fashola had last Sunday, made a dramatic U-turn from his earlier stance that schools must resume September 22.

He explained that the additional two weeks were to allow for more time to further put in place all necessary precautionary measures against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in Lagos State schools.

However, when Vanguard visited some schools that

resumed, the administrators explained that they commenced academic activities in compliance with the governor’s directive that private schools that had put in place all necessary precautionary measures to combat the EVD could reopen for fresh academic session.

Among the schools that received pupils and students are Strong Tower Academy, Ikorodu; Dorcas Memorial College, Ajegunle; Brain Builders Academy, Badagry; Kings College, Ikoyi, among others.

According to an administrative staff of Strong Tower Academy, who does not want her name in print, “we resumed yesterday (Monday).

Also at Kings College, Ikoyi, students were received for resumption, but following the industrial action embarked upon by the Association of Senior Civil Servants over unpaid salary arrears, the school was shut.

At Strong Tower Academy, Ikorodu, which received students, one of its administrators who pleaded anonymity, said: “We resumed yesterday (Sunday) for a fresh academic session.

“About 80 per cent of the

boarders resumed as earlier directed by Governor Babatunde Fashola, that private schools that have put all necessary precautionary measures in place can resume.

“Before our students came in, they were properly checked with thermometers. We gave them health talks, but we did not, however, teach them.”

Asked how the parents reacted, she said they brought their to resume school because they were already tired of the holiday.

According to her, some of the children are from overseas, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

The Vice Principal, Administration, Mr. Charles A. Utomi, said: “We received students in the hostels, served them breakfast, but the Association of Senior Civil Servants this morning (yesterday) directed we shut down, as they are agitating over unpaid salary arrears.

“So, we decided that boarding house students already received by the school will only be allowed to go home if their parents are available to pick them.”

Meanwhile, following a directive by the Rivers State

Ministry of Education that public and private schools in the wtate will re-open on Monday October 6, the President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Rivers State chapter, Hon. Victor Green, has said the association would comply with the directive.

Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Minabelem Michael West, stated that the Ministry of Education decided to move the resumption date to October 6 after consultation with the State Ministry of Health, the National Union of Teachers, Rivers State chapter, and the state chapter of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools.

The state Ministry of Education also announced that it would hold a three-day training for teachers on the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, from Tuesday, September 23 to Thursday, September 25, in the state’s three senatorial districts.

“The training is jointly handled by the State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ebola Emergency Operation Centre and the state National Orientation Agency.''

10— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Obanikoro slams APC over murder allegation

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By Charles Kumolu

AGOS—MINISTER of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has refuted claims by the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, ,APC, linking his loyalists to the alleged murder of Alhaji Azeez Asake after the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, pro-Jonathan rally in Lagos.

The APC had in a statement by its Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, alleged that Asake, an APC supporter was murdered by a group of thugs loyal to Obanikoro.

The minister, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Mr. Ohimai Amaize, stressed that neither him nor any of his supporters had any connection with the matter.

Hi words: ‘’In defiance of basic logic, the APC in a figment of its imagination, wants the world to believe that after a successful mega PDP rally in Lagos on Saturday where no single bullet was fired, PDP supporters then proceeded to murder an APC member."

2015: Ambode visits Badagary

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AGOS—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship hopeful in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as part of his tour of Local Governments in the state, has visited the ancient town of Badagry the where he was received by chieftains of the APC. Ambode who spent a chunk of his civil service life in Badagry as the Council Treasurer was welcome by party leaders led by a former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Sunny Ajose.

Ambode told the party supporters that he was in Badagry to intimate them with his vision and desire to be the next Governor Lagos State.

He said he is was "putting himself forward because he believes that God has endowed him with the capacity to build on the foundation laid down by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and to take Lagos State to the next level."

Workers shut AOCOED over unpaid benefits L

By Jacob Ajom

AGOS—ACADEMIC and other activities at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED, Ijanikin, Lagos were shut yesterday by members of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, and the Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education, Nigeria, SSUCOEN, protesting unpaid salary arrears, and pensions to pensioners.

The aggrieved workers locked the school's gates and prevented students and others from gaining access. They only allowed Secondary school students writing GCE in after thorough scrutiny by union leaders.

Provost of the school, Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu was equally prevented from entry the school and was asked to go to Alausa and report the development to the relevant authorities.

funding.

Amid solidarity songs by placard-carrying members, the chairman said, “we want our four and half months salary arrears paid. We want our pensioners who are owed millions of Naira paid and our cooperative society is now bankrupt because its purse is empty. We can no longer access loans because of nonremittance of deductions from our salaries to the relevant account.

Same for our pension fund. “

He vowed that the school would remain shut until management offered solution to the problems enumerated in the list of complaints.

Provost speaks Responding, the Provost, said the issues raised were not new and that he expected the union leaders to adopt a collaborative approach in dealing with them.

On pensioners, he said: “The

delay in their payment has to do with the evaluation of their services in the past. We have an officer who is saddled with the problem of pension staff. He is the only one who can give authentic statement on it.

“On the other issues, we have agreed an early settlement but the cash inflow has been the problem.”

He pleaded with the workers to call of the strike so that normal academic and non-academic activities could resume.

COEASU slams Lagos Govt, school mamnegement Chairman of the school’s chapter of COEASU, Avosetinyen Michael said both the school management and State Government had failed the workers as most of the issues raised bothered on poor

CONFERENCE: From left: Mr. Olajide Alex-Oni, Mrs. Onari Duke, Justice Victoria Okobi, (rtd), Nze Charles Anyiam-Osigwe, Professor Abiola Awosika, Mrs. Adaobi Alex-Oni, convener, Women on Women Initiative, and Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, at the WoW Initiative conference in Lagos.

Financial autonomy for judiciary not feasible —Fashola

By AbdulwahabAbdulah &

Onozure Dania

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AGOS—LAGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, said the agitation by judiciary workers for absolute financial autonomy for the judiciary was not feasible.

The governor in an address marking the new 2014/2015 legal year noted that the state government had never intervened in the independence of the judiciary, but maintained that it would be difficult for the government to release the wholesome money meant for the judiciary for a fiscal year as demanded by workers.

Fashola, who spoke through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye against the backdrop of a fresh threat by the workers to embark on another round of strike said it was not good for the judiciary workers to lock out judges in the name of industrial action.

According to him: “The idea

of judiciary autonomy is a welcome development to the system but in reality, it is not achievable due to the fact that Internally Generating Revenue, IGR, is not paid to the government in advance.

Besides, complete implementation of court judgment on the matter will cause a legal firework because other officials will perceive it as preferential treatment and it will not augur well.”

He contended that because

judiciary was a special arm of government attending to issues on fundamental rights of the citizens, “it will be absurd for workers to lock out judges and not allow them to attend important issues.”

Speaking on the fresh strike threat, the governor urged trade unions to always be diplomatic in fighting for their rights because whatever action they took might have negative consequence on the masses

and it would not be good for democracy.

The chairman, Lagos State Pilgrims Board, Dr. Abdul Kabir Paramole who delivered the sermon for the ceremony urged judges to have the fear of Allah when discharging their duties, saying “Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due; and when you judge between men, you judge with justice.”

Lagos, Ogun assure on policies to protect women, children not relent in promoting policies

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By Monsuru Olowoopejo

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola Lagos State and his Ogun state counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun yesterday, said they would continue to provide policies that would protect women and children.

They spoke at the opening ceremony of the 14th National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of

Lagos State Officials, COWLSO in Lagos, which also had in attendance, the First Lady of Ekiti states, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan.

Fashola, while delivering his goodwill message, assured the congregation even though his administration has less than a year to spend in office, it will

that would protect the rights of women and children.

He made emphasis to the recent review of maternity leave for female officers in the state employ from three months to six months, saying “the state government recognizes the challenge women go through in the process of trying to manage the home front as well as support the family.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—11

HuCaPAN holds AGM in Lagos

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VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, (3rd right), President, Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, TRAWSO, Osun branch, Chief Idowu Awopetu (3rd left), Megbon Awo, Ooni of Ife, Chief Tunde Falolu (2nd left), TRAWSO Treasurer, Chief Idowu Esuleke (right), TRAWSO Coordinator, Osun Central Senatorial District, Chief Tunde Aberefa (2nd right) and others, during the traditional worshippers' visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo.

Resident doctors petition Lagos Assembly over unpaid salaries L

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—Resident Doctors in Lagos, have petitioned the State House of Assembly, seeking its intervention over alleged refusal of the state government to pay their August salary.

In a letter through the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, the resident doctors said they were not finding the alleged refusal of government to pay their August salary funny.

NMA letter which was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, called on Governor Babatunde Fashola to pay the doctors’ salary in the interest of industrial peace.

NMA had embarked on a nationwide industrial action which lasted for about two months before it was finally suspended in August.

The letter by the chairman

and the secretary of the NMA, Dr. Babafemi Thomas and Dr. Tope Ojo respectively, argued that various bodies in the state had embarked on strikes in the past and their salaries were paid.

The doctors wondered why government would refuse to pay their entitlement.

Speaking on the issue, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Rotimi Abiru said: “The issue raised by the NMA is valid,” adding that the House should endeavour to look into it critically, noting that before final pronouncement would have to be made, the House Committee on Health should be mandated to carry out thorough investigation.

Also contributing, the Leader of the House, Ajibayo Adeyeye, recalled that sometime last year, the Resident Doctors in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, were not

paid a month salary, saying the House should urgently look into it to “avert another industrial unrest.”

He stressed that it became imperative to address the issue since other Doctors who also went on the same strike had been paid their August salary.

In his submission, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who presided over the plenary, directed the House Committee on Health to investigate and report back in a week’s time.

ImmortaliSation of Adadevoh

Ikuforiji also called on the State Government to immortalise late Stella Adadevoh by naming the centre for infectious disease control after her.

Ikuforiji spoke at plenary when the deputy leader of the House, Lola Akande, representing Ikeja constituency II, raised the issue under a matter of urgent public importance, saying Dr. Stella Adadevoh should be honoured for her heroic stand to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in Nigeria.

A G O S — “SURVIVING in the Global Arena: The Macro & Micro Economic Perspectives for Enterprise Competitiveness,” will be the focal lecture as the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HuCaPAN, will Thursday in Lagos, hold its 4th Annual General Meeting, AGM. The lecture would be delivered by a renowned human resource practitioner, Mr. Victor O. Eburajolo, Deputy Group Managing Director, Kewalram Goups.

Goodwill messages are expected to be delivered by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, and other social partners and friends of the association – International Labour Organisation, ILO, European Union, EU, among others.

Scheduled to hold at the NECA House on Hakeem Balogun Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the AGM is expected to among others, “ receive the report of the governing council, balance sheet as at December 31, 2013, together with the income and expenditure accounts and the statements of cash flows for the year ended as well as the report of the auditors.”

Ogun Water Corporation seeks quick passage of water sector bill

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B E O K U TA — T H E management of Ogun State Water Corporation, OSWC, has called on the State House of Assembly to expedite action on the

passage of the Water Sector bill for more efficient and effective service delivery.

Speaking through its General Manager, Mrs. Monsurat Agboola, the Corporation in a statement by its Media Officer, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, said it had through the state executive council, few months ago months back presented the water bill to the Assembly for passage.

Agboola made the call while hosting the Officials of the Ondo State Water Corporation, led by its General

Manager, Engineer Jimmy Akinrinmade who were on a six-day benchmarking visit to the Ogun State Water Corporation.

He stated that the water sector law would enable the Corporation operate in commercial and financial viable basis.

She said: “let me use this opportunity to call on our highly respectable lawmakers to expedite action on the passage of the water sector bill. I want to thank them for what they have done so far because the bill had passed had passed its second reading, so what we are expecting now is the passage of the bill so that the Governor could assent it and it becomes law. This law is for good of both the customers and the corporation, its for good of everybody in the state.”

12 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Ebola: Confusion in Bayelsa as private schools resume zPublic schools under lock and key

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—CONFUSION yesterday trailed the resumption of schools in Bayelsa State, as some private schools were opened while the students schools were under lock and key.

Some of the private schools opened their gates as early as 7.45 a.m., for the returning students, many of whom were brought in by their parents.

Though the teachers and minders were on hand to receive the returning pupils, the turnout was, however, poor in most of the schools visited in the capital city.

The situation was however, different in the public schools, which were under lock and key.

Most of the parents and guardians, it was learnt, were not aware of the latest shift in resumption date yet to a day to be fixed in October.

The shift in resumption date, which was announced by the

state Ministry of Education, is to enable the schools put in place measures to protect the

returning children from the dreaded Ebola virus.

However, a senior official of

the ministry told Vanguard that the schools may officially resume next Monday for normal academic activities.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr. Jim Adun, member House of Representatives; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Victor Enobakhare, Chairman Egor Local Government Area, Edo State and Chief Lucky James, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State, at the commissioning of 10 units 30-Seater Coaster Buses acquired by Egor Local Government Areafor Intra-City Transport Service, yesterday.

Urhobo youths protest purported zoning of Delta Varsity VC position

By Festus Ahon

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GHELLI—URHOBO youths, under the aegis of Coalition of Urhobo Youth Organisation, CUYO, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, against what they described as the victimisation of Urhobo candidates who applied for the position Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka.

The group, in a protest letter addressed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, through the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, alleged that the Governing Council of the university was averse to appointing an Urhobo indigene in place of the outgoing VC of the institution.

CUYO’s Chairman, Mr. Mudiaga Abiri, in the letter, noted that Urhobo candidates who applied for the position were eminently qualified.

He said: “We were told that the Governing Council is favourably disposed to appointing a non-Urhobo this time, for reasons best known to it.

“The governor should prevail on the council to do what is right by appointing the best candidate (who we rightly gathered is an Urhobo man)

for the job. Apart from being the right candidate for the position, the University at Abraka needs an Urhobo indigene as Vice Chancellor just as we have indigenes of

other senatorial districts heading the institutions located in their areas.”

He argued that statistics have revealed that the College of Education, Warri, the Delta

State Polytechnic, Ozoro and the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, are being headed by indigenes of Delta South senatorial district.

Rivers Speaker demands justice over alleged killing

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— DEPUTY Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, has called on the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Dan Bature, to arrest those behind the alleged murder of a young man in Tabba community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.

Kwanee, who spoke yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said the alleged killers beheaded their victim before disappearing.

He said petitions had been sent to the police on the issue, adding that people in the area were worried that some of those accused in the petition were still walking the streets.

He also said Mr Gregory Nwinda, the immediate past Chairman of Khana council, who decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not

a threat in any way to the electoral victory of All Progressives

Congress, APC, in the local government.

Oil spill: Delta community alleges molestation

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—ERHOIKE community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has alleged that residents were being molested by military personnel guarding an oil flow station operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in the community over differences sparked by an oil spill in the area.

Mr Matthew Oyibocha, President General of Erhoike Community, said the community’s brush with the soldiers of 222 Battalion, Agbarha Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, which left a woman and two men hospitalised, resulted from the community’s move to confront

NPDC on perceived irregularities in the attempted clean up of the spill.

He said: “The spill occurred on September 6. We reported the matter to NPDC, operator of the facility which promised to address the issues. “We were surprised to see a company on Wednesday September 17, coming in with youths from Otagbuwe in Kokori community to clean up the spill impacted areas.

“The soldiers claimed they were under the orders of the Commanding Officer, to deal decisively with. In the process, they shot sporadically in the air, molested and injured our people."

Reacting, the Commander, 222 Battalion, Lt. Col. Kenneth Chigbu, denied the allegation.

Applicant sues varsity over interview result

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENNIN—AN unemployed graduate, Mr. Omoyibo Emmaunuel, has dragged the Federal University of Petroleum Resource, Effurun, FUPRE, before a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, over alleged non-publication of the results of an interview conducted by the institution for employment seekers.

He is praying the court to compel the institution to publish the result of applicants “ who participated in the written examinations into various vacant positions.”

Emmanuel said it was necessary for the University to publish the examination results having published the vacant positions on some national dailies on May 21, 2013. He lamented the “inconvenience, he and other applicants, who came from all parts of Nigeria to participate in the examinations on November 21, 2013 have been subjected to.”

I'll industrialise Delta in two years—Opone

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ELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship hopeful, Chief Johnson Opone, has promised to put policies in place that would promote the rapid industrialisation of the state within two years, if elected into office.

He spoke during his consultation visits to the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, and the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dr. Cairo Ojuogbo, at Ughelli and Agbor, respectively.

Opone said he will achieve this by establishing one-stop functional industrial parks in the three senatorial zones of the state within the first two years of his administration. He also promised to establish state investment agencies and assist investors to access facilities with single digit interest rates to rapidly industrialise the state.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—13

GCUOBA DINNER: From right: Chief Joseph Akpieyi, President-General, Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association Worldwide, and Dr. Anthony Orhibhabor, during the 3rd Annual National Dinner of the association in Benin City, Edo State. Photos by Barnabas Uzosike.

AWARD: Chief Joseph Akpieyi, Prof. Muoboghara and Mr. Remi, during the presentation of awards

Edo Church building collapse: Oshiomhole vows to prosecute culprits

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the state government will investigate the circumstances leading to the collapse of a church building in the state which killed one person and left two others injured.

Oshiomhole gave the assurance when he visited the site of the collapsed building at Christ Chosen Church of God and addressed the residents of the area.

He said: “My appeal to you all is that as painful as it is, we

should avoid doing anything that will compound the problem as government will certainly investigate what happened, and if anybody is involved in criminal negligence, he or she will not be spared.

“Therefore, people should not take laws into their hands by thinking that somebody plans to kill anybody. Someone must have taken a wrong decision and done the wrong calculations.

“But no matter what anybody has done, government will take the necessary steps by carrying out a thorough investigation

with a view to establishing if anyone is guilty or involved in criminal negligence and if there is, such a person will be prosecuted according to the law.

“Government has a duty to protect lives and property and I want to assure you that we will not cover up anybody. The fact that the Commissioner of Police has been here for hours alongside some very senior Police officers tells you the seriousness attached to this and when we begin investigations, the Commissioner of Police will be a witness, which will give credibility and assurance that justice will be done."

Delta community kicks against polling units allotted to South

G

ENERAL Secretary, Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, Mr. Jude Ukori has queried the rationale behind plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to create 8,412 additional polling units for the South, against 21,615 additional polling units proposed for the North.

Speaking with journalists in Warri, Delta State, Ukori said the plan indicates that the Prof.

Atahiru Jega-led INEC was calling for a division of the country, noting, “INEC has been known for doing good jobs in the past but this one is unacceptable because it is a ploy to further marginalise the South politically if allowed.

Hence it should be reverted immediately. The proposal is a baseless anomaly that is unacceptable.”

He added that the plan was a grand conspiracy to divide the country, as it was intended to give the Northern region a clear advantage over the

Southern part of the country.

Ukori, a public commentator, maintained that Prof. Jega, has already lost his credibility and called for his immediate sack.

Ebola case in Rivers not political —PSN State, Mr. Godson Chukunda in statement, during a camor paign against the spread of O R T Ebola virus in Port Harcourt, H A R C O U R T— said it was important for peoTHE Pharmaceutical Society of ple to be properly guided on Nigeria, PSN, Rivers State yes- the issue of the Ebola, which terday said that the outbreak of he noted was one of the worst the deadly virus, Ebola in the diseases in Africa.

Chukunda said that the purstate was real and not political pose of the campaign was not as believed by some misguidto frighten the people about the ed persons. It encouraged people to adhere strictly to the cul- virus but to give them proper ture of hand washing and use information and knowledge which if adhered to will make of sanitizers.

The chairman of PSN, Rivers the state an Ebola free state.

By By Davies Iheamnach-

P

Police arrest 48 robbers, kidnappers in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State Police Command, yesterday, said 48 suspected armed robbers/kidnappers were arrested by men of the command in the last two months and expressed the readiness of the command to tackle criminal activities in the state.

Addressing newsmen in his office, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Usman said: “My challenges are enormous, in the sense that I came in and found everybody complaining about kidnapping, armed robbery and murder.

“In fact, I have recorded two or three cases of murder. I have recorded one case of kidnapping and two cases of armed robbery. We couldn’t prevent them from happening but we were able to apprehend the suspects.

“This is a state that is very prone to crime, but

the strategy I met on ground has been able to put criminal activities on check to a large extent.

Like I said during my courtesy call to the governor, I found the state government supporting crime fighting very seriously in terms of logistics.”

Insisting that the command was up to the task of policing the state, Usman said he will ensure that crime was reduced to the barest minimal for people of the state to go about their normal businesses and sleep with their two eyes closed.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

gerian Army who used both infantry and artillery weaponry was overwhelming, he jumped out of the MOWAG and made to escape.

But Nigerian soldiers spotted him and opened fire on him, inflicting serious injuries on his legs. It was learnt that he also received bullet wounds in other parts of his body as he was said to have bled to death.

Military sources had on Sunday night disclosed that Nigerian troops scored a strategic victory in the current battle against terrorists operating in the North-East on September 17.

VISIT—From right: Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko washing his hands; Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju; Commissioner for Education, Jide Adejuyigbe, and Principal, Fiwasaye Girls Secondary School, Mrs Taiye Bola, during the Governor's visit to the school, in Akure, yesterday.

We killed Shekau in Nigeria —CAMEROON Continues from page 5 reads as he delivers his message on-camera.”

How Shekau was killed Details of how Abubakar Shekau, the impostor and leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group was killed in a shoot-out with Nigerian troops in Konduga on Wednesday, September 17 emerged, yesterday, with military sources disclosing that he met his waterloo in an ambush reminiscent of the type the sect had been using to hack down Nigerian troops.

Vanguard gathered that during the first attack on Konduga, where hundreds of insurgents were taken unawares and killed after over seven hours of fighting with several of their colleagues, arms and ammunition captured, the military commanders strategically urged his captured members to send a message to Shekau that they (insurgents) have killed the troops.

Before the captured insurgents were urged to C M Y K

make the contact and deliver the message, the military commanders had promised them that their co-operation would play a role in the level of punishment to be meted to them after the battle, hence they felt reassured.

Also, the captured insurgents had disclosed that Shekau usually moved in a convoy of cars painted in military colours while he sits in a MOWAG Armoured tank with Boko Haram inscription on its front.

When Shekau was contacted, his captured men spoke to him in Arabic, assuring him that they had taken over Konduga, thereby giving him the positive signal to proceed from Sambisa Forest. To convince him further, some of his men that were captured were asked to sing the victory song in Kanuri language they normally sing at the background.

Having convinced himself that the messenger was his chief courier in such situation and the message was authentic, he and his followers made for Konduga, heavily armed with anti-aircraft weapons, general purpose machine guns, several AK-47 rifles and

other IEDS’.

However, on entering Konduga town, he and his followers were encircled by strategically placed and heavily armed Nigerian soldiers.

Immediately he contacted the messenger

and discovered that something was amiss, he ordered his followers to start shooting in all directions.

This spurred the Army Commanders to give the directive to open fire.

When he discovered that the fire power of the Ni-

Swap of Chibok girls with Boko Haram prisoners flops again Meanwhile, it has also emerged that efforts of the security agencies to free the 219 Chibok girls from their Boko Haram captors has failed again.

Vanguard learnt from top security agents that the deal to free the girls, who have spent 162 days with their abductors, had broken down almost irretrievably as a result of the inexplicable decision by the Boko Haram side to ask for impossible conditions.

One of the conditions put down by Boko Haram at the last

minute was that the Federal Government must account for and produce 18 of its top commanders said to have been captured and detained in several detention facilities across the country.

Although the government was willing to free some of the Boko Haram detainees in exchange for the girls, a top government source, who was privy to the discussions, said that many of the Boko Haram commanders could not be traced.

The top government official said: “Boko Haram commanders suddenly demanded an equal man-to-man exchange instead of the agreed total girls for 16 Boko Haram prisoners.

Also, of the 16 prisoners, not all of them could be traced by the government side.

“The exchange of the Chibok girls with the Boko Haram prisoners was to take place at an agreed location in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. But the true position of things as of today is that the talks have broken down.”

Answering a question, the government official said that Nigeria opted to bring in the International Committee of the Red Cross as a facilitator because of its neutrality and competence in facilitating such exchange of prisoners in many parts of the world.

SYNAGOGUE: Death toll now 115

....25 S-African survivors evacuated home L

AGOS—A SOUTH African Minister, Jeff Radebe said, yesterday, that a total of 115 persons died when a guest house under construction belonging to the Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed penultimate Friday.

The South African minister, who quoted an unnamed personnel in Lagos as his source, also disclosed that 25 out of 26 South Africans who survived the Synagogue church building collapse have been evacuated back home.

According to him, one survivor, who was not

taken home returned to the Synagogue. He said 84 South Africans died when the building collapsed, while 265 survived and 17 are unaccounted for.

Mr. Radebe, who was quoted in reports, said the evacuation is “the biggest evacuation effort by the (South African) Air Force since the dawn of democracy.

“The plan was to bring back all the 26, but there were only 25 who actually boarded the aircraft because one returned to the synagogue yesterday,” said Mr. Radebe.

According to reports, a 19-member medical

team including specialised doctors, nurses and medical military paramedics took care of the injured on board a military C-130 aircraft.

He added: “We understand from our assessment team that the total number of people who have perished is now 115, but those are not all South Africans.

South Africans (are) about 84 that have died.”

The General Overseer of the church, T.B Joshua, said last Sunday at his church service that he will be visiting South Africa once

every month. Joshua said the decision to embark on the visits was a revelation from God and a blessing to the people of South Africa and Southern Africans.

“Those who are affected in one way or the other, and those who passed on to glory, their desire is to see the work of salvation they die for to continue and reach unreachable places.

“For that, what they are coming here for, should be taken to meet them in their country.

Once in a month, I will be travelling to South Africa,” T.B Joshua said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—15

Abia 2015: Guber aspirant condemns zoning formula

By Anayo Okoli

U

CEREMONY: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (6th left); his Ogun State counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (5th left); Chairman, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, Dame Emmanuella Fashola (7th left); First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Funsho Amosun (4th left); her Ekiti State counterpart, Erelu Bisi Fayemi (6th right); Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2nd left); Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (2nd right); former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan (right); the awardees - Iya Oge of Lagos, Chief Opral Benson (7th right); Iyalode of Lagos, Hajia Bintu Tinubu (3rd left); Mrs. Wonu Folami (left), Mrs. Feyintola Muri-Okunola (3rd right), and former Special Adviser on Central Business District, Mrs. Derin Disu (5th right), during the opening ceremony of the 2014 National Women Conference with the theme, 'Embracing and Managing Change,' organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.

Awka people slam N200m suit on govt for destroying MFB

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — DIRECTORS of Awka Micro Finance Bank, acting on behalf of the people of Awka, have dragged Anambra State government to court over the recent demolition of the bank and allocation of the land to a private developer to build shopping malls.

They are also claiming N200 million damages from

government.

The case is being handled on behalf of the bank by Chief O.B. Onyali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. Following the demolition, there has been tension in the Anambar State capital as customers and shareholders of the bank said they had become apprehensive and wondering whether the demolition would affect their deposits and shares.

Two directors of the bank, Chief Dilim Okafor and Ozo James Eze, told reporters in Awka that they were heading to the court to challenge the government’s action because their people were accusing them of conniving with government to demolish the bank .

Essentially, they are asking for a perpetual injunction restraining the state government and the Commissioner for Commerce

and Industry, Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme, from entering and building any structure on the said land which they leased at Eke Awka or letting or occupying the land.

The directors said the manner the demolition exercise was carried out and the hurried manner the construction of the shopping mall began was an indication that those behind it were out to undermine the people who owned the bank.

33,000 cases pending in Anambra High Courts

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — A total 33, 161 cases are pending in the High Courts of Anambra State as at June, 2014, the Chief

Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi, has said.

The chief judge, who gave the figures yesterday during a special court session to mark the commencement of the

2014/2015 legal year, said that of the number, 1, 882 were criminal cases; 23,146, civil cases and 8,133, motions.

The figure is 3,000 higher than that of the corresponding

75 Abia undergrads benefit from Emeka Wogu's scholarship scheme ... as beneficiaries prod Minister to enter guber race

By Anayo Okoli

O

VER 75 undergraduates of Abia State origin in tertiary institutions in the country have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme of Chief Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

The value of the scholarship scheme which he commenced since 2011, ranges between N50,000 and N500,000 per beneficiary, depending on the duration of their programme.

Some of the beneficiaries were, weekend, issued cheques in Aba by the minister, who urged them to justify their selection by working hard to make good grades.

Wogu also disclosed that 850 persons had been selected to benefit from his empowerment programme which would be inaugurated soon.

Some PDP stakeholders, who witnessed the ceremony, commended Governor Theodore Orji for supporting the PDP and zoning the governor's slot to the south zone which incidentally is Wogu’s zone.

They later began urging the Minister to contest the governorship of Abia State next year.

“We commend you for the exemplary way you have been piloting the affairs of the Labour and Productivity Ministry.

“We call on you to run for the Abia State gubernatorial race come 2015. This is in view of

the fact that you are well qualified and that so far, there is yet no aspirant of our Aba North or Abia South LGA origin in the race. You are the most easily sellable candidate,” they said.

Wogu, in response, commended them for supporting President Jonathan’s love and positive disposition to the South East which the minister said the President had demonstrated by giving the zone key appointments and executing essential projects in the zone.

On the call for him to contest 2015 governorship election in the state, Wogu said: “I accept your clarion call to serve Abia State and I owe you an answer at the appropriate time which will be soon.

period of last year, which stood at 30,231.

For the Magistrate Courts, there are 25,130 pending cases.

Worried by the development, he said the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had approved the appointment of eight new judges and massive infrastructure development of the judiciary in the three senatorial zones of the state to enhance quick dispensation of justice.

According to him, three high court complexes with six court rooms and judge’s quarters are being constructed at Ekwulobia, Ihiala and Otuocha, while 14 Magistrate Courts are to be constructed in various parts of the state.

Similarly, he said the construction of the new fourstorey building judiciary headquarters in Awka was progressing rapidly, adding that it was the tallest building in the new three arms zone being developed in the Anambra State capital.

He commended the executive arm of government for involving the judiciary in the design and construction of the complex.

MUAHIA — AHEAD of 2015 governorship election in Abia State, one of the leading aspirants, Dr. Uche Ogah, has said he would not respect the zoning formula adopted by the party, saying PDP had no belief in zoning, but capability and meritocracy.

According to him, zoning will only end up not giving the state the best hand to govern it and consolidate on the foundation laid by incumbent governor, Chief Theodore Orji.

Ogah, who spoke at the dedication of campaign office in Umuahia, weekend, said emphatically that the zoning was not binding on him as it was not part of the party’s policy.

He noted that both President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Ma’azu, had said that the party had no zoning policy, insisting that he was following the directive of the party at the national level.

Ogwu Owu-Binubi people decry deplorable state of only link road

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — THE people of Ogwu O w u - B i n u b i autonomous community in Ikeduru Local Council Area of Imo State are now passing through harrowing times, following the deplorable road network leading to and from the area.

Car owners and commercial vehicle operators on the Azaraegbelu-Avuvu-Afor Owu-binubi tell harrowing tales of this water-logged road to whoever cared to listen.

The story is also the same about the road from Oboama Enyiogugu Mbaise-Afor Owubinubi, as well as Afor Owu-Eke OnummiriAmakohia Okpuala road, which had been devastated by a deep gully erosion.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

ANAMBRA GUBER POLL: S-Court upholds

Obiano’s victory

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — RESPITE came the way of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, as the Supreme Court declared him as the valid winner of the governorship elections held in the state on November 16, 17 and 30, 2013.

In a unanimous judgment, a seven-man panel of justices of the apex court, dismissed three separate appeals that sought to nullify the election, saying the appellants “woefully failed to prove their case.”

Whereas the first appeal was lodged before the apex court by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate in that election, Dr. Chris Ngige, the two other appeals dismissed, yesterday, were filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its own candidate, Mr. Tony

...dismisses PDP, APC appeals

Nwoye.

The appellants had urged the Supreme Court to upturn the concurrent judgments of both the Anambra State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Enugu Division of the Court of Appeal which earlier upheld the election victory of Governor Obiano.

Specifically, the appellants, aside alleging that the election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act, equally accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of tampering with the voters register with a view to ensuring that Obiano who was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, emerged victorious.

They alleged that INEC reviewed the voters' register three days to the election, a situation they said led to the disenfranchisement of many

electorate in the state.

Besides, the appellants insisted that Obiano was not qualified to contest the election, alleging that he was involved in multiple voters’ registration.

In their judgment, though the apex court dismissed Obiano’s contention that the appeals were academic, it stressed that the appellants failed to prove that the alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act by INEC, substantially affected the outcome of the election to warrant its nullification.

The apex court panel held that the appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof rested upon them by the law.

“There was no evidence that the 3rd respondent (Obiano) was convicted for multiple registration to call for the invocation of section 182(1) of the 1999 Constitution to disqualify him from contesting

WORKSHOP: From left, Hon. Lola Abiola Edewor, Executive Director; Alhaji Umar Ibrahim,Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Prince Aghatise Erediuwa,Executive Director, Operations, all of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation,NDIC; Dr. Femi Johnson, President, Mortgage Bank Association of Nigeria, and Mr. Kayode Omotosho, Executive Secretary, Mortgage Bank Association of Nigeria, during NDIC 2014 Sensitization Workshop for Primary Mortgage Banks, PMBs, Operations, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

the election,” the court noted.

More so, the panel maintained that the allegation of multiple registrations constituted a pre-election matter which they said was not only criminal in nature, but also could not be entertained before an election tribunal.

“The appellants woefully failed to substantiate their allegations of disenfranchisement, false certificate and multiple registrations. The 3rd respondent was duly qualified to contest the Anambra gubernatorial election.

“We have come to an irresistible conclusion that the appellants have not shown why we should disturb the concurrent findings of the two lower courts.

"Consequently, we hereby affirm the concurrent decisions of the lower courts. This appeal is devoid of any scintilla of merit and is hereby dismissed. The 3rd respondent is hereby affirmed as the winner of the governorship election held in Anambra State, parties are to bear their own cost,” the apex court held.

Though Justice Mahmud Mohammed presided over the panel, while the lead judgment in the appeal by the APC was delivered by Justice Kumai Akaahs, Justices Olukayode Ariwoola and John Inyang Okoro, read the lead verdicts in the two other appeals.

National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, hailed the judgment, saying it was “a true testament that our judiciary is working and is alive to its responsibilities.”

He said the judiciary by determining the appeals according to their merit, proved that it had what it took to withstand pressure from all quarters and interest groups ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Dame Jonathan rallies African First Ladies for continental peace A S PART of this year ’s global celebration of peace with the theme, ‘Rights of People to Peace,’ which is observed annually on September 21 as an International Day of Peace, the First Lady and President of African First Ladies Peace

Mission, Dame Patience Jonathan, has called for concerted efforts on peace.

In a statement by her media aide, Omoba Aigbegbele, the First Lady enjoined African leaders to imbibe African spirit of conflict resolution, dialogue and peace building

mechanisms as to bring an enduring development to the continent.

She alluded to the fact that Africa, devoid of violence, terrorism and war, would have been the most developed continent in the global arena due to its abundant natural

Apprehension mars resumption of schools in Enugu

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis Igata

E

NUGU — ALTHOUGH a hand-ful of pupils and students in public schools reported to schools, yesterday, academic activities did not kick off due to fear of Ebola disease.

A visit to Enugu metropolis showed there was palpable fear over the dreaded Ebola

disease. A female teacher told Vanguard at Urban Girls Secondary School, New Layout that “for now, we are just pretending to have resumed.

“The students that came to school as you can see have been asked to clean the school premises. Everywhere is so dirty after more than two months break.

“For us as teachers, we are prepared to deliver our best.

We hope government will get these things (safety kits) ready before the weekend.”

The Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ministry of Education, Mr. Chris Chime, in a telephone interview, said: “We will deliver the equipment to all schools in the 472 communitie, midweek."

resources.

She exhorted her sisters other African First Ladies - to support their spouses in changing the fortunes of Africa by being change agents of transformational development and good governance, ultimately leading to the stoppage of incessant violence that pervaded the African region.

Dame Jonathan echoed that no meaningful growth could be achieved without peace and that henceforth, Africa should reject divisive tendencies and imbibe the African culture of being brothers' keepers, peace advocates and nation builders, instead of the wanton destruction that had taken over the region.

I'm disposed to return to PDP —Imo APGA chieftain

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — THE strong man of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Imo State, Chief Martin Agbaso, yesterday, said he is favourably disposed to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which he helped to build at its inception.

Agbaso made his feelings known when he played host to a high powered reconciliation committee of the PDP, led by Senator Hope Uzodinma, at his Ezedibia, Emekuku country home.

“Life is dynamic and change is the only thing that remains very constant. My decision to build APGA was voluntary and I succeeded in transforming it into a very strong party before other people found it good enough to join,” Agbaso said.

JJJ mobilizes support for Jonathan, set for grassroots rally in S-E

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

NITSHA — As support groups jostle for the soul of South-East zone in the unfolding political scenario, the National Chairman of a proJonathan group, Join Jonathan Journey, JJJ, Chief Ben Obi, has restated the preparedness of the group to join hands with the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, through Governor Willie Obiano to ensure effective delivery of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office during the 2015 presidential election in the country.

Speaking to newsmen in Awka, the state capital, yesterday, Obi pointed out that JJJ, with the support of APGA and Obiano, was working round the clock to ensure that President Jonathan, who, he described as an ambassador of Igbo nation, was returned to power in the forthcoming election

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 17

T

HE fact that Nigeria is a country with some 350 ethnic groups makes it imperative that we must always be politically mindful of ethnic, religious and regional considerations.

Failure to do this on the idealistic grounds that the quality of our public officials is more important than their ethnic and religious origin is bound to be problematic.

Nigerians are yet to believe, if we ever will, that the competence of a president is more important than his ethnicity. In any case, the background of a president is without prejudice to his ability. There is no ethnic group in Nigeria that does not have people who can be excellent presidents.

However, if issues of federal character and ethnicbalancing are not addressed in Nigerian politics, even the best presidential materials will become ineffective.

The average Nigerian is not a sophisticated voter.

Therefore, people like me will continue to analyse Nigerian politics from the perspective of the need for regional and ethnic-balancing.

Northern agenda The APC is seen as a vehicle for Northern domination of Nigerian politics and many people are implacably opposed to this. Although the APC claims not to subscribe to zoning, everyone knows its 2015 presidential candidate

Caliphate and the systematic bombing of churches and killing of Christians in the North ensures that religion will be a major factor in the coming election.

Southern strategy While Muslims may have no qualms voting for a Christian president, Christians are likely to see the defeat of an incumbent Christian president by a Northern Muslim as succumbing to Boko Haram. That feeling is unlikely to be assuaged by a Southern Christian vicepresident, in the same way that the demands of some Northerners for a Northern president have not been assuaged by the fact that the current vice-president is

To be truly progressive, the APC must not just talk progressivism, it must walk progressivism

,

must come from the North, otherwise the centre will no longer hold. Certainly, all those insisting the North must regain power have flocked to the APC precisely because they see it as the vehicle for realizing their dreams.

There is also widespread perception that the APC is sympathetic to the Boko Haram.

Fani-Kayode, a former APC member, complained that the APC is the political wing of the Boko Haram in the same way that Sinn Fein was the political wing of the Irish Republican Army in Britain. Indeed, for the longest time, some APC members were Boko Haram apologists. Murtala Nyako even claimed the Boko Haram was a Southern hoax. He called it a “phantom.” Muhammadu Buhari sought political amnesty for the Boko Haram; demanding the insurgents should be given the same golden handshakes as the militants of the Niger Delta.

Therefore, it will not be easy getting non regionallychauvinistic votes for a Northern APC presidential candidate in 2015. If that Northerner is a Muslim, it would be harder still. The Boko Haram insistence that Nigeria must become a Muslim C M Y K

A Northern Christian presidential candidate for the APC

,

from the North.

The blunder of Atiku Abubakar in stating that the North will not be voting for President Jonathan in 2015 betrays the Northern bias of the APC. If the North will not be voting for a Southern candidate, why would the South vote for a Northern candidate?

A Southern Christian presidential running-mate in 2011, in the person of Pastor Tunde Bakare, did not help Buhari, who remains a hard sell in the South. Buhari was only able to muster a measly 391,922 votes from the South, out of a total of over 38 million votes cast nationwide. That is conclusive proof that fielding Buhari yet again as the Northern presidential hopeful, on a fourth time lucky gambit, is bound to fail. Chances are Buhari would get even less votes this time out than he did in 2011.

The challenge for the APC is to get Southerners to vote for a Northern APC presidential candidate in 2015, in spite of the current regional and religious polarization of Nigerian politics.

The APC desperately needs a Southern politician to balance its Northern presidential ticket.

However, such politician cannot come from

the South-East or the SouthSouth.

In spite of the presence of men like Rochas Okorocha of the South-East, and Rotimi Amaechi of the South-South, the APC has little chance of getting significant South-East and South-South votes.

These geopolitical zones remain Jonathan strongholds. Their voters are not likely to agree to truncate Jonathan’s South-South presidency in exchange for a Northern president and a South-South or South-East vice-presidency. If APC is to get vital Southern votes in 2015, the answer lies in the South-West; a region of residual APC/ACN political strength.

Game-changer

T

he APC needs a vicepresidential candidate with sufficient political clout to galvanise South-West votes. There is only one man in South-West politics today that can conceivably marshal bloc South-West votes for the APC in 2015. That man is none other than Babatunde Fashola! As far as the APC is concerned, Fashola is the game-changer!

This truth will be very bitter for die-hard Tinubu supporters. But the fact is that Fashola, and not Tinubu, is now the poster-boy for the APC in the South-West. In spite of having the secondlargest bloc of voters among the six regions in the country, the South-West had the least number of voters in 2011.

Only 34% of the South-West’s 14 million voters bothered to vote.

Fashola could conceivably invigorate SouthWest voters in a way no other politician currently on the horizon can.

Fashola as APC vicepresidential candidate will do for a Northern candidate what Bakare could not do for Buhari in 2011; he will clean up SouthWest votes. If nothing else, Fashola has a legacy of eight years of tarring roads, building bridges and planting grass and flowers in Lagos. Moreover, he does not come with the political baggage of Bola Tinubu, who has become a political liability, even in the South-West.

Unlike Tinubu, Fashola has not antagonized the Afenifere and the Yoruba Obas.

Indeed, the coming regional elections in the South-West are shaping out to be as much about the need to bring an end to the domineering politics of Tinubu as anything else. With Tinubu on the ticket, allegations of certificate forgeries, inordinate land-grabs, nepotism, alpha beta scams, toll-gate deals and antidemocratic manipulations will come to the fore.

Therefore, in contrast to Tinubu, Fashola is a breath of fresh air.

Neutralisation Tinubu

of

A Fashola vice-presidency would have the added political bonus of spelling the end of the political pretensions of Bola Tinubu in the South-West.

Vicepresident Fashola will quickly upstage “party leader” Tinubu. A Fashola vicepresidency would mean, to all intents and purposes, the passing of the baton from Tinubu to Fashola. It would spell the end of the selfappointed “godfather” of South-West politics.

Therefore, Tinubu can be expected to say to a Fashola vice-presidency: “over my dead body!”

But the fact of the matter is that the APC only has a chance in the coming presidential election “over the dead body” of Tinubu. Tinubu must be marginalized in any marketable APC equation. Any attempt to accommodate him inordinately, as happened in the rigging of Oyegun as party chairman with the collusion of APC governors, will turn far more ugly and disastrous for the party than it was the last time. To have any reasonable chance of success nationally, APC must have a viable SouthWest policy. That means its presidential ticket must be built around one man: Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola as APC vicepresidential candidate would be a stroke of genius for the APC in addressing yet another liability of the party: its widespread perception as a Muslim party. This perception has come about because Bola Tinubu’s ACN never ever fielded a non-Muslim candidate as the governor of any South-Western state.

When the APC registered as a

political party with INEC, 17 of its 18 board-members were Muslims. For months until recently, all members of the APC national executive were Muslims. Foolishly, the APC even rationalized its earlier plans for a Muslim/ Muslim presidential ticket on the pages of the newspapers.

However, the vicepresidential candidacy of Babatunde Fashola would prescribe a Northern Christian as APC presidential candidate, for the simple reason that Fashola is a Muslim. The emergence of a Northern Christian as APC presidential candidate would open many doors closed to the APC politically. In one fell swoop, it would dispel all notions that the APC is the political arm of the Boko Haram because the last thing the Boko Haram want is a Christian president.

Changing of the guard

A

PC fools no one by talking power shift and then touting people like Buhari and Kwankwaso as its presidential hopefuls. How does another Hausa-Fulani president of Nigeria speak power-shift? This is Atiku’s bargaining-chip; that power needs to shift from the NorthWest and the North-Central to the North-East.

Unfortunately, apart from supposedly having a fat warchest, Atiku is not sell-able as president of Nigeria. He has tried before and failed woefully. In any case, Atiku is a Muslim. There is need for power shift in the North from Moslems to Christians in defiance of Boko Haram threats.

A Northern Christian as APC presidential candidate will achieve this. It will make the party more attractive in the predominantly Christian South, where voters may be dissuaded from voting for a Northern Muslim president in this era of Boko Haram insurgency. It will also open the APC to Northern Christian votes which might not be forthcoming otherwise. It must be pointed out that there are far more Christians in the North than many realise.

Adamawa, Benue, Nassarawa, Plateau and Taraba all have majority Christian populations; while Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara and Niger have significant Christian populations.

For the APC to have even a look-in in the coming presidential elections against an entrenched PDP, it needs a fresh slate from the political has-beens of Atiku, Buhari and Kwankwaso that it is still currently touting as its presidential hopefuls today.

To be truly progressive, the APC must not just talk progressivism, it must walk progressivism. A Northern Christian presidential candidate will definitely give political backbone to APC’s progressive pretensions; neutralising the damage done by its earlier suicidal plans for a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 WHILE opening the current session of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, made comments which some interpreted as meaning that Nigeria is not even contemplating holding the 2015 general elections.

This was contained in his keynote address entitled: “Threat to National Sovereignty and Ter ritorial Integrity of Nigeria by Insurgents”. He was quoted as saying: “there is no question of elections; it is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war ”.

This drew a firestorm of criticisms, and one of the groups that weighed in on the controversy was a coalition of civil society organisations. Speaking on behalf of others, Mr Clement Nwankwo of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) said a postponement of the election would be admission by government of its failure to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and protect the nation from internal and external threats. A media aide of the Senate President fired back, accusing a section of the media of misrepresenting his

2015 Elections Must Hold boss, adding that Mark never made such a call.

We are not interested in whether the Senate President’s comments amounts to an indication that the general election of 2015 might be postponed. We are here to affirm that the elections must hold.

Everything possible must be done to ensure that the Nigerian electorate is provided its constitutionally guaranteed right to decide who will run governments at all levels.

Nigerians reserve the right to pass their verdict on those they gave their mandates in previous elections and allow them to continue in office if they have the

constitutional backing to do so, or replace them with new hands.

It is high time we, as a people, realised the importance of the democratic and constitutional system of self-rule we have chosen for ourselves. It is something that has come here to stay. No crises or hiccups in the system should serve as enough excuse to truncate our democracy, even if through unconstitutional shift of dates.

We must learn from the experience of India, the largest democracy in the world, where elections have held routinely since 1947 when that country gained independence, despite losing Pakistan and Bangladesh and getting mired in unending crises with Pakistan and the clashes over Kashmir. Here in Africa, Egypt still defied a revolution and upheavals to conduct elections.

We must hold our elections in spite of insurgency in the north east. In fact, we must see the defeat of Boko Haram as an incentive to enable us hold elections all over the country in 2015 and shame those who thought they could derail the nation by instigating or supporting the insurgency.

OPINION

By Hamisu Abukakar

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N this centennial season of blame game over everything that has gone wrong with Nigeria since 1914, it is not surprising that President Goodluck Jonathan has become the whipping boy. Yes, the buck stops at the President’s desk – and he knows that. That is why he takes all manner of criticisms from all manner of people in his strides knowing that he asked for a difficult job in 2011 when he offered to serve the people as their President. In one of his recent chats with the media, President Jonathan did accept that Nigerians, including this writer, are justified to be angry and frustrated at the slow pace we have made as a people in the journey of development since independence in 1960.

While it is justifiable to criticise the President fairly for what he does or does not do, yet that does not confer on any person or group of persons the right to distort facts, misinform the people and accuse him (Jonathan) for offences, which even a dayold baby can exonerate him from. It is in this category that the accusations of Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie and his Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) fall. According to the ACF, President Jonathan has not only failed the North but also hates our people from the North. Coomasie had said this at the recent emergency meeting of ACF and NGOs in the North.

Needless to point out that the ACF, under Coomasie, has become an irredeemable irredentist group of ethnic jingoists devoid of any nationalistic sentiments and aspirations. The once respected northern association has succumbed to the C M Y K

Northern leaders failed the North parochialism and the personalist littleness of its present promoters like the former inspector general of police. Lest we forget, the same Coomasie now attacking Jonathan and blaming him for the insecurity and the failings of the North headed the Nigerian police at its lowest and most notorious period. This was the era when Coomasie donated the Force to the arbitrary pleasures of the former dictator-head of state to persecute and eliminate Nigerian citizens from all parts of the country.

It is only in our country that people who brought opprobrium and ignominy to their fatherland are given yet another platform to further insult the sensibilities of citizens. Just as Nigerians thought they have heard the last of Coomasie, he suddenly re-emerged from obscurity at the recently concluded National Confab with even more vindictive and divisive spirit, which nearly ruined the honest efforts of many other patriotic Nigerians tired of ethnic politics and atavistic regionalism.

And to face the issues raised by Coomasies’s ACF, it is not true that President Jonathan has failed in protecting the North. If anything, it is some northern leaders like Coomasie who have failed the region. The insurgency ravaging the Northeast of Nigeria began even before Jonathan became president and that is, perhaps, the only fact that Coomasie could not twist. Although many scholars and strategists have given many reasons for the emergence of the deadly insurgence in the North, an eclectic position is that bad leadership that manifestly impoverished the people of the area for a

long period of time is one certain factor.

For many years, northern elite wielded power and did absolutely nothing to improve the access and quality of education in the region.

And neither did they build a culture of enterprise and industry there. Instead, what they promoted was personal wealth at the expense of the people, rural and mass poverty that Boko Haram is feeding off for its recruitment. The schools that Jonathan is building and funding in the North today to take children of school age off the streets and make them less vulnerable to radicalisation and other abuses ought to have been done decades ago. And who was in charge then? Coomasie and some of his cohorts at the ACF are directly complicit of the crime against the children and people of the North. What did Coomasie do when he was in office to help the North? Perhaps the most important service he rendered to the North was to receive from General Sani Abacha the corpse of the late leader and nationalist, General Musa Yar’ Adua and brought him home to the Katsina people!

If Coomasie is weeping that the North has become divided politically today, how is that the problem of President Jonathan? The concept of the monolithic North has always been problematic. The high-handedness of people like Coomasie who hid under the rally cry of “one North” to promote a certain ethnic group while subjugating the others in a wellorchestrated internal colonialism policy has found them out. The logic of democracy and the freedom that it inheres are responsible for the boldness that the hitherto

subjugated peoples and groups in the North are displaying against an oligarchy that is slow in coming to terms with the reality of the modern Nigeria.

Those who are nostalgic about the “unity” of the North are perhaps jittery to explain in whose interest this unity had been in the past.

If the monolithic North is disintegrating, it has nothing to do with the President. If anything, those now pointing fingers at different directions need to re-examine the power relations in the North and how much power had been put in the service of the ordinary people all these years. If it takes an Ijaw man from Otuoke to improve the life chances of the ordinary citizens in the North who have borne the brunt of prebendal use of power by their own elite for many decades, who cares about the selfish moaning of Coomasie and his ACF? It is unfair and wicked to suggest that Jonathan hates the North and that he is doing nothing to secure the northern parts of our country. Sometimes it amazes to grasp the position of some of the so-called northern leaders on the matter of Boko Haram insurgency. The same people barracking the President and accusing him of not doing enough to protect the North are the same people who insisted on the withdrawal of soldiers from the flashpoints in the Northeast.

The good news is that Coomasie is not speaking for the entire north and Tanko Yakasai and his Northern Elders Forum (NEF) have given us their word on that! *Mr. Abubakar, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—19

P

ASTOR Tunde Bakare is many things to different people, depending on what side of the prism you are viewing him from.

One thing that is constant however, is; his stand or position on any issue. You can never find him sitting on the fence, he never wavers, he takes a stand on any issue that he is presenting, no matter how others sees it. He could be brutally frank, never minding the personalities the shots are targeted at. The country need more people like him.

According to Ayobolu, in his Saturday column in the Nation of23rd august 2014, quoting Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s (Rip) treatise, “Case For Ideological Orientation”; “In any theatre of life with which he is identified, every one of us has an orientation… If you meet a politician who is unwilling or unable to declare and, as precisely as possible, describe his position in relation to the cardinal points of political compass, you will feel strongly tempted to denounce him as a fraud, a total misfit or a hopeless drifter.” Hopeless drifters, that is what majority of our leaders represent. You take an issue to a highly placed civil servant like the Permanent Secretary or Director General; he will tell you it is the politicians. You approach the politicians; they will direct you to the Civil Servants. So, you are

tossed here and there like a rolling ball, motion without movement.

The types of Tunde Bakare are refreshingly different, although, he takes his criticisms to the extreme sometimes. I stumbled on his programme ‘Moments Of Truth’ on Sunday 7th of September 2014, along with my brother Emmanuel Irenroa, in the sitting room of his Ugbuwangue, Warri country home.

We both stayed glued and transfixed to the television set for the one hour duration of the programme.

This day was exhilarating, it was different; it was Tunde Bakare, not criticizing as he is wont to; but providing insights and proffering solutions to the myriads of problems confronting this nation.

The majority of Nigerians are arm chair critics, they are not solution providers. I was just thinking; how many of those in position of authority are watching this as the bulk of them only tune in to foreign television stations and programmes as against our stuttering local television stations.

Tunde Bakare listed the way to move the nation forward; it only requires the political will of those in authority and the co-operation of the whole citizenry to make it work. For the millions of people that did not have the opportunity to watch the programme on television, I have decided to do a summary here, not in Bakare’s words but according to my understanding of the message.

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Nigerians should see the country as God sees it. God has seen a country of prosperity and well being of its citizens. A country with diverse minerals and oil resources, coupled with a dynamic pool of labour resources that can match the best of the world. How many Nigerians realize this about us?

Joyce Meyers says; “when we think wrong, then everything else goes wrong. We talk wrong, we live wrong, we make wrong decisions, and we look at people in a wrong way.”

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he progress for us as a people will depend on our thinking. We must speak the right words about our country, and, as we keep saying it, it begins to manifest the way we have visualized and spoken it. This is the starting point for Tunde Bakare.

The credibility deficit

By Kenneth Tadaferua

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SLEEK, private Bombardier Challenger jet along with a tidy $9.3 million (how much is that in Naira?), two Nigerians and an Israeli were last week impounded (Yes, the plane, cargo and humans are all contraband) and being investigated in South Africa. The plane is reportedly owned by a Nigerian firm, Eagle Air Company, which is said to have leased it to a third party, another Nigerian company, Green Coast Produce Limited.

So what did these Nigerian companies take the luxury private plane and $9.3 million to South Africa for? Who owns Green Coast produce Limited (Produce as in palm nuts?) and Eagle Air Company. Who owns the plane and its cargo of cash? On whose behalf were the plane and crew engaged in an operation involving $9.3 million? Why didn’t the crew declare the large cash in its holds? Critical questions awaiting unencumbered answers.

It has been reported that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor owns Eagle Air Company. The plane under investigation is the one he received as a “gift” from his church. That plane generated blistering controversy when it was “dashed” to the pastor sometime ago and it is now brewing even more controversy.

The question then was: What is a pastor with thousands of dirt-poor flocks doing with a multi-million dollar luxury Challenger plane? The question now is: Why ishis luxury plane engaged in the businessof an Israeli sleuth and money smuggling.He has since denied knowledge of the “toxic” cargo and mission of his plane.

The federal government has corroborated Oritsejafor ’s claims as it has declared ownership of the Challenger’s mountain of cash and mission, which it says was to procure arms from the underground arms market to fight Boko Haram. Many have yawned over these explanations that appear more wrapped in double speak than transparency. Perhaps it is the fault of the extreme lack of credibility in the character of the institutions and persons providing

answers over the South Africa imbroglio that makes it so hard to believe the explanations. But seriously, what truth can come from the murky and fishy world of corruption, sleuths, underground arms dealing and smuggling.

Yet this is the unsavoury world in which Pastor Oritsejafor and the Nigerian government are now embroiled. The Oritsejaforstatement that seeks to wash his hands offhis plane’s shady business and cargo is tough to swallow. These are not the hallmark of Jesus Christ who he supposedly represents. Jesus was humble, simple and admonished his followers to invest in Heaven where their treasures will not suffer from scandals and rust (Mathew 6:20). Jesus said: “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in Heaven,” (Mathew 19:21). And Jesus declared in Luke 12:3334, “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

I cannot say for certain that Pastor Oritsejafor is truthful when he denies knowledge of the funny business that his company and plane is engaged in. But the owner of a business ought to know when a transaction worth as much $9.3 million is to be executed. If he doesn’t then he is guilty of criminal ignorance. No matter what the truth is, Pastor Oritsejafor as a shepherd of Christ’s flocks and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, must immediately decide where he wishes to lay up his treasures. Is it in Heaven or in our corrupt, scandal laden political and business environment?

There have been insinuations that he may have nobly lent his plane to the clandestine business of arms dealing in other to help defeat the bloodthirsty hoodlums called Boko Haram. For much as he is admired for his strong stand against Boko Haram and their political sponsors, it is beyond his prerogative to engage in arms dealing.

Therefore I find any justification of such an insinuation, rather far-fetched to swallow.

The Nigerian government on the other hand, has long been afflicted with the

Next is; the rebuilding of the land. According to him “if there is no rebirth of the land, there is no rebirth of the people.” We do this by implementing a positive change in our core values. Why is it that; Nigerians have been stereo typed as 419ners? We must build our values of hard work, integrity, discipline and such others. He practically recited our old national anthem, emphasizing the core values that the message sends across, stanza by stanza;” Nigeria we hail thee/Our own dear native land/Though tribe and tongue may differ/ In brotherhood we stand/ Nigerians all and proud to serve/ Our sovereign mother land” 2nd stanza;”Our flag shall be a symbol/ That truth and justice reign/In peace or battle honor/ And this we count as gain/ To part unto our children/ A banner without stain”. 3rd stanza’s” O God of all creation/Grant this our one request/ Help us to build a nation/ Where no man is oppressed/ And so with peace and plenty/ Nigeria will be blessed.” This is an anthem that summarizes our core values and Bakare prefers it to the disco/ jingle we have now as anthem.

Another solution to the country’s problems according to Bakare is to ‘Break the Yoke of Oppression”.

Our systems are too oppressive.

There are so many oppressions and evil diseases under the sun.

Oppression could make a normal man go mad. No one is exempted; from government to individuals.

For instance; why can’t we have single digit lending rates from our banks like their counterparts overseas? Why must consumers pay compulsory N750 per month meter rent for power? Why must

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By Sunny Ikhioya

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Tunde Bak are's Moments of Bakare's Truth

Let the brightest and the fittest of the land; whether from the north or the south be placed in positions.

Prejudices of the past must die and we must stop believing a lie and false rumours about our country.

The duplicity that pervades our personaand as a country has accumulated thick walls of sedentary muck over the decades

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credibility deficit virus. And I do not limit this disease to the present government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigerian governments have always been mired in sleights of hand, so compounding to make the late magician, Professor Peller stare mouth agape in shock at the audacity of theextreme rogue manipulations in the Nigerian ship of state. Recall the government of General Muhammadu Buhari that kidnapped, crated and attempted to secretly smuggle the late Umaru Dikko in a diplomatic bag from the UK to Nigeria in 1984? Guess what? That government had an Israeli or two in that offshore abduction that shocked the world and threw Nigeria into a diplomatic row with Britain. What’s this with Israelis?

T

here is General Ibrahim Babangida who annulled the best presidential election ever for reasons still as opaque as his toothy smile. The dubious decision threw the country into violent convulsions on the brink of war. Then came General Sani Abacha who stole the country’s Central Bank at a pace so frenetic and gluttonous, that it remains a befuddling shock to all men of good will, that the president of a country can actually empty the coffers of his country, in billions of dollars, into his private bank accounts abroad. Fela called it “government magic.”

The government of President Jonathan is wallowing in the mud of bad rulership and coasting in the terrible tradition of unaccountable leadership with relish and gusto. The corruption, which characterised governments before his, is getting worse. The multi-billion dollar fuel subsidy, pension

our landlords collect two years rent in advance, plus, agreement and other charges, instead of the one month that is the ideal? Why do our rich elite prefer to take the money abroad instead of investing in Nigeria and create employment? Too many questions to ask regarding the oppressive nature of the Nigerian state; Harsh policies everywhere, including our police men who are gradually finding their way back to the highways. If you travel along the Lagos to Benin route now, you will notice the over bearing presence of police men along the road, so many check points and this is negatively affecting our road transportation system. Remove these yoke or burdens and the country will move forward, that is the recommendation of Pastor Tunde Bakare.

Finally, is the issue of “Setting up of Accurate Governmental Structures”, real separation of powers. This can only happen when oppression has been broken.

All parts of the country must be acknowledged, whether they are in the majority or minority. There will be no loser, if everyone works in harmony. Let the brightest and the fittest of the land; whether from the north or the south be placed in positions. Prejudices of the past must die and we must stop believing a lie and false rumours about our country.

Nigeria is a great nation; it is left for us, the individual citizens to actualize it. That is Pastor Tunde Bakare’s message as I understood it.

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

funds and shady oil deals scandals are points in case. Then now, his government has upped the ante and gone on to match Buhari in embarrassing the country with a massive international scandal. A private plane, $9.3 million, one Israeli and the macabre national shame is best represented in drama as in Wole Soyinka’s King Baabu, the satire on General Abacha.

The government reportedly took responsibility for the plane, the cash and its alleged mission and is said to have released data and documents to prove that the transactions and operations involving the Challenger jet are legal. Also that Nigeria and South Africa are working to diplomatically resolve the issue. This is called diplomatese, the obscure language diplomats use to obfuscatethe facts.

In the real world, realpolitik, governments engage in shady underground arms dealing.

But how do you go to a foreign country without declaring money as large $9.3 million stacked in your plane. Legally, that is smuggling. Did the crew think they were in Nigeria where “bigmanness” can be used to shut down customs and immigration search at the airport? The case of 53 suitcases allowed into the country under Buhari is a tale of who we are from long ago. There are other unclear issues: Why South Africa? Is South Africa an underground arms dealing country? Was the $9.3 million going to private accounts?

Nigeria does not exactly have a great image with the South Africans. Ask Henry Okah.

Maybe we ought also to ask retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the current National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Jonathan what, exactly, is going on The real tragedy is that few Nigerians, if any, believe the federal government or Pastor Oritsejafor. And why is this so? The duplicity that pervades our persona as church leaders, leaders of business and government and as a country has accumulated thick walls of sedentary muck over the decades. Nobody can stand up to say I believe because the lies are so commonplace. This country requires an urgent make over in moral values and integrity.

*Mr. Tadaferua, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

UGBORODO CRISIS:

How my men got injured — Navy Commander STORIES BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI, Warri

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HEN news broke September 7 that two naval personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta were injured in a brush with edgy youths in volatile Aruton (OdeUgborodo), the ancestral home to the Ugborodo people of Warri South West Area of Delta State, authorities at the Warri Naval Base were initially reluctant to explain what led to the situation.

The Commander, NNS, Delta, Capt Musa Gemu, however,

in the community, I am holding the youth leader responsible and we will invite him for explanation.”

Responding to the Navy’s remarks, Femi Uwawah, a member of the Ugborodo Peace Committee said: “There was no violence. What happened was that the youths got a hint that the Navy had a hidden agenda to arrests the youth leader and 17 others. They felt that was not the mandate agreed by all parties for allowing the military in. Added to past experience which led to

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Shockingly, around 2am, the youth leader mobilised the entire community and asked my men to leave; I had to ask my men to leave because if there was accidental discharge, the story would be different

revealed a couple of days later that the injury sustained by his men resulted from a boat accident while his troop were being forced out of the community by agitated youths.

In a briefing in Warri, Gemu blamed a youth leader in the community for leading the eviction of the navy troop which forced their withdrawal nine hours after being welcomed and accommodated to come into the community to enforce peace and resettle persons still displaced by recent violence in the community.

He said: “All leaders agreed the last time we met that we are free to enter the community to keep peace and return displaced persons. As a departure from the previous divided interest, the community leaders received us very well and even provided accommodation for us.

“For nine hours from 4.30pm of 6th September, we enjoyed warm reception and were almost convinced that the entire community was ready for peaceful return of displaced persons. Shockingly around 2am, the youth leader mobilised the entire community and asked my men to leave.

“I had to ask my men to leave because if there was accidental discharge, the story would be different. It was when my men were leaving that night that they ran into another boat. The two men injured are receiving treatment. For standing against the military in its peace mission

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arrest of innocent youths and community leaders, the youths insisted that the Navy must

*Capt. Musa Gemu, Commander, NNS, Delta (middle), addressing the media

leave. Ugborodo is ready for peace. Work is ongoing uninterrupted at the EPZ. We enjoin the President to come and do ground breaking to further improve peace.”

Alex Eyengho, another EPZ Committee member expressed doubt on the Navy’s capability to deal with the situation, saying: “This is the third time the Navy would cheaply yield to eviction by violent civilian youths in Aruton. We all agreed to

unhindered access of the military to go in to keep peace and resettle displaced persons. Each time the Navy goes in, they sheepishly rush out, chased away by criminal elements.

“It’s time the Navy to either disproved if they don’t have a pact with the youths others don’t know or own up to lacking capacity to deal with the situation so that they can seek help from the army to deal with it. Thank God the displaced persons did

not go with them. It would have amounted to leading the displaced to suicide if they had gone only for the Navy to disappear and abandon them to the violent youths.”

Among the injured naval personnel, Vanguard Metro learnt, is Pius Akhigbe who allegedly suffered broken shoulders in his first major field after just being transferred to the NNS Delta from Lagos barely a month back.

Anger as INEC’s computer bug de-registers Ika South voters

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AILURE by the National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to distribute Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, to duly registered voters in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State during its nationwide exercise between August 20 and 25 has turned a major cause for unrest in Agbor, the council headquarters.

The Local Electoral Officer, Mr. Nzenwa Alozie had unsettled thousands of registered voters in the locality when he broke the news days to the recently concluded exercise, that the commission had cancelled their registration and would not distribute PVCs to anyone registered in the area. INEC claimed thus: “The electronic database of Ika South Voters

*The demonstrators expressing their protest

Register extracted for printing was damaged by computer virus.” The remedial option of a fresh registration within the few days of the August exercise has further infuriated the people.

Penultimate Monday, thousands of placards-carrying residents in the densely populated Ika South, half of Agbor, joined by neighbours from Abavo communities, marched through the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, the Agbor-Eku-Sapele Road and other major streets in Agbor to protest what Maj. Gen. Nick Agbogun (rtd), President General, Agbor Community who led the demonstrators called, “Our isolated indefensible deregistration by INEC.” Gen. Agbogun said: “The INEC official also affirmed that the backup register was not affected and that the area was the only one wholly affected in all 25 local government areas in Delta. The action by the commission stands in breach of its statutory obligation to every constituent district of Nigeria and has disenfranchised thousands of eligible voters in our area and therefore decidedly unacceptable.

“Arising from the poor planning, dysfunctional equipment and inadequate logistics which marred the purported fresh registration between 20 and 25th August 2014, less than 40% of a cancelled register of 73, 000 voters were captured.”

Consequently, the Ika South people request INEC to restore the original Voters Register from the existing backup database to validate all existing temporary voters’ cards as did in other areas.

“If restoring the cancelled register is impracticable, INEC should allow at least three weeks for conduct of a credible and inclusive fresh registration in Ika South. We are unable to understand how the loss of a copy of Voters Registrar justifies cancellation of an entire register when the original database is intact,” the protesters added.

At the local INEC office where the protest train stopped over, Nzenwa, the Ika South INEC Officer who received a copy of their petition said their message would be conveyed to appropriate quarters as the complaint is being adequately treated in Abuja.

Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Gesila Khan, who confirmed knowledge of the situation, further confirmed that matter has gone beyond her as only the INEC headquarters in Abuja could look into the grievances of the Ika South people.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 21

FG partners ILO over review of employment policy

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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From left : Dr. Raymond Obieri, retired Non-Executive Director; Dr. Oladimeji Alo, Chairman; Mr. Clement Olowokande, immediate past Chairman; Mr. Tor Nygard, Managing Director and Mrs. Pheola Caulcrick, Company Secretary all of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc at a special dinner in honour of retiring chairman and directors of the company in Lagos.

Illegal charges: CBN compels banks to refund N17bn to customers

By Emma Una

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, says it has in the past one year compelled erring banks to refund the sum of N17 billion illegal deductions and other unauthorised transaction to

USC 178.35

USC -2.85

USD3,262.00

USD 70.00

USC 13.50

USC -0.29

USD 98.38 USD -0.68 USD 92.45

USD -0.66

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.75 252.9698 198.9776 164.8557 1.4227 0.2847 230.9711 25.1953 41.2601 26.7239 231.6762

155.25 253.7872 199.6205 165.3883 1.4273 0.2947 231.7173 25.2772 41.3934 26.8102 232.4248

155.75 254.6045 200.2634 165.921 1.4319 0.3047 232.4636 25.359 41.5267 26.8966 233.1733

CBN Exchange Rate as 22 /09 / 2014

customers. The Director, Consumer Protection Department of the CBN, Mallam Usman Dutse who stated this in Calabar yesterday at the commencement of a one week consumer public enlightenment and sensitization programme said since the upgrading of the Consumer protection Unit in the bank to a department in 2012, over 5,500 complaints have been lodged by customers which led to the directive by the CBN after investigation for the money to be refunded to customers.

Dutse who was represented by Hajia Kadija Hassim said customers should regularly scrutinise their bank statements and other banking transitions and any anomaly discovered should be promptly taken up with the bank and if no effort is made to address the complaint, the matter should be reported to the Consumer protection Unit in the Central Bank for immediate action to be taken..

‘Banks have been given one month within which to address any complaint by any customer and in the case of ATM transaction within the same bank, the issue should be resolved within two hours and in the event that the bank fails to do so, the customer should report to the Consumer Protection Department in the

Central Bank in any state”.

He said the customer is entitled to international banking standard and anything below that should not be accepted, as Nigeria is part of the international economic standard.

“The economic meltdown that affected the world economic system also affected Nigeria therefore bank customers in Nigeria should no longer be treated anyhow but fairly treated by the banks”.

Mallam Dutse stated that the purpose of the one-week public enlightenment campaign is to teach the public basic financial issues so that they can have confidence in the banking system which will lead to the attainment of the objective of building a safe, sound and stable financial system in the country.

“There will be talk shops on radio stations, road shows along major roads and markets and workshops to enlighten the people on the workings of the financial system in the country and the efforts being made to improve it”.

The programme, he said has held in other eight states including Oyo, Gombe, Rivers, Plateau, Ogun, Kano, Rivers, Enugu and Sokoto State with the one in Calabar making it ninth state.

he Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity is currently collaborating with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to review and update the National Employment Policy in line with national and global economic trends.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, spoke in Abuja, while declaring open a Training Workshop on “The National Employment Summit: Challenges of Implementation” organized by the Labour Ministry.

A statement by Prince Samuel tMinister , Deputy Director (Press), in the Labour Ministry, was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Clement Illoh, noted that the purpose of the workshop was to discuss issues of unemployment and job creation in Nigeria.

He added that the main objective of the training workshop was to create a platform for reflecting on the outcomes of the National Employment Summit held in April 2009 “and to assess progress in implementation of those outcomes.”

According to Wogu, “ The Ministry has strategically positioned itself through capacity building to achieve the mandates of promoting decent and productive employment through the following measures of inclusive economic growth: Public employment services; Enhancing inspection and enforcement services to effectively monitor and enforce compliance with extant labour legislations; Skills development and certification; P r o d u c t i v i t y enhancement; Strengthening social security and the institutional capacities of the departments for efficient service delivery.”

“The workshop is also aimed at building the competences that would enable them contribute constructively to the Ministry’s drive towards achieving the milestones contained in the National Action Plan on Employment Creation, NAPEC” he pointed out.

The Minister charged the workshop to come up with resolutions that would be implementable to reinforce the nation’s collective will and commitment to work.

He expressed concern that young people were mostly the victims of unemployment and joblessness now constituting a serious threat to the stability of the nation and the African continent.

“This raises the urgency for us as Labour Officers to review strategies and plans aimed at mitigating the impact of unemployment on our society,” Chief Wogu stated.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

To forestall this colossal loss of income, some of the banks are deploying all manner of strategies to either circumvent the directive of the CBN or introduce new bank accounts with disguised CoT charge

INVESTORS ,

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How Aigboje transformed Access Bank The immediate past Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhueden was instrumental to the transformation of the bank.

Beginning with the transformation of Access Bank from a lowly-rated Nigerian bank into one of the leading African financial brands with his deputy, Herbert Wigwe, every of his touch and initiative delivered superior value to stakeholders and the African continent.

Aig-Imoukhuede, with his deputy, Herbert Wigwe, who is now the Managing Director of Access Bank, steered the affairs of the Bank off the storm and turned the perennial loss-making institution into a profit making venture.

Interestingly, in their first year at the helms of affairs, the recorded a PBT of N1billion, an amount which was more than the total profit recorded by the Bank in its entire 13 years of operation before the appointment of Aigboje and Herbert, which marked the creation of value for the Bank’s shareholders.

Aigboje is an exemplary business leader whose achievements have

mandate to reposition the Bank as one of Nigeria’s top 10 Banks by 2007 to salvage its dwindling fortune.

Under the watchful eyes of Aig-Imoukhuede, Access Bank emerged from 65th position in 2002 to rank amongst bank top 10 banks in Nigeria before the banking consolidation. Subsequently, the bank went ahead to acquire Capital Bank International and Marina International Bank to meet the capitalisation requirements.

Aigboje’s acumen and resourcefulness have not only nurtured his personal vision to success but served the Nigerian nation in different capacities and contributed significantly towards building a better world for the habitation of mankind. Most recently, Aigboje who is a member of the National Economic Management Committee, dedicated to shaping national economic policies also served at the Chairman of the Fuel Subsidy Verification and Repayment Committee. Consistent with his reputa-

Access Bank which is now credited with the most successful growth trajectory in the history of banking in Africa and perhaps in the EME was incorporated in February 1989 as a privately owned commercial bank obtained a banking licence and commenced business in May 1998.

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earned other African professionals the admiration and respect of the international business community.

After his retirement from Access Bank as Group Managing Director in December 2013, general expectation was that he would be named the next Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria because of his excellent pedigree and accomplishment. Aigboje is a noble and extraordinary business leader with a special capacity to inspire others to greatness.

A quintessential banker and outstanding manager of resources, his uncanny ability to bring dreams alive has earned him a pride of place in the chronicle of successful corporate restructuring in the world, and the transformation story of Access Bank under his leadership was listed a case study for MBA students in leading Business Schools across the hemisphere.

Access Bank which is now credited with the most successful growth trajectory in the history of banking in Africa and perhaps in the EME was incorporated in February 1989 as a privately owned commercial bank obtained a banking licence and commenced business in May 1998. The bank converted to a public limited liability and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in November 1998. Until March 2002 after the recapitalisation of the Bank when Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede was appointed by the bank’s Board of Directors alongside his partner, Herbert Wigwe who currently serves as the Bank’s Group Managing Director with a clear

Bank customers beware of disguised CoT charges

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

B

ut for his knowledge of the directive on Commission on Turnover (CoT), he would have fallen for the dummy.

Edij Efalom wanted to open a corporate account with one of the tier two banks for his micro fashion business. The Customer Relation Officer (CRO) of the bank informed him that the bank just introduced some new corporate accounts for small businesses.

He was encourage to chose the one

wherein he would not pay CoT on transactions but would be charged N1000 per month. But his monthly turnover must not be more than N1 million per month.

What the CRO did not know was that this customer knew that CoT has been reduced to N3 per Mile for 2014, it would be further reduced to N1 per mile in 2015 and in 2016, and banks would not be allowed to charge CoT again. The customer realised that CoT of N1 million monthly turnover would be N2000. He also realised that

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tion, he made success of the herculean task which brought huge discomfort to his family and threat to his life by saving the country of a whooping sum of N1 trillion when he blocked the channels through which our beloved country is fleeced of her resources.

He toiled day and night, forensically combing through paper works and activities of interested parties with members of his committee, to unravel the misery behind the yearly ballooning of Fuel Subsidy Repayment that has consistently seen it overshooting budgetary provision annually. A team player, who does not take personal credit for collective accomplishments, he openly acknowledged the contributions of every member of the presidential committee and their selfless efforts at nation building.

An alumnus of the Harvard Business School and law graduate of the University of Benin who started his career in the Legal department of Continental Merchant Bank discovered early enough that he enjoyed making deals than doing legal works, and quickly transited to core banking. He spent over 19 years of professional and senior management banking experience at Guaranty Trust Bank (now GT Bank), where he was Executive Director superintending the Public Sector Group before resigning in February 2002 to lead a team of other professionals to reposition Access Bank for global recognition.

From left: Dr Mike Onya, commissioner, NCC presenting the Award for Telecom Equip Housing Manufacturing Company (indigenous) to Engr Akinpelu Festus, MD CEO, Mr Andrew Akumabor, Head of Design and Planning and Mr Moradeyo Olaide Head Finance Pilot Science Co LTD. During the 2014 Nigerian Telecom Award in Lagos.

MARKET NEWS

Analyst projects disappointing Q3 corporate earnings

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

M

ost quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, are likely to report not-too-good results in their various third quarter earnings in the course of the year, said Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director/CEO, Financial Derivatives Company, FDC Limited.

He made the postulation in the September edition of Monthly Economic News and Views at Lagos Business School Executive Breakfast Meeting.

He also projected a depression in the NSE All Share Index, ASI, saying that the figure would dip to below 41,000 points by the end of the month.

Furthermore, he said that the equities

market would witness fund withdrawals by investors due to expected rise in interest rate.

Speaking on the theme for the month, ‘Inflation Up, Stock Market Down, What Next??’, Rewane said that price increase in the coming months would result to a surge in cost of sales by quoted companies.

He emphasised that the market saw early signs of correction in August as corporate earnings within the period could not justify elevated stock prices.

Consequently, he said that institutional investors, mainly the Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, are beginning to suffer from the shakes and have commenced portfolio reshuffling and rotation with stocks with high valuations and that are liquid being targets of sell-

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 23

off.

According to him, “With earnings multiple of 29.86x, down from 30.34x, the correction still has some way to go. Nigerian equities market P.E of 29.86x show overpriced equities. Daily turnover is also down, indicating that investors may still be in denial.

“They are in the early part of the five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The good news is that some veterans Bank Chiefs are back in the saddle.”

However, opportunities exist for discerning investors, he said, adding that the banking sector remains attractive despite posting a negative return of 4.28 per cent.

“Stock markets still favourable for strong brands with good earnings momentum,” he stated.

Giving a highlight of activities in the month of august, he said investors’ sentiment in the month was largely negative as the market gained in seven out of 21 trading days.

He stated that year-to-date return of the NSE ASI stood at 0.49 percent, while in 2013 it closed at 29.1 percent.

While NSE ASI closed at 41,532.33 for the month of August, the market capitalisation declined by 1.80 percent to N13.65 trillion from N13.90 trillion in July.

Market P/E was down to 29.86x from 30.34x, while daily average turnover declines by 40 percent to N3.23 billion from N5.34 billion during the period.

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INVESTORS SPEAK

‘Insurance companies merit regulatory sanction’

By WILLIAM JIMOH

T

hat

many insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange are not living up to the expectations of their shareholders currently, is no longer a new development.

Most of these companies not only failed to declare dividend (the motivation for every Nigerian investor) even before the last market meltdown; they are also incurring various degree of sanction form the industry’s regulator due to their actions and inactions. As a result, most of their were penciled down by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, among the 21 companies to be delisted for defaulting in submission of financial statements.

To some shareholders, who spoke with Vanguard Investors Forum, the managers of these companies caused the misfortune and therefore deserve any regulatory action against them.

Excerpt: AYANWAMIDE KAYODE, CEO/ Vice President, Breadfruit Elders Shareholders Association of Nigeria. : - There is no way insurance companies will not pay one fine or the other, the reason being that they have many regulators including the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the Corporate Affair Commission (CAC) and most importantly, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), which is the main regulator of the industry.

If these companies manage to escape the fine from all the other regulators, the central bank inclusive, there is no way they can bypass that of NAICOM. This is so because if a company submits her account today to NAICOM, it will take between 25 and 27 days before NAICOM will look into it. And if after looking into it and there is any error detected, the account will be returned to the company and they will have to start the process all over again, involving the external and internal auditors and the company ’s financial control department after which they will send it back to NAICOM and if it is not correct again, that is how they will continue to repeat the process until they get it right.

And NAICOM is supposed to go through and approve their various financial reports and accounts before the report can be sent to the other regulators. And this is the reason why if they are not late to get the report across to SEC; it will be late when it gets to the NSE. What I think is important at this juncture is that, just as we are

Ayanwamide Kayode

Fola Daniel, Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM

pleading that the regulator be lenient with insurance companies, it is also important for the companies to wake up to their responsibilities and do that what is expected of them as at when due.

There are certain things that are wrong with these companies which they will not let the shareholders

shareholders who are members of the audit committees of insurance companies and this was one of the findings that was brought forward.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange has tried so much for them by giving these companies three months to submit their yearly financial reports,

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the monthly turnover of his micro business would for now still be far below N500, 000.

This mean if he chooses the account been offered, though he would not pay CoT, he would, however, be paying N1000 per month, which would be far above what he would pay as CoT if he chooses the normal corporate account.

Realising this, Efalom chose the normal corporate account.

His experience further reinforces the need for bank customers to know what is going on in the industry, especially regulatory policies concerning bank charges and how banks are supposed to relate to customers on certain issues. Also, as indicated above, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2013, introduced a revised version of Guide to Bank Charges.

The Guide mandated a phased reduction in CoT Charges between 2013 and 2015, and complete elimination by 2016. From N5 per mille (or N1000), it was reduced to N3 last year and N2 this year. Next year, it would be reduced to N1, and zero by 2016.

The reduction, however, translated to huge reduction in banks’ income. For example, last year, the CoT income of the top five banks declined by N7.67 billion.

From N84.96 billion in 2012, income from CoT for the five banks dropped to N77.29 billion. The reduction in CoT charge is, however, expected to rise to N25.76 billion this year.

To forestall this colossal loss of income, some of the banks are deploying all manner of strategies to either circumvent the directive of the CBN or introduce new bank accounts with disguised CoT charge.

This is reflected in a circular sent to banks

by CBN earlier this year.

The CBN stated, “Information available to CBN indicates that some banks are still charging CoT at the rate of N3 per milewhich was the agreed rate for 2013. “Our attention has also been drawn to the practice, by some banks, of charging fees which are alien to the Guide. For example, some banks offer accounts that are supposedly CoT-free but impose a maintenance or similar fee-a fee not covered by the Guide.”

This regulatory thundering must however be complemented with vigilance on the part of bank customers, otherwise, some banks would still be offering Greek Gifts to their customers.

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FORUM

What you find out when it comes to insurance companies’ late submission of account to their regulators is that, some of these companies do not have competent personnel to carry out this function effectively and within the given time

To ensure that they live above this sanction, it is important for the insurance companies most especially those who are affected to speed up their work on account preparations and to do this diligently.

know. Thank God for the International Financial Reporting standard, IFRS, which has now given us access to certain information, which we would not have been privileged to have, about these companies.

Another problem the insurance companies are facing is that, most of their dealing is done through agents and insurance brokers, and there is no how the companies will not employ their services, of which without them there will be no business for the companies.

They try to keep all these matters to themselves and make efforts to keep to regulatory timeline with hope that they will not fall short of the requirements, but more often than not, they do, making them to part with some fines for their actions and inactions.

To ensure that they live above this sanction, it is important for the insurance companies most especially those who are affected to speed up their work on account preparations and to do this diligently. Between first and second quarters of the year, they should finish their job too.

Sonibare Waheed : Insurance companies are responsible for the problem they currently face. I say this because I attended this year’s NAICOM workshop organised for

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coupled with this; National Insurance Commission also gave them six months to submit these reports for regulatory oversight.

What you find out when it comes to insurance companies’ late submission of account to their regulators is that, some of these companies do not have competent personnel to carry out this function effectively and within the given time.

If this is not so, and for instance if a company’s account will close by 31 December, I see no reason why such a company cannot start putting their account in order from February, so that before the end of July you will have done the needful.

For me, the fact that the Exchange is sanctioning them on this matter is very justifiable because majority of them do not have what it takes to stand on their own as a company.

The insurance industry is disjointed, making the need for merger imminent.

Also, if they are not able to cope, they should delist. This is because if you are operating in a market that is regulated, you cannot say that you want to do your things in your own way. You have to follow the rules and regulation binding on you so that you will not incur the punishment of the enforcement agencies.

24 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Oil sector loses N32bn foreign investment

By Michael Eboh

T

HE non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has started to take its toll, as foreign investments into the oil and gas sector dropped by $197.31 million, about N31.6 billion in three months, between April and June 2014.

According to the second quarter, Q2, Nigerian Capital Importation Report, released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the oil and gas sector accounted for 0.07 per cent of total capital imported into Nigeria with $3.83 million, about N612.8 million.

The NBS stated that total capital imported into the Nigerian economy in Q2 2014 was $5.804 billion, rising by $1.899 billion or 48.64 per cent from $3.905 billion recorded in the opening quarter of this year.

“Relative to the $5.618 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2013, capital importation demonstrated positive year on year growth of $186.23 million or 3.32 per cent,” the NBS said.

According to the NBS, capital importation can be divided into three main investment types: Foreign Direct Investment, FDI; portfolio investment; and other investments, each comprising of various sub-categories.

Further analysis of the report, revealed that in Q2 2013, the oil and gas sector recorded foreign investments inflow of $70.827 million, rising to $201.14 million in Q1 2014.

However, in the Q2 2014, inflows into the oil sector recorded a sharp decline, dropping by 98.1 per cent to $3.83 million.

Specifically, the NBS said, “Oil and Gas, representing just 0.07 per cent of capital imported in the second quarter of 2014, showed some of the greatest declines in value. From the $70.83 million recorded a year earlier, it saw a $67.00 million or 94.59 per cent decline in value, with its share of total capital imported declining 1.19 per cent points from the 2.26 per cent it represented in quarter two of 2013.

“Despite its slow growth throughout 2013 and into the opening quarter of 2014, the second quarter saw another sharp drop in inflows, by $197.31 million or 98.10 per cent from the $201.14 million recorded in 2014’s first quarter.”

Continuing, the report said that majority of the funds came from the United Kingdom with $3.973 billion, representing 68.46 per cent of the total inflow in the period under review.

The United States followed, accounting for 17.28 per cent of the total inflow in Q2 with $1.002 billion; Belgium followed with $373.69 million, representing 6.44 per cent.

Others are: France — $89.75 million; Mauritius — $79.34 million; Switzerland — $60.57 million; South Africa — $56.84 million; and Lebanon — $27.81 million.

Commenting on capital importation

by country of origin, the NBS said, “The UK is also growing in dominance of the capital importation sector of Nigeria. Its quarter two, 2014 share is the largest of the total, with previous shares of 54.63 per cent in quarter one of 2014, and 53.86 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

“Indeed, inflows from the UK are increasing, with year on year capital importation growth of $947.73 million or 31.32 per c e n t , a n d a $ 1 . 8 4 billion or 86.26 per cent rise from the opening quarter of 2014.

“The story for the second g r e a t e s t c o n t r i b u t o r, t h e U S ,

however, is a little more mixed.

Despite negative year on year growth of 6.65 per cent, translating as $71.49 million less imported, there has been an increase in inflows thus far in 2014, rising by $471.19 million or 88.62 per cent from the preceding quarter.”

Joint conference: From left: Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and her Power counterpart, Professor Chinedu Nebo, at a joint press conference on the power intervention fund in Abuja.

FG approves N213bn for power intervention fund T HE Federal Government has announced a N213-billion facility to help offset the legacy gas debts and address the revenue shortfall in the power sector.

The announcement was made during an inter-agency initiative aimed at ensuring efficient gas supply for power generation, and finding a lasting solution to power supply challenges.

A statement from the spokesman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, said the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, made the announcement at a joint press conference held, last week in Abuja.

Members joined in the conference were the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi.

Alison-Madueke disclosed that the facility was tailored to address the three key challenges facing the power sector.

These include inadequate gas supply for power generation; misalignment between electricity tariff and the true

cost of running electricity business; and the inability of generation companies to reliably produce electricity with reduced volumes of gas.

She said: “With most of the operators having just acquired PHCN successor Generation Companies, they could hardly afford the reduced income due to the shortfall in revenues for reasons that I have just set out.

“The newly privatised companies have borne the brunt of these issues and consequent shortfalls in revenue since handover last November. This is hampering the much needed investment in the sector and has slowed down efforts to improve electricity supply.

“This scenario, which existed for several years, has now given way to recent reforms by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. And as a country, we can now address these issues with much more confidence that Nigerians will reap the dividends of increased electricity supply,” the minister said.

Outlining the scope of the intervention that the N213billion facility is designed to address, Alison-Madueke said the fund will be used to settle the legacy gas debts which stands at N36billion. Others

are the execution of agreed metering programmes; procurement of transformers by distribution companies; execution of maintenance programmes; and procurement of equipment by generation companies.

The minister further explained that the intervention fund will be provided by the CBN in collaboration with deposit money banks and will be managed by a dedicated fund manager.

Beneficiary companies are expected to repay loans obtained from the fund with a first-line charge on their revenues over a 10-year period.

“There will be a moratorium on repayment of the credit facility from the banks, by Distribution Companies until electricity supply across the country improves. This will ensure that the cost of electricity for the ordinary consumer continues to be at affordable levels,” she said.

On the modalities for operating the intervention fund, the Minister said that Distribution Companies, Generation Companies, and the Transmission Company will commit to deploy the funds to address specific challenges as preconditions for accessing the fund.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—25

BRIEF Liberia courts West Africa companies in oil bid round

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IBERIA is courting investment from companies in ECOWAS in its new bid round for four offshore oil blocks.

The country, according to reports, is using an incentive that targets regional upstream operators that is the first of its kind in a bid round.

Reports say the ‘Local Content Participation’ provisions included in the design of the bid round will give preference to bidding groups with ECOWAS companies that partner with a Liberian company.

The bid round, run by NOCAL (National Oil Company of Liberia), opened in August and will close on November 14th. It re-opens four undrilled blocks for competitive bidding: LB-7, LB7, LB-16 and LB-17 and is being organized with Ernst & Young (EY).

Bidders are being asked to bid on an upfront payment (“signature bonus”) to be paid to Liberia within a set number of days after their contract becomes effective.

Councilor Althea Sherman, NOCAL Chief Operating Officer, who is coordinating the round, said: “We want a vibrant Liberian industry and jobs, but also a vibrant West African upstream sector. This provision will help do both. It will enable Liberian companies to develop capacity and take full advantage of the petroleum value chain, and give opportunities for regional companies to participate.”

Russia cuts gas deliveries by 10%

T

HE deliveries of Russian gas through the Ukrainian territory have been reduced by 10 percent, a representative for Slovakia’s electricity and gas supplier SPP told RIA Novosti Sunday.

“SPP recorded a 10 percent decrease in Russian gas supply,” a spokesperson for the company Peter Bednar said, adding that the company recorded a 20-25 percent decrease in the deliveries in the course of the week.

Wednesday, Slovakia’s Minister of Economy Pavol Pavlis said Russian gas supplier Gazprom explained Slovakia that the non-fulfilment of the delivery of requested volumes of gas is due to technical problems.

However, the Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller earlier said that the claims concerning the short deliveries of Russian gas, made by some European nations, were related to extra volumes, while the contracted ones are delivered in full.

LNG tanker

Inability to recoup investment frustrates local production of meters

By Sebastine Obasi

T

HE uncertainty of distri bution companies, DISCOs, to recoup their investments may be hampering their desire to patronise local meter manufacturers, as it takes a long time to recoup investment from locally manufactured meters.

Relating the experience of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, since taking over from PHCN in Novem-

ber 2013, the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. John Darlington, noted that although patronising local manufacturers is laudable, the cost is prohibitive.

According to him, “Metering is good investment; an average household in Lagos pays electricity bill of about N6,000, N8,000 or probably N10,000.

But in Ibadan, an average household pays electricity bill of about N2,000.

“Whereas, the average cost of

a meter is N22,000 or N23,000, of which you must recover the investment in the life of the meter. If a person is paying about N1,500 monthly electricity bill, how many years will it take him to pay back a N22,000 cost of meter?

“Secondly, our local knowledge shows how creative we are in this part of the world.

Most of us own properties abroad, and you dare not tamper with the meter in your apartment. But in Nigeria,

Consortium pools $400m for 260MW plant in Ogun

By Chris Ochayi

A

Consortium of foreign financial institutions has generated a total of $400 million to construct a 260megawatt, MW, power plant to be located in Ewekoro, Ogun State.

Lafarge Nigeria Limited, the cement manufacturing company is the lead arranger of the deal, which also includes the International Finance Corporation, IFC, a subsidiary of the World Bank; Wartsila-Development; and Financial Services Company based in Finland.

The Minister of State for Power, Hon. Muhammad Wakil, who performed the signing ceremony last week in Abuja, described the event as a milestone. He added that this underscored the need to fast track the nation’s power privatisation exercise described as the biggest in the world.

According to him, “Today’s event would not have been possible but for the

doggedness of Mr. President in assuring that nothing derails the power sector reform.” The Minister said that the President had also given a marching order to all cabinet members to be ambassadors in attracting foreign investors.

This, he said, is borne from the realisation that a lot of resources would be required in the now private sector driven power sector.

He used the opportunity to call on genuine investors to take advantage of the conducive environment in terms of legislative framework, market depth and political will, while assuring of higher yields on their investment.

The Lafarge Chief Executive officer, Nigeria and Benin, Mr. Guillaume Roux, speaking on behalf of the Consortium, noted that the World Bank’s energy business plan is supportive of the Nigerian power sector.

He explained that this is because of the visible

achievements recorded so far since the privatisation exercise.

He promised that his group is determined to leverage on all resources that would be required to support the sector, adding that this project will be realised on record time.

Roux said the project on completion will increase the nation’s power generation capacity, thus a substantial leap to supply in the electricity value chain in Nigeria.

Recall that Lafarge has been in the lead of embedded power source, as the company expressed its readiness to release to the national grid the excess power being produced from its cement plant.

Therefore, it is expected that of the 260MW expected to be produced from the Joint Agreement, at least 220MW will be available through this embedded power to the national grid.

even in houses of the rich, we tamper with our meters, bypass our meters, and deal with the meters with impunity. So before we make an investment in this regard, we must study the technology that will help us manage this menace.”

Darlington added that Ibadan DISCO has taken into cognisance the fact that many customers within its network do not pay proportionate bill that can enable the company recoup an investment in meters.

“I cannot buy a new meter at N22,000, multiply it by the customer base of 1 million and after the investment, I cannot recover my cost of power, let alone the cost of the whole investment because I have deployed a technology which an average person can tamper with. That is the burden we carry.”

Darlington also noted that foreigners did not invest in the DISCOs due to the complicity that trailed government/labour relationship. “We bought the distribution company without doing due diligence because the union did not allow anybody to come into this company. But Nigerians took the risk. That is why there is no foreign investor in any of the DISCOs today.

“Foreign investors are managing it, but their money is not on the table. Nigerians who invested in the DISCOs have shown patriotism. These are the bottlenecks and the pain we are going through,” he added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Mr. Fortunato Leynes, said that the company is trying to close the gap between those that have meters and customers without meters, which informed the company’s bid for more meters.

“We are trying to close the metering gap between those customers who do not have meters and those that have. We are taking delivery of about 24,000 meters for now to serve those without meters. Those who complain of estimated bills should seize the opportunity to come to our business office and apply for their meters,” he said.

He also said that IBEDC is set to raise about $160 million through a consortium of banks led by Skye Bank, to help fund the company’s operations appropriately.

Leynes explained that the company has entered into a partnership with the University of Ibadan, in order to build skilled and effective human capital.

According to him, “IBEDC in its quest to make true its vision of becoming the best electricity distribution company in Nigeria went into a strategic partnership with the University of Ibadan. This is based on two critical initiatives; first, talent sourcing and development, and the second is making the institution the first island in our franchise area that would be guaranteed 24 hours power supply,” he added.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

DPR says migration to electronic operations yields dividends

By Clara Nwachukwu

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T is no gainsaying that technology has changed practically every facet of the human life from lifestyle to living, and most importantly the way humans do their works.

Whilst technology may have brought about challenges in terms of adapting and keeping up with industry trends, it certainly has improved work processes tremendously, especially in terms of service delivery and turnaround time.

This is the case with Nigeria’s oil and gas industry regulator, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, which recently migrated to electronic solution for almost all its industry activities to effectively carry out its functions.

The Department began the electronic system with the issuance of permits and licences and renewals to streamline its operations and service delivery.

As a result, Nigerian registered companies seeking to render services in the oil and gas industry are required to submit online applications for new permits and renewal with the required documents.

Migrating to e-portal The DPR launched the electronic services with the introduction of the Oil and Gas Industry Service Permits, OGISP, as a statutory requirement for registered companies wishing to render services in the industry.

Applications in this regard are processed under three categories, namely: general, major and specialised, which

attract statutory fees of N500, N2,500 and N7,500, respectively.

The DPR told Vanguard that migrating to the e-portal has enhanced its effectiveness in policing the industry in terms of capturing proper data on its permits and licences more than it did in the past when it was done manually.

According to the regulator, “the migration to the e-portal has fast-tracked the turnaround time for concluding our processes in the areas of issuing industry permits and licences.

“E-portal has also improved our effectiveness and efficiency, as we continue to carry out due diligence on individual companies, especially those applying in the major and specialised categories.”

The Department also said

the electronic system is cost effective and has enhanced its internally generated revenues, IGR, in terms of processing fees. This is because “the introduction of the Online Application System, payments for DPR permits could be made through banks or any of the known credit/debit cards.”

DPR’s spokeswoman, Ms. Dorothy Bassey, had explained that “the electronic application system for statutory permits is the beginning of digitalisation of our entire licensing and permitting system.”

She added that the system is geared toward “ removing bottlenecks and ensure delivery of improved quality service, as duly completed applications forms are processed within 72 hours.”

She said the online

application system would require applicants to log onto the DPR website to create their company accounts from which they could apply for different categories of permits upon completion of the applicable forms.

Besides, the regulator said the OGISP has improved its manpower skills, as necessary security precautions have been taken to safeguard documents that would be submitted online, and warned that uploading fake documents would render an application invalid.

In the past Before the introduction of the OGISP, permits and licences from DPR were done manually with attendant consequences and defects.

These include delays in documents processing, loss of documents and ultimately loss

Offshore oil rig

Ministry decries smuggling of minerals

By Gabriel Ewepu

F

OLLOWING the surge in illegal activities in the Solid Minerals sector, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Musa Sada, has condemned the continued smuggling of mineral resources out of the country.

Sada, made the condemnation last week during the visit of Oyo State delegation to the ministry’s headquarters led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo.

Sada said: “One of the biggest problems we have in mineral exploitation in the

country is smuggling, and gemstone is the biggest victim, as 80 per cent of this mineral that is exploited in Nigeria is smuggled and that is worrisome.

“We are looking at setting up three mineral buying centres; it does not have to be gemstone, it depends on what minerals are being exploited in each state, and it is a pilot programme.”

He further noted that 80 per cent of the gemstone being exploited was done in Oyo state, thus resulting in the creation of large number of value chain.

The minister also said the Ministry was collaborating

with private investors, the Miners Association of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders in setting up mineral buying centres, with Oyo State as one of the locations.

The Minister commended the Oyo State Government for its zeal and commitment towards the development of the country’s minerals and metals sector.

He noted that Oyo is one of the centres of mineral activities in Nigeria, which has been issued with 173 mineral titles, 87 exploration licences, six mineral licences, five small scale mining licences, and 75 quarry licences.

He then assured the delegation of the Ministry’s cooperation and assistance in ensuring that Oyo continued to take its lead in the development of the country’s minerals and metals sector.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, represented by his deputy, Adeyemo, said their mission was to seek for more collaboration with the Ministry.

Particular interest is on the establishment of an International Gemstone Buying Centre as well as the development of its marble deposit located at Igbeti community in Oyo State.

of man hours in trying to resolve these issues.

Furthermore, the turnaround time for processing these documents manually was unbearably long, so much that it affected stakeholders negatively, thereby increasing the cost of doing businesses.

Against this backdrop, DPR resolved to streamline its operations in line with international best practices, which thrived on technological innovations to be able to regulate the petroleum industry better.

Furthermore, under the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, the Department stands out as the arrowhead, in terms of regulating and monitoring oil and gas activities in Nigeria, in order to ensure standards, compliance and best international industry practices.

This is with a view to conserving the nation’s hydrocarbon resources, and maximising returns on investments for government, especially as the industry accounted for more than 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Role of DPR Pending the passage of the PIB, currently, the DPR as posted on its official website: www.dpr.gov.ng, is responsible for the following functions: • Supervising all petroleum industry operations being carried out under licences and leases in the country.

• Monitoring the petroleum industry operations to ensure that they are in line with national goals and aspirations, including those relating to flare down and domestic gas supply.

• Ensuring the health, safety and environment regulations conform with national and international best oil field practice.

•Maintaining records on petroleum industry operations, particularly on matters relating to petroleum reserves, production/exports, licences and leases.

•Advising government and relevant government agencies on technical matters and public policies that may have impact on the administration of petroleum activities.

•Processing industry applications for leases, licences and permits.

• Ensure timely and accurate payments of rents, royalties and other revenues due to government, and, •Maintaining and administering the National Data Repository, NDR.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 27

BRIEF India eyeing completion of Iran’s gas pipeline

M

EMBER of the Iranian Parliament’s Energy Commission Abdollah Tamimi said Indian refiners have long been waiting for the completion of the Peace Gas Pipeline Project which is due to supply Iran’s gas to India via Pakistan despite Washington pressure and Islamabad’s foot-dragging.

Tamimi said during an Iranian parliamentary delegation’s visit to the Assar Steel Corporation, in New Delhi, the complex’s managers voiced readiness to purchase natural gas from Iran, the oil ministry ’s website reported.

He said India is pressured by the US to delay imports of gas from Iran which has created hurdles in completion of the peace pipeline.

Iran wishes to export its natural gas to Pakistan, India and China through the pipeline.

Iran has already built its 900kilometer share of the pipeline on its own soil and is waiting for the 700-kilometer Pakistani side of the pipeline to be built.

Iran and Pakistan signed an agreement over the construction of a gas pipeline in 1995. Later, Iran made a proposal to extend the pipeline from Pakistan into India. In February 1999, an accord between Iran and India was signed.

Nigerians to pay more for cooking gas …As marketers, firm disagree

By Sebastine Obasi

N

IGERIANS will be compelled to pay a sudden 48 percent price increase for liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, also known as cooking gas, as a 12.5 kilogramme of the product has risen to N4,000, up from N2,700 previously.

This is even as the development has also set the marketers, under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers, NALPGAM, and ALGASCO LPG Services Limited on a collision course over the arbitrary increase.

NALPGAM President, Mr.

Basil Ogbuanu, alleged that ALGASCO, operator of the Apapa gas terminal of Navgas, increased LPG price without justification. He also accused the company of ordering other off-takers, who use its terminal not to sell to marketers at a certain price.

The marketers are therefore protesting against what they call, “the sudden increase of LPG price” by the company.

They noted that the Mont Belvieu LPG price, which is the international pricing model used by the Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, to sell gas to the domestic market has not increased its price.

According to Ogbuanu, ALGASCO increased the price of LPG from N3.3 million to N3.5 million for 20 metric tonnes, even when the international price had not increased.

“Before ALGASCO’s current price increase, the price of LPG was N3.3 million for 20 metric tonnes. Now, it is the only terminal in Lagos that has gas, out of the three terminals that we have here.

Because of that, it increased the price from N3.3 million to N3.5 million.

“We, the marketers, quickly wrote a letter to the company, asking why the price went up

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Head of Technical, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Engr. Carl Aquino; Head Customer Service Plc (IBEDC), Mrs. Temitope Raji; Deputy Managing Director (IBEDC), Mr. John Darlington and Managing Director, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Engr. Fortunato Leynes at the First Anniversary Pre-Event briefing.

Electricity officials bicker over funds, others

By William Jimoh

O

FFICIALS of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEC, are currently bickering over the management of the finances of the Union.

The crisis is between some members of the Union’s Trustee on one hand, and the President-General and Secretary General, on the other.

The President General, SSAEAC, Mr. Bede Opara, had alerted members of the union and the general public of the activities of some members of the Trustee. He described them as unauthorised persons trying to carry out banking transactions on behalf of the association.

According to him, contrary to agreements, some union officers had opened a personalised account meant to warehouse the two per cent deductions from the severance pay of staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The action, he said, was discovered when the bank wrote the association on

November 7, 2013, querying why the account was opened in individuals’ names rather than the association’s name.

According to him, this made the secretary-general of the association and himself to open another account with the same bank in the association’s name to negate the one opened by the trio.

This, Opara said, made the National Executive Council of the union, at its meeting on February 21, 2014, to constitute an ad-hoc disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations of the activities of the three officers.

However, addressing newsmen on the matter in Lagos, SSAEC’s National Trustee 2, Comrade Adepegba Olasunkami, explained that the contention in the Union has to do with its leader.

He said it started as a result of the Union President General’s refusal to quit unionism after he got a double promotion to become the General Manager; an action he said contradicts the convention and traditions of the association.

He said, “It has been a

standing tradition of the union that any union member promoted to the level of the general manager cannot continue to be a union functionary, irrespective of the office he held.

“Conventions are fundamental in upholding the principles of such entity. These include forbidding leaders or top echelon of such entity from making any utterances or engaging in such acts that are capable of raising moral questions from members or from other interested parties.

“Without any iota of doubt, the President General is aware that in our association, this convention was applied in the case of his predecessors.

Comrades GOC Ifenacho, and Ajileye, were members of the Association’s Trustees when they were promoted as assistant General Manager (Properties and Procurements) Headquarters, respectively.

“The two are celebrities even till today, especially the former, because they did not sit tight even when they had ample opportunities to do so. They stepped aside and there is no precedent in the association as

far as I know that could suggest the sit-tight-ism the present President-General is scheming now.”

He added that contrary to the impression created by the President General and Secretary General that some unauthorised persons were trying to carry out banking transactions on behalf of the association, the two were the ones destroying the conventions and traditions of the union.

He said, “It is also contrary to the laid down procedures of our union for a President General to be a signatory to the association’s cheques. The association’s constitution stipulates that two out of the three trustees of the association must have assent in the union finance and not the President General.

“The issue of money and who is authorised to be the association’s signatory never came up all these years, because the association had no money, until not too long ago when the two per cent deduction from the severance pay of staff members of the defunct PHCN arose.”

from N3.3 million to N3.5 million for 20 metric tonnes of LPG “Also, we demanded that the company should reverse the price to N3.3 million and up till now, the company has refused to do that. Instead of that, ALGASCO has continued to sell LPG at N3.5 million for 20 metric tonnes because it is the only terminal that has gas.

In their letter of protest signed by the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Makinwa Omoyemi, NALPGAM stated: “Presently, the price of crude oil is reducing and this is one of the parameters used in fixing the price of LPG

by Nigeria LNG Limited. We therefore see no justification as to the sudden increase, which we believe will have an adverse effect on the LPG consumption across the country.

“We acknowledge the fact that the LPG market is deregulated.

However, further investigation revealed that Mont Belvieu LPG has not increased, which implies price of LPG has not been increased by Nigeria LNG Limited, who is the major supplier of the product.

“Due to the sudden price increase, our members nationwide demand further explanation as to what led to it.

We, therefore, advise that the status quo remains in respect of the product price.”

NALPGAM also said that this is not the first time ALGASCO would effect such price increases, saying, “In December, 2004, the company did the same thing.

Because it was the only company that had gas, ALGASCO sold gas from N3.2 million to N4.7 million per 20 metric tonnes of LPG. But immediately other off-takers received gas from NLNG, they reversed the price from N3.2 million.

When contacted, a representative of ALGASCO, who chose to be anonymous because he was not authorised to speak, said that the claims are baseless.

He said, “The claims are baseless. It is totally wrong. It is unfounded. LPG is deregulated.

It is open for everybody. The whole drama is not a new thing to us.”

According to him, seven companies, following documentary instruction sent to the supplier (NLNG) for current delivery are selling at N3.5m, but only a single company, ALGASCO, has been singled out as increasing domestic LPG prices. “This obviously suggests foul play,” he added.

He listed the receiving companies at the NAVGAS terminal to include, Gasland (500MT), Oando (1,500MT), Algasco (4,800MT), Banner Gas (200MT), Chimons Gas (200MT), Gas Terminalling (200MT), Hyson (600MT), and Techno Gas (300MT).

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMPER 23, 2014

PDP ticket: I'm confronting Jonathan not as a fool — Tafawa Balewa Dr. Abdul Jhalil Tafawa Balewa, son of Nigeria’s first and only prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was, just a year ago, a rabid supporter of a second term for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abdul Jhalil, who holds a PhD in Nuclear Chemistry, was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the United States where he lived for about 46 years.

In a telephone interview, the former Jonathanian asserts his right to seek the presidential ticket of the PDP despite last week’s unanimous adoption of the president saying that the right of first refusal given the president is undemocratic and a betrayal of democratic norms. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor HAT is your position on the adoption of the president by your party?

Since when in a democracy does only one person contest?

In Marxism and socialism under Russia and China, you had the politburo and all that, and that is what we are turning into and we cannot allow that.

So, are you now entering the presidential contest?

I want to. I am making consultations and I have to enter because at no time whatsoever has what is going on now made sense.

W

But you were at one time a strong supporter of President Jonathan Yes, I supported him from the point of view that nobody that is under the sky of Nigeria should not have an opportunity not to rise to the highest office in the land.

But they have changed Nigeria into a fiefdom like we are back in the Stone Age and we cannot allow that and I supported him in the sense that anyone should be able to rise to the highest office. But have you ever seen the hardship among the people as it is now.

No money, no industry anywhere even though we hear

•Tafawa Balewa that we have beaten South Africa in our GDP. South Africa is only 44 million people and we are nearly 200 million.

But those were the prevailing parameters when you were supporting the presi-

dent just about six months or so ago It wasn’t six months ago, it was almost a year ago. These indices have changed rapidly. It is now that the western world is coming in because of

the insurgency that we are getting all these indices and it is a matter of the wool being taken over peoples eyes and people that are in government have covered the eyes of people.

Are you using the PDP for your aspiration?

Absolutely! I am a member of the PDP from the United States and have been since 1999.

But the national leadership of the PDP has endorsed the president. Can you buck the trend?

If you look at the Punch of yesterday, (Saturday Punch) the lame duck governors (outgoing governors) have been told that they would be supported with senatorial seats and the EFCC would be prevented from attacking them, that is bribery.

Look at the amount of money that was seized in South Africa, they said they were purchasing arms! I mean no country now would purchase arms with cash. I mean why would you take cash when cash transfer would only take seconds?

Do you have the backing of any recognised or formidable bloc in the PDP? I cannot give names, but be assured that I am not a fool.

Forces of darkness'll not alter my relationship with Elechi — Chief Dave Umahi, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State is one of those contending to succeed his principal, Chief Martin Elechi. In this interview he reviews his assessment of the race, his relationship with the governor and affirms that the cordiality he enjoys with Elechi will not derail despite the permutations of the forces of darkness. Excerpts:

By Peter Okutu

H

OW can you describe your relationship with Governor Martin Elechi?

It is that of friendliness and mutual understanding ever since Chief Martin Elechi came into being as the Governor of Ebonyi state 2007.

Ever since then, I have been admiring his wisdom. I cherish his wisdom, experience and forthrightness in the handling of state affairs. Suffice to say that fate brought us together.

I think the score card he gave

to me as a party chairman was A-plus and it is something I must cherish all through my life. For such a man to say to you, you have done well; and again for such a man to ask you to be his deputy is the height of honour and that's the way I look at it.

So far, the relationship has been very wonderful. Yes, but we are not unmindful of the devices of darkness that want to manipulate this existing cordial relationship.

I know people have been working hard to tarnish my image and also to cause

problems between us. But the governor is a child of God. The secret of the governor as a man who has built a house for God is he has brought the hands of God upon him and his administration. When you see a man who has the hand of God on him, nobody would be able defeat him in the battle of life.

As the former PDP Chairman, what would you advise all those who want to run for governorship come 2015 in the state?

My advice would be in line with what former Governor Sam Egwu said; he said we should have God-factor in our political dealings. I believe you are not supposed to run down another person to sell your own credentials. Because if you do, that also become part of your credentials in the sphere of life.

The fitness of another candidate does not add to your credentials.

When you meet people tell them what you can do for the state; tell them what you have done so far with the positions you held before seeking another one.

These and many more are the indices to measure a man's love for his people. Not to start running down another person.

At the end of the day, it is only one person and that person is the person God has ordained.

My advice is let us pay the game of politics with the fear of God because leadership is in the hand of God and He gives it to whoever he wills.

Do you envisage the prospect of an ugly relationship with Governor Elechi?

It is a very dangerous thing.

And again, the man has been a blessing to me. He has respected

me so much and made the office of the Deputy Governor to be strong and relevant. I don't see me having any problem with him because my heart is pure before him and before God. The important thing is that let not any of the rumours be the truth.

I am a child of destiny. And there is nothing anybody can do about it because the just shall live by faith. So sometimes, you want to destroy me because you want to rise but you can never truncate my destiny.

My destiny is on course because I am a child of destiny.

And there is nothing anybody can do about it. The place God wants me to get to, I must get to the place but I must continue to be loyal to the Governor and continue to have him and everything associated with him.

The rest is in the hands of God

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMPER 23, 2014—29

Why my friend, Wike can't be Rivers governor — Chief Sara-Igbe Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe is a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State. He has served the state at different times and in different capacities, the last being as Special Adviser on Security Matters to ex-Governor Peter Odili when the latter held sway as Rivers State helmsman between 1999 and 2007. In this interview, the politician said Rivers people will not allow the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, to succeed Governor Amaechi, warning his party not to throw the state into political turmoil. He also spoke on other issues.

Excerpt:

THE 2015 general election in the country is fast approaching. As a chieftain of the opposition PDP in Rivers State, what is the strength of your party in reclaiming the state from the All Progressives Congress, APC, given that the Minister of Education appears to be the one being favoured by your party to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi?

The Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike cannot succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi, why because it would amount to his zone taking too much from Rivers State. We have started talking to the leaders of our party in the state against fielding Wike and allowing him to sail through the primary.

Wike’s candidature will generate bad blood for the party.

I think the party will learn from what happened in Osun State, because when people said look, Omisore has an issue with the people of Osun State and that if this issue was not resolved, they will spring up sentiment with it,

some people threw it overboard and when election came, we all saw what went wrong.

Wike, as a person,I will not say he is a bad man or he is a good man but what I am saying is that Wike, as an Ikwere man has spoilt the whole thing because an Ikwere man has ruled. Celestine Omeiha ruled for six months and handed over to Amaechi and Amaechi has ruled Rivers State for over seven years now. Ikwere has taken it, Rivers State is made of more than 20 ethnic groups.

So why must one ethnic group dominate it over the entire state?

It is not fair, that is what we are saying now.

So, in essence you foresee crisis in his candidature?

Of course, there will be resistance from the people of Rivers State and don’t forget that Amaechi is a sworn enemy of Wike, it will also generate bad blood and tension. But if somebody else outside Ikwere is produced as a flag bearer of PDP, I think that will bring unity, that will bring reconciliation, that will move the party forward. That is the way I see it. It is not because

Ebonyi Deputy Gov but I don't foresee any disagreement. I don't foresee any misunderstanding because I am praying very hard that the truth will stand.

You have been a PDP Chairman in the state, how do you assess the performance of the present chairman?

I think the present Chairman has done more than I did when I was the PDP Chairman. I am impressed by the show of maturity displayed by the State Working Committee under the leadership of Prince Ugorji AmaOti. Losing and winning a seat is not the job of the party. PDP lost those seats because we had crisis and don't forget we lost those seats at the time I was pulling out. It is not entirely under the present leadership. So you can call it 50-50.

•Umahi

•Igbe I hate Wike, no.

Wike is my friend, I have nothing against him but the fact remains that his region has taken governorship.

Let me give you an illustration, no matter what anybody from South South will do—Akpabio, Amaechi, Uduaghan and anybody from South South, whatever you may do, if you come to become president after Jonathan, it will generate tension in the country.

Nigerians will not accept it.

Nigerians will ask questions and it can cause a lot of problems in the country. If Jonathan today says he will handover to anybody from the South South or is intending to hand over to anybody from the South South, you can see the level of heat it will generate.

If he goes beyond South South and wants to handover to anybody from the South, you can see the level of heat it will equally generate.

So, talk of this Rivers State, the Ikweres have had their turn, so if another Ikwere man is coming, you can see the level of heat it will generate. What we are saying is that allowing another Ikwere man to rule Rivers after Amaechi will naturally generate tension in the state.

Let’s look at the oil-bearing communities, the oil bearing communities are not ruling and we are saying give the oil bearing

communities the opportunity to rule the state so that they can protect the oil. How can we see what Amaechi has done to us and we will now allow another Ikwere man to come and rule when they don’t have oil. They only produce six percent of the oil in Rivers State. The Calabari produces 46 percent of the oil in

Wike’s candidature will generate bad blood for the party. I think the party will learn from what happened in Osun State

,

By Joseph Erunke

of the North oppressing us or that they are not producing, we are saying here that right in our state, in Rivers State, they are some ethnic groups that are doing the same thing and they are not producing and they want to continue to oppress those producing.

How would you take it? It is not going to be easy. That is the issue on ground, not that we hate any particular aspirant or candidate or not that that aspirant is not constitutionally qualified to contest for election. We are saying let us do what will bring peace to the state, let us do what will bring peace to the country. That is our concern.

It appears the leadership of the PDP is favourably disposed to the candidature of Nyesom Wike as governor of Rivers State, in a situation where he scales the party’s primary, are the people of the state going to protest through their votes in the election?

Well, like I have said, the PDP at the national level has not spoken, the PDP in the state which he brought, which is in his palm hand has spoken. We are waiting for the PDP to speak, when we get to the bridge, we will cross it.

How would you assess the leadership of Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State generally?

Well, Rotimi Amaechi as a governor did well in his first tenure but the second tenure, he is into politics, he is playing politics and his problem with the president of Nigeria who is our son is a serious crisis in the region. So, to that extent that he is playing politics without also looking at the political situation of his region is his own nightmare and his own albatross.

Before the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha created Bayelsa State; it was in Rivers

Rivers State and also produces 56 percent of the gas in Rivers State and they don’t allow them to rule and they are the people who are acceptable to any other ethnic group and because one has power or one has money, one has resources, he can coerce everybody to say no, how will that work? It’s not going to work again.

What do you mean by saying ‘what Amaechi has done to us.’

Can you expatiate on that?

What I am saying is that if you look at the budget of Rivers State, more than 80 percent of the budget of Rivers State goes to the upland in terms of capital vote, in terms of infrastructural development. And those people who are benefiting the 80 percent are not producing revenue for the state. So if today, you are talking

,

State, so why has it been so difficult for the elders of Rivers State to mediate in the political crisis between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi?

Well, you see, these are two adults. The Rivers State governor is a governor and Mr President is also a president. As elders of the region, we have advised for peaceful resolution of their crisis but like I had said earlier, the issue of the crisis between Amaechi and the president is a self-made scheming of a particular aspirant who feels that that is the best way to achieve his ambition.

And that aspirant has been able to bring fire at the backyard of the president to say well, if you don’t support me, this fire will burn you.

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Changing Nigeria's image abroad

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

T

HE negative perception by foreigners of Nigerians being criminally minded people is having its toll on the country. This is because most foreigners now find it difficult relating with Nigerians.

Although there are few Nigerians who are involved in diverse corrupt practices in various countries, it is not enough to generally describe the country as suffused in moral decadence.

The issue of advanced fee

fraud is also one of the activities associated with some Nigerians abroad, and this has culminated into some undeserving conception within the minds of most foreigners, who have continued to generalise Nigerians in terms of criminal activities. The recent roughening and subsequent deportation of a Nigerian medical student, Joshua Kunle Abdul-Azeez, who reported that an Egypt airline official tore his passport, saying ‘bloody Nigerians’, was a typical example of how

most foreigners perceive Nigerians.

It is indeed disheartening to know that Nigerian citizens are often associated with various crimes and other social vices. The situation, however, has created avenues for many of them to be insulted and or maltreated by citizens of countries they have migrated to.

Nigerians have had to go through many humiliating experiences in various countries of residence as a result of their general perception as fraudsters by

Map of Nigeria

most foreigners. The pitiable thing here is that some of these unscrupulous Nigerians abroad have made it too cumbersome for the good ones

to thrive in their various endeavours. Ironically, those who are giving the country a bad name are being celebrated and given favourable platform, upon which to continue in further fraudulent practices.

They are also seen as role-models by some younger generations, who are often vulnerable.

Other issues which make Nigeria unsaleable in the international community is the high rate of corruption among government officials.

Corruption in the country has diverted attention from things that would have provided Nigerian youths a better premise to actualize their dreams.

Greener pastures Almost on a daily basis, thousands of youths leave the country for other countries in search of what they term ‘greener pastures’. The situation is more worrisome when one considers the way and manner these energetic youths travel out. A good number of them walk thousands of miles through dangerous routes, deserts, in the quest for good life. More still, many of them die in the process, while those who made it through are victimized and or imprisoned without fair trial.

It is sad to know that on a daily basis, we have several cases of various levels of assault and or humiliation meted to Nigerians abroad, and one wonders what has really gone wrong. Many Nigerians are suffering abroad from the bad attributes given the country by unscrupulous elements who are bent on putting the country ’s name in disrepute. The situation is indeed worrisome and calls for a proper step towards a better Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 31

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

By Theodore Opara

TUC pledges support for new auto policy T

The LC 70 series has earned an enviable reputation for versatility, ruggedness and dependability

TNL unveils resilient Toyota LC70 military vehicle •Says it is the toughest, strongest, work vehicle ever built

T

OYOTA Nigeria Limited, TNL, has finally launched the resilient Land Cruiser LC 70 pick up into the Nigerian market.

Described by Toyota as the “toughest, strongest and smartest work vehicle ever built”, the LC 70 is equipped with a 4.0 litre V6 turbo petrol engine which delivers an awesome 170 kw power with impressive fuel economy.

Toyota Nigeria says that the Land Cruiser LC 70 is an ideal vehicle for the military with its 'goeverywhere' capability.

Available only in manual transmission with 130 litre fuel tank, the LC 70 comes in single and double cabins with seating capacity for three (single cabin) and six (double cabin).

Mr. Bayo Olawuyin, Marketing Manager, Toyota Nigeria Limited, while introducing the new Land Cruiser LC70 to the motoring press,

said that the vehicle is not competing with the Toyota Hilux pick up but targeted at the military in their execution of tough task in toughest terrain.

“Our target is the military and police, while the Hilux is for constitution and police, the LC70 is a military vehicle that can take on all terrains,” he said.

"With a 4.0 litre engine, and ground clearance that has no equal in 4 x 4

category, the LC70 is a workhorse that the military will find most ideal in any terrain, no matter how tough,” he further stated.

According to him, the LC70’s high ground clearance surprisingly does not affect its stability on road as it drives like a typical sedan on paved roads.

“It is from the Land Cruiser family and boasts of all attributes of Land

Cruiser with the strength and resilience of a bull,” he said.

He explained that Toyota Nigeria, after seeing the exploits of the LC70 in the Middle East and North Africa, especially in the desert has decided to offer the LC70 to the Nigerian military.

“It is our gift to the Nigerian military. They will find it irresistible in their fleet given its

toughness, durability, economy and off-road prowess. It is simply made for the job,” he stated.

The Toyota LC70 is the toughest, strongest and smartest work vehicle ever built. It is not just a workhorse, but an inspiration. It inspires you to brave up and face the task that you must do.

Its versatility, dependability, toughness and extra-ordinary stamina make it reliable for whatever adventure or task you to put it to.”

HE Director General of the National Automotive Council (NAC), Engr. Aminu Jalal, has solicited for the support and cooperation of Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the implementation process of National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).

Speaking in Abuja recently when he paid a courtesy call on the President of TUC Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, the NAC boss stated that the policy has the capacity to create jobs, transfer technology and fasttract industrial development.

He further informed that many automotive manufacturing companies had signified their intention of establishing plants in Nigeria, while many assembly plants have commenced operations producing affordable vehicles with price ranges from N1.5m – N2.5m.

Engineer Jalal disclosed that when the assembly plants starts full production, there is tendency for the prices of brand new cars to further go down.

Porsche delivers 120,000 cars in eight months

T

HE Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer has handed over 120,000 new vehicles to customers the world over from January to August 2014, thus achieving an increase of 12 per cent in comparison to the same period last year.

In August 2014, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG delivered around 15,000 vehicles – a jump of 30

per cent in comparison to the same month last year.

Bernhard Maier, member of the Executive Board, Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG, said: “Over the course of this year, we have achieved quite a strong growth world-wide. We posted two-digit growth in Europe, despite existing uncertainties in several markets.

"The new Cayenne will

provide further stimulus for growth during the next few months and support our qualitative growth strategy.”

So far this year, Porsche had recorded similar growth rates in its three biggest sales regions. The sports car maker had announced an increase of 16 per cent in Europe: a little less than 39,000 new cars were delivered to

customers.

In China, more than 28,000 vehicles were handed over in the period from January to August 2014, outmatching the figure of the previous year by 15 per cent. In the U.S. market, the deliveries rose 12 per cent, to reach a sales figure of nearly 32,000 units sold.

With an increase of 23

per cent, the Panamera posted the highest growth in the on-going year: 16,700 sport sedans were handed over to customers all over the world. The second generation of the Cayman mid-engine sports car coupé was also very popular and outdid last year’s figure by 16 per cent, with 7,200 vehicle deliveries.

PODIUM‌ Uduaghan gives Songhai-Delta kiss of life PAGE 2

EBOLA SCARE: Customers desert Atimbo bush bar PAGE 5

VOL. 1: NO. 16

4 YEARS AFTER: Emadadja Cottage Hospital abandoned

PAGE 6

TUESD A Y, SEPTEMBER 23, 20 14 TUESDA 201

Soldiers on duty in Kokori.

Gang runs parallel govt in Kokori *Establishes training camps on weaponry, warfare *Gives orders to elders, community; members rape women *Police uncover, cut off power supply to training camp

By Emma Amaize

K

OKORI— A gang of hooligans, which conscripts and trains teenagers in the use of weaponry and warfare, is allegedly running a parallel administration at Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area in Delta State.

The gang is said to be operating three camps, one of which is located at an Island between the town and Awhiri in Agbarho, near Ughelli, where trainees are drilled on weaponry.

Kokori is the hometown of Kelvin Oniarah, currently on trial for kidnap.

But our source said he had nothing to

do with the new gang.

When Niger Delta Voice visited Kokori last Wednesday, it was found that the gang illegally connected electricity from the community at a point near the Ekrudu/Akpijere Junction to one of its camps, which is accessible from Kokori only by boat.

Security

checks

When Niger Delta Voice visited, soldiers were on surveillance chiefly at five different checkpoints; one at the entrance to Kokori from Isiokolo, the headquarters of the local government.

It was observed that villagers and other passers-by raise their hands as they passed the military checkpoints, while motorcyclists also alighted to push their motorcycles across the frontiers.

However, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Isiokolo on learning about the source of electricity supply to the gang, reportedly mobilised his men, stormed the section of the town, last week and Continues on Page 7 C M Y K

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Uduaghan gives Songhai-Delta kiss of life DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—THE SonghaiDelta Agriculture Development Centre, Ovwore community, Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, an agricultural revolution project of the Delta State Government, which was on its last legs, has been revamped by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The governor and his deputy, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), visited the project separately last week. It is a component of the government’s Delta Beyond Oil initiative.

New lease of life Reports said the farm is now a beehive of activities in both food crop cultivation and animal husbandry with interns from several universities, including University of Benin, Benin; Niger Delta University; Bayelsa State and the Delta State University, Abraka, flocking to the place.

Governor Uduaghan who paid an unscheduled visit to the Songhai-Delta facility, Monday expressed delight at the centre’s new lease of life.

An elated Uduaghan promised to remove the supervision of the centre from civil service bureaucracy in the Ministry of Agriculture and place it directly under the Governor’s Office for optimum performance.

Commending the new management of the Centre for the turn of events, the governor promised to provide grants that would facilitate the complete turn-around of the scheme.

Governor Uduaghan explained that the centre was conceived and established by his predecessor, Chief James Ibori, as an agricultural demonstration training outfit for the production of farmers.

Reorganisation He disclosed that the State Government’s Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture, YETA, would now be restructured for better result, adding that new sets of participants to be selected through a rigorous process would soon be sent to the centre for training.

According to him, the participants for the programme would now be youths that are prepared to farm and not those who see the scheme as political empowerment and patronage.

Governor Uduaghan advised the management of the agricultural training centre to improve the capacity of local C M Y K

farmers, particularly in the processing and packaging of agricultural produce.

Facility tour Executive Consultant to Songhai-Delta Amukpe, Dr. Theophilus Okpidi, who conducted the governor round the facility, said most of the activities at the centre have come back on stream, including the conference centre.

Okpidi took the governor round the piggery, grass-cutter, snailery, quail birds, poultry, fisheries, abattoir sections as well as the cassava, plantain, pineapple farms among others.

He told the governor that waste from pigs could be used for the production of domestic cooking gas. The governor also saw locally-fabricated machines and fruit drinks.

Dr. Theophilus Okpidi, Chief Consultant on the revamping of Songhai, Amukpe.

Lawmaker empowers 187 constituents DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Egufe Yafugborhi

L

AST Tuesday, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Delta State, in the National Assembly, Mr. Frank Enekrogha, empowered 187 constituents with tricycles, motorcycles, sewing machines, generators and other items.

The packages shared at Okuokokor, Okpe Local Government Area, include 33 tricycles, 55 motorcycles, 55 sewing machines, 55 minigenerators, 55 hair clippers, spread evenly among

beneficiaries from the 11 wards in the area.

Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Burutu Local Government, Ken Ogoibiri and Chairman, Enekrogha Campaign Organisation, James Enieketie, who represented the donor on the occasion, enjoined beneficiaries to make the best of the opportunity, while appealing to non-beneficiaries to wait for their turn.

Ogoibiri advised the beneficiaries to “make the best of the resources gained to develop themselves towards become self-reliant and possibly, employer of labour.”

“It does not end there. To whom much is given, much is

expected. What is happening today is a testament that more are coming from where these came from.

“The only responsibility that it places on recipients is more support for the donor in his political aspiration and determination to move Burutu forward.”

A beneficiary on the occasion, Mr. Agbor Ebipade, expressed gratitude to the donor, saying, “this is not the first time Enekrogha would be making the difference in political representation of the Burutu people.

“As Speaker, Delta Assembly, he uplifted his constituents.

We pray he continues the good work.”

THE TEAM

Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Tony Edike Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Unah Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Emmanuel Okolie Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 3

Sapele Remand Home in tatters DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

By Brisibe Perez

S

APELE—FIFTY-THREE years after it was established, the Sapele Remand Home, located along Abeke Road, Sapele, Delta State, is begging for renovation, staffing and provision of security.

Findings by Niger Delta Voice revealed that the decrepit Home has only three administrative staff on the payroll of the Delta State Government at the moment and practically exists on donations from public spirited individuals.

Staff of the Home approached by our reporter declined to speak, but there was no hiding the fact that it is understaffed. There are over 24 inmates with three administrative staff and an aged gateman doubling as security guard.

Currently administered by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, a staff of the Ministry, told Niger Delta Voice that it was impossible for only three workers to oversee the daily activities of the inmates, who in most periods are over 50.

The official said there was no vehicle to transport inmates in emergency situation and workers deployed to the Home usually lobby for redeployment back to Asaba.

Porous security It was the apparent lapse in security that resulted to the fleeing of 11 inmates of the home in February, 2013.

Although the State Government had worked on the dining hall, girls dormitory and administrative block, a year after the escape of the inmates, little or nothing has been done to checkmate a future reoccurrence, as the fence of the Home poses less hindrance to intending escapees.

Skills acquisition dilemma According to the staff, “The inmates are brought to the home for rehabilitation, but it lacks educational learning facilities as well as skills acquisition programmes. The state government had embarked on the building of an educational and skill centre at Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State for the inmates but the centre has since become a safe haven for reptiles, rodents and criminals after it was abandoned.”

Ebola check Also, the Home has 40 pieces of uniforms for the entire inmates which were

delivered to it three years ago by government.

In an era where hygiene is being preached as a practice to checkmate the spread of the

dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD and other infectious diseases, it is baffling that inmates, who have finished their time, are made to pass

their uniforms to new inmates, which they wear 24 hours from Monday to Saturday.

DESOPADEC workshop Investigations showed that

though the institution is expected to offer correctional training to U-17 children, who

Continues on Back Page

Cultists attack Amaechi’s hometown, other Ikwerre communities RIVERS… THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By Davies Iheamnachor

I

BAA—CULTISTS have invaded Ubima, the country home of the Governor

naira.

Caught napping Niger Delta Voice gathered that suspected members of Islanders cult stormed Ibaa community, Emohua Local Government Area, in the early hours of last Sunday, even when security agents were

gangsters, five months ago, unaware, as they laid siege to the town at about 5.00 am, shooting indiscriminately.

It was a battle of supremacy as they ransacked the community for members of a rival gang, a feature the community has faced in the last four years.

of the security men and we were happy.

“But it is surprising that the presence of security personnel did not scare away the boys from coming into the community for such a deadly mission.”

Voodoo or what?

“Some of us are wondering if it is voodoo power that they used. Among those killed and who have nothing to do with their rivalry are school teachers, Wawawa Nlerum and Okechukwu Orji (popularly called See me more), Ibaa town crier, Eruchi Ovuah (also called Guitar) and three vigilante members.”

Ubima shootout In a similar development, cultists, Tuesday, last week, raided Ubima community, where four persons were feared dead at the end of a fierce shootout.

The community was thrown into tension before the security operatives restored calm.

A temporary camp for the displaced persons.

Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Ibaa and other Ikwerre communities, killing about nine persons and destroying property worth millions of

guarding the town.

A reliable source said the boys caught the security agents, who reclaimed the community from the

A community leader said: “The community which was held hostage by the cult group in the early part of this year was saved by the intervention

Mayhem at Elele The case of Elele community was tolerable as no life was reportedly lost, but citizens of the community said the boys came in with a heavy gunfire.

Continues on Page 4

C M Y K

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

SAND MINING:

Money-spinning business for ex-militants, politicians in Bayelsa *Environmentalist foresees danger BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA— BAYELSA State has a riverine and estuarine setting. Nearly, the entire state is below sea level.

The topography of the state has posed adverse effect on

infrastructural development because of the huge financial implications of sand filling the largely swampy sites before construction.

Burning demand The necessity of sand filling before construction has, therefore, put sand on hot demand, thus making sand mining a lucrative business venture in Bayelsa state.

As it were, politicians and ex-

militants, who have the economic power, have acquired dredgers for the purpose of sand mining. Today, there is hardly any waterway or river that dredging activity is not noticed in the state.

Nucleus The major hubs of sand mining in the state are Taylor Creek, Yenagoa /Ikoli River, Abura and Otuopoti Rivers, and parts of Okordia, Zarama and

Biseni communities.

Huge financial outlay An ex-militant and former leader of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, who owns a dredger and runs sand mining company, confided in Niger Delta Voice that the business is a lucrative one, but noted that it is capital intensive.

He said: “Through this company, I have contributed my small quota to the development

Cultists attack Amaechi’s hometown, other Ikwerre communities Continues from Page 3 A source told Niger Delta Voice that the boys robbed some shops in the community at gunpoint and unleashed mayhem on some persons.

Residents flee Niger Delta Voice gathered that many people had deserted the community. One of the women leaders said the villagers fled when the boys killed several people and were shooting randomly.

She said: “They have asked us to return that there is now peace. But a number of us have decided not to go back to Ibaa community again until we know that the land is safe enough for us to live in.”

She urged government to rise up to its responsibility of providing adequate security for the people, saying the community was on the verge of being destroyed.

Her words: “Government should come to our aid, we are suffering seriously in Rumuji where some of us are taking Arrving Rumuji from Ibaa. refuge. Hunger is our major challenge.” said since last week when the Mr. Bright Amadi, who problem reared up again, agreed with the women leader, economic activities in the town C M Y K

ABOVE: Escape from Ibaa.

LEFT: Makeshift market.

Looming hazard Beyond the turnover, an environment activist and head of Bayelsa office of Environmental Rights Activists, ERA, Mr. Morris Alagoa, in a chat with Niger Delta Voice, cautioned against indiscriminate activities of sand dredgers, saying the adverse effects far outweigh the positives if not controlled and regulated by government.

He said: “Now in every waterway they are mining sand. ex-militants, political appointees even our present principal officers in the House of Assembly are all involved.

“Maybe because they are the powers that be and so they may not see the negative impacts they are causing to our environment, if not now maybe in the future.

EIA “When the mining has taken this dimension, there ought to be an Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, because it is something huge.

“We must always remember the real definition of sustainable development, which is to go about your developmental projects or programmes now in such a way that people, would not be denied of their own development and existence in future.”

Map out mining areas “The Ministry of Environment ought to insist that EIA be done and certain areas far from our communities should be specifically designated for sand mining and not everywhere as we are seeing because most of the coastal erosion ravaging some communities is mostly as a result of this indiscriminate sand mining.

“The Ministry of Environment should make proper study of all that is happening and then if possible legislate on it.”

have been dislocated.

Continues on Page 7

of Bayelsa State.

“I have been able to employ a number of Bayelsans, and I believe that the issue of unemployment would be reduced if our politicians could plough back the little they have made in government back to the society through industries as this, instead of investing it in other climes.”

A truck driver in the biggest sand mining company in Bayelsa State owned by a former commissioner, Mr. Preye Otiti, told Niger Delta Voice that the demand for sand was high in the state as each driver in the company with over 20 tipper trucks makes an average of 10 trips daily.

Packing her property.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 5

,

EBOLA SCARE: Customers desert Atimbo bush bar

We are planning to relocate to the village lest we die of hardship. I dodge my landlord every morning. But for how long will I continue like this? He has even threatened my children, saying he will soon come and throw our things out.

,

By Ike Uche

C

ALABAR—THE Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, scare has taken a devastating toll on traders in Calabar, Cross River State, particularly the operators of the popular Atimbo bush bar, the home of palm wine, bush meat and plantain delicacy.

Empty kiosks

Investigations by Niger Delta Voice showed that customers started fleeing the social joint since July because of the fear of Ebola.

Last week when our reporter visited, the once-bustling kiosks in the bar were empty and overgrown by weeds with lizards and other reptiles occupying available space.

Some of the operators, who still hang about hoping that things will change, told Niger Delta Voice that the situation was like a nightmare for them as they could no longer fend for their families and pay their bills because no one wants to come close to Atimbo bush bar again.

It was learned that the traders go back home with their merchandize these days to consume them with their families.

One of them, Mrs. Theresa Egboike said “Atimbo is now empty, we are just idling away here, and my children can no longer eat three times a day.

“I just have to come out to avoid my landlord’s disturbance on a daily basis for his rent which he collects monthly and I have not been able to pay him for some months now.”

Abandoned. INSET: Mr. Okechukwu, owner, Atimbo Galilee.

How our nightmare began

In her words: “The nightmare started when the government started announcing that people should stop eating bush meat, when that idiot from Liberia brought Ebola to Lagos.

“But we do not sell monkey, gorillas or chimpanzee. What we sell here is grasscutter, porcupine and others not included in what the health people have been talking against.

“Our bush meat does not have Ebola. Please you people should help us tell people that Atimbo bush meat does not have any disease.

“We are suffering so much because this is the only thing we do and this place is only known for this delicacy, we cannot sell fish or any other kind of meat,” Mrs. Egboike lamented.

Mama Glory's Space.

At the mercy of God

Another operator, Mrs Ijeoma Okechukwu who runs “Atimbo Galilee” with her husband, Mr. Okechukwu, told Niger Delta Voice that their survival was now at God’s mercy because no one patronizes them anymore.

According to her: “We cannot do any other thing for now because this is the business we have been running for more than 10 years.

“I wonder why our own case is different because people still come to the market to buy uncooked bush meat to prepare for themselves at home, not that we do not prepare our own very well, we do but we just do not understand.

“Palm wine does that one

Mama Paulina’s stand. have Ebola too, but they do not come for our palm wine again?”

‘Govt should help us’

On his part, Mr. Okechukwu noted that since the outbreak of the disease, there was no record of it in Cross River and appealed to government to come and carry out appropriate tests to confirm if the bush meat sold at Atimbo bush bar is Ebola free or otherwise for business to return to the joint.

He said: “They should tell us or show us how many people have eaten our bush meat and gone down with EVD, none.

“This EVD saga has brought untold hardship not to only the people working here directly, but the many mouths we feed.

“All things being equal, schools will resume on 22nd.

How do we pay school fees for our children?” Okechukwu asked.

Burden too heavy for us’

Mama Glory and Mama Paulina simply said the burden has become too heavy as they were planning to relocate to the village lest they die of hardship in the city.

Mama Ngozi said: “I practically elude my landlord every morning. I leave my house as early as 4:30 or 5a.m. so that he will not meet me in the house. But for how long will I continue like this?

“He has even threatened my children, whom he meets at home that he will soon come

and throw our things out.

“I am not a lazy person but the government should help us tell the people that we do not sell chimpanzee and monkey. What we sell is porcupine, grasscutter and other animals not mentioned in relation to EVD.” Mama Paulina added: “I think they said it has been there since 1976. But it was not caused by our bush meat.

“Before July people have been coming, nobody was reported to have been infected with EVD. Why are they making it look as if it is just about the eating of bush meat.

“Did Mr. Sawyer get infected from eating bush meat? They should properly sensitise the people to balance the information.”

C M Y K

6 — Niger Delta Voice, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

PODIUM…

4 YEARS AFTER INAUGURATION: Emadadja Cottage Hospital abandoned · No doctor, nurse, health staff · Drugs, surgery equipment, ambulance decay · Community cries out

By Egufe Yafugborhi

E

MADAJA— FOUR years after the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, built and commissioned a Cottage Hospital with a state-of-theart equipment at Emadadja, an oil-bearing community in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, the health facility has been abandoned.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that since the inauguration of the hospital, no doctor, nurse and health staff has been posted to the health facility, expected to cater for the community with 15,000 population and a transit point to other parts of the state for Ekrota, Ukperheren, Obubu and other Udu villages.

The community, which attained oil production status since 1972 is host to the Abura Oil field, some 17 oil wells, while a flow station is in the pipeline.

President General of Emadaja, Sunday Subi, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice on the worrisome development, said lives lost in the community and environs in the past few years could have been saved if the hospital was functional.

He was shocked that after spending so much to build and equip the health centre, government left it idle for four years.

Front view of the cottage hospital.

ABOVE: President General of Emadadja, Comrade Sunday Subi.

LEFT: P o w e r generating set donated by NDDC. BELOW: Equipment for operation not in use.

No personnel

He said: “In acknowledgement of the difficulties residents suffer over the absence of functional health facility, NDDC commissioned the project in 2011, furnished with state-ofthe-art equipment required in a purposeful hospital. The only thing not provided was personnel to run it.

“Almost five years after, absolutely nothing has changed. No doctor, nurse and other hospital staff has been engaged to manage the facility. Decay of the equipment has set in,” he lamented.

Drugs, surgery equipment lay waste

C M Y K

At the cottage hospital, Niger Delta Voice observed that drugs, power generating sets, surgery and other sensitive equipment were laying waste. Also laying idle was a brand new Ambulance, also supplied by NDDC.

Ward, beds.

Complaints unheeded

Subi asserted: “We have written several letters to NDDC, the Delta State Government, Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, for intervention.

“The Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM, Owhorhu 1 and top political leaders in Udu have also drawn government attention to no avail.

“Not listening to our plight is inciting and unfair,” the community leader added.

Hospital equipment wasting away.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 7

Gang operate parallel govt in Kokori Continues from Page 1 disconnected power supply to the training camp from the source.

Before the DPO cut off the power supply, some security agents were said to have been passing the point without observing the connection. Villagers, who knew about it refused to speak out.

A villager told Niger Delta Voice: “It is not that we do not know that they connected electricity to one of their camps from the place. But who will say it. If you dare it and they find out, I pity that person.”

Already, the gang was said to be investigating how the police got to know about their source of power supply.

How gang rules

Niger Delta Voice learned that the gang has two commanders, one of them residing at Ekrose quarters and the other at Idiagben Street. Members are said to gather at the homes of their commanders to plot their schemes.

Chief and elders of Kokori are under threat by the gang to do its biddings or they would beat them up.

A security source said: “I have never seen an African community where it is the youths that decide what the elders will say at meetings. They even tell their fathers to shut up at meetings.

“They come to community meetings uninvited and insist on the directions the chiefs and elders should go on issues. They practically issue commands and those who challenged them were either removed or chased out of the community.”

In the day they stay mostly in their camps, but at night they swarm the community as if to point out that they are in charge. They normally received briefs on their assignments at the home of the most senior commander.

Use of force

The gang has its own town crier, who broadcasts their messages whenever they want to enforce any order in the town. Like when they forced the villagers to lock up their shops, it is their town crier that went round the community to proclaim the directive.

A source said: “Anybody that dared to flout the directive knows the repercussion. They had ordered closure of shops thrice in recent times. The soldiers do not know what the announcement is all about even if they hear the town crier because it is in native lan-

Soldiers on patrol in Kokori. guage.

“It is a very dangerous development in the town. These boys are lawless.

When they make announcement that people should not open their shops for days, people obey them and remain indoors. The truth is that they are setting up their own government in Kokori.”

It was gathered that the reason for asking the villagers not to open shops is just to instill fear in them and those who disobey were routinely attacked, beaten and dispossessed of their property by the gangsters, who also rape women.

Hijack

They also fell and saw woods belonging to the community, sell and pocket the money in addition to taking over transportation service on the river.

“Only their boys are allowed to ferry people on boats at very exorbitant rates and in that way they monitor whoever is coming towards their camps in the outskirts of the town,” the source added.

At times, when they start shooting at night to frighten the people, soldiers do not know where the shots are coming from.

According to some villagers, they steal a lot and burgle people’s homes with axe and other hard objects and even if soldiers ask for information, nobody would be willing to speak.

According to a dependable source, “if

Cultists invade Amaechi’s hometown, other Ikwerre communities Continues from Page 4 He also said that Ahia-Otikpo, one of the major markets in the area could not hold, Thursday, last week, in Ibaa because there was nobody left in the community and traders would not want to come into the community because of the upheaval in the area.

Amadi, however, said because of the customary demand that the market must hold, the people, who regrouped at Rumuji town, fulfilled the tradition by shifting the trading ground for the market to Rumuji.

Refugee camp Chairman of the local government, Mr. Godpower Oluku, in a swift response, provided a temporary camp for the displaced persons pending the

resolution of the crisis. He also promised to work with the Elders’ Advisory Committee to ensure that peace returns to Ibaa.

Police boss visits, assures return of peace Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Dan Bature, who visited Ibaa, last week, said he had raised security measures around the community to forestall further violence.

He promised the community that his men would ensure return of peace and sued for cooperation with the police in the task of apprehending the culprits.

Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, DSP Almad Mohammad, said three suspects had been arrested and normalcy had returned.

somebody is building a house in Kokori, the leader of the gang will send a message to him through his boys to bring from between N30,000 to N100,000.

“They will just tell the person that their oga (master) said they should bring the amount in question and refusal to comply is punishable in many ways.

Besides disruption of the project, the person could be physically molested, whether an indigene or not.”

How they recruit boys

A community leader told Niger Delta Voice, “they offer carrots to the young ones and recruit them. After training them on weaponry in their camps, they use them to hound the people and commit crimes outside.

“Their camp, which they used for training is not a hidden place. Kokori people know the place, but are afraid to tell security agents anything.”

The fear of many, from Niger Delta Voice findings, is that if the gang was not quickly uprooted, the bunch of criminals may become too powerful to contain and cause bigger danger to the community.

Life in Kokori

It was also learnt that notwithstanding the presence of soldiers, the people were living in fear and most of the villagers approached by Niger Delta Voice refused to volunteer information, saying the gang was very vicious and would not only maim, but kill whoever speaks to anybody about their operations.

Soldiers have been in the community for many months now, but there is still apprehension as it was said the military restricted themselves most of the times to their checkpoints, while the criminals enter in and out of the community through the numerous sneaky routes in the night to bully the people.

An informed source said: “The Army had made several attempts to rein in the boys and their presence has given us a sense of security with some of those, who earlier fled returning back.

“But the problem is that soldiers cannot get to the said camps to fight the boys because of the topography. You can go there with small boats and not gunboat.

“And you do not expect soldiers to move into the creeks with ordinary boat.

The gang will kill them before they know what is happening. That is the challenge.”

A security operative told Niger Delta Voice of how they chased a suspected

criminal to the residence of a chief in the community, who when approached denied that the suspect ran into his house.

The source said a few days later, the chief reported to them that the boys attacked him for not paying an undisclosed amount as protection fee.

He said he did not tell them the truth ealier because of fear that they would attack him later.

Community effort

A villager said: “There is a vigilante group in place. But the group is not armed and cannot face the armed boys in the night.

“The soldiers do not interfere when there is something inside the town and this is not good for us. They should patrol Ekruse, Edagbon and Ukpe Street, which is the centre of the gang’s operation.”

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice showed that the soldiers deployed in Kokori do not get timely and very expedient information from the citizens, who are scared. But there are many escape routes from the community, which make it easy for criminals to come in and elope before they could be nabbed.

Niger Delta Voice, however, gathered that the vigilance group does not have the approval of the security men on ground, as it was discovered that most of those in the list were among the bad boys.

A military source, however, said: “The three camps being used by the gang as operational bases have been identified.

I will not disclose our next line of action; they cannot hide for long.”

Ovie of Agbon clan

A source close to the Ovie of Agbon clan, HRM Ogurime-Rime, Ukori I, said the influence of the monarch of Kokori is limited as there is an Okakuro, who heads the town and it was only when issues were brought to his palace that he mediates.

He said: “The issue of a gang holding the people of Kokori hostage is already known but I think it is being handled by the Okakuro and his elders; the matter has not been officially brought to the attention of HRM Ogurime-Rime.

“Do not forget, it is the same set of boys that assaulted the monarch some time ago. So he is not supporting their criminal activities. Kokori is only part of his domain. Nobody should blame him. He had spoken but the boys are not listening.”

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8 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Sapele Remand Home in tatters Continues from Page 3 run with the law for the purpose of reformation and reintegration into the larger society, the home lacks the capability to attain this goal.

It is in the light of this that the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, approved the construction of a building to house a carpentry and mechanical workshops to aid the inmates in skills acquisition.

But at the time Niger Delta Voice visited, the only sign of commencement of the project was a heap of granite dumped at the premises of the institution by the contractor.

It was, however, gathered that the current management of the Home had embarked on social schemes in partnership with churches and Non-Government Organisations to teach the inmates how to make soap and other items to make them useful to themselves and the society at large after completing their time at the Home.

Ofa reacts Commissioner representing Sapele, Okpe and Ethiope West on the DESOPADEC

*Inadequate security, staff, dilapidated buildings *DESOPADEC project abandoned *We’ve sent memo to Governor Uduaghan, says Commissioner

The security guard of the remand home with his bicycle, by his duty post. board, Chief Henry Ofa, told Niger Delta Voice when contacted: “I do not have the

details of the project but we would write the contractor handling it on why he has not

Wild plants overtake Fed Poly, Ekowe BA YELS A ...

BAYELS YELSA THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Samuel Oyadongha

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KOWE—THE Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, is the only federal institution of learning located in the riverine area of the state, where Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company NAOC, Chevron Nigeria Limited and several other oil firms are doing business.

At the moment, the institution can only be accessed by water and air, but many expected that given its ideal setting for learning, far away from the distraction of the rowdy city life, the Federal Government would have provided adequate facilities in the institution.

But a visit to the school after the long nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, revealed an eyesore.

One could mistake it for a hunting ground or wild life, a large portion having been overtaken by weeds.

Students grumble

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Lamenting the deplorable condition of the school campus, a student told our reporter, “The campus is not only unkempt; we are exposed to attacks because the institution lacks adequate security to protect lives of students. I wonder what the federal government and oil companies are doing to salvage the situation.”

His words: “The authorities have not shown care or concern about the lives and condition of students despite the danger surrounding the students; there is no security in the school campus in spite of the kind of volatile terrain we are living in.”

“All the staff, senior and junior have refused to come to work, leaving only the students in campus under very terrible conditions,” the embittered students3 added.

Lectures yet to commence

Investigation by Niger Delta Voice showed that things were not normal in the institution, as workers under the auspices of joint unions of the Academic Staff Union of ASUP, Senior Staff Association in Nigeria Polytechnic, SSANP, and Non Academic Staff Union, NASU are angry that staff promotion had been withheld since 2013.

Authorities of the school

could not be reached for comment and officials of the union said the refusal of the governing council to the backlog of promotion has dampened the morale of staff and as such, lectures have not commenced several weeks after the suspension of ASUP strike.

A student, who craved anonymity, told Niger Delta Voice that since they resumed after the ASUP strike in August, they were yet to receive lectures as academic staff of the institution had vowed to shun classes until their salaries were paid.

resumed work and if possible terminate the project and reaward it to another contractor.”

We are on top of the situation — EFEKHODA Commenting on pitiable condition of the Home, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Efekhoda, said: “We have a monthly memo on the state of things at the Sapele Remand Home and we are aware of the condition of the Home, but it has not been easy for the Ministry, owing to the fact that we have a lot of jobs on our

desk.

“The issue of governance is continuous and not a too rosy exercise but that notwithstanding, we have put up a memo to the state government and we have spoken with him (governor) on the state of things.

“Currently, we are awaiting approval of the memo and he has agreed that with time, the challenges of the Sapele Remand Home would be attended to, I can assure you that we are on top of the matter.”

Insensitivity

Some of the stranded students lamented what they called the insensitivity of the authorities to their well-being, accusing the management of negligence and failure to provide the enabling environment required for academic activities to thrive.

Heap of granite meant for the construction of a workshop for the home.

Only silver lining

The only thing of hope, which Niger Delta Voice saw was that the school may be linked with road before long as the state government-sponsored road project, linking Oporoma, the council headquarters to Yenagoa, has progressed beyond Igebiri on the periphery of the council area.

The remand home recently got a face-lift with burglary proofs installed on the windows.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 —A3

I’m in Nigeria to change the lives of amputees — Ayodele Sasona, CEO, Ability Orthotic Centre, Ibadan

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RE you an accident victim or a genetically limbless Nigerian desperately in need of prosthetics or orthotics aid? Are you planning to travel abroad to replace a lost limb or any other body parts? Shelve the idea.

The United States-based Delta Orthopedic Laboratory Centre has berthed in Nigeria with advanced bionic technology and affordable prosthetics services for all levels of amputations.

The cutting-edge Ability Prosthetic and Orthotic Centre, Ibadan, is first of its kind in the country established out of the need to give hope, comfort and help change lives of amputees with prosthetics/orthotics, spinal braces, and fracture bracing at all levels.

The Centre founded and managed by Prosthetist and Orthotist, Gbolahan Ayodele Sasona whose computerised prosthetics/orthotics experience and professional medical rehabilitation advocacy was instrumental to passage of the regulatory licensing law for prosthetics practitioners in the US. With on-site clinical laboratories using advanced technology in Dover and New Jersey, USA, Sasona, disclosed that the fully-fitted and advanced medical rehabilitation centre will provide prosthetic services including sport orthotic, limbs/ elbow/finger replacement with bionics.

Data from Nigeria estimate that lower limbs are more often involved in amputations requiring prosthetics.

Prosthetics and orthotics is the science of fabricating various Orthopadeic devices or appliances to substitute or replace a missing body part. Orthotics is so wide that it comprises virtaully the entire body segments.

Nigeria currently boasts three National Orthopaedic Hospitals located in the Northern, Western and Eastern part of the country with functional Prosthetic/Orthotic services, yet the country has less than 10 trained professionals.

“One advantage of the Ability Centre patients don’t have to travel to South Africa,United Kingdom, India or United States to be able to get the kind of effective treatment and care they desire. Whatever we do in the Nigerian office is of the same standard with that of the United States.

We deal with all levels of amputations

starting from the hip disarticulation, above the knee amputation, knee disarticulation, below the knee amputation, and amputation across the ankle, both at the upper and the lower extremities.

“For instance, if someone is involved in a road traffic accident and loses an arm or leg, we have all levels of prosthetic devices that can replace that function adequately.

And with the advent of technology, we have some computer-based application known as bionics,” he explained.

Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor on people with disability, Prince Paul Ayodele Adelabu acknowledged the essence of the new Centre.

“This is the first time in Nigeria I would encounter a fully functioning Prosthetics/ Orthonotics Laboratory. If you have been to the National Orthopedics Hospital in Lagos, then you would appreciate the cutting edge and advanced prosthetics and orthonotics designs here in Ibadan.

The state has held series of meetings with the founder on collaboration with government institutions to give hope to the disabled and make them feel stable and focus on their heart desires in life.

•Ayodele Sasona, CEO, Ability Orthotic Centre displaying a model prosthetics limb.

Minimise cooking with salt, spices, medic warns

By Gabriel Olawale

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MERITUS Professor of Medicine at the American College of Physicians and Provost, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Matthew Araoye has warned that cooking with salt and spices amounts to high salt intake and could lead to hypertension.

Araoye who spoke at the 32nd convocation of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, said findings have showed that surplus table salt in food increase hypertension risk.

Regretting high incidence of hypertension, he described it as the most common, potent and universal contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the black race.

"Primarily, high blood pressure damages the major blood vessels and the targeted organs are the heart, brain and kidneys which later result to heart failure, stroke,

kidney failure and sudden death."

Araoye said hypertension can be acquired at any stage and majority of cases have no symptoms and that most hypertensives are not aware until they suffer complications.

In Nigeria, 54 to 80 percent of stroke is secondary to hypertension. Most of occur in the 30 to 62 years of age group. The extent of damage depends on the level and duration of hypertension."

He noted that the occurrence of hypertension in certain individuals and not in others subjected to similar amounts of salt intake depend largely on the body system.

On salt abuse, he said it depends on ability of the kidneys to excrete the excess salt. But if the kidneys fail to perform as

demanded, it overwhelms the body with excess salt, and hypertension ensues.

"For those on drug therapy for hypertension, do not adopt the prescription of your neighbour or spouse because what controls hypertension in 'Mr. A' does not necessarily work for 'B' or their wives.

"Primary hypertension has no cure; the objective of drug management is to achieve blood pressure control. So, let no one deceive you about cure. When you achieve BP control, do not stop your medication and check your BP regularly. Be sure to relax both mentally and physically when your BP is being checked."

He called for less indulgence in red meat, eggs and milk products., lifestyle modification, and avoiding fried, seasoned and enriched food.

UNGASS holds 1st child marriage panel

T

HE United Nations General Assembly, UNGASS, has held it’s first-ever panel discussion on child marriage in New York.

The panel, requested by last year’s first General Assembly resolution on child marriage, focused on the post-2015 development agenda and the development costs of child marriage.

Coordinator at Girls’ Power Initiative, GPI, Nigeria, Ms Ndodeye BasseyObongha, was invited to speak on the panel alongside World YWCA General Secretary, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, and Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Programme, UN Women, Mr. John Hendra among others.

The UNGASS panel aimed to address these issues, by highlighting the human rights and development impacts of child, early and forced marriages, with particular emphasis on the post-2015 agenda.

Furthermore, the panel address the initiatives for ending child marriage, and the challenges to be overcome collectively to ensure positive lastly impact.

For many of the 75 million girls worldwide who do not go to school, child marriage is a significant barrier to education and increases the likelihood of physical and mental abuse as well as coercion into sexual relationships where early pregnancy puts their health at risk.

Child marriage is not included in the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals, MDGs that expire in 2015, and organisations like World YWCA, Girls Not Brides, Plan International and activists around the world are lobbying and advocating for child marriage to be included in the Sustainable Development Goals -post 2015 agenda.

A4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 33

By Theodore Opara

16th Abuja Motor Fair’ll be a benchmark — BKG boss AS arrangements for the hosting of the 16th edition of the ‘ Abuja International Motor Fair ’, continues to builds up, visitors and exhibitors that would be at the Eagle Square, venue of the event have been assured of bumper days of serious business and fun.

Announcing this, the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the show, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, at a press briefing held to give Stakeholders up to date information on the event scheduled to hold from October 22-30, 2014, “the fair will be a landmark and a benchmark in auto show business in the entire West African sub-region;’ promising that “all including children are billed to have a rewarding experience.”

According to the Chairman of the Organizing Committee who is also The Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, main organizers of the show,” almost all the ma-

•Porsche Cayman for the Abuja Motor Show

jor vehicle manufacturers and dealers in Nigeria are participating at the fair. Notable Banks and Insurance Companies; major Oil Companies; manufacturers and dealers in auto-accessories have indicated interest and are seriously preparing to participate in the event.

“Each of the nine days that the fair will last is loaded with

activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions,” Mr. Agwu, revealed further.

On parade shall be unique ranges of automobile products from notable companies from the Asian Continent dominated by Japanese, Chinese and South Korean auto-

firms. Here, products from Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Nissan, etc, will be on display.

The European and American Continents will equally be there with products from the stables of Ford, Mack, Mercedes, Chevrolet, Volvo, BMW, Skoda etc.

From the home front, PAN Nigeria, National Trucks

Manufacturers Limited [NTM], etc will showcase the latest in their ranges of products.

These products range from personal choice exotic cars, SUV’s, CUV’s, Jeeps, light and heavy duty haulage Trucks, and Buses of various capacities for corporate and mass transit businesses.

FG, Wesbank work out low interest loan for auto buyers T

HE National Automotive Council, NAC, is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to ensure success of the new government automotive policy.

To this end, the agency is entering into agreement with Wesbank, a South African bank for cheap fund at lower interest rate for Nigerians who may wish to buy new cars from any of the local vehicle assemblers.

The Director General of NAC, Engr. Aminu Jalal disclosed this to Vanguard in his office in Abuja recently.

According to the NAC boss, the dream of the Federal Government, under the new automotive policy is to make the purchase of automobiles affordable and available to Nigerians.

He explained that access to fund would go a long way in achieving the goals of the new policy which the government is determined to realise at all costs.

Engr. Jalal told Vanguard that they are about signing a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with Wesbank at interest rate as low as 10 to 12 per cent as against 20-25 per cent being charged

by most banks in the country currently.

“The MoU is ready but we want to finalise it. We are hoping that very soon Nigerians should be able to access the fund from Wesbank.

According to him, when the arrangement takes off, interested Nigerian bank could take a queue from it and make fund available to Nigerians to own their choice of automobiles from our assembly plants, at lower rates too.

The NAC boss, who disclosed that over 22 auto assembly plants would soon commence production in the country, further noted that discussions are on-going with leading automobile manufacturers to encourage them to set up plants in Nigeria as they stand to gain from assembling their products in Nigeria with our huge population and abundant natural resources and manpower.

Meanwhile, progress report by the National Automotive Council reveals that there is high hope in local component in the production of automobiles in the country.

Jalal said existing local

Engr. Ike Okafor (left) Managing Director, CVL, with Mr. Malek Benakouche of Serac, shortly after installing the brake fluid and automatic transmission filling machine at his Ikotun, Lagos, plant. content manufacturers under the aegis of Automobile Local Content Manufacturers of Nigeria, ALCMAN, are being supported to serve the assemblers.

“Capacity for certain low tech components like seats, glasses and chemicals already exist. A quality and technical audit of local component, manufacturers has commenced,” the Director

General said.

The audit, he explained, would provide the information needed to advise them to improve their management and quality control systems so they can meet the requirements for supplying the assembly plants.

The NAC boss further disclosed that they are organising a business meeting between South African and

Japanese automotive component manufacturers and automobile local content manufacturers of Nigeria in October and November this year.

Other match-making opportunities with component manufacturers with India, Pakistan and Morocco are also being explored.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

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One year after, the pain of losing my husband lingers —McPhilips’ widow, Tina Nwachukwu September 29, will be exactly one year Mcphilips Nwachukwu, former Arts Editor of Vanguard died after a protracted illness. His widow, Tina, has decided to immortalise her late husband, whom she describes as her closest friend, brother and husband by organizing a memorial lecture in his honour. The lecture series which holds tomorrow at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, will also witness the public presentation of her Nwachukwu's collection of poems titled, So Long A Night. In this reflective interview, Tina recounts how life has been with her without her beloved husband and her dream to sustain the legacies of her late hero.

•Tina Mcphilips Nwachukwu. INSET: The late Mcphilips

By Juliet Ebirim & Iyabo Aina

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NE year after the demise of your husband, how has life been with you?

It’s been tough and hard. Like the title of his book, it’s been a very long tormenting night. Each day that passes without him is filled with pain. McPhilips was my closest friend, brother, husband and everything to me.

We were inseparable. I’ve since taken solace in God. I believe that as it pleased God to call him to glory, it will also please Him to

see me and our little daughter through.

So Long A Night, a collection of poems which will be launched tomorrow was Mcphilips’ first work. Did you reprint the book, or a new edition of it that he was working before his sudden demise?

McPhilips was a bookman. He loved books. Our little daughter would say, “My daddy eats books, wears books, drinks books....”. He had finished writing and editing the book. He

Nwachukwu was about to print it and had finished discussing with the printer. The printer was to come in a month’s time for the advance payment and that was when my husband became sick. So, he couldn’t talk about it again. But while on his sick bed, he kept referring to the book saying, “Oh, how I wish I’ve printed this book”.

And I would tell him, “Don’t worry, when you get well, you’ll print the book”. But since he didn’t live to complete what he started, I thought I owe him a

duty to keep his dreams alive, so that he be would happy wherever he is.

I called the same printer and discussed with him. Due to the high cost of production, he decided to increase his charges, something higher than what he offered to my husband. I decided to go on with it even if it meant sourcing for funds. I began to call his friends and school mates, told them about it and they bought the idea and agreed that they would sponsor the printing of the book.

They paid the money into my account and I handed it over to the printer. When the books were ready, I called his friends, colleagues and DGs of arts parastatals and told them that I wanted to immortalize my husband. They asked me what I wanted to do and I told them that I wanted to use it to mark his one year memorial. They said it was okay and gave their support.

How many copies were you able to print?

I printed about 1,000 copies.

Isn’t it rather small?

I really don’t know, but that’s the extent I could go.

If the presentation goes well, wouldn’t you be considering the idea of printing more copies?

It depends on how it goes tomorrow, because after the book presentation, I’ll still have to go to universities where it will be introduced to Masters and Doctorate degree students.

What’s the lecture going to be about?

McPhilips used to report arts and so the lecture is going to be about the relevance of

arts in McPhilips way, his style and pattern of reporting/writing arts. Toyin Akinosho will be the guest speaker.

Was the title, So long a night, given to the book by McPhilips himself?

It was given by him. This is the second edition of the book. The first edition was printed in 2005, and most universities have been using it as a study material.

What do you think the book is about?

The book is all about what he went through in the past, when he took ill in 2005. He wrote some of the poems while he was on his sick bed in South Africa and it was all about his past experiences.

Did he start writing the book after his illness in 2005?

Yes. Was it the experiences that he encapsulated in the book?

Not really. The book is a collection of poems and some of his poems are still yet to be published. He had started writing them, but he compiled them together at that time.

How has the family missed him?

We’ve missed him terribly. My little daughter has been asking me when he would come back.

She even insists that nobody should touch her daddy’s things, because he won’t be happy when he comes back. She just believes that he’ll return home someday.

How old are the children?

Adaeze is a little over five years.

We had only one child.

What do you hope to achieve at the end of the day by publishing his book?

I want to sustain the legacy he left behind and also, to immortalize his name.

Simple, gentle and honest man

To make sure that though he’s dead, his name lives on.

After this, do you hope to do something like this again for him?

I’m planning something else, though still arts-related. It’s also going to be about his works, but I don’t want to talk about it now till I’m sure.

To you, what kind of man was McPhilips?

McPhilips was a simple, gentle and honest man. He was everything you can use to qualify a good person.

Did he ever lay his hands on you while he lived?

He never touched me. As an arts-man, he had a way and pattern of life. If you understood his way and pattern of life, you won’t have problems with him.

When his mood swings, I’ll withdraw. And that is usually when he’s reading his books, because that’s the only thing he loved. If you went close to his books, he’d be mad at you. When he’s working on his books, you let him be, because if you disturb him at that time, he’d be angry with you, though the anger doesn’t last. He was such a nice man.

What do you miss most about him?

His jokes, laughter and way of dancing like a big man. I missed everything about him.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—39

FG, stakeholders ratify 30-year roadmap for housing and urban sector

By Jude Njoku

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T was unarguably the greatest assemblage of built environment experts in the country in the recent past. The setting was a two-day stakeholders workshop to validate the draft roadmap that would guide activities in the nation’s housing and urban development sector in the next 30 years. The draft roadmap was prepared by a Ministerial Expert Group, MEG, headed by foremost housing guru and pioneer Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Mr S.P.O. Fortune-Ebie.

The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi in her address, set the tone for the brainstorming session. Quoting President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs Eyakenyi said “the roadmap will address the ramifications and complexities of unleashing a housing revolution in Nigeria within the shortest possible time.

It will also provide the pathway for transforming our cities into liveable and functional human settlements, serving as veritable platforms for advancing national integration and the good of humanity from one generation to another”.

Housing and urban development The Minister explained that the roadmap will provide the pathway for navigating through the housing and urban development sector over the next 30 years, with a view to consolidating on the gains recorded under the present administration’s transformation agenda and making sustained, goal-oriented and innovative interventions to optimise the contribution of the sector to accelerated national development.

“Through the instrumentality of the roadmap, the culture of focusing almost exclusively on low-hanging fruits will be replaced with a new paradigm of action orientation, meticulous planning and well-articulated programmes for enhanced performance and impactful results towards repositioning the housing and urban development sector effectively as one of the key sectors for advancing the agenda of sustainable national development and prosperity,” she explained.

Tracing the genesis of the housing roadmap, Mrs Eyakenyi said its foundation was laid in

December 2011 when a similar stakeholders conference validated the draft National Housing Policy and the draft Urban Development Policy.

“The two draft policies were subsequently approved for implementation by the Federal Executive Council in June 2012.

Thereafter, a Ministerial Implementation Team, MIT for housing delivery in Nigeria was constituted by the Ministry to provide modalities for translating

the two policies into action. It is in this regard that the Ministerial Implementation Team recommended the development of a roadmap for the Housing and Urban Development Sector as a strategic tool to set a clear direction for the transformation of the housing and urban development sector. This is with a view to achieving the envisaged targets and aspirations for the sector, in both the short and long terms, as outlined in Vision

20:2020, the Transformation Agenda and other emerging National Development Plans,” she said The Minister was elated that while the draft roadmap was being articulated, the National Planning Commission, NPC, commenced the process of developing a 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, NIIMP, which has also been approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“With the NIIMP now in place and its synergy with the roadmap, we are committed to the realisation of the sector aspiration and targets of the housing and regional development component of the plan document for the revitalisation and accelerated transformation of the housing and urban development sector,” she said.

Although Mr Ebie wasn’t physically present at the validation workshop, the draft roadmap was presented on his behalf by a former UN-Habitat Country Representative in Nigeria, Prof Johnson Falade.

A housing estate in Abuja

Grenadines Homes unveils Katampe scheme

By Kingsley Adegboye

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RENADINES Homes Limited, a leading real estate company in Nigeria, has taken another bold move towards boosting home ownership in Nigeria with the formal commencement of the process for the construction of a new set of homes at Katape in Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

To this end, the firm has engaged the services of two reputable construction companies, Cubic Contractors and CPMS, to construct and manage the project respectively the new Katampe housing estate. The first class quality homes are expected to serve as a major solution in meeting the growing demand of Nigerians who are desirous of descent shelter as well as the need to escape the rent trap when completed.

Speaking at the handover ceremony to the contractors in Lagos last week, the Managing Director, Grenadines Homes Limited, Mrs. Noimot Olatunji, said the 25unit luxury estate is the latest addition to the growing list of home ownership initiatives the company has launched over the years.

She said the Abuja estate aligned with the vision of the company in empowering

Nigerians to meet one of the critical components in man’s hierarchy of needs which is shelter.

“Shelter is one of the most important things every man, woman or family thinks of first after food. This project is therefore strategic because it speaks to that critical need in the life of every human being. We are convinced that the launch of this new estate would afford prospective home owners great opportunity to own their own homes more so in an enchanting neighbourhood that is a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the city centre of the FCT”, Olatunji said.

Complimentary amenities She added that Grenadines Resort Katampe, Abuja, would comprise well finished and furnished terrace duplexes and complimentary amenities that make bold statement about luxury living.

On his part, the Construction Manager, Cubic Contractors Limited, Mr. Majid Mulani, said his firm was pleased to be part of the project, and assured that the company would bring its experience to bear in ensuring excellent service delivery across all the phases of the project.

He further assured prospective home owners that the company would deliver houses as well as maintain best global practices from the beginning to the end of the project.

Also speaking, the Project General Manager, CPMS, Mrs. Nike LanreLadenegan, said as the the project manager, the company would ensure the delivery of a quality estate at the agreed duration of the project.

She stated that the firm is knowledgeable in all aspects of building construction while assuring that CPMS would coordinate the activities of all parties involved in the construction process to ensure an effective synergy and timely delivery of the houses.

“We will ensure that quality is not compromised. This project will be delivered at the agreed time”, she said.

Grenadines Homes Limited and its other member-companies in particular Propertymart Real Estate Investment Limited is built on the tripod of innovation, trust and exceeding customer care. They have gained clients’ trust and achieved international recognition and credibility by exceeding the expectations of their diverse stakeholders in providing qualitative real estate services across various socio-economic classes of clients.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Developer unveils Purplestone Mall

By Kingsley Adegboye

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RIVEN by the vision to provide first class and affordable housing infra-structure for residential and commercial purposes which will invariably impact on the quality of life of both high and medium income earners, Beverly & Sam Properties, a firm of property developers has developed an ultra modern multi-purpose shopping mall in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Known as “Purplestone Mall”, the first class one-stop shopping edifice located in the ever bustling Apo area of Abuja, is expected to meet the yearnings of the residents by catering for their shopping needs.

Briefing the press last week in Lagos in respect to the commissioning of the multimillion naira project slated for November 2014, the Managing Director of Beverly & Sam Properties, Mrs. Lilian Agbakoba said the mall which sits on 3000 square metres of land will enable everybody no matter his or her social status, have a place to do their shopping, adding that this is the sole aim of her company for embarking on the massive project.

Massive project Mrs. Agbakoba who lamented that there is a housing deficit of 17 million units in Nigeria, said “we have taken as part of our corporate social responsibility to play a role to close this wide gap by making housing more affordable. We are set to expand the PURPLESTONE brand of properties to 20 cities. We have plans to expand into Asaba, Ikorodu, Abeokuta and other parts of the federation”, she noted.

Equating the mall with fivestar shopping malls across the country in terms of status and service, Mrs. Agbakoba noted that Purplestone Mall’s profile in terms of quality of tenants in the mall and in terms of service delivery can be compared with the notable five-star shopping malls in Nigeria, admitting however, that the choice of locations is the difference between Purpolestone Mall and other five-star malls in Nigeria.

According to her, 80 percent of Nigerian cities do not have any shopping, pointing out that the company is therefore exploring the possibility of extending its business frontiers by replicating Purplestone Mall in some states of the federation Mrs. Agbakoba who explained that the shopping complex has been completed and ready for commissioning, pointed out however, that what is ongoing at the complex is what is called snagging, which means trying to correct some abnormal situations

in building in order to bring out a world class facility.

She revealed that in order not to let out the facilities to people whose characters are in doubt or whose financial standing cannot sustain continuity as tenants, the company is presently profiling prospective applicants.

According to her, the twostorey mall would be let out in the following order: Ground floorN25, 000.00 per square metre, 1st floor, N23, 000.00 per square metre while the second floor would go for N21, 000.00 per square metre. She added that the

cost for the shops are exclusive of the service charge which she said is N15, 000.00 per square metre for any floor because there would be a standby generator that is expected to run for nine hours daily.

“Among the benefits that would be accruable to owners of the shops are 24-hour security services, water supply, cleaning of common areas, waste management and an ample parking space for 80 cars”, she said.

In his remark, the Legal Adviser to the company, Mr.

Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) said he decided to take interest in Beverly & Sam Properties because of the uniqueness of the mall. Agbakoba added that the location of the mall in Apo is a big plus for those who would be patronising the place. He said most Nigerians are looking for places that are conducive to shop.

According to the Maritime lawyer, coming on board of Purplestone Shopping Mall in Abuja would serve as a one-stop shop to Abuja residents who have been longing for such an opportunity.

•The model of Purplestone Mall

Stakeholders advocate energy-efficient buildings

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By Ikenna Asomba

ORRIED by the depletion of the ozone layer which is blamed on the advancement in technology, infrastructure, exponential population growth and other man-made activities, stakeholders in the built environment have advocated greenness to be encouraged in the construction of buildings with designs which will ensure the use of more of day lighting and less wattage of electricity light.

Speaking during a first-of-its kind Business Seminar on energy-efficient buildings organised by Pera-Beam Limited in collaboration with LG Electronics, Korea in Lagos last week, the participants upheld that the choice of devices used in servicing buildings, and their application should be energy efficient in order to promote green environment, as well as manage the cost of energy.

The Chairman, Pera-beam Limited, Major Gen. Sansaliyu Awosanya (Rtd), who spoke at the event said: “Pera-Beam Limited and LG Electronics, Korea organised the event to showcase new technologies in both residential and commercial air-conditioning that supports energy efficiency and preservation of our ecology. The two organizations have come a long way to deliver these environment friendly devices to the Nigerian market in collaboration with all stakeholders in the building and construction industry.

“The major challenge in the world today is how to preserve our ecosystem in the face of increasing demand on it. Advancement in technology, infrastructure and exponential population growth is putting so much pressure on our ecosystem. The question is, can we sustain the comfort and the advancements we now enjoy without thinking of sustaining our environment? As an organization, Pera-Beam remains committed to the green culture.

We promote technologies that are of green value to the environment. “Being a key player in the building

services industry, we are concerned with doing more with energy. Conserving the energy is essential to the sustainability of the ecosystem. The choice of devices we use in servicing our buildings, and the way we apply them should be energy efficient. This is not just for the promotion of green environment but to also enable us manage the cost of energy in our premises”, Awosanya said.

Cost of energy Similarly, the Managing Director, PBL, Dr. Abayomi Akindele said the seminar became imperative as the level of awareness for energyefficiency is still very low in Nigeria. His words: “Achieving greenness in our building goes beyond talking. It is about implementing it at the point of conception to execution and in our day-to-day living. So, today, we are drawing the attention of all relevant stakeholders on the need to encourage greenness in our buildings, by managing the energy consumptions. It will start from the way we design our homes, by ensuring less wattage of light, by using the day light. What the day light can give you in your space, you don’t need to use lighting. Even in the air-conditioning business, there are devices that are more energy-efficient in terms of the way they operate. This is the kind of things we promote”.

Explaining how the Lagos State Government has keyed into the initiative, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello disclosed that the Lagos State Government in its commitment towards promoting a green and energy efficient environment has targeted public and private secondary schools, encouraging the young ones on the need to be energy and environment efficient, as well as be aware of environmental sanitation and hygiene.

Firm boosts distributors’ outlets with branded stockist kiosks

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OR easy identification of its dealers’ outlets nationwide, Eternit Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading hosing solution providers has provided its dealers and distributors who form part of its channel members with specially made branded stockist kiosks. This is part of the marketing strategy of the Sapele, Delta State based roofing and ceiling manufacturing company to consolidate its position in the market.

The branded stockist kiosks which were jointly handed over to the dealers and distributors on behalf of Eternit management by Adeniji Kayode, an engineer and General Manager, Marketing; and Bemigho Malvis, an engineer and General Manager, Business Development respectively, were received by the appreciative distributors who could not hide their feelings of joy and satisfaction with the Eternit management for the gesture During the brief but colourful presentation of the kiosks, Kayode reminded the dealers that the presentation of the kiosks was part of the management’s decision to encourage the channel members in their sales efforts.

He therefore appealed to the dealers to ensure that the kiosks are appropriately put to use; not only to aesthetically enhance the ambience of their outlets for the quick and easy identification of all Eternit range of products as a merchandising tools, but ultimately to serve as an attraction in boosting their sales “What we have done today by presenting the stockist kiosks to our dedicated channel members is a clear evidence of the trust we repose in them; and our unflinching commitment to encourage them in their sales efforts. We are confident that these kiosks will be put to appropriate use not just for the aesthetics value or easy identification of our products but ultimately in sales drive that will yield positive results to our bottom line”, he said Speaking in the same vein, Malvis specifically thanked the dealers for their loyalty and support for the Eternit brand these past years and consequently urge them not to relent in the collective efforts to ensure that Eternit remains as one of Nigeria’s truly leading brands in its industry category as a housing solution provider.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—41

FG, developer sign deal on Festac Phase 2 •Govt to earn N25.77b as premium, N150m yearly as ground rent

By Jude Njoku

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MAJOR milestone in the nation’s housing and urban development sector was recorded last week when the Federal Government and Messrs New Festac Property Development Company Limited, signed an agreement for the concessioning of the reclamation and infrastructure development of Festac Phase Two in Lagos.

The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi signed on behalf of the Federal Government while the Vice Chairman of New Festac Property Development Company, Sir Isaac Chuks signed on behalf of the developers.

Speaking at the brief ceremony in Abuja, Mrs. Eyakenyi explained that the realisation of the concession will transform Festac Town into a modern city and yield great benefits both in the infrastructure and economic development of Lagos. “The serviced plots to be realised through the concession shall be complemented with green areas, off street parking, power supply,

petrol station, shopping malls, hospitals, hospitality centres and laid roads, water works, street lights, sewage disposal systems, incinerators and all necessary support infrastructure,” he said.

Specifically, the Minister disclosed that the government will earn an estimated N25.765 billion per annum as premium for 30 years of the concession. The government also expects to rake in an additional N150 million annually as ground rent, with the parties agreeing to review the earning clause to reflect the market situation.

Beyond the financial benefits, the Minister explained that 50,000 housing units would be delivered and their construction would create thousands of job opportunities.

Mrs Eyakenyi traced the origin of the project to the 1970s when the Federal Government made massive acquisition of land for the development of Festival Town to host the 1977 World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.

Recalling that the completed estate was handed over to the

Federal Housing Authority, FHA, to manage, the M i n i s t e r regretted that efforts to reclaim and develop the outstanding 1126 hectares of land known as Festac Phase, had remained unsuccessful.

In 2006, FHA AGREEMENT:Lands Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mrs. Akon took advantage of the public- Eyakenyi exchanging documents with the Vice Chairman, New Festac Property Development Company Ltd., Sir. Isaac Chuks while the Permanent Secretary Urban p r i v a t e Housing and Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi (2nd left); MD New Festac Devt. p a r t n e r s h i p Coy. Ltd., Mr. Goody Egbuji (right); Ag. M.D. FHA, Engr. David Kpue (left); Director initiative and New Festac, Dr. Sola Ayandele (2nd right) and the Company Secretary, New Festac invited bids for Co.Ltd., Chief Odein Ajumogobia (3rd right) during the concession agreement signing the reclamation ceremony for Festac Phase 2 at the Minister’s Conference Room, Mabushi, Abuja. a n d infrastructural development of ceremony, the Vice chairman of the project and recoup its funds Festac phase Two to produce the Company, Sir Isaac Chuks mainly through the sale and 7,000 serviced plots complete said the scope of the concession management of plots of the land with standard infrastructure and includes but not limited to land over the concession period,” he essential services. The bid was reclamation, sand filling, said.. won by Messrs New Festac infrastructural development, According to him, “since the Property Development Company marketing/sale of the over 7,000 award in April, 2013 New Festac which is a special purpose plots of land to be created from Property Development Company vehicle made up of four the reclaimed land and facility Limited has been preoccupied companies – Fung Tai management for the 30 year with extensive preliminary Engineering Limited, PW Nig period of the concession before project development activities Limited, SCC Nigeria Limited reversion to Federal Housing including surveys, field studies, site investigation, environmental and Energo Authority FHA. “By the concession, the impact assessment, town N i g e r i a Concessionaire - Messrs New planning, funding and third Limited. appraisals and In his brief Festac Property Development party remarks at the Company Limited is expected to agreements. fully fund the implementation of

Nigeria yet to benefit from Climate Change Fund — Presidency

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By Emmanuel Elebeke

HE Special Adviser to the President on New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD and APRM, Amb. Fidelia Njeze has noted that Nigeria is yet to benefit from the Climate Change Fund put in place by NEPAD to support implementation of programmes and projects on climate change and environmental degradation by member states. Njeze stated this in her keynote address at a national workshop on climate change and environmental degradation organised by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, CSEA in Abuja at the weekend.

She said climate change had become a recurrent phenomenon with a cumulative effect on natural resources and the environment, resulting in an enormous increase in weather conditions, which bring adverse effects on man and ecosystems, causing abrupt and harmful changes on the seasonal cycles.

Njeze added that these changes had shown adverse effects on agriculture, water supply, food supply, food production and also resulted in loss of lives and property especially in the coastal Niger-Delta region of the country.

Meanwhile, the survey conducted by the CSEA, revealed that large percentage of Nigerian population lacks science-based knowledge on climate change; temperature and rainfall amount are gradually increasing; housing for the vast majority of the households is poorly built which makes

them vulnerable to any violent or extreme climate change occurrences such as flooding, erosion and thunderstorm.

Other findings in the survey showed that access to water for bathing and other uses is not a major problem to most communities in the region but the quality is so poor that some of the water available may not be safe for bathing and that the continued exploitation of forest for cooking fuel contributes to the reduction of carbon sinks among others. Consequent upon this, Njeze said the federal government had decided to tap into the NEPAD funding and had requested for some funds to build capacity of communities on Climate Smart Agriculture in the affected parts of the country.

According to her, the funding became necessary in view of the fact that climate change and environmental degradation posed serious threats to the global economy and the well-being of citizens around the world.

She observed that developing countries, including Nigeria are mainly susceptible to the effects of climate change because a large part of their economies depend on natural resources which are particularly vulnerable to these changes.

“As we move on with the presentations and discussions, let us bear in mind that this is an issue that affects every one of us with virtually all sectors of the economy inevitably vulnerable to the changes in climate as well as environmental degradation.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Synagogue building collapse:

Church, govt in ding-dong •Result of govt investigation out in 14 days •Nothing’ll be swept under carpet —govt

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S Lagos State Government continues preliminary investigation into the immediate and remote cause(s) of the collapsed six-storey Guest House of the Synagogue Church of all Nations, SCOAN, there is anxiety in the polity on whether or not the right thing will be done.

Located in Ikotun-Egbe Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, the building was under construction at the collapse claimed over 86 lives.

The investigation is aimed at preventing future occurrence as well as identifying any violation of the state’s building regulatory law and applying appropriate

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sanction.

According to Lagos state policy on any collapse building, such building is to be taken over by the state government and land titles revoked . There are so many instances where such properties were immediately confiscated.

Section 74 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2010, states that, “any property or structure that collapses due to negligence on the part of the owner or developer, such property is to be forfeited to the State Government”.

Though, the state government had threatened to apply necessary sanction in the case of SCOAN if found wanting, so far, no concrete step has been taken even when it seems the structure had no approval.

HE Lagos State Water Corporation, LSWC, has said that it has water deficit of about 300 million gallons per day.

Its Group Managing Director, Mr Shayo Holloway, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

According to him, the reason for this deficit is the high population of the state with an average of five per cent estimated growth rate yearly. “The total demand for water is 540 million gallons per day. The corporation has total installed capacity of 210 million gallons per day leaving a shortfall of 300 million gallons.

Some of the church members have also vowed to resist any form of take over of the church land by government, arguing that the disaster was a terrorist attack as the building materials used were of high standard.

Asked if the area of the collapsed building would be sealed off by the state government, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Olutoyin Ayinde, in a statement, ruled out any plan by government to seal the place for now even as he reiterated that the Six- floor Guest House that collapsed on September 12, did not have building approval.

According to Ayinde, “No plans are in the offing to take over the collapsed structure site until

thorough and detailed investigation as to the cause(s) of the collapse has been concluded. Government does not arbitrarily take over properties when investigation is still on-

,

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Ikenna Asomba

take appropriate action.

“To this end, a team of engineers from the ministry and other state government agencies are taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis and testing to ascertain the structural integrity of the building.”

On the veracity of the “Strange Plane Theory”, alleged to have dangerously flown low over the building 50 minutes before the collapse, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry had submitted the video clips, as provided by the church to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the coordinate of the collapsed site for investigation and professional comment. As at the press time no update on the investigation so far.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Alhaji Lateef Raji also said investigation was on going ruling out any revocation matter for now.

“Revocation is always the last resort to ensure total safety of the citizenry and not a punitive measure.” Raji stated.

General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LABSCA, Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun-Odunayo, said that the result of the investigation would be made public in two weeks.

She affirmed that all the necessary samples had been taken by experts for thorough investigation. According to her, “Experts are currently analysing

Any property or structure that collapses due to negligence on the part of the owner or developer, such property is to be forfeited to the State Government

,

going.”

He continued: “Government has commenced preliminary investigation into the cause(s) of the collapse and would leave no stone unturned and if there is any violation of relevant planning law, residents are assured that government would

the samples taken from the scene of the collapse building with a view of determining the cause(s) of the collapse. This will take about two weeks before the result is ready. We want to assure Lagosians that nothing will be swept under the carpet.

Lagos has 300m gallons of water deficit per day — LSWC boss “However, the corporation is working towards meeting the demands for water supply in the state,” he said.

Holloway said that the state had started working on a road map to meet the water demands.

He said work had already commenced on the Adiyan Phase II Water Works Project and it would be completed in 2016.

According to him, the Adiyan Phase II project will add 70 million gallons of water per day to the already existing 210 million gallons.

The managing director said that the corporation had a design for a water works project in Badagry.

He said that the Badagry water works project would be constructed by a private firm through Public Private

Partnership (PPP).

Holloway said the corporation had started discussions with a PPP to develop the water works expected to produce 200 million gallons of water per day. He said that meeting the water demand in Lagos State was a continuous assignment as it was not something that would be done in a year.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

— 43

Stray animals take over Lagos roads

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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IME was 11:00 pm.

Vehicles were expected to move with little or no hindrances on Lagos roads. But experienced drivers will tell you that late night driving is becoming extremely dangerous in this megacity.

Why? Many roads in Lagos have again been taken over by stray animals. The animals range from pets like cats and dogs to domesticated ones like goats, chicken and rams.

Most worrisome is how cows pose serious danger to road users. They are found in almost all parts; from Agege to Oshodi Apapa Expressway, Lagos Badagry Expressway to LagosIbadan Expressway, even in many parts of Lagos Island.

For instance, on the LagosBadagry Expressway, especially at Ojo Local Government end of the road, motorists are forced to halt for minutes to allow stray cows to make use of the road at this time; causing traffic gridlock, even as late as three to 4.00 am.

In 2012, the Lagos State Government through its ministry of Agriculture inaugurated its Stray Animal Control Policy Committee to arrest owners of stray animals in the 57 local councils and local council development areas, LCDAs. The inauguration was necessitated by the accident had by the former Nigerian Goalkeeper, Joseph Dosu, two years earlier. The event coincided with the World Stray Animal Day, which holds annually on April 5 across the continent.

Activities of stray cows Mr. Ismail Jatto, a truck driver, lamented “whenever one drives on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, one needs to be wary of the activities of stray cows on the road at night.

“These stray cows are found between Iyana-Iba Bus stop and Okokomaiko end of the road. In fact, those who are not conversant with the activities of the stray animals on the road would run into them and it will result into accident,” Jatto added.

On stray cows, Mr. Adedayo Fatai, a commercial driver noted “they sometimes move in herd at night or during the day. And when they are moving in this form, they do not mind if any vehicle is on the road.’’

On how he avoids the cow, Fatai said whenever we get to this end of the road; we reduce our speed and watch if any of the cows would be making use of the road at this time. And when a cow moves, one has to wait until the cow is through.

The situation is worse if they move in herds. One would be forced to wait for over five minutes

because no one is directing their affairs. The animals decide what they do. If one fails to do that, it will result into accident.

“Few weeks ago, a commercial driver failed to yield to this tactic; it resulted into accident at the Okokomaiko Bus Stop. Thank God, no life was lost. But the bus

was damaged. And it took the intervention of some Northerners who assisted in removing the injured cow from the road,” he added.

A resident, Mr. Samson Chukwu said that they do not know who owns the cows. But we believe that they will belong

to one of the ram traders in Alaba Rago market.

Chukwu explained that the market is rated as the largest market for livestocks in the three regions-East, West and South-of the country.

Another resident, Mrs. Loveth

Olunwa, urged the state government to help remove the cows from the expressway, saying “this is an international road. And such things should not exist on the road. It is belittling the status of Lagos, a megacity.”

Erosion: Residents seek repair of Abule Eko road S

OME road users in Lagos have appealed to the state government to construct the Abule Eko road in Igbopa, Ijede Local Council Development Area, cut off by erosion.

The residents, in separate interviews, told the News Agency of Nigeria, that the road was a major link route that deserved government attention.

A trader, Mrs Lentena Avoseh, said that the road was graded over two years ago, adding that it had since deteriorated because it was not tarred.

Avoseh said that she decided to use the road because she could not afford the cost of transportation through other longer alternative routes.

“I am going to Ijede but I am trekking because after the bad road, I will get a vehicle for N70 or N100. If I say I should commute through Gberigbe, I would spend up to N300. Gov. Fashola is doing many good things in Lagos and we want him to remember our road because this hardship is too much,“ she said.

here are peaceful and welcome settlers but a lot of people have remained the capital because of bad roads. We want our amiable governor to do something about this road before the end of his tenure,“ he said.

A nurse, Mrs Patience Eze, said that she had stopped using the road and had opted for other longer routes to avoid delays. I now avoid this road; I work at Amitoro after Ewe Elepe, but I do not have a choice but to go back and undertake the long journey through Gberigbe. We are pleading that government should help us, “ she said.

Another resident, Miss Tayo Ehitayo, said

that she had been compelled to trek long distances using the shrubs along the road path because of the mud.

“The poor masses are living here, that is why nothing is being done on this road. Fashola should remember that we were the ones that voted him into power and his government should not neglect us,“ she said .

A hairdresser, Miss Ojon Okon, said transporters now avoid the route because of the bad road, urging immediate construction of the road.

Several potions of the road had flooded craters.

Construction of the road A business man, Mr Nnamdi Nwawulu, said that the community was peaceful and that construction of the road would bring speedy development to the area.

“This road is a major link road to Gberigbe, Ijede, Ewe Elepe, Imota and even Ijebu Ode in Ogun state. Repairing this road would bring tremendous economic growth to this area. The people

•Abule Eko road

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—45

FIDSON PRIZE : From left— Dr. Simon Pitmary, Secretary, Faculty of family Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria; Mr. Femi Ajala, Product Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Dr. Steve Yohanna, Chairman, Faculty of Family Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College; Mr. Friday Enaholo, Marketing Manager, Fidson Heathcare Plc, and Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, during the presentation of Fidson Prize for Best Graduating Fellow in Family Medicine (Part 11) at the college in Ijanikin, Lagos.

PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Rivers guber aspirant vows to reconcile Amaechi, Odili, Wike, Secundus

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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State Assembly legislators move to check ‘executive recklessness’

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA— MEMBERS of the State Houses of Assembly in the 36 states of the federation have formed an association known as National Association of State Assembly Legislators, NASAL, to fight for their financial autonomy and check what they described as executive recklessness.

The association comprises past and present members of the Houses of the Assembly.

Inaugurating the association in Abuja weekend, the acting National President, Dr. Valentine Ayika, said the essence of the association was to fight for the independence of state legislators in a bid to discharge their constitutional roles without any impediments.

Dr. Ayika, who is a serving member of Anambra State House of Assembly, said formation of the group was to ensure that the doctrine of Separation of Powers was respected; adding that state legislators had suffered undue harassment and intimidation from state governors because of lack of a common body to speak on members’ behalf.

Previous attempts at autonomy

He said the proposal by the National Assembly to make state assemblies autonomous suffered setback because there was no existing body where members would come together.

Ayika said: “When there is no confrontation between the legislature and the executive arm, it does not imply that the legislature is not aware of its responsibilities. Secondly, when the legislators try to implement their statutory powers, it is the same public that will say let the polity not be over heated; life is all about balancing of actions.

“We really have to abide by the doctrine of Separation of Powers

because part of the problem we have is individually the state assembly can be dealt with but with an organisation such as this, we can also surmount some of the executive recklessness and harassment on the state assemblies.

“There is this amendment procedure that is going on at the National Assembly, relating to our independence.

There is no strong body that is really coming out to support the amendment.

“Our salaries are paid by the executive and he who

pays the piper, dictates the tune. What we are seeking is financial autonomy. We cannot be independent if you are not financially autonomous.”

... on Enugu Assembly

On the role of the Enugu State House of Assembly on the impeachment of the deputy governor, he said: “It is unfortunate because I do not have the facts of what was presented before the House in Enugu State.

“The point there remains that by virtue of Section 188 of 1999 Constitution, with reference to

some subsections, there is a term used in that section which says anything understood by a state assembly as constituting gross misconduct is considered to be an impeachable offence; that is constitutional provision.”

He described the Nigerian constitution as one of the most difficult piece of law to amend, explaining that “Nigeria is made up of 36 states; for a section or paragraph to be amended in that constitution, it means two third of the whole state assemblies in Nigeria must have to agree and sign.”

Education Ministry denies receiving N1.8bn from FG

By Laide Akinboade

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BUJA— THE Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, yesterday, denied claims by Senior Staff Association of Nigeria that the Ministry received N1.8 billion from the Federal Government to settle debt owed staff.

Speaking in an interview with some journalists in his office in Abuja, in response to the strike by some staff of the Ministry, Nwaobiala described the claims as false.

He lamented that it was sad that senior civil servants, who had all the opportunities to obtain accurate information, were disrupting official transactions based on mere falsehood.

Dr. Nwaobiala acknowledged that it was sad enough that staff were being owed some allowances since 2007, but stressed that the authority had never relented

in its efforts to secure release of funds from the relevant offices to settle the bills.

“We have written; we have followed up formally and informally without success,” the

Permanent Secretary said.

He, however, assured that within the meagre overhead allocations of the ministry, management had resolved to settle some of the bills in phases.

B U J A — A governorship aspirants of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Senator Lee Maeba, has promised to reconcile Governor Rotimi Amaechi with former governor Peter Odili and the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, if he became governor of the state.

Senator Maeba also promised to float a N100 billion business support scheme to empower the people in the rural areas to boost their businesses and financial base.

Speaking in an interview in Abuja weekend, Senator Maeba, who was Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, said he would take it as a priority to reconcile politicians from Rivers State for the rapid development of the state.

He also said that himself, Governor Amaechi, Mr. Wike, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secundus, among others, were members of the Odili political family, even as he claimed that although Governor Amaechi left PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC, as a result of political disagreement, he still has his mind in PDP.

Mark blasts APC over comments on 2015 polls

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE Senate President, David Mark, yesterday told All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop propagating falsehood over the alleged plot to postpone the 2015 general elections, saying he never said there would be no elections next year.

This came as a prodemocratic group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, CSJET, rose in defence of the Senate President over the comment credited to him by a national daily (not Vanguard) to the effect that elections will not hold 2015.

Senator Mark cautioned APC

not to be raising unnecessary alarm and spreading false information to the public over the alleged plot to postpone the 2015 general election, as doing so would amount to expanding the frontiers of falsehood and doing a disservice to Nigerians.

Mark had, during a debate in the senate chambers on the insurgency in the NorthEast, cautioned members that had canvassed that the Boko Haram onslaught would derail the 2015 general elections, advising them to limit their comments on the insurgency and not 2015 elections.

However, reacting to a

statement credited to APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, purporting that Mark called for the postponement of the 2015 elections, the Senate President described the allegation as “a bogus and blatant lie.”

While defending the Senate President, the Director of Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, Mr. Folarin Odusote, described the publication as mischievous and misleading, adding that the Senate President had distinguished himself as “a pillar upon which today’s democracy now stands.”

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Adaora wins African Oscars in US

2015: Jonathan's endorsement undemocratic —Kwankwaso

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ALIFORNIA— ADORA, a film produced by Americanbased Nigerian movie maker, Bridget John has won the Best Film in the Diaspora category at the just concluded Nollywood and African Film Critics Award, NAFCA, in Beverly Hills, California, USA. The film, with Bridget John as the lead actress was adjudged the best film in the diaspora category at an award ceremony in USA. Also known as the African version of the Oscars, the NAFCA is presented by Nollywood and African Film Critics in the USA. Speaking after receiving the award, an emotional Bridget said that she did not see it coming.

Bridget, whose film will be shown at a film festival this weekend in USA, said: “I did not see it coming. I hoped to win, but the rest was in God’s hands. When Adora was pronounced the winner for Best Film in the Diaspora, I was over the moon. It was unbelievable that I will be so honored.”

Bridget's film got the nod ahead of great flicks like Ortega and his Enemies, Go Fish and Gem of the Rain Forest.

On what she felt made Adora to win the award, Bridget said it was down to the uniqueness of her film.

By Abdulsalaam Mohammed

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ANO—GOVERNOR Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, has described the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole PDP candidate for 2015 Presidential election as undemocratic.

The Governor, who spoke while receiving the report of a consultation committee on his Presidential ambition, said: “Since the five governors decamped from PDP to APC, I told Nigerians that PDP will become a weaker party whose democratic value will erode.

Now the stakeholders of the party have come out to say that they have chosen President Jonathan as their party ’s sole presidential candidate without going for primaries.

"I am assuring you that APC leaders are committed to do justice in all of the forthcoming party primaries be it at state and National Assemblies, governorship and even that of the presidential election.

"APC will give everybody, especially, delegates right to choose the best candidates.”

He claimed that when he and some of his colleagues were in the PDP, there was no time a candidate was forced on them without holding primaries.

According to him, even those offended in the PDP by then sitting President Olusegun Obasanjo were also consulted for reconciliation as part of democratic process of healing the wounds of the party.

On the consultation report, Kwankwaso said he would

study the recommendations and decide whether to contest for the presidential election or

not.

He thanked members of the committee for their efforts and

commitment, hoping they would remain Kwankwasiyya loyalists and work harder for APC's victory at all levels.

PRESENTATION: From left: Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Adetola Oduyemi, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Thot Joseph Dogo, and Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, during the presentation of mobile phones, recharge cards and SIM cards to the Kaduna State Government, by the firm in Kaduna.

DTHA 2015: NYCN urges Pius Labs to contest for Bomadi constituency

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OMADI — A CALL has gone to the chapter Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bomadi Local Government Area, Mr. Pius Labs, to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly seat to represent Bomadi Constituency in the state legislature.

The Bomadi chapter Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Mr. Keneke Godbless made the call in Bomadi after a closed-door meeting by the leadership of the

youth organisation.

Godbless said: “The party chairman has demonstrated the strength of character to bring the real change the people of the constituency have been denied.The NYCN is ready to drum grassroots support for his victory should he declare to contest.”

He attributed the absence of quality representation as reason for the lack of clear roadmap for the development of the local government in the present legislative session,

PEOPLE SPEAK

stressing the need for a quality representative, who according to him “is capable of generating confidence among the electorate as well as to enhance the social welfare of the people for which the PDP stands for.”

The youth leader stated that the constituency needs a purposeful leadership in 2015 and urged Pius Labs to run for the State House of Assembly seat, saying “we want him to bring his wealth of experience to bear. He is the man with the patriotic zeal who will listen to the plight of the people."

On 12 soldiers sentenced to death for ‘shooting’ GOC

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igeria my country! How can the senior officers in the army, who are still struggling with the Boko Haram insurgency, now want to kill their own? To me, it just does not make any sense at a time like this.

Mrs Agnes OdoleHairdresser

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think some people are just trying to silence the young boys in the army there are some secrets going on about the book haram and the government that they are likely to know. More i n d e p e n d e n t investigations needed in this case.

Mr. Jaiyeola TimmyFreight Forwarder

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ow can we be sending our soldiers to war front without ammunition to confront the Boko Haram sect? Sending them to Boko Haram without arming them to the teeth is also death on its own, how much more eliminating our soldiers by court martial?

Mr. Emmanuel Jannah- Communicator

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f law should take its due course on those 12 soldiers, what should happen to those sponsors, allies and sympathizers of terrorism among military officers, government officials, community leaders and traditional leaders?

Mr. Sunday OlawaleLecturer

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y advice to Jonathan is that do not approve the sentence, is like some body in the army is trying to trap GEJ with this type of judgement, if it is life sentence it is still okay if they are truly found guilty of the offences. Mr. Ndubuisi Igwe- Engineer

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s much as we all agree these lives shouldn’t be wasted, what they did is terribly wrong. Opening fire on a GOC, that’s totally wrong. I’m sure they allowed emotions get in the way and they regret their actions now.

Ms. Okoye PreciousStudent

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—47

Ebola: Parents decry non-availability of testing kits in Bauchi schools

By Susan Edeh

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AUCHI—ALL public and private schools in Bauchi State, yesterday resumed as directed by the Federal Government, with parents and guardians expressing great concern over non-availability of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, testing kits as promised by the state government.

The state government had ahead of yesterday resumption, promised to provide EVD testing kits in public and private schools, but many schools visited were yet to get the kits.

Among schools visited were Government Secondary School, Kofar Wumbai; Federal Government Girls College; Fariah Foundation School; Community Secondary School; Bigi Junior Secondary School, Divine International Academy amongst many others are yet to get the EVD testing kits and infra-red thermometers.

Already, parents and guardians have become apprehensive over the safety of their children and called for adequate measures or they would be forced to withdraw the children.

Mr. Gabriel Nwachukwu, a business man and a parent, said there was no need for the

government to be in a hurry to call the children back to school without putting adequate preventive measures on ground, saying, “there is nothing wrong in waiting one more week or two to make available the necessary facilities that will ensure the protection of the lives of the students. It is so sad that the government has

not even purchased the infrared thermometers on the resumption date. It is better for our children to spend two more weeks at home than rushing their resumption and have an epidemic. I don’t think the state is adequately prepared.”

Sule Abdullaziz, another parent said he did not allow his five children to resume school because

AWARD: From left: Former Information Minister and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigerian Telecom Awards, Chief Alex Akinyele; Secretary-General, Nigerian Telecom Awards, Biodun Ajiboye; Director, Mike Adenuga Group, Mr. Niyi Adewunmi proudly displaying the best Telecom Investor of the Decade Award he received on behalf of Dr. Mike Adenuga, Chairman of Globacom and former Governor of Ogun State and Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Telecom Awards Board of Trustees, Otunba Gbenga Daniel during the 10th Nigerian Telecom Awards held at The Incubator, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Kogi, UNDP earmark N120m for youth training

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—KOGI State Government in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme, UNDP, has committed N120 million for youth training in the state.

The Focal officer of the UNDP, Lokoja, Mr. Joseph Osasona stated this at the opening ceremony of the three week first phase of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Youth in Agriculture camp holding at the NYSC orientation camp in Ashaya, Kabba-Bunu Local Government area of the state.

Osasona, who eulogised Governor Idris Wada's efforts to

make Kogi State re-enlisted into the UNDP projects after a long absence from the scheme, said 500 youths would be trained in the first phase in different vocational and artisans skills.

He said; “We appreciate Governor Idris Wada, who painstakingly spearheaded the visit to the Minister for National Planning, Abuja to solicit for the re- enlistment of Kogi State into the UNDP activities.

“Of note is the fact that Kogi State is one of the seven states, who will be benefiting in UNDP activities between 2014 and 2017, and more importantly, is the governor's approval to pay the cash counterpart contribution of N80 million despite government’s

lean resources.”

Governor Wada, who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Chief Ali Ajuh, said the state government would harness its bilateral relationship with the UNDP to reduce youth restiveness in the state.

According to him, “It is

I

LORIN—THE Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, CPSS, University of Ilorin, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Nigerians to embrace functional dispute resolution strategies to stem the violent conflicts in the country, saying this become necessary because conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in human society.

Dr. Adedimeji spoke while delivering a keynote address at

the maiden edition of Kwara Youth Summit organised by the Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Students Association, PERCORSA, National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, in conjunction with the CPSS, University of Ilorin.

In the keynote address, entitled “No cause for conflict, really?”, Adedimeji said the current security situation in Nigeria called for a sober reflection and affirmed that ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity in the country

imperative to say that this skill is geared towards impacting relevant skills on our youths towards making them self reliant instead of waiting for government jobs that are not readily available.

The challenge of our time is to organise such vocational programe at the local and state government levels. When this is done successfully, these graduates will transit from being job seekers to being self employed and even employers of labour.''

Internal crisis rocks Mushin APC

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NDICATIONS have emerged of internal crisis in the Mushin Local Government, Lagos chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC over allocation of party positions.

It was gathered that the crisis

Don tasks Nigerians on dispute resolutions strategies

By Demola Akinyemi

they might be exposed to danger as he knew government had not made adequate preparation by to prevent the spread of Ebola.

According to him, “I will not release them to go school for now because the children may be exposed to danger. These children are not conscious of any virus. They will innocently play together and they may, in the course of mingling together contact Ebola or any other disease.”

were “tinderboxes that are vulnerable to exploitation by the arsonists and anarchists” among the people.

Adedimeji explained that conflict arose mainly because of plethora of factors on economic, political, economic, cultural, ideological, religious, ethnic and personal issues.

He posited that “As long as there are differences, there will be conflict. There is therefore cause for conflict because we are from different backgrounds.''

has prevented the party from holding its congress since April.

According to Ajifowowe Daniels, a member of the aggrieved faction, the visit of the Lagos State party executives led

by Mrs. Kemi Nelson could not douse the tension in the local government, saying “because of the inconclusive April 2014 congress in Mushin local government and the inability of the leaders to settle the impasse, the political mood in Mushin have remained tensed. The leaders have not changed their stance which have been creating tension in local government.''

He added: “The past chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mr. Aremo Ikufisile and the incumbent, Mr. Babatunde Adepitan run the party like a private estate and every member must dance to their whims.''

APC chieftain berates Edo PDP Chairman over attacks on Oshiomhole

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chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr. Daniel Omoluabi, has berated the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih for attempting to insult the intelligence of Edo people over his unnecessary outcry against the approvals of the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the official trip to the United States of America during Edo Convention in Chicago.

Omoluabi, in a statement said the PDP Chairman’s accusation reminded people of Edo State of the massive corruption and scandal that rocked the state House of Assembly during the PDP administration in the state.

According to him, “Dan Orbih’s party, the PDP, is as controversial as the messenger himself who has knack for reminding us of how Edo State should not be administered in the 21st century. The way they administered it during the PDP era when monies were approved for legislators for aboard trips but were simply 'pocketed' without embarking on the journeys.

Orbih did not succeed in stigmatising the Oshiomhole-led administration who’s legitimate and constitutional approvals were captured in the budget because all the officials who got approvals attended the convention for which the monies were mean for.

“While waving his gibberish accusations, the truth is that without knowing it, the well known frustrated party chairman has opened a Pandora box which must be properly analysed side by side with the PDP administration in the state, which was characterised by organised wastage of state resources.

Take for instance, when a governor chartered a flight abroad and upon reaching his destination, suddenly forgot that his concoction root gin was not with him and as such had to order one of his aides with the flight to fetch it immediately with tax payers money. It happened during the PDP led administration.''

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

PRESENTATION: From left, Analyst, Events & Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor; winner of a Samsung laptop, Emeri Okocha, an HND 1 Mass Communication student; another winner of a Samsung laptop, Ohazurume Anastacia, an ND 1 Science Tehnology student, both from Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo, and Analyst,Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Michael Nwoseh, during the prize presentation to students, at the Etisalat Cliqfest Seminar, at Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State.

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. Sunil Kumar, Director, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, SEWA; Mr. Parikshit Chadna, Head,Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances; Mr. Koye Sowemimo, Head, Corporate and Consumer Electronics Marketing, and Mrs. Oluwaremilekun Ogunsan,Consumer Electronics Brand Shops Manager, all of SEWA, during a press briefing on Samsung's Blue Map Retail Expansion Campaign, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

FORUM: From left, Akinwole Oludayo,Muhammed Salisu Usman, Nwaje Lucky, and Ogunlana Olumide - winners of 2014 MTN Budding Entrepreneur Challenge - during MTN Link Forum, at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja

BIRTHDAY: From left, Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Charles K. Ayo; President/Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, a.k.a Winners Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, addressing the media, and his wife, Faith, Vice President, during a media chat on Bishop David Oyedepo's 60th birthday, at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. Photo: Diran Oshe

VISIT: Mr. Victor Ochei, Delta State governorship aspirant (holding microphone) and National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone B (South-East & SouthSouth) members, during the students' solidarity visit.

ORDINATION: From left, Diocesan, Anglican diocese of Kaduna, Most Revd. Josiah Idowu-Fearon; Dean of St. Francis of Assisi Theological College, Zaria, Rt. Revd Praises Omle-Ekun, and Registrar, Diocese of Kaduna, John Umuogheli, during the service for ordination of deacons, at the Cathedral of St. Michael, Kaduna, weekend. Photo: Olu Ajayi

BIRTHDAY: From left, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Chief Olujare Dada, Chairman, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OGBC; his wife, Oluremi; Justice Gabsir Bakare (rtd), chairman of the occasion, and Justice Soremi Dende, Special Guest, during the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief Dada.

PROGRAMME: Instructor taking some trainees through in tie and dye skills, during the on-going Economic Empowerment Programme of the Lagos State Government, at the Epe Centre, Epe Recreation Grounds, Epe, Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—49

Jonathan's group begins sensitisation tour

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BUJA—THE Nigei a n Youth Project for Goodluck is set to embark on a nationwide electoral awareness and sensitization tour.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the Director General of the group, Mr Ken Okorodas said all was set for the sensitisation tour to educate Nigerians, especially the youths on the need to be part of the electioneering process.

The group will also distribute the booklets 101 reasons why Dr Jonathan should recontest in 2015.

He added that the tour would also serve as an opportunity for the group to sensitise Nigerians on the achievements of President Jonathan and call for his re-election come 2015.

The DG commended the acting governor of Taraba State, Mr, Garba Umar for his support for the transformation agenda of Mr President and urged other governors to emulate him and genuinely support programmes of groups working sincerely for Mr President.

He called on those playing politics with the health of the governor of the state, Mr Danbaba Suntai to desist from such act and leave the acting governor to continue the good work he is doing in the state.

He called on the people of Taraba State to stand up against the enemies of progress because the act of bringing back Danbaba Suntai, who has been sick for about 22 months now and incapable at the moment to discharge his function as governor will indeed distort the peace in the state and dwindle the economic fortunes of the state.

“It is unhealthy, embarrassing and must be resisted by all. Mr Suntai should be left out of politics for now and allowed to recuperate fully if those perpetuating this act of impunity truly love him.” r

C M Y K

Lagos Assembly to probe non-payment of LASUTH doctors T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, directed its Committee on Health to investigate the allegation of nonpayment of August salary to resident doctors.

This followed a petition sent to the lawmakers by the state chapter of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, which was signed by Dr Babafemi Thomas, its chairman.

Thomas had alleged that resident doctors in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, were not paid for August because they participated in the last nationwide industrial action by doctors.

It was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mr Ganiyu Abiru.

Thomas, in the letter, urged the lawmakers to prevail on Governor Babatunde Fashola to pay the doctors’ salaries in the interest of peace.

The NMA chairman said that resident doctors from other states who joined in the strike were paid for the period of the strike.

Thomas also said the doctors were surprised that the state government had refused to pay them for the period.

In his remark, Mr Rotimi

Abiru, the house Deputy Chief Whip, said that the issue raised by NMA was valid.

Abiru (APC-Shomolu II) urged the lawmakers to endeavour to look critically into the doctors’ demands.

He said that the Committee on Health should be

mandated to carry out thorough investigation on the NMA’s claims.

Also, Mr Ajibayo Adeyeye, the house leader, said that resident doctors in LASUTH were not paid a month salary.

Adeyeye (APC-Kosofe I) said the house should urgently look into it to avert another industrial action by the

MEETING: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (left) with the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State, Comrade Adesegun Raheem (right) during the Governor’s meeting with Lagos Teachers at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, weekend.

Police arrest 4 murder suspects in Borno

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI— THE Borno State Police Command yesterday arrested four suspects for alleged murder and rape in Maiduguri metropolis, even as it warned criminally minded individuals who engaged in nefarious

activities to desist and turn a new leaf or face full wrath of law.

Parading the suspects yesterday at the Police Command Headquarters Maiduguri, the new Police Commissioner, Adoda Clement disclosed that after arresting the suspects in May, August and this month, they all confessed to their

alleged murder and rape cases, including the slain of an Immigration Officer, Stephen Musa Bassi in Pompamari ward of Maiduguri metropolis.

His words: “A case of culpable homicide was reported at Ibrahim Taiwo Estate Division and transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation, over the gruesome murder of an

Oshiomhole urges lawyers to obey to court orders

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has challenged lawyers in the country to speak up against disobedience to court orders, saying that it portends danger for the rule of law.

Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “Every lawyer must endeavour to uphold the law as it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage trade unions to become the enforcers of court

association.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who presided over the plenary, directed the Committee on Health to investigate the matter and report back in one week.

NMA had on July 1 embarked on a nationwide industrial action which lasted for two months.

orders.

“Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience to court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advice people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quite in the face of disobedience to court order, it is a terrible thing for the rule of law.

“If court bailiffs are assaulted in public view, Senior Advocates and other members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because

those who may not be affected today may be affected tomorrow, particularly where the rule of law operates on the basis of precedent.

“It can be concluded from the number of cases that the Edo State judiciary was able to hear and dispense justice on the number of cases that are pending suggests that the Edo State judiciary has so much work to do. This suggests that the judiciary, executive and legislative must find resources to create more courts, appoint more judges so that our people can have quicker access to justice.”

Immigration officer; Stephen Musa Bassi of Pompomari ward Maiduguri. The diseased was killed by two POP decoration contractors he hired to work in his house.

“After the dastardly act, the duo buried him within the compound premises before escaping to unknown destination.”

He said after investigations by the police with intelligence gathering, Abdulraham Iliyasu (24) was arrested in Kano on August 22, 2014, while the other suspect remained at large.

The second murder suspect, Bajoga Bello, according to the police chief, killed one Abdullahi Saidu at Bantine village in Biu council area of Borno state over non-payment of N200 debt, while the rape cases were committed by Idris Ali of Moduganari ward and Bana Kyari of Bolori ward of Maiduguri.

“Ali after being interrogated for the alleged crime, confessed raping his 10-year old daughter, while Kyari also confessed raping a threeyear old girl in the Bolori Layout of the metropolis on August 29, 2014,” said Clement.

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Another 10 Boko Haram terrorists surrender to military

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—AS information spread among Boko Haram insurgents of the death of their leader, Shekau, more of the terrorists, who believed their planned attack on Maiduguri would no longer be feasible, have continued to surrender to Nigerian soldiers.

On Sunday night another set of terrorists surrendered to troops in Kawuri, the town where a bloody battle raged between troops and the terrorists a fortnight ago leaving over 50 terrorists dead.

In a tweet on the incident posted its handle yesterday, the Defence headquarters said, “Another Set of 10 Terrorists yesterday surrendered to Troops at Kawuri. In custody for necessary security debriefing” Vanguard gathered that with this number from Kawuri; about 40 terrorists including those from Konduga have so far surrendered. Only on Saturday, five terrorists surrendered with all their weapons to troops at Konduga pleading for mercy It will be recalled that over fifty terrorists were killed in a recent shoot-out as troops raided their hideout in Kawuri before setting out on a planned attack on Konduga.

UPU holds emergency meeting Saturday

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R H O B O Progressive Union, UPU, Apapa branch, Lagos will hold an emergency meeting next Saturday, September 27, at UPU secretariat, 16 & 18 Ajose Lane at 10am. The meeting will deliberate on the burial arrangement for late President General – UPU, Gen. Aziza and other matters

Feud between Presidency, ministers stalls inauguration of five Federal boards

By Soni Daniel

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BUJA—THE Lingering disagreement between some ministers and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is delaying the inauguration of no fewer than five Federal Government agencies, Vanguard learnt on Monday.

The affected parastatals, whose board members were announced on July 10, 2014 by the Presidency, are: Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other related matters (NAPTIP), Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology, Zaria, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria and the National Library of Nigeria.

However, investigation by Vanguard revealed that more two months after the constitution of the boards by the OSGF, neither their chairmen nor members have been sworn in to enable them to assume their respective offices owing to unresolved feud over the composition of the boards.

It was gathered that most of the supervising ministers were uncomfortable with the lists of chairmen and members of the board recommended to President Goodluck Jonathan for approval by the OSFG and were therefore reluctant to work with such boards.

Some of the ministers and heads of the parastatals, Vanguard learnt, were upset that their preferred cronies for the positions of chairmen

MEETING: From left: Natarajan Chandrasekaran, CEO of Tata Consultancy Services; Austin Okere, Founder of CWG Plc & Entrepreneur-in-Residence, CBS, and Rich Lesser, global CEO & President of the Boston Consulting Group at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin.

and members were excluded from the boards at the last minute by the OSGF and were therefore not too keen on accepting the new appointees, which they fear might cause problems for them.

It was learnt on Monday that a frontline politician cum journalist, who had worked tirelessly for the victory of President Jonathan in 2011 and was included on the board of one of the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Justice, had in frustration over the noninauguration of his board, reported the undue delay to the Presidency, which facilitated the inclusion of his name.

The aggrieved ministers and heads of the affected parastatals are said to be lobbying the Presidency to include their nominees, whom they claim also worked for the victory of the ruling party during the last election and are also working for the same government ahead of the 2015 polls.

The delay in swearing in the new board chairmen and members is said to be causing unease among the nominees as they have been denied the monthly stipends and other perks of office that go with such appointments in Nigeria.

The appointees, it was learnt, have decided to take their case back to the

Presidency, which approved their appointments in appreciation of their support in recent years.

One of the affected appointees, who is close to Vice President Namadi Sambo, told Vanguard that it was wrong for any minister or head of parastatal to block any board appointment since they do not know what sacrifice they made to ensure the success of the party in the last election.

“It is a pity that we have not yet been inaugurated because of the selfish interest of some well placed persons, who did not suffer with us to bring about the success of this government,” the appointee said.

Police foil attack on armoury in Kogi

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE Police in Abuja yesterday disclosed that an attempt by unknown gunmen to attack one of its divisional stations in Kogi State, with a view to carting away arms stocked in its armoury has been foiled.

This disclosure came to light just as the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba directed all Zonal AIG’s and Command CP’s in the country to tighten security around orphanage centres to curtail the increasing menace of babies’ trafficking.

A statement on the Kogi incident signed by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu said, “At

about 2100hrs of Sunday 21st September, 2014, unknown gunmen unleashed heavy attack on Adogo Police Station, in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, from different directions of Okene, Ajaokuta, and one other route, apparently desirous of carting away Police arms.

“The Policemen on duty swiftly took positions and returned fire. The heavy dynamite launched by the attackers, demolished and set fire on part of the Station. The desire of the hoodlums to cart away arms was aborted, as the Police successfully evacuated the arms from the Station, to safety.

“As at the time of this report,

no human casualty was recorded on the part of Police, while some of hoodlums, escaped with bullet wounds.

“However, the area has been reinforced while frantic efforts are ongoing to track-down the fleeing hoodlums.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has appealed to members of the public, to report anybody seen with bullet wound, of any sort, to the nearby Police Station or other Security agencies.

Also, the Police said that following recent disturbing trends involving the sale of babies within and outside the country especially in some Motherless Baby ’s Homes across the country, the IGP has directed all Assistant

Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, State Commissioners of Police and other Police field Commanders to put measures in place in order to put an immediate end to the illegal sale of babies in the country.

While reiterating that all the Motherless Babies Homes and Centres in their respective domains should be properly monitored so as to nip in the bud the trafficking of babies within and outside the country, the IGP directed that all Police personnel should be lectured on this subject.

The IGP therefore called on the members of the public to furnish the Police with the necessary information that will help in addressing this heinous crime.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—51

2015: RTEAN backs Jonathan •to mobilise 16m members for Abuja rally

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BUJA—BARELY few days after the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate for the 2015 Presidential Election, the leadership of Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, yesterday, threw its weight behind the president, urging him to come out and not disappoint Nigerians.

National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Shehu Isewele, said that the body in collaboration with Barrister Ujuken Ohanenye-led Good Governance Vanguard would in the next couple of weeks, put in place a rally for the president in Abuja, boasting that “either he likes it or not, he has to come out because we need him.”

Shehu said the RTEAN and Good Governance rally in support of President Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of 2015 would involve its 16 million members and other affiliate bodies. Other bodies are Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, NATA; Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association of Nigeria; National Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association; Ajegboro and IFESOWAPO Tippers Association; Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA; All Farmers and Tricycles Operators Association of Nigeria.

I'll step on toes, Abuja minister threatens

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA— WORRIED over the distortion and violation of the master plan in the nation’s capital territory, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, threatened that his administration was prepared to step on toes in restoring the distorted master plan to its original plan as conceived by the founding fathers.

Mohammed said Abuja will not be allowed to go the way of other older cities in the country, just as he set up a committee saddled with the responsibility of identifying all violations on the Abuja Master Plan, noting that the action would help the administration in reversing such violations accordingly.

The minister who spoke after the FCT Executive Committee stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed concern over what he termed "these unwarranted violations" and directed that such encroachments should not be allowed to stand as they affect the Abuja Master Plan.

Senator Mohammed warned that the FCT Administration under him was committed and determined to correct all the wrongs perpetuated on the Abuja Master Plan.

The minister who instructed the committee to identify all the

G

attention it deserves.

The Committee which has the executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila as the Chairman, has the FCT Directors of Land Administration, Development Control, Abuja Geographic Information System, Urban and Regional Planning, Mapping and Survey, Parks and

Recreation as well as representatives of the FCT Transportation Secretariat and Social Development Secretariat as members.

He remarked that all encroached plots when identified and recovered be deed and titled in the names of respective Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) to avoid future bastardization.

School Resumption: Pupils of Great Lights Scholars Academy Jehu III, Masaka Nasarawa State, resumed school for the next academic session as directed by Federal Government yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Ebola: FCT minister cautions principals over admission

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INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, warned principals and heads of schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, not to admit any child with high temperature or with symptoms of malaria.

The minister said children with symptoms of malaria seeking admission to schools in the nation’s capital must go home with their parents, be treated first and come back with confirmation

Mimiko wins telecom award over residency card OVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has been honoured with the innovative governor of the year award by the Nigerian Telecom for the Kaadi Igbe Ayo (residency card) innovation.

The award was received on behalf of Governor Mimiko by the State commissioner for health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, in Lagos and presented to him on Monday in his office.

Speaking shortly after the presentation of the award at the state executive council meeting in Akure, Mimiko dedicated it to the people of the State for their support for all his administration’s programmes.

Mimiko described Kaadi Igbe

violations and extent of the violations, said it would urgently remedy such desecration because “ no part of the Abuja Master Plan would be compromised.”

According to him, the committee’s job would be a key to restoring the Abuja Master Plan, even as he urged members of the committee to take the job very seriously by giving it the

Ayo as the best world multi application smart card that will provide empirical data for speedy and effective policy making and implementation.

He noted that when the programme was fully operational, it would serve as the major instrument of accessing government’s social services.

He said “I dedicate this award to the people of Ondo State. For us Kaadi Igbe Ayo is a profound innovation that will eventually impact positively on the lives of our people. Like we have always pointed out, it is the world best multi application smart card. We are rolling out now, we have started with Abiye and we are going to civil servants, artisans and farmers."

that those symptoms had disappeared before such a child could be admitted.

Senator Mohammed who ordered all the schools in the Federal Capital Territory to resume today, however, warned the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, not to frustrate the resumption process by asking parents not to bring their children to school.

Speaking, weekend, during the distribution of Ebola prevention/ sanitary items to principals and head teachers of 1,264 in the FCT, Secretary, Education Secretariat, Mallam Kabiru Usman, who represented the minister, said the gesture did not extend to private schools, but stressed, however, that proprietors of private schools

were expected to private these items for their students, adding that the inspection, monitoring and quality assurance department of the Education Secretariat would go round to private schools to ensure full implementation of the order of the federal government.

Making the presentation at the Government Science Secondary School, Area3, Garki, Abuja, the minister who warned principals not to keep the items in their offices or private houses, said that they were for the students. Each school was given a carton of hand sanitizer, liquid disinfectants and hand gloves while posters on direction of proper use of the items were also presented to

school authorities. The secretary assured that the secretariat had enough of the items to last till the end of the year and that more would be procured in January, if deemed necessary.

He said that the secretariat had commenced the fumigation of schools in the FC, with arrangements to commence the supply of water by tankers to schools without running taps, adding, "it must be mentioned that the process of distribution of these materials does not end today. It is continuous and will go on till the health authorities ascertain that the Ebola danger is finally over.”

NTI Distributes Ebola testing kits

By Henry Umoru

T

HE National Teachers’ Institute, NTI, has distributed Ebola testing kits to state Commissioners of Education as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the disease among school children across the country.

The organization said in a statement, weekend, that it chose to play a pivotal role in the fight against Ebola, given the fact that an outcome among school pupils could be devastating to the nation.

Director-General of the NTI, Dr. Aminu Sharehu, who made a symbolic presentation of Ebola testing kits to the chairman of the Council, Barr. Ali Sa’ad BirninKudu, said that in addition to the distribution of the testing kits, NTI has undertaken several sensitisation workshops for teachers on the issue.

He added that it was the responsibility of the Institute to sensitise teachers in the country, whenever there was any epidemic.

Sharehu said that kits were also

distributed among executive chairmen of SUBEB across the 36 States in the country and the FCT, as well as, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and some schools across the 36 State and FCT. Barr. Burnun-Kebbi said that the distribution of the testing kits was significant in view of the critical roles teachers had to play in arresting the infectious disease in the country.

He described the move by the Institute on the production of the manual and sample kits as apt and desirable.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

FG to take over expansion of Lagos-Badagry road T

HE Federal Government is to take over reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, said yesterday.

The minister said this in Lagos during a slide presentation of work on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway by Julius Berger Plc. The presentation took place at the company’s office complex in Ijora.

Onolememen said that a new project design that involved five other ECOWAS membercountries was being undertaken.

While assuring that the project would soon be implemented, the minister said that a regional effort

would be the best way to handle the road project.

He said that he was the chairman of a five-member Country Project Steering Committee on the project, adding, “we will definitely get into the construction stage. At that time, all the challenges the Lagos State Government is having on that road will be a thing of the past because we will construct that road."

The minister directed Julius Berger to complete rehabilitation of the Apapa/ Oshodi Expressway in the next eight weeks, noting, “take remedial works into consideration; three months is too far and would be chaotic, considering the ember months. Maybe, you should look for ways to get less construction time. Let us see if we can terminate the emergency works by

Fashola campaigns for setting up of state police

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, yesterday, urged Nigerian women to campaign vigorously for the establishment of a State Police in the country as a means of ensuring their protection and that of their children against abuse. He said women issues in crime management has been subordinated by the challenges of insecurity in the country.

Fashola, who spoke at the Eko Hotel and Suites venue of the 14th National Women’s Conference with the theme, “Embracing and Managing Change”, organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, COWLSO, said the nation’s policing capacity requirement would never be sufficient to enforce the numerous laws and policies made to protect women and children against abuse without the institution of State Police.

Recalling that his administration instituted the Child Rights Law, the Criminal Justice Act for pregnant women and made post-partum depression a criminal defence under the State’s law, among other laws for the protection of women and children in the State, Fashola, however, said without sufficient policing capacity, government can only hope that those entrusted with the C M Y K

enforcement would “act voluntarily”.

He listed other laws to protect the rights of women and children to include Law Against Domestic Violence and Abuse which led to the establishment of a Transit Home in Alimosho for women and children who are victims of domestic violence and the extension of maternity leave for nursing mothers.

November."

While inspecting the road, the minister said that rigid pavement was being used to reconstruct the road to cater for new load capacity which was not envisaged when the road was built in the 1970s. He said that the Federal Government decided to take drastic measures to rehabilitate the road due to public outcry, following perennial gridlock on the road in June and July.

He said the completion of a trailer park in Lagos was important as it would accommodate about 500 trucks and decongest the highway.

“Given the clemency of weather, Julius Berger should be able to finish emergency repairs in another eight weeks. The new design takes cognizance of heavy traffic, rigid pavement would be used to fight the menace of surface and underground water prevalence on the road,“ he said.

The Lagos State Government embarked on expansion of the LagosBadagry Road from four to 10 lanes in April, 2009.

Construction of a light rail line and a Bus Rapid Transit corridor is part of the project, to enhance tourism and economic activities on this axis.

Dangote, Mobil endorse DAME as 20 judges are named

D

ANGOTE Group of Companies and Mobil Producing have joined the league of sponsors of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, DAME. Whilst Dangote is sponsoring the Aliko Dangote Prize for Business Reporting, Mobil has taken up the Energy Reporting prize. Both are new categories introduced at this 23rd edition of the awards programme.

Tony Chiejena, group head of corporate communication at Dangote, said in a message that his “organisation is delighted to partner with DAME in the belief that there is sufficient synergy between two strong private sector brands to promote media excellence”.

Ozemoya Okordion of the public affairs unit of Mobil also spoke in similar vein, saying Mobil welcomes the opportunity to work with DAME for three years in the first instance. He said, “It is something that we probably

should have done earlier but we are happy at the opportunity to work with DAME”.

Their sponsorships cover prize money and professional working equipment for the print journalists adjudged to have produced the most insightful stories in those fields in the year of assessment.

Entries in the 31 advertised categories will be assessed by a team of 21 assessors drawn from the rank of academics and veteran journalists. The judges include Prof. Nosa Owens-Ibie, Dr. Bisi Olawunmi, Messrs.

Muyiwa Adetiba, Tam Fiofori, Jimi Disu, Taiwo Obileye, Chido Nwakanma, Kenny Adamson, Feyi Smith, Gbolahan Gbadamosi and Muda Ganiyu. The women are Mrs. Tinu Odugbemi, Mrs. Wale Sokunbi, Ms. Efiom Asuquo, Dr. Lola Akande, Ms. Victoria Ibanga, and Ms. Bunmi Sofola.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 53 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO: Female members of this Star Sign will need to be as receptive as necessary while handling their sex life, especially if you are married. Say no to any negative advice, especially from not too close (so call) friends.

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

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

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

THOUGHT FOR TODA Y TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HIS simply put is to overate your enemies. To ascribe o much power over you to your enemies.

Like the case of under estimating,

Over Estimating Your Enemies over estimating too has its own drawback. One of the disadvantages is its ability to intimidate us. As-

TERROR MUDA

cribing power which our enemies do not have to them helps them to overwhelm us and sap

in “Never say goodbye”

us of our own strength and energy.

Remember, no one has power except that power which you allow them to exercise over you.

By Lanre Kehinde

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

Avoid unnecessary argument at work.

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

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

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

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

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Grassroots Movement backs Nwaoboshi on power rotation

T

HE Delta North G r a s s r o o t s Movement, DNGM, has faulted Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, for attacking Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, over his support for Delta North to produce the next governor of the state.

DNGM, in a statement by its Secretary, Ifeanyi Nwaezeigwe, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication by Wilson Omene of UPU, aimed at demonising Chief Nwaoboshi and also blackmailing the Anioma people into jettisoning the 2015 gubernatorial project.

“Our contention is that UPU, in making pronouncements on the 2015 gubernatorial election, was not guided by history.

“A close study of lists of state legislators and their party affiliations since 1999 clearly shows that the opposition to the Delta State PDP has been more in Delta Central than in Aniomaland.”

DESOPADEC commissioner bags Rotary award

U

GHELLI— ROTARY Club of Ughelli Metropolis, District 9140, has conferred the c o m m i s s i o n e r representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government areas on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevwi, with an award of excellence in educational development.

Speaking during the award ceremony in Ughelli, President of the club, Mrs. Grace Akpodiete, said the award was in recognition of Obiuwevbi’s contributions to educational development in Ughelli and its environs, which it said was in line with the basic education and literacy goal of the club.

SUMMIT: From left: Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, State Chairman, of the National Coalition for Jonathan and Sambo Presidency, NACOJSP, Chief Machar Zoaka, Director of Finance, Prof. Olubayo Olateju, South West Zonal Chairman, Mrs Ann Eyo, National Legal Adviser, Dr. Benjamin Irikefe, Secretary, Board of Trustees, Mazi Okechukwu Nwaka, representating National Patron, Senator Ben Obi, and Mr. Godspower Odenema, National Youth Leader, at the just concluded national summit of Pro-Jonathan Support Groups in Abuja. .

2015: Obuh qualified to be governor, says Macaulay, Delta SSG A

SABA—SECRETARY to Delta State Government, Mr Ovuozourie Macaulay, has described a governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Tony Obuh as a near perfect gentleman, who served the state diligently and qualified to be governor, adding he has all it takes to manage a complex state as Delta.

Macaulay also the Supervisory Coordinator, Isoko Federal Constituency, Project Obuh 2015, said Obuh “always discharged his responsibilities with smiles on his face. He is someone you can trust with great responsibilities while you sleep, never tired and one without complaints.”

He spoke at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor, during a thanksgiving mass for Obuh, who voluntarily retired as Permanent Secretary from the state civil service after 32 years of meritorious service.

Macaulay, who was Obuh’s immediate boss until his retirement, described him as a dependable man, intelligent and full of initiatives and prayed to God to lead him aright.

Obuh, in his remarks said that what appear to be an impossible mission was ending graciously after 32 years, adding that he started in the civil service in the then Bendel State as an administrative officer.

The civil service work he emphasized, gave him a new attitude to life and people, shaped and molded him and challenged him with responsibilities that made him strong.

He commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the

state for the opportunity given him to serve which had made him finished strong, adding that he remains grateful to various Heads of Service he served under as they impacted positively on his life.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Ugboh in his sermon said that there was dignity in labour and fulfillment for those that work actively in building the kingdom of God on earth.

Consulting God through thanksgiving, the priest said there was need to put God first and God he noted cannot disappoint those that put their hope in Him.

18-yr-old docked over alleged rape, robbery A

BRAKA—AN Abraka Magistrate's Court in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, has remanded an 18year-old in prison for allegedly raping and robbing a female resident of a private hostel in Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.

The accused, Samson Ebise was arraigned on a four count

charge of intent to commit felony, having unlawful carnal knowledge of his victim and robbing her of the sum of N7,000 with a knife.

According to the charge sheet, the accused was said to have on September 7, 2014, opened and entered the home of the victim at night and allegedly had carnal knowledge of her after

robbing her.

The offence is said to be punishable under Sections 410 (1), 412, 358 and 402(2) (a) of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol.1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

The case was adjourned till October 30, 2014 by the trial Magistrate, Mrs. O. Omonemu for further hearing.

Zoning arrangement stands —EDO PDP

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE crisis brewing in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo Central senatorial district has taken a new turn with the leadership of the party saying that it recognises zoning, adding that whoever wants to contest against the arrangement was free to test his popularity.

At a zonal caucus meeting of the party on September 12 in Uromi, the party had adopted a zoning arrangement that did not favour the return of the three

federal lawmakers representing the zone in the National Assembly.

They are Senator Odion Ugbesia, Edo Central; Mr. Friday Itulah, Esan NorthEast/Esan South-East federal constituency; and Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben federal constituency.

However, at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Edo Central PDP members at Uromi, Edo State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, quoted aspects of the PDP’s

constitution to back his claim that the party recognises zoning, adding that the party would not, however, bar other aspirants from testing their popularity at the polls.

Reacting, Mr. Itulah gave kudos to the leadership of the party for not stopping any aspirant from contesting.

Another aspirant, Mr. Sergius Ogun, said it was regrettable that Senator Ugbesia, Mr. Itulah and Mr. Ikhariale were against the zoning arrangement, pointing out that he was ready for the primaries.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—55

Obiano’s economic programmes attract $382m investments to Anambra

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—DETERMINED to ensure that Anambra State was not found wanting in economic development, Governor Willie Obiano’s administration has attracted investment worth $382.3m (N62bn) into various economic segments in the state.

Of this sum, $220m was signed in an Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, weekend when two major investors, Joseph Agro Limited and Cardinal Developers Trust Limited respectively, decided to improve the agricultural and tourism sector.

Both companies invested $150 million and $70 million respectively in Omor Rice Mill Project in Ayamelum Local Government Area and in a four star hotel project in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state.

Joseph Agro Limited, a subsidiary of Bravura, one of Nigeria’s major energy firms and its technical partner, REI Agro Commodities, the world’s leading rice producer has, by this agreement, taken over the Omor Rice Mill with its 10,000 hectares of virgin land and the 3,850 hectare Lower Anambra Irrigation Project.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Governor Willie Obiano explained that Joseph Agro Ltd would produce 120,000 metric tons of rice paddies per year in its first phase, pointing out that this, in addition to the output of

Coched Farms Project, would completely eliminate the state’s rice supply deficit by 99%.

“Joseph Agro Ltd will help expand our scope in the agricultural sector. When fully operational, it will put 10,000 people in direct employment and about 25,000 in indirect employment.

“At the same time it will lead to the development of human and technical capacity to enhance lo-

cal rice production as well as boost the growth in our internally generated revenue.

“Cardinal Developers & Trust Limited is also taking over the completion of Anambra’s 4-Star luxury hotel in Onitsha, and it will be managed by Radisson Blu on completion. Cardinal Developers & Trust Ltd is expected to build a 2,000 capacity conference center in Onitsha and construct

161 units of luxury apartments, flats and terrace houses in Onitsha,” he said.

Giving insight into the nature and benefits of the agreement with Cardinal Developers & Trust Ltd, Governor Obiano explained: “The project is expected to form part of Onitsha entertainment hub which has a world class shopping mall currently under construction and is financed by Africa Capital Alliance. This project will generate 400 direct jobs and 2000 indirect jobs.”

FORUM: From left; Mrs Modupeola Babalola, Marketing Manager, Golden Penny Pasta; Olanike Kolawole, Regional Manager, Ecobank Plc; Omooba Segun Adewale, GMD, 24-7 Communications Ltd; Michelle and Willem Combrinck of Zinto South Africa at a recent forum convened by 24-7 Communications in Lagos.

Anambra tax policy capable of discouraging investors — OZOEMENAM

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—A property consultant and Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Cosmas Ozoemenam, has faulted the procedure for registering Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and tax policy of Anambra State Government, saying it was capable of scaring investors away from the state.

Speaking with Vanguard at Nnewi,

Ozoemenam described as frustrating a situation where government would demand Power of Attorney and huge sums of money as tax clearance before registering a C of O. According to him, this is counterproductive and unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that retard development of the state.

He recounted his personal experience at one of the ministries in Awka where he was requested to present

Power of Attorney as part of requirements for a C of O registration.

Reacting, Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Obiano Mr James Eze, said, Obiano’s administration had already started attracting investments worth $382.3m (N62bn) into the state’s economy.

He said the governor had set up Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, which had received 112 presen-

Labour locks parents, students out of FG schools in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—SCORES of parents, guardians and students of Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, FGGCO, and Federal Government College, Okigwe, were yesterday refused entry into the two colleges by protesting labour leaders.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the parents were taken aback by what they described as shocking development.

One of the female labour leaders in FGGCO, who bluntly refused to identify herself, ordered parents and guardians to take their daughters and wards home.

“Please take your daughters and wards home. Nobody will open the gate for you. We are on an indefinite strike,” the woman told bewildered parents and students.

When asked to say what was the matter, she said: “Go and ask the Federal Government.

We are on strike and that is all I can tell you.”

A parent, who simply identified himself as Livinus, lamented that nobody thought it expedient to advise parents and guardians against making the trip to Owerri, when the teachers knew they would

not accept the students on campus.

The story from Okigwe was slightly different as the college administration sent text messages to parents earlier not to bring their daughters back to school.

An aggrieved parent who told our correspondent that he did not get the message, lamented that he “traveled from Enugu to Okigwe, only to be told to take my children back home”.

He lamented that Nigeria had become notorious for strikes, pointing out that any flimsy thing can trigger indefinite industrial action in the country.

tations and proposals from prospective investors and service providers in the last four months.

Eze said all the investors and their proposals were put through a generic assessment and viability exercise which evaluated the investor’s credibility and competence, financial capacity and time-frame of investment, among others.

He said well known investors, such as Chief Cosmas Maduka of the Coscharis Group, had their agriculture subsidiary already set up offices in the state and hired some workers and mobilized to its farm settlement in Anaku.

He urged anybody having difficulty in land acquisition to go through the appropriate channel, instead of joining those opposed to the new administration to discredit the achievements the government had recorded in less than six months.

However, Ozoemenam said many Anambra citizens outside the state were interested to invest in landed property for private and industrial development purposes, but were incapacitated by unnecessary administrative bottle-necks and requirements that were not obtainable elsewhere and only capable of retarding the growth of the state.

Peace boss donates N10m to ECCIMA

By Austin Ogwuda & Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Managing Director of Peace Group, Dr. Samuel Onyishi, last weekend, at the construction site of the multidimensional facility project being built by Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, donated N10 million for completion of the project.

While conducting the Peace boss round the facility site, the Director General, ECCIMA, Mr. Emeka Okereke, said, “We in ECCIMA are satisfied with the economic development you (Onyishi) had made in the south-east and in Nigeria through job creation.

“Your decision to partner with us in February this year has crystallised into this handsome donation to facilitate the completion of this project. You have contributed immensely to the development of the private sector in this part of the globe.

“This four floor building project will have four big conference halls, ECCIMA secretariat office, council chambers, business library, business research centre, ICT centre and arbitration centre, among others.''

‘We'll obey NUT's directive on schools' resumption'

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—IMO State chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has said it would not flout the directives of its national leadership on the resumption of schools for the new academic year.

State NUT chairman, Dr. Cletus Iwu Okeke, who was reacting to the nonresumption of public schools in the state, also affirmed that they would join the national body in ensuring that their demand for Ebola safe facilities were provided in all public schools in the state.

Okeke maintained: “NUT Imo State would firmly abide by the decision of its national body to ensure a safe environment for staff and students.”

56—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

Will 2014 UN General Assembly be different?

T

HIS time each year, heads of state and government from around the world congregate in New York for their annual ritual otherwise known as the United Nations General Assembly. This body is the main deliberative organ of the United Nations. Expectations are normally high that each of the General Assembly meetings will produce workable resolutions on how to move the world forward and make it a better place for mankind.

But each UN General Assembly meeting never disappoints its critics who say that the body is a mere talking shop, a podium that offers world leaders time for their fifteen minutes of global fame. Former Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez once delighted the critics when the highlight of his UN speech was the declaration that “yesterday, the devil was here,” a reference to the fact that former US President George Bush had addressed the Assembly the previous day. Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traditionally came to the Assembly to argue his pet thesis that the holocaust was only a historical phantom being propagated by Zionist Israel and its allies. Muammar Gadhafi of Libya made more news with his space-hunt to build his temporary residential tent in New York, and walking up to the podium to tear a copy of the UN Charter in a symbolic gesture that the United Nations was not a worthwhile organization. And two years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tickled the world with his ticking-bomb graphics about the Iranians being on the brink of manufacturing nuclear weapons with

the Ebola epidemic. Without belittling the havoc being caused by ISIS, the threat of Ebola has greater potential to wipe out humanity. So far, this sophisticated killer disease has claimed 2,630 lives, according to the September 18th Ebola Fact Sheet released by the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC. The statistics also show that 5,347 Ebola case counts have been recorded, with the figure for laboratory confirmed cases being 3,095.

What I found troubling in the CDC report is the statement that “The risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is very low.

CDC and partners are taking many precautions to prevent this from happening.” This it-cannot-happen-inthe-US picture painted by the CDC is not consistent with President Obama’s speech last week after visits the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta. The president declared that: “If the outbreak is not stopped now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people affected, with profound economic, political and security implications for all of us… It’s a potential threat to global security if these countries break down.” With that, he ordered 3,000 U.S. troops to be sent to West Africa, especially Liberia, to help in the fight to contain Ebola.

Outside ISIS and Ebola and perhaps the theatre of war in the Ukraine, the UN General Assembly will also face other items which perennially feature on its annual agenda: Iran’s nuclear threat, the need for lasting peace between Israel and Palestine as well as the regular platitudes to make the world a better place.

,

The challenge before the heads of state and government that are now in New York for the 2014 UN General Assembly is to match words with action

which they would challenge global peace and security.

Will the heads of state and government take a different route this time and show more seriousness in tackling real issues of global concern? No one can say what will gain prominence as the 193-member General Assembly leaders meet for their 69th annual gathering. As they meet, it is obvious that the world has become less secure and more vulnerable since their last meeting in 2013. Since then, the menace of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fanatics has gained center stage in global affairs.

With the U.S. and its allies putting together their war plan to challenge ISIS, there is little doubt that the brutal events taking place at the killing fields under the control of ISIS on the border between Iraq and Syria jihadists will preoccupy world leaders at the UN General Assembly. So might the activities of similar blood-thirsty organizations such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and al-Shabab in Somalia gain some attention.

Hopefully, the surge and determination to confront ISIS will not eclipse the need to confront another challenge to humanity:

,

One of the important issues that might not feature on the UN agenda for its 69th meeting is Western Sahara. I bring this up because it is an irony that just last week, citizens of Scotland had an opportunity to vote for or against their continued belonging to the United Kingdom.

Contrast this with is a situation where the people of Western Sahara are still in bondage under the control of Morocco, despite decades of UN and African Union efforts to grant them independence. Today, the people of Western Sahara and their government live in refugee camps under squalid conditions. It appears the world has forgotten them and their dream Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

The challenge before the heads of state and government that are now in New York for the 2014 UN General Assembly is to match words with action. Each of the issues on their agenda is capable of causing great instability in the world, be it the ISIS savagery or the Ebola outbreak. The world cannot afford another talking forum by leaders who may sound like Macbeth’s tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 57

BRIEFS

Experts advise against Ebola travel ban

ISIS: UN begs Turkey to accept refugees T

HE UN refugee agency says Turkey urgently needs help to care for 130,000 Syrian refugees who have crossed the border in recent days.

The UNHCR said this was the largest influx in such a short period since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

The Syrian Kurds are fleeing an advance by Islamic State (IS) militants, who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria in recent months.

IS fighters are reported to be closing in on the Syrian town of Kobane.

The capture of Kobane, also known as Ayn al-Arabon, would give the jihadists complete control of the area.

Even before the latest influx, Turkey was struggling to cope with more than a million Syrian refugees who have crossed into its territory since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad be-

Turkish troops trying to control the flood of refugees, and stop Kurdish fighters crossing into Syria gan more than three years ago.

Carol Batchelor, the UNHCR’s envoy in Turkey, told the BBC that such high numbers of refugees would place a strain on any host community. line The sheer number of refugees would overwhelm any country.

Added to that, they are

Kurds from Syria, many of them deeply hostile to Turkey. For 30 years, Turkish forces fought Kurdish rebels in a civil war that killed 40,000 people.

The fact that Turkey is accepting tens of thousands of Kurds is a sign of how allegiances are being forced to change with the onslaught of Islamic State. But deep-

seated tension between Kurds and Turks have again come to the surface, leading to border clashes on Sunday.

Turkey fears that Kurds will cross into Syria to join the Kurdish militia.

The worry is that, renewed by fresh recruits, it could ally with the outlawed PKK and launch attacks on Turkish soil.

Ukraine crisis: Military to pull back artillery in east

U

KRAINE is prepar ing to withdraw heavy weaponry away from separatist rebel lines

in the east, the military says.

The two sides agreed on Saturday to set up a buffer zone in eastern

Protesters carried Russian and Ukrainian flags during anti-war rally in Moscow, the first large one since 2013

Ukraine, more than a fortnight after a shaky ceasefire came into force.

Although the truce is still in place, clashes have continued around the cities of Donetsk and Mariupol.

More than 3,000 people have died since fighting broke out in the two regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in April.

Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill last week granting three-year “selfrule” to parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - a decision condemned by some MPs as “capitulation”.

‘Foreign mercenaries’ Under the terms of the

Yemen rebels raid army commander’s house rebel group.

Meanwhile, Shia rebels

H

OUTHI rebels in Ye men have raided the houses of a powerful military commander and his allies in the capital Sanaa.

The raid on the home of Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, an adviser on defence and security affairs for the president, came a day after the signing of a UN-brokered peace deal between the government and the Shia

Sources told Al Jazeera that the gunmen entered the house in the Hadda neighbourhood overnight to Monday and looted it after exchanging fire with the guards. Several security personel were injured in the incident.

The house of Hamid alAhmar, the leader of the Yemeni Alliance for Reform party, was also looted.

held position around key government offices and army bases in Sanaa, which they captured without resistance just hours before the signing of the peace agreement.

Jamal Benomar, the UN envoy to Yemen, told Al Jazeera on Monday that the actions of the rebels were undermining the success of the deal.

nine-point deal agreed in Belarus, both the proRussian rebels and Ukrainian forces are to pull back their heavy artillery 15km (9.5 miles) from the line of engagement, creating a 30km buffer zone.

Ukrainian National Security and Defence Council spokesman Col Andriy Lysenko said pro-Russian rebels had for their part begun moving their heavy artillery, but it was “not as massive as we expected”.

Artillery and armoured vehicles with a calibre greater than 100mm would be moved, but all other units and their weapons would remain in place, he said.

According to the deal, military aircraft are banned from flying over the conflict zone and “foreign mercenaries” are to be withdrawn on both sides.

Foreigners are known to be fighting on both sides and Russia has repeatedly insisted that any of its citizens fighting alongside separatists in Ukraine are doing so in a private capacity.

T

HERE should be no general ban on travel or trade with countries reeling from the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, independent health advisers to the World Health Organisation (WHO) have assessed. Some airlines have stopped flights to affected areas and WHO and other agencies have said on Monday that this has hampered aid efforts and the ability of experts to reach victims of the world’s worst ever outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever.

In a statement issued by the UN agency,after the Emergency Committee held its second meeting last week, the WHO said Ebola had now killed at least 2,793 people in five countries and remains a “public health emergency of international concern”.

“Flight cancellations and other travel restrictions continue to isolate affected countries, resulting in detrimental economic consequences, and hinder relief and response efforts risking further international spread,” the statement said.

“The Committee strongly reiterated that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade...”

The experts urged authorities in the affected countries - Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone - to work with the aviation and maritime sectors to resolve differences and “develop a coordinated response” to transport issues.

Israeli Mossad spy Mike dies

O

NE of Israel’s best-known spies, who oversaw a string of operations involving the assassination of Palestinian militants abroad, has died.

Mike Harari, 87, orchestrated missions including the targeting of militants whom Israel held responsible for the massacre of its Olympics team in 1972.

The Mossad agent also played a key role in the rescue, by Israeli commandos, of hostages at Entebbe, Uganda, in 1976.

In 1998 he was indicted in Norway for a killing in a case of mistaken identity.

It followed the shooting by suspected Mossad gunmen of a Moroccan waiter in the town of Lillehammer in 1973. The man was mistaken for one of the architects of the Olympics attack.

The killing was part of Operation Wrath of God, in which militants from the Black September group were targeted across Europe for nearly a year.

The group had killed two Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village in Munich. Nine others whom they had also taken hostage were killed during a gun battle between the militants and West German police at a nearby airfield. The group was trying to take the hostages out of the country.

New Afghan president hails election deal

A

FGHANISTAN’S new President-elect Ashraf Ghani congratulated the country on what he called its first democratic transfer of power, with the Taliban, an Islamic movement which took control and continues to fight in Afghanistan, rejecting the pact.

Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah struck an agreement on Sunday to form a “unity government”, after months of disputes over who was the rightful winner of the June 14 runoff presidential election tipped Afghanistan into a political crisis.

“It is a big victory for the Afghan nation that for the first time in our bright history, power is transferred from one elected president to another president based on the nation’s votes,” Ghani told cheering supporters in Kabul on Monday.

Under the “national unity government” deal, Ghani will become president and Abdullah will serve as chief executive - a new role similar to prime minister.

The two will share control over who leads key institutions such as the army and other executive decisions.

Ghani is expected to be sworn in as president on September 29, according to a senior official. The new chief executive is expected to be inaugurated at the same time.

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

• Cross section of doctors during a strike action in Lagos recently

Another Lagos doctors’ strike imminent

By Chioma Obinna

A

MONTH after doctors under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA. returned to work following suspension of a seven-week nationwide strike to press for implementation of a 24-point demand by Federal government, indications have revealed that, in Lagos, the last may yet to have been heard about the strike.

Findings by Good Health Weekly show that the doctors returned to work in response to public appeals and the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country, and also with the understanding that no punitive measure would be taken against any doctor that took part in the strike.

Indicators, however show that trouble is beginning to brew in Lagos as a result of none payment of the August 2014 salaries of doctors who participated in the now suspended nationwide NMA strike.

Investigations show that in the other states of the Federation, all the doctors who participated in the strike including the 16,000 sacked Resident Doctors, have been paid all entitlements including arrears, but in Lagos, doctors in the stateowned hospitals are crying foul in view of their withheld salaries.

Before now, the Nigerian public, politicians, and elders in the medical circle, appealed to the medical doctors to give government time to meet their demands to the letter by suspending their strike.

The doctors who complied on the long run, now feel let down that despite the cries of Nigerians the Lagos state government has not fulfilled its own part of the agreement.

As a result, the health sector may be thrown into another long drawn battle if there is no urgent intervention in the matter.

Further, Good Health Weekly investigations revealed that the affected doctors are yet to be paid not because the

state government is short of funds but essentially because it (state government) is applying its 2012 policy of “No work, No pay”.

It was also gathered that already, contract medical doctors have all been paid their salaries from June to date including a few other employed doctors whom they government claimed were not involved in the strike.

The doctors in Lagos who are alleging victimisation due to their involvement in the strike, are apprehensive that they may lose their September salaries to the bargain, even as the authorities allegedly claimed some of the affected doctors in the state were paid in error in June.

Unrelenting, the doctors have written several letters to the Lagos State Governor,

Babatunde Fashola, urging him to wade into the matter.

Appeal to Fashola

In one of such appeal letters made available to Vanguard, the doctors, under the auspices of Medical Guild, appealed to Governor Fashola to intervene in the matter.

Another letter apparently written by the Lagos branch of the NMA entitled: Re: Letter of Appeal for Members of Medical Guild, the Lagos NMA called for intervention of the Governor.

“We write this letter as a follow up to our previous letter dated 9th September, 2014 in which we appealed for your intervention on the above subject matter.

“Our colleagues in other states have received their emoluments for the period of the national strike. As a leader with listening ears, we are hopeful that a favourable response on the issue will be received from the government.

“We have the assurance that your rare gesture of magnanimity will re-enforce a more positive relationship between the Lagos state government and its medical doctors.”

In another letter dated September 15, 2014, entitled: “Casualisation of Medical Doctors in Lagos State and Payment of Two Months Outstanding Salary”, the Lagos NMA expressed worry over what it described as casualisation of their members, describing it as unethical and unhealthy development.

They argued that considering the high level of trainings doctors undergo, the practice of casualisation should be stopped.

In the letter, the doctors said they would appreciate if the locum doctors’ employment is regularised.

“Your Excellency Sir, we believe that as a professional, you will critically look into this towards regularising their appointments. The NMA will be eternally grateful if this anomaly can be addressed.

“We also believe that if this is not nipped in the bud, it may spread to other states and result in further unrest in the already charged health sector. ” It was gathered that none of the letters to the Governor had been acknowledged or replied.

Confirming the situation to Good Health Weekly, National Secretary, NMA, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki, stated that the National Officers Committee, NOC, of the NMA met last week and has written a letter of appeal to the Lagos state Governor.

“My appeal is that our darling Governor, should please consider paying our doctors,” he stated.

Efforts to get a response from the state government proved abortive as at press time as neither the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris nor the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina were available to comment.

Minimise cooking with salt, spices medic warns

By Gabriel Olawale

E

MERITUS Professor of Medicine at the American College of Physicians and Provost, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof Matthew Araoye has warned that cooking with salt and spices amounts to high salt intake and could lead to hypertension.

Araoye who spoke at the 32nd convocation of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, said findings have showed that surplus table salt in food increase hypertension risk.

Regretting high incidence of hypertension, he described it as the most common, potent and universal contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the black race.

"Primarily, high blood pressure damages the major blood vessels and the targeted organs are the heart, brain and kidneys which later result to heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and sudden death."

Araoye said hypertension can be acquired at any stage and majority of cases

• Prof. Matthew Araoye have no symptoms and that most hypertensives are not aware until they suffer complications.

In Nigeria, 54 to 80 percent of stroke is secondary to hypertension. Most of occur in the 30 to 62 years of age group. The extent of damage depends on the level and duration of hypertension."

HEAL

He noted that the occurrence of hypertension in certain individuals and not in others subjected to similar amounts of salt intake depend largely on the body system.

On salt abuse, he said it depends on ability of the kidneys to excrete the excess salt. But if the kidneys fail to perform as demanded, it overwhelms the body with excess salt, and hypertension ensues.

"For those on drug therapy for hypertension, do not adopt the prescription of your neighbour or spouse because what controls hypertension in 'Mr. A' does not necessarily work for 'B' or their wives.

"Primary hypertension has no cure; the objective of drug management is to achieve blood pressure control. So, let no one deceive you about cure. When you achieve BP control, do not stop your medication and check your BP regularly.

Be sure to relax both mentally and physically when your BP is being checked."

He called for less indulgence in red meat, eggs and milk products., lifestyle modification, and avoiding fried, seasoned and enriched food.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014—59

Ebola: Sierra Leone begins house-to-house hunt for victims

By Sola Ogundipe

T

HE Sierra Leonean government has declared medical martial law with a house-to-house hunt for Ebola victims being treated like "medical fugitives."

On Friday last week, the government quarantined the country’s six million people to their homes for three days The medical quarantine operation was prelude to an invasion of homes of private citizens even as a massive manhunt of escapee Ebola victims continued.

An AP report stated that ...volunteers will try to identify sick people reluctant or unable to seek treatment. They will also hand out 1.5 million bars of soap...

It was reported that Ebola victims who flee hospitals in Sierra Leone will be hunted down and rounded up

stays contained within the African continent.

What the UN and WHO are really causing, however, is encouraging citizens of Sierra Leone to flee the country in order to escape the medical martial law. This may actually increase the spread of Ebola rather than containing it.

Are citizens of any nation prepared to be locked in their homes for days on end?

The martial law action of deliberately causing the shutdown of an entire nation and forcing all its citizens to "shelter in place" in their own homes for three days has never been invoked in the history of the modern world.

The argument is that Sierra Leoneans may not have had it easy during the three days of military-enforced medical quarantine. “How will they acquire food, water and emergency medical supplies? A loss of three days' income is also devastating to many Sierra Leone families who are barely surviving in a nation where the average daily income hovers around.

“Even in America, most families and households could not survive three days without panicking over food, water or emergency services. If Ebola were detected in the USA, President Obama could declare a national emergency and unleash exactly the same medical martial law in the United States.

“Imagine of the residents of a large U.S. city -- or even possibly the entire nation -were ordered to remain locked in their own homes for three, 10 or even 30 days. What kind of mass panic, looting and chaos would ensue?”

According to the Pandemic Preparedness audio course at www.BioDefense.com, the warning about medical martial had been foretold.

The BioDefense.com course warns about the scenario unleashed in Sierra Leone.

Episode Four of the Pandemic Preparedness course, specifically explained these points as follows: * The U.S. government already has plans in place to survive massive pandemics: deep underground bunkers already exist

* Extensive plans are already in place for national emergency actions: confiscation of resources, quarantine of citizens, martial law, etc. * ALL rights and freedoms will be suspended under a national emergency declaration * Government-enforced quarantines will be in place if outbreaks are limited to isolated cities or towns * Quarantine will be enforced at gunpoint with lethal force * Under Martial Law, people who cause trouble might be shot on sight or arrested and quarantined * Because most citizens are not prepared, they will become part of the crisis and create a crisis burden on government.

It was reported that Ebola victims who flee hospitals in Sierra Leone will be hunted down and rounded up According to Natural News, People who are "reluctant" are those who have fled Sierra Leon's hospitals which have become nothing more than Ebola death traps that offer no solutions whatsoever against Ebola.

The Health Ranger noted that this entire campaign, which is being supported by the US and United Nations, is a striking sign of extreme desperation, demonstrating that world governments are now resorting to "nuclear options" in lastditch attempts to halt the exploding outbreak that could kill millions, even if it

•L-R: Mrs Simidele Onabajo, Deputy Director, Advertisement Control Division, NAFDAC; Mrs Clare Omatseye, MD, JNC International Nigeria Ltd.; Prince Gbenga Talabi, National Chairman, NAIP and Mrs Monica Eimunjeze, Director, Registration and Regulations, NAFDAC, during a workshop on anti-counterfeiting, organised by NAIP at Welcome Centre & Hotels, Lagos.

IVF: Fertility experts seek regulation to reduce cost

By Chioma Obinna

W

ITH about 50 percent pregnancy success rate of Invitro Fertilisation, IVF, in the country, fertility experts in Nigeria are seeking for urgent guidelines and regulations for IVF as part of efforts towards improving the practice in Nigeria even as they explained the rationale

behind the high cost of IVF treatment.

The experts, who spoke in Lagos under the auspices of Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health, AFRH, lamented that despite the growing number of IVF centres in Nigeria and the successes achieved so far by practitioners, Nigeria has no guidelines and appropriate regulations for IVF treatment.

L-R: Mrs. Ada Udechukwu , Inclusive Banking Access Bank, Sponsors of the Conference, Dr Adeyemi Bero, Vice Chairman, LOC; Prof. Osato Giwa Osagie, President AFRH, Dr Faye Iketubosin , Chairman LOC, Dr Abayomi Ajayi , Co Chair LOC at a press conference to announce the fourth Annual International Conference of AFRH in Lagos last week.

In his view, the President of AFRH, Professor Osato Giwa –Osagie said with 39 functional fertility clinics in the country, there is need for a policy on IVF. Giwa – Osagie who recalled the evolution of IVF treatment in Nigeria noted that no country in Africa has regulation for IVF and that there is need for Nigeria to play a leading role. “There is need to put in place guidelines and regulations because if we fail to do so a group of people may do that for practitioners which may not be of standards. We have been talking for a long time now and nobody seems to be listening.”

The AFRH boss who was addressing the media on its forthcoming 4th Annual International billed to begin tomorrow in Lagos further explained the rationale behind the high cost of IVF treatment in Nigeria.

“Most of the things used in IVF are imported including what you know as water and all these are used once. Getting appropriately trained and qualified personnel like the nurses, embryologist and clinicians among others remain a challenge.

“The equipment is expensive. Most people have two to three equipment for one thing because of the issue of maintenance locally. You go there you find three or four scan machines and these are all cost.”

Remarking that infertility affects 15 percent of the population, he said Nigerian

women are prone to fibroids and the country is regarded as the headquarters of fibroids in the whole world.

On the conference with the theme, “Improving Pregnancy Rate of IVF in Africa”, Osagie said it would feature presentation of papers by industry giants amongst other intellectual discourse, with plenary lectures by notable luminaries in the field will address state-of-the-art issues in reproductive medicine and science.

The AFRH mandate seeks to create an awareness among all persons within Nigeria, Africa and abroad, of the importance of reproductive health.

This year’s edition will feature Ethics in IVF, new technologies in IVF, Low Cost IVF in Nigeria, Role of Reproductive Surgery and Quality Control, looking at the cost of procedure and how to rationalise it and come out with the way forward.

Over 500 participants are expected at the conference billed the begin 24th through 26th September 2014 in Lagos.

The Co-chair, Dr Abayomi Ajayi said the forum will educate stakeholders in the reproductive health sector such as the fertility doctors, gynaecologists, obstetricians, nurses, embryologists as well as counsellors on issues that pertain to successful and safe IVF practice.

Medical practitioners who attended will be awarded 10 percent Continuous Medical Education, CME, points. Access Bank is the Major Sponsor of the conference.

60—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

N15,000 health plan debuts from Avon HMO

By Sola Ogundipe

F • Teachers and pupils.

Lagos empowers 8,000 teachers on Ebola response

By Gabriel Olawale

N

O less than 8,000 public school teachers have been trained by the Lagos State government on the signs and symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. The development came on the heels of the directive for resumption of schools in the state.

Addressing the teachers during the programme organised by the State's Ministries of Education and Health, Special Adviser to the Lagos state Government on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina said aside from the information on enlightenment and alertness, each school would be provided necessary materials as a preventive measure.

"Aside from the Thermo scan and gloves that will be made available to every school in the state, government will ensure that all schools in the state have

access to water which will help in promoting hygiene habits.

"This Thermo scan will help teachers to check the temperature and any student with temperature above 37.5 degrees centigrade, and present with some signs like fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, the teacher should contact the school principal who will contact the nearby Primary Healthcare Centre along with the parents of such student and if such case is beyond the PHCs they will quickly contact the Ebola hotline," Adeshina added.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Lara Erogbogbo said: "We met with private schools in the state and the hand washing propagation has been on ground before Ebola came. This is just to reawaken our students and the public in particular because whatever the students learn in school they will extend to their parents."

OLLOWING its licensing and accreditation as a National Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, Avon Healthcare Limited has announced a collection of six health plans including a lowpriced package designed to accommodate a wide cross section of Nigerians in the bid to ensure adequate coverage of the typical and prevalent ailments found in the country whilst providing quality care at affordable costs.

Presenting the new plans in Lagos, the MD/CEO of Avon HMO, Mrs. Adesimbo Ukiri, stated that the plans will supplement the Organisation’s existing suite of Health Plans for companies and businesses.

Emphasising the role of Avon in raising quality assurance standards in the health insurance industry, she said the Avon Core plan priced from as low as N15,000 per annum, comes on stream in addition to international plans developed for Nigerians who travel frequently and desire peace of mind and assurance of seamless healthcare coverage no matter where they are in the world.

“Avon HMO is able to offer not only its own private health plans, but also the full array of NHIS plans to individuals, associations communities and governments across all states and regions.

“Our focus on quality assurance

• Mrs. Adesimbo Ukiri. is painstaking and we work very closely with provider hospitals to ensure that our enrolled members receive the best care. For instance, Avon HMO Case Managers have scheduled daily visits to hospitals to engage with enrolled members on admission, overseeing the care they receive and providing further assurances; over 75 per cent of all recorded admissions are visited in this manner,” she disclosed.

Already, Avon HMO Care Coordinators are working with provider hospitals to achieve adherence to agreed disease management protocols and drug formularies to sustain high levels of clinical and pharmacy quality to Avon HMO’s enrolled

members.

“We are pleased to state that 98 per cent of our hospitals adhere to the Drug Formulary, thus ensuring that effective drugs are given to our patients. In recognition of the crucial role Provider Hospitals play and their resultant well-deserved right to adequate and effective remuneration, Avon HMO ensures Capitation payments to relevant provider hospitals are paid before the first day of the month and claims are processed and paid within a 30-45 days cycle of receipt.”

Ukiri noted that HMO’s efforts in the area of customer service and complaints resolution. She explained that Avon HMO has a robust Complaints Resolution Procedure in place, utilizing multiple channels of calls, text, email, BBM and chat through which complaints are received, resolved and confirmation of resolution obtained. ‘’The sector still has a number of challenges which may affect service delivery.

However, at Avon HMO, our processes are streamlined and the resolution time for most issues fall within a 5 - 15 minutes window,” Ukiri revealed.

Ukiri remarked that new health plans is a crucial step in the right direction.

Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) provides healthcare services at all levels offering a comprehensive line of products and services that cater to the unique needs of enrolees through a network of over 400 hospitals and clinics spread across the 36 states and major local government areas in the country.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 61

Police probe Balotelli’s abuse

Pellegrini brands Chelsea small team

M

ANUEL PEL LEGRINI labelled Chelsea a small team after Frank Lampard came back to haunt Jose Mourinho at the Etihad Stadium.

“I’m not satisfied with the result,” he said. “We played to win but Chelsea kept 10 players behind the ball.

“The game was very similar to the game against Stoke. Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end.

“I am very happy with the mentality of our team. It is so important to play like a big team, and not like a small team. I would not be happy to play that way.”

•Balotelli

M

Sterling: Liverpool badly missing Sturridge

•Sterling and Sturridge

D

ANIEL Sturridge is clearly still the number one striker at Liverpool despite Mario Balotelli’s arrival, as Raheem Sterling has admitted that the Reds are badly missing the injured forward’s goals.

Sterling was one of the few bright sparks for Liverpool in their 3-1 defeat at West Ham, and the 19year-old believes that Sturridge’s return will give the team a much-needed boost.

‘Daniel is a massive miss for us with his goals and the way he plays in behind defenders,’ he said.

‘Him coming back should add another dimension to the team. It will definitely be a test of character but I think there is a lot of character in this group’.

ERSEYSIDE POLICE say they are investigating racist abuse sent to Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli on Twitter.

The Italian received the abuse after he tweeted ‘Man Utd…LOL’ during United’s shock 53 loss to Leicester on Sunday.

The 24-year-old’s post was retweeted more than 150,000 times and met with a string of racist and abusive messages.

A number of accounts that sent the abuse have since been closed down.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said

•Lampard

Chelsea fan dies after Lampard’s equaliser A

CHELSEA fan died after Frank Lampard equalised for Manchester City against his former club.

Fahad Musanan, 24, was watching the Premier League clash with friends in Uganda when he fainted as Lampard slotted home with minutes to play.

His friends rushed him to hospital but the 24year-old, himself a professional footballer in the Ugandan Premier League, was pronounced dead upon his arrival at Bombo Military Hospital.

“He has been a passionate fan of Chelsea and would do anything for the club,” Mu-

sanan’s friend Gerald Bagoole told Kawowo news agency.

“We trained with him on Sunday morning, had lunch together.”

Kawowo reported: “Being a staunch Chelsea die-hard, it is believed shock might have led to his heart failure and complications.”

Fred Kajoba, Musanan’s coach at Simba FC, confirmed Musanan had made no complaint during Sunday’s training session.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) released a statement on their website moments after the player ’s death on Sunday evening.

I’ve got nothing to prove — Ozil M

•Ozil

ESUT OZIL has brushed off criticism for his recent performances, claiming he ‘has nothing to prove’.

The German ace has come under scrutiny for a series of under-par performances in Arsenal’s slow start to the season.

“I don’t play to prove anything to anybody, I play for Arsenal “I have the feeling that I am criticised more, that happened to me in the Bundesliga and also at Real Madrid.

“We have only just started the season (at Arsenal), we have new play-

ers in key positions.

“The collective game, which is something I have a lot to do with, cannot then just work well from one day to the next.” “(Just) 10 weeks ago I was elected to the team of the season in England (via an internet poll on the Premier League website).

“I was world champion then. It was the summer break and after a few games (of the new season) everything is called into question again. This is strange, but I know what I can offer.”

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

2022 World Cup won't be held in Qatar Akpabio classic T

HE Fifa executive committee member Theo Zwanziger has broken ranks to claim publicly that, in his opinion, the 2022 World Cup finals will not be held in Qatar due to the extreme temperatures expected in the Gulf state.

While those on the Qatari organising committee have consistently stated a summer tournament is viable thanks to the development of cooling technologies to be used at their facilities, sentiments their general secretary Hassan alThawadi reiterated on Monday, there is still widespread concern for the health of players, officials and supporters.

Zwanziger, the former president of the German Football Association, still sits on the Fifa executive body which, in 2010 and before his time, awarded the tournament to

Qatar. He suggested the threat of legal action issued by anyone affected by the scorching heat may force the finals to be moved. “I personally think that in the end the 2022 World Cup will not take place in Qatar,” said the German, who is a long-standing critic of the decision to award the games to the Gulf state. “Medics say that they cannot accept responsibility with a World Cup taking place under these conditions.

breaks entry record •Ghana, Kenya expected

D

ESPITE the Ebola Vi rus scare that has limited the entry for foreign participation, the entry figure for this year’s Godswill Akpabio Scrabble Classics has surpassed that of last year by over forty participants.

The Technical Director of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation and Chairman of its

•Theo Zwanziger

Giwa’s faction fail to resume as Police takes over NFF

BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA

D

ESPITE an order by a Jos High Court which last Friday restored the Chris Giwa led faction as the exec-

utive committee of the troubled Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the group was no where near the secretariat of the football house.

Fierce looking armed

policeman from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) effectively took control of the security of the federation demanding the mission of anybody going into the office.

The policemen who arrived the NFF in three operational vehicles equally insisted in searching everyone going into the glasshouse including journalists.

Many observers believe that the mission of the security operatives was to ensure that the fragile peace in the country’s football was maintained which also means that it may not be easy for any court bailiff to serve the NFF any injunction.

Earlier yesterday morning, the first vice president of the Giwa led faction, Chief Obinna Ogba had in a radio programme monitored in Abuja hinted that they would be returning to the office on Monday (yesterday) in compliance with the said court ruling.

Infact the policemen did not want to take any chances hence they, apart from taking control of action at the main entrance which the now confused NFF shares with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), also placed men at every floor of the secretariat.

Keshi Continues from BP whatever hopes Nigerians had of seeing Iheanacho in the next

Continues from BP

qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Iheanacho hasn’t been playing in the premier

NFF

him or not,” our source said.

As things stand, Keshi’s future with the Super Eagles remains uncertain as the FA seeks to regain its stability with the September 30 elections of a new board in Warri.

The Aminu Maigariled board was ready to dispense with Keshi after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but the crisis that followed after the World Cup resulted in creating a vacuum for the post of a head coach for the team.

This in turn necessi-

tated the Sports Minister ’s intervention when he called in Keshi to lead the team to the first phase of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers which the Eagles have garnered a solitary point from a possible six after a 2-3 loss to Congo and a goalless draw against South Africa. The outcome of the two matches have done great disservice to Keshi’s bid to return.

As it appears, the coach will continue to handle the team on a match-by-match basis until the coming board formalises his contract or dispenses with him.

Technical Committee Mr Umar Faruk Baba-Inna said in Uyo yesterday that “…..as I am talking to you we already have over 340 entries compared to the 300 we had last year” He attributed the improved figure to the rise in the number of domestic entries. “….i am happy to tell you that for the first time we are recording entries from Adamawa, Taraba and Gombe, while those of other states has also improved greatly” The Technical Director also confirmed the reception of the list of the Ghana and Kenya delegation who are expected in Uyo tomorrow. The five man Ghana squad is led by Dr Michael Akonnor. Others are Charles Tachie Menson, Christian Mensah, George Adoh and Alex Quarshie.

Team Kenya comprise Alex Oryende, Cecilia Ruto and Millie Kikechie.

The Technical Director who arrived Uyo in the company of the Web Master, other members of the technical team and the President of the Federation Mr Sulaiman Gora have been involved in series of meetings with the host state to “tidy up all issues. league and it simply tells you that Manchester City wants him to get more experience,” said Keshi.

“He is not part of the team (City) at the moment and he has to get more experience and maybe see if he has what it takes to be there.”

According to Keshi, Martins’ desire to return to the Super Eagles is admirable, but not possible because according to him, the former Inter Milan striker has got to give a chance to the younger players. “For Obafemi Martins, it’s good to indicate interest to play for his country, as a former player of course.

“But we have other players out there in his position, younger players.

So we have to give younger players a chance and the opportunity to grow,” Keshi insisted.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014

NFF to hire Keshi on match-by-match basis

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE fate of out of contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi will be defined by the yet to be elected Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Vanguard investigations have revealed.

Our usually dependable source revealed that, so long as the NFF exco

remains to be elected, Keshi’s services will be needed on a match-bymatch basis.

“For now, that is the much management can do.”

The source further disclosed that because there was no EXCO on ground, the management could not take any further step than to hire him on match by match basis..

“Management cannot

•Keshi

go ahead and employ the coach because it is not known whether the new board would want Continues on Page 62

•Kelechi

•Obafemi

Keshi rules out Obafemi, Iheanacho from Eagles I

N what could be yet another topical discussion in Nigerian football, out of contract Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has effectively ruled out the chances of having Seattle Sounders of America striker, Obafemi Martins and Manchester City wonder kid Kelechi Iheanacho called up to the Eagles in the nearest

future.

There have been calls from different quarters for the inclusion of the 17-year-old prodigy (Iheanacho), who shone brightly at the last FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, to the Super Eagles, but Keshi, whose future with the team remains uncertain at the moment, has killed Continues on Page 62

Top Stories inside

Chelsea fan dies after Lampard's equaliser — P.61 2022 World Cup won't be held in Qatar — P.62 Police probe Balotelli's abuse — P.61 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Astounded (6) 5 Sear (6) 9 Throw (5) 10 Improved (6) 11 Wave (6) 12 Outcoming (5) 14 Pitcher (4) 17 Flatfish (3) 18 Evil (4) 20 Challenged (5) 22 Chartered (5) 23 Poison (7) 24 Shabby (5) 26 Accepted (5) 29 Salver (4) 30 Whelp (3) 32 Travel (4) 33 Perforated (5) 35 Wrote (6) 36 Panted (6) 37 Refute (5) 38 Evaded (6) 39 Approached (6)

DOWN 1 Strolled (6) 2 Milliner (6) 3 Rushed (4) 4 Weary (5) 5 Scour (5) 6 Voucher (4) 7 Mend (6) 8 Listed (6) 13 Vindictive (7) 15 Bet (5) 16 Prompt (5) 18 Clergyman (5) 19 Yielded (5) 21 Parched (3) 22 Strike (3) 24 Idiotic (6) 25 Deserved (6) 27 Herring (6) 28 Required (6) 30 Enciphered (5) 31 Started (5) 33 Present (4) 34 Fruit (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Stage 7, Shrink 9, Jar 10, Did 12, Major 13, Edam 15, Wired 17, Demise 19, Erne 20, Piano 22, Pad 24, Dreaded 27, Err 28, Feast 31, Less 33, Sister 35, Teeth 37, Poke 38, Began 39, Yen 41, Ivy 42, Dinner 43, Story.

DOWN: 1, Asleep 2, Armada 3, End 4, Same 5, Trade 6, Goodness 8, Kiwi 11, Disparity 14, Mend 16, Read 18, More 21, Interest 23, Deft 25, Erse 26, Deep 29, Around 30, Theory 32, Stair 34, Shed 36, Envy 40, Nip.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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