PHCN Bid: Crying Govs' firm cheated — Atedo

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61737

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

SSS quizzes Zannah over .7 •P alleged Boko Haram links

Why NASS resolutions are not binding on •P.6 President — SANs

PHCN BID:

Crying govs' firm cheated — Atedo

•Slams Uduaghan, Oshiomhole, Fayemi, Mimiko •Abdulsalami Abubakar's coy to lose 2 DISCOs •NCP to announce bid winners next week

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

AGOS—IT was al leged, yesterday, that Southern Electricity Distribution Company, the consortium floated by four governors, to bid for the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, DISCO, cheated by submitting two bids during the commercial bid opening ceremony.

Also, despite emerging the highest bidder for four of the DISCOs, Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Company, promoted by

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Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission and Nigeria Security Interests.... (5) •P.19

Flood, Blood •P.17 and bestiality Mr & Mrs

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Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle) marking his 58th birthday with persons disUDUAGHAN @ 58 placed by flood at their camp at Illah, yesterday. Inset: Gov Uduaghan with an elderly woman at the camp. More photos on Page 13

House of Reps seals Robbers kill five policemen, two others in Ogun —P.10 Kogi Assembly •P.7

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POCKET CARTOON

PHCN BID: Crying govs' firm cheated — Atedo Continues from Page 1 former President Abdulsalami Abubakar, will only have access to two of the companies after passing the stress test or consistency test.

The governors were said to have submitted a “primary bid” and an “alternate bid” for the same Benin DISCO, apparently to give them a better chance of winning the bid, which failed as the two bids fell short of what was presented by Vigeo Power Consortium, which clinched the bid.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, yesterday, on the unfolding drama now trailing the bid process, the Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatisation, Mr. Atedo Peterside, said decision on the governor ’s alleged fraud will be decided by the NCP before month end, during which it would also announce the bid winners for the respective DISCOs. At the opening of the commercial bids in Abuja, last week, six firms emerged bid winners for 10 DISCOs created from the unbundling of the Power

Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The development signalled another era in Federal Government’s efforts to hand over the electricity sector to private investors in order to make them more efficient.

Flouting the rules Peterside, who explained that his team needed to clarify on the four allegations made by the governors, noted that “Southern Consortium is the only one of the 16 consortia that participated in the bid opening to have submitted multiple commercial bids for the same Disco.

“Their envelope contained two different commercial bids, both of which were signed by a Mr. Matthew Edevbie.

The first bid was dubbed the ‘primary’ bid, while the other was dubbed an ‘alternate’ bid.”

The committee chair added that the alleged fraud was “a clear contravention of the Request for Proposal, RFP. We did not make a big issue of this on live TV because both the primary and the alternate

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall – Nelson Mandela.

Each time you rise, you rise nearer your goal.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how Gd does things —Donald Miller

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HE truth of the matter is that there’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you clearly decide what it is that you’re absolutely committed to achieving, if you’re willing to take massive action, if you notice what’s working or not, and , if you continue to change your approach until you achieve what you want, using whatever life gives you along the way.

For change to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent, Edwin Freidman in his meaningful insightful writings sums aptly: “The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them.

Even the choice words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.”

bids fell below the bid submitted by Vigeo, and so neither bid would alter Southern Consortium’s ranking on the large screen. Instead, this matter was brought to the attention of the Technical Committee of NCP, which considered the breach and made recommendations to the NCP.”

Governors’ allegations Four state governorsAdams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, last week, described the award of the Benin DISCO to Vigeo, as a total fraud and unacceptable.

However, the NCP classified the governor’s declaration into four issues bothering on transparency, the use of Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection, ATC&C loss reduction strategy as a criteria, the technical and financial competence of Vigeo Power, and investments by the respective states in the Benin DISCO.

Changing the rules of the game Peterside, flanked by other NCP members, including the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, responded to each of the allegations. He said that the governors' actions were tantamount to wanting to change the rules after the game had been played, especially as the rules were set two years ago and were accepted by all.

“They had ample opportunity to participate in the various investors’ fora that BPE held to communicate with potential bidders and obtain feedback. Following the release of RFPs, Southern Consortium undertook due diligence on Benin Disco, met with various officials of BPE and asked questions that were promptly and comprehensively answered.

They never made any allegations of lack of transparency until after the race had been run via the commercial bid opening ceremony,

which was televised live.”

He added: “Before the bids were opened, the ground rules of the bid opening were read out and circulated and it was made clear to all that the ground rules were in accordance with the RFP, which all the bidders were given the opportunity to comment upon and accept before they submitted their technical and commercial proposals.”

With regard to the use of the ATC&C loss reduction strategy, the committee chairman explained it was a deliberate policy of the NCP, “aimed at addressing the identified problems within the distribution segment of the sector,” in view of the very high loss rations of the DISCOs, which was put at between 35 and 40 per cent.

Furthermore, he said, “bidders were told from the onset that they would compete on the basis of a trajectory of technical, commercial and collection loss improvements for the first five years of operation.

Furthermore, this method is built around the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2 issued by the NERC - the industry regulator.”

He added that the “NCP approved the privatisation strategy for the Discos, based on the use of ATC&C loss reduction proposal as a basis for core investor selection, as far back as 11th June, 2010. The advertisements that ran in December 2010 soliciting for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from prospective core investors emphasised that the BPE would use this strategy.”

Also, he recalled that the BPE solicited for feedback from investors on the policy, and governors’ consortium did not raise any objections on it until now.

The committee chairman further noted that apart from the bid process being very transparent and in line with due process, the governors’ remark on the competence of the Indian company was ironical, considering that they were also relying on the expertise of another Indian company to run the DISCO.

File: Pages1&5, OCTOBER 22

He explained that pre-qualification was done on the basis of the following: * Experience in operation and maintenance of distribution companies * Experience in developing countries; * Technical and investment plan; * Management and staffing—human resources; and * Financing plan and ability to raise finance.

“Incidentally both Southern Consortium and Vigeo had competent technical partners from India,” he added.

In the NCP records, the ownership of the Consortium is comprised of seven members, including: *Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (of India) [25% equity of consortium, *Income Electrix Limited (of Nigeria) (25 %) *Smartworks Global Resources Ltd (of Nigeria)(8.3%) *Pinnacle Power Projects & Services Ltd (of Nigeria) [31.7%] *Fountain Holdings Limited (of Nigeria)[3.33%] *Citadel Nominees (of Nigeria)[3.33%], and, *NJ Services (of Nigeria)[3.33%] .

From the above equity composition, Peterside calculated that the state governors own only about 10 per cent of the consortium, while the larger percentage of close to 90% is owned by private sector companies that were not owned directly or indirectly by them.

Finally, with regard to investments by the respective states, he reiterated that the essence of the privatisation is not to transfer assets from one level of government to another, but from public sector to private sector to enhance efficiency.

Besides, he noted all the state governments were already part own-

ers of the respective DISCOs in their domains by virtue of the fact that only 60 per cent of the DISCO’s equity were put up for sale, while the remaining 40 per cent would be shared among the Federal, State and PHCN workers.

“The valuation will be determined by the electricity regulator, NERC, working in collaboration with the state governments,” he said and for the states it will be done on pro-rata basis.

Two DISCOs per bidder Peterside noted that no matter the bid results, only the NCP chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo, reserved the right to declare bid winners.

He also used the opportunity to clarify growing concerns that Integrated Energy won four of the bids. He said: “The rules made it clear that you can bid for more than one DISCO, but you cannot win more than two even if you won in all the bids.”

Accordingly, Integrated Energy will only have two of the DISCOs if it passes the stress test. Furthermore, even if it passed the test, it cannot have both the Eko and Ikeja DISCOs, because according to the committee boss, “ we do not want Lagos to come under monopoly, so the same bidder cannot win the two because they are also congruent.”

Not denying that some bidders may have had an idea that they would win the bid, Peterside noted that based on the ATC&C pre-qualification, those who scored above the 75 per cent cut off mark like in Yola and Port Harcourt DISCOs and who were sole bidders, knew they had won the bid and indulged in premature celebrations.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Ondo poll sign of what to expect in 2015 —Jega Dismisses allegation of electoral fraud

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

BUJA — THE successful conduct of the governorship election in Ondo State, weekend, is an indication of what the nation should expect in 2015, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, has said.

Jega, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kayode Idowu, in Abuja, yesterday, said INEC was committed to giving Nigerians free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond.

The chairman said the outcome of the election was a clear indication that Nigerians were ready to make their votes count and that the commission had learnt some lessons from past elections and had adjusted its processes accordingly.

The INEC boss said: "What you saw in Ondo last weekend was a reflection of the people’s wish and I can say that INEC and the other stakeholders were up to their tasks.

“We can say that the security agencies and the commission did their best to ensure an election that truly reflects the wish of the Ondo people.

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Protesting students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Abuja at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Why NASS resolutions are not binding on President —SANs

BY DAYO BENSON, ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

AGOS — AGAINST the background of uncertainty over the legal effect of resolutions passed by the National Assembly, especially those directed at the Presidency, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, have risen in defence of the executive, saying such resolutions are not binding.

Specifically, some of the senior lawyers, including Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN and Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, stated that such resolutions were merely advisory in nature and that any attempt to make them binding might lead to constitutional anarchy.

Mr Lanre Ogunlesi, SAN, who cited the Senate resolutions asking President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Director General of The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Arunma Oteh and Presidential spokesman on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said they were not binding on the President.

Sagay said: “The National Assembly resolution is just an advice, it is not binding on the executive. The only thing that can be done by the National Assembly that can be binding is a Bill that has been passed and sent to the President, and the President signs it into law; only then will it be binding on the executive and it becomes law.

However, when a Bill is passed and sent to the President, he vetos it, then it is returned to the House, they pass it with two -third majority, that becomes binding. Those are the only two things. But an ordinary resolution is not binding; it is an advice.”

Ozekhome said: “Nigeria operates a written and rigid constitution which clearly spells out the powers of the various arms of government. It is unconstitutional in any and every way for any arm of government to usurp the powers of any other arm. Such usurpation, whether advertently or

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inadvertently, is indefensible and unpardonable because it can lead to political bedlam and instability.

“Thus, it is submitted that any attempt by some members of the National Assembly to sponsor any Bill to the effect that resolutions will become binding on the Executive (as reported by the dailies) is tantamount to unnecessarily stirring the hornet’s nest. It is completely alien and antithetical to the Presidential system of government practised every where and is a blatant attempt to distort the tenets upon which the presidential system of government is founded.

"It will amount to trying to induce the tenets of parliamentary system of government through the back door, therefore, making our governmental system the voice of Jacob and the face of Esau.”

Ogunlesi, on his part, stated that National Assembly resolutions were not binding on the executive.

He said: “They may assent to it, maybe one or two. But basically, it is not binding on the executive. Like the resolutions that Arunma Oteh and Doyin Okupe should be removed, are not binding on the executive.”

to make mockery or treat the resolutions of the highest law making organ in the country with any form of absurdity or impunity. At the end of the day we are all losers of a weak and ineffective legislature and the resultant threat to our democratic make up.”

Some are binding —Falana For Mr Femi Falana, SAN, some resolutions are binding and some are not. According to him, “there are two types of resolutions, which the National Assembly can pass. One is binding, while the other one is generally not binding. Even resolutions that are normally passed on the state of the nation may be enforced by the Executive. For example, the resolution on the doctrine of necessity was fully implemented by the executive, even though it was not binding stricto sensu.

“But resolutions emanating from investigations conducted pursuant to Sections 68 and 69 of the Constitution are binding. In the course of such investigations, the committee of either chambers can order anyone to appear before it or produce any document.

Failure to obey the summons may lead to the arrest of a contemnor.

No constitutional or statutory backing

Why resolutions are ignored

However, Mr. Segun Ajibola, SAN, contended: “There is no gain-saying that there is no constitutional or statutory backing for the remarkable resolutions of the National Assembly to make it binding on the executive or indeed the President. At best, they are persuasive. Though they are most times a product of the exercise of legislative powers, by way of oversights functions provided for by the same constitution.

“In this case, I think the framers of our constitution in their wisdom stopped short of carrying the process forward to meaningful conclusion in favour of the Assembly. Nevertheless, I see very little credit for any quarter

“But the resolutions of the National Assembly have been ignored because they have been directed at wrong quarters. Why dump such resolutions or reports in the Presidency? Why not simply ask the EFCC, ICPC or the Police to prosecute those who are indicted in probes. Let the head of such institutions tell Nigerians why official corruption is going to be covered up or swept under the carpet.

"In some cases, the National Assembly should file cases in court to enforce certain aspects of its report. But I strongly believe that if the Executive and the Legislature are prepared to deepen the democratic process, such resolutions should not be treated with disdain.”

Allegation has no basis Asked to comment on the allegation by one of the defeated candidates that INEC and the security agencies did not police the rural areas of the state thereby giving room for electoral fraud, Jega said it was not the duty of the commission to police polling stations.

He said: “But I want to state unequivocally that the allegation has no basis as the person who is making the claim cannot say that INEC or the security agencies aided and abetted the so-called fraud before, during and after the poll.

“When we go out for election, we make sure that all the candidates are well represented and that security agents are available at all points to ensure that no cheating takes place.

"That is exactly what we did in Ondo and all men of good conscience will attest to the fact that we did not in any way give room for anyone to cheat. The records are there for all to see."

He said the commission had learnt from elections so far conducted and had taken adequate measures to ensure that elections in the country were not only free and fair but also reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the electorate at all times.

The Edo, Ondo experience The chairman said from the experience of the commission in Edo and Ondo states, it would be possible to conduct a better election in 2015 and to satisfy the wishes of Nigerians.

He noted: “We are ready to do all that is possible to ensure that Nigerians’ votes count in future elections and to justify the confidence reposed in the commission by the government and the people of the country.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—7

House of Reps seals Kogi Assembly

By ISIAKA OYIBO & BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

OKOJA — FOLLOWING the leadership crisis that engulfed Kogi State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives has sealed off the state Assembly complex preventing any of the factions from sitting or performing any legislative duties.

Chairman of the six-man ad- hoc committee of the House of Reps set up to look into the crisis, Mohammed Mourktar Ahmed, disclosed this yesterday after holding a public hearing with state legislators at the state Assembly complex.

Ahmed, who said the committee would not recognise any of the factions, stressed that no faction would be allowed to sit or perform any legislative function until the crisis was resolved.

Ahmed argued that if the committee members were unable to ensure quick resolution of the crisis, the House of Representatives would be left with no other option than to take over the legislative duties of the House in line with the country’s constitution that empowered them to do so.

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From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former Head of State and Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the 78th birthday lecture of Gen. Gowon in Kuru, Plateau State, weekend.

Navy arrests ship laden with arms, ammunition ...15 foreign crew members too

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — THE Nigerian Navy, NN, has arrested a ship flying a Dutch flag, loaded with arms and ammunition. Also arrested were the 15 foreign crew members.

The merchant vessel, Myre Seadiver Aviatu, marked E5U2529, was arrested, weekend, during a patrol of the waterways by personnel of the Western Naval Command.

The merchant vessel which is currently anchored at the Nigerian Navy Beecroft Habour, Apapa, as gathered, left Cook Island in the South Pacific and arrived the nation’s water at about 10.30 a.m.

The destination of the ship could, however, not be ascertained as the Navy said investigation was still on.

Confirming the arrest, yesterday, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, said there were assorted AK 47 riffles and Benelli MRI 20 barrel riffles. 14 AK 47 riffles, 20 barrel riffles and 8,598 ammunition, according to him, were recovered inside the ship, adding that majority of the crew members were Russians.

Ikioda said: "The vessel was arrested by NN patrol boats at the Lagos Roadstead on suspicion of carrying arms and ammunition on board.

"In pursuant of part of our activities in Lagos which is to ensure we create a conducive maritime environment, anytime we see anything trying to in-

fringe that part of our effort, we arrest it. That is what led to the arrest of this ship.”

Preliminary investigation, according to him, showed that the ship came in with-

out due certification, noting: ”Secondly, the ship also had weapons which is an infringement on the country’s law.”

Information gathered

from the ship’s website revealed that it was built in 1965 and that its operation had been suspended following the arrest.

SSS quizzes Zannah over alleged Boko Haram links

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

BUJA — SENATOR Khlaifa Ahmad Zannah was, yesterday, quizzed for over six hours by operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, over his alleged links with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Zannah, who represents Borno Central in the upper legislative chambers, was summoned by the SSS Director General, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, to appear before it, yesterday, to answer questions on what he knows about his nephew, Shuaibu Bama.

Men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, had reportedly arrested the said Bama, whom they said had been on their wanted list for some time in a house believed to be that of the embattled lawmaker and decided to go after him as well.

A source at the SSS headquarters confirmed to Vanguard that the Senator turned in himself as directed by the leadership of the security agency. The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said he was not sure whether Zannah

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would be released.

As at 8 p.m. when our correspondent spoke with the source, Zannah was still being held. The source said: “The man (Zannah has been with us since 2 p.m. and I do not think he will be allowed to go. We need a lot of information from him given his close relationship with the wanted man, Bama, who happens to be his nephew.”

It was not possible to get information from the SSS

Deputy Director of Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, as she neither picked her calls nor responded to text messages sent to her phones. But before turning in himself to the SSS, Zannah had told journalists that he knew that his nephew, Shuaibu Bama, arrested by the Joint Task Force for allegedly being one of the commanders of the Boko Haram Islamic sect was of a “bad character” and a “drug addict.”

Gunmen kill two Policemen, injure two others in Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU

OS— UNKNOWN gun men, Sunday night, shot and killed two policemen at their duty post at Heipang in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Two other policemen were injured in the attack.

The policemen were on duty in the village when the yet to be identified gunmen opened fire on them, according to eyewitnesses.

Coordinator of a nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark

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Lipido was quoted as saying residents were now gripped with fear as a result of the attack.

Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in the state, Captain Salisu Mustapha confirmed the incident but said only one policeman was killed while another escaped.

He said investigations had commenced into the incident and urged residents to keep calm.

It was not clear at press time what the motives of the attackers were.

Police arrest 13 persons Meanwhile, the Police in Kogi said, yesterday, that it has arrested 13 persons in connection with an alleged attempt to disrupt proceedings of members of the House of Representatives who were in the state on a factfinding mission over the impeachment of the former Speaker, Hon Abdullahi Bello by members of the state legislature.

Kogi State Police spokesman, ASP Ajayi Olusankami, who paraded the suspects before newsmen, yesterday, said: “They were picked up at the premises of the state assembly complex while chanting unscrupulous slogan capable of distracting the peaceful proceedings.”

He said the police acting on intelligence information at its disposal promptly swung into action and apprehended the suspects whom he claimed were political hoodlums.

But in a swift reaction, one of the suspects who said he was a Special Assistant to the embattled former speaker, Abdulmuni Yakubu, denied being political thugs, saying they were in the House on a solidarity mission to their principal.

How to resolve Arab-Israeli conflict, by Palestinian envoy

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

BUJA — ONLY a f a i t h f u l implementation of all the United Nations resolutions on the Middle East can bring about an end to the Israeli-Arab conflict, Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Montaser Abuzaid, has said.

Montaser, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja, yesterday, said the Palestinians were ready and committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region but pleaded with Israel to abide by the UN decisions.

Montaser said Israel must reconsider its policies towards the Palestinians and take steps to make genuine peace with them as a way of moving forward.

The envoy declared that

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Arab nations were keen on seeing an end to the conflict with Israel with a view to entering into a peace agreement with Israel and providing security for all the states in the region.

The envoy said: “The Arab countries call upon the Government of Israel and all Israelis to accept this initiative to safeguard the prospects of peace and stop further shedding of blood.

“If this is done, it will enable Arab countries and Israel to live in peace and good neighbourliness and provide future generations with security, stability and prosperity.”

Montaser, who was posted to Nigeria in February this year, said he would do his best to enhance the strong ties existing between Nigeria and his country.

He was particularly pleased with the supportive role Nigeria has been playing in the quest for peace in the Middle East by supporting all UN resolutions aimed at ending the Israeli-Arab conflict.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Flood victims urged to have faith in God

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—POLIT ICAL Adviser to Delta State Governor, Chief Fred Majemite, has urged persons displaced by the recent floods in parts of the state to have faith in God. He described the floods as a monumental disaster.

Majemite, who stated this shortly after donating food items and other relief materials to flood victims at Ughelli camp, charged them to take active part in the skill acquisition programme being organized in the various camps.

He said the trainings

were part of the postcamp arrangements being put in place by the state government.

Majemite lamented the traumatic experience flood victims were going through, adding that “the donation stemmed from my desire to identify with the affected persons and to let them know that they are not alone.”

Soliciting the support of NGOs, corporate bodies and well meaning individuals, he commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the steps he had so far taken to cushion the effects of the ravaging floods in the state.

....As Uba calls for agricultural finance scheme for victims DONATION TO FLOOD VICTIMS: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Zakari Mohammed (middle), during a donation of relief materials to flood victims in Kaiama Local Government Area, in Kwara State.

FG to alleviate suffering of victims, says Orubebe

BY CHRIS OCHAYI BUJA—THE Fed eral Government has said it was making efforts to alleviate the sufferings of people of Niger Delta whose homes and farmlands were affected by the recent floods.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who gave the assurance when he led a delegation of top management of the Ministry on an on-the-spot assessment of flooded areas, particularly section 1 of the East-West Road which lies between Ughelli, Uwheru and Pattani in Delta State, however, appealed to the people not to indulge in any form of violence.

The Minister regretted the sufferings of the people due to the devastating effect of the flood on the road, particularly the economic hardship, as a result of flooding of the East-West Road.

The flood had hampered movement of vehicles, cutting off several communities and farmlands in the region.

He said: “As a ministry, we have come to see the situation on ground.

It is a disaster and something we have not seen

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for a long time.

“The East-West Road is completely gone. You know the Ministry is working to complete the road in 2014 but as it is now, it has become a dream.”

Orubebe noted that he had met with Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Oduaghan, and discussed the urgent need for the provision of relief materials and to ensure that the road was opened for use by motorists.

He assured the people of equitable distribution

of relief materials.

The minister reiterated that the Ministry had put up a programme of action which would involve the use of motorised boats to convey food items to the affected areas for distribution to the people.

Elder Orubebe informed the people that as a son of the soil, he was directly affected and passionate about their plight and called on them to be law abiding and patient with the state and federal govern-

ments.

Speaking further, he said the pain inflicted in the heart of Mr. President by the disaster could clearly be seen, stating that the problem created by the flood was beyond the local, and state governments.

Consequently, Orubebe said the Federal Government was ready and had initiated partnership with the international community on how to bring the situation under control.

BY VINCENT UJU-

MADU

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WKA—SENATOR Andy Uba, representing Anambra South in the Senate, has advocated the setting up of a special agricultural finance scheme for the resettlement of victims of the recent flood that ravaged many states in the country.

Speaking at St. Paul’s Church at Ihiala, where flood victims from Ogwu Aniocha were camped, Uba said the scheme became necessary to enable displaced persons, mainly farmers, procure seedlings for the next farming season beginning next month, to avert food cri-

Ex-legislators commiserate with flood victims

BY AUSTIN

OGWUDA

Politicians hijack flood victims' A relief materials —CDHR

BY EMMA AMAIZE ARRI—THE Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, in Delta State, has alleged that some politicians have diverted relief materials meant for flood victims.

CDHR, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Benefit Orugbo, said it had been inundated with complaints that relief materials sent by government to flood victims were being diverted and that victims, who were

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relocated from their communities because of the disaster, had been abandoned.

The group said among those affected were people from Alafrigbene I and II and Kamota communities in Bomadi Local Government Area; Ogbodobri, Obuma and Onionegbene communities in Burutu Local Government Area; and Okwagbe and Egbo-Ide communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

It said that in a bid to

survive, some of the internally displaced persons had taken refuge in settlements in different parts of the state and called on both the federal and state governments, “ not to allow greedy politicians hijack relief materials for the victims.

“We also call on Delta State Government, as a matter of urgency, to make adequate arrangement and assemble members of the flood affected communities at secured centres."

sis next year.

He said that since the displaced farmers have virtually consumed all their crops, including seedlings that would have been planted next season, there is need for government to make a special arrangement to sustain them in their farms.

He promised that the National Assembly would increase the allocation to agriculture to take care of the unforeseen development and observed that it was the effort of the farmers that had kept food prices stable over the years. He said that ignoring their plight could be disastrous for the nation’s food security.

SABA—THE Fo rum of Former Members of Delta State House of Assembly has commiserated with communities swept away by flood.

It also commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Speaker, Mr. Victor Ochei, for rising to the occasion swiftly.

A statement by the forum’s Director of Publicity and Organization, Mr. Ejaife Odebala, said: “We commiserate with Deltans and communities that were affected by the flood over the devastating effect it has pushed on its citizenry.

“We also commendthe governor of Delta State,

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Speaker, Mr. Victor Ochei and members of Delta State House of Assembly whose constituencies were affected, for their quick response in opening relief camps and sending relief materials to take care of those affected.”

Meanwhile, Africans in Diaspora have said they were planning to come home to donate to the flood victims.

A representative of Africans in Diaspora, Dr Erika Bennett, announced this when she and Ambassador Vincent Okobi visited the Institute of Continuing Education, ICE, rehabilitation camp in Asaba, in company of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 —9

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN,Lagos State Governor (right) being presented a statuette of the Eyo masquerade by Major General Kenneth Minimah, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, after the Governor’s interactive session with senior Army officers and heads of Army formations on the new Lagos Road Traffic Law, at the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Auditorium, Onikan, Lagos, Saturday.

From left: Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, on arrival from London on medical trip and Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos, at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Monday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

‘Okada riders' protest, vandalise 10 BRT buses

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI , EBUN SESSOU & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

AT LEAST, 10 Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, vehicles were yesterday vandalized by protesting commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called Okada riders, at Onipanu, along Ikorodu Road.

They were protesting the enforcement of the Lagos Road Traffic Law. Following the violent protest, the Lagos State House of Assembly expressed concern over increasing lawlessness of commercial operators in the state and threatened to outrightly ban their activities if they refused to conform.

The violent protest which caused pandemonium and left many commuters stranded at various bus stops on the busy road and adjoining ones may not be unconnected to the aggressive enforcement of the Traffic Law in accordance with the order of the state Commissioner of Police.

It also caused heavy traffic gridlock along Ikorodu Road and others.

It was learnt that the commissioner, worried by the flagrant disobedience to law, issued marching order to Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, in the state to mobolise their men for enforcement.

Vanguard gathered that several motorcycles were impounded in the process.

As a result, the entire

Awolowo Road up to Secretariat, Aluasa, were deserted by the motorcycle operators.

The aggrieved Okada operators were said to have stormed the dedicated BRT Bus Stop as early as 9:00a.m, denouncing the enforcement of the law on 475 roads in the

state, indiscriminate arrests and alleged extortion by men of the Nigeria police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority. .

Governor Babatunde Fashola had on August 3 signed into law the new road traffic law.

The protesters were said to have pelted

every BRT vehicle they came across at Onipanu with stones and other dangerous weapons without considering the safety of over 50 passengers onboard.

According to one Mr. Emmanuel Abel, forced hundreds of passengers at the Bus Stop to scamper for safety.

N850m fraud against 3 Keystone managers for hearing Nov. 27

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHAEL OLADEPO

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RIAL of three senior officials of Keystone Bank (formerly Bank PHB) over alleged N850million fraud alongside an Indian and his company, Nulec Industries Limited, has been fixed for November 27, 2012.

The officials were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining

money under false pretence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Those on trial are Anayo Nwosu; the chairman of Nulec Industries and an Indian, Ashok Isran; Olajide Oshodi; Sunny Obazee and Bank PHB. They allegedly defrauded a Nigerian, Sir Daniel Chukwudozie, the Managing Director of Dozzy Oil, of N855,000,000.

Nobody can hold the aviation ...Lagos Assembly threatens to ban Okada industry to ransom— Oduah

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EANWHILE EXPRESSING concern over increasing violence by commercial motorcycle operators over the traffic Law, the State House of Assembly threatened to outrightly ban Okada from operating in the state.

Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji gave the hint while condemning the reported vandalisation

of government property, especially BRT buses by the Okada operators on Ikorodu Road.

According to him, the report of this dastardly act was brought to the floor by Mr. Olanrewaju Oshun, representing Mainland Constituency II. He called on the state government to strength- en security agencies to protect

lives and property, saying the House would not hesitate to ban in Lagos if the operators continued to constitute nuisance in the state.

Other members who spoken the protest condemned the attitude of the operators, saying that the government had given enough time to sensitize the public on the traffic law.

Soldiers chase away LASTMA over seizure of colleagues motorcyle

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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IKE a Nollywood movie, armed soldiers, yesterday, stormed Ketu area axis of Ikorodu Road and allegedly went after men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, for impounding a motorcycle belonging to one of their colleagues.

The rider of the motorcycle was alleged to have contravened the Lagos Road traffic law on restriction of routes to m o t o r c y c l e s .

This was sequel to the commencement of the state traffic law by the enforcement agencies, comprising Police, LASTMA, Federal Road

Safety Commission, FRSC, special Taskforce and other law enforcers duly empowered to do so.

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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INISTER OF Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, yesterday called on Nigerians to key into the transformation going on in the aviation industry, warning that

nobody could hold the aviation industry to ransom.

The Minister spoke ith aviation reporters after the commissioning of the remodeled General Aviation Terminal, GAT, Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

FG declares Thursday, Friday public holidays

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HE Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays in marking the celebration of the 2012 Eid El-kabir celebrations.

Minister of Interior, Abba Moro who announced this in Abuja on Monday, called on Nigerians to imbibe and emulate the worthy tenets of Islam as practiced by the holy Prophet Mohammad.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Mimiko's election hope for democracy, says NLC

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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IGERIA LABOUR Congress, NLC, has described the victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, in Saturday gubernatorial election as a renewed hope for the nation’s

democracy, In a congratulatory message to Governor Mimiko, Acting General Secretary of NLC, Comrade Emma Ugboaja, NLC urged the re-elected governor to “re-double his effort and ensure that the quality of life in Ondo State

improves through massive job creation, quality education, industrialization, road construction, etc.”

According to NLC: “While we congratulate Dr. Mimiko as the candidate, we believe the people of Ondo State

who conducted themselves peacefully before, during and after the election deserve a lot of commendation.

"We also commend all the security agencies for the impartial manner they conducted their duties.

From left: Dr. Olusegun Mimiko,Ondo State Governor; Barr. Dan Nwanyanwu, National Chairman, Labour Party and others, praying in the Governor's Office, in Akure, yesterday.

5 policemen, 2 others killed as robbers unleash mayhem on Ogun DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — FIVE policemen and two civilians were yesterday feared dead after a 15-man armed robbery gang launched three separate attacks on Abeokuta and Ibafo in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of Ogun State.

Unspecified number of other persons were said to have sustained various degrees of injuries in the attacks said to have started Sunday night.

Vanguard gathered that the first robbery attack took place on Sunday around 8:30 p.m. at a filling station in Ibafo, which reportedly led to the death of two policemen while an undisclosed amount of money was carted away.

The gang members, according to an eye witness, were all in Mobile Police uniforms and said to have operated in a commando style, shooting sporadically into the air.

In the process, a 12year old boy identified as Mubarak who was hawking sachet water and another yet- to- be

identified, were hit by stray bullets.

Similarly, the same gang at 2:30 a.m. yesterday invaded an Apostolic Church located at Ijemo - Agbadu area of Abeokuta, killing three policemen including two I n s p e c t o r s .

According to a source, the robbers on arrival at the church premises, reportedly lured a fiveman police patrol team out of the station at OkeItoku and opened fire on

the team of a Quick Response Squad, QRS, led by one of the Inspectors, killing three of them including the driver while two others were serious injured.

It was gathered that after their two successful operations, they allegedly went to a hotel on Abiola Way in Abeokuta where they reportedly raided the occupants before escaping.

'Sheila Solarin'll buried in two weeks'

By DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—THE remains of Sheila, the widow of a renowned educationist, late Tai Solarin, who died on Sunday evening at Babcock University Teaching Hospital Ilishan Remo, Ogun State at the age of 88 years, will be interred in two weeks time.

Mr. Tunde, second child of the deceased gave the hint yesterday while speaking with newsmen at their Ikenne-Remo residence.

He said: “Though the family is yet to meet to decide the date, I believe she will be buried

within the next two weeks.”

He said some of her mother’s relations would attend the funeral.

Speaking on the circumstances leading to her death, Tunde said: “On this particular day, she was trying to get up from the chair but unfortunately she fell down. We immediately sent for Dr. Idowu of the National Orthopedic hospital, Igbobi, Lagos who attended to her.

"We also took her to the Babcock University Hospital, Ilishan Remo where she spent the last three months until she died last (Sunday) at 4.30p.m.”

C o n f i r m i n g the incidents, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, told journalists that it was the same gang that operated at Ibafo that invaded Abeokuta.

He said “the gang had before the Ibafo and Abeokuta incidents snatched a SUV and attacked a hotel located at Abiola Way before heading to the Apostolic Church vicarage at Ijemo Agbadu area of the town where they killed the three policemen and injuring two others.”

According to Adejobi, the robbers were professionals who positioned themselves at different corners before the rescue team ran into their barricade, “Two of our Officers died instantly while another gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.

PDP pays congratulatory visit to Mimiko Dayo Johnson

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KURE —AS jubilation greeted the declaration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the last Saturday governorship election in Ondo State, leaders of the PDP in the state have paid a congratulatory visit to him.

Vanguard gathered that they visited on Sunday few hours after Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared him winner of the election.

Led by a member of the board of trustees of the party, Dr. Bode Olajumoke, the leaders said they had come to congratulate him for his victory at the poll.

Other members of the party that accompanied

Dr. Olajumoke included a Special Adviser to the immediate past Governor Olusegun Agagu, Chief Segun Adegoke; Senator Gbenga Ogunniya, a three term member of the National Assembly; two former members of the House of Representatives Gbenga Elegbeleye and Tayo Fawahinmi, Prof. Olu Agbi, a former ambassador to Austria and Dr. Akin Olowookere.

Speaking at the government house, Dr. Olajumoke advised the newly re-elected governor to re-double his effort in the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He asked the governor not to disappoint the people.

Pay up your loans, govt tells cooperative societies debtors

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EMBERS OF cooperative societies who benefited from the loan scheme facilitated by the Ogun State Government to enhance their working capital have been advised to pay back as expected to give room for others who are willing to enjoy suchopportunities.

The Commissioner for C o m m u n i t y Development and Cooperatives, Chief Duro Aiyedogbon gave the advice at the 4th edition

of quarterly Consultative Forum with leaders of C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n s , Cooperatives Societies and Trade Associations held at the Co-operative College, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

Aiyedogbon said that government was poised to make its citizens resourceful and empower them with reliable sources of livelihood in order to make them earn better living and eradicate poverty.

Aliyu urges MImiko to run inclusive government

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IGER STATE Governor and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday, congratulated Governor Olusegun Mimiko on his victory in the governorship election.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, made available to newsmen said that Governor Aliyu urged Mimiko to use the fresh term of four years to consolidate on the good work he started during his

first tenure as governor of the state.

Aliyu also advised the Labour Party (LP) led government to extend a hand of fellowship to those who were defeated at the poll, saying only an all inclusive government can bring about the desired change for a better Ondo.

The statement urged those who lost out in the election to join hands with Governor Mimiko in the overall interest of the development of Ondo state.

Osun State prepares for self-reliance in food production

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SUN STATE Government has concretized efforts towards self-reliance in food production as it launched the Osun Beef Production outfit, O ’ B e e f .

At the commissioning

of the ranch located at Oloba Farm Settlement in Iwo, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said government established the ranch to boost agriculture, food production, food processing and mass

food production.

Aregbesola said Lagos State alone consumed 6000 cattle daily out of which none was supplied from the SouthWest, saying “We intend to target just 10 percent of the Lagos market.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—11

Oshiomhole faults Rights Commission on death warrants

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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FLOOD: Flooded residence of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, at Ogbogbagbene, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.

How Boko Haram smuggles weapons into Nigeria —Ex-N-Delta militants

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—EX-MILI TANTS in the Niger-Delta, under the auspices of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, said they have uncovered a secret conduit through which the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, allegedly transports weapons/ammunition into the country.

Spokesperson of the group, 'Captain' Mark Anthony, told Vanguard in an exclusive interview, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State, that a top government official (names withheld) was using his influence to circumvent the laws of Nigeria Customs to allow entry through the nation’s border to illegal arms dealers who supply military hardware to members of the sect.

President Goodluck Jonathan, speaking at a church service held at the National Christian Centre to mark the 2012 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, early this year, had said that members of the Islamic sect had infiltrated the three arms of government at the federal level.

He confessed that combating Boko Haram was complicated as members of the Boko Haram sect were in the armed forces, the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The NDLF spokesperson told Vanguard that the top official, evidently among the key financiers of Boko Haram, “is

single-handedly sponsoring the current antiJonathan debates in the National Assembly to destabilise President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.”

The former agitators called on President Jonathan to dismiss the official and order his arrest by security agencies and prosecution for offences against the state.

He said: “We, therefore, call for the immediate sack, arrest, investigation and prosecution of the shadowy Boko

Haram senior officer and financier in government to serve as a deterrent to others.”

Asked if the group had alerted any of the nation’s security agencies on its findings, he said: “This is our own method of alerting the security agencies so that they will swing into action.

“We are willing to uncover more dirty deals of the financier to assist investigators whenever the time comes to nail him of his sins against the Nigerian state, without fear

or favour.”

Pointing out that the northern group had purportedly concluded plans to foment more troubles in the country, Anthony said: “We, Niger Delta ex-agitators, therefore, cannot fold our arms and allow these shady characters and anti-Jonathan northern elements to continue to destroy his administration, while at the same time enjoying patronage at top positions in the government.”

Suspected ritualists allegedly kill 51-yr-old nurse in C-River

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU

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ALABAR—THE Primary Health Care Coordinator in Bekwara Local Government Area of Cross River State and a widow with five children, Mrs. Helen Ilonge, has been allegedly murdered by suspected ritualists, with some of her private parts cut off for alleged ritual purposes.

Mrs. Ilonge, who lost her husband about twelve years ago, was kidnapped last week while returning from a church programme at Assemblies of God, Abakaliki, in Ebonyi State, to her Ukpe village, along Ikom-Ogoja Highway and was subsequently beheaded.

Meanwhile, Cross River State Commissioner of

Police, Mr. Osita Ezechukwu, said about four persons have been arrested by the anti-homicide unit over the matter, adding that when investigations were completed, the suspects

would be prosecuted.

He said: “We have taken confessional statement from them. Those who are not involved have been allowed to go while those who are involved are still in deten-

Oil facility fire claims life in Delta STAFF of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, operator of NPDC/ Seplat Joint Venture in OMLs 4, 38 & 41, has died in a fire which occurred at the firm's Ovhor Remote manifold site while ten others were injured, weekend.

A statement by the company said the remote Ovhor manifold site was shutdown about two weeks ago following the detection of a leaking

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valve on a section of the Trans Forcados Trunckline managed by Shell Petroleum Development Company.

The statement said the company was taking advantage of the shut down period to carry out scheduled maintenance at the site, while waiting for Shell to resolve the leakage problem. It added that the fire occurred during the scheduled maintenance work at the facility.

ENIN—GOVER NOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has faulted the claim by National Human Rights Commission that he had signed the death warrants of two convicts, Callistus Eke and Olu Fatogun, saying the commission got its facts wrong before making statements to the international community.

The governor, who was reacting to a petition by the Executive Secretary of the Commission and other human rights bodies, said: “Incidentally, the state government has actually not just granted Calistus Eke pardon but

has released him from prison. We have done much more than the people are asking us to do.

So, they got their facts wrong. Secondly, the human rights commission was wrong to assume that Fatogun was to be executed.

"Olu Fatogun's case was reviewed by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and they recommended that his death sentence be affirmed and carried out, but I refused the prayers. I ordered that the death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. Again, the Human Rights Commission is wrong to say that I have authorised his execution.”

11m children of school age roam streets —FG

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—THE Fed eral Government has disclosed that of the over 11 million children of school age roaming the streets in the country, about nine million were Almajiris, children of fishermen and other disadvantaged parents, saying this tend to pose a security problem to the nation.

Minster of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this in Benin, said President Goodluck Jonathan had consequently directed that a special school be

established in the SouthEast and South-South to cater for the educational needs of children who dropped out of school.

The minister said he was in Benin to request for the state government’s partnership in providing land for the school.

Insisting that Basic Education fell within the purview of states and local government councils, the Minister said because of the importance which the Federal Government attached to the sector, it had decided to complement the effort of states and local government councils in the provision of basic education.

Ex-Commissioner, Mbong, for burial

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EMAINS of the late former registrar of both Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, and the defunct Cross River State Polyt e c h n i c , C a l a b a r, M k p i s o n g Mbong Johnny Mbong, are to be laid to rest this week.

A statement by his son, Mr. Emmanuel Mbong, for the family, said condolence visits will commence today, while a service of songs will take place later today at Qua Iboe Church, Uyo. Obong Mbong was a Commissioner for Health(1975), Commissioner for Works and Transport(1977) and

Commissioner for Education (1979), in the erstwhile Cross River State, and served as Chairman in several boards and parastatals in the country.

The late M J (as he was fondly called), is survived by his widow, Grace, and three children including Emmanuel, Uduak and Joy.

Late Mkpisong Mbong

12 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Three Boko Haram victims buried in Anambra amid tears

BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—THREE per sons murdered by people suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect in Bauchi on October 14, 2012, were buried yesterday at Umunnachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State amidst tears by family members and sympathizers.

They include 65-yearold businessman, Chief Basil Okonkwo Azodo, his daughter, Ifeoma Azodo, 23 and his apprentice of many years, Sunday Ezechukwu, 21.

The sect had earlier killed the first son of Chief Azodo, 31-yearold Christian Nnaemeka Okonkwo on April 18, 2011, also in Bauchi.

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PA Azodo and his daughter, as well as his apprentice, were allegedly killed on the same spot same day.

Azodo was said to have returned to Anambra State with his entire household when Boko Haram sect started killing Christians in the North and only went back to arrange his belongings for final departure from the northern part of the country when he met his death.

It was a pathetic scene yesterday at the community’s Mgbuke village as the widow of the deceased, Virginia, continued nodding her head ceaselessly and unable to mutter a word, while other people sobbed uncontrollably.

The funeral Mass was

conducted by the Vicar of Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Umunnachi, Reverend Fr. John Manafa, assisted by Very Rev Fr. Fred Uche.

Rev Manafa, who delivered the sermon, told the mourners that there was nothing that happens without the knowledge of God, adding that the only regret was that the people died and some people will go to hell fire because of them.

According to him, “ we have to be very careful about what we do or say in life, instead of crying for the deceased, we should pray for the repose of their souls, let us stop crying like people without hope.”

The Transition Chairman of Dunukofia Local

Government Area, Mr. Onochie Okagbue, said the deceased was a man of the people and man of peace and questioned the much publicized unity of the country, if Nigerians could not feel free in any part of the country.

First daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Blessing Ezemanari, said the family was still mourning the murder of the first son of the family in 2011, only for the head of the family and her sister, along with their apprentice, to be also killed.

“My father just travelled to arrange the final relocation of the entire family and they still assassinated him and my sister and our apprentice,” she lamented.

Army engineers repair failed Enugu-PH Expressway

BY ANAYO OKOLI

M UA H I A —SUC COUR has come the way of motorists and commuters plying the dilapidated Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway as a team of army engineers weekend, mobilised and commenced repair works at the badly damaged Lopkanta Cattle market axis in Umunneochi Local Government of Abia State stretch of the road.

The over 20 army engineers from the Corps of Army Engineering, led by Col. Mark Mamman from Army Headquarters, Abuja, mobilized heavy road construction equipment and

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embarked on the repairs on that portion of the road to the joy of road users who have been going through harrowing times on the road.

Already, the team has created easy passage on one lane for motorists and other road users, while they engaged in major repairs on the lane.

According to leader of the team, Col. Mamman, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirka, directed the Corps to mobilize its men to repair that portion of the busy road which has been a serious nightmare to motorists and other road users.

Don't lose hope in life, Cleric tells prisoners

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—THE Catho lic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has told prison inmates not to lose hope in life, reminding them that there was still the possibility of a better future for them.

The cleric, who spoke while celebrating Mass with inmates of Onitsha Prisons, as part of activities to mark his 59 th birthday, reminded the inmates that every human being was a prisoner and urged them not to

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feel bitter about their incarceration.

According to the Archbishop, being in prisoner should be an opportunity for the affected person to reflect on life and come closer to God to change life for the better.

He said: “You should look forward to a brighter future and believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t be bitter against anybody.

Forgive others. Don’t wallow in self-pity and apathy.”

FG tasked on infrastructure, power sector devt From right: Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike; Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku, and Acting Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Prof. Charles Onocha, at the launch of the Federal Government's Back to School project for out of school children in Southern Nigeria in Abakiliki, yesterday.

Community sends SOS to Jonathan over alleged attacks on Oteh

BY BY ANAYO OKOLI M UA H I A — AMAOKWEITEM, home of embattled Director-General of Security and Exchange Commission, Ms Arumma Oteh, in Abia State, has sent a Save Our Souls message to President Goodluck Jonathan, asking him to protect their daughter from “unwarranted attacks” being unleashed on her by some Nigerians.

Speaking through the Secretary-General of Amaokwe-Item Development Welfare Union, Mr. Sunny Ogele, the community expressed concern at what it described

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as incessant politicallymotivated attacks on Oteh.

According to Ogele, it has become imperative for the community to

speak out as it has become clear to it that those after Oteh’s job were becoming very desperate by the day.

The community also

noted that same people who played key roles in the fraud that led to the collapse of Nigerian Stock Exchange had been after Oteh’s job since she cleared the rot in the organisation.

Philosophers honour Anyiam-Osigwe

BY CHARLYNE IKPE

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AGOS—ASSOCIA TION of Nigerian Philosophers has awarded a post-humous Professor Odera Oruka award to Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe AnyiamOsigwe as a Sage Philosopher.

The award, which is conferred by the Nigeria Philosophical Associa-

tion, acknowledges the philosophical works of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe and the intellectual appraisals they had attracted from scholars all over the world.

In the award letter dated September 25, 2012, the association stated: “The numerous works on the thoughts of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe

show that he was a deep thinker. We are thus pleased to present him with the Odera Oruka Award for Sage Philosophy”.

The award will be officially conferred during the biennial convention of the Nigeria Philosophical Association, holding at the University of Abuja from October 23 through 25, 2012.

AGOS—THE Federal Government has been urged to improve the lot of the masses through the provision of infrastructure in the power sector.

Equally, wealthy Nigerians have been implored to pay back to the various communities where they derived their wealth by way of offering development to those societies.

Editor-in-Chief of Gaskia Media Limited and cofounder of Tell Magazine, Mr. Dare Babarinsa, made the appeal at the investiture of Rotn Emeka Okolonji as

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the 2012/2013 Rotary year president, Rotary Club, Gowon Estate, Ipaja in Lagos.

He said leaders in authority should promptly address and arrest the problem of obsolete infrastructure to provide job opportunities to the masses.

Babarinsa, who congratulated Okolonjo for his election, assured that he would support the Rotary club in its onerous task of constructive governance to lift the nation from the present unfortunate doldrums.

Culture Ministry commissions 12 industry centres BUJA—THE Fed eral Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, will on Tuesday, October 30, officially commission the 12 cultural industry centres built across the country at the Cultural Industry Centre, Gidan Ajia, Orozo, Abuja.

The Cultural Industries are located at Ibi and Bali, Taraba State; Inyi, Enugu

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Sate; Abeokuta and Odeda, Ogun State; Auchi, Edo State; Owo, Ondo State; Sokoto, Sokoto State and Gidan Ajia, Orozo, FCT. It will be hosted by the Minister, Chief Edem Duke with the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, also on hand to see to the successful implementation of d programme.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 —13

GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN MARKS 58TH BIRTHDAY WITH FLOOD VICTIMS IN DELTA Photos: Nath Onojake

ABOVE: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle), his wife, Roli, (right) and internally displaced persons, at St. Patrick's College Camp, Asaba.

Governor Uduaghan with an elderly displaced person at the ICE camp in Asaba.

LEFT: Governor Uduaghan (right) with displaced persons at their camp in Illah.

Governor Uduaghan (middle) with persons displaced by flood at their camp at Illah.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, his wife, Roli, Mr. Andy Chan and flood victims at St. Patrick's College Camp, Asaba.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (2nd right) and Mr. Andy Chan during the presentation of relief materials to flood victim at St. Patrick's College Camp, Asaba.

Governor Uduaghan (cuddling a newly born baby), his wife, Roli (right), as they marked the 58th birthday with internally displaced persons at their camp at ICE, Asaba.

Governor Uduaghan, his wife, Roli, with internally displaced persons at their ICE camp in Asaba.

14—Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Okorocha, Uduaghan, Fashola others win NEPAD award AGOS—TEN state Governors including Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Adams Oshiomhole, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Rochas Okorocha were given awards for their commitment to poverty reduction, infrastructural and educational development at the just concluded NEPAD Business Group of Nigeria, NBGN 2nd annual general meeting in Lagos.

Other Governors who were honoured for their public services on environmental projects and public/private sector initiatives were those of Osun, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Anambra and Kwara states.

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LECTURE: From left: Prof. Henri Fouche’ of the University of South Africa; Hon. George Ntojo, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State; Mr. M.J. Abubakar, AIG Zone 10 Sokoto and Brigadier Gen. Joseph Mensah, National Security Adviser to the president of Ghana during the 2012 Annual Security Watch Africa Lecture at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

The 2nd annual general meeting also witnessed other activities including business lecture and entertainment. The theme of the event was-”Nigeria, Current Economic Outlook: Implications for Business Development.”

In his remark, Mr Goodie Ibru, the convener and outgoing Chairman of NBGN said: “As I reflect on the past eight years, I am proud of the modest achievement of NBGN as an organisation set up to mobilise the private sector for the purpose of wealth creation. Within this period, the NBGN has been able to create awareness about its programmes and activities.”

Imo moves to boost tourism

FG approves N140m for training of teachers in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI—THE Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, yesterday, disclosed that the federal government has approved the release of N140 million for the training of teachers in Ebonyi State.

He noted that the gesture would be extended to other states of the federation for teachers’ capacity development, so they could be abreast of emerging trend in the teaching profession.

The Minister, who stated this during a cour-

tesy visit on Governor Martin Elechi at Government House, Abakaliki, added that about 411,080 text books would be distributed through Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC to the state Universal Basic Education Commission, SUBEB, for the betterment of teaching and learning in the state.

He stated that the federal government decided to make the distribution of the textbooks and approval of funds for teachers’ training in publicschools in order to

nip in the board the mischievous activities of some UBEB officials who are in the business of selling textbooks meant for free distribution to schools across the country.

He said: “This year, each state would be supported with 140 million naira in order to support teachers’ capacity development in the country and also through UBEC, based on the number of enrolment figure; we shall distribute 411,080 text books to schools in the state.

“We have realized that most states do not know that most textbooks come

to the state through UBEC and that funds are giving for the training of teachers in this country.

“It is proper we bring it to your attention. By 2015, the federal government shall reduce the percentage of illiterates in the country as over 12 million children of school age roam the streets without education.”

Responding, Governor Martin Elechi, who welcomed the Minister to the state, appreciated the federal government for its complimentary role towards improving the pursuit of education in the state.

Uba calls for special agric finance scheme for flood victims

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—SENATOR Andy Uba, representing Anambra South in the senate, has advocated the setting up of a special agricultural finance scheme for the resettlement of victims of the recent flood that ravaged many states in the country.

Speaking at St. Paul’s Church at Ihiala where flood victims from Ogwu Aniocha were camped, Uba said the scheme became necessary to enable displaced persons, mainly farmers, procure seedlings for the next farming season beginning next month to avert food crisis next year.

According to him, since the displaced farmers have virtually consumed all their crops, including

seedlings that would have been planted next season, there is need for government to make a special arrangement to sustain them in their farms.

He promised that the National Assembly would increase the allocation to

agriculture to take care of the unforeseen development and observed that it was the efforts of the farmers that had kept food prices stable over the years, noting that ignoring their plight could be disastrous for the nation’s food security.

Uba, in his previous visit to the areas affected by the flood, had donated food items and other materials worth millions of naira and cash of about N1 million to the victims at Ogbaru, Onitsha and Aguleri.

UNESCO, Nigeria sign MoU for establishment of int'l institute at UNN

BY TONY EDIKE NUGU—THE dream of University of Nigeria to host a UNESCO category II Centre in biotechnology has become a reality, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the Federal Government and the UN agency.

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The UNESCO international Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria was sealed at a ceremony held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Monday, October 13, 2012.

Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova, signed the MoU on behalf of UNESCO,

while the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, signed for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The MOU was based on the approval of the International Institute for Biotechnology by the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Paris in June 2011.

WERRI—IN pursu ance of the Rescue Mission Agenda to make Imo a tourism nerve centre on the east of the Niger, the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Uche Nwosu, has announced government’s approval for National Inland Waterways Authority to develop the sea port in Enuigbo Osemoto and Core Services Projects Limited to develop the tourism destination centre in Oguta Lake.

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Nwosu spoke during an inspection tour of the site designated for Oguta lake seaport complex at Osemoto Enuigbo and Imo Tourist resort centre Oguta lake, all in Oguta LGA. In the inspection team were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, Miss Nkiru. Slyvanus, managing director, Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, ISOPADEC, Consultants/ Developers of both projects.

Chevron commissions N100m projects in Delta communities

BY EMMA ARUBI ARRI—CHEV RON Nigeria Limited, CNL, has commissioned six projects worth over N100m donated by Escravos-Gas-to-Liquids, EGTL, project and Southern Gas Constructors, SGC, to six Itsekiri communities in the Warri Port operation area of Delta State.

The projects include Skills Acquisition Centre, Ugbuwangue; Teachers Quarters each at OdeItsekiri and Orugbo; Town

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Halls at Ekurede and Ugbori and a Youth Civic Centre/Town hall in Okere communities respectively.

However, the Ugbori project was not commissioned because it has not been completed.

Speaking, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, PGPA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup, urged the various communities to make judicious use of the facilities for the benefit of generations yet unborn.

Defence college participants laud Obi on security

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—A team from the National Defence College, Abuja, currently on tour of Anambra State, have extolled the low crime rate in the state.

Consequently, the team commending Governor Peter Obi for making security a priority of his administration.

Leader of the team 6, Course 21 of the college, Rear Admiral Samuel Orie, who gave the commenda-

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tion while presenting its one-week findings in the state, during a cultural night organized in their honour at Governor ’s Lodge, Awka, observed that Anambra State was one of the most peaceful states in the country.

According to Orie, the reason is due to the adequate support the state government was giving to the security agencies, which had gone a long way to motivate security operatives to put in their best.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 15

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16—Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

FG assures on education for every child

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—FEDERAL Government has reiterated its commitment to develop the education sector to make it available and affordable for every Nigerian child.

Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo, gave this assurance in Abuja during the Check Out for Children awareness walk organised by the United Nations International Children Educational Fund, UNICEF. Hajia Sambo was represented by the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.

Sanusi, 2 ex-govs warn NASS over CBN Act

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—GOVERNOR of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and two former governors of the apex bank, Adamu Ciroma and Joseph Sanusi, yesterday, warned the House of Representatives against reducing the powers of the CBN. This came at a public

hearing on a Bill seeking to amend the CBN Act of 2007, organised by the House’s joint committee on Banking and Currency and Justice.

The Bill seeks to allow for the appointment of a person, other than the governor, as Chairman of the bank’s board and exclude the deputy governors of the bank from being members of the board.

The Bill, if passed into

law, would divest the board of power to consider and approve the annual budget of CBN. The National Assembly, it would be recalled, had repeatedly questioned the authority of CBN and other government corporations to consider and approve their budgets in contravention of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The CBN governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo, warned that removing its fi-

nancial autonomy would prevent the bank from discharging its mandate effectively, as he faulted the allegation of lack of transparency in the bank’s budgeting system.

Sanusi said: “CBN has taken steps to improve transparency of its monetary policy by publishing the personal statements of the MPC members and voting patterns in arriving at MPC decisions. To our knowledge, no other country in the African continent does this currently.

4 docked over SUBEB books

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

OUR persons have been arraigned before Minna Chief Magistrate Court I for allegedly stealing over 20,000 text books and other instructional materials belonging to Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, NSUBEB, and sold to members of the public at a give-away price.

The four suspects, Abubakar Mohammed, Mohammed Ndako, Mohammed Sani and Tanko Abdullahi, were rounded up in Anambra State after the State Security Service, SSS, was alerted by members of the public over the sale of the books in the open market.

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NYSC opens bidding for kit items

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—NATIONAL Youths Service Corps, NYSC, yesterday, opened pre-qualification documents for production and supply of kit items for 2013 Batch ‘A’ NYSC members, with 136 companies qualified for the forthcoming bidding exercise.

Director General of NYSC, Brig-General Okore-Affia, at the ceremony in Abuja, said the scheme would not fall short of transparency, adding that NYSC had been known for promising to follow Public Procurement Act to the letter.

VISIT: From left— Dr. Raymond Ihenacho, Zonal Chairman, North-Central, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered); Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council, and Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector-General of Police, during a courtesy visit to the IGP at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Fire kills 88 in Bauchi— Fire Service

BY SUZAN EDEH AUCHI—FIRE Service in Bauchi State has said no fewer that 88 lives were lost to fire in the state between January and September this year.

Giving the statistics, yesterday, in his office, Acting Director, State Fire Service, Babayo Misau, also said N60 million worth of property was destroyed during the period.

Misau said the major cause of the fire was electric faults and noted that his men were able to save about 100 lives trapped in the fire and recovered N110 million from the various fire incidents in the state.

He said: “In February alone, fire killed about 43 persons and 19 other persons were saved, while properties worth over N35 million were recovered.

“Sixteen persons were killed in January and nine lives were saved, while properties worth N10 million were destroyed and properties worth N19 million recovered.”

He advised members of

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the public to always switch off their electrical appliances at night before going to sleep, noting that from January to date, the service had received 265 calls from individuals related to fire in the state.

Commending Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State

for reducing unemployment through recruitment of 280 service men, Misau said efforts were in top gear to establish service stations in all the 20 local government areas of the state.

He said the two stations in Bauchi and Azare local government areas had two

firefighting trucks, while four other vehicles were currently under repair.

Misau called on the state government to boost the station with new modern fire equipment to meet the present challenges of fighting fire in the state.

“The independence had helped it in achieving results. The experience of CBN as a truly independent apex bank reflected in the relatively stable financial system and macro-economic environment in the last few years.

“Since the Act was amended in 2007 to grant CBN more autonomy, the bank has been able to proactively use policy instruments in order to rein in inflation.”

In their contributions, former governors of CBN, Sanusi and Ciroma, said removing the governor of CBN as Chairman of the board and excluding deputy governors from the board, would be tantamount to creating a complexities and non-conforming with international best practices.

Ciroma said: “There is nothing to gain from excluding them. In deep conscience and honesty, I cannot find the rationale behind this plan. I urge you to leave this matter so that you don’t do anything outrageous and nonconforming.”

However, Mr. Henry Boyo, an economist, argued that it was inappropriate to give CBN too much freedom, adding that the apex bank required a little bit of control and supervision.

Other stakeholders, who participated and said the proposed amendment be shelved, include Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria, FICAN; Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN; Association of Accountants of Nigeria, AAN, and bank executives.

Pray for Nigeria, Sen Mark begs clerics

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—WORRIED by the security challenge in the country, especially activities of Boko Haram, Senate President, David Mark, has pleaded with religious leaders to pray for Nigeria.

According to him, if Nigeria must triumph over the myriads of challenges, especially insecurity in the land, prayer had become very imperative.

President, Nigerian Guild of Editors and Chairman of the 2012 Harvest Planning Committee, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, noted that the challenges facing the na-

tion demanded that “we return to God for guidance and protection.”

They spoke at the 2012 adult harvest of Catholic Church of Transfiguration, Arepo, Ogun State, weekend.

Senator Mark stressed that Nigeria was passing through a difficult phase in its political history, a trend he added required God’s intervention.

He said that the unabating security situation in the country called for total supplication to God “because God is able to do what we humans are incapable of doing.”

Represented by his Chief Press Secretary,

Paul Mumeh, the Senate President expressed optimism that with prayers, honesty and unwavering commitment to the ideals of nationhood, the nation could surmount its problems.

Mark told the religious leaders across the divide not to be deterred by the challenges but to remain steadfast so that the forces of darkness would be defeated.

In his remarks, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Liaison Matters, Lady Ucheoma Chukwudum, urged Christians of all denomi-

nations to come together and pray against evils plaguing the nation.

In his Homily, Rev. Fr. Godwin Patrick Akpoh, underscored the importance of harvest in Christiandom, saying “ we must learn to sow good seed in order to reap bountifully.”

Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Charles Soyombo, urged the faithful to seek the grace of God as it would help the nation through its spiritual, socio-economic, political and cultural weaknesses.

“We draw strength to forge on in life because the Grace of God is sufficient for us,” he added.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—17

HE nation is currently wallowing in two types of floods and we are wondering how we got there. Before the rain flood that has washed away hundreds of communities and displaced thousands from their homes, the land has been awash with the blood of Nigerians wasted in mindless violence.

Every flood starts as a droplet. The nationwide flood and blood and the bestiality we witnessed in Aluu, Rivers State, all started as droplets only to be sluiced onto the navel of an uncaring nation.

If, two years ago, you told many Nigerians that they would be swallowed by flood, chances are that they would have dismissed the warning as “not our portion”! Every time you warned Nigerians about impending doom, no matter how scientific, they resorted to soporific superstition. HIV/AIDS is “not our portion” yet it continues to decimate the population. Climate change; “what is that? Abeg! It is not our portion”!

Population bomb; that is controversial but “it will not be our portion, in Jesus name!”

We are geniuses at inventing ways to avoid taking responsibility. When I listen to and watch Nigerians, I see a people who strongly believe that with enough incantations, there would be a big bang from outer space to solve all our problems. Nigerians are deliberately oblivious of the law of Karma; as you give so shall you receive; as above so below; for every action, there is equal and opposite reaction! These are immutable universal cosmic laws. Yet, we go on as if we can conjure the sun to rise from the west and set in the north or sow oranges and harvest okra.

We assault our environment and expect that it will not retaliate. We pretentiously engage in anti-corruption war, but victimise the whistle blowers.

Yet, we expect corruption not to develop a resistant strain like malaria treated with fake drugs! We institutionalise bestiality even in the highest places and expect that we will not get to an abomination called Aluu!

To be sure, the global warming that has caused this climate change is a crime committed by all nations. When I was growing up in my village in Obizi, Imo State, we never had erosion. The bushes around the village were so thick that by six o’clock the village was dark!

Today, the bushes are all gone! In Imo State, there are over 460 erosion sites!

And now flood has sacked people from their homes in Oguta! Where I grew up in Surulere area of Lagos in the 60s, we used to catch fish in the gutters when it rained. Today, the gutters have been taken over by refuse dumped by uncaring citizens! Climate change is going to get worse as the ice regions, north and south, completely melt down.

It cannot be business as usual. So we must learn to take responsibility for our environment. Our leaders must show the way!

were reportedly raped in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camp by some monsters who had no mercy for their predicament. A people once voted as the happiest in the world have become bitter and turned against itself!

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The Aluu lynch mob

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et us not pretend that we are better than the lynch mob in Aluu. Even as we condemned what happened, I saw people yelling for the blood of the suspects. And given half a chance, the suspects would also have been lynched the same way. I keep wondering if any of the suspects ever asked: What if this is my son or my brother? It is not only when we throw stones that we lynch people. There are many who maim and lynch fellow beings by the falsehood they say or write about them.

There were people who should have stepped out to stop the chilling killing but did not.

Many of us would not stop to help a fellow in trouble.

It is not our business and we do not want police wahala!

The morality in the parable of the Good Samaritan, as explained by Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr; was that the Good Samaritan was not concerned about his own fate if he tried to help the wounded traveller on the wayside. The Samaritan was rather concerned about the fate of the wounded man if he (the Samaritan) did not help him!

Mr. President's country home submerged in Many of us contributed to Otuoke in Bayelsa State. the brutalisation of the psyche that manifested as the Aluu killing! Those who perpetrated that bestiality simply degraded themselves. But that is what many of us do everyday even as an official policy! A nation that is so unwilling to punish crime goads the people to take laws into their own hands. It strikes me as odd that Nigerians are not outraged that we are so soft on crime. How did the killing of the Apo Six end? Every crime we refuse to punish rebounds in more gory proportion to haunt us.

Law and order are the pillars on which civilisations stand. The crises we face unfolded. Obscenity has become the today derive from our inability to new culture! punish crime. Take the newspapers and When Mr. Tafa Balogun was see how gluttonously we binge on the appointed the Inspector General of blood of our fellow beings everyday.

Police, he declared with gusto a Nobody is held accountable! We simply sanguine Operation-Fire-for-Fire! I turn the page and move on. Yet, we immediately wrote that he had failed seem not to realise that something on arrival as IGP for escalating violence terrible is happening to us. We are in a by his policy. We all know how he serious decline as a civilised society. ended! Last week, it was reported that What we witnessed in Aluu is a the General Officer Commanding 2 culmination of the un-shockability we Division, Nigerian Army, Major Gen warned against in the past. Unless we Mohammed Abubakar ordered soldiers take a serious collective view of what a to shoot any trouble maker during the decent society is, and seek to attain it, Ondo gubernatorial election! The we may return to a full fledged brutalisation goes on. Nineteen women cannibalism!

Flood, Blood and bestiality The Federal Government must ensure that the money, a pittance, it has voted for amelioration of the sufferings of flood victims gets to them. It must not be money for the boys. The government must also plan ahead for imminent food scarcity. The Federal Government has just proposed an increase in tariff on imported rice in the 2013 budget. I wonder if that is now feasible in view of the food crisis we may face next year!

Buying and storing grains in silos for this kind of emergency must be viewed as a strategic imperative.

Obscenity as a new culture

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s we were lamenting the devastation of the floods, the nation was convulsed by the lynching of four

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Every crime we refuse to punish rebounds in more gory proportion to haunt us.

Law and order are the pillars on which civilisations stand. The crises we face today derive from our inability to punish crime

students of the University of Port Harcourt. The outrage is natural. But don’t we know how we got to that? Was that the first time we have witnessed such bestiality? I was amused when, during a debate on the primitive act in the House of Representatives, the main concern of an Honourable member was that the infamy portended a coalition of the oppressed against the rich! But do you known the truth? We are all implicated in what happened in Aluu.

The rich that oppresses the poor is as guilty as those who clapped, laughed, yelled for blood and took pictures and videoed the macabre scene as it

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OPINION

BY LOUIS UTUIKE

URIOUSLY, princesses in mythology, perhaps because of their comfortable circumstances and fortunes, are often wont to engage in flights of fancy – ‘unrealistic ideas or fantastic notions; pipe dreams…’ But along comes one princess who takes a firm position that this quirky notion of queens-in-the-making needs to be rested for good. Which princess? She is Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah. Her brief, incidentally to oversee the flight arena of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, puts the Amazon from Anambra State squarely on the spot. Here is why.

Aviation is an industry of continental strategic importance to Africa and is considered a vital tool for economic development on the continent. This becomes more critical considering the level of surface transport development across the continent. Aviation generated about half a million jobs and contributed more than $10 billion USD to Africa’s GDP in 2007. What’s more, its main role is to facilitate economic activity.

Without dispute, Africa depends mostly on air transport for intra-continental linkage and connection with the rest of the world. According to Nigeria Aviation Safety Initiative

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Oduah: Not a flight of fancy...

(NASI), a safe, secure and efficient aviation industry is crucial to support the range of businesses, trade, tourism, cultural, and social activities that significantly contribute to Africa’s economic growth and prosperity.

Notes NASI, “The development of the industry is threatened by a plethora of socio-economic and political issues, including the public perception that the industry in Africa is both unsafe and inefficient. A survey of regulatory agencies found that 27 out of the 54 states audited lacked effective implementation of critical elements of the safety oversight system. These countries were placed under the Audit Results Review Board (ARRB) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

“Although it is not the only continent composed of a number of ‘third world countries’, Africa remains the only continent where the number of people living below the World Bank poverty level (less than $1.25 a day) has increased in the last 25 years. The factors involved are numerous and include the presence of conflict, corruption and insecurity. Others are the lack of regional co-operation, group synergy, political will, aligned government policies,

requisite physical infrastructure and a skilled and experienced workforce.”

Against this extremely challenging backdrop, a visioner was needed to conceptualise a new game-plan and drive the needed change. When Princess Oduah came on board, she had only one mission - “to transform, in very tangible ways, the face of aviation industry in Nigeria.”

After a comprehensive assessment of the state of infrastructure and facilities around the airports, and a sad appreciation of the scope of decay and dilapidation, she quickly shed her delicate princess’ footing and grabbed the plough. She has not looked back since then.

Like all important leaders, she drew up a road map. In her case, this had three strategic implementation phases.

The first phase or the short term agenda was to immediately give a face-lift to Nigeria’s airports. This resulted in the simultaneous re-modelling and reconstruction of 11 airports across the country.

Continues on pg18 *Mr. Utuike, a commentator on n ational issues, wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 JUSTICE U. P. Kekemeke of an Abuja High Court last week delivered a judgment that should halt security agencies that make brutalising people their duty. In awarding N100 million as special damages to Desmond Utonwen, a Senior Correspondent with TheNEWS Magazine, he made the point about the illegality of brutality, contrary to the perception that even if there was such law, security agencies were above it.

On 11 December 2009, Utonwen was in Garki, Area 3, Abuja to report a protest. The police, presumably on a mission to quell the protest, brutalised him.

They beat him to unconsciousness, bundled him into a police vehicle, where he was detained for many hours without access to medical treatment. He could have bled to death.

According to the court, the police violated Utonwen’s right as enshrined in Section 34 (1) of the Constitution which states, “Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly - (a) no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment”. It ruled that the treatment was inhuman and degrading.

BY LOUIS UTUIKE

Continued from pg 17 HESE include the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and the GeneraL Aviation Terminal (GAT), both in Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa; the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. Others include the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar. Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos; the Yola, Kaduna Airport and Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.

In Oduah justifiably exultant words: “As at this moment, I am happy to inform you that all the projects have reached 80 percent completion and would be completed and put to immediate use in the few weeks. The second phase of the remodelling works for the remaining 11 airports is expected to commence soon. At the end of this exercise, all 22 federally owned airports will wear a new look.” She spoke some four weeks ago while addressing journalists.

The second phase of her Road Map which falls under the medium term programme of action is the construction of five new international airports/terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu. This was boosted recently when President Jonathan and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) granted approval for the award of contract for the immediate take-off of construction work

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No To Police Brutality Specific matters Utonwen raised against the police were the forceful collection of one digital camera, one digital recorder, TheNEWS magazine official identity card, cash of N2, 000 from him.

Justice Kekemeke said the police’s action amounted to forceful acquisition of the applicant’s property and ran contrary to provisions of the Constitution which awarded the applicant rights to own moveable property.

Sections 33 and 44 state, “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.

No moveable property or any interest in an

immovable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law.”

His rights under freedom of the press and expression as captured in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution were other matters the judgement treated. The judge additionally ruled that the police should immediately return all the items they seized from the journalist.

Brutalities are not limited to journalists.

During protests, the police attack the people under the guise of keeping the peace.

Victims of police brutality include suspects who are beaten under interrogation. They now know they have recourse in these matters.

The police have to take this judgement serious, apart from the cost of damages, for more telling situations where people die from police brutality. What compensations can pay for their lives? The police should punish the officers who dehumanised Utonwen as a lesson to others.

OPINION Oduah: Not a flight of fancy... (2) on the five new terminals.

According to Oduah, “As we travel round the world, we see and admire international airports in other climes and wish our nation could boast of just one that can truly go by the name, international airport. Today, following the approval of FEC, we have concluded arrangements to commence construction of not just one, but five brand new, world class international airports.” In further elucidation, she stated that her dream was to transform the aviation sector into a major contributor to the nation’s GDP and the airports are pivotal to the actualisation of this dream.

Dreams of course are the seedlings of reality.

Oduah is simply reaffirming this old truth. The contracts for the construction of the five airports have a lifespan of 18 months. The projects, the are to be executed with a concessionary loan of 22 years with 5 years moratorium at an interest rate of 2 per cent. Mobilisation to site by the contractors is expected to commence within the next 60 days. According to an aviation ministry official: “What this means is that before the end of the lifespan of this administration, we would have been able to bequeath to Nigerians, the airports of their dreams.”

The third phase of the implementation strategy is the Aerotropolis project. Something of a novelty, aerotropolis are airport cities that provide clusters of businesses ranging from

manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), hospitality, recreation, retail trading, amongst others.

Today, emerging facts reveal that aviation passenger traffic in the country stood at 14.6 million in 2011. This, aviation sources predict, will rise to about 34 million in 2026. The aerotroplis concept, Oduah explains, will provide a new airport experience for this growing number.

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ecently, the ministry embarked on an international Investors’ Road Show to China and the United States of America (USA) to market the huge opportunities that abound for investment in the nation’s aviation sector.

According to aviation ministry sources, Oduah will shortly be returning to China to sign contracts for the take-off of construction work on the five brand new terminals. To ensure safe air travels, more stringent measures were deployed to enhance aviation safety.

Some of these include: Re-certification of the entire industry – Airlines, Airports, Aircraft and Aviation personnel. There is also at present, closer surveillance of foreign and domestic carriers, while Aircraft Tracking System has been installed to boost search and rescue capability. Part of the safety-related projects include the installation of Low Level Wind Shear Alert Systems, LLWAS in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt airports. Then there is the

Total Very High Frequency, VHF coverage is in Kano airport, while an Integrated Aviation Weather Observation and Display System, AWODS has been installed at Murtala Mohammemd International Airport, Lagos.

Oduah’s milestones include the sustenance of the Category, CAT 1 certification and the maintenance of all International Civil Aviation Organisations, ICAO standards and industry best practices. She has also strengthened the Nigerian College of Aviation and Technology to become a regional centre for excellence in aviation training and capacity building. Apart from remodelling 11 airports, she has also repositioned the aviation security infrastructure and procedures to meet current threats and challenges.

The Minister had called for collaboration of D-8 countries to strengthen air safety amongst its members. Member nations include: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan. The Minister is seeking partnership in areas, such as training, airport operations, airline operations and financing.

Against the background of these reasoned, novel ‘Marshall Plan’ to reinvent the nearmoribund aviation sector , Princess Oduah, by any objective parameters, cannot be said to be embarking on a flight of fancy. Concluded

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012— 19

, Continued from last week TABILITY operations, domestic and foreign, therefore, constitute the routine tasks of the security forces.

What then are Stability Operations that account for the majority of the duties of the US Security Forces? An understanding of this conceptualization of the US security concern can be gleaned in what the FM 3- 07 describes as the "Strategic Approach". All militaries as institutions of state must train to be effective in the two domains of security competence, namely (a) to defend, protect and secure the prosperity of the nation’s way of life; (b) to be effective in undertaking stability operations. This is true therefore both for the US Army and the Nigerian Army. Developing the competence in one domain results in consequent development in the other domain. This is what the US Army FM 3- 07 describes as the strategic approach or what the US Ambassador to Nigeria calls the

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holistic approach.

The Strategic Approach is presented thus in paragraph 1-10, 111, 1-12 and 1-13 in the FM 3-07.

“1-10: In the complex, dynamic strategic environment of the 21st century, significant challenges to sustainable peace and security persist across the spectrum of conflict. In this world of sovereign states, unequal in development and resources, tension and conflict are ubiquitous. Sources of instability that push parties towards open conflict, known as drivers of conflict, include religious fanaticism, global competition for resources, climate change, residual territorial claims, ideology, ethnic tension, elitism, greed and the desire for power. The drivers of conflict emerge as numerous symptoms of crises worldwide. In this era of persistent conflict, rapidly evolving terrorist structures transnational crime, and ethnic violence continue to complicate international relations.

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These conditions create belts of state fragility and instability that present a grave threat to national security.

While journeying into this uncertain future, leaders will increasingly call on stability operations to reduce the drivers of conflict and instability and build local institutional capacity to forge sustainable peace, security and economic growth.

1-11: Army integrated approach to stability operations require a framework that applies across the spectrum of conflicts, from stable peace to general war. It must frame purposeful intervention at any point along that spectrum, reflecting the execution of a wide range of stability tasks performed under the umbrella of various operational environments*To support a partner nation during peace time military engagement; *After a natural or man-made disaster as part of a humanitarian based limited intervention; *During peace operations to enforce international peace agreements;

The return of the amazon

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE UR beloved First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan just flew into Nigeria hale and hearty, to the Glory of God, and shame to the devil! Nigeria has had her own fair share of bad reports, and the ill health of our First Lady or that of any member of the President's family is one that we rejected as the furore tore through the press and social media over this and that concerning her health. As a good person first, a good wife, a good mother, and the First lady, she captured the important things that make a good marriage and family, when she said upon her arrival in Nigeria that her husband loves her and she is pleased with how God has created her. Shame to those who must make this money by lying against their rulers or leaders!

We love our President, his wife and family, no matter what. Nigerians voted for him not because of his party, or anything, but because he carried himself well, during the provocations that followed after the unfortunate demise of our Beloved late President Umaru Yar' Adua. He stood by Yar Adua, and was trusted by Nigerians to be capable to flow with their seven point agenda at that time.

He was aware that people loved Yar Adua, and respected that and his wife stood by him all the way. Many of them today who think that they could win the votes of Nigerians lost that respect from Nigerians long long time ago. I am of the opinion that GEJ was the best of all that were contending for the Aso Villa seat, at that time. If he does well, he will be returned to Aso Rock come 2015.I pray he does well, because he represents a new generation in the leadership of this nation. Let's face it,If he gives us round the clock power supply, good security (by silencing Borko haram, and kidnapping, reducing robbery and militancy), puts food on our tables through revitalising and re-energising the industrial and production sectors to resume job availability and employments

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surge), he will go back for sure, no matter what others may say, Nigerians know what they want, and will insist on them at every poll.The Edo polls has opened their eyes, Ondo elections will re-enforce their convictions, and come 2015, it shall be an election of issues, and character, not just Political Party.

Our truly beloved President GEJ, did not need therefore to hide the state of the health of his beloved, good wife and help meet.The case of his former boss should have guided him, but all that is over now to God's Glory!!

Welcome Ma, and we need you as the leader of Nigerian mothers and women, to continue the good works with our women, teaching them that the support of their husbands is the way,not to start competing with him, or regret him because things did not add up at some stage or the other.

Some of them are women libertarians who hide under the cloak of marriage, to torment and destroy their husbands, believing that the only way to be a successful woman is by putting down their husbands and other male counterparts.

The collateral damages on the psyche of their children are enormous. No wonder many children of successful and well behaved men, turn out as social misfits, to the embarrassment of their parents. Yes these misguided women achieve material success; political appointments, big businesses, etc, etc, but when you look beyond the ordinary showbiz of life, you see a huge emptiness ! Every good woman needs a good husband.

The Bible declares that a good woman is the crown of her husband. When a man covets another man's wife, he targets the crown of that man. When a man's crown of glory is polluted, things start to fall apart for that man. Women who understand this remain amazons trailing the blaze of success, peace, joy and serenity of good marriage and material wealth in good health! Amazons are pace setters in all God gives them to do and as

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Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission and Nigeria Security Interests: How to Make the Commission A Win-win Project (5)

The US has articulated a national security technical template that is available to all governments who must effect the sovereignty and safety of their society

*To support a legitimate hostnation government during irregular warfare; *During major combat operations to establish conditions that facilitate post-conflict activities; *In a post-conflict environment following general cessation of organised hostilities.

1-12: In each instance, the roles and responsibilities of the various actors-civilian and military- vary according to the threat, stability of the environment, viability of the host-nation government, and several other factors. When the situation requires intervention, posturing such an effort for success necessitate a detailed conflict assessment; this assessment provide a thorough measures of those factors and helps to appropriately delineate roles and responsibilities among the actors involved. This assessment also serves as the basis for planning, which links the broads strategic goals to a realisable end state, supportive objectives and discreet executable tasks. The resulting plan nests these together into a coherent framework optimally suited to address the conditions of the operational environment identified by the initial conflict assessment.

1-13: For many agencies and organisations, stability operations are considered as part of broader efforts to re-establish enduring peace and stability following the cessation of open hostilities. For military forces, however, stability tasks are executed continuously throughout all operations. Executed early enough and in support of broader national policy goals and interests, stability operations provide an effective tool for reducing the risk of politically motivated violence. It does this by addressing the possible

We need you as the leader of Nigerian mothers and women, to continue the good works with our women, teaching them that the support of their husbands is the way,not to start competing with him, or regret him because things did not add up at some stage or the other

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wives, they excel.

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he families of such Amazons can easily claim the blessings in the Book of Isaiah chapter 65, from verses 20, 22 to 23, which is a guarantee of longevity in good health and wealth. On the other hand, these blessings cannot come to the unrepentant sinners, adulterers, fornicators, covetous persons and their ladies, lairs, thieves, and cheats of all sorts, people whose heart devise evil constantly.

When wealth strays into their house, it soon develops wings and goes, because of their wickedness. No wise man will therefore be envious of the wicked who is wallowing in wealth ! Wise women know this and build their families by encouraging their husband in all circumstances.

Now, A woman, according to the Bible, was made out of the rib of a man, for the man. When a man lives with another man's rib, it hurts badly. The hurt will be spiritual, financial, and often physical, and if that man is not careful he dies for it in the end, because, it was him who found the woman and took him as a wife. King Ahab of

drivers of conflict long before the onset of hostilities. Providing the authority and resources to conduct these stability operations as part of peace time military engagement may be the most effective and efficient method to mitigate the risk of lengthy post-conflict interventions” (P 1-4 and 1-5).

These paragraphs present the strategic methodology for detailing national security and stability operations tasks to be performed by the nation’s military forces. They describe what must be appreciated by a Nigerian government in the BiNational Commission Partnership with the US Government. The message contained in the paragraphs quoted is clear. The US has articulated a national security technical template that is available to all governments who must effect the sovereignty and safety of their society as they institute the stability of their governance environments. It spells out the strategic thinking that must be done by Nigeria if it is to benefit from the Bi-National Commission as an intellectually and rational equal with its US partner.

Indeed the US in its FM 3-07 has provided the process for its partners, irrespective of their present national security conditions to undertake the description of their own spectrum of conflict from stable peace to total hostilities with its adversaries as the context for its role in the Bi-National Commission. The US cannot be responsible for doing its thinking and Nigeria’s thinking and yet be expected to treat a rationally dependent government as its intellectual equal and partner.

Respect is possible only between moral and intellectual equals.

Concluded

Israel died before Jezebel because he allowed himself!

A woman who tells her children, that their father is a fool, wicked, never do well, poor and smelly, does not care for them, is not that man's rib. My advice to men in such a situation is to seek the help of a good and prophetic Pastor or Priest. Be blunt and let him intercede for your life .If you don't do something for your life, they will kill you and then get born again! You will miss heaven, because you will die in un-forgiveness, and even hatred, while they that killed you in more than one way will repent, and make heaven! Heaven is real, and that is my goal, and I pray that we have leaders in this country, who are targeting to make heaven.

It is the responsibility of a man to find the good wife, his own rib, and take it to God for approval, and when that is done, then that favour that follows the woman to her husband’s house avails him without restrictions, and the couple remain better of for it at all times, even in the face of their toughest challenges.

Every woman carries a special favour to take to her husband’s house.

The God fearing couple together, will always overcome all situations through prayer in agreement, because one shall chase a thousand while two,that is husband and wife, who are in agreement shall chase ten thousand, and when they have kids, whom they have brought up to learn the power of prayer, that the family shall chase hundreds of tens of thousands!

People may doubt the efficacy of the Word of God, in the Bible , but that is to their own peril. For those who know, nothing can be as sweet, as to see a husband and wife living in harmony and love despite the arrows from the perishing world and their master, the devil. Faith in your husband is extremely important, and faith in each other is equally important. That is why we rejoice and give God Glory for the return of our First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to let God be God, and let those who hate Him live and see the righteous prosper. *Mr. Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 21

Nigeria, Korea agree on indus cooperation strtrial ategy IGERIA and Korea have agreed on an industrial cooperation strategy that will promote the development of major industries, particularly the petrochemical and automotive industries, in both countries.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; and his counterpart, the Korean Minister of Knowledge Economy, Hong Suk-woo, at the Korea-Africa Industry Cooperation Forum in Seoul.

The Korean government confirmed that it would provide all the necessary support to major Korean companies, who want to partner Nigeria on the development of the petrochemical and automotive sectors of its economy. The two ministers also set in motion, plans to create the Korea-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council in order to strengthen the new partnership between both countries and to learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses, while the partnership on trade and investment between Nigeria and Korea was initiated at a dinner hosted by the President of Korea.

Aganga told journalists on the sidelines of the conference that his meeting with his Korean counterpart was to actualise some of the goals of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, which the Ministry of Trade and Investment commenced recently.

He said the Nigerian government was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the transformation of the Nigerian economy in good time, adding that the nation would learn from the strategies of major industrialised countries in order to turn its vast resources into economic fortune.

The minister said, “We have had very fruitful discussions with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. That is what my ministry is called in Korea.

And I would say categorically that this is another step forward in our efforts to create jobs, generate wealth and enhance inclusive economic growth and development in Nigeria.

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Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza being conferred with the Fellowship of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria by the Institute’s President, Mr. Segun Aina (2nd left); 1st Vice President, CIBN, Otunba Debola Osibogun (right); and 2nd Vice President, CIBN, Deacon Segun Ajibola (left) during the 2012 Fellowship Investiture of the institute, in Lagos.

NESG to Governors: Don’t politicise privatisation of power •Peterside lashes critics of privatised DISCOs HE Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has urged governors of the states that lost the bid for the Discos not to play politics with the privatization exercise.

Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatization (NCP), Atedo Peter side also challenged those that lost out in the bid for power Distribution Companies (Discos) unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), to state the specific rules that were breached in the privatisation exercise.

Three governors - Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), whose consortium – Southern Electricity Distribution Company Limited lost the bid for the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (Disco) had last Thursday opposed the emergence of Vigeo Power

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Consortium as the preferred bidder. The trio, at a joint news conference in Abuja faulted the process and threatened not to allow Vigeo Power to operate in their states.

Oshiomhole, who spoke on behalf of the others, had described the bid process, as conducted by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), as fraudulent. He also said it failed the credibility test.

The Benin Disco is one of 11 distribution utilities created from the unbundling of the PHCN, and was slated for sale alongside others under the power reform and privatisation programme.

Vigeo Power, partly owned by Mr. Victor Gbolade Osibodu, had edged out Southern Electricity, promoted by Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Ondo States, to emerge the preferred bidder at the unveiling of the commercial bids submitted by investors.

But reacting to the allegation of fraud in the bidding process, Peterside, who is also the Chairman of Stanbic/IBTC Bank, said if the losers read and understood the rules of privatization process, they will realize that rules were followed to the latter.

He said: “It is sad that in year 2012 that some Nigerians will not go and read the rules before they (losers) rush to make comments. The rules (request for proposal) are in 72 pages. They should sight which rules were breached.

“If they read and understood the rules, they will comprehend that the rules were followed to the latter from the very first day of the transactions.

MSMEs key to Nigeria’s industrialisation — AMEN

By PROVIDENCE OBUH OR Nigeria to achieve grass-root entrepreneur industrialization, the Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) has identified Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as key.

The is coming ahead of the associations one million man march tagged creating awareness on Nigeria’s industrialization, entitled ´Building a better economy through grassroots industrialization´ coupled with its inauguration, exhibition and awards.

Meanwhile AMEN which has gone tough on its fight towards Nigeria becoming an industrialized nation through micro entrepreneurs, especially through its members, is embarking on

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the march to create awareness on job opportunities, how people can create jobs on their own translating into self employment.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the march, President of the Association, Mr. Prince Saviour Iche said that the association was registered in April 2010 to promote grass root industrialization with a vision to ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the industrialized nation of the world through its watchword “One family one Product& service.

For Iche, this means that in every Nigerian home, there must be business rendered by the family and also creating job opportunities for the youth and as a result reduce crime to the barest minimum. “If nothing is done by creat-

ing employment there will be more crisis and Nigeria may not survive it.

“The future of our country industrialization and the reality of vision 20-2020 are in our hand “AMEN” if only the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and appropriate agencies will listen to us,” he said.

Emphasizing on the challenges of micro industries in Nigeria, he said that government policies concerning regulatory agencies which are not favorable to beginners and lack of industrial clusters with basic amenities for young entrepreneurs to actualize their ideas and access to credit facilities as a result of the banking policies does not create room for MSMEs to grow in Nigeria, and also affecting Nigeria industrial development.

158.85

+0.25

2,475.00

+37.00

19.74

-0.05

112.86

+0.44

92.08

-0.02

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

154.76 248.2969 201.8225 166.9652 1.9531 0.2905 238.5634 24.7437 41.2671 27.0531 238.7947

155.26 249.0991 202.4746 167.5046 1.9594 0.3005 239.3341 24.8241 41.1405 27.1405 239.5662

155.76 249.9013 203.1266 168.044 1.9657 0.3105 240.1049 24.9045 41.5338 27.2279 240.3377

CBN Exchange rate as at 22 /10/2012

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Highest paid executive in NSE earns above N60m ….Two executive officers paid over N40m

BY MICHAEL EBOH HE highest paid execu tive staff of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, currently earns above N60 million per annum, according to the 2011 annual report and accounts of the NSE. Also, the report, presented to stakeholders and pasted on its website, further disclosed that two other executive staffers currently receive gross annual emoluments within the range of N40 million and N50 million in 2011.

According to the report, in the 2010 financial year, one executive staff’s gross annual emoluments fall within the range of N50 million and N60 million, while one person was paid emoluments in the range of N60 million and above in 2010.

A breakdown of the average number of persons employed, shows that the NSE has 20 Managerial staff, 101 senior staff, 35 junior staff while 82 person were employed as contract staff. This is in contrast to 16 managerial staff in 2010, 42 senior staff, 81 junior staff and 63 contract staff in 2010.

In the 2011 financial year, 34

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staff and 81 contract staff were within the emoluments range of N0 to N2 million, compared to 34 staff and 63 contract staff in 2010; 88 staff and one contract staff fall within the N2 million and N10 million emoluments range, compared to 65

permanent staff in 2010, while 16 permanent staff fall within the N10 million and N20 million emoluments range compared to 17 permanent staff in 2010.

Nine permanent staff received emoluments in the range of N20

From left: Commandant, Nigeria Police College, CP Sanusi Rufai; Deputy Inspector General of Police, E-Department, DIG Marvel Akpoyibo and Executive Director, Public Sector (North), FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dauda Lawal at the commissioning of the Police College Academy in Kaduna refurbished by the FirstBank.

SEC encourages retail investors to take advantage of market recovery

BY PETER EGWUATU HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) has emphasized the need for local retail investors to patronise the Nigerian stock market in order to benefit from the ongoing recovery being witnessed in recent time.

Speaking at the 16th Annual Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) conference, Director General, SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh, said, “Retail investors are important to us as they serve as the backbone of our market, hence they should take advantage of the low price of equities now that the market has started recovering.

They should not allow the foreign investors to take advantage of the low price, but should take the bull by the horns. It is better to buy at low price and sell at higher price than to buy at higher price and sell at lower price.”

She further encouraged the retail investors to participate in the bond market so as to diversify their investment portfolio. According to her, “Integrity is the foun-

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million and N30 million, compared to 19 staff in the same range in 2010, while one person received emolument in range of N40 million and N50 million, compared to two staff in 2010.

In the executive category,

dation that is needed in the capital market .So if investors have trust and confidence of dealers, the market is bound to expand and contribute to the development of the economy.”

She decried the mono culture dependence on oil and commended the Federal Government in its transformation agenda of the agricultural sector. According to her, “There is urgent need to diversify our economy.

Agriculture is not contributing to the growth of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as it used to be in the past. So I commend the revolution in the sector being embarked upon the Federal Government.”

Meanwhile, President of CIS, Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, while commenting on the recent stock market recovery, said, “We note with delight the recent and sustained recovery in the Nigerian capital market which opens, once again, an avenue for wealth creation for Nigerians. We must all embrace this development and contribute to the virility of the market and the overall economy. “On our part we are proud to have contributed to

measures that underlie the recovery of the market. Our Institute, the CIS, introduced a Code of Ethics to guide the activities of our members as a market discipline mechanism. Other operators in the market are encouraged to adopt the prescription in the Codes to shape their conduct in the capital market. In addition, we have strengthened our disciplinary and surveillance mechanisms by which we sanction our members whose conduct are called to question by clients and/or colleagues.”

Continuing, the CIS boss stated that the NSE and SEC have contributed to a higher standard of conduct in the market, by strengthening the confidence in the professionalism of market operators.

According to him, “The NSE has recently introduced some institutional reforms for more efficient securities price discovery and market liquidity. These include the introduction of securities lending and licensing of market makers. We are convinced that these initiatives will help stabilize the market and further propel market growth.”

two staff received emoluments in the range of N40 million and N50 million, while one staff received emolument in the range of N60 million and above compared to the same figure in 2010.

Continuing, the NSE informed stakeholders that it is involved in series of litigations amounting to N2.668 billion.

According to the NSE, these claims, most of which arose in the normal course of business, are being contested by the Exchange.

“As at 31 December 2011, estimated contingent liabilities stood at N2.667, compared to (2010:N934,900,782). There are inherent uncertainties involved in assessing the outcomes of these cases due to a number of factors such as, the stage of the legal proceedings; uncertainties in timing of litigation; and the entitlement of the parties to an action to appeal a decision, amongst others,” the NSE maintained.

However, it stated that 10 per cent of the estimated contingent liabilities have been provided for in the 2011 financial statements.”

Zenith Bank records N75bn profit in nine months ENITH Bank Plc has announced a profit before tax of N75. 22 billion for the nine months ending September 2012 indicating an impressive 50 per cent jump over the N50.13 billion recorded for the same period last year.

The bank’s unaudited results for the period, released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Monday also showed a remarkable 49 per cent jump in profit after tax from N42.95 billion last year to N64.06 billion.

In what underscores the widening acceptability of the Zenith brand, the nine month result also showed a 25 per cent increase in gross earnings from N182.95 billion for last year to N229.16 billion.

Overall, the result confirmed Zenith Bank’s liquidity profile with total assets topping N2.46 trillion, one of the highest in the banking industry.

Zenith Bank has a reputation for sound and robust liquidity risk management framework that ensures it maintains sufficient liquidity, including a cushion of unencumbered, high-quality liq-

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uid assets at all times. The result, hailed by stakeholders as it was announced, is consistent with the bank’s 22 year history during which it has been won accolades for excellent performance.

Only recently, Zenith Bank was adjudged the best commercial bank for Africa by Capital Finance International, a respected United Kingdom based special publication.

In selecting Zenith Bank for the award, the organizers said: “Good commercial banks are a cornerstone of any economy and we are delighted after much deliberation to announce Zenith Bank as the Best Commercial Bank Africa.

“WE were looking to identify a bank that worked to the benefit of all stakeholders. To our mind good banking is about finding and maintaining the right balance between all the stakeholders’ interests. Godwin Emefiele and his team have continued to build on these foundations,” the group said.

“It is the bank’s commitment to all of its stakeholders that shines through, enabling the bank to provide the highest level of services,” it added.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—23

ICAN should play more active role in national affairs — Fashola STORIES BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE OVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has challenged the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to play more active role in the affairs of the nation.

“I believe the time for self-examination about your role in building enduring institutions for national development is now. The challenge of leadership that can engender sustainable development and transparency in governance can be

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met and overcome when organisations like yours, take their role much more seriously,” he said at the nd Institute’s 42 Accountant Conference held in Abuja. Speaking on “Governance and Sustainable Development: Addressing the Leadership Challenge”, Fashola pointed out that the conduct of government in the country is fraught with anomalies especially in the area of budget implementation and the operation of the federation account, and ICAN as a body of professionals should challenge these anomalies.

He said, “Is ICAN unaware of these accounting anomalies or are you agonizing about them without proffering solutions to remedy them? Are you unthinkably maintaining a conspiratorial silence or are you reluctant to speak the truth to authority?

“How can ICAN continue to maintain its revered and critical role in national development when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) defiantly violates the Constitution by failing to remit all petroleum income to the Federation Account, and organisations like yours

stand by and say or do nothing?

“What, for instance, is ICAN doing about the state of the economy? Are you sitting around twiddling your toes when year on year Nigeria is recording such poor performance levels of the budget, or are you doing something about it as a body?

For many laymen, the image of the auditor is the most graphic image of an accountant that they have, much in the same way that people see only those who dress up and go to court as lawyers.

But how seriously are you

taking your auditing role where government is concerned?

“As a body, are you questioning and examining government fiscal policies? Was your input sought for the 2013 bud-

get proposal? Was it offered? Will you continue to leave issues of national development to Labour Unions like PENGASSAN and NUPENG, who react only to oil industry issues and wages?

CIBN Fellowship, a challenge to NDIC — Ibrahim ANAGING Direc tor/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umiru Ibrahim has described his investiture as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Nigeria (CIBN) as a challenge to the Corporation to live up to expectation in the discharge of its responsibilities to the industry.

Addressing journalists at the sideline of the 2012 Fellowship Investiture of the Institute in Lagos, Ibrahim said “I believe the CIBN thought fit to give this honour to me and to the NDIC, since I represent the NDIC. And it also goes to the founding fathers who toiled hard to make sure that NDIC is well positioned, and is rooted and founded in professionalism, competence, integrity, and fairness.

“At the Corporation, we have tried as much as we can to build on these values, and that is why I also see the Fellowship as a challenge not only to me

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but also to the staff of NDIC that we should live up to expectations.”

He said that Corporation is committed to the cost effective resolution of banking distress as witnessed in the last six years, where the Corporation deployed the employed ‘Bridge Bank” and “Purchase and Assumption” strategies, which ensured preserved depositors’ funds the problem banks.

He said: “The kind of measures we take in the resolution of banking distress or problems will be dictated by the size of the problem and the complexities of the problem. But we hope that there would be no lose of depositors’ funds, so far there are measures that would ensure cost effectiveness in terms of resolutions strategies, we would continue to take those measures.

Measures that is least costly to the tax payers, to the government, to the depositors and to the industry as a whole. That is our target.

That is our goal.”

Unity Bank pulls more funds, reward customers’ loyalty

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH ORRIED about the huge money in circulation outside the banking system, Unity Bank Plc has reiterated its commitment of pulling those money back into the system.

The bank is already achieving its target with the Aim Save and Win promotion which is in a circle of six, three national draws and three zonal draws for the benefit of its customers.

Divisional Head Products and Channel Mr Felix Eze said, “The major problem we have had is having a pull of funds where they are not needed, if people begin to save with Unity Bank, then we will be in a position to get this funds over to those who will invest them to reflect the economy, that means this economy will

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generate jobs and there will be less crime.” Eze said this during the bank’s third zonal draw in Lagos which simultaneously took place in Port Harcourt in River, Sokoto, Lafia in Nassarawa and Bauchi State respectively.

Describing the promo as an initiative to encourage savings culture, he said, “with the Aim Save and Win, you learn not to consume every thing produced at a time, you save for the rainy day, that way your life is better planned, tomorrow you can invest it in what ever you want, that is the reason this is being encouraged.” Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator Ikeja branch, Mrs. Yemi Adeyinka said that the bank is using the medium to say thank you by rewarding its loyal customers across the federation.

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Friesland names Kwara First Lady ‘Milk Ambassador’ Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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RIESLANDCAMPICO WAMCO Nigeria, manufacturers of Peak evaporated milk in relation to its ‘Drink Milk Everyday’ campaign has named the Kwara State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed as milk ambassador in the state during the flag off of the campaign in Ilorin.

Mrs. Ahmed preference as the first milk ambassador from the brand is as a result of the motherly role she had played towards Kwarans as the role had further enhanced Peak’s effort to ensure per capita milk consumption in the state is increased.

Speaking at the kick of the campaign in Kwara State, the Senior Brand Manager, Joshua Abuh stated that the campaign is as a result of research the company carried out in the country with respect to how Nigerians use milk.

He said, “What we discovered was that even though Nigerians appreciate the goodness of milk and know that it is nutritious, they do not take it regularly. On the average, people consume milk twice a week which is too low if they will get all the benefits that are there in milk.”

He however, appeal to the first lady to use her growing influence as an influencer in the state t encourage her people to imbibe regular intake of milk.

Responding to her appointment, Mrs. Ahmed thanked Peak for the honour and pledged to be a good ambassador of such a novel initiative.

She emphasised the need to drink milk, which she said was an essential necessity for daily growth. She therefore, urged the citizen of Kwara State to imbibe the habit of milk drinking adding that milk, which has been seen as an accomplishment is a drink meant for everyone no matter your class, religion and status.

Mrs. Ahmed used herself as proof of the fact that milk gives strength, enhances beauty, builds power and ensures one sleep well.

The campaign which had already engaged consumers in Edo, Benue and Oyo, moved to Kwara State and teach people of the state on the usefulness and benefits

From left: Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, wife of the Governor of Kwara State after being decorated as the Milk Ambassador by Mr. Joshua Abuh, Senior Brand Manager, Peak Milk while Miss. Lizzy Eires, Campaign Coordinator, looks on at the flag- off of Peak ‘Drink Milk Everyday campaign in Kwara State.

L’oreal takes Dark & Lovely train to Aba AVING hosted over 4000 hair professionals in Lagos Dark and Lovely AntiBreakage range from the stable of L’oreal Group has land-

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ed in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State last week where over 2,500 hairstylists and dressers engaged with the brand.

Bello, 15, wins Indomie Heroes Award IFTEEN years old Funmi layo Bello has won the star prize for the 2012 Independence Day Heroes Award organised by Indomie noodles, a product of Dufil Prima Foods.

Bello, an orphan currently living in an Orphanage Home in Benin became an instant star by emerging first prize winner of N1 million for her brave act of heroism at the 5th edition of the Heroes Award.

The Awardees are Olufunmilayo Bello (First Prize Winner,), George Sadoh (Second Prize Winner) both of whom are 15 years old and 10 years old Princess Esan (Third Prize Winner) received a distinctive Crystal Plaque and cash prize of N1, 000,000.00, N750, 000.00 and N500, 000.00 respectively for their bravery and acts of hero-

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arising from regular intake of milk. Some of the touch points deployed to engage consumers include community forum, where governor’s wife presided over, campus activation to engage post primary/secondary audience, catch the young activation, which is meant to engage primary/secondary schools students.

ism. Olufunmilayo, was adjudged first by the Panel of Judges for her selfless act of heroism for picking up and saving the life of a deformed abandoned baby whom she named Zacheaus despite all discouragement. She later prevailed on the Proprietor of her orphanage to take in the poor boy for proper care.

George Sadoh from Warri, Delta State came second for his brave and courageous act of saving a man who was being robbed by scaring away his attackers with ‘knockouts’ and later taking the victim to the hospital. Princess Esan was awarded third position for saving the life of her brother first when fire gutted their home at great risk to herself.

Speaking, Managing Direc-

tor, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Deepak Singhal, said the Indomie Independence Day Award is a reflection of the importance and belief of the company in the extraordinary qualities of the Nigerian child which must never be ignored but must be celebrated.

Delivering the keynote address titled ‘52 Years Post Independence-The Future of the Nigerian Child’, the Special Guest of honour at the event, former Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Senator Olorunibe Mamora decried the present situation of the Nigerian child as all stakeholders including the Family, the School, the Religious Organizations and the Government have failed to give the deserved attention to their well-being and grooming for

A tripartite launch of the new range of Dark and Lovely anti-breakage first took place in Lagos four week ago before moving to Aba for the south east launch. The brand has however concluded plans to allow the northern consumers experience what their western and south eastern counterparts have enjoyed in the last few weeks by launching in Abuja in a fortnight.

Aba, however lived up to the billing as consumers, dealers and non-consumers almost outpaced hairdressers, whom the event were meant for in terms of attendance.

The 111year old signature of the L’Oreal Group dedicated to Afro beauty - “SoftSheen Carson” has discovered from its institute that African hair is the most vulnerable of all and the most prone to breakage. Research shows that the natural surface of Afro hair bears the most numerous weak points because its cuticles do not perfectly overlap as a result of its twisted shapes.According to brand promoters, “this is good news for African consumers.”

BRIEFS MTN Link Forum hits Enugu N continuation of the 8-city business connect and mentorship programme, theMTN Link Forum’s train recently stopped at the coal city, Enugu, hosting young entrepreneurs and professionals within the state.

The forum which is aimed at helping entrepreneurs and professionals on the MTN network connect to their passions and aspirations, saw a massive turnout of participants who arrived the venue very early, enthusiastic to get inspired and motivated by resourceful and accomplished individuals.

Some of the faculty included Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam, Hon Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Enugu State and Dr Ifediora Amobi, Executive Director, African Institute for Applied Economics, Enugu.

Sharing knowledge from his life experience, Ujam encouraged participants to dream big and work towards achieving it irrespective of what challenges comes their way. “I am one of those who believe that to be successful in life, people should learn to rise above their mistakes and forge on.

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Honeywell bags HR Award ONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc has won the inaugural Distinguished Corporate Awards for Human Resources Best Practice 2012 (manufacturing sector) instituted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).

The company, which produces Superfine Flour, Whole Wheat Meal, Semolina, Brown Flour, O! Noodles, Spaghetti and Macaroni, competed favorably with notable companies including four multinational organizations to emerge the overall winner, according to CIPM President, Mr. Abiola Popoola.

At a ceremony in Abuja, which attracted over 2000 HR practitioners and business leaders, Popoola noted that Honeywell, like every other company was assessed based on its human resources service delivery, creativity, results, integrity, professionalism and team work.

The company, according to him, performed excellently in the categories.

He added that the awards were presented to best corporate organizations in seven sectors that include public sector, oil and gas.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—25

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26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 , 2012

AP, Conoil, MRS continue to sell petrol at N105/L D

‘Motorists are desperate’ efending its slow pace of enforcement of compliance to the pump price, the DPR blamed motorists for being too desperate to insist on their right of not be cheated.

A top official of the industry regulator who spoke with Vanguard in confidence on the telephone, said, “We also need to help ourselves, because even if we (DPR) are slow because of man power constraints, motorists should not succumb to being cheated because they are desperate to get fuel.”

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NNPC blames fuel scarcity on diversion …Wants DPR to check marketers’ excesses

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU ESPITE being informed about the unethical activities of some of their retail outlets, the franchise owners of AP, now, Forte Oil, Conoil and MRS, have done nothing with regard to their outlets selling petrol at N105/litre, rather than the approved N97/ L. This comes on the heels of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, forcing defaulting outlets to make undertakings of being shut down for six months if found guilty again of over-pricing and under-dispensing .

For weeks, these outlets, which have continued to dupe motorists with additional N8 on every litre of petrol purchased from them, also indulge in under-dispensing.

Thus, motorists end up paying more for less.

On the display boards and dispensing pumps, these outlets, particularly those located around the old and new Lagos-Abeokuta expressways, notably, Iyana Ipaja, Agege, Abule Egba, Ijaye, Alagbado and beyond, fraudulently display N97/L, but quietly inform motorists that the cost is N105/L. The surprising thing about this illegality is the fact that these outlets all belong to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, which pride itself on greater control on its members.

The situation is even more riotous with the independents, which are largely considered to be too big to be controlled because of their size. Some of these independent outlets sell at even N120/L depending on the area and the period of the day.

BRIEF

By OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI

HE management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has blamed the ongoing fuel scarcity in major cities across the country on diversion of products by petroleum marketers.

The Corporation noted that it has proof that many of truckloads of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that left some refineries across the country never made it to their various destinations. It has therefore asked the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to act swiftly to check petroleum product marketers engaging in such dastardly acts.

The corporation’s Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Fidel I. Pepple, who disclosed this in Abuja in an interview, explained that NNPC through the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) has released enough petrol to sufficiently meet the demand in Abuja and its environs and that the continued existence of long fuel queues at filling stations across the city makes the warning necessary.

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Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Osten Olorunsola (left) and Chair, Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Nkechi Nwagu, when the committee visited the DPR Headquarters for oversight functions in Lagos.

The source disclosed that in the course of its routine checks on Saturday, more than 15 outlets were sealed in the Ikorodu area of Lagos for similar offences, but did not identify which outlets.

According to him, “We have continued to go round the outlets, and we have continued to seal some stations. The fact that we have not gone to some areas does

not mean we are not doing anything; we are.

“The problem is that most of them are repeated offenders and we now ask them to make undertakings that if they are caught again, they will be shut down for six months, and we have begun to do that as well.”

However, the DPR source noted that shutting down the outlets may also compound

the situation in the short term, in view of the current scarcity.

But he said the situation can be salvaged if more people gave us information about the outlets and their locations.”

But some of these outlets have also devised other means of beating the industry regulator to the game by hoarding the fuel, and selling only at night, to escape scrutiny.

Compliance: NCDMB threatens to shut down companies

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE HE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has threatened to shut down oil and gas companies that fail to comply with the federal government’s policy on local content development.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, who spoke against the backdrop of non-compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, said, “Very soon, companies that are not serious in supporting government programs will be shut down, they will go,” Speaking at the inauguration of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, IADC Nigeria Chapter, in Lagos, Nwapa, said the board would

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ensure more rig ownership by indigenous companies.

He said, “We want more indigenous participation in rigs. The future of doing business in Nigeria is to see that indigenous participation continues to grow. This policy has come to stay and there is no going back.

“Most of the companies that get jobs in Nigeria if it is a marine vessel contract, they will get it and they will go to a foreign vessel owner to give him the money and collect about five per cent commission.

“The same is the case with the rigs because for most of the rigs that come here to work, some of them come for between $150,000 and $500,000, a day. How much of that money is kept in the Nigerian economy?

“Ownership is a step towards

learning how to maintain and learning how to build. If we keep getting our vessels from Europe, most of the vessel owner will send their vessel back to Europe, America and Indian for repair and maintenance but having a Nigeria owned vessel, we will see a different approach,” he said.

From studies conducted by the board on the country ’s capacity to implement indigenous participation, Nwapa argued that Nigeria is competent, adding that both indigenous and foreign companies are willing to come in and invest.

“If we have issues of companies leaving, there are many companies who are dying to come in, both foreign and Nigerians. The reality is that we must take the issue of trade acquisition seriously.

“The time has passed when

people say that Nigeria cannot do marine vessel. We have seen companies like Oando demonstrating that they can buy, what they need to do is to learn a little bit more on how to operate efficiently and how to operate on a commercially competitive basis,” he asserted.

He insisted that Nigeria must bring back lost jobs that are scattered in other parts of the world, adding that the country’s performance level in engineering and fabrication are quite high.

He said: “We must bring back our jobs. Our footprints are everywhere in the world, be it in the manufacturing industry or engineering. In our performance level, we have about 90 per cent in engineering, 50 per cent on fabrication and seven per cent on manufacturing.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—27

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28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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EQUEL to the rejection of the commercial bid results announced by the Bureau of Public Entreprises, BPE, for the Benin Electricity Distribution Company by four southern state governors, industry workers have described the sale of PHCN assets for about N200billion as the greatest disservice to Nigeria. They maintained that the assets are worth over N3trillion.

The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, at a briefing in Lagos, said before the increase in tariff, PHCN was generating over N20billion monthly and with the increase, the revenue profile had gone up to N300billion annually. Briefing journalists, President and General Secretary of NUEE, Comrades Mansur Musa and Joe Ajaero, argued that the PHCN assets were never valued before the ongoing privatisation process. They declared that the outcries by some Nigerians especially the state governors have vindicated labour’s long held position that the whole process was to hand PHCN over to some privileged few in government and their fronts.

The union, however, faulted the governors position that they were excluded, wondering why it would be expedient for state governors to run power stations, but not the Federal Government, after they all argued that government had no business being in business.

They noted that Manotoba that was given the nation’s transmissions company to run is owned by a municipal government in Canada, and therefore, the sale as not only a rape on Nigeria, but a bastard economy.

According to Ajaero, as the process unfolds, Nigerians who had castigated the

•From left: Attorney, Oando Gas and Power, Mr. Henry Sanyaolu; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, US Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins; and Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, US Trade and Development Agency, Mr. Paul Marin, after Oando signed a grant agreement with the agency for a feasibility study on the development of compressed natural gas in Nigeria, in Lagos.

Privatisation: Labour condemns sale of DISCOs union’s position would see the deceit and fraud in the whole exercise, while insisting that whether government gave away PHCN at ridiculous prices or not, the union would not compromise the entitlements of workers put at N500billion.

He argued that no amount of military force including the stationing of armed officers, can intimidate the union and the workers to abandon their legitimate rights. He also warned that no successful bidder would take over any

PHCN asset without the settlement of workers benefits.

Discrediting the sale, the NUEE scribe noted that the PHCN car park in Marina alone under the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, and the office in Marina, Lagos, were enough to generate the N200billion.

He said, “We have over 20 offices, over 1000 transformers; we are not talking about the building and the land.

This is daylight fraud. The issue is that there was no

valuation of the PHCN assets before this fraud. There was an agreement that when they are going to do valuation, we will also bring our independent values to work alongside government’s. But this was never done.

Nigerians should ask who did the valuation and when? Only a prodigal child will sell his father ’s house where he has been collecting N300billion annually for N200billion.

We all know the worth of PHCN. If PHCN was making over N25billion monthly, how

come they want to sell it off as scrap? There is no doubt this sale is bound to fail.”

Corroborating, Comrade Musa, wondered why the BPE that had been discredited by the Senate for lacking the capacity to privatise public assets given that all previously privatised assets had failed and that the privatisation programme should be put on hold until a complete reorganisation of BPE, should be in a hurry to dispose of PHCN assets at a giveaway prices.

Interstate Electrics ready to deliver on Abuja, Enugu DISCOs I NTERSTATE Electrics Limited, which, last week, emerged the bid winner for the Abuja and Enugu electricity distribution companies, said that joint venture partners are working towards ensuring they deliver on programmes designed for the two companies.

The venture partners also said that they are working with local and overseas financial institutions to ensure the successful takeoff of the DISCOs, as well as their sustenance and profitability.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, Interstate reiterated that its work programmes are ones that will add value to all, saying, “Our work programmes have been designed to add value for money for our shareholders, workers and electricity C M Y K

customers as well as other stakeholders.”

According to the partners, Interstate Electrics is a Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV, created from a consortium comprising Chrome Consortium Energy Nigeria Limited, Powerhouse International Limited, and Metropolitan Electricity Authority, MEA. The group comprises electricity infrastructure engineers, and operators of electricity power distribution companies, and was established for the purposes of acquiring and operating electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

Collectively, the venture partners have a combined global experience in excess of 80 years, and the requisite financial resources and technical competence to acquire and modernise the

DISCOs awarded to them.

About the JV Partners Chrome Consortium is a subsidiary of the Chrome Group, with assets in many countries including Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Singapore and South Africa. The Group also has interests in upstream petroleum, oil services, international shipping business, leasing, finance and insurance, hotel and tourism, and real estate. Others are international loan projects, tendering and bidding for equipment and engineering projects and international engineering contracting business.

Powerhouse International on the other hand, was set up to pursue utilities revenue collection and management

opportunities in Nigeria in collaboration with Powerhouse Pty Ltd of South Africa.

Powerhouse is also actively involved in facilitating the deployment of prepaid metering system in Nigeria and Ghana, especially the conversion of the existing PHCN analogue meters to prepaid meters in collaboration with the Electricity Meter Company of Nigeria, EMCON, Zaria, and Viking Trading Company of Mauritius. Powerhouse is currently in negotiation with various estate developers in Nigeria and Ghana, to deploy and manage mini power plants to service their respective estates.

Metropolitan Electricity currently owns and operates distribution networks around the world, especially in Thailand. Indeed, MEA has been generating and

distributing electricity in Thailand since 1956 (55 years).

It currently distributes over 12,000 MW of electricity in Thailand. MEA is responsible for the distribution and sales of electricity to users in Bangkok and metropolitan vicinities including Nonthaburi and Samutprakarn provinces. MEA’s distribution area covers 3,195 square kilometers divided into 14 districts with a population of about eight million and energy sales of 44,714 GWH of electricity.

Interstate Electrics, said, it is therefore, counting on this expertise to develop the Enugu and Abuja DISCOs, adding that it “is eminently qualified and uniquely positioned to make the necessary investments that will improve and modernise the distribution networks.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—29

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Ikeja DISCO wins merit award

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HE Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company has won the year 2012 National Association of Energy Correspondent (NAEC) Merit Award as the most outstanding electricity distribution company of the year.

In the citation of the company presented during the Association’s Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, the Company was said to have injected 905 number distribution transformers into the system between 2009 to date to relieve and uprate overloaded ones and replace faulty ones.

As part of the company’s achievement within its network is the fact that no community is out of service due to transformer failure.

The Company’s policy along this line is that any reported failed transformer will be replaced within 48hours.

The Company was said to have also embarked on massive rehabilitation and reconstruction work at various injection substations aimed at reducing faults occasioned by poor network and vegetation.

Also part of the Company’s ongoing projects is the very extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation of the distribution network to enhance supply stability and operational flexibility.

On customer relationship, the Company under the leadership of Mr. Chris Akamnonu was said to have created customer care centers at the headquarters office in Alausa, Ikeja and in all its 11 Business Units.

The centers are adequately staffed and well equipped to address the problems of the customers. In order to ease the troubles customers go through in paying electricity bills, the Company was said to have embarked on various multiple vending options, which includes Scratch Card Option, ATM Option, Web-based Payment Option and Point of Sale (PoS).

It is with these laudable achievements and with more to come that NAEC conferred the award of the most outstanding electricity distribution company of the year on Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

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BY KUNLE KALEJAYE HREE legal challenges against Shell for pollution charges in the Niger Delta could set precedents for how multinational companies are sued for environmental damages in developing countries. All three inquiries – in the UK, the Netherlands and the US – are being judged in countries other than the one in which damages are said to have occurred.

Shell’s trial in the Netherlands, for which evidence was submitted last week, is thought to be the first time a Dutch company has been brought before a home court to answer charges of environmental damage caused abroad.

It is also the first time a parent company has been sued at home over environmental issues involving a subsidiary abroad – SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria) over which, Shell argues, it had no involvement.

The trial follows a claim issued against SPDC earlier this year to the UK High Court. And it coincides with a bizarre, early October hearing in the US – which has no legal connection either to the pollution caused or the company – where the Supreme Court heard arguments from lawyers representing the widow of a Nigerian human rights activist hanged in the 1990s after protesting against oil companies.

Lawyers referenced an obscure piece of legislation dating to 1789 which says that if any human rights infringement occurs anywhere in the world, US courts can deal with it. “This dates back at start of US when they thought that US courts

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Nigeria: Shell’s suit in The Netherlands breaks new ground

•From left: Chairman, International Association of Drilling Contractors, IADC Nigerian Chapter, Mr. Alex Illah; Head Sales and Marketing, Oando Energy Services, Mr. Olushola Ismail; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa; and CEO, Oando Energy Services, Mr. Bandele Badejo, at the inauguration of the Nigeria Chapter of the IADC, in Lagos.

should do justice to the world.

It was a very aspirational idea,” says Jonathan Verschuuren, environmental law expert at the Netherlands’ Tilburg University. The Supreme Court is now examining whether non-US companies can be sued in the US for acts alleged to have occurred outside the US. These unconventional legal challenges have few precedents. While UK oil trader Trafigura answered a case in the Netherlands for dumping toxic waste in West Africa, the case focused on accusations that Trafigura first attempted to offload the waste

in Amsterdam, not the impact of its final dumping ground in Ivory Coast.

In all three Shell challenges, claimants are seeking redress in other countries largely because they lack confidence in Nigerian courts. Hundreds of legal cases are brought by victims of oil pollution each year but many become “stranded in the inefficient and corrupt Nigerian legal system” says Friends of the Earth Netherlands. Their statement goes on: “Furthermore, the verdicts are often not or inadequately carried out and the damages

awarded – if they are paid – are far from sufficient” .

Shell’s UK spokesperson Jonathan French told beyondbrics: “That’s an issue for the Nigerian legal system to answer ”. But Evert Hassink, senior campaigner for Friends of the Earth Netherlands, said: “We have more confidence in the Dutch system”. And Dutch courts argue they have competence in the trial.

Another reason for heading to the Netherlands is that claimants are adamant that Shell’s headquarters be held accountable for the actions of subsidiaries. “It’s not about

Canada to promote CSR in Nigeria’s extractive industry

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE HE Canadian Government has promised to work with governments and individual organisations seeks operating in Nigeria’s extractive industry, with a view to enhancing value by promoting Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, said that promoting CSR in Nigeria would create the enabling environment for investments and development of Nigeria’s extractive industry.

Cooter dropped the hint last week in Lagos, during a seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility in the extractive industry in collaboration with CSR-inAction tagged, “Sustainability

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in the Extractive Industries: Managing Your Value Chain.”

The envoy also disclosed that Nigeria and Canada have signed the “ necessary agreements” aimed at boosting operations in the areas of Oil and Gas. The High Commissioner said that Canada will encourage and enhance sustainable economic growth.

“We will address the challenges associated with the extractive sector strategies, legislation and regulation as well as improving resource governance, transparency and accountability,” he said.

Speaking on the CanadaNigerian partnership, he said, “Nigeria and Canada surely have useful areas of exchanges they can also make in the development of the extractive industry. As one of

the world’s most diverse democracies and most dynamic economies, Canada offers a range of areas of partnerships to Nigeria.

“Nigeria and Canada surely have useful areas of exchanges they can also make in the development of the extractive industry,” the high commissioner said adding that the Canadian government and private organisations were prepared to enhance sustainable environment and healthy living conditions in their host c o m m u n i t i e s . ” According to him, Canada is more than ever committed to promoting its proud tradition of working with Nigeria in securing human rights, security and enhancing development.

“One sure urgent way of promoting relations between us

is our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility; we strongly believe that CSR enhances relationship between the parties involved,” he said.

Cooter said that it was imperative for public and private organisations to “periodically” embark on CSR to reduce the environmental and health hazards on host communities.

He added that it was also the Canadian government’s plan to support the Federal Government in its youth empowerment programmes, and urged the various levels of government to have ‘’the right structures” in place to enhance their different programmes.

Commenting on the importance of promoting CSR in Nigeria, the Executive Director of CSR-in-Action, Mrs.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

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BY KUNLE KALEJAYE IL and gas industry experts have maintained that deregulation of the refining sector is the only way out of the current predicament characterised by products shortages and distribution hiccups being experienced in the downstream sub-sector.

They argued that for the oil and gas sector to be viable, the private sector should play the leading role in building of refineries, construction of pipelines and storage facilities among others.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of it Pre-Conference workshop in Lagos, President, National Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Dr. Afe Mayowa, noted that the Federal Government cannot be regulating the petroleum industry and at the same time be doing business.

According to him, “What we are telling the Federal Government is to deregulate the refineries, let them take their hands off it. Government cannot be regulating and at the same time be doing business.

“Look at the road built at Epe/Aja axis. It was not constructed with government‘s money. Allow people to run this business.

“We don’t have roads, our pipelines are not working, trucks are the ones causing problems in Lagos traffic and the roads are not good. At this age Nigeria should not be using trucks to carry fuel.

“They will use trucks to transport petroleum products from here to Damaturu, to Kastisna, to Calabar. Let the refineries work, let government give this business to other people, private sector, let them run it that is what we are telling government, they don’t need to have hand in it. Why should government be laying pipelines? That is not their business; let them give it to other people.”

Stressing the importance of

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Trial set in ChevronEcuador fraud case

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From left: Deputy High Commissioner of Canada, Mr. Marcello Difranco; High Commissioner, Mr. Chris Cooter; and Communication consultant, Mr. Ogie Eboigbe, during a press briefing on, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, in the extractive industries in Lagos.

Experts call for deregulation of refineries untilising the country’s gas resources, President of the Nigerian Gas Association, NGA, Mr. Chima Ibeneche, noted that given the fact that some African and European countries have discovered shale gave, there will be less demand of Nigeria’s gas.

He said, “The Energy Information Administration, EIA, forecast that the United States Liquefied and Natural Gas import is dropping. This is a bad market signal for LNG exporting countries like Nigeria.

“Soon US imports of LNG would be negative and exporters of LNG might shift base to the Middle East, where the demand for natural gas till remain high. Now is the time for Nigeria to have more LNG plants and contracts.”

Besides, as noted by the NAPE president, the US has also discovered huge amount of gas, adding that in another 10 to 20 years, America will be exporting gas.

“So a countries like Nigeria that have gas, should be thinking of how to use the gas in Nigeria, because there will be no country where we will be exporting the gas to in another 20 years because America that is the biggest user of gas will be exporting their own gas,” he said He further suggested that Nigeria should focus on areas where gas can be utilised in country, saying, “We should look at areas that we can use our own gas locally in Nigeria.

That is what prompted us to discuss this issue at the workshop because we have to tell the government that the

resources that we have today, others will have the same resources tomorrow. So, instead of exporting what we have, other countries will be looking for where to export their own gas.”

Also commenting on gas flaring, Mayowa urged government and the companies to reach a compromise, saying, “We are not blaming government, we are suggesting how things should be done properly. Gas flaring is capital intensive.

People that are flaring gas are not happy that they are flaring gas, it is capital intensive but you need proper planning to transport this gas from the location you have seen it to where it would be used. The infrastructures to do this are not there, which is why some of the gas is being flared.

US trial has been set for next fall in a Chevron lawsuit that accuses Ecuadorean residents, their lawyers, and advisers of fraud in obtaining a $19 billion pollution award against the US oil company.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan said at a brief hearing on Thursday that the trial would begin on 15 October 2013, Reuters reported.

The battle over the pollution case has lasted for nearly two decades and is being fought in courts inside and outside the Andean country.

It has escalated ever since plaintiffs from villages in the oil-rich Amazon won an $18.2 billion case in February 2011 against Chevron, the No. 2 US oil company.

An Ecuadorean court found that Texaco, bought by Chevron in 2001, contaminated the area from 1964 to 1992. Damages were increased to $19 billion in July.

Chevron says Texaco cleaned up all waste pits for which it was responsible before turning the sites over to state-owned oil company Petroecuador, which still operates in the area.

As part of its fight against the damages award, Chevron sued the Ecuadoreans and their long-time legal adviser, Steven Donziger, in 2011 in Manhattan federal court.

Chevron accuses them of illegally pressuring the Ecuadorean legal system to render a judgment in their favor.

Donziger and the Ecuadoreans deny they acted improperly and argue that Chevron’s claims were brought improperly.

Shell still interested in Mozambique gas

BY YEMIE ADEOYE

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OYAL Dutch Shell PLC is still interested in entering Mozambique despite losing out on a deal earlier this year that would have given the oil major access to East Africa’s huge gas reserves, Shell’s exploration chief, Andy Brown has said.

Large natural gas discoveries off the coasts of Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya have transformed East Africa into one of the world’s most promising energy provinces, potentially challenging Qatar and C M Y K

Australia for key gas export markets in Asia.

The gas finds have already led to jostling between companies eager to get access to the region, where they would join Houston oil company Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Italy ’s EniSpA, both of which have already made significant discoveries.

“East Africa is going to be a big province for LNG. We think they still need a company that can develop LNG and the associated shipping and marketing,” said Mr. Brown, referring to an exportable form of natural

gas, which is supercooled into a liquid form that can be shipped around the world.

“So we’re still interested in Mozambique,” he said, but declined to elaborate further.

His comments come amid renewed speculation about Eni’s future plans for its own 70% stake in an offshore block in Mozambique. While early indications suggest the license area could hold up to 70 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, analysts have suggested that the Italian major could seek to sell some of its share.

Eni, which lacks the kind of LNG track record boasted by

Shell, Total SA or BG Group PLC, has also hinted that it would be open to potential joint ventures in this area.

“Shell could be a wonderful partner,” said Claudio Descalzi, Eni’s head of exploration and production.

However, Mr. Descalzi, who was speaking in London last week, stressed that his company hadn’t yet had formal talks with any other firms.

The Anglo-Dutch giant, which this year produced more gas than oil, is the world’s biggest shipper of LNG and has extensive

experience in developing the giant cooling systems needed to manufacture the fuel. It is also developing Prelude, the world’s first vessel that will produce LNG aboard, known as floating LNG. It announced this week that major construction on the Prelude facility had begun.

FLNG technology is expected to revolutionize the industry as it removes the need to build multi-billion dollar onshore infrastructure and allows Shell to access offshore gas fields that would otherwise be too costly on difficult to develop.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—31

Show-Stopper: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG HE MercedesBenz SLS AMG Coupe was the show Stopper at the 14th Abuja Motor Show as visitors throng to Mercedes-Benz stand to catch a glimpse of the most powerful car at the venue.

The 6.3 litre engine Super Sport car roared during the car parade at the show to the admiration of everyone.

Its wings were spread, leaving the car topless for people to view the well finished interior.

The SLS AMG is a Super Sports car that enthrails its driver: with its breathtaking performance courtesy of the powerful engine.

With an aluminum space frame for less weight coupled with maximum rigidity. With a front midengine featuring a transaxle design for optimum weight distribution. And with a high-tech chassis to meet the most discerning of requirements.

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Weststar fortifies after-sales backup with new Abuja facility

BY THEODORE OPARA

ETERMINED to give Nigerians the best of after-sales service, Weststar Associates Limited, authorised distributor of MercedesBenz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge has invested heavily in workshop facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

Fielding questions from journalists during a tour of the facility on Tuesday, the General Manager Weststar Associates in Abuja, Mr. Armin Schmand said the facility opened for business about six months ago, stressing that it has the capacity to provide aftersales services for users of Mercedes-Benz in Abuja and other state around the FCT. According to him, about .3 million Euros was used in acquiring the ultramodern workshop facility, while 2.5 million Euros were used to stock the

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place with genuine spare parts as backup for repairs.

Schamand said spare parts are ordered on a monthly basis to ensure adequate after sales backup. The workshop has four repair bays and an ultra-modern diagnostic machine.

The company is currently participating in the 14th edition Abuja International Motor Fair at the Eagle Sqaure with six new passenger car models, four truck and bus models.

Weststar Associates is showcasing its array of commercial vehicles and passenger cars across 600 sqm, and trucks especially designed for Nigeria, and the Mercedes-Benz 30seater Bus Concept (World Premier).

He explained that the Atego and Actros have been designed for completely different requirements, taking into account differences in the condition of the roads

in the respective regions of Nigeria. “MercedesBenz Trucks supplies suitable vehicles designed specifically for the varying regional requirements and conditions all over the world."

Mercedes-Benz is

represented by 4 trucks, 6 passenger cars and the worldpremier of a new Bus concept with 30 seats.

The new B180 – Compact Sports Tourer, the all new GLK and the recently launched ML350 are among the special

highlights are the fuel reduced versions of the C- and E-Class for very attractive Trade Fair Prices.

According to Weststar, visitors are invited to learn about MercedesBenz service: FleetBoard, CharterWay, Genuine

Parts, Mercedes-Benz MobiloVan, Truck M a i n t e n a n c e M a n a g e m e n t , Telediagnosis – just to mention a few keywords in connection with trucks and vans and passenger cars. Above all, this means partnership, availability and competence. For buses and coaches from Mercedes-Benz this is traditionally provided by OMNIplus.

Chevrolet crashes prices for Abuja Motor Fair FAO Motors, distributors of Chevrolet brand in Nigeria is offering generous discount to customers who make their purchase at the on-going Abuja Motor Fair. The company is also showering visitors with gifts like caps, T-Shirts, Pens, etc.

According to a statement from the company, the discount is being offered to lovers and admirers of Chevrolet brands in Nigeria to enable them own and drive brand new Chevrolet cars at reduced

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prices.

CFAO is using the fair to extend the company’s 100 years celebration of Chevrolet brand to Nigerians. To this end the company has dropped the prices of its products.

For instance, AVEO whose showroom price isN2.2m is offered at the fair for N1.85m, plus one year fuel subsidy or comprehensive insurance cover or N80,000 instant cash back, depending on the buyer’s choice.

Mrs. Francesca Fabunmi, Head of CFAO INTERMOTORS, every visitor to the CFAO

pavilion gets a free gift; whilst the buyers of any of Chevrolet Captiva, Cruze, Sonic. AVEO and SPARK get more branded gift items.

According to her visitors will also have the opportunity to feel the presence of the all-new Chevrolet SONIC, the latest 2013 model being introduced to the public for the first time in Nigeria.

The 2013 Chevrolet Sonic ranks as one of the world’s best affordable cars and it is available as a hatchback Chevrolet four-cylinder engine, 1.4litre turbocharged and

aspirated engine. The interior features of the SONIC are classy with a cockpit dashboard and competitive safety and comfort facilities. The exterior of the SONIC is sporty, curvy and attractive with vast body colour choices.

Chevrolet Captiva, the flagship model is also set to captivate visitors at the CFAO pavilion, with good value for money, large space, abundant standard equipment, smart interior packaging and clever fold-flat seat display.

32—Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

New Optima: Transformation beyond imagination HE transformation is beyond imagination. The Kia Optima has become the sedan to beat in the medium-size car segment after three successful model changes.

Gone are the days when the Optima was looked down upon. It has established itself as one of the best sedans in its class. A totally grown up sedan, the Optima has been described in many quarters as a masterpiece of engineering — thanks to Kia engineering team and the input of former Volkswagen Group Design Chief who brought his wealth of experience to bear in the new Kia models.

You would not be surprise to hear people arguing whether the new Kia Optima is an Audi or Jaguar sibling, when they look at it from the rear from a distance. The same goes for the all new Kia Sportage which looks like a compact Audi SUV That is the level of transformation that has gone into a nameplate that was not reckoned with in the past.

From design to safety, comfort and engineering, the all new Kia Optima can be rated five-star. It is modern in every sense and full of clever technology that one could hardly resist, which could have informed the award of ‘Best designed sedan’ conferred on it by the Nigerian Auto Journalists in 2011, three months "With a body shell after it was released into conceived as a single the Nigerian market. futuristic unit, the highThough the new tech silhouette conveys Optima is available in two all the clean, streamlined engine variants: a 2.0 and 2.4 theta II engine. But references it's designers Kia adopted the 2.0 litre could muster. The powerplant as the striking, sharply styled front end is further Nigerian specification.

Also available are two refined by the contrasting transmissions in the new black of the signature Kia Optima line up — six- radiator grille, bezel speed automatic frame headlights and transmission and six- lower air dam".

The well crafted rear speed manual view of the Optima with transmission.

LED rear lights complete The Optima automatic the design of the Optima transmission comes with as the worthy winner of Active Eco System which ‘Best Designed Car’ by optimises all the drive the Nigerian Auto Media train elements to deliver Awards (NAMA). significant fuel saving.

Inside, the Optima This means that the reflects Kia’s high level of Optima delivers higher creativity.

The Optima’s performance with lower Muscular athleticism is emissions. carried through to the Parading one of the best cabin.

A cockpit area designs ever in the shaped around the medium-size car drivers cabin with a segment, the Optima sturdy four-spoke looks sporty and modern.

One glance at the car tell steering wheel for you that the designers complete control. The never left anything to Supervision Cluster with 3.5'’ colour TFL LCD is chance.

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unique in every sense.

This high-tech, visually striking supervision cluster gives essential information such as average fuel economy, trip distance, distance to empty, open door warning and outside

temperature. At the same time, it allows you to fully customise the menu to your own desired settings. A truly smart car, the Optima offers you Bluetooth hands-free, auto cruise control, paddle shifters, multi-

function steering wheel, etc.

Though the Optima might look compact from the outside,it has amazing space inside when compared to any sedan in its category.

Headroom, and legroom

have become generous for both front and rear passengers while driver comfort has received particular attention with the driver seat incorporating an advanced memory system that remembers the settings for two different drivers.

Luxury materials were freely used in the Optima such as leather and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, infinity sound system, offering six CD changer with audio system, MP3 as well as Aux, and ipod, USB input.

The Optima is not all about beauty, and performance, it boasts the best safety features in its class. The Optima incorporates a whole range of state-of-the-art features to provide to the occupants. These include electronic stability control, large disc brakes, rear view camera, active headrests, hill-start Assist Control (HAC), airbags, etc.

Recalls: TNL says no cause for alarm OYOTA Nigeria Limited, has said that there is no cause for alarm over the recent reported recalls by Toyota Corporation, Japan.

Mr.C. K. Thampy, Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited who spoke to journalists at the on-going Abuja Motor Show said the recall would not affect the Nigerian market as no case has been reported so far.

“We have not even had any reported case and there is no cause for alarm as we are poised to rise to the challenge

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at Toyota Nigeria Limited,” he said.

According to Mr.Thampy, Toyota Motor Corporation believe, in constant improvement, hence they don’t sweep any issues under the carpet.

He explained that what triggered the recall was that Toyota discovered that a window switch in certain models could go dry and could lead to fire outbreak, hence they decided to recall the models to rectify the problem which he described as a minor one.

At the moment, he said that TNL is waiting for Toyota Japan to give it the chassis number of such vehicles that were sold in Nigeria, so as to rectify the problem, adding that it will take only few minutes to handle the fault.

“We will look at the chassis numbers and publish the vehicles if found to be in Nigeria.

It is a minor problem and we would apply a certain lubricant as the final solution,” he said.

He however, advised Nigerians not to panic over recalls as recalls are regular occurrences

in the automobile world, pointing out that there is no renowned automobile company that has never had recalls.

According to him, a lot of people in the non automobile world misunderstand recall as disaster but it is not.

“It does not mean disaster. It means rectification of certain problem,” he stated.

The Toyota boss however noted that the company would attend to every Toyota vehicle found with such problem when the time comes.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—33

•Jonathan: Winner

•Tinubu: ACN leader

•Bakare: Predicted Mimiko's victory

ONDO GUBER POLL:

Winners and losers

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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HE governorship election in Ondo State was one that generated tension in the polity especially in the South-West.

It was a battle that looked beyond the credentials of the incumbent and brought into focus the ideological bent of some of the major candidates.

Especially of interest was the crave by the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for economic and political integration of the six states of the South West which the incumbent Labour Party, LP was seen as a major impediment to.

Given the tension that the major contenders stoked during the campaign, the outcome of the polls has opened the way for an examination of the major winners and losers of the poll conducted last Saturday.

Winners Segun Mimiko He came, he saw and he conquered all opposition thrown at him. Mimiko has broken the second term jinx against governors of Ondo State.

Neither the ACN nor the PDP wanted his return to Alagbaka House but with this feat, he has proved his critics wrong.

With his re-election, Governor Mimiko is expected to consolidate on the C M Y K

achievements recorded so far by his administration.

INEC The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has through its conduct of the election again beefed up its credentials in the conduct of free and fair polls. Despite some criticisms concerning late arrival of voting materials, the elections has been hailed as relatively free and fair.

Having conducted relatively free and fair polls in Edo and now Ondo states, the commission has proved its critics wrong and INEC is now gradually gaining the confidence of Nigerians.

Goodluck Jonathan One major point President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to make is the promise to adhere to the rule of law. The governorship election in Edo and Ondo states have assured Nigerians that the president is a man of his words and would not mind his party losing under free and fair conditions.

Aside this, the re-election of Governor Mimiko may guarantee block votes from the Sunshine State when the president decides to declare his second term ambition.

Ondo people The people of Ondo State

•Falae: Supported Mimiko

•Fasoranti: Afenifere leader

have been known to be resilient people as far as elections are concerned.

Last Saturday the people braved the heavy security cordon in the State to vote and the relative peace around the state indicates that the will of the people has prevailed.

was also the Vice Presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. Some few weeks to the gubernatorial election, Pastor Tunde Bakare was lampooned for predicting the victory of Dr Mimiko for a second term.

Afenifere The group of old chieftains had been given up as politically irrelevant. However, the likes of Chief Olu Falae, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and others from the state, who belong to the mainstream of Afenifere would be jubilant over the result, which has stopped for now the momentum enjoyed by their rival, Asiwaju Tinubu.

Rotimi Akeredolu Despite the fact that he was the flagbearer of the ACN, Akeredolu’s emergence was weakened by the criticism of many of his fellow aspirants in the ACN, who complained his emergence was irregular and undemocratic. A former Attorney-General of the state and one time president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akeredolu despite his strong showing will be seen as a major loser given his third position even below the crisis-ridden PDP. Akeredolu will, perhaps,

Tunde Bakare He is the Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and at the same time, convener of the Save Nigeria Group. He

Losers

return to the law profession to take stock of his future in politics.

The ACN/Tinubu The national leader of the ACN led the fight to integrate the Sunshinie State into the ranks of his fiefdom in the South West. With his failure last weekend, a major issue will now arise as to the viability of the Southwest integration project promoted by his party.

The ACN on its part, should however be commended for giving Mimiko a challenge during the electioneering campaigns.

During the campaign, the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, who incidentally was a former governor of Osun State, flashed the now re-elected governor, Mimiko the red card, indicating that his time was up.

Continues on page 34

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

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HE sack last Tuesday of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello is turning the political crisis in the state on its head. Bello, is refusing to go away easily preferring to fight a dogged battle against what he and some of his supporters allege to be an injustice.

At the heart of their misgiving is the allegation that only 12 out of the 25 members of the House endorsed the impeachment. They claim that five of the 17 signatures on the impeachment notice were forged.

Remarkably, many commentators are putting the former speaker’s problems at the door of the executive arm of government. It is not surprising given the animosity that has trailed relationship between Bello as speaker and Governor Idris Wada.

More incisive commentators, however, put Bello’s problems at the doorstep of the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris on one hand and with his kinsmen in Okene on the other hand.

Bello benefited from alleged political manipulation of the system by Idris to achieve his dream of becoming speaker as the position had been zoned to Kogi West and not Kogi Central where he hails from.

With Idris from east, his deputy Philip Salawu from Central political reasoning was that the third ranking position in the state should go to the West.

But three days to the June 6, 2012 inauguration of the present House last year, the House dramatically amended its rules to provide that the position of speaker and other principals officers would be according to seniority. Then it was unbeknown to the western flank that Idris was up to a game.

The general calculation at that time was hinged on the fact that the gubernatorial primary conducted in January favoured Alhaji Isa Jibril Echocho, who is Igala from the eastern flank, who had chosen Chief Clarence Olafemi(then the Speaker of the House) an Okun man from the Western flank as his Deputy. It was then believed that having a speaker from the central was the right thing to do.

Vanguard gathered that a day to the inauguration of the new House the former governor called all the elected legislators to his residence where he fixed positions for the principal offices.

Only two legislators, Nathaniel Taiwo of Kabba/Bunu constituency and Saliu Akawu of Kogi/Koto constituency, voiced opposition tothe move as others kept mute throughout the meeting.

However, once the Court of

Shadow boxing in Kogi THE sack of the former speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello is fallout of the intrigues within the PDP that shadowed the emergence of Governor Idris Wada as the PDP gubernatorial candidate last year. An unseen hand beating the drums is said to be former governor Ibrahim Idris. Why?

•Idri: Former Kogi governor Appeal extended the tenure of Idris alongside four other incumbent governors, the chemistry between Bello and Idris began to break. At the heart of the issue was Idris’ decision to replace Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho with Wada as his successor.

Bello on his part was already committed to Isah and refused to go along with his one time political mentor on the issue.

Vanguard gathered that when the National Working Committee of the party called them to Abuja to settle their differences, it was Bello who stood as chief antagonist challenging every move to have another primary until he was shot down by the acting chairman, Baraje.

Throughout the crisis that rocked Wada’s campaign and eventual victory, Bello failed to show up in any of the campaign rallies. Rather, he was alleged to have instigated a number of House members to follow him in scorning Wada.

Since then, the once rosy relationship turned to enmity between the former governor and Speaker Bello. After the December 3 election that produced Wada as the winner, , Bello failed to congratulate Wada over the victory. From September when the new primary was conducted to January 28 when Wada was sworn in, there was a complete breakdown of communication between Bello and Idris and all efforts to reconcile them also failed. Also Bello had his problems at home.

•Bello: Sacked Kogi Speaker

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BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

Throughout the crisis that rocked Wada’s campaign and eventual victory, Bello failed to show up in any of the campaign rallies, rather, he was alleged to have instigated a number of House members to follow him in scorning Wada

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Immediately, Bello became Speaker, he turned against the former deputy governor, Philip Salawu as the duo engaged in a supremacy battle for the

political leadership of the Central Senatorial district.

When on January 28 the Supreme Court brought an abrupt end to the Idris regime the power play came fully into the open.

Bello’s move to be inaugurated as the acting governor was fully resisted by Idris, who was fully determined that Wada would succeed him.

Wada was eventually sworn in by the president of the customary court of appeal after the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Nasir Ajanah demurred. Remarkably, the Chief Judge later that evening swore Bello in as acting governor leading to the situation where two persons were calling the shots in government.

The situation lasted for two days with Wada and Bello countermanding each other on issues of state until VicePresident Namadi Sambo

intervened with an order that Bello’s security details be withdrawn forcing a return to the status quo.

From then on, the enmity was extended to Wada, though both men made a show of cordiality in the public.

What finally brought a showdown between the legislator and the state executive was in June when the governor decided to appoint liaison officers for the 21 local government areas. Bello it is alleged, expressed opposition to the appointment of Yahaya Karaku as the officer for Okene, his local government area. At the heart of the opposition is the fact that Karaku is a strong ally of Idris and could be a potential rival in the 2015 Senate race.

Bello had also long been at war with the former deputy governor of the state, Philip Salawu on account of past collaboration between him, Bello and Idris, who Salawu served as deputy.

Salawu was aggrieved that Idris with Bello in tow had initially favoured Echocho in the January 2011 primaries.

Following that, Idris as governor had also allegedly empowered Bello in the battle with his then deputy governor by giving the former speaker political leverage in such matters as appointments from Kogi Central.

Another internal problem Bello has faced is the alleged distance between him and many House members, who the then speaker is accused of looking down on.

The bulk of the Progressive Integrity Group, which launched the impeachment are believed to come from the group.

Some pundits are, however, calling on the Speaker to challenge the decision in the court of law, which is the only legitimate place to get his position back; a development the first school of thought also punched a hole at. To them, the allegation of signature forgery is a criminal case that is difficult to prove. And they believe that before the case will be concluded, the crisis would have been given a political solution.

Winners and losers Continues from page 33

Fortunately, Mimiko, who laughed last, laughed the best.

Olusola Oke Olusola Oke, who was the immediate National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, failed in his bid to govern Ondo state due to infighting within his party.

Another factor that contributed to his failure at the

polls was paucity of funds.

Though he received public support of President Goodluck Jonathan, the support was largely seen as second to the support Iroko got from Abuja.

The second place showing of the PDP was also despite the crisis in the party that saw a substantial proportion of party members supporting Mimiko.

ACN governors Governors elected on the

platform of the ACN in the SouthWest had taken the battle as a party policy and some of them set aside personal relationships with Mimiko to taunt him. The neighbouring ACN governors of Ekiti and Osun provided the staging post for the ACN push against Mimiko.

The failure to actualize their objective is a political failure that could bounce back to hit them whenever Mimiko decides to pay back.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—35

Music stars on song at Headies 2012 A

ll the hypes, all the permutations and the razzmatazz came to head on Sunday at Eko Hotel where the Headies 2012 held. As many observers have pointed out, it was a night of surprises as some artistes who were never given a chance came out shinning, even at the expense of some notable acts who the odds favoured. Yet, some dyed-in-the-wool stars, stood their gorunds to prove they are still very much around.

By and large, the great winners are P-Square, the sensational kid, Wizkid and Vector who bagged two awards respectively. The likes of D’Banj, 9ice, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Sound Sultan came calling even though they had a little less than they bargained for.

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t least D’Banj would have a consolation of bagging the ‘Song of the Year ’ with his ‘Oliver Twist’ album and better still, having to wrestle down P-Square, Davido, Iyanya and Chuddy K and wouldn’t feel any cool either for missing out on the ‘Album of the Year ’ which PSquare won.

On the ‘Artiste of the Year’ category, the whole house rooted and rooted for the music sensation of the

moment, Wizkid and when the cat was let out of the bag, it was indeed, the twentysomething young lad who came tops, flogging Ice Prince, P-Square, Naeto C. and D’Banj Other winners include; Best Pop Single for Iyanya – Kukere, Best Rap Single – Angeli -Vector ft 9ice, Best RnB/Pop Album – P Square, Best Street Hop – Chuddy K, Best RnB Pop Album – PSquare,Best Rap Album – Ice Prince – E.L.I, Best V o c a l Pe r f o r m a n c e (Male) – Wande Coal – Private Trips, Best Vocal Performance (Female) – Tiwa Savage – Love Me Love Me Love Me, Best Collaboration –, Sound Sultan ft Excel and Flavour – Orobo, Revelation of the Year – Wizkid, Recording of the Year – Brymo – Ara, Producer of the Year – TY Mix – Super C Season (Naeto C), Lyricist on the Roll – Vector – Angeli, Next Rated – Davido, African Artist of the Year – Sarkodie

•Aki and Pawpaw

Aki and Pawpaw float movie company P

opular Nollywood movie actors and National Honours holders, Chinedu Ikedezie aka Aki and his life and on-screen partner, Osita Iheme, aka Pawpaw are not just acting in the movies anymore the undersize duo are poised to be shooting their movies themselves.

The comic acts have floated their own movie production company and they have christened it Aki and Pawpaw Entertainment Nigeria, APEN,.

According to source, the duo decided to go on their own to maximise profit and position themselves to help others who may want to go into acting without facing the challenges of going through cut-throat movie producers.

Aki and Pawpaw are said to be working on their maiden movie project and are expected to wrap it up before the end of the year.

•Wizkid (Ghana) Azonto, Best Music Video (Director) – Jude Okoye – Chop My Money and Headies Hall of Fame – Femi Kuti

CELEBRITY TWEETS che Joan Iwuanyanwu ?@IamLaquiisha Instead of investing so much time hating on someone better than you in all ramification of life, Pray to God to change your story.

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DJINEE ?@DJINEE Music is the angel God sent down to save me from myself. I’d probably be 6ft under by now if not for it. No be say i sabi dodge pass! W/out d industry, mayb Banky’s name wld read as Bankole Wellington, Exec Director XYZ bank. So d present guy wld b w/out a job, probably.

Adele welcomes baby boy A

•Adele C M Y K

dele and her p a r t n e r Simon Konecki welcomed a baby boy earlier this week. A friend of the couple has said: “Adele and Simon Konecki are ecstatic at their new arrival”.

“She was over the moon that they were expecting their first child together.”

Adele announced her pregnancy earlier this year in June via a blog on her official website.

She wrote: “I’m delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together.”

“I wanted you to hear the news direct

from me, obviously we’re over the moon and very excited but please respect our privacy at this precious time. Yours always, Adele xx” Adele and Simon had only been dating seven months when she revealed the news.

Ever the hard worker, Adele recently unveiled ‘Skyfall’, the official theme to the latest James Bond film, just one week before she gave birth.

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he ‘Rolling in the Deep’ singer has kept out of the public eye for the majority of her pregnancy, not even revealing the due date.

The name of the child is still not known.

In May, Adele made an unusual appearance on Twitter to deny that Simon had proposed to her on her 24th birthday.

She wrote: “I’m not engaged blah blah.”

QUEEN NWOKOYE ?@QueenNwokoye @IzuEzenwoye : Very lazyRT @Kleopahtra :Dis Queen Nwokoye is a razz igbo girl. I am a Proud igbo babe.I luv my language.All u fake ass mofos tweetin trash,If u don’t like it,I hav free tickets to ALUU.Come nd claim urs.

TONTO DIKEH ?@Tontolet Dere’z nothin Wrong in bin SCARED Az long az U dnt let it CHANGE who u re***#POKO# Ruggedman ?@RuggedyBaba Anybody can claim 2 luv u,bt ask urself? who inspires,motivates,comforts n encourages u? Who would go an extra mile just to see u smile?

RU?kk?~????? ?@Rukkysanda 100 Lucky Fans In D UK&NIGERIA R Goin 2Get Free Gifts Frm D Purchase Of LoveLorn Exclusive Copy*If U’re Lucky 2Find A Voucher In Ur FilmPack yemi Blaq@ My hormones must be acting up. Just saw Ruby’s “Okay” video and my eyes leaked unto my face chika ike ?@chikaike For every night there is day, for every frown there is a smile, for every prayer there is an answer.Stop staring at your problems and glancing at God. Start glancing at your problems and staring at God.

36— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

BAD ROADS:

Citizenry, motorists at the mercy of gridlock, bandits

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO FOR a host of Lagosians and motorists, plying the numerous dilapidated highways across the state has become harrowing and nightmarish. They need some doses of patience, endurance and prayers to move from one point to the other. For journeys that should last between 30 minutes and one hour, they often times spend between five to 10 hours inhaling toxic gases emitted by the crawling vehicles; getting fatigued for having to sit on a spot for several hours and most bitterly getting robbed by bandits on numerous bad spots on the roads.

The bad roads Some of the worse hit roads include: the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Express way, Alimosho and a host of others. The situation has been made worse by the prevailing torrential rains

the highway has not been fixed at all. And even the ApapaOshodi stretch that has been rehabilitated, some portions have failed especially between Tincan and Westminster, which has been taken over by gullies and deep craters.

For Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the nation’s gateway to the West Africa corridor, many portions have failed. Commuters plying the ever-busy road complain especially of the stretch from Okokomaiko, Ojo Local government to Badagry border town.

It would be recalled that the state government awarded the contract for the lot 2A of the ongoing expansion of the road into 10-lane to the Chinese Civil Engineer Construction Company, CCECC.

Residents wail Residents, who spoke to Vanguard, said bad roads were crippling business activities in the state especially on the Lagos-Badagry Express way.

The residents also lamented

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As the residents continue to bemoan their fate amid this unsavory situation, a new twist is being added to their predicaments by “unwanted guests,” who take advantage of the inaccessibility of the roads to, at intervals, visit the community and unleash terror on hapless residents

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pouring in the metropolis.

Despite the recent construction work on the Apapa-Oshodi Express way which serves as the major entry and exit route for Apapa and Tin-Can ports, the condition of the road has taken a turn for the worse, particularly between First Rainbow and Mile Two. The Oshodi-Apapa stretch of C M Y K

that the situation had since been compounded by the introduction of the new road traffic law in the state which banned the activities of commercial motorcycle operators popularly called “okada.”

One of the residents living in Badagry, Mrs. Shalewa AbdulSalam, said that the state of the

road had become a source of misery, as they now spend several hours in traffic daily.

Residents of Tedi, a suburb situated between Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Ojo Local Government, said the challenges were multifaceted.

But more worrisome is the terrible state of the roads leading to this community of estimated 100,000 people, who for many years now, have been inundated with baggage of ‘political promises’ which political office holders at both state and local government levels seem to be failing to translate into realities.

Unsavoury situation As the residents continue to bemoan their fate amid this unsavory situation, a new twist is being added to their predicaments by “unwanted guests,” who take advantage of the inaccessibility of the roads to, at intervals, visit the community and unleash terror on hapless residents.

Recently, the bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, disrupted the peace of the community in a commando-like style, terrorised their victims, and left a private security guard engaged by a Customs officer, dead at the end of their operation, which lasted hours in the night.

Several others were not spared, as the bandits moved from house to house demanding from their ‘hosts’ cash and other valuables. One other person was shot (but not dead), while a vehicle parked in the street was sprayed with bullets, as the robbers shot in different directions to establish the fact they were in control. While the operation lasted, no help came from security operatives.

Tedi can be accessed through Onireke, opposite the Nigerian Army Cantonment, or AbuleOshun Bus Stop, opposite the

One of the failed sections of the Lagos- Badagry Expresswa Trade Fare and Ojo military barracks

Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, on the LagosBadagry Expressway. The two roads are in terrible state of disrepair making it almost impossible for cars or tricycles to ply especially during the rainy season.

This has left the residents with one option- Land Rover jeeps, as means of transportation. But this is a Herculean task as the jeeps usually get stuck in the murky waters, forcing the passengers to alight and wade through the flood.

Tedi residents wait for Fashola road Moved by the plight of the people, the state government in 2008 awarded a contract for the construction of the road connecting Tedi from AbuleOshun, a development which elicited joy and out-pouring of praises for Governor Babatunde Fashola.

For many of the residents, the award of the contract stood Fashola out as the “long awaited messiah”. And to show their joy, the residents in the early days of the contract when Fashola visited, trooped out to wave and catch a glimpse of their governor.

However, four years down the

line, the excitement has waned, as construction work on the road is yet to commence. In the last four years, the contracting firm has only been battling with the bridge, a component part of the contract.

Sadly, findings showed that work on the bridge has been everything but steady, as workers, supervisors and site engineers sometimes abandon the site for months, and resurface to do very little before vanishing again, thereby elongating the work endlessly and further dashing the hope of the residents.

Femi Hamzat, the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, in a response to question on the delay characterising the contract, said actual road construction work could only commence after work on the bridge was finished.

According to the commissioner, this is the standard procedure in construction work.

While this is not in dispute, the questions on the lips of hundreds of residents are; when will work on the bridge be completed to enable the contractor begin work on the road? Who is responsible for this long delay, and, does the contract have endless life span?

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012— 37

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

V

ay between

LAWMA gives street sweepers N7M cash

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

M

ANAGEMENT of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, weekend, presented cheques worth N7 million to street sweepers in the state in recognition of their dedication to work.

Managing Director of L AWMA, Mr. Oladimeji Oresanya, presented the cheques at the fourth sensitization and awareness workshop for street sweepers and stakeholders at LTV ground, Ikeja.

Oresanya explained that the cash gift was to further encourage the beneficiaries to work harder as well as encourage others to emulate the beneficiaries He noted that the street sweeping initiative was repackaged in year 2008 as a

poverty alleviation programme with the recruitment of over 10,000 workforce, who are deployed for intensive day and night sweeping of the state h i g h w a y s .

Commenting on the workshop, Oresanya stressed that the street sweeping programme had not been without its challenges and risks which includes infection and accident on highways. ”L AWMA has therefore expended considerable amount of money towards organising training for supervisors, who are the link between the sweepers and their respective service providers,” Oresanya said.

He disclosed that LAWMA had finalised arrangement to train some supervisors in United Kingdom aimed at broadening their knowledge in modern ways of street cleaning.

IOLATORS of the new traffic law in Lagos State may be in for a tougher time as the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigeria Army in Lagos, Major General Kenneth Minimah, has promised that the military would not only conform but would also assist in enforcing the law.

In recent time, there has been clampdown on c o m m e r c i a l motorcyclists, popularly called “Okada,” as many of their bikes seized were crushed, sealing any hope of retrieval.

Over 3,000 seized motorcycles in the last two months had been destroyed by men of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences, headed by Superintendent of Police, SUPOL, Bayo Sulaimon.

Last week, a photo journalist with The Nation Newspapers, attached to State House, was accosted at the intersection of Governor ’s Road, Alausa while on his personal bike on his way to the office after the close of work by men of the special taskforce.

All entreaties to the armed policemen fell on deaf ears as they insisted that the bike must be confiscated as the route is one of the restricted areas in the road traffic law. All efforts to get the bike released as at press time were unsuccessful

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similar fate befell a dispatch rider of National Mirror Newspapers, whose bike was impounded over violation of the traffic law.

Ditto to two dispatch riders working with the office of Chief of Staff, COS, to Governor Babatunde Fashola.

According to the enforcers, “‘the law is no respecter of class, status, group; everyone is subject to the law.”

Speaking after listening to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, at an interactive session with senior Army officers and heads of army formations

TRAFFIC LAW: Enforcement gets military backing •Journalists, Fashola’s aides fall victims in Lagos on the new Road Traffic law at the 81 Division Auditorium, Onikan, Minimah, said there was no reason the new traffic law should not work.

He asserted that the military formations would go beyond obeying the law and take part in enforcing it since it was a legitimate law of the state that had passed through the necessary processes before becoming law.

Addressing the gathering, Fashola, noted that everyone

trips round the state, noting that many of the military officers present would hesitate to allow their children to ride in such public buses now for safety reasons.

H

e said in several democracies worldwide, the Military had been responsible for fashioning democracy citing the example of George Washington, who was formerly a soldier before becoming an elected President.

Fashola said even in Nigeria, the Military

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right), discussing with General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Kenneth Minimah during an interactive session with heads of Army formations and senior Army officers on the new Lagos Road Traffic Law at the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Auditorium, Onikan, Lagos, weekend. must realize that roads are shared assets and that everyone is expected to play their individual roles in managing the usage.

Noting that road mishaps were bound to happen, the governor stressed that most accidents happen because people do not measure the consequences of some of the actions they take on the road in terms of observing the rules.

He urged the senior army officers and heads of army formations to be part of a concerted effort to promote a culture of safety and healthy commuting on the roads.

The Governor recalled that as a youngster, he took public buses on

gave the nation its present democracy and stressed that there was need to have a sustained partnership to keep the democratic experience going as it could only happen in a situation where the rule of law prevailed.

Speaking on Okada, Fashola said several people had lost their lives, limbs, arms or become maimed through the reckless activities of Okada operators.

He said what the new traffic law prescribed was that okada should not ply the major highways like Lagos Badagry Expressway, Third Mainland Bridge, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road and selected roads and bridges in the state.

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38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Memories are for ever (4)

John, (32), an Engineer, narrates how he tried to play “Superman” to save a classmate: As the seconds ticked away, neither Timi nor myself could decide on who should throw the first punch, so, we just continued to stare at each other with our clenched fists. Suddenly, I felt my lower lips trembling. It was a kind of reflex thing because it was uncontrollable. When I try to hold on to it, it will just tear itself off from the upper one, making one slurpy sound too. I was scared to death.

When Timi threw a false punch at me, even though it wasn’t intended to hit me, I nearly fainted from fright.

My whole body was shaking violently but I managed to swing a weak punch at him too. Then he smiled, stretched out his hand and patted me on the shoulder, as if to say welldone boy!

Then he said, “John, John, be careful, next time ”He left the sentence hanging but silently threatening.

Then he just strode off styl-

ishly, u know, with a swagger. He made me feel ashamed of myself, though to Andrew and a few others, I was a hero. I felt like cutting off my lower lip for causing me so much embarrassment and disgrace.

I went back to my seat with my head down, feeling

,

H

I. Everyday, things happen to us. They might be good, bad, embarrassing, uplifting, disappointing, you name it. Depending on our perception of the event, years later, its memory still lingers on.

It keeps springing up, even when you’ll rather forget it. Some of our respondents shared their stories of such moments with us. I know you have some wonderful stories you can share with us too. Please send your contributions to: The Human Angle, Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. Or our e-mail add r e s s : humananglepage@yahoo.com Happy reading!

ed from the university, I ran into him somewhere around Ojuelegba.

He looked very unkempt even though he had a little pot belly. I could see he was on drugs and could be deep into some dangerous activities. When I asked him what he was doing, he told

Anyway, I tried to salvage the situation as much as I could but by the time we got to the hostel, my pant was already down to my knees,it was the most embarrassing moment of my life as the other girls called my attention to it

subdued. I was surprised that many of our classmates didn’t feel the way I did. They thought I’d done very well and a few others even said they would no longer tolerate Timi and his excesses again. That if John could stand up to him, then why couldn’t they.

From all that was being said about my bravery, I concluded that Timi probably did not realise that I was scared stiff about what just happened.

He like most others must have thought that it was the intensity of my anger that made my lip tremble in such a manner. And u know what they say about when one is pushed to the wall and is so angry, Timi probably thought I could defeat him with the level of anger raging in my body.

Anyway, that was how a disaster was avoided that day. But to this day, whenever I remember, I still feel very sick. The guy took bullying to a ridiculous level and even though the school authorities knew about his activities, his parents also knew, but they did little or nothing to stop him.

Years later, after I graduat-

,

me businesses here and there, buying and selling.

What does he sell, I insisted. But he said anything his clients at the Ports bring he sells.

He concluded by saying he was not as lucky as most of us while growing up as his parents had no money to take care of him and his other five siblings. I walked away thinking, yeah! Its easy to blame your parents now, but what did u do with the opportunity that society gave you?

Victoria,(38), a Pharmacist lost her underwear in public! How? She had this to say: It happened in my undergraduate years at the University. I was returning to the hostel after my lectures when the clip on one side of my pants snapped off. It was a bikini, one of those with little clips to hold the sides together at the waist. Actually, I had noticed that some of the tiny stitches had come lose but it never occurred to me that it could snap off, at least not that day. It had been threatening to rain all afternoon and as we stepped out of the lecture hall, it

started drizzling. This made us quicken our steps as most of us had no umbrellas. This was probably what caused the clip to come off.

Holding my books with one hand, I held on to my pant with the other as we (myself and a group of friends) ran towards the hostel.

Then suddenly, the rain started pelting hard and everyone had to run even faster. We were soaked in seconds from the heavy rain. This was difficult for me as my pant kept drifting further down my thighs.

Anyway, I tried to salvage the situation as much as I could but by the time we got to the hostel, my pant was already down to my knees.

It was the most embarrassing moment of my life as the other girls called my attention to it.

I was forced to stop and just allow it slide down completely, then I picked it up and made a run for it. There was a roar of laughter and the news even spread beyond my hostel, at least, so it seemed to me at the time.

I felt so stupid.

I stopped wearing fancy, little pants from that day. No matter how beautiful they might seem, you will never find me in one. Once bitten, always shy if you learnt any lesson from it.

Binta, (40), Medical Doctor slept a lot as a teenager, but an incident changed all that. How? She has this to say: It happened in my final year in Secondary School. I was living on theMainlandand schooling on the Island, so I had to wake up as early as 4.00am so as to beat the 7.45am resumption time. It always took a miracle for me not to fall asleep during school hours.

Then after school, I hang around for another three hours to study so that when I get home, my aunt’s errands will not really affect me.

If you get the picture I’m trying to paint, you will realise that it is on the bus ride home that I always manage to catch some sleep. So, one day, I was already in the last bus that will take me to my destination.

To be continued

Asisited by Onozure Dania

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•Ovo, 29, needs a pretty and God fearing lady, for a serious relatiobnship.08068267998, 08078502849 •Chiedu, 27, fair in complexion, needs a lady, aged 30, who can take good care of him, for a serious relationshiop. 08137754598 •Izuchukwu, 34, 5.10ft tall, dark in complexion, •Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

Chasing him without knowing it

BY ONOZURE DANIA

RE you chasing after a man and you don’t even know it? I know how frustrating it can be to sit back and let a man drift away. Every single one of us women instinctively want to go run after the man, grab him and throw him to the ground, rather than let him get away.

Women know they are not supposed to be chasing after a man and yet it’s so hard not to. In this new, modern era, women are confused, basically because they all get the lines between friendship and romance blurred. Ladies think being friendly is the same as showing interest in a man. Ladies are taught to think that reaching out to a man is necessary. They are taught to think that if they act casual, that a man won’t notice that they are actually chasing him. But the truth is, they are.

If women are feeling just friendly, if they really don’t feel attracted to, or interested in a man, then whatever they do, their vibe will be just friendly.

But, if they actually are attracted to a man, interested in him in a romantic way and then they try to act friendly, it’s going to come off as fake. It’s going to come across to him as inauthentic. It’s going to come across to him like chasing. And, it’s going to make him feel all kinds of things about the lady but none of those things will be what you want him to feel attraction for you.

If you have ever felt like a man is just out of reach, but everything you do is to try to get closer to him, to get him to pay attention to you and to give you the affection and closeness you really want, seems to push him even further away.

Women always think they are being nice, or thought-

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ful, or showing interest and it just couldn’t be further from the truth. How do you know if you are chasing after a man? There are some things we may think of as being friendly, but are actually chasing a man. One of it is by calling him up because you heard or read about something interesting, or because you knew there was a great movie somewhere or someone told you about some great event that you want to invite him to or anything at all.

Calling him to ask him why he hasn’t called you, calling him to tell him you are upset that you haven’t heard from him, calling him to give him directions to your home or answering any question he hasn’t specifically asked, or giving him any information he hasn’t specifically asked for, or offering anything. Initiating other friendly contacts, like emailing him, texting him, face booking him, writing him, sending him cute cards, dropping by his house, calling up his friend or in any way attempting to initiate some kind of contact. Making suggestions, making plans and then inviting him to come and join you, offering to drive him, offering to drive on the date, offering to put him up for the night on your couch, or in your bed. Offering to cook for him, initiating sex, initiating affection in any way other than smiling with an open heart and body, initiating the talk about where the relationship is going, getting anything having to do with the relationship. Creating a special occasion, sending him anything like pictures, mementos, ideas, thinking out loud to him about things you can do together, telling him about things you can do together, and creating things to do together.

employed and resides in Abuja, needs an employed lady, for marriage, aged 30-40. 08035119230 •A guy, 30, 5ft tall, from Delta state, needs a girl, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage, not a game player. 08063970629 •Ogd, 29, needs a beautiful and decent lady, aged 20- 27, for a serious relationship. 08069796112 •Immabong, 19, resides in Delta, needs a wealthy man, to take care of her and also to finance her education, for a relationship, aged 40 and above.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—39

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40—Vanguard , TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

HEALTH: From left— Mr. Richard Giwa-Osagie, Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938; Prof.

Osato Giwa-Osagie, Chairman of the club's Medical Sub-Committee; Dr. Mosunmola Faderin and Prof. Olu Akinyanju, Guest Speaker, at the club's health lecture on Not Every Fever is Malaria or Typhoid or Spiritual, in Lagos, weekend. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

NCC nabs registered SIM cards sellers

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE SOGBO—NA TIONAL Communication Commission, NCC, has arrested suspected notorious criminal (names withheld) in Osogbo, who specialised in selling fully registered SIM cards.

Briefing newsmen after handing over the suspect to the police in Osogbo, the Head of Enforcement of NCC, Mr. Efosa Idehen, said the suspect was arrested following a tip-off.

According to him, the service providers provided

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the commission with details and useful information “which assisted us to locate the suspect and got him arrested.”

Idehen disclosed that no fewer than six other suspects from the South-West involved in selling fully activated SIM cards were being trailed by the commission.

He explained that since the commission began the exercise of arresting people in the business, seven of such machines had been recovered by the enforcement agents of the NCC, five in Abuja.

INYC cautions over reported amnesty slots for Itsekiri youths

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ARRI—MISCHIEFmakers have been warned to desist from fomenting trouble over the report that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved some slots for exmilitant Itsekiri youths, who responded to the Federal Government’s amnesty programme within the stipulated period.

Federal Government had also directed that they should be incorporated into the postamnesty programmes.

Itsekiri National Youths

Burial HE burial of late Pa Amanambu Kanu of Umuegwu Okpuala, Aforugiri, Umuahia North Council, Abia State, who died recently aged 86, will take place on October 26.

Outing and thanksgiving service holds October 28 at Methodist Church, Umuegwu at 10am.

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Late Pa Kanu.

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Council, INYC, National President, Mr. David Tonwe, said in Warri that “mischief-makers” must desist from fomenting trouble over the issue of the reported approval.

Tonwe said: “If such actions of misguided protests are not stopped, we will not hesitate to hand over such individuals to the necessary security agencies.

“We only heard through unconfirmed sources that the President has graciously approved some slots for formerly armed youths, but this is yet to be confirmed and conveyed to me through any official document from the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.”

Praise service HE Fountain of Living Waters Ministry, FLWM, has announced an evening of praise, tagged Praise On The Hills, for October 28.

According to Pastor Olaniyi Aniya, Senior Pastor of the church, the programme will commence by 2pm at the Church Auditorium at 216, Lagos Road, Opposite Government College Ikorodu, Lagos.

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CERTIFICATION: From left— Clare Henshaw, Programme Manager, DOAM Foundation; Elizabeth Ademola, Headmistress, Ireti Primary School, Ikoyi and Ebere Nwaolikpe, Assistant Marketing Manager (ECOWAS), Western Union, at the Western Union and DOAM Foundation Back to School Initiative in Lagos.

Security guard docked over Ogbono, Okporoko theft “I'm not guilty”

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE AGOS—A 29-year-old man, Muhammed Lawal, has been arraigned before an Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos, over alleged theft of Ogbono valued at N25,000 and other food items totaling N60,000.

Lawal, who is facing a two-count-charge of burglary and stealing, was said to have unlawfully entered a building where food items were kept and committed the crime.

The prosecutor, ASP Friday Eze, informed the court that the accused, of 14 Ajoke Street, Cele Ajangbadi, while on duty as a market security guard on September 3 at 5am, at shop LL Gate market Ajangbadi, burgled the shop of one Emmanuel Mba, a foodstuff seller at the market.

Eze said the accused, who was on duty on that

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day, was reported by some residents of the area, who claimed to have seen the accused burgling the shop of the complainant.

He was alleged to have taken about 50 pieces of

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AGOS—JUSTICE Elfreda WilliamDawodu has fixed December 4 for the adoption of written address by parties in the ongoing divorce case between Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Festus Keyamo and his estranged wife, Irene Nwanze.

It would be recalled that Mr. Keyamo dragged his wife to court two years ago, asking for a dissolution of their six-year old marriage on the ground

gos State.”

However, when the plea of the accused was taken before the open court, he pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr. T. Shomade, granted the accused N50,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to November 12 for mention.

CONHESS 10: You're ignorant, selfish— Health workers tell NMA

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG IVE health sector unions, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, have faulted Nigerian Medical Association, NMA's comments on the demand by JOHESU to have Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS 10 skipped, saying the public must know about NMA’s ignorance, arrogance and selfishness.

JOHESU comprises

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Adoption of address in Keyamo vs Wife for Dec 4

BY ONOZURE DANIA

stock fish, popularly called Okporoko, valued N20,000, and a carton of dried fish, valued N15,000.

According to the prosecutor, “the accused was later arrested and detained in police custody. The alleged offences contravened Sections 285 and 307 of the Criminal Code Laws of La-

that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.

At the resumed hearing of the case, parties were directed by the court to prepare for the adoption of their written address to conclude the case.

Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine.

A statement by Mr. Ayuba Wabba and Mr. George Ayua, the union’s Chairman and Secretary, respectively, berated NMA for allegedly not only making public comments on a matter before the court, but also questioning the competence of JOHESU to champion the cause of registered unions in the health sector.

It noted the background of the issue from 1981 Onosode Panel that recommended that the staff of University Teaching Hospitals and Research Institutes

should enjoy essentially the same conditions of service as those applicable to University Staff at the period.

JOHESU cited as a justification of its agitation the meeting between the Unions and the Ministerial Committee set-up to resolve the issues and chaired by the Minister of Labour and Productivity on Wednesday, September 26, where some resolutions were arrived at.

Some of the resolutions include: presidential committee report on harmony in the health sector, promotion from CONHESS 14 to CONHESS 15, implementation of 2008 job evaluation report and review of retirement age from 60 to 65 years and reconstitution of the boards of University Teaching Hospital and other parastatals under the Ministry of Health with equitable representation by unions and professional associations.

Ibaka Seaport ready in 2015 HE Ibaka Deep Sea port is to be completed and become fully operational by the first quarter of 2015.

Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who announced

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this, weekend, during the Government House monthly prayer meeting at the New Banquet Hall, Uyo, said the target date was set by the Federal Government, which recently established a committee to

actualise the project.

Mr. Ekere, who stood in for Governor Godswill Akpabio, said the seaport, on completion, will boost the economy of the state with multiplier effect on job creation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 41

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42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

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OCTOBER 23, 2012

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44— Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Flood: Experts say environmental consequences have wide-ranging effects BYKINGSLEYADEGBOYE HE recurring flood ravaging the coastalcommunities across the country has continued to generate heat in Nigeria, as no fewer than 25 million people have been rendered homeless while property and farmlands worth hundreds of million naira have been swept away by the disaster.

Subsequently, the governments of the affected states have relocated their victims to relief camps while the federal government, agencies and individual donors have intervened by way of cash donations and relief materials to cushion sufferings of the victims at their various camps.

Environmentalists and experts have blamed the cause of the flood disaster on the federal government, as it has abysmally failed to explore proactive measures in tackling perennial flooding in flood-prone states of the federation. They say no matter how much of relief materials are being provided by the governments, agencies and other sympathisers as a way of showing concern to the victims, the environmental impact of the floods on the society, economy and victims will linger on for a very long time.

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In his view, Mr. Leslie Adogame, former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Environmental Society NES, and now Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development SRADev noted that it has been estimated that no less than 300,000 hectares of farmlands and agricultural produce worth billions of naira have been lost to severe flooding as no less than 400 communities have been completely submerged under water across Nigeria.

Pointing out that the floods which began in early July and have reportedly killed 137 people and displaced over 120,000 people so far, are obvious combination of global climate change and natural occurrence not without environmental impact.

According to him, “the environmental impact of flooding can be quite wideranging, from the dispersion of low-level household wastes into the fluvial system to contamination of community

,

Hectares of farmland

HIGH POINTS Flooded community in Kogi State

Beyond the food crisis and the anticipated deepening of poverty which may result from this, my greatest concerns are the environmental implication which in most cases is a combination of all impacts of excessive flooding

water supplies and wildlife habitats with extremely toxic substances.

“Beyond the food crisis and the anticipated deepening of poverty which may result from this, my greatest concerns are the environmental implication which in most cases is a combination of all impacts of excessive flooding. The flooding episodes which have been summarily described as a national disaster would worsen the already poor environmental conditions in all the states including the worst hit Kano, Jigawa, Cross River, Taraba, Adamawa, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Niger and Anambra.

“Hazardous and toxic Chemicals such as paints,

,

pesticides, gasoline other industrial wastes are more likely to be put into waterways, and may in most cases find their ways into fresh water sources thereby causing major pollution.

There are likely to be increase of water-borne and waterinfested diseases as a result.

Cases of diarrhoea may rise particularly for children since these flooding of course would bring a lot of pathogens from upstream sewage into the communities, particularly as these floods are known to disrupt normal drainage systems in cities and typically overwhelm sewer systems.

“Deeper additional gullies would be created, large number

of people would become “environmental refugees, a situation which would further worsen disease and epidemic situation around the camps.

Dangerous reptiles like snakes will pose more threat just as increase in mosquitoes is likely.

Generally displaced people especially children and women are going to be worst hit due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions like intense heat, contaminated water, foods and others.

“Furthermore, the health of our waterways will be dangerously impacted significantly as many rivers and creeks get eroded, contaminated and littered with debris. Aquatic stability would be distorted as large numbers of fish would have died or left stranded as waters recede. Residential homes would be more floodprone and vulnerable to collapse as buildings’ foundations become weaker due to flooding current and increase in water table.

“Due to over saturation of the water in the soils, landslides or

There are likely to be increase of water-borne and water-infested diseases as a result.

Cases of diarrhoea may rise particularly for children since these flooding of course would bring a lot of pathogens from upstream sewage into the communities Deeper additional gullies would be created, large number of people would become “environmental refugees, a situation which would further worsen disease and epidemic situation around the camps.

general earth instability is imminent in those zones, particularly in the absence of forecasting and early warning systems. Building of new dams is not the solution. We must look at ways to redevelop our cities to make them smarter, greener and more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather events such as this.

Do it yourself decoration O it yourself decoration allows you to customize your home, apartment, or room with do it yourself accents that transform your space on a budget without completing a full-scale remodel. However, there are tips, techniques,and tools to follow to achieve a good decoration. But it doesn’t stop there.

For instance, if you want to create a living room that suits your lifestyle and tastes perfectly with fresh

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decorating ideas, whether it is a personal living room or a family room, what you require are inspiring ‘photos of living rooms, tricks for small living rooms and paint ideas for living rooms and favorite spaces. Learn how to arrange living room furniture and how to pick the right colours for your living room, whether you are envisioning a cool blue living room, an earthy brown living room, a soothing neutral living room, or any colour you imagine. Complete your space with

perfect accessories, the right living room lighting and gorgeous living room curtains or window treatments.

Conquer the challenge of a small living room with tricks for making a small space feel much bigger. And if media plays a part in your living room, you can incorporate a media centre and integrate a TV into your space.

Try out a project or two, get your hands dirty, and fall back in love with your space.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—45

Real estate investment in Nigeria is promising - Arc. Omisore

...speaks on Nigerite, AUA partnership

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

OKUNBO Omisore, President, Africa Union of Architects AUA,has noted that real estate development in Nigeria and a few other African countries like Gabon, Zambia and other is promising, adding that it has been seen by many investors from other parts of the world as emerging markets which will give good returns.

Pointing out that Africa looks promising in terms of real estate development, he, however, said that there is higher risk involved compared to Asia as many potential investors see Africa as rewarding with a high risk.

Omisore who made this disclosure in an interview with property journalists in Lagos at the weekend, noted thus: “They come in on a short term basis.

Looking at Africa over the long term is scary to most investors, because you can’t predict what will happen to a country or the continent at large, in terms of going in and making what you will call quick money”.

The disadvantage of this, according to him, is that real estate does not become affordable to meet longer term loans or funding, stressing that most of the funds that are taken out of Africa to Europe and America are at zero percent return on their currency.

“This means that investing in Africa is the best thing to pursue,” he stated.

Comparing Nigeria and other African markets, the AUA boss said regionally, South Africa has been classified as one of the emerging markets, adding that it is a more developed economy; but in terms of resources and population, Nigeria tends to have a better advantage. He said:

MATERIALS WATCH Cement Dangote cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Elephant cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Sandcrete Blocks 6 inches vibrated per block---N130 9 inches vibrated per block---N150 6 inches hand mould per block---N80 9 inches hand mould per block---N90 Sand Soft per tipper load ---N13,000 Sharp double tipper load---N23,000 Gravel double tipper load---N25,000 Gravel single tipper load---N18,000 Granite per tipper load----N120,000

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Reinforcement 8 mm (153) pieces per ton ---N125,000 10 mm (153) pieces per ton---N136,000 12 mm (93) pieces per ton---N161,000 16 mm (93) pieces per ton---N172,000 20 mm (53) pieces per ton---N122,000 Woods Timber (hard) 1x1x12---N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12---N800 Timber (hard) 2x4x12---N700 Softwood 2x2x12---N260 2x3x12---N300 Plywood 3x3x8---N3,500 2x4x8---N2,400

•Omisore

“Nigeria is so blessed that if we are sincere to ourselves and the governance is right, we should have no problem leading the continent; but that is not the case for what I will refer to as the teething problem which is affecting us as a country. We should realise that looking inwards is a lot better than going out of Nigeria or even going out of the continent. Then, we will rescue the continent from the economic slavery and capital flight which we are presently facing”.

On checking capital flight, he said as architects, what they have started campaigning for since he became President of the Africa Union of Architects in June 2011, is re-branding African architecture and architects. To do this, he noted that architects must

have a cultural identity and they must develop their vernacular architecture.

“How do we do this? We need to go back to our traditional architecture and enhance it with technology. As long as we don’t look at developing ‘made in Africa’ goods and we keep taking our funds out of the continent to buy goods or building materials made in Europe, you can make $100 billion a year yet it will not be for the economy. If you have to rely on the clothes, cars, medicals and everything from abroad, you make $100 billion and at the end of the year you owe up to $30 billion because of your exposure, you are classified a debtor.

On AUA competition, he said it was inspired by the need to

Roofing Sheets Corrugated iron sheets per bundle---N10,000 Asbestos (Super) 4x8 per piece---N1,600 Asbestos (Solo) 4x6 per piece---N1,500 Wall tiles (ceramic) 6 x 6 per square metre----------N1,200 20 x 20 (China) per square metre----------N1,100 20 x 25 (China) per square metre---....N1,400 Floor tiles (ceramic) 14 x 14 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,800 14 x 14 (Brazil) per square metre------------N1,420 13 x 13 (Spain) per square metre---------N1, 550 45 x 45 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,900 40 x 40 (Marble Spain) per square metre--N3,800 30 x 30 (Marble Spain) per square metre----N2,000 Plumbing Materials Galvanised conduit pipes per length 20 mm diameter -----------------N170 25 mm diameter---------------N170 PVC conduit pipes 20 mm diameter per length -------N120 25 mm diameter per length------N130 Source-----------Cement tiles and building materials market along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

alleviate poverty. He explained thus: “We need to be more relevant to our communities, to plan with the people and not for the people. We need to help our

societies, and to help our societies as architects, we need to provide affordable humane shelters.

Senate petitioned over Lugbe estate demolition

BY ANAYO OKOLI S condemnations continue to trail the demolition of a 500 unit housing estate at Lugbe, Abuja by the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, the Abia State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Emma Nwaka, has on behalf of the developer of the residential estate, Mr. Emmanuel Mbaka whom he referred to as his client petitioned the Senate over the matter.

In his petition to the Senate President, David Mark, Senator Nwaka condemned the demolition which he said was carried out without prior notice from the FCDA. Nwaka in the

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petition dated October 9, 2012, and copied the three senators representing Abia State in the Senate, lamented that: “The only inkling our client had about the grouse of the FCDA regarding the genuineness of his title documents was from a broadcast on radio on September 28, 2012.

“When efforts to make contact with the Authority failed, he got in touch with Senator Smart Adeyemi, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, who was kind enough to listen and scheduled a meeting with the Authority for Tuesday, October 2, 2012. But given that the minds of those at the helm of affairs of FCDA to inflict maximum pain and loss had been made up, they quickly went on rampage with their bulldozers to reduce to

According to him, instead of “applying elementary justice, the Authority assumed the position of the complainant, prosecutor, the judge and Jury at the same time”. He said such self-help method was no longer fashionable in any civilized democratic setting as Nigeria.

The petitioner explained that all the documents relating to the said property were obtained from the Authority with all the fees paid.

He, therefore, wondered what could have gone wrong to warrant the demolition of a whole housing estate.

“Your Excellency, just imagine the pain and agony of individuals and families which have deposited their life’s savings with the estate developer in the hope of becoming proud owners by

rubble a built-up housing estate, thereby pre-empting and making nonsense of the scheduled meeting”.

The petitioner wondered why the estate was demolished,

saying even if the title documents were defective, “justice would have demanded that enough notice be given and the owner’s side of the story heard before any action was taken”.

• Demolished Lugbe estate in Abuja

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012—47

Chloroquine making a comeback against malaria?

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

EVERAL years after it was banned as the first line drug for treatment of uncomplicated malaria, Chloroquine, one of the oldest anti-malaria drugs, appears to be gradually making a comeback.

A decade and a half ago, Chloroquine was one of the most popular and efficacious antimalaria drugs in the world. It remains one of the few drugs that can be safely taken in early pregnancy, Chloroquine was in use for more than 50 years before misuse and adulteration led to development of resistance by the malaria parasite and subsequent ban of the drug by the World Health Organisation. Nigeria banned chloroquine as first line

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• Country Director, Ipas Nigeria, Dr. Ejike Oji showing the Manual Vacuum Aspirator, MVA, to President Goodluck Jonathan during an advocacy visit in Abuja . The MVA is approved by the World Health Organisation for evacuation of contents of the uterus, but was not on list of commodities approved by the UN.

Nigeria, 6 others, resolve to provide life-saving commodities for women, children

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

INISTERS of Health from the Federal Republics of Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone; the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the United Republics of Tanzania and Uganda have resolved to save the lives of women and children from preventable causes of death, during pregnancy, childbirth and childhood.

The Ministers who promised to address the avoidable causes of maternal and child deaths in their countries, said they were building on Nigeria’s “Saving One Million Lives Initiative” just launched by President Goodluck Jonathan under the UN Secretary General’s Global Strategy for Women’s Health that aims to save 16 million lives by 2015.

In a six-point communique issued in Abuja last week following the implementation meeting of the UN Commission on life-saving commodities for women and children, the Ministers resolved to implement recommendations of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities, UNCC, to increase access to, and appropriate use of essential medicines, medical devices and health supplies that effectively address leading preventable causes of death.

“We recognise the need for immediate action to increase access By engaging national stakeholders including parliamentarians, the private sector, Civil Society, technical and financial development partners, they plan to develop effective scaleup plans founded on evidencebased strategies, leading to the prioritisation of high-impact interventions that would ensure sustainable and equitable access and use of the 13 life-saving com-

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modities to women and children in their countries by 2015.

The 13 commodities in question are oxytocin and misoprostol (for addressing post-partum haemorrhage); magnesium sulfate (for pregnancy complications including high blood pressure); injectable antibiotics (for newborn sepsis); and antenatal coerticosteroids (for preterm respiratory distress syndrome).

Others are chlohexidine - for

newborn cord care; resurscitation devices - for newborn asphyxia; amoxicillin - for pneumonia, oral rehydration solution and zinc for diarrhoea, female condoms, contraceptive implants and emergency contraception all for family planning purposes.

At the Abuja meeting, concerns were raised in certain quarters about the non-inclusion of the Manual Vacuum Aspirator, MVA, a commodity approved by

the World Health Organisation, WHO, to address abortion care or post abortion care and related issues. The MVA is used in the first trimester of pregnancy to clean up the uterus in miscarriages,incomplete abortion and molar pregnancy - conditions recognised as significant contributors to the high maternal mortality burden in developing countries.

Hand washing is simplest, cheapest strategy to attain MDG 4 — EXPERTS

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

S Nigerians grapple with uncheering child and maternal mortality ratio, experts have recommended simple hand washing with soap as a major strategy towards attaining the Millennium Development Goal, MDG, 4, aimed at reducing child mortality by two thirds by 2015 from 1998 levels.

It is believed that in some ways, simple, but cost effective healthy habits such as good hand hygiene, works.

According to experts, the hand as a part of the human body plays significant role in the spread of disease-causing germs and other organism, so cultivating cost effective healthy habits such as good hand hygiene would effectively ward off ill-health.

Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary of Federation, Dr Henry Akpan noted that efforts at cultivating healthy hand hygiene should involve washing the hands with soap to help rid the hands of every minute germs.

Akpan who spoke at the media unveiling of the 21 Days Healthy Hands Habit Campaign by

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Reckitt Benckiser in Lagos stressed the need for people to imbibe the culture of adding value to their health as well as care for their hands.

“The hand is the body organ which carries out most of the physical actions involving touch.

It is used for virtually everything.

You find out that the hand is one

of the very important and very busy parts of your body.

Therefore, caring for it is very, important and essential. That is why we must commend Reckitt Benckiser for bringing this culture back to us.”

Further, Akpan who was

drug of treatment in 2005.

But resistance monitoring tests carried out at the University of Copenhagen, show that the previously efficacious drug is once again beginning to work against malaria.

Tests by resistance monitoring show that in a number of African countries, malaria parasites are succumbing to the formerly used drug chloroquine. The tests were carried out by Associate Professor at the Center for Medical Parasitology at the University of Copenhagen, Dr. Michael Alifrangis, along with Magatte Ndiaye, a PhD student at Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal.

In excerpts of a study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Alifrangis noted that up to 70 percent of the malaria parasites found in Senegal are reacting once again to chloroquine.

“This is a trend we have also seen in Tanzania and Mozambique, and which other researchers have shown in Malawi. Our choice of drugs against malaria is limited and related, so when the malaria parasite once again reacts to a substance, it influences several treatment methods."

Malaria-drug monitoring shows that malaria parasites ultimately develop resistance to medicine,and scientists and healthcare personnel are currently worried that the malaria parasite will develop resistance to the current frontline treatment against malaria, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies, ACTs. It is believed that if healthcare personnel in developing countries can begin using chloroquine again, it will open up promising perspectivesfor protection of currently used mediContinues on Page 48

Continues on Page 48

• Managing Director Reckit Benckiser, Ashok Bhasin with school pupils demonstrating handwashing at the unveiling ceremony for the Dettol 21 Days of Healthy Hands Habit Campaign weekend in Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 49

50 — Vanguard,TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

Middle East dominates final presidential debate RESIDENT Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney face off in front of the cameras for a final time on Tuesday in what could be their last, best chance to win over the small sliver of voters who have yet to make up their minds.

With 14 days to go until the November 6 election, the two candidates turn to foreign policy for their final debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. The 90-minute event took began at 1am and centered mainly on Libya, Israel, The Palestinians, Iran., Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and Terrorism.

President Barack Obama who has been in office in the last four years presented his accomplishments which were the high points of U.S. foreign policy. He said he ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

But his challenger Mitt Romney has hammered the president on the con-

been consequential, but this year they have had an impact.

Romney’s strong performance in the first debate in Denver on October 3 helped him recover from a series of stumbles and wiped out Obama’s advantage in opinion

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Polls project tight race

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EPUBLICAN Mitt Romney has closed the gap with President Barack Obama and the two candidates are now tied in the November 6 presidential race, according to a Reuters/Ipsos daily tracking poll released on Monday. The online survey of likely voters found Obama and Romney were each supported by 46 percent of the electorate as they prepare for their final televised debate on Monday night.

Romney trailed by 1 percentage point when the poll was last pub-

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US President Barak Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney during the second debate. fusing descriptions of the raid on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

What initially was characterized as a demonstration gone awry is now described as a terrorist attack. The stakes are high as polls show the race to be a virtual dead heat.

Though few voters cite the war in Afghanistan or other national-security topics as a top concern,

Obama pointed to a number of successes on his watch, from the end of the Iraq war. Romney focused on concerns about a nuclear Iran and turmoil in Libya to try to amplify concerns about Obama’s leadership at home and abroad. Much of the exchange focused on the Middle East, other topics such as trade with China and the debt crisis in Eu-

rope were also raised.

Romney accused Obama of presiding over a weakening in U.S. influence abroad, but he has to assure voters he is a credible alternative to the president on the world stage. The former Massachusetts governor’s July trip to London, Jerusalem and Poland was marked by missteps. Presidential debates have not always

McCain supporters swing to Obama’s camp N today’s highly po larized political environment it is somewhat surprising to find voters who backed John McCain in 2008 and now support President Barack Obama, but they exist.

Roughly 5 percent of respondents in Reuters/ Ipsos polls said they chose the Republican contender in 2008 and will switch to Obama in 2012. This number peaked at around 9 percent two separate times over the summer, according to data collected since January. Who are these defectors?

Jeff Waltrip, 56, is a retired electrician and retail worker who has voted Republican all his life.

But in his view Obama “has done a good job with what he was left with, and I truly believe that allowing Mitt Romney in there is going to make the world a whole lot worse than it is now.”

Waltrip said he liked the Republican ticket in 2008 because McCain is a veteran and because Sarah Palin “made me laugh.”

The McCain-to-Obama switchers are 55 percent male, and 34 percent of them are 55 or older.

polls. Obama fared better in their second encounter on October 16 but that has not helped him regain the lead. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey on Sunday put the two tied at 47 percent among likely voters.

(Overall, Obama trails Romney 34 percent to 52 percent among white men over 50.) About 72 percent of them are white. They are largely from the East Coast; nearly 4 in 10 live in the mid-

or South Atlantic. Nearly 3 in 10 finished their education after high school, and nearly 2 in 10 have a bachelor’s degree.

Two-thirds say they are absolutely going to vote, choosing “10” on a 1-10

scale for likelihood of voting. Even though 38 percent of all voters believe the economy is the election’s most prominent issue, just one-third of the McCain defectors agree.

Character matters more.

Failed coup: G/Bissau slams Portugal UINEA-Bissau’s in terim government accused Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries of being behind an assault on an air force base, saying it was part of a strategy to return to power the West African nation’s exiled former prime minister.

The military of the tiny coup-prone former Portuguese colony repelled the attack near the capital Bissau early on Sunday dur-

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•Nhamadjo ing a two-hour gunbattle that killed six people.

“The attack ... is part of

the strategy to bring (exprime minister) Carlos Gomes Junior back to Guinea-Bissau, even at the cost of human lives,” government spokesman Fernando Vaz said in a statement read on state radio on Sunday night.

“The tone of the speeches given by Portugal, the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) and Carlos Gomes Junior was the precursor to the attack,” he said.

Gunmen battle in Lebanon A

T least seven people were killed and dozens wounded in gunbattles in the Lebanese capital Beirut and coastal Tripoli on Monday in further unrest linked to the conflict in neighboring Syria, security and hospital sources said.

The clashes have

heightened fears that Syria’s civil war with its sectarian dimensions is now spreading into Lebanon, pitting local allies and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against each other. The Lebanese army promised decisive action to quell the violence, which was

touched off by the assassination of a senior intelligence officer last week.

That killing has plunged Lebanon into a political crisis and the army command urged party leaders to be cautious in their public statements so as not to inflame passions further.

lished on Saturday. The two candidates have remained within three percentage points of each other since shortly after their first debate on October 3.

“Today’s number emphasizes the fact that the race is very close. We enter the final debate with the candidates literally neck and neck,” Ipsos pollster Julia Clark said.

However, Obama still holds a substantial advantage in the battleground states that will determine the outcome of the election.

BRIEFS

BBC editor resigns

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HE editor of the BBC’s flagship TV news show stepped aside on Monday after the publicly funded broadcaster said his explanation for pulling an expose into alleged sexual abuse by one of its former presenters was “inaccurate or incomplete”.

The BBC is facing a growing crisis over claims that its bosses covered up allegations

against Jimmy Savile, one of its top presenters during the 1970s and 1980s who died last year.

Peter Rippon, editor of “Newsnight”, had said he had shelved a documentary into the Savile claims shortly after his death for editorial reasons and that the investigation had only focused on institutional failings by police and prosecutors.

S/A police admit fault in mine shooting OLICE authorities have admitted that they may have been at fault in the Marikana mine shooting, with some officers either overreacting or mistakenly shooting at protesters in response to “friendly-fire”.

In an opening statement

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to the inquiry into the deaths of 34 workers at South Africa’s Marikana mine, police officials said that “the response of some police officers may have been disproportionate to the danger they faced from the group of more than 200 armed protesters”.

Protest hits Tunisian govt HOUSANDS of secu larist protesters accused Tunisia’s Islamist government on Monday of undermining a transition to democracy by failing to stem violence after a secular politician was killed in political violence last week.

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Tension has been growing between Islamists and secularists since the Islamist Ennahda Movement won an election after the toppling of secular autocrat Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last year in the first of the “Arab Spring” uprisings.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 51

Ivory Coast: the side to avoid at Afcon draw violence halted the qual- stay apart until the TAR-saturated Ivory Coast are the team the other 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will want to avoid when the first round draw is made in Durban Wednesday.

Only hosts South Africa, title holders Zambia and four-time champions Ghana are sure of dodging the ‘Elephants’ during the initial 24-fixture phase as they are the other top seeds based on results from the past three tournaments.

Ivory Coast may have lifted the Cup of Nations only once — and that was 20 years ago — but the team won enormous respect this month by going to Dakar and leading Senegal 2-0 before crowd

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ifier. Then there is the star factor with captain Didier Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora desperate to end years of frustration, including two final defeats after penalty shootouts in the last four tournaments.

Mali, Tunisia, Angola and Nigeria are the second seeds, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Niger the third seeds, and Togo, newcomers Cape Verde Islands, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia the lowest seeds. When the late-night draw is complete in the Indian Ocean city there will be four pools consisting of a first, second, third and fourth seed, and, theoretically, the strongest sides should

knockout rounds. However, no draw would be done and dusted without a particularly strong mini-league — and Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria or Morocco and DR Congo would certainly fit that bill.

Nigeria are on the comeback trail after failing to qualify for the tournament this year and the introduction of exciting young Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses has boosted the ‘Super Eagles’. Algeria are annoyingly unpredictable, coming fourth in 2010 only to miss qualification in 2012, while Morocco are long overdue a good showing having won their lone title 36 years ago.

Sports Minister condoles with Vanguard HE Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has condoled with the staff and management of the Vanguard over the untimely death of sports photographer Sylva Eleanya.

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In a statement by his media aide, Mr Julius Ogunro, the minister described the late Eleanya as a diligent, industrious and creative journalist, whose work distinguished him amongst his peers.

“I was shocked to hear

about his death today.

This no doubt must be very sad for the Vanguard family coming so shortly after the death of another staff. I sympathize with the family of the deceased, and pray that his soul rest in peace,” the minister said.

NFF, Hotsports, Heartland mourn Eleanya Continues from BP ed and Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Lagos State chapter. He was a jolly good fellow and will be

missed by all at the NFF and the entire Nigeria football family.”

In another condolence message, the management of Hotsports de-

Eagles Continues from BP Strasbourg of France ace, declared that he has absolute respect for all the 16 teams that will take part in the championship but not fear. “Let them bring on any team and we will give our all. We have a team that the world too should be afraid of ”, he declared.

On his part, NFF Technical Committee head, Chris Green, said he was sure that Nigeria will get a favourable draw in Wednesday ’s event. “We have a strong team but we also know that we want a good draw so that as we will cruise in the championship we can stabilize and get our bearing right”.

Meanwhile organizers of the draws have

revealed an ambitious programme of events for all officials who will be attending. Enebi Achor, revealed that he would be attending a seminar for teams’ officials on Tuesday, draws proper will hold as scheduled on Wednesday, while officials will tour the venues on Thursday.

Friday will mark the departure of teams’ officials from South Africa ”, he revealed.

There have been fears in some quarters that following the seedings released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Nigeria might be drawn again fellow power houses in the continent like Ghana ’s Black Stars and the Elephants of Ivory Coast, Keshi’s timely submission has now quelled such scare.

scribed Eleanya’s death as “a great loss to sports journalism as he was an industrious photojournalist who carried out his assignments diligently.” The letter signed by the CEO, Taye Ige states that “Eleanya would be remembered for his contributions to the profession he was so passionate about.”

In the same vain, Heartland Football Club of Owerri yesterday sent their condolences to the management and staff of Vanguard Newspapers on the death of ace photojournalist, Sylve Eleanya. The letter which was signed by the General Manager/CEO Fan Ndubuoke states: Before his sudden death, Mr Eleanya was a well known and a respected journalist whose contributions helped in no small measure to the promotion and development of Nigerian sports, especially, football. He will be most remembered for his steadfastness in the use of photo journalism to aid our local football.”

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012 — 53

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

RIGINALLY, I had wanted to entitle this week’s piece “ When victory is not enough” While the Eagles were sweating it out in Calabar, I was away in Cameroun, Yaounde to be precise as a member of the CAF Delegation to the Nation’s Cup qualification match between Cameroon and Cape Verde.

I arrived Yaounde to meet a tense situation but one that bore a lot of hope and confidence.

The government had hijacked the functions of the Football Federation ( FECAFOOT) by inviting Etoo personally, some other believed old players and appointing a coach. The team was also moved from their traditional Hotel Mont Febe base to the Hilton. Nothing was left to chance.

Also put in place was a committee of eight ex internationals ...Roger Milla, Theophilus Abega, Antoine Bell, Emmanuel Kunde, Bonaventure Djondkep, Eugene Ekeke, Libih Thomas and Victor Ndip Akem. Severally they met with the players, psyched them up and addressed the press.

The media was agog and the underlying message was qualification, with a rider that even victory may not be good enough.

Twice I attended The Indomitable Lions training session and over 5,000 expectant supporters turned up to watch and to cheer.

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N the eve of the match, news filtered in that Nigeria had massacred Liberia and as far as the Camerounians were concerned this was a morale booster in a continent where Cape Verde was not as highly rated as Liberia!

Came the D-Day and as early as 8 am fans were already waiting for the gates to be opened by 10 am. Support was not going to lack. As the CAF Security Officer for the encounter, I knew I had my hands full.

All the Lions needed according to the media analysis was to score the opener in the first ten minutes and expect other goals to follow. Ten minutes on, no goals. In the 12th minute, Cape Verde got a free kick and scored. Silence of the grave yard. Disaster. Calamity. Instead of the three goals that were needed to guarantee victory, now the Lions had to score four without conceding no more.

The rest is history.

Interestingly, when I came back home I found out that in less than 24 hrs, the joy and celebration of victory was quickly giving way to the realities of South Africa next year.

Suddenly the victory over Liberia was welcome,

I fear Cote d’Ivoire, I fear Ghana ...

The Ivorians, for an incredible and frightening array of arsenal in their armoury, ditto the Black Stars whose commitment and attitude laced with patriotism is a dangerous blend

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but not enough. A bigger picture loomed. This went to tally with a discussion I had with the NFF President on phone immediately after the Calabar match ended. congratulated him and the NFF for the massive work that was put in to guarantee not only the qualification of the Eagles but for that of the Flying Eagles as well and before then, of the Falcons, Falconets and the Flamingoes for continental and world championships.

I then added a “but...” That after qualification comes the competition proper and that preparations must start now. Unfortunately for us, the non qualification for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea demoted the Eagles in the seeding process, so much that we are condemned to fall into the hands of either Cote

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D’Ivoire or Ghana and to a lesser extent Zambia and host South Africa.

On Wednesday, the draw will be held. What fate Nigeria? The coach and other pundits have been quoted as saying “…..bring on Cote D’ivoire” I have a different view. I am not the coach, I am a realist. I fear Cote D’Ivoire, I fear Ghana. The Ivorians, for an incredible and frightening array of arsenal in their armoury, ditto the Black Stars whose commitment and attitude laced with patriotism is a dangerous blend.

I do agree that to be able to win the cup any team must be ready to take on and beat all comers, yet unlike an Ivorian squad that has been together for as long as I can remember, we are, believe it or not, still in a rebuilding process, not helped by the non qualification last time out.

N Wednesday, I will prefer the South Africa group, prefer to buy time and mature as the competition progresses. Also, given the very circumstance mentioned above, I hope we can reenact the Westerhoff era when players decided to sacrifice their holidays and their Christmas to sweat it out for their glory and that of fatherland.

On Wednesday, I will sit in the International Conference Centre in Durban, with my fingers tightly crossed, a prayer on my lips. So help me God.

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Akwa Ibom kids burn the tracks for Mobil N Wednesday and Thursday this week, all the secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state will be involved in the Zonal eliminations that will qualify them for the 12th in the series of AKS/NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships.

The battle that is earmarked for the eight sports zones of the state at Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Eket, Ikot Abasi, Etinan, Oron and Ibiono Ibom will involve the participation of over six thousand students with Uyo zone boasting a participation of 62 schools.

Competitions will be held in 12 sports namely 100, 200, 400 and 800 metres, 100 and 400 metres relay, and the field events of high jump, long jump, discuss, shot put and javelin.

The first two finishers in each zone will qualify for the grand finale in Eket scheduled for the second week in December, immediately after the National Sports Festival.

As I await these and other results, see you next week.

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President Jonathan promises changes in sports RESIDENT good luck Jonathan spent almost the whole day yesterday at the Presidential Retreat that generally concluded that the fortunes of sports in Nigeria are dwindling because of sports virtually don’t exist again in schools, poor and inadequate facilities and infrastructure, poor funding, poor coaching, lack of competitions and poor sports administration.

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala while speaking on funding said that it was a pleasant surprise to her that bad sports administration was voted as the major problem in Nigerian sports. She said she thought it was poor

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funding and was almost getting edgy about it until the participants at the retreat voted poor sports management. Interestingly sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi in his overview of Nigerian sports said there was an emerging new direction and that Nigerians should change from the animosities of the past.

President Jonathan appreciated the contributions from the participants and promised “we will begin to make significant changes in sports.”

There was an ovation when he appreciated the points made on school sports and said that “we need to review the creteria for the establishment of primary and sec-

ondary schools in Nigeria so that the situation somebody sets up a school in a tight place without play grounds will be a thing of the past.”

He also said that emphasis should be on sports development and not only in winning medals in various competitions. President Jonthan spoke eloquently on the need to make sports an industry that will also create jobs.

He said all state governors will pull resources together to give sports new direction in sports.

Earlier in his welcome address he asked the states to set a target of each of them producing an athlete that win medals in the Onlympics and hoped that Nigeria could win five gold medals at the Rio Games

Condolence Visit to Vanguard Newspaper for the Late Sylva Eleanya by the NUJ Lagos State led by Chairman, Mr Deji Olumoye Pix. R-L Mr. Mideno Bayagbon(Editor) Kola Akinro, Mr Eze Anaba(Deputy Editor) and Mr Deji Olumoye, Chairman NUJ at the Corporate headquarters of Vanguard yesterday. Photo. Diran Oshe.

Gov’s Cup II: Five Nigerians zoom into second round FTER their disap pointing display in last week’s Governor’s Cup, Nigerian tennis players seem to have found the winning formular as no fewer than five of them qualified in their respective singles matches of the Governor’s

A

Cup Futures II holding at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, reports John Egbokhan.

Lawal, the country ’s highest ranked player Abdulmumini Babalola in straight sets of 7-6, 6-

4 to land in the second round, holding tomorrow while Clifford Enosoregbe was made to work hard for the second round ticket by Monday Igbinovia, who lost in three thrilling sets of 4-6, 7-6, 3-6.

55 — Vanguard,

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Similar to yesterday but, today more emphasis’ll be on money. Thus those of you who are more financially ambitious’ll have better and rewarding day than others. However that is not to say you should neglect your health.

By Richard Eromosele

I

F there is any commodity that SCORPIO; Positive things are happening from (and is scarce today, that around) you. The more enterprising you are the better for you today. And some of you will be mixing thing is time. It is on business & pleasure without harm. Lovers can have account of this that their way moderately. many of us leave unSAGITTARIUS; This is your day when things’ll go done what ought to according to your plans. And you’re advised to hit very hard not minding minor pressure from your base. have been done. It is CAPRICORN; Once again success would come if you experiment with good ideas rightly at the right time.

Those of you travelling are in for an exciting day.

Where is the man with the time.....? for this reason too that many of us leave tasking duties to our own detriment. It is for this reason also

TERROR MUDA

that we leave undone what could lead to our promotion.

If I may ask you,

in “Never say goodbye”

who is that man/ woman without something occupying him/her now? Virtually, every one of us is busy doing one thing or the other, but the issue is: what are you busy doing?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Early part of the day may bring you good opportunity along your business/business lines.

Work and your health must be taken very seriously PISCES; Like yesterday the Moon will operate from your Star sign again to the betterment of your cause.

Think of both your immediate and far future now.

ARIES You can still count on the supports of your tried and trusted friends. But it’s imperative you keep secrets as much as you can positively do.

TAURUS; The more receptive and willing you are to give and take co-operation the better for you today.

It’s wrong of you to neglect your friends in need now.

GEMINI; You’ll have the needed opportunity to consolidate on progress you have recorded yesterday along your career/business lines. Try to work harder.

CANCER; Element of luck will work favourably for you. Therefore you’re advised to expand the scope of your tentacle for better results. It’s another fairly favourable day for lovers who are more enterprising today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LEO; Joining forces with other people is not a sin but it’s important everybody knows the clear term of the venture , be it of short or longer duration. Be very practical.

VIRGO; Many of you’ll travel either physically or within your mind; whichever one you’re involved with the out come will be favourable. Be more receptive, especially if your priority is commercial success.

Take your new ideas more seriously today.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send your date and place of birth to the Astrological Counselling, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos

Basic characteristics of Aquarius 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 they are nice persons who truly care for others, especially the less fortunate ones. They are loyal friend willing to belong to powerful social clubs or reasonable community.

The quality of Aquarius is fixed. That means it is important for them to watch the way they change their minds on important issues; Uranus factor makes all Aquarius natives freedom loving and whoever tries to impose any idea on you will be resented The element of Aquarius is the air. That 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. Then, Aquarians are truly good friends and bad enemies; it is not in the best interest of anybody to frustrate an Aquarian..

Aquarius being a scientific sign. Aquarians can be inventive. 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

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, OCT0BER 23, 2012

Sports Minister condoles withVanguard — P.51

Eagles not afraid of Drogba’s Elephants, Black Stars — Keshi UPER Eagles boss, S t e p h e n Okechukwu Keshi, has said he is not afraid of any team as the draws for the qualifier holds tomorrow in Durban , South Africa .

Keshi, along with NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barrister Christoper Green are scheduled to travel today to South Africa for the draws, with the NFF already having a team on ground in Nelson Mandela’s country led

by Super Eagles Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor.

“I have said to a lot of people and will say it again that I am not afraid of any team in the championship draws.

You don’t win a championship by being afraid of your opponents

S

•Late Sylva

•Keshi

NFF, Hotsports, Heartland mourn Eleanya T HE Nigeria Football Federation has condoled Vanguard Media Limited over the death on Saturday night of ace photojournalist Sylva Eleanya.

NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire, who worked with the respected photojournalist for almost 10 years at Van-

guard, was visibly distressed: “The NFF is in grief over the death of Mr. Eleanya. A big tree has fallen. He was one of the very best in the photo sector.

“We remember that Sylva Eleanya was always present at major events, and did his job creditably and profes-

sionally. He was a prominent face in Calabar just a week earlier when the Super Eagles defeated Liberia to qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

“Honestly, I am inconsolable. He was a personal friend and was always so jovial. We travelled together to several

major international sporting events and he always excelled.”

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said: “We send our most sincere condolences to the immediate family of Mr. Eleanya, Vanguard Media Limit Continues on Page 51

I/Coast: the side to avoid at Afcon draw — Page 51

•Drogba

TODAY'S

and that is the spirit with which I am going to the draws with”, he was quoted as saying by Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya.

The former NNB of Benin skipper, Anderletch of Belgium, Molenbeck FC and Continues on Page 51

PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS ACROSS 1 Ditch (6) 5 Scatter (6) 8 Glue (8) 9 Soon (4) 10 Lettuce (3) 12 Employees (5) 15 Obese (3) 17 Beaker (3) 18 Bird (3) 19 Also (3) 20 Eject (5) 21 Loiter (3) 22 Meadow (3) 23 Lubricate (3) 24 Concealed (3) 26 Material (5) 29 Still (3) 33 Rip (4) 34 Reached (8) 35 Pester (6) 36 Distant (6)

DOWN 2 Wireless (5) 3 Require (4) 4 Raise (5) 5 Bundle (5) 6 Harvest (4) 7 Fragrance (5) 10 Capture (5) 11 Berate (5) 12 Javelin (5) 13 Administer (5) 14 Criminal (5) 15 Completely (5) 16 Taut (5) 25 Perfect (5) 27 Watchful (5) 28 Exterior (5) 30 Happening (5) 31 Haul (4) 32 Unyielding (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Sale 4, Fad 6, Bear 8, Artful 9, Matter 10, Lap 12, Swarm 14, Sneak 15, Cease 18, Accent 20, Flowed 24, Enter 26, Union 28, Dirge 30, Ebb 32, Bigger 33, Elicit 34, Omen 35, Err 36, Eyed.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Arrow 3, Enforce 4, Full 5, Damp 6, Baton 7, Average 11, Ass 12, Sea 13, Men 16, Ate 17, Eft 19, Confirm 21, Led 22, Orifice 23, Due 25, Nub 27, Organ 29, Grime 30, Erne 31, Beer.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.