We can sponsorJonathan in 2015 — PDP

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61803

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Our quarrel with CAN

•P.15

— Catholic Church

N150

Mega party: We 're •P.10 irrevocably committed — Tinubu

We can sponsor Jonathan in 2015 — PDP •Wants to be joined in suit seeking to stop Jonathan •Stable PDP 'll guarantee Nigeria's unity — Tukur

•10 NWC members apologise to Tukur

BY HENRY UMORU & IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA -THE Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday,

told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that nothing forbids it from re-nominating President Goodluck Jonathan in the next electoral contest.

The party, which stated

Continues on page 5

•P.25

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

OCHENDO'S NUGGETS•P.19

THE HUB •P.19

Mr & Mrs

Maulud—

Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garba, receiving guests at the annual Maulud, signifying the birthday of Prophet Mohammed in his Palace in Maiduguri, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Brandish!

Phoney wars...—See inside

88-yr-old former lawmaker arraigned for N1.4m fraud •P.9 C M Y K

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 3

C M Y K

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

EXPLOSIVES—

Police Anti-Bomb Squad Unit with explosives recovered from Plateau State that were to be destroyed in Jos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

We can sponsor Jonathan in 2015 — PDP Continues from Page 1 this on a day it urged the court to join it in a suit seeking to stop President Jonathan from seeking re-election, argued that “by the very tenor of the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, this suit questions the right of the applicant to sponsor one of its members for the 2015 presidential elections. The applicant herein seeks

to protect its interest in the present action by this application.”

Consequently, the ruling party, via a fourparagraph and 10-subparagraph affidavit filed by its National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kwon Victor, in support of its application to be joined in the matter, further argued that “having been sponsored by the applicant for the 2011 election and Jonathan being a member of the PDP,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Whether we want them or not, the new year will bring new challenges. Whether we seize them or not, the new year will bring new opportunities. May we all overcome challenges and seize opportunities of 2013 — Michael Josephson.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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NOCK and He’ll open the door. Be still; and He’ll make you shine like the sun. And when you fall, He’ll raise you to the heavens. Become nothing, and He’ll turn you into everything — Rumi These sage words of Rumi the great poet of ancient times rings true in every moment of our lives.

When you strengthen your connection with something greater than yourself, there is nothing you cannot do when the breath of life dwells within you!

Brian Weiss, from his writings tapping into the power of divine love, concludes that one of the most important of life´s lessons is to learn independence, to understand freedom. This means independence from attachments, from results, from opinions, and from expectations. Breaking attachments leads to freedom, but breaking attachments does not mean abandoning a loving and meaningful relationship, a relationship that nourishes your soul. It means ending dependency on any person or thing. Love is never a dependency.” For within each of us is a light that shines more radiantly when we are awakened to a beautiful knowing of the divine essence in our lives.

who is capable of being sponsored for the 2015 presidential election, the PDP will directly be affected by the outcome of the decision of this court one way or the other.”

While PDP was defending its interest in court, 10 members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), who went behind the Tukur, to reinstate the sacked Adamawa State Executive Committee, apologised to Tukur, yesterday, with the chairman saying he had forgiven them.

Meanwhile, Tukur said that a stable PDP would guarantee the stability and unity of the country, which he further averred would be ensured by food security. He spoke when Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi paid him a solidarity visit at the PDP National Secretariat.

PDP as defendant To ensure that it was not hurt by the suit, the PDP approached the high court for a consequential order directing the plaintiff to amend his originating processes with a view to reflecting PDP as a defendant in the suit.

President Jonathan had on November 21, 2012, personally challenged the court action

instituted against him by a Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Henry Amadi, who is equally a card-carrying member of the PDP. Amadi had in his suit wherein he also named the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as a defendant, asked the court to stop Jonathan from contesting the 2015 Presidential polls.

The plaintiff also prayed the court to direct INEC not to accept Jonathan’s nomination as candidate of the PDP in 2015, contending that by so doing, Jonathan will foist illegality in the polity since the oath of allegiance and office he will take should he win, will violate the two oaths of allegiance and office stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.

Amadi’s suit is similar to the one filed by another member of the PDP, Mr Cyriacus Njoku on March 20, 2012 before an Abuja High Court, to stop Jonathan on ground that he is already in his second term in office.

Though Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi had earlier concluded hearing on the first suit, however, he deferred judgment on the case indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Justice Adamu Bello who is presiding over the latter case, yesterday, fixed February 26 to entertain legal arguments from

both PDP and the plaintiff regarding the joinder application.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr C.N Eke had opposed PDP’s bid to be joined as an interested party in the matter, even as he told the court that he would like to formally file a preliminary objection to the application.

Jonathan fights back Nevertheless, Jonathan had in a counter-affidavit he filed through his lawyer, Mr Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, asked the court to strip itself of the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, insisting that the plaintiff lacks the locus to request court to stop him from contesting the 2015 presidential election.

He argued that Amadi failed to disclose reasonable cause of action and that the plaintiff ’s claim is hypothetical and academic.

Besides, Jonathan contended that he took the first oath of office on May 6, 2010, following the death of erstwhile President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

He said: “The question that arises for determination is whether, having regard to the facts of this case, he is in his first or second term. In other words, given that the constitution prescribes a maximum of two terms of four years each totaling a maximum of eight years as President, is he eligible to run for reelection in 2015?

“If yes, that would mean that, if he wins, he would be in office for a period of more than eight years. On the other hand, if the answer is no that would mean that he, for no fault of his, would be constrained to serve for a period of less than eight years.

10 NWC members

apologise to Tukur In like manner, 10 members of the NWC, yesterday apologised to Tukur, saying that they were pressured to restate sacked Adamawa exco and pledge to work with him The apology and Tukur ’s acceptance of same were in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s order that aggrieved NWC members should end the cold war among them.

Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that Tukur and other members of the NWC went into a meeting soon after Elechi’s visit to the National Secretariat.

It was also gathered that members of the NWC who had returned the sacked Adamawa State PDP Executive told Tukur at the meeting that they erred by not carrying him along and taking the decision in his absence, just as he was asked to forgive them and stressed the need for them to work at the same pace and in the spirit of building the PDP for the growth and development of the country.

Present at yesterday’s NWC meeting were the National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur; the Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja; Acting National Secretary, Solomon Onwe; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; National Woman Leader, Ambassador Kema Chikwe; National Youth leader, Garba Umar Chiza; National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha; National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha; National Treasurer, Bala Kaoje; National Financial Secretary, Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani and National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

IFC to float N8bn bonds in Nigeria, lists on NSE

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM & CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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MEETTING: From left: Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; President Goodluck Jonathan; Nigerian Ambassador To Switzerland, Mrs Fidelia Njeze; Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations Permanent Mission in Geneva, Amb. Umunna Orjiako and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Developement, Dr Akinwumi Adesina during President Jonathan's meeting with Nigerian community in Switzerland, in Geneva, Tuesday. Photo: State House.

Police College: Commandant's fate hangs in the balance zAs Jonathan may sanction him, other officials zFalana offers to defend Yerima free if sacked

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA — THERE were indications, last night, that President Goodluck Jonathan might sanction the Commandant of the Ikeja Police College, Mr. Irimiya Yerima, over what the Presidency described as negative image given to Nigeria by the exposure of the rot in the college to the world.

Vanguard gathered that President Jonathan was still angry over the filming of the filth in the college by Channels Television, thereby painting Nigeria in bad light.

The feeling within the Presidency is that it was the commandant that gave unfettered access to the television station to record the footage and beam it to the world so as to embarrass the Federal Government.

The anger of the Presidency stems from the fact that there was no way the crew could have entered the premises of the dilapidated college without the approval of Yerima, a commissioner of police.

It was learnt that many heads are likely to roll as soon as Jonathan returns to the country from his overseas trip.

Competent sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that Yerima had already been made to write statements to the Police High Command and the Presidency over his involvement or otherwise in the filming of the college but that the authorities were still seething with anger.

One source claimed that the President was set to descend on Yerima and other officials in the police force whose indiscretion led to the uncanny exposure of Nigeria to ridicule.

Falana offers to defend Yerima free However, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, yesterday threatened to tackle the Presidency if Yerima was dismissed over no fault of his.

Falana said in Abuja that the police commissioner did not commit any offence to warrant being sacked from his duty post by the Presidency.

Falana said: “If Jonathan dismisses Yerima, I will go to court to challenge him and I will defend the CP free of charge because he has not committed any offence.

“Under the Freedom of Information Act, it would have been an offence for anyone to stop Channels Television from filming the college and we have no evidence it was Yerima who gave them access to do so.”

Even before Jonathan’s return to Nigeria, the police authorities had raised a highpowered committee to examine funds remitted to the colleges nationwide and the panel is expected to turn in its report before the end of the month.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), are said to be

gripped by fear over the development at the Ikeja Police College.

Both men are reported to have prepared their defence ahead of Jonathan’s return to the country later in the week.

AGOS — THE International Finance Corporation, IFC, yesterday, announced that it will float $50 million (an equivalent of N8 billion) bonds to support the Nigerian capital market.

The First Vice President and Treasurer, IFC, Mr. Jingdong Hua, who disclosed this at the bell ringing ceremony on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, as a first step towards the formal listing on February 1, said that it was the first naira denominated bond by the corporation and the first of its kind in the emerging markets.

He said the bond, which has a five-year tenor, was a collaborative effort of the corporation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Ministry of Finance and other regulatory agencies.

Hua observed that the choice of Nigeria followed a strong indication of emergence of the country as the investment destination of choice, not just in Africa, but globally.

According to him, the $50 million bonds would give birth to the listing of various other bonds to be termed ‘Naija bonds’ from the

corporation, adding that the slogan so chosen was representative of Nigeria spirit of hardwork and patriotism.

He explained that proceeds from the bonds would be deployed towards the completion of the corporation’s pipeline project, support its private sector development programme, as well as support the Federal Government’s infrastructure.

He said: "The IFC Naija bond will be a milestone achievement as we continue to work with governments and local authorities to strengthen domestic capital markets in the region.”

He noted that the IFC Naija bond is targeted at investors such as pension funds, insurers, asset managers, and banks who seek to diversify their portfolio while investing in high-quality assets.

Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor, IFC Country Manager for Nigeria, said: “The IFC Naija bond will support the government’s efforts to deepen domestic capital markets in Nigeria."

Also speaking, Executive Director, NSE, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo, said the listing would mark a novel achievement in the annals of the Nigerian capital market, as this was the first emerging market to have IFC bonds listed on it.

Reps to probe foreign firms over N275bn contracts

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — THE House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Customs and Excise to probe contracts worth N275 billion awarded to four foreign firms operating at the nation’s borders.

The contracts were for the provision of Destination Inspection Scheme, DIS; scanning services, risk management techniques and electronic platform at the borders.

Adopting a motion brought by Abimbola Daramola on the floor, yesterday, the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided, directed the committee to report back to the House within two weeks.

The affected companies include Cotecna Destination Inspection Ltd; SGS Scanning Nigeria Ltd; Global Scan Systems Ltd and Webb Fountain (Nigeria) Ltd. The companies were supposed to build, equip, train and transfer their technology and expertise to the Nigeria Customs Service and hand over their functions seamlessly to them fully at the end of December 2012.

But Daramola had in the motion on the urgent need to prevent continued loss of revenue through ports inspection contracts, yesterday, submitted that in December last year, the Minister of Finance and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service in conjunction with the service providers curiously announced an extension of the contract for a period of six months without due process and against the

overall interest of the country.

The lawmaker noted that as a result of the extension, N21 billion would be paid to the service providers irrespective of the quality of work and without handing over to the NCS or making Nigerians the dominant players after many years.

Daramola also expressed worry that the revenue potentials of the country were not being realised as adequate taxes were not being paid by the Destination Inspection Service providers.

According to him, the collection of government revenue is also not being maximised as over $1 billion of government revenue have been lost.

Malfunctioned audio system disrupts House proceedings In another development, proceedings on the floor of the House were disrupted midway into the session as the quality of the audio system installed in the chamber malfunctioned intermittently.

The development forced the House to adjourn plenary until next Tuesday to enable the technical department to rectify the problem.

Deputy Speaker, Ihedioha said: “Because of the technical problem in the last 20 minutes, our proceedings have not been recorded. After consultations, we have decided to adjourn plenary till Tuesday due to the Eid-el Maulud holiday tomorrow (today) and also to enable the technicians rectify the problem.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 7

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA — EMINENT Nigerians, yesterday, disagreed on the progress so far made by Nigeria in its 100 years of existence to warrant celebration but agreed that corruption and impunity must be ruthlessly tackled for the nation to move forward.

The Speakers, made of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah; Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana; Niger Delta activist, Ms Ann-Kio Briggs and Dr. Sule Bello, Director, African Research and Development Agency, bared their minds at the 10th Daily Trust Dialogue, in Abuja.

The dialogue with the theme “Nation-Building: Challenges and Reality,” was chaired by former Botswana President, Mr. Festus Mogae, who described Nigeria as an outstanding nation with huge human and capital potentials that should be well harnessed by the leadership for the well-being of all Nigerians.

While some of the speakers vilified Nigeria for achieving nothing since the amalgamation of the country in 1914, others waxed philosophical and praised the nation for the giant strides so far made and called for more action to take the nation to a greater height.

We’ve made progress but must unite to perfect our unity — Tambuwal Tambuwal, who delivered the keynote address, said Nigeria should not be seen as a mere geographical expression but as a great country that had withstood major challenges to make history in its 100 years of existence.

Tambuwal noted that Nigeria, like any other nation in the world, had its own challenges, which could best be resolved by the collective effort of Nigerians through dialogue, debates and willingness to accept one another’s viewpoint.

Tambuwal said: “The challenges of nation-building in a place like Nigeria are many and sometimes messy. The diversity of culture and character; the difference in religion and tradition; the clear gap in values and orientation; and the dubious legacy of our colonial history, make the prospect appear daunting.

“Practically, every nation formed by people from diverse backgrounds and inclinations must contend with similar conflicts. It is the ability to constantly see beyond these differences to the bonds that hold us together that is key to our success.

“By next year, we will be celebrating 100 years of being together as one nation. I do believe that it takes deliberate, even determined effort to achieve

such a feat. We must credit the ordinary people of this country for their wondrous generosity and love for one another which have made the unity of this country an established truism.

Conflict not necessarily bad thing “There will always be conflict but that is not necessarily such a bad thing in itself. Indeed, some democrats believe that conflicts are the catalysts in a democracy, often leading to a more perfect union.

“The truth is that the random acts of violence we see everyday which some critics call signs of a failing state are in reality clear indications that we still have work to do. We must look for ways to put more jobs in peoples’ hands and get our kids off the streets.

But none of these is a problem peculiar to our country.

Nothing to celebrate — Ann-Kio Briggs But Niger Delta activist, AnnKio Briggs, dismissed Nigeria as a toddler at 100, with nothing to show for all the years, contending that the celebration should be shelved and the money used for more beneficial purposes.

Briggs said corruption and failure of good governance were the main vestiges of the amalgamation between the South and Northern Protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914.

She said the British government packaged in 1914 and put together one giant nation called Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups, ignoring the obvious differences in culture, religion and languages of the people they colonized.

She contended that the challenges confronting Nigeria would make it impossible for it to attain greatness because of the unresolved distrust and suspicion among the different nationalities in Nigeria.

She said: “The different people who make up Nigeria generally do not share a common national identity, except for the name Nigeria. Therefore, nationbuilding remains difficult, leaving Nigeria to discuss nation building every 10 or 12 years. Nigeria has so far failed to attain nationhood as nation building is about building on that common national identity."

Briggs who called for the reintroduction of regional government to check claims of marginalization, boundary crisis and injustice, said the mantra that Nigeria must stay as one nation at the expense of a few states for the interest of many other states was unfair and would lead to the crisis that might bring it to the breaking point.

Most African leaders are surrogate —Bello Director, Africa Research and Development Agency, Dr. Sule Bello, however, attributed Nigeria

From left: Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of State and Gen. and Mrs Theophilus Danjuma during the commendation service for late Most Rev Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye, at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Centenary: Eminent Nigerians disagree on nation's progress zNothing to celebrate — Briggs zWe’ve made progress as a nation —Tambuwal zAfrican leaders are puppets of colonial powers —Bello zRevolution imminent —Falana zThere’ll be no revolution —Kukah zNigeria must stop impunity —Mogae and Africa’s problems to overdependence on foreign influence, adding that most of the countries were still serving as surrogates and agents of the West.

Bello disagreed with Ms. Briggs that Nigeria had nothing to celebrate after 100 years of its amalgamation, stressing that one of the greatest problems facing the country was not only the problem of impunity but foreign influence which had affected the economy of the country.

According to him, some of the African leaders are mere figure heads whose policies and programmes are designed by the Western powers to better the lot of their economy to the detriment of the African continent.

Revolution’s imminent —Falana Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, noted with dismay that the level of poverty in the country had provided a fertile ground for recruitment of the economically un-captured to perpetuate wanton ethno-religious violence and warned that a revolution was imminent unless the government addressed the crises.

Falana said: “If the Federal Government does not proceed speedily to address the crisis of insecurity, poverty, unemployment and official corruption in the country, the January 2012 protests may turn out to be a mere rehearsal for the social revolution which President

Jonathan has rightly predicted.”

He said the solution to the problem was massive investment of the material resources of the country on development and employment creation, which will lead to the restructuring and diversification of the economy, tackling of corruption and the commitment to development which will be true and central.

The human right activist noted that the problem with the country was not lack of institutions but that the existing institutions had underperformed and had been hijacked, domesticated and used for certain group interests.

“By institutions, it refers to the electoral body, police, media, judiciary and religious and ethnic- based groups. The more these institutions are divorced from ethno-religious interests, the more they champion the quest for nation-building.”

He also said that for the country to make remarkable mark in nation-building, some individuals should not be above the law while others are being subjected to the law, noting that the current system was replete with cases where certain individuals had deliberately disobeyed the law and obtained court injunctions for personal interests.

There’ll be no revolution in Nigeria —Kukah Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Kukah, sounded positive that no revolution would take place in

Nigeria despite all the challenges facing the nation and its people.

Kukah, who described himself as a "merchant of hope," asked Nigerians to come together and proffer solutions to the nation’s woes rather than lose hope and sound pessimistic, insisting that no nation has ever been free of challenges.

The priest also dispelled the notion that all office holders were corrupt, pointing out that many of the leaders were honest and patriotic persons who should be celebrated by Nigerians.

Nigeria must stop impunity — Mogae Former President of Botswana, Mr. Festus Mogae, who chaired the dialogue, advised Nigerian leaders to always strive to uphold the principle of the Rule of Law and stop the practice of impunity which had tended to retarded the growth of the country.

The former leader suggested that those who break laws in the country should promptly be made to face the music to deter others from acting with impunity.

Mogae said: “Nigeria being the largest black nation on earth with more human and capital resources than other African countries should do something about corruption so as to take its rightful place on the continent.

“Nigeria should play a leading role to promote prosperity in Africa by stemming corruption and impunity by punishing lawbreakers, to move the country forward."

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

We're in Mali to secure lives of Nigerians — Jonathan zSays 50% of Boko Haram members are trained in Mali

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated that Nigeria’s involvement in the crisis in Mali was not borne out of any territorial ambition but to secure the lives of Nigerians from terrorism and stop terrorists from establishing bases in West Africa.

He stated this in Geneva when he met with members of the Nigerian community.

Jonathan said: “Nigeria has no territorial interest in Mali. Going to Mali does not mean that we are trying to extend our territorial control to the country. No. We believe that if we don’t go there, the war going on there will affect us”.

The president said the escalation of violence in the northern part of Nigeria, which recently resulted in an attack on the Emir of Kano, was a direct fallout of activities of terrorists in West Africa sub-region.

He warned that if the crisis in Mali was not managed, it might engulf Nigeria and many of its neighbours.

He said: “That is why Nigeria is particularly interested in Mali. Because the Northern part of Mali is now becoming a sanctuary for breeding of terrorists that are trooping into West and Northern Africa.

“We are gradually improving the Nigeria security architecture. So, we are surely working hard and by the grace of God, the problem will surely come down.

If you don’t solve the problem of Mali, Nigerians will continue to sleep with one eye closed because the terrorists will like to move from Northern Mali to Niger, Chad and, of course, Northern Nigeria.

“Almost 50 percent of Boko Haram adherents are trained in northern Mali.

Most of the weapons they use come from Libya to Mali and then to Nigeria".

The President said there was no conflict of interest between Nigeria and France on the latter’s involvement in the Malian crisis.

“Nigeria has been working with France in many areas", he said and cited the case of the collaboration it had with ECOWAS on Cote

D’Ivoire.

He added: "Their own policy of managing their Francophone countries is their way of doing things, but that does not mean that on issues that affect the Anglo-phone countries we should keep quite. We thank them for coming to assist us. But we will do our best to make sure that the situation is under control”.

Lauds Adesina, Agric Minister On the issue of fighting corruption, the President said his government was doing everything possible to check the menace.

He expressed happiness with the current Minister of Agriculture, saying immediately he came on board, he initiated the e-procurement of fertilizer and tractors which had made the product available to consumers.

Subsidy must go On fuel subsidy, he said all over the world, it was a policy that hydrocarbons shouldn’t be subsidized.

He said instead of subsidies to go to the people directly, it was going to big

cats and big rats, stressing there was need to sanitize the industry.

He noted regrettably that riots came up in Lagos and other places in the face of the sanitisation process.

“We are very happy we got to some level and we are still struggling. But for you to stop corruption, you must make sure that the culture of impunity is dealt with and people who commit offence get punished,” he posited.

The President observed that this position applied to the government’s fight against Boko Haram and other forms of crimes and criminalities.

He said: “We make sure that if you commit offence, we pursue you. And a number of its actors (Boko Haram) we continue to pursue them.

"Only yesterday, one of our brothers, Henry Okah was jailed in South Africa.

If somebody commits crime, we’ll make sure we get him, even if it takes one month or 10 years.

“The issue of impunity is being addressed. We believe that the issues of corruption and Boko Haram will one day be a thing of the past.”

Senate okays Turaki, Nebo as ministers

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—THE Senate yesterday unanimously confirmed the nominations of Prof Chinedu Nebo and Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, as ministers after a thorough screening of the duo.

Their names were forwarded for screening and subsequent confirmation

by President Goodluck Jonathan to fill the vacant positions of Alhaji Haliru Bello and Prof Barth Nnaji, whose appointments as ministers of Defence and Power respectively, were terminated by the President.

Alhaji Turaki hails from Kebbi State, while Prof Chinedu Nebo hails from Enugu State respectively.

The action of the Senate was in line with Section 142 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Senate President, David Mark, in announcing their

confirmation, urged the nominees to deploy their experiences which they displayed during the screening to bear in their places of assignment.

Congratulating the nominees on behalf of the Senate, Senator Mark said: “if by the time they are deployed as ministers, they match their action with their words here, we expect that they will perform very well”.

During the screening, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said he was in full support of the Federal Government’s decision to celebrate 100 years of amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, noting that in spite of doubts in some quarters that the country’s continued existence as indivisible nation was not possible, it had proven otherwise.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—9

88-yr-old former legislator arraigned for N1.4m fraud

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A FORMER member of the Western House of Assembly, 88-year-old Olusola Alaba, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos High Court, sitting at Ikeja, and charged with an alleged N1.4 million fraud.

Alaba, is facing a five-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and forgery, before Justice Lateefa Okunnu in a suit brought against him by the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Francis Usani, claimed the defendant had on June 20, 2011, in Lagos fraudulently obtained the sum of N1, 490,000 from Mrs. Olutoyin Ogundipe.

He alleged that Alaba obtained the said sum from the woman by claiming that the money represented the cost of a three bedroom flat located at Plot 8, Oladimeji Alo Street, Lekki Phase One, Lagos.

Usani accused him of forging four international passports in the names of Babatunde Salvage, Anthony Okundalaye, Lateef Alli and Magnus Obe, to facilitate the fraud.

According to Usani, the alleged offence contravened Section 1 (2) (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and 467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.

Alaba pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge leveled

against him.

His counsel, Mrs. Mercy Emuveyan, urged the court to remand him in EFCC custody pending the filing of his bail application.

She appealed to the court to consider the defendant’s age and health condition as well as being a former member of the Western House of Assembly.

Okunnu granted her request and remanded the defendant in EFCC custody and adjourned the matter to March 26, 2013, for trial.

From left: Adeolu Bajomo, Executive Director, Nigerian Stock Exchange,NSE; Jingdong Hua, Vice President, International Finance Corporation, IFC; Jalo Waziri Haruna, Head Business Development, NSE and Leke Ogunlewe, CEO, Standard Chartered Securities Nigeria Ltd, during a courtesy call and bell ringing, at NSE, during a roadshow for the IFC’s “Naija” bond, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

LASG gives owners of abandoned vehicles 3 days to remove them

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — LAGOS State Government yesterday gave owners of abandoned vehicles in the state a threeday ultimatum to remove them or have them impounded.

The government warned that from Monday, January 28, 2013, it would commence removal of all abandoned

vehicles on the roads and streets.

According to Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, owners of such vehicles especially in Surulere, Mainland, Mushin, Agege, and other Local Governments, should remove their vehicles immediately as members of the Committee on Abandoned and Disused

vehicles would commence a state wide removal of abandoned vehicles.

He said the exercise would commence from Surulere Local Government, Itire – Ikate and Coker - Aguda Local Council Development Areas, noting that government would not hesitate to remove any vehicle which could serve as haven for criminals,

Workers ask Jonathan to sack health minister

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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AGOS — FIVE unions in the health sector under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, yesterday, b e g a n a nationwide rally to protest against the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu , threatening strike should President GoodLuck Jonathan refuse to relieve the Minister of his job.

Members of the Unions in Lagos are Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Professionals Allied to Medicine, NUPMTAPM, Medical and Health Workers Union, MHWUN, NonAcademic Staff Union, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, SSATHRAI, National Nurses and

Midwives, NANNM. Speaking,, President of JOHESU, Faniran Olukayode, said the rally was in continuation of the December 13 Abuja rally, stressing the unions would continue to protest until Chukwu was removed as Minister of health.

Olukayode accused the Minister of insensitivity to the plight of health workers.

impede free flow of traffic or threaten the safety and security of the people.

Opeifa urged Community Development Associations, CDA) and residents not to hesitate to call or text the following GSM Numbers 08032226544, 08094490867, 08174616936 or send an email to transportinfo@lagosstate.gov.ng whenever there was any abandoned or disused vehicle in their communities.

The commissioner advised mechanics from Third Mainland Bridge to the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, office at Sura, Ilubirin, to vacate the entire stretch of the road within three days.

He said that at the expiration of the ultimatum, any mechanic found operating on this axis wouldl be appropriately sanctioned.

Newswatch: Shareholders urge court to stop Jimoh Ibrahim

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS— TWO shareholders of N e w s w a t c h Communications Limited, Messrs Nuhu Wada Aruwa and Prof.

Jibril Aminu, have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to stop Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, from publishing or selling any daily newspaper with the name “Newswatch,” pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Other respondents in the suit are Newswatch Communications Limited, Global Media Mirror Limited, Newswatch Newspapers Limited and Corporate Affairs Commission.

Wada and Prof. Aminu are contending that the affairs of Newswatch Communications Limited were being conducted in a manner that is illegal and oppressive to them and in disregard of their interests.

They argued that Global Media Mirror Limited and Mr. Ibrahim, in furtherance of the said objective, had shut down the operations of the Newswatch Communications Limited, and stopped the publication of Newswatch Magazine since August 2012 till date.

The applicants are further contending that Global Media Mirror Limited and Mr. Ibrahim, in particular had fraudulently hijacked and taken over the Newswatch Communications Limited without due process and without the proper authority of the said company ’s shareholders.

They alleged that Jimoh's company floated the Newswatch Newspapers Limited wherein they fraudulently gave to themselves majority shares without the knowledge and consent of the petitioners or indeed the other shareholders of Newswatch Newspapers Limited.

The petitioners had complained in their substantive suit that Global Media Mirror Limited had concluded plans to replace Newswatch with a daily newspaper with the name of Newswatch.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Mega party: We're irrevocably committed — Tinubu ...visits Alaafin along with Ajimobi, Akande leader who must not be deterred by the recent fire outbreak that ravaged part of B A DA N — N AT I O N A L his palace.

Leader of the Action Tinubu spoke when he Congress of Nigeria, ACN, alongside Governor Abiola Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday, said leaders of the National Chairman of ACN, three leading opposition Chief Bisi Akande, National parties were making steady Vice-Chairman (South-West), progress on the planned Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi and the merger of the parties.

National Publicity Secretary, The parties are ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Congress for Progressive among others visited the Change, CPC and All palace to commiserate with Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP. Alaafin.

From left: Prof. Mojeed Alabi, former Speaker, House of Assembly; Ogbeni Rauf AregbesoThis came as he described la, Osun State Governor; his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; and Hon. Najeem Salam, Speaker, the Alaafin of Oyo,Oba Lamidi The former governor of Lagos State said they were after the Governor had presented 2013 Budget speech to the House of Assembly.

Adeyemi as a courageous irrevocably committed to the formation of the mega party, saying after the merger of the three parties, a new party would emerge that would give the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a good fight in the 2015 elections.

The South West Zonal Public vandals who came in speed

By EVELYN USMAN, BOSE ADELAJA & DAUD OLATUNJI Relations Officer of the National He declared that the boats and canoes, ruptured Emergency Management merger talk was not four portions of system 2B Agency NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim governed by any selfish pipeline which was recently

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI RECALCITRANT vandals, Farinloye, when contacted, said gains but for the repaired, from where they yesterday, stormed the Nigerian the agency had mobilised betterment of the people siphoned a yet-to -be DO EKITI—THE in Nigeria.

National Petroleum Corporation resources to the scene. ascertained quantity of Court of Appeal, AdoNNPC, pipeline in Arepo, He said; ‘’NEMA received a Tinubu said: “We, as product.

Ekiti Division, has Ogun State, barely two weeks distress call around 4.30a.m. and leaders, must be ready to But while fleeing the scene, faulted Ekiti State after, setting four portions on contacted NNPC which make sacrifices, be ready they reportedly set the pipeline Governor, Dr. Kayode fire, after siphoning petroleum immediately shut down supplies to bring our character on fire, apparently to wade off Fayemi, for the sack of and value together to product from the broken through the line. security agents. elected council ensure that we build an portions.

"All stakeholders met at It would be recalled that two chairmen and Thick smoke billowed for the 10.00a.m. at Arepo and a pre- understanding that will weeks ago an explosion councillors during the better part of the area behind operational meeting was held on bring good governance. occurred at the same spot, tenure of Segun Oni, Journalists Estate Phase 1, the best approach and resolution It is not about us. It is killing several suspected ordering government to about the country. It is Arepo, with fire fighters battling of some initial challenges." vandals allegedly siphoning pay all their about commitment to to put out the raging fire. product from a ruptured entitlements and democracy and value.

It was gathered that the pipeline. allowances.

That is what we are But in a swift reaction, doing.” the government vowed He assured Nigerians to proceed to the that “this time around, Supreme Court. we are again reinstating Fayemi had sacked transfusions and surgical ensured a drastic reduction in the fact that we are AKURE — ONDO State the chairmen and maternal deaths in the state. irrevocably committed; operation.

Governor, Dr Olusegun councillors who were As a result of the development, mark my word, The Abiye-Safe motherhood Mimiko has given prudent elected during the success story was discussed at the state boasts of the best irrevocably committed to financial management, cost regime of Oni in a recent international infant maternity record in the the merger, making it effective drug procurement October 29, 2010. h e a l t h c o n f e r e n c e i n entire country even as its Abiye - become one party, one and dispensing methods as In the judgment read Washington, the United States safe motherhood programme has platform with shared reasons the Mother and child

by Justice Olukayode of America where the Ondo been made a benchmark for Africa vision and commitment hospital being part of his Bada, the court ordered State Governor presented a by the World Bank and also to rescue Nigeria from initiated Abiye Fayemi to pay all the paper on the implementation appreciated by the World Health the jaw of the drifting safe motherhood programme entitlements and ship of this of the programme which has organisation. is able to offer free health allowances of the administration”. services. chairmen and On the visit to the The free services being councillors from Alaafin, Tinubu assured offered by the health October 29, 2010 to the Alaafin that the party institution include free

BY OLA AJAYI against the monarch, he was December 19, 2011. and the Yoruba nation consultations, admissions, docked for allegedly conductwere solidly behind him. medications, blood IBADAN — THE Alago of ing himself in a manner that A statement issued by Ago Oja, Alhaji Busari Aji- may lead to breach of the Tinubu’s media office boye whose installation peace which is punishable quoted the ACN national under section 484 and 249(d) caused a stir between the leader as saying“Our BEOKUTA—OGUN State Kano State on the sad Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi of the criminal code. leader, courageous, governor, Senator Ibikun- incident.

The installation of the monAdeyemi and the former Govpowerful and consistent le Amosun, has commiserated In a release by his Senior ernor of Oyo State, Otunba arch caused a friction between and effective leader. I salute with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Special Assistant on Media, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was yes- Oba Adeyemi and Akala with your courage over time. You Ado Bayero, over Saturday’s Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun terday arraigned before a the monarch saying the title have the fire. You have the attack on his convoy by un- descr- ibed the attack on the Chief Magistrate Court in was alien to Oyo. thunder. We are glad you known gunmen, which led to Emir as unfortunate, “especially Oyo town for parading himHe was subsequently orare well”. the death of four of his aides coming at a time when the dered by the court to stop paself as Alago of Ago-Oja. Governor Ajimobi in turn and injuries to others includ- Royal Father is collaborating with rading himself as the owner He was arraigned on a five praised Oba Adeyemi as ing his sons.

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to count charge in a suit marked of the title which the embatone of the most enlightened Amosun condoled with the bring enduring peace to the MOY/13C/2013. tled monarch had since apand seasoned rulers in the government and people of state”.

According to charge sheets pealed against. country.

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Sack of LG chairmen: Fayemi faulted

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN & OLA AJAYI

Vandals set Arepo pipeline on fire again

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Mimiko: Why Ondo is able to offer free maternal health services

Oba docked for parading self as one

Amosun Condoles Emir of Kano

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Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 24, 2013 —11

Edo Election Tribunal upholds Oshiomhole’s …says Airhiavbere’s petitions are bereft of evidence victory

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—EDO State Governorship Election Tribunal, yesterday, upheld the election of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as winner of the July 14, 2012 governorship election in the state.

Delivering judgment on the petition by candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, against Oshiomhole’s re-election, the tribunal in a unanimous decision, affirmed the re-election of Oshiomhole, dismissing Aihiavbere’s petition for what it described as gross inability to substantiate allegations of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, or prove election malpractices.

The tribunal also awarded N150,000 as cost against Airhiavbere.

Airhiavbere had prayed the tribunal to nullify Oshi-

omhole’s re-election on grounds of electoral malpractices, violence and nonqualification to contest the office of governor of Edo State.

Oshiomhole, garbed in a brown French jacket, arrived the court at 8:55am.

Airhiavbere, was, however, conspicuously absent in court. In the about one and a half hours judgment, the tribunal nullified all grounds on which Airhiavbere had sought to have Oshiomhole’s victory overturned.

The tribunal noted that the Supreme Court, had laid to rest the issue of Oshiomhole’s educational qualification which it said was earlier struck out by the tribunal, hence the tribunal was left

with the responsibility of ruling on the issue of electoral irregularities only.

Berating the petitioner, the tribunal described Airiavbere’s petition as lacking in merit and a waste of judicial process.

“There is no gain saying that where a petitioner alleges, he must adduce evidence to prove same. The law is sacrosanct.

Evidence led in any allegation and not proved cannot be sustained. Judges cannot perform miracles in matters brought before the court that lacks evidence,” the tribunal held.

Jubilation in Benin When the news of Oshiomhole’s victory filtered out, youths and market women thronged the streets in jubila-

tion.

However, a PDP leader in the state and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, said: “I give glory to God for everything. We have no power of our own. I congratulate Gen. Airhiavbere and all members of PDP in Edo and Nigeria, who stood by him throughout the period of litigation. I give God the glory.”

Oshiomhole in company of his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu and supporters trekked back to Government House in jubilation.

Oshiomhole said: “It is very clear. Edo people spoke very loudly and I won 18 over 18.

You have heard the judgment of the court, that this was just an exercise in futility. My friend, Gen. Airhiavbere knew he lost and he lost clearly.”

KWA Ibom State Government, yesterday, announced its readiness to partner competent investors willing to key into its industrialization drive.

The state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who made the call during the flag off ceremony for distribution of food items to flood victims in the state at the Grain Processing Warehouse, on Ikot Abasi Road, Abak, urged youth and women to go into agro-business which, according to him, would create employment and grow the economy.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, called on investors to partner the state government in its aggressive and integrated industrialization programme.

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BYEGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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A

Ikomi passes on

Okah’s conviction questions Nigeria’s justice delivery —NBA ORT HAR COURT—AS reactions continue to trail the conviction of Mr. Henry Okah over terrorism charges by a South African court, former chairman of Port Harcourt branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Patrice Ukposi, has said that the development had risen as a question mark on justice delivery system in Nigeria.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he said: “In the light of the fact that some of the suspects arrested about the same time as Okah are still awaiting trial in Nigeria while justice had been dispensed in Okah’s case in South Africa, I think we have a lot to learn in Nigeria concerning timely justice delivery.

“Whether they are guilty or innocent under the circumstance, let fair hearing be availed those awaiting trial in Nigeria.”

A-Ibom to partner investors

SUMMIT: From left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Dr. Osahon Enabulele, National President, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA; Okey Wali, SAN, National President, Nigerian Bar Assciation and Senator Chris Ngige, at DAY 3 of the ongoing NMA 1st National Health Summit, in Asaba.

R. Solomon Ikomi is dead, aged 46.

Until his death, he worked as Journey Manager with Shell Petroleum Development Company.

He is survived by an aged mother, wife, two kids, sisters and brothers, among whom is Mr. Patrick Ikomi of Geoservicing firm, Port Harcourt. Burial arrangements will be announced later.

NIMASA, NGO urge oil firms to reduce spills in N-Delta

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—NIGERIA N Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and a non-governmental organisation, Rati Medical Outreach, have appealed to oil multinationals in the country to be more pro-active and double their efforts at facility surveillance to reduce oil spills in the Niger Delta region.

Director of Programmes, Rati Medical Outreach, in Delta State, Dr. Ferdinand

Oshonwoh, lamented that oil spills had over the years affected the ecosystem and the economy of the oil rich region, saying that its negative impact had dealt a severe blow on the growth and development of the area.

Oshonwoh, who spoke when Rati Medical Outreach in conjunction with NIMASA, donated relief materials to some communities in Bayelsa State impacted by the Bonga Oil Field spillage, said it was high time oil companies took measures to avoid a reoccurrence of the sad

development.

He urged youths in the region not to vandalize oil facilities to avoid spills that will pollute the environmental and cause terminal diseases.

Mr. Patrick Akpobukeme, Director-General, NIMASA, said the relief materials were part of efforts by the group and NIMASA to cushion the impact of Bonga Field Oil spillage on the communities.

Represented by Mr. Siraj Usman, Principal Marine Environment Management Officer, he assured the victims that NIMASA was discuss-

ing with concerned oil companies towards paying them compensation.

Late Solomon Ikomi

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

FG reassures on completion of E-West Road

by Dec 2014

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA—THE Fed eral Government has said it was commitment to completing the N300 billion East-West dual carriageway projects by December 2014.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who gave the assurance while featuring on African Independent Television, AIT, programme, “Issues in the Niger Delta,” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, said the project had attained significant progress in terms of construction.

Orubebe, while recounting the issues that led to the award of the contract for the East-West Road, said the road was awarded in 2006 by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. Technically, he said,"the design of a road of this magnitude should have taken about one-year, but was hurriedly done within two weeks.

“When the contract was awarded in 2006, only a paltry sum of N1.2 billion was paid as mobilization fee to the contractors, and in 2009, when the project was handed over to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by the Federal Ministry of Works, only 10 per cent of work had been done.

“In 2010 I sat down with my team and we did a feasibility study and redesigned the road and now you can see significant progress in terms of construction.”

He said that the Ministry, inheriting the inadequacies of the defunct contract at transfer and using the unspent funds left in the defunct Section II contract as contract ceiling, re-awarded Section II, with the scope of works unchanged to Messrs. Setraco Nig. Ltd. in April/ May 2009 in two sub sections, namely: Section II Sub Section I: Port Harcourt – Ahoada (47km) at a contract sum of N29.92 billion with a completion period of 48 months and Section II Sub Section II: Ahoada – Kaiama (54Km) at a Contract sum of N44.883 billion with a completion period of 36 months.

Uduaghan appeals to Delta House for early passage of 2013 budget

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, appealed to lawmakers in the state to “help facilitate the passage of the 2013 budget to enable the executive actualise set goals this year.”

Chief Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, who, in a letter to the state House of Assembly to mark the resumption of its sitting from the Christmas and New Year recess, also commended the lawmakers for their robust achievements so far.

Welcoming his colleagues from the break, the Speaker, Mr. Victor Ochei, assured Deltans that the House would continue to play its constitutional role of promoting good governance in the state.

Okoro, who was the pioneer Speaker in the state, said in the letter that “although there might have been occasional disagreements between the executive and legislative arms, dia-

logue and understanding, which have continually been the hallmark of true democrats, had led to agreement and hence peace.

“May I also use this opportu-

nity to commend the leadership of the House for the massive infrastructural development currently going on in the House. There is no doubt

Executive Director of the United Nations on Women, Madam Michelle Bachelet (left); Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina(middle); Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Betty Efekodha and immediate past Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, during the Stakeholders Interactive Session on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, in Abuja.

ASCSN petitions Oshiomhole over Perm Sec's appoin tment

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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SSOCIATION of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has petitioned Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, appealing to him to rescind the appointment of a retired major as a Permanent Secretary, saying such appointment if allowed to stand could weaken the morale of public servants in the state.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, Secretary General of ASCSN, Mr.

Alade Lawal, argued that the post, by its very strategic nature, should be the exclusive preserve of highly skilled, competent, and knowledgeable senior civil servants who are groomed in the cherished culture and norms of the civil service.

He noted that the appointment came on the heels of a recent sack of 22 Chief Inspectors of Education and 19 Local Education Secretaries for no other offence than that they were not on their duty posts when the Edo State governor paid unscheduled visits to their schools.

Lawal contended that there

were other areas that the retired major could be useful to the governor in his task of taking Edo State to the next level, saying that the appointment contravened “Section 208 (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended authorising state governors to recruit Permanent Secretaries from the State Civil Services.”

The association advised the governor to rescind the appointment and replace him with a qualified public servant to avoid the issue degenerating to a dispute with the association.

Family petitions Tambuwal over death of him into a state of coma. The Turkey-based Nigerian said youths thereafter with the

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

T

HE Family of Mr. Osazuwa Aigbedion, has called on Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Waziri Tambuwal, to investigate the alleged murder of Mr. Courage Aigbedion by five Turkish youths in Istanbul.

It also urged the Speaker to prevail on the Turkish Government to take responsibility for repatriation to Nigeria, of the corpse of the deceased,

that this will create a more conducive environment for you to carry out your legislative duties.”

who was allegedly murdered on October 27, 2012.

In a petition by the father of the deceased, Mr. Courage Aigbedion, the family called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.

The petition routed through Mr. Jim Adun, who is representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House, reads: "This is to formally protest the gruesome murder of my son on the street of Istanbul, Turkey by five Turkish youths, who mobbed

active connivance of the Turkish Police, clamped the deceased into cell for three weeks without granting him access to medical attention. He died in Police cell as a result of injuries sustained and brutality of the five Turkish youths.

"I want the Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey to assist in finding answers to various questions on the matter in order to get justice for the deceased.’’

Pastor charged for arson in police barracks

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—THE founder and General Overseer of Truth Ground Prophetic Ministry International Inc., Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Pastor Thomas Joshua, has been arraigned in court for allegedly setting ablaze a shop in Ebrumede Police Barracks, Effurun.

He was charged alongside a carpenter and others working on the new church building, near the police station.

The embattled pastor, however, told reporters that the police at Ebrumede set him up and called on the Inspector General of Police, human rights organisations and Delta State Government to come to his assistance.

He said: “I went to the site where I am building my permanent site at Ogbe Layout Effurun. I bought the land from Ogbe family. Immediately we arrived the site, my carpenter climbed to start roofing.

I was still in the car when police from Ebrumede Police Station came and said that the land belonged to them and accused us of trespassing."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 13

Medical doctor abducted in Enugu zAs Police rescue two victims

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BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—A renowned medical practitioner based in Enugu, Dr. Okechukwu Madike, was abducted by unknown gunmen from his hospital at Achara Layout, Enugu about 7pm on Tuesday paralyzing the activities of the ever-busy private health institution.

Madike, who is the Medical Director of Almond Medical Hospital located at No. 3 Metu Street, is reputed for surgery and he is said to be about 70 years old.

The police said the doctor was abducted by three men and a lady, who are members of the kidnap gang from his hospital premises and taken away in their Navy blue Camry car.

The State Police Public Relations officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said that when operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command got wind of the doctor’s abduction, they immediately swung into action in conjunction with other security operatives and in the process of the search and rescue operation, intercepted a Land Rover SUV with number plate FKJ 124 AX which they reasonably suspected to be driven by hoodlums.

“The vehicle sped off and the operatives gave the occupants a hot chase and eventually the said vehicle was trapped by the operatives at Juhel filling station, Emene, where they had gone to buy fuel. On sighting the operatives, they quickly jumped

through the fence and escaped.

On a closer look and search of the vehicle, a lady identified as Mrs. Maryrose Okafor was seen in the booth of the jeep looking ruffled.”

In the same vein, Amaraizu said that one Nnaji Chukwudi

Christain allegedly abducted on Tuesday, by a six-man kidnap gang operating with KEKENAPEP tricycle around Trans Ekulu axis of the state, was rescued unhurt by the police the same day without payment of any ransom.

BRIEFING: From left: Very Rev. Yinka Omololu, Chairman, Alpha Nigeria; Rev. Fr. Seunyn S.A. Okai, Prison Chaplain, Ghana Prison Service, and Mrs Helen Jackson, St Aldates Church, Oxford U.K, at a briefing on Alpha Nigeria Prison Global Trainnig in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Jonathan urges Nigerians to pray for peace, Emir of Kano

A

BY BEN AGANDE

B UJA—PRESI DENT Jonathan has called on muslims in the country to pray for peace as well as the quick recovery of the Emir of Kano who was shot by yet to be identified gunmen last week.

In a message to mark Eid-elMalud, president Jonathan expressed his greetings to all Nigerians, especially Moslems as they celebrate Eid-el-Maulud which commemorates the birth of Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati quoted the President as saying that as muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, he urged all true believers in the Prophet’s Divine Message to continue to pray for peace in all parts

of the country and resolve to do more to support ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and its security agencies to ensure greater safety of lives and property in Nigeria.

“The President urges them to offer special prayers for the officers and men of Nigeria’s secu-

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, in Abuja, said Nigerians have failed in celebrating their heroes.

The Speaker stated this at unveiling and official launching of Ahmadu Bello University ’s Golden Anniversary Commemoration Stamps in honour of the late politician.

He said most nations celebrated their leaders and icons

C M Y

and members of his family in their prayers and pray for their speedy recovery from the trauma of last weekend’s heinous attack, and the peaceful repose of the souls of those who sadly lost their lives in the despicable assault on an icon of the revered institution of traditional rulership in the country.”

War crimes: Charles Taylor concludes appeal, awaits sions from the two parties on Tues- in the Taylor case before the apfinal judgment

BY UDUMA KALU HE HAGUE—LAWYERS for convicted former Liberian President, Charles Taylor and the UN prosecution at the International Criminal Court ICC, where Taylor is being tried for war crimes, yesterday, presented their final submissions before the court.

The five judges and one alternate judge heard appeal submis-

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Nigeria has failed in celebrating her heroes —Tambuwal BYEMMANUELELEBEKE

rity agencies at home and abroad who are working very hard, day and night, and sometimes making the supreme sacrifice for the security of the country and all who live in it.

“The President also urges the Islamic faithful to remember the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero

who had contributed to the building of values of their people, addining that in the case of Nigeria, such revered and celebrated icons were left unsung, despite all their contributions to nation building.

Tambuwal said: ‘‘Icons like Ahmadu Bello, the Great Zik of Africa, Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa should be revered and celebrated for all time. Their virtues should be extolled,theirprinciplesupheldandtheir sweat and toil sung for generations unborn to imbibe.”

day, and their responses and replies on Wednesday.

At the end of yesterday’s proceedings, Taylor was allowed to make a statement. He said: “I’m very appreciative of the handling of the proceedings so far, and I have the belief that the right thing will be done by the grace of Almighty God.” This week’s hearing is the last

peal judgement is delivered. The Judges will now retire to deliberate and consider their judgement, expected before the end of 2013.

Taylor’s defence lawyers had on Tuesday filed 45 grounds of appeal against his conviction and sentence, alleging that trial judges made dozens of factual and legal errors.

Why I want more states created —Mark sembly Meeting of the BroadBY PETERDURU AKURDI—SENATE President, David Mark has said his desire to have more states created in Nigerian was borne out of the fact that it would avail the people greater opportunities in terms of soci-economic development.

Mark argued that the creation of more state would take development closer to the people and also engender tangible democratic dividends for the people.

He stated this in Otukpo in his speech at the 57th General As-

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casting Organization of Nigeria BON, which was themed, “Constitutional Amendment: What New Prospect for Nigeria Broadcast Media.”

He acknowledged the fact that pundits had argued against the creation of more states in the country on the premise that new states would not be economically viable in the face of the present economic realities.

Mark said: “They have not also said that some existing states are doing better than the others. For me it is not the viability of one state or the other that should necessitate state creation.”

Confusion as EFCC storms Imo Assembly

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—PALPA BLE confusion reigned supreme yesterday as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, stormed Imo State House of Assembly, Owerri.

Vanguard gathered that as soon as the lawmakers and workers, especially the senior staff, got wind of the looming presence of EFCC operatives, they quickly scampered into safety.

A source in the House, who did not want his name in print, told Vanguard that the operatives equally sought after some of the lawmakers, who also went underground on sighting the looking operatives.

Concerted efforts made

by Vanguard to get the speaker to comment on the issue failed as he was said to have travelled out of the country but his spokesman, Samuelson Iwuoha, confirmed the visit of EFCC to the House.

He said: “Some officials of EFCC were in the House today (yesterday). They only invited the Clerk of the House, Sir Chris Duru, to the Headquarters, Abuja and he has left to see them.”

Passage

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ENIOR Mother in Israel, Philomena Fatima Ikanade Agba, 68, of Uneme-Uzanu in Etsako east LGA, Edo State, is dead.

Service of songs will hold at her residence, Clem Agba Crescent, GRA, Benin.

She will be buried on Saturday, at the family house, Uneme-Uzanu.

She is survived by children and many relations, including former Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Mr. Clem Agba.

Late Fatima Agba

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

ACN FLOORS PDP AGAIN IN EDO STATE

From left: Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Edo State Governor; Dr. Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor, Edo State, and Chief Tom Ikimi, Action Congress of Nigeria chieftain, at Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal where judgment was delivered in favour of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of ACN against the PDP gubernatorial candi- Comrade Adams Oshiomhole acknowledging cheers from party date, General Charles Airhavbere, in Benin, yesterday. Photos: Barnabas Uzosike. faithful.

Cross section of ACN supporters jubilating after the court verdict.

Pastor Ize-iyamu, ACN Vice Chairman, South South (middle), and others, jubilating outside the court premises.

Cross section of lawyers at the Tribunal.

The 10th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja, yesterday

From left: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais; Chairman, Media Trust, Malam Kabiru Yusuf; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, at the 10th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme ,Nation Building: Challenges and Reality. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Cross section of participants at the event.

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From left: Secretary to Borno State Government, Ambassador Ahmed Jidda; National Chairman, ANPP, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, and Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, at the event.

Human Rights Activist, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs (right) and Bishop Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop, Sokoto Diocese at the occasion.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—15

Our quarrel with CAN —Catholic Church

BY SAM EYOBOKA, CHARLES DUMILOCALEB AYANSINA & OLAYINKA LATONA

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BUJA - THERE were strong indications last night that the Catholic Church has temporarily pulled out of the umbrella body of Christianity in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. Although the Catholic Secretariat tried to play down the incident last night.

Earlier reports quoted the Diocesan Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Monsignor Christopher Ajala as saying that the Catholic Church has withdrawn its member-

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ship of the body because CAN under the administration of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was too close to government.

He alleged that the Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor-led CAN had derailed from the objectives of the body, adding that the Catholic Bishops Conference was not comfortable with the development, hence its decision to pull

out.

His words: “The Catholic Church took their stand before the purchase or the donation of the aircraft to him.

But what the Catholic Bishops Conference is complaining about is about the way they are running the national CAN now that is not meeting the objectives and the goals of CAN

and the forefathers of CAN. “CAN is now being run as part of the government and we said no.

Because they (government) will dictate to us what to do and they will not take our advice seriously, the Catholic Church then decided to withdraw from the activities of CAN at national level.

...Northern Christians condemns action

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N A swift reaction, Northern Christians reacted angrily to the reports, saying that the Catholic Church which did not know how the body was established in the first place should tell the Nigerians their true

reasons for backing out of the organisation.

TEKAN/ECWA, the umbrella body of Northern Christians, has unequivocally condemned the story of pull-out by the Catholic Church Responding last night,

the Public Relations Officer to the TEKAN Churches in Nigeria, Elder Sunday Oibe told our reporter that the reasons were to say the least, laughable and hypocritical.

Taraba Acting Governor visits Suntai

BY SONI DANIEL

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BUJA —APPAREntly to assure doubting Thomases that his boss is hale and hearty, Acting Taraba State Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, will today, leave for Germany to see the recuperating governor and report back to the people of the state.

Umar’s visit, which is the first to be undertaken by him since Suntai was injured in a local flight and flown abroad, is coming a few days after some top officials of the state returned from visiting the governor in the

German hospital.

The SSG, Ambassador Emmanuel Njiwa was accompanied on the trip by the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Istifanus Gbana and the Peoples Democratic Party chairman in the state.

The decision by Umar to visit Suntai was announced by the Acting Governor during the Executive Council Meeting yesterday.

Taraba State I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, told Vanguard on the phone that the people of the state were happy with the rate the speedy recovery by Suntai.

16—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

ANPP reiterates merger plan with ACN, CPC

Police corporal to face trial over killing of mother

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...lampoons Jonathan's govt

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI—THE All Ni geria People’s Party, ANPP, has said that it will merge with the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, to effect a change in the affairs of the country so as to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

The North East chapter of the party made this known when its members met to strategise on the merger plans even as the party lampooned the administration of President GoodLuck Jonathan for failing to consolidate on the gains of democracy in the country.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the ANPP and former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, made this known before the meeting.

Shekarau, however, said that the three parties would come together to form a strong opposition to dislodge the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, following its failure to address insecurity, poverty, unemployment and corruption in the country.

Shekarau said,“already, three separate high powered committees have been vested with the responsibility of carrying out the task of merging with the other political parties in the country that are in the opposition. The merger moves is irrespective of political, religious and ethnic differences".

Former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari unveiling a postal stamp in honour of Ahmadu Bello in Abuja, Tuesday. Photo: Emmanuel Elebeke.

Gunmen kill 12 in Maiduguri

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI—NO fewer than 12 people were yesterday killed in Maiduguri, Borno State, less than 48 hours after 18 hunters were killed by unknown gunmen in a market at Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Five of those killed were said to have been beheaded.

Yesterday’s attack was carried out by suspected members of the Jamatul Ahlis Sunnah lid Daawa wal Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram. The victims were killed during separate attacks at Jiddari Polo, Baga road and London Ciki wards of Maiduguri metropolis.

A bomb also exploded at the Kalari area of Shehuri ward, near the Shehu of Borno’s palace but no life was lost as it exploded on the road side at about 12:30pm.

This was even as some unknown gunmen also attacked Gomari II Primary School in Jere Council Area of Maiduguri and set it

ablaze.

Vanguard gathered that five people were beheaded in Jiddari Polo ward when some gunmen entered two houses in the area and killed them.

A resident of the area told Vanguard that the attackers came at about 10 pm on Tuesday night when the unsuspecting victims were asleep and gained access to the houses after jumping the fence and murdered them.

Also at Baga road two gunmen were shot dead by the Joint Task Force, JTF, when they were trying to escape after killing somebody in the area. The gunmen entered two houses in the area where the JTF were said to have shelled the two houses.

An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the gunmen arrived the area at about 5:30 pm and killed one person adding however, that in the process of trying to escape, they abandoned their tricycle and a Volkswagen Gulf car and ran into two buildings which was later

shelled by the JTF operatives.

The attackers had earlier killed four people in London Ciki area before escaping from the area.

In a statement in Maiduguri, the JTF spokesman, Lt Col. Sagir Musa said ‘’information available to them" indicated that some suspected gunmen killed three people at about 3.am today (yesterday, January 23, 2013 in Jiddari – Polo, Maiduguri metropolis”.

Sagir added that when the JTF was alerted, "it cordoned off the area, arrested three suspects and recovered one assault rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition and one Improvised Explosive Device, IED. According to Sagir, two gunmen lost their lives, while a soldier was wounded during an exchange of fire in the metropolis.

He also stated that there was an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, explosion at about 12.30 pm yesterday Wednesday, 23 January, 2013 in Shehuri ward, Maiduguri metropolis.

Adamawa Emirate Council to partner FRSC on road safety

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OLA— THE Adamawa Emirate Council on Wednesday expressed its readiness to partner with the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, on road safety sensitisation campaign.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo, said this when he received the new sector commander of the commission in the state, Sir Luka Ikpi, in his palace in Yola.

Lamido, who is the Chairman of the Adamawa Traditional Council of Chiefs, and Paramount ruler of Fombina, expressed concern over the high rate of accidents in the country.

He observed that the commission had played a vital role in reducing and controlling carnage on major roads in the country.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

USAU—ZAMFARA State Police command yesterday said it had set up a special marshal to investigate the police corporal accused of shooting his mother to death.

The command’s public relations officer, Malam Hassan Talba, told newsmen that the special marshal would try Abdullahi on charges of public misconduct and culpable homicide.

Cpl. Adamu Abdullahi was on Dec. 25, arrested after firing 15 rounds of live ammunition on the left thigh of his mother on returning home from duty in the midnight.

The Police said Abdullahi, who allegedly consumed excessive alcohol on the duty post had made his first attempt to kill the mother, Hajiya Balaraba Abdullahi, during the 2011 Christmas celebration.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

AFCON 2013: THE CHANCES OF SUPER EAGLES (5)

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ROM what I saw in Monday ’s match, I do not see the Super Eagles doing well. There was no coercion or co-ordination in the team.

There should be better defined priority, if they are to go far in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mr. Kolawole Ahmad— Student.

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HE Nigeria team will go far than some critics thought, even if they made mistakes in their first match against Burkina Faso.

Meanwhile the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, need to do one or two changes in the team for them to progress in the competition. Mr. Kayode Badmus—Graduate.

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ELL, I think the Su per Eagles should look at areas where they are weak and build on them. Maybe the boys were not well trained to enable them defeat Burkina Faso. But with corrections, they may do better in their next match. Miss Busoye Titilope—Student.

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strongly do not see a creative midfielder in the Super Eagles team, and the captain, Yobo, is old for such competition.

Those two departments need introduction of new players, so as to better their chances in the 2013 AFCON. Mr. Damola Oshikoya—MSc student.

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OR sometime now, I have lost interest in the Super Eagles because the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, needs absolute revolution. This includes the dismissal of Samson Siasia as the Super Eagles coach. When the foundation is weak, what will the builder do? Mr. Olawale Olaleye—Graduate.

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UPER Eagles need to put more efforts in their remaining matches, if not they will return at the first stage of the competition. They should be more determined and focused for them to do well in South Africa. Miss Jacob Kemisola— Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 17

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“We can no longer pretend that the creation of wealth for a few will inevitably benefit the many-too often the reverse is true”- Jeremy Hobbs; Executive Director, Oxfam International

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AST week, the International NGO, Oxfam International reported that: “An explosion in extreme wealth and income is exacerbating inequality and hindering the world’s ability to tackle poverty”. In a report titled: ‘The cost of inequality: how wealth and income extremes hurt us all’, Oxfam said ‘the $240Billion net income in 2012 of the richest 100 billionaires would be enough to make extreme poverty history forever ’. It added further that ‘the richest one percent has increased its income by 60% in the last 20 years with the financial crisis accelerating rather than slowing the process. Oxfam then says that we need a ‘global deal’ to reverse decades of increasing inequality, and as first step, it wants world leaders to “commit themselves to reducing inequality to the levels of the 1990”. It is at this point that we differ from Oxfam, because as Africans, we know that the decade of the 1990s was the lost decade in Africa as a result of Structural Adjustment Policies (SAP).

Marker of Neoliberal capitalism

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hat Oxfam will not say, is that neoliberal capitalism has put loads of money in the pockets of the Aliko Dangotes and Femi Otedolas (with their new yachts toys), but it has pauperized the mass of Nigerians. And it is part of the baggage that unemployment continues to rise; because central to capitalism is the tendency for the rate of profit to fall.

Consequently, capital creates an army of unemployed people. And unemployment has become a major

Neoliberal capitalism isn't just working in our society. The implementation of policies which abet the inequalities which the media celebrates annually, when the list of the rich is released, must of course be linked to the heightening of insurgency and erosion of legitimacy of the Nigerian state.

Unfortunately, the more we suffer, the more dogmatically our rulers say Femi Otedola's 12 million pounds luxury yacht “TINA (There is no marker of the jobless growth of neoliberal capitalism. This week, the International LabourOrganisation (ILO) issued a report that global unemployment rose in 2012 by 4.2million to over 197million, a 5.9 percent unemployment rate. The number of job seekers will reach 210million in the next five years. It is only the fool that will not see the link between the extreme richness of a few individuals, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola especially in a society like Nigeria, and the levels of deprivation alternative”)! The empirical evidence

Kano: Between terrorism and development M Y visit to Kano last weekend was overshadowed by the attempted assassination of the highly revered Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. He escaped the assassins’ bullets narrowly but his entourage harvested some unfortunate deaths in the process. The attempt was the boldest expression of the depth of chasm in our society. From basic levels of state competence, it seemed those who carried out the audacious act were privy to the workings of the Emir ’s activities, especially as they concerned his movement that fateful day. It was also obvious there was no security worth its name around the Emir, except his traditional dogarai, who sacrificed their own lives for the Emir to live!

It was instructive that the assassination attempt took place in broad daylight on the ever-busy Zoo Road in Kano. On Monday morning, I went to the scene of the incident to take in the atmosphere; it was clear that we are dealing with a society of a seriously fractured social structure. Kano magnifies the serious crisis which faces Northern Nigeria, and by extension, our country. It is the largest city in the region and over the past three decades has been the focus of fundamental changes at the base of the crisis we are dealing with today. For much of the 1990s, I was reporting for the BBC and Radio France International from Kano, as well as completing postgraduate studies in Political Science. That combination gave me an insight into the multi-faceted problems

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appreciation of the serious nature of the crisis at hand, things will get worse before they can get better. And that can come about only if the ruling class thinks beyond the simplistic mindset about the nature of the crisis we face today and the roots of that crisis. I am not hopeful about this ruling class though, because it

Bullet-riddled car belonging to the Emir's eldest son. seems too far lost on the road to building up in the society. These range perdition. These were the troubling from creeping decay of rural life and thoughts I have wrestled with during the escape of young adults into the my stay in Kano. Yet, even in the urban cities of the North; the high rate gloom, there were green shots of of divorce and the deformity of patterns growth that seemed at odds with the of familial existence; the high rate of enveloping gloom in Kano. I noticed lumpenization and the huge the frenetic paces of development in population of street kids; structural my alma mater, the Bayero University. dislocations in the wake of neo-liberal New faculty offices have sprung up in capitalist reforms; increasing retreat the New Site with impressive into religion as escape and response developments on the Old Site as well; to the crisis of neoliberal capitalism; just as the Kwankwaso government the utter corruption of the state in the has also been sprucing up the city in wake of its gradual withdrawal from an ambitious urban renewal project. It the social existence of the mass of the is clear that Kano is caught between people and the consequent the scourge of terrorism and the immiseration of the majority of the imperatives of development; but as we people built upon the irresponsibility saw with the attempted assassination of the ruling classes. Our ruling of the Emir, a new approach must be classes took home ant-ridden faggots tried to pull away from an anarchic and consequently invited the lizards breakdown of social life in Northern of insurgency.

Nigeria in general and Kano, in At the rate we are going, and given particular. And there isn’t a lot of time the paucity of a deeply thought through left to make the right move.

The empirical evidence available in Nigeria clearly states that we cannot build a society of extreme inequalities and expect peace

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available in Nigeria clearly states that we cannot build a society of extreme inequalities and expect peace.

Neoliberal capitalism isn’t just working in this country. Just look around you!

Mali and the contrived Nigerian jingoism

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AST Friday, many Nigerian newspapers led with Nigeria’s decision to deploy troops in Mali.

There was a contrived jingoism, which the media stand accused of abetting, as pictures of jubilant and ‘battle ready’ Nigerian troops were liberally displayed, getting ready to fight ECOWAS’ “War on Terrorism”. Army Chief of Staff, General Ihejirika told his troops and by extension, all Nigerians, that terrorists trained in Mali had already entered Nigeria. We are entering a war that we don’t properly understand. But when an administration is hopelessly subservient to imperialism’s diktats like Jonathan’s, this is the sorry pass that we are bound to reach.

May we recall, that while most of Africa was opposed to the NATO invasion of Libya and subsequent killing of Muammar Ghadaffi, Jonathan lined Nigeria up behind the imperialist countries. The blow back from the criminal aggression against Libya is now being harvested in the Malian deserts. The NATO countries went into alliance with Al-Qaida elements in Libya to overthrow Ghadaffi (Alqaida had been the creation of US Imperialism in the first place!). In the wake of the Libyan aggression, Touareg fighters returned to Mali as well as the radical Islamists and Alqaida elements that France is now hypocritically engaging in Mali.

They left Libya a broken country but at least, they have taken over its oil assets. Meanwhile, their Libyan Alqaida allies now supply arms to Alqaida fighters in Syria! I wonder if the Jonathan administration bothered about the interconnectedness in these developments, to be able to offer a nuanced appreciation of Mali’s needs.

When the body bags begin to return home, Jonathan would have sacrificed Nigerian soldiers in an operation that fit the frames of imperial ambitions far more than they play into our strategic interests. We could have helped Mali within a regional imperative but we failed to provide leadership or a strategic vision; in the end, we will serve imperialism and end up jeopardising our national interest more distressingly!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 THE South African court that convicted Henry Okah of master minding the 2010 bombing of the Independence Day celebrations in Abuja would sentence him on 30 January. The conclusion of the trial says something about Nigeria’s justice system.

Embarrassment from the bombing at the country’s 50th independence anniversary, the death of 12 people and more injured, would have been enough reasons for speedy trial of suspects in an incident that openly defied Nigerian authorities and put terrorism on another pedestal.

Challenges with the case began when the securities agencies accused “some big men” of sponsoring the bombing. There was apparently no evidence, leading a collapse of that approach.

The President seemed to have complicated matters by absolving the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, from responsibility for the attacks without any investigations. MEND claimed to be behind the attack and the trial in South Africa of Okah, who had links with MEND tallied

Speed Of Injustice with the claim.

Our concern is that while the trial in Nigeria is not making headway, South African High Court Judge Neels Claassen in convicting Okah on 13 charges said, “I have come to the conclusion that the state proved beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused.”

Series of adjournments have put the Nigerian side of the case in the class of others put off for another day. One of the suspects died in detention, and it appears the prosecution lacks the type of evidence the South Africans used to nail Okah in court.

The seriousness of the attack in Abuja was such that we expected the security agencies,

which lost personnel in the blasts, would have had enough evidence to go through a speedy trial. The initial distractions of searching for “some big men” to attach to the case appear to be one of the many obstacles to the prosecution’s case.

Will the prosecution depend on the conviction of Okah to push the case in Abuja? Can it produce independent evidence to convict the suspects?

This case may be in focus because of its prominence, but it is not the best example of how trials in Nigerian courts drag. A suspect in the 1995 “Otokoto” killings in Owerri has just been freed, after 16 years of appealing a death sentence.

Blames on the speed of justice in Nigeria, which results in a lot of injustices, are often heaped on the judiciary. However, the arbitrariness of some of our laws, and an enforcement process that emphasises punishment of suspects, fill our prisons and detention centres with suspects who are held for years without a court appearance.

Suspects - in all cases – have rights to speedy trials.

OPINION

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BY JOSEPH ATSEYINKU

T is a matter of great concern to note the announcement by the Federal Government to spend N60b to purchase ten million phones for farmers. I dare say that the policy which gives impetus to this project can be compared to putting the cart before the horse. It is a misplaced priority project policy, aimed at nothing than to further plunder the resources of this country. If government's efforts in empowering Nigeria farmers are to follow this way, are not encouraging and certainly not the best way to give value for the money that is intended to promote agriculture in the country.

By calculation, the average cost for each telephone is higher than the rate in the market. It simply means that, to procure 10 million cell phones for ten million farmers, at the cost of N60 billion, a cell phone would be purchased at the cost of N60, 000!

This is ridiculously annoying to hear. It is also important to know that when we get involved in a huge contract of this nature we are not going to develop the ongoing electronic wallet system for fertilizer distribution. Again, it is good to ask for the record, if any research has shown that there are 10 million farmers who need cell phones?

Government authorities should know that there are 110 million cell phones in Nigeria and most of those willing and capable of using it already possess them. Has our

Cell phones for farmers: Misplaced priority government asked the farmers whether they want free handset which most of them already have or some other enabling arrangement such as subsidised or free air time? Finally, has government considered what N60 billion can do in areas of storage facilities, farm implements, roads, pest control and other agricultural infrastructure, before deciding to use such huge amount through a mega contract that will only benefit those giving out the contract?

It is worthy of note that the use of cell phones by farmers is not new. Small scale farmers in Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, and many other African countries, are making use of it in disseminating information on extension services and market information and details. Even in Nigeria, it is already in use by some farmers. For instance, in Dawanau grains market in Kano, (the biggest in West Africa), farmers and traders use cell phones to have access to market information. Such a specialised package for information dissemination is been used across West Africa. It is such programmes for farmers’ benefit that government should place its attention, rather than purchase of cell phones.

It is this misplaced priority of government that has attracted wide spread criticisms.

Even the minister of agriculture is yet to issue a satisfactory clarification on the

issue. It is only for the sake of dousing the tension that followed the announcement that he said his permanent secretary was misquoted and that neither he nor the President has approved N60 billion for the purchase of cell phones for 10 million farmers. Yet, he said that Government policy is, “to get mobile phones to farmers, as part of its agricultural transformation agenda, to connect farmers to information, expand their access to markets, improve their access to saving and loans, and help them adapt to climate changes and other dynamics that affect them and their livelihood”.

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ccording to him the bulk of the 110 million cell phones in Nigeria are in the urban areas, and concluded clearly that as from 2013, government intends to distribute 10million phones to farmers which will be financed through a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, signed among the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs. He also said out of the 10million cell phones, five million will go to women. His statement clearly showed that the contract for the purchase of the cell phones would go ahead.

This plan by the Federal government to spend N60 billion to purchase 10million phones shows clearly government's lack of focus and initiative to administer the affairs of the farmers in the country. It shows the limitation of government's approach to policy making. Little wonder the policy has been greeted with stiff opposition and condemnation by the general public. This policy has not been thought through by government before its present attempt to implement it. It is imperative for government to give more depth and thought to the relative value of the policies it makes, and their beneficiaries, particularly, when execution is with public funds, before it jumps to large contract award. When proposing a policy of this nature, government must seek wide spread views particularly from stake holders.

Spending such huge amount on mobile phones for farmer’s by a ministry with only a meager allocation in the 2013 budget is totally inept.

No one can tell exactly what happened to the WB rural telephony project. The reason for that project was exactly what is currently been propose in this new policy. A huge amount was invested in the last decade, on the failed WB rural telephone project.

*Mr. Atseyinku, a rights activist, wrote from Sapele, Delta state.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—19

leaders, particularly at the central government, who cannot tell the truth.

We have also maintained, with monotonous regularity, that when people no longer know what to do, they start doing everything. That is when the loss of one genuine purpose would lead to the pursuit of a dozen pseudo purposes.

For two years running, they have succeeded in killing the joy of our New Year.

The fuel subsidy question of January 1, 2012 is almost history now.

On the eve of New Year Day 2013, while the powers-that-be were yet pulping Champaign in Aso Rock Villa, “enemies” were busy signing Title Documents for the same Aso Rock Villa – No Vacancy in Aso Rock in 2015! Beautiful posters of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan had adorned every available space in FCT, Abuja, including the Aso Rock gates and walls.

Aso Rock quickly denied ownership of the posters.It was the handiwork of detractors.

That’s what happens in the Christendom, where we make the devil more popular and more powerful than he really is. All the bad deeds, which far outweigh the good ones, are credited to the devil.

Come to think of it, would it not have been better to accept ownership of those posters?

If the denials hold good, what are the implications for our security, if “enemies” could so easily invade our territory? How much longer would it have taken the bomb merchants, the Boko Haram to bomb down the whole place? We hope Boko Haram is not taking the vain denials seriously.

There are Greek gifts around. The Federal Government is now set to put 10million cell phones in the hands of rural farmers. Bravo!

forgotten that there is no network in many parts of the FCT, Abuja, talk less of the Republics of Ekudo, where the rural farmers are.

This is another case of “trouble de sleep yanga go wakam”. The Federal Government now thinks that the rural farmers are so daft that they cannot realise that the batteries for those cell phones have to be charged by electric current and this is a facility that the same Federal Government has stoically denied the ruralities.Suddenly, you are bringing them cell phones. We can hear the rural farmers saying, “Federal Government no know sey poverty no be craze”.

Past governments that meant good to farmers provided them with farm implements like cutlasses, files, hoes, etc.

Some have given them soft loans. Although these were screwed at implementation, they were still better than this rip-off of N60 billion on innocent farmers. Thank God, there is God. The Greek gift has been rejected nationwide.

Once upon a time, we had the Nigeria Airways. It flourished at home and abroad.

It was affordable. Up to the early 1980s, secondary school students boasted of how they hopped into the plane in Benin City after school on Friday afternoon, went to Lagos, had a nice weekend and returned to Benin on Monday early enough to go to school – all for less than N15 in the money of that era.

Suddenly, the Nigeria Airways went into extinction. Local air travel became a luxury only for the nouveau riche. The Federal Government still wants to favour this same class by intervening, not to revive the Nigeria Airways, but to buy 30 planes and hand them

over to the private airlines so that they can bring down the air fare for them. Smart guys!

Meanwhile, we hear that in the entire world, Nigeria holds the clear record of the largest Presidential Aircraft Fleet (PAF). While the richest nations have at most two aircraft in their PAF, the poorer ones like Ghana, Algeria, etc, have only one. Almighty Nigeria has TEN (10) planes in her PAF and these are maintained at an average cost of N9.08 billion per annum.

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Between Greek gift and absurdity IGERIAN history may have gone full At first, we attempted to ask of the utility of circle- from the founding fathers who the raincoat to the fish.

N Perhaps, the Federal Government has could not tell a lie to the current crop of

We see the Trojan horses that are now being foisted on us as a direct way of enlarging the business empires of a few individuals, thus further impoverishing society and its poor masses

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From the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) website, we gather that PAF’s current staff strength consists of 47 NAF officers, 173 airmen/ airwomen and 96 civilian staff, both technical and administrative. And all these do not come into reckoning when looking at the cost of running the presidency.

In Nigeria, we see a clear case of the presidency being richer than the entire country. Nigeria has no National Carrier.

PAF has the third largest fleet of aircraft in the country. With its 10 aircraft, it comes closely behind Aerocontractors, which has 14 aircraft. Arik Air, the largest commercial airline in the country, has 23 aircraft. IRS Airlines has four operational aircraft in its fleet; Dana Air has four; Firstnation has three; while Medview has two aircraft.

The Queen and the Prime Minister of England go on British Airways chartered flights for long trips. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has come under public opprobrium lately for chartering a foreign aircraft.

Each new power won by man is a power over man as well. Each advance leaves man weaker as well as stronger. In each victory, besides being the general who triumphs, man is also the prisoner who follows the triumphal train. We see the Trojan horses that are now being foisted on us as a direct way of enlarging the business empires of a few individuals, thus further impoverishing society and its poor masses.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Aviation have been bold enough to unfold their blueprints. What of the other Ministries?

Proactiveness simply demands that we must prepare our minds even for the worst scenarios. Now that prominent Nigerians are calling on the President to revamp his Executive Council, would it be out of place to ask each Ministry to carefully arrange a good severance package for the departing Ministers? What better manifestation can anyone have? There is still one consolation: God judges all!

20—Vanguard , THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 24, 2013

cies to fight the battle against criminality in this country. One of the challenges we have is that people don’t want to release information about vandals and this is posing a great problem to the corps.

It is not the president’s responsibility to go to the creeks to identify the vandals but our own responsibilities and we must expose them before more havoc is done,’’ he said.

Ewurum said the confusion that led to the Arepo disaster was an answered prayer. The corps, according to him, had instituted a prayer team to expose vandals in the country. ‘’When we received an intelligence report that vandals were operating at Arepo, we set up a team to pray against them and God set confusion into their midst. Although we are not happy about their death, but this will serve as a deterrent to others,’’ he said.

Vandalism and the nation’s economy

•Ewurum (m) with his team during his recent visit to Arepo

NSCDC embarks on prayers to unearth hideout of pipeline vandals

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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ECENT reports from Pipelines and Prod ucts Marketing Company Limited, PPMC, show that Nigeria lost about N165 billion to pipeline vandalism in the last four years.

In Lagos State, several cases of pipeline vandalism were recorded in the last four weeks with the Ijedodo explosion which raged for almost three days last December standing out among the pack.

Only a fortnight ago, trouble, some members of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were brutalised by vandals when the Corps visited their hide out at Majidun, an outskirt of Ikorodu. The

Evans Ewurum says the corps has mapped new strategies to expose activities of vandals across the country.

Ewurum who led a delegation to the scene of the recent explosion at Arepo regretted that the occurrence of pipeline vandalism has reached an alarming stage in the country.

He therefore gave vandals a minimum of one week to relocate from the country or face the wrath of the agency. ‘’My appeal to vandals especially those who are still hibernating around this area, is to relocate between now and the end of the week. They should relocate to other countries because Nigeria will be too hot for them. In their own interest, they should relocate or get ready for our onslaught,’’ he warned.

The DCG said the p u r p o s e of his visit to Arepo was not to sympathise with the vandals but to take a holistic view of the area and make recommendations to appropriate authorities. ‘’ The essence of my visit is to look at the terrain, study the situation and the environment with a view to coming up with the recommendation and implementation strategies that will ensure that this place is given the right patrol so that the issue of vandalism is totally eradicated. I want to use my office to take the holistic survey of this place and do things the way the vandals don’t expect,’’ he said.

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,

Vandals should relocate to other countries because Nigeria will be too hot for them; in their own interest, they should relocate or get ready for our onslaught

undeterred corps allegedly arrested about 60 suspects on that day. Penultimate Monday, another set of pipeline vandals were caught in the illicit business in the Epe, just a few days after about 50 people were roasted to death at Arepo.

Against this backdrop, chieftains of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have vowed to deal ruthlessly with those caught in the illegitimate business of vandalising petroleum pipelines.

Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin represented by the Deputy Commandant General, DCG, in-charge of Operations, Mr. C M Y K

He urged residents to release information about the hideouts of these vandals in their various communities, ‘’I urge residents to stop harbouring vandals and assist security agen-

Ewurum who described oil as a major source of revenue in Nigeria, stated that if the activities of these vandals are not checked, the nation’s economy will be adversely affected. ‘’If vandalism continues, our revenue will diminish rapidly and many of us will suffer because we depend on oil for survival. As for NSCDC, we shall use everything at our disposal to eradicate cases of vandalism. This is a battle we must fight and win. We are coming up with a new strategy. I know my presence will make them to shiver because I have come back with more ideas and strategies to deal with them, we shall not rest on our oars until we combat the menace,’’ he added.

Lagos acquires new fire fighting equipment

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HE Lagos State Fire Ser vice wants the State House of Assembly to legislate against false fire alarms. If the law comes into existence, offenders would be arrested, prosecuted and jailed to serve as deterrent to others.

The Director of Fire Services in Lagos State, Mr Rasaq Fadipe who disclosed this to Vanguard Metro explained that the major challenge facing the Fire Services has to do with crowd control.

“Many onlookers at fire scenes, who have nothing to contribute in quelling the fire obstruct fire engines from having easy access to the sites. They often form blockades on the road which sometimes result in late arrival of firemen.

Another challenge has to do with the activities of miscreants.

Once they see firemen approaching a fire scene, they will start throwing pebbles and all manner of objects at us. They rain abuses at us because they know we will

prevent them from looting victim’s properties. .

“Gated streets also pose great challenge. A lot of streets often have their gates locked. There is always a probability that the gated streets is the next available street or road to the scene of the fire, “ he said..

The Fire Service boss implore the Lagos business community to cooperate with the Service during its routine inspection exercises.

Our fire prevention department carries out inspection of fire safety on companies. All business enterprise in Lagos ought to secure permit from the Fire service, which include gas stations, commercial establishments. Impressively, most of them are in compliance,” he noted.

Mr Fadipe said Governor Babatunde Fashola has approved 32 fire fighting equipments for the officers of the Lagos State Fire Service.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 21

FG scraps PICOMSS, puts port security under pressure

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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From left: Chief Compliance Officer, Access Bank, Pattison Boleigha; Adeyemi Matthew Alabi, representing the Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), U.A. Obot and Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Biola Shotunde at the SCUML Awareness Forum organised by Access Bank, in Lagos.

HE Federal Government has scrapped the Presidential Implementation on Maritime Security and Safety (PICOMSS), following its refusal to merge with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The development according to an official of Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) forum, who spoke under anonymity, will definitely impact negatively on the port security system.

Sources close to the PICOMSS said that it had to opt for the Committee to be scrapped because NIMASA’s definition of security is a far

Labour accuses NTDC of plan to extort workers deduction OF N1,000 from workers’ salaries as totally unacceptable and a clear RGANISED labour in the violation of the extant labour nation’s hospitality laws.The biometric industry, has accused the registration according to the Nigerian Tourism NTDC is designed to ensure Development Corporation, safety and security of users of NTDC, of plot to extort hospitality outfits, ensure that workers in the sector under only genuine and credible the guise of biometric people work in the tourism registration, threatening to and hospitality industry, shut down the industry check the movement of staff should the NTDC goes ahead to avoid fraudulent characters with the plan. Under the aegis within the industry and of the National Union of Hotel maintain a viable data base to and Personal Service Workers, encourage direct foreign NUHPSW, the union investment in the described the planned industry.The union while commending the efforts of the NTDC to reposition the industry as a veritable tool for e c o n o m i c 0.15 155.65 development said it will not allow 2,281.00 -19.00 members to be surcharged 18.46 0.04 through any programme no matter how 111.40 +0.09 laudable its objectives.In a 111.82 -0.07 statement by the union’s President CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING and General Secretary, Mr. DOLLAR 154.72 155.23 155.73 Leke Success and POUNDS 245.7577 246.5518 247.346 EURO 205.992 206.657 207.3233 A u g u s t i n e FRANC 166.0193 166.5558 167.0923 Mbavough, YEN 1.7286 1.7342 1.7398 respectively, the CFA 0.2953 0.3053 0.3153 union advised WAUA 236.9687 237.7345 238.5002 NTDC to approach RENMINBI 24.8693 24.9501 25.0309 RIYA 41.258 41.3914 41.5247 the Federal KRONA 27.5944 27.6836 27.7727 Government to SDR 237.7426 238.5109 239.2791 provide the needed funds to CBN Exchange rate as at 23/01/2013

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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execute the project rather than extort money from workers who were not responsible for the crime in the industry.According to the statement “Although we are not against this project but as a responsible workers organisation duly registered under appropriate Nigeria labour laws and with jurisdictions over workers in the tourism and hospitality industry will not allow our members to be surcharged through any programme no matter how laudable its objectives when it has not been sufficiently carried along and certain fundamental issues have not been properly addressed. The planned or the proposed payment of N1,000 per hotel workers towards funding this project is totally unacceptable to the union. No employer in the industry should deduct any amount from our members’ wages towards this project. Charging Hotel workers to fund this project will amount to extortion which we cannot explain to our members.” “The database NTDC should be concerned about is that of guests and not of staff. Workers employed in the industry provided all the needed information to their respective employers before they were employed however; no such data of guests are available to the various hotels. There should be a standard form of identification for all guests like

international passport, national identity card or national driver license that cannot be easily forged.

Similarly, all cruise line operators, luggage carriers, airport taxi operators (who first come in contact with foreign or local guests) should have their data registered for proper monitoring of their activities.

Majority of workers at our various Airports are casual workers that will be difficult to trace in case of any infraction of the law. The employment of these set of people should be regularised and unionised for proper control and accountability ”.The union noted that “members have always support their management to put in place appropriate machinery to monitor activities of guests but which are absent in nonunionized hotels because the motivation to do this has not been provided” adding that ”for the project to make the desired impact in checking crimes, the NTDC should make it compulsory for all tourism and hospitality facilities across the country to be unionised”.It called on the agency to embark on a massive campaign to sensitize and enlighten the people on the objectives of the project as done before the commencement of the SIM Card registration by service providers in the telecommunication industry.

cry from what it should be.

The source also stated that the late Former Security Adviser, General Patrick Azazi, was made to convince the President on the need to either merge PICOMMS with NIMASA or have scrapped.

It would be recalled both the NIMASA and PICOMSS have been at logger heads over who should be in control of the nation’s water ways.

At a point, the international Oil Companies operating in Nigeria, were paying dues to PICOMSS for providing security services for their operations.

This move did not go down well with NIMASA who launched an onslaught on the Committee and ensured that it was finally scrapped.

It will also be recalled that at a time both the Presidency and the Senate Committee on Marine Transport are at loggerheads over two separate maritime security bills that under went some legislative processes.

While the then Senator Gbemi Saraki-led Senate Marine Committee is pushing for the passage of the Coast Guard Bill, the Presidency is promoting the passage of a Maritime Security Agency, a department that would have duplicated the function of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

Sources close to the Marine Transport Committee said that the President requested that the National Assembly approves the setting up of a maritime security agency that will protect ships, oil facilities and ports in the Niger-Delta region.

It was learnt that the proposed agency is expected to have wide ranging powers, including superintending coastguard officials. The agency will have powers to inspect ships, arrest suspects and carry firearms within the Niger-Delta region.

According to Reuters, the new agency is also expected to provide security information on oil and gas pipelines, rigs, platforms and all other established installations Sources confirmed that the security agency will be funded from a one per cent levy on annual profits from companies using Nigeria waterways.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

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cobank Transnational Incorporated has an nounced a target of 15 per cent growth in revenue for the 2013 operating year.

The Bank Group made this announcement at its inaugural Capital Markets Day at the Group’s headquarters in Lomé.

The event featured an outline of the Bank’s growth targets for 2013 and the operational steps that are being taken to deliver them. The growth targets for the Group in 2013 are : Deposit growth of 20%+ , - Loan growth ~1/2 deposit growth , Revenue growth of 15%+, - Cost-to-Income ratio of low 70s percent. In addition, the Group targets a Costto-Income ratio of below 60% for 2015.

Speaking at the event, Ecobank’s Group CEO, Thierry Tanoh said, the Bank believes it can achieve these targets by focusing on its strategic priorities of customer service, shareholder value and becoming an employer of choice, even as it continues its mission of building a world class pan-African bank.

The event aimed to introduce Ecobank’s senior management to an audience of major shareholders and research analysts, and provided detailed insights into the Group’s current operations and its strategic objectives going forward.

Tanoh said, “We were delighted to welcome buy- and sell-side representatives from across Africa, the UK, the Mid-

Ecobank Transnational targets 15% revenue growth in 2013

By Babajide Komolafe dle East and the US here in Lomé, Togo. It gave us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the strength and depth

of our divisional and regional management teams to a wider international audience. We believe passionately in Africa’s long-term growth poten-

F

Company growth worries CEOs as economy gloom fades — PwC

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L-R: Head, Legal and Public Relations, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Manager, Treasury, Mr. Sunday Oduneye, Coordinator, Corporate Communications, Mr. Ayodele Oguntubi, Manager, Internal Audit, Mr. Bamidele Osunsanya and Manager, Management Accounts Mr. Bamidele Oyinloye all of Promasidor Nigeria at the 6th Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders’ conference held in Lagos last week

FBN Capital launches Mutual Fund products BN Capital Limited through its Asset Management arm has launched new mutual fund products designed as part of the company’s commitment to provide investors with safe havens and competitive returns on their money.

These investment platforms, according to a statement from the company, aid financial growth both for individuals, businesses and corporations.

The funds - FBN Money Market Fund, FBN Fixed Income Fund and FBN Heritage Fund were recently admitted to the daily official list of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) after hugely successful initial offerings. A total of 17.98 million units of FBN Money Market Fund were admitted at par value of N100 each while 1.75 million units of FBN Fixed Income Fund were admitted at N1, 000 par value.

The FBN Money Market Fund invests in very liquid short term instruments while the FBN Fixed Income Fund offers investors opportunity to invest in Nigeria’s sovereign, state and corporate bonds and other gilt-edge long-tenor securities.

Besides the FBN Money Market Fund and the FBN Fixed Income Fund, FBN capital also offers the FBN

tial and, over time, look forward to unlocking the true value of our unique pan-African footprint to the benefit of all of our stakeholders.”

Brief

Heritage fund which gives investors exposure to the money markets and bond markets as well as the equity and real estate markets too.

Director and Head, Asset Management, FBN Capital, Mr Michael Oyebola said the funds were designed in a scalable way that allows small, medium and large scale investors to participate in the funds and benefit from the current high returns accruable from the market using the

expertise of FBN Capital.

He outlined that as open ended funds, FBN Capital would continue to offer units of the funds to investors noting that investors can invest in FBN Money Market Fund with as low as N5, 000 while minimum investment in the FBN Fixed Income Fund and the FBN Heritage Fund is N50, 000.

According to him, the primary objective of the funds is to achieve a high level of income obtainable from

investments that is consistent with prudent investment management, the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

He pointed out that high level of professional management is a major determinant of success in today’s volatile market adding that investors would benefit from FBN Capital’s cuttingedge investment process, which combines top-down views on the macroeconomic environment with proprietary local bottom-up analysis of credit quality and market factors including supply, demand and liquidity by highly rated credit analysts and markets team.

JPMorgan hires UBS banker amid quest for bigger Islamic slice PMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) has named UBS AG (UBSN) banker Hussein HasJsanformer to head global Islamic finance as the big-

gest U.S. lender strives to boost its share of an industry whose assets are set to double by 2015.

New York-based JPMorgan said Hassan, previously global head of Islamic structuring for UBS, would focus on clients in countries including Saudi Arabia and Malaysia , according to an e-mailed statement today. Malaysia hosts the world’s biggest market for Islamic bonds, or sukuk, while Saudi Arabia boasts the world’s biggest share of Shariah-compliant assets.

“As we have observed a significant increase in the demand for Shariah-compliant banking products, we have decided to invest in high-caliber people, systems and technology,” Sjoerd Leenart, JPMorgan’s senior country officer for the Middle East and North Africa, said in the statement.

Global banks including HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA) and Standard Chartered Plc have set up Islamic banking units to take advantage of

growing demand for financial products that comply with the religion’s ban on interest. Global Islamic financial assets are set to double to as much as $3 trillion by 2015, according to Standards & Poor’s estimates.

Islamic Offering Hassan, who also headed Zurich-based UBS’ Middle East and North Africa structuring, will be based in Dubai, a Persian Gulf emirate striving create a hub for Shariah-compliant banking that would take on such centers as Malaysia and Bahrain. He will lead JPMorgan’s effort to “further build out its Islamic offering across different lines of business and regions,” the bank said.

Global sales of Islamic bonds surged 26 percent last year to $46 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Issuers in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, accounted for almost half of the total after sukuk sales tripled and borrowing costs plunged to records.

HIEF executive officers are more pessimistic about company growth prospects than a year ago and more optimistic that the global economy won’t shrink in 2013, according to a survey

by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Fifty-two percent of 1,330 CEOs surveyed predict the global economy won’t worsen this year and 18 percent expect it to improve. At the same time, only 36 percent are “very confident” about their company ’s growth prospects, with executives citing concerns from fiscal deficits to financial- market volatility that could crimp revenue.

The survey was released as CEOs including Muhtar A. Kent of Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and Andrew N. Liveris of Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) gather in the Swiss resort of Davos for the World Economic Forum’s annual meetings.

While Europe remains mired in a recession, business confidence has increased since last year as the effect of measures by politicians and the European Central Bank to tame the sovereign-debt crisis take root.

“CEOs remain cautious about their short-term prospects and the outlook for the global economy,” Dennis M. Nally, chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Ltd., said in a statement. “Leaders believe their organizations can be resilient by rolling with the shortterm blows while reshaping for longer-term growth.”

Uncertain Growth More than four-fifths of business leaders said their top concern is uncertain economic growth, with the state of government finances and over-regulation following closely. Sixtyone percent said capital-market volatility may hurt company growth.

Further ahead, 46 percent of CEOs said they are very confident about the growth outlook in the next three years, although prospects differed according to region. While most business leaders in Africa and the Middle East said they are very confident of growth over that period, only 34 percent of Western European CEOs said the same.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 23

Bankers to brainstorm on international banking issues A

RRANGEMENT has been concluded for bankers and financial experts from Nigeria and other to brainstom on international Banking issues at a workshop being organized by Deutsche Bank At the workshop, experts will brainstorm on issues including international trade finance, international payments, agriculture funding and compliance regulations and

operations.

According to a statement from Deutsche Bank, “Bankers and financial experts from Nigeria and other West African countries will converge in Abuja on January 28 for a week long annual banking workshop organized by the bank.”

To date, Deutsche Bank had organised three of such annual workshops in Abuja, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. The

March deadline: Banks reject legacy banks cheques

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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here are indications that some banks are refusing to clear cheques of legacy banks, in violation of the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which extended the acceptance of legacy bank cheques to March 31, 2013. The legacy banks includes the defunct Afribank, Bank PHB, FinBank , Equitorial Trust Bank, Oceanic Bank and Spring Bank.

An Oceanic Bank cheque was rejected by a microfinance bank, Newlife MFB, with the excuse that its clearing banks, Access Bank, GTBank and Sterling Bank, have been refusing to clear cheques of legacy banks presented to them, even as recently as last week.

According to an official of the microfinance bank, though the bank is

aware of the CBN directive, it had no option but to reject cheques of legacy banks presented by customers since its clearing banks are refusing to clear them. The official said the clearing banks are not giving any reasons for their actions. Also, a customer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) also recounted a similar experience involving an Oceanic Bank cheque which was returned to him at a branch of the bank, after been informed that they have been instructed that the cheques will not be cleared.

However, an official of Access Bank, when contacted, said the bank was in full compliance with the CBN directive as all their branches had been duly instructed to comply. He promised to investigate as soon as detailed accounts are made available to him.

Ernst & Young holds workshop on transfer pricing

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rnst & Young, the most integrated professional services firm globally, has c o n c l u d e d arrangements to assemble its top economic and tax experts to discuss the introduction of transfer pricing to Nigeria and highlight pertinent details and issues related thereto. The workshop is billed to hold on January 30, 2013, at the Four Points C M Y K

by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

As indicated by Abass Adeniji, Tax Services Leader for Ernst & Young West Africa, the workshop is positioned to provide basic transfer pricing concepts and transfer pricing risk management training to Chief Financial Officers and Group Tax Directors of Multinational Enterprises with crossborder transactions with related parties.

workshop is aimed at adding value to investment banking operations in the West African sub-region.

According to Charles Weller, Head, Deutsche Bank, Nigeria, “Over the past years, we have hosted close to 500 West African bankers at our training events and we have been delighted with the success of these workshops.”

“Deutsche Bank experts across the globe will be presenting and speaking at the event, highlighting the ever increasing importance of Nigeria and West Africa in the international financial space,” Weller said.

The bank’s Deputy Head in Nigeria, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, said the workshop aims at putting Nigeria and the region

more firmly on the Deutsche Bank map and equally cementing and increasing relationship with the bank’s clients and customers in the West African sub-region.

“Deutsche has a global history covering hundreds of years and we have been in Nigeria for 35 years. We are keen to share our experiences with our partner banks in West Africa and equally

learn from theirs,” Azeez said.

With more than 135 years experience in investment banking and presence in over 70 countries across the globe, Deutsche Bank offers unparalleled financial services with track record of strength and resilience and a proven ability to drive long term, sustainable success.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Textile industry market ’ll be increased to 25% by 2020 — Aganga other stakeholders how to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.

“Our desire is to save and create jobs in the CTG industry, protect the US$2 billion

STORIES BY NAOMI UZOR

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HE Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said that the federal government’s aspiration for the textile and apparel industry is to increase its domestic market share from its present position of 12 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020.

Speaking recently at the validation workshop on the mid-term evaluation of Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) Industry in Abuja, Aganga said his ministry is working through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to reduce the dumping of substandard goods into the country and that some of these goods include textiles and apparels.

“We also expect this sector to create over 60,000 direct jobs within this period. To achieve this, the strategic thrust requires reviving the entire value chain. This includes strengthening the base by boosting cotton production for use in the domestic sector and potential exports, supporting existing players to expand their current operations and attracting strong brands to set up local manufacturing operation in the country. This explains why we have included the sector in the Industrial Revolution Plan which is being put together by my Ministry” he said.

The minister noted that the sector holds strong potential due to its natural cotton endowments, large market size and legacy sector knowledge, adding that Nigeria’s population of over 167 million people represents a natural market for basic textiles and apparel related g o o d s .

He stated further that the potential to export to regional and select developed markets (such as the United States under the African growth and opportunity Act (AGOA) tariff regime) are also very attractive, just as the existing textile infrastructure and skill base provides the industry with a pool of knowledgeable workforce particularly in Northern Nigeria. These

investment in the industry, increase the profitability of beneficiaries of the fund and strengthen the synergy between CTG sub-sectors” she said.

Reducing 1.3bn tonnes of food yearly waste and losses is achievable — FAO

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CEO, Financial Reporting Council, FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee; Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Chairman, Steering Committee, Mr. Victor Odiase and representative of CBN Governor, Mr. Yunusa Sanusi, Director Corporate Secretariat during the inauguration of the steering committee for the development of the National Code for Corporate Governance, inAbuja. realities, the minister emphasized, make the sector too important for government to ignore.

The Managing Director, Bank of Industry, MS Evelyn Oputu, said the bank’s commitment to the rehabilitation of ailing and moribund industrial firms,

including textile, automotive and others, which have significant capacity for employment generation and export.

She said having implemented the funding scheme for two years, the need for an independent mid-term evaluation on the

performance of the bank and beneficiaries cannot be over emphasized and that this will enable stakeholders to ascertain whether the funding scheme achieved intended objectives, so as to recommend to BOI and

Rice mill importation should be done by private sector — LCCI

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OLLOWING the recent report that the Federal Government would import 100 rice mills from China for distribution to states, The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has said acquisition should be done by the private sector with the support of government.

In a release by the President of LCCI, Mr Goodie Ibru, he said the current policy thrust in economic management, which has been severally canvassed by the members of the economic team, is that government would concentrate on the provision of enabling environment and institutions to support the growth of private enterprises.

This fundamental principle is also clearly elaborated in the Vision 20 2020 document as an economic management philosophy that would guide the choice and direction of economic policy.

“The story of the

NNPC, the Refineries, NITEL, Steel Complexes, Fertilizer Plants, Petrochemical Plants, Nigeria Airways, the Railways, Paper Mills etc. illustrate the tragedy of state owned enterprises in Nigeria.

These enterprises were managed (and some are still managed) by politicians and bureaucrats and the cost to the economy was horrendous. Similar scenarios played out in many states. This is not a model of government intervention that the economy deserves and this has been proven by empirical evidence. It has not worked in most economies as it is typically marred by mismanagement and corruption” he said.

According to him, direct government intervention is desirable in infrastructures, security, environment, public schools and hospitals as well as other areas in which there are evident cases of market failure.

“The proposed acquisition of rice mills raises a number of specific concerns: How will the rice mills be distributed? How will they be managed?

And how will they operate alongside the existing rice processing mills owned by small scale operators without creating the challenge of unfair competition?” he stated.

HE F o o d and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the UN Environment P r o g r a m m e (UNEP), and partners, Tuesday, said simple actions by consumers and food retailers can dramatically cut the 1.3 billion tonnes of food lost or wasted each year and help shape a sustainable future.

FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, said the .Eat.Save.

Reduce Yourcampaign is in support of the SAVE FOOD initiative to reduce food loss and waste along the entire chain of food production and consumption.

“Together, we can reverse this unacceptable trend and improve lives. In industrialized regions, almost half of the total food squandered, around 300 million tonnes annually, occurs because producers, retailers and consumers discard food that is still fit for consumption, This is more than the total net food production of Sub-Saharan Africa, and would be sufficient to feed the estimated 870 million people hungry in the world. If we can help food producers to reduce losses through

better harvesting, processing, storage, transport and marketing methods, and combine this with profound and lasting changes in the way people consume food, then we can have a healthier and hungerfree world,” he said.

He said the global food system has profound implications for the environment, and producing more food than is consumed only exacerbates the pressures, some of which follow: more than 20 per cent of all cultivated land, 30 per cent of forests and 10 per cent of grasslands are u n d e r g o i n g degradation; globally 9 per cent of the freshwater resources are withdrawn, 70 per cent of this by irrigated agriculture; agriculture and land use changes like deforestation contribute to more than 30 per cent of total global greenhouse gas emissions; globally, the agri-food system accounts for nearly 30 per cent of end-user available energy and overfishing and poor management contribute to declining numbers of fish, some 30 per cent of marine fish stocks are now considered overexploited.

•From right: President, LCCI, Mr. Goodie Ibru; CBN Director of Research, Dr. Charles Mordi and Ms Oge Omeribe of DFID at the presentation of Nigerian Business Confidence Index by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 25

incentives such as the best students in different subjects and different classes would win Samsung mobile phones at the end of the month. Also, the best students would be promoted on the website.”

Improvement in public exams

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*From left; Librarian, Bowen University, Dr. Ayoku Ojedokun (left); Head, Library and Information Services, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Mrs. Ezomo Elsie; Deputy Director-General, IITA, Dr. Ken Dashiell; and ViceChancellor, Bowen University, Prof. Timothy Olagbemiro, at a partnership strategizing forum at IITA.

Rescuing education with social media

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

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N an era where mass failure has remained prominent among the problems holding the educational sector down in Nigeria, the introduction of a mobile social quiz platform for secondary school students – www.efiko.com.ng - appears poised to reshape the sector.

This latest innovation, which was created by the CoCreation Hub (CCHub), Nigeria’s foremost social innovation centre, launched the EFIKO mobile application to enhance students’ learning through self-assessment with topical quizzes.

The launch also served as an award ceremony for students who excelled using the platform during its pilot test in Lagos. With sponsorship

Forgotten aspects of education (1) -— Page 30

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support from Samsung Electronics West Africa, each winner from the pilot test went home with a Samsung Chief Hero E1500 mobile phone which they can use to download the efiko mobile application.

According to the Project Incubator, CcHub, Mr. Tunji Eleso, the application has merged the powerful powers of social media and education to build a critical mass of students that can take on any educational challenge.

“Social media is a very powerful tool which most youths use negatively. The reality is that there is competition for the attention of these youths and our goal is to challenge them to, at their leisure, learn by taking the mobile quiz”, Eleso said.

Speaking on the workings of

We want a situation whereby we can industrialise Nigeria – Ike Okeke

the application, Eleso said efiko.com.ng can be downloaded on multiple platforms such as Android, Nokia S40 and mobile web for other mobile devices.

“The 10-question short quiz is to test their knowledge, and at the end of the quiz, they

can share their results on facebook with a very simple message ‘I scored this much in this particular subject in the quiz and I challenge you to beat my scores.’

“Since the competition for their attention is stiff, visiting efiko.com.ng has some

ointing out that Nigeria is in a crisis situation as far as secondary education is concerned which is responsible for the poor results recorded in public examinations, Eleso said the goal of the application is to help students improve on their academics.

“Since the application is in accordance with the national curriculum, it would help students in schools that have shortage of teaching materials and teachers to cover the curriculum and equally challenge their mates. This, we believe, is crucial in addressing the challenges of education at the secondary level.

“When students use this application to study what they learn in school, it would help them know their strengths and weaknesses in different subjects from an early stage and on a term by term basis, thereby leading to an improvement in public examinations.

“We are also working with

Contines on page 26

AGF dismisses private varsities' clamour for TETFUND

BY DAYO ADESULU

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ope of private universities partaking in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFUND received a setback on Monday as the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah

Oguniyi Otunla has dismissed the agitation, saying that private universities are profit-making ventures. Delivering a lecture on: The impact of quality education on national development: where is funding situated, which held

Novena Varsity making waves in academics — VC

at Caleb University, Lagos, he said; “As private ventures or enterprises, private universities depend on income generated through a variety of sources. These include tuition fees, contributions from a variety of sources and income from investments. A number of Nigerian private universities, because they are still at the developmental stage, have challenges of funds to expand their infrastructure and resources, the basis for which they can further attract students. It is for this reason that many of them are clamouring for government agencies, such as the TETFUND to include private universities in funding circle.

-— Page 29

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Ogun’s free education threatened — Commissioner

By DAUD OLATUNJI

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he Ogun State Government has given a hint that the free education system running in the state was being threatened, harping on the need to include civic education into the curriculum of all the public schools in the state.

The state Commissioners for Education, Segun Odubela and Kemi Adeosun and Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Akande Ajibola, gave the hint while speaking at a one-day civic education programme jointly organised for secondary students across the 20 local government areas of the state by the Ministry of Finance and the Internal Revenue Service themed, Understanding the Tax System.

According to them, many residents of the state are in the habit of evading tax payment, which has led to the paucity of funds which had continued to negatively affect its financial capability to embark on various capital projects including free education.

Ajibola said; “Students being direct beneficiaries of the government programmes and also intermediary

between government and their parents should be properly enlightened to be agents of change for government and prepare to play their part to take the state to a higher level as they will soon join the workforce.”

The Commissioner for Finance stressed that with the high number of tax evaders in the state and the meager allocation from the Federation Account, the enthusiasm of the Amosun-led

administration to embark on more capital projects had been dampened.

Adeosun, however, said that the state government embarked on the sensitization of secondary school students across the state as part of the efforts to ensure the regular payment of taxes by residents.

She reiterated the need for all residents to always observe their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes regularly.

The commissioner stated that

this would strengthen the state government financially and assist her in bringing about rapid and meaningful developments and provide more dividends of democracy to the people.

Adeosun disclosed that the sensitization programme for secondary school students was put in place to enlighten the younger ones on the importance of tax payment by all Nigerians who had got to the age of working.

Winners displaying their Samsung Chief Hero mobile phones at the launch of Efiko, a mobile social quiz platform for secondary school students.

Rescuing education with social media Continues from page 25 publishers and government to ensure that we don’t deviate from the curriculum. In the pilot phase, we worked hand in hand with Lagos State Education District 4 and they helped provide the content.

So whatever we are giving the students is what is relevant to them.”

Some of the key features of EFIKO include: topical-based learning as students learn as they are taught according to the national curriculum; standardized content, which is especially important for students in schools with a shortage of teachers for certain subjects; and instant scoring with a leader board.

Here, students are challenged to do better when they see their current scores and ranks as well as those of their peers.

Others are social-based learning as peer-to-peer engagement makes learning fun for students and students can challenge each other on social media to become top students for different subjects; recognition in form of incentives for high C M Y K

performing students and their schools on the platform; geographical mapping, which is tied to the leader board and it enables students see schools of top scorers.

EFIKO Secondary School Challenge EFIKO was formally

launched with a national secondary school challenge competition. For the next six months, the top student on the EFIKO leader board in five subjects will win a mobile phone i.e. 15 students every month for six months, bringing the total number of winners to 90 students.

Having regular funding from the government from sources such as TETFUND would not actually be in the best interest of the private universities. Instead, these institutions should work at developing such reputation that instead of them going begging for money, others will come to them begging them to take their money. This could be in terms of research or other programmes that they are involved in.”

According to Otunla, for private universities to enhance their funding and reputation base, Nigerian private universities must

endeavor to do those things that Nigerian public universities are not doing at the moment or are not doing properly.

On leadership and management, he maintained that private universities must ensure that they have the best in terms of leadership, adding that where they are scarce, they must search far and wide, taking into account best practices in the recruitment of those to provide direction to the institution. He said: “They must have individuals with the ability to properly represent the institution nationally and internationally. Leadership must not be based on

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

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luyole Club, Lagos, has awarded N50,000 bursary to seven undergraduates in various Nigerian universities.

According to the president of the club, Professor Bashir Akande, the aim of the bursary was to cater for the welfare of its members and Ibadan people in general.

“Oluyole Club, Lagos came into being as a result of the vision of prominent Ibadan indigenes in Lagos. It was meant to cater for the welfare of its members and Ibadan in general, I am proud to say that the club has played its role creditably over the years and setting the pace in this regard as well.”

One of the beneficiaries of the award, Ojo Akinkunmi Emmanuel, a 300 level medical student of the Lagos State University College of Medicine said; “This is a laudable achievement and I commend Oluyole Club, Lagos for considering our future worthy of an investment.”

25 students graduate as British Council Leaders of Tomorrow

BY EBUN SESSOU

To participate, SS1, SS2 and SS3 students are to log on to www.efiko.com.ng to download the application and register (include a valid phone number), after which a test can be taken which would be submitted for them to see their scores.

AGF dismisses private varsities partakers of TETFUND Continues from page 25

Oluyole Club rewards students

regional, ethnic, and/or religious considerations, which is what is now obtaining in Nigerian public tertiary institutions. Such a situation would make them lose respect internationally.”

In recruiting personnel at administrative, academic and research levels, Otunla counselled that emphasis must be on the quality of such individuals and their potential contribution to the growth of teaching, learning and research process in the institution noting that academic personnel must be such that have the reputation to attract quality students, staff and resources.

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wenty-five students across five Nigerian universities Bayero University, Kano; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Maiduguri, University of Jos and Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, have graduated from British Council’s Leaders of Tomorrow programme last week.

The programme is designed as a peace-building project that focuses on training undergraduates who can speak clearly and confidently about the various issues that confront youths in Nigeria today and actively participate in building the future of the nation.

The training, which kicked off October, last year, came to a close with a cocktail orgainsed by the British Council.

Speaking at the cocktail, British Council’s Country Director, David Higgs, said plans are on to develop and scale up programmes that would empower young people to reach their potentials as citizens and future leaders of Nigeria.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—27

YABATECH Rector presents score-card •Begs govt for more funds 3 years after and preceding years.”

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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FTER three years of being appointed the Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, the institution has witnessed series of academic and infrastructural development under the leadership of Dr. Margaret Ladipo. As part of efforts to mark these giant strides, Ladipo looks back at what her administration has achieved, even as she called on government for more grants to fund research, security and further developmental projects.

*The seven-storey multi-purpose building funded through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund 2009 Special Intervention almost completed velopment and will span a period of five years from 2012 to 2016.”

Academic Development On academic development recorded so far, Ladipo said her administration started out by focusing mainly on consolidation of existing programmes and putting structures in place for an enabling environment to expand the programmes offered in the college, in line with the needs of the national economy.

“As a result, the management embarked on a vigorous staff exposure and development drive to improve the instructional capability of lecturers and expose them to contemporary trends in teaching and learning. Since the

,

The humble beginning Dr. Margaret Ladipo was appointed rector of the college on December 10, 2009. According to her, she has ever since then, not rested on her oars in ensuring that the institution moves beyond the status quo, thus, meeting up with the needs and challenges of today ’s educational world. “I intend to transform the system into a teaching, learning and research centre in applied science, engineering, technology and management sciences,” she said.

Lapido said she had earmarked workable objectives to achieve her goals. In her words; “One of the things we did when we came in was to institute a committee, which consists of an experienced consultant and 22 other members to map out a five-year strategic plan. This was done in order to have a participative and all-inclusive management.

“The strategic plan, however, is in its last stages of de-

Revitalization of the parttime programmes Early in 2010, a 14-man committee was set up to bring up a proposal on how to revive the part-time programmes which had been moribund.

The committee completed the assignment and the programme was re-established in July 2010 with the new name, Centre for Continuing Studies under the leadership of a Chief Lecturer as Director of the Centre. The centre is presently running smoothly. This has served to improve access to education in line with the direction of government and to also boost the revenue base of the college.

Learning and teaching enhancements

For instance, a total number of 423 staff was sent on seminars, workshops and conferences in year 2010; this number was stepped up to 441 in year 2011 as against 230 for 2009 and preceding years

assumption of the new administration, members of staff (both teaching and non-teaching staff), have been attending seminars, workshops and conferences both within and outside the country. For instance, a total number of 423 staff was sent on seminars, workshops and conferences in year 2010. This number was stepped up to 441 in year 2011 as against 230 for 2009

,

The Ladipo administration has also through the STEP-B project, ensured that the quality of teaching and learning is enhanced with the provision of necessary equipment and facilities for laboratories and workshops in some departments, namely, chemical science, food technology and physical science and established a well-equipped glass blowing workshop in the De-

used ‘to talk about how lights are used to achieve a particular effect’.

Examples: He was struck by lightning and was rushed to the hospital.

We have poorly designed street lighting in some cities.

She considered lightening her load by donating some clothes to charity.

The play I watched last Saturday had excellent lighting effects.

Government should implement policies that will lighten the economic burden of the ordinary citizen.

The violent storm was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Lightening – Lightning – Lighting Lightening – Lightning – Lighting Lighten means ‘to lessen – to reduce the amount of work, debt, worry etc that somebody has’; ‘to make something brighter or lighter in colour ’. Lightning ‘is the flash of light that accompanies thunder’. Lighting ‘in a place is the way it is lit; the arrangement or type of light in a place’. Lighting can be

C M Y K

Marital - Martial Marital and martial are two different words with different meanings. Marital means ‘relating to marriage’ while martial refers ‘to battle, war or military life’. Do not confuse the spelling of the two words.

Examples Demonstrations are suppressed under martial regimes.

Every couple should work towards marital happiness.

partment of Chemical Science.

Also through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Special Intervention for 2009, the college was able to provide modern teaching equipment for lecture halls, laboratories and workshops across the different schools while the college library was furnished with books, journals and other study facilities. Over 50 interactive electronic white boards have been installed in lecture halls across the college to improve the quality of delivery.

Recall in 2011, management commenced the establishment of libraries in each school to bring the facility to the doorsteps of lecturers and students and to promote the reading and research culture. It is projected that with the creation of space through the construction of more infrastructure, libraries can be provided for all departments in the college.

The rector also said in her administration’s effort to incorporate international standards into the college in the areas of research and technology, it has entered into a renewed agreement with Songhai Centre for joint research and development projects in renewable energy especially in biofuel and bio-enterprise, development of human resource, infrastructure and staff industrial attachment.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding with University of Central Lancashire, some members of academic staff are currently enrolled in the PhD programme of the institution’s School of Built Environment.

Lastly – At last Though lastly and at last have in common, last – ‘happening or existing at the end’, they are used in different contexts. Lastly is used ‘to introduce the last point you want to make or the last thing at the end of a series’. At (long) last is used ‘to say that something happens after you have been hoping, waiting or working for it for a long time’. ‘Finally’ is another word for lastly.

Examples: At last, Dupe has found a man to marry.

Lastly, I’d like to wish you all that you wish yourself in this new year!

zCONTINUES NEXT WEEK. Send requests/problems to Gabriel Osoba, Ph.D, Department of English, Lagos State University, Ojo, through Editor, Teach Yourself English, Vanguard Newspapers, PMB. 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or email: editor@vanguardngr.com & gabosoba002@yahoo.co

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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addened by the current trend where youths no longer concentrate on the indepth acquisition of skills, but material gains to be derived, Dr. Ridwan Adeyemi, a lecturer at the Department of Public Relations and Advertising, Lagos State University-Adebola Adegunwa School of C o m m u n i c a t i o n (LASUAASOC), Ojuelegba, last Thursday, advised the students, who aim to end up in the media industry after school, not to see material gains as priority.

Dr. Adeyemi who was speaking at the 2013 Departmental Seminar Series of the school averred that it was imperative for the students to concentrate on developing themselves with the requisite knowledge and skills, even as they will soon join the league of practitioners already in the media industry.

He said; “It has become imperative for you students, who aim to end up in the media industry to solely concentrate on developing yourselves with the requisite knowledge, skills and technical-know-how that will see you through when you get there. While still in school today, if you fail to acquire the requisite skills, but see material gains as priority, you will end up becoming halfbaked graduates,” he warned.

Earlier, there were paper presentations by the duo of Dr. Akin Sofoluwe (PhD), former Head, Department of Broadcasting, LASUAASOC and Dr. Yinka Alawode, Ag. Head, Department of Broadcasting, LASUAASOC. While Dr. Sofoluwe presented a paper titled The Brotherhood of Language: We are One, Dr. Alawode’s paper was titled Home Video and Advertising: Two Sides of the Nigerian Coin.

While taking a look at the history of the multi-diversity of languages, Sofoluwe traced it to the Biblical passage of Genesis 11vs. 1, where God Almighty confused the early men, with varying languages, as they were building a tower, whose height will reach heaven.

According to the ace broadcaster and film producer, there are plethora of languages in the world over, but each has no meaning itself, except the shared meanings given it among a set of people.

Stating that the multidiversity of languages has over the years led to ethnic differences and chaos, he C M Y K

*From right: Dr. Yinka Alawode, Ag. Head, Department of Broadcasting, LASUAASOC; former HOD, Dr. Akin Sofoluwe and Dr. Ridwan Akinyemi of Department of Public Relations and Advertising at the 2013 LASUAASOC Departmental Seminar Series.

Communication students advised not to put material gains ahead of skills however, opined that “just as the world was at peace with one language at the early beginning, the world is today heading towards having one common language again.

This one common language is the digital language,” he held,adding, “There’s no language today that will be inputed into the computer system that can’t be translated into English language.”

In his own paper, Dr. Alawode lauded the Nigerian Home Video and Advertising

industry for providing massive employment opportunities for teeming Nigerian youths. He, however, pleaded with pundits, who see nothing good with the movie industry in terms of promoting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through contents, to be patient.

His words; “Even though I concur that the Nigerian Home Video industry has its odd sides when it comes to

quality of content, I plead that the industry should be allowed to grow steadily. It’s just about 30 years old, when compared with the American Hollywood or the Indian Bollywood that are over 100 years in existence.”

Meanwhile, the don averred that the lack of interest of members of the academia in supporting the movie industry in terms of intellectual inputs, may spell doom for the sector.

He said; “It has over the years been observed that our academics, who are well grounded in film and media studies do not show interest in contributing to the movie industry, in terms of shaping its quality content. This has ironically given rise to a situation where businessmen flood the industry as producers, directors and marketers, all in the name of making money.”

FEDPOLY EDE Matriculation: Rector attributes Nigeria’s underdevelopment to insecurity, immorality

BY SIKIRU AKINOLA

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he newly appointed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Builder Patrick Hussaini, has said that insecurity is stifling our economic development and nationhood.

Speaking at the 20th matriculation ceremony which took place at the institution's sports pavillion, Hussaini noted that Nigeria cannot afford to be left out of the technological race, adding that the institution would continue to comply fully with the Federal Government policy of 70:30 ratio of admission in favour of

science, technology and engineering to business and arts related courses.

Given the breakdown of the lucky matriculants, the Rector said that a total number of 33, 954 candidates applied for admission into the institution through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) out of which about 15,000 candidates came for the Post-UTME screening exercise.

Charging them to count themselves lucky as admission into tertiary institutions is highly competitive, Builder Hussaini said that a total number of 1,

233 were eventually given admission into National Diploma full-time while 876 were admitted into the Higher National Diploma, affirming that 876 and 104 candidates were admitted into ND and HND part-time programme respectively.

He observed that the institution is committed to promoting technological education and ensuring that many candidates secure admissions into science and technologybased courses.

The introduction of Agricultural Engineering Technology and Fashion Design

Technology, he said, is in top gear.

His words; ‘’Be rest assured that as a new administration, we shall focus on students' welfare; serving the best educational interest of our students on teaching excellence; communicating knowledge to students to think critically and analytically; and inspire in them independence of thought and self discipline.

Also, we shall create a learning environment in which students and staff find satisfaction in their work and feel proud in their achievement."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—29

Novena varsity making waves in academics — VC T

he Vice-Chancellor of Novena University, Ogume, Professor Johnson Eze says the institution is making its mark in the academic world in less than 10 years of its existence.

Prof. Eze who made the assertion while addressing newsmen in Amai campus of the university last weekend disclosed that in 2011 alone, two students of Novena University won international awards.

According to him, ‘’Miss Vivan Nwafor, a biochemistry student who has always topped her class won an international award in South Africa in 2011. Same year, Miss Tessy Askia, a computer science graduate of Novena University was the best graduating Master’s degree student of Business Information in a university in London, United Kingdom(UK) and was also given international award.’’

The VC disclosed to newsmen that students who have graduated from the university are contributing immensely to the growth of Nigeria’s economy, saying that “graduates of the institution are doing very well in the banking sector, Customs, Civil Service and other sectors of the nation’s economy”.

He maintained that all the

courses ran by the university have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and professional bodies, adding that the institution has witnessed mass infrastructural and manpower expansion in recent times.

Prof. Eze also said that the

rural setting of the institution has also contributed to the success story of the university in academics, saying that there is no distraction for the students.

The VC, a specialist in Plant Ecophysiology stressed that educational standard has not fallen in Nigeria.

BY MSONTER ANZAA, BSU

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omfort Msurshima Ajem is a 300 level student of Mass Communication and the Kumashe u Tiv of the Benue State University, Makurdi. In this interview, she talked about her experiences and public misconception about her crown.

How did you emerge the Kumashe?

It was a contest. Many things like dancing were involved. There was also a greeting segment where we were required to greet in the traditional way. We came out in different traditional attires and I emerged the best among those who contested. I also contested for the Makurdi Youth Deanery and I am the pioneer Queen of the contest.

BY LAJU ARENYEKA occasin shoes are not very easy to define. You most likely own a pair and do not know what they are called. But now you do, thanks to the pictures accompanying this article.

Before they became ‘cool-towear-campus-shoes,’ Moccasins were first made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole and sides made of one piece of leather, stitched together at the top, and sometimes with an additional panel of leather.

Historically, it is the footwear of many indigenous peoples of North America, and then became very useful for hunters, traders, and European settlers. Simply

C M Y K

He maintained that institutions of higher learning in Nigeria cannot be equated with notable universities abroad but could compete and overtake such universities in future.

The VC commended the Delta State Government for recognising Novena University as the first private university in the state; saying that the state government should continue to partner with the institution in the provision of education to Deltans.

You don’t need to sleep around to win laurels — Beauty pageant winner What have you done since you ascended the throne?

I have not done anything. I wanted to do one programme but the funds were not there.

You see, our people don’t encourage us. If they did, you could touch the lives of people. But if funds are not there, it is difficult. You win a crown and for you to do one or two things, the funds are not there. It is very bad.

What are the duties of your office?

You stop wearing trousers.

You won’t date any non-tribal person. You behave well. You stop clubbing and the likes to show a good example to others. This is the symbol of the Tiv people. Our forefathers were very conservative. As Kumashe, you have to adopt their way

Journey of the moccasins M

He explained that both Nigerian lecturers and students who have travelled abroad to either lecture or study have done very well in academics.

He noted that the low scoring of educational standard in Nigeria today is because of large number of institutions of higher learning and students in the country, pointing out that in the 1970s, it was easy to identify institutions and students, hence the scoring of educational standard in the country was then high.

put, they are the most unflattering picture in today’s collection.

But moccasins have evolved; they now range from suede to leather, brown to black to purple, and are for people of all genders and ages. But

when you put your feet into those pair of shoes you love so much, its roots should teach you a lesson-that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and a good pair of moccasins!

of life. Sometimes, my mates laugh at my hairstyle but you just have to be you because you are representing your culture.

What do you think about a beauty queen's’dress code?

It is not by dressing and exposing yourself that you can find anything. Someone can still admire you if you dress decently. If you go to the university, you will see the rate of indecent dressing. I advise the youth to adopt the cultures of their people. Dress decently and people will respect you. It is not by exposing yourself that someone will admire you.

They should be proud of their cultures. Many of them don’t even know how to speak their dialects. Some pretend that they don’t know. It is good to

be proud of where you are coming from.

What are the challenges of the crown?

You know, you always have to look good. If you get to a place and someone says this is the Kumashe and you don’t look good, it is not right. And looking good is not easy.

30— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

BRIEF Global Partnership for Education gets new CEO

By EBELE ORAKPO

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Forgotten aspects of education (1)

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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ith unemployment rates on the rise, even for university graduates, experts have had to question the turn which the education sector is taking. As mainstream education grapples with survival amidst many challenges, there are other aspects of education where the average Nigerian student does not stand a chance when compared to his counterparts in the global village; aspects of education that seem to be forgotten.

Slow to boot in Computer education Nigerian students seem to be languishing in the dust behind the moving train of the 21st Century as a result of poor computer education in many secondary schools across the country. Investigations carried out by Vanguard Learning revealed that many schools in Nigeria lack up-to-date computer technology and that many of those that have computers have little or no access to electricity.

Also, some Nigerian students have only been in a computer classroom when their school is privileged to have a qualified corps member for one year of national youth service. Remi Ademiju, is one of such Corps members who teaches computer science in a government school in Southern Nigeria. He said; “I teach basic knowledge about the computer. We are supposed to have practical classes, but we can’t because there is hardly any electricity here, and the school doesn’t have a generator. The students barely visit the computer lab. So we just teach them theory. Out of a class of about 60 people, only one person claims to have C M Y K

worked on a computer before, on his uncle’s laptop.”

Professor Olu Jegede, a lecturer at the Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University said; “Illiteracy is now beyond being able to read and write. Once computer education is out of it, that person is an illiterate. Very few of the schools that have access to computers also have access to the internet and that is a very big problem.” Professor Jegede and his colleague, Josiah Abiodun Owolabi in 2003 did a research on Education in Nigerian Secondary Schools: Gaps between Policy and Practice, where they compared the National Computer Policy (1988) with existing school practice at that time. The now obsolete policy, whose objectives were to “Bring about a computer literate society in Nigeria by the mid-1990s, and enable present school children to appreciate and use the computer in various aspects of life and in future employment” obviously passed on with the tenure of the policymakers as a 2010 report showed that 90 per cent of primary school teachers are not computer literate.

Educating children with special needs According to the 2006 national census, there were 3,253,169 persons with disability in Nigeria, with nearly 39 per cent of school age. Experts expect the number to increase. The number of seemingly normal children who are out of school runs into millions, how much more those who are blind, deaf, lame or autistic?

Ikenna Okpala is a Law graduate from the University of Lagos who was born blind.

He is one of the lucky few who scaled through the system. “When I was in

secondary school, many teachers were oblivious of the fact that there were blind students in the class. A teacher would just enter the class and start copying a note on the board, and clean off as soon as he was done. I had to develop another approach.

After classes, I would get people to read their notes out loud to me. I would write them out, and translate to Braille. Many of my teachers didn’t even know they had such a student in their class until it was time for test, and I would bring out my type writer.”

Dr. Kunle Adebiyi, a lecturer at the Department of Special Education, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, said; “Because of lack of sensitization, many are not really aware that such people can get good education. We need to sensitize the general public to communicate with such people.” If sensitization concerning learning for the physically disabled child leaves much to be desired, then awareness about unseen disabilities such as autism, are nearly non-existent. This is the view of Oke Martins, the brain behind Austism Associates, a nongovernmental organisation that helps solve Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities in Nigeria.

According to him; “There are some conditions that are well known and to some extent, have available provisions, but there are some other conditions that aren’t well known and have scant provisions. The big challenge with unseen disabilities such as autism is that they have no physical features, and as such, millions of Nigerians living

with it are undiagnosed, and there is barely provision for them.

“Autism is now regarded as a global epidemic, reports say that it is the third most common disability in the world,” Martins said, “but as I am talking to you now, there isn’t a single centre for learning for people with autism that is governmentowned. Even those that are set up by individuals are in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt,” he added.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja early last year, the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyat Rufa’i said that six zonal autism centres would be established for early detection and treatment of autism as part of Federal Government’s effort to address issues of autism. She also said her ministry has been training the regular classroom teachers on “methods and techniques of handling children with autism in an inclusive classroom setting.”

No medal in Sports Education Hon. Daniel Ighali is a Nigerian-born wrestler who won the Olympic gold medal for Canada in 1998. When asked to comment on sports education in Nigeria, Ighali replied: “Is there really such a thing as sports education in Nigeria? If there is, I didn’t know about it.

“The age group set up is not here at all. In Canada for example, sports recruits are chosen from primary six at the age of 12. But training begins much younger than that, my son is six, and he has already started training.

In sports like gymnastics, swimming and golf, techniques are taught from ages 2 - 3.”

new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been announced for Global Partnership for Education (GPE), formerly known as Education for All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA FTI). In a Press release made available to Vanguard Learning, GPE’s Board Chair, Carol Bellamy, announced Ms. Alice Albright, a U.S. national, as GPE’s new CEO. Ms. Albright comes to GPE with over 27 years of international experience spanning the private, non-profit, and public sectors having served as Chief Financial and Investment Officer for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) (20012009), head of GAVI’s Washington, DC office from 2003, and Executive VicePresident & Chief Operating Officer, Export-Import Bank of the US in the Obama Administration since July, 2009.

“We are thrilled to have a person with Alice’s leadership qualities and solid management experience to lead GPE and help us reach our ambitious goals to make sure that every child— no matter their income, gender or circumstance—gets a good quality education,” Ms. Bellamy said, adding; “Her experience in expanding GAVI, a start-up global partnership much like GPE, as well as her vast experience in the private sector, government, and civil society/nongovernmental organisations will help GPE increase our positive impact on basic education and children’s opportunities in the years to come.”

The release noted that Albright was selected competitively through the World Bank’s managerial selection process that also involved GPE Board members and the GPE Chair, and her appointment will be effective February 19, 2013.

The GPE, made up of over 50 developing country governments, donor governments, civil society organisations/NGOs, teacher organisations, international organisations, and private sector organisations and foundations, is poised to ‘galvanize and coordinate a global effort to provide good quality education to children, prioritizing the poorest and most vulnerable.’

“Since inception in 2002, GPE has committed over US$2.6 billion in financial assistance since 2004,” the release said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—31

CSR Initiative: Bristow Group kits 400 pupils in Akwa Ibom

BY DAYO ADESULU

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Head Teacher, QIC Primary School, Ikot Akpatek, Onna LGA, Elder Francis Marcus and members of the Bristow Uplift team addressing the pupils after the presentation.

EADING global Helicopter S e r v i c e providers, Bristow Helicopters, in-line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme, “Bristow Uplift” recently made the education experience better for about 400 pupils drawn from four community schools in the Eket area of Akwa Ibom State with the provision of school kits

which included school bags, uniforms, shoes, sportswear and sweaters.

Describing the initiative as the “Bristow Way of creating positive change in our communities”, the Managing Director, Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Ltd, Captain Akin Oni noted that, “Improving education is one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria, and we wanted to provide support for primary school children because that is the critical time to make sure these kids have what they need to succeed,”.

An initiative of the Bristow Group, the programme which is meant to serve as a platform of giving back to the society saw the Bristow Uplift volunteers visit four schools over a period of two days in the communities of Eket, EsitEket, Ibeno and Onna, and personally presenting kits to each pupil.

Affirming that the Bristow Uplift Programme is an initiative that has come to stay, Captain Oni

stated that, “The Bristow Group is committed to ensure the safety of its colleagues and clients and to responsibly operate in the communities in which we live and work.

The program allows us align our business practices with social investments that will make a positive difference, build strong c o m m u n i t y relationships, and create long-term value for our business.

Speaking in appreciation of the school kit provided to his pupils, the Head Teacher, QIC Primary School, Ikot Akpatek, Onna Local Government Area, Elder Francis Marcus stated that the Bristow Uplift program is a kind gesture which has brought smiles to the children and their parents.

His words, “This act of kindness is one that these children will never forget. For some of them, this is the first time they will wear school uniform or even carry a bag to school. We pray that God continues to bless the management and staff of Bristow”.

10 students to represent Lagos at NASCON contest BENJAMIN NJOKU

T

he abysmal performance of Nigerian students in public examinations such as Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, West African School Certificate, National Examinations Council and other similar examinations across the country, has become a major concern to many stakeholders.

To tackle this ugly trend, the National Spelling Competition of Nigeria, NASCON, was recently established. The body, which has as part of its objectives, to encourage creativity and logical thinking in school-age learners through academic competitions, set out last Thursday to actualise its vision when it held its zonal competition tagged, Lag NASCON Spelling Competition at Igbobi College, Lagos.

The event was held ahead of the grand finale, holding between May 16 C M Y K

and 17, at the University of Lagos, with the theme, Spelling your way to fame.

At the end of the zonal competition, 14-year-old Saheed Malami from Kings College, Lagos, emerged the overall winner, while 13-year old Ajayi Boluwatife from CMS Grammar School won the 2nd position, Effiong Richard Henry, from Ogudu Senior Grammar School, clinched the third position.

They were among the 10 students/schools selected to represent Lagos State at the finals. Others are Nwani Chikamso (St Finbarr’s College, Yaba), Benson Sarah (Livingstone College, Ikorodu), Okocha Frederick (Prudence City College), Olayiwola Babajide (Ebute Elefun High School), Bakare Emmanuel (Igbobi College), Zekeri Ojochenemi (Baptist Model High School, Ikola) and Abioke Uchechukwu (Glady’s High School).

32— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Educationist blames govt for fallen education system

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

T

he Proprietress of Sound Hope Schools, Ipaja, Alhaja Fatmo Monayojo, has blamed the country ’s fallen education system on bad leadership and loss of societal values.

Monayojo, who stated this while receiving education reporters on a courtesy visit to her school, said the decay in the system has led to the churning out of halfbaked graduates who can not even teach in primary and secondary schools.

“The fall in the standard of education is as a result of bad

leadership, which started during the military era, though the Idiagbon/Buhari regime tried to make some corrections before the coup.

“Aside bad leadership, we have lost our value as a nation. In those days, the family played a very important role in maintaining honesty and integrity but that is no longer the case.”

On the way forward, Monayojo urged government to provide the needed facilities in schools to add value to the performance of the children and also train teachers.

“This is why schools like ours came to being

because I believe that education should not end with academic excellence, prompting us to infuse morals into academic pursuits in order to make our students good ambassadors of Nigeria.

“Sound Hope Schools prides itself in its ability to train children who will be able to stand and surmount pressure from any quarter. Our solid foundation starts from the Montessori school where the pupils learn what to do with their hands. To make learning easier, we have adequate facilities, conducive environment and large hostel to accommodate the pupils.

Graduating students from the MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme

Japanese govt hands over 33 schools, 77 buildings to FG

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

I

N fulfilling its bilateral agreement with the Nigerian government, the Japanese government handed over to the Federal Government 33 schools comprising 77 buildings and 317classrooms for basic education sited in Kano State.

The N2.31billion project which was donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed at cementing the bilateral relationship between the two countries, is expected to help alleviate the problem of classroom congestion spread across 22 local government areas in the state.

Handing over the keys to the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike in Abuja

recently, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji said the Japanese government has been making effort towards ensuring that access to primary education for all primary school aged children especially the girl-child, is achieved in the country.

According to the Ambassador, the history of Japan proves that unfettered access to basic education is one of the foundations for nationbuilding, adding that investing in people is crucial for economic development of a country and the emancipation of each individual hence the effort to assist Nigerian government achieve the feat.

Mr. Shoji noted that the project which was signed in June 2010 enabled JICA to provide additional 317 classrooms in 33 schools,

with toilet facilities and classroom furniture for the pupils of Kano State.

He noted that though there was great security threats in the state during the project implementation, but all the works were securely done with the support of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Kano State Government.

Mr Nyesom Wike in his acceptance speech said that JICA has demonstrated more than a passing commitment to the provision of e d u c a t i o n a l development assistance and support to Nigeria, noting that the challenge of providing sustainable qualitative education to every Nigerian is quite enormous and requires the concerted efforts and commitment of all stakeholders to overcome.

The four dimensions of life Y

ou can’t get the best out of life if you have not given your best into life; you cannot give your best into life if you have not prepared to live.

Prepared to live?! Yes! A prepared life lives. An unprepared life exists.

Millions on earth tread through the land of the living merely existing and exiting to the grave when their lives on earth are over; a life well spent rather than a life well lived is their testimony. The quality of your preparation determines the quality of your life. A prepared life is a life that has mastered the fundamentals of living in so much that on that foundation he builds a purposeful, impactful and an enriching life that is superabundant in quantity and superior in quality. Michael Jordan reveals, “Everything I achieved can be traced back to the way I approached and applied the fundamentals, the basic building blocks or principles that make everything work. I don’t care what you’re doing-you can’t skip fundamentals if you want to be the best. But some guys don’t want to deal with that. They’re looking for instant gratification, so maybe they skip a few steps. They’re so focused on composing masterpieces that they never master the scales. You can get away with it at the early stages, but it’s going to catch up with you eventually.

The minute you get away from fundamentals - whether it's proper technique, work ethic, or mental preparation - the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, and your job, whatever you’re doing.” To get prepared to live we must get back to the fundamentals of life; physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. The kind and quality of nourishment we give to these dimensions of life will determine our success or failure through life.

The physical body is the “house” in which we live; it houses every aspect of our being. For the body to serve us, it must be in a healthy condition. The starting point of a sound physical health is to develop a health consciousness. You can’t live in health when you entertain thoughts of illness or diseases any more than you can become rich when you harbour thoughts of poverty in your mind. Worry, fear, anger, jealousy, hatred and other negative thoughts hurt the digestive organs and causes indigestion which can be a gateway to sickness. Therefore, a positive mental attitude free of negative poisonous thoughts is vital to a sound healthy body. Overeating, eating in between meals, eating junk food void of adequate nutrients and minerals, alcohol, narcotics are all harmful to the body. Adequate exercise, sleep and relaxation are vital for nature to maintain and repair the body.

The spiritual dimension is a very important aspect of our being. It controls every other aspect of our being and invariably our life. It is a daily dependent and communion with our Creator; it is training and educating our conscience based on correct principles and obeying our conscience consistently, it is examining our motives as we relate with people and in pursuit of success and our daily tasks; it is subordinating feelings to values that are based on correct, universal and self evident principles; it is the discovery of your purpose on earth and your contribution to life.

The mental dimension of life needs consistent growth, development and expansion to function effectively. Therefore, what you feed your mind on will determine the quality and usefulness of your life. Therefore, exposing oneself to positive, relevant and clean information is vital. Educating the mind by reading broadly and learning from great minds; developing the creativity of the imagination; discovering and developing our talents and gifts will keep the mind maximized.

The emotional aspect of our lives hinges on our source of security and our relationship with others. It is possessing an internal sense of security rather than one based on people’s opinion or treatment of us; it is serving others; it is seeing the good in others; it is understanding and consideration of others; it is being genuinely happy for other people's success.

FEDPOFFA commissions new projects on main campus

BY AHMED IBRAHIM

T

he Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State has commissioned new projects at its permanent site.

Some of the projects commissioned include: the E-net (internet cafe), construction of modern billboard, school radio equipment, renovation of Student Union Government recreation centre and the 500seater SUG auditorium.

Speaking at the event, the Rector of the school, Dr. Muftau Olatinwo, said the only way the school can progress is by ensuring that there is conducive environment for

learning, part of which necessitated the commissioning and purchasing of modern equipment for the school to facilitate the smooth running of its programmes.

He attributed the peaceful co-existence among the students on campus to the cordial relationship existing between the SUG and school management, and therefore enjoined the students to be disciplined and law abiding as this would help them in excelling in their academics.

President of the Student Union Government (2012/2013), Comrade Omuiyadun Hammed said the projects were successful as a result of the support from the management.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—33

Why Cotecna, others’ contract ’ll be further extended

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

U

NLESS urgent steps are taken by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the three Service Providers, the federal government may again extend the contract of the Service Providers by the end of June.

V a n g u a r d investigation revealed that three weeks into the six months extension of the contract to work out modalities for hand over, there has not been any meeting by the concern parties.

Sources close to Ministry told Vanguard that the inability of the parties involved to meet is not unconnected the problem between the Ministry and Service.

The source explained said that Service’s attempt to amend the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), aggregating some powers to its Comptroller General, has put a stain on the relationship between

the Service and its supervising ministry.

A source in one of the Service Providers told Vanguard that they have not heard anything on what is to be done during the period of extension. The source explained that they are presenting performing the task which they were doing before the extension.

Reacting to the above, a front line freight forwarder and Chief Executive Officer of Shiba Services Ltd, Babatunde Shittu, told Vanguard that he gathered that the extension was as a result of the fact the Customs was not ready.

Shittu who shares the same sum name with the National President of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu,

•From left: Prince Taye Oyeniyi, ANLCA BOT member; Joe Sanni, Special Assistant to ANLCA President and Ibrahim Akanbi, at a function, in Lagos. however, frowned at the way the management of the Service is handling the issue after the extension.

According to him, “the way Customs is going

T

HE Apapa Area 1 command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that 116, 525 metric tonnes of some commodities valued at N129.9 billion were exported through the Lagos Port complex in 2012.

Its Area Comptroller, Mohammed Umar explained that the commodities were exported between January and December.

He listed the commodities as including: palm kernel cake, cocoa beans and wheat bran pallets , cashew nuts, sesame seeds, ginger, hibiscus flower, gum Arabic, processed rubber, shrimps, and lead ingot.

Others are 4, 625,837 square feet of processed leather, 74,547 cases of dettol, maggi crayfish, 29,062 cartons of biscuits 97,100 bags of assorted bathroom slippers and 1,655,320 litres of ethyl alcohol.

Umar stressed that total revenue collected by the command at the

He also stressed the need for government to involve other critical stakeholders in the meetings leading to the transfer of the Service Providers function to

Nigeria eyes Benin Republic’s 3m metric tons of cargo

A

T the instance of the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Nigerian Shippers’

•As NSC leads trade delegation to landlocked countries Council (NSC) will be leading a trade

Nigeria exports hit N129.9bn in 2012

BY VICTORIA EDEMA

about it is wrong, they are taking it personal.”

Shittu pointed out that it is important that they know that whatever is done is for national interest.

Customs. by the end of June.

He said this in necessary to ensure that there is no confusion at the end of the day.

Similarly, National President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Eugene Nweke, said he his nor surprised because politicians in power always find a way of protecting their interest by favouring their cronies.

Nweke however stressed the need for Nigerian leaders to realize that every national decision taken affects the ordinary man on the street, adding that there is need for these leaders to put into consideration the ordinary Nigerian when they are making such decisions.

port was N283.9 billion.

He declared that the command’s post clearance audit unit had attracted 119 companies.

The comptroller added: “A monthly average of 1,177 containers left the ports under the scheme. A total of 14,128

containers were exited through the post clearance audit scheme.”

He noted that the command seized 20 containers of contraband laden with batteries, used engines, deodorants, car parts, textiles, electronics.

delegation made up of port concessionaires, port administrators, government officials and other shipping service providers to Niger Republic next weekend.

Acting Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Barrister Hassan Bello, who disclosed this in his office last Thursday, said that the essence of the trade mission is to strengthen trade agreements

LPC introduces port information portal

T

HE Lagos Ports Complex Apapa has introduced Ports I n f o r m a t i o n Management System (PIMS), designed to enable port users and other stakeholders access information without stress.

Port manager of the LPC, Mr. Joshua Asanga, who spoke during a seminar in Lagos on Monday, told stakeholders on the new information system was designed to simplify information gathering at the ports.

He noted that before and after the port concession programme, port users move about the port in search of

useful information about the ports comprising movement of ships and cargo, among others, the board provides a one-stop shop information portal for all aspects of port operation online real time”.

The PM also said that part of reasons for the new system was to check movement of unauthorised persons within the ports.

He also said that key beneficiaries of the new system are the corporate organisations that may want to occupy vacant slots on the screen but for the people and other several stakeholders themselves. PIMS is

separated and peculiar to the different seaports.

Executive director marine and operations of NPA, Mr. David Omonibeke, who spoke at the event, noted that information is expensive and that the authority would do all it could to enhance speedy dissemination of port information to facilitate smooth port operation.

He said soon NPA will automate all port operations, adding that what the LPC had done is an integral part of the new port automation.

He therefore enjoined port users and other stakeholders to support NPA in its bid to make the ports more efficient.

between Nigeria and Niger Republic to enable Nigerian ports handle more of the import and export cargo of the landlocked country.

“What we are doing is part of efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Government of Niger Republic to discharge their international law obligations as Coastal/ Transit State and Landlocked State respectively ”, Bello stated.

He said the meeting between the Nigerian maritime industry operators and the Niger Republic business community is facilitated by the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Development (NJJC).

The NSC boss stated that the Council aims to attract up to three million metric tons of Niger Republic cargo to Nigerian ports annually.

“At present, Niger Republic is doing about 2.5 million metric tons in Benin Republic, 1.5 million metric tons in Togo and close to a million metric tons in Ghana. Nigerian ports can do up to three million metric tons annually and up to two thousand Niger Republic bound containers monthly from our projection. Don’t

forget also that Nigeria has strong diplomatic relations with Niger Republic and an international obligation to landlocked countries around it. We believe the visit will open up a bundle of business opportunities for our ports.

“It may interest you to know that until the year 2006 about 70 percent of Niger Republic cargo transited through Nigerian ports as against the current zero percent.

So the mission is aimed at attracting back Niger Republic’s cargo to Nigerian ports and ensuring access of their cargo to Nigerian seaports”, he stated.

Major imports into Niger Republic, like Nigeria, are mostly consumer goods while the country exports uranium, sesame seed, arabic gum, groundnut and skin. The country is now also an oil producing country and it looks up to the ports of neighbouring countries to export its crude oil.

Barrister Hassan Bello, who assumed the mantle of leadership at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in December 2012, said that his major preoccupation at the moment is to reinvigorate the Council to play its role of trade facilitation.

34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 35

I N S I D E

Economy, Politics and Human Rights: Whither Nigeria? (2) — 35

Hembe, Ifeanyi: Prosecuted or persecuted?

— 34

Frivolous arrest of ships not good for Maritime sector — Bello, NSC boss

BY INNOCENT ANABA

Mr Hassan Bello, was recently appointed Acting Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC. He was Secretary to the Council and Legal Adviser of NSC, before his elevation.

In this interview, he spoke on efforts to review obsolete laws governing the Maritime Industry, which he noted will make the sector compete and become the best in the West African subregion.

Excerpt:

W

•Mr Hassan Bello peculiar situation.

What is the role of Nigerian Law Reform Commission in this?

There are so many agents of change of which Nigerian law Reform Commission is one of them. The law Reform Commission is an omnibus commission. It had been very active, if you have been following their activities. What we will do is to liase with them, because they may have their specialties, such as criminal laws, constitutional laws among others, but admiralty law is a specialised aspect of the law, which is also intricate. So, that

,

hat is your appraisal of the role of the National Assembly in response to law making for the maritime sector?

The National Assembly as constituted is very active in this respect. They are conscious of their roles. The Senate Committee on Marine Transport and House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport have diligently worked with us and you need to see the quality of people and presentation that are made in these committees.

You will recall that during the last maritime seminar for judges, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, suggested the setting up of a committee for law reforms generally. We have been talking with Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association and House Committee on Marine Transport and soon, we will set up a committee to look at all our laws, so that obsolete laws in the sector, which hinder speedy economic development, could be reformed. Such reforms would not only lead to rapid socio-economic development, they will most importantly, assist us in the domestication of international conventions that are appropriate and relevant to the development of our maritime law and industry, because for the maritime industry to thrive, it needs appropriate and modern legal frameworks.

Is the committee going to examine maritime law alone or will it consider other archaic laws in our statute book?

It will be a holistic approach to reviewing of our maritime laws and very practical too. For instance, we cannot domesticate a convention if it does not have any thing to contribute to our development. We cannot promulgate laws that do not translate to economic advancement of our people.

Laws must be relevant and most importantly, they must guarantee the economic advancement of our people.

We need only laws that will boost our economic activities, facilitate the integration of Nigeria into the world economy and we must have laws that are meaningful, and applicable to our

We need only laws that will boost our economic activities and facilitate the integration of Nigeria into the world economy

,

the committee of Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigerian Maritime Lawyers Association and National Assembly Committee on Marine Transport would, at one point or the other, rely on Nigerian Law Reform Commission to effectively discharge their mandate.

To what use have you put the benefits of the 2012 maritime seminar

for judges.

The Maritime Seminar for judges was watershed in the sense that the seminar is moving towards the economic aspect of the maritime industry. We brought in big time shippers, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote. We brought in big time maritime lawyers on the issue of ship arrest. We had ship owners, who came and talked about the danger of frivolous arrest of ships, which we believe is not good for the maritime sector. We had judges and so on. But we have the committee for maritime seminar for judges, which oversees the realisation of the communiqué, so that the seminar is not just a talk shop, but remains a policy driving seminar and right now, it is working on realising the positions adopted by the communiqué as soon as it is possible.

How would you appraise the importance of Dry ports to the country?

They are very strategic infrastructure. Dry ports are supposed to solve the lingering crises of ports congestion. They are long term solution to ports congestion. The dry ports are also ports; the only thing is that you don’t see water. They are supposed to be designated legally as the ports of destination and origin and that is being done right now. The moment we have such designations and such regulations branding them as ports of destination or origin as the case may be, they will become the trend. The concept of the dry ports is also a modern concept because it supports the door to door delivery of cargo. It is also one of the ingredients of the modern carriage conventions, the United Nations carriage of goods

wholly or partly by sea, otherwise known as the Rotterdam Rules. Nigeria has no supporting legislations, but is also providing the real infrastructure to support modern transport system and the potentials for dry port are so enormous that when they come to fruition, which we hope will be very soon, it will be so visible and provide employment. They will employ so many people. The underlying use of the dry ports is their export potential, they should be a place for consolidation of cargo, for group page of cargo and for export. A place for evacuation of all our exports, not only imports, if they are well managed.

Who is responsible for their management?

The concessionaries carry enormous responsibilities here because it was done on a Private-Public Partnership, PPP basis. Hitherto, they have been carried along, however, I think their problems are financial and now is time for the concessionaries to be alive to their responsibilities. The Shippers Council will also be alive to its responsibilities, because we can’t have white elephant projects. These dry ports are very important and we must work together to see that they become operational.

We read of reforms and efforts to ensure 24-hour operation of the ports. What is the role of NSC in these reforms?

Many things are happening along this line. That is why I said 2013 is the year of consolidation. It is the year of actualisation, 24-hour ports operation would bring a lot of growth to our economy. Apart from speedy cargo clearance, it will bring the ports alive with the Customs playing their role and the clearing system being electronic. Even the traffic in the ports and ports areas would be affected. The single window system means a lot of responsibility for freight forwarders and NSC in particular. The Shippers Council had always advocated this,

Continues on page 37

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Hembe, Ifeanyi: Prosecuted or persecuted?

BY INNOCENT ANABA

T

HE prosecution of Mr Iorwase Hembe and Azubogu Ifeanyi, both members of House of Representatives for stealing $4,095 estacodes given to them by Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC to travel overseas had attracted comments both in Nigeria and overseas.

It is important to review the charges for better appreciation of the issues.

“That you, Hembe sometime in October 2011 in Abuja within the judicial Division of the High Court of Abuja, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $4,095 being money given to you by SEC as your travelling allowance to PUNCTA CANA, Dominican Republic to attend a conference which you did not attend and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and punishable under section 309 of the same code.

Count Two “That you, Ifeanyi sometime in October, 2011 in Abuja within the judicial division of the High Court of Abuja, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $4.095 being money given to you by SEC as your travelling allowance to PUNCTA CANA, Dominican Republic to attend a conference which you did not attend and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and punishable under section 309 of the same code.”

The dislike for members of the National Assembly, clearly manifested itself, as Nigerians were not ready to give Hembe and Ifeanyi, the benefit of the doubt, when Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, accused them of shady deals.

A more careful scrutiny of the charges by EFCC against Hembe and Ifeanyi would show that they ought not to have been charged in the first instance, as they were alleged to Converted to their own use, $4,095 about N600,000 given to them by SEC as travelling allowance to a conference in Dominican Republic in October, 2011.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, the accused persons prayed the court to quash same. As expected, the trial judge declined. During trial, the prosecution called five witnesses including staff of SEC. The evidence tendered in court showed that despite the fact that SEC knew it was impossible for the accused person to arrive the conference venue before the event started; it nevertheless paid for the tickets and also sent the estacodes.

When it became clear to

•Ifeanyi Ifeanyi that he would not get a flight to Puncta Cana, Dominican Republic where the conference was staled, he returned the tickets and the estacodes. However, SEC returned the tickets with a promise to arrange another trip to Russia with them. SEC by its conduct also allowed the lawmaker to keep the estacodes for the planned trip to Russia.

All staff of SEC, who gave evidence during trial testified to the fact that the commission did not ask for the esatacode to be paid back to it; the commission does not always collect estacodes back rather another trip would be schedule for the person who could not utilised the first estacodes and in the circumstance, the lawmakers could not be said to have criminally converted the estacodes to their own use.

After EFCC had called five witnesses, the accused persons were confident that no criminal case had been established against them. They consequently submitted a no case submission, arguing that there was no evidence to prove the essential element in the alleged offence and that the evidence adduced by the prosecution, had been so discredited as a result of cross-examination or was so manifestly unreliable

•Hembe that no reasonable court could safely convict based on same.

It had been suggested in some quarters, that the case against the lawmakers was a mere persecution, manifestly unjust and meant to distract them from performing their legislative functions.

It was also alleged that the presidency using EFCC wanted to harass them for daring to confront the Director General of SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh with allegations of abuse of office.

It will be recalled that the House of Reps, had faulted the appointment of Oteh, arguing that she was not qualified to hold the office, in addition to being questioned on why she was so profligate with public funds.

While the court adjourned to rule on the matter, an apparently apprehensive EFCC, fearing that it might lose, raised spurious allegation of bias against the trial judge, Justice A.S. Umar.

Observers have raised concern that the anti-corruption agency was deploying every antics, to win its cases in court, expressing fear that the commission, was in the process, destroying the judiciary and the integrity of a helpless judge because it want a conviction at all costs.

EFCC had asked the Chief Judge of the Abuja High Court, Justice Lawal Gummi to reassign the case to a new judge for fresh trial.

Director of Legal Services, Mr Chile Okoroma, who has never appeared in court since the commencement of trial, appeared in court just as the court was to deliver its ruling on the application to quash the charges based on a no case submission to raise allegations of bias against the trial judge, without evidence of any sort.

It had been argued that the protest by EFCC was a calculated attempt to further delay trail as the Commission had no credible evidence to proceed thus buying more time to continue, even though it does not have more evidence.

Observers saw this as another way of wasting public funds by EFCC as the case had shown that the Commission was only being used as a tool of persecution due its continued face off with the Presidency, otherwise, how can one justify the Commission spendings millions to chase a N600,000

estacode that the said lawmakers had even returned but were only told to keep and tickets, as there were plans to arrange another trip as confirmed SEC’s staff that were witnesses when the Commission closed its case?

Can one explain why Oteh, who had earlier accused the lawmakers of demanding N44 million as bribe did not take the case to court? Why was she not invited by the Commission to throw more light on the bribery scam? Did she ever asked the lawmakers to return the so called estacode, which they were told to keep, for another trip as was collaborated by staff of SEC as a normal practice to use a belated estacode for another trip?

These are questions that are begging for answers as the case progresses.

It was gathered, that the case had been transferred to Justice Peter Kekemeke and the suspects had since been rearraigned, fresh plea taken and admitted to bail.

It must be noted that it is the turn of Hembe and Ifeanyi today, whose turn it will be tomorrow? Only EFCC and the Presidency know. Must prosecution be at the whims of the government of the day?

While one cannot be seen to condone criminal acts or argue for the non arraignment suspects, but must same be done to please anybody? The answer certainly should be no.

Cases must be prosecuted or defended on merit. That is the only way to enthrone due process, fairness and good governance.

NBA exists for promotion of law, order — Okey Wali

A

GAINST the background of daunting security challenge facing the country, Nigerian Bar Association NBA, has restated its commitment to enduring peace in the nation.

NBA President, Chief Okey Wali SAN, who made this known at a media chart in Lagos, said the NBA exist for the promotion of rule of law as

well as law and order in the country.

“NBA basically exists to promote rule of law as well as law and order.”

He added that his administration was not about fault finding on national issues but proffering solutions. “NBA would take a position if the ship of the state is going

adrift.”

Speaking on conference fee, Wali explained that a committee had been set up to look into the issue, adding that the committee would report to National Executive Committee NEC of NBA at its February meeting, promising that there would be a downward review in the fee to encourage young lawyers to attend conferences.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 37

Economy, Politics and Human Rights: Whither Nigeria? (2) Odinkalu continues this week with this article on Economy, Politics and Human Rights: Whither Nigeria?

I

T is however, not just enough to wish that Nigeria should not “wither”.

It is more important to work to ensure that it does not. In this context, there have been and there remain legitimate concerns about the direction and future of Nigeria and our theme ought to read “Whither Nigeria?” That is the theme I set out to address in the remarks that follow. In doing so, I proceed on the bases that implicit in our theme is an acknowledgement that our most significant challenges as a country are the triple tasks of building capable Statehood, personhood and livelihoods.

The first deals with our politics (access to and distribution of power), the second addresses our governance (civics, entitlements or rights, and institutions) and the third focuses on our economy (transactionality, value-chains

and exchange). Together, a coherent programme to address these will guarantee and underpin national integration and cohesion. Absent such a programme, perennial conflict is guaranteed; so is violence and this is where we are.

To address our theme is therefore to explore the current pathology of democratized mass violence and the future of Nigeria. In what follows, I propose to examine the descent of Nigeria into a political economy of incapability and will address three broad dimensions to this descent: the politics of competitive marginalization and creeping Bantustanization of Nigeria; the political economy of democratization of violence; and the consequences for Nigeria of its dual belonging in the dangerous neighbourhoods of both the Gulf of Guinea and the Sahel.

I will argue that steering a different course from the one that presently stares us in the face requires measures anchored on a different kind of leadership and elite orien-

professional and occasional scholar.

AN OLD QUESTION ABOUT THE SAME COUNTRY The question, “whither Nigeria?” is somewhat antiquated. In 1939, a still undisclosed colonial official,

•Chidi Odinkalu tation, as well are urgent investment in and dialogue with Nigeria’s youth and would end by proposing a mechanism for navigating some of the challenges we confront.

I should plead, as I proceed, that what follows are the reflections of a citizen not the declarations of an episodic public officer. I speak without a party Whip and do not reflect the views of any institution or person other than mine as a citizen exercising intellectual and constitutional freedoms as both a

,

BY CHIDI ODINKALU

I should plead, as I proceed, that what follows are the reflections of a citizen not the declarations of an episodic public officer

,

writing “with much diffidence, having no first-hand experience of the country” posed precisely the question that engages us here today: “Whither Nigeria?” S/he counselled against attempting to “pour the constitutional future of a vast country into a

In 2013, NGOs must return to the trenches (3)

BY CHINO OBIAGWU

Obiagwu continues this week with this article on why the human rights community must go back to the trenches.

T

HE ICC prosecutor opened preliminary examination into the situations to determine if Nigeria’s international justice obligations have been breached. The April 2011 post election violence, incessant cases of kidnapping, assassination, terrorist bombings and attacks on police and military formations, armed attacks on hapless civilians, etc demonstrate the urgency of addressing the situation as a matter of priority. Jonathan’s administration has failed to take firm and decisive actions to stop the violence and prevent future crimes.

Improving the intelligence expertise and institutional capacity of police, SSS and other security agencies are necessary but have been ignored, despite voting close to a trillion naira in the 2012 national budget for security.

Those arrested or fingered in perpetrating violence are not effectively prosecuted.

Several reports of commissions of inquiry over past conflicts are not implemented or made public and victims remained without redress. There can be no development and peace when there is no justice. Justice can only be done when those who commit crimes or infringe on rights of others are prosecuted and punished, and those offended are given remedy

where necessary. This is totally absent in Nigeria today. So we live in a society without peace and justice.

Civil society activists must rise up in 2013 and demand that justice be restored to our land.

A major social and economic challenge in the country today is the high rates of youth unemployment and job losses.

Recent reports from civil society put unemployment rate above 40 percent, underemployment rate above 65 percent, and much higher rate among those under the age of 30. The productive segments of the middle class and the lower artisans are completely wiped out in the country whose economy is fast shrinking towards the centre into the hands of less than one percent of the population.

The only means of wealth ‘creation’ in Nigeria today is public office through which public funds are stolen.

Industries are closing down and the productive sectors are going extinct. In spite of these difficulties the current government has not demonstrated any commitment or competence to address the macro-economic issues including the power and transport sectors, the two critical drivers of any emerging economy.

The difficulties in accessing small and medium scale credit, and lack of adequate private sector investments in agriculture, cottage industries, and other small scale initiatives reduce the space for employment of our young citizens. Government has not shown sufficient commitment to job creation within the private sector. It has neither

increased motivation for small scale entrepreneurship among the youths nor opened channels for governmentbacked unsecured credits for young school leavers, and deinvesting in critical economic activities in order to attract a truly transparent private sector-driven economy.

Nigeria’s maternal and infant mortalities are still one of the world’s highest, nearly 5000 of every 100,000.

Investment over the next four years in primary and maternal health is critical. The much taunted National Heath Bill, which was dead on arrival, have sloppily killed hope in that direction. Government

has not demonstrated commitment towards primary and secondary health care delivery beyond the usual rhetoric of the health ministry.

It is appalling that government officials rush overseas for treatment for any form of sickness including common cold at expense of the public, when medical facilities in the country are left to rot. The right to health is the basis for the building national wealth and sustaining governance. It is the primary function of governance to ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality health services.

•To be continued

single mould”, warning that the consequence could be “disastrous.”

In July 1958, Deputy Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir Ralph Grey, reported a visit from former Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who expressed was unsure whether Nigeria was indeed ready for independence and was worried that the country would “have trouble” thereafter. In the same year, another colonial officer, M.G. Smith, in a line that could easily have been hewn for 55 years later, feared that Federal Ministers were “unworthy of high office”, lacked “strength and prestige”, and were “always looking back over their shoulders” to shore up their positions in their places of origin.

Far from being allayed after Empire (Independence), these early fears about the future, direction and leadership of Nigeria, as in many other African countries, have deepened since then. The end of Empire left several problems that were to be reinforced and escalated

by Independence, without the normative, institutional or human capabilities to address or resolve them. The consequences were not unforeseeable and comprised nothing that leadership could not have solved. Yet, Independence was followed by prolonged periods of authoritarian mis-adventure and poor leadership as well as an absence of agreed or negotiated constitutional values or direction.

In law as in politics, countries are defined by a population within bounded territories under a common sovereign.Boundaries, howsoever defined, are, however, not facts of nature; they are artificial.

•To be continued

Frivolous arrest of ships not good for Maritime sector — Bello, NSC boss •Continues from Page 35 because if we have more hours in operations, you have quick clearance of cargoes.

You won’t have much port congestions. You will have shorter dwell time for cargoes, turnaround time for ships and our port will become more competitive because you cannot decree a port to be (a hub of ) a port of priority by importers. It is a function of competition and operations, if we have 24 hours clearing operations, then that will make our ports have the potential of being the best in the West African sub-region.

A 24-hour port operations is on the way. It is workable. It is doable and I am sure that if everyone is alive to his or her responsibilities, it will be

realised soon.

You had maintained that multi-modal transportation was the key to unlock the treasures in our maritime industry. How far has this happened in the sector?

We are going there now. We have seen the reactivation of the rail transport and the importance of rail transportation in global economy cannot be over-emphasised, because everybody appreciates the role of rail transport in the economy. So, the resuscitation of the rail transport system is important for the economy and is a landmark development, because this is the beginning of the emergence of many other modes of transport. Multi-modalism is the reliance on many modes of transport, from water

transport to Inland Waterways.

We also have the roads, the air and the rail, however, what is important is not so much about multi-modalism as in the intermodalism because there must be some connectivity. There must be some interface between these modes of transport, so that we have a seamless transport system. Goods transported by sea are shipped to the owner of the cargo through rail transport, road transport and so on. The co-ordination of these modes of transport is very important. So, all these things have been done in the past two years and that the Federal Government is now consolidating and I am sure that 2013 will be a good one for the maritime industry.

C M Y K

38 — Vanguard Vanguard,,

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Unless you are more careful matters-of-the-heart may cause avoidable trouble the way your career/business can suffer temporarily.

LIBRA; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression unnecessarily.

Here is a day when secret love is capable of bringing serious pressure. Try to be very diplomatic.

SCORPIO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Your concentration level is not perfect and if you take bad advice from friends you would be misled. The more practical you are the better for you.

SAGITTARIUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your part along your career/business lines will back-fire more than you imagine. Graceful expression is what you will need.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

GREAT thinker once wrote that words are the forerunner of our action.

People first hear us talk before they see us act our talk. It is what we say that first captures their attention and ensure that they give us audience.

Talking to people You may be a great actor but if you are not able to market your skill you will have a scanty audience. And if you are a leader, if you can’t communicate your intention,

TERROR MUDA

chances are that you will have a very low followership. This is where ability to speak and communicate appropriately comes in.

It is not enough to know it, the question

in “Never say goodbye”

is can you convince people that you know it?

Talking to people is a skill everyone of us should develop. The leader, the marketer, the politician, the manager etc we all need the skill.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CAPRICORN; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Happenings within your working arena can bring minor provocation but it is just a passing trend. Travelling for love will bring more challenges than expected.

AQUARIUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Male members of this Star sign will need to watch their libido while female must not ignore their sex-life. Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.

PISCES; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re-action to those within your base of operation who are not as perfect as you. Protect your spouse.

ARIES; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is the wrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument.. Romance at work may bring disappointment.

TAURUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Trying to influence matters-of-the-heart with money will not give you the desired result. Any way it is a day you will need to be more careful with money.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is important you are more careful while trying to pass judgement on people within your base of operation because you too may be wrong.

CANCER; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Taking a pleasure drive or movement may bring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep away from whatever can not be placed above board today.

LEO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; /9 If you allow friends to force their ideas on you financially or on matters-of-the-heart, you would be the loser. Express yourself gracefully.

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

What should I know?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua Kindly tell me where the Moon was placed when I was born and other things I should know about my star.

Pelumi Kano.

Dear Pelumi, What space can take will be given here-under. Your natal Moon was in Aries.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Preponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an indication of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together with innate ability to attain prominence on one hand, on the other hand, exaltation of intellectual related Mercury in Aquarius at positive angle to both lucky Jupiter and Uranus (the planet of genius) in Libra pointed to a person with higher pitch of intelligence.

Action loving Mars as the final dispositor of your horoscope ( that’s most influential planet at home when you were born) will most times induce you to strongly desire importance with likeness for quick results; actually long promise without concrete action will bore you easily. Equally 60 percentage of pushfull influence in your chart means that the best for you is to go after your needs and wants.

Combination of all the placement and aspects formed within the planets when you were born are pointers to you as a person with balanced personality with little bias for good spiritual life. And you believe in disciplinarian life style.

Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in compassionate Pisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indications of your being mainly a Piscean and partly an Arian, however as Aries is also your Stellium sign, both basic characteristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 —39

From right: Alhaji Hashim Ubale Yusuf, Director, Narcotics and Control Substance, receiving NAFDAC DG’s Merit Award for 2012 from Dr. Paul Orhii, Director- General, NAFDAC, while Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Deputy-Director, Public Relations and Protocol, holds on to his award, during the 2nd edition of NAFDAC DG’s Merit Award, in Lagos.

From left: Chief Leila Fowler, Venerable Feyi Ojelabi, the vicar; Dr. J.J. Ladipo and his elder sister, Pastor J. Kayode Ladipo, after Thanksgiving Service, at All Saints' Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos. Photo: SUNMI SMART-COLE

Mr. Clement Iloba, Public Affairs Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria (right); Luka Danjuma, Head Teacher, LEA Primary School, Jabi, during the donation of over 1, 000 books by Julius Berger Nigeria to LEA Primary School, Jabi, in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

From left: Mr. Yomi Adedeji, CEO, Softcom/ Magio; Temitope Jemerigbe, MD, DKK and Associates and Mr. Dan Lawson, CEO, 058 Production, during the Camora Entertainment Business Expo press briefing in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Information Commissioner; Mrs. Wande Muoyo, Budget and Planning Commissioner and Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, Head of Services, during the breakdown session of 2013 Budget of Ogun State by Mrs. Muoyo, at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. Photo: Wumi Akinola

Prof. Asuzo (right ) and Prof. Malachy Ugwueze, during a press briefing by Prof. Bartholomew Okolo, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, at the Enugu Campus. Photo By Hill Ezeugwu

From left: Mr. Zekeri Dokpesi, Brand Manager, Squadron, Dark Rum, Intercontinental Distillers Ltd; Mr. Henry Nwosu, former Super Eagles star and Mr. Zeb Ejiro, movie director, at the Squadron African Fiesta Forum, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

From left: Mr. Isaac Abraham, Assistant Baale, Ogogoro Village,Egun Community; Mrs. Mary Alidu and Mrs. Praise Gbubene-Abraham, President, Escravos Ugborodo Women Empowerment Foundation ( EWEF) and Women and Youth Mrs. Aribike Ositelu, widow of late Deacon Ositelu (m), receiving condolence letter from Mr. Empowerment Foundation in Coastal Region CommuniTunde Bank-Anthony, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund (left), and ties (CROWEF), during the donation of materials by the Rear Admiral Anthony Okanlawon Oni (rtd), Board Chairman, LSSEF, during a condolence foundations to Egun and Tarkwa Bay Coastal communities. visit by board members to the widow of late Ositelu, who was a member of LSSEF board.

Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 24, 2013

Nnamani wants new name for Civil Service Commission

E

N U G U — CHAIRMAN of Enugu State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Albert Nnamani, has called for change of name of the commission to public service commission.

Nnamani, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Enugu yesterday, said the change should be incorporated into the ongoing review of the constitution by the National Assembly.

Nnamani said the change had become necessary in order to accommodate other departments and agencies excluded in the existing commission.

He said: “We are requesting that the civil service commission be changed to public service commission. “ It was the military that removed the word public and brought in civil. It had always been public service.

“We are hoping that the Ekweremadu’s committee will find it convenient and appropriate to allow the use of the word public instead of civil to bring in the departments and agencies not accommodated under the civil service rules.”

Sir Adaji for burial tomorrow

S

IR Peter Adamu Adaji, 87, of Ikanekpo in Ankpa District of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State is dead.

He will be interred at Ikanekpo on Friday, January 25.

He is is survived by the widow, Lady Rosaline Adaji, six children and many relations, including Sir Martin Adaji, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Troupe of Nigeria, and Mr. Raphael Adaji.

Late Peter Adaji

PRESENTATION OF REPORT: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and Chairman, Delta State Technical Committee Report on Environment, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, during the presentation of the committee's report to the governor in Asaba.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and five Gold, two Silver medalist in Swimming, Victoria Ajakaiye, at a reception by Edo State Government to honour the state contigent to the 2012 National Sports Festival, in Benin, Tuesday.

Presidential poll: Middle Belt group alleges betrayal

BY EMEKA MAMAH ADUNA—THE umbrella organisation for northern minorities, Middle Belt Dialogue, MBD, yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of alleged betrayal of the people of the area.

In a statement in Kaduna, yesterday, the group lamented that in spite of the support the people of the Middle Belt gave Jonathan in the 2011 elections, he has decided to turn his back against them to appease those who were opposed to him.

The statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emma Endazo on behalf of the

K

Central Committee, also accused the President of allegedly refusing to give assistance to middle belt communities traumatised by the post election violence for voting him. ’’Jonathan has gone out of his way to placate those who vigorously, albeit violently, opposed his election as President, and promised to make the country ungovernable, should he win the 2011 election. ”The bulk of the 369,198 votes the President got in the 2011 elections were from Zuru area.

After his swearing in ceremony President Goodluck Jonathan had nominated the then National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello and the people of Zuru did

not bat an eyelid, and upon Dr Haliru’s resignation, Brig. Gen. Bitrus Usher was considered as a possible replacement. ”When this became public knowledge, the Chairman of the PDP in Kebbi State, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, objected to his possible nomination, saying that General Ushe was not acceptable to the party because they (in the PDP) did not know him as bonafide PDP member, in spite of the fact that it is public knowledge that the General is a card carrying member of the PDP and actively worked to ensure that President Jonathan got the 36 per cent of the votes during the April 2011 elections. ’’It is now clear that President

Teachers’ strike: CPN threatens court action against Plateau govt

J

BY TAYE OBATERU

OS—A group, Child Pro tection Network, CPN, has threatened to go to court for the enforcement of the rights of primary school pupils in Plateau State, whose teachers were on strike for several months last year, if anything is done to further breach their right to education.

Plateau State chapter of the group in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Clement Iornongu,

said: “We will not hesitate to approach the courts to enforce the rights of children should there be further attempts to breach these rights by any person, authority or institution in any way whatsoever.”

It appealed to teachers and other service providers to ensure that the children regain lost grounds occasioned by the prolonged strike.

It stressed that the children need to recover from the loss of

their rights to education and health services which were denied during the prolonged strike.

The body expressed delight at the gradual return of peace to the state as occasioned by the peaceful celebration of the last Christmas and New Year festivities in the state.

It commended parents for ensuring that their children celebrated in a non-violent way and security agents for ensuring peace during the festivities.

Ezu River: Uba donates bags of sachet water to Amansea community which the people are now expe-

A

WKA—SENATOR Andy Uba has donated 5000 bags of sachet water to Amansea community.

The gesture is meant to ameliorate the water problem which arose in the community after dead bodies were dumped in Ezu River by unknown persons.

Representatives of Senator Uba led by Mr. Bright Nebedum and Dr. Charles Nweke of the

Andy Uba Foundation, yesterday, handed over the bags of sachet water to the traditional ruler of Amansea, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo, for distribution to the people.

Speaking during the ceremony, which took place at the Igwe’s palace, Nebedum said that Senator Uba, who represents Anambra South in the Senate, deeply regrets the problem

riencing following the destruction of Ezu River with decomposing bodies.

Nebedum said Senator Uba was offering assistance to the people as a way of solving their current challenges.

Responding to the gesture, Igwe Okonkwo, said the donation shows that Senator Uba was interested in the welfare of the people.

Jonathan denied General Ushe, his supporter the ministerial nomination because he is a Middle Belter, a Dakarkar by tribe and to a Christian! ”The only sin of the Zuru people is that they are a minority like their brothers and sisters in Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Borno, Kogi among others, whose support and vote for President Jonathan has been rewarded by the denial of political appointments,” the statement said.

Court strikes out suit on Hebron Anglican Church ownership

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—A Benin High Court has struck out the suit filed by some members of Hebron Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Benin Anglican Church, Benin City, who are claiming ownership of the church.

Some members of the church led by Charles Ayeni and four others have gone to the High Court in Benin claiming the ownership of the church and prayed the court to grant their plea.

They argued in their statement of claim that Rev. C.I.Umane is the duly appointed Bishop of the Church but that the Defendants/ Applicants led by Chief Like Abbas, went and imposed Rev.Jerome Ekwo as a priest in the Diocese without the consent of the Bishop.

The Claimants/Respondents further alleged that the Defendants/Applicants (Chief Abbass and Co) further changed the church bulletin, deleting the name of the Bishop and destroyed property belonging to the church.

But countering their claim Chief Abbas and five others described their claims as false and filed an application asking the court to dismiss the suit.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 — 41

Of guns, robbers, terrorists and the United Nations BYAYO OLUKANMI

S

OMETIME in September 2012, at the UN Headquarters, in New York, Nigeria was once again at the centre stage of multilateral diplomacy. The occasion was the Second UN Conference to Review Progress Made in the

Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs). The Conference ended on a cheerful note when 193 countries agreed to the adoption of a new UN Programme of Action on illicit small arms. Notably, in the

process leading up to the Conference and its final days, our very own Permanent Representative to the UN, Professor Joy Ogwu, a world renowned disarmament expert was at the helm of affairs as the President of the Review Conference; and she made us proud!

In plain language and stripped of those occasionally bewildering diplomatic language, on the evening of Friday, September 7, 2012, after several failed attempts spanning 10 years, the international community took concrete steps to confront the crisis of over 850 million illegal firearms in circulation around the

world. It was a day the world once again said Yes to “Gun Control”; and “No” to illicit arms in the hand of robbers, warlords, terrorists and deranged people who wreak havoc across the world.

Imaginethe heart rending tragedy in an elementary school in New Town, Connecticut, where most innocent children were massacred at a period the world was singing joy to the world! Imagine the unacceptable terrorist activities of Boko Haram against people who are worshipping their God in their Churches or Mosques.

Somehow, the epoch making event in New York did not attract much media attention.

Perhaps because New York is far away and out of the radar of ordinary people preoccupied with the stress of daily living.

Disarmament experts The event also did not attract much attention due perhaps to the fact that beyond disarmament experts few people can connect a UN disarmament programme to a good night sleep and their personal safety on a daily basis. And then that misperception that the UN and its array of Agencies are mere talking shops. What with civil war raging in Syria and veto being whipped up now and then in the Security Council? So of what use is another “piece of paper” from the UN? One can hear people asking.

Of course the UN works. It works for us all, as a forum to proffer solutions to every conceivable issue from the depth of the ocean to outer-space. Think of child care, women’s development, climate change, poverty eradication, peaceful use of outer space, etc.

So when the world gathered in New York in September 2012, to try its hand again at ridding our world of illegal firearms and emerged with an outcome document it deserves close attention of all.

Really it should also be of interest to every man and woman on the street in all corners of our world which has become unacceptably violent Continues on page 49

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Delta road it would have ended there, but the minister was to latch on to what some have claimed as Amaechi’s disrespect for the president.

“But reverse is the case in Nigeria as even governors from the South-South, particularly, Rotimi Amaechi, has no respect for the President of this country.”

Amaechi’s chief press secretary Mr. David Iyofor, was quick to respond saying “Amaechi has great respect for the person of the President and his office.

Ordinarily, I would not have responded to the ludicrous, thoughtless and bizarre ranting of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe against Rivers State Governor but it has become imperative for me to do so and show clearly that the minister’s game plan is just to divert attention from his ineptitude and abysmal failure.”

Personal response

Two fighting in Niger Delta

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR, DAPO AKINREFON & GBENGA OKE

T

HEY are among the most visible public officials from the South-South geopolitical zone. They are also two men with control over the biggest budgets directed towards the region. One is Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and the other is Chief Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs with oversight over the whole of the Niger Delta region.

It started with Orubebe’s response last weekend to comments allegedly made by Governor Amaechi demanding that the East-West Road which traverses the six states of the Niger Delta be handed over to the states for repair.

The dilapidated state of the road has largely been a major worry for the people of the Niger Delta region. Though efforts have been made in the recent past to rehabilitate the road, the fact that the major part of the road remains an eyesore is an issue for the majority of the people of the Niger Delta.

That is despite the effort of C M Y K

some of the governors, including Governor Amaechi, in putting flyovers in portions where state roads intersect with the East-West road. So for the people of the Niger Delta the fact that the administration headed by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who is from the region has been unable to do much work on a project that is of vital importance to the people of the Niger Delta was especially worrisome.

Added to the infrastructure deficit is the political brinkmanship that has characterised relations between the presidency and some of the leading political lights from the region.

As the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Governor Amaechi has especially been regarded as a thorn in the flesh of the presidency given his role in conveying the minds of governors on the matters concerning fellow governors.

It is claimed that after governors take their decisions which are sometimes at variance with the wishes of the presidency, that the duty often falls on Amaechi to convey such to the presidency, a fact of life that the governor has had to bear.

So given the mantle of leadership on him it is not surprising that he is often seen as an enemy of the presidency.

In the past even the wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan had to openly rebuke the governor in the course of his efforts in cleaning up some sections of the Port-Harcourt city.

So when Chief Orubebe took on the governor last weekend it was seen in some quarters as a continuation of the proxy fight between the governors and the presidency. But did Orubebe go too far? Orubebe was quoted as saying that “the governors of the Niger Delta want to take over the East_West Road, which implies

,

Two of the leading political figures in the Niger Delta are engaged in a battle of wits that only shadows what could come in the immediate future.

Amaechi was to send his personal response to Orubebe from the United States of America.

Speaking with journalists in Houston, Texas, US, on the sidelines of a town hall meeting with Rivers State community, he said the reason for the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta was to develop the region, adding: “Under Orubebe, what development have we witnessed? None.

It is a strategy to distract the Niger Delta people by trying to hide all his failures. I had gone through the region and no presence of his ministry was felt anywhere in the area of meaningful or people oriented projects. “I challenge him to a debate for every one project Orubebe can show me that he had done in the Niger Delta region. I will show him 10 of such projects in Rivers State.

We did a 41-kilometre road to Opobo under water, yet the EastWest Road on land he cannot

,

Governor Amaechi has especially been regarded as a thorn in the flesh of the presidency given his role in conveying the minds of governors

that Rivers State has enormous resources, but I can categorically tell you that there are so many villages in Rivers State that have not been connected by road.”

“Port Harcourt used to be the Garden City of this country.

Today, Port Harcourt is a slum. I think that he should concern himself more with utilising the resources at his disposal to develop Rivers State.”

If it was a matter of the Niger

complete. The Port Hacourt/ Owerri Road is their road, yet we are doing it with Rivers State funds.” The governor also spoke on his rumoured presidential ambition, saying: “I cannot contest against Mr. President. We are from the same region. I respect him, and he is a good man. I am tired of responding to this issue of presidential ambition. It is normal to have contrary views on some topics but

it doesn’t transcend to hatred.”

“It is the likes of Orubebe that fans the embers of hatred. It is unfortunate that he can accuse me of corruption, nobody has accused me before.

If Orubebe wants us to go public any day, I am ready. I often tell them that the problem with me is that I am not an old man. I am equal to the task of confronting anybody who confronts me on issues that are mundane. “I advise him again to face his work, and make his presence felt in the region.

After all, I don’t have any mansion anywhere, but I know Orubebe’s mansion. If he wants, we will show the world his mansions.”

Remarkably some of the major political figures from the region are expressing concern on the development. While Senator Lee Maeba, a former senator from Rivers State out rightly blamed Governor Amaechi for what he claimed as opposing the presidency, Comrade Joseph Evah, Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, said both Orubebe and Amaechi were playing on the intelligence of Nigerians.

Playing on our intelligence He said, “Both of them are of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their actions so far have shown they are playing on our intelligence and when people talk too much, they will tell you it is a PDP affair”.

He stressed, “For Orubebe and Amaechi to be attacking themselves on the pages of the Newspapers means nothing serious and I wont be surprised if both of them are seen drinking beer together at night”.

Manijar Seigha, who is the chairman of the Niger Delta Nationalities Forum opines that Governor Amaechi erred in suggesting that the governors should take over the East West road as that was a serious indictment on Orubebe.

While trying to calm tension, Seigha in a telephone interview said: “It was an indictment on the minister and under normal circumstances, the minister would have reacted; and when the minister reacted by saying that Amaechi should keep his distance and handle only matters that were related to Rivers State, he (Orubebe) must have over reacted. We think that Amaechi has performed.”

In addition, he said “It is only the president that can say whether or not Orubebe has performed because he knows the allocation for his ministry. But my plea is for both of them to stop the media war and not over heat the Niger Delta.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 43

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44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Bits

No employer can abolish trade unionism in power sector, says labour IF everything goes on as planned, soon the nation’s Power sector will be fully private sector controlled following the recent agreement between the Federal Government and Labour over payment of terminal benefits for workers in the sector. In this interview with Labour Vanguard, General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, speaks on issues of job losses among others, declaring that trade unionism has come stay in the sector. Excerpts

I

T has been argued in some quarters that privatization will lead to massive job losses and ultimately weaken the influence and strength of the unions in the sector. What is your response?

I am happy you are a labour correspondent and you have been in practice for a long time now, check the unions that have over a million members, their influence is not as big as ours. You know that the influence of trade unions in most cases is not based on members. Check all over, when Comrade Adams Oshiomhole became the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, even till today, textile union was nowhere in terms of membership.

It is not based on the population of the number you control. If the influence that I have is that I am doing my job, I promise that I will continue to do my job. I want to tell you that as we discuss here, rather than diminish, the number will increase. If the influence they are saying is our mode of operation, which some of you in media will attest to, is that we have transformed this union from what it was before now to something higher.

We are moving higher and higher. We have repositioned in such a way that if we are paying staff salaries, the union can pay the same salaries for the next three or four years without collecting any dime afresh as check-off due. I mean if there is no check-off dues coming into the union for the next three or four years, this union will pay staff salaries and claims without any problems.

If you check in NLC before now, we hardly could pay N200, 000 or N500,000, but today, we pay at least three million as check-off dues every month. It has been parts of our transformation preparatory to this process. So, if any operator says we will not collect due, it will be fine, but such operator will equally not operate.

We are not going to be lawless and we are not going to antagonize anybody. But those who accept the unions would do better in the sector. There are one or two investors that have been around for some time now and they know what we are C M Y K

N

Comrade Joe Ajaero, General Secretary of NUEE

capable of what. NESCO in Jos has been working with us for several and there has never been any shut down there. It is a private sector company. Every two years, we review the condition of service there.

When they are having tough times, we see reasons with them and look at the percentage of what we demand. So, those that will be labour friendly will be the better in the sector, but those that do otherwise will face the music.

We did not learn boxing during their time. We learnt boxing before them, if they decide to go into the ring to fight us for no just cause, they would face the consequences. We will insist that the dictates and tenants of the Nigerian constitution and all international conventions the nation subscribed to are respected as regard unhindered trade

,

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

NIC reinstates Odah as NLC Sen Sec

NESCO in Jos has been working with us for several years and there has never been any shut down there

,

unionism. So, we do not anticipate any problem.

According to the agreement all the workers would be paid off and those to be retained would start a new condition of service with new owners. What will be the fate of trade unionism in the sector?

We are not worried about that for now. It is first thing first. The interest of workers today is our major concern, even if tomorrow they are no longer workers.

While they are still workers, we will give them service.

None the less, the future of trade unionism in the sector is very bright. The process that is happening cannot abolish trade unionism. In fact, we are saying everybody should be paid off. If they agree with us, everybody would be paid off and the next day you would no see anybody on the duty post. But that will equally mean that the next day, the whole country would be thrown into darkness. But if they manage

the process very well, it is a question of transiting and that does not in any way hinders trade unionism. Trade unionism is guaranteed in the constitution of Nigeria and other international conventions. So, that is not a problem.

Should the new owners insist there would not be unionism, what will you do?

Where does that happen? If they insist, they will not even be there in the first place because they will not take over the place.

They have no choice than to obey the laws of the land. It is not going to be a new practice because there is trade unionism in the sector. If you are saying because you want to take over a place, say Ikeja and you want to abolish trade unionism, you will operate from America. Not only that, you have to equally abolish the Nigerian constitution and all other relevant known laws and conventions that Nigeria is a signatory. If they try it, they equally know what will happen.

From the beginning of the negotiation to end, besides the intimidations, harassment and arm-twisting, were there other means employed to force or compromise you into submission?

That is a question that I will not answer maybe satisfactorily. I do not think we should go into that. However, everything thing they adopted was a strategy for them to achieve maximum result for the principals. Some of them have one principal, but I have about 50,000 principals.

For the 50,000 principals, if I open my telephone now, per minute, or per hour, you cannot imagine the number of calls and text messages I get and they are influencing me. If we are going for meetings some people will be sending text messages, warning, you people should not collect bribes, this and that. So, you have to adopt every method including that of scaring people. I bet you that most people would be afraid to ask Ajaero to come and take soft drink for the fear that he may tell the whole world that they are trying to bribe him. If one has succeeded in creating that niche, you have tried to some extent to protect yourself in serving your principals.

ATIONAL Industrial Court, NIC, sitting in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, to recall and reinstate its sacked General Secretary, Comrade John Odah, not later than January 31.

Comrade Odah is to be reinstated with his full rights, benefits and privileges pertaining to the said office from June, 2011.

The claimant, Odah, had on November 1, 2011 dragged the NLC, its president. Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, and two others before the court to challenge the termination of his employment and seek his reinstatement with full benefits.

The President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who presided over the matter had urged the parties to settle the matter amicably.

The parties later came with terms of settlement which the court adopted as its judgment in the suit.

The terms of settlement jointly signed by all the parties stated that Odah would be deemed to have maintained unbroken record of service with the NLC since his employment in 1987 until his ultimate disengagement and that at his resumption of office, he should be given befitting welcome by the congress with wide publicity.

NASU loses Lagos chairman

N

ON-ACADEMIC Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, has lost its Lagos State Chairman, Comrade John Oyeniyi Adeniran.

Late Adeniran, according to a statement by NASU, died on Saturday, 29th December, 2012 He was buried on Friday, 11th January, 2013 at his residence on Desolu Road, Omole Bus Stop, Ogijo, Ogun State Labour Vanguard uses this medium to commiserate with the family, Lagos State Council of NASU and the entire members of NASU in Nigeria.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 45

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46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

War in Mali: US, Africa disagree with Ban Ki-moon •Russia blames West over arms used by Malian rebels

T

HE United National Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has warned the U.N Security Council against requiring the world body to provide logistical support for combat military operations in Mali, saying such a move would put U.N. civilian staff throughout the region at “grave risk.”

In December, the 15member Security Council authorized the deployment of an Africanled military force to help defeat al Qaeda and other Islamist militants in northern Mali and called on the secretary-general to submit funding options.

“The situation in Mali is critical.

Terrorist organizations threaten the way of life of the Malian

•Hilary Clinton people, and even the existence of the state,” Ban told the Security Council in a letter on Sunday to the council, obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.

The planned 3,300member African force known as AFISMA - was not expected to be ready until at least September, but France asked that it be accelerated after Paris

•Ban Ki-moon In the letter, Ban launched air strikes and presented three options deployed some 2,150 for funding AFISMA: ground forces this month bilateral logistical support to halt a surprise Islamist without U.N. funding; offensive toward the Mali complete U.N. logistical capital Bamako. support for all phases of “The capabilities of the the operation that would armed groups occupying be funded through states’ northern Mali have mandatory U.N. proven to be strong, as contributions; or bilateral they are better equipped support for combat and trained than initially phases, followed by U.N. anticipated,” Feltman told support for deployment the council.

and stabilization.

However, Ban tried to steer the council away from approving the second option of full U.N. logistical support.

Meanwhile, the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that US cannot permit northern Mali to become a safe-haven for Islamist rebels that could eventually pose a more direct threat to U.S. interests.

Clinton, testifying to a Senate committee about the deadly September attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, called the growing international campaign against Islamist fighters in northern Mali a response to “a very serious, ongoing threat.”

German-French co-operation helps EU integration says, Envoy

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A

T the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Elysée Treaty on German-French Cooperation held Tuesday in Lagos, ConsulGeneral of the Federal Republic of Germany , Mr. Walter L. von den Driesch has said that the success of the FrancoGerman co-operation paved the way to European integration.

It would be recalled that the Elysee Treaty was signed by Charles de Gaulle of France and Germany ’s Konrad Adenauer on 22 January 1963, even as it committed to embark on the road of reconciliation between the two countries to steer towards mutual understanding

and closer co-operation While the French flag was flying beside that of Germany at the rresidence of French Consul-General at Ikoyi during the occasion, the foreign envoy told the diplomat community that despite challenges,

Berlin and Paris have been key shapers of the European Union.

According to him, France and Germany were key founding members of the European Union.

“In the past few months, we have been

A

Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced a 37-year old South African convict, Mrs. Duru Lindiwef, to 18 months imprisonment over attempt to export about 5.5 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine narcotic to her country.

Delivering her judgement, Justice

ambitious structural reform programmes,” he said.

Israel coalition talks begin after election deadlock

I

SRAELI leader Benjamin Netanyahu narrowly won an election

Syrian civil war devastates farming, says U.N

S

YRIA’s civil war has ravaged vital infrastructure and halved output of staple crops, the United Nations said yesterday , as the 22month conflict hardened by sectarian rivalry showed no sign of abating.

What began as a peaceful protest movement against President Bashar al-

Assad has killed more than 60,000 people, devastated the economy and left 2.5 million people hungry. Prospects of a negotiated peace have receded as the war becomes more overtly sectarian, making Western powers more wary of supporting the largely Sunni Muslim and increasingly radicalized - rebellion.

Court jails S/A woman over drug trafficking

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

working closely together, along with the other European countries, to push forward decisive actions to overcome the Eurozone crisis so that European countries in difficulty can reduce their macro-economic imbalances through

Benedicta Molokwu ordered that the convict be repatriated back to South Africa at the expiration of her jail terms, which is to run from June, 27, 2012, the time of her initial arrest and detention.

“Considering the passionate plea of learned counsel for the convict, and her health challenges, the court is swayed to tamper justice with mercy.

The convict is hereby

sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, which shall run from the date of apprehension.

Human Rights Watch yesterday pointed to the burning and looting of religious sites of

“We are in for a struggle, but it is a necessary struggle. We cannot permit northern Mali to become a safe haven,” Clinton said.

This is even Russia, yesterday said that the rebels fighting French and African troops in Mali were the same fighters the West armed in the revolt that ousted Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.

An Islamist alliance of al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM and homegrown Malian groups captured northern Mali last year, armed with weapons seized from Libya after the fall of Gaddafi.

Russia backed a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military intervention in Mali but is still bristling that its abstention from a U.N. vote over Libya in 2011 allowed NATO air strikes to help the rebels trying to topple the veteran leader.

minorities in recent months that suggested an escalation of sectarian strife.

President Bashar al-Assad, in Erbeen, near Free Syrian Army fighters and residents are seen near buildings damaged after what activists say were missiles fired by Syrian Air Force fighter jets loyal to Syria’s

in which disgruntled voters catapulted a new centrist challenger into second place, even as he now faces the daunting task of building a coalition.

Already, Tuesday ’s vote crystallized demands for attention to bread-and-butter issues over the ambitions of religiously fired hardliners and largely sidelined foreign policy issues such as thwarting Iran’s nuclear plans and Palestinian aspirations.

The right-wing prime minister claimed victory after his Likud party and its ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu ally took 31 of parliament’s 120 seats, according to a near-final tally.

EU leaders warn Cameron over membership referendum

G

ERMANY and France have warned UK Prime Minister David Cameron that Britain cannot pick and choose EU membership terms after he pledged a

referendum.

Mr Cameron said a poll would be held if the Conservatives were returned to power at the next general election, which is expected in 2015.

However, voters would

be asked to choose between renegotiated membership or exiting.

Germany said the UK could not “cherry-pick” while France said “a la carte” membership was not on the table.

However, in an apparent concession to Mr Cameron’s concerns, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a “fair compromise” between the wishes of Britain and other EU states.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013 —47

a credit that we have art pages today”. She however enjoined the art writers to engage the works critically, and bring out what the book or play is all about.

On how art journalist affected the practice of theatre in Nigeria, Yerima who described Jahman as a bridge said, “the greatest contribution of Jahman was in becoming the bridge that brought the players together at the national theatre”.

According to him, Jahman fought for the need to set up a culture policy that will better the lot of the artists and make them have something to fall back to. He as a writer came up with his ideas and was quick to realize the enormity of the job ahead that he has to educate, conscientize to move the profession forward.

Jahman Anikulapo says bye to Newsroom

By JAPHET ALAKAM

Talking time The event featured a panel conversation about how the Interplay between art advocacy, art jurnalism and art Practice have shaped the evolution of cultural propagation in the last 25 years as well as songs, theatre skits and performances.

And as it turned out to be, the array of tributes and discussions about Jahman and his contributions by many who know him or worked with him brought out some of the salient contributions of the gifted artist. For instance, in his tribute, one of the men he mentored in the job, Layiwola Adeniji in a special way gave the audience an account of how Sargent Musa (Jahman) gave him job at Guardian when he left his base in the north as a teacher.

According to Layiwola, Jahman taught many good art editors/writers that are doing well on the job today like Shola Balogun, Steve Ayorinde

Interactive session

•Jahman and guest at the event

and many others, and changed the face of art reporting,even as he co founded the Committee For Relevant Art, (CORA) etc.

“His commitment to arts is unparalled. As an art advocate, he turned the art pages to political tools to fight the ills in the country. He really influenced journalism in a special way and did his job excellently. At 50, he has been very consistent, always good at all times, he is worth celebrating”He said.

After that the panel of discussants, made up of Yomi Layinka, founding member of CORA, who moderated, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, former general manager of National theatre, Dr Bibi Bakare of Cassava Republic and Akeem Lasisi, poet and art editor of The Punch newspapers took over.

Contributing on how art journalist has affected the work of a publisher,

,

WHEN friends, colleagues, culture activists and promoters gathered at the Kongi’s Harvest Gallery , Freedom Park, Lagos last week for the 50th birthday celebration of Jahman Anikulapo, one thing that was uppermost in the minds of many was the personality of the man involved.

Mr. Anikulapo, a theater arts graduate from the University of Ibadan was an actor, activist, art promoter, writer who used the past 25 years of his life in the media to champion the development of art in Nigeria.

It was that quality that brought the crème de la creme of the art and culture community to the venue to honour the man who devoted his talent and money to the celebration of art and culture. The well attended event witnessed the presence of Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Odia Ofeimun, Tunde Kelani, Prof. Fola Soyinka, Prof.

Akachi Ezeigbo, Yewande Amusu, Ifeanyi Mbanefo, Greg Odutayo, Wole Oguntokun, Peter Badejo, Teju Kareem and a host of others.

The event which coincided with the celebrant’s retirement from a very enviable and long, stellar career at the Guardian newspaper group as the Sunday Editor was part of a monthlong programme of events to celebrate the cultural agent, tagged Arthouse Forum for Jahman Anikulapo at 50 with the theme: 3D-Jahman: The Three Dimensions of a cultural change agent- Artist, Activist and Art Journalism, put together by the Committee of the Friends of Jahman @50.

He really influenced journalism in a special way and did his job excellently

,

Dr Bakare pointed out that the works of art writers/critiques are required for the development of the publishing, but pointed out that they have to do their works very well, criticise the works very well and not just praise the writers or actors.

According to her “Nigeria is a challenging environment for anyone trying to produce art and for that it is

Speaking on the topic, the primary role of art journalist in Nigeria, Akeem Lasisi pointed out that the job has not been easy, stating that it is the passion that has sustained the art journalist in the little expansion they have made in Nigeria.

According to him, “the art desk is the most endangered page in every newspaper as it is the page that suffers whenever adverts come”.

The celebrant in his comments thanked all for honouring him.

Jahman who described himself as the most terrorized person in the newsroom before he fought his way out said that it was the mentality he got as a student under Prof.

Adelugba at Ibadan that endeared him into the challenges and that he introduced to Guardian that made him to excel.

After the exhaustive interactive session that celebrates his personality, contributions and service to the development of the culture sector in the country, the audience were treated to an evening of songs, theatre skits and performances by the Crown Truope of Africa, Edeato and other groups.

When PH wedding becomes poetry fiesta

BY UDUMA KALU

I

T could only happen in Port Harcourt, the city now referred as the World Book Capital. Here, literature has become so common that even wedding feats are now turned into literary festivals, thanks to the Garden city Literary Festivals, and the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, Rivers state branch. Vanguard Arts witnessed such a wedding/literary fiesta recently in the city last Jan 12 when constitutional/human rights lawyer and poet, Angus Obinna Chukwuka, walked the aisles with his heartthrob, Miss Anita Nnenna Nwaeze.

Though it began like a normal wedding, it soon became a literary event, with book and poetry taking over at the reception. Everyone that graced the event, including former NBA chairman, O C J Okocha, Dr Gabriel Okara , the

poet, Prof Charles Nnoli and representative of Elechi Amadi, Ruskin Amadi, confirmed that indeed, when poets wed, words grow wings. Books become cakes which words are made.

They swear by the word. They are united by wordsmiths, priests of the word.

Then the literary awards followed, with the conferment of honours on Africa’s three reputed literary icons to wit: Dr Gabriel Okara(poet),Captain Elechi Amadi (novelist) ,and professor Charles Nnoli(literary critic).

And the words grew wings. Instead of cakes or drinks, it was the presentation of a book, The Bridegroom, a 162- page anthology of poems by the groom, Chukwuka The guests were shocked when Chairman of the occasion, Okocha, drew attention of the book at the wedding. Dr Gabriel Okara ,internationally renown poet presented

the poetry collection while Nnoli delivered a supporting and critical commentary. A timely distinction was made by Okocha between book presentation and book launch while hinting that the book was merely presented and not launched and that purchase of the work was to commence after the event. The high point of the event was the conferment of the Lifetime Literary Achievement award on the trio of Dr Okara, Captain Elechi Amadi and Prof Nnolim. This part of the event tagged post wedding was chaired

by Hon Adokie Amiesimaka ,former Rivers State commissioner for justice and Attorney-General. Both Okara and Nnolim personally received their plaques of honour while that for Elechi Amadi was received on his behalf by Mr Ruskin Amadi as captain Amadi was out of the country at the time.

48— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013—49

Of guns, robbers, terrorists and the UN Continues from page 41

and certainly need reinventing. Today most people sleep with only one eye closed due to the activities of robbers, kidnappers, marauders and terrorists. Before our very eyes, Mali with an enviable history and a hitherto shining example of democracy in West Africa has been balkanized by a terrorist group armed to the teeth with lethal weapons; a development threatening to roll-back the democratic gains of immediate past decade in our subregion.

Certainly, the successful outcome of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Conference could be adjudged as one of the Prof Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Representative at the major events of year 2012 United Nations in the field of disarmament long after a brilliant performance as a for one simple reason.

It has implication for the common quest member of the UN Security Council, the to reduce violence, for a more peaceful outcome of the Conference was another world and security at national and personal good outing for the Nigerian Mission to the UN in New York and our team of levels. The document reminds us that illicit trade in small arms and light diplomats who worked tirelessly for and weapons in all its aspects continues to must have put in sleepless nights for the sustain conflicts, exacerbate armed success of the Conference.

Equally significant was the performance violence undermine respect for international humanitarian law, aid of our Permanent Representative to the terrorism and illegal armed group UN Ambassador Joy Ogwu who and facilitate increasing levels of demonstrated uncommon and admirable transnational organised crime as well as diplomatic skill to secure the endorsement trafficking in in human, drugs. There is, of over 193 countries.

It was also of course a proud moment therefore, need for a bold initiative to confront the problem through gun control. for the leadership of our Foreign Ministry At national and international level the led by Foreign Minister Olugbenga Programme of Action called for adequate Ashiru, and the supporting team of laws, regulations and administrative officials from the headquarters in Abuja. procedures to prevent circulation of illegal It is a testimony that the Ministry of arms and tighten access to guns. There Foreign Affairs and its activities impact are recommendations for improved positively on the lives of Nigerians at home intelligence work and appropriate and abroad and this has been so for over national institutions. International arms 50 decade when the Ministry came into existence.

We must also not forget that the successful conclusion of the Small Arms Conference tallies with the commendable commitment of President Jonathan’s Adtransfers are expected to come under ministration to tackle the security chaltighter control. Customs, INTERPOL, se- lenges at home and its foreign policy poscurity agencies, NGOs and ordinary ture for enduring peace and security in people are also expected to report the Ecowas region which recently received suspicious characters and activities. the support of the Security Council in form Implicitly we all have roles to play to of the approval of Ecowas initiatives to combat illicit trafficking of arms. tackle the challenge in Mali including States are of course expected to lead the through an Intervention force. crusade. They have the primary Certainly the Programme of Action on responsibility for preventing, combating Small Arms is another evidence that the and eradicating small arms trafficking. UN remains the common home of This is a crucial aspect of the gathering in humanity and can serve us well. Now that New York in the concerted effort to wrest we have a Road Map in our hands, to guns from the hand of criminals and prevent guns from falling into the hands terrorists. of robbers and terrorists we must all rise As delegates rose up on that fateful to the challenge. evening there was a feeling of satisfaction That is the “heart of the matter” which that the world has finally taken a bold step must also be a “matter of the heart” for us to come to grips with what has come to be all for that good night sleep we all deserve; accepted as the new weapon of mass and rest of mind to as we faithfully worship destruction. It was a watershed in a long our God in our various churches or and difficult history of curbing illegal arms mosques. and weapons.

•Amb Ayo Olukanni is the High This conference was certainly another Commissioner of Nigeria to Australia fitting tribute to Nigeria’s diplomacy and foreign policy posture. Coming not too

,

Now that we have a Road Map in our hands, to prevent guns from falling into the hands of robbers and terrorists we must all rise to the challenge

,

50—Vanguard, THURSD AY, JANUARY 24, 2013 THURSDA

Treat asthma with fruits, vegetables, fish oil and probiotics

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

D

O you recall how your mother was always telling you to eat up your green vegetables and fruits because they would make you grow up strong and healthy?

Now, new evidence shows that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, probiotics and fish oil may relieve asthma in children. Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of microflora in the intestines.

Food supplements combining fruits, vegetables, fish oil and probiotics reduce medication use and improve pulmonary function in children afflicted with asthma, according to research.

Indeed, the number of persons with asthma has increased significantly in recent times and diet may be to blame because there is a correlation between poor diet and asthma.

Reduced medication use and improved pulmonary function with supplements containing vegetable and fruit

concentrate, fish oil and probiotics in asthmatic school children: a randomized controlled trial," supports this theory.

People who eat healthy nutritious foods develop asthma less often than people who eat poorly. Certain foods and nutrients appear to be effective in the prevention and treatment for asthma.

For instance, intake of large amounts of antioxidants and other nutrients including flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and magnesium have lower rates of

• Regular intake of fruit, vegetables and fish reduces symptoms of asthma and other allergies in children and teenagers.

asthma. Antioxidants are likely a large factor in the reduced asthma rates because they neutralize harmful free radicals and thus protect cells from damage.

It is a fact that children and

and omega-3s have high rates of poor lung function. fruits, vegetables and nuts.

These foods are high in antioxidants and vitamins.

Scientists from New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom have found that a diet of fast food and other foods with little nutritional value "may be behind the steady surge in children's asthmas.

teenagers who eat diets high in fruits and omega-3 fatty acids generally have strong lungs and few asthma-like symptoms. But children who get low amounts of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E

The international collaboration of scientists found that younger teens in particular were 40 percent more likely to develop severe asthma if they eat burgers and other fast foods like fries more than three times a week. Children aged 6-7 are 27 percent more likely to develop asthma if they eat fast food that often.

Fast food is the only type associated with development of asthma and allergies.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

W

HEN you are in a relationship, sometimes your partner will say something or behave in a manner that criticises your sexual performance or hygiene.

It could range from an observation about your mouth odour, body odour or genital odour to the way you kiss or perform in bed. When you hear such comments, does it make you mad or does it inspire you to do something about your problem? I ask you this question because your answer will determine the future of your relationship.

Sometimes relationships break up because we fail to listen when our partners make vital observations.

Men and women in relationships get so comfortable sometimes that they stop caring about the way they look, the way they dress, their hygiene and the way they perform in bed.

That is bad. The fact that a man or woman loves you does not mean that you can do whatever you want. If you want your relationship to succeed, you must be mindful of the way you act and respond to vital issues. When your partner makes an observation, take it seriously and do something about it. That is one of the best things you can do to maintain your marriage or relationship. Let us now answer a few questions from our readers.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 2013 — 51

Oshiomhole splashes N41m on Edo athletes, appoints Itemuagbor adviser

E

DO State Governor, Comrade Adams OshiomholehassplashedN41 million cash reward on the state athletes to the 2012 NationalSportsFestival,which held in Lagos, condemning the win-at-all-cost attitude of some states, saying it does not augur well for the sports development of the country.

The Governor who held a receptionfortheathletesatthe Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Tuesday, announced a cash reward of N1m, N300,000 and N200,000respectivelyforeach Gold, Silver and Bronze medals won at the festival.

The coaches and officials that led the athletes to the Festivalwerenotleftoutofthe reward as the Governor announcedacashprizeofone million naira each for every gold winning coach while othercoachesreceivedN300, 000.

The governor also

appointed astute sports marketer, Mike Itemuagbor, adviser on sports matters to thestate.ButItemuagborwill be rendering selfless service to the state as he would not be paid for his services.

TheStatewonatotalninety three medals at the Festival, madeupof25Gold,24Silver

and 44 Bronze medals.

The stars of the state at the Festival were a female Swimmer Victoria Ajakaiye who won 5 Gold and 2 Silver medals; Weightlifter Gideon Aigbefor who won 3 Gold MedalsandfemaleGymnast, MelvinAmenaghawonwho won 2 Gold Medals.

Oshiomhole with Edo athletes

Lawal, Oyenuga are Union Bank table tennis champions

BY JACOB AJOM

O

LATUNJI Lawal has emerged as the 2013 men’s singles champion of the Union Bank Annual Table Tennis competition organised by the Lagos Country Club at the weekend.

The champion defeated hard-fighting Sheu Alabi 42 in the thrilling final witnessed by a full house in

the table tennis section of the club that included Mr Francis Barde, Corporate Affairs Manager of Union Bank.

Also in the ladies singles, Ebun Oyenuga defeated Tola Oladoyin 31 to win the coveted title while M. A. Lwal outclassed Bisi Lawal by the same margin to win the men’s veteran contest.

The pair of Tony Da-Silva and Dr Tunji Bankole

recorded a dramatic victory over the more youthful pair of Shehu Alabi and Tunji Lawal to cart home the top prize.

Chairman of the Table Tennis Section, Lagos Country Club, Tajudeen Akande thanked the sponsors, Union Bank for considering the club worthy of enjoying their social corporate responsibility and promised to make the event even bigger in future.

St. Gregs holds 72nd Inter House Sports

O

NE of Nigeria’s pioneer institutions of learning, St Gregory ’s College is celebrating its 85 th Founder’s Day. As part of the celebrations, the school is organising its 72nd Inter House sports competition tomorrow at the school’s premises.

Speaking on the Inter House competition, the Administrator, Reverend Monsignor Babashay Akpala said “all works and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The students will compete in track and field, soccer, basketball, tennis,

among other sports.

“You can see the tracks, the football pitch, the basketball and tennis courts. They cost us a fortune to build and we are grateful to our Old Boys and parents.”

He said the school had a tradition of churning out stars for Lagos State and country, recalling when in his days as a student of the school he competed for Nigeria in 1956 in Ghana. From there, I got scholarship to the US. Sports has done a lot for me because I was an all

rounder as I played soccer and cricket also.

“This school lays a lot of emphasis on the total development of the child and that does not only involve academics. We do a lot here,” Monsignor Akpala explained.

•Rev Akpala

52 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24 2013

South Africa power past Angola S

OUTH Africa on We d n e s d a y defeated Angola 2-0 in a Group A second round game of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The host had managed a goalless draw in the opening game against a resillient Cape Verde side.

Goals from Siyabonga Sangweni and Lehlohonolo Majoro in both halves secured victory for South Africa.

Angola showed they meant business, and made the first attempt when Mateus’ shot was parried away by South Africa goalkeeper Khume with just two minutes into the game.

Rantie had a chance in the 16th minute, but his over-ambitious left foot shot was not on target.

Bafana then broke the deadlock when Siyabonga Sangweni’s shot went past Angola’s goalkeeper to record their first goal of the championship in the 29th minute.

Angola almost equalised two minutes

Injuries hit Black Stars

T

HE injury situation now in the Black Stars is ebbing and flowing, with news that Anthony Annan will definitely be out of the team’s game with

South Africa's forward Tokelo Rantie (C) vies with Angola's defender Bastos during the South Africa vs Angola Africa Cup of Nations 2013 group A football match yesterday. South Africa won 2.0 .PHOTO: AFP later, but Manucho’s header was inched away.

After the break, Angola intensified their pursuit for an equaliser, as South Africa sought to extend their lead.

Rantie was pulled off for Lehlohonolo Majoro after 13 minutes into the second half with South Africa now playing better on the offensive.

With less than five minutes on the pitch, Majoro was on the

Mena to restore hope against Congo DR

D

•Moussa

•Mbokani

R Congo will attempt to get their first win of this year ’s Africa Cup of Nations when they lock horns with the Mena of Niger at the Nelson Mandela Bay Sports Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Both countries are yet to cross paths in any level of football and this Group B clash promises fireworks as each of the teams aim at getting the maximum points which will urge them closer to the knockout stage.

On paper, it might look like a David and Goliath affair, but considering how the Nigeriens held Mali until the last minute before succumbing, there is much at stake in this epic clash.

With players such as Moussa Maazou, who has previously played

at the highest level in France and Russia as well as Koffi Dan Kowa of Esperance Sportif du Zarziz, Abdul Karim Lacina of Cotton Sports Garoua, and Issoufou Boubacar Garba of Hammam, the Nigeriens can cause havoc if underrated.

The Leopards are also brimming with co n f i d e n c e after coming from two goals down to draw with group favourites Ghana, and they will be hoping to build on that and record their first win in this campaign.

Tr e s s o r Mputu, midfield anchor Youssoup Mulumbu, veteran Lomana Tressor Lua Lua and the free scoring Dieumerci Mbokani can lessen the load of the Leopards if they avoid complacency.

counter, and took on two defenders before slotting the ball past Angola goalkeeper to double South Africa lead in the 61st minute.

Angola pilled pressure on South Africa in the 72nd minute, but all their efforts were fruitless.

South Africa were professional enough to handle all threats from Angola to record their first win in nine games.

•Annan

Mali.

Port Elizabeth will not see the two players, following a failure to recover in time for the tie. The Spain-based midfielder was a sub for the team as they drew 2-2 draw with DR Congo on Sunday.

He thus joins Richmond BoakyeYiadom at a local hospital where they are scheduled to know their fates by the end of Wednesday. They will both undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests.

A team source said that Annan will “certainly not play ” while his teammate, Boakye-Yiadom, has to take a rest for 4-5 days to be fully fine to hit the field.

In Annan’s place in defensive midfield will be either of Rabiu Mohammed or, more likely, Derek Boateng.

Low goal count after first round

E

VERY one of the sixteen teams has now played a part in the 2013 African Cup of Nations, but not every team has scored a goal.

The goal drought continues despite the generally cool weather and fine playing surfaces.

After the opening eight games in all four groups, just 13 goals have been recorded in 720 minutes of regulation time. This AFCON thus records the lowest goals per average ration since 2002, when 0.63 per game were scored in the opening round of eight games.

This time, we’ve seen a paltry 1.63 per game average - not good enough for a tournament looking to attract the tag

of “exciting”. The highest recent figure was the 26 goals scored in the opening eight games of the 2008 competition in Ghana, where 99 goals

•Uche

were scored at the end of the competition.

No AFCON before, or after, has been able to break that record from Ghana 2008.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 53

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Keshi bares mind to Eagles •Maigari, minister address players

S

HORTLY after the 11 draw against Burkina Faso here in South Africa Nigerians fumed over the last minute blunders that led to the stoppage time goal the Eagles conceded.

But their coach Stephen Keshi defended them in the post match media chat and he has continued to do so publicly. But we gathered that he was not happy with some of the things they did on the field. He has spoken with some of them individually and Tuesday evening he held

a meeting with all the 23 players in South Africa.

The talk which was held at the training pitch of the Ingwenyama Sports and Leisure Club, where the team is camped was exclusively for players, technical officials and the team psychologist. Other officials were at a shouting distance as Keshi and his warriors exchanged ideas on how best to deliver the goods at the Nations Cup. At the end of the session which lasted over 30minutes, Keshi and the players went straight

•Yobo

Keshi hits 51, shelves celebrations for Afcon

S

UPER Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, was a year older on Wednesday, January 23, as he turned 51 years old.

In fact, most officials and players of the team were oblivious of his birthday as at lunch time as he went about the business of the day as if nothing mattered. Last year, he also marked his

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birthday while the team was in camp in Abuja preparing for the qualifiers for the ongoing Nations Cup. Occasionally, people called from far and near to wish him luck and success in life but he kept it under raps, wishing as he told close camp confidants to celebrate after the Afcon 2013 championship.

into the business of the day; training. The coach was to reveal later that the meeting was aimed at ensuring that the team excelled in South Africa. He has been defending them publicly but in the meeting he bared his mind, pointing out flaws that denied them victory against Burkina Faso. Thereafter they started training to correct some of the flaws and how to beat defending champions Zambia.

As training progressed, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari arrived with, Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Media Committee Chairman, Chief Emeka Inyama, Finance Committee Chairman, Shehu Adamu, two other Executive Committee members and NFF Director, Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme to watch the session.

After training, Maigari took time off to address the players and assured them that the nation still expected them to do well at the championship, despite drawing the first game against Burkina Faso. “We have confidence in the abilities of this team to do Nigeria proud here, so we must go ahead and not only win our next game but do so in style”, he said.

Just as Maiagri was rounding off his address, Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bolaji Abdulahi called in and spoke to the players on speaker phone. Like a general addressing his troops, he told the players to forget the game against the Burkinabes and focus on their remaining group games as the tournament has proven to be one full of surprises. “The entire country from President Goodluck Jonathan down to the pepper seller in the remotest part of Nigeria is solidly behind you”, he said.

Keshi thanked the Minister and the NFF President for keeping faith in the team.

•Keshi

•promises changes in Eagles Continued from back page whistle. Still looking unruffled with his charming smile but apparently heavily burdened by the weight of expectations, Keshi promised to turn things around against Zambia with the introduction of Chelsea man, Victor Moses. Moses, perhaps, may play his biblical role of leading Nige-

ria out of a looming first round elimination. “Lets see how he gets on before Friday. He had arm-string before we left Faro but has been responding positively in training”, the former Togo and Mali coach who is the toast of Journalists because of his cocktail of speaking many languages said.

Foreign journalists who

are covering the Nations Cup have been asking questions why Keshi left out a big and good player like Moses when his attackers were frittering chances.

In yesterday’s training, the Blues man sparkled with his dribble runs and looks set to breathe fresh air into the attack and get goals to sink Zambia.

You don’t have a choice than to win Continued from back page Zambia in their second match coming up tomorrow.

Media Committee Chairman of the board, Chief Emeka Inyamah said yesterday that they addressed the players and told them the match against Zambia would be a must win match.

“They know because they have no choice to win. I am positive that they will beat Zambia. It is not going to be piece of cake but many things have changed and the players are showing the right attitude towards victory tomorrow”.

Before now, the board in South Africa held a closed door meeting with the technical crew where they drummed it to their

ears that should produce a team that would give credible performance. They did not stop there. They also held a session with the

players where they told them there would be no retreat, no surrender against Zambia.

My best yet to come Coach Stephen — Emenike Uche.

Keshi has already tipped

E

AGLES striker Emmanuel Emenike has said that he has yet to hit top form even after scoring on his AFCON debut on Monday.

The Spartak Moscow striker powered Nigeria in front after 23 minutes against Burkina Faso, but he has now said there is a lot more left in his tank at this competition.

His goal and high work rate against the Stallions certainly justified his starting role ahead of the more prolific Ikechukwu

the former FC Cape Town star to match the exploits of the late Rashidi Yekini.

•Emenike

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013— 55

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

BACK ON TRACK••• South Africa’s Lehlohonolo Majoro celebrates after scoring a goal against Angola.

PHOTO: AFP

You don’t have a choice than to win •NFF tells Eagles

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation officials here in South Africa says that the Eagles have

•Keshi

been told in clear terms that they have no other choice other than to beat Continues on Page 54

•Mikel

Keshi promises changes in Eagles •Victor Moses bounces back against Zambia

S

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has promised changes in the team not only in

TODAY'S

introducing new players but also in their approach as they look for win against defending

PUZZLE

champions, Zambia tomorrow.

He knows the feelings and reactions of YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Nigerians after his team’s unconvincing 1-

1 draw with Burkina Faso in a match that was

RESULTS

S/Afroca 2 Angola Morocco 1 C/Verde

ACROSS 1 Discover (6) 5 Scrutinise (4) 8 Seraph (5) 9 Jewel (3) 10 Deficit (4) 11 Immense (4) 12 Placed (5) 13 Cover (6) 16 Gap (4) 18 Always (4) 20 Beaker (3) 22 Observe (3) 23 Age (3) 24 Urn (4) 25 Nurse (4) 28 Boredom (6) 30 Soothing (5) 32 Cure (4) 33 Treaty (4) 34 Anger (3) 35 Precipitous (5) 36 Quarry (4) 37 Breakwater (6)

TODAY'S MATCHES

0 1

How to Play Sudoku

Ghana vs Nger vs

Mali — 4pm Congo — 7pm

DOWN 1 Summary (6) 2 Timid (8) 3 Tint (6) 4 Demanding (9) 5 Cut (7) 6 Dressed (4) 7 Observe (4) 8 Donkey (3) 14 Whitewash (9) 15 Clef (3) 17 Charge (3) 19 Soundness (8) 20 Tin (3) 21 Forfeit (7) 26 Defaulter (6) 27 Hinder (6) 29 Vessel (4) 30 Foundation (4) 31 Yelp (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 3, Scorn 9, Hamper 10, August 11, Taint 12, Saga 15, Pert 12, Elegant 20, Due 21, Yacht 23, Over 25, Yelp 26, Eased 28, Mob 30, Devised 33, Ally 35, Dude 36, Peril 38, Rookie 39, Delete 40, Greet.

THE VIGILANTE

heading their way seconds to the last Continues on Page 54

DOWN: 1, Chase 2, Image 3, Set 4, Cranny 5, Rant 6, Nut 7, Mused 8, State 13, Alcohol 14, Agree 16, Rumpled 18, Tamed 19, Shy 22, Tepid 24, Rat 27, Decide 28, Marry 29, Bloom 31, Super 32, Defer 34, Seer 36, Pig 37, Let.

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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.

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