APC meeting ends in deadlock by Vanguard Media Limited

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VOL. 25: NO. 62391

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FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Reps cut off funding for fuel CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT: Senators, Presidency head for subsidy in 2015 budget 8

showdown

ZONING OF N-ASSEMBLY OFFICES:

APC meeting ends in deadlock

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Zones SGF to S-East, Senate Presidency to N-Central, Speaker/Deputy to S-West/N-East •Speaker/Deputy: Returning Reps root for Gbajabiamila, Dogara

BUJA— A MEETING of senior members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, called to resolve issues concerning the zoning of top offices in the incoming majority party in the National Assembly ended in a deadlock, Wednesday night. The meeting came to a deadlock on account of the tussle between

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Why Nigeria deserves a new deal 50 Mr & Mrs

MEETING: From left, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Co-Chairmen, Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee, Mr. Timipre Sylva and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Secretary to the committee, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote during a meeting of the committee at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNISTS: FAYOSE: Fuelling unending crises in Ekiti? See pull-out inside C M Y K

Farewell to 2015 POLLS: The Auntie Mercy No matter where dramatic end of •P.29 •P.17 you come from•P.19 the race

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POCKET CARTOON

PEACE ACCORD: Participants at the signing of peace accord between Nigerians in Diaspora Integration Agency and South Africans living in Nigeria in Abuja give peace signs after signing the peace accord, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

APC meeting ends in deadlock Continues from Page 1

leaders of the North-East and South-West for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives. The leaders at the meeting, nevertheless, agreed on the zoning of the office of Senate President to the NorthCentral and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, to the South-East. Meanwhile, returning members of the House of Representatives were, yesterday, understood to have forged a consensus

on breaking the deadlock by throwing up two of the returning members as their choice for speaker and deputy speaker. Sources in the House confided in Vanguard last night that the returning members have thrown up outgoing minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila and Yakubu Dogara for either speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Among those that attended the meeting on Wednesday night at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge on Hassan Usman

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Katsina Street, Asokoro, Abuja were Presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd); VicePresident-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; governors-elect, senatorselect as well as some executive officers of the party.

Deadlock over zoning of speakership position Vanguard gathered that besides reaching a consensus on the Senate Presidency which it zoned to North-Central, the meeting reached a deadlock on the issue of the Speaker as both supporters of the zoning of the office to the NorthEast and the South-West maintained their grounds. A source, who was in the meeting, said the meeting at one stage degenerated to a hot verbal exchange between the supporters of the two zones. The development, it was gathered, forced the meeting to mandate the president-elect and the vice-president-elect to resolve the issue on a later date. A senior member of the National Executive Committee, NEC, who was present at the meeting, however, played down developments at the meeting as he said what took place was not a formal meeting. He said: “We have not held our NEC and our NEC is going to resolve

all these issues, so there is no need for anxiety.”

Returning Reps members root for Gbajabiamila, Dogara Meanwhile, returning members elected on the platform of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are said to be urging the APC to produce either the outgoing minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila and Yakubu Dogara for either speaker or deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. The members were said

to have passed on the message that they would be comfortable with either of them as speaker and the other as deputy. Gbajabiamila is from Lagos State while Dogara is from Bauchi State, the two zones that are in contention for the speaker. However, speaking to journalists, Senator Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, pleaded that the party should consider the North-East in zoning the position of speaker of the House of Representatives. He said: “You see, the North-East produced the second largest vote for APC during the last election and if you are looking for people that will be consistent for being in opposition all this while, Borno and Yobe in particular have been consistent in opposition. Now that the power has shifted from the former majority party, PDP, to the opposition and we happened to be there, that is one reason. “Secondly, we are the most devastated in terms

of the level of insurgency and marginalization during this political dispensation. Thirdly, North-East is among the poorest regions on earth according to the United Nations Human Development Indices. Because of her natural position, we will need to be placed in the power kitchen whereby we will not be lacking. “Because we were marginalized, we are in a desperate need to ensure that he who is in the kitchen will never stay hungry. But I told you that all these are statistics. And lastly in the last election, North-East produced the second largest votes and then we took over two states from the PDP — Bauchi and Adamawa — and we are hopeful that we will take over Taraba. “So, looking at these credentials now, they qualify us to get the highest possible office that is available. That is our argument but if the party has other considerations, then we will look at it.”

Xenophobic attacks: SERAP drags S-Africa to ICC L AGOS —THE SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, yesterday dragged South Africa before the International Criminal Court, ICC, over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners living in the country. Executive Director of SERAP, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, disclosed this in a petition dated April 23, which he addressed to the ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government on Wednesday invited the South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Lulu Louis-Mnguni, over the xenophobia attacks on

Nigerians and other blacks residing in the country. The attacks, which started last week, followed the hatespeech by the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, that non- indigenes should vacate their country, accusing them of taking up employment opportunities meant for South African nationals. SERAP, in its statement, said Bensounda should investigate the allegations of hate-speech by Zwelithini, which resulted in the killing of some Nigerians and other African citizens. It requested her to probe the complicity and negligence of the country’s law enforcement agencies to prevent these crimes against other countries’

civilian population residing in South Africa. The group also urged her to bring to justice anyone who was found to be responsible for these international crimes prohibited under the Rome Statute of the ICC. SERAP said it considered the use of hate speech by the Zulu King to promote hatred or incite violence against non-nationals such as Nigerians, particularly in the media, as a clear violation of the provisions of the statute It said: “Grave statements by political leaders and prominent people that express discrimination and cause violence against nonnationals cannot be justified under any law."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

ASP, 2 others killed by cow rustlers in Benue By Peter Duru

AKURDI—AN A s s i s t a n t Superintendent of Police , ASP, Baba Ibrahim; a cattle rearer, Gambo Muhammed and an unidentified cattle breeder, have been reportedly killed by suspected cattle rustlers in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. Vanguard gathered, yesterday, from an eyewitness that the deceased senior police officer, who was a member of the Task Force on Cattle Rustling and Kidnapping at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, met his death while on an official duty in the state. A source said: “A few days ago, some youths, who are known for cow rustling and kidnapping along TorDonga in Katsina-Ala, went to Takum in Taraba State and stole over 2,000 cows and put them up for sale at their base in Katsina-Ala. “The matter was reported at the Takum Divisional Police Office, but they declined jurisdiction and the matter was transferred to Katsina-Ala, where six suspects were arrested but thereafter granted bail. “Irked by the bail, the cow owner petitioned Inspector General of Police, IGP, who drafted members of the task force to handle the matter. “Unfortunately, on getting to Katsina-Ala to dig into the matter, the team including police officers, the cow owner, were ambushed and came under heavy gunfire few kilometres to Katsina-Ala Police station. “Leaders of the crack team, ASP Baba Ibrahim and cattle rearer, Gambo Muhammed and another, were instantly killed, while several other Police officers on the team sustained varying degrees of bullet injuries.” Vanguard learned that the injured police officers were receiving treatment at a public hospital in the town. Benue State Police Commissioner, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, confirmed the killings, saying it could have been carried out by cattle rustlers. He said the matter would be thoroughly investigated, and that police were on the trail of the masterminds.

Rampaging Aladja cultists hold gun to man's head, rape wife By Akpokona Omafuaire

ARRI—SUSPECTED cult members have laid siege to Aladja in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, raping, maiming, stealing and intimidating residents at will. In one of the attacks, Vanguard can authoritatively report, they raped a woman (names withheld) in the presence of her husband, Tuesday, after stealing money and other personal effects of the victims and other residents of Aladja. In the rape incident, Vanguard learned that the suspected cultists, numbering seven, stormed the residence of their victims at Iwhre Quarters, stole unspecified amount of cash, phones, placed a gun on the man’s head with a threat to shoot if he tried to stop them, as they took turns to rape his wife. Vanguard gathered that while the rape was on in Iwhre Quarters, other members of another cult group were robbing other families in Obuvu Quarters, using charms. The helpless husband of the raped victim could not speak to Vanguard as tears welled up in his eyes, pleading not to be photographed. Some residents of Aladja have started packing out of the community in their numbers, especially for fear of being raped.

Victims’ story

When Vanguard visited Aladja, some shops were still under lock as the cultists now operate in broad daylight unhindered. One of the victims, a resident of Ubada-Ode Quarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed shock at the manner the cultists operate. She said they ransacked her apartment, took her mobile phone and over N10,000. She said neighbours did not respond to her cry for help out of fear. Another victim, also in the same Ubada-Ode area, claimed that the cultists entered her apartment through the window and stole N50,000 and about 13 mobile phones, including her own and that of other persons she was charging in her residence. She said because of the sound of her generator, none of her neighbours could hear when she tried to alert them by shouting.

Challenge for security agencies

Meanwhile, a member of

zSteal, maim as residents abandon community Aladja Vigilante, who craved anonymity, called on the relevant security agencies and community leaders to rise to the challenge of the cultists, with a view to arresting them. He called on the residents to feed them and the police with relevant information that could

lead to arrest of suspected cultists around them. The vigilante member also called on the community and Delta State government to motivate and provide the needed logistics for the vigilante group to enable it function optimally.

Contacted on phone, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, said: “I have not been briefed, but cultism is on the rise in Delta State. We are doing everything to deal with this ugly trend; it shall be a thing of the past soon.”

After 5 years in prison, court acquits policeman of murder charge

Paul Ogbeh.

By Onozure Dania

AGOS— A 34-year-old Police Constable, Paul Ogbeh, was yesterday discharged and acquitted by a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere over a murder charge. Ogbeh was said to have murdered men alleged to be armed robbers, while on police patrol after receiving a distress call. He was discharged by Justice Olabisi Akinlade after she found him not guilty of the two counts of first degree murder on

the basis of lack of sufficient evidence by the prosecution. Akinlade said: “The defendant was performing his lawful duty on the day of the incident. The prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. “The prosecution did not tender any post-mortem or medical report in the death of the deceased, no ballistics report was tendered by the prosecution and there was also failure by the prosecution to produce eyewitnesses. “All these lapses in the

prosecution’s case have created doubt in the eyes of the court. The prosecution has failed to create any direct or circumstantial evidence linking the defendant to the death of the two deceased. “The defendant is, hereby, discharged and acquitted of the two-count charge of murder against him.” Immediately, Ogbeh made the sign of the cross, raised his hands in praises to God and thanked the judge before leaving the dock, wiping tears from his eyes. Ogbeh, who has been dismissed by the Police, told Vanguard: “I feel happy because I held onto my God since day one of my incarceration because the murders happened while I was performing my lawful duties. “While I was in prison, I enrolled with the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, to study Criminology and Security Studies and I intend to complete my education,” he added, tightly clutching a copy of The Prisoner’s Bible. Ogbeh, who was a Police Constable attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, was charged with the murder of robbery suspects, Abiodun Awe and Nelson Obeto at Ikorodu, when his team responded to a distress call in 2010.

Woman dies in kidnappers’ custody, another escapes By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—A mother of three and staff of Delta Stateowned The Pointer newspaper, Mrs Patricia Amitaye, has been reported dead. She was reportedly kidnapped, Wednesday, by five gunmen in the Toyota Hilux truck she was being driven in on a journey from Eku to Warri. Her lifeless body was later found in the bush by a search party after the driver of the truck alerted her husband and family

members. A source said: “Patricia has been sick, but she was getting better before this unfortunate incident. I am sure that her blood pressure rose from the shock and assault by the kidnappers, who probably abandoned her when they noticed she was in pains.” In a related development, Mrs. Caro Botosan, yesterday, escaped from the den of kidnappers in a forest in Urhiephron, Ughelli South, where they had held her for nine days. She was said to have escaped

at about 7am, yesterday, and found her way to Urhiephron/ Orhughworhum Junction, where she put a call across to her husband through the phone of a woman she met. One of her abductors had been arrested, and had led a police team to the home of their leader, simply identified as “Biggy,” at Agbarho community, Ughelli North, where arrests were made and investigation was in progress when the victim escaped, yesterday.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—7

OREKOYA KIDNAP: Police hand over rescued teenager to parents By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

ENRIETTA Otobo, the teenager who was rescued from the Shasha home of Funmilayo Adeyemi, the nanny that abducted Orekoya three children in Lawanson Road, Itire Lagos, a fortnight ago, was handed over to her parents by the Police in Lagos, yesterday. Henrietta reportedly left Benin, Edo State, for Lagos, last November, to work as a house help in the Ajah home of the kidnap syndicate, unaware that she was being recruited. The bubble burst following the arrest of her mistress, Adeyemi, over the kidnap and subsequent rescue of Orekoya children last week. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Funmilayo Adeyemi has said she is not a member of Mountain of Fire and Miracles, MFM, Ministries. She said she had never worshipped in the church or stepped her feet near it all her life. Her clarification is coming on the heels of reports that she was a member of MFM, as she had on a T-shirt with MFM’s logo and ‘Usher’ written on it. Confirming her claim, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, expressed surprise at the continued unprintable names hauled at the church in the social media in spite of a disclaimer published in Saturday Vanguard, which stated emphatically that the suspect was not a member of MFM. He said: “The nanny in question, by her personal confession, did state that she is not a member and never worshipped in any branch of MFM. “She admitted to have been a member of one of the Pentecostal churches (name withheld) but has converted to a new religion (name withheld) on account of marriage. “It is, however, imperative for us to stress the fact that crimes of this nature and, indeed crimes generally, are neither denomination nor religion specific. So for anybody or group of persons to link the suspect with any church or religion on account of this crime is not only mischievous but uncharitable.”

I didn’t stop Henrietta from being an actress— FATHER

On Henrietta’s reunion with her parents, who described the five months of their daughter’s disappearance from home as the most trying times in their lives, they said the appearance of her

zHenrietta begs for forgiveness; gains admission into Delta Poly zAs nanny/kidnapper denies membership of MFM

Edo Police quiz traditional ruler over police rifle in his bedroom By Simon Ebegbulem

From left: Mrs Rosemary Otobo, Henrietta’s mother; Henrietta; Lagos Police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu; and Mr. Anthony Otobo, Henrietta’s father. picture in Vanguard of April 17, assured them that she was not dead. Her father, Mr. Anthony Otobo, refuted earlier claims by her daughter that he refused to give a nod of approval to her decision to become an actress. He said: “I am an accountant. I can never stop her from pursuing her life ambition of becoming an actress. If she wants to be an actress, it is okay by me. I do not think I will deny her such ambition if that is her destiny. “The result of the JAMB exam she took came out and she was offered admission into Delta State Polytechnic. “When we return home, I will

take her to our pastor because from what I read and heard, a lot of things happened where she was found.”

Police warning

While handing Henrietta over to her parents, the command’s spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, said it was in furtherance of the command’s effort to show that justice was fully done and the liberation of victim seen to be total, informing that effort to arrest others, who were involved in the kidnap saga, was still on. He advised parents to be security conscious and urged churches to provide safe places for children until services are over.

According to Henrietta, “ I did not leave home because my parents did not shower love on me. The true position is that I did not know that the love my parents used to give me could be found outside our home. Henrietta said: “I left home because I wanted to be on my own and I wanted freedom. I did not want to depend on anybody, so I went in search of a job. Unfortunately, I fell into wrong hands. “The kidnappers gave me everything. But I will not leave home again. I love my parents,” begging her parents to forgive her and that she was not kidapped by the family she was rescued from.

Randy robber set ablaze in Aba By Felix Ogbonna

BA—A mob has set ablaze a suspected member of a robbery gang terrorizing residents of 7-Up area of Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, has been set ablaze. Vanguard gathered that the gang of 12 was robbing an apartment in the area when the late robber attempted to rape a married woman, but was resisted by her husband. Luck ran out on him when the owner of the house and neighbours raised alarm, which attracted other villagers, who came to the rescue of the couple while the gang fled, leaving behind the randy member. A resident of the area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that while the suspect tried to escape, other members of the community seized him, tied him up and later

set him ablaze. The source said the gang had been terrorizing residents of the area, raping women and dispossessing them of cash and other valuables. When contacted, Abia State

Police Public Relations Officer, Ezekiel Onyeke, who confirmed the incident, said before policemen from nearby Ohuru Isimiri Division could get to the scene, the villagers had already set the suspected robber ablaze.

5 burnt to death in Ogun accident By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—TRAGEDY struck in Mowe/Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Wednesday night, as five persons, including drivers and motor boys, reportedly got burnt beyond recognition. The victims, according to findings were occupants of the two trailers, which had a head-on collision in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State axis of the expressway. It was gathered that a stationary

truck caused traffic congestion along the axis, so a petrol-laden trailer en route Sagamu from Lagos, drove against traffic to manoeuvre his way through and had a head-on collision with a trailer conveying granite from Abeokuta, heading towards Lagos, which reportedly resulted in an inferno. Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Commander Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the victims' remains had been deposited at a Sagamu morgue.

ENIN—EDO State Police Command has arrested a traditional ruler at Sasaro, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state, following allegations that a police rifle was found in his bedroom. Vanguard learned that trouble started, Tuesday, when a member of the community, who works in a quarry company owned by some Lebanese, drowned in a river. His employers went to the community leaders to report the matter, but youths attacked them and the two police officers in their entourage escaped. They came back with reinforcement to rescue the expatriates, searched for and found one of their missing rifles in the traditional ruler’s bedroom. He was immediately arrested and taken to Igarra Police Station from where he was transferred to the state Police Headquarters, Benin, for further investigation. A source at the Command confirmed the arrest to Vanguard yesterday. However, the new police spokesman in the state, Stephen Onwochei, said he had not been briefed on the matter.

4 docked over membership of secret cult By Bartholomew Madukwe & Jane Echewodo

OLICE in Lagos, yesterday, arraigned four men before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in the state, over alleged membership of an unlawful society, called Aiye Confraternity, a secret cult. The accused persons are Jamiu Bashorun, 26; Salami Bashorun, 27; Gbadebo Sadiq, 22 and Gbenro Oduwale, 32. Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties that are to be blood related and must show evidence of three years tax payment. The matter was adjourned till June 11.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, & Emman Ovuakporie

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, cut off funding for fuel subsidy in the N4.493 trillion 2015 budget it passed. Meanwhile, the final figure passed was N135.4 billion higher than the N4,357,960,000,000 proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan when he presented the budget proposal to the National Assembly through Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in November 2014. In the proposal approved by the House, outgoing President Jonathan and other former presidents and vice-presidents are to be maintained with N2.3 billion, while N11.755 billion is for improved remuneration package for Nigerian police. The budget, was passed following a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the Committee on Appropriation. The budget was passed on the basis of oil sales at $53 per barrel, production estimate of 2.2782 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of N190/US dollar. The budget is pegged on a deficit of N1,075.303 trillion, representing 1.12 percent as deficit/GDP. Breakdown of the final amount passed showed that N375.616 billion is for statutory transfer; N953.620 is for debt service; N2,607,132,491,708 is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, while the N556,995,465,449 is for capital expenditure in statutory transfer, inclusive of N144.420 billion for contribution to the development fund capital expenditure.

Sparks controversy

The approval, however, immediately generated controversy as there was no provision for fuel subsidy, which last year was pegged at N200 billion. Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, condemned the development and described as paltry the provision of N21 billion for SURE-P. Bamidele said: “While I commend the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for passing the 2015 budget as proposed by the executive arm of government, I wish to place on record my own concern as a patriot and stakeholder in our national quest for good governance and democratic transformation. “Regrettably, no provision was made in the 2015 Appropriation Act for fuel subsidy. Other than a reduced amount of N21 billion for SURE-P, no other provision was made in the budget for subsidized welfare services. “The most worrisome for me is the absence of provision for continued fuel subsidy. The grave political and economic implications must not be lost on all stakeholders. “This is more so when a new

VISIT: From left— Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatahi Ahmed of Kwara State and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), President-elect, during a visit of Kwara State's delegation to Buhari in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Reps cut off funding for fuel subsidy in 2015 budget zN2.3bn for Jonathan, former presidents, vice presidents; amnesty, N63bn zNational Assembly funding raised from N115 bn to N120bn; N21bn for SURE-P ruling party is coming into power by May 29.

National Electoral Commission.

Ministries' breakdown ‘Booby trap’

“To my mind, this is definitely a booby trap for the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari and I hope All Progressives Congress, APC, as the incoming ruling party will understand the full implications of this and take immediate steps to let Nigerians know where it stands on this matter. “For the record and for posterity purposes, I am opposed to this sudden removal of fuel subsidy and I implore Nigerian patriots to be aware.”

NDDC, UBE gain

Under statutory transfers, Niger Delta Development Commission’s allocation was raised from N45.780 billion to N46.720 billion; Universal Basic Education’s allocation was raised from N67.3 billion to N68.380 billion; National Assembly’s allocation was raised from N115 billion to N120 billion; Public Complaint Commission’s allocation was raised from N2 billion to N4 billion, while National Human Right Commission’s allocation was raised from N1.2 billion to N1.516 billion. Meanwhile, the House retained N73 billion for the National Judicial Council and N62 billion for Independent

The breakdown shows that N153,330,022,460 is for Interior; N69,423,427,479 is for Youth Development; N62,226,771,999 is for office of the National Security Adviser; N58,274,429,975 is for Petroleum Resources; N48,389,942,264 is for Secretary to the Government of the Federation; N41,649,382,166 is for Foreign Affairs, while N31,869,020,717 is for Agriculture and Rural Development. While N26,590,103,366 is for Science and Technology; N25,173,916,543 is for Works; N23,682,420,241 is for Information; N20,085,865,120 is for Presidency; N18,081,478,935 is for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; N15,559,334,341 is for Environment; N10,941,859,480 is for Trade and Investment while N10,592,048,381 is for Communication Technology.

Parastatals

From N13,965,664,092 approved for the eight federal executive bodies, N5,293,800,054 is for National Population Commission; N1,935,767,344 is for Code of Conduct Bureau; N493,656,088 is for Code of Conduct Tribunal; N2,207,213,456 is for Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission; N1,125,005,114 is for Federal Civil Service Commission;

N740,477,185 is for Police Service Commission, while N2,167,931,068 is for Federal Character Commission. From N231,058,494,343 approved for Service Wide Votes, N20.270 billion is for Zaman Lafiya; N22 billion is for operations, internal, for the Armed Forces; N9.6 billion is for payment to Nigerian Army Quick Response Group, including arrears; N5 billion is for payment of outsourced services; N2.3 billion is for entitlements of former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chiefs of General Staff; N5.5 billion is for Employees Compensation Act— Employees Compensation Fund; N17.5 billion is for General Election logistic support; N17,397,993,277 is for Contingency;

WAEC gets N6bn

Six billion naira is for country’s contribution to West African Examination Council, WAEC; N4.5 billion is for assessed contribution to African Union and others; N5 billion is for margin for increases in costs; N11 billion is for external financial obligations; N3,099,600,000 is for recurrent adjustment; N38,987,017,746 is for public service wage adjustment for MDAs (including arrears of promotion and salary increases), while N11.755 billion is for improved remuneration package for Nigerian police.

Retirees

N60,251,158,887 is for payment into the redemption fund; N18 billion is for arrears of 33% increase in pension rates; N3.750 billion for arrears of police death benefits (2004-2010); N14,690,036,516 for Group Life Insurance for all MDAs including DSS; N1 billion for Armed Forces enhanced retirement benefits of Commodores and above; N2.995 billion for severance benefits of Delta Steel Company/Pension pay-off; N3,544,110,811 is for NHIS (Military retirees), while N36 million is for administration and monitoring of (OHCSF) Group Life. From N63,281,093,786 earmarked for amnesty programme, the stipends and allowances of 30,000 Niger Delta ex-militants is to gulp N23.625 billion; N5,502,447,783 is for Presidential amnesty operational cost; N34,153,646,003 is for reintegration of transformed exmilitants, while zero allocation is for reinsertion/transition safety allowances for 3,642 ex-militants (phase 3). According to the report, N498,428,999,699 was set aside for capital expenditure of various ministries, departments and agencies in addition to N144.420 billion as capital expenditure in statutory transfers. From N953.62 billion approved for debt servicing, N894.610 billion is for domestic debt, while N59.010 is for foreign debts.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 9

CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT: Senators, Presidency head for showdown By Johnbosco Agbakwuru Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Joseph Erunke

BUJA—AS the Presidency drags the National Assembly to the Supreme Court seeking an order to nullify all the proposed amendments to the 1999 constitution, majority of senators said yesterday that they were ready to meet the presidency in court. Members of the House of Representatives on their part insisted that the lawmakers met the constitutional requirements on the process. President Goodluck Jonathan meantime has asked the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal to halt moves by members of the National Assembly to go ahead with the constitution amendment process. The senators, who reacted to the suit filed by the President to nullify the amendments carried out on the constitution promised to apply for an accelerated hearing when the National Assembly is served with court processes so that the matter would be dispensed with before the end of the 7th senate. Besides, the senators said as they were waiting to be served the court processes, the Presidency should return the original copy of the bill sent to it. Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East), said the decision of the Presidency to challenge the constitution amendment in court was a good development. He also said that the action of President Goodluck Jonathan was an indication that he (Jonathan) was a patriotic Nigerian interested in the good of the country. He, however, faulted the time it took the Presidency to raise objection to certain aspects of the amendment, stressing that it would be the duty of the court to determine whether the National Assembly followed the required legal procedure in the amendment process. He said: “I do not at all quarrel when anybody goes to court, I quarrel when you start calling press conferences and abusing the other party. Was the Presidency not party or aware when these matters were available for public hearing? Did they come for the public hearing to make any of the points they are making in court.'' ''I will refuse to see the action of the presidency as a slight because this is what we passed, the Supreme Court Additional Jurisdiction Act, it is only that it is coming too late in the day, but we should apply for accelerated hearing; it is not a slight, I don’t see it that way even though some of my colleagues

may see it that way. “At every stage during the hearing of the matter, the Attorney General, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Special Adviser to Mr President on National Assembly Affairs, all of them were there at the various hearing. “But at the same time, if the President feels that the provisions in the constitution amendment is going to whittle down the powers of the executive and that he is not going to leave a weak or embattled executive and he is challenging it, I think it is a show of faith in the country that he does not want to leave a burden on the incoming government. “He is still acting as a statesman up to the end in his belief that the legislature does not have this power or cannot whittle down the power of the Executive; that is one aspect that I will credit him for.” “Therefore, I am happy that the president having doubts about the powers of the legislature to do what it has done, has not resorted to press

VISIT: President -Elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Senate President, David Mark during a congratulatory visit by the Senate President to Buhari in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. attack on the legislature, he has sent a letter to the legislature and at the same time has approached the court to declare whether or not the legislature is right in the

procedure adopted and in the subject matter. The Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, said it was regrettable that the Presidency

had taken the present path, even when it had the opportunity, during the public hearing, to raise any objections on the amendment for the purpose of engagement.

Landmine blast kills soldier, three vigilantes in Sambisa Forest

IGERIAN troops were forced to retreat from Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold in the restive northeast after a landmine blast killed one soldier and three vigilantes, security sources said yesterday. Military top brass said on Wednesday that soldiers were conducting offensives “in some forest locations” in the area after it was announced last week that operations were imminent. The Sambisa Forest is located in Borno state, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the town of Chibok, from where more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in April last year. It has been claimed the 219 schoolgirls still being held were initially kept in the former game reserve, although others have said they may have been split up and moved to Chad or Cameroon. Defence spokesman Chris Olukolade said in a statement that a senior Boko Haram commander was killed, as well as a number of militants who attacked a patrol. “The operations especially in forest locations are progressing in defiance of obstacles and landmines emplaced by the terrorists,” he added. But progress has been severely

hindered because of improvised explosive devices, a civilian vigilante involved in the operation told AFP in an account backed by a security source. “Boko Haram have buried landmines all over the routes leading to their camps in the forest, which is no doubt a huge obstacle retarding the military offensive against them,” he told AFP. Troops withdrew just five kilometres from Boko Haram’s main camp in the densely forested area because of landmines. “We decided to turn back since the route was unsafe. As we were driving back, one of the vehicles carrying CJTF (Civilian Joint Task Force) hit a mine,” he added. “A soldier and three CJTF were killed while another soldier was injured. We trudged along and made it back to Bama on Wednesday.” The vigilante added: “There are no soldiers in Sambisa right now. We all returned to Bama after the horrifying experience of manoeuvring through minefields.” There was no immediate response from the military, which with its military coalition partners Chad, Niger and Cameroon has driven out Boko Haram from captured towns in recent weeks.

“Boko Haram are in large numbers in Sambisa,” said the vigilante, who requested anonymity for security reasons. “All their fighters who were pushed out of Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Damboa (in Borno state) all moved to Boko Haram camps in Sambisa,” he added. According to residents of Kalabalge, who fled to the

Cameroon town of Fotokol, Boko Haram fighters have taken over the Borno state town, which is near Nigeria’s border with Chad. Thousands of Shuwa Arabs, who are from the same ethnic group as many Chadian soldiers have been pushed out of the area since the Nigerian army seized the group’s headquarters in Gwoza last month.

REPS SPEAKER: Don't short-change South West, group warns

HE zonal leadership of the All progressives Congress, APC in the South West had been cautioned against any step that would undermine the other states of the South-West in favour of Lagos State. According to a release by a group known as the Progressive Coalition Alliance, with Lagos having clinched the second highest office of the land as Vice President, it will be uncharitable for the next legislative office zoned to the South West to be allocated to Lagos State again. The group, according to its spokesperson, Kareem Azeez claims that there are capable and competent hands who can occupy the office of Speaker of the House of Representative from outside Lagos State.

One of such able legislators according to the release is Mr Israel Ajibola Famurewa, representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency covering Ilesa East, Ilesa West, Atakumosa West and Atakumosa East of Osun State. Famurewa is a returning member to the House of Representatives. According to the group, Famurewa remained a consistent and loyal party man who had remained a stabilizing factor not only in Ijesa land but throughout Osun State and indeed the whole of the South West. ''In all the committees where Famurewa served in the 7th Assembly, he had seized every opportunity to see to the infrastructural development of all states in the geo-political zone.''

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Airtel unites Afrobeat brothers, Seun, Femi Kuti

AGOS–HISTORY will be made this weekend as the Kuti brothers; Seun and Femi, will perform together in a live musical concert for the first time ever in their musical careers. The famous duo, who are sons of the late legendary Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will be headlining ‘2 Kings’, a musical concert sponsored by l e a d i n g telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria. The show, which is slated to hold at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island on Friday, April 24, 2015, will feature red carpet with top-notch media blitz befitting a five-star event and is expected to attract top players in the industry, stakeholders, members of the diplomatic corps, and the crème-de-la-crème of the society. In addition, the launch of Seun Kuti’s 7-track album, ‘A long way to the beginning’ will form a major highlight of this epic event which not only pays tribute to the great works of Fela but also echoes the popularity of this genre of music in Nigeria and beyond. Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Maurice Newa explained that the Telco is committed to enriching the lives of its customers by living their passion and bringing them activities that will continually put smiles on their faces.

SYNAGOGUE: Collapsed building’s debris enough for investigation – EXPERT By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—DEPUTY President of the Nigerian Institute of Engineers and member of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Mr Oreoluwa Fadayomi, yesterday told a Lagos State Coroners Court investigating the September 12, 2014 collapsed guest house at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), that the debris of the collapsed building was enough to determine the causes of failure. “If I had visited the scene earlier than the time I did, I would have had better material to carry out a better investigation into the incident. As at the time I got to the scene of the failed structure, members of the collapsed building body were already disjointed. What we saw on ground was however enough to determine the causes of failure,” he said. Testifying before the Coroner’s Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, Fadayomi noted that there could be errors in the technical report he submitted to the coroner, but it could only be typographical and not technical. During cross examination by lawyer to SCOAN, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, the engineer explained that he visited the scene of the

LAUNCHING: From right: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Commissioner of Transport; Prince Tajudeen Adetoro, President, Lagos State Taxi Cab Association of Nigeria and Mr. Adegboye Ajakaiye, Chairman, Modern Cab Association, during the Launch of New Lagos Taxi System and Distribution of Taxi Licence to Operators, at LTV-8, Ikeja, Lagos. collapsed building seven months after it had collapsed (March 5, 2015). On the legality of BCPG , Fadayomi said he was only aware that the society is properly registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). At the last hearing of the matter, former chairman of the defunct Nigerian Geo-technical Association, Joseph Folayan, had revealed that the guest house belonging to SCOAN did not collapse as a result of foundation defects. Folayan who had equally punctured the report tendered by

LASRRA captures 3m Lagos residents in two years By Monsur Olowoopejo

AGOS—GENERAL Manager of the Lagos State Resident Registration Agency, L ASRRA, Ms. Olayinka Fashola, yesterday lamented the low turn-out of Lagosians for the residents registration exercise, saying “of the over 20 million

residents of the state, only three million have been captured since the exercise started two years ago.” Meantime, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje said the government has installed Information Technology Centres, ICT in 100 police stations across the state,

Disasters displace 2, 169 Lagosians in one year – LASG By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, disclosed that at least 2, 169 persons were displaced by disasters which occurred in the state in a year from January 2014. Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Adewale Ahmed and General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu, disclosed this at the 2015 ministerial briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. Ahmed said of the total number 1, 662 persons were displaced in 2014 while 507 persons were displaced in 2015 so far.

the Lagos State Material Testing Agency which claimed in its Structural Integrity Test(SIT) on the building that the collapse which led to the death of 116 persons was caused by a defective foundation, stressed that the materials used for the foundation base was adequate for the structure. “The collapse of the building of the Synagogue Church did not occur as a result of foundation failure. There could not have been overloading because the strength of the soil based on the exhibit before the court can carry that load,” Fadayomi stated.

“The state government disbursed N35, 319, 000 as financial assistance to victims of disasters in 2014 while N17, 422, 900 was expended on the feeding and provision of relief materials for the displaced persons during the year under review. And N43, 612, 000 was expended on procuring personal protective equipments for the agency personnel’s’ and the 57 Local emergency management committees.” He stated. Oke-Osanyintolu, said that 800 victims were transferred to the Agbowa and the Igando relief Camps in Ikorodu and Alimosho Local Governments in 2014, adding “at this centres, the state

government worked on their psyche and social welfare and others.” The LASEMA boss explained; “We ensure that the Internally Displaced People, IDP, that have been camped by us, are stabilized psychologically and physically before they were released from the camps.” Oke-Osainyintolu stressed that the state government often embarks on simulation exercise to improve on response time to disaster scene, saying; “Through this, we discovered that there is need for construction of hospitals in the relief camps and we have done this.” He added that the agency

aimed at addressing delay in state’s justice system. They spoke at the annual ministerial press briefing held in Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, which also had in attendance the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji. Fashola noted, “Many residents of the state were so busy that we had to sometimes visit them in their offices to register them.” Explaining the importance of the information gathered, she said “from the information we gathered from the registration, we discovered that more Lagosians board the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT buses than those who drive their cars.” Fashola added that through it, “ we discovered that a greater percentage of Lagos resident now travel by water than what it used to be few years ago.” The agency was established two years ago to provide accurate data of the residents in the state. The general manager however dispelled allegation of mass retrenchment in the registration agency.

Lagos NLC elects Korodo Chairman By Kelechi Azubuike

AGOS State zonal chairman of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural gas workers (NUPENG) Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo was yesterday elected chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Lagos council. He was elected unopposed by delegates. Before the election, factional President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in a statement read on his behalf by Comrade Ismail Bello told the delegates that “As Comrades we must work together at all levels to restore the belief and confidence of the working people in the NLC as the bastion of hope for the masses and as the strong voice for the voiceless people in our country.” “I therefore urge all state councils and all our members across the states to remain focused and committed to the lofty but attainable goal of restoring and reclaiming all lost grounds. The labour movement should be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of not only members/ affiliates but must always be ready to provide alternative sociopolitical and economic policy framework that will help to galvanize increased productivity and shared prosperity for the mass of our people”. In his acceptance speech, the new chairman Alhaji Korodo said; “I want to reiterate the commitment of the ‘Council’ under my leadership as chairman of NLC Lagos State to vigorously maintaining peace and harmony in the workplace and most importantly, promote, project and protect the rights of Nigerian worker against any form of oppression and suppression.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—11

Court halts Fayose’s impeachment By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, set aside all actions and activities of the factional former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmakers from November 21, 2014 till date, including the purported commencement of impeachment proceedings and notice alleging misconduct against the State Governor, Ayodele Fayose and his Deputy, Dr Olusola Eleka. Justice E. Chukwu gave the ruling on an Exparte Application in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/361/15 filed by the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Dele Olugbemi and six other Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmakers. The judge also granted plaintiffs in the suit leave to serve the originating summons on the defendants through newspaper advertisements. Olugbemi and six others had filed the suit, seeking an order of the court declaring the seats of 19 lawmakers vacant having abdicated their functions since November 21, 2014 and also an order restraining the police from aiding, abetting or assisting the lawmakers from carrying out any illegal act. Apart from Omirin and the APC legislators, also joined as defendants in the suit are the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Hearing of the motion on

notice has been adjourned till May 13. Meantime, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has expressed its opposition to any move by the lawmakers to impeach Fayose, saying the people of the state must be allowed to enjoy the mandate freely given to the governor The monarchs, however, commended the maturity of the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, for maintaining neutrality in the crisis. The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the state has noted that the crisis generated over the impeachment saga was blown out of proportion by the opposition. In a statement by its Chairman and the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola, in

Ado Ekiti, yesterday, said any move to impeach Fayose at this point in time would create a negative image on the state and its people. The traditional rulers, however, called on the governor to be magnanimous by paying the outstanding salaries and entitlements of the lawmakers. In another development, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has expressed concern that the crisis created by the impeachment plot against Mr Fayose was blown beyond proportion by members of the opposition. Wabba, who was represented by Com. Babatunde Liadi, observed that the erroneous impression created in the minds of the outsiders on the

impeachment saga was that the state was in a serious crisis and that the much needed peace has eluded the state. ”When I was to come to Ekiti to preside over this election, I was skeptical because I thought the state was under serious crisis. “But when I got here, I saw that everywhere was peaceful, so I began to think about the impression political actors had created about Ekiti to the outside world. But I want to commend Governor Fayose for handling the matter maturely. “I want to believe that the maturity must have created the peace being enjoyed by citizens of the state.” While welcoming the labour leaders to the state, Fayose described the workers as harbingers of peace and pillars of his government.

NLC STATE CONGRESS: From left: Comrade Oluyemisi Ibuoye from Abuja, Representative of NLC Chairman; Comrade Ladi Babatunde; Ekiti State Governor Mr Ayodele Fayose; Head of Service, Mr Gbenga Faseluka and Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, during the NLC state Congress in Ekiti state,yesterday. Pic by Dare Fasube.

Ondo CJ constitutes probe panel on deputy gov’s impeachment By Dayo Johnson

KURE—THE process that may end in the impeachment of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, kicked off yesterday as a seven-member probe panel was constituted by the state Chief Judge, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi. This is coming as the state PDP accused the deputy governor of shopping for a judge to manipulate the ongoing impeachment process against him and procure an illegal injunction to stall the plan. The seven-man panel has a retired Chief Magistrate, Mr Olatunji Stanley Adeniyan, as Chairman. Other members of the panel include Mr Aladesanmi Akingbade, Barr. Ademola Ekundayo, Ven. Richard Obafemi, Mr Abraham Kola Mathew, Alhaji Ibrahim

Shodeinde and Mrs Eunice Yinka Obadele. Constituting the probe panel at the premises of the state High Court, the Chief Judge, Justice Kumuyi, said it was in response to the House of Assembly's directive in a letter dated April 23, 2015. Justice Kumuyi noted that it was “in line with the provision of section 188(5) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I have set up a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor as required by the constitution. Meanwhile, the PDP in the state has alleged that some members of the All Progressives Congress APC, also “at a meeting in Lagos, decided that in line with its penchant for propaganda, agreed to begin to churn out false information about the state government, the state House of Assembly and its members in order to

discredit the system and the process of the impeachment." To this end, the party said, “the deputy governor and his party have secured the understanding of a GSM service provider which will assist in disseminating false information about the impeachment process in order to discredit it.” The party's Publicity Secretary, Banji Okunomo, said that the “evil plans will fail and the law will eventually take its natural cause on the impeachment of the deputy governor.” Okunomo pointed out that “what the House of Assembly is doing is constitutional and due process is being followed in the impeach-

ment process” It will be recalled that the state PDP had earlier alerted of the plot by the APC to unleash terror on the state to prevent the impeachment of the deputy governor. It alleged plan by the APC to import youths from neighboring states to cause mayhem and disrupt the peace in the state under the guise of protesting against the government in support of the deputy governor.

Court strikes out petition against Ogun PDP candidate By Daud Olatunji

B E O K U TA — A N Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday, struck out a petition filed by the People Democratic Party candidate of the House of Representatives in Ogun Waterside/ Ijebu North and Ijebu East Federal constituency, Tele Ogunjobi, following the withdrawal of the suit by the plaintiff. Justice S. A Olugbemi, of the High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, while ruling on the experte motion, struck out the motion saying it was not filed in accordance with the rule of the court. Ogunjobi had approached the state High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode to challenge alleged snatching of the mandate given to him during the primary election which he claimed he won, but, was given to another person. The plaintiff dragged the PDP, the state Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo and Mr. Adesegun Abdulmojeed Adekoya before the court for alleged illegal substitution of his name with Adekoya's. In the suit, Ogunjobi urged the court to declare him the legally elected candidate into the House of Representatives having won the primary election held at Ogbere townhall on December 6 2014 by 33 votes.

Mama Enuiyin dies at 94

AMA Esther Ajoke Enuiyin is dead. She was aged 94. She will be buried on April 25, 2015 after a service at St Stephen Anglican Church, Iju, Ondo State. This will be preceded by a Christian wake on today at her residence, 32, Ifofin Street, Iju. Among her surviving children are Mrs Foluke Ajibulu (JP), Engr. Sunday Ibitoye Enuiyin, Mrs Bose Micha and Mrs Toyin Olowa.

Late Mama Enuiyin

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Bayelsa communities slam militant group over threat notice to SPDC Y

By Emem Idio

E N A G O A— I D U W I N I communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have distanced themselves from a purported threat by a militant group, Iduwini Volunteer Force, IVF, to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to vacate Ijaw communities or face unrest, over the alleged termination in 2008, of a surveillance contract Shell had with the community. The communities, through the President of Iduwini National Movement, Mr. Forcados Kingsley, condemned the purported threat, stressing that Iduwini Volunteer Force, IVF, was not a known group in Iduwini Kingdom. Kingsley, in a statement, said that while there was a surveillance contract between SPDC and Iduwini National Movement in 2007, the contract was terminated in 2008, adding that the refusal of SPDC to renew the said surveillance contract with INM since 2008 was the cause

the current tension in the area which some dissident elements were trying to capitalise on to perpetrate evil. He said: “The Iduwini

Volunteer Force does not represent the interest of Iduwini communities. Iduwini communities that have contract with SPDC are

informed enough with properly constituted leaderships to address such issues when they arise and will not resort to issuing threats.”

CONDOLENCE: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (L), and Mrs Oronto Douglas, when the governor paid a condolence visit to the Oronto family in Abuja.

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: AFBA vows to drag S-African govt before UN Security Council By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE African Bar Association, AFBA, has threatened to file criminal

charges against the South African Government before the United Nations Security Council, if it fails to stop the xenophobic attacks against

other Africans in that country. The association, in a statement by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo, demanded the South African Government

SEPLAT clarifies dividend policy for Nigerian shareholders

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc has clarified its dividend payment policy to Nigerian shareholders in the wake of news reports that the company was insisting on paying its Nigerian shareholders in dollars. The company which is listed on the London and Nigerian stock exchanges made the clarification in a statement by its General Counsel, Dr. Mirian Kachikwu which described the seeming confusion as a “simple misunderstanding.” According to Kachikwu, “We are constrained to publicly clarify our dividend payment policy and set the records straight against the backdrop of recent media reports, obviously on the ground of a simple misunderstanding. "Seplat has a diverse shareholder base and we pay dividends to our diverse shareholders in compliance with applicable Nigerian laws and regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, our final dividend for the full year 2014,

following shareholder approval, on June 2, 2015, will be paid in naira, as applicable, to our Nigerian shareholders on June 10 2015.” Dr. Kachikwu pointed out that the misunderstanding had arisen from an act of magnanimity on the part of Seplat which was applauded by

shareholders but which is now being criticized. “The slight confusion must have arisen when we paid our interim dividend in November 2014. We had given relevant ‘Nigerian’ shareholders who have domiciliary accounts the option of receiving their dividends in US dollars."

Group urges Delta APC to overhaul state exco interested in going to the press By Festus Ahon

SABA—A LEADER of Delta APC Democratic Forum, Mr Fred Nwajei, has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to overhaul the Delta State executive of the party as a panacea to resolving the seeming crisis rocking the party in the state. Nwaojei, a chieftain of APC in Aniocha North, in a statement, said: “We are very concerned about the twists and turns in the affairs of our political party, the APC in Delta State. It is sad to note that the party is more

to wash its dirty linens in public, than doing what it is supposed to do. “We recall that at the inception of the party in Delta State, there was a gang-up against the former ACN state chairman, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, which was the strongest party in the legacy parties that formed the APC. The APC did not think of building a united and strong political party, but spent all its time then, sowing seeds of disharmony. “It is interesting to know that all those who took sides against Okotie-Eboh then, are now daggers-dawn against each other on the pages of newspapers."

to pay adequate compensation to the affected persons and ensure that those involved in the killings were prosecuted. Noting that the xenophobic attack was the latest in the frequent attacks on foreigners in South African, AFBA said: “It is very sad that the South African Government has been reluctant to deal decisively with these criminal acts and this has emboldened the miscreants to further desecrate the African hospitality and brotherhood. “AFBA will not hesitate to file criminal complaints against the South African Government if concrete actions are not taken to bring the perpetrators to justice because the wave of attacks on fellow Africans is wicked and a total negation of the traditional African hospitality.”

NDDC chairman eulogises Chukwumerije

HE Chairman of the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, Senator Bassey EwaHenshaw, has eulogised the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije for his intellectual and physical athleticism which, he said, were transferred unto his children. In a message to the family of the deceased, Senator Ewa-Henshaw, who served in the Senate between 2003 and 2011, said it was his pleasure to cross the path of the late senator and Information Minister. “He was a great man, very intelligent and astute. It was when I went to his house that I realised that he trained all his children to be athletic, all of them are black belt holders. “I think that explains why he was intellectually athletic as he was physically athletic," EwaHenshaw said.

Pa Uduaghan for burial

Samuel Uduaghan is dead, aged 73. Until his death, he was the administrative head of the Uduaghan dynasty and a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Burial holds May 16, 2015 in his village, Abigborodo. He is survived by a widow, eight children, grand children and relatives. A

Late Pa Uduaghan

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—13

Delta Assembly summons two commissioners over land allocation By Festus Ahon

SABA—PEEVED by the way lands were being allocated in the state, Delta State House of Assembly, yesterday, summoned the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr Misan Ukubeyinje, to appear before it today, to explain details of allocation of lands in the state in the past four years. Also summoned is the immediate past commissioner in the ministry, Sir Patrick Ferife. The Commissioners are to appear before the five- man ad-hoc committee setup on Tuesday by the House, following a motion to that effect brought under matters of urgent public importance by the Chairman, House Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Martin Okonta. Secretary of the Committee, Judith Nwaka, in a statement, said the former Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Ferife, was expected to give details of allocation of lands during his tenure in the ministry. Present commissioner in charge of the ministry, Ukubeyinje, was requested to appear before the committee with 15 copies of all relevant documents that would assist the committee in its findings.

To appear along side the commissioner are the General Manager, Urban and Regional Planning, the Surveyor-General in the ministry, the Director, Lands and Secretary, Land Allocation Committee, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Urban Development.

House, Johnson Erijo, in a

Fiscal Responsibility bill motion, had moved for the passed into law second reading of the bill which Meanwhile, a bill for a law to amend the Delta State Fiscal Responsibility Law has been passed by the House. The passage of the bill followed its third reading at yesterday’s plenary. Deputy Majority Leader of the

was item five in the order paper of the yesyerday’s session. Erijo, in another motion moved for suspension of the House rules 77 to 84 to enable it take the third reading of the bill and subsequent passage. Both motions were unanimously adopted.

OLOIBIRI LECTURE SERIES: From left: Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor; Group Coordinator, Corporate Strategy and Planning, NNPC, Dr Timothy Okon; Council Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers in Nigeria, Mr Emeka Ene; Manager, Gas Commercial, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr Yemi Akinlawon and Representative of the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr David Ige, at the 2015 Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Summit in Abuja, yesterday.

NBA tasks security agencies on slain chairman

By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called on security agencies to ensure that the killing of its Ughelli Chairman, Mr. Austin Icheghe, was not swept under the carpet. NBA President, Chief Augustine Alegeh, SAN, during a condolence visit to the Icheghe family, yesterday in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, in company of other branch chairmen, within and outside Delta State, described the late Icheghe as a young lawyer who had high hopes and aspirations for the law profession. Describing his death as saddening, Alegeh said: “The killing of our colleague is senseless and a sad reminder of the state of insecurity in the country. We are in touch with the government, the state Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Security in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book. “As an association, we will set up a coordinating team to put pressure and work with the security agencies in ensuring that the matter is not swept under the carpet because the failure of security in a society is

tantamount to a failure in governance. “There will also be a threeman Board of Trustees to man an Endowment Fund that would be setup by the

association in honour of the family.” Responding on behalf of the Icheghe family and the Ughelli NBA, the Vice Chairman of the branch, Mr Joseph Ogedegbe

applauded the NBA President and his entourage for associating with them in their time of grief.

Edo govt, workers in war of words over unpaid salaries By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—IT was a shouting bout between the Edo State Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties, Mr. Didi Adodo, who represented Governor Adams Oshiomhole, at the Ayuba Waba faction of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC state delegate conference and government workers, over unpaid salaries. The state government had insisted that it was not owing workers in the state any salary, saying that it had always met its obligations to the workers at the end of every month. However, Secretary of the NonAcademic Staff Union, NASU of tertiary institutions in Edo State, Mr. Samson Enowonbor, refuted the claim, insisting that the government was owing the College of Education, Ekiadolor;

College of Education Igueben, College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi and Institute of Management Technology, Usen over four months salaries. This came on the heels of the allegation by the factional President of the NLC, Mr. Joe

Ajaero, that the Adulwaheed Umar-led NLC failed to account for the N3 bilion mopped up from workers and retired citizens of Nigeria from the Kriston Lally Housing Scam.

Okpe leaders insist on Igbuya as DTHA speaker Sapele, said that Igbuya

KPE political leaders have recognised the contributions of the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya, to the progress of the kingdom, describing him as a patriot. Igbuya, who is also the National Vice-Chairman of Urhobo Political Forum, UPF, was re-elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The leaders who spoke in

deserved to be the next Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly because of his sterling performance, experience and integrity. The leaders praised him for upholding the tenets of good governance and championing the cause of Okpe people. Speaking after a meeting in Sapele, they said “The only person who can truly lead the Assembly in the spirit of one Delta is Igbuya, considering his wealth of experience and performance.”

Delta NLC warns Okowa against bloated work force By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—REELECTED Chairman of Delta State chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Williams Akporeha, has warned the incoming government in the state against a bloated work force for the sake of creating jobs, saying that such disposition will impede the administration’s will to deliver meaningful development to the people. Akporeha, yesterday at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, where he was re-elected, told the incoming state government to be headed by Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa: “Successful economies in the world are driven by collaboration between labour, government and the private sector. I, therefore, urge the incoming government that even though we need jobs, we won’t get jobs by having a bloated work force."

N-Delta women flay hate campaign against Otuaro By Tony Nwankwo

IGER Delta Women Forum, NDWF, in the South-West has said that the hate campaign published in a weekly magazine against Delta State DeputyGovernor-elect, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, was baseless, provocative and an unnecessary attempt to distract him from facing the task ahead. In a statement in Lagos, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Miss Lynda Magada, condemned the sponsors of the publication, saying that Otuaro’s background in religious affairs, professional competence and leadership qualities in community service, endear him to the masses in Delta State to support his ambition.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

FG set to begin privatisation of BOA, BOI, NCX—Official

HE BUREAU of Pub lic Enterprises, BPE, has announced its plans to commence the privatisation process of the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, Bank of Industry, BOI, and the Nigeria Commodity Exchange, NCX. This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the bureau’s Head, Public Communications, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe. National Council on Privatisation, NCP, had in 2014, approved the privatisation of three Development Finance Institutions in the country. According to the statement, NCP had approved the Financial Bid Opening for BOA, BOI as well as NCX. “The Council has directed BPE to immediately invite the pre-qualified bidders that met the benchmark scores of 75 per cent in the initial evaluation to proceed to the Financial Bid Opening Stage."

Nigeria to lose N2trn over low oil price — Oil majors By Michael Eboh

IL MAJORS in Nigeria, under the aegis of Oil Producer Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), yesterday, warned that Nigeria is at risk of losing $10 billion, about N2 trillion of its revenue from oil and gas in 2015, unless a significant improvement is recorded in the prices of crude oil in the international market. “We estimate that if crude oil prices average $53 per barrel in 2015, compared to $77.5 per barrel in 2014, the Federal Government of Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue will decline by an equivalent of $10 billion this year, or a gut-wrenching equivalent of 30 per cent,” said Elisabeth Proust, Chairperson of the OPTS. Proust, who was speaking at the Society for Petroleum Engineers’ (SPE) 2015 Oloibiri Lecture Series in Abuja, noted that the country has already started feeling the impact of the low oil price, as evident in the slowing down or outright cancellation of a number of infrastructure projects across the country. She further stated that low crude oil prices have signifi-

cantly reduced the level of investable funds of the operators, especially at a time when competition for investments is sharpening and has also made it very difficult for the Federal Government to meet its Joint Venture funding needs. She said, “In response to this challenging price environment, businesses are adding more rigour to cost optimisation programs to boost bottom line. However, most of the cost drivers in our industry are relatively inelastic in the short term — one to two years — due to existing contract commitment. “Additionally, in Nigeria, long contract approval times and other bureaucracy further slow any gains from cost adjustments to low crude oil prices.”

For the oil and gas industry to unlock its potentials and help position Nigeria to be able to attract the required investment, Proust maintained that the Federal Government has to create a conducive business environment, provide the necessary funding of joint ventures with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and ensure globally competitive fiscals and domestic gas process. According to Proust, unlocking the oil and gas industry’s potential could add about 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent production by 2020. Also speaking, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, emphasized

the need for the country to remain focus on issues that will ensure the survival and growth of the industry and the country. Okunbor, who was represented by Mr. Bayo Ojulari, General Manager, Development, Shell Nigeria, warned against unnecessary cost-cutting measures, as well as other unwholesome practices in our quest to cushion against the effect of low oil prices. He said, “In this period of low crude oil prices, we should make sure we do not squander the talents we have. Let us keep them, as they are essential. We should also avoid ultra-short term focus, whereby we plan and spend only for today.”

ACTING IGP: Police debunks report of confusion during hand-over By Emma Nnadozie

HE NIGERIA Police Force, yesterday, denied the reported scenario of confusion, drama and delay regarding the handing over ceremony to an Acting InspectorGeneral of Police stating that it was completely false and unsubstantiated. Force Public Relations Officer, Ag. Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said in a release that the handing over and taking over ceremony went on as planned and relevant briefs were turned in as expected. The Police spokesman further said that the only invitation sent out regarding the handing over ceremony was sent out at 1:44 pm via sms stating commencement of event for 3pm of same day. According to him, that Abba was said to have removed all

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his personal belongings before leaving office around 11:20pm is completely false. The retired IGP since closed from office on 21/4/15 long before the time stated in reports. “Three of the serving Deputy Inspectors-General of Police did not hold any emergency meeting as stated in the report. No such meeting took place as there was no cause for such. All the DIGs were in their offices waiting for the smooth transition. The stated scenario of confusion, drama and delay regarding the handing over ceremony is completely false and unsubstantiated. “The report revealed a lot of concocted false stories and mischievous insinuations which serve as misinformation to the public and also put the Nigeria Police Force and its leadership in a bad light,”the release stated.

CONFERENCE: From left, Mr. Charles Ojei, Director, Enterprise Business Team; Ms Morohunfolu Seton, Public Relations Executive, and Mr. Koye Sowemimo, Corporate & CE Marketing Manager, all of Samsung Electronics West Africa, at Mobile West Africa 2015 Conference, at Fourpoints by Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

We earned only N62m from Land Use Act —Edo Govt 50 feet that you are eligible to pay. We have then focused on ENIN CITY—THE Chair high net worth individual arman, Board of Internal Rev- eas. We have carried out asenue in Edo State, Chief Oseni Elamah, yesterday, disclosed that the state government has earned only N62million from the implementation and enforcement of the Land Use Charge law, saying the said amount was collected out of the N900 million assessment that had been carried out. Chief Elamah, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, said initial focus of the government was on high net worth individuals living in Government Reservation Area. He said: "We have spent huge amount of time and money in spite of the disinformation that has been there over time, to get people to understand what the law represents and how it works. "There are certain people that are exempted from the law. It is only when you have a property on a land that is above 50 feet by

By Simon Ebegbulem

sessment of over N900m, but what we have been able to get people to pay is not more than N62m."

Vanguard, FRIAY, APRIL 24, 2015—15

Imo PDP calls for cancellation of April 11 polls By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State has called for total cancellation of the governorship and House of Assembly elections on April 11, 2015 in the state. Chairman of the party, Chief Nnamdi Anyaehie, who made the call while briefing the press, yesterday, also explained that the party decided to make the plea after carefully studying the alleged monumental fraud orchestrated by All Progressives Congress, APC, during the poll. Some of the facts cited by the PDP leadership included the faulty card reader machines used in PDP strongholds, inducement of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officers to write results in favour of the APC. Another alleged sins cited by the PDP leadership was the falsification of poll results in Ezinihitte Mbaise and Oru East local government areas, thereby

up-turning the results scored by the PDP. “There was also the writing of results with non-customised result sheets, which party agents were forced to sign at gunpoint,

especially in Ideato North, Nkwerre, Ideato South, Oru West, Nwangele, Isu, Ikeduru and other areas,” Anyaehie said. The PDP also accused INEC of inconsistency in reducing the

number of the polling units earlier announced for the supplementary election scheduled for next Saturday. He said: “It beats our imagination why INEC should

give Ideato South a clean bill of health when there were reported cases of electoral violence in Umuobom, Ogboko, Umuchima, Obiohia, Isiekenesi and a number of other wards.”

N40 pump fuel price is my figure, not Buhari's, says David-West By Ola Ajayi

B A DA N — F O R M E R Petroleum Minister and Professor of Virology, Professor Tam David-West, has said there was never a time the Presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), said he would reduce the pump price of fuel to N40 per litre as reported some days ago. The don, who spoke with Vanguard in his residence in Ibadan, explained that the N40 per litre was his own preferred pump fuel price and should not have been attributed to Buhari. He said: “I wish to correct a wrong impression carried in the newspapers, entitled, “Buhari’ll reduce petrol to N40-David West.” I did not make such categorical statement and I’m sure that Gen. Buhari will agree with me that I

could not have made such a categorical statement. "Gen. Buhari and I have said it times without number that the phenomenon called subsidy is fraudulent. N40 per litre is my own figure which I have repeatedly used in all my writeups and interviews." However, while alluding to a comment made by a Texas professor, who said petrol should sell for N35 per litre, he said it was possible for the price of fuel to be reduced drastically if all four refineries were serviced to produce at maximum capacity, adding that for now, the refineries were performing at minimum capacity. One of the antidotes that could make life more comfortable for Nigerians, he said, was the complete removal of middlemen who import fuel, noting that fuel importation must stop.

ANAMBRA SOUTH: Ndukwe

goes to tribunal

By Clifford Ndujihe

HE ALL Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Anambra South senatorial candidate, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, has filed a petition at the Elections Tribunal in Awka, challenging the declaration of the People Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Mr. Andy Uba, as the winner of the election by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC. The petition, with suit number EPT/AWKA/S/12/ 2015, is seeking a declaration that the PDP candidate was not elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast at the March 28 National Assembly voters, and that the PDP candidate at the time of the election was not qualified to contest the said election. Ndukwe, who expressed firm belief that the tribunal will do justice in the matter is also praying the tribunal to declare him winner of the election. He said: “I have no doubt that the Tribunal is made up of a team of tested professionals, who will not only promote the rule of law, but will also seek to advance the frontiers of good democratic processes in Nigeria. Hence, my complete trust and belief that my mandate will be returned as expressly and as timely as possible."

“Nigeria can go directly to refinery owners. We have done it before during Buhari’s time.” When asked if he could serve in the petroleum sector if invited or recommend anyone who could be of service to Nigerians, the erudite professor said it was God "who directs him and leads him on what to do next. "In 1990, I wrote on sabotage theory of Nigeria’s refineries which was published by Vanguard. Our refineries can work, but some people sabotage the refineries. It is not because we don’t have Nigerians who can repair it and turn things around. If that fails, the people who built refineries can repair it. If people in government do it, there will be no more importation of fuel. “I respect Gen. Buhari because he has much integrity and I believe that he would be a good leader. It is true that expectations

of Nigerians are very high. No new leader can perform miracles. People should give him time and conducive atmosphere to perform. I don’t believe in 100 days in office, it is nonsense. If you are packing from one house to a new one, will 100 days be enough to settle down. How do you expect a sudden turn-around within 100 days when so much damage has been done for years. "But, it will not take too long before Nigeria would experience that change they crave for. Between the first six months and one year, people would feel that positive change,” he said. On the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan at the polls, he said he felt so happy that he lost, adding, “I have never supported him and I will not support him because I am an Ijaw man. His policies are very bad,” he maintained

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY , APRIL 24, 2015

2 killed in Awgbu road mishap By Obialunamma Nwadiogbu

KWULOBIA— TRAGEDY struck at Awgbu , Orumba North local government area of Anambra State yesterday as a tipper rammed into a market, killing two persons and injuring many. The accident also destroyed many shops and businesses. The two persons feared dead were among those hawking mangoes and other fruits as well as motorcycle riders along Awgbu-Umuawulu road . The dead, a mango hawker, identified as Mrs Theresa Maduako, and an Okada rider , Mr Chinaza Okoye-Nta , are both from Awgbu. A tipper driver on top speed was said to have lost control of the vehicle and rammed into shops at Eke Awgbu market on a busy market day with many hawkers. The truck with registration number Delta ASB 255 ZH, was said to be carrying sand. Its breaks allegedly failed, but eye witnesses said the driver was reckless. An eye witness , Mr Sunny Okoye filled with pains said after the driver lost control of the tipper in an effort to avoid a collision with a trailer off loading cement in one of the shops along the road skidded off the road, smashed into the market, injuring many and killing two on the spot.

John Igattah for burial

U R I A L CEREMONY of Sir John Igattah (Knight of Saint Mulumba, KSM), who passed on recently, aged 70, will commence today with a Christian wake-keep at his homeland, Uvuru in UzoUwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. Interment after a mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, will take place at his homeland, Uwenu-naUwani, Okasibi, Uvuru, tomorrow.

Late Sir John C M Y K

Enugu Assembly probes Chime, orders AG to submit account By Austin Ogwuda

NUGU—MEMBERS of Enugu State House of Assembly, yesterday, ordered the state Accountant-General, Mr. Paschal Okolie, to submit a detailed report to the House on income and expenditure of the state from January last year to date for necessary scrutiny. This latest development is a pointer that the last has not been heard of the lingering sour relationship between them and the executive arm, led by Governor Sullivan Chime, which political pundits believe is an outright probe of Chime’s administration that is expiring in a few weeks. The Accountant General was given up to next Monday to turn in the detailed account unfailingly. The Accountant General, who had been elusive, having failed to appear before the lawmakers, finally showed up yesterday, explaining that half of their members allowances in had been paid into the coffers of the Assembly. According to him, others will be paid. Also at yesterday’s sitting, members passed a vote of confidence in the speaker, Mr. Eugene Odo, while condemning the castigation by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, over the collective decisions of the House that eventually led to the ongoing face off between them and the executive. Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Lawrence Agbo, had on Sunday called for a public debate on the burning issues taken by the House which did not go down well with the executive. He said: “They (Executive) are angry because the House insisted that the water concession plan for 25 years be suspended.

‘’We stopped land allocation at International Conference Centre; construction of Park and Shop mall adjacent to the House of Assembly complex as well as land allocation at old Eastern Nigeria Industrial Centre at Zik, Avenue Enugu. “Other issues were probe of alleged fictitious award of contracts by Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, ENSUBEB, and request for cancellation of land allocation to individuals around the 3-arms

zone of the state, all done in public interest”. The speaker ’s Chief Press Secretary further told the press that “the House of Assembly is made up of 24 members and as it is in any legislative House, the position of the speaker is merely to preside and rule on the majority decisions of the members on any issue. ‘’Therefore, the position of the Speakership is more administrative than legislative, so

DEFECTION: Some APGA women from Aba South Local Government Area, who defected to Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, at PDP State Secretariat, in Umuahia, yesterday.

ABIA RE-RUN: Caskets litter Aba to instil

fear in voters By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—ABA residents woke up yesterday to meet caskets on some major streets in the commercial city, with warnings inscribed on them that if the people failed to vote for an Ngwa governor they would be killed. This is coming 48 hours to the supplementary elections scheduled by INEC to decide the

inconclusive governorship elections in the state. The two councils of Aba North and Aba South are part of the areas where the election will hold tomorrow. The sight of the coffins and the warning sent fears into the people, prompting some voters to vow not to come out tomorrow to vote in the re-run election for fear of their lives. However, the two major

US-based group demands transparency in Abia gov supplementary poll

GWA UNITED Alliance NUA, a non-profit organisation based in the United States, has demanded that INEC demonstrate an unquestionable transparency in the conduct of the governorship supplementary election in Abia State scheduled for tomorrow. NUA insisted that the judicious option for INEC, was to declare Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu governor, having scored a total of 248,459 votes against his closest rival Alex Otti of APGA's total of 165,406, which was a clear lead with 83,053. The organisation demanded that any supplementary election, must be seen by all to be fair and above board.

that publication by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary appeared personal. “It is unfortunate as it was aimed at denigrating the image and the person of the honorable Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly and apparently misleading the good people of Enugu State and the general public on issues raised in the publication, hence we call for public debate, to ascertain who acted in the interest of the public and posterity.”

In a press conference addressed by the Organisation’s Project 2015 Committee Chairman, Elder Ogbonna Clement, in Los Angeles, California, USA, yesterday, the group insisted that INEC's guidelines, which included the requirement that only voters with PVCs and those that met the accreditation criteria could participate, must be strictly adhered to. On no account, Clement said, will the citizens of Abia State accept fraudulent results that "can emanate from possible manual voting or compromised INEC officers. "From all available public records, it is clear that the

polling units where INEC intends to re-run the elections in Abia State contain less than 140,000 voters with PVC cards and at no time has state-wide elections yielded 100 per cent turn-out anywhere, anything grossly variant shall be seen as an unacceptable outcome." Elder Clement stated that his Committee has received reports alleging plans by the APGA candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, and members of his campaign team to rig the supplementary elections through the intimidation of voters and INEC personnel, using privately acquired military personnel and other security outfits.

political parties involved in tomorrow’s election, the ruling PDP and APGA, have condemned the act and accused each other of being behind the evil act. While PDP candidate in the election, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, dissociated himself from the dastardly act, his APGA counterpart, Dr. Alex Otti, described it as “despicable, shameful and barbaric act by desperate and frustrated politicians.” APGA also blamed it on the PDP which it accused of using the coffins to discourage its supporters in Aba from coming out to vote in tomorrow’s election. “The attention of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for Abia State has been drawn to the ugly incident witnessed in Aba this morning, where caskets are being dropped at various places in Aba, with a threat that those who will not vote for Dr.. Ikpeazu and the PDP in the Saturday’s supplementary election will die. “Dr. Okezie is by this means dissociating himself from such dastardly act, and also inform Abians and the general public that such is the handiwork of the opposition who have shown their desperations in various ways since the beginning of the governorship contest.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 —17

HIS loving tribute was written by her distinguished photojournalist nephew, Jide Adeniyi-Jones:

INCE Christmas, I have mostly focussed on current affairs issues on this page. Now I want to take a break from politics and remember two remarkable women who quietly left us at the height of election fever and will be sorely missed. Mercy Omamuromu Amachree was a traditional woman of substance who was, from a young age, called “Mummy”, even by people who were older than her. Born in Igboland in 1927, to a technician father and successful entrepreneur mother - a truly independent spirit who vigorously participated in the anticolonial Aba Women’s Protest of 1929 – Auntie Mercy enjoyed a Christian upbringing, loved to read books, graduated from various distinguished academies with flying colours and was offered a scholarship to train as a teacher. But nursing appealed more, so she enrolled, aged 19, at Massey Street Dispensary in Lagos. While there, she acquired a local nickname – “Igi Iwe” (“tree of knowledge”), lived at Lady

Farewell to Auntie Mercy

Gloria, the second daughter of Justice Stephen Bankole Rhodes and Mabel Jones de Rhodes, was born in Lagos in 1923 and sandwiched between an elder sister, Olga, and a younger brother, Steve. Late Mrs Mercy Amachree The atmosphere in their family homes, first on Broad Abayomi’s, an elite immersed in the cultural Street and later at Igbosere establishment for young diversity of the then capital Road (now City Hall), was ladies, became genteely city and learned how to set by the strictness of their conservative father; but its hard edges were tempered by the joie de vivre of a music-loving mother. Gloria, an academically various points in time, gifted scholarship recipient, based in the Congo (when went to Queens College, Oliver got a job with the then proceeded to the UK United Nations) and where she completed her Barbados (where they studies at Edgehill College, separated). Bristol University and the Gloria never lost her Middle Temple (the same wanderlust, curiousity and Inn of Court as her father). fun-loving streak, but she In London, she shared a planted her feet firmly on flat with her childhood the ground when her friend Aduke Alakija marriage ended; and in (daughter of her godfather, addition to doing charity Sir Adeyemo Alakija) and work in the South-East after (being adventurous) earned the Biafran civil war and extra pocket money during being a Samaritans her spare time by touring volunteer, she concentrated England, Switzerland and on her profession, edited France with Boscoe Holder, law reports and was the a professional AfroChief Registrar at the Caribbean dance troupe. Supreme Court when she At one point, she appeared retired. in a magazine that found its Her final years were spent way into the hands of the living with my mother, Olga, Governor General of in Ikoyi and Victoria Island; Nigeria, who showed it to Late Auntie Gloria and their residences became Justice Rhodes. havens for friends of all My grandfather returned ages. Having lost her only child, Carol, home in a rage, ranting to his wife: participant in motor rallies. to illness at a tender age, there was “Have you seen what your daughter is Oliver Jackman, a Barbadian plenty of room in Gloria’s warm heart up to? She will never be called to the national who had a law degree from for every single child who came Bar.” Cambridge University, was a talented through their door. But Gloria proved him wrong; and cricketer, jazz drummer and journalist; At 91, she danced in the New Year in when she returned to Nigeria in l952, and he moved to Nigeria, became Nairobi and returned to Lagos with a she founded a law firm with her former Editor of our Sunday Times newspaper sparkle in her eye. And then, after a flatmate, Ms Alakija. And, a couple of and married Gloria. stroke on Valentine’s Day and five years later, she joined the Attorney In the buzzing cosmopolitan social days in limbo - right side paralysis General’s office as a State Counsel. scene of 1950’s Lagos, the Jackmans she smiled and joked deep into the The adventurous spirit persisted and, were part of the weekend swinging set. night; and then she slept and she slept having purchased a convertible MG But they still managed to hold down and she slept and she never woke up roadster, she became an enthusiastic highly responsible jobs and were, at and still, she sleeps.

••To Auntie Gloria too

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speak Yoruba and cook Sierra Leonan/Creole dishes. When she qualified as a midwife, the colonial service posted her to Benue, where she met her future husband, Ayibo Amakiri Amachree, a genial, highly intelligent Kalabari pharmacist who also worked for the colonial government. Their marriage was blissfully happy (even as pensioners, they were often spotted holding hands in public) and was blessed with eight children – Stella, Doris, Anita, Tekena (now sadly late), Betsy, Benjamin, Fama and Chisom – who say that she had a very hands-on attitude towards her maternal duties and was a stylish “pillar of support who ran a comfortable, elegant, warm and secure home”. But she was also a dedicated career woman and was said to have never once been late for work during her 40-odd years as a nurse and nursing tutor. She worked in many hospitals, went on several courses here and abroad and was, for many years, in charge of the maternity ward at the General Hospital in Jos. She retired as Vice Principal of the School of Nursing & Midwifery in Port Harcourt (to which the Amachrees had relocated at the beginning of the Biafran civil war). She spoke five languages, was very interested in current affairs, travelled extensively and was an Elder of Wesley Methodist Church, a tireless philanthropist and a founding member of the Corona Society and YWCA in Jos. In l965, her husband was installed as the Paramount Chief of the Ojuka War Canoe House of Buguma. In 1992, he left her to meet his Maker. She also lost her handsome adored son, Tekena, last year. Now she has finally joined these two wonderful men who were so important to her. May she rest in peace. Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 MORE than two years of legislative work, expectations of millions of Nigerians and the new directions of democratic growth that the proposed constitutional amendment would have produced are about to be wasted. President Goodluck Jonathan would not sign the document. It would be difficult to know if his action is based on patriotism or just indecision. Either way, it would hurt the polity for some time. His arguments for not signing the document, which has been with him for months, include some unclear provisions and the constitutional gaps that some of the proposed amendments could cause. He even claimed there was no proof that two-third of the State Houses of Assembly approved the amendments, as the law requires. State Houses of Assembly really approved the amendments. They approved autonomy for themselves and the National Assembly, but rejected autonomy for local government administration. Their decision was unexplainable.

Mr on't sign Mr.. President w won't State Assemblies also affirmed: •Indigeneship rights of a State to a Nigerian citizen who has resided in a particular community of a State for a continuous period of not less than 10 years. The proposed amendment runs against the more generous provisions of the Constitution for Nigerians to be shielded from discrimination and enjoy the same rights everywhere they decide to live. Would some Nigerians not be denied rights classified as “indigeneship rights”? Would citizens have fewer rights than indigenes? •Rights to free, basic education

and right to free primary and maternal health care services, in Chapter 2 of the Constitution were changed, and moved to Fundamental Human Rights to make them justiciable. •Independent candidacy in elections, which could create more platforms for political expression. The National Assembly would legislate on procedures, guidelines and qualifications for independent candidates. •The three-month limit for the Federation or a State to operate without an Appropriation Act in a new financial year would generate more accountability than the

current six-month provision. It is unfair to growth of democracy that the difference independent candidacy, for example, would have made, to be wasted. Also thrown away are expectations that rights to basic education and health, which were to be made justiciable. They were expected to make governments more accountable. Did the National Assembly, in 16 years, bother about Section 16(2d) of the Constitution? It states, “The State (country) shall direct its policy towards ensuring: that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”. It did not. Whenever we get back to amending the Constitution, the dynamics would be entirely different and some of these issues may no longer count.

OPINION Legislators and party switch By Eddie Mbadiwe

N March 3, 2015, a legislator got up on the floor of the House of Representatives and announced he was moving from party A to Party B. Three weeks later, the same member again announced he was returning to party A. This to my mind is the lowest ebb of political harlotry. It leaves a sour taste at least in my mouth. This practice is unhealthy and cannot in any way enhance our young democracy. All Nigerians have a duty to stop this childishness. Section 68(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) states ‘A MEMBER OF THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL VACATE HIS SEAT IN THE HOUSE OF WHICH HE IS A MEMBER’ if (Subsection g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party before the expiration of the period for which the house was elected Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger or two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored. I think it is necessary to quote this section unabridged so that the vast majority of Nigerians who do not have access or C M Y K

have not bothered to read the constitution can follow the discussion intelligently. In the early life of the 7th Assembly, I introduced an amendment bill (HB 02.05.278) co-sponsored with the erudite and hardworking Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Sam Tsokwa to expunge the last paragraph of section 68 (1g) and compel anybody who switches party to go back to the electorate and get a fresh mandate. I knew that amendment was unpopular and was not surprised when it was defeated. Members told me that bill is like shooting ourselves in the foot since legislators are the main beneficiaries of the existing ambiguity. In politics, personal survival and not necessarily national interest seems to be the over-riding consideration. This flipflopping between parties as presently practiced is wrong and calls for serious attention by all Nigerians. In March this year, the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgement on this section as it concerns a legislator from Ondo State. This judgement still leaves a window for manipulation. The only effective deterrent to any legislator is the

For any change to be sustained, it must start with individual cleansing

possibility of going back to the electorate and that is why Nigerians should canvass for complete removal of that section. If you switch parties, go and get a fresh mandate. With the recently concluded tsunamic presidential elections, the practice of political flip-flopping has become ONE HUGE JOKE. One member in his anxiety to move said he was DEFLECTING instead of DEFECTING. All of a sudden, democracy of the stomach is occupying centre stage. There are no values anymore not to talk of morals. The incoming Buhari administration with a majority in both Houses may like to revisit this bill so that we can checkmate this ridiculous practice. People have the freedom to cross-carpet but it has to be with decorum and the approval of those who elected them. The Buhari administration has a unique and once in a life time opportunity to effect structural and fundamental changes in the way the three arms of government conduct business. It is only when this has been done that we can seriously start talking of change. For any change to be sustained, it must start with individual cleansing. This purging was what Murtala Mohammed did when he became Head of State in 1976 and it gave him the moral strength to face anybody eyeball to eyeball. In a brand new House of Representatives where 302 out of 360 members are green horn, the ruling party can be quite innovative and provide a fillip to our democracy. I hope this opportunity is not lost. There are a myriad of problems facing any new administration and Buhari’s will not

be different. Some of course are more urgent that others. Education which is the key to any meaningful change must be top priority. The 7 th Assembly has passed an amendment bill (HB 11.10.109) to make education free, compulsory and MANDATORY UP TO SS3. It is the mandatory aspect of this bill and the coverage up to SS3 that are important. This bill which I sponsored has gone through 1st and 2nd readings and also a public hearing. If this bill becomes law, the import is that any parent who fails to keep his child in school up to SS3 could be sent to prison. The ‘raison detre’ of this bill is that unless we can all discuss and understand ourselves freely, any attempt at change is mere rhetoric and hog-wash. Civil society groups have a vital role to play and must not limit their role to advocacy. They can infect, organise and get bills through parliament. NANS – National Association of Nigerians Students, TUC etc., must all come on board and let us build the Nigeria of our dreams. As Nigerians bask in the euphoria of a change administration, let us not forget that the journey ahead though herculean is surmountable with our collective will and resolve. As the ink begins to dry on my pen, let us close with the wisdom of Nelson Mandela who said that ‘‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’’. *Hon. Mbadiwe wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

No matter where you come from

UMAN beings are first migrants. Then they become settlers and settlers become citizens. In every clime, it is not so much your status, but your contributions. Kenneth Kaunda was synonymous with Zambia. He pronounced prophetically that Zambia shall be free! When colonial Britain tried to amalgamate present day Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi into a federation which the whites could control, Kaunda led the charge and won. He came from colonial prison to lead Zambian into independence becoming its founding president. In his 27 years in power, he built the foundations of modern Zambia and supported the liberation movements including the now ruling ANC in South Africa. There is no Zambian that has done more for the country than Kaunda. Yet, Kaunda’s father, Reverend David Kaunda was from Malawi. By the crazy criteria of those killing fellow Africans in South Africa, Kaunda will be a migrant in Zambia. Ahmed Ben Bella was a Warrant Officer in the French military. He

declined promotion to the officer corps in protest against the French massacre of Algerians in Setif. He became one of the founders of the Organisation Special, a militant group dedicated to the liberation of Algeria from French colonialism. The French captured him in 1951, sentenced him to eight years imprisonment. He escaped prison and went to settle in Egypt, becoming one of the nine leaders of the liberation movement, the FNL. In 1956, an aircraft carrying him was intercepted and forced to land in France where he was imprisoned until 1962. The following year, he was elected the President of Algeria. Yet, both parents of Ben Bella were Moroccans! Apart from Ben Bella, the most famous Algerian to emerge from the liberation war, was Franz Fanon. This medical doctor is famous for his books like Wretched of the Earth, Black Skin, White Masks and A Dying Colonialism. Fanon in contributing to the anticolonial war, documented the horrors the Algerian people faced.

He became an inspiration for liberation movements in Africa, Latin America, Asia and AfricanAmericans. But Fanon was not originally an Algerian, he was from Martinique, in the Caribbean! The undisputed father of the liberation movement in South Africa who helped to revive the African National Congress (ANC) was a traditional chief, Albert Luthuli. He was the President General of the ANC from December 1952 until he was killed by a train in 1967. He brought future leaders of South Africa like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki under his tutelage. He was dismissed as a chief by the Apartheid regime and imprisoned. In laying part of the fundamental principles of a future

Rather than being ostracised, South Africa needs the rest of us to help get over its violent Apartheid past with its ‘neck lacing’ ‘black on black’ violence and unmet postApartheid expectations of lands, jobs and better living conditions

Where is Nigeria heading to? By Clement Udegbe

T does not matter where you are coming from.All that matters is where you are going - Brian Tracy. Nigeria, since after independence, has been struggling with the creation, development and sustenance of a stable, and acceptable democratic political party system. The first national elections held in December 1964, and were contested by two political alliances, the Nigerian National Alliance NNA, led by Sir Ahmadu Bello, Premier of the Northern Region, and the United Progressive Grand Alliance,UPGA, led by Dr.Michael Okpara, Premier of the Eastern Region. The NNA comprised the NPC, the Western-based Nigerian National Democratic Party, NNDP, and opposition parties representing ethnic minorities in the Eastern and Mid-Western regions. The UPGA included the National Council of Nigerian Citizens , NCNC, the Action Group, the Northern Elements Progressive Union (the main opposition party in the Northern Region), and the United Middle Belt Congress (a non-Muslim party strongly opposed to the NPC). Northerners feared Ibo domination of the federal government and sought support from the Yoruba, while the UPGA accused the Muslim Northerners of anti-Southern, anti-democratic, and anti-Christian attitudes. The election results, of 6th January 1965, gave a large majority to the NNA. The major parties were the Northern People's Congress (NPC), overwhelmingly dominant in the Northern Region ,the NCNC, dominant in the Eastern Region and junior partner in coalition with the NPC , the Action Group, dominant in the Western Region and the leading opposition group. Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo man, became the President, and Dr. Tafawa Balewa the Prime Minister. Policies and platforms of the major parties C M Y K

were similar, generally supporting welfare and development programmes. A look at the manifestoes of the ruling PDP, and the incoming APC today, do not offer much differences, suggesting that 49, years after, we have not moved forward with national political parties. But that’s by the way. Ten months later the Balewa government was overthrown, the military assumed power, and on 24 May 1966 all political parties were banned. The Civil War broke out, with the Military ruling till when legal political activities resumed in 1978, and five parties emerged; the National Party of Nigeria,NPN, representing chiefly the North and an educated, wealthy elite; the Nigerian People's Party (NPP), strong among the Ibos and slightly to the left of the NPN; the Unity Party of Nigeria,UPN, Yoruba-led and Socialist-oriented; the People's Redemption Party, PRP, strong in the north, advocating radical social change; and the Great Nigeria People's Party, espousing welfare capitalism and in 1979, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, of the NPN defeated Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the UPN , followed by the NPP.

It is more of fear of Ethnofobia, religious violence, and domination, which needs to be addressed. People may be gloating over electoral successes, but the under currents are those of suspicion, fear, growing lack of trust among the peoples of Nigeria

non racist South Africa, Luthuli issued a document in 1952 titled The Road to Freedom is via the Cross. In it, he argued that the Apartheid system degraded and dehumanised not just the victims, but also the perpetrators. Mandela described Luthuli as “… one of the greatest leaders of the struggle: a colossus and yet a foot soldier of our people... he taught us the lesson that real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people” Yet, Luthuli who in the mold of Moses, demanded of Apartheid “Let My People Go!” was a Zimbabwean! Going by the logic of the minority who are perpetuating evil against fellow Africans in South Africa, if Luthuli were to walk down the streets of Durban today with a white apartheid bigot, the latter is likely to go unharmed while Luthuli, given his Zimbabwean origins, may need to fight for his life! Without doubt, with his initial statement “We urge all foreigners to pack their bags and leave” King Goodwill Zwelithini has no goodwill towards Africa, but that is not to say the populace do not. In fact, South Africans are some of the most informed and unapologetic Pan-Africanists I have met. In the early 1980s, as an undergraduate in Nigeria, I came under the influence of an old South African trade unionist who did not seem to have much Western education. Mark Shope, the then ANC Representative in Nigeria was a soft spoken, elderly man who had the knack for explaining social issues and the struggle in his country in a simple way. This was at a time when the Pan African Congress (PAC) with its catchy

In the presidential election of August 1983, incumbent President Shagari of the NPN won re-election to a second 4-year term, Obafemi Awolowo of the UPN placed second. That same month, Shagari's NPN posted large victories in Senate and House elections. However, there were widespread charges of irregularities in the balloting, and subsequently,all existing political parties were dissolved after the December 1983 coup, led by General Muhammadu Buhari,GMB followed by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida's coup. Two parties, the right-of-center National Republican Convention, NRC, and a left-ofcenter Social Democratic Party,SDP, were permitted limited activity during the transition from military rule. The twochamber National Assembly to which they were elected never was granted genuine power. On June 12, 1993, Nigerians apparently elected Chief Moshood Abiola, a Yoruba man, but General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results, over alleged corruption, and installed Chief Ernest Shonekan for the interim. On November 17 General Sani Abacha took power, and held it until his sudden death in 1997. General Abubakar Abdusalami took over and allowed political parties to form in 1998. Three parties were registered for participation in local, state and national elections; the All People's Party, APP, led by Mahmud Waziri, northerner; the People's Democratic Party,PDP, led by Soloman Lar, northerner; and the Alliance for Democracy or AD, led by Ayo Adebanjo, Yoruba. In the February 1999 election General Olusegun Obasanjo,OBJ, of PDP, defeated Chief Olu Falae of AD/APP, with overwhelming majority in the Senate, and House of Representatives. Leadership squabbles plagued the political parties, while the Yoruba dominant AD had two factions ,Mahmud Waziri, the former chairman of APP defected to the PDP, and with 24 new parties registered for the 2003 elections, the dominance of the PDP became mountainous, under OBJ. Political alliances in the north, and South West, were

slogan of “One Settler, One Bullet” had a lot more appeal. Once Shope and others convinced us students on the non-racist ANC Freedom Charter, we became its foot soldiers across the country. The South African struggle molded many of us into Pan-Africanists who realise that only in unity can we progress. That country also produced inspirational youths like Solomon Mahlangu who laid down their lives for a cause they believe in. Today, the news from South Africa is doubtlessly tragic; the photographs, too horrific and the video footage, too gruesome for many to watch. But we must know and remember that for every Zwelithini, there is a Mandela, and for every Edward Zuma running his mouth and inciting violence, there is a Desmond Tutu in prayers. Those who call on other Africans to boycott South Africa and its companies, may have a point, but we will simply be playing into the hands of those who do not want a united Africa; who do not want an integrated Africa or an Africa on the rise. Rather than being ostracised, South Africa needs the rest of us to help get over its violent Apartheid past with its ‘neck lacing’ ‘black on black’ violence and unmet post-Apartheid expectations of lands, jobs and better living conditions. Yes, there is a South African problem, but it is also an African problem and only in unity , can we overcome. Like Peter Tosh sang: “Don’t care where you come from; As long as you’re a black man, you’re an African. No mind your nationality; You have got the identity of an African”

decimated leaving the South East and other minorities more confused and directionless. Following a failed third term bid by OBJ, the Yar Ardua/Jonathan leadership was created, and the death of President Yar Ardua, brought Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, as President . The failed third term bid of OBJ, precipitated all kinds of enmities that bogged the PDP till its defeat last month. GEJ was pushed out through a strange realignment by politicians along the lines of religious, ethnic, and wealthy benefactors of a heavily corrupt system. The AD had become, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, a Yoruba dominated party which teamed up with CPC/ANPP, a northern dominated party, to form a formidable opposition, the APC, to defeat the ruling PDP. Unfortunately, however, lack of depth, and ideological foundations in the two parties, the PDP, and APC ,led to massive defections from the PDP to APC, such that while the north voted massively for GMB, votes in other parts of the country were split, except for the South East and South South, throwing the country back to the Pre-1966 conditions of the political parties. Today, we have one overwhelmingly strong Party, the APC, that has exhumed the fears of domination by one ethnic region over the other. The nature of the frustration, and desperation by the politicians during the campaigns, the hate languages, the curses, the highly incendiary comments and actions, have created fears in the people. It is not really fear for the much touted fight against corruption, because this APC cannot do much, judging by their membership. It is more of fear of Ethno-fobia, religious violence, and domination, which needs to be addressed. People may be gloating over electoral successes, but the under currents are those of suspicion, fear, growing lack of trust among the peoples of Nigeria. •Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, APRIL 24, 2015

Total traffic chaos: Tankers, trailers annex Oshodi-Apapa Expressway By Mike Ebonugwo

OTAL chaos! That is the climax of the worsening traffic confusion on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway as tankers, trailers and other articulated vehicles have finally seized the stretch from Rainbow to the Mile Two/Berger/ Kirikiriaxisoftheroad,leavingother motorists and road users in limbo. The complete annexation of that stretch of the road occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, as all forms of vehicular movement came to a standstill with hopelessness visibly written on the faces of all whose vehicles were trapped inbetween the mass of behemoths straddling the road. If motorists, commuters and business operators in this area thought before now that they had seen the last of this perennial traffic occasioned by the tankers and trailers, they were this time gravely mistaken. From every indication, the Rainbow to Berger stretch of the expressway has somehow become a convenient parking bay for these tankers as it has now become traditionalforthemtoqueuefordays while waiting to lift fuel from the numerous tank farms located in Kirikiri and environ. The drivers and their assistants have made the roadsides their homes, eating, sleeping and performing their conveniences there. The evidences are there for all to see. Food scraps and wrappings litter the area, while pedestrians will do well not to step on urine and faeces that regularly ‘adorn’ every nook and corner. It would also appear that most

*Traffic-locked: No movement as fuel tankers take over road from Rainbow down to Coconut road users have been shocked into fatalistic resignation given the prevailing hopelessness that no solution is presently in sight from any quarter. That is exactly the case with those whose places of work and businesses are located in this tanker-besieged area. To get to their offices and places of business, they are compelled to do compulsory endurance treks since having to drive their cars to work has become foreclosed for now. “Only somebody who enjoys suffering will attempt to drive in this standstill traffic to get to the office.

Youcanseethattrafficisnotmoving; the tankers have taken over completely. I pity those who made the mistake of coming out with their cars and are now trapped in the traffic by these tankers and trailers,” said one Solomon as he walked towards his office located at Kirikiri. Another pedestrian, a lady who was panting and sweating profusely as she made her way towards Mile Two from Rainbow, said: “My brother, I don’t know when this our traffic ordeal will end. This has been the same everyday since the beginning of this year. I

boarded a bus from Oshodi going to Mile Two but the journey ended abruptly at Rainbow because of this traffic jam. Now I’m being forced to trek in order to complete the journey”. For Kunle Lawal: “The situation is terrible. And my worry is that nothing is being done to address it. Since last month I have been boarding commercial buses which usually drive against the traffic in ordertomeetmyappointments.But I have now been forced to reconsider travelling this way after one of the buses knocked down

ROVING CAMERA

Abandoned train turned shelter for traders at Agbado Railway Crossing, Ogun State. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele. C M Y K

somebody who was crossing the express. The man died instantly. Many have also been killed after the okadas(commercial motorcycles) they boarded got knocked down while driving against the traffic on the express. So, for how long will we continue like this?” Austin Okeke, a hawker in the traffic, had this to say: “Although me and the other hawkers are benefiting from the traffic as it enables us to sell our goods, but we also know that this tanker goslow has got out of hand because it’s everyday now that one bad thing or the other happen on the road, especially people being beaten up and robbed in their cars. Any time it happens all of us usually run away”. The recurring traffic nightmare between Mile Two and Coconut areas of the expressway has been regularly featured in the news over the years. Several state and Federal governments-initiated interventions have so far failed to yield any lasting solution. At a time, several failed sections of the road were blamed as a major cause of the problem.

Traffic ordeal So, after those sections of the road were reconstructed, expectations were high that an end to the traffic ordeal was in sight. But that was not to be as little appear to have changed. The hopelessness of the situation derive from the belief that as long astankfarmsarelocatedinthe area, no one can wish away fuel tankers from the roads leading to these fuel depots. A related argument justifies the location of the tank farmsinthisareaduetoitsproximity to the ports from where imported refined petroleum products are pumped into the tank farms. It is a conundrum which those in a position of authority have not been able to unravel. Even the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, appeared as baffled as the rest of us even as he declared during a visit to the area that the nightmarish traffic situation there would soon be a thing of the past. “There are many questions we must ask ourselves. Why is it that this is the only place where fuel is being distributed and it is distributed at so much pain? Where is the money made from the ports annually? I remember that we were told that these ports made N1.4 trillion in six months. Why is the money not reinvested in the port? About 3, 000 trucks load from the ports. I hope that the owners of the oil companies will also leave their desk and visit this place as a group to see how they make profit and the cost of that on the citizens. And once they see this, there will also be more improvement.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Govt borrowing distorting the economy —LCCI By Naomi Uzor

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has said that increased government borrowing from the domestic financial markets has become a major source of distortion of the financial inter-mediation process in the Nigerian economy. Speaking at the 2015 Quarterly Press Conference, the President of the LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said the value that the economy can derive from the banking institutions is inherent in effective inter-mediation and this implies the channeling of funds from the surplus segments of the economy to the deficit sectors of the economy, but this is not happening to the degree that could impact positively on job creation. “With double digit interest rates on treasury bills and government bonds, a lot of funds are being channeled into the purchase of these treasury securities to the detriment of the real economy. It is in this context that we call on the monetary and the fiscal authorities to urgently review the yield on treasury securities to single digit. This is necessary to stem the crowding out effect of government borrowing in the financial market, and also reduce the cost of fund in the economy” he said. He noted that the impending political transition at the federal level is unique in the history of this country as this is the first time that a sitting government

will hand over to an opposition party. “This could pose a risk to the quality of the transition process. It is against this background that we wish to stress that the two political parties should understand that government is continuum and everything possible should be done to make the transition process seamless. Having survived the more difficult phase of elections, the handing over of the apparatus of government should not be allowed to

constitute any form of challenge. The maturity of the key players that was demonstrated after the elections should be sustained” he stated. On power sector issues, he said, the burden of high energy cost for investors persisted in the period under review and remains one of the biggest issues in the investment environment, adding that, the power sector reform and the privatization that followed have not achieved the desired result.

AGM: From left: Mrs Olufunmilayo Adedibu, Company Secretary; Mr. Jonathan Long, Chairman, FCMB Group Plc; Otunba Michael Balogun, Founder, FCMB; Mr. Ladi Balogun, Managing Director/CEO, FCMB and Mr. Peter Obaseki,Managing Director, FCMB Group Plc at the 2nd Annual General Meeting of FCMB Group in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Nigeria must build inclusive political, economic institutions —Expert By Babajide Komolafe

igeria has to move towards creating inclusive political and economic institutions in order to harness the talent and creativity of its people for economic development. This was the submission made by Professor James Robison of Harvard University, in a keynote speech delivered at the 70th year anniversary lecture of Wema Bank held in Lagos. The lecture also featured a panel of experts namely former Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Ibidapo-Obe, former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and Dean of Lagos Business School of Pan Atlantic University, Mrs. Enase Okonedo. Speaking on the theme, “Why Nations Succeed”, Robinson noted that the reason why some nations fail while others succeed is the way the society is organised. He said this is reflected in the type of political and economic institutions they create. Citing differences between Mexico and C M Y K

United States, and the two richest men in the world, namely Bill Gates and Carlos Slim, Robinson noted that inclusive political and economic institutions provide equal opportunities for members of the society to use their talents and creativity for enterprise and economic development. This system, he said, allows the society to hairiness the mass of talents and creativities of its people for growth and development. Extractive political and economic institutions, he said, are the opposite as they provide opportunities only for few people in the

Nigeria is where it is today because of its history of extractive political and economic institutions vis-a-vis slave trade, colonial rule, and military interventions

society. This, he said leads to wastage of the talents and creativity of the excluded masses in the society He noted that the above explains the difference between United States, which have political and economic institutions that promotes innovation by providing opportunities for every citizen to use their talent and creativity, and nations like Mexico and North Korea, which promotes monopolistic powers. Robinson said that Nigeria is where it is today because of its history of extractive political and economic institutions vis-a-vis slave trade, colonial rule, and military interventions. He said that while the country has been moving towards inclusive institutions since the advent of the fourth republic in 1999, there is still more work to be done, so that the society will not be stocked. He said that Nigeria must expedite its move towards inclusive institutions, adding that this is not a technocratic problem but a political problem. He said the focus should be on developing inclusive political institutions, adding that once this is achieved the economic will sort out itself.

— 21

Expert calls for collaborative efforts to tackle menace of poverty in Africa

N international investor and public business analyst, Mr. Segun Adedayo-Ogunsola has stressed the need for convening various business fora to close-rank among owners of businesses in Africa especially, in Nigeria and the rest of the world. Ogunsola therefore, called on well-meaning individuals in Nigeria and other African nations to join a non partisan, non-political but economic driven meeting between Africa and European business community and Government leadership, slated for October, 22-23 2015 in Switzerland with a view to channelling way out of poverty in Africa. Ogunsola at a media parley explained that the forum would connect private and public companies, investors, buss experts and government entities with intent to create global economic integration. According to him, few business people are aware of the frontier markets like Africa or what it take to prosper in them, hence, the need to find a common forum to bring out the hidden treasures in Africa especially in Nigeria to make the government and the people shift attention from a singular source of revenue that is, from petroleum sector and ensure effective diversification of the economy in good time.

$143.50

3. 20

$2,766.00

-7. 00

12.63

-0.18

$62.82 0.74

56.84

0.22

CURRENCY

BUYING

CENTRAL

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 196.5 291.9616 292.7064 209.7984 210.3336 204.6143 205.1362 1.6417 1.6459 0.3039 0.3139 271.0486 271.74 31.6044 31.6854 52.2611 52.3944 28.1141 28.1858 270.1468 270.836

197 293.4512 210.8688 205. 6582 1.6501 0.3239 272.4315 31.7665 52.5277 28.2575 271.5251

CBN Exchange Rate as at 23/4/15

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Wema Bank records N10.5bn gross earnings in first quarter By Peter Egwuatu

W From left: Associate Partner, Consultants Collaborative Partnership, Arc. Uduak Udoh; Dr. Fareeda Babalakin; Founding Partner, Arc. Femi Williams and Founding Partner, Arc. Tayo Babalakin during CCP's 25th anniversary dinner, in Lagos.

Stock market: SEC set to review transaction settlement cycle By Peter Egwuatu & Nkiruka Nnorom he Securities and Exchange T Commission, SEC said it has set up a technical committee that

will review transaction settlement cycle from T+3 to T+2 or T+1 as obtained in other advanced capital market jurisdiction. The Acting Director General, SEC Mr. Mournir Gwarzo , who disclosed this to newsmen during a press briefing after the first quarter 2015 Capital Market Committee, CMC Meeting held in Lagos said “ A committee has been set to review the transaction settlement system in the secondary market. As you are aware we are operating a T+3 and the committee will look at ways of moving to T+2 or T+1.” The (T+3) settlement system as obtained presently on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE means that T represents the first day the transaction took place on the stock market and the

settlement of that transaction will occur three (3) days after. This rule means that when an investor sells shares, he or she must receive the payment after three days. While commenting on complaints management framework of the capital market, he said “ We will work with all the Trade Groups to ensure the new framework takes off within this year. Following our internal restructuring, SEC now has a Market Relation Division (Call Centre) which will be launched this year to coordinate the implementation of this framework.” Gwazo , further explained that the commission will introduce the adoption of the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS) in order to strengthen the fund management industry and imbibe global best practice. “There are a number of rules we already have in the pipeline which we will be releasing within

the year to strengthen the regulatory regimes across the market. Some of the rules include: Additional disclosure requirements for Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Companies. These rules will cover the technical peculiarities

There are a number of rules we already have in the pipeline which we will be releasing within the year to strengthen the regulatory regimes across the market

Transcorp Agribusiness arm to begin farming in Benue State

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) has said that its agribusiness subsidiary, Teragro Commodities Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Benue State government to lease land to establish citrus farms in Ushongo, Benue. The Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Donald Gbugho, signed on behalf of the state government alongside Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Neeyum Tsavnum. The MOU represents an expansion of Teragro’s current operations in Benue State, which has previously been focused in Makurdi. Teragro has been functioning as an industrial operation processing oranges and mangoes into concentrates for local consumption. Over time, Teragro has grown and expanded its footprint and now produces concentrate that meets the most rigorous global

C M Y K

standards for purchase by multinational corporations, including a leading international beverage manufacturer. Commissioner Gbugho thanked Teragro for the move, noting, “Teragro has contributed immensely to growth in Benue State. They first addressed community and youth unemployment by creating jobs and now, the company is taking a step forward by beginning proper farming, through expert agricultural investors who are standing by with improved varieties of oranges, which the Ushongo people and Benue State at-large can benefit from. This is truly a significant step in the development of agriculture in Benue and in Nigeria,” he said. Teragro Managing Director/CEO, Dupe Olusola, thanked the commissioner for his support, which has enabled Teragro to contribute to the growth of a diversified economy.

of exploration and production companies so the investor can be better informed in decision making. Rules on Fund/Portfolio Management Operations. This is to establish thresholds between retail investors and high net worth investors and specify the types of instruments fund managers can invest in. There is rules on unclaimed dividends. We have already exposed these rules and received comments. We will ensure the rules are finalized and released within this quarter not later than three business days after the trade is executed” he noted. He also said that the SEC will commence implementation of direct payment system that would allow the proceeds from sale of investors’ shares to be paid directly into their designated account, rather than that of the capital market operator. Speaking on dematerialisation, Gwarzo said that already a committee on dematerialization has been set up and has also submitted a very extensive report on that, adding that what is left is the implementation process. “We have set up a small committee that will drive the implementation and during the implementation, there will be a lot of issues – legal issues, public conflict of interest; that technical committee will look at it and suggest ways and means they would be done” he said. The membership of the committee, according to him, comprises of registrars, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and the Central Securities and Clearing System, CSCS. “The technical committee has not started work, but this house has mandated them to start doing something. So, by the next CMC meeting, we will get their report.”

EMA Bank Plc has recorded a gross earnings of N10.63 billion for the first quarter, Q1 unaudited results ended March 31, 2015. The bank ‘s gross earnings recorded growth of 5 per cent to close at N10.63 billion while Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew by 4% Year on Year, YoY to N615 million. The downward trend in the Non-Performing Loan ratio continued closing the quarter on 2.3 per cent. There was a marked reduction in Other Operating Expenses, which reduced by 11 per cent , year on year largely attributable to improved operational efficiency. Highlights of the result shows that : interest Income: was N8.9 billion, up from N8.3 billion in 2014Q1 (8 per cent YoY growth); Other Operating Expenses of N2.15 billion, compared to N2.4 billion in 2014 Q1 (down 11 per cent YoY); Profit Before Tax: N615 million, up from N591 million in 2014 Q1(4 per cent YoY growth); Non-Performing Loan ratio: down to 2.3 per cent (3.4 per cent recorded in 2014 Q1); Return on Average Equity was 6.4 per cent , compared to 6.1 per cent in 2014 Q1. Commenting on the results, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, Managing Director/CEO of Wema Bank PLC, said “The sustainability ofour earnings and the resilience of the Bank’s income growth, in spite of the harsh economic environment since the middle of last year are particularly encouraging. We have streamlined our balance sheet in order to achieve efficiencies in our sourcing and deployment of funds. The year started slowly as a result of the uncertain political environment as well as the economic constraints brought about by the impact of declining oil prices. “ In spite of this, we were still able to record sustainable growth in all our critical performance indices. Opportunities for growth and efficiency optimization in our operations are being recognized. We will continue to drive innovative customer acquisition techniques and focus on our niche markets that have benefitted from our banking products.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 23

Nigeria gets biosafety law, joins league of biotech countries A

s President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday signed the National Biosafety Agency Bill into law after he failed to do so when it was first sent to him for his assent during the life of the 6 th National Assembly, Jimoh Babatunde takes a look at the journey of biotechnology law in the country With the current population of Nigeria which is put at over 140 million people and the need to guarantee food security in the country, many have argued that traditional agricultural practices, characterized by the use of poor seedlings, must give way to modern tools to allow agriculture to grow by double digits. Biotechnology, many stakeholders in the agricultural sector believe, holds the key to some of the problems in agriculture and health, and the earlier the country joins other African countries that have tapped into it the better. They see the passage of the bill by the Nigerian Parliament as a path that will launch the country into the production and commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMO) with the capacity to increase crop production, ensure food security, and improve rural

livelihoods. It is expected that the entrance of GMOs will increase crop productivity, lower the cost of production, guarantee food security, and improve both the health and livelihoods of resource-poor farmers who make up more than 70% of the rural population. But, the absence of a biosafety law was seen as the problem. In addition, research and development in GM crops are indeed in their infancy in Nigeria as very few establishments in the national agricultural research system have developed the critical mass of human capacity and the infrastructural

The Biosafety Act will provide the legal framework to check the activities of modern biotechnology in the country as well as the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Nigeria

Agrofood Fair’ll contribute to food diversity, safety —Martin Maerz By Nkiruka Nnorom

he upcoming agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015 Trade Fair will contribute to a more diverse offering in food products and improved food safety in the country, says Mr. Martin Maerz, Managing Director, fair-trade, the organizing company from Germany of agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015. The agrofood & plastprintpack Nigeria 2015 Trade Fair is the first international trade Show on agriculture and livestock, food, beverage & packaging technology and food, beverages and hospitality in Nigeria. The show, which is scheduled to hold from Tuesday 28- 30 April, 2015, will bring together over 80 exhibitors from 21 countries with the Nigerian agrofood

professionals to proffer solution to the problems in the sector . Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Mr. Maerz revealed that food and beverage sector contributes about 22.5 percent to the manufacturing sector, thereby making it is the largest segment of the Nigerian manufacturing industry. According to him, “It is estimated at N16.5 billion in aggregate output and constitutes 4.6 percent of GDP, and 66 percent of total consumer expenditure. In 2013, total consumer expenditure in the food and beverage sector amounted to N80.69 billion, compared to N72.18 billion in 2012 and posted a growth rate of 16.4 percent after rebasing of GDB. The sector generates over 1.5 million jobs in the country and thus employs five percent of the Nigerian workforce.”

requirements that would lead to the accelerated development of transgenic materials. So, the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) and the Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), made several attempts to have the country signed and ratified an internationally binding Biosafety Protocol Known as Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Protocol entered into, according to Mrs. Rose Gidado , the Country Coordiantor, Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) , came into force on

the 11th September 2003 . “The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) that may have adverse effects on conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, taking into account risk to human health. “As a signatory, Nigeria made efforts at domesticating the Cartagena protocol with the National Biosafety Management Agency Bill 2011 which was initially passed by the 6th National Assembly but was not assented to by the President because it was passed a day before the

From left: Dr. Maty Badiao, Head of Information and Research Cilss/Agrhynet Regional Centre Naimey, Niger; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sunny Echono and Looises Setshidaeo, FAO representative in Nigeria during the FAO courtesy call to Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

end of the life of that Assembly.” Not deterred by that initial set back, the Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), went ahead to mobilized stakeholders to represent the bill to the 7th national assembly in 2014 with the hope that the passage of the bill into law will regulate the safe application of biotechnology in Nigeria to harness benefits in fields of agriculture, medical and the environment. President signs bill into law The cheering news that President Goodluck Jonathan signed the National Biosafety Agency Bill on Monday was received with joy by stakeholders who have been waiting for opportunity for Nigeria to join the league of countries cultivating GMO crops. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Prof. Lucy Jumeyi Ogbadu, while braking the news , said that the National Biosafety Act is crucial in the management of modern biotechnology in Nigeria, adding that the Act would create more employment and boost food production if given good attention by government. According to her, “The Biosafety Act will provide the legal framework to check the activities of modern biotechnology in the country, as well as the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Nigeria, including the provision of an avenue to engage Nigerian scientists/ experts from different fields to identify and pursue solutions to our local challenges.”

Overcoming barriers to farm inputs

orld fertilizer use is expected to grow annually by 1.8 per cent until 2018. Over the same period, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), is forecasting demand for nitrogen fertilizers to grow at 4.6 per cent per year, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the fastest for anywhere in the world. However, while growth will be close to five per cent, the actual volume of nitrogen fertilizer used is only expected to increase by 340,000 tons. At the 2015 Argus FMB conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, AGRA participated in a side event on smallholders’ access to fertilizer hosted by the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) and the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP). The IFA-AFAP session stimulated dialogue on how best the private and public sectors together with research institutes can work together to maximize the contribution of quality fertilizer to reduce the yield gap and drive an African agricultural development agenda. Chaired by Professor Richard Mkandawire, Vice-President of AFAP, the distinguished panel of experts included: Dr. Bashir Jama, Director of Soil Health Program, AGRA; Dr. Namanga Ngongi, Founding Chairman, AFAP, and Former

AGRA President; and Jenya Shandina, Input Team Manager, One Acre Fund. Dr. Bashir Jama underlined access to markets and profitability as an issue that still constrains the use of fertilizer in Sub Saharan Africa. “Many smallholder farmers have little financial means to buy inputs, which makes it important that when they use fertilizer they see the rewards e.g. access to markets and guarantees that their investment in fertilizer, seeds, and labor has a return,” Dr Jama said. During the session, private sector actors led discussions on the barriers smallholder farmers face in accessing quality fertilizer and other inputs in a timely manner. One solution to address such barriers is the bundling of inputs. The overarching conclusion of the session was aptly put forward by Dr. Ngongi who said: “Farmers are the largest private sector, a sector and market that largely still remain untapped. Through access to credit and extension services, smallholder farmers may very well lead global efforts to secure food for future generations.”

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Cabotage: FG orders full implemention of law, NISA hails move Stories by

Godwin Oritse

HE Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to fully implement the Cabotage Act, with a view to allowing Nigerians reap the benefits of the law. The directive has been applauded by critical stakeholders, particularly, the Nigerian Ship-owners Association (NISA). Unimpressed by the level of compliance with the Act which prohibits the use of foreign vessels in the domestic coastal shipping, the Minister for Transport in his letter to NIMASA dated 16th April, 2015 directing strict compliance, said the Government could no longer ignore the waves of complaints from industry operators and stakeholders. “Arising from series of complaints by organizations and public spirited individuals, the Honourable Minister has noted with deep concern our inability to effectively harness the potentials in the maritime sector. “The Honorable Minister has specifically noted that strict application of the Cabotage and NIMASA Acts will go a long way to ensure greater revenue to NIMASA and the country as well as unleash a chain of economic benefits to corporate bodies and individual players in the industry,” the letter stated. In a swift reaction, President, Nigeria Ship-owners Association, Capt. Dada Olaniyi Labinjo, hailed both the Minister and Federal Government, noting that the Government was genuinely laying a strong foundation and legacy for the growth of not only the maritime industry, but the macro-economy. “NISA is full of praises and gratitude to the Federal Government and the Minister of Transport for this directive coming at this time. In an earlier letter to the Government, NISA stated that 500,000 direct and indirect employment will be generated immediately with a disposable income of N4.8 Billion monthly by the maritime sector if Nigerian flagged vessels are engaged exclusively for the lighter-age of the 1.6 billion litres monthly of petroleum products for domestic consumption. “As for the offshore marine vessels requirement, 912 assorted offshore support vessels are required by the Oil and Gas industry which will provide over 500,000 direct and indirect employment for the restive and teeming youths and a conservative daily spend of over US$2m. This is the intendments and spirit of the Cabotage Act which was passed in 2003. “By this directive, the governmnt has demonstrated that it has the political will necessary to unlock the potentials

C M Y K

in the maritime sector. The entire members of the Association; the jubilant seafarers and employees welcome the development as they chorus ‘we shall now have our jobs back’,” concluded the NISA boss.

A stakeholder who spoke on conditions of anonymity, while commending Government on the gesture, noted that if the Government had done this some years back, it wouldn’t have need ed to campaign for a single

day, before polling the entire votes of operators in shipping, and their dependants. “This decision should have been taken some four years back. Of course, we wouldn’t be talking of any President -elect to-

day”, he said, stressing that the industry would eternally be grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for this.

PROTEST: The protesting staff of Mediterranean Shipping Company, MSC, in front of their office. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

Crisis rocks Mediterranean Shipping as workers demand removal of CEO

ORKERS of Mediterra nean Shipping Company, (MSC) have downed tools to protest alleged racial attitude of its Managing Director Mr. Jeff Gosciniak and demands his removal. The development has led to thousands of containers and other cargoes being trapped at the port. Meanwhile importers and Customs agents are groaning over demurrages that are ac-

If they have problem with their management, they should not allow that to affect us

cruing on their cargoes as a result of the crisis. One of the aggrieved workers told Vanguard that the workers were protesting racial discrimination against Nigerians working in the company and lack of communication between management and staff The aggrieved worker also said that the attitude of the managing director and workers’ welfare were some of the issues workers have against management of MSC. When Vanguard visited the Company’s corporate Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos, some workers were seen sleeping while others were just loafing about. As at the time of filing this report, a meeting between workers and management was going on as noise of argument filtering from the meeting venue could be heard at the reception area. Vanguard also gathered that the workers of MSC in Nige-

ria had written to the parent company in Geneva saying that they cannot work with the current management of the firm. Part of the letter reads “This is to reiterate to you our earlier stand that due to your insufferable nature and racist inclined attitude, we the entire staff and black management of MSC Nigeria insist that we cannot work with you.” Meanwhile, the affected agents and importers whose containers are accruing demurrage, locked the main gate of the company as nobody could come in or go out. Some of the agents who spoke to Vanguard said that they will not unlock the gates until the matter between staff and management of the company were resolved. According to Mr. Gbenga Adeeko, the problem in MSC has affected the businesses of their clients, adding that thousands of containers are being

Expert harps on sustainability of marine environment

N environment expert, Mr. Kehinde Akinsanya has warned against the damage to the marine environment, saying that human survival depends on the wellbeing of the environment. Speaking at a one day seminar on the Sustainability of the Marine environment, organized by the Health and Safety

department of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) Akinsanya said that everything needed for human survival or well being depends on natural marine environment Akinsanya noted that the marine environment creates and maintain sconditions for humans and nature to exist in productive harmony and

that 80 percent of life on earth is from marine ecosystem. He said ,“environment sustainability involves making decisions and taking actions that are in the interest of a natural world. “Preserving the capability of the environment to support human life and making business and individuals to realise their impact on the environment.”

held to ransom. He said “This shipping company has been on strike since last week Thursday. Our clients are suffering, as we are paying their rent while our containers have not been cleared. “If they are having problem with their management, they should not allow that to affect us and the moment our clients are suffering our clients also suffer because we have the same client. We want them to stop rent on demurrage on all the consignments that got to their terminal at the commencement of the strike.” Another agent, Mr. Adebola Mushafaru said that the problem at MSC has affected importers more than agents, adding that the importers are that ones that will bear the brunt at the end of the day. Meanwhile, vanguard gathered that the Shipping branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has waded into the crisis rocking the company with a view to resolving it. Comrade Uche Igwe who is the President Shipping branch of MWUN told Vanguard that the protest by the workers has been on for two weeks, adding that the Union was working round the clock to resolve it. “We are on top of the matter and we are doing all we can to resolve it as soon as possible.” Effort to reach the Managing Director of MSC, was futile as he was available for comments.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—25

MR. Alex Mwaura is a Kenyan national with over 28 years experience in the hospitality industry as a chef. Trained as an apprentice in the famous Kenya Utalii College in Kenya, Alex Mwaura has been a member of the opening team which has opened five Southern Sun hotels in various countries. When they started Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel in 2009, Alex and his team took deep rooted researches and experimented on approaching authentic Nigerian cuisines from various angles which is now paying dividends that is witnessed every Sunday during Sunday Brunch hours. This has made Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel dining , a one stop choice for all families, friends and associations. In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, he shares his thoughts on food culture in Nigeria and what foreigners enjoy eating among others. Excerpts:

How we went about studying Nigeria food — Kenyan chef

N what he has discovered about eating culture in Nigeria When we arrived here, we had a serious cultural shock because everything was 100 percent new out of the Nigerian food. Whatever we were seeing were completely new and we made sure we first of all understand the culture and food. The best way to do that was to do a proper research on Nigerian food. Basically, it is not available anywhere else but in Nigeria. We ended up looking for elderly people who understand the meals from different perspectives because we realised that the younger generation we had was so much into buying ready-made food than doing the actual cooking. So we decided to go to people

Popular meals who understand the real cooking and that is why we ended up having original recipes. These recipes have helped us to be consistent and we are developing them as time goes on, and adding new traits to it. For instance, there are meals that we realized that the oil that was used originally was far better than the oil in the market today.

So, we go and look for the original oil to enable us have original meals on the table. The other thing we looked at was the presentation. For instance porridge yam is put in one big bowl and everybody comes spiking with spoon, we thought we could do better, and we started packaging it in smaller quantities, the meat cut

South African tourism condemns killings … Durban is ready for Indaba 2015

HE Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, Thulani Nzima, has condemned the appalling xenophobic attacks that took place in his country, saying what happened in some parts of their country goes against the grain of who they are as a people. “It is with embarrassment and shame that I come before the world and especially my fellow Africans to apologise for these senseless attacks. I hold in contempt the loathing and subsequent attacks suffered by our brothers and sisters from the continent.” Thulani Nzima added “The majority of us South Africans,

have also invested a lot of time to train the people we have to be able to produce such food. Of course, our Nigerian clientele are also well-traveled, they appreciate continental food too. On Nigerians and dishes We talk to our clients a lot. Our chefs go one on one with the guest inside the restaurants, and this has really helped us. My way of running the kitchen is making it interactive with the clients and you are able to get direct feedback from the clients. And by doing this, you are also able to introduce new dishes to the clients and to give them a trial. One of the things we are doing is that when we have a buffet, we make a few dishes out of our continental food and pass around for tasting, this has also paid dividends because people come back to say there is one dish I tasted one Sunday and I will like to have it for a meal. This has also boosted our clientele a lot. On a Nigerian food he will recommend to a Kenyan That is a tough one because basically Kenyans don’t eat pepper. It is an additive used in very small quantity. The pepper that we know is the green chillies, and rarely find anybody having one piece in a meal. Mostly it comes as a big shock for a Kenyan when he visit Nigeria.

perceive and carry ourselves as Africans and believe what we have witnessed in some parts of our country goes against the grain of who we are as a people, our constitution, and the principles of Ubuntu that we so dearly adhere to. I personally extend my sincerest apologies to you.” He said as the South African Tourism prepares for the Indaba travel show next month in Durban, that “we wish to reassure all INDABA delegates and foreign nationals coming into South Africa that our country is safe for you to visit.” The SA tourism boss said they do not take for granted the support they have enjoyed

over the years from everybody throughout the continent in contributing to the growth of tourism into their country. “We are also appreciative of the backing of our counterparts on the continent who have ensured that our flagship Trade Shows, INDABA and Meetings Africa, have grown in stature in the years they have been in existence.” He appealed to all Africans on behalf of South African Tourism to accept their sincerest apologies “during this time as we extend our hand of friendship to you. Please be rest assured that South Africa remains a welcoming destination filled with warm people.”

was also chunky to us, we decided to go with smaller cuts that will be easy for one to eat. The fact is that you can have as much food as you want, we are not restricting one to one chunk of meat. People are appreciating it, now you don’t have to struggle with your chunk of meat like before. From our perspective and the basic culture of eating here, the buffets are the most appealing. We put a lot of efforts to produce it. It has also given us space to explore food from different parts of the country, and this has pulled different clientele because they will definitely find something that appeal to them when they come. We also have international clientele who we carter for with international dishes which we

Kenyans have a culture of eating meat any time, breakfast, lunch and dinner

You will find most of them eating chicken and chips. Later after awhile, you find them appreciating other meals like the pepper soup, bitter leaf soup and so on. But one of the most popular meals that any Kenyan will come here and enjoy is Suya. Kenyans have a culture of eating meat any time, breakfast, lunch and dinner. To them, Suya is much more closer to what they are used to having. From the North, we also have Tuwo Masa, which is a stable food in Kenya. It is called Ugali, it is an every day meal with meat in Kenya. On the type of Nigerian food foreigners go for The first thing most people even western guests start with is Suya because they can recognize the meal. One thing about food is you first of all eat with your eyes before you taste the food. So, it becomes very possible for someone to make a direct choice of what to eat by just looking at it. You can easily identify what Suya is by mere looking at it. Beyond Suya, many nonNigerian guests go after jellof rice. It is not as spicy for those who are not used to spicy food. But once guests stay here for a while, especially if they are experimental, they go for other meals.

26—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

•Lawan

•Saraki

•Akume

SENATE PRESIDENT: The contentions and candidates IT was in May 2003 and members of the House of Representatives who won re-election in the National Assembly elections that took place the month before, were seeking ways and manners to project themselves as older legislators at the commencement of the new legislative term. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

NE suggestion that was quickly adopted was the amendment of the House Standing Rules to establish the principle of ranking in the election of principal officers of the House. The principle, which the lawmakers said was a legislative practise adopted in all parts of the world was, even extended to committees where it was decreed that ranking would be observed even in the allocation of committee chairmen. It was a principle that was also quickly adopted by the Senate where newly elected senators had quickly distinguished themselves as digital senators as different from analogue senators that was showcased in the form of the older or returning senators. Senators Ike Ekweremadu and Timothy Adudu were among the leading lights of the digital senators who by sheer number were sometimes able to push their way to exert their privileges and entitlements from the Senator Adolphus Wabara leadership of the

Senate at that time. Some of the analogue senators in canvassing the need for ranking even pointed to the United States Senate, where some of them alleged that there was even ranking in the allocation of car parking space between older and newer senators. However, where it came to disbursement of allowances and other financial privileges, it was conventional wisdom that the digital senators must

not be slighted, a fact that Senator Wabara was to learn in a bitter way almost midway into the life of the Fifth Senate when digital and analogue senators but aside divisions to force him out of office on the allegation of disproportionate sharing of allowances. 12 years after the incorporation of ranking in the rules of the two chambers of the National Assembly, the issue has again come to the fore as the two chambers of the National Assembly contend over the election of presiding officers. The issue is especially in contention in the Senate where the principal candidates for the office of Senate President have emerged in the persons of two rooted

PRIVILEGES THAT COME WITH SENIORITY IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE

•Preference in choosing committees of the Senate. •By tradition the most senior person in the committee from the majority party takes position of chairman and the most senior senator of the minority party is the ranking member. •Senior senators take seats closer to the dais. •Senior senators are also given the privilege of occupying better offices in the Senate building.

politicians, Senators Bukola Saraki of Kwara State and George Akume of Benue State. As at press time the National Executive Committee, NEC of the All Progressives Congress, APC was yet to fix a meeting to ratify the decision on the zoning of the office but advocates of the two men were pushing the aspirations of the

two men on several fronts. Senator Akume has nevertheless, wormed his way into the hearts of many on the basis of his position as the Senate minority leader when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was removed from power. Many are looking up to him with nostalgia that he should continue from where he stopped as minority leader on the prism that a winning team should not be changed. Akume’s ambition was strongly canvassed this week when Senator Barnabas Gemade gave him a ringing endorsement for the office. However, he is seriously tackled by a perception problem which many senators and stakeholders feel could challenge his aspiration.

Perception problem

Some of the analogue senators in canvassing the need for ranking even pointed to the United States Senate, where some of them alleged that there was even ranking in the allocation of car parking space between older and newer senators

It is also felt that his stewardship of Benue State was not as exemplary as it could have been. Even more challenging for him is the fact that he has been taken for trial for by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It is bound to be a riveting obstacle for him in the face of the determination of the leader of the party, Muhammadu Buhari for a change to the status quo. Another issue that has arisen to challenge Akume is the fact that all the Senate Presidents from North Central, including the outgoing one, Senator David Mark, have come from Benue State. The others before Mark were Iyorcha Ayu and Ameh Ebute. It is a point that advocates of the candidacy of Senator

Continues on page 27

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—27

AKWA IBOM: Why you shouldn't believe all the lies — Aniekan Umana MR. Aniekan Umana, the commissioner for information in Akwa Ibom State in this session with newsmen responds to issues arising from the conduct and outcome of the recent governorship election in Akwa Ibom. Excerpts: By Emmanuel Aziken

HA T is your r eacHAT reaci o n to the several allegations of malpractices especially from some foreign observers that the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State was marred by irregularities? The noise about Akwa Ibom election is not correct. The position of the AU monitoring team is not correct. The correct position is that of the domestic observers because those were the people who actually went to the villages. They went to every unit and they are Nigerians accredited from every part of the country by INEC; they are not from Akwa Ibom. If the election was conducted ten times, every week, the PDP will win ten times in Akwa Ibom because there is a foundation of performance, there is foundation of inclusiveness, forget about one or two people who are saying they are elders and are making noise, who have become septuagenarian undertakers, addressing press conference here and there. If you see those undertakers, these are people who worked with the same government; these are people who earned very big contracts they did not execute. t

How strong is the governor –elect to carry on with the task of ruling the state? He has the qualities. You must also understand that even in cooperate governance, for you to rise to an executive director of an organization like Zenith Bank and be on the board of IFC, and on the board of Zenith Uk, Gambia, Sierra-Leone and all of that, you must understand that the quality is not small. It may not be as big as the politics of the state, but you see, it is essentially the same thing, it is power game. Power is power, no matter the colouration, power is power, even in church. So Udom has that capacity in his corporate endeavor and when he came in as Secretary to Government, he also showed capacity and ability to run the government. In fact, it was one of the reasons why the decisions to support him was not difficult. You could see that he is firm and fair-minded, that I can say from stand-point of knowledge. He set in a process when he was Secretary to Government that changed a lot of things.

Statutory delrgates And when we left for pri-

•Aniekan Umanah

Former Governor Victor Attah told newsmen that polling officers told him when he went to vote that there were no voting materials and that people carted away the materials and that explains why he said that there were no elections in the state? That is his opinion. At his level and position, he should be able to call INEC and ask them that question because

mary, it was not difficult to get support no matter what anybody says. Over 1,300 delegates went for the primary election, about 500 were statutory delegates. Even if you say the other ones were ad-hoc delegates, the statutory delegates are delegates who anyone could have worked on to get support. If you now get over 1,200 of the total votes, it just shows that you have support no matter how you want to look at it.

SENATE PRESIDENT: The contentions and candidates Continues on page 26 Bukola Saraki are bound to throw up. For Saraki, his emergence as Senate President could also be nostalgic, given his father’s easy mention as arguably the most colourful Senate Leader in the history of the country. Pointers are also made of his role in rejuvenating the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, an argument that Akume’s supporters are putting aside on the fact that Saraki has just spent only one term in the Senate. It is that argument on ranking

that is now inspiring talk of Senator Ahmad Lawan, the longest serving legislator in the ranks of the APC. Senator Lawan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts holds a doctorate degree and had been in the legislature since 1999 when he first came to the House of Representatives on the ticket of the now defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. His canvassers are saying that arguments on ranking should focus on him and his legislative achievements if they are to find any weight. His supporters are also canvassing the claim that he would unlike the two major

contenders be more accessible on the claim that he does not have executive hangover, having never been a governor with executive powers. While a number of senators are said to be disposed to him, they are, however, challenged by the fact that Senator Lawan is from outside the NorthCentral, the zone that many in the leadership of the APC were said to have zoned the office to. The prospects of Senator Lawan is also causing some from the Northeast to push forward their own argument for commensurate reward. They are putting their hopes on Lawan.

We are not worried at all; there is no cause for alarm. We would defeat them roundly whether at the tribunal or anywhere whatsoever. The matter would die at tribunal level

the materials belong to INEC. If assuming you get to a place and there is no voting, it is not even a matter for the press. The first thing is to pull your phone and call the Electoral Officer and ask him that question and based on the answer he or she gives, you know what to say. And then the electoral officer should be able to tell you whether he has released materials for the unit and should tell you the supervising presiding officer. So it is neither here nor there because anybody could say that. They say they are members of board of trustees of the PDP but then they were supporting Umana and they were working for APC along with Don Etiebet, General Akpan and so on. So, do you entertain any fears from the threat of the APC to go to the tribunal? It is poverty of knowledge, and it is display of illiteracy because how can you call for cancellation, cancellation of what? If election has been held, you cannot call for cancellation of election. If you have any issue, you go and petition at the tribunal. As for that, we are not bothered about the tribunal, it is a known process, it is a rule that we know is constitutional. So everybody knows that from the beginning. If there are complaints, people will go to the tribunal. We are not worried at all; there is no cause for alarm. We would defeat them roundly whether at the tribunal or anywhere whatsoever. The matter would die at tribunal level because they can’t even go further because they are the ones who don’t have any issue. Do you entertain any fears on the relationship between the incoming and outgoing governor after the inauguration? I don’t see any problem. Everything on earth depends on doing the right thing. Once you do the right thing, you would not have problems, once there is mutual respect, you would not have problems and you know the disposition of Governor Akpabio.

Mutual respect He is very friendly, he has a large heart, he is somebody who doesn’t want to see anybody in pains. The in-coming governor is also very detailed, he is somebody with very great depth, he is somebody with very great humility, and very respectful. So we even used to call him Mr. Respect in the state, we call him

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

MAY 29 HANDOVER:

Buhari supporters invade Abuja AHEAD of the May 29, 2015 inauguration of Presidentelect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), his supporters have taken over the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Now, Buhari’s change slogan, Sai Baba, Sai Buhari, has been adopted as a way of greeting by residents.

By Favour Nnabugwu

NDEED, the slogan had been popular among Okada riders, market men and women and even in corporate offices even before the March 28 presidential polls. The slogan went virile on the very day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the72-yearold former military dictator as the winner of the election. President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat to former Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, paving the way for an unprecedented peaceful transfer of power in Africa’s most populous nation. Being the first time in the country’s history that an opposition party has democratically taken control of the country from the ruling party, Abuja was agog with celebrations. Cars honked and people waved brooms in the air, a symbol of Buhari’s campaign promise to sweep out

the nation’s endemic corruption. INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, while declaring Buhari the winner, said Buhari got 15,424,921 votes to Jonathan’s 12,853,162, •Residents greet eliciting spontaneous celebrations in Abuja including the satellite towns where Buhari is revered. Young men on motor scooters performed wheelies as hundreds of youths chanted, “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari” and cars honked their horns in support. An Okada rider, Suleima Garba, said Buhari is the people’s choice Giving an interpretation of Sai Baba, Sai Buhari, Garba said it means, ‘Only Baba, Only Buhari.’ On why they referred to him as Baba, the rider said Buhari could pass for most Nigerians’ father or grandfather and since it was argued in some quarters that Buhari was too old to contest, then

one another with Sai Baba, Sai Buhari change slogan

Nigerians should accept him as Baba (father). In Garki Market, an Akwa Ibom woman by name Enem Udoh, a vegetable seller who was obviously elated, said ‘’we yearned for change not because President Jonathan is not good but we just desire to see the next level that change will take us to. The austere and strict-looking Buhari has described himself as a belated convert to democracy, promising to stamp out corruption and the Boko Haram insurgency in the North. The country’s over 170 million people

are divided by a slight margin between Christians and Muslims but in the Presidential election, Buhari for the first time won states in the South-West and even took one-third of votes in the SouthEast, an unprecedented development that many say was a reflection of his rising acceptance among the electorate. Buhari’s fourth bid to become president was boosted by the formation of a coalition of major opposition parties two years ago. The APC’s choice of Buhari as candidate presented the opposition with the first real opportunity in the history of Nigeria to oust an incumbent president.

Nigeria is structurally defective — Chukwudum CHIEF Euriel Chukwuka Chukwudum is the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Denis Hotel, Ltd., Abuja. In this encounter with Vanguard recently, the business magnate says unless Nigeria is restructured, no president, no matter how well-intentioned, will get it right. Excerpts: By Ebele Orakpo

OLITICS affecting businesses: Generally, instability in any society has always been very dangerous to the economy and to the peace and stability of the society. Nigeria will not be an exception. In as much as I am saying that instability in Nigerian politics, viz-a-viz the government/politicians not doing what they are supposed to do and not taking care of the people they are serving, we will give kudos to government to a certain degree because the problem of the country is perennial. I don’t blame whoever is on the driver’s seat. Even if you bring President Obama to govern Nigeria today, he will have the same problem because the way Nigeria is structured is very faulty. Mediocrity:The way Nigeria is structured cannot allow anybody there to function and get it right. It is impossible because the person must have to compromise. The structure encourages mediocrity. First and foremost, it is divisive, it encourages

mediocrity and there is no way we can progress. All these countries we talk of today progressing and excelling in one thing or the other, are all merit-driven. Nigeria is not merit-driven. A country that is run by concession, quota system, allocation, federal character etc, cannot progress. Anybody presiding over Nigerian policies is bound to compromise because it is structured to be like that. So as far as I am concerned, it is really a very big problem. I believe that those people who probably have been favoured by these draconian policies, should have a rethink and know that it has actually not taken us anywhere. Today, we are more civilized, things are no longer the same, therefore, they should take away that fear that is in them and come through the right path to progress. I have never seen a place where the weak pulls the strong. It is in Nigeria that it is happening. It is supposed to be the strong pulling the weak. Level-playing field: A student cannot come up all of a sudden to become a

professor without going through the process, he has to be a student, before he becomes a professor but in Nigeria, you can become a professor overnight because of federal character and quota system. So if the government and politicians will come together and create a levelplaying field, if not for any other thing, the National Conference reports should be enshrined into our constitution so that it will create a level-playing field for everyone; that is what an average Nigerian requires today. He does not require all these dichotomies in the country. Such level-playing field will help the business environment and the country to progress. I believe the problems of ethnicity, tribalism and fanaticism, will be a thing of the past because a busy person will not have time to go and foment trouble; he will be so engaged that he will not have time to be used as a thug by anyone. But for the fact that unemployment and the Nigerian factor are there, a lot of people find themselves roaming the streets

•Chief Euriel

and the politicians are having a field day over it. I am talking out of experience as a businessman. We know where all those being fed with silver spoon today in Nigeria are, and the ones that struggled by themselves, we know where they are so government should just create a level-playing field for Nigerians so that it will give room for merit and at the end of the day, we will have progress. Merit can only work on a level-playing field. Nigeria will be a better place if the right thing is done. There is an urgent need to restructure if we must make genuine progress.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—29

HE dreaded 2015 elections have been concluded and the umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had given its final decision. The results are clear except in the two states of Abia and Imo whose final results remain in abeyance–the election in each state was judged to be inconclusive. Though General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner of the Presidential contests, the real hero of the March 28, 2015 election was the defeated candidate, the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan by his exemplary show of statesmanship. By our standard, that remains a welcome rarity. Nigeria remains united today by the grace of God and the singular act of courage by a single person who, despite electoral defeat, has shown tremendous courage to save the nation. It may be necessary, at this juncture when the election high fever is yet to come down, to attempt a simple analysis of events before the electoral saga of March 28th and April 11, 2015. Many columnists (including the respected ones), perhaps out of shock, have adopted a rather simplistic approach. Accusing fingers have been pointed at that greatly misunderstood for twice elected President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired army general – without, of course, mentioning the theatrical tearing of his PDP membership card. However, in the midst of jubilation and gyration of party faithfuls in multi coloured dresses and the sorrowful stance of the election losers, one name remains golden in saving the soul of the country. President Goodluck Jonathan has turned to be a remarkable Statesman at the crucial moment.

revenue as the mainstay of the economy, and payment of subsidy on imported petroleum products told little favourable tale about wise management of the economy. Erratic power supply has brought no succor to economy growth.

2015 POLLS: The dramatic end of the race Some weeks before the election proper, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former military Head of State and twice elected President of Nigeria openly tore his PDP registration card to the disgust of party members. Although, the act of tearing was performed by his ward chairman, the mere act showed that the former army general was not happy with the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Chief Obasanjo, during his active political days, had been able to divide the South West ethnic block voters by nurturing the Gbenga Daniels and Fayoses; and by breaking into the sacred Caliphate States of Sokoto and Kebbi; and solicited the sympathy of the Middle-Belt minorities. The party, PDP was at its nadir between 1999 and 2011. Without Chief Obasanjo‘s impact on PDP‘s electioneering campaigns in 2015, everything appeared to go into the reverse gear. It appears as if many Nigerians are yet to understand the personality of their former leader who had ruled the country three times. He was linked with the brief rule of former President, late Yar‘Adua and also, the emergence of Ebele Jonathan as current President. Yet, he

remains totally misunderstood by the party he nourished to greater heights and also, by some politicians he had helped to prominence and financial fortunes. As late Gen Oluleye, a Yoruba noted that ‘Obasanjo in terms of craft, he looks deceptive, but he can sketch good and bad schemes with equal celebrity. He is an expert in confrontational tactics”. That is Obasanjo for you in politics. Those who are now blaming Obasanjo for the woes of PDP are strange fellows who are not familiar with the structure of that party and its earlier relationship with the old military junta. Now to the specific issues that appeared to have shaped the election results in many parts of the country. It is not only insecurity that has bred the Boko Haram insurgency in the NorthEast, but also the constant menace of armed robberies and kidnappings in the South and ritual killings all over the country. The widespread social cleavages and the rise in religious and ethnic tensions have frightened the minorities in many states and created doubts about a united country, called Nigeria. The struggle for political

dominance among the major tribes (including the Ijaw) is worsening day by day and has put the security of the country in serious danger. The result of the presidential elections is clear – North West, North East and South West as one block against the South East and South South as another block. This is the dangerous position that existed before and during the civil war of 1967-1970. Perhaps those clamouring for a government of national unity have their strong political points. The idea is to prevent a divided nation. The economy It may be that the puzzling economic scenario contributed to the halt of the stormy reign of the PDP from 1999 to March 28, 2015 (the date of presidential and national assembly elections). The economic indicators were unfavourable to the ruling party. The unemployment rate of about 29 per cent was too high compared to 3 to 10 per cent in developed economies. The weakened currency – about N200 to an American dollar and unfriendly cost of funds to domestic industry did not help matters. Adherence to the policy of relying solely on oil

Our plans for Ndigbo, others in Lagos APC — Segun Idris Hon. Olusegun Abubakar Idris is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the administrative secretary of the party in the Lagos West Senatorial District. In this interview, he spoke on issues arising from the recent elections in the state and the party’s plans to sustain its dominance. Excerpts:

By Gbenga Oke

OW will you describe the outcome of the general elections? The outcome of the general elections was a success because the voting process was credible and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) against all odds conducted a free and fair polls. Even though a lot of people did have reservations about the conduct of INEC before the elections, but we have been proved wrong. The use of card readers gave credibility to our elections to some extent even though there were challenges during the Presidential elections, but there were improvement during the Governorship and State

House of Assembly elections. With the card reader in place, the choice of the people eventually prevailed and that is all I can say. TheelectionsinLagosStatewere close. What was responsible for this development? Lagos State being the centre of Excellence and being a place called “mini Nigeria”, the state has different ethnic and religious groups that reside in here and everybody have their interests. Even the Assembly elections were not walk-over for one party against the other. PDP also had some seats in the State House of Assembly even though our party APC still maintains the majority with 32 members to that of PDP which 8. I think that is the nature of the new Lagos where people

are not victimized as against their choices during elections. This development will tell us especially those of us in APC to really work hard and present people of outstanding qualities in the nearest future for our elections. In your local government, Amuwo-Odofin LGA, your party APC lost both the House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly seat. Also this is the first time a non indigine will be representing the area. What will you say was responsible for the party’s loss in the area? There were too many factors responsible for that loss. One of the factors responsible was the concentration of the people from South-East and South-South, these people voted for PDP due to their staunch support for President Goodluck Jonathan which automatically made them to vote for PDP from beginning till the end. Therefore, they did not really think of voting elsewhere or another party, they went on to vote

•Idris

for the PDP because they felt ‘our brother is the one going for the Presidency.’ You have enumerated several factors that made your party APC lose touch in Amuwo-Odofin. What is your party doing to ensure some of those problems are addressed before the Local Government elections will take place? I know we are going to have local government elections very soon and before then, we will be having town hall meetings with everybody

My thought It is now being realized, more than any time before, that the country needs unity in an atmosphere of prosperity. The eyes of Nigerians are now fixed on President Elect, Gen Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), who though not a magician, would be expected to fix the enduring political and economic problems of Nigeria and bring the desired political unity on his attainment of office on May 29, 2015. On political side, he would be expected to bring Nigerians of diverse tribes and religions together as one to move the country forward. It is a pity that after the civil war, we seem, like the French Bourbons, to have “learnt nothing and forgotten nothing”. Every politician sees every opportunity as a means of making good for self and advances the fortunes of his ethnic and religious associates. The consequence of that attitude is responsible for the growth of mistrusts and hatred among the people. Also, it has created economic gulf between the rich and the poor in what is now known as a DIVIDED COUNTRY. It is not too much for Nigeria to seek for unity in diversity and peace and prosperity in a viable and strong polity. Many are doubtful if heavy responsibilities of the country could be ably carried on the shoulders of a single political party, even if that party is divinely endowed. It is in the interest of this that politicians in their joy and sorrow would forget temporary political advantages and work for unity and prosperity. including our people from the South-south and South-East to let them know the reason why they should vote for us. We are also going to also look into a situation whereby we can bring about a popular candidate that will represent the party. I know that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his wisdom has always been there to ensure that electoral process within the party and in the general elections are done without any form of bias. The internal mechanism of the party must be able to produce a candidate that will be readily available and that will be acceptable to the electorate of Amuwo-Odofin. We are planning to have one on one discussions with everybody in this local government including the Igbos, they have always been here with us and they are doing very well with us. We are actually going to talk to them and am sure they will further tell us what their grievances, their mind and interest are. The Igbo’s have always been here and they do have positions at the local government level here, even the Hausas and the South-South people, they have always been here with us in Amuwo-Odofin.

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Goddess of the Talking Drum

I’m re-inventing the brand called Ara •Says she’s ready to remarry Goddess of the talking drum as she is fondly called, Aralola Olumuyiwa,aka Ara is not your everyday musician. As one of Africa’s leading female drummers and singers, Ara has carved a niche for herself in the nation’s music scene. Few years ago, she got married to her ex-husband, Prince Nurudeen Olalekan Saliu, a marriage she once described as her greatest undoing. In this interview with Weekend Groove, Ara explains why she has been off-the scene in recent times, her present predicaments, ongoing project and life as a single mother. BY IYABO AINA

How long have you been wearing your braids? I’ve been wearing the braids for 16 years now. Some time go, I removed it to allow my scalp rest. Also, any time I am wearing the braids, there are certain things I can’t do just as there are places I cannot visit. The reason is that my hairdo is my signature. But, whenever I’m rocking another hairdo, I can go anywhere. You’re still looking cool as a single mother. What’s the secret? It’s because I’ve been off the scene for some time now, and during this period, I had enough time to relax. Are you working on any project? Yes, I am working on my album. I just finished shooting the video for the collabo I did with Puffytee, titled “Your Lover ”. I also did a song titled “Ara De” featuring M.I and we are shooting the video in Abeokuta at the moment. The storyline of the first song “Your Lover ” is about two lovers who couldn’t C M Y K

express their love for each other because of pride, and” Ara De” is announcing my return to the music industry because I’ve not been active in the industry in recent times. I do my shows both locally and internationally, but the people who seem to dominate the space are the hip-hop artistes. The likes of Lagbaja,Femi Kuti and myself are mainly known for shows and they belong to the same class with me. Today, what is in vogue is hip-hop, and you don’t get to hear much about our kind of songs. So, what I’m doing presently is to reinvent the brand called, Ara. Thereafter, I will do a few commercial songs without losing the essence

I still believe in love, I believe in keeping my values. But I am afraid to get involved emotionally; I am on the defensive now

of the Ara brand. This, however, will give people the opportunity to listen to the Ara sound as I perfect plans to drop my maiden album in my over 25 years as a performer. What other things do you do to support your musical career? Life has been a mixture of the good and the bad, in the sense that I have been opportuned to travel far and wide, doing shows. As Ara, I have my style of music and every artiste has got his or her own style. But, at some point motherhood came calling, and at another point, I was married. I had my baby and at the same time, my marriage crashed. I was down because I didn’t pray for it. But later on, I picked myself up and moved on. I’ve been doing my shows as I used to. But aside music, I engage myself in other businesses such as pursuing contracts and getting involved in philanthropic enterprise. I also run a boutique, a salon and I am an entrepreneur. Would there ever be a second chance for another man in your life? Definitely! Even though it took me several years for the wound to heal. But I will definitely give a second chance for any man that will come into my life. Presently, I am still very

single. I’ve been dating on and off after my marriage crashed. But I have been careful not to get messedup or build unnecessary noise around my private life. For those who see me as their role model, I am very single and will

definitely get married again. What do you look out for in a man? First, he should be a man after my heart and a man Continues on page 36

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP!

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Synopsis BLACK OR WHITE

I’m re-inventing the brand called Ara Continues from page 35 who has a good heart. Men will always be men and one cannot take that fact away from them. Likewise women will always be women and you cannot take that away from us. But a man who has a good heart and a conscience, who loves children because I have a son and is able to accept my son as his. A man who is not intimidated by successful women. How do you describe your experience working with 2Face? 2Face and I have come a long way after we worked with the same producer, Nelson Brown. We ran into each other at Ice Prince’s album launch. We were all over each other because it’s been 16 years since we lost contact. There and then, we decided to do a collaboration. Fortunately for me, I was already working on the remix of one of the oldies of Chief Ebenezer Obey. It occurred to me to kick start the project. We recorded the song and shot the video. It was beautiful and 2Face is a nice man. Did you get an approval from Ebenezer Obey before remixing his song? It was really funny for me. I had recorded the song and shot the video before going to Baba. I kept having it at the back of my mind to see him, but he wasn’t around. So, I decided to go ahead with the work before 2Face also travelled out of the country. After shooting

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the music video, I bought some things to pay homage to Baba. He had given me an appointment. When I got there, I knelt down and told him what I had done. The response I got was that he already had it on his iPad. I was so ashamed of myself but he encouraged me and told me that he was proud of me. He prayed for me endlessly. That was one of the most beautiful days of my life. I am really grateful to him for that. One unfortunate thing was that I couldn’t do a remix with the late Fatai Rolling Dollar. He invited me severally, but we never had the chance to do it What transpired between you and your exhusband? A lot! But you’ll get to hear what happened in my song. I wrote a song for my son title “Ire” which happens to be my son’s name. In that song, I was telling him why I had to leave his father. When he’s of age, he will understand why I walked out of my marriage. For every time I cried and everything I had to endure I did them for him. So, there is no way I am going to talk extensively about it otherwise it will look as if I’m throwing a punch at someone. No matter what happened, he still remains the father of my son. Though he’s married now with kids. How is your son doing? I thank God, he is doing well. What would you say you miss about your ex? Nothing! What does sex mean to you? It’s beautiful and passionate. But I can do without sex for three years How are you coping as a single parent? It has not been easy at all, because of my lifestyle. I have refused to be everywhere, I guard my heart jealously. I believe you have to write me a letter, court me, and know me very well before you can marry me. I still believe in love, I believe in keeping my values. But I am afraid to get involved emotionally; I am on the defensive now.

lack or White tells the story of a grieving widower who is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life. But Project Almanac dwells on a group of teens who discovered secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK · · · ·

FAST & FURIOUS 7 PAUL BLART MALL COP 2 OUTCAST LOVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Schedule commencing from Friday 17th – 23rd April , 2014 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Out Cast : 11:30am,1:25pm,6:35pm Fast & Furious 7 : 11:00am,1:35pm,4:05pm,6:40pm,8:30pm,9:15pm Night Crawler : 9:00pm, SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Project Almanac :5:15pm,9:15pm Black or White : 1:05pm,3:45pm,6:40pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 11:15pm,1:10pm4:55pm,6:45pm, Out Cast : 3:00pm,8:40pm Fast & furious 7 : 10:35am,1:10pm,3:45pm,6:20pm,9:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Top Five : 12:40pm,2:40pm,4:40pm6:40pm,8:40pm Black or White : 11:30am,1:50pm,6:45pm,9:05pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 1:10pm,3:00pm,4:50pm,6:40pm,8:30pm Out Cast : 2:30pm,6:50pm8:50pm Fast & Furious 7 : 1:30pm,3:50pm,4:10pm,6:30pm,8:00pm,9:10pm Love or Something Like That : 1:20pm,3:40pm,6:00pm,8:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Night Crawler : 6:35pm,8:50pm Son of a Gun : 6:30pm,8:40pm Black Hat : 11:20am,1:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Top five : 11:00am,3:00pm,7:00pm,9:000pm Black or White : 11:10am,3:10pm,7:05Pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 12:10pm,2:00pm,3:50pm,5:40pm Out Cast : 1:05pm,5:10pm Fast & Furious 7 : 11:00am,1:30pm,4:00pm,6:30pm,7:40pm,9:00pm Son of a Gun : 12:50pm,4:45pm,6:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 11:40am,1:35pm,4:00pm,6:15pm,8:10pm Fast & Furious : 12:50pm,1:20pm,5:45pm,6:20pm,8:20pm Night Crawler : 3:30pm Son of Gun : 11:45am,1:55pm4:10pm,6:20pm,8:30pm Love or Somthing Like That : 11:50am,1:45pm,3:50pm,6:00pm,8:10pm Chappie : 11:40am,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm,8:10pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Black or White : 4:00pm,6:30pm,9:00pm Paul Blart Mall Cop : 2 10:40pm,1:05pm,3:20pm,525pm,7:20pm10:40pm OutCast : 10:50am,3:10pm,5:15pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Black or White : 10:40am,5:15pm,8:05pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 12:05pm2:00pm,4:05pm,7:35pm,8:00pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Black or White : 2:45pm,5:00pm,7:45pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 10:30am,9:05pm OutCast : 9:50pm,10:15pm Love or Something like That : 10:40am,3:00pm,9:15pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 10:45am,4:30pm,10:10pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, KANO Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 3:35pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, APAPA Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 11:55am,3:35pm Out Cast : 7:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 2:10pm,4:00pm Out Cast : 10:40am,12:30pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 10:10am,4:00pm Out Cast : 8:15pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 12:00pm,1:45pm,3:35pm,5:20pm,7:10pm,9:05pm Love or Something Like That : 2:20pm,4:35pm,6:50pm KADA CINEMAS, BENIN Black or White : 11:00am,3:30pm,6:00pm, Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 1:30pm,6:15pm OutCast : 1:30pm,6:15pm,8:30pm Night Crawler : 1:15pm,6:00pm VIVA CINEMAS,ILORIN Black or White : 11:30am,4:00pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 11:00am,5:05pm Out Cast : 11:30am,7:05pm Son of a Gun : 3:05pm Invasion 1897 : 5:00pm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—37

Dance with Peter Okoye reality TV show debuts P

ETER Okoye, one half of the P-Square music duo has debuted with “Dance Nigeria with Peter,” a TV reality show designed to raise the bar. Dance Nigeria with Peter is the first Dance Reality TV show that abrogates the normal humdrum of dance com-

petition seen on TV. It’s a show that brings about a whole new dimension to dancing in an exciting display of talents, all wrapped up with suspense and indecision of the judge/mentors. The show has Peter Okoye making his debut as a judge cum mentor alongside dance Queen Kaf-

fy and hip hop dance choreographer, Flex. According to Peter Okoye, “This show is going to revolutionize the way Nigerians see dance. I am so happy to have on this project the best Nigeria has to offer when it comes to dance. We believe that dance has the power to put this nation on the map. Charity begins at home, so let’s dance Nigeria.” The competition, Peter said, will be open to individuals from different dance backgrounds, be it solo, group or duet. Auditions will be held in June across four major cities of Jos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos. It also includes street battles to make up the final 30 that will move to the competition phase. Registration of interested candidates will commence in May.

Piracy, inordinate distribution channel and lack of structure, bane of entertainment industry BY TOFARATI IGE & JULIET EBIRIM

L Falz becomes brand ambassador for Webmall

From left: MD Webmall, Wale Faroun and Falz

By Juliet Ebirim

IGERIAN singer and entertainer, Folarin Falana popularly known as ‘Falz the bahd guy’ has joined the league of brand ambassadors in the Nigerian entertainment industry as he has signed a one-year contract with a fast growing ecommerce platform, WebMall www.webmallng.com. At the signing ceremony which took place in Victoria Island, Lagos recently, the Managing Director of the company, Wole Faroun said he is confident that the decision to sign Falz will be of immense benefit to the brand. “Falz has a unique act that combines music with humor and that attracts the following of a key

consumer segment that are potential customers of the platform. We have a target segment that we want to engage and Falz appeals to that segment with his unique style.” On his part, Falz stated that this has been long coming and extended his gratitude to all parties that made the deal possible. “I’m very happy and excited about this. I look forward to working with the company to promote their products and merchants. With my funny, jovial and witty character, I’ll be able to attract and direct my fans to this platform. I look forward to a great working relationship because our vision align in terms of what we want to achieve.”

ack of structure, menace of piracy and inordinate distribution channel have been identified as part of the major problems undermining the growth of the country’s entertainment industry. Speakers at this year ’s edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Conference which held on Wednesday, April 22, at Oceanview, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, pointed out that if urgent steps are not taken to address the problems, the entertainment industry in Nigeria will go into oblivion. Speaking at the event which attracted a cream of stakeholders in the industry, Eldee said, lack of adequate data remains one of the biggest problems facing the entertainment industry. According to him, many artistes today are unaware of how much airplay their music are getting as well as the royalty, if any, that are accruing to them. Stating that he has been forced to combine being a record label owner with being a solution provider in terms of making data available to the people that need it in the industry, Eldee said, “There is no data collection in the industry as regards what is due to artistes for their music. And when you do get the information, you have to pay an arm and a leg for it. Meanwhile, this information can make things a lot easier.

•Panelists at the event

The vision I have solves that problem forever...this is going to cut across Nigeria, Africa, and the rest of the world. As a Nigerian artiste, you need to know how much airplay you’re getting even in the remotest parts of the world.” On his own, Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of the Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON,urged industry operators to embrace the digital space as it represents the future of the industry. According to him, “Alaba is our past. The digital space is the future. We must be ahead in the digital age because our intellectual properties such as music, movies and literature are the powerhouse of the future of Nigeria.” Nollywood actress Joke Silva called on the government and stakeholders to tackle piracy. Her words: “If piracy is not dealt with the way we dealt with fake drugs, an industry will be killed and by so doing, we would have murderers and criminals due to lack of jobs. There must be sanctions to checkmate this.” On his part, filmmaker and Editorial Board Chairman of NET, Chris Ihidero, said there is an increase in the establishment of training centres and called on actors to be careful where they acquire skills. “Training has become the cheapest cabal in Nollywood. Those who need training are training people. You have to be careful who you train with.”

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

ARAH Ibikunle was a bright teenageroutgoing, hard working and full of promise. After school each day, Sarah joined her aunt, Mrs. Omolafe, to tend to the latter’s business. Sarah’s aunt is a good woman. She has brought Sarah to Lagos from Ondo State years before and now depends on her fishselling small family business now more than ever. The location of the business could not be more excellent- right across the road from a large, commercial bank branch on the prestigious Admiralty way in Lekki, Lagos. Well-heeled residents would stop by on their way home from work and do some quick and convenient shopping. What could possibly go wrong? A lot, apparently. One sad afternoon, a team of daredevil robbers hit on the bank across the road, shooting sporadically and mindlessly in their bid to make a getaway. One of their stray bullets hit Sarah, felling her in the flower of her youth. It was fatal. Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, was soon to make a public statement. As any responsible leader would, he identified and analyzed the context, articulating the cause and the effect. It had been in the thick of the presidential elections campaigns, and a good many police men- 2,123 to be precise, according to the governor- had been diverted from their duty posts to secure a visiting powerful candidate from Abuja.

Power ful owerful candidate The robbers had got away, literally, with murder. Other commentators merely blamed the misdeed on fate, arguing the possibility of anyone being hit by stray bullets even in the safety of one’s home. This is somewhat at v a r i a n c e with the statistics. According to a study financed by the Covenant University Centre for Research and Development (CUCERD) which interviewed 3873 street traders in the cities of Aba, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano, there are two important types of occupational hazards in street trading activities in

In the old traditional African societies, it was the norm for children to help their parents on the farms/ markets, and so on. In a fast moving cosmopolitan city such as Lagos, can the same rules really apply?

Regrettably, only 24 of the country ’s 36 states have passed the Act The Child Rights Law in Lagos State, which came into operation on May 28, 2007, defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. It states, amongst other things, in paragraph 14—(1) that Every child has the right to free, compulsory and universal basic education and it shall be the duty of the Lagos State Government to provide such comprehensive education… …Subject to this Law, no child shall be—(a) subjected to any forced or exploitative labour or (b) employed to work in any capacity except where he is employed by a member of his family on light work of an agricultural, horticultural or domestic character approved by the Commissioner; or (c) required, in any case, to lift, carry or move anything so he or family environment or family environment. Matching laws : The trouble arises mainly from matching existing legislature with cases such as Sarah’s, and prosecuting offenders; and prosecuting offenders meets several hitches. Cultural factors are amongst the most prominent. In the old traditional African

Should minors trade on the streets of Lagos? Nigeria namely: (i) injuries sustained from road traffic accidents and (ii) harassment of traders through indiscriminate arrest, seizure and confiscation of merchandise and occasional incarceration of sellers in police cells. The study, titled Occupational Health and safety of Street Traders in Nigeria and published in the International Journal of Economics and Finance, discovered that not less than 25% have suffered

It is important that we do not create another Sarah Ibironke: beautiful, hopeful, full of dreams. And dead

injury, while 49.1% have experienced harassment from public authority officials. Sarah was put in harm’s way and unnecessarily so. Why children work work: Another study in Nigeria says children work for a variety of reasons, the most important being poverty. Children work to ensure the survival of their family and themselves even if not well paid. According to a 1991 study, only 8% of children make their own decisions to work. Children in Nigeria contribute more time to their household than they deplete as compared to their counterparts in developed countries. Governor Fashola said it all when he said in his statement: “(the) President is entitled to every protection but the question to ask is; when you were being traumatized, where were these 2,123 men, because you are also entitled to be protected? The reason why the President gets all that protection is so that he can protect all of us!”

Existing legislatures Laws already exist in Lagos State to arrest the ugly phenomenon that street trading by minors has become. November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The convention was later adopted by the assembly of Heads of States and Governments of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, now African Union (AU) as the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (CRCW) in July 1990. Nigeria has signed both the International Instruments and had ratified them in 1991 and 2000. Both protocols reflect children as human beings and as subjects of their own rights.The bill was eventually passed into law by the National Assembly in July 2003. It was assented to by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in September 2003, and promulgated as the Child Rights Act 2003.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 39

AUTISM: Cause remains mystery ...as prevalence rises

Children with autism have difficulty communicating and interacting.

Yearly, new cases of autism are recorded all over the world while the overwhelming task of managing children with autism continues to tear homes apart. Recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicates autism is the fastest growing developmental disability with a 10-17 percent annual growth rate. Little wonder the United Nations has since 2008 dedicated the month of April to creating awareness on the disorder, tagging it ‘International Autism Awareness Month’. Lipstick brings to your fingertips facts about autism commonly described as a complex neuro-developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life as a result of a malfunction in the brain, and lasts a lifetime unless tackled head-on and early.

“This also means that a significant number of our young adults globally would be individuals with autism unless something is done to forestall this! PSLC for example has had to cater for hundreds of children since 2006 when we actually started with only two children,” Dotun added.

Early

By Josephine Agbonkhese

dentifying

autism:

Though autistic children and adult may look normal, they are plagued by a range of symptoms that include difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities. Most of them have no speech (can’t talk) but often try to repeat words or phrases they hear - an event called echolalia. Also, autistics find it much harder to understand the feelings of other people or empathize with others. They hate being cuddled or touched and also find sudden loud noises, smell and changes in intensity of lightening unbearable. Either cognitive or language skills development might be very slow for them. Overall, the disorder is four times more common in boys than in girls. Cause: Despite its steady rise globally, there is no known cause for autism. Research however focuses on environmental, genetic factors as well as incompatibility. Mothers who are exposed to more traffic-air pollution during pregnancy are also said to have a higher risk of having a child

with autism. Influenza, persistent fever and antibiotic usage during pregnancy are also said to increase the risk. A US-based integrated care consortium, Kaiser Permanente, is however about to begin what is believed to be the largest genetic research project ever conducted by a health

organization into the causes of autism. The research will gather biological and health information from 5,000 families who have a child with the disorder. Prevalence:Latest government figures in the United States says autism occurs in 1 in 68 children. A couple of years ago, it was 1 in 88. Few years before, this statistics was put at 1 in 110 while the UK and South Africa recorded a prevalence of 1 in 150 with Korea having a prevalence of 1 in 38 children.

Statistics for Nigeria:

The ratio by the United States is much lower than what obtains in her Nigeria-based centre. Out of every twenty children, we have three with autism

Unfortunately, there are no statistics for Nigeria even though more children are being diagnosed with autism. Mrs.Bolanle Adewole, Director, The Learning Place Centre, a centre catering for children with autism and related disorders in Lagos, however says the ratio by the United States is much lower than what obtains in her Nigeria-based centre. “Out of every twenty children, we have three with autism,” she said. Bolanle has an 11-year-old son who has almost overcome autism. “From my own experience, autism is five times more common than Down Syndrome and three times more common

than Juvenile Diabetes,” revealed Mrs.Dotun Akande, a Nigerian expert who founded the first school for autistic children in Nigeria, Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, PSLC, in 2006. Dotun is the mother of a 16-year-old boy who was diagnosed with autism at age two. Cure: There is no known cure for autism. However, specialist education and structured support can really make a difference to a person with autism, helping them to maximise skills like Albert Einstein and achieve full potential in adulthood. Future: Science says more families will come up with autism in the coming years. In fact, more children will be diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Why this is so remains unknown.

Limited number of children Already, centres in Nigeria like PSLC are already overwhelmed by the increasing number of families who come for help on a regular basis even though they had set out to cater for very limited number of children.

intervention:

Children with autism who received early intervention tend to have better brain function, communication skills, overall social behaviour and live more independent lives compared to autistic children with no early intervention.

Autism spectrum Many mothers have attested to this. Parents Against Autism Initiative, PAAI, a Nigeriabased organization comprising mothers whose children are on the autism spectrum, has been in the forefront of this campaign for early intervention since about a couple of years ago when it was jointly founded. Both Dotun and Bolanle’s sons are testimonies to early intervention via therapy and special education as well. “My son is 16 now and he has long been in regular school. He is one of the pupils topping his class!” Dotun told Lipstick. “My own son is coping excellently as well. His only challenge now is sensory disorders but other than that, he can now read, comprehend, play the piano, swim, engage in athletics, etc. His vocabulary is much wider, and he expresses himself well,” Bolanle said of hers.

40— VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

YOUNG sister narrated her experience while offering praises and adoration to Almighty Allah. A few years after her marriage, she got a divorce. She at the same time lost her job. Her father took ill and died a few month after, since they could not get good medical treatment. The world around her seemed dark and unfriendly. She felt there was nothing to look forward to and she cried all day. She began to feel unusual aches and pains, had persistent negative thoughts, had difficulty concentrating and became very pessimistic about her future. She prayed and prayed and sometimes wondered why her situation grew from bad to worse. But like a staunch believer, she kept faith in Allah and never relented in her prayer. She fasted during the day and prayed during the night. Each time she opened the Quran to read, she inadvertently opened to Suratul Talaq 65:3] "'And will provide him sustenance from a place he had never expected; and whoever relies on Allah – then Allah is Sufficient for him; indeed Allah will accomplish His command; indeed Allah has set a proper measure for all things." In verse 5 again,"'This is Allah’s command that He has sent down towards you; and whoever fears Allah – Allah will relieve his sins and bestow upon him a great reward." After reading this, she became more conscious to the fact that whatever happened was God’s will and all that had happened to her were permitted by Allah. Our situations and circumstances may be so disheartening, yet we must trust in Allah. She became so relieved and unpertubed. She picked up her life and kept struggling.

Communication network A few months later, she put forward a proposal to a leading mobile communication network and behold, the job which was running into N50million was approved for her. She executed the job and got another after three months. Khadija who hails from Ilorin is happily married and with blessed beautiful kids. The Quran says: “And when my slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them) I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” (2: 186) And He, in His infinite Mercy, also says: “Who else is there that responds to the call of the one in distress when he calls out, and He removes evil from him? …Is there any other God besides Allah? Little is it that you remember!” (27:62) Literally, dua means to call for something needed. The word is far more than what we conceive it to be. It is far more than how we observe it and that is why most Muslims do not fully grasp its importance. The Prophet said that dua is the sword of every devoted Muslim

Jumada Al-Akhir 21, 1436 A.H.

Power of Dua in the lives of Muslims to subdue his adversaries. It illuminates the heart and strengthen the faith. In another hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (s.a.w) said, “In the court of Allah, there is no greater thing than Dua” (Ibn Majah) Dua or supplication is sharper than the spear and arrow that the enemy could possess. It wards away calamities, it is the key to Allah’s blessings; it is the cure for all pains and aches. Prayer is one of the three things that protects an individual. This is followed by abstinence and repentance from sins and showing gratitude to Allah. It is dua that stands between Almighty Allah and His humble servants. The power of the tongue is great, the power of the word is unimaginable. Allah created the world and everything therein with the word. He created man with His word including everything that is hidden and apparent. Whenever He decides to make a thing, He just decrees (commands) with His word and it comes to be. The sun, the moon, stars, fire, etc are created by His word. The same way, Allah has made our tongue potent enough to cause something to happen via dua. He has empowered us to the limit of our relationship with Him to change our destinies with prayers.

Solution to problem No matter the need, once communication is established with Allah on a regular basis, there will be result and solution to a problem. Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi related in a hadith as follows: “Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty” But how do we pray and what are the types of prayers that meets our desires and what are the prerequisites of dua? Kinds of prayers A lot of people confuse one prayer with the other and at the end tend to think that their prayers are not answered. No prayer said in the right way, meeting all the prerequisites that is not accepted. Since Allah said call on Me, I will answer you, He will surely answer if you meet the conditions for dua. Two kinds of dua Prayer for the nearness of Allah

– This is more or less observed by Ulamas. They use the prayer in getting closer to Allah. It is strictly adhered to such that it becomes a regular phenomenon. They don’t use it to seek materialism or any thing in the world, but mainly for nearness to Allah. The fact is that it is not only limited to the ulamas, every other person can observe it. It is a prayer for those who believe that once a relationship is established with Allah, every other need becomes less

Dua or supplication is sharper than the spear and arrow that the enemy could possess, it wards away calamities, it is the key to Allah’s blessings; it is the cure for all pains and aches

important. The main condition for this prayer apart from other conditions that relate generally with prayers is that it must be sustained, it must be regular. This, to a large extent informed the idea of Sufism. The act is not a bad idea, but some of the adherents of that philosophy have gone beyond their bounds to deify their leaders which is at variance to the principle of Islam. Without being equivocal, the chanting of Allah’s name regularly to magnify Him without any other objective other than to gain nearness of Allah endears the supplicant to Allah. The second kind of dua is supplication for seeking heart desires. (Al-dua qodohul-Ajaati) These are meant to seek material things and other provisions from Allah. Human beings are created with insatiable wants, no matter our position good or bad, rich or poor, high or low class, we need something from Allah. Both kinds of prayers are necessary in the life of a Muslim. When you get closer to Allah, all other material heart desires will become easy to reach. In fact, they will be at your command. If you regularly call on Allah, He will surely answer you. If you’ve tried calling during the day, beseech Him during the night, call on Him, chant His name, cry unto Him and He will surely answer you. It is a promise He made and He will never renege on it. Conditions for dua Although being a Muslim is not

a condition for dua, Allah (SWT) accepts the dua of a kafir (disbeliever). Remember, he accepted the prayer of Iblis to be allowed to live until the last day of Qiyamah. But as Muslims, in establishing dua as a culture, three things must be present. (i) At-toharrat – Allah is God of purification and cleanliness. We must purify ourselves at all times. This act of purification is further divided into three, these are outer, inner and place purification. The outer purification is the ghusl and ablution we make before our prayers. You cannot communicate with Allah in a state of impurity. If you are required to take a bath (ghusl), endeavour to take it before making your dua just as we know that there is no salat without a valid ablution. The inner purification entails that you purge yourself from those things that lead to sins. Any one making dua regularly must endeavour to be conscious of his actions, gazes, sex life and other relationships as well as ensure purity of sustenance. He must eat from what is halal and detest what is harram. Prophet Muhammad said “Oh you who believe! Eat from the pure and good foods We have given you” Then the Prophet mentioned a traveler on a long journey, who is disheveled and dusty, and he stretches forth his hands to the sky , saying “Oh my Lord! O my Lord!” – while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing his unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully; how can he be answered?” (Muslim, Ahmad). The third part is also as important as the former and the latter. The place of worship or dua must be neat and free of impurities. (ii) The second condition for a proper prayer is faith. The supplicant must show that he believes in the efficacy of prayer. He must pray from the depth of his heart and should have a conviction that Allah alone has the absolute power to fulfill his heart desires. The stronger the faith of the supplicant the better the chances of the prayer being answered.

From left: Chairman, Jalsa Programme Committee, Alhaji Mufadhil Bankole; Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya; his Naib, Alhaji Muili Idris; first son of the late Alhaji Okunnu, Mr. Shereef Ahmad Okunnu and his brother, Mr. Bashirudeen Okunnu, during the donation of a three-bedroom flat to Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria at Ojokoro, Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 41

Jumada Al-Akhir 21, 1436 A.H.

Transition: Ahmadiyya calls for prayers, fasting T he Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria, Dr Mashuud Fasola has called for a special night congregational prayers (Tahajud) for the smooth and peaceful transfer of power on May 29th to a new government. Dr Mashuud Fasola , a development Economist and former lecturer at the University of Lagos while

leading a Friday (Jumah ) service at the Jama’at headquarters in Lagos said the special prayers was aimed at beseeching Allah for peaceful transition. Aside from the prayers, he has also directed a two-day fasting by members across the country for Allah’s mercy on the new leadership so as to be able to deliver their promises to the people. He enjoined the

Etsu Nupe raps on religious tolerance in the moral rebirth of the By Boluwaji Obahopo

he Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has charged government and individuals to place emphasis on building places of learning and worships, adding that, the country more than ever before needs institutions of moral and spiritual rebirth. The paramount ruler stated this while commissioning the Isa Kutepa Mosque and Quranic School built by Alhaji Razaq Kutepa and donated to the Muslim community in Lokoja, Kogi State Capital. The Etsu Nupe also appealed to Nigerians to sustain inter religious harmony as that remains a panacea for growth and development in the country. Alhaji Abubakar, who commended the role and contributions of Muslims in ensuring the completion of the Mosque and Quranic school, said such cooperation when sustained would help to unite the country as well as reduce religious acrimony. He also charged parents to show more concerns to their children’s education and spiritual growth, adding that, the present time demands parents’ commitment to the growth of their wards. “The upbringing of children, should not be left in the hands of government alone. It is a collective responsibility that demands parents playing the major role”. Abubakar eulogized the donor, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isa Kutepa and urged others in the society to emulate him. Also speaking at the event, the State Governor, Capt Idris Wada commended the donor, adding that the gesture was a partnership that would help

youths. Wada said his administration has placed religion and education as a priority in its transformation agenda, assuring that every support to ensure the attainment of this objective will recieve his administration's support. In his remarks, Alhaji Abdurazaq Kutepa, a philanthropist and Chairman, Waltersmith Pertoman, said the decision to build the mosque was to honour his late father, Isa Kutepa who died 29 years ago. Kutepa said the Mosque with two blocks of classrooms and Imam residents with a state of the art facilities, will offer a befitting place of worship for Muslims.

Upbringing of children is a collective responsibility, that demands parents playing the major role

new leaders from the Presidency, Governorship, National and State Assemblies to put Nigerians’ welfare first in their deliberations knowing fully that Nigerians trooped out in large numbers despite difficulties encountered during the electioneering period to cast their votes for the peace and progress of the country. Dr Fashola reminded the new leaders to honour their campaign promises to Nigerians as the day of reckoning will surely come to pass. He recalled that four years ago, Nigerians willingly gave their mandates to the outgoing administration with a lot of hope and when the time comes, a referendum was given on their stewardship. He enjoined Nigerians to be patient with the new administration of General Muhammadu Buhari and continue to pray for him as the tasks ahead are very challenging but surmountable going by the pedigree of the in coming president who is noted for selfless service, dedication to his fatherland and anti corruption stance. He listed some priorities areas to be addressed by the new government according to him as power supply, employment, security and a new anti-corruption fight. Three Ahmadi Muslims were elected into the National and State Assemblies under the People’s Democratic Party,PDP and the All Progressive Congress, APC in Lagos and Osun States. He enjoined them to demonstrate the true teachings of Islam ( selfless service and utmost dedication to the fatherland) in their national assignment, reminding them that they will be accountable to Allah on the day of judgment.

Group mentors Muslim Youth Leaders

non- governmental organization, “Do More Initiative” has concluded arrangements to hold a Mentorship Programme for Muslim Youth Leaders. The programme which is tagged “Engaging Youth as Change Agents will hold on

Thursday May14, 2015 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Olowopopo Rd. Alausa, Ikeja by 10:00am. Alhaji Remi Adeseun, an erudite scholar and professional pharmacist will be the guest speaker.

From left: Naib Sadr, South West, Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Jama’at Nigeria, Bro. Abdul Ganiyy Omopariola; Sadr. Bro AbdulRafiu Abdul Qadir; Lagos State Missionary, Missionary Abdul Qahar Olowomi and Lagos State Qaid, Bro Shuaib Badmos, during the 1st Annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Lagos State at Ijede, Lagos State.

Free medical care for Igbopa London Community Area Ijede, at the 1st Annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Lagos State at Ijede, Lagos State.

Sadaqah prevents evils, calamities By Haruna Razaq

adaqah is a voluntary charity given by individuals to relieve problems and sufferings of fellow-human beings. In other words, the word sadaqah may be applied to all kinds of good deeds. In line with Hadiths narrated by Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (RA) and recorded by Al-Bukhaari. Sadaqah can performed in different forms, such as in money, food, clothings to the needy; slaughtering of animals and giving away the meat to the poor; supporting good Islamic causes such as building mosques, schools, orphanages; providing sources of water.

Sources of water There are a lot of benefits in sadaqah. One of it is that it acts together with other good deeds to not only prevent evil, but also bring good to the giver. Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: The secret sadaqah extinguishes the Lord’s anger; preserving the ties of kinship increases the life span; and rendering good for people protects from evilfatalities (alBaihaqi, Ibn Askar and others; authenticated by Al-Albani in as-Sahihah no.1908 and Sahihah ul-Jami‘ no. 3760). Abu Umamah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: Treat your sick with sadaqah

(Abu sh-Shaikh; verified to be Hasan by Al-Albani in Sahihah ul-Jami‘ no. 3358 and Sahih utTarghib wat-Tarhib no. 744). Before sadaqah can benefit the giver, it must be done in line with the dictates of shari’ah and must be free from all non Islamic practices common among the present Muslims more importantly in Nigeria. Islamic manners of giving out sadaqah include the following: To give out sadaqah after the payment of Zakat (if he/she is liable to pay it (Zakat); must give it out because of Allah; to give it out secretly if possible; to start giving it out with his/ her family; and then those who are near to him; to give to those who request as well as those who do not request; to give when one is in need and healthy and not when one is about to die; must be free from shirk acts such as giving it out under the advice of fortune tellers (Muslim or non-Muslim). Such advices include: giving it out with certain items (e.g. sugar, salt, slaughtering of animal. sometimes including harram (forbidden) things such as dog, pig, alcohol, etc); giving it out in specific time (e.g. midnight), place (e.g. Tjunction, grave side); day (e.g. Thursday); or creature (e.g. spirit or animal) etc; giving certain food items as sadaqah by twins’ parents or twins themselves etc. You can give sadaqah with your wealth as mentioned earlier or body.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Rivers pensioners lament delay in payment of allowance By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— PENSIONERS in Rivers State have reiterated their appeal to the state government for payment of their three months pension allowance. President of the pensioners union in the state, Mr Edward Festus-Abibo, said the government had not paid them their monthly allowance since January, adding that most pensioners were going through very hard time in the state. Abibo, who led a protest of his members to the state secretariat, said it was after they protested last year that the state government paid them some of their outstanding allowances, a situation he described as unpleasant. He said: “Senior citizens of this state have not been paid their monthly pension allowance since January, 2015. We are suffering untold hardship. What evil have we committed to warrant this type of punishment? “Before we were paid

Ibori, Sowho congratulate Okowa, Otuaro

WO chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and elder statesmen in Delta State, Chief William Ibori, elder brother to the former governor of the state and Chief Fred Sowho, the Deputy Director- General of PDP Campaign Organisation in Delta State, have congratulated the Delta State governor-elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his running mate, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, on their well deserved victory at the poll. They described Okowa’s victory as a confirmation of the people’s trust in the pragmatic leadership of the governor-elect. Ibori said: “Deltans have spoken with their collective resolve to vote Okowa to lead them as the governor of Delta State in the next four years." In his congratulatory message, Chief Sowho described Okowa’s victory as God’s will propelled by cognate hard work.

December, 2014, we protested twice and lost two of our members during the protests. Presently, some of our members have been sent to their graves because of

starvation and lack of medical care. “Presently, we pensioners are owed six percent with effect from October 1, 2003 and 15 percent with effect from

July 1, 2007. These increases have been computed and sent to the governor for approval and release of fund since two years ago, yet we have not heard anything about it.”

HUMAN RESOURCE FORUM: From left: Mr Udom Inoyo, Vice President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM; Mr. Keith Coats, guest speaker; Mr Anthony Arabome, New President/Chairman of Council, CIPM; Mrs Ifeoma Adeniyi, National Treasurer, CIPM and Immediate Past President, Mr Victor Famuyibo, during the 7th Special Human Resource Forum organised by CIPM in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Wike faults Peterside on why Rivers people voted PDP

IVERS State governorelection, Mr Nyesom Wike, has faulted the state's All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the April 11 election, Mr Dakuku Peterside over his alleged attack during a television interview for voting for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just concluded polls. Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, media aide to the governor-elect, in a statement in Port Harcout, yesterday, said: “The statement made by the defeated APC governorship candidate, Peterside, on the television programme on April 23, 2015 confirms the fact that the APC holds the people of the state in disdain and expected to use violence to win the April 11 governorship election in a state where the party had been rejected. “All through the interview session, Peterside struggled unsuccessfully to justify the acts of violence perpetrated by the outgoing governor. He was unhappy that the people of Rivers State refused to be cowed by the violence unleashed by his APC sponsored thugs across the state. “Peterside also used the interview session to heap insult on the people of Rivers State and the South-South geo-political zone. He berated the people of the South-South on national television for voting for the PDP, when the other regions voted the

APC. He used unprintable names and analogy to qualify the people of Rivers State and their South-South kinsmen. This is unfortunate and regrettable. “Heaping insults on the people of Rivers State for voting for Wike and the PDP will not alter the situation. Using the enormous financial muscle at the disposal of the Rivers APC to promote falsehood about the governorship election in Rivers State will not change the fact that the people of Rivers State are done with the

political arrogance and failure that Peterside and his godfather represent. “The Rivers governor-elect, Mr Wike, is focused on the redemption and development of Rivers State. He will, therefore, not be distracted by the media war and falsehood unleashed on the people mandate by a defeated governorship candidate in the face of development challenges across Rivers State occasioned by the failure of the APC to deliver on good governance.”

SALE OF BALLOT BOOKLETS: AIG detains three INEC adhoc staff By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THREE adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have been arrested and detained at the Zonal Headquarters of the police in Benin City, Edo State, over their alleged involvement in the illegal sale of ballot booklets to politicians during the April 11 House of Assembly elections in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. It was gathered that the suspects are adhoc staff from

the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. It was further learned that one of them is still under investigation, while two others have allegedly confessed to the crime. Condemning the action of the corps members, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Mike Igini, said: “If things like this are not punished, they will amount to reward and will be repeated. In criminology, a wrongful act that is not punished will be repeated so we must punish people.”

UNIBEN French lecturers hold biennial confab

EPARTMENT of F o r e i g n Languages of the University of Benin, will hold its Biennial International Conference from May 3-7, 2015. The conference with the theme: The Challenges of French Studies in Nigeria, will hold at the Akin Deko Auditorium, University of Benin, Ugbowo campus, Benin City, Edo State. A statement by the convener of the conference, Prof. Raymond Elaho and Ag HOD/Secretary LOC, Dr. Ngozi Iloh, said the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. F.F.O Orumwense will serve as chief host, while Prof. Raufu Adebisi is the keynote speaker.

Edo senatorelect condoles with Ihonvbere family

HE Edo North Senator-elect, Mr Francis Alimikhena has extended his condolence to the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and his family on the death of their father, late Chief John Ihonvbere, aged 98. Alimikhena described the late John Ihonvbere as a distinguished Nigerian, elder statesman and philanthropist who served his people with courage, wisdom and fortitude. In a condolence message by his media Assistant, Benjamin Atu, Alimikhena said: “Pa Ihonberi radiated intelligence, and exemplary conduct both in his public and private life as a health worker. He was a fearless leader who fought for the benefit of his people. Edo people will miss him. We have lost a passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of peace and the unity of the Edo people.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—43

Anambra targets 2.7m persons for immunisation

Lawmakers condemn defection of PDP members, others to APC By Enyim Enyim

By Vincent Ujumadu

NITSHA—Lawmakers in Anambra State House of Assembly have condemned the recent mass defection of members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other parties to the All Progressives Congress soon after

W K A — ANAMBRA State government has targeted 2.7 million of children less than five years and women of childbearing age for immunisation during this year ’s second round of National Immunisation Plus Days starting tomorrow in all parts of the state. A break-down shows that the state has targeted 1.06 million children of zero -59 months and 211,993 children less than one year for the exercise. Similarly, 1.17 million women of child-bearing age and 264,991 pregnant women are to benefit from the exercise. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, who gave the break-down while briefing reporters in Awka, said the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, would flag off the four-day exercise at Umunachi Health Centre in Dunukofia Local Government Area. According to the commissioner, apart from house to house visits by health officials, the immunisation would take place in all health centres and designated sites in all the 177 communities, churches, mosques, motor parks and markets. He said that essentially, the exercise would entail administration of two drops of potent oral polio vaccine and scaling up delivery of the routine immunisation antigens and other child survival interventions.

PDP lost the presidential poll. Spokesman for a group of the legislators who spoke to the Vanguard, yesterday, Mr. Chugbo Enwezor, described the development as destructive to the country’s democracy. “The development means that the PDP ab initio did not believe in its programme and manifesto

which means the members were not committed party members. They were just there to look for greener pasture. “For democracy to survive in this country, we need a viable and strong opposition as obtained in the western world where we borrowed democracy. By leaving your party to swell the number of

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: We're on red alert to

protect S/A businesses in Enugu —PPRO By Austin Ogwuda

NUGU—ENUGU State police command, yesterday, sounded a note of warning to aggrieved protesters over the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying the command would not condone any breach of the law. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the command, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who gave the warning, also confirmed that the command was on red alert to protect South Africans living in the state and their business investments. A visit by our reporter to Shoprite complex in Enugu,

yesterday, showed the increased presence of eagleeyed security men in plain clothes milling around. The PPRO, in an answer to a question on their preparedness to combat any violent protest in that regard, said: “Actually, we have taken necessary security step that is expected of the command, in partnership with other relevant stakeholders and sister security agencies to ensure people do not take laws into their hands. Areas are being monitored while we appeal to residents to be lawabiding.” Recall that aggrieved youths, under the aegis of Youth Action For Success, YAS, led by its National President, Prince

Jeskaya Okorie, who is also the South East Co-ordinator, had said after a peaceful protest in Enugu, Tuesday, that South Africa must stop the xenophobic attacks since no nation had the monopoly to kill other nationals.

Lawan‘ll make a better Senate President —Justice Forum By Charles Kumolu

HE JUSTICE Forum has called on senators-elect and those returning to ensure that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmad Lawan, was elected the Senate President, stating that he possessed an impeccable pedigree that stood him out of

Lagos APC dismisses call for resignation of chairman By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS STATE chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the recent calls for the resignation of its chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, as misguided. The party, however, expressed its implicit and unwavering confidence in the state chairman and the party leadership, led by the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed. The party’s Vice Chairman,

West, Chief Funsho Ologunde, made the remark in a communiqué at the end of an emergency meeting of the state Executive Committee of APC. Ologunde said: “APC Lagos State, after due and diligent deliberation of the overall outcome of the 2015 general elections, arrived that Lagos State APC performed very well in the 2015 general elections in the circumstances in which the party operated, which overall performance excited us and the whole world immensely, to the

a ruling party, APC, means you are not in a political party for service to your people,” he said. Enwezor also condemned the defection of lawmakers from the political platform they were elected to another party, saying it was not only against the tenets of democracy, but also contrary to section 69 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. ‘’The section stipulates that such a person should lose his or her seat in the National or State Assembly and a by-election conducted. ‘’The provision is there in the constitution but there is a lacuna which needs proper interpretation so that section of the constitution would be fully implemented to deter others from defection,” he said.

glory of God. “The call for the resignation of our State Chairman, Otunba Henry Ajomale by one member in a local government area, was misguided, divisive and unappreciative of good efforts." “We, the Executive Committee members of Lagos State APC, have implicit and unwavering confidence in the state leadership of our great party, led by our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and all the eminent members of the Governor ’s Advisory Committee, GAC.

others jostling for the position. Briefing newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, Executive Director and National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Oladunjoye Babatunde, said Lawan had the needed integrity for the office. Babatunde urged senators of the 8th Senate to dissociate themselves from the aspirations of some who were already considered unfit for such office. He said: “Senator Lawan has no link with any corruption case. It is on record that when he was a member of the House of Representatives, he was given huge responsibilities such as chairing the Committees on Education and Agriculture. “Anyone familiar with the Legislature would know that one, these committees were traditionally reserved for the ruling party, but Lawan, who was in the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, then successfully steered the affairs of these committees and commendably too.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is your view on sack of Abba as IGP?

G should have done this before now, when the IG was doing the bidding of the Presidency, such as the case of withdrawing the security attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. -Mr. Amosu Nunayon, Self- Employed

he IG is the first victim of GEJ’s failure at the poll. We are prepared to see more sacks. Why was the IGP present at Buhari’s certificate reception? If it were on merit, Abba would not have been appointed IGP. -Miss Hope Macaulay,Businesswoman

t is obvious Abba was playing for the other team. He insisted on Yoruba officer who was sympathetic to Amaechi, despite pleas from the Presidency to leave the officer out of Rivers State. -Mr. Nonso Azudiefe, Graduate

t is now clear who Abba was working for when he invaded the National Assembly, removed the Speaker’s security details and sought to remove him as Speaker. If the PDP did not like it, he would have been sacked! -Mr. Onyinye Madueke, Worker

he President had to tell him who is the boss. Until May 29, GEJ remains the Commaderin-Chief. Buhari can recall him if he so chooses, but I doubt in a million years that will ever happen. -Miss Mebel Ogechi, Worker

ometimes, we have to let go and see the will of God in things. It is really unfortunate for the IGP to be fired by the President. In fact, I think more policemen are supposed to go with him and the police itself sanitised. -Mr. Dunamics Maazi, Communicator

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

4,700 cops for Saturday’s re-run elections in Kogi By Boluwaji Obahopo

OKOJA—THE Kogi State police command has said that 4,700 policemen will be deployed for the Saturday re-run election in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi said the policemen would however, be assisted by other military and para-military personnel in the state. Ogunjemilusi said the decision to deploy such a large number of police personnel for the election into one House of Representatives and six state House of Assembly seats was to ensure that the exercise was free and devoid of any form of violence. His words, “We have the information that some people will be out to foment trouble but we are also ready to curtail their activities.” He, however, admonished political office seekers and the parties participating in the election to call their supporters to order as any attempt to plunge the state into violence would be met with appropriate force by security agencies.

Ogunjemilusi further said that the command had already identified violence prone areas in the eastern senatorial axis and had put in place proper machinery to curtail the

activities of those who were hell bent on fomenting trouble during the re-run election. He particularly warned the people of Ajaokuta Community to suspend the their cultural festival billed for Saturday so that hoodlums would not to hijack the process

to disrupt the elections. INEC had fixed Saturday, April 25, for the re-run election into Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, and six House of Assembly seats including Dekina 1, Dekina 11; Ajaokuta; Ofu; Igalamela/Odolu; and Lokoja 11 state constituencies.

RCCG'S FESTIVAL OF LIFE: From left; Special Assistant to the General Overseer, SATGO, Pastor Agu Irukwu; British Prime Minister, David Cameron; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and an unidentified official, during the just-concluded Festival of Life programme in London, United Kingdom.

Bauchi gov-elect sets up 2 transition c'ttees to oversee power hand-over By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—BAUCHI State governor-elect, Mohammed Abubakar has inaugurated two

transition committees to ensure a seamless transfer of power to his government on May 29. The committees which comprises 48 members has

Ndokwa group condemns Delta polls, affirms support for Emerhor

N Ndokwa-based political pressure group, Ndokwa Progressives Alliance has described both the national and state elections recently held in Delta State as a complete sham that according to it, cannot be said to be a true reflection of the will of the vast majority of Deltans. While describing the victory of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state as a fraudulently obtained one, the group, in a statement signed by Felix Osakwe, asserted that change will nevertheless come to Delta just as change has occurred at the national level. According to him: “Though it is quite painful to us that we have temporarily lost Delta due to the fraudulent activities of many INEC staff working behind the scenes for PDP, we nevertheless remain resolute in our determination to rescue our beloved state from their misrule.” While congratulating the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory, Osakwe described the All Progressives Congress, APC’s

Governorship candidate for Delta, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor as a true leader for making all manner of sacrifices for change in Delta and making the APC relevant in the state. It further claimed that but for what it called the sharp practices during the elections, APC would have swept Delta according to the wishes of the vast majority of the people of the state who had been yearning for change in the past sixteen years. He said: “Right from the very start, O’tega always maintained that Buhari would win and that even if anyone had any doubts, they should still go out to vote for him and all other APC candidates in order to be counted on the side of progress. ''It was O’tega who finally convinced most of us to embrace change regardless of ethnicity or religion, promising that Buhari’s rule will usher in an era of rebirth for the entire nation and Delta State in particular.”

Alhaji Mohammed A Mohammed as chairman with Professor Labara Gambo as his deputy. Other members of the team include, Senator Suleiman Nazi, Hon Isah Gamma Misau, Alhaji Ali Wakili, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Ahmed Yerima, Tata Umar, Baba Suleiman, Ibrahim Bala Hassan, Sale Nabayi,Tajani Aliyu, Maryam Garba and Yakubu Lame. They also include Mustapha Katagum, Habib Idris Shall, Muhammad Sani, Waziri Dogo, Danjuma Adamu, Shu’aibu Musa, Yusuf Mahmoud, Mailadi Mohammed, Salisu Lukman, Steven Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu and Suraja Dada, among others. Inaugurating the committees at the Auwala Hotel in Bauchi, Abubakar, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Nuhu Gidado said that the task before the members was enormous and challenged them to live up to the mandate of the party that ushered them into power. He said: “We have gathered here to inaugurate two committees namely the transition and technical transition committee. The first committee consists of 41 members and is mandated to form subcommittees that will carry out the role of receiving reports on the state of governance. “The Transition Technical Committee which has seven

members will undertake an analysis of the MDAs in the state, technically analyse the interim and periodic reports of the main committee as they advise the incoming administration on implementation of all the findings as they relate to the manifesto of our party.” Abubakar then thanked the members for their willingness to work with him.

Borno women seek 35%slot for women in Buhari's cabinet By Ndahi Marama

AIDUGURI— REPRESENTATIVES of women groups in Borno State, yesterday, called on the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, to bring more women into his government or at least retain the 35 percent affirmative action for women as already implemented by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. Coordinator of the women and President of Women for Peace and Security, WPS, Hajiya Hauwa Ahmed, at a news conference in Maiduguri, said more women should brought into governance in order to achieve equity and equal participation, among the citizens, particularly at the federal level. Ahmed said despite the challenges faced by the people of Borno State, particularly women and girls as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east region, women NGOs in the state were still working persistently to ensure that women and girls exercised their civic rights especially in education, politics, income generation and productivity.

ICDA seeks change in Delta, hails Buhari, Emerhor process, election results were

N Isoko group, the Isoko Community Development Alliance, ICDA, has condemned the recently-held elections in Delta while congratulating the All Progressives Congress, APC, for emerging as the true face of change in the State. Addressing newsmen in Oleh, yesterday, the group in a statement by its publicity secretary, Emmanuel Abada, described the victory of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as nothing more than an electoral coup in which it claimed the will of the electorate was completely ignored in the entire process. According to Abada: “Result sheets were snatched, or bought from INEC officials with electoral materials suffering a similar fate. All across the state, PDP and its Labour Party partners were openly buying votes at polling stations while at the end of the

simply allocated without reference to actual voting. ''Additionally, card readers were criminally and discriminatorily deployed and utilized from senatorial district to senatorial district and local government area to local government area. It is this shameful process that led to the bewildering victory of the PDP’s candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who has now somehow emerged the Governor-elect of Delta State of all places!” Abada congratulated the APC’s candidate for Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor on the party’s victory across the nation, while applauding him for remaining steadfast all along in selling the candidacy of President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to Deltans, assuring that with Buhari at the helm of affairs, the state will not be left out of the wind of change that was about to sweep across the entire nation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—45

HEAR WORD: Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (left) and other members of Hear Word cast presenting a free public show at Oshodi, Lagos, yesterday.

ROTARY FLAME: From left— Tunji Funsho, Chairman, National Polio Plus Committee; Kayode Aderinokun, Chairman, Public Image Committee, District 9110; Eme Agha, President, Rotary Club, Lekki Phase 1; Dele Balogun, District Governor, District 9110; his wife, Yemisi, and Adeniyi Raji, past district governor, during the hosting of Rotary flame by the club in Lagos.

NLC: From left— Mr. Ephraim James, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kaduna State Council; his Deputy, Mr. John Adajim and Mr. Danladi Yahaya, Treasurer, at their 11th delegates conference of the Mr. Joe Ajaero-led faction of NLC in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTOS: Olu Ajayi.

FUNCTION: From left— Dr. Olufemi Olarewaju, Director, RISNN and Co-Promoter, Sustainability School, Lagos; Dr. Ijeoma Nwagwu, Central Manager, First Bank Sustainability Centre, Lagos Business School; Mr. Ola Oresanya, Managing Director, LAWMA; Ms. Baerbel Freyer of the German Industry & Commerce in Nigeria; Dr. Beate Kummer, Adviser, Communications and Education, Scholz Holding, Germany; and Olasupo Shasore, Partner, Ajumogobia and Okeke, and a representative of Kuramo Conferences, at an event.

Mr. Kayode Aderanti, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and Femi Oshinlaja, Regional Operations Director, Lagos, Airtel Nigeria, during presentation of vehicles Lagos State Police Coomand by Airtel.

VICTORY: From left—Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, House of Representatives member-elect for Ojo Federal Constituency; Mr. Opeyemi Ahmed, Coordinator, Lagos Youth Frontiers, and Mr. Mutiu Shodimu, member-elect for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1, at the presentation of Certificates of Return to them by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos.

LAPO: From left— Mrs Patricia Ekama, LAPO Microfinacne Council Leader, Ipaja; Mrs Omoboye Alebiosu, Chief Education Officer, Education District VI, Lagos State; Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, MD, LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd, and Mrs Shakirat Aina, LAPO Council Leader, Itire, during the bank's Annual Scholarship Balloting exercise for clients' children in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

AIRPORT CONFERENCE: From left— Ms Loretta Mcner, Director, Transport Security Administration, TSA; Mr. David Basset, Transport Security Administration, Germany; Mr. Ma'azu Dahir, Personal Assistant to Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Engr. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director /Chief Execitive Officer, FAAN, and Mrs Nse Ikiddeh, General Manager, Planning, Multilateral Relations and Data Management, FAAN, during the 53rd Airports Council International, ACI, board meeting and regional conference in Casablanca, Morroco.

CSR: From left— Femi Adeniran, Head of Public Relations, Airtel Nigeria;

C M Y K

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

To defeat malaria, ensure access to quality medicines By Tochukwu Abadom

ITH more than 90 percent of Nigeria’s population at risk of malaria infection, it seems we all have a story to tell about the disease. When I was younger, my sister had a close shave with malaria. She developed a high fever and received several antimalarial ‘treatments’ from unlicensed chemists, which did not help. Her case became quite severe before she finally received proper treatment just in time to fully recover. As a physician, I am all too aware that her story is sadly not unusual. Malaria is preventable and treatable, yet millions of Nigerians suffer from it every year – and far too many die from the disease. Tragically, many of these deaths are due to incorrect diagnoses and use of poor quality drugs. These failures do not merely prevent patients like my sister from recovering. They also challenge the world’s ability to fight malaria.

Counterfeit & substandard drugs

Counterfeit and substandard drugs are a bigger problem than many realize. A review by the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network – based at the University of Oxford, where I studied as an ExxonMobil Global Health Scholar last year – found that almost one-third of all malaria drugs tested globally failed quality tests, and nearly 40 percent of those were entirely fake. A person who takes fake drugs will not be cured from malaria. In some cases, those

A person who takes fake drugs will not be cured from malaria. In some cases, those drugs may even make the person sicker, since they can contain toxic chemical compounds

In Sierra Leone, malaria, polio key after Ebola

1,500 for free restorative eye surgery in Lagos

HE Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation has said the ministry would take malaria and polio as top priority after defeating Ebola in the country. Foday Sawi said the 2013 World Malaria Report, which ranks Sierra Leone as the country with the fifth-highest prevalence of the disease, reveals the struggle the country faces in controlling malaria. Sawi was speaking at a one-day discussion forum at the ministry's Youyi building conference room, jointly organized by WHO and UNICEF on how to improve the health sector in the country during post Ebola. "The ministry would prioritize the tackling of malaria, polio, reproductive health and communicable diseases," he said. "Even though we have been making progress in the recent years but there is need to improve and provide logistics to protect the people from malaria and polio." The health ministry has been distributing free bed nets across the country while at the same time sensitizing the public on the importance of a healthy nation. The deputy minister said the health ministry was fully aware of the immense challenges and difficulties the country is going through and challenges that lie ahead. C M Y K

Dr. Tochukwu Abadom

drugs may even make the person sicker, since they can contain toxic chemical compounds. The issue does not end there. A person who takes substandard drugs, which contain insufficient doses of antimalarial compounds, may begin to recover. However, the parasite will not be completely eliminated from the blood and the patient may relapse. What’s more, over time, the use of poor quality medicines can decrease the effectiveness of our best drugs. If the malaria parasite survives treatment, it can adapt and build resistance to future drug interventions. Resistance to artemisinin, the current preferred malaria treatment, has already emerged in Southeast Asia – in part due to improper diagnoses and misuse of drugs. Scientists monitoring drug resistance fear that it could soon spread to South Asia and then to Africa. Allowing substandard drugs to flood our markets could hasten the rise of drug resistance within our own borders and cause malaria deaths to surge. This does not have to be our future. Ending malaria is complex and will involve solving many challenges, but we have tools that are proven to stop the disease – including bed nets, insecticide spraying, and diagnostics, as well as medications. If we use these tools the right way, we could eventually reduce the burden of malaria to zero. Adequate drug regulation: Adequate drug regulation must be central to the fight against malaria in Nigeria and we’ve taken important steps forward. For example, the Nigerian National Agency for Food and

Drug Administration and Control has deployed several technologies to fight fake and substandard malaria drugs, including an SMS system to verify the serial numbers on malaria drug packets. We now need to reach more of our population with systems to remove poor quality drugs from the market, as well as improve screening at our ports and borders to prevent the importation of fake medicines. We also need better data on the prevalence of substandard and counterfeit drugs, and systems to monitor the quality of diagnosis and treatment our citizens receive. We can take inspiration from groups like the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network, which provides a platform to share expertise and coordinate detection of poor quality drugs around the world. This is especially critical in Nigeria, where the lack of quality data makes it difficult to deploy the right interventions and develop effective strategies to combat the disease. Public awareness: Finally, we need to generate public awareness about the dangers of poor quality malaria drugs. Education campaigns have been successful in helping our citizens make more informed choices about preventive measures like insecticide-treated bed nets and residual indoor spraying.[2] We need similar programs to help at-risk populations understand the threat of substandard medicines and the need for better care. On this World Malaria Day, I am encouraged that Nigeria has taken many of the right steps to improve access to quality medicines and malaria prevention tools. But we need sustained involvement from all sectors to continue on this path of progress. If our leaders and our people step up our commitment to health, I am hopeful we can achieve a malaria-free Nigeria. Dr. Abadom practices at St George’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

By Chioma Obinna

ITH over one million Nigerians affected by cataract, Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate is set to restore sight to over 1,500 indigent persons blind as a result of cataract. Meanwhile, 18,000 Nigerians have benefitted from free eye surgeries facilitated by the Club in Lagos and Abeokuta. Flagging off the exercise which was the first step towards the free surgeries of the planned 1500 surgeries, former Rotary President, Ravindra Kamat, said the exercise was strictly for underserved Nigerians who have either been blind or partially blind. Explaining that the project was part of the philanthropy of the late Dr. Viral Purohit of Eye Institute Navsari, India and Rotarian Naranbhai Patel of Palm grove Estate,Lagos, he noted that the duo initiated the project to make medical facilities available to underprivileged cataract patients free of charge. "A full-fledged team of doctors and para medical staff from India specifically come to Nigeria every year to conduct these surgeries. "Normally, such surgeries cost around N200,000 but the Palmgrove Club does it absolutely free. We also provide a kit, medicines, dark goggles for beneficiaries.”

Further, he explained that the eye camp for 2015 had begun and would be conducting initial screenings Saturdays. He added that the screening would be followed by surgeries on April 25, May 1st, 2nd, 9th and 16th 2015 at the Club's office premises, Palm Groove Estate, Ilupeju Lagos.

No fewer than 500 patients are expected Saturdays for the initial screening from which beneficiaries of the cataract surgeries would emerge. The target is at least 900 patients will be operated on from 25th May, 2015 at the General Hospital, Lagos. The activity at Abeokuta is expecting surgeries for around 600 patients.

• An estimated 750,000 Nigerians are blinded by cataract , but the disorder is reversible through surgery.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—47

Nigerians lament: ‘We are not stealing S-African jobs By Vera Samuel Anyagafu & Prisca Sam-Duru

IGERIANS in South Africa, especially those who are involved in menial jobs, are lamenting that the South Africans are attacking them, looting and burning down shops, thereby making it impossible for them to continue their daily businesses. Speaking via telephone conversation, Emeka, (other names withheld for security reasons), told Vanguard Consular Advisory (VCA) that violent South Africans are targeting foreigners, saying that foreigners, especially Nigerians, are stealing the local jobs. He said, “ A large number of shops belonging to Nigerians are torched, streets barricaded, and people are stabbed, shot and burned to death, claiming that foreigners are taking jobs from South Africans.” According to a statement by South African Director of African Centre for Migration and Society (ACMS) at Wits University, Professor Loren Landau, the claim that foreigners are stealing their jobs does not justify killings,

as the argument on how many migrants actually work in South Africa and how they contribute to the economy continues. However, the xenophobic attacks have forced foreigners to flee to presumed safe places for fear of violent spread to other parts of the country, since warning statements by government ministers and ruling figures have done little to calming tensions across the country. Also speaking with VCA, another Nigerian who refused to have his name in print is of the view that the hate statement by the South African Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, contributed immensely to the crisis in South Africa.

Hate speech by Zulu king According to him, “Zulu had given a hate speech against foreigners in South Africa and from his speech we gathered that he was actually directing his message to Nigerians in the country, saying that they ‘must pack up and leave the country’. The recent violence is more like an upgrade preceding a spate of

South Africans protesting against other African nationals violence in February this year.” He further stated that the idea that Africans and or Nigerians in particular come to steal local jobs away from South Africans, needs to be corrected. “Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister and other responsible authorities should do more to ensuring that Nigerians in the Diaspora are treated with a measure of respect. We have a good number of South African in Nigeria and they are freely going about their businesses. Nigerians are accommodating and we expect samefrom those we call our brothers, from those we stood strongly behind during

apartheid.” Meanwhile, analysis of report disclosed that the Migrating for Work Research Consortium (MiWORC), an organisation that examines migration and its impact on the South African labour market, recently released two studies, which stated that about 82 per cent of the working population between age 15 and 64 were non-migrants, 14 per cent were domestic migrants who had moved between provinces in the past five years and just about four per cent could be classed as ‘international migrants’, expressing that there may be a misconception resulting to

disconnection between perception and reality. According to the MiWORC data, international migrants in South Africa have much l o w e r unemployment rates than others. VCA also gathered that international migrants in South Africa are more likely to take jobs that locals are not willing to do and the majority of international migrants also come from African countries and play positive role in South Africa’s economy. According to an eye witness, clashes between locals trying to loot foreign-owned stores and police have taken place overnight in a township outside Johannesburg, as tension persists in several South African cities following attacks on immigrants. At least 1,000 people have been displaced after violence against foreign nationals flared up and South African police said about 307 suspects have been arrested for a variety of crimes related to xenophobic violence that has resulted in at least eight deaths.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—49

FG, incoming transition c'ttees meet By Ben Agande, Abuja HE joint committee of the outgoing and incoming government met, yesterday, to discuss issues that will ensure a smooth transition. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim is the cochairman (for outgoing government) while former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, is the cochair for the incoming government. The Terms of Reference for the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC), include drawing up the programme of activities for the inauguration ceremony; arrangement of invitation and accommodation for both local and foreign dignitaries; to draw up budget for the programme of activities, organise the approved programme of activities, co-opt into subcommittees persons that may be necessary to assist the committees. Briefing journalists before the closed door meeting of the committee, the SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, said members of the out going government in the committee include the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Alex Badeh, Ministers of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, Aviation, Osita Chidoka, Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Akon Eyakenyi, Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali, Interior, Abba Moro, office of National

Security Adviser, Bello Fadile, IGP Solomon Arise, Minister of State Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), Commander Brigades of Guards, Brig. Gen. A. B. Omozoje and Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary, Presidency (Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation). Members of incoming

Jonathan orders removal of campaign posters nationwide

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation and other bodies that campaigned for his re-election to start removing the posters, billboards, banners, signs and other campaign materials they erected nationwide. Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement conveying the president’s directive noted that with the conclusion of the 2015 general elections, it was appropriate that the environment in the country be restored to their preelections campaign state. The statement read, “With the 2015 presidential elections now concluded and the country preparing for the inauguration of a new administration on May 29, President Goodluck Jonathan believes that it is appropriate that steps be taken to restore the environment in Nigerian cities, towns and villages to

Ex-NigComSat boss drags FG to court over sack By Emmanuel Elebeke

MMEDIATE past Managing Director of the Nigerian Communication Satellite, Engr. Ahmed Rufai, has dragged federal government to the National Industrial Court over his sack last year. When the case with registration number NICN/ABJ/49/2014 came up before Justice Maurine Esowe for preliminary hearing, yesterday, the two parties were absent in the court but were represented by their defence Counsel. On February 14, 2014, was asked to proceed on compulsory leave by the Minister of Communication Technology to enable her carry a forensic auditing of his financial dealings

government are Timipre Sylva, (co-chairman), Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Ms. Sharon Ikeazor, Prof. Tony Anwuka, Alhaji Kawy Baraje, Sen John Shagaya (rtd), Hadiza Bala Usman, Babagana Kingibe, Ismaila Isa Funtua, Senator Binta Masi Garba, Engr. Babachir Lawal and Hon. Samson Osagie.

from 2010 to 2013. In his petition to the President and the NigComSat board, which a copy was made available to Vanguard, Rufai argued that before his purported sack by the minister, there was no query either before the board of NigComSat or him on financial misappropriations as alleged by the minister warranting his suspension, wondering why he was indicted by the Minister before investigation was carried out. According to the petition, he is challenging the powers of the minister to suspend him without any query or investigation and most importantly without the approval of the President, whom he served.

their pre-elections campaign state. Accordingly, President Jonathan directs that the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and the various associations that coalesced into the Jonathan/Sambo Support Group immediately begin the process of removing the posters, billboards, banners, signs and other campaign materials in support of his re-election bid which still adorn the landscape in major cities across the country."

Transition: Buhari relocates to Defence House in Abuja By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—IN a move to accord the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari some presidential respect even before being swornin, the Federal Government has made available the Defence House for his private and official engagements. Vanguard gathered that the House was built by the regime of the former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. The residence is also called “Safe House” and can only be accessed by Nigerians with presidential status. Buhari who has been in his private residence in Asokoro area of Abuja metropolis before his election on March 28 moved into Defence House on Monday. He has so far received dignitaries including ambassadors of Morocco, Israel, China and Equatorial Guinea who paid him congratulatory visits at Defence House which now wears a new look. He also received the chairman of ECOWAS and Ghanain president, John Mahama at the place on Tuesday.

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Why Nigeria deserves a new deal Being excerpts from a letter by Olisa Agbakoba to the President Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) on the need for the setting up of a framework to address broad issues concerning the nation

By Olisa Agbakoba

ATIONAL order and constitutional reform: Nigeria is in utter chaos and disorder. This greatly affects the nation. The disease of disorder has eaten deep into our national fabric. The absence of order has badly damaged the national psyche. Love of country is absent. It is suggested that your government works out a framework to reverse disorder and instil discipline. The issue of national order is closely linked with a new constitutional order. It is strongly recommended that priority should be given to the national question and resolved urgently. The nation will not settle or move forward without solving the issue of disorder. A new anti-corruption framework: Corruption is endemic in Nigeria and to reverse it requires strong new institutions. There has to be roots and branch reform of the anti-corruption agencies if we must succeed in slowing down corruption before even thinking of reversing it.

OLISA AGBAKOBA, SAN

Salaries and emoluments voted to our legislators by themselves is about 25 per cent of our national budget. This is unconstitutional because it is not approved by the Revenue Fiscal and Mobilization Commission. Stopping this outrageous conduct on the part of the legislators is, with respect the litmus test in assessing the sincerity of the anti corruption agenda. It is strongly recommended that the NNPC be fundamentally reformed. Corruption is also manifest in over bloated budgets for the presidential villa and government houses, corrupt/weak public procurement procedures and abuse of discretion of ministers in the award of contracts. All these have taken a major toll on our resources and encouraged corruption. The first crucial challenge is for you to stop these aspects of corrupt practices and introduce major spending cuts. Economic matters: The priority must be to diversify the economy and make it less dependent on imports. Nigeria has long depended on crude oil as if it is the only hydrocarbon to the utter C M Y K

neglect of gas. The economy heavily relies on oil revenue and is vulnerable to price shocks in oil and the associated risk to national stability. The most recent volatility in oil prices suggest that we must start to diversify our revenue income streams by developing non-oil tradable sectors. A clear strategy, model and plan for economic diversification both horizontally and vertically is necessary. Horizontal diversification should explore new opportunities in the same oil and gas sector. There are at least thirty-six value added products to be explored in the extraction of crude oil. Vertical diversification means a shift from the oil and gas sector to other sectors, agriculture, services, maritime, aviation/ space, manufacturing, health, sports etc. Pursuing economic diversification will make the economy less vulnerable to the boom and bust cycles of oil and natural gas prices. A model we can follow is the United Arab Emirate that has successfully diverted out of oil into new revenue sources. Financial services sector: The Financial Services Sector (FSS) is the oxygen and life blood of a strong economy but it has to be supported by strong independent institutions. We have weak institutions in the FSS. This has made the economy weak; a new strong FSS is sine qua non for growth and development. A strong FSS enables banks to provide credit not just to a few but to all Nigerians. Nigerian banks are mostly money lenders and traders.

Map of Nigeria There are three vital missing links in the FSS. The first is that there is no fiscal credit policy that assures cash flow into the system to the benefit of Nigerians who are consumers of goods and services. If there are no consumers, goods and services remain unsold and investors are discouraged as there are no markets. The second major institutional gap is the absence of a National Credit Guarantee Agency that should support viable business proposals. When viable business proposals are guaranteed, the economy gets stimulated and expanded and that gets converted to goods and services that are sold on to consumers. The third institutional need is a Development Bank to lend to vital sectors of the economy. The CBN intervention Fund Policy must stop. The CBN is best suited to formulate monetary policy. The Development Bank should take over intervention lending from CBN. If these three missing links are plugged the rate of expansion of the economy is to be imagined. It was this formula that helped China bring out 500million of its population from extreme poverty. There are many other ways to

Money lenders and traders Banking regulators have failed to supervise them. As a result the economy is starved of badly needed credit. The proper role of banks is to lend money to the well over 100 million potential Nigerian customers. Now only the privileged few get bank credit. If Regulation forces banks to lend as banks and not just money lenders that they are, there will be massive jobs expansion. As I have said earlier, banks are the life and blood of the economy. But the Nigerian economy is anaemic because banks are not lending. But it is not sufficient to blame the banks. Fiscal policy has to be right to stimulate the banks to act as banks and not money lenders.

The nation will not settle or move forward without solving the issue of disorder

President-elect, Buhari strengthen the FSS and fiscal policy but this is beyond the purview of this short letter. Aviation/space: The Aviation Sector requires major reform. Nigeria has no presence in the Aviation business. Nigeria Airways has been long comatose. Foreign aircraft dominate the Nigerian airspace and earn well over a trillion Naira to our exclusion. A trillion Naira is about a quarter of our entire national budget. The way forward is to redeploy all aircraft in the Presidential fleet to form the hub of a new national carrier. Business for this new national carrier is easy to generate.

National carrier I have proposed a Bill, the Fly Nigeria Bill, to ensure that every government Naira used to purchase a ticket must originate and terminate on a Nigerian carrier. The Fly Nigeria Bill when passed into law will create an instant market for our national carrier. On Space, it has been said that that the future of mankind is in Space. Space has many major applications for developing our economy. I will mention at least three examples. First, space can be applied to the energy sector as remote sensing can tell us the quantum of our hydrocarbons. Second, is the value of space applications to the Maritime sector. Third, is the link between space and national security. Satellite technology intelligence gives us vital foot prints in the national security infrastructure. The growing threat of terrorism and the adverse impact on economic stability can only be checked by intelligence provided by space satellites. We must upgrade our space technology. Legal/justice sector: The legal and justice sector has suffered institutional failure over the last three decades. Comprehensive and radical reform of the legal and justice sector is overdue. The Rule of law is vital to economic development. But lip service is paid to this vital process. Investors, whether local and international will not invest in a lawless country. We must give urgency to this sector and reverse legal failure. Welfare matters: No country can afford to treat the elderly, vulnerable and disabled as societal outcasts. The standard

operating model around the world is the creation of a benefits agency as it is called in England, and a social security agency as it is known in the US, to cater for those who are unable to look after themselves. It is vital that your administration deals with this issue. Happily Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution provides a programme of action with which the proposed Social Security Administration can be charged. Housing/mortage: There is a shortage of housing for lowincome earners and constantly growing housing demands (due to increase in population) that are unmet. Unfortunately, banks are reluctant to provide mortgage facilities to low-income earners. In order to solve the housing/ mortgage challenges described above the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) was established to promote home ownership and increase the availability and affordability of mortgage loans to Nigerians.In spite of the incorporation of NMRC in June 24 2013, not much has changed.

Apathy of the banks The apathy of banks towards mortgage transactions still lingers, understandably, because of the risk of default. To buttress this, 66,402 Nigerians applied for mortgages during the recent Nigerian Housing Finance Programme. Only 10,000 Nigerians were selected. However, the interest rates by primary mortgage institutions that participated in the programme were alarming (14.5% -19%). It is suggested that a cue be taken from other Countries where the cost of mortgage for first time home buyers are low, with small down payments and easy terms especially, a single digit interest rate. Conclusion: Three months after President Roosevelt’s inauguration, the United States Congress and the country was subjected to a barrage of ideas and programmes unlike anything known in American history. This is what is known today as the “100 days”, record. As Roosevelt did, the President-Elect may consider a special session of the National Assembly to lay out a plan of Action for approval and urgent implementation. I wish you the very best.

Vanguard, FRIDAY , APRIL 24 , 2015—51

Memo to Nigerian politicians Dear sir

OLITICAL office holders must justify people’s confidence in them by striving to fulfill their promises to the electorate. It is by doing this that the change of government will have meaning to them. Fundamental issues affecting the country such as insecurity, corruption, unemployment and poor power supply should be given prompt attention. The Nigerian people have become more politically conscious and will no longer vote for those who cannot add value to their lives. Nigerian political leaders must therefore turn from their wicked ways to avoid incurring the wrath of God as the foolishness of the nation’s rulers will attract divine punishment.

The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation hence our politicians should try to be godly. If they are God-fearing, all the financial scandals and corruption in the country would be stemmed

Nigerian politicians do a lot of things that are offensive to God. They tell lies under oath and put their trust in deceitful works. They make promises and break them and worship gods. They should therefore turn a new leaf to avoid God’s punishment. Our leaders and their followers should go back to the word of God. Our pastors and ministers should always deliver the true messages of God to their congregations. Nigerian politicians are known to be selfish, callous and greedy hence the need to change. The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation hence our politicians should try to be godly. If they are God-fearing, all the financial scandals and corruption in the country would be stemmed. Nigerian leaders and politicians should make the fear of God the bedrock of their dealings with the people, so that peace and prosperity will prevail in our land. Men of God should always pray for the nation’s leaders to enable them surmount all obstacle on their way and for Nigeria to attain peace and greatness.

Revd. Oladipupo FunmiladeJoel The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries, Lagos babasekunderin@yahoo.com

Surcharge for not using malfunctioning ATM Dear sir

OMETIME ago in Lagos, I wanted to use my ATM on my Zenith Bank Account in Ajegunle. The message on the ATM said that it was ‘temporarily unable to dispense cash’. So I went into the bank to try to see if I could collect cash over the counter. To do this, the nice ladies at the reception told me that I would be paying a N200 fee to be able to do that. I didn’t see why I should have to suffer for the negligence of the bank and I told them so. At the other bank close by, I attempted to do the same transaction but the ATM seized my card to the extent that I was unable to meet several appointments that I had scheduled for that day. Because I really wanted to dodge paying the N200 fee for collecting cash over the counter, I left Ajegunle to Ojuelegba. The ATM there was comatose as well. The nice ladies there told me as well that if I wanted to collect my money over the counter, I would have to pay the N200 fee. Feeling frustrated and cheated, I went to the Access Bank ATM close by. Very easily I got paid. This was about four months ago. I have tried severally now in Benin to use my Zenith Bank ATM on other banks’ ATMs and the

‘temporarily unable to dispense cash’ notice pops up. Even when I have visited Zenith bank ATM at the Benin Airport Road, the notice keeps popping up. Is this deliberate? Is the bank starving us of our money so that they could make more money from our across the counter transactions? I would like to use this medium to appeal to Zenith Bank and the NDIC to wade `into this please.

Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku Benin City. majirioghene@aneej.org

At the other bank close by, I attempted to do the same transaction but the ATM seized my card to the extent that I was unable to meet several appointments that I had scheduled for that day

Malpractices in our political system

As Nigerians, we are not encouraged to contest for any elective position any more, except the political parties change their mode of operation. Imagine over a hundred people contesting for only one position from the same party. Why? The party leaders know quite well that only one candidate is needed for a particular position yet they allow a lot of innocent individuals to waste their hard-earned money in collecting forms at very exhobitant fees. I do not agree with that policy; that is stealing, cheating and must be probed. The National Assembly must look into this matter which has given a bad name to our political parties. Those elected officers should fund their political parties. Anonymous+2348136582917

Alleged unremitted NNPC funds and forensic report

It’s most calamitous, catastrophic and unethical for such an unedited outburst of an appointee such as Lamido Sanusi. People of like minds are proponents of the underdevelopment, firebricks, fallacious and myopia war being orchestrated, and Nigerians must shun them. The Ministry of Petroleum,Finance and NNPC are vindicated. Please,retain every economic drives for resounding goals. Kudos! Otugo,B.+2348067557715

Power supply in Nigeria

If EEDC wants to be taken to court before they will do their duty to supply electricity to the people of Nigeria, we will not hesitate to do so. Despite the money given to them by CBN, they have continued to default in carrying out a job they applied for. How can GRA Onitsha remain without electricity supply? This is anti Jonathan and we will let the Presidency know about this sabotage. Anonymous +2348056009586

NLC’s election

Critics are worse leaders when given the opportunity to lead others .The chaotic NLC election was the aftermath of the failed attempts by labour gurus to declare open the meeting. Unifying all the umbrella bodies for enhanced living standards should be devoid of acrimony. Otugo, B 2348067557715

Uduaghan’s comment on fund spent on FG roads

Governor Uduaghan revealed that the 80 billion his state spent on federal roads has not been refunded. This applies to some states in the federation

that keep requesting for the refund of money spent on federal roads. Has the governor given it a thought that the inability of the Jonathan administration to pay can be attributed to the monumental corruption going on under his watch? Does Uduaghan think a president like Jonathan is worthy of being reelected? Let Uduaghan search his conscience and answer the question holistically. Anonymous writes in from Warri, Delta State

Owing states fund by FG

The issue of federal government owing states for the cost of either reconstructing or rehabilitating federal roads has become a constant headache slowing us down in terms of infrastructural development. It was reported that one of the causes of the rift between the Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and the Federal Government is the refusal of the Federal government to reimburse the state for bridges and federal roads constructed. Uduaghan also said that huge sum of over 80 billion is yet to be paid to the state for many projects executed. It is really appalling that the federal government neglects its responsibility to the states, while the state governments take the bashing for the poor infrastructure. Solo Aloba+2347052624455

On OBJ’s membership and PDP

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is not prohibited by any written law not to resign his membership of the ruling PDP. He had eight years as a civilian president and does not want President Goodluck Jonathan to have his own tenure of eight years. What was good for the goose will equally be good for the gander. Retired generals, please tow the path of peace and emulate Senate President David Mark and join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in moving the Nigerian nation forward. Barr Anthony O. Obi +2348056009586

Just concluded general elections

Don’t blame all those drumming support for President Jonathan. They are sycophants and hangers- on. They wanted the status quo to remain so that they can continue to milk the country dry. Kudos to Nigerians for coming out massively to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the just concluded general election. We cannot afford another four more years of misrule. Solo Aloba+2347052624455

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is that of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

52 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, APRIL 24 , 2015

UROPEAN Union leaders are considering a plan to resolve the continent’s migrant shipwreck crisis by taking military action to destroy smugglers’ boats in Africa so they can not be used to ferry refugees on a perilous journey across the Mediterranean to the southern shores of Europe. The heads of state of the 28 EU countries met in Brussels yesterday in the after-math of last w e e k e n d ’ s Mediterranean disaster in which about 800 or more people drowned, with only 28 rescued, when a migrant boat headed from Libya to Italy capsized after its captain mistakenly rammed a Portuguese container ship on its way to rescue it. Similarly, EU leaders during the summit have started committing new resources to save lives in the Mediterranean at an emergency summit convened after hundreds

of migrants drowned in the space of a few days, and were discussing laying the ground for military action against traffickers. “First and foremost now, we have to save lives and take the right measures to do so,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she arrived. Officials said the 28 nations were closing in more than doubling the finances for the EU’s border operation that patrols the Mediterranean and could be called on for emergency rescues. It currently stands at 2.9 million euros ($3.1 million) a month. A draft EU statement called for an increase in funding for Europe’s search and rescue operations, but also “systematic efforts” to “capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers.” The EU’s top migration official, Dimitris Avramopoulos,

EU leaders to consider military action to halt flow of migrants •••Commit ships, aid for intervention

•European Council President Donald Tusk (L-R), European Parliament President Martin Schulz, EU Council General-Secretary Corsepius, Italian PM Renzi and Greek PM Tsipras observe a minute of silence during a EU extraordinary summit in Brussels, yesterday said, “We will take action now. Europe is declaring war on smugglers.” He was in Malta to attend the funeral of 24 people whose bodies were recovered off the coast of Libya in the middle-ofthe-night tragedy last weekend. As he arrived

Demonstration in S/Africa against attacks on migrants

EVERAL thousand demonstrators have marched through central Johannesburg to protest against a spate of deadly attacks on immigrants. Crowds sang songs denouncing xenophobia and carried banners that read “We are all Africans” yesterday. The marchers passed through neighbourhoods

that are home to many immigrants, a large number of whom come from other African countries. Migrant workers crowded balconies, shouting their support. Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the rally, said that “the protesters are keen to stress that these attacks

U.S drone strike accidentally kills 2 hostages

are in no way representative of South Africa”. “This march sends an important message to the world, to Africans,” David Makhura, premier of Gauteng province, of which Johannesburg is the capital, told the demonstrators. “We are going to defeat

•The marchers passed through neighbourhoods that are home to many immigrants

for the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk of Poland said, “Saving the lives of innocent people is, of course, the number one priority for us, but saving lives is not only about rescuing people at sea, it is also about fighting

xenophobia like we defeated apartheid.” Zain Mayet, 20, told the AFP news agency: “I am here to make a stand, to say ‘Not in my name’,” “Keeping quiet makes me as guilty as those who are committing violence.” Soldiers were deployed in Johannesburg this week to aid police in operations against hostels in Johannesburg’s Alexandra township housing South African men who are accused of targeting migrants from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and other African countries. In total, more than 300 people have been detained. At least seven people have been killed in three weeks of unrest that have revived memories of xenophobic bloodshed in 2008, when 62 people were killed. The unrest erupted in the port city of Durban about three weeks ago and later spread to Johannesburg. Many immigrants have been forced to flee their homes and abandon their small shops as marauding mobs hunted down foreigners at night.

smugglers and preventing illegal migration flows. First we need to crack down on the human smugglers. We have to break up their networks and to undermine their business model.”

RESIDENT Barack Obama announced yesterday that a U.S. counter terrorism operation targeting an al Qaeda compound in January accidentally killed two innocent hostages, including one American. Multiple U.S. officials told CNN the hostages, Warren Weinstein, an American, and Italian national Giovanni Lo Porto, were killed by a U.S. military drone that targeted the al Qaeda compound. “As president and as commander in chief, I take full responsibility for all our counterterrorism operations including the one that inadvertently took the lives of Warren and Giovanni,” Obama said.

Protester killed at antigovernment rally in Guinea

ECURITY forces in Guinea have killed a protester and wounded four others, a medical source and witnesses have said, as opposition supporters clashed with police during anti-government rallies.“The victim was beaten with batons by security forces,” said a hospital source in Labe, the country ’s secondlargest city and an opposition stronghold.

The protester ’s body was carried to a regional hospital by fellow activists who cried “God is greater”, “death to the dictator” and “justice for all”, witnesses said. Security forces also fired tear gas yesterday to disperse demonstrators protesting against a delay in holding local elections in the west African country, residents said.

Togo goes to presidential poll tomorrow has ruled Togo for nearly

ESTERDAY was the last day of campaigning in Togo before tomorrow ’s presidential poll. President Faure Gnassingbe faces four challengers in his bid for a third term. The Gnassingbe family

50 years since Gnassingbe Eyadema took power in a military coup in 1967. His son, Faure Gnassingbe, stepped into the office in 2005 when his father died.Some people in the West African nation say it is time to move on.

Banda denies cashgate allegations

ALAWI’S former president, Joyce Banda, said she has not returned home since her 2014 election defeat because she has a packed schedule of international speaking engagements and not because she fears she may be arrested in connection to the biggest financial scandal in Malawi’s history, “Cashgate.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

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54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Godfrey Bivbere loses mum

Itsekiri graduates task Buhari, Okowa on merit-based capacity building W

ARRI—THE National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, has appealed to President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and Delta State

ADAM Maria Najomo, 82, is dead. She died on Easter Sunday, April 5, in Warri, Delta State. She is survived by seven children, among who is Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, Vanguard Maritime Correspondent; 26 grandchildren and 15 grant-grandchildren. Burial arrangement will be announced soon.

Passage

Governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to lay emphasis on rule of law, merit and capacity building of graduates, insisting it was a sure way of tackling lawlessness and youth

Lagos PDP Reps candidate, Ashikodi heads to tribunal Progressives Grand Alliance, He said its mandate was By Esther Onyegbula

HE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House of Representatives candidate in Surulere Federal Constituency I, Lagos State, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, has filed a petition to the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the election of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila of All

APGA. Ashikodi told newsmen he was challenging the election because it was fraudulent. According to him, the party hierarchies at the zonal and state levels are in support of the decision to challenge the election result, contrary to widely-held notion that PDP will not go to court over the House of Representative election.

Uvwie commends Uduaghan on devt

HIEF James Adebayo, 80, Baba Ijo All Saints’ Church, OkeOnigbin of Isin LGA, Kwara State, is dead. Service of songs held Wednesday at Ebutemetta, Lagos. Yesterday was commendation service at Holy Trinity Church, Ebute-Ero, Lagos, and Christian wake at the family house. Today is interment at the church’s premises after burial service, followed by reception at the family house.

Transition

VIE of Uvwie, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for his rapid developmental transformation of Uvwie Local Government Area. The monarc, who made the commendation at the commissioning of Effurun Flyover Bridge, listed Uduaghan’s achievements in the area to include Enerhen Junction, Uvwie Modern Market, Ugbolokposo, Jakpa Road Junction and appointment of Uvwie sons into Uduaghan’s administration and restoration of peace and security among others. The Uvwie monarch, who announced the adoption of the Itsekiri-born governor as a son of Uvwie Kingdom in appreciation of his

GBUESHI Ernest Nwokoye, 83, of Obinagu Ire village, Obosi, Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, is dead. Service of songs holds today at his compound, Obinagu Ire, while funeral service is tomorrow, followed by interment. Thanksgiving service is Sunday at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Obosi.

transformation of Uvwie, appealed that the Federal University town road dualization, electrification of Jakpa Road to NPA Road, expansion of the Osubi Airport and Shoprite projects be given urgent attention. Uduaghan accepted his adoption as a son of the a n c i e n t U r h o b o Kingdom and also thanked the Ovie for the gesture, remarking that Uvwie was strategically located and so cannot be ignored.

Bomadi council boss lauds Okowa By Christopher Njoku

C O

unemployment. The association made the appeal in a statement by its President, Mr. Oritsegbegbemi Ajagbe, and its Board of Trustees, BoT,

HAIRMAN, Bomadi Local government area of Delta State, Chief Oluwole Karetimi, has congratulated the state’s Governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator James Manager, Mr. Nicholas Mutu and the member representing Bomadi Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Oboro Preyor, for their victories polls. Karetimi, who commended Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for winning in the state, said the party’s victory was the making of the electorate, expressing hope that Okowa would put smiles on the faces of Deltans with his planned agenda of Prosperity for All Deltans in the next four years. He equally thanked all Deltans for making the right choice in voting massively for PDP, promising that all hands would be on deck with the Governorelect to actualize his agenda for the people. He also commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his develop-mental strides, saying Deltans would remember him for a job well done.

stolen by APC in connivance with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the police. Gbajabiamila polled 21,715 votes to Ashikodi’s 14,550. Responding to the allegation, Gbajabiamila’s Research and Media Assistant, Mr. Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, said: “Although there is no doubt that Gbajabiamila’s vibrancy and his successful re-election has thrown PDP into panic mode, but no one should turn law on its head. “From the result released by INEC, the people of Suru-lere 1 Federal constituency spoke loud and clear.”

Chairman, Martins Ejueyitsi. The Itsekiri graduates felicitated with Buhari, his Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Okowa, his Deputyelect, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju of the House of Representatives; Mr Daniel Mayuku of Delta State House of Assembly and Mr. Michael Diden for their victory at the polls. They called on the incoming administrations of Buhari and Okowa to address all land issues capable of causing friction between Itsekiri and their neighbours. NAIG said land reclamation and environmental degradation in Itsekiri coastal communities were priorities. NAIG appealed to Okowa to correct perceived lopsidedness in the ongoing recruitment into the Delta State Civil Service, which weighed heavily against qualified Itsekiri graduates. It also called on multinational companies, operating in Warri Kingdom, to key into the local content policy of the Federal Government in contract awards and employment.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 55

Maintaining our int’l credit rating, positive achievement, says AFC boss

Reps pass Bill criminalising torture, other inhuman treatments By Emma Ovuakporie

By Christopher Njoku

RESIDENT and Chief Executive Officer, African Finance Corporation (AFC) Andrew Alli, said that Moody ’s rationale for confirming the corporation's investment grade rating was based on AFC’s sound capital adequacy position, owing to good equity buffers and low debt levels, as well as a strong prudential framework that supports a high degree of liquidity. He disclosed this recently when African Finance Corporation (AFC) recently held its international credit rating, which reaffirmed it at A3/P2 by Moody’s investors service. According to him, “AFC implements stringent prudential ratios that aim over time to ensure sound capital adequacy and to reduce credit risk to the corporation’s expanding portfolio. The continued rise in AFC’s profitability, which does not lead to a deterioration in asset quality, could exert further upward and positive pressure on the rating” he said. He noted that AFC does not only provide access to finance, deal structuring and sector technical expertise, but also advisory services, project development capacity and funding, to bridge the infrastructure investment and access deficits in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport and telecommunications, all critical pillars for economic growth across Africa. “Maintaining our international credit rating first issued in 2014 was an extremely positive achievement for the corporation as a leading supranational development finance institution in Africa and testifies to the rigorous investment processes that have been in place since inception in 2007.”

BUJA—VICTIMS of torture and other inhuman treatments both at home and in public places such as offices, police cells as well as other detention facilities may soon heave a sigh of relief as succour may finally be on the way. This is following consideration of a report and third reading of a Bill For an Act Penalising the Commission of Acts of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishments, Prescribing Penalties Thereof and for Other Purposes. The Bill which is being sponsored by a returning lawmaker, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (PDP, Abia) when passed into law will penalise every acts of high-handedness by individuals towards their subordinates, servants or people in custody in the case of criminal suspects under investigation. Hon. Onyejeocha in her executive summary before the consideration process told her colleagues that the bill was necessitated for reasons such as: “Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment are strictly prohibited at all times under international laws, regardless of the person having committed such unlawful acts and what crimes the victim may be suspected of having committed. “The enactment of a law against torture and ill-treatment would protect the rights of the potential victims of such ill-treatment and would enable the punishment of the responsible individual(s), thus, ensuring there will be no impunity. “The proposed Bill underscores that freedom from torture is a nonderogable right. No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability,

LUNCHEON: From left; Chief John Odeyemi,Chairman Ecobank Plc; Chief Mrs Nike Akande, Deputy President Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry;Mrs Oluwatoyin Sanni,Guest Speaker/ Group Chief Executive Officer United Capital Plc with Chief Mrs Eniola Fadayomi,President/Chairman of Council Institue of Directors (IOD) and Mrs Funmi Babington-Ashaye,Vice Chairman Women Director Conference during the Institute of Directors Nigeria Women Director's Luncheon, with he theme; Networking to the Top issues for Women in Lagos Yesterday.Photo by Akeem Salau. or any other public emergency, may be invoked as a justification for torture”, she noted. Onyejeocha argued further that the aforesaid Bill is contemporaneous and seeks to among other things; (i) “criminalize torture as an act by which sever pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposess as obtaining from him/her or a third person information or a profession; and (ii)”punish him/her for an act he/ she or a third person has committed or is suspected fo having committed”. Section 1 (a)and (b) of the Bill makes it a State policy to: Ensure that the rights of all persons, including suspects, detainees and prisoners are respected at all times; and that no person placed under investigation or held in custody of any person

in authority shall be subjected to physical harm, force, violence, threat or intimidation or any act that impairs his free will; and (b) to fully adhere to the principles ans standard on the absolute condemnation and prohibition of torture set by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international instruments to which Nigeria is a State party. Another Clause retained by the Committee of the Whole House is Clause 2 considered as fundamental to the description of acts constituting torture and punishable under the Act if passed. According to the clause, acts of torture include: Systematic beatings, headbangings, punching, kicking, striking with rifle butts and jumping on the stomach;

Food deprivation or forcible feeding with spoilt food, animal or human excreta or other food not normally eaten; Electric shock; Cigarette burning, burning by electrically heated rods, hot oil, acid; by the rubbing of pepper or other chemical susbstances on mucous membranes, or acid or spices directly on the wound; Submersion of the head in water or water polluted with excrement, urine, vomit and/or blood until the brink of suffocation. Being tied or forced to assume to fixed and stressful bodily position, sexual abuse ao any kind are among other acts considered as tortuous by the Bill. The report was approved and passed through third reading - ready for harmonisation if necessary, for onward transmission to the President for assent.

Include entertainment in your agenda, Amobode tasked

HE Lagos State governor-elect, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has been urged to include the entertainment industry in the administration's agenda while diversifying the economy of the state, which is a major contributor to employment. Swaga Records, Nigeria’s CEO, Steven Frank A.K.A Big Mike, said in a chat with Vanguard , during the training programme that his organisation conducted for young and upcoming Nigerian artistes in Lagos. The Malaysia-based Frank

also noted that there will be a huge benefit for everyone when the Lagos State government gets involved in the cultural exchange programme which Swagga records is presently doing for mutual benefits of both countries. According to him: ‘’The entertainment industry in Lagos is vast and 50 per cent of it is untapped. There will be benefits for all of us in Lagos if the government of this state starts thinking of diversification and also considering entertainment. ''The governor-elect,

Akinwunmi Ambode, who is well suited for the job should consider this industry. ‘’We all saw his resume in Malaysia and we were all baffled about his unique qualifications and comprehensive training. I want to say congratulations Sir. We trust and expect your administration to be accommodating to all Lagosian. The huge amount of money in entertainment in this state with over 20 million people cannot be quantified. ‘’Swagga Records has embarked on this training of young and upcoming artistes

because when you don’t give back to the society the organisation has not started work at all. Lagos is blessed with thousands of talented artistes and musicians, why should everyone leave them to their fate. It is also necessary for the already made stars to lend a handing hand to these upcoming ones. ‘’The Nigerian Community in Malaysia also want us to extend the training beyond Lagos because every one wants to be close to their root and be a part of its development. Our record label will also be willing to assist the Lagos Stae government.''

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015—57

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Confirmation of Name

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58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

I warned you on looming defeat, Tukur tells PDP By Henry Umoru

BUJA —FORMER National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has attributed the defeat of the party by the All Progressives Congress, APC during the March 28 and April 11 general elections, to what he termed, failure on the part of the leadership to adhere to his warning on the looming loss. Tukur who noted that he was having the last laugh over the party’s defeat in the elections, stressed that the party ignored his warning and refused to mend its ways. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Tukur stressed that he had warned the party in 2013 that it will suffer defeat in the 2015 general election if the leaders refused to imbibe internal democracy within the

party. In the statement titled: “PDP- Were you not warned?” the former PDP chairman reminded the party leadership of the speech he read at the PDP National Executive Committee [NEC] meeting of Thursday, June 20, 2013, which he presided over as chairman. Tukur who noted that he had warned his fellow party leaders and members to have a change of attitude if the party must succeed, said, “In our efforts to achieve success, we must rededicate our genuine political beliefs, change our attitudes and identify our political needs. These good values cannot be realized without accepting the supremacy of the party constitution as key instrument that ensures progress, stability and internal discipline.

Sell Nigeria’s oil stakes, raise N14.9 trillion, CBN governor tells Buhari

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has advised the president-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, to consider selling off nearly half of Nigeria’s Joint Venture equity with multinational oil companies, to enable the new government raise a huge balance for immediate developmental projects. The CBN governor who gave the advice while speaking with the Financial Times of London said the incoming administration should give serious thoughts to the proposal for Nigeria to scale down its majority stakes in the joint ventures currently with various multinational oil companies in the country. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation currently holds, on behalf of the Nigerian government, at least 55 per cent equity in the joint ventures with Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total, Nigerian Agip, and Pan Ocean. The partnership means that for each daily production of oil in Nigeria, the government receives

55 per cent after production cost had been deducted. Mr. Emefiele wants government to shed at least 25 per cent of that equity to raise some emergency funds for infrastructure development in key sectors of the economy. The CBN governor said relevant officials in the Bank have already been directed to evaluate prospects of the proposal to see how it could be realized from the JVs, which account for more than 50 percent of Nigeria’s daily average oil production of 2.3 million barrels. Mr. Emefiele said that the outcome of the study would be presented to General Buhari when he assumes office on May 29. The governor expressed confidence that Nigeria may rake in about $75 billion (about N14.93 trillion) if the government agrees to cut its JV equity to only 30 per cent. Private equity companies, he said, could be encouraged to take over the relinquished government stakes and compete with the oil companies, to contribute to the development of the industry.

Nike, NFF strike partnership deal L

E A D I N G sportswear manufacturer, Nike is the new technical sponsor to the Nigeria Football Federation, supporting all national team levels and grassroots development. Nike and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have announced a new partnership in which Nike, the world’s leading football brand, is designing and developing football kits for the men’s and women’s national football teams of Nigeria from April 1, 2015, until at least 2018. Nike is designing performance and training apparel, and equipment, including team kits and footballs, for the Nigerian national football team players at every level of the game. There will be an exclusive-edition team kit for all NFF teams until the 2016-17 kit launches in mid-2016. In addition, Nike will design an assortment of products for Nigerians to show their support for the national team, to be available from mid-2016. The Nigeria under-20

SIGNING: NFF President, Amaju Pinnick (l) signs the dotted lines with a Nike representative in London yesterday. men’s team will be the first and advancing the game inspiration and innovation team to don the new Nike at all levels through for young men and women.” kit at the under-20 football tournament to be hosted in New Zealand from May Continues from BP 31. there was a chance “We are very pleased to striker has been crocked Odemwingie could pull on partner with the Nigeria since August and his a Stoke shirt again before Football Federation, one of contract expires in the the end of the season. Africa’s premier teams,” summer. Coates said: “These said Laurent Payre, Nike But kind-hearted Potters things take time, patience Africa VP / General owner Peter Coates says and a lot of effort, but we Manager. “The passion for the club aren’t about to will do all that we can as a football in Nigeria is turn their back on the 33- club for the best possible renowned and Nike is year-old in his hour of outcome for all concerned. committed to supporting need. “We hope to have him Odemwingie hasn’t back playing as well as he kicked a ball since was before his injury. I’ve rupturing a cruciate had some encouraging ligament in the 1-0 win at reports about him from the training ground and I am pedaled on the Manchester City. He underwent certainly optimistic for insistence of the player, who again suffered immediate knee surgery him. “He will be an asset for another injury blow just and has only just returned to training with us if we get him back before the AYC began. The Owerri-born the first team after playing for Stoke City, and that is certainly the youngster is expected to extensive rehab. Boss Mark Hughes said intention.” lead three other Europebased players to join the Flying Eagles training camp in Germany next for unity among other month. Continues from BP The other players are Town and Mpumalanga Africans. I am proud to Wilfred Ndidi (Genk, Black Aces, has urged be African, it is always a Belgium), Moses Simon those who are attacking pleasure to be united as (Gent, Belgium) and their fellow Africans to one big family, do things Isaac Success (Granada, stop the killing so that we in common and assist Spain). could have one big ourselves rather than killing ourselves. I united Africa. The AFCON 2013 believe in Africa and we highest goal scorer, who should be proud of still has families and ourselves.” explained. Emenike further said, Keshi said that for friends in South Africa, “While I was in South Nigerian football to said African leaders have Africa, I never move to the next level, to come together for a experienced such a thing all the players must put united Africa and said and its look very strange in their best to ensure the what is happening in to me seeing such success of the Super South Africa is strange to killings and destruction Eagles in the coming him. of properties. Afcon qualifiers as well “I can’t believe what is “This is not the time for happening in South as other competitions in retaliation, everybody Africa,” Emenike said. the future. needs to come out to save Nigeria have played 4 “I believe we should the situation and call for friendly games this year- have moved beyond this peace. We don’t want lost two, against Ivory stage in Africa. We war in our continent. We Coast and Uganda, and should always see need peace and Unity. as one drew with South Africa ourselves irrespective of where we God Bless Nigeria, God while they defeated Bless South Africa and come from. Yemen national team 2“I am therefore calling God bless Africa as a 0 in Abu Dhabi. whole.”

Osaze

Iheanacho Continues from BP World Cup should he play a game for the reserves or the U19 team and come through without any problems,” a source close to the forward said. “They want to be sure he is fully fit before he will be released to join the Flying Eagles.” City stopped Iheanacho from last month’s African Youth Championship in Senegal, insisting he was nursing an injury. However, they later soft

Keshi Continues from BP “But for me to be able to control their performance or level in the game is a personal thing and matter of personal excellence. It depends on every individual to put in the right effort to get better. Its not my job to be on their necks to tell players how much importance they attach to their career. “They are all adults, they ’re professionals and they should live up to that level,” Keshi

Emenike

Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 — 59

Juventus need luck — Marotta J

UVENTUS CEO Giuseppe Marotta says they will need “luck” to make the Champions League final after coming up against three European powerhouses in today’s semi-final draw. The Italian champions qualified for the last four for the first time in over a decade last Wednesday thanks to a 1-0 aggregate win over Monaco following a scoreless, second leg in the Principality.

•Marotta

Juve are now in the hat alongside defending champions Real Madrid, their fellow Spanish giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich - all of whom have won the title once each in the past four years. On paper, the odds are stacked against Juventus reaching their first final since 2003 when they succumbed to AC Milan after a penalty shoot-out at Old Trafford. Marotta, speaking to Sky Sports Italia, he said: “There are three powerhouses in there with us but we’ll give it our best shot, aware of the fact that they are on a different technical and financial level to us. “We’re fourth favourites in that sense but you never know. “We have to see Scudetto and the Italian Cup as our real targets. In the Champions League we must be realistic and recognise that there are different values in play, but with a bit of luck who knows.”

CELEBRATION . . . (From L) Juventus’ midfielders Roberto Pereyra, Andrea Pirlo and forward, Carlos Tevez celebrate after their qualification for the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League at the Louis II Stadium in Monaco. Photo: AFP

Ancelotti praises Hernandez C

Tacchinardi: Juventus need Pogba ORMER Juventus

•Pogba

midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi says they can compete with Real Madrid - if they get Paul Pogba back. The Bianconeri have advanced to the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time since 2003, and Tacchinardi believes anything is possible. “I think Allegri can only be praised for what he’s done this season,” said the 39-year-old “They’re one step away from the Scudetto, they’ve reached the Coppa Italia final and are in the top four teams in Europe. “He’s done a great job, and has also had the luck which you need to get to the end in a competition like the Champions League. “For the future, I think a Juventus at 100 per cent, with the return of Paul Pogba can easily compete on a par with Real Madrid.”

REAL JOY . . . Real Madrid’s forward Javier Hernandez in joyful celebration after scoring their winning goal. Photo: AFP

...As Henry slams him HIERRY Henry celebration after scoring T has criticised Real a last-gasp winner Madrid striker Javier against Atletico Madrid Hernandez for his

Pep won’t join City — Rummenigge

EP Guardiola would not join “a club like Manchester City,” according to Bayern Munich CEO K a r l - H e i n z Rummenigge.

Guardiola’s future was placed in doubt after the 3-1 first leg defeat to Porto in the Champions League. He is widely regarded as City’s top candidate to move to the

Etihad Stadium should Manuel Pellegrini leave, with some reports claiming that he has even met up with City director of football Txiki Begiristain.

in the Champions League, saying on Sky Sports: “What I don’t like is ‘Chicharito’ seems like he’s won the World Cup with that.” Real advanced to the semifinals of the competition after the onloan Manchester United man’s goal at the Bernabeu, which secured a 1-0 aggregate victory.

ARLO Ancelotti praised Real Madrid’s match-winner Javier Hernandez after admitting the Mexican has not had many chances this season at the Bernabeu. Hernandez, on loan from Manchester United, scored the only goal to give Real a 1-0 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-final. It was Hernandez’s sixth strike for the club, and Real boss Ancelotti was delighted for the 26year-old for taking his chance under pressure. Ancelotti told Sky Sports: “He was a fantastic solution because he played really well with a lot of intensity. “He deserved it because he hasn’t played a lot this season but when I told him to play he was ready. “He was professional and I’m happy for him.” Real are on course to become the first team to defend a Champions League title, but Ancelotti insists the feat will not be easy, with Juventus, Bayern Munich or Barcelona waiting in the semifinals. “We’ll try. It won’t be easy but anything can happen. We are competitive and we’ll try to do our best.''

UEFA confirm seeding changes

EFA have ratified changes to the seeding system for next year’s Champions League which will affect how the top seeds are determined. The previous system, which relied on European results over the last five years, has been scrapped and replaced with a new one that gives precedence to teams winning their domestic titles. It means no country can possibly have more than two teams in the top set of seeds. The winners of the 201415 Champions League will be joined as top seeds by the winners of the titles in England, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and Russia. If the Champions League winner is also their domestic league winner, then the champions of the eighth-ranked association Holland - PSV Eindhoven - would be added to the list of top seeds despite only ranking 30th in the UEFA club coefficient list.

•Platini

60 —

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Falcons w on’t mak won’t makee Olympic mistak mistakee —Ohale S

UPER Falcons defender, Osinachi Ohale has said national women team will not make any mistake in their quest for a place in the Rio 2016 Olympics. The reigning African champions will confront West African opponents, Mali in a twolegged final round qualifying clash to determine the rightful claimants of the Olympic ticket. The first fixture clash will hold on Saturday, May 9 at the Abuja National Stadium. Ohale who still rue the Falcons inability to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics said they are determined to make amend and qualify for the quadrennial multiple sports showpiece. “The sad memory of our absence at the last edition of the Olympics in London is still quite fresh and I tell you we’re determined to erase the ugly incident by beating Mali to qual-

ify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. “I am excited we have already picked the ticket for the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville at the expense of Mali. “I remember vividly the pain as a member of Falcons squad who failed to win either of the tickets for 2011 AAG in Maputo, Mozambique and 2012 London Olympics against Ghana and Cameroon respectively. “I strongly believe that we will make it right this time around as regards the Olympics as I don’t see Mali stopping us from grabbing the ticket with the quality of players in our fold,” said the former Houston Dash strongwoman. The Rivers Angels defender said she will make her reign as standin captain counts positively with the departure of captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku to the Kazakhstani side, Biik Kazygurt FC."

By Eddie Akalonu

TESTING. ..Super Falcons Osinachi Ohale fight for ball possession with Japanese Mina Tanaka during an international friendly match between Japan and Nigeria at Fukuda Denshi Arena in Chiba Japan.

Ngerem is Okpekpe Race organising committee boss

ORMER President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Dan Ngerem has been appointed the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Okpekpe 10 km Road race slated for May I6 in Okpekpe, Edo State. The decision to make him the organising committee chairman was informed by his pedigree when he was the AFN boss and the relationship with the top hierarchy at IAAF and it is expected that his appointment would boost the rising profile of the race. Okpekpe is now a label race, Ngerem is expected to apply the rules to the letter without fear or favour. In the same vein, Ecobank Rapid Transfer Service was named the official money transfer service for the 3rd Okpekpe 10km road race. Meanwhile, former Nigeria long jump champion and reigning record holder,Yusuf Alli has revealed a world

class cast of elite athletes for next month’s 3rd Okpekpe 10km road race in Okpekpe, Auchi,Edo state. Alli says they (organizers of the race) have been able to get athletes who have been in top form since the start of the year and believes a new course record will likely be witnessed come May 16 when the event holds in Okpekpe. ‘I am thrilled that we have been able to secure two of the fastest three men in the world over 10km this year.We have Amos Kiplimo Mitel of Kenya who ran a new personal best of 27.58 minutes early this month in Paderborn, Germany. That is the second fastest time in the world so far this year.He is only bettered by Germany’s Homiyu Tesfaye who ran four seconds faster (27:54) to win the race in Paderborn,’said a delighted Ali who also revealed the capture,as it were of Dawi Fikadu of Ethiopia.

NNL moves to stop debtor clubs from League

NTU set for African championship

‘Fikadu holds the third fastest time in the world so far this year at 28.04 minutes and both times (Mitel and Fikadu’s) are better than the 28.26 minutes Okpekpe course record set last year by Ethiopia’s Teshome Asafan,’he said and revealed why organizers of the event have to get the best legs to compete in the race.

Dan Ngerem

er CBN Tennis: Onoja sist sister erss aavvoid semi-final clash group behind the in-

HE Onoja sisters Neku and Iye have qualified for the semifinals in the Girls 12 category in the ongoing CBN Junior Tennis Championship but managed to avoid a potentially explosive semifinal confrontation. Neku, 12, emerged second in her round robin group losing the final classification match to Chidinma Ezeh from Anambra 9-3. Iye. 10, also lost her final classification match to Timipre

HE management of the Nigerian National League (NNL) has warned that clubs that are yet to complete their registration formalities before the May 2, 2015 kick-off date will be stopped from participating in the competition. This warning was issued by the Executive Secretary of the NNL, Lawrence Katken who has said that the management will no longer tolerate late registration by some clubs, pointing out that the delay by some clubs to complete registration formalities even with the late commencement of the league leaves much to be desired. According to him, “I want to appeal to the defaulting clubs to use the two weeks postponement of the league to put their papers in order. We cannot allow clubs that fail to register to be part of the league even when they have been drawn in a group.”

Maxwell from Port Harcourt 9-1. By placing second in their groups the Onoja sisters avoided a “sisters act” in the semifinals. Neku will meet Maxwell winner of Group A while Iye will take on Chidinma Ezeh in the second semifinals. Iye Onoja is also through to the Girls 10 finals where she will meet Serena Teluwo from Lagos. Timipre Maxwell is equally through to the Girls 14 semifinals placing second from her

form Marylove Edwards. Maxwell will meet Favour Moses who led her group while Edwards will take on Kasara Adegboyega from Ibadan. There were several upsets in the boys’ events. Chris Itodo from Kaduna edged out Amos Michael from a semifinal place in the Boys 18s. The hard fought contest saw the Port Harcourt based Michael squander two match points in the tiebreak to go down 9-8.

HE Nigerian Tri athlon Union (NTU) will send two athletes to compete in the African Triathlon Championship holding in Sharma El Sheik in Egypt from May 7 to 11. The athletes are 13 year old Sadiq Yahaya, a rookie from Kaduna State and a veteran Meibaka Aggo of River State. They are to be supervised by the National Chief Coach of NTU, Bashir Mohammed. Coach Bashir and Sadiq Yahaya will also participate in the Youth Training Camp from May 1 to 15. The team is expected to leave Abuja by Egypt Air on April 29. President of the NTU, Dr Lanre Glover stated that taking Yahaya to the event would help Nigeria’s drive to position Triathlon and also give him the needed exposure to become quality athletes in future.

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FIFA U-20 W/Cup: City give condition for Iheanacho’s release

REMIER League c h a m p i o n s Manchester City have said they are willing to

It’s not easy to coach Eagles — Keshi S

FATIGUED: Keshi on duty.

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has described coaching the Nigerian national team as a tasking job, but he insisted that he took the job because it is what he loves to do most. Keshi, who stayed without a job for almost 10 months signed a 2year deal with the Nigeria Football Federation, which elapses at the end of the 2017 African Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon. “Its not easy, its a tasking job, but this is what I love doing and I love seeing these young kids come into camp because its my legacy when I was in Togo and Mali where ever I am even in the states. Continues on Page 58

release Nigeria starlet Kelechi Iheanacho for next month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand if he came through a game without any concerns. Iheanacho has been battling various injuries, but he has since returned to training. “City have said they will release him for the

Continues on Page 58

•Iheanacho

Xenophobia attacks: Emenike preaches unity S

UPER Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has called for peace and unity in South Africa following the xenophobia attacks that have over taken the country. The Fernabahce striker, who started his career outside Nigeria in South Africa where he featured for FC Cape

•Emenike

Juventus need luck — Moratta Page 59

Continues on Page 58

We won’t dump Osaze, says Stoke chairman

ETER Osaze Odemwingie has received an assurance from Stoke owner that he will not be

dumped by the club as he struggles to regain full fitness. The Super Eagles Continues on Page 58

•Osaze

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S ANSWERS YESTERDAY'S

ACROSS 2 Torment (5) 7 Satan (5) 8 Fruit (5) 10 Sorcery (5) 12 Obese (3) 13 Send (5) 15 Reasonable (7) 17 Worn (6) 19 Gained (3) 20 Erased (7) 23 Expired (4) 25 Dejected (4) 26 Dedicated (7) 30 Cushion (3) 31 Signify (6) 34 Refuge (7) 37 Ethical (5) 38 Wonder (3) 39 Liability (5) 40 Reverence (5) 41 Stitched (5) 42 Rate (5)

DOWN 1 Postpone (5) 2 Shy (5) 3 Exhilarated (6) 4 Dirt (4) 5 Purified (7) 6 Sum (5) 9 Resin (3) 11 Cringed (7) 13 Shrill (5) 14 Stirred (5) 16 Obtained (3) 18 Deciphered (7) 21 Giver (5) 22 Seraph (5) 24 Exhaust (7) 27 Tank (3) 28 Death (6) 29 Seat (5) 32 Famous (5) 33 Domesticated (5) 35 Sheep (3) 36 Harvest (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Scene 7, Ergo 8, Lariat 9, Bluff 11, Mar 13, Cut 15, Eden 16, Sap 18, Free 19, Retinue 20, Inch 22, Nail 23, Hideous 25, Eyed 27, Rue 28, Corn 30, Did 31, Rug 33, Steam 36, Please 37, Away 38, Wield.

DOWN: 1, Bread 2, Sob 3, Emu 4, Elf 5, Pry 6, Vague 10, Feat 11, Merited 12, Reached 13, Creator 14, Telling 16, Sever 17, Pique 18, Fun 21, Hid 24, Oust 26, Yield 29, Rural 32, Pay 33, Sew 34, Eke 35, Mad.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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