Presidency fires back at five Northern Govs by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61932

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Recovering from oil theft, Rivers govt, Dickson, Imoke, pipeline vandalism may •Pg.9 others commiserate with •Pg.9 First Lady over mum's death take 20 yrs — Alison-Madueke

THREAT TO BURY PDP:

Presidency fires back at five Northern govs •Says they can't bury PDP; the party is above them •The govs plan to push out the president, it says •Rivers crisis: Senate committee indicts CP Mbu —Pg.5

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

BUJA—THE Presi dency, yesterday, dismissed as empty boast the threat by five Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors to bury the party, if they are unable to resolve the crisis in the party. The five Northern governors — Sule Lamido, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, Mua’zu Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS: OMOTAYO ADEOLU •P.17

ROTIMI FASAN

•P.19

OGAGA IFOWODO

•P.19

DEAR BUNMI

•P.40

Mr & Mrs

NEW PRINCE OF ENGLAND—Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge show their new-born baby boy to the world's media outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in London, yesterday. The baby was born on Monday afternoon weighing eight pounds six ounces (3.8 kilogrammes). The baby, titled His Royal Highness, Prince of Cambridge, is directly in line to inherit the throne after Charles, Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son and heir, and his eldest son William. Photos: AFP.

Child marriage: We haven't done anything new

— Senate

•P.51

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

RIVERS CRISIS: Senate Committee indicts CP Mbu BY HENRY UMORU

VISIT—From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union

(UPU) and Leader of the delegation, Chief Patrick Newton Aziza; the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, Delta State, H.R.M. Ogoni Oghoro 1 and Ogbaburhon Austin, during the UPU delegates visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

THREAT TO BURY PDP: Presidency fires back at five Nor thern govs Continues from Page 1

Babangida Aliyu and Murtala Nyako — who have been meeting with political stakeholders in the country, had threatened on Monday to help bury the PDP if their efforts to solve its problems flopped. Although Nyako was not present at the meeting with Generals

Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, he immediately released a statement aligning position with the four other governors, saying that it was time something was done to salvage the party or bury it. The gover nor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretar y, Sajoh Ahmed, noted: “We have

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The dream in us will die if we are pessimistic — Fassy A.Y. When the dream dies, the heart fails, when the heart fails, the body dies.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place — C.S. Lewis

OME decades ago, Charles Dickens wrote about being grateful for everything in life. He said one should reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many but not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. This is good advice to warm and comfort the heart. As you go about your business and other activities today, here is a beautiful reminder from the author, Donohue, on the relevance of taking time to stop and smell the roses of gratitude in your life. For balance in your life is a blessing, and just like the joy of the sea coming home to shore, may the relief of laughter rinse through your soul. As the wind loves to call things to dance, may your gravity be lightened by divine grace. Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth, may your thoughts incline with reverence and respect. As water takes whatever shape it is in, so may you be about who you become. As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said, may your sense of irony bring perspective. As time remains free of all that it frames, may your mind stay clear of all it names. And most of all may your prayers and contemplations of listening deepen enough to hear in the depths the laughter of Divine Spirit.

held consultations with former heads of state on the need for them and other major stakeholders to save the party from dying. “We will continue to make our efforts to save the party. But if our ef forts do not work, we have no alternative than to fold our arms, and see PDP die and help in burying it.” But firing back at the governors, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, said the five governors were incapable of bringing down the PDP. Gulak, who also accused the governors of trying to force out President Jonathan, said, however, that they would fail, as their agenda was not in the interest of the generality of Nigerians. The Presidential aide also said that all those working with the five governors would also fail in their selfish bid to unseat Jonathan because Nigerians were wiser than all of them. The political adviser said: “They (the governors) cannot bur y PDP, as the party is above them. “Their agenda is not to bury PDP but to get President Goodluck Jonathan out but they will certainly fail. I can assure you that all those in that group and shar-

ing their agenda will also fail woefully, as Nigerians are wiser ,” the Presidential adviser said.

BUJA —THE Sen ate ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate the political crisis in Rivers State, has indicted the State P olice Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu. Vanguard gathered that the committee, in the report which will be laid before the Senate today, was however not happy with the manner the commissioner handled the problem that led to the leader of the House of Assembly, Michael Chinda and Martins Amahule sustaining injuries. There was also an attempt in the Rivers State

House of Assembly to impeach the Speak er, Otelemaba Amachree. Following the development, the Senate asked the Committee on States and Local Governments led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, ANPP, Kano South to investigate the matter and come up with recommendations. Meanwhile, governors elected on the platform of the P eoples Demo cratic Party, PDP will today meet in Abuja. Vanguard gathered that the governors will discuss among others, the planned Special National Convention, the forthcoming Anambra State election and how the PDP must win.

We'll approve foreign gay diplomats — FG credited to serve in the cordingly because they

AGOS—THE Min ister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Gbenga Ashiru, has stated that Nigeria will accredit foreign diplomats married to people of the same sex in spite of its stand on the issue. Ashiru made the position known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London on Monday. He said that ambassadors posted to Nigeria would be ac-

country with their spouses “no matter their marriage status. “Nigeria is not against any country for legalising gay marriage but in our countr y, given our customs and traditions, as well as religious beliefs, marriage as ordained by God is between a man and a woman, he said. “But if we have diplomats with same sex spouses posted to Nigeria, we have no choice but to accredit them ac-

come from countries where such law is in place,” the minister added. He, however , said that there were no such cases in the country at the moment. The National Assembly has passed a bill banning same sex marriage in Nigeria and prescribing a jail term of between 10 years and 14 years for anyone who indulges in the act or abets it. Nigeria’s position has drawn the ire of mainly Western countries.

AfDB to invest in Nigeria’s infrastructure BY MICHAEL EBOH

AGOS—THE Afri can Development Bank, yesterday, said it has adopted a strategy to invest in critical infrastructure and support the deepening of a sound policy environment in Nigeria. According to a statement announcing its forthcoming policy dialogue on ‘Infrastructure and Structural Transfor-

mation in Nigeria,’ the AfDB said this is in response to the T ransformation Agenda of the Federal Government, hinged on the need for more inclusive growth. “Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest economies; however, the countr y continues to face challenges in using this growth to ensure substantial reductions in poverty and social inequality.

“Nigeria has enjoyed a growth rate of some seven per cent over five years due to improved economic performance and sustained policy improvements,” the AfDB said. Continuing, the AfDB said the forum, scheduled to hold in Abuja, will examine ways in which Nigeria could accelerate the reduction of poverty and social inequality.

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Osun police arrest 6 suspected robbers BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO — THE Police in Osun State have arrested a gang of robbers said to be terrorizing the people of the state and other neighbouring states. The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Dorothy Gimba, said six robbery suspects were arrested in various locations in the state following tip-off by members of the public. She said items including automatic pistols, cutlasses, axes and charms were recovered from the suspects, adding that items stolen including Blackberry phones, Nokia phones and other items were recovered from the suspects. Gimba who disclosed that the six suspects will soon be charged to court, said 18 robbery cases were reported to the state P olice Command between June and July 2013.

28-yr-old man electrocuted in Jos BY TAYE OBATERU & HOPE OFOBIKE

OS – A 28-year-old electrician was, yesterday , electrocuted in Apata area of Jos, the Plateau State capital while trying to fix a problem on an electricity pole in the area. The man identified as Chukwuebuka Eze, according to eyewitnesses, climbed the pole in Agwan Lambu quarters around noon ostensibly to change the supply phase to his shop when the Power Holding of Nigeria, PHCN, suddenly restored light, which electrocuted him. According to an eyewitness, his shirt caught fire and burnt out even as his body remained glued to the electric line. A loud spark was said to have been heard as he was electrocuted, drawing the attention of neighbours who watched helplessly. A woman identified as a neighbour to the deceased screamed as she came out and saw him on fire and dangling from the pole describing the incident as “terrible and horrifying.”

How I arrested Corporal for extortion — Superintendent zSays accused was in possession N11,000 cash, marijuana, others

BUJA — A CHIEF Superintendent of Police, CSP, Oyanwenda Ekho-J, yesterday, told a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senior Magistrates’ Court in Karu, how he arrested a former colleague, Corporal John Enekele, for extortion. Enekele, who was dismissed from the force in February for allegedly extorting N11,000 from Inalegu Onah, is currently facing trial. Enekele was arraigned on March 28 on a one-count charge of extortion before Senior Magistrate Aminu Abdullahi. He, however , denied the charge. At the resumed hearing, yesterday, Ekho-J, Commander of the FCT Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, testified that he arrested the accused person who was on an illegal duty on February 2, this year. Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Sergeant Atteh Effiong, Ekho-J alleged that Enekele was in possession of N11, 000 he forcibly collected from his victim. He said other incriminating items such as three SARS bullet proof jackets, four gallons of diesel and a large quantity of marijuana in a black polythene bag were also found on the accused. The prosecution witness told the court that he was on routine visit to SARS office on February 2 when he saw an unusual gathering on his way and stopped to find out what was happening. He said: “I saw the accused person and one Paul, who was in a SARS bullet proof jacket, and I demanded to know the officer in-charge of the operation. “Paul moved close to me and introduced himself in an unofficial police manner . I quickly detected he was not

one of us. I became suspicious and demanded for his police warrant card but the accused told me he had just passed out of police training school and was still awaiting his warrant card. “I later discovered that Paul, who posed as an officer , was the accused person’s partner on illegal duty.” Ekho-J said he asked the accused person what the crowd was doing on the highway instead of taking them to SARS station for proper investigation of the alleged crime they committed. He told the court that he had to send for the most senior guard commander at the SARS gate and ordered that they should all be taken to the office for questioning and detailed investigation.

Investigation He said: “Investigation later

revealed that the accused person arrested Onah with four gallons of 20 litres of diesel, handcuffed him and locked him inside his car for no reason. “The accused insisted that Onah must pay a bribe of N30,000 before his release or stand the risk of being taken to SARS base for torture. “Onah gave him all he had amounting to N11,000, but the accused insisted that he must pay the balance of N19,000 before he would be released. “Onah had no option than to call his brother to meet them at SARS gate with the balance, which they were waiting for before I arrived at the scene.”

denial prompted me to order an on-the-spot search of his car. He said that “all police officers, including me, are entitled to only one bullet proof jacket each, and I wondered where the accused got the extra three jackets found in his possession.” Ekho-J said the accused was dismissed from the police after he was found guilty in an in-house trial, and later charged to court. The prosecutor tendered in evidence all the items allegedly recovered from the accused person which the court admitted as exhibit. He, however, asked the court for adjournment to enable him present his third evidence The search which the court granted. Following the prosecutor ’s According to Ekho-J, the ac- request, the magistrate adcused denied collecting any journed the case to August 19. money from the victim and his

Ilaje youths from Ondo State protesting planned merger of oil associations in the Local government area of the state, yesterday.

Strange fish causes stir in Ibadan BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN —HUNDREDS of residents of Ibadan, yesterday, r ushed out to catch a glimpse of a strange fish which was said to have human parts at Asaka compound area of the city. The incident happened at Ile Akindele when a fish seller noticed the strange creature after removing the wrap of a frozen fish. The fish seller simply referred to as Ramota, reportedly raised alarm to attract oth-

ers to the strange sight. She said: “I went to where we usually buy fish at Kola Eleja, Oke Ado, Ibadan. After I finished, I boarded Okada to my place to prepare the fish for sale. Before getting the fish out of the icepack, we needed to use knife to remove them and de-freeze them in water. “I was shocked to see the frozen fish developed into a miniature human being in the water, the description of which showed half human and half

fish. I quickly called my father and some Muslim clerics to see the strange fish.” The woman’s father, a retired civil servant, Pa Rauf Salawu, corroborated the story, saying he had never seen such before. He narrated his side of the story: “It was around 11am, when I started hearing my daughter screaming. She was shouting and screaming to the extent that people in the compound were attracted. Then, I decided to check what the problem was.

“I took along my Quran and on getting there, my daughter had gone to call another cleric in the neighbourhood. “I saw the strange fish inside water in the bucket. It was strange, how can a fish bought in the cold room develop into human being. That I cannot explain.” Policemen from Mapo police station were there to control the crowd. The fish seller was then taken into the custody of the police. Several calls made to the police were not picked.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013—7

Market leader, 3 others axed in Onitsha BY OKONKWO EZE

NITSHA— BUSINESS ac-tivities at Excellent Plaza mini market, near the Onitsha Main Market, were brought to an abrupt end, yesterday, when the leader of the market, Chief John Machi, and three others had their skulls ripped open with axes by armed men believed to be officials of Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA. According to the source, troubled started when the ASTA officials stor med the mini market located along Sokoto road axis and started to impound traders’ wares, on the grounds that they were enforcing the state government’s ban on street trading in Onitsha. According to the source, as the officials were impounding the wares, Machi, on a tip-off, rushed to the scene, demand-

ing the reason for the impoundment, making the attackers to use their axes freely on him. Traders and those whose wares were impounded on seeing that their chairman had been axed, rushed to save him but in the process, three of them were also hit with axes and they became unconscious for a while. Sensing danger, the officials took to their heels with the impounded wares. The injured leader was rushed to Waterside Hospital, Onitsha while the three others were taken to undisclosed hospitals. Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the mark et, Mr. William Ugwu, said no reason was given by their assailants for impounding their wares and urged Governor Peter Obi to ensure that they were arrested to face the wrath of the law.

On his part, President of Ndigbo Unity Forum, Mr Augustin Chukwudum, e xpressed surprise at the illegal action of the ASTA officials, adding that its actions amounted to

terrorism. Meantime, the case has been lodged at Central Police Station, Onitsha as some policemen were sighted in the hospital interrogating the chairman.

Chief John Machi

Man, 45, nabbed for raping 16-yr-old daughter BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA— THE Ogun State Police Command has said it arrested a-45-year-old man, Toyin Sodimu, for allegedly raping his own 16-year-old daughter. The Police Public R elations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in Abeokuta, yesterday, said Sodimu who lives in T emidire community of Oke Apo, Akomoje, Abeokuta committed the offence on Saturday and was arrested after he was reported by the victim. According to Adejobi, the lady went to report the incident to the Police in Adatan division after her father had forcefully had carnal knowledge of her in her room at about 2 p.m on Saturday.

PROTEST:

“The victim was then taken to the General Hospital, Abeokuta by the Police for examination and treatment. “The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered full scale in-

vestigation into the horrible incident and vowed to make the suspect face the wrath of the law if found wanting to serve as deterrent to such cruel and devilish fathers who may want to venture into raping their daughters

in the state. “Okoye has also appealed to parents particularly mothers to keep watch on their children and avoid collapse of marriages which is perceived to be a catalyst to incredible cases like this."

Policeman, two teenagers killed in Bauchi attack BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI — A MOBILE Policeman and two teenagers have been killed while a female hawker sustained injuries when gunmen attacked a bank and a police station, yesterday, in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Police Public R elations Of ficer ASP Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Bauchi, saying:

“The gunmen stormed the town around 9 pm and attacked the Darazo Divisional P olice Station and FirstBank, but the police repelled the robbery and burning of the Police station. He said: “There was a fight between the attackers and our men, but while we were exchanging fire with the hoodlums, a mobile Policeman was killed as stray bullets hit three young female hawkers. Two of

Patriotic and Progressive Youths protesting against the Senate activities on constitution amendment and others at National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

them died in the hospital while the third is currently receiving treatment.” He said the hoodlums fled after the attack, adding that the Police have commenced investigation into the incident, but no arrest has been made. On his part, Chairman, Caretaker Committee Darazo Local Government Alhaji Kabiru Sade, said normalcy had been restored and the situation was under control and advised people to go about their normal businesses.

5 robbery suspects arrested in Ebonyi BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI— THE Ebonyi State P olice Command, yesterday, said it arrested five robbery suspects in connection with some robbery incidents within the month in Abakaliki and its environs. Briefing newsmen, the Command’s spokesman, DSP Sylvester Igbo said two members of a gang who are notorious for terrorizing travellers along Afikpo/ Abakaliki expressway had been arrested after they were trailed to their hideout in Amudo, Ezza South Local Government Area of the state. He said: “Based on a tipoff, operatives of the command swung into action and trailed some suspected robbers to their hideout and arrested two suspects, one Chukwuma Nworie, 32, and one Sunday Paul, 24, of Ishinkwo community in Onicha Local government Area the state. “Items recovered from them included one double barrel locally made pistol, three live cartridges, two laptops, three memory cards, 39 handsets batteries, 36 GSM phohes and a para-military uniform. However, the suspects are helping the police in their investigations to fish out other members of the gang now at large.” According to the Igbo, one Desmond Ogbonna, 22, and Ndubuisi Umeh, 21, who robbed their victim, one Eze Nnaemeka at 1A, Ikpo Street in Abakaliki of N292, 000, one Blackberry phone valued at N23,500 and a dairy containing signed cheques of different banks were also arrested.

Wife of the Transition Committee Chairman, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Hajia Halima Mansur-banki(2nd left) distributing food items to less previleged women in the area as Ramadan assistance, yesterday. PHOTO : NAN

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

PPPRA disagrees with Reuters on import allocations

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

ETROLEUM Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, has declared reports published by Reuters regarding the third quarter allocations for fuel import as “misleading and grossly wrong.” PPPRA's Executive Secretary, Mr . R eginald Stanley, in a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, insisted that no company indicted in the subsidy fraud was included in the latest allocations as reported by Reuters. He said: “No company that was indicted in the subsidy claims report can import petroleum products under the new dispensation. In fact, even if we were foolish enough to include any of them, they will get stuck because the Ministry of Finance will not pay them. “Finance is resolute in cleaning up the subsidy mess, and has not even finished paying off the genuine claims. So it will be a big risk for any company indicted to go importing fuel, when it has not yet been cleared, and no businessman would want to tie down his or her money indefinitely.” Reuters had listed Nepal, F resh Synergy , Ibafon and Techno, as the “four companies that failed to cooperate with parliament’s probe and were named as suppliers, which the parliamentary report showed collectively claimed subsidies of nearly $60 million.” The report further added: “At least three other companies awarded third quarter allocations— Masters, Matrix and MRS— were also ordered to account for their shipments or refund falsely claimed subsidy money in another government report released last June. “Matrix provided documents to Reuters showing it had since been exonerated by Nigerian authorities. “The other firms declined or did not respond to repeated requests for comment by e-mail and telephone. It was not clear if these companies had since repaid their debts or been cleared.”

Amaechi goes to court over alleged impeachment plot BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has asked a Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, to restrain the Chief Judge of the state from constituting any panel to investigate any notice of allegation presented by the House of Assembly, except the request is in compliance with sub-sections 2, 3 and 4 of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Counsel to Amaechi, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) in the suit, is praying the court to, among other things, set aside any attempt by less than 22 members out of the 32-member House to initiate an impeachment proceeding against him. He is also praying for “an order of this court setting aside any notice of allegation to initiate the

removal proceedings of the state Assembly, conducted in connection with the conceived removal from office of the claimant by less than 22 members out of the 32 members constituting the state Assembly.” He is also asking the court to declare as unconstitutional, any proceedings for his removal that may be conducted outside the “Rivers State House of Assembly/Parliament building situate on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which is the official address of the state Assembly for the conduct of the official and legislative duties of the House as unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.” He is also asking for a declaration that any proceedings of the state House of Assembly,initiated by less than 11 member, which is one third of members of the House and passed or conducted by less than 21 out of

the 30 members of the House, which is two third of the members of the House in connection with or in relation to the commencement of impeachment proceedings against the claimant are unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect whatsoever . Others are a declaration that in interpreting section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the phrase, members of the House of Assembly includes the members of the House of Assembly, who are on suspension from the House. That they are not excluded in the computation of either one third or two thirds majority of the members of the House of Assembly for the purpose of exercising the constitutional powers to remove the claimant from office as governor of Rivers State pursuant to subsections 2,4 and 9 of section 188 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He is also asking for a decla-

ration that any notice of allegation of commission of impeachable offences against the claimant signed by less than 11 out of the 32 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly with a view to activating or commencing the constitutional processes for the removal of the claimant from office as governor of Rivers State does not qualify as the one third of the 32 members of the House of Assembly contrary to the mandatory provisions of section 188(2) of the 1999 Constitution and is therefore null and void and of no effect whatsoever. Counsel to the five anti-Governor Amaechi lawmakers, Mr Emanuel Ukala (SAN) applied to be joined in the suit, but same was opposed by Mr . Olusola Dare, who represented Fagbemi ( SAN). Trial judge, Justice George Omereji adjourned the matter till July 30, for hearing of the joinder application.

INAUGURATION: President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd right); Amb. Ezekiel Oladeji, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, NIA (2nd left); Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Chief of Staff to the President (left) and Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Security Adviser, at the inauguration of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foreign Language Institute at the NIA, Abuja, yesterday. STATE HOUSE PHOTO.

FG opens fresh negotiations with ASUU BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—AS part of moves to end the ongoing strike by university lecturers, Federal Government, yesterday, disclosed that it has entered into fresh negotiation with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The government team, it said, was being led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, disclosed this, yesterday, when he briefed the Bamanga

Tukur-led leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Working Committee, NWC, on the activities of his ministry. He noted that the government had serious issues with the original agreement, which he described as complex. He said: “W e have made an offer to ASUU. It is as complex as presented. Negotiation is ongoing. The National Assembly is equally involved. “We believe they will soon call off the strike. I personally and passionately appeal

to them to call off the strike. “It will not affect the negotiation if they call off the strike. It is better for them to be inside than outside. Students have equally appealed to them.” The nine-point agreements ASUU signed with Federal Government were: funding requirements for revitalisation of Nigerian universities and Federal Government’s assistance to state universities. Other are establishment of NUPEMCO and progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to education to

26 percent between 2009 and 2020. Also, they agreed on payment of earned allowances, amendment of the pension/ retirement age of academics on the professorial cadre from 65 to 70 years, reinstatement of prematurely dissolved governing councils and transfer of Federal Government landed property to universities. There was also an agreement on setting up of research development council and provision of research equipment to laboratories and classrooms in universities.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—9

than a crude oil country. “The global shift to the use of gas as a cleaner energy makes the emphasis on gas development, as directed by President Jonathan, an imperative action for sustainable long term economic development of the country.” She noted that the massive gas infrastructure development across the country was aimed at getting gas to industries, adding that Abuja and the Northern part of the country will be linked with gas pipelines for rapid industrialisation by 2015.

PLATFORM: From left— Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum; Mr. Labaran Maku, Minister of Information and Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, at the 2013 Ministerial Platform in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Recovery from oil theft, vandalism may take 20yrs— Alison-Madueke zSays no alternative to deregulation BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief & MICHAEL EBOH

IPELINE vandalism, oil theft and illegal refining in the creeks of the Niger Delta have left unprecedented devastation on the economy and environment from which it could take the nation more than 20 years to recover. Minister of P etroleum R esources, Mrs. Deziani AlisonMadueke, made the declaration, when she took a swipe at the industry while presenting her ministr y’s scorecard in Abuja, yesterday. She said: “It is clear that the incessant crude oil vandalism, theft and what I call firewood distillers, which are not only taking away our oil from us, but are also greatly endangering and impacting the environment in those areas, which the country may not recover from in the next 20 years or more.” The minister said that drastic measures must be adopted to halt the damage already done to the economy and the environment by the criminals that have been targeting the nation’s oil resources. She said: “It is clear that we have to do something very aggressive and ver y quick. W e have worked very hard with multinational companies, security agencies and then we have put together a committee on this.” Alison-Madueke disclosed that the nation had been suffering colossal damages in term of huge loss of revenue as, according to her, criminals had consistently stolen about 500, 000 barrels of crude oil daily. “Our crude oil production has

consistently maintained above average of 2.3 million barrels per day despite the bunkering, but had gone up to 2.83 million barrels per day in October of 2010 and has gone back to maintaining 2.3 million average production,” she said.

On deregulation

On the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products, Alison-Madueke said that the only remedy remained the deregulation of the downstream sub-sector of the petroleum industry. She said: “We can’t eat our cake and have it. Without deregulating the downstream oil sectors, investors will not come and invest. “So we must think of deregulating our downstream sooner or later for us to have a lasting solution.”

zPH refinery ready December

Ahead of this, she said that Nigeria’s crude refining capacity is expected to increase by year end, as the Turn-Around Maintenance, TAM of the PortHarcourt refinery will be completed then.

drive towards repositioning the nation as a gas exploration and production country over the last couple of months.

Gas revolution

According to her, the ongoing gas revolution has brought about Kaduna, Warri a significant improvement in gas to power supply for electricity refineries According to her, work on the generation up to five gigawatts, Kaduna and Warri refineries is establishment of commercial framework for gas, massive develexpected to be concluded by the fourth quarter of 2014, add- opment of gas infrastructure across the country. ing that within the next 18 She also listed the stimulation months, the country will witof gas-based industrialisation ness the establishment of inwith the Ogidigben Gas City in dependent refineries. In the areas of gas, she dis- Delta State as the flagship project closed that plans are ongoing with a capacity to create 100,000 to link Abuja and the Northern jobs at the construction stage. She said: “Nigeria, with gas repart of the country with gas serves of 182 trillion cubic feet, pipelines by 2015. Alison-Madueke further said at the end of 2012, compared that the petroleum sector had with total crude oil reserves of witnessed great strides in the 36.8 billion barrels for the same period, is more of a gas country

Completed, ongoing projects, new wells

Alison-Madueke listed some of the completed and ongoing gas infrastructure projects to include Escravos-Oben Pipeline, expansion of Oben-Lagos Pipeline, Calabar-Ajaokuta and Ajaokuta-Kano Pipeline Systems, among others. She, however, explained that the transformation into a gas nation is being harnessed with huge achievements in the crude oil sector, where production has been sustained at an optimal level in spite of the crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism challenge. She said: “In line with the national aspiration to grow crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels and production to four million barrels per day, 19 exploration wells were drilled, comprising eight in the JV and 11 (three exploration and eight appraisal wells) under the PSC. “93 development wells were drilled, comprising of 55 under JV and 38 under PSC; and 33 workover wells were also drilled consisting of 32 under JV and one in PSC in the period under review. “Aggressive seismic and exploratory work is currently going on in the nine inland basins with preliminary results indicating the presence of hydrocarbon in the Anambra and Chad basins.”

Bayelsa, C'River, Rivers, others mour n First Lady's mum BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, JIMITOTA ONOYUME & BRIGHT OGUNKILEDE

OVERNORS Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Hajiya Titi Abubakar, yesterday , joined the Rivers State Government and the people of Okrika in mourning the death of Madam Charity Oba, mother of First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan. Chief of Staff to Rivers State Gover nor, Mr. Tony Okocha, in a statement in

Port Harcourt on behalf of the state government, said: “Our hearts go out to the First Lady on the loss of her mother. May God grant her the fortitude to bear the loss.” Governor Dickson, in a condolence message on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, described the death of Madam Oba as a great blow and irreparable loss to her immediate family and the nation as a whole. The governor, in a statement in Yenagoa, noted that her motherly and wise counsel will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Dickson said: “Her demise

is coming at such a time when the First Lady and her family needed her support and encouragement most.” He urged the F irst L ady, the family and the Oba family of Okrika in Rivers State to accept the unfortunate incident as the will of God and take it with philosophical calmness. Governor Imoke also commiserated with President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Dame P atience. Imoke described Mrs. IwariOba’s death as painful and unfortunate. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant, Media, the governor said

the incident was tragic and saddening. He urged the First Family to find consolation in the fact that “she lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.” Also, Hajiya Titi Abubakar wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar , has e xpressed her condolences to the F irst L ady, P atience Jonathan on the death of her mother. In a letter of condolence issued in Abuja yesterday , Hajiya Abubakar said she was personally touched by the sudden and unfortunate death of the F irst L ady ’s mother.

10—Vanguard, WEDNEESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

LSHA passes law for staff training BY EBUN SESSOU

AGOS — LAGOS State House of Assembly, LSHA, has passed a bill seeking for the establishment of the State Public Service Staff Development Centre into law and sent it to the Governor for assent. The law among others, stipulates the functions of the centre to include partnering with all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government within the state in the design and implementation of qualitative, well defined and structured training programmes.

LAWS ON TOURISM:

Lagos praises S/Court decision

AGOS STATE Government has described F riday’s unanimous judgment by the Supreme Court which declared that only a State House of Assembly can make laws on tourism, as a vindication of the principle of federalism. Addressing the media in Lagos on the landmark judgement, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye and his Tourism and Inter- Governmental Relations counterpart, Mr . Disun Holloway, said the judgment validated the position of the Lagos State Government. Lagos government had always maintained that the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, law could have only been made in the military era. Mr. Ipaye said the r uling by the Supreme Court was an opportunity for Lagos State to take full charge of tourism and unfold its plans without any form of encumbrances by the Federal Government. “This landmark judgment not only upholds the tenets of federalism, it sets the scene for the eradication of multiple taxation and regulation, thereby enabling states to take charge and properly plan for the hospitality industry in their respective territories,” he stated. He explained that the full panel of the Supreme Court unanimously declared that it was only a State House of Assembly that could make laws on tourism as regards the licensing and grading of hotels, restaurants, fast foods outlets and other hospitality establishments.

LAUNCH: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (2nd right); Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (middle); Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Dangote Group of Companies, Mr. Paramjit Pabby (left); Executive Editor, Marketing Nigeria Limited, Toyin Gbede (2nd left), and the Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry to the Governor, Mr. Seye Oladejo (right), during the launch of the First Lagos State ‘Enterprise Day,’ organised by Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, LASTVEB, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Scarcity of aviation fuel grounds air travels By Daniel Eteghe

AGOS — THOUSANDS of air travellers were, yesterday, stranded in Lagos and other airports across the countr y, following scarcity of Jet A1 commonly known as aviation fuel, crippling flight operations in most parts of the country. Investigation by Vanguard re-

vealed that the scarcity started on Monday, forcing some of the airlines to either delay , cancel or merge their flight operations. At the time of this report, no reason has been given for the scarcity. It was gathered that Aero Contractor Airline went as far as Kaduna on Monday to purchase the product and before returning

to Lagos to airlift passengers. In Lagos, hundreds of passengers were stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport T wo, MMA2, and the General A viation Terminal, GAT, as they could not secure flights to their destinations. Vanguard gathered that some of the aircraft, which departed Lagos, could not return to base

‘No hiding place for people behind collapsed buildings’ BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

AGOS — LAGOS State Government has vowed to prosecute all those who might have been responsible directly or indirectly for the recent collapsed buildings in the state. The latest being on Ishaga Road in Surulere, which claimed four lives. At a joint inter-ministerial briefing by Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, the government said culprits would not go unpunished. Ahmed noted that the building on Ishaga Road had earlier been sealed up by agencies of the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, but was broken into by the developers who illegally continued

with the development of the defective structure. He said it was discovered that the contractor was working clandestinely on Sundays after breaking the “stop work seal” placed on the structure believing that the level of monitoring was always minimal on weekends. The Commissioner said “basically, we are increasing manpower to monitor even after approvals have been given. Government is not happy at the avoidable deaths that happened at the site and this is why this particular incident will not be allowed to go just like that.”

He said the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development had been given a mandate to go ahead and take decisive actions on any building which structural integrity had been carried out by the Material Testing L aboratories and confirmed to be defective. Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said before any seal was placed on any building, certain things must must have happened and determination made that such a building was unfit for human occupation.

because of lack of fuel. It was gathered that some foreign airlines were heading to Accra, Ghana to source for fuel since they were finding it difficult to get in Nigeria. An operator who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “for the past two days, domestic airlines have been grappling with the challenge of scarcity of JET A1, which might worsen in the days ahead.” According to him, the scarcity of aviation fuel was affecting major flights in and out of the Abuja Airport. When contacted, Managing Director of IRS Airlines, Mr.Yemi Dada, confirmed the scarcity of the product and called on independent fuel marketers to make it available in order not to impact negatively on the operations of domestic airlines. According to him: “I can confirm to you that aviation fuel is scarce and it could impact negatively on airline operations, if the scarcity persists. Though the price has not increased, the product is not available. “For now, aviation fuel sells for between N160 and N180 per litre. We are appealing to the fuel marketers to make the product available.”

NAFDAC D-G denies alleged N700m fraud BY CHIOMA OBINNA

AGOS — The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, yesterday, denied the allegation by an on-line news website, Global Online V illage

LOSS OF DOCUMENT The Deed of Assignment belonging to Mike Unogwu and registered as No. 7 at page 7 in Volume 2319 of the Land Registry in the office in Lagos is missing. All efforts made to locate the said document have proved abortive. The general public should please take note. Signed: Mike Unogwu

Extra, linking him to N700 million theft allegedly traced to the bank account of his former Special Assistant, Mrs. Aishat Emeka Okpa-Iwenofu. This came as the Board of Governing Council of NAFDAC, exonerated the Director General from the allegation, saying, ”it has no corruption charges against Orhii, if there is any, it will let the public know.” At a briefing in Lagos, Orhii, said he neither kept any secret bank account nor deposited any money meant for his agency into the account of his former Special Assistant.

He described the allegation as unfounded and baseless, noting, “this is a serial campaign of calumny, mudslinging and blackmail against my person and NAFDAC by some disgruntled, mischievous and faceless counterfeiting agents and their collaborators who are envious.” He said the allegation was the handiwork of counterfeiters, who could not thrive in their nefarious activities since he assumed office and were bent on destroying his good work to prevent his reappointment as the agency’s DG. “Mrs. Okpa-Iwenofu is not my mistress as alleged, neither does she coordinate any business for me,” he said. He said his detractors also produced and distributed hard copies of the same report published on-line, to lawmakers and some top executives of the other arms of government, to tarnish his image.

Vanguard, WEDNEESDAY, JULY

Osun irrevocably committed to urban renewal — Aregbesola BY GBENGAOLARINOYE

SOGBO — O SUN State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has said there is no going back in his administration’s urban renewal programme in some parts of the state despite pockets of criticisms from the opposition in the state. Nine cities in the state including Osogbo, Ikirun, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Iwo, Ejigbo, Ede, Ikire and Ila-Orangun were listed for the urban renewal project of the state government supervised by the United Nations UN Habitats. The main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic P arty, PDP, had criticised the state government programme, claiming that the ongoing demolition of structures along the main roads in the nine cities was inhuman. But, the state Governor, Mr. Aregbesola stated that he would not be distracted by the antics of some disgruntled people in the state who do not want any progress and development for the people of the state.

Ekiti seals MTN, Glo, Airtel offices over signage fees BY GBENGAARIYIBI

DO EKITI — EKITI State Signage and Advertisement Agency, EKSAA, has sealed off operation offices of three communication outfits and a commercial bank for indebtedness to the agency. The affected communications outfits are MTN Nigeria and Glo in Ado Ekiti and the Unity Bank Plc. Other places sealed off are the Airtel office and two prominent hotels, as well as five filling stations at both Ikere and Ado Ekiti. Speaking with the newsmen shortly after the operation, the Director General of the agency , P rince Adewole Ajakaiye, said both MTN and Glo are owing a staggering sum of N10.1 million and N6.1 million respectively.

24, 2013—11

Ekiti PDP suspends Fayose, 3 exco members .It’s strange and funny—Fayose chairman of the party in the state, Chief Makanjuola DO EKITI — THE crisis Ogundipe said the SWC took rocking the Peoples Demo- the decision to save the party cratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, from total collapse. Ogundipe, yesterday, took a new turn, as who resurfaced in the state the State Working Committee, capital after about two weeks, SWC, of the party, announced disclosed that the party took the the suspension of the former decision having allegedly found Governor Ayodele Fayose and them guilty of anti-party activithree other executive members ties and acts of insubordination. Responding to his purported for alleged anti-party activities. Those who were suspended suspension, the former goveralong with Fayose include: Dr. nor described the action as Tope Aluko, secretary; Mr. Kola strange and out of tune with the Oluwawole, the publicity sec- lay-down procedure. Speaking through his Direcretary; Mrs. Busola Oyebode, tor of Media, Mr . Idowu women leader. Speaking with the newsmen Adelusi, the former governor said he could only be susin A do Ekiti, yesterday , the

pended from his ward. “It is a news to me. It is an ignoble news. Ogundipe is not a member of Fayose’s ward. “You can only suspend from the ward. Suspending Fayose from the PDP is like suspending PDP from Ekiti. Ogundipe must learn from the past. “Fayose is an institution in Ekiti politics and it will be funny for anybody to suspend him from the party.” Still dismissing his purported suspension Fayose said Ogundipe has no power whatsoever to suspend him from the party. Ogundipe said PDP is a disciplined party that would not

tolerate any act of indiscipline from any member of the party, “no matter how highly placed.” The PDP chairman said what had transpired at the secretariat of the party last week, where two members of the party were wounded during a fracas, was unwarranted and highly regrettable. Commenting on his purported suspension by seven members of the SWC for alleged bribery, Ogundipe said those that carried out his purported suspension lack constitutional power to do so in line with Section 21(9) of the party’s constitution. He disclosed that only the National Executive Council of the party has power to suspend him from office. “Anybody sitting in Ado Ekiti and talking about suspending me must be a huge joker. Only the National Executive Council can suspend me in line with section 21(9) of the PDP Constitution. “Where did they derive their powers. It is either those people are mischievous or ignorant of the constitution. Our National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur still recognises me as the authentic Chairman of PDP in Ekiti.” Commenting on the consensus committee which may have been responsiRETREAT: From left, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State, Mr. Wale Fapo- ble for the current crisis, hunda; Prof. Adewale Alawiye-Adams; Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney Gen- the PDP boss said: “The eral, Mr. Adeola Ipaye, and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during a retreat for the party will do everything staff of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, and the Judiciary, yesterday. necessary to make the party move forward.” Also, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Oluwawole dismissed his suspension as an aberraBY DAUD OLATUNJI including Borno. reassured the general public of tion. “The command appreciates the adequate protection of lives and Oluwawole insisted that BEOKUTA — FEAR has gripped good people of the state for their property and confidentiality of any the PDP chairman had residents of Ifo in Ifo Local Gov- collaboration and sharing of in- information given to the police,” earlier been suspended ernment Area of Ogun State following formation that made the police to the statement said. and would have to face a the arrest of a member of a dreaded be proactive in preventing crimes Adejobi, however, disclosed disciplinary action to Boko Haram sect in the area. and criminality in the state. that, the suspect was in an unclear himself of complicThe Ogun State P olice Command “Commissioner of police, CP disclosed cell. ity in bribery. said, yesterday, that it ar rested a 22- Ikemefuna Okoye has, therefore, year-old self-confessed member of Boko Haram sect, identified as Giraima Umaru at Ishari Kara cattle market in Ifo Local Government Area of the state. tion notice dated 16th Novem- General and Commissioner of BY OLA AJAYI Police Public Relations Officer ber, 2012 issued by the 5th deJustice, Oyo State Commissioner fendant being an agent of the 1st for Lands, Housing and Surveys; in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the arrest through a BADAN — AN Ibadan High defendant against the lawful oc- Oyo State Commissioner for Agstatement in Abeokuta. Court has ordered Governor cupation and interest of the claim- riculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Oyo State He attributed the arrest of Abiola Ajimobi and other parties ants in respect of the land situate, lying and being behind For- Commissioner for Physical PlanUmaru, from Bulunkutu Kasuwa in a suit instituted by the regisestry fence, Mokola Sango road, ning and Urban Development, in Maiduguri to robust intellitered trustees of the Celestial gence gathering of the command. Church of Christ, Mak oko Vil- Ibadan measuring approximately and Mr. Adeosun. 3777.660 square metres is in con- Justice Aiki said during the rul“The suspect, who confessed to lage, Y aba and Evangelist have fled Maiduguri due to ag- Kolawole Olakanmi to stay action tradiction of and inconsistent with ing that “a good perusal of these on the demolition of the church the Letter of Approval dated 12th claims show clearly that there is a gressive man-hunt by security June, 2009 issued by the 4th de- serious question to be tried at the operatives, was picked up by po- until the determination of the fendant on behalf of the 1st de- hearing of this suit. There are secase. lice operatives in Ogun State on fendant I null and void.” rious conflicts of facts contained The ruling was given by Jusa tip-off. The demolition, if carried out, in the affidavits of parties in this tice I.O. Aiki. The judge also as“Umaru has confessed to the they noted, would injure their application which go to the root police to have participated in the sured parties in the suit that ac- physical, emotional, spiritual and of the issues to be tried at the subcelerated hearing would be given killing of many innocent Nigerimaterial well-being. stantive stage of this suit. ans before the declaration of the to the case. Others sued along with the gov- The case was then adjourned The church had prayed the state of emergency in three states court to declare that the demoli- ernor include Oyo State Attorney- to 24th of October, 2013. BY GBENGAARIYIBI

Ogun police arrest fleeing Boko Haram suspect

Court stops Ajimobi fr om demolishing chur ch

12—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 , 2013

‘Why Nigeria’s power problem persists’

AGOS—THE country’s power problem persists because past administrations failed to integrate electricity generation and distribution into Nigeria’s long-term development plan, an energy law expert, Mr Soji A wogbade, said, yesterday. He said the process by which power is generated was fully integrated that merely buying turbines or sacking power ministers will not solve the problem “because no minister can manufacture turbines. “If you put turbines, you generate power. If there are no transmission grids, you’re dead. If both exist and there’s no gas or fuel to power the plants, it’s the same story,” he said. Awogbade, a partner with the law firm of Aelex, spoke yesterday, in Lagos on the law firm’s 9th Annual Lecture, slated for tomorrow at the AGIP Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, with the theme In God’s name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development.

Senate tasked on independence of SIECs BY SIMON EBEG-

BULEM

ENIN CITY—FOLLOWING the seeming failure of the Senate to approve autonomy for Local Governments in the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution, Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, has called for the placement of state Independent Electoral Commissions on first line charge of the consolidated account to guarantee their independence. This, according to the Team Leader of CDD, Ms Idayat Hassan, would lead to true independence and conduct of credible polls at local government level. Hassan, when the group submitted its report on survey on conduct of local government council elections in select states, to Edo State Government, advocated independence in appointment of SIECs chairmen and commissioners,security of tenure for SIEC and more involvement of stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the media.

Navy destroys illegally refined fuel, vessels in Warri zAs JTF burns fuel tanker in Ughelli suspect, whose name was given loaded tanker had sank as it was while briefing newsmen on the as Samson Oghenero. being driven out of the swampy operation, said they swung into Meanwhile in Ughelli, the fuel road in the early hours of yester- action after they got a tip-off from ARRI—NIGERIAN Navy, tanker was set ablaze close to a day and efforts to tow it with an- the community that a tanker was yesterday, in Warri, Delta being used to scoop crude oil pipeline in the area by soldiers, other tanker was fruitless. State, destroyed illegally refined from the pipeline. who raided the area at 8.30am. Commanding Officer of the 222 petroleum products, worth millions It was gathered that the fully Battalion, Lt. Col. V ictor Ibeh, of naira and boats, popularly known as Cotonou vessels, seized from oil thieves. Also, the Joint Task Force, JTF, yesterday, set ablaze a fuel tanker, said to have been used for crude oil theft on Ekiugbo-Ihwremaro Road, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state. Speaking to reporters on the crack-down against oil bunkerers, Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sidi Usman, vowed to stamp out all forms of illegalities being perpetrated in the creeks and waterways. According to Admiral Sidi, who was in company of the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Mohammed Garba and other Officers of the Base, the navy would spare no effort in dealing with bunkerers. INSPECTION: From left: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Chief Jackson Umewe He said: “W e will continue to and Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, when the governor raid areas where illegalities are inspected some Itsekiri communities destroyed in the recent communal clash in Warri North being practised. The evil doers are no friends of the country as their Local Government Area of the state between Ijaw and Itsekiri, yesterday. nefarious activities are aimed at destroying the nation’s economy.” Usman who personally led the team, expressed satisfaction with the mass destruction of large quantities of fuel dumps at Opumani and the arrest of a BY EMMANUELAMAIZE &

FESTUS AHON

Bayelsa govt alleges plot to destablise state

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Government raised alarm, yesterday that it had uncovered plans by some people to cause crisis in the state and discredit the government. The government in a statement alleged that “these persons with the active support and collaboration of some desperate politicians and their collaborators from neighbouring states, who do not mean well for the state plan to embark on a sponsored mass street protest as part of their campaign of calumny and propaganda against the state government.” To this end, the state gover nor, Mr Seriak e Dickson has directed security operatives in the state to be on alert and deal decisively with trouble makers within the ambit of the law.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE TRUTH REDEMPTION CHRISTIAN MINISTRY The general public is hereby notified that the above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990. The Trustees are: 1. Pastor Gideon Eyo- General Overseer 2. Prophetess Emah Ernest Thompson 3. Deaconess Imeh Christopher Eyo 4. Elder Ernest Williams Udoh 5. Deaconess Elizabeth Ernest Williams and 6. Mr. Sunday Okon Udoh AIMS & OBJECTIVES: (a) To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world. (b) To promote the advancement of Christian religious activities generally. (c) To engage in Christian educational and missionary activities. (d) To establish seminaries for the training of preachers. (e) To hold series of worship for members in church buildings and other appropriate places. Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication. Signed Bar. Onyekachi Uko

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Unemployment acute in Nigeria — Minister BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & ALICE FESTUS

BUJA – THE Minister and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, NPC, Dr . Shamsuddeen Usman, yesterday, said Nigeria, Mauritania, Cape V erde and Cote d’Ivoire were among countries in the world facing acute unemployment. Usman stated this at the workshop organised by the World Bank Group on “Learning from the past experience for future opportunities in youth employment in West Africa” in Abuja. Usman said in recent years, many West African countries had witnessed significant economic growth. He said: “During the fiveyear period 2008-2012, the West A frican economies grew at an average annual

rate of about five per cent. The economic growth also cuts across the region, albeit at different rates. The fastest growing economies in the region were Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Burkina Faso. “The economic growth has failed, however , to translate to significant economic development, poverty reduction and job creation in most of these countries. Ten of the sixteen countries in the region are low income countries and remaining six lower middle income. “In the countries where recent data are available, the poverty headcount has remained high, even by national standards. The challenge of unemployment is also common, although there are significant cross-country variations. “Unemployment is most acute in Mauritania, Nigeria, Cape V erde and Cote d’Ivoire and least

challenging in the Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea and Sierra Leaone. Y outh unemployment is generally more acute everywhere than adult unemployment; and youth unemployment is more prevalent in the urban areas than in the rural areas. “The effects of unemployment in general and youth unemployment in particular, are also multidimension. For instance, youth unemployment has a tendency to generate social unrest and crime. The growth potential of an economy as well as poverty alleviation can also be easily undermined when young and vibrant people remain out of work.” Usman noted that as part of the goal set in the Nigeria Vision 20:2020, enough attention had been given to the development of the Nigerian youth, adding that some of the

specific youth employment programmes in the country included the establishment of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, the Subsidy Reinvestment and E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, SURE-P and the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria, YOUWIN. He added that: “In Nigeria, the Vision 20:2020 pays significant attention to Nigerian youth, the focus areas being youth and the empowerment, youth education and training, youth and health, youth and the environment, youth leisure, recreation and community service and youth and Nigeria’s image. “In the same vein, the strategic thrust of the First National Implementation Plan is “to develop and empower the youths to be innovative, gainfully employed, have voice and participate fully in the development process of the nation”.

Gov Obi commiserates with Coscharis over fire incident BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—GOVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has commiserated with the chairman of Coscharis Group, Dr . Cosmas Maduka, over the fire incident that gutted the company at its Maza Maza office in Lagos. The fire was said to have destroyed goods worth billions of naira. In a letter addressed to Maduka, Governor Obi regretted the incidence, noting that it concerned a man who rose to success through hard work. According to him, people like Coscharis, who are adding value to the country through commerce and industry, should be supported by the government when they suffer from misfortune, like the one suffered by the organisation. Obi’s letter read: “I write on behalf of the people and government of Anambra State to

sympathize with you and the entire Coscharis family on the fire that gutted your Lagos office, destroying buildings and goods worth billions of naira. “The Coscharis conglomerate is easily known in Nigeria as one of the business concerns that rose to the pinnacle of success through sheer hard work. “It is heart breaking when such genuine efforts are visited by natural disaster of any for m. W e are therefore in solidarity with you in these trying times. “May this setback not dampen your spirit in your avowed determination to contribute to the growth and expansion of the industrial base of the country. “As you count your loses, kindly bear in mind that the government and people of Anambra State are griefstricken by the ugly incident, and will stand by you through prayers and moral support.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—15

2013 budget: Senate passes amendment bill BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

BUJA—FOLLOWING series of nocturnal meetings between members of the National Assembly and the Executive, the Senate yesterday passed the amendment Bill of the 2013 Appropriation Act. The Bill which scaled the second reading, was referred to the Senator Ahmed Maccido-led Committee on Appropriation for further deliberation and report to the Senate today, just as clause by clause consideration of the Bill would be done by the lawmakers today. The sudden passage of the Amendment Bill which had come under serious attack since March, came on the heels of fears raised early this month by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity , Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who had said the budget will not be touched until the Senators resume from its two month recess in September. Abaribe who had said what they got from President Goodluck Jonathan which was actually the third Amendment was a sort of document amending the budget, stressed that the lawmakers discovered that the present documents sent were even larger than the budget itself, adding that, "there is no way that the Senate and even the National Assembly can consider these amendments until we come back from our vacation this year. "There is absolutely no way amendments of these nature would be considered for the short time that we have until we go on our national vacation.” In his lead debate, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central said: "After consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly , the President sent in another version of amendments superseding the earlier one. "The bill seeks to authorize the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation the total sum of N4,987,220,425,601. The breakdown of the budget is as follows: Statutory transfersN388,063,000,000; Debt ServiceN591,764,000,000; Recurrent (Non-debt) expenditureN2,418,814,620,783; Contribution to the Development Fund fort Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the December 31, 2013N1,588,578,805,197. “The highlights of this categorised 2013 budget amendment cut across the expenditure categories which are designated as critical and important as follows: "Some capital projects, the allocation of which were reduced in the previous amendment are now restored in this amendment to promote national development among others.

"Ministry of W orks:AbujaLokoja Road reduced by N4 billion; Kano-Maiduguri Road reduced by N3.5 billion; dualisation of Ibadan-Ilorin Section 2 reduced by N5.5

billion; rehabilitation of Jebba Bridge reduced by N1.25 billion; rehabilitation of burnt Marine Bridge and Iddo Bridge reduced by N1 billion; Special Intervention Fund for

Emergency Roads and Bridges washout across the country reduced by N6.28 billion; dualisation of Obajana Junction to Benin reduced by N4 billion etc.

Voting device stalls House of Reps' proceedings BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWAGBUHIOGU BUJA—THE much orchestrated electronic voting on the constitution review report, yesterday , stalled proceedings in the House of Representatives as members adjourned to start afresh today , following malfunctioning of the device. Indications that the proposed voting on the report would fail emerged when the House resolved to have a closed door session before plenary. On investigation, Vanguard discovered that NIGCOMSAT, a government agency had volunteered to install a software that would enable members vote electronically. But after installation and the distribution of Joyless powered by MTN, the device failed to work. During the closed door session, Vanguard reliably gathered that members were angry when they discovered that the device had repeatedly failed. A source toldVanguard that “despite assurances the agency gave us that it would work, the device woefully failed. “ Another source revealed that “eventually after several attempts, we succeeded in test-running it at about 2.15pm".

BRIEFING—From left: Patrick Asadu, Ifeanyi Ughuanyi, Offor Chukwuegbo and Kingsley Ebenyi, all members of Enugu State caucus of the House of Reps, during a briefing requesting for creation of Adada state at the National Assembly. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Jonathan sets deadline for implementation of new payroll system BY OKEY NDIRIBE BUJA—GIVEN the huge sum of N119 billion saved by the Federal Government through the adoption of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to fully adopt the scheme by December 31, 2013. This was disclosed by the Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Aji, at a workshop on gap analysis for human resources in the implementation of IPPIS. Alhaji Aji further stated that after critical assessment and consultations with stakeholders, including specialised and tertiary institutions, the concerns and peculiarities of their operations were being addressed through proper configuration and customization of the IPPIS software to accommodate identifiable deficiencies. He said: “Arising from the identified needs of the specialized institutions, my office and the office of the AccountantGeneral of Federation, as well as the Budget Office are engaging the resistant institutions in robust discussions to ensure full implementation of the IPPIS.” To stress the importance attached to the implementation

of the scheme, Aji stated that a secretariat on the implementation of IPPIS had been established in his office, adding that MDAs had been directed to establish IPPIS desk units to be headed by assistant directors to handle all issues relating to the scheme.

The civil service boss further stated that the Federal Government attached importance to issues that would reduce redundancy, wastage and imprudence in financial management to lift the critical infrastructure sector of the economy.

FG vs Leadership journalists: Cour t to r ule on motion for stay of trial on July 26

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA—JUSTICE Usman Musale of an Abuja High Court sitting at Kubwa, yesterday, slated July 26, to rule on a motion seeking stay of further proceeding in the forgery charge that was slammed against two Leadership Newspaper journalists by the Federal Government. The two journalists, Mr. Tony Amokeodo and Mr . Chibuzo Ukaibe, were on June 27 arraigned on an 11-count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery. They were said to have forged a document purported to have emanated from the

Presidency. The prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, told the court that the accused journalists had on April 3, conspired to commit felony by forging a document titled, ‘Bromide of the presidential directive’. Awomolo said the document had the seal of the office of the President and was published on the front page of Leadership Newspaper of the same date. However, the journalists who were charged alongside the media organisation, through their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, is asking for an order of the court to suspend further proceedings in the matter indefinitely (sine die) to await

the end of the term of President Jonathan to enable him to testify as a witness before the court. At the resumed hearing of the application, Falana maintained that the continued hearing of the case without the presence of President Jonathan in court would jeopardize the fundamental right of the accused persons to fair hearing, noting that the President was yet to be served with the subpoena ad testificandum that would compel his attendance to the trial. He stressed that by virtue of section 308, the accused persons/applicants were constitutionally disabled to summon Jonathan to give evidence in this case and he could do that until he left office.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

C M Y K

ITH the end of the slave trade, the missionaries came to Nigeria from Sierra Leone and landed in Badagry in 1842, from Badagry they came to Abeokuta in 1843 through Ogun river. Today this river has dried up through siltation as it was never dredged. The progress Nigeria has made is through the use of education that came along with the religion. We can see the difference between parts of the country where education was accepted and where it has not been accepted fully. Were it possible for Nigeria to copy what Japan did in 1872, when it introduced compulsory elementary education building a total of 54,000 elementary schools, one such school for every population of 600 people! And Japan became the most literate in the whole of Asia; Nigeria will be different in a very short time. My interaction with my fellow students and the environment provided by the school made me to be inquisitive, particularly about the absence of industries in Nigeria. I became interested in visiting second-hand bookshops in London and Liverpool, where I studied.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—17

of our forestry must be maintained with considerable responsibility. Rivers in Nigeria before colonization provided communication routes linking villages and other settlements, today they have ceased to function as they have all silted up and need urgent dredging to bring life back to the settlements they linked before. Absence of dredging is causing flooding in different parts of the country today. Agriculture formed the cornerstone of our economy, we planted groundnut, cotton, cocoa, palm trees, others which we exported. As soon as we discovered oil, we abandoned them rather than add value to them and use them ourselves. We have today become “La moo lo” and not “la moo se”. Many children come out of school with no job to absorb them. Mineral deposits abound everywhere in Nigeria, empower every state to mine and add value to one or the other mineral in each state and make a considerable difference. Every effort should be made to produce locally most of the things we use today in order to provide jobs for our children. If the ideas being put forward here can be effected at least a quarter of people coming to Lagos will stay away thus reducing over-population in Lagos metropolis. The presence of institutions of higher learning and concentration of highly motivated teachers will in a short time bring about the desirable changes that will transform the various societies in the country. Map of Nigeria By ensuring that the knowledge we impact can lead to practical application and producing paper by hand since 7th Cen- blown from across the Sahara Desert. changes desirable in societies will take tury, an Institute of Paper Technology, SaForestry was introduced into Nigeria in place. haranpur (U.P.) India, founded in 1968 and 1916, today the trees in had been cut down •Prof. Omotayo Adeolu was the foundaffiliated to the University of Roorkee, was without new ones to replace those that ing Dean, Faculty of Environmental Deto be awarding degrees in Chemical En- were cut down. Mature wood for making sign, University of Lagos. He is an outgineering with major courses in Pulp and furniture are not readily available. Care standing Architect & Town Planner. Paper Technology. Approach was made to the Swedish government for assistance. Sweden sent most of the equipment required to set up the institute, made available six Swedish experts for five years plus training facilities in Sweden for ten Indian teachers. That was 21 years after independence to India in 1947.

Time to take our destiny in our hands is today, tomorrow may be too late

Industrial growth I bought books on industrial growth and paper making. Some of these include: Landmarks in English Industrial History, by Townsend Warner; The Manufacture of Paper by R. W. Sindall; Japanese Paper Making by Timothy Barrett; and Smallscale Paper Making, by A.M. W estern, amongst others. I have looked around, we do not manufacture anything, the only thing we see around is “pure water .” In institution of learning a workshop is provided at the beginning; once the equipment stops functioning, there is no replacement, sometimes the site of workshop becomes that of the library for the college and the workshop is never replaced. I have given what I have

All that is known about Africa today have been recorded by visitors to Africa from Europe. An ambassador, Dr. Nachtical, a German from Prussia to Kukawa, capital of Borno Kingdom in 1870, saw the Lake Chad full of water, walked round it and made a record of it including all the rivers that flowed into and out of it

seen some thought, I came to ask myself whether some policies initiated many years ago by Britain could have affected the African thinking generally. These include the Navigation Act of 1651 and 1660 which forbade the importation and exportation of goods between Asia, America and England, save in the ships built and owned by England and with English crews. The other was the Mercantile System established under four main heads: 1. To encourage native shipping by Navigation Acts; 2. To protect and help native corn-growers in order that England should be independent of food from outside; 3. The policy of protecting home industries and planting new ones to give employment to native artisans and finally; and 4. Policy of amassing and keeping in the country a large amount of money. India, a British colony, was not much affected but mostly African countries. Most of the education we give remain theoretical without the possibility of application. Whatever may be responsible for this, it is my idea we borrow a leaf from India, Japan and others and transform Nigeria. It is that despite the fact that India had been C M Y K

I believe and hold it possible that we can approach other foreign countries including Sweden for similar assistance. We need such repositioning in our various faculties offering courses in technology and industrial design. This is the time to change, the future is bright and well assured. Our petroleum is waiting for refinement, from the crude form, bitumen is also waiting, fabrication of agricultural machiner y, threewheeled vehicles and solar power are possible if we have confidence in ourselves and if our steel industry would produce sheet metal. With these ideas we can celebrate fifty years of independence with confidence. All that is known about Africa today have been recorded by visitors to Africa from Europe. An ambassador, Dr. Nachtical, a German from Prussia to Kukawa, capital of Borno Kingdom in 1870, saw the Lake Chad full of water, walked round it and made a record of it including all the rivers that flowed into and out of it. Today, the lake has dried up as a result of siltation. We do not need to divert the water of another river into it, all we need to do is to dredge it as well as all the rivers that flow into it, plant trees around them all to protect them from sand being

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 NIGERIAN football made the headlines worldwide for all the wrong reasons in the few weeks – a 146-goal score from two matches shattered all known records. The four clubs involved, from obscurity, have grabbed global and an unfavourable FIFA interest in Nigerian football. Two of the teams, Police Machine FC of Adamawa and Plateau United Feeders were contesting a decisive amateur division four league tie; the winner would have been promoted. They were tied on points going into the game, but United had a goal advantage. The story was that at half time Police were leading 1-0. A few phone calls began the race for goals. Both teams knew their fate revolved on who scored more goals. The phone calls monitored efforts of each team until the games were stopped at Plateau United Feeders 70, Akurba FC of Nasarawa 0; Police Machine 67, Babayaro FC of Gombe 0. Calls for the punishment of the teams involved and their officials were instant. The Nigeria Football Association, NFA, seems

Quick Fixing Of Football Scandal

to have acted fast in banning the clubs, their officials, and the players for life. Really it is a 10-year ban, which making room for age and interests would effectively keep those involved in this bizarre affair away from football. The ban should serve as a deterrent to others who are planning to fix matches. It should also be an eye opener to those managing the game about its wrong growth. Would there have been suspicions of match-fixing if the goal margins were lean? How would NFA deter clubs from using technology to fix games in other matches that hold premium interests, especially promotions and possible cash rewards? Would the NFA be content with resolving

this scandal or commence measures to deal with match fixing before it becomes endemic? Fears abound that the NFA would be unable to implement the ban on the players and their officials. Does the ban “from sporting activities” extend to other sports? The silence on the match officials – referees and match commissioner is ominous. They too should be punished. The sanction for the NFA co-ordinator of the Bauchi the centre should be transparently decided; referring him to the amateur league board is inadequate. The responsibility for enforcing the punishments lies with the NFA. It has to secure the records of the offenders, including their biometrics (photographs are not enough) and store them in a secured facility. NFA cannot shift the responsibility to security agencies that have more spanning concerns than the fidelity of football results. Bauchi should alert the NFA about match fixing and the urgent demands of fixing it, quickly and quietly to avoid extinction of our remaining football assets.

OPINION BY YAKUBU DATI

HE sweeping reform in the aviation sector is indeed changing the perception of the people about government. In a conversation I had with a group of people travelling through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, last week, I can say that the A viation Ministry has become a signpost for measuring the performance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. As we got down to discussion about the state of the nation, the aviation sector continued to pop-up as a good example. We had several arguments and agreements about the work of each of the ministries and agencies and how that is affecting the lives of the people positively. And as we couldn’t move away from the A viation sector, we began to dissect the work being done and its importance for the future of Nigeria. We all agreed that the leadership of the Aviation Ministry is committed to a genuine reform and passionate about it. Perhaps the array of men and women leading the agencies under the A viation Ministry gives a strong statement about the Ministry’s commitment to a genuine reform. One of such agencies is the Nigeria Civil Aviation A uthority, NC AA, under the leadership of Captain Folayele Akinkuotu. An agency like NCAA is a very critical part of the Aviation Ministry and that makes it a centre point in aviation regulation in the country and elsewhere in the world where a similar agency operates. C M Y K

FG, air passengers and Passengers’ Bill of Rights Though Akinkuotu assumed the leadership of NCAA not too long ago, the fact that he has been around in the sector helped him to hit the ground running. He indeed knows what to do and where to touch to bring human face into the aviation reform. He knows how painful it can be for passengers when they are cheated by the airlines and no one is responding to them. He’s aware that the problem has been there for decades and that Nigerians have resigned to fate about it. At the airports, passengers dare not be sure of when they will arrive at their destinations. Circumstances have forced many to make provisions for disappointments, which have practically become the rule rather than the exception. Many passengers leave the airports dejected on a daily basis because they arrive with their luggage left behind. The Consumer Protection Unit of the agency, NCAA, he leads receives no less than 50,000 complaints from passengers badly treated by local and international airlines. The complaints relate to lost baggage, poor in-flight service, flight delays and cancellations, amongst others. So when he was appointed he called for the Passengers’ Bill of Rights. He looked into it and pronto moved to work for its full-scale implementation. And though the full enforcement of the Passengers’ Bill of Rights will begin this week, it has started to yield fruits because authorities have been taking proactive steps ahead of time to help Nigerians get justice.

For instance, some passengers were denied boarding due O/S on FLT BA082/14 JUL ABV-LHR and denied boarding compensation was issued at GBP250 to each of the nine passengers. They are: Atsiangba H, Apollo A, Apollo J, Apollo D, Esinkuma F, Disu M, Egole A, Okogwu C, and Odeka C. Also a passenger by name Salihu Abdul Buba who flew on Ethiopian Airline in February 2012 was refunded the sum of N126,106 which he paid for oxygen that was not utilized and the airline was not willing to refund till the intervention of the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA. He was paid onJune 29, 2013, according to reports.

o as a result of the inconveniences to passengers occasioned by flight delay, the new NCAA Bill of Rights provides that whenever an airline anticipates a delay of its flight beyond its scheduled time, passengers are entitled to some reliefs. For delay beyond one hour, the airline must provide refreshment, telephone call, SMS or e-mail to the passengers. In case of a delay for two hours and beyond, the carrier must reimburse passengers the full value of their tickets. In instances where the delay occurs between 10pm and 4am, the airline henceforth must provide hotel accommodation, refreshment, meal, two free calls, sms, e-mail and transport to and from the airport.

International passengers with delayed flights for between two and four hours are entitled to refreshment and two telephone calls, sms or e-mail. Delay of four hours or more makes an airline liable to provide the passengers with a meal, two telephone calls, sms or e-mail. For delays at least six hours after the time of original departure, each passenger is entitled to hotel accommodation and transportation between the airport and place of accommodation. The measure is aimed at checking rights violations by domestic and foreign carriers and already domestic carriers are jittery over the implementation of the new aviation law that is expected to checkmate gross violation of passengers’ rights that has been on over the years. Now , for boarding priority, ever y airline is mandated to establish priority procedures and criteria for determining which passengers holding confirmed ticket shall be denied boarding on the over-booked flight if insufficient numbers of volunteers come forward. If denied boarding involuntarily , the operating airline shall immediately compensate the passengers and offer assistance stipulated in the bill. There is so much in this bill that now makes air travellers the king in Nigeria and that make it important for everyone to become familiar with the Passengers’ Bill of Rights. *Mr. Dati is Coordinating General Manager, Information&Communication of Aviation Parastatals.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 —19

, Mummy Patience Jonathan, one wife too many (1)

OU only get to see one even if there are many more living out of public glare in semi-retirement. We are talking here of executive wives, women married to men of means and ways- inflated balloons turned power houses by virtue of straying into the corridors of power either by the imposition of powerful brigands misnamed godfathers or rigged elections. From the presidency down through the state to the local councils, these crops of women of no consequence whose only claim to glory is on account of their connections to political men manage to flaunt their emptiness in the face of those they consider less fortunate members of society. By their public posturing, monogamy seems the preferred way of Nigerian leaders, be they soldiers or civilians. But for one or two odd cases who, perhaps for reasons of quiet acceptance of their polygamous status, respectfully kept their many women back in their out-houses, far from the presidential palaces, choosing to run a ‘bachelor ’ presidency, all other Nigerian leaders have pretended to be monogamous. They introduce to the nation and

indeed go around with only one woman, even if this is the latest and youngest addition to the everexpanding harem. Most times this one woman has a larger-thanthan-life persona, living the joint splendor and attention of all the other unacknowledged women combined, and this not for reason of any worthy achievement. Often it is for the very absence of any worthy achievement beyond the tolotolo puffing that comes with the awareness of being close to power that these women stand out. This is the disgusting paradox of an unknown quantity, a puff of wind that proclaims its presence by its very worthlessness. It is the nature of our executive wives. Just one of such in the house of a political husband is more than enough to enact for the sheer madness of it the bitter rancour of a polygamous household. One such wife is often too many for a man- indeed one like President Goodluck Jonathan whose wife seems to have convinced herself she has better uses for power than her husband. Patience or Pepe as her friends in the waterside areas of Okrika would most probably call her is obviously thick-skinned. Pity then

What business has the President’s wife issuing a press statement through a spokesperson, a hired scribbler suddenly filled with a sense of self-importance, purporting to respond "in kind" to her critics?

that she is the wife of the President. The country needs a sensitive, perceptive woman able to take a hint and recognise the limit of spousal misconduct. Just when you think this woman has been sufficiently chastened by the welter of public criticisms that followed her recent misbehaviour and abuse of state power in Lagos through to Rivers, just when you imagine that the series of editorials, columns and verbal condemnations have served their “ purpose, there you see the wife of the President out with another faux pas, evidence of her naivety in matters political. Indeed her case reminds one of the necessity of compulsory orientation for political spouses, men and women whose spouses occupy public office.

t is obvious this doesn’t happen for immediately these public office holders get into office they become all-knowing and are

treated as such even if only the day before nobody reckoned with them. Even in our local communities, new occupants of an office, say a traditional ruler, have period of seclusion before formal ascension, time during which they are oriented to their new office, informed of the expectations of their position, the dos and don’ts. And this extends to their immediate and extended family. An aside: In the early 1990s an episode played out before me in which the wife of the newlycrowned ruler of my town was chastised openly by a man when her son held her across the shoulders in the affectionate fashion common between today’s youngsters and their parents. Not even the Olori’s (King’s wife) explanation that the young boy (a fact the man obviously knew) was her son would satisfy the man. For him the traditional taboo that no man openly displays such affection to the wife of the king holds even with family members. Perhaps the young man could do that in the confines of the palace but not in the full view of the world! We are talking here of modesty. The kind which makes Wole Soyinka asks that President Jonathan’s wife seek first to be a lady before being a ‘First L ady’. Talking of which, I can’t recall seeing a photograph of the Queen of England openly kiss the Duke of Edinburgh or any member of the royal family for that matter. Have you? If not, then the same principle that held in Ondo probably holds in London! What business has the President’s wife issuing a press statement through a spokesperson, a hired scribbler suddenly filled with a sense of self-importance, purporting to respond ‘in kind’ to her critics? If one could understand Reuben Abati or even Doyin Okupe responding to the

personal saviour, as it were — but also goes on to top that with a poor orphan cry. Second, the purported impeachment. Lloyd, majority leader of the house. It is not By all known what insufferably blasphemous independent words Lloyd spoke. accounts, it And, yes, I say that our greater tragedy , to attempt putting a metaphorical gloss on the was done by four out of 32 members. The audacity of it, and the effrontery of seeking Majority of our politicians lack the point, may well be seeking to make democratic bricks without straw. On that necessary acumen, discipline and Bloody Tuesday in P ort Harcourt, the comportment — in a word, character — to legislators had reconvened to discuss an be standard-bearers of democracy. amendment to the state’s 2013 budget. The Thirdly, it is as a consequence of an house had been forced to adjourn insufficient appreciation of the finer indefinitely due to the fact that the principles of democracy and federalism that legislators were deadlocked in opposing the House of Representatives moved, hastily, camps created by the series of events to take over the duties of the Rivers Assembly surrounding Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s under Section 11(4) of the Constitution when widely publicised difficulties with his Peoples nothing short of an emergency, as envisaged Democratic Party and President Goodluck by Section 305 of the said Constitution, Jonathan. In the ensuing melee, some would justify such an extraordinary step. legislators were injured and property was While the event of July 9 is utterly shameful, destroyed. Curiously, the police, who had there is no indication that the “situation been invited by the speaker to keep the peace prevailing” in the state was close to the sort at this expectedly contentious sitting, and of breakdown of law and order who had cordoned off the assembly contemplated by the Constitution. premises, were content to look on. It was Lastly, the warts of our federalism were not until Governor Amaechi arrived with a to claim any validity for the action even after further displayed by the attitude of the state’s detachment of Government House security passions should have cooled, is shocking Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu. The men that some order was restored. Upon beyond belief. It does not come close to the incongruity of a governor, supposedly the his departure, a gang of five led by Bipi, pathos of the action to point to such chief security officer of his state, being sitting without their fifth member who was obdurate impunity as just another instance saddled with a commissioner of police by now being treated in a hospital, of democracy without democrats. answerable to a federal authority makes impeached the “pro -Amaechi” speak er, Something infernal, I think, has taken mockery of the concept of federalism. And a “Honourable” Otelemabala Amachree, and complete control of the minds of a fearfully faulty federalism can only produce a strange installed the “pro-Jonathan” Bipi in his large number of our politicians. What this democracy. Or, “dividends of democracy” event proves is that our democracy, far from turned fearful miracles. place. Democracy without democrats: first, Mr maturing the farther we go from the horrors Bipi not only indulges in contemptible of military tyranny, has, on the contrar y, idolatory with his confession of Mrs become in essence more infantile and crude. *Mr. Enekwechi, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja. Jonathan as his Jesus Christ — his lord and

A female Christ and other miracles of demo(n)cracy in Nigeria

C M Y K

The ugly spectacle of the “street fight” that broke out in the Rivers State House of Assembly on July 9 gives further and better particulars of our determination to forever make nonsense of representative governance and a fool of ourselves. In the even more shaming light of attempts at justification by a protagonist of the latest episode in our unending political theatre of the absurd, I restate my view that perhaps our political predicament lies in the insistence on practising democracy without democrats. And in far too many instances, with near-illiterates, which is worse — if comparatives make any sense at this point. “Honourable” Evans Bipi, one of the chief brawlers in the aforementioned incident, is currently the butt of jokes for confessing that he was provoked into violence when a colleague blasphemed Jesus Christ in the person of Mrs Patience Jonathan. I am unable to say whether this is a tragic or a comic statement, but I see the laughable in it: unbeknownst to us and the world, a female Christ — and a black one at that! — not only chose Nigeria for her unheralded and closely guarded abode on earth, but also chose to reveal herself to one man alone, allegedly her cousin and die-hard loyalist. After which, she swore him, at pain of hell, to secrecy. Until not even the never quenching fires of hell could make him keep the secret. Such is the maddening power of an insult! In the vortex of his rage, Bipi blurted out to those who tried to restrain him, thus: “Why must he be insulting my mother, my Jesus Christ on earth? . . . I can’t take it!” The “he” is “Honourable” Chidi

President’s critics or simply explaining a point involving the President, what do we make of the President’s wife issuing similar statements through her so-called office? In what capacity is she speaking? She went on to give what a respondent to this column last week has called ‘her side’ of the stor y, pertaining to her disagreement with Rotimi Amaechi over demolitions in parts of Rivers State. What side does she have in this? We are talking of the constitutionality of her position! She can speak and express her disagreement with a state official as a Nigerian citizen, even as an indigene of Rivers State. But she must do that as a private citizen; not corral the apparatus of state power to prosecute a private agenda or simply showing offblocking roads and impeding traffic, openly holding meetings with persons known to be opposed to the state governor, where she is not making frivolous statements about the person of the governor. This issue is not about the rightness or otherwise of Amaechi’s politics, not about his alleged fraternizing with opposition elements or his Governors’ Forum issue with Jonathan or the PDP or rumoured presidential ambition; it is about the mode of engaging him on these matters and who is doing that. Prior to her husband’s presidency, how many times did Patience Jonathan tak e on her new-found activist role? Only months ago she was lamenting the fact that her husband had been reduced to reading newspapers in office, as she sarcastically put his sidelining by Turai Yar’Adua and Co in the wake of Yar’Adua’s illhealth. But now she’s grown to challenge a governor in a state he has constitutional right to governall because she is the wife of the President. Yeye dey smell! To be continued next week

Our democracy, far from maturing the farther we go from the horrors of military tyranny, has, on the contrary, become in essence more infantile and crude

20— Vanguard , WEDNESD AY ,

JUL Y 2 4 , ,20 13 201

Debate of the masses

ASUU: No alternative to strike? BY EBELE ORAKPO

“W

*One of the suspects arrested by the Vigilante group recently before he was handed over to the Police

Ogun community cries out over incessant robbery attacks anti-burglary metallic mesh. Luckily for him, he escaped and immediately raised alarm which attracted memDEALLY Mobolorunduro commu bers of the vigilante group who rushed nity via Ijoko-Ota, Ogun State, would have been a most desired place to the scene immediately. Six of the gang members,however, to be given the once prevailing peace there. But this is presently not the case escaped, leaving behind one who was apprehended by the vigilante group. as peace has been forced into exile Seyi, as he was later identified, was owing to incessant robbery attacks. Resitied with a rope and taken to the heart dents now live in palpable fear as crimiof the town.In spite of the attacksfrom nal elements engage in a show of viciousness and superiority on constant robbers, residents did not take the law into their hands.Rather the culprit was basis. Residents’ ordeal began about four taken to Ayinla Police Station where months ago after they received threat in his confessional statement, he mentioned four other members of his letters from a robbery gang some of which were posted on strategic places. gang, including two identified simply Residents had initially dismissed the threat this represented after law enforcement agents informed them that the situation was under control, assuring them of their safety. So buoyed by this assurance from law enforcement agents, residents were as ‘Dudu’and ‘Seriki’ who were also virtually caught napping when the robbers launched a surprise attack on arrested the following day. Their arThursday June 27, 2013. The gang of rest brought relief to embattled resiseven stormed Crown estate with vari- dents .But since the suspects regained ous weapons around 2.30am and before freedom, it has been threats upon threats in the community such that anybody could realise what was hapmany of the residents have fled for pening, some families were seriously dear lives and this was evidenced by injured. The robbers carted away cash and valuable items, including laptops, the incident of July 7 where Megy juncelectronics and handsets with monetary tion was attacked overnight. DuringVM’s visit to the community, value put at millions of Naira. residents lamented the situation and Also, some residents were called on the Inspector General of P ocompelled to flee the community as lice, Mohammed Abubakar , to come thegang members moved fromhouse to house, dispossessing people of their to their aid. One of the victims who simply identified himself as Mr . personal effects. Those attacked inAfolabi, said the robbers gained entry cluded one Alhaji Umar , Mr. Segun into his house through the roof. This Olarinwa, Mr. Otu W ahab and Mr . was on the day unknown men unAmezie. leashed terror overnight, although The robbers gained access i nto some of the victims received assistance Amezie’s houseafter breachingthe from the vigilante group. BY BOSE ADELAJA

‘

As at the time of filing this report, residents live in the fear of unknown as the culprits are said to be well connected. ‘’As a matter of fact, they told us the worst was yet to come after regaining their freedom,’’ chorused some of the victims who do not want their names in print. . Also,VM’s checks revealed that two members of the vigilante group met their untimely end during some of the robbery attacks in the town. A resident who simply gave his name as Mr. Ajani Buraimo, said Dudu and his colleagues have been charged a t Magistrate Court Otta but his continual threat messages have been a source of

The gang members moved from house to house, dispossessing people of their personal effects

‘

C M Y K

concern to the community.‘’Dudu was accosted at Sangotumo by members of the vigilante group while boarding a motorcycle from Arepo with his girl friend. He pulled a pistol from his bag and shot his way out of the place. However, he was later arrested and taken to Sango Police Station. But that has not stopped him from boasting that he would soon come back to launch a reprisal attack which he eventually did,’’ Ajani said. In a chat with VM, a member of Mobolorunduro Community Development Association who do not want his name in print, lamented that the community might be rendered desolate due to incessant robbery attacks. Contacted, Ogun State P olice Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi said he was not aware of the development, saying he will look into the issue.

HAT is wrong with these lecturerssef?Are they the only civil servants in Nigeria? Why would they continue to hold us to ransom with their incessant strike actions?” queried Dapo, really looking vexed. The traffic that had come to a standstill this Friday evening along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway must have added to his annoyance. “To be honest, it is getting too much. I hear they are complaining that government has refused to pay them their allowance for teaching and supervising more than acceptable number of courses and projects,” commented TJ. “Put yourself in their shoes. You reach an agreement with your employer and he decides not to implement it. Is that fair? Should we blame ASUU for fighting for their rights?” asked Jude. “Ehn, if your employer refuses to keep to agreements, then take a walk,” countered TJ. “The blame should be squarely placed at the doorsteps of government which has refused to do its duty , which is to adequately fund education. ASUU is saying it does not want to keep churning out half-baked graduates,” said Iyke. “I am not against them fighting for their rights but the method (strike), has not worked so why not change tactics? Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The strike approach has not worked, so they should look for alternatives at least for the sake of students,” said Dapo. “Government will not understand any other language; after all they have nothing at stake. Their children are all schooling abroad,” said Iyke. “And to think that most of these people in government all passed through the ivory tower. It’s so sad that they are playing politics with the future of this nation,” stated Iyke.

“As long as education is not adequately funded and made compulsory for every child, then the war against insecurity is a waste of time. I pity those sending their children abroad to acquire education because after that, they will come back here to meet us. As the saying goes: A child who will not allow its mother to sleep will not sleep. So they will definitely not enjoy their wealth in this country as long as their neighbours are uneducated and not economically empowered. “In 2007, Ghana’s Finance Minister said that Ghana spent about $1 billion on tertiary education alone in 2006/2007 which represented 45% of the total education budget and Nigeria is busy groping in the dark. When we begin to reap the whirlwind from the wind we are sowing today, Boko Haram will be a child’s play,” noted Pat. “Our universities are under-funded, libraries are decrepit and researchers are not equipped to work. For crying out loud, a university is supposed to be a citadel of knowledge but what do we have?” asked Jude. “You know what? These countries where these politicians send their wards to should ban such students from their countries. Let them go to school in Nigeria. Perhaps, that will cause the politicians to sit up,” suggested Mercy. “Impossicant! You are asking them to reject something that will grow their economy? No way!” said Iyke. “What annoys me with their strike is that they won’t see it to the end. Before you say Jack Robinson, some of the officials will be bribed by government and they will call off the strike and after some time, they will call for strike again. Makes no sense,” noted Pat. “My suggestion is that salaries and allowances of politicians should be reduced and education at both primary and secondary levels made free and compulsory,” said Mercy.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 — 21

AfDB, ECOWAS to support sealink project T

HE African Development Bank, AfDB, and the ECOWAS Commission have reiterated their support for the establishment of a sealink project to help deepen trade in the West African subregion. Dr Ousmane Dore, Resident Representative, African Development Bank, made this known at Sealink Investors Forum in Accra. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is the initiative of NEXIM Bank in collaboration with the Federation of the West and Central Africa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FEWACCI), and an Integrated Logistic Services provider (TRANSIMEX) based in Cameroon to help facilitate regional trade. The 60 million dollar project is expected to take off by 2014. “This investors’ forum is also timely in the sense that it aligns with the clarion call for Africa’s transformation by the president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Donald Kaberuka, during the bank’s Annual General Meeting held in Marrakesh last month. “The AfDB is thus pleased to join other development partners and agencies, investors and entrepreneurs to take part in this high level discussion on how to finance the creation of regional maritime shipping company,’’ he said.

He said that establishing the company would further bridge the resource endowed continent’s artificial boundaries through seamless and logistic services in the region.

124.05

1.35

2,348.00

-16.00

16.38

0.09 -0.11

107.34

-0.71

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

SELLING

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.76 237.309 203.7725 164.6733 1.5484 0.2899 231.998 25.1986 41.2649 27.3196 233.5174

155.26 238.0757 204.4308 165.2054 1.5534 0.2999 232.7476 25.2804 41.3983 27.4079 234.2718

significant role of maritime services in infrastructure transformation of the continent, efforts made by individual countries have not yielded the desired result,

From left: Ndidi Opaluba, Director, Operational Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria; Jim Obazee, CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (representing Minister for Trade & Industry); Dr. Joseph Odumodu, DG, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Ini Onuk, CEO, ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited at the launch of NIS: ISO 26000, in Lagos.

Presidency summons NERC, others over MYTO, gas By NOEL ONOJA

107.96

According to him, two central pillars of the bank’s long term strategy are infrastructure development and regional integration. He added that in spite of the

155.76 238.8424 205.0892 165.7374 1.5584 0.3099 233.4971 25.3623 41.5316 27.4961 235.0263

CBN Exchange rate as at 23/07/2013

saying that low investment and lack of coordinated effort have remained largely the cause of under performance in the sector. “The establishment of the sealink promotional company Limited as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to drive the establishment of the regional maritime shipping company is, therefore, meaningful and innovative in identifying ways and resources required to actualise the project.’’ ECOWAS Commission Vice President, Dr Toga Mcintosh, said that the Commission would continue to support efforts that would help deepen trade in the region. He said that a lot of challenges had hindered regional integration, adding that the presidents of various countries and the ECOWAS heads of states meeting have agreed to reduce those challenges. He said that trade and investment was one of the major focal points of ECOWAS, saying “Sealink is one project that we hope will facilitate regional integration.” The Chairman, House Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Related Matters, Mr Jones Onyeriri, said that Nigerian parliament had given the project full support. “As a committee, we are fully aware of what the NEXIM Bank is doing and a law would be enacted to fully back the project, and even in the cause of its operation, we will still back it up,’’ he said.

HE Federal Government has expressed deep concerns over the inadequacy of funds coming in from the Multi-Year-TariffOrder (MYTO) and the inability to pay for gas supply prompting the Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, to call for a meeting next week to be attended by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other stakeholders concerned. These concerns were expressed by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, during the

29th meeting of the Board of Niger Delta P ower Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC), operators of NIPP at the State House, Abuja. He frowned at some contractors, who have not completed their work especially the work at the Gwagwalada sub-station which is said to be at 90 percent completion, stressing that though the time table for commissioning has been drawn, he cannot tak e Mr. President to commission the power project that would fail immediately after commissioning. He said: “This administration wants to deliver electricity to Nigerians.” The board also expressed its apprehension over the spate of vandalism in parts of the country, especially the recent one at Afam in Delta State, where gas facilities were

vandalised, noting that this has affected power output in the country. The MYTO is an electricity tariff regime designed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) after due consultations to ensure an affordable price tariff for both the consumers of electricity and returns for electricity investors, this forms the basis of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology. The MYTO further provides for continuous reduction in transmission and distribution/ retail loses. Revenue earned by operators is made dependent on achieving these performance improvements. In similar development, the presidency also commended the Ministry of Power for setting up the National P ower Training Institute (NAPTIN) and undertaking the training

of personnel in the power sector. Minister of P ower, P rof. Chinedu Nebo, also made a presentation on the manpower requirement, cost implication and NAPTIN’s training capacity. Earlier, Managing Director of Niger Delta P ower Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, on behalf of Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, briefed the board on the road show recently carried out in June. He said following the divestiture of the 80 percent shares of the company , which has necessitated the road show to attract interests from both local and foreign investors, the exercise was a huge success as it recorded over 400 participants in Lagos, London and New York had 200 and 100 participants and the lowest of 45 participants in Hong Kong.

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Nominations open for 2013 Nigerian Risk Awards

Pensioners waiting for their pensions.

Your pension is safe from state governments’ intervention payment with payment of salaries. The mechanisms they want to use to do that are being fine-tuned PenCom’s guideline HE pension fund under PenCom issued a guideline the Contributory Pension about state governments Scheme, CPS, has been accessing pension assets by growing since it became way of issuing bonds. The operational in 2004. Accordingly, there have been initial position was that they will do Irrevocable Standing various efforts from many quarters to access the pension Payment Order, ISPO, for the repayment of the bond which fund for developmental is a normal thing. What was purposes. Even state added was that the states will governments are not left out also require ISPOs for the in the quest to access the pension payment. Therefore, pension fund for developmental programmes in they are not only having standing payment order for their various states. However, state governments’ funds to pay to the bonds but involvement in the CPS elicits to ensure that pension deductions are also taken at both positive and negative source. The whole idea is that feedbacks. The negative they don’t have access to feedback is people being pension assets and while their afraid of the pension fund bond is successful, remittance being invested in wasteful of pensions become at their ventures and the state not own convenience. being able to pay at the end In other words, if a state of the day. Being aware of this wants to raise money from the fear and the possibility of it bond market and wants happening, the National pension funds to be invested Pension Commission, in the bond, the payment of PenCom, came up with a pensions will no longer be at guideline to check states involvement in pension fund. the instance of the state but PenCom has introduced more will be deducted at source and remitted to the Pension Fund stringent requirement to Administrators, PFAs. ensure that you don’t just It is believed that such move come in, access the funds of is a strong requirement and the PF As and stop contributing. What P enCom the push back initially could tried to do is to equate pension be wide but it requires

Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

C M Y K

financial discipline on the part of the states and such move is what we need as a country. The guideline is important because state governments collectively are a huge employer of labour and they have a lot of employees that would ordinarily go for Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs, but because they have to make their own laws first it is at their own convenience to do that. So the idea is to get them on board, but make sure that they come on board safely and not just half way. PenCom put in place the mechanism to ensure that at the end of every month it is no longer discretionary to remit money into contributors account just as salaries are not discretionar y. The state government must pay contributors just as it is paying salaries at the end of the month. Importance of the guideline The idea is to force the state governments to simultaneously put down money to make sure that the monies get into the pension RSAs of their employees as they are making accruals for paying the bonds. This is to ensure that they don’t just abandon it midway by opening RSAs, take the monies to finance their bonds and then they don’t pay back. So P enCom added an ISPO for pension deductions also. So if state governments want to access the monies in the pension fund, they must have both ISPOs. Ordinarily they must open RSAs, but now they have to have ISPO for pension payments. It is just to ensure that the states do not renege on that particular issue. States usually give ISPOs to the Central Bank so that the money is deducted at source before it even gets to them to spend.

HIEF Executive of Conrad Clark Nigeria (CCN), Joachim Adebayo Adenusi, has said nominations for this year Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) awards have opened. In a statement, Adenusi said that firms or individuals seeking nomination could access the forms t h r o u g h www.nigerianriskawards.com. According to him, organisations making huge investments on her people and infrastructure would have a place at the Conrad Clark/Business Day rating programme coming up this year. This measurement inde x targeted to taste ERM adoption and practice among firms has become more critical since industry regulators particularly banks and insurance received tightened regulations on risk management. Adenusi stated that the Nigerian Risk A wards, a dazzling black tie evening event will celebrate those very special organisations and individuals that are pioneering best practice of ERM in Nigeria across a variety of industr y sectors. “ Over recent years companies in Nigeria have gone the extra mile in the management of risk and many of them have employed innovative and practical strategies to embed risk management, to drive cultural change and influence decision making. We are now inviting them to submit these examples for consideration for the awards,” he said. The successful Risk Manager of the Y ear 2013 will have an allexpenses paid trip to attend one of the international annual risk management conferences 2014 in the UK or USA. The submissions for the Nigeria Risk A wards will be independently assessed and judged by a panel of highly distinguished individuals, drawn from within and outside the country and many of whom are international leaders in the field of risk, corporate governance and leadership. They include Dr . David Hillson (UK) globally known as the Risk Doctor , Ahmed Babatunde Popoola (Nig) Managing Director and CEO of CRC Credit Bureau Ltd, Professor P eter Y oung (USA) principal adviser to (and co -creator of) the University of St Thomas’s University actuarial science programme, and many more. The awards will be presented for the following categories: Risk Manager of year 2013 (for the best CRO/Head of Risk across sectors), Banking and Financial Services, Insurance and Pension Ser vices, Telecoms and Media Services, Manufacturing and Industry and finally Oil and Gas Services.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 — 23

Presidency pledges support for insurance sector Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said his administration is aware that insurance is an essential ingredient of economic growth and development of any country and will support the insurance sector in Nigeria. Jonathan who said this on the occasion of his decoration as grand patron of W est African Insurance Institute (WAII) last week said that without insurance, companies and individuals would not be able to manage risk; the world would be a far less innovative place and many of the activities people and government take for granted could be prohibitively risky. He said “So we value insurance, more so the Nigeria insurance industry has been making useful contributions to our economic life.” The President said that one of the major lessons of the economic turmoil in the recent past is the need for transparent, efficient and neutral government regulation of the financial services sector. “We believe that this is the right platform upon which accessible, robust and dynamic markets for financial products are built. This administration clearly understands and recognizes this fact and has actually embarked on policies designed towards achieving

growth and development in the insurance industry in the country,” he said. “This is evident under the Group Life Insurance P olicy where the federal government has provided the lead by ensuring that its entire employees are fully insured. In the same light, Government has also ensured adequate insurance of its assets and property. In line with our transformation agenda, a key driver of the current reforms in the insurance sub-sector of the Nigerian economy is the desire to grow and develop the micro-insurance and Takaful markets. It is the hope of this administration that the drive will engender the desired growth and market penetration.” “Suffice to say that the ongoing reforms in our insurance sector are aimed at creating a world-class regime for insurers and provide significantly enhanced protection for Nigerian policyholders.” “Within the purview of Vision 20:2020, gover nment envisions an economy that will rank among the twenty largest in the world by the year 2020 and insurance is a veritable growth driver. It is on this premise that this administration has continued to show adequate support to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the industry regulatory body in its drive to develop the insurance market and deepen penetration,” the President said.

NAICOM approves Oasis financial statement

ASIS Insurance Plc has obtained National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) approval for its annual accounts and returns for the financial year ended December 2012. The company is thus amongst the first five approvals given by NAICOM for the second year running. Commenting on the approval communicated by NAICOM in their letter dated July 11, 2013, the Managing Director of Oasis Insurance Plc, Mr . Babatunde Oshadiya commended NAICOM’s effort in assisting underwriters to overcome challenges associated with the conversion to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Speaking further , Oshadiya noted that with the implementation of an extensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework and the added disclosure requirements of IFRS, the company is able to deliver on a very effective Corporate Governance structure. He asserted that the approval underscores the fact that his company has total quality all around its operations and this drives the consistent quality service delivery to all stakeholders. As statutorily specified, the company will present the approved financial statements to shareholders for approval at the 20th Annual General Meeting which will be announced as soon as arrangement is concluded.

From left: An inductee, Chief Badru Olaogun, Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi and founder, Dr. Dipo Bailey during the maiden edition of the induction ceremony, in Lagos.

Anchor Insurance to widen scope of ownership M

ANAGING Director of Anchor Insurance, Mr. Adeduro Mayowa has said that the board of the company is considering widening the scope of ownership and investments in the company. Mayowa said that more investors would be welcomed in the company soon as the Board is considering a broad strategy of increasing the paid up share capital of the company above N5 billion mark. As at 2011 financial year it stood at N3 billion authorised share capital and N2.45 billion paid up share capital. The shareholders fund stood at N3.74 billion in the period. Mayowa said that the board of Directors of the company has also approved the construction of a new commercial highrise building in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. In a statement, the company said that the project will involve a multipurpose six floors complex to boast of all modern facilities including banking hall at its ground floor and restaurant at its pent house situate in a land of about 1500sqm. It is expected that the built area will be about 700sqm thus given substantial part of the area for car park. The company said that the Board retains the services of Design Project Nigeria, a firm of Architects with offices in Abuja, Calabar and Lagos. It is estimated that the project will be completed within one year and probably will be commissioned to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Company event which is scheduled to be hosted at the last quarter of 2014. Meanwhile all designs and approvals had been obtained from relevant government agencies in Uyo. Mayowa refused to disclose cost of the project but said that it is going to be a landmark project in the heartland of Akwa Ibom capital. He commended the efforts of the government of Chief Godswill Akpabio in transforming the state. He stated that Anchor Insurance management was just responding to the positive investment atmosphere in the state just like any other informed investor. The Managing Director equally

mentioned that the Board also approved renovation of the old Anchor Insurance House at Aka Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The seven floors building which used to be the tallest building in the capital currently house United Bank for Africa Plc and the Corporate Affairs Commission, Akwa Ibom State zonal office. Mr . A deduro said the Company is set to let out more floors to boost its income from investment properties. Mr. Adeduro who joined the company in 2008 on a turn around mission following a recruitment search by a leading human capital consulting firm in Lagos said that the company has been in consistent profitability since 2009 and had paid dividends consecutively for three years. He said the turn around mission in the company had been accomplished and now the company is on the trajectory of geometric growth. On the 2012 performance of the company, the Managing Director said the financials should be approved by NAICOM before figures can be disclosed publicly. However, the shareholders should expect nothing less than improved performance already known with the company and even far better than its year 2011 performance. In the last three years Anchor Insurance Gross Premium Income has grown by over 100 per cent thus setting the company apart as a leading general insurance company in terms of annualized percentage growth rate and profitability. On what accounted for Anchor Insurance growth rate which was above 100 per cent of industry growth rate of about 17 per cent in general business and 23 per cent in life business, Mr . A deduro said that the management realised that for a long time the company had suffered from management ineptitude and gross inefficiency therefore the new management set a new agenda and obtained the approval of the board and the cooperation of entire staff to handle insurance innovatively leaping on Blue Ocean strategy and T otal Quality Management. SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Stock market rebound is outcome of our policy thrust, says Onyema foreign investors benefiting from exposure to the various asset classes listed on the NSE in balanced and HIEF Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. diversified portfolios. While noting that foreign direct Oscar Onyema, has said that the investment (FDI) in sub-Saharan Africa stability and increase in investors’ confidence witnessed so far in the capital was expected to reach $54 billion by 2015, up from $37.7 billion recorded in market is the result of various policy 2012, Onyema stated that it requires thrusts initiated by his management collaborative effort to achieve the feat, team since he took over the mantle of saying, “No matter what area you are leadership in 2010. passionate about, you need to identify Onyema made the claim while delivering a keynote speech, the gaps that exist and provide new ‘Identifying Opportunities in Africa’, at solutions based on your knowledge and the African Leadership Academy, Indaba expertise.” (ALA Indaba) annual reunion for ALA students and alumni from the W est African region. According to him, the stability is evidenced by the significantly increased trading activity on the Exchange and its ranking as one of the highest returning markets in the world over the last one NITED Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc is year. In his words, “In the last two years, making summer travel as hassleI have been asked several times why I free as possible for its customers with its returned to Nigeria and the answer rich bouquet of card products by simply is to create a legacy by helping ensuring that customers, who go on millions of African investors create durable wealth in the Nigerian summer trips, carrying any of the UBA Prepaid or Debit cards find it easy , securities market. convenient and less burdensome. “I got to a point in my career at the The UBA card range for summer travel Amex and NYSE Euronext in New York where I felt the need to bring my W all includes: UBA Prepaid Card, UBA Debit Street experience to assist in the growth Mastercard, UBA Gold Debit Mastercard and UBA V isa Dual of the Nigerian capital market.” Currency Debit Card. “In my capacity as the CEO of the It will be recalled that UBA recently Nigerian Stock Exchange, my introduced the UBA All ‘ About U’ Debit experience so far has been rewarding Card, which allows customers put their for several reasons. One of which has favourite picture on their Debit Card. been the opportunity to lead the ”With UBA Card, our customers don’t transformation of a leading African need to carry cash while going on Exchange into the preeminent market summer holidays because they have on the continent based on liquidity , different options to choose from,” says regulation, innovation and efficiency. “In addition, being a leader in Nigeria Dr. Yinka Adedeji, Divisional Head, ehas taught me the need to collaborate Banking, UBA Plc. UBA’s PTA/BTA customers can get the with others to bring positive change to the society. It is important to be the best Prepaid Card for free and are able to in what you do, but even more important spend up to $40,000 per annum on their to collaborate with champions from other card. The card is not tied to any bank account and is internationally accepted areas of endeavour to innovate and at all V isa acceptance points (A TMs, create winning solutions to Africans POS and Web). Similarly, the UBA Debit challenges,” he added. The NSE boss explained that the NSE Mastercard is accepted at over one was on the verge of entering a growth million ATMs across the world and over 210 countries worldwide. phase that would see many local and By NKIRUKA NNOROM

UBA positions card products for summer travellers

SEC DAY FOR MARKET WOMEN: From left: Representative of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Director, Consumer Protection Department,CBN, Mrs. Umma Amina Dutse; National President, Market Women Association, Mrs. Felicia Sanni; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh, and two other market women during the SEC Wealth and Health Day for market women at the Garki Ultra-Modern Market, in Abuja. C M Y K

The first results from FBN Holdings (2) W

E featured in this column last week the first part of a consideration of the 2012 annual report and accounts of FBN Holdings Plc, FBNH. Our primary conclusion is that FBNH is under -performing. We then asked the question, why is the recovery of FBNH slow post the 2008 market crash. To justify the conclusion about FBNH’s performance, we shall look at results for two five-year cycles and probable results over a third 5-year cycle. The first fiveyear cycle is from the financial year ending March 2003 to the financial year ending March 2007. If one held 100 units of FBNH shares in January 2003, one would have earned N150 as gross dividend for the financial year ending March 2003. Gross dividend earnings for other year ends were N186 at March 2004, N216 at March 2005, N168 at March 2005 and N340 at March 2007. This gives a total dividend of N1060 for the 5-year period. With the bonus shares declared during

The most significant investment FBNH has made in recent times is in Seawolf Oilfield Ser vices Limited, otherwise called Seawolf. This investment has been at great risk and at a substantial loss to FBNH shareholders to date

increasing the dividend per share by N0.20 from one year to the next year. If one held 100 units of FBNH shares in say September 2012, one would have earned a gross dividend of N100 for the financial year ending December 2012. Dividends that would be earned for the other years in the cycle are N120 for the financial year ending 2013, N140 for the financial year ending December 2014, N160 for the financial year ending December 2015 and N180 for the financial year ending December 2016. This would give a total dividend of N700 for the five-year period. It is apparent that the level of earnings in this third 5year period would not match the earnings in the 2003-2007 periods. The 2012 annual report and accounts gives a summary of the risk management approach that is expected to make FBNH’s business model sustainable. The principal risks identified include credit risk, portfolio limit risk, market and liquidity risks, operational risk, information security risk, legal risk and compliance risk. However, one finds that a number of investments/projects require special attention. The Tejusosho Model Market in Lagos has not been completed although substantial deposits were obtained from prospective shop owners. The R ainbow Town project in P ort Harcourt has problems of infrastructure amongst others.

the period, 100 units of shares from January 2003 would have grown to 396 units of shares by August 2007. For an indication of share price, there was a rights issue in 2003 at a price less than N20 per share while there was a rights issue/offer in 2007 at N31/N33 per share. The second five-year cycle is from the financial year ending March 2008 to the financial year ending December 2011. If one held 100 units of FBNH shares in say January 2008, one would have earned a gross dividend of N120 for the financial year ending March 2008, N168.75 for the financial year ending March 2009, N14.5 for the financial year ending December 2009, N97.8 for the financial year ending December 2010 and N130.4 for the financial year ending December 2011. This gives a total dividend of N531.45 for the five-year cycle. With the bonus shares declared during the period, 100 units of shares from January 2008 would have grown to 163 units of shares by April 2012. The third five-year cycle is from the financial year ending December 2012 to the financial year ending December 2016. We assume that the directors of FBNH would retain an apparent policy of

he most significant investment FBNH has made in recent times is in Seawolf Oilfield Services Limited, otherwise called Seawolf. This investment has been at great risk and at a substantial loss to FBNH shareholders to date. FirstBank’s loan exposure to Seawolf was N99 billion at the time the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, took over the loan at a discount of N11 billion. This loss of N11 billion by FBNH shareholders on this transaction has been described in FBNH documents as a haircut of the loan – a very expensive haircut indeed! Seawolf’s results for the financial year ending December 2012 show a loss although its loan has been reduced to N88 billion. Also, its liabilities exceed assets by N22.4 billion. Great enterprise is sometimes at great risk but when things go wrong there should be an appropriate response. The directors of FBNH should be able to say when Seawolf is expected to show a profit and the exit strategy from this investment. Venture capital is usually applied to get a company started and nurtured to a position where the company is profitable. Other shareholders would then be found for the company at this stage at a value that should give a profit to the persons who provided the initial capital for the company. First principles would however dictate that any investment in Nigeria that relies on loans at the current high interest rates over a long-term would struggle to make a decent profit.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 25

DIARY

Select ICT events zMicrosoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2013. Holds July 7-11, 2013 in Houston, USA.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

Fashola, Juwah disagree on regulation of telecom masts

zBig Data Monetization in Telecoms Summit. Holds July 15-17, 2013 in Dallas,Texas, US. z 2nd Annual FTTX Summit Africa 2013. Holds July 22 - 25, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

zSIGGRAPH 2013. Holds 21-25 Jul 2013 in Anaheim, USA z ITEXPO West 2013. Holds 27-29 Aug 2013 in L as Vegas, USA.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Coffee socks defend against heat, feet odour

ACCESS TO REMOTE AREAS: Secretary USPF, Alhaji Maikano Abdullahi explains the connectivity plans for remote areas to Ms Funke Opeke, CEO MainOne Cable System (l) and another stakeholder at the USPF forum in Lagos.

USPF rejigs connectivity plans for remote areas z3,000 km of fibre optics, 1,000 base stations coming every year BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

TLAS socks are made from a mix of cotton, recycled polyester and carbonized coffee, which filters and absorbs sweat and odour to keep feet cool. After a long day , traditional dress socks are not always very gentle to the feet, what with all the heat and sweat they keep in. This new technology can provide new levels of comfort that previously impossible. Carbonized coffee is a weapon against odour, attracting molecules (composed mostly of carbon) with its spongy structure. The molecules are eventually released when the socks are washed, ready for a whole new round of foot odour.

FTER about five years of trying to link the underserved Nigerian rural populace to the universal access, the Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF, has come out to announce that despite encomiums on its activities within those years, it was still not satisfied with the level of connectivity in the rural areas. The Fund therefore announced a renewed interest in increasing connectivity access to the remotest parts of the country to help grow the country's economy. Part of the plans to achieve this, according to Secretary of the board, Alhaji Maikano Abdullahi included a new strate-

gic management plan which would see an addition of about 3,000 kilometres of fibre and 1000 Base Stations, deployed across Nigeria every year. He noted that the last Strategic Management Plan, SMP expired in 2011 with minimal achievements. However, Abdullahi said that the board of USPF had spent one year to reflect on the gains and pitfalls of the past five years ensuring that henceforth

...in the new roadmap, we are going to give every target a specialised plan so we can critically harness the benefits and hit the target possibly better than we had ever done

I N S Again, Samsung I Can Lagos be a hits market D smart city? (4) with Galaxy Mega E C M Y K

success rate will be significant as there may be no room to repeat past mistakes. In its last SMP , which ran through 2007 to 2011, USPF targeted to provide 291 community communications centres across six geo-political zones of the country which will provide shared access to telephone and internet services in the rural areas. However, it ended up providing 224 which represented 77 percent of the

FTER raising issues of multiple taxation, vandalisation of telecoms infrastructure, right of way approval among others affecting telecoms development in Lagos State by the telecoms regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Government last week in Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the executive Governor of State did not mince words by disagreeing with the Commission, saying that there was nothing like multiple taxation and regulations. Some of the these challenges, according to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr . Eugene Juwah in his address during the visit will include right of way, multiple taxation and regulations, protection of telecoms infrastructures, among others. While disagreeing with NCC management that there was nothing like multiple regulations and taxation, Fashola said that the Commission can only regulate frequency, spectrum among other issues but cannot regulate erection of mast. "Mast and towers are physical structures. Some of what we call taxes are purely administrative cost handed down to the operators, which is normal. . They are not taxes. Telecom operators must pay for land where they erect mast and towers" Fashola said. Accordingly, he said that Lagos State will not in any way deliberately impose fees on telecoms operators because in the name of generating money from right of way approval. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Telecommunications and regulation are multiple jurisdictional and should be addressed as such. Masts and towers are physical structures on ground, and must be regulated by both the telecoms regulatory

target. It also targeted deployment of 490 base stations which would subsidize the lot that operators have to deploy in rural Nigeria, but it succeeded in awarding subsidies for only 74 BTS which represented just 12 percent of its target. Other areas the Fund felt it did not satisfy itself included accelerated mobile phone expansion colocation infrastructure project which targeted 150 CIPs but achieved only 104 or 69 percent of the target. There was also the Rural broadband initiative, RUBI which was rolled out in only 18 local governments across the country instead of the targeted 109 initiatives targetContinues on page 32 Continues on page 32

Accenture lands biometric ID job in India

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Can Lagos be a smart city? (4)

wish to round up dis course on the possi bilities of Lagos being a smart city within the shortest possible time. Of course, it can be seen that a lot of obstacles abound in the realization of this ideal, but personally I like to look at the sunny side of things. If there are issues, they should be tackled but nothing should be allowed to detract from set objectives. In the last take of this column I wrote of the law enforcement angle to making the city ’s traffic flow significantly better than what we currently experience. A few years back, under a World Bankassisted programme, the Lagos government embarked on Junction Improvement Works all over the metropolis. As I see it, the implementation of the Junction works was to make the traffic flow. It did, in the first few months. Except in Alausa, some parts of Ikeja, and locations in the island, the impact of the Junction Improvement Works has almost vanished completely. Also, at these junctions, traffic lights were installed. The benefits of that device in regulating traffic flow bears no repetition here, but current experience indicates that many of these traffic lights no longer function, while men in various uniforms now do what traffic lights were installed for. There is no need to ask whether there is a relationship between traffic lights that don’t function and the over-bearing presence of uniformed personnel at the junctions. The smart objective of the Junction Improvement Works has been defeated by manual, pecuniary traffic control. Also, a smart city has to have a response system to failures in infrastructure that make life liveable for residents. Presently Lagos State has LASIMRA (Lagos State Infrastructure Monitoring & Regu-

latory Authority), and it should be the agency with this responsibility. If a road fails, LASIMRA should know within 48 hours and see how repair works can begin within the 48 hours after that. Presently motorists and commuters are going through sheer hell at the failed portion of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway at Ilasamaja. Politics of road ownership aside, Lagos residents shouldn’t suffer after paying their tax. Okay, that is a federal road undergoing repairs but the contractor just hasn’t got to that point. What then do we say about Iyana-Ejigbo in the Ejigbo LCDA? The colourless political leadership in the area is yet to appropriately rise to the failure of that section of the road, a state road. The story of that road’s perennial failure at that point over the y e a r s means issues around it have to be tackled and resolved in favour of the majority of the people. Developing a market on the flood plains of rivers that were extinguished in the first place by land speculators is anything but smart. What this translates into is the need to constructively engage the traditional tier of leadership with a view to ensuring that they key into the smart vision for Lagos. That includes the antics of the omo-oniles, the agberos, and other nonsmart, revenue-driven human fixtures whose activities are simply dangerous to the environment in the long term. In these days of climate change, Lagos authorities should monitor land sales properly. Entire flood plains are being sold by desperate omo-onilesto people equally desperate to own homes. When the chicken comes home to roost, even the innocent ones will pay. That is not smart at all.

The smart objective of the Junction Improvement Works has been defeated by manual, pecuniary traffic control

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Through relentless in novation and discovery, digital media and digital convergence technologies makers, Samsung Electronics West Africa, has introduced the world’s largest smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Mega, to the Nigerian market. Delivering a mobile experience that is larger than life, the Galaxy Mega, according to the phone maker combines the portability and convenience of a smartphone with the power, multitasking capabilities and extensive viewing experience of a tablet. Mega sized portability Feast your eyes on this mobile’s mega-sized screen! The ideal viewing medium for photos and videos, the mobile remains optimally sized for portability as well as taking phone calls. The Mega UX takes full advantage of the large display, especially while multi-tasking with Dual View. See more of your mobile world with Samsung’s GALAXY Mega! Fun, Smart and Con-

Again, Samsung hits market with the Galaxy seGalaxy Mega heights, ries balances an optimal for use while driving. More ways to connect, share Stay connected in tody ’s super connected venworld. ient Samsung’s With smart GALAXY functions and Mega keeps services, this mobile you interacted, comes in handy in any occasion. Traveling to a with your friends, internew place? Receive ge- est groups and more ographic info for restau- whether you’re sharing rant recommendations or content with friends over sites to see. The mobile Wi-Fi, instant messaging also features various on ChatON. With this mobile, your mobile camera modes for fun picture taking. Addition- reach is wider and more ally, GALAXY Mega of- powerful than ever Optimal viewing expefers other valuable services including transla- rience: Coming with chock full tion so you can communicate internationally of smart services and without language barri- enhanced connectivity ers, or voice commands that take mobile to new

Jim Ovia prize for best software start-up: From left: Paul Uzoechina, Admin Secretary hands over ISPON Cheque of N1.1 Million to Zubair Abubakar and Bayo Puddicombe both of Pledge51 Ltd while Mr. Yinka Tanimowo, MD Connect Technologies looks on.

viewing experience on a 5.8-inch HD screen, yet is ultra-thin and portable enough to fit in a user’s pocket or in the palm of one hand. P owered by the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system and 1.4GHz dual core processor, the Galaxy Mega features an 8megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front facing camera. It comes with 8GB internal memory and up to 64GB expandable storage. The device also boasts Samsung’s proprietary 'Air V iew' feature, which lets users preview photos, speed dial contacts and information in e-mails, without opening them. Samsung also debuted two new models from its Wi-Fi-enabled Galaxy Tab 3 portfolio , the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 and the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, at the launch of the product. Accordingly, the series blends the familiar Galaxy family feel in sleek and slim designs, with, compelling content and services designed for consumers’ everyday use. Unique features: The latest Galaxy T ab family comes with Samsung’s proprietary SaFE (Samsung for Enterprise) feature, allowing users to work and play with confidence that their photos, e-mails and contacts are protected. The portfolio also includes an expandable memory of up to 64GB

Emeka Aginam

Accenture lands biometric ID job in India BY EMEKA AGINAM

NE of the leading technology consulting company in the country, Accenture, has been awarded a 12-month contract to re engineer and implement the delivery of beneficiary programs in Punjab, India under the Aadhaar biometric identification program. The contract would help the State Government of Punjab identify eligible citizens and eliminate duplicate and incorrect records for the Department of Food and Civil Supplies. Accordingly, biometricbased service delivery model would provide the government with a sim-

plified process for targeting beneficiaries by ensuring accurate inclusion of recipients, reducing the cost of service delivery by using direct, government-to-citizens payments. This new system will also enhance program accountability. As the project manager and prime contractor, Accenture also would help the state increase citizen awareness on the goals and objectives of Aadhaar, and support the government with any required legal and policy changes. Biometrics are unique physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, that can be used for automat-

ed recognition. Aadhaar is a 12- digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India. “Aadhaar provides a national unique identity to each resident that will be portable, digital and verifiable online. Citizens will benefit from a simplified process of establishing identity. Biometric based authentication will replace the paper based verification/ authentication being done for residents adding to their convenience,” said P arminder Singh, Nodal officer , Registrar UID Punjab

cum Joint Secretary Food & Supplies Department, Government of Punjab. Through this program, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is changing the way of life for the country's 1.2 billion people. By issuing unique IDs through fingerprints, facial and iris images, the program is giving each resident a unique and provable identity. This Accenture supported program is the largest government initiative in the world. It is also the latest winner of the 2013 Computerworld Honors 21st Century Achievement Award in the Economic Development category.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 27

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28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Malawi shop f or t op-class P U C players against Eagles WORALLDIFIER .7

Sept

lames caretaker coach Tom Saintfiet has said some players do not deserve to be in the Malawian national team and will be axed as he turns his focus to 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in September. Saintfiet said he will forced to ring some changes after being let down by the performance of the players at the Cosafa Cup in Zambia, where the flames even to make the grade in the losers plate phase “This will have consequences on some players. We will shift some players. We will only select players that will give out their maximum. I do not want

to mention names, but if you saw the game (against Angola) you will notice that there was lack of commitment, especially the defence and goal keeping,” Saintfiet was quoted as saying on MBC. FAM president W alter Nyamilandu has said players need to take responsibility for the Flames sterile performances. “We have tried all sorts of coaches the players have to take responsibility as well and something drastic has to be worried done. “The players that we have are not of world-class standard. They are lacking the cutting edge and we need topclass players if we are to beat Nigeria,” said Nyamilandu.

Mba ready for European move N

igeria international Sunday Mba is delighted that the drama surrounding his ownership has been resolved and he can now secure a move to Europe. “I am a happy man now because all the problems associated with my career at home are now over ,” he said. “Now I can say that I am ready to finally make the big move to Europe since there is no contention about my status. “I want to say that W arri Wolves did a good thing by allowing me to play for Rangers on loan for free and I intend to make good use of that opportunity.”

Ambrose eyes Champions League q-f inal

uper Eagles defender Efe Ambrose has backed Celtic to improve on last season’s Champions League campaign by making it to the quarter-finals this time around. Ambrose feels they can improve on last season’s performance despite the sale of Wanyama to Southampton and the impending departure of striker Gary Hooper. Ambrose told BBC Sport: “We set the target last year and we want to do better this year. “We can do even more than what we did last year if we put our mind to it and be determined to work harder.

“We never rely on just two players. W e rely on the whole team and the people on the bench.” Lennon has wasted little time in the current transfer market, bringing in striker Amido Balde along with defenders Virgil van Dijk and Steven Mouyokolo. Ambrose feels the trio of acquisitions have strengthened the Celtic squad, adding: “I believe in what the manager has seen in them and I believe they are good players. “That is why they are here. We can see the qualities of the players.”

By Solomon Nwoke, Warri

ELTA State wrestlers are not leaving anything to chance in their quest to win the maiden Chief E K Clark Open Wrestling Championship holding at the Brown Hill Events Centre in Warri,. The wrestlers were yesterday seen sweating it out in readiness for the Championships, starting today. Speaking to Sports V anguard, Head coach of the Delta State team, Peter Nwamaka, said he confident that his hosts would honour Chief Clark in whose honour, the championship was put in place, by emerging overall winners.. “We have actually prepared for the competition having camped for a few weeks and we are ready to do the state proud. All my wrestlers are raring to go and show their stuff as they are on top form for the challenges ahead. “This Championship will be a

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 29

Mata, T orres could miss season’s star t —Mourinho

ose Mourinho may start Chelsea’s Premier League season without Spain trio Fernando Torres, Cesar Azpilicueta and Juan Mata. “My line-up will depend a lot on which players go away with their national teams two days before the opening of the Premier League,” Mourinho told reporters. “If one has to go to Ecuador and comes back and arrives in London on Saturday without having slept after a 15-hour flight, coming in to train on Saturday morning, I don’t think he is going to play on Sunday.” Chelsea are currently away on a tour of Asia and having won their first two fixtures, they will now face Indonesia All-Stars in Jakarta on Thursday, before flying to America for the ne xt leg of their pre-season preparations.

Chelsea snap up Cuevas

helsea have announced the signing of Cristian Cuevas from Chilean side O’Higgins. The 18-year-old, who can

Napoli swoop for Ba

APOLI are considering making a move for Chelsea striker Demba Ba. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Serie A giants are looking to bring in two strikers, having cashed in on Edinson Cavani’s move to PSG earlier this month. The 28-year-old could be joining up with Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuaín, who is also thought to be close

Olorundare targets debut against Ivorians

Delta wrestlers pledge to honour Clark with vict ory wonderful one. Interestingly, we are hosting the maiden edition and Delta state wrestlers will not disappoint. W e’ll honour the Chief by emerging the overall champions of the competition. “I have 41 wrestlers, comprising 29 boys and 12 girls, who are ready to do the State proud. They are tested. W e have discovered talents to showcase at this competition. Dominic Nnalue, Lucky Opiated, Soso Tamara are among the wrestlers to do the battle for Delta State”, added Nwamaka

to sealing a move to the Naples outfit.

Federer on a mission

ele Olorundare hopes to make his Super Eagles debut in the second leg of the CHAN qualifier against Ivory Coast this coming weekend. The Sunshine Stars strik er, who leads the scoring charts in the Nigerian Premier League with 11 goals in 19 games, was in the squad for the first-leg victory, but spent the 90 minutes looking on from the bench. The 22-year-old is hoping to go one better in the return fixture, and is confident he will seize the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting berth should he be given the chance.

operate either as a left-back or left-winger, has signed a contract which will keep him at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2018. Cuevas came through the youth ranks at O ’Higgins to mak e a handful of senior appearances, before shining with Chile at this summer’s Fifa Under-20 World Cup, playing in four of their five matches.

oger Federer will concentrate on both his own fitness and the state of his new prototype racquet as he waits for a secondround opponent to emerge for his Thursday afternoon start at the Swiss Open. The top seed, who has been playing since last week with a larger , 98-square-inch racquet after competing for most of his career with a 90-square-inch model, remains quietly confident that he will be able to make the big switch before travelling to Canada in little more than a week to prepare for the Montreal Masters. “This racket will probably change over the next few months, we will keep tinkering with it,” said Federer, working closely with his manufacturer.

Wh e Whyy Delta S tat tate institut ed Chief Clar k instituted Wrestling restling — A maju By Solomon Nwoke, Warri

elta State Sports Commission, Pinnick Amaju has said that Delta State decided to organize the National Open W restling Championship in honour of Chief E K Clark, who he described a symbol of unity in Nigeria. Amaju, who was at the Brown Hills Events Centre venue to inspect facilities, in readiness for the competition, starting today with a GrecoRoman style of wrestling, gave kudos to the organizers and said that the state was very passionate about wrestling. “We are passionate about giving our best in everything

that we do. The facilities on ground here are almost of Olympic standard. W e also feel that if Nigeria must make hay in wrestling that we must organize tournaments of this kind of quality and that is why we are very excited bout using Chief E K Clark.

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 31

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 gy. We grouped target areas including under served and unserved areas into manageable clusters and bundles to make our projects, cluster specific. We even plan to create at least 5 cluster projects every year which operators would bid for on a competsibly better than we had the mistakes of the last itive basis SMP. ever done. “we shall also explore a "Already we feel we have Announcing the new plan mix of financial and non fidone well, but we also in a conference in Lagos, know there are a lot more nancial subsidy for operaAbdullahi said, that "as a matter of fact, we have de- to be done, so we are today tional costs for connectivity projects like BTS, FOC decided to review our activi- asking both the operators, ployments, yet we will also ties at the end of every year and all stakeholders to simplify the bidding procbrace up for this challenge. instead of waiting for five ess and ensure transparenyears before we take stock. On our own we are ready cy in the competition. The We take particular notice of to attract the right funds if fund however placed prethe criticism of KPMG on a the partners are ready to mium on service quality key into our plans” he one size fits all strategy we and power generation to promised used in the last SMP, so in determining who wins in the new roadmap, we are Strategy and service the biddings”. going to give every target delivery model a specialised plan so we can Operators response Abdullahi said that “ in Responding to the new critically harness the bene- the new plan we have crefits and hit the target pos- ated cluster specific strate- plan, some industry stake-

USPF rejigs connectivity plans for remote areas Continues from Page 25

ed across senatorial zones in the country. The backbone infrastructure project, BTRAIN, School Access Project, SAP and the E library projects among others did not also meet their targets. However, USPF said that having learnt its lessons, it was taken confidence from key opportunities which included the country now has increased broadband penetration and is about to accord ICT critical national infrastructure status. It also hope to leverage on

the near saturation of mobile telephone in urban areas; introduction of cashless policy and declining cost of ICT innovations amongst others. The fund revealed that it probably over estimated the strenght of execution of its secretariat which was just new as at the time the 20072011 SMP was designed; one size fit all approach and long term review time table, as major weaknesses that reduced its success rate As a result, USPF said it has redesigned a new SMP which will run away from

holders suggested that USPF should provide infrastructure and not compete with operators. The argument was that by providing 3000km fibre and 1000 base stations annually, the USPF was already competing with operators who obtain license from it. There was also the issue of right of way and double taxation on operators. Some operators challenged USPF and other relevant agencies to get a legislation on this before implementing some of these laudable projects, like that of the USPF..

Fashola, Juwah disagree on regulation of telecom masts Continues from Page 25

body and the state government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development,” Fashola told IT Journalists and NCC management team. While frowning on a situation where telecoms operators dug up roads and deny Nigerians easy access to road usage because they have permit to lay cables across the country, he stated that operators should try to make use of existing ducts in the state, instead of cutting roads with unnecessary, which he said affects road users. ."We are already aware that you are involved with other governors in the National Economic Council in discussing and finding solutions to the issue of RoW in the country as currently being championed by Vice President Namadi Sambo. We only need to urge you to continue to support these patriotic efforts so that the objectives of providing easy passage for telecommunications infrastructure, to accelerate and encourage more investments in the country, are realized. "Another challenge stems from ignorance, even at decision making levels. Many people do not understand that telecommunications can only be better with more infrastructures. "For instance, in the UK, there are more than 65,000 base stations for telecommunications services, in a land mass that is far less than Nigeria’s. "Nigeria is yet to achieve 25,000 installations across its huge land mass, yet many feel that we already have enough and are defacing the environment. In a place like Lagos with very huge population, we have fewer base stations than require" the EVC told the Governor. This situation, according to the NCC EVC was made worse by multiple taxations and regulations that awaited the service providers at the various levels of government, including state governments, local governments, and even some communities. In most cases, he said C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 33

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34— VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

I don’t want dad to live with us

Could I be the dad? Dear Bunmi, Some three years ago, I moved into the boys’ quarters of a house as a tenant. My landlord is in his early 60s and a friend of my dad. He lost his wife about 10 years ago and married another one shortly after. Unfortunately, the new wife was still childless when I moved in. She has a thriving shop in

the heart of Lagos and often gave me a lift to work. About a year after I moved in, she started sending food to me, claiming they were ‘leftovers’ she didn’t want to throw away . Whenever the husband was away and she had to attend a party, she took me along for ‘security.’ I found myself falling in love with

I’m not divorced yet Dear Bunmi, I was almost 19 when I got married in our village. It was a very unhappy marriage and when my two-year old girl died, I just walked away and went to live with an uncle. He was impressed by my progress in school, and thanks to his generosity, I finished university and currently work with him. I have now met a man who is a far cry from the brute I was married to. He didn’t know I was married before. Technically, I’m still married as I never got divorced. My new man now wants to get married. How do I tell him

about my failed marriage? Maria, by e-mail. Dear Maria, You have to be honest with him about your failed marriage, but put things in perspective. Explain it was brief and unhappy, that it was a mistake and you were very young then. Let him understand what commitment means to you now and how you intend to get a divorce in order to make your current relationship work. If he’s confident about the future, he’ll realise the past doesn’t matter.

I pretended I enjoyed oral Dear Bunmi, My man has always liked oral lovemaking. I cared for him enough to try it once and he eventually came in my mouth. At the time, I pretended to enjoy it but the truth is the whole thing made me feel disgusted. I didn’t want to say anything at the time because he said it was so arousing and I was afraid of hurting his feelings. As things are now, I’m terrified he’ll want to keep on doing it, thinking I like it. How do you suggest I tell him to back off? Esther, by e-mail.

Dear Esther, If you’re really put off by this kind of intimacy, you mustn’t do it no matter how much it arouses your partner. Tell him you didn’t enjoy it and that you’d rather not do it again. Do you think you didn’t like what happened because you were not expecting it? In this case, ask for an agreement that he won’t orgasm in your mouth unless you both agree to it first. Then practice so you become more at ease, taking it as far as you want each time before letting him ejaculate. If you still don’t like it, tell him.

her because she was quite sophisticated. When I jokingly told her I was beginning to have naughty thoughts about her, she encour aged me and we started making love. It was the most mind-blowing experience of my life. She got pregnant early last year and that was when the rumours started flying that the husband was impotent, that she must have got pregnant with another man’s baby. Even with her pregnancy, we continued our intimacy until she had her baby girl. The girl doesn’t look anything like me. But what if she is mine? I know I can’t claim her, but I would like to be part of her life. By the way , the lovemaking is still great with her and she still gives me food which my friends allege she spiced with juju. Kenneth, by e-mail. Dear Kenneth, You might think you’re on to a good thing sleeping with an older woman, who is married to your landlord— a friend of your father’s! You must be awarded a ‘most daring’ medal but believe me, you’re playing with ‘fire’ and one of these days, you’ll get burnt. Be rest assured that if the whole neighbourhood suspects your landlord is impotent, then some ‘well-meaning’ people must have given him a hint on what is going on between you and his wife. Impotent or not, he might be relieved that someone else might give his wife the baby she desired and get her off his back. But most important of all, as you’ve discovered yourself, there is no lunch that is really free. The earlier you found an alternative accommodation, the better for all of you. Your mistress might discourage you at first, but you’d quickly be replaced if she’s as love-starved as you said she is.

Could my in-laws be taking sides? Dear Bunmi, My husband’s parents used to see a lot of our four children and they all adored their grandparents. In the recent past, it looked as if they ’d become too busy with their daughter’s new baby and the two children from my husband’s first marriage. As a result, they seem to have lost interest in our children. I’m terribly upset because my kids now get second rate treatment and they don’t get to stay over at their grandparent’s as

before. This I believe is unfair and my husband has refused to tackle his parents. Do you think I should? Nkechi, by e-mail. Dear Nkechi, It is very unusual for grandparents to simply switch off a cordial relationship with their grandchildren, and prioritise one set completely over another for no reason. My bet is that something else is going on here. I’d advice you visit your in-

laws without the kids in tow, and have a quiet word with them. Explain how much their grandchildren miss them and ask what’s gone wrong. But you should be prepared to hear things you don’t like such as their objecting to something you’ve done; or your children have done. Just do your best to build bridges. Remember, if there has been a rift, they’d be probably just as eager as you are to start rebuilding the relationship with their grandchildren.

Dear Bunmi, I am the eldest of four children and the only girl. When we were growing up, I was aware our father was never kind to me. He often said he was disappointed his first offspring wasn’t a son and lavished love and attention on my three siblings who were boys. Our mother, on the other hand, saw how he treated me and lavished attention on me, which enraged him even more. When our mother passed away, he married a mother of two who has now deserted him because of the mild stroke he had. It’s obvious that he’s now frightened of living alone in his old age. I’m happily married to a very caring man and have children of my own. The problem now is that our father wants to come and live with my family. I don’t want him to live with us and to tell you the truth, I don’t want him round my stable home. What should I do? Kike, by e-mail.

Dear Kike, Children learn about love from their parents as they grow up. If they’re lucky— and most of them are— children loved genuinely and unconditionally, give a lot of love back. Unfortunately, your dad clearly didn’t love you in that way— which was a grave error on his part. We all make mistakes but this was a particularly bad one which has affected you greatly. Since it’s very difficult as an adult to give back more love to your parents than you received from them as a child, you should stop feeling guilty for not being responsible for your father’s welfare now he’s old and ill. Do what you can for him— but don’t drastically disrupt your own life in the process. Maybe your brothers, who were the favoured ones, could now give back to him some of the love he’d lavished on them.

Your mistress might discourage you at first, but you’d quickly be replaced if she’s as love-starved as you said she is My ex-husband’s wife is hostile to my daughter Dear Bunmi, When I broke up with my ex three years ago, I left with our daughter who is now five. She used to have a good relationship with her father until he got married early last year and his new wife became hostile towards my little girl. As a result, she became reluctant to visit and said that the woman had hit her. When I tried to talk to her, I got nothing but insults. I told my ex that unless he could guarantee that our daughter would not encounter his hostile wife whenever she visited, he wouldn’t be allowed to see her except I was with her. That was some few months ago and my daughter hasn’t seen his dad since then. She is happier and seems more confident and I believe I have done the right thing. Do you? Apinke, by e-mail. Dear Apinke, You’re right to be concerned

when your girl felt intimidated by his father’s wife. As unacceptable as that was, your action is equally rash. A child needs to feel the love of both parents. Your girl may seem happier now but she needs to develop a strong relationship with her father too. A mother needs to encourage her children’s bond with both parents, as well as with the rest of the family. It’s obvious you value a man who cares for his child. So encourage your ex to do just that. Keeping him apart from his child is unkind. Apologise to him for threatening the separation you have now imposed. Let him feel he’s needed in his daughter’s life and ask him to find his own way to protect your daughter from the hostility of his wife. With time, your ex will value time spent with his daughter more than in the company of a disgruntled wife.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 —35

Baptist Old Boys hold election

BY SONI DANIEL

IL producing communities in Eket, Ibeno, Onna, Esit Eket and Oron local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have kicked against the nomination of some persons for possible appointment as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by Governor Godswill Akpabio. The gover nor, it was gathered, had submitted the names of his Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Mr . Etido Inyang, an engineer from Ikot Ekpene, Umanah Okon Umanah, the current Secretary to the State Government, from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area and Loveday Ekuyok from Eastern Obolo council to the Presidency some weeks ago. Vanguard lear nt that although the name of Ekuyok, who is from Eastern Obolo, one of the oil producing communities in the state, may be tolerated by the major oil communities, the inclusion of Umana and Inyang’s names is seen as an attempt to rubbish the provisions of NDDC Act. Presidency sources confirmed that of the three names submitted by Akpabio, President Goodluck Jonathan was at liberty to pick one of them currently being scrutinised by security agencies. Sources close to Akpabio said that the nomination was done in good faith and that the governor wanted the best

APTIST High School Old Students A s s o c i a t i o n , BAHISOSA, in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, will conduct elections into its national offices on Sunday. The association in a statement by the Chairman and Secretar y, Dr. Solomon Osazuwa and Revd. Excellence Miller, respectively, said the election would be held in Warri. The statement appealed to members to be punctual.

Burial

COMMISSIONING: From left— Mrs. Ogbechie; Engr. Ifeanyi Ogbechie, donor; Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Mrs. Amaechi Mrakpor; Mr. Young Chukwuedo, Transition Chairman, Aniocha North LGA; and Mr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Delta State Commissioner for Project Monitoring, at the commissioning of a community hall built and donated to Atuma Village in Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha North by Engr. Ogbechie.

Oil communities fault Akpabio's nominations for NDDC's MD slot

be promoted to the position of adhered to in the appointment of the MD of the commission. MD of the commission. He said: “If anything is done to the contrary, it will be a big slap on the oil communities. But we hope that what we are hearing is not true.” Reacting to the development, a lawyer from Onna council, one of the major oil communities in Akwa Ibom, political pressure Mr. Bassey Nkanang, said group in Uwvie Lothat they would mobilise as a cal Government Area, group and ensure that the Delta State, The Uvwie provisions of NDDC Act were Transformation, has endorsed Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, chair manship aspirant, Mr . Simon Gbegbaje, for the post of chairman of the council. A statement by its ChairBY TONY NYONG man, Chief Peter Digbori ers of the communities in Eket, that FOL established Eket and and others, expressed the people vowed to fight if Esit Eket community developYO—INDIGENES of Eket their demands were not met. hope in God and confiment foundations, ECDF and and Esit Eket local govdence in the people of The statement said that the EECDF, as a link between the ernment areas of Akwa Ibom communities issued a seven- communities and the comUvwie that Gbegbaje State have given Frontier Oil day ultimatum to FOL to rewould be elected next pany. Limited, FOL, a seven-day chairman of the council. mit N150m for 2011 and 2013 The communities accused ultimatum to pay N150 million community development It expressed confithe company of “playing oil meant for community develop- projects to the two foundations politics” with the Memorandence in the ability of ment projects or face protest. it established. Gbegbaje to take Uvwie dum of Understanding, MoU, In a statement by the leadto the next level. Vanguard checks revealed signed with them.

A Ugbechie Ekpu, OjeAgbe of Umunede Kingdom in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Delta State, 87, is dead Body leaves General Hospital Mortuary, Umunede, for lying-in-state in his compound, Idumu-lle quarters on Friday at noon, followed by interment. Reception will hold at Ogbe Model Primary School, Umunede, on Saturday. He is survived by children, including Mr . L. Ugbechie, Registrar, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, many grandchildren and relatives.

for the state. However, the P aramount Ruler for Ibeno, Owong Effiong Achanga, the largest oil community in the state, has warned that nothing should be done to truncate the desire of the community to have an indigene on the board of NDDC. According to the monarch, the community had already written to the governor that they wanted the current Executive Director, P roject of NDDC, Mr. Edikan Ehsiet, to

LG election: Uvwie group backs Gbegbaje

A/Ibom communities give oil firm 7-day ultimatum over MoU

Late Pa Ekpu.

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

What's your take on early marriage?

OW will a teenager, lik e me for an example, take good care of a family? It will not be wise of the Senate to legalise underage marriage. I see the days of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible coming, if it is approved.— Miss Nana Esupofo, Student.

am not surprised that over 90 percent of senators are in support of this show of mindlessness. Do they not understand the mental, physical, psychological and educational implications of early marriage on the girl child?— Mrs Chinwe Ekwe, Businesswoman.

OW many of those who voted in favour of child marriage will allow their children to marry at the age of 12 or 13? And this shows the kind of leaders we have in this country. They give the masses what they can’t bite.— Mr. Isaac Olorunsogo, Plumber.

T is apparent that the world is coming to an end. Otherwise no right-thinking person would propose a bill that will allow marriage of underage children. Such should not have been allowed or even considered in the first place.— Miss Chimezie Ezembu, Student.

am happy that this is manifesting now that the 2015 elections are close by . We need to be careful and know the kind of people we vote into government during the 2015 elections. Only God knows the motive of the Senate.— Mrs Sukura Yusuf, Hairdresser.

ELL, if we say that someone who is below 18 cannot vote or be voted for, why should such person be offered for marriage? Medically, an under aged girl’s body is not strong enough for intimacy and pregnancy.— Mrs Shola Owolabi, Nurse.

36— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY , JULY 24 ,

2013

Crisis in Ijaw youth group as 2 electoral committees emerge BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

ENAGOA—THE umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide is now being threatened following the emergence of two electoral committee ahead of its National Convention in Bayelsa State on August 10, 2013. While Jeremiah Oba is laying claim to the chairmanship of the Electoral Committee, the electoral committee recognised by the clan heads, zonal chairmen and prominent leaders of IYC is led by renowned human rights/environmental activist, Ann Kio Briggs. The factional electoral committee led by Oba, had accused the Ann Kio-Briggs led committee of breaching IYC constitution based on the age bracket needed to qualify one as a member of IYC. He alleged that the nomination of Ann Kio-Briggs and other executive violates the provision of IYC constitution, since they were above 50 years. But the spokesman of the IYC, Mr Jeremiah Owoupele, described the claims by the Oba led faction as shameful and ridiculous, saying that it was sad that the group led by Oba could claim

Urhobo group to NEF: Stop distracting Jonathan BY FESTUS AHON GHELLI—URHOBO National Youth Council, UNYC, yesterday, told the Northern Elders Forum to desist from distracting President Goodluck Jonathan in the implementation of his transformational agenda to the letter for the benefit of citizens of the country. National President of the group, Mr Monday Oyeghe, while fielding questions from newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State, also northen elders to stop insulting the people of the South South region. Oyeghe said: “They should also stop sending wrong signals to the masses in the North. The North governed the country for close to 40 years, but the South South has governed for just five years and they are complaining. They are heating up the polity unnecessarily. They should stop destroying our nascent democracy. “We enjoin them to join hands with the President and key into the transformational agenda. We also call on Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State to be loyal to the President. We, the people of South South need nothing short of the presidency in 2015 and not the vice president position that Amaechi is aspiring for.”

to be the executive in charge of the national convention despite the outcome of an acceptable meeting held in Abuja. On the alleged illegality in the

composition of the Ann Kio-Briggs Committee based on age violation, he said though the age bracket required to be members of the IY C was 42 years, “ Oba

‘sgroup lack knowledge on the exceptional case that led to the formation of the Ann Kio-Briggs committee.”

UNVEILING: From left: Mr. Enitan Denloye,Director Brands & Communication, Etisalat Nigeria; Mrs. Haidrah Burke-Maduemezia,Retail Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria; Mr. Steven Evans, Cheif Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria and Mr. Charles Ogunwuyi, Director, Retail Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, at the unveilling of Top 10 Etisalat GreekForce Internship in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Police to demolish Abaraka hotel used as kidnappers’ den

hours after the incident on July 15 and the Special Anti Kidnaptim was rescued.” BY EMMAAMAIZE ping Squad, SAKS, detailed a Over the weekend, police in the senior Police officer to handle the SABA—DELTA State matter. Commissioner of Police, state arrested four persons, inState Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, has said cluding the manager of a hotel in Abraka, and the elder brother Mr. Aduba, told Vanguard, “It that police will demolish a hotel Henry Dukuye, for his (Henry) was clearly an insider ’s job, the in Abraka, Ethiope –East Local Government Area, where a 17- abduction, penultimate Sunday, victim’s elder brother, an underin Warri. graduate was one of the suspected year-old kidnap victim, Henry Henry was seized and whisked kidnappers arrested. As soon as Dukuye, was rescued unhurt, to a hotel by a kidnap gang, inreport was lodged with the porecently. Speaking toVanguard, he said cluding his brother , an under - lice, the Government House Tracking Team was deployed “Our resolve to carry the battle graduate. The gang demanded and collected ransom from his famto Warri and at 9am on July to the den of kidnappers is clear , ily. 19, the victim was rescued arrangement had been conThe victim’s father, reported the unhurt by the police through cluded with the council to demolish the hotel, where the vic- kidnap of his son to the police 24 a bait of ransom.”

Uduaghan commended on SURE-P fund

BY EMMAARUBI

ARRI—TRANSITION Committee Chairman of Warri South Local Gover nment Area of Delta State, Dr. Austin Uroye, has commended the state governor, Dr . Emmanuel Uduaghan for the prompt release of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme , SURE-P fund allocation to the council. Uroye gave the commendation at the council’s secretariat, Warri, yesterday dur ing the formal launching of the council’s SURE-P during which 400 persons got N100,000 each and 100 others got brand new tricycles (Keke NAPEP) as the first phase of beneficiaries of the Federal Government sponsored programme.

He said that the council had to key into the Federal and State Governments human empowerment scheme through SURE-P by providing funds to small scale and petty traders, and fishermen in the

riverine areas to purchase fishing net and other items for their occupation as well as procured and distributed 100 tricycles to ease transportation problem in the council.

Firm wins quality award in New York BY EMMA ELEBEKE

B U J A —NIGERIAN engineering and fabrication company, Blazing Engineering, Abuja, has won an international award in recognition for the quality of its products. The recognition given by the International Quality Summit was presented to company in New York, where business leaders from 72 countries converged to promote the culture of quality. President of the summit, Mr . Jose Prieto, said the convention provides a unique opportunity for

managers to showcase their companies before an international audience and present their achievements in quality. According to him, the award in the world of quality was based on QC100 principles, customer satisfaction, ISO 9000 and T otal Quality Management. Receiving the award,the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr. Jonny Anunobi, said that it was a rare privilege for a Nigerian firm, Abuja Glazing to be counted in the gathering of the world’s outstanding business organisations and leaders.

Oshiomhole lauded on devt BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN CITY—THE chairman of Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, EDBIR, Chief Useni Elamah, has said that the provision of basic infrastructure in the three senatorial districts of the state, was an indication that the tax payers money was being utilized properly by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole led administration. Urging the people of the state to continue to pay their taxes so as to continuously enjoy development in the state, he pointed out that it was sinful not to pay taxes since the Almighty God had stressed in the Bible the need for people to respect the authorities where they reside. Elamah spoke at a oneday tax sensitisation seminar by the New Benin Youth Organisation in collaboration with EDBIR, yesterday in Benin City. The seminar was to enlighten, educate/sensitise the people, especially at the grassroots, and it featured scholars, who spoke on the imperative of paying taxes. Elamah described tax as the major drive of internally generated revenue aimed at providing basic infrastructure for the people.

Passage

ADAM Martha Akpotu, aged 98, of Ikpide-Irri town in Isoko South LGA, Delta State, is dead. A statement by Mr . Titus Akpotu, one her children, said funeral programmes will commence on Friday, July 26, with service of songs and christian wake keep at her residence in Uzi Quarters, Ikpide-Irri town. She will be buried at her residence.

Late Martha Akpotu

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 37

C M Y K

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

PDP stalwart hails Orji on Ngwa handover bid

APGA crisis 'll be resolved soon —Anambra SSG

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—SECRETARY to Anambra State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has expressed optimism that the leadership crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, would be resolved to put the party in good stead for the forthcoming local government and governorship elections in the state. Obaze, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, explained in an interview that stakeholders and elders in the party had stepped in to reconcile the aggrieved members. He said: “The process for reconciliation has already begun and we believe in the ability of our elders and other stakeholders to handle the matter well. "Leaders of the party , including those involved in the crisis, have expressed desire to give peace a chance in the interest of our people and supporters.”

Abia House condemns use of govt number plates by ex-officials BY ANAYO OKOLI

M UA H I A — A B I A State House of Assembly yesterday condemned the use of government vehicle plate numbers by past government officials in the state, describing it as illegal and an abuse of right. The House, in a motion, passed a resolution urging past government officials still using government vehicle plate numbers to return them to the relevant ministries and agencies. The House also condemned the increasing rate of gambling by students and pupils in the state and called on government and parents to play their proper roles in the control of the students. Deputy speaker of the House and chairman, House Committee on Information, Chief Alwell Okere said the House observed that secondary students and even primary school pupils had been engaging in playing lotto, which is a form of gambling.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, cutting the tape to officially open the Dialysis centre of Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia. He is flanked on his right by Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State, Bishop Ikechi Nwosu, Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor, Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe and Prof. Augustus Mbanaso, Chief Medical Director, and on his left by Ude Okochukwu, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly and his deputy.

Enugu reps lobby for creation of Adada state BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS

BUJA—ENUGU State caucus in the House of Representatives, yesterday, endorsed the creation of Adada from the present Enugu State with capital in Nsukka. Briefing newsmen on the clamour for Adada State, Chairman, House Committee on Marine T ransport, Ifeanyi Uguanyi, who read the statement on behalf of other Reps said: “The request for creation of Adada State has received the endorsement of all the senators, members of the House of Representatives and local government council members

from the Area. "In addition, the Enugu State House of Assembly as well as the chairmen and councillors of all the local government councils in Enugu State (in particular those from the area in question) have endorsed the creation of Adada State.” Uguanyi explained that Adada state initiative had the backing of many traditional rulers, clergy , leaders of thought, intellectuals and academia, political leaders, women and youth groups. He said: “Significantly also, the House of Representatives on March 16, 1983, passed a resolution in support of the creation of Adada State.

"Adada state creation process has satisfied all the requirements of Section 8 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. "The purpose of this briefing is to seek the support of the South-East caucus and our colleagues in the National Assembly in our quest for justice, fairplay and recognition of the contributions of the people of the area where the demand originates from, in the/social, educational, economic and political development of Nigeria. "The caucus is fully committed to and supports the ongoing Constitution Amendment process in the National Assembly.”

Nigerians spend N41bn annually on medical treatment in India — Gov Orji BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA—STATISTICS from Indian High Commission in the country has shown that Nigerians spend over N41 billion annually on medical treatment in Indian due to the parlous state of affairs in the nation’s hospitals. Governor Theodre Orji of Abia State disclosed this on Monday at the commissioning of the state’s diagnostic centre, Umuahia. According to him, the amount is spent by about 18,000 Nigerians who thronged hospitals in India for solutions to their medical problems. The governor explained that it was in recognition of the expertise of Indians in the field of medicine that his state went into partnership with an Indian

firm, Mecure, to establish the diagnostic centres, each in Umuahia and Aba. He said the centre would save Nigeria the big capital flight which Nigerians had been taking out for treatment in India, as the state government had made efforts to bring the Indians to Nigeria. Governor Orji, who noted that the centres were equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, listed the equipment to include four machines for renal diseases, one for HIV/AIDS, one for hypostasis and remaining one on standby. He said the state was also partnering with the Indian firm for eye hospital which would be ready in three months. Governor Orji said: “We will drastically reduce the number

of people going to India for medical treatment and also save the huge amount of money being spent. We are also partnering them in eye treatment. We have entered an understanding with them. We have made some money available to them. “If there is any sector we have made tremendous achievement, it is in the health sector.We have nine 100-bed hospitals going on in the state now. “I have come to serve you; I have come not to deceive you. If I am a deceiver, you will know. I am not a deceiver. My yes is my yes, my no is my no”. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, commended the governor for his vision in the health sector and urged the people to make maximum use of the centre.

People’s Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Chief Lawrence Nwangwa, yesterday , lauded Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State over his vow to hand over to a successful Ukwa Ngwa candidate from Abia South senatorial zone. In a statement, Nwangwa noted that the governor’s reaffirmation of his desired objective of letting an Ukwa Ngwa person occupy the position was an eloquent testimony that he was a man of equity. The Ngwa Renaissance Group leader stated that no Ukwa Ngwa person had been governor since the creation of Abia State in 1991. He said: “The Ngwa Renaissance Group is glad that Governor Theodore Orji has vowed to hand over to a successful Ukwa Ngwa candidate from Abia South senatorial zone. Abia South Senatorial zone consists of the following six local Government areas: Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

MAN, Bank of Industry parley on loan assessment

HE need to bridge the yawning gap between the manufacturing sector and Bank of Industry, BoI, in the area of loan assessment will be the focal point of a meeting of captains of industries in Lagos tomorrow. The parley, which is being put together by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Ikeja branch, with the theme, ‘Bridging the Gap between Manufacturing and the bank of Industry,’ will have the Managing Director , Bank of Industr y, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, as guest speaker. MAN’s Executive Secretary, Mr . Joseph Emoleke, in a statement said the discussion include basic requirements for obtaining loans from BoI, charges applicable to such loans and other areas where the real sector can partner with the BoI.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—39

CHAMPIONSHIP: From left, Mr. Braimah Ademuyiwa, Director, Finance & Admin. Sports; Mr. Kolawole Oyeyemi, GM, Consumer Marketing, MTN; Dr. Abiola Awonuga, Permanent Secetary, Lagos State Office of Sports, and Mr. Tunji Nosiru, Asst. Director of Staco Insurance, during MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship Season 6, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

COMMISSIONING: From left, Alara of Ilara, HRM, Oba Adesanya Okunola; Vice Chairman, Eredo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Hon. Olusanya Olayinka, and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the commissioning of motorised borehole and accessories donated by Mr. Tunji Osunsanya, to commemorate Senator' Ashafa's 58th birthday, at Ilara community, Eredo, Epe.

CONFERENCE: From left, Scouting Manager, Africa’s Next Top Model, Maria Arrington; Supermodel and hostess, Oluchi Orlandi; and Line Producer, Dirk Dewaal, during the press conference on the auditioning of 2013 Nigeria edition of Model Reality Search, in Lagos

COMMISSION: Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Investment, Chief Abiye Amakiri, (middle), cutting the tape to commission a new branch of Stanbic IBTC Bank in Port Harcourt. He is flanked by Head of the Personnel and Business Banking, West Africa, Standard Bank, Mr. Lincoln Mali (right), and Branch Manager, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Iniobong Umofia (left)

DINNER: From left, African Leadership Academy, ALA, West African Regional Director, Catherine Bickersteth; CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange,Oscar Onyema; Director of Communications, GE Africa, Patricia Obozuwa; Communications Coordinator, GE Nigeria,Yewande Sobamowo; and Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Gbenga Oyebode, during ALA Indaba Dinner Programme.

LECTURE: From left,Vice Chairman, Island Club, Alhaji Adedeji Salako; the Ojomu of Ajiranland,HRM, Oba Tijani Akinloye, and Chairman, Island Club,Prince Demola Dada, during the 2013 annual Ramadan lecture: 'The State SecurityIslamic Approach,' at Peacock Hall,Island Club,Lagos.

VISIT: From left,Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Oyo State, Mr.Kunle Adeduntan; Community Relations Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, Engr. Solomon Ogundele; Executive Director, BATNF, Mrs. Oluwasoromidayo George, and Commissioner for Agriculture Oyo State, Mr. Peter Odetomi, during a courtesy visit by BATNF team to the Ministry of Agriculture. C M Y K

EVENT: INEC Commissioner, Dr.Mike Igini (right) in a handshake with Chief Patrick Aziza, President General, Urhobo Progress Union, during an event at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho, weekend. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire

BRIEFING: From right, Prof, John Ibu, Chairman, NAFDAC Governing Council; Dr. Paul Orhii, DG, NAFDAC, and Mrs. Stella Denloye, Director, Laboratory Services, NAFDAC, during a press briefing on activities of the agency, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24,2013

Security expert lauds conviction of four Boko Haram members

RAMADAN TALK BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

BY EVELYN USMAN

AGOS—PRESI DENT of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, AISSON, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has applauded the conviction and sentencing of four members of the Boko Haram terrorist group for multiple bombings and killings in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Suleja, Niger State between March and July 2011. Acknowledging what he described as courage and wisdom of the Abuja Federal High Court Judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, Ekhomu stated that terror trial judgments should show the capacity of the judiciary to contribute in combating terrorism. Speaking with Vanguard in Lagos, he called for capital punishment for terrorist crimes, saying, “the life which they took from innocent victims must be avenged”, even as he called for severe and swift justice for terror suspects, pointing out that justice delayed was justice denied. Describing terrorism as “mala in se” meaning the personification of evil, Ekhomu advised Nigerian jurists to rebuff attempts by some unscrupulous lawyers to frustrate or delay trials by raising endless frivolous motions.

PRESENTATION—Governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, presenting a honorary membership certificate of the state executive council to the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote (left), during Dangote's donation to women and youths in the State.

$110 ,0 0 0 FRAUD: EFCC nabs fake ADB director L

tricked the dealer to follow him to a bank in Lekki area of Lagos in order to be given the Naira equivalent of the dollars to be sold to him. But on getting to the bank in Lekki, the suspect pleaded with the operator to accompany him in his siren-blaring Toyota Hilux Pick-Up Van to a “nearby branch of a bank. On the way to the said bank, Chukwueze picked up two armed men on the road who forcefully dispossessed the operator of the $92,000 and threw him off his vehicle. Thereafter, he allegedly went on another voyage to disposes another hard currency dealer of $110,000 where he was arrested. Before then, he had successfully fleeced tacked the Darazo Divi- one is currently receivmany other unsuspectsional Police Station and ing treatment”. ing currency dealers in a bank, but the Police reAuyo who said that the pelled the bank robbery hoodlums fled after the Abuja and Lagos. Items recovered from and prevented the hood- attack, disclosed that him included 21 differlums from burning down the P olice had coment telephone handsets, the Police station. menced investigation complimentary cards of "There was a fight beover the incident, but no tween the attackers and arrest have been made African Development Bank bearing Aboki J. our men, but while we up to this moment. Brown, fake $15,000 were exchanging fire Chairman Caretaker with the hoodlums a mo- Committee Darazo Lo- bills, cheque books of difbile Policeman was killed cal Government Alhaji ferent banks among othand stray bullets hit three Kabiru Sade, also said ers. Uwujaren confirmed young female hawkers. normalcy had been reTwo of them died in the stored and the situation that Chukwueze would soon be charged to court. hospital while the other was under control. AGOS—A MAN de scribed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a serial fraudster, has been ar rested by the operatives of the agency and taken to custody in Abuja. Dr. P rincewell Arinze Chukwueze, who has been presenting himself in public as Aboki J. Brown, and Director with the African Development Bank based in Cote D’ Ívoire, was alleged to have swindled several unsuspecting Nigerians of huge sums of hard currency. The EFCC said, yester-

day, that its operatives succeeded in arresting the man after laying ambush for him for over two months. The latest offence that landed him in trouble was the alleged swindling of a Lagos-based bureau de change operator of $92,000 in May this year. The spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest, alleged that Chukwueze offered to buy $65,000 from the currency dealer but later increased it to $92,000. He said the fake banker thereafter

Three killed, others injured as gunmen attack bank, police station in Bauchi

AUCHI—A MO BILE Police man and two teenagers were, yesterday, killed while a female hawker sustained serious injury after gunmen attacked a bank and Police Station in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Bauchi, saying “the gunmen stormed the town around 9pm and atC M Y K

Repent! Allah is Oft-forgiving

HE merits and rewards of ‘T awbah’ repentance to Allah especially in this month cannot be exhausted. The Prophet in one of his messages told us that woe be unto any one who failed to utilise this month in seeking forgiveness of sins and in order to earn Allah’s pleasure. Allah the most high says in the Holy Quran: “Indeed Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves.“ Q2:222 “Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. T ruly, He is Oft-F orgiving, Most Merciful.” (Q39:53) How do you go about it? First you need to show remorse and feel sorry for the sins you have committed. This means that you have to discontinue that act immediately and make a resolve not to go back to it again. You can help yourself by moving away from situations and environments that encourage sinful act.

HEN seek forgiveness after every Salat and during the night. This will help us not only to be regular in our salat, but also to inculcate the habit of Tahajjud. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west (start of day of judgment)”. [Sahih Muslim]. Again, the Quran says: “And Allah has the most excellent and perfect names, so worship and invoke Him by them” (Q7:180.While seeking forgiveness, Allah’s names concerning His Attributes of forgiveness and kindness should be used. Among the perfect Names of Allah, the Majestic and Most High, is Al-’Afuww (He who pardons), and Al-Ghafoor (He who forgives), and Al-Ghaffaar (The Oft-Forgiving). Recite Astaghfirullah‘ 33 times after every salat or a minimum of 100 times a day as was reported in Sahih Muslim. And say Allahuma inaka afuuwu tuibu-l- afuuwa fa’afuwa nii. (Repeatedly) Allah, the Majestic and Most High, loves our calling upon Him by His names and worshipping Him by that which His names demand. There is nothing wrong in weeping in the process of calling Allah for forgiveness if we are sincere about the fear of His punishment. “One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter Hell till milk returns back in the udder…” [At-Tirmidhi]. Focusing on the obligatory acts and steering clear of what Allah has forbidden keeps us away from sins.

F an evil action has been done, it should be followed up with a good one. Righteous actions expiate the evil actions. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The five daily prayers and one Jumu’ah to the next, and one Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation for what lies between them as a long as one refrains from the major sins.” [Sahih Muslim] And he said: “One Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is in between them.”. Are you on your way for Umrah? Again, endeavour to exercise a lot of self control this can be done by reciting A ’udhu Billahi min ashshaytaan-i’r rajeem. Remember that Prophet Adam (a.s) was misled by Shaytan into disobeying Allah. However, he regretted it considerably and repented very sincerely. Allah (SWT) showed His Mercy on them. “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou forgive us not, and bestow not upon us oYur Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (Q7:23) and Allah forgave them. Allah says: “……. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.” (Q2:37).

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 — 41

C M Y K

42—VANGUARD,WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 20 13

Why Appeal Court freed Al-Mustapha & Co

The lead judgement continues on how the prosecution failed to call necessary witnesses. Continued from yesterday

UT assuming this is not so, the Pros ecution has anyway failed to produce the bullet, that was extracted from the skull of the deceased. If made available, it would have needed a ballistician to certify, what kind of bullet it was. The Prosecution had not explained why they had failed to produce the bullet at the trial. This is fatal to their case. It is obvious that the Prosecution witnesses fielded by the Prosecution have been so discredited even in cross-examination that no reasonable Court can convict on the evidence available. PW4 did not even avail himself of the opportunity to be cross-examined. Now may I ask, why one Bello Sakwanga, who worked with the DG SSS. Lt. Col. Kayode Are, who allegedly gave some money to PW2 from the Appellant not called to testify? It is foolhardy and indeed preposterous to say that the contradictions in the evidence of the Prosecution witnesses were not material, as the learned trial judge observed. They were very material and so I hold. Where evidence of witnesses are contradictory of each other, it is the duty of the judge to discountenance same and treat the entire evidence as unreliable. It is a duty in law, not one marked by discretion. See ONUBOGWU & ANOR V. STATE (1974) 9 S.C. 1 @ 19-20. But the contradiction must be material and against the very life issue of a case, and must go to the root of the Prosecution’s case. It must be on material facts. DW2 Kyari Jidai Gadzama said he was in Abuja and he saw PW2 at the armoury on the fateful day i.e 4th June 1996 when he went to sign for arms - page 1142 of the Record of Appeal Vol. 3. It is the law that contradictions must be explained by the Prosecution AHMED V. STATE (1959) 5 SC. Pt 11 page 33. It is trite that a Court cannot speculate or imagine explanation for the contradictions, neither can it choose and pick which of the Prosecution witnesses

taken from Sarkin Sha-Sha and members of Abiola family, to the Prosecution. Indeed they were duty bound to provide the Prosecution all the necessary exhibits and statements. They did not! The Respondent had relied on Section 7 of the Criminal Code which talks about PRINCIPAL OFFENDERS. It is the view of the Respondent that the Appellant fails within the category. I shall reproduce the provisions of it. “When an offence is committed each of the following persons is deemed to have taken part in committing the offence and to be guilty of the offence, and now, be charged with actually committing it, that is to say (a) every person who actually does the act or makes the omission which constitutes the offence. (b) every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence. (c) every person who aids another person in committing the offence. (d) any person who counsels or procures any other person to commit the offence” The basis of the success of any charge is the ingredient in that charge, being established, coupled with credible and cogent evidence to buttress same. Where the offence charged lacks any of these, then it is not established and the accused person shall, of right, enjoy the benefit of this lacuna. There is no evidence that the Appellant pulled the trigger which culminated in the death of the deceased on the 4th of June 1996. There is nothing to show that the Appellant did, or omit to do any act for the purpose of enabling, or aiding another person, to commit the offence with which he is charged. There is no evidence that the Appellant counseled or procured any other person to commit the offence with which he was charged. It is my view that all these facts remain unproven. Therefore Section 7 of the Criminal Code referred to by the Respondent is misconceived and I so hold. It is apparent that the lower Court did not properly evaluate the evidence before it, or it would not have reached the decision which he did. Decidedly, pfoper

The basis of the success of any charge is the ingredient in that charge, being established, coupled with credible and cogent evidence to buttress same. Where the offence charged lacks any of these, then it is not established and the accused person shall, of right, enjoy the benefit of this lacuna

to believe, in matters relating to contradictions. It was incumbent that the lower Court expunges the evidence the evidence of PW2 and PW3 even that of PW4 but it did not, but instead relied on their evidence. Curiously, the Prosecution agreed that the evidence of the Prosecution witnesses are unreliable. He however did not treat them as hostile witnesses. I wonder how the lower Court could have referred to these witnesses as reliable. The failure of PW4 to make himself available for cross-examination had a lot of implications.They were by the very nature of their job, to find out the result of the initial investigation in1996 and the reason why all the investigative agencies did not produce statements

evaluation of evidence postulates inter alia the following (a) What was the evidence before the trial Court? (b) Whether it accepted or rejected any evidence upon the correct perceptions. (c) Whether it correctly approached the assessment of the evidence before it and placed the right probative value on it. It is curious that the alleged “participes criminis” in this matter resiled from their potentially devastating evidence in the face of the Court. This is the view held by the Respondent and I must say that I share same view. The Prosecution has been unable to provide direct, or circumstantial evidence pinning the Appellant to the com-

Major Al-Mustapha mission of the crime of conspiracy to murder the deceased, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. If there is anything to go by , it was PW2 who should have been charged with conspiracy to murder. At page 14 paragraph 4.2.3 of the Respondent’s brief, he conceded that the direct evidence of the Prosecution against the Appellant has a challenge of credibility, arising from the contradictory evidence of PW2 and PW3. But he argues that, that would not detract from the fact that there was evidence before the Court as to who murdered Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. This is my view, is a contradiction in terms. But with respect, if there is a challenge of credibility from contradiction, how then can this contradiction not affect the circumstantial evidence? Contradictions remain contradictions. The materiality of it is what matters. The contradictions in the evidence of PW2 and PW3 are devastatingly material and remain so, without any explanation, from the Prosecution.

Evaluation of the facts Truly the trial Court is the master of the facts of evidence put before it. And it must master these facts prudently and objectively. Not erratically or with bias, in arriving at a just conclusion. Therefore the inference it must deduce from these facts must make sense. Its evaluation of the facts must be fraught with equity and good conscience, and its assessment of them must not be perverse- see AKINBISADE V. STATE (2006) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1007) 184 @ 193 where the Supreme Court observed inter alia “However such inference or assessment or evaluation of evidence must be properly based on the available evidence given before it and not outside it. It is also necessary to ensure that there are no co-existing circumstances which would weaken or destroy the inference evaluation or assessment.”

Alhaji Lateef Shofola Therefore the litmus test is whether any circumstantial evidence is reasonable and supported by evidence, cogent and compelling, not conjecture. The Respondent may have argued that PW2 and PW3 are accomplices by their evidence. See page 10 of Appellant’s brief. Indeed the learned trial judge treated them as accomplices. Worthy of note is that PW2 and PW3 were the star witnesses for the Prosecution in this case. At page 1838 of the Record of Appeal the learned trial judge observed “in this case PW2 and PW3 are themselves accomplices in the commission of the offences herein preferred their evidence substantially corroborates the evidence of PW1 on the fact that Late Kudirat Abiola was shot near the Lagos end of the Old Toll gate going towards Lagos the uncommon bullet with which she was murdered was extracted from her head that same day of 4th June, 1996 by a Team of Medical e xperts including PW1 who participated in the surgical operation and who also confirmed her dead thereafter on the same day.” Section 198 of the Evidence Act has this to say “An accomplice shall be a competent witness against a Defendant, and a conviction is not illegal merely because it proceeds upon the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice Provided that in cases when the only proof against a person charged with a criminal offence is the evidence of an accomplice, uncorroborated in any material particular implicating the Defendant, the Court shall due it itself that it is unsafe to convict any person upon such evidence.” Corroboration is not meant to give credence to evidence which is deficient, suspect, or incredible. It is required to support the evidence which is sufficient, satisfactory and credible. A witness cannot corroborate himself. Evidence of a witness which requires corroboration cannot be used to corroborate the evidence of another witness. To be continued

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 — 43

William, Kate emerge from hospital with baby prince T

HEDuke and Duchess of Cambridge have emerged from hospital with their new baby son. Walking out of St Mary’s Hospital in west London with their son to cheers from well wishers, the Duchess said it was “a special time for any parent”. Prince William said they were “still working on a name”. The couple went back inside the private Lindo Wing and placed the child in a car seat. The duke drove his family away towards Kensington Palace. Speaking to reporters, the

couple both said the experience was “ very emotional”. Meanwhile, Prince Charles had visited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and his new grandson in hospital in west London. The arrival of the Prince of W ales, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, came two hours after the duchess’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, became their first visitors. Speaking as she left St Mary ’s Hospital, Mrs Middleton told reporters

the baby was “absolutely beautiful”. It is expected that the new family will leave

yesterday evening or early today . Mrs Middleton said mother and baby were

“both doing really well - we are so thrilled”. She added her first cuddle with her new

grandson had been “amazing” and said the new parents were doing “fabulously”.

U.N Security Council to meet with Syrian opposition

HE U.N. Security Council will hold an informal meeting with members of the opposition Syrian National Coalition this week, Britain’s U.N. envoy said yesterday. Although, it was unclear whether the chief rebel commander will attend, the meeting, according to the envoy will take place on Friday and include political and military representatives of the Syrian opposition, British Ambassador Mark L yall Grant said in a statement. Saudi-backed tribal leader Ahmed al-Jarba, the new president of the coalition, will lead the delegation, he said. Lyall Grant said the informal nature of the meeting would “provide a forum for members of the council to have a frank

and informal exchange with the National Coalition, to discuss key issues relating to the Syrian conflict.” Those issues include “ending the violence and preparing for the Geneva II conference, as well as addressing the issues of humanitarian access, human rights, refugees and protection of civilians.”

HE European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has told Malta to pay thousands of euros in compensation to two African migrants whose rights were violated. A Somali woman who had a miscarriage during her detention in 2011 is to receive 30,000 euros (£26,000; $40,000), plus 3,000 euros in costs. A man alleged to be from Sierra Leone is to receive 27,000 euros in total.

Pope Francis’ car mobbed by crowds in Brazil

RENZIED crowds of Roman Catholics mobbed the car carrying Pope Francis on Monday when he returned to his home continent for the first time as pontiff, embarking on a seven-day

visit meant to fan the fervor of the faithful around the globe At one point, the vehicle appeared to become stuck in one of the city’s infamous traffic jams, after the driver reportedly

missed lanes that had been cleared by the security services. Crowds immediately gathered round the car with one woman even passing her baby

through the window for a kiss from the Holy Father. The visit to Brazil is his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Catholic Church in March.

Al Qaeda frees 500 inmates in Iraq jail-br eak A

L Qaeda, yesterday c l a i m e d responsibility for simultaneous raids on two Iraqi prisons and said more than 500 inmates had been set free in the operation, one of its most brazen in Iraq.

EU court fines Malta over migrant detentions

Pope Francis's car mobbed by crowds

The court said the woman’s prison conditions were “degrading”. Malta is a target for boatloads of migrants. Earlier this month Malta cancelled flights it had booked to return migrants to Libya, after an emergency intervention by the ECHR. The court in Strasbourg issued rulings on Tuesday concerning Aslya Aden Ahmed, a Somali national, and Ibrahim Suso Musa, allegedly from Sierra Leone.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, formed earlier this year through a merger of al Qaeda’s affiliates in Syria and Iraq, said it had stormed Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib jail and another, some 20 km (12 miles) north of capital, after months of preparation. Monday ’s attacks came exactly a year after the leader of al Qaeda’s Iraqi branch, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, launched a “Breaking the W alls” campaign that made freeing its imprisoned members a top priority , the group sai d in a statement. Sunni Islamist militants have in recent months been regaining momentum in their insurgency against Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government, which came to power after the

U.S. invasion to oust Saddam Hussein. The group said it had deployed suicide attackers, rockets, and 12 car bombs, killing 120

Iraqi guards and SWAT forces in the attacks in Taji, north of Baghdad, and Abu Ghraib, the prison made notorious a decade ago by

photographs showing abuse of prisoners by U.S. soldiers. Interior ministry and medical sources said 29 police and soldiers were killed, and 36 wounded.

Death toll rises in Egypt's crisis

T least eleven people were killed in overnight clashes in Cairo between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, the interior ministry has said. The violence broke out before dawn yesterday near a Muslim Brotherhood protest at Cairo University, where Morsi supporters have been camped out since the army removed the Islamist politician from power on July 3 after protests against his rule. Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros, reporting from

Cairo’s Nasr City district, said that eleven people had been killed in Monday’s clashes - including

overnight in Giza. Nineteen people were also injured, health officials said.

Pope arrives Rio for world youth day launch

SPope Francis. arrived Brazilian city of Rio on Monday for his first trip abroad since becoming head of the Roman Catholic Church, hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics have gathered at Copacabana Beach in the Brazil for the opening of the world youth day festival. The highlight of the

festival will be a visit tomorrow by P ope Francis.His visit is taking place under tight security, after weeks of protests against the government and corruption. Yesterday’s evening mass at Copacabana Beach was led by Rio’s Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta.

44—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Anambra 2013:

Set for battle

WITH the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, setting the date for the Anambra gubernatorial election, the political landscape is being reshaped for battle. BY VINCENT UJUMADU

ITH the release of the guidelines for the governorship election in Anambra State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, political parties and their flag bearers are, at long last, set to do battle for one of them to succeed Governor Peter Obi whose eight –year tenure will terminate on March 17, 2014. What makes the governorship contest unique is that it will take place on November 16, 2013, which happens to be the birthday of Nigeria’s first president and the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr . Nnamdi Azikiwe, who hailed from the state. Though INEC may not have deliberately fixed the election to coincide with Zik’s birthday, the date has some significance to Anambra politicians as the man whose birthday will be marked on that date, was associated with peaceful conduct throughout his many years in politics, both during the colonial and postcolonial era. So far, none of those eyeing the Government House in A wka could be said to be strikingly ahead of others in terms of possession of political structure, due significantly to the crises rocking most of the major political parties expected to present candidates for the election and the decision of others to merge into a mega political party. This is unlike the situation in 2010 when, six months before the election, the front runners among the contestants were already known. In the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for

•Okonkwo: APC pointman

Most popular aspirant

•Ekwunife: Second outing sitting in Enugu has resolved the issue of the leadership of the party in favour of Chief Umeh by

This is unlike the situation in 2010 when, six months before the election, the front runners among the contestants were already known

instance, the performance of the outgoing governor, Mr. Peter Obi ought to have been enough boost for any candidate selected by the party to be its flag bearer,but the over one year leadership battle waged between the national chairman, Chief V ictor Umeh and Governor Obi has left the over 20 governorship aspirants in the party more confused. Though the Court of Appeal

•Ngige: Still consulting

Alex Obiogbolu. As is typical with the PDP , most of the aspirants are still pressing their buttons in Abuja, apparently hoping that the national leadership of the party would push decisions that would personally favour them. That is despite the insistence of the state chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi that any governorship aspirant who hopes to come through the back door is bound to fail as it is the people on ground that would cast the votes and not outsiders. The emerging All Progressives Congress, APC, is not faring better. The fusing political parties namely, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the All Nigeria Peoples P arty, ANPP , the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and an APGA faction led by Senator Annie Okonkwo are yet to properly harmonize as a political party.

declaring that he remains the national chairman, his group and that of Chief Maxi Okwu, which is supported by Obi, are yet to harmonize issues concerning the party’s guidelines for the election. While Umeh said shortly after the Court of Appeal judgment that party restructuring would begin in earnest to place APGA in a proper position for the

•Ubah: Drawing support with money November 16 governorship polls, the Okwu camp is said to be weighing the option of taking the matter to the Supreme Court, although many people in his camp acknowledge the fact that time is not on his side. Umeh has, however, promised a level – playing field for all aspirants at the primaries, insisting that he has no personal interest in any aspirant. For now, notable aspirants in APGA, including the incumbent secretary to the state government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the former SSG, Chief Chidi Odenigbo, former president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Prince Chinedu Idigo, Mr. Nnamdi Ekweozor , Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and others, are busy oiling their structures and waiting for events to unfold in the

party. For the P eoples Democratic Party, PDP, the big names expected to make the difference include Senator Andy Uba, who was governor for 17 days in 2007 before the Supreme Court stopped him, Prof. Charles Soludo who was the party ’s candidate in 2010, Senator Emma Anosike who was running mate to Soludo in the 2010 contest, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, who had vied for the position in the last three exercises, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on technical matters, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Dr . Obinna Uzor who had also been in the race in the past, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, Chief Tony Nwoye who was former state chairman of the party and Dr .

Before now, it had been thought that APC would easily cede the governorship ticket of the party to Senator Chris Ngige, unarguably the most popular aspirant in the party , but developments in the fledgling party showed that some people in the party are bent on stopping him. Senator Okonkwo for one is very much interested in participating in the primaries for the selection of the governorship candidate of APC, despite his present position as deputy national chairman. Also, Chief Godwin Ezemo believed to be financially loaded, is insisting that he would not step down for anybody. Besides, officials of the political parties coming together to form APC appear not to be trusting each other as they are busy positioning their individual political parties for the juicy party positions, at a time the emphasis would have been on the November 16 governorship election. For instance, one of the leaders of APC is believed to be favourably disposed to appointing the state chairman of the party from outside the fold of the merging political parties, an issue that is not going down well with other leaders from other legacy parties in the merger. Continues on page 45

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—45

How we'll bury PDP in Anenih’s backyard — Oboh can win. The PDP has been in charge of the Local Government since 1999 and we can see the difference in terms of development. The only good road we have today in Esan North East was constructed by the Oshiomhole administration, so we are going to win that election landslide. Let me also tell you that it is not true that the area is PDP Let me tell you performance is dominated. That you have the based on evaluation. For those Minister from that place and the who believe he has performed, House of Reps member, does not there are parameters of translate to votes. And I tell you, assessment it is not on the pages these people have nothing to of newspaper. Go to the streets offer any more. of Uromi and see the performance. It is on record that Meaningful while he was in office, there was development an attempt he made towards road construction but as I speak with In Esan North East PDP is you all the roads are in sordid dancing to an imaginary music state, they are just about two because the gods have left them. roads in all the period he spent It is a party that was once known as chairman and the roads are in the locality but because of their located in one constituency. misrule and lack of meaningful The election will come up development to show the people, soon, how optimistic are you for the people have left them. The victory? coming of Oshiomhole changed If and when the election comes everything because the people tomorrow, the will of the people now saw practical development. will prevail. Going by the That was why the PDP lost the developmental strides of the local government during the ACN in Edo state, the projects governorship election despite the we have speak for us. I am a presence of these personalities. product of such a system so I You will ask yourself what has expect our people to look at the changed that will make the at the federal level which they developmental strides of the voters turn against ACN, if used during the botched election. ACN led government in our area anything there is more But I believe that whatever they and give me their vote. Let me development now than before tried to do the voice of the people tell you, how can the PDP think that will make the people vote will prevail at the end of the day . they can win an election where ACN. they lost few months ago during I can tell you the much But some persons believed the governorship election. orchestrated noise about the your opponent performed well During the governorship dominance of PDP in Esan North while he was chairman of that election, ACN won eight out of East is a mirage, it is not a council, are you saying you have the eleven wards in the council. reality. So I can assure you that better political credentials than So what has changed between any day the election is fixed I will him? then and now that they think they triumph.

ESAN North East Local Government Council of Edo state is the only council in Edo state that is yet to enjoy full democratic governance in the state following the cancellation of the April 20, 2013 Local Government election in the area. Election into the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the area have been cancelled twice due to what the Edo state Independent National Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) described as alleged electoral malpractices and violence witnessed during the elections. The EDSIEC assured that a new date will be fixed for the election. However, the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Mr John Yakubu had in a recent interview faulted the decision of the EDSIEC to cancel the election which he claimed victory. But in this interview with Vanguard, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for the election, Mr Sam Abhulimen Oboh said Yakubu lacks the political pedigree to win election in the area, saying that his claim was too hasty and laughable. Excerpts: BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

OUR opponent in the election is claiming victory and faulted the cancellation of the election, what is your take? For me it is the people that will decide who will be chairman of the council. I want to also say that it is highly condemnable for my opponent to claim victory in a process that was declared cancelled. This is a contest that has an umpire and it is morally wrong for any of us to claim victory in that process. And I think it is even an offence for him to declare himself winner in a process that was cancelled. And by now I expected he should have been arrested because such an action is capable of causing crisis in the land because he has no power to declare himself winner of the election. It is also very funny, I have heard recently where he said at any time the election is called, even if it is hundred times that he is going to win the election. I don’t see that as optimism, I see it as political naivety, he is just being naïve. For me his comments shows that he has a mind set to cheat, a mindset not to accept the verdict of the people because he has already made up his mind that he must win at all cost. That is

•Oboh desperation. But I would rather say that the voice of the people will be respected through the ballot and I will not join him by declaring myself winner when the process has not commenced. But we have to watch out for him because I believe that the PDP which he represents have concluded plans to rig the election because they are in control of the security apparatus

Anambra 2013:

Set for battle

Continues from page 44

The situation in APC would have been clearer if Ngige had publicly declared his intention to return to the Government House where he held sway for three years before the court removed him, but he said at a recent event in the state that he is still consulting. The question some of his supporters are asking is, when will the consultation end? Perhaps the only governorship aspirant whose campaign activity is being felt in all parts of the state is Mr . Ifeanyi Ubah, the chairman of Capital Oil. Ubah had been hobnobbing with Umeh’s APGA but just last month, he moved over to the Labour Party, LP. Since his entry into the race, politicians of all shades have been inclining towards him and many of them are reaping the benefits of that

•Uba: Third outing

•Obaze: Is this Obi's man?

association in the form of cash, cars and clothes. But how far the cash would go a long way to making him realize

his governorship ambition is leadership of the party is like something to be seen. Even in APGA’s, also becoming unsettled LP where he has pitched his tent, with the Ubah phenomenon. there are indications that the But for now , Ubah’s Nnewi

•Anosike: 2010 PDP unning mate

country home remains a Mecca of sorts for old and new politicians who understand that politics is business. As was the case in the last governorship election, some political parties that could not boast of big names are waiting in the wings to benefit from the fallout of the primaries of the big parties as some of those likely to lose out may join such parties to contest the election on their platform. In the past few months, political parties, such as Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, Citizens Popular Party, CPP, KOWA Party, African Democratic Congress, ADC, New Nigeria P eoples Party, NNPP, among others which hitherto were not existing in the state, have suddenly rented offices and hoisted their flags waiting for governorship aspirants to come into their fold.

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—47

BY DAPO AKINREFON, CHARLES KUMOLU, GBENGA OKE & LEVINUS NWAGBUHIOGU

HE Senate and the House of Representatives, yesterday, alleged mischief in the report alleging that Nigeria’s federal legislators are the highest paid in the world. The Senate said it would not as much as dignify the report with a response. House members, like kettle calling pot black, asked critics to also look at the emoluments and corruption in the executive arm of government which they claimed was by far higher. The defence of the legislators nonetheless, civil society activists denounced the legislators, saying they were bent on bankrupting the country and its democracy. The report released by The Economist of London suggested that the lowest paid legislator in Nigeria earns N30.6 million ($189.5,000) per annum which was put at 116 times the Gross Domestic P roduct, GDP, per person. As a ratio to GDP per person, Kenya was second with 76 times, Ghana 30 times and Indonesia 18 times. Among those who reacted were former Commissioner of Police, Abubakar T sav, constitutional lawyer, Itse Sagay, Afenifere, second republic parliamentarian, Dr . Junaid Mohammed and civil rights activist, Bamidele Aturu. Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinninya Abaribe described the report as a figment of the imagination of the authors of the report adding “the Senate will not dignify the false claims with a reaction.” His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Rep. Zakari Mohammed said a number of the figures used as salaries were expenditures and allowances that were normally retired.

It's mischief directed at us — Senators, Reps He told Vanguard, “this is a mere mischief because we retire all these monies they are not part of our salaries. Medical allowance, furniture and the rest are monies you must retire. Rep. Jagaba Adams Jagaba (PDP, Kachai/Kagarko Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, a one time chairman of the House committee on anti-corruption asked critics to also look at the emoluments drawn by those in the executive arm of government. “No, how can we be the highest paid in the world? Have you cared to know how much ministers collect in Nigeria? Have you cared to know how much their aides have been collecting? The corruption we are talking, is it not the executive arm that is more involved than any other politician in the world?

Outrage greets lawmakers' jumbo pay You see, the truth of the matter is that we are doing our work. ”

nobody listens". Describing the situation as an aberration, Afenifere speaking through its spok esman, Mr. It's dangerous for our Yinka Odumakin said: “this is democracy — Tsav a classical case of extreme Abubakar Tsav said: “If it is true inequality to the extent to which those earning the N18,000 that they have been authoritatively ranked as earning minimum wage and those who the highest pay worldwide, then are supposed to be representing them are earning N29 million it is a dangerous development a month, there is no where in for our democracy . And it is the world where such disparity capable of destroying our democracy. That is why you find will be allowed. people doing all manner of things to remain in office. Some Our legislators decree have even turned political office salary for themselves into a do-or-die affair because of — Mohammed the money being paid to them. Some of the lawmakers have Dr. Junaid Mohammed who even turned themselves into served in the second republic contractors. If the situation is not House of Representatives said: corrected, people will always do anything to remain in office.

“Throughout the world, salaries of lawmakers are discussed publicly but in Nigeria, our parliament result to what is called Executive session and they decree a salary for themselves”. “The National Assembly does not care what the economy could afford, they don’t give a damn about the economy and what is obtainable in the public service, all they are interested in is the jumbo pay at the expense of the masses. For me, this is criminal and they are shameless”. He went further , “ Our parliament is the laziest all over the world, they are irresponsible and indolent with the kind secret salaries they pay themselves. This is an insult to Nigerians”. “Ours is a parliament where

members decree constituency projects for themselves, they award constituency projects to their companies and make corruption more popular in Nigeria”.

It's very unfortunate — Aturu Describing the situation as frightening, Bamidele Aturu said: “Democracy is about ensuring the masses enjoy dividends of democracy, it is about developing the country by having adequate infrastructure but in a situation where huge money are being filtered away and wasted on idle legislatures who steals this countries wealth for doing nothing, it is very unfortunate”.

Yes, our legislators earn more than American president — Sagay Prof. Itse Sagay said: “It is well established that Nigerian legislators, at the national level, are the highest earning legislators in the world. That is well known. The Senators’ take home pay is not less than N15 million a month and in a year, it is not less than $1.7 million. "Whereas an American Senator earns $144,000 a year and the English parliamentarian is earning $100,000 a year, while the American president earns $400,000 a year. "Our Senators earn far more than the American president and everybody knows this but nothing has been done and

From left: One-Day Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Bolejime Marvellous; One-Day Secretary to the State Government, Olajide Olayinka; One-Day Lagos State Governor, Boadley Oluwajuwon Folarin; CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans; One-Day Deputy Governor, Abolaji Olusolabomi and Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko during a reception for the Lagos State One-Day Cabinet, hosted by Etisalat Nigeria at its headquarters in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.

CBN directs banks to keep 50% of public sector ...blames fake Naira notes in ATM on banks deposit as cash BY EMMA UJAH & BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, yesterday, further reduced the amount of money in the economy by directing banks to keep 50 per cent of public sector deposits as Cash Reserve Requirement, CRR. The apex bank took this decision at the end of its Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting in Abuja. The Governor of the CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who announced this said the CRR on private sector deposits remained at 12 per cent. The Monetary Policy Rate was also retained at 12 per cent, with a corridor of +/- 200 basis points. Sanusi said the 50 per cent CRR “applies to all federal, states and local government deposits on the balance sheet of deposits money banks.” The CRR represents portion of deposits that banks must keep as

cash and hence cannot be used for lending. By increasing CRR on public sector deposits, the apex bank has reduced the amount of money banks can lend, and thus reduce money supply in the economy. Defending the decision of the MPC to tighten money supply by retaining the MPR at 12 per cent, and raising CRR on public sector deposits, Sanusi said the decision was aimed at curbing excess liquidity in the banking system. He said: “The committee observed the build-up in excess liquidity in the banking system, and expressed concern over the rising cost of liquidity management as well as the sluggish growth in private sector credit, which was traced to deposit money banks, DMB’s, appetite for government securities. “As election is coming up, the government will be having a lot of financial spending during the period. I have said it before

that there is likelihood for the rate to go up than going down in the immediate future". "The fiscal spending of the government is just the problem, the deficit in the first half of this year is over 400 billion dollars compared to 200 billion dollars during same period last year.We have drawn over 700 billion dollars from the excess crude account at a time when the government is borrowing more and saving less. You don’t expect monetary authority to lower the rate of interest. “The committee expressed strong concerns about the risks posed to government revenues from oil theft, less than expected production, new discoveries of shale oil, the fast increasing number of African oil exporters, the dwindling market for Nigerian crude as well as the inevitability of a fall in global oil prices as well as capital flow reversal, which may impact the current global (dollar) carry trade, for which Nigeria has been

a major beneficiary. Meantine, the CBN has blamed commercial banks for fake Naira notes in the A utomated Teller Machine, ATM. The Governor of the bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said this while fielding questions from newsmen after the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting. Sanusi, who expressed worries over the situation, said the dispense of fake naira notes by the machines was an operational issue of the commercial bank. He, however, said the ape x bank was addressing the challenge. “Fake naira notes in ATM is an operational issue, the banks are supposed to process the currency before they put it in the machines. If they are processed, their machines are supposed to identify fake notes. So, if you find a fake note in an ATM, it means that somebody in the commercial bank did not do what he is supposed to do".

48 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

house of crime where R-e-v-e-a-l-e-d ! Lagos •Details of how British victim was rescued

BY EVELYN USMAN,IFEANYI OKOLIE AND UJU MBANUSI

AGOOkota area of Lagos was in the news, weekend, following the discovery of a kidnapper’s den, on Oyegbusi Street, where a Briton who was kidnapped shortly after arriving the country from Amsterdam, was kept for five days before he was rescued. The three-storey building located in the area known as N ew Site, towards Ago end of Okota, could be said to be sited at a vantage position for the kidnappers, as it enabledthem to have a clear view of the entire area, down to the popular Apple junction in Amuwo-Odofin. Crime Alert gathered that the kidnappers whose exact number could not be ascertained, had been using the uncompleted building for long to hold their victims hostage until ransom was paid. Investigation carried out revealed that anytime they made acatch,theywoulddriveinwiththeir victims who are usually blindfolded. On reaching the compound, they would lead their victims right to the third floor from where they would keep them in one of the rooms until ransom was paid. At the end of any successful operation, the kidnappers, as gathered, would leave for their respective places of abode, leaving a

HowBriton waskidnapped It was reliably gathered that on July 16, 2013, the kidnappers armed with locallymade pistols stormed Airport Road, waiting for a prey . Just then, they reportedly sighted a black SUV approaching. On realizing that the occupant was a foreigner,the kidnappers heaved sighs of relief and in a commando- like manner, intercepted the vehicle around Mafoluku, firing sporadic shots. In the process, the driver of the vehicle with an unknown identity reportedly sustained bullet wounds, while the foreigner later identified as Dickson Lee, was immediately blindfolded and whisked to their den. Sources told Crime Alert that although the Briton who was coming to Nigeria for the first time, following a job he recently secured in an oil company, had been infor med of security lapses in the country, he was reportedly reassured that Lagos was not prone to kidnap cases as other states. Lee, who was clad in a striped blue, white and yellow shirt on blue denims was apparently unsure of what would become of him as he was thrown into the toilet of the four-bedroom flat with his hands and legs tied and his mouth sealed with cello-tape. He was reportedly untied only

My sister, I know nothing. My only advise is that Police should also carry out same raid around this canal area because all the time, you see them in big big cars driving in and out. Nobody knows what they area into

lone security man identified as Nonye, to look after their prey. The 32-year-old security man who resides in Ikotun area of Lagos, as reliably gathered, was employed as a guard about two years ago to checkmate usage of the uncompleted building by illegal occupants. But little did his employer (names withheld) know Nonye had a sinister motive up his sleeve. Efforts to get response from other residents proved abortive as most of them kept sealed lips. However , a man who claims to own a farm land around the water-logged area told Crime Alert that there is no way anyone would s uspect anything of such has been going on there because you hardly see them together in front of the building. Anytimea car drives in, there is this impression that the owner of the building has come to inspect it. Construction work stopped for a while and since then, nothing seemed to be happening.” A local food vendor around the area said: “ My sister,I know nothing. My only advice is that Police should also carry out same raid around this canal area because all the time, you see them in big big cars driving in and out. Nobody knows what they are into.

when they wanted to feed him. Though he was not used to the type of food offered, he reluctantly ate part of the bread and processed can food, including fruit juice out of starvation. During his stay, the kidnappers reportedly contacted Lee’s relatives by phone. Crime Alert reliably gathered that when the number they used in contacting Lee’s relatives was sent to the network providers by operatives of the Special Intelligence Bureau, SIB, and those of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, to facilitate their investigation, it was discovered that the number was registered with a fake address and details. Operatives’ strategy: Undeterred by the kidnappers game, the operatives switched to plan ‘B’ by encouraging Lee’s relatives to play along. They reportedly demanded for a ransom of $100 million but later settled for N7.5 million, which they insisted must be deposited at a designated point somewhere in Okokomaiko area on or before July 21, or risk losing Lee. On the day of the payment of ransom, operatives who posed as Lee’s relatives arrived the designated point before the kidnappers. While some

The kidnappers den (inset) Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umaru Manko were in a vehicle believed to be that of Lee’s relatives, others cordoned off the area. At about 12.30pm, a motorcycle was reportedly sighted approachingtheroute shortlyafterthekidnappers had taken details of the vehicle which included its colour and number plate. But as one of the occupants on the motorbike reached out his hand with the intention of collecting the ran-

som from the supposed Lee’s relatives, he was arrested by the policemen who posed as Lee’s relatives. The motorcycle rider simply identified as Ugo , who was shot in the process, managed to escape while his alleged partner in crime, Chukwuemeka Benson, 27, was arrested. His confessional statement led the operatives to where Lee was kept and he

was subsequently rescued unhurt. Investigations by Crime Alert in the area revealed that shortly before the arrival of the policemen, three persons, two of whom were reportedly at the balcony of the third floor which oversees the entire area, rushed out. One of them was identified as Nonye, the guard. A man who spoke on condition of

3 teenagers docked for By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

mobile phones — a Visafone and one Blackberry Curve 3, during the vigil service.Count HREE teenagers and a 20- one of the charge reads: “Jamiu Saka, Yusuf year-old man, Yusuf Lateef, have been ar- Lateef, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, and David raigned before a Lagos State High Court in Onokpise, on 19 May, 2012, at Sowers MinisIgbosere, on a three-count charge of conspira- try International No. 64A Kirikiri Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos State, in the Lagos Division concy and armed robbery. According to the charge, the teenagers, Ja- spired to commit felony to wit: armed robbery.” All the defendants live in Ajegunle and had miu Saka, 18, Chukwudi Onwuharanye, 18, the charge read to them in English and oruba Y David Onokpise, 19, and Lateef entered a church during a vigil service and robbed peo- languages. The pleas of the first, second and third defendants were taken in English lanple of their valuables. guage, while that of the fourth defendant was The defendants were said to have robbed the General Overseer of the church, Apostle taken in Yoruba. They pleaded not guilty to Nelson Opara, of his handset and money . Also, the charges preferred against them by the State of Lagos. one Okon Esther was dispossessed of two

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

kidnappers keep victims

— 49

C-a-l-l-o-u-s Woman allegedly beats maid to death in Lagos! BY EVELYN USMAN AND UJU MBANUSI

middle aged woman simply identified as Madam Agnes is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID Panti, for allegedly beating an 11-year-old child who lived with her to death. The deceased, identified as Angelina, was reportedly taken from her parents in far- away Ogoja, Cross RiverState by Agnes, with a promise to send her to school, when she was barely four years old. Angelina grew up calling her guardian mother, apparently unaware she was not her biological mother. But things as gathered, fell apart for late Angelina after she turned six, as she was reportedly made to carry out overwhelming house chores. Initial rebuff of such attitude from M adam Rose who Crime Alert learnt is related to Angelina’s mother, by neighbours was reportedly greeted with outbursts. The dehumanising treatment on Angelina reached its peak last Friday, as she was reportedly beaten to death by her madam, for failure to carry out chores as instructed. Investigation by Crime Alert revealed that on that fateful day,at about 5pm, Madam Agnes returned home, screaming at the little girl whom neighbours said was not feeling too well. Madam Agnes reportedly dragged Angelina into her apartment located on 75 Baranonymity said, “ From the way they pound. It was not until Policemen ar- one transaction or the other, over the racks LLLane, Ajegunle and startran out of the building, you could sense rived that we concluded they could seeming security lapses along the ed beating her. The helpless girl all was not well. But nobody knew have been the reason for the sudden route. To checkmate this trend, the was said to have shouted for help, Lagos State Commissioner of P olice, but none was forth coming. Then, what the exact problem was. They did mad rush.” Mr Umar Manko informed journalnot drive out through the main enPolicealerttoitsresponsibility all of a sudden she ceased crying. trance, they left by the canal area. There is no gainsaying the fact that ists that his command and policemen Neighbours later became appreWe thought initially that they could the kidnap of Lee along the Murtala oftheAirportCommandunderwhose hensive after they sighted Madhave sighted the owner of the build- Muhammed A irport would have jurisdiction the Airport Road is, were am Agnes rush out of her room to ing coming because he did not like sent fears down the spines of foreign- fine-tuning strategies to ensure ade- a medicine store opposite the buildseeing unknown faces in the comers who intend coming into Lagos for quate security measures along the ing. She reportedly came back with route. a nurse who went inside with her and rushed out again to get something. At this point, a neighbour told Crime Alert during a visit t o the trial date to enable his witness to be in the dock building yesterday that “ we susThe prosecutor, Mr O. Soetan, infor med the for his evidence, stressing that he had agreed pected all was not well. When the court that the alleged offence was contrary to with the defence counsel on 29th and 30th of Section 295 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos September. State 2011. He therefore asked the court for a

robbing church

nurse came out , we asked what the problem was and she told us that Angelina had fainted. We all rushed inside, only to behold Angelina’s lifeless body on the ground. On further observation, we discovered a pestle by the side with blood stain and we concluded she could have used it on Angelina”. Another neighbour who also spoke on condition of anonymity said: “ We are not surprised at Angelina’s demise because Madam Agnes had always threatenedher. At the slightest provocation, she would beat her with any object at her disposal. At times she would smash bottle on her head and at other times, she would use a stool on her. At a point we got angry but there was nothing we could do to alert Angelina’s biological parents”.

Slightest provocation Asked why none of them bothered to report the abuse on Angelina to the Police, another neighbour replied, “ Police? You wantMadam Agnes to fight you? Even if you attempt to rescue Angelina from her grip whenever she was being beaten, Agnes would fight you and ask if you were her relative. At a point, she resorted to locking the doors whenever she wanted to beat the girl, in order to prevent anyone from coming to her rescue”. Everyone who spoke withCrime Alert described the late Angelina as a dutiful girl who never complained while carrying out any of the house chores. At times she reportedly missed school in order to finish the chores before the arrival of her guardian. Most times neighbours said she would be made to finish the chores before taking her first meal either at noon or evening. “Saturdays were the most hectic for the little girl as she would be made to wash her guardian’ s clothes and those of her two grown children”.

Enugu: Police, robbers in gun battle, 2 arrested

HE Police in Ogui division, Enugu State Command last weekend, arrested two suspected armed robbers while three escaped with bullet wounds. It was gathered that the operatives acting on a distress call received at about 2 am that robbers were robbing residents of 113/114 Ogui Urban area, Obiagu, Enugu, responded quickly to the call by proceeding to the scene and on sighting the operatives, the hoodlums believed to be numbering about five, opened fire on them.

Police sources said the operatives also replied and in the ensuing encounter,two of the hoodlums were hit by bullet hence they were arrested while others allegedly escaped with bullets wounds. The two arrested hoodlums gave their names as Chizoba Nnamani (M) of Amechi A wkunanaw and Chukwuemeka Nnamani of Ugbawka in Nkanu East area of Enugu state. They are helping the police in their investigation.

The building where Angela was sent to an early grave

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

RCCG Convention 2013 is not for jokers, Adeboye warns

Northern youths disagree with NSCIA on Oritsejafor By SAM EYOBOKA

CALL by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, for the sanction of the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has drawn the ire of a group known as Northern Christian Youth Solidarity and Emancipation Movement for Justice and Self Determination. The group described the call as not only unnecessary but most unfortunate. In a release signed by the director of publicity,James Gani, the youth group maintained that the statement sign-ed by one Muhammed Kabir Kassim on behalf of NSCIA, was "not only misleading but an emission of a troubled and frustrated heart arising from an inability to stop the Church from marching on." Continuing, he said: "Y ou alleged in your statement that Pastor Oritsejafor publicly assaulted the Etsu Nupe by re-ferring to him as an abductor of a 24-year woman who has been, according to you, under the 'protective custody' of the Emir. But in a bizar re manner, orchestrated to mislead the general public, you were very economical with the truth of the matter. "For the benefit of those who are not aware or conversant with the facts of the matter, Miss Charity Raymond Uzoe-china is a Nigerian and a daughter of P astor Raymond Uzoechina of the Redeemed Christian Church of God who was forcefully abducted by some Muslim fanatics and since then has been kept out of the

*Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins in a group photograph with newly ordained priests at Archangels' Catholic Church, Satellite, Lagos.

the president of CAN in Nigeria are what Nigeria needs to survive as a nation today. "Why should an Emir of the status of Etsu Nupe be as insensitive to his responsibility as a Royal Father to the extent of abducting and keeping someone under a 'protective custody'? Does he have such powers? Against whom is he protecting the lady? These are questions that are begging for answers from the likes of Muhammed Kabir Kassim and his organisation. "Whereas, we appreciate the provisions of the 1999 Consti-tution (as amended) that pro-vide for the freedom of wor-ship and choice of religion, we do not believe and cannot be deceived that the case under reference has to do with choice of religion and or willful con-version. Everyone knows that Christians are lovers and makers of peace if it were not so the story would have by

Let it be made known to all and sundry including the NSCIA that an attack on the person and personality of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN president, is an attack on the Christian Community in Nigeria reach of her parents under the so called 'Protective custody' of Etsu Nupe. To you that is not an insult and assault on the family of the girl, the Church and the nation at large. But it is the defender of the defend-less (Oritsejafor) who wouldn’t sleep or pretend not to see an evil of this magnitude being perpetrated with impunity and disdained that is now being called to order. What an irony! Insensitive to his responsibilty: "Let it be made known to all and sundry including the NSCIA that an attack on the person and personality of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN president, is an attack on the Christian Community in Nigeria. Pastor Oritsejafor stands for and represent the Church and the less privileg-ed in Nigeria. To us, his utter-ances and actions since becom-ing

ganisation of this nature. Time and posterity will one day vindicate Pastor Oritsejafor on these and allied matters. For when he called “Boko-Haram” a terrorist organisation, he was roundly condemned by the enemies of this country within and outside. When he said that the killing of securitymen (sold-iers and P olice) by the Boko-Haram insurgents was a declaration of war against the Nigerian State, he was called names. "Today, the nation and the world not only call Boko Haram a terrorist organisation but have placed some ransom on its leader, Abubakar Shekau and a number of other leaders and members. In fact, the Federal Government went further to proscribe the organisation as some international communi-ties, especially Britain have taken serious security measures aimed at criminalising and stemming out the deadly act-ivities of the group including those who associate with it.

Frustrated heart

"For the avoidance of doubt, Pastor Oritsejafor is one of the best now been different in the face of CAN presidents the Church in this outright and senseless pro- Nigeria has ever produced. Litvoc-ation on the Church. W e tle wonder there-fore, that CAN want to categorically state that in General Assem-bly on July 10 this matter, the Emir is an abduc- ratified his elect-ion for the sector and if the story credited to the ond term in office as an appreciCAN president in this respect is ation for his good leadership true, then he is right as ever and qualities, a feat which no CAN therefore needs no one to call him president of recent has attained. to order. "Therefore, for Mohammed Terrorist organisation: "On the Kabir to say that the words exissue of Mallam Sanusi Lamido pressed by P astor Oritse-jafor Sanusi, the CBN gover nor, we over this matter were personal are proud to be associated with and not representing CAN is not the CAN president’s position on only misleading but an emission the matter. No one is against a of a troubled and frustrated heart bank or any organisation coming arising from an inability to stop to do business in Nigeria but the Church from marching on. such organisation must follow There could be some few Christhe rules. Sanusi has been cham- tian leaders who are on the same pioning the course of the Islamic page with NSCIA but their greed Bank as if he is its managing di- and insensitivity to the plight of rector. What concerns us most is the Church, cannot stop the the use of public funds to estab- Church from marching on. lish and promote a religious or-

By OLAYINKA LATONA

ENERAL Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, P astor Enoch Adeboye shocked members when he declared that the church forthcoming 61st annual convention is not meant for unserious minds or jokers but for persons who are ready for divine transformation. Speaking at two separate occasions---the monthly Holy Ghost Service and at the Church national headquarters at EbuteMetta, Lagos---the soft spoken man of God revealed that the forthcoming convention is only for those who are hungry for divine transformation. Adeboye also urged members to inform their loved ones who are not serious minded to stay away from the Redemption Camp during the convention. The man of God used the two occasions to urge seriousminded Nigerians seeking solutions to their problems to make adequate arrangements to attend all the programmes, explaining that the theme of the convention is “Jesus”. According to the General Overseer, “this year's convention is going to be very peculiar and the reason is that not everybody is invited and I am sure that this will surprise you. Continuing, Daddy Adeboye said the programme beginning on Monday, August 5, at the Redemption Camp is being packaged for those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, those who are desperate to know God and be like Jesus Christ. "If you don’t satisfy these conditions please do not come," he stated, adding "there will not be enough space for everybody; if you are not coming for serious

business with God please stay at home, because from day number one it is going to be heavy stuff. "There is not going to be any lecture that is child’s play everything that is going to happen during this year's convention is going to be heavy stuff. We are not talking about Father Christmas but about Jesus Christ who is the unchangeable changer, the one who is the same yesterday , today and forever. "We do not want to talk about modern Jesus but the old time Jesus, if you are not ready for old time religion, please don’t come, you have been warned,” he warned. Reassuring participants of a wonderful time in God’s presence, Adeboye stated that the event is only meant for bone cracking Christians who are ready to suck marrow out of bones. “If the Lord tarries, the people who will attend will say this is the greatest convention we have ever had. There are three types of Christians; baby Christians who drink milk, adult Christians who eat meat and those who are called bone crackers who crack bones to get the marrows. "I repeat myself one more time, this year's convention is not for jokers, if you are not serious; if you are not coming for God to transform you inside out, please don’t bother to come. Reacting, Mr. Akinwale Oluwayomide of RCCG, Throne of Grace, Ebute-Meta said: “Thank God that God used Daddy to prepare us for the convention so that we can be partakers of the God’s blessing during the convention”.

Clerics flay FG's empowerment programmes

HE Archbishop of the Northern Province of Church of the Lord (ALADURA), Julius Adejumo and president of Youth Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Pastor Dolly Simon have flayed the Federal Government's youth and women empowerment programme in the country, reports CALEB AYANSINA. Speaking with Vanguard at the National Youth Summit organized by the Church of the Lord (ALADURA) for its youths in northern province in Abuja, the twosome described some of the ongoing programmes as a sham. Arcbishop Adejumo said that it was impossible to plant corn and reap yam, as nothing good would be achieved in a situation where the leadership celebrated mediocrity. According to him, the country will still be living in the dark until the righteous are allowed to rule, noting with dismay the leadership tussle that is currently rocking the Rivers State. He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to amicably address the matter before it heightens the insecurity challenge already facing the country. The cleric decried the sharp decline of moral values in the society, saying the influx of western culture has brought nothing, but shame and chaos to the country. Simon was of the view that those programmes that were set up to address the suffering of the masses, particularly the youth were neither pursued with selfless interest nor implemented to benefit the targeted people. The YOWICAN leader added that the programmes were implemented to empower the party and their loyalists ahead of future election.

Vanguard Vanguard,, WEDNESDAY,

JULY 2 4, 2013 2 013

— 51

YOUR LUCK TODAY By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CAPRICORN: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY By Richard Eromosele

HE general belief AQUARIUS: If your priority is love, much of it would is that we can come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious members of this Star Sign in the business world. only be drunk with Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money. strong drink or wine. But that is not true. PISCES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make We can be drunk with the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others. a lot of things. Remember the disciples ARIES: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause in the Bible? The disfriction that can’t help your cause at work. This is the ciples in the Bible wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your work-

What is making you drunk?

were alleged by the people to have been drunk in the early morning but were they drunk of strong drink? We could be drunk

with what we have passion for; we could be drunk with our work; we could be drunk with singing; we could be drunk with dancing, we

could be drunk with sleeping; we could be drunk with writing etc. What is exciting you so much that people think you are drunk? Think about it!

ing arena.

TAURUS: Those of your who are red-blooded for ro mance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

By Lanre Kehinde

GEMINI: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some dose of romance is not too much for you on a day like this. CANCER: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things’ll work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances. LEO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day. VIRGO: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation. LIBRA: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. Watch your health.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

SCORPIO: Good luck may smile at many of you today and induce love of luxur y, mer ry making and romantic liason. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers. SAGITTARIUS: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after few struggles.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

My compr ehensive Horoscope please!!! Dear Joshua, I am a middle aged lady . Although I am fairly successful, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is. Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Iyabo, Abuja. Dear Iyabo, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ ou Y were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality. YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth: Thursday. Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Acquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each. Pushful influence = 20% Non- pushful element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter GENERAL ANALYSIS Just 20 per cent of pushful influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mas in you r chart are pointers to the contrary. Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013—53

Senator Yerima, underaged marriages and Constitutional Review O

NCE again, Senator Yerima is in the news, claiming Islam as the basis for his argument that a girl automatically transforms into an adult of ‘full age’once she is married, with the attendant responsibilities that relate to the renunciation of citizenship, irrespective of her age or mental capacity. Because the Senator from Zamfara State has gone public with his personal comprehension of the Shari’a, it has become necessary to respond publicly to his utterances. It should be pointed out, however, that several media reports on the constitutional review debate at the Senate give the impression that underage marriage has been endorsed by the Senate Chambers. Facts are that S.29 of the 1999 Constitution permits a Nigerian citizen of ‘full age’ to renounce his or her citizenship by declaration in a prescribed manner,for which purpose ‘full age’ was stated to be 18 years and above. The subsection also provides that, ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age’. In its current efforts to review the Constitution, the Senate Committee had determined that the particular subsection should be deleted, basically because citizenship has no bearing on gender, as for example, voting, the right to drive a car, possess a weapon or such similar social interactions that are evolving or are germane to a democratic nation. Senator Yerima, however, vehemently argued (and lobbied) against the removal of the clause, on the grounds that deleting

with (Senator Yerima’s understanding of) Islam? Contrary to the position conveyed by the Senator from Zamfara, there is certainly no unanimity of positions on such contemporary matters of social interaction, within Islamic jurists or the various Schools of Thought. Surely where there is ‘silence in the texts’ (i.e. primary sources)or lack of unanimity as regards a particular practice, that opening allows for a society to determine for itself what is in its best interest (maslaha), in its own context. What about married Muslim girls who inherit property? Is it not the position that in some cases, where not considered sufficiently mature (‘sufaha’, based on Qur’an 4:6), such property remains in the custody of her guardian, until she grows to be intellectually mature? This would, of course, depend on her age, mental capacity and the size and nature of the property. Why does such property not devolve upon herautomatically upon marriage, to deal with it as she wishes, irrespective of her mental capacity? There definitely appears to be no basis, under the Shari’a, that would compel a girl to deal with matters of such gravity as the renunciation of citizenship, merely because she is married. Islam is certainly not so presumptuous or harsh as to burden her with what she is mentally and physically incapable of bearing. Her guardian is permitted to determine the age or stage at which such a child can be entrusted with such grave responsibilities, the assessment of her mental capacity being the main determinant.

Paramount consideration

MAR YAM UW AIS MARY UWAIS that clause was against (his understanding of) Islam. In his understanding, a girl, once married, automatically assumes the full mental capacity and responsibility to consciously make the prescribed declaration of renouncing her citizenship. This position needs to be scrutinized carefully, against the backdrop of similar positions that obtain under the Shari’a and in our context, as a nation. Does it then follow that the married girl who is below 18, at election time, would be permitted to vote, or is her not being issued a voters card unIslamic? Is the Senate now going to make an exception to that law, permitting her to vote, or even drive, in accordance

As a Muslim woman (without pretensions of scholarship) forever striving for knowledge, research into these matters has revealed that in matters of social interaction (mu’amalat), there is a lot of latitude in what is permitted, unless it is expressly prohibited by a clear text. The rules are certainly not so definitive. What is also evident is that the ‘best interests of the child’ is a paramount consideration within Islam, along with the principle of public good (maslaha or istislah). The operational rules are not defined (probably deliberately, in my humble view) and the determination of such issues is best left to the experience, custom and context of the particular society. The Qur’an provides that the predominant consideration in matters relating to children would depend on the point at which they can be said to not be ‘sufaha’ (mentally immature) anymore, in the context of that particular community. It is interesting that Senator Y erima would rather link the weighty and dispassionate subject of citizenship with his understanding of gender vis a vis his perception of the age of marriage, rather than with other matters of social interaction, such as those relating to inheritance rights, driving or even voting. Indeed, citizenship is

Map of Nigeria

Malnourished children If the child is stunted in its first 1000 days, that condition is irreversible, so the future of these children, and the larger population, is permanently shortchanged. The health and nutritional needs of mothers, new-borns and children are closely linked, with young mothers accounting for a majority of severely malnourished children. Multiple health risks arising from child marriage include the sexual exploitation (including forced sexual relations) that she is subjected to, as well as limited access to reproductive health services, despite the real and present danger of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, STIs (sexually transmitted diseases) and the debilitating ailment of VVF/RVF (VVF-a tear in the flesh between the vagina and the urinary passage, usually due to prolonged labour, resulting in uncontrolled urine or feces in the case of recto-vaginal fistulae-RVF), including the abandonment that comes with such ailments. Nigeria, with two per cent of the world’s population, has 10 per cent of VVF patients. Three-quarters of those with VVF/RVF are young girls who are not yet physically mature but have suf-

a contemporary phenomenon within the Sharia, as in the early days the concept of citizenship had not been defined and people traveled across boundaries, without restriction. In a Muslim community, when matters evolve, it is for scholars or experts in Islamic legal philosophy-‘Usul-al-Fiqh’- and juristic reasoning (and not even those solely learned in the Qur ’an-‘Muffasirun’, the Fiqh-‘Fuqaha’ or the Hadith-‘Muhaddithun’), to analyze the issues with a view to arriving at an appropriate position for the context of that relevant community. In this particular instance, it is cerDoes it then follow that the married tainly perplexing for the Senator to girl who is below 18, at election time, insist so categorically that even a would be permitted to vote, or is her not married ‘intellec- being issued a voters card unIslamic? t u a l l y immature’girl must be permitted to fered trauma in their first pregnancy. renounce her citizenship, irrespective of Statistics show that stillbirths and deaths her mental capacity. The foundation for are 50 per cent more likely in babies born such a general and sweeping statement to mothers younger than 18, as against within the Shari’a is difficult to locate. babies born to mothers above that age. Each The public good remains the overriding day, 144 women die in childbirth in Nigeconsideration in the process of analytical ria, with the North East alone having five reasoning by those qualified for the pur- times the global rate of maternal mortality. pose, so long as the deductions are not in The lack of information and access to supdirect conflict with the primary sources of port ultimately results in psychosocial and the Shari’a. Therefore, in following argu- emotional consequences, domestic vioments repeatedly canvassed by the Sena- lence, abandoned (street) children, with tor, it may be necessar y to e xamine the the attendant deprivations of their rights context in which we live, to determine what and freedoms, whose wellbeing is severeis good, for the purpose of encouragement ly compromised. The prevalence of the and support, and what remains harmful abuse of the right to the exercise of dito our society, to be confronted, discour - vorce by Muslim men has only compoundaged or prohibited by Muslim jurists. ed the situation, leading to so many negaToday the North of Nigeria continues to tive social deviations such as substance throw up Nigeria’s poorest indices on mat- abuse (that has become so rampant), comters relating to healthcare, nutrition, edu- mercial sex work and the complete loss of cation, empower ment and productivity . values in the entire family set up. Consequently, unemployment, insecurity, To be concluded violence and poverty remain rife in that Maryam Uwais, MFR is Chairperson, region. Statistics have it that 2/3 of the 102 Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative, Kano million poor people in Nigeria live in the

BY MARYAM UWAIS

North. Extreme poverty in the North translates into extreme vulnerability to the effects of climate change, food security and so much more. Incidentally, over half of the women in the North are married off by the age of 16 and commence childbirth within the first year of marriage. Also, of the 16 million births by girls below the age of 18, 9 out of 10 of them are married. Facts are that nearly half of all the children under five years of age are malnourished in the North East zone, with women and children in the nutrition ‘high-burden’ States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara suffering the most from malnutrition, wasting and stunting. This singular factor remains the underlying cause for 53 per cent of underfive deaths.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013— 55

Sports Festival: Lagos Chess Opens Camp on Saturday

AGOS State Chess Association (LSCA) will on Saturday, July 27 continue with the third phase of the Open Camping for training of the state players ahead the 2013 National Sports Festival. The 15 players include six men and nine women with three coaches led by the Technical Director, Bayo Babalola. The male players are Dominic Udeme, Roland Dieyyi, Odum Martin, T osin Akinwamide, Oloruntola Gbenga and Ojo John. The women include

•Mba

Eagles Overhaul TEAP FC

HE Super Eagles had their last test game before travelling to Abidjan on T uesday evening in Abuja and came away with a hard fought 2-0 win over The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) FC, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The highly entertaining game had among the crowd former NFF board member and T echnical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa, current board member and Chairman of the NFF Media Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, NFF Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme,

National Competitions Director, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, former Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets Assistant Coach Ben Iroha and NFF technical eye, Siji Lagunju.

Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Sunday Mba, Oladapo Olufemi and even Ifeayin Ede fail to break the resilience of the TEAP side in a half dominated by the Eagles.

MTN Lagos Street Soccer season 6 begins

HE popular annual grassroots based football competition, the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Season Six will kick off August 18 at various centres across the state. In a pre-event media briefing at the T eslim Balogun stadium,

Continues from BP four clubs, involved in the infamous Nigeria Nationwide League (NNWL) promotion play-off in Bauchi were on Monday banned for life. In one of the matches, Plateau United FC Feeder team defeated Akurba FC of Nasarawa State, 79-0, while Police Machine of Adamawa defeated Babayaro of Gombe 67-0 in another match. Plateau United Feeders and P olice Machines FC were tied on four points each, with the same goal difference, and needed the last matches to qualify into the NNWL Division 3. The Chairman said

Traditionally, Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi put his best legs forward in the opening half of the game but the likes of Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis,

Surulere yesterday, Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, said this year ’s competition will be different as the organisers have added women. “Yes, the women have also been given the window to showcase their

talents and fulfill their dreams,” he said, adding, “we believe in the future of the Nigerian youth because they represent the future and we owe it a duty to provide the enabling environment for them to achieve their dreams.”

swung into action to nip the issue in the bud. “They promised that they were going to go down and fish out all the culprits and they did,”he said. He added that his committee kept watch over the proceedings as they unfolded and were satisfied with the verdict at the end of the investigation. He also commended the Organisation and Disciplinary (O & D) committee that was set up by the NFA for doing a thorough and transparent work. “As a committee, we were watching and waiting to see the end of their investigation and actions.

“We are indeed glad that they have kept to their words. The action taken, I believe will serve as a deterrent to everyone else. “To the best of our knowledge, the Committee has carefully looked into the whole issue with a view of averting such occurrence tomorrow and we cannot in anyway fault their verdict,”Gaiya said. Gaiya also noted that it was good that the whole truth was made known not just to Nigerians, but to the whole world. “This I think is the right thing to do and it will go a long way in redeeming the global image of Nigerian football”, he said.

Gaiya

that the decision to ban all those involved in the case was a welcome development for football in the country. “I was very scandalised and disappointed when I first heard about this issue. “We don’t need this type of development in a time when we are beginning to see resurgence in our football; having emerged as African champions. “For God sake that issue further put our football many years behind. “But, I thank God that the NF A immediately condemned the act and

Chinyere Ehirim, Aisha Jimoh-Ibrahim, Tumininu Oyewole, Seun Olabisi and Oke Abiodun. Others are Taiye Rodiyat Usman, Bolade Odugbesan and Yemi Osundinakin. Coach Babalola will be assisted by Rotimi Dasaolu and Jibola Olanrewaju who were also part of the coaching crew to the last National Sports Festival hosted by Lagos State in 2012. “We have been holding this training program every month since the last three months''.

Gombe

Continues from BP punishment to my person as only those who were present on the field of play could be punished,” Gombe said to our reporter yesterday. He told our reporter that before the scandalous match against Police Machine of Bauchi that led to the inglorious 67-0 defeat, he warned them not to take the trip to Bauchi. “I started suspecting them when they told me the Gombe State Sports Council chairman, Farouk Yerima said he could secure them(my club) a place in the state division one league. I said no. I did not form the club to compete in the league.

“I was away for a meeting in Bauchi, when they told me they were going to Bauchi for play-offs. I told my vice chairman that they must not go. But the secretary, the team manager and the coaches took the players to Bauchi with the connivance of the Gombe Sports Council chairman.” “I only read on facebook how the secretary of the club was thanking the state sports council chairman for his support to the club. The next thing I read on the net was the scandalous scoreline they conceded to the Bauchi P olice team. I was not party to it and cannot be party to such a crime.”

Jonathan Continues from BP USA as a result of the dope infraction of Antonio Pettigrew. The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) facilitated the coming of the Olympic heroes to Nigeria to meet with President Goodluck. “This is very commendable of President Goodluck Jonathan, His decision to meet and honour the Sydney gold medalists

has given hope to other sports that it is not only footballers that have the exclusive eyes and ears of those in authority . This singular honour will motivate other sports to also win glories for Nigeria,” Olympian, Mary Onyali said. She was however sad that Bada, who captained Team Nigeria to the Sydney Games, would not be physically present to receive his honour from the president.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 , 2013

Gaiya hails ver dict on fantasy football scor es

ODFREY Gaya, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Sports, on Tuesday hailed the action taken by the Nigeria Football

Association (NF A) on the scandalous match fixing clubs and officials. All the players and officials of the division Continues on Page 55

Jonathan honour s Sydne y I’m not banned Olympic heroes — Gombe J

USTICE delayed, they say, is justice denied. But not so for United States of America-based Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu, Nduka Awazie, F idelis Gadzama (UK -based) and Enefiok Udo-Obong (Lagos-based), Nigerian Sydney 2000 Olympic heroes who made the country proud by winning the 4x400m relay. President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) will today (W ednesday) honour all the other five quarter milers- apart from the late Sunday Bada- whose widow , Olasumbo will represent at the event. Bada died

BY JACOB AJOM

on December 12, 2011. Team Nigeria’s silver medal at the event turned gold, following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to disqualify Continues on Page 55

OUR LABOUR NOT IN VAIN — Heroes, late Sunday Bada, Jude Monye, Clement Chukwu, Nduka Awazie and Enefiok Udo-Obong celebrate their victory.

ROPRIETOR of disbanded Bubayaro Football Club of Gombe, Gara Gombe has said that the 10-year ban handed his club by the Nigeria Football Federation for complicity in a matchfixing scandal does not affect him. “No. As a person, I am not affected,. I cannot be affected because, I took all precautionary measures that could have forestalled what happened. It would have been against the principle of justice if they had extended the

Continues on Page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Forehead (4) 4 Friend (3) 6 Nibble (4) 9 Mineral (3) 10 Dutiful (8) 11 Sport (4) 14 Point (3) 16 Sorrow (5) 19 Pleasurable (8) 21 Robust (5) 23 Power (8) 24 Slip (5) 27 Deviate (3) 31 Donkey (4) 33 Repair (8) 34 Ocean (3) 35 Flesh (4) 36 Clef (3) 37 Cheat (4)

DOWN 2 Gown (4) 3 Broad (4) 4 Earlier (8) 5 Unwilling (4) 6 Arbour (5) 8 Mock (5) 12Thrash (5) 13 Arrogate (5) 14 Sicken (3) 15 Mouldy (5) 17 Idol (5) 18 Battle (5) 20 Plan (8) 22 Tree (3) 25 Entertain (5) 26 Perspire (5) 28 Saturate (4) 29 Outhouse (4) 30 Crush (4) 32 Meadow (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Commit 5, Oppose 8, Convenant 9, Cloy 10, Per 12, Speck 15, Spa 17, Ego 18, Opt 19, Imp 20, Lover 21, Ado 22, Lei 23, Arc 24, Toy 26, Doyen 29, Kin 33, Whey 34, Futility 35, Reveal 36, Reward.

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 2, Ozone 3, Meek 4, Tramp 5, Optic 6, Peck 7, Snoop 10, Point 11, Reply 12, Solid 13, Envoy 14, Koran 15, Stack 16, Adorn 25, Ochre 27, Offal 28, Enter 30, Inter 31, Pyre 32, Slow.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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