FG loses N6.75bn oil revenue to flood daily

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61738

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

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FG loses N6.75bn oil revenue to flood daily •Floods sweep away 500,000 bpd •To host new bid round by year end •Alison-Madueke, DPR disagree on revenue loss

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU & KUNLE KALEJAYE, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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AGOS—NIGERIA is losing about $43million or N6.75billion daily to pro-

duction cut back on account of recent flooding that hit many parts of the country, particularly, the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Industry regulator, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, said, yesterday, that the country’s daily production

Continues on page 5

ONDO POLLS:

You are on your own, PDP tells Oke •P.41 The naked nation •P.17 DEAR BUNMI •P. 38

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

SALLAH —Ram sellers awaiting buyers for the Eid-El Kabir festival, at Mangoro, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, yesterday.

Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Suicide bomb FG orders re-arrest of scare causes principal suspects tension on •AVM Bello, Obaseki, Aliyu, 5 6 Arik flight P P • Bodunde, others risk arrest • $180M HALLIBURTON SCANDAL:

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Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

ARRIVAL: From left— Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olori Omo Oba of Ijebuland; Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland; Mr. Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and Oba Oguntayo, Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, during the Awujale's arrival from his UK trip at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Monday. PHOTOS: Lamidi Bamidele.

Rep floats NGO on budget

Nigeria's foreign trade drops by 50%

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA—WORRIED by the hiccups that characterised budget implementation in the country, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Inter and Intra Party Relations, Chief Fort Dike, has concluded plans to float a group to be known as The 50-50 Movement.

The group seeks to push for actualisation of people-oriented budget.

Dike, who disclosed this at a public presentation of three books written by him, in Abuja, said the group will work for a more realistic budget, where recurrent and capital components of the annual federal budgets would be at par.

The member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency of Anambra State frowned at the current trend in which annual budgets in Nigeria have consistently been about recurrent expenditure rather than capital items.

From left— Engr. Adeposi Bashorun-Alayo, Oba Y. Adekoya, Dagburewe of Igbiwa, and Oba Anthony Kayode, Akija of Ikija, at the airport.

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said that rising import bills and decline in exports prompted Nigeria’s foreign trade to fall by over 50 percent in the second quarter of the year.

This is even as Federal Government overspent

by N132.94 billion in August, despite increase in revenue over the budgeted estimate.

Similarly, aggregate foreign investment inflows into the country fell by 37.79 percent to $3.44 billion during the quarter.

The report

In its Economic report for August, released yesterday, CBN said: “Gross federally-collected revenue in August 2012 was estimated at N1,021.10 billion, showing an increase of 26.4 and 3.6 percent above the monthly budget estimate

and the preceding month’s level, respectively.

“At N749.11 billion, gross oil receipts exceeded both the monthly budget estimate and the preceding month’s level by 35.5 and 18.4, respectively.

“This was attributed largely to the favourable crude oil prices at the international oil market.

Non-oil receipts, at N271.99 billion (26.6 percent of the gross federally-collected revenue), was 23.0 and 6.8 percent lower than the receipts in the preceding month and the monthly budget estimates, respectively.

“The decline in non-oil revenue relative to the preceding month, reflected, largely, the fall in corporate tax, customs and excise duties, educational tax, customs/excise duties and the independent revenue of the Federal Government.

Deficit

“Federal Government estimated retained rev-

enue in August 2012 was N243.21 billion, while total estimated expenditure was N376.15 billion.

“Thus, the fiscal operations of the Federal Government resulted in an estimated deficit of N132.94 billion, as against the estimated monthly budget deficit of N94.68 billion.”

Int'l economic relations

In a report on the performance of the external sector of the economy in the second quarter, CBN said the country suffered a general decline in economic relationship with other countries due to rising import bills, decline in exports and security concerns.

The apex bank’s report said: “Major challenges to the sector included surging import bills due to low manufacturing output, lingering infrastructural and security problems, slow global recovery and dampened world demand for commodities as well as the dismal performance

Sallah: Security agencies dare troublemakers

BY TAYE OBATERU

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OS—SECURITY agencies in Plateau State have initiated steps towards a peaceful Sallah celebration with a warning to religious leaders and parents to keep their followers and wards in check.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in preparation for the Eidel-Kabir celebrations, the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Ayeni said any leader worth his salt should command obedience

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from his followers.

He said: “Leaders, be they Christians or Muslims, should be able to control their followers while parents are also expected to guide their children towards the right path and have full control of them. They should perform their responsibility of guiding them.”

He warned that security agencies would deal with trouble makers, urging Muslims to stay away from some praying grounds as agreed during previous celebrations

in the interest of peace.

Ayeni said: “You the leaders are to educate your children. The security agencies would not tolerate any act of lawlessness. If as a leader or parent you cannot control your children, it means you have failed in your responsibility.

“You just have to talk to them because we have what it takes to enforce law and order; we are just being humane for calling you for dialogue and we have done our home work.

“We are not appealing to you out of fear, but simply want to carry every-

body along. Any youth that wants to test the will of the security agencies should come out and foment trouble.”

The commissioner also warned against going around with dangerous weapons, especially to praying grounds, adding that people will be properly frisked to ensure that nobody with a wrong motive is allowed into any praying ground.

He advised Sallah celebrants to return to their homes peacefully after prayers and avoid provocative acts capable of undermining peace.

of the non-oil exports sub-sector.

“Policy should, therefore, focus on the diversification of the export base, tackling vigorously the infrastructural deficiency and the security challenges.

GDP drops

“The estimated current account balance at US$3.11 billion or 4.87 percent of gross domestic product, GDP, dropped by 50.33 and 42.5 percent, respectively, when compared with the position in the preceding quarter and corresponding quarter of 2011.

“This was attributed largely to the higher import bills and increased out-payments in respect of dividend and distributed branch profits paid to foreign investors.

“In addition, the slow growth in Nigeria’s major trading partners such as the USA, the UK and China dampened aggregate global demand, thereby affecting Nigeria’s export receipts.

Surplus

“The estimated capital and financial accounts swung from a surplus position of US$1.67 billion recorded in the preceding quarter to a deficit position of US$4.45 billion in the review period. This development could be attributable to the sharp drop in both foreign direct investment, FDI, and portfolio investment inflows.

“Further analysis revealed that the country’s assets abroad increased from US$2.44 billion recorded in Q1 2012 to US$7.65 billion in the review period, owing largely to the huge trade credits with respect to crude oil sales.”

Ibaji council still under water, Kogi First Lady cries out

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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OKOJA—WIFE of Governor of Kogi State, Hajiya Halima Wada, said, yesterday, Ibaji Local Government Area was still submerged in flood, resulting in the loss of farmland and property running into several millions of naira.

She disclosed this in Lokoja when a delegation from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, led by Director in Charge of Marine Environment Management Department, Mrs. Juliana Guwen, paid her a courtesy call as part of effort by NIMASA to provide relief materials to affected communities.

The First Lady told her visitors that apart from the Ibaji council, some parts of other local government councils, including Idah, were still submerged.

Hajiya Wada said that women and children in the affected communities were passing through a lot of difficulties and commended NIMASA’s management for the decision to come to the aid of the affected communities.

She said the relief materials, which include food stuff, clothes, toiletries, blankets, drugs, among others, came at a time they were needed most.

Speaking earlier, Guwen explained that the agency’s gesture was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, and that it was not limited to Kogi State.

The NIMASA Director said top officials of the agency were leading different delegations to the affected states.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

FG loses N6.75bn oil revenue to flood Continues from page 1 fell by about 18 per cent from 2.6million barrels daily, bpd, to 2.1 million bpd, even as it plans to hold a new licencing round by the year end to boost production reserves.

Furthermore, Shell, Nigeria’s biggest producer, last week declared force majeure, a legal condition which frees it from contractual obligations on Bonny Light and Forcados exports.

Bonny Light and Forcados are two of the country’s most important oil grades, which accounted for 427,000 bpd or 20 per cent of the nation’s total exports of 2.048 million bpd in October.

The developments compound Nigeria’s revenue projections, and will impact negatively on the 2012 Budget, and will affect the execution of capital budget for the remaining part of the year, as the country depends on more than 90 per cent of oil proceeds for its survival.

Already, the National Assembly and the Presidency are at loggerheads over the poor budget implementation, and if the flooding continued, the controversial 2013 national budget will also be impacted.

DPR Director, Mr. Osten Olorunsola, addressing journalists on the state of the industry said: “Our production dropped f rom 2.6 million barrels per day to 2.1 million as at yesterday. But it is gradually coming back to 2.3 million bpd because the flood is gradually receding and the companies are coming back to put on wells as well as their facilities.”

Damage toll Olorunsola said that the floods caused the shutdown of many of the fields, particularly those of the indigenous producers and some multinationals.

“Actually, some companies went out, companies like Sterling Energy and some little companies especially some marginal fields players. But even the big boys were seriously hit, as Total (French), was completely out in OML 58, which produces 90,000 bpd.

Agip (Italy), was seriously hit at Obiafor, Obikro, Mbede, they were really down. Total shut down at a peak of about 500,000 barrels per day.”

The revelation contradicts earlier claims by the Minister of Petro-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

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OLDING on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it to someone else, you are the one who gets burned – Budha.

Be careful lest what you intended for others becomes that which consumes you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Learn how to carry a friendship greatly, whether or not it is returned. Why should one regret if the receiver is not equally generous? It never troubles the sun that some of its rays fall wide and vain into ungrateful space and only a small part on the reflecting planet —Ralph Waldo Emerson

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HERE comes a time when you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you want them to be. You learn that just as people learn and grow, so it is with love and relationships and that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. But you can love yourself beautifully and give yourself permission to bring love and laughter into your life . Your beautiful energy will attract persons with similar attitudes as you become more aware, you will transform most positively.

This beautiful quote from Dorothy Day sums it all: “We plant seeds that will flower as results in our lives, so best to remove the weeds of anger, envy and doubt, that peace and abundance may manifest for all.”

leum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, that the recent floods did not affect oil facilities, after visiting some of the flooded areas in the Niger Delta.

Licencing round In another development, Alison-Madueke told a foreign news agency that the Federal government will hold its first oil exploration bidding round after five years by the end of this year, while licence renewal talks with Shell and Chevron over existing onshore fields are in their final stages.

In an interview, the minister said: “We expect within the next couple of months a marginal bid round will be announced.

We hope a major bid round will follow before the end of the year.

“Shell and Chevron (onshore licence renewals) are in the final stages now, those will definitely be out before the end of the year,” she added.

Exxon Mobil signed 20year oil licence renewals on Nigerian onshore assets producing around 550,000 bpd in February, but other oil majors are still negotiating terms with the government.

Some industry experts have questioned why licences are being renewed before the National Assembly has passed the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which will adjust terms on these types of contracts.

“It would have become slightly cumbersome to keep waiting on the PIB before the renewals,” Mrs Alison-Madueke said in reply.

The National Assembly is currently debating the PIB, a wide-ranging law which has been delayed for more than five years on disputes between oil firms and different arms of government.

If it becomes law, the bill may end years of regulatory uncertainty that has blocked billions of dollars of investment.

Foreign oil majors, including Shell and Exxon, have said the tax terms in the current version of the PIB would make exploration deep offshore, which is the key to growing Nigeria’s oil and gas output and reserves, non-viable.

“I think it is very diffi-

cult in general if you have been receiving a certain level of profit over quite a long period of time, to adjust to a slightly lower level of profitability,” Mrs Alison-Madueke said of the oil majors’ complaints.

“We went over these terms several times, we kept ourselves competitive,” she added.

She said after the changes were made in the PIB, Nigeria’s “government take” on offshore projects would increase by 10 per cent to 73 per cent, lower than in rival producers Angola, Norway and Indonesia.

The PIB is meant to overhaul everything from fiscal terms to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Oil, gas production DPR’s Olorunsola put

Nigeria’s actual crude oil plus condensates production in quarter three at 2.5m, while reserves stood at 31.2 billion Barrels for oil, 5.02 billion barrels for condensate; 92.6 trillion cubic feet, TCF for Associated Gas, AG; and 90.150 TCF for Non-Associated, NAG. He recalled that “a major enhancement to deepwater oil production was achieved when Total’s Usan FPSO, with capacity to process 180 million bpd was com-

missioned in April.”

However, he disclosed that associated gas flared average was 1.4 billion cubic feet per day, cf/d, approximately 18 per cent of total gas produced, even as the flare rate is a reduction of about five percent of 2011 rate.

To enhance gas resources, he said the agency is “actively participating in the development and implementation of the Gas Network Code.”

$180M HALLIBURTON SCANDAL:

FG orders re-arrest of principal suspects •AVM Bello, Obaseki, Aliyu, Bodunde, others risk arrest

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—THERE were indications in Abuja, yesterday, that the Presidency has directed the Police to rearrest the principal suspects in the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal, involving prominent Nigerians, for prosecution. This is sequel to the insistence by the US authorities that the $130million presently in the US government coffers, will be returned to Nigeria only after the culprits were prosecuted as the Americans have done.

As a result of the directive, Vanguard gathered that the Inspector General of Police has directed the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force Criminal Inves-

tigations Department to resuscitate the investigative report of the CP Ali Amodu-led panel that investigated the scandal and submitted its report in 2010.

Consequently, such principal suspects like the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Dominic Bello; former federal Permanent Secretary and Intercellular boss, Ibrahim Aliyu; former GMD of NNPC, Gaius Obaseki; former Special Assistant to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs, Mr. Bodunde Adeyanju and a former Secretary to the board of LNG, Mrs. Anthony are to be re-arrested for prosecution.

Aside the arrest of the principal suspects in the bribery scandal, the source told Vanguard

that the US government is insisting that the whereabouts of the $26.

5million returned by Construction giants, Julius Berger, in a plea bargain arrangement, should be located and handed over to the police, as until today, nobody including the police know where the money was paid or deposited.

Recall that Julius Berger was one of the indicted concerns in the $180million Halliburton bribery scandal while another indicted group was TSKJ, the Consortium of four companies that eventually carried out the construction of the Liquefied Natural Gas Company.

Vanguard had reported in 2010 that the Consortium of companies under the umbrella, Continues on page 50

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF, SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH, KENNETH EHIGIATOR & LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA— THERE was apprehension on board an Arik Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja yesterday.

The apprehension spread to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following allegation that a passenger on board the commercial flight from Maiduguri to Abuja, was laden with explosives.

The suspect, whose name was given as Aminu Galadima, a native of Minna in Niger State, had boarded the flight marked 5N MJE from the Borno State capital and was on his way to Abuja when he started behaving strangely in the aircraft.

The man was reported to have started chanting ‘God is Great! God is Great!, thereby raising suspicion that he might be a potential terrorist bent on blowing up the plane with the passengers and crew.

Anxious passengers, who saw the unruly behaviour of the passenger, raised alarm and apprehended the man.

The pilot was said to have immediately contacted the Air Traffic Control Tower and security agencies, alerting them that they had a security scare on board and pleaded with them to take actions to apprehend the passenger as soon as the plane landed.

Surprisingly, when the plane landed at about 12:53 p.m and a thorough search carried out on the man by security agents and fellow passengers showed that no dangerous item was found on him.

Despite that, the suspect was promptly handed over to the operatives of the State Security Service, SSS, for further interrogation.

He was yet to be released as at press time.

Suspect mentally unstable —Aviation Ministry Reacting to the development, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the State Security Service, SSS, said the man was mentally unstable.

The ministry and the SSS, in separate statements in Abuja, clarified that the passenger after going through all mandatory security screenings behaved abnormally but that nothing incriminating, explosives or weapons whatsoever were found on him.

The statement by the Ministry of Aviation read in part: “Mid air, the passenger began to act strangely, loudly screaming Allah Akubar 'God is Great.'

Fellow passengers, alarmed by this behaviour rushed to apprehend him.

A thorough search by fellow passengers and crew members revealed nothing dangerous on him. The pilot immediately radioed Air Traffic Control and airport security operatives.

“The plane landed safely at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at exactly 1253 hrs and the suspect handed over to the SSS at about 1445 hrs where he is currently being interrogated.

“We wish to reassure the flying public of the continued focus of the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the safety and security of the nation’s airspace, while cautioning fellow Nigerians on spreading dangerous rumours. These rumours do not help to make our airspace either safer or more secured.”

The SSS account The SSS account of the incident was more detailed.The statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar reads in full: “This is a brief highlight of the incident that occurred on the Arik Air flight from Maiduguri to Abuja.

“On Friday, October 19, 2012, wife of the SSG to the Borno State Government, Hajia Yachilla Jidda, travelled to Maiduguri in company of one Aminu S. Galadima, an interior decorator based in Abuja to do some interior decoration work. On arrival in Maiduguri, he was lodged at Greenland Hotel. During the course of his stay, he exhibited unusual behaviour by smashing a window, and ended up with lacerations on his hands.

“The SSG was contacted, and in collaboration with the hotel management, the subject was taken to Atal Hospital, also in Maiduguri, where he received treatment. His family in Abuja was contacted and they gave confirmation that Galadima has been mentally unstable.

In addition, his elder brother who lives in the UK was contacted and he requested that subject be returned to Abuja for medical attention.

“On Sunday, October 21, 2012, he was taken to the airport to be returned to Abuja, but missed the flight.

However, the airport management was informed of his state of health, and they advised that whenever

President Goodluck Jonathan (4th right); United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance Development, HRH Princess Maxima of The Netherlands (4th left); Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (3rd righ); Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu (2nd right); Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman (2nd left) after a meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Bomb scare causes tension on Arik flight Suspect handed over to SSS Arik dismisses claim as hoax his return is scheduled, the management should be notified.

“Unfortunately, when Galadima was taken to the airport on October 23 for his return trip, the management of the airport was not informed, and 10 minutes into the flight, due to slight turbulence, his condition was triggered off.

Meanwhile, Galadima is in the custody of security forces.

“This clarification has become necessary to dispel the unfounded rumours concerning the flight.”

Arik dismisses claim as hoax Corroborating the Federal Government’s clarification, Arik Air said in a statement last night that there was no iota of truth in the rumour.

The statement read: “To set the records straight, a passenger on board flight W3 812 from Maiduguri to Abuja caused a scare when he started shouting Allah Akbar shortly before the aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“Frightened passengers on board the flight became suspicious thinking the man was about to do something sinister.

“All the passengers on board the flight, including the man in question, had all gone through the normal security check at the Maiduguri International Airport and nothing

incriminating was found on anyone.

“However, when the aircraft landed in Abuja, another security check was conducted on the passenger and nothing

incriminating was found on him. A further security search was conducted on the operating aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 NG (Next Generation) and no trace of bomb or explosives were

found. The aircraft went back to service immediately.

“Arik Air wishes to assure guests that all its flights undergo strict security checks and passengers have nothing to fear. The airline’s Aviation Security Department is one the most sophisticated in the industry and its commitment to security and safety of passengers is second to none in Africa.”

Boko Haram: SSS to invite Modu Sheriff Grills Zanna for second day running

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA — OPERATIVES of the State Security Service, SSS, continued the questioning of Senator Khlaifa Ahmad Zanna, yesterday, trying to establish his relationship with the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Meanwhile, based on information given by Zanna, former Borno State Gover nor, Ali Modu Sheriff, is to be invited to shed light on what the lawmaker had said about him.

The interrogation, which started on Monday, followed the arrest of Shuaibu Bama, the Senator ’s nephew in a house said to be owned by the embattled lawmaker, who represents Borno Central in the National Assembly.

The arrest of Bama by the Joint Task Force, JTF, raised suspicion that the lawmaker might be connected with the sect in some ways and prompted his invitation

by the SSS. Zanna, who reportedly turned himself in to the SSS headquarters around 11 am, yesterday, was still being questioned as at 7p.m when our correspondent made enquiries about the progress of the interrogation.

A competent security source told Vanguard that the Senator was still being grilled by the operatives and that he had more ‘issues’ to respond to given the gravity of the matter over which he was invited.

The source hinted that while the man had made some useful statements to the SSS, he was yet to see the Director General of the agency, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, whom, our correspondent learnt, was not readily disposed to seeing him.

The source said: “The Senator still has many things to tell the operatives and I cannot say precisely when he will be freed because the DG has not yet seen him.

“The man was given a form to complete and he

used the first few hours to do so and his interrogation has just begun.

“His release will depend on when the operatives are through with him and if the DG would like to question him or not,” the source hinted.

SSS to invite Modu Sheriff The source said that the SSS was interested in getting to know if indeed Sheriff was colluding with the JTF to frame the Senator as he (Zanna) has claimed.

Zanna had alleged that the house where Bama was arrested belongs to the former governor and not himself, claiming further that Sheriff was colluding with the JTF to tarnish his image by alleging that he was a Boko Haram sponsor.

But on Channels Television last night, Sheriff took Zanna to the cleaners, asking him to explain how a wanted Boko Haram kingpin, who he recognises as his nephew ended up in his house.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—7

Sallah: Boko Haram plans bombings, recruits foreigners —JTF

BY UDUMA KALU

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AGOS— THE Joint Task Force, JTF, said, yesterday, that it had uncovered a plot by Boko Haram sect to carry out “massive attacks” during the Eid-el-Kabir festival, which falls on October 25 and 26, with the help of foreign mercenaries.

A JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, said in a statement: “Information available to the Joint Task Force indicates that the Boko Haram terrorists are planning to launch massive attacks on

military and civilian targets in Borno State before, during and after the forthcoming Sallah celebration.

“The terrorists have invited foreign mercenaries to assist them in the anticipated attacks,” Sagir said, but declined to comment on the nationalities of the alleged foreign fighters.

He added:“We know where they are coming from but we don’t want to disclose that because we don’t want to preempt our security arrangement to tackle them.”

Elder Felix Ohiwerie, Chairman, Fidson Pharmaceuticals/Chairman of occasion (right) and Pastor Emmanuel Ehimika, guest speaker during the 2012 Annaul Symposium/ Unity Forum organised by International Foundation for Christian Unity (IFC), at Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Don’t submit names for elections, PDP warns govs, others

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA — THE national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, warned governors elected on the platform of the party, state executive chairmen and all its public officers against submitting names of persons for any election into public offices.

According to the National Working Committee, NWC, members, through a statement signed, yesterday, by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, all state governors, zonal officers as well as state chairmen and secretaries must comply with Section 50 of the party ’s Constitution, 2012 as amended.

Metuh said: ”The national headquarters of the party has the sole authority and responsibility of conveying the names of PDP candidates for all elections to the appropriate electoral bodies.”

On the submission of names for election, Metuh referred to a circular letter PDP/NC/ NWC/SG/ZO/C.S/10/12 dated October 18, 2012 signed by the National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and thereby directed the officials to comply with contents of the circular.

The secular stated: “It is to be noted that Section 50 (1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2012 (as amended) vests the power for the formulation of guidelines and regulations for the nomination of candidates for election into public office at all levels on the national headquarters of our great party.

“So also is the authority for resolving all disputes relating to the choice of candidates for the party for any election and for conveying to INEC or any other authority to whom it may concern, and the names of candidates for the party in any elective public office in the Federation.”

Metuh, quoting the circular, stated that the Court of Appeal and the

Supreme Court had authenticated and reaffirmed the provisions of the party ’s constitution through judgments.

Also, yesterday, the NWC approved the appointment of Hon. Mohammed Wakil as the acting National Vice Chairman, North-East in place of Alhaji Girigiri Lawal who was recently suspended.

Jonathan assures on easy access to financial services

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said the Federal Government would take necessary action that would guarantee easy access to financial services in the country.

He stated this when he met with Princess Maxima of The Netherlands, United Nations Special Envoy for

Dangote, Elumelu nominated for Forbes Africa person award

BY MICHAEL EBOH

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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AGOS — CHAIRMAN of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and former Managing Director, United Bank for Africa Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, have been selected along with three other individuals for the 2012 edition of the Forbes Africa Person of the year award.

The other persons are Dr. James Mwangi, Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director, Equity Bank Limited, Kenya; Joyce Banda, President of Malawi and Stephen Saad, Cofounder, Aspen Pharmacare.

According to a statement by Forbes Africa, Dangote, Elumelu and the others were nominated by its readers because of their impact on African business in the

past year.

The magazine said the Forbes Africa Person of the Year award would go to the individual who has had the most influence on events of the year gone by, adding that with the release of the final shortlist, voting has started on the magazine’s website.

The magazine said voting would close on Thursday, November 1, 2012, and the Forbes Africa Person of the Year would be revealed in an event in Nigeria.

“Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu are two Nigerians who made the final five. Dangote was there also last year before the awards was won by fellow country man and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who did not make the final cut this year,” the magazine maintained.

On the nominees,

Forbes said Aliko Dangote, founder and president of Dangote Group, last year’s runnerup to Forbes Africa Person of the Year, is still Africa’s richest man worth more than $11.2 billion.

Dangote continues to be one of the continent’s biggest employers. He promises to donate most of his fortune to charitable causes upon his retirement.

“Dr James Mwangi won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2012 as well as Africa’s Innovation Leader of the Year Award in 2012.

Equity Bank is planning to extend its financial services to Ethiopia when the country opens its banking industry for foreign investors.

“Banda, Malawi’s first female leader, has restored strained diplomatic ties with neighbours and the international community.

Her administration has embraced investor friendly economic policies; she cut her salary by 30 per cent; sold the presidential jet and a fleet of luxury cars in austerity drive.

“Tony Elumelu, the multi-millionaire, grooms African business leaders and enterpreneurs through the Tony Elumelu Foundation. He is the leading advocate of Africapitalism, an economic philosophy that embodies the private sector’s commitment to Africa’s economic transformation through long-term investments.

“Stephen Saad is the biggest shareholder of the largest publicly traded drug manufacturer, Aspen. The company has a market capitalisation of $6 billion. Saad became a multimillionaire at 29.

Now aged 47, he employs more than 6,000 people.”

Financial Inclusion at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, such steps were necessary if all citizens will directly feel the impact of growth in the economy.

He said: "It is important for us to have structures that will enable all Nigerians have access to financial services as well as funds, and we have started programmes targeted at empowering the youth, women and the creative industry."

The President said the financial inclusion strategy being midwifed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would enable more Nigerians have access to funds and help reduce poverty, especially in the rural areas.

According to the President, his administration would support the strategy and pool the relevant departments of government to implement it for the benefit of Nigerians.

President Jonathan said he recognised the importance of small and medium enterprises as the major vehicle to create employment in an increasingly industrial world, and commended the CBN for the new strategy to provide access to funds.

Princess Maxima had earlier commended President Jonathan for supporting the financial inclusion strategy, and for the work of the Economic Management Team and the effective coordination of relevant ministries and departments.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Flood: CMT, Cathedral Society donate relief materials in Delta

D

ELTA State Change Management Team, CMT, has paid a visit to St. Patrick’s College camp for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, during which relief materials were presented to the IDPs by the Chief Change Agent, CCA, Mr. Gibson Pinnick, on behalf of the CMT. Receiving the items, the director of the camp Mr. Wanti, thanked the team for the donations and promised that the materials would be effectively distributed to the IDPs. Conducting members of FLOOD: Flooded area of Ebocha in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Flood: Govt must plan ahead—Clark

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—FORMER Federal Commissioner and Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, described flood disasters in parts of the country where many communities had been submerged, ravaged and property worth millions of naira destroyed, as a national disaster.

According to him, if these occurrences must be nipped in the bud and future ones averted, it had become imperative for the government and Nigerians to plan ahead, just as he called on the federal, state and local governments, as well as other voluntary bodies, to do everything possible to assist the returnees rebuild their devastated homes.

In a statement he per-

sonally signed , the Ijaw leader expressed his sympathies over the unprecedented flood disasters, even as he commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors for their quick intervention, adding that Nigerians must join hands with the Federal and state governments to address the problem.

Chief Clark promised that at his age and financial level, he would con-

tribute his widow’s mite to areas in the eye of the raging storms, the NigerDelta lowlands, the inevitable options of the desperately overwhelmed River Niger.

The leader of the South-South, who prayed fervently that Nigeria and the entire world should never again experience this social harzard, said: "I join all well-meaning Nigerians, and others all

Manager to FG: Make East-West Road passable donated relief materials

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—SENA TOR James Manager, representing Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of

urgency, make the EastWest Road passable to enable people send relief materials to flood-ravaged victims in Patani, Bomadi and Burutu Local Government Areas of Delta State.

Senator Manager made the call when he

NIMASA donates N21m relief materials to Anambra flood victims

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—NI GERIA Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, yesterday donated relief materials worth N21 million to flood victims in the nine local government areas of Anambra state.

Addressing reporters after donating the items, leader of the NIMASA

over the world, in expressing my sympathies with the country in general, and communities and direct victims, in particular, affected by the unprecedented flood disasters currently ravaging many parts of our nation. My heart goes out, especially, to the families that have lost, not only material possessions of untold values, but also, their blood relations.”

delegation, Mr. Nwabueze Obi, said their visit was to sympathise with their brothers and sisters who were displaced by the flood.

He said: ”The agency is touched and that is why we are here as part of our corporate social responsibility to come and identify with our brothers and sisters and to tell them that by the grace of God, in the next

few months, they will go back to their homes.”

Obi, who is the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Capital Services of NIMASA, explained that of the N21 million relief materials, each of the nine local government areas got materials worth N2.4million.

The items given to each of the affected local government areas were 300 pieces of foams, 100 cartons of indomie, 50 bags of rice, 2 bags of beans, among others.

worth millions of naira to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from Patani, Bomadi and Burutu at the various resettlement camps set up by the state government.

The items, including foodstuff, toiletries, mattresses and N2,000 to each of the camps, were delivered by his wife, Mrs. Juliana Manager.

She explained in the respective camps that the relief materials were from her husband, Frank Enekorogha, member representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Hon. Oboro Preyor, representing Bomadi constituency in the State House of Assembly.

Senator Manager said with the situation on ground, Patani and other communities have been cut- off from other parts of the state.

the Change Management Team round the camp, the Red Cross Society co-ordinator of the camp, Mr. Francis Agarivbie Igho, said the camp was running smoothly and thanked the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the proactive measures he took on rehabilitation of the displaced persons.

On his part, Mr. Gibson Pinnick thanked the Delta State Government for its prompt response in setting up the camp and others like it across the state and providing facilities for the IDPs.

Lawmaker pledges support to flood victims

BY SIMON ADEWALE

M

EMBER repre senting Ndokwa East Constituency in Delta State House Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has pledged continued material and financial support to his constituents suffering from the hardship occasioned by floods in their communities.

Speaking during a visit to the flood victims in their various camps, Osanebi said as the flood

was receding gradually, most of the victims had nothing to fall back on.

He therefore called on the federal and state governments to assist the victims, stressing that his mission in the Delta State House of Assembly was to cater for his people and bring the dividends of democracy to them.

He advised the victims to be law abiding, adding that Federal and state governments would continue to touch their lives even after the flood.

Vitafoam donates mattresses, pillows to flood victims in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

E N I N — V I TA FOAM Plc has, in Fugar, headquarters of Estako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, donated hundreds of mattresses and pillows to victims of the flooding caused by the overflow of the River Niger along its bank in the area.

The company made the donation through its Regional Sales Manager, South-West Region, Mr. Dahiru Gambo.

Gambo said the gesture was aimed at giving succour to the displaced persons and to complement what the government was doing to alleviate their plight.

Spokespersons for the victims, Mrs. Felicia Maliki and Mr. Salihu Ozizi, commended Vitafoam for the donation of the materials and appealed to other corporate

organisations and individuals to assist them in their hours of need.

Receiving the items, Transition Committee Chairman of EstakoCentral, Mr. Sulieman Bagudu, called on the federal, state and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, NGOs, to urgently put in place measures that would permanently resettle victims of the current flooding in the country.

He said the camps housing the flood victims should be decentralized to avoid overcrowding.

According to him,each camp in the local government has no fewer than 20,000 people. He disclosed that the local government council had been able to reduce the number of people in each camp to 5,000 to guard against health hazards in the camps.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 —9

Flood: Ladipo traders take additional measures

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

AGOS — TO ward off possible flooding of their market environment, traders at the Aguyi Ironsi International Trade Complex, Ladipo, Lagos State, recently embarked on massive environmental exercise to clean up the market and free the drainage.

The auto part dealers who spoke with Vanguard during the exercise said they were adhering to the Lagos Government warnings that everything should be done to avoid flood in the state as witnessed in several parts of the

country in recent times.

One of the traders, Joel Okafor said: “The state government has warned severally that flood currently experienced in other states could soon find its way down to Lagos and they asked us to keep our drainage free from dirt to ensure the free flow of water.”

Also, the President of the traders association, Mr. Jonathan Okolie, told Vanguard, while inspecting the clean up exercise that the authority of the market will make the exercise a bi-monthly event and it will be in line with the state government’s zero tolerance to dirty environment.

Fashola commends private partnership in education

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

L

AGOS — LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has commended the partnership of governments with religious bodies and the other private sector organisations in the development of education in the country.

He said such partnership has deepened the quality of the nation’s educational system.

Governor Fashola made the statement through his Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Rev. Sam Ogedengbe while receiving award of

recognition and appreciation on behalf of the state governor at 25th anniversary and launch of excellence award project of Upper Room Baptist Church, Ketu, Lagos.

Fashola said the quality of products resulting from the partnership, has also contributed greatly in the leadership of the nation.

Praising the role the Upper Room Baptist Church has played in the development of education in Lagos and its environs, he also called on other religious bodies to emulate such a gesture and also pray for the dream of Lagos mega city to be achieved.

From left: Alhaji (Dr.) Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara State Governor, receiving reports of the Visitation Panels to the Colleges of Education in Ilorin, Lafiagi and Oro, from Prof. Shehu Jimoh. He is assisted by another chairman of panel, Mr. Joshua Ogunlowo, at Government House, Ilorin.

Protest day 2: One Okada rider feared dead .As protesters destroy another LAGBUS bus

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI AND MONSOR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — AN unidentified commercial motorcycle operator, popularly called Okada rider was allegedly killed in the early hours of yesterday, at Pen Cinema, Agege, area of Lagos State, when men of the Nigerian Police attached to the state’s security outfit, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, accosted the victim while he attempted to evade arrest.

The Okada riders in the state continued their protest yesterday at

Kola Bus Stop, on Lagos-Abeokuta Express way, damaging a LAGBUS bus.

Similar incident happened at Ikotun Ejigbo Road as Okada riders blocked the major highway with burning tyres to register their displeasure over what they termed indiscriminate arrests and extortion by men of the Nigeria police and the new road traffic law banning their activities from 475 roads in the state.

It would be recalled that the Okada riders on Monday, resorted to violent protest across the state, vandalising

Eid-el- Kabir: Free bus ride, trash bags for Lagosians

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — AHEAD of the Muslim Eidel-Kabir, Sallah celebration, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, management, has concluded plans to provide free bus ride to residents on its Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, franchise on Friday.

Similarly, as part of measures to ensure zero tolerance on waste accumulation, Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, is set to distribute about a million free trash bags for adequate waste collection and effective

disposal during the period.

The free bus ride, according to the Managing Director of L AMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, will in particular facilitate easy movement of Muslim faithful to different praying centres across the state.

Mobereola, said the free bus service which began in 2008 had helped in reducing congestion and accident on the roads during festive periods, adding that the service would run for 13 hours starting at 7.00a.m. and ends at 10.00p.m.

The First BRT

Cooperative, operator of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will offer free services on Mile 12 – CMS, Mile 12 – Obalende, Ajah to National Stadium, Ajah – Obalende, Mile 12 – National Stadium, Mile 2 – National Stadium, Oshodi – Obalende and Oshodi – National Stadium routes.

On the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) corridor, free services will be offered on the Ikotun – Ikeja – Maryland, Iyana Ipaja – Maryland, Ikotun – Iyana Ipaja, Igando – Iyana Ipaja, Igando – Ikeja, and Igando – Maryland routes.

Mobereola reminded

road users of the existence of the Lagos Traffic Law and warned against flouting the law under the guise of the public holiday.

Also, Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said that the 350 Private Sector Participants, PSPs, operating in the state have been mandated with the task of ensuring that every part of the state is rid of waste during and after the celebration.

Distribution of the bags, which commenced five years ago, will be done through the PSP operators to ensure that refuse is properly bagged and disposed in covered bins.

Bus Rapid Transit, (BRT) and LAGBUS buses operating on Ikorodu Road.

According to an eyewitness who identified himself as Rasaq, the late Okada rider was hit by the men of the RRS at Pen Cinema while trying to escape with his motorcycle from being impounded by the security officers.

Rasaq, who spoke in Yoruba,narrated: “As the Okada rider was trying to evade arrest from the police, he quickly diverted his motorcycle towards Ogba-Ijaiye Housing Estate. The men of the RRS also did not retreat, they continued the chase.

During the process, one of the police officers hit the rider with his baton and he collapsed immediately.

“On seeing his helpless body on the ground, operators of tricycles, popularly called “keke NAPEP,” quickly rushed him to the nearest hospital.”

The protesters chanted anti-war songs and increased their activities to adjoining bus stops on the axis.

According to another eyewitness, Mr. Godwin Udofia, the situation began as early as 9:00 am with the protesters armed with stones and other equipment.

The scabs among the operators who did not join in the protest were also attacked with stones.

The situation resulted in hundreds of commuters being stranded at different bus stops, as heavy traffic gridlock was experienced on the ever busy Ikorodu Road.

...ACN reacts

M

EANTIME, THE state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has appealed to residents not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians to cause chaos in the state in the name of protesting against the ban of commercial motorcycle operations in some parts of Lagos.

The party made this appeal in the wake of the attacks on government vehicles

and properties by people masquerading as commercial motorcycle operators.

The party urged law enforcement agencies to deal with those destroying government properties on the pretext of protesting ban on Okada operations.

In a release by the party ’s Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the ban on Okada opetators was done in the best interests of the people at heart.

10 —Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24,

2012

Observers give kudos, knocks to Ondo poll

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

From left: Dr. Kunle Olajide, executive member, Yoruba Unity Forum; Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, wife of the Ondo governor; Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Ondo State Governor; Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu; Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Yoruba Unity Forum leader and Senator Femi Okuronmu, Secretary, during the congratulatory visit of the group from H.I.D. Awolowo to Gov. Mimiko at Government House, Akure, yesterday.

NEMA recovers 5 more bodies from river A

BEOKUTA — THE N a t i o n a l E m e r g e n c y Management Agency (NEMA) announced yesterday that it had recovered five more bodies from the commuter bus that plunged into the river on

Ijebu-Ode-Ore Expressway on Oct. 19.

Briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, NEMA Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye said so far, 18 bodies had been recovered, while three passengers survived.

Twelve bodies had

earlier been recovered when the 36-seater bus was conveying 21 passengers on the fateful day.

“All the remaining five bodies were discovered this morning, bringing the total to 21 as Madam

Christina Umwena, a survivor, revealed that 21 people were on board.

“Families of the victims have been collecting the remains of their relations at the IjebuOde General Hospital,” Farinloye said.

Gov. Mimiko winds up campaign, assesses victory

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — THE M i m i k o Campaign Organisation, MCO, yesterday said that the outcome of the governorship election in the state was the beginning of the liberation of the SouthWest region.

It also said the victory of the Labour Party, LP, had shown that the people of the state had decided that they would not serve any foreign god.

The Director General of the organisation, Mr. Akin Adaramola, said this in Akure at a valedictory press conference to wind up the campaign.

Adaramola declared that “the people of the state had spoken with one voice and rejected those that had the intention of capturing them.

The Director General who doubles as the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, however, expressed appreciation to the people for standing by Mimiko when it mattered most.

He said the victory had also revealed that the people appreciated the

good work being done by the LP government in the past three years and eight months.

Adaramola added that the new mandate given to the governor would enable him initiate

policies and programmes that would further improve the lives of the people of the state.

The Director of Campaign, Clement Faboyede, said the governor would break

KURE – THE Civil society groups that observed the last Saturday governorship election in Ondo State have described it as the most credible election in the country in recent times but added, however, that the heavy presence of security personnel actually scared voters away.

They were unanimous in a communiqué issued after the election by saying that the election was peaceful and devoid of any malpractice.

The communiqué signed by representatives of five of the civil society groups accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, however, commended the stakeholders for their roles in the success of the election.

The members of the coalition are Reclaim Naija, Transition Monitoring Group, the National Association for Peaceful Election in Nigeria, the Centre for Human Rights and

Man docked for kidnap in Osun

the second term jinx of non- performance.

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE According to Faboyede the people of the state SOGBO — AN would be better for it after O s o g b o the second term of the magistrate court governor. yesterday remanded a 45-year-old man, Adeolu Ojetade for kidnapping a 55-year-old man, Samuel Fatokun and also assaulting four others at Akala village, Modakeke area of Osun State. some people at the May According to the police Flower while a wake- prosecutor, Fagboyinbo keep to be co-ordinated Abiodun, a Police by the Methodist Church Inspector, the accused will be held at the same and others at large venue by 4.p.m. bundled Fatokun into a The grand finale will be vehicle and whisked him a private family away to an unknown interment at the family destination where he plot shortly after an inter- was allegedly assaulted. denominational service Abiodun further which will hold on Friday stressed that Ojetade and November 9, by 11a.m. his accomplices while

O

Family fixes Sheila Solarin’s burial plans

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA - THE b u r i a l arrangements for Sheila, the widow of the late reknowned educationist, Dr. Tai Solarin, has been scheduled to hold between November 8 and 9.

A copy of the burial arrangement of Sheila who died on Sunday at Babcock University Teaching Hospital Ilishan-Remo in the state at the age of 88 shows that the remains of the late co-founder of May Flower Secondary School, Ikenne in Ogun State would arrive IkenneRemo, Ogun State on November 8 from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, morgue.

There would be a motorcade procession to Ikenne Town Hall and

before a lying-in-state at Schmid Hall, Mayflower School where tributes would be paid by past students of May Flowers popularly called ExMays.

It was also gathered from the programme of event that students of the school will pay their last respects to the British woman who had impacted knowledge into

Ethics in Development and Justice and Equity Organisation.

Also, an NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisation, NGO, Cleen Foundation in its preliminary findings on the conduct of the security officials during the election said that the election complied substantially with the Electoral Act 2010.

The interim report signed by Chinedu Yves Nwagu on behalf of the Foundation noted the need to train security personnel on crowd control as there were crises in some areas where there were large turnout of voters The communique reads in part; “People were initially afraid of extreme thuggery with mercenaries from neighbouring states.

This contention was, however, discarded in the minds of the people through our sensitisation and also assuring them of their safety, as security agents have been mobilised to take charge of any eventuality”.

trying to carry out their nefarious act, unleashed torture on four others, identified as Alobi Karorudeen, Adeosun Babatunde, Oladapo Fabunmi and Dairo Morakinyo by beating them up mercilessly.

Ojetade who was facing an eight countcharge bordering on conspiracy, assault and kidnapping, pleaded not guilty to the counts preferred against him.

The defence counsel, Mr. Odunayo Henry's oral application for bail was turned down.

Aluko therefore ordered that Ojetade be remanded at Ile-Ife prison custody and adjourned the case till 27th November, 2012.

Gunmen abduct Rep’s mother in Ogun

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA GUNMEN have abducted Alhaja Obedatu Abudu-Balogun, the mother of a Federal Lawmaker representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr.

Abiodun AbuduBalogun.

Vanguard gathered that the woman who was a community leader in the local government was abducted at 9.30 p.m. shortly after she took her dinner at her residence in Ita – Otu, in Ogun waterside Local Government Area.

Mr. Abudu-Balogun, an

Action Congress of Nigeria, A C N, member , is the deputy chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security.

While confirming the incident, the Reps member described the incident as too painful for him to bear, saying that, the entire family members are afraid of the

condition of their mother.

Speaking with newsmen on the abduction of his mother, AbuduBalogun disclosed that, the entire members of the family had begun marathon prayers for her safe return.

He, however, said that, the kidnappers had not contacted any member of the family for ransom.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—11

Delta Speaker to chair Itsekiri Education Trust inauguration

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SEMINAR: From right: Mr. Owivry James; Mr. Chris Ekpekurede; Engr. Eghwrudje; (3rd from right) Mr. I. A. Ugiomoh; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Igwe and Mr. Mike .C. Nwosu, during the 2012 annual NICE Seminar, in Warri, Delta State.

JTF destroys 100 illegal refineries in Delta

BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

W

ARRI—JOINT Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed, Operation Pulo Shield, has launched another attack on crude oil thieves, destroying over 100 illegal refineries at Saghara community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The more than three hours operation, was carried out by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, 3 Battalion, Effurun, Delta State, commanded by Lt. Col. Ifeanyi Otu, on a dreaded crude oil refining depot known as “Shrine Refinery” at Saghara.

The soldiers seized large volumes of refined products and several pumping machines, but nobody was arrested during the operation.

Addressing reporters after the raid, Lt. Col Otu said: “We remain committed to protecting

our oil facilities and ending the business of oil thieves. We are determined to put an end to illegal oil bunkering in Nigeria. ”What you witnessed today is a continuation of our efforts to stamp out illegal oil thieves. We will not be deterred by

the pockets of illegal refineries springing up here and there. ”We warn those engaged in these illegal businesses to direct their energies to legitimate means of livelihood, which will be beneficial to all. Our nation will benefit if these skills are

Bayelsa alleges moves to spite Jonathan, Dickson

BY SAMUEL

OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Government, yesterday, raised alarm over alleged plot by some unnamed political appointees in the state to rubbish the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson, through the diversion of relief materials meant for flood victims.

The government, while alerting donor agencies

and corporate bodies, said machinery had been in place to frustrate the politicians involved in the plot, while the distribution of relief materials to victims of the flood in the state had improved with a review of the processes of accounting for donations and relief materials.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Edmund AllisonOguru, disclosed this yesterday in Yenagoa, while receiving truckloads of donations from

ASUU flays alleged govt interference in state varsities claiming that the VC

BY SIMON

EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE Aca demic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has condemned alleged interference by state governors in the affairs of state universities across the country, saying the prevailing situation was affecting academic activities negatively.

Coordinator of Benin zone of the union, made up of the University of Benin (UNIBEN); Ambrose Alli University C M Y K

directed to nation building rather than destroying the economy and aquatic lives.

“I urge all those sabotaging our efforts to repent because when they are caught they will not be spared. I call on citizens to report any criminal or suspicious activities to us."

(AAU), Ekpoma; Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka; Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Dr. Sunday Ighalo, faulted the manner in which the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Technology, RUST, was appointed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

He alleged that due process was not followed in the re-appointment of Prof. Baritone Fakae,

came last in the interview conducted for aspirants to the position but that two of the five persons were fraudulently disqualified to pave way for Fakae to be among the three shortlisted for the governor to pick from.

He said: “They impose their will on the universities. They want to determine who becomes the cleaner, they want to determine who is Vice Chancellor, they want to determine everything in the university."

managements of Chevron Oil Limited and a popular eatery in the state, Peproni Fast Foods.

He said the state government was disturbed when relief materials were diverted by those he described as third party. He said: "We have warned them to desist from such nefarious act capable of bringing down the good gesture of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the state governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to disrepute. Government is disturbed when relief materials are diverted by some third party, hence it has mandated specific government officials to handle matters relating to donations of relief materials.”

While the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited donated four container loads of relief materials to the state government and announced that over N50 million had been forwarded to the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, a popular fast food outlet in the state, Peperoni Foods, donated sets of beverages, food stuffs and toiletries to the victims of the flood.

ARRI—SPEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, is expected to chair the inauguration of the first ever Itsekiri Education Trust billed for the Olu of Warri Palace (Aghofen) in Warri, Delta State.

The occasion, which has been slated for Saturday October 27, will have His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, as Royal Father of the Day. When inaugurated, the Itsekiri Education Trust will work towards ownership of educational institutions, which should be situated in Itsekiriland, on behalf of all Itsekiri both at secondary and tertiary levels, research centres, particularly the Centre for Itsekiri Studies as well as skill acquisition centres.

A statement by the Warri National Council, explained that the proposed Itsekiri Education Trust, which will have trustees, management committee

and staff, will also be saddled with the responsibility of generating funds to finance capital and recurrent costs of the institutions to be taken over or established until such institutions become self-sustaining and profit yielding.

The statement added that renowned Itsekiri educationist, Dr. Mark Ogharaerumi, would chair the trustee, while former Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof.

Grace Alele-Williams, Engr. Alexander Neyin, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, Chief Nelson Utieyione and Prof. Doris Afejuku, would be among the 10member trustees.

Chairman, Warri National Council, Chief Brown Mene, Chairman of Itsekiri Progress Club, Mr. Fred Ogbe and Dr. Mark Ogharaerumi, Chairman of the Working Committee of Itsekiri Education Trust are key arrow-heads of the new initiative.

UYC alleges marginalisation of Urhobo UYC, in a statement by

BY FESTUS AHON

U

G H E L L I — URHOBO Youth Council, UYC, yesterday raised alarm over what it described as gross marginalisation and ethnic cleansing of Urhobo nation by the administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Henry Baro, Olorogun Jaro Egbo and Mr. Hope Emore, National President, Deputy National President and National Secretary, respectively, claimed that the Urhobo were in a sorry political state.

It lamented that for the first time since 1963, the Urhobo were not in the Federal Executive Council.

A-Ibom urges banks to fund real sector

A

KWA Ibom State Government has called on banks in the country to place priority

Ibusa schools quiz holds Oct 27

T

HIS year ’s quiz competition for post-primary schools in Ibusa, Delta State, holds on Saturday, October 27.

A statement by the director-general of Vee Ten Club, Dr. Patrick Ugoji, said the event, sponsored by the Port-Harcourt, Rivers State-based club, made up of Ibusa indigenes, is part of its contribution towards the pursuit for educational excellence among secondary school students in Ibusa community.

on funding the real sector of the economy.

Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who made the call during the commissioning of Uyo Main Branch Complex of Union Bank, urged banks to shift their focus from short-term loans and foreign exchange to the real sector which, according to him, will create employment and grow the economy.

Mr. Ekere, who represented Governor Godswill Akpabio on the occasion, solicited Union Bank’s partnership with the state government in its integrated industrialisation programme, pointing out that the government had already laid the infrastructural base for the industrial renaissance of the state.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

N-Delta musician raises N6m for kidney patient

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

WORLD PHYSICIANS DAY: From right: Dr. Sampson Parker, Rivers State Commissioner for Health; Prof. Chris Akani, Provost, College of Health Science, University of Port Harcourt, and Dr. I.F Korubo, Nigerian Medical Association Chairman, Rivers State chapter, during the lecture to commemorate 2012 World Physicians Day in Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Sale of PHCN companies: Uduaghan seeks N-Assembly's intervention

BY EMMA AMAIZE

A

S A B A — D E LTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, insisted, yesterday, that a shoddy process was adopted in the sale of distribution companies of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, by the Federal Government and called on the National Assembly to wade into the matter.

Dr Uduaghan made the call when the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Down Stream Sector), led by its chairman, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, paid him a courtesy call in Asaba.

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

Uduaghan expressed worry that the companies would go into wrong hands, warning that a situation where the communities and states directly affected were sidelined did not portend well for the people and certainly would not make for peace in the areas.

Besides, the governor said such shoddy process of sale that was fraught with fraud was

bound to throw up incompetent hands that would not be able deliver as expected.

NASS should intervene He said the National Assembly should intervene to ensure that due process was followed taking into cognisance the huge investments of state governments in PHCN. The governor, who urged that privatisation should be done rightly, regretted that what had been done could create more problems for the

country.

Dr. Uduaghan appealed to the authorities not to allow politics take away the essence and need to provide regular power supply to the people, stressing the need for the roles played by states in the energy sector to be acknowledged and compensated for.

Crucial roles Speaking further, Uduaghan said: "State governments play crucial roles in the energy sector, with the provision of transformers, setting up the network of electric

lines. Governors are deeply concerned over the power situation and when the chips are down, it is the state governments that communities run to for transformers among other things.”

He recalled that the nation experienced similar challenges in the petroleum sector when some oil wells were sold without involving the communities and the states, noting that the result was that most of them could not access the wells to operate.

Gunmen abduct woman in C-River

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

C

ALABAR—BARELY a week after two pupils were kidnapped by a 4-man gang while being taken to school by their mother and about N1 million allegedly paid as ransom, kidnappers, Monday, abducted another woman, Mrs. Ime-Abasi Emmanuel, 30, demanding N50 million ransom.

Mrs. Emmanuel was allegedly kidnapped about 9pm on Monday in her residence, 16 Akiba Street, Eke Ita, Ikot Ansa, in Calabar, as she came out from the house to see the people who had called from the gate of the compound.

When contacted, Commissioner of Police in the

state, Mr. Osita Ezechukwu, said the matter had not been reported to the police and that his men would carry out extensive investigation on the matter.

Speaking to Vanguard on phone, the victim's husband, Mr. Emmanuel Pius, a staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in Ilorin, Kwara State, confirmed the report and said that even when the wife called him, as he was trying to find out from them what happened, they shouted at him and cut off the call.

Narrating the incident, he said: “What happened is that you know I am based in Ilorin, Kwara State. I called my wife yesterday (Monday) evening. I have been

communicating with her since morning and afternoon yesterday and she said that any time I want to sleep, I should call her, so in the evening around 9 o’clock I tried to call but it was not going through.

“So this morning, I called her again, the line was not going through.

I suspected it was network, so around 10 o’clock, she called me and said they kidnapped her. After that, the people collected the phone from her and I asked them what happened.

They asked why I was shouting and cut off the call.

“So I had to call my brothers and told them.

According to what I was told, the kidnappers are asking for N50 million."

ENIN—A POPULAR musician in the Niger Delta, Idowu Moye, (aka Maleke), has raised over N6 million for a Benin artist, Esohe Osagiede, who has an infection in her kidney.

Esohe has been suffering from the problem for some time now but unfortunately for the family, they were unable to raise the N8 million required by an Indian hospital for the treatment.

However, Maleke, who originally organized the occasion which was supposed to be the launching of his new album, after he invited Nigerian musicians such as Tuface Idibia, Eedris Abdulkarim and others, turned the event to a

fund raising for the ailing Esohe.

Maleke, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, in Benin City, said he decided to convert the occasion to a fund raising to save Esohe's life.

He said: “I know I spent millions of naira to organize the occasion which was originally planned for the launch of my new album but because I consider her life more important than my album, I decided to change the occasion.

“Luckily for us, all my friends that came made donations and at least we were able to raise N6 million. I know I am a musician but I have the fear of God in me. Even though I failed to raise money for myself, I am glad I did it for someone who needed it more than any of us.”

Southern leaders vow to counter plot against Jonathan

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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A R R I — A G R O U P , Southern Mandate, comprising leaders from the South-East, South-South and South-West, has resolved to mobilise political leaders and members of the National Assembly from the South and North respectively, to counter an alleged conspiracy by a northern cabal to frustrate President Goodluck

Jonathan out of office.

The group took the decision at a meeting in Warri, Delta State.

Among those in attendance were former chairmen of Ethiope West, Burutu and Bomadi Local Government Areas in Delta State, Dr. Wilson Omene, Mr. Frank Zuokumor and Mr. Kelly Penawou, respectively, Mr. Tito Zuokumor and Mr. Austin Mukoro, representing the SouthSouth zone.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—13

Murder: Court sentences soldier to death Jails another for life

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—AN Owerri High Court, presided over by Justice Ngozi Bernadine Ukoha, has sentenced a soldier, Lance Corporal Bassey Asinya, to death for culpable murder, while his colleague, Augustine Nwolisa, bagged life sentence.

The two soldiers, who were serving in 34 Field Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army, Obinze, Owerri West local council area of Imo State, were accused of killing an American-based business man, Sylvester Nnaemeka Obiekea, on December 24, 2006, in Owerri.

Delivering judgment in suit number HOW/13C/ 2007, which lasted for more than three hours, Justice Ukoha recalled that Asinya affirmed during police investigation and also in court that he actually shot Obiekea.

Continuing, the high court Judge recalled that the first accused, Asinya, admitted that late Obiekea was the only one found in his vehicle when they went in pursuit of alleged armed robbers said to be operating close to World Bank junction, Owerri.

“I find as true that the deceased was an American based business man. It is also true that the deceased died in the early hours of December 25, 2006, and it was the first accused (Bassey Asinya) who shot him”, the judge said.

Justice Ukoha said “although there was no eye witness account in respect of the instant case, the bur-

den of the prosecution was made simpler as the accused persons, who were the only eye witnesses, affirmed that the first accused shot the deceased.”

While saying that evidence before the court showed that the accused persons did not get ap-

proval from their superiors before acting, Justice Ukoha said it was sheer wickedness to take Obiekea to the army barracks, where there were no life-saving facilities instead of the hospital.

“The act of wickedness and negligence facilitated

the death of the deceased.

Court disbelieves the evidence of of the first accused (Bassey Asinya) that he was shot on his left leg by robbers,” Justice Ukoha said.

The court finally found Augustine Nwolisa guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to life imprisonment, while Bassey Asinya was sentenced to death for murder.

L

AGOS—A 25-yearold man, Abubakar

A

BUJA— THE Na tional Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, said that the Nigerian Communications Satellite, NiComSat had the capacity to deliver electronic voting system, e-voting for future elections.

The PDP chairman made the declaration during a test run process of e-voting at C M Y K

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WERRI—THE Ap peal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has upheld the election of Chief Nnanna Igbokwe, representing Ahiazu/ Ezinihitte/Aboh Mbaise federal constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The court equally upheld the application by Chief Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Imo State and PDP to be joined by the Appeal filed by Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Chief Araraume against the election of Owelle Rochas

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

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BUDGET PRESENTATION: Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Hon Mutu Nicholas (left) receiving the 2012 budget from the Managing Director, Dr Chris Oboh in Abuja, yesterday.

Delivering its ruling on Ohakim’s application, the three-member appeal panel, presided over by Justices A. O. Lakohu Sodibe, Sammuel Oseji and M.A.H. Adumein, upheld that the applicants had interest in the issues being canvassed.

In a unanimous decision in Igbokwe’s case, the Court presided over by Justice Uwani Abaji and two other justices, agreed with the Owerri High Court’s decision in upholding the result of the election held in the Constituency by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

AGOS—RECTOR of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, Captain Chinyere Kalu, yesterday, said one of the major reasons most African National carriers collapsed after operating for a few years was because they were managed by non-African flight crew and aviators.

Disclosing this development in the course of her presentation at Akwaaba 2012 in Lagos, Captain Kalu pointed out that apart

from the numerous challenges that was bedevilling the aviation industry in Africa, inadequate manpower also accounted for the death of African airlines According to the NCAT Rector, “we have to train our people, Africans in particular, so that we can manage our airlines by ourselves and when this happens, we are sure of having vibrant airlines within our sub-region as well as making the aviation industry in Africa a more competitive industry all over the world.”

Union lauds Ondo guber polls

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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Mr. Osita Chidoka, Ike Obosi and Corps Marshal, FRSC (left) and Senator Margerie Okadigbo during the traditional new yam festival/Ofala in Obosi, Anambra State.

Tijani, who was caught recently with $7.5 Million (about N1.1 billion) on his way to Dubai at the Murtala Mohammed

Airport, Lagos, yesterday, pleaded guilty to the offense preferred against him by the Economic and Financial

NiComSat 'll be ready for e-voting in 2015, says Tukur

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

Why African airlines die, by NCAT Rector

Man caught with $7.5m pleads guilty

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A'Court upholds Igbokwe's Okorocha. election

the corporate headquarters of the organisation in Abuja.

He said he was shocked to witness the level of innovative technology and capacity exhibited by NiComSat, especially in the area of e-voting and electronic broadcasting, saying that with the right support and adoption of the technology, Nigeria could compete with any of her contemporaries anywhere in the world.

Tukur said: My impression about what I saw here today is really beyond my imagination because I have never conceived that I will see such a thing here in Nigeria. What this means is that the potentials here can be compared with any other potentials we can get outside our country.

“What we need is to utilize our capacity, our capability and innovative ideas to really address our problems and challenges.”

Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice C.J Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

The accused, a Dubai bound traveller, and international business man, was arraigned for being in possession of $7.5 million, while he only declared and concealed part of the fund to the authorities.

Giving a summary judgment on the case, the trial Judge, Justice Aneke ordered the seizure of all travelling documents of the accused and ordered the forfeiture of part of the money undisclosed by him, which amounted to 25% of the total sum to the Federal Government.

AGOS—NATIONAL Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has said the successful conduct of last Saturday's gubernatorial election in Ondo State, was a victory for democracy, saying Ondo State, just like Edo State, had shown that increasingly Nigeria was becoming a democracy destination where votes really count.

NUTGTWN in a statement by its General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu,

commended President Goodluck Jonathan “for knowing where partisanship ends and statesmanship begins. His congratulatory message to Governor Mimiko of Labour Party shows his commitment to the bigger picture of entrenching democracy.”

“We congratulate the Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, and the good people of the state for the successful conduct of the gubernatorial election on Saturday October 20, 2012. It is a victory for democracy," the statement read.

APGA chieftain seeks support for Okorocha

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WERRI—ALL Nige rian Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, chieftain and community leader from Imo State, Chief Lawson Chukwu, has called on the people of Imo State to support the government of Chief Rochas Okorocha. The party said it was hopeful that the government will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

Addressing youths and elders from Osuh clan at

Isiala Mbano, Chukwu, who is also an apex member of Osuh Leadership Forum, OLF, said though Okorocha courted some controversies initially, he was optimistic that the governor would succeed with the full support and cooperation of Imo citizens.

Chukwu enjoined politicians in the state to sheathe their swords for the general interest of the people.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Court reserves ruling on Enugu govt, landowners suit

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BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—THE Fed eral High Court sitting in Enugu, yesterday, adjourned ruling in the matter involving the Enugu State Government and former landowners at Airport Hillview and Layout, over the acquisition and demolition of their houses by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and state government.

Presiding judge, Justice D. V. Agishi adjourned the matter to November 19, 2012 when counsel to the BRIEFING: From left: Public Relations & Protocol Manager, MTN, Funso Aina; General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Funmi Omogbenigun and Corporate Services Executive, Akinwale Goodluck at briefing on the activities of the company in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Police kill three kidnap suspects, nab six Rescue Catholic priest

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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W K A — ANAMBRA State Anti robbery Squad, SARS, yesterday, gunned down three suspected kidnappers and arrested six others dur-

ing a gun battle that lasted over an hour.

The state police command, at a briefing in Awka, said two of the victims of the kidnappers, Rev. Fr. C. Okoye of Archdiocese of Onitsha and one Onyekwelu

Jonathan Eledu, were rescued by the police.

According to the police, the suspects killed were members of the dreaded gang that had been terrorizing the state which had the late Olisa Ifedika, alias Ofeakwu,

as their kingpin. Ifejika’s house at Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area had since been destroyed.

The police said they were able to dismantle the suspects’ detention camp at Orsumoghu in Ihiala local government area.

The hoodlums were said to have demanded a ransom from the family of the Reverend Father before luck ran out on them.

The police also said it had arrested 14 armed robbery suspects in the state since October 1, 2012, while two other robbery suspects were killed in a gun battle.

Items recovered from them include two- AK 47 riffles, one rocket launcher, one rocket, four rocket propellers, 18 AK 47, magazines and 300 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Raphael Uzoigwe, the operatives are working assiduously to track down fleeing wounded members of the syndicate, while SARS was investigating the armed robbery suspects.

state government failed to appear in court.

The move to upgrade the Enugu Airport to international standards led to the acquisition of the land by the government in 2009, through the state Ministry of Lands, with a promise to compensate the landowners.

But when the state government failed to pay the compensation, the landowners under the auspices of Airport Hillview and Layout Neighbouurhood Watch, dragged the government to court in 2010.

Sen Okonkwo bags Ojeligbo-Ozi tending, described Sen. title

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BOSI—THE presi dent of Igbo sociopolitical group, C 21, Senator Annie Okonkwo was last weekend anointed as the Ojeligbo-Ozi (Messenger of Igboland) by the traditional ruler of Obosi kingdom in Anambra State, H.R.H Igwe Chibueze Iweka.

The Igwe, who was celebrating his first Ofala to mark the dawn of a new era of peace in his kingdom, stated that those they had chosen to honour and bless, were carefully selected pillars of change and light in Igboland.

The Igwe, while thanking Governor Peter Obi for at-

Okonkwo as a fit and proper Igbo son to adorn the mantle of Ojeligbo-Ozi at this point in time.

Igwe Iweka stressed that the title of Ojeligbo-Ozi demanded sacrificial service by the holder, as the messenger must be above board to deliver truth, hope and strength to his people.

He noted that a true messenger of his people could not bear tales of despondency, capitulation or surrender to them since he carries the royal seal of the Majesty.

Those honoured include SpeakerofAnambraStateHouse of Assembly, Chinwe Nwafili, Chief Cletus Ibeto, among others.

Artiste raises N6m for kidney occasion which was suppatient posed to be the launch of

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—A popular musician in the Niger Delta, Idowu Moye, (aka Maleke), has raised over N6 million for a Benin artist, Esohe Osagiede who has an infection in her kidney.

Esohe has been suffering the problem for some time now but unfortunately for the family, they were unable to raise the N8 million required by an Indian hospital for the treatment.

However, Maleke who originally organised the

his new album, after he invited Nigerian Musicians such as Tuface Idibia, Abdulkarim and others, turned the event to a fund raising for the ailing Esohe.

Maleke who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, in Benin, said he decided to convert the occasion to a fund raising.

He said: “I know I spent millions of naira to organise the occasion which was originally planned for the launch of my new album but luckily for us, all my friends that came made donations and at least we were able to raise N6 million."

Environmentalist decries dump-sites in Delta

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ARRI — A PRAC TISING consultant environmentalist, Hosanna Jalogho-Williams, attached to both Delta State Government and Federal Ministry of Environment has decried the state of environmental degradation in the state caused by the numerous irregular dumpsites in Delta State.

The consultant environmentalist said that in the past, local government councils had been doing

C M Y K

the refuse collection and sanitation processes, but added that the non-availability of local government chairmen and the recent hollows in the DESOPADEC had constituted the neglect of environmental clean-up and refuse management.

He said: “It is important to note that the Warri metropolis has been degraded by the carcinogenic evaporation from rainfall on the

refuse dump. Secondly, the gas glaring degradation amid the gas evaporation from irregular dump-sites, has concerted to form a colossal cause of persistent nasal ailment/congestion and possibly a stepping stone towards cancers.”

Jalogho-Williams urged Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to put formidable machinery in place to embark on total clean-up of the state.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—15

House of Reps insists on grassroots participation in constitution review

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives has reiterated its position on grassroots participation in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, explaining that its planned peoples’ public sessions was to ensure that no sec-

tion of the Nigerian citizenry, irrespective of class, place of abode and/ or affiliation, was denied a chance to make input.

Chairman of the ad-hoc committee on the Review of the Constitution and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, stated this yesterday, dur-

ing an interview with journalists at the 127th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, taking place at Quebec, Canada.

He assured that the peoples’ public sessions, which will ensure all 360 members of the House convene all-inclusive consultative meetings in their

constituencies, had been designed to ensure that the voices of the grassroots were reflected in the amendments that will be eventually made in the constitution.

He said: “Constitution amendment is not a process that should be left alone in the hands of the political class or vocal elite

FG restates commitment to power reforms

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, said there was no going back in efforts to overhaul the power transmission infrastructure across the country to stabilise power supply.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated this when the National Good Governance Tour team inspected the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, sub-station

C M Y K

in Makeri, Jos. He said: “Stable power supply is key to Nigeria’s economic development. Be assured that there will be greater efficiency in power generation and stability soon.

“The Federal Ministry of Information recently conducted investigation across the country and discovered that there is greater stability in power supply in most parts of the country. We are getting there.”

Earlier, Principal Man-

ager, Transmission, Thomas Duniya, said the construction of 120 megawatt power sub-station had been completed.

He said: “The project was executed in partnership with the Plateau State Government, which spent N47 million to compensate landowners before the project took off.

“Once the sub-station is energised, there would be stability of electricity in the Jos South District. Initially, the entire district was sup-

plied with electricity through 33kv line, but with the completion of the substation, power would be supplied through a 132 KV line with 6 feeders.”

Inspecting the Agricultural Services and Training Centre, ASTC, which was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan in October, Maku said the state government had revolutionised farming practice, particularly among peasant farmers.

that exerts some control over advocacy machinery.

“That is why the House of Representatives has designed these innovative peoples’ public sessions to provide opportunities for all strata of Nigerians to make input into the kind of constitution they want.

“For the first time, we are directly taking the constitution amendment to the doorsteps of the Nigerian people, going beyond the usual zonal hearings that gets hijacked by a selfsame elite endowed with the means to manipulate public opinion.

“The sessions will be noholds barred, non-partisan and broad-based as the National Assembly will not impose a ceiling on the range of amendments sought by Nigerians.”

Ihedioha spoke at the IPU conference tagged Citizenship, Identity and Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in a Globalised World.

FG to regulate contract staffing

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, in Abuja, said it would soon issue strict guidelines to regulate and curb prevailing issues of contract staffing and casualisation in the maritime industry.

Meanwhile, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has said welfare of workers remained its central objective.

Speaking at the commissioning of MWUN liaison building, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, said though cases of casualisation were less reported in the sector, cases of contract staffing were prevalent.

He said the Federal Government would ensure that the issue of contract staffing was taken care of in the industry as his ministry had done in the oil and gas sector.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

900,000 farmers get fertilizer through e-wallet

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

COURT: Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State (right) and Dr. Hassan Fulata, State Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, a former aide to Governor Lamido, at the Kiyawa Sharia Court, Jigawa State.

Mark, Tambuwal make case for local content in broadcasts, movies

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—SENATE President, David Mark, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, challenged National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, broadcasting organisations and films industry in the country, to see what can be done to improve on local content, with a view to projecting African heritage.

This is coming at a time the Director-General of NBC, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa, described electronic colonisation as an evil that must be fought to a standstill.

The duo threw the challenge at the opening ceremony of the 9th Biennial Conference of Africa Broadcasters, Africast 2012, with the theme Content Rules, in

Abuja.

The Senate President, represented by Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, noted that programme content of broadcast stations and the type of films produced had great influence on youths, noting that some broadcast programmes and films are not glorifying African culture.

He said: “Let us see what we can do to improve out local content. Whatever we send out in our broadcast or film has a lot of influence on our youths. We must be careful of the way we present this thing.”

Declaring the three days conference open, Tambuwal, who called for more of community broadcasting in Nigeria, urged broadcasters to uphold the ethics of the profession in carrying out their duties.

PDP repositions in Ogun

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN—FORMER Minister of Steel Development and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Sarafa Isola, yesterday in Ilorin, said plans were in place by the party in Ogun State to wrestle power from Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the next general election.

Isola spoke with newsmen shortly after he bagged Master of Business Administration, MBA, degree at the University of Ilorin.

The former minister, who said the leadership of PDP had been embarking on reconciliation C M Y K

moves to end the simmering crisis within the state chapter of the party, said by the end of the year, all the crises in the party would have been resolved.

Isola, also former Secretary to Ogun State government in former governor Gbenga Daniel’s administration, explained that there was no doubt that crisis was inevitable in any human endeavour, hence the crisis was normal.

He said: “Peace is gradually coming back to the party because the three factionas in the party had been fused into one, while the remaining one would soon come into the fold of PDP in the state.”

BUJA—FEDERAL Government has said over 900,000 farmers have received their fertilizers and improved seedlings across the country through the Electronic Wallet system introduced by the administration over eight months ago.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who disclosed this in Abuja, said they E-Wallet system had succeeded in exterminating

corrupt practices that characterised the procurement and distribution of fertilizers in the past.

He said: “At the beginning of this administration, we said the most important thing was to get farmers to have access to improved seedlings and fertilizers, because without access to fertilizer, you really cannot raise productivity.

“We are richly blessed in this country. All we need to do is to harness our resources.”

2013 budget: PDP wades into NASS/Presidency rift

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—WORRIED by the emerging rift between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the 2013 budget, following different positions on the oil price benchmark, the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, disclosed, yesterday, that it has waded into the matter.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, noted that the party controls the majority at the National Assembly and it has not lost control of its members, adding that the bickering between the two arms of government will be resolved through dialogue.

He said: “It is an open secret, but that is our own internal affairs and we are going about resolving the issue through.”

It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan’s pegging of $75 per barrel as benchmark for the sale of crude oil in the 2013 budget was rejected by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Benchmark

While the Senate approved $78 per barrel, the House of Representatives pegged the oil benchmark at $80 per barrel.

This has since created some tensions between members of the National Assembly and the Presidency, especially with comments from Alhaji

Ahmed Gulak, Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Political Matters and Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, which the lawmakers described as unpalatable.

tem. He said the system had endeared Nigerians to the party, even as he explained that when medicine is good for you, you don’t throw it away.

“We will continue with zoning,” he added.

Ondo guber On zoning

Oyinlola also told journalists that PDP will not throw away zoning sys-

He also spoke on the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election, where PDP was de-

feated by Labour Party, LP. Oyinlola, who noted that some lessons have been learnt, disclosed that as a party, it would do an appraisal on where on what happened, where it got it wrong and continue to work hard enough to convince the people of Ondo State, or any other state in which it would contest an election, that it can always do better.

NUC blames rot in varsities on state governors

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—EXECUTIVE Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, has said the current challenges confronting tertiary education in the country were a result of the poor funding of state universities by state governors.

Speaking on the second day of University of Ilorin convocation, yesterday, Prof. Okojie said learning environment in public institutions had been adjudged better than private institutions.

He said: “With so much influence of governors, they would want to move state universities to their hometown or the vice chancellor’s. They won’t disclose the number of students, while some governors would say they can’t fund the institutions if they don’t know the number of students the VC has.

“There is lack of integrity in the system,” he said, adding that the issue of part-time programme was a major distraction to the system.

The NUC scribe, who noted that there was need for capacity building in the educational system to encourage research, expressed concern that 60 percent of university teach-

ing staff were without Ph.Ds. Okojie also said research should be done on hitherto neglected traditional crops or ‘lost food’ like red yam, Ijebu snake beans, yam from stem, vegetables, animals such as bush rats and African giant rabbit, stressing that research should not only be focused on cassava and maize.

Nigerian tech volunteers arrive Sierra Leone

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IGERIA, last Friday, sent 19 Technical Aid Corps, TAC, volunteers, including teachers, mental health specialists, lecturers, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, among other technical staff, to help the Sierra Leone government develop technical areas.

Welcoming the TAC volunteers at the Nigerian High Commission at Hill Station in Freetown, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Mr.

Eyo Asuquo said the volunteers would help strengthen the bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Nigeria and will further trade Nigeria to the world.

He said Nigeria sees Sierra Leone as its first sister country and will do all in its capacity to contribute to the country’s development, citing the deployment of the TAC volunteers as one of such contributions.

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012— “It is not what you are called, but what you answer to."- African Proverb

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BY DENNIS UTANG

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N no distant future from now, lovers of fun and excitement shall converge in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital in order to feel the joy that the yearly Calabar Festival brings. To be précise, November 30, 2012, after 12 midnight, the skies of Calabar, expectedly, shall be lit with fireworks and other symbolic events associated with the opening ceremonies.

The festival itself is growing and getting bigger in leaps, both in content, organisation and implementation. As it grows, the expectations from both the host State (the Chief Organiser), as well as those who had experienced the festival’s excitement and the first timers would be full of high hopes The first timers for instance would be looking forward to savouring and participating in the flagship of the Christmas Festival programme, which is C M Y K

The naked nation will protect you. Those who died in these villages, including children, would have died with bitter, lastminute thoughts that they lived in an uncaring nation which had abandoned them.

A nation where things work

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Dodging bullets and bombs

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r imagine, if you will, that you are a citizen in Maiduguri, Potiskum or any of the cities which have become active battle grounds these days. You live in fear of the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunnah Liddiawati Wal Jihad a.k.a.

Boko Haram and the Joint Task Force in equal measure. Both treat you as an enemy, or one who can easily become one, and both treat you as expendable. You live daily with the stress of dodging bullets and bombs, and you watch as neighbours and relations are felled, arrested, or migrate. Your children know the difference between the sounds of bombs and bullets; and

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MAGINE please what went through the minds of the four young men who were apprehended in Port Harcourt by a mob which tortured them, paraded them naked with tyres around their necks, and then set them ablaze. In the hours during their ordeal, among the many thoughts that went through their minds, one must have been that they will be rescued by the police, or some sort of authority; or even by other citizens. Reports say the police showed up, assessed the situation, and withdrew. A few citizens attempted to intervene, but were scared away. The four young men were murdered by fellow citizens amidst jubilation. They died believing a truth: their nation has abandoned them. Their colleagues rampaged, because they had no faith in the state either.

Or imagine, if you will, being a citizen in Dogon Dawa, a village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State who cowered for hours in the hope that relief will come during a massive attack by a criminal gang which attacked your community to free their colleagues and exact revenge. You would have hoped that in the period it took the gang to kill 26 people, including 10 coming out of a mosque, policemen will come in to take on the criminals. You would have been wrong. The gang had enough time to kill two of their own who they injured in the process of rescuing, kill the village head and a lot of young people. Many who died must have felt the type of helpnessness and hopelessness the students in Port Harcourt experienced.

Or imagine, if you will, that you are one of the students at a Polytechnic in Mubi, Adamawa State who learnt that a gang was going from house to house with a list, calling out names and slaughtering or shooting young people.

In the period it took the gang to murder about 40 young people, you must have hoped that relief in one form or the other would come, particularly since you lived in a town which recently became part of the frontline in the fight against an insurgency. Many who answered in the affirmative when asked to confirm their names, or opened doors when asked to do so, and were then murdered, were young Nigerians who died with their dreams of living in a nation that cared enough to secure them from this type of end.

Or imagine, if you will, that you are a citizen in Benue or Nassarawa or Plateau State, who lives in a community attacked by enemies armed and willing to kill children as well as adults. You would have known that the conflict will take lives, and you would have prayed that yours will not be among them. You would have hoped that the attackers will not come; that security personnel will stop them; or your own villagers’ efforts

of the Nigerian state who tell you they do not have enough to feed you all, or re-build your homes, you may be wondering what became of your government and a nation that appears to have abandoned you to the elements.

If you hope for start-up relief, many citizens who know better will tell you to pray to God for assistance instead, and start your life all over again on your own.

Or imagine, if you will, that you have been kidnapped by a gang which demands for millions from your family.

You would have hoped to be traced and rescued. Then, after a few days, you would pray that your family will find some of the amount your abductors are asking for. As they negotiate and threaten you, you would be forgiven for believing that your life means nothing to the Nigerian state.

The nation will remain naked unless the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan radically improves the capacity of our security agencies to protect and secure our lives and property, and improve the manner the economy functions

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young men live with fear of being arrested for being young men. You live daily with hopes that something will give in this conflict: either the JTF will change tactics, defeat the JASLIWAJ, or

the insurgency will melt and disappear.

As your life becomes more endangered daily, you look in vain to a nation which owes you some level of security, if nothing else. You hope in vain as another bomb goes off, and you lock up for hours while fights rage outside your home. When its all over, you come out to count the losses, which may or may not include your property or relations.

Swallowed up by floods

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r imagine, if you will, that you are one of the millions of Nigerians whose livelihoods and assets have been swallowed up by floods. Before it came to you to render you a refugee, you may have heard of warnings that this year’s rains may trigger unprecedented flooding. You may have heard of protests from the Nigerian government that neighbours were allowing dams to flood our nation. You may have seen distant lands swallowed up; hundreds of thousands barely escaping with the cloth on their backs; and the creeping flood as it inched nearer and nearer to you. If you are one of the millions who have lost everything; and quite possibly you live as a refugee at the mercy of officials

ow imagine a nation in which police move in quickly to stop lynchings and arrest the mob and the suspects. Imagine a nation in which villagers sleep indoors and not in farmlands and in the bush out of fear of night attacks, because security agencies have taken steps to protect them.

Imagine a nation in which the police arrest and begins the prosecution of people who kill students in Mubi, and villagers in Dogon Dawa, Riyom and Barikin Ladi. Imagine a nation in which government takes pro-active measures to minimise the damage of the floods, and relieves suffering and losses of citizens with the resources of the state and by tapping into the considerable resorvoire of compassion of Nigerians.

Imagine a nation where citizens prefer soldiers to fellow citizens who demand that they live by their own values or die; where foreigners are not shot or kidnapped for being foreigners; where the young are not so thoroughly embittered that they cannot see any good in their nation, now or in the future.

Imagine our nation as a respected parent or elder, naked and exposed.

That is what it is. Imagine what it will take to restore the dignity of that relation or elder, who is naked because she has been stripped of all her covering and dignity by the indifference and incompetence of those who should cloth her, and by the docile submission of spectators over her state. Everyone of us is that naked elder. The nation will remain naked unless the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan radically improves the capacity of our security agencies to protect and secure our lives and property, and improve the manner the economy functions. Things cannot, or should not get worse than they are. If our leaders cannot improve our security environment, and arrest the decline into helpnessess and hopelessness by citizens, they should step down.

OPINION

Cross River's erosion and deplorable FG roads the Calabar Carnival. The familiar and the usual participants on their part would be looking forward to seeing or experiencing innovations, novel and sometimes crazy ideas that people hardly understand, but appreciated all the same.

While the would be participants (both the old and first timers) are gearing up to be part and parcel of the yearly celebration, the Government and people of Cross River State, as explained by Chief Akin Ricketts, Commissioner for Information, are having sleepless night.

The Government, personified in Liyel Imoke and his lieutenants, his foot soldiers and organisers of the yearly event may not be having sleepless night ,not because of inadequate organisational and creative ability to translate ideas and dreams into reality but because of the deplorable federal roads that link the State to the other states and vice-versa.

Before we form crazy opinions about the

assertion that the Government and the people may be having sleepless night over the fast approaching Calabar Festival, it is pertinent to point out that bad roads have direct negative impact on the frequency of commuting. The implication, as explained

by Chief Ricketts, the Commissioner for Information, is that bad roads may impede people from travelling. He was, however, quick to point out that the State Government is not resting on its oars to ensure the roads are properly fixed before the festival commences. The reason, according to him is that majority of the expected participants are Nigerians from the 36 states and the Federal capital Territory Abuja. Based on previous researches, conducted by tourism experts, those who usually travel by road to the Calabar Festival constitute over 80% (eighty percent) and a mere 20% (twenty percent) come in by air, and a very negligible number by sea. The reason why the bulk of the people who participate in the

Calabar yearly festival prefer to travel by road is largely economic. If one considers the cost of travelling by air, vis-à-vis feeding and hotel accommodation, especially for people who come with their love ones, it makes more economic sense for such people to travel by road and save some money to take care of extraneous demands or requirements, during the festival.

Perhaps, it was in a bid to make driving into and out of Cross River State safer and less problematic, especially as the yearly festival is coming up that the Cross River State Government embarked upon massive rehabilitation of federal roads within the State.

Investigation shows that, since 2005 the

Continues on pg. 18

*Mr. Utang, a journalist, wrote from Calabar, Cross River State.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

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HESE times, clearly are some of the most trying for Nigerians, especially when it comes to moving from one point to the other. The Federal Governments has a Ministry of Transport; so do many states. In the federal case, exclusive attention has been paid all along to maritime transportation, to the exclusion of other modes of transport. Air transport has the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies to look after it. With the near-complete emasculation of rail transport, movement of people and goods nationwide has been chiefly by road. Our nation has a formless transport policy or does not have a policy at all, a situation which has seen the road transport sector left totally in the hands of operators whose care only is what they can make, and not to render service.

To say the least, road transportation nationwide is in the tender cares of individuals whose character and worldview are the same; from Port Harcourt to Potiskum, Lagos to Lokoja, Abuja to Abakaliki, or Benin to Bauchi. Motor parks and route networks administra-

Time now for a regulated transport system tion and management are in the hands of transport union officials. In fact, the greatest bane of the road transport industry is that it is devoid of any regulation, which allows for anybody to use any means suitable to his or her purposes to transport anything, be it humans or non-humans from one point to the other. It is thus a common sight to see people on flat-pallet trailers travelling from one point to another, with all the hazards it portends to life and limb.

It is the total absence of regulation in this industry, assisted by other factors such as unemployment that has given rise to the use of motorcycles (popularly known as okada) as means of transportation. In recent times, the evils

of the okada phenomenon have been coming home to roost. Accidents on okada are most times fatal, and where lives are not lost, permanent disability has resulted in most cases. Orthodox orthopaedists and traditional ones have seen sharp rises in consultation since okada became rampant. What is more, the okada has also become a regular feature in urban and rural robberies.

Trying to curtail the evils of the okada phenomenon, many state governments have banned it, at least in state capitals and other big cities. Recently, the Lagos State Government, finally responding to the vagaries of our transport system enacted a law which it hopes can be enforced to bring about sanity on the roads. The result has been outcry.

Good effort, but there are misgivings that the solution is still ahead. Enactment and enforcement of legislation to achieve desired goals in this sector is important, but we are of the opinion that the road transport sector has been left unregulated for too long.

Governments nationwide need to take back the transport sector from the insouciant elements currently running it.

Indeed, the sector is in dire need of sweeping reforms and regulation.

While governments are working on this, they should also make haste to repair the dilapidated roads and muster the necessary political will to redevelop the rail transport system. Attention should also be paid to other modes of transport and link them together so the people can choose how they want to go; all of us don’t have to on the expressways all the time, only to discover that we can’t move. These, and more need urgent attention for the success of both the Transformation Agenda and the national goal of achieving Vision 202020.

OPINION

BY DENNIS UTANG Continued from pg.17

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NVESTIGATION shows that, since 2005 the Cross River State Government has paid out a total of N13,554,801,938.13 to four construction companies handling the rehabilitation of federal roads and bridges within the State.

Notable among the federal roads are the Odukpani Junction – Itu road, Ikom – Obudu and Calabar – Ugep – Ikom – Ogoja, which spans a distance of 300 kilometres.

The other notable interventions of the Cross River State government to make commuting in and out of the State pleasurable is the construction of a 240-metre long Idundu bridge. In addition, the Government has embarked upon the dualization of the Calabar City gate to Adiabo Junction and the Calabar Airport – Ikot Ekpo by pass road, a dual carriage way with provision for flyover at Ikot Effanga axis. When completed the road will greatly decongest traffic within the city centre and provide alternative route to people coming in and going out of Calabar.

The four contracting companies that are handling the rehabilitation/construction of these federal roads are Messrs Arab Contractors, Messrs CCECC, Messrs Bulletine Nigeria ltd and Messrs Sermatech Nig. Ltd. Arab Contractors is handling the dualization of a five- kilometre City Gate/Adiabo Junction road, while CCECC is handling the construction of Idundu bridge and the

Cross River State's erosion and deplorable FG roads (2) rehabilitation of Ikom – Obudu road, which spans a distance of 116 kilometres.

Messrs Bulletine Nig. Ltd. is handling the patching and asphalting of failed road pavements along Odukpani Junction to Itu Bridge, covering a distance of 35 kms while Messrs Sermatech, Nig. Ltd is handling the rehabilitation of six critical sections of the Odukpani Junction – Itu road, in addition to handling the constructing of the Calabar Airport – Ikot Ekpo by pass.

Before the intervention of the Cross River State Government, the sordid state of the federal roads within the State was a sharp contrast from the beautifully asphalted inter and intra-city roads constructed by the Imoke administration, including over 1000 kilometres of rural roads under the state Rural Development Agency, RUDA and the Cross River Rural Access and Mobility Project, CRRAMP. The Cross River State Government, with an average monthly allocation of just a little above N3b is expending this much on the rehabilitation of federal roads amidst massive natural disasters like flood and erosion that have over the years ravaged the State. Out of the 20 erosion sites identified, the State Government has been able to tackle only few due to paucity of funds. Some of the erosion sites that have been tackled headlong include the Beebosco, Ayanaseng, Edim Otop and the Atakpa erosion sites behind the Union Bank

which we understand is being tackled by the management of the Union Bank. All these are in addition to the massive construction of flood control channels in Calabar and its environs.

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argely, the Ikot Ekebre erosion site, the kilometers two and half, and three along the Ranch Road, kitting and the “you and me” erosion site in Obudu, like many other identified sites in Calabar, are awaiting government’s intervention.

According to the Information Commissioner, Akin Ricketts, for now there is not much that the Cross River State Government can do in the gully erosion. The reasons are not farfetched. One, the State Government is yet to get even a one kobo as refund from the over N13 billion it has expended to rehabilitate the federal roads. Its monthly allocation of about N3 billion is not tangible enough to embark upon serious erosion control after paying salaries and tackling other matters of statecraft, including provision of relief materials to victims of floods and wind storms.

To say the least, tackling and controlling erosion menace in Cross River State requires massive funding and intervention from the relevant Federal Government agencies. This is predicated upon the fact that the State’s funds from monthly federal allocation is like a pin in an ocean. A source that refused to be

named in the State Ministry of Works said the Cross River State government has so far sunk in N5 billion to control gully erosion and that for the menace to be tackled successfully, the State Government may require a little above N50 billion. While this battle to save the State from being submerged by gully erosion is ongoing, the over N13 billion used by the government to rehabilitate some federal roads in the State is yet to be refunded.

Whether Cross River State, which lost its littoral status not too long ago as a result of Nigeria’s ceding of Bakassi to the Republic of Cameroon, will survive the onslaught of natural disasters and paltry monthly allocation from the Federal Government, is a matter of time. For now, the members of the House Committee on federal roads, who recently visited the State on a fact finding mission, may as well assist the Cross River State Government to recover what it has invested in the rehabilitation of federal roads within the State, and possibly recommend a fresh reconstruction of all the federal roads that are in the State.

Concluded *Mr. Utang, a journalist, wrote from Calabar, Cross River State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012— —19

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FTER their first debate that focused on sundry issues, especially the economy, about three weeks ago and the second town hall-style debate that featured undecided voters asking probing questions of them, the third presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney would have been more than a day and a half over by the time you’re reading this. In the first encounter, the Republican candidate was adjudged winner by the American public led by the media. In that debate in which Romney went on the offensive and Obama was thought tired and listless, the Republican practically took over the debate, ignoring both the moderator, Jim Lehrer, and his opponent in the manner he cut into his opponent’s time and interrupted him. He was quick, in fact, too quick to dismiss the President’s remarks and his sharp, pointed comments to Obama were in certain places disrespectful. After several gaffes, including his inappropriate criticism of preparations for the recent London Olympics that drew the ire of the British public and a fund-raiser reference to sections of the American public as victims who

depended on government- after these series of faux pas, Romney was determined to mend his image in the eyes of Americans, especially the poorer people who saw him, the multi-millionaire CEO, as disconnected from the reality of their existence. For these reasons it was understandable Romney wanted to make a good impression by attacking Obama’s policies. What I didn’t understand was why the Americans or the section of it that shapes public opinion didn’t see what game Romney was up to. Romney came into the debate as the underdog and I guess his earnestness during the debate and the articulate, if aggressive, manner he made his point which was a cut different from what the American public was used to influenced the general opinion that he won the debate. I couldn’t see how Obama could have won had he returned fire for Romney’s fire. It would have been odd and very unpresidential. He was very respectful, apparently in deference to his own office and perhaps to Romney who is 11 years his senior. This made the latter probably too free in using words on him, sometimes virtually calling him a liar.

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I expected Obama to take a different approach in the second encounter and was eager to see how the American public would react. He was adjudged winner here. He was less deferential to Romney and less accommodating of his disregard of time. He interrupted Romney when he thought necessary and called the moderator’s attention to the time when he thought his opponent was going beyond his limit. The moderator, CNN’s Candy Crowley and host of the news channel’s ‘State of the Union’ programme, was quick to halt both candidates when they appeared to exceed their time limit. But Obama was more aggressive and ready to take on Romney- ‘stockfish for stockfish’ as Arthur Nzeribe would say.

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ndeed, he had more speaking time than Romney, not so much because he ignored the time which both he and Romney did a couple of times but because Romney’s earlier strategy of asking pointed questions of him and demanding answers from the President, who was reluctant to make Romney turn the debate into an interrogation, reduced the latter’s time. In one instance Romney wanted to know Obama’s personal

Orhii’s NAFDAC and the burgeoning revisionists

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

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AM still not very sure what the mission of one Bisi Lawrence was in his piece, entitled: “The waning glories of NAFDAC” which was published on the website of Emmanuel Asiwe’s online news medium-Huhuonline-on Monday, October 8, 2012. Although, many people might not have read the piece, it is important that public attention is adverted to it and efforts made to correct the wide-off-the-mark impressions created that the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, under the watch of Dr. Paul Botwev Orhii, has retrogressed.

He claimed that since Professor Dora Akunyili stepped down from office as Director General of the NAFDAC to pursue other public office commitments as Minister of Information in the cabinet of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the agency, rather than up the ante of the anti-counterfeit drug war, has been declining in tempo and losing the sharp focus that the prosecution of the war requires.

This claim is not only tenuous but also largely laughable: The achievements of NAFDAC under Orhii’s leadership are incrementally tangible and visible. I will, very shortly, make a list of these concrete accomplishments in order to put the lie to Lawrence’s claims and vitiate his suspicious motive.

But before then, read part of his convoluted positions on NAFDAC after Akunyili’s exit: “...The change at the helm was accomplished (sic) with the usual hoopla that can be produced by those who are professionals at it, and there was the normal eager expectation.

“Nothing happened suddenly; in fact, everything appeared to be going at the usual pace. The news of prohibited and unapproved medicines had subsided before Dr. Akunyili withdrew, and nothing occurred to bring it up

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noticeably again.

“But silently, surreptitiously, all sorts of queer medicinal products began to be imported into the country. Vigilance was visibly relaxed, especially at the ports where we only really import, rather than also export products anyway.

“The legitimate importers seemed gradually overshadowed and all sorts of illicit operations became stronger. On the home front too, new medical products were being manufactured freely...”.

But nothing can be farther from the truth.

Contrary to his claims, vigilance and monitoring of the drug manufacturing companies and market in the country have been on the upswing. The importation of drugs, especially from the Asian countries of China and India, has been subjected to extraordinary surveillance since Orhii stepped in the saddle.

The anti-counterfeit drug war is ongoing and Orhii, together with his team of committed top management staff members, is expanding the frontiers of introduction of innovative cutting-edge technologies to combat the scourge. So, if Lawrence’s motive was to play the revisionist, he must be reminded that he is dealing with an enlightened crop of Nigerian on-line media readers who have demonstrated capacity to independently search out the truths and relate with them in accordance.

He embarked on a fruitless voyage to poohpooh the silent revolution at NAFDAC. He would want us to believe that the agency has not witnessed any progress under Orhii.

Nevertheless, while not denying Lawrence the luxury of his jaundiced opinion, I must bind his conscience to the necessity of the sacredness of facts: The fact of greater performance, devoid of the sound and fury, nay the razzmatazz, which characterised the Akunyili era as NAFDAC DG. The facts, as they say, in legal parlance, speak for themselves (res ipsa

tax returns and the Democrat stylishly retorted that he didn’t spend much time checking it as it was far less hefty than Romney’s.

He parried such direct/personal attacks on his policies while asking his own equally pointed/ personal remarks that Romney also tried to parry.

But neither men could in the same manner parry or ignore questions by the undecided studio audience. Not from Jeremy Epstein, the college student who wanted to know his future job prospects nor the lady who wanted to know both candidates’ attitude to gun control, a perennially contentious electoral issue in America. But perhaps one of the most searching questions of this second debate relates to the question asked of Romney by the lady who said although she voted for Obama in the last election she was still undecided because she didn’t think he had done too well in his first term, and knowing it was the Republican administration of the younger George Bush that brought America to where it was, she would like to know what -wait for this!- makes Romney different from, not Obama, but Bush. This was surely a tough number and I couldn’t see how Romney convinced himself of his own answer to say nothing of his listeners.

Four of this studio audience were invited to Piers Morgan’s show and they were all but convinced that neither Obama nor Romney answered their questions satisfactorily. Asked, however, who they might vote for should the election happen there and then, two of the speakers, including Jeremy, said their ballot would be for Obama. The other two said they would still be undecided as to who should get their votes. On the balance and in spite of the dead

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America’s choice: Between Obama and Romney

The important thing is that the American public have had their chance of scrutinizing their leaders, putting them on the spot and making them accountable

NAFDAC, under Orhii’s watch, is the first medicines regulatory authority to deploy and use a hand held device (Truscan) with resounding success at borders in the country to detect counterfeit medicines on the spot

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loquitor) under the Orhii leadership.

It is a fact that the pioneer NAFDAC DG, Professor Gabriel Osuide (1994-2000) prepared the blueprint that guided the agency’s functions. Akunyili (2001-2008) set in motion a series of advocacy and enforcement activities in NAFDAC and built on the foundation to greatness which Osuide laid. Orhii who stepped in the saddle in 2009 has continued the good work. Why did Lawrence choose to wrongly take on Orhii?

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hile many Nigerians have not forgotten the raw battle (including the sound and fury of the furnace that consumed fake drugs) that Akunyili took to the domains of the notorious drug marketers in Kano, Aba and Onitsha; and the reported attempt on her life, many cannot forget that Orhii has also had a similar experience when, in early 2011, he had an encounter with gunmen when his entourage was returning from an assignment in Benue State.

It is instructive to point out that both Akunyili and Orhii’s commitment to the anti-counterfeit drug war is absolute, but their divergence would appear to be in their approach. Orhii has been prosecuting the war differently from Akunyili by using cutting-edge technologies.

NAFDAC, under Orhii’s watch, is the first medicines regulatory authority to deploy and

heat, neck and neck dash in the polls, Obama still seems to have the upper hand. It is customary, some would say, for the challenger to be ahead of an incumbent in an election year given the element of disenchantment with the latter and the tendency to anticipate better prospects under a new administration. Yet this hasn’t been the case with the Romney-Obama race. Projections are that Obama is the more favoured candidate even in the crucial game-changing swing states.

But whoever wins in this election, although I’m for Obama all the way and I believe he would win in spite of the closeness of the race ( the Bush-Gore race that saw Gore winning the so-called popular vote was much closer even leading to a stalemate during which votes had to be counted and recounted in places like Florida- perhaps the first time a candidate would be reluctant to concede defeat in a presidential election)- the important thing is that the American public have had their chance of scrutinizing their leaders, putting them on the spot and making them accountable for their action and inaction. One can hardly say the same thing for Nigeria where contestants to public offices openly shun debates with the active support of their party and ethnic supporters. Many times we have seen our leaders walk their way into offices they had been corralled into by persons with agendas that do not include the majority of the electorate. As always, money is the ultimate decider. Money talks too in America where super pac influence on electoral outcome cannot be discounted. The difference between the American and Nigerian systems is that money is not the be-all and endall of the former- at least not openly so.

use a hand held device (Truscan) with resounding success at borders in the country to detect counterfeit medicines on the spot. The products do not have to find their way into the country before they are tracked.

It is also a fact that the agency launched the world’s first anti-counterfeiting Mobile Authentication Message, MAS, using Short Message Service, SMS, for end-patient regulated medication authentication. This technology has put the power of detecting counterfeit regulated products in the hands of the more than 60 million Nigerian cell phone users, thus enlisting them in the battle against counterfeiting.

In addition to the Black Eye, which is another technology deployed to screen many drug samples simultaneously, the agency has also launched the Radio frequency Identification, RFID, system for verification of regulated products and documents. The system, as confirmed, has the potential to enable, track and trace regulated products and prevent forgery of sensitive documents.

The use of these technologies has earned NAFDAC global rave review and consequent upon which the agency has maintained its global leadership role as one of the top 18 medicine regulatory agencies in the world. To strengthen the anti-fake drug war, the agency is currently seeking to undertake a review of its laws to impose life-term jail, confiscation of assets upon conviction and compensation for victims where the counterfeit product is found to be the proximate cause of death or severe bodily injury of the victims. The law also seeks to make this a non-bailable offence.

There are also credible reports about improved international collaborations that have led to a number of remarkable achievements. Such collaborations had led to the Indian Parliament enacting, for the first time, a law making it a criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment the manufacture and distribution of fake pharmaceutical products.

Mr. Ojeifo, a journalist, wrote from Abuja

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Clarion call for Urhobos

Jonathan’s Independence speech and Mubi massacre

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HAT exactly is the

ideology and rationale behind this senseless and horrific killings? Government should act decisively now.

This no tim e for rhetoric and half hearted condemnation.

This tragedy is a mockery of Mr. President’s independence anniversary speech “that the nation's security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiently”.

Where were the security agents when the students were being slaughter.

Anonymous 08167906322

Killing of students in Mubi Mr. President should make sure all the evil persons involved in the brutal killing of innocent students in Mubi are brought to book and must be punished in accordance with the laws of the land. The President should direct the security agencies in

With the agitation for national identity becoming fierce by the day, it is the duty and responsibility of the Urhobos to come together and have a rallying focus

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Urhobos cannot afford to sit back, fold its hands and wallow in self pity. It is against the background it is expedient for the Urhobo nation to rally round the duo of Gen. Patrick Aziza rtd, the President

Adamawa state to produce these terrorists. Terrorism is counter productive to us as a people. We must assist the Federal and State governments to crush terrorism completely.

Alhaji Hassan 08123841742

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statistically the fifth largest ethnic group in the country has been randomly shortchanged in the Nigerian Project since independence.

The fact remains that with every ethnic nationality, and region working assiduously to create a space for themselves in the Nigerian Project, the

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Dear Sir, FTER 52 years of nationhood, it is difficult to fathom why the Nigerian political class have failed to eradicate ethnic, regional and religious from the ranks of the citizenry. This development which is at the root of the selfish interest of the ruling political elite has continued to hinder the emergence of a common national identity and consciousness.

There is no gainsaying that the absence of the genuine sense of nationhood and cohesion is responsible for the lack of patriotism among Nigerians. Thus, they choose to see themselves more as citizens of their ethnic nationality, than Nigeria.

The political situation in the country today is that of survival of the fittest; every ethnic nationality and region doing everything within its whims to out do the other. As many have said, without the re visitation of the National question, the Nigerian nation will continue to wallow in the delusion of ethnic, religion and regional politics.

However, in the midst of all this, the Urhobo people of the Niger Delta region, which is

General of Urhobo Progress Union and Sen. Pius Ewherido, who represent the Urhobos at the National Assembly .

The truth is, for the Urhobos to achieve their collective destiny as a people, they must bury their political and individual differences. The practice of pursuing individual and group interest at the expense of the overall interest of the Urhobos, is retrogressive and wicked.

No doubt, as individuals and perhaps groups, we all have the right to pursue our political ideals and interests, but not when our collective aspiration, liberty and survival as a people is threatened. With the agitation for national identity becoming fierce by the day, it is the duty and responsibility of the Urhobos to come together and have a rallying focus.

Ohwevwo Ufuoma Eugene, 0 8 1 2 7 0 2 9 1 2 2 , ohwevwoufuoma@ymail.com

Stop this kerosene politics

element of truth in the alleged security agents statement then it means that we have completely lost our values as a nation that we can trade the lives of our citizens just to protect individual interest.What a pity and shame!

Charles, Adamawa State.

Terrorism in Somalia and Mali

National awards honour President Jonathan should make the national honour valueable. The number of awardees are too many. The national award has now become ten for a Kobo, soon, it would become valueless.

When such awards are given to those who do not quality, it is an injustice to honest Nigerians.Mr. President should take note that injustice has a short life span

Still on Mubi massacre

I hope there is no truth in the rumours making the rounds that government is deliberately with holding information about the real killers of the Mubi massacre and their motive from the prying eyes of the press, for selfish reasons. I also believe that it is not truth as alleged that the security agents claims that the killing was as a result of the union results of the recent student union election held in the institution and that it has no religious undertone. If there is any

,

National honour is only given to men and women of high moral standing and integrity.

Do financial and economic criminals such as treasury looters, cocaine pushers, smugglers etc qualify for national honour? When such awards are given to those who do not quality, it is an injustice to honest Nigerians.Mr. President should take note that injustice has a short life span.

Mrs. Farida Shuaibu 08175782081

Dear Sir, HE current advertisements in the media about the effort of the Federal government to ease the problems of kerosene scarcity in the country is an affront on the collective psyche of Nigerians who are currently buying a litre of kerosene for one hundred and fifty naira.

The advertisement highlights the kero-direct scheme which is an initiative from cooperations between Capital Oil and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. State governors clad in their babarigas are seen on television selling the product to citizens for fifty naira in twenty two states of the Federation!

Some ready to-be-used Nigerians were told to face the camera to applaud the ground breaking effort of Mr. President!

It is clear that decsions for this advertisement was taken at the Federal Executive Council

T

The EU, AU,UN and ECOWAS must put their heads together to wipe out insurgency from Mali and Somalia. Wicked and dangerous extremist groups work hand in hand with those terrorising Nigerians in the northern parts of the country.

The Nigerian Army should keep it up, we have confidence in their fight against terrorism.

Alhaji Muhammadu 08123841742

ICAN's poor performance and results Recently the ICAN President lamented the high failure rate in the professional exams. What he failed to realise was the quality of the examiners that have consistency set academic rather than professional questions. The examiners derive pleasure in setting

meetings to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians in order to give the impression that the government is working.

Laudable as the idea seem, it is equally ridicuous because the action is an occasional ceremony.

If Nigerians regularly gets access to, and buy this product, then we can say that indeed,government is working.

When the product was available and cheap many years ago, did we need State Governors to advertise it on television? The product has been scarce for a long time. Even our Legislators who at one time invited the Petroleum Minister to explain reasons for the scarcity, have lost hope on the product and have left Nigerians to their fate. A set time for the constant availability of the product was given by the Minister. The date came and past, but the situation did not, and has not changed.

Kerosene is scarce and very expensive in Nigeria.

Everybody knows this and we do not need the government to provoke us further. We do not need propaganda in this painful period of our national degradation by the political bourgeoisie class .Leave us in our pain if you cannot do your job. There is no kerosene.

Government should not insult our sensibilities further!

Frederick Odorige, Benin City. questions outside the recommended study materials and past questions.

The institute could not separate mature students from young students, like ACCA is doing. At the end of the day “Baby Accountants” are produced, that cannot contribute to the growth of the profession in the short term.

Dede 08074490347

Etsako Central flood victims It is very worrisome and disappointing that government officers assigned to provide mattresses for these victims refused to give the over one thousand mattresses the governor of Edo state promised those affected by the flood. Why the greed? Even toilet facilities are not provided. The state commissioners should act fast.

Steadfast Foundation 08158086822

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 1.If you do not want lizards to visit you, do not bring home firewood that contain ants.

Francis Uzoaru(07025716475), Nitel Headquarter, Abuja, FCT Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. You will be paid N100.00 for every saying published. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 21

NAMB to attain N80bn working capital in November PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

HE National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) South West Zone is to attain a working capital of about N80 billion by next month, November, 2012.

Meanwhile, 16 million potential customers are on cue to benefit from the new development, Chairman, NAMB South West Zone, Mr. Olufemi Babajide, has said.

Babajide disclosed this during the association’s second capacity building programme held in Lagos with the theme, “Fraud and Forgeries in MfBs: Causes, Detections and Control and Renewable Energy and Gas Initiative: How MfBs can make Money respectively.

According to him, “The South West zone is presently operating with about N50 billion in terms of working capital. If in a few weeks, we are able to add about N30 billion to what we have, we will be able to reach out to our numerous customers and let me mention that in the South West alone, we have about 16 million potential customers but because of restriction of fund we can only take care of two million.

This is sequel to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) to be launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He added “Out of 16 million, you can see the gap. So, with this launching, we will be able to access the fund and then close a reasonable number of the gap.”

Commending the apex bank, he described the launching as a welcome development, saying, “ we have been expecting this and when it was announced, we were just too happy that at last, we are where we should be. We are happy it is going to be launched.”

On how the microfinance development fund metamorphosed into a MSMEDF, the chairman explained that the CBN identified the loopholes in the microfinance development fund which focused more on the microfinance banks alone, adding that on spotting this, the regulatory body decided that “the microfinance development fund would not be restricted to only microfinance banks but they will bring in other sub-sector in financing of the underbanked.”

From left: Chinekwu Duru, Associate Counsel, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Chike Obianwu, Partner, Templar; Dr. Ousman Dore, African Development Bank (AfDB) Resident Representative, Nigeria; Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, Executive Director and General Counsel; Chioma Oparadike, Associate, Templars, at the signing of a $200 million ten-year credit facility granted to the AFC by AfDB for infrastructure development.

UNIDO commends FG on N6.8trn FDI NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE United Nation Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, has commended the federal government over the estimated inflow of N6.8 trillion foreign and domestic investments into the country in the last nine months of the year.

Giving the applause at the 42nd Annual General Meeting, AGM, of the Ikeja branch of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Lagos, the UNIDO representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS and Director, Regional Office, Abuja, Dr. Patrick Kormawa, said the figure was particularly commendable owing to the detestable state of the economy and the manufacturing sector in particular.

Dr. Kormawa explained that sizeable fraction of the investment inflow over the period accrued to the manufacturing sector.

“There is a steady increase in foreign investment driven by greater international

confidence in the economy and more aggressive privatization agenda of the government “In addition, Nigeria is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, as a result of greater efforts of the FGN in promoting economic diversification in the quest to reduce dependence on low value added production.

“So, there is some bad news, but I believe that there is some positive news that we need to celebrate. The federal government under this administration deserves kudos,” he said.

Kormawa, however, stated that undue attention is being paid to attracting foreign direct investment, while little is done in the area of promulgating policies that support growth of local manufacturing.

He noted that unlocking sustainable wealth creation and overall economic prosperity depends much on the robustness of the manufacturing sector and its linkages with the domestic economy.

“That much is evident in world economic

PIB: Experts to x-ray investment, development opportunities

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

F

OLLOWING the call for the National Assembly to swiftly pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before it, experts in the oil and gas sector will once again converge to X-ray the implications for investment and growth in the country’s oil and gas sector.

The bill seeking to overhaul the country’s oil industry represents a key test of whether Nigeria (Africa’s top crude producer) is committed to transparency in the energy sector.

Accordingly, the Ernst & Young Nigeria has, therefore, concluded arrangements to host a team of experts drawn mainly from oil and gas sector and related fields at a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Workshop.

The one-day workshop, with the theme

‘The Petroleum Industry Bill: Implications for Investment and Growth in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry ’, will hold on November 1, 2012, at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, OzumbaMbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The workshop will feature technical paper presentations by eminent experts on various aspects of the Bill.

While Prof. Konyin Ajayi (SAN) of Olaniwun & Co will chair a Panel of discussants, the Managing Director of ExxonMobil, Mr. M. Ward; Dr. Gbolalan Elias (SAN); Dr. Pedro Van Meurs (a fiscal policy expert) as well as Alhaji Kabir Mashi (Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service) will lead in the paper presentations, focusing on key issues and matters arising from the papers.

history, especially the emerging markets that are rapidly challenging the more developed economies of the western world. The important role of manufacturing sector in unlocking economic prosperity is well known, most recently from the Asian economic miracle driven by industrial growth,” he stated.

He added, “If the desire to see manufacturing as the main driver for unlocking sustainable wealth creation and prosperity would be achieved, Nigeria would require a major paradigm shift from the current calculus in the sector, especially if the sector is to achieve the over 30 per cent share of GDP that is projected.

“For this to happen, the industrial vision should be developing and sustaining robust, technologicallydriven and globally cost competitive domestic manufacturing that supports rapid economic growth and employment generation with due cognizance of environmental sustainability and with the ultimate aim of benefitting the average Nigerian, the communities and states where the industries are located.”

161.40

-1.40

2,383.00

-35.00

20.07

-0.10

113.50

-0.50

92.06

-0.03

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.76 STERLING 248.1886 EURO 202.2094 FRANC 167.0553 YEN 1.9374 CFA 0.2885 WAUA 238.0282 RENMINBI 24.7413 RIYAL 41.2671 KRONA 27.1076 SDR 238.7173

155.26 248.9905 202.8627 167.595 1.9437 0.2985 238.7972 24.8217 41.4005 27.1952 239.4886

155.76 249.7923 203.516 168.1347 1.9499 0.3085 239.5662 24.9021 41.5338 27.2828 240.2598

CBN Exchange rate as at 23/10/2012

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Companies’ performance hampered by market volatility, others — Ernst & Young

BY PETER EGWUATU

E

RNST and Young has disclosed that challenging economic trends and volatile financial markets are putting significant pressure on operational performance of companies operating in Nigeria and other part of the world.

David Stulb, Global Leader, Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services of Ernst & Young, who made this known at the company’s 12th Global Fraud Survey said, “Challenging economic trends and volatile financial markets are putting significant pressure on operational performance of companies around the world. The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook suggests continued weakening – with growth forecast for 2012 cut to 3.3 per cent.”

He stated that while certain emerging markets may present better growth prospects, higher levels of fraud, bribery and corruption risk are a concern for management and Boards.

According to him, “The Dodd-Frank whistleblower provisions and United Kingdom Bribery Act (UKBA ) have contributed towards an increasingly aggressive regulatory enforcement. Authorities are increasing cooperation on cross-border investigations

and seeking record fines and profit disgorgement .Regulation and compliance, therefore, remain a major concern for global organizations and their Boards.

Stulb, noted that leading companies in the world are responding with enhanced compliance measures, robust internal audit and investigations capabilities, while leveraging the latest forensic data analytics “With investors, regulators and other stakeholders increasingly focused on gover-

nance and transparency, corporate disclosures relating to fraud, bribery and corruption risk management is improving.”

The survey, according to him, was the largest the company had conducted, saying “More than 1,700 interviews were conducted in 43 countries between November 2011 and February 2012, and the results highlight important issues for boards of directors.”

Continuing, he said, “Our survey indicates that companies awareness of risk posed by

fraud, bribery and corruption is high, and that a substantial majority of these companies are doing many of the right things to mitigate the risks.

Despite this, there remain significant weaknesses in many organization responses. The use of forensic data analytics and other technology related tools occurs too infrequently.

Robust compliance audits, including transactions testing, are not common practice. The implications of this should raise serious concerns at the board level.”

From left: Emma Esinnah, DGM, Corporate Communications; Emeka Obiagwu, GM, Lagos branches of Fidelity Bank and Janet Nnabuko, Head, E-banking at a press briefing on the bank’s Cars and Cash Savings Splash promo, in Lagos.

Linkage Assurance records N2.3bn GPI

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

L

INKAGE Assurance Plc has recorded a gross premium income of N2.3 billion as against N2.1 billion recorded in 2010.

Its profit before tax stood at N239 million, while the profit after tax was N171 million.

Addressing shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting in Lagos last week, Chairman of the company, Mr. Babatunde Fatayi Williams said that the firm’s total assets grew by N4.801 billion in 2010 financial period to N5.144 billion in 2011.

According to the Chairman, investments was N2.357 billion as against N2.378 billion recorded in 2010 while shareholders’ funds at the end of the reporting period stood at N3.184 billion in 2011 over 2010 figure of N3.013 billion.

However, net premium of the company dropped marginally to N1.680 billion in 2011 from N1.771 in 2010.

Profit after exceptional item and taxation was N265.1 million in 2011 as against N279.983 millionrecorded in

the previous year.

Earning per 50 kobo share was 0.03 kobo, its net assets per 50 kobo share stood at 0.59 in 2010 and 0.62 kobo in 2011.

Stock exchange quotation

(kobo) as at 31st December was 0.50 kobo in 2010 and 0.50 kobo in 2011, while price earning ratio was 16.67 kobo in 2010 as well as 16.67 kobo in 2011.

The company’s number of employees stood at 180 in 2011 and 182 in the previous year while number of branches was 14 in 2011 as well as 14 in 2010.

Nestlé launches Project WET in Nigeria

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

N

ESTLE Nigeria Plc has announced plans to launch Project Water Education for Teachers (WET) in Nigeria as part of efforts towards promoting responsible management of water resources in the country.

According to a statement signed by the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Dr Samuel Adenekan, the programme which is to hold on Friday, October 30th at Ilupeju, Lagos, is expected after its implementation to facilitating and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids.

The project with the theme;

‘Water conservation and Healthy Hydration’ will be facilitated by the Senior Vice President of Project WET from USA, Mr. John Etgen and will be attended by about forty teachers from twenty schools drawn from five selected district of Lagos including officials of Lagos state university basic Education Board (SUBEB) as well as Education Secretaries of Local Government Education Authority.

As the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company in Nigeria, Nestlé has developed over the years an outstanding expertise in water.

The expertise extends from sustainable water resource management reduce water withdrawals, increase water reuse, use of alternative water sources, improve water efficiency of the Company’s products – to knowledge on healthy

hydration science.

It will examine diverse learning styles with relevant water related activities that are not only practical but also thought provoking and engaging.

The workshop will also provide educators with a large selection of creative teaching strategies.

Project WET is the result of over 25 years of experience in water resources education by thousands of dedicated creative educators and others who have helped develop its materials across the world. Their efforts have provided teachers and children with insight into critical water issues, science, cultural and educational standards and priorities for local and international water education.

BRIEFS Skye Bank’s boss becomes CIBN fellow GROUP Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, has been conferred with the prestigious fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).Durosinmi-Etti was among seven bank CEOs honoured by the CIBN at a ceremony in Lagos.

With the conferrement of the highest professional award on him, he becomes one of the leading lights in the Nigerian banking industry and also enjoys some special rights, privileges and obligations.

Conferring the award on him, the President/Chairman of Council of the CIBN, Mr. Segun Aina, said he was found worthy of the honour because of his contributions to professional banking practice and exemplary leadership qualities.

The Skye Bank boss who is an economist and a chartered accountant, holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan and he is also a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA), United Kingdom.

He started his banking career with Nigerian – American Merchant Bank Limited (Affiliate Bank of Boston) where he was Head of Accounts/Computer and later, Internal Control.

Access Bank records 116% growth in third quarter profit

A

CCESS Bank Plc has re corded another quarter of solid growth across its core business lines, as its profit before tax for the third quarter ended, September 30, 2012, increased by 116 per cent to N39.1 billon from N18.1 billion recorded in 2011..

According to a statement by the bank, signed by Mr. Olusegun Fafore, Team Lead, Media Relations, its gross earnings grew by 88 per cent; from N86.3 billion to N162.3 billion, highlighting the bank’s increased earning capacity.

He maintained that the bank’s growth in profitability is hinged on its increased size and operational efficiency as it benefits from merger synergies from the recent acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc and increased focus to deliver value to customers.

He said, “Access Bank’s prudential ratios have remained one of the strongest in the Nigerian banking industry; attesting to the Bank’s commitment to adoption and implementation of best-in-class risk management practices and excellent understanding of the operating environment,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—23

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

DIARY Select ICT events ISPON National Software Conference and Competition. Holds at Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar, October 28 – 30 2012

NIGERIA DAY @ ITU TELECOM WORLD 2012: From left, Niger State Governor, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Senator Ayogu Eze, Vice-President Namadi Sambo. NCC chairman, Chief Peter Igho, Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, NCC's EVC, Dr Eugene Juwah, and Minister of Commnications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson during the Nigeria Day at the ITU event, in Dubai, last week. Photo by Adekunle Adekoya.

 LTE North America 2012. Holds 14-15 November 2012 in Dallas, Texas, USA.  Advancing Innovation & Profitability for a Digital Africa. Holds 14 15 November 2012 @ CTICC Cape Town, South Africa. Opportunities in the Evolving Cloud Dynamics. Holds 4-5 December 2012 @ Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

PredictGaze shuts TV if you are not watching

ITU TELECOM WORLD 2012:

Our broadband plan is open to investors As VP Sambo, Minister Johnson, EVC Juwah woo investors for Nigeria

P

REDICTGAZE au tomatically pauses the TV when you leave the room. The technology behind PredictGaze is based upon a regular webcam. Besides pausing the television if no one is watching, the technology can automatically log a person out of their Facebook account if it detects a different person looking at the device.

The PredictGaze company has also proposed the idea of using the software to detect the age of the people in a room and block inappropriate television content or to determine the emotional experiences of a person as they use a particular application.

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

L

AST week, the ITU Telecom World 2012 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Sunday 14th to Thursday 18th October at the Duibai International Conference & Exhibition Centre, DICEC. In all, the event featured 95 topnotch speakers that included our Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson and the executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Eugene Juwah, and his predecessor, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, chairman of OpenMedia Group.

Also, 19 countries had

I N Zinox thrills S VP Sambo at ITU I D World Dubai E C M Y K

pavilions, all of whom are from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions, with th exception of Thailand, South Korea, Azerbaijan, and China. For us Nigerians, it was an eye-opening event.

,

,

 Digital TV Summit 2012. Holds 4th – 5th December 2012 in London UK.

From the very first day, and even before the event, it was clar Nigeria was attending ITU Telecom World 2012 with one sole objective: wooing investors for the nation’s broadband project.

From the Nigeria Day which held at the Nigeria

In light of the fact that broadband is an ecosystem in which users play a central role, stimulating demand is very important

Bharti Airtel now world fourth largest mobile operator

Pavilion, to the dinner at Al-Multaqua, to yet another dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the message from Nigeria was the same: Investors, come put your money in Nigerian broadband project.

Vice President Namadi Sambo who led the Nigerian delegation to Dubai assured investors of better opportunities to invest in Nigeria. According to him, the Nigerian telecoms sector has all it takes to attract investors, saying “the investment you make in Nigeria will be the best you have ever made.”

Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, presenting business opportunities of Nigeria to investors at a lunch hosted

Intel says women access to education, panacea for social progress

by the Nigerian government at Al Multaqua in DICEC, said Nigeria had grown its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by additional five per cent, with plans to increase it in the next five years.

She also said investment in the telecoms sector has reached the $25 billion mark in recent times.

Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Eugene Juwah in several presentations during the event took his audiences down memory lane by reminding them of the spectacular growth of GSM voice telephony in Nigeria in just a decade.

His words: “The growth of the telecommunications sector in Nigeria and indeed in sub-sahara Africa in the last ten years has been impressive. In Nigeria for example, teledensity has risen from 0.44% (about 400 thousand active lines) Continues on page 26

'Under investing in R&D not good for economy'

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Zinox thrills VP Sambo at ITU World Dubai

O

NE of the high points of Nigeria’s participation at this year’s ITU World conference in Dubai was the encounter of Vice President Namadi Sambo with officials of Zinox Computers during the VP’s tour of the Nigerian pavilion. Sambo who spent a good three days at the event, the first time a high-ranking member of the presidency would be attending the annual event of the ITU, was excited as Uche Onyechere, an Operations Manager with Zinox, took the VP through the array of products on display at the Zinox stand.

The Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, had barely finished introducing Zinox as one of the locally-assembled computers when Sambo, upon learning that some of the products on display, the Zinox Smart and the Smart Convertible, both of them entry level notebooks, cost less than N50,000 and were specifically designed for pupils and students, said the federal government would partner with state governments to see how the computers could be adopted in schools nationwide.

“We will invite them to make a presentation at the Council and we will talk to the governors to see how these computers can be made available to schools in Nigeria”, an overtly excited Sambo said. The vice president said the federal government is irrevocably committed to quality education driven by ICT as, according to him, this is one way Nigeria can make bolder impressions in the global technology map.

Sambo said the federal government’s commitment to the education of the Nigerian child propelled it to establish nine federal universities and increase funding to the existing ones. “It is good to know that there are Nigerian companies who are exhibiting made-inNigeria technologies at this conference. I want to assure them that very soon, the cost of doing business in Nigeria

would be reduced as we are working hard to improve the already improving power supply situation in the country”, he said.

Zinox is a multiple award-winning company which has brought more honour to Nigeria in the area of computer design and assembly. It came to Dubai brandishing highend notebooks including its flagship models of laptops, the Ultrabook range of notebooks, the midrange laptops (Zinox Legacy and Zinox Pride) as well as the trail-blazing Zinox Bijimi Pro which comes bundled with bullstrength batteries.

Onyechere told the vice president who toured the Nigerian pavilion in company of the governors of Abia and Niger states that the Zinox range bear global certification in quality and have won several local and international awards on account of its quality excellence.

“Zinox is the first company in sub-Sahara Africa to obtain the Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Lab Certification (WHQL) in addition to being the largest Microsoft OEM system builder Partner in West Africa. We are also the first and only Nigerian computer manufacturer to obtain the NIS ISO Quality Management Systems Certification ISO-9001:2000 within five years of operation. Zinox earned all the Intel certifications before its launch which is a mark of confidence on the Zinox team by the global chip-maker”, Onyechere said.

Aside the plethora of certifications and awards, Zinox has added value to the Nigerian democratic space. But for its intervention during the voter registration exercise, the 2007 general elections in Nigeria would have suffered a major blow. It supplied 12,000 laptops in two weeks to remedy the mess created by a foreign firm. It pulled an even bigger stunt in the runup to the 2011 general election when it supplied 80,000 units of Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines to INEC in 35 days ahead of foreign companies that had even smaller quantities of DDC machines to supply.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Zinox stand in the Nigeria Pavilion during ITU Telecom 2012.

B

y the latest release of Wireless intelligence.com Mobile operator worldwide group global ranking by connections, Q2 2012, Bharti Airtel group at the weekend emerged the fourth largest mobile operator in the world in terms of subscribers.

This means that the operator has moved up one notch in the world wide ranking, because at acquiring Zain Group’s mobile operations across 15 African nations in June 2010, it became the fifth largest mobile operator in the world.

The report said that at the end of the quarter ended June 2012, the Company had over 250 million mobile subscribers across its operations, representing 13% Year-on-Year growth.

T h e telecommunications service provider, has operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa.

Bharti Airtel now world's fourth largest mobile operator …. Posts over 250 million mobile subscribers

By PRINCE OSUAGWU According to the report, the top five operators globally, included China Mobile in number one,

which posts about 683.08 million subscriber connections representing 11 percent year on year growth. This is followed

by Vodafone group which posted 386.88 million

•Nokia Lumia series

subscribers with 5 percent year on year growth to clinch world second largest mobile operator.

However, America Movil group and Bharti Airtel came third and fourth respectively with 251.83 and 250.04 million subscribers representing 7 percent and 13 percent year on year growth respectively.

Telefonica group trailed them in the fifth position with 243.51 million subscriber level and 7 percent year on year growth.

Nokia partners Airtel on Lumia 900, 710, 610 smart phones

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

L

EADING phone manufacturer, Nokia in partnership Airtel Nigeria have embarked on a special consumer promotion for the new Nokia Lumia range of products now in Nigeria.

The promotion which will kick-off on the 22nd of October 2012 was designed to deliver exciting benefits to consumers who purchase the Lumia 900, 710 & 610 over the period.

According to the Gen-

eral Manager, Nokia WestAfrica, Mr.Chris Brown, the Nokia’s Lumia Windows Phone range are exciting devices offering an amazingly fast way to connect to the internet, keep up to date with Microsoft suite of services, connect to your world with Nokia Maps and City Lens and boasts a unique one-piece polycarbonate design.

He further explained that the Nokia’s flagship Windows phone features a large 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display, 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss Optics camera with

HD video capture, front camera, XBox Live gaming, Zune music player, multi-touch screen, and Wi-Fi. Also speaking on the promotion, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Olu Akanmu said that Nokia’s partnership with Airtel means that Nigerian consumers can enjoy services, utilize the exciting applications and internet-based capabilities of the devices. According to him, buyers of the Nokia Lumia 900 and 710 will enjoy a free 6 months internet

access, while buyers of Lumia 610 will get a free 3 months internet access courtesy of the network giant.

Consumers can walk into any Airtel or Nokia Partner stores, get a free Airtel Micro-sim and activate the free internet access. Nokia’s Head of Sales Operation, Mr. Ladi Oyatayo, said that the package with the Nokia 12 month warranty and Airtel Bundle offer sticker was designed to a perfect gift for all Nokia customers, friends and loved ones ahead of the holiday season.

Cloud computing: NAMA deploys Windows sever 2012 to boost operations

By EMEKA AGINAM

B

Y deploying Win dows Server 2012, the Chief Information Officer, (CIO) of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has said that government agencies can improve service and cuts costs through cloud computing.

The Chief Information Officer, (CIO) of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Ogochukwu I.F in a statement said that Windows Sever 2012 has enabled NAMA to do more with less, thereby reducing cost and enhancing considerably the ICT ROI for their organization and bringing efficiency in the use of technology to value centric propor-

tions.

According to him, NAMA has a mandate to ensure safe, efficient, expeditious and economic flight operations in Nigeria with state of the art technology solutions.

“This also includes enhancing service quality and reducing costs for its customers. Furthermore, it is tasked to develop the Nigerian airspace to a level that is consistent with international standards, AFI Region and ICAO CNS/ ATM Global plans.

“By deploying Windows Server 2012, the agency will save money as well as make ICT work for air navigation in line with its mandate” he said.

Since the government agency was already uti-

lizing a lot of Microsoft products and technologies, he said that it became a logical step to deploy Windows Server 2012, adding that the solution contains all the features that NAMA was looking for.

With the Microsoft solution, he testified that NAMA has reduced IT costs, have access to the most cutting-edge features in cloud computing , been able to utilize the agency’s existing IT infrastructure , provided better service to its customers among others.

Established via Act. 48 of 1999 by the Federal Government of Nigeria, he said that NAMA was tasked with providing safe, efficient and economic air navigation services that will meet international standards.

To this end, the government agency, according to him, desires to provide better service to its customers and increase efficiency within the agency by making use of cutting-edge technology through its private cloud.

NAMA Microsoft Server Product Portfolio, according to him are not limited to the following:Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway 2010, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Microsoft System Center Operations Manager, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Dynamics AX, among others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 25

Glo to celebrate Ojude-Oba in Ijebu-Ode

Intel says women access to education is panacea for social progress

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

I

NTEL Corporation, penultimate week, used the opportunity of the United Nations’ International Day of the Girl to expand its global commitment to furthering education for girls and women in Africa.

Intel says it believes that broader access to education for girls and women will significantly speed up social progress and help drive worldwide economic growth.

In Africa, Intel visited three schools on the continent to host talks about how important it is for girls to break the cycle of generational poverty and to interact with the girls by hosting a quiz and giving out prizes.

Intel paid visits to St Barnabas Secondary School in Johannesburg, Ruai Girls High School in Nairobi and Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in Lagos where it invited notable Nigerian women in ICT like Engineer Florence Seriki, Managing Director, Omatek Computers, Ms Oreoluwa Somolu, Executive Director of W.TEC and Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, Publisher, E-business life magazine.

The women took turns to educate and inspire about 200 teenage girls in Junior secondary classes to consider a career in information and communications technology.

In South Africa, the message from Joseph Nsengimana, Intel South Africa’s Education lead at the schools, was clear – when a woman is educated and schooled to develop a successful career, many of these very same girls and women will reinvest up to 90 percent of their income back into their communities. “Further, if we were to see 10 percent more girls going to school, the country ’s GDP has the potential to increase by three percent.”

According to Nsengimana, “Intel has worked for decades to improve education around the world, if we can close the education gap with girls, we will have transformed their C M Y K

lives and the lives of everyone they touch.”

He noted that through access to technology, scholarships and community learning programs, Intel’s programmes such as Intel Learn, Intel Teach and Intel Easy Steps would provide girls and women with opportunities for

quality education and personal growth. Intel’s programmes equip women with the access to the information they need to excel.

Intel said that in this increasingly global economy, it recognises that curiosity, critical thinking and a strong foundation in math and

science are necessary for tomorrow’s workforce to compete for the hightech jobs of the 21st century. It also added that with a 21st century skill set and a newfound level of confidence, girls and women can advance their ideas and personal drive to change their lives.

OJUDE-OBA: Mr Adeniyi Olukoya, Head of Marketing, Globacom reads an address at the press conference announcing Globacom’s participation in this year’s Ojude Oba festival while the Coordinator, Ojude Oba 2012 Planning Committee, Chief Fassy Yusuff and Secretary of the committee, Alhaji Kayode Alatise listen.

T

OP telco, Globacom has reiterated its commit ment to re-position the Ojude Oba festival celebration in order for the annual cultural fiesta to attract investments in tourism in Ijebu land.

Speaking at the pre-event press conference held on Tuesday at the Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Head of Marketing, Globacom, Mr. Adeniyi Olukoya, said that Globacom was committed to the continued success of the festival and reassured that it would introduce some exceptional milestones that would stimulate local and international investment in tourism in Ijebuland in particular, and Ogun State in general.

He said that the company remains the major sponsor of the annual socio-religious event which holds during the Eid el Kabir period and noted that it has remained the benchmark in the nation’s annual tourism calendar. This year’s edition of the festival will hold on Sunday, 28th October 2012 at the Awujale Palace, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

According to him, Globacom recognised the “Ojude Oba festival as a social melting-pot where all divergent issues affecting the growth and lives of the people in the community are discussed; where the ijebus both home and abroad congregate as brothers and sisters and share similar ideas of bringing developments to their community.” He said that Ojude Oba has been significantly proved to be a period of “homecoming for Ijebu compatriots to celebrate their rich, historic culture and tradition.”

The Secretary of the Ojude Oba 2012 Planning Committee, Alhaji kayode Alatise in his welcome remarks expressed appreciation to Globacom for having partnered with the planning committee for seven consecutive years, noting that the company’s participation had raised the bar of the festival to a world class convergence of people and ideas.

This year’s Ojude Oba is expected to witness a turnout of prominent Nigerians including the Senate President, Senator David Mark who is the Special Guest of Honour and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State.

Apple loses Samsung tablet design appeal in UK

A

Google mobile revenue rakes in $8 billion annually G

OOGLE at the w e e k e n d revealed that its mobile business was generating revenue running at the rate of $8 billion a year.

It said this development saw its revenue moving up from the $2.5 billion figure a year ago.

Meanwhile this also now includes sales generated from Android’s Google Play store as well as mobile advertising income.

Google CEO, Larry Page who announced this, said that “this time last year, I announced that our run-rate for mobile advertising hit US$2.5 billion. That seemed like a pretty big

number even for Google, but now we have built up additional mobile revenue from users paying for content and apps in Google Play,” he explained He also added that “we’ve been investing in this space for a long, long time. Our mobile monetisation is not zero, it’s a very significant number.”

Although the firm did not break out the specific contributions to the US$8 billion, its Chief Financial Officer, CFO, Mr Patrick Pichette noted that the vast majority still relates to mobile display ads.

Google reported consolidated revenue of

US$14.10 billion for Q3, up 45 percent from a year earlier – but net income was down 20 percent to US$2.18 billion.

The figures were below most Wall Street expectations, and trading in Google’s shares had to be suspended briefly yesterday after the financials were mistakenly issued early.

The recently-acquired Motorola business was seen as a drag on Google’s earnings. The handset unit generated US$2.8 billion revenue in the quarter (18 percent of Google’s total) but posted a US$527 million operating loss.

CCORDING to a BBC report, Apple has lost an appeal against a decision that rules that Samsung did not infringe its design rights with its Galaxy Tab device.

The report said that the appeal judges upheld a High Court judgement in July that the Galaxy Tab did not echo the designs that Apple registered for its iPad closely enough to support Apple’s case.

The High Court judge said in July that the Samsung devices lacked the “extreme simplicity” of the Apple devices and were therefore not as “cool”.

As part of the original decision, Apple was required to run ads making it clear that Samsung had not infringed its design rights and place a link to the judgement on its website. The aim was to “correct the damaging impression” that the legal action had created for Samsung.

The current ruling applies across the EU, but Apple can still appeal the decision in the UK Supreme Court.

Dulux gets new website for easy product access

A

S every company reshapes to the current trend of using ICT to create value add and turn around, Chemical and Allied Products, CAP Plc, has decided not to be left behind.

This is as the UAC of Nigeria Plc subsidiary has just launched the website of its flagship brand, Dulux paints.

Explaining the move, the Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, said the new website http://www.duluxnigeria.com, was developed to provide necessary links that can inspire customers and professionals to create styles that suit their space. She described the website as novel, because it contains global colour trends, easy-to-use colour scheming tools, colour combination ideas, store finders, product advisory, paint quantification software and other experiential features.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2012

Our broadband plan is open to investors Continues from Page 23

Under-investing in R&D not good for our economy — NCS

By EMEKA AGINAM

A

HEAD of its maid en edition of Computer Science / Information Technology Research and Development workshop slated for next month in Lagos, the Nigerian Computer Society has challenged the Federal Government of Nigeria under-investing in research and development, a situation it said was not good for the economy.

The President of NCS, Sir Demola Aladekomo in a statement recently said that research must be an essential element for Nigeria to use technology and innovation to respond to socio-economic challenges.

According to the NCS President, there was the need for the country to address the key chal-

lenges in the nation’s research environment with a view to improving R&D performance and contribution to national development agenda.

With this, he said that NCS was rising to the occasion through its maiden edition of Computer Science / Information Technology Research and Development workshop series holding at the University of Lagos, next month.

The main objective of the workshop, he said is to build collaborative, purposeful and rigorous research effort towards national development.

Exposure to modern Computer Science/IT research methodologies and tools; exposure to grants for those seeking proposal writing techniques; information about grants, fellowships and scholarships; men-

torship and formation of research groups will form major activities of the workshop series.

According to him, the workshop would, among other things give participants the opportunity to form research collaboration and provide rooms for interactions among IT professionals.

Other benefits, according to him, include creation of opportunities for interactions between the industry and academia; interaction between IT professionals and government and opportunity for exhibition of research outputs.

He said that activities at the workshop will be geared towards ensuring contribution to building an innovative economy that all Nigerians will benefit from.

He said that veteran IT research consultants and

capacity development builders, who have led many seminars/workshops in Nigeria and abroad, would be on ground to teach the participants.

Some of the key facilitators at the event will include Prof. Zachariah Tanko of the Champlain College, Burlington, VT., United States; Dr. Richard Boateng of the International Centre for Information Technology and Development, Southern University, Baton Rouge, US; Prof.

Charles Uwadia of the Centre for Information Technology & Systems, University of Lagos, Nigeria; and Prof. Sola Aderounmu of the Information Technology & Communication Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, among others.

ISPON signs MoU on software knowledge with C-River State

B

ARELY few weeks to the take off of the 2012 edition of the software developers’ competition and conference, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) , the apex body of computer software and related services industry in Nigeria growth of the software-driven IT industry in Nigeria has signed signed an official Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the government of the Cross River on software knowledge park.

Signed recently at the at the state capital,Calabar, Cross River State, the ISPON President, Chris Uwaje disclosed that the main objectives of the new development is on collaborative technology innovation development and diffusion through technology incubation with special emphasis on extended collaboration in current areas and initiatives such as the Software Innovation Cup Competition, establishment of software engineering institute in the Tinapa Technology City and stimulating the formation of new knowledge-centric and technology-based industries amongst others.

Meanwhile, given the success of the 2011 edition of the yearly software developers’ compeC M Y K

From left: Chris Uwaje, President of ISPON and Mr. Ekpeyong Henshaw, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Government of Cross River State sign the Memorandum of Understanding MoU, at the state Ministry of Justice, Calabar, Cross River State. tition and conference, creditation for tertiary inthe Tinapa Knowledge ISPON has expanded stitutions, adding that City 2012 event is the about 30 of them with the ecosystem with a new appointment of Ernest focus on cloud technolo- over 1500 participants Anene Ndukwe (OFR) – gy development in the across the country will be a world-Class ICT Brain2012 edition of the soft- attending. Last year ’s competition was won by box as the “Distinware cup. guished Knowledge According to him, Abia State Polytechnic.

According to him, one Ambassador” (DKA) for Cross River State Govthe 2012 National Softernment, main host and of the key factors behind ware Conference and last year’s success was partner has committed to Competition. This is an raising the bar for quali- the quality and range of individuals and organi- ICT knowledge champity of the conference. on that has not only sinWith the active partici- zations , which spread gle handedly re-awakened pation of MainOne Ca- across Africa, Asia and the nearly comatose Comble Company and 21st the Americas. munications Profession “The central challenge and Industry in Nigeria, Century Technologies Ltd, among others, Uwa- for 2012 is how to improve but transformed it into a je, said the conference on the milestone and world class success story – theme will be the Cloud success of last year ’s ever before the promoters and the Future of Soft- conference and competi- of the transformation agenda knew that the word tion. ware Nigeria.

“One of the strong and strategy exists”, he statAlready, he said that ed.

ISPON has started ac- points and highlights of

in 2001 to 72% (just over 100 million active) in 2012. This growth was achieved due to increased competition in the telecommunication market when the Nigerian communications Commission licensed four (4) new mobile operators to offer mobile services, in addition to the government controlled incumbent, which hitherto accounted for about 95% of all active phone lines in the country.

“Replicating this growth in voice telephony penetration to data penetration requires a whole new strategy as well as learning gained from the rollout of the voice telephony services.

The economic impact of broadband penetration has been found to be quite impressive, World Bank studies show, quite conclusively, that in low and middle-income countries (which many developing countries fall under), every 10% percentage point increase in broadband penetration accelerate economic growth by 1.38 percentage points. This impact is greater in mid to low income countries than what is obtainable in high _income Countries and equally greater than the impact of any other telecommunication service.

“Notwithstanding the benefits that have been associated with broadband, in developing countries it has to be understood that broadband for all is a medium to long term strategy and the main beneficiaries, in the short term, of the broadband revolution will be businesses.

Because broadband networks need to generate traffic to lower their costs and increase their profitability, and in light of the fact that broadband is an ecosystem in which users play a central role, stimulating demand is very important as this will provide the means for further expansion of broadband services and increase penetration.

In Africa, broadband penetration is less than 5%, hence there is a huge opportunity for growth and subsequent increase in penetration to unserved and underserved areas and populations.

Government or private enterprise alone cannot ensure universal access to broadband services. To make this possible, government and private sector need to collaborate.

Several factors will determine how successful broadband rollout in Africa and indeed in other developing countries will be. Some of these factors include:

-Importance of having an overall plan to rollout broadband at a national level in consultation with industry -Political backing at the very top levels to ensure broadband rollout. This will ensure bureaucratic bottlenecks and access rights are speedily addressed All ministries and government departments must work in a synchronous manner Required spectrum is made available. Especially spectrum that provides the biggest advantage in terms of coverage, capacity and wide adoption across the globe to provide the biggest economies of scale advantages for devices and equipments utilizing these spectrums and the potential to make devices affordable for low income households. The public partnering with the private sector and the use of Universal Service Funds Devising regulatory frameworks that ensures non-discriminatory access to back-haul Technology neutrality: Deploy different technologies as appropriate for different situations. Parallel initiatives to stimulate demand e.g. providing netbooks to primary and secondary school students, creating awareness on the benefits of broadband services etc. Providing universal access to broadband will require addressing the issues and factors as stated above in addition to addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups in utilising broadband services either by adapting the services to their needs and / or proper device configuration to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.

In his remarks, Secretary-general of the ITU, Dr Hamadoun Toure commended the Nigerian broadband strategy and lauded the regulator, saying “ some countries desire broadband. Nigeria not only desires broadband, but has a working pland and model to actualize it. For Nigeria to remain at the top of the telecoms growth chart for five years in a row means there is something they are doing right.”

Also on the Nigeria delegation to Dubai were members of the National Asembly, some members of the House of Representatives led by Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Oyetunde Ojo; Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji and the Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and later, Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 27

NCC partners NITDA, Zinox on capacity building for ICT journalists

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

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HE Nigerian Com munications Commission, NCC, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Zinox Technologies are collaborating with ICT Publishers Alliance in a project to build capacity in the use of modern ICT tools in news processing and management among West African journalists in the ICT’ news and business beat; and also generally, for managers of information within government.

The partners said they were considering the increasing influence of social media in news delivery which has increased challenges for traditional media practitioners and broader need for engagement by public/government information managers. The added that the project will be focusing on smoothing the rough edges in information coverage, management and delivery.

The ICT Publishers Alliance is coordinating the

training as part of its goal of empowering West African journalists in the use of modern ICT tools and to understand modern trends in global ICT. According to the Chairman of the ICT Alliance Aaron Ukodie developments in the ICT sector in

form of vision and policy direction and innovation move in very fast pace and journalists whose business it is to report these trends and use these tools must keep abreast of these emerging trends and vision.

The capacity building programme which will

draw journalists and other participants mainly from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal and Togo will take place from November 24 to November 27, 2012.

The Minister of Communications Technology

From left: Austin Okere, Group CEO, CWG; Charles Molapisi, Chief Information Officer, MTN; Jethro Akun, National President, National Association of Microfinance Banks and Babatunde Osho, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN Nigeria at the launch of MTN Xaars Microfinance Software Solutions, in Lagos.

Nigeria to fly African flag at global CyberLympics

By EMEKA AGINAM

N

igerian team will be flying African flag at this year’s CyberLympics, an international team-based Cybersecurity competition.

Global CyberLympics aspires to create an opportunity for ethical hacking to be accepted, practiced and demonstrated without any discrimination, across all geographical boundaries for the purpose of understanding what it takes to protect and secure critical information and assets.

Accordingly, Team Naija, led by Olu Akindeinde, the Chief Technical Officer, Digital Encode, an indigenous information security company will be competing other teams from North America, Europe, Asia & the Middle East, South America and Australia.

The other members of the team include Mr. Obadare Adewale and C M Y K

Mr. Adetunji Adeoje from Digital Encode.

The team is expected to be joined by Mr. Jaiyeola Abimbola and Mr. David Abolusoro from First Bank of Nigeria Plc. According to Akindeinde, global CyberLympics is a series of cyber competitions that encompass forensics, ethical hacking and defense and teams will consist of four to six players.

He said that other African teams had been eliminated at the preliminary stage like their counterparts in other continents leaving only selected few from each continent to represent their respective continents at the world final competition this October in Miami, United States.

With the assurance of Akindeinde that the Nigerian team was well prepared for the global cyber Olympics, other team members expressed optimism that the Nigerain team would make Africa proud at the

event.

The EC-Council Foundation, a charitable and educational organisation dedicated to educating and training individuals in security skills, said one of the key reasons for Global CyberLympics was to foster an environment that creates child online protection through education. , The organizers, of the event, EC-Council said it hoped to discover new talents, methods and ideas; and to encourage development in the field of information security with the global competiton.

“It is our hope that besides discovering gifted hackers and cyber-defenders, the CyberLympics will inspire the development of information security professionals of the future,” the council said.

The EC-Council also said it hoped to educate the global community, especially in developing nations and third world

countries on the issues of information security, and encourage further development of the field.

The Patron for Global CyberLympics, Dr. Hamadoun Toure, who is also the Secretary-General, International Telecommunications Union, the United Nations’ specialised agency for ICT, said the cybersecurity competition would also be geared towards fostering an environment for child online protection through education.

“Within the framework of the Child Online Protection initiative, inaugurated by the ITU in 2008, the EC-Council Foundation together with ITU is fostering an environment that creates child online protection through education. This is also a great method for capacity building for the relevant agencies in the member states and our hope is that this will help foster cyber peace.” he said.

Mrs Omobola Johnson is expected to declare the event open. The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC Dr Eugene Juwah and Director-General of NITDA Professor Cleopas Angaye and Chairman of Zinox Technologies Leo Stan-Ekeh are to give key note addresses at the event.

The capacity training will come in three modules spread across the three days.

Some of the sub topics to be handled include General Perspectives on Journalism and the genre of ICT Reporting Citizen Journalism – Notions and Actualities: A plus or minus for Professional ICT Reporting and National Development The Fundamentals of ICT Reporting and the demands of National Development; Can ICT Reporting advance the cause of National Development? What is ICT4D and National governments, National Institutions and the defining of ICT4D goals?

There are also modules

in Transparency, eGovernance and Legal Challenges in ICT Reporting; Responsible Journalism and Nationalistic among others. There will be various case studies drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal,South Africa, Tunisia, United States of America etc. Legal frameworks in ICT4D and the challenges of reporting online Some of the resource persons lined up for the programme include Professor Clement Dzedonu, Consultant to the ECA on ICT4D and Vice Chancellor of AIT University, Accra, Ghana and Barr. Nseobong Akpan, Technology Columnist and Chief Consultant, Technology Law Firm, Abuja. Others include Professor Kim Viborg Andersen, Department of IT Management (ITM) and researcher in organizational and policy aspects of IT, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and Basil Udotai, Legal Adviser to Chief Security to the president of Nigeria on Cybercrime and Professor Steve Woolgar, Professor of Marketing and Head of the Science and Technology at Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

Minister charges staff on use of technologies

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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INISTER of Sci ence and Technology, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa has charged staff of the ministry and its parastatals to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians through the adoption and utilization of appropriate technologies.

He also urged them to promote scientific research for innovation as well as the application of Intellectual Property Rights in Science and Technology.

The minister was speaking during the occasion of the signing of performance contract with staff of the ministry and its parastatals in Abuja.

Professor Ewa said “Permit me to remind you that as a Ministry, we are expected to deliver the following outcomes; Improve the quality of lives of Nigerians through the adoption and utilization of appropriate Technologies, promote scientific research for innovation and technological development, Promote and Protect Intellectual Property

Rights in Science and Technology, facilitate the linkages between Industrial Research and Development Outputs and provide necessary regulatory policies and administrative services in the country.

He said that that the ministry had designed an internal assessment and review method to determined how the assigned benchmark for the ministry would be achieved, while the federal government and Nigerians would, by December 2012 assess the ministry to determine its achievements.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of National Planning Commission, represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Ntufan Fidel Ugbo, said that the role of the ministry of Science and Technology in driving the economy of the nation is critical, saying that it was necessary to appoint a coordinating minister for the science and technology ministry to fast tract progress in the science and technology sector.

28— Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Milan face Malaga palaver H

overing in the relegation zone in Serie A, AC Milan could desperately use some success in Europe to rescue what otherwise might be a season to forget.

However, the seven-time winners face a tough test Malaga, which has yet to concede a goal in four European outings, qualifiers included. The Costa del Sol club is third in the Spanish league and leads Group C with six points, two ahead of Milan.

After losing five of eight Italian league matches, Milan is off to its worst start in 71

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE years, leaving coach Massimiliano Allegri’s job at risk.

Allegri ordered his squad into full-time training mode following a 3-2 loss at Lazio on Saturday, in which it trailed 3-0 at one point.

“If the squad is not achieving results it’s normal for the coach to be placed in discussion,” Allegri said.

“We’ve got to start earning points, we’ve got to improve and we’ve got to avoid making certain types of errors.”

Malaga bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 2-1 comeback win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, again showing its combination of youthful talent and veteran skill with goals from 20-yearold Francisco “Isco” Alarcon and 31-year-old Joaquin Sanchez.

Fixtures Zenit v Anderlecht Ajax v Man City Arsenal v Schalke B Dortmund v Real M adrid D. Zagreb v PSG FC Porto v D. Kiev Malaga v AC Milan Montpellier v Olympia kos

Dortmund seek easy win over injury-hit Real B

orussia Dortmund entertain Real Madrid in the Champions League today with the Germans eager to take advantage of their injuryhit Spanish opponents by grabbing top spot in Group D. Full backs Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao

returned from international duty with problems of varying seriousness, Marcelo being ruled out for around three months with a fractured bone in his foot.

Mourinho deployed midfielder Michael Essien at left back for Saturday’s 2-0 La

City must win or burst, says Lescott M

•Robinho

anchester City and England defender, Lescott declared that City need to win all its remaining matches to remain in contention in the champions league.

Last season the Roberto Mancini coached side failed

to progress from the group.

Lescott said: “People are going to say the next two games are must wins for us.

But I think every game from now until the end of the group stage is a must win.

“We can’t rely on other people to get results for us like

last year.”

Mancini will be without winger David Silva, midfielder Javi Garcia and defender Maicon, who are all injured. Captain Vincent Kompany also has an ongoing calf niggle.

Wenger urges Gunners to bounce back with Schalke A

rsene Wenger has called on his Arsenal stars to deliver an immediate response to their shock defeat against Norwich, when they take on Schalke 04 in today’s Champion League clash at the visit the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger ’s team are now 10 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea after losing to previously winless Norwich for the first time in 20 years on Saturday.

An error from Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone presented Grant Holt with the goal that condemned the Gunners to their second league defeat of the season and Wenger’s grumpy mood after the match reflected his frustration at a lacklustre performance.

Arsenal will need a much improved display to see off

C M Y K

German side Schalke and maintain their 100 per cent start to the Champions League campaign.

And Wenger hopes the embarrassment of losing to struggling Norwich will provoke a reaction from his players.

“I hope it will have a positive impact,” Wenger said. “It was a shock to the system, but you have to give credit to Norwich because they played well, were completely committed and they deserved the win.”

The Gunners opened their European campaign with successive victories against Montpellier and Olympiakos to top Group B, while Schalke have never won a competitive tie in England, losing four times and drawing once.

Liga win at home to Celta Vigo with Sergio Ramos moving to right back and inexperienced teenager Raphael Varane slotting in alongside Pepe in central defence.

Mourinho will need all the fit bodies he can muster if Dortmund emulate the form they showed in a 1-1 draw at Manchester City earlier this month.

City needed a last-gasp equaliser to snatch a point against the Bundesliga champions.

D

ortmund’s 2-1 home defeat by Schalke 04 on Saturday did little to dampen spirits ahead of Wednesday’s match.

“We did not play well against Schalke and there is nothing we can do to change that,” said coach Juergen Klopp. “But the match against Real Madrid remains a cool game.”

Klopp has left back Marcel Schmelzer and midfielder Ilkay Guendogan back after they missed Saturday’s game along with Jakub Blaszczykowski who will remain sidelined for at least two more months.

Play-maker Mario Goetze is also set to return after missing the Ruhr Valley derby, infusing their midfield with the creativity and spark that was missing against Schalke.

The Germans started that game with a 3-5-2 system but it was dropped after 25 minutes in favour of a 4-4-2 lineup that is likely to be used against Real.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 29

2013 NATIONS CUP:

•Mikel •Gyan

•Drogba

Great expectations as group opponents emerge

A

ll the 16 nations that qualified for the 2013 Nations Cup are hopefully wishing for an easy group paring as the continent soccer ruling body CAF will today hold the draw for the group stages.

Top seeds South Africa, defending champions Zambia, Ghana and Africa number one team Cote ‘d Ivoire are the big guns every other nation wants to avoid, but with African football

becoming more unpredictable with every passing tournament coaches can only expect that they have an easy draw that will guarantee their progress into the crucial stages.

Whilst the 2012 edition of the competition saw many absentees from among the continent’s major footballing nations, this time around the big guns of Africa have made it—the only exceptions being Egypt, and Cameroon. Ten of the tournament’s previous winners will be competing in the Rainbow Nation, and the majority of the continent’s finest players will be flying down to South Africa in January to take their place at Africa’s high table.

W

•Manucho

C M Y K

ith South Africa fans uninspired by recent performances, few are expecting great things from the hosts. Avoiding three of the continent’s more dangerous sides in the opening group stage will be an encouragement, but dangers do await in the other three pots.

All four teams in Pot 2 are capable of causing difficulties. Tunisia won the

competition as recently as 2004, and offer competitive and organised opposition, whilst Mali, led by Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabaté finished third in this year ’s tournament.

Angola were a disappointment in the 2012 Afcon, crashing out in the group stage after a draw with Sudan and a defeat against Cote d’Ivoire. With Valladolid frontman Manucho, however, there is always potential that they could trouble even the continent’s most accomplished defenders.

Nigeria complete the set in Pot 2, returning to the competition after an extended absence. Traditionally they are one of the continent’s giants, but it has been a tricky few years for Super Eagles fans.

Redemption began with a 61 hammering of Liberia in the home leg of the qualifiers—a result which sealed their place in South Africa.

Nigerians will hope that the road to salvation runs easy in 2013, and certainly no one will relish taking on the powerhouse of West Africa.

“I have said to a lot of people and will say it again that I am not afraid of any team.

“You don’t win a championship by being afraid of your opponents and that is the spirit with which I am going into the draw.

“Let them bring on any team and we will give our all, we have a team that the world too should be afraid of,” said Eagles coach Stephen Keshi said as he headed off to South Africa.

I

n the third pool of competitors we find two Arab heavyweights expecting success and two West African nations that struggled to assert themselves at the previous tournament. Algeria and Morocco have slipped from the continental limelight recently, with the balance of power shifting beneath the Sahara.

30— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

CeBIH targets functional structure for Nigerian e-payment market.

By TOHEEB IDRIS

T

From left: President/ Chairman of Council Chartered Instituteof Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Segun Aina; Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc and Otunba Debola Osibogun, 1st Vice President CIBN, at the 2012 Fellowship Investiture of the CIBN, where Durosinmi-Etti was conferred with a Fellowship of the institute in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Collaboration key to enforcing laws on banking profession –Orya Stories by BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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O L L A B O R AT I O N among stakeholders in the financial sector has been identified as a critical factor to enforcing laws and regulations that guide the banking profession, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Roberts Orya said this at the Fellowship Investiture of the Chartered Bankers Institute of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos.

Orya, who was among the eminent bankers conferred with Fellowship of the Institute said that, “The CIBN has done so much, they have come out with an Act which is all inclusive. I think what they need to do now is enforcement, because we have all the laws but what we need now is enforcement. But it is a collective thing; it is not just the CIBN. All Nigerians must ensure that we run our banks in a more professional and ethical manner and when we do that all the sharp practices we witnessed in the banks will be a thing of the past”.

Orya described the conferment of Fellowship Investiture of the CIBN as a boost to professionalism in the country and it will help to uplift the standard of professionalism in the country. He said this is critical to the development a sustainable and sound banking system.

He said, “For us to have a sustainable, sound and safe banking system we must have professionals. What the CIBN C M Y K

is doing is very exciting and will uplift the standard of banking, and then run banks in an ethical manner.

On his part, he said the Fellowship award will spur him to pay more attention on capacity building of young bankers. “It will spur me to build capacity of younger bankers.

We need to show leadership in this regard because that how to build professionals that will take after us, and sustain the banking system that we have.

He said that NEXIM has

the agency with the mandate to enhance non-oil exports for the diversification of the economy, is working on a number of measures to boost non-oil exports. He said one of these is find a way of facilitating the setting up of a regional maritime shipping line that would be run by the private sector.

He this is because the bank realized that it is not enough to just assist exporters with funding, when they are bedeviled with other problems that hinder their business. He said one of these problems is the

movement of goods from one location to the other.

He said for example movement of goods from Lagos with truck to Ghana takes only six days but it takes 60 days to move goods from Lagos to Ghana by sea because the ship would first take the goods to Europe and do trans-shipment before getting back to Ghana.

“The long process involved in such transportation affects the profit margin of the exporters at the end of the day.

The proposed regional shipping line.” he said.

Unity Bank committed to wealth creation through agric, SMEs

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NITY Bank is committed to creating wealth through lending support for the agricultural sector and small and medium enterprises.

Unity Bank, he said, is close to the grassroots, and is strictly a retail bank and will continue to assist its customers to create wealth for individuals and the community. He said such objective is taking the lender to the agriculture sector and retail products that will generate wealth for artisans, farmers, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and other subsectors of the economy.

He said the bank chose to play at the retail market because it is critical for economic growth as more people will benefit from the chain transactions that come with it. Besides, reiterated the lender’s commitment to making giants out of small businesses through innovative products, quality service and sound operational practices.

While conferring the Fellowship on Wanka, President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Segun Aina described Wanka as a distinguished banker and resourceful member of the banking industry.

The CIBN boss said the award confines on the recipient, all rights, privileges and obligations

that come with it.

He advised the Wanka to always inspire young professional bankers s such would improve the quality of manpower in the banking sector while also carrying out his duties with integrity, competence and uprightness.

Wanka on his part promised to abide and protect the CIBN Act, remain diligent in his work and contribute to the growth and professionalism of the sector. “I affirm that I will abide and support the CIBN Act, Codes and adhere strictly to the ethics of the banking and finance industry. I promise to be diligent and contribute to the programmes and activities of the CIBN,” he said.

The bank CEO said he was overwhelmed by the gesture adding that it was expected after putting in over 30 years of service in the banking sector. He said the award remains an incentive to work with the Institute to ensure that professionalism is promoted above mediocrity in the works of bankers.

He said that the banking profession is noble and must be practiced with trust and integrity at all times to earn the confidence of regulators and customers.

HE Committee of Elec tronic Banking Industry Heads (CEBIH), has said that the challenges and prospects of developing a functioning electronic payment market in Nigeria will be the focus of the second annual conferences of the committee.

According to Chuma Ezirim, Chairman CEBIH, we believe a functioning and efficient electronic payment system is not a myth or impossibility. It is something that has been achieved in other markets. We are therefore, inviting all stakeholders including experts from outside the country to appraise our performance so far as an industry and agree on the structure that would enable us achieve our full potential in the midst of various challenges.

Ezirim added, that the conference which has as its theme “Developing a market structure that works: challenges and prospects for the Nigerian payment system”, will hold from Wednesday October 30th to Thursday November 1 st at Transcoop metropolitan hotels and conferencing limited calabar, cross river state.

CEBIH comprises of all heads of e-business banking and industry service of all the 21 banks in Nigeria. The primary objective of the committee is to promote electronic banking service in line with global best practice and serves as a forum for scaring idea and experience by the e-banking industry heads.

Gadgets add complexity to brutal bank layoffs

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N the high-tech, gadgetaddicted world of investment banking, layoffs are becoming more complex and brutal as firms try to stop sensitive data leaving with employees.

Sackings are usually swift, with bankers escorted out, a few belongings thrown into boxes and Blackberries and phones disabled the minute they get their marching orders.

But weeks of trawling through old emails and planning software lockdowns now precede and follow the job cuts that are happening in thousands, adding a new layer of indignity to the process.

“It used to be that you would take away any access to the building and maybe prevent someone from lifting their Rolodex,” said Stephen Bonner, a former Barclays executive now a partner in the information protection business at consultancy KPMG.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 31

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HE Contributory Pension scheme, CPS, being regulated by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, has recorded great success in its eight years of operation. However, for the system to efficiently handle employees benefits and pay as at when due, stakeholders are of the opinion that more effort should be put in place to entrench a solid and virile pension industry.

It was in this light that PenCom brought journalists and some stakeholders together in Abuja, last week, to deliberate on the way forward for the sector.

In a paper entitled, ‘Developments in the Pension Industry’ Dr. Farouk Aminu, Head, Research & Corporate Strategy of PenCom said that pension funds has generated appreciable pool of long term investible funds as it has grown to N2.86 trillion worth of assets as at 31 August, 2012.

Public sector contribution was N811.77 billion from July 2004 to August 2012 while about 55 per cent of assets (equivalent to N1.57 trillion) was accumulated by the private sector, Aminu said.

According to him, the pension funds are being invested in authorised markets with portfolio limits and performance benchmarks.

On the challenges still bedeviling the new pension scheme, Aminu said that there is still lack of adequate knowledge about the workings of the CPS; multiple registrations and lack of clear identification of Retirement Savings Account, RSA, holders; as well as delays in remittance of contributions occasioned by nonsubmission of nominal rolls by theMinistries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. Others are non-submission of updated and/or incomplete nominal rolls indicating changes in grades and levels resulting in non-remittance of right contributions into RSAs; low level of monthly pension; lump sum withdrawals versus monthly pensions; small balances in employees’ RSAs that were insufficient to fund a programmed withdrawal or the purchase of annuity as well as periodic review of pension benefits.

On funding of public sector accrued rights, Aminu said that the five per cent of the Federal Government’s wage bill being paid into the Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund (RBBRF) account is insufficient to upset the additional claims arising from early exit occasioned by voluntary and mandatory retirements or death.

According to him, there is

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misconception about 50 per cent of RSA balance as lumpsum as well as number of years of benefits payment under programmed withdrawal coupled with the challenges in obtaining Letters of Administration as the courts ask for 10 per cent

Pension Departments, PDs, jointly developed was never implemented by the PDs and that only one (MPB) out of the five PDs rendered regular returns until its exit from the CPS. According to him, preliminary assessment of

Stakeholders call for effective and efficient pension industry of RSA balance before issuing the Letter of Administration.

He mentioned other challenges to include poor service delivery by Pension Fund Operators, PFAs, as well as pension desk officers not proving required support to contributors and retirees.

While speaking on the topic, ‘Supervision of the Federal Government pension departments under the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004, Abbo Mamman of the Public Sector Pensions Department of PenCom said

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By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

each PD identified gaps in structure, staffing, database and records management.

He said that efforts by PenCom at ensuring that the PDs maintained robust database was sabotaged at high levels. There was no recourse to the 2006 verification exercise coordinated by PenCom coupled with the fact that there have always been uncoordinated and incessant pensioner verifications by the PDs without recourse to PenCom, Mamman stated.

Although numerous complaints keep pouring in from pensioners on non/ short-payment of pensions, requests by PenCom for the resolution of such complaints are largely ignored and not treated

that there is a commencement of direct payment to pensioners and reconciliation of government releases to insurance companies and payments from insurance companies to BOTs while the dissolution of BOTs according to Section 43(1) and 99(2) of the PRA is being considered.

He said that there is weak regulatory framework by the federal government pension departments as well as loopholes in the legal framework coupled with enshrined corruption, bureaucracy and lack of transparency.

Others are inconsistent support from the Executive and Legislature (budgets, etc) while collaboration with the Pension Departments is largely ineffective.

Mamman said that the framework for operation of

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Although numerous complaints keep pouring in from pensioners on non/shortpayment of pensions, requests by PenCom for the resolution of such complaints are largely ignored and not treated, Mamman lamented.

Mamman however said that efforts are under way to strengthen the regulatory framework as well as strengthening the legal framework in terms of amendment of the PRA2004; streamlining the structure of the PDs to consolidate the Commission’s supervisory focus and adjusting the operational structure within the PDs to remove incentives for corruption and enhance transparency.

On ‘The role of pension operators in the provision of efficient customer service delivery ’ which was

Muhammed Ahmad, DG PenCom.

presented by Misbahu Yola, Managing Director of Legacy Pension Managers Ltd, said that retirees/ prospective retirees in the public sector should ensure timely attendance of verification/enrollment exercise conducted by Pe n C o m f o r i m p e n d i n g retirees of the Federal Government; employer to ensure timely submission of nominal roll to PenCom for accurate determination of employee benefits especially in cases of promotions after verification; as well as provide PFA with copies of r e t i r e ment notice and necessary documents for updating registration details and any possible change of Next of Kin. For the private sector retirees, Yola said that they should produce original copy of remittance status letter showing that all remittances have been made to the PFA and other statutory documents.

On the challenges in payment of benefits, Yola said that there is issue of invalid contact address after retirement; late verification/ enrolment with PenCom by Federal Government employees; providing conflicting documentation at PenCom; verification/ enrolment exercise.

On the remedies to avoid delay in payment of benefits, Yola said that there should be valid contact details; closer coordination and cooperation between employers and employees to facilitate timely remittance of accrued benefits by private employers; remittance of retirement bonds/accrued rights before due; date of retirement by employers as it will ensure that payment of monthly pension would commence immediately after the first month of retirement.

BRIEF

Lasaco Assurance bags ISO 9001:2008 certification

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ASACO Assurance Plc has bagged the ISO 9001:2008 certification of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON for adhering to international best practices.

Announcing this to journalists at the company’s head office in Lagos, Managing Director of the company, Mr. Olusola LadipoAjayi said that SON provided independent confirmation that Lasaco met the requirements and the certificate will be officially presented to the company on the 13th of November 2012.

Ladipo-Ajayi said “We are pleased to announce that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has provided independent confirmation that Lasaco has met the requirements of the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

This makes us the first insurance company in Nigeria to be so certified. The Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, is expected to personally present the certificate to the Board of Lasaco on 13th November 2012.”

Ladipo-Ajayi said that by the certification, Lasaco has been adjudged to meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders, including all statutory and regulatoryrequirementsapplicable to its operations.

“These standards are universally regarded as international best practices and are published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). It is administered locally by the SON. Simply put, our company is committed to the method and model of quality prescribed by the standards,” Ladipo-Ajayi said.

32— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Rapido Foods unveils Fibi sausage roll STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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From left: Chairman Rapido Foods, Mr. Frank Nneji; Royal father of the day, Dr. Emmanuel Njemanze (Ozuruigbo V) and Head Customer Services Rapido Foods, Mrs. Ngozi Okoli at the launch of FIBI Beef Sausage roll, in Owerri.

BATNF donates solar powered borehole to community

BY PEACEONYEUKWU

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N order to increase the profile of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN) has donated a solar powered borehole to Okun-Owa community, Odogbolu LGA in Ogun State.

Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle, Executive Director, BATN Foundation, at the commissioning and the handing over ceremony of the project to the community, under its project, Water is Life Project, said the Foundation has ensured that its humanitarian activities spread across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria and so far, it has established over 100 community development projects in 36 states including the FCT, Abuja.

The BATN Foundation as a community empowerment organisation, believes that business has a key role to play in helping societies to achieve a sustainable balance of economic growth and social progress. The Foundation committed to the principles of sustainable development, operates local initiatives and projects with focus on empowerments through sustainable agricultural development, portable water supply, environmental protection, vocational training and skill development.

The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogun State, C M Y K

Mr. Muyiwa Oladipo, lauded BATNF for their kind gesture towards the community, he however urged the Foundation to provide more boreholes to reach other parts of the community and in the same vein tasked the Local Government Chairmen on provision of portable water for all the communities in their domain, according to him the projects so far are not enough. He also appealed to the community to ensure that the project is protected from vandalisation.

Aslo speaking at the

event, the Oba of the community, Alaiyeluwa Oba Gabriel Akinyemi Abiodun, promise BATNF that the Okun-Owa community Development Committee will take over the project maintenance, supervision and sustainability. He appealed to the Foundation to assist in the area of poverty alleviation for the youths through vocation training centre where they can learn computer and shoe making, as he also called on the sons and daughters of community home and abroad to contribute their quota in the development of the community.

APIDO Foods Limited, subsidiary of Rapido Ventures has unveiled a new brand of beef sausage roll, christened Fibi, in the Nigerian Fast Moving Consumers Goods (FMCG) market.

The new beef roll is set to bring a whole new taste to consumers, says the company.

Speaking, Mrs. Ngozi Nneji said the determination to make Fibi succeed as a brand of beef roll in the market inspired the team to formulate indigenous spices blended in the right proportion to make for a unique recipe with a view to excite consumers in very distinct ways, whilst adding that every business that intends to impact consumers and the market must create something different that will distinguish it from other brands in the category. “ We believe that Fibi will have an edge over other brands of beef sausage roll because of the ingredients, the natural beef and the Nigerian spices. From the inception, we wanted a brand of sausage roll that is truly unique and appeal to Nigerian consumers in a way

AAAN, APCON partner on Young LAIFERS Award

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S the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) celebrates seven years of creative Awards

Guinness, AIM, others partner to drive sustainable sourcing agenda

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UINNESS Nigeria Plc has expressed commitment to responsible sourcing principles by the European Brands Association (AIM) programme for responsible sourcing. The event which held in Lagos had many of Nigerians manufacturing giants in attendance including Unilever, Cadbury Nigeria, Nestle, Coca-Cola, amongst others.

Speaking at the event, Mr Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said that responsible sourcing is an integral part of his company ’s

operations. “At the very heart of this great Guinness brand is a desire to ensure that today ’s growth does not compromise opportunities for future generations. To be a sustainable business, we need to extend our conscience beyond immediate commercial imperatives - we strongly believe that this is good for the business and for the long term interests of our suppliers and indeed all our stakeholders.”

Guinness Nigeria used the platform to showcase some of its key initiatives in the area of sustainable sourcing including its ‘Partnering with Suppliers’ Standard which

that consumers will continue to enjoy and look forward to it as distinct from other beef sausage rolls in the Nigerian market and that is what you find in Fibi beef sausage roll”, she explained.

Also speaking at the unveiling, Mr. Isijola Oriade, Business Development Manager of Rapido Ventures, said Fibi sausage roll is produced with the Nigerian consumers in mind.

He further said that Rapido Foods is aware that Nigerians cherish quality products and more so packaged foods, and as such, Fibi beef sausage roll is designed to meet the desire for high quality food among Nigerians.

According to Isijola, the product is produced with natural ingredients for the best form of nutrition that is suitable for all segments of the population. We want a situation where we are able the beef roll on the table for everyone in Nigeria without any worry about resistance and this underscores our commitment to feed Nigerians with quality beef sausage roll enriched with Nigerian spices. “When you look at Fibi, it indicates “HALAL’ which means that it is in conformity with standards of any religion in Nigeria.

focus on three core principles – optimising due diligence processes, building capability and supporting local supply businesses.

Adetu added “We realise that we cannot deliver this ambition alone and that we will need to decisively and energetically engage all our stakeholders in a synergistic way. Our desire as Guinness Nigeria is to do this in a collaborative way and to work with other like-minded companies on this agenda.

Forums like today ’s AIM progress seminar allow us to share and implement best practice models for improved efficiency and better performance.”

in Nigeria, the Association in partnership with Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) is set to introduce a new category titled “Young L AIFERS Award”. According to the AAAN President and Chairman of LAIF Management Board, Mrs. Bunmi Oke, said the Young LAIFERS Award will provide a platform for young practitioners to unleash creative potential in a competitive environment as well as improve their craftsmanship.

The Registrar/CEO of APCON Alhaji Bello Kankarufi (frpa), commended the Association for the new category, he stated that as Government Agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating the Advertising industry, APCON will support credible initiative aimed at improving the knowledge based of practitioners as well as encourage the continued growth of (Advertising Education)

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—33 of war reporting. Because sometimes those situations can be very close to war. So, war and terrorism and kidnapping are specialised reporting beats. Are our reporters trained with adequate capacity and resources to report this kind of situation, not just any kind of reporting?

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why they are aggrieved. We don’t exactly understand the root, the people behind it. So, we can do a bit more investigative reporting on this matter. What we do now is just to react. There is explosion there. Many people have been killed. That’s all we do.

We’ve not really gone beyond gone that. Maybe because we do not have the capacity to do that.

What about the safety of the reporter?

You know this job is a very risky one. It’s a very realistic job. The issue is not safety.

The issue is having the initiative, having the capacity to do it.

Disclosing sources?

How can you disclose your sources? If there is explosion somewhere and some people are killed, and Al qaeda for instance claims responsibility, what other source are you looking for? Are you going to ask me now how Al qaeda reached me to claim responsibility? Journalists are not security men. We are just reporters.

They don’t expect us to give them information. It’s for security agencies. Security agencies have arms. There is need to have a security cover over the country. Why should I give them information? If they rely on the media, they can get misled. We need proper security cover over the country, especially, in times like these.

They should segment the country and cover it, with intelligence, gathering reports.

That is their job. They shouldn’t expect me to give them such information. Besides, this information, no ordinary person should give you.

teve Osuji: The thing now on the front burner is security. So bringing the people who ought to know to talk about it is good.

We’ve been able to interact with them and been able to get fresh insights about security and all the nuances of it. I think it’s quite good. I have learnt a lot.

Are journalists reporting well?

We are reportFrom left: Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo and Mr. Richard Ikiebe during a lecture on “Media, democratic governance and challenges of national development”, delivered by Uduaghan at the School of Media and Commu- ing well. But we nication, Pan African University are reporting with the best of our capabilities.

I won’t say abilities but capabilities because all of us are handicapped. Like someone mentioned here today, nothing stops the editor from sending undercover reporters to go into Biakolo: I am glad the mebe provided for you.

You canBY UDUMA KALU dia is focusing on security is- not but report what is avail- the terror prone areas and get to some of the roots.

OR long, Nigeria has sues, because we have moved able to you. So we need to be Besides explosions, reportbeyond just security issues asking whether in fact securibeen besotted with differing shooting or killing, we can into the different issues in the ty forces are assisting the meent kinds of violence. It has actually send people there. had religious, ethnic and com- country and their response to dia to report well. Is the in- Undercover reporters. We can security. formation available? or whethmunal violences. There has At the Nigerian Institute of er in fact all those areas that get some fresh insights into also been a civil war, the Niwhy these people are agger Delta crisis among others. Policy and Strategic Studies the sources of information can grieved. We don’t even know The latest is terrorism spear- NIPSS conference in Jos few provide are accurate, fair, balweeks ago, we dealt with the anced reporting.... This is imheaded by Boko Haram.

Hardly will a day pass with- national response, creation of portant. Not just how the meout one form of violence in strategy to deal with this. dia is reporting. But I think a form of bombings,shootings, etc. But what has been worrisome is the issue of whether Nigerian writers have been reporting terrorism adequateHE Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism ly. Unfortunately, even the wants entries for the seventh edition of its Award for media houses are targets.

Investigative Reporting.

Some journalists have been It call began Thursday, October 4, 2012, and invites enkilled by the terrorists. tries from professional Nigerian journalists or team of jourMedia offices have been nalists, full-time or freelancers, who have produced a news bombed. There have been story published between October 26, 2011 and October 3, threats on journalists and Now, this is another compo- number of issues here have 2012 primarily targeted at and received by a Nigerian autheir media houses by the ter- nent, a media component be- been raised concerning sendience. rorists too.

This edition of the award will reward and honour the works cause media does not mainly sationalism. But by and large, of outstanding Nigerian journalists whose news stories exsend out information. Media I think that the media have Editors' pose corruption, regulatory failures and human rights abuses is the great creator of agenda discharged their jobs creditconference in public and private spheres of the country in the print, for discourse. It’s is also the ably. radio, television, photo, online, climate change, local govmeans we can analyse them A participant accused ediAt the recent editors’ confer- very clearly and at least ar- tors of not sending reporters ernment, sports, health and editorial cartooning categories, ence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom rive at some decisions and to terror prone areas. the centre said.

State, last month, which had they are part of the apparatus The sports and health categories have been included from That’s another dimension. focused on the editor and na- for disseminating this kind of The safety and security of the this year to focus on the importance of these sectors to sustional security, Vanguard decision. tainable development, the wellbeing of the country and its reporter himself. That is a asked some of the experts future in relation with international realities. The addition Are we reporting well the very critical point too. Because whether the Nigerian journal- security problem in our coun- we do not have enough secuof the editorial cartooning category on the other hand, is in ist has been discharging his try? alignment with global acknowledgements of cartoon as a rity for our reporters. You duties on terrorism reporting veritable tool of investigative journalism and in response to I am glad that you raised know the resources might not well. agitations from journalists in this genre. that question because that was be there for the system to Here are some the views the very topic that was dis- probably do this report.

Continuing a tradition started in 2008 and re-introduced from the Dean of School of cussed in NIPSS. We have to in 2011, the Centre intends to present a grand prize of the The reporting of war and Media and Communication, take into account the con- violence and crisis is a speWSCIJ-Nigeria investigative journalist of the year award to Pan African University, Prof. straints in reporting. First, is cial kind of reporting. It’s not a work adjudged the best among the winning pieces. The Emevwo Biakolo and Mr. there sufficient collaboration? like any other kind of reportentries will be scored by a judges’ board comprising perSteve Osuji, a former publish- Or shall we say are security ing. So it’s an additional sons of integrity who are in the media and related profeser, Chief Press Secretary to forces assisting the media to question whether our media sions. former governor Ohakim and report well? Because you professionals have been The deadline for submission of entries is Thursday, Octonow a columnist. ber 25, 2012. need information that cannot trained, or have the capacity

Journalists need training on terrorism reporting — Experts F

Are security forces assisting the media to report well? Because you need information that cannot be provided for you. You cannot but report what is available to you

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Wole Soyinka investigative journalism wants entries

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34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

MIDWEEK SERMON

with SAMEYOBOKA sameyoboka@yahoo.com

FG must arrest Fulani/ farmers clashes —NOSCEF WORRIED by the growing security conserns across the country, Northern State Elders Christian Forum, NOSCEF, has raised alarm over frequent clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers, saying that not only such incidents are on the rise across the nation they are equally becoming more vicious and bloody with the casualty figures on the increase. The leadership of NOSCEF, Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye in an interview with SAM EYOBOKA, wants the Federal Government to do something fast to avoid bloody sectarian violence.

What are the issues at stake?

Fulani herdsmen originate from the northern part of Nigeria. Cattle need grass throughout the year to survive. There is adequate grass in the north during the raining season, but it becomes scarce and inadequate as the dry season approaches, so the cattle rearers migrate South wards in search of grass for their cattle. This is what leads to the clash between farmers and cattle rearers because the cattle rearers often allow their cattle to invade farmers’ lands thereby eating up farms’ crops. The cattle rearers are invading or trespassing on private properties.

Grazing Reserves....

The idea of Grazing Reserve is more than 50 years old. The idea is that Government should acquire some large acres of land, prohibit other people from farming on these lands. The lands should be acquired in all the southern states and the Middle Belt where the cattle rearers can move their cattle during the dry season. The idea was mooted when the population of Nigeria was small and land looked plenteous and vast. That is no longer the case. The human population has exploded and factories are springing up. Large scale farming is becoming the order of the day. More land will definitely be needed. The demand will continue to expand.

The southern part of Nigeria where grasses are available for cattle throughout the year has a high population density. They have more thriving industries there now than in the North.

The Land Tenure system in the south is very different. Lands are owned by families.

Government cannot just take land or seize land from villagers. War will break out. If the cattle rearers can approach families in the South and purchase land for their grazing reserves, it would be fine.

What is the way out?

The way out is for us to modernise our cattle farming system. There is too much suffering, trekking by the Fulani cattle rearers. The method is less profitable. The cattle loses weight as it has to trek long distances. The children of the cattle rearers cannot get good education while health facility for their family is non-existent.

Is this what operates in other countries?

Definitely not! Why are we sticking to archaic, unprofitable methods? Are we the only continent keeping cattle? Is this how they keep cattle in Europe, Asia or America?

What is the alternative?

We have adequate land for

BRIEFLY...

GKS consoles flood victims

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OD’s Kingdom Society (GKS) has appealed to victims of

the flood disasters in the country not to give in to despair but to face the crises with fortitude and hope in God even as she spoke of vigorous efforts by the Church hierarchy to get her members to assist the flood victims.

The GKS has also described as unfortunate and misguided the decision of a flood victim to commit suicide due to the loss of his farm.

In a statement signed by the publicity secretary, Brother Benedict Hart, the GKS stated that rather than give in to despondency, the flood victims should place their trust in God, the Sustainer of the weak and helpless, with Whom nothing is impossible.

“Citing Isaiah 45:22 and Hebrew 11:6, the GKS declared that “we should all seek the face of God by prayer and by our godly endeavours as only He has the power to cause the floods to recede and help the victims to recover from this traumatic incident” The statement also stated though various plausible reasons have been advanced for the unprecedented floods, the fact was that such incidents should not be unexpected in these last days which the Bible describes as “perilous times” when the devil would be bent on causing maximum havoc on earth, knowing that his time to live is short as stated in Luke 21:25,26 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Foundation donates 91 wheelchairs

BY ETOP EKANEM

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*Evang. Matthew Owojaiye, NOSCEF Chairman. our cattle in the North. Water is our main problem. We can dig boreholes and we will get water. Our people do not want to be roaming long distances suffering. We can use solar water pumps to operate the boreholes. We have abundance of sunshine. We have the knowledge of silage which is common to virually all the intitutions of higher learning in the north. We grow the maize during the rainy season; cut them into two or three feet when they are still fresh and tender. We bury them in the ground and cover them with nylon. We open them up in the dry season and feed our cattle with it.

Amazed at Northern intellectual We can add molasses from sugarcane to them and feed our cattle during the dry season and they will grow faster, gain more weight and attract more money.

I am amazed that thousands of northerners who read Agriculture or Animal Science can be talking of Grazing Reserves all over the states of Nigeria at an age like this.

We should only take our cattle to the South when we want to sell them. Anybody who wants to buy land in the South to keep his cattle is welcome. They should not involve the Federal Government. Is government going to acquire lands all over the states for yam, fish or cassava farmers?

I have always seen Fulani herdsmen keeping their cattle in my hometown without fracas

or bloodshed. Generally, they were gentle and friendly. If there were clashes, they were mild and easily resolved. It is frigthening to hear that Fulani herdsmen now carry guns and kill people all over the country.

This is very strange. Who has radicalized them?

The Federal Government must wake up and find out if Boko Haram or other terrorist organizations have infiltrated their ranks. We must not allow the bloodshed to extend. That is the quickest way for Nigeria to disintegrate.

We therefore call on the Federal Government to take urgent action to stop the clashes and bloodshed. We condemn in its totality the lack of respect and value for human life. The courts are there to settle grievances between parties. For people to decide to take the laws into their own hands is unacceptable in any civilized society.

The Federal Government must take urgent and serious action to show that it is still in control of the country. President Jonathan must not allow anybody to hijack the country from him. Nobody, no group of people should be above the law.

We fear too many guns seem to have entered this country illegally. Are some people preparing for war? At independence, we wanted a nation where nobody is oppressed. We promised to stand in brotherhood, though tongues and tribes may differ. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and make us truly Federal in Jesus Name. Amen!

O alleviate the plight of the less-privileged in the society, a foundation, the Special Social Ministries, an arm of the Missions Department of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria that caters for the lessprivileged, has donated 91 wheelchairs to mobility challenged persons in the SouthWest zone.

The event took place at the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Festac Town, Lagos.

Speaking at the occasion, national co-ordinator of the ministry, Rev. Georgian Ugah thanked the American partners and donors: Personal Energy Transport, PET International; US Navy Project Handclasp and the American Embassy in Lagos “for their love, care and passion towards Nigerians living with disabilities.”

According to her, “PET donated a total of 231 wheelchairs valued at over N8.6 million.

Today, we are giving a total of 91 PET wheelchairs to mobility challenged persons in the South-West zone.

“I would like to say that the financial worth put together can never be compared with the impact these wheelchairs will have on the beneficiaries.

These wheelchairs will go a long way to ease their movements to schools, churches, markets.”

She pleaded with the Lagos State government to partner with the Special Social Ministries of Assemblies of God, Nigeria to better the lives of persons with special needs by “giving scholarships to indigent special persons of Evangel Ability Motivational Institute (EVAMI) Special School; sponsoring our 2013 10th anniversary which will cost N5 million and donationg a bus for EVAMI special School.”

Mrs. Ugah noted that currently the school has 68 challenged children and about 60 per cent of them are orphans with no one to care for them, saying: “I want to plead with us to adopt these children from a distance; that is, by paying their fees and giving them education to avoid having more beggars on our streets.”

Job cr eation, antidote to creation, insecurity---- Osu

D

IRECTOR of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu has attributed the alarming rate of crimes and insecurity ravaging the land to poverty and unemployment.

In a release made available to newsmen, the clergy opined that except there is concerted effort by the government and the organized private sector to provide gainful employment for the teaming unemployed youths in the society, every effort at curbing crimes would be a task in futility.

“I have always said it that the alarming rate of insecurity in the land is caused by poverty. Most of those being used to perpetuate the mayhem in all parts of the country are unemployed youths. It is difficult to convince people who are gainfully employed to participate in such crimes as armed robbery, arson, kidnapping and assassination. Know responsible person will leave his or her job to take to crime. This is why I have always advocated that the best way to curb crimes is to provide jobs for the jobless. A hungry man is an angry man. If our youths are gainfully employed, I believe that the rate of crimes would reduce drastically.”

Osu also expressed dismay at the recent orgy of killings experienced in several parts of the country including the 40 polytechnic students of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State killed by gun men and the four students of Rivers State University lynched by an angry mob at Aluu community. He urged the law enforcement agents to increase surveillance at the nation’s tertiary institutions and consolidate effort at bringing the culprits to book.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012— 35

Alert: Gonorrhoea may soon be untreatable

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

G

• Officials of LASUTH and Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the commissioning/unveiling of the dialysis machines last week.

Non-compliance to drugs, diet, bane of diabetes management

By CHIOMA OBINNA

N

ON-COMPLIANCE to drugs and diets by diabetic patients has remained a major setback in the management of diabetes in the Nigeria. This was the position of medical experts during the inauguration of the Ajeromi General Hospital Chapter of the Diabetic Association of Nigeria, DAN, weekend in Lagos.

In two separate lectures, “Management and Prevention of Diabetes Complication” delivered by Dr. Oyekan Taiwo, Senior Medi-

cal Officer, and Dr. Alabi Kolade, Medical Officer from Ajeromi General Hospital, the duo maintained that adherence to drugs and diets was key to managing diabetes.

According to Alabi Kolade, there is need for diabetic patients to stay away from foods that can trigger their blood sugar resulting to complications that may even lead to death.

Reiterating the need for patients to understand that diabetes was not a disease that could be cured for life, he warned that although other foods can be con-

OAUTH records landmark in operative surgery

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

TEAM of doctors at the De partment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTH, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have recorded a landmark in operative gynaecological laparoscopy.

The team, led by Dr. Olusegun Badejoko, a Consultant Gynaecologist of the institution performed the first successful total laparoscopic hysterectomy (removal of womb) to be carried out in a government hospital in Nigeria, using a wholly indigenous team of gynaecological laparoscopic surgeons.

The procedure was carried out on a 50-year-old patient with precancerous changes in the cervix.

The condition was detected during routine cervical cancer screening at the hospital.

In a statement, Badejoko described gynaecological laparoscopy as a special technique of performing surgery in the abdomen through one (or more) tiny “keyhole” opening(s) in the abdomen.

“Laparoscopy has become a vital part of modern

gynaecological practice, with its uses ranging from the identification of disease conditions, to the actual surgical treatment of various gynaecological problems, including removal of the womb.

Badejoko avowed that compared to the conventional (open) abdominal surgery, laparoscopy offers less bleeding and less pain after surgery, shorter stay in hospital and faster recovery.

He attributed the landmark to the Chief Medical Director, Professor Olusanya Adejuyigbe who made provision for modern equipment and enabled subsidisation of the cost.

• Prof Olusanya Adejuyigbe

sumed in smaller quantities, diabetic patients must stay away from alcohol. “You can eat rice and beans in smaller quantities but make sure you eat three times daily.”

On complications, he noted: “It can lead to parasthesia of limbs, (pepperish sensation, etc. All you require is urgent medical attention once you notice all that.”

Encouraging patients to engage in 30 minutes exercise daily, he regretted that many of patients are developing complications due to their inability to adhere to the recommended diets. “Apart from drugs, diet is the key.”

On her part, Taiwo urged Nigerians to ensure proper control of their blood sugar by watching what they eat and drink. “What you eat and drink is very important to your condition.”

Speaking on the inauguration of DAN chapter of the hospital, Mrs. Oluyinka Sijuade said the aim was part of measures to sensitise the people of Ajeromi and environs on the importance of early detection and treatment of diabetes and hypertension as well as emphasing the importance of self involvement/ participation in the prevention and management of the disease.

“Many men have lost their libido due to diabetes and many homes have suffered as a result of the problem. DAN is to get these people and offer them proper treatment as well as reduce their sufferings.“Since we started a health talk at the hospital three times a week, the number of cases of complications have drastically reduced and deaths as well as complications have gone down to almost zero because of compliance.”

Chairman, Ifelodun LCDA, Alhaji Fatai Shaibu, represented

by Ahaji Wale Oladapo noted that the programme was in line with the Council’s programmes and that when diseases are prevented, complications are kept at bay.

ONORRHOEA may soon be resistant to treatment.

This is certainly not good, considering the bacterial infection— which can be transmitted unknowingly through vaginal, oral, or anal sex—iinfects millions each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We could be facing the real possibility of untreatable gonorrhoea, says Dr. Robert Kirkcaldy, medical epidemiologist and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea expert at the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention.

In recent years, effective treatment options for the newest strain of drug-resistant gonorrhoea have dwindled down to one - the injectable antibiotic cefriazoxone, recommended in conjunction with an oral antibiotic. That’s because the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea mutate quickly and develop resistance to antibiotics quite rapidly.

According to Kirkcaldy, the CDC

is urging drug companies to research new drugs, and new combinations of existing drugs to buy time, while an ongoing clinical trial is expected to provide some additional options, as well.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, women have a 60-80 percent risk of contracting the disease after just one one-night stand with a medure was an who has it.

While symptoms depend on which part of the body is infected, the infection is asymptomatic in 50 percent of female carriers, so it can easily be passed along unknowingly.

Left untreated, the STI can trigger chronic pelvic pain, pregnancy complications, and even infertility in women and an increased risk of contracting HIV. Men experience uncomfortable urination and discharge.

The best line of defense is not to get gonorrhoea through abstinence or sexual fidelity with a monogamous, uninfected partner.

LASUTH gets 2 dialysis machines

T

HE Renal Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, has taken delivery of two new comprehensive dialysis units valued at N16 million. The machines were donated by Heineken Africa Foundation in collaboration with Nigerian Breweries Plc. At the unveiling ceremony, Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof. Wale Oke, said the new units would enhance the diagnostic ability of the health institution.

"Though there is need for more of such units in the hospital, with installation, one year planned maintenance and provision of consumables inclusive, we promise to run the units effectively."

Oke said LASUTH would complement the gesture by Nigerian Breweries through provision of two laptops to set up data management outlet where update information on activities in the units could be accessed.

Speaking, the Manager, Nigerian Breweries, Lagos State Branch, Mrs. Ethel Udie said the donation was in line with the company's social responsibility.

"For us in Nigerian Breweries, this ceremony stands as one of our practical demonstrations of the commitment to our host communities. Lagos is very important to us. It is the birthplace of our company, the home of Nigeria's first brewery and the land of the country's first beer brand," she said.

Head of the Renal Unit, Dr. Awobusuyi Olugbenga said the new dialysis units had rekindled hope for the patients. He hinted the machines had been tested and were in perfect working condition. "Maintenance culture would be our watch word in the course of handling the machines and proper data records would be kept to ascertain the functionality of the units."

Stroke Action Nigeria counsels stroke survivors

S

TROKE Action Nigeria, a stroke-care organization for stroke survivors, is providing "Life after a Stroke" - a holistic approach to preventive care, rehabilitation, self management and social support for stroke survivours in the community..

As part of activities to launch Stroke Action Nigeria, the Stroke Assembly is set to debut during the an open access conference on World Stroke Day, October 29.

The Stroke Assembly provides

joint working platforms for partners in the care and prevention of stroke, stroke specific organizations, medical and nursing councils, professions allied to medicine, agencies and individuals with interest in stroke care, stroke survivors, carers and the government to discuss issues that surround prevention and management of stroke in Nigeria.

The Founder /CEO, Stroke Action UK and Nigeria, Mrs. Rita Melifonwu, explains that the launch of the Nigerian associate will raise awareness for stroke.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

*Gov Amosun

We're on course rebuilding Ogun — Gov Amosun

BY OLATUNJI DAUD

W

ORKERS of Tai Solarin College of Education, TASCE have threatened to close down the school if certain are allowances are not paid.

What are you doing about it?

It is true TASCE people are complaining, but they are trying to punish me for a crime I didn’t commit. They are saying that the previous administration moved the school from the original site in Ijagun to Omu-Ijebu and all the things they use in generating revenue were left at the original site now transferred to another school and that they have nothing.

They are also saying that they are being owed 17 months’ salary arrears which

Governor Ibikunle Amosun recently hosted correspondents in the state to an interactive session during which he spoke on the experiences of his administration since inception.

Excerpts: this administration inherited.

I said I will pay the arrears and I told them I am not owing you and I will not owe them but the backlog they are talking about didn’t happen under me and I will pay but they want everything paid at once.

I said I don’t have the money. I will pay it and I have been paying it gradually.

Every month, in addition to their salary, I pay two or three months of the arrears depending on availability of funds but they want it in one fell swoop and I say I don’t

have such money. I am not a magician.

I didn’t owe that money but I know we have to inherit both the assets and liability, but to say I must pay it at once is impossible and not practicable. I am sorry I can’t help them beyond what I am doing. They are asking for backlog to be paid at once but can someone ask them what they were doing when they were being owed the salary arrears? Were their union leaders sleeping?

Why build new model

schools when there are existing school structures still in bad shape?

If we are to return schools to the missionaries, we won’t have anywhere to keep our students. These model schools are to take these students.

The government schools presently don’t have land and so since we are returning the schools, we need to build our own.

Let me also say quickly that admission into the model schools would be on merit. It won’t be who you know.

Exams would be conducted and those that passed would be admitted. Even if you are the son of Ibikunle Amosun or the son of a farmer you will have to sit for an exam before you are admitted into the school.

How many people have been employed by this government?

We have employed over 16,000 already. People mistook my promise of 10,000 jobs to mean white collar jobs; no, that is not true. Some of those who are cleaning the roads and trimming the flowers were employed by this government. We have several doctors and nurses already employed too Are you aware that some primary school teachers are not qualified and some are over-aged?

This is what we met on ground. We need to change our orientation.

This is why when I hear those who were owed 19 months and I have reduced it to 2 or 3 months saying they want to go on strike because of the backlog I wonder what is wrong with them. If I haven’t paid the backlog of those still working, how do I now pay those who have left?

I will pay it, no doubt, because all those working with me now too are entitled to it and they will collect it too after the end of this administration. But I can’t make that my priority. No, I won’t. If I should go and pay now and leave all these people with backlog, won’t they go on strike? I have made a pledge with my God that I won’t owe anyone working for this state. hat are you doing for those living on border communities before demanding that they should pay taxes to Ogun state?

The law of the land says that they should pay tax in the place they stay. If they don’t pay, it is a catch 22 situation.

But we are interfacing with our brothers in Lagos. We are also planning to physically enumerate the houses that fall within Ogun State.

I will appeal to them to pay their taxes because we are planning big for them. The state government plans to construct the Sango-IjokoAgbado-Oke Aro to Ojodu Abiodun. It is a 32 kilometer road and it will cost N29 billion as a-four lane road.

What would you say has been your greatest challenge since assuming office?

It is too early to say this is the greatest challenge one has as a governor. The challenge I will have is when I have to demolish homes of people to pave way for roads.

I am not happy at all because this has been the abode of people for ages and now they have to move to make way for a road. I am sad by that but we must plan for our children and work for their future.

But what gladdened me was the day we were commissioning the IbaraSokori road for example and those whose houses had to make way for it were waving at me because they saw the speed and the commitment we have for it and because they saw that I meant well.

Why has the severance allowance for political office holders who served in the last administration not been paid?

I am yet to pay it. If those who are still working now are still being owed a backlog of 11 months unpaid salary and you that caused the whole mess are asking for severance pay. I will pay but it is not a priority.

There are allegations that you deduct on monthly basis funds from Local Government. How true is this?

I hate hearing this talk that I am tampering with LG funds. It is annoying because the funds coming from Abuja are just too little. I wonder how someone will touch what is not enough in the first instance. On my honour, since I assumed office, I have been giving the LG’s between N400m and N500m every month to augment what they collect from Abuja. If I don’t do it, they can’t pay salary.

W

What have been the benefits of the foreign trips you made and the investors’ forum you organized for the state?

I have travelled out just five times. Our situation is different because things are really very bad with confidence of investors very low but now they are seeing and hearing reports that things are being done differently in our state. You will soon see those companies coming into the state. You will soon see what we are turning Agbara-Igbesa axis to in terms of companies willing to come in.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—37

to me by the committee. I have no problem with that. But they wrote a petition to me and because it affects a senator, I referred it the Ethics Committee. But if it is the wish of the Senate that we don’t want to take the report, I have no problem with it. I will act on the report that I get from the committee. Because I referred the matter to the Ethics Committee and it affects a Senator, I rule you out of order. Distinguished Senator Lanlehin, second the motion.” anlehin refused and proffered more reasons.

However, after a lot of exchanges, the senator seconded the motion and said he was compelled to do so.

It was at this point that Mark realised that the committee chairman, Ayo Akinyelure was yet to move the motion to lay the report. Thereafter, Akinyelure sought the leave of the Senate and formally laid the report in the chamber.

It was gathered that after the plenar y that Tuesday, Lanlehin and the leadership of ACN Senate Caucus led by Minority Whip Ganiyu Solomon went to Senate President Mark and apologized for the altercation.

BOROFFICE:

A Senator on borrowed time?

SENATOR Ajayi Boroffice almost had it all. After exiting the public service just about three years ago he did the unthinkable outwitting Governor Segun Mimiko’s friend, Dr. Olu Agunloye for the Labour Party’s senatorial ticket in Ondo North. However, less than a year after he sat down in the senate and with the temptation of usurping his one time mentor, Mimiko, Boroffice decamped to the LP ahead of last Saturday’s gubernatorial election. With the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC denying any split in the Labour Party, can the scientist turned senator salvage his office?

How Boroffice started the war

T

he Senate would have claimed ignorance of his defection from the LP to ACN, but he ignited it when in January, he wrote to Senate President David Mark intimating him of his resignation from the party that brought him to the senate..

In the letter dated January 10, 2012, he said his leaving LP for ACN was in line with Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and that Labour Party was factionalised.

Supporting his argument, the Senator stressed that Hon. Festus Adekunle Odidi and Barrister Olu Ogidan were leading separate factions of the party in the state and that the matter had then developed into a legal battle in respect of suit FHC/AK/CS/ 1/2012 before the Federal High Court, and another suit No AK/335/2011 filed before the Ondo State High Court in Akure.

He also said that the political logjam in the party was reported in the National Mirror, The Nation, Adaba FM, Sunshine Daily Watch, The Rocket Newspaper and Trace Magazine between November 2011 and January 2012. Boroffice stated that he had consulted with his people in Ondo North and that they had advised him to leave a divided party to join a party that was not factionalised.

On January 10, 2012, the Senator also wrote a similar letter to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

When INEC did not respond to his first letter, Senator Boroffice wrote another one on August 23, which the electoral umpire replied through its Secretary, Abdullahi Kaugama in a letter dated September 13, 2012, saying: “The Commission has considered the grounds of your resignation from the

C M Y K

Labour Party stated in your Notice of Resignation addressed to Distinguished Senator David Mark, GCON; Senate President dated 10th January, 2012 and all the attachments to the said Notice of Resignation.

“The Commission hereby confirms that it has no record of any division in the Labour Party to justify your resignation from the party. It further states that Section 68(1) (g) does not operate in your favour as there is no division in the Labour Party.”

LP fights back

Following the letters, members of LP fought back saying that Boroffice must vacate the seat because he was elected to the Senate on the platform of the party.

The Ondo State House of Assembly had formally petitioned the Senate on the defection of Senator Borrofice from LP to ACN and the petition sought for the removal of the lawmaker.

Boroffice’s seat on cliff-hanger in Senate

Currently, the matter is now a major challenge for the senator’s political career. If he leaves, he would be the first federal lawmaker to lose his seat on account of crosscarpeting since the return of civil rule on May 29, 1999.

The Senator ’s fate currently hangs on moves by the Senate to activate the provisions of Section 68(1) (g) of the Constitution, which stops a lawmaker from defecting to another party except on grounds that division exists in his original party.

According to Section 68 (1)(g): A member of the Senate or the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House if: 1(g): “being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for

ACN fights for Boroffice

*Boroffice: Under fire

,

BY HENRY UMORU

L

If he leaves, he would be the first federal lawmaker to lose his seat on account of crosscarpeting since the return of civil rule on May 29, 1999

,

which that House was elected; Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored; or… rmed with the provisions of the Constitution, especially Section 68(2), Senate President Mark referred the matter to the Senator Patrick Ayo Akinyelure (LP, Ondo Central) - led Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the case and report to the House in two weeks.

A

The Senate Committee held sessions between January and August and also met with Senator Boroffice.

Mild drama in Senate

Penultimate Tuesday, October 16, there was a mild drama in the Senate when the report on the Senator was to be laid for discussion.

The stand-off was between the president of the senate, Senator David Mark and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (ACN, Oyo South) over the report.

Once Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba stood up to announce the presentation of the report Lanlehin, standing on Order 96 (4) (a) (b) of the Senate Standing Rules asked that the report of the petition should not be laid.

According to him, “to the best of my knowledge, I am not aware that a petition was presented to this Senate and the petition was referred to the Senate committee. The records would show that we didn’t receive any petition from Labour Party or the State House of Assembly.”

Responding, Mark said, “You are saying that no petition was laid before the Senate? Well, this was a petition that was written to me and I referred it to the Ethics Committee. If the Senate does not want to discuss it, I have no problem but I will act based on the report submitted

As crisis continued, the ACN national spokesman Alhaji Lai Mohammed intervened with an accusation against Mark of using ‘armtwisting’ tactics to declare Boroffice’s seat vacant Senate President Mark did not find the accusations palatable. He fired back at Mohammed through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbonndiyan stating that he had no hand in the problem of the Ondo Senator, adding, “Senator Boroffice, who represents Ondo North in the Senate, is the architect of whatever fate befell him in the on-going imbroglio over whether he (Boroffice) could retain his seat in the Senate after decamping from Labour Party (LP), on which platform he was elected, to join the ACN or not” because the lawmaker himself wrote the INEC on his defection.

“It is wicked and mischievous for the ACN to allege that the Senate leadership has a hand in Boroffice’s fate when it was the Senator that personally took himself to INEC. Why did Distinguished Senator Boroffice write to INEC if he knew that the decision to vacate his seat or otherwise lies in the courts?” Senate President Mark asked.

With the report on Borrofice now properly laid and with the senate resuming plenary stakeholders would be watching whether Boroffice is living on borrowed time or not.

38—VANGUARD,

WEDNESDAY,

OCTOBER

24,

2012

Affairs boost my ego

He stole from me and broke my heart Dear Bunmi, I met my boyfriend months after my marriage broke up.

After a few dates, I moved in with him though I kept my flat where my two children lived with my mother. It was a complete disaster. I discovered he was a heavy drinker and took drugs. He’d disappear on a drinking spree and came home in an awful state. He couldn’t even go after the petty contracts that used to sustain him and he made it clear he didn’t want a real relationship.

I did all I could to help him

but he’d say I was stupid and useless, and he was a nasty bully. When he was sober though, he could be so nice.

But most of the time, we ended up having violent rows. He even threatened to kill me once.

We eventually broke up recently and I’ve just found out that he stole a lot of money from me. I’m totally devastated. I don’t even know if I could live without him.

Juliana, by e-mail

Dear Juliana, It’s sad you’ve suffered this

She confessed our child is not mine Dear Bunmi, Why are women so fickle?

Why am I so unlucky with them? After several disappointments, I finally got married to a woman I thought loved me. That was five years ago. We have two boys but now a man who was my rival when I was dating her has boasted that he fathered our first son.

I was furious and insisted on a blood test. My wife said I shouldn’t bother as the child was not really mine. You can imagine how devastated I was and still am. I looked at the younger son and wondered if that too was mine. My wife swore on the bible that he was but I still find it difficult to believe. Heaven only knows how many people are now laughing behind my back.

I’ve threatened to send her packing but she cried and begged me so much that I’m still undecided. Why did the man wait this long to tell me about the first son? He doesn’t even want to take him.

Chris, by e-mail.

Dear Chris, You’ll be surprised how common your problem is -trapped women have often imposed unwanted pregnancies on unsuspecting men. Your main concern should be the kids who are the innocent victims of your wife’s indiscretion.

Whatever you decide, both of you have to agree as to what the right of the other man would be if he surfaced again to claim his son. He might be C M Y K

the biological father, but you are the true father of the child and you’re the one he knows as his father.

If you feel you can trust your wife again after all the pain you have gone through, then keep the marriage. If you can’t trust her, the earlier you look for another wife the better for your peace of mind.

humiliation. The end of your marriage obviously damaged your self-esteem. At some level, you felt betrayed and abandoned by your ex husband.

When you then discovered your boyfriend’s addictions, you hoped that by being patient and kind to him you would eventually gain his love. Instead, as drinkers and drug addicts do, the man clumsily used and manipulated you.

As much as you wanted this hopeless relationship to work, like your marriage, it failed resulting in an unpleasant ending.

Coming to terms with your boyfriend’s cynicism is painful. Only, he didn’t treat you this way because you’re unworthy of love.

Your boyfriend had no love to offer you - or any woman for that matter.

As you say, he didn’t even want a relationship- only a means to continue his own destruction. You need to learn from this experience and accept you’re worthy of love and avoid men who fail to give you the respect and devotion you deserve. Forget the money you lost and walk away from the memory of this painful relationship with your head held high. With time, you’ll learn to love again.

"It’s been that way since I was in my teens and started going out with boys. Flirting is like a boost to my ego and I sometimes take these men up on their offers"

Why does she want another man?

Dear Bunmi, MY girlfriend’s colleague let it slip that she was having an affair with a bloke from work. She didn’t know we were still together. When I confronted her and told her who spilled the beans, she said it was a one-off.

Although we’re still together, I still can’t bring myself to make love to her. I can’t forgive the fact that she had sex with another man when she professed she loved me. I find it repulsive and wonder if things will ever be the same again.

Yode, by e-mail

Dear Yode, Have you really sat down to talk about what happened and why? Your girlfriend needs to make you understand why she felt attracted to this other man and why she went as far as to cheat on you by sleeping with him.

Something must have been wrong for her to act as she did. Only when you know the truth will you be able to decide if you have a future together.

Dear Bunmi, I’m a happily married mother of two and I love my husband. Unfortunately, I seem to crave the attention of other men. It’s been that way since I was in my teens and started going out with boys.

Flirting is like a boost to my ego and I sometimes take these men up on their offers.

I enjoy going out for lunch with men during my lunch break and I’ve kissed a few since I got married and to my shame have recently slept with one of them who I’ve been seeing on a more regular basis.

My husband is very open minded and doesn’t mind me going out to my friends’ parties, on my own. He believes we should not smother each other. He would be devastated if he finds out about my affair but I just can’t seem to help myself.

Sofiat, by e-mail

Sharing lots of physical affection with men you’ve dated in the past has made male attention a turn-on for youyou’re obviously addicted to the buzz of flirting and petting.

Surprisingly, marriage at times provokes a sudden urge to be unfaithful- yet succumbing to that urge could be very damaging to your marriage.

Your husband hasn’t helped much by not constraining either of you socially. Maybe his attitude makes you unsure of his commitment to you. So, you continue to flirt with other men and have gone over the top by having full sex with one of them.

Tell your easy-going husband that you will like to create a new social life as a married couple- not as singles living together. After this, make a conscious effort to build a steady marriage, especially now that you have children to think about.

Dear Sofiat,

"I was furious and insisted on a blood test.

My wife said I shouldn’t bother as the child was not really mine. You can imagine how devastated I was and still am. I looked at the younger son and wondered if that too was mine" She can no longer keep up Dear Bunmi, MY partner and I have been together for three years and we have a lovely one-year-old son. Our sex life used to be mind-blowing but all of a sudden, she has changed. We used to make love for at least an hour and a half every day.

But after 40 minutes she wants to stop. I don’t want to hurt her feelings. I want to respect them. What’s wrong with her? Or is it me?

Ken, by e-mail

Dear Ken, With a man, sex is not so much continued physical stimulation but what’s going on inside his head. You’re in a mind-set that expects satis-

faction only after an extended period of lovemaking. Yet you might achieve just that after a few minutes. A man who is an adept lover learns to vary his pace according to his and his partner’s needs.

Nurturing a baby is consuming a huge amount of your partner’s energy. Find new ways to make love together that allow you both to achieve satisfaction more quickly.

Discovering greater flexibility and control will enrich your love life. One day, you may both be in the mood for extended lovemaking again.

A man with only one plan in bed bores his partner and eventually himself. In the meantime, try to experiment.

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 Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

SCORPIO ; Creativity may take front in what’s happening within your base of operation and the best for you is to join them. Lovers are fairly favoured.

SAGITTARIUS ; Tomorrow is your great day. Yet your being creative today can earn you un-expected good result at the end of the day. Be family minded now.

CAPRICORN ; Needed solution to challenges along your career/business lines will come through your being creative. Prepare to take good advice on your finances.

AQUARIUS; If you take unusual ideas coming to your mind today more seriously, thins’ll work favourably for you. The more financially ambitious you’re the better.

— 39

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Happenings within your working arena’ll give genuine cause to smile and with efforts on your part you’re in for a rewarding day. Take advantage of your sex-appeal to enhance your love life. Experiment with ideas creatively.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

By Richard Eromosele

T

HEfather has his own duty, just as the son too has his own. It is the same thing with God. The duty of God is to make provisioin for us. Our duty is to access that provision and take our share of it. Now let’s do this simple

God will provide — 3 exercise together. Are you living? I do not mean to embarass you.

I mean, in the real sense, can you honestly say you have fully utilised your God given endowment or talent?

Are you

TERROR MUDA

producing result with what you are doing now? Have you gotten to the height of your ability? Are you convinced you have gotten to the limit and you can’t go any futher?

in “Never say goodbye”

God is unlimited. He is a God of possibility and because you are made in His likeness and image, nothing should be impossible for you. If your life seems stagnant, examine your thought life because you were created to succeed.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; The Moon in your Star sign favours aggressive approach in a favourable way. Here is a day Artist among you can create master piece. Be stead-fast.

ARIES You’ll have much to gain if you’re more co-operative and embrace creative ideas of your close associates.

And it’s good to be friendly, loving and caring.

TAURUS ; Aggressive approach is not what you need at work now, but creative approach. You’ve got nothing to lose if you take good advice from your friends.

GEMINI ; Whatever anybody says about your ambition and desire success will crown your efforts today. The more creative you are the better for your cause. And lovers can make it an exciting and happy day. Show your sex appeal and be loving.

CANCER; Your ideas are brilliant and if you blend them creatively the sky’ll be the limit. Let people within your home base know that you truly care for them.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LEO; It does not matter who initiates creative idea that lead to success what is important is you should not be left in the cold all alone. The more co-operative you are the better for you. Don’t ignore your magnetic se-appeal.

VIRGO.; Good luck and happiness indicated for you today. But then, the scope of your success’ll depend on how co-operative and creative you are both with your loved one and at work. Prepare to take good advice especially from younger person(s).

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

Basic characteristics of Capricorn Because they rarely day dream, Capricorn natives are set of practical people. This is because Capricorn is ruled by Saturn - the planet of career, sceptical and material things Although, the spirit of pessimism often times tempt the Capricorn born people, to succeed they will need to develop strong will that is indispensable to achievements of higher order because, series of challenges will come his/her way before he/she finally makes it to the top. Most natives of Capricorn are forced to shoulder many responsibilities early in life. Career building comes first in their priority lists which often leads to enviable career achievements that guarantee recognition. And another name for Capricorn is PATIENCE. Yet, he/she can appear mean in the business circle. And tell you that seriousness and business are synonymous. Above all, they are endowed with leadership capacity.

Capricorn ‘s quality is cardinal, element is the earth.

The cardinal aspect makes a natural leader with strong ability for hard work. Natives of cardinal signs crave for action and strongly desire prominence and often times make success of their love of action and desire for importance through relentless efforts.

The earthly connection with Capricorn further confirms innate ability for hard work and practicality . Saturn is the planet of hard task, delay, depression, frustration, frustration but reward after so much struggles. Being a difficult teacher, Saturn usually takes its natives through many different tasks, challenges and delay. All these are meant to teach them virtues of patience and hard work. However, Saturn usually brings its natives recognition and reward.

The cautious side of Saturn always manifest in all Capricorn born people thus, but it is necessary for them to watch that side of their characteristics as they often push their cautious side too far and most of the time it results to black mood.

C M Y K

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

40—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

HEALTH: From left— Mr. Oyenuga Oyebanji, Deputy Director, Lab Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Mr. Ashok Bhasin, Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited; Mrs Philomena Shodin, Director, Press and Public Relations, Special Duties Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Dr. Martins Momoh, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Students’ Association Affairs, at the Healthy Hands Habit Campaign with Dettol in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Mimiko mourns Solarin

G

O V E R N O R Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has described the death of Mrs Sheila Solarin, wife of late social activist, Dr. Tai Solarin, as a great loss.

Commiserating with the family of the deceased, Dr. Mimiko said Sheila had left a vacuum that may be very difficult to fill.

He described Sheila as an educationist par excel-

lence, whose experience of two diverse cultures was unique and very rich in terms of knowledge.

Mimiko said though her death was painful, coming at a time the educational sector needed a repertoire of knowledge like the late educationist, the nation and her family should take solace in the fact that she left a mark by investing in the future of many.

NASS faulted over frequent sack calls on executive

M

EMBERS of the National Assembly have been urged to reprioritise their engagements and face the task of quality law-making to provide good governance to Nigerians.

This advise was given by Congress for National Stability, CONSTAB, a good governance advocacy group, following frequent sack calls by the National Assembly on the executive.

In a statement by its President, Mr. Kingsley Ugwu, in Lagos, the group said in the last six months, NASS had called on the

executive arm to sack Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; Ms Aruma Oteh, Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission, SEC; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Heads of Security Agencies, Ministers of Aviation, Information and Petroleum.

It said: “Within this corresponding time frame, the House has not initiated, passed, or about to pass any law that have transformational capacity to lighten the yoke of the people.”

Foundation donates books

S

IR Emeka Offor Foun dation, SEOF, in partnership with US-based Books For Africa, BFA, will this weekend commence the distribution of books and other study materials to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

SEOF is a non-govern-

mental philanthropic organisation founded by politician/business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor, while Books For Africa, a non-profit organisation in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, is the world’s largest shipper of educational books to Africa.

Politician donates to flood victims

C

HAIRMANSHIP hopeful, under the banner of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, Olorogun Isaac Akpoveta, yesterday, donated one cow and other relief materials to flood victims at the Oharisi Primary School camp, Ughelli.

Flanked by some of his supporters, Akpoveta said C M Y K

the donation was to identify with the victims in their moments of trial, urging well placed Nigerians not to relent in reaching out to the displaced persons.

According to him, the victims had lost all they had, including farmlands to the ravaging flood. He, however, enjoined them to look up to God for succour.

LOTTO: From left— Mr. Kofi Sagoe, Executive Director, ISIS Gaming; Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, CEO, Lagos State Lottery Board, and a representative of Zenith Bank, at the ISIS Gaming launch in Lagos.

Man kills wife in Lagos

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS—TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, after a man allegedly killed his wife during a scuffle.

The cause of the fight could not be ascertained, but report said the couple had been having in-

cessant quarrels for some time.

Report said there was a shout of help from Mr and Mrs Molade’s one room apartment located on 14 Ifesowa Street.

However, no one responded as most of the tenants had reportedly left for their respective places of work. Time

was 10am.

Out of curiosity, a passerby was said to have gone to the apartment only to find Mrs Omolere Molade unconscious. The said woman reportedly tried resuscitating Omolere without success.

Policemen from Ikorodu Division

drafted to the scene reportedly found Omolere dead.

Spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the story, said Mr. Paul Omolade took to his heels immediately after the fight, adding that effort was being made to arrest him.

NULGE blames LGs' woes on governors

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—NATIONAL President of National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, has attributed underdevelopment at the local government level on state governors, saying their overbearing influence on managers of local government administration is doing more evil than good to the grassroots.

He said this at a meeting of the union’s leadership in Abuja, where zonal representatives were asked to carry out grassroots enlightenment programmes ahead of the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee public hearing.

While NULGE is bracing up on how to table its position on the autonomy of local government administration without state governors’ interference, it hopes to ensure stakeholders are abreast with issues to be

presented before the committee, which public hearing is expected between November 15 and 16.

Khaleel said: “We must begin to recognise the local government as a federating unit and the scrapping of the State-

Local Government Joint Account as contained in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said his union’s major position to the constitution review commit-

tee was to stop the current joint account between states and local governments, which he noted, was giving state governors the power to determine the amount of money to be expended and projects to be executed at the local level.

Why there's industrial peace at ports — Labour cially the Dockworkers, ment of members of the

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

A

BUJA—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday in Abuja, gave reasons for the current atmosphere of industrial peace in the nation’s ports.

President-General of the union, Mr. Anthony Nted, explained that since assuming office over three years ago, the leadership of the union had taken several steps to reform the workers in the sector, espe-

whom many had referred to as thugs, uneducated and trouble makers.

He spoke at the commissioning of the union’s liaison building in Abuja and the launch of its Okokomaiko Housing Estate, Lagos.

Nted said: “The current leadership of the union has successfully refined and improved on the image and character of the union and its members at the work places.

“This was achieved through sustained education and mass enlighten-

union at all levels. Over 5,500 members of the union have been trained in London, South Africa, Dubai, and locally in all the sea port locations in Nigeria, namely Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar.

“These enlightenment drive and aggressive training programmes, which are still ongoing have yielded noticeable dividends in our Sea Ports, giving rise to the prevailing industrial and productive peace in our Sea Ports.”

Engineers identify cause of building collapse, road failure

W

ARRI—CIVIL engineers have identified poor quality control, lack of self-confidence by some engineers and the attitude of members of the political class as major causes of building collapse and road failures in Nigeria.

They said these in Warri, Delta State, at the 2012 seminar organised by Nigerian

Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, Warri Chapter.

In a paper entitled Optimisation of Quality Control in Civil Engineering Works to Achieve Project Objectives, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr.

Paul Igwe, said failures of structures could be minimised if quality control is

given adequate attention.

Warri Chapter Chairman of NICE, Engr. Joseph Eghwrudje, in his address, explained that the seminar, themed Promoting Innovative and Sustainable Civil Engineering Practice in Nigeria, was intended to generate ideas “that would adequately address the challenges of civil engi-

neering in Nigeria.”

Highlight of the seminar, attended by students from Delta State university and Poly, was the presentation of fellowship certificates and awards to renowned engineers, including Engr.

I.A. Ugiomoh and the immediate past Chairman of NICE, Warri branch, Engr.

(Mrs.) Nnoli Akpedeye.

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—41

L-r: Chief Abiodun Jolaoso, newly elected national president; Mr Banwo Smith, out going president and trustee; and Dr. Lekan Are, patron, Government College, Ibadan Old Boys Association at their 83rd anniversary (1929- 2012) annual reunion luncheon and merit award ceremony at the college premises lbadan, yesterday. Photo Shola Oyelese.

Ondo PDP to approach Tribunal:

You are on your own — PDP national publicity scribe •Mimiko’s victory a pariah – Akeredolu •Mimiko gets certificate of return, hails INEC

BY LEKE ADESERI, South West Regional Editor, DAYO JOHNSON & HENRY UMORU, Akure

T

HE Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, disagreed with the national secretariat of the party in its assessment of weekend’s gubernatorial election in the state as it moved to contest what it described as a concoted election result in the election tribunal.

The national secretariat in a sharp rebuke to the Ondo chapter disowned the move saying the Ondo chapter was on its own.

Also yesterday, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, gubernatorial candidate in Saturday’s election, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, pressed on in his rebuttal of the election result with his assertion that the result which returned the incumbent and Labour Party, LP, candidate was concocted. Akeredolu also pledged that the ACN would mount a formidable opposition against the LP from day one.

It would be recalled that the national secretariat of the PDP and the party’s national leader, President Goodluck Jonathan had last Sunday congratulated Dr. Mimiko on his declaration as winner of the election. Disagreeing with the assertions of its officers in Abuja, the state chapter of the party, yesterday, expressed surprise over the way and manner with which members and C M Y K

leaders of the party have been congratulating Mimiko over the result of the election.

A statement by PDP’s Publicity Secretary in Akure, Wale Ozogoro, said the party was complying and collating reports across the state and would go to the tribunal. The statement said: “The party has noticed misapplication of electoral guidelines in the gubernatorial election.

“We are indeed convinced that justice will be achieved as we intend to seek same at the appropriate time. However, the party is not taken aback as to the comments of few individuals who feel that the party should not approach justice to seek redress. We want to put it on record that seeking justice at the appropriate quarter is part of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of democratic ethos .

Available option “We, therefore, want to avail ourselves of every available option under the law to seek justice and rekindle the hope and aspiration of all Ondo people that democracy built on fairness, equity, and justice can truly be achieved.” The party, however, urged its supporters to remain resolute, determined and keep faith with it and Chief Olusola Oke, saying it hopes to get justice through the court.

Reacting to the development, the party’s

national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said the party in Akure was on its own.

Metuh told Vanguard that the national leadership of the Party had already congratulated Mimiko and was not going to court, affirming that the party stood on its earlier position.

Metuh who stressed that the decision of the party and the statement released immediately after Dr. Mimiko was declared the winner of the election was the stand of the National Working Committee, NWC, added: “The party has taken its own position of not going to court by congratulating Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. We stand by our statement, it is the position of the NWC.”

Mimiko’s victory a pariah – Akeredolu Akeredolu who came third in the result declared by INEC on his part dismissed claims of a landslide achieved by Mimiko as absurd affirming that the incumbent’s share of the votes was proportionately lower than what he achieved in the 2007 election.

Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy for ACO, said in a statement yesterday: “The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has given a great show in the election with a remarkable improvement on her previous performances in elections in Ondo State

while the lot of the Labour Party, LP, has dwindled as result of the rejection of Mimiko by the majority of the voters.

“It is clear that in contrast with the performance of Mimiko in 2007 in which he was declared winner in 2009 by the court of appeal, where he polled 198,261 which represent 55 per cent of the vote cast, his 260,199 votes represents only 41.7 per cent of the total 624,659 vote cast reflecting a proportional decline meaning that the opposition got majority of the votes.

“Indeed, on the declaration of the election result, Akure city wore a mourning look until their supporters had to be forced out for some sort of

celebration as against the spontaneous celebration of 2009 after Mimiko mandate was restored. This speaks volume on the authenticity of the victory which we believe when tested will reveal of what sort it is made, whether it be of sand or solid rock.

“In fact, the ACN gave a good showing in all the local government areas of the state in spite of the massive rigging, intimidation of supporters in the party’s strongholds, cancellation of results in Idanre, Ipele, Okitipupa among others. We are poised to put the LP government on its toes from day one pending the outcome of the meeting of the leadership of our great party to decide on the next line of action on the massive irregularities experienced in the conduct of the October 20 elections.

“The bottom line is sustainable development for our people, progressivism, accountability and transparency which ACN represents and will continue to advocate for Ondo State, the south west and indeed Nigeria.”

Mimiko receives Certificate of Return, hail INEC Mimiko, meanwhile, yesterday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, just as he advocated the introduction of staggered elections system as a way out of electoral malpractice in the country.

The Certificate of Return was presented to him by INEC National Commissioner in charge of South West, Prof. Lai Olurode in Akure. His Deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi was also presented his

certificate at the ceremony attended by Mimiko’s wife, Olukemi and Labour Party National Chairman, Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu and hundreds of LP faithful across the state.

At the occasion, Mimiko said: “One critical element of success is these staggered elections. I am sure we did not deliberately craft it, but this has been crafted for us. It appears God has decided to intervene in our electoral affairs through this. I believe that our electoral umpire, INEC should now go to that and create a regimen of staggered elections for Nigeria.

“From my experience in the elections that took place in Edo and Ondo States on these staggered elections option, it will probably be one credible solution to the challenges of electoral malpractice in Nigeria.

Mimiko urged the electoral body to work towards ensuring that logos of political parties that are similar are not very close to each other on the ballot papers to avoid having thousands of voided votes. The reelected governor also advocated a continuous voters registration scheme to accommodate those who have attained voting age to preventdisenfranchisement of many eligible voters.

He commended INEC for its increased level of commitment to having a credible electoral system and expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for delivering on his promise to provide security to secure our votes.

Olurode in his remarks said; “Though INEC is not claiming to be perfect as there are bound to be challenges, the most important thing is to remove what remains of electoral malfeasance.’

Pa Newton Amie Igali dies at 86

P

A Newton Amie Igali is dead, aged 86.

Born in 1926, the late Pa Igali carved a niche for himself a public officer of repute. He was a chartered accountant and worked in the old Rivers State as bursar in the then College of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

In the mid 1970s, he was one of the first generation or residents chartered accountants in Northern Nigeria and operated in Maiduguri till the year 2000 when he retired and returned to his home base in Bayelsa State.

A committed Christian, the late Pa Igali served humanity as a peace maker, building bridges along inter ethnic and religious lines during his life time. A member of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, he has been described by many as an epitome of hardwork, diligence, humility and selflessness; a virtue worthy of emulation. He is survived by many children and grand children among whom being Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, one time secretary to the government of Bayelsa State anc currently the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resourc-

es, abuja.

A statement from the family said burial arrangements comes up between November 29 and 30 at his home town, Eniwari, Bayelsa State.

Late Pa Newton Amie Igali

42 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Chief Ibekwe and driver

Madam Chichi and Mr. Emmanuel

By DONALD ARJI & ADA ONWUNALI

T

he duo of Emmanuel Onyeka, a trader and Mrs. Chichi Obiajulu, a beer parlor operator at Aguda, Surulere, Lagos will never forget what happened to them last Sunday, in a hurry. In fact, while they are alleging that they were victims of kidnapping, the police is investigating whether their ugly encounter with a customer in the bar was a kidnap or ritual attempt.

However, the man at the center of the whole drama identified simply as Chief Ibekwe, according to Police sources, vehemently denied the allegations made against him and his driver insisting that the so-called victims were drunk and they were rendering a humanitarian service by taking them back to their respective homes.

Crime Alert gathered that the drama started in the early hours of the penultimate Sunday around 3.30am at Celenzia bus stop, Badagry Expressway. The main suspect, at the center of the dram, Chief Ibekwe had gone to his usual drinking joint owned by Madam Chichi and while there, he met Emmanuel Onyeka who happened to be an old time friend dating back to 25 years. They hugged, exchanged pleasantries and

C M Y K

Drama in Lagos as suspected kidnappers and victims trade blames .you abducted us — victims .you people were drunk — suspects tried to get back at old times.

They reportedly spent time together after which Ibekwe offered to drive both him and the bar owner home.

The story took a dramatic dimension after the victims suddenly discovered that instead of being taken to their residence at Surulere area, Chief Ibekwe and his driver, Thomas, were heading towards Badagry expressway.

They reportedly started struggling to free themselves from the hands of their suspected abductors.

Mrs.Chichi succeeded in jumping out of the car into a swamp at Celeniza bus stop while her colleague failed.

Thereafter, she pulled off her clothes, a white blouse and wrapper in order for her assailants not to recognize her. She was able to crawl out of the swamp naked and hid in front of a shop. Luckily, she

was seen by some members of a Vigilante Group in the area who clothed her before she narrated her ordeal to them.

It was learnt that while she was narrating the story, she received a call from the other victim Mr Emmanuel, who told her where they were after which members of the vigilante group succeeded in rescuing him also and arrested their suspected kidnappers.

A member of the Vigilante Group, Mr. Afolabi Omotosho told Crime Alert that while they were on patrol at about 3:30.a.m at Celeniza, bus stop, they saw something crawling from the swamp into one of the shops around there. “ Thinking it was a mad person or a robber, we drew closer only to see a naked woman breathing very fast.

So, we quickly provided a cloth for her to cover her body,

calmed her down and asked her what the problem was. She told us that she owns a bar at Aguda, Surulere and that she does not know what happened.

That she just woke up to find herself in car going towards Badagry, so she jumped off the car. While narrating her ordeal to us, she got a call from one man who happened to be another victim. He told us that the vehicle he was in was

Jimoh

heading back, so I told some of my boys to stay at the expressway to track the vehicle down. When my boys saw a vehicle coming, they stopped it and found Mr. Emmanuel Onyeka. When we questioned Chief Ibekwe, he said he did not kidnap the two victims, that it was because they were drunk he decided to take them home. The Chief also offered us the sum of

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 43

Boko Haram has killed 2,800 —Nigerians Right Group

A

N300,000.00 which we declined. Later in the morning, we handed him and his driver over to the Police at Ijanikin for further interrogation,”he stated.

In another development, members of the vigilante group recorded another feat by arresting a notorious bugler while he was breaking into a sachet water depot (name withheld) in Jakande area of Ajangbadi community, Oto Awori Local Council Development Area of Lagos state. The suspect told Crime Alert that he has been indulging in criminal activities from the age of 12 after he was scolded by his parents for stealing N200.

The suspect who gave his name as Jimoh Olalekan,19, was earlier arrested by men of the vigilante group when he allegedly tried to break into a sachet water depot. He also confessed to have been responsible for the criminal activities in the community stating that he also sell his loot to a ready buyer at the Alaba-Rago market in Ojo Local Government Area.

Efforts by Crime Alert to confirm the story from the police at Ajangbadi station failed as the officers refused to speak with us. A source at the station however alleged that the suspects have been released by the police after making their statements.

C M Y K

human right group, Human Right Watch has said that since the commencement of Boko Haram insurgence in 2009, no fewer than 2,800 Nigerians have lost their lives to the menace.

The group noted that in the first nine months of 2012 alone, more than 815 people died in some 275 suspected attacks by the group which, according to them, is more than the deaths recorded in the whole of 2010 and 2011 combined.

The group said that widespread poverty, corruption, police abuse and long standing impunity for a range of crimes have provided a fertile ground for violence and militancy in Nigeria.

The African Director of Human Right Watch, Mr. Daniel Bekele has therefore called on the Nigerian government to swiftly bring to justice Boko Haram members and security agents who have committed these heinous crimes.

Bekele disclosed this at the launch of a report in Lagos on the crime committed by the anti-western education group

on humanity in the country.

He said in the 98-page report, “Spiralling Violence: Boko Haram Attacks and Security Force Abuses in Nigeria,” indicted government security forces who it claimed engaged in numerous abuses, including extra judicial killings.

The report also noted atrocities for which Boko Haram has claimed responsibility just as it explores the role of Nigeria’s security forces, whose alleged abuses contravene international human rights law and might also constitute crimes against humanity.

“The unlawful killing by both Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces only grows worse; both sides need to halt this downward spiral,” he said.

The Human Right Watch report, said the group is based on field research conducted in the country between July 2010 and July 2012, and the continuous monitoring of media reports of Boko Haram attacks and statements since 2009.

It said that Human Rights Watch researchers interviewed 135 people including 91 witnesses and victims of Boko

Cour obber Courtt frees rrobber obberyy suspect af aftter 5yr 5yrss of incarceration

By ONOZURE DANIA

A

32-year-old man, Bolarinwa Ishola, has been discharged and acquitted by an Ikeja High Court, after five years of being in prison custody for armed robbery charges levelled against him.

He was discharged by Justice Habeeb Abiru for lack of diligent prosecution by the prosecutor.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution had charged Ishola to court on a two-count charge of armed robbery in May, 2011.

According to the charge, Ishola and others said to be at large, allegedly robbed a house at Ketu in April 2008.

During the trial of the suspect on April 29, 2012, a prosecution witness and the landlord of the house alleged to have been robbed denied knowledge of such incidence.

At the resumed trial of the

matter yesterday, the DPP, Mrs. P.C. Alu asked for adjournment to enable them produce their witness in court.

But counsel to the defense, Mr. Adigun Orunmila objected to the DPP’s request for adjournment.

Orunmila argued that the matter has gone through many adjournments without the prosecutor being able to bring forward any other witness. He asked the court to discharge the suspect saying that, “if they are not ready to prosecute, why can’t they just withdraw the case.”

In his ruling, Justice Abiru stated that there has been no improvement on the matter in spite of the fact that it had gone through several adjournments. He therefore discharged and acquitted the victim of the charges of armed robbery, levelled against him since 2008.

,

By ONOZURE DANIA

The unlawful killing by both Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces only grows worse; both sides need to halt this downward spiral

Haram violence on security forces abuses, as well as lawyers, civil society leaders, government officials, and senior military and police personnel.

It recalled that security personnel in 2009 arrested and summarily executed the group’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf, along with at least several dozen of his followers in the northern city of Maiduguri adding; “when the group re-emerged in 2010 under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau, Yusuf ’s former deputy, it vowed to avenge the killings of its members”.

It said that suspected Boko Haram members have since attacked more than 60 police stations in at least, 10 northern and central states and bombed

,

the police headquarters in Abuja.

The group, quoting media reports in Nigeria, said that at least, 211 police officers have been killed in these attacks.

The African Director of Human Right Watch urged Nigerian government to take urgent measures to address the human rights abuses that have helped fuel the violent militancy in the country.

“Nigeria’s government has a responsibility to protect it’s citizens from violence but also to respect international human rights law. Instead of abusive tactics that only add to the toll, the authorities should prosecute without delay those responsible for such serious crimes,” he said.

Student, 24, in court for stealing and assault

By ONOZURE DANIA

A

24-year old man, Emmanuel Uwurah, was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, for stealing and unlawfully assaulting one Miss Blessing Ene. Uwurah, who is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful assault and stealing, claimed to be a student.

The accused, said to be squatting with Ene, because of accommodation problem attempted to rape her on October 6, 2012 at 1am in her residence at No. 32, Majekodunmi Street Shogunle, a Lagos suburb.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the accused with intent to rape, stripped Ene naked in the middle of the night.

According to the

prosecutor, the defendant has b een having accommodation problem and so squats with people around and Ene, who accommodated him, didn’t know that she was doing so to her own detriment.

He added that apart from the assault and attempted rape, he also stole her Nokia E71 phone valued at N32, 000. Emuerhi claimed that the quick intervention of neighbours who heard her shouting for help and came to her rescue saved her from being raped by Uwurah.

H o w e v e r, when the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and Magistrate E. O. Ogunkannmi, granted him bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety.

He further adjourned the case till October 22, 2012, for mention.

44— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Flood in the eyes of the President W

HILE addressing the nation in a broadcast over the unprecedented flood disaster that ravaged many communities in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan’s eyes and head movement, betrayed the fact that he was reading from a prepared text, though there was no sign of a speech on his table.

His stiffness said it all. He neither gesticulated nor moved parts of his body as he is wont to in normal discussions and addresses to the rhythm of the broadcast. Aside from the motion of his mouth as he uttered the words and the intermittent sounds of billions of Naira donations to some federal institutions and states, the broadcast was a mere dictation session.

However, an opportunity to study the natural moods of the President to the devastation away from the dictates of protocol, came when he undertook a tour of some selected states affected by the flood. He was accompanied on the tour by Minister of Environment, Hajia Hadiza Mailafiya and Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi among others.

The tour was indeed an opportunity to see him move in flesh and react naturally in his interaction with victims. He responded directly to their plights and walked under the sun to inspect the internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps. Uncharacteristically, there were few body guards and security men accompanying him. In fact, any displaced person could easily walk to him and hold his hands as if it is not the same almighty Nigerian leader.

The atmosphere was quite convivial.

From Kogi, Delta to Taraba..

In all the states he had v i s i t e d , President Jonathan encouraged leaders of the IDPs to voice out their minds openly on their plights. In response, victims narrated how they lost their homes, livestock and farmlands. They gave gory tales of deaths, missing persons and submerged markets, schools, police stations and places of worship.

In Kogi for instance, President Jonathan was in a melancholic mood. His mien fell further when mothers brought newly born babies to C M Y K

him. He also learnt that some men committed suicide following losses of loved ones and lifelong investments. He admonished victims to desist from taking e x t r e m e decisions. He said: “Please, don’t commit suicide. You have a government that will assist you. Even, if you borrow money from banks, don’t worry, when the flood is over, we will know how to deal with it. Be rest assured that the government will take care of the situation.”

In Adamawa State, he disclosed that the government plans to construct President Jonathan cuddling a new born baby during his tour of flood affected areas more buffer dams on rivers Niger make life better for them after and Benue to check the responses were calm, re- organisations engaged in leaving the camp. menace of flooding in commuassuring and warm as he emergency relief operations in In Rivers and Bayelsa states, nities along the river banks sometimes cuddled new born any part of the Federation; President Jonathan confessed and from neighbouring counbabies while addressing the Receive financial and technical that the flood disaster, which tries. He disclosed that the mostly women and children aid from international organisations and nondestroyed property worth flood this year was a natural victims. billions of naira, was beyond phenomenon due to climate The President had also governmental agencies, for the capacity of the Federal change occasioned by global explained that the inauguration the purpose of disaster Government to solely remedy. warming and pointed out that of a high power committee on management in Nigeria; He therefore solicited the government would take steps Flood Relief Fund co-headed Collect emergency relief supports of development to prevent a future reby billionaire businessman, supply from local and foreign partners and international occurrence.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote and source and from International non-Governmental bodies.

In Delta State, President human rights activist, Chief and Agencies; and distribute In Taraba State, while Jonathan inspected a camp, Olisa Agbakoba was to raise assuring that the European equipped with a skills funds, which will mitigate the emergency relief materials to Union and the World Bank acquisition centre where effects of the devastation. He victims of natural or other have indicated their readiness displaced persons were explained that membership of disasters and assist in the to assist Nigeria, the President learning trades, artwork, the committee included rehabilitation of the victims, stated that the water level was music, drama, hair dressing “individuals who could not where necessary…”

In view of the above gradually reducing. He gave and computer skills. While he steal people’s money because therefore, the government the assurance that government believed that such facilities they include philanthropists could delegate and designate and advocates of transparency the Dangote Committee, as and accountability who will not It does not augur well to relegate National Fund Raisers, to assist also condone injustice.” in the mobilisation of funds for established statutory institutions to the relevant established Enabling laws the background due to vague misgivagencies including State for Committee ings; no-one is infallible, our leaders Emergency Management While most of the Agencies (SEMA) to manage need to be supported and guided aputterances and actions of the processes judiciously. The propriately to take rational decisions President Jonathan over the secretariat could be in NEMA. government is still more to better the society without entertain- flooding are commendable, the Ifconcerned about the selected establishment of the Dangote’s ing any fear whatsoever individuals, the President committee should have been in consonance with the enabling could nominate them into would provide farmers with laws. As former Chairman of membership of NEMA could make them useful after maturing seedlings that would the governing council of governing council. leaving the camp he disclosed It does not augur well to guarantee early harvest of farm NEMA, the President would that the government had produce as an antidote to the recall that there is a provision relegate established statutory initiated measures for proper much anticipated food crisis. resettlement of flood victims. envisaging such development institutions to the background In all the states he had in the law that established due to vague misgivings. NoWhile addressing displaced visited, President Jonathan NEMA: Act 12 as amended by one is infallible, our leaders persons in Anambra, he allowed governors to present Act 50 of 1999. Among other need to be supported and advised them not to worry as their opening address and things the law empowers guided appropriately to take the Federal Government was thereafter, stood and listened NEMA to “co-ordinate the rational decisions to better the collaborating with sympathetic attentively to the victims. His activities of all voluntary society without entertaining groups and individuals to any fear whatsoever.

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BY YUSHAU A. SHUAIB

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 45

Flood victims find solace in Ughelli relief camp And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off anymore by the waters of the flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said this is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you for perpetual generation-’ Genesis 9:11-12

By FESTUS AHON

I

N the above Bible verse lies the hope of Nigerians as the ravaging flood, which swept through 21 states in the country, continues to take its toll on its victims. Thousands of persons across the country have been displaced from their original place of abode in the last one month.

In Delta State, the ravaging flood, which resulted from the overflow of the River Niger, wreaked havoc in 12 local government areas in the State. The affected local governments are Oshimili South and North, Ndokwa East and West, Ughelli North and South, Isoko North and South, Patani, Bomadi, Aniocha South and Burutu.

Victims of ravaging flood The over 70,000 victims of the ravaging flood are camped in 18 government-designated camps within the State where the victims are being taken care of. There are clinics in each of the camps to meet the health needs of the people.

There are also people manning the kitchen in each of the camps with camp leaders in charge of the day-to-day running of the camps in an effort to make the affected persons live a near normal life while there.

Unfortunately, these persons, particularly the peasant farmers, have been made redundant and jobless by the flood. In some of the camps you see some of the victims loitering with nothing to do all day.

However, the case is different

...A tailoring class in progress

*Some of the flood victims undergoing survival training

Sewing machines *Stella Okotete...responding to the needs of the flood victims

Ekrerhavwen-Agbarho. They are exposed to various skills ranging from hair dressing, tailoring and catering to bead

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My cassava farm and provision store were destroyed by the flood.

I will use what I have learnt here to set up a little business to help myself when I get back home

at the Oharisi Primary School camp, Ughelli, Oleh and Asaba camps as the people are being engaged in skill acquisition training.

The training in the Ughelli camp, which is made available for the victims free of charge, is the brain-child of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Millenuim Development Goals, MDG, Miss Stella Okotete, an indigene of

flood and they have applauded the programme. We have started achieving the purpose because right now they are making fish roll, egg rolls, sewing clothes for their children and other things because a whole lot of them left their homes without enough clothes; but at the centre here, they can make clothes for their own children”.

On how to expand the programme which is mostly manual she said: “The Commissioner for Women Affairs was here; she applauded the programme and I know the state government will provide sewing machines because the state governor is passionate about the skill acquisition centres because it is already in other camps in Asaba and Oleh.

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weaving.

This has helped in engaging and giving the victims a new lease of life. From the hours of 9am to 6pm daily, the victims are engrossed in the training.

Speaking to newsmen at the camp, Miss Okotete said: “I am from this local government area and these are my brothers, sisters, old mothers and the rest.

“I thought it wise to do this

being one of their representatives at the state level since I am the Special Assistant to the Governor on Millennium Development Goals. I wanted to bring something they can benefit from. So I organised and brought some women here to teach them how to cope with their present situation.

“The idea is to introduce a new life pattern to them. It is a voluntary service; we are training them on hairdressing, tailoring, jewelries, bead making, catering, soap and detergent making and we are also doing cosmetology.

I am the one funding it for now. But I know the state government will definitely be interested in it”.

On the attitude of the people towards the training, she said: “The trainees are very happy; they are all smiling; they are seeing a bright future after the

“On Monday next week they will also bring sewing machines for us but we are also appealing to private individuals, companies, NGOs and others to help us with sewing machines, hair driers so that the women can be well equipped”.

On the flood itself, she said: “It is heart-rending but there is hope and when the water subsides they will start life again and I know God will help them and government is willing to support them”, while advising the victims to put in their best and pay more attention to what they were being taught.

“I know they will return home and open their shops very soon. I have a skills acquisition academy in Warri, my personal business but the one here is a voluntary service and my women here have been very supportive in organising the women and all that,” she said.

One of the victims who identified herself as Mrs.

Roseline Igwe, a civil servant in Oproza Grammar School, Patani said: “They are teaching us how to produce beads so that when we get to our homes we will have something to start off with because the flood has destroyed all our properties and some of our people lost their children.

“We are happy with the programme, especially as we are not asked to pay any money.

They are teaching us very well and also giving us good food; government is trying. I have been in the camp since last week".

Learning very fast Another victim, Hope John from Uduophori in Patani Local Government Area said: “I am learning how to produce kponkpuff, buns and egg roll.

We are learning very fast. My cassava farm and provision store were destroyed by the flood. I will use what I have learnt here to set up a little business to help myself when I get back home".

Also, Rosemary Divine, from Bresegha, Patani Local Government Area said: “I am being trained in tailoring free of charge. I am a mother of four and the mud house I was staying with my family has been destroyed. My husband is also in the camp and he is to learn carpentry or welding when it is opened for them by next week”.

For these persons, life can never be the same again. No wonder some of them described the flood as wicked.

This explains why many have urged the state government to support the training initiative by providing the trainees with materials/equipment they will need to start off a new life as part of a post-camp support programme.

46—

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—47

Nigerians demand stress free visa to South Africa

By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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OLLOWING the deportation of a large number of Nigeria nationals under harsh and unfriendly treatment from South Africa early this year, with a flimsy excuse of having produced fake Yellow Fever Vaccine cards, and perhaps, unauthenticated documentation, a victim who refused to disclose his full names for reason of security, but simply demanded to be identified as Baldwin was up to his limits as he narrated his ordeal through processes of deportation from South Africa. The action which Baldwin described as inhumane should be an issue that should be tackled from the root between the two missions, so as to avoid a re-occurrence.

It is apparent from the stories being told by Baldwin and other affected victims, that Nigerian embassy in South Africa has failed in their primary duty of providing Nigerians in South Africa with effective consular services hence, the unwarranted treatment those deported were made to go through, not considering their economic input in the Country.

Speaking also with Vanguard Consular Advisory, Mr. Chinedu a businessman in Cape town South Africa, condemns the hostile treatment meted to deportees.

He argued that the problem is not only pathetic, but also embarrassing to a Country that is known as the giant of Africa, stating that “ Every embassy has a laid down prerequisites for permit into their Country and if one of South Africa’s is provision of authentic Yellow Fever Vaccine Card, as one of the given entry conditions that is specified by South Africa Port Health, then the whole lot of Nigerians that were deported under alleged fake Yellow Fever Vaccine Cards have the right to appeal against their deportation since, there is a directive that before you will be issued with a South Africa Visa, you must have been proven to have been vaccinated against yellow fever disease. And if this is one of the Country’s stipulated rules, it then means that every Nigeria who has been issued a South Africa visa, must have been vaccinated, and in turning back

Undesired deportation Investigations on the matter, however, revealed that Nigerians who are resident in South Africa are disappointed with the undesired deportation of their fellow compatriots. They maintained that the Nigerian embassy is lagging in effective consular services which is the reason • Amb. SONNI-YUSUF, Nigerian Ambassador Nigerians should look to South Africa inwards for means of livelihood, rather than travel to other Nigerians, they have on the other hand Countries to indulge in health hazards gone against their slated laws as it jobs or those that could take their lives, concerns prerequisites guiding entry Mr. Joshua, resident in Johannesburg permit of foreign nationals.”

He added that, “ Nigeria government alleged that he had on several should on their part tackle the situation occasions, visited the embassy with by way of totally radicating Nigerian government should on one ecorruption in hand introduce effective and responsive Nigeria to avoid of these consular services to their citizens in some embarrassing diaspora, so as to indicate to every misconception, offending country, the importance of whereby a Nigeria, even after every Nigeria citizen abroad p r o d u c i n g a u t h e n t i c reports on how Nigerians are being documentation, will still be treated as a accused wrongly of committing different fraudster, which of course, is an levels of crimes, but to his dismay, the indication that Nigerians are viewed as embassy never addressed the matter. being synonymous with fake.”

According to Mr. Joshua who spoke Although Baldwin and other aggrieved via a telephone, “South Africa’s Nigerians are not exonerating South Immigration authorities, to my Africa totally from the group of countries understanding, were not properly that make visa procurement very briefed, otherwise, they should be in cumbersome for Nigerians thus throwing tune with international best practices and them into a state of confusion each time not cause diplomatic rows between they are denied visa, they are agitating Nigeria and their country. If possible, that the Federal government of Nigeria Nigerian government should on one should look into the activities of these hand introduce effective and responsive embassies in Nigeria to forestall further consular services to their citizens in humiliation. More so, Nigerians are diaspora, so as to indicate to every appealing to the ambassador of South offending country, the importance of Africa Amb Sonni Yusuf to rekindle every Nigeria citizen abroad. Until this efforts towards improving the image of is done, I fear that we Nigerians will Nigerians by protecting their human continue to be treated as those who have rights and defending the just. no hope of survival in their Country.”

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C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012—49

Death Row prisoners: Oshiomhole under pressure to rescind execution warrant ••rights groups lobby AGF, Prison boss to intervene

By SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

I

NTENSE pressure has been brought to bear on the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to spare the lives of two death row prisoners, whose warrants he recently appended his signature.

By implication of the warrant, the lives of Daniel Nsofor and Osayinwinde Agbomien have been handed over to the hangman and they can be sent to the gallows anytime.

Amnesty International, a global human rights group, raised the alarm on Monday that the inmates might have been executed and pleaded with the governor to spare their lives and allow their appeal to go through the judicial process. Back home, a coalition of human rights groups and lawyers met in Abuja for several hours, yesterday, brainstorming on how best to convince Oshiomhole to rescind his execution order and give the two condemned men another chance to live.

The crucial meeting, which was convened by lawyers under the auspices of Prison Reforms and Decongestion Initiative, met with officials of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, in Abuja and considered options available to save the lives of the two embattled men.

Vanguard gathered that at the meeting, the groups deliberated extensively on the powers of the governors to issue death warrants and came to the conclusion that apart from Lagos State where a court had ruled that it was illegal to kill by hanging and firing squad, other states still had the powers to do so. Consequently, the group decided to send a letter to the Edo State Governor, pleading with him to temper justice with mercy by withdrawing the execution warrant in respect of the two men already condemned to death.

Additionally, they decided to meet the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, to intervene and halt the execution of the two men, since Nigeria had an existing moratorium on non-execution of death row prisoners.

The team was also to meet with the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Prisons last night to also seek his cooperation and under-

standing in preserving the lives of the two men pending the hearing and determination of an appeal filed by them against their execution.

But a senior prisons official who was at the meeting, said the team needed to act fast since the governor had the right under Nigerian law to sign a death warrant before an inmate is released by for execution. The groups decided to send an emissary to Oshiomhole to plead further with him and to apologise over certain issues relating to the inmates, which the governor is said to have taken exception to.

The NHRC on its part, fired another letter yesterday to the governor, still pleading with him to spare

the lives of the two condemned men until their appeal was heard. A copy of the letter with reference No NHRC/ADM/596/1/7 dated October 23, 2012, which Vanguard sited last night, pleaded with the governor to rescind his execution order on Monday Nsofor and Osayinwinde Agbomien.

The letter, which was signed by Mrs. Oti Ovrawah, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof Bem Angwe, said: “Further petitions received by the commission have revealed that the two inmates together with other death row inmates are applicants in suit No: FHC/ B/CS/0136/2012 between Olu Fatogun and 7 ors V Governor of Edo State and the Comptroller General of the Prison pending before the Federal High Court Benin.”

L-r: Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Alhaji Adekunle Sunmoni; H R M Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; Olori Muyibat Oyefusi and Chief B O Benson, SAN at the launching of royal album by Adekunle Sunmoni in honour of Oba Oyefusi. Photo Shola Oyelese

L-r: Mr Johan Voigt, General Manager, 360 Beach, Lekki; Mr Wale Rubber, guest of honour; and Mr Rakesh Sharma, Assistant General Manager Far east Mercantile Company Limited, during the relaunch of Tropika Fruit Juicy inLagos.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu commisioning the union building of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, in Abuja. He is flanked on the left by president-general of MWUN, Comrade AnthonyEmmanuel and other guests.

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Sallah: FRSC begins nationwide special patrol

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COMMISSIONING—Secretary to the Federal Govt, Sen Anyim Pius Anyim performing the official commissioning of the remodeled General Aviation Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja Monday. With him are the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah; DG, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri and FAAN Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi.

PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi.

BUJA—IN a bid to ensure sanity on the highways during this year’s Eid-el- kabir celebrations, the Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced a nationwide special patrol tagged ‘Operation Barka da Sallah II 2012’ slated for 26th - 29th October, 2012.

This exercise which is in line with the Corps’ renewed drive to reduce the spate of road traffic crashes in the country especially during the Ember season , has also been designed to address the perennial rise in the violation of traffic rules and regulations especially during festive season.

According to the FRSC, the intensive special patrol is aimed at addressing the spate of avoidable road crashes usually associated with surge of human and vehicular

85,071 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

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AKKAH, SAUDI A R A B I A — ABOUT 85,071 Nigerians are already in Saudi Arabia as part of the two million pilgrims from all over the world that have arrived in the Kingdom for Hajj, the high point

of which falls on tomorrow when pilgrims pray and supplicate the whole day on the plains of Arafat.

This is just as a total of 20,534 pilgrims on their way to the holy sites without Hajj permits were turned away at a number of checkpoints by the Passports Department (Hajj).

Every Muslim country has a Hajj quota of 1,000 pilgrims per million inhabitants and the biggest contingent — 200,000 pilgrims — came from Indonesia.

The kingdom also granted visas to Syrians in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, where thousands of refugees who have

fled the violence were accommodated.

The Commissioner in charge of Research in the commission, Dr. Okenwa Salleh, who confirmed the number of Nigerians in Saudi, also revealed that the commission has agreed to adopt the grade C accommodation introduced by Lagos State last year in Mina

$180M HALLIBURTON SCANDAL: FG orders re-arrest of principal suspects Continues from page 5 TSKJ, was also interested in a plea bargain

arrangement and may cough out as much as $50million into govern-

ment coffers before the plea bargain will be taken seriously.

Amosun highlights benefits for investors in Ogun

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AGOS—FOREIGN and local investors can take full benefits of the human, economic, geographical and natural assets of Ogun by establishing their businesses in the state.

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, disclosed this, yesterday, in Lagos during the first EU-Nigeria Business Forum, which had as its theme- "The European Business Com-

munity meets Africa’s Economic Power House”.

Amosun stated that beside having the richest manpower in the country, the proximity of Ogun to Lagos, its longest border with neighbouring Benin Republic and its deepest sea port offered any investment in Ogun boundless opportunities in terms of market and returns on investment.

Besides its vast land mass and fertile soil conducive to agriculture, the

state helmsman listed other natural resources in Ogun State to include limestone, granite, phosphate, gypsum, bauxite, bitumen, feldspar, clay, glass-sand, kaolin, quartz, tar-sand and gem-stones.

Amosun informed investors that the interface of the public with government functionaries was without bottlenecks, citing the developments in Bureau of Lands and Survey as an example.

Recall that Budunde had confessed to the investigating team that he collected the sum of $6million from Chief Obaseki while he was lodging at TRANSCORP HILTON and handed the money over to Mallam Lawal Batagarawa, former Minister of State for Defence, who further handed same to Chieftains of a popular political party.

On Julius Berger ’s $26.5million, Vanguard had reported in 2010 that the five-man interagency panel that investigated the scandal, raised an alarm after Julius Berger entered into a plea bargain arrangement to exonerate it from prosecution but the money was no where to be found.

for the entire country.

In related development, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Oyinmole Danmole said arrangements have been concluded to house the state pilgrims in Mina and Arafat as part of the rites for this year’s hajj.

While addressing the pilgrims in Makkah, yesterday, before departure for Mina by Lagos State’s pilgrims, the Commissioner said tents have been secured with the necessary convenience for the comfort of the pilgrims.

traffic across the country and is an all inclusive exercise which will witness intensive patrols, prompt rescue services, strict enforcement of traffic rules and robust public enlightenment campaigns across the nation.

Details of the objectives of this special exercise include the removal of obstructions from the highways, traffic control/ decongestion, public enlightenment campaigns through the distribution of safety handbills and other forms of awareness campaign in addition to strict enforcement of road traffic regulation infractions such as non-use of seat belt, use of cell phone while driving, overloading, excessive smoke emission, speed violation, dangerous driving/ overtaking, light sign violation and other road vices.

The FRSC has also embarked on a massive deployment of personnel, patrol vehicles, motor bikes, tow trucks and ambulances along designated corridors and black spots such as Yangoji, Lokoja, Lagos, Benin, Ore, Akwanga, Jos, Mokwa, Bida, Potiskum, Talata Mafara, Bauchi, Lafia, Makurdi, 9th mile and Kano in addition to the establishment of mobile courts at specific locations across the country for quick dispensation with road traffic offences.

Speaking on the Sallah special patrol, the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka said that the nationwide exercise ‘forms part of the Corps’ sustained efforts to build on its Ember months campaigns which to a large extent, will be sustained towards the end of the year.

Osibodu bows out, as Union Bank shareholders applaud rebound

BY PETER EGWUATU

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AGOS—THE Man aging Director, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, yesterday , bowed out from the bank, even as shareholders at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State applauded her for taking the bank out of the wood.

The shareholders at the AGM unanimously commended the outgoing managing director for the success of the bank’s recapitalization and

transformation programme.

Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders’ Association, Chief Sola Abodunrin, said the doggedness of Union Bank’s management in spite of oppositions from some quarters salvaged the bank and ensured that shareholders did not lose all their investments as were the cases in some banks. He said the bank now has bright prospects given the experience and diversity of the new management and board and its large capital base.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 —51

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Clarion call for Urhobos

Jonathan’s Independence speech and Mubi massacre

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HAT exactly is the

ideology and rationale behind this senseless and horrific killings? Government should act decisively now.

This no tim e for rhetoric and half hearted condemnation.

This tragedy is a mockery of Mr. President’s independence anniversary speech “that the nation's security agencies are constantly being strengthened and repositioned for greater efficiently”.

Where were the security agents when the students were being slaughter.

Anonymous 08167906322

Killing of students in Mubi Mr. President should make sure all the evil persons involved in the brutal killing of innocent students in Mubi are brought to book and must be punished in accordance with the laws of the land. The President should direct the security agencies in

With the agitation for national identity becoming fierce by the day, it is the duty and responsibility of the Urhobos to come together and have a rallying focus

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Urhobos cannot afford to sit back, fold its hands and wallow in self pity. It is against the background it is expedient for the Urhobo nation to rally round the duo of Gen. Patrick Aziza rtd, the President

Adamawa state to produce these terrorists. Terrorism is counter productive to us as a people. We must assist the Federal and State governments to crush terrorism completely.

Alhaji Hassan 08123841742

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A

statistically the fifth largest ethnic group in the country has been randomly shortchanged in the Nigerian Project since independence.

The fact remains that with every ethnic nationality, and region working assiduously to create a space for themselves in the Nigerian Project, the

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Dear Sir, FTER 52 years of nationhood, it is difficult to fathom why the Nigerian political class have failed to eradicate ethnic, regional and religious from the ranks of the citizenry. This development which is at the root of the selfish interest of the ruling political elite has continued to hinder the emergence of a common national identity and consciousness.

There is no gainsaying that the absence of the genuine sense of nationhood and cohesion is responsible for the lack of patriotism among Nigerians. Thus, they choose to see themselves more as citizens of their ethnic nationality, than Nigeria.

The political situation in the country today is that of survival of the fittest; every ethnic nationality and region doing everything within its whims to out do the other. As many have said, without the re visitation of the National question, the Nigerian nation will continue to wallow in the delusion of ethnic, religion and regional politics.

However, in the midst of all this, the Urhobo people of the Niger Delta region, which is

General of Urhobo Progress Union and Sen. Pius Ewherido, who represent the Urhobos at the National Assembly .

The truth is, for the Urhobos to achieve their collective destiny as a people, they must bury their political and individual differences. The practice of pursuing individual and group interest at the expense of the overall interest of the Urhobos, is retrogressive and wicked.

No doubt, as individuals and perhaps groups, we all have the right to pursue our political ideals and interests, but not when our collective aspiration, liberty and survival as a people is threatened. With the agitation for national identity becoming fierce by the day, it is the duty and responsibility of the Urhobos to come together and have a rallying focus.

Ohwevwo Ufuoma Eugene, 0 8 1 2 7 0 2 9 1 2 2 , ohwevwoufuoma@ymail.com

Stop this kerosene politics

element of truth in the alleged security agents statement then it means that we have completely lost our values as a nation that we can trade the lives of our citizens just to protect individual interest.What a pity and shame!

Charles, Adamawa State.

Terrorism in Somalia and Mali

National awards honour President Jonathan should make the national honour valueable. The number of awardees are too many. The national award has now become ten for a Kobo, soon, it would become valueless.

When such awards are given to those who do not quality, it is an injustice to honest Nigerians.Mr. President should take note that injustice has a short life span

Still on Mubi massacre

I hope there is no truth in the rumours making the rounds that government is deliberately with holding information about the real killers of the Mubi massacre and their motive from the prying eyes of the press, for selfish reasons. I also believe that it is not truth as alleged that the security agents claims that the killing was as a result of the union results of the recent student union election held in the institution and that it has no religious undertone. If there is any

,

National honour is only given to men and women of high moral standing and integrity.

Do financial and economic criminals such as treasury looters, cocaine pushers, smugglers etc qualify for national honour? When such awards are given to those who do not quality, it is an injustice to honest Nigerians.Mr. President should take note that injustice has a short life span.

Mrs. Farida Shuaibu 08175782081

Dear Sir, HE current advertisements in the media about the effort of the Federal government to ease the problems of kerosene scarcity in the country is an affront on the collective psyche of Nigerians who are currently buying a litre of kerosene for one hundred and fifty naira.

The advertisement highlights the kero-direct scheme which is an initiative from cooperations between Capital Oil and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation. State governors clad in their babarigas are seen on television selling the product to citizens for fifty naira in twenty two states of the Federation!

Some ready to-be-used Nigerians were told to face the camera to applaud the ground breaking effort of Mr. President!

It is clear that decsions for this advertisement was taken at the Federal Executive Council

T

The EU, AU,UN and ECOWAS must put their heads together to wipe out insurgency from Mali and Somalia. Wicked and dangerous extremist groups work hand in hand with those terrorising Nigerians in the northern parts of the country.

The Nigerian Army should keep it up, we have confidence in their fight against terrorism.

Alhaji Muhammadu 08123841742

ICAN's poor performance and results Recently the ICAN President lamented the high failure rate in the professional exams. What he failed to realise was the quality of the examiners that have consistency set academic rather than professional questions. The examiners derive pleasure in setting

meetings to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians in order to give the impression that the government is working.

Laudable as the idea seem, it is equally ridicuous because the action is an occasional ceremony.

If Nigerians regularly gets access to, and buy this product, then we can say that indeed,government is working.

When the product was available and cheap many years ago, did we need State Governors to advertise it on television? The product has been scarce for a long time. Even our Legislators who at one time invited the Petroleum Minister to explain reasons for the scarcity, have lost hope on the product and have left Nigerians to their fate. A set time for the constant availability of the product was given by the Minister. The date came and past, but the situation did not, and has not changed.

Kerosene is scarce and very expensive in Nigeria.

Everybody knows this and we do not need the government to provoke us further. We do not need propaganda in this painful period of our national degradation by the political bourgeoisie class .Leave us in our pain if you cannot do your job. There is no kerosene.

Government should not insult our sensibilities further!

Frederick Odorige, Benin City. questions outside the recommended study materials and past questions.

The institute could not separate mature students from young students, like ACCA is doing. At the end of the day “Baby Accountants” are produced, that cannot contribute to the growth of the profession in the short term.

Dede 08074490347

Etsako Central flood victims It is very worrisome and disappointing that government officers assigned to provide mattresses for these victims refused to give the over one thousand mattresses the governor of Edo state promised those affected by the flood. Why the greed? Even toilet facilities are not provided. The state commissioners should act fast.

Steadfast Foundation 08158086822

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 1.If you do not want lizards to visit you, do not bring home firewood that contain ants.

Francis Uzoaru(07025716475), Nitel Headquarter, Abuja, FCT Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. You will be paid N100.00 for every saying published. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 53

Obama gains lead after final debate

BY GBENGA OKE in Texas, USA.

T

HE final debate might have come and gone, but who wins the 2012 American Presidential elections is still unclear as many voters still maintained both Presidential candidates have not convinced them enough to get votes President Obama clearly won the last two presidential debates but the win at the debate does not automatically transform to a win for him at the election as his rival Mitt Romney is closing in on him by the day in major swing states like Florida, Wisconsin.

Although, last night’s debate saw some undecided voters change their minds on whom they are likely to vote for, it is believed President Obama still needs to hold on strongly to states like Ohio which he won clearly in 2008 if he had to retain his seat.

However, Obama won the debate with 48% and his rival Romney 40%, what will happen in the days ahead is still unclear as many Americans still believe the race stands tight and too early to determine. There are indications that the post debate poll after three televised debates that have boosted Obama’s chances as he delivered what is likely to be his closing argument: that, unlike Romney, he has been honest with voters about his plans to deliver a broadly shared prosperity over the next four years.

Said Obama: “There is no more serious issue in a presidential campaign than trust,” Obama told a rally of 11,000 people in Florida. “Everything he’s doing right now is trying to hide his real positions in order to win this election.”

When Vanguard sought views from likely voters, some of them are still undecided claiming the campaign trail has been full of lies and nothing has interested them in voting in this election.

In East Texas, a white medical Doctor at Regional Medical Centre, Dr Toby said he was surprised that gay is an issue for election because marriage should be strictly between man and womC M Y K

•President Obama (r) lectures Mitt Romney during the final debate on Tuesday. an. On the economy, he said he would want to see government create more business for people and encourage more little businesses so that the economy can grow.

On the foreign policy, he said, “I don’t wants America to go to more war be-

cause whether we like it or not, the problem in the Middle East will continue and there is nothing we can do about it but I will like government to provide more jobs here in America and that will save us from as lot of spending”.

For Trista Brownlow, a white lady and Computer Informatics, this is the first time she will be voting and the amount of deficit incurred by this government is un-imaginable.

Her words, “Now we have 3.7trillion in debt, I

Fighting continues as Libya marks anniversary

L

IBYA marked the first anniversary of its “liberation” of Muammar Gaddafi’s rule on Tuesday, but ongoing fighting in one of the dictator ’s former strongholds overshadowed celebrations.

The oil-producing country was declared “liberated” a few days after Gaddafi’s death on October 20, 2011, and while its new rulers have led the nation to elections, they have struggled to impose their authority on a country awash with weapons.

“Our happiness is not complete because there are still some cities that are not fully liberated,” said 27-year-old Benghazi shop assistant Baset al-Sharif.

“But October 23 is still a great day and we will celebrate. We will use this occasion to say Benghazi has not yet been given all its rights. The government still has problems to deal with.”

Hundreds of people filled Benghazi’s streets celebrating the anniversary but also calling for the eastern city, the cradle of last year’s revolt, to become Libya’s economic capital after what

they say were decades of neglect under Gaddafi.

Men, women and children marched to a football stadium where a concert was planned. A small

group briefly protested outside a hotel about the violence in Bani Walid where militias loyal to the government continued their assault on the former Gaddafi stronghold.

cannot imagine that. We keep borrowing and borrowing, the way we are going, someday the American dollar will be diminished and that’s why I believe maybe somebody with a business background will be able to manage the administration better ”.

She went further, the prices of gas are up and people are struggling to make money and everybody has been trying to adjust to the new system.

Romney escapes gaffes Romney avoided any

UN mulls Syrian truce

T

HE United Nations is planning for a peacekeeping force in Syria should a ceasefire in that country take hold and pending a Security Council mandate, the UN peacekeeping chief has said.

“I would confirm that, of course, we are giving a lot of thought to what would happen if and when a

Benin uncovers plot to poison president

B

ENIN authorities have arrested President Thomas Boni Yayi’s doctor, his niece and a former minister over an alleged plot to poison the leader, the public prosecutor said. Justin Gbenameto told journalists on Monday that prosecutors “have requested their indictment for criminal conspiracy and attempted assassination of the head of state,” who is also the chairman of the African Union.

Those arrested on Sunday included Moudjaidou Soumanou, former minister of commerce; Ibrahim Mama Cisse, Yayi’s personal doctor; and Zouberath KoraSeke, one of Yayi’s nieces, who worked at the presidency. “Thankfully, the plot was not successful,” said Gbenameto.

“Zouberath spoke about it with her sister and others, and it was those people who warned the head of

state.” The 60-year-old Yayi is an economist who first took office in 2006 and won re-election last year. It was alleged that the president’s niece and his doctor were promised $2 million to replace Yayi’s anti-pain medicine with poison.

According to prosecutors, Soumanou played an intermediary role. The instigator of the plot was alleged to be a

gaffe that would disqualify him in the eyes of voters and emerged from the three debates with an energized base, a full war chest and a sense of momentum. Most importantly, nearly half the electorate now sees him as a plausible president.

“He passed the commander in chief test and, in our view, emerged looking more like a winner,” wrote Charles Gabriel, an analyst with the political-intelligence group Capital Alpha Partners. “A loss by the president is seeming more viable by the day.”

•President Boni Yayi Benin businessman named Patrice Talon, a former ally of the president’s who has recently been at odds with him.

poid al-Adha holiday, which begins on Friday. Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, said Assad’s government supported the truce proposal but would not commit to halting fire during a the four-day holiday until Western countries and their Gulf allies stop supporting rebels and halt their weapons supplies to the anti-government fighters. Brahimi tollitical solution or at least a c e a s e - f i r e would emerge,’’ Herve Ladsous told reporters on Monday. He said it was too early to say how many peacekeepers might be deployed.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Sunday as part of his push for a ceasefire between rebels and government forces.

US to assist Nigeria tackle security challenges

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

U

NITED States Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Ms Cynthia Akuetteh at a conference held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, disclosed US commitment to help Nigeria fulfill its potential on Amnesty programme in order to secure lasting peace in the Niger-Del-

ta.

According to Cynthia, “, we hope we can openly and candidly discuss the challenges of the Niger-Delta and ways the United States can help the region fulfill its potential. We believe the Delta faces three complex overarching and overlapping challenges, which if not addressed could lead to renewed insecurity in the region. Those chal-

lenges are low levels of development, environmental devastation, and maritime criminality.”

Adding that, “ Addressing the security challenges of the Delta will need to be carried out in a wider context, in tandem with and building upon efforts to promote economic development and environmental sustainability.”

54—

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012

Eagles need Sidne Sidneyy Sam, Onuoha — Akpoborie

Gov’s Cup II: Nigerians in line of fire

F

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

ORMER Nigeria in ternational, Jonathan Akpoborie has advised coach Stephen Keshi to invite Bayer Leverkusen’s Sidney Sam and Nedum Onuoha of Queens Park Rangers so the Super Eagles will have a stronger team for the Africa Cup of Nations in January. Akpoborie told Goal.com that he has watched the two players and noticed that they have what it takes to strengthen the national team as they prepare for the Nations Cup. “This is entirely my opinion, but it is a kind of advice for the coaches that they should try out the two players. I watched them very well and they will fit into the team as presently constituted,” said Akpoborie.

“The Super Eagles need a player in the mould of Sidney Sam who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the German League. He has a sweet left foot and plays from the left side of the midfield.

“But his greatest attribute is the fact that he

Man U to open US office

V

ICE chairman Ed Woodward said Tuesday the record 19time English champions will open the office on the East Coast as they look to raise more cash to reduce the club’s debt. He declined to name the city.

The Glazer family, which owns United, sold 8.3 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in August with the aim of raising around $110 million.

But Woodward says the New York stock listing is not a precursor to selling the club the Glazers bought in 2005.

can carry the ball from the midfield to the opponents’ area. He does perfectly well what Ramires does for Chelsea.

“We have good players in the midfield, but if Sam joins the team, then he will complement the efforts of other players.

“Nedum Onuoha is a also a good player that should be drafted into the Super Eagles. After watching the game against Liberia, I noticed that we have some problems in the defence line.

N

IGERIAN tennis players will literary be in the line of fire today when second round matches of the Governor ’s Cup Futures II take centre stage at the Lagos L awn Tennis Club, Onikan.

After an easy ride in their first round games on Monday and yesterday, most of the Nigerians will be playing against seeded players of the tournament.

•Sidney Sam

Amb. Onafowokan urges Falcons to retain African Nigerians love football, impressed me over the trophy times. “I would like to whether it is the men or years and I wish you

T

HE Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana, Ambassador Oluseyi Ademola Onafowokan has urged the Super Falcons to retain the African Women’s Championship trophy which they won two years ago when the 2012 edition starts in Equatorial Guinea.

Onafowokan said at a dinner he hosted for the team in Accra that Nigerians are anxiously waiting for them to bring back the trophy.

“Do all you can to retain the trophy. I commend you for making Nigerians proud. You have achieved what the men couldn’t do by winning the African title six

charge you to keep the flag flying and continue to make us proud.

the women that are playing.

“The team has really

Diran Olojo, Head Corporate Affairs, Standard Chartered Bank; Didi Hamann, Liverpool FC legend & Ambassador and Dan Mobley, Regional Head of Corporate Affairs, Africa, during a two-day soccer clinic organized by Standard Chartered Bank for kids in different age-group in Lagos.

eams end w or kshop in Durban Afcon 2013: TTeams wor orkshop

A

LL the 16 teams that have qualified to participate at next year’s Orange Africa Cup of Nations yesterday went through an exhaustive workshop at the Suncoast Hotels and Towers in Durban.

Scheduled for Team Delegation leaders, national team coaches and administrators, the six hour presentation direct-

ed by the Tournament Directors Shereen Arafa of CAF and Paul Russell of the LOC, the teams were put through all the requirements of the competition including marketing, medical, media, team organisation, travels, accommodation, ticketing and accreditation.

While Togo, Niger and Ethiopia could not make it to the workshop, Nige-

ria was represented by Enebi Achor, Super Eagles secretary.

It was also an opportunity to be introduced to the permanent team Liaison Officers, (TLO ) the four CAF General Coordinators and an explanation of the organograms of CAF and the LOC. Frequently asked questions regarding team arrival meetings, match co-

BRF CC begins national club title defence

D

EFENDING cham pions of the National Club Cricket championship, the BRF Cricket Club of Lagos will this weekend begin the defence of the trophy they have won for keeps, having emerged champions in the past three seasons.

A source at the Nigeria Cricket Federation told

well as you defend your title in Equatorial Guinea,” said Onafowokan.

Sports Vanguard that the battle for the new trophy will be tougher as teams from all the zones will be at the national finals billed for Abuja from October 26 to 28.

Apart from BRF CC who are winners of the Lagos CCC League, Edo state champions, Integrity Force CC of Benin, will

represent the South South Zone.

Crocodiles Cricket Club of Kaduna, winners of the Arewa League and University of Nigeria CC, winners of the South-East League will also be in contention for the trophy.

General Manager and Chief Operating Officer

of the NCF, George Wiltshire informed that fixtures for the championship which is already in the semi final stage will be made known after the draw on Thursday in Abuja.

The finals will be played on Sunday, October 28 at the Abuja Cicket Oval.

ordination meetings and hotel accommodation were posed by the participating associations and answered accordingly.

Prior to the draw, the teams were also given an overview of the hosting cities complete with weather forecasts in January and December when the competition will hold, in between distances of the venues ( Hotels, training pitches, stadiums and airports) For instance the teams were told that CAF will only cater for thirty members of each delegation, seven officials and 23 players, and should any federation plan to come with more, contact should be made with the LOC to block hotel reservations and the bookings must be confirmed by December 1 at the latest.

In the men’s singles, Shehu Lawal will have his hands full when he confronts seed three, Kento Takeuchi of Japan on the Lord Rumens Centre Court. Adamu Sanni faces sixth seed, Egyptian Sherif Sabry, while Clifford Enosoregbe will goes to war with seed two, Ruan Roelofse of South Africa. It will be a miracle if the Nigerian trio qualify for the quarterfinal, taking place tomorrow.

In the women’s singles, Fatimah Abinu is crying for vengeance when she battles top seed Nina Bratchikova from Russia, while Blessing Anuna confronts Chanels Simmonds from South Africa. The tie between China’s Jia-Jing Lu with a teenage girl from Madagascar, Zarah Razafimahatratra will be a delight to watch today Razafimahatratra, a consistent product of junior tournaments in Africa is poised to repeat a stunning performance she put against Number 93 ranked Bratchikova in the first leg.

Ogunbote: Sunshine’ll shine brighter next season

H

EAD coach of Sun shine Stars, Gbenga Ogunbote has boasted that his boys will be the team to beat when the new season of the Nigeria Premier League kicks off.

Ogunbote told Goal.com, on arrival from Cairo where they crashed out of the Caf Champions League on Sunday, that Nigerians should expect a much more compact team that will be a hard nut to crack for other big sides in the league.

In only its first campaign in the prestigious Champions League, the Akure Gunners matched their previous season’s debut in the Confederation Cup by reaching the last four. “The season has just ended, everybody is expected to be on holiday after which we return to appraise our performance last season, and that will determine the next line of action. But I can assure you that next season we will bounce back bigger and better,” Ogunbote said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 — 55

Delta school soccer kicks off •champions to tour Europe

S

ECONDARY schools in Delta State will kick off the Governor’s Cup in two weeks.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan so directed yesterday in Asaba while receiving report from Professor Moboghare committee he set up in April to revive football in secondary schools in Delta State. ”Sports in Nigeria has many challenges now and the only way to revive it and begin to excel in it is to take it back to our schools which are fertile grounds to groom

Delta.”

He said that Delta will also begin track and field in schools in Delta State in a later date.. ”We are failing in sports because sports died in our schools. If we mean well for sports in Nigeria the schools must

Gateway FC mourns Eleanya •Uduaghan potentials,” Governor Uduaghan said, adding “we really want to drive sports at the grassroots in

Maigari: Women football needs greater care and attention

P

RESIDENT of the Ni geria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Tuesday in Abuja reiterated that women’s football deserves greater care and attention by administrators in the land considering the glory and honour it has brought to the nation.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the first-ever FIFA Women Football Coaching Course, at the Park View Hotel, Maigari traced the history of women football

in Nigeria and applauded the three women National Teams – Super Falcons, Falconets and Flamingos - for their various feats in the past 22 years.

“From taking part in the qualifying series for the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup and emerging Africa’s sole flag-bearer in China, the Senior Women’s Team of Nigeria, also known as Super Falcons, has played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Super Eagles may draw Bafana Continues from B/P home nation, their make-up is determined by results from the past three Afcon tournaments, in an attempt to keep the big teams apart until the latter stages.

The hosts are traditionally among the seeds in a bid to allow them to maximise their advantage of playing on home soil.

The draw will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC), with approximately 2000 guests set to attend.

President Jacob Zuma is due to be among them, along with association heads from the other 15 qualified countries.

Officials from across the continent have been arriving since the weekend, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) head Issa Hayatou touching down on Sunday.

“The CAF president was very happy with our C M Y K

return as breeding grounds for sports development,” Uduaghan said adding that “ this competition must start in two weeks and I will attend the opening match.”

Champions of the Governor’s Cup will win a Bus, N2m and will also be sponsored to a youth competition abroad foreign.

update and expressed his confidence in our ability to host events,” said Local Organising Committee chairman Mwelo Nonkonyana.

“He said he was satisfied with South Africa hosting this event because we will raise the bar for the rest of the continent.”

Pot two is occupied by Mali, Tunisia, Angola and Nigeria; pot three includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco; and Niger and Togo, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia make up pot four.

Bafana will be based in Durban for the January 19 to February 10 tournament, although they will play their opening fixture in Johannesburg, which will also host the final at Soccer City, the venue for the 2010 World Cup decider.

The other host cities are Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg.

T

HE management, staff and players of Gateway Football Club of Ogun State have condoled with the Vanguard family over the sudden death of ace photojournalist, Sylva Eleanya who passed on Saturday.

In a terse letter signed by the General Manager of the club, Gboyega Okegbenro, the club said Eleanya’s death “bleeds our souls with double

impact as it is coming on the heels of the passing on of another strong member of the Vanguard family, Ogbonnaya Amadi.”

The club prayed God to give the entire Vanguard family the fortitude to bear the loss. “To his immediate family he left behind, our thoughts are with them at this painful hour,” the statement added.

Bafana Bafana can win Nations Cup on home soil Continues from B/P But the man who led his country to glory when they hosted the 1996 tournament says getting off to a good start is much more important than where a team is ranked.

Debutants South Africa walloped Cameroon 3-0 in the tournament opener 16 years ago and Tovey said it was a huge boost for a side that went on to defeat Tunisia 2-0 in a final watched by then-president Nelson Mandela.

“Outplaying Cameroon set the tone for the tournament and gave us breathing space because we were in a difficult group with Angola and Egypt,” he told AFP ahead of the first round draw Wednesday in Indian Ocean city Durban.

“Getting those three points in the opening match meant we had an escape route if things went wrong in another group game. Luckily, we also beat the Angolans and qualified before losing to the Egyptians.

“Playing at home can be a tremendous advantage and everyone rallied behind the team 16 years ago, driving us on to some great victories and the trophy,” recalled Tovey. “South Africa could go all the way again.”

He rates the other three top seeds - defending champions Zambia, 2013 title favourites Côte d’Ivoire and four-time winners Ghana - and second seeds Nigeria among the favourites with Angola and Morocco dark horses.

Keshi gets of ficial house, car official Continues from B/P Mali coach the key to a Kia Jeep worth 7.2m Naira.

These benefits are in fulfilment of a four-year contract signed by Keshi in November. ”I am in Abuja to finalise on the car and accommodation for the Eagles coach,” stated NFF Finance committee chairman Shehu Adamu.

”The NFF president has directed that we resolve the accommodation issue of the coach.

So, we are only waiting for the coach to pick his preferred location for his accommodation, while for the car we would conclude the paper work as soon as possible.”

Keshi’s contract also has stipulated in his contract to reach at least the last four of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Late Sylva Eleanya

Imo F A, Nollyw ood act or FA Nollywood actor mourn Eleanya

I

mo state football association has expressed sadness over the demise of Vanguard Newspaper’s ace photojournalist Sylva Eleanya who died on sunday in Lagos.

Chairman of Imo FA Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam in a release described Eleanya’s death as shocking, even as he noted that he was a professional that did his job well with humility.

“Eleanya was a great photojournalist and one thing that endeared him to me was his humility.

It is sad that he is no more. We at Imo FA would particularly miss him because he was one man that was interested in the growth of the game

in his home state. As a person, he was very close to me and I did enjoy working with him,” Uchegbulam stated.

Uchegbulam while praying God to grant his soul eternal rest also commiserated with his i m m e d i a t e family,Vanguard newspapers and the Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN). Also, Nollywood star actor, Diewait Ikpechukwu also said that he was devastated to hear about the demise of Sylva Eleanya. “His jovial nature endeared him to me. You cannot be sad if Sylva is around you. He was friendly with everybody. And on the job, he was one of the best photojournalists of our time’’, Diewait mourned.

Eleanya: NUJ tasks media owners on medical checks

O

wners of media houses in the country have been urged to, as a matter of urgency, carry out routine medical checks on practicing journalists in their employment.

Lagos state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, which made the call yesterday in Ikeja also asked media owners to institute insurance policies for all workers under their employment.

This call is coming on the heels of reported cases of sudden deaths of practicing journalists in the country especially in the Centre of Excellence.

Few weeks ago, the Entertainment Editor of Vanguard Newspapers,

Mr. Amadi Ogbonna died in a sudden circumstance. This was followed by the death on Sunday of a Sport Photo journalist with the same media organization, Mr. Sylva Eleanya, who reportedly slumped and died in his Isolo , Lagos residence.

In a condolence message to the management of Vanguard Newspapers by the Council and signed by its Chairman, Comrade Deji Elumoye and Secretary, Comrade Sylva Okereke, the Council said, it is disheartening to note that within two months , the Council had lost two of its members from Vanguard Media to the cold hand of death

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCT0BER 24, 2012

Bafana Bafana fans.

Anxiety as 2013 Afcon draw holds in S/Africa — P.29 Seedings for the draw: • Pot one: South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast • Pot two: Mali, Tunisia, Angola, Nigeria • Pot three: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Niger • Pot four: Togo, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Ethiopia.

Teams from the same pot cannot be drawn against each other.

B

AFANA Bafana could face the difficult task of being drawn alongside former champions Nigeria, Algeria and Ethiopia when the 16 soccer teams for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations are decided in Durban later today.

Seedings for the draw

•Keshi

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

Continues on Page 55 YESTERDAY'S

C

AF Africa Cup of Nations-winning captain Neil Tovey believes South Africa can use home advantage to conquer the continent again in the 2013 tournament.

Bafana Bafana (The Boys) are ranked only 19 in Africa and owe a place among the top seeds to being hosts of the three-week championship that kicks off in January at the 90,000seat Soccer City stadium in Soweto.

Continues on Page 55

Super Eagles may draw Bafana

and its procedure were unveiled last week, with the Super Eagles placed in Pot 2 while Bafana placed in pot one, alongside defending champions Zambia, perennial favourites Ivory Coast and another West African powerhouse, Ghana.

There are four pots in total and, apart from the

Bafana Bafana can win Nations Cup on home soil — Tovey

Keshi gets official house, car

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ECSTACY: Super Eagles players celebrate after picking Afcon 2013 ticket in Calabar. They will know their opponents today.

ANSWERS ACROSS 1 Masculine (4) 4 Mouthful (3) 6 Manage (4) 9 Be indebted (3) 10 Universal (8) 11 Unfasten (4) 14 Deed (3) 16 Booth (5) 19 Maintained (8) 21 Punitive (5) 23 Relegation (8) 24 Abrupt (5) 27 Label (3) 31 Talk (4) 33 Start (8) 34 Sheep (3) 35 Generated (4) 36 Delve (3) 37 Halt (4)

IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi will next week get his official house and car, which would cost the NFF over 15 million Naira (about $94,000).

MTNFootball.com has scooped the NFF are expected to secure a house in Abuja for about 8 million Naira and also hand the former Togo and Continues on Page 55

DOWN 2 Off (4) 3 Resound (4) 4 Chose (8) 5 Crowd (4) 6 Reckon (5) 7 Possess (3) 8 Foot-lever (5) 12 Restrict (5) 13 Moving (5) 14 Serpent (3) 15 Principle (5) 17 Pungent (5) 18 Inclined (5) 20 Harming (8) 22 Record (3) 25 Anaesthetic (5) 26 Located (5) 28 Discover (4) 29 Tablet (4) 30 Staunch (4) 32 Wonder (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Trench 5, Spread 8, Adhesive 9, Anon 10, Cos 12, Staff 15, Fat 17, Cup 18, Emu 19, Too 20, Expel 21, Lag 22, Lea 23, Oil 24, Hid 26, Rayon 29, Yet 33, Tear 34, Attained 35, Plague 36, Remote.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Radio 3, Need 4, Hoist 5, Sheaf 6, Reap 7, Aroma 10, Catch 11, Scold 12, Spear 13, Apply 14, Felon 15, Fully 16, Tight 25, Ideal 27, Awake 28, Outer 30, Event 31, Drag 32, Firm.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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