I stand by my letter to Jonathan — OBJ

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62042

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Advertising guru, Sesan EFCC quizzes Speaker, 10 Ogunro murdered in Lagos principal officers of Kano State Assembly 9 15

I stand by my letter to Jonathan — OBJ •Jonathan’s response, shallow – NEF, CNPP •President responded well – Afenifere, IYM, others •They should refrain from evil things – Sagay • Obasanjo jealous of Jonathan –Ezeife

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

BY SONI DANIEL, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, OKEY NDIRIBE, DAPO AKINREFON, PETER DURU,BASHIR ADEFAKA & DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BUJA—FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, declined to respond to President Goodluck Jonathan’s reply to his December 2 let-

Continues on page 6

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

•P.38

Mr & Mrs

XMAS—Christmas shopping at the popular Idumota Market (top left) and Oshodi (below left) in Lagos, yesterday. Right: Hampers and chicken on display at the Abubakar Gumi Central Market, Kaduna. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye /NAN.

APO KILLINGS: Army accepts responsibility 10 C M Y K

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6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

POCKET CARTOON

XMAS—Last minute christmas shopping at Mafoluku-Oshodi Market in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

I stand by my letter to Jonathan — Obasanjo Continues from page 1 ter, saying that he stands by the contents of his missive.

Obasanjo who spoke to newsmen at his hilltop

mansion in Abeokuta through his media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye, said he would not reply the letter because he has chosen to maintain his

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend all the care, kindness and understanding you can, with no thought of reward, and your life will never be the same.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself — George Bernard Shaw

S

OME pearls of wisdom to boost your day: Some times it’s just much, much smarter to ask for help and call in an expert. Some jobs are too complex, others are too time consuming, and yet others are simply too unpleasant to take on yourself. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes it just means you’re smart enough to know when you’re in over your head.

Know this too, you’re not helpless, so it’s time to stand tall and do something for yourself. You’re not as weak or fragile as you think. If you believe (or pretend) that you are, you’re doing yourself and the world a disservice. No one is going to babysit you all the way from here to significance. You have the capacity to stand on your own.

If you performed unspectacularly at something in the past, don’t try to make it sound better than it was. Some of the best lessons we will ever learn come from our past mistakes. But in order to learn from our mistakes, we have to first admit to them.

Besides the educational benefit of mistakes, there is something therapeutic about looking your most incredible blunders straight in the eye – and then shaking them off. It’s a feeling of great accomplishment. It’s also a quality that others will notice about you and learn from; you earned their respect a great deal too.

serenity.

President Jonathan in a 14-page response to Obasanjo’s 18-page letter, said he only had time to respond to the most serious of the charges which question his sincerity, personal honour and commitment to his oath of office. He said Obasanjo did him grave injustice by accusing him of “deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity,” among others and challenged Obasanjo to substantiate the allegations.

However, Obasanjo indicated that he is not ready for the president's challenge yesterday.

Chief Obasanjo, in the statement read by Oladunjoye, acknowledged receiving President Jonathan’s response, followed by several requests from local and international media for his reaction.

“Baba, as he already indicated in his December 2, 2013 (letter), does not wish to make further comments beyond the contents of his last letter to Mr. President or react to the said letter/response from Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,” the statement said.

It quoted from page 14 of Obasanjo’s original letter to buttress that po-

sition: “I will maintain my serenity, because by this letter I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the party, PDP, and to our country, Nigeria.”

He continued: “Two, let me reiterate here that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, has tremendous respect for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Finally, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo sincerely appreciates all of you, my cherished colleagues; gentlemen and women of the media profession, who have been very upright, ethical and robust on the subject matter”.

Obasanjo’s comments came on a day mixed reactions trailed Jonathan’s response to the former president’s letter. While some hailed Jonathan’s response, others said it was shallow and disappointing.

Jonathan’s response pedestrian — NEF Reacting to the letter, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, expressed disappointment with Jonathan’s response to the issues raised by the former President.

The NEF said Jonathan adopted what it

called ‘pedestrian approach’ in addressing the core issues raised by Obasanjo and ended up creating more tension in Nigeria than what his predecessor’s letter had generated.

“We feel highly disappointed by the tone and contents of Mr. President’s response to Obasanjo’s letter,” Secretary-General of the NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, told Vanguard in an interview.

According to the former ABU vice-chancellor, Jonathan missed the point by not taking time to explain to Nigerians whether he had fulfilled the electoral promises he made to the nation and whether in his view, he had made the country better than he met it on assumption of duty.

Abdullahi noted that despite the shortcomings of Obasanjo as a former president of Nigeria, Jonathan should sum up courage as the current leader to address the germane issues raised in the letter so that the country could move forward.

He noted that since the nation was passing through a turbulent period in its political history, it was incumbent on Jonathan to take appropriate steps to arrest the drift rather than pretend that all was well with the polity and the citizenry.

The NEF scribe said that it would have been better for Jonathan to keep quiet over the Obasanjo letter than offer a lame reply, which in the main, shies away from the bone of contention.

He said: “By the response of Jonathan to Obasanjo’s letter, it seems clear to us that the President does not agree that his administration has failed to provide answers to the myriad of challenges facing the nation and its people. By the response given by

Jonathan to Obasanjo’s letter, the impression seems to be that Jonathan lacks a clear understanding of the major problems facing the country and does not seem to appreciate the innocuous admonition given him by Obasanjo in his letter.

“Our simple and innocuous advice to Mr. President is to use the remaining part of his tenure to find answers to the raging problems facing Nigeria and desist from acting as if all is well with the nation. If Mr. President does not know or the people around him have shielded him from knowing, the truth remains that Nigeria is drifting and its citizens in dire need of a leadership that can take them to the next level.”

Obasanjo doesn’t want Jonathan to surpass his record –Ezeife Former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife said: “President Jonathan’s reply to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter was okay, but I believe he shouldn’t have even bothered himself to reply. One of our problems in this country is that we have very short memories. Otherwise, have we forgotten the days of impunity so soon? Obasanjo believed in riding roughshod over everybody and institutions.

“Those who know Obasanjo very well would tell you that his major reason for opposing President Jonathan’s possible second term bid is to prevent the President from serving a longer period in office than Obasanjo himself.

This is because, if Jonathan should win another term in office and Continues on page 42

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8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Gunmen kidnap Lebanese bizman in Kano

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO —THE Kano State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the abduction of a Lebanese, Mr Hassan Zein, at the Sharada Industrial Area of Kano metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the abduction in Kano.

He said Zein, the Managing Director of M.C Plastic company, was seized in the early hours of yesterday from the company’s premises.

“Unidentified gunmen stormed the area between 7:30 am and 8:00 am and abducted the man in the company’s premises,” he said.

He added that the command had since mobilised personnel and alerted its patrol teams and check points to track down the kidnappers.

Majiya said the command had also commenced special operation within Kano metropolis and environs since the incident occurred.

I was released after N30m ransom —GUO Motors boss

BY OKONKWO EZE

“He was on the run for about two years before he was eventually arrested by men of vigilante group and he was limping when he was arrested.

“The kidnappers were carried away by the large sum of money I promised to give them as ransom and therefore did not bother to cover their faces anymore.

“I was reading Psalms 23 and 121 and the words in those verses kept encouraging me and raising my hopes of survival.”

O

NITSHA — THE Chair man of G.U.O. Motors Limited, Chief G. U. Okeke, yesterday, said he ate lunch with his kidnappers at their den before he was released on the payment of over N30 million ransom.

He was testifying before an Onitsha High Court presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo, in conclusion of his cross-examination by counsel to Alexander Onyinanya, the third defendant.

According to him, “in spite of distress and trauma I was going through, I relaxed and stayed with the kidnappers, reading my Bible.

“Although I was bleeding profusely and in serious pains due to machete cut, gun shot, human bite and beating by my the kidnappers, I was courageous enough to discuss with them and to control them for the period I was with them.

"I was still bleeding as the kidnappers held me hostage and only one of them covered his face as I stayed with them.

“I was able to identify the third accused person even though he covered his face because be served in my house in the village for about one year before I was kidnapped.

"The third defendant was living a flamboyant life and was wandering around in Adazi-Ani, my home town before he was

Why kidnapping thrives in S-East

G. U. Okeke at the court premises, yesterday eventually arrested after being in hiding for about two years.

“Alexander Onyinanya, the third defendant, was not doing any job in Adazi-Ani and did not go to his home town Ufuma after the kidnap incident but was staying in AdaziAni without any job and without living in any known place.

According to him, kidnapping is thriving in the South-East geo-political zone because most of the kidnapped victims are usually afraid to report their suspected kidnappers to the police and follow the case up to the law courts.

He said the numerous threats he had so far received from his kidnappers and their god-fathers were enough to scare him from following the matter up to the level it is now.

Yet he had to muster the

courage to go ahead and prosecute them to the letter as he is already doing in the law court, even at the risk of his life, as a part of efforts to fight the ugly trend to a stand still.

On how he identified the third defendant as one of his kidnappers, the prosecution counsel, Chris Ajugwe, who appeared with Mrs. Margaret Wilcox, raised an objection to the question on the ground that most of the questions already asked Okeke, by the defence counsel are being repeated, thereby putting him into confusion since he had already answered them in the past cross-examinations.

Ruling on Ajugwe’s objection, Justice Nwankwo agreed with the prosecution counsel.

The judge, therefore, directed the third defence counsel to ask fresh questions that would be relevant to the matter.

The presiding judge, Justice Nwankwo adjourned the matter to February 6, 7 and 27; March 3, 20, 24 and 25; April 1 and 3, 2014 for cross-examinations by the prosecution counsel.

Stray bullets kill two women in Kwara

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN — STRAY bullets alleg edly fired by men of Kwara State police command killed two women around Oja-Oba area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the victims were at their duty point at Oja Oba central mosque, clearing refuse when they were suddenly hit by police stray bullets.

They reportedly died on the spot.

Vanguard, however, learnt that a team of Police officers in a patrol van belonging to Kwara State command on patrol around Ilorin central was chasing some car dealers at Oja-Oba, around Emir of Ilorin’s palace .

In a desperate attempt to nab the fleeing cars dealer, the police patrol team reportedly fired gun shots which unfortunately killed the two cleaners.

Contacted, the Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Femi Fabode said though he was aware of the shooting around OjaOba area, he did not have the details at press time.

He promised to give details of the shooting incident as soon as

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possible.

Meanwhile, following last week's bank robbery in Offa, fear of insecurity has gripped the commercial banks in Offa and Ilorin as they now close at noon.

Banks around Taiwo Road, Unity Road and Challenge area which are commercial nerve centres of the state capital were already closed for businesses when Vanguard checked yesterday afternoon.

Though notices found at their gates cite the coming Christmas celebration as reasons, but inside sources claimed fear of possible attack by armed robbers.

Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, yesterday, the Commissioner of Police in the state Mr Agboola Oshodi Glover confirmed that seven police officers and three civilians(bank officials) were killed by the rampaging robbers in Offa, last Thursday.

He sympathised with the families of the deceased and assured the people of Offa and Kwara State in general that ”the police in Kwara State will not rest on their oars until this gang of robbers is brought to book.”

People removing crates and bottles that fell off a moving articulated vehicle on Zuba bridge in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Driver charged with woman’s death, reckless driving

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AGOS — A driver, Wahab Idiagbon, who allegedly killed a housewife through reckless driving, was yesterday brought before an Apapa Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The 32-year-old driver, who lives in Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a two-count offence of manslaughter and dangerous driving.

The accused, however, denied the charges.

But the prosecutor, ASP Soji Ojaokomo, insisted that the accused committed the offences on January18 at 9.40 p.m. on Ojukwu Street, Apapa.

According to him, the accused hit one Mrs Florence Williams with his car who was later confirmed dead.

Ojaokomo also alleged that Idiagbon drove an SUV with number plate FP 804 EKY recklessly without respect for other road users.

The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 19 (1) and 20 of the Road Traffic Act, Laws of Lagos State.

The Chief Magistrate, Oluyemisi Adelaja, admitted the accused to a bail of N200,000 in addition to one surety in like sum.

She said the surety should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to January15 for mention.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013— 9

Advertising guru, Sesan Ogunro, murdered in Lagos

BY LEKE ADESERI, South-West Editor

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AGOS — MARKETING com munications guru, Mr. Sesan Ogunro, has been shot dead.

Ogunro,Managing Director, Eminent Communications, was shot Sunday night at Alausa Central Business District, Lagos, by unknown gunmen in the presence of his wife and children.

According to reports, Ogunro was returning from a special Christmas service programme which he chaired when the gunmen stopped his car and demanded for the keys.

Though he didn’t resist their order, yet one of the assailants shot him. He died few minutes later before help could come. He was in his late 50s.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a friend of the deceased, confirmed the death, saying: “It is true, so sad.”

Contacted, the Divisional Police Office at Alausa, Ajao Adewale, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed that a man was shot at 10.20 p.m., Sunday, at Alausa.

He added that his vehicle was snatched by his attackers.

“We don’t know him but we have commenced investigations into the attack,” he added.

The atmosphere at his home on

The late Sesan Ogunro Atinuke Ologunde Crescent, Ogudu GRA, Lagos was filled with gloom as sympathizers trickled in to condole with his widow None of them nor family members was willing to speak on the tragedy.

The Ekiti State-born Ogunro was one of the pioneers of advertising practice in Nigeria.

Fayemi mourns

Meantime, Governor Kayode Fayemi of the Ekiti State has expressed shock at the killing of Ogunro

who is also the Chairman of the Board of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State.

Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said Ogunro’s murder had broken the hearts of the people of the state whom he served diligently in his lifetime.

The governor said Ogunro was a thoroughbred Ekiti son, a professional who identified with his people wherever he found himself.

He urged all relevant security agencies to work hard and ensure that the killers of the BSES boss are brought to justice within the shortest possible time.

The governor, who has since paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Oguro in Lagos, yesterday, said those who cut down the Ekiti shining star must not be allowed to get away with the crime.

He said Ogunro had contributed immensely to the development of Ekiti State in the area of economic empowerment of Ekiti indigenes and through useful advice that assisted in taking the state to greater

heights.

Fayemi wondered why a harmless person like Ogunro could be killed in cold blood, saying his administration would do everything possible to assist security agencies in bringing his killers to book.

He said: “We are appalled and shocked by this gruesome murder of an Ekiti shining light who was a role model to the young generation.

“He believed in hard work and rose to the pinnacle of advertising and marketing communications.

“His sterling qualities inspired our administration to appoint him as the chairman of the state broadcasting service and turned around the fortunes of the corporation within the short time he held office.

“This is a monumental loss for the government and people of Ekiti State and we urge security agencies to do everything humanly possible to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.”

One feared dead as Bayelsa dep-gov’s boat convoy crashes

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA — A soldier on the security team of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) was Sunday feared dead in a boat crash along the mangrove in the Ogbia-Nembe waterways.

While the ex-soldier reportedly died on the spot, two others sustained serious injuries.

The boat driver was said to have lost control of the watercraft, veered off the water and crashed into the mangroves at about 8 am.

Though a source said nobody died from the incident, one of the soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, was said to have sustained serious injuries.

“The boat ran into the mangrove forest. About three of the soldiers were injured but the injuries of one of them was serious,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.

It was learnt that the deputy governor was on his way to Nembe for a private visit when the accident occurred.

Contacted, Senior Special Assistant to the deputy governor on Media, Mr. Ebi Evinson, could not be reached C M Y K

but the Media Coordinator, JTF, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the accident but said the soldiers were not attached to the deputy governor.

He insisted that nobody died

from the accident.

He, however, said the injured victims had been treated in a clinic and discharged.

“No soldier is attached to the convoy of the deputy gover-

nor. The soldiers were only behind the convoy when the boat veered off the water and ran into the mangroves. Only two soldiers sustained minor injuries. Nobody died”, he said.

Gunmen attack APC chieftain in Abeokuta

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Chief Kushimo Lukmon, was yesterday, attacked by unknown gunmen who broke into his house at Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The chieftain was reportedly escaped death following prompt intervention of men of Vigilance Service of Ogun State.

Speaking on hospital bed, Lukmon said a gang of six men invaded his residence at 5,Famuyiwa close, Surulere, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, around 1:am and threatened to kill him if he did not drop his ambition for Ogun State House of Assembly.

Chief Kushimo Lukmon He said he was hit on the head and arm with a sharp objects which made him lost consciousness before he was rushed to the hospital.

Narrating his ordeal, the

victim said the assailants were wearing masks and came with dangerous weapons such as guns, rods, acid and matches.

“They did not steal anything but almost raped my wife and threatened to kidnap my children before they were chased away by men of vigilante.

“I was also warned not to contest for Ogun State House of Assembly from Abeokuta South constituency II in 2015. They said what I saw is a tip of an ice bag.

“My life is in danger and because I could recall that I escaped a gun shot last week from unknown gunmen”, he said.

When asked whether if he had reported the case to a police station, the victim said men of vigilante have done that.

Attempt to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi was unsuccessful as he could not be reached.

Woman in court over attempt to murder baby

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AGOS — A 33-year-old woman, Peace Mbah, yesterday appeared before an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over alleged attempt to murder a two-week-old baby.

The prosecutor, Soji Ojaokomo, told the court that Mbah, who resides at 8, Tony Offordile St., Satelite Town, Lagos, committed the offence on December 1 at her residence.

Ojakomo said the accused threw the baby down from a bed and caused him an injury on his left hand.

He said that the accused maliciously threw the baby down because he belonged to her husband’s girlfriend.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 171 and 228 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.

9 die in Gombe auto crash

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OMBE — THE Fed eral Road Safety Commission, FRSC, yesterday, confirmed that nine persons died while four sustained injuries in two separate car accidents in Gombe State.

The Sector Commander in Gombe state, Mr Kuteb Galadima, told newsmen in Gombe that the accidents occurred on Dec. 22 and early hours of yesterday.

He said the first accident on Dec. 22 involved a Toyota Starlet and Water tanker at 7.00 p.m. on Gombe bye-pass.

He said the starlet stopped at a police check point when a water tanker lost control and crushed it, killing all the four passengers in the car and a police man checking the vehicle.

Galadima said the second accident occurred in Shongo Idrissa area of Gombe on Gombe-Bauchi road on Monday and involved a Toyota corolla and Peugeot cars.

He said the other accident was caused by wrong over taking which led to the death of four of nine passengers on board the two cars.

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10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

FG probes banks over ex-PHCN workers' benefits

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA— THE Federal Government has ordered that some banking institutions handling the payments of benefits to the last batch of disengaged Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, workers be investigated over their alleged culpability in delaying processing of the payments.

The government, which described the development as embarrassing, recalled that a payment instruction given on December 10 to a particular commercial bank had not been transferred to the account of the AccountantGeneration of the Federation, 13 days after.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who said this while speaking during a meeting with the Minister of Labour, new owners of PHCN successor companies and other power sector stakeholders, said the situation was intolerable.

He added that the delay in paying monies already released by government, which was causing frustration among the workers, was meant to embarrass the Federal Government.

The Power Minister said the meeting was called to resolve issues of labour relations between the new owners and the workers, to prevent disharmony that could hinder speedy delivery of power to Nigerians, as envisioned

by President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

He stressed the need for the new owners to have in place a good human resource department that will regularly engage labour, rather than discouraging union activities.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu drew the attention of the new headship of the generation and distribution companies to the need to comply with the provisions of Nigeria’s labour laws and International Labour Organisation 1949 Convention, both supporting the existence and operation of workers’ unions.

ROADMAP REVIEW: From left— Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. John Jegede; Minister, Mr. Musa Sada and Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Isa Hassan, at a briefing on review of the Ministry's roadmap in Abuja, yesterday.

Army accepts responsibility for Apo Killings z‘It was self-defence’

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA— THREE months after gunmen besieged an uncompleted building at Apo district of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and killed eight squatters on allegation that they were members of the Boko Haram sect, the Nigerian Army, yesterday, claimed responsibility.

Testifying before an

investigative panel set up by the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, yesterday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said the soldiers acted in self-defence after they were shot at.

Ihejrika, who was represented at the hearing by the Commander, Brigade of Guards Nigeria Army, Major-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, said the incident, which occurred on September 20, was an isolated

case, saying the Army had acted with a view to averting mayhem in Abuja.

He said the Apo incident was part of ongoing military operation to rid the FCT of Boko Haram elements.

He said the Military acted on a report from the Department of State Services, DSS, which indicated plots by members of the sect to launch attacks in Abuja.

He said: “Between September 18 and 19, two persons were

Curfew in Benue, as Fulani, goat sellers' clash claims 10

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI— THE Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman, Dr. Innocent Onuh, yesterday imposed a dusk to dawn curfew on Otukpo town, as no fewer than 15 persons were feared dead in clashes between Fulani herdsmen and goat sellers in Guma and Otukpo local government areas.

Vanguard gathered from a reliable source that the Otukpo council chairman was forced to impose the movement restrictions in the town following an escalation of the crisis that erupted when some Hausa goat sellers flouted the directive of the council to desist from trading at the town’s central mosque.

The source said: “Their arrest sparked angry

reaction from Muslim youths in the area, who felt that their kins were being unduly harassed.

“They resorted to making bonfires directly on the highway, which led to heavy traffic jam on either side of the road that links the north and eastern part of the country.

“After failing to convince the youths to leave the road, Police resorted to shooting into the air to scare them away, which led to a stampede and the death of one Zakari and the injury of eight others.

“Despite spirited efforts to check the crisis, it continued into the night and early hours of Monday (yesterday) leaving four more persons dead and property destroyed.”

When contacted, Onuh confirmed the decision of the council to impose curfew on the ancient town, adding that “security personnel have

moved in to restore peace in the affected areas.”

Meantime, at least 10 people may have been killed while many houses have also been burnt down by rampaging Fulani herdsmen at Nzorov and Gbajimba in Guma local government area of the state.

Sources in the communities disclosed that the strike on the communities was a reprisal attack by the herdsmen, who decided to avenge an earlier attack on them by yet to be identified youths of the area.

The source said: “As I speak with you, about 10 persons may have been killed by rampaging herdsmen who have also set several houses ablaze in the communities and are also heading towards the centre of the council headquarters.

“We learnt that the herdsmen vowed they would not allow us celebrate Christmas in our homes.”

arrested in Abuja and they made useful confessions that there were arms hidden at Apo Cemetery to be used in a planned attack.”

He said the military went to the cemetery to uncover the weapons, but that the suspects could not locate the spot as it was night.

The suspect then told the team that their leaders, one Suleiman, could tell were the arms were and that he lived at the Apo uncompleted building.

He said: “It was on that premise that the team cautiously moved to the uncompleted building to arrest Suleiman.

“As troops were deploying to cordon the building, the fire came; first it was a single shot, then rapid fire followed. The troops returned fire in selfdefence.”

The Army, yesterday, insisted before the investigative panel, presided over by the Chairman of NHRC, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, that the DSS got cogent information on a planned attack, saying the September 20 raid on the uncompleted building was necessary to avert the plan.

Ihejirika said: “The military operating in FCT are well trained in handling arms and have exercised restraint in the discharge of their duties.

“Apo is an isolated case and very unfortunate. The security agents acted pro-actively to prevent collateral damage that may have taken place in Abuja if the planned attack had taken place.”

The Army further decried that Suleiman was still at large and that the said cache of arms at the Apo cemetery was still undiscovered.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—11

Ogun Assembly passes N210.2bn 2014 budget O

From left, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East senatorial district; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Tony Adefuye, Otunba Busura Alebiosu, APC chieftain, and Dr. Leke Pitan, during the 2,400 days in of office of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos State governor, at Lagos State East senatorial district, Shomolu Local Government, Shomolu, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

GUN STATE House of Assembly, yesterday, passed the 2014 Appropriation Law with the sum of N210.2billion as the total budget of the state for next year.

This is a marginal increase of N81million from the proposed budget of N210.21billion contained in the 2014 appropriation presented to the House by Governor Ibikunle Amosun on November 19.

Passing the budget, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, who directed that a clean copy of the bill be sent to Amosun for his assent, said the passage of the budget was a Christmas gift for the people

of the state and pledged more rewarding service in advancing the development of the state.

Ihejirika stresses need to intensify security

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HE CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O. A. Ihejirika has stressed the need to intensify community policing, public enlightenment, dialoguing, intelligence gathering and database collection in order to effectively tackle the security challenges in the country.

The army boss, who was represented by Major Gen. Obi Abel Umahi, General Officer, Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army at this year's Administrators' Dinner of Chartered Institute of Administration, CIA, said this in a lecture, entitled, 'Security Challenges in Nigeria: The Way Forward, Using Administrative Tools.'

Major Gen. Umahi identified some of the security challenges confronting the nation to include kidnapping, proliferation of small arms, cyber crime, pipeline vandalisation, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorism.

He argued that everyone both in the private and public sectors should be involved in securing the nation.

In his own speech at the dinner, the President/Chairman of Council of the Institute, Goddy Idaminabo, FCIA, noted that administration is the mother of all disciplines.

Gulf Bank: Briton, four others docked over N15.1bn fraud

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS— A BRITON, Gareth Mervyn Wilcox, and four others were, yesterday, arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N15.1 billion fraud at the defunct Gulf Bank Plc. The accused persons who pleaded not guilty to the 21count charge preferred against them by the Federal Government were said to have “converted/appropriated” the sum in the name of loans and overdraft facilities to various companies without appropriate accounting records.

Part of the money was said to have been used to finance a non-existing refinery.

The other accused persons are Prince Johnson Adekunle Adeyeba; a firm, Ibom Power Company; LYK Engineering Company Limited and Uche Uwechia.

They allegedly “converted/ appropriated” a total of $55.3 million and over N3.7 billion belonging to the bank.

Adeyeba is said to be the former director and majority shareholder of Gulf Bank and Ibom Power Company, while Wilcox was the Managing Director of Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering.

Uwechia is said to be a former Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at Gulf Bank and allegedly aided Adeyeba in the perpetration of the alleged fraud.

The charge was signed on

behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (complainant) by a Chief Superintendent of Police with the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Effiong Asuquo.

The prosecution said Adeyeba and Wilcox, with other staff members of the defunct Gulf Bank, Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering, who are at large, on April 1, 2001, in Lagos, with intent to defraud, converted/appropriated N450 million, property of Gulf Bank, to the use of Ibom Power Company as a loan facility without appropriate and due accounting documentation in the bank’s records.

They were alleged to have converted $20million from the bank on December 24, 2002 and $9.2 million between 2001 and 2002 in the name of loan

to Ibom Power Company without any documentation.

The accused persons also allegedly converted N150 million on August 8, 2003 from the bank for the use of Ibom Power Company as an overdraft facility, without following due process.

The prosecution said they converted N10 million on April 25, 2001 as “bridging loan facility” to the company without proper documentation.

In the sixth count, the prosecution alleged the six accused persons converted/appropriated N1.45 billion for the use of LYK Engineering as a bridging loan facility, but fraudulently declared the said amount as a N10 million facility in the bank’s records.

Charting of Lekki Deep Seaport begins — NPA

BY GODWIN ORITSE with agency report

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AGOS — THE Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, last weekend, said the UK Hydrographic Office had commenced the process of charting the Lekki Deep Seaport Area.

The NPA Assistant General Manager, Hydro and Dredging, Mr. Olumide Omotoso, made this known in Lagos.

Omotosho said that NPA had sent details of the Lekki Deep Seaport to the UK Hydrographic Office for the information to be reflected on the world chart for sea-going vessels.

“The first thing is for the seaport to appear in a chart so that when navigators see the

location and position, they can begin to ask questions about it," he said.

He said that the UK Hydrographic Office was handling the charting of the seaport because it was the charting authority over the West Coast waters in Nigeria

and West Africa.

“The process of charting the port area is going on in the UK Hydrographic Office because we have sent the necessary details to them to be put on the world chart.

“With the work in progress, the port is likely to take off

operations in 2014," Omotoso said.

He said that on completion of the seaport and commencement of its operations, vessels would be saved the problem of delays, while more economic activities would be attracted.

PAC puts members on security alert during yuletide

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AGOS — THE Police Assistance Committee, PAC, has put all its members on security alert nationwide, for the yuletide season, urging them to be vigilant by monitoring security situations in their environment and reporting suspicious movements to the Police and other security agencies.

In a statement in Lagos, Director-General of PAC, Dr.

Martins Oni enjoined all executive members comprising of chairmen, secretaries and public relations officers of trade associations and artisans, as well as zonal and unit coordinators across the country to mobilise their members at the grassroots to gather intelligence which they can pass on to security agencies to prevent and combat crimes

during the festivities.

Oni urged members to effectively coordinate and properly mobilise to ensure assistance for the Police and other security agencies with useful information that could help in curbing criminality.

He also appealed to security agencies to give their members easy, direct access to them for quick information sharing.

The PAC boss commended the various units of the Nigeria Police Force as well as other security agencies on the good work done recent times to confront various security challenges plaguing our country, urging them to also be extra vigilant during this end-of-year celebration to ensure that security of the country is not compromised in any way.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Christmas: Prices of food items rise in Ogun

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BEOKUTA — FEW days to the Christmas and New Year festivals, prices of food items have risen in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital.

A survey conducted in Abeokuta, on Monday, revealed that a bag of rice now sells for between N9,500 and N10,000 as against N9,000 and N9,500 some months ago.

Mrs. Olayiwola Johnson, a food stuff seller at Lafenwa market, told NAN that a big bag of garri now sells for N8, 500 as against N8,000 some months ago.

Johnson noted that the increase was due to the hike in transport fare usually witnessed during every festive period.

She, however, noted that the price of a 25-litre keg of palm oil remained stable at N6,000 while a 25-litre keg of vegetable oil sold for N6,500 as against N6,100 some months ago.

Ekiti PDP guber candidate to emerge from primaries

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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DO EKITI — THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has assured that its gubernatorial candidate for 2014 governorship election will emerge through free and fair primaries The party therefore disowned those aspirants claiming they were anointed candidates.

Rising from a meeting of the party leaders from the Central Senatorial District of the state at Iyin Ekiti, yesterday, the PDP leaders assured both the aspirants and the teeming

supporters that all the gubernatorial aspirants will be subjected to primaries where the candidate of the party will emerge.

Former Commissioner in the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Femi Balogun, who was the chairman at the meeting, urged party leaders in the senatorial districts to eschew sentiments and work towards presenting a credible candidate for the party.

Also speaking, the National Patron of the PDP National Youth Vanguard, Ambassador Gbenga Olofin said party members should bear it in

O R M E R PRESIDENT, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has hailed the developmental strides of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun government in Ogun State, saying things are getting better in the state.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the 2013 Ogun State Christmas Carol, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, weekend, said the massive road projects and construction of ultra-modern model schools have brought landmark improvements to all local government areas of the state.

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — TWENTY-FOUR hours to Christmas, Customsmen from Oyo/Osun Area Command have seized poultry products worth over N103 million.

The banned items, according to the Area Controller, Mr. Richard Oteri, were being smuggled into the country through Orile-Ilugun in He noted that the Oyo State when his men development is intercepted the truck.

The products were, breathtaking and a step in however, taken to the the right direction.

“Things are getting better outskirts of Ibadan where everyday, getting better acid was poured on them everytime in Ogun. When and buried.

I was talking of roads in Speaking during the Abeokuta, they said I destruction of the haven’t been to Ijebu-Ode contraband, Oteri said his and Sagamu.

"On getting to Ijebu-Ode, men would intensify efforts I even saw if not better to check the smugglers. He bridges than that of hinted on the achievements Abeokuta being of his command, saying constructed. What about they had generated about the ones in Ilara, what of N13,850, 539, 942.

Ayetoro?

He added that part of the “If we have good infrastructure, business will thrive, economy will increase and that is what

Ekiti Assembly independent, says Speaker

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DO-EKITI — THE Ekiti House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive arm of government, Speaker Adewale Omirin has said.

Omirin, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, said that the 26 legislators in the Assembly had been playing their constitutional role of checking the executive.

He described as “idle” and “mischievous," insinuations that the lawmakers had become "tools in the hands of the executive."

Omirin said the fact that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, had 24 out of the 26 seats in the House had not

has described the visit made to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo by leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as further demonstration of the party’s shameless hypocrisy and desperation for power.

He said: “By going to woo former President Obasanjo, a man they had called several unprintable names to come and join their party, the APC people have further demonstrated that they lack any clear cut ideology and are only interested in taking over governance in Nigeria for their selfish gains.”

Oyo Customs destroys N103m poultry products

Obasanjo lauds Amosun's development efforts

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mind that the party's flag-bearer in the 2014 election will emerge through primary election.

Olofin, who said no aspirant had been anointed as the candidate, added that, "Our leaders at the national level are not going to impose anyone on us. We are the ones that will choose our governorship candidate and we must make sure that we choose a candidate that no one can rubbish in terms of credibility."

In a related development, Afenifere chieftain and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye

undermined its independence.

He said unknown to many, the House had been working within the limits of the powers vested in it by the nation's constitution.

Omirin maintained that the role expected of the legislative arm of government was to make laws for the good governance of the state, adding that "the Ekiti Assembly had been doing just that.

“I can assure every well meaning and right-thinking Ekiti person that this Assembly is no rubber stamp of the executive arm of the government as being rumoured."

Osun APC charges Christians at Christmas

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SOGBO — THE All Progressives Party, APC, in Osun State has urged Christians in the state to use the occasion of this year's Christmas to pray for peace and harmony in the state, just as it enjoined adherents of all faiths in the state to live together in peace.

The interim chairman of the party in the state, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, through the party's Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, in Osogbo, yesterday, stressed the need for Christians to allow the significance of Christmas to have effects in their lives.

money was realised from excise duties.

He said: “In the campaign against anti smuggling activities, we have done remarkably well.

We have made 252 seizures so far. 7,789 bags of rice amounting to N 82m and used tyres numbering

586 were seized.

Warning smugglers to desist from the illegal acts, he said some of the challenges facing the command was the attitude of people to smuggling, noting that people see smuggling as a legal business and the command

was trying to change this erroneous impression.

The command, he noted was well-equipped to check the modern day terrorism, adding that the command had wonderful synergy with other sister security agencies.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—13

Edo govt sacks 836 teachers

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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His words: “I don’t have a steady job. My wife is the one taking care of the home. She is not up to three years in service and less than 35 years old. The governor should give the young ones a second chance. They should regularise their ages.”

Commissioner for Basic Education, Mr. Patrick Aguinede, who confirmed the sack, said those affected were certified by the ICT after the screening

He said those who have over-stayed in service gave a scenario that the state government could not recruit new teachers.

According to him, “the teachers were found to have served beyond 35 years.

Some were physically blind, some manipulated their results and age which later showed they finished school before they were born.”

State secretary of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Akin Adeojo, said the union became aware of the sack through rumours, but added that the affected teachers had not been issued sack letters.

He said the NUT would scrutinise the letters before taking a decision, adding that it would make a case for anybody found to have been victimised.

ENIN—NO fewer than 836 teachers have been sacked by Edo State Government, sequel to the outcome of the verification exercise carried out by the state's Department of Information and Communication Technology Vanguard gathered that the affected teachers learnt of their sack when they discovered that their names were missing from the December salary voucher.

It was learnt that some of those sacked were allegedly found to have either overstayed, mentally unstable, physically blind or have falsified their ages and credentials.

A man who gave his name simply as Osahon, said his wife was affected just as it was further gathered that over 96 of those sacked were alleged to be from a particular local government in Edo North.

Osahon, however, appealed to the state government to reconsider its stand on the sacked teachers, especially SWEARING-IN: Cross-section of some of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries takthose who are still young in ing their oath of office during the swearing-in of 25 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Delta State Civil Service by the governor, in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini. service.

Delta monarch calls for creation of Urhobo state

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—THE Awhotu of Okere-Urhobo, Chief Emmanuel Okumagba, has called for the creation of an Urhobo state, insisting that it was long overdue.

Okumagba, who made the call at UPU Hall, UvwiamugeAghabrho, during the 2nd inauguration/swearing-in ceremony of Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group, UMDG, said the Urhobo, being the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, deserved a state of their own.

He said: “I want the creation of a new Delta State to embrace the 24 Urhobo kingdoms and those who care to join us.”

He said that the call for the creation for Urhobo state became imperative because the Urhobo were the fifth largest Ethnic group in Nigeria and had population more than many states could boast of.

He noted that the Urhobo nation played host to Delta State University, Abraka; Western Delta University and the Federal University of Petroleum University in Delta State, stressing they were enough for the Urhobo to have their own state.

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Chief Okumagba was quick to state that his people were a microscopic minority in Delta South senatorial district, alleging that the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko had swallowed the Okere-Urhobo of Warri in the political equation. ”The various ethnic groups must learn to live together. If we don’t want to live together, we can part ways and ask for whatever

we want for ourselves. ”The Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko have always swallowed us and I cannot go the House of Representatives. Who is more marginalised than the Urhobo of Warri?" he added.

In his address, Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria, National President, UMDG, said his administration would vig-

orously pursue the Urhobo cause and preach peace across board to ensure unity in Urhoboland.

He stressed that UMDG would secure the economic and political development of Urhoboland through the engagement of government and relevant agencies operating in the area.

Navy destroyed 1,556 illegal oil refineries, nabbed 1,646 suspects in 2013 —CNS

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BUJA—CHIEF of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba, yesterday said the Nigerian Navy destroyed 1,556 illegal oil refineries and arrested 1,646 suspects in 2013.

Ezeoba disclosed this at the launch of the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Guidance, SG, 02 in Abuja, yesterday.

He said: ’’The Nigerian Navy destroyed 1,556 illegal oil refineries, 103 barges, 69,606 auxiliary equipment and 1,443 large wooden boats. ’’Between October 2012 and September 2013, more than 1,646 suspects were arrested and handed over to either the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for trial.”

He said the incidence of pira-

cy had been reduced considerably.

“For instance, between January and September 2013, the Nigerian Navy received 91 alerts of suspected sea robbery and piracy within Nigeria's maritime space,” he added.

According to Ezeoba, the Nigerian Navy responded to 64 cases of sea robbery and is currently investigating 22 of the remaining cases.

The chief of naval staff also said the two hijacked vessels, MV Crow and MT Norte, with 17,000 metric tonnes of gasoline, were successfully rescued by the Navy.

“Currently, two offshore patrol vessels are under construction, one to be fully built

in China and the other to be completed in the Naval Shipyard Limited, Port Harcourt,” he added.

Ezeoba also said the Navy had acquired a U.S. Coast Guard Ship, USCGC Gallatin which is expected to sail into the country by the second quarter of 2014.

“Following the achievement of the aforementioned milestone, which was the essence of my SG 01, it has now become necessary to issue my SG 02,” he said.

Accordingly, the Chief of Naval Staff, SG 02 was duly promulgated on Nov. 1, 2013, to ensure that the directives contained therein are carried out.

Orodje flays deployment of police as private guards

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—HIS Royal Majesty, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe, has decried the number of police officers attached to top government officials, politicians, monarchs and religious leaders, insisting that employment of one million policemen will not be sufficient to police the country, if the trend was not checked.

The monarch stated this in Warri, Delta State, during a security meeting with the state governor at Government House Annexe, Edjeba.

The Orodje called for the use of private security to handle personal escort in order for the police to face the duty of providing security for the country.

He said: ”If you look at the number of policemen attached to government officials, judges, politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and others, you will know that the police are under staffed to handle their responsibilities. ”If you go to some police stations, you will find that the arms provided for them to secure the country have been taken to protect individuals. To me, private security should be made to handle these escort duties."

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Amaechi chides Jonathan over rule of law

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— G O V E R N O R Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has chided President Goodluck Jonathan over absence of rule of law and high level of corruption in the country.

Speaking, yesterday, at the inauguration of a 37man interim executive council for the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, the governor said the Police were being used to harass and molest opposition politicians in the country, adding that political thugs were also made to throw explosives in the state “There is no rule of law in Nigeria. We are being molested by the Police.

Where it is not Police, thugs are shooting dynamites,” he said.

Responding to some portions of a letter President Gooluck Jonathan wrote in reaction to the one from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Amaechi said he knew he was number one on the list of those Obasanjo alleged were Jonathan’s enemies, adding that they could not kill him in the country.

“I am number one on the list that the President said Obasanjo should produce.

They want to kill me but they are not God,” Amaechi said.

Continuing, Governor Amaechi maintained that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala, should be blamed for the delay in release of the loan from World Bank to the state to fund a water project.

Amaechi, who flayed the high degree of corruption in the country, said he was ready to return to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, if the oil wells reportedly ceded to Bayelsa State from Rivers were returned to the state.

He said: “I belong to the APC. Let them give Kalabari their oil

wells. He cannot. If he does, I will go back to PDP.” Describing his political foes in the state as hungry politicians who were findings things difficult because they had left government about six years ago, the governor charged the people to be prepared to fight for their victory at the polls.

“They will shoot you; they have no fear for your blood. Anytime you start a street march and you don’t see me there, know that I have been arrest-

More govs, N'Assembly members'll dump PDP —IHONVBERE

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—SECRETARY to Government of Edo State, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere, yesterday, declared that his former party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would continue to lose more governors and National Assembly members, if it continued to promote corruption and dictatorship.

Ihonvbere, who stated this when he received a delegation of Edo in Safe Hands,a pressure group in Edo State, at Government House Benin City, however, called on members of All Progressives Congress, APC, to work hard in the coming year to become the ruling par-

ty in the country.

He said: “Let me say that we have a lot of work to do in the country in the coming year and we thank God that our party is now majority in the House of Representatives. We will soon be majority in the Senate if we work hard and if this character of impunity and dictatorship continues. ”If somebody had told me we would have this number of governors in this number of states as APC states, I would have asked the person which crystal ball he looked at. But politics in Nigeria works in different ways and if the Federal Government and the PDP people continue to behave the way they are behaving, it is very clear they will lose more governors, senators and House of Representatives members to the APC."

YULETIDE: CAN, Ademowo, Okonkwo others sue for peace

BY SAM EYOBOKA, CALEB ANYANISA & OLAYINKA LATONA

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S the over seven bil lion people of the world prepare to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the presiding bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Dr. Mike Okonkwo and Dean Emeritus of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, have called on all citizens to remain peaceful and grateful to God because Christmas is all about love, peace and joy to the world.

The umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria told

our reporter that it is important for Nigerians to understand that Christmas is a period to get redemption. “It is a time to show love to the less privileged, needy and the poor in the society,” its statement added.

CAN further argued that “if the day we used to celebrate idols is now used to celebrate God, I think it is a good thing because idols do not own any day, all days are created by God,” it added.

Bishop Okonkwo, who called on Christians to ensure that their relationship with Jesus Christ is intact,

stressed that, it is not enough to rejoice in the fact that Jesus was born in a manger but it is also about emulating the worthy virtues He stood for while He walked on the face of the earth. Most especially, he said, it should be a time of extending love, peace, joy and goodwill to everyone.

In his message, the Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the diocesan bishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo appealed to Nigerians to look inwards this Christmas and pay clear attention to the original ecumenical spirituality of Christmas.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 15

APGA asks court to declare Okorocha’s seat vacant

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI B U J A — FOLLOWING his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday, approached Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, asking it to declare the seat of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State vacant.

The party, through its lawyer, Mr Victor Odjemu, further prayed the court to order that the deputy governor of Imo State be sworn -in to take over from Governor Okorocha who decamped to a party which policies were different from APGA’s.

APGA told the court that its decision to seek the immediate removal of the governor culminated in a meeting held by its National Executive Committee, NEC, in Abuja on August 3, 2013.

Consequently, it urged the court to, in the alternative, either okay the deputy governor as a viable replacement for Okorocha or direct that the speaker of Imo State House of Assembly or any officer next in line to the position of the governor, who is a member of the plaintiff, APGA, be swornin to pilot the affairs of the state.

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PDP is a bad loser, says Rep

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—MINORITY leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday declared that Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was a bad loser, apparently referring to the simple majority his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, now has due to the defection of 37 members of the ruling party last Wednesday.

In a statement he personally signed, the Minority leader said: “The PDP guys sound like petulant spoilt brats.

“I cannot count the number of members that have crossed to the PDP from other parties in the last two years, with the party rejoicing and celebrating the cross over and yet no one’s seat was declared vacant.”

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EFCC quizzes principal officers of Kano Assembly zSays those arrested ‘merely responding to invitation’ zArrest an attempt to frustrate lawmakers over APC —Kwankwaso

BY SONIDANIEL,REGIONAL

EDITOR, NORTH & ABDULSALAMMUHAMMAD ANO—BARELY three weeks after the Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC, yesterday moved against him.

In a move reminiscent of the Obasanjo days, agents of the antigraft agency took away the speaker of the House of Assembly, Gambo Salau, and all the principal officers as well as the Clerk, for grilling.

The speaker and all other principal officers were first stripped of their security details and moved into a vehicle before being taken away to the EFCC office in Kano and later transferred to Abuja for what the operatives called “questioning.”

Reacting to the development, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso described the action not only as politically motivated but also a brazen attempt to frustrate the Kano lawmakers from defecting to All Progressives Congress, APC. The governor said: “It is crystal clear that the above mentioned public officials were arrested by the EFCC based on the orders from the above, because of the legislators’ defection to APC, in support of Governor Kwankwaso.

“This action is obviously to intimidate and cow them into submission for choosing to move to the progressive fold. This action is not only despicable and absurd but also capable of igniting crisis in the polity, thereby breaching the relative peace that is being enjoyed in Kano state. It is

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regrettable that the EFCC is allowing itself to be a tool of witch-hunt in the hands of the powers that be.”

But the commissioner said that those taken to Abuja were merely responding to an invitation to be able to respond to allegations of fraud raised by a petitioner against them.

Spokesman for EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told Vanguard that the officials were not taken by force but that they willingly came to honour an invitation over a petition bordering on the supplementary budget recently passed by them.

Those taken into EFCC custody included the Speaker, Gambo Salau, his Deputy, Majority leader, Hamisu Ibrahim, Deputy Majority

leader, Minority leader, Deputy minority leader, the Chief Whip, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and the Clerk of the Assembly.

The EFCC operatives, who were backed by two Armoured Personnel Carriers and 20 regular policemen had earlier in the morning took over the premises of the Assembly Complex located at Audu Bako Secretariat in anticipation of the arrival of the lawmakers due to sit and consider a N28 billion supplementary budget sent to them last week by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Shortly after the unsuspecting lawmakers trickled into the complex and commenced the business of the day, the operatives quickly served the

Speaker an invitation letter that was subsequently read to the lawmakers.

However, the controversial N28 billion supplementary budget passed through the first and second reading before it was passed into law by the legislators during tension-soaked session.

When the legislators wound off their business, the affected key officers were whisked away by the heavily armed security personnel to EFCC office located at Hajj Camp general area in Kano.

Confirming the arrests, the EFCC spokesman, said they had a petition from an unnamed petitioner alleging that the N28 billion supplementary budget before the lawmakers was an attempt to siphon public funds and not really meant to serve any public good.

INDUCTION: Institute of Certified Sales Professionals, ICSP, recently inducted Fellows, Members and Associates in Lagos. Back row: President of ICSP, Mr. Arthur Ozoigbo (4th left), chairman of the occasion, Engineer David Nwanmara (in native dress) with some inducted fellows which included Prof. Odesola Johnson of Redeemers University and others.

CRUDE OIL THEFT: FG owes local contractors N1bn

BY CLARANWACHUKWU

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AGOS—INDIGENOUS firms involved in the supply of some hardwares for the surveillance of the water ways and crude oil assets in the Niger Delta have claimed that they are currently being owed about N1billion for their services.

The sum, which is the cumulative debts owed them by the Federal Ministries of Finance and Defense, they complained, was threatening the cordial relationship between them and the Joint Task Force, JTF. Among the firms contracted are Messrs Etucom Integrated Services Limited; Peaches Integrated Limited; and Godsam Indudstrial Services Limited.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on the matter at the weekend, the contractors warned of a “looming security catastrophe” if they were not paid urgently.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government estimated that the country loses about 150,000 barrels per day to crude oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism, such that the withdrawal of surveillance services might further exacerbate the criminal acts.

Spokesperson for the group,

Mr. Otomewo Peter Eberiere, disclosed that the firms were contracted by the ministries to lease out of their fleet 14 ‘House Boats’ to the JTF for their surveillance operations in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

He said the boats, valued at about $400,000 each, were

specifically built to assist the JTF in the strategic task of protecting the waterways, swamps, and oil pipelines against crude oil theft, sea piracy and illegal crude oil bunkering.

The Houseboats were also to serve as a source of accommodation for the JTF teams.

Igbo leaders plan burial rites for civil war victims

BY OKONKWO EZE N I T S H A — PERTURBED by all kinds of atrocities and criminal acts taking place in various parts of Igboland, leaders in the South East are now drawing up a proposal to perform an official burial rites of all their kinsmen who died during the Nigerian/Biafran civil war.

They believed that the

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wandering spirits of all the deceased war victims who were not yet given a befitting burial, according to Igbo traditional custom, are angry that they possessed youths and push them into criminal acts.

A prominent Igbo leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, who disclosed this last weekend at Ogirishi Igbo Conflict Resolution Center, within the Rojenny Games Village, Oba,

Anambra State, said the spirits of Igbo youths who went to the civil war voluntarily and died in the process of trying to defend Ndigbo from Nigerian aggression were angry that Ndigbo had not buried them according to custom.

He spoke while playing host to the traditional ruler of Nri Ancient Kingdom and head of Njiko-UmuNri, HRM, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh, who led a delegation of 186 Igbo communities on a visit.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

UNN staff vow not to resume over Enejere's removal N

BY EMEKA MAMAH

SUKKA—ALL categories of staff including lecturers, professors, senior and junior nonacademic staff of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, have resolved not to re-open the institution, despite the resolution of the six-month old crises between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, until the government recalled the former pro-chancellor of the university, Dr Emeka Enejere.

Enejere was said to have been sacked by the Federal Government for allegedly being ‘’a friend’’ of the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, and replaced with counsel to the six lawmakers opposed to Amaechi, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.

Enejere sacked Amaechi

Issues rased

Among the issues raised by the

FUT Minna to commence exams Feb 10

INNA—THE Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna would commence examinations for students on February 10, after resuming second semester of the 2012/2013 academic session on January 6, 2014.

FUT’s information officer, Lydia Legbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria weekend that the 377 Special Session of the Senate announced the resumption date, following the suspension of the ASUU strike, adding that the Senate had also fixed February 10, 2014 for the commencement of the second semester examination, while the university would proceed on holiday on February 24, 2014.

She quoted the vice-chancellor, Musibau Akanji, who presided over the Senate meeting.

The National Executive Council of ASUU suspended the union’s six-month-old strike on December 17, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government.

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as the Alumni Co-ordinator.

Enejere was on his way to the council meeting where Okolo was to be suspended from duty following his alleged indictment by a committee set up by the council to probe some of the multi-million Naira contracts he allegedly awarded without due process, when he was informed of his removal on the telephone,

an action which has led to daily ‘’mass prayers’’ or demonstrations by both academic and non-academic staff of the two campuses of the university since then.

However, Vanguard sources hinted that the decision not to re-open the university until the Federal Government recalled Enejere who was seen as an

anti-corruption crusader in the university was reached at a meeting attended by leaders of the three major unions including ASUU, the Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, of Trade Unions in the university.

A lecturer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: ‘’ We resolved that nothing will make us go back to either the classrooms or offices until the Federal Government rescinds its decision on Enejere.

Misleading Jonathan

over

Hints that Enejere was sacked for purportedly being close to Amaechi was given by Professor Okolo when some leaders of Nsukka zone visited his office over the crises in the university, weekend.

Apart from being counsel for the anti-Amaechi legislators, the Supervisory Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Nwike, also reportedly practised from Ukala’s law chambers after graduation from school.

The governing council, headed

by Enejere, had been embroiled in crises with the vice chancellor of the UNN, Prof Bartho Okolo, over alleged misapplication of about N3 billion when Enejere was fired.

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council included the appointment of two female ad-hoc staff on yearly salaries of N28,051, 200 and N6 million respectively, without recourse to employment procedures.

Mrs. Christiana Oriola was emloyed as ICT Director on a monthly salary of N2,337,600 while Miss Chioma Onyenwe was receiving N500,000 monthly

XMAS CAROL: From left: Ijebu-Ife monarch, Oba Afolorunsho Oguntayo, founder of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun and wife, Olori Abimbola Balogun, during the Christmas Carol organised by Otunba Balogun, the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians, in conjunction with Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ijebu-Ode chapter, at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, yesterday.

Jigawa varsity takes off Jan 2014

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BY ALIYUDANGIDA

UTSE—JIGAWA State owned university will commence full operations in January 2014 with the admission of 8,500 students as first intake, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Haruna Wakili has said.

Speaking while introducing the new vicechancellor of the university, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu and other academic staff to Governor Sule Lamido, at Government House, Dutse, Wakili said the university would start with 15 courses and three departments, adding that lecturers were drawn from reputable universities based on merit.

Wakili further explained that the new university would compete with the existing state and federal universities in the country as the administration had made concerted efforts for sustainable growth of the institution.

His words: ‘’Jigawa State Government established the state university to enable its citizens advance their studies without any admission difficulties.”

PDP chieftain donates rice to less privileged

BY SIMONEBEGBULEM ENIN CITY—FORMER governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon weekend, concluded his annual distribution of Christmas rice to the less privileged in the three senatorial district of the state.

The distribution of rice which has become a ritual for the past five years, also covered major orphanage homes in the entire state.

Speaking after the exercise, Imansuangbon said the gesture was his own way of giving back to the society and has nothing to do with politics.

The PDP chieftain who was represented by Mr. Hope Iyare, deputy director, Kenneth Imansuangbon Organisation, said in the spirit of the yuletide,”it has become imperative for me to discharge my responsibility by ensuring that less privileged families have sufficient food to celebrate like the affluence.”

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“The Supervisory Minister of Education, Wike misled Jonathan during the ASUU strike making it last for six months and he has again started another problem at UNN. Is governance all about causing tension and blackmailing people? ‘’We are not all fools. We will not allow Ukala because he is on a wrong mission.’’

JAC had in an earlier statement said that normalcy would not return to the university until the council chairman, Dr. Enejere, was reinstated.

Both Enejere and Okolo did not reply the text messages sent to them for their comments on the issue.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 17

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IGERIA is a country of thieves and robbers.

Anybody in the country can be a thief and a robber, from your plumber, to your doctor, to the traffic-warden on the road. But the biggest thieves are government officials.

Whenever you are dealing with Nigerian officialdom, be on your guard; you are going to be robbed.

Tactical measures

Pastor thieves One of the places where thieves and robbers are most rampant in Nigeria is in the churches.

This should not come as a surprise. Jesus says: “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” Make no mistake about it: Nigerian churches are a den of thieves.

Jide Ayanfalu inherited a generator from his parents. He used it for business purposes by renting it out to people who needed it on special occasions.

It so happened that the generator in his church was stolen. The pastor insisted that churchmembers should not be told about the theft; otherwise they might conclude that God was not in the church. He asked Jide if the church could use his generator in the meantime.

Jide was agreeable to this: some of his best customers were churches. But one week, two weeks, three weeks, one month, after the church took his generator, Jide was not paid a dime. Two months, three months, four months afterwards; still no payment for the use of the generator.

Finally, Jide summoned up courage to confront the pastor. If they would not pay him for the use of his generator, at least they should give it back to him.

The pastor was very offended.

He preached a fiery sermon in which he told the people in no uncertain terms that their destinies were tied to his church.

“Don’t you know,” he asked menacingly, “ we have the power to withhold your blessings?” The royal “ we” C M Y

How to deal with thieves and robbers in Nigeria

LASTMA thieves

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Culled from: Nigeriapolicewatch referred to the pastor himself.

Then he button-holed Jide after the service and went for the jugular: “Don’t you think you should give the church your generator?” he demanded.

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If you need to get some permit or document from a ministry or government agency, it is best to go there carrying a baby or a little child. If you don’t have one, borrow a neighbour’s just for the occasion. Nigerians are suckers for babies. By the time we have finished admiring your baby, you have won us over, and whatever transaction you require will be done expeditiously without blackmail.

If you are a white man living in Nigeria, but you need to get something legal from a Nigerian agency, go in a Nigerian outfit if you want to avoid robbery.

Nigerians love it when foreigners wear our clothes. It validates us.

By the time we have finished admiring your buba or agbada, we would have forgotten that our primary assignment is to rob you of a few thousand naira.

Here are examples of ways whereby some people have dealt with Nigerian thieves and robbers. They are presented here as guidelines only. In all cases, wisdom is the principal requirement.

the next day, I met a new resistance; he told me he had lost my bill-of-laden.

This now called for drastic action. I went up the staircase of the building and walked into the office of “the oga at the top.” I poured out my heart to him and told him my plight. The man smiled and told me not to worry.

He said he was the boss of the man who was trying to extort money from me. “Just follow me,” he said.

When we got downstairs, he asked my nemesis what the problem was with my bill-ofladen. He explained that it seemed he had misplaced it. “Let us look for it together,” said his boss, who started rifling through the papers on the man’s table. In less than one minute, the oga found it. “Ah!” he exclaimed, “we have found it! I’m sure there won’t be any other problem after this.”

Thereafter, my release-papers were promptly given to me. I went back after this to see my defeated foe. I apologised for being so difficult, claiming it was because I had been out of the country for so long. “I don’t know how things are done here,” I pleaded. The man refused to be taken in by my apology. “You know everything,” he insisted.

“You are fooling no one.”

VCR and come to get me.

When I arrived on the scene, I shook hands with the policeman and thanked him profusely for his diligence. I observed that were it not for

One of the places where thieves and robbers are most rampant in Nigeria is in the churches

Jide was troubled and could not answer. He came to me to seek counsel as to what he should do. I immediately pointed out to him that a robbery was in progress. I said to him: “Jide, forget about having any discussion with your pastor.

Hire a van and go and remove your generator from the church.”

Police thieves The business of the Nigerian policeman is to protect lives and property. But somewhere along the line, he lost touch with this business. Instead of catching thieves, the policeman himself became a thief. Now his primary business is the extortion of money from both the innocent and the guilty.

A technician to whom I gave my VCR for repairs was bringing it back to me.

However, just a few buildings down the road from my house; he was arrested by a policeman who accused him of stealing it because he did not have the proof of purchase. The “thief” was then allowed to drop the

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conscientious officers like him, property-owners would be in danger of losing their possessions.

The policeman was initially confused. It was clear to me and to him that he had no interest whatsoever in protecting my property. This was just an opportunity for him to extort some money by asking for the purchase receipt of an old VCR. But he quickly recovered from his confusion and said in agreement: “We cannot be too careful; there are so many thieves around these days.”

Knowing full well who exactly the “thieves” are, I thanked him again and briskly picked up my VCR. As I made a quick getaway with it, I resisted the temptation to look back to observe the confusion on his face.

Customs thieves

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n returning to Nigeria after a fourteen-year absence, I had to clear my personal effects at Apapa port. However, every morning I met the same brickwall. A port official told me repeatedly: “Your bill-of-laden

has not arrived.”

One day, while waiting in his office, some drama was enacted for my enlightenment. His assistant came in and gave him some money furtively behind his table. He counted it and quickly put it in his drawer. Then both of them turned to look at me.

Their look spoke eloquently: “You get the message, you moron? You need to give us some money if you want to get your release papers.”

I refused to get the message.

Thereafter, I was accosted by a gentleman who claimed he worked in the mail-room. He thrust a piece of paper into my hand which turned out to be my bill-of-laden. He told me it had arrived a long time before then but was just being kept from me.

He said I must not reveal he had shown it to me, otherwise he would lose his job. He was only doing this because he and I were Yoruba.

However, when I went in to see the port official, he still insisted my bill-of-laden had not arrived.

Then he asked me a loaded question. He wanted to know if the boy in the mail-room was my friend. “Why don’t you ask him if your bill-of-laden had arrived,” he said.

Instead, I contacted my shippers in London by phone and asked them to send me another copy of my bill-of-laden directly by DHL. I received this within 24 hours and took it triumphantly to the port official. He congratulated me lavishly and promised that, under the circumstances, my goods would be released without further delay. But when I came

y wife’s driver made a Uturn and was immediately arrested by a LASTMA officer.

Apparently, U-turns are not permitted on that particular road.

Karen said to the LASTMA officer: “How do I know that you are even a bona fide police officer?” The man became very angry. “Bona fide!” he shouted. “Bona fide?

Today, today, I am taking you to Obalende.”

While he was consulting angrily with another LASTMA officer, Karen decided a change of tactics might be necessary. She said to him: “Officer, anybody can see that you are really a bona fide officer.” The man refused to be persuaded by this belated flattery.

“So I am now a bona fide officer eh? Today, today, we are going to Obalende!” This called for a further change of strategy, so Karen tried a different tack.

She said to him: “Oga Sir, the truth is that I am completely fed up with living in this country. I am a university lecturer. ASUU is on strike, so my salary has not been paid. We have not had electricity at home for over one week. This car has been giving so much trouble. And now you are arresting me because my driver has made this illegal Uturn. Honestly, I am really fed up with living in Nigeria.”

The policeman opened the car door on the passenger side. He got in and sat down. Then he turned round to look at Karen with intensity. He said to her: “Madam, you are not a Nigerian?” “No!” she answered.

“But you are married to a Nigerian?” “Yes,” she answered again. “And you are tired of living in Nigeria?” “Yes,” she insisted, “I am fed up with living in Nigeria.” He looked directly at her again. “Madam,” he said with a big sigh, “I am a Nigerian, and I am also fed up with living in Nigeria.”

That was the end of the case.

18 Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 IN a country of more than 160 million people, it is impossible to agree totally on anything, even if it is posted as being beneficial to all. Countries with smaller populations – and families of smaller numbers – also disagree raucously to decisions that oppose their individual interests.

Nowhere is individual interest more pronounced than in Nigerian politics, where the interests of leaders are positioned as the interest of the majority, better still national interests. The belligerent language in which these interests are expressed is purposely coined to create rooms for interpretations that would suit audiences.

Party enthusiasts could see the bitter exchanges as calls to bellicosity. Once they are sufficiently incited, it is more difficult to return the crowd to peace.

The caustic language of leaders of the All Progressive Congress, APC, as they charge their followers to offer “stiff resistance” to government policies and threats of unseen resistance can cause violent disagreements.

“The APC has resolved that henceforth, every act of impunity of the PDP and the

Language Of Public Discourse Presidency will be met with stiff resistance in the form of a vociferous telegraphing of people power, the likes of which have not been witnessed in these parts,” Lai Mohammed, its spokesman, said.

APC sounds as if it wants to be lawless, the same accusation it mostly heaps on PDP and the Presidency. Who would determine impunity for APC to unleash “stiff resistance”? What type of resistance is APC planning that is alien to these parts?

The Presidency tactlessly replied in similar measures. It has promised treason for anyone who causes trouble. “The presidency warns that the APC and any persons who make themselves its willing

tools for the breach of public order and safety will be made to face the full sanctions of the law. Those who are threatening fire and brimstone should be ready for consequences of treasonable action,” it said in a Reuben Abati statement.

Both positions are miserably below the standards for decorous public discourse of issues of grave importance. Discourse is important to generation of more ideas, better perspectives and more importantly options. Nigeria is in dire need of these to manage its challenges. Neither the ruling PDP nor APC, the opposition, appears to appreciate the enormity of the country’s challenges or have answers to them.

PDP refuses to be drawn into discussions about how it is managing Nigeria. APC, on the other hand, devotes itself to opposing everything, without a clear message of its plans to lead Nigeria to the lofty expectations it is building.

Politicians can disagree without threatening each other. They can make their points without inciting the public, bearing in mind that “widespread repercussions” of disorder can affect anyone.

OPINION

BY DELE AKINOLA

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O language spoken by man compares, in universality, with body language.

Not even Chinese (Mandarin) spoken by the largest number of humans on the surface of the earth, does. Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Swahili, Japanese, Bengali and Hindi sparring with Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish – the so-called international auxiliary languages – are no match for body language in a game of universal versatility.

I had the rare privilege, as a 13-year-old many years ago, of witnessing the enormous message-registering power of body language in the humble apartment of a neighbourhood uncle with whom I shared mutual fondness. His “tear-rubber” wife had sauntered into the sitting room while I was savouring the excitement of humour with him. Within 20 seconds, she had recited the line “honey, I’m sure you know I love you” at least three times as she fidgeted in different directions of the room. Then, without minding the little presence disturbing their romantic peace, radiant smile playing suggestively on her face, she lowered her captivating athletic frame onto his laps and delivered the bewitching line “e tie rerin” as she rubbed the glittering wedding ring on her index finger against his tingling nose.

Uncle and I understood what she recited in English because we both spoke the language. We also got the music she sang in Yoruba, which meant “you are not even smiling!” because we were both speakers.

A non-speaker would have needed to be a sorcerer to decipher both. But without reaching for sorcery, Uncle deciphered from her body language that she was about to

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GEJ and problems he did not create make a financial demand. So he seized the next available opportunity to sneak out of the house.

And why not? He was well aware madam’s friend who visited earlier had come to sell to her the idea of “aso ebi” uniform for a ladies’ club they had just formed. This was clearly a problem he did not create. Why then should he bear such burden especially with the cost masquerading treacherously on the periphery of two-thirds of his bloody civil servant salary?

Unfortunately for him, he would still have to return home later: the day he slotted that wedding ring into her inviting finger, he signed up to confronting and solving problems he did not create.

Similarly, the privileged Nigerian who was later to become Uncle’s president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the day he willingly took oath of office after successfully seeking the people’s mandate, signed up to confronting challenges and solving problems he did not create. His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, though, might need the services of a sorcerer, to realize and admit this. So much Abati’s body language suggested to the nation earlier in the year when the cry of the national and international communities heightened against the “kid glove” with which the war on the monster that is mightier than, and in fact is the promoter of Boko Haram, was being fought. The long and short of his defence then, in a newspaper interview, was that “the Jonathan administration did not create corruption in Nigeria.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, could not be credited (or debited) with creating the

problem either. His body language, though, might suggest he was only hiding in, and test-running his much-speculated but yetto-be-procured Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) when, recently, he fired a deadly missile at the President. He had carpeted Dr. Jonathan on this same issue of concern for which the heart of the international community bleeds for Nigeria. But it is widely believed in the country that the House which Tambuwal heads is as guilty as the Presidency on the war (or lack of it) against the canker which Malam Nuhu Ribadu would describe as Nigeria’s own terrorism.

Perhaps the hands of both institutions are tied because most of the charges built around the corruption monster, unlike in other climes, are “unknown to law” in Nigeria. But not so in China, for instance!

Since taking charge of the reins of state early 2013, President Xi Jinping had described corruption as a threat to the Communist Party’s survival and vowed to go after powerful “tigers” in the land.

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ithin the last four months alone, at least two such “tigers” have been caged. Ousted politician Bo Xilai was jailed for life in September after he was found guilty of corruption, bribe taking and abuse of power. His appeal was rejected in October, barely a month later, and his life sentence upheld. Also in October, a state official, Ma Linxlang, was sacked for “extravagant waste” after he spent an estimated 1.6 million yuan (about 160,000 pounds – chicken change on Nigeria’s freefor-all corruption terrain) on a lavish three-

day wedding for his son. Even from the Vatican, a senior German Church leader tagged the “bishop of bling” by the media was, in October, suspended over his alleged lavish spending. Apparently, in those climes and many such others around the globe, the charges, even if unknown to law, were known to man, and man, armed with the requisite political will, made them known to law.

This is a big national challenge to President Jonathan whose political and media aides, in doing their jobs, have successfully constituted themselves into the main software component powering his body language hardware. If the duties of a leader anywhere in the world were all about solving problems he created, there would be no need for his services in the first place. Nelson Mandela did not create the problem of Apartheid. He was celebrated in life and is also celebrated in death because, putting his life on the line, he comprehensively solved a monstrous humanity problem he did not create.

Tambuwal and his colleagues in the National Assembly would do the nation a world of good with greater sincerity, commitment and political will on their part in the prosecution of any meaningful war on corruption. But the buck, in the final analysis, stops at the desk of the Commander-In-Chief. Nigerians probably voted him into that position believing he would be the most motivated to go after the local “tigers” playing graft with the national resources being produced in his home region. His duty in the exalted position is to confront challenges and solve problems he did not create. That was, and is, his mandate.

*Mr. Akinola, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 19

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OLLOYWOOD is in tatters.

And perhaps heading to irredeemable self destruction. A movie now has part one to eight.

Each of these parts sometimes are less than 15 minutes. The pictures are blurred. Stories are disjointed or no stories at all. Decency, values we cherish have been thrown to the dogs. Nudity reigns. You don’t have to be an actress to sloppily flaunt your nakedness. That is the new acting.

Respected professionals, icons of the industry, men and women who witnessed the motion picture revolution about 20 years ago, now sit in their homes wondering how Nollywood got to this low point.

Movies are now released uncensored; what was unthinkable less than three years ago. Yet, that is the tragic reality today.

But this prognosis was actually foretold. For about two years now the police of Nollywood movies, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been at large, silent, evasive and perhaps elusive. One of the oldest and most respectable directors in Nollywood, distressed by the crass nudity and poor quality of movies being churned out today, asked, “What is going on my brother. Does the Censors Board still exist? How did these films see the light of day?” As if resigning to fate, he added, “I wonder if I will ever make films again”.

The hard truth is that the NFVCB seems to have lost control. A whole lot of these nude films are also imported from Ghana. In the good old days, the Censors Board mounted a stiff check point that

stymied any hope of such movies assaulting the decency of Nigerian homes. This was the reason for which the NFVCB was created by Decree (now Act) No 85 of 1993.

Even the British imperialists appreciated the powerful influence of movies and so as far back as 1933, it set up the Board of Film Censors in Nigeria to check those movies that might be laced with some ideas that could trigger rebellion among its colonies.

The Censors Board therefore ought to be at alert at all times, its staff must be nimble with razor sharp eyes and mental strength for the purpose of diligent monitoring of movies on our shelves, censorship and classification of films, in addition to playing a role in the development and growth of the movie industry in Nigeria.

Tragically, with the NFVCB today, we cannot see its vision. No direction. No drive. The only sound is silence.

The genesis of the decay Until about two years ago, Emeka Mba, now Director General (DG) of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) stood astride the NFVCB. He was a young man.

Ideas sizzled in him. He organised seminars, workshops and roadshows. He confronted impunity in the industry; decimated the tendency of some mushroom producers to release movies uncensored, took on cinema owners that defy NFVCB rules, tackled the issues of poor production and foul language and patois that debase our values.

Mba was not always right. Some of his ideas and indeed actions might not have worked out as he would have liked. He admitted

NFVCB must wake up from its comatose state, it must reinvigorate itself and save Nollywood, this authentic Nigerian brand, from the present blinking hope and grotesque presentation of her movies

some errors too. It was human. But his mind was perpetually on creative odyssey; NFVCB officials were everywhere and incalcitrant producers had an astringent taste of the law. There was serious respect, if not fear, of the NFVCB, by producers of naked women and sloppy movies.

But all that changed about two years ago as Mba took a bow.

Patricia Bala, a quiet lady of worrisome reticence took over.

Now, Nollywood is a place where a regulator need not only talk but must bark where necessary. Bala did neither. She is quiet, silent, and practically elusive.

For someone who has been in NFVCB for over 10 years, you cannot understand why this Director General from Plateau state does not seem to want to interact with the industry. For almost two years that she was DG in acting capacity, not once did NFVCB organise a forum to meet with the industry or press. Now a substantive DG, the story is sadly the same.

With the DG neither heard nor seen, Nollywood prodigals went wacky. Films are released without visiting NFVCB and contents are

Okpe nation and the national confab

BY BOBSON GBINIJE “It is because Nations tend to stupidity And baseness that mankind moves so slowly, It is because individuals have a capacity For better things, that it moves at all”.

George Gissing (1857-1903) NY individual or Nation that is tenebrously cocooned in the cesspit of communication blackout will metamorphose into an organism forgotten by the march of civilization. Hence, the principles of debate, dialogue, verbal phosphorescence and confabulation are fundamentally crucial as indispensable elixir for nation building. Will the Okpe Nation use the National Conference as a pedestal to shout-out its long borne political socio-economic servitude and marginalization albatrosses in Delta State and Nigeria to the world?

The Okpe People arguably constitute the single largest dialectical amalgam amongst the Urhobo ethic group not as part of Urhobo collectivity, but as a dichomised people with a unique identity. In fact, the Okpe People are Urhobos with a slightly tilted dialect. They mainly occupy Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas in Delta State.

In the light of the Berlin Conference of (1884-1885) that led to the arbitrary delimitation of Nigeria and Africa into puppet states and the 1914 Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates and their protean and multi-dimensional problems, the political engineering process of building a Nigeria where equity and justice reigns has led to many Conferences and Constitutional amendments dialogues.

We believe therefore, that the proposed National Conference should attract the submission of all interest groups in Nigeria

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and beyond. Hence, the Okpe Nation and its People should not be left out. We therefore make bold to submit these modalities and guidelines to the yet to be constituted “Okpe National Conference Advisory Body and Committee”.

1. They should without slips of prolixity call for the creation of an ‘Urhobo State’ with Orerokpe/Osubi as headquarters. This will cardinally precipitate and attract allembracing development to Urhobo land and to the Okpe Kingdom in particular.

2. They should call for a 50precent Derivation formula and the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be done with soldierly brevity.

3. They must assert that the derivation allocation money should be paid to the exact villages, towns and areas where the oil is EXPLORED AND EXPLOITED from. This will forestall unnecessary diversions’ of Derivation monies by State Governments and it will positively checkmate corruption and infrastructure deficit etc in the oil producing areas, especially in the Okpe Oil Producing Areas.

4. They should advocate that in the National Conference there should be no- go areas. This will allow for an open discussion of all issues bedeviling and befuddling the Okpe Nation and the Nigerian People.

5. They should vociferously clamour for the creation of more Local Government Areas (L.G.A) in Okpe kingdom.

The current Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas are a shortfall vis-a-vis our numerical superiority and land spans in Delta State. The Economic and Sociopolitical benefits are immeasurably colossal.

6. They must call for all Oil Multinationals to relocate their Headquarters to their local areas of operation. This will positively impact all-embracing growth and development of the areas in which they operate. It will enhance youth employment

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BY ZIK OKAFOR

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The decay of a regulator

ludicrous. “How is it that you guys don’t go to Censors Board any more”, you asked. Hear this. “You are still living in the past bros. Go to Censors Board to do what?”, one young producer quipped without any iota of regret. “That time don pass abeg. All the money they collect from us, wetin dem take am do”, another added in pigin lingo.

These were simply sad commentaries on the abyssmal decay of NFVCB. But that is not all.

Needless but endless trips to foreign film festivals Every year, NFVCB gets about N1.6 billion government subvention. Added to this is another sum of about N500 million from movie censorship and levies from cinema houses, video rental premises and so on.

Part of this income is supposed to be ploughed back into the industry towards development and growth.

This is not done. Not at all. Today, NFVCB spends a chunk of this fund on trips to foreign film festivals, sometimes over six of such trips in a year. And for each trip, Bala, as DG, goes with at least six to eight staff of her agency. Now you compare. Roseline Odeh, Mba’s predecessor attended about one or two festivals in a year. She would go with one staff of NFVCB and then sponsor one movie producer. And she would enjoin the producer to write his report on the festival and present same to the producers association. Mba sponsored about two staff and a producer and sometimes two producers.

Today, if you go to any major film festival around the world; you would most likely see Nigeria’s massive stand at the festival and of course a cluster of NFVCB officials.

At the premiere of Half of a Yellow

They must let the Advisory Body know that this is ‘Project Nigeria’ and there should be no room for splendiferous theatricatization of sentiments, parochial self-serving actions and edacious interests

,

and checkmate communal restiveness and underdevelopment.

7.They must prevail in their memorandum to the Conference Committee to shun skullduggery and ventriloquisms by displaying a high sense of responsibility and concrete integrity through a factual sense and sincerity of purpose. The National dialogue is critically imperative, because Lord Frederick Lugard, the Colonial Governor General was called upon by Lord Harcourt in 1912 to fine tune the logistics for the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates”. Which he perfected in 1914.

H

e said on page 100 of his book “The Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa,” that “To administer such enormous territories as East Africa or Nigeria as single unit, decentralization is more than ever necessary”. He further said that “in the sphere of administration there are obviously many subjects – education, taxation, slavery and labour, native courts, land tenure and so on – in which uniformity and continuity of policy are impossible in so large a country” He concluded by saying that “in a country so vast, which included communities in all stages of developments and differing from

Sun in Canada recently, NFVCB led by Bala had more than 10 officials. Their mission? To give a talk on Cinema. And ridiculously, inside the hall for this talk, 95 percent of the scanty audience were Nigerians from Nigeria, people that have listened to this now boring subject matter again and again. In succinct terms, it was sheer waste of tax payers money; a jaunty ride for NFVCB. This is even more soul pricking for a Nollywood practitioner because the industry holds over 20 Film Festivals and Awards yearly and Bala, whether in an acting capacity or as substantive DG, has not attended any of them.

Never seen and never heard, the NFVCB now look moribund.

Prodigal producers are having a field day. The guilds and associations in Nollywood tried the little they could to check the excesses of some of these producers, but without the backing of the law, without the much awaited Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria, their efforts at best have yielded only lame results.

And so, Nollywood stands still on a darkening plain. Credible professionals freeze in a wilderness of pain. No zing to push.

No zest from the pictures they see.

No inspiration. Their watch dog, the only authority that can check this descent into the abyss of chaos, the NFVCB seems to have gone on French leave. They had no choice but to switch off their cameras.

But NFVCB must wake up from its comatose state, it must reinvigorate itself and save Nollywood, this authentic Nigerian brand, from the present blinking hope and grotesque presentation of her movies. *Mr. Okafor, AMP president, wrote from Lagos.

each other profoundly in their customs and traditions, it was the declared policy of government that each unit should develop on its own lines. This report hallmarks the impetrative of the devolution of power to the federating units as panacea to the schismatic and anarchical entropy of political topsy- turvy”.

They must impress on the Advisory Conference Committee that “without equity and justice in Nigeria there can be no peace “. A situation where the Okpe People are crassly marginalized in political appointments, Headship of Boards, Commissionership and Ministerial appointments at Federal and State levels is unacceptable. We have no Federal and State Tertiary Institutions in terms of educational balance, no good roads, no electricity, no shelter, no viable and functional Medicare infrastructures, no jobs, and no industries, etc They must make a powerful submission that some of our neighbousrs are fanning the embers of war by gross falsification of history to illegally encroach on Okpe territory and land. That settlers in Okpe land especially those in Sapele, Obotie, Ohorhe, etc have taken over our land and they now constitute an unnecessary irritants to the Okpe people in their own land.

They should impress on the Advisory Body that the total dominance of every sphere of life in Nigeria by the three major ethnic groups to the oppression and neglect of the over 250 ethnic nationalities does not augur well for democracy. The question of security should be squarely addressed and an inter– religious dispute resolution body should be set-up. The equitable and fair distribution of Nigeria’s largesse will serve as catalyst to peace and security.

They must let the Advisory Body know that this is ‘Project Nigeria’ and there should be no room for splendiferous theatricatization of sentiments, parochial self-serving actions and edacious interests. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

DECEMBER 24, 2013

I was set up, says Onitsha bizman detained for 88 days

•Threatens to press charges against state government over demolition of hotel

By JOY OBOMASE

A

UGUST 1, 2013 is a day that traders at the popular Old Market Road, Odoakpu in Onitsha, Anambra State would not forget in a hurry. Commercial activities had peaked for the day when suddenly, stern looking policemen invaded the market. In a commando-like manner, the policemen stormed Upper Class Hotel, located within the vicinity of the market. The question on the faces of curious observers was later answered when rumour went round that human skulls and arms had been allegedly discovered in one of the hotel rooms.

The alleged discovery further led to the arrest of the owner of the hotel, Mr Bonaventure Mokwe and some of his staff , who were subsequently whisked into the operatives waiting van which zoomed off , leaving a haze of disbelief and confusion in the air.

Controversy from different quarters trailed the arrest and continued detention of Mokwe and his staff at the Special AntiRobbery Squad, an action that reportedly did not only violate the suspects rights but was seen as not following due process. The Anambra state government was not spared either, as it was blamed over its role on the speedy directive for the demolition of the age-long hotel.

Mokwe was however granted bail by the court after spending 88 days in police custody.

Describing the whole scenario as a set up, the business man in the eye of the storm, told Vanguard Metro that his ordeal may not be unconnected with a motor park dispute between him and some Onitsha natives.

Origin of the incident

Recalling the incident of August 1, 2013, deprived him of the companionship of his family for almost three months, Mokwe said, “ Prior to the day I was arrested and my hotel demolished on the directive of the Anambra State Governor, I was involved in a motor park dispute with Onitsha natives headed a native of Umudie village.

Within the period , I wrote the Obi of Onitsha three times asking him to intervene and call Onitsha youths to order but

Debris of the demolished hotel he remained understandably silent. When that failed, I wrote a petition to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police which he minuted to the Onitsha Area Commander who in turn assigned an Inspector to investigate. But these efforts ended as soon as it started.

When that failed again, I went to Court and obtained an order which was served on the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha, the Police and the Chairman of Onitsha Youths in charge of Ose Motor Park. Soon after that, Aghamelum bus drivers started loading in my park and hell was let loose , as threats started coming from the youths of Onitsha which culminated in the planting of the exhibits in my hotel. The human skulls and magazines were parked

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C M Y K

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY,

some of them were already in the passage. I was taken into my office and shown a search warrant.

In the process of doing that, one police officer betrayed the whole adventure when he shouted at one of my staff to be shown room 102. It did not make sense to me then. The first thing I saw when the door of the room was opened, was an unsealed traveling bag on the floor. Some polythene bags were inside the bag and two on the bed. Nothing was found in the toilet and under the bed.

The police then opened the wardrobe of the room and brought out one single “Baco sac”, in which were two rotten skulls, two AK 47 riffles guns that looked unserviceable and two loaded magazines.

I spent a total of two months and seventeen days at SARS Awkuzu

in a sac and planted in the wardrobe at my Hotel Lodging Room Number 102.I drove into my office around 7am that fateful day because I had a land transaction. Before I could settle down, my hotel was surrounded by the police numbering over 100. As I made my way towards my office entrance,

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The mock search exercise started and ended after five minutes or thereabout at the door of room 102 . Incidentally the lodger locked the room and left with the key around 6.30am, shortly before which the police showed up.

The manager informed the police that the room was sold

Mr. Bonaventure Mokwe to one Mr John Obi, in the evening of 31st of July 2013.

The receptionist brought the duplicate of the lodging receipt in addition with the hotel guest manifest and both reflected John Obi as the occupant at room 102. It is important to point out that the hotel guest manifest had earlier been submitted at the police station before the arrival of the policemen to the hotel. This has been the routine for some time now.

I was immediately handcuffed and taken outside the corridor of the hotel, where I was told to sit next to the exhibits while they took pictures.

Soon after that, I, alongside my staff were taken to the Police Area Command Onitsha and paraded before the public and press, he claimed.

My ordeal at SARS

Continuing, Mokwe said,“We were subsequently taken to SARS Awkuzu, along with my wife who is a lawyer and detained. At SARS, the identity of the person that

lodged in my hotel room number 102 on the very day the police came searching was unmasked. Though he gave his name as John Obi but his true identity was that of a native of Umudie village. His picture was smuggled and shown to the receptionist who identified him as the person he gave the receipt of room 102 that fateful day. It was him who planted the exhibits in the hotel room wardrobe.

I almost died in the first two to three days at SARS. Any confessional statement emanating from SARS Awkuzu is a function of individual’s pain threshold. In effect, an innocent people can be a casualty of any sort. While informants are very important in police work, being able to know when a particular informant collects money to set-up another person’s rival as in this case of mine, is also critical.

When the identity of the people that orchestrated my hotel set-up became known even by the general public, a petition was written by my lawyer to the Inspector-General of Police, listing their names. But the Police deliberately sat on it because arresting them would have meant releasing me and that would have meant an embarrassment for Governor Peter Obi. With the Police under relentless pressure from the media, most especially by NIPPRON, I, along with three of my staff were arraigned in Court on the 17th of October 2013 and a manufactured murder charge along with possession of human skulls and fire arms were heaped on us and we were subsequently remanded in prison on the 17th of October till 4th of November 2014 when we were granted bail. I spent a total of two months and seventeen days at SARS Awkuzu.

A week after I arrived from SARs, it became increasingly clear that the incident was a set-up. Matters were not helped by what occurred when the police first took me to the grave of one Mr Nwonye Akas, a native of Nkwuele Ezinaka Itite village, who died in 1972 when I was still running around naked, only for them to say I killed and buried the man at the place.

What is my business with rotten skulls? The Police has some questions to answer. Why did they not make attempt to arrest the person that lodged in the room, despite the fact that guests manifesto was sent to them? If it was real, the person that stayed in the hotel room should have been apprehended. It would then been for him to reveal who gave him the thing because there is no way he could have slept in that room with all those things without knowing.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 21

New firm on waterways pollution control gets certification for operation

By GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE Federal Government has given approval for a new firm, Sea Waters Environmental Services Limited, to commence operations in the maritime, as well as oil and gas sector for cleaning up of pollution in the nation”s waterways.

The firm which is being promoted by those who have veritable knowledge of the maritime sector of the economy is geared towards helping Nigeria to meet her obligation as a key member of the global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO. The company Secretary of the firm, Professor Taofeeq Abdulrazaq, said that the firm has already gotten the approval of the federal government to operate in the oil and gas industry through the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Besides the DPR approval, the firm has gotten approval from the Federal Ministry of Environment as well the Transport Ministry to operate as a result of the knowledge of the firm’s owners.

Abdulrazaq told our reporter in Lagos that the firm will adhere to international standard and practice in the discharge of its mandate.

He revealed that the firm will team up with its technical partners, Polyeco S. A of the United Kingdom, Finland and

Greece to ensure that it delivers on its mandate to ensure that Nigeria territorial waters does run foul of the provisions of MARPOL and other guidelines and conventions of IMO. According to the erudite professor, the business of waste management, sewage disposal

maintenance, environmental sanitation, waste characterisation, and screening for specific substances will be given impetus by the company.

We shall also construct, supply, lease, acquire and otherwise deal in ships and marine vessels and accessories such as

From left: Mrs Dupe Atoki, Director General, Consumer Protection Council; Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communication Technology and Dr Eugene Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) at the joint press conference by the Minister of Communication Technology and Director General, Consumer Protection Council, in Lagos. PHOTO By AKEEM SALAU.

20 14 Budge ANAN president urges 201 Budgett: ExEx-ANAN FG tto o implement job creation policy A

former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr Samuel Nzekwe, on Sunday urged the Federal Government to effectively implement its job creation policy in the 2014 budget.

Nzekwe made the appeal in a statement in Lagos, adding that making provision for jobs in 2014 budget was commendable.

Nzekwe said that the recurrent expenditure was huge, possibly because government was trying to make provision for jobs which was not done in previous budgets. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday laid the 2014 budget estimates of N4.6 trillion before the National Assembly.

“The unemployment of young graduates is dangerous. Government should ensure that the job creation policy is implemented as contained in the 2014 budget,” Nzekwe said. The

former ANAN president also commended the plan by the government to accord priority to the agricultural sector, adding that by now Nigeria should not be talking of importing foods.

“It means that government is looking at how we can have food surplus. We should be able to produce enough food to eat and have surplus for exports,” the accountant said.

Nzekwe lamented that the performance of the manufacturing sector had been at low ebb all these years due to lack of adequate infrastructure.

According to him, now that government has privatised the power sector, Nigerians are expecting some improvements in the area of infrastructure.

“It means that the productive sector will be more alive and that means there will be more employment.

“Increased productivity will improve the Gross Domestic Product and it will also enhance creation of employment,”

Nzekwe said. “Now that government is going to pay attention to creation of industries in solid minerals, this is also commendable. We should not pay attention to oil alone,” the accountant said. He also commended the government’s initiative to kick start the housing sector where it would also create more jobs. Nzekwe, however, urged the National Assembly to strengthen its oversight function mechanism in the areas to ensure that things were done according to the rules.

The accountant said that the National Assembly should pay attention to the faithful implementation of the budget.

“Government should ensure that the budget is implemented to the letter.

“Government should ensure that money does not just go to private pockets but should be used for the purpose for which it is meant,” he said.

Nzekwe said that implementers of budget should be able to do it effectively so that it could impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.

boilers, sails, riggings moorings, wharves, jetties, piers, shipways, shipyards and factories and to deal in ships and marine vessels of all kinds in any part of the world.

Giving further insight into the operations of the firm, Abdulrazaq said it will also carry out the business of oil offshore support and logistics services, gas and allied products, general oil supply and avail itself of petroleum substances such as cruder oil, natural gas, chemicals, oil prospecting drilling, pumping, mining, piping, storing, sales in wholesale and retail.

He explained the experience and expertise of its promoters will give it an edge in the area it has carved out for itself, pointing out that satisfied customers, whether individual or corporate will always look for companies that can deliver no matter what it takes.

“That is the edge we have in our quest to make a mark in the competitive business environment. We have the expertise. We have the personnel. We have the experience and the technical know how as a result of our collaboration with our technical partners overseas. Therefore, we look forward to a rewarding foray in the kind of business we have carved out for ourselves as a company. I can assure of that”, he added.

114.1

-0.6

2,774.00

-6.00

16.03

-0.24

108.38 97.47 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.72 252.6113 213.266 174.667 1.5016 0.306 237.1906 25.4813 41.2499 28.5746 238.7639

155.22 253.4277 213.9552 175.2314 1.5064 0.316 237.9571 25.5641 41.3832 28.6669 239.5354

-18.00 -0.01 SELLING 155.72 254.244 214.6444 175.7959 1.5113 0.326 238.7236 25.6469 41.5165 28.7593 240.307

CBN Exchange rate as at 20/12/2013

22—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

•Bukola: Leading the faithful across party lines

•Gbemi: Repackaging for the battle ahead

Kwara 2015:

Bukola and Gbemi again S

INCE the merger of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State with the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month, the political climate in Kwara has changed as politicians opposed to the political dominance of Senator Bukola Saraki have suddenly come out from their shells.

This is aside the fact that original members of the APC in the state are also jittery that Bukola and his election winning team could take the party from them and turn them to play second fiddle in their own party.

This fear is understandable given the past deft political moves of the Sarakis in outsmarting political opponents.

In 1983, Dr. Olusola Saraki who founded the political dynasty was able to stop his one time political follower Alhaji Adamu Attah for a second term after both men fell out leading to the victory of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN candidate, Chief Cornelius

JUST two years ago the Saraki family became distinguished as the first Nigerian family to have produced three senators. But the peddling of political power that came with that feat had its own internal discord Adebayo.

In 2003, the Saraki clan also stopped Governor Mohammed Lawal from achieving a second term following a political dispute between it and the then governor.

But with the elder Saraki now dead, the political heat in the state is now sparked by in internal division within the political family founded by the late senator and second republic Senate leader, Senator Olusola Saraki.

Prominent dissenters against the political hegemony being weaved by Bukola include his own sister, Senator Gbemi Saraki and other disciples of the late Senate leader including a serving senator, Senator Simeon Ajibola, the former minister of sports, Alhaji Issa Bio Ibrahim, Hajia Ndalolo, Senator Makanjuola

Ajadi, Professor Abudularaheem Oba the newly returned chairman of Federal Character Commission and one of the FCC commissioners, Dr Femi Ogunshola among others.

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BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

their father sided his daughter against his son, the family has not been the same again. It is alleged that even though they have managed to avoid open quarrel, are, however, not on speaking terms.

Since that bitter contest Gbemi who lost out has largely remained underground.

At every given opportunity before he died, Oloye, as their father was widely known, he never failed to tell the people efforts he was making to

This fear is understandable given the past deft political moves of the Sarakis in outsmarting political opponents

Gbemi who is also a political phenomenon in her own right having been a two term senator and former member of the House of Representatives fell out with her brother over her bid to succeed him as governor in 2011.

Since that sharp division in which

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reconcile the two siblings. His efforts, however, were unsuccessful until he died last year.

The two siblings are now taking opportunity of the division wrought by the crisis in the PDP to reengage themselves in battle.

With Bukola out of the PDP, Gbemi has reemerged to take charge of the party in the state with her father ’s late contemporaries.

There are also speculations that Mohammed Dele Belgore,s faction of APC may dump the party for PDP. But the spokesman of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed counseled those who are scared of the entry of Bukola and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to stay put in the party as every interest would be taken care of.

He warned that by ditching APC for PDP they would be committing political suicide, a development he said, they would regret.

Remarkably, the shell of what is left of the PDP is the focus of increasing attention by the PDP hierarchy in Abuja which is aiming to empower those remaining in readiness for the fight against Bukola and his gang ahead of the 2015 round of elections.

Apart from the return of Prof Oba as the chairman Federal Character Commission(FCC), there have been increased speculations that Gbemi could be given a ministerial position to bolster the opposition in the state.

While Gbemi repackages and is probably empowered, Bukola and the state government appear to have their own plan as they also came out with their own joker penultimate Monday when they flagged off an empowerment programme for youths in the state.

Flanked by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Dr. Bukola at the event challenged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on youths unemployment in the country in order to enhance peaceful coexistence in Nigeria and secure the future of the country.

As if this was not enough, last weekend, all 350 high chiefs, comprising of the Magajis and Alanguas in Ilorin emirate publicly endorsed the political course of the state under the leadership of Bukola.

Ilorin emirate is made up of Ilorin East, West, South, Asa and Moro local government areas and boasts of 48 percent of the state’s population.

The Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Woru who spoke on behalf of the 350 chiefs said that their declaration of open support for the scion of the famous Saraki political dynasty became necessary in view of the unfolding political development in the country.How far Gbemisola and other new members of PDP go to unseat Bukola is now a banter around Illorin.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—23

We 're turning Aba into a brand — Orji A

RE you going to heed the calls on you to contest the Abia Central Senatorial Seat in 2015?

Well, I have not indicated my interest, you have come many times to ask me what my plans for 2015 are and I have told you that my plan is to finish my projects and that 2015 will take care of itself. But I have started getting serious temptation from my people, every group within Abia Central and beyond.

There have been clarion calls from groups and stakeholders.

The other day, all the members of the state House of Assembly, major stakeholders and traditional rulers held a meeting in Umuahia and passed a resolution that I will be the unchallenged candidate of PDP for Abia Central in the Senate.

They gave me the resolution, saying that they will come and present it to me officially but I told them that when I have the chance, I will let them know. Just a few days ago, stakeholders of Umunneato did the same thing. In Abia Central, there are six local government areas, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and Ikwuano, (Bende bloc) others are, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma. These are the people we see as the Ukwa Ngwa bloc.

So in Abia Central, we have the Bende and Ukwa Ngwa blocs. The Ukwa Ngwa bloc in an impressive way mobilized themselves recently, they did not tell me, but if you were at the venue of the event, Ngwa High School , there was no space for people to move, they wrote it on a plaque and gave to me, insisting that they will conscript me into the race. They wanted me to give them an answer and I told them that I have to go home and think about it because it is not an easy thing to do. You have to prepare and get yourself ready before you give them an answer.

Many other groups are also saying the same thing. The Ariaria people have given a notice of their readiness to organize one millionman match on the same issue, but we are looking up to God for his will to be done.

What are you envisaging Aba to be by the time you are leaving office?

I want Aba to be economically strong. We want to make Aba a brand, you and I know the value of Aba and the things that are manufactured in Aba are quality

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji fielded questions from journalists during the official flag-off ceremony of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Abia section of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway recently. Excerpts:

•Orji: I want Aba to be economically strong things but because of our mentality, that these products are locally made, people don’t patronize them, so what Aba people do is to re-brand the products and label them, ‘made in Italy, made in Spain, made in Japan, made in Germany’ and people buy them but these goods are manufactured in Aba. So what I want to do is make Aba to be a

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BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

doing all that we can to encourage them.

Private power distributors such as the Geometric Power Plant and National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP) project in Ugwunagbo, Alaoji are targeted at Abia and environs because of the importance of energy in these areas. So when these things are on ground and with the security

I want Aba to be economically strong, we want to make Aba a brand, you and I know the value of Aba and the things that are manufactured in Aba are quality things

brand so that when you see ‘made in Aba,’ you will buy it and know that it is a quality product.

That was how Japan started, I remember when we were very small, some people were making caricature of Japanese goods but today, Japanese goods are the best. That is what I am aiming at so that Aba will be a brand. You see the markets that I am establishing here and there, we are funding them and making the environment conducive for our indigenous investors and manufacturers to operate. We are

,

that we have put in place, people will have no reason not to produce or invest, this will make Aba a brand.

We are currently upgrading Aba, the money that we have sunk in Aba is more than the money that we have put anywhere else in Abia State. Honestly, the amount of money that we put in Aba in terms of environment, opening up of channels, road rehabilitations and construction as well as other infrastructure have not been put anywhere in state.

But the problem in Aba is that

as you are sinking the money, most of the time you may not see the in depth value for that money because of the population of that city which is over 2 million people. People from all the states of the federation and beyond are all in Aba, and as commercial people, their behaviour is different from that of the people you see in Umuahia who are mainly civil servants. Those are the things that we are battling with.

We are doing everything possible in Aba because we know the importance of that city and we know that it generates money for journalists because when you write about Aba , people buy your papers.

At what point did you arrive at the decision to recall disengaged non indigenes in the state civil service?

Let us not forget why we took that policy. It was a policy of circumstance, a policy we couldn’t run away from if the civil service were to survive. It was when the 18 000 naira minimum wage issue came up and we had a commitment to our civil servants and when we make a pronouncement, we must live by it. We came back and did our calculations and realized that with the number of civil servants

that we had and with our income, we couldn’t make it.

A look at the composition of our civil servants showed that almost three-quarter of them are not from this state, yet the allocation is being given on state basis. When we realized also that when some other states from the South East had similar problems that what they did was to disengage those that were not from their states, the records of what I ‘m telling you are there, and I am sure that it helped them to overcome, so we said, ‘let us do peer review, let us try it and see if it can work for us.’

However, some people had the impression that we just disengaged the workers and asked everybody to go but as we checked, we realized that we still have over 2000 nonindigenes in our service. There were people who came and I had to bring them back. For instance, if bishops and other clergymen’s wives were affected by the policy and they pleaded on their behalf, if you refuse such people and they pray for you, you are in trouble. So we brought many of them back but we were not advertising it. So the number that we are now going to call back will be very insignificant.

When we took that policy, we knew the reaction of the people, it generated much heat and controversy but it was in our own interest because Abians were happy to certain extent that I could pay them. Moreover, the people who were disengaged from the northern part of the country as a result of insecurity came back and were reengaged.

I am paying the highest minimum wage in the country right now, N20, 100 check it out.

I have industrial harmony and peace in this state. As a result of this industrial harmony, when the civil servants in other states went on strike because of the minimum wage issue, civil servants in Abia did not embark on any strike.

That is the genesis of the whole thing, I know that the people that I asked to go back to their states are my people, but I made contacts with my colleagues in those states and told them what I intended to do and why but I did not get any reaction from them. As soon as I did it, some of them started talking but I had expected that within this period that these people would have been taken back in the civil service of their various states as we did in the case of Abia indigenes when they faced similar issues who we reabsorbed in the service.

We did this because we had financial constraints, however, now that we have seen significant improvement in our IGR, the best thing that we have to do is to call these our brothers and sisters back to work now that we are sure that when they work, we will be able to pay them.

24— Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Oil revenue: PIB will enhance accounting methods sibly due to timing differences and NPDC liftings, which were not included in the CBN report).”

Furthermore, the Corporation’s records showed that the $67.12 billion was comprised of the following revenues accrued from: •NNPC (for the Federation Account) -$14 billion •for FIRS - $15 billion, •for DPR - $2 billion, •for NPDC - $6 billion •for other third party financing - $2 billion •NNPC domestic crude lifting - $28 billion.

By CLARA NWACHUKWU

A

quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has been identified as a major tool in reversing the skewed accounting methods leading to observed discrepancies currently pervading Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

This is one of the consensuses reached by attendants at the just concluded, Revenue Reconciliation Meeting, to trace the sum of $49.8billion crude oil proceeds recently declared “missing” by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The furore generated over the money, revealed the poor book keeping methods in accounting for government’s receipts among the respective agencies.

At the end of the two-day closed-door meeting last week, participants observed that: “As a result of the changing structure of the business arrangements – from joint ventures to production sharing contracts, alternative financing arrangements, and the impact of the fiscal regime on gas development – the government take in recent years has been declining. In this regard, a quick passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will help to reverse this trend.”

This was contained in a summary of findings by participants to the meeting to unravel the “missing” sum made available to Vanguard.

Attendants included the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR; the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF; the Budget Office of the Federation; the Federal Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources; and the CBN. Revelations thereafter, which followed a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Finance, as well as a joint press briefing by the ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources, showed that the CBN spoke too soon without cross-checking the facts.

The CBN in a letter to the Presidency had reported that about $49.8 billion could not be accounted for from crude oil exports by the NNPC over the period January 2012 to July 2013.

However, the Reconciliation Meeting defended that “the CBN raised this concern in the context of low accretion to the foreign exchange reserves despite sustained high oil prices.”

The meeting added that the concern “is the outcome of a reconciliation exercise among the

B

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke (left) and Minister of Finance/ Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

aforementioned stakeholders, held at the Ministry of Finance, to clarify the issues raised by the CBN.”

T

he meeting also discov ered that the CBN based its assertion on “data from preshipment inspection agents, over the period January 2012 to July 2013, (during which) a

total of 594.02 million barrels of crude oil were lifted by the NNPC, amounting to about USD65.3 billion. However, the amount remitted into the Federation Account at the CBN amounted to only USD15.53 billion. This prompted the CBN to raise the issue of an observed gap in expected revenues,” Other findings of the meet-

ing included the clarification by the NNPC between crude oil exports and actual proceed during the period in review.

According to the NNPC, “the actual proceeds from crude oil exports over the period amounted to USD67.12 billion, and was thus about USD1.79 billion higher than the revenues reported by the CBN (pos-

US reiterates steps to curb oil theft in Nigeria

By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

T

HE United States Special Envoy for Energy at the Department of State, Ambassador Carlos Pascual, said the US Government has succeeded in mapping out key steps to addressing the issue of oil theft and related revenue losses in Nigeria.

Pascual, who was accompanied by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy, Hon. Sharon Burke, led a US delegation on fact-finding mission on the subject of oil theft and related revenue loss in Nigeria.

According to Pascual, “Our interlocutors in the civil society, the private sector, and many parts of government affirmed that key steps to address oil theft and revenue loss have been well established, particularly by Nigerian experts. We have met with a range of local, state, and federal officials, as well as members of the Nigerian society in mapping out bet-

ter approach to resolving oil theft and related revenue loss in the country.”

He further stated that, “In all of our meetings, we heard that oil theft and revenue loss is a serious challenge for all Nigerians.”

Also speaking, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James F Entwistle, noted that

the U.S delegation that arrived Nigeria on fact finding mission is an indication of a well meaning cohesive bi-national commission between the two countries.

He said, “This energy-related mission is another indicator of how much the United States values its relationship with Nigeria.”

ut the meeting noted that “This domestic crude component was not reflected in the CBN’s foreign accounts, but rather paid directly in Naira into the Federation Account.

“Taking account of these various exports conducted on behalf of the non-NNPC parties, the total of USD67 billion was mostly accounted for. This substantially addresses the issues raised by the CBN.” Notwithstanding these clarifications, a shortfall of N1.716 trillion from the domestic crude oil receipts was discovered in the Federation Account.

According to the meeting, “This shortfall was acknowledged by NNPC, and explained to be the result of subsidy claims, unrecovered crude/product losses, and cost of strategic petroleum storage (which is currently not captured in the PPPRA template for refunds).

“This figure is also wellknown to all stakeholders at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and is reported and updated on a monthly basis.”

Head of the passage of the PIB, the meeting indicated that “Government has initiated various steps to address these challenges from both security and operational fronts,” to tackle this shortfall in revenues.

NEITI regrets non-implementation of audit reports

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: The Executive Sec retary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Mrs. Zainabe Ahmed, has said that the nonimplementation of the finding and recommendations of NEITI Audit Reports remained a major challenge facing the agency.

Ahmed who said this in Abuja, said, the agency was in dire need of partnership to drive the implementation of its Audit Reports findings and implementation.

Emphasising that the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have a role to play in solving problems in the extractive industries by pushing for the implementation of N EITI Audit Report findings and recommendations. She said, “It our desire therefore that the civil society would take up the challenge of providing strong partnerships, cooperation and collaboration with NEITI towards full implementation of already developed comprehensive remediation plan.

Ahmed spoke further that, “as you may be aware, Nigeria joined the EITI in 2003, began

implementation in 2004 and enacted a law to support the initiative in 2007 (the NEITI Act) Implementation of the EITI was designed to enthrone transparency, accountability and good governance IN Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining sectors.

“Although the Civil Society Steering Committee was not in place over the past one year, I wish to state that NEITI as an agency never allowed this gap to affect our relationship with the civil society. In all our operations, we had ensured that CSOs participated actively in NEITI activities.

Vanguard, TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 25

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Optimal model for privatizing Nigerian national refineries

IPMAN leadership crisis deepens

Oil & People

By SEBASTINE OBASI

•FELIX AYANRUOH

T

felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

By CHIJIOKE NWAOZUZU

A

Refinery around maintenance (TAM).

The poor state of supply and distribution infrastructure (pipelines and pumps) has led to unreliable feedstock supply to the refineries. Likewise, irregular product evacuation results in frequent downtimes.

The decision making process for funding is extremely slow and so urgent repair work cannot be carried out on ‘just-intime’ basis. There is also a lack of maintenance and performance culture.

Perhaps, the worst nightmare confronting the refinery managers is the lack of control over their business because they operate a flawed business model. Refinery failures arise because the major causes of refinery shutdowns are out of the control of the managers. Another subsidiary of NNPC, the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) acts as the single crude oil supplier, single products off-taker, and sole products seller. The refineries only get paid a processing fee based on volumes of products refined, and so are volume rather than value driven. The consequences of this aberrant business model are high transaction costs and cost control/profitability risks. Given this situation, it is obvious that the efficiency of our national refineries has ‘gone south’ and the decision to privatize these refineries is

the correct call and that this exercise can be concluded in six months to one year ‘tops’.

Therefore, the aims of this privatization exercise will be to increase capacity utilization, optimize the yield for lighter products (i.e. petrol, diesel, and kerosene), and to achieve profitable operations. It is also noteworthy that privatization exercises have been a veritable source of government revenue, particularly governments facing financial pressures. To

,

N announcement has been made by the government regarding the privatization of national refineries whose implementation is slated for 2014. No doubt, the announcement has received mixed reactions from the public, depending on relative perception of the would-be ultimate winners and losers from this exercise.

There are some citizens who believe that a clique of individuals is about to buy up national assets based on their selfish interests. Similar views were expressed by a section of the populace when telecommunication licenses were awarded, and when moribund power stations were privatized. However, when infrastructure and systems operate efficiently everybody wins.

A McKinsey Report (2003), reveals that privatization results in significant operational and financial improvements; access to finance; ownership stability; access to technical skills; and a shift in accountability from public sector to private sector.

The Nigerian experience with running state-owned enterprises and infrastructure facilities has been poor. For example, Eleme Petrochemicals was operated (as one of the NNPC subsidiaries) at low capacity utilization levels until Indorama bought the process plant, and it now operates at over 90% of installed capacity. The National Fertilizer Company (NAFCON) was run down and later sold. The new owners have revamped the plant and ramped up production. It is doubtful if the NLNG could have remained as efficient as it is today if it were operated solely

by NNPC. Quite frankly, few, if any, industry analysts will dispute the fact that our refineries have not been operating efficiently in the past 15-20 years. Consequently, the country has been importing massive volumes of lighter petroleum products (i.e. petrol, diesel, and kerosene) for nearly 20 years. There are several reasons why the operations of our ageing national refineries should be run by the private sector. The cost structure of our refineries is high owing to salaries, administrative costs, and overheads not being co-related to profitability, and so these refineries are financially unsustainable. Personnel structure is top-heavy, particularly at the managerial levels. The plant integrity is frequently compromised by equipment failures and irregular turn-

fineries) refinery partnerships.

First model: the National Oil Company (NOC) owns and operates the refineries. This is the current case with Nigerian refineries, whereby NNPC has 100% ownership of all the national refineries and operates them.

Second Model: Joint Ownership & Operatorship of the refinery between the NOC and an International Oil Company (IOC) or an Independent Oil Company. For example, the

Perhaps, the worst nightmare confronting the refinery managers is the lack of control over their business because they operate a flawed business model

achieve these aims will entail rehabilitation and debottlenecking (i.e. expansion) of existing refineries, enhancing operational capabilities, and a radical change in the business model. Realistically, these can be better achieved under a private sector setting.

Another McKinsey Report (2012) identifies six models of partnerships that are equally applicable to privatization of Brownfield refineries (i.e. existing refineries) and the design of Greenfield (i.e. new re-

,

Melaka II refinery in Malaysia is jointly owned and operated by Petronas (45%) and ConocoPhilips (50%). The government retained ‘golden shares’ of 5%.

Third Model: Joint Ownership, but the IOC or independent acts as the operator. For example, SPRC refinery in Thailand is jointly owned by PTT (state-owned and the largest oil company in Thailand) and Chevron based on 36%: 64% split respectively. Chevron is the operator.

HE crisis of leadership rocking the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, MidWestern Zone, comprising Delta and Edo states, has continued to deepen by the day.

The crisis erupted following the allegation of unconstitutional anti-IPMAN activities leveled against Messrs Austin Erhabor, Tony Okpemi, Sunny Owuzo, Benjamin Emoefe, Harry Okenini and Theophilus Aruna of the Warri Depot.

Consequently, they were suspended. Their suspension which was circulated in the media was effected by Messrs Solomon Ogbewe and Ezekiel Olusegun, who claimed to be the acting zonal chairman and Secretary, respectively.

However, in a swift reaction, IPMAN Mid-Western Zone in a release signed by Messrs Sylvanus Idanwekhi and D.O. Izodonmwen, Chairman and Secretary respectively, stated that the position of Acting Chairman which Solomon Ogbewe was claiming to occupy is alien to the IPMAN constitution.

According to the release, the IPMAN Mid-Western Zone has only one secretariat and the holding of illegal or any other unauthorised meeting at any at any other office other than the known IPMAN secretariat is an illegal meeting.

It also stated that Mr. Solomon Ogbewe claiming to be the Zonal Chairman Mid-Western Zone amounts to impersonation, and is unconstitutional and anti-association activity.

It therefore declared the suspension of Mr. Benjamin Emoefe (Vice-Chairman) and other IPMAN members in Warri Depot as null and void and to no effect, and advised its members to disregard the said publication in its entirety.

To assert his authority in the zone, the chairman stated, “The Zonal Chairman has hereby mandated the zonal ViceChairman IPMAN Mid-Western Zone, Mr. Harry Okenini, in conjunction with other members of the Unit Executive to run the Affairs of the IPMAN Warri Depot unit with immediate effect pending when a new executive will be elected in April 2014, as recommended by the National Assembly (House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum) and adopted by the Delta State Government.”

Following the directive of the Zonal Chairman, Emoefe, the Vice-Chairman urged all members of Warri unit of IPMAN to disregard the “falsehood and misleading publication purporting the suspension of some key members of the association.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 27

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

M

INNA- THE Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, MMSD, had discovered a haven of illegal gold miners in MailumbaGarin Gabas, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, where they make brisk business form the illicit trade.

The illegal miners were discovered by a Special Ministerial Taskforce Team led by Engr. Frank Odoom, of the Department of Mines Inspectorate in the ministry. The illegal mining site had been a beehive of social and economic activities as over 1, 000 artisanal miners were neckdipped in the business.

Odoom ordered the closure of the mining site, and directed those found at the site to formalise their operation with the Department of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners, whereby they can be recog-

Ministry discovers haven for illegal gold miners nised as a cooperative for the ministry’s assistance.

Odoom said: “These are illegal gold miners, who are doing the wrong thing as you can see, and are contravening the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and Mining Regulations 2011.

“It is a success story of the Department of Mines Inspectorate. We are here to sensitise them about the hazards they are posing to the environment and to their own health. And to let them know that it was criminal to carry out such activity.

“They are to stop mining immediately until they form a cooperative and are regis-

tered with the Department of Artisanal and Small-scale Miners. Security officials will be drafted to effect the closure.

“We cannot allow them to continue because we do not want the reoccurrence of what happened in Zamfara State here. The method of process the gold is very crude, as they are using the dry processing method, which was the same with the Zamfara illegal miners that caused the death of many people.”

He also said that red alert will be placed on whoever is the sponsor of the illegal miners in order to discourage the trend in Niger State, as there were over 30 other sites re-

ported in the state.

Two of the miners, Mohammed Sani and Haruna Dankano, said that they were happy about the visit and expressed the readiness of their colleagues to formalize their operations in line with the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act , and the 2011 Mining Regulations of the sector.

They also revealed that they had some persons who provide them with money to buy milling machines and other crude tools for their operations. A gram of gold was sold for N5, 000 at a black market where they sell their commodity, and exchange for chemicals for processing.

Power lines

FG set to commission Durumi solar power

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: The Federal Gov ernment has completed arrangements to commission the solar-powered electrification project in Durumi, a surburb of Mpape in Bwari Area Council.

The project, which is under the auspices of “Light Up Nigeria initiative mid-wived by the Ministry of Power in conjunction with Schneider Electric of France, and Philips of Netherlands, has changed the phase of the rural economy of the village far flung away from Abuja.

To this end, the Minister of C M Y K

Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, and the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Project Monitoring, Prof. Sylvester Monye, have made on-the-spot assessment of the project.

Speaking to the people in the community, the Minister rhetorically asked them if they are happy with Mr. President for sighting the project in their community, in unison they all said they appreciated government for sighting the project in their community.

Nebo urged the community to protect the equipment so that vandals would not come and cart them away.

He assured the community that Mr. President is committed to the welfare of Nigerians which informed massive infrastructural projects across the country that would boost the socio economic activities in the rural areas.

He informed them that the project is set for Mr. President to commission, just as he expressed satisfaction with what he saw.

Monye on his part expressed his delight with the project and urged the community to support Mr. President’s transformation of Nigeria.

With the project, the rural

economy of Durumi has been transformed beyond imagination. Scores of children, women, traders and men were seen going about their business activities, happily.

The village square and the streets leading to the palace, clinic and primary healthcare centre have all been energized with street lights.

Homes enumerated for the project is put at 1,005, about 95% of the homes already have electricity, while the remaining uninstalled homes equipment could be seen at the primary sector.

BITS Brief

Transmission Company appoints new CEO

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: The Board of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has approved the appointment of Mr Mack Kast, as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive of the agency with immediate effect.

Kast replaced Mr Don Priesman, the pioneer Managing Director/CEO for the Manitoba Hydro International, MHI, management contract in the TCN, who retired following a meritorious service with MHI of Canada in about 45 countries.

The General Manager, TCN, Mrs. Seun Olagunju, explained in a statement issued in Abuja that Kast’s appointment was based on the recommendation of MHI. According to her, “contrary to reports in some section of the media, TCN in its press release titled “TCN Board confirms Mr. Mack Kast as the new CEO of Transmission Company of Nigeria”, did not in any way, state that Engr.

Don Priestman, who had honorouably served as the MD/ CEO of TCN for the period of his contract engagement with Manitoba Hydro International as the MD/CEO of TCN, was sacked. Such insinuations are damaging and not acceptable to the company.

“TCN completely disassociates itself from that publication which it knows is false and without any basis, and also request that this erroneous report be immediately corrected by the various media houses that made the publication.

“Meanwhile, Mr. Mack Kast who has taken over as the new MD/CEO of the company, was engaged as an Advisor for Manitoba Hydro International (MHI), working for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) as part of the Nigeria Government’s Power Sector Reform initiative and has spent substantial time working on this project since its inception in September 2012.

“A graduate of the University of Toronto, Canada, he has worked in the power utility sector. He held executive roles in Manitoba Hydro as well as in Ontario Hydro and Regulatory Boards in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Mr. Kast has equally worked under various capacities in other countries including Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia and the Balkan States,” she said.

C M Y K

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

CSOs declare support for NFIA Bill

By GABRIEL EWEPU

A

BUJA- Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of Civil Society Coalition against Corruption, CSCC, has given its support for the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency, NFIA, bill to be passed into law. This followed last week’s public hearing on a bill by the Senate.

Spokesman of the coalition, Mr. Walter Duru, said the proposed agency was in the interest of the country as the situation of corrupt practices was at a worrisome trend that had retarded the development of the country.

Duru said the determination of civil society organisations in the country to fight the menace of corruption was to guarantee the future of the nation, therefore expressed delight for the overwhelming support by stakeholders for the Bill.

Duru said: “As Civil Society Organisations, we are one of the major stakeholders of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency, NFIA, Bill, sponsored by Senator Victor Lar. This Bill is not for personal interest but for the entire country. It will help in no small way to fight corruption intelligently.

“This had made the Civil

Society Coalition against Corruption, CSCC, to throw its weight behind this Bill because it has direct bearing with the lives of Nigerians who are the victims of corruption.

“The reason for our support is not far-fetched, it is because corruption had seriously impacted negatively on the nation’s image as we all know and had stunted the develop-

ment expected in the country.

“I want to state that corruption is not one or two agencies’ fight, but many that could frontally and intelligently tackle it, such as the NFIA. In a way will compliment and make the fight easier for other sister organisations.”

The NFIA Bill aims at establishing a national agency that will be responsible for the re-

AWARD: Former President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Dr Afe Mayowa; Deputy Governor, Osun State, Otunba Grace Titi Laoye (displaying an award received on behalf of the Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as Best Governor of the Year on Infrastructural Development); and Publisher, Nigerian NewsDirect, Mr Samuel Ibiyemi, during the 3rd anniversary and awards by Nigerian NewsDirect newspaper, in Lagos.

Big oil sits out lobbying on Iran as Congress stands firm A

S debate rises in Wash ington over the first thaw in relations between Iran and the United States in decades, powerful oil companies are opting for an unusual tactic: silence.

Reuters reports that Oil companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp and ConocoPhillips could earn huge profits if the United States loosened economic sanctions on Iran, allowing access to its oil and natural gas fields, some of the world’s largest and least costly to produce.

But through September, at least, U.S. energy companies have largely opted to stand back even as Congress considers whether to further limit new oil exports from the Islamic republic.

It is an unusual tack for an industry known for its strong Capitol Hill presence on every issue from taxes to pollution rules to international trade.

But this particular issue may be too hot to touch.

“You are unlikely to flip any lawmaker, but you could of-

ceipt of information from financial institutions and designated non-financial institutions, analysis of the financial information for the purpose of turning the information into financial intelligence and dissemination of the financial intelligence to all law enforcement agencies.

The Bill will also ensure that the NFIU is not under any agency, but will have adequate measures to build an independent financial intelligence system according to international standards and best practices.

fend them,” said one lobbyist familiar with sanctions issues, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid being seen as speaking for clients.

He said his company had received no client requests this year to lobby on Iran sanctions.

The oil and gas industry spent $105 million on lobbying in the first nine months of this year, behind only the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington watchdog group. Companies in the sector, and their employees, also donated a total of $20.5 million to candidates in last year ’s elections, ranking ninth overall.

It is uncertain whether the six-month deal with Iran struck last month in Geneva will lead to comprehensive restrictions on its nuclear capabilities, which could bring a full rollback of sanctions.

Under the interim deal, Iran will limit uranium enrichment in return for limited access to funds frozen by U.S. law.

The June election of moderate President Hassan Rouhani offered a clear sign that 2013 could be the best year for relations between Washington and Tehran since Iran’s 1979 revolution.

Yet the U.S. Congress has been firm in its backing of further action against Iran. The House of Representatives voted 400-20 in July to choke funding to Iran’s disputed nuclear program by slashing its oil exports further than sanctions enacted in 2010.

The Senate also widely supports being tough on Iran, though President Barack Obama has pushed it to delay introduction of its version of the bill to give the Geneva agreement a chance.

Deaf ears For its part, Iran’s oil ministry is hopeful a full deal could one day spur new investment by U.S. energy companies. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh this month named seven Western energy companies it wants back to develop reservoirs if sanctions are lifted, including Exxon and Conoco.

Exxon spokesman Alan Jef-

fers said that his company always looks for development opportunities, but that current U.S. laws prevent work in Iran.

A Conoco spokesman said his company is not engaged in business discussions with Iran.

Both companies have not lobbied Congress this year on Iran sanctions, records show.

Neither has U.S.-based companies Chevron Corp or Halliburton Co. All four companies lobbied Congress in 2010 on the initial sanctions bill that targeted the OPEC member ’s oil exports.

Conoco lobbied that year, the spokesman said, as part of a coalition called USA Engage. The coalition was concerned about the impact of sanctions on joint venture projects in foreign countries.

“The 2013 legislation did not appear to have this impact, and no lobbying activity was required,” the Conoco spokesman said.

The other three U.S. companies declined to comment.

Congressional aides agreed oil companies would be wasting their time if they attempted to persuade lawmakers to turn back existing sanctions or prevent enactment of new ones.

BITS Brief

Cooking gas: NLNG calls for tackling of market barriers

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

N

IGERIAN LNG Limit ed, a major stakeholder in the LPG sector urged all arms of government to create an enabling environment to deepen and support an efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG market.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Babs Omotowa, who spoke recently in an LPG conference in Lagos, said barriers to market entry must be tackled. He added that the sector is one where government must ensure social and environmental considerations are in place.

To further deepen private participation in the LPG sector, Omotowa argued that the regulatory environment must be backed by government control.

According to him, precedent has been set in other developing countries where growth in consumption was stimulated through government’s intervention. He cited Indonesia, Brazil, India, Senegal, Ghana, and a host of others, which he must be adopted in Nigeria.

Omotowa identified key areas for government intervention to include fiscal incentive, financial/monetary incentive, infrastructural investments and improved safety requirement should be given top priority.

For fiscal incentives, the NLNG boss stated that government should expedite removal of VAT on LPG, taxes and duties concession for LPG equipment and cylinder and accelerate capital allowances on infrastructural investments in the LPG distribution chain.

He also urged government to make available affordable financing with lower interest rates adding government guarantees on loan should be also be put in place.

He said, “there should be direct importation of cylinders for distribution to Nigerians and direct involvement in terminal and storage development. For improved safety requirements, there should be standardization of product quality and enhanced regulation, support for research and development.

“The private sector cannot solely engineer the growth of the Domestic LPG Market government support and drive is required.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 29

By Theodore Opara

Corolla, world’s best-selling car gets better N

O W in its 11th generation and manufactured in 16 production locations, the Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car. The Toyota Corolla comes in many variants and is sold in over 150 countries around the world.

To date, over 40 million Corollas have been sold worldwide since the first generation was launched in 1966, making it the world’s best-selling car. In Nigeria, the Toyota Corolla has, for years, maintained enviable record as the best-selling Sedan in its segment with several “car of he year awards” to crown it.

Riding on the philosophy behind the creation of the first generation Corolla, i.e a car of superior quality, durability and reliability that fulfills customers expectations in every market throughout the world, Toyota has raised the Corolla quality beyond competition.

Toyota’s resolve to exceed this expectation was aided by feedback from its customers across the globe. The result is the 11th generation Corolla, a car that clearly inherits 47

years of Corolla DNA, but has been created to satisfy a wide range of global customers needs.

It features an advanced, more contemporary design, improved roominess, comfort, practicality and user friendliness, unrivalled fuel economy driving dynamics and enhanced safety features.

Watch out, this new Corolla might be Toyota’s gift to its customers in the new year.

FRSC, DHL partner for road traffic accident reduction T

HE recent joint safe ty awareness campaign by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and DHL Supply Chain at the Ojodu premsies of the Federal Road Safety Commission was part of their effort to promote safe road through responsible driving habits and safe road usage by all categories of road users in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, while commending DHL, the problem of road safety is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders,

•Osita Chidoka, Corps Marshal/FRSC as being demonstrated by the involvement of DHL Supply Chain in their campaign.

He said: “Today’s event is a practical demonstration in our continuing ad-

VW passenger cars brand delivers 4.40m vehicles the Volkswagen Passenger

T

HE Volkswagen Passen ger Cars brand recorded a good delivery performance in November with volumes up3.4percentto522,100(November 2012: 504,800) units.

5.40 (January-November 2012: 5.22) million vehicles were handed over to customers from January to November,anincreaseof3.4percent. ”Our brand’s most importantmodel,theGolf,hasonce again been a strong driver.

The latest generation has got off to an excellent start and we will be delivering the 500,000thmodelthisDecember, just one year after the C M Y K

market launch”, Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, said.

He added: “We expect to see further momentum from key countries such as China and the USA, where the Golf will be launched shortly. And we are constantly adding to theGolffamily:ThenewGolf Estate has just gone on sale, andtheGolfSportsvanalong with the e-Golf and the Golf Plug-in Hybrid will follow next year.”

In the Asia-Pacific region,

Carsbrandgrewdeliveriesby 15.8 percent from January to November, handing over 2.46 (2.12) million vehicles to customers,ofwhich2.26(1.92; +17.5 percent) million units were delivered in China (including Hong Kong), the region’s largest single market.

In the North America region, the delivery level was unchanged, with the brand handing over 563,000 vehicles, of which 373,700 (394,100; -5.2 percent) new models were handed over to customers in the United States.

vocacy, and it showcases the effectiveness of our collaboration with relevant stakeholders in pushing for safer road for all.

"Our spirit of collaboration which is anchored on the fact that road safety is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders is today being further demonstrated by the involvement of DHL Supply Chain in the campaign."

According to the FRSC boss, DHL made the right choice by taking road safety as its area of social responsibility to its numerous customers.

Describing the decision of DHL to partner with the FRSC in road safety campaign as very strategic, Chidoka said “I want to assure you that the choice of road safety by the company is not misplaced because DHL logistic remains a global organisation with fleet of ve-

hicles both small and articulated and has continued to strive to draw and maintain an articulated road map that could ensure effective service delivery in the country.

"He expressed confidence that the partnership would lead to effective resolution of some of the road traffic challenges which can be addressed through advocacy and attitudinal change, given the fact that road transportation accounts for greater percentage of daily movement of goods and people across the country.

Arguing that human factor remains the greatest impediment to safer road campaign, the corps marshal explained that “as new roads are being constructed and old ones rehabilitate, a new threat to road safety has come up through speed limit violation.”

According to him speed limit violation and resultant crashes and deaths are now sources of concern to all road users because of the pervasiveness of speed violation by drivers who are always thrilled by the smoothness of the road.

Chidoka disclosed that “out of the 6269 road traffic crashes involving 10,042 vehicles in Nigeria in 2012 that killed 4260 people and injured

20,757, speed violation accounted for the highest causative factor of 35 per cent followed by loss of control and dangerous driving at 17 per cent each. In the same vein, truck/trailers accounted for 22 per cent of the total vehicles involved in crashes in 2012 and 17 per cent, so far as at November 30 this year.”

To this end, he said that the FRSC has come up with a number of initiatives to tackle the menace, including aggressive public enlightenment and enforcement strategies which is evidenced by the introduction of speed limiting devices launched this year.

"In addition, he disclosed that they are stepping up advocacy in order to build public consciousness that could support self regulation in the use of the device by the categories of drivers, pointing out that many of their staff have undergone specialised safety training abroad.

Furthermore, he commended the support of the World Bank who recently deliver four tow trucks and 21 patrol vehicles, as well as other operational equipment under the safe corridor project which would boost their enforcement and rescue capabil

Continues on page 31

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

By Theodore Opara

Coscharis targets more market share with 3 Series Gran Turismo

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OSCHARIS Motors, sole representative of BMW brand of vehicles in Nigeria has said that the recent launch of the all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo would enable it widen the BMW market share in Nigeria in the shortest possible time.

Dr. Cosmas Maduka, president, Coscharis Group stated this at the unveiling of the new BMW Gran Turismo recently in Lagos. The Coscharis boss who was represented by the Group General Manager of the company, Mr. Sola Adigun, said the 3 Series Gran Turismo provides a unique combination of sporty and elegant coupe design, excellent versatility, space and the hallmark of BMW driving experience.

Describing the Gran Turismo as “simply a car with intelligent innovations, Dr. Maduka pointed out that it clearly combines two apparent contradictions: a coupelike vehicle design on one hand and on the other hand, an extraordinary generous amount of space with excellent functionality which is hardly found in its competitors.

As the first ever BMW vehicles to spot active rear spoiler which enables very coupe-like silhouette and elegant low rear, the Coscharis boss said the Gran Turismo is a unique vehicle concept for young and upward moving families.

The Gran Turismo main features include elevated seating position, comfortable vehicle ingress and highly versatile luggage compartment.

The largest in the five BMW 3 Series range with 4.82 metres length, and 20 centimetres longer than the BMW 3 Series Touring, the Gran Turismo boasts additional seven centimetres of legroom for rear passengers with 520 litres of storage capacity. It also offers an extra 25 litres of luggage space.

Dr. Maduka further explained that the new 3 Series Gran Turismo would support its corporate philosophy of “value for money”.

“I have maintained that our company is envisioned to remain a market leader in the auto segment in Nigeria. This variant of BMW 3 Series helps to buttress this claim as it is an iconic model in the BMW brand,” he stated.

The BMW Gran Turismo also known as the F34 brings to five the number of BMW 3 Series different body variants. Others include saloon, touring, coupe and convertible.

Available in three trims, the 3 Series comes in engine variants ranging from 328i to 335i with xDrive.

The entry model which is 328i start from N11.5 million, according to Dr. Maduka.

Yuletide: Hyundai Motors, Diamond Bank extend sales promo

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HE ongoing Hyundai /Diamond Bank offer has been extended through the 2013 Christmas/New Year season to enable more desiring customers access the scheme and essentially, experience Hyundai cutting edge technology at affordable price.

Announcing the extension in Lagos recently, Mr. Jatin Nadkarni, Head, Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited said: “We understand the evolving needs and preferences of our customers going by the overwhelming requests we have received since the campaign was unveiled in October this year.”

Mr. Nadkarni reemphasized the objective of the campaign aimed at providing the best of Hyun-

dai products and services to customers yelling for value-added experience.

Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited with Diamond Bank Plc had in October unveiled this campaign to showcase Hyundai’s ‘live brilliant’ slogan just as it promises to inspire prospective customers to discover the true value of Hyundai cutting edge technology.

The Hyundai marketing helmsman also recount that the offer was part of efforts to implement Hyundai’s brand essence of ‘Modern Premium’ designed to help customers, including fleet and individual patrons procure Hyundai cars without hidden charges. The vehicles listed in the offer include Hyundai i10, Accent.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 31

By Theodore Opara

Porsche Cayenne gets Platinum Edition P

ORSCHE is up grading the Cayenne six-cylinder model through a special series known as the Platinum Edition. The new Cayenne Platinum Edition comes with unique exterior design features in Platinum Silver and a wider range of standard equipment.

The enhanced equipment range available for the new model is espe-

cially designed to increase comfort and safety. The new Cayenne Platinum Edition features standard Tiptronic S transmission, BiXenon headlights, Power Steering Plus, Park Assist (front and rear), as well as privacy glazing in the rear.

Painted in Platinum Silver Metallic, the air intake slats on the front apron, the side window surrounds, the rear

spoiler lip and the rear bumper trim strip emphasise the sporty shape of the car and add an elegant note.

Available paint finishes are Black and White, as well as optional Meteor Grey Metallic, Basalt Black Metallic, and Mahogany Metallic.

The Carrara White Metallic paint finish is also an option available exclusively for this Cayenne edition. The

exterior is rounded off by the 19-inch Cayenne Design II wheels with coloured crest.

To make the interior

of the Cayenne Platinum Edition even more special, it is available with an exclusive twotone partial-leather interior in Black and Luxor Beige, as well as door-sill guards with ‘Platinum Edition’ logo as standard. The Sport Design steering wheel with shift paddles and the Porsche crest embossed on the head restraints of the front and outer rear seats emphasise the exclusiveness of the vehicle. The special edition model comes with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), in-

cluding a navigation module. The PCM features a high-resolution seven-inch touchscreen and a sound system with 11 loudspeakers and total power of 235 watt.

The Cayenne Platinum Edition offers an output of 300 hp with an average fuel consumption of 9.9 litres/100 km (236 g/km C02).

The model is available for order as of now, with first units being delivered in February of 2014. The basic retail price is available on request at the nearest Porsche Centre.

FRSC, DHL partner for road traffic accident reduction Continued from pg 29 ities during patrol.

The FRSC boss promised that the corps will continue to sustain its intensive patrol, rescue service, robust public enlightenment campaign and strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations throughout the yuletide, saying that these were in line with the goals of the UN Decade of Action for road safety, 2011-2020 aimed at the reducing road traffic crashes and facilities drastically by 2020.

The Corps Marshal restated the commitment of FRSC to attainment of 50 per cent reduction in road crashes by 2015 as set by the Accra declaration and Nigeria’s desire of becoming one of the 20 safest nations in the world by 2020.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director/CEO, ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Frank Nneji spoke on the dangers of over-speeding.

According to him, excess and inappropriate speed account for high proportion of the mortality and morbidity that result from road crashes. “In some low income and middle

income countries, speed is estimated to be the main contributory factor in about 50 per cent of all road crashes.

He explained that, a truck travelling 30 km/h will typically require over 15 metres in which to stop, while a car travelling at 40 km/h will stop in less than 22 metres.

He identified tools for managing speed to include: speed zoning and speed limits as well as changing behaviour – regulating and enforcing speed.

In his remark, the DHL supply chain official at the occasion called on all fleet transport operators to imbibe road safety culture, ensure safety of life and goods on the road through reduced speed.

He said that success story is that they have witnessed decrease accidents through speed reduction.

“An average of 35 per cent decrease in both minor and major collisions in 2013 against 2012 collision as well as reduced lost time injury caused by road traffic accidents.”

This he said resulted from positive change in driver behaviour.

32—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

We’re providing the man power need of the Aviation industry — Captain Abdulkarim

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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HE International Aviation College, Ilorin last week had its first graduation ceremony of Standard Pilot Course 1 of the college. The college, owned by the Kwara State government. graduated Nine pilots, all of which have already been employed by different aviation organisation .The Acting Rector of the college, Captain Nuhu Abdulkarim, assisted by the Ag. Chief Flight Instructor of the college, Captain Ibidapo Shomade,conducted aviation reporters on a facility tour of the college after which the Acting Rector, Captain Abdulkarim, fielded questions from aviation reporters: How did Kwara state government come to the decision to build this school and what inspired that decision?

As we know as followers of aviation history in this country, there has been a dearth of professionals, not only pilots, but engineers and dispatchers. This is because we used to have only one organisation recognised which is the NCAT (College of Aviation Technology, Zaria).

For sometimes they were not producing graduates. There has been about 10 to 11 years shortage of aviation manpower. The Kwara state government under the leadership of the then Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki thought deeply that if you look at Kwara, it is uniquely placed to be a hub for aviation in Nigeria for goods and services to be transferred from here and Lagos and other sub Saharan West Africa.

Part of the then Governor’s dream was, lets us leave something here (in Ilorin)

The capacity to train and the standard to train here is comparable to many good training institutions in South Africa and other parts of the world

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since this place is a hub. What do you need as a hub? You will need a cargo terminal. After that, who are going to manage it? You look at aviation professionals, we are not going to be producing only pilots; there are other professionals like engineers, dispatchers, loaders and everything. The dream started in 2006.

After the processes of putting such an edifice, our doors were opened in January 2012 to pilots training initially; we had our Air Training Organisation Certification (ATO) by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). On January 23 2012, our first students, these same students we are graduating entered classrooms.

Most schools would advertise 18 months, two years and you end up producing students or pilots in two and half years. We are lucky to have the most modern aircraft. When I say modern, it is in terms of easy maintenance. The

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visioners of this college were advised on the aircraft type to acquire; the Governor approved the purchase of Diamond aircraft because they use JET A1 (aviation fuel). JET A1 is available in Nigeria and every airline that flies turbo prop or jet engine has access to JET A1.

Our aircraft is equipped with two litres engines that use JET A1. We have a local company that supplies us with JET A1. We have modern classrooms.

How were you able to secure the partnership of Oxford Aviation Training College that has made its name known globally as a training organisation?

The then Governor looked at other schools all over the world to partner with, the choice for us fell on Oxford Aviation Training College. Oxford is a renowned aviation college globally. I was a product there too. I have attended courses there too. Our entire curriculum is pattered after Oxford. We use Oxford books for the private pilot licence to commercial pilot licence . I am sure you have entered our library and the classrooms.

The classroom is equipped with modern teaching aid which is called computer aided instruction. The teachers, instructors teach with the guidance of the computer software from the Oxford.

After that, the students go to the library and all he hears is the voice of the computer based training; he will not hear the voice of his instructor. If you look at Ilorin, the weather is good unlike in the North. The airspace is free, we don’t have too much traffic for now, the terrain and climate are good for flying our kind of aircraft.

The instrumentation in the Ilorin airport, thanks to the Federal Government, we have the ILS (Instrument Landing System) that was recently calibrated by the Ministry of Aviation, we have the

,

VOR (VHF ominidirectional range) etc.

These crops of students that we are graduating have gone through all the basics of flying.

NCAA’s examination is 75 per cent pass mark but our local exam is 85 per cent. If you get 80 per cent or even 84 per cent is failure. So, every student that we present gets more than that 75 per cent.

All the students we presented, in average, we have about 94 per cent to 85 per cent. The first PPL (Private Pilot Licence) we got was 90 per cent, one failure and one re-sit but the CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) we presented was about 100 per cent pass. If you look at the duration we are talking about, it’s supposed to be 18 months. We graduated in 16 months with all the relevant requirements needed to have that licence, otherwise, the NCAA will not touch your script if we don’t have the curriculum and the flying skills required

•International Aviation College, Ilorin to be presented. That is a plus.

We have highly skilled professionals, experienced in the field, we have conducive atmosphere to read for the students, conducive classrooms, the instructors have years of experience in their various fields. There is nothing stopping those students from learning.

If you are below our standard, we will try to raise you up but if not, we will withdraw you.

One was withdrawn because of medical reason that was beyond us, two were withdrawn for non-performance before they even reached PPL stage, eight went on to be presented with the CPL. The ninth person is so good in ground school, that is in theory and he had already a PPL, the first stage of study but we believe at this stage he does not have the skills. We cannot impart that knowledge for him and he himself could not go further than PPL. What did we do to him? He has Master’s degree in Geology. He can dissect an aeroplane for you theoretically and it will enter your brain. As more experienced that I am, he tells me some things, I listen and go back to review them. We have employed him as a ground instructor so that we will not lose him to any other person.

How do you get your instructors?

Many of existing instructors in Nigeria today are aging and with the prevalent situation where there is paucity of indigenous manpower, how long are we still going to have expatriates dominating the flying aspects of aviation in the country?

The eight students that have graduated, three of them have been taken by the College. Our Board has approved the employment of these young men.

We have taken them; we are not sending them to the industry. Kwara state government through the magnanimity of the Governor has directed we take them. Incidentally, they are Kwara state indigenes; they have graduated, they did exceptionally well, they were sponsored by Kwara state for their training.

Now, the government has paid us N12 million which we have used to send them for further training. They are going to do their instructor training in South Africa.

They are already earning salaries here as flight instructor trainee. Three of them will be leaving on January 16, 2014 to South Africa and they should be back in two months; that gives them the skill to teach. The remaining five are already employed. Two have been employed by Top Brass Airlines, two by Overland Airways, one by Shell International and he is doing helicopter training in Florida, United States. Incidentally, that

one is the youngest pilot ever to be presented with a licence. He is one of the top-notch in the class. The ninth one that has a PPL is already working with us. Like I told you, we are aging and I have just told you that we have employed three of them for this college.

We have a Nigerian who just finished his training. He is in South Africa; he just called me this morning while you were inspecting our facilities. He is doing his exams on Saturday. He will be returning to us on January 4, 2014.

When he returns, am giving him an appointment letter on January 6th, 2014.

The four pioneer pilot instructors that we have were trained by the Kwara State government. They were trained for PPL, CPL, multi-engine instrument instructors rating by the Kwara State money.

The capacity to train and the standard to train here is comparable to many good training institutions in South Africa and other parts of the world.

For Nigerian Air Force to trust and believe in this college even without a track record by seeing the capacity we have, by seeing the quality of instructors that we have, by seeing the quality of infrastructure and investment that the Kwara State government has done to make International Aviation College a world standard and for the Chief of Air Staff to say that the standard of this school is comparable to any in the world shows you the quality of training we have here.

Sustainability of infrastructure of the college is very vital. What are the maintenance programmes you have put in place for this school?

I will start with the equipment. It will interest you to know that we have Diamond aircraft, there are seven in our fleet; this college is a service centre for Diamond aircraft, approved by the Diamond Company as a service centre. We are indirect representative of the company. Any Diamond aircraft that is within your area, you are authorised to service it and we have had that experience. There was an aircraft that did calibration of navigational facilities for the Federal Government; they did not take one litre of oil from Lagos.

They called Diamond, Diamond called us, they brought their aircraft here, we oiled it and from here, it went back to the United Kingdom. There is another one doing aerial photography for the Federal Government in Abuja. They wrote to Diamond and Diamond said, go to Ilorin. They called us, they sent us email.

*To be continued

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—33

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34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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Victims of police demoli Christmas under trees ing career which spanned over 35 years.

Struggling to narrate his experience, George, who now engages in petty trading to sustain his family said; “I watched helplessly as the officers of the Nigeria Police, Area K command, pulled down my house and bulldozed my belongings.”

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n Wednesday, after the police had completed the demolition, George said he borrowed a hammer, plough and other implements to remove some of the broken woods and irons from the rubbles with the hope to sell them to raise money for feeding and to rent a new apartment.

“But the price they are willing to pay for these items is far too low compared to the cost price.

For instance, I bought this quality iron door for over N10, 000 few years ago. But to my surprise, the Aboki’s (scavengers) decided to pay N1, 000 for it,” George said.

Speaking with gloomy eyes he lamented; “My problem now is how to raise substantial amount of money to relocate to my home town.

“This is my house. This is where I have been living for the past 15 years.

“My years of hard labour were demolished that Monday and since then, I have been sleeping under this mango tree despite the harsh harmattan.

Also, mosquitoes don’t allow us have good sleep. I am not appealing to your emotion. But I believe you can see things yourself. At my age, I am dirty, no shelter but a mango tree.

“I am not blaming anyone for my plight but the government especially the Nigerian Police and the Lagos State Government whom we pay our land

The plight of this septuagenarian, Egosoku, and the teenager, Solomon are two out of the several pathetic stories of the displaced residents of Atin-

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ITTING on a mattress, under a mango tree on the land that used to accommodate their house, Sunday Solomon, a teenager, watched over what the family could salvage. Clutching the remote control to their television set, he gazed at the rubbles of their demolished house with the hope that the hand of the clock could be turned back Sunday and his only sibling were obviously yet to come to terms with the reality that their house, which was demolished on December 16 for allegedly trespassing on police 975 plots (65 hectares) of land in Atinporome, Mowo Phase 11, Olohunda Local Council Development Area, LCDA, no longer exist.

The sibling while waiting for their parents who had gone out to look for money that will help them to either relocate to their home town or rent an apartment in a nearby community, ensured that their scattered property under the tree was safe.

“My name is Solomon Sunday and my parents aren’t at home. This is our demolished house.

“And please Sir you are not welcome here. Please leave and come back when my parent returns,” Sunday told Vanguard.

The Police, in its two- day demolition exercise removed over 1, 000 structures erected on the 65 hectares of land, displacing over a thousand residents of the community.

As if they had premonition of what would befall them in future, many residents planted different trees in their compounds.

The trees, spared by the bulldozers, today provide shelter for many of the residents while others have turned their cars to temporary shelter..

The Sundays were not the only family using the trees in their old compound as their new shelter. Lying on his back, also on a mattress placed under a tree in his demolished home, 73- year- old George Egosoku, gazed at the mango tree probably brooding over what would have happened without it. After the demolition, George, a professional driver before age caught with him, now sit helplessly and closely with his son under the mango tree where they’ve being spending the night since last Monday.

He was short of words to describe what happened on that fateful day, which will forever remain in his memory, the day he lost his house, built at the twilight of his active driv-

Since 1994, when I bought my land from the late Baale Hoodonu, there had never been any issue concerning the ownership of the land

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use charge to. The government cannot provide housing to the downtrodden rather they demolish what the citizens had built.”

porome, Mowo Phase 11 community.

Elder David Hundenu, 80year- old residents of the community, lamented; “At my age,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

— 35

•Ago bad road

Contractors stop work on Ago Amuwo Odofin link road

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PHOTO BY BUNMI AZEEZ

tion spend where do I start? I cannot run around the way I was doing 40 years ago. This is where I have called home. This is where I hope to finally rest but with this, I am confused.”

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undenu, who had lived in the community for 19 years said; “Since 1994, when I bought my land from the late Baale Hoodonu, there had never been any issue concerning the ownership of the land. The tussle over the land started in 2008 after the demise of Hoodonu. While he was alive, he told me that the entire land belonged to his family.”

Another resident, Mr. Ahmed Alade who lost his home two years ago to the expansion of the LagosBadagry expressway phase one at OrileIganmu, struggled to compose himself.

And when the 73- year- old finally did, he said; “My house

was demolished in Orile two years ago for the expansion of the LagosBadagry expressway to 10- lanes. I didn’t get any compensation for it. I ran here for shelter with my family. But the shelter has been demolished again. Where do they (government and police) want me to go?”

Chief Korede Mayegun, who lost a hotel, house and a parcel of land worth over N160 million to the demolition, said; “when I heard the news, I went into coma. In fact I have been shuttling between hospital and home since last Monday. But my happiness is that I am alive again. I was unable to remove anything from my hotel.

“I believe that my property will not go like that. Our case is still in court and the date for another hearing is January 15th, 2014. We are ready to challenge them in court.”

OPES that failed road linking Ago Palace way and Amuwo Odofin will get the attention of Lagos State government during this dry season has evaporated as the Chinese Construction firm working on the site has pulled out their equipments.

Embattled members of the fast emerging high brow area of Isolo Local Development Area are contemplating another self help effort to keep the road useable with the coming of the dry season which has drained the perennial flood water on the road.

Among those embarking on the self help are the Landlord Association of Park View Estate, the Ago Unit of National Union of Road Transport Workers and owners of businesses on the failed road which the Lagos State Government. The Chinese Construction contractor (CECC), has completed the contentious portion of the Ago Palace way from the Okota junction up to Century Bus stop end after so many delays and agonies that was inflicted on the users of the road.

Vanguard learnt that the contractors pulled out because the contract for the fourth phase of the Ago Palace Way to cover the length from Century Hotel to the end of the road has not been awarded.

Worried by the latest development, some of the residents told Vanguard that the government is not keen on extending work on the road during the tenure of Governor Fashola.

Chief Adebisi Ajomo who owns property at Park View Estate, Ago said; “Two years ago, the story was that the road was not captured in the budget. Later the story changed that the House cut the budge t of the government, now we don’t know what story they will tell us, but you can see that the Contractors have left.”

Chief Bright Ojiako who lives in Trinity Estate said the road work cannot continue with the present government. He said; “Last year, we embarked on self help effort to rescue the road from total collapse We went through endless agony caused by the deplorable condition of the road, with the end of the rain we thought some work will be done, but now, that hope is gone. We contributed funds and human resources to fill the deep potholes with hard core stones and granites”.

Financial Secretary of NURTW, Mr. Ajose

Taiwo said; “The failed section of the road has become a nightmare particularly at the Park view Estate gate, for their business and for the residents of Ago who ply the road daily.

He said this situation has frequently caused their buses to breakdown in the middle of the flood and in the process, forces passengers to disembark into pool of water or pay area boys to carry them out of the buses across the flood water.

According to Taiwo; “Each trip of a Ten-tyre truckload costs between N120, 000.00 to N140, 000.00,and the landlords supply between six to eight of such truck loads to the site.”

The Auditor of the Union, Mr. Fatayi Olaifa said in the past, Christ Embassy had been active in supporting to carry out repair work on the road, but they have disappeared and other churches and organized groups who should join to make the road useable are nowhere to be found.

We want to continue to appeal to the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to have a change of heart on Ago road. We need drainage at both sides of the busy road to channel away the rain water

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BY HUGO ODIOGOR

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Olaifa, said; “We want to continue to appeal to the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola to have a change of heart on Ago road. We need drainage at both sides of the busy road to channel away the rain water.”

Chairman of the LCDA Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye i said to be fond of dumping red sand on the streets, without getting the caterpillars to spread it, there by worsening the situation.

On his inspection of the Ago failed road last June Lagos State State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Obafemi Hamzat promised that palliative works would be carried out on the road at the cost N90million. The work was to take about 8 weeks to complete.

Mr. Austin Anyaso, a resident of Ago in his contribution said; “The traffic gridlock on the road has continued unabatted, the N90million palliative works did not achieve the desired result.It did not ease flow of rain waters because they did not do any work at all.”

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

‘Be patient with Jonathan’

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two term state Chairman of People Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, Dr Pius Sinebe, has called on Nigerians to be patient and allow the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference to do its work of providing a platform for them to decide the future of the country.

Sinebe, who made the remark in his reaction to critics of the proposed National Conference, said: “At this stage of our development and history, Nigerians should learn to think positive about the future of the country and work with the President to allow him create a platform for them to decide their future.”

Donation

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HE Asaba branch of Merchant Club of Nigeria has donated foodstuffs and cash to widows drawn from different ethnic nationalities of the area.

Presenting the items, the branch President, Mr. Reuben Ishaka, enjoined the widows to engage in fervent prayers and look unto God for better days ahead.

A patron of the club and state Commissioner for Water Resources and Development, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen, while making his own donation of 10 bags of rice and N100,000, commended the Merchant Club members for their initiative.

Portal launch

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REAVEN Travels and Tours Limited has unveiled its new online portal.

This online portal with local connectivity is expected to make ticket bookings, airports transfers, tour, cruises and hotel reservations very easy.

During the unveiling in Lagos, Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Ifie Ezenwa-Ugwoke said they travelled far and wide to know that the future of travel agency business lies on information technology, stressing that before now there used to be paper ticketing, which has been phased out.

Isoko youths protest alleged marginalisation by NPDC

BY FESTUS AHON

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G H E L L I — THOUSANDS of Isoko youths, under the aegis of Isoko Progressive Youth Centre, last weekend stormed the zonal headquarters of Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, in Benin, Edo State capital, to protest alleged marginalisation by the company.

The youths stormed the company’s premises at about 12p.m. on Friday in over 40 buses, chanting songs of grievances and displaying placards which bore inscriptions such as “We demand to be the sole heads of security jobs in the operational fields in Isokoland,” “Employ Isoko indigenes as staff,” amongst others.

Speaking during the protest, President of the group, Mr. Anthony Ogbalor, said the protest was aimed at expressing their “grievances against SPDC, now operating as NPDC, other multinationals and their subcontractors in Isokoland.”

Advising the company to desist from clandestine dealings in its operations in Isokoland, Ogbalor explained that the decision of the youths from the various communities in the Isoko nation to embark on the protest was a result of the failure of NPDC to acknowledge and

act on series of letters written by the group to the company.

He said: “It is really unfortunate that the privilege that was given to SPDC, which they used to enslave our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children,

including the Isoko youths and the entire Isoko nation, the company and its subcontractors have been taken as a right to impose marginalisation and punishment on the Association of Isoko

OUTING: From left— Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Professor Amos Utuama, Delta State Deputy Governor; Chief Ighoyota Amori; HRM, Ogunrimerime Ukori I of the Agbor Kingdom and Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, at the outing service for late Mama Amori at Mosogar.

Oru lauds Jonathan's Transformation Agenda

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI— NATIONAL Vice Chairman of Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, SouthSouth, Dr. Stephen Oru, has said that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has brought positive changes to the lives of

Rivers judge makes case for girl child education

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT— FIRST female lawyer and judge from Ogba kingdom in Rivers State, Justice Chioma Ada Okirie, has urged parents to increase commitment to education of the girl child.

Justice Okirie stressed the necessity for equal education

for female children when Ogba Lawyers Forum decorated her with an excellence award at Omoku to commemorate 10 years of the forum’s existence.

Okorie, who became judge of the Rivers State High Court in 2003, said: “My father gave me the foundation to acquire higher education against the advice of close friends at a time the society considered it a waste of resources to train a

girl child.

“My husband, who married me early, built on my father’s foundation.

“Things have changed a lot; better than what it was when we were growing up. But then apathy towards girl child education is still there.

“I challenge our girls and women to strive to reach for greater heights and Ogbaland would be better for it.”

IYC faults call for Jonathan's impeachment

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI— PRESIDENT of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo, has described as self-serving calls for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He also charged the National Assembly to broaden its views and make democracy respond to the needs of the people.

He spoke in a statement yesterday by the group spokesman, Edounkumor, at a leadership conference organised by

members of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities in Port-Harcourt.

He said the much-professed unity in diversity could only be possible when Nigerians put ethnic sentiment, religious bigotry and party affiliation above their selfish interests.

Community denies report of new monarch

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group, Ndoni Community Nigeria, Lagos branch, has debunked reports allegedly insinuating that Ndoni has a new monarch.

It said the Ndoni monarchical tool was not vacant and is presently being occupied by the

Indigenous Synergy Contractor/Skilled and Unskilled Workers.

“We are demanding that the association should be the sole head of all contract works in NPDC’s operational fields.”

Awoh of Ndoni, HRH Dr. Gabriel Obi II. The community’s President, Chief Victor Oyolu and Vice President, Dr. Francis Olisa, said: “The Awoh stool is not vacant. It is therefore embarrassing for someone to crown

himself Igwe of Ndoni when the Awoh is still on the throne.

“Moreover Ndoni monarchical stool is not Igwe as published in the misleading publication, which has sent a wrong signal across the world, but Awoh.”

Nigerians.

Oru, who spoke at Ughelli Township Stadium during his thanksgiving service for surviving armed bandits attack, said the aggregation of other political parties against the PDP would at best spur the party to greater heights.

Oru was attacked by armed bandits on February 2 at Uvwiamughe-Agbarho junction on the East-West Road.

He said: “I have always had very private thanksgiving to God in my belief that a man’s thanksgiving to God is a private affair between him and God. “However, something terrible happened that literally and practically shook me deep to my marrows.

“This incident of my rebirth made me to have a rethink. I decided to have a public thanksgiving even if it is just this one time.”

He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for their good work, saying “APC is not a good alternative.

“Our great party remains unshaken and resolute in seeing that the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President is successful and that no amount of distraction will deter us.

“We remain grateful to the good people of Delta State and indeed all Nigerians for their faith in our great party and we assure Nigerians that we will not let them down.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 37

PDP youths pass confidence vote on Tukur

Serve God with love, humility, Uduaghan charges Christians

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OUTHS, under the aegis of People's Democratic Party, PDP, Youth Support Group, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country, have passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, saying the party will remain united, despite challenges facing it.

The PDP youths also reaffirmed their support and loyalty to the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for religiously pursuing his transformation agenda in the country.

In a statement at the end of an enlarged meeting in Enugu, Enugu State, by its chairman, Doutimi Evans and secretary, Gbaboyo Wurus, the youths urged Tukur to remain focused and shun those wanting to distract him. They called on the five governors and 37 members of the House of Representatives who recently decamped to All Progressives Congress, APC, to retrace their steps.

Delta community boils as women, youths protest

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RISIS continued on the fourth day, yesterday in Jesse, the administrative headquarters of Idjerhe Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, barely a year after disaster struck in the area with several lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed.

Youths and women numbering over 2,000, have taken to the streets to protest what they described as ‘’the usurpation of the traditional rights and privileges of our monarch, HRM, Edward Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe I, by some highly privileged chiefs in the area.”

A leader of the youths, who identified himself as Omonigho J. K. and that of the women, Madam Comfort Omafuare, said they were protesting because some notable chiefs in the community were allegedly orchestrating a plot to unlawfully dethrone their monarch, an act which they said can provoke another round of bloodshed in the kingdom which is yet to recover from a previous mayhem.

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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CENTENARY: From left: Mr. Justice Sunday Aigbe, award recipient; Vicar, St Paul's Church, Lampese, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, Venerable Alabi Fatile and Mrs. Deborah Aigbe, during the church's centenary celebrations and awards ceremony.

Why Rivers leaders tried to foil my nomination —NDDC ED, F&A

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT—EXECUTIVE Director, Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Henry Ogiri, has said that Rivers State Government and the state caucus in the National Assembly loyal to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, kicked against his nomination for his new job because he was nominated by Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike.

Ogiri stated this in Port Harcourt when Rivers provincial newspaper, National Network, declared and honoured Wike, as its Man of the Year.

The NDDC chief, said: “I was nominated by Wike and for that reason, some persons did not want that nomination to get

through.

“Just as they outsourced Rivers State’s Assembly to the National Assembly, they also wanted to outsource the NDDC ED, F&A, outside Rivers because Wike was involved and they believed they alone had power to appoint.

“Abe wrote to the Senate that my nomination would not scale through and he travelled. He and Peterside must be ashamed that my nomination went through against their wish.

“The story of my emergence to represent the new NDDC on behalf of Rivers tells the story of what Rivers State has been going through in the past seven years, where one man dictates to the rest of the state.

Only a few sideline the majority.”

Ogiri thanked Wike for standing up to Governor Amaechi, adding that his fearless and passionate leadership over the current political situation in Rivers State would liberate the state and its people from the stronghold of dictatorship.

“I thank the Minister for nominating me and ensuring that those who are happy selling our state out for their personal gains did not get another opportunity to sell Rivers NDDC’s slot to outsiders over their vengeful politics.

“I promise that I will use my position to advance the growth of Rivers and the Niger Delta in general,” Ogiri said.

Court rejects Falana’s bail application for Ugborodo Spiritual head

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—THE Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, yesterday rejected the conditional oral bail application by Lagos lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, seeking the release of the spiritual head of Ugborodo, High Priest Benson Dube Omadeli, from Okere prison.

Omadeli and three others have been in prison custody on the orders of Chief Magistrate Enah Odjugho since November, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. However, counsel to the accused persons have approached both the state and Federal High courts seeking freedom under the fundamental Human Rights principles without success, with the Federal High Court adjourning hearing to yesterday.

At the resume sitting, counsel to the accused persons served fresh

papers on the plaintiff’s counsel, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, who sought for time to study the papers.

Declining the conditional oral application for bail, Justice Mohammed Abubakar restated his earlier stand that he would not grant same because he wanted the case heard on merit and granted the state Attorney –General time to study the papers served on him in court.

Justice Abubakar then adjourned the case to January 16, 2014, for adoption of written addresses.

They are to spend the Xmas and new year in the Federal prisons, Okere, Warri.

High priest Benson Dube Omadeli and the three others in the case between them and the Commissioner of Police

were charged, amongst others, for alleged torture, kidnapping and intent to wage war against the community.

ELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has enjoined Christians to serve God with love and humility.

He gave the charge at Ubiaja, Edo State, at the commissioning of an ultramodern social centre of St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Governor Uduaghan, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN), said as believers in God, Christians must exhibit a higher love for God than anything else, saying that to get the best out of life, man must learn to love God and serve him in humility.

His words: “As Christians, it is our duty to manifest love, serve God in love and humility and love our neighbours. Nobody trades with God and loses. If you go into partnership with God you are a winner any day. So, let us be fervent in doing the works of God. “ Earlier in his welcome address, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Francis Omolumen, thanked Governor Uduaghan for identifying with Ubiaja, his maternal home. He described the governor as a “worthy son” who never forgot his roots.

As a mark of honour and appreciation of his contribution to the completion of the project, the largest hall in the social centre was named Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan Hall.

The cleric then presented a list of other needs in the church and pleaded for further assistance, which Utuama promised to convey to Governor Uduaghan.

Christian leaders allege govt’s neglect of Ijawland

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OMADI—IJAW Christian leaders rose from a meeting, weekend, lamenting alleged absence of infrastructure and social amenities in their land.

The meeting, under the platform of Ijaw Christian Religious Leaders Forum, attended by various communities in various states, also deliberated on issues such as underdevelopment in Ijawland, selfactualisation, the proposed polytechnic at Bomadi, Toruebe state creation, oil pollution menace, security issues, erection of communication masts in communities among

others.

Dr. Robert Moruku of the Delta State University, who spoke on the topic “Towards Development of Ijawland”, noted that the wellbeing of Ijaw laid in self-actualisation which, according to him, has to do with a lot of sensitisation of the people as well as the need for Ijaw development by government. He said the deliberate impoverishment of the people by governments called for declaration of emergency in the area, stressing that riverine people were in dire need of roads, higher educational institutions, potable water and health services.

38—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

Much ado about Santa and Jesus O

PROTEST: From left: Dr. Yunusa Tanko of National Conscience Party, Publisher, Woman of Substance Nigeria, Ms. Ify Onyegbule; former chairman, CLO, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Enakoko Enenivie, Executive Director, Gender and Development Action, Ms. Ada AginaUde, President, Women Arise for Change, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Executive Director, MediaCon, Princess Olufemi-Kayode, Dr. Abiola Akinyode and others, during a protest on the dehumanization of two women at Ejigbo, Lagos, at Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Elechi presents N99.8bn 2014 budget A

BY PETEROKUTU

BAKALIKI—GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday, presented a budget estimate of N 99,840,505,540.00 to the state House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget, tagged “Budget of Stabilisation”, the governor pointed out that the 2014 Appropriation had a marginal reduction of 4.45 per cent when compared with the 2013 Appropriation of N104,374,364,400.00.

He added that a Supplementary Appropriation would in due course be presented to the House of Assembly as soon as the government considered more favourable external funds with very low interest rates and

longer period of refund, rather than domestic lending with very high interest rates and short duration of repayment.

According to him, the sum of N41, 368,355,540.00 or 41 per cent of the budget will be appropriated for core recurrent expenditure, while the capital expenditure has a provision of N53, 473,150,000.00, representing 54 per cent of the budget.

He added that the sum of N62,220,122,730 which represents 62 per cent of the budget, was expected to be generated from the Federal Government, while N17,683,326,190 or 18 per cent of the budget was expected to be generated from internal sources.

Anambra indigenes in US pledge to support Obiano

BY EMEKAAGINAM NAMBRA State indigenes resident in the United States of America have pledged to support governor-elect of the state, Mr. Willie Obiano, and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

Acting under the platform of Anambra State Association living in the United States of America, ASA-USA, the group in a letter jointly signed by President, Dr. Allison Anadu, and two others, said the victory of Obiano was possible due to his dedication, commitment, pedigree and vision.

The group said: “Your victory with a large majority, portrays the level of support accorded to you by Anambra people.

Congratulations once again on

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your great victory.

“We have confidence that you will make a difference in Anambra State and hope that you will continue to work hard for the comprehensive development and advancement of Anambra State. ASA-USA pledges her support to all your efforts toward the socio-economic improvement of our state.

“We look forward to a continuous and productive cooperation/partnership between Anambra State Government, under your leadership and ASA-USA, especially during the Association’s annual humanitarian missions to the state."

He said: “The expected increase in the internallygenerated revenue for Fiscal 2014 is informed by the introduction of the electronics revenue system in the state, which improved reasonably, the transparency in the registration of vehicles and elimination of ghost workers and payment platform.

“In the economic sector, agriculture shall be the main thrust.

The newly established Agriculture Development Corporation, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, will strive to revolutionise rice production in the state, and any other forms of production in general.

The international market, if not fully completed, will at least be phased to enable the traders put in use the completed segment.

“Under the economic sector also, the road and bridge project will continue to receive the biggest chunk of public sector expenditure.

“In the social sector, the ongoing expansion and renovation work done in all our general hospitals will be continued and completed within the new financial year, while procurement of essential items of equipment and furniture will also be embarked on.

“In compliance with the Federal Government’s directive to all the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the 2014 Appropriation adopted the International Public Sector Accounting Standard, IPSAS.”

FTENTIMES American me dia pundits seek solace in discussing issues you might think rightfully belong to a kindergarten class. This is especially true of times when there is a dearth of serious issues to talk about. Or, there could be some serious issues on the table, but some media organizations prefer to shove attention away from such important matters.

I was, therefore, not surprised that as global attention was on South Africa because of the death of international icon, Nelson Mandela, one of the programs on the Fox Newsnetwork found time to discuss, or more appropriately manufacture, an issue about the racial origin of Santa Claus and Jesus Christ. OK, you might say it is Christmas time, but what does that have to do with the anchor of the program reminding her viewers that both Santa Claus and Jesus Christ were white people?

The chief proponent of this all “important” subject is Megyn Kelly and her program is called “the Kelly file” on Fox News. She assembled a panel of “experts” to educate the entire world that the white race has produced two outstanding figures whose remarkable achievements and work are celebrated around Christmas.

The panel was of the opinion that only those who wish to be politically correct ignore the fact of the origin of both Santa Claus and Jesus Christ.

As you might expect, pundits in other programs and other news networks did not wish to let the “Kelly” team spread falsehood and get away with it. The CNN, for instance, also produced its own teams in various programs that tried so hard to debunk the theory about Santa and Christ’s race. A CNN team (correctly) asserted that Santa Claus (originally St. Nicholas, a bishop) who today supposedly brings kids presents at Christmas was of Turkish origin and he was not even “white” in appearance. Indeed, he could have looked like he was from Nigeria or Ethiopia.

Then, Christ. The CNN team also reminded its viewers that Christ was born of parents who were Jewish. And that did not qualify him to be called a “white man” the way we know it today.

In fact, Christ spent part of his formative years in Egypt where his parents reportedly took him for refuge away from the king who wanted him dead.

So, from where did Kelly’s team get its mythology about a white Santa Claus and Jesus Christ?

Did Kelly not do her homework to know that both men couldn’t have been the “white men” she had labelled them? Or, did she just wish they were white and then tried to impose her vision on the rest of her viewers? Or, was she just playing the race game in order to increase the

viewership of her program?

Almost a week later, Kelly went on air once again and revisited the issue. This time, truth and reality triumphed. But, instead of conceding that she had goofed, she claimed the issue of a white Santa and Christ was a big joke.

She was using the white Jesus and Santa issue to test the barometer of racism in America. I guess Kelly did not believe that anyone bought her defense. She may have underestimated the backlash to her revisionist history.

The fact is that racism never went away in America, so why come up with a “joke” to see if racism had vanished?

No one can tell her real motives. But, it is a fact that the Republican Party which Fox News openly supports, was caught offguard some weeks ago when the party ostensibly tweeted a tribute to the late civil rights icon, Rosa Parks, and praised her for helping to endracism in America!

Americans were taken aback and the party quickly re-tweeted to correct itself on the claim that racism was dead and buried. I have my serious doubts that Kelly was merely joking. Republicans tend to ignore the fact that racism still thrives in America because most of the time they are not the victims of racism in their country.

But, I must also concede that racism is certainly not as pronounced as it was decades ago, although it is still a stubborn stain on the conscience of this great country.

The popular thinking when President Barack Obama was first elected to office in 2008 was that with his presence at the White House, the specter of racism would be on a downward slope. That may have been optimism taken too far. You don’t need an expert to convince you that part of Obama’s presidential troubles stem from the fact that he is an African American. To date, millions of Americans on the far right of the political spectrum still believe that Obama has no business being the president because of their allegation that he was born in Kenya. His birth certificate contradicts this allegation, but the “birthers” as the believers of this false doctrine are called, even question the authenticity of the president’s birth certificate. And if you think that this “birther” movement is for the poor and uneducated, then it is important to note that one of the big boys in the movement is billionaire Donald Trump.

Does it really matter that Santa is white or black? Does Jesus’ message gain credibility by his racial origin? My response to both questions is NO. But, to the Republicans and their Tea Party supporters, there is something to be said about Santa Claus and Jesus Christ being white. Racism defines a great deal of their thought process. Kelly was not joking.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—39

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BISI OLATILO CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY

VISIT: From left, Will Anyaegbunam, Chairman, Deusvult Engineering; Jovica Vidovic, General Manager, Total consulting Group, Serbia; Chief P. C. Asiodu, Chairman, Summit Furniture, Asaba; Fabrizio Olivierri, Area Manager for Africa, BIESSE, Italy, and Edward Nwaeze, Managing Director, Deusvult Engineering, during the visit of Deusvult Engineering executives of BIESSE, an Italian wood working machinery company, to Chief Philip Asiodu, Chairman of Summit Furniture Company, a pioneer and foremost furniture company, in Asaba, Delta State.

PRESENTATION: From left, Mr. Justin Ngini,National Sales Manager, Coscharis Motors; Douglas Agba, Programme Manager, Save Environment and Health Organisation; Laura Oloyede,General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Cutler Communication; Helen Edet Ebek,Mobilisation/Campaign Officer, Save Environment and Health Organisation, and Krishna Kulkarni, General Manager, Briscoe Ford, during the Ford Environmental Grant Cheque presentation, at Protea Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

BIRTHDAY: Prince Bisi Olatilo, celebrant, with his wife, Folashade, cutting the 60th birthday cake of Prince Olatilo, Chairman, Biscon Communications, BOS, during the celebration with physically challenged children of Heritage Orphanage Home, Anthony Village, Lagos, weekend. Photo:Bunmi Azeez

CHARITY BALL: From left, Sir. Oluremi Omotoso, MFR, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria; Asiwaju Fola Osibo, Vice Chairman, Nigeria Society for the Blind; Mrs. Biola Alibaje, Chairman, Nigeria Society for the Blind, and Mrs. Bola Adesola, Managing Director/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, during the 'Seeing is Believing' charity ball, organised by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria

UNVEILING: From left, Chairman, Mr. Chris Ugwoke; Managing Director, Mrs. Ifie Ezenwa-Ugwoke, both of Treaven Travels, and Sales Manager (Nigeria) for Kenya Airways, Mr. Diran Oloyede, at the unveiling of online portal by Treavel Travels and Tours Limited, in Lagos PRESENTATION: From left, Mr. Eni Adaghebalulu, leader of the House, Esan Central Local Government Council, Edo State; Dr. Dafe Akpocha, Director General, CDGA; Prince Solomon Eromosele, Executive Chairman, Esan Central Local Government, Edo State, and Mr. Vote Ugberaese, SLG, during the presentation of a Distinguished Gold Service Award to Prince Eromosele.

From left, Foluke Faniran, Management member in charge of Heritage Orphanage Home; Adaeze Adophy, Publicity Secretary of Heritage Orphanage Homes and Executive member; Mrs. Folashade Olatilo, celebrant's wife; Prince Bisi Olatilo, celebrant, and Vivian Oshuntokun, General Manager, Heritage Orphanage Home.

Prince Bisi Olatilo, Mrs. Folashade Olatilo (5th left), and Vivian Oshuntokun, with Prince Olatilo's children and grand children.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

D'BANJ PORTS TO GLO: Globacom's Head, Glo World, Mrs Brenda Akhigbe presenting a Glo shirt to D'banj after his formal unveiling as a Glo brand Ambassador in Lagos, yesterday.

I stand by my letter to Jonathan — Obasanjo Continues from page 6 completes it, he would have served over nine years in office as a democratically elected President. This means he would have surpassed Obasanjo’s eight years in office as a democratically elected President.

“Don’t forget that Obasanjo altogether ruled this country for the longest period of time.

He was a military Head of State for about four years and also served as a civilian President for eight years. Jonathan would win a second term in office irrespective of what the All Progressives Congress, APC is doing. APC is a major disappointment because it has no ideology. We wanted two strong parties for Nigeria but they have to be different in ideology.

“Obasanjo is guilty of all the allegations he made against Jonathan.

First of all, whatever he has said against the President on the issue of corruption are mere allegations. But the case against him was investigated and proven. Which one do we want to talk about? Is it the N50 million naira bribe he (allegedly) gave to members of National Assembly?

“The use of Ghanamust-go bags filled with bribe money was initiated by Obasanjo. I was very close to him as a Special Assistant and I know what happened.

“Obasanjo does not want Jonathan to outshine him as a democratically elected president."

Jonathan’s response timely – Ikokwu Second Republic politician and one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Guy Ikokwu, said Jonathan was diligent in his response.

His words: “The response of President Jonathan to the vituperations and unstatesman-like public declarations of former president Obasanjo on security and very delicate matters is not only timely but also very cautious in a democracy that is still fragile as that of Nigeria.

“President Jonathan obviously wrote as a diligent and well behaved son would have written a rather belligerent father and even, mentor. Most of us thank him for not escalating the various issues which are deliberately being made to heat up the polity without regard to the very damming and destructive effect it will have on the nation at this point in time.

“It is therefore remarkable that most of our leaders should sheathe their swords and concentrate on the more positive issues on how to build a stronger Nigeria by their positive participation in the oncoming National Conference which many of us and the ethnic nationalities believe should

transform this nation from its present militaristic nature to a more democratic and development-oriented perquisite in order to rank among the strong nations of the earth, knowing that the Almighty God has given Nigeria the right population, the right size of territory and a conglomeration of natural resources as few nations on this earth have.”

Obasanjo’s letter vainglorious – Opadokun However, former Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, countered that the President tackled the issues that Chief Obasanjo raised.

“President Jonathan responded substantially on all the issues raised by former President Obasanjo in his letter. I would also add that neither of the two camps is entirely satanic or angelic. The two of them are maneuvering to get control of the destiny and commonwealth of the Nigerian people. If the quarrel between the two camps which led to Obasanjo’s letter was based on altruism, it could have commanded respect.

“Obasanjo has always utilized this undue advantage he has had to vilify, demonise and condemn heads of sitting governments since the

early 1980s. He did so against former President Shehu Shagari. He did so against Generals Buhari and Babangida.

He did same to the late General Sani Abacha. In each case, you could read the mood behind the letter; that he was not acting in the best interest of the people, but for his vain glory.

“The fact that President Jonathan followed Obasanjo’s footsteps should make Nigerians pause before taking positions in support of either of the two men.

Obasanjo represents a terrible mouthpiece to call for a change in the system. Even though, Obasanjo raised some critical issues in his letter, he is not credible as a messenger. This is a known fact even in communication theories. It was best captured by the position of a school of thought in the field of communication which states that “the medium is the message”.

Jonathan responded in a dignified manner – Annkio Briggs Also, pro-democracy activist and Ijaw leader, Ms Annkio Briggs, said President Jonathan dealt with the issues Obasanjo raised. She picked holes in Obasanjo’s hobnobbing with leaders of the APC, who said they want to rescue Nigeria.

Her words: “Jonathan’s response to Obasanjo is very dignified. It shows that he is indeed a leader and a man Nigerians will one day look back upon and give his dues. Obasanjo raised a lot of issues and he has responded to them. He handled Obasanjo’s letter very well. Obasanjo has been exposed for what he is; even his daughter, Iyabo, has exposed him. Nigerians should see clearly why they should continue to support Jonathan to complete his tenure in 2015 and vote him in for a second term.

Obasanjo and leaders of the APC are no longer going to deceive Nigerians. They said they want to save Nigeria; it will be better they save Nigeria from people like them because they are the people who have destroyed Nigeria. They should not bother about saving Niger Delta because Niger Delta people will save themselves.”

Obasanjo should

leave Jonathan alone –Uwazurike President of AkaIkenga, the Igbo intellectual think-tank group, Dr Godwin Uwazurike, advised General Obasanjo not to distract President Jonathan from leading the country.

His words: “Letters have been written, that is what Obasanjo did to his successors in office. He should leave Jonathan alone to govern this country. He was in power for almost 12 years and had the chance to fix all he is complaining about but did not do so.”

Jonathan deserves praise for choosing civil words – IYM Chairman of the Igbo Youths Movement (IYM), Evangelist Elliot Uko commended President Jonathan for being presidential in his response to Obasanjo, whom he alleged had unleashed calamity on Nigerians.

He said: “I praise President Jonathan for his modesty in choosing civil words to respond to the apparent provocation by Obasanjo. He displayed godliness and good upbringing; Nigerians are very proud of the president at this time.

Obasanjo has proven to be a disaster to himself and to his country. General Obasanjo displayed grave ignorance when he failed to congratulate President Jonathan on the convening of a national conference. He is one of the few disgruntled Nigerians who do not know that without urgent restructuring of the polity the Nigerian ship will capsize."

Jonathan’s response is vague, laughable – CNPP Also reacting, the Benue State chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, described Jonathan’s letter as vague, empty and laughable.

Benue State Chairman of the CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan, said: “Honestly, the reply that I saw in the papers is far from explicit and lacking in real content. One begins to wonder why the President would ascribe the ills in the country to past administrations when he

was voted into power to improve on whatever he met on ground.

“Instead of making deliberate efforts to tackling the problems, the President was shifting blames; he should know that Nigerians are no fools and there is no gainsaying that we are all worse off today than when Obasanjo was in government.

“This means that instead of making progress, Nigeria is nose-diving with its attendant consequences on the lives of the ordinary people and nobody seems to care.

“Today, Nigeria is corruption and corruption is Nigeria and our dear President is pretending that there is nothing of such in the country thereby giving credence to the obvious fact that the authorities are encouraging the near rape of this country."

My advice to Jonathan and Obasanjo —Sagay Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) said: “Obasanjo has written what he has written, Jonathan has written what he has written. I think the important point is that Jonathan should adhere to what he has written and also take heed from what Obasanjo has written.”

Sagay advised that “in other words, they should abide by the good things that have been proposed and definitely refrain from the terrible things that were suggested which they denied. They should make sure that denial should be put in practice. That is all I want to say.”

Nigerians should judge—Odumakin Spokesperson of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said: “It is a good thing that President Jonathan has responded to Obasanjo’s letter and Nigerians will be the ones to judge between the two. For instance Jonathan has denied the allegations of training snipers, it is now left for Obasanjo to substantiate this so that Nigerians will not see him (Obasanjo) as a frivolous person. If he is able to substantiate it, it means there is trouble, but if he is not able to substantiate it, I think there are appropriate laws to deal with such a person.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—43

YULETIDE: Massive withdrawals hit Abuja banks

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU & EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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BUJA— LESS than 24 hours to the Christmas, most banks in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, witnessed massive withdrawal of monies by customers to celebrate the yuletide seasons, as last minute shopping put commercial banks in the FCT under intense pressure to meet cash obligations.

Customers besieged banking halls as early as 8a.m. Even Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, were not spared in the withdrawal, as customers queued to make transactions.

When our correspondents visited some branches of Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank and First Bank, Ecobank and Enterprise Bank in Abuja,

customers were in long queues scrambling for space to make withdrawals.

A check on some of the financial institutions by Vanguard showed that many customers were engaged in different transactions, including withdrawals, and money transfers to relations and friends.

Customers' say

A customer of UBA Area 8 branch told Vanguard that he had not witnessed a large crowd in that branch for a long time, but said the bank had anticipated the crowd and was fully prepared for its customers.

A savings account holder of the bank said he was at the bank as early as 8a.m. yet met a lot of customers on queue and all the customers were attended to

satisfactorily.

He said: “I have not seen this kind of crowd. I have been here for some time. I must commend UBA for the good job.”

Another bank customer at Area 8 of Ecobank branch, who spoke to Vanguard, said: ‘‘I was lucky to finish my transactions because someone I know in the bank helped me.

“I wonder what the people in the bank will do since the network had broken down. I thank God I am here today because I am not sure transactions will be easier tomorrow (today).”

At Guarantee Trust Bank, Area 3, it was observed that although there was a large crowd, the management ensured that customers were attended to speedily.

A customers said: “But as you can see, Christmas is in the air.

I have been to three different banks to make deposits and all the banks are crowded.”

At Zenith Bank in Area 8,

Mrs Stella Okoro said that she was more concerned about how to take advantage of the Christmas to make brisk business. ‘‘I want to travel to my village and am sure you know that going to the village in any other time consumes money not to talk of now that it is yuletide season,” she said.

Bus terminals

When Vanguard visited Utako main bus terminals, they beehives of activity. While some travelers were rushing to board night buses, others were buying ticket for the next day (today).

Further investigation revealed that the cost of transportation had gone up.

While, the big luxury buses charge N6,500, the small buses charge N4,500, whereas the Sienna bus charge as high as N7,200.

Some transporters said the prices are expected to go higher today.

NEW COMMISSIONERS: Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State (right) and newly-appointed commissioners, during the swearing in of the commissioners' in Damaturu, yesterday.

Printers urge Fashola to pay salaries

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

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MPLOYEES of the Lagos State Printing Corporation have appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to release funds for the payment of their outstanding four months’ salary.

For the employees, who have not been paid since September, it’s a bleak Christmas holiday.

The workers, according to reliable union sources, were last paid in August.

It was learnt that series of letters by the union to the Head of Service and the Governor have not yielded any result.

Also, all efforts to discuss the issue of salaries owed the corporation’s staff at the Public Sector Joint Negotiating Council have not been successful.

The source said the angry workers plan to stage a peaceful protest to the Governor ’s office before the close of work today.

Asked to comment on the viability of the parastatals, the source who pleaded for anonymity, said the corporation has all the potentials to be viable but that even the state government does not patronise the corporation.

He said printing jobs that should have been carried out by the Corporation have been contracted to politicians.

The corporation, located at Alausa, Ikeja, is one of the oldest parastatals of the state government.

FG targets 1,000Mw from Afam Power Plant

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BUJA— FEDERAL Government says it is expecting the new owners of Afam Generation Company, Taleveras Group, to generate about 1000 Megawatts of electricity in the next one year.

This is just as the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, says it will open financial bidding for the 10 National Integrated Power Projects, NIPPs, signifying the commencement of the full privatisation of the 10 power plants.

The Managing Director of C M Y K

Taleveras Group, Mr. Oghens Sanomi, disclosed this during the agreement signing ceremony between the company and BPE in Abuja.

He said the board and management of the generation company were determined to transform the plant and make it major contributor to the nation’s power sector.

Mr. Sanomi, who expressed confidence in the privatisation process, assured that everything would be done to ensure that the company contributes

significantly to ongoing efforts to improve electricity supply in the country.

He said: “We are very happy and committed to the performance of the directives and issues in the SPA. We are excited and glad that this process has come to a conclusion.

“When we take over, we will be a catalyst for the energy sector. We assure that we will provide power in excess of 1,000 Megawatts when we take over and that is guaranteed.“ With the signing of the Sales Purchase Agreement, SPA, with the Federal Government

yesterday in Abuja, Taleveras has formally taken over the palnt.

BPE’s Director-General, Benjamin Dikki, said he considered the agreement as another milestone in government’s sustained efforts to allow private sector be at the vanguard of the investment strides to boost the economy.

He added that everything is being done to make investors conform to the high standard set by government for those that want to do business in Nigeria.

On the delay in handing over

of the plant and the Kaduna Disco, Dikki explained that government was trying to ensure a hitch-free process before the handover is done.

He pledged government’s commitment to creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive so they can become the drivers of the economy.

Dikki said: “We have seen from few sectors that reforms are taking place. It has been proven clearly that once government creates the enabling environment for the private sector to do business, the results would be enormous.”

44—

Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 TUESDA

Strikes, strife and sighs for health in 2013

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

F

OR the Nigerian health sector, 2013 opened with a strike. The year is also closing with a health sector strike. The outgoing year was serially punctuated with nerve-wracking industrial dispute often culminating in protracted strikes to protest often irreconciliable issues at stake.

While the strikes lasted, aggrieved parties stayed away from work, effectively paralysing medical activities in hospitals.

There has been trouble for the nation’s house of health almost every step of the way. All through the year, numerous incidences of energy-sapping wranglings were undeniable pointers of deep-seated disharmony among health professionals. Close observers see the development as an omen, systematically tearing the industry apart.

The story about health sector strikes this year is not different from previous years. It is the same old tale Nigerians have heared over and over in years past.

From poor conditions of service of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and other health workers, to inadequate funding, outdated or absent infrastructure and equipment, general deterioration of the sector

• Strike was the constant factor for health in 2013.

- the list is endless.

For the troubled sector, a significant issue Nigerians had to cope with was the obvious deterioration of health services especially at the tertiary level of care which alleging hospitals have become mere consulting clinics.

The industrial relation atmosphere in the health sector is roundly described as the worst in recent times, moreso with total absence of a harmonious

working relationship between medical practitioners on onw hand and between health all health professionals and government on the other.

On Wednesday December 18, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, made good its threat to embark on strike when it called out its members on a 5day warning strike to protest series of issues culminating in “injustice” to doctors.

On Sunday December 22, just

as the warning strike was wrapping up, the NMA urged hapless Nigerians to brace up for a full blown strike as from January 6, 2014, even as pharmacists, under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, threatened to team up with the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, to embark on yet another strike on December 28, 2013.

Health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector

Unions, JOHESU, are still spoiling for a showdown. Grouse of the workers includes implementation of the May 10, 2012 Collective Agreement that caters for promotion of members under the controversial CONHESS 14 to 15, among plethora of issues.

On March 18, 2013, JOHESU declared a nine-point trade dispute upon which it issued a 15-day ultimatum to Federal Continues on Page 46

Loss of my sight has brought out the best in me — Ejiro Okotie, HIV/AIDS Project Coordinator, Nigeria Association of The Blind, Lagos State branch

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

Barriers”, she lamented the plight of persons with disabilities in society.

“We understand that persons with disabilities are not fully captured in HIV intervention programmes so there is a call for inclusion in implementation of programmes relating to prevention of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria,: she said.

Ejiro mentione factors contributing to spread of HIV among persons living with disabilities ranging from poverty to lack economic empowerment andnegotiating power, low condom use, sexual abuse, disabilities, and many more. “There are so many perceptions,” she noted.

Not particularly at home with the common belief that persons with disabilities cannot contract HIV because they do not have needs, Ejiro asserted: “We are human, so we have needs.”

In her own view, in advocacy, you do not throw in all iussues at the same time. “You pick on areas point-bypoint to attain success. NAB is involved in issues affecting different sectors and areas as they affect persons with challenge of sight and we organise to highlight these issues. The focus is to see how persons with disabilities can be fully included in the scheme of things.”

E

VEN though she lost her sight at the tender age of 11, Ejiro Okotie has never lost sight of herself. She may not be sighted, but she has foresight. As a growing child she always knew what she wanted out of life. Today, as a full-grown young adult, battling the challenge of disability, Ejiro has nevertheless undergone a decisive transformation.

Armed with an impressive dossier and wealth of acumen to match her striking looks, she radiates confidence, courage and determination rarely exhibited by the average Person With Disability, PWD.

Meningitis

“I hail from Okpara in Delta State. I’m Urhobo by tribe.

I lost my sight to Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, CSM, at the age of 11. It was not properly diagnosed and treated, and so I lost my sight,” she stated matter of factly, during an encounter recently.

Ejiro, now 30, was in JSS 2 at that time. She related how she was compelled to proceed on a six-month rehabilitation at the Pacelli School for the Blind in Lagos to learn to read Braille and also to type. Afterwards, she went back to school and continued from where she left off. “After finishing from Queens College, Lagos, I obtained a Diploma and later a Degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Currently I am pursuing a Masters programme in Public and International Affairs at the University of Lagos, she remarked.”

Passion

With a palpable passion about the plight of women and girls that are visually impaired, Ejiro is desirous of ensuring such women and girls with disabilities are economically empowered and enabled in terms of information to make them live better lives.

C M Y K

Motivation

• Ejiro Okotie As the substantive HIV/AIDS Project Coordinator, Nigeria Association of the Blind, NAB, Lagos State branch, she spoke at a public policy dialogue on the inclusion and access of persons with disabilities to HIV/AIDS policies and services in Lagos State.

In her presentation at the event put together by the Disability Policy and Advocacy Initiative, DPAI, in partnership with the Nigeria Association for the Blind, entitled: “Disabilities and HIV/AIDS, Perceptions, Attitudes and

Ejiro’s driving force is the desire to make something of life. “I lost my sight at a tender age, therefore my desire is to move on and be a source of strength tio others. When I lost my sight, my mother was broken and I knew I had to be strong for her and the rest of the family. That resulted very stroing determination\.”

As a youth living with eyesight disability, Ejiro had to do a lot on her own. “I tell people that as a person with disability, 80 percent of the effort is on you. You are what you think of society and what you give is what you get. If you are able to give positively, you will get positive results back. That is how I live my life.

Continues on Page 45

Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 24, 2013—45 TUESDA

Healthy home guide (1) L

IFE is all about prioritizing.

We prioritize family over work, work over health, health over pleasures and pleasures over guilt. Not necessarily in this order, but we all have things that we consider much more important than others, and push aside to the last place, while taking care of the ones that seem more important.

Priorities

Unfortunately, to many from us, health comes after other priorities, without which in fact we couldn’t take care of ourselves anyhow. We need a job in order to have social insurance, and we need the comfort of a home and

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Chronic Disease

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

family in order to feel secure. For our jobs we are working long exhausting hours, struggling for a raise or trying to win a project, while at home we are trying to make everybody feel good and happy because we love them and want to offer the best. That will put us on the last spot on our prioritizing list.

Tasks

There are however possibilities to combine some of the tasks, by making sure the right issues come first. We are all made up of energy, little particles that spark when we are happy or mad; and this energy can turn into a good or a bad thing in the blink of an eye.

If you’ve ever seen two people arguing without having anything to do with

their fight, and then later on that day your temper flares out of hand without an apparent reason, you should know that you’ve subconsciously absorbed some of their negative energy.

Energy

This is no myth, as it has been proven that such negative influence is transmited very fast from

one person to another, just like when you’re calm, but somebody comes to you ready for a fight, and then you suddenly find the energy to fight back.

Much of the bad energy at home comes from your negative energy brought by the stress at your working place. If you’re having a hard time at work, you may be inclined to come home and brood over that problem even after the working hours are long over.

This is also valid for the significant others, who might be the ones bringing the bad energy home, but since we should be the ones giving the first example, we have to make the first change, for our own sake as well as theirs.

We should understand one thing; that after we have

WBFA denounces violence against women Strikes in 2013

I

N continuation of effots to push for the signing into law of the Nigerian Violence Against Person's Prohibition Bill, the Wellbeing Foundation teamed up with the National Orientation Agency, The Orange Foundation for Women and Children for the Eradication of Domestic Violence at the First Domestic Violence Summit.

With theme: “Do The Right Thing And Stop Domestic Violence”, the event was an eye-opener and a renewed call to action by all concerned.

Following her conferment as the “Outstanding Woman in the Cause for the Eradication of Domestic Violence” Award, Founder-President , The Wellbeing Foundation, Mrs Toyin Saraki, stated that “the First Domestic Violence Summit has come at a very apt time in our history, and we must all join our hands to support the raising of awareness about the problem; the offering of increased resources and efforts (including legal and financial aid, as well as the provision of safe havens) to victims; and advocating for stronger legislation, such as the full enactment of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP Bill).”

• WBFA is advocating for enactment of the VAPP Bill.

Continues from page 44 Government to implement the May 10, 2012 Collective Agreement, among others.

Spirited moves to resolve the protracted industrial dispute at the highest levels hit the rocks.

Earlier on in the year, JOHESU, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress demanded to have consultants among their nonmedical staff members, the payment of specialist, call duty/ shift and other professional allowances as enjoyed by doctors.

A shadow of uncertainty continues to hang over fortunes of the sector even as the various groups continue threatening to “perpetuate unrest. Who will save the sector from imminent collapse?

closed the door to our apartment or house, work stays outside.

Projects

Ok, we might have stringent projects that need us to work at home also, but we shouldn’t forget that life will pass us by if we keep bringing work home.

Our home should be our oasis, giving our brain the necessary time to regenerate; and we all know that a clear head gives better results than a tired one.

In this respect, working long hours might not give better results, as efficiency decreases once we are tired. So, once the door to our job is shut, we should enter a world of our own, where we make the rules.

First of all, the house you are living in is a very important factor, and should give you happiness, and this is possible by surrounding yourself with things that will give that feeling.

Attitude

Second, and probably the most important thing is attitude; as positive thinking will ensure that good energy vibes needed in order to have that clean house that can make you prosper and regenerate.

In this way, we can divide the path to a healthy life in two directions: the spiritual element and the material element.

We will further on focus on these two aspects in paralell, in order to reach their harmony, which will result in our own state of well being.

Over 45: Questions men, women should ask their doctors (2) I

N this part of the world tradition holds the patient at the mercy of their doctors decisions and instructions.

I have seen even the most educated and informed patient hold back when opportunities arise for discussion with their physician.

This is more cultural than geographical because these same people do exactly the same thing at doctor visits overseas.

When you are finally seated in front of your doctor, especially men and women above the age of 45 years, this not the best time to talk current political issues or the next Premier League match.

There are health related topics relevant to your age-group on matters well within your control.

Yes, we don't mind chatting with you about Arsenal and Manchester United, and we too believe that Nigerian students have suffered from the unhealthy stare-down between ASUU and the Federal Government.

However there are some questions you should ask us that will affirm your determination to Stay Healthy.

C M Y K

I have addressed women; today I encourage men over the age of 45 yrs. to ask these 5 questions below with trust and confidence.

Screening for prostate cancer. I'm confused The American Urological Association recommends yearly screening with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam for men ages 50 to 75. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer and Nigerian men should begin annual screenings at age 40.

PSA is a protein produced by the prostate; a blood test can show whether protein levels are at a normal or an elevated range.

Prostate cancer is a very slowgrowing cancer. Even if you have it, it's not likely to kill you. And an elevated PSA may just be a sign of normal aging.

A raised PSA may lead to a needle biopsy. Even if the biopsy reveals cancer, we may "wait and watch"and repeat the PSA test every six months.Prostatectomy or radiation therapy can have unwelcome side effects, such as

erectile problems and loss of bladder control.

Talking about erections......

I’m not sexually strong

A morning testosterone level is useful to know. Nigerian men must be wary of additional testosterone, especially if there's a family history of prostate cancer.

Obesity, smoking and diabetes can all interfere with sexual function.

Taking off a few pounds, giving up smoking, managing diabetes adequately and giving up smoking can all help with improving erectile dysfunction.

Some medications, like sildenafil and some vacuum devices are also useful.

Some drugs, both prescription and OTC, such as antidepressants, statins and blood pressure drugs, also can cause erectile dysfunction.

I want to start exercising.

Do I need a stress test first?

A stress test involves walking on a treadmill while your heart is monitored to see how it responds

to exertion.

If you have a high risk for heart diseaseyour doctor may recommend a stress test before you start exercising to make sure your heart is strong enough. Best of all speak to a Cardiologist.

When doctors at First Cardiology in Lagos recommend a stress test, they will always explain why it's necessary and what they hope to learn from the test. A stress test can lead to false positives that may lead to unnecessary treatments.

Why am I urinating so much?

The number one culprit is caffeine. Alcohol also affects water reabsorption. Cut back on both, and your peeing problem may cease. Your sleep may also improve if you cut out those 2 items (as well as nicotine, heavy meals and exercise) before 6 pm daily.

"I've been having this strange pain. I feel a bit silly asking, but should I be worried?"

Naturally. I cannot complete these five questions without mentioning PAIN. There are no stupid questions when you are in front of your doctor. Sometimes men may be squeamish about discussing issues like rectal pain, low back pain, arm pain and testicular pain or swelling. Pain may be minor but may signal bigger issues.

Don't let your doctor dismiss your concerns.

•Dr. Femi Ogunyemi, FRCA, FWACS, is a member of the British Pain Society, American Pain Society, the North American Neuromodulation Society and the Aerospace Medical Association. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and a Fellow in Pain Medicine from Emory University.

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 TUESDA

CONHESS 10: Respect rule of law, pharmacists tell doctors

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

P

• Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metropolitan recenty excited the less privileged through donation of gift items to Paceli School for the blind and partially sighted. From left :Omo Egoegonwa, Adaugo Nwalema, Emeka Onohwakpor, Ife Ejezie, Kevin Ofili, Laurine Ubanozie, Gbemisola Somiga, Moris Omuetha during the presentation .

HARMACISTS under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, have urged doctors under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to respect the rule of law on the contentious issue of skipping of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS 10.

In a statement titled: "Doctors' Strike: Matters Arising", PSN President, Pharm Olumide Akintayo, described as "a shame" the insistence by the NMA that pharmacists and other health sector workers must not be allowed to skip CONHESS 10.

"Doctors are supposed to be knowledgeable people who should know a thing or two about the rule of law. The issue of skipping of grades has been tested in the law courts and today there is a substantive order of the Nigeria Industrial Court, NIC that pharmacists and other health workers be legitimately allowed to skip CONHESS 10.

"The PSN submits with responsibility that

it is, in fact, contemptuous of the order of the Nigeria Industrial Court, that the NMA dares makes this a condition to return to work from its strike action. If they are not satisfied with the ruling, as civilized citizen, they should appeal in appropriate court," he stated.

He recalled that prior to the Medical Salary Scale (MSS) initiated by Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti in the 1990s, pharmacists and doctors entered the public service on GL 08 for their compulsory oneyear internship and then proceeded to GL 09 after youth service as registered professionals.

"Medical doctors, it must be said are the biggest beneficiaries of skipping as currently they enter the public service on the equivalent of GL 10 for Internship training (or housemanship) and proceed to GL 12 after youth service when the average University graduate only starts at GL 08 after youth service," Akintayo argued.

In his view, it would be imagined that a sense of responsibility would compel government and medical stakeholders to respect court orders.

Children with Down Syndrome benefit from Nutricima

I

• From left: Mrs Yekini Oluyemisi, Deputy Director, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Mrs Rose Mordi, President, DSFN; Mr Funsho Jacobs, Integrated Marketing Communication Manager and Lynda Akaegbu, Sponsorship and Event Manager, Nutricima, during the presentation to children at the DSFN Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Surulere, Lagos recently.

N the spirit of the yuletide, Nutricima,recently presented cartons of Nunu Milk and educational items to children living with Down Syndrome at the end of the children’s year party held at Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria, DSFN, Lagos Chapter, in Masha, Surulere area of Lagos.

According to Nutricima, donations of cartons of the nutritious Nunu milk as well as learning materials to the children would assist them in their education and mental development.

Commending the initiative, Mrs Rose Mordi gave gratitude to God. “He deserves the glory and honour for the task being carried out by the Foundation.

And we especially want to thank all parents, donors and sponsors for all they have been doing to encourage us. We

thank Nutricima for their support and encouragement always.”

Presenting the items, Head of Marketing, Nutricima, Wande Oluwasegunfunmi, said the yuletide s “is for sharing and giving, that is why Nutricima is here to show love and appreciate the DSFN, its children and all the good work that you do.

Our products enhance lives and overall family nutrition and so we hereby offer them with love.”

Among guests present were Deputy Director, Lagos State Universal Board of Education (SUBEB). Mrs Yekini Oluyemisi; Mr Funsho Jacobs, Integrated Marketing Communication Manager and Lynda Akaegbu, Sponsorship and Event Manager, Nutricima.

Erectile Dysfunction? Adam’s Desire to the rescue

E

• L-R: Marketing Manager, Sylken Ltd, Mrs. Maryjee Ihejirika; Managing Director/CEO, Pharm Uche Nwana; Marketing Executive, Nneka Nwadozie, and Medical Sales Rep, Ojo Deborah during the introduction of Adam's Desire and other health products in Lagos recently.

Loss of sight brought out best in me Continues from page 44

Challenge

Her biggest challenge in the past was mobility, but now she can navigate. “I had difficulty moving from point A to point B. But really, this turned out to be an asset.

The loss of my sight has brought ouit the best in me. It has caused me to grow up with determination to make an impact on the lives of young black women, especially C M Y K

the visuallyimpaired.”

Asked what she would do iif in position of authority, Ejiro remarked: “The first thing I woud do would be to ensure that relevant policies are available and implemented. I would ensure proper education and enlightenment of health and public service providers and also ensure there are adequate facilities in place to meet the needs of the visually disabled. These facilities must be available and asscessible.”

RECTILE dysfunction, ED, affects several Nigerian men, but few actually bother to get treatment because going to the local pharmacy for ED medication is a turn off for them.

So, even though ED is easily treatable, few men actually seek treatment after being diagnosed.

Recently, an expert in family health at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Dr Ayoade Adedokun, and others conducted a definitive study on the efficacy of a herbal supplement - Adam's Desire - in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction, improvement of sperm count and associated quality of life.

Entitled "Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Adam's Desire; A herbal Supplemen” the study showed that the product was safe and effective while identifying improvement in semen quality as a great benefit.

Speaking on the study at an event put together by community pharmacists in Lagos, Marketing Manager, Sylken Ltd., a pioneering indigenous company focused on natural products, Mrs. Maryjee Ihejirika noted that this evaluation of the product has made it desirable among men with the problem of ED. “Our desire is to bring couples and

families together. Erectile Dysfunction is becoming a big issue, not just in sexual life, but about the quality of life. Adam's desire is a mixture of highly potent natural components proven to turn around cases of sexual dysfunction peculiar to adult males. All men, even diabetics and hypertensive patients can take it.”

She said the product which promotes erections, boosts fertility, stamina, libido, and sexual arousal while improving sexual performance, has been positioned as a first line solution to ED in order to put smiles on faces of couples.

“It is a mature product for mature minds.

Men benefit on the sexual and vitamin side. As an aphrodisiac, it works in a gradual systematic manner, making sure the required ingredients are always available. Just take one capsule daily. It is ideal for all men,” she remarked She said menopausal women can also benefit from Eve’s Desire to boost sexual drive. “Both contiain minerals and herbs to impart positive effect on sexual life as alternative medicinal supplement and vitamin products containing gingko, cayenne, black pepper, etc.

“The issue about ED has to do with blood pressure. Sex itself is about blood pressure.

It is advisable to always monitor blood pressure,” Ihejirika observed.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 47

Cost of such projects are usually inflated (Inset) Musa mohammed Sada,

Sada challenges QSRBN to come up with blueprint to reduce construction costs

By JUDE NJOKU

P

IQUED by the high cost of building and construction projects in Nigeria, the Minister overseeing the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Musa Mohammed Sada, an architect, has challenged the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, QSRBN to come up with a blueprint on how costs of projects in Nigeria can be reduced to compare favourably with what obtains in other parts of the world.

The Minister who spoke at the inauguration of the reconstituted 15-member QSRBN Board, described the

trend as worrisome and charged the construction cost experts to take urgent steps to reduce the cost construction project in line with what obtains in other best practice jurisdictions of the world.

“The quantity surveying profession is concerned with financial probity and achieving value-for money in the conceptualisation, planning and execution of building and construction projects.

Government therefore expects active support from the Board in the areas of good corporate governance and knowledgedriven innovations in the management of available but limited resources at its

,

Available statistics show that costs of infrastructure procurement are too high in Nigeria compared with what are obtainable in the rest of Africa and the world

disposal. However, one important and worrisome area the Board must critically look into is the high cost of building and construction projects in Nigeria. Available statistics show that costs of infrastructure procurement are too high in Nigeria compared with what are obtainable in the rest of Africa and the world. You must find a lasting solution to this anomaly and the time to act

,

is now,” Arc Sada said.

Continuing, he charged the new board to collaborate with the Ministry and other stakeholders in the building and construction industry to raise the bar of professional excellence in the housing and urban development sector.

“In doing this, you need to check the rot and unethical professional practices in the sector as well as the need to cleanse the system by

identifying and removing those found to be bringing dishonour to it,” he added.

The Minister commended the board for its sterling performance in the last three years, adding that most of them were reappointed because they did very well.

He further enjoined them to ensure that registered quantity surveyors and practising firms continue to update and upgrade their professional knowledge and skills as global trend demands.

Responding, Mallam Hussaini Adamu Dikko who was reappointed QSRBN President pledged that the new board will continue to pursue excellence so as to make the QSRBN the best quantity surveying regulatory body not only in Africa but also in the world. “We want to be the very example of a global best practice organisation We shall continue to make professional ethics, competence, integrity and pursuit of value-for-money, probity and accountability the central focus of our regulatory role within the Nigerian economy. The board will continue with the on-going accreditation/resource inspections of the quantity surveying programmes in all universities and polytechnics that are yet to be visited such that by the end of 2014 all the 16 universities and 39 polytechnics offering quantity surveying would have been visited We shall step up the registration and induction of newly registered quantity surveyors to equip them with the necessary certification to offer cost management services to the Nigerian economy,” he said Furthermore, Dikko said the board shall continue to uphold the ethics, dignity and integrity of the profession and ensure that all registered quantity surveyors operate to the highest ethical standards.

“We shall continue to enforce discipline within the rank and file of the profession. This will include taking drastic measure to fight quackery and quacks in the profession,” he said.

FG targets $2bn private investment in road sector

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

HE Federal Government is aiming at generating a whopping $2billion from the private sector into the road sector between now and the next two years.

Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, an architect, said the present administration would

generate the money in the light of the various road sector reforms it has embarked upon.

Onolememen, who spoke at the commissioning of the Ministry’s Sky Walk Bridge in Abuja, said he had put in motion the mechanisms that would trigger the needed private sector involvement in roads construction.

“The record of the Ministry’s PPP is also an unenviable one.

For the first time, we are able to put in motion mechanisms that will ensure that the ministry within the next two years is able to raise about $2 billion approximately from private sector fund to fund road development projects.

That is the new spirit, the new paradigm in the Ministry

because we believe that government cannot do it alone,” he explained.

Giving an update on the progress of work on the AbujaLokoja dualisation project, the Minister noted that with the progress of work on the road, it would be delivered in 2014.

He said the present administration met the road at about 18 per cent completion

level, but through focus and adequate funding, it has reached 70 per cent level.

He also said that it was to the credit of the present administration that work has commenced on the LagosIbadan expressway after the maintenance of the road suffered serious neglect while still under concession.

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

I

N an effort to remove all bottlenecks associated with home ownership in Ogun State, the state government last week in Abeokuta, launched the novel Ogun Home Owners Charter.

Conceived primarily to provide affordable housing borne out of the urgent need for reliable population data, the launch attracted various stakeholders in the housing sector.

The Special Adviser/ Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr Adewale Oshinowo in his opening remarks, regretted that so much illegalities associated with home ownership in the state, had affected the state’s ability to plan for the future, hence the need for the Charter.

He said the state government was particularly worried that less than 20 per cent of developed properties have legal documents.

*Building without legal documentation Upon this realisation, Oshinowo said the government had to restructure and Gov. Amosun speaking at the lauch of the Homeownership charter in Abeokuta reposition its Geographic Information System,GIS, to regularise matters relating to land use. ‘’His excellency is worried that not up to 20 percent of home owners in Ogun State have certificates of occupancy.

In a particular local government we discovered that there are many housing units than what we have in our records. Building without regularised documents are property owners, their most population renders planning obtaining building plan prone to litigation. A World valuable asset has no legal a difficult, if not an impossible approval and who are Bank report on doing documentation to confirm task. As we move forward in therefore unable to apply for business in Ogun State had ownership.

This our mission to rebuild, we a certificate of occupancy to stated that the cost of administration is of the view recognise the urgent need for regularise their status at a registering business in Ogun that this situation is too reliable population data as we huge discount on what they State is very high. We came widespread to be ignored but plan for the future needs of would normally be required to up with the home owners rather needs to be addressed our dear state.” pay,’’ he clarified. charter to tackle these directly and urgently,’’he Continuing, he said,” those challenges,’’ he said. *Ogun properties who have built illegally on noted.

Flagging off the land that belongs to the state Expatiating further, he said, undervalued programme, Governor ‘’For us as a government, the Amosun also regretted that government, OPIC and Ibikunle Amosun decried the problem means that our properties across the state Housing Corporation and habit of building without legal planning for the medium and were undervalued in who for years, have lived with documentation, adding that it long term needs of our state comparison with uncertainty about whether had become rampant in the is being hampered by the lack neighbouring states. He government would eventually state within the last 12 years. of data on our residents and attributed this scenario to the repossess the land, are being Such development, he said, their needs. Indeed, one absence of documentation. afforded an opportunity to had made it difficult for common characteristic of our “The Homeowners’ Charter formalise their ownership, government to plan for the unplanned areas is shortage presents an opportunity for all also at a huge discount”. future of the state.

According to him, the State of public services. The huge those who have built on “For many Ogun State and unrecorded growth in private land without government had waived the

Ogun redefines home ownership with owners charter

*As Amosun grants waiver to illegal home owners

penalties for building without approval which is ten times the normal price. “We have applied a deep discount to the usual charge for Survey Plan and for Stamp Duty. All we ask in return for this once in a life time opportunity is that for every property, the owners would be required to provide us with full enumeration data of each and every resident to enable us to develop an accurate residents’ database to support our future planning,” he said.

Land owners in Ogun State, the governor said, will pay N95,000 instead of the previous N430,000 to obtain their land title.

The new charge under the charter which gives special consideration to rural dwellers. They can pay on installments.

Reps okay FERMA’s performance in North–East, Lagos zones

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU & AZZEZ SANUSI

T

he House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA has expressed satisfaction with the Agency’s road maintenance and intervention programmes in the North West geo-political zone.

The Committee has also promised to support FERMA to fulfill its mandate of maintaining Federal roads in Lagos State. .The Committee which toured some roads projects being maintained by FERMA in Lagos, promised to review FERMA’s projects in anticipation of the 2014 budget.

Chairman of the committee Prince Ofor Chukwuegbo made these disclosures to newsmen after inspecting ongoing and completed road maintenance projects in Lagos Two West.

The committee was conducted round the project sites by the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, FRME in charge of Lagos II West, Eyitayo Olutope Aluko.

The inspection which began from Okokomaiko towards the under bridge of the Trade Fair complex, extended to Badagry and ended at Seme Boarder through Ecowas Road otherwise known as the Lagos-Cotonou corridor.

At each stop, the committee met with the contractors in charge of the different projects to ascertain the duration of work done and the time of completion

for each project.

Meanwhile, FERMA has stressed the need for continuous maintenance of the roads in the country.

According to the agency, such maintenance is necessary to stem further deterioration whenever an opening is discovered on the roads.

Speaking after the inspection, Chukwuegbo said,”I have discussed with the Coordinator, we have told him what to do particularly in section one because we noticed that at the road side, the shoulders are higher than the road level and that would always lead to more problems.”

Similarly, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Sani Ibrahim Ruwan Dorowa who led a 7-member team on an oversight inspection

ofFERMA projects in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States commended the agency for a satisfactory performance in that zone. According to him, “the Agency’s continuous maintenance of the Abuja – Kaduna –Kano dual carriageway as well as other roads in the zone has ensured that they are in very good condition”.

While pledging the House’s support for the Agency in the New Year, Hon. Ibrahim hoped that the Agency would replicate the same standard of maintenance and intervention on all roads in other geo-political zones in the country.

This, he said, will give Nigerians and the economy the quality road infrastructure necessary for running a vibrant economy.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 49

A

buja—The Federal Government through the Ministry of Environment, has unveiled plans to phase-out the production and use of non-biodegradable plastics in the country.

Plastic waste is believed to be one of the major causes of environmental pollution in the country. It is commonplace to find plastic wastes particularly plastic bags and discarded “pure water sachets” in waters , open places and drainage outlets.

Speaking during the stakeholder ’s workshop on the phase-out of nonbiodegradable plastics in Nigeria, the Supervising Minister of Environment, Arc Darius Ishaku said, “the phase-out programme will be implemented in a gradual, painless and sustainable manner in order not to cause social and economic dislocation.”

Ishaku explained that “the increasing use of plastic materials in all facets of our lives with their attendants consequences has been a concern not only to government at all levels but to all Nigerians.”

He stated that “the large scale flooding of major Nigerian urban cities and villages in recent years particularly in 2012 is a clear testimony to this danger.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria recognises that the uncontrolled use of plastic materials and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste particularly shopping bags and pure water sachets present clear and imminent danger to the Nigerian environment and its citizens.

Several countries have adopted measures to reduce the production and use of plastic materials particularly shopping bags. These measures range from imposition of taxes, fines, restriction to outright ban on

RICS predicts 8% rise in UK house prices in 2014

,

BY FUNMI OLASUPO

U

, phase out production,

FG to le b a d a r g e d io -b n o n f o use plastics

shopping bags,” he said. ”Government is aware that the implementation of such a programme will not be easy, especially since the plastic sector employs and contributes significantly to the

,

Environment, Mr. Taiye Haruna said “the workshop which served as an awareness and sensitisation forum, was the first in a series of activities and events geared towards a gradual and sustainable

Government is aware that the implementation of such a programme will not be easy, especially since the plastic sector employs and contributes significantly to the economic and social well-being of thousands of Nigerians

,

economic and social wellbeing of thousands of Nigerians,” he said, adding that based on this, “the phaseout programme will be implemented in a gradual, painless and sustainable manner in order not to cause social and economic dislocation.”

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of

phase-out of the manufacture and use of non-biodegradable plastic in the country.

“It is common knowledge that the country’s Municipal Solid Waste Composition has witnessed drastic changes over the years and the changes are attributed mostly to rapid population growth, increased urbanization, changing life styles, social and

economic status.A major consequence of the above scenario is the unrelenting use of plastic materials and the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste in our environment,” he said.

On measures to check the trend, he said: “one of such interventions is the National Plastic Recycling Programme in which the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Ecological Funds Office is establishing multi-purpose plastic recycling plants in 26 selected cities in Nigeria.The plant would amongst others, provide employment for Nigerians, attract investment in this sector and provide raw materials to plastic manufacturer for remanufacturing while at the same time ensuring cleaner and healthier environment”.

Nigerite renovates Lagos Poly’s architecture studio By

Kingsley

Adegboye s part of its corporate social responsibility, Messrs Nigerite Plc has renovated the architecture studio of the Department of Architecture, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu campus. This is the fourth renovation work that Nigerite has done in institutions of higher learning across the country.

Earlier in the year, the company remodeled the Architecture studio of the Department of Architecture, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, Ogun State. It also renovated architecture studios in University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Handing over of the remodeled studio, the Export Manager, Nigerite, Mr. Segun Ayeni said the company believes that government alone cannot meet the educational needs of the

A

country. “The private sector must also help in order to promote conducive environment for learning.”

He urged the students to make judicious use of the studio so that other students will also benefit from the lofty idea.

The Rector, Dr. Abdulazeez Abioye Lawal lauded the company for investing in the polytechnic. “It will go a long way in improving the delivery of the required knowledge and skill to our students. This is a modern studio which will also add to the rating of the polytechnic. It is an indication that we are moving in line with the current challenges and definitely, we will be able to produce the required man power for all the Nigeria business environment,” he said.

K house prices are set to rise by a further eight per cent as demand continues to exceed supply, surveyors have forecast.

The Royal Institutions of Chartered Surveyors, RICS estimates that all parts of the UK could see home prices rise, with London set for another 11 per cent jump.

The surveyor warns the demand and supply imbalance remains the biggest challenge facing the residential market as wouldbe buyers struggle to find a property.

RICS expects the number of transactions to improve at 1.2 million in 2014, but warns that this is still short of the 1.67 million sales seen back in 2006.

The rise in construction starts to 155,000 from 125,000 this year could be insufficient given the rapid growth in population, it added.

RICS Director, Peter Bolton King said: “We expect all areas of the country to see prices increase, with London, predictably, recording the biggest rises.

“The improving economic picture aside, this is largely down to the fact that buyer numbers considerably outweigh the amount of homes on the market.

“While the number of new homes being built is now on the rise, it still won’t be anywhere near enough to meet demand and we expect the problem of insufficient housing stock to be the main driver behind price increases over the next 12 months.”

R I C S said house prices rose five per cent this year, boosted by Government schemes such as Help to Buy and Funding for Lending, which opened up mortgage availability and drove demand from new buyers.

However, the rapid surge in home prices has ignited fears of a housing bubble.

Last month, the Bank of England announced that Funding For Lending will no longer cover new housing loans extended by banks from 2014, focusing solely on boosting loans to businesses, in a bid to calm such fears.

Lenders will also have to hold additional capital for each new home loan made, which will make it less profitable to issue new mortgages.

Regional prices are set to rise by the following percentages in 2014, according to RICS:

50 — V anguard anguard,, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

BRIEFS

Israel rejects US espionage

P

CAR: Peacekeepers open fire on protesters

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F R I C A N peacekeepers fired into a crowd of protesters in the capital of the Central African Republic yesterday, killing one person and injuring around 40 more, in a shooting set to escalate tensions in the strife-torn country.

The Chadian soldiers, part of a UN-mandated force, opened fire on stone-throwing protesters outside Bangui airport who accused them of complicity with rebels who have been terrorising the population, according to AFP reporters on the scene.

Several hundred Christian demonstrators had massed to call for the departure of President Michel Djotodia, a former rebel who became the first Muslim leader of the majority Christian nation after a March coup that unleashed the current wave of sectarian violence.

They were also demanding the departure of Chadian troops within the 3,700-strong African Union’s MISCA force that, alongside French forces, is battling to restore order in the CAR. Demonstrators started

address listed as belonging to then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and monitored emails of senior defense officials.

“With regard to things published in the past few days, I have asked for an examination of the matter,” Netanyahu said in broadcast remarks, in a clear reference to the alleged espionage.

He did not elaborate on whether Israel intended to ask Washington for clarifications.

Libya’s interim parliament extends tenure •UN Peacekeepers contend with protesters in Central Africa Republic throwing rocks at two 4X4 vehicles with AU troops from Chad, who responded by firing their weapons in the air and towards the crowd, shooting one person dead, according to AFP

reporters.

French troops quickly intervened to evacuate the victims. Around 40 injured — three in a serious condition — were transferred to an

emergency hospital facility set up by Medecins sans Frontieres at the airport, said the aid group’s on-site coordinator Lindis Hurum.

Iran-EU negotiators break for Christmas

I

RAN’s foreign minister and the EU’s top diplomat agreed at the weekend to postpone until after Christmas talks on implementing a landmark nuclear agreement, the country’s chief negotiator said.

“During this telephone conversation, it was

agreed to continue the negotiations, but with the Christmas holidays in sight it was decided to interrupt and resume (the talks) a week after the holidays,” said Abbas Araqchi.

The Iranian nuclear negotiator said the agreement was reached

Designer of AK-47 rifle dies at 94

M

I K H A I L Kalashnikov, the designer of the assault rifle that has killed more people than any other firearm in the world, died yesterday at the age of 94.

Kalashnikov, who was in his 20s when he created the AK-47 just after World War Two, died in his home city of Izhevsk near the Ural Mountains, where his gun is still made, a spokesman for the Udmurtia province’s president said on state television.

The spokesman did not give the cause of death.

Kalashnikov was fitted with a electric heartbeat stimulator at a Moscow hospital in June and had been in hospital in Izhevsk since November 17, state media reported.

The AK-47, which rarely jams even in adverse conditions, went into service in the Soviet armed forces in 1949. Today, Kalashnikov rifles are still

RIME Minister B e n j a m i n N e t a n y a h u , commenting on allegations the United States had spied on Israel’s leaders, said yesterday such activity was unacceptable and had no place in the allies’ close relationship.

Documents leaked on Friday by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden showed the NSA and its British counterpart GCHQ had in 2009 targeted an email

•Mikhail Kalashnikov a mainstay of Russia’s armed forces and police.

Known as the weapon of choice for guerrillas, the

gun and its imitations have been used in conflicts around the world for decades.

during a call that lasted “45 minutes” between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Araqchi, who is also deputy foreign minister, said the discussions were progressing slowly because of “interpretations” of points of the agreement that Iran and world powers clinched in Geneva on November 24.

The negotiations, which are aimed at setting a framework and a timeline for the nuclear accord, stretched into a fourth day in Geneva on Sunday.

Zarif said little progress had been made in the talks with the P5+1 — UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

S/Sudan army set to strike rebels

S

OUTH Sudan’s army has announced that it will launch strikes on Bor and Bentiu, the strongholds of the rebels.

But the United States military says it is repositioning forces in Africa in preparation for possible further evacuations of its personnel in conflict

areas.

These developments came as the United Nations warned that the planned strikes could stall peace diplomatic efforts to halt further escalation of the violence that has gripped the fledgling nation.

Spokesman Philip Aguer said yesterday,

“the army is on its way to Jonglei and Unity states to retake territory and will attack within a few hours.”

Aguer denied that the conflict is stoked by ethnic tensions insisting the situation is political. He said about 2,000 soldiers have defected from government forces.

L

IBYA’s interim parliament voted yesterday to extend the country ’s postrevolutionary transition, giving itself an extra year to oversee the writing of a constitution and the holding of new elections, members said.

Islamist lawmaker Mohammed Sammoud says that 102 members out of 120 who attended the session voted in favor of the new transition plan, setting a

deadline for drafting the country’s constitution to August. That will be followed by elections, with a new parliament to be handed power by Dec. 24, 2014.

According to the old timetable, the current interim parliament should have elected a constituent panel, drafted the constitution, held a referendum on it and then called for parliamentary elections before February.

British Airways plane hits Jo’burg airport building

A

London boundBritish Airways aircraft, with 202 people on board struck an office building at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport with its wing while taxiing for take-off late on Sunday. It slightly injured four persons in a statement issued by aviation authorities.

The Boeing 747-400 en route for London Heathrow Airport took a runway that was too narrow for the plane, said South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu yesterday.

“This resulted in the aircraft’s right-hand wing impacting the office building,” she told AFP. The control tower “told them to take one taxiway and they took another one. They took a wrong one,” said Gwebu.

Four people inside the building were lightly injured, but the 185 passengers and 17 crew on board were unharmed during the late-night accident, according to the CAA.

Syria: Carter calls for elections, peacekeepers

F

ORMER US president Jimmy Carter yesterday proposed three principles as a basis for Syria peace talks in Geneva: free elections, respect for their results and the deployment of peacekeepers.

Syria peace talks are set to begin in Switzerland on January 22, though the full list of participants is still unclear. The talks have gone nowhere up to now because each belligerent

“has been allowed to define the preconditions for negotiations,” Carter, who won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post.

While President Bashar al-Assad considers his opponents terrorists and will not talk until they lay down their arms, the fractured opposition is demanding a full regime change, giving Assad no incentive to bargain.

Vanguard anguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

CAPRICORN: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver.

And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed..

AQUARIUS: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

PISCES: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

ARIES: THE Moon makes an ingress into your star sign and INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

—

LEISURE

By Richard Eromosele

W

HY do some persons move from one church to the other? Why do some workers give out their best under one manager and perform poorly under another? Why do some footballers

What Do You Like...? play exceedingly well under one coach and perform very badly under another coach? Why do some soldiers fight the battle of their lives under one commander and fall

TERROR MUDA

flat under another commander? Why...?

The answer to the above lies in just one word – likeness. But the question is likeness for what?

Most people change churches, schools,

in “Never say goodbye”

work etc because of love of individuals e.g. the head.

However, this does not augur well for the person and the institution. What you are doing now, is it because you like it or because you like an individual?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

TAURUS: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

GEMINI: THE moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

CANCER: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

LEO: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/ or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

VIRGO; EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody can be trusted during the morning period especially along your career/business lines.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before mid-morning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

SCORPIO: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you. Your love life is favoured.

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

What’s my way to success?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Halimat, Kano.

Dear Halimat, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you. If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-self-hood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

The same Saturn will reward you with RECOGNITION WOMEN, children and younger people can enhance your prospects. Colours RED, WHITE and pink are good for you.

Sleeping North/South axes with your head to the North is good for you.

51

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 SAGITTARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging. Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be fully stretched tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

TUESD AY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 TUESDA

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

52— Vanguard, TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013

Mourinho eyes 12 years Chelsea stay J

OSE Mourinho be lieves stability is the key to a successful club and has declared that he would like to remain in charge of Chelsea for another 12 years.

“Realistically I hope at the end of those four years we sit, analyse the situation and that will be the point where we both - club and me - are happy to carry on or happy to separate,” said Mourinho, whose Chelsea side face Arsenal on Monday night.

“But I would like [to stay for], say, 12 years.

I’m 51 next month. I’d say 12 years, and then two to go to a World Cup with a national team. I would prefer the Portuguese national team.

England second [choice], yes.

“The best way to [run a club] is to do it with stability. For the players, if you want to help them grow up, you do that much better with stability: in ideas, philosophy, model of play, style of leadership.

“This all comes from stability at the highest level: with the owners and board and, after that, the manager. The second line of the hierarchy."

W

ESLEY Sneijder says he has ‘no reason to leave’ Galatasaray and plans to continue ignoring speculative exit stories.

Manchester United remain in the market for creative talent in the middle of the park, and Sneijder’s experience and ability would make him appealing to any top club.

“You would know better than me if I received any offers. Up to now there are no offers.

“There are rumours about me in every transfer window. I look forward to the end of transfer windows so people stop talking about me.

“I’m very happy here with the team and the fans and I have no reason to leave..”

•Mourinho

Toure lures Messi to City M

Man U suffer Fellaini blow

M

ANCHESTER United midfielder Marouane Fellaini faces up to six weeks out following surgery on his wrist.

Fellaini, 26, has been struggling to recover from a back injury so United decided he should have the wrist operation they had been putting off.

“We thought his back would be OK after 10 days but it wasn’t getting any better,” said United boss David Moyes prior to Thursday ’s game against Hull.

“We made a decision to get his wrist operated on - get it done quickly.”

He added: “We think it will be six weeks but there’s a chance it will be shorter than that.”

Fellaini had been playing on with a wrist problem suffered against Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League group game in October.

But then he was sidelined with a back injury sustained during a defeat by former club Everton on 4 December.

Sneijder snubs Man U again Sneijder told Beyaz TV:

•Messi

ANCHESTER City midfielder Yaya Toure has joined teammates in urging his former colleague Lionel Messi to make a switch to the Etihad Stadium.

Previously, Messi’s Argentina team-mate Sergio Aguero has vocalised his desire to see the double World Player of the Year at City, as did compatriot Pablo Zabaleta.

A move for the Barcelona playmaker would, without a doubt, command a world record £100 million-plus transfer fee.

“If it’s to come to City, I hope Messi can leave Barca,” Toure told the Manchester Evening News.

While striker Aguero, who has partnered Messi in the Argentina team,

•Suarez

said: “Yes, he should come to City. Then we’ll definitely play together.

City should buy him.”

•Sneijder

Kompany: No big deal scoring own goal

M

•Kompany

Rodgers backs Suarez for scoring record

L •Fellaini

IVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Luis Suarez to threaten Andy Cole’s record of most Premier League goals in a season.

Suarez, who penned a lucrative contract

extension with the Reds last week, has scored 19 goals this term - 15 less than Cole’s tally for the 1993/4 campaign.

“He [Suarez] looks like he can score a hat-trick in every game, doesn’t

he? He can do, because he has got that quality.

He will certainly push [the record] close.

“You can put him in that bracket of world class. He is mature. You see he is happy.''

ANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany has excused his own goal against Fulham, claiming his sight was blurred by blood in his eye.

City prevailed 4-2 at Craven Cottage on Saturday despite Kompany managing to score at both ends of the field.

The Belgian centre half stabbed home the rebound after a Martin Demichelis header was denied to give City a 20 lead just before the break.

“To all children who want to become a defender, this can happen,” he told Dutch television station Sporting Telenet.

“There were lots of things that influenced this own goal. I’d just had a second elbow in my face, I have a cut above my eyebrow and I had blood in my eyes.

“The heavy wind also played its part, but for goals like this you don’t have to look for excuses.

“That’s life as a defender. It’s important that you easily forget goals like that. The reaction of the team was good.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 53

C M Y K

54 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013

FIFA sued over ticket irregularities B

R A Z I L I A N prosecutors want Fifa and the local World Cup organisers to pay nearly $2 million in damages for alleged ticket irregularities at a Confederations Cup venue. Prosecutors in the northeastern state of Pernambuco say organisers did not provide the services that fans paid for at the Arena Pernambuco during the warm-up tournament this year, especially in relation to seating location.

Fifa’s agent in tickets sales, MATCH Services, has also been included in the court action.

Many fans complained that their seats were not as good as shown when they made the purchases, and that some ticket orders forced people to sit in opposite sides of the stadium.

The unhappy fans included some who bought the most expensive tickets for the three matches played at the Arena Pernambuco in June. Prosecutors said they took action after interviewing some of the fans who complained about their tickets, with many saying they thought they would be sitting near the field but ended up sitting high up in the stands. Some allegedly had their views obstructed.

Prosecutors said they hope the lawsuit will help prevent the same

•Blatter

problem from happening again during next year ’s World Cup, a tournament for which Fifa has already sold nearly 1.2 million

HE 35-year-old Egyptian midfielder announced his intention to retire after the quarter-final of the Club World Cup in Morocco and Ahly failed to persuade him to play one more season.

Aboutrika’s last match was against Guangzhou on 14 December, a 2-0

•Aboutrika

aimed at guaranteeing that consumers receive exactly what they pay for,” prosecutor Guilherme Lapenda said in a statement.

David Moyes is hoping for a Christmas miracle to get Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick fit for Manchester United’s packed festive fixture list.

The Premier League champions are likely to be without the striker and the midfielder again when they travel to Hull on Boxing Day before taking on Norwich 48 hours later and beginning 2014 at home to Tottenham.

But manager Moyes is hoping Van Persie, who has a groin injury, and Carrick, who has an Achilles problem, are available again soon.

He said: “There are always miracles at Christmas. Let’s hope there could be one for Robin or Michael Carrick.

Nwigwe joins Club Africain C

LUB Africain Tunis have agreed terms with 25-year old Nigerian international guard Mezie Nwigwe. He already started the season at Nasr in Libyan league. The most of last season Nwigwe spent at Al Shamal in Qatari league.

In 14 games he had very impressive stats: 21.7ppg, 7.3rpg, 4.4apg and 1.5spg.

A very spectacular season in his career as he was named to Asia-Basket.com All-Qatari D1 2nd Team.

Al Ahly confirm Aboutrika’s retirement defeat in which he

T

tickets.

Nearly 3.3 million tickets in total will be sold for football’s showcase event next year. “The action is

Moyes hopes for RVP, Carrick return

limped off at half-time.

He then missed Ahly’s fifth-place play-off loss to Monterrey.

It was not the farewell Ahly or their fans wanted for Aboutrika, who has been at the heart of the Pharaohs for nearly a decade and has won a remarkable five African Champions League titles with Ahly.

The club’s board member Khaled Mortagy told BBC World Service’s Newsday programme last week: “Aboutrika is a great icon and his retirement would be a big loss for Egyptian football.''

He also spent pre-season at Al Rayyan in Qatari league earlier that year.

Quite impressive season as he was named to AsiaBasket.com All-Qatari D1 2nd Team.

The previous season Nwigwe played at NoVa Hawks in U.S. semi-pro league. In 8 games he recorded also remarkable stats: The other team he played shortly was Halifax Rainmen (NBL Canada) In two games he recorded just 2.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.0spg.

Nwigwe was tried-out by Saint John Mill Rats (NBL Canada) in NBL Canada earlier that season.

The list of the past achievements is quite long as his team made it to the EBA Semifinals in 2012. Nwigwe was also voted All-NEC Defensive Player of the Year back in 2010 at his college time.

Nwigwe was called to Nigerian Senior National Team this year.

He has played previously for another Tunisian team ASC Bizerte.

Nwigwe attended Robert Morris University until 2011 and it is his third season as a professional player.

You never know.”

Carrick has not featured since the Nov. 10 win over Arsenal while Van Persie, who scored the winning goal against his former club, has only started once since then and has missed United’s last three games.

Moyes is certain to be without two players for the entire Christmas and New Year programme as Nani is ruled out by a hamstring injury while Marouane Fellaini has undergone surgery on his wrist.

The 27.5-million pound signing from Everton has sat out United’s last five games and Moyes explained: “He had his operation on Saturday morning “We just couldn’t get him recovered from his back injury. We thought his back would be okay after 10 days but it wasn’t getting any better, so we made a quick decision to get his wrist operated on [and] get it done quickly.''

Di Maria slams Monaco rumours

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Mezie Nwigwe No 2 of the Robert Morris Colonials grabs a rebound against Delvon Roe No 10 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first round of the NCAA Division I match in 2009

NGEL Di Maria says persistent media stories linking him with a January move to Monaco and questioning his commitment to Real Madrid are “lies” The Spanish press has been recently running regular pieces claiming the Argentina winger is fed up with having lost his starting place to summer signing Gareth Bale and is keen to join the big-spending Ligue 1 club.

Some observers believe the coverage is a sign that Blancos president Florentino Perez is keen to accept Monaco’s reported offer of 35 million euros.

Everton's form excites Martinez

E

VERTON have not reached their full potential this season in the Premier League, manager Roberto Martinez has warned.

The Spaniard has seen his side lose only once in their opening 17 league games as Everton sit

fourth in the table, two points behind leaders and city rivals Liverpool.

A 2-1 victory at Swansea City on Sunday ensured Everton kept pace with the top three, but Martinez believes his team are yet to peak heading into a busy fixture schedule.

The 40-year-old has refused to talk about his side being title contenders and will only set targets in April.

“We’re in December and it would never be foolish to speak about our league aims,” said Martinez.

Vanguard, TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013 — 55R

Iran coach linked with Spurs job

Falconets dump Tunisia

C

N

ARLOS Queiros, head coach of Super Eagles 2014 World Cup group opponents, Iran may dump the Asian giants before the Mundial in Brazil.

Reports in the British media yesterday suggested that the former Manchester United assistant coach has indicated interest in the vacant Tottenham Hotspurs head coach post.

The Daily Star Sunday quotes him as saying: “Tottenham is a club I really appreciate a lot and I have great admiration for. One of my coaching dreams is to get back to English football.”

Meanwhile, Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has told NOS he would be interested in managing in the Premier League amid reports he and Carlos Queiroz are targets of Tottenham Hotspur.

Sherwood has indicated he would be interested in taking up the role permanently but that has not stopped other names being linked with the post, including Van Gaal.

The Dutchman will be unattached in the summer after the 2014 World Cup when he leaves his current job in charge of Netherlands and the former Bayern Munich boss has

•Queiros intimated he could be tempted to manage in England.

Van Gaal is quoted by the Guardian as telling told NOS: “I’ll never comment on offers.

Stephen Keshi has selected Vitoria Hotel Concept Campinas as the Team Base Camp Hotel of the Super Eagles during the Mundial.

Throughout their stay in Brazil, the Super Eagles will train at Estádio Brinco de Ouro, home ground of the Serie C club.

Although there will be no league matches in Brazil during the World Cup, the club have to give way for renovation work on the facility. A statement from the club said, “the stadium has to undergo some improvements and will be inactive as from March next year.”

times it’s in preparation.

At that time there’s no time for media. But everyone who knows me knows I won’t do a job share.”

Enyeama error gifts PSG point

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I G E R I A N g o a l k e e p e r, Vincent Enyeama endured a night a contrasting fortunes in Lille OSC’s 2-2 draw against champions, PSG at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

The Super Eagles man made some remarkable saves to deny the home side but it was his mistimed reactions to a PSG corner in the 67th minute that allowed the hosts a route back into the game.

Eagles Continues from B/P

“I’ve always said I want to work in the Premier League eventually, so there’s a chance. There are times a deal is announced and there are

Guarani FC must find a temporary ground for the beginning of next season and the board is considering Jaguariuna, Hortolandia and Paulinia , informs globoesporte.globo.com.

“Unfortunately we do not use the Brinco de Ouro. It was not something we’d like, but we have to give for a selection.

“I hope the fans can support the team anywhere,”said manager of Guarani, Marcio Fernandes.

To meet Fifa standards, there will be modifications to the pitch, press room and dressing rooms.

The Portugal National Team will also be camped in Campinas.

Enyeama began the game in fantastic fashion with a save that defied logic in the 21st minute.

PSG broke free down the left and full back, Lucas Digne opened up the Lille defence with a lovely pass that left Argentine striker, Ezekiel Lavezzi unmarked in the area.

•Enyeama

Omotayo moves to Europe

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EENAGE table tennis sensation, Olajide Omotayo has shifted his training base to Italy with the aim of winning laurels for Nigeria at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Omotayo, who made headlines recently at the International Table Tennis Federation (IT TF)organised World Junior

Championships held in Rabat, Morocco is now honing his skills in Latina, Italy.

Aside his training programme, the Asoju Oba cup champion will be testing his might against some of the world’s best at the inaugural Swiss Premier League serving off in 2014.

Mourinho Continues from B/P likely the Nigeria international defender will still be shipped out of loan when the winter transfer window opens next month.

“Chelsea are studying various loan offers for Kenneth. They want him to enjoy regular playing time and so will work with a club who can guarantee this,” Akujobi said.

“But most importantly

they want him to stay back in England.”

There have been several interests for the Eagles star mostly from clubs in the English Championship.

Omeruo, who first played on loan for a season and a half at Dutch club ADO Den Haag, will need to start playing first-team football in the new year, which is also a World Cup year.

IGERIA’S U20 Women’s national team, the Falconets, have sailed to the final round of the 2014 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after they defeated their Tunisian opponents 4-0 in the second round, second leg game played in Tunis on Sunday night.

The Falconets had earlier beaten the Tunisians by the same score line in the first leg played at the Abuja National Stadium on December 14th through goals from Uchechi Sunday(3) and Patience Okaeme and the return leg emphatic win made it

8-0 on aggregate to the side coached by Peter Devdevbo.

Nigeria will thus face South Africa in the third and final round of the qualifiers after the South Africans rivals pummelled Tanzania 5-0 in the second leg played in Johannesburg having already whipped the same side 4-1 in Dar Es Salam during the initial leg. They qualified 9-1 on aggregate.

The Falconets will host the first leg on January 11th, 2014 in Abuja before the deciding leg in Johannesburg on the weekend of January 24th26th, 2014.

Mourinho takes pay cut for Blues for financial reasons, I

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HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho insists he wants to remain in charge of the club for more than a decade after revealing he took a pay cut to return to Stamford Bridge last summer.

Mourinho is still reported to be one of the highest earning managers in the game, but stressed his desire to make an emotional return to Chelsea, and not a motivation to increase his bank balance, was the driving force behind his move from Real Madrid.

“If I was here for me, I wouldn’t be here,” Mourinho told reporters ahead of the crunch game against Arsenal yesterday. “If I was here

wouldn’t be here getting a lot less money than I had at Real Madrid, where I had three more years on my contract.

“I had other clubs in other countries where it would be easier to go and find an ‘easy ’ job immediately. I had Real Madrid. I left them because I wanted to, not because they wanted me to.''

•Mourinho

Keshi Continues from B/P for the team in Brazil so as not to put them under undue pressure.

But Keshi has now said he hopes to lead Nigeria to improve on these records by at least reaching the quarterfinal, which is also the best performance by an African team and has been achieved by Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).

“I am looking out to get a very good squad for the World Cup and

go beyond Nigeria’s record in the previous World Cups,” Keshi told Brila FM on Monday.

Nigeria are drawn in Group F along with Argentina, BosniaHerzogovina and Iran.

Keshi has proposed a pre-World Cup training camp in the United States of America from May 25.

African champions Nigeria have also picked a training base in Sao Paolo and are due to play a friendly on March 5 in Europe as part of the build-up to Brazil 2014.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013

2014 W/Cup: We must go beyond 2nd round — Keshi S

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has revealed his 2014 World Cup target is to surpass the country ’s best performance of reaching the Round of 16.

Nigeria reached the Round of 16 at USA 1994 and France 1998, but have since failed to go beyond the group stage in Korea-Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010.

Top Nigeria officials have said they will not set a World Cup target Continues on Page 55

•Omeruo

Mourinho promotes Omeruo to first team K

Estádio Brinco de Ouro: Super Eagles training base during the World Cup.

ENNETH Omeruo received a massive boost to his Chelsea future after manager Jose Mourinho ordered he stop training with the reserves.

Super Eagles sack Brazilian team

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RAZILIAN team, Guarani Futebol Clube, a Serie C club is currently in the hunt for

•Keshi

an alternative ground as its home ground will be temporarily taken over by the Super Eagles

throughout their stay in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup. The Nigeria

Federation after holding consultations with Super Eagles chief coach Continues on Page 55

“Mourinho has directed that Kenneth only train with the main squad of Chelsea and no longer with the reserves,” Omeruo’s adviser Chika Akujobi i n f o r m e d MTNFootball.com “This clearly shows the increased confidence the coach has in the player.”

However, it is most

Continues on Page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Haunt (6) 5 Dagger (4) 8 Elected (5) 9 Nothing (3) 10 Spruce (4) 11 Solitary (4) 12 Horrify (5) 13 Freezing (6) 16 Learning (4) 18 Always (4) 20 Marry (3) 22 Kernel (3) 23 Delve (3) 24 Manufactured (4) 25 Pour (4) 28 Submissive (6) 30 Located (5) 32 Become (4) 33 Impel (4) 34 Sick (3) 35 Reimburse (5) 36 Expired (4) 37 Remained (6)

DOWN 1 Hire-charge (6) 2 Chose (8) 3 Sell (6) 4 Finished (9) 5 Postponed (7) 6 Hero (4) 7 Recognised (4) 8 By way of (3) 14 Incessant (9) 15 Fix (3) 17 Regret (3) 19 Locally (8) 20 Lump (3) 21 Dedicated (7) 26 Retiring (6) 27 Shouted (6) 29 Employed (4) 30 Blaze (4) 31 Parched (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Berth 9, Reeled 10, Robust 11, Timid 12, Edam 15, Bare 17, Related 20, Led 21, Denim 23, Iron 25, Pane 26, Roved 28, Hem 30, Recited 33, Idea 35, Code 36, Began 38, Earned 39, Covert 40, Defer.

DOWN: 1, Order 2, Legal 3, Bet 4, Edited 5, Trip 6, Hod 7, Rural 8, Steed 13, Defined 14, Major 16, Revered 18, Deter 19, Rip 22, Magic 24, Now 27, Deface 28, Hired 29, Merry 31, Token 32, Deity 34, Cede 36, Bed 37, Nor.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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