Jonathan handing over nation in crisis — APC by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62411

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

FUEL SCARCITY: Capital Oil breaks ranks with other marketers, releases 13m litres •Arik, Aero Contractors cancel flights FUEL SCARCITY, WORKERS' STRIKE, BLACKOUT:

Jonathan handing over nation in crisis — APC

•Says whole scenario reeks of sabotage

By Caleb Ayansina

•Cries out: No electricity, no fuel, workers on strike, huge debts •Accuses govt of creating problems without efforts to solve them •I'm leaving peace and stability, says Jonathan; calls for prayers

BUJA—AGAINST the background of the pervasive fuel crisis, strike calls, mounting government debts, power outages and other problems, the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of deliberately sabotaging the incoming Continues on Page 5

Kashamu, NDLEA trade words over arrest, arraignment 10 Mr & Mrs THANKSGIVING—President Goodluck Jonathan (waving his hand); First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan(4th right); Vicepresident-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (3rd right); his wife, Dolapo (2nd right); Senate President, David Mark (right); former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (2nd left); President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor(5th left) and others after the 2015 Presidential Thanksgiving and Inauguration Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNISTS: Nigeria on the highway

•P.19

C M Y K

GEJ 2019? Forget it •P.20

WORKERS' SALARIES: Painless abolition of fuel subsidy with dollar warrants •P.44

NLC backs strikes in states 9

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON running a budget of N1 trillion deficit.

Sabotage

VALEDICTORY MEETING—Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Board Valedictory Meeting for Chairman USPF Board/Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson which held last week in Abuja. 1st row from left (sitting): Mrs. Oluwafumilola Lamuye, Dr. Omobola Johnson with the Vice Chairman USPF Board, Peter Igoh and Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo. 2nd row from right: Secretary USPF, Mr. Abdullahi Maikano, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Mrs. Ngozi Ogujiofor and Mallam Zaji Kalli at the event.

Jonathan handing over nation in crisis — APC Continues from Page 1 APC-led government. President Jonathan, on his part, counted peace and stability as positive isues he would hand over even as he confessed that the incoming government would need prayers to overcome the problems it would inherit. President Jonathan spoke at the p r e s i d e n t i a l inauguration church service in Abuja, which was also attended by the Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The APC in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope despite the daunting challenges

they are currently facing, saying help is on the way.

A nation in crisis "In a few days’ time, President Jonathan will hand over to Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari. Never in the history of our country has any government handed over to another a more distressed country. No electricity, no fuel, workers are on strike, billions are owed to state and federal workers, 60 billion dollars are owed in national debt, and the economy is virtually grounded. "Today, Nigerians are roaming the streets, jerry

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE Follow your bliss and try to make each beautiful for you and others– Take Heart Quotes

OMPASSION and love are virtues that enable our life purpose to be more meaningful, these attributes differentiate humans from most species. Whether we think about it consciously or not: What is the purpose of life? Tenzin Gyastso’s take on this subject is uplifting and he says, that the purpose of life is to be happy. Of course Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, shares the same view as well as most of us. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want challenges. The latter is inevitable, because challenges are necessary tools and opportunities for growth in life. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. It is up to us to create a life of being happy. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness to you. C M Y K

cans in hand, searching for everything from kerosene to fuel, diesel to power their generators, keep their vehicles on the road and keep their businesses going. They are paying as much as N300 per litre of fuel if at all they can get it. Yet their government is not saying a word about the situation," the party said. APC said while the Jonathan Administration has arrogantly told Nigerians that it remains in office and in power till May 29, all it has been doing is sacking people and making new appointments as if it had been deprived the opportunity to do so in the past six years. "They are not interested in how to end the fuel scarcity that has paralyzed the socioeconomic lives of Nigerians; they are not interested in how to raise electricity production from its unprecedentedly low level of 1,327 megawatts. They are not doing anything to end the strike by blue and white collar oil workers, or to stop the impending one. "They say they are in office till May 29, but they do not care how workers in 18 states, who are owed a total of N300 billion in salaries under their watch, or federal workers who are owed N400 billion, will be paid. Yet they are

"They have deliberately stopped meeting their obligations to oil marketers, which is now around N200 billion, hence no one is lifting petroleum products anymore. If the current energy crisis is not solved soonest, the telecommunications sector could even be grounded in a matter of days as service providers will have neither electricity nor fuel to power their base stations. Of course, the aviation sector has already been left comatose by the fuel crisis. The whole scenario reeks of sabotage!" the party said. Noting that its cry was only an alert to Nigerians on what the new government would inherit, the APC said: "If we thought the nation was being well managed and there was no problem, we would not have embarked on a campaign of change. While we are ready, willing and able to begin to address the mammoth challenges facing us as a nation as soon as we assume office at the centre in a few days’ time, we will not hesitate for a second to keep Nigerians informed of how we have been brought to this sorry pass, with a view to avoiding such a tragic turn in the future." It expressed sadness that the nation has been on autopilot for the past several weeks, as the outgoing administration has shown neither the capacity nor the willingness to resolve any of the crises it has contrived and foisted on the nation. "This is the most vivid manifestation of the old saying that literally translates to a departing office holder defecating on the chair he is vacating," APC said.

I'm leaving peace and stability — Jonathan Meanwhile, President Jonathan has said that the peace and tranquillity currently being enjoyed in the country were answers to the prayer he asked God in 2007. The President also

appealed to all Nigerians, including clerics, to always pray for the success of the incoming administration. Jonathan, who spoke at the 2015 Presidential Thanksgiving and I n a u g u r a t i o n Interdenominational Church Service, in Abuja, used the opportunity to appeal to Nigerians and clerics, in particular, to pray for the incoming administration. The President noted that Nigeria, as a country, had all reasons to be grateful to God, adding that the country since the amalgamation had moved from one problem to another and survived on the mercies of God. Noting how he sought God to guide him not to at any point lead the country to crisis when he became vice-president in 2007, he said he remembered how he asked God to lead him to at all times only take decisions that would positively affect the country. “And today, we are here not to celebrate the breaking of this nation, we are here to celebrate the unity of this country; we are here not having mass service for mass burial. We are here to inaugurate an incoming government.

Call for prayers “I call on you to pray for us, because probably today is the last day I will speak to you here as a president of Nigeria, if I have reason to speak, here again, I will be referred to as a former president. “I appeal to you, to pray for the incoming government, because they need more prayers than we do. If Jonathan makes a mistake today, it will only affect me and my family, but if the incoming government

does it, it will affect the whole Nigeria." Noting the goodness of God in keeping Nigeria one despite multiple challenges in the past 100 years, he said: "Within this period, we had series of challenges, we had the civil war that lasted for about three years, in the political realm, it was easy. First Republic was just about five years, Second Republic lasted four years, the Third Republic was aborted half way and for about three years no president was elected, and this Fourth Republic that started in 1999 is now 16 years." In his message, the Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Nicholas Okoh urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming administration, urging the citizenry not to be hasty in judging the new administration. The Primate also warned the incoming government against abandoning ongoing projects started by the Jonathan administration. His words: “We must be patient with the incoming government. It takes time to build unless you do not want to build what will endure. If you want what will endure, you need time to build. “They need time to study, to organize, to plan and to start. So, we appeal to Nigerians to avoid the syndrome of ‘hosanna today, crucify him tomorrow’. In his remarks, the Vice President-elect, Prof Osinbajo urged all clerics to pray for the peace and progress of the country. President Jonathan and his wife were presented with an Award of Outstanding Christian Community in Public Service by the President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Oshiomhole loses LG boss By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Hassan Kadiri, is dead. The council boss died a few hours after youths of the council protested, calling on him to step aside due to health challenges. Etsako West is Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s local government. The youths were said to have stormed the secretariat recently, with placards and disrupted activities, saying the illhealth of the late council boss was slowing down development in the council. Some of the protesters, alleged to be students of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, were arrested by the police, while others escaped. However, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Oshiobugie Mustapha, said the school was on holiday and that any student caught protesting should be prosecuted. He said: “The school is on holiday. We are resuming on May 24. The Students Union Government, SUG’s vehicle was found at the scene of the protest. The union’s President should explain how the vehicle got there.” It was alleged that the protest may have been masterminded by top council members. Late Kadiri was aged 54 and died of an undisclosed ailment. Younger brother to late council boss, Prince Suleiman, said Kadiri died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He described the death as painful and sudden. At press time, Kadiri's remains had been taken to Auchi for burial according to Islamic rites.

Unidentified man commits suicide in Lagos By Monsuru Olowoopejo

N unidentified man in his early 30s allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree along 7up/ Governor ’s Road, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, yesterday. Sources said the unidentified man was found at about 8a.m. by passers-by, who raised alarm

and called Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA. At the scene, Vanguard gathered that a toothbrush belonging to the deceased was found near the tree. Personnel of the state fire service and police officers attached to Alausa Police Station were on ground. It was further learned that the deceased had no bruises on him

Rainstorm destroyed Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, shopping complex on Yelwa Federal Polytechnic Road, Bauchi. NAN PHOTO.

and that it was yet to be established if it was a suicide or he was hanged. Confirming the incident in separate interviews, Director of Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe and General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi OkeOsanyintolu, said the body of the deceased had been handed over to the Police for further investigation.

PHCN poles on Yelwa Federal Polytechnic Road, Bauchi. NAN PHOTO.

Police nab suspected kidnappers in Aba, recover car, firearms By Felix Ogbonna

BA—POLICEMEN from Abayi Division, Aba Area Command, Abia State, have arrested suspected members of a kidnapping gang terrorizing residents of Imo State. The suspects, Obinna Mbah, a native of Orodo, and Uche Frank of Umueze II, both of Mbaitoli and Ehime Mbano local government areas of Imo State, were alleged to have been involved in the kidnap of one Rev. Fr. Philip Ejimadu in Imo State. Vanguard gathered that the two suspects had driven a Nissan SUV, property of a Catholic priest, to Aba and were about selling it to a buyer, identified as Haruna (now at large), when luck ran out on them. A police source said men of Abayi Division, acting on a tip-off, arrested Mbah and Frank and recovered the vehicle, adding that both the vehicle and the suspects had been handed over to the antikidnapping team of Imo State

Police Command. In a related development, men of the D7 Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, have also arrested one Theodore Osuji, a native of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, but resident in Aba, for

allegedly being in possession of a G3 rifle with No. 3116556 and live ammunition. Vanguard learned that the police, acting on a tip-off, arrested Osuji who said he was trying to help the owner sell the rifle and ammunition for N300,000.

WERRI—THE Parish Priest of St. Mulumba’s Catholic Parish, Owerri, Rev. Fr. George Ahamefula, narrowly cheated death weekend as dare-devil armed robbers stormed the Parish Rectory and stole valuables and cash. Narrating the incident to Vanguard yesterday, Fr.

C M Y K

Ahamefula said the hoodlums stormed the Rectory at about 3.15a.m. and operated unhindered. “He said: “They gained entry into the Rectory through one of the windows at the rear of the house, destroyed the burglary proof, climbed the staircase and came straight to my room.” According to the cleric, he was startled from his sleep,

Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Command, Ezekiel Onyeke, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incidents, adding that police had launched investigation into the matter.

Kogi community heads drag FG to ECOWAS' court By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA—SEVEN chieftains of Ette in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State have dragged the Federal Republic of Nigeria before the Court of Justice of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, alleging threat to their right to existence and selfdetermination. In an application filed pursuant to Article II of the protocol and Article 33 of the Rules of the court, the plaintiffs alleged that members of their community had been exposed to high level degradation,

physical and mental torture, cruel and inhuman treatment and punishment by the Federal Government. They told the court that the Nigerian government had denied their community rights of equal access to the benefits of its security and law enforcement apparatus. The plaintiffs, who sued on behalf of themselves and other members of the community, alleged that there had been “deliberate and continued failure of the defendant to provide law enforcement and security safeguards and protection of the law for members of the community in

Gunmen attack Owerri Catholic priest By Chidi Nkwopara

Fadipe said: “We received the information and we quickly swung into action to rescue him.” Oke-Osanyintolu said: “When we brought him down, he was already dead. He is a middle-aged man. But we are yet to get his name, because we could not find any identity card on him. We only got a few personal belongings.”

when he heard the huge bang on his door. He added that soon after, two of the hoodlums came into his room, adding “on entering my room, they ordered me to lie flat on the floor. They also ordered me to bring out all the money in my possession and I quickly showed them where I kept my upkeep fund.” The priest said the robbers

collected his wrist watches, phones and all other valuables they fancied. He said: “The trauma is excruciating. The two hoodlums were young boys and they periodically flashed their torchlight in my face. This dazzled my eyes.” The cleric said he reported the incident to the police, who had also visited the scene.

the face of strident invasions and attacks.” No date has been fixed for hearing on the matter. Those behind the suit are Raymond Oguche, Peter Idogbe, Isaac Ameh, Andrew Ogangwu, Michael Ali, Agada Emmanuel and Matthew Oguche. The Federal Republic of Nigeria was cited as the sole defendant in the suit. In a 38-paragraphed affidavit, the litigants told the court: “As a result of the aggressive encroachment into its territory in Ette, Kogi State government initiated legal action against Enugu State in 2005 and the Supreme Court in its judgment directed the defendant’s National Boundary Commission, NBC, to settle the dispute between the two states amicably. “The plaintiff community had severally approached the Federal Government on the issue, including Justice Nasir Commission of Enquir y, Arthur Mbanefo Commission for the creation of states and local governments, but the defendant always treated it as a case of boundary adjustment, which it is not.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015—7

I stole to help my friend treat kidney failure—SUSPECT By Esther Onyegbula

55-year-old transporter, identified as Alhaji Ramon Adeleke, who was recently arrested by operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, has said he went into robbery to save the life of his friend who has kidney failure. The father of four, who was caught alongside his friend, Lukmon Shoyoye on closedcircuit television, CCTV, footage stealing a Toyota Corolla parked in a hotel located around Allen Avenue, told Vanguard: “I gave the money to my friend, Chief Kola, who had kidney problem because he was very sick.” It was gathered that the duo committed the crime on November 16, 2014. Adeleke was arrested on April 9, 2015, while on his way to a mosque

around Allen Avenue. Adeleke’s arrest led to Shoyoye's. Vanguard learned that Ramon Adeleke was apprehended and charged to court in March 2015 for a similar crime, but was granted bail before he was re-arrested.

Suspects’ account

Alhaji Adeleke, a native of Ede in Osun State, said: “I live in Obilegun Street in Iba, Lagos and married with four children. I am a landlord in Lagos. “My friend and I went to Airport Hotel at night and at dawn, we stole a Toyota Corolla 2003 model, parked in the hotel. While we were stealing the vehicle, I did not know that the CCTV captured us. “I took the car to Alhaji who bought it for N400, 000. I gave

the money to my friend Chief Kola, who had kidney problem because he was very sick. I gave Lukmon, who went to the operation with me, N80,000.” In his defence, 38-year-old Lukmon Shoyoye, told Vanguard: “I have known Ramon for several years. We met when he came to fix the glass of his commercial vehicle. Sometime around November 2014, Ramon called me on phone and said he wanted to see me. “When we met, he said he wants me to escort him. He told me he wants to seize the vehicle of a friend who owed him but refused to pay. I neither planned nor discussed the operation with him.

Operation

“We drove to Allen at about 12 midnight. I became

suspicious of his mission when he stole a car that was parked in the hotel. It was Ramon that forced the door of the vehicle open. “It was when we left the scene that it occurred to me that he actually stole a car. I drove my four-runner Jeep, while he drove the stolen vehicle. He went alone to IleEpo to sell the vehicle. “I do not know for how much he sold the car, but he gave me N80,000 which I used to pay my children’s school fees. I was arrested after Ramon was arrested. “I am from Abeokuta in Ogun State and married with six children. I am an aluminium fabricator.” Vanguard gathered that the stolen Toyota Corolla had been recovered, while both suspects will soon be charged to court.

DESTRUCTION: Some of the shops destroyed by insurgents in Baga. INSET: Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Director of Search and Rescue (left) and Captain Donatus Otobo, during a visit by NEMA assessment team at the General Hospital, Gajiram, Maiduguri, yesterday. NAN PHOTOS.

One dead, others injured as OPC, cultists clash in Ibadan By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—THE peaceful atmosphere of Apete in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State was disturbed yesterday as some members of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Vigilance Group and some cult members engaged in a bloody clash. The fracas left at least one person dead and others seriously injured. Another person was said to be unconscious after being beaten with charm. As a result of the chaotic situation that engulfed the town where most of the students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, live, residents of the C M Y K

sleepy town ran helter-skelter to avoid being caught in the crisis that began at Apete market, some metres away from a police station. Vanguard gathered that the violence was the aftermath of a perennial crisis that had existed between rival groups of OPC. It was further gathered that some OPC men came from Bere area of Ibadan to demand that those at Apete stop operating under the umbrella of the real OPC. However, the heated argument that ensued degenerated into a bloody clash. When Vanguard called Oyo State Chairman of OPC, Alhaji Adeagbo, he said the

crisis had been on for quite some time. According to him, some members of Vigilance Group, who were former members of OPC, did not want the authentic members of the group to be at Apete because of the illegal things they always did, which they knew genuine members of OPC would not allow. He said: “This informed the hostility that they have for us. Unfortunately, the law enforcement agency there has connived with them. There was a time they attacked our members and wounded them. We took it up and it was settled. “This has been the situation at Apete. Also, there are some

cult groups, who have joined hands with the vigilance group to unleash terror on the people there.” He said unless the evil people stopped their illegal acts, very soon all hidden things would be made open for all to see. When contacted, Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: “We have provided adequate security in the area. “Our men are already on ground to forestall any further outbreak of law and order.” At press time, tension was still high as most residents of the town who fled the crisis, had not returned for fear of being attacked.

DRAMA Policemen arrested over illegal checkpoint in Lagos By Esther Onyegbula

mild drama unfolded yesterday at Okota area of Lagos when some policemen, who mounted illegal checkpoint, took to their heels to evade arrest by policemen attached to the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force. The fleeing policemen reportedly fired some shots into the air, apparently to clear the way for their escape. Unfortunately for two of them, they were arrested and whisked into the task force's waiting van. Eyewitnesses told Vanguard: “The policemen mounted an illegal checkpoint in front of UBA bank, which caused a hitch in traffic on the already bad road. “All of a sudden, we saw them running and shooting. Everyone concluded they had seen robbers and we also fled for dear life. One of the policemen jumped into a motorbike, while the other two were struggling for who to board first. “Their colleague could not wait as he moved the motorbike, causing the two other policemen to fall. Yet they kept running and in the process, one of them fell inside a ditch. “As his colleague made to jump over him, he missed his step and also fell down. They were both apprehended.” The visiting policemen, as gathered, were members of the 16 teams deployed nationwide by the IGP, Solomon Arase, to effect the ban on road block and illegal checkpoints nationwide. However, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, when contacted, said he was not aware of any arrest of policemen by the IGP task force. He said: “No policeman was arrested by the IGP Task Force in Lagos. The CP has since enforced the directive on road block and illegal checkpoint and the teams have concluded their assignment without any defaulters arrested. “In fact, they commended Lagos State Command and the CP for a job well done.”

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Fuel scarcity: Capital Oil breaks ranks, releases 13m litres zPromises to release 70m litres zOther marketers jitter, to follow suit zArik, Aero Contractors cancel flights zPower supply down to all-time low By Clara Nwachukwu & Michael Eboh

AGOS — CAPITAL Oil and Gas Industries Limited said it was releasing, last night, about 13 million litres, approximately 400 trucks, of petroleum products including premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol, to ease the scourge of the endemic fuel scarcity that Nigeria had been plunged into. The company will release a total of 70 million litres in the coming days. The move has, therefore, broken the ranks of oil marketers and depot operators, who have refused to import any more products until their outstanding subsidy claims of over N200 billion is paid by the Federal Government. The marketers have now become jittery over the development because they are now being exposed as saboteurs, seeing they have enough fuel stock in their depots but have refused to dispense them, even as they are losing billions of Naira daily. Sequel to the general elections, the country had been experiencing sporadic fuel shortages, until it snowballed into a complete shutdown in the recent weeks, thereby paralysing almost all social and economic activities in the country. Speaking, yesterday, about the sudden release of the product at the Capital Oil Depot in Apapa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, told journalists that the move was meant to reduce the pain Nigerians are experiencing on account of the scarcity.

It's sabotage

Ubah described the current crisis as sabotage, saying: “We are constrained at this point and have decided that two wrongs cannot make a right. We will not be part of this sabotage against our fatherland. Therefore, from this minute, we shall take the risk of opening our facilities and commence swift loading and distribution of products nationwide.” He also gave the assurance that once the current stock is exhausted, there are vessels laden with petroleum products at the jetty waiting to berth. He said: “Our facility has the capacity to load over 13 million litres before dawn. This comes to approximately 400 trucks of petroleum products.”

C M Y K

Urges other marketers to follow suit

Expressing the hope that normalcy will soon return with the resumption of socioeconomic activities, Ubah also called “on other petroleum marketers to follow suit and save our nation from this impending economic and social crisis.” He added that the current situation called for patriotism and service, which is why the Capital Oil truck park, port and depot reception facilities have been opened and have commenced loading of products and ordered to move overnight to every state of the federation. He recalled that operators were informed of the shutdown of loading activities from the depots via a text message on Saturday May 16, which became effective on Monday, May 18 He noted that since then Nigerians have suffered immense hardship, with petrol now selling at an all-time high of between N500 and N1000 per litre depending on location and outlet. Marketers and black market operators have been at their best in sharp practices, while the industry regulator, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, is overwhelmed by it all and helpless to sanction any one for infractions.” Against this backdrop, the Capital Oil boss argued that the way out of the current predicament is the total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector.

Breaking of ranks

Other marketers and depot operators have expressed shock at Capital Oil’s action, saying that they will have to wait to see the turn of events from today (Monday), to determine whether or not to join the bandwagon. A source among the independent marketers told Vanguard on telephone: “For now, it may not be able to join Captal Oil because we may not be able to get the kind of security made available to him to pull this off.” He agreed that the marketers have enough products to meet the demand, as many of the depots already had ample stock levels before

Long queue of jerry cans at a petrol station as fuel scarcity bites harder, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

the decision to shut down. He admitted that the move by Capital Oil will be an eye opener to other marketers with regard to keeping agreements, as they are losing billions of Naira daily due to the shut down.

Economic stagnation

Meanwhile, economic activities in Nigeria have continued to wind down, as the fuel scarcity takes a turn for the worse while power supply hit an all time low. The scarcity and power outage have affected businesses negatively, leading to a significant increase in the cost of doing business across all sectors of the economy, thereby worsening the poverty situation among the masses. Already, many flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled over the weekend due to the scarcity of aviation fuel. Arik and Aero Contractors were the major airlines that cancelled their flights yesterdaty; Transport fares have also been hiked by over 300 per cent and businesses shut down due to fuel shortages to power their operations, just as the cost of certain goods and services have skyrocketed. Vanguard observed that simple services like a haircut, which normally cost N200 in Abuja, now goes for between N250 and N300, while the price of certain food items have gone

up. Also, workers are finding it difficult and very expensive commuting to and from their places of work on a daily basis while the few who still drive to their offices spend a large chunk of their income on petrol. Respondents who spoke to Vanguard expressed anger at the current state of affairs, stating that the persistent fuel scarcity witnessed over the last couple of months is the worst in the history of Nigeria, adding that Nigerians have never had it so tough like this before. One of the respondents urged the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to call for a nationwide strike until the fuel situation is addressed. In Lagos, only the Capital Oil outlets with a handful of independent filling stations were seen dispensing fuel. In Abuja, all the petrol stations in town were shut down, while many of those around the Gwagwalada area were dispensing the product at between N150 and N170 per litre. Also, majority of the petrol stations after Mararaba in Nasarawa State, were selling the commodity at between N150 and N170 per litre with large number of motorists struggling to purchase the product despite the high cost. Black marketers, who are the major source of petrol for 95 per cent of motorists and

households also hiked their prices, selling at between N250 and N300 per litre.

Oil workers’ meeting

Hope of speedy resolution of the crisis was dampened further yesterday, as the striking workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, who held a closed door meeting failed to reach an agreement over a number of issues. A source in the NNPC told Vanguard that there were disagreements by executives of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, in the meeting which started about 3pm and was still holding at press. The source, who chose to remain anonymous also disclosed that some of the executives of both associations engaged in heated arguments. Furthermore, as a result of the strike, power supply worsened across the country, dropping below 1,000 megawatts, MW, with most households enjoying power supply for less than three hours daily. Specifically, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, weekend, sent text messages to some of its customers, appealing for calm and understanding over the worsening power supply situation. The company blamed the worsening electricity situation to a reduction in its power allocation from about 400MW to below 200MW. To this end, anger, frustration and uncertainty pervaded everywhere as Nigerians are of the view that the Federal Government seemed unconcerned about their plight. The situation seems to have defied all solutions while the Ministers of Power and Petroleum Resources seem to have run out of ideas on how to tackle the crisis. The fuel crisis came on the heels of a disagreement between the Federal Government and oil marketers over subsidy payments, while it was escalated by the strike of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, NUPENG and PENGASSAN. PTD’s strike was in solidarity with the oil marketers over the delay in subsidy payments, while NUPENG and PENGASSAN’s strike was due to the transfer of operatorship rights in two oil blocks, OML 40 and 42, to local firms, Neconde and Elcrest. The strike by NUPENG and PENGASSAN, in addition to worsening fuel supply, also led to a disruption in gas supply to power generating plants across the country, thereby cutting power supply drastically.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015—9

Unpaid salaries: NLC backs strikes in states zBauchi, Osun, C-River, others to join this week By Favour Nnabugwu & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

BUJA — THE national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said yesterday that the labour movement was in support of some state chapters of the union embarking on strike over backlog of unpaid salaries by some of the outgoing governors. Some state branches of the NLC had threatened to down tools today and join Plateau State that had gone on strike following the inability of some of the state governors whose tenures expire this week to pay workers salaries for several months. Some of the states that had threatened to commence strike this week include Bauchi, Osun, Cross River and some local government areas in Rivers State. Confirming this to Vanguard yesterday, General Secretary of NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson said that though the strike was not declared by the national leadership of labour union, the states that have decided to proceed on strike have the backing of the national body. Eson said some of the states in the north, Cross River, Osun and some local government areas in Rivers State are among the states that have threatened to embark on strike this week to join Plateau state that had been on strike for some time now. It was gathered that some of the state governors had lavished state resources during the just concluded general elections, even as they were owing workers salary for several months.

NUT threatens strike

On its part, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, says it will soon direct its members to go on strike in states that have not paid teachers their salaries for over two months. Speaking on the proposed strike, Mr. Michael Olukoya, President of the union, said in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja that the union would not fold its arms and watch state governments treat their members as second class citizens in their country. He decried the attitude of the offending governments, saying the union was not going to take it lightly with them. According to him, “such practice portends academic danger in those states as the teachers would not be motivated to do their best when teaching the students.” He stressed that every worker deserved his wages, adding: ”The working condition of a teacher is the learning condition of a child. Academic danger is C M Y K

looming in those states where salaries have not been paid and we will soon give directive to the affected states to immediately proceed on indefinite strike. “If a teacher does not collect his or her salary, he or she cannot perform at optimum level. In Nigeria, the full salary of a teacher is inadequate to meet his needs and and yet he is being owed; that’s not fair. We gathered that Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi and Kogi states are owing their primary school teachers’ salaries of more than two months."

Gross revenues decline to lowest —FAAC Meanwhile, the Federal Accounts Allocation

Committee, FAAC, said that gross revenues declined to its lowest in recent times to N282.06 billion in April 2015, which according to the committee chairman and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Bashir Yuguda, was due to frequent shutdown in oil production facilities which continued to impact negatively on crude oil revenues as well as the fall in global oil price. Vanguard findings show that the N388.34 billion federal allocation distributed to the three tiers of government for the month of April is the lowest recorded in well over two years. The last time such dismal performance was recorded was in 2007 and 2008 during the global economic crisis when oil prices fell to $38 per barrel.

Gross revenues have been declining steadily since the oil prices started its downward slide since last year. From N480 billion realised in December 2014, revenues have declined steadily throughout this year: N416.09 billion in January, N401.46 billion in February and N315.04 billion in March before hitting the lowest – N282.06 billion – in April. Despite the persistent decline in revenues, the three tiers of government have been sharing allocations above the average monthly revenues. In December 2014, it was a total of N580.4 billion, N500.13 in January, N522.05 billion in February, N435.06 billion in March and N388.3 billion in April.

Senate Presidency: Northern monarch lobbies emirs for Saraki By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA— A first class emir that was forced out of his top Federal Government office may have joined the campaign to elect Senator Bukola Saraki as the president of the Senate. Sources close to the development revealed that the first class emir from the North-West has been leading the Saraki campaign to fellow emirs in the North with a steadfast determination to enthrone the former Kwara State governor as the country’s number three man. The campaign for Saraki, Vanguard learnt, was partly in appreciation of the large support that he got from Saraki during his ordeal with the Presidency that led to his exit from his high flying office last year. The recruitment of the emir into the Saraki campaign follows the strategic alliance between Saraki’s major rivals for the office, Senator Ahmad Lawan and George Akume, both of whom forged an alliance last weekend. The alliance, it was gathered, was said to have jolted the Saraki campaign into action. That move was also against the background of claims by the Lawan camp that they were in control of the majority of senators-elect from the North-West. It was learnt, weekend, that senators of core northern extraction were being wooed by their emirs at the instance

OXFORD UNION: Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu (left) and Oxford University Dean, Peter Tufano at the historic Oxford Union, where Mr. Elumelu delivered a speech on Africapitalism as a Catalyst for Africa's Development, weekend. of the first-class revered monarch from the North-West to consider Saraki above Lawan in the contest. One strategy of the northern emirs, it was gathered, was to woo the senators-elect through their governors. The emirs, it was gathered, had tried to reach out to their senators-elect through the governors at the retreat that broke out into two last

weekend. The retreat organised by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for its senators broke out after supporters of Lawan addressed a press conference to endorse the alliance between Akume and Lawan. At the end of the retreat, the Saraki camp announced that 35 of the 59 senators-elect in the party were fully committed to their cause.

Senate Presidency: Unity Forum dismisses use of primary election

HE All Progressives Congress, APC, senators, on the platform of Unity Forum, has dismissed insinuations on the use of primary election to pick the Senate President for the next dispensation, saying it was rallying round Senators Lawan Ahmad and George Akume as Senate president and deputy Senate president respectively. The forum, in a statement signed by Senator Robert Ajayi (South-West); Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (North-East); Senator Barnabas Gemade (North Central) and Senator Abu Ibrahim (North-West), said the use of primary to pick the Senate president was nowhere embedded in the party structure. The forum, which noted that the insinuations gave the impression that APC was a party of desperate, indiscplined and selfish people, urged the public to disregard any such information. The statement read: "Given the conflicting media accounts surrounding the issue of the prospective candidate for the Senate presidency from the APC, we of the Unity Forum are constrained to make this clarification. "This response has become necessary because we do not want to portray our party as a collection of desperate, indispline and selfish people. Rather, we believe that party preservation and the overall interest of the party should be paramount at this point. "For the records, there was no time before the retreat, during the retreat or after the retreat where and when the issue of a primary election to pick the Senate President was tabled or agreed upon. "Nowhere in the party leadership structure can we find the mandate for the conduct of any election with regard to the emergence of the Senate Presidency candidate. Any contrary information out there in the social or any kind of media is false, self-serving and intended to mislead the public."

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

NDLEA, Kashamu trade words over planned arrest, arraignment zAs APC hails NDLEA's moves By Evelyn Usman, Abdulwahab Abdulah & Daud Olatunji

UTHORITIES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA and embattled senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu, have traded words over the latter’s plan to arrest and arraign the politician before the Federal High Court in Lagos, today. While the NDLEA has berated Kashamu for pointing accusing fingers at former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Chief Olabode George, over his trouble with the agency, Kashamu on his part, wondered why the agency should act as spokesman for the two. The NDLEA, in a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, disclosed that preparation to drag Kashamu to the Federal High Court today had been intensified, explaining that its action was sequel to a formal request received from the embassy of the United States of America for Kashamu’s extradition, over alleged heroin smuggled into the country 20 years ago. He, therefore, advised the politician to act honorably by concentrating on the facts of the issue as he prepares to appear before the Federal High court today rather than playing a blame game. Besides, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, has hailed moves by the NDLEA to extradite Kashamu to the US over alleged drug related charges. Mitchell, in the statement made available to Vanguard, said: “He should act honourably and concentrate on the facts of his case rather than dragging former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Olabode George, into his personal problem. The fact is that a formal request for his extradition had been received from the Embassy of the United States of America. According to official report, Kashamu has been on the wanted list of both the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, of the Department of Homeland Security, DHS.’’ But Kashamu, in a swift reaction by his media aide, Austin Oniyokor, said the NDLEA had turned itself into a mouthpiece for Obasanjo and George. He said: “We do not know when the NDLEA became spokespersons for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Bode George. We do not need them to tell us to address our C M Y K

issues. We are addressing our issues. We have told the court of the planned abduction of Kashamu by the NDLEA. The court had given an order asking all the parties to stay action pending the determination of the suit which had been fixed for Wednesday. “If the NDLEA is saying they are not acting on the directive of Obasanjo and George, why would they go against the court's injunction? Are they lawless or are they saying Nigeria is no longer being governed by the rule of law and due process? Our facts have been put in the public domain. We have told the world about the planned abduction,” he said . On the reason Kashamu resisted arrest, Oniyokor explained: “My boss has refused to see them (NDLEA officials) because they could not produce a warrant of arrest. If they provide

it, Kashamu will hand himself over to them . But as it is now, they have not produced any warrant of arrest as I speak with you. But the NDLEA’s spokesperson stated earlier that the identity card of any narcotics agency officer serves the same purpose as the warrant of arrest, maintaining that the agency had not acted outside the ambit of the stipulated laws. Ogun APC hails NDLEA’s moves Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, has hailed moves by the NDLEA to extradite Kashamu to the US over alleged drug related charges. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sola Lawal, the party said the NDLEA had lived up to the integrity and impartiality which it is expected

to uphold. While distancing the people of the state from Kashamu, the party said: “People should not mistake the person of Buruji Kashamu, who won election in the state, as what our people stand for.’’ PDP group demands Kashamu’s resignation Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from South West zone are calling on the embattled senator-elect to resign immediately as the party leader in the zone. In a statement, the party members from Ogun State, led by Otunba Olugbemi Olubunmi, under the aegis of Egbe-Odo PDP, said Kashamu must step down from his position as the South-West leader of the party with a view to clearing his name.

See implication of Kashamu's extradition...P. 50

Prince Buruji Kashamu

Ambode releases official portrait, title By Leke Adeseri

HE Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, released his official portrait, saying that he would want to be addressed simply as Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State, from May 29. A statement by his media team said the governor-elect would not want the appellation of Executive or any other prefix to be added to his name. “He, hereby, puts it on record that from May 29, 2015, he wishes to be addressed as Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Governor of Lagos State,” the statement said. The portrait that was produced by famous photographer, TY Bello, shows

the governor-elect in a black suit with a white shirt and blue tie. The portrait can also

be found on Mr. Ambode's personal website www.akinwunmiambode.com.

Fuel scarcity: NLC threatens to direct workers to stay at home By Victor AhumaYoung NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Lagos, threatened to direct workers to stay at home should the current fuel scarcity get prolonged. NLC, in a statement by the Joe Ajaero-led faction of Congress, lamented that with petroleum products’ prices as high as N350 per litre, claims and counter-claims between Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala and marketers over so called N159 billion subsidy payments and all state actors looking indifferent, Nigeria was the only country on earth which unacceptably and criminally denied its citizens basic sources of energy, fuel and electricity. The statement, by Mr. Issa Aremu, a Deputy President of Ajaero faction of NLC said; “After several weeks of deliberate deprivations of petroleum products by both the government and marketers, with all the associated hardships, it is time all Nigerians stopped agonizing and rose in unison against the situation. With petroleum products’ prices as high as N350 per litre, (far above N87 per litre) claims and counter-claims between Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala and marketers over so called N159 billion subsidy payments and all state actors looking indifferent, Nigeria is the only country on earth which unacceptably and criminally denies its citizens basic sources of energy, fuel and electricity.’’

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 11

Buhari can't transform 8 yrs' rot overnight —Obasanjo By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA— FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said Nigerians should not expect miracles from the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, saying, he will not be able to repair eight years bad governance overnight. He, however, warned the President-elect against cover up,urging him not to take Nigerians for granted when he assumes office as the president from May 29. Obasanjo said this while addressing a delegation of South West women leaders under the leadership of the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, who paid him a visit in his Abeokuta country home. The South-West women leaders which include Iyaloja General of Lagos, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; Iyalode OtanAyegbaju; Stella Olubunmi among others, begged Obasanjo not to abandon the President-elect when he assumes office. According to them, "we are aware that you took over the reins of power of this country at a critical time and with the help of the Almighty, you were able to bring us back from the brink. The same goes for now. “We, therefore, appeal to you not to leave the incoming government alone. Though we are confident in time proven abilities of our incoming President, Muhammadu Buhari, we also believe that two heads are better than one and where there is a gathering of wise ones, wisdom will issue forth from there,” the women said. The former president in his remarks said the country had

C M Y K

been poorly managed in the last eight years, maintaining that it will take sometime for Buhari’s government to transform the country owing to the level of havoc that had been done. Obasanjo, who described Buhari as an experienced leader, said: “The situation was like this when I took over in 1999, no light, no fuel, but it didn’t take us so long before the issues of light and fuel were resolved. “There’s something very important that I observed, the incoming President has a lot

of experience, he’s not a green horn, it is not as if he hasn’t been in power before, he is experienced. “He knows what we did to turn things around, even when we were there together during the military regime, we did it together, and it was as a result of our performance that we were invited to do it again. “What I would say is that we should all put our minds at rest, he’s someone that would perform but we must exercise patience, because what has been destroyed for eight years

cannot be done overnight. But like the Chinese proverb, that says ‘the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step,’ it is not only first step but first step in the right direction because if you took a wrong step, you’re not likely to get to the destination. “Let’s give Buhari some time, let’s support him with prayers and relate with him. Like you’ve said, it’s everybody’s duty, not only those who have governed before, all of us are keen about Nigeria.

Fayose lifts curfew on Ado-Ekiti zPromises N2m reward for information on kidnappers zEx-gov Fayemi visits over ethnic conflict By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor & Gbenga Aritibi

DO-EKITI — GOVERNOR Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, yesterday, lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Ado-Ekiti on May 22, following a civil disturbance. The governor stated this in his broadcast to the people of the state in Ado-Ekiti. He said the state government had also placed N2 million reward for anybody that could provide information that will facilitate the arrest of those that kidnapped 11 people in different parts of the state recently. He described the crisis between the Hausa community and commercial drivers in AdoEkiti that led to the imposition of the curfew as unfortunate. He urged residents to be lawabiding and conduct their activities in manner that would not cause further break down

of law and order. Fayose said the state government lifted the curfew after security agents restored peace in the state. He expressed regret for the inconveniences the curfew might have caused the residents of the town. He said that kidnapping was strange to the state, warning that the state government would fight it.

Ex-gov Fayemi visits over ethnic conflict Meantime, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, yesterday, paid a visit to the state where he commiserated with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti,Oba Rufus Adejugbe, over the violent clash between members of commercial drivers and some traders of northern extraction in Ado Ekiti. Fayemi, who was accompanied by some members of his cabinet and received by

the monarch and chiefs, said he was at the palace to identify with monarch and his people over the unfortunate incident. The former governor equally paid similar visit to the Hausa community at Shasha, where they were relocated to by the Fayose government and the market where the inferno took place, promising that the incoming federal administration will assist affected traders. He condemned in strong terms the spate of kidnappings of professionals and other innocent people in the state. Fayemi lamented that all these had created negative image for the state, stressing that it was having its toll on the economic activities in the state. In his remarks,Oba Adejugbe thanked Fayemi for the visit urging him not to relent in his efforts to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

Delayed wages: Osun Assembly to organise summit By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO — THE Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, has promised to mobilise the next assembly to drive a stakeholders’ summit that will examine the challenges facing the state and the lasting solution to them. In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, in Osogbo yesterday, Salaam empathised with the enduring workers of the state who were confronted with inevitable delayed wage and pensioners who would have to endure, saying the situation will be addressed shortly. Workers in Osun State are currently being owed about six months salary arrears since the dwindling in revenue allocation to the state by the Federal Government commenced last year. But Salaam asked people to bear in mind that the state Chief Executive, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, was exploiting all avenues to mobilise funds that would be used to offset the outstanding arrears but would have to adhere with time consuming procedural demand.

Osun SDP asks Aregbesola to resign

Meantime, the Osun State Chapter of Social Democratic Party SDP has aske d Governor Aregbesola to immediately vacate the state governor’s seat over what it called the present pitiable situation of the state.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

APC clears 22 councils in Rivers LG polls By Davies Iheamnachor

LL Progressives Congress, APC, has won in the 22 local government areas that were contested for in the local government elections held on Saturday in Rivers State. The election was marred by low turnout of voters because of the controversy that trailed the date of the election. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which had gone to court to challenge the council polls, boycotted same, as it had insisted that the time was wrong and the process not transparent. Similarly, the faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, led by Mr. Adah Williams, had last Thursday, called on workers in the state not to participate in the elections. But on Friday, the NLC faction led by Mrs. Beatrice countered the earlier announcement by Williams, urging workers to be part of the elections. On the day of the polls, heavy rainfall worsened the situation, as the rain which started around 5:25 a.m., prevented Rivers State

Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, officials from distributing electoral materials early to the polling units. Voters turned out after the rain which stopped at 12noon. Amidst the controversies and threats, the election was

violence free. Voters came out to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice without intimidation. RSIEC has been commended by some APC chieftains for conducting the local government elections as scheduled despite

intimidations. It will be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, had earlier ordered parties for the elections to maintain status quo, following a suit by the PDP. It was based on the court directive that PDP boycotted the polls.

OATH OF OFFICE: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left) administering oath of office on the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Stephen Okon, at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Uyo.

Uduaghan seeks economic bailout for states, LGs By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for a bailout package for states and local governments of the federation as a quick measure to bail out the governments from the present economic straits. He enjoined the in-coming government at the federal level to forge a national consensus on economic direction, if Nigeria must move forward. Speaking at the public presentation of a book, Delta Beyond Oil: A legacy of Sustainable Development, by Mr. Sam Omatseye, at a forum organised by Nigeria Institute of Directors, weekend, the governor said that the stimulus package, however, has to be discussed and attended to quickly. According to him, this has become necessary because currently, about 30 states and the Federal Government are either unable to fund recurrent costs including payment of salaries, or have had to borrow money to pay. “I stand with those asking for stimulus package for the states and local governments. This has to be discussed and attended to quickly,” he said. Uduaghan said that the failure of the ruling Peoples C M Y K

Democratic Party, PDP, at the centre to grow the nation’s economy to the desired level was attributable to lack of national consensus. His words: “I am sure many of us will recall several attempts that were made by the PDP government at the centre to ensure that we build up our fiscal buffers, reduce our foreign debt, invest in foreign assets through sovereign wealth fund and have something for the rainy day, but

somehow, lack of national consensus made that impossible. “Is it a PDP failure alone? No, it is not. It is a collective failure. Many All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftains who are basking in the glow of winning power at the centre were the main actors in the politics that stalled further progress in the direction highlighted,” he added He stressed that it was important that whatever APC

does, it must forge national consensus on economic direction, if Nigeria is to move forward. “Some of what I have said will test APC. APC must prove that it is a party to be trusted. Nigerians are anxious to see how the party conducts itself. How they act in power. Is APC in power better or different from APC in opposition? The answer is blowing in the wind. Though, it might be too early to judge but I have my deep doubts," he

EPZ: We’re no appendage to Ugborodo, says Kpokpo community By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—THE Olare-Aja (oldest man) of Kpokpo has denied media reports credited to him claimng that the Itsekiri community in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, is an appendage to Ugborodu community and not under the headship of an Olare-Aja. Prince George Fregene, Olare-Aja of Kpokpo, in response to the said report, described the perceived authors as “selfish” indigenes bent on compromising Kpokpo’s collective interest among communities playing host to the $16 billion Gas City Export Processing Zone, EPZ, in the area. In a chat with Vanguard in Warri, Prince Fregene, said: “I know the peddlers who maliciously tried to use my name to

please their paymasters with the falsehood. They even insinuated that Kpokpo had passed a vote of confidence in the Austin Oborogbeyiled EPZ Interface Committee over its conduct regarding the project. “I did not at anytime issue or declare this falsehood I read in the papers. We have stressed that Kpokpo is not a part of Madangho or Ugborodo as the EPZ committee has also been insinuating. We, as descendants of Gbateren, are autonomous. “We further restate our demand for the resignation of the EPZ committee chairman due to his insistence in alienating and compromising Kpokpo’s stake in the project as we strongly pass vote of no confidence in his EPZ interface committee.”

Edo workers suspend planned strike By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE organised labour has called off its proposed three-day warning strike in Edo State, following an agreement reached after a closed-door meeting with the state government. The executives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Joint Negotiating Council announced the suspension of the proposed strike shortly after a meeting with Governor Adams Oshiomhole, weekend. Speaking for the organised labour, Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Mr. Shaka Otoide, said: “In view of the notice we gave Edo State Government to embark on a three-day warning strike with effect from May 25, after a meeting between the Edo State Government and the Joint Negotiating Council including NLC and TUC, the strike action has been suspended. “The circular from the office of the Head of Service on the commencement of the Pensions Scheme with effect from May has also been withdrawn. The eight percent that was deducted from the salary of the workers will be paid back to workers. So the proposed warning strike has been called off,” he said. Otoide thanked Governor Adams Oshiomhole for his quick intervention and for always standing by the labour movement at all times.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015—13

Bayelsa PDP disciplinary committee summons Jonathan’s aide, loyalists By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Disciplinary Committee in Bayelsa State, weekend, issued fresh summons to seven key political associates of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state including the Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the President on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, and six others to appear before it over alleged anti-party activities. Others include the senator representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the former senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, the suspended state chairman of the PDP, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), the former Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu and former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Nestor Binabo. Senator Barigha-Amange, Chief Seibarugu and Binabo

had, last week, shunned the sitting of the disciplinary committee, describing the summons as laughable and a witch-hunt. But a statement, weekend, by the Chairman and Secretary of the PDP Disciplinary Committee, Cleopas Moses and Dede John, said the panel was not out to witch hunt anybody but to sanitise the party as well as ensure discipline and loyalty on the part of its rank and file. According to the committee, having received reports about the persons concerned, it was only proper to get their side of the story to ensure fairness and equity in the discharge of its assignment. Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has re-affirmed his commitment to re-position PDP, ahead of 2019. He warned opposition parties in the state against peddling his name in a bid to seek political relevance. Dickson, at the monthly

media transparency briefing in Yenagoa expressed his readiness to join other critical stakeholders to rebuild the party.

The governor, who took exception to the unwholesome practice whereby some individuals resort to cheap blackmail and propaganda to

BIRTHDAY: Rivers State governor-elect, Mr. Nyesom Wike (left); his wife Suzzette and their children, during Mrs Wike's birthday, yesterday.

Court restrains AGF, Samsung, Total Upstream from execution of Egina FPSO contract A

By Innocent Anaba

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has restrained the Attorney General of the Federation, Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited and Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd, and their agents from taking any action to award the contract for the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit, FPSO, in the Egina Field within OML130, pending the determination of the substantive suit. Other defendants in the suit are National Petroleum Investment Management Services and Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board. The court also restrained the defendants and their agents from giving effect or implementing the award of the aforesaid Egina FPSO contract either by way of operating or executing same in any way whatsoever pending the determination of the substantive suit. Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, gave the orders in his ruling on the arguments of parties in the suit. The court, meanwhile, dismissed application by Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd., for stay of proceedings in the matter. Mr John Owubokiri, a lawyer and plaintiff in the

case, had, through his counsel, Mr Olukayode Enitan, argued that the scope of Egina FPSO oil field which is expected to produce 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day as stated by Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Ltd is expected to create 50,000 jobs and is thus strategic to the future of the Nigerian economy. The plaintiff, Owubokiri in the substantive suit, is asking the court to declare that the award of the contract to Samsung Heavy Industry Nigeria Limited for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the Egina FPSO is unlawful,

tainted by irregularities in that NPIMS, CDMB and Total Upstream Nigeria ignored all extant laws, regulations, directives, and guidelines guiding such awards. He also want the court to declare that the award of the contract to Samsung Heavy Industry Nigeria for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of Egina FPSO contrary to extant laws, regulations, directives, guidelines and laid down procedure is irregular, null and void and ought to be set aside. Meanwhile, the court adjourned till May 28, continuation of hearing in the suit.

FG, states shared N6. 21trn from Excess Crude Account in four years —Fed Ministry of Finance By Emma Ujah

further their political interests in the state, said the PDP would no longer condone indiscipline and disloyalty from members.

HE federal and state governments shared a total of N 6. 21 trillion from the Excess Crude Account in the last four years. According to a report by the Federal Ministry of Finance, yesterday, the Federal Government’s share from the ECA during the period was N3.29 trillion while the 36 states received a total of N2.92 trillion. The figures showed that they received N966.6 billion in 2011, N816.3 billion in 2012, N859.4 billion in 2013 and N282.8 in 2014. A statement by Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Mimister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

said: “The low figure for 2014 reflects the steep decline in revenues due to the impact of the crash in global oil prices which began in the middle of the year.” Each state’s allocation is as follows: Akwa Ibom (N265 billion), Rivers (N230.4 billion), Delta (N216.7 billion), Bayelsa (N176.3 billion), Kano (N106.5 billion) and Lagos (N82.9 billion) respectively got the highest amounts from the ECA. Others are: Kwara (N52.8 billion), Enugu (N51.6 billion), Gombe (N47.7 billion), Nassarawa (N46.9 billion), Ekiti (N46.8 billion) and Ebonyi (N44.3 billion) received the least amounts in that order.

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Why Jonathan’s men mutilated his signature on Constitution bill By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

HE SENATE, yesterday, accused senior administration officials of mutilating President Goodluck Jonathan’s signature on the Constitution Alteration Bill to the benefit of preserving their selfish desires and giving the wrong impression it was never signed. The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekeremadu in an interview told Vanguard that the evidence of the President’s assent to the Constitution (Fourth) Alteration Act was available to the legislative body as he gave a stout rebuttal of the President’s claim that he did not sign the bill. Ekweremadu spoke ahead of today’s consideration of the appeal brought by the National Assembly at the Supreme Court against the earlier ruling by the apex court urging all parties to the suit brought by the Federal Government against the National Assembly on the issue. In a ruling earlier this month, the court had asked all parties to stay action until June 18. Ekweremadu said that it was in the desperation of the administration officials to hide the mutilation of the constitution alteration Act signed by the President that they took the matter to court to enable them cover up the act. A seven-man panel of justices of the apex court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, had ordered the lawmakers to maintain status quo on the matter until June 18 following the determination of the National Assembly to override the president’s declared veto on the constitution amendments. Senator Ekweremadu, who was chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review also debunked insinuations that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke was against the provision separating the offices of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, saying that Adoke only raised objections after the National Assembly rewrote the constitution to make the National Judicial Council the recommending body.

Infrastructure Bank partners METSL to construct Lagos metro rail T

HE MARINA Express Train Service Ltd, METSL, is to collaborate with The Infrastructure Bank, TIB, to construct the proposed Lagos Metro Rail Transit, LMRT, Red Line project. Sen. Idris Umar, Minister of Transport, said this, last Friday, in Abuja at the ceding and

on the growth and development of the LagosOgun states industrial and economic zones He said the MTTS Red Line was projected to carry a large number of passengers per day, freeing up an estimated four to five hours productive time to each commuters on AgbadoMarina axis. He said the project would address the transportation problems in the commercial nerve centre of the country with estimated 20 million population and also enhance economic development. Umar called for private sector collaboration in other states of the federation to facilitate further infrastructure development in the country. “The royalties due to the NRC arising from the use of the corridor by the Lagos State government over the life of the project shall be valued. “It shall be converted to Federal Government equity in the consortium that will implement and manage the project over the concession period. “As such, Federal Government participation will provide needed impetus for follow-up on investors and is a major investment showcase for Nigeria’s economy to global investment community,” he said. He expressed delight over the request by Lagos State Government for the Federal Government to release the Eastern section of the existing NRC Right of Way in Lagos. “I considered it a welcome idea knowing full well that such development will boost the economic fortune of the state which will eventually spread to other states in the country. “The request was treated with dispatch with the constitution of a technical committee to PRESENTION: Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (right), presenting a look into the possibility of sharing the existing copy of the book entitled, 'The Fashola Years,' to US senator, Christopher Coons from NRC rail corridor in Lagos without interruption Delaware, during the governor’s recent visit to the United States. in the operation of the corridor. “The committee comprised representatives from Ministry of Transport, NRC, Lagos State government and Lagos Area Metropolitan Transport Authority, prospective oil firms in Nigeria. play out today when the matter LAMATA,” he said. Soni Daniel, Regional Section 209 of the PIB makes comes up for consideration by the Editor, North & Emman Umar explained that the provisions for a special fund for lawmakers. Ovuakporie technical committee, in its report, exploratory activities in oil basins Findings by Vanguard noted that the Right of Way of the to facilitate the development of indicated that the clause might existing narrow gauge rail BUJA—AS the National more oil wells in the country. have been disappeared from the corridor was 30 metres and could Assembly makes the last Under the provision, the sum bill and another figure of 20 cents accommodate five tracks of rail attempt to pass the Petroleum of $4 per barrel of oil was to be set per barrel may become the figure lines. Industry Bill, PIB, the dichotomy aside for the development of oil for consideration, thereby causing The Minister said that this between the North and the South basins, a development that is more friction between the North would be done with an integrated has heightened over the acceptable to lawmakers in the and South. and well managed independent consideration and possible North, where oil is to be actively It was learnt that in a bid to signalling and passage of the bill. explored in the Chad Basin. provide a soft-landing for all, the telecommunications system. Major stakeholders in the North But the amount, according to committee handling the matter, He said the Federal are uncomfortable with the lawmakers from the South, is on might recommend the use of a Government also reviewed the passage of the bill, which is the high side and should be fixed sum of $100 million in the recommendations of the technical expected to give more financial reduced. bill for the development of oil committee and granted approval. muscle to the Southern Indication of conflict is likely to basins in the country. communities in Nigeria, which control most of the oil facilities. They express fear that passing the bill may inadvertently give more money to the region to the detriment of their impoverished party in the state. but amount to a brazen display of By Victor Otigbu area, yet to enjoy commercial oil Addressing newsmen, unconscionable ingratitude.” boom proceeds but deeply yesterday, in Warri, Onokpasa While accusing those claiming devastated by Boko Haram LL PROGRESSIVES faulted criticisms of Chief otherwise of “lending themselves insurgency. Congress, APC, chieftain Edojah’s stance by a group he as hatchetmen to Peoples One major area of in Delta State, Jesutega described as “mere hustlers for Democratic Party, PDP, moles that disagreement which may likely Onokpasa, has backed up ministerial appointment they have infiltrated the APC,” stall the consideration of the bill assertions by former member of neither deserve nor are qualified Onokpasa insisted that Emerhor today, and its eventual passage the House of Representatives, for.” was not “just the party’s main before the end of the current Hon. Solomon Edojah, claiming He said: “Emerhor remains sustainer, but was a serial victim NASS on June 6, is the amount that APC governorship candidate without a doubt the prime of political jobbers within the of money that should accrue to for Delta, Olorogun O’tega financier and chief motivator of party, who took huge sums of the country from the exploratory Emerhor, “remains the chief our party and any assertions to the money from him only to go out to licences to be issued to financier and motivator of the contrary are not only without basis the field to work for the PDP.” handing over of the Right of Way, ROW, for the Iddo-Agbado Corridor for the proposed rail line. The proposed Lagos State Mass Transit Train Services, which is named “Red Line,” will operate within the Lagos metropolis. Umar said this would significantly impact

PIB drives North/South divide

Emerhor remains APC prime financier in Delta —APC chieftains

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 —15

Why I stepped on many toes —Chime By Francis Igata

NUGU—ENUGU State governor, Sullivan Chime, has admitted stepping on many toes in the course of his eight year stay in office but said he did so to bring his vision of transformation for the state to fruition. Chime, who spoke, yesterday, at a valedictory thanksgiving Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, said he was satisfied that the people of the state appreciated the positive changes his administration had brought to their lives. He, however, apologized to those he might have wrongly hurt in pursuit of the greater good of the people, stressing that none of the policies or actions of his administration was deliberately designed to offend anyone. He said: “We cannot change the society without stepping on toes, every serious government must take necessary measures to correct the wrongs in the society, if not we will not have the new environment we are enjoying in Enugu today. ‘’So, I beg for forgiveness and understanding from those on whose toes we must have stepped, they must understand that we did whatever we did for the benefit of all.” Governor Chime described the emergence of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as his successor as an act of God in answer to the prayers of the people for a worthy replacement. He, however, called for intense prayers for the new administration and stressed that while the people’s expectations were high, the steady dwindle in allocations from the Federal

Government posed a challenge for any government. “Our resources are going down on a daily basis. So many states are unable to pay salaries because of dwindling federal allocations, so let’s pray that we get it right at the centre so that it will trickle down to the states,” he said. The governor, however, expressed confidence that Ugwuanyi would do better than he had done, urging the people to continue to pray for him and the state in the light of emerging challenges

Thanking God, people of Enugu State and the church for the opportunity to serve and for their prayers and support, Chime said his greatest achievements laid in not disappointing the people. Earlier in his homily at the service presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu, with governor-elect, Ugwuanyi, and his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo, in attendance, the Vicar General of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Msgr. Obiora Ike, described Governor Chime as a “child of promise who

fulfilled his promises to the people of Enugu State.” He noted that Chime succeeded in restoring the “beauty, tranquility and civility” for which Enugu was previously known. “Frankly speaking, I do not find a city like Enugu in Nigeria. it is common knowledge that the state receives about the least allocation from the Federal Government, but today, we are bearing testimony to the good works that have been done with so little,” he said.

AWARDS: From left, His Royal Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya; Jibril Aku, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, and awardee, Zik Prize Award 2014 for Professional Leadership; Dr. Oba Otudeko, and Marc Wabara, member of the Board of Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (organisers of the Zik Prize Awards) in Lagos, weekend.

Unending fuel scarcity bites harder in Enugu

.As cost of living sky-rockets E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—RESIDENTS in Enugu metropolis and rural areas have lamented the hardship occasioned by acute scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit,PMS, otherwise known as petrol. Most filing stations in the city were shut,weekend, following unavailability of the product. Vanguard’s visit to the few filing stations that had the product showed that a litre sold for N210 as against the N87 approved pump price by the Federal Government. The prevailing situation had made transport fares to increase by over 200 per cent as a journey which used to cost N50 from Abakpa to Old Park now costs N150,while most residents, especially women and children, were seen trekking long distances in the city. As a result, prices of staple food items have increased by over 100 per cent due to the high cost of transportation to evacuate the

farm produce to the city centre. A basket of tomatoes which sold for N2,500, now sells for N4,500, while a quantity of crayfish which sold for N1,500 now costs N3,000 The prevailing scarcity has heightened the activities of pet-

rol black marketers who dispense fuel to stranded motorists at N300 per litre. At Onu Asata axis of the metropolis where most filling stations in the area had no petrol, black marketers had a field day

as motorists gnash their teeth over the scarcity. Tahil Ochi, businessman, lamented that Federal Government’s promise to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity was yet to alleviate the situation.

Ebonyi APGA chair alleges threat to life By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI— EBONYI State Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Jerry Obasi, has raised alarm over the activities of hoodlums, who besieged his residence to either murder or kidnap him in Abakaliki. The incident, which took place at about 4:30a.m. last Friday, drew the attention of neighbours and passersby as the hoodlums carrying matchetes and guns took to their heels on sighting the presence of policemen in the area. In a chat with Vanguard, Obasi said he had already petitioned the State Director, Directorate of State Service, DSS, and the state Commissioner of Police over alleged attempt on his life. He said the attempt on his life might be in connection with his decision not to allow APGA collapse into the All Progressives Congress in the state. The petition read: “That was at about 4:30a.m. There was also a violent bang at my door with a sound of metals that was clearly that of a gun and machetes. That sound of corking justified my earlier suspicion that the metal sound at my door was of a gun. “While some were leaving, I peeped from the window and saw some of them carrying machetes, locally made pistols, clubs and an avalanche of ropes and chains, an odour of Indian hemp smoking from these gangsters led by a politician (name withheld).’’

AKPU/AJALLI CRISIS: Seminary rector urges FG, Anambra govt’s

intervention By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NEWI—THE Rector of St. Dominic’s Savio Seminary Akpu, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Linus Ibekwe, has appealed to the Federal and Anambra State governments to intervene in the crisis between the community and its Ajalli neighbours to avert loss of lives and property. Addressing newsmen in the seminary, weekend, Rev. Fr. Ibekwe said his seminary was already being persecuted as a result of the crisis, adding that the school sign-board had been uprooted severally by unknown persons.

He alleged that Ajalli people had pulled down the perimeter fence of the school in the past and had not allowed any sign-board to be mounted at the gate or anywhere outside the school. The cleric said: “The Federal and Anambra State governments should not pretend that the problem between the two communities that have been living together over the years, does not exist, when in actual sense, there has been tension over the alleged wrongful exclusion of Akpu from Orumba North Local Government Area and removal of sign-boards bearing Akpu in the local government area.

“The negligence on the part of successive governments, both at the federal and the state, has aggravated the already strained relationship between the two communities, the same negligence and nonchalance of successive governments has equally made the problem between the seminary and Ajalli continue to linger. “The land on which the seminary was built belongs to Akpu, and the seminary was built in 1980 by late Bishop Albert Obiefuna then in Awka Catholic Diocese, before he was posted to Onitsha to become the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha. “The first Catholic parish here

at Akpu was established in 1945, the land was acquired by the Archdiocese of Onitsha from Akpu and Rev. Fr. Iwena Tansi was the first Parish priest that worked here at Akpu, and Ajalli then was under Akpu Parish. “With the creation of Awka and Onitsha dioceses in 1977, the Bishop decided to build the seminary in 1980 for training future priests for the church, and Ajalli people have always acknowledged their tenancy to Akpu people, but their contention is that the seminary land is part of the land given to their forefathers, and so the seminary is supposed to belong to them."

16â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Presidential inauguration inter-denominational service

From left, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief Odigie Oyegun; wife of the Vice President-elect, Mrs. Osinbajo; her spouse, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and Senate President, Senator David Mark, singing a hymn, during the 2015 Presidential Thanksgiving and Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Barde (right); Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase (left), with other Service Chiefs and their spouses.

Senator John Shagaya (right), Publisher, Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah (2nd right), and other dignitaries.

Cross section of diplomats, singing with others.

Fuel scarcity bites harder

Long queue of jerry cans and people at a petrol station. Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor & Biodun Ogunleye

C M Y K

A crowd, seemingly calm in hopelessness, at a station.

A commercial motorcyclist carrying his "Okada' fuel tank on his head to buy fuel at a petrol station, at Coker bus stop, on Oshodi-Apapa expressway, yesterday.

Vanguard A Y , MA Y 25 —17 anguard,, MOND MONDA MAY 25,, 2015 2015—17

Chukwumerije and death in the Age of Brevity directed the secessionist republic’s propaganda machinery, and (2) in the Interim Government of Ernest Shonekan in which he was Information Secretary. A good many of the views held on this man are tied to those epochs, but they tell far less than the entire story of his reason-induced and actionpacked years.

By Chuks Iloegbunam

UNDAYS have a way of being languid. You could be recovering from a hangover induced by the previous night’s binge. Or, you went to church, if such was your convention. Or you sat in your house and watched television – if there was power supply, whether from the national grid or from your generator. As the day wore on, you decided if, perhaps, there was some wisdom in paying someone a visit; alternatively, you accepted the fait accompli of a few folks, including disagreeable ones, looking in and setting you back by a few coins, thanks to the booze you would offer them. After the sun had withdrawn the sharper pricks of its burning fire, you could settle for watching on the silver screen as soccer stars justified their hefty paychecks and perquisites in the leagues of foreign countries. Whether the final scores gave you cheer or pain, both of which emotions should actually be pointless for the Nigerian, you watched the day gently slip away. You looked up to Monday morning, if you aren’t of the countless unemployed, that is. On Sunday, April 19, the evening caught me with not much to do. I didn’t see the point of venturing out. I would, whether or not I liked it, leave home to following day, to keep a 10am appointment. It was necessary to print out the 40 something pages of text I had written, so we chat over their import and chart the course of further work. I kept the printed pages on a side table and took to my bed, not to go to sleep at 5.30 pm, but to sate my rediscovered joy of reading Albert Camus, whose book of essays, The Myth of Sisyphus, I had handy.

The phone call

I hadn’t done an hour of reading when my phone rang. It was the same lady who had broken the news of General Emeka Ojukwu’s death to me in 2011. “Are you watching AIT?” She asked. I wasn’t watching anything, I replied. My TV wasn’t even on. “Switch it on and tune to AIT.” I told her I wasn’t prepared to do anything of the sort, unless she mentioned whatever awaited my confrontation. “Chukwumerije is dead.” Thus, when I got to Comrade Uche Chukwumerije’s Maitama, Abuja home on April 20, it was not for us to look at the draft of two more chapters of his biography that I had written. Once I entered the house, Chika, the Olympic taekwondo champion, and one of Chukwumerije’s six sons, welcomed me with a handshake and this declaration: “Your friend is dead.” Although I had known of him since Biafra, my friendship with Chukwumerije started in 2000. That year, I had presented him C M Y K

Conversation on Chukwumerije by Nigerian intellectuals

Late Senator Uche Chukwumerije with a copy of Ironside, my biography of General AguiyiIronsi and, although it was rather presumptuous of me (not by any stretch of the imagination would anyone pretend that I and the comrade were transmitting from the same megahertz; he was up there and I was groping for the ropes with which to climb) I asked if he would please do a review of the book for its Enugu presentation. Chukwumerije gladly accepted the task.

The biography

I believe it was Ironside that persuaded him years later to commission me to write his own biography. But the going wasn’t easy. He was busy at the Senate, and I held down the job of Chief of Staff to the Governor of Anambra State. Years later, when I had turned my back to the Awka political establishment, I returned to him with apologies on the slow pace of work on the biography. But he would not hear of it, insisting that nobody was to blame since we both had our hands full of other pressing responsibilities. Months later, I visited him one evening and watched with a certain alarm as he belaboured me for tardiness on the project. But, in a certain sense, Chukwumerije was a strange man. He didn’t dwell on infractions against his person. For instance, and as I found out in the course of my research, one of his half-brothers, an undergraduate, who was on vacation in his Lagos home, had decided that he had better use of Chukwumerije’s wristwatch. Chukwumerije found out, recovered the watch and instantly forgot the matter. Chukwumerije was easy to misunderstand because he was an epitome of bluntness; but innately, he was a most considerate and sensitive mind.

He made a choice early in life to stand on the side of the downtrodden.

He was a revolutionary

He was a revolutionary who changed his mind at the last moment against embarking on a military career, deciding instead to fight his cause with the weapon of mass communication. He was an accomplished broadcaster and journalist. That was why, shortly after the civil war, he established Afriscope, an international monthly that mediated global developments from a purely African perspective. He had been a member of the Socialist Workers and Farmers Party (SWAFP) during the First Republic, and was one of the leaders of the leftleaning People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the Second Republic. But two of the most important roles he played were (1) in Biafra, where he was

He was a revolutionary who changed his mind at the last moment against embarking on a military career, deciding instead to fight his cause with the weapon of mass communication

A few days ago, I got shown streams of an Internet conversation on Chukwumerije by Nigerian intellectuals mostly based in the United States. Professor Abiola Irele, the renowned literary critic, observed that, “Uche was a good friend and a great journalist. I wish him good repose.” He got stridently countered by Ebenezer Obadare, an associate professor of Sociology at the University of Kansas: “Thanks Professor Irele. But Senator Chukwumerije was more than that, and for the sake of posterity, it is important that even as we mourn, we continue to see clearly. “The departed senator was a malevolent force against the realization of democracy in Nigeria, and that too ought to be part of his memoriam. He trenchantly stymied the trajectory of a noble cause, and his deeds and misdeeds as the shameless factotum of the Shonekan and Abacha regimes brought grief to many families. “Part of doing justice to the memory of the dead has to be an honest accounting of what they did while alive. “May the senator rest in peece – and may the facts of his public service remain fresh in our memory.” Not surprisingly, Dr. Obi Nwakanma, the poet and Vanguard columnist, who teaches at the University of Central Florida, came to Chukwumerije’s defence: “Ebenezer. Uche Chukwumerije was a great Nigerian patriot who defended the interests of Nigeria as he saw it against imperialism by radical means. His work as a nationalist politician, from his days at the University College Ibadan, to his association with Otegbeye’s and Nzimiro’s Socialist Workers Party, and as Secretary-General of the PRP under the leadership of Mallam Aminu Kano in the Second Republic, and his service, his last hurrah as a senator of the republic who used his position in the Senate Education Committee to work for greater funding, particularly for Nigeria’s public universities, puts him beyond the pale of your characterization of him. It is often said that those who merely play drums for the Ijele on the side do not know the real toll it takes on the Ijele to carry the great mask. "Uche Chukwumerije did not

oppose the June 12 mandate, he opposed the violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty by those who find easy comfort in urging the external invasion of Nigeria. He is a greater patriot than those who will, in the end live more in infamy than to question the true patriots who have put their feet on the ground for Nigeria, and have the marks to show for it. May Chukwumerije find rest. He is in the end, to be counted among the immortals of Nigeria.” In my view, the antipodal positions of Obadare and Nwakanma represent the tension that the biography I am working on must mediate. I may just add that Obadare’s invective is not outrageous. It is just too simply. But its simplicity is understandable, since it issues from this Age of Brevity where the social media not only allows but also actively promotes a brand of laziness that discourages the detailed exploration of antinomies. Really, it makes uncomplimentary remarks about the intellection of a people who experienced the profundity of the Nigerian civil war but have never really made any honest attempts at studying and fully appreciating its particularities and ramifications. That was why the publication of Chinua Achebe’s There Was A Country elicited from quarters thought to be academic more heat than light. That is also why, in recent weeks, all sorts of voices, including those of traditional rulers and medical doctors, have been in ascent, advocating yet another anti-Igbo pogrom.

Chukwumerije belonged to the fearless cadre

If Nigerian leaders are to be believed, the civil war was fought to keep Nigeria one. But what has continued to happen since the cessation of hostilities in January 1970, is the systematic consignment of the Igbo to a level worse than that of fourth-class citizens. In the 1979 general elections, there were five presidential candidates, one of whom was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo. And there were five vice-presidential candidates, four of whom were Igbo. In less than four decades, the condition of Ndigbo have, in a Nigeria ostensibly kept “one”, degenerated to a lack of right to live or school or work or trade in Lagos. They can’t even aspire to produce a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. They must spend the rest of their lives looking behind their backs, less they are caught unawares and massacred again in a fresh wave of ethnic cleansing. Comrade Uche Chukwumerije belonged to the fearless cadre of those loudly protesting that the current political status quo is a recipe for keeping Nigeria, not one, but two or many more. It is on this adamantine insistence on the imperative of justice and equity that his larger-than-life patriotic heroism is indexed. I l o e g b u n a m (Iloegbunam@hotmail.com) submitted this article from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 CORRUPTION has been a buzzword for years. Political correctness demands some general noise about corruption. Politicians are more interested in “one type of corruption”, not the other, the one that affects them. Why is corruption an issue? It exists; it has devastating consequences for operations in the public and private sector. Corruption distorts economic activities, diverts public investments into private holdings. Economic decisions are based on areas that would generate bribes and other illegal earnings for those controlling the institutions. In its various forms – bribery, trading in influence or influence peddling, patronage, nepotism and cronyism, electoral fraud, embezzlement, kickbacks, unholy alliance, involvement in organised crime – corruption captures a system captive by creating inefficiencies that hamper the growth of a society. The effects of corruption are per-

Fighting One Corruption vading. A common example of the impact is non-compliance with rules and regulations because corrupt public officials are willing to protect violators, who in many cases are either associates or organisations they owe. If it is in construction, plans are ignored, inferior materials approved and when the buildings collapse, further corrupt avenues are constructed to cover up the mess. Corruption is therefore more widespread than theft of public funds and the subsequent laundering of most of the resources abroad, safe from domes-

tic laws. An argument for this type of corruption is that instability in African government and seizure of assets of out-of-favour government officials accounted for the high inclination to take their loot abroad. Whatever it is, the volume of theft has not abetted and as the economy grinds along, the impact of the thefts are felt more. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, estimated that from 1970 to 1996, capital flight from 30 subSaharan countries totalled $187bn, exceeding those nations’

external debts. Much of the money was proceeds of corruption. Other estimates are that Nigerian leaders stole more than $400 billion between 1960 and 1999. No explanation can justify the looting. Perhaps, when our leaders are ready to fight corruption, an area that deserves their attention is education. The education system with skewed admission processes, teachers who teach nothing, students who pay for grades, parents who provide their wards money to buy grades, accreditation of schools for courses they do not have facilities to teach is the most fertile breeding ground for the next set of corrupt leaders. If things are as bad as they currently are, what happens when future leaders who have been schooled in corruption are incharge? Corruption is deep, has many sides, all of them damage our society. We cannot fight corruption by making it another buzzword.

OPINION By Ugochukwu Ejinkeonye

ECENTLY, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. John Oyegun, was quoted as saying that he was “sad” that his party could not produce a lawmaker from the South East to be elected as senate president or speaker of the House of Representatives when the new National Assembly would be inaugurated in June. This was because during the last elections, the APC performed so poorly in the South East that it was unable to win a single seat in the two Houses of the National Assembly in the region. Ordinarily, this should have been an exclusive problem of the APC, but given the way Mr. Oyegun spoke, someone might be deluded into thinking that some really monumental tragedy had hit the South East – for which the people of the area should be in deep mourning by now. Since the presidential election which the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, told us was won by the APC’s General Muhammadu Buhari, one has lost count of articles ecstatically celebrating how the “wrong voting” of majority of South Easterners has now put the zone to a “great disadvantage.” Some solutions have also been “kindly” proffered by quite a number of people to “help” the South East out of its predicament, like the very absurd suggestion that a senator-elect from Enugu State should decamp to the APC so he could become the senate president; or even the much more

C M Y K

APC, face the real issues off-putting call on a female Senator-elect from Anambra State to step down for the APC candidate she defeated, since the man is a “very good material” for the senate presidency. One could go on and on, but what is of concern here is that Mr. Oyegun’s assertion would seem to have somewhat elevated these clearly pedestrian views and clothed them with the false robe of serious discourse. Now, apart from providing another juicy job for another member of the largely parasitic and incompetent political class, what exactly

But the South West and the North (including the toddlers whose pictures went viral) that voted en mass for the APC and even the Northern PDP governors who sank their political ships by their clannish, doublefaced politics were all driven by “nationalistic” spirit

will the South East gain if somebody from the zone becomes the senate president? Or, put another way, the zone has produced senate presidents before now, and apart from the delusive emotional satiation some fellows from their villages might have felt when they heard that their “brother” had “crossed over” to join other fat cats as a distinguished member of Nigeria’s Eating Class, what exactly (in practical terms) did their communities or even states gain from their occupation of that position? I sincerely wish to know how a South Easterner becoming the senate president would affect the price of fish at Afor Umuaka or EkeUtutu market, even in this era of “change.” Okay, after the 2011 elections, the position of the speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the South West. But the lawmakers from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) – the dominant party in the same South West at that time, led by Bola Tinubu, reportedly, conspired with some PDP “rebels” in the House and some power-must-remain-with-us elements from the North to ensure that Aminu Tambuwal from Sokoto State became speaker. Now, did the South West cease to exist because it neither produced a House speaker nor senate president? And where were these pundits who are now afflicting Nigerians with fantastic (some would say, infantile) analyses on the “misfortune” just suffered by the South East? Why did we not

hear some “sad” mourners or impulsive “analysts” composing boring dirges in 2011 about the “great misfortune” that visited the South West, how some fellows from there scored a “disastrous” goal against their own people by conspiring to give away such a “juicy” position offered to their zone on a platter of gold? The attempt to always profile South Easterners and brand any action undertaken by them is increasingly lacking in imagination, but the real tragedy is that those who have made it a cherished occupation are yet to realise it. Our “experts” found it very easy, even natural, to agree with indecent haste that the South East was driven by nationalistic fervor to vote massively for the PDP from 1999 to 2011 because such a position gratified their narrow, self-serving calculations at that period. But in 2015, the decision of many South Easterners to vote for the same PDP has suddenly become “tribalistic” (because of who stood to lose or benefit from it this time) and everyone that can string a few sentences together is out there at every village square spewing all sorts of babble on the matter! But the South West and the North (including the toddlers whose pictures went viral) that voted en mass for the APC and even the Northern PDP governors who sank their political ships by their clannish, doublefaced politics were all driven by “nationalistic” spirit.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 •Mr. Ejinkeonye, a commentator on current affairs , wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Nigeria on the highway

IGERIA is on the highway. This Friday, May 29, 2015, as we approach a major TJunction, we shall stop to change drivers. Brother Goodluck Jonathan, who has driven us since February 10, 2010, will handover the steering to Comrade Muhammadu Buhari. As Buhari takes us to the T-Junction, we would either turn right, and start doing things right, or left, and continue on the familiar road of dependency, consumerism, ruinous market forces, prodigal privatisation, fuel importation rather than refining, and neoliberal policies that take, rather than create jobs. Then, it will be business as usual. We have been promised a change and the hope is that we will turn right, but that remains a hope until the driver actually takes the right turn and never makes a U-turn.

The road is very bad with potholes that can swallow cars. These, doubtlessly, we have to avoid. The road signs are in place, but you know many Nigerians do not read, or deliberately ignore them. Not that we are some of the worst drivers in the world. I have been to a number of countries, particularly in Africa, and conclude that we are far better than a number. But years of impunity and carefree attitude has almost turned us into a lawless society. We used to travel in a mammy wagon, with the side inscription ‘Slow and Steady’ on one side, and ‘No Condition Is Permanent’ on the other. With wooden benches for seats, it was not quite a comfortable ride, but at least the driver seemed safety conscious. Then he was shoved aside, and the vehicle replaced with a 911 bus with locally made body. With no

seat belts, and like Fela characterised the bus as ‘Forty four seating and ninety nine standing’ the little crazy or drunk drivers and their conductors, took us on bumpy rides on side roads that led to coups, bloodshed and a civil war. In fact, two of the drivers were killed by their colleagues while on the driving seat. Like we say in Lagos, it is not the danfo (mini bus) or molue (911 bus) that is crazy, it is the driver that has some loose nuts in his skull. When we caught our breath, and got another slow – and – steady driver, the rough drivers soon shoved him aside, and we continued the crazy ride. After a

Buhari confessed that when he first drove us, he had not gone to a driving school, and his drivers licence had been procured without a driving test. In short, he had tried to learn on the job

The coming era of penny pinching By Eric Teniola

T was President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (90) who first introduced the idea of having Ministers of State in a Presidential System of Government. He could be excused for the introduction, for he was a graduate of the first republic when Junior Ministers were allowed during the Parliamentary System of Government. Section 135 subsection 2 of the 1979 constitution made provisions for nomination of Ministers and not Ministers of State. Since President Shagari made that initial mistake every elected President in Nigeria had followed suit. On 18th October 1979, he nominated the following Ministers for Senate approval— Ministers with cabinet rank: M. Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan(Bauchi), M. Adamu Ciroma(Borno),Mr. Isaac Shaahu and Mr. Paul Unongo(Benue), Professor Iya Abubakar (Gongola), Alhaji UmaruDikko and Professor Ishaya Audu (Kaduna), Alhaji Bello Maitama Yusuf (Kano), Alhaji Akanbi Oniyangi (Kwara), AlhajiNdagiMamadu (Niger), Mrs.Adenike Ebun Oyagbola (Ogun), Mr. Samuel Adebisi Ogedengbe (Ondo), Chief Richard Akinjide (Oyo), Mr. John JatauKadiya and Mr. Gorge Baba Hoomkwap (Plateau), Mr. Victor Masi (Rivers), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau (Sokoto), Mr. D.C. Ugwu and Mr.Chimezie Ikeazor (Anambra), Professor Sunday Matthew Essang (Cross River), Mr. Israel AmadiEmina(Bendel), Dr. Sylvester Ugoh and Dr. I.I. Maduike(Imo) and Dr.WahabOlaseinde Dosunmu(Lagos). Other Ministers with Non-cabinet rank are Alhaji Ahmed Musa(Bauchi), Chief P. Bolokor(Bendel), Alhaji Asheikh Jarma (Borno), Alhaji Ali Baba(Gongola), M. Iro Abubakar Dan-Musa(Kaduna), Alhaji Bilyamin Usman (Kano), Mr.Ademola Thomas(Lagos), Chief Olu Awotesu (Ogun), Chief Mrs. J. Akinrinade (Oyo), AlhajiAhmudu Nahuce(Sokoto), Chief E. Okoi-Obuli (Cross River), Mallam Mamman Ali Makele (Kwara), Mr.Cladius

C M Y

Agboola Bamgboye (Ondo) and Dr.Jakiri Igbani (Rivers). Two days later at the Senate confirmation of the Ministers at the committee stage, Senators Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, Jonathan Akinremi Olawole Odebiyi, Emmanuel Kayode Ogunleye, David Olatunbosun Oke, Emeka Patrick Echeruo, Jaja Anucha Wachukwu, Obi Wali, Emmanuel Idahosa Akpata, Stephen Adebanji Akintoye and Senator F.O.M. Atake rejected the idea of junior Ministers but because the NPN were in the majority at that time, President Shehu Shagari had his way. Shortly after re-election, President Shehu Shagari wrote to then Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas seeking confirmation for thirty-five Ministers. In the letter dated October 17 1983, he nominated the following: Chief Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku,C.O.N. and Mr. John Nwodo Jnr.(Anambra), Alhaji Sule Katagum, Alhaji Ibrahim Tahir and Alhaji Magaji Mu’azu (Bauchi), Chief J.A. Orhorho and Mr. Ralph Uwechue(Bendel), Mr.Audu Ogbeh and Dr. E.Y. Atanu(Benue), Mallam Adamu Ciroma,Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Haliru Dantoro (Borno), Dr. Simi Johnson (Lagos), Senator Idirisu Ibrahim(Niger),Chief Kehinde Sofola,SAN,Attorney-General of the Federation (Ogun), Dr. Bode Olowoporoku(Ondo), Chief S.M. Afolabi and Dr. Bimbo Akintola (Oyo), Alhaji

Buhari has no choice but to be penny-pinching. Reducing his cabinet will certainly save cost. It will also reduce rivalry, conflicts and jealousy among members of his cabinet on schedule and responsibilities

few accidents, avoidable deaths, and some actually jumping off the bus, we were able to change the driver, and even the bus. The new factory built bus, unlike the old one, has a sound engine, functional lights, horns and even seatbelts! We needed a good driver that would be safety conscious; one of the past drivers who was not known to care much about safety, was presented as the best in town. But it was like purchasing beautiful coral beads and putting them on a snake; what waist has a snake to wear beads? Rather than stick to the highway, he took us through side rough, un-tarred roads of dictation, impeachments and hyper inflation. When his two shifts were over, he insisted on a new one, but was stopped. Since then we have had two other drivers, perhaps not very good, but at least cool headed and safety conscious. When Buhari imposed himself as our driver thirty one years ago, he proved to be rough, if not reckless. He did not care for the comfort of the passengers nor listen to their cries that the bus had no good shock absorbers, the road bumpy, and with no seat belts and high speed, that they were being dangerously tossed around. He had to be forced to apply the breaks and shoved off the driver’s seat. But Buhari has convinced most Nigerians that he has changed, that he is not the same young and carefree driver of old. He argues that age has mellowed him, he learnt from the experience of the past; in any case, this is a new bus with good chassis and

Hassan Mohammed and Mr. Robert Doshun Gumut(Plateau),Chief Okoi-Obuli and Dr. A.J. Okonno(Cross Rivers), Alhaji Ali Baba and Mr. Paul Wampana(Gongola), Chief Emmanuel Adiele(Imo), Dr.Umaru Dikko and Alhaji Isma’ila Isa(Kaduna), Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule,C.F.R.,Alhaji Bilyamin Usman and Alhaji Hamisu Musa(kano), Dr. Ishmael Igbani and Mrs. E. Diete-Spiff (Rivers),Alhaji Muhammadu Lugga, Alhji Idirisu Koko and Alhaji BalaSokoto(Sokoto). After seizing power from President Shehu Shagari on December 31 1983, the then, Major General Muhammadu Buhari in January 1984 reduced the Ministers to fifteen without appointing any as Ministers of State.The following were his Ministers, Major General Domkat Bali (Defence), Dr.Buka Shuaib (Agriculture),Dr Mammoud Tukur(Trade), Colonel A. Abdullahi (Communications), Alhaji Yerima Ibrahim(Education), Dr.Onaolapo Sholeye (Finance), Major General Mamman Jaya Vatsa (FCT,Abuja), Dr. Emmanuel Nsan(Health), Major General Muhammed Magoro (internal Affairs), Dr. Ibrahim Gambari (Foreign Affairs), Group Captain Sam Omeruah(Information),Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim(Transportation), Professor Tam David-West (Petroleum), Rear Admiral Patrick Koshoni( Works and Housing) and Chief Chike Offodile/ (Attorney General and Minister of Justice). On seizing power from Major General Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida increased the Ministers to twenty-two on September 12, 1985. The following were his Ministers:Lt-General (rtd) Alani Akinrinade(Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development),Lt.Colonel Tanko Ayuba(Communications), Major-General Domkat Bali (Defence Secretary and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Professor Jubril Aminu (Education), Rear-Admiral Patrick Koshoni (Employment,Labour and Productivity, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi (External Affairs), Major-General Mamman Vatsa(Federal Capital Territory), Dr.Kalu Idika Kalu(Finance), Professor OlikoyeRansome-Kuti (Health), Alhaji Lawal Mala (Industries), Lt-Colonel Anthony Ukpo(Information), Lt-Colonel John Nanzip Shagaya (Internal Affairs),

automatic drive, not the manual molue of old he drove. More importantly, that he has gone to the driving school of democracy where he learnt to be a professional driver. He pointed out that in his first coming, the traffic rules had been abolished, and the only rules that applied were those he and his espirit de corps friends made. This time, he argued, there are not just rules that bind, but also road signs and speed limits that must be obeyed. Buhari confessed that when he first drove us, he had not gone to a driving school, and his drivers licence had been procured without a driving test. In short, he had tried to learn on the job. But now, all that has changed; he would be careful, obey traffic rules, apply the breaks if necessary, and would not only use seat belts, but would in fact ensure that we all do. So we have taken Buhari as our next driver to take us towards our desired destination of peace and bread, security and a better life. While not advocating that we should dictate to him which may confuse him, I think we need to be vigilant; be ready to caution and if necessary, call him to order. I do not subscribe to those shouting that we should go to sleep and not even use our seat belts because they can vouch for his expert handling of the steering. I need to be convinced. I urge us all, to be co-operative, but if need be, to exercise our proprietorial ownership of the bus and the fundamental right to replace any driver if we so wish. Safe journey.

Prince Bola Ajibola(Justice), Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman (Mines and Power), Dr. Chu Okongwu(National Planning), Professor Tam David-West (Petroleum Resources), LtColonel Ahmed Abdullahi (Social Development,Youth,Sports and Culture), Professor Emanuel Emovon( Science and Technology), Air Vice-Marshal Ishaya Aboi Shekari (Special Duties), Major-General Gado Nasko (Trade), Brigadier Jeremiah Useni (Transport and Aviation) and Air Commodore Hamza Abdullahi (Works and Housing). Between General Sani Abacha, Chief Earnest Shonekan and General Abdulsalam Abubukar Ministers of States were appointed but their cabinets were not more than twenty-six Ministers. However in 1999, it was President Olusegun Obasanjo who had the largest list of Ministers to date with fifty-one. Both President Umaru Shar’dua and outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan have since maintained the culture of appointing Ministers of State. One of the major task before the Presidentelect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari now is the compilation of his list of Ministers. Section 147 of the constitution dictates that he must have thirty-six Ministers from thirty-six states but the section does not dictate that he should have Ministers of States. It is from his list that the country will know better the direction of his government. If the list of his Ministers is enlarged one may conclude that his government is going to be prodigal. Even if he wants to be lavish or profuse, I doubt whether the money is there any longer. I understand that most of the money had disappeared. They are gone. In the words of a banker”the country is heavily geared”. Major General Buhari has no choice but to be penny-pinching. Reducing his cabinet will certainly save cost. It will also reduce rivalry, conflicts and jealousy among members of his cabinet on schedule and responsibilities. There is always a constant conflict between Ministers and Ministers of state. We should spare the President from wasting his time from settling this in-built conflict. •Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

N exactly four days, the days of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the President, Commander-inChief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be over. You must, like me, have wondered what this young man will be doing with his life at 58. I call him “ young man” in view of the age bracket of those who will be his fellow former presidents. Some of them (like Shehu Shagari, Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo) are old enough to be his fathers. Should he remain active in politics, for instance? Looking at his predecessors, their involvement can be classified as “active”, “passive” and “ neutral”. Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari (who is making a come-back to power) are active political volcanoes. They identify with political parties and openly strive to influence power play. Shagari and Ibrahim Babangida are passive. They have strong political interests and opinions but stay away from direct involvement. Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar appear totally neutral. You hardly hear them take interest in partisan activities, and when they offer their views or advice, it is usually mediatory and fatherly. Please, don’t remind me that Ernest Shonekan is one of them. I am usually reluctant to include him in this list because he is a Judas who volunteered himself to be used to scuttle the mandate Nigerians freely gave to his kinsman, Chief Moshood Abiola, and was promptly ignominiously booted out barely after 81 days. I have been hearing some rustlings here and there, that GEJ will attempt to remain as the leader of the defeated People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He, himself, has said a couple of times that he would devote his energies to see that the party bounces back. I have also even heard that he might run for president again in 2019. I hope he still has advisers. Not “Special Advisers” – mercenaries paid with

GEJ 2019? Forget it government funds who, after collecting the money, sabotaged him to ensure he was not re-elected. I am talking about those who truly love him and would want him to retain some of his residual glory and maintain the new status of esteem in the world occasioned by his civilised handling of his electoral loss to Buhari. If I were in a position to whisper into the ears of our departing president, I would not ask him to maintain absolute neutrality in politics. Once a person has tasted the soup of partisan politics; once a person has occupied a powerful office through the vehicle of partisan politics, it is nearly impossible to come out and become neutral. It is like a woman who spent many years as a professional prostitute and got married. Her eyes will still rove, even if involuntarily. But, even a repented prostitute, like a retired president, can curb his or her impulses. That is what confers respectability. Look at Shagari, my most favourite ex-president. He is supportive of the PDP. His children have occupied various offices on the party’s platform. But Shagari will never tarnish his halo with the kind of greedy attitude to politics and power which Obasanjo exhibits even after three terms as head of state and the longest serving. He is “the goat seller who refuses to release the rope”. He is already angling to put the rope around the neck of Buhari, and Arewa politicians are telling him to gerrout.

Jonathan must not follow the footsteps of his political mentor, Obasanjo. If he tries it, he will be disgraced. Obasanjo has been disgraced many times over. He was shot in the buttocks during the civil war. He has been arraigned for coup plotting, jailed and his rank taken from him. His attempt to give himself a third term was ruthlessly thwarted. His ambition to install himself as the life leader of the PDP was suavely nixed, and he was subsequently forced out as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Party. Far worse has happened to him on his home front, where his wives and children have dragged his name in the mud. His own Transparency

Besides (and most importantly) the presidential impetus has swung away from the South-South. It has gone northwards. In 2019, any political party that wants to win election must field a presidential candidate from the North. If PDP wants to bounce back, it must look northwards

International (TI) has dubbed his government the most corrupt of all. But Obasanjo is still the longest serving ruler of Nigeria, and it does not appear possible that anyone will break that record. Jonathan is definitely not Obasanjo. Not by any long shot. Jonathan has sold the goat. He must let go of the rope, or he will meet his political waterloo. A general who leads his army to a crushing defeat must relinquish his command. When General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu lost the civil war he had to leave the country, not just for his own safety. The imperative of letting go holds true for GEJ just as it does for the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, a suspected mole of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Jonathan can assist in a passive way, in the effort to revitalise the PDP, but he cannot lead the effort. What will he bring now that he did not have when he occupied a position touted as the most powerful in the world? When I say GEJ is no Obasanjo, it shows in many ways. For instance, Obasanjo was farsighted in building up his power based within the PDP. He started early and by the time electioneering came, he had an easy ride. Jonathan in his five years as president, made very little attempt to build his power base in his party. He was unable to produce any gover nor, National Assembly member or loyalists in the party. It was the governors and National Assembly members that

Obasanjo implanted that he used to destroy PDP and help stop GEJ’s re-election. OBJ deployed his technocrats to fight him in the media and civil society. Where are GEJ’s people? Even the Ijaw militants he “empowered” (including pardoned felon Diepreye Alamieyeseigha) are crawling over to the winners. Jonathan can no longer count on the South East and South-South if he chooses to be foolhardy and plunge into a return bid in 2019. The support they packaged for him was meant to last from 2011 to 2019, but due to his poor political capacity, he lost grip after only four years. It has expired for GEJ. New people must come in and recharge the South East/ South-South platform into a formidable political force, and GEJ can only be a glorified figurehead in it. Besides (and most importantly) the presidential impetus has swung away from the South-South. It has gone northwards. In 2019, any political party that wants to win election must field a presidential candidate from the North. If PDP wants to bounce back, it must look northwards. In fact, the only chance of PDP ever bouncing back is to reclaim as many of its adherents from the North as possible, as the Buhari hoopla begins to wear off. When the impetus swings to any region it does not pay to try and fight against it. In 1999 it was in the South West, and most registered political party looked for their candidates from there. In 2011, an attempt by Buhari to fight against South-South’s GEJ resulted in his defeat by 10 million votes. In 2019, any party going against the North will be on its own. And after that, nobody can stop the swing of impetus to the South East. Jonathan should properly brand himself along his democracy credentials and carry out assignments to promote peace in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. But GEJ for president in 2019? Forget it! That party is over. Over, you hear?

OPINION Agenda tips for Okowa’s administration By Obaro Egboro The history of the world is nothing but the history of great men—Thomas Carlyle. CCORDING to Edmond Burke, the heights reached and attained by great men were not by sudden flight. They toiled all night whilst others slept, and this is the mien of Delta State Governor-elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. This quintessential, political pundit is a personality who needs no introduction because he is presently a distinguished serving Senator. The expectations from him are high because the people see him as a change agent. So he cannot afford to disappoint those who see him as the long-awaited ‘messiah.’ Therefore, he must hit the ground running in respect of his party's manifesto and his avowed campaign promises. It is necessary to remind Okowa of the need to prioritise vis-à-vis the available resources. He must imbibe inclusiveness by moving away from resentment politics to shared inclusiveness such that all sections must come together and be allowed to have their say in government affairs, whether or not they are in the opposition. The time for the macabre dance and buffoonery are over. The cost of government is one area that has become worrisome and a cause for concern that successive governments have not possessed the political will to address.

C M Y K

So far, all the talk about efforts to reduce the size of government has all been ogogoro prescription, forgotten once the intoxication wears off. Recurrent expenditure is presently an albatross currently suffocating life out of government. Cost must be cut or we may end up like Emperor Nero, who played fiddle while Rome burns. The Okowa administration should consider as a priority, the need to look into the possibility of a merger of some ministries and agencies. Some of the Boards in the state have outlived their usefulness and should be scrapped. There is the need to reduce the number of political appointees and their appendages to reduce overhead costs. The processes of the award of contacts should follow due process and be sincerely transparent to invoke confidence. Is Delta beyond oil a myth? If this pooh-poohed concept is to be taken seriously, we must carry out a thorough auditing of our infrastructural stock delivery in terms of quality and sustainability to drive a state without oil. Today, one of the high points or star attraction in the Delta beyond oil masquerade display, the Asaba Airport, has been downgraded. Therefore, the incoming Okowa administration must do thorough stock taking of our present state of infrastructural provisions to separate the wheat from the chaff. The concept should either be kept in abeyance or its

campaign whittled down to a tolerable level until its foggy haze clears. Thus, there is the need for the Okowa administration to concentrate on Delta with oil first. There is drought in the area of tourism. Conferences are held in the state periodically. But where do we expect the participants to visit as we have in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and so on. Tourism is a money spinner anywhere, any day and also a growth catalyst. Now and again our people travel out for holidays to be served sushi in foreign lands. What efforts have we made here to bring in foreigners to be also served isiewu and fresh fish pepper soup with native seasoning? It is an area into which the new administration should put some resources because the returns are great. There is no zoo in Delta State and there is need to develop one. Our beaches and waterfronts should be developed for tourist attraction and scenic beauty. A standard world class stadium is a tourist haven and for a sports-loving state like Delta, it will generate commensurate tourist activities, hence the need to start one in collaboration with the private sector. Health tourism is one area that the Okowa government should be interested in, especially as the governor-elect is a medical doctor. A good hospital comparable to the ones we visit in India and other countries should be contemplated in Delta as soon as possible.

*Mr . Egboro, president of a civil society group, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

MAY 25, 2015

‘No hurry to invest N4.6trn pension funds in infrastructure’ By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

here are indications that the accumulated pension assets now in excess of N4.6 trillion will continue to be invested on zero risk financial instrument vehicles despite the fact that the National Pension Commission, PenCom, has released draft guidelines on investment of pension fund on infrastructure. Investigations by Financial Vanguard revealed that the stringent requirements in the guidelines as well as the country's limp-wristed legal system are factors that could delay the take-off of investment of pension asset in infrastructure. Experts who spoke to Financial Vanguard said, “What is likely to happen is that a company could access the fund for a road project or other things. Eventually, the road will be abandoned and pension operators could find themselves in court trying to recover the money. Unfortunately, court cases can drag on for years in Nigeria, unlike in developed countries where cases are dispensed with in a short spate of time.” Relaying his fears on why PenCom should not be in a hurry to allow the investment of pension fund in infrastructure, Group Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi said, “Until the issue of rule of law and arbitration improves in accordance with global standard, PenCom should not be in a hurry to allow investors access the pension fund.” Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr. Rotimi Adekunle Hussain said, “Physical funds can’t be taken from the pension fund and thrown into infrastructure. That is why the guideline stipulates that it is only through infrastructure bonds or

infrastructure fund, however, who insures the bonds? “So, if there is adequate arrangement for insurance element for such investment classes, perhaps, it will take off. But until then, let’s be assured that the funds are safe,” Hussain stated. PenCom guideline Recall that PenCom recently released the draft regulation on investment of pension fund assets to guide Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and other investors who have been agitating for the use of accumulated pension fund assets to develop infrastructure across the country. PenCom set the minimum value of individual projects that pension fund assets could be invested in at N5 billion.

According to PenCom, as much as 15 per cent of the total value of pension fund assets under management could be invested in infrastructure through infrastructure bonds and another five per cent of the total value of pension fund assets could be invested in infrastructure through infrastructure funds, making 20 per cent of the total value of accumulated pension asset that could be so deployed. Also, both outlets must meet the conditions for the investment of pension funds in infrastructure before PFAs could channel pension fund assets into such investments. The pension regulator cited section 5.2.3 of the draft “Regulation on Investment of Pension Fund Assets” saying it provided that pension assets

could be invested in infrastructure projects through eligible Bonds, Sukuk subject to two major conditions. “The infrastructure project shall be not less than N5 billion in value and awarded to a concessionaire with good track record through an open and transparent bidding process in accordance with the due process requirements set out in the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act (ICRC Act) and any regulation made pursuant thereto and certified by the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” PenCom said. Other conditions for the investment Continues on page 22

VISIT: President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, (left) Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu and Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr. Samuel Sunday Ogungbesan, during a courtesy visit by ICAN President and Council members to the Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS. C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Economy Nigerian Breweries Rewards teachers

PRESENTATION: From left: Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Yemi Kale, Minister of Industry,Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and the Director-General, SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari during the public presentation of the new National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the unveiling of the results of the 2013 National MSMEs survey at Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja.

‘No hurry to invest N4.6trn pension funds in infrastructure’ Continued from page 21 of pension assets on infrastructure include ; that the projects business plans and financial projections indicate that they are viable as well as economically and financially rewarding for investment by pension funds. The Bonds or Sukuks issued to finance the infrastructure project shall have robust credit enhancements including guarantees by the Federal Government or eligible bank/ development finance institution or MDFOs and a maturity date that precedes the expiration of the concession. It should also have a feasible and enforceable redemption procedure in the event of project suspension, cancellation or, in the case of regulated sectors, when changes in regulatory or policy decisions make the project to differ significantly from its original financial projections. Where infrastructure projects are financed through infrastructure funds, the value of the infrastructure fund shall not be less than N5 billion and the infrastructure fund must have a well defined and publicised investment objectives and strategy as well as disclosures of pricing of underlying assets, including any other necessary information. All annual financial statements of the fund shall be audited by reputable firms of chartered accountants and the infrastructure fund shall have satisfactory pre-defined C M Y K

Some other conditions for the investment of pension assets in infrastructure include that a minimum of 60 per cent of the infrastructure fund shall be invested in projects within Nigeria liquidity/exit routes such as IPO, sale to other PE Funds, Trade sale, sale to a strategic investor etc. The funds shall be managed by experienced fund managers, versed in infrastructure financing and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC) as fund managers. Some other conditions for the investment of pension assets in infrastructure include that a minimum of 60 per cent of the infrastructure fund shall be invested in projects within Nigeria and where an infrastructure fund does not have development finance institutions or MDFOs as co-investors, but the fund manager has a minimum investment manager rating of BBB issued by a rating company registered or recognised by SEC and the fund manager

shall retain a minimum investment of 3 per cent of the infrastructure fund. Where the infrastructure fund has development finance institutions or multilateral development finance organisations as co-investors, the fund manager shall retain a minimum of 1 per cent of the infrastructure fund and the fund shall have an advisory board with independent representatives of institutional investors being in majority. And prior to investment and during the tenor of investment in any infrastructure fund, PFAs are to ensure that the advisory board has responsibility over audit functions regarding the evaluation of projects prior to investment; transactions with parties related to the infrastructure fund manager and strategies concerning divestiture of investments in which the private equity fund has interests. Experts’ reaction According to Ogunbiyi, the principal challenge that is bedeviling Nigeria and which could affect investment of pension fund in infrastructure is corruption. Ogunbiyi said, “Because people have seen such huge amount of money in the pension industry which they have never seen before, they are now talking about investment and they forget that Nigeria is a country that has no rule of law. So we have to watch it.” Ogunbiyi stressed that the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, has been able to record massive success in Continues on page 23

igerian Breweries Plc has instituted a Maltina Teacher-of-the-Year Award, an initiative meant to reward commitment and diligence to duty. The award which is done on the platform of Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund is aimed at restoring the pride of teachers and the dignity of the teaching profession. Kufre Ekanem, the company’s Corporate Affairs Adviser explained at a press conference in Lagos that the award, which is a new initiative from the Foundation, is designed to recognise, celebrate and motivate teachers in Nigeria, with a first year focus on

secondary schools. According to him, collection of application forms which thopened on Wednesday, 20 May, 2015, will last till Tuesday, 30th June, 2015. Ekanem averred that all applications will be subjected to an intense selection and judging process by an external and independent panel of judges which has been constituted to ensure transparency, credibility and objectivity of the exercise. The 5-step evaluation process of the entries received, he noted, will result in 37 state and FCT champions, from among which the Maltina Teacherof- the- Year will emerge.

Life Beer boosts SMEs with N12.5m

ife Continental Lager Beer, a brand of beverage from the stable of Nigerian Breweries, has initiated a programme aimed at breathing life into Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, SMEs in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. The package, worth N12.5 million and dubbed Progress Booster, is an innovative talent hunt and mentoring programme that will empower entrepreneurs in the zone. Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Onitsha recently, Emma Agu, Marketing Manager, Lager & Stout, Nigerian Breweries, stated that Progress Booster is a radio reality project meant to empower 50 budding entrepreneurs that have submitted workable business proposals to the brand’s outlets in the region.

He explained that the empowerment scheme which would run from May to December 2015, was to relaunch and reinvigorate Life Continental Lager Beer in the South East market where it pioneered regional brewing and has maintained leadership of the region’s booming market. Agu noted that a winner, whose proposal must have been approved by business experts, would be given N250,000 to start-up his or her business idea that won him the money while being supervised by business experts for the next three months. He added that while being supervised for three months, if the business of the budding entrepreneur is still doing well; he would be given another N250, 000.

FTSE and Stanbic IBTC develop Nigeria IPF Benchmark

roup (“FTSE”), the global index provider, announces the development of the FTSE Nigeria Investable Pension Fund (IPF) Benchmark. The new index is the first of its kind in the region, encapsulating Nigerian listed companies while adhering to National Pension Commission (PenCom) regulation on investment, safeguarding good corporate governance for users. It has been created as a replicable index as well as a performance benchmark, in close collaboration with Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Nigeria’s largest pension fund. The index methodology has been designed to adhere to PenCom’s Regulation on Investment of Pension Fund Assets, ensuring that a strong

emphasis is placed on governance and best practice. Benchmark constituents are comprised of FTSE Frontier Index Series companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, which are then screened for taxable profits, dividend, free float, sector and individual stock weighting. Jonathan Cooper, Managing Director, Research & Analytics, FTSE, said: “As FTSE’s global presence continues to expand, we are pleased to launch this new innovative benchmark featuring companies from Africa’s largest economy. Corporate governance plays a vital role in all equity markets and is integral to investor confidence, leading to significant demand for benchmarks of this nature.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 23

wo weeks ago in this column, this topic was discussed. Since then, there has been reactions from readers. Here are some of them.

Karebo Samson LASU Change is change ...breaking away from the norm...so anyhow he starts at all is the change spirit. Let’s pray that he gets it right. Joseph Ubiagba, Selfemployed at Encino Ltd They say GEJ's advisers are bad people. But I say Buhari’s are worse. Now he is re-tracting the promises he made to Nigerians; those things his advisers told him to say to Nigerians in order to win election. We plead with Buhari to find and bring back the stolen funds from wherever he knows they are and use them to improve the economy instead of giving excuses. Arrest anyone you know could have taken it. Buhari, arrest, arrest, arrest and bring the so-called stolen dollars back. Ibrahim Dada Disu Telford College of Arts and Tech, Shropshire, UK Not only the price of oil in the world market will affect the change promised by APC, but also the missing billions of dollars of public fund by the current government; money that could transform the whole economy. Naija Commotion APC Crisis: Northern leaders move to cut Tinubu to size. Buhari will give Tinubu the Awolowo treatment. Tinubu’s greedy thirst for power will be his greatest undoing. This is actually expected. Wasn’t it the same thing they did to Obasanjo after Yar ‘adua won? Funny thing; since the beginning of Nigerian history, that same scenario has played out so many times; it is now comical. The North uses the Yorubas to get what they wanted and then drop them when the time comes. MKO; Awo, Obj, and now Tinubu. Awo betrayed the Igbos to please the north

On APC and Buhari, no excuse for failure, change must be change who later turned the heat on him. Northern leaders have given prominent Yoruba men an overdose of humiliation that will last them a life time despite using them to fight the civil war. Awo later died. This is how the scenario will play itself out. *June 2015........GMB in power....politics between northern power bloc and southwestern power bloc starts *2016....full blown crisis leading to South-western APC members decamping to a new party * 2 0 1 7 . . . S o u t h - We s t politicians start making moves to reconcile with South-East and South-South in order to push out GMB in 2019 *2018...After a lot of deliberations and reconciliations, the stage is set for a North vs South election. *2019.......who wins?. Will the SE/SS deal with the SW treachery? Yes. The fact that the Northern oligarchy refused to allow the VP head Buhari’s transition committee should give the Yorubas something to think about. Afonja, Awolowo, MKO; Tinubu; a tribe that fails to learn from history. “Change they said, Change Nigerians Got.” Pity, Nigerians were fooled. Well as I said before, “Nigerians voted in naivety,

from holding him to his electoral promises that “swept” him to power. Going further on justice, he admits not knowing what to do as president. He wants to be allowed indefinite time, may be forever, to “dust books,” take a study program to learn the skills he needs. The presidency has become a classroom of some sort, where politicians are granted the privilege of a learning curve. Buhari has, so early in the day, conceded that he is not the magic-man. Who knows what his supporters will be thinking now that it is clear that he is not a magician. He is now to scout for contractors called “technocrats” to “help” his government.

•Buhari they shall reap in soberness” Eyobaba Change we want and not one chance. Garden-City Boy Buhari pleads for patience and most of all for Justice. The justice he demands from Nigerians is for them to show appreciation for lies as “Legitimate Instrument” for winning an election. The plethora of excuses he keeps asking for is to stop Nigerians

Akataka, Naija Commotion: Very revealing, can politicians be this mean? Um2 A welcome write up delivered in the true genre of what the 4th Estate of the realm ought to be. Kudos to Mr. Omoh. VIP: We must put a stop to the subsidy and importation of fuel. Let us gradually repair our refineries and we should all suffer it all. In two years' time, we shall have a vibrant economy and a deregulated oil sector. David Soul:

I expected

Buhari to be talking like you right now. Allan Udo VIP: Now you want it but when GEJ tried to do it, they called for his head. VIP Allan Udo Jonathan was clueless on subsidy. He preferred to import the product without local refining, as marketers sell at varying prices. Buhari wants to locally refine the crude oil and also make the ‘IOCs' build their own refineries to create employment here in Nigeria. JayGeeX: That does not add up or make sense. He proposed its removal. The same thing the incoming government is proposing after. As far as I remember, the ‘clueless’ Jonathan not only had a blueprint on how it would play out, he was able to draft one to fit a partial deregulation. Now, so far the issue is still a bit of a maze for the incoming government. I will rather advise that you read whichever version of the PIB bill with a critical but open mind before making any further comment on either the upstream or downstream sector of the Petroleum industry. When you are done, you will know that the President and his cabinet are all corrupt to the teeth on all subsidy issues.

Cover

‘No hurry to invest N4.6trn pension funds in infrastructure’ Continued from page 22 terms of accumulation of funds for the very first time due to the fact that the rule of law governing the CPS has been allowed to function. He said, “I don’t know how government did it because if government says, ‘There is red light there, don’t cross it,’ the first persons that will cross it will be either members of the National Assembly or the state governors because there is no rule of law and everybody is above the law. But I give kudos to the federal government on the implementation of the

Pension Act and I really wish that whichever way they achieved this, they will again look at various sectors of the Nigerian economy and take the laws seriously the way they have taken the pension Act. If we have a government that puts the rule of law as number one priority, within six months this country will change for the better. If a person breaks the law, even if highly placed, and cannot call the commissioner of police to defend him because the commissioner of police knows that he cannot help such person out, I think

the person will at least behave himself in a responsible manner. “There are instances where some state governors have said that they can use part of the pension fund for infrastructure, however, I strongly believe that in a country where there is no rule of law, we really need to be very careful. Until the issue of the rule of law is adequately addressed, PenCom should never be in a hurry to allow investment of the pension fund into infrastructure,” Ogunbiyi stressed. For Hussain, it is ideal that the

pension industry left the fund strictly in the hands of pension fund administrators and custodians because they are the professionals. He said that pension funds have been so seriously ringfenced that in ten years of practice there has never been a single case of fraud being reported. Hussain said, “But it could get to a worrisome level where you keep accumulating funds and you leave that kind of fund in low yield investment for years in a developing economy.

PenCom have laid down the investment guidelines, however, if you study the investment guidelines closely, they are stringent because the conditions are so strict. “It is important to note that safety of the pension fund takes very high premium over and above returns. Nobody says you shouldn’t make returns but not at the risk of losing money. So the industry is not going to throw money after risky investments,” Hussain stated.

24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Business & Economy BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

SON seeks N115m to host ARSO forum in Abuja BY NAOMI UZOR

he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is seeking N115m to host African Organisation for Standardisation, (ARSO)’s President’s Forum for Chief Executive Officers of National Standards Bodies (NSBs) in Africa billed for Abuja next month. The Director General/Chief Executive, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and President, ARSO, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, disclosed this at the media launch of the convention logo and information manual as well as partnership drive for the ARSO President’s forum in Lagos recently. He said the forum which has been tagged: “Africa Rises for Standards in Abuja” will amongst other expectations the bring about strengthening of the standardisation capacities of Africa through dialogues, information and experience sharing, which will form the key elements required to promote and sustain Africa’s productivity and trade. “As we welcome African standardizers to Abuja Nigeria, we enjoin you (stakeholders) to partner and support SON and indeed ARSO in showing the strength of Nigeria as a people, to break new frontiers through standardisation. The total budget for this project is estimated at about N115, 000,000.00. SON with the best of intentions cannot bear this load alone, especially in the face of dwindling government funding. This has necessitated the invitation to partner with SON through the funding of all or some of the activities outlined in the budget and information manual” he said. According to him, strategic objectives of ARSO is to establish a standards harmonization systems that supports a sound regulatory framework, disseminate harmonised standards and guidelines to support intra, inter African and international trade and industrialisation. Odumodu said after Nigeria’s 54 years nationhood, SON has been able to help Nigeria put in place a National Quality Policy – the key instrument for developing a nation’s standards protocol and systems. C M Y K

slamic Republic of Iran has said it is considering establishing auto spare parts plants in Nigeria in furtherance of the Federal Government’s newly adopted automotive policy to drive indigenous manufacturing of vehicles in the country. Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saeed Koozechi disclosed this while briefing newsmen at a press conference for the first Iran Solo Exhibition to be held in Lagos in June. He said Iran has achieved self sufficiency in car manufacturing with annual production capacity of 1.7 million units. According to him, “Two of the biggest car manufacturers in Iran will be featuring in this exhibition. These companies will show samples of their cars, minibuses and trucks at the exhibition. We have good knowledge in spare parts production as 90 per cent of the spare parts are produced in Iran locally. This is a good solution to building spare parts plant in Nigeria and this is a good start for our cooperation. This will help to drive the policy of the Nigerian government in building plants for car manufacturing and spare parts.” Also speaking, Executive Manager, Pars Rastak, the organiser of the exhibition, Mohamad Kani, said the exhibition which will hold at

OPENING: From Left: Chief Executive Officer, Beko Nigeria, Issac Funis, Branch Manager, Mr Gallantry Samson, Regional Manager Lagos Branch, Beko Nigeria, Anil Diwaker, Corporate Business Development & Marketing Manager Beko Nigeria, Inyang-Uko Ekere at the recent Beko showroom opening in Victoria Island Lagos.

Iran mulls establishment of auto spare parts plant in Nigeria Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, will feature top Iranian companies drawn from different sectors including: “Building and construction, furniture and decoration, industry and infrastructure, health and medicine and food and beverages.” He explained that the Iran solo Exhibition was inspired by “the new Iranian policy towards economic cooperation and trade development with the world, with priority to Africa, especially West Africa, the Iran’s agreement with the five permanent members of

the United Nations and the European Union regarding lifting the sanctions against Iran and opening trade doors, Iranian government’s desire to develop economic and trade relations with Nigeria and Iran’s desire to drive transfer of technology, technical and engineering services to trading partners.” During an interactive session, Ambassador Koozechi noted that Nigeria and Iran have a lot to benefit by entering into trade partnership. He also said that despite

the security challenges in the Middle East region, the two countries are certain to enjoy mutually beneficial bilateral ties as Iran has remain politically stable and secure despite the security challenges in neighbouring countries. “Iran is a peaceful country,” he said. “Although it appears difficult keeping the country safe with warring neighbours, Iran has very strong army and security forces that have maintained its peace since the revolution,” he added.

New vehicle import policy underway BY GODFREY BIVBERE & GODWIN ORITSE

ederal Government is to introduce a new vehicle import policy that will force importers to include the Chassis number, engine number and Vehicle Identification number in their import documents to enable government track the history of every vehicle shipped into the country. Disclosing the position of government in Lagos at a town hall meeting put together by the National Automutive Council, NAC and Ship and Ports Communication, Assistant Comptroller General, ACG, of Customs, Banke Adeyemi, said that the new policy will commence next month. According to the Customs boss, “On our ITC platform, we held a meeting with all shipping companies operating in Nigeria and that

vessels coming into Nigeria laden with cars henceforth from June 1, most carry the chassis number, engine number and Vehicle Identification number. If a vessel is carrying a vehicle, the manifest should not call it vehicle or automobile, the real name by which the vehicle should be identified is the chassis number, engine number; and Vehicle Identification number, we are able to trace the age of the car which will enable us ascertain the proper duty that is to be paid on it. “As time goes on, we are going to pass the era of interface with stakeholders at the port because by the time we build in your bill of laden containing the above into the system, we will be able to determine the kind of cars and the duty that they are supposed to attract. “And in our data base, there are so many tools that are

there, we have classification tool, valuation tools, the system will automatically give the value after processing the chassis number, engine number and Vehicle Identification number, getting the appropriate age, whether it is a prohibited import or an import that should pay the 35 percent levy because the 35 percent levy is another policy introduced by government to

On our ITC platform, we held a meeting with all shipping companies operating in Nigeria and that vessels coming into Nigeria

help the automobile industry.” While commending the management of NAC for its efforts so far in developing the automobile industry he however stressed that there are a few gaps that needed to be filled by the Council. She explained that as a result of the absolute prohibition of exportation of scrap metal, it is imperative for NAC to take advantage of the policy by involving the private sector in the exploitation of that sector of the automobile industry. She suggested that the NAC management should provide a depot where scrap metal can be collected and from where private sector operators who require it can go to. She also called for a data base of available scrap metal in the country to be created by the NAC management, as well as the number of private sector operators in the industry for easy planning.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 25

Business & Economy

FG raises alarm over dwindling electricity, power plants shutdown

he Federal Government on Friday in Abuja raised alarm over dwindling and epileptic electricity supply across the country. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Godknows Igali, made this known after a meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo to State House correspondents in Abuja. Igali, and Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, had briefed Sambo on the state of power generation, transmission and distribution in the country. He said the ongoing strike by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas had further worsened the power supply situation. The workers were protesting the transfer of the operatorship of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42 to two indigenous companies, claiming the move would affect the fortunes of NPDC and its staff. “With the strike which has gone on for one or two days there is dramatic turn as of this afternoon we have gone down for the all time low to 1,327 megawatts. “So, if you look at it from 4,800 there is dramatic turn, the loss is terrible,” Igali said. He said as at 12 noon May 22, 2015, Utorogu, CHEVRON ORE DO, OB EN gas plants were all shutdown while UGHELI and CNL ESCRAVOS were already isolated. He said, “on the eastern axis Shell Gas, ALAKIRI has also been shutdown. This has led to the several power plants being stranded and shutdown. “This includes EGBI, OLORUNSHOGO I & 11, OMOTOSHO 1& 11, GEREGU I & 11, IHONVOR and SAPELE (NIPP) on the western axis and ALAOJI on the eastern end.” According to him, besides, pipeline vandalism which has continued to have very negative impact on the power supply situation in the country, the ongoing strike by the labour unions in the oil and gas sector has added additional toll.“The overall effect is that power supply which had started picking up steadily since the beginning of the week following repairs of various vandalised portions of the ELP Line and the TransForcados Gas Pipelines, has

Fashola to commission Candel's agrochemical plant

AGM: From left, Guillaume Roux, GMD/CEO, Lafarge Group; Olusegun Osunkeye, chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, and Adepeju Adebajo, MD, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Afrca, at the 56th annual general meeting of company in Lagos. fallen to all-timeunprecedented low of 1,327m was at 1.00 p.m. May22, 2015. He, therefore, warned that “situation could get worse if the strike continues”. Igali expressed the hope that the

ongoing discussion between the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and, the labour unions, would end amicably.

“Indeed, it is hoped the labour unions will help restore supply of gas to the power plants even while negotiation are ongoing.”

Streamline electricity tariff to reflect actual consumption, MAN urges Buhari By NAOMI UZOR

he Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), yesterday, urged the incoming government to streamline electricity tariff to reflect the actual consumption by the industries instead of the current use of estimated bills. The president of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, made this call at the media luncheon held at MAN’s house, adding that, if the electricity tariff is streamlined, it will drive further improvement in power supply and create a special electricity tariff lines for heavy users of electricity like steel, cement and other strategic sub-sector. “Make it mandatory for DISCOs to procure prepaid meters from local manufacturers and distribute same to all customers to properly regularize electricity billing. Facilitate adequate local sourcing of LPFO,

especially for supply at reasonable price to industries operating in areas without gas network” he said. According to him, electricity generation in the first quarter of 2015 showed slight improvement as generation hovered around 4,000 MW per day, however, transmission and distribution of available electricity output were abysmal in the period due to long time of decayed infrastructure in the system. These scenarios contrast with the huge energy need of the Industrial sector including manufacturing. The promise of adequate and stable electricity for industrial production as embedded in the objectives of the power sector reform remains regrettably elusive. “Ironically, in spite of the poor energy situation in the country, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Committee (NERC) has maintained increased in electricity charges not considering its implication

on the economy especially the productive sector. The most detrimental is the so called fixed electricity charges which stood astronomically across distribution zone with Kaduna at N580,600; Jos (370,760); Yola (358,331) and Abuja (243,168) per month in MYTO 2.0 for D3 category” he stated. Jacob said manufacturers faced with payment for electricity not consumed. Inspite of the current high tariff from NERC, industry expends huge funds on alternative energy sources for production and the implication of the development was increase in the average cost of production in the sector, which lowers the competitiveness of locally produced goods against imported close substitutes. He urged the incoming government to revisit the power sector reform so as to ease-out the current stagnation and make the sector functional.

agos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola will tomorrow commissioned Candel Company Limited's integrated manufacturing facility for crop protection chemicals and foliar fertilizers at the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. Candel Company Limited, which is an agricultural inputs development and distribution company, said that the multibillion naira project, which is in its first phase, when completed will deliver a facility with capacity for 80 million litres of formulated products per annum. It will enable Candel to deliver solutions most suited to Nigeria’s tropical climate and peculiar farming systems. There is currently no local production of crop protection agrochemicals in Nigeria with over $400 million in foreign exchange expended annually to import them. Crop protection chemicals protect crops from weeds, pests and diseases when in the field, during transportation and in the store and help the quest for increased crop yields and better preservation by Nigerian farmers. Candel’s factory is configured to produce products specially targeted at small scale farmers as well as customized formulations with different surfactant levels for large scale farmers. The facility has five process plants for soluble liquids (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and suspension concentrates (SC) of products from diverse chemical families. It has sufficient capacity to supply Candel’s own distribution network in Nigeria and Ghana with enough spare capacity for third parties in Nigeria and overseas. The target of the international market influenced its location at the Lekki Free Zone. Construction of the production facility began in early 2014 after an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) exercise under the full supervision and guidance of the Federal and Lagos State ministries of environment. Charles Anudu, the chairman of the Candel Company, underlined the company’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit as well as the many years of experience in the field of crop protection and nutrition.

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Banking & Finance BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

Sterling Bank celebrates Children Day

terling Bank Plc have rolled out plans to celebrate the 2015 Children Day in Nigeria Top on the agenda is the presentation of gifts to eligible customers and the promotion of a social media campaign encouraging parents to post “selfies” taken with their children; following which followers/ fans are encouraged to vote and the top three posts are awarded prizes. A selfy is a photograph taken of oneself with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media. The social media angle, according to the Bank, was included in recognition of the growing importance that social media plays in not just the lives of the parents but the children. The events, according to the Bank will start on Friday May 22, 2015 and end on Wednesday June 27, 2015 Specifically, the Bank will celebrate the Children’s Day with lucky pupils/students in their various schools in fulfilment of one of the features of the I Can Save product. A similar event was organized to celebrate 24 account holders during the 2013 edition of the Children’s Day. Explaining the selection criteria, the Bank in a statement said that 300 accounts with the highest average balances over the last six months will be selected. The winners, according to the Bank, would be given special presents and gift packs along with Sterling Bank’s branded items. “Other classmates would also receive gift packs along with Sterling branded items. Letters to parents of the other pupils introducing the I CAN SAVE account would be included in the gift packs along with the account opening package”, the Bank added,. Part of the statement from the Bank read thus: “The event would be held on three (3) consecutive days leading to the week of the Children’s day celebration. The three days scheduled are: 22nd, 25th and 26th of May, 2015. We are doing this to ensure that the Children really have fun and look forward to next year ’s edition. We are also doing this to honour them”.

here are indications that banks gained additional liquidity of N470 billion from the harmonisation of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CRR is the amount of customers deposits that banks are mandated to keep as cash. Prior to last week, the CRR for public sector deposit was 75 percent, while that of private sector deposit was 20 percent. But the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the apex bank at the end of its meeting last week, decided to harmonise the CRR for public sector and private sector deposit to 31 percent. This, according to the Committee was informed by the need to curb abuses that may be occasioned by the dual CRR policy. The Committee stated, “The Committee considered that the current discriminatory CRR on public and private sector deposits has not only constrained the policy space but could inspire moral hazard by private market participants. Consequently, it was recognized that while additional tightening measures may not be appropriate now to avoid overheating the economy, a harmonization of the CRR was imperative in order to curb abuses and improve the efficacy of monetary policy. Vanguard investigations revealed that the apex bank commenced implementation of the new policy last week by withdrawing N141 billionas CRR charge for increase in liquidity occasioned by the CRR harmonisation. Applying the new CRR of 30 percent, this implies banks gained about N470 billion additional liquidity from the new policy. Analysts’ Predictions This is in line with analysts’ predictions on the impact of the CRR harmonisation on the banking industry. “The immediate effect of the harmonization of the CRR increases system liquidity which ultimately heightens the demand pressure on the currency”, said analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC). Commenting on the decision of the apex bank, they stated, “The MPC made a tacit move towards the easing of interest rates and an accommodative posture, by allowing for the harmonization of the cash reserves ratios to 31 percent , from 75 percent and 20 percent on the public and

Banks gain N470bn liquidity from CRR harmonisation private sectors respectively. System-wide deposits are in a 60:40 ratio between the public and private sector. “Based on this, the harmonization will lead to a net inflow of approximately 28 percent of total deposits. This is an equivalent of eight times the average monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation. In May, the FAAC allocation was N388 billion. In the past six months the statutory inflows have led to a sharp decline in interbank rates towards 10.5 percent per annum. The major beneficiaries of this new dispensation are the tier 1 banks mainly: FBN, Zenith and UBA. The private sector dependent institutions like Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered and Citi Bank will face challenges.” Analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited also predicted that the harmonisation will lead to increased liquidty. They stated, “Based on our estimates, using the CBN’s February 2015 data, the implied CRR for public and private sector deposits stood at 35.0 percent. As at February, public and private sector deposits settled at N3.6trillion (27.3 percent ) and N9.6 trillion (72.7 percent) respectively. “By implication, the CBN unleashed the strings on deposits in the banking system; hence, increasing available deposits by approximately N528 billion. In our view, the expectation that the new CRR may lead to increased real sector lending may not actually be

the case in the interim, given the evident risks that pervade the space. Based on management guidance, banks are not willing to increase lending expressively until the new administration settles and

The major beneficiaries of this new dispensation are the tier 1 banks mainly: FBN, Zenith and UBA. The private sector dependent institutions like Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered and Citi Bank will face challenges

policy direction is ascertained. “On the other hand, the additional liquidity into the system may be

channelled to the fixed income market given the current attractive yields. This in turn may help push down yields within the short term. We wish to highlight that the full implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) may also reduce the quantum of public sector deposits in the banking system.” Razia Khan of Standard Chartered Bank however offered a different opinion. The Managing Director, Head, Africa Macro, Global Research for Standard Chartered She stated, “Implications In our view, the full impact of these measures will depend on the policy steps that are implemented soon after Nigeria’s political transition on 29 May. Currently, with growing anecdotal reports of publicsector arrears involving the payment of salaries by state governments as well as payments to contractors, this combination of measures is likely to signal an eventual tightening of policy. Public-sector deposits in the banking system have been under pressure for some months – following the reduction in oil prices and consequent pressure on the monthly allocation of oil earnings to the three tiers of Nigerian government (the FAAC). Plans to eventually move to a more comprehensive Treasur y Single Account (TSA) should, in future, reinforce the tightening bias of the CRR harmonisation. Private-sector deposits are expected to dominate the Nigerian banking system. The privatesector CRR hike is therefore the more important element of the harmonisation.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 27

Banking & Finance

Accion MFB disburses N31.7bn loans BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

ccion Micro finance Bank (AMfB) Limited, said it has disbursed about N31.7 billion loan since inception, while it recered 60 percent increase in profitability for the year ended December 31, 2014 Meanwhile, the bank has commenced a rebranding exercise to commemorate the achievement of a national license. Chairman Board of Directors, AMfB, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan disclosed this at the 9th annual general meeting of the bank in Lagos adding that the number of active borrowers grew to 58 percent from 21,654 to 34,245 with 19 percent growth in accounts, representing 123,076 and 146, 578.

now boasts of 25 branches in Lagos with a view to opening more branches within the State and across the country in the coming months. According to her, “We also focused on staff Training and Development to ensure we have the best crop of staff in the industr y. The bank recorded another milestone in the financial year 2014 despite the challenging economic and socio-political environment in Nigeria during the period under review, Further deepening financial inclusion as evidenced by the positive performance indicators and awards during the period

under review.” On the new logo, she said that the new logo represents confidence and values of the bank with colours which symbol signifies the bank’s commitment to building a brighter future for its customers. “The sunbeam symbol represents a new dawn, freshness, new opportunities, optimism and empowerment as the bank provides easy access to financial products and services to customers. The new logo symbolizes a new dawn as the bank is set to expand its operations across Nigeria. “As we commence our

expansion into other parts of the country, we have refreshed our brand to celebrate this milestone. We want to share our success and greater vision for a brighter future and for financial inclusion,” she said. On his part, the Chairman described the logo change as, “a strategic move to deepen the bank’s vision of a financial inclusive world in a proactive manner.” “The new brand identity emphasizes the bank’s mission to economically empower micro-entrepreneurs and low income earners with easy access to financial services in a secure and safe manner giving them a brighter future,” he said.

He said, "The bank made a profit after tax of N622,555, 000 at the end of 2014 representing a 60 percent growth compared to the same period in 2013. Shareholders’ funds grew to N2.6 billion in 2014 from N2 billion in 2013 representing a 27 percent growth. Compared to December 2013, our total loan portfolio grew by 33 percent from N3.018 billion in 2013 to N4.028 billion in December 2014. Total loans disbursed grew by 26 percent from N7.4 billion in 2013 to N10.3 billion in 2014, with total loans disbursed from inception to date closing at N31.7 billion at the end of December 2014."

Akinwuntan said, 2015 is a significant year for the bank as we commence on our 5-year Strategic Plan 2015-2019 to expand geographically in Nigeria with a variety of retail channels whilst improving operational efficiency through technology. With our national 1st Prize winner at the 2014/2015 MoneyGram Front Line Associates Conference, Olusola license, we are set to explore Bazuaye (m) flanked by a combined team of First Bank and MoneyGram officials at the establishment of far reaching MoneyGram Front Line Associates Conference held in Planet One, Lagos, financial inclusion programmes for microentrepreneurs and low income earners, not just in Lagos, but in at least 10 States of the Federation and Abuja. “It is our intention that within 5 years AMfB would have cobank Nigeria has received a loan of There is no minimum transaction size. established not only additional $15 million (N300m) to support export According to Ms. Foluke Aboderin, branches but growing its retail of United States agricultural products. Executive Director Corporate Bank, the GSM service channels through Cash Announcing this in a statement on Friday, 102 Facility which has the ability to be upCentres, Agents and ATMs the bank said, “Ecobank Nigeria is privileged sized, has been used for Structured Trade and POS machines,” he said. to be the first Nigerian Bank to have utilized Finance transactions with Cargill Financial Also, Managing Director, a credit line under the U.S. Department of Services International, one of the subsidiaries AMfB, Ms. Bumi Lawson, said Agriculture (USDA) Export Credit Guarantee of the Leading International Commodities the banks total Assets in the Program. The GSM 102 Program provides Trading House, CARGILL Inc. Deutsche period stood at N5.09 billion credit guarantee to encourage commercial Bank played the role of Confirming and compared to N3.95 billion, financing of U.S. agricultural commodity Partner Bank. The recognition of Ecobank, a member of indicating a growth of 29 exports, thereby assisting U.S. exporters in making sales that might not otherwise occur. the Ecobank Group – the Pan-African Bank, percent, while deposits also The Credit Line Under the US Government grew by 36 percent from N1.06 Export Guarantee Program is reserved by the US government, further highlights the unique advantages of partnering with a billion to N1.42 billion. exclusively for the export of agricultural counterparty who has widespread foot print Lawson added that the products from the USA; it has facilitated across the African continent. With presence bank’s staff strength including increased trade of Agricultural products in 36 countries in Africa, Ecobank is well support staff closed at 798 with between US exporters and Nigerian importers; positioned to provide easy access to Core staff at 678 from 535 in It has provided an avenue for competitively international counterparties that have 2013, indicating a growth of 24 priced financing for longer tenors to both transactions across Africa, the emerging percent and 27 percent exporters and importers; It further provides frontier market with significant untapped respectively, even as the bank the exporter guaranteed payment; It enables opportunities and strong demographics. exporters to agree credit terms with importers;

Ecobank Nigeria receives $15m loan to boost US exports

Heritage Bank empowers women with ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’

eritage Bank has moved boost the capacity of women entrepreneurs through a women empowerment programme titled ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’. Organised by the Genevieve Gathering, ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’ is a one day programme, sponsored by Heritage Bank as part of its commitment to women empowerment in Africa with special focus on Nigeria. Managing Director/Chief Executive, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said, “Heritage Bank recognizes the importance of women in the society, especially in the economy, and this informs its commitment to women empowerment. Our mission is to help women succeed in business and in life. We believe that with the right motivation and resources, more women in Africa and in Nigeria can achieve the enviable success that many women across the world have achieved. At Heritage Bank, we have committed ourselves to providing these capacity and resources to empower and motivate women across the country. ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’ was informed by the need to advance the Nigerian woman’s confidence and also teach her to find a balance between living the life she wants and securing her financial future. It is aimed at empowering women by helping them tackle the business and personal finance issues that are specific to them. Among other things it provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs, women in business and career-oriented people to benefit from presentations by experts in selected fields. Confirmed speakers at the workshop are Former Director/ General of Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Arunma Oteh, Co-founder/ Group Executive Director, Sahara Group Tonye Cole, CEO of Bestman Games Nimi Akinkugbe, Funmi Oyetunji and Personal Finance blogger (www.smartmoneyafrica.org) Arese Ugwu. The programme will feature presentations on: Improving your net worth; Taking control of your finances; and Advancing your financial confidence.

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Corporate Finance

Shareholders call for winding up of AMCON Dangote Sugar pays N4.8 billion dividend

angote Sugar Refinery has declared N4.8 billion dividend for the year ended December 31, 2014 to be paid to its shareholders. The dividend, which translates into 40 kobo per share, was approved by the shareholders at the 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos. In his address to shareholders, the Chairman of Dangote Sugar, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said despite the challenging circumstance in 2014, Dangote Sugar posted a turnover of N95 billion. Profit before tax and profit after tax stood at N15.3 billion and N11.6 billion, compared with N16.3 billion and N10.8 billion respectively. According to Dangote, it remains the company ’s policy to return part of its profits as dividends to shareholders at the end of each business year. However, he said the dividend paid depends on the company’s financial performance, investment decisions, liquidity levels and banks balances. “In view of the significant investments required for our backward integration projects, the company is in need of additional funding. As such, the Board has taken the decision to reduce dividend payment for the year from 60 kobo per share to 40 kobo. This is a transitional situation, requiring our short term sacrifices in order to build for the future, and is necessary for us to maintain prudent capital and liquidity levels to sustain our operations, in tandem with our backward integration projects,” Dangote said. Speaking on the company’s operations, he said the company had to contend with heightened insecurity in the north eastern Nigeria, along with other consumer oriented businesses. “Access to our key markets was hampered,while we also had to grapple with reduced consumer purchasing power and periodic menace of lowpriced unlicensed imported sugar. Notwithstanding this, our local sales volumes exceeded 780,000 tonnes in 2014, a slight reduction on the prior year,” Dangote said. He disclosed that 10 years from now, the target of the company is to produce 1.5 million tonnes of refined sugar from locally grown sugarcane.

... As FBN Holdings explains 10 kobo dividend Stories by PETER EGWUATU

hareholders of FBN Holdings Plc have called for the winding up Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON. Also, FBN Holdings have explained to its shareholders why it declared 10 kobo dividend and one for 10 bonus for the financial year 2014, stressing that it was done to further boost its business for the benefit of all stakeholders in the nearest future. The shareholders who spoke at the company's AGM stated that AMCON has outlived its usefulness. The shareholders’ groups leaders such as Mr. Boniface Okezie, Mr. Nonah Awoh, Sir Sunny Nwosu, Engr. Francis Orji, and Brigadier Ikwue commended the performance of the bank despite the harsh operating environment. According to them “The AMCON and CBN levies, fines and fees had all contributed to robe the bank the higher profit it could have made. Also, affecting the bank’s performance is the CBN policy on CRR. We therefore demand for the winding up of AMCON since it is no longer contributing positively to the growth of banks.” Explaining to shareholders at its Annual General Meeting, AGM held in Lagos, why it proposed a 10 kobo dividend, Group Chief Executive Officer, FBN Holdings, Mr. Bello Maccido said “ The 10 kobo cash dividend was considered by the Board in view of the fact that the company invested much money for the acquisition of Kakawa Discount House Limited as wells as Oasis Insurance Plc . This will strengthen our earnings base and expand into sectors that are capable of providing us with the right opportunities to fortify our leadership position. Notwithstanding, the one for 10 bonus is a boost to the bank quantified to the value, which is about 98 kobo per share as the bank’s share price hovers around N9.80 per share.”He further said “In spite of the highlighted challenges, FBN Holdings delivered solid financial results in 2014, across a number of key financial

metrics including gross earnings and profit before taxes. This strong performance is championed by our commercial banking franchise, First Bank of Nigeria Limited and buoyed by our investment banking and asset management banking space.” Maccido also highlighted the effect of the harmonisation of Cash Reserve

Requirement, CRR by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN saying “We are going to lose about N64 billion as a result of the 31 per cent harmonisation of CRR for both the private and public sectors. No doubt, it will favour some banks that have more public funds than private funds. Nevertheless, we will apply some strategies to overcome some of these headwinds”

Commenting as well, Chairman of FBN Holdings, Mr. Oba Otudeko said “In the last two years since the inception of our new holding company structure, we have seen the steady transformation of our company into a unified African financial service group, with the various subsidiaries working seamlessly together to deliver superior customer solutions.”

COMMISSIONING: From left, Deputy Chief of Staff to Adamawa State Governor, Professor George Moses; Alhaji Dahiru Muhammad, Trustee, PZ Cussons Foundation; and Mrs Yomi Ifaturoti, Corporate Affairs and Admin. Director, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC at the commissioning of renovated dining halls at General Murtala Muhammad College, Yola, donated by the Foundation recently.

Ecobank chairman pledges to implement 51-point corporate governance plan

he Chairman of Ecobank Group, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh has promised that the bank will continue to implement the 51-point corporate governance action plan approved by shareholders last year in compliance with the recommendations of a joint report by Nigeria’s Securities & Exchange Commission and professional services firm, KPMG. Speaking at a reception in Lagos for shareholders before a routine board meeting recently, Ikazoboh said “We have substantially concluded much of this exercise, and whatever areas there are that are outstanding are receiving adequate attention. We expect to complete them as soon as possible.” He added that the governance structure at the board of directors level was

also being reviewed to produce an oversight architecture that would enable the board to be most effective in executing its oversight and reform agenda for ETI. The chairman told shareholders that between the 30th of June, 2014, when the present board of directors was inaugurated, to the 11th of May, 2015, their investment in the bank had seen appreciable growth as the share price increased from N16.89 to N23.27 within the period, representing a 37.8 percent increase. He further assured the panAfrican institution’s shareholders of a bright future that will guarantee higher benefits for all stakeholders. According to him “Cost efficiency with cost income ratio has gone down from over

70 percent a year ago to about 62.7 percent as at the first quarter of 2015 and is still going down,” Mr Ikazoboh noted. “Our return on equity has improved markedly from 15 percent in 2014 to 19 percent in this first quarter and still increasing.” The chairman added that the group’s non-performing loan ratio had dropped to less than 4 percent, and that it intended to lay a solid balance-sheet foundation to ensure that it builds on this strong performance in a sustainable manner. He explained that the goal was to replicate as well as improve on this in the future. The chairman said that some key decisions had been made this year to sustain this performance on the capital appreciation side of shareholders’ equity portfolio.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 29

Corporate Finance

AGM : From left , Chairman, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr. Graham Clark; and Deputy Group Managing Director, Engr. Abdulllahi Sule at the 9th Annual General Meeting , AGM, of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in Lagos

CIS pushes for accreditation of professional diploma BY PETER EGWUATU

Chartered Institute of

Stockbrokers (CIS) has commenced move to obtain from accreditation from the Ministry of Education for its professional Diploma in Securities and Investment. Vanguard gathered that the CIS has held discussion with the Federal Ministry of

Education on the need to accredit the institute’s professional diploma in Securities and Investment and push for its acceptability for admission into higher institutions. Also, it was gathered that the institute is seeking acceptance of both its professional diploma in Securities and Investment and full professional certificate as qualifications for

employment in the Federal Civil Service. As a prelude to the accreditation, a meeting was held between the CIS and Ministry of Education. The meeting, the first in the series as gathered was very successful. The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau expressed his willingness to ensure that his ministry supports the institute in its bid achieve the goals of accreditation. Capital market operators have opined that accreditation of the

professional Diploma in Securities and Investment for admission into higher institution and recognition of the certificate as well as full Professional Certificate for job in the public and private sector would encourage more youths to make a career in the financial market, boost morale of the beneficiaries and reinforce the need for competent manpower in the public and private sector. It will be recalled that following its renewed membership drive, the institute introduced Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment to assist the numerous youths desirous of making a career in the financial market. The programme has potential to boost the financial inclusion programme of the Federal Government. As part of recent enhancement of the Diploma in Securities and Investment, its examination has become computer- based while the examination is now done monthly as against twice annually. It was gathered that the preliminary meeting with Shekarau was attended by the acting President of the institute, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe, the second Vice President, Mr. Dapo Adekoje, the Registrar and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji Ajadi, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education, Mallam Nasiru Mohammed and two senior Abuja based stockbrokers, Mr Sehinde Adenagbe and Tom Laah

Lafarge Africa grows production capacity to 12 million tonnes … As shareholders okay N15.9bn dividend

afarge Africa Plc said it has grown its cement production capacity from 4.5 million tons to 12 million tons, just as shareholders commend its performance for the financial year ended December 31, 2014. The shareholders also at the 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos approved the N15.9 billion proposed by its Board of Directors for the year under review. Some of the shareholders’ group leaders who spoke at the AGM such as Sir Sunny Nwosu and Bishop Goodluck Akpore said “We commend the board and management for the financial performance and payment of the dividend despite the challenging operating environment. We also commend the Board for the consolidation done during the period under review. We have started reaping the fruits and hope it would be

sustained.” The N15.855 billion dividend translates into 360 kobo per ordinary share and it is nine per cent higher than the 330 kobo per share paid in 2013. In his address to the shareholders, Chairman of Lafarge Africa, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, CON, OFR, said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization(EBITDA) grew by 16 per cent in Nigeria when compared to 2013 of similar scope. “All Nigerian entities showed strong growth with Ashaka Cement doubling its EBITDA following coal substitution increasing from 35 per cent to 70 per cent and overall increase in operational efficiency by 91 per cent and WAPCO by a solid eight per cent,” he said. Osunkeye noted that the medium to long term outlook remains positive for Lafarge South Africa Holding(LSAH).

“The recent strengthening of the Rand versus the Naira will increase the value of the South African profits to the Group, and is a testament to the advantages of having added Lafarge South Africa to the Group,” he said. According to him, the creation of Lafarge Africa has transformed the company into a group which is well equipped to continue the acceleration of a group to withstand challenges in the market place. “Our cement production capacity has grown from 4.5 million tons to about 12 million tons. In addition, 3.5 million cubic meters of ReadyMix concretes and over 5.0 million tons of Aggregates have been added to the portfolio. The turnover has doubled from N100 billion to N200 billion and the EBITDA has grown from N36 billion to N55 billion. N99 billion of cash was generated from

operations in 2014. All of this is building the foundation which was laid over the last few years, and the transformation into Lafarge Africa Plc is a natural progression to take our company to the next level,” he said. Also speaking, the Group MD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Guillaume Roux said the good performance of the company was due to management’s commitment to corporate governance, innovation, customer service and cost efficiency. He assured the shareholders of continued efforts to delight them more in the current year. Meanwhile, Osunkeye, who has retired from the company at the end of the AGM, noted that it was a privilege and honour to have served on the Board of the company for 14 years and as chairman for five years from October 2009.

Friesland’s Three Crowns rewards winners

hree Crowns Milk from the stables of FrieslandCampinaWAMCO has rewarded consumers in the Mother’s Day Activation campaign. The grand prize winner Mrs. Olamide Olaleye who emerged as the ‘Mum of the Year ’ won an all-expense paid trip to Dubai alongside a companion of her choice while 29 other mothers were also rewarded with a amount of N50,000.00 shopping voucher. The Three Crowns Milk Mother’s Day Activation is a Facebook based campaign in which consumers are expected to write on the Three Crown’s Facebook wall why their mum is the best mum in the world. These posts are judged on a daily basis starting from April 28 to May 7 (10 days) and 3 winners will be picked daily while the overall winner emerge was adjudged on the last day of the campaign.

Mouka reintroduces ‘Mattress Swap’ campaign

ouka Limited has reintroduced the ‘Mattress Swap’ campaign to enable its existing customers and prospectives alike to exchange their old mattress for a new Mouka mattress at a discount. The 2015 Mouka ‘Mattress Swap’ offer which is expected to run for a period of one month between May 4th and June 5th 2015 is available to customers in key states across the country According to the National Business Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr. Olufemi Asa, the Mouka ‘Mattress swap’ offer initiative which was first introduced in 2013 is designed to further entrench the brands affinity with both Mouka customers and noncustomers by helping them to renew sleep and comfort. “As the category thought leader in the foam industry in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole, we started the Matress swap initiative to encourage customers to replace their old mattress by bringing their old mattress to get a new one thereby helping them to renew the unparalleled comfort offering of Mouka” He said. Fapohunda explained that C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Homes & Housing

Resorts Savings launches new products

esorts Savings and Loans Plc has introduced two new products to meet the strategic needs of its customers as well as encourage savings culture among the populace. The products, Resort Daily Savings Account (REDSA) and Resort Group Savings Account (REGSA), were launched recently in Lagos. Giving insight into the new products, the mortgage bank’s Head of Treasury, Mr. Jeff Ejemai, said the products were specially designed to encourage “little by little savings targeted towards solving yearly and strategic needs”. These, he stated, include saving towards mortgage loan, payment of rents, school fees, land purchase and other sundry needs. He explained that with the products, the bank’s customer can be assured that their most important needs would be met without much hassle. “We reasoned that Nigerians often have the problem of meeting up with some of their needs that sometimes lead to some form of embarrassment for them. So, to forestall such embarrassment, we came up with the products to assist them save some funds while not feeling the pain of saving.”

UPDC’s REIT declares N2.3bn dividend

SDH management, the Fund Managers of UPDC REIT has declared the sum of N2.33 billion dividend for REIT holders for the year ended December 31, 2014. The dividend was approved by unit holders at the 1st Annual General Meeting of the REIT in Lagos. FSDH Managing Director, Mrs Olumayowa Ogunwemimo, noted that the REIT is mandated to distribute 90 percent of its received income to unitholders. She revealed that the N2.33 billion dividend represents 90 percent of the distributable income for the 2014 financial year. Ogunwemimo said that unit holders should always expect an annual distribution from the REIT as the properties in the REIT remain quality real estate assets, with high occupancy rate and good rental yield. C M Y K

High-end estate development

PenCom set to issue guidelines on mortgage financing Stories by KOLAWOLE

YINKA

he National Pension C o m m i s s i o n (PenCom) is set to issue new guidelines on how pension contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme can utilise part of their contributions for mortgage financing. This is with a view to boosting home ownership in the country. Director- General, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation conference on the 2014 Pension Reform Act (PRA) in Abuja. The PRA 2014 which was signed into law on July 1, 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan, repealed the 2004 Pensions Act that was enacted to reform the Nigerian pension industry. Anohu-Amazu noted that there is a provision in the 2014 Pension Reform Act (PRA), signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on July 1, 2014, which allows contributors seeking to own their primary homes, to apply for part of their account balances as equity for residential mortgage. She however said that access to the funds was subject to guidelines stipulated by the commission, adding that moves to issue the guidelines were already at an advanced stage. She expects that full implementation of the Act would assist in bridging the housing deficit gap in the country. The PenCom boss noted that the new Act allows Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to invest directly in real estate, which was not permitted under the old pension law. She noted that the new development will enable

It is our expectation that as soon as it is implemented, this will assist in bridging the housing deficit in Nigeria

majority of the over six million contributors to utilise part of their funds as equity contributions for residential mortgages. “The most important thing is the allowances of the utilisation of the retirement savings

balance for the provision of a primary home. For the first time, you are now able, as a contributor, to utilise part of your balance to secure your own primary home in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the commission. And I think this is fantastic in a country where we have over 15 million housing deficit; at least, those who are contributing – over six million contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme – can now for the first time be able to utilise the money rather than just leaving it there. The process of issuing these guidelines is already at an advanced stage and it is our expectation that as soon as it is implemented, this will assist in bridging the housing deficit in Nigeria,” she stated. Stakeholders see the development as a step in the

right direction, having identified the inability of potential homeowners to readily come up with the required equity mortgage contributions as one of the factors slowing down the mortgage process in Nigeria. Equity contribution is the initial amount of money to be paid by a potential home owner towards the purchase of a property. Under the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme, managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), borrowers are expected to make equity contribution ranging from 10 to 30 percent, depending on amount of loan applied for. Applicants under the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS) are required to make 30 percent down payment as equity contribution. Also, for potential homeowners applying for mortgages under the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme launched by the federal government, initial payment of 20 percent of total cost of house is mandatory. Prof. Charles Inyangete, CEO, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), attested to the fact that the slow take-off of affordable mortgages scheme under the National Housing Programme is partly due to the equity deposit requirement. “One of the key reasons for the slow take-off of the mortgages under the National Housing Programme is the deposit requirement. A lot of the people actually found out that the properties they want are much more expensive than they expected and so the deposit is a bit of a challenge,” he noted.

Lagos unveils plan to rebuild Makoko

agos State Government said it has concluded plans to rebuild Makoko by constructing a housing estate on the waterfront. Makoko is a slum area with an estimated population of about 100,000 people living in squalor and poor sanitary conditions, with structures constructed on stilts above the Lagos lagoon. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, who disclosed this, said the development will help curb the decay in the ghetto. He said the housing scheme would be patterned after Lake Union Seattle in the United States where houses are built on water in an organised manner. He noted that the daily migration of people to

Lagos has continued to impact negatively on accommodation issues in Lagos. “As a result of this, a lot of unplanned settlements and encroachments on both land and water by these immigrants have become a burden. The houses built on the Lagos lagoon overtime in the Makoko area continued unabated and soon became worrisome due to the speedy and fast encroachment on this waterway and further extension towards the PHCN high tension cable on the lagoon. Consequently, the ministry found it expedient to undertake a study of this development and tagged it ‘Houses on Water ’,” he explained. The commissioner said the project will improve and

enhance the living condition of the residents; control development on the waterways; increase the potential of the community economically; protect the highly valued waterfront against pollution and widespread contamination; enhance water transportation and promote tourism. He added that schools, hospital, bank, shopping mall and fish processing plants would also be built on the lagoon. He said government had held stakeholders’ engagements with the occupants to secure their support and opinion on the proposed project, with a view to building their trust in the government’s plan for the community.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Interview

r. Rasheed Olaoluwa took over as the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BoI) one year ago. He spoke with Vanguard on the milestones recorded by the bank since he assumed office. He also bore his mind on issues relating to the sustenance of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP); bid by the Bureau of Public Enterprises to privatise BoI, among other issues. Manufacturer Association of Nigeria and NACCIMA have always complained of policy somersaults by the government. How are we sure there won’t be a sudden change in policy after May 29? We believe that in terms of the current industrial policy, there are several good elements that will continue to resonate with the Nigerian private sector because many of them have been discussed at forums like the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, and so on and so forth. So in terms of the Nigeria Industrial Development Plan, NIRP, I believe the policy is sustainable and it is not likely to suffer policy reversal. Remember when I was talking about the NIRP, I also alluded to the fact that NIRP itself was based on a report issued by the Economic Commission for Africa. So it is really a report that says we have three types of natural resources, agricultural resources, solid minerals and oil and gas. And how can we implement programmes that will ensure domestic value addition. I believe that the incoming administration will also find that this policy makes sense. Could we have details of your non performing loans? In terms of Non-Performing Loans, NPL, our NPL was relatively high in the past .However, we have embarked on a number of initiatives to manage the NPL downwards including loan recovery. Some loans that were not properly monitored, those loans have been monitored; we have engaged the customers and the payments have commenced. The summary is that today, at the Bank of Industry, our NPL is less than five percent. Let me put this in perspective, as I always tell my colleagues, the development bank in Brazil their NPL is 2.2 percent; the development bank in South Africa, their NPL is 16.8 percent; in Nigeria among the commercial banks the average NPL in the industry is between 6 and 7 percent. So you can now situate that less than 5 percent as NPL, BoI ratio is not bad. Last year, we recovered N2.9 billion bad debts from our customers and also blacklisted 22 other companies for loan C M Y K

defaults. The N2.9 billion was recovered through the efforts of our loan recovery team, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the courts. It is the duty of the bank to lend money to companies in the large and small business sectors and to get the money back with single digit interest rate, but if the borrowed funds are not paid back it will affect onward lending to other entrepreneurs. Development finance loans are not national cake. We expect customers to pay back. What are the challenges of SMEs? If we want to talk about the challenges of SMEs, we won’t leave here today. The mandate of BoI is not really to try and tackle all these challenges because we are not a government; we are just a development finance bank. However, because we are a member of important government agencies and forums, we make our contributions known at those

Development Finance not national cake — B BY FRANKLIN ALLI services to SMEs? That was why we appointed 122 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) late last year. They were set up not just to provide business plans for SMEs; they are also to give those technical supports and advice in terms of several aspect of their business. We are trying to create an eco-system that can support our SMEs throughout the country to facilitate their access to the loans. The BDSPs are located across the country as well as in each of the six geo political zones. Some of the providers are 3T Consulting Nigeria Limited; Adebola Sobanjo Company Ltd and IBFC Alliance Ltd; BoIInvestment and Trust Company Limited; BCG Associate, Fortis Academy Ltd and Nigerian Youths Chamber of Commerce. Others include World Hope Resources; Road Master Link; Koinonia Ventures Limited; African Consult Limited; Corporate Consulting Limited, Kano, etc.

What is the exact strategy to priavtise the bank in terms of what percentage is sold, we don’t know. All we know is that it is going to be partial privatisation. We do not know what the position of the incoming administration is going to be forums. When the federal government launched the SMEs Council, BoI is a member. I attended the meeting which was chaired by the Vice President Namadi Sambo. The Presidents of NACCIMA, MAN; NASME and NASSI are members. So, these problems are being discussed at the Council, to explore solutions to them. Do you provide technical advice and business support

How do you monitor the B u s i n e s s Development Service Provider? What we have agreed with our Executive Director, SMEs is that those token fees, we will publish them. So that if an SME is applying for a N40 million loan, what he should pay the BDSP is N25, 000; if any BDSP is asking for more than that, we can blacklist the company. They signed an

agreement with us and there are performance benchmarks. We have agreed upon how these things should happen and if they violate it, we can easily delist any of them. Does BoI patronise local entrepreneurs? The answer is absolutely yes! See all these lovely shirts we are all wearing, they are produced by our SMEs. We didn’t import them and if you actually want, we can

•Rasheed Olaoluwa introduce you to some of our SMEs customers. So even when we buy furniture for our offices, we buy from local SMEs –people like Sokoa chair, we like to patronize them. Even Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited. Innoson produces made in Nigerian cars plus after sales service. We buy pickup trucks and staff buses too from Innoson to support and encourage local patronage. Also, our partnership with the National Automotive Council, NAC, enables us to support

companies who are now going to set up workshops to really do diagnostics analysis of vehicles and all that. Many of them are being set up and we hope that Innoson can also take advantage of this. Why do you have branches in 14 out of the 36 states in the federation? This is a very important point. We have signed MoU with 17 states. We almost signed the 18th one this week that just ended but it has been postponed again. Our experience is that when we

VOL. 1: NO. 20

FRIDAY, MAY 22 22,, 2015

Tankers relocation from Lagos:

Ogun rakes in N120m in parking fees monthly By Daud Olatunji

T least 10,000 trucks now park daily within the Ogun State territory because of their evacuation from Lagos roads and bridges From the number, the state government rakes in 80 per cent of the accruable revenue while the remaining 20 percent go to private companies and individuals. The state government which charges N500 per day makes over N120 million per month or

Despite ban, consumption of ogogoro still booms in Ondo Pg 3 C M Y K

N4 million per day. It was also discovered that the private companies and individuals charge N1,000 per day and they stand to make 60 million per month or N2 million daily. The relocation order by the government of Lagos state given to tankers drivers who had been parking on the Apapa Lagos road following the gridlock in the area has become a blessing in disguise for Ogun State government following their resolution to settle in

IN THIS EDITION

How Ajumose shuttle officials outsmart Oyo Pg 6 govt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Investigation

Ogun state. Most of the tankers, according to the findings have started relocating to LagosIbadan expressway a gesture that would worsen the traffic snarl already recorded on the road. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is the only Federal road that links all the South Western states especially Ogun, Lagos and Oyo states. But, now that Lagos state government has taken the bull by the horns as it sent the

SPEAKERSHIP TUSSLE:

Tinubu, Lagos lawmakers-elect in ding-dong over Pg 4 Ikuforijiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement

trailers away from its territory, the burden seems to have been passed to the two neighbouring states of Ogun and Oyo. Investigation conducted has revealed that Ogun state had been struggling to solve the problem of indiscriminate parking of tankers in Ogere, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, before the relocation of the tankers from

There is standard park at Orile in Lagos, if such could be built in Ibadan and other places there would not be any need for the trailer to come to Ogere by force

Lagos state. Findings have shown that the state government has two trailer parks situated along the axis. Those parks were built by Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun administrations with a view to reducing the congestion of the trailers which parked haphazardly on the road which has led to loss of lives. A visit to Gateway Trailer Park located on kim 67, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogere in Ikenne local government area of Ogun State, has shown that the multi-billion naira trailer park built by Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration has been abandoned. This trailer park which has the capacity to contain tens of trailers if well managed has become an eye saw and a refuse dumping ground. Whereas, it is supposed to be a cash cow for the government, but, the government has chosen to abandon the large spacious trailer park. Continues on Page 2

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

OGUN STATE

Tankers' relocation from Lagos: Continues from page 1 The Ogere trailer Park which is famous for being the old toll gate point on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, still providing parking space for articulated vehicles. Both travellers and motorists are usually greeted by the sight of the petrol tankers and trailer-trucks parked on both sides of the expressway,sometimes close enough to force moving vehicles to almost a crawl. In the area, it is usual to find motorists flouting the rule by driving against traffic and sometimes, causing serious accidents and loss of lives. Due to this situation, Stern-looking officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Customs officers, policemen, and men of the Ogun State traffic outfit called TRACE appear to take charge of the traffic . Findings have shown that previous efforts made by Ogun State government to check the menace of these petrol takers and trailer drivers that used to parking wrongly on the expressway have not yielded the desired result. It was gathered that, the Gbenga Daniel administration was the one that constructed the mega trailer park in an attempt to keep the trucks off the road, but, so far, the initiative has not yielded much relief for road users. But a recent visit to the place by our correspondent reveals how bad and confusing the situation is. Some trailers that were parked in the trailer park look disused and overgrown with weed, while over 100 trucks are parked on the expressway and obstructing traffic. At the entrance, there is an inscription of the fees payable by tanker and truck drivers as parking fee at N500 per day. The smell of urine and human waste is heavy in the air, just as dark and greasy patches in the soil suggest that parts of the park have been used for repair of some of the vehicles parked by the roadside. To worsen the situation, the gridlock mess orchestrated by trailers drivers who parked on the Eko Bridge down to Apapa and on the Mile 2 Expressway whichhad been cleared seems to be adding to the problems of the area. Also, a visit to the park built by Amosun’s administration showed that it has been overgrown with weeds and abandoned by the trailers drivers. But, the recent relocation of the trailers, is believed, would propel the government to put life back to the two parks. But, a chat with the leader of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas C M Y K

•Tankers at Ogere trailer park

congestion. “The FRSC people are part of the problems because of the way they harass our people. Once your vehicle breaks down they will not wait for •Chairman NUPENG, Ogere, Wada you to quickly Shehu Ibrahim repair your v e h i c l e , Workers showed that, the immediately, they will charge situation would have our drivers N190,000. “The last time commandant degenerated as some drivers came to us, he said 12 hours have threatened to block the expressway to protest how their grace will be given to the colleagues were being treated drivers to check what is wrong with the lorry, but, was not so”, by Lagos state government. The State acting he said . Chairmanand vice Chairman of owever, the leadership the union, Yusuf Umar and of the union Wadashiru Ibrahim respectively lamented that they are facing a acknowledged the menace of lot of hardships due to the parking on the road side, neglect of the place by the saying, though many lives have been lost to the action. government. He said “parking on the The union said, the major reason why their people usually roadside is dangerous because park haphazardly beside the some innocent souls who want expressway was because of the to cross to the other side of the level of degeneration that has road and might not see the road clearly or the vehicles that bedevilled the place. According to Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the union, the trailer park is no more suitable for our people because of the bad road. While appealing to the state government to make the place standard for the tankers drivers, The park, Ibrahim said, they are ready to according to the pay any amount requested by the government so far the place finding, is put in a good condition. charges N1,000 “Apart from the bad road and lack of infrastructure in this per day while it park, men of Federal Road gives some Safety Corps are also contributing to the problems in discount to those this area. that stay a long “The way they stop our tankers time is dangerous and has led to loss of lives in this area due to

is coming from Lagos or Ibadan. “They might not have known that trailers want to re park or come out of the lane. This has claimed so many lives. I can recall that at least about 20 people lost their lives in a month”, he said. While explaining why they park on the roadside in Lagos, NUPENG leader said the officials at Apapa depot are responsible for the gridlock in Lagos. According to him, they will call our drivers to come for the products when they don’t have the products available. “This drivers who have not seen their families for months, weeks will hurry to the depot, but, on getting their they will tell them the product is not yet available”, he said. When asked to prefer the solution to the gridlock, the NUPENG leadership appealed that, the government should make the place more comfortable and build more standard trailer parks for their members. “There is standard park at Orile in Lagos, if such could be built in Ibadan and other places there would not be any need for the trailer to come to Ogere by force. “Even, the issue of parking on the road will stop, they will not park anywhere if these things are done. “Each vehicle pays N500 for coming and going out. If government can interfere, make it standard, people can even pay N1,000 and after that, if any trailer parks beside the road, the driver should be arrested and prosecuted”, he said . While speaking on the involvement of private individuals in the construction of trailer parks, the leadership

of NUPENG said, the private trailer parks in the state are substandard. He said “private parks have the same problems because none of them meete the required standard. They don’t have good road network, once it rains, the places would not be motorable .Most of our tankers get stuck whenever it rains. However, there seems to be efforts by some individuals to build ultra modern trailer parks within the axis with a view to reducing the menace of tanker drivers on the expressway. According to findings, there are numerous trailer parks built by some individuals but, were not up to the standard. It was gathered that, most lands along Lagos -Ibadan expressway from Ogere to Ibadan have been bought by the owners of the tankers with a view to constructing trailer parks. But, further investigation revealed that almost all the trailer parks lack the required amenities . However, it was gathered that a new ultra modern truck stop and stop-over motel was just built around Ogere and was said to have met some of the requirements of the parks. The park, according to the finding, charges N1,000 per day while it gives some discount to the tankers that stay for a bit long. The opportunity to increase the revenue base of the state government lies on the attitude of the governor by repairing the existing ones and build more various strategic places within the state while collaboration should not be ruled out between the two neighbouring Ogin and Ibadan states.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 — 3

ONDO STATE By Dayo Jonhson

HEN the Ondo State Government on April 27 announced the ban on sales and consumption of locally made gin popularly known as Ogogoro across the state, many knew that the order was dead-on-arrival, because the Ogogoro business is an age long thriving enterprise in several parts of the state. Owing to the ban, there is an imminent collision between the state government and several residents who patronise the consumption of the product. Eventhough, the government announced the ban in order save lives, many consumers are against the move, as accortding to them, they see no correlation between consuming the substance the recent tragic disease which claimed the the lives of about 23 persons in two communities of Irele. They reportedly die as a result of ethanol poosionoing. For these staunch consumers, they feel the ban order announced by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, as a mere waste of time and a facesaving. It will be recalled that the state government was prompted to place the blanket order on the sales and consumption of Ogogoro following its findings that the cause of the death of the 23 persons who died mysteriously in the agrarian community of Irele were linked to the consumption of the product. Adeyanju at a media chat said that from clinical analysis conducted by the State Government, it was revealed that there were no known viruses which caused the death, but that toxicology reports have confirmed government’s prime suspicion of ethanol poisoning. In this light, he said the government has begun a sensitisation programme to residents understand that that the sales and consumption of locallymade gin is prohibited. Justifying the ban, he disclosed that the sample from the deceased persons showed that they had a high concentration of the product in their system, adding that those that died were mainly Okada riders who congregated in a joint and took the poisonous ethanol.

•A woman hawking Ogogoro drinks in Akure

Despite ban, consumption of ogogoro still booms in Ondo

Twisted argument Meanwhile, a twisted argument had earlier trailed the death of the 23 persons. While the state government believed that they died between April 13 and 15 owing to binge consumption of the poisonous Ogogoro, the natives of the land including their traditional leaders insisted that the deity of the land (Malokun) struck them for being offended by some youths who invaded its shrine and carted away monuments, which they sold to foreigners. The state government, however, refuted this argument, describning it as an unscientific postulation. It thus insisted that those that died actually consumed poisonous ethanol. Not to offend the sensibilities of the traditionalist, Adeyanju said he would not want to join issues with the natives because what they are saying can not be scientifically proven. Contrarily, the natives were quick to query why the victims before their death experienced blurred vision, blindness and loss of speech. For this reason, they stood their grounds that Malokun the deity of Irele was the one who struck to vent its anger with the recalcitrant youths. According to them, the Chief Priest of the community had already appeased Malokun, to stop the deaths. So, government’s ban on sales and consumption of the locallyC M Y K

While appreciating government’s prompt response to the ugly incident, Iwalewa was happy that death has been curtailed

Irele residents fetching water to appease Irele deity, Malokun. made gin under the pretext of trying to stop the deaths is taking an unpopular action. Speaking with Vanguard, a community leader, Chief Adeniyi Oluwalogbon wondered when the consumption of their age-long local gin became a poison that has decided to kill its consumers sequentially. He said government’s blanket ban

on sales and consumption of Ogogoro is hog wash because there was no justification for it. Another community leader, who pleaded not to be mentioned in print, accused government of “jumping into conclusion to strangulate them economically, even before agencies such as NAFDAC and SON carry out test, make public their findings and

make recommendation on the brewing and standardization of the product.” He insisted that the sales and consumption of Ogogoro in the area had thrived for ages and that the ban order was a waste of time and cannot be enforced. Speaking on the development, a member representing Irele in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Iwalewa threw his weight behind the natives, submitting that the gods were angry because some unidentified persons desecrated its shrine. While appreciating government’s prompt response to the ugly incident, Iwalewa was happy that the death has been curtailed. However, when Vanguard visited some parts of the state, especially affected communities, last weekend, sales and consumption of the product continued unabated, despite the ban. Some people were even seen still hawking the products on major streets and motor-parks across the state. Even, some members of the NURTW, commercial bus drivers, as well as motorcyclists were seen brazinly sipping glasses of the dry gin. This suggests that the people of the state are not on the same page with the government to break the economic power of the less privileged people who derive their livelihood from the the sales of Ogogoro.

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

LAGOS STATE By Olasunkanmi Akoni

OUNTDOWN to the inauguration of the th 8 Legislative Assembly in Lagos State, there is currently a serious face-off between some lawmakers-elect and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over who will take-over from Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA). Barely 10 days to the inauguration of the incoming legislative assembly, the challenge of who to fit into Ikuforiji’s shoes capable of maring the smooth take-off of the incoming administration Legislative and Executive Arms of government is yet to be settled among members– elect. The pomp and pageantry that usually greets inauguration of the assembly is likely to be adversely affected. Who succeeds Ikuforiji is apparently occupying the minds of the incoming lawmakers. However, for the first time, the legislative assembly will be having a significant number of minority, as seven out of 40 seats of the house will be occupied by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members, while 33 seats will be occupied by members-elect from the ruling All Progress Congress, APC. One major fall-out of the last election is that the current Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, fondly called HKT by his admirers will not be th returning in the 8 assembly. Taiwo, having served four terms in the House, representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 1, is the most favoured to clinch the office. But having suffered defeat to a candidate of the PDP, Mr. Dayo Famakinwa, this automatically destabilized the earlier permutations for a new speaker come June 1. The contenders for the speakership race are Lanre Ogunyemi, representing Ojo Constituency II is returning to the House for the second time. Ogunyemi is from Lagos West. Mudasiru Obasa, representing Agege constituency I, is the current Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning. Obasa is considered one of the most respected lawmakers in the House and commands much respect among his colleagues. He is from Lagos West. Rotimi Abiru, representing Somolu Constituency II, is currently the Deputy Chief Whip of the House. Interestingly, Abiru is the only

•Inside the Lagos State House of Assembly

SPEAKERSHIP TUSSLE: Tinubu, Lagos lawmakers-elect in ding-dong over Ikuforiji’s replacement principal officer that got relected during the just concluded polls. Other principal officers lost out either at party primaries or during the elections. His experience cannot be overlooked as he is coming in as a third term lawmaker. Having been in the House since 2007, Abiru is regarded as one of the most vibrant lawmakers. Abiru is also regarded as a good manager of human and material resources. He reads the mood of the House and proffers solutions on issues where necessary, that is why he is nicknamed ‘Barometer’ by his colleagues. He is from Lagos East. Moshood Olanrewaju Osun, representing Lagos Mainland constituency 1, is coming as a third term lawmaker. Coming from a rich legislative background, Osun is from Lagos Central and this may be an advantage if the party considers his zone. Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho, the only female contender, represents Mushin Constituency I. She is from Lagos West. She was the Deputy Speaker in the 6th Assembly. Tejuosho has remained consistently dogged

and the most formidable Amazon on the floor of the House. She is brilliant, articulate and capped it up with needed legislative experience. Leading the Assembly will not be new to Tejuosho as she had once served as Deputy Speaker in the Assembly where she presided over proceedings in the absence of the Speaker. Gbolahan Yisawu, from Eti Osa 1, had shown interest in the speakership even before the party’s primaries and this development made many of

Eshilokun is said to be the candidate of APC national Leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the “Jagaban” as he’s fondly called.

his colleagues to regard him as having inordinate ambition. He is from Lagos Central. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, elected to represent Lagos Island 1, was a member of the House between 1999 and 2003. Pundits posited that the absence of 12 years may have shut him out of the current legislative reality, though he is also from Lagos Central. With the governor-elect, Mr. Akinwummi Ambode coming from the East and his Deputy, Fausat Adebule from the West, the odds might favour Eshinlokun, who is from the Central. Following initial intrigues, horse trading, negotiations, arm twisting and high-wire politicking, it was gathered that some members decided to queue behind Eshinlokun for speakership, while some queue behind others and some are undecided. Eshinlokun, is said to be the candidate of APC national Leader and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the “Jagaban” as he’s fondly called. However, Tinubu who was yet to publicly endorse him as at press time, eventhough it was gathered that mercenaries had been sent in

motion to convince other members to support Eshinlokun’s ambition who is the anointed candidate. He might have difficult time convincing his colleagues because they (colleagues) believe that he has lost touch with legislative matters because of his absence since 1999. Another obstructing factor is that Eshinlokun has a pending court case with a fellow party member, Hakeem Masha, over who was the legal candidate to represent APC in the election to represent Lagos Island 1. Another stumbling block to Eshinlokun’s ambition is that the current Speaker, Ikuforiji prefer to give it to his stooge and ally, Abiru, in order to fully cover his tracks after leaving office. Meanwhile, Obasa is said to be a non indigene, from Ewekoro in Ogun State. The house would not want a situation where the speaker will be seen as a nonLagosian as the case against the governor- elect, who is said to be from Ondo State. Moreso, there is one Abiru as the Clerk of the House, so the issue of Abiru as speaker and Continues on page 5

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 — 5

LAGOS STATE

Baby born with traditional beads in Lagos By Monsuru Olowoopejo

On the signs discovered during her pregnancy, Funke noted that prior to her discovery, she couldn’t sleep comfortably for two months

ESPITE adopting several family planning strategies, a 52-year-old grandmother, Mrs. Funke Adamson, has ended up giving birth to a baby girl clutching white ‘Ileke’ (Yoruba name for beads) on her hands. Funke, a traditional worshipper said she was delivered of the baby that has now been described by many as a “miracle child” on Monday, May 11, 2015 at a Trado-medical home in Apapa. Speaking to Vanguard, she said: “I received a message from an Osun Custodian who said that a child is on the way for me. I didn’t believe him. I didn’t realize until the baby was three and half month old when I began to experienced flow of membranous fluid.” When Vanguard visited the home of the Adamson at No.16 Olayinka Street, Ijora, Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, LCDA last Monday during the naming ceremony, it was gathered that Funke and her husband, Mr. Hamzat Adamson, 63-year-old never planned to have a child at this time. Sources said that Funke who celebrated her 50 years birthday two years ago had already entered her menopause age. The baby named Bukola came three years after another 32-year-old single mother, Mrs. Kikelomo Ilori was delivered of a baby boy in a Cherubim & Seraphim Church, purportedly clutching a Holy Quran. On the signs discovered during her pregnancy,

Continues from page 4 the Clerk did not augur well with members. Abiru, not wanting to let go has also employed the support of Hon. Oshinowo, popularly called “Pepper,” and House of Representatives memberelect, Kosofe in the quest to change Asiwaju’s decision and endorse him, Obasa as the anointed candidate. It was gathered that many attempts to see Asiwaju on the matter have not yielded any positive result. Hence, the game continues.

• Baby Bukola Funke noted that prior to her discovery, she couldn’t sleep comfortably for two months. “So I started praying before I later discovered that I was pregnant. Also, while trying to open a perfume, it caught fire, which made me suffer severe burns. After

discovering the pregnancy, I couldn’t sleep without having a dream. In these dreams, I often found myself sitting at the shore,” Funke added. After her birth, the grandmother explained that the traditional healers who attended to her raised alarm that they found the baby

clutching white beads. “When I heard this, I was afraid. I told them to inform my husband for any possible solution. Rather than demand that they discard the beads, he said they should be kept. After regaining my strength I removed the beads and tied it on her wrist,” she said.

Corroborating her story, the husband, Hamzat said “I was surprised when I saw the baby delivered holding beads in his hands. But I realized that the beads are important and that was why we have decided not to throw it away.” Similarly, Rashidat Ojesanmi, the Osun custodian who gave the family the prophesy said “I was consulting the deities when I got the revelation that she would be blessed with a unique gift, which I told her. But she didn’t believe. Later, when the revelation was further revealed that she will be blessed with an important child, she declined, saying that she cannot conceive at her age. She said so because of the family planning she had earlier done and considering her age. But as prophesied, few months later, she called me and told me of the signs she discovered.” Also speaking, a midwife, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemo, described the case as one out of ten cases, saying “it is rare to have such cases because at this age, the woman may have entered menopause stage.”

Tinubu, Lagos lawmakers-elect in ding-dong over Ikuforiji’s replacement Osun and Yishawu are also not giving up easily. They have embarked on one-onone canvassing with members. While Osun is enjoying some attention, Yishawu is not, as he is considered to be too ambitious and arrogant for the job. Interestingly, Hon. Tejuosho, who many believed has gathered enough legislative experience, coupled with her profession

as a Lawyer, is still unsure to replace Ikuforiji’s. Her close links with APC strong member, Muiz Banire, is likely to affect her ambition because of the frosty relationship between Banire and Tinubu. Members believe that if she eventually becomes the speaker it will be difficult for Tinubu, who is the godfather to many to shadow and control the speaker. There is murmuring among

members to reject any imposed candidate on the assembly, warning against the repeat of 1999 episode, when the majority candidate for speakership, Hon. Ola Animashaun was consumed at the 11th hour by the power that be then and Hon Olurunnibe Mammora, in a twist of fate, emerged the speaker. Though, the incident saw members of the house throwing chairs at one another during the session of

the election. According to one of the members-elect who preferred anonymity, “The Assembly is supposed to be independent, hence, we should be left alone to choose our own popular leader rather than imposition. The era of imposition in the assembly is over. We have brilliant members now and we are ready to go the whole hug to stop any form of imposition.”

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

OYO STATE

How Ajumose shuttle officials outsmart Oyo govt — Investigation By Ola Ajayi, Fisayo Ogunwale & Bukola Ifegbayi

HEN the idea of mass transit was initiated by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration, it had the intention of increasing the internally generated revenue which was too low to meet various developmental needs of the state. Also, the transportation scheme tagged, ‘Ajumose shuttle’ was aimed at reducing the transportation problem of millions of people in the Pacesetter State. The initiative effectively checked the excesses of commercial drivers who before, then were fond of introducing outrageous fares at any slightest opportunity. So, when the buses which are painted in golden yellow and wine, being the newly introduced official colour of the Oyo State government,

were sent to all nooks and crannies of the state, many people applauded the move. The government also took a giant stride by making the buses free for all students in the state both public and private schools. The workers in the state are also enjoying the gesture free of charge to and fro. Since the Ajumose shuttle was launched in April, 2013, residents in the state irrespective of your political inclination, queue in large numbers waiting for the arrival of the Ajumose buses in designated bus stops. For the residents, they only pay highly subsidized fare which forced the commercial drivers in the state who had been milking passengers dry by introducing unaffordable fare to reduce their fares. As soon as you board the bus, you pay your money and a ticket is given to you by the bus conductors. The tickets are printed in various denominations ranging from

• Ajumose shuttle picking passengers in Ibadan C M Y K

N20 to N50 depending on the distance you want to cover. The amount of money realized from sale of ticket will be remitted to their supervisors at the end of the day. This was how the

With the sharp practices of these drivers, government officials in charge of the buses need to do more monitoring to ensure that the internally generated revenue of the government is not depleted by these illegal acts

scheme was being run until some of the hired bus conductors apparently in connivance with drivers started introducing some sharp practices which will surely have serious financial consequences on the government. Vanguard having noticed some discrepancies by the officials of the Ajumose Shuttle, boarded the buses to different parts of the state. Investigations revealed that government purse will be depleted from time to time due to the unwholesome behaviours of some of the drivers. Different methods are employed by the drivers and conductors assigned to the buses. They either don’t give tickets to passengers on the flimsy excuses that tickets are in short supply or collect the tickets after each passenger alights from the bus only to give that same ticket to other passengers boarding the buses. When Vanguard correspondent boarded one

of the buses from Eleyele to Ologuneru, tickets were given out normally to passengers and this continued until the evening when everybody was rushing home. By this time, the conductors collect the money without giving out any ticket. The same thing was observed from Iwo road to Molete, challenge, Orita Challenge and other routes. Speaking with one of the regular passengers of the Ajumose buses who preferred not to be named, he said, “the only thing I notice in the morning is that we queued up to pay and were given ticket before we boarded the bus. But, in the evening around 6:30pm when going back home we usually rush into the buses. By the time we sit down, they collect money from us without giving ticket. Another passenger, Abosede Bodunrin said, “I am not a regular passenger. But whenever I decide to use the bus, I don’t collect ticket. They just collect money from me. Another passenger who is a lady said, “this scheme is a wonderful initiative by the government. But, what I have observed sometimes when I board this bus is that we queue and are given tickets. But, as you alight, you return the tickets to the conductor, the purpose of this I don’t know”. Apparently suspicious that the game is over, some of the drivers spoken to refused to make comments. They claim they are not authorized to talk to the press and the moment they know that newsmen are on board, they do the right thing. When asked why some passengers give them back the tickets, some say what will they do with a torn ticket adding that it is a big relief if they(conductors) decide to hold it. It was discovered that some of the passengers did not know why the conductors collect the tickets. But, some enlightened passengers do insist on collecting their tickets because of the inscription on the bus that if a passenger fails to present his ticket at the exit door, he will be liable to a fine of N5,000 or risked being taken to court. With the sharp practices of these drivers, government officials in charge of the buses need to do more monitoring to ensure that the internally generated revenue of the government is not depleted by these illegal acts.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 — 7

OYO STATE

•Governor Ajimobi exchanging pleasantries with Oyo workers when the going was good

By Ola Ajayi & Bukola Ifegbayi

HIS is certainly not the best time for artisans in Oyo State. None of them could have prayed for a time like this. The unpaid accumulated salaries of civil servants in the state is taking its toll on them. In fact, many of them have been frustrated out of their chosen skills. They have turned to sudden commercial motorcyclists popularly called okada riders. Before the March 28 and April 11 elections, they had taken solace in aligning with a political party not probably for the interest they have for it but just to eke out a living. But, now that political activities are at its lowest ebb in the state, there is virtually no way out for them. Instead of being engaged, some use their productive hours to sleep and yawn intermittently an indication that their stomach is empty. When Vanguard moved round Ibadan metropolis, some of artisans interviewed, lamented seriously blaming their fate for not being educated. Mr. Bashiru Ayanrin, tailor, a middle aged man said, “the delayed payment of workers salaries has affected me because there are so me clothes I have sown which customers are C M Y K

Oyo civil servants groan, decry unpaid salaries yet to come and collect. And this is affecting my financial responsibility at home. Customers are not bringing clothes to sow like before. The ones they have brought and I have sown, they have not come to collect them. So, this has really affected the artisans. I have been coping from my savings. I am pleading with Ajimobi to pay civil servants before things get out of hand. As it is now, anything can happen. You might be going along the road and your bag gets snatched. Imagine a person who is hungry who has tried to borrow some amount of money but could not get it, he can do just anything”. As fashion designers are crying, petty traders too are not left out stressing that money is so scarce that you wonder who actually you can go to for any help. Everywhere is very dry. Not that there is no rainfall, but for lack of money. Mrs. Abiodun Oluwatola, a petty trader who is a grandmother. As for me, it is difficult to fend for myself. If not for my children who

have been sustaining me, I would have died of hunger. “I know they are trying, but you know if I had my own thriving business, I would not look up to them. Remember, also that they have their own challenges to tackle. They have their children to cater for. It sounds so odd if you say today, send money to me, tomorrow send me card. I am just looking at myself more or less like a useless woman today because there

A government worker contracted this burglary proof to me. He could only pay one quarter of the money

is too much demand. I appeal to the government to pay the workers salaries so that things would change. As for Kazeem Adeyemo, a house painter, “the situation is having too much effect on artisans. We all rely on salaries of workers. It is when they receive their salaries that they remember to give their houses a face lift. It is when they get their monthly pay that they buy foodstuff, pay school fees and even fix their faulty vehicles. To worsen the situation, price of petrol is not affordable to most artisans. You know there is erratic power supply and this is what most of them rely on to get their businesses moving and when they try to buy generators, fuel has suddenly become a scarce commodity. Since the beginning of this year, I have been staying here because I have no other place I can go to. The situation is so tense that to cater for children at home becomes a huge problem. I have been dependent on my friends”.

Monday Joseph from Ondo State is a motorcycle repairer at Mokola area, Ibadan. According to him, since the story is not palatable in his place of work, he has turned to an okada rider. Government should answer civil servants so that the effects could trickle down to us. Let me add this, the government should not try to ban okada as the action will be too suicidal for us because that is our last hope for now”. The story is not different with Mr. S. A Odedokun, a welder, said it is not easy to imagine what is happening to artisans. To him, government workers still have a way out. If the salary is late, some day, they will be paid. The same is not for artisans. Ours is no work no money. “A government worker contracted this burglary proof to me. He could only pay one quarter of the money. For months now, I have not seen him. That is just one example. Please, help us tell the government to do something very urgent about this. It is going beyond endurance”, he lamented.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

OSUN STATE By Gbenga Olarinoye

OR nurses under the umbrella of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife chapter, 2015 International Nurses Week was an opportunity for them to come together and discuss on how to re-dedicate themselves and make better impact in the nursing profession. The week started on Sunday, 10th May, 2015 but climaxed on Tuesday, 12th May, 2015 with a lecture given by A professor of Nursing, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun state, Prof. Ezekiel Ajao on the theme: “Nurses: A Force For Change; Care Effective, Cost Effective.” It was a day Florence Nightingale, the founder of professional nursing figuratively ressurected as her impacts in health care delivery were commended. Particularly, the nurses and midwives in OAUTHC, Ile-Ife were commended for their dedication to the work of saving lives as they were encouraged not to feel inferior to medical doctors. Declaring the ceremony open, Osun state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola showered encomium on the nurses saying they are indispensable force in the health sector. The governor then advised the nurses to always display prudence in delivering their service that was what Florence Nightingale was known for. Aregbesola said his administration had taken holistic view into the health sector in the state through one of its six pint integral action plan; Restoration of a good healthy living. Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Prof. Victor Adebayo Adetiloye praised NANNM of the hospital advising them not to be dettered by the harsh economic condition battling the country. According to Adetiloye, “we (nurses) don’t know worth as nurses. You may not believe it, I feel very comfortable among our nurses. They are caring and immaculate. There was a reduction in our personnel allocation, we have to re-adjust and re-arrange our priorities because of the dwindling economy facing the country. While advising the medical practitioners to maintain the high standard nursing profession has attained and shun mediocrity, Prof. Adetiloye said “if there is no self-change, we cannot achieve anything collectively. He added “be mindful of the unity among yourselves. In health sector, there is healthy rivalry and as nurses, we cannot do without that. Shun internal bickering and acrimony; uphold ethical rules, respect your seniors, don’t play politics with the issue of your profession in order not to be left behind. C M Y K

•Cultural troups entertaining guests on the occasion

When Osun nurses celebrate International Day “Nursing has grown tremendously and you should endeavour to maintain that standard and do away with mediocrity. Make a resolution that you will leave this profession better than the way you met it. Also addressing the immaculate-looking nurses adorned in their uniform, the Director of Nursing Services in Osun state Ministry of Health, Mrs. Victoria Ogunfowokan urged them to always imbibe in the virtues of Florence Nightingale. She charged them to be more dedicated to their duties and maintain a high sense of attitudinal change and discipline in caring for the sick and ensuring that the sick are are well taken care off. . The chairman of the occasion, Elder Lawrence Adewoyin

Nursing profession has contributed significantly to the health care delivery globally in general and in Nigeria in particular

expressed pleasure at the doggedness and prudence inherent in the nursing profession thus advised them to further promote these sterling qualities in the day to day discharge of their life-saving duties. Speaking at the occasion, the local chairman of NANNM, OAUTHC, comrade Olasunkanmi BuKola Toyin chronicled how the celebration of nurses week named after the founder of the modern day nursing, Florence Nightingale started in 1965. The ceremony also witnessed a cultural dance by a dancing troupe while participants expressed gratitude to the leadership of NANNM of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife for a wellpanned week. In her address, the chairperson of local organizing committee of the Nurses week, Mrs Maureen Arit Adekoya, stated that as role models, Nurses across the globe are encouraged to organise programmes that will contribute to quality patient care and healthy living of people living within their immediate society through community service and customer friendly initiatives. According to her, “the public lecture will expose Nurses to how they especially in their environment are reinforce to change, stressing that the scientific session, symposium and other events that took place, are aimed at bringing solutions to how Nurses can effectively manage cost in health care system.

Her words, “the objective of the INW 2015 conference is to update Nurses and health care providers on how we can give quality health care. It will also provide an opportunity to deliberate on possible ways of upgrading health care in Nigeria.” “The conference will be an avenue for younger colleagues to get hands-on experience on procedures in the nursing field and to benefit from the reservoir of knowledge of professionals in the field.” Medical Expert Asks Nurses To Lobby For Political Appointments In his lecture, a professor of Nursing at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun state, Prof. Ezekiel Ajao has charged Nurses and Midwives to participate actively in political process and also lobby for political appointments with a view to repositioning the nation’s health sector. Prof. Ajao gave the charge

at the 2015 International Nurses Week organised by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife chapter. Speaking as a guest lecturer on the theme: “Nurses: A Force For Change; Care Effective, Cost Effective”, Prof. Ajao who noted that nurses and midwives occupy more than 60 percent of the workforce in the health sector urged them to engage in politics and lobby for appointments such as Minister of Health or Board Chairman of health institutions. Prof. Ajao, who is the Dean, School of Nursing at Babcock varsity also asked private duty nurses to engage in group practices and encourage joint industrial negotiation. His words: Nurses and midwives should participate actively in policy formulation, participate in political process and lobby for political appointments such as Minister of Health or Board Chairman.”

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo Ikenna Asomba

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 33

Interview not built in a day. So what we are trying to do is to do it gradually because there are cost implications. Before now we are represented in each of the geopolitical zones plus Lagos. So what the board approves for us is to have a second location in each of the geopolitical zones. We have six geopolitical zones in the country that means six locations. The Osun state government recently came here and said we have an office just bring staff. We couldn’t resist it and as Waheed Olagunju mentioned, Cross River state has also come here and tell us we have three options come and choose out of the three locations and tell us which one you want. So it is a matter of developmental interest that each state manifest. We will go to as many states as possible overtime as much as our resources allow and as much as states want to support us to be able to set up the offices.

loans are BoI MD

signed MoU, it is statematching fund. Matching fund means BoI brings 50 percent, the state government brings 50 percent. So if the loan goes bad, we suffer a loss up to 50 percent. The states government sometimes, they want to get BoI to do a kind of loans that ordinarily we won’t accept. So what we do in that case is we have provisos in the agreement that allows the states to fund such loans from only their own portion and that gives us sufficient protection. On expansion of BoI to other states, well, Rome was

What advice would you give to the incoming government? I think I have said some of these things already. For me it is important that we begin to run Nigeria like we are now an important company in the international economic environment. We are no longer an African economy. When you become number 21 and never watch your back; there is what we call strategic national interest. We need to define what is strategic in our national interest and to protect those interests at all cost because there are countries that will deliberately take steps to undermine Nigeria’s interests. People always complain about imports from Asia; they are all national interests; what are you doing to pursue yours. For me that is very important. And the other thing is the fact that as everybody has seen in the last election, accountability is being brought to the fore and their consequences is also coming to the fore and this can permeates to all aspect of national life. At BoI, our staff knows that there are consequences for bad behaviours and for good behaviours. If you behave well, this is what is going to happen; if you behave badly this is what is going to happen. I think that is how nations grow. If 200 people gather at Murtala Mohammed Airport, going to London, you see rowdiness but the same people, six hours later, arrived at Heathrow Airport, they behave orderlythe same people- why? It is

because they are now in a different environment where there are consequences. So government should make sure they let people know that there are consequences for their actions. Are you working with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to support clusters?

Yes, I have had meeting with the Director General and we have tried to identify all the clusters. We have mandated our regional heads and state officers to identify the clusters and we will build products around them. A director once shared with me how they set up SMEs rating agency in India and also the Small

Solid minerals are big businesses but we need to make sure we do the right thing by developing a comprehensive and detailed geological data. Botswana earns over $3 billion annually from gold mining; the same way Nigeria earns more than 90 percent of foreign exchange from crude oil, is how Zambia earns more than 90 percent of their foreign exchange from copper

•Rasheed Olaoluwa

Industries development Bank of India. Now they have over 1,000 clusters in India. So we are going to work with these institutions so that we can learn best practices to implement here in Nigeria. The rest of the world is moving and we don’t want to be left behind. Has your bank done thorough r i s k s assessments in the Solid minerals; what do you identify as the risks in the sector? Thank you so much. I agree with you clearly from a risk management perspective artisan mining is not the way forward. I am aware that there was a law that

was passed in 2007, the Solid Minerals and Mining Act of 2007. That law is world class. What we now need to do is to implement the policy regime around solid minerals. And luckily, the Mining Act has provision for small scale mining leases; so even if it is just one local government, you can get a small scale mining lease; you can go and do your own exploration and all that. I think what is missing in our solid mineral space in Nigeria, is that as a country, we have not develop a comprehensive and detailed geological data. So my advice to the incoming administration is that the government should fund a detailed geological data for Nigeria. Geological data is what will tell you that in this location we have so and so quantity of solid mineral, etc. Once we have done that, we can now go ahead and conduct international bid the same way we did to GSM companies. They will come and bid, bring the money and develop the industry. Botswana earns over $3 billion annually from gold mining. The same way Nigeria earns more than 90 percent of our foreign exchange from crude oil, is how Zambia earns more than 90 percent of their foreign exchange from copper. So solid minerals are big businesses but we need to make sure we do the right thing. Are you really where you are in terms of recapitalization? Today BoI’s authorized capital is N250 billion, of which paid up capital is N146 billion. You are aware that government has been taking steps to priavtise BoI. In fact, just two days ago at BPE, they opened a financial bid for the appointment of advisers. So, going, not gone yet, there is a process that is ongoing. What is the exact strategy to priavtise the bank in terms of what percentage is sold we don’t know. All we know is that it is going to be partial privatisation. We do not know what the position of the incoming administration is going to be. These are the things going on. But beyond recapitalization; our capital has always come from government. We want to take step to make sure we look for funding from other sources. This is why we are now doing rating. What is your take on the SMEs Development Bank? It has been launched. I don’t think they have any office yet and I am not aware of any MD appointment. Again, we keep our fingers crossed

34 —Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Insurance

NCRIB board member emerges LLTC President

he Lagos Lawn Te n n i s Club has elected a new President. He is Barrister Rotimi Edu, a Registered Insurance Broker and Chairman of the West African Insurance Brokers Association (WAIBA). Edu, a product of the Lagos State Polytechnic and the University of Lagos where he studied Insurance and Law respectively, has promised to bring to bear his repertoire of knowledge in taking the club to higher heights. In his acceptance speech at the end of the election, Edu described his emergence as an opportunity to serve, continue with the good work of his predecessors and the optimism of members about the future of the club through hard work. The newly elected President of the club vowed to upgrade the standard of the club in many ramifications stressing that his regime would facilitate improved relationship with other clubs, both locally and internationally as well as initiate fruitful liaison with government and private sector. He further disclosed such plans as the establishment of men’s shop, facility upgrade for improved club’s image, ambiance for relaxation, corporate membership, vigorous promos and sponsorship drive, LLTC visa card for cashless transaction structure management and quality staffing. He is currently the Executive Vice Chairman of Quicklink Insurance Brokers Limited, Principal Partner of Fountain Court Partners-Firm of Solicitors, Council Member of Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Chairman of the West African Insurance Brokers Forum, Council Member of the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), Member, Chartered Institute of Insurance and ex officio executive member, LLTC.

Enforcement of group life will improve insurance penetration By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

nforcement of compulsory insurances like group life assurance cover for employees and the mandatory pension for employees will improve insurance penetration in the country Group Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi expressed this optimism adding that insurers however need to play their role effectively. He said, “With the inception of national insurance culture by the enactment of Insurance Act no 1 of 2003 and the pension reform Act 2004 and 2014, insurance consciousness and penetration will improve with the enforcement of compulsory insurances like group life assurance cover for employees and the mandatory pension for employees both in the public sector, organised private sector and even the unorganised private sector including the self-employed. “Much as pension scheme has been removed from the control of the traditional custodian what is left for insurers is to contribute our quota to the successful management of pension scheme by advising on areas of short comings and commending positive steps in the right direction,’ Ogunbiyi said. He noted that the pension scheme was removed from insurers custody not by the precept of fraud, inefficiency nor inadequacy but because it was never imagined nor ever proposed that the Nigerian insurers could have paid-up share capital of N5 billion nor ever have annual turnover of N25 billion. “Though belated, insurance companies now have paid-up capital in excess of N5 billion, turn over in excess of N25 billion and asset base of over N50 billion. By continuous constructive engagements, insurer inescapable position shall be surely appreciated,” he said. Ogunbiyi added that insurers’ advertisement through bill boards, radio jingles and television programmes will accelerate insurance acceptance, deepen pension practice and the spread of insurance benefits to all. The Mutual Benefits boss said that purposes of pension practice is to guarantee a

comfortable retirement life after years of active work or professional practice; the assurance that the standard of life previously enjoyed prior to retirement is sustained without any appreciable deterioration; as well as the purpose of ensuring individuals independence from constituting a burden on the state, community or relatives after retirement.

Others are that remuneration package which includes mouthwatering retirement benefits is a veritable instrument to attract and retain quality workforce; could become family income benefits for the dependants of a long serving employee as pension is converted to annuities for life of last survivor; pension scheme is a potent means of aggregating

cheap investible fund for the development of industry and revamping economic activities; as well as that pension practice generates peculiar expertise in long term financial management such as actuaries, corporate investors, fund manager, turf auditors and tax experts whose skills are required.

‘Standing still in a changing market is to fall behind’ TO stand still in an insurance and reinsurance market that is undergoing fundamental structural change, is to fall behind, say analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, KBW. Given the way the reinsurance market is changing it is seen as increasingly risky to try to carry on regardless, with little or no strategy for responding to the impact of lower rates, abundant capacity and growing competition from new business models,

alternative capital and insurance-linked securities (ILS). Hence there is need for insurance and reinsurance firms to, rather than be fearful, embrace change, innovate, leverage new capital sources and new technologies, in order to adapt to changing market conditions and remain relevant. KBW’s analysts went further, saying that standing still and watching the market changing before your eyes can only result in re/insurers

CONFERENCE: From left: Kyari Bukar (MD/CEO CSCS); Lamido Yuguda (Director of Reserve Management, (CBN); Kemi Adewole (President, AACN) and Head, Citibank Securities Service; Adeolu bajomo, (ED, Market Operations and Technology, NSE) at the just concluded 4th Association of Asset Custodian of Nigeria, AACN, annual investors conference in London.

being left behind. KBW said that most insurers and reinsurers are now seeking to move forward, despite the challenging market environment that they face. Some form of focus on innovation is evident at the majority of companies, ranging from a focus on efficiency, new product development, customised solution offerings, or a focus on expanding teams. “Market relevance is clearly a goal with the majority of reinsurance firms eager to move beyond being seen as commoditised capacity providers.” These “ value-added” approaches represent the traditional reinsurance market’s basic response to alternative capital, the analysts explain. One of the factors noticed by KBW, during a recent trip to meet insurance and reinsurance companies is a growing focus on technology at specialty insurers. These efforts seek to streamline sourcing of wholesale risks, which could enable commissions to be lowered making companies more competitive. Examples such as Hamilton Re’s focus on technology on both the investment and underwriting side of the business represent an example of potential insurance industry disruption, the analysts explained. Positive steps need to be taken in order to position re/ insurance companies to continue to profit, in the new lower rate insurance and reinsurance environment. With no sign of price improvements coming any time soon, except for after a major capital draining event, re/insurers need to keep moving, keep progressing new initiatives and keep innovating if they are to remain relevant.

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 35

konjo-Iwela directs SURE-P toterminate pact with firm.”PUNCH, May 15, 2015, p 9. In one of her last facesaving measures, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinationg Minister for the Economy, CME, “directed the immediate termination of the partnership between the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme a n d Fo rc e c o m N e t w o r k s Limited on the Graduate Internship Scheme.” Even before reading the story to the end, something told me that it was another contract given to one of “our brothers” which now threatens to put everybody in trouble when the new government takes office in June. And sure (pardon the pun) enough, the Managing D i re c t o r of Fo rc e c o m Networks turned out to be one Paul Okafor, who allegedly “coerced the interns to sign an undertaking to pay N7,500 out of their monthly stipend for training with the Lekki Business School.” “She also alleged that the company fraudulently convinced the graduates to register in January 2015 but set their hire date as November 2, 2014.” Earlier on after asking security agencies to investigate the firm, “she also accused the firm for presenting time sheets, which showed that the interns had worked and requested payment of their monthly stipend when they did not work.” On the face of the allegations made by the

Another ‘Genius’ Fails Nigeria: Okonjo-Iweala (1) o u t g o i n g M i n i s t e r, w h a t emerges is a case of the Ministry engaging a firm for serious national assignment without asking the security agencies to conduct investigation first. That paints the Minister as a most careless individual in high office. The obvious question one should ask is: how was Forcecom selected in the first instance and handed a multibillion n a i r a contract w i t h o u t conducting due diligence regarding its competence to undertake t h e assignment and the character of its leaders? Specifically, w h o recommended Forcecom for t h e assignment and why? We will return to this matter later because it is a demonstration of a character trait which the outgoing Minister apparently possesses but which we have all overlooked all along. An attempt to obtain infor mation on Forcecom Networks Limited on the

internet ended in a blank website, but, which certainly had only recently been erased. Forcecom Networks Limited obviously has a lot to hide. It would have amounted to a waste of valuable time to try and Google Paul Okafor. That makes as much sense as searching for Bello in Ilorin or John Smith in the New York telephone directory. However, Mr Pa u l Okafor of Forcecom and his accomplices in what appears like several crimes can run but they cannot hide. The media will find them –not to persecute them but to help them tell their own side of the story. What the Minister, apparently in panic, had presented as a simple case of s e v e r a l

More recently, the Minister of Finance had exhibited conduct which called her professionalism into question

attempts to defraud the Federal Government and the beneficiaries of the Scheme might actually be part of a grand design to rake off funds by politicians – using Forcecom as a front. It is inconceivable that Forcecom can act alone without

assurances of protection from powerful individuals. Nigerians want to know the p o w e r s b e h i n d Fo rc e c o m which guaranteed the company immunity, before the result of the Presidential Election, in March, exposed e v e r y b o d y, i n c l u d i n g t h e Minister, to prosecution. That is why Mr Okafor should not run or hide. As for the Minister now blowing the whistle, two facts about her have escaped notice for a long time. As mentioned above, something told me that one of “our brothers” must own the firm. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala ran the Ministry of Finance as if the Federal Character principle never existed until after the elections. The Chief Executive Officers of AMCON, Debt Management Office, NEXIM, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were all from the same zone of Nigeria; so is the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – whose appointment she must have influenced. No other Ministry had been so onesided. For her, equity be damned. Incidentally, that was what happened on her first tour of duty as Finance Minister. T h a t Fo r c e c o m , n o w being accused of frauds, belongs to “our brothers” and was not subject to due diligence merely recalls what G o v e r n o r- e l e c t , E l -R u f a i , wrote about her (Thanks to

P r o f I k i r i a l e o f S U N D AT PU C H f o r t h e re m i n d e r ) : “Ngozi had very good relationships with all manner of politicians… and she indeed had excellent relationships with some of the ‘corrupt’ legislators and governors many of them whom the rest of us would not say hello to…A few contradictions that irked us were persistent rumours that her brothers were doing deals in the Ministry of Finance and making money.” (Nasir E l -R u f a i , in THE A C C I D E N TA L PU B L I C SERVANT, page 177). ElRufai’s book had been in circulation for more than two years and Okonjo-Iweala had ample time to refute the statement. Can silence mean anything? More recently, the Minister of Finance had exhibited conduct which called her professionalism into q u e s t i o n . N o Tr e a s u r y Secretary (Minister of Finance) in the USA, where she went to two universities, would attend a campaign rally of the President he/she serves. Ngozi not only did, she was totally oblivious of the fact that she was a public servant – meaning servant of all Nigerians, not PDP. That again is another reason Paul Okafor should not run away or hide. She who comes to equity must come with clean hands. It is doubtful if the Minister’s hands are clean – even on this matter. NEXT: NGOZI OKONJOI W E A L A’ S PAT H E T I C SELF-ASSESSMENT.

Micro-Finance

Micro finance Platform holds corporate governance symposium

tories by Providence Obuh

Nigerian Micro finance Platform, under the auspices of AFOS-LAPO Micro finance Bank Project in collaboration with Accion Micro finance Bank, is set to hold its inaugural corporate governance symposium. The symposium scheduled to , hold on May 26 2015 in Lagos, is themed: “The Cost/ Consequences of Bad Corporate Governance” According to a statement, “the symposium seeks to find resolutions towards enhancing sustainability and facilitating co-operation among stakeholders in the micro finance sector. “The platform aims to

sensitize major stakeholders in the sub sector on the critical issues of corporate governance, principles, standards and practices and thus enhancing the understanding of issues in corporate governance and the imperatives for imbibing good practices in micro finance.” The event will feature the presentation of three lead papers with a discussion panel made up of eminent speakers from the micro finance sector, as well as experts in corporate governance, banking, legal, academia and regulatory authorities. Dignitaries expected at the event include: Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi, Director of Other Financial Institution Supervision Department

(OFISD), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to chair the event, Dr. Lucy Newman, C E O / M a n a g i n g D i re c t o r,

Financial Institutions Training Center (FITC). Mrs. Cynthia Ikponmwosa, D i re c t o r, Company Secretariat, of the Legal and Compliance department, LAPO MfB, Dr. Sola David-Borha, MD/CEO

Stanbic IBTC Holding, Dr. Fa b i a n Ajogwu, SAN, Pr i n c i p a l Pa r t n e r, K e a n a Partners, and the cofounder/ Fellow, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, among others.

Sonul Laundry opens in PH

laundry firm, Sonul Dry Cleaners has made its debut in Port Harcourt with a view to offering laundry and dry cleaning services such as alteration and repairs; wedding gown; industrial/home cleaning; pest control and fumigation, among others. Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Stephen Nwulu, Sonul Dry Cleaners are equipped with the latest automated gadgets and equipment to provide total cleaning experience. Nwulu explained that as a result of busy schedule, many people are always worrying of what to wear, especially to occasions because they were not ironed. “Others like myself who travel at short notice need to have clean and ready ironed clothes at all times, hence the desire of Sonul to take off that stress from people,” he stated.

He maintained that Sonul is open to everybody that desire quality dry cleaning services, stressing that the company is equipped with the most modern gadgets to meet customer demand and satisfaction. “Just drop your garments with us and within minutes you pick them up, no stress, no hassles, that’s the automation we are talking about.” “At Sonul, we not only wash your clothes, mend them as the case may be, but we also treat them so that it lasts longer for you. What people don’t know is that fabrics, like cars or machines are treated to prolong their lifespan. This is the kind of service we are bringing to residents of Port Harcourt as well as pest control and fumigation, cleaning support services and consulting,” he said.

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

E-Commerce

AIG-Express targets 100, 000 jobs across Africa Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

joint e-commerce l o g i s t i c s initiative, AIG Express, launched recently by Rocket Internet backed online retailer, Jumia.com and online m a r k e t p l a c e , Kaymu.com wants to create about 100, 000 jobs across the different countries they operate in across Africa. The new service which

aims to highlight an emerging ecosystem of jobs in e-commerce will also focus on operations management and infrastructure development. According to the online ventures, the first goal of the venture will be to create 100,000 jobs in Africa in logistic services. The group said the initiative is its response to the rapid growth of African e-commerce.

AIG Express plans to integrate existing logistics providers into a single network that will meet the growing needs of online sellers across the continent. Nigeria - Global CEO at AIG-Express, Indrek Heinloo who is leading the initiative across Africa said: “We’re currently delivering up to 100,000 packages a day for Jumia and Kaymu, and we expect this number to grow

around five times by end of 2015. In order to provide convenient, fast and friendly customer service, we need to quickly scale up the delivery network.” “AIG Express intends to work closely with local logistics entrepreneurs to fill these gaps by implementing technology and training to handle e-commerce logistics. We have developed an approach

which will help logistics companies in Africa become as effective as the companies in more developed markets. We provide a common platform that would link all logistics providers and enable serving the demand of online customers. Through consolidation of volumes from ecommerce platforms such as Jumia and Kaymu, we provide a constant stream of

business which can help logistics companies to grow. We already have a number of companies incorporated to our network – from established logistics companies with decades of experience to newly created local ventures – several of which have been created by African entrepreneurs specifically on the backbone of Africa Internet Group’s businesses.” Also speaking, CoCEO Africa Internet Group, Sacha Poignonnec said: “When we look at unemployment rates, and when we see the growth of e-commerce, we are optimistic about the opportunities this new industry brings.

Konga to offer appbased discounts of up to 75%

igeria’s online marketplace, Konga.com has announced a mobile application based sales discounts for its customers across the country. Tagged ‘Big App Sale Promotion’ the company said the mobile discounted sales will take place from the 28th of May to 1st of June, 2015. According to the company: “During this period, the Konga.com website will direct all visitors to the Konga app to ensure all customers avail themselves of the great deals that would be exclusively found on the Konga app. However, the site will continue to be accessible via phones with Windows or Blackberry OS. “Imagine a brand new Kia Rio car selling at a whooping discount of N660, 000 off! This and many more mouthwatering deals on automobile, the latest fashion, mobile phones, computers, home and kitchen appliances will be on Konga with the ‘Big App Sale.’ Shoppers downloading the app for the first time will also win a free N2, 000 vouchers after their first purchase through the Konga Mobile App.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 37

Tax Matters

he idea of introducing VAT in Nigeria came from the study group set up by the Federal Government in 1991 to review the entire tax system. VAT was proposed and a committee was set up to carry out feasibility studies on its implementation. In January, 1993, the then government agreed to introduce VAT by the middle of the year. It was st later shifted to 1 September, 1993 by which time the relevant legislation would have been made and proper ground work done. The actual implementation however, did not commence until January 1994 after the promulgation of the Value Added Tax Decree No. 102 of 1993. According to the decree, a ‘VATable’ organization is an existing manufacturer, distributor, importer or supplier of goods and services. VAT as Replacement for Sales Tax. The rationale behind replacing Sales Tax with VAT was informed by a number of factors and considerations, notable among these are: The base of the Sales Tax in Nigeria as operated under Decree No. 7 of 1986 is narrow. It covers only nine categories of goods plus sales and services in registered hotels, motels and similar establishments. The narrow base of the tax negates the fundamental principle of consumption tax which by nature is expected to cut across all consumable goods and services. VAT base is broader and includes most professional services and banking transactions which are high profit-generating sectors. Only locally manufactured goods were targeted by the Sales Tax Decree of 1986, although this might not have been the intention of the law. VAT is neutral in this regard. Under VAT; a consideration part of the tax to be realized is from imported goods. This means that under the new VAT; locally manufactured goods will not be placed at a disadvantage relative to imports. Since VAT is based on the general consumption behaviour of the people, the expected high yield from it will boost the revenue collectible by governments with the minimum resistance from taxpayers. Definition VAT is a consumption tax payable on the goods and service consumed by any person, whether government agencies, business organizations or individuals.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria I The target of VAT is consumption of goods and services and unless an item is specifically exempted by law, the consumer is liable to the tax. It can also be defined as a tax on spending/consumption levied at every stage of a transaction but eventually borne by the final consumer of such goods and services. It is levied at the rate of 5%. The Nigerian VAT System has the Following Features: It is a Multi-Stage Tax System Under this principle, VAT is imposed at every stage of the production chain from the manufacturer to the consumer (see below example). Credit Mechanism In order to eliminate the cascading effect of taxation at every stage of production, a credit mechanism system is installed to allow VAT paid on imports or purchases of raw materials (input taxes) to be deducted from the VAT charged on sales (output taxes) and therefore, the tax to be paid by a taxable firm is the difference between output tax and input tax. This credit mechanism acts as a safeguard against the negative impact of the tax so that VAT is made neutral to price determination (VAT is not an element in the price). The credit mechanism also helps VAT to promote export drive in view of its neutral characteristic to international trade. In export trade, the total input taxes incurred on production is refundable. Tax Invoice System The VAT system is invoice based and not cash based. Understanding the Nigerian VAT System There are some key facts which will help us understand the implementation of VAT in Nigeria. Among these are: * VAT is a tax on consumption. The tax is borne by the final consumer of goods and services because it is included in the price paid.

* The tax is at a flat rate of 5%. * The tax is collected on behalf of the government by businesses and organizations which have registered with the Federal Inland Revenue Ser vice (FIRS) for VAT purposes. * A business or organization which has registered for VAT is classified as a “registered person”. Such persons will pay 5% VAT on goods and services purchases but can claim credit for this tax (called input tax) when sold. * 5% VAT (called output tax) is included in the price of all goods and services supplied/ sold by registered persons. * The “registered person” has to make regular VAT returns and either pays to, or receives from the FIRS, the difference of the input tax and the output tax. *VAT returns (and payments) are normally

VATable Person

Sales Price

A B C D

N 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500

made monthly to the FIRS tax offices on or before 30th day of the month following that in which the supply was made. * To claim a credit for input tax, a registered person must hold a “Tax Invoice”.

VAT base is broader and includes most professional services and banking transactions which are high profitgenerating sectors

Records and accounts have to be kept. Although VAT is a multiple stage tax, it has a single effect and does not add more than the specified rate to the consumer price no matter the number of stages at which the tax is paid. Illustration 1: If a product moves from Raw Materials Producer (A) to Manufacturer (B) at N1,000.00 then to wholesale (C) at N1,500.00, then to Retailer (D) at N2,000.00; and finally to the consumer who pays N2,500 to the Retailer, VAT payable to government at 5% rate of VAT on the product is as follows:

VAT Collected

VAT on Inputs (Input Tax)

VAT paid to government (Output VAT)

50 75 100 125 350

50 75 100 225

50 25 25 25 125

Thus, the VAT paid to government in the four transactions if N125 which is 5% of the final consumer price of N2,500.

38 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Aviation

BRIEFING: From left: Marcel Rijnbeek, General Manager, Business Development, Sea Ray and Median Yachts; Abayomi Sonuga, Chairman/CEO, Bras Marine and Yacht Services and Austin Akpovili, Managing Director, during the media briefing on the first Annual Boat and Yacht Exhibition held at Bay Lounge, Lekki, Lagos.

AIB closes investigations on four air crashes By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

he Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIB , has closed investigations and released the final reports of the investigations carried out on four accidents that occurred within the Nigerian airspace. The final reports released include that of Beechcraft 1900D with registration 5N-JAH belonging to Wings Aviation Services Air, Cessna Citation 560XLS with registration 5N-BMM belonging to Bristow Helicopters, Boeing 737-500 with registration 5N-BLE belonging to Aero Contractors and AS 350 B2 with registration 5N-BHU belonging to OAS Limited. According to Dr Felix Abali, Commissioner and CEO, AIB, “At the Accident Investigation Bureau we are committed to enhancing aviation safety by conducting thorough and unbiased investigations into aircraft accidents and serious incidents. We are currently working hard to release more accident reports in the shortest possible time.” The report said The Beech 1900D registered as 5N-JAH and operated by Wings Aviation Limited as flight TWD 8300, which was on a revenue positioning flight on 15th March 2008 crashed at about 0920 hours in mountainous terrain at Bushi Village, Obalinku Local Government Area of Cross River State. “The investigation identified two causal and three contributory factors and made five safety recommendations.” The Bureau had on 29 March, 2009 issued an Interim Report on the accident. The report also revealed that The Bristow Helicopters’ Cessna Citation 560XLS, registered 5N-BMM departed Lagos at 1856 hours for Port Harcourt on an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and estimated Port Harcourt at 1940 hours. On final approach the crew had visual challenge but continued the approach, crash landed and exited the runway. The investigation identified one Causal and three contributory factors. Six safety recommendations were made. On Aero Contractors, the report

said Flight 210, a Boeing 737-500, registered 5N-BLE, which departed Lagos on 21 st of August, 2010, skidded off the threshold of Runway 28 while landing on approach into Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, Plateau State. “The investigation identified one causal and three contributory factors. Two safety recommendations were made.” The report also said The OAS Limited aircraft 5N-BHU (Helicopter) departed Lagos at 0713 hours on 10th November, 2010 under Special Visual Flight Rules (Special VFR). The helicopter could not continue the flight to Port Harcourt due to bad weather and was returning to Osubi airstrip when it collided with high tension cables belonging to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) located along the road to Delta Steel Company, Ovwian, Aladja, Delta State. “The investigation identified one causal and two contributory factors while five safety recommendations

We generated N36bn revenue in 2014—TICO By LAWANI MIKAIRU

espite Airlines’ Zero Commission policy in the aviation market, Travel Investment Company Limited, TICO, generated N36 billion revenue in business transaction in 2014. This was possible because the company has been able to “ shift from a commission-revenue model to service-fee model”. This was disclosed by Mrs Irene UtiEgbeogu, Chief Executive Officer, TICO, at the launch of the company’s dream Experience Achieve Brand campaign in Lagos last weekend. According to her “ this combined revenue of over N36 billion amounts to approximately 20 percent of the industry revenue. This performance quotient speaks as much of the market potential is in the travel industry as in the power of this consortium’s standing in the industry”. TICO is the first-in-Nigeria consolidation of four of the largest travel agencies in Nigeria, namely: Touchdown travels, Quantum Travels, Finchglow Travels , and Dees Travels. This consolidation was done in a bid to strengthen their position in the travel industry and raise the standards of quality service delivery in the

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 39

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Economy

Foreign Investors still foot-dragging on Nigeria despite electoral success Stories by EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

here are indications that foreign investors may be considering ‘holding-action’ on Nigerian economy contrary to wide-spread expectations and speculations that the huge success in the country’s recent general election was going to spur foreign investment inflow spontaneously. Holding-action defines foreign investors’ behavior when uncertainties still restrains actual investment action amidst good opportunity and firm decision to move in. Three major drivers of the holding-action are the energy crises, the spill-over effect on the financial sector and the overall investment policy outlook of the in-coming regime of Muhammadu Buhari. These, according to investment analysts, are already taking toll on the financial sector especially the stock market, while the banks are all at high risk. A major foreign investment group in Nigerian economy, Renaissance Capital, last week indicated that 2015 may end up as a ‘lost year ’ to Nigerian economy going by the uncertainties in the future direction of the economic policy as new government takes over this week. Nigerian consumer stocks are struggling through a “lost year” as a slump in oil prices buffets Africa’s largest economy, according to Renaissance Capital. Fuel shortages are making it

C M Y K

harder to distribute goods as companies including Guinness Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, and Unilever Nigeria Plc grapple with a slowing economy and weaker local currency, said Benjamin Samuels, head of equities at the Renaissance Capital which focuses on emerging markets. He also said investors will shun the country’s banks until there’s more clarity on how they’re responding to the risk of higher defaults because of lower crude prices. “Some see 2015 as a lost year for growth and margins. Companies are facing “challenges around distribution and weaker sales,” he added. Economic growth in Nigeria, slowed in the first quarter as the oil industry contracted

•Buhari amid a slump in prices, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports. Expansion in gross domestic product (GDP) eased

Investors will shun the country’s banks until there’s more clarity on how they’re responding to the risk of higher defaults because of lower crude prices

on an annual basis to 4.0 percent in the first quarter 2015 compared with 5.9 percent in the last quarter of 2014. The oil industry represented 10.5 percent of the country’s first-quarter GDP, rising from 9 percent in the three months through December 2014, the statistics agency said. Non-oil growth was 5.6 percent in the first quarter 2015, compared with 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter of last year. The economy is presently struggling to cope with an almost 40 percent decline in oil prices over the past year, sales of which provide about 80 per cent of the national revenue.

The Naira has lost 13 percent of its value against the dollar in the past six months, driving the rate of inflation to a 21month high of 8.7 percent in April 2015, the statistics agency said. Nigerians have faced long queues for fuel in recent weeks in a country that relies on imports to meet more than 70 percent of domestic needs. While the government guarantees cheaper fuel by subsidizing the market prices, it is struggling to pay marketers the difference between the landing price of refined oil and the fixed domestic rate as low crude prices deplete revenue. Some blue chip stocks which are mostly the targets of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) are already at the receiving end of the investors’ apathy. Nestle’s net income fell 51 percent to N2.95 billion Naira in the first quarter 2015 from a year earlier. The stock has lost 18 percent in the last 12 months, while Guinness’s shares are down 11 percent and Unilever’s 8.2 percent. According to the analyst at Renaissance Capital “Some consumer names are trading at 20 to 30 times earnings. “They’re not cheap. If you’re buying a stock with a high price to earnings ratio, you’re likely taking a bet on 2016 and 2017" a long term position most FPIs are not ready to take now.

U.S. sets to change the way it calculates GDP

igeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing last year may have received some political knocks, criticism and over politicization in the run-up to the general elections but the world’s number one economy is about to do a similar thing. The way some parts of United States of America (USA) GDP are calculated are about to change in the wake of the debate over persistently depressed first-quarter growth. Nigeria had witnessed such depression in GDP statistics before the 2014 rebasing. In a publication last week, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) listed a series of alterations it will make in

seasonally adjusting data used to calculate economic growth. The changes will be implemented with the release of the initial second-quarter GDP estimate on July 30, 2015, the BEA said. BEA is the United States’ equivalent of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which did the Nigeria’s rebasing. The BEA is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides important economic statistics including the GDP of the United States. BEA is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System. BEA produces some of the most closely watched economic statistics that influence decisions of government

officials, business people, and individuals. Although the agency adjusts its figures for seasonal variations, growth in any given first quarter still tends to be weaker than in the remaining three, economists have found, a sign there may be some bias in the data. It’s a phenomenon economists call “residual seasonality.” “BEA is aware of the potential for residual seasonality in GDP and its components, and the agency is looking for ways to minimize this phenomenon,” the division said in the post. More information will be available in a BEA ‘Survey of Current Business’ report scheduled for midJune 2015 publication.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 41

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 43

Advertising & Promotions

xperiential Marketing (Brand Activation) is becoming the fastest growing segment of the Integrated Marketing Communications, IMC subsector. Activation Agencies search for new ways to amplify every marketing campaign to reach pre-destined consumer Princewill attraction. Ekwujuru examines activities of Experiential Agencies and challenges in brand Activation. In the brand-laden world, a consumer sees choice, but in contrast, brands see competition. One thing unites both groups-they both see clutter. Cutting through the clutter with relevant, fresh product and brand Activation idea is becoming a sought after marketing tool employed by Activation Agencies to create a niche in the market. Aside this, today, culture is playing its role, and constantly changing, and brands that anticipate that change have an advantage, that’s on the premise of added values for a brand. And that is why brands will do exploits to retain their position in the market deploying the Activation strategy. For brands to attain their goals, Activation Agencies keep their fingers on the pulse of the latest technological innovations, thus committed to finding ways to increase awareness, brand penetration, workability and return on investment, RoI. However, to survive and

Activation: A new approach to brand building

AWARD: From Left: Technical Director, Nick Caltrop, Chief Executive Officer, Felix King Eiremiokhae, General Manager, Betty Okonoboh, Logistics Director, Andrew Eiremiokhae and Operations Manager, George Paul Osondu, all of Oracle Experience Lmited, posed with Marketing Edge Outstanding Experiential Agency Award of the year 2014, which the Agency won recently. prosper in today’s hypercompetitive fast moving market, brands need to be agile to be able to adapt and react quickly, and that is why Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Experience Limited, Mr. Felix Eiremiokhae, said that brand Activation has moved from street dancing to storytelling. “Brand Activation is the future, we have moved away from dancing on the streets to seeing ourselves as storytellers, on how you can touch the people’s sixth sense that is the emotive sense. So that is the direction. That is why you

APCON seeks govt support on effective ad regulation

he Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, said it has not received the level of attention or support from government to effectively perform as a regulator of the advertising practice in Nigeria. The Council Registrar, Alhaji Bello Kankarofi, stated this during a courtesy visit by Minister of Information, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki to the Council. He said the Council is faced with lots of challenges that has been hindering it from performing as a regulatory body in the advertising sector among other things. He noted that recent developments in the mass media technology and environment has posed new challenges for effective monitoring of advertisements, to deal with these challenges in the short term, APCON, the registrar said will need to upgrade its technological capabilities and for this purpose requires budgetary assistance from the government.

OAAN creates 13 categories for Poster Awards

He went on to say that the foregoing benefits of advertising could easily be jeopardized in an environment of poor or ineffective regulation. Advertising is susceptible to abuse because of its very strong persuasive influence. Therefore, to overcome these harmful effects of advertising that is why various countries adopt various forms of regulation with the overall objective of protecting consumers and citizens from the effects of unwholesome

Activation agencies keep their fingers on the pulse of the latest technological innovations discover that most agencies that are not into ideation would struggle as we progress in the industry, because every brand wants to tell a story. Story that people can walk away and remember over a long period but how many agencies can tell a story through Activation that is another story for another day.” There is no profession without its peculiar challenges as can be envisaged in brand Activation projects, like Oracle CEO stated: “Life itself is a huge challenge and what separates you from others, and make you outstanding is how you are able to manage these challenges when they come your way. I keep telling people you need to take risk for you to be able to stand out.” Continuing he said; “the biggest challenge we keep

seeing in the industry is ourselves. We keep doing things that had never been done in the industry and that is a huge challenge for us because you are required by clients to surpass your previous feats. So, it is already difficult for people to understand the direction we want to go.” What we do here at Oracle is like a painter who has all the ideas but those ideas are inside of him. Therefore, trying to reinterpret those ideas sometimes could be really challenging. But the good thing is that clients are always patient with us and give us the opportunity to express our inner thoughts and that make it easy for us. And again, looking at our environment you discover that sometimes budget can also be a very big issue. Besides that man power and third party supplier are huge challenges an agency like ours could face in delivering on these innovative brand engagement activations but somehow here we are the clients are happy with us despite the challenges and they are always ready to stay in a journey with us. In winning laurel, he said it has been from glory to glory and every single day a lot of challenges keep coming our way in terms of delivering on promises we made to clients

Nexus targets sales increase, discounts products

exus Brand Shop says it is giving 15 percent discount on all products in its shop. Brand Shop Manager, Nexus Brand Shop, Oladosu Olalekan, said the shop’s intention by giving 15 discount is to drive traffic to the shop. An exercise he said has increased traffic to the shop. According to him, “customers have been coming to buy items. Some have been coming to

make inquiries about the latest product from the Nexus products. So far, the responses are encouraging,” he stated. With the opening of the shop, customers are also assured of genuine Nexus products and every purchase is backed up with a two year warranty and after sales service. Nexus, a part of an ever growing brand portfolio of

Deekay Group; a premier mixed trading and manufacturing company with over 40 years rich legacy of launching business in the Nigerian market, conceived the Nexus Home Appliances brand over 2 decades ago to demonstrate its belief in the seamless fusion of style, functionality and durability in the home appliances industry.

or the 9th time, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, organized Exhibition and Posters Awards will hold this year with 13 awards categories, come June 25. The awards; Diary Food & Beverages, Alcoholic drinks, Non-Alcoholic drinks, Financial services, Public services/Real Estate, Electronics/Electricals. Others are Automobile/ Accessories, Household products, Pharmaceuticals/ cosmetics, Telecomms, ICT, Legend of Out- of- Home and Grand Poster. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, Mr. Charles Chijide, President of OAAN, said the award is a way by which the Association is helping to promote and rewarding creative excellence in the Out-of-Home, OOH, subsector of the Nigerian economy. He stated that the award was also designed to as a platform for advertisers, our suppliers and partners to exhibit their products and services.

Sona introduces new pack sizes of biscuits

ona Biscuits, the food subsidiary of Sona Group of Companies has introduced four new pack sizes of its topselling Digestives and Ginger biscuits,along with Aktive and Malty into the market. The packs are perfect for consumers who want a little extra to see them through the week and for weekend activities. Speaking at the unveiling of the packs, Managing Director, Sona Agro Allied Foods Limited, Mr. Subramanen Murugesan said, “Our products are made to support the lifestyle of our customers. We’ve observed that the fast pace of life in most Nigeria cities means that most people often skip breakfast in order to get to the office or meet early appointments thus we decided to come up with packs of quality biscuits that can serve as a substitute for breakfast in this circumstance, “He also added that the packs will make a very good gift items for loved ones. “Sona Digestive has been made with ingredients like high quality flour, vegetable oil and also contains high fiber to ensure it’s nourishing and satisfying. C M Y K

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Painless abolition of fuel subsidy with dollar warrants T his week’s article, we will respond to some frequently asked questions on the recommendation that Naira will increasingly become stronger with adoption of dollar certificates for payment of allocations of dollar denominated revenue to government and MDAs. Will your proposal not dollarize the economy? Answer: The affinity for dollar payments is clearly because vendors find that the US currency serves as a relatively more stable store of value than the Naira. Similarly, about thirty years ago Nigerians also preferred the Naira because it was a safer store of value than the dollar. In retrospect, the Naira was readily accepted in major cities like London and New York, ironically, at a time when our total foreign reserves hardly approached $10bn dollars! Indeed, as CBN consistently places Naira at a disadvantage in the market place against the dollar, the economy has also become dollarised by monetary strategies that weaken the Naira. The recommendation for dollar certificates is therefore an attempt to properly reposition the Naira and give it a fair chance so that our local currency would gradually regain strength. Clearly, the Naira exchange rate can be improved with a strategic reduction of the unceasingly surplus Naira that constantly confronts dollar rations sold weekly by the CBN. Thus, the adoption of dollar certificates/ warrants for payment of allocations of dollar derived revenue will most certainly reduce Naira surplus and skew market equilibrium in favour of the Naira.

The advocacy for dollar certificates is therefore an argument in support of Nairanisation of transactions with the Naira increasingly becoming accepted as a better store of value. Why is surplus cash responsible for our economic woes? Answer: It is ironic that surplus cash should be an obstacle to economic growth, and it is equally inexplicable that surplus funds should also engender the prevailing high cost of borrowing. Nonetheless, any critical observer will not miss the reality that the current unilateral, direct substitution of fresh Naira values as allocations for dollar derived revenue, actually opens up a can of worms. This deliberate misguided payments strategy is the source of the unyielding scourge of excess liquidity, which has made the attainment of a prosperous or diversified economy a mirage, despite our abundant resources. The CBN will certainly not deny that so long as there is increasingly unmanageable surplus Naira in the system, income values will not be preserved as inflation will not fall to international best practice rates below 3%, neither would cost of funds become industrially supportive across the board at not more than 7%; similarly, the Naira exchange rate will keep depreciating to negate public adoption of the Naira as a safe store of value. Furthermore, fuel prices will continue to soar as the Naira becomes weaker to ultimately also make the outright removal of subsidy very unpopular!

How will dollar certificates minimize excess Naira supply? Answer: Despite lower crude oil prices, export dollar revenue from crude oil sales still accounts for the lion’s share of annual budgets; government’s income from taxes on domestic economic activities and the rents and dividends from state assets constitute Naira denominated income. Indeed, while the Naira income derived from local productive activities has minimal inflationary impact, the unilateral substitution of fresh Naira values for crude oil dollar derived revenue, unduly bloats the monthly consolidated Naira allocations to the three tiers of government. Ultimately, the huge monthly fresh Naira inflow expands the capacity of banks to liberally increase credit which may inadvertently spur consumer demand to trigger an inflationary spiral in the prices of goods and services In its attempt to stop such inflationary credit expansion, the CBN would embark on tightening the noose by reducing the extent of the new cash inflow which may be advanced as bank credit; for example, the CBN Monetary Policy Committee decided on 20/ 5/2015, that banks must keep 31% of their cash deposits sterile and therefore lend out only 69%. Furthermore, in order to discourage credit expansion and restrain inflation, commercial banks will also pay a high interest rate of 13%, whenever they required temporary cash support from CBN. Clearly, if banks pay 13% on their own debts because of surplus Naira, it is not difficult to understand why banks would in turn charge over 20% for loans

Business & Economy Century Group unveils solutions to managing declining oil prices

entury Group (CG), a global consortium actively involved in oil and gas sector in the Nigerian and West African sub region has unveiled two strategic solutions aimed at helping oil and gas operators maximise their resources and sustain profitability even in the face of the crisis occasioned by the fall in oil prices. The two solutions; Intelligent Production Operations Technology (IPO) and Incremental Oil on Risk Services (IORS) according to a statement by the company are effective strategies designed to enable C M Y K

exploration and production companies increase production while keeping their Opex low even with the continued volatility in global oil prices. The adoption of these solutions the company believes will ensure oil and gas operators are able to withstand the storm and emerge from it even stronger. Commenting about the set of solutions Ken Etete, Chief Executive Officer of Century Group, noted that: “The drop in oil price has had profound negative impact on both the global economy and the industry. The Survivors will be those

companies who are able to promptly adopt a change in strategy critical among which is the ability to reduce the cost of production whilst maximizing value inherent in their assets by not reducing the volume of produced crude/day. The advantages will be a rapid and seamless development of assets, reduction of project delivery time, generation of short and long term revenue. streams for operators, support of operator field development plan and production optimization goals, reduction in cost of operations

to their customers, including those loans to the real sector, despite their roles as the engine of growth and employers of labour in every successful economy. H o w e v e r, this unforced stumbling block to economic and social progress will be reversed if the dollar component of monthly revenue allocations were settled with dollar certificates, so that public beneficiaries would approach their banks to exchange their allocations for Naira at a market determined exchange rate, since dollar certificates are not legal tender. Such a payment reform will engender minimal ‘surplus’ Naira in the system as fresh Naira values are not introduced, whereas, market dollar supply will be liberalized through direct allocations to 36 State Government’s, 774 Local governments and hundreds of government Departments and Agencies. U l t i m a t e l y, inflationary pressures would recede in the absence of the bloated allocations which usually induce excess Naira, so that in consonance with best practice in successful economies everywhere, CBN could then lower its lending rate to banks to 2-3%, while banks, could in turn lend to the real sector at between 6-9%; clearly, without the erstwhile domination of available market credit by government and its Agencies, the banks would inevitably become forced to seek out the real sector for business if they (the banks) must survive. The sustenance of this payments system will gradually improve Naira exchange rate as liberal dollar supplies chase reduced Naira surplus. Will dollar certificates facilitate treasury looting and

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

repatriation of illicit proceeds? Answer: No, infact this arrangement will reduce and minimize the opportunities for forex round tripping, and for other such illicit capital flows abroad. Infact, the porous leakages associated with the failure of the current payments system is evident from regular media reports of the widespread malfeasance in the foreign exchange market and CBN’s apparent inability to curb the excesses. H o w e v e r, with dollar certificates, the dollars will remain domiciled in the accounts of institutional holders, (i.e. government and banks) with CBN. Consequently, dollars exchanged by government beneficiaries with any bank will also remain domiciled with the CBN, and disbursement will only be made to legitimate recipients abroad by the Apex Bank for payments of approved imports and services on the specific instruction of banks who have adequately funded their domiciliary accounts with the Apex Bank. So unless the CBN is a willing accomplice, Nigeria’s forex income will be better managed with due diligence.

Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 45

Family physicians worry over dearth of medical doctors By Chioma Obinna

AMILY Physicians have de cried the dearth of medical doctors in the country, lamenting the ratio of one doctor to 6,400 patients as against the World Health Organisation WHO, recommendation of one doctor to 600 patients. The medical professionals under the auspices of Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria, SOFPON and the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, say the poor distribution of doctors has put millions in the rural communities at the mercy of quacks. Speaking on this year's World Family Doctor Day in Lagos, Chairman, AGPMPN, Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo said currently, Nigeria has just 9,000 doctors serving over 160 million people. In a breakdown, he said the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN has on their register 65,000 doctors, out of which 40,000 are practicing in the Diaspora. Of the 25,000 doctors currently practicing in Nigeria, 16,000 are resident doctors who he said may decide to leave on completion of their training, leaving the country with 9,000 doc-

• Nigerian doctors performing surgery in a theatre. tors. He said even the 25,000 were unfavourably distributed with the majority being concentrated in the urban areas.Arigbabuwo said family medicine, the world over, is now a terrain of the most versatile and intelligent in the field of specialities. "The Family Physician is the family doctor, first contact, gate keeper who attends to most of the common ailments of the end user of healthcare and is the custodi-

Out of the 25,000 doctors currently practicing in Nigeria, 16,000 are resident doctors on training

an of primary care medical practice. The UK recently churned out 2,500 family physicians.” He, however, disclosed that about 350 family physicians will graduate from post graduate training in September. Also speaking, National President, SOFPON, Lagos Zone, Dr Akin Moses, who was represented by Dr. Blessing Chukwukelu, said 80 percent of medical cases are seen by family physicians before others.

He said Nigeria has 400 consultant family physicians even as the Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria has continued to improve the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, commencing diploma in Family Medicine training four years ago. "We have been encouraging medical students to contribute in the healthcare services especially at the primary and secondary care levels by choosing family medicine as a specialty." On his part, Head Family Physician, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Dr. Ayo Adedokun lamented that in Nigeria one woman in 16 cases will die of pregnancy related problems. "Pregnancy is like a death sentence here due to inability of health facilities to procure needed medical equipment, delays, shortage of skilled health workers, and other personnel. In the past it was said that every five minutes a Nigerian child under five years dies but currently it has come down to two minutes. "In Lagos alone, 80 percent of health problems are solved by private facilities and it is only family physicians that can reach the rural areas. This profession has not been accorded the right attention. Properly trained family physicians are what the country needs now to correct the health challenges, and move in the right direction that would lead to reduction of infant, child and maternal mortality.”

Misconduct: PCN delists two pharmacists By Sola Ogundipe

WO pharmacists, Pharm. g b o n n a y a Emmanuel Nduka and Clifford Osonduagwuike Ogbonna, have been delisted from the Pharmacists' Register for various offences bordering on gross professional misconduct. The pharmacists who were arraigned before the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, Disciplinary Tribunal sitting at the Council's headquarters, Idu, Abuja, will not be eligible to practice pharmacy anywhere in the country for a period of one year and two years respectively, starting from Tuesday, May 19, 2015. The 7-man tribunal headed by the Chairman, Pharm. Bruno Nwankwo, last week found the duo guilty of the offences for which they were charged and ordered their names to be deleted by the PCN Registrar, Pharm. Elijah Mohammed. Nduka of 2, Similolu Close, off Sura Mogaji Street,Ilupeju Estate, Lagos, was arraigned on one count charge of fraudulently using Pharm Ikenna Ezeronye's licence to register Phoster Pharmacare Ltd. in November 2014, thereby committing an act of gross professional misconduct, punishable under the PCN Act and Code of Ethics for O

C M Y K

Pharmacists. Ogbonna, of Oso-Life Pharma Clinic, 161, Bode Road, Jattu-Auchi, Edo State was arraigned on a 4-count charge of operating an unregistered premises OsoLife Pharma Clinic, located at No.161, Bode Road, Jattu-Auchi, Edo State, as a pharmacy and thereby committed an act of gross professional misconduct, contrary to and punishable under the Poisons and Pharmacy Act, PCN Act and PCN's Regulation gazette No 81 Vol. 92. In the second charge, Ogbonna was accused of maintaining and operating a clinic in an unregistered pharmacy shop and thereby committed an act of gross professional misconduct, an offence contrary to and punishable under the PCN Act and PCN's Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. In the third charge, the accused was guilty of operating a pharmacy without a superintendent pharmacist and thereby committed an act of gross professional misconduct, contrary to and punishable under Poisons and Pharmacy Act and PCN's Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. According to the fourth charge, the accused unlawfully broke the PCN seal after it was placed on the main entrance of the said pharmacy by officers of the Council and thereby committed an act of gross misconduct in professional capacity,

From left: Tribunal member, Mrs. G.M.O Chukwuma; Tribunal chairman, Mr Bruno Nwankwo and Tribunal Assessor, Mr Thompson Olatigbe, during the PCN tribunal sitting in Abuja. contrary to the PCN Act and PCN's Code of Ethics for Pharmacists. The offences were committed in 2013. The cases of two other pharmacists, Pharm. Linus Agbo Joseph of Duru Pharmacy 21, New Road SabonGari, Kano, and Pharm. Iyekekpolor Williams Esosa of No 18, 2ndCementary Lane, Uzebu Quarters, Benin City, Edo State, charged with false and fraudulent presentation of registration, were adjourned till 25th-27th of May, 2015 for both parties to present

their cases after the respondents pleaded not guilty to the charges. The tribunal ordered that the name of Pharm. Sunday Olajide Awofisayo struck off the PCN Register in 2004 be reinstated having served the mandatory punishment. At the end of the sitting, the chairman stated that the essence of the punishment was to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in such similar acts of misconducts.

46—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

The many ways Jonathan baffled me — Na'abba •Why Obasanjo should not be entertained as a democrat •One way Buhari can rebuild Nigeria ERSTWHILE speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na`abba in this interview reviews the recent elections and how and why his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP faired poorly. He also advocates lessons for the victorious All Progressives Congress, APC to learn from the miseries of the PDP. Excerpts: By LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU WHAT is your assessment of the last general election? The elections have been conducted and I believe that substantially INEC did their best. The elections may not have been perfect but I believe some degree of confidence has been put back into Nigerians to the effect that their votes will begin to count and I pray that INEC will do what it can to maintain what it has done for itself. I believe that the card reader that was introduced in this election has shown that credible elections can hold in Nigeria. It wasn’t the intention of Jonathan’s government to have a free and fair election and that was why the Jonathan people and the PDP were hell bent on discrediting the use of card readers. In fact the INEC chairman, Professor Jega had to concede the non use of the card readers in some parts of the country, particularly in the South-South and in the South East so that the election could be conducted peacefully and we have all seen what the non use of the card readers did in those two zones. But what is important today is how to conduct internal party elections in the manner that the general elections took place, because in the outward analysis, electing people that the generality of the people want is the ultimate objective of democracy and it is quite prevalent in this country that there is an occurrence of impunity whenever it comes to internal party democracy. And in this enterprise, all our political parties are guilty. Therefore, this is the next political project; the enthronement of internal democracy. How would you describe the C M Y K

•Na'abba: Buhari's patience has paid off

victory of General Buhari after three attempts at the polls? And what would you say went wrong in the PDP? The perseverance of General Buhari paid off because this was the fourth time he contested for the presidency. In fact, after the third time he decided he wasn’t going to contest again until he was persuaded to contest the fourth time and God gave him. It is remarkable that he has been pursuing that ambition and the PDP had been doing its best to bring itself down as a party. The president brought himself down through so many ways, ways that have baffled some of us who had been members of the party. Most of us in the party particularly the elders were not carried along in Goodluck Jonathan’s enterprise. Rather, he recruited from a class of people that we never knew were in the party because they never

belonged to the party. He recruited opportunists who crossed over from other parties. He recruited entertainers who had never been politicians to come and manage his election. Apart from this, events happening within the government have also caused so much disaffection within the PDP. The president demonstrated that he didn’t possess the necessary capacity to govern and this was expressed in so many ways to the extent that Nigerians started feeling this lack of confidence in themselves. It got to a situation that even the Nigerian leadership in the comity of nations particularly here in Africa was diminished because we have a president that has a clear lack of confidence in himself and we also had a situation whereby affairs of government were conducted in a lackadaisical manner.

How Jonathan baffled me – Na‘abba *Poor response to insurgency *Recruitment of campaign advisers

entertainers

*Failure to appoint a defence minister at the height of the insurgency *Tolerance of corruption *Use of religion as a campaign weapon

If you take for example the issue of this insurgency in the Northeast, there was a time this country spent over nine months without a Minister of Defence and it was the Minister of Information of all the Ministers that was overseeing the Ministry of Defence. This was very amazing and suggested that the president didn’t take the issue of insurgency seriously. I thought that if there was any problem it should be the Defence Minister that should be supervising another ministry and not another minister supervising the minister of defence in this circumstance. And simultaneously, Nigeria had no substantive foreign minister for nine months. These are very important and crucial ministries. These insurgents had bearing to both our internal and foreign affairs and we had no substantive minister of defence and no substantive minister of foreign affairs. I believe this was the highest of his failures and this disqualified Goodluck Jonathan from holding that office. When this insurgency came on in full stride, the attitude of Jonathan was that this was a Northern problem and he never took it seriously and his mindset along with those around him was that let the northerners stew in their juice and unknown to him, because he didn’t have people on the ground, the propaganda was going round in the north that he was the one fuelling the insurgency along with the PDP.

This propaganda became very strong. What angered most PDP members was that this man didn’t care in empowering people to begin to discontinue these rumours and it got to a situation whereby even ourselves began to feel that the allegation that himself and the PDP where the ones sponsoring this insurgency was true and at a point most of us in PDP started feeling that we really don’t belong to the party because we weren’t being consulted. Our people weren’t being treated fairly and we felt that he was even using religion and ethnicity to divide not only the north but the country. The president was in the habit of going from one church to another here in Abuja even to the embarrassment of a section of the Christian community, preaching and sending out political statements from the church. It got to a situation that the Archbishop of Jos had to warn him to stop using the altar to spread political messages. So, in this manner, he divided the people along religious and ethnic lines which I believe is not what a leader should be doing and a situation arose where both the Christian and Muslim communities of Nigeria began to feel that this man was incompetent and that was why he was seeking refuge in religion and that they should never elect him again. These things along with other unpalatable occurrences like the

Continues on page 47

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015—47

Continues from page 46 Governor’s Forum crisis where he failed to show leadership, where he failed to lead by example contributed. There is no way 16 will be greater than 19, but because of politics, this man made Nigerians to have to accept that 16 was greater than 19. I felt that wasn’t leadership because a leader should be exemplary. What happened has distorted the thinking of our young children who are still puzzled to how the president should support such a situation. No matter how, he shouldn’t have interfered in that mathematics. On the part of the party, we are aware that the PDP headquarters became like a market where the highest bidders were getting tickets to contest for elections and we are also aware that the president and the national chairman were going at cross purposes because even the national chairman had the ambition of becoming the president. So, when Goodluck Jonathan was busy with his ambition, the national chairman was also busy installing people in his state who would be sympathetic to him in the pursuit of his own ambition and while he was imposing those candidates on the people, it was regardless of whether those candidates had the blessing of their people or not. That’s why in most states you will find out that the party was divided into two, in some states into three, in some states into four. So that was the situation in which PDP approached the election. Were these the reasons why you left the party or are there others? Well, these are the fundamental reasons. Nobody was consulting us, the founding members of the party. Those of us that believed we were really stakeholders of the party, we weren’t consulted on anything rather the party moved to the Villa. That was where every aspect of the party was being decided. If we were called for a meeting of the board of trustees for example, it would have been after a selected few had met and decided on particular courses of action that we will now be called to just be told that was the decision and nobody could challenge it. We were made to feel irrelevant and some of us felt that the PDP we joined in 1999 is not the PDP that is in operation today. Would you also say that the northerners who remained in the party also misadvised him? You see, what was happening is that when they realised that Jonathan and his people only wanted to hear what is nice and good, they started singing

some people see him as a saint. Nigerians seem to have forgotten all the damage he caused. This idea of internal democracy, it was Obasanjo who killed it. The imposition of candidates was promoted by Obasanjo. Finally he was the one who imposed Umar Yar’dua/Goodluck Jonathan on Nigerians and look at what Nigeria has become today on account of that. Have you met Obasanjo since you both left office? Of course, we have met.

*Na'abba: I have left PDP for good

One thing that disqualified Jonathan from holding office music to their ears. That was the only way they felt they could survive the administration of Goodluck Jonathan. A situation arose when the Minister of Defence once advised the president and he was sacked. Dr Bello was sacked because he had the courage to advice the president to pursue a particular course of action in his opinion would have been better than the course of action that Jonathan wanted to take on a particular matter. He was relieved of his appointment and this is because they don’t simply want to hear the truth. They want to hear what their mindset has dictated to them. So that was the kind of administration Goodluck Jonathan was running. Now the PDP has lost the elections, would you want to go back to PDP perhaps to help reorganize it to become what it used to be or have you moved on finally? Well, this is the second time that I have left PDP and I believe I have moved on. There are no

persons presently that will give PDP that attraction. Today, most of us that attracted people to

The president was in the habit of going from one church to another here in Abuja even to the embarrassment of a section of the Christian community

PDP have either died or are not in the party or if they are in the party they have been sidelined and are not visible. The people that are visible are the people that are busy destroying the party, people who have no value and such people can’t attract people to PDP. Someone like Goodluck Jonathan who I am told is going to assume the leadership of the party can’t attract any person to the PDP. I have gone for good. How did you feel about President Obasanjo tearing his PDP membership card? You see, it is very ironical that the person that is perceived to be the greatest beneficiary of PDP would tear his membership card and claims that he has left the party. We know that he only left because of his frustration with the PDP which was because Goodluck Jonathan refused to allow him to be dictating to him. That is the only reason and all the damage that happened to this party was Obasanjo’s handwork and today

What agenda will you want to set for the incoming government of General Buhari? First of all, the President-elect when he assumes office must do whatever he can to restore the confidence of Nigerians in Nigeria. It is a general rule of underdevelopment that what leads to underdevelopment is the loss of confidence in the individuals, and subsequently, the state. Most Nigerians don’t have confidence in this system. Exemplary leadership is what will begin to restore the confidence of Nigerians in Nigeria therefore General Buhari should embrace all Nigerians. Let all Nigerians see him as their leader and apart from that, there are so many problems plaguing the country and it is also important to look at the principal problems What is your advice to the incoming National Assembly on the selection of its presiding officers? In 1999, with the exception of the South West, the PDP won in most of the zones therefore it was convenient to allocate the six highest political offices amongst the zones. The president came from the South West even though the difficulty there was that his party lost that zone, so that was a problem for him. The Vice president came from the North East, the speaker of the House of Representatives was allocated to the North West, the senate president was allocated to the South East, the deputy speaker was allocated to the South South and deputy senate president North central but you see in our case in 1999, it was us, memberselect House of Representatives who virtually forced the PDP to allocate the speakership to the North West. When the permutation started, those of us that were going to come to the House decided that we wanted the speakership and we campaigned for it vigorously throughout the country and amongst the leadership of the party to the extent that we made our points to the chairman of the party, Solomon Lar and he accepted it. So, that became the matrix with which other offices were allocated. C M Y K

48—VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

APC should learn from PDP’s mistakes — Dorgu ONE of Bayelsa State’s most respected elder statesmen is Engineer Charles Dorgu. The former Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority was the pioneer State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and can thus effectively claim to be the one who initiated the successful participation of the state at the highest levels of Federal power for the last decade and a half. As the state confronts the consequences of the recently concluded elections in which the party that it supports received a resounding local mandate but lost power at the centre, our Correspondent, Lindsay Barrett, discussed pertinent issues arising from this circumstance with him in Yenagoa. By Lindsay Barrett

OW that the elections are over what does PDP being an opposition party in Abuja portend for Bayelsa State? Going by the declared results the PDP has won twenty two out of the twenty four seats in the State Assembly thus maintaining its unassailable position as the ruling party in the state. I believe that this is a good result for now. What exactly do you mean when you say “for now?” Like any serious party that has gone through an election should do, we took note of and documented the electoral experiences that we encountered and we are now studying these to be able to improve our future performance not only in elections but also in governance. Do you see the PDP sustaining its winning momentum in the state projecting the incumbent governor to a second term in the forthcoming Governorship election? To a certain extent yes I think so! But it will also depend on whether we learn lessons from our experiences. We must heed the reports from all of our constituencies and make necessary adjustments to accommodate all the major stakeholders in the political arena. We must work hard to enhance the party ’s appeal to the members of the electorate for they are the final arbiters who will vote us into power. Governor Seriake Dickson: a second term for him now depends on how well his party deploys lessons learnt in the recent polls where it won his state but lost the nation. Are you aware of the

C M Y K

internal crisis in the State Chapter of the PDP, and if so what do you think of it; how can it be resolved? I am aware the elected Chairman of the State Chapter of the party has been placed under suspension and that an Acting Chairman now exists. However, this is not an unprecedented circumstance and the PDP has a tradition of resolving such crises internally as a family matter. I expect this tradition to be followed in the resolution of the party ’s problems in Bayelsa State. What can you say concerning the complaints that have been raised about a clique of persons who are being characterised as “the First Lady’s men”? Frankly this is a subject that I find very difficult to discuss, however, suffice it to say that if the party finds that there really is a problem with such a clique it will find appropriate ways to deal with it. Those who tried to claim that their political activities and allegiances were inspired by their closeness to the wife of the President were probably being opportunistic rather than truthful. They must certainly be regretting their unscrupulous behaviour now that the outcome of the Presidential polls has undermined their claim. This is a problem that bedevilled the conduct of party affairs right from the inception of Dr. Jonathan’s Administration and as I have said before it is up to the party to treat such conduct as a family problem. How do you explain the decamping of some major PDP members in your state to APC so soon after the elections? Well let me make it very clear that most of the PDP members who have decamped to the APC since the elections are seeking to lead Bayelsans to

eat the crumbs that fall from the master ’s table. Abandoning the party that gave them credibility and the opportunity not only to serve their people but also to line their pockets for the last decade and a half is a demonstration of their dishonesty rather than of their role as leaders of the people. They are opportunists who do not realise that Bayelsans are not second class citizens in Nigeria. We have been members of the inner circle of leadership for the last sixteen years and there is nothing wrong if the time has come for us to demonstrate our capacity to be credible leaders in opposition. How do you react to former Governor Timipre Sylva’s assertion that President Jonathan did almost nothing for Bayelsa, the Niger Delta, and indeed the entire SouthSouth geo-political zone during his tenure in office?

I would advise the incoming government to learn from the mistakes of our own party the PDP, and to respect all Nigerians and the Nigerian Constitution as first principles

*Dorgu:PDP was overtaken by a culture of impunity While I would not want to join issues with the exGovernor I am sure that he knows that he is being, to say the least, economical with the truth. This is not surprising, however, because he is bitter over the fact that when he was in the PDP the party denied him a second term as Governor. He has refused to admit it, but the party decided that his conduct of the affairs of Bayelsa State was disastrous especially because of his inability to guarantee the fundamental right of basic security to the citizens. Human memory is sometimes short but not so short that we can forget the excesses of his security outfit that was dubbed “Fam-Tamgbe” or “Kill and Throw Away”. His record of financial management of the state’s resources was even more distressing and his administration’s attempts to develop infrastructure were highly unimpressive. The exGovernor can hardly expect Bayelsans who remember his record in office to believe that simply because he has joined a party that promises to confront the very issues on which he failed to deliver while in office that he has suddenly become a more competent and committed individual. What do you consider major mistakes made by the PDP in the recent polls? At this point I can identify five major causes for the party’s loss. They are (1.) A lack of appreciation of the role of the founding fathers of the

PDP and the sacrifices that they made to establish the party as a national entity. (2.) The current leaders took everybody for granted. (3.) The party was overtaken by a culture of impunity. (4.) The party enshrined a lack of internal democracy in its affairs. (5. The party destroyed the main pillar of its existence – Zoning! Could you elaborate on these reasons to explain how these led to the party ’s devastating loss? As one of the founding fathers of the PDP I need not say too much more at this point but several examples of these errors arose over the past fifteen year and each time the sitting leaders of the party behaved as if they were “headmasters dealing with rebellious pupils” instead of politicians dealing with their equals. There is only so much that the electorate can take. We could not deliver on “security” and “corruption”, and so the natural alternative is the cry for “change”. Do you have any advice for the incoming government and if so what would it be? I would advise the incoming government to learn from the mistakes of our own party the PDP, and to respect all Nigerians and the Nigerian Constitution as first principles of their conduct in office. I would also advise them to be fair to all the six geo-political zones and to remember always that the World Is Watching!

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 49

50 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Legal implications of Kashamu’s extradition By Femi Falana, SAN

HE Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and the United States was signed on June 24, 1935 while it entered into force on June 24, 1935. The treaty was signed with the United States by the British colonial regime which then exercised dominion over the territory of Nigeria. When Nigeria obtained political independence from the Britannic Majesty in 1960 the treaty was, like several others, adopted by the federal government. By virtue of Article 3 of the Treaty, extradition shall be reciprocally granted for crimes or offences such as Murder, Manslaughter, Administering drugs or using instruments with intent to procure the miscarriage of women, Rape, Threats, by letter or otherwise, with intent to extort money or other things of value, larceny or embezzlement, Fraud or fraudulent conversion, Obtaining money, valuable security, or goods, by false pretences; Crimes or offences or attempted crimes or offences in connection with the traffic in dangerous drugs. Under the treaty, extradition shall not take place if the person claimed has already been tried and discharged or punished, or is still under trial in the territories of the High Contracting Party applied to, for the crime or offence for which his extradition is demanded. If the person claimed should be under examination or under punishment in the territories of the High Contracting Party applied to for any other crime or offence, his extradition shall be deferred until the conclusion of the trial and the full execution of any punishment awarded to him. Even though the treaty is silent on civil proceedings challenging the legal validity of the extradition of any person the exercise may be stayed or suspended if there is a court order to that effect. By virtue of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 the Attorney-General or a court shall not surrender a fugitive criminal if satisfied that the offence in respect of which his surrender is sought is an offence of a political character or that the request for surrender, although purporting to be

•Kashamu made in respect of an extradition Crime, was in fact made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him on account of his race; religion, nationality or political opinions or was otherwise not made in good faith or in the interests of justice; or that, if surrendered, he is likely to be prejudiced at his trial, or to be punished, detained or restricted in his personal liberty, by reason of his race, religion, nationality or political opinions. With respect to Chief Buruji Kashamu, the order of the federal high court that he should not be extradited has been set aside by the Court of Appeal. Although the appeal filed against the decision is pending at the Supreme Court there is no order of execution or interlocutory injunction restraining the federal government from extraditing Chief Kashamu to the United States to stand trial for drug trafficking. Hence, the PDP chieftain and senator-elect has initiated a fresh suit at the federal high court to thwart any move to extradite him to the United States! As the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke SAN has not been legally prohibited on the matter he is reported to have concluded arrangements to commence extradition proceedings on the basis of a request made by the United

States pursuant to the Extradition Treaty. Before Chief Kashamu parted ways with President Olusegun Obasanjo in the PDP and before the appointment of Mrs. Roli George as the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chief Kashamu had been on the wanted list of the United States for drug related offences. Therefore the allegation that

The fundamental right of Chief Kashamu to personal liberty cannot be said to have been violated since the procedure for extraditing him was made by the United States under an existing and valid treaty

Chief Obasanjo and Chief Olabode George are behind the ongoing moves to extradite the senator-elect is illogical, spurious and diversionary. Instead of politicizing the planned extradition proceedings Chief Kashamu should be prepared for the legal battle ahead. He is lucky that he is detained in his own house. But for his status as a member of the ruling class, Chief Kashamu would have been bundled to the NDLEA detention facility in Lagos where he would have been denied access to his phone. It should also be pointed out that the decent treatment being accorded Chief Kashamu is part of the intangible dividends of democracy.Only the rich are detained in their homes as the concept of “house arrest” is unknown to our criminal justice system. Under the defunct military junta the embattled PDP leader would have been arrested, handcuffed and handed to American security officials. He would have been further manacled and flown to the United States for trial. At the material time, extradition proceedings were not conducted in any court. Once a request was made by the United States or any other country under an extradition treaty the person claimed was arrested by any of the security agencies and thrown out of the country. In the instant case, to ensure that the house arrest of Chief Kashamu does not extend beyond 48 hours, the NDLEA surrounded his house in Lagos on Saturday morning. The NDLEA has confirmed that the extradition hearing of the senatorelect would commence on Monday morning. Thus, by the combined effect of section 35 of the Constitution and the Extradition Act, Chief Kashamu would appear in the federal high court on May 25 where the Attorney-General of the Federation will apply for his extradition to the United States. Since there is equality before the law it is hoped that the security forces and the Attorney-General will always treat Nigerian citizens with decency and dignity whenever there is reasonable suspicion to arrest them for allegedly committing criminal offences. Having consistently excoriated Chief Obasanjo on behalf of President Jonathan

To ensure that the house arrest of Chief Kashamu does not extend beyond 48 hours, the NDLEA surrounded his house in Lagos on Saturday morning

and having invested in the aborted efforts to capture the South West geo -political zone for the PDP, Chief Kashamu has cause to be frustrated and tired of life. But he should be advised not to commit suicide or harm himself for his seeming betrayal by the outgoing Administration which decided, rather belatedly, to collaborate with the American government in humiliating him. Notwithstanding that he has been used and dumped Chief Kashamu should be prepared for his trial in the United States. After all, he has repeatedly maintained that this is case of a mistaken identity. With his enormous wealth he should hire a top lawyer in the United States who will assist him to prove that he is not the person wanted for drug related offences. In the light of the foregoing, it is submitted that the fundamental right of Chief Kashamu to personal liberty cannot be said to have been violated since the procedure for extraditing him was made by the United States under an existing and valid treaty. The planned extradition to determine whether or not Chief Kashamu should be extradited to the United States accords with the rule of law as it is in line with the provisions of the Extradition Act . To ensure that the sword of Damocles does not continue to hang menacingly on his head, Chief Kashamu may wish to surrender himself for trial in the United States instead of embarking on a prolonged legal battle in Nigeria. But if he insists on his innocence let the law take its course through the extradition proceedings.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 51 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today. LEO: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast. VIRGO: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative you are today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love are in for an exciting day. LIBRA: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead. SCORPIO: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

THOUGHT FOR TODA Y TODAY By Richard Eromosele

HERE is only one thing that humans don’t want in life and that is change. But whether we like it or not, change will come. It either comes on its own or is provoked. Of all the things in life, change is the only constant. It is

The Change Factor senseless to work against change. For everyone that works against change either ends up consumed or destroyed by change. For change to be effective, we must act

TERROR MUDA

the change as individuals and as a collective. If our attitude, our lifestyle, our values, our ethics and etiquettes remain essentially the way they have been, then

in “Never say goodbye”

we are not sincere. Change means new ways, new things. If i change and you change, then Nigeria will change. Do you deserve a change? Then be the change you desire. Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious. CAPRICORN Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today. AQUARIUS: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course. The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast. PISCES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life. ARIES: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited. TAURUS: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

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

What’s my horoscope? Tell me my full horoscope

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.. Anonymous. Nigeria. Dear Anonymous, You were born on a Sunday. The Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born Libra will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each. PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue. Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power. You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise. One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

52—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

MTN commended for Jerusalem pilgrimage sponsorship By Etop Ekanem

AGOS — AS part of its continuous effort in uplifting the spiritual life of its subscribers and ensuring they become better in their Christian faith, Nigeria’s leading telecommunications and ICT Company, MTN, has sponsored 20 of its Christian subscribers in an all-expense paid trip to Jerusalem for this year ’s pilgrimage. The sponsorship is in appreciation of the lifeenriching Christian Value Added Services (VAS) they subscribed

to. The pilgrims, who departed the Murtala M o h a m m e d International Airport, Lagos, weekend, will be spending eight days in the holy land. They were full of excitement and praises for MTN, as regards the rare privilege the company has given them in fulfilling a life-long desire through the allexpense paid trip. General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Mr Richard Iweanoge, who was represented by Senior Manager, Segment, MTN, Saidat L a w a l Mohammed, admonished the pilgrims to remember Nigeria in their prayers as they embark on this journey, due to the challenges facing the nation at this time in its history. On the electronic selection process of the customers, she explained that

subscribers were selected based on the Christian VAS the winners subscribed to. She said: “The selection was based on the daily devotionals, Bible quotes, sermons, songs, prayers, hymns, religious callertunez and other spiritually uplifting and faith enriching content, they subscribed to. The lucky winners were therefore selected through a draw. “This is one of the ways we decided to reward our Christian subscribers for their adoption of our Christian VAS. Every subscriber is important to us and we must show appreciation. We will keep going the extra mile to show just how much we care,” she said. Corroborating LawalMohammed’s view, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Bayo Adekanmbi said the strategic focus for this initiative was to show support to MTN Christian subscribers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015—53

PIB: RIP –‘Rest in Pieces’ Corporation, NNPC. Even the recent audit b y PriceWaterhouse, apart from raising more questions than it answered, only captured the r e v e n u e reported by NNPC. It left untouched the issue of 400,000 barrels per day which, by the F e d e r a l Government’s own admission, were lost. Neither did it capture alleged overloading of crude or loading w i t h o u t payment etc. It certainly failed to mention instances when payment for crude was made into secret bank accounts, to

Every great enterprise starts off with enthusiasm for an exalted aim and ends up bogged down in petty politics —Charles Peguy, 1873-1914. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 49).

By Dele Sobowale

Dreams die first; then hope

f ever there was one great damage President Jonathan did to the people of the Niger Delta, it would have to be his failure to get the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, passed twice – first in 2011 and again in 2015. At the moment, members of the National Assembly, NASS, are moving out of their offices – undoubtedly on the orders of the Executive branch of government. Perhaps, this was done to forestall any attempt by the lawmakers, still bent on passing a Constitution amendment which they want foisted on the nation. Other casualties of the sudden closure of the NASS include the Constitution Amendments proposed by the Jonathan administration sponsored Constitutional Conference, CONFAB. The CONFAB has now become a triple tragedy. It represents hopes dashed as another attempt fails; it was a waste of time of some of the best people in Nigeria and it amounted to N10-12 billion down the drain. That will also be part of Jonathan’s lengthy legacy of failures. But, if there is one legacy which can be regarded as inexcusable it is the death of PIB 2. One of the unintended consequences of the abrupt end to the NASS is the final closure of any attempt to get the PIB passed. In short, from 2010 to 2015, President Jonathan, members of the NASS from the Niger Delta (irrespective of political party), Governors and State Houses of Assembly in the Niger Delta, as well as “professional” public opinion leaders from the ND, had betrayed their people. The major culprit was President Jonathan. It would have been inconceivable for the people of the Niger Delta, until it happened, that one of their sons would be in Aso Rock for eight years, three as Vice-President and five as President, and fail to push for the passage of the one bill that would provide for more equitable distribution of revenue accruing from oil and gas exploration and export. Today, as Jonathan gets set to move out, that is the unfortunate reality. That reality will cost the Niger Delta immeasurable fortune and lost job creation opportunities in years to come. With this golden opportunity lost, the oil producing areas of the region face innumerable years before they can regain the initiative which Obong Victor Attah, the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State promoted through his campaign for RESOURCE CONTROL. That almost sing-handed effort resulted in the allocation of thirteen per cent of derivation to the oil producing states. But as Attah had always insisted, the thirteen per cent was a temporary arrangement. The ultimate goal was a return to true fiscal federalism which would

C M Y K

allow each state to collect revenue from resources within its own boundaries and remitting only a fixed percentage to the Federal Government. Attah was obviously a man ahead of his time. The nation was/is not ready for true Federalism. Meanwhile, the oil producing states and communities were bearing all the scourges of oil exploration and production – some of which involve environmental damages that will require centuries to reverse. That called for a major shift in the nation’s approach to revenue allocation. Unfortunately, a constitutional amendment designed to promote the interest of the oil producing communities was not immediately feasible. The only other alternative to achieve greater equity for the Niger Delta was to introduce privatization into the upstream and downstream aspects of the nation’s oil sector. This was what PIB 1 and 2 were supposed to achieve. The arguments for this drastic departure from existing approaches to managing our oil wealth were compelling.

Augean stable and horse manure

However, instead of listing seriatim, all the disadvantages of the existing process for managing our oil resources, a few will be sufficient to illustrate the problems. Importation of refined petroleum products, intractable fuel scarcity, massive theft of crude oil by syndicates, monumental corruption involving all the agencies of government responsible for harnessing our oil resources will serve as proxy for all the other reasons why abundant reserves of crude oil has been more of a curse than a blessing to Nigeria. There is no need, at this point to repeat our litany of woes on each count. They are all too familiar. Let us just very briefly mention a few. None of which is admittedly new to us. Today, nobody in the entire world can authoritatively declare how much revenue Nigeria has lost as result of the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum

collect interests which rightly belonged to Nigeria but went into private pockets. Surely, the report did not take into account NNPC and the Federal Government borrowing from banks, at Shylock rates of interest, while at the same time having huge balances in their accounts with those banks. Such activities have been summarized under the concept of moral hazard – individuals in public office spending funds in manners they would not have done if the funds were their own.

Saved by the smell

In boxing a fighter who is already hanging on the ropes is sometimes saved by the bell. Nigerians, hanging on to dear life had expected to be saved from the smell in Augean stable by Jonathan. It was not to be. PIB was designed to move the country away from the mindless profligacy of public servants to the more rational approach which deregulation represents. If even only ten per cent of the oil belonged to the community, and another fixed percentage to the state, while the rest belongs to the private sector, then the issue of stolen oil would disappear because no community, state or private owner would allow its oil to be stolen for long. Ultimately, more revenue will accrue to the

Nobody in the entire world can authoritatively declare how much revenue Nigeria has lost as result of the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC

communities and states for general development – instead of to a few who build palatial mansions for others to marvel at. It was assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that a President who, by his own admission, went to school “shoeless” will see the benefits of PIB to the downtrodden masses, not only in terms of general improvement in prosperity but also for massive job creation in the Niger Delta. It was also assumed, quite wrongly again, that he would constitute the arrowhead for ensuring the bill is passed – even if it would cost him the second term. As it is, there will be no second term; and not because he fought for the PIB – but in spite of his total neglect of the bill each time it was presented to the National Assembly.

A tale of two PIBs

Some Nigerians might not be aware that President Jonathan and his Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Alison Deziani Madueke, actually promoted the first PIB, PIB 1, while he was finishing Yar ’Adua’s term in 2010-2011. From 2010 May till May 29, 2011, the President and the Minister actively tried to promote PIB 1, which gave more concessions to the International Oil Companies, IOCs, than to Nigeria. On a state visit in February 2011, Jonathan assured the Turkish President that he would sign the PIB 1 into law before May 29, 2011. Meanwhile, working as a consultant to some patriotic Nigerians, I was probably one of less than ten Nigerians who read the entire 892 pages of the proposed PIB 1. We were opposed to PIB 1 and set about to defeat it in what should have been a David and Goliath contest. Against only a few million naira to work with on our side, the Presidency, Ministry and, of course the IOCs, had deployed billions of naira to get the NASS to pass PIB 1. But, by March 2011, it was clear to us that PIB1 would never get passed. The President and the Minister simply dumped PIB 1 on the NASS and turned their backs leaving us to slug it out with the IOCs. That made it easier to simply bottle PIB 1 up in the NASS until it passed into history. Shortly after the 2011 Elections, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, once again, presented an amended PIB, PIB 2, to the National Assembly. The opponents of PIB, any PIB whatsoever, once again mobilized for action – expecting me to lead the fight. But, a patriotic elder statesman from the Niger Delta to whom the offer was mentioned implored me not to oppose PIB 2. It was a request impossible to refuse – irrespective of the huge financial sacrifice. However, while agreeing to work for the passage of PIB 2, it was pointed out that PIB 2 might never be passed because the President and the Minister could not be relied upon to lead the battle. In fact, it was bluntly stated that they would simply dump the bill and allow its opponents to defeat it by bottling it up. At least twice a year, the elder statesman would be reminded that the bill is stuck in Committees of the Senate and House – while time flew. Out of desperation, in 2013 and again in 2014, letters were written to the Governors of the Niger Delta drawing their

attention to the fate of PIB 2 and the need for them to come to the rescue of the bill for the sake of their people. Till today, none of the Governors even acknowledged receipt of the letters. Certainly, none took action. Niger Delta elected officials, in both houses of the NASS, were also individually and collectively derelict in their duties to the people of the Niger Delta. It would be difficult to imagine American Senators and Congressmen neglecting a vital bill, affecting their states, for four years and still having the nerve to return home and campaign for re-election or for governor. Yes, others share part of the blame. Even the “leaders of thought” from the region paid no attention to the bill. There was no single person from the oil producing communities and states who monitored the progress, or lack of it, of PIB 2, because we followed its slow progress from the first day. But, the major blame for the death of PIB 2 should be shared between two people – the President and the Minister of Petroleum Resources. Since they come from the same state – Bayelsa – they owe their people a lot of apologies.

Consequences of the failure

“All great and honourable actions are accomplished with great difficulties and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courage..” Pilgrims landing in America. What could be responsible for this singular and costly failure? One sage summarized it as “lack of grit”. The outgoing President of Nigeria craved admiration, even love. Granted, only a sadist or psychopath will endorse Cicero’s, 106-43 B.C, advice: “Oderint dum metuant,(Latin) meaning, “Let them hate as long as they fear.” But, the most effective leaders don’t set out to be loved. When the chips are down, they set out to get what they want. They do what they have to do achieve results. Jonathan came across as a leader who did not want anything – not even the Presidency. Otherwise, how would someone who had spent more years in the corridors of power than most complain that he had been “in a cage for sixteen years”? So, even his concession of electoral defeat might not be for our sake but as a means of escape from challenges which he was incapable of confronting.

Return of the native son

Certainly, when he returns home, if asked, “Your Excellency, what have you brought back that will prove to be a lasting legacy?” the answer should be: “Nothing.” Indeed, everything else which Jonathan might have “taken back home” cannot possibly wipe off the tremendous losses which will accumulate over the years on account of the monumental error of not pushing PIB 2 through – at whatever cost. With the death of PIB 2, the Niger Delta had missed its golden opportunity to right the wrongs it had suffered since oil was first discovered at Oloibiri. Millions will suffer needless deprivations; untold trillions of naira will flow out in the future. Surely, nobody in the next four years, at least, will re-visit PIB 2; or propose PIB 3. It might never even come up again in our life time.

54—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

Dangote’s $480m Ethiopian cement plant for commissioning June 5 By Peter Egwuatu

S part of its expansion plan in African countries, Dangote Cement Plc will next week Thursday commission its 2.5 million mtpa cement plant in Ethiopia, as the company inches towards the mark of 40 million mtpa total production capacity globally before year end. Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Haile Desalegne, is expected to perform the opening ceremony at an event that will be graced by top members of Nigeria business community. A statement from the Dangote Group indicated that the government and people of Ethiopia are excited about the timely completion of the project and the economic prospects of having such a huge company in that area of the country. An invitation letter sent by the Dangote Cement to the Chief Executive Officer of one of the commercial banks showed that Nigerian guests would be flown to Ethiopia next week Wednesday, June 3, to witness the June 5 event and would be brought back to Nigeria on Friday, June 6. The plant said, to be the single largest investment by an African, will be the fifth in the series of the offshore plants of the company that have rolled out cement within the last one year in the African continent, coming after Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia.

From left— Mr. Lewis Tung, Group Managing Director, WEMPCO Western Products; Dr. Frank Jacobs, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN; Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group; Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Honeywell Group; and Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, during a dinner by the organised private sector in honour of Aganga and the unveiling of a photo story of MITI Transformation in 42 Months, in Lagos.

Telecom operators to shut network over fuel crisis By Emeka Aginam

OBILE phone operators in Nigeria, yesterday, warned that their networks face shutdown due to fuel shortages that have crippled the nation for the past few weeks. The warning from MTN and Airtel is a sign that businesses across the nation are now being hard hit. In its reaction, Airtel said yesterday that the situation was impacting negatively on its commitments to delivering quality services and seamless telephony experience to Nigerians. Airtel said in a statement: “We are currently doing everything within our means, as well as going the extra mile, to ensure that all our base stations and switches are up and running. “It is sad to note that it is becoming increasingly difficult to replenish current stock of diesel due to the lingering scarcity of the products.

“We are also concerned that, if the situation persists, it may have adverse effects on our network, impacting both voice and data services. “Airtel, therefore, wishes to assure all customers that we will continue working with all our partners and stakeholders to mitigate any negative impact, as we remain committed to our promise of providing exceptional services just as

HE business community, yesterday, has called for immediate deregulation of the oil and gas downstream sector of the economy by the Buhari's government, saying it is the solution to the recurring problem of petroleum scarcity in the country. Meanwhile, Federal Government has blamed dwindling and epileptic

electricity supply on the ongoing strike by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG. Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, said the current model of managing the sector has done a colossal damage to the Nigerian economy.

“If diesel supplies are not received within the next 24 hours, the network will be seriously degraded and customers will feel the impact,” it added on its Twitter account, @MTNNG, weekend. “Diesel generators power most of MTN’s base stations and switches across the country, but fuel supplies are running low,” MTN Corporate Services Executive, Akinwale Goodluck, said. Meanwhile, at press time, attempt to get reaction from Glo and Etisalat failed.

PENGASSAN to Buhari: Technocrats, not politicians should run NNPC By Oboh Agbonkhese

AGOS—THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has said the incoming administration of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, must ensure that technocrats, not politicians, head the board of Nigerian

Deregulation 'll end fuel scarcity—LCCI By Naomi Uzor

we seek the cooperation and understanding of all while apologising for any inconvenience at this time.” Similarly, MTN has warned that its network faces shutdown due to fuel shortages that have crippled the nation. The company, the biggest subsidiary of South Africabased MTN Group, said it needed a “significant quantity of diesel in the very near future to prevent a shut-down of services across Nigeria.

It said: “Government needs to get out of the way so that the sector and the economy as a whole can make progress. “Deregulation will pave the way for the restoration of normalcy in the sector and attract private capital, boost investments and create jobs.” LCCI President, Alhaji Remi Bello, said: “Deregulation has become necessary to provide an enduring solution to the recurring problems in the sector.”

National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The union said it was the only way government can move towards “achieving effectiveness and curbing wastages of our resources and potentials to improve accountability and optimisation across the polity and economy.” PENGASSAN’s President, Mr. Francis Johnson, told newsmen in Lagos that the holding company and its 10 subsidiaries can only be effective and adhere to global best practices if not subjected to undue political interference. Speaking on PENGASSAN’s View on the Road Map to Revamp the Oil and Gas Industry, Mr. Johnson said: “There is need to instil in NNPC the culture of corporate governance and career management, which requires a legislative review

to ensure that the board of NNPC is headed by technocrats and not politicians. “The position of Group Managing Director and Managing Directors of the subsidiaries must be tenure based to check frequent termination of employment by the President that leads to policy somersault and unstable system, which breeds compromise of corporate values and principles.” He also said Buhari’s government should establish a Petroleum Inspectorate for effective regulation of the sector, and that the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE-P, for which N21 billion is provided for in the N2015 budget, be scrapped. On the Petroleum Industry Bill, PENGASSAN said: “There is need for an all-inclusive stakeholders’ summit to harmonise the grey areas and ensure speedy passage of the bill in a fair and equitable manner.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015—55

Why we did not participate in Sen Chukwumerije’s burial —Abia govt By Anayo Okoli

informing it of his death. He said: “No member of the Chukwumerije’s family bothered to inform Abia State government that Senator Uche Chukwumerije had serious health challenges. “Notwithstanding the afore stated, when the news of the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije was received, His Excellency, Chief T. A. Orji, the Governor of Abia State, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, sent out a

condolence message which was widely published by both the print and electronic media. “His Excellency, the governor equally sent the Liaison Officer in charge of Abuja, Mr. Ogbonna Anyaoha, to the Chukwumerije's family, as protocol demands, to inform them that he was coming to visit the family at their Abuja residence. This request was turned down.” According to Agbazuere, the State Attorney-General, Chief

Umeh Kalu, was also dispatched to the late senator’s family to secure a date and time for the governor’s planned condolence visit, but the commissioner was turned back, with Chukwumerije’s first son, Che and others allegedly rebuffing the governor’s request. He alleged that the family told Umeh that they were not expecting the governor and that the state should steer clear of the burial.

MUAHIA—ABIA State government said, yesterday, it abstained from the burial ceremonies of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who was buried last Friday, in respect of his wishes and those of his family. The government said the late senator, who represented Abia North senatorial district before his death, instructed that the government should steer clear of his burial. The instruction, the government said, was handed down to the family before his demise. Briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, in reactions on the non-participation of Abia State government in the senator ’s burial, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. A.C.B. Agbazuere, said the family of the late senator kept government in the dark regarding the senator’s health condition and even rebuffed concerted efforts made by it to be part of the burial. According to Agbazuere, no responsible person or government could have ignored such action. He lamented that no member of the family bothered to inform Abia State government that Senator CEREMONY: From left, Mrs. Pamela Arigbe, Miss Uju Erokwu, Chief Chike Erokwu, and Chief Uche Chukwumerije had serious Obiageli Erokwu, during the installation ceremony of Chief Chike Erokwu, as the Ojiudo-enema of health challenges, let alone Onitsha.

ABIA: Disengaged workers petition Buhari By Felix Ogbonna

B A — N O N INDIGENOUS workers disengaged from Abia State Civil Service have petitioned the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), over their fate. In October, 2012, Abia State

government disengaged over 4, 000 non-indigenes working in the state’s civil service without any monetary compensation. In a petition addressed to the President-elect, and signed by Mrs. F.I Ihejirika, Leader and U. Unogu, Secretary, the group, under the umbrella of Abia State Disengaged Non-Indigene Workers, ASDNIW, narrated how

the state government served them letters of disengagement on October 1, 2012, when the nation was celebrating its independence anniversary. The group lamented that about two months later, the same government came up with another letter captioned, ‘Re-instatement of South South indigenes and other non-Igbo speaking states of

Nigeria,’ thereby making sure that the disengaged workers were from core Igbo speaking states of the South East geopolitical zone. The workers said the unlawful disengagement was done without regard to those who had put in almost 35 years of service and were not given any terminal benefits.

Ebonyi APC factional chairman, gov candidate, others shun Buhari solidarity rally

By Peter Okutu

B A K A L I K I — U N C E R T A I N T Y, weekend, trailed the solidarity rally organized by Ebonyi State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, as the embattled state chairman of the party, Ben Nwobashi, distanced himself from the rally. According to him, the rally was planned by “some dissidents and has not the blessing of Ebonyi State Working Committee as well as the National Secretariat of APC.” The rally, which was supposed to be held at the state township stadium, was later moved to another venue owned by a loyalist C M Y K

of Ebonyi State governor, Chief Martin Elechi, following security report that some disgruntled elements were planning to cause crisis in the state. The state Police Public Relations

Officer, Chris Anyanwu, admitted that security clearance was issued to the organizers to hold the rally at the stadium based on the information they had that the President -elect would be

attending. He, however, noted that there was intelligent report that hoodlums were planning to cause mayhem, and decided to forestal any break-down of law and order

Police arrest fraudster over false report of car theft By Francis Igata

NUGU—A notorious fraudster, Othega Benedict,who hails from Ewule village,Udu, in Delta State, but resides in Ibadan,Oyo State, has been arrested by operatives of Ogui Division of Enugu police command for false report that his car was stolen Suspect was arrested at Ogui

police station as he came to report false incident of his car theft on May 23. According to police spokesperson, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, the suspect had been moving from one police station in Enugu State to another reporting false incident of his car theft with a view to currying sympathy from police officers and the public. He said: “The suspect was in the middle of his antics reporting

false car theft at the counter of Ogui police station when one of the officers whom he had duped recognised him. “He goes to police stations to report that armed robbers have snatched his car. After the sympathetic story, he will then ask the officers on duty to assist him financially to enable him go back to Lagos State where he resides."

APC chieftain, Onu calls for increased funding of education By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—FIRST civilian governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has called for drastic increased investment in the nation’s education sector, saying it would galvanize national development. According to Onu, education remains a critical sector in the nation’s development. He urged Nigerians to learn from developed countries of the world which made education the cornerstone of their development. Dr. Onu, who spoke at 3rd Special convocation ceremony of Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, where he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree, said no nation would achieve sustainable development without adequate investment in education. “Investment in education is money well spent,” he added.

Anambra JUSUN resumes strike today By Vincent Ujumadu

W K A — ANAMBRA State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, has resumed its suspended strike today, following the state government’s nonimplementation of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, the union signed with it in March this year. JUSUN members took the decision last week with the workers accusing the state government of taking them for a ride by failing to keep its side of the bargain. The MoU, which was signed between government and JUSUN officials on March 20, 2015, before the strike was called off, provided that henceforth, money for salaries, overheads and capital projects should be paid into the account of the judiciary in line with its new financial autonomy status. But they regretted that rather than implement the agreement, the workers were yet to receive their April 2015 salary and that nobody had told them when it would be paid.

56 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 25 , 2015

Syrian army fight back

US, Iraq trade blame over fall of Ramadi U S Defense Secretary Ash Carter has criticised Iraqi forces for showing no will to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group during the fall of Ramadi, in comments dismissed as “baseless” by a senior Iraqi legislator. Carter told CNN’s State of the Union programme on Sunday that the Iraqi army failed to take on ISIL despite having a numerical advantage. “The Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight...they vastly outnumbered the opposing force and yet they withdrew from the site,” Carter said. The comments were rejected by a senior Iraqi lawmaker, Hakim alZamili, who said the Pentagon chief ’s

comments were “unrealistic and baseless”. Zamili, who heads the Iraqi parliamentary defence and security committee, said the US should bear much of the blame for Ramadi’s fall for its failure to provide “good equipment, weapons and aerial support” to the soldiers. He said the US military was seeking to “throw the blame on somebody else,” the Associated Press news agency reported. Carter said that the US was continuing to provide air strikes and supply Iraqi forces with training and equipment, but Washington was keeping a close watch on the situation. “Air strikes are effective, but neither they nor anything we

can do can substitute for the Iraqis’ will to fight,” Carter said. “They’re the ones who have to beat ISIL and then keep them beat.

“If there comes a time when we need to change the kinds of support we’re giving to the Iraqi forces, we’ll make that recommendation.”`

HE Syrian army is deploying troops in areas near the ancient town of Palmyra in apparent preparation for a counter attack to retake it from the Islamic State group, an official said. Gov. Talal Barazi of the central province of Homs, which includes Palmyra, told The Associated Press Sunday that IS members have “committed mass massacres in the city of

Iraqi soldiers and Shiite fighters from the popular committees fire towards Islamic State (IS) positions in the Garma district of Anbar province.

Malaysia finds mass graves of suspected migrants

A L AY S I A N authorities said yesterday that they have discovered a series of graves in at least 17 abandoned camps used by human traffickers on the border with Thailand where Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar have been held. The finding follows a

similar discovery earlier this month by police in Thailand who unearthed dozens of bodies from shallow graves in abandoned camps on the Thai side of the border. The grim discoveries are shedding new light on the hidden network of jungle camps run by traffickers,

who have for years held countless desperate people captive while extorting ransoms from their families. Most of those who have fallen victim to the trafficking networks are refugees and impoverished migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, part of a wave of people who have fled their homelands

to reach countries like Malaysia, where they hope to find work or live free from persecution. As Southeast Asian governments have launched crackdowns amid intensified international pressure and media scrutiny, traffickers have

abandoned camps on land and even boats at sea to avoid arrest. Malaysian Home Minister Zahid Hamidi told reporters that police were trying to identify and verify “mass graves that were found” in the region near the Thai border.

Russian outlaws ‘undesirable’ organizations

Malaysian authorities inspecting mass grave of suspected migrants in the northern state of Perlis near Thai border.

RESIDENT Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law at the weekend giving prosecutors the power to declare foreign and international organizations “undesirable” in Russia and shut them down. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the measure as part of an “ongoing draconian crackdown which is squeezing the life out of civil society.” The law is part of a Kremlin campaign to stifle dissent that intensified after Putin began his third term in 2012. His return to the presidency had been

Climate change: Catholics to promote Pope’s message

HEN Pope Francis releases his muchanticipated teaching document on the environment and climate change in the coming weeks, a network of Roman Catholics will be ready. These environmental advocates

— who work with bishops, religious orders, Catholic universities and lay movements — have been preparing for months to help maximize the effect of the statement, hoping

for a transformative impact in the fight against global warming. “This is such a powerful moment,” said Patrick Carolan, executive director of Franciscan Action Network, a Wa s h i n g t o n - b a s e d

advocacy group formed by Franciscan religious orders. “We’re asking ourselves, ‘What would be the best way for us to support the faith community in getting this out and using it as a call to action?’”

•Putin accompanied by mass street protests that Putin accused the United States of fomenting. Russian suspicions of Western intentions have been further heightened because of tensions over Russia’s role in the conflict in Ukraine. The new Russian law allows prosecutors to declare an organization undesirable if it presents a threat to Russia’s constitutional order, its defenses or its security. Laws passed in recent years already have led to increased pressure on Russian non-governmental organizations, particularly those that receive foreign funding.

Palmyra” since they captured it on Wednesday. He said IS fighters took many civilians, including women, to unknown destinations. Activists in the town have said that IS fighters have hunted down President Bashar Assad’s loyalist since taking the town, killing some 280 people. Syria’s Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi condemned what he called “a massacre” in Palmyra blaming Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey for such killings because of their support for groups trying to remove Assad from power. Al-Halqi called on the international community and all humanitarian organizations to pressure the governments that support “terrorism” to stop their support “as terrorism is posing a global danger.” Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar are main backers of Syrian rebels and opposition groups.

Greece admits insolvency

REECE warned yesterday it has no money to repay the International Monetary Fund on time in June unless a deal is reached with its creditors, in a stark warning that the country could be just days away from defaulting. Athens already had a close shave in May, when it was only able to scrape together the 750 million euros ($845 million) due to the IMF then by raiding its emergency reserves. With the clock ticking down to four more debt instalments from June 5, Interior Minister Nikos Voutsis told Mega TV that the country has nothing left for the IMF in its coffers. “The instalments for the IMF in June are 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion). This money will not be given. There isn’t any to be given. This is a known fact,” Voutsis said. Nevertheless, the minister believes that negotiations between Athens and its creditors were taking place “on the basis of cautious optimism that there will be a strong agreement”. Greece’s radical-left government has been locked in negotiations with its creditors — the IMF, the European Union and the European Central Bank — for the past four months in a bid to unlock some 7.2 billion euros in bailout cash.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, MAY 25 , 2015 — 57

Libya seeks help to halt Europe-bound migrants E

UROPE cannot halt the deadly traffic of African migrants across the Mediterranean unless it ends a boycott of forces that have seized power in the Libyan capital and helps authorities there cope, the de facto government in Tripoli said. Chaos and civil war since NATO warplanes helped topple dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 have turned the North African country into the launching point for human traffickers smuggling tens of thousands of people across the Mediterranean. Libya’s rulers have rounded up thousands of Europe-bound African migrants in makeshift detention centres. But officials say they have no room to hold the migrants, no way of fighting smugglers and no hope of guarding vast desert frontiers to prevent thousands more people trying to reach the sea. “We tell you: come and talk and cooperate with us, the national salvation government,” Mohamed al-Ghirani, foreign minister

in the government based in the capital Tripoli, told Reuters in his office overlooking the Mediterranean. “If Europe doesn’t cooperate, then after (some) years Europe will be completely black. Europe will change from a white Europe to an African Europe,” he said. The lack of any unified authority in Libya has prevented virtually all international cooperation to respond to the migration crisis. An EU team helping to train and advise Libyan border guards evacuated the country. Nearly all European countries have withdrawn their embassies from Tripoli and refuse to recognise Ghirani’s government, which took control of the capital in heavy fighting last year. Instead, they recognise a rump government now based in the east. After 800 migrants drowned in the shipwreck of a fishing boat last month, European leaders agreed at an emergency summit to

strengthen naval patrols off the Libyan coast to fight the smugglers. But Ghirani said such efforts were pointless unless Europe began cooperating with his government’s forces on the ground. “Now we cannot do anything. The state is weak,” he said. “We need logistics, intelligence, aircraft.” Ghirani said Libya had detained more than 16,000 mostly African migrants in overcrowded detention centres. Some were being housed in abandoned schools and other public buildings.

Ethiopia’s ruling party expects victory in polls

THIOPIANS voted yesterday in the country’s first general elections since the death of strongman Meles Zenawi in 2012, with his successor Hailemariam Desalegn all but certain to stay in power. Over 36.8 million Ethiopians registered for

Burundi's opposition leader killed, others flee loyal to the president.

ANY of Burundi’s opposition figures have gone into hiding after the killing of Zedi Feruzi, leader of the Union for Peace and Development party, a major opposition said. Agathon Rwasa said a number of politicians, journalists and civic activists are hiding in Bujumbura, the capital, because they do not feel safe after the shooting on Saturday night . “The life of anyone who opposes (President) Pierre Nkurunziza is in danger...people are being assassinated here and there,” he told the Associated Press news agency. One of Feruzi’s bodyguards was also killed in the drive-by shooting.

Zedi Feruzi, leader of the Union for Peace At least 20 people have died in street protests in Bujumbura that have gone on for four weeks since the announcement that Nkurunziza would stand for a third term in the June 26 elections. At least 100,000 Burundians have fled to neighboring countries fearing political violence ahead of the elections. The protests boiled over on May 13 when an army general announced a coup, which was crushed in 48 hours by others in the army

Nkurunziza was in Tanzania attending a regional heads of state summit discussing the crisis in Burundi at the time of the coup. He returned to Bujumbura cautiously days after the failed coup attempt, and has since linked the street protests and the coup attempt.

T C M Y K

African nation. Up to 100,000 people from all over the world gathered in Nyeri to witness the ceremony at Dedan Kimathi University in which Sister Irene Stefani was declared “Blessed Irene,” Kenya’s

yesterday ’s polls, but analysts say the election in Africa’s second-most populous nation falls far short of true democracy. The opposition also alleges the government has used authoritarian tactics to guarantee victory. The outgoing Ethiopian parliament had one opposition MP, and one of the main opposition candidates, Yilekal Getinet, accused the government of “closing” political space. Voters stood peacefully in lines in the capital Addis Ababa. Stations were calm, without long queues but a regular flow of people passing through to cast their ballots. Posters of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) dominate the capital, and the party is again expected to get a

•Hailemariam Desalegn near-clean sweep of the 547 seat parliament. “I except the EPRDF to win - but maybe the opposition will get more seats so there will be more discussion about what the government is doing,” said Wossen, who was waiting to vote. “It is better for the country — now there is only one opposition MP and no discussion.” Polls opened at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) on Sunday, and were to close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with

initial results expected within two to five days, and final official tallies on June 22. African Union observer mission chief Hifikepunye Pohamba, a former president of Namibia, described the elections as “peaceful and orderly ” in a preliminary assessment. Three observers from different parties were seen in stations in the capital’s Kazanches and Cherkos districts, but in other centres only EPRDF observers were present. Ethiopia is now one of Africa’s top performing economies and a magnet for foreign investment. It also remains a favourite of key international donors, despite concerns over human rights, as a bastion of stability in an otherwise troubled region.

AfDB begins meeting in Abidjan today By Jimoh Babatunde with agency report

ELEGATES from across the globe are already converging in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s financial capital for the Annual Meetings of the

Thousands attend Italian nun’s beatification in Kenya ENS of thousands of people gathered in a central Kenyan town at the weekend to attend the beatification ceremony of an Italian nun who worked for many years in this East

Thousands of migrants seeking to enter Europe

Daily Nation newspaper reported Saturday. Millions more watched the beatification — reportedly the first on African soil — live on television, according to the newspaper.

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) which begins Monday. The 50th Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank’s Board of Governors and the 41st Meetings of the Board of Governors for the Bank’s concessionary window, the African Development Fund (ADF), signal the Bank Group’s return to its headquarters in 2014 after more than 11 years’ relocation in Tunis, Tunisia. Other high points of the meetings are the election of the Bank’s 8th

President, the commemoration of its 50th anniversary, and the formal admission of South Sudan as its 54th regional member country and its 80th global member. More than 2,500 delegates including heads of state and government are expected to attend the meetings led by the Bank’s Governors, usually Finance Ministers and Central Bank Chiefs who represent their countries at the topmost hierarchy of the Bank. Other participants

would include representatives of multilateral development finance institutions, development agencies, the private sector, nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations, civil society and the media. The gathering will review the Bank’s 2014 operations and its 2015 portfolio, as well as Africa’s thematic concerns such as regional integration and trade, infrastructure, private sector development, job creation, governance as well as inclusive and green growth.

58—Vanguard, MONDAY 5 MONDAY,, MAY 25, 201 2015

From stinking waste to recovered wealth: The story of a Lagos dump site By Olasunkanmi Akoni

ECORD has it that six million tonnes of waste are generated annually in Lagos and that 30 percent of such waste can be recycled to reduce the amount going to landfills. In other words, Lagos generates the equivalent tonnage in waste products for eight states in the country daily. It also operates eight landfill sites to process domestic and industrial waste in various locations across the state. But given this high turn over of waste and the fact that most of the land fills are already overflowing, there is the question of what is to be done to stem this disturbing development, especially in the light of on-going campaign for waste to wealth. The question was answered recently when Governor Babatunde Fashola commissioned a N1.3 billion West Africa Energy Material Recovery Facility, MRF, at Solous I MRF, LASU-Iba Road, Igando area of the state. The facility is said to be able, among others, to separate and prepare recyclable materials for end-user manufacturers. The project which comes under a Public Private Partnership, PPP, collaboration between the state and West Africa Energy Group, is to operate on the Built, Operate, Manage and Transfer, BOMT, policy framework. It has a tenure of 12 years with 20 percent equity to the state government monthly. The MRF facility Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning, the Onigando of Igando, Oba Tijani Gbadmosi, this land. It got so bad that our recounted how he prevented underground water was several attempts by some contaminated. Some who could individual to hijack the land for not bear it relocated. But thank wrong uses. According to him, God, that this MRF project has the space on where the MRF is put a stop to it. We can now live situated started as a minor refuse in a safe, clean environment.” Speaking earlier at the event, dump, developed into a refuse Gov Fashola said: “The heap and later expanded into big commissioning of the facility is dumpsite. “As a result of this development, another first in the history of the stench oozing out of the site Nigeria to the glory of God and was so strong that some residents another job creation venture in had to relocate. You dare not pass the solid waste management this area without covering your sector. Commercially, the MRF nose,” he said, adding that the will provide raw materials for intervention of the Lagos State plastic, paper and metal Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, saved the situation. He also informed with joy that since the arrival of MRF, the stench had disappeared, while thanking the Lagos State government and LAWMA for the happy development which also promises job opportunities for The MRF will people the area. Mr. John Chukwuemeka, provide raw materials chairman of one of the for plastic, paper and community development metal manufacturers associations in Igando New Town, had this to say: “When I throughout Lagos first moved into this area several and beyond in years ago, there was sanity. It used to be a quiet, lonely place commercial but as development crept in, we quantities started seeing heaps of refuse on

C M Y K

*Governor Babatunde Fashola and Oba Tijani Gbadmosi, flanked by officials during the launch of the facility

manufacturers throughout Lagos and beyond in commercial quantities. “In addition, several other small scale industries will develop within this cluster, such as nylon manufacturers, recyclables buyback centres for all. Siting the MRF in this locality will further improve turn-around time for the private sector participants, PSP, that dump waste in this MRF, resulting in more trips daily and cleaner Lagos environment overall.” Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Taofik Folami, added that the facility was a demonstration of government’s resolve to foster a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for the well being of citizens. “We all know that the era of landfill site is gradually winding down and waste must be generated. All citizens of Lagos will be expected to commence point of source waste segregation, while collection of sorted waste to MRF will be next stage to be advocated.” Managing Director of LAWMA, Ola Oresanya, whose agency is to supervise operation of the

facility, explained that the MRF would add value to the environment of the state and ensure a safer and more conducive atmosphere for the wellness of its citizens. Oresanya, who disclosed that the facility which will generate about 500 jobs in the first instance, added that it has the capacity to handle over 150 loaded refuse trucks per day. “The conception and development of MRF will unlock hidden potentials and benefits in environmental monitoring, management and sustainability through the generation of business opportunities and spinoffs that will benefit the people,” he said. Mrs. Lolade Oresanwo, Chief

Operating Officer of Solous MRF Ltd and West Africa Energy, also explained that: “The facility is to pick solid wastes like milk can, soft drinks cans and sort them through for recoverable purpose. Our next phase is to have Mechanical Biological Treatment, MBT, facility that will convert residual wastes from the MRF to energy and from that to another one called the refined compost for farmers. “Our mission is to ensure zero waste landfill by 2020. Presently, the facility has the capacity for 150 trucks per day and can accommodate 450 staff. Interestingly, 80 percent of our staff are females.”

At last, Lagos gets portal, number for non-emergency services By Kingsley Adegboye

platform, known as Citizen Relationship Management, CRM, on which citizens can interact with officials of the government on issues affecting them directly, has come into affect in Lagos State Launching and explaining the need for the initiative, the state governor, Babatunde Fashola, said it was modelled after international best practices where citizens are saved the inconvenience and expense in getting issues resolved by the government or its agencies. He noted that the idea is for a citizen of the state to be able to call a dedicated number to report, for instance, about refuse piling up or a burst water pipe or leaking sewage to enable the relevant agencies to attend to these issues within a stipulated time, depending on the magnitude of the problem.

According to him, with the launch of the CRM platform, it would be unnecessary for citizens to come to the Alausa Secretariat or to the Governor’s Office to report a situation or to pursue files from office to office for signatures. Remarking that people still want to make eye contact with government officials, regardless of the existence of telephones they could use to call the official lines government published for the purpose, he said: “We are stepping into the future today because I know that perhaps only members of this generation are still comfortable with eye-to-eye contact but those of the generation behind us are already talking to themselves with their cellphones, other applications and, perhaps they will be the biggest beneficiaries of this CRM but everybody is entitled to use it.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 —59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED AZUBUIKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Vivian Chimezie Azubuike , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vivian Chimezie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNLEYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rebecca Folasade Ogunleye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rebecca Folasade Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADEKOYA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Adekoya Taiwo Olanike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Banjo Taiwo Olanike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OFURUM—I, formerly known and addressed as Chidinma Stella Ofurum, now wish to be known and addressed as Chidinma Stella Orji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OHANYERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Ohanyere Daberechi Success Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Ukaegbu Daberechi Success Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BADIAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Badiah Folashade Oluwatobi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dairo Folashade Oluwatobi. All former documents remain valid. Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State and general public please take note.

OKECHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Doris Ifeoma Okechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Doris Ifeoma Paul. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Nwanyisunday Nwosu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. E l i z a b e t h Nwanyisunday Mbakwe. All former documents remain valid. Secondary E d u c a t i o n Management Board, (SEMD) and general public please take note.

CHRISTIAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Christian Joy Ojonugwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Oshifeko Joy Ojonugwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWANERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Chidiebere Nnamdi Ugochukwu Nwaneri, now wish to be known and addressed as Chidiebere Nnamdi Ugochukwu Bertram. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

The names, Owhokor Onajite and Owhokor Onajite Abiodun, refer to one and same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Owhokor Onajite Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

of Name

OCHI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anurika Happiness Ochi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anurika Happiness Ani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Akpaka Tonyvin Efemena, now wish to be known and addressed as Akpaka Tony Efemena. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UFUOMA ABAMBA —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Salome Ufuoma Abamba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salome Ibhadiyi A. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEUGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gold Nkiruka Ezeugwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gold Nkiruka Onah. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, IMT and general public please take note.

FAWOLE—I, formerly known and addressed as Rukayat Adewumi Fawole, now wish to be known and addressed as Rukayat Adewumi Oyinlola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PATANI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ewoma Evelyn Patani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ewoma Evelyn Ebewore. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHUKWUMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwuma Eucharia Chinasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umunna Eucharia Chinasa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOKENYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vera Ewere Nwokenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imarhia Ewere Vera. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDORAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udorah Isioma Alexis, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ureki Isioma Alexis. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Godspla Uche Okonkwo, now wish to be known and addressed as God’splan Uche Mordi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KOMONIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Precious Nlem Aruchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms. Precious Kamonibo Aruchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EDO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edo Asheley Oboghenerhuru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezewu Ashley Oboghenerhuru. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BEKEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bekeh Oghenemirhe Becky, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Golpin Ogenemirhe Becky. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABUDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abudu Basiratu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rorobi Basiratu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation

YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E RT AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E : VA N G U A R D M E D I A L I M I T E D MURPHY'S PLAZA 2 7 , S A N U S I F A F U N WA S T R E E T , VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS. CALL: 08038092373, 08033163424

Flying Eagles need self-confidence to face Brazil –Lawal BY JUDE OPARA, ABUJA

HEAD of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup cracker between the Flying Eagles of Nigeria and their counterparts from Brazil, a former Nigerian international, Garba Lawal has advised the Coach Manu Garba tutored side to believe in themselves that they can defeat the South Americans. Lawal told Sports Vanguard in Abuja that the current African Youth Championship (AYC) winners must realize that the world stage is quite different from the continental games hence they must be ready to face any opposition no matter where they come from. He however expressed his confidence that the boys who have remained consistent right from their U-17 days will be able to give a good account of themselves especially if they continue to play like a team. “For me I have confidence in the U-20 boys because they have remained consistent, also they can run and attack and to win a tournament you must win in every game whether you like it or not and I only hope they can continue that way because football is all about continuity. “And talking about

playing Brazil in the first match, I will say that they are Brazil and we are Nigeria. In the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, we never thought we could defeat Mexico, defeat the same Brazil in the semi finals before beating Argentina with the likes of Ortega in the final. So I think that if they believe in themselves definitely they will go far. So whether you like it or not you have to play Brazil at any point in the championship.” On the dwindling fortunes of Nigerian players abroad, the former FC Roda player said it all depends on the penchant of the players to jump at any offer that comes their way. “It all depends on the players we have, while we believe they can play the big clubs don’t consider them good enough but I insist it is the same players that should help themselves, if you want to succeed in life it is you and not me. But I believe the real issue is about commitment and lack of sacrifices on their part.” Lawal also advised the players to always seek professional advice before accepting to sign for any club irrespective of what the agent may preach because it is all about the future of the player in question and not the agent.

Falcons happy with World Cup tour

UPER Falcons cap tain and midfielder Evelyn Nwabuoku has hailed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for adequately preparing the team for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Nwabuoku said the team will reciprocate the kind gesture by putting up a superlative performance when football hostilities start on June 6. “From the day I joined the team from my base everything has been going as planned. “I want to on behalf of my teammates thank the NFF for keeping to their promises to prepare us very well for the competition. “We are really grateful and we want to promise that we will not let them down as we hope for a good outing. “Since we

came here the training sessions have been going well and we have not missed any training because of the proper organisation of things. “We also need the support and prayers of Nigerians to spur us to do more at the World Cup,” said the former Rivers Angels playmaker. Falcons have continued with their training sessions since arriving in Toronto for a training tour and may engage the Canadian side on Monday in one of the buildup matches. The African champions will open their title account against the Scandinavian giants Sweden on June 8 in Winnipeg before confronting other Group D opponents Australia and USA on June 12 and 16 respectively.

60— Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

FIFA Under-20 WC: Manu targets Brazil’s Amata, Okon-George shine in Dakar defeat in opening game F

LYING Eagles coach, Manu Garba is targeting all three points when his team face Brazil in their opening game of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup starting in New Zealand May 30. The Flying Eagles have a poor record against South American countries in the tournament, but Garba stated that this will not be the case when they play Brazil in the Group E pairings on June 1. “I respect all the teams who have qualified for this championship and that includes Brazil, who have been good at this level, but believe you me, Brazil is Brazil and Nigeria is Nigeria,” he began. Brazil have won the World Cup several times, but Nigeria have got silver twice and a bronze. “At U17 level, we are rated No.1 in the world. And half of the team to New Zealand are from the last U17 team. We are

C M Y K

*Manu Garba

a united team who have conquered the world at U17 level and we have now been joined by other players who are more

technically balanced than some of them from the U17s. So, I believe we are ready to take on any team. “But I also

know that the first match in any tournament is the most important and so we will do all we can to pick up the maximum three points against Brazil, which will go a long way to motivate the team in subsequent matches. He continued: “I could recall Mexico came to last U17 World Cup as defending champions and they had not lost a match for two years. But against a Nigerian side, who did not play a test game for a month, we defeated them 6-1. “This is not to say we will be overconfident. We are confident in ourselves to beat Brazil in our opening game.”

By Ben Efe

ALL Africa Games high jump champion, Doreen Amata continued her excellent run of form this season with a 1.94m jump at the IAAF world challenge in Dakar, Senegal. Also Patience OkonGeorge won the women 400m with a 52.12 seconds in the meet where only five Nigerian athletes showed their presence. In the men’s 100m American Nigerian import, Mark Jelks finished 10.20 seconds to place a joint fifth with Gambia’s Adama Jam-

CAF Confederation Cup: Only God can save Wolves from Leopards —Aigbogun an uphill task, however, every performance and

FTER coming from the dead to snatch a 3-2 win over Abia Warriors in a Nigeria Premier League match, Warri Wolves coach said, he and his team are banking on the grace of God to see off

AC Leopards of Congo in the second leg tie of CAF Confederation Cup in Warri this weekend. Warri Wolves have a three goal deficit to cancel when they play the Leopards. Aigbogun acknowledged that it was

he said his wards have their destiny in their hands. “By the grace of God we’ll overturn the result in the second leg against Leopards. It is an important game and we have improved with

win games,” said the coach in Warri. The Club is the only Nigerian team still left in continental contest. A win against Leopard will launch them into the group stages of the competition.

meh in the race won by Ramon Gittens of Barbados with 10.08. South Africans Roscoe Engel and Henricho Bruintjies were second and third with 10.12 and 10.16 seconds respectively. However, Jelks jerked up his performance in the 200m where he ran 20.88 seconds, but was placed third behind Bruintjies and Jammeh who returned at 20.71 and 20.75 in respective order. The other two Nigerian athletes at the meet where Amaka Ogoegbunam who ran 54. 06 in the women 400m, and Nkem Ezeleah who ran 11. 54 seconds to finish third in the women 100m race that was won by Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote’d Ivoire with 11.08.

Amata

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2014 — 61

RIDAY May 22: 62 scrabble players from all over the country gathered at the Ultra Modern Government Banquet Hall in Uyo for a farewell and thank you tourney in honour of the Pillar of Scrabble in Africa and the Grand Patron of the Scrabble Federation in Nigeria. Tagged “ a celebration of excellence” the tournament was organized in the invitational and veterans category. President of the Nigeria Scrabble federation, Mr Suleiman Gora led a powerful NSF board that included past President Chief Toke Aka, Mr Paul Bassey, Mr S.K Fashola and Pastor Umoh Bassey. For the veterans category, it was a list of who’s who in the scrabble industry in the country including Bob Okoridem, Ojior Osikhena, Ologungbiri Clement, Owugah Moses, Dinyain Tare, Owokere Victor, Okoko Chelly, Etim Archibong, Farell Umoren among others. It was not surprising that current Africa Champion Nsikan Etim won the invitational tournament that included a star studded cast made up of Wellington Jighere, Azu Ogbogu, Ezinore George, Moses Peter, Emmanuel Umujose, Saidu Ayorinde Rasheed Balogun and Comor Michael among others . Nsikan Etim said though the over N1 Million naira prize money was a motivation, he was delighted to be one of those who had come to honour a man who had helped touch his live in many positive ways. The scrabble family later paid a courtesy call on his Excellency where the Chairman of the State Scrabble Association Engineer Ufot Ebong fired the first shot to the intermittent thunderous applause of the packed ICT Powered State Executive Chambers. “…..Your Excellency you took on a once ignored game called scrabble and showcased it to Nigerians and the entire world that it could be made a house hold game with the attendant educational and social benefits. “Today the Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics is rated as the number one scrabble event in the entire world scrabble calendar, no wonder you were crowned as the Pillar of Scrabble in Africa” Engineer Ufot then narrowed the incredible success story to the state where he was all praise for the financial and moral support the governor had extended to them “ to groom and mentor our sons and daughters to take part in both local and international scrabble competitions, one that has yielded uncommon dividends, including the winning of the African title in 2014 by Nsikan Etim, an international competition in which another son of the soil came out sixth” He informed the excited crowd that in the 2014 National Schools Sports Festival, the state emerged the overall second best scrabble team in the country while Emmanuel Joshua was voted the most valuable player.

Godswill Akpabio and the scrabble revolution in Nigeria During the National Sports Festival in 2013, all the 12 members of Team Akwa Ibom and the four officials won medals, an unprecedented feat in the history of the game. Also mentioned was the 2014 Godswill Akpabio

Today the Godswill Akpabio International Scrabble Classics is rated as the number one scrabble event in the entire world scrabble calendar, no wonder you were crowned as the Pillar of Scrabble in Africa Scrabble to Schools Initiative where over 250 children from nine states of the federation competed and Miss Mfon Unanaifonke Etuk Udo emerged the overall best female player and third overall best player while Master Emmanuel Joshua was adjudged the second best overall player even as Moses Peter from 2012 till date remains king of the national championship. “ Sir we can go on and on to enumerate our successes under your inspirational leadership and financial support and want to thank you immensely for all you have done for us “ a grateful Engineer Ufot concluded. The President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation Mr Suleiman Gora in an emotion-laden voice extolled the Grand Patron for “rescuing a sport that was once sold out by the National Sports Commission and leading it to the top of the African, nay world firmament. “….. Because of the spectacular heights we have attained in Africa and the world I have been elected the President of the African Scrabble Federation and I and the Nigerian Scrabble family owe it all to you” He informed that during the same African championship that Nsikan Etim won last year in South Africa, Nigeria cleared the first nine positions while

Sports Federations celebrate Yakmut T

HE National Sports Commission has paid the outstanding allowances and travelling expenses of 16 sport federations thereby sparking celebrations from federations who have been ignored for years. The new DG of the NSC, Alhassan Yakmut also reassured that he was not going to focus only on football. ‘’All Federations are important to us. We need them and will treat them equally. I am not going to be a DG who is only

C M Y K

interested in football matters’’, he said to the delight of the lesser known sports who ironically bail out Nigeria during i n t e r n a t i o n a l competions. Director General of the NSC, Alhassan Yakmut, who stated this on Saturday also noted that N238m was paid to all the federations the apex sports ruling body was owing. Yakmut stressed that all the federations that travelled without

collecting their allowances have been paid. He said:”I met various issues on my table but I am happy that the associations were duly handled last Wednesday. The NSC is not owing any federation again. “We are going to take care of other sports but there must be good planning with us on all programmes of the federations.” The DG who assumed office only last month said he would approach

South Africa managed to win the tenth position. “ …..In this chamber today we can find potential world champions who will be crowned sooner than later” The African Scrabble boss told the story of Sam Okosaga, the 2013 Godswill Akpabio Classics winner who went to the world championship in Prague and won all his 31 games only to falter during the play off round robbin where he ended up the third best in the world. “ …..my colleague in Akwa Ibom has told you about the Akpabio International Classics which is the biggest tournament in the world sought after by the world best players and you will recall that the defending champion is world champion Nigel Richards who won it at second attempt. After failing in 2013, he came back in 2014 and won it” A delighted and obviously shocked Governor Akpabio in his response said he was amazed to hear that “ ….the little mustard seed that was planted less than eight years ago was growing up to be such a huge oak tree not only in Africa but in the world. “ …..we set out in our little way to change the fortune of scrabble in Nigeria but ended up changing the fortune in Africa and indeed the world” Scrabble for him is one game that should be encouraged in schools given its potentials to aid intellectual decision making as decisions have to “ be taken not only in seconds but in nano seconds” He ordered that a land be made available for a scrabble secretariat in Uyo while expressing his gratefulness to the National body for deciding to name its national secretariat in Abuja after him “ I am indebted to all of you for this honour of immortalizing our modest contribution and will aid its execution if not as an individual but in helping to rally corporate support to its fulfillment. I may be leaving office in a few days as Governor, but I promise that I will always be there for you, so there is nothing to worry about “ he assured. Pastor Umoh Bassey South South coordinator of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation who helped to facilitate the tournament spoke at length about the Akpabio Midas Touch and how passion and commitment can help turn around the fortunes of a once hopeless situation. “ Most of us now understand better why Akwa Ibom State is such a huge success. I wish we had a lot more Akpabios in all the other sports that are now lying prostrate due to lack of encouragement and financial muscle. His Excellency will live forever in our hearts and we were delighted to hear today that he will continue to support Scrabble as long as he lives” For the Nigerian Scrabble family it was another opportunity to tell a story that sometimes is difficult to believe, that there is a game in this country that sits on top of Africa and the world, yet is so grossly under reported and unheralded that “… it hurts” See you next week

Family remembers Ikpeazu, 10 years after

•Yakmut the various problems in the sport sector in four ways.

HE family of late Justice Chuba Ikpeazu, two-time Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) marked with fanfair his 10th year memorial service at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State. Friends, family and a large number of admirers flocked to the residence on Sunday to be part of the service. The late jurist and football icon died in 2005 at the age of 92. The late Ikpeazu was appointed NFA chairman

by the late Head of Government, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1964, a position he held until outbreak of the NigeriaBiafra Civil War in 1967. He was reappointed chairman in 1987 by a former President, Ibrahim Babangida. In a sermon at the service, Pastor Onyechi Mbamali of the Lunch Hour Fellowship, Lagos described Ikpeazu as “a man who pursued his dreams of excellence in law practice and sports to its logical conclusion”.

62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015 — 63

Drogba leaves Chelsea for second time C

HELSEA striker Didier Drogba has been carried off the pitch by his team-mates after announcing he will leave the club for a second time. Blues players hoisted the injured Ivorian from the Stamford Bridge pitch in the first half of his final game - a 3-1 win over Sunderland yesterday. Drogba, 37, first signed for the club in 2004 and has scored a total of 164 goals in 381 appearances. “In order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club,” he said. He said; “I want to play for at least one more season.” Drogba scored a late equaliser and the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final. Blues boss Jose Mourinho re-signed the forward in 2014 on a one-year deal after he left Galatasaray as a free agent. Voted the club’s greatest ever player in a fans’ poll in 2012, Drogba then had a spell with Shanghai Shenhua in China before helping Galatasaray to a Turkish league title in 2013. He returned to Stamford Bridge to “make more history ” and this season collected his fourth Premier League winner ’s medal and third League Cup medal. Drogba, who signed from Marseille for £24m 11 years ago, has now won 12 trophies in two spells at Chelsea.

Drogba being carried off the pitch by his team-mates after announcing he will leave the club for a second time.

Keshi calls Enyeama, Balogun, 13 others for Chad C OACH Stephen Keshi has invited goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama and 14 other overseas – based professionals for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Chad in Kaduna. The three –time FIFA World Cup star is joined by defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Babatunde Michael and forward Ahmed Musa, who were all at last year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil. Exciting right back Leon Balogun, Israel – based John Ogu, former Switzerland junior international Steven Ukoh, China – based Aaron Samuel and Odion Ighalo,

Cancer survivor Gutierrez saves Newcastle

T was a fairy-tale end to a horror-story season. Jonas Gutierrez – the cancer survivor who was undergoing chemotherapy as recently as October – scoring the goal which saved the club who last season told him to find another. Sprinting bare-chested to the touchline, the hero cocked his ears towards the directors’ box. He had just smashed his first goal of the season – it was to prove the most important of a calamitous campaign for the crisis club, whose owner Mike Ashley spoke of not selling up until they have won a trophy before the game. They said that survival was no cause for celebration. In the end, such was the fear of relegation, they partied like they had won the Premier League, not merely renewed their membership of it. Moussa Sissoko scored the opener on 54 minutes and Gutierrez made sure of the win five minutes from time. Head coach John Carver and his staff emptied the dugout to embrace the Argentine, for he had saved them from what would have been a shameful demotion.

C M Y K

Gerrard’s Liverpool farewell turns sour

whose 20 league goals helped Championship side Watford FC to the English Premiership, have also been called alongside former junior international Rabiu Ibrahim. New faces William Troost-Ekong, a defender based in The Netherlands, Kingsley Madu of AS Trencin in Slovakia and Portugal – based Anderson Esiti complete the list. THE FULL LIST Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France) Defenders: Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth O m e r u o (Middlesbrough FC, England); Leon Balogun (Darmstadt 98, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (FC Dordrecht, The Netherlands); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

•Enyeama Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Anderson Esiti (Estoril FC, Portugal); Steven Ukoh (Biel-Bienne FC, Switzerland) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R & F, China); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England)

West Ham part way with Allardyce

EST Ham have confirmed that Sam Allardyce’s contract will not be renewed next season. The club posted a statement on their website within minutes of the final whistle of their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday which thanked Allardyce for his services but indicated their desire to find a new manager. “West Ham United will begin the search for a new manager after the club

•Allardyce decided not to renew the contract of Sam Allardyce following the conclusion of the 2014-15 season,” read the statement.

TEVEN Gerrard’s farewell to Liverpool ended in spectacular disappointment as Stoke inflicted their heaviest league defeat in 52 years. Brendan Rodgers could not have wished for a worse result or performance ahead of his end-of-season review with FSG chief Mike Gordon after Stoke tore them to shreds, scoring five goals before half-time before eventually running out 6-1 winners. The last time Liverpool had lost by five goals in a league match was when Tottenham beat them 7-2 in 1963 and this defeat means they finish sixth – and that ensures their campaign will start on July 30 in the Europa League qualifiers. Gerrard scored Liverpool’s only goal and was given a standing ovation as he trudged off the pitch but this is not a day he will remember with any kind of fondness. Liverpool,

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has his head in his hands. in keeping with their season, were abysmal and the spotlight will now shine heavily on Rodgers. He has questions to answer. Even Raheem Sterling wasn’t called upon with Rodgers keeping the 20-year-old on the bench as his transfer saga continues to rumble on.

Shell Cup: Okorocha College wins!

OCHAS Okorocha Foundation College, Ogboko Imo State, yesterday won the 2015 edition of the annual NNPC/Shell Cup. The Imo State team defeated Government Day Secondary School, Gwale Kano 2-1 inside the main bowl of the Teslim Balagun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The highly entertaining game saw Rochas Okorocha taking the lead in the first half, Government Day however returned in the second half to get the equaliser. As the game was drawing to a closey, Okorocha College restored their lead and managed to hold on for the victory. The winning school will also take the sum of N2.5 million for development of sports facilities in the school while each of the players will be rewarded with cash price of N50,000. In the third place game earlier played in the morning on Sunday,

Rezheight High School Benin, Edo State defeated Government Day Secondary School, Kofar Yandaka, Katsina State 5-2. Speaking after the game, SPDC’s Sustainable Development and Community Relations Manager, Mr. Igo Weli, said the championship had achieved its target for the year. “The championship has reached another height this year,” Weli said.

Premier League Continues from BP the table, Chelsea lifted the trophy after victory over Sunderland, while Arsenal and Manchester City both signed off with wins. There was no such joy for Liverpool, however: the Reds were hit for six by rampant Stoke.

Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015

I-N-S-I-D-E

RESULTS

•Drogba leaves Chelsea for second time •Keshi calls Enyeama, Balogun, 13 others for Chad •Amata, Okon-George shine in Dakar •Sports Federations celebrate Yakmut

Premier League: Hull relegated, Newcastle survive, Chelsea lift trophy, Liverpool hit for six T

Arsenal 4 West Brom 1 Aston Villa 0 Burnley 1 Chelsea 3 S/land 1 C/Palace 1 Swansea 0 Everton 0 Tottenham 1 Hull 0 Man Utd 0 Leicester 5 QPR 1 Man City 2 S'pton 0 N/castle 2 West Ham 0 Stoke 6 Liverpool 1

HE final day of the season was every bit fraught as we expected, with interest up and down the Premier League on what the PR

men dubbed Super Sunday. At the bottom, Newcastle clawed their way to safety courtesy of a 2-0 win over West Ham – a result that put the final nail in Hull City’s coffin. At the opposite end of Continues on Page 63

Final EPL table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba wears the crown from the trophy as he poses with his team-mates during the presentation

Chelsea Man City Arsenal Man Utd Tottenham Liverpool Southampton Swansea Stoke C. Palace Everton West Ham West Brom Leicester Newcastle Sunderland Aston Villa

…..................... 18 Hull 19 Burnley 20 QPR

P 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38

GD 41 45 35 25 5 4 21 -3 3 -4 -2 -3 -13 -9 -23 -22 -26

Pts 87 79 75 70 64 62 60 56 54 48 47 47 44 41 39 38 38

38 38 38

-18 -25 -31

35 33 30

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Summary (6) 5 Daybreak (4) 8 Shroud (5) 9 Vegetable (3) 10 Chamber (4) 11 Discover (4) 12 Rate (5) 13 Revised (6) 16 Adroit (4) 18 Voucher (4) 20 Plus (3) 22 Fasten (3) 23 Watch (3) 24 Location (4) 25 Sea-eagle (4) 28 Coloured (6) 30 Play (5) 32 Opera-song (4) 33 Creep (4) 34 Regret (3) 35 Fragrance (5) 36 Treaty (4) 37 Despot (6)

DOWN 1 Smart (6) 2 Slope (8) 3 Classified (6) 4 Capable (9) 5 Guard (7) 6 Parched (4) 7 Naked (4) 8 Lettuce (3) 14 Decide (9) 15 Untruth (3) 17 Conifer (3) 19 Panic (8) 20 Objective (3) 21 Diminish (7) 26 Four-score (6) 27 Coming (6) 29 Moist (4) 30 Record (4) 31 Insect (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: Asked 9, Sparse 10, Direct 11, Plead 12, Idea 15, More 17, Respect 20, Wed 21, Topic 23, Sect 25, Glue 26, Eased 28, Art 30, Recited 33, Item 35, Made 36, Medal 38, Loiter 39, Totter 40, Tenant.

DOWN: Astir 2, Hades 3, Asp 4, Select 5, Edam 6, Did 7, Below 8, Steed 13, Dessert 14, Apace 16, Receded 18, Tower 19, Big 22, Claim 24, Tap 27, Debate 28, Aisle 29, Tepid 31, Taste 32, Decry 34, Here 36, Met 37, Lot.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K