Don't seek re-election G7 Govs, Baraje tell GEJ

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61978

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

TELECOMS AWARDS

JONATHAN AT THE UN:

Nigeria deserves UN Security •Pg.9 Council Seat

Customer Services Director, Airtel Nigeria, Ajay Bakshi; Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro; Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah and MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya at the Nigeria Telecoms Awards in Lagos.

Airtel was adjudged Most Innovative Telcom and Best Customer Services Operator.

Don't seek re-election G7 Govs, Baraje tell GEJ

BY HENRY UMORU,JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

•Say he should save Nigeria from catastrophe •G13/former PDP govs declare for Jonathan Kaduna House Speaker impeached

A

BUJA—THE Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, which has in its fold, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and seven aggrieved governors, yesterday, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to be a statesman, jettison the idea of

BENIN CITY AFTER THE FLOOD

Continues on Page 5

•P.48

COLUMNISTS:

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

ABUJA KILLINGS:

DEAR BUNMI

Residents flee attack area •P.13 ANAMBRA 2013: INEC unveils 23 candidates •P.4 C M Y K

•P.37

Mr & Mrs

FLOOD—

Residents (below) salvage some of their property after a downpour that destroyed houses and other property in Benin, Edo State. Top: Part of a building destroyed by the flood. Photos: Barnabas Uzosike.

I'll not devalue the Naira — Sanusi

8

2—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

2015: Tambuwal warns politicians against overheating polity

BY LEVI NWABUGHIOGU HEAD of 2015 elections, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday, warned politicians to stop overheating the polity, saying that there was still time for it.

Tambuwal who spoke when he received a delegation of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, regretted that even when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was yet to roll out programmes for 2015 elections, politicians are falling heads over for the election.

He said: "I have always said that our politicians should be very careful in the way they take things about 2015. We must learn to do things within the confines of our laws. INEC has not yet released time table or elections guidelines, but they are busy overheating the politics with most politicians abandoning their duties.”

The President of the NBA, Okey Wali, SAN, told the Speaker that the visit was prompted by a need to call on members of the House to enact laws that will strengthen the Nigerian judicial system.

He remarked that by passing bills on criminal justice, police, administration of criminal justice among others will help the system.

He said: “We appeal to you to pass these bills so that our justice system can be enhanced. We understand some of them have gone through second reading, so we call on you and your colleagues to ensure their quick passage."

A

AWARD—Fidelity Bank Team receiving the Best Company in Nigeria in Youth focused CSR at the 2013 CSR Award (SERAs) – Chioma Offor, Charles O’Tuder presenting to Emma Esinnah, Marketing Communications; Pascal Nzeribe, SM, Head Office Super Branch; Augustina Akabuogu, and Uche Ogbonna.

Confusion in Kaduna over purported impeachment of speaker zSpeaker accuses Gov Yero of instigating impeachment, insists he remains in office

BY LUKA BINNIYAT & MAYEN ETIM

K

ADUNA—FORMER Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Usman Gangara, yesterday, faulted his purported impeachment by 19 members of 34member assembly, saying that Governor Ramalan Yero was responsible for the crisis in the House.

His group has also briefed a Kaduna-based lawyer, Emmanuel Toro, SAN, to challenge the alleged impeachment.

Gangara was said to have been removed after a long battle of wits that started with the demise of the the former governor, Sir Ibrahim Yakowa in December, 2012.

As the House of Assembly was sitting, a police helicopter hovered over the Assembly complex while there was heavy presence of armed policemen on ground, indicating that it was an unusual day at the

members.

The members that impeached Gangara were less than the 23 required under section 92 (c) of the 1999 Constitution by four members who reportedly sat without the mace.

It was gathered that Gangara and his group were aware of yesterday’s plot to impeach them and removed the mace from the Assembly Complex.

After his enthronement, the new Speaker addressed a news conference to “mark another milestone in the history of Kaduna State House of Assembly.”

But, the Gangara and his deputy, Dogara Mato and other principal officers of the House debunked the “impeachment,” describing the action as unconstitutional.

According to them, the ‘’coup’’ was orchestrated by Governor Yero after allegedly

bribing the members with N10 million each.

How the impeachment was carried out: The Clerk of KDSHA, Mr Umma Hikima kick-started proceedings by informing members that “We have now reconvened, but without the Speaker and his deputy. Not even the majority leader is here today. And the House cannot sit without any of the two.

So the House can now nominate A Speaker Pro-tempo for the House to effectively sit in session.”

Ahmed Jumare then nominated Philemon Usman to serve as Speaker and was seconded by Yakubu Yusuf and when the Clerk put that into voice vote, the majority were in support.

Usman then called for an opening prayer for the session, after which he asked if there was

Shell Nigeria declares force majeure on gas supply

R

OYAL Dutch Shell said on Monday its Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, declared force majeure on gas supplied to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Co and on Bonny Light crude exports, effective September 23.

About 150,000 barrels of oil and 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day have been

deferred, it said in a release.

The SPDC declared force majeure after it shut down the Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, for repair of new crude oil leaks caused by theft at Bodo West and Oloma.

The latest leak at Bodo West occurred on September 18, while the Oloma incident was noticed September 22, the company said.

Shell closed the pipeline less

than a week after it announced it had reopened after earlier repairs, underscoring the huge challenges faced by Africa’s largest oil exporter.

An estimated 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil were stolen from pipelines in the Niger Delta in the first quarter of this year, a report by London-based Chatham House said, not

including the unknown quantities stolen from export terminals.

The SPDC is the operator of a joint venture involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd, and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd.

any business to be discussed.

At this point, Jerry Kantiok asked for recognition from the acting Speaker, and was so granted.

Kantiok then pulled out three newspapers which he said carried stories that disparaged their persons as members who had gone to Abuja to collect huge sums of money with the intention of removing the Speaker.

"Gangara and his leadership did nothing to protect our image. Their silence means that they sponsored these publications. With these, we cannot trust them to remain under their leadership. I therefore call for the impeachment of Gangara and Dr. Mato, his deputy.”

Yakubu Yusus again supported the motion, with no other dissenting view when put to vote among the 19 members.

The new Speaker Tahir also said: “Today marks another milestone in the history of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. What transpired is a clear manifestation that democracy is driven by the will and voice of the majority. Your action was informed by urgent desire to transform and reinvigorate this honourable house for maximum result. . .I have viewed and accepted the challenges of the office of the Speaker and assure you that with your support and cooperation I will not let you down... However for the House to succeed, members must resolve to take their constitutional mandate with the utmost seriousness it deserves."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013— —3

C M Y K

4— Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Taraba crisis 'll soon be over, says Acting Gov

J

BY JOHN MKOM

ALINGO—ACTING Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, yesterday, raised hope of early resolution of the political crisis plaguing the state with an assurance that the matter would soon be resolved amicably.

Umar gave the assurance of peace when he met with Emirs, religious and community leaders at a stakeholders’ parley in Jalingo, the state capital.

Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state and traditional rulers drawn from all parts of the state were also present at the peace meeting, presided over

by Umar.

The acting governor made it clear to the gathering that he was loyal and committed to the injured Governor Dambaba Suntai and that it was not true that he was trying to usurp his office.

He said: “I make bold to say that I am 100 percent loyal to Governor Suntai, who is a friend and a brother to me."

Dangote empowers 65,000 women, youths in Adamawa, Yobe

J

A L I N G O — THE Dangote Foundation has extended its grassroots poverty alleviation scheme to Adamawa and Yobe states with the disbursement at the weekend, N655 million to 65, 000 vulnerable women and youths in the two states.

The disbursement is a continuation of its award of special grants to states aimed at alleviating poverty by empowering the grassroots' dwellers financially to lift their economy.

In Adamawa, the Foundation distributed grants amounting to N315 million to women and youths numbering 31,500 across the 21 local government areas of the state, while 34, 000 people benefitted from the fund disbursement in Yobe state.

Anambra 2013: INEC unveils 23 guber candidates zBars unlisted candidates from campaigning zLists Ukachukwu as PDP candidate

BY EMMA UJAH & CLIFFORD

NDUJIHE BUJA—FIFTY-TWO days to the November 16 governorship elections in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, unveiled the names of 23 candidates that will do battle for the Anambra top job. In the list, there are only four female deputy governorship candidates. The rest are men.

A

Multiple candidates In an unprecedented move, the commission also dealt with the menace of multiple candidates in the state by barring unlisted candidates from canvassing for votes, warning that anyone, who does the contrary is guilty of an electoral offence.

In a statement by Mr. Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, the commission said: “In line with the provisions of Section 31 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has today, September 24, 2013, published the Form CF001 (Personal Particulars of Candidate) of candidates nominated by political parties for the November 16th governorship election in Anambra State. ”A total of 23 political parties nominated candidates for the governorship and deputy governorship slots. Two political parties, namely the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had issues with the candidates they intend to sponsor before the

closure of nominations on September 17, 2013. But the Federal High Court in Awka eased the contention over APGA’s nomination by vacating its order directing the Commission to accept two governorship candidates from the party.

For the PDP, the Commission resolved to list Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu as the governorship candidate in accordance with the latest order as delivered by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/296/2013 – Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu vs.

Dr. Tony Nwoye & 3 otherrs.

members that only those on the list published by it are allowed to conduct electioneering campaigns. Any violation of this rule amounts to an electoral offence and security agencies are urged to intervene as such.”

The candidates

z Chief Austin Nwangwu z(CPP) Chijioke Geofrey Ndubuisi

z(DPP) Christian Ikechukwu Otti (ID) z Chief Dennis Nwaforka (KOWA) zOguge Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (LP) z Pastor Simon Okafor

z(MPPP) Webster (NCP) zOkeke Chika Jerry (AA) z Okoknkwo Prince Leonard Uchendu z Chukwuemeka Nwankwo (ACCORD) z(NNPP) z Dr Ifeatu Ekelem (ACD) z Nicholas Ukachukwu (PDP) z Engr Anthony Anene (ACPN) z Godwin Ezeemo (PPA) z Comrade Aaron Igweze (AD) z Hon Basil Ijedinma (PPN) Onuarah Onyeachonam z Chief Anayo Arinze (ADC) (SDP) Advises political paeries z Patrick Chukwuka Ibeziako z Okoye Godson (UDP) (APA) zBarr Prince Akaneebu ”The Commission hereby ad- z Senator Chris Ngige (APC) Ogochukwu (UPP). vises political parties and their z Chief Willie Obiano (APGA)

VISIT: Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (right); President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Okey Wali (SAN) and Secretary of the Association, Emeka Obiagulu, during a visit by the NBA to the Speaker in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

N10.9bn scam: You ‘ve a case to answer, court tells ex-Kogi Gov

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL

EDITOR, NORTH BUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the nocase submission entered by the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu and the former Director General of the Directorate of Rural Development in the the state, Alfa Ibn Mustapha.

The court presided over by Justice Olukayode A. Adeniyi ruled that both men had a case to answer and should therefore prepare for the trial proper on a set date in November this year.

The duo, who were first arraigned on Monday March 18, 2013, had asked the court to quash the 36-count charge against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-

A

sion, EFCC, bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N10,965,837,040 .

Audu and his co-accused on May 2 and June 17, 2013 respectively, filed the separate applications for reasons of want of jurisdiction, competency and abuse of court processes.

On his part, Audu through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, further prayed in the alternative for reliefs of stay of further proceedings of the instant charge, pending the hearing and final determination of the two appeal cases pending at the Abuja and Kogi Appellate courts.

In arriving at his decision to strike out the applications, the judge maintained that as long as part of the proceeds of the pur-

ported crimes were laundered through Abuja based-banks, and used to acquire houses in Abuja, with the accused ordinarily residing also in Abuja, the court has the territorial jurisdiction to determine the counts.

The judge also stated that Audu’s argument on abuse of court process in view of the charges at the appellate courts, which his counsel said was alive, extant and pending was a dissipation of judicial time because the case had been set aside through a nolle prosequi filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and that of Kogi State respectively.

He concurred with the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, that where a nolle is entered in a matter, and before the court formally pronounces thereupon, a fresh matter which is filed in another

court with respect to the same subject matter, cannot constitute an abuse of court process.

One of the charges against the duo reads: “That you Prince Abubakar Audu and Alfa Ibn Mustapha between 2000 and 2002 at Abuja in the Abuja judicial division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory while being the governor of Kogi State and Director General of Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development respectively, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregated sum of N2,877,487,690.88 meant for rural development in Kogi State committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum which you falsely claim to be payment made to Aresanmi Technical Industries Limited."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

Jonathan should honour his word

JONATHAN AT THE UN—President Goodluck Jonathan addressing the openimg session of the 68th Session of the United Nations Summit at the United Nations Organization Headquarters, New York. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida

Don't seek re-election G7 Govs, Baraje tell GEJ Continues from Page 1

re-contesting in 2015 and save Nigeria from what it termed needless crisis.

President Jonathan, while speaking at the 68th session of the United Nations in New York broke his silence on the 2015 presidential election when he disclosed that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows

him to do eight years of two terms.

According to the nPDP, four years in power was enough for a President to showcase himself and make changes in the country in the area of development, adding, “ we are worried that Mr. President is intent on running despite his earlier promise not to do so and in spite of the wise

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When it comes to identifying a real leader…the proof of leadership is found in the followers. Dear Leader, who are your followers?

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly — Langston Hughes

O

UR minds have a tremendous ability to affect our physical bodies. What we visualize in our minds directly affects the physiology of our bodies.

It has been found that positive and creative visualizations foster healing in our bodies because our mind and body are connected. The law of attraction is a law that asserts that like attracts like.

In other words, regarding healing and the mind, what you think about you will attract. If you think positive thoughts about your health, recite positive affirmations, and believe them to be true, the law of attraction states that positive health will manifest in your life. But it will be beautiful also to take physical measures to buttress your dreams and affirmations.

The kinds of beliefs we have, influence how we behave. Knowing what is true is important. But having true beliefs is not the only important thing in our lives, but if we are committed to furthering goodness, our believes actually become what we do, and in promoting goodness which includes finding out what is true and helping others to acquire such knowledge, we foster an atmosphere of love compassion and kindness. And we do this from our hearts because we know it is the right thing to do.

counsel of well-meaning Nigerians, including respected elder statesmen.”

However, former governors and candidates of the PDP, yesterday, threw their weight behind President Jonathan, saying that it would amount to natural injustice to deny him his constitutional right to seek reelection.

Appealing to the President not to run and save the country from catastrophe against the backdrop that God has been kind to him from a University lecturer to deputy governor and to the present position, the group said, “we wish to appeal to Mr. President to abandon this ill-advised move and save our nation from catastrophe. God has been merciful to you, Mr. President; lifting you from being a university teacher to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in so short a time is something you should be grateful and be contented with. We urge you Mr. President to listen to the voice of reason and avoid over stretching your good luck. A word is enough for the wise!”

Prominent in the nPDP are Atiku Abubakar, Governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Babangida of Niger; Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of Sokoto State; Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers; Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa.

In a statement signed, yesterday, by the nPDP National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the group said: “As a patriotic group that cares about the present and future of our great country and that wants President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to succeed, the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party after reviewing the state of the nation and the pulse of Nigerians, wishes to advise President Jonathan to abandon his plan to seek re-election in 2015 as this ambition of his is not in the best interest of the country.

“Though he has yet to categorically declare his intention to run, President Jonathan has given enough clue that he is working towards doing so. The latest of such clues came on Sunday in New York, USA. Speaking at a luncheon with Nigerian professionals in the United States, President Jonathan insisted that he is eligible to contest in 2015 as ‘ we have a constitution that makes a provision for a maximum of eight years for anyone who wants to become a president or a governor.’

“The President, however, said nothing new as he made a similar claim in April last year in his affidavit in response to the suit instituted at an Abuja High Court by a PDP chieftain, Cyriacus Njoku, seeking to stop him from contesting the 2015 presidential election.

“In Febr uary, 2011 while interacting with Nigerians and diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union (AU) in Ankara, Turkey, President Jonathan clearly stated: ‘I would have loved that the Nigerians in Diaspora vote this year (2011) but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. Presently, the law does not allow voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in Diaspora will not vote but I will work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.’

Mr. President went ahead to add: ‘Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.’

“This is a historical fact

which Mr. President himself cannot deny now since he had two years to deny that statement but never did so. How does Mr. President want Nigerians and the entire world to see him for this volte face? Why can he not keep his words as a man of honour instead of allowing himself to be misled by selfish advisers to go back on his words, thereby overheating the polity?

Heed voice of Nigerians The nPDP Continued: “Mr. President should heed the advice of wellmeaning distinguished personalities such as constitutional law guru, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) and Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, all of whom have advised him to correctly read the handwriting on the wall and stay away from the 2015 presidential race.

“By 2015, President Jonathan would have served our nation for six solid years. This, surely, is enough time for him to achieve whatever he is capable of doing for Nigeria. What else is he looking for that is making him desperate to participate in the 2015 presidential election despite warnings that doing so may spark a chain of events capable of culminating into the country’s disintegration, thereby bringing to pass the predictions of Lord Lugard that Nigeria as a nation by 2014 may be history, which was later confirmed by the USA ThinkTank that Nigeria may disintegrate by 2015.

Apart from all these, should President Jonathan contest and win by 2015 it means he would have spent 10 years in office and will be sworn in three times as the President of Nigeria against the Provisions of the country’s constitu-

tion.”

Jonathan must run

– Ex-PDP govs,others However, former governors and candidates of the PDP, yesterday, went into a marathon meeting for President Jonathan with a vow that nothing should stop him from recontesting. They, said that it would amount to natural injustice to deny Jonathan another shot at the presidency.

The former PDP governors and candidates who met yesterday at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja under the aegis of G13 Candidates/Former PDP Governors Forum from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, unveiled the Goodluck to Goodluck project, arguing that the draw backs of past governments cannot be ascribed to the Jonathan/Sambo administration.

Speaking after the meeting, the convener of the forum and former governorship candidate of PDP in Edo State, Major Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) urged all well-meaning PDP members to embrace peace and return to the mainstream of the party under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

He said: “The constitution provides for eight years for the office and I believe that going by natural justice, if there is a tenant in a house and it is going for sale the first opportunity of refusal should go to the occupant. And I believe that based on the midterm report of the president, we believe that he should be given a second term in office to finish his projects.

President Jonathan has the right. It has not been published anywhere that he signed an agreement to run for one term. He should be given support and peaceful environment to implement his projects to completion.”

Speaking on the crisis in PDP and the Abubakar Kawu Baraje led nPDP, Continues on Page 61

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Alleged cow thief docked G

USAU—A Zamfara State Chief Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, remanded a 30-yearold rustler, Shehu Idris of Makaurata village in Sabuwa Local Government Area, Katsina State, in prison custody for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of firearms.

The prosecutor, Inspector Yakubu Abuga, told the court that on June 8, one Almajiri Buhari of Dankatahu village in Tsafe Local Government Area, reported the case at the Tsafe Di-

Customs ‘officer’ in fake car auction deal

BY DAUDU OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—OGUN State Police Command said, yesterday, that it had arrested a young man (names withheld) for allegedly defrauding a man under the pretence of selling a car to him through public auction by the Customs Service.

Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in Abeokuta, said the suspect resides at Osomurika Road, Igarra in Edo State, but committed the crime in Agbara, Ogun State.

According to Adejobi, the suspect was, however, arrested at Auchi Edo State on September 16, following a manhunt for his arrest by the police detectives from the Agbara Division of the Command.

He said: “Mr. Amune had already collected N200,000 from his victim, Mr. Johnson Umeugoji, who claimed to have seen the announcement of the auction placed on internet by the suspect.

“The victim paid the money into the bank account of the suspect in Auchi.

“The suspect had told his victim to meet him and his colleagues at Agbara for the public auction, purportedly carried out by Customs.

“The victim, who eventually realised that he had been duped, reported the matter at the Agbara division and the DPO, Ayo Sonubi, swung into action, leading to the suspect’s arrest.”

visional Police Station.

Abuga said the accused conspired with one Musa and eight others, now at large, and armed themselves with guns, cutlasses and sticks and invaded the complainant’s residence.

He said the accused and his gang robbed him of 25 cows, five sheep, a boxer motorcycle and an unspecified amount of money.

The prosecutor said that when the accused was arrested, the stolen items were recovered from him, but other members of the gang escaped arrest.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 6(1) and (3) of the Robbery and Fire Arms Act, but the accused pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Abdulnasir Umar, remanded the accused in prison custody, and adjourned the case till October.

ARRESTED: Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy handed over 61 persons, arrested on boa State Police Command, yesterday.

Okada man, housewife caught making love in bush zHe raped me; lie, she's my concubine

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—A mild drama played out in Orlu, Imo State, when a commercial motorcyclist, a father of two (names withheld), was caught pants down making love to a married woman in a lonely bush.

While the 45-year-old housewife was making a case of rape against the randy motorcyclist, the 30-year-old man insisted that the woman was his concubine.

Giving account of what transpired to the police, the woman said she engaged the motorcyclist at Orlu to take her to her matrimonial home at Obibi-Ochasi.

She said when they got to a solitary area along the route, the man stopped ostensibly to ease himself.

She further told the police that while she was waiting for him to finish easing himself, the man emerged and started asking that they sleep together, adding that when she refused the amorous advance, the man grabbed her and forcefully lifted her into the bush.

The woman equally claimed that the rapist tore her inner wears to shreds, overpowered and raped her.

In his defence, the man claimed that the woman had

been his concubine for years, adding that he had previously had fun with her at different times and places, including the spot where they were caught in the act.

He also claimed that he called the woman on her mobile line and asked her to meet him at the agreed spot in Orlu.

The man also claimed that when they got to the bush, the woman stripped herself naked, spread her wrapper on the ground and laid down before he started the act.

The randy motorcyclist, however, agreed that along the line there was a minor misunderstanding on the amount he should pay after

they had satisfied themselves.

While the man claimed that the woman was asking for N500 for the service, he offered N200, which he said was the only money on him at the time.

Vanguard equally gathered that plan was in top gear to arraign the alleged rapist in court to face trial.

48-yr-old fake journalist nabbed

BY EVELYN USMAN

A

TTEMPT by a 48-year-old fake journalist to blackmail a senior Immigration Service officer at the Lagos State Command, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, has been foiled.

The suspect, Udeh Nick, with others at large, who identified themselves as journalists from different media houses, reportedly wrote a letter to the senior officer last Thursday, requesting for a meeting with him.

Trouble, as gathered, started for the impostors as the officer, out of curiosity, referred them to the command’s spokesman.

Unknown to Nick, who allegedly led the delegation, calls were reportedly made to management of the media

house he claimed to be from, including his scanned photograph, only to discover he had never been a staff of the company.

In this interview with Vanguard, the suspect, who claimed in the letter to the officer that they came from Abuja for a seminar in Lagos, pleaded to be let off the hook.

He, however, denied attempting to blackmail the officer.

He said: “I have never been a staff of Newswatch. We did not blackmail him. The letter we wrote is a friendly one. I don’t know why they are reading meaning into it.

“We only asked for a friendly meeting with him. We decided to do something to access him, being a new man there. We just wanted to reach out to him as a friend because

if you read the letter there was no place we said we needed anything because there was nothing he had done to warrant any blackmail.

“However, in this case we went too far. I agree that the act is criminal and I accept that I am guilty of impersonation and there is no point denying.

“I am appealing that I should be shown some mercy.”

Mr. Udeh, ‘journalist.’

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—7

2 brothers accused of theft

I

ard seven vessels allegedly involved in crude oil theft and loading of illegally refined petrol, to Bayelsa

LORIN—AN Ilorin Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, remanded two brothers, Mohammed Abubarkar, 25, and Jaye Abubarkar, 22, for allegedly robbing one Audi Jare and three others on September 13.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Mojisola Olamokun, said that the accused allegedly robbed Jare near Kara Market in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Olamokun told the court that the accused allegedly robbed their victim of N14,000 and other valuables at gunpoint.

He said that the victim shouted for help, which led to the arrest of the accused.

The prosecutor told the court that the offence was contrary to Sections 97 of the Penal Code and Sections 1 and 2 of the Armed Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII, Law of Federation of Nigeria.

The accused pleaded not

DSS ‘officer' nabbed for fraud

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA—KOGI State Police Command has nabbed one Egah John, 27, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public while posing as an official of Department of State Services, DSS. Acting state Commissioner of Police, Augustine Ebvakhabokun, who paraded the suspect at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja, yesterday, along with some suspected armed robbers, said that Egah had extorted money from many of his victims in Ankpa Local Government Area of the state.

Ebvakhabokun further said that the suspect was arrested while trying to defraud one Uche John, while in possession of two fake identity cards.

One bearing the logo of the Nigeria Police Force and the other, DSS. “Investigation revealed that Egah had in the past claimed to be a policeman and DSS personnel at different times and had also collected N25,000 each from one Jimoh Yusuf and Mukailu Idris, both from Ankpa, for the purpose of being recruitment into DSS.” The police boss further said that the suspect also claimed to be a teacher in a private school in Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect confessed that he collected N50,000 from the duo for recruitment into DSS, but blamed his action on the

devil.

Also paraded along with him were four other suspected armed robbers, including Ibrahim Aliyu, Yakubu Alfa, Nicolas Abutu and Lucky Abdullahi, who were arrested at different locations in the

state.

Items recovered from the suspects included two AK-47 rifles, 16 live ammunition, police uniform with inscription Mile John, Mobile Police uniform, three cutlasses, six SIM cards, one police belt and

masks.

Others are charms, one red Kenos motorcycle, three Nokia telephone sets, drivers licence, a black toy gun, a small kitchen knife and a wrap of dried weed, suspected to be India hemp.

Gunmen kill vigilante in Anambra

BY OKONKWO EZE

O

NITSHA—TENSION mounted, yesterday, at Okpoko Layout, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, near Onitsha, when an operative of Okpoko vigilance group, simply identified as Stubborn, was gunned down by a gang of armed men, suspected to be robbers, who operated in motorbikes at Mugambo Market.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen chased the deceased in motorbikes from Elephant Building, where the vigilance group office is located, to his security post.

Sources said he ran into a compound and the gunmen followed him in and emptied a magazine into Stubborn’s head and chest.

The sources said it took the combined effort of men of the Okpoko sector of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led by DSP Anthony Ogah and the Okpoko vigilance group, based on information provided by members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB,

to unravel the incident.

The sources hinted that one person, suspected to be among the robbers that shot the vigilance operative, has been arrested and handed

over to SARS at its state headquarters in Awkuzu.

They added that the suspect was helping police with necessary information that could lead to the arrest of others.

Woman rescued from drowning over N500

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—THERE was pandemonium, yesterday, in Awka when a middleaged woman escaped death at Ezu River, where over 23 mystery corpses were found few months ago.

The woman, Ms. Peace Nnabuife, from Ezeoye, Nibo in Awka South Local Government of the state, had entered the river on a “spiritual journey ” when she suddenly slipped and almost drowned.

Some young men, using canoe, were said to have gone to the river bank to perform some sacrifices when they saw the drowning woman and helped her.

They were leaving when her N500 fell into the river.

She went for the money and got swept off by the river.

Roots of trees were said to have stopped her from being taken away by the river.

She said: “I came here so that Ezu River will carry me to Nibo. We travel through rivers to our meeting place in the depth of the river, where our queen’s kingdom is.

“I came with cellophane bag and I had N500 in it. The N500 fell into the river as the water carried me.”

Asked where she was going for the meeting, she said, “we hold our meetings at Ezu Agulu and I am still in the junior category.”

guilty to the charges.

Olamokun urged the court not to grant the accused bail on grounds that the offences were not bailable.

The Magistrate, Mariam Qudus-Salahu, ordered that the accused be reminded in the Okekura Prison in Ilorin.

She adjourned the case till October 7 for mention.

Enugu Catholic priest remanded in prison over assault on policemen

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—A Catholic priest was, yesterday, remanded in prison custody over alleged attack on policemen investigating issues arising from the crisis in his parish in Enugu State.

The priest, who was arraigned alongside three other parishioners, was charged with assault and unlawful attempt to kill one Inspector Cosmos Nzeribe and a team of police officers attached to police headquarters, Enugu.

The Enugu Magistrate’s Court, which remanded the priest was, however, besieged by hundreds of his supporters, who wore long faces as the priest was being taken to the prison.

He was said to be having a running battle with the Bishop of Awgu Catholic Diocese.

Presiding Magistrate, E.M. Egumgbe, remanded the suspects in prison custody, saying that they can apply for bail in a high court.

Counsel to the priest, Ray Nnaji, who spoke with newsmen after the court session, said that his client was sent to prison on trumped up charges.

Nnaji said the policemen beat up the priest after stripping him naked and detained him.

He said: “I have been following this matter for some time.

“We know quite well that beating up the police is condemnable, though the priest has said he has no business with beating the police and did not tell anyone to beat the police.”

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

US Congress to conduct hearing on Boko Haram zFG urged to create compensation fund for victims

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA—THE United States Congress is billed to conduct a special hearing on the menace of Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria, Congressman, Mr. Chris Smith has revealed.

Smith stated this, yesterday, while leading a delegation of the US Congress Committee on African Affairs to a meeting with the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in Abuja.

He stressed the need for both the Christian and Muslim to work side-byside, adding that, “Boko Haram is not about Islam, but a group of people who decided to carry arms against the state."

Continuing, he said "this is an organ that has absolutely misread the Quran, killing people, it is something to be concern about and American government is concerned.

Smith disclosed that the US Congress would by next week conduct hearing on Boko Haram and terrorism, adding, “for example, in the US when people died during the 9/11 attack, I got to know many of the widows, the congress passed victim compensation fund that was designed to help.

“It is an idea to consider here by the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a resolution that bring about a fund to compensate the victims.”

Responding, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who corroborated the position of US on the need for compensating the victims, added that, they had been canvassing for it, but their efforts had not yielded positive result, expressing hope that government might reconsider its decision.

Oritsejafor said: “We are hoping that the Federal Government working with the National Assembly will come up with a resolution that will create a fund that will relief these people of their traumatic situation."

I 'll not devalue the Naira —SANUSI zSays I 'll defend it with reserves if necessary

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has vowed to defend the Naira. He said he was prepared to use the nation’s foreign reserve to ensure the currency’s stability.

Briefing the newsmen at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja, yesterday, he said that the argument of those pushing for the devaluation of the Naira did not make any valid economic sense in an importdependent country like Nigeria.

Mallam Sanusi insisted that the CBN would stick to its position unless forced to do otherwise.

His words, “as far as the Naira is concerned, the CBN has always said that we are committed to its

T

stability. I know there are some people who don’t share that view. But I have not personally heard any economically valid argument as to the benefits of devaluating the Naira up to this point in time.

“It will not improve our export nor reduce our imports into the country. It will not improve our fortunes as long as our structural reforms have not been implemented.

“My view and the view of the CBN is that if we will have to use some of our reserves to support the currency, we will.

No central bank governor will say that he will not support the currency but we want to be very clear in our minds and to the public that there is no country in the world that will allow its

currency to be determined by the market.

“Certainly, the currency is neither over-valued nor undervalued. We are not looking for a stronger currency nor a weaker one. We just want an anchor of expectations: people want to pay school fees; people want to import raw materials; investors wants to be able to predict the returns they would have on their investments; and we think ultimately that it is more important than having a reserve at $50 billion or $40 billion.

“We will use the reserves and the interest rates and I believe we have gone through the most difficult period. Hopefully the next months will not be as difficult as the last one or two.

We expect that the Naira will be maintained within our target band but the message is that we are committed to the stability of the exchange rate and we will not, unless we are forced, to allow the Naira to weaken. I think I should make that very clear.”

$41. 7 foreign resrve The CBN boss noted the decline in external reserves to the current $45.27 billion but said it was better that the $41.19 billion recorded at the end-September, last year.

According to him, “the Committee (MPC) noted that this level of accretion is too low given the relatively high price of crude oil and further underscores the need for much-needed reform of the oil sector”, and said measures would be taken to address the unbridled demand for dollar in the foreign exchange market.

Measures against dollarization

INEC MEETING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES—From right: INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jege addressing newsmen during INEC meeting with political parties in Abuja while National Commissioners, Amina Zakare, and Abdulkarim Oniyangi look on. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Bids on Chevron oil blocks open Sept 30

U

.S.-BASED Chevron Corp will receive bids on September 30 from prospective buyers of three oil blocks in the Niger Delta, with several local firms in the running, industry sources said yesterday.

Oil industry sources estimate the value of the three blocks combined at $500 million to $600 million and anticipate winning bids will be around those levels.

Chevron said in June it would be selling its 40 percent interest in five onshore blocks, joining Royal Dutch Shell, Italy’s Eni and France’s Total in selling stakes in Niger Delta assets. U.S. firm ConocoPhillips is also selling its Nigerian assets to Oando Energy for $1.79 billion.

Chevron wants to sell OML 52, 53 and 55 to one buyer and suitors will have to pay 15 percent of bids on September 30, three sources close to the deals told Reuters. The firm will sell two other blocks, OML 82 and OML 85, in a separate

bidding process.

The U.S. firm did not respond to a request for comment. The three blocks have total oil reserves of around 134 million barrels and 5 trillion cubic feet of gas, two sources said. One company was willing to bid $1.7 billion for the assets but it was unlikely it was a credible buyer, the sources said.

Consortium bidders were more likely to be able to raise the financing necessary, sources said, and as with recent sales of Shell oil blocks, Nigerian firms, many in partnership with foreign companies, are likely to win most bids.

Nigeria’s South Atlantic Petroleum, SAPETRO, which already has joint ventures with Total and China’s CNOOC, is expected to bid, as is First Hydrocarbon Nigeria, the localarm of London-listed Afren, two

sources involved in the deals said. Afren declined to comment and SAPETRO did not respond to a request for comment.

Since 2010, Nigeria has had a policy of encouraging more direct ownership of its oil and gas by Nigerians, either through the state oil company or local private firms. That has raised concerns among foreign oil majors they may lose smaller assets if they do not sell now, industry experts said.

Worries over oil theft, fraught relations with communities living around oil fields and uncertainty over a stalled bill to overhaul fiscal terms has also encouraged majors to sell.

Many Nigerian firms are backed by powerful political or business figures.

The chairman of SAPETRO is General T.Y. Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence and Chief of Army Staff.

Mallam Sanusi said that money laundering could be the only main factor for the high dollar demand and that new policy measures would soon be announced by the apex bank.

He however, refused to disclose what the policy measures would be, in spite of newsmen’ attempts at his revealing the details.

He lamented that, “Nigeria has become the largest importer of the U S Dollar in the whole world and said that only a firm policy against the dollarization of the Nigerian economy could save the situation.

MPC decisions The governor announced that the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, was retained at 12.0 per cent with a symmetric corridor of 200 basis point around the MPR by the MPC. His words, "the Committee noted that the actions taken at the last MPC have served the purpose of helping the naira avoid the fate of other developing country's currencies by keeping it relatively stable. It also noted the continued moderation in inflation and the benign outlook for the next six months.

“The Committee decided by a vote of 11 members to hold the MPR at 12.0 per cent. One member voted to reduce the MPR by 50 basis points. 11 members voted to retain the symmetric corridor of 200 basis points around the MPR while one member voted for an asymmetric corridor of 200 basis points above the MPR and 400 basis points below the MPR. All members voted to retain the 50.0 per cent Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector funds, and 12.0 per cent CRR on private sector deposits."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—9

BY UDUMA KALU, WITH AGENCY REPORT

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, in New York made a strong case for Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council, just as South African President, Jacob Zuma backed the Nigerian president’s call for democratisation of the UN Security Council.

Addressing the world leaders and other delegates at the opening of the 68th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, President Jonathan declared that Nigeria’s commendable performance on previous occasions when it held a non-permanent seat on the security council, should assure the global community that the country deserved to be elected to the council again for the 2014-2015 session.

“Our support for the United Nations Security Council in its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security has been total and unwavering.

“We have, in previous membership of the Council, demonstrated both the political will and capacity to engage in key responsibilities.

A statement by the President Adviser on Media, Dr Reuben Abati, quoted the President as saying, “I am pleased to state that Nigeria has received the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union. We, therefore, urge this August Assembly to endorse Nigeria’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.”

Democratisation of Security Council members The President also called for faster action towards the democratisation of the Security Council, saying that Nigeria and other developing countries were concerned about the lack of progress in the reformation of the United Nations.

President Jonmathan said: “I believe that I express the concern of many about the slow pace of effort and apparent lack of progress in the reform of the United Nations, especially the Security Council. We believe strongly, that the call for democratization worldwide should not be for States only, but also, for International Organisations such as the United Nations.

“That is why we call for the democratization of the Security Council. This is desirable for the enthronement of justice, equity, and fairness; and also for the promotion of a sense of inclusiveness and balance in our world.”

Backing Jonathan’s call, South African President Jacob Zuma criticised the United Nations Security Council as ‘outdated’ and ‘undemocratic’ ahead of a world leaders’ meeting in New York,

Jonathan to UN: Nigeria deserves UN Security Council seat zZuma backs Jonathan; says UN Security Council undemocratic according to a report yesterday.

The current Security Council “might have by now outlived its usefulness”, Zuma said at the UN. Developing nations have called for reform of the Security Council, which has since World War II accorded veto rights on substantive resolutions to five permanent members, the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China.

“You have a situation where those who possess the power of veto talk more war than peace,” Zuma told South African newsmen at the outset of the UN General Assembly meeting this week.

“You have a minority that has the last word and unfortunately is no longer helping. It is actually becoming part of the problem,” he said, decrying the Council’s actions over conflicts in Iraq and Libya over the past 10 years.

“As small countries we believe the arrangement is unfair, it is undemocratic, it’s not good any more.”

Terrorism threat to global peace, security Noting that the world continues to be confronted with many serious challenges, President Jonathan called for a renewed and concerted effort by the international community to effectively resolve issues that currently impede global peace, stability and progress.

“Our world continues to be confronted by pressing problems and threats. No statement that will be made during this session can exhaust the extent of these problems. The world looks to us, as leaders, to provide hope in the midst of crisis, to provide guidance through difficult socio-political divisions, and to ensure that we live in a better world.

“We have obligations to the present generation, but we have a greater obligation to generations yet unborn who should one day inherit a world of sufficiency irrespective of the circumstances of their birth or where they reside on the globe. We must work to make that world a reality in recognition of our common heritage.

“We must dedicate ourselves to working together to address global, regional and national challenges and deliver a more peaceful, equitable and prosperous world for all. It is our duty. We must not fail”,” President Jonathan declared.

The President also restated his called for the international community to confront the menace of global terrorism with greater resolve and determination.

“Terrorism constitutes a major threat to global peace and security,

CYBER SECURITY CONFAB—From left: Mrs. Nelli Barak; Mr. Tim Akano, CEO of New Horizons/West Africa industry partner for ITU-IMPACT and Isreali former Prime Minister, Ehud Barak at the 3rd World cyber security conference in Abuja.

and undermines the capacity for sustained development. In Nigeria, the threat of terrorism in a few States in the North Eastern part of our country has proven to be a major challenge to national stability. We are therefore confronting it with every resource at our disposal with due regard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.

The reign of terror anywhere in the world is an assault on our collective humanity. Three days ago, the stark reality of this menace was again brought to the fore by the dastardly terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya. We must stand together to win this war together,” President Jonathan said.

Jonathan reinstates commitment to MDGs The President said there will be more commitment to millennium development goals by his administration.

“There have been several conflicts with devastating consequences in virtually all regions of the world, as global citizens; we have a sacred duty to free our world of wars, rivalries, ethnic conflicts and religious division.

“Our collective efforts in our drive for a better world will continue to bind us together”.

Realising the need to sustain peace in Nigeria beyond the year 2015, Jonathan said he is

committed to building systems that will see that the conflicts and insecurity confronting the nation doesn’t pull it apart.

“Mr. President, Nigeria continues to support the efforts of the United Nations in addressing the global initiatives to combat the menace of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

“We have redoubled efforts to address this arduous challenge within our borders and across the West African sub-region. In doing so, we also recognised the need for a God-based global partnership in the on-going battle against trans-border crimes, including terrorism and acts of piracy “It is regrettable that these scourges are sustained by concerted assets by non-state actors to illicit small arms and light weapons with which they foster insecurity and instability across the continent

Arms Trade Treaty “For us in Africa, these are the weapons of mass destruction; it is therefore in the light of our collective obligations and unseasoned struggle to end this nightmare that I congratulate member states on the adoption of the arms treaty in April this year “Our hope is that, upon the entry into force, the arms treaty will herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms,

which is critical to the security of nations” The President welcomed Nigeria’s selection as co-Chair of the United Nations Expert Committee on Financing Sustainable Development.

“The importance of this Committee’s assignment cannot be overstated. For the post-2015 development agenda to be realistic, it must be backed by a robust financing framework which I hope will receive the strong backing of our organisation’s more endowed members,” he said.

President Jonathan congratulated UN member-states on the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty.

“Our hope is that upon its entry into force, the ATT would herald an era of accountable trade in conventional arms which is critical to the security of nations,” the President said.

Jonathan condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria He condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in the Syrian crisis and welcomed current diplomatic efforts to avert a further escalation of the crisis in the country.

President Jonathan also urged world leaders to adopt measures and policies that will promote nuclear disarmament, protect and renew the world’s environment, and push towards an international system that is based on trust, mutual respect and shared goals.

10—Vanguard WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Navy trains personnel on handling of small arms

I’ll ensure Nigerians enjoy benefits of democracy — Jonathan

BY EMEKA MAMAH

BY EVELYN USMAN

O

WODE — IN an effort to tackle the alarming security challenges in parts of northNigeria, the Naval T r a i n i n g Command,NAVTRAC, has undertaken a threeday Small Arms Firing exercise, SAFEX in weapon handling on its personnel.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the exercise at the 192 battalion range in Owode, Ogun State, the Flag Officer Commanding NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Azubuike Ajuonu, said following the current state of security challenges in the country, the Nigerian Navy, NN, was no longer working in isolation within the creeks but involved in joint operations in built up areas with other services and security agencies.

Patronise PHCs, Abimbola Fashola tells pregnant women

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & KOSISO UDEMBA

W

IFE OF the Lagos State Goverrnor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, yesterday, advised pregnant women in the state to patronise Public Health Centres, PHC, provided by the state government for their safety.

Fashola, who made the call during the Lagos West senatorial district Town Hall Meeting on Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Programme at the Surulere Local Government Area, said the facilities would not achieve the purpose of establishing them, except they were maximally utilised by those the facilities were meant for pregnant women and children.

P

R E S I D E N T G O O D L U C K Jonathan, yesterday, in Lagos said the Federal Government would do everything humanly possible for Nigerians to continue to enjoy the full benefits of democracy.

He spoke through the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo at a ceremony marking the beginning of the 75th anniversary of the Ikoyi Club in Lagos.

The club which has 15,000 junior and ordinary members was established in 1938 to cater for the recreational needs of expatriates and other

Nigerian civil servants and businessmen during the colonial era.

Jonathan said the privatisation of the power among other sectors was part of the reformation agenda of the Federal Government aimed at enabling Nigerians to enjoy the full benefits of democracy. ’’Nigerians are to enjoy full

MEETING: From left, Hon. Adetoun Adeniran, former Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly; Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State Governor, and Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction, MCMR, Chairperson/ Ambassador, Dr. Yewande Adesina; Special Adviser to Governor on Public Health, and Mr. Tajudeen Ajide, Chairman, Surulere Local Government, during the Lagos State Central senatorial district Town Hall Meeting on Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction, at Surulere Local Government Secretariat, Surulere, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

benefits of democracy. With improved electricity supply, the creative potentials of our people will be greatly unleashed to continue to challenge the best in world,’’ he said.

According to him, the present administration also identified with the club’s ethics, noting that as part of its agenda for human and national development, the government ‘’supports development and promotes recreation in order to create a healthy and productive citizenry.

“In this era of many health challenges arising from sedentary living and inadequate exercises, an institution that encourages harmony through recreation is worthy of being celebrated.”

The President pointed out that the government would encourage the club to meet the demands of its membership, stressing that in this regard, “the club and the Federal Government can be regarded as transformation partners.”

Jonathan who stated that he was looking forward to a time when he too would join the club to enjoy its sports facilities, however, commended the club for embarking on a multistorey car park project for its members and asked members to ensure that the N2.1billion project was completed in record time.

Shareholders want N191bn Oceanic Bank’s assets seized by CBN, AMCON returned

BY INNOCENT ANABA

L

AGOS — Shareholders of defunct Oceanic Bank, have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to return the N191 billion worth of assets forfeited by former Managing Director of the bank, Cecilia Ibru back to them (shareholders).

Cecilia Ibru had forfeited the assets as part of the plea bargain arrangement between her and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which was sanctioned by the former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu.

In a fresh suit by chairman, Association of Oceanic Bank Shareholders, Boniface Okezie and Adewale Basirat Abolanle as plaintiffs, they are praying the court for an order declaring that Ibru was liable to make good to them, monies and assets improperly “paid out or converted

or otherwise improperly acquired from Oceanic Bank before its merger with Ecobank, arising from Ibru’s self-acknowledged acts of breach of her fiduciary duty to the Bank and them as shareholders.”

The plaintiffs, who are representing all the aggrieved shareholders of Oceanic Bank in the suit, while defendants

are AMCON, CBN, EFCC, Federal Attorney General and Ibru.

The plaintiffs, who prayed for an order vesting them with powers to recover from Ibru and other defendants by way of tracing the assets forfeited by Ibru, also want the court to transfer the control of the said assets to them through their

solicitor, Indemnity Partners.

The plaintiffs are further praying for an order setting aside the part of the plea bargain and settlement agreement between Ibru and EFCC in the proceedings before Justice Abutu, where parties agreed that the disputed assets should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Sen Ashafa asks Lagos residents to protect public infrastructure

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — THE lawmaker representing Lagos East senatorial district, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has called on councils, community development associations and residents in Lagos to ensure adequate protection of public infrastructure in the interest of the general public.

Ashafa, who spoke at the commissioning of 10 solar street lights, he sponsored for

the Igbogbo/Baiyeku residents, noted that it became necessary to protect such infrastructure against vandals because they were being procured through the hard earned money of tax payers.

He charged the chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, LCDA, and the chairman of the Community Development Association to maintain the infrastructure for the benefit of the community.

He said: “We all know the importance of electricity to our community, most especially during dark hours where the areas are vulnerable for the miscreants to operate for lack of electricity, the solar street lights we are commissioning today will go a great extent in curbing many nefarious acts during dark hours, thereby contributing to the security among other security measures already on ground in the community.”

Vanguard WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—11

2015: Jonathan woos South-West leaders

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

B

ARELY 24 hours after President Goodluck Jonathan officially declared his intention to run for a second term in office, he has started reaching out to prominent groups in the South West to actualise his ambition come 2015.

One of such groups is Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, whose leader, Otunba Gani Adams, played host to Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, yesterday.

Although the duo denied that their close door meeting which lasted for several hours in Lagos, had nothing to do with President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, the undertone of the courtesy visit showed otherwise as a reliable source close to the corridors of powers disclosed that the meeting was in line with Jonathan’s effort to woo the South-West ahead of 2015.

According to Otunba Adams, the President of Nigeria had the constitutional right to contest for a second term.

“Since he is passing through a process that is constitutional, he has a right to contest,” Otunba Adams said.

Adams said President Goodluck Jonathan’s first two years in office was a completion of late Musa Yar ’Ádua tenure.

He said: “But it is left for Nigerians to decide whether they want him or not. In my own humble opinion he has right to contest for second tenure.”

In a bid to prevent Nigerians from reading meanings to

the visit, Mr. Kingsley Kuku noted: “I advise Nigerians not to read any political meaning to the visit.

“Otunba Gani Adams and I share several bond, we come from the same state, we struggled together against the military and above all, we have the same ideology.

“Since I assumed office as Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta and

Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, I haven’t seen my brother,” Kuku explained.

On continuation of amnesty programe after 2015, Kuku noted that there were so many people in the Niger Delta, South-South, South East and the three senatorial districts of the north where youths and women needed empowerment.

SIGNING: From left, Chairman, Ekiti State Water Corporation, Mr. Bode Adetunji; Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative Affairs, Mr. Dapo Karonwi, and Governor Kayode Fayemi, during the signing of the Water Supply and Sanitatation Law, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Opeyemi Bamidele’s aide arrested

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — CHIEF Remi Oguntuase, an aide to a member of the House of Representative, Opeyemi Bamidele, has been arrested by officials of the Department of State Service, DSS, Ekiti State Command.

Though, there was no official reports from the DSS on the arrest of the politician, Vanguard gathered that the arrest of the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, might not be unconnected with his role in the last Thursday’s botched rally organised by Bamidele to declare his governorship ambition.

The arrest of Oguntuase was confirmed by Mr. Ahmed Salami, a Special Assistant on Media to Bamidele in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

Corroborating Salami, an aide of Oguntuse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed six DSS operatives had earlier on Monday stormed Oguntuase’s residence at Onigari, GRA, in Ado-Ekiti, around

11a.m. and held 10 occupants of the house hostage for about 40 minutes.

He alleged that the six-man team seized the hand-sets of all the occupants, including Oguntuase’s children and wife and ransacked all the rooms in the building.

Oguntuase was, according to him, later whisked away in a white Hilux Van alongside his wife to the DSS headquarters on new Iyin Road in the state capital.

They were later released at about 10p.m. on Monday.

However, Oguntuase was ordered to report back yesterday for further questioning. He was re-arrested yesterday, according to the source.

“We were inside the house when the DSS operatives broke into the building and ransacked all the rooms. They could not find anything incriminating except some cassettes of a Yoruba poet,” the source said.

Fayemi assures Ekiti residents of 80% potable water supply

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

G

OVERNOR KAYODE Fayemi of Ekiti State has signed the State Water and Sanitation Law, with an assurance to increase access to potable water to 80 per cent by 2014.

Signing the law in Ado Ekiti in Ado-Ekiti, the Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to laying a solid foundation for the efficient management of a functional water supply and sanitation sector in the state.

Fayemi explained that one of the

provisions of the Infrastructure Development Agenda was to make all the water supply schemes in the state functional to increase access to potable water supply from 40 per cent which it was in 2010 to 80 per cent next year.

He noted that access to potable water was crucial to public health and well-being of the people.

The governor also highlighted that aside constructing mini water schemes, government was rehabilitating old ones to make them functional.

Chevron organises mass de-worming for 80,000 pupils

BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE — OVER 80, 000 school pupils in three local government areas of Ondo State are to benefit from the mass de-worming programme organised by Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL. The exercise is being organised in conjunction with the Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA, designed for children under age 12.

Benefiting council areas are Akure South, Akure North and Ilaje Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the programme, the wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, commended the contributions of CNL to the health-care delivery system in the state.

Mrs. Mimiko said there was need for synergy between government and private sector towards a qualitative health care system for the children.

According to her: “Our children are our future, we should take care of them, if we do this our future will be secure, there is the need for parents and teachers to ensure good hygiene of these children in order for them to live a disease free life.”

Lagos govt organises workshop for biometric operators

L

AGOS — LAGOS State Government is organising a threeday training workshop for biometric operators at the ABAT Centre, Alausa for the forthcoming pensioners verification exercise slated for October 2013, to ensure an error free exercise.

Ahead of the commencement of computer-based examinations in public secondary schools in the state, government has identified 10 public secondary schools as pilot for the exercise in the state.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Masked DSS operatives, soldiers keep vigil at shopping malls in Abuja, Lagos

F

OLLOWING terror ists attack of a shopping mall in Kenya which claimed several lives, soldiers and heavily armed operatives of the Department of State Services now keep vigil at the Shoprite, one of the elite malls in Abuja.

The mall is located along the busy Apo Mechanic Village in the capital city and about five kilometers from the scene of last week’s controversial shooting of alleged Boko Haram elements by security forces.

Eyewitnesses said the soldiers manning the gate to the mall searched all cars entering the premises. Several armed policemen were also noticed at the main entrance into the Apo Resettlement estate.

Eyewitnesses said at least two DSS black vans were noticed at the main road with masked, battle-ready operatives wielding Israeli Uzzi guns.

No agency, including the DSS, Guards Brigade nor the Garrison Command responded to efforts at obtaining explanations on the presence of the security men at the mall but security analysts said that the exercise might be a preemptive measure to forestall any security breach, especially after last week’s Apo incidence and the attack on the Nairobi mall.

In Lagos, the State Police Command assured residents of their safety.

A statement by the state Deputy Police Public Relations Officef, Mr. Damascus Ozuani said, “The Lagos State Police Command is highly prepared to safe guard life and property of citizens from any threat from any terrorist group. The command has taken several steps over time to ensure that security in the state is water tight. This in-

cludes our shopping malls and other public places.

“Terrorism is not new to us, we have taken enough steps to ensure that we don’t only protect our malls from attacks like this, but respond swiftly if there is any.

“If you take the Ikeja shopping mall as example, you will discover that several measures have been taken to ensure a tight security.”

Bill to create agency for FCT’s devt of satellite towns passes 2nd reading in Senate

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—EFFORTS aimed at creating an agency saddled with responsibility of developing satelite towns in the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, received the support of Senate yesterday, as a bill to that effect scaled second reading.

The bill titled: A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Capital Territory Satelite Town Development Agency and for other Related Matters 2013, sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator

Smart Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West,seeks to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people living in the rural areas.

Defending the need for the agency in his lead debate, Senator Adeyemi said no city “functions effectively while independent of its regional areas.”

Noting that the FCT covers an area of 8,000 square kilometer, Adeyemi stressed that the demographic studies put the population of Abuja’s urban as of 2012, at 2,245,000,thus making it the fourth largest urban area in the country.

N6.4bn scam: EFCC appeals discharge of UBEC officials

T

HE Economic and Finan-cial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to set aside the September 19 ruling of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, discharging former Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Prof.

Bridget Omotunde Sokan and six others in the N787 million fraud case instituted against them by the Commission.

Justice Bello had discharged the seven accused persons upholding their no case submission.

The other accused per-

sons who were first arraigned on May 18, 2009 on a 63-count charge that borders on fraudulent inducement, criminal conspiracy and subversion of due processes in the award of contract and other offences are: Molkat Manasseh Mutfwang, Dr. Andrew Ekpunobi, Michael Aule and companies used in perpetrating the fraud, Intermarkets USA; Intermarkets Nigeria Limited and Alexander John Cozman, a foreign contractor.

In the notice of appeal filed before the appellate court, EFCC is seeking a review of the ruling of the lower court on two grounds: One, that the

trial judge erred in law by upholding and granting the 1st – 7th respondents’ application for a no-case submission in spite of the evidential materials, oral and documentary, before the lower court at the close of the prosecution’s case. According to Wahab Shittu, counsel to the EFCC, prosecution had placed before the lower court 75 legally admissible (and admitted) materials including indicting oral testimonies of 7 witnesses providing prima facie evidence entitling the Accused/Respondents to enter into their defence and offer explanations in respect of the 41-count charge preferred against them at the lower court.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—13

Abuja killings: Residents flee neighbourhood

BY SONI DANIEL, CHRIS OCHAYI, IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—AS public outrage over the killing of 10 squatters in a compound believed to be owned by a serving General in the Nigerian Army grows, soldiers and other security agents, who carried out the attack, as well as residents, have fled the area.

This is just as the Senate has ordered a probe into the killings while the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has also set up a panel to investigate the incident.

When Vanguard visited the area, behind Zone E district of the Apo Legislative Quarters, neither the residents nor the soldiers who ransacked the area last Friday, were seen in the compound.

But one of the residents of the area, Mallam Aminu Yusuf , who volunteered to speak to Vanguard about 300 metres away from the scene of the attack, explained that the residents had to run away to save themselves from further onslaught by soldiers and men of the Department of State Services, DSS. Yusuf said that since the attack took them unawares, they were forced to retreat from the neighbourhood until the security situation improves.

He said: “The way things are going in the area, where our brothers were slaughtered like chicken, the situation calls for caution. We had to run away

from the area to protect our dear lives.”

Pointing to no fewer than 50 huts, which were hitherto used by itinerant traders and artisans, who were killed by the security forces last Friday, Yusuf lamented that the blood of the slain men had forced them to flee.

He said: “This place is where the tea sellers, commercial motorcyclists, and suya meat sellers used to stay and do their business before they were shot but now nobody is here again.

“The rampaging soldiers killed some of us and left many others in the hospital and the agony of their murder is still rising in the community. That is why the lucky ones among them had to run away.”

A combined team of soldiers backing DSS operatives launched an early morning raid on the Apo neighbourhood and killed artisans, who they labeled Boko Haram terrorists.

No fewer than 17 others were rushed to Asokoro General Hospital. One of the wounded died on Monday morning bringing the number of deaths to 10.

Y

killing or the reason behind the incident.

Mark, however, said that the Senate condemned any act of terrorism and extra-judicial killing in the country.

The resolution by the senate to investigate the killing of the 10 persons which the DSS alleged were members of Boko Haram, came after Senator Sahabi Ya’au had in a motion on point of order, alleged that security forces on the said date killed innocent people they were supposed to protect.

Senator Ya’au of All Progressives Congress, who represents Zamfara North had in the motion, noted with dismay the shooting that occurred in

NHRC sets up panel Also, the National Human Right Commission, has said it was determined to get to the root of the killings. Consequently, the commission has constituted a high-powered investigative panel, with a mandate to unravel the true identities of the victims and those currently in custody of DSS. Director, Public Affairs and Communications Department at the NHRC, Mr Muhammad Ladan, in a telephone interview with Vanguard yesterday, said the commission would not rest on its oars until it uncovers the truth about the shootings.

Senate probes killing Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday, mandated its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Legal Matters, Judiciary and Human Rights to investigate the killing just as National Human Right Commission, expressed its

Crude oil theft: Navy hands over 62 suspects to Bayelsa Police Command

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA ENAGOA—THE Central Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, yesterday, handed over 61 persons to the Bayelsa State Police Command arrested on aboard seven vessels, allegedly involved in crude oil theft and loading of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (diesel).

Also, a man identified as Abantuwe Potter, who was allegedly arrested for illegal possession of firearms used in protecting illegal refineries in the creek of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state was handed over to the police for prosecution.

The suspects, according

determination to get to the root of events that culminated in the shooting of the victims.

While referring the motion to the appropriate committees, Senate President, Senator David Mark, said that the relevant committees should unravel what led to the killings, adding that there were three issues already playing up that needed to be investigated.

The committees were mandated to investigate and report within two weeks, whether what happened was an act of terrorism as alleged by the security agencies and whether it was extra-judicial

an uncompleted building on Soji Aderemi Close, Bamanga Tukur Street of the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

to the Nigerian Navy, were apprehended between July and September as part of the sustained effort to rid the area of crude oil thieves.

The seized vessels include MT Whale Dale, which had an all-Nigerian crew of six at press time, MV Henty with a crew of five Nigerians and one Ghanaian and MT Emmanuel with an all-Nigeria crew of 10.

Others are MV S&T Victoria, a tug, with all- Nigerian crew of six, MV TOBILOBA with an all Nigerian crew of seven, MT PAULINE with a 10man crew of nine Nigerians and one Cameroonian as well as a Cotonou boat with all Nigerian crew of 16.

AWARD: From left: Nonso Ogbonna, Laura Azike, Uzo Nduka (The CEO), Atinuke Afolabi and Fred Agbata (CFA), all of Domino Information Company Limited, at SERA's Award night in Muson Centre, Lagos.

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

MEETING: President, Phone and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria, PAPDAN, Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, CEO, Technology Times, Mr. Shina Badaru, and CEO, Technovisson Limited, Mr. Tomi Davies, during the Technopreneurship breakfast meeting with business leaders in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Police arrest man for alleged murder in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI— EBONYI State police command, yesterday, arrested one Ifeanyi Udu Anthony Igwe for allegedly killing one Ogodo Emmanuel, 24, of Amaofia village, Okposhi Ehuegu Ngbo in Ohaukwu local government area.

The state police spokesman, DSP Sylvester Igbo, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect to newsmen in Abakaliki, revealed that the deceased was killed

and buried in a farm in the area by the suspect.

He noted that the police had discovered the spot where the deceased was buried in the farm but noted that the body of the victim was yet to be exhumed to ascertain the circumstances that led to his death.

According to him, the suspect has confessed to the crime, while investigation is still on to ascertain the identities of his collaborators.

He said: “On September 22, 2013 information on murder was received by the po-

lice at Ohaukwu local government area that one Ifeanyi Udu Anthony Igwe, aged 23, of Amaofia village, Okposhi Ehuegu Ngbo killed one Ogodo Emmanuel aged 24 years on September 18, 2013 in the night and buried him inside one farm in the area over ownership of handset phone.

“The suspect had been arrested and the spot where the victim was buried has been discovered while exhumation is yet to take place, the machete used to kill the deceased has not been recovered.”

New Police uniform not for sale, IG warns Okiro as the Inspector Gen- 300,000 personnel of the

BY KINGSLEY

OMONOBI BUJA—FOLLOW ING allegations of plans by some senior officers to cash in on the distribution of the new Police Neon Blue uniform to junior officers for financial benefits, the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has directed that it be issued free of charge.

Vanguard gathered that the new uniforms, which were hitherto meant for only senior police officers before Abubakar assumed office, is now to be distributed to all police personnel, including inspectors down to constables.

At the time of filing this report, Vanguard gathered that 67,500 pairs of the uniform, 75,000 new belts and 90,500 new black berets had been released by force headquarters to commands across the country for distribution to rank and file.

The new uniform, which came into being during the tenure of Sir Mike

A

eral of Police, will eventually replace the existing black uniform which at some point will be phased out.

Contacted on the development, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, explained that the release was the first batch of the uniform, noting that there would be other batches until all the over

police force, were kitted.

Mba said the IG directed the distribution to all personnel as part of his determination to build a people friendly police force, as well as help checkmate duplication or faking of the former uniform by hoodlums and criminals.

Okorocha leads Ngige’s campaign c’ttee

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha, was, yesterday, appointed leader of the national campaign committee for Senator Chris Ngige governorship campaign for the November 16 election in Anambra State.

The committee, comprising 27 members who were equally sworn in by Imo governor at Emmaus House, Awka, was charged with the responsibility of not only mak-

ing sure that the people of the state voted for Ngige but also ensure that their votes were protected.

Okorocha, who announced that Ngige would on October 3 formerly flag off his campaign, advised the people of Anambra to shun money politics and not to vote for any of the parties’ candidates that had political god fathers, saying they would not deliver democracy dividends to the poor masses.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—15

Reps at war over Okonjo-Iweala

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—CHAIRMEN of the joint committees of House of Representatives on Petroleum Upstream and Gas Resources, yesterday, warned House Committee Chairman on Finance, Rep Abdulmumin Jibrin to stop defending the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

The Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Muraino Ajibola and Chairman, Committee on Gas Resources, Bassey Ewa, in a statement declared that Jibrin should stop misleading Nigerians on happenings in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. But Jibrin in a reaction said: ”For two years I was the number one critic of the Minister of Finance, I only stated the obvious.“ The two House Committee chairmen, who co-signed the joint statement, cautioned their counterpart in Finance Committee to face his work rather than’ poke-nosing ‘into the affairs of their committees.

It would be recalled that Rep Jibrin had recently, while reacting to the call by Governor Rotimi Ameachi led Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF that the Finance Minister, Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, should resign her position over her management of Nigeria’s economy had said that rather than calling on the Finance Minister to resign, the Minister of Petroleum Re-

sources should be called to answer questions and give account of what was happening.

He had said: “It is not the Minister of Finance, Nobody knows the quantum of crude we produce per day in this country, the Minister is not giving out any information and nobody is asking her. ”By our rules, since the Petroleum Committees have primary jurisdiction on the Ministry of Petroleum and its Agencies, other Committees of the House can request for first hand information from us as the need arises. ”Unfortunately, our colleague has never taken advantage of this but is interested in projecting the Petroleum Committees as not per-

forming their oversight functions. ”We have noted with great concern Abdulmumin’s attempt to divert Nigerians’ attention from the statement credited to the NGF on where and how the sovereign wealth fund is being managed which falls within the purview of his office as the Chairman Committee on Finance. ”It is indeed the saddest day for our democracy and it smacks of compromise that a legislator and of course the chairman of Committee on Finance of the House of Representatives is now the public relations officer of a minister. ”We would have dismissed this statement in the greater interest of protecting the image and sanc-

BY BEN AGANDE

tity of the House of Representatives (so that the institution will not be seen as divided against itself), but this rejoinder has become imperative on account of the following: Abdulmumin’s press statement is an indictment that the Petroleum Committees of the House of Representatives are not performing their oversight function as required by the Rules of the House.

“There has been several similar misleading comments in the media concerning the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC by Abdulmumin Jubrin."

INAUGURATION: From left: Imo State Governor, and Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Anambra State gubernatorial candidate campaign committee, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, APC governorship candidate in Anambra, Dr. Chris Ngige, and APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji. Lai Mohammed, during the inauguration of the committee in Awka, yesterday.

Sacked 670 Mainstreet bank workers: Reps threaten to order MD's arrest

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE &

LEVINUS NWAGUHIOGU

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, threatened to issue a bench warrant on the Managing Director of Mainstreet Bank Plc, Mrs Faith Turduo Martins, for allegedly sacking 670 staff of the bank without due process.

Chairman of the House committee on Banking and Currency, Jones Chukwudi Onyereri, said a bench warrant awaited Turduo Martins if she failed to appear before the committee on October 2 to explain why 670 staff of the bank were sacked under anonymous circumstances.

Onyereri, whose committee met on the issue to probe the allegation of highhandedness levelled against the management of the bank by the affected workers, insisted that Mr Anojwi Anyanwu who

stood in for Turduo Martins could not provide the committee the requisite information to get to the root of the matter. ”In the wisdom of members of this committee, the representative of the MD of

Mainstreet Bank is not able to give us all the information we need to get to the root of this matter.

“We will postpone this meeting to the 2nd of October for the M.D to appear before us

and offer explanation on this issue. If she fails to appear, we would be compelled to issue a bench warrant against her,” he said.

ASUU strike: NASS to initiate new policies on education

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—WORRIED by the incessant strike by universities and other tertiary institutions, the National Assembly is set to initiate legislative educational policies that would regulate frequent industrial actions in Nigeria.

Senate President, David Mark, stated this at the first conference of National and State Assembly Committees on Education organized by the Senate Committee on Education.

Mark, who was represented by the Senate Minority leader, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said it was imperative that particular attention be paid to the country ’s education sector which, according to him, is in serious need of transformation.

He said: “The persistent industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian universities has had huge impact on the country’s education system and there is need for

BPP saves N530bn

A

BUJA—THE Direc tor General of Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Emeka Eze, has said the Federal Government saved over N500 billion through the intervention of the Bureau in the procurement of federal contracts.

Addressing State House correspondents yesterday, Dr Eze said the high interest rate in the country was contributing to the high cost of projects.

According to him, no matter how sincere a leader is, the attitude of those saddled with the responsibility of supervising government jobs must change in order to achieve quality job delivery. ”We must continue to tell Nigerians about the need to have character, there is no way one person no matter who he is can do nation building alone.

“If I send you on a job to say this has to be done now and you have a specification and somebody receiving salary has a responsibility to say this is okay and the person does the wrong thing, then there is something wrong with us as a people."

“Therefore, in as much as we put rules, we expect that there are some people who have good training to see black and say it is black and see white and say it is white and that is the problem."

Passage

C

H

I

E

F

(SHRI)Purshottam K h e m c h a n d Mirchandani, aged 68, is dead.

He is survived by Mrs. Lucy Aloye Mirchandani, widow, children and many relations, including Sunita, Sunil, Sushil, Bhagwan, Arjan, among others.

the senate to initiate legislative solutions to the problem. ”Issues of educational development have been priority of government and it has called for comprehensive and sustainable policies that will deliver good standards, decent environment and cost effectiveness.”

He, however, called on the federal government and ASUU to urgently come to an agreement to call off the 84 days’ old strike.

The late Mirchandani

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013— —17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 ANAMBRA State has managed to be on the amazing side of politics. It seems to have an unceasing affinity to bizarre political offerings. From being the only State where a governor has been abducted, and his known abductors remain political lords, to the organised arson that left most of Awka in ruins – again it was unpunished – Anambra descends to further complications at election seasons.

Since, 2003, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has had two lists of candidates, authentic and factional, for any election. The other parties are copying the practice that rubbishes voters’ choices. Legal decisions and disqualifications can nullify voters’ choices.

As in the past, candidates would campaign vigorously to be elected for a post, if he wins, another person would be sworn-in, the rival candidate could utilise legal channels to claim the seat.

In a pattern that usually appears questionable, the litigation is concluded after the results of the polls have been announced leaving in its trail contradictions. Against this backdrop, not a few are beginning to see it as

Anambra 20 13: F or 201 For Vot es TTo o Count otes a ploy by parties to manipulate the polls.

The fallout of the recent gubernatorial primaries by most political parties has once again reaffirmed that Anambra may not be in a hurry to quit being the hotbed of intrigues.

Now, it is not only PDP that is enmeshed in the incoherence of having two candidates for the election. Other parties are also mired in the condemnable act which creates an impression of an unserious exercise.

Until the courts otherwise adjudicate, the leading parties in Anambra have two gubernatorial candidates. PDP has Comrade Tony Nwoye and Senator Andy Uba is laying claims to the same ticket. The ruling All

Progressives Grand Alliance led by Chief Victor Umeh has Chief Willy Obiano as candidate, the factional APGA led by Chief Maxi Okwu is presenting Dr. Chike Obidigbo.

The same scenario obtains in Labour Party, LP where Ifeanyi Ubah and Peter Nwosu are the party’s rival flag-bearers. All candidates are campaigning.

Challenges parties face presenting candidates is another indication of party their structures and weakness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The Electoral Act should be amended to forestall multiplicity of candidates from the same party.

With the November 16 election only 52 days away, the candidates should be certain. The courts should facilitate this by concluding all pending matters on the election. One man, one vote is gaining currency in the country, and should be encouraged.

Equity demands that it should be one party, one candidate for a particular electoral position. Multiple candidacies if unchecked could become a new rigging strategy where parties deploy more candidates to increase their support base.

OPINION

BY OKOFU UBAKA

I

T is not wishful. Neither it is a conjec ture that the Itsekiris, whether consciously or otherwise, would prefer somebody of Anioma extraction to a candidate from any part of the state as governor in 2015. There can't be any doubt that Delta State is waist-deep in the ethos of ethnic politics. For those that have kept tab on the ethnic politics of the state, the reason for the apprehension of the Itsekiris toward an Urhobo governor come 2015, or at any other time in the political future of the state may not sound too convincing though. But it is something that has been there. Even though spongy, it is biting. The unhealthy and age-long rivalry between both ethnic nationalities, if not timely and properly addressed, may further endanger the peace and development of the state.

All things being equal, the emergency of an Anioma governor in 2015 would mark a successful alliance between Deltans of the Southern and the Northern senatorial districts against the perceived hegemony of the Urhobos of Delta Central senatorial constituency. Ofcourse, it is in public domain that not many Deltans would want to subscribe to what the people of the South Senatorial district had labeled Urhobo hegemony over the rest people of the state. The fact is that there is a permeating, yet nonexisting fear that by virtue of having more council areas than other senatorial districts, the Urhobos of Delta Central

C M Y K

How will the Itsekiris fare in 2015? could continually manipulate same to remain in power as long as they would so desire.

With recourse to the Southern and Northern alliance (still being worked out), one thing among other variables would stand out as political consequences of a successful coalition between Delta South and North senatorial districts. Expectedly, both districts would have consolidated their grips over the political landscape of the state. Further, it will fire a salvo, indicating that no group, class, section or ethnic group in the state has an exclusive right to the number one and Chief Executive seat of the state. Which ever way we think of this, to me it doesn’t look like a feat that can be easily achieved, as the Urhobo, perhaps, as part of the allegation against them, have a way of playing politics of divide-and-rule.

All things being equal, the victory of Anioma 2015 Agenda is as good as here.

The average Itsekiri man cannot wait to savour this victory, and consequently go to sleep with both eyes closed. With recourse to the past, and as alleged, the Itsekiris as a nation hadn’t had it so well during the period of the state when Urhobos were in control. Truly, one could feel the pulses among the political class hinting that an Anioma governor, rather than an Urhobo, will be more liberal to Itsekiri development-related issues, and

more importantly, guarantee their safety in the state that has been so much politicized along ethnic lines. How the Itsekiris will fare, if the pendulum swings to either side of the divide of Anioma and Urhobo is giving politically conscious Itsekiris grave concern, even though the general feelings among them is one of an Anioma’s victory in the gubernatorial pool in 2015.

S

ince the creation of the state in 1991, Delta Central Senatorial district has produced two governors of the state. Although, the tenure of Senator(Olorogun) Felix Ibru was interrupted by a military coup, it cannot be totally erased that the Urhobo extractions of the state adequately benefited from the Ibru’s brief administration. However, this was not the case when one of their own, Chief James Ibori, took most political gladiators of the state by storm to emerge governor of the state in 1999. Ibori’s administration was an eye-opener to both the South and the North Senatorial districts that the only way to remain relevant in the State which finds itself waist deep in ethnic politics is to control the state’s vault as a catalyst to the development of such political constituency.

As it is, an Itsekiri may not make it to Government house, Asaba, as governor of the state in a long time to come . Thus,

it is incumbent on them to fashion out a political equation that will guarantee their safety as well as developmental convenience. The Itsekiris at this point in time cannot afford to play a politics of vacillation, not with their relevance in the politics of the state. There is no doubt that the three Warri LGAs have all it will take to make an impart during any election. Of course, no right thinking gubernatorial aspirant for that matter will want to underestimate the potency or magic wand of the three Warri LGAs when it comes to deciding the fates of aspirants.

We are all living witnesses to how election results from South-West and WarriNorth LGAs permanently truncated Ogboru’s jubilation of having won the Delta re-run election in 2011. This being what it is, I am of the view that the Itsekiris should be calm, strategize and collectively decide where to rest their alliance.

Rather than allowed a few selfish politicians ruin the political chessboard for them, again, I am of the opinion that 2015 should better be decided by the people and not ‘political vultures’ in the midst of the Itsekiris. As 2015 approaches, Itsekiri should be viewed as a nation and never as Dr. Uduaghan, Hon. Daniel Reyieneju, Hon Mayuku, Alex Eyengho, Chief Ayiri Emami, Hon. David Tonwe e.t.c.

*Mr Ubaka, a political analyst, wrote from Warri , Delta State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013— —19

, E

VEN though it was tucked away in the middle of other highlights in the online edition of the Vanguard of August 19, the headline seemed sensational enough to draw attention. It was the story of a female police officer reportedly stripped naked at the bridgehead in Onitsha, Anambra State, by a so-called business man or ‘big man’ whose sexual advances she had rebuffed.

To teach her a lesson in ‘humility’, the report goes, the big man got her stripped. Although the police through its spokesperson in Anambra State has denied the story but I’m inclined to disbelieve the police version of events.

And I’m not being merely perverse here. It’s just that the police today as an organisation has very little to recommend it as a large section of its personnel is made up of people whose moral credentials if not their mental stability give serious cause for concern.

Many of its officers are not gentlemen and its women are not

ladies either and we have daily evidence of this in the number of men and women in the police who routinely demand and take bribes on the road. The police cannot be trusted as an organisation. It lies just as it did recently in its refuted claim that it was responsible for the rescue of the abducted Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province, the Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey. At the peril of being unfair to the very responsible and conscientious members of the Police Force, the vast majority of police men and women you encounter on a daily basis are downright unhelpful and wicked. And as a Yoruba saying has it, whoever is in possession of two evils/wickedness ends up inflicting one on themselves.

So it is with the reaction of the police to the assault of this female officer in Onitsha. Even though the police made effort to arrest her attacker, the report says, the brute was such a big man that his identity had to be concealed and the police denied

,

the entire episode. Not even Vanguard could provide the ‘big man’s identity. But the police or the assaulted female officers’ colleagues nonetheless had the nerve to blame and criticize her for speaking openly about the attack on her. According to them, the officer in question has, by her admission to being attacked, brought the police into disrepute.

One wonders what reputation the police pretends to possess that is not daily torn into shreds by the misconduct of its discourteous, bribe-taking officers.

The police must have a peculiar sense and culture of shame that it would blame one of its own that has been assaulted by a common criminal with enough financial muscle and maybe violence to buy him protection from the law. Why should this woman be expected to remain silent in the face of this type of attack? She is the victim and even though a police woman she has every right of protection by the law. One would have thought that the police would be

Femi Fani-Kayode’s nationality question and his views on the Igbo race

BY GERALD AZIKE

A

SHORT while ago, series of articles on “the Igbo race and their unrestrained quest for dominance” churned out from the pen of Femi Fani-Kayode. The ripples of those articles have not abated as the altercation between Fani-Kayode and one of the ladies mentioned in one of the articles continues to show. With Kayode’s last article on this subject matter titled, “The Nationality Question”, one is left with the impression that those articles on Igbo race was, among other things, also Fani-Kayode’s own way of contributing to the nationality question.

As a priest living in the cosmopolitan city of Rome, I have a firsthand experience of the importance of discussion and dialogue for groups that are made up of different races. But the question one may pose is whether Fani-Kayode’s method and his present posture over fallouts from those articles can ever be a civilized way of addressing the issues despite his claim to civility. An analysis of the four articles "Lagos, The Igbo And The Servants of Truth", "The Bitter Truth About The Igbo", "A Word For Those Who Call Me A Tribalist" and "The Nationality Question" - reveals a woeful failure in this regard.

Before I analyse the articles, let me note something which I found interesting in one of the articles- “A Word For Those That Call Me A Tribalist” - where Fani-Kayode asked whether there is no Hector out there to challenge him the great Achilles.

Unfortunately, those articles do not present Fani-Kayode as the Achilles but rather as Hector. A look at the Homeric

C M Y K

presentation of Achilles and Hector in his great poem-book Iliad will definitely vindicate this position. In the Homeric Iliad, Achilles despite his military prowess was able to recognise danger when he saw one. He censured Agamemnon for his arrogance and refusal to send back Chryseis to the priest of Apollo despite the danger that holding her entailed. Hector the son of King Priam, on the other hand, despite the warning from Polydamas that he should retreat to the city wall of Troy refused to do so at the cost of his death by Achilles. The tone of Fani-Kayode’s articles both then and now does not show him as someone who is aware of the dynamite he is sowing, including the recent threat to reveal the lurid details of his past love-life. The contents of his articles are simply a writ-large of Hector’s Arrogance.

And with this, let us see to what extent Kayode’s method helped in building or destroying the nationality question.

His diatribe over the Igbo race all began with a statement attributed to Orji Uzor Kalu that “Lagos is no man’s land”. With this first salvo, the pen of Fani-Kayode ran free in one of the most unguarded views over any race I have ever seen in my entire life. First, he began in what in his own estimation is the history of the Igbo hegemony over the rest of Nigerians since the last 100 years and then went ahead to deduct from his inductive examples what the Igbo people have always been and still are. For the sake of our paper, let’s assume that the historical data he gave about the civil war, the first coup, the role of Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the NCNC’s Herbert Marcaulay, the statements of Zik, Mr.

very eager to take up her case as she is also an officer of the law.

But no, the police has to lay claim to a reputation it doesn’t have in the first place by holding the woman to a worthless code of silence. It’s conducts such as this that have made the police the friend of very few Nigerians despite its age-long claim that ‘the police is your friend’. An organisation notorious for its lack of empathy for citizens now cannot show it to its own members.

But the matter goes beyond the police and speaks to the Nigerian society as a whole, a society where victims of diverse perversions, especially victims of sexual violence such as rape and indecent assault of the type we are talking about, are portrayed as accused persons if not criminals.

They are made to feel shame, guilt and are blamed for what they are not responsible. Attitude like this can only strengthen the perverts who make it their business to perpetrate and perpetuate sexual violence. The proposition that there is a link between sexual violence and the culture of silence and shame that is thrown around it to the disadvantage of the victims is far from being far-fetched. Many organisations, governmental and non-governmental, have provided convincing correlation between these two variables. Personal experience also proves it.

Anyone who has encountered any victim of sexual violence like rape would have a vicarious understanding of what it means to experience such horror. An undergraduate student once recounted her experience in the hands of a rapist while doing a diploma course at Olabisi Onabanjo University. To be sure rape is rife in

,

Where victims are pronounced guilty

The police must have a peculiar sense of shame that it would blame one of its own that has been assaulted by a criminal with enough financial muscle to buy him protection

If his articles represent the condition of his mind, we need to go further to argue that those things in his mind cannot be incontrovertibly removed from him

,

Charles Dadi Onyeama and other things he mentioned are all true, the question is, to what extent is he free to categorize a race as being uncouth and ignorant based on this scant historical data and from the said actions exonerate another race?

Of course, as a lawyer, I supposed he studied the elementary logic of inductive and deductive reasoning. And he knows that despite the fact that induction is the basis of scientific hypothesis, in logic, it only supplies a “probable” ground for the veracity of the conclusions that are drawn from it. How can he, as learned as he claimed to be, derive a universal proposition from a particular. As a Cambridge alumnus, I thought he studied simple Aristotelian Syllogistic reasoning. With the above little historical evidence in the previous paragraph, he went ahead to profile a race, writing “the Igbos have not only taken us for granted but have also taken our liberty for license.... instead of being grateful the Igbo continuously run us down ..... unlike them we are not mere traders but we were (and still are) major industrialist and investors.... worst of all, generally speaking, they have no restraining factors because money and acquisition of wealth is their sole objective and purpose in life”. Again from the one or two respons-

our universities, many of them unreported. At the time she told her story I was, by her account, the first person she would tell aside her house mate who was also raped on the same night by the same attacker(s) in their allfemale hostel. Although, it had been several years since that attack but it was obvious she felt anew what she must have felt the night of the attack as she told it again. Her eyes were red and clouded over with tears and she continually wringed her hands and shivered all over uncontrollably as if from a terrible cold.

The case of Ugochukwu Agudosi, the undergraduate student of Caleb University, recently prosecuted for serial rape proves that silence only encourages attack.

Agudosi’s growing career as a rapist was brought to an end when one of his victims, his senior in the university, reported the attack rather than keep silent. Before that Agudosi is reported to have raped at least one other student lured into his trap via social media.

Hardly a day passes these days without some reported case of rape in the media. Many times such cases involve children, male and female, victims of close family members- parents, cousins or neighbours. We may not have got to the stage in India where rape crimes are fast assuming the level of an epidemic. But we need not wait until we get to that stage. One way to achieve this is to remove the silence thrown around sexual violence, demand heavy sanction for sexual offences like rape and reject the foolish culture of blaming victims of sexual violence.

es made by individuals about his article he went hay wire to write “that those that I have described as being COLLECTIVELY unlettered, uncouth, uncultured, unrestrained and crude in all their ways are all those things and a lot more... (and you proudly stated) I make or offer no apology for my numerous assertions on the Igbo stand”. Haba!

With this written conclusion about a race, he had also the effrontery to argue subsequently that he is not a tribalist. Of course, I will never call him one since it is not my mission in this write-up to pass a judgement on him. But whether Fanikayode as a person is a tribalist or not is immaterial, what is important is what his articles say about him. Of course, I suppose he knows that in the philosophy of language, words are only signs and symbols on paper when considered on their own. They only assume a meaning when considered from the intention of the writer. I suppose as an Alumnus of Cambridge, he studied Aristotle’s De interpretatione where he wrote: “Written words are the signs of words spoken (and) words spoken are symbols and signs of affections or impressions of the soul.” And as a prolific reader which I believe he is, he must have read Jerry Foder in his language of thought where he argues that “spoken and written language derive their intentionality and meaning from an internal language encoded in the mind.” The statements of these learned men have always been expressed in the aphorism “ex abundantia cordis, os loquitur” (from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks).

In the light of the above, if his articles represent the condition of his mind, we need to go further to argue that those things in his mind cannot be incontrovertibly removed from him.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Azike is a Catholic priest living in Rome

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 25 25,, 2013

Green tea enhances cognitive ability, memory, others N

ATURAL health enthusiasts have known for years that a fresh brewed cup of green tea provides an antioxidant punch that lowers the risk of developing many deadly lines of cancer, lowers the risk of developing dementia and can even boost metabolism to assist weight loss efforts.

Those same health-minded individuals may not know that the super nutrients known as catechins found in green tea also help increase memory recall and cognitive abilities.

A research team from China publishing the results of a study on the journal, Molecular Nutrition & Food Research report that an antioxidant rich cup of green tea helps benefit memory, cognitive abilities and spatial awareness.

Regarding green tea consumption, there has been plenty of scientific attention on its use in helping prevent cardiovascular diseases, but now there is emerging evidence that its chemical properties may impact cellular mechanisms in the brain.

Students may want to take note, as performance on exams may be enhanced with a cup or two of green tea before hand. Green tea catechins

• Pure green tea. promote neurogenesis to enhance memory and learning capabilities.

Researchers concentrated the active polyphenol known as EGCG (epigallocatechin-3 gallate), an organic chemical and main ingredient in green tea known to exhibit brainprotective properties in prior studies. Lead researcher, Dr. Yun Bai noted "We proposed that EGCG can improve cognitive function by impacting the generation of neuron cells, a process known

as neurogenesis." He and his team found that EGCG promotes the development of neural progenitor cells that contribute to memory retention and enhanced thought capabilities.

Studies involving the brain frequently use a mouse model due to similarities with humans.

Mice were split into two groups: the first group was supplemented with an EGCG enhanced drink and the second control group

‘Doctor, get rid of my pain’ L

AST week a patient called me in distress. "My Doctor", he yelled over the Lagos traffic. "I need to see you.

I'm begging you; you must get rid of this pain TODAY!" "How long have you had the pain?" I asked. “Two years now...." he said. I got out my magic wand, and waited for him. Pain can be quite an irritating aspect of life. Its magnitude or severity doesn't always correlate with a level of tissue damage.

It may be severe yet have no significant underlying body tissue damage. It may be minor and barely noticeable yet associated with serious tissue damage.

Even something as devastating as a heart attack may sometimes, uncommonly, be painless.

To make matters more interesting, for the Pain Doctor at least, each human being perceives and reports pain from different thresholds and tolerances.

Acute and chronic pain are very different conditions.Acute pain is short lasting pain that goes away when the tissue damage heals.

Acute pain includes the pain of surgery, childbirth, fracture, toothache, abscess, and many others. If my distressed caller had acute pain, I would confidently use my magic wand to "get rid" of it. Poorly treated acute pain becomes chronic after about 3 to 4

months. Chronic pain is a rather different entity. The receptors that pick up the pain sensations have become very, very sensitive; the nerves that carry the pain messages to the brain have become more active; the central nervous system that processes the pain messages begins to adapt itself to the pain input.

The sufferer then becomes prone to depression. Their sleep becomes disturbed. Work and play becomes difficult. Over time, family and work relationships begin to suffer. Who wants to hear constant complaints of pain ....?

Separation, divorce, job dismissal may be eventual outcomes in severe cases of chronic pain.

Pain management, with relatively few practitioners 30 years ago, has become recognized as a true specialist field in the last decade.

The Pain Doctor has much more than medications in his arsenal of treatment.

He (or she) partners with physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists, among others to care for the pain sufferer.

In addition, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly being used by patients, especially those with back and neck pain, arthritis, headaches and

consumed only water. After training for three to seven days on various skills to determine memory and retention, researchers found that the EGCG supplemented mice demonstrated significantly improved memory and learning by helping them to perform advanced skills while improving their spatial memory.

Dr. Bai concluded "We have shown that organic chemical EGCG acts directly to increase

fibromyalgia.

CAM is generally not considered part of conventional medicine.

There are two types: n a t u r a l products (like glucosamine, chondroitin, herbs) and mind/body medicine ( like acupuncture, tai chi, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, yoga, spinal manipulation, massage and relaxation). Evidence continues to grow from more studies supporting some benefits of CAM. CHRONIC pain treatment remains very challenging because what works for one person may not work for another, and vice versa.

The Pain Doctor's objective is always to relieve pain so the patient may FUNCTION. If, during this process, we "get rid" of the pain, that is an added bonus.

I had urgent business today at the British High Commission.

The Consular Section provided prompt, courteous and professional resolution of an emergent situation.

At the end of my visit, the young lady who had attended to me asked: "Sir, do you, yourself, feel pain?"

I looked puzzled as I gathered my

the production of neural progenitor cells....this helps us to understand the potential for EGCG, and green tea which contains it, to help combat degenerative diseases and memory loss." This study provides evidence that green tea catechins (from supplements or three to five fresh brewed cups each day) directly promote neurogenesis, enabling enhanced memory recall and retention to improve cognition and spatial awareness.

papers and the ETD she had just given me. "No, Sir," she said. "I mean, as a Pain Doctor, do you feel pain yourself?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Yes," I said. "I feel pain when I see a 4 year old girl, arm in plaster, waiting 5 hours to see a specialist for 10 minutes in the Casualty of a Nigerian Teaching hospital; I feel pain when I see a woman die because dialysis was not widely available and, when found, not affordable; I feel pain when I see an old retiree dying of cancer, with no strong opioid pain medicines to give him comfort.

How do I "get rid" of these pains?" I wondered aloud. She had no reply.

•Dr. Femi Ogunyemi, FRCA, FWACS, is a member of the British Pain Society, American Pain Society, the North American Neuromodulation Society and the Aerospace Medical Association. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and a Fellow in Pain Medicine from Emory University.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 — 21

Mark cautions on pension funds investments

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

S

ENATE President, David Mark, has asked the National Pension Commission, Pencom, not to invest the N3.50 trillion Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in states yet to commence full implementation of the scheme.

This is just as Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state and his Ekiti Counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, blamed loss of confidence in CPF by civil servants in their states on alleged atrocities by officials during previous administrations in the state.

Mark, who was represented by the Chairman Senate Committee on Establishment and Pension, Senator Aloysius Etuk, spoke to Vanguard shortly after the commissioning exercise of the third South West Zonal office of Pencom in Lagos.

He said though the Pension Reform Act, PRA 2004 stipulated that the fund was meant to widen the scope of investment, but it should not be invested in states yet to have fully accepted the new scheme.

According to him, “The pension fund is an investible pool of fund and for any state to borrow from the fund to provide developmental infrastructure for its citizens, it must be a state that has fully

117.2 2,600.00

-8.00

17.28

0.1

were registered for the scheme. Also, we have reduced the N13 billion deficits to about N5 billion now. This was because we know the importance of the scheme.”

Amosun assured that the state government will “within two years, we would clear all the outstanding arrears. And this will bring the required confidence to the new scheme.”

The governor however appealed to the National Aassembly to hasten the completion of the ongoing amendment of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

From left: Project Coordinator, Top 50 brands Nigeria, Taiwo Olugboyede: Managing Director/Chief Executive officer, Jasek Consulting, Joseph Okonmah; and President Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria, Professor Samuel Gbolahan Dairo during Top 50 Brands Nigeria press briefing in Lagos

108.07

-1.15

103.50

-1.25

154.76 248.56 209.2046 169.8047 1.565 0.3006 236.6397 25.2817 41.2638 28.0479 233.3317

administration wasn’t remitting its own share in the pool of fund.

He said “The only issue affecting the commencement of the full implementation was that when I assumed office, I met arrears of about N13 billion unremitted. This led to the workers losing confidence in the new scheme. And they demanded that the state cancel the new scheme in the state.

Though it has been resolved but it was a big battle for me to convince them.”

On how the government resolved it, the governor said “We amended it to allow those that have about 7 years left to spend in the public service to opt out while those who still have more than such years

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has earmarked N420 billion as Credit Guarantee Scheme for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Kebbi state.

Alhaji Sama’ila Kangiwa, the Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) Kebbi state, disclosed this in a statement in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

Kangiwa said that the bank would collaborate with the state government to disburse the fund. He said that the bank would put in place a programme to promote agriculture and other agroallied ventures to meet the needs of small and medium enterprises in the country.

“The CBN will collaborate with the Kebbi Government to explore its economic potentials to the fullest for the overall development of the state and Nigeria,” he said.

Kangiwa urged members of the association and entrepreneurs to ensure they benefited from the scheme, especially in the utilisation of funds to develop their commercial and micro-finance projects.

The CBN representative, Alhaji Ahmad Waziri, told newsmen that an entrepreneurial development centre would be established in the state to strengthen and develop entrepreneurship ventures.

2.55

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

implement the new scheme.

Also, don’t allow any investor to invest in those states that are yet to accept the new contributory pension scheme.”

The senate president lamented that some states had not fully implemented the PRA 2004 but want to benefit through the issuance of bonds and other financial instruments. He appealed to the Federal and State governments to pay pensioners after active workforce. According to him, “this is because they don’t enjoy any benefits except the pension they collect.”

Amosun said that the workers lost confidence in the new scheme when they discovered that the former

CBN earmarks N420bn for SMEs in Kebbi

155.26 249.3631 209.8805 170.3533 1.57 0.3106 237.4043 25.3639 41.3971 28.1385 234.0855

SELLING 155.76 250.1661 210.5564 170.9019 1.5751 0.3206 238.1688 25.446 41.5305 28.2292 234.8394

CBN Exchange rate as at 24/09/2013

Oil falls to $108 on higher supplies from Iraq C

RUDE oil prices fell to around 108 dollars a barrel on Monday as higher output from Iraq and a possible thaw in U.S.-Iran relations boosted the supply outlook.

Brent crude for November delivery fell to the day’s low of 107.87 dollar a barrel and was down one dollars at 108.22 dollars.

Crude for November fell 1.22 dollar to 103.55 dollar a barrel. Oil prices plummeted last week following the return of some supplies from Libya after weeks of unrest and as fears of U.S.-led military action against Syria faded. Prices renewed the downward trend after Iraq, a key OPEC producer, said on Monday it boosted output from its southern oilfields after

repairing a leaking pipeline.

Moe oil is also coming from South Sudan as it raised output to the highest level since it resumed exports through Sudan. “The return to the market of Libyan and South Sudan is currently producing 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the highest volume since oil production was shut down in January 2012,” Commerzbank senior oil analyst Carsten Fritsch said.

The bearish mood was further supported by a possible groundbreaking meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations gathering this week.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

is aiming to set the tone for further nuclear talks with world powers which he hopes will bring relief from sanctions, according to diplomats and analysts.

Exports from Iran, one of the largest crude producers, have more than halved in recent years to around one million barrels per day in 2012 due to tightening sanctions. “We have to watch the Iranian ball. Rouhani’s visit to New York is going to be the key thing to watch because he wants to start the nuclear discussions on new grounds,” said Olivier Jakob, analyst at Petromatrix. The process of removing the sanctions is still a little far but at least it pushes back the scenario of an attack on Iran,” Jakob said.

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

BRIEFS

How ‘no premium no cover’ affects you (2)

UBA Metropolitan Life posts N515.46m profit

Continues from last week

S

ome of these militating factors would include - drastically low per capita income, unemployment & high incidence of job losses, poor and or dwindling economic environment and activities; poor pay and reward system within the Nigerian landscape including failure or ignorance of insurance buyers to appreciate the essence of premium payment and the implications of non-payment under an insurance contract among several other factors.

Above all, most people are yet to fully embrace the values of insurance, hence the few that are buying insurance are either compelled under a contract or statutory requirement.

U

By Dr. Wole Adetimehin, Managing Director, Jully Insurance Brokers and Immediate Past President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN

4. WHAT PROMPTED NAICOM TO COME UP WITH “NO PREMIUM NO COVER” POLICY? firms invalid except where For the avoidance of any premium has been paid by the misconception, it must be insured or collected by the made clear that NAICOM broker handling the the insurance industry transaction. In cases where regulator is not just brokers are involved, the introducing the ‘No regulation allows the broker Premium No Cover ’ access to policy documents regulation.

Rather, from the insurers on the NAICOM has been issuance and delivery of a enforcing more than ever Credit Note for the premium before compliance with this already collected but awaiting provision that has been in the remittance to the insurers insurance Act and its within a period of 30 days. A Regulations that were meant breach of the above regulation to guide the operators and in any form will attract a their operations in the penalty ranging from Nigeria Insurance Industry imposition of fines to for the benefit of all revocation of operating license stakeholders i.e. the of the offending insurance insurance buying public, firm or broker. investors in the sector, and the Nigerian economy at 6. HOW CAN THE POLICY large.

The need for NAICOM embarking on the stringent Insurance enforcement of the “No consumers Premium No Cover ” – a should strive to statutory provision in the comply with the insurance Act at this time, can also be better appreciated regulation to when the adverse effects of enable them non-compliance over the enjoy and sustain years are reflected upon in the benefits the following areas: The unimaginable (earlier magnitude of debtors and advanced above) receivables in the balance inherent in its sheets of insurance firms that have eroded assets values compliance. over the years, and that have consequently affected adversely their solvency, BENEFIT THE contribution to GDP, ability to I N S U R A N C E meet claim obligations under CONSUMER? contracts, and satisfying the The consumer stands to investors yearnings for benefit tremendously from returns on their investments. compliance with the

,

,

5.

WHAT IS NO PREMIUM NO COVER? The meaning and interpretation of No Premium No Cover as it applies to all stakeholders operating in the insurance industry is simply to forbid or render the granting of cover or issuance of any insurance policy or contract documents by insurance

regulation by all stakeholders, as obligations or policy benefits under insurance contract can be accessed in good time without any undue delay, while benefits payable can be a lot more generous and satisfying. And to a large extent, the trust and confidence of insurance consumers will be strengthened.

7. WHY INSURANCE CONSUMERS SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE POLICY. Insurance consumers should strive to comply with the regulation to enable them enjoy and sustain the benefits (earlier advanced above) inherent in its compliance.

By its compliance, consumers will have unlimited access to investing in the sector at the stock exchange as the value of their stocks are bound to appreciate while returns (i.e dividends) will equally grow. Also the consequent growth in the sector and its gains will be to the advantage of all consumers as this will not only facilitate but enhance overall economic growth of the Nation.

8.

THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF THE REGULATION ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. No doubt, compliance with the regulation by all operators is bound to yield good dividends, some of which include: Building and sustaining a more viable and robust insurance sector that can rank and effectively compete with counterparts globally.

Insurers in particular can present better and attractive balance sheets with strong reserves to meet commitments and obligations The insurance sector will be better placed and empowered to secure their rightful ranking and recognition within the Nigerian economy in terms of contribution to GDP, Employment opportunities, investment outlets and investible fund channels.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

C M Y K

BA Metropolitan Life Insurance Limited has recorded N501.14 million in Profit after tax (PAT) for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

The figure represents over 600 percent growth from a loss position of N93.85 million recorded in 2011.

In a statement by the company, profit before tax also rose from N69.26 million in the previous year to N515.46 million.

The account which has been approved by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is in line with the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), which insurance companies and other quoted firms are expected to adopt beginning from 2012 financial year.

Investigation also reveals that UBA metropolitan Life is one of the very few companies that NAICOM has approved their 2012 Financials.

A further analysis of the result showed a substantial

growth in investment income which rose from N318.32 million in 2011 to N575.62 million in the review year, indicating an 80.83 per cent increase. Gross written premium also moved from N1.78 billion in 2011 to N2.01 billion.

Henry Ationu, Executive Director, Business Development, UBA Metropolitan Life said the return to profitability is following improved strategies in the company’s growth plan, which has seen appreciable performance in prompt claims payment, product distribution and service delivery across products and channels. Their has also been significant increase in customer loyalty and patronage due to the high level of confidence reposed on the company’s brand over the years.

At the close of business in 2012, the company’s assets stood at N5.41 billion as against N4.19 billion recorded in the previous year.

Consolidated Hallmark wins best web content award

C

onsolidated H a l l m a r k Insurance, CHI, Plc has emerged winner of the Best Web Site Content in the insurance category of the 2013 Web Jurist Annual Awards.

The company’s prize was announced by the organisers of the awards, Phillips Consulting Limited. The award is coming on the heels of CHI’s earlier emergence as overall winner in the insurance category during the Version 10.0 According to the organisers, “Web-Jurist is the result of research conducted into website best practices and effectiveness. It aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of websites, as a business platform in the digital world, and also to determine the extent to which a website, being a tool in a company ’s e-business initiative, is successful in achieving the essence of its e-business strategy”.

Metrics for the ratings of

insurance companies’ websites analyses the aesthetics, technical aspect, website content, and their efinancial services. Other aspects considered were the performance and accessibility of the sites.

Consolidated Hallmark’s emergence as a consecutive winner in Versions 10.0 and 11.0 of the prestigious awards attests to the continued determination by the organisation to ensure optimal functionality of its e-payment portals, including the main website and a dedicated website for motor insurance t r a n s a c t i o n s www.motorthirdpartyonline.com which it pioneered in the insurance industry in 2008.

Various customers of the underwriting firm have continually taken advantage of the seamless transaction portals and the additional platform provided across Zenith Bank counters nationwide, for obtaining their motor insurance.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 — 23

‘No premium no cover:’ we are tr ying to overcome challenges — Olawoyin

BRIEFS

Probation in Colo. insurance fraud case

A

T

he ‘no premium no cover’ policy of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has thrown up a lot of challenges to insurance operators. In this interview, the General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer of Wema Insurance Brokers, Mr. Gbenga Olawoyin, highlights how insurance operators are bracing up to the challenges.

How insurance operators have fared ince the introduction of the ‘ no premium no cover ’ policy, we are doing pretty well in terms of performances. However, the growth might not be exponential but we are not doing badly. We habe been recording marginal growth here and there compared to last year. Barring no unforeseen circumstances, we expect the growth to continue. Our intention is not even to record marginal growth, we want to exceed the growth we set for ourselves. So for the second half, we are looking at it positively because the first half has also been fairly good for us, at least that is what I can say. Having known the issues, we are also trying to put things in place to help us overcome the challenges that will come.

For now, we are facing the issue of educating and encouraging the insurance consumers and making them to see why they should pay their premium. It is all about giving them the education. So we are looking at the second half with very good optimism.

S

Insurance awareness or me, reaching out to the general public has to be a strategy and it must be an industry wide strategy. We need to have pressure groups, lobby groups and so on. So it has got to be a broad based strategy. Now do we have that?

Yes we do. We have the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, (NCRIB), we have the Nigerian Insurers Association, (NIA) and we have the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, (CIIN).

These are broad based arms of the insurance industry and part of their mandate is to reach out to people at their level. Now they are doing that and we believe that the fruits of their efforts might not be immediate but they are going to be getting something as we move on. NAICOM is also doing a great job in that regard

F

by sensitising the government and various government agencies. So there is this interagency collaboration and all that. Besides, respective companies are also making efforts; mind you it is a free market system. So if nobody is talking to a potential customer and you end up talking to him, you enjoy what I call first mover advantage.

So because you are selling solution, they will be encouraged to talk to you. So organisations, at their respective levels are doing that while at the broader macro level, the industry associations are also doing that. So we expect that as we move on, it will become part of our national policy.

Low insurance penetration hen you are talking about low insurance penetration, among other things, lack of confidence is also responsible for it. But insurance is a sub-sector of the financial system and it is a known fact all over the world that financial systems are highly regulated. It is an

W

,

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

•Gbenga Olawoyin on insurance. Consequently, there is so much uncertainty and apprehension regarding insurance. So people are like ‘ why should I bother with insurance? Why do I need to buy it?

However, in recent times, things are changing. The insurance regulator is enforcing the laws, they also have dispute resolution desk where if claims are not settled, you can walk into NAICOM today and it will be attended to swiftly. It won’t be an issue of ‘come today, come

In recent times things are changing. The insurance regulator is enforcing the laws, they also have dispute resolution desk where if claims are not settled, you can walk into NAICOM today and it will be attended to swiftly. It won’t be an issue of ‘come today, come tomorrow.

industry that must be regulated because of the impact of its failures which usually cut across board.

Insurance product is all about promise, that is, ‘if this happens based on certain perimeters, you will be identified.’ So things happened somehow within the related perimeters and you really didn’t get what you were promised or when you got it, you got it very late, so that affected the level of trust

,

tomorrow.’ If you write to NAICON today, you will get your response quickly just like what is obtainable in the private sector. So that has somehow built confidence.

Therefore if you buy my product and there is performance based on what I said I will do, you won’t struggle to buy it tomorrow and you are likely to be my evangelist by talking to others about it. By so doing, the good news spreads and that is all

what penetration is all about. So the efforts of NAICOM have helped in that regard.

Secondly, the operators themselves are also upscaling their operations and performance. The insuring public is becoming more and more sophisticated and the environment is not accepting mediocre.

The increase in penetration is being pursued by the regulator as well as the operators themselves by up-scaling their activities and operations and then the investors. Insurance companies, be it brokers or underwriters, are not set up as NGOs. The owners of these organisations are asking questions and you can’t really give good returns to your investors unless you actually grow your profit because if you don’t grow the profit, there is nothing to share, and the only way to grow the profit is to improve on services.

Customer service is getting better now but we believe strongly that there is still room for improvement. There are so many things that are associated with claims such as prompt response as well as empathy. So the whole turnaround time can still be improved upon.

Pueblo woman charged with 15 counts of forgery and theft related to accusations of insurance fraud will serve two years of probation.

Donielle Gonzales pleaded guilty recently to a felony and a misdemeanor count of fraud in exchange for the dismissal of the balance of her charges.

Gonzales, 42, a former agent for American Family Insurance, was accused in February of taking homeowners’ insurance payments from three homeowners but never opening policies for them.

The home of one victim burned down and an investigation was launched after he discovered he had no insurance. Gonzales also was accused of canceling the policy of a fourth victim, not telling her and continuing to collect payments.

Investigators alleged she stole roughly $12,000.

According to court records, District Judge Larry Schwartz sentenced Gonzales to a fouryear deferred prison term on the felony theft count and two years of probation for the misdemeanor. The terms run concurrently.

Family wins $1.56m verdict against USAA

T

he estate of Sylvia Minor won a $1.56 million jury verdict last week against insurance company USAA in a Hurricane Katrina wind vs. water case tried in Jackson County Circuit Court, attorneys for the estate said.

Minor died of cancer in 2009 at age 62 while her husband, former Biloxi attorney Paul Minor, was in prison after his 2007 conviction on judicial bribery charges.

He completed his sentence Aug. 20, according to the Bureau of Prisons website, and is on probation and living in New Orleans. Paul Minor did not attend the two-week trial and had no financial interest in the outcome. The case was tried on behalf of the Minors’ two children.

The jury found USAA failed to prove Katrina’s storm surge destroyed the Minor home and outbuildings, said Minor attorney Chuck McRae. The historic East Beach home was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Katrina destroyed all but a bedroom wing and the garage.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Capital mar ket operat or mark operator orss seek political stability tto o boost investment S

OME capital market operators have called on the Federal Government to ensure political stability in the country to boost investor participation in the capital market.

They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that the current political developments were affecting the growth of the market.

Malam Garba Kurfi, Managing Director, APT Securities and Funds Ltd., said that many investors were adopting “wait and see” on investment decisions because of new developments in the political arena.

Kurfi said that the market was information driven, adding that government at all levels should be sensitive to information being released to the investing public.

Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, the immediate past President, Association of

Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that slow down in market was due to the “holiday declared by high net worth investors.”

Yussuf said that investors were waiting for positive news or results that could cause movement of funds to the market.

He, however, urged investors to take advantage of low price of equities in anticipation of improved third quarter results to increase their stakes in the market. Mr David Adonri, Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust & Investment Ltd., said that outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 might set a new course for the market.

Adonrii said that further tightening of monetary policy could force financial assets away from equities, but added that increase in crude oil earnings might prevent such development.

From cradle through schools to unemployment

A

new school year is starting and this gives us the opportunity to take a look at how we prepare our children for an uncertain future. About 30 or so years ago, one of the political parties, the Unity Party of Nigeria, had a four-cardinal programme centred on free education, free health, full employment and integrated rural development. One thing that was noticeable then was that most politicians spoke about the first two items in the programme but said very little about the other two items. In some instances, the politicians could not remember what the other two items were when they were making public presentations.

We have free education but a lot of youth unemployment. Governor Fashola of Lagos State aptly demonstrated what a good parent should do when he advised his son to acquire some carpentry skills. Our civilization started with agriculture and as we discovered various resources and developed implements for harnessing these resources for our use, we made our living circumstances more convenient. The young man who sets about acquiring carpentry skills would learn that we have to create things from our resources if our civilization is to make progress. He would understand that one has to be guided and mentored by someone who has certain skills if one is to acquire those skills, he would appreciate that you learn by doing things.

The result is that when he has acquired the carpentry skills he would be willing to apply his hands at doing other things not related to carpentry. He could readily decide that he would want to become a surgeon, engineer, sculptor, lawyer, etc because he has the confidence that there is something he is already skilled at doing.

Employment should involve the creation of economic value and when our inputs give us outputs of greater value than the inputs, we talk of our being productive. There is an adage that says work is the antidote to poverty. About 10 or so years ago, there was a conference held in Abuja of persons, groups, communities, local governments, state governments and the federal government which produced an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for Nigeria.

The paper indicated that the highest priority would be given to agriculture and rural development for poverty reduction and food security. The paper also listed policy initiatives in health, primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, small and medium enterprises, energy, transport, communications, water supply and sanitation as well as housing that would lead to an improvement in the living conditions of the population. The paper included institutional arrangements at local

,

From left: Mr Azuka Ndulewe, Chief Marketing Officer, Helios Towers, receiving an award for Helios Towers from Mrs Funke Opeke, CEO, Main One, during the Nigerian Telecom Awards, in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

First Bank records 30 per cent customer growth

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

F

IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has said it has recorded a 30 percent yearon-year customer growth valued at 15 percent deposit through the various savings promotions it carried out since 2008.

The Group Head, Products and Marketing Support, Mrs. Ezinne Obikile, stated this while speaking to newsmen during the draw to select this year’s edition winners of the bank’s Big Splash Promo in Lagos.

“As we are rewarding our customers, we have witnessed an influx of new customers. We have recorded a year-onyear growth of 30 percent in terms of customer base and 15 percent in terms of deposit value. So, we have seen that this savings promo is a very potent tool for mobilising deposits,” she said.

“So, as we serve our customers and they are seeing value for the service we are rendering, it is attracting a whole lot of other customers to the bank. This has resulted to quantum growth in not only our customer base, but even in our C M Y K

deposit and revenue base,” she added.

She noted the promotion is not just designed to reward customers, who have entrusted their funds with the bank, but also to encourage savings culture among Nigerians and add meaning into their lives.

After the draw, 360 customers who emerged winners were rewarded with different gift items including standing gas cookers, refrigerators and N50,000.00 cash.

Speaking further on this year’s edition, Obikile said, “The event is a very special one because it is been anchored around the celebration of the bank’s 120th year celebration taking place next year. It is in view of that, we decided to reward our customers in a very special way. This promo would witness a new home owner who would emerge from saving N20,000 every month for 10 months, as well as a brand new Toyota Corolla winner and other fabulous gifts.

This is our own way of giving back to the customers and thanking them for their patronage over the years.”

government, state government and federal government levels for dealing with poverty reduction issues.

The paper identified cross cutting issues amongst which it was acknowledged that malaria is endemic in Nigeria and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality affecting all age groups. There was also the mention of a plan of action for science and technology. The question that arises is how much of all these have been communicated to our children and youth who are drifting into unemployment and poverty. One often reads statements indicating that the products of our schools and universities do not have the skills required by employers. Any employer should be willing to train his or her employees because any employee who wishes to remain employed must constantly enhance his skills either to meet technological advances or to match the changing needs of an employer.

We do not have a core technology that we are selling to other countries in order to create wealth. Rather, we are buying television sets, cars, machinery, rice, wheat and other

The paper indicated that the highest priority would be given to agriculture and rural development for poverty reduction and food security

,

goods from other countries and our substantial export is petroleum crude.

We have to get our children to understand that they have to develop skills that would lead to the eradication of malaria and skills that would make food readily available to the population. There is a natural curiosity in children and we must encourage them to acquire knowledge and develop a spirit of inquiry. We must encourage them to learn by doing things because whatever one gains from doing things expands the range of ideas one will be able to generate. We must let our children appreciate the value of education and hard work.

Several years ago, I spent a year living in a village on the banks of the river Sokoto working on a road and bridge construction project. The communities nearby were rural and the major economic activity was agricultural. However, tomatoes were neither grown nor eaten in any of these communities and the tomatoes we ate during that year came from over 100 kilometres away. Can a child in any of these communities understand the significance of tomatoes in other people’s lives? In the next few weeks, we shall take a look at primary education, secondary education and tertiary education.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—25

DIARY

Select ICT events zDesign & Manufacturing Midwest 2013. Holds 10-12 Sep 2013 in Chicago, USA.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

NITDL LECTURE:

zMiddle East Telco World Summit 2013.

Holds 23-24 Sep 2013 in Dubai, UAE.

‘Don't toy with growth prospects of ICT'

zP & T EXPO COMM CHINA 2013. Holds 24-28 Sep 2013 in Beijing, China. zCRM-expo 2013.

Holds 24-26 Sep 2013 in Stuttgart, Germany. zDMS EXPO 2013.

Holds 24-26 Sep 2013 in Stuttgart, Germany.

New inventions shaping life and living

Shaking Wash hand-held washer, dryer

Govenor of Osun State, Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola (r) and CEO of Airtel Nigeira, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, at the Nigeria Telecom Development lecture in Lagos at the weekend.

Digital broadcasting: ECOWAS ICT ministers meet to forge common plan

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA, General Editor

D

D

esigned for travelers, the thermossized Shaking Wash is a mini-washing machine/ dryer able to discreetly clean a pair of socks or few pieces of underwear.

A step up from washing small items in the sink, the Shaking Wash needs only water and a willing hand to operate.

Once the clothes have been put into its compact pod, the user sends them through the wash cycle by shaking the device. A built-in net catches the clothes as the water is poured out, and the dry cycle can be powered either by batteries or by plugging in the retractable plug. During drying, a light will indicate how much time remains until the cycle is complete.

I N S I D E C M Y K

UBAI, UAE — COUNTRIES of the ECOWAS sub-region are working to adopt a common implementation plan for digital transition as the June 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) approaches.

This disclosure was made by Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Manager, Engineering at Ghana’s regulator, the National Communications Authority of Ghana.

Fianko said this in the course of a presentation he made at the Digital Dialogue Conference holding here in Dubai, UAE. The conference is sponsored by global pay-TV leader, Multichoice, and is the third in the series, the first two having held in South Africa and Nigeria respectively last year.

He also said that that ICT ministers in the subregion will meet this week in Banjul, The

Jonathan, experts push for quick passage of Cyber security bill 2013

Gambia to approve protocols and specifications on digital transmitters and set-top boxes that will henceforth be imported by countries in the region to fulfill needs generated by the digital migration.

One of such protocols, he said, includes character set specifications so that set-top boxes can appropriately decode programme and station names in local languages. He said that if these specifications were not made, names of stations and broadcast pro-

,

Preview

,

Kaakaki will not decode well if the manufacturers of set-top boxes do not have the appropriate character set specifications.

These, among others, are what ICT ministers of the sub-region will deliberate on at the Banjul meeting.

For Nigeria, the yet-tobe tackled issues revolve around network roll-out (for broadcast organizations), and the all-important issue of set top boxes (decoders) that members of the public will need if they are to con-

Countries beginning the transition should leapfrog the technology gap by opting for set-top boxes driven by the T-2 technology.

grammes in several languages will not decode properly.

For instance, the name of a radio station like FAAJI FM, or a television programme like

Samsung embraces BMM on Galaxy smartphones series

tinue receiving signals from television stations.

This need arises as freeon-air TV signals will no longer be available from June 17, 2015, the ITU deadline.

MTN base stations in Nigeria now 10,000

Regarding set-top-boxes, there are issues regarding specifications, manufacturing, distribution, retail and installation of the set-top boxes.

As things stand, majority of the Nigerian viewing public are in the dark regarding the source of the set-top boxes, who makes them, where they can be purchased, and at what prices.

A sector of the population that subscribes to pay-TV services however remain smug as their service providers are offering digital decoders.

Former director-general of the National Broadcast Commission, Engr.

Yomi Bolarinwa had disclosed at the second Digital Dialogue held last year in Nigeria that since 2008, late President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua had approved that Nigeria should key into the digital migration process with T-2, the latest technology in digital broadcasting.

In a presentation, Gerhard Petrick of the South African Digital BroadContinues on Page 27

Stakeholders in technology business in the country gathered at the weekend in Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, to discuss possible ways of taking lead in the generally identified business shift to the emerging markets due to growth potentials in ICT. Put together by a frontline Technology magazine publisher, Logica group, publishers of Nigerian telecom news, the interactions were woven around two broad lectures, "The Nigerian Telecom market: Championing the African Course" and "ICT, a tool for societal development" delivered by the CEO, Airtel, Mr Segun Ogunsanya and the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, respectively.

With a keynote speech by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, through the Director Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, the stage was set for a discuss that stirred emotions, set targets and raised hopes.

However, one common agreement that seemed to have no dissent opinion at the end of the day was that the prospects of Nigerian ICT was high enough to take the economy out of the doldrums and therefore should not be toyed with.

NCC charged the platform It was the the EVC of NCC that set the ball rolling when in his keynote speech, he declared that whenever the issue of impact of ICT to societal development is being discussed, his com-

Continues on Page 32

Ericsson wins award with Connected Vehicle

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Jonathan, experts push for quick passage of Cyber security bill 2013

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

A

T the just concluded world cybersecurity conference held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, IT experts, Dame Dr. Patience Goodluck Jonathan, the ITU Champion on Child Online Protection and over 1000 experts from various sectors of the economy rose up from the forum pushing for the quick passage of long awaited Cyber security bill 2013 Why calling on the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency to pass into law the Cybersecurity Bill 2013 sent to it by the executive arm of government to protect the nation from cyber attacks from hackers, and thereby improving Nigeria image and open doors for more Direct Foreign Investment (FDI), over 1000 experts at the forum in a communique issued after forum agreed that Nigeria needs to have a cybersecurity law which will be used by government agencies and private sector organizations to plan their information technology policies and guidelines as well as a deterrent against cyber criminals.

Participants at the forum including representatives of all the Service Chiefs, Comptroller General of Immigration, National Security Adviser to the President, Foreign Ambassadors of Western and African Countries, Chief Executive Officers of Corporate Nigeria among others asked Dame Patience Jonathan to cause the communique to be transmitted to the National Assembly and ITU for immediate action.

Mrs. Jonathan who hosted the conference in her capacity as ITU’s Child Online Protection Champion was also asked to use her position as Chair Lady of Africa First Ladies to enlist the support of African First Ladies to champion the cause of Child Online Protection in their respective countries.

Also speaking, Mr. Tim Akano, West Africa Industry Partner, ITU-IMPACT said ‘’the participants resolved that institutions, corporations and nations should protect themselves against cyber attacks; that there should be a determined focus on building human and institutional cyber security capacities with all relevant stakeholders both nationally and internaC M Y K

tionally, with a view to reducing online child exploitation drastically in the next few years.

“We resolved that since cybercrime does not respect geographical boundary, fighting the menace can only be achieved through partnership with other cyber security organizations and institutions across the world.

We said there is the need for immense globally coordinated approach to the fight against cyber crime. We also called on all nations to support the programme of actualizing a safer online environment for our younger generation through the much canvassed Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.”

Former Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Ehud Barak has also called on the Nigerian government to show more commitment to the fight against the scourge by instituting a sustainable legal framework that would help in stamping out the ugly trend.

He made the call yesterday during the 2013 World Cyber Security conference held at the Banquette hall, Abuja.

He said there was limited impact of Cyber crime in the past but, since the bombing of the World Trade Centre in September 11, 2001, there had been increase of the impact on the global community.

Barak, who traced the problem to the interdependence of countries said, it has become necessary for a holistic collaboration among all arms of government and various countries of the world to come together to tackle the menace of Cyber crime in the digital society He noted that Cyber security breaches have a profound impact on all areas of the society.

In her goodwill message, the minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, called on National Assembly to expedite action in the passage of the Cyber Security bill into law.

Omobola, who lamented the impact of Cyber crime on the youth and children said that held of those involved in online activities are youth.

“It is imperative for the youth to appreciate the dangers and benefits of Cyber crime. Beyond the protection of children, institutions and nations must protect themselves.

S

AMSUNG electronics has disclosed that BBM, the social network is now available for free download in its GALAXY smartphones across Africa from the Google play store.

With this development, Samsung users will join a vibrant community of 60 million BlackBerry smartphones customers who rely on BBM to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues every day.

With this also, BBM for Android can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store on 21st September 2013 and is compatible with GALAXY smartphone devices that run Android 4.0 and above. Data charges may apply, as determined by local operators and service providers.

Accordingly, Samsung GALAXY smartphone users will have access to an extensive range of BBM features, including BBM chats and multiperson chats with BBM groups, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes.

Samsung embraces BMM on Galaxy smartphones series However, BBM will form part of Samsung’s messaging hub as a complementary addition to the current slate of propriety and third party messaging services that Samsung customers enjoy.

“We are pleased to officially announce that BBM will be available for Samsung GALAXY smartphones across Africa,” Emmanouil Revmatas, Director of Hand Held Products, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said, adding that , “We are focused on driving consumer experiences based on customisation to suit every lifestyle. By offering an additional messaging service through our Samsung Messaging Hub, it has never been easier to stay

connected. This is another way that we are providing our customers with a more integrated lifestyle experience and a powerful new way of communicating and sharing. It’s really about giving the African market what they want – and what they want is choice.”

For Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry., "We are excited to welcome Samsung customers in Africa to the global BBM community,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President for BBM at BlackBerry.

“Samsung customers will enjoy the conversational immediacy that BBM offers with the distinctive ‘R’ that lets you know your message has been read. They'll also be pleased with the control BBM gives them over their contact lists and how they share their information. Every BBM customer gets a unique PIN, so you don’t have to give out your phone number or email address to a new or casual contact."

— EMEKA AGINAM

LSG complies with evacuation order on hollow pipe masts

BY EMEKA AGINAM

F

ollowing the order given by the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) of the Lagos State government to evacuate hollow pipe masts from the face of Lagos in order to save lives and property, the Lagos State government has complied with the new mast standards that were put in place by the regulatory authority.

Before now, Nigerians have witnessed cases of collapsed communications masts, leading to untimely death of people, and loss of property worth billions of naira.

This is even as the statistics have also revealed that most of the collapsed masts were the hollow pipe masts, belonging to banks that use them to communicate their various branches.

The state government has embarked on the evacuation of its hollow pipe masts around government house.

Worried by the by the ugly trend, the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU), an arm of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development responsible for the regulation of masts installed in Lagos State has gone tough on non compliance.

The new rule Following incessant collapse of communica-

Hollow-pipe and Gavanized steel mast

tions masts in the country, Lagos in particular, UFRU came up with a new set of standards for the installation of communications masts in Lagos State, and has commenced enforcement.

The galvanized steel material replaces the hollow pipes that was hitherto used by banks and SMEs in installing masts in the state.

Speaking on the compliance, the Governor Fashola of Lagos State said that , “We have commenced evacuation of hollow pipe type of masts from the government house in Alausa in Ikeja and we have replaced them with galvanized

steel masts in order to save lives and property and same must be done by masts operators in Lagos.”

Evacuate hollow-pipe masts He called on all mast users in the state to evacuate all hollow pipe type of masts in the state and replace them with galvanized steel masts.

According to him, the order became a warning to all masts users in the state, since the state government has complied and has commenced evacuation of all its communications masts that were hitherto made of hollow pipes.

The Governor who

spoke through Igbokwe, said the order became necessary, to avert further loss of lives and destruction of property to collapsed masts in the state.lation in the state, came up with a new set of standards for the installation of communications masts in the state, recommending galvanized steel.

Igbokwe said the new standards became imperative, owing to the coastal nature of Lagos, coupled with the global climate change.

“All hollow pipe type of masts must be removed and replaced with galvanized steel that has the shape of a pyramid, before the end of December this year,” Igbokwe said.

Death tolls, property loss Statistics from UFRU show that collapsed masts in the country have killed several people and damaged property worth billions of naira, while most people narrowly escaped death from collapsed masts.

In 2010, a school teacher in Nassarawa State was knocked dead when a communications masts collapsed.

It would be recalled that in 2011, two persons sustained severe injuries in Idumagbo area of Lagos State, when a communications mast belonging to a bank in the area collapsed.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—27

Digital broadcasting: ECOWAS ICT ministers meet to forge common plan

First Bank enhances frontiers of e-banking with FirstMonie app STORIES BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

HILE financial in stitutions are responding creatively with several applications that give the banking and non-banking public instant access to their funds on the go, First Bank is enhancing frontiers of e-banking with FirstMonie App. The product, according to Mrs. Folake AniMumuney, Head, Marketing and Corporate ommunications is the fast, safe and convenient mobile money service from the First Bank.

“With Firstmonie lets you send and receive money, buy airtime, make purchases and pay bills all from your mobile phone without a bank account.

This app makes it even more convenient for you to access your Firstmonie account directly from your handheld device” she explained.

She further informed that the Firstmonie App was recently upgraded to include mobile banking features that will enable FirstBank account holders access and transact directly from their accounts. FirstMonie app, according to the Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications can be downloaded from various mobile devices including iPhone, iPad,

Android, Blackberry and all Java enabled phones.

With the Firstmonie app, she said that customers can do the following via their mobile wallet or bank account:Send/ Receive Money, Send money to any mobile phone (whether registered on Firstmonie or not), Send money to any FirstBank account, Receive money from any other bank account Buy Airtime, Credit your mobile phone directly with airtime from

your preferred network, Credit other mobile phones with airtime from any network, Withdraw Money, Make cardless withdrawals at ATM Make withdrawals at Firstmonie agent of FirstBank Branch, Pay Bills, Pay utility bills, cable TV bills, subscriptions and state payment bills, Shopping, Pay for items at Firstmonie merchant i.e. shops, restaurants and supermarkets, Money Transfer between linked accounts, Transfer

money from Bank account to Wallet, Transfer Wallet to Bank account, Check Balance, Check mobile wallet balance Check bank account balance, among others.

With the solution, she said that users can generate tokens for cash withdrawal from any FirstBank ATM nationwide without an ATM card, adding that cash tokens can be generated and sent to anyone within Nigeria for cash withdrawal.

C M Y K

casting Association (SADIBA), said that countries beginning the transition should leapfrog the technology gap by opting for set-top boxes driven by the T-2 technology. However, this issue is problematic in Nigeria as some service providers are still aggressively selling T-1 decoders to unsuspecting members of the public.

For the rest of the public who are largely unaware that they will need set-top boxes to receive broadcast signals, the industry regulator, NBC, will have to gear up to ensure that one of their fundamental rights, the right to freedom of information is not infringed on when the analog signals are switched off.

This is because, as Petrick added in his presentation, there will “be no protection for ATVs (analog TVs) after 2015,” and those who are still locked in the analog format of broadcast signal reception “ will have to contend with signals from digitally compatible” neighbours. Countries like Togo and Benin Republic fall into this category as they are yet to launch digital terres-

trial operations.

However, the advantages of T-2, both for broadcast organizations and the viewing public are over-arching. For broadcast organizations, DVB-T2, according to Petrick “yields 67% more payload at equivalent coverage and network cost” than T-1.

However, Kenya seems to be ahead of other countries on the continent, as Daniel Obam of Kenya’s National Communications Secretariat told the conference that his country will begin the digital migration this year as it switches of analog signals in Nairobi and environs this December, followed by other cities like Mombasa, Kisii, Nyeru, and others in phases next year.

Ana Aguilar of Deloite’s Economic Consulting Group in her presentation highlighted the economic benefits of digital migration, saying the proliferation of channels, content, platforms and devices will generate employment opportunities in both the broadcast and entertainment sectors, while the multiplicity of channels will create new revenue channels for the advertising industry.

MTN base stations in Nigeria now 10,000

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

AWARD: From left: U.S. Consul General Lagos, Nigeria; Jeffrey J. Hawkins presenting an award 7yto the Associate Vice President, CWG, Dayo Abegunde at the U.S. Int'l Partner Forum and Award held in Lagos.

Accenture harps on effective management support for project implementation ACCENTURE Nigeria has identified effective management support as a key element to achieving project implementation in Nigeria.

At the just concluded Project Management Conference in Lagos, the firm in a presentation noted that a successful project must fulfil on time delivery, meet business requirement, on budget delivery, quality, return on investment, customer and stakeholders’ satisfaction.

Head Project management Capability, Accenture Nigeria, Adedapo Adewole in a presentation at the event highlighted criteria for achieving successful project.

He said that the primary business case for implementing project management is to achieve more successful

Continues from Page 25

implementation of projects.

He called early introduction of project management which brings about project excellence, adding that adhering to project management methods and strategies

reduce risks, cut costs and improve success rates and project Management maturity level impacts on-time and onbudget project delivery.

Adewole who represented the company Country Manager, Niyi

Yusuf explained that Accenture is much interested in project management because part of its core interest is to ensure successful delivery of its client’s business objectives in all areas.

Micro-Station opens mobile phone retail outlet in V/I According to him, Mi-

M

icro-Station, a one-stop-shop for mobile phones, laptops and its accessories has extended its retail business to Victoria Island in Lagos.This is to meet the demands of phone users in the area.

Located on Saka Tinubu Street, the Victoria Island retail outlet, which was unveiled on Monday, brings to three, the number of retail outlets

operated by Micro-Station in Lagos.

Managing Director of the retail business, Mr. Nestor Coutroupis while speaking at the unveiling ceremony, said “Retail business is the way to go now and we are extending our retail business to meet the increasing demands of customers, hence the extension to Saka Tinubu street in Victoria Island.”

cro-Station is already operational in Computer Village in Ikeja and Munshin area of Lagos, with plans to open more retail outlets in Ibadan and other cities in the country.

“As a leading phones and communications trading company in the country, our goal is not only to drive innovations in the mobile phone market, but also to sustain it and boost patronage,” Coutroupis said.

M

TN Nigeria at the weekend announced that it has rolled out a record 10,000 base stations across the country. The additional base stations, according to the company, will contribute to significant improvements to quality of service.

Speaking in his office recently, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Michael Ikpoki, said the company is focused on three major areas, one of them being significant improvement of customer experience. He said that MTN would be building on a track record of aggressive investment in the network to ramp up capacity and ultimately improve service quality.

According to him, MTN has led the industry in terms of rapid network rollout, adding that the company’s aggressive drive to significantly improve customer experience on the network in the last few months has led to record deployment of base stations across the country.

“In the last few months, we have ramped up our

rollout. Last month we had a record rollout figure and we are currently rolling out up to 300 sites a month to make sure that we have enough capacity. We are getting more head-room, more dormant capacity in the network. That way, we can carry more traffic and give our customers a decent quality of service on a consistent basis. Indeed, there has been noticeable improvement and this will continue,” Ikpoki said.

He added that apart from crossing the 10,000 base station deployment mark, the company has also installed additional switching centres and approximately 20,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable cross country and around metropolitan hubs.

“If you look at our investment portfolio from inception till now, MTN has invested more than a trillion naira. From whichever angle you look at it, by normal indices in terms of investment ratio, in most emerging markets, any ratio above 15-17 percent of revenue is a decent ratio in terms of investment.

28 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Ericsson wins award with Connected Vehicle STORIES EMMA ELEBEKE

Continues fromPage 25

mission feels a sense of being evaluated and therefore always availed itself the opportunity to listen and learn how it's regulatory function could impact more positively.

For Juwah, who was represented by Ojobo, "it has been widely established that the economic development of a nation can be accelerated by improvements in the country's ICT infrastructure. The explosion in technology which ushered in the Information Age has become the basis of defining power in the modern world. No modern economy can thrive without an integral information ICT infrastructure. This is because ICTs provide the veritable platform for development across the economic and other sectors, if well harnessed" with these, the guest lecturers took their turns.

Ogunsanya: Broadband can give Nigeria over N190bn in 2015, if....

Even though broadband has been generally identified as the key to the growth of Nigeria's new technological advancements, apparently giving Nigeria the confidence to recently draw and approved a national Broadband Plan, Ogunsanya in his lecture, however, said that Nigeria could be jeopardizing the chances of earning additional N190bn within the next one and half years if implementation of this action plan is delayed.

He challenged the government to fast track the implementation of the action plan and attract over N190 into the country's Gross Domestic Product, GDP by 2015.

According to him, implementation of the action is not even a tough challenge any longer, considering that all the stakeholders to the success of this action plan, including the operators themselves were ready to give avowed support.

He described the Broadband Plan as a right step in the right direction and assured that the Telcos are deeply committed to partnering with the Government to implement the plan and facilitate Broadband realization for the country.

Although, he admitted that the implementation requires long-term commitment and significant action by Federal, States

C M Y K

E

L-r: Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Wilsher with Director, African Artists' Foundation, Azubuike Nwagbogu, at the Lagos Photo Fundraiser, part of the ongoing 2013 Lagos Photo Festival, at Eko Hotel in Lagos

NITDL LECTURE: "Don't toy with growth

prospects of ICT" and Local Governments, he advised that best strategy would be for government to affirm action targeting the delivery of social and public services over Broadband.

He added that the zeal applied by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Government in E-Payment and Cashless Policy initiatives should also be replicated in driving adoption and utilization of broadband by the populace.

Beyond that , ogunsanya was also of the opinion that government must continue to patronize readily available local applications and solutions even as it strives to deepen partnerships with telecoms operators, ICT players and development partners.

He highlighted growth potentials which have presented Africa as the next best destination for telecom businesses and charged the country to seize the opportunity.

"African data market is growing and Africa internet market is getting robust. Nigeria, despite having the loudest voice market, is still ahead in African internet penetration chart . However, out of over 150 million Nigerians, only 6 % have access to broadband. This means that the country's strong internet penetration is through the mobile devices. It makes the country the next port of call for broadband business" he added.

Aregbesola: We must exploits potentials of ICT for societal good However, what Aregbesola, apparently wanted the participants to understand was that it was not enough to rec-

ognise the potentials of ICT but to apply them in creating opportunities for people and societies. "I have long recognised the huge potential of ICT for bringing qualitative improvement to bear on our lives and society. I have therefore always tried not to miss an opportunity to apply it wherever and whenever I can to improve my situation and that of the people around me. And this is what I have been doing since I became governor in the State of Osun. Even in the course of actualising my governorship ambition, I was tremendously aided by the application of ICT. During the election of April 14, 2007 in which I was elected asgovernor, we employed mobile phones and the internet to coordinate logistics and communi-

ment. One of the first areas of ICT deployment in the State of Osun was revenue reform.We immediately moved to discard the old methods of payment system and tax administration which were fraught with leakages and loopholes. The result was instant; our monthly internally generated revenue (IGR)jumped from N300million to N600million in less than one year.

We have also applied ICT to agriculture.

Through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques.

Our deployment of ICT to public education is now world-famous, especially through the iPad-like computer tablet, OponImo, or tablet of knowledge.

There is also the O’YESTECH empowerment project, which isa sixmonth intensive programme in ICT training.

Since I became governor in November 2010, I have given an important place to ICT in the way we run the business of government cate with polling representatives".

Aregbesola also hinted that since he became governor of the state of Osun, he had introduced many life changing programmes in the areas of health, Agriculture, Education revenue creation and proper accountability. with the aid of ICT. "Since I became governor in November 2010, I have given an important place to ICT in the way we run the business of govern-

" he added.

For him, the invasion of Africa by telecom business men can only be a good omen if the continent is ready to capitalise on the gains that would accrue from such invasion. "The possibilities in the world of ICT are big enough to accommodate all-comers.

All we need is the will and discipline to explore and exploit them. In Osun, we have set about it, and we will continue to explore it for the maximum benefit of our people and society" Aregbesola promised.

ricsson’s Connect ed Vehicle Cloud solution was recognized as Best of Show in the Cloud Solution category at this year’s ITEXPO, which took place in Las Vegas.

The prestigious Best of Show award are reserved for products or services that demonstrate raw creativity and technological innovation.

Head of Innovation & Business Development, Ericsson, Ken Durand, said explained that the Erocsson connected Vehicle cloud solution was designed to connect and empower all stakeholders from drivers and passengers to automotive manufacturers And third parties. ”Ericsson Connected Vehicle Cloud was built to connect and empower all stakeholders, from drivers and passengers to automotive manufacturers and third-par-

ties.” ‘‘A major driver for advancement of the Networked Society, Ericsson Connected Vehicle Cloud helps the vast and growing automotive ecosystem work together seamlessly to overcome challenges, improve synergies and pursue new opportunities.”

According to him, part of Ericsson’s Transport and Automotive suite, the Connected Vehicle Cloud platform is centrally managed but logically distributed to maximize local performance and compliance with local regulatory requirements.

It targets existing and future demands on scalability, security and flexibility in the global automotive industry. Connected Vehicle Cloud builds on and combines today’s telecom network capabilities and delivers improved quality of experience to create new business opportunities

Signal Alliance showcases solutions at Edo Tech day 2013

T

HE 2013 Edo State Technology Day left many with some pockets of surprise with the exhibition of modern technologies.

One of which is the Signal Alliance cutting edge IT solutions. The company said its participation was informed by the desire to offer Nigerians the advantage of deploying best-in-class technology systems in the public sector as a means of achieving transparent governance and administration.

This year’s edition of the annual event was titled: “Fostering Governance with Technology”, which attracted a plethora of IT Consultants, Vendors, and Solution experts from across the country.

It was chaired by Omobola Johnson, the Communication Technology Minister and hosted by the Edo State governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole.

According to the Edo state Government, the event was conceptualized to analyze, diagnose and proffer solutions to IT challenges with particular attention being paid to Broadband Delivery and Management in Nigeria, Advancing Education with Technology, Security Implications of Big Data and Actualizing a Workable National IT Policy.

Commenting on the value proposition of the

solutions presented by the IT firm at the event, the Marketing and Communications manager of Signal Alliance and the leader of the team to the event, Michael Chinwuba, explained that apart from showcasing cuttingedge IT solutions that would benefit both the public and private sector enterprise customers, the SA team was very much interested in meeting with and getting feedbacks from its numerous existing public sector customers as well as potential customers.

According to him, “it goes beyond showing what we have, but mostly to engage delegates especially from the public sector that were there to get their IT problems solved, because ours is much more than a company that sells technology. We listen and try to come up with unique technology solutions for all manner of challenges our customers can face” he said.

For Signal Alliance, the Edo Technology Day event has become a reference point on how government on any level, can engage technology solution providers in the formation of a synergy with that critical market in order to proffer solutions. In a bid to ensure that the target is achieved, Signal Alliance also showcased high-end solutions in Business Optimization,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013— —29

C M Y K

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

C M Y K

SEPTEMBER 25 25,, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—31 •Mr. President should renounce his ambition for 2015 if any or pledge out rightl y that he will not contest: Every past Head of State or President had weakness, but such weaknesses were not sufficient to deny them their constitutional right to vie for a second term. Is it their demand that, President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest the 2015 Presidential Elections on the injunction from EFCC and po- ground that the late President lice prosecution against corrup- Umaru Yar’Adua had four more tion, embezzlement of public years to go, and therefore, it is the funds and criminal enrichment: turn of the North to complete the This is impunity at the highest four years? Or, are they just being level. The International anti-cor- mischievous that they are not ruption agency - Transparency aware of the Provisions of Section International (T.I.) rates Nigeria 137, Sub-section 1 (b), of the as one of the most corrupt coun- Constitution of the Federal tries in the world. The Interna- Republic of Nigeria which states: tional Communities and NGOs in A person shall not be qualified Nigeria have been vehement that for election to the office of the President should crush cor- President if - (b) he has been electruption. How then, do these Gov- ed to such office at any two previernors want Mr. President to suc- ous elections” The question, therecumb to their demand? Our stand fore, is, has President Jonathan here, is that Mr. President should contested two elections as providempower the anti-corruption agencies to do more. -.

Continues on page 34

Chief Clark didn't attack Chief Anenih RIGHT OF REPL Y REPLY

By SENATOR AMEH EBUTE

O

UR attention had been drawn to an article written by one Kayode Ojo who we understand is not a staff of the Vanguard Newspaper and who could only pass as a guest or a ghost writer who mischievously, arrogantly and in most uncivilized manner, attacked the eminent personalities of Nigeria, including General I.B.M. Haruna (rtd.), from Adamawa State who is of Hausa/Fulani extraction, who was a former Federal Minister of Information under General Murtala Muhammed and who was the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army during the civil war of 1967-1970.

General David Jemibewon (rtd.), a frontline soldier during the civil war, former Military Governor, Oyo State and former Minister of Police Affairs, under General Olusegun Obasanjo administration, who is from Kogi State and Yoruba by tribe. Both men, who not being of ethnic minorities, are not qualified to be members and, therefore, have no link with the Congress for Equality and Change. The Congress for Equality and Change is a sociopolitical organization, founded by the minority ethnic nationalities of Nigeria both from the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria.

Promotion of good governance The two retired Generals, were in Chief E. K. Clark’s house for a different meeting with him, when some press men came, to collect the communique from the National Chairman of CEC, Hon. Senator Ameh Ebute, former Prresident of the Senate, who had earlier directed the Press to collect the Communique at the Chief’s residence.

The objectives of the Congress include among others: “the promotion of good governance, poiitica! equaiitv and social justice as well as common identity and unity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria..." It is the dream of the founders to sustain this initiative on an enduring basis to harness our potentials within the Nigeria polity.

The organization was founded during the constitutional crisis in 2010 when the acting position of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was opposed to, by certain interest groups. They held that President Jonathan as a minority had a right to act as Acting President of Nigeria, when President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua was very ill in Saudi Arabia for a number of months. It was at this

C M Y K

same time, that a very active Human Rights Organization known as “Save Nigeria Group” under the leadership of Pastor Bakare, was also fighting for the enthronement of, or the right of, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to act as the President of Nigeria. We salute them for their courage and patriotism.

It would be recalled, among the same group of persons including the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Gang of five governors and some prominent Nigerians walked out unceremoniously from the Convention of the PDP which was being held at the Eagle Square, and was attended

by Mr. President, the Vice President, President of the Senate and other prominent PDP members from all over the Federation of Nigeria. According to them, their grievances included the intention of Mr. President to seek for a re-election in 2015 and the removal of the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, etc. which demand, the Congress for Equality and Change regarded as untenable and unjust, on the ground that Mr. President had constitutional right to re-contest in 2015 while Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was duly and properly elected at a Party Convention attended by PDP Delegates, including those who walked out from the last Mini Convention.

Congress for Equality and Change, therefore, mainly replied to Chief Tony Anenih, the Board of Trustees Chairman’s statement that those who walked out have “genuine grievances”. The Congress for Equality and Change statement was neither an attack nor condemnation of Chief Tony Anenih, who is a respected leader of CEC. It was mainly drawing his attention and the generality of Nigerians, to the fact that those Governors and the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had no “genuine grievances”. At this juncture, it may be necessary to reproduce the said statement by the Congress for Equality and Change: Being text of a communique issued after a meeting of the Ex-

ecutive of Congress For Equality And Change in Abuja on September 5, 2013 “Some Aggrieved Governors Have Genuine Complaints - Anenih” Are these PDP Governors and Atlku Abubakar Really Aggrieved?

The Leadership Newspaper of Wednesday September 4, 2013 and most electronic media, credited to Chief Tony Anenih CFR, Chairman, BOT of the PDP with the above statement.

Snippets from the Villa and media suggests that the grievances of the Governors include: •that Mr. President should award the governors, their cronies and family perpetual

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Efugh optimistic home Super Eagles can win CHAN H

EARTLAND captain Chinedu Efugh has expressed confidence in the home based players, while declaring that they will win

the African Nations Championship (CHAN) which comes up next year in South Africa.

Stephen Keshi led the team to their first apperance in the

•Efugh

competition after twice missing out on qualification for the tournament open only to players based in their country’s local leagues.

Efugh said that everything is ready for the team to make their mark in the competition. ”I have implicit confidence in the players plying their trade in Nigeria. In spite of all the problems in the League, we have always shown that under a very good atmosphere, we can excel. ”And that is why I am saying that the home based Super Eagles will do well in the next tournament in South Africa. The platfform is just right for the team to begin to show that we have good players in Nigeria. ”South Africa, Mali and Mozambique will not in any way pose any problem for the team. ”These three countries will try their best, but they will meet a strong Nigerian team ready to take the tournament by storm. ”The good thing about any Nigerian player is just to look for any opportunity to make a statement. That opportunity has presented itself and the team will win the trophy,” Efugh boasted.

The third edition of CHAN starts January 11 with the first game between South Africa and Mozambique.

Injuries hit Enugu Rangers E NUGU Rangers could be without injured Chibuzor Madu, Ousmane Pape Sane and Cyril Oriaku in today’s league clash at home to ABS. Madu, fresh from a failed move to Turkey, is nursing a muscle sprain; Ousmane has a knock around the ankle and Oriaku is recovering from a muscle sprain.

Meanwhile, Rangers captain Godwin Ayalogu has said that the team have vowed to win the Week 34 league match against ABS in honour of departed kit manager Segun Martins.

The experienced shot stopper stated that the team are driven to beat ABS for Martins.

“Segun was one of us and we will surely miss him for his jokes, diligence and general approach to life. We have resolved to ensure that ABS are completely annihilated as a mark of respect for him,” Ayalogu disclosed.

“It is not as if we are underrating our opponents, but we are double charged to do this for our departed friend.

“Segunde or Oshodo as

Martins is also known will always want us to win matches both home and away and that is what we want to give to him.”

Martins, who hails from Ogun State and has worked for The Flying Antelopes’ for over 20 years, died of kidney-related infections over the weekend in an Enugu hospital.

•Madu

Capital One Cup ( 3rd Rd ) v v v v v

Granada Sevilla Elche

v v v

Bologna Chievo Lazio Livorno Napoli Parma Sampdoria Torino

v v v v v v v v

Swansea City Liverpool Leeds Utd Stoke City Arsenal

La Liga

7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

Valencia Rayo Vallecano Real Madrid

7pm 7pm 7pm

AC Milan Juventus Catania Cagliari Sassuolo Atlanta Roma Verona

7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

Serie A

Ethiopia plot

*Open camp with 24 play *Play friendlies with Gha

T

TODAY’S GAMES

Birmingham City Man Utd Newcastle Utd Tranmere Rovers West Brom

CUP 2014 WORLD : PLAY OFFS

HE Walya Antelopes have opened camp with 24 players ahead of their 2014 World Cup final play-off against the Super Eagles with further plans for key warm up matches Ethiopia plan to play warm up matches against continental powerhouses Ghana and Cameroon before they take on Nigeria in the final play-off for the 2014 World Cup, according to the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA).

The Walya Antelopes have opened camp in Addis Ababa with 24 players from the local league and expect four players from abroad to join up with the squad in a fortnight.

Coach Sewnet Bishaw is then expected to name his final 23-man squad to face the Super Eagles. His opposite number Stephen Keshi announced his 23-man squad for the game last

week.

The East Africans will host the crunch tie against the Super Eagles on October 12 in Addis before going to Calabar for the second leg on November 16.

•Keshi

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 — 33

Van P er sie Per ersie ruled out out of of ruled Liver erpool pool Liv Liver erpool clash clash M

•Mikel

Eagles’ fall

yers ana, Cameroon If the Ethiopian Football Federation succeeds in securing friendly matches with either Ghana or Cameroon, it will give them an opportunity to test their strength against teams that play sim-

ilar styles like the reigning African champions.

Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Rustenburg on their way to winning the Africa Cup of Nations early in the year.

ANCHESTER United have been dealt another injury blow with news that Robin van Persie will not return in today’s League Cup tie against Liverpool.

The Dutch striker may not even be back in time for the weekend’s Premier League clash with West Brom after David Moyes delivered a fitness update yesterday: United had expected van Persie to return immediately following his absence at Manchester City, where the champions were handed a 4-1 beating in his absence.

His latest update, given in a Tuesday press conference, suggests van Persie’s scheduled recovery is not so straightforward. The talented forward saw the majority of his Arsenal career restricted by injury. After a spectacular first season in which he finished top scorer for United en route to winning the league title, van Persie will hope his fitness problems have not returned.

Suarez ready to return — Rodgers L

IVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez will fit back into his side seamlessly after working hard during his 10match ban.

The Uruguay international is gearing up for his first competive appearance for Rodg-

ers’ team since April when Liverpool travel to Manchester United in the League Cup third round today.

Suarez’s comeback provides Rodgers with an attacking boost after Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho was ruled out until the end of Oc-

Cabaye ‘s injury dents Newcastle chances

N

•Ethiopia Coach Bishaw

•Van Persie

EWCASTLE and Leeds will both hope to put disappointing home defeats behind them when they meet in the League Cup today.

Newcastle saw an unbeaten run of four games in all competitions come to a shuddering halt on Saturday, as Hull City came from behind at St James’ Park on two occasions to collect a 3-2 victory.

One positive from the game for the hosts was a Loic Remy double – his first goals for the club – but the nature of Newcastle’s defending will be of concern to Alan Pardew.

And the Englishman has called on his players to raise their game for the third-

round clash in order to erase the memory of a disappointing defeat.

“There’s a reaction required from us – full stop,” he said.

“Hopefully, in the next few games we can right what has been a wrong against Hull.”

Newcastle’s chances are somewhat dented by the fact that midfielder Yohan Cabaye limped off midway through the second half of the meeting with Hull after picking up a groin injury. As well as Cabaye, the Tyneside club have injury concerns over Shola Ameobi (knock) and Steven Taylor (hamstring), but both Jonas Gutierrez and Massadio Haidara should be in contention for the clash.

tober after undergoing shoulder surgery last week, and the Northern Irishman has no doubt the 26-year-old will hit the ground running.

“He’s a robust character and his biggest quality is his desire and commitment,” he said.

“He comes back into the reckoning now and what he will do is give it 100 per cent and I’m sure after a few games he’ll get right back up to speed again.

“From what I’ve seen in training and all the extra work he has put in, and all the game time he has been able to collate over the last number of weeks, he has had good preparation to come back.

•Suarez

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Chief Clark didn't attack Chief Anenih Continues from page 31 ed for in the Constitution to disqualify him?

The answer is NO! Or is it that he has taken the turn of a majority ethnic group to govern? We also note that the gang up by the five governors for Mr. President not to run assumed a notorious dimension after Mr. President presented a sterling Mid- term Report, that was widely acclaimed both locally and internationally as excellent.

Also, the five Governors became jittery when Northern minority groups started ctamoring for Mr. President’s second term.

Then these aggrieved Governors, remembered some imaginary agreement that Mr. President entered into not to run.

We therefore, urge Mr. President to discountenance such calls and be prepared to seek a second term. The Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur should resign: The offence of Alhaji Bamangat Tukur is that, he is insistent on party discipline and supremacy. Should a democratically elected Party Chairman resign on account of his loyalty to the party?

Accredited members Was the PDP National Chairman not duly and properly elected at a Convention, fully attended by accredited members including the five aggrieved governors.

INEC acknowledgdes that the PDP Chairman, was properly elected. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the gang of seven governors, have not stated their main grievances that called for the dismissal or resignation of the National Chairman.

Nobody has asked these Governors to drop their party Chairmen nominated by them. The Chairman has now called two NEC meetings and he is living up to expectation.

•Olagunsoye Oyinlola, should be reinstated as secretary of PDP: This is a Government that has obeyed all court orders including installing. Governor Amaechi of Rivers State as Governor when he did not contest any election. Courts of competent jurisdiction ousted both Oyinola and Rivers PDP Exco and the Governors want Mr. President to commit a contempt of court order. We advise Mr. President not to do this.

•that Andy Uba - should be recognised as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Anambra State

Again, we beg to disagree with this demand. Senator Uba conducted his own State Congress against. his party’s decision. No party can condone such effrontery.

Conclusion: From the above, we are at a loss what “Genuine grievances” these Governors have? It is obvious that they want Mr. President out, mainly because they feel he has taken the turn of a Majority Ethnic Group to govern. We urge the Chairman, BOT, Chief Tony Anenih, to remember to tell the so called “Aggrieved Governors” that they owe Nigerians and indeed Mr. President an apology for the way and manner they behaved during the PDP Convention. Finally, Chief Tony Anenih should distance himself from the demands of these so- called “Aggrieved Governors” and join Alhaji Bamatigo Tukur to work for the party in TRUTH and SPIRIT. May God Bless us all and Nigeria.

[Sgd.] SENATOR AMEH EBUTE CHAIRMAN” It is true that Chief Clark is one of the Founders and Leader of the Congress for Equality and Change, because he was fully involved in the agitation or in the fight to install President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the Acting President of Nigeria. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Clark is not a member of the Executive but in this particular case, he wishes to fully support the Communique issued by CEC refuting that the gang of seven had “genuine grievances”. It is, however, surprising that the attack being levelled against Chief Clark by Senator Braimoh who for four years in the Senate, has nothing to offer to his people and the rejection for a second term by his people was no doubt, a good riddance, and he is not in any way being envied by Chief Clark for his being a chorus boy for Chief Tony Anenih. As for the ghost writer, Kayode Ojo, who has been a regular critic of Chief E.K. Clark, he should be ashamed of himself and those of his likes, who tagged Chief Clark as “always being incensed” of the Goodluck Jonathan 2015 election, Chief Clark has no regret whatsoever, and that is why he is in Abuja.

Finally, we wish to say that Chief Clark has a very good relationship with Chief Tony Anenih, he respects him as his leader and Chief Clark also reciprocates likewise as one of our Nigerian frontline leader and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PDP, to which Chief Clark also belongs.

UNVEILING: Warri South Transition Committee Chairman, Dr. Augustine Uroye (JP) (3rd left), flanked by his Vice, Mr. Dafe Ikpuri (2nd left), Mr. Kingsley Willobi (extreme left) and other members of Warri South Transition Committee, shortly after the unveiling of the Ogunu Fly-Over end of Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan Road, one of four roads recently named after four prominent Deltans.

SOKAPU canvasses socio economic projects to engage conflict victims T

HE Kaduna State government has been urged to bring conflicting societies and people together by establishing socio-economic projects that would engage them.

It should also embark on in-house genuine reconciliation among the Southern Kaduna elite to achieve sustainable development in the region.

These were part of the recommendations/resolutions in the communique issued at the end of the two day seminar/workshop on ‘peace and reconciliation – key to development’ organised by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, in Kaduna.

The two day seminar also recommended that the pursuit for the creation of Gurara state should continue until the dream was achieved, adding that this would in no small measure accel-

erate the development of southern Kaduna.

The communique observed that though violent conflicts were inevitable aspects of human existence, their negative consequences were preventable through deliberate policies and programmes aimed at their effective management.

It noted that violent conflicts in the country have negatively affected the national economy, stressing that it has resulted in the channelling of scarce public resources into the provision of security rather than the provision of basic social amenities.

The communique noted that where the alleged offenders were not being investigated and adequately prosecuted, the situation could eventually degenerate into a sustained and perverse cultural impunity.

While stressing that the shared cultural heritage

of hospitality among Southern Kaduna people can not be traded for hatred, rancour and vengeance, the communique advised the people to be more interested in developing icons that are interested in moving Southern Kaduna people away from the current stagnation rather than idols or instruments of self actualization.

The two day seminar had keynote address on communal crisis, peace building and development, presented by Dr. Bakut Tswah Bakut, with papers from Esther Markus, Prof James Kantiok, Interfaith Mediation Centre and Dr. Yusuf Atang. In attendance were the deputy governor of Kaduna State, Amb Audu Bajoga, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Elder Buba Yero and royal fathers from the zone.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—35

C M Y K

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

2015 Polls will be free, fair—Olowojoba

Nigeria lacks moral leaders, says Kasali

By SAM EYOBOKA

S

ENIOR pastor of Foun dation of Truth Assem bly (FOTA), Rev. Yomi Kasali has urged Christians in the country to intensify their prayers for the nation, arguing that the greatest problem in Nigeria today is the absence of moral leaders who will propel her to its God-given destination. He, however, commended the Federal Government for its

ability to contain Boko Haram insurgency in parts of the North, stating that the violent campaign that has left over 3,000 persons had died since 2009 in the parts of the North should not be seen as a religious one but a political war orchestrated by certain individuals with ulterior motives.

Addressing newsmen in his church office ahead of the church's annual convention tagged Giant Killers' Confer-

*R-L: Committee chairman, Giant Killers' Conference, Pastor Yomi Agiri; Rev. Yomi Kasali (host) briefing newsmen on the Giant Killers Conference of Foundation of Truth Assembly, FOTA; Pastor Fela Bank-Olemoh and committee member, Deaconess Deola Ambah in Lagos.

ence scheduled to begin today till Sunday, Rev. Kasali who was flanked by members of the organising committee further urged the Federal Government to go a step further to curb the multi-faceted security challenges currently tearing the nation apart, noting that there cannot be meaningful until there is security of lives and property.

Theme: "Fall of the mighty" with presiding bishop of TREM Dr. Mike Okonkwo, Tudor Bismark and Pastor Sam Adeyemi ministering alongside Rev. Kasali.

According to the senior pastor, the move by the Federal Government to to scrutinize accounts of religious organisation should not be seen as an attempt by Government to oppress the organsitaions, saying that the law has always been there but it getting rave criticism now because the Corporate Affairs Commission have just decided to perform its statutory functions of monitoring organisations registered by it. Kasali, however, urged the EFCC not descriminate against any religion.

Otubu for Motailatu’s adoption service

A

N acclaimed scholar and cleric, His Eminence Professor Joseph Otubu, is billed to minister at the 2013 adoption service of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide.

A statement by the supervising head of the church, His Eminence Israel Akinadewo, said the renown-ed gynaecologist with sub-specialty in reproductive endocrinology and infertility will preach on the theme of the service “Celebration of spiritual rebirth: The future of Aladura churches”.

The service, which will be presid-ed by the Primate/ founder of the church, His Most Eminen-ce, Archbishop

Harvest/Bazaar

I

*Prof. Joseph Otubu (Dr.) Motailatu Akinadewo, holds at the international subheadquart-ers of the church in Alakuko, Lagos State. Prominent Chri-stian leaders are expected at the celebration.

NDIGENES of Abatete in Lagos will on Sunday play host to the maiden harvest/bazaar thanksgiving service of Christ The King parish, Abatete.

The event with a theme: Harvest of Hope is scheduled for Linas Suites, Amuwo Odofin, by Festac link bridge, Lagos at 10.00 a.m. prompt. The occasion will be chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Joe Ezigbo, while Dr. D.O. Ekesi and Chief Basil Akukwe will be the special guests of honour.

The Grand Patron/Grand Matron will be Chief and Chief (Mrs.) G.C. Oranika while Rev. Fr. Batholomew Nnakwe will officiate.

Joda urges Nigerians to trust God

N

IGERIANS have been advised to do away with fear, immorality, selfishness and stand firm on the promises of God and hold unto good lasting values that promote godliness, kindness to fellow Nigerians and a determination to build a strong nation, reports LAJA THOMAS. The admonition was given by senior/founding pastor of Voice of Faith Ministries, also known as Christ Chapel International Churches, CCIC, Rev. Chris Tunde Joda, at a media briefing ahead of its 32nd anniversary and 2013 camp meeting with the theme "Our God Reigns," scheduled for October 14-20, 2013.

Rev. Joda said the church has news for Nigeria and Nigerians, adding that the word of God says in Isaiah 60:1-2, 'Arise, shine for your light is come and the glory of God is risen upon you....'.

He stressed that all negative reports and fore-

casts concerning Nigeria will be turned around "as we seek God earnestly in prayer, doing what is right for the nation as we also resolve to build a strong nation together---a nation of progress and social justice, a nation where God is enthroned and He is Lord."

The Bible teacher and trainer of believers said, every great nation has had its fair share of challenges at one time or the other.

According to him, perilous times do come and go, noting that as "we remain strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We shall not give up."

Continuing, he said, we must continue to pray for the country and its leaders, because that is what the word of God encourages us to do for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

"Our God is a God that answers prayers, adding that together, we can build a prosperous and strong nation. Nigeria arise and shine," he prayed.

IN this interview with BEN AGANDE in Abuja, founder and General Overseer of the Day Spring Christian Ministries International, Pastor Charles Olowojoba, speaks on a wide range of issues, saying contrary to the fears being expressed in certain circles, Nigeria will continue to remain one indivisible country and that the 2015 election will not only be free and fair, but it will not be bloody. Excerpts...

How did the whole vision start?

WAS born some 60 years ago in Igara in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. I attended the University of Ibadan to study Biochemistry but transferred to the University of Benin where I studied medicine and graduated in 1979. I practiced medicine for about 23 years before I was called into full time ministry. Before then I had pastored nine years part time while still practicing medicine. I had my hospital in Kano where I was practicing which we had to eventually shut down because of the demands of ministry. We moved to Abuja in the year 2000 to start the Day Spring Bible Church, which is registered in Nigeria under Day Spring Christian Ministries International.

When I graduated like every other young man, I wanted a job and I wanted to actually build my carrier in medicine and I would say that I was already succeeding in it but I still found myself being drawn to church. My encounters with God and the various confirmations that I received through people that I never knew before, some that I saw for the first time and never saw them again, how that God actually wanted me in ministry so I now thought I could hold on to the practice of medicine and at the same time, be a preacher so that was why I ended up as a part time pastor for nine years in another ministry in far away Kano before the Lord gave me the marching order towards the end of 1999 to move to Abuja. On January 13, 2000, we started with a small congregation but in 13 years we are grateful to God that so much has happened and now we are able to really touch many more lives.

You are 60 but you don’t look it?

A lot of people tell me that and I am grateful to God. Actu*Pastor Charles Olowojoba ally, it is the grace of God and I also believe that we have a great responsibility to take care of our bodies because a lot of people really don’t know how to take care of the human body: your diet, your prayer life, a heart that is free of offences, of anxiety, just learning to hand over things to God and not allow much to bother you and when something bothers you, you take it back to God so when you sleep you sleep well and when you eat you can digest the food and you eat right so I will say God’s grace has been tremendous.

There has been a lot of negativity in the country as we approached the year 2015. As a man of God, what does the future hold for the country?

The country is not going to break, God told me that a long time ago. Nigeria will not break, we have survived worst things before and we will survive 2015. And you know 2015 is not going to be as bloody as most people are actually expecting. I know that it’s not going to be as bloody because no matter what is going on now, God is in control. I believe one thing, the Bible says ‘if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways’, if we humble ourselves and pray and we have been praying. If not for the prayers of the saints, this country will not be the same now.

Of course there will be reactions and counter-reactions from winners and losers which will always happen, but as for the country breaking up, it is not going to happen. I want to say to Nigerians, we should not worry. God is in control we will survive 2015 elections and we actually believe God that it is going to be a free and fair election. We are praying for wisdom for the umpires, we are praying for the players or the actors on the field. That is our job: to ask God to really direct them. Violence doesn’t pay; you can’t develop a nation or a family in the atmosphere of disunity, in an atmosphere of mistrust, in an atmosphere of bitterness.

We need peace, we need unity to be able to move this country forward and we are praying for that and I believe for one that God answers my prayer as well as the prayers of my brethren who are also praying for this country.

I

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—37

My son’s father stole from me

He got his step-daughter pregnant Dear Bunmi, Six years ago, I made a terrible mistake and married a man who has repaid my trust by constantly sleeping with my teenage daughter.

The poor girl was 13 when we got married. I also have a younger son. My husband was never married but had four children by three women when we met. At first, the marriage was blissful as he had a good job and was a caring father.

He continued to be responsible and I had two more children by him. I never suspected any untoward thing was going on until my daughter, who was in her last year at Secondary School, was sent home.

She was found out by the school doctor when she complained of severe abdominal pains, and it was discovered she had an incomplete abortion. I was really gutted not knowing more shock was in store for me.

After quizzing and threatening my daughter, she confessed the culprit was her step-dad! I asked her if she had any proof and she showed me all the money she had hidden away in her suitcase. I asked if she noticed anything different about him and she confessed he had a mole on his private part. She was right.

At first my husband denied having anything to do with her until I made my daughter describe his anatomy. Because of him, the poor girl spent days in hospital so that her womb could be cleaned out.

I don’t love my husband any more and have since moved out. But what happens to the two children of the dead marriage?

Bayode, by e-mail.

Dear Bayode, What a devastating blow

your experience must have dealt you. This sort of male behaviour happens all the time unfortunately. But that doesn’t make it right.

You’ve been betrayed by the closest to you in the most cruel way and have done the right thing by putting a wide berth between the two of you.

Your concern now is how to put your poor daughter back on the right track so she could be emotionally stable enough

to continue with her studies.

As for the two other children of the marriage, they belong to your husband too.

No matter how resentful you are about what he’s put you through in the past, you have to really meet up and decide on what future arrangements both of you have for them.

You said he is a financially responsible man and there is no doubt he’ll take care of his own kids the best he could.

‘

Your son will eventually be re-united with his father sooner or later and you’re better off saying nothing that might let him resent or be ashamed of the man who is his own flesh and blood

’

I want his baby now!

Dear Bunmi, I’m 24 years old and my partner is 10 years older.

We’ve been together for four years and agreed to have a family when we could afford it.

Thank goodness we’re both working now. I think this is a good time to start our family, but he doesn’t seem interested. I know we can afford to but he needs to know he’s not getting younger.

I love him so much and I want to have his baby more than anything. I’m still young, so should I move on and find someone who does want to have kids now?

Lauren, by e-mail.

Dear Lauren, If your partner’s truly not interested in having a baby, then in the end you’ll probably split up because your life aims are different. But if he’s asking for more time, then wait a while.

But I wonder why you want a baby so badly. Often, that means you want to get pregnant for the wrong reasons— you feel it would give you confidence, or love. For your sake, as well as the baby’s, make this decision calmly—rather than rushing into it.

Though I agree with you that a man in his 30s should be thinking of settling down, he could dither up to the point of looking for a different partner.

He’s not willing to re-marry Dear Bunmi, I am in love with a man who is separated from his wife. He has two children and they live with her in the house her new husband provided for her.

He said he was bitter that all the years they were married, she was cheating on him and he finds it difficult to trust any woman.

I am 26 years old and he is 45. He’s made it clear that all he wants from me is a casual relationship. Do you think

he’ll grow to love me if I help him get over his hurt? Or should I leave him?

Vivian, by e-mail.

Dear Vivian, The man has not given you any reason whatsoever to stay in the relationship. There is a lot of gap between what you want and what he wants that I see only heartache ahead.

You’re very keen on him, he’s less keen on you. You are coming to the relationship

with very little unhappy history, he’s suffering from a major trauma that may take him years to get over. You want to spend the rest of your life with him, he wants a casual relationship.

It’s obvious you love this man desperately and that’s one of the reasons you should leave now. The more desperate you feel, the more you are going to get hurt. So save yourself a lot of heartache, and say goodbye to him now.

Dear Bunmi, I was a single mother of three girls when I met my current partner. He is married and lives with his wife but spends time with me and sometimes stays the night.

When I got pregnant with his child, he encouraged me to keep it and I gave birth to the son I’d always wanted.

For months after the birth of our son, my lover was very supportive. I am a woman of substance and often lend helping hand whenever he says he’s broke. One night when he slept over, I suddenly woke up to find him rummaging in my wardrobe and pocketing some sales money I kept there.

I was shocked but didn’t say a thing. I wanted to catch him at it again so as to convince myself it wasn’t a one-off. So when next he slept over, I pretended to be fast asleep.

He nudged me a couple of times and when I didn’t budge, crept to the wardrobe.

He was helping himself to some cash when I shouted at him. He lied that he needed some money and took it, so he wouldn’t forget it in the morning and that he planned to tell me all about it.

I told him that I’d been observing him for a long time helping himself to my cash when he thought I was asleep.

I then told him he was no longer welcome in my house but that I will still allow him

‘

to be part of our son’s life. The poor boy is now over six years old and hasn’t seen his father for over two years. He’s starting to ask where his father is.

I don’t want to say bad things about this man but I don’t see why I should cover his crime. The sneak that he is, he could turn up years later to tell our poor son it was me who ended the contact between them and he might try to worm his way into my son’s affection.

Benny, by e-mail.

Dear Benny, Your man’s stealing from you and neglecting you and his son seems a shocking breach of trust to you— and you are right. But it would be inappropriate to share your hurt and anger with your little boy.

When parents fallout, children inevitably suffer. You might make your son insecure if you imply that his dad is a thief— that his genes could be a like-father-like-son bad ones.

Whether you like it or not, your son will eventually be reunited with his father sooner or later and you’re better off saying nothing that might let him resent or be ashamed of the man who is his own flesh and blood.

As best as you can, keep in touch with the father of your son and let him feel welcome in your son’s life.

It’s obvious you love this man desperately and that’s one of the reasons you should leave now

’

Why won’t my friend bail me out?

Dear Bunmi, I’m currently in terrible debt and I don’t have enough to cover payments to all the people I owe. It’s not that I spend a lot now, but I’ve run up huge debts in the past and this is giving me sleepless nights.

As I write, I don’t even have enough to pay my rent which is due next month and I haven’t got a clue how I’m going to survive.

All my friends know how bad things are, but not one of them has offered to help me. When I had money, I was always very generous with them. I can’t believe they’re proving to be fair weather friends.

Joke, by e-mail.

Dear Joke, It’s obvious you’re very laidback about money. The good side of this is that you’re generous to your friends. The bad side is that it means you let your spending get out of hand.

Your friends are obviously much more careful about money. They don’t let their spending run away with them, and equally, they don’t lend money to others.

It’s not personal. It’s just the way they are in the same way as you’re easy come, easy go.

Don’t feel bad about your friends. Ask them to help you learn how to budget so this doesn’t happen in future.

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

38 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

AIRPORT SECURITY:

Daniel’s adventure re-awakens safety fears

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

T

HE recent conquest of the air by 13-year-old Daniel Ohikhena, has once again brought to the fore the issue of security across Nigerian airports.

Though Ohikhena was not the first stowaway case recorded in the country, the fact that this happened at a time when the Federal Government is remodeling most airports in the country, apparently led to concern it raised among stakeholders and air travellers.

Ohikhena, it will be recalled had on August 24, 2013, hidden in the tyre hole of a Nigerian airline, Arik Air, which flew from Benin to Lagos. He was discovered when the plane touched down in Lagos.

Barely two weeks after that incident, a combined team of aviation security and men of the Department of State Security, DSS, at the Benin Airport apprehended a 27-year-old man who allegedly stowed into the airport runway with an intent to illegally board an Abuja-bound Arik flight.

The 27-year-old suspect whose identity could not be ascertained at press time, was said to have been arrested lying with his belly close to the runway while waiting for an Arik aircraft to land.

Confirming the incident, the Chief Security Officer of the Airport, Mr Adeboye Festus said the suspect had confessed to the crime.

But the suspect told journalists that he was a psychiatric patient and was tired of life, hence he

Omagwa in Rivers State. Although no life was lost, the new Air France jet was lightly damaged.

Similarly, in 2008, a passenger was reportedly driven through a bush path and dropped directly on the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to board a flight.

Another incident also occurred in March 2011in Bauchi State, when the aircraft conveying the vice presidential candidate of the

,

Airport security is not supposed to be treated with laxity or lip service; the stowaway kid helped in telling the world that our airports are not secured

wanted to travel to Abuja. It would be recalled that sometime in March 2010, a taxi cab ran into a parked Arik Airline flight at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar. The driver found his way into the airport through the Nigerian Air Force gate before ramming the vehicle into the underbelly of the airplane which was preparing to head to Abuja.

Although there were no casualties, the aircraft marked 5NMJJ, suffered some damages which necessitated the deployment of another flight to take the passengers to their destination.

Litany of lapses: In July 2005, a commercial flight ran into stray cows on landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport,

,

then Action Congress of Nigeria,ACN, Mr. Fola Adeola and other party chieftains to Bauchi for a campaign rally, crash landed at the city’s air strip. Another lapse occurred when a Kings Air- operated HS125 chartered aircraft with registration number 5BN-BNR, crash-landed due to nonclearance of the airport runway by airport authorities.

It was gathered that despite receiving an approval for landing, the pilot discovered on descent, that the runway of the airport had been taken over by a herd of sheep and goats. The pilot was left with the option of force-landing, but the aircraft was damaged in that process, although the passengers

escaped unhurt.

Against the backdrop of these increasing security lapses, the question on the lips of many is: How safe or secure are Nigerian airports?

From Sokoto to Calabar, Lagos to Maidugri, Vanguard Features,VF, checks reveal that the current efforts at remodeling the airports across the country, have not translated into secured airports. VF found out that most airports in the country, do not have perimeter fencing to ward off intruders into the airports.

Aviation security consultant, Capt Danlami Gadjoh told VF that the porous security situation at the airports is not unconnected with the failure of past administrators of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ,FAAN, to build perimeter fencing around the airports.

He was pissed that none of the 22 airports operated by the Federal and state governments has been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO. “It is unfortunate that the government has not been able to meet the requirements for certification. Airport security is not supposed to be treated with laxity or lip service. The stowaway kid helped in telling the world that our airports are not secured.Relevant aviation agencies should put in place the necessary requirement by ICAO. That would ensure certification.

You have to understand that get-

ting the requirements in place involves proper funding; so we expect government to see the matter as an urgent task that must be accomplished, else Daniel’s incident would look like child’s-play when another breach happens.’’

Gadjoh’s argument, was also in line with the position of Arik Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue. The Arik boss who expressed shock at the incident declared: “We are worried by the incessant security lapses at our airports. We are appealing to FAAN to immediately address the problem.”

Airports do not meet ICAO standards Further checks revealed that perimeter fencing is a prominent condition for certification.

A report titled: Nigerian airports do not meet ICAO standard, stated that as part of requirement for ICAO certification, an airport must have operational and perimeter fencing, certified aviation security personnel and state-of-the-art navigational equipment while the personnel must be regularly trained and retrained.

Another security expert, Dr. Akolade Temitope was saddened by what he described as the failure of past governments to make the airports secure.

He wondered why it took Daniel’s suicide mission to awaken

the government to take proactive measure to make our airports safe. ‘’Nigeria is a country where we don’t take precautionary measures. We are only reactionary. Why would it take a Daniel to embark on his suicidal flight before ensuring that our airports are well secured. The truth is that the nation’s airports are not effectively manned,’’ he said.

Continuing, he said: “The buck stops on the table of FAAN to provide security to protect the airports. The first step is the perimeter fencing which should be patrolled at all times. FAAN should step in immediately because the incident speak volume about ineptitude on the part of concerned authorities”.

But the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Yakubu Dati assures that security measures have been put in place to prevent a repeat of a stowaway incident. He noted that additional security measures would put in place in airports that have no perimeter fencing.

New security measures: ”First, at every airport without a fully functional perimeter fence, a FAAN security vehicle will be deployed to a point within full view of the aircraft as it taxies out to take off. And the FAAN security will maintain visual scrutiny and, if necessary, respond to any situation, until every departing aircraft is safely airborne. ”Secondly, bushes at all airports Continues on page 39

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 — 39

Pains of a Bayelsa fishing community ravaged by oil spills

By SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

T

HE Ikeinghenbiri riverside which falls within the igerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC Brass Swamp Area of operation, is one of the communities in Olodiama clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This serene settlement, with its alluring mangrove swamp vegetation, situated along the Ikebiri Creek, would have make a good location for shooting movies.

Ikeinghenbiri, which is traversed by Agip’s pipelines, including the Tebidaba/ Ogboinbiri pipeline, is a predominantly fishing and farming settlement with a tiny proportion of the population involved in trade. However, fishing and farming activities which constitute the people’s means of livelihood have been crippled due to a crude oil spill from an underwater pipeline owned by the oil firm. The development has left the waters floating with crude oil and this is causing anxiety among the members of the com-

mental activists who accused the former of neglect.

Vanguard Features learnt that due to the peculiarity of the terrain, the troubled community folks, many of whom are poor, are now forced to rely on expensive frozen fish and other foodstuff ferried in from Yenagoa and other parts of the state by traders at exorbitant cost.

The oil leak which *Oil-impacted Ikeinghenbiri creek is now a source of grave concern to the people was reportedly discov- Chairman of Community DevelCommittee in ered penultimate Monday by a opment woman, Madam Oron Peter, Ikeinghenbiri, said that the oil firm who was returning from a fish- had been informed of the incident ing expedition. Though the but regretted that the leakage is natives said the leak was still ongoing. “The spill was promptly reported to the reported to Agip officials as soon company that owned the facility, as it was discovered on Monday they nonetheless lamented that and as we speak (weekend), the it was still discharging crude spill is still going on. We have been notified by the management into the environment of Agip that they will be convening a joint investigative visit to the Our fishermen were compelled to spill site. suspend fishing because the whole creeks “This visit will enable us to take stock of the damages done to our and swamps were contaminated and environment. Our fishermen were today we can only depend on imported compelled to suspend fishing because the whole creeks and frozen fish swamps were contaminated and Lamenting the plight of his today we can only depend on munity. The stench from the water is repulsive and could pose people, the Deputy Paramount imported frozen fish.

Ruler of Ikeinghenbiri, Chief “It is a strange thing for us as a health risk to the natives.

Although the cause of the leak Collins Adikoko, said the com- fishing community to be buying is yet to be ascertained, it is munity had remained in distress frozen fish when we are supposed to be selling fish to others. We suspected to be a second party since the discovery of the leak.

He said that the oil had need relief and appeal to spill. “I cannot say exactly what caused this spill, but what we are spread into the creeks and natu- government to look into our certain of is that Agip’s own con- ral fish ponds where most plight.”

Madam Oron Peter who discovtractors are the ones working on members of the communities the pipeline, digging, laying new plied their fishing trade. “We ered the spill explained how it pipes and doing back filling and have consistently been happened: “I saw it while I was neglected by Agip which pol- going about checking and setting all of that.

“We should be able to know the lutes our area without any form my fish traps. Everyone in this cause when we come for a Joint of compensation and if you go community knows that this has Investigation Visit, JIV. The JIV around our swamps and bush been my main source of liveliwill confirm the cause of spill; it you see oil everywhere,” the hood; I don’t have any child to take care of me, so I’m struggling may be either equipment failure Chief said.

Nigerian Agip Oil Company, on my own to make ends meet. or material failure,” a community source explained. Oil firms have NAOC and members of And so, when I got to that area repeatedly blamed theft and Ikeinghenbiri community, it was along the pipeline, I first heard sabotage for the majority of oil learnt, have scheduled a joint some sound from the water ahead spills in the Delta, a claim visit to the oil spill site in the of me. What came to my mind first strongly disputed by environ- area. Mr. Marshall Josiah, the was to know whether the sound

,

was made by fishes.

As I moved closer with my canoe, I saw that it was crude oil bubbling and, seriously too. It had even spread far by the water current. When I proceeded from there to where my fish traps were positioned, the whole places were covered by the crude oil, even the fish traps.

I was really disturbed be cause the impacted area/swamp is one of the major areas within our environment where I go for my fishing with other women in the community. There is no way to set the fish traps in that area again.

“Even today I am just returning from where I went to check my fish traps. But there was no fish/crayfish; everywhere was just crude oil. I returned empty handed, soiled with crude oil.

This is indeed the beginning of

another suffering for us”.

Though Agip could not be reached for comments, the Environmental Rights Action, ERA, Field Coordinator in Bayelsa State, Comrade Alagoa Morris who visited the spill site after being contacted by the community, urged Agip to mobilize without further delays to stop the spill.

According to the environment watch group: “A properly constituted joint investigation visit should be carried out to ascertain the cause of the spill, record related volume of spill, spread and damages and recommend accordingly. “As usual, the community should be given their copy of the signed JIV report for their own records too. Agip should follow the JIV with proper cleanup of impacted environment, promptly”.

Daniel’s adventure Continues frompage 38 are to be cleared to ensure full view of the perimeter, the control tower, FAAN Fire and Rescue observation posts. And also to allow aviation security patrol teams have a sweeping view of the entire perimeter of an airport from their duty posts,“ he said.

Datti further said that static observation posts would be erected at strategic locations within the perimeter fence of all airports to forestall premeditated and inad-

vertent unauthorised access to the air side.

He said that the measure would be complemented by motorised and foot patrols.

Dati noted that the absence of perimeter fences at most of the airports had always posed a challenge to FAAN because of the huge capital outlay required to construct the fences.

He said that some of the fences were as long as 40 kilometres, across the 22 network of airports in the country.

,

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 25 25,, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—41

Leadership in developing democracies: A Nigerian perspective (3) This is the third and concluding installment of a paper delivered by Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, speaker of the House of Representatives at the Council on Foreign Relatons, Washington DC, USA

I

T is now 14 years since Nigeria bade final farewell to military dictatorship and embraced civilian democratic governance. The forthcoming general elections of 2015 will be the fifth general elections in Nigeria since our return to democracy. This is a momentous achievement in Nigeria’s history, considering that previous attempts at democracy did not endure for more than a few years. The journey has not been smooth, but we have persevered. We have already overcome some major obstacles and we have no doubt there are further bumps ahead. However, when we look back on the road we have travelled we cannot fail to be confident that we will overcome whatever challenges may lie ahead.

We also take solace in the fact that the developed democracies went through similar or even worse bumps on their way to where they are today, and that even today, the most advanced democracies still contend with the ever evolving complexities of democratic practice. The longer Nigeria stays on the path of democratic progress, the better our people will become in choosing the right calibre of leadership to serve as custodians of the nation’s destiny.

The world must, therefore, be patient with Nigeria. Our problems are many but not insurmountable. And our potentials are immense; some

AMINU TAMB UW AL AMBUW UWAL would say limitless. The value of a stable Nigeria to global peace and stability is undeniable.

Nigeria’s democracy experiment must succeed. We in the Nigerian legislature are determined to ensure that democracy succeeds and endures in Nigeria, and that the people’s expectations from the democratic system of C M Y K

government are not betrayed.

Duty of developed democracies to emerging democracies: The burden of the consolidation of democracy cannot be carried by the e m e r g i n g democracies alone.

The developed democracies also have a role to play.

They have a duty to ensure the success of the democracy experiment in e m e r g i n g democracies. It is a duty they owe to the concept of democracy itself. They must understand that the success of democracy anywhere is good for d e m o c r a c y everywhere, and that the failure of democracy anywhere gives a general black eye to democracy as system of governance.

Importance of leadership Considering the importance of leadership to the success of democracy, and the importance of democracy to the emancipation of the world’s peoples from the shackles of fear, oppression, poverty, disease, ignorance and corruption, the developed nations must continue to find ways to assist developing nations to select the right leaders. They must not be weary of investing in the continuing training and improvement of l e a d e r s h i p capabilities in e m e r g i n g democracies. No development assistance is more crucial for emerging democracies than assistance targeted at nurturing of their future leaders.

Developed nations must resist the temptation to retreat into their isolationist cocoon and abandon the developing nations to find their own path around the maze of democracy.

Conclusion: Some analysts have hinted, rather uncharitably, that certain

regions or cultures in the developing world maybe naturally unreceptive to the ethos of democracy. They tend to suggest that there is some nutrient in the soil of certain countries that makes democracy flourish there, while the soil of other nations lacks this vital nutrient and is therefore inherently hostile to democracy.

This is a completely false prognosis. When all is said and done, it all comes down to leadership. With the right leadership, democracy will develop in the developing democracies.

May I once again thank the Council of Foreign Relations for affording me this unique opportunity to share my thoughts on this crucial issue. I eagerly look forward to gaining further insight on this subject from the contributions of other participants at this seminar.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 25 25,, 2013

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—43

44—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

NPA retirees plan blockage of ports

Orubebe for Warri confab

W

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI—MINISTER of Niger-Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, will lead the dialogue on how to revive the spirit of the old Warri among present-day residents at the third quarterly meeting of the Warri Rebirth Initiative, WRI, slated for September 29, in Warri, Delta State.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Kes Agbosa, said in a statement in Warri, yesterday, that the conversation by Orubebe would be the highpoint of the meeting expected to witness the unveiling of a new trustee for the group.

P

ORT HARCOURT— RETIREES of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, have vowed to embark on mass demonstration in all Nigerian ports if Federal Government refuses to pay all outstanding retirement benefits within 14 days.

The retirees, mainly 2006/2007 batch, said all peaceful consultations and complaints to NPA management had fallen on deaf ears over their agitation for their unpaid pension benefits.

In a statement, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, National Chairman of 2006/2007 NPA retirees, Charles Binitie, said there was no going back on the planned protest if government fails to address the issue.

Binitie said: “We are entitled to pension for life because we fall within the old pension scheme, especially as Federal Government’s circular of August 3, 2009 clearly stipulates.

“We are demanding 10 percent gratuity and pension as compensation for premature retirement. We are also demanding one year salary as compensation for those disengaged without completion of the minimum qualifying period for gratuity and pension.”

The retirees are also asking

Ososo backs Agbaje

A

PRESSURE group, Movement for Emancipation of Ososo in Politics, has drummed up support for Mr. Emmanuel Agbaje to contest the state House of Assembly election in Akoko-Edo in Edo State on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015.

Secretary of the Movement in the community, James Osheku, said the decision of the leaders and stakeholders to adopt Agbaje was in the best interest of the community.

The group said that its members, at home and abroad, were irrevocably committed to the call.

He stated that Agbaje’s philanthropy, humility and vision for a better Ososo was what propelled the community’s decision.

However, Agbaje said: “It is too early to start discussing 2015. I am concerned about the unity, peace and progress of my people.”

for payment of repatriation allowance as was done in the case of 2008 disengaged employees.

He said: “We have given the Managing Director of NPA one week ultimatum to implement recommendations of the report of March 26, 2012.

“Minister of Transport has re-

plied our letter dated June 24, 2013, ordering the Managing Director of NPA to reply him within a week.

“But the MD is yet to reply as directed for reasons best known to him. On October 3, if nothing happens to our demands, we are going to block entrances of ports nationwide.”

INEC unveils 2012/2016 plan

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—INDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, unveiled its strategic plan for 2012-2016 to stakeholders in Bayelsa State aimed at improving the conduct of future elections.

The package contains two documents: the strategic plan and programme of action.

Speaking at the presentation in Yenagoa, state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, said the plan details the commission’s vision, mission and core values, while looking at the international and national environments, as well as the national context (political, economic, so-

cial and technological, PEST) within which it operates.

According to him, the strategic plan document also detailed the analysis of the operational environment, from which five thematic aims were distilled.

This, he said include “delivery of free, fair and credible elections, improvement of voter

ATIONAL Movement of Nigeria, NMN, has hailed the declaration of national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the no confidence vote passed on Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, by some party members, was inconsequential and of no effect.

The group also commended PDP leadership for warning that the party would no longer tolerate indiscriminate pronounce-

ments by party members against persons and organs legitimately holding sensitive positions.

Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, National Publicity Secretary of the movement, in a statement, said the drama of name dropping and mudslinging at the party in Edo North senatorial district of Edo State recently “has its roots in Etsako Central.”

He said: “Some PDP leaders, feeling intimidated by Oghiadomhe’s performance, are using ignorant party mem-

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—OHANEZENdigbo has called off the planned Igbo Day celebration scheduled to hold in Delta South and Central sena-

bers to cause confusion and raise tension.”

Ihimekpen urged Oghiadomhe not to be distracted in his duty at the Presidency and in ensuring that Edo people, South-South and indeed Nigerians get dividends of democracy.

He pledged the support of NMN to President Jonathan’s transformation agenda, which he said remains the last hope to re-direct the country towards the path of development.

torial districts, Delta State, on Sunday.

A letter forwarded to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, stated that the cancellation was in the interest of peace and unity in the state.

It said: “We are worried at the antics of the contending factions with regard to the oncoming Igbo Day celebration billed for September 29.

“Consequently, the National .

Executive Committee of Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, at a meeting on September 16, decided that it was vital that this year’s celebration in the south and central zones of Delta State be stood down to maintain law and order.”

According to the letter, no group was permitted to summon Ndigbo to any location for collective celebration.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

education, training and research, efficient registration and monitoring of political parties and development of mutually beneficial relationships with relevant stakeholders, nationally and internationally as well as development of an organisation-wide effective monitoring and performance evaluation plan.”

Delta Igbo Day celebration cancelled

NMN lauds PDP leadership over Oghiadomhe

N

When contacted, General Manager NPA, Eastern Operation, Sunny Nwobi, said: “They are free to protest, but it would be better they go to NPA head office to protest instead.

“That is the place they can be heard. Even as General Manager, my gratuity and pension will be paid at the head office.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Abuja Apo killings

HIS is what is happening every where. Once you are Hausa and have problem with somebody, the next thing is to report you as Boko Haram. For how long will this nonsense continue in this country?— Miss Akinkunmi Horlar, Student.

T

ECURITY agents now kill and call the victims Boko Haram in an area that never witnessed the group’s activities. Whoever perpetrates such acts should be rest assured that one day he or she will account for the actions.— Mr. Peter Ekpo, Businessman.

S

HIS is a country where corruption is celebrated. Our leaders are not ashamed.

Why should we expect a government that cannot fix electricity to fight terrorism? They kill innocent ones and claim to be winning the fight.— Mr. Adesoji Shiyanbola, Businessman.

T

feel so ashamed that despite this Abuja killing, where innocent people were killed in the name of being Boko Haram, our leaders and politicians are busy talking about 2015 elections. Is it not only the living that will cast votes?— Pastor Nelson Azubike, Cleric.

I

S it a curse to be poor and struggle for survival in Nigeria?

Who will protect the poor from these lazy, politically-motivated and money-induced security agents, who cannot tackle the real criminals and terrorists?— Mr. Spencer Julius, Sound Engineer.

I

SS is a very professional organisation and they have been in the vanguard of this war against these criminal elements in the North under the leadership of prominent politicians. DSS will win this war for Nigerians.— Mr. Samson Robinson, ICT Consultant.

D

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—45

NIC strikes out firm's name from industrial action suit

Ex-militants fault Kuku claims on amnesty

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM ENIN CITY—THE Forum of Ex-militants in the Niger Delta, weekend faulted the figures given by the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme, Mr Kingsley Kuku, as those that have benefited from the educational and skill acquisition of the programme, and urged him to be sincere to Nigerians on the matter.

While they appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to look into the plight of majority of the ex-militants, who are suffering alleged marginalisation, they lamented that “they promised us housing allowance and other financial benefits for us to drop our arms, as we speak, we are yet to see any of these benefits.

"A situation where some militant leaders are financially empowered at the detriment of the generality of the exmilitants is an aberration and a threat to the success of the programme.”

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

B

It's our turn to produce Delta gov in 2015 — Delta North leaders

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

A

GBOR—DELTA North elders, leaders and stakeholders forum of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts to support Delta North in its political aspiration to produce the governor of the state in 2015.

Chairman of the forum, Pastor Anthony Enuenwosu, at a meeting in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state, explained that the call became imperative as it would go a long way to entrench the culture of equity, fairness and justice in the political landscape of Delta State.

He said “since the people of Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts have each produced the governor in the persons of Chiefs Felix Ibru and James Ibori (Delta Central) and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta South) with the support from the people of Delta North, equity demands that the governorship pendulum should swing to Delta North.”

T

VISIT—Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen (left) admiring a sourvenir from Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed during the latter's visit to Government House, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Ijaw groups want Jonathan to appoint Urhobo minister

BY EMMA AMAIZE ARRI—LEADERS of three Ijaw groups in Delta State, have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to seize the opportunity of his recent sack of nine ministers to appoint an Urhobo native as minister in his new cabinet.

National president of the National Council of Ijaw Activists, NACIA, Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene, President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, Mr Austin Ozobo and President, National Association of Izon–Ebe Law Students, NAIL, Mr Ebi Wayas, said in a statement “The appointment of an Urhobo minister after the exit of Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi is long overdue.

W

“The Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State should be compensated for their 100 per cent support for Mr. President during his election.

Uhrobo deserved a place in Jonathan’s administration, they should be given a sense of belonging in Goodluck’s administration, their support should not be taken for granted.

“President Jonathan should appoint a credible and acceptable Urhobo son as a minister as an acknowledgement of their unalloyed support for him.

“The Urhobo are one of the pillars of the Niger-Delta, they

have contributed meaningfully to the development and sustainability of this country. We appeal with Mr. President to consider the Urhobo for a ministerial appointment.

"The Ijaw people are not greedy, they stand for transparency and accountability, so the Urhobo are our good brother, there is need for them to also benefit from Goodluck’s administration. We also call on Ijaw leader, Papa Edwin Clark, to facilitate the process for appointment of Urhobo minister to give the Urhobo a sense of belonging,” they said.

Don't force people to support Jonathan's second term bid — Sen Abe

T

HE senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has said that the people of the South-South geopolitical zone should not be forced to support the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abe, who spoke in Port Harcourt, also said that there was no need to heat up the polity ahead of 2015 general elections since there was freedom of association and choice of who to support under the constitution.

He lashed at those who think that because President Jonathan wants to contest the 2015 general elections, no other person from the South-South zone should seek any other position in a democracy.

He said that the ascendancy of the SouthSouth zone to the Presidency was as a result of zoning arrangement and that the people of the region do not constitute majority in the country, hence the need not to abuse the benefits.

He berated those attacking Rivers State governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, for not supporting the second term ambition of President Jonathan, saying that while the President has the constitutional right to seek for a second term in office, Amaechi also has the constitutional right to support whoever he wants.

Senator Abe said: “Those who acknowledge that the

President has a constitutional right to contest must also acknowledge the constitutional right of others to support whoever they want. The constitution is for everybody.

“The best thing for us to do in this country, whether North, East, South, West or SouthSouth, is to allow our politics to be driven by ideas. Those who feel strongly enough about something, regardless of where they come from must be allowed to canvass their opinions and express their feelings.”

The senator said: “Governor Amaechi remains a leading light in the country as a performer under our democracy,” pointing out that his developmental strides will speak for him at the appropriate time."

HE National Industrial Court in Lagos has adjourned till November 12, 2013 for hearing in the suit by a new generation bank, seeking to stop its sacked workers from carrying out nationwide strike.

The court also struck out the name of the third respondent, C&M Exchange Limited, from the suit.

In a ruling, Justice B.B. Kanyip, held that since the workers were employee of C&M Exchange Limited and had decided to go on strike as members of a trade union, it would be a mistake to put the workers and the third respondent as one in the suit.

“The third respondent in an application urged the court to strike out its name from the suit but should rather be joined as claimant in the suit.

"I don’t think that the third respondent can be defendant in this suit and I hereby, strike out the name of the third respondent from the suit."

Burutu LG empowers SURE-P trainees, physically challenged

B

OMADI—THE Federal Government’s Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, has yielded dividends in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, as 82 youths, who were sent for training on fish farming at Shonghai Farms Ltd in Sapele, Delta State, have been empowered with starter packs, during the flag off ceremony of the programme.

Also, 10 physically challenged indigenes were presented with N100,000 cheque each to start off petty trading in their localities.

Transition Committee Chairman of Burutu council, Navy Capt. Buckman Deinne (rtd), expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for being a man of his words by fulfilling the promise made to Nigerians in 2011 on the subsidy removal through the re-investment and empowerment programme, stressing the President’s determination had yielded fruits in Burutu.

46—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Crisis rocks Anambra LP

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA—LA BOUR Party in Anambra State, yesterday, joined the fray of crisis-ridden political parties in the state as a factional governorship candidate, Mr. Peter Nwosu, headed for the court claiming he was the authentic flag bearer of the party.

This is coming barely two weeks after the national leadership of the party officially handed over the party flag to Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah as its governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Speaking with Vanguard, Nwosu said he had to go to court to get his ticket to contest the election because the national leadership of the party, under Mr. Dan Nwanyanwu, compromised the party primary election, and did not allow for a level playing ground for the aspirants.

Nwosu, who claimed to be one of the founding members of LP in 2000, said he headed to court to ensure that justice was done in the controversy as to who was the authentic candidate for LP. He said: ”Anybody can say anything that he likes.

If anybody says that I am not a member of the party.

The authentic executive in the state are all with me.

So, the court will decide who is the candidate of the party.”

Achalla holds new yam festival

A

BY EDIRI EJOH

WKA—THE palace of the paramount ruler of Achalla kingdom, Anambra State, has declared that the community’s new yam festival for this year would hold on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Speaking with Vanguard, yesterday, in Awka, a palace source said the event, held annually to foster peace and unity among people of the community as well as showcase the tradocultural heritage and values of the eastern Nigerian community, would come with a difference this year.

Achalla, an acclaimed largest farm community in the east, is said to have migrated from Igala and is the capital of Awka North, a Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Party members reject Abia commissioner-nominee zTake protest to Assembly zSay he is not a PDP member

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—THE leader ship of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State has rejected the re-nomination of Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, the immediate past Commissioner of Information in the state and urged the state House of Assembly not to clear him.

Besides, ward chairmen of the party at Umunneochi also passed a vote of no confidence on the former commissioner, saying he contributed nothing to the party to warrant his return as commissioner.

To press home their case, party members, wielding placards, protested to Abia House of Assembly to kick against his screening.

Eze Chikamnayo’s trouble started last week when he appeared before the House of Assembly for screening after he was re-nominated by Governor Theodore Orji as a commissioner designate.

Why we’re relocating Umuahia market, by Gov Orji

U

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Theodore of Abia State said in Umuahia, yesterday, that the planned relocation of Umuahia Central Market within months was in the best interest of inhabitants of the capital city and peripheral communities. According to him, it will bring about the much needed expansion in the market.

He said the expansion in the market, when completed, will help in the decongestion of the city in so many ways.

The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Ben Onyechere, said: “The decision by this administration to build another market is the realisation of a dream as it had been the desire of the people for a long time.

“This relocation will particularly give rise to the development of the surrounding hinterland because of the volume of traffic and commerce that will run to and from the new market as much as it would open up market for agricultural produce for more farmers.

“We are well aware of the discomfort caused by the market for which reason we had expended huge sumsofmoneynotonlytoconstructmarkets but to give the people befitting commercial outlets with all amenities of international standard that will stand the test of time.”

The member representing his constituency in the House declined to present him for screening, saying he did not have the mandate of his constituency to do so.

Vanguard learnt that the former commissioner had been having a running battle with the leadership of the party in his council.

The party leadership had accused him of not contributing a kobo to the development of the party in his ward and local government area.

In fact, they accused him of not being a PDP member and said he

had always boasted that party or not, he would get whatever appointment he wanted as he claimed to be close to the governor’s family, and had no respect for the leadership of the party in the council.

The protesters, led by secretary of the party in the local government area, Elder Nwokoro Osondu, said the commissioner-designate was not a PDP member and deserved no appointment on the platform of the party.

Also, in a petition signed by seven ward chairmen of the

party in the council area, they urged the House Committee not to screen him.

The petition reads in part: “We, the ward chairmen of PDP in Umunneochi Local Government Area, met and after a review of the activities of Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, passed a vote of no confidence on him and aligned ourselves with the protest by the LGA executives on the nomination of Eze Chikamnayo as commissioner-designate. This is prompted by his demeanour and disposition towards our party, the PDP.”

SEMINAR: Mr. Wole Obayomi, Partner and Head, Consumer Markets Line of Business, KPMG Nigeria, Toyin Gbagi, Consumer Market, Audit Services; Mr Andrew Williams, Partner, Management Consulting, KPMG UK, Mr. Segun Sowande, Partner, Management Consulting, Advisory Services, KPMG Nigeria and Mr. Ajibola Olumola, Partner, Tax Regulatory and People Services, during the KPMG’s cost optimiization breakfast seminar in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Police nab cleric with fake number plates

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State police command, yesterday, paraded one Rev Charles Ubani, a former staff of the state Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly faking the new vehicle number plates which he sold to unsuspecting motorists.

The suspect was accused of forging Abia State Government’s letter-headed papers with which he used to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

Parading the suspect at the state police headquarters, Umuahia, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Abubakar, described Ubani as a cleric with All Saints Anglican Cathedral Church, Abayi Umuocham, Aba. He alleged that the suspect was also arrested for unlawful possession of four similar vehicle number plates.

Abubakar alleged further that the suspect specialized in faking vehicle number plates and had allegedly been issu-

ing the same fake number plates to different people, which had been causing problems between vehicle owners and operatives of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. According to him, his trouble began when the number plates started fading and with FRSC operatives arresting the owners of such vehicles who in turn found out that about three vehicle owners allegedly have the same number plates.

LG poll postponement: Lawmaker blames Anambra govt ment as a rape on democracy, and government were sincere

O

BY ENYIM ENYIM

NITSHA—A lawmaker in Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Gabriel Onyenweife, yesterday, blamed the postponement of local government election from October 5 to December 14 on Governor Peter Obi. Onyenweife, who is chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, described the develop-

arguing that Obi’s government knew the council poll was not feasible before fixing the date.

He said it was preposterous for Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC, to give a flimsy excuse that the scheduled poll was postponed because some political parties could not submit the list of their candidates.

Onyeweife said if ANSIEC

about their preparedness to conduct the election, the electoral body should have gone ahead to conduct it for the parties that submitted their list.

He said: “We have done our part and it remains for the executive to to do its part. They should explain to the people of Anambra State why they should make them to mobilize people and waste their hard earned money.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—47

VISIT: From left, Hon. Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN; Mrs. Ebele Okoye, Regional General Manager, and Engr. Lee Chek, site engineer, during an inspection visit to the New Port-Harcourt International Airport, yesterday.

AWARD: From left, Head, Government Relations, Nigeria Breweries Plc, Mr. Vivian Ikem; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc, Mr. Joe Hudson; General Manager, Business Process, Mr. Michael Awannayah, and Corporate Brand Manager, Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun, both of Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc, during presentation of Best Company in 7th SERAS Nigeria CSR Design in Sustainability Award to MD/CEO, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria Plc, at Muson Centre. Photo: Sylvester Okoruwa

COMMISSIONING: From left, Executive Chairman, Igbogbo Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Basanya Adegbenga; the representative of Ikorodu Constituency 2,Lagos Assembly, Hon. Nosimot Akinsola; APC chieftain, Elder Olorunfunmi SENSITISATION: National Enviromental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency, Bashorun, the project facilitator; Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa, NESREA, staff (middle), addresing audience, during sensitisation exercise by NESREA, in and the former Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Chief Famsat Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye Gbedebo, during the commissioning of Solar Street Lights on Oba Molaja Ogunlewe Road, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

CAMP: Cross-section of children at the Children's Summer Camp sponsored by Flour Mills of Nigeria.

CAMPAIGN: From left, electrical engineer, Lagos State Electricity Board, LSEB, Demola Fashola; Energy Conservation Raffle Draw Winner, Abiola Ojelere, and Public Relations Officer, LSEB, Abosede Martins, at the energy conservation awareness campaign by LSEB, in Lagos.

VISIT: From left, Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund, LSSEF; Rear Admiral Anthony Okanlawon-Oni (rtd), Chairman, LSSEF Board, presenting LSSEF working document to Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Lagos State; Mr. Tajudeen Ajide, Chairman, Surulere Local Government, and Chief Emeka Dike, board member, LSSEF, when the board visited Iyaloja-General on awareness campaign for fund raising for LSSEF C M Y K

LAUNCH: From left, Mrs. Peju Adebajo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mouka Limited, Mrs. Omolara Fagbemi, Mouka Distributor; Mr. Jude Abonu,Chief Commercial Officer, Mouka Limited, and Mrs. Bose Akintoye, Mouka Distributor, at the official launch of Mouka Exquisite product, at the De Renaissance Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

SERVICE: Representative of Lagos State Governor, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (middle), with members of the Bench and Bar, during a special service for the opening of the 2013/2014 New legal Year, at the Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Katsina Govt concludes airlift of 4,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

65.2% cases of polio virus is in North-East — WHO

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

K

AT S I N A — T H E Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board has concluded the airlifting of its 4,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for this year ’s Hajj.

Alhaji Aminu Danbaba, the Executive Director of the board told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Katsina that the transportation was completed on Saturday.

He attributed the success of the exercise to the orderly conduct and maturity exhibited by all those involved in it.

Danbaba particularly commended the government and people of the state, officials of Max Airline and other stakeholders for their contributions in making the exercise a success.

He prayed for the safe return of the pilgrims at the end of the Hajj rites.

1,300 Plateau Muslim pilgrims to be airlifted September 30

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS—THE 1,300 in tending Muslim pilgrims are to be airlifted from Plateau State on September 30, the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alh. Salisu Musa has said.

Musa spoke at the Central Mosque, Jos, the state capital during an orientation couurse for the intending pilgrims.

He said, ‘’1,300 are going for this year ’s Hajj.

The state government would be sponsoring 200 people. The local government areas in the state would also sponsor 200 people while 850 others are self-sponsored. ”We have secured 750 visas for those who passed the screening exercise and the first flight will be on the 30th of this month.”

SWEARING-IN—The Speaker, Protempo, Hon. Philemon Usman Gidanmana,(R) swearing-in the new Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Shehu Usman Tahir, at the House Chamber, Kaduna,yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Kaduna House of Assembly Speaker impeached K

ADUNA—THE Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Mu’azu Gangara, has been impeached.

Gangara was removed from office, yesterday, by 19 out of the 34-member legislature, during a sitting in which both the speaker and his deputy, Dogara Matoh, were absent.

The lawmakers, headed by Mr Phelimon Gidanmana (PDP-Makera), also announced the appointment of Alhaji Shehu Tahir (PDP-Giwa West), as the new Speaker.

The News Agency of Nigeria,

NAN, reports that attempts to remove the speaker had been on since August, forcing the House leadership to agree to a 30-day ultimatum within which to change its style of leadership to accommodate all members.

The ultimatum had expired on September 14, and the aggrieved members said there had been no changes since the deadline.

The motion for the removal of the speaker, tabled by Gidanmana and seconded

by Yakubu Soja (APC-Zaria Kewaye), was unanimously

adopted by the members.

In his acceptance speech, the new speaker said the task before him was to reinvigorate the assembly for maximum result.

He pledged to guide the House into making laws that would promote “peace, unity and good governance in the state”.

While pledging to work closely with the executive and the judiciary, Tahir said the members would also perform their oversight responsibilities with diligence.

CURFEW: Kaduna residents besiege banks for mass cash withdrawals

K

ADUNA—BANK custom ers in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, yesterday, besieged Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, to make withdrawals before the commencement of the 15-hour curfew imposed on the town.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the town had been on 24-hour curfew since Friday which was relaxed on Monday by nine hours to allow the residents replenish their food stock and other needs.

A visit to some of the ATMs located in the town showed long queues of customers wanting to withdraw money as the banks remained closed due to the tense security situation.

Some of the customers said they had been on the queue for more than three hours and were

yet to get access to the machines.

Ms Hauwa Ibrahim, a health worker, said that although her September salary was paid into her account since Friday, she was unable to access the money due to the curfew.

“I have been on the queue since 9 a.m and its almost 12 noon because of the unprecedented crowd wanting to withdraw at the ATM,” she said.

Ibrahim urged bank officials to stock the ATMs with enough cash to avoid disappointing customers who joined the long queue.

Mr Silvanus Gambo, a

civil servant told NAN that he needed money to cater for his family needs, adding, “it is risky to stay without cash in times like this".

Mr Shehu Mohammed, a businessman said he was not bothered by the long queue as he was sure of getting his money.

“Few days ago, no one could go out to queue in the public, as we all remained at home without cash and living in fear,” he said.

A bank official, who pleaded anonymity, said that the banks would remain closed until the security situation in the area improves.

NAN reports that the residents were free to move about from 7a.m to 4p.m after which they must remain at home for the next 15 hours.

AUCHI—THE World Health Organization, WHO, has said that about 65.2 percent of polio cases recorded in the North this year were in the North-East zone.

Bauchi State Coordinator of WHO, Dr. Adamu Ningi made this known, yesterday, at a breakfast meeting organized for the media, by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency,SPHCDA, in conjunction with the state chapter of Journalists Against Polio, JAP. Ningi said: "As at September 11, Nigeria has 46 confirmed Wild Polio Virus, WPV, cases in nine states compared to 90 in 11 states for the same period in 2012.

However, 31 out of the 46 cases, representing about 65.2% were in the NorthEast zone,with Borno and Yobe states alone accounting for 21 cases, or about 45.7 percent.

He expressed worry that the influx of people from neighbouring states like Plateau,Borno and Yobe, due to problems of flood and insecurity, could trigger new cases of the virus in the state.

Ningi however, further said that WHO had established primary health care centres at the borders and partnered with nurses who conducted regular rountine polio immunization for children below the age of five, before they entered the state from other neighbouring states.

Film on N’Delta for award

L

AGOS—A FILM pro duced by Media, Information and Narrative Development (MIND), Daughters of the Niger Delta, has been nominated for an award at the ongoing 10th Abuja International Film Festival.

The film would be on the screens at Silverbird Entertainment Centre (Silverbird Cinema), Abuja tomorrow.

The film, produced as part of MIND’s capacity building programme, FEMSCRIPT, tells a different story about the Niger Delta than the usual media reports about oil outputs, conflict, and kidnapping.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013— —49

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

UN Assembly: World powers wrangle over Syrian crisis T

HE United Nations General Assembly began deliberations yesterday with world powers pushing for tougher action against Syria. US President Barack Obama demanded that the United Nations take tough action against Syria, as Russia wrangled with the West over how to strip Bashar al-Assad of his chemical arsenal.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened the United Nations General Assembly leaders’ debate by calling on outside powers not to fuel the conflict, but Obama warned he remains ready to use force in Syria and the wider Middle East.

The annual summit of

world powers came as Moscow signaled it may allow a US-Russian plan to collect and destroy Assad’s poison gas arsenal to be enshrined in international law.

But Russia remains strongly opposed to allowing the Security Council to bolster such a resolution by permitting member states to use sanctions or force to enforce the deal.

In his own UN speech, Obama warned the United States was ready to defend its interests in the Middle East, by ensuring oil supplies and eradicating weapons of mass destruction. Rebel fighters load a shell into a canon aimed at pro-regime forc-

“There can be no discussing the adoption of a resolution under Chapter VII about the automatic implementation of sanctions or, all the more, the use of force,” Ryabkov told the State Duma lower house of parliament.

Obama urges unity against global extremism

B

•President Barack Obama es in the Sheik Said neighbourhood of Syria’s northern city of Aleppo on September 24, 2013.Secretary General of the

United Nations Ban Kimoon speaks at the 68th United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013.

Five killed, 11 detained as Kenya ends mall siege rubble including the terENYA’S president K rorists,” he added. The said yesterday that his forces had “defeated” death toll had previously Islamists from Somalia’s al Shabaab, had shot five of them dead and detained 11 others suspected of killing 67 people after storming a Nairobi shopping mall.

It remained unclear after Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation on television yesterday whether the four-day security operation at the upmarket Westgate centre was completely over, or whether any militants were still at large or hostages unaccounted for.

“We have ashamed and defeated our attackers,” Kenyatta said, adding that bodies were still trapped under rubble following the collapse of part of the building late in the operation. A fire

A contingent of Kenyan troops at Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi yesterday. began on Monday which officials said was started by the gunmen.

Sixty-one civilians and six security personnel had been confirmed killed in the four days of bloodshed, Kenyatta said. Five of the attackers were shot dead and 11 suspects were in custody: “Kenya has stared down evil and triumphed,” he said.

The president added

that he could not confirm intelligence reports that a British woman and two or three Americans might be involved. Forensic scientists were involved in trying to identify the nationalities of the “terrorists”, he said.

“Towards the tail end of the operation, three floors of the Westgate mall collapsed and there are several bodies trapped in the

been put by officials at 62.

“These cowards will meet justice as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are,” said the president, who thanked other leaders for support and used his address to both praise the response of the Kenyan people and call for national unity, six months after his election was marked by ethnic tensions.

Kenyatta had rejected the militants’ demands that he pull Kenyan troops out of its northern neighbor. As part of an African peacekeeping force in Somalia, Kenyan forces have pushed al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab on to the defensive over the past two years.

US seeks resumption of diplomacy with Iran O

BAMA yesterday pushed for pursuing diplomacy with Iran’s new government, but called on Tehran to be transparent about its nuclear program.

“The roadblocks may prove to be too great, but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested,” Obama told the UN General Assembly, speaking just before Iranian President Hassan Rowhani was to address the annual summit.

Obama said he had instructed US Secretary of State John Kerry to pursue a possible new diplomatic opening with Tehran. Kerry will meet today with his new Iranian

counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif as well as foreign ministers from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia at the United Nations head-

quarters.

It will be the first such minister-level talks on the nuclear issue since the negotiations were launched a decade ago.

But Obama stressed that Iran must take “transparent” and “verifiable” actions to end international suspicions over its nuclear program.

Brazil condemns US spy programme

B

RAZIL’s president delivered a stinging rebuke yesterday to the United States over its surveillance program that has swept up data from billions of telephone calls and emails that have passed through Brazil including her own.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly on the first day of its annual meeting, President Dilma Rousseff accused the U.S.

He emphasized that the resolution should be aimed at bolstering the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversees the treaty banning such arms.

of violating Brazil’s sovereignty with what she called a “grave violation of human rights and of civil liberties.”

“In the absence of the respect for sovereignty, there is no basis for the relationship among nations,” Rousseff said.

“Friendly governments and societies that seek to build a true strategic partnership, as in our case, cannot allow recur-

ring illegal actions to take place as if they were normal. They are unacceptable.”

Brazil is an important hub for trans-Atlantic fiber optic cables. The NSA, tasked with intercepting potential terror communications, also reportedly hacked into the computer network of state-run oil company Petrobras.

ARACK Obama, the US president, has challenged the international community to confront the causes of turmoil in the Middle East, saying the attacks on US citizens in Libya “were attacks on America’’ and the world faces “a choice between the forces that would drive us apart and the hopes we hold in common’’.

Obama’s speech to an annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, was his last before the November election, and campaign politics shadowed his words as he also spoke forcefully on Iran’s nuclear programme, the violence in Syria, the peace prospects between Israelis and Palestinians and the tensions that can come with freedom of speech.

”I do believe that it is the obligation of all leaders, in all countries, to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism,’’ Obama said.

The president condemned the amateur antiMuslim video made in the US that helped spark the recent protests that killed dozens of people, including the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, calling it “cruel and disgusting’’.

Obama mentioned the slain US ambassador several times in his address and said the US “will be relentless in tracking down the killers and bringing them to justice’’. ”There is no speech that justifies mindless violence,’’ Obama said. But he strongly defended the US constitution’s guarantee of the freedom of expression, “even views that we profoundly disagree with’’.

Merkel seeks ‘grand coalition’ after victory

O

NE day after Ger mans voted in parliamentary elections, preliminary final results show that Angela Merkel will remain chancellor, with her centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) likely forming a “grand coalition” with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

The biggest drama of any election - who will become the country’s next leader?

- was largely a foregone conclusion, with Merkel’s CDU dominating in the polls.

Preliminary final results of Sunday ’s contest showed the CDU with more than 40 percent of the vote - the most it has won since the early 1990s - leaving it just a few seats short of an absolute majority in the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament.

The true excitement lay on the margins, as two parties tried – and failed, according to the preliminary results – to earn the five percent of the vote

•Merkel needed to win seats in parliament.

The CDU’s victory was tempered by their coalition partner’s big loss. The probusiness, laissez-faire Free Democratic Party (FDP) fell short of the five-percent hurdle, for the first time since 1949.

At an FDP electionwatching party at a central Berlin wine bar, welldressed supporters - many wearing suits and yellow ties, the party’s colour moaned and muttered expletives when the first exit polls results were released showing them below five percent.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—51

I’ll take Anambra to the next level — Obiano

BY EMEKA MAMAH

T

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has unfolded a 10Point Strategic Plan that revolves around education, health, environment, infrastructural development, as well as commerce and industry.

Other areas Obiano said he would give priority if elected included agriculture, security and social welfare, housing and urban development, tourism, sports, youth development and administration and civil service.

He spoke in an interview with newsmen, in Lagos, weekend adding that he was ready to take the state to a new level of development, if elected.

Obiano, who retired as a banker after over 30 years of service, said that Governor Peter Obi’s solid foundation in the state can only be useful if someone with a track record of excellent performance was allowed to succeed him and expand the vision.

His words: “Governor Peter

Obi has given us a new Anambra; a great place where positive changes are taking place. Ndi Anambra cannot allow our beloved state to take a slide into the dark days again. We have seen the light.

We cannot return to darkness.

My running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke and I are prepared to expand the current development paradigm in the state. We have the experience and the academic and professional pedigree to give Anambra a purposeful leadership.”

He further said that “for Anambra State to become the first choice investment destination and the hub for industrialization and commercial activities,’’ he would create a socially stable and business friendly environment that would attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in the area.

Obiano further explained that at the core of his administrative strategy for Anambra lies the “3Cs Paradigm” which loosely stands for Continue, Complete and Commission all ongoing projects of Governor Peter Obi. Earlier in his opening

•Obiano

remarks, Governor Obi explained that the choice of Chief Obiano and Dr. Okeke was made in the overall interest of the state.

“I challenge other parties to present the credentials of their candidates for people to see.

Chief Obiano and Dr. Okeke

are clearly ahead of their rivals educationally, professionally and managerially,” he said, adding that it would be wrong to hand over the business of the state to people who have not managed their own personal businesses well enough.

“Anambra State deserves better than the candidates that other parties are putting forward for this election. The minimum for Anambra should at least be a university degree.

This is because our world has changed and the task of running a state has local and international dimensions that only a sound education can place one on a comfortable pedestal to navigate. That is why APGA chose a team with the right backgrounds and competence for the job,” he declared.

According to him, a state like Anambra, with a superabundance of talents, skills, experience and gifted people deserves the kind of leadership that would attract the envy of its contemporaries. “Anambra is too blessed with human and material resources to play second fiddle to any state of the

Okorocha relocates to Anambra for APC

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

T

HE Senator Chris Ngige Campaign Organization was inaugurated in Awka yesterday with the leader of the campaign committee and Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying he would soon relocate to Anambra State for effective campaign activities.

Speaking during the inauguration, Okorocha said the November 16 contest would be between Ngige and Abuja, informing the people that Ngige will be the only governor that would use the resources of the state to develop the state without interference of political godfathers.

He said his decision to go

•Okorocha headlong into the campaign is that he would be very glad if Ngige is governor of Anambra and he as Imo State governor.

He said: “I want to relocate

to this place so that we will tell them the stuff we are made of. The battle will be forward ever, backward never.

My coming here will be for me to know where there is

any problem.

“Ngige is a proper Igbo man who cannot be tossed around by anybody if he is in government. He has the interest of the people at heart and that is what makes a good politician.”

Okorocha asked all the people he described as ward commanders in the 326 wards in the state to come and meet him in Owerri where it will be made it known to them that the battle ahead will not be easy..

“It is going to be push me I push you and the important thing is that the ward commanders should be steadfast in monitoring the votes."

Uzodike is APGA’s campaign DG

T

HE Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike has been named the director general of Willy Obiano Campaign Organization. Obiano is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA for the November 16 election.

The appointment was made after a meeting in Awka in which the APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, as well as Willy Obiano and his running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke attended.

Incidentally, Obiano and Uzodike attended the same secondary school, Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha

and both, at different times, won the John F. Kennedy Essay Competition for secondary schools in Nigeria.

Uzodike, a lawyer and an advertizing practitioner, had previously aspired to be the governor of Anambra State in 2003. He described Obiano as a good product to market compared with all his opponents.

•Ngige

federation.

Anambrarians are a discerning people. We are hopeful that they will give us their votes because we have a clear idea of what to do to restore Anambra State to its full glory,” he added.

In his own remarks, APGA Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh said the party had an obligation to field a team that would sustain the momentum of governance in the state and push the boundaries of development to a new height.

“Chief Willie Obiano and Dr. Nkem Okeke are outstanding Nigerians who have excelled in their chosen careers. Their backgrounds are verifiable and their records of service are in the public domain.

We took our time to select a team that will make other candidates develop serious doubts about themselves.

Anambra will be better with Obiano and Okeke in charge.

We hope our people will acknowledge this effort by voting them into office.”

Widows’ might for Ngige

T

HE people who witnessed the inauguration of the Ngige campaign team were made to contribute their widow ’s might which Governor Okorocha described as a covenant between the people and their future governor, Senator Ngige.

According to Okorocha, the donation by the people is Ngige’s seed money for the campaign and assured him that money will never be a problem during the campaign.

Ngige, who was delighted at the people’s magnanimity said he had never seen such a thing in all the years he has been in politics.

He said the donation by the people would make him to be more committed to the welfare of the people who contributed towards the campaign.

He reminded the people that the electoral battle will last for six hours from the time of casting the votes to the counting and urged them to know that that period will be critical.

“It is going to be a six-hour battle and it is either you win or you lose as there is nothing for the person who will come second. This therefore means that you must guard your votes until your candidate is declared winner.

52—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Opposition to Jonathan:

Questions the North must answer — Uduaghan DR. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State is in the second and final term of office as governor of Delta State. the Governor was last Thursday honoured with the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Lagos, the highest award given by the institution. Uduaghan, who is a medical doctor by training on the eve of the award, spoke to a selection of newsmen on issues in the polity including calls by a faction of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala should resign as Minister of Finance, calls for a national conference and his plans to hand over Delta to a credible successor. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

W

Various challenges We should remove the word ‘Sovereign’ we should hold a national conference. I talked about it maybe in low tones over three years ago because there are various challenges in Nigeria that we need to sit down and discuss.

There are regional challenges, there are security challenges, there are even religious challenges that we need to sit down and discuss and agree on the way forward.

There are economic challenges. We have to sit down and put them right on the table, and start a process of give and take: I am from this part of Nigeria and these are the

•Uduaghan challenges. You are from that part of Nigeria and these are the challenges.

Okay, I will give in to that and you will give in to this. We start the process of give and take and eventually arrive at something that is acceptable to everyone and we move up from there and build up from there. It might not even be the best by the time we even agree, but with time we would build up on what we have started as a people.

There is so much suspicion, there is so much distrust. Let me take the issue of President Jonathan for instance. Many people in the Niger Delta believe that this opposition against Jonathan is because he is from the Niger Delta. They started with performance but now people are beginning to see performance.

This is a President who had challenges from the beginning on insecurity. I don’t see any President who has had the kind of challenges he had on Boko Haram from Day One. What was one of the issues from Boko Haram? That if we

want to give you peace, then, you must become a Muslim if you want to continue as the President of Nigeria. Those are challenges that had never happened and these are things that have been on ground.

And the Niger Delta people are looking at it and asking, ‘is it because he is our son that all these problems are happening?

Is it because he is our son that is why there are those evil political moves?

Did they make those political moves against their people?

When they wanted to be President they came to us and we gave them the highest votes and now that our son is there, we expect that they should also give us the highest votes but are they? These are questions.

They may be abstract but they are questions that people from that (Niger Delta) region are asking. And that is why some of us are saying that the opposition to Jonathan should not come from his region and I still say it that the opposition should not come from his region.

People of his region should put their hands and heads together and see how we can build bridges across the other parts of Nigeria to make him succeed as a President.

I agree that there should be a

,

HAT’s your reaction to the calls for the resignation of Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Finance Minister by the NGF? I was very careful in listening to and reading the communiqué and I think the communiqué talked about an Appropriation Act that is based on ‘projections’.

If you read the communiqué, it talked about projection and what projection simply means is that you are not sure of what is on ground.

What that means is that you are making an estimate and your projection may be correct or may be wrong. What has happened is that I think the Federal Government is saying that our projection, although it is an Act, the projection figures are not quite adding up and so we cannot run it exactly the way it has been projected.

What is your reaction to the support of Senate President, Senator David Mark for a national conference?

I talked about national conference over three years ago and that Nigeria needs a national conference. What I refuse to agree with is a Sovereign National Conference.

ple and not have a succession plan.

You must have a succession plan, but the difference in our own case is that the person who is going to succeed me is going to be elected by the people. The person has to work hard, the person has to work on me that has one vote and also work on the people that have over two million votes.

The challenge about my succession plan is that I have put a structure in place that I am marketing to Deltans that we should build an economy beyond oil.

So, if you are going to succeed me you have to convince the people of Delta that your plan will be on developing the Delta economy without oil.

But if you say you want to continue to depend on oil forever and ever, I don’t think you will find it easy to be elected. So, when I talk about my succession plan, the person has to key into the programmes we are putting in place.

Why haven’t you held local government elections in Delta State?

Let me first of all say this that the issue of who fixes the date for local government elections is for the State Independent Electoral Commission. The responsibility of the governor is to put up that commission which I have done.

Unfortunately, by the time the

When they wanted to be President they came to us and we gave them the highest votes and now that our son is there, we expect that they should also give us the highest votes but are they? These are questions

national conference, if anything, to give everybody room to air their views and then we will start negotiating on what will happen.

What is your succession plan like in Delta?

It is on course. (General laughter) You have a succession plan?

Off course; when you talk of a succession plan there is no way you can hold a position without having a succession plan. There is no way you can be a political editor for exam-

,

life of the other council was finishing, the life of the DESIEC was also finishing.

We took a list to the State House of Assembly but somebody challenged the membership in court and it took us some time to get through that process because we had to appeal to him to remove the case from court before we inaugurated the commission. The commission is in place now and I hear they are going round sensitizing people and they will soon fix a date.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—53

Ekiti 2014:

I won’t be intimidated — Rep Bamidele

OPEYEMI Bamidele, who represents Ado-Ekiti/ Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, recently inaugurated Ekiti Bibire Coalition office in Ado-Ekiti but the inauguration was disrupted by mobile policemen, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Bamidele, fondly called MOB, found time to answer questions from journalists, where he accused the Ekiti State government of disrupting the inauguration.

Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT is your reaction to the disruption of your rally?

I must say that what happened to my mind was a major setback for democracy in Nigeria and a major set back for Ekiti State. This is a state that is widely celebrated as Fountain of Knowledge and a land of honour. One would not have expected that there would be such an unprovoked act of terrorism against the innocent people of this state. I insist that I have a right like every other Ekiti citizen, to aspire to be governor of this state.

I insist that by the grace of God, that I am qualified to lead this state. I insist to answer to the clarion call of Ekiti people, which as you have seen cannot be a ruse. I have no doubt that the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi has further enhanced my campaign.

Ekiti people have seen what happened, the government instigated the blockage of roads leading to Ado Ekiti as early as 6:30 am and for several hours, vehicles could not move into Ado Ekiti from all the major

have for me was real. I must say that I am overwhelmed by the show of solidarity, I am overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd that came to the venue of the inauguration and we chose to hold this campaign at our campaign office to avoid any kind of crisis.

We have four venues and we asked the Commissioner of Police to choose one. I am familiar with the provision of the Electoral Act and I know that until 90 days to the election, you cannot hold an open air rally and the Police Commissioner said to us ‘you can do it in your office or you can rent a hall and do it in a hall and anywhere that is fenced’.

And following his instructions, we had four options, the police approved one and at about 12 midnight the previous night, I got a call that we could not use the venue.

Even though it was very late to demobilize the people, I still called everybody and told them to forget the approved venue and use our own office.

Nobody had a problem with that, even the Director of the DSS and the Police Commissioner said it was okay.

,

As far as I am concerned, anyone who thinks this will deter me or discourage me from running this race is mistaken

roads leading to Ado Ekiti. It took the intervention of eminent citizens and elder statesmen in Ekiti including Aare Afe Babalola to prevail on the Inspector General of Police to intervene in this matter and get the State Police Command and soldiers to send thugs out of the road.

The ruse was that members of the road transport workers were the ones blocking the road. But it became obvious to everyone, at the end of the day, that it was the state government that did not want my independent campaign group, Ekiti Bibire Coalition to be launched and did not want me to have a platform to declare openly my aspiration to govern this state from October 2014. To the glory of God, the declaration has been done, the facts speak for themselves.

Ekiti people have made it clear that whatever love they

,

I will not be the first person to declare his intention to run for governorship in 2014, at least five other aspirants from various political parties have done it, so that is why I am surprised that the state government will make a big issue out of my decision to declare my intention.

Who would you say actually disturbed the rally, was it the police, thugs or the state government?

I will say very clearly that the disruption of the rally was at the stance of the state government and this was an information I gathered five days ago. I wrote a letter to the governor to say that I learned that a meeting was held in the office of your Chief of Staff, attended by several of your political appointees, who said it was an affront for anyone to run against a sitting governor, who was still interested for a

•Bamidele second term. If anybody would have a second term I do not think it should be at gun point.

I insist by my own antecedents that my right to aspire is inalienable and as far as I am concerned, whether the governor likes it or not, he has challengers in me and in other aspirants.

Anyone who wants to do second term in office, should leave it in the hands of God and let the people decide. To intimidate people out of a race can only lead to tension in our polity and that is what you have seen. I wrote a letter to him (Fayemi) and I published the letter.

Do you have a copy?

Yes I do. I published the letter, as a matter of fact, as a paid advertorial in one of the national newspapers. Let me say again that I take this as a battle but it is not a battle that I will fight as an individual, it is a battle that God will fight, it is a battle that Ekiti people will fight. Ekiti people will get the kind of leaders they deserve.

It is the decision of the people to determine who becomes the next governor of this state come October 2014 and no amount of intimidation will make a difference. I have learned early enough in my life to develop a

high sense of indignation and injustice. I take this as another battle of life to fight but I am relying on God to fight this battle, I am relying on Ekiti people to fight this battle because I know that things cannot continue to be this way.

With this rising tension, are you not worried that in the build up to the election, there could be violence?

I do not think so because as far as I am concerned, this is a demonstration and exhibition of a sense of leadership complex.

This is leadership complex because I cannot understand why a sitting governor should see someone in the House of Representatives as a threat to him. They keep saying I am not relevant but as far I am concerned, Nigerians can see what is happening. There are at least 20 other aspirants in Ekiti state today from different parties, but why this administration today, has made me such an issue is a puzzle only they can solve.

But like I said, it is a manifestation of leadership weakness, it is a manifestation of morbid fear of Ekiti people.

As far as I am concerned, this can only strengthen me. I do not entertain any doubt that by the grace of God and by the

popular demand of the people, I will succeed Dr Kayode Fayemi as the next governor of Ekiti State. It is not going to be by magic, it is not going to be by violence of any kind because I am not given to that, it is going to be by hard work. Through the grace and favour of God and through support of the people, I will run a scientific campaign in this state.

I will go to people at their homes, I will not run away, I will run a campaign of issues and make it very scientific. As far as I am concerned, anyone who thinks this will deter me or discourage me from running this race is mistaken.

I believe that every act of oppression can only strengthen the resolve of Ekiti people and it is only a matter of time, these issues will settle themselves.

By the time the chips are down, you may not be allowed to contest the election with the governor in the same party.

Well, I have not seen any reason why I will not be allowed to contest. This is a democracy, I have not seen anything that will disqualify me from contesting. The only way I will not be allowed to contest is if I were not eligible.

But a candidate has already been picked by the APC I am not aware that APC has picked a candidate, I am aware that APC has been registered as a brand new political party, I am also aware that APC has no structure in Ekiti state.

Membership register I am aware that the only mandate given by the interim national leadership committee of APC, at this point, was for people to go back to their respective states and open membership register and begin to register people.

No congress has held, either at the ward or local government level or state, so you do not have ward executive, local government executive and you do not have state executive.

How can you have a candidate?

And if anyone is saying APC has a candidate, then, it is obvious that they do not want Ekiti people to be part of APC and I do not think anybody would do that. In any case, where I will contest, on what platform is a decision I am going to leave in the hands of Ekiti people. I will consult widely and I will continue to consult. As far as I am concerned, the platform on which I will run for governorship of this state will be determined by the people of Ekiti.

54 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Drama as Lagos biz man attacks maid after impregnating her •arrested by police let anyone know about it or he would kill me.

“He later changed tactics when his wife returned from the hospital with their child. He bought me some can drinks and I didn’t know that they were drugged. I took some of the drinks and I slept off after drinking it and by the time I woke up, I discovered that I have been raped. I couldn’t tell his wife because I was scared.

By the end of February, I discovered that I was pregnant because I didn’t see my period when due. I called him and told him about it but he didn’t do anything.

“In May, the pregnancy started disturbing me, I told him about it, then he forced me

According to the petition, “On/or about the month of February year 2013, one of the man’s children became sick and as a result of which his wife had to stay with the sick child in the hospital where the child was admitted.

It was during this period that the businessman came to his residence, had unlawful carnal knowledge of our client forcefully with the use of knife, threatened, harassed, tortured, assaulted, attacked, beaten up, overpowered, tied her hands and tore her panties before he raped our client at his residence/house at 25, Kamoru Street, Ejigbo, Lagos and the said the man threatened/

,

All my screams fell on deaf ears, because there was no one awake to help me. He started by touching my breast and I woke up and saw him on my body. I asked him to get off me but he refused

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

T

HE police in Lagos State have arrested a middleaged man for allegedly raping and impregnating his 15-yearold maid identifed as Chinyere (surname witheld).

The suspect, who is currently being detained at the Anthony Police Division, Lagos, is married with four children.

Crime Alert gathered that the victim who only had primary education, is currently seven months pregnant. She was brought to the businessman’s home sometime in January, 2013, to work as a maid, while the master, a spare parts dealer at the Ladipo Market, promised to sponsor her education. The teenager who lost her father when she was six said she took up the job because her mother could not afford to send her to secondary school.

Crime Alert further gathered that few days after she commenced her job, her master started making sexual advances at her. “He usually peeped at me in the bathroom and would ask me to hug him when he is going to work. The worst part

of it was that he usually came to my bed place at night when his wife was deep asleep to romance my body and when I attempted to scream, he would hold my mouth and threaten to kill me if I allowed anyone know about it,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the man had his way sometime in February, when his wife was away to tend to one of their sick children in the hospital.

Carnal knowledge He was left alone with the maid and three of his little children. In the mid-night, he attacked her at her bedside, overpowered her and eventually had carnal knowledge of her. The girl said, ”All my screams fell on deaf ears, because there was no one awake to help me.

“He started by touching my breast and I woke up and saw him on my body. I asked him to get off me but he refused. He held me strongly, then tore off my pants and successful had sexual intercourse with me, after which he warned me never to

to take some drugs, claiming it will stop the pains; he also brought in a doctor who gave me some injections. I don’t know what that was for but in July, he became highly uncomfortable seeing me in his house. He asked me to park my things, he drove me to the bus park, paid my transport fare and gave me only N500 to take home to my mother in the village,” she narrated.

At the moment, the victim, a native of Enugu State is back in Lagos State to seek redress, but few days after she arrived, two stern-looking men attacked her along Anthony road where they rough-handled and threatened to kill her if she did not abort the pregnancy. The attack and subsequent threats to her life prompted her to secure the services of a Lagos based lawyer, Ikechukwu Chiaha, to fight her case. A petition has been sent to the Divisional Police Officer, in charge of Anthony Police Division to investigate.

A copy of the petition which was dated September 17, 2013, and made available to Crime Alert, called on the police to investigate and ensure that the criminal conduct of the man in defiling the teenager be brought to justice.

,

warned our client who was his maidservant never to disclose it that he would kill her if she did. When it was discovered about two months later that our

client was pregnant, he brought a quack medical practitioner who gave her drugs at his instance and instigation, he forced her to take the drugs. She took the drugs and they also used some instruments trying to abort the child but still, the pregnancy could not be aborted.

It is our brief that upon the insistence of the said businessman, our client was sent back to the village consequent upon which our client, confessed that she was impregnated by her master, whom our client said threatened to kill her if she ever mentioned his name as the person that impregnated her and he later told her the pregnancy must be aborted unless he would kill her. Recently, our client was brought back to Lagos by her cousin Mr. Osita Uzu and on September 16, along Anthony road, she was attacked by two fierce- looking young men who beat, rough handled, our client and threatened/warned her to abort the child unless she will be killed. In view of the foregoing facts, our client became apprehensive of her safety,” he stated.

N48m controversial land urges out-of-court settle

BY CHINENYE Nsukka

A

OZOR,

N Enugu state vacation judge, Justice Fidel Ngwu, sitting at Nsukka, has transferred to the regular courts, hearing on the enforcement of fundamental rights motion and counter motion before it. The suit number C/482M/2013 involves Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli (Applicants) and the Inspector-General of Police, (Respondents) in a N48million controversial land deal in Enugu.

In his ruling after counsel to the parties P.A.N. Ejiofor for first respondents, Godwin Ijoma for second and third respondents and Ifeoma Eze Okereke for the applicant announced the appearances indicating their interest to go on with the matter,

which was adjourned for hearing, the learned judge observed that in view of the fact that his court would cease to operate by next Monday, it would be futile embarking on a mission he would not accomplish.

He however advised the parties to seek solution to the matter outside the courts and the police. “I am minded that the days of this court are numbered, it will be futile for me to embark on a mission I cannot accomplish.

I therefore transfer this case to regular court. I want to re-echo my advice that it is most reasonable for parties to sort out the matter themselves than using the court and police. I am supposed to vacate the court this week.”

The director Vinolet Company, Engr. Okafor Ugochukwu Damian, had claimed in a counter affidavit that he bought two plots of land known as Plot 21 and 22 Emene

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

— 55

Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Controversy trail claims of neglect by wounded security guard •Our hands are clean-Pahek Security

By EVELYN USMAN & IFEANYI OKOLIE

T

deal, judge ment Industrial Layout and subsequently renumbered to as Plot 221 and 222; Emene Industrial Layout Enugu from Igwe Okoli and Engr. Ben Okwor but the land turned out to be revoked by the Enugu State Government. When the sellers could not deliver the relevant documents to Engr.

Ugochukwu, he reported the case to the Inspector-General of Police who invited Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli to his office.

However, instead of responding to the IGP’s invitation, Igwe Okoli and Engr. Okwor rushed to court for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights which Ugochukwu says was a ploy by Engr. Okwor and Igwe Okoli to evade police investigation.

Counsel to first respondent Mr. PAN Ejiofor and that of second and third respondents, Mr. Godwin Ijoma extolled the ruling saying it was the best under the circumstance.

•Before he was shot

the village where I spent four months in different herbal homes before the bullet was extracted locally. At a point, we ran out of finance to buy the necessary things for the treatment. I contacted the company’s supervisor, Mr Agbotit to find out the company’s effort at offsetting my medical bills and he assured me they would reach me soon but they never did.

“Since then, I have not been recalled to resume duty. When I eventually summoned courage to go with the hope of getting some money to off set my medical bills, I was told I absconded from work.

Power and money Since the incident happened, I have not been paid. And my salary is just N23,000 a month. They are treating me this way simply because they feel they have the power and money,” he said, almost in tears.

Petition: Determined to get what he described as his due, Joseph hired the services of a lawyer who petitioned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Lagos State Public Defender, the Police and other relevant agencies. “ It was when they got our letter that they called me for the first time. But all they said was that my refusal to collect the sum of N500,000 initially offered landed me in this mess.

In fact, when they offered me the amount, I told them to wait for my lawyer to be around before the offer would be made . And when he came, he insisted I should be given an additional amount which would settle my salary from the time the incident happened till date as well as my hospital bill.

As I speak, I have the doctor’s report

•Looking a shadow of his old self

•Charles Keku-MD, Pahek Security Services

which showed that I have opacities with we paid him his salary. But after a year, fibrotic streaks and calcific densities he resurfaced with a petition from some involving the left lung field. This, I am lawyers and we were invited to some of told, needs surgery and until it is done, the offices he copied. Another issue that the pain will continue. Instead of tackling is unclear is that he claimed a bullet this issue, they labelled me a HIV lodged into his chest. But the picture of victim.” the bullet he showed us revealed that it Rather than paying me, my boss went still had it’s shell intact. Ordinarily, if a ahead to say I am HIV positive. The bullet pierces into one, the shell is rumour is all over the place. supposed to be off but that of the one he Pahek reacts: The Group Operations claimed was extracted from him had its Manager, Pahek Security Services, Mr shell intact. Even when we were invited Akpor Triumphant described Joseph’s by the NSCDC, this was discovered and claim as untrue. According to him, “ Yes, his claim did not hold water at the end he was in our employment when he was of the day. Also at the office of the Public engaged in that incident. But it is yet to Defender where we were summoned, so be established whether he was actually many inconsistencies were discovered shot. First, he claimed robbers struck. in his claims.

But no one except him, heard the gun Undated medical report: “Again, the shots.

That fateful day, When they offered me the amount, I when we got i n f o r m a t i o n told them to wait for my lawyer to be about the around before the offer would be made . incident, we dispatched our And when he came, he insisted I should patrol vehicle be given an additional amount which rushed him to our hospital and we immediately medical report he has been parading contacted his guarantor, one Mr Ignatius with was discovered to be undated. And who joined us to the hospital. His claim when the doctor was contacted, we were that he was rushed to the hospital is not made to understand that he came to true because he walked to the CSO lobby for it, in order to use it to collect himself and it was not as if he was claims.

We are not part of his claim of native bleeding.

At the hospital, he was referred to the treatment. He was given every room for Lagos State University Teaching free medical treatment which would Hospital, LUTH, for further medical have been shouldered by the company but he absconded. We did not libel him attention. “ But to our surprise, the doctor called HIV positive in a bid to avoid payment. to inform us that he had left the hospital. That is absolutely not true. He filled in We even contacted his guarantor who his employment letter that he was HIV said he told us Joseph’s mother had positive. If we accepted him by taken him to the village and that he did employing his services, then where did not have their contact.That same month, victimization come in?

,

HE claims of a 36-year-old guard attached to a private security company in Lagos that he was neglected by the company after he sustained injuries from a bullet wound has been debunked by the company, Pahek Security. The company stated that the guard was offered adequate medical services but he absconded from the hospital and disappered to his vilage only to re-surface a year later to make frivolous claims. They further stated that the guard’s story was convoluted giving room for doubts over his claims adding that he was gainfully offered empoyment in spite of the state of his health.

Guard’s claims: The guard, Joseph Omeh from Oshimili North Local Government area of Delta State had earlier claimed that a stray bullet pierced into his heart while he was on duty at the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, in Apapa, Lagos on November 16, 2010, and he was rushed to a hospital for treatment,and was later referred to another hospital for extraction of the bullets lodged in his body. According to him, “All through the period I went for the treatment at St. Miller Hospital, no one from my company came to visit me. When the pain was becoming unbearable because of the bullet lodged inside my heart, my family took me to

,

56—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

US DV Lottery: Sign of good of bad omen?

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU & PRISCA SAM-DURU

J

UST when Nigerians were beginning to come to terms with the recent United Kingdom Visa Bond, the United States of America dealt yet another blow on the people last week by declaring that Nigeria was no longer eligible to participate in the US DV Lottery Programme.

Nigeria's ineligibility as explained by the US Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins,

was due to the fact that the country had already sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S through the DV Lottery platform, stressing that the figure was way past the stipulated number of immigrants mandated by the US Congress. He added that the U.S government expects Nigerians to understand that they have become fully part of American life, therefore, would no longer be encouraged to migrate through the DV Lottery plan, especially when there are

great and productive Nigerian-Americans in the U.S. The development unfortunately, has brought a lot of bad feelings to a number of prospective Nigerian DV Lottery applicants, who felt that the lottery programme was the only means through which they could legally relocate to America in the near future.

Many individuals accused America of paying back Nigeria in its own coin for not supporting same sex marriage while some others

• US Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins & Immigrant Visa Chief, Jay Sorensen

alleged that it was due to the mayhem caused by Boko Haram insurgency.

In response, Hawkins noted that Nigeria has a significant population in the U.S and having built a strong and healthy NigerianAmerican population in the US, there was no longer need to encourage migration through lottery. He said, N i g e r i a ' s ineligibility “has nothing to do with insecurity or Boko Haram. It has to do mainly with promoting immigration from countries that are u n d e r represented, and we have achieved that objective with Nigeria.”

Reacting to the issue, renowned immigration lawyer, Barrister Eddie Onyeka stated, “the suspension of Nigeria from the US DV Lottery Programme is another dark spot in the relationship between Nigeria and the United States and a matter of fact that President Obama has not warmed up to Nigeria to the extent that former Presidents Bush and Clinton did. It is an irony that the only platform on which o r d i n a r y Nigerians can key into the American dream has been withdrawn under the watch of the first AfricanA m e r i c a n President.

“I am aware that the US government has explained and tried to justify their decision. But if one looks beyond the finesse and niceties of diplomatic verbiage it would be seen that this

decision represents some form of sanction and indictment of Nigeria. It seems the United States has seen enough negative emissions from Nigeria to want to declare Nigerians persona non grata.”

Onyeka added, “It is absolutely within the sovereign jurisdiction of the United States government to regulate through immigration laws the ingress and egress of aliens. To the extent that those laws do not violate any higher norms known to international law, then they remain valid and enforceable. There is no legal remedy open to Nigerians to protest. It is a matter in the domain of diplomacy and it is doubted if Nigeria has anything to bring to the table to force a rethink of this decision.

Corporate existence “Before now, the US intelligence had raised concerns about the corporate existence of Nigeria beyond 2015. Then terrorism came into the fray and compounded the conundrum. And the Nigerian government has not shown proportionate seriousness in tackling very serious national challenges and has failed to grow its democracy in a way that gives confidence and commands respect in the international fora.

“The frenzy with which Nigerians, follow the DV Lottery is understandable given our local realities. I have recently represented a client who was rescued from the Lagoon opposite the US Embassy in Lagos in a suicide attempt because he won the DV Lottery but was denied the visa on the calm that he lacked the minimum academic requirements. I think the best response the Nigeria Government can pursue is to wake from its delirious slumber and to focus on upgrading the living standards of Nigerians through provision of basic necessaries such as employment, security, power, education, health care, housing and social security.”

consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—57

rest of Kelvin, he said, “The windmill of justice grinds slowly, but surely, and we reiterate that soon enough, the issue of Kelvin Oniarah and his gang will be confined to the archives of history.”

Antio-crime strategies working: Commenting on the respite being enjoyed from kidnappers for some months now in the state, he said, “Our anti-crime strategies/mechanisms put in place in Delta State is working effectively.

Our proactive measures are grass root based as we enjoy the full co-operation of most communities, where we have functional vigilante outfits with well harmonized intelligence dissemination. “

•LIMUP gang being cheered by Kokori women

Kelvin Oniarah and his newly formed Liberation Movement of the Urhobo people

Kelvin is insane, drug addict •Delta CP, Ikechukwu Aduba

•High-level conspiracy uncovered •Police, Army, SSS on his trail •Kokori people allegedly behind him; Parents on the run

By EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South & FESTUS AHON

P

OLICE open up: SINCE last Tuesday, when the most wanted kidnap/armed robbery kingpin in Delta State, Kelvin, dared the security agencies in the state by showing up at his country home, Kokori in Ethiope-East Local Government Area, which is supposedly under watch by security agents, and issued a 60day ultimatum to the State and Federal Governments, Deltans and other concerned Nigerians have been waiting for the police to speak on the effrontery.

Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who is in the thick of the battle to apprehend the suspect opened up exclusively to your soar-away Vanguard on the affair. First, he corrected the misleading information on the identity of the subject, who he identified as Kelvin Oniarah from Kokori in Ethiope East Local Government Area, and not Kelvin Obruvbe.

High level conspiracy: Not unexpectedly, he admitted that there was a high level of conspiracy in the criminal exploits of the gangster, a point that other top-level security officials had confided before now to Vanguard. Aduba, who got a phone call from Kelvin, C M Y K

in the first quarter of the year, pleading for amnesty, only for him (Kelvin) to renege, few days after the commissioner contacted the Inspector General of Police, IGP, on the request, disclosed that the people of Kokori were supporting the hoodlum.

••His days numbered: He, nevertheless, stated that Kelvin’s days were numbered, as there was a massive manhunt for him by the Army, Police and Department of State Service, DSS. His words, “There is total mobilization of security agencies, comprising the military, police and the SSS at Kokori and soon enough, the long arms of the law will eventually catch up with Kelvin as it has always happened against such notorious criminals.

“That he is being supported by highly placed individuals in Kokori is not in doubt and this point we have made severally.

Kokori is only a segment of Agbon clan and a good number of Kokori people are behind him.”

Dare-devil criminal: “Kelvin is a dare devil criminal and is not friendly with anybody - he is a drug addict, insane and cannot be relied upon by anybody.

Kelvin and his gang even tried to kidnap his traditional ruler – the Ovie of Agbon clan and the Special Adviser to a civil Com-

missioner, who is from Kokori axis.”

Investigation: “As regard the Tuesday, September 17, 2013, publication of a purported press conference given wide coverage by a national newspaper; whatever may have happened; from evidence and surrounding circumstances at our disposal for now, there is high level of conspiracy for which we are currently investigating, bearing in mind that most people in Kokori have sympathy for the kingpin’s criminal exploits.

Criminal exploits “The father and mother of Kelvin have gone underground and Kelvin himself is in exile and it is only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State Governor that can grant amnesty to a criminal. The conditions for such amnesty are well spelt out – surrender your weapons and disclose your collaborators, he said.

Kelvin not a freedom fighter: On if Kelvin, who recently identified himself as the leader of the newly-formed Liberation Movement of the Urhobo People, LIMUP, is a freedom fighter, he said, “That will be the height of

treachery as our country remains one and indivisible entity and the actions of a criminal fugitive should not becloud that fact. As far as we are concerned, Kelvin is still on the run and appearing and disappearing will not derogate from that fact. All the security agencies, including the Army,

He, however, added, “Security is not a one man business, but rather requires the tacit support of all and sundry to continuously grease our emplaced structures and the result of this collective impute is gradually being manifested.”

Petitions and litigations over demolished bases/cells: On the information that the Delta State Police Command had been inundated with petitions over the demolition of suspected cells/houses used by kidnappers and how the action was affecting the moral of his men, Aduba said, “The truth is that, yes - series of petitions and litigations have been initiated by some aggrieved persons against the State Government and the Nigeria Police Force for which our legal teams have joined issues with the litigants at the courts, hence I beg not to comment further on it to avoid the actions be-

Kelvin is a dare devil criminal and is not friendly with anybody - he is a drug addict, insane and cannot be relied upon by anybody

,

—Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Commissioner of Police

Intelligence dissemination

the Police and the SSS have been alerted."

‘Criminal offence’ by the media: “The current situation is a challenge and we are working round the clock to ensure that this common criminal is brought to face justice. The publicity given to him is not helping the image of the country and is certainly not suppose to be a lead story in such a newspaper with a wide coverage. Assuming without conceding that such press conference was held and the security agencies around the town were not notified by the press men concerned, is that not a criminal offence?

“Nigeria is our only country and we must do everything possible to protect it from those who want to see it destroyed. Security agencies are not magicians and can only work with genuine information passed to us by public spirited individuals.”

Every day for the thief, one day for the owner: On the likely ar-

,

ing subjudice.”

Identified kidnappers’ dens‘ll still go down: Aduba declared, “However, we have made appropriate recommendations to the State Government on the recently promulgated Anti-Kidnapping law in a bid to fine-tune some grey areas that will further impact positively on our ongoing battle against kidnappers.

And as soon as our recommendation is looked into, we will come out in full swing. As to whether the morals of our men have been affected by the petitions and court litigations, I can whole heartedly say that the morals of our men is not affected by the petitions and court litigations as we have been hitting them and will continue to hit the kidnappers and their collaborators hard, and even though we have some of the grey areas to fine-tune, the already identified bases/cells of the kidnappers will still go down,” he said.

58— 58—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

— 59

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire.

If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?

SCORPIO; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but.

SAGITTARIUS; The Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed CAPRICORN; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powersthat-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

N most con ventional schools, there is a time for revision in every term, semester, session etc as the case may be. And this usually happens towards

Revision time — 1 the end of every period before the examination. As it is with students or pupils in school, so it is with every reasonable human be-

ing in life.

The year is fast coming to and end.

And like the school system, it is time to do your revision.

All the things you

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

have done since the beginning of the year, are you able to meet up with your set goals for the year?

Where have you observed some shortcoming?...

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Better days are ahead of you but, you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/ or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

PISCES; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even things may not go according to your personal plans today. Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now ARIES; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble TAURUS; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today.

It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

GEMINI; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

CANCER; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

LEO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

VIRGO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble.

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

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

Omotayo Enugu.

Dear Omotayo, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality.

Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD Akapa

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence

60—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Delta Central by-election: Aguariavwodo, ex-NDDC MD picks PDP ticket

BY EMMA AMAIZE, FESTUS AHON & GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—FORMER Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, yesterday, won the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election for the October 5 by- election in Delta Central senatorial district.

Four aspirants who locked horns in the primaries were Chief Solomon Edojah, Chief Solomon Udele, Chief Andrew Oru and Chief Aguriavwodo.

Chief Edojah got two votes, Chief Udele, eight votes, Chief Oru polled seven votes, while Chief Aguariavwodo, won with 334 votes. Five votes were declared invalid.

Chief Oru and Chief Udedi, accepted defeat and pledged to co-operate with the winner of the primary election.

But Chief Edojah disputed the result, contending that the delegates were replaced with government functionaries who, he said, “were paid to do the bid of a higher authority.”

The road to Aguarviavwodo’s victory was paved by former member of the House of Representatives, Mr John Halims Agoda, Obarisi Ovie OmoAgege and others, who withdrew from the race in deference to the leadership of the party.

The bid to adopt a consensus candidate before Tuesday’s primaries was aborted as some of the aspirants insisted that they would rather go to the field.

The atmosphere in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of the state was hazy, yesterday morning, when delegates

started arriving for accreditation at 9 am and movement was restricted.

However, fierce -looking security officials, who mounted security around the stadium restored order after the accreditation, which ended at 12.50pm.

Voting started at 1pm and ended at 2pm, while counting commenced at 2.05pm ended at 3pm. At 3.05pm, the Returning Officer, Mr Okpokor, read the results in which Chief Aguariavwodo won with majority votes.

The state deputy governor, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN who was the first to cast his vote, hailed the winner of the primaries, expressing opti-

mism that the party would win the bye-election, which it lost in 2009.

He declared confidence in the ability of Chief Awarivwodo to effectively represent Delta Central senatorial district at the Senate, saying that he would bring speedy socio-economic development to the area.

Earlier, chairman of the party in the senatorial district, Chief Tom Amioku, said that the party was united and urged delegates to conduct themselves in orderly manner before and after the election.

Following the initial confusion during the accreditation, a Judge of the Delta State High Court sitting in Sapele,

Justice M. Emudanovwo, was barred by security men from entering the court premises, located opposite the Sapele Stadium, venue of the primaries. Consequently, the court did not sit as the judge returned home.

A police inspector, Mr. Samson Ame, got the beating of his life from some security officials when he attempted to break security check while heading to the nearby Sapele Police Station.

He was said to have failed to produce his identity card when the security officials demanded to know who he was.

Movement around the venue of the primaries was restricted throughout the exercise.

INSPECTION: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left) inspecting the on-going Direct Labour Agency road and drainage in company of the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Funkekeme Solomon, in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

Ocean surge: 6 homes submerged in Akwa Ibom ...1,000 persons displaced

BY TONY NYONG

U

YO—THE Atlantic Ocean has submerged six houses in Iwuo Okpom community in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Obong Okon Akpanowong, Village Head of Iwuo Okpom, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Ibeno council.

He said that the Atlantic Ocean encroached into people’s houses when it overflowed its banks, noting that six communities had been affected by the sea surge.

“During an ocean surge, houses are submerged, and so far about six houses have been submerged,” he said.

He said that about 1,000

people have been displaced in the area following the incident, noting that the encroachment of the ocean had caused hardship to the community.

Akpanowong said that the contract for shore protection was awarded by the Federal Government in 1992, to two construction firms in 2006 but nothing was done.

“The contractors handling the shore protection contract in Iwuo Okpom have been unable to execute the contract satisfactorily. Some of the contractors, after collecting mobilisation fees, refused to show up at the site,” Akpanowong said.

He called on the Federal Government to come to their aid, saying that socio-economic activities have been affect-

ed in the area.

Also speaking, Chief John Etim, Chairman of Iwuo Okpom Village Council, said that the flood had covered several acres of land in the

community.

Etim described the situation as unfortunate and appealed to the contractors handling the shore protection project to urgently revisit same.

Aluu 4: Parents to launch foundation in memory of slain students

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT— PAR-ENTS of the four students of University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, Rivers State, killed last year in Aluu community, are set to launch a foundation in honour of the slain students.

At a joint news briefing with the Civil Liberties Organisation in Port Harcour, yesterday, the parents, said that the foundation forms the highpoint of activities being put together to mark the first memorial for the Aluu 4.

October 5, 2013 will mark one year since Ugonna Obuzor, Lloyd Toku Mike, Tekena Friday Elkanah and Chiadika Biringa, all UNIPORT students and first sons of their respective parents, were killed in a mob action under circumstances yet to be determined as the matter is in court.

“We, in honour of these young gifted children of ours, decided to use our painful loss as a motivating strength towards making humble contributions that could lead to mitigating as much as possible, the reoccurrence of this sordid incident,” the Aluu 4 parents said.

The Aluu 4 Foundation is aimed at fostering conducive learning environment on campuses, propagate effective security and affordable on-campus hostel accommodation as well as motivate creative talents in youths.

Mr. Mike Toku and Friday Elkhana briefed newsmen onbehalf of parents of the slain students.

Why we renamed major roads in Warri after Uduaghan, others —Uroye strategic axis on major roads

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—TRANSITION Committee Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, Dr. Augustine Uroye, yesterday, said that his administration decided to name major roads in Warri after the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the National President

of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor, the member representing Warri federal constituency at the National Assembly, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara and others, because of their immense contributions to the development of Warri.

Uroye, after unveiling pictorial sign posts mounted in

in Warri in honour of Governor Uduaghan, Reyeineju, Dr Otumara and Chief Smooth, described the personalities as worthy ambassadors of the council.

He noted that the essence of the exercise was to immortalise prominent Deltans that have impacted positively on the areas as well as spur others to contribute towards the development of Warri.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013—61

From left, Mr Chinobi Madukwe, Group Chief Operating Officer, Bua Group; Mr Israel Damauta, Legal Adviser/Company secretary and Mr Goddie Ofose, Chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria during a courtesy call by the association to Bua Group Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Don't seek re-election G7 Govs, Baraje tell GEJ Continues from Page 5

Airhiavbere said: “We studied the political impasse, horse trading and war of attrition and bel-

ligerence in recent times within and outside the context of our great party, PDP. The intra party conflict classified as family affair must be

resolved within the party conflict resolution mechanism of the PDP Round Table Dialogue Initiative, put in place for the reconciliation

and all well meaning PDP members should embrace peace and avail themselves of the opportunity given to return back to the mainstream under the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as one indivisible PDP.” Also present at the meeting were former ministers of Sports, Damishi Sango and Col Abdulmumuni Aminu; Fidelis Seri; former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna; former deputy governor of Ogun state, Alhaji Salimot Badru; governorship candidate of PDP in Ondo State, Olusoka Oke; former Minister of Education, Alhaji Dauda Birmah; Col. John David Dongi (rtd); AIG Donald Iroha.Former deputy governor of Zamfara State, Umar Shinkafi who was not present at the meeting is also a member.

G7-Govs, Baraje’s visit to NASS confers no status on them – Abaribe

The Senate yesterday said that the visit of the seven ‘rebel’ Governors and the factional chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje to the Senate last week conferred no status on them.

Chairman, Senate committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who stated this while briefing Journalists said as aggrieved members of the PDP, they were free to visit the Senate but that did not in any way confer any status on them.

Senator Abaribe said: “On the matter of the visit by the aggrieved members of PDP to the Senate leadership, let me also say that if some members of the Senate approached Mr. President of the Senate (Senator David Mark) and ask for a hearing or a visit by anybody, be it their constituents, friends or by anybody, if the Senate President has the time, then he is obligated or mandated to listen to his colleagues.

My understanding was that a group of senators within the same PDP came to the Senate

President and said that they wanted to meet with him with some other people and the Senate President graciously allowed them to come so that he would listen to them.

“That is the essence of democracy. We can agree to meet with anybody even those that we don’t want or we do not agree with their opinion.

Because the essence of democracy is being able to allow people to make their views to be heard and I think that was what happened.

“That was why you saw that there was no problem within the Senate from such visit. As Nigerians, they are entitled to visit and as aggrieved members of the society in many form, they can come to the event with the Senate President and that does not in any way confer anything on them.

“Please, note the use of my words, I said aggrieved members of the PDP, I am talking now not as a Senate spokesman but as a PDP member, we are one family,” he stated.

NHRC moves to protect rights of long term detainees

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Na tional Human Rights Commission, said, yesterday, it has concluded plans to initiate legal actions simultaneously across the country to enforce the rights of persons who have been on prolonged detention.

According to the statement signed by Ladan, “the Commission is ob-

taining details from Nigerian prisons where 70 per cent of the inmates are held for several years without diligent prosecution.”

The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the disclosure while receiving a delegation from the Legal Aid Council (LAC) and Chief Executive of Advocates for International Development

(A4ID), United Kingdom, Ms Yasmin Batliwala who paid a courtesy visit to the Commission.

According to Angwe, “most of the complainants are less privileged members of the society who are not in the position to engage the services of solicitors. The NHRC and LAC will therefore come to their rescue”.

Marketers to partner Lagos govt

M

ARKET Associa tions in Lagos State have pledged to partner with the Lagos State government on the development of infrastructure in the State.

The Iya-loja General of Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo who spoke on behalf of the marketers said it was expedient for the marketers as parents to assist the government in raising funds to develop facilities in the state for the benefit of their children and wards who could develop their skills and talents through sports.

Mrs Tinubu-Ojo made C M Y K

this pledge during an awareness visitation to her by some board members of the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund (LSSEF) comprising the Chairman, Rear Admiral (rtd), Anthony Okanlawon-Oni (rtd), the Executive Secretary, Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony, Mr. Lateef Bashorun a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Chief Emeka Dikke former Chairman of Alaba International Market.

The Iyaloja-General promised to mobilize the

various groups in the state to raise fund to assist the LSSEF in their effort towards sports development, as a way of giving back to the community, and giving themselves sense of belonging.

Earlier, Chairman of LSSEF, Real Admiral Anthony Okanlawon-Oni (Rtd) while presenting a working document on the fund raising to the Iyaloja had explained that the Fund being sought will be spent on providing Sporting facilities for the development of youths in the State.

62 —

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Ben Johnson: I was nailed on a cross for taking steroids at Seoul Olympics — 25 years later I’m still being punished

Walcott misses World Cup qualifies

A

Cheat: Ben Johnson had his medal and time stripped after it was announced that he had tested positive for stanozolol, a banned anabolic steroid.

Six of the eight finalists would eventually be implicated in doping scandals, including Lewis, who it was later revealed had tested positive for stimulants at

the US Olympic trials.

Johnson, 51, has admitted to years of steroid use, but still feels he was unfairly picked out for vilification at a time of widespread drug use in athletics.

“I was nailed on a cross, and 25 years later I’m still being

punished,” he said.

“Rapists and murderers get sent to prison, but even they get out eventually.

“I know what I did was wrong. Rules are rules. But the rules should be the same for all. But politics always

Pérez: Bale ‘came cheaply’ to Madrid The Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has claimed that Manchester United made an offer to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur this summer but missed out on the Welshman when he joined the Spanish club instead.

Perez also insisted the club did not pay over the odds for Bale despite the Welshman costing a world-record fee.

The 24-year-old moved to Real from Tottenham earlier this month for •100m (£85.3m) after negotiations that lasted the entire summer transfer window.

“Bale has come cheaply,” Pérez told

M

ASSIMILIANO Allegri has refused to comment on whether Milan will fine Mario Balotelli after his sending off at the weekend.

The young striker was given a red card after the match with Napoli on Sunday, and will be suspended for the game against Bologna tonight “Mario has made a mistake, penalizing the team, club and the fans and he must change this,” he told a Press conference.

C

ANADIAN sprinter Ben Johnson has returned to Seoul’s Olympic Stadium - 25 years to the day after the steroid-assisted 100m final victory that destroyed his career and reputation.

The runner revisited the site of his stunning triumph and downfall to bring an anti-doping message for a sport still struggling to rid itself of banned substance use.

“It feels good to be back,” Johnson said as he stepped out onto the track where, at 1:30 pm on Sept 24, 1988, he lined up for a 100m final that would become known as the “dirtiest race in history”.

“This is where history was made,” Johnson said. “Some might call it bad history, but I don’t see it that way.”

First out of the blocks in the final, Johnson destroyed a field that included his hated rival Carl Lewis and stormed to victory in a world record time of 9.79sec.

Three days later he was stripped of his medal, his time and ultimately his career

Allegri: Balotelli needs to grow up

Cadena SER radio.

“Signing the best players out there is Madrid’s philosophy and Bale was the best available player on the market this summer. We had been following him for two years.

“Tottenham did not want to sell. We learned that Manchester United had made an offer and we made one ourselves.”

Key to Bale’s switch to Madrid was the fact he would be fulfilling his boyhood dream, Pérez saying: “Since childhood he had had the dream of playing for Real Madrid and he asked us to make it possible for him to come.”

Shortly after Bale’s

move to the Bernabeu, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a three-year contract extension and stated he wished to finish his career with Real after a period when he was linked with a move away - and a possible return to Manchester United.

Perez said: “The renewal of Cristiano Ronaldo has been easy – he is determined to finish his career at Real Madrid.

Cristiano never spoke of money with me.”

Of Mesut Özil, who made a shock transfer to Arsenal at the end of the transfer window, Pérez added: “It was the father of the player who made contact with Arsenal. No one leaves Real Madrid if they don’t want to go.”

plays in sports.”

Asked what he would change if he could go back 25 years, Johnson said there was no point trying to live in the past.

“But I still believe I could have won the Olympic Games without any drugs back then,” he added.

RSENAL forward Theo Walcott will miss England’s World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland as he will have abdominal surgery today.

Walcott, 24, did not play in Arsenal’s win against Stoke on Sunday despite initially being named in the team.

“Theo will be out for a few weeks,” said Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.

“He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It’s not a hernia, but it’s a little structural problem in his abdomen.”

England face Montenegro on 11 October, before completing their qualification group fixtures against Poland four days later.

Klopp banned

B

•Bale

O R U S S I A D o r t m u n d manager Jurgen Klopp has been banned for one Champions League match for an outburst that he himself described as “pathetic”.

Klopp was sent off during his side’s 2-1 defeat by Napoli on 18 September after berating the fourth official for taking too long to allow defender Neven Subotic to return to the pitch.

“I made myself look like a monkey out there and that’s not on,” said Klopp. ''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 — 63

Venus overpowers Azarenka

F

ORMER world number one Venus Williams overpowered ailing top seed Victoria Azarenka 6-2 6-4 with ruthless efficiency to reach the last 16 of the Pan Pacific Open on Tuesday.

The seven-times grand slam champion showed glimpses of her gunslinging best under the Tokyo floodlights against a grimacing Azerenka, who spent much of the match bending over her racquet between points and tugging sharply on her purple top in frustration.

“I’ve sat through two US Open finals between her and Serena and you could tell from the first game she wasn’t herself,” Williams told reporters.

“It was definitely hard to concentrate because you sort of feel bad. I don’t know what was bothering her but I just hope she feels better.”

Azarenka, beaten by Serena Williams in the US Open final earlier this month in a repeat of

the 2012 championship match in New York, had a large fan brought courtside to try to cool off at changeovers.

But such was her obvious discomfort she failed to threaten Williams. The 24-yearold Belarusian threw several tantrums as she repeatedly wafted shots off target or into the net.

“I haven’t been able to practise for three days and I didn’t sleep at all last night,” said Azarenka. “I felt hot, then cold.

“Maybe I ate something bad but it’s been getting worse,” added the world number two, who complained of having eaten some bad sushi after a quarterfinal exit from the $2.3 million event last year.

“You can’t play at 20 percent against a top player — it just doesn’t work that way.”

Williams completed her third victory in three meetings between the pair with a second serve.

Australian Open champion Azarenka

T

large.

“It is not within the purview of the LMC to declare a ‘state of emergency ’, which is not, in the first place, backed by any incidences or situation.

We did not inaugurate the LMC to serve as an alternate NFF. “There are better ways to deal with expected situations than being alarmist. Nigeria football is very much at peace and I an confirm that,” Maigari stated.

AVING impressed club figures while on trial at the Emirates Stadium, Semi Ajayi has signed a three-year contract with Arsenal.

According to the official club website, the Crayfordborn teenager has joined up with the North London outfit as a free transfer, having left Charlton after coming through their academy.

Ajayi scored on his Under-21s debut for the Gunners against Blackburn Rovers before contributing with “another accomplished display” in the 1-0 win over West Brom’s youth counterparts, per the Arsenal website.

Bolt extends contract with Puma

•Venus wearily hooked it wide before trudging off court close to tears.

“I’m getting better every tournament,” said Williams, currently ranked a lowly 63rd in

the world after two years of illness and injury problems. “I’ve had my issues, to say the least, but it’s given me an unreal amount of character.”

Egypt prepare for Ghana with Sierra Leone

E

GYPT have hurriedly arranged a friendly against Sierra Leone on Saturday to help them prepare for next month’s decisive World Cup playoff against Ghana.

The Pharoahs will travel to Kumasi to face the Black Stars in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on 15 October in the first-play of the playoff clash.

They have lined up the match against the Leone Star on 28 September.

But the venue for the game is yet to be decided and because of security concerns in Cairo they are unlikely to host the match in the Egyptian capital.

The Sierra Leonean capital Freetown could be the venue for the match.

Egypt will be able to play the match because most of their players play in the local league which has not been played for several months because of the political turmoil in the country.

Today’s Games Continues from BP Sevilla Elche

v v

La Liga Rayo Vallecano 7pm Real Madrid 7pm

Serie A

•Maigari

H

•Ajayi

Maigari: No ‘state of emergency’ in Nigeria football HE Nigeria Football Federation has voided a ‘state of emergency’purportedly declared by the League Management Company and the Club Owners on Nigeria football.

The League Management Company, with the support of owners of Premier League clubs, had ‘declared’ a ‘state of emergency ’ in the domestic game as the bodies monitorss the final weeks of the Premier League season.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari decried the statement and said categorically that “there is no situation in Nigeria football to warrant the declaration of a ‘state of emergency’.

“It was a wrong move by the LMC and the Club Owners. If there is a state of emergency in Nigeria football, it is the duty and responsibility of the NFF to alert the public and the world at

Nigerian starlet joins Arsenal

Bologna Chievo Lazio Livorno Napoli Parma Sampdoria Torino

v v v v v v v v

AC Milan Juventus Catania Cagliari Sassuolo Atlanta Roma Verona

7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

J

AMAICAN sprint sensation Usain Bolt has renewed his sponsorship contract with German sportswear maker Puma “through and beyond the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” Puma said Tuesday.

The six-time Olympic champion, aged 27, has been training and competing in Puma since 2003.

“We are very proud to extend our sponsorship contract with him because Usain is the perfect ambassador of the Puma brand,” said chief executive Bjoern Gulden.''

Senate Continues from BP emerged champions of Africa and that such prayer was also needed for the qualification of the Super Eagles in the Brazil 2014 World cup.

He told the prayer warriors to bring out their rosaries to embark

on intensive novena and prayers for God’s guidance to ensure that Nigeria emerged successful in the encounter in the first leg in Adis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

Ethiopia Continues from BP for a fight in Nigeria,” said Saint George defender Girma.

He also warned that the star-studded Super Eagles are wrong to believe it will be an easy game when both teams clash next month.

He said since they lost 2-0 to Nigeria at this year ’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, they have continued to improve as a team.

“We have been together for a while now and have played

so many games both in the World Cup qualifiers and Africa Nations Championship qualifiers,” explained the defender.

Ethiopia will take encouragement with their first and only defeat of Nigeria in a 1994 Nations Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa.

They won 1-0 only to be trounced 6-0 in the return leg match in Lagos.

Nigeria have won four other meetings, while two other matches ended in draws.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 , 2013

Venus overpowers Azarenka — Page 63

Ethiopia: We 'll win at home, fight in Nigeria E

T H I O P I A’ S defender Alulu Girma has boasted that they hope to beat Nigeria at home and then fight in the return leg World Cup playoffs.

Ethiopia host the Super Eagles on October 12 with the return leg in Calabar on November 16.

“We must make sure that we get a good win in Addis Ababa and go

Alulu takes instruction from his coach

• HOT —Venus

Continues on Page 63

2014 World Cup: Senate calls for prayers

Today’s Games Capital One Cup ( 3rd Rd ) Birmingham City Man Utd Newcastle Utd Tranmere Rovers West Brom

v v v v v

Swansea City 7:45pm Liverpool 7:45pm Leeds Utd 7:45pm Stoke City 7:45pm Arsenal 7:45pm

La Liga Granada

v Valencia Continues Inside

7pm

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE, Abuja

T

HE Senate President yesterday asked prayer warriors to embark on prayers and novena for the success of the Super Eagles for the 2014 World Cup

PUZZLE

in their two-legged encounter in which the first leg will take place in Addis Ababa.

He said that the senate’s prayer was very efficient in the last Nations cup early this year in South Africa in which the Super Eagles Continues on Page 63

•Mark

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

competition to be hosted

by Brazil as well as the Africa Nations Championship.

Senate President, David Mark said that it was imperative that Nigeria’s Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup by beating the Ethiopian National team

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Concise (5) 7 Penalty (4) 8 Formula (6) 9 Postpone (5) 11 Mine (3) 13 Vigour (3) 15 Unusual (4) 16 Delve (3) 18 Only (4) 19 Shyness (7) 20 Plaster (4) 22 Story (4) 23 Haggle (7) 25 Frigid (4) 27 Stretch (3) 28 Thin (4) 30 Fasten (3) 31 Dress (3) 33 Recognised (5) 36 Disfigure (6) 37 Finished (4) 38 Cede (5)

DOWN 1 Shinbone (5) 2 Cot (3) 3 Sick (3) 4 Cook (3) 5 Perform (3) 6 Mar (5) 10 Parched (4) 11 Forecast (7) 12 Worry (7) 13 Traveller (7) 14 Import (7) 16 Evade (5) 17 Sprite (5) 18 Pig-pen (3) 21 Wicked (3) 24 Related (4) 26 Lubricated (5) 29 Helped (5) 32 Frenzied (3) 33 Clef (3) 34 Poem (3) 35 Bow (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Deride 5, Stem 8, Osier 9, Sip 10, Bias 11, Road 12, Rapid 13, Afraid 16, Sell 18, Used 20, Bet 22, Lit 23, Sow 24, Vary 25, Eden 28, Decide 30, Cheap 32, Trio 33, Tart 34, Urn 35, Tower 36, Glen 37, Recess.

DOWN: 1, Dismay 2, Reporter 3, Debris 4, Assaulted 5, Serious 6, Trod 7, Made 8, Oar 14, Delegated 15, New 17, Lid 19, Solitude 20, Bad 21, Typhoon 26, Nestle 27, Tennis 29, Stag 30, Cite 31, Par.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K