Fresh mayhem in Benue, Borno

C M Y

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62108

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Madman caught with human tongues, weapons 6

Leadership failure, bane of Africa's devt — ex-Ghanaian leader •P.8

Fresh mayhem in Benue, Borno

3m face humanitarian crisis in North east — NEMA

•74 killed in attacks •Herdsmen launch attack at 4 a.m •Defence minister attributes Armed Forces' successes to synergy •Governor Suswam seeks military assistance

CBN ON FIRE

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BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, PETER DURU & NDAHI MARAMA

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AKURDI —IT was another day of bloodshed, yesterday, as 74 persons, including five policemen, were killed in separate incidents in Benue and Borno states even as Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has called for military assistance to check the killings.

There was tension in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday, following

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.19

•P.17

Mr & Mrs

FIRE GUTS CBN. The Lagos offices of Central Bank of Nigeria at Tinubu, Lagos, was gutted by fire yesterday. INSET: The razed building as well as Fire service men and onlookers at the scene of the fire. See story on page 10

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 —3

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4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Leadership failure, bane of Africa's devt, says ex-Ghanaian leader ...We need transformational change – Olugbodi

BY GBENGA OKE & PROVIDENCE OBUH

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AGOS—FORMER Ghanaian Vice President and global speaker on leadership change, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo has attributed the inability of Africa to attain a proper place in the comity of continents to leadership failure.

He also identified successful leaders as those with innovative mind, ability to embrace new ideas and routinely challenge old ones.

Speaking at the Verdant Zeal 3rd Innovation Leadership Series in Lagos, yesterday, with theme ‘’Growing Leadership Innovation: Lessons for Africa’’, Akufo-Addo traced many of Africa’s problems to the hangover of colonialism, the continent’s failures to bad leadership.

Corroborating Akufo-Addo, Chairman of the event and former Minister of National Planning, Mr Shamsudeen Usman, said all hope was not lost in Nigeria if we focus on building strong institutions that will tackle accountability and corruption.

He said: ‘’I think this has to do with the weakness of the institutions and we should focus on building those institutions and with time, we will get there”.

Further, the Ghanaian leader maintained that the challenge Africa now face is how to make democratic governance deliver on the promises of prosperity and individual freedoms.

His words: ‘’It has been more than 50 years since we attained political independence, but our hopes for prosperity and attaining a proper place among the comity of nations remain unfulfilled while the long years of military adventurism in our politics have not helped. The belief that there are shortcuts to finding solutions to our problems has certainly not helped either. It is a great relief that finally a consensus has emerged that the best way to govern ourselves is through multi-party democratic governance. ‘’The focus of leadership has and should always be geared towards the provision of a better future. Effective leaders are necessary innovators. As one writer puts it, ‘today’s successful leaders will be those who have innovative of mind - with the ability to embrace new ideas and routinely challenge old ones.’’’

He said further: ‘’There are many development challenges ahead for Africa and the World Bank rightly identifies these problems as un-diversified production structures, huge infrastructural deficits, underdeveloped human capital, weak governance, fragile states, and need for women and youths empowerment’.

Proffering solutions to various problems faced by Africa countries, the two time Ghanaian vice president explained that African leaders must achieve their potentials through innovative leadership.

He said: ‘’To be able to make that breakthrough and move from having potential to achieving this C M Y K

potential, we need innovative leadership that can deliver opportunities and prosperity to Africa’s long-suffering peoples.

We all now have a pretty good idea about the things that hold us back from making rapid progress but our economies are not structured to meet the needs and provide opportunities for our people. What Africa needs above all is value addition and this starts with adding value to our human capital through an education system that provides every child with the skills to realise his or her full potential.

He however maintained that Nigeria must provide the political leadership and passion to translate the ECOWAS dream into reality, saying: ‘’It might seem to you in Nigeria that with your oil you are operating in a larger world market already and do not need the region.

Nigeria should focus on building institutions –Usman In his submission, Shamsudeen Usman said the theme of the event represents excellence, professionalism and Nigeria’s potentials and how to realiSe them.

“I have been concerned especially in the last five years as Minister of National Planning about the future of this country.

Some of us, in the past, took exams and passed, there was no question of examination malpractice during our days. If you are going to write exams, you will prepare for it to pass, this is what Nigeria used to be.

“Some of us have not lost hope, I believe that it is possible. In the past, we believed leadership is all about economics, we were just focusing on economics then but after my eight years at the Central Bank of Nigeria and about five as Minister, unfortunately, I changed my mind. I now see it is all about politics. Unless you get the politics right, the economics will never work. What this has shown is that at the end of the day, it is all about leadership and that is why the theme of the event

is all about leadership.

We need transformational change — Olugbodi In his welcome address, Mr Tunji Olugbodi, GMD/CEO of Verdant Zeal, said the innovation series is prompted by the need for transformational change through forward thinking and the call for practical solutions that meet the demands of tomorrow.

He said the world is shifting its scope on Africa from a binocular view to a more dissected one and the burgeoning growth is expected to sprout in the midst of certain parallel aspects: innovation and leadership .

His words: ‘’Having this in mind, all factors must be steered in the direction of developing our potential, harnessing all available resources and translating these into a progressive position and this session should ultimately investigate our present models with results of providing solutions that correct distorted views as well as catalyse fresh thinking and finally grow leadership innovation. ‘’Leadership is a hot topic.

Innovation is even hotter these

days because it has a vital role to play in the recovery and in shaping the societies of tomorrow.

We’ve been very curious about the overlap of these two fascinating subjects to see what happens when you examine the values and behaviours of leaders who are responsible for big innovations that shake the world. ‘’The changes that Africa is now going through do not cease to amaze. It seems only yesterday when Africa was at the bottom of the class in terms of technological innovation – passively accepting whatever new technology it was deemed capable of ‘handling’ and things have changed remarkably since. Africa is now becoming a global trendsetter in the innovative application of technology not in producing faster cars or loud speaker systems but in critical areas such as finance, communication, energy generation, agribusiness and finding home-grown solutions to problems that seemed intractable.’’

He however said that Africa must embrace new thinking to remain dynamic and forward looking.

Other discussants at the event include Executive Chairman, Multichoice South-Africa Group, Mr Nolo Letele; Executive Director Leadership Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism, Mrs Iyadunni Olubode; Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr Folusho Philips; Senior Consultant/CEO of Resources and Trust Company Ltd, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje and Founder, Rise Network, Miss Toyosi Akerele.

We must improve quality of life — Philips Also speaking, Mr Folusho Philips said the best way to define innovation is creating increasing convenience and trying to improve quality of life. “To get it right, we must be bold and brave to do something different and I am waiting for a day when we will have leaders that are passionate about the people and the country. There is a lot of confusion because of the financial power that is vested so much on the government.

See Photos on Page 15

CONFAB: From left — Mamman Misau, Senator Jubril Aminu and former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili at the National Conference in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Reps summon AGF, CBN over missing N59.6bn NNPC subsidy fund ...IGP, Police Min. deny receiving money from Sanusi

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday summoned the Accountant General to the Federation, AGF, Mr Jonah Otunla, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the Budget office to explain why the sum of N59.6billion subsidy money meant for Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC allegedly got missing.

The money which the Budget office and Accountant General’s office claimed was disbursed to NNPC was not received by the corporation.

Officials of NNPC told members of the committee that all attempts to make the budget office

and AGF do a formal letter stating that the said N59.6bn was not cash backed failed.

At this juncture, Chairman of the committee, Rep Olamilekan Adeola said,”what you are telling this committee is that at no point in time did you receive any money and that it was not cash backed. “You will do us a formal letter explaining to the committee that you did not receive N59.6bn but Deloitte Accounting firm in its report claimed the fund was disbursed. “ “Towards this direction, this committee hereby summons the CBN, AGF and Budget office to explain why such sum of money was disbursed without any documentary evidence. “ “NNPC for now cannot be indicted until otherwise proven

when AGF and Budget office come out with evidence that the money was disbursed and cash backed. “ Adeola explained further that “once it is affirmed that the disbursement was not cash backed NNPC will be left off the hook.” The officials of NNPC were excused from the venue of the meeting.

IGP, Police Min deny receiving money from Sanusi Relatedly Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar yesterday denied receiving N19.7 billion allegedly paid to the police by the suspended Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for the purchase of armoured helicopters, apparatuses and modern day

security gadgets to combat crime.

The Inspector General of Police, who was represented by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Ilesanmi Aguda in charge of police air wing on Tuesday told the House of Representatives Public Account Committee ,PAC, probing the transaction that he had “no knowledge” of the alleged payment from the CBN. Aguda told the House Committee to direct queries on the whereabouts of the Police Equipment Fund to the Ministry of Police affairs.

Chairman of the House Committee, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola revealed at the meeting that the police ministry had also denied receipt of the Police Equipment Fund from CBN.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

PRODUCT LAUNCH: From right; Mr Devakumar V.G Edwin, Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc; Hajia Fatima Dangote, Mr. Knut Ulvmoen, Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Engr. Joseph Makoju, Adviser to Dangote Cement Group's President, and Mr. Dalveet Ghal, Chief Executive Officer , Dangote Cement Plc, during the pre-media launch of Dangote 3x Cement product in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

74 killed in fresh attacks in Benue, Borno Continues from page 1 the alleged killing of no fewer than 63 persons at Tse-Agena, Mbalom district, Ikpayonge and Adeka market, Oweto in Gwer and Agatu local government areas by suspected Fulani mercenaries.

This came as Defence minster, Lt. Gen. Aliyu Gusau, lauded the armed forces and attributed their successes to the new found synergy and cordial relationship existing among the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Airforce.

The latest attack came on the heels of weekend’s bloody fight between Tiv youths and the suspected mercenaries which claimed 55 lives in Guma local government area of the state.

The member representing Agatu in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Audu Sule told newsmen, yesterday, that three persons were killed at the Adeka market, Monday morning, when suspected mercenaries stormed the community on the busy market day, shooting sporadically after which

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

If you’re not living your dreams it is because you are most likely living your limitations

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I

T takes just a little motivation and belief in oneself.. When you have a dream, it is your job to believe in yourself. You can do it, and if you haven’t yet, then be patient. Think about the task at hand as a puzzle, and set out to figure it out, one step at a time.

Each successful step towards your goal is a victory, so be proud of it. In time, goals will be accomplished, and your confidence will grow.

Anyone who doesn’t believe in your dreams doesn’t need to hear about it. Keep it to yourself and be content knowing you are following your heart. Your values, likes and dislikes are your own, and so are your dreams.

Don’t follow others’ dreams, and don’t let anyone try to control you. It is your life. You are responsible for yourself and your own decisions. If you surrender your personal power to others, many will gladly tell you what to do or think. Be satisfied knowing that you accomplished your goal on your own.

Be your own friend, and supporter. Give the world the best you’ve got, and good things will come back to you in return. Just wait and see. - Ella Randle

they fled the scene.

He said,”After the attack, three persons were left dead in the market but the attackers fled the scene thereafter.”

Vanguard also gathered from an eyewitness that suspected herders stormed Tse-Tse-Agena during the wee hours of Tuesday when their victims were deep asleep, burning houses, killing and maiming anything in sight.

Herdsmen launch attack at 4 a.m The eyewitness said, “they came in around 4am when the people were still asleep and unprepared for the attack. Everyone was woken up by the barrage of gunfire, the wailing of women and children who were running frantically for safety in the mist of the confusion.

“The painful part of this attack is that communities in Gwer have had no prior incidents with the herders; that is why we all believe this is a premeditated attack. This carnage must not be allowed to continue; over 60 bodies have been removed from that village and the search for several missing persons in still ongoing.

We earnestly want the state and federal governments to act fast before these mercenaries encircle the state capital.”

At the time of this report, several police Hilux vans and ambulances were seen conveying recovered bodies of the victims of the attacks to the morgue of the Makurdi Federal Medical

Centre where the police have had to contend with the angry crowd that had besieged the hospital.

When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent Daniel Ezeala, confirmed the attack adding that the command had recovered and deposited some corpses at the Makurdi Federal Medical Centre.

Meantime, two suicide attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday, also killed twelve people including five policemen.

Suicide bombers kill 5 policemen, civilians in Maiduguri Three suspected suicide bombers in a Volkswagen Golf saloon car rammed into a patrol vehicle belonging to a police team in Maiduguri, killing five policemen in the vehicle with several other civilians injured.

Earlier, Vanguard gathered that another suicide bomber who was on his way to Maiduguri from the Sambisa Forest in another Volkswagen Golf saloon car loaded with IEDs, allegedly detonated explosives around Government Farms, about 20 kilometres from Maiduguri killing three civilians and the occupant of the vehicle.

The three suicide bombers rammed into the police patrol vehicle near Dalori Housing Estate killing five policemen, after discovering that the security checkpoints along the Maiduguri- Bama highway could

not guarantee them entry to Maiduguri town to accomplish their mission.

The incidents reportedly occurred simultaneously at about 9 am, a situation that caused pandemonium, as residents of Maiduguri metropolis scampered for safety, even as parents and guardians rushed to schools to evacuate their wards for fear of further attacks.

Sources said soon after the blasts, men of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, a combined team of mobile policemen and vigilante youths a.k.a Civilian JTF mobilized to the scene of the blasts and cordoned off the area to prevent further attacks. This followed unconfirmed reports that several terrorists had fled their camps in the Sambisa Forest and were infiltrating into Maiduguri and its environs.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Gideon Jubrin confirmed the incident on the telephone, pointing out that five policemen attached to the federal highway patrol team, three civilians and all the suicide bombers died during the incident.

Gideon said, “Yes, there was an early morning twinblasts suspected to have been carried out by suicide bombers who rammed into one of our patrol vehicles around Dalori Housing Estate, a situation that led to the killing of five policemen including three suicide bombers.

He, however, said that the command had dispatched its men to the scene to investigate the matter with a view to preventing further attacks or killings on the highway.

Meanwhile, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, yesterday, appealed to the military to assist the state government in tackling the increasing wave of attacks on communities in the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Suswam made the appeal during the ninth matriculation of students of the Nigerian Army Institute of

Technology and Environmental Studies, NAITES, held at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, NASME, Makurdi, the state capital.

The governor who was represented on the occasion by the Head of Service, Mr. Terna Ahua, however, said the state government, in collaboration with other security agencies had been taking proactive measures to check the unending crisis.

He said, “It is, therefore, pertinent to appeal to the Army formations in the state to continue to collaborate with the state government to address these security challenges. And unless we act promptly, we may lose impetus and erode the public confidence and trust of the citizenry about our commitment to the safety of lives and property.”

Gusau congratulates armed forces Meanwhile, Defence minister, Lt. General Aliyu Gusau, has saluted the new found synergy and cordial relationship existing among the Nigerian Army, the Navy and the Air Force saying it has resulted in the landmark successes recorded in the fight by security agencies against the terrorists.

He spoke at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, yesterday, during his maiden visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu.

Gusau said, “I must congratulate the officers and men of the armed services especially the military for the cordial relationship existing between the Army and the Air force in the North East where the insurgency is being checkmated.

I want to also congratulate the Nigerian Air Force and the Navy and Army for the synergy and dedication with which they are tackling the oil theft and bunkering in the Niger Delta."

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Residential building, property lost in Bauchi inferno

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI—A fire outbreak in Rafin Zurfi, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis destroyed a residential building and property worth millions of naira.

It was gathered that the fire started at 9pm, Monday, in one of the rooms in the building where two little children were playing with a candle, which started the fire and consumed the entire building.

An eyewitness said one of the tenants got a wet cloth, went into the room and brought out the two children.

“Indeed, we must say it was a great tragedy for the tenants. But we thank God that nobody was killed,” a tenant who pleaded anonymity said.

24-yr-old man jailed 18 months over hemp

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a 24-year-old man, Abraham Ignatius, to 18 months imprisonment for trafficking in 1.9kg of Indian hemp.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke did not give Ignatius, who pleaded guilty on arraignment, an option of fine, but held that his conviction and sentencing was in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

He noted that the convict was sentenced after review of the facts of the case provided by an Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Danladi Adamu.

He held that the sentence would take effect from December 11, 2013, when the convict was arrested. Aneke noted that the convict was a first time offender, had no legal representation and had been in detention since his arrest.

Disobedience at Iponri, Lagos, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

FRESH IBADAN HORROR: ‘Madman' caught with human tongue, weapons

BY OLA AJAYI, with Agency Reports

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BADAN— BARELY four days after the discovery of mysterious forest where over 19 human skulls were found in Ibadan, another horror was discovered in the ancient city, yesterday.

A man, who feigned lunacy, was allegedly caught with human tongue, gun and cutlass around the popular Ring Road area of the city.

According to reports, residents of Ibadan rushed to catch a glimpse of the suspected human eater.

The suspect was, however, whisked away by armed policemen to avert jungle justice.

Also, another man was mobbed by angry crowd after a price list of human parts was allegedly found on him.

This came as a man, who was about being dispossessed of the large sum of money he withdrew from a commercial bank at Mokola area of the city jumped down from a flyover with his money.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect caught with human tongues was arrested at Oni and Son Memorial Hospital area of Ring Road.

A source said that over 400 posters of a politician contesting the 2015 governorship election, women underwear and some weapons were found on him. The source said he was rounded up by the policemen from Oluyole Police Station.

zExposed by Blackberry phone, carries list of debtors zAs mob nabs another carrying price list of human parts Another man, who reportedly disguised as a destitute, was caught at Adeoyo State Hospital with a price list of human parts.

After they were beaten by the mob, policemen took the three men to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID.

Exposure

According to information, the ‘mad’ man was exposed when his hidden blackberry phone rang. This was said to have aroused suspicion of passers-by who had all the while known the man as a destitute.

Further search on him, Vanguard gathered, revealed that he listed those owing

him outstanding balance and the human parts they bought. That was when the mob descended on him.

When Vanguard got there, the police refused to comment saying the newsman should go to the police headquarters at Eleyele, Ibadan for reaction.

The man that jumped to escape being robbed of his money by two men on commercial motorcycle, it was further gathered, was rescued by policemen who were on duty under the flyover and taken to the hospital in an ambulance, as he sustained injuring in his arms.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olabisi

Ilobanafor, confirmed the arrest of a man who was beaten by the mob but said he did not know anything about the Adeoyo State Hospital incident.

She said: “I can’t say whether he is a ritualist or destitute. I don’t know whether things found on him were human tongues or not.

“It is only a forensic expert who can say precisely what they are. We use this opportunity to warn members of the public not to take laws into their hands by resorting to jungle justice whenever they see a suspect.

“We also want to advise parents not to allow their wards to mix up with mob to break any law.”

Suspected kidnapper strips self naked to avoid arrest pupil’s fruitless effort to An angry mob almost

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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AGOS—A woman alleged to have kidnapped a 10year-old girl stripped herself to avoid arrest, yesterday, at the Ajegunle Police Division.

The woman, said to have identified herself as a serving Assistant Commissioner of Police, allegedly kidnapped the primary school pupil who was on her way to school, at Barra Street.

Eyewitnesses said the attention of some passers-by was attracted following the

free herself from Comfort’s grip.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as Mr. Joseph Ogbonna, said: “Out of curiosity, we decided to find out what the problem was and the girl said she did not know the woman. But Comfort said she was taking her child to Area B Command.

“A man among the crowd asked the girl to give her mother’s telephone number which she did. We dialed the line and her mother surfaced.”

lynched Comfort before a police patrol team from Ajegunle Division took her to the station.

However, at the station the suspect reportedly became incoherent and stripped herself, causing the male policemen to flee leaving the female officers to attend to the suspect.

One of the residents of Olubukola Street, who out of curiosity went to the station, was said to have disclosed that Comfort was mentally deranged and had attacked a pregnant woman.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 7

Osun Speaker's security aide kills colleague in error

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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S O G B O — PANDEMONIUM broke out Saturday when a security aide attached to Najeem Salaam, Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, simply identified as Idowu, allegedly shot another colleague identified

as Bunmi, also attached to the Speaker, to death at Ika, a village in Ejigbo Local Government Area of the state during a public function.

According to sources, Idowu and Bunmi had followed the Speaker to Ejigbo his home town last Saturday where they all attended the presentation of

staff of Office to the Orangun of Ika-Ejigbo.

It was gathered that the deceased was called to control some youths that were engaged in a fracas after the ceremony. When his efforts failed, he called on his colleague, who shot him on the head in an attempt to shoot into the air.

The Media Assistant to the Speaker, Mr. Goke Butikakuro, who confirmed

the development, said the incident happened last Saturday at 11.30pm, when the Speaker had gone to bed.

He said the officers were best of friends.

Efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the state Police Command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, proved abortive as she did not respond to the calls put across to her.

IN BORNO, GOMBE: Batch A members of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, posted to Borno and Gombe States, cheering the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, during his visit to the Malam-Sidi Orientation Camp, Gombe State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Mother of Bayelsa bizman kidnapped, father escapes

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA— UNKNOWN gunmen struck in the early hours of yesterday at Konga, an Akassa fishing community off the Atlantic coast of Brass in Bayelsa East senatorial district and kidnapped Mr. and Mrs Joel Kido, parents of a maritime businessman in the area.

Mr. Joel Kido, aged 65, father of the businessman was said to have jumped into the sea and escaped from his captors, while his wife was taken to an unknown place.

The gunmen, numbering about eight, it was learnt, stormed the residence of the couple at 12 midnight, while they were asleep and marched them to their waiting speedboat.

At press time, the family

was yet to establish contact with the gunmen. Vanguard reliably learnt that sometime last year the father of the businessman also escaped a kidnap attempt.

Informed sources told Vanguard that the incident

might not be unconnected with unresolved issues between the businessman and his workers over wages.

The police authorities, yesterday, confirmed the abduction saying two suspects linked with the incident were now in their custody in Yenagoa.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alex Akhigbe said the suspects had made useful statements and were assisting the police in their investigation.

He said plans were underway to rescue the kidnapped woman and arrest the abductors.

Gunmen kill Plateau varsity's student

BY TAYE OBATERU & MARIE THERESE NANLONG

J

OS— ACADEMIC activities at the Plateau State University, Bokkos, were paralysed yesterday, with some roads blocked as students protested the killing of one of them by suspected armed robbers.

Vanguard gathered that the student, said to be in 100 level,

Mathematics Department, went to charge his laptop in a shop outside the campus, Monday evening, when some unknown persons shot at the occupants of the shop killing him and injuring another.

The injured man, who is receiving treatment in a hospital, is not a student of the institution.

The protesting students lamented lack of basic

infrastructure like electricity on the campus which force students to rely on power generating sets owned by residents of the neighbouring communities.

The Student Union Government, SUG, President, Maren Ishaku, called on the school authorities to address issues such as lack of hostel accommodation, electricity and water affecting students.

GUO BOSS:

Court approves display of weapons

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—AN Onitsha High Court in Anambra State, presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo yesterday granted an application to bring and display all the weapons used during the kidnap of Chairman of GUO Motors Limited, Chief Godwin Okeke in Onitsha on Sunday, August 23, 2009, by his kidnappers.

Justice Nwankwo, who granted the application at the resumed hearing of the case, ordered that the matter be stood down midway into the evidence of the third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Victor Edet, one of the police officers who investigated Okeke’s kidnap case between 2009 and 2011.

Nwankwo’s order to stand down the case came immediately after Edet listed the names and types of the weapons used during the kidnap as the prosecution counsel, Chris Ajugwe, informed the court that police authorities in Anambra State were insisting that it was only Edet that can sign and collect the weapons from the police armoury.

Ajugwe, therefore, begged the court to stand the case down so Edet could go to State Special Anti-Robbery Squad Headquarters, Awkuzu, to sign and bring the weapons for display in the court that same yesterday.

The court granted Ajugwe’s request and stood the case down.

When Edet did not come back within, the prosecution and defence counsel went back to the court and informed the presiding judge that they learnt there were some hiccups, and they prayed the court to shift the matter till the next adjourned dates being April 1, 3, 4 and 9, for continuation, which the court granted.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Buhari flays PDP for politicising national security

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, Political Editor

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EADING opposition leader and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has flayed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for supposedly politicising the country’s national security and vowed not to be distracted from the goal of unveiling the lies of the ruling party.

Buhari in a statement said neither he nor his associates in the opposition would be distracted from their set goal of stopping and reversing alleged setbacks brought to the country through 15 years of rule by the PDP. Buhari’s statement followed assertions by the PDP that the former head of state and one of his political associates, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai knew more than they were willing to admit on the spate of insecurity facing the nation.

El-Rufai had in an earlier statement faulted the PDP and accused the Federal Government of using propaganda to fight Boko Haram and challenged the administration to unveil any evidence they had against himself and Buhari.

Buhari in his own reaction posted on his facebook page said: “We will not be distracted by the PDP’s latest attempt at blackmail and character assassination. We in the APC are channeling our energies towards reversing the setbacks recorded under fifteen years of PDP misrule and mismanagement.

“The attempt by the PDP to politicise national security shows that it is an irresponsible, bigoted party that thrives on fomenting division and hatred among Nigerians.”

“Politicising national security sends the wrong signal to our international security partners and undermines national unity; a unity the PDP immensely benefits from.”

“We will continue telling the truth about them, and we will not be distracted nor intimidated by the lies they fabricated against us.

Where they see division, we see unity. Where they see manipulation, we see collaboration. Where they see hate, we see hope.”

FG moves to privatise refineries ...As NITEL goes into guided-liquidation

BY EMMA UJAH

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government appears set to privatise the nation’s four refineries in Port-Hacourt, Warri and Kaduna.

Mr. Ben Dikki, the DirectorGeneral of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, announced this at a briefing in Abuja, yesterday.

He said however, that his team would first secure the cooperation of labour leaders, especially in the oil industry before taking concrete steps in that regard.

His words, “it should be noted that the labour unions have expressed their willingness to dialogue with government to develop appropriate business models for the refineries. This will be followed up and should lead to the commencement of the privatization process in 2014.

“The steering committee is expected to commence work soon and develop an appropriate framework for privatization that is acceptable to all stakeholders.

“The labour leaders have said that they are not averse to the privatization of the refineries.

What they want is that they should be included in determining the direction and the processes of the privatisation.

“What we want from them now is to give government the assurance that they are willing to proceed with the privatization. Once we have their assurances after due consultations with their members and they revert back to government that they have no objection to privatiSation of the refineries, we shall commence the process, after reporting such a commitment of labour to Mr. President and Mr. Vice president.

“I repeat, we want the commitment from labour that they are pro-privatisation and government is willing to include them in the steering committee so that we can jointly work together in fashioning out the appropriate modalities in dealing with the refineries.

“Once we receive such assurances from the two labour unions, we shall revert back to Mr. President to seek his approval to go ahead with the privatization of the refineries.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had sold off some of the refineries to Blue Circle at the end of his eight-year government in 2007 but late President Umaru Yar ’Adua reversed the transactions and returned investors funds to them.

Mr. Dikki also disclosed that the federal government has secured a court approval to undertake a guided-liquidation of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL and its subsidiary, MTEL.

According to him, Otunba Olutola Senbore has been appointed as the liquidator.

The wisdom in the guidedliquidation, according to the DG was to free the federal government of any further liabilities that might be left uncovered after the proceed from the liquidation would have been expended on settling debts owed by the two organizations.

Mr Dikki disclosed that NITEL/MTEL liabilities were in excess of N250 billion and that it was difficult to say that the sales of its assets could yield as much.

According to him, all “active staff of the two organizations were fully paid from the proceeds of their assets already sold.

He noted that even the casual workers had been fully paid their entitlements but that some people later emerged claiming that they were paid as much as their entitlements should be or that their names were

omitted and that group had gone to court over the matter.

The D-G who revealed that gross transactions revenue in 2013 stood at N397.7 billion said that his team was targeting N535.3 billion from various transactions this year.

He stated that eight reforms Bills were before the Federal Executive Council and that when passed by the National Assembly, would change the face of business in many sectors of the economy.

The Bills he said were: Railway Bill, which would break government monopoly and allow private investors to build and operate rail lines; Inland Water Ways Bills; Federal Roads Authority Bill; National Road Fund Bill; National Transport Commission; Ports & Harbour Bill; Postal Reform Bill; and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill.

Specifically, Mr. Dikki said that the Roads Bill would make it easier for private investors to participate in running roads across the country and that Nigerians would enjoy wellmaintained roads.

SUMMIT: From right—Group Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun; CEO, Nwana Africa Plc, Mr. Kalaa Mpinga; CEO, Rand Merchant Bank, Mr. Michael Larbi and the Paramount Chief of Essikado in Ghana, Nana Kobina Nketsia, at the 2014 Africa Finance Corporation Summit on ‘’Bridging the Infrastructure Investment Divide’’ held in Lagos yesterday.

CBN raises CRR on private sector deposit to 15% ...To withdraw N350bn

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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BUJA—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday raised the cash reserve ratio of bank’s private sector deposit from 12 to 15 per cent. This will lead to withdrawal of N350 billion from the banking system and indirectly occasion increase in interest rates.

Acting Governor, CBN, Dr Sarah Alade announced this decision at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting held yesterday.

However, the apex bank

kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at a record 12 percent, sticking to the tight monetary policy stance of the bank in the last two years.

The decision was in line with the estimates of economists surveyed.

Five of the nine Monetary Policy Committee members voted to keep the rate unchanged, while four called for an increase, acting Governor Sarah Alade told reporters in Abuja at the end of the Committee’s meeting.

“The committee unanimously agreed that

continuation of tight monetary policy was needed to consolidate recent gains,” Alade said. The cash reserve requirement on private sector funds was increased by 3 percentage points to 15 per cent, she said.

Alade has sought to calm investors concern following Sanusi’s departure, pledging to support policies that he put in place to stabilise the currency and lower the inflation rate to below 10 per cent.

President Goodluck Jonathan last month suspended Sanusi for “financial recklessness and

misconduct,” allegations that he denies. The unexpected decision, which followed Sanusi’s calls for an audit of NNPC, caused the naira to slump to a record low as investors worried that the independence of the central bank will be compromised.

Alade said on Feb. 21 that the change in leadership at the bank “ will not in any way affect the monetary policy direction” and its mandate of achieving price stability.

Inflation eased to 7.7 percent in February from 8 percent in the previous month, remaining within the central bank’s 6 percent to 9 percent target band.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—9

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10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Fire razes CBN Lagos office zOne injured

BY EVELYN USMAN & BOSE

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ADELAJA

AGOS—THE Tinubu, Lagos office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, went up in flames yesterday.

The cause of the fire said to have started from the third floor of the five storey building was yet to be ascertained as at time of writing this report.

But unconfirmed report said it was caused by electrical fault.

It was gathered that it started at about 5.10pm as workers were about moving documents and other sensitive items to the new building . Eye witnesses said an alarm was raised by a passer-by who noticed smoke billowing from the affected floor, causing staff of the apex bank who had closed for the day to scamper for safety.

The Lagos State Director of Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, when contacted, said two fire trucks from Onikan and Sari Iganmu stations with 10,000 litres of water each were drafted to the scene immediately information reached the service at about 5.45pm.

The fire fighters were still battling to contain the situation at about 6.50pm.

Fadipe could, however, not give the exact number of offices

affected. He stated that it would be ascertained at the end of the operation, assuring that his men were on top of the situation.

The tragedy took a new turn when a state fire officer (names withheld) collapsed due to suffocation by the fumes he inhaled but he was later rescued and taken to a nearby hospital.

CBN reacts

While reacting to the fire incidence, the Director, Corporate Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, in a statement said: "The CBN wishes to inform its stakeholders and the general public that a fire incident occurred at its Lagos Branch Office at about 5.30 this evening (Tuesday, March 25, 2014).

“The fire, which occurred on the first floor of the building, has been put out by a combined team of fire fighters from the CBN and other institutions. We wish to assure our numerous stakeholders that the records of the bank are intact, as the bank has an effective backup of all its records as part of our disaster recovery infrastructure.”

SUMMIT: President Goodluck Jonathan (middle)and other Heads of State and Government, after the 2014 Plenary Session of the Nuclear Security Summit, at The Hague, Netherlands, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Lagos issues ultimatum to substandard FG vows to protect nation’s Free Trade Zones masts’ According to him, “Let me 2014 Free Trade Zone, reassure you that all our ABDULWAHAB owners Security, Operations and related critical assets are at ABDULAH BY

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, issued what it termed a final ultimatum to owners of substandard masts, the hollow pipe masts, to replace them with the approved specification or have them decommissioned immediately.

The state government while explaining that the move became necessary to avert avoidable loss of lives and property, especially during the rainy season, insisted that the substandard facilities should be replaced with Angular deep, hot, galvanised steel, as the approved standard.

General Manager of Lagos State Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit, UFRU, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who handed out the warning at Alausa, Ikeja, said the new development was to ensure safety of residents.

Igbokwe lamented that constant collapse of the old and substandard masts had led to loss of lives and property in the past, saying, “they were all avoidable losses.”

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AGOS—THE Federal Government yesterday in Lagos, said it would spare nothing at providing adequate security at the nation’s Free Trade Zones across the country to guarantee economic development.

The government spoke through the National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in a keynote address he delivered at the

Exhibition Summit organised by the National Assembly Anti-Money Laundering and Cyber Security Coalition.

Represented by Professor Soji Adelaja, a consultant on Economic Intelligence, the NSA said the Free Trade Zones, FTZs, were key to the nation’s economic development, hence the interest by the government to protect businesses in these FTZs.

the forefront of our national security strategy. Our security infrastructure will be relentless in ensuring that our FTZs are protected.”

The NSA frowned at the inappropriate business practices, saying, “compromise our national security objectives, national integrity, economic viability, and economic independence.”

Power failure sacks Lagos courts

BY BARTHOLOMEW

MADUKWE AGOS—PROCEEDINGS at the Lagos High Court in Igbosere were yesterday stalled due to power failure in the premises, as lawyers who had hoped to progress with their cases left in disappointment.

Vanguard gathered that there was no power supply from the national grid and the generating set serving the complex was said to have crashed after working for a long time, throwing the courts into darkness.

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The development forced lawyers to vacate the courts in anger.

Judges who had already arrived for the day’s business, could not sit as the courtrooms were either too dark or too hot to endure the rigours of trial.

However, Court 47, which sat despite the power failure, did so with the both doors of the facility wide open.

Although some of the judges promised to sit at 12 noon, if the power-generating set was fixed, some litigants and others who

waited anticipating a restoration of power, later left disappointed.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who walked into the open court unrobed, said she was only willing to strain her eyes in her dark courtroom to take just applications for 30 minutes.

However, judges on one of the wings of the High Court complex, including Justices Olabisi Akinlade and Oyebanji, sat as there was power on the arm to light up the courtrooms and power their appliances.

LIRS: I haven’t quit my job —FOWLER

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—CONTRARY to media reports, Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenues Service, LIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, yesterday said he had not resigned his appointment.

This came 24 hours after media report claimed the LIRS boss left Governor Babatunde Fashola’s cabinet to join the Lagos State governorship race ahead of the 2015 general election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Speaking to Vanguard in an interview, Fowler said there was no way he would have resigned unceremoniously as reported in the report, adding “there was no plan to contest in any election.”

According to him: “I wish to place on the record that I have not resigned my appointment as the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue. I remain in office and continue to serve the people of Lagos State in my designated position."

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Employment: Solomon urges everyone’s involvement

BY DAPO AKINREFON AGOS—THE l a w m a k e r representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, has said no government can provide employment to every job seeker.

Senator Solomom spoke in Lagos at the graduation ceremony of a skill acquisition programme for 382 youths in his senatorial district.

The youths were trained in bead making, headgear and make up, fashion design, shoe making, photography, video coverage, pastry and cake decoration, barbing and knitting among others.

The lawmaker explained that he sponsored the youths to learn various vocations as part of his contribution to job creation in the country, noting that many youths were unemployed due to lack of skills.

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11—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Ondo Radio-vision workers protest poor equipment, pay

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—WORKERS in the Ondo state owned Radio-vision Corporation, OSRC, in Akure yesterday decried the total collapse of infrastructure, transmitter, equipment at the studios and ,the poor office accommodations, their poor working conditions and perceived insensitivity of the management.

The workers at a meeting lamented that termites had eaten up the offices of the corporation.

Under the aegis of the Joint Consultative Council, JCC, the workers who chanted solidarity songs to describe numerous problems confronting OSRC, argued that no value had been added to both the 96.5 FM and Television stations over the years.

They claimed Governor Olusegun Mimiko was unaware of their problems, saying “various attempts to bring their concerns to the notice of the governor were thwarted by the Director General, Mr. Ladi Akeredolu Ale. The Fm station is dead while the TV station is standing on one leg due to lack of necessary facilities."

Passage

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TATION OFFICER, SO, in charge of Shagamu Road Divission, Ikorodu Lagos, Inspector Moses Alex Efosa is dead, aged 46 year.

He will be buried on March 28, at the family compound in his home town, Eboro, Ovia North/East Local Government Area of Edo State. He is survived by a widow, children and an aged father.

Late Inspector Efosa

Osun guber: Adeleke, Omisore submit PDP forms zAs chieftain wants intervention in Ekiti PDP crisis A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—AHEAD of April 5th primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Osun state gubernatorial election, former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and former Deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday were at the national secretariat of the party to submit their nomination and expression of interest forms.

The aspirants who spoke separately, boasted that the PDP was prepared to take over government from the incumbent, Rauf Aregbesola with Omisore alleging that the governor came through the back door.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke who claimed that what he did in 22 months as a former governor of the state surpassed what Aregbesola has done in the past three and half years.

According to him; “I did not just wake up to pick the governorship form. My people said I should contest the primary and I am in the race to answer to this call to duty.

“What I have been able to do in just 22 months; Aregbesola has not been able to do in four years.

“As I speak with you, what I achieved then, nobody has been able to do half even with all the resources available to them.

“With the lean resources then, I achieved so much, with the huge resources now, I will achieve so much."

On his part, Omisore who declared that he was in the governorship race as a rescue mission to restore the dignity of Osun state, explained that with the perceived lack-luster performance of present government, it had become obvious that All Progressives Congress, APC, had nothing to offer.

Arise urges President’s intervention in Ekiti PDP crisis:

Meantime, former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise has called for the urgent intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan in the crisis rocking the Ekiti state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying; “The way things are going, PDP might lose Ekiti and that will be disastrous.”

Senator Arise, who maintained that he had no problems with anyone who emerges as the party’s governorship candidate,

added that; “The process through which whoever is picked as the party’s candidate emerges is very important and that process must be free, fair and transparent.”

He described the last Wednesday Ward Congresses as a sham, adding that the last Saturday’s primary election ought to have been shifted to allow for the resolution of the crises which arose from the congresses.

AWARD: From left: Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, CFR, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), and Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Mr. Ayodele Adewale, during the presentation of the award of “Emerging Leader 2013 in Nigeria” to the LG boss, during the 2nd Oba Okunade Sijuwade Annual Leadership Lecture & Awards, at the monarch's palace, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Bamidele adopted as Ekiti LP guber candidate

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BY GBENGAARIYIBI

DO EKITI—A member of House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele, yesterday emerged the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the June 21 Ekiti State governorship election.

This came as the DirectorGeneral of the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Bimbo Daramola, said Governor Kayode Fayemi, still remains an aspirant of the party, arguing that the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is still open for any interested aspirant.

The LP candidate was a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, before metamorphosing to All Progressives Congress, APC, and had declared his intention to run for the governorship election since September 19, 2013 under the platform of Ekiti Bibire Coalition.

Bamidele emerged the LP candidate through the affirmation of all the 444 delegates including the national leaders of the party under the observation of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Ado Ekiti.

His adoption started after the Chairman of LP in the State, Mr.

Akin Omole, recommended Bamidele to the delegation of the LP’s National Working Committee led by its Deputy Chairman, Chief Joseph Akinlaja for ratification, saying this was in tandem with Section

27 subsection 3 of the party’s constitution.

On Fayemi’s interest to recontest in APC, Daramola, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, insisted that the ticket of the party was still open to

interested party men.

He admitted however that only Fayemi for now had collected the APC nomination form, saying this had not precluded others seeking the party’s ticket."

OOU mgt denies charging students extra fees

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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B E O K U TA — T H E management of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, yesterday, said it had not asked its final year medical students to pay extra tuition because of any strike.

In a statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs Division, Mr.Niyi Oduwole in Abeokuta, the management explained that the extension of period of medical students in the clinical school due to strike in the teaching hospital by doctors and other ancillary medical personnel necessitated the request for payment by the students.

The medical students of the institution had accused the management of the institution of calling the bluff of the Ogun State House of Assembly over its directive to over stay action

on the collection of the alleged extra fee from the students.

The management said: “To set the records straight, no student

and including our medical students were ever directed to pay extra tuition due to any strike in the university.

Home Owner Charter: Amosun presents C of Os

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BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun will today, present Certificate of Occupancy and other title documents to the first batch of applicants in the ongoing Home-Owners’ Charter programme.

A statement by Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu indicated that the event would take place at the Governor’s office conference room beginning from 12 noon.

“This event is in fulfillment of the promise by His Excellency in December 2013, when the

programme was launched as part of his Mission to Rebuild” the statement noted.

The Homeowners’ Charter programme, an initiative of Senator Ibikunle Amosun ledadministration provides a window of opportunity for those who built without obtaining required approvals or built illegally on Government owned lands to obtain such document at a huge discount.

Sale of forms for the programme is due to end on next Monday, 31st of this month.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

NIS tragedy, evidence of FG’s lip service to employment — Senator

BY DAVE OSO

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ENATOR Akin Odunsi, yesterday, faulted the Federal Government for paying lip service to youth employment in Nigeria, saying that the country was sitting on a keg of gunpowder, if the unemployment situation was not urgently addressed.

Speaking on the ill-fated recruitment exercise carried out by the Nigeria Immigration Service, Sanator Odunsi, representing Ogun West senatorial district, said: “What happened on March 8, has clearly exposed the lies of the Federal Government that it has provided one million jobs for Nigerian youths, which up till now, no one has seen or felt the impact in the employment market. Was it not an irony that over 700,000 applicants are jostling for jobs vacancies meant for about 4,300, and to add salt to injury, they still had to part with N1,000 each.”

Odunsi addressed newsmen, in Otta, Ogun State, at the youth empowerment programme he initiated for 22

university graduates drawn from each ward in the senatorial district.

He expressed worry that the huge turn-over of jobless university graduates every year would have a spiral effect on the larger populace.

He said: “If the 6-3-6-4 education policy was implemented to the letter, not many of our kids would go beyond three years in school, thereafter, they would go into skill acquisition programme such as car-

pentry, plumbing, tailoring, welding to mention a few, but that was before. Do we today have functional technical schools anymore?

They’ve all been replaced with half-baked graduates who are thrown into employment market every year.”

CONVENTION: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, cutting the tape to declare Word of Life Bible Church, Daughters of Sarah convention/ Trade Fair open. He is flanked by Chief Host, Pastor Helen Oritsejafor; Chief Walter Odeli; CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Secretary-Genaral of NPC, Mr. Kennedy Opara.

Delta Forum urges NJC to investigate judgment on Burutu PDP Chair

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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ELTA Forum for Transparency and Probity, DFTP, has asked the National Judicial Council, NJC, to investigate a judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Abubakar of a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State for alleged miscarriage of justice.

DFPT wants the Chairman of NJC and Chief Justice of

the Federation, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, to probe the judgment delivered by the judge in suit No: FHC/WR/CS/189/2013, over the duly elected candidate for the chairmanship of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Secretary General of DFTP, Mr. Joseph Benike, in the petition, alleged that the judge showed signs of affinity with one of the parties, as he ignored salient and justiceable

arguments and evidence canvassed by the defence counsel.

“Consequently, the position of our lawyers to the effect that nomination of candidates for intra or inter-party elective position precedes any election, among other issues raised, were carefully and deliberately ignored and avoided by the trial judge in his judgment,” he said.

He further said that con-

Edo targets land use charge to boost IGR

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has said that the state records an average of N1.5 billon monthly from internally generated revenue, admitting that the government must widen its scope of tax generation to sustain the pace of development in the state.

This came as the state Internal Revenue Service said it recovered over N654 million from 23 corporate tax defaulters, of the 1,536 charged to court in the state, last year.

Speaking at the commissioning of the edifice housing the offices of the state Inter-

nal Revenue Service, Oshiomhole said that the government was now ready to give effect to the letter and spirit of the Land Use Charge to generate more revenue for the government.

He said: “The challenge of government is not just to collect taxes but develop institutions. The character of a government is defined by its tax policies; who pays how much and who gets what. This is the only country where politicians can speak from all corners of their mouths about what they want to do even if they know they won’t do it and they get applause and go home to sleep.

“In Edo State, we are clear that we will build institutions.

Rather than allow tax collectors to collect our taxes and collect commissions, we decided to develop in-house capacity which government after government will build on. It is consistent with our determination that we will not hide under any guise to collect p u b l i c money and share with anyone."

trary to logic, the judge granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, who “neither purchased the nomination form of his party to contest for the chairmanship position of the party, nor showed evidence of nomination to contest position.”

The group said that even though it did not want to impugn on the judge’s integrity, the signals which emanated from the judge at the point of delivering judgment caused discomfort to observers.

2015: Group urges Itsekiri to reject selfish aspirants

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—THE Itsekiri Communities Youth Development Initiative, ICYDI, in Delta State, has called on Itsekiri communities in the state to oppose selfseeking Itsekiri aspirants in the 2015 general elections.

National president of the group, Mr. Ojogor Anderson, at a convention of Itsekiri youth leaders in Lagos, said: “We are going round Itsekiri communities to enlighten our people to resist anyone who will want to jeopardise our mandate for their personal interests, even as we sue for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2015.”

Ewetuya passes on at 102

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HIEF Philip Ewetuya, former President-General of Okpe Union, is dead, aged 102.

He is survived by a widow, four children, several grand and greatgrand children as well as other relatives.

A statement by the family said burial arrangements would be announced later.

Late Chief Ewetuya

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 13

Pollution in Bayelsa, widespread —NOSDRA

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—THERE are indications that Bayelsa State may be considered a special case, as the Federal Government moves to implement the United Nations Environmental Protection, UNEP, report on Ogoniland, Rivers State.

Already, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, is in the state on a two-day inspection visit to recorded oil spill sites that were not remediated by government or the oil companies.

Director General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor, who spoke to newsmen in Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, stressed the need for remediation efforts in the state.

He said: “Pollution in Bayelsa is very rife, it is like what happened in Ogoniland. We are here as part of the activities we have lined up in the oil producing state to seek the attention of the governors in

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areas where we can tackle oil spill.

We are going to visit some of the legacy sites.”

On the team's visit to Well 12 in Imiringi, he said it was based on the report of an alleged oil spill a long time ago, which turned out to be false.

However, available facts show that Bayelsa State has witnessed more cases of pollution in the last decade than any other oil producing state in the Niger Delta region.

Only recently, the Trans-Niger

Trunkline was shut down due to observed leakage to enable its owner, Shell Petroleum Development Company, effect repairs.

The NOSDRA team is expected to visit Ikarama and Biseni communities in the outskirts of Yenagoa today in continuation of the inspection visit.

Ikarama community has been described as one community that has witnessed more oil crude spills than any other oil producing community in the Niger Delta region.

UPU tasks Urhobo on 2015 polls

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HE Urhobo nation has been called upon to prepare for the 2015 general elections, described as crucial to the wellbeing of the people.

Assistant National Publicity Secretary of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, said: “Urhobo nation, the 5th largest ethnic group in Nigeria, is currently going through challenges which need surgical operation in 2015.

“The people are passing through serious trauma in the hands of the Federal Government despite their

overwhelming support for President Goodluck Jonathan.” He pointed out that the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

Unagha said that the Urhobo will demonstrate their numerical strength come 2015 general elections, not minding whose ox is gored.

He regretted that the Urhobo were like a conquered people in their home, which he said was intolerable, accusing the Federal Government of exhibiting a ‘ winner takes it all syndrome’ in its administration.

Marriott boosts Nigeria's tourism with luxury hotels

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ARRIOTT International Inc., owner of brands including the Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance, is strengthening its position in West Africa as economic growth in Nigeria and Ghana boosts travel and tourism sector.

Protea Hospitality Holdings, which Bethesda, Maryland-based Marriott agreed to buy for $186 million in January, is building five-star and three-star hotels in Lagos, adding 400 rooms to the 700 it has in the country, Danny Bryer, Director of Sales, Mar-

keting and Revenue for Protea, said in response to questions.

“With the surging Nigerian economy resulting in companies around the world seeking to do business, the demand for quality hotel rooms is expected to increase substantially over the next few years,” said Bryer.

Marriott, the largest publicly traded hotel chain after Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., HLT, will almost double its rooms in Africa to about 23,000 with the acquisition of Protea.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Obiano gets nod from Anambra lawmakers to appoint 10 SAs

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — ANAMBRA State House of Assembly, yesterday, gave Governor Willie Obiano the nod to appoint 10 Special Advisers.

The governor ’s letter, which was read under matters of urgent public importance, received commendation from all the lawmakers.

Anambra govt begins removal of billboards

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — ANAMBRA State Signage and Advertising Agency, ANSAA, yesterday, began massive removal of billboards and signposts in various parts of the state as part of measures to decongest the cities.

Areas where officials of the agency carried out the operation included Zik Avenue, Head Bridge, Upper Iweka and Awka Road, all in the commercial city of Onitsha, as well as parts of Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Awka.

2015: Women’s group supports Jonathan

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AGOS — THE Dy namic Delta Ladies, a Goodluck Support Group, has thrown its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid, advising opposition parties to stop provocative statements on the 2015 general election.

The group's coordinator, Princess Philomena Umukoro, said in a statement that the "President has the constitutional right for a second term in office."

She blamed the opposition for fanning embers of disunity and war.

She said: “Some people boasted that Nigeria would be ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan if he remained in power beyond 2015. We are saying it is either they do not want to check the constitution or they knowingly refused to do the right.

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Sanusi dragged to court over alleged N50bn fraud

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA — SHAREHOLDERS of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, yesterday, dragged the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ,before a Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing him of complicity in an alleged N50billion fraud.

In a suit they entered through their lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, the plaintiffs, including Abdullahi M. Sani, Adaeze Onwuegbusi and Chijioke Ezeikpe, alleged that Sanusi, as the CBN governor, acted contrary to the provisions of sections 12, 32, 35 and 39 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, by deliberately falsifying the actual financial state of affairs/solvency of Intercontinental Bank Plc and subsequently sold it to his cronies at a ridiculous sum of N50 billion.

Aside Sanusi, others joined as defendants in the suit were the CBN and the Security & Exchange Commission.

Specifically, they are praying the court to, among other things, determine whether Sanusi, “did not act fraudulently in waiving/ writing off the sum of N16.2 billion owed by Mr. Aig-Aigboje Imokhuede and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank and the sum of N8.9 billion owed by Senator Bukola Saraki and other sums so owed, all totalling over N40bn, in a bid to enable the said Access Bank Plc to fraudulently purchase Intercontinental Bank Plc at a ridiculous sum of N50 billion only, even when the quarterly profit of the said bank was more than N50bn and which Bank at the material time was worth more than N1 trillion, to the detriment of the Plaintiffs as shareholders and investors. ”Whether the 1st defendant,

acting as the Governor of the 2nd defendant, did not act fraudulently, in breach of his public office, against the public interest and contrary to the provisions of sections 12, 32, 35 and 39 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 in deliberately strangulating the banking operations and falsifying the actual financial state of affairs/solvency of Intercontinental Bank Plc as a ground for revoking the operating licence of and taking over the management of the said Intercontinental Bank Plc, of which the plaintiffs are shareholders, only to undervalue the said bank to the detriment of the plaintiffs as shareholders and investors and sell the said bank to his friends/associates/cronies in Access Bank Plc where Mr. AigAigboje and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director respectively of the said Access Bank Plc,

acting indebted to Intercontinental Bank Plc, to the tune of N16.2 billion, to the knowledge of the 1st defendant. ”Whether the 1st defendant, acting as the Governor of the 2nd defendant did not act fraudulently, in breach of his public office, against the public interest and contrary to the provision of sections 12, 32, 35 and 39 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B4 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, in taking over Intercontinental Bank Plc, of which the plaintiffs are shareholders, and selling same to Access Bank Plc, notwithstanding that the facilitator of the said sale/buyover transaction, Senator Bukola Saraki, was also indebted to Intercontinental Bank Plc, to the tune of N8.9 billion, through his companies, Limkers, Dicetrade, Skyview Properties and Joy Petroleum, to the knowledge of the 1st defendant," among other allegations.

S/E govs resolve to jointly tackle security challenges

BY TONY EDIKE

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MEETING: From left, Governors Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Theodore Orji (Abia), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, after a meeting of South East Governors, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Orji suspends 2 commmissioners for extortion, illegal taxes

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA — GOVERNOR The odore Orji of Abia State has suspended indefinitely two commissioners for allegedly flouting government’s directive against double taxation and extortion of money from people of the state.

The commissioners are Chief Chisom Nwamuo, Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Ikechukwu Emesiombum, Transport.

The governor also directed the sealing off of the premises of Aba area office of the Ministry of Works, which was being used for extortion in the commercial town in the name of illegal revenue collection.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, explained that Governor Orji frowned at double taxation, extortion and harassment of innocent citizens in the name of collection of illegal revenue.

According to him, the " state government is currently harmonising taxes payable in the state" and will soon come

out with its position.

He said that for now, only the state Board of Internal Revenue was allowed to collect revenue for the state.

It has been an ugly practice to see scores of illegal revenue collectors going from office to office to distribute demand notices for all manner of illegal revenues which usually end up in pockets of unscrupulous individuals.

Some of the illegal revenue collectors, perhaps, in connivance with some commissioners, are often seen harassing and intimidating motorists, even strangers, jumping into their vehicles like criminals and extorting money from them.

The government had warned several times against the acts, but because the illegal revenue agents had the tacit support of some commissioners and other unscrupulous government officials, they kept on with the extortion.

Last week, Governor Orji directed the suspension of all unapproved revenue collections until the on-going harmonisation of taxes payable in the state was completed.

NUGU — GOVERNORS of the South East geopolitical zone, yesterday, rose from their meeting in Enugu with a resolve to jointly tackle various challenges being faced by people of the zone.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji said the governors discussed how they could jointly tackle security in the zone.

Governors of Enugu, Abia and Anambra State, Sullivan Chime, Theodore Orji and Willy Obiano were present at the meeting while their Ebonyi State counterpart, Martin Elechi was represented by his deputy, Dave Umahi.

However, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha was absent and no reason was given.

Orji stated that they also used the opportunity to welcome the new Anambra State governor, Dr. Willie Obiano into their fold.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—15

VERDANT ZEAL 2014 INNOVENTION: 'GROWING INNOVATION IN LEADERSHIP'

From left, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, MD, Verdant Zeal Group; Mr. Funsho Philips, Chairman, NESG; Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, Keynote Speaker; Mrs. Iyadunni Olubola, Executive Director, LEAP Africa and Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Senior Consultant/CEO, Resources and Trust Company ltd (Discussants) at Verdant Zeal 2014 Innovention Series, entitled, 'Growing Leadership Innovation- Lessons for Africa,' in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

Mr Tunji Olugbodi, MD Verdant Zeal (3rd left), his wife (2nd left), some members of the family and guests.

Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of National Planning Commission (left), and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers.

From left, Chief Dele Olugbodi, father of Mr. Tunji Olugbodi; Mr. David Adewolu; Mrs. Adeteju Bankole, and Mrs. Bisi Olugbodi, mother of Mr. Tunji Olugbodi.

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From left, Mr. Kola Olugbodi, Mr. Enyinnaya Omereonye, and Mrs. Biyi Olugbodi, wife of Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, MD, Verdant Zeal.

From left, Mr. Funsho Philips, Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG; Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, MD, Verdant Zeal Group; Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of National Planning Commission, and Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, frontline politician and statesman, Ghana.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Over 3m face humanitarian crisis in North East —NEMA

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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HE NATIONAL Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said that more than three million persons are faced with humanitarian challenges arising from the problem of insurgency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

According to the agency, the insurgency has resulted in many deaths and displaced about 250, 000 that are now in various camps or living with relations and other places presumed to be safe.

NEMA’s Director General, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, disclosed this in Abuja at the 7th National Humanitarian Coordi-

nation Forum.

Sidi said the statistics are for the period between January and March 2014.

According to him, Borno State has the highest figure of 1, 304, 393 persons followed by Adamawa with 1, 086, 126 and Yobe 771, 368 that were affected, most of whom are women, children and the aged.

Represented by the Director of Administration, Dr Zanna Muhammadat the forum, Sidi said, though NEMA has been intervening with the provision of relief materials to the affected persons, “the needs of the affected population are increasing by the day and the support of all is ur-

gently required.”

To effectively address the needs, he said all humanitarian organisations with the intention of supporting the plights of the affected persons should liaise with NEMA as the coordinating Agency to properly identify the gaps and avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts.

“To have the support of all in this regards, it is important for local and international humanitarian actors to know the scale of the problem at hand, the efforts being made by the relevant authorities and the existing gap for further support, “ he added.

It could be recalled that early this month, the United Nations

released a report that revealed that about 57,000 Nigerians lived as refugees in neighbouring countries including Cameroun, Chad and Niger republic as a result of insurgency by Boko Haram.

The world body also disclosed that about half a million people have been internally displaced in the country, describing it as a very alarming situation.

Spokesperson of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, Mr. Adrian Edwards, who spoke with reporters in Geneva had said that of the 57,000 people who fled Nigeria, 17,000 are registered as Nigerians while the rest are nationals

from neighbouring countries who have been living in Nigeria for ages.

He disclosed that Niger received the majority — some 40,000 concentrated in the Diffa region, a desert in the country’s eastern edge.

According to him, many of those fleeing North-Eastern Nigeria are traumatized and left with very few possessions, adding that besides the Lake Chad area, some of the new arrivals are from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

He said: “Since Nigeria declared a state of emergency in the three states in May 2013, more than 57,000 people have fled to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Some 17,000 of these are registered Nigerian refugees. The rest are nationals of the surrounding countries who had been living in Nigeria for decades.”

Police arrest Nasarawa Commissioner for jumping state House of Assembly fence

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AFIA — THE Nasarawa Police Command, Tuesday, arrested the Nasarawa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Innocent Lagi, for scaling the fence of the State House of Assembly to serve a court order.

Lagi was at the Assembly to serve the officials with a court injunction restraining the House from summoning the chairman of Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, and his commissioners to appear before them.

However, the News Agency of Nigeria, reported that he was not allowed to enter the premises by the security officers.

The Attorney-General, after being denied access to the complex, decided to jump over the fence, which prompted the legislators to order security officials to arrest him.

It was also reported that before Lagi arrived at the Assembly complex, the Chairman of the commission, Dr. Abdullahi Modibo, and five other commissioners had already responded to questions raised by members on the conduct of the exercise.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 BEFUDDLEMENT douses the recent police raid of Soka area of Oyo State on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where, by police’s account a den of kidnappers was uncovered. The graphic images of the discoveries are causes for concern.

Whose decaying body parts littered the place? Can the 20 decomposing bodies be identified? Who are the 23 people - 18 men and five women - found in the place?

The poor state of their health and the fact that their legs were manacled suggests that they could have been held captive.

Neighbours have testified of possible unwholesome activities in the area, including child trafficking, sale of human parts, and newly born babies. They said their complaints to the police were untreated.

Among the women rescued was one who was said to have had a baby on the day of the arrest, the baby was missing. Skeletons were found in nearby bushes.

Police confirmed arresting seven persons in connection with the discovery of human parts in the bush, about a kilometre off the busy expressway. The arrested

No Alarms Over Kidnappers’ Den were two persons found in the uncompletedbuilding and five security personnel working for a company close by. Three dane guns, three single barrel guns, one bow, 16 arrows, 22 cutlasses, 40 live cartridges, seven knives, an axe, two iron files and a phone were found in the building.

We are worried about the police’s handling of the matter. Why should the place be demolished when more searches could produce more evidence? Why the hurry in crushing the place? Why are the police fighting people suggesting excavations to search for more bodies? Why were the police unable to apprehend those behind

Soka?

The much we know would not have become public if a group of about 100 area boys had not invaded the area in search of two missing cyclists, possibly their colleagues. They went in such numbers because they heard of the activities in the area. Cases like this are not new. Their predictable end is that the police mismanages the evidence, the suspects are set free. In other instances, the cases do not get to the court, one of the most famous ones being Clifford Orji.

He was arrested in February 1999 under a bridge in Lagos, where he had lived for years, terrorising people. Some human parts were found on him. He confessed he had clients for the parts and that their names and telephone numbers were in a diary that was with him. Clifford was taken to a magistrate court once in 1999 and died in Kirikiri Prison in 2012. Police did not prosecute him, claiming he was mentally unstable.

The Soka case should not get the Clifford treatment.

OPINION

BY ANDY ANYADUBA

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IGERIA is bleeding and convulsing in pain throes. She is gradually sliding into the impotence of error. Her efforts at steadying the tottering steps – even if on the slimy blood of the innocent victims quartered in death by the Boko Haram suicides – appears vacuumed of effect.

Since the emergence of the terrorist group, Nigeria has lost innocent thousands of her population. Among those wasted by the unsparing bombs of the suicides are youths of productive age. The blood spillers – who have variously made asinine demands – believe that inflicting maximum carnage on the nation would compel her to acquiescence. And they have carried on with defiance, and spoken with supercilious condescension. Every day presages some bizarre occurrence. The resurgence of violence in the last couple of days shows that an end to the carnage may not be in sight yet.

After the trail of blood from Buni Yadi, through Maiduguri to Mainok, the number of recorded dead stood at about 300. It was a dark day for Nigeria and a doomsday for the families of the violently dispatched. Life has lost its meaning as death is adrift, seizing men in their hundreds.

It could not be worse. Vanguard newspaper in its comment on Thursday, March 6, 2014 observed that, “It is tiresome keeping track of the killings in the North East”.

The killing fields of the North East now overflow with the blood of innocent Nigerians.

Nigerians have reason to be angry. But to do so upon indictment of the Jonathan administration will be a great disservice to the government, and an absolution of the political leadership of the area under siege. Truth is that the terrorists have exploited both the elements of surprise and suicide to cheat detection and prolong the orgy of bloodletting. But more than C M Y K

Bok o Haram and Nor th East go Boko North govvernor ernorss that, the political leadership as well as the people of the area have not demonstrated enough will to nip the crime in the bud. It is true that the surprises of the attacks and morbid interests in suicide bombings have conspired to stultify every effort, but active support from the people would have made much difference.

Understandably, the crime of terrorism has no one-off solution. But no doubt adequate intelligence from the people will go a long way in frustrating the criminal activities of the homicidal group. They are not ghosts. They live among people.

In a conflict of this nature – with all the trappings of guerilla warfare of hit-and-run – information is crucial. No effort channeled inappropriately should be expected to achieve positive results. And if nothing is done on this score of heightening intelligence, the security forces will face more daunting challenges.

Already their assurances that they are capable of defeating Boko Haram are beginning to be greeted with skepticism in some quarters. This is especially so when a lull in the activity of the terrorists does not confirm a lasting peace, but an interlude before fresh horrendous occurrences. Nigerians, especially those living in the area, have learnt to keep their trunks ready and their ornaments few.

The Jonathan administration has stood condemned in the court of virulent opposition.

The recent slaughtering of about 40 students of Federal Government College Buni Yadi, in Yobi State has provoked emotive condemnation of the government. Those who criticise it cite non-cancelation of the centennial celebrations in the wake of the tragedy as insensitive. A more sensitive country like the US – they argue – would have done so pronto. This argument is puerile. How much of such cancelations will

suffice in an orgy of unrestricted violence?

Couldn’t it profit Nigerians more if the governors of the areas affected are encouraged to put aside partisan politics and support the efforts of the federal government in checkmating the menace? In which other country will a citizen declare that they would make the country ungovernable should their President decide to seek re-election?

Truth is that terrorism is not an easy-peasy crime to overcome, and no one-off solution has successfully nipped it in the bud anywhere in the world. Not even the US can claim to have a joy ride on this score. No matter the effort of the Jonathan government in trying to contain the terrorists, the death of any Nigerian in the hands of the suicides will blunt the sharpness of such effort. The effort of the administration in trying to extricate the North East, and indeed Nigeria, from the menace of suicides, may take a longer time for the opposition to appreciate. After all, a cockroach, it is said cannot to be innocent at the gathering of fowls.

The crisis of the North East Nigeria predates the Jonathan administration, no doubt. But things since got from bad to worse. But that is not because of lack of trying on the part of the Jonathan government. If anything, the administration has experimented with a pollination of ideas, including, but not limited to inviting the suicides to a roundtable discussion. Following the recent carnage Governors Isa Yaguda, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Garba Umar of Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe respectively have resolved to invite the sect members to a discussion. However late their action may be, it must be applauded since no time is too late to destroy evil. Only a fool chases a rat while his house is up in flame.

There is a limit to politics.

The efforts of the Jonathan administration to end the orgy of violence, evident in the investigation of the extra-judicial killing of the Boko Haram leader; deploying of troops and declaring partial state of emergency in three most affected states and seeking co-operation with Nigeria’s neighbours on counterterrorism are public knowledge. All the efforts – be they negotiation or military action – can only work when the indigenes themselves are decided on cooperating with government. Ditto for the political leadership of the areas, a section of which is alleged to have propped up the sect for selfish political reasons! When those youths were indulged in ways antithetical to good conduct their masters forgot that “an indulgent and intemperate youth delivers to age a body permanently worn out”. What we have in the North East today is a Frankenstein’s monster which destruction must derive essentially from the North East. It is not enough to condemn the Jonathan administration on an issue which it has demonstrated enough will to end but which lingers on because it is politically expedient for some. Those who blame the administration forget that you cannot catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s lair. And it takes somebody who can wend through the maze to know where the tiger’s lair is. Now that the governors of the affected zone have come to realise the need to salvage the area from the carnage, a better result can be expected. The time is now to walk the talk. Augurs have variously predicted that an end will soon come for the unprovoked violence. Perhaps the hour is here, for it is hoped the suicides would be content to air their displeasure before their own. Those who have played politics with this should cease and rethink the future of the zone and, indeed, the future of the whole country. It is not enough to mouth the condemnation. *Mr. Anyaduba, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014— —19

, Immigration Service debacle and the siege on the Nigerian future

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HE morning of Saturday March 15 met me outside Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State, venue of the so-called test for young Nigerians applying for jobs with the Nigerian Immigration Service. They had come from different states in the South West and environs in their thousands even though notice for the test had been issued only three days before. Short notices like this are common tricks by which recruitment agents and their officers ensure many miss out on recruitment tests or go for their test unprepared.

Either way it is a fraud to give some applicants unfair advantage over others. You wouldn’t expect it in a Federal Government agency.

But then this is Nigeria. By 7am roads leading to Liberty Stadium and the entire neigbourhood of the Stadium were in a state of chaos as the applicants, garbed in different shades of white vests and shorts/trousers, over white tennis canvas anxiously rushed to the entrance to beat the 7 am deadline for them to report.

Friends and relations of the applicants who had either driven them to the venue or gone with them to provide other support all

looked equally harassed. The mood was not the most appropriate for a test which was meant to be both intellectual and physical- a written test to be followed by an endurance race for people who had not been certified physically fit. By 2 pm, seven clear hours after the applicants were to have been accredited, the Ibadan venue of the test was still chaotic.

People struggled to go in as the accreditation seemed to be taking forever.

In the end, the organisers abandoned all pretences to order and simply opened the gates to everybody around including, no doubt, common thieves and pickpockets who had come disguised as applicants for the test.

Many applicants or mere touts in white clothing walked up and down the road, talking in leisurely groups and looking unconcerned or too tired and harassed to be bothered. There were many people making brisk business selling white vests, shoes, socks and other materials the unprepared applicants needed to be allowed into the test venue.

It was just crazy calling what went on in that place a test. Torture?

Yes!

Must the blood of young Nigerians be constantly spilled before government realises the injustice being perpetrated against this segment of the population?

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I left after spending several hours waiting but would later learn many were injured trying to get in even though no death was recorded. I had gone to the test venue with somebody very close to me who had responded to the call for application months before. I couldn’t really be bothered about the test and left to me the person I had accompanied to the test wouldn’t have applied.

I had known from past experience that such mass recruitment drives, either by banks or oil companies, are mere smokescreens to perpetrate unspeakable frauds on hapless Nigerians. The tests are means through which their organisers provide official cover for their under the table activities. Years ago after one such test conducted by the Nigerian Customs at their office close to the University of Lagos, the entire area, including Atan cemetery, had been littered with copies of educational certificates and other personal effects of the applicants.

I was then an undergraduate at Unilag and had witnessed the sham at the Harvey Road office of the Customs where Iaw enforcement agents had been invited to maintain order. They had shot into

the air and released many canisters of tear gas which led to a stampede.

Many were trampled upon in the manner that led to the death of scores of Nigerian youths across different test centres on March 15.

There were shoes, bags and writing materials everywhere days after the test. Which is to say that the latest incident involving the NIS was not in any way new. It’s been going on for many years.

But what’s baffling about it all is the casual manner with which these incidents and others like them involving loss of many lives are handled. The NIS that had made hundreds of millions of Naira, if not billions, from the applicants who had each paid N1000 to apply must have been aware of the number of applicants to say nothing of the available spaces which, it has been revealed, was between 2000 and 4000. They had the figures and could have made plans to conduct the test in manageable batches if they were being honest.

But what interested them was the money to be made from the applicants who had been made desperate by years of joblessness in spite of the ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’ of high employment being released by Ngozi OkonjoIweala and her ilk in government.

In years past, how many graduates cared for jobs in establishments like the NIS, Customs, the police or military? But desperation has turned Nigerian youths into avid applicants for jobs wherever they could be found.

From whatever angle the matter is viewed, the Nigerian youth is under siege, either in school, as undergraduates or graduates.

They’ve become the cash cow and sacrificial lamb of the Nigerian society where a few older members of the society who have more than

enough to take care of themselves and their families are given more while the younger elements of the society, the future of the country, have no one to meet their needs.

The school system, from primary through to secondary and university, has been destroyed and those able to make it through the decayed system, even when they are eminently qualified, are hired as so-called contract staff and paid less for jobs for which people with lesser education had better pay and prospects in years past.

In the last few months hundreds of Nigerian children have been murdered in schools across the North Eeast of the country where Islamic terrorists opposed to socalled Western education have been in control. The entire school system has now been shut down, sending thousands of children back home in that region of Nigeria where less than 5% of school-going age children are in school. Who says the terrorists are not achieving their aim of mass illiteracy where all we hear from the government is rhetoric of victory?

Should it take the death of 20 Nigerian youths for government to realise that the tradition of mass recruitment exercise is a nonstarter? Must the blood of young Nigerians be constantly spilled before government realises the injustice being perpetrated against this segment of the population?

What type of foundation is being laid for the future of this country when the vast majority of Nigerian youths are alienated and shut out of the Nigerian future? Of what benefit to the deceased are the jobs and compensatory gestures now being extended to their families by politicians probably looking at the electoral value of these gestures?

Rubbish!

Praying for Nigeria: A citizen’s secular meditations F I were a praying man, I would be on my knees every minute of the day for the next three months. And if I could be sure not to expire from the inhuman sacrifice, I would seek to better God-the-Son by fasting for 90 days and nights, hoping that the 492 wise men and women selected to rescue Nigeria from the precipice of selfannihilation would not need a day beyond June 15, 2014 to complete their task. I would fast, pray and cast out the demon of corrupt and visionless leadership of our luckless country every minute, since, it appears, Jesus never really finished the job of conquering Satan, his declaration of victory over two thousand years ago notwithstanding. I would be unmindful of the lamentation by the Irish poet William Butler Yeats, in the poem “Easter 1916,” that “too long a sacrifice / can make a stone of the heart.”

All because as the National Conference, stripped of the crucial element of sovereignty, begins in earnest in Abuja, the world capital of deception and corruption, I find my mind drifting unrestrainably to that Pauline definition of faith that is the pillar of Pentecostalism: faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Why, I ask my treacherous mind, do you turn to Paul, formerly known as Saul, one whose piety and perversity were in nearequal measure and too often deceived by a zealousness borne of the insatiable need of atonement for his past of persecuting Christ?

Because, the answer came, you are surrounded by citizens praying night and day, who have all become the Aladuras of Gabriel Okara’s unforgettable poem “One Night at Victoria Beach”; because we are a nation of prayer warriors “fixed hard / on C M Y K

what only hearts can see // “pray[ing] to what only hearts can see.” Which means that you must interrogate Paul’s definition of faith. I did and came to a secular understanding.

Faith, it seems safe to say, is a primary condition of humanity. Believing things hoped for as if they already existed or would be substantiated in due course has to be the only other ingredient besides air, water and food that helps to sustain life. There is something evolutionary, something inextricably tied to self-preservation and the perpetuation of the species, in the abstract quality called faith, the basis of religion.

After all, the great hope of all organised religions is that of immortality; a realitydefying conviction that even after death, we shall live, in a new place by whatever name called — ancestordom or heaven, it doesn’t matter. Faith, then, is another name for hope and optimism. Early homo sapiens, confronted by threats to life from every direction every minute, fortified themselves with the belief that somehow they would survive. That belief in turn inspired the ingenuity that would not only make puny humans the greatest predators in the jungle but also lead them out of the jungle and into society. The survivalist trait borne of that experience had to be passed on and retained even when the conditions for it had substantially changed. Threats to life still abound, anyway, and in that sense massive and systemic corruption which denies such life-perpetuating measures as jobs, good roads, well-equipped hospitals and expertly trained doctors, etc., is the same as the wild beasts and malevolent forces of our primitive history.

Thus, if Nigeria’s problems appear to be beyond human solution, causing countless

respectable citizens from the President to the poorest peasant to call for prayers, there must be a point to Pauline faith, founded as it is on a fundamental human attribute. The

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Can faith save Nigeria? I would prefer that whoever would save Nigeria show me faith by their works, rather than their faith without works

epistle to the Corinthians.

So to all the pious citizens who exhort us every minute to pray for Nigeria, I say remember: even if you speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, you are nothing but a “sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal”; if you prophesy, claiming to have mastered all mysteries and all knowledge, have faith enough to remove mountains, but no acts of charity, you are “nothing.” Even if you were to give your body to be burnt on the altar or blown up by a bomb strapped to your chest or kept in the booth of your car, as a sacrifice to God, but lack love, you would die in vain. Like James, I would ask the advocates of prayer as the divine panacea to Nigeria’s human-made problems, What does it profit us if we exhibit faith that moves mountains and have no works to back it up? Can faith save Nigeria?

I would prefer that whoever would save Nigeria show me faith by their works, rather than their faith without works.

From the need to radically redesign and rebuild the tottering colonial edifice called Nigeria through the enthronement of fiscal federalism, secularism and social justice, to the fashioning of an ethical philosophy that would inspire loyalty and patriotism, among other necessities, the “works” expected of us are very clear. And they seem very different from raucous prayers to banish demons that only hearts can see.

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secular basis of religious faith is evinced by Paul and Apostle James, both of whom agree that “faith without works is dead.”

Works in this case is good deeds, the things that we do in the full consciousness of our shared humanity, of the needs of our “brethrens” and “sistrens”; in short, actions conducive to society as a whole. Those things are captured by a word bandied about by pastor and pop star alike to the point of meaninglessness: love, also known as charity. As in the commandment to love one’s neighbour as oneself — masochists and psychopaths excluded, of course!

This utmost priority of love constitutes a categorical imperative, without which there can be no ethical philosophy centred on the common good. It is elaborated by Paul in the thirteenth chapter of his first

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Disturbing tales from Ibadan forest of horror

BY OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

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T is certainly not a place for the squeamish and the faint-hearted. The reason being that the gory sights there are not only indescribable but more than enough to *Yet another victim give anyone serious nightmares. It is a place where you are immediately confronted with an overpowering aura of fear *One of the rescued victims anddeath.Welcometothenowaptly named Soka Evil Forest in Ibadan, Oluyole Local Government where hundredsofkidnappedvictimseither met their untimely end or were languishing in agony before they were recentlyrescued.

Arising from the wickedness that pervaded the place and the horrors discovered there, it has become very unsafetovisit.Forinstance,Vanguard Metro was on entering the Godforsakenlargeexpanseoflandconfrontedbysomemeanlookingfellowswho threatenedinaroughvoice:“Wewill kill you; we will finish you”. Going therewithoutsecurityprotectionistantamounttosuicide.Infact,twomedia menwereattacked.Mr.FelixAdemola, aphotojournalistwithThisDayNewspapers was rough-handled by over- *Detention chamber...Room where some of the victims were kept in *Another victim zealous policemen while Bayo Fale- captivity ke, a presenter with Splash FM was beatenbyamobandhadhiscarbad- of the decomposing bodies. notknow.Ifyouwho liveintheneigh- low anybody to take their pictures.

While speaking with some of the ly damaged. The visibly angry and Apart from the numerous dead bourhooddidnotknow,howthencan suspicious fellows could either be bodies,schooluniforms,womenun- we who live far away know? But, we survivors whose names are Nafiu relativesofthemissingpersonsorres- derwears, a pair of security boots, thank God for exposing all these. All Shittu, Michael Ola, Mrs. Titi Adidents who have grown tired of re- severalpairsofshoes,babywearsand those who did these horrible things, eniyi, nee Dokpesi and Wale Atoyeporting the dreaded place to the se- thousands of clothes littered the Godwouldexposethem.Wewhom, bi,indicationsemergedthattheywere curity agencies. They felt the cur- place, especially the big hall and you have entrusted the governance victimsofhoodlumswhocapitalised rent response was rather belated the open field. of this state through your votes, God ontheurbanrenewalinitiativeofthe given their numerous complaints The place has attracted thousands will use us to punish the culprits. As governmentbyarrestingsomehawkbefore now. Thelandwhichisinthe of people across the country whose you say amen, God will use us to re- ers under the pretext that they violatformthestate.Ifwewouldnotreform ed the environmental law even I was sitting at the Agodi Gate area of Ibadan it, God should deny us getting thoughtheydidnothavetheauthority of the government to do it. there(governorship seat). when some people just swooped on me and “As from today, try to be vigilant. I rushed me into a vehicle; I had been in that have learnt a lesson from this: any- Herbal where we are, let us be very vigilant medicine place for four months; in the forest, we might andnothesitatetoreportmatterslike not be given food for a whole week; people thistothesecurityagents.” Hisspeech One of the survivors, Nafiu Shittu washowever,intermittentlyinterrupt- who spoke with VM was able to rewere dying heartofthesprawling city of Ibadan relatives are missing. Some came ed by several voices claiming that call how he fell victim of these undewas found covered with several from Kwara, Osun, Lagos and Kogi many reports of the what was going sirable fellows. He said he was selldecomposing bodies of human be- states as well as from Northern parts on there were made without a corre- ing his herbal medicine at Agodi sponding response from concerned Gatewhensomemen swooped on ings who were unlucky to fall prey to of the country. authorities. him and forced him into a waiting heartlessritualists.The experience Governor Ajimobi visits the den, GovernorAjimobithenrevokedthe car. ”I was sitting somewhere at the of entering the place immediate- revokes certificate of occupancy of Certificate of Occupancy of the land, AgodiGateareaofIbadanwhensome ly conjures the impression of a theland promisingthatallthevictimsalleged people just swooped on me and horrorfilm.Infact,aSpecialAssistant WhenGovernorAjimobigottothe toGovernorAbiolaAjimobiwhowas scene, he tried to calm the crowd of to have been hidden in an under- rushed me into a vehicle. I had been ontheentourageoftheGovernorsug- angry individuals who laid siege to ground tunnel will be found “when in that place for four months. In the gested to a colleague of his that Gov- the place, pleading for patience and we dig the whole place”. Residents forest,wemightnotbegivenfoodfor ernor Ajimobi should see these de- attention. He explained that the visit inthearealoudlyapplaudedtheGov- a whole week. People were dying,” ernor’s decision to revoke the hun- he said. composingbodies. was to sympathise with families of Another victim who is a woman Indeed the bodies were scat- those who lost their loved ones to the dreds of hectares of land. He then tered allm over the place. Only kidnappers,gettotherootoftheinci- told the people to observe a minute claimed she was related to the late ChiefObafemiAwolowofamily. Mrs. forensic experts can identify them dent and get all the suspects arrest- silence for all the victims .

Survivors at Adeoyo Hospital Titi Adeniyi,nee Dokpesi, said she becauseallthatareleftofmostofthem ed.

Aftermuchresistance,thehospital waspickedupatthefrontofherhouse are nothing but bones of different Hesaid:“Thereasonwhywecame shapes and sizes. Just yesterday, here today was because of an ugly officials and security men at the and forced into a vehicle and later VM gathered that about five more incidentthathappened.Wewerein- Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan found herself in the evil forest.

Shesaid: “Iamfromthecompound fresh bodies were evacuated to the formed that you, the residents, did grudginglyallowedsomenewsmen mortuary.Exceptthosethatsurvived, notknowwhatwashappeninghere. few minutes to have a chat with the of the lateBabaAwolowoofOkeBola no one could determine the gender As you did not know, so we, too, did survivors, but bluntly refused to al- in Ibadan. Some people came and

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kidnapped me while I was sitting in front of our house. Nobody was around then. My people were in Lagos. They said Iwaswantedsomewhere and that they came to arrestme.Theythentookme awayintheirvehicle.Later, I found myself in that forest”.

She said she could not tell if people were being killed in the forest by the kidnappers. ”I don’t know whether people were being killed or women giving birth.

Where they kept us was where I used to be. Once I covered my head with my cloth, I would just sleep off”.

Another victim in the hospital, Mr. Wale Atoyebi from Ada in Osun state, also confirmed he was kidnapped.

All the victims denied the claims thattheywerementallyderangedand that they were being taken care of in thedenbysomeSamaritans.One of the nurses said the survivors responded to treatment. According to her:”They have improved tremendouslysincetheywerebroughthere.

When they arrived here, they were smelling awfully. Some of us had to batheandwashthemwhilesomeSamaritans donated clothes to them. ”You know their case is peculiar. If we should cut the hair now and anybody comes around to claim anyone of them, and they asked where the hair is, what do you want us to tell them?”

Confrontationwithsecurityagents Some relatives of the victims and missing people wanted to have accessintothebushtoseewhetherthey wouldbeluckytoseethosewhohad been missing for a long time but the security agents did not allow them.

In the process, some sustained gunshotinjuries.Awoman,whosellsgrocery at Agodi Gate, Kafayat Afonja,wasshotdeadwhensomepolicemen were trying to keep people away from Sanyo police Station following an information that some hoodlumswerecomingtosetitablaze.

Also, a suspect was burnt to death by angry mob who discovered he was feigning madness. When he was searched, he had four phones and a gun. Thisfuelledtheirsuspicionthat hecould be one of the kidnappers.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 21

FG woos investors in electricity transmission, supply chain F EDERAL Government has canvassed for for eign investors in the transmission of the electricity supply chain to address the infrastructure deficit in the sector. The electricity supply chain is made up of the Generating Companies (GENCOs), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

The GENCOS and DISCOS have been privatised, leaving only the TCN in government’s control. The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, represented by the Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, made the call at the inaugural TCN investors’ conference.

He described the transmission sub-sector as critical to the supply chain, and stressed the need for investors to key into the sector to realise the transformation agenda for the sector. “We are trying to open up the sector, we want foreign investors to come and invest in the transmission sector. So, this conference is meant to bring all the stakeholders together to forge a way forward for the proper funding of the transmission sector,” he said. Nebo said government was already exploring various means of funding, including bonds, and sovereign wealth fund He assured that the Federal Government was working hard to create the enabling environment for investors to thrive and improve the power

+0.44

2,930.00

-27.00

16.80

-0.03

99.90 CURRENCY BUYING STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINEI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.74 255.1663 212.9687 174.5319 1.5098 0.3057 238.1654 24.9729 41.2507 28.5288 239.0733

+0.75 +0.44

CENTRAL 155.24 255.9908 213.6568 175.0959 1.5147 0.3157 238.9349 25.054 41.394 28.6209 239.8458

its capacity expansion programme and become a regional hub for electricity trade.

He assured investors that the Federal Government had put in place a power sector reform programme. The chairman said the reform would ensure transparency in the regulation of power utilities, including the setting, adjustment of tariffs, protecting interest of consumers and investors.

“The reform programmes aim at encouraging private sector

investment in the power sector through establishment of independent power production schemes and facilitating direct electricity sales by independent power producers through open and non-discriminatory access to Nigeria’s transmission system,” he said. The conference was attended by officials from the TCN, Ministry of Power and Finance, foreign investors, development partners and the World Bank.

T

From left : Executive Editor, The Economist, Daniel Franklin; Special Representative on African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Republic of China, Amb. Zhong Jianhua; Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US Department of State, Bisa Williams and GMD/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Bisi Onasanya at the 2014 Nigeria Summit organized by The Economist Conferences at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kofo Abayomi , Victoria Island.

175.65

107.20

DOLLAR

situation in the country.

He, however, said the issue of inadequate gas supply and vandalism of gas pipelines still remains a major challenge to realising steady power supply to Nigerians. Earlier, the TCN Board Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri, in his remarks, stressed the need for more funding for the TCN to expand and upgrade its facilities in line with international best practice.

Waziri said the TCN needs about eight billion dollars in the next five years to prosecute

South Africa concludes plan to invest in Nigeria’s mining, forestry

SELLING 155.74 256.8153 214.345 175.6598 1.5196 0.3257 239.7045 25.1352 41.5273 28.7131 240.6183

CBN Exchange rate as at 25/03/2014

HE Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa said in Abuja that it was prepared to invest in the Nigeria’s Mining and Forestry sectors. Mr Ashely Petersen, the company’s Senior Business Development Manager, Africa Unit, said this during a courtesy visit to the acting Executive Secretary of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mallam Abubarka Hassan.

Petersen said that Nigeria’s huge population and natural endowment placed it as a destination for sustainable investment. “Nigeria is one of African’s huge markets and we are here to invest in mining and forestry. South Africa is also working hard to achieve the inter-Africa trade policy of the African Union (AU). The success of trade policy in the continent will promote stronger cohesion and better understanding among countries,” Petersen said.

The IDC of South Africa offers financial aid focusing on economic growth and industrial development for start-ups. The organisation was founded in 1940 with its headquarters in Sandton, South Africa. Petersen explained that the company was state-owned, but was using private sector principles in its management.

Arco tasks oil majors on development of indigenous capacity

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HE Group Managing Director of Arco Group, Mr. Alfred Okoigun, has appealed to oil majors operating the country to take advantage of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Law to assist Nigerian companies to be viable players in international level.

Speaking at the dinner organiased by the company at the just concluded Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja, Okoigun blamed the previous administrations for their lack of commitment to the growth of oil and gas industry in the country, saying that it was at the root low capacity development in the sector.

He lamented that successive governments in Nigeria were contented with just collecting taxes from oil majors at a time other countries like Malaysia were taking advantage of support provided by companies like Shell to build local capacity. “The government should have been doing more at that time. If they had done so, maybe Nigeria would have been export-

ing locals as experts to other countries by now. As it is today, we are still struggling to grow local capacities in the oil and gas industry, an achievement that had been recorded in other parts of the world. I believe that the Shell success story in Malaysia had the hand of government in it,” he enthused.

Commending the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the enactment of Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Law in 2010, he said that it has begun to roll back the problem of poor capacity development in the industry.

The Arco boss stated that though the Oil and Gas Content Development law was greeted with pessimism from players at the beginning, “the government did not just put the law in place but is ensuring that the agencies put in charge are monitoring the situation.”

“I will at this point commend Shell Petroleum for being currently active in supporting the law. Examples of what the company is doing on the growth of local capacity are

all over the place in the industry,” he said.

“I am not saying that oil majors should be philanthropic to a fault. All I am saying is that beyond making money, there must be legacy to boast of like the Shell example in Malaysia that I mentioned.

“I make this case, not just for Arco, but for other wholly Nigerian companies operating in the oil and gas industry. I am of the opinion that the changes taking place now can encourage other Nigerians investors to come into the business to boost employment of our youths,” he added.

He observed that Arco in collaboration with other oil majors has been doing its bit towards the realisation of the objective of the law.

“Our company, Arco Group, has indeed been working with Total towards the realization of the objectives of the law.”

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

BRIEFS Obama signs relief from flood insurance hike

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RESIDENT Barack Obama has signed a new law that will give hundreds of thousands of homeowners living in floodprone areas relief from big jumps in insurance costs.

Lawmakers from both parties supported the measure in response to angry homeowners who faced sharp premium hikes after an overhaul of the government’s flood insurance program two years ago.

The 2012 rewrite was aimed at weaning those in floodprone areas off of subsidized rates and required extensive updating of the flood maps used to set premiums. But its implementation left homeowners along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in flood plains facing unaffordable rate increases.

The new law scales back caps flood insurance premium increases at 18 percent a year in most cases.

AIG enhances suite of index annuities

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N T E R N AT I O N A L Group, Inc. announced the latest enhancements to their index annuity products, issued by American General Life Insurance Company, designed to offer individuals a powerful combination of guaranteed rising income, principal protection and growth potential.

The enhanced Lifetime Income Plus guaranteed living benefit rider in AIG’s suite of index annuities will now guarantee rising income for the first 10 contract years, as long as withdrawals do not exceed the annual limit. This rider is automatically included in Power Index Plus Income, a new index annuity focused on retirement income and designed especially for the financial institution and broker/ dealer distribution channels.

Lifetime Income Plus is also available as an optional rider with the AG Choice Index 10 and Power Index Plus annuities offered through brokerage general agencies.

“Given concerns about market volatility, rising retirement costs and longer life expectancies, many individuals are looking for a retirement savings vehicle that can help them grow and protect their assets, while also ensuring their retirement income will rise and last for life,” said Rob Scheinerman, Executive Vice President, Individual and Group Retirement, AIG Life and Retirement. “ C M Y K

Africa’s untapped insurance market offers growth prospects —Report Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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FRICA’s relatively untapped insurance market offers a vast opportunity for firms in both mature and emerging-market countries, a report by A.M Best has said.

In its latest report titled “Africa’s Insurance Markets: Gearing Up for Sustained Growth” A. M Best stated that Sub-Saharan Africa offers very strong growth potential but accounts for only 0.2 per cent of total global premiums written.

“As a result, insurance groups in Europe, the United States and South Africa have increasingly started looking into emerging markets on the continent in a hunt for better growth prospects because of the maturity of their own markets, where growth is more limited,” the report said.

In addition, the report said that barriers to entry in Africa for large, global insurance groups are very low.

“There are a number of attractive markets for insurers in Africa to consider, including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.

Kenya’s insurance sector has proved robust and resilient, despite there being many poor households. Premiums have been growing by double digits, fueled mainly by the non-life sector, which makes up 66.2 per cent of total premium written.

more aggressive in their strategies for expansion on the continent,” the report said.

The report said that the strong foreign interest in Africa’s insurance markets began toward the end of the 20th century, when Munich Re, the world’s largest reinsurer, established regional offices in West and Central Africa to service its clients. Since then, some companies from mature economies have entered the market by either following their clients to Africa, or through partnerships, joint ventures, the acquisition of a stake in an existing insurer on the continent, or by acquiring a new business license directly. A few of such interests include the the 2005,

Sanlam Financial Services Group, owner of Santam, South Africa’s largest general insurer, acquisition of African Life Assurance Co. Ltd. The group owns significant stakes in insurers in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. In February 2014, Sanlam also acquired a stake in Nigerian stock-exchange-listed Oasis Insurance to penetrate the country’s growing general insurance sector. In 2009, Germany’s Allianz Group was approved for a license

by Ghana’s National Insurance Commission (NIC) to operate in the non-life and life sectors and commenced operations. The company seeks to take advantage of

the very strong growth and positive fundamentals in the country and has actively expanded its network in Africa.

In December 2013, the United Kingdom’s largest life insurer by market value, Prudential plc, acquired a majority stake in Accra-based Ghanaian insurer Express Life from LeapFrog Investments, a venture capital firm and specialist investor in financial services in Africa and Asia.

Despite Express Life’s relatively small size, the deal is considered significant given Prudential’s entry to the market and its vast resources.

In February 2014, Londonheadquartered specialty insurer Catlin Group said it was considering expanding into territories including Indonesia, Thailand, and Africa. The firm currently has six underwriting hubs in the United States, London, Canada, Bermuda, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Largest population Nigeria has the continent’s largest population at 174 million, and premiums are expected to nearly quadruple in the next five years to NGN 1 trillion (USD 6.3 billion) from NGN 260 billion in 2012, according to the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM). In Ghana, the life market is estimated to be growing by 40 per cent annually.

Economic growth is supported by oil and gas exploration, political stability and a regulatory system that makes it attractive to businesses. Many large, international insurance groups from developed countries have historically had a presence on the continent.

These include Zurich, with key hub operations in Morocco and South Africa; AXA Group, with a strong presence in Francophone Africa (including Algeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Mauritius and Senegal); Allianz Group, with a growing presence in 10 African countries, including Ghana, and American International Group, with well-established units in Kenya and Uganda and local partners in most African countries. However, they have become

From left: Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju, Head, Benefit Administration, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers; Mr Aderemi Adebayo, Pension Desk Officer, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Mrs Taiwo Adebiyi, Director of Contributory Pension, Ogun State Bureau of State Pension; and Steve Elusope, Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, at the commissioning of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers’ Abeokuta Office.

NAIC settles flood claims of sugar firm

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HE Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, NAIC, has paid about N80 million claims to the Savannah Sugar Company Numan, following the recent crop losses and sequel to the fire outbreak and floods that ravaged a total of 458 hectares of cultivated farmland owned by the company.

In a statement, NAIC said that with over 4, 863 hectares of land, the Sugar Company has over the years consistently paid its premium to NAIC promptly in view of the risk potentials that have characterized the operations of the company, particularly due to the perennial fire outbreaks and floods in the vast farmland, situated along the NumanGombe road in the North Eastern part of the country.

The breakdown of the claims indicated that the total sum of N32, 388, 300 was first paid as insurance claims to the company in December 2013 for the fire outbreak which ravaged over 194 hectares of the farmland.

And last week the sum of N47, 233,000.00 was settled in the second tranche to the insured in respect of the floods which had destroyed the vast sugar cane farmland

covering about 265 hectares.

Bode Opadokun, NAIC Managing Director, who described the Savannah Sugar Company as a frontline client of the Corporation, had directed prompt payment of the second tranche to the company.

He stressed that NAIC should at all times respond promptly to genuine claim requests, after due diligence is carried out with a view to show-casing and sustaining good corporate reputation of NAIC in the market place.

He believed that prompt claims response and adequate payments are key elements of good and credible insurance firms, saying NAIC should strive to be a role model in claims payment, given the peculiar nature of its specialized agric insurance obligation to all categories of insured farmers nationwide.

Mr. Opadokun, who recently assumed office as the Managing Director, further explained that for NAIC to assert and sustain its competitive advantage in the industry, the Corporation must be re-engineered and strategically positioned to maintain and expand its clientele base across the country.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 23

BRIEFS Insurers set their agenda for G20

SHAREHOLDERS in many of the insurance companies have said that they are not happy with the operations of most companies in the country, advising them to make customers’ needs their main priority by improving on their service delivery.

According to the shareholders, such move would correct the erroneous belief of Nigerians that insurance companies are only existing to reap-off the people.

Speaking on behalf of the shareholders at an event in Lagos recently, Executive Secretary of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, advised underwriting firms to improve on their products and service delivery, to build credibility.

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Negative perception Miss Funmillola Ogunsola (2014 Miss Insurance), recieving the keys to her star prize of a The negative perception of in- brand new car from Hon. Lanre Laoshe. He is flanked from left by: Mr. F.K Lawal, CIIN surance services by the people, President, Mr. S.O Oyefeso, Council Member, Mr. Bola Temowo, CIIN Deputy President and he stressed, was because insur- Mr. Kola Ahmed, CIIN Director-General ers have refused to be transparent in their operations. He charged them to avoid cutting corners to make ends meet, but rather, do things in accordance with provisions of insurance contract.

Adeleke noted that if underwriters are alive to their duties and responsibilities, they would gain Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA welfare of their customers. public confidence, that will posiHe noted that operators in insurance tively affect the prices of their shares on the companies are too conservative which has He however called for mergers among floor of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). done more harm to insurance industry underwriters as well as insurance brokers to He further stressed that though the create room for big players with strength to than good. He appealed to underwriting insurance sector has the highest number of spread insurance services across board, addfirms to create problem-solving products listed companies in the capital market, the ing that operators should continue to prothat could meet the needs and wants of prices of their stocks are below par value. mote excellence in order to have an investor the people. He equally called on them to Adeleke who attributed this to low credibili- friendly environment. use other alternative channels to sell inty, urged insurers to continue to offer better surance, such that, insurance cover could Meanwhile, Managing Director of Riskservices to meet people’s expectation. be widely distributed across the nation.

Guard Africa Nigeria Limited Mr. Yemi SoAdeleke said, “The insurance sector has ladoye has said that Nigerians have high Soladoye advised underwriters to more companies than any other sector listed level of confidence in insurance mechanism, promptly pay claims as and when due, on the NSE, yet the prices of these stocks but low trust in insurance practitioners. calling on underwriters to work harmoniare below N1. The critical problem of insurously, as well as fully adhering to proviThis, he said was because most underwritance is low credibility. It is high time under- ers are more concerned about the profit they sions in insurance Act to grow the induswriters woke up and be responsible.” try. want to make and less concerned about the

Shareholders decry low confidence in insurance operations

Stanbic IBTC Pensions opens Abeokuta office

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tanbic IBTC Pension Managers has opened a new office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

In a statement, the company said the new office is in fulfillment of the company’s commitment to broaden its service channels, encourage participation in the Contributory Pension Scheme and avail as many Nigerians as possible the opportunity to have quality pension fund administration and financial management services.

The new office is an additional avenue for Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers to meet the pension and retirement needs of its clientele who are already familiar with Stanbic IBTC through its branches in Ogun State. The initiative is expected to reinforce the company’s promise of convenience and value added by bringing quality service to the people. Only recently, the PFA launched its service channels campaign to enlighten Nigerians on how to conveniently access the company and its services.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Demola Sogunle, said the cardinal

value propositions of the company are participation, accessibility, quality, convenience, and efficiency. According to Dr Sogunle, “Opening yet another office is in fulfillment of our promise to avail as many Nigerians as possible the opportunity to have quality pension fund administration and financial services, which will enable a life of comfort in retirement.”

Effective presence Sogunle said the PFA has established an effective presence in all the states of the federation, in line with the expanding footprint of Stanbic IBTC Holding, and promised that it will open more offices in the coming months to complement the over 200 branches of Stanbic IBTC Bank, the nine regional offices of the PFA and selected branches of Zenith Bank.

Speaking at the office commissioning ceremony, Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Steve Elusope, said the company is com-

mitted to ensuring that clients are able to experience excellent and convenient service in any of their touch points, which include their offices spread across the country, their 24hour multilingual contact centre, Stanbic IBTC ATMs, SMS, email, mobile office, and the Pension Guru online.

The Director of Contributory Pension, Ogun State Bureau of State Pension, Mrs Taiwo Adebiyi, who was a special guest at the commissioning, said with the office opening, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has demonstrated its desire to serve the people of Abeokuta, and indeed the state better.

She said the PFA has knowledgeable and dedicated staff, who have extended quality service to the state, and that the state government is happy to partner with Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers to improve the wellbeing of retirement savings account holders and the people of the state.

overnments should ensure regulations encourage insurers to make long-term investments that can aid economic growth, according to the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA).

Chairman Frank Swedlove says G20 growth targets require investment, but global capital requirements and accounting rules encourage a short-term approach. “The insurance industry is very well placed to contribute to longterm investing,” he told a briefing after meetings with government representatives ahead of the G20 meeting in Brisbane in November.

“However, to do that you need to have the right environment and that includes regulation that does not discourage longterm investment taking place.”

Mr Swedlove, who is President of the Canadian Health and Life Insurance Association, says the worldwide insurance industry has assets under management of $US26.8 trillion ($29.7 trillion) and about $US4.6 trillion ($5.1 trillion) available to invest in the global economy.

Roundtable orders report on disaster research

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he Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience & Safer Communities has commissioned a report on natural hazard data and the need for a national research plan. It is widely recognised that while there is a range of research being conducted on natural disasters in Australia, it is largely unco-ordinated,” group member and IAG CEO Mike Wilkins said. The roundtable says a more coordinated approach would allow government, industry and the community to more easily identify information that could save lives and property and ensure funds are directed to beneficial research areas.

The report by Deloitte Access Economics – to be completed mid-year – will examine cost efficiencies from the centralisation of research and funding, and the benefits of a national research agenda.

It will also consider international best practice and steps to make research more accessible. Research on the long-term psychological and social costs of natural disasters will be analysed.

Last year the roundtable forecast that the cost of natural disasters in Australia would rise from $6.3 billion a year to about $23 billion in 2050.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

‘Weak Q1 earnings anticipated in consumer goods sector’

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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ONSUMER goods com panies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, may likely post weak earnings in the first quarter of 2014, a research report by CardinalStone Partners, has shown.

Some of the consumer goods companies listed on the NSE include Nestle Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, FlourMills of Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Flourmills, UACN, Unilever, Dangote Sugar Plc, and Dangote FlourMills Plc among others. In a report titled, ‘Q1’14 and Q4’13 Earnings Preview: Slower Q1 In View for FMCG Names’, the firm stated that while majority of the companies have released 2013 numbers with impressive outcome, issues

around rising insecurity in the north east, which is expected to hamper distribution of goods and services in that region, as well as volatility in input prices would impact negatively on their earnings by the end of the first quarter.

They observed that these are in addition to the usual slow down that characterises the calendar Q1 period as households recover from yuletide season expenses.

“We expect the worsening state of security in the North Eastern region (evidenced by the heightened pace of Boko Haram attacks) to hamper product distribution of consumer goods companies in the region.

“Input price movement would have different impacts on consumer companies

depending on the input material used. For instance, sugar and sorghum prices have risen three percent and nine percent respectively for the year, while oil palm is down one percent and wheat prices have generally been flat over the same period,” it said.

The report noted that recovery in raw sugar prices is expected to translate into a five percent year-on-year, YoY, increase in Dangote Sugar ’s revenue, saying, “The five percent rise in revenue will stem from an increase in the company ’s selling price as Dangote Sugar will most likely transfer the rise in price of raw sugar to its consumers (the opposite occurred in 2013 where sugar prices declined and the company reduced its selling price to stay competitive).

From left: Director Rehabilitation, Office of Youth & Social Development, Ajao Olabode; Permanent Secretary, Office of Youth & Social Development, Adesegun Oshinyimika; Managing Director/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola and Executive Director, Finance, Standard Chartered Bank, Yemi Owolabi, during the commissioning of the renovated block of rooms at the Old People’s Home by Standard Chartered Bank at Yaba, Lagos.

May & Baker seeks special funding window for healthcare sector

BY PETER EGWUATU

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ay & Baker Nigeria Plc has called for a special collaboration among capital market regulators, operators, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to create a special funding window for the industry.

The Managing Director, May & Baker Plc, Mr, Nnamdi Okafor, who made the call at the quarterly sectoral dinner of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos, said there were several investment opportunities in the healthcare sector but amenable funding remains a challenge.

According to him, the NSE, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) , pharmaceutical manufacturers and other healthcare operators need to work together to create a spe-

cial window of investment funding for the healthcare industry through the capital market.

He noted that the demand for drugs and medical care remained an advantage to domestic producers as well as an opportunity for growth and development of the sector.

He said Nigeria’s population coupled with its high incidence of diseases makes the country a vibrant pharmaceutical market, noting that official statistics suggest that Nigeria has one of the highest incidents of malaria, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and other diseases, especially among children under 10 years of age.

Okafor added that the government has indicated its intention to revamp the healthcare sector by initiating several reforms such as improved

expenditure on the health sector and the empowerment of regulatory agencies.

“With an improved situation, pharmaceutical manufacturers have confidence to approach the capital market for funds knowing that their investments will be quick to recover.

“The market has capacity to identify foreign investors interested in the pharmaceutical business and I hope it will not be improper to arrange collaborative meetings for local companies with such investors,” Okafor said.

He pointed out that May & Baker had undertaken significant investments in recent time through its internally generated revenue and borrowed funds, and that recovery in the capital market provides opportunity for better funding through the market.

Nigeria’s centenary and our avoidance of accomplishments

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E have recently marked the passing of 100 years since the north and south of Nigeria were brought together as one administrative unit under British rule. Individuals would readily have a celebration on the attainment of 70 years on earth, given that we have accepted our mortality. However, nations can live forever and when there is a call for a celebration, there could be sharply contrasting views as to whether there are achievements worthy of celebration.

Nigeria obtained her independence from British rule in 1960, about halfway in the century we are now marking. I recall that there were celebrations across the whole of the country. As a secondary school student, we had a special luncheon in the boarding house to mark the occasion. The Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, decided that the centenary celebrations would be a restricted government event with a charity event in Lagos, a conference and special presentations to 100 persons in Abuja.

There is a monument to our independence in Lagos – the Independence Building at Tafawa Balewa Square. This building served as FGN offices until several years back when the building was damaged in a fire event. The contract for the restoration of the building stands abandoned. If we abandon the monument to our independence, is there any hope that any of the things we have done since independence would also not be abandoned in what appears to be a relentless drive towards the award of new contracts for projects without any thought to completing contracts previously awarded and being executed?

There are other FGN buildings at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos that are not in a presentable state. The Cabinet Office which had the offices of the Prime Minister at independence has been partially damaged and there are weeds and shrubs springing from the top floor of part of this building. The old Post and Telegraphs/Ministry of Communications building has been converted in part to residential use. The high rise building in the courtyard of the old Works Department building could be put to better use. I hope that the restoration of the Independence Building would be completed and the building put back in use as an accomplishment of the FGN.

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he railways were an important factor in the implementation of the economic policies of the British administration of Nigeria. Goods and agricultural produce were moved from the interior to the ports on the coast while manufactured items were moved in the opposite direction. At independence, there was only one single track railway bridge across the River Niger at Jebba for north-south west movement and there was a similar bridge across the River Benue at Makurdi for north-south east movement. Both railway bridges were used for road traffic between trains as there were no alternatives. In other places on the River Niger and River Benue, there were ferry services for vehicles and persons wishing to cross the river. The railways were of a narrow gauge, built when modern earth moving equipment was not available and hence they follow a winding route with relatively steep slopes resulting in long journey times. The FGN has always given the impression that the existing railways would be reconstructed to a standard gauge from Lagos. This has not happened to date.

However, there is a standard gauge rail line from Itakpe iron ore deposits to Ajaokuta both in Kogi State, then southwards to Edo State and to the coast in Delta State. The FGN is also building a standard gauge rail line from Abuja to Kaduna and the FGN should build a rail line from Ajaokuta to Lokoja to Abuja. We would then have a standard gauge rail line from Kaduna to Abuja to Lokoja and to the coast in Delta State as the start of standard gauge service between the north and the south. Subsequently, the existing railways can be reconstructed to a standard gauge. The opportunity therefore exists for government to have a standard gauge service as an accomplishment within the time-frame of an administration.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 25

DIARY Select ICT events zTelecom CEM World Congress 2014 April 2014, Venue TBC, London zHong Kong ICT Expo 13 – 16 April 2014 Hong Kong. z Cards & payment Asia holds in Singapore 23-24 April 2014. zTransport Networks for Mobile Operators 2014 13 – 14 May 2014 London. zCritical Communications World 27-29 May 2014 BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

WHO KEEPS THE N647M QOS FINE

,

Subscribers queue behind NCC •Give voice vote to Etisalat at consumer parliament •Disown NATCOMS

The Infra-Red Grill The world would never stop thinking. Its not even possible with the way technology spurs innovation in this 21st century.

Check this out! The propane cooking devices, with 23,500 total BTUs and 452 square inch of cooking surface.

It’s the only portable grill with infra-red heat and a deep fryer. You can grill, griddle, fry... even keep things warm, because it’s the only grill with a warming area. Cook fries with your burger, whip up hot wings or sear a nice steak, all while cooking eggs on the griddle.

I N S I D E C M Y K

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AJORITY of Nigerian telecom subscribers at the 10th year anniversary of the NCC organised Consumer Parliament, at the weekend, in Lagos, seemed to have agreed with the position of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC on the N647million penalty it imposed on three operators over poor telecom services.

This was explained in the consistent voice vote and rousing ovation participants at the event gave to Etisalat Nigeria which was not part of those penalized, as against boos on others.

Although the fine has been paid by the operators, the debate on who should keep the money is far from over.

While the NCC maintains

Digital Africa 2014 to double as World Electronics Forum

that paying the money into government coffers will eat into the returns operators are supposed to make to their shareholders and thereby propel them to step up their service offerings, a group that claims to demand the rights of the subscribers, the National Association of Telecom Subscribers, NATCOMS, believes that the subscribers are better suited with the money.

However, the subscribers seem to be sailing more on the NCC ship, claiming they needed no money but good services. At the event, they had overwhelmingly expressed their frustrations with thunderous boos when representatives of other operators were introduced and a heralding ovation, apparently to show

IBM’S COGNITIVE COMPUTING ...

appreciation, as Etisalat’s representative was introduced.

Although, a few high profile subscribers expressed disgust at the embarrassment of the operators, saying that some of these operators that are being booed still hold the pillar of telecom success in Nigeria.

One of them, who introduced

,

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

days. We must weigh our actions at all times. I don’t agree with this method some participants are adopting to express their frustrations. It will make Etisalat feel infallible, but we know it is not” Another eye-popping irony at the event was the number of subscribers who claimed little or no knowledge of the National Association of Telecom subscribers, NATCOMS, a supposedly umbrella body of Nigerian telecom subscribers.

S u b s c r i b e r s interviewed by select ICT journalists after the event denied that NATCOMS activities were mandated by the subscribers, querying where and when meetings mandating actions of the association executives were held.

At the wake of imposition of the penalty and subsequent payment by the operators, NATCOMS had engaged the NCC on why proceed of the penalty should accrue to the government instead of the subscribers who lost money, precious time and comfort with the poor telecom services they were fed with.

The association’s national president Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo suggested that rather than imposing fines on operators and giving the money to government, the NCC should compel the operators to pay each subscriber on their networks, the

Have you attended any general meeting of this association where subscribers outline what they want and mandate the association to pursue it, that is the way of associations and not otherwise

himself as Raymond Ndulue, added that “there is no doubt that the services of some of these guys have dipped, but should any of them, for instance, MTN plug off its services today, Nigeria would go back to the telecom dark

NIGCOMSAT boss assures MDAs of adequate bandwidth supply

sum of N10, 000each.

Pursuant to that argument, NATCOMS, on March 3rd 2014, filed an order of interlocutory injunction against the NCC at the Federal High Court in Lagos, restraining it and its agents, privies, assigns including but not limited to its directors and officers, or any other persons or group of persons deriving authority through them from acting or purporting to act on the operators on the account of poor quality service,

Continues on page 28

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ISPON TO JONATHAN:

Include software experts in probe panel of NIS IBM Watson

By EMEKA AGINAM

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WATSON: The magic wand for Africa's myraid problems

IBM’s cognitive computing to address Africa's challenges

BY EMEKA AGINAM,

who was in Nairobi, Kenya

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LL apprehensions over IBM's claim to have developed a technology that can solve Africa's problems, disappeared by the time participants at the just concluded IBM Cognitive Colloquium,toured the IBM research lab at the Catholic University, Nairobi, Kenya.

The technologies on display gave convincing signals that cognitive computing is the next frontier that will address African local challenges.

What is cognitive computing?

Cognitive computing is a system that learns and interacts naturally with people to extend what either humans or machine could do on their own. They help human experts make better decisions by penetrating the complexity of Big Data.

In educational sector, schools with poor or non-existent computer resources could link into the cloudbased system via smart-phones or portable devices with internet connectivity.

In the area of medical, for instance, Doctors, Nurses and Field workers could use the system to help diagnose illnesses and identify the best treatment for each patient. If community health workers are empowered by the expertise of Watson through an app, they could engage through text, image or voice in a dialogue with Watson based on its knowledge of disease symptoms in medical literature.

Cognitive computing to change Africa: Setting 10-year plan to address cognitive computing in Africa, the IBM scientists at the Lab argued that cognitive computing is the new frontier of computing because of its ability to bring improvements

in the African continent in the areas of agriculture, education, health, water, traffic among others.

Eye on Africa: Although multinational companies offering technology solutions have their eye on Africa, IBM appears to be leading the way having successfully built vast brainpower supercomputer known as Watson to be utilized in Africa in an apparent attempt to solve some of the continent’s most pressing problems.

IBM’s Watson is designed to “understand” natural language requests and then access vast quantities of unstructured data to find the best answers to questions.

Watson is an artificially intelligent computer system capable of answering

,

HILE condemning the management of the recent nationwide recruitment tests by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) that led to loss of lives, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has urged President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to urgently consider the inclusion of the software professional association in the membership of the panel in order to provide expert insight to the considerations given or otherwise to modern, softwaredriven best practice in exercises of this nature.

Commending the prompt action of President Jonathan, the President of ISPON, Mr Chris Uwaje a press parley, weekend, charged Nigerians to join in the fight against mediocrity , even as he called for the deployment of IT in solving critical societal issues such as general elections, national census and e-governance.

While commiserating with the bereaved, he said that the the application local software could have saved lives of the applicants that lost their lives.

He said that ISPON was appalled at the way NIS employed such crude techniques in short listing graduates for employment in its service.

“It is uncalled for to bring thousands of applicants to an open space whilst being exposed to the elements to conduct a recruitment test in an age where e-testing can be implemented.

“ISPON wishes to state unequivocally that as a professional body, it stands aloof of politics, and firmly on the side of Nigeria and its millions of youth that have chosen to work diligently, applying their intellect and energy in meaningful pursuit of their aspirations for self-actualisation.

We would be negligent in ignoring this national catastrophe that borders at best on gross incompetence and intellectual laziness.

“Given the loss of precious lives of tomorrow ’s leaders, it is our view that the actions of the NIS are arguably criminally negligent since there were many options available •Uwaje that would not have threatened the lives of these children.

“It is inconceivable that in the 21st century, any responsible organization should assemble 68,000 youths in a single location apparently to be tested manually – how? Pertinent questions to be asked include how were the scripts to be distributed, candidates supposed to answer questions independently and answers protected all under a manually invigilation?

“It is clear that the whole exercise lacked a structured process leading to questions as to the professional competence of the consultant presumably cleared through Due Process to handle the recruitment.

“Certainly, no professionally certified consultant would ignore the multiplicity of software solutions available for this purpose’ he explained.

According to Uwaje who is passionate about local content , “We must protest this abuse and protect the integrity of our profession because this is a software challenge that has long been solved by Software Nigeria but is being ignored by an agency of the very government that has demonstrated a commitment to the cause of growing the capacity of indigenous software companies.

“Nigeria will continue to record avoidable losses and embarrassment if our Government and its affiliated agencies continue to have technophobia and underrate the efficacy of Software Nigeria” , he said.

discussion at the forum titled: Cognitive systems, Africa’s grand challenges and new business opportunities, if the new technology is embraced by African leaders, it can help doctors evaluate and treat patients, augment the ways we see, anticipate major weather events, and even contribute to smarter urban planning.

Technology for Africa: Earlier in his keynote address during the event, the IBM Fellow, Vice President and CTO, Watson, Rob High explained that the focus of the IBM Research Africa Lab is based on providing technology solutions to some of the pressing challenges bedevilling the African continent such as provision of

Cognitive computing will herald a new era in Africa

questions posed in natural language.

It also has access to 200 million pages of information, drawn from books, encyclopaedias and other databases.

The technology could be used in commercial settings. It can serve as a personal assistant, interacting with customers and sorting through troves of data for titbits of useful information.

With optimism, IBM’s scientists assured that cognitive systems promise to penetrate complexity and assist people and organizations in better decision making.

Speaking on one of the Lucy projects on education, Dr. Charity Wayua, a Research Scientist at IBM Research Africa told visitors during the tour that the facility enhances digital learning environment.

According to her, the facility is all about helping the teacher use a better interaction for students. The “goal is to make education personalized.

Teachers can use the facility to deal with students’ cases including emotional state, health issues or other factors that can inhibit students’ learning” she explained.

For majority of speakers at a panel

energy, water, human mobility, agriculture, healthcare, financial inclusion and public safety.

He told the gathering that the facilities in the lab hold a lot of potentials for Africa for digital inclusion in the 21st century knowledge society.

Time for Africa to embrace cognitive computing: Director General, Ghana-Indian Kofi Annam Centre of Excellence in ICT, Dorothy Gordon said during the panel discussion, that this is the time for Africa to embrace cognitive computing to cater for its development efforts, while noting that skills were needed to achieve this.

According to her, “Data is more than the oil. Data is the most important asset. Pay serious attention to computing ability for digital inclusion. Shift attention to data and technology to solve our problems. We have to pay attention to how we are collecting data. We

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 27

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28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Prest to lay fibre optic cables across Delta State

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From left: Jonathan Batty, External Relations, IBM Global Labs, Dr. Robert Morris, VP, Global Labs, IBM Research and Dr. Uyi Stewart, Chief Scientist of IBM Research Africa during the presentation of prizes to the winners of IBM ''The World is Our Lab' photo project at the just concluded IBM Cognitive Colloquium: Africa in the new era of computing held in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo: EMEKA AGINAM

NSN opens office in Lagos, reassures on service delivery

By RICHARD UDOFIA

T

HE Senior Vice President of Middle East and Africa region, of Nokia solutions and networks, NSN, Mr. Igor Leprince, at the opening of its office in Lagos, last week, expressed his company’s commitment to improving connectivity in Nigeria.

He said that NSN’s presence in Nigeria is to help investors in the telecom industry build a world class mobile broadband infrastructure as the Nigerian Communications

Commission,NCC recommends.

Leprince said that, NSN is committed to strengthening its focus on Nigeria and helping telecom operators build a reliable, superior mobile broadband network across the country including in the mid-size cities and rural areas. He added that with the level of sophistication attained by NSN, it was ready to deliver large-scale mobile broadband rollouts in Nigeria. “We are known globally as one of the world’s specialist in the provision of mobile broadband. we have impressed seasoned experts

from most advanced telecom markets, including Japan, Korea, America, Canada among others.

NSN will operate in Nigeria as advanced mobile broadband providers and provide services that would keep operators in Nigeria at par with the world’s leading telecom service providers”, the vice president said. Leprince identified product and mobile service innovation, delivery of qualitative service as an integral objective of the company.

Subscribers queue behind NCC Continues from page 25 pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

But at the parliament, weekend, subscribers said Ogubanjo was on his own. A subscriber, Mrs Iyabo Morakinyo stated that “ we do not want money, what we want is good services. We do not even want free airtime which will invariably congest the network and thereby become useless to us. If NCC’s fine will keep these operators on their toes, why not? NCC should do it constantly. Wherever the fine money goes is immaterial. I did not send anybody to pursue compensation for me” But it was a visibly enraged subscriber, Anthony Edirin who raised so many posers: “I have read a lot about this association said to be fighting our cause. Who are supposed to be the members of this association; is it not supposed to be me and you; are you a member? Does any of your family members, belong to this group? Does one assume to speak for people he does not legally have their mandate?

Have you attended any general meeting of this association where subscribers outline what they want and mandate the association to pursue it? That is the way of associations and not otherwise.

“Is it honourable for three people

to come together and begin to answer association that speaks for over 120 million people? What benefit has any subscriber got from the events NATCOMS use their names to scoop funds from the sector?

By the way, how old is this association? Have they ever conducted elections?

Why should only one person be president for life? Even in NLC, we see elections and how power changes hands, why can’t this association take that step?

My brother, time has come when we seized being docile and gullible, allowing people to use us for their selfish gains”.he added Also, in a recent interview, Telecoms lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Usoro, had advised industry practitioners to commend the regulatory role, of NCC rather than criticising it.

Usoro had advocated for progressive ideas to move the industry rather than distractions that would undermine growth.

According to him, “NCC has powers to make regulations on any matter for which the National Communications Act, NCA 2003 makes express provision, and such other matters as are necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of the Act. “In pursuant to these powers, the NCC has over time, made several

regulations, including enforcement regulations. It is in these regulations that one finds the penalties for breaches of quality of service standards,” Hi-Tech checks also reveal that in other emerging markets, similar fines which proceeds do not go to the subscribers also happen. In February 2013, Brazil’s telecom regulator, Anatel, levied a fine of U.S.$17.4 million (R$34.265 million) on the national telecom operator Oi because of poor service quality. Oi was said to have breached twelve indicators specified in the country’s mobile service quality regulations, which were enacted in 2010.

Also, India’s telecom regulator, TRAI imposed fines totalling about Rs 5 crore in 2013 on operators for poor services and on telemarketers for pesky calls.

The regulator disconnected 9 lakh numbers and blacklisted over 1.74 lakh unregistered individuals for making pesky calls and SMSes during the year.

It also imposed what it called "Rs 2.8 crore financial disincentive" across all telecom operators for failing to meet quality of services benchmark in 2013.

All of these fines were recorded to have accrued to the governments.

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Delta State, Mr. Tony Prest has pledged to lay fibre optic cables across the major cities in the state, so as to make Delta the most efficient Information Communication Technology ,ICT, state in the country.

He also promised that subsidised Wireless Internet Hotspots would be created, to guarantee unlimited access to internet in the state.

Addressing his supporters during a volunteer recruitment exercise in Warri North and Ethiope East Local Governments, Prest said there was deficiency of telecommunication systems in terms of capacity and reliability in Delta.

His words: ‘’ “Subsidised Wireless Internet Hotspots will be created in all the major cities thereby Delta residents and indigenes access to the internet with its attendant effect on information gathering , sharing and development of knowledge economy.

“The economic impacts of transportation and telecommunication cannot be overlooked in the development of Delta State.”

IBM’s cognitive computing to address Africa's challenges Continues from page 25 should have partner institutions in West Africa to work with IBM Lab. We have to make this work. We cannot leave it for IBM alone. We have to get involved as equal partners in IBM ‘Project Lucy’.

Nigeria is the centre of the market. Nigeria has the brain but we should create technology and not a consumer of technology’’, she said.

Big data is the next frontier: Also speaking, Wolfgang Fengler, Sector Leader , World Bank in his presentation, ‘Big Data and Africa in the new era of computing’, big data is the next frontier in the development , adding that Africa will be left behind in the new economy if it fails to embrace cognitive computing and Big Data.

For Uyi Stewart, Chief Scientist of IBM Research in Africa, the system could transform education and health in the same way as mobile banking has transformed finance on the continent.

Money on infrastructure not commensurate: “Africa is making money but the amount of money invested in infrastructure is not commensurate. In order to make more money, we need to raise the infrastructure by investing more money. That is the only way to make long range plans to leapfrog into the Information age.

“If we do things right, we can close the gap.

Leapfrogging is the way out. With IBM solutions on education, health, water, transportation, among others at the Research Lab, African challenges can be surmounted.

“We are bringing all the innovative solutions at the Lab in Nigeria. We have solutions to solve traffic issues in Nigeria. We have solutions to solve health issues. We need to develop the ecosystem by embracing the cognitive computing by IBM,” he said.

Highlight of the event was the award of prizes to photographers who were able to use photography to tell the African story.

Tobbie Balogun from Nigeria won the grand prize for capturing a baby-sitting scene, where people leave their children in the care of others while eking out a living. Others whose works were selected were Frank Odwesso and Lawrence Shabu, both from Kenya. The award programme was organized by IBM.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 29

120 youths get NITDA’s business process outsourcing training

By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

T

HE National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has graduated a total of 120 youths in Business Process Outsourcing, BPO. Speaking at the certification ceremony in Abuja, at the weekend, Acting Director General of the agency, Ashiru Daura said the youths were trained on business processing outsourcing in line with NITDA’s mandate to impact knowledge on the people.

He said that impacting knowledge is the most important asset that could be given to someone in his life time, assuring that the knowledge would make great difference in the lives of the beneficiaries.

“We need to develop the skills and capacities of young Nigerians.

The most important thing you can give people is that knowledge which they can use to get job, live a very purposeful life,” he said.

The beneficiaries were trained in different courses including: Certified Customer Care Professional, CCCP;

Certified Financial Service Professional, CFSP; Certified BackOffice Operations Professional, CBOP; Certified Human Resource Executive, CHRE; and Certified Business Development Executive, CBDE. The Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Mr Obiora Mmadu assured on the quality of training given to the youths.

According to NITDA, the participants in the training were drawn from the various states of the federation based on merit, with each state having minimum of three

candidates except the states that has only two candidates applying.

At the end of the ceremony, the trainees received a laptop each.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Nuredeen Mahe expressed gratitude to NITDA for the gesture and described it as a manifestation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Daura, had said the training was organised to equip the youth with the capacity to enhance their capability in the burgeoning outsourcing industry.

*Ashiru Daura

NIGCOMSAT boss assures MDAs of adequate bandwidth supply

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n order to reduce the recurrent cycles of capital flights by corporate organisations and government agencies and bring down cost of doing business via internet, Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) limited, Ms Abimbola Alale has assured that the company has enough bandwidth for all corporate

organisations and MDAs. Alale said that users have testified that NigComSat 1R presently has the best satellite coverage over Nigeria “as the satellite was specifically designed to provide bandwidth for services within Nigeria and several other African nations”.

NigComSat1R was launched on December 19, 2011, and has quad band of Ku, C, Ka

and L bands. It has its footprints in over 40 African countries, parts of the Middle East and Asia.

But in spite of the robust available services on this critical national infrastructure, Alale is worried and dismayed by the trend “of government institutions and the private sector sourcing for their satellite bandwidth requirements from foreign

satellite operators at the expense of the indigenous operator”.

She said NIGCOMSAT as a national operator is mandated to meet the bandwidth requirements of the nation and “this policy initiative is aimed in part at reducing the capital flight caused by patronage of foreign satellite operators”.

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The aerotropolis in South Africa

AVIATION CONTROVERSY:

Fears over fate of sector seeking revival I

N 2011, President National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ,NAAPE, Mr. Balami Isaac had called on President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint a professional as Minister of Aviation, stating that the challenges the industry was faced with were surmountable especially with an expert at the helm of affairs.

He also said the industry could be resuscitated if government deployed professionals into the ministry, as that had been one of the major problems militating against the sector’s growth over time.

Besides Belami’s assertions which were not generally unfounded then given the level of decay in the sector, an investigative report by VanguardFeatures,VF, in 2010 titled: Nigerian Airports: From Safety Tales to Infrastructural Collaspe, also presented the pathetic picture of the sector before 2012.

Infrastructural decay: Excerpts C M Y K

from that report read thus: ‘’Even the blind would know all is not well with most airports across the country. The reason for this is not far fetched. Infrastructural decay due to lack of maintenance of facilities. From every indication, it does seem as though the agency in charge of our airports is either helpless or handicap as decay slide from bad to terrible. Observers are of the view that there is no reason for the agency to allow the situation to get so bad before facilities are fixed. But the question that begs an answer is: How did we get to this sorry path?

Physical infrastructure It further said, ‘’Apart from physical infrastructure, it was gathered that pieces of equipment like fire tenders across the country are as old as twenty five to thirty years. This situation, put the fire fighters

under undue stress and risks to their personal lives, as the fire tenders are being used against international best practices. Same sad story can also be told of the absence of Airfield Lighting System which makes it impossible for planes to take off and land at night at the local wing of MM1.

Following this, planes usually taxi down to the International wing for night operations, thereby resulting to waste of aviation fuel.

Beyond these, VF checks revealed that there are visible problems like poor maintenance culture, maladministration, inconsistencies in government policies, poor funding of the industry and the dearth of professionals among others.’’

Though the neglect that led to the collapsed state of the sector, pre-dated the time of VF’s report, less than one year after stories about airport remodeling project made the headlines. Specifically, then Minister of Aviation Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, announced plans to embark on the rebuilding of new terminals for the nation’s airports. ‘’Government has gone ahead to also approve that we remodel

our airports especially the terminals to meet international standards; what we see when we travel, even in the smallest countries in Africa, they have modern terminals; those terminals are so obsolete and we are trying to go modern and I want to assure you that in less than one year, we will start seeing knock down of some of these old terminals and bring up modern,”

,

CHARLES KUMOLU navigates through the aviation sector before 2011 till date and writes that it would be in the interest of the Federal Government to sustain the gains recorded in the sector thus far.

was in dire need of infrastructure revival, training and manpower development, whether she achieved it does not seem to be in contention, VF, gathered. ‘’With all sense of fairness and objective, honour and kudos should be given to who ever deserves it.

We were all witnesses to the monumental embarrassment our airports represented in the past. It is to the credit of the minister and the f e d e r a l government because with funds, she would not have performed excellently like this. Though it is unfortunate that the system consumed her, ‘’Alhaji Gamba Mayana told this writer aboard a Lagos bound Arik aircraft in Sokoto.

Mayana’s submission notwithstanding, further checks revealed that the general opinions, acknowledged that the issues in the sector ceased from being safety tales and infrastructural collapse.

An elated General Secretary, Nigeria Aviation Professional Association, NAPA, Comrade Razaq Saidu, exclaimed thus in that regard: ‘’We asked the government to allow professionals mange aviation and this woman agreed.”

Going further he said, ‘’she put in place the know-how at all the parastals,’’ suggesting that, ‘’the incoming minister of aviation should improve on all reforms, remodels embarked upon by

Unless any new minister of aviation improves on the good work of Oduah, the sector will experience serious setback and Cert 1 could be a thing of the past

she noted. But expectedly, many dismissed the news as empty promise.

Deluge of doubts: But the the deluge of doubts that trailed the commencement of remodelling across Nigeria, started giving way to rays of hope, following the commencement of the projects in 2011 by immediate past minister, Princess Stella Oduah.

As soon as she resumed duties on July 4, 2011, she corroborated earlier assertions that the sector

,

Princes Stella Oduah.’’

The NAPA scribe, did not stop at cautioning that;’’ any contrary agenda will be one step forward, two steps backward it shall result into disorder. The woman did a good job during her tenure which should not be wished away .’’

Still cautioning, he added: ‘’unless any new minister of aviation improves on the good work of Oduah, the sector will experience serious setback and Cert 1 could be a thing of the Continues on page 37

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When Kwara boosted transportation with 100 taxi cabs

By DEMOLA AKINYEMI, Ilorin

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UCCOUR recently came the way of transporters in Kwara State as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed injected 100 taxi cabs into the system. This gesture was made under the auspices of the Shared Prosperity agenda of the Governor Ahmed-led administration which deliberately targets the overall improved well being of the people of the state by developing every sector of the economy.

Of particular interest in this regard according to state government officials is the provision of massive employment for the unemployed youths and the generality of the people. The gesture is expected to further ease the transportation system across the nooks and crannies of the state while it is also expected to create means of livelihood for the the people.

Capacity crowd of beneficiaries The expansive Government House premises at Ahmadu Bello Way Ilorin, venue of the programme, was filled with a capacity crowd of beneficiaries who came with their family members, just as party chieftains and top government officials were on ground to savour the joy of the day.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed while unveiling the N150 million empowerment scheme for commercial transporters reiterated that the scheme was in line with the Shared Prosperity Intervention Programme of his administration which is designed to sustain the material well being of the people of the state. The Governor said he commenced the project with the launch of 100 taxis procured at the cost of N50m in revolving micro credit,stressing that”in the coming months we intend to

extend the empowerment to other operators in the dynamic transport s e c t o r ” .

Governor Ahmed further said that his administration had disbursed a total sum of N674 million to grow micro and small scale enterprises since 2012.

According to him: “This N50m intervention brings to a cumulative N674m the amount of revolving credit disbursed to beneficiaries under the kwara state L-R: Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Political Matters, Alhaji Bibire Ajape, State Financial Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Abdulrasak Badmus, State Secretary of e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Faruk Opeloyeru, Kwara State Governor, Dr. scheme from 2012 to Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold during the Unveiling date”. The Governor, of the 100 units of Taxis for Kwara State Transporters who appealed to beneficiaries, who include members of RTEAN, was creation of an enabling environment bile Banking Skills. He further hinted NURTW, NARTO, Association of Indepen- for growth and nurturing of business, es- that 150 youths entrepreneurs are being dent Transporters, cooperative societies pecially micro, small and medium enter- trained at KWASU and are soon to receive and qualified individuals, not to see the prises. The Senior Special Assistant to the N50m in revolving credit. scheme as a government largesse, Governor on Media and CommunicaHe stressed that government will charged them to repay same as sched- tions, Dr Muideen Akorede speaking on also engage 8200 youths in 2014 under uled for others to benefit. the empowerment initiative of the admin- Quickwin, with about 4000 for entrepreGovernor Ahmed also urged the istration noted that Kwara State has the neurship. Under “Shared Prosperity” transporters to ensure adequate mainte- second lowest unemployment level ac- agenda of the administration the governance of their vehicles, saying that one of cording to official figures. He recalled that nor’s media aide stressed that with respect the challenges of road transportation in at the inception of the administration, to general empowerment, so far the govNigeria is lack of maintenance culture.

KWABES was established as a bridge ernment has released N4b loan for civil Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for employment scheme for youths. servants, N100m for artisans and N50m Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Sule”We started with a survey of unem- for purchase of 100 taxis for transporters. iman Alege, said the handing over of taxi ployed youths in the state and engage- The Special Assistant to the Governor on cabs was parts of efforts to empower the ment of 2000 youths within 100 days,and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Bibire Ajape citizenry for self-employment, poverty al- absorbed 2000 into civil service while an- urged transporters in the state to continleviation, employment generation and the other 3000 are currently on bridge,” he ue to support the present enhancement of socio-economic well be- said. Akorede added that government also administration,not because of the taxi cabs ing of the people. sponsored 20 youths to National Power given out to them but because Governor He also said that creation of employment Training Institute, NAPTIN, at the cost Ahmed has done a lot to alleviate the povhas to be a joint responsibility of govern- of N20m, stressing that 500 youths in erty of the people since he assumed ofment and the citizenry, adding that focus the state are further trained in IT and Mo- fice. of the government in such partnership

Fears over fate of sector seeking revival past.’’

Supporting Saidu’s submissions, a document by the Ministry, obtained by VF specifically acknowledged there has been a robust revision of the Civil Aviation National Policy for the first time in over 12 years..

The document titled: Transformation At A Glance, Federal Ministry of Aviation, said: ‘’For the first time in over three decades, all 22 federallyowned airports across the country have been completely remodelled; resulting in improved passenger experience Also for the first time, 16 airports close to the nation’s food baskets have been designated for Perishable Cargo to enhance preservation, conditioning and transportation of perishable cargo in accordance with international standards and best practice.

Sustainability fears: ‘’For the first time also, five modern, C M Y K

international passenger terminals are being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.

Obsolete power infrastructure are being replaced/upgraded across major airports in the country.

Security infrastructure are also being replaced/upgraded to cope with emerging security challenges.’’

Instrument landing systems Still giving a breakdown of things that happened in the sector in the last two years, the document said, ‘’Fire-fighting infrastructure now state-of the art across the airports. Installation of cutting-edge navigational aids and Instruments Landing Systems (ILS), including runway lights and Total Radar Coverage (TRACON) to enhance air safety.

Installation of modern, state-ofthe-art Communication and Surveillance infrastructure,

making communication between Air Traffic Controllers (ATC’s) and Pilots much more seamless.’’

It was also gathered that the sector witnessed the procurement and installed an Accident Investigation and Analysis Laboratory in Nigeria.

Having highlighted these, which VF also reliably gathered from other stakeholders, represented an insight into aviation under 0duah, the document re-echoed the views of others, who spoke to VF earlier. ‘’Over 20,000 jobs have been created in the aviation sector in the past two and a half years following construction/ remodeling works on 22 airports and five new International terminals. These laudable programmes/policies must be sustained in order not to retard the tremendous progress already recorded in the sector in the past two and a half years,’’ it added.

Window dressing: The sustainability of this however, is

still in doubt, following Nigeria’s seeming culture of truncating and abandoning projects.

Chairman Air Logistics, Dr Eddy Damina is among those entertaining such fears.

Damina, who also digressed into the politics of Oduah’s departure from the ministry, said, ‘’I went out of my way to investigate this matter because I

,

Continues from page 36

against a “relentless army of unpatriotic citizens with parochial interest” Not done, he said, ‘’She has done well and posterity will judge her.” Media comments from her critics alleging the renovations carried out at the airports were “cosmetic and window dressing” found apt response from the highly Revered Bishop Kukah

I went out of my way to investigate this matter because I believe we must never sacrifice development at the altar of politics

believe we must never sacrifice development at the altar of politics. It must always be about our people, the good people of Nigeria and no one should disrespect us.

In years to come, I think Nigerians will look back and give retrospective gratitude to this extraordinary Nigerian who fought on the side of the people

,

who said that “If what Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah did in Aviation is window dressing then let other public servants window dress in their various ministries and parastatals so the masses can feel their impact”I have absolute faith that President Good Luck Jonathan will appoint a successor who will build on the gains already recorded in the sector.”

38— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Westehof not a fantastic coach — Keshi E

agles coach Stephen Keshi has said that his mentor and former Nigerian coach Clemense is not a fantastic coach.

Westerhof, a Dutch, was the first coach to qualify Nigeria for their first World Cup in USA in 1994. Keshi was the captain of the team that dazzled the world, with an exciting brand of entertaining football that shot Nigeria to world football limelight.

Though Nigeria crashed in the second round to Italy, the 1994 squad tinkered by Westerhof remains the best Eagles team but speaking yesterday in Lagos, Keshi said that what stood Westerhof out from the coaching pack was his ability to motivate his players and not his coaching abilities.

While praising Westerhof for his top-notch managerial skills, the former Togo and Mali coach said that it was the former who first told him that he was going to succeed as a coach.

“Westerhof is someone who even if I have a broken leg, I will still want to play for. He was the first person who told me that I was going to be a good coach. I started learning the rudiments from him .

Whatever I saw in Westerhof I did but he is not a fantastic coach. But he can talk you to play like Pele. He is a motivator. He is the best in

terms of instilling discipline in his players, which is crucial in getting results on the pitch”, Keshi told reporters at the Tom Tom Editors Roundtable.

Ideye will soon start scoring —Keshi STORIES BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

S

uper Eagles coach Stehen Keshi has backed underfire striker Brown Ideye to come good for the national team as they hit the home stretch to Brazil 2014 World Cup. Since he made his Eagles debit in 2010, Ideye has managed to score a paltry five goals in 23 appearances.

He has failed to impress the least of Eagles fans, who have questioned his continuous relevance in the Nigerian setup, with some calling for his exclusion from the Brazil 2014 World Cup this summer.

But speaking at the Tom Tom Editors Roundtable in Lagos, Keshi, while admitting that he was puzzled with Ideye’s inability to find his range for Nigeria, said that it was unfair to call for his exclusion form the Eagles mix, adding further that

he was not going to throw out the Dynamo Kyiev forward from his World Cup plans. “What concerns me is to keep working because in football, you can’t just throw away a player because he did not do well in some matches. If that is the case, Fernando Torres would have been thrown out of Chelsea a long time ago, because he has not justified his big-money move from Liverpool. “What we need to ask ourselves is how is it that Ideye seems to be scoring for his club when he comes to Nigeria, he doesn’t score. The positional and tactical play of Ideye is a great. He also contributes to the team, even when he is not scoring and I believe that when he starts scoring for Nigeria, he wont stop scoring again”, added Keshi

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 39

Liverpool in League title dream

WEST HAM VS HULL CI TY 8:45PM

L

iverpool are on track to win a Premier League title but are still a work in progress, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

His in-form side seek to close the gap at the top to one point by beating Sunderland today.

Six consecutive league wins, in which they have scored 24 goals, have put Liverpool in sight of a first English title since 1990 and Rodgers has been walking the line between managing expectations and talking up his side’s chances.

“We haven’t won it for a long time and it may or may not be this year but there is no doubt we are on the right road to winning a title here,” Rodgers said in the Liverpool Echo.

“We are far from being perfect and Saturday’s game at Cardiff showed that. While we are learning and improving we will hopefully continue to pick up points and see where it takes us.

“We still have a hell of a way to go to be near where I want us to be but we are certainly making strides and are on the right path.”

Liverpool have scored 82 league goals this season, six more than Manchester City, who are in third place and have three games in hand on leaders Chelsea.

LIVERPOOL VS SUNDERLAND 9:00PM

Allardyce rues West Ham form S

Danagogo urges Flamingoes to keep the tempo high

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he Flamingoes beat highflying Mexico 3-0 in their final group game to top Group D, as they advanced into the next round.

In a statement made available to the media by the Minister ’s

S

EPL MATCHES TODAY

Mexicans.

“The defeat of the Mexicans by three clear goals has shown that the team is ready to be another symbol of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,” the statement read. With regards to assurances made prior to the competition by Flamingoes coach, Bala Nikyu, that his team will be a force to reckon with in Costa Rica, the Minister agreed that the Flamingoes have liveup to every word with their performance so Chief Press Secretary, Taye far.

Akinyemi, the Minister who is currently on his way to Costa Rica to cheer the team congratulated the girls for their fighting spirit and refusal to be intimidated by the goal scoring prowess of the

am Allardyce feels that West Ham’s recent slump in form has brought them back into the relegation mix.

Having taken maximum points from four Premier League clashes in February, West Ham have lost three on the bounce in March.

A 2-0 reverse against Manchester United on Saturday leaves the side 14th in the table, six points clear of the bottom three, with Allardyce eager for his players to rediscover their form against Hull City and Sunderland before the month is out.

While Hull look all but safe from the drop, Gus Poyet’s Sunderland are three points off safety in the bottom three and Allardyce wants a response to recent results, starting today when Steve Bruce’s side travel to Upton Park.

“We’ve put ourselves in a little bit of danger again, there’s no doubt about that,” the West Ham manager told the club’s official website.

“In the two games we’ve got coming up we’ve got to make sure we perform like we did when we hit our good spell when we won four games on the trot.”

Sunderland Recall Striker

underland have recalled striker Connor Wickham from his loan spell at Leeds as head coach Gus Poyet searches desperately for firepower. The 20-year-old completed a temporary move to Elland Road last month, but the Black Cats have confirmed he is heading back to Wearside and available for tonight’s tough Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool. His return comes with loan signing Fabio Borini ineligible to play against his

parent club, Steven Fletcher awaiting news of his ankle injury and summer signing Jozy Altidore out of form.

A club spokesman said: “Striker Connor Wickham is to return to Sunderland after being recalled from his loan spell with Championship side Leeds United. “The 20-year-old will be available for the Black Cats’ trip to Anfield on Wednesday evening (this evening), with onloan Liverpool striker Fabio Borini unable to face his parent

club due to league rules.”

Wickham, who joined Sunderland from Ipswich for an initial £8.1million in June 2011, has found himself a peripheral figure for much of his time to date at the Stadium of Light.

However, he scored eight goals in 11 appearances for Sky Bet Championship Sheffield Wednesday on loan during the first half of the campaign, although he has not registered in five games for Leeds.

•Wickham •Allardyce

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Lamido has aborted my dreams for Jigawa — Turaki SENATOR Ibrahim Turaki, was governor of Jigawa State between 1999-2007, after which he moved on to the Senate. His governorship was shadowed by a number of controversies, including mutterings over his several travels and scientific whims. His exit brought a change in the pattern of governance in the state. Turaki who had largely been out of circulation was recently in the state for a meeting with political associates, following which in an interview with newsmen, he said the changes brought about by his successor aborted his great dreams for the state. Excerpts:

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

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HERE are speculations that President Goodluck Jonathan is luring you back to the PDP. Is it true?

I was the leader of PDP in Jigawa State and PDP never won election in the state until I became leader of the party.

Thinking that I will be brought back to PDP does not arise.

But you disappeared for sometime?

I am coming back to Jigawa, not to fight Governor Sule Lamido.

Almost all the people in the government are my people.

Grudges against Lamido They always consult me, almost 85% of the people in his government are my people and we keep in touch with them at all the time. I have no grudges against Lamido.

Do you think that the mass defection from one party to another portends good omen for democracy?

What Babangida did – NRC, SDP – was a good. When you have two strong parties struggling, people would become serious. The executive would take the legislative body seriously. The biggest problem in some states is that the executive arm almost always takes control of the legislative body and, by extension, the judiciary.

It is most unfortunate that a governor would just summon the Chief Judge of the State to his office and ask him to issue an arrest warrant for an opposition leader. In that regard, the judiciary has been compromised and it has happened in many

states. The principle of the separation of power has been defeated and the course of democracy subverted.

So, when you have two parties in all the states, you are going to have real democracy. It took the United States 200 years to reach where it is today and no country has accomplished such a feat overnight. We are really learning as far as democracy in this country is concerned.

With 2015 around the corner, what are your intentions?

The whole intention of this new movement is to see who is in support of our ideology or who

•Turaki: I am coming back to Jigawa, not to fight Lamido will betray us. But time is coming when we will tell the world where we belong but as at now, we are in Saminiyya Hallaci.

Under which political party?

Saminiyya But Saminiyya wasn’t registered as a political party?

Yes, but now we are in Saminiyya Hallaci The Federal Government has been alleged to be anti-North.

Do you agree?

The people that destroyed the North are northerners. This is a truth that must be told. The biggest problem we have in the North is that we don’t like ourselves. The northerners are the ones to ask themselves what was really amiss.

How do you assess the performance of your successor being a child you claimed to have politically born?

As a matter of fact, it is most

unfortunate that Jigawa State is witnessing a complete reversal of the monumental feats my administration put in place. The present governor, despite his socialist ideological stance, had upon assumption of office disposed off some of the public institutions I had put in place.

Take, for example, the high profile sugar company and the gum-Arabic company – they were just privatized with no justifiable premise by the man claiming to be a disciple of the late Malam Aminu Kano.

The gum-Arabic company was a high profile project which we remarkably put in place to provide job opportunities to our teeming youths. Our problem stemmed from absolute lack of standardization from the scratch.

Secondly, the high profile sugar company we had built in Hadejia at a whopping sum of N9 billion was sold at a paltry sum of N1 billion, and it was wrong. The company was expected to meet the pressing demand of almost all the African countries, considering its big scope.

Nigeria is the only country in the world where when a new government is formed, it sets up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe what the previous government did. That is why we have the problem of power. My own assessment of the present administration in the state is for us to wait for 2015 to come so that when the new administration comes on board, we will see what it will do.

NASS, politics of pension reform and 2015 polls

BY OBEAGU CHIBUZO

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HEN the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, declared during the 2013 National Assembly Public Hearing on Pension Reform Bill, 2013 that it was going to make Pension Reform an election issue in 2015 and beyond, Pension Stakeholders and Nigerians supported the declaration. This is understandable.

There is no better corroboration of the issue than the statement of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, that “as Christians and Moslems, we have religious injunctions to take care of the elderly, the old and the children”.

President Goodluck Jonathan sent the Pension Reform Bill to the National Assembly as his administration’s response to the numerous challenges and corruption that have besmirched Nigeria’s pension system. Mr. President’s action has no doubt

cleared any question about his government’s commitment to Pension Reform and fighting corruption in the sector. It was against this backdrop that pension Stakeholders led by the NLC resolved that they were going to support political parties and candidates based on their commitment to pension reform.

I praise the efforts of the National Assembly and Pension Stakeholders for jointly and overwhelmingly condemning the fraud that characterized Pension Administration in the country and resolving to tackle the menace. In the wake of the mind-boggling pension funds looting saga, legislators had taken the bull by the horn to sanitize our pension system.

Being an issue of national importance, I was one of those that thought the 2013 Pension Reform Bill will go down in history as one of the fastest bills

passed by the National Assembly. But nearly one year after the NASS Joint Public Hearing in June 2013, the Pension Bill is yet to be read the third time and passed.

Pension cabals There are reports that the Pension Reform Bill has been caught between the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan to address the challenges facing the Pension Industry and the interest of the pension cabals; the beneficiaries from the status quo, who are allegedly resisting Mr. President’s reform through their “legislative politics”.

Experience has shown that people resist change when it threatens their interest. In as much as one would not want to believe that political factors have impeded legislative pension

reform, how do we explain the back and forth movement on the Pension Bill in the NASS? It is worrisome that all sorts of untenable reasons have been adduced by the few forces working against the Pension Bill to delay its passage. Every now and then, I read reports on the contestations about the removal of 20 years experience. But I make bold to say that the Executive was right when it reduced the 20 year experience for the head of the Pension Commission (PENCOM).

I agree with Issa Aremu, NLC National Vice President, who gave an indication that people with 20 years experience in pension could be those who have also acquired experience and expertise in fraud. And the truth is that in the past ten years of pension administration, those who had run and done damage Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—41

Why S-South leaders moved against Oyegun, Dokpesi — Adasen, Delta SSPA chairman CHAIRMAN of the South-South Peoples Assembly, SSPA, Delta State, Dr. Brown Adasen in this interview explains why former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, kicked against the appointment of the assembly’s former interim national chairman, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, as Chief of Staff to President Jonathan. He also speaks on why the SSPA aborted the leadership of one of its most intelligent and articulate officers, Chief John OdigieOyegun, as national chairman. Excerpts:

BY EMMA AMAIZE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH

win the presidency, he again, outside of what we had all agreed, went to become campaign manager or so of another presidential candidate from the north.

There was nothing wrong in it if it was any other person because we did not believe that SouthSouth alone would produce president, but not the chairman of SSPA. The same person after doing that cannot because he is interested in a job, go back and say he is now for President Jonathan. What of if the other person from the north, who he went to work for had won? I believe that what he did was not good enough and a person like Chief Clark will not take that.

Not only him, nobody in the

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Pull him down mission Some persons from the north are kicking against him, not the northern people. I say this because I know of a truth that many of the northern people and leaders are for this government.

So, when you say leaders from the north, you give some few persons opportunity to feel that they are carrying the whole of the north in their pull-him- down mission, which is a lie. Majority of the north are for Mr. President because they know that he is working and have the interest of their people at heart.

SSPA used to speak with one voice. But there appears to be a crack, as Chief Edwin Clark fought the emergence of a former leader of the group, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, as Chief of Staff to the President.

,

ILL you say that President Jonathan has met the aspiration of those of you who canvassed for a president from the South-South?

When the South-South people decided that they should have a President, it was not because we had one particular person in mind. We felt that we were a part of this country and so what other zones have enjoyed, we should also be entitled to those things.

We say we were lucky to have gotten it, but we are not fighting to have a president that will only concentrate on the South-South development. That is not what we want, we want a president that will represent the whole country, a president who believes that the whole country is his constituency and that is exactly what I think the president is doing.

We also want a purely civilian president and we have him and you can see the level of attack on him in terms of criticism. No president has been so criticized as Dr. Goodluck Jonathan However, I think he is doing well, we must not just criticize for criticizing sake, there must be a yardstick.

Are you saying the SouthSouth will support him in 2015 despite the opposition from the North?

There is no opposition from the North against Jonathan. I want it qualified.

Clark said about Dokpesi. He (Dokpesi) is aware of these things. Hiring people to attack Chief Clark is uncalled for because he did the right thing.

Why was Chief John OdigieOyegun unceremoniously removed as SSPA chairman?

(Laughs) Do not forget that he was made the chairman of SSPA before he became the running mate to Ibrahim Sheakaru, presidential candidate of defunct ANPP. SSPA is not partisan but we will doff our hat for any party that is able to bring its presidential candidate from the South-South.

But he went to a party and in his party, he became a running mate. He sent a wrong signal about the seriousness of the South-South as far as the

There was nothing wrong in it if it was any other person because we did not believe that South-South alone will produce president, but not the chairman of SSPA

•Adasen: There is no opposition from the North against Jonathan What is amidst?

It is said in politics that there is no permanent enemy or permanent friend, but there is permanent interest and I believe in it. What was the interest of the South-South people?

We all knew what our interest was but before you knew it, the man who led us while we were in Calabar to make the declaration that the presidential

candidates must all come from the South-South in all the political parties; that there will be true federalism and resource control and that no part of Nigeria be ceded to any part. But the man took another course outside of the common course of his people.

To our further dismay in 2011, because the man he wanted to be president did not

South-South leadership will take it. Clark spoke the mind of so many people. It is not that he had something against him, no.

Dokpesi could be considered a son to him and so, he should not have any reason to fight him.

The question to ask is, did Clark make the statement so that he would be made the Chief of Staff?

The answer is obviously no. You see, fair is fair. I think the statement by Clark was made on behalf of the people. There is nothing outside abnormal that

,

presidency is concerned. Being its former chairman, we did not expect him to compromise our stand. He is an intelligent and articulate man but his hands were tied in the defunct ANPP and his position ran contrary to our aspiration in SSPA. Who is the current national chairman?

The national chairman is Air Commodore Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), former military governor of Akwa-Ibom State.

NASS, politics of pension reform and 2015 polls Continues from page 40 to Nigeria’s pension industry had over 20 years experience. So what has age got to do with it?

The global trend in the appointment of heads of financial institutions like PENCOM places more emphasis on competence, honesty, integrity and the requirement of fit and proper test. Therefore the National Assembly was right when it further reduced the years of experience requirement for the head of PENCOM. A cursory look at the laws setting-up the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) will reveal the absence of years of experience limitations for their heads. Yet, these

financial institutions like PENCOM manages about double, and in some cases 20 trillion Naira above that of PENCOM and they are doing well. What the promoters of the so-called 20 years experience have failed to tell Nigerians is that those who looted billions of pension funds had over 20 years experience.

Deceitful elements With just about 11 months to the 2015 general elections, our well-meaning legislators and in fact the NASS leadership should not allow a few deceitful elements playing politics with the Pension Bill to scuttle the country’s

pension reform efforts. All over the world, the issue of pension or “life budget” for pensioners is so sensitive to play with and has grave socio-economic implications both for the citizens and the nation.

Nigerian Pension Reform is increasingly under pressure. The Presidency and the NASS have invested so much time, energy and resources in fighting for the actualization of the country’s Pension Reform. Before the National Assembly embarks on another recess, one critical bill the Parliament should endeavour to pass is the Pension Reform Bill, 2013. Given the prospects the Pension Reform Bill holds for the welfare of impoverished Nigerian workers, millions of pensioners cutting across every

constituency, and in fact, the economy of this country, the NASS should rise to the challenge of giving the Pension Bill expeditious passage as well as oversight the commencement of its implementation before the tenure of this 7th National Assembly lapses. This will be a crucial centenary gift for Nigerian pensioners and a legacy the current NASS should aspire to leave.

As 2015 politics approaches, pension reform will be a big issue in the next election as pension stakeholders are mobilizing to support those who supported the pension bill and work against those that worked against the bill.

•Obeagu Chibuzo, a lawyer, wrote from Abuja.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard AY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 43 anguard,, WEDNESD WEDNESDA YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES; Unless you are more careful matters-of-theheart may cause avoidable trouble the way your career/ business can suffer temporarily.

ARIES; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression unnecessarily. Here is a day when secret love is capable of bringing serious pressure. Try to be very diplomatic.

TAURUS; Your concentration level is not perfect and if you take bad advice from friends you would be misled. The more practical you are the better for you.

GEMINI; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your part along your career/business lines will back-fire more than you imagine. Graceful expression is what you will need.

CANCER; Happenings within your working arena can bring minor provocation but it is just a passing trend. Travelling for love will bring more challenges than expected.

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess your im mediate answer to the above question is NO, I am not a thief. But pause a bit. Let us together do the following analysis: Have you at any time been al-

Are you a thief? located time to speak in an occasion and you exceeded the time allocated for you to speak? Have you at anytime come to work late, yet, at the

TERROR MUDA

end of the month you got paid for work you did not do? Have you at any time taken another person’s turn without his permission?

in “Never say goodbye”

You see, in some ways, consciously or unconsciously we have stolen. So, let us learn to do things when we should do them and in the right proportion. Above all, let’s never cut corners.

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO; Male members of this Star sign will need to watch their libido while female must not ignore their sex-life. Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.

VIRGO; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re-action to those within your base of operation who are not as perfect as you. Protect your spouse.

LIBRA; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is the wrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument.. Romance at work may bring disappointment.

SCORPIO; Trying to influence matters-of-the-heart with money will not give you the desired result. Any way it is a day you will need to be more careful with money.

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you are more careful while trying to pass judgement on people within your base of operation because you too may be wrong.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; Taking a pleasure drive or movement may bring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep away from whatever can not be placed above board today.

AQUARIUS; If you allow friends to force their ideas on you financially or on matters-of-the-heart, you would be the loser. Express yourself gracefully.

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,

Where was my Moon?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me where the Moon was placed when I was born and other things I should know about my star.

Babatunde, Ibadan.

Dear Babatunde, What space can take will be given here-under.

Your natal Moon was in Aries.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Preponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an indication of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together with innate ability to attain prominence on one hand, on the other hand, exaltation of intellectual related Mercury in Aquarius at positive angle to both lucky Jupiter and Uranus (the planet of genius) in Libra pointed to a person with higher pitch of intelligence.

Action loving Mars as the final dispositor of your horoscope ( that’s most influential planet at home when you were born) will most times induce you to strongly desire importance with likeness for quick results; actually long promise without concrete action will bore you easily. Equally 60 percentage of push-full influence in your chart means that the best for you is to go after your needs and wants.

Combination of all the placement and aspects formed within the planets when you were born are pointers to you as a person with balanced personality with little bias for good spiritual life.

And you believe in disciplinarian life style.

Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in compassionate Pisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indications of your being mainly a Piscean and partly an Arian, however as Aries is also your Stellium sign, both basic characteristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

I employed 316, did more as N’Delta minister — Orubebe

Izu Anioma mourns Ralph Uwechue

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

T

W

HE leadership of Izu Anioma, the apex body of Anioma people and traditional rulers of Delta North, through its President General, Brigadier-General Alabi Isama, has described the death of Amb. Ralph Uwechue, an illustrious son of Anioma as a colossal loss to the country.

Brigadier-General Isama in a condolence message, said that the late Amb. Uwechue was a statesman, historian, technocrat, a quintessential diplomat per excellence and a conflict resolution expert.

He noted that with the demise of Uwechue, the country has lost a nation builder, a Pan-Africanist, a journalist, publisher, patriot and illustrious son of Ogwashi-Uku royal family.

He prayed God to grant all those affected by his demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

ARRI—IMMEDIATE past Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe, yesterday, said that his employment of 316 graduates from the region into the ministry, as well as the substantial progress made in the execution of the East/ West Road, among other achievements while in office should leave no one in doubt of his commitment to public service.

Elder Orubebe, who resigned his ministerial position because of his governorship ambition in 2015 in Delta State, was highlighting his ministerial scorecard to Delta Ijaws, who hosted him in Warri.

He said “East/West Road was awarded in 2006, but it was not implemented until I became minister in 2010. About 38 of 42 bridges and 870 of 1040 culverts had been completed on that project as I came. But I have resigned from the Federal Executive Council to help advance the frontiers of development in Delta.”

‘Granting operational licences to local refinery operators‘ll curb oil theft in NDelta’

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—A Niger Delta environmentalist, Mr Alagoa Morris, has called for the granting of operational licences to bush/local refinery operators as well as funding by the Federal Government to enable them establish modular refineries, as it will go a long way to curb crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Morris, in an interview with Vanguard in Yenagoa, said that the gesture will also curb the upsurge in criminality in the troubled region, adding that petroleum products, will also be readily available for the people.

He said: “to stop oil theft,

encourage local technology, boost local economy, create jobs and make petroleum products readily available and affordable for us, the Federal Government should grant operational licences to bush/local refinery operators and assist them with funds to establish modular refineries.”

He argued that if the movie industry could be funded by the Federal Government, same should be extended to the bush/ local refinery operators.

According to him, “strategies to set operational standards/ guidelines can be worked out to allow the local refineries operate after training the operators as it will drastically reduce crime in the creeks.''

Receiving the governorship hopeful, Pere of Akugbene, Kalama II, said the Ijaw nation was proud that Orubebe performed creditably as a minister, adding that the people were obliged to welcome him home and continue to stand by him as he pursues his ambition to govern Delta State.

“You have given good account

of yourself, and the Ijaw nation is proud of your achievements. We thank God for his favour upon you and we will continue to give you all the support because the greater credit goes to the Ijaw nation,” the monarch told Orubebe.

Orubebe, in his response, said “It is unprecedented for anyone to return from public service and be so honoured. This is good omen for my race for the

Ayomanor extols Uduaghan over plethora of awards

M

EMBER representing Delta Central senatorial district on the board of Delta State Direct Labour Agency, DLA, Chief Lucky Ayomanor, has ascribed the awards the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan have received in the last few months to his pragmatic leadership qualities.

He said the governor ’s recognition by the different awards was certainly not by accident, but his remarkable achievement in the areas of peace, human capital and infrastructural development, which are commendable.

Ayomanor noted that Governor Uduaghan’s administration was committed to good governance and wellbeing of Deltans through the introduction and implementation of peopleoriented policies in the health, educational and transportation sectors, which had impacted immensely on the lives of Deltans.

“Governor Uduaghan could well be described as a visionary leader, who saw tomorrow. The Delta Beyond Oil initiative, which is the economic blueprint of the state, could only be conceived by a visionary and purpose-driven leader. The Delta Beyond Oil will surely transform

Delta State into an economic hub and a tourist haven,” he said

Pa Ikem is dead

P

A Sylvanus Ikem, the father of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Venatius Ikem, is dead. He died on March 6, 2014 in his village, Begiaba, Obudu LGA, Cross River State, aged 78.

He is survived by wife, 12 children and 24 grand-children, among whom are Mr. Venatius Ikem and Mr. Vivian Ikem, Head, Government Relations, Nigerian Breweries Plc. He will be buried this weekend in his village, Begiaba, Obudu.

Kpokpogri emerges UCOSA President

U

GHELLI—A new national executive for the Urhobo College Old Students Association, UCOSA, has been inaugurated with Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (rtd) as its President.

The executive will pilot the affairs of the association in the next four years. National Vice President is Prof. Jonah Abugu; Victor Edoh, National Secretary; Emmanuel Efurhievwe, Assistant National Secretary; Sam Ejogbamu, National Treasurer; and Isaac Obiuwebwi, National Financial Secretary; Prince Voke Edeimu, National PRO; Friday Tarhena, Assistant National PRO; Kingsley Agbonye, National Welfare Officer and Idiebe Ufuoma, National Assistant Welfare Officer.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the palace of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue I, Kpokpogri said his executive will consolidate and improve on the achievement of the immediate past executive.

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

governorship of Delta which I am, God willing, contesting to win.”

Late Pa Ikem

Passage

P

RINCESS Amonetsone Atake, nee Malumi is dead, aged 54.

According to the burial arrangements released by the family, service of songs will take place at 165, Yoruba Rd, Sapele by 4pm on April 17, while the funeral service/interment is at her compound, Old Ogorode Rd, Sapele on April 18. She was survived by her husband, Mr. Solomon Atake, children and seven grandchildren.

Late Deaconess Atake

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

On rising cases of rape in the country

The fact that perpetrators know that they won’t get caught and even when they get caught, nothing ever happens has made rape becoming common. Rape cases should get expedited hearing to enable the victims move on with their lives. Olufemi Olugbemiro- Lawyer

We need to understand that for as long as the issues of sexual crimes are not treated with the seriousness they deserve, and victims continue to experience stigmatisation, they will not be encouraged to speak out. Ms. Maggie John- Graduate

Parents need to know the implication of not reporting a rape case. They need to know that it is a crime to cover up acts of rape, as rape is a crime. In fact, maybe we should also start prosecuting parents who keep quiet.

Ben Onyekachi- Student

Impunity seems to be the reason for this sexual epidemic we are currently experiencing, because people committing these crimes are not being brought to book. Victims do not report their attacks.

Dr. Effa-Chukwu- Human Rights activist

Law enforcement officials need to help curb sexual violence by ensuring that professional and unbiased investigations that would aid successful prosecution of suspects are carried out.

This would serve as a deterrence to would be criminals. Mr Fowowe- Worker

The role of churches and mosques in cases of rape is not helping issues as they indirectly encourage sexual crime offenders by encouraging the culture of silence. Rape is a crime and shouldn't be settled in silence. Ms. Osowobi- Social media enterpreneur

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 45

Delta 2015: Number of aspirants won't affect Anioma agenda —Elumelu

Uduaghan'll finish strong, Utuama assures Deltans

BY FESTUS AHON

U

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

H

OUSE of Representatives Committee Chairman on Health, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, has said that the number of governorship aspirants from Delta North senatorial district, will not jeopardise the chances of the Anioma nation in producing the next governor of Delta State.

He also said that the best candidate would emerge from the array of aspirants jostling to succeed the incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghna.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday in Lagos, Elumelu expressed his intention to run for the governorship position in the state, adding that his wealth of experience as a legislator would be brought to bear if elected governor.

“I have an intention to look at the seat of the governor of Delta State come 2015. I am consulting with stakeholders to see how we can make it possible," he said.

Sacked UNIBEN staff alleges threat to life

T

HE sacked Deputy Director, Central Record Processing Unit, CRPU, of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Mr. Kehinde Samuel, has alleged that his life had been under threat.

Samuel had appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, to set up a panel of inquiry to look into issues bordering on the unlawful termination of his appointment with the university, while the university authority had insisted that his sack followed due process.

But Samuel, in his latest petition by his lawyers, Ibomhen and Dike Co., explained that there was an attempt on his life, though same was foiled by the prompt intervention of Ugbowo police division of the Nigeria Police, during which he narrowly escaped unhurt.

The petition said: “This is, therefore, an S.O.S call to save our client, his life, the life of his wife and those of his children."

NIESV 44TH AGM: From left: Mr. Gersh Henshaw, Mr. James Omeru, 1st Vice President; Emeka Eleh, President; Mrs. Linda Patuola-Ajayi and Mr. Soni Udom, Akwa Ibom State branch Chairman of NIESV, briefing newsmen on the 44th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

We didn’t issue ultimatum to attack Itsekiri —Ijaw group

BY EMMA AMAIZE

W

ARRI—AN Ijaw organ isation, Egbema Radical Group, ERG, which, last week, allegedly blew up the Dibi oil pipeline, operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, said, yesterday, that it never issued an ultimatum to attack Itsekiri people within 24 hours.

“We did not give the Itsekiri a 24-hour ultimatum. How can we do that? Itsekiri people are our brothers, we live in the same terrain in the Niger Delta. Our problem is that we have been oppressed for over 22 years by governments, both federal and state, and we want the matter to be addressed,” spokesman of the group, Amin Dada, said.

He added: “We gave 24 hours to Chevron, not Itsekiri, but we have relaxed it for dialogue to

hold. However, we are not getting any signal that government is ready to address our grievances. We are not criminals as they tag us, we are fighting for our rights. Our agitation is that Ijaw people in Warri North are marginalised politically and we want some political space.”

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had, after the Didi pipeline attack, said that the state and Federal Governments would not be blackmailed by these acts, noting that “anyone with genuine grievance should channel such through the appropriate avenues and get them addressed, as government was ready to go after those using any reason to sabotage oil facilities.”

Reacting, ERG said: “After blowing up the Chevron pipeline to draw attention to our plight, our governor came out to talk about genuine agitation.

His position was not clear to us. What we have said over the years is that we are being oppressed in Warri North and everybody is conversant with our plight. Is he saying that our agitation is not genuine?

“We call on Governor Uduaghan, who we have always supported and who is from the same Warri North like us, to address the problem of marginalisation of Ijaw people in the council. Since the creation of the council, only Itsekiri people have ruled as chairmen, representatives in the state House of Assembly and every other juicy office.

Are Ijaw not human beings?

“The governor should address the problem now. Does he want to live it for his successor? He should not postpone the evil day because no election will take place in the area without the matter being sorted out."

Stop insulting President Jonathan, Ijaw leaders tell APC, Northern elite

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

L

EADERS of the Ijaw in Warri, Delta State, have warned the All Progressives Congress, APC and Northern elite to put an end to their unguarded attacks and incessant insults on the person of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking through Mr. Adanse Felix, a Niger Delta activist and former Labour Party, LP, candidate for Delta State House of Assembly, Warri North Constituency, in the 2011 general elections, the Ilaw leaders, argued that the personal attacks on President Jonathan at the slightest opportunity, especially by the APC, were barbaric, and would never sell the party.

The Ijaw leaders, in a state-

ment, said: “We appeal to the leadership of the opposition parties, especially APC, and some northern elites in the country, to guard their utterances. The incessant and unabated insults on the person of the president should stop forthwith. President Jonathan is not an Ijaw president, but the

president and Commanderin-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and as such he should be respected.

“The people of the Niger Delta will not condone any more insults from politicians, who never see anything good in Mr. President."

DESOPADEC Commissioner lauds Uduaghan on devt

T

HE commissioner repre senting Ndokwa nation on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Ken Okolugbo, has charged the church to partner the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, of Delta State.

Speaking when he donated

a Toyota Hiace bus to the Ndokwa diocese of the Anglican Communion, Okolugbo commended the governor for his support to the churches. He praised Uduaghan's human capital development initiative, noting that evangelism brings about peace and stems moral decadence in the society.

GHELLI—DELTA State deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, has assured the people of the state that the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan-led administration will finish strong, come 2015.

Speaking at a special thanksgiving mass in honour of Chief Tom Amioku, Commissioner Representing Delta State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Utuama said: “I have been a beneficiary of the prevailing grace of God. We will do everything as a state government to finish strong.

We have turned our cities into construction sites.

The Asaba airport is now working and we are also expanding the Osubi airport.

“We are investing heavily in our children intellectually and otherwise.

We are building a crops of entrepreneurs in the state through the microcredit scheme with over 100,000 persons as beneficiaries. We are building all of these to diversify the economy through the Delta Beyond Oil programme.”

Danjuma for burial

D

R. Nkiru-Nzegwu Danjuma, a Lagos based Lawyer and the Principal Partner of Johanan Chambers, is dead , aged 56.

She is survived by four children, Saratu, Asibi, Jessica and Jennifer Danjuma.

A statement from the Head of Chambers, Mr. Arasomwan Osagie, said a service of songs will hold at Harbour Point (Near Naval Dockyard) tomorrow, while she will be interned on Friday at the Vaults and Gardens, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos.

Late Dr. Danjuma

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Aregbesola bags Nigerian Man of the Yr 2013 award

O

SUN STATE gover nor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, will be formally presented the National Infinity magazine’s Man of the Year 2013 award in Osogbo, the state’s capital.

The governor will be presented with the award during the 3rd Babatunde Jose Lecture on Media and The Society in April.

The presentation will be preceded by a lecture to be delivered by former Executive Editor of The News and Managing Editor of Premium Times.com, Dr. Dapo Olorunyomi, at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.

Work on erosion sites in Imo to begin soon

Okorocha appeals to NHRC to check child labour, human trafficking

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has appealed to the National Human Rights Commission,

NHRC, to look into cases of child labour and trafficking to find a lasting solution to the problems.

Governor Rochas Okorocha made the appeal when he played host at the Government House,

Owerri, to a delegation of the commission, led by the Executive Secretary, Professor Ben Angwe.

Okorocha condemned in very strong terms the rate human beings were trafficked in the coun-

DECORATION: From left, Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, assisting the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, as he decorates the Governor's orderly, Mr. Anthony Embugus, who was recently promoted to the post of an Inspector, yesterday.

try, stressing that time had come for such nefarious activities to be effectively checked.

The governor, who decried the proliferation of baby factories in parts of the country, also expressed regret that proprietors of most of the baby factories sold the babies to ritualists.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Professor Angwe, explained that they were in the state to unveil their plans to partner Nollywood in bringing a positive change to the society.

Professor Angwe expressed displeasure over the mindless killing and maiming of citizens in the North Eastern states of the country by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

He promised that the commission was ready to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in tackling the security challenge.

In his own remark, a Nollywood actor, Mr. Zack Orji, solicited the support of the governor in promoting human rights activities.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — WORK would soon start on three erosion sites in Imo State by the World Bank, following the completion of the engineering designs of the projects.

The State Project Coordinator, Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project, Mr. Victor Anueyiagu, announced this during a meeting of the stakeholders in Owerri.

According to Mr. Anueyiagu, the erosion sites are located at Umueshi in Ideato South local council area, Ihuzo-Ihioma-Ogberuru in Orlu local government area and Eziala Obizi in Ezinihitte Mbaise local government area.

Mrs. Priscillia Ibeh is dead

M

RS. PRISCILLIA Ibeh, wife of the National Director of Organisation and Communication, Supreme Council of Niger Delta Oil Producing States, Mr. Bob Peters Ibeh, is dead.

Burial arraignment will commence from March 28, 2014 with a wake -keep at her Lagos residence, Oloruntoyin Street, Temple Bus stop, Bariga.

Another wake-keep will take place in Imo State on April 3, followed by interment on April 4.

She was survived by children and many relations. Late Mrs. Ibeh

Medical consultants allege harassment by hospital lab scientists ...threaten to withdraw services if govt fails to guarantee safety

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA — MEDICAL and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, in Teaching Hospitals and Federal

Medical Centres has threatened to withdraw their services in protest against the spate of alleged physical attacks against its members by laboratory scientists over disagreement on hierarchy of authority in hospitals.

The group threatened to ask its members to withdraw their services if urgent steps were not taken to reverse the trend.

Addressing journalists on the plight of medical consultants in teaching hospitals and federal

Obiano visits student accident victims, promises hospital 500KVA generator

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & NWABUEZE OKONKWO

T

HE GOVERNOR of An ambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has promised to give a 500 KVA generator to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hospital, Nnewi, to boost healthcare delivery, even as he made a brisk stopover at the hospital to cheer up students of

Community Secondary School Umuokpu, Awka, who, last week, survived a fatal automobile accident.

This came as Members of Anambra State chapter of MTUN/ AOWAN, the umbrella body of tricycle and motorcycle operators in Nigeria, pledged their unalloyed support and loyalty to Governor Willie Obiano, to enable

him succeed in the task of administering the state.

The students were said to be returning from school when a fast speeding car lost control and ran over them, killing seven and leaving many badly wounded.

On hearing the story of the accident and learning about the plight of the survivors, Governor Obiano suspended other pressing engagements and rushed down to Nnewi from Awka to assure the students with all the staff unions. In fact, we are that his administraaware that the Non-Academic Staff tion would not abanUnion of Educational and Associated don them in their Institutions, NASU, the Academic Staff hour of need.

Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, and the Moved by the sight Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Uni- of patients sweating versities, SSANIP, of the polytechnic profusely from the have all petitioned federal authorities searing heat in the against the renewal of his tenure, cit- wards, Governor Obiing numerous instances of leadership ano promised to failure and abrasive and crises-prone change the lot of the style of administration of the rector. hospital. ”The tenure of office of the erstwhile “I will provide you rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Pro- a 500KVA generator fessor Godwin Onu, expired on March to ensure that there 4, 2014. We maintain that any renewal is a steady supply of of such tenure before now, long before electricity in this hosits expiration date is illegal, ultra vires pital,” he declared. and of no effect.

Community calls for due process in rector's appointment

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

T

HE PEOPLE of Oko in Anambra State has urged the Federal Government to follow due process in the appointment of a new rector for Federal Polytechnic located in the town.

The community also insisted that any renewal of tenure of incumbent rector was illegal, ultra vires and of no effect.

In a statement signed by a traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe (Prof) Laz Ekwueme, for and on behalf of the entire Oko, the community alleged that the incumbent Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu, failed woefully to operate smoothly and harmoniously within his work environment.

The statement read: “Within the Polytechnic community itself, he is at war

medical centres across the country, the body alleged in Abuja that most of its members had been physically assaulted by medical laboratory scientists and those sympathetic to their cause.

MDCAN President, Dr Steven Oluwole, and Secretary, Dr Aderemi Adeosun, lamented: “ In more than ten tertiary heath centres across the country, medical laboratory scientists and other support staff that identify with them have assaulted medical consultants, resident doctors and interns.

“Many were physically thrown out of the laboratories and barred from carrying out the duties they were duly employed to perform by the government .

“Equipment and buildings have been locked up ; reagents have been adulterated among several other heinous acts that should have no place in a civilized society.”

The leadership of the body added that such an act had led to the death of its member and former Chief Medical Director of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria in 1995, and more recently a gun attack on another medical director.

MDCAN said work environment in the hospitals must be made safe and free from intimidation and harassment for its members to operate, stressing that medical doctors all over the world functioned optimally in serene and conducive environment without fear of bodily harm from support staff.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 - 47

SWEARING IN: Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (left), presenting a letter of appointment to the new Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Shaaba Umar, in Ilorin.

Members of the ANARCOWA Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association with party supporters, welcoming the Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu and his entourage to Sagamu, when the motorcyclists declared their support for the party, at Sagamu, Ogun State.

From left: Ms. Florence Seriki, Ms. Nimotalai Muili, new Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineer of Nigeria, APWEN, Ms. Nnoh Akpedeye, President, APWEN, Ms. Agubata, APWEN immediate past chairman, and Mr. Kunle Adebajo, guest speaker, during the investiture of Nimotalai Muili, as the 5th APWEN chairman, Lagos chapter, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

DONATION: From left: Secretary, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Olatunji Adefuye, Executive Director, Bolanle Marinho Foundation, Mr. Akinola Marinho, Lagos State Education Commissioner, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Chairman, SUBEB, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu, and Foundation Chairman, Chief Lanre Emanuel, during the donation of multi-purpose children activity centre to Hope and Ireti Primary Schools, Ikoyi, Lagos.

From left: MD,/CEO, JSP Communications, Dr. Phil Osagie, Chairman, Core Group Africa, Exclusive Apple Distributor in Nigeria, Mr. RutgerJan Van Spaandonk, and Country Director, Apple iStore Nigeria, Mr. Sachin Verma, at the Apple/ Core Group New Technology briefing in Lagos.

From left: Princess Adeyinka Adeyemi, General Manager, Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Rajesh Agnihotri, Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, Director, LG Electronics West Africa operations, and Mr. Hyun Woo Jung, during the official launch of LG Evercool Refrigerator, in Lagos. Photo By Diran Oshe C M Y K

COMMISSIONING: From right: Former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, Chairman, Commint Buka, Mr. Brown Mene, Director, Mr. Charles Odelade, Mrs. Onari Duke, CEO, Commint Buka, Mr. Jeff Fayomi and others, at the commissioning of Commint Buka in Lagos.

Regional Director, South-East/South-South, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Ltd, Mr. Okey Ezeala, presenting the key and particulars of a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, to Mr. Gabriel Asa Udoh-Affah, the winner of the vehicle at the grand finale of the regional draw of the FCMB 30th Anniversary promo in Port Harcourt.

From left: Otunba Henry Ajomale, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, sponsore and founder, GOS Foundation, Mr. Wale Raji, Perm. Sec., Ministry of Commerce and Industry, representing Lagos State governor, Mrs. Risikat Akiode, Perm. Sec. Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, representing deputy governor, presenting a certificate to Miss Bilikis Olamide Adebayo, a beneficiary, during the graduation ceremony of youth empowerment programmes in Lagos West Senatorial District by the foundation, at LTV-8, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

VISIT: Chief of Defence Staff, Air C h i e f Marshal A. S. Badeh ( l e f t ) , presenting a gift to the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, during a courtesy visit by management of the bank to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

NURTW mobilises 800 drivers for maternal health scheme

Y

OLA— THE National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Adamawa State has mobilised more than 800 drivers to support efforts at ensuring access to maternal care.

Alhaji Bello Adamu, the NURTW Chairman in the state said the drivers would be trained to aid pregnant women get to hospitals on time.

The programme was initiated by the Society for Family Health, SFH, and Transaid.

Commenting on the programme, an official of SFH, Ms Bolanle Oyebola, said the training of the 800 volunteers would commence in the third week of April.

Bauchi denies reports of cholera outbreak

B

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State government, yesterday, denied media reports of an outbreak of cholera in Kirfi Local Government Area .

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Malami, said in Bauchi that it was not true that three persons lost their lives while 25 others were hospitalised due to the outbreak of the disease.

Malami explained that clinical diagnosis of some persons that were hospitalised revealed that they had diarrhoea, a disorder, which he said, could be caused by many health conditions.

Launch

T

HE Foundation for Passion and Genuine Hope will be launched at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Sheraton on Wednesday, April 2.

Mrs. Vivian Atuanya, the Founder and National Coordinator, said the foundation is focused on providing succour to widows and the fatherless children.

C M Y K

Plateau communities appeal to govt over boundary war

BY TAYE OBATERU & MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS— TWO warring communities, Shiwer and Pai, in Kanke and Pankshin local government areas of Plateau State, respectively, have appealed to the National Boundary Commission to urgently resolve the boundary problems between them to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the state.

A fracas between the two communities over boundary issues, last week, left one person dead with many houses burnt.

In a briefing held in Jos yesterday, youths from Pai District lamented the deteriorating insecurity in the areas and called on relevant agencies to do the needful without further delay.

According to the Pai District Youth Leader, Nathan Tanat, “Shiwer people are tormenting” their lives with the recent killing of one “Danjuma Tapsok,

the village head of Ban on March 18.”

Tanat stated that the matter was reported to the police following which some officers visited the affected place the following day, March 19, took pictures and left.

He said: “The act of terrorism still continues. Dok village is not so lucky as no one is left in the village.

Villagers have deserted the community for fear of attack.”

Shiwer’s counter-accusation

Youths from Shiwer community told similar stories earlier in Jos, saying “armed youths from Pai community invaded their village, set their houses on fire and killed one person.”

The youths, under the aegis of Shiwer Development Association, SDA, spoke through their Secretary, Austine Gozuk pointing out that there had been series of attacks on the people of JingJing and nearby communities in Shiwer by the people of Pai over the years.

The communities claimed

that they had petitioned the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong and security agencies several times, but that nothing tangible had been done about the situation.

They then appealed to “the appropriate authorities to urgently come and do the needful without further delay to ensure a lasting solution to this protracted problem.”

The Special Task Force Commander, Major-General David Enetie, visited the community with some state government officials for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation with a promise to bring the face-off to an end.

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HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has denied the allegation that the United Arab Emirates-based airline, Emirates, has not been operating from Abuja because some key people in government have not been bribed.

FAAN spokesman, Mr. Yakubu Dati, stated this in Lagos while reacting to a

statement credited to former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Mr. Tony Iredia that he (Iredia) was informed by a source that the airline could not fly from Abuja to Dubai until Nigerian officials are “seen,” a euphemism for bribe.

Dati said: “One can say categorically that the issue of ‘seeing’ aviation officials, in which bribes are supposedly collected in exchange for routes is totally absurd.”

BY SALISU MARADUN

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U S A U — COMMISSIONERS, Senior Special Advisers and Special Advisers in Zamfara State have been strongly warned against travelling out of the state without approval, no matter the situation.

Also affected by the order are other political office holders and other stakeholders.

This was made known by the state's Acting Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala after an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council in Gusau, the state capital, yesterday.

He said: “Anyone who has any genuine case may be allowed to travel.

If you have such a case, you can write through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, for consideration and subsequent approval.

“At a crucial time like this, the need for them to always remain at home with their people is paramount. It is the right time.”

Gov Yero laments attack on 3 Kaduna villages

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OVERNOR Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, yesterday, lamented last week’s attack on three villages in Kaura Local

EMIRATES: FAAN denies allegations of bribe in routes approval

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

Zamfara imposes travel restriction on commissioners, SAs, others

He said international routes are subject to bilateral agreements signed at ministerial level, that routes operated by commercial airlines are usually determined by economic factors rather than political considerations or sentiments.

He said: “If the Abuja to Addis Ababa route, for instance, is not profitable for the airline, it would not do it. It has nothing to do with greasing the palm of anybody.”

Government Area of the state in which about 100 people were killed by gunmen.

He pledged that the state government would rebuild burnt houses in the affected villages to hasten the rehabilitation process.

He said government was also working with relevant security agencies to increase security presence in the area.

Yero spoke at the opening of a two-day retreat organised for traditional rulers in the state as part of the government’s multidimensional approach to ensure security in the state.

He said: “People talk about differences in tribe or religion as the cause of what is happening. We had all these differences in the past and lived in peace. Why can’t we live in peace now? We need to find out what is wrong.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 —49

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50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Troubling times for Benin Republic

BY IRETI AL-SALAAM

B

ENIN Republic, Nigeria’s western neighbour is passing through a quiet turbulence that threatens to blow into full blown anarchy soon. Frustrated citizens of Benin Republic claim that “nothing is working including essential amenities like water, electricity including roads which are now luxuries.” All over the country, there are palpable fears of who would be the next victim as people are arbitrarily arrested and detained.

The country which is presided over by Boni Yayi is passing through a period of complete disregard for the constitution and the rule of law, they are arrested on trumped up charges and opposition to the president has become the order of the day.

With these developments, political observers argue that, “dictatorship is fast creeping into governance in Benin and vindictiveness is reigning supreme”.

Opponents of President Yayi claim that “the president is confused”, with members of his

government, party members in the National Assembly and other state institutions, including the grass root party supporters on the offensive and all spoiling for a show down with the president, who accuses them of being on “destabilization mission”.

Signs of discontent: The economy is in shambles, prices of goods and services are rising and unemployment is high, with late payment of salaries of civil servants. This is in addition to illegal deductions from their meager salaries. This has

Map of Benin Republic become common place in the troubled country. Already, the trade unions have called for a total strike since, but the country has been going through partial strikes and labour activism have been crippling the economy of Benin republic.

In fact, the country has been on strike since December 27, 2013. On December 27, 2013, the country’s trade unions joined forces to embark on a strike, asking for a revision of the employment examination which was conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The union leaders were beaten up and several of the striking workers who were on a peaceful demonstration were injured and hospital-

voodoo practice. Accordingly, people believe that he “sees what every one is up to, listening to what is being said about and he watches everyone in his palm” and no one dares to raise a voice.

He blows hot and cold with cynicism. He has refused to listen, but he keeps on talking and replying whoever does not agree with him. These threats were uttered when a group of youths went to pay him the traditional New Year homage.

Watchers of these developments in Benin argued that, “The president’s reactions are that of a person who is completely overwhelmed, in disarray and confused”. According to this group of people, “He does not know where or whom to turn to. His enemies are many, real or perceived. Like a caged animal, he roars”.

Demands of the Trade Unions: The President is at war with the labour unions who demanded that the government

,

The president’s reactions are that of a person who is completely overwhelmed, in disarray and confused

ized.

The unions were also asking for justice and transparency in the government’s fight against corruption and national unity, nepotism and regionalism are the order of the day in all of the government dealings.

Schools are partially in session, but parents fear a total paralysis of the education sector.

Schools that are partially in session are being handled by teachers who are not full-time or confirmed employees of the state schools of education board.

President Yayi was recently caught on camera telling his country men that “he is watching what is going on in the country and he is watching everybody." This has kept everybody on the edge, given the country’s culture of C M Y K

,

should: •Dismiss the Commissioner of Police and those who were responsible for the bloody disruption ordered the police to disrupt and bent-up the citizens who were on a peaceful march.

•Review the conduct of employment examinations on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This is one of the initial and primary demands that led to the strike.

•Pay back the deductions that the government made from the striking workers’ salaries.

•Improve the working conditions and life of the citizens With these, the trade Union insisted that strike will continue indefinitely and the unions will not negotiate unless their demands are met. Only recently, Belgian and French unions paid solidarity visits to their Beninese counterparts and pledged their support for the striking workers.

Workers who went to collect their salaries found out that deductions have been made from their salaries as they were determined to continue the strike which has been extended from 72 hours to the five working days.

To be concluded

V anguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 51

NEWS ON BRIEFS

Iraq’s election commissioners resign weeks before polls

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MH370: Chinese families clash with police, slam Malaysia over lost plane D

OZENS of angry relatives of passengers on a lost Malaysian jetliner clashed with police in Beijing yesterday , accusing the Southeast Asian country of “delays and deception” a day after it confirmed the plane crashed in remote seas off Australia.

About 20 to 30 protesters threw water bottles at the Malaysian embassy and tried to storm the building, demanding to meet the ambassador, witnesses said. Earlier, the relatives, many with tear-stained faces, had linked arms and chanted “Malaysian government has cheated us” and “Malaysia, return our relatives” as they marched peacefully and held banners.

The relatives’ grief and anger was unleashed on Monday night after

West, Russia draw line in Ukraine crisis

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Family members of passengers onboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 attempt to push past policemen during a protest, near Lido Hotel in Beijing, yesterday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished more than two weeks ago while flying to Beijing from Kuala

Lumpur, had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

Citing satellite-data analysis by British firm Inmarsat, he said there was now no doubt that the

Boeing jet came down in the ocean in one of the most remote places on Earth - an implicit admission that all 239 people on board had died.

Egypt adjourns second mass Brotherhood trial

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N Egyptian court has opened and adjourned a second mass trial of 683 alleged

supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s

top leader, on charges of murder, incitement of violence and sabotage.

The proceedings in Minya, south of Cairo,

At least 1,400 people have been killed in the crackdown on Morsi’s supporters, according to rights groups.

...UN condemns mass death sentences

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HE UN human rights commissioner has condemned an Egyptian court’s decision to sentence to death 528 supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

A spokesman for Navi Pillay said the “cursory mass trial” was “rife with procedural irregularities” and breached

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HE board of Iraq’s election commission has resigned in protest at what it says is political and judicial interference ahead of April legislative elections.

The joint decision was made to preserve the independence and impartiality of the commission, a statement said.

It had faced huge pressure as a result of a dispute over the interpretation of the electoral law, it added.

A clause approved last year allows for the exclusion of candidates considered not “of good reputation”.

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, who is seeking a third term, has been accused of using the law to prevent his political enemies from standing.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) was facing huge pressure stemming from the conflict between parliament and the judiciary over the decisions issued by both sides relating to Clause 3 of Article 8 of the Electoral Law, a statement published on its website said.

international human rights law.

The defendants were found guilty on Monday of charges relating to an attack on a police station in Minya in August.

Another 683 Morsi supporters went on trial at the same court on Tuesday.

They include the Muslim Brotherhood’s general guide,

Mohammed Badie, and the chairman of its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Saad al-Katatni.

Later, security forces clashed with hundreds of Minya University students protesting against the trials.

Tear gas was fired at the students after they blocked a main road, threw stones and set an armoured police vehicle on fire.

on Tuesday, which have been adjourned until April 28, came a day after the same court handed down death sentences to 529 suspected backers of Morsi over a deadly attack on a police station.

A lawyer at the trial said sentencing would take place at the April 28 hearing, the AFP news agency reported.

Monday’s verdict, in which defence lawyers were not allowed to present their case, drew wide public and international criticism.

Rights groups, the United States and the European Union expressed concern and questioned the fairness of proceedings against so many defendants lasting just two days.

A m n e s t y International, the UKbased rights group, said it was the biggest mass sentence given in modern Egyptian history.

The charges in Tuesday’s proceedings also stemmed from rioting last August sparked by the security forces’ storming of two Brotherhood sit-ins in Cairo that killed over 600 people.

USSIA and the West yesterday drew a tentative line under the Ukraine crisis after U.S. President Barack Obama and his allies agreed to hold off on more damaging economic sanctions unless Moscow goes beyond the seizure of Crimea.

Describing Russia as a “regional power” and not the biggest national security threat to the United States, Obama said Russian forces would not be removed militarily from Crimea, but the annexation of the Black Sea region was not a “done deal” because the international community would not recognize it.

“It is up to Russia to act responsibly and show itself once again to be willing to abide by international norms and ... if it fails to do so, there will be some costs,” he told a news conference at the end of a nuclear security summit in The Hague.

After scoffing at a decision by Obama and his Western allies to boycott a planned Group of Eight summit in Sochi in June and hold a G7 summit without Russia instead, the Kremlin said it was keen to maintain contact with G8 partners.

Taliban attacks Kabul election office

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UICIDE bombers and gunmen have attacked an election commission office beside the home of Afghan presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and engaged in a lengthy gun battle with security forces, less than two weeks before a presidential poll.

Security forces cordoned off the area in western Kabul and besieged the building for several hours on Tuesday as the armed men returned fire from their positions.

“The operation is over,” the deputy interior minister, General Ayoub Salangi, told Reuters news agency.

“Five enemies were killed and all election workers trapped inside were rescued.”

Two policemen, an election worker and a provincial council candidate were killed, a spokesman for the interior ministry said.

Obama to propose ending NSA phone call sweep

U

S President Barack Obama plans to ask Congress to end the bulk collection and storage of phone records by the National Security Agency (NSA) but allow the government to access the “metadata” when needed, a senior administration official has said.

If Congress approves, the government would stop collecting the information, known as metadata, which lists millions of phone calls made in the US. The practice triggered a national debate over privacy rights when the extent of the surveillance programme was exposed last year by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who is currently in Russia under temporary asylum. Instead, the government would have to get permission from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to review data about the time and duration of telephone calls that it believes may be connected to terrorism attacks, the Reuters news agency reported, citing the New York Times, which first reported the plan.

52— VANGU ARD,WEDNESD AY, ANGUARD,WEDNESD ARD,WEDNESDA

MARCH 26, 2014

She wanted love-making with me, not marriage Dear Bunmi, LOST my wife a few years ago in an unfortunate motor accident and had made up my mind to remarry. We were married for over 20 years and she was a good mother to our three boys. Late last year, I was introduced to a divorced lady at a close friend’s birthday party and we hit things off right away. The love-making was good and I was already toying with the idea of proposing marriage.

Then, all of a sudden, her attitude changed. Thinking she wanted re-assurance, I had a talk with her that she had my undivided love and I would do anything to make her happy.

You can then imagine how shocked I was when she said all she wanted was the physical side of the relationship. That she had no wish to re-marry and that I had better start shopping for a wife-material!

What type of a woman behaves tike this? It would

I

Dear Bunmi, FTER I had my daugh ter, my vaginal opening was quite large and a year later, it’s still the same. When my baby’s father and 1 parted company soon after the birth, he told me it wasn’t as nice to have intercourse with me any more, that the grip was no longer there when he was in-

A

side me.

I am scared to try for a new relationship because of this.

How can I sort out my problem.

Ngozi, by e-mail Dear Ngozi, Decency prevents me from making nasty remarks about your ex- you’re well rid of an

insensitive man like that.

If you feel that your vagina is too loose, you should have a talk with your regular doctor who will refer you to a gynaecologist.

It’s quite likely that a simple repair operation would make you as good as new and give you your confidence back.

My husband has turned violent Dear Bunmi, HEN I first met my husband, I loved his strong character - he seemed so confident and assertive. But over the nine years we’ve been married,

W

he’s turned into an awful bully.

1 have to do everything the way he wants them done or he makes my life hell. He’s very violent and bullies our two children from time to time. 1 have a fairly well-

Should I leave now I’ve lost the baby?

Dear Bunmi, GOT married because I was pregnant even though I wasn’t really in love with my husband. He is a good man and I thought at 28, 1 was better off settling down.

But I lost the pregnancy in the fourth month and I wasn’t even devastated.

Now I know I’ve tied myself to a man I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my life with. We don’t have that much in common and there is no excitement in the marriage. I feel trapped and want to walk away but my family think I should hang in there and try to make it work. Unfortunately, I don’t feel I love him enough to try.

Bukky, by e-mail

I

Dear Bukky, Without love, there isn’t much to hold a marriage. The fear of the unknown has

made a lot of women stick to a loveless marriage that falls apart in the end.

Since there are no children to consider, you and your husband are young enough to make a fresh start. Only you have to really talk to him about how you feel. He might have his doubts and fears too and he must suspect you’re disenchanted with the relationship. If the two of you can be honest with each other, you might be willing to give the marriage ago.

Is it marriage you’re scared of or is there something about your husband that puts you off? You say you no longer love him and love is vital in a marriage.

If this marriage eventually ends, you have to make sure you don’t make this mistake again as your partner inadvertently suffers too

paid job and I’m desperate to leave him, but I feel I may be trapped in my marriage forever.

What if he harms me?

Jade, by e-mail Dear Jade, The first step to getting out of an abusive relationship is realising you have to leave; so, well done! Now you’ve made the decision, you need to let your friends and family know you’ll need their support.

Bullies often isolate their victims, so the less alone you are, the more confident you’ll be.

Gradually, start doing things on your own to find your independence -things you don’t need his approval for.

Then start standing up to him over little things. This will build your confidence and somewhat loosen his hold on you.

Lastly, you need to find somewhere to go when you’re about to leave. Waiting until you could find convenient rented accommodation will be postponing the evil day. When you’re ready to leave, simply pack your stuff and go. You don’t need to tell him anything. Once away from his domineering influence, you’ll start to recover and get your confidence back.

Blackmailed by my toyboy Dear Bunmi, HEN MY husband got transferred up North, I had to go with him along with my two children.

It was easy for me to find a teaching job as I’m a trained teacher.

My problem is this young man next door to where we live. He works from home and my husband usually comes in much later than me.

This man who is years younger often popped round the house for a chat or help with any masculine job that needed doing.

Unfortunately, we ended up

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sleeping together a couple of times until I came to my senses. I finished things off before we were found out.

Now this man is behaving like a child. He lives with his parents and threatens to tell my husband if I don’t keep on sleeping with him. How do I get him off my back?

Ekaete, by e-mail Dear Ekaete, I bet this man’s mum and dad would be pleased to hear what he’d been up to.

If he has a girlfriend he is bound to be in trouble if it

gets round to her that her boyfriend is a bit reckless.

Add to that what your husband might do to him if he found out and you have a situation where he has as much to lose as you do.

I would call his bluff if I were you. Tell him that if he doesn’t stop pestering you, you’ll be the one who tells.

My guess is that he’ll leave you alone. If I’m wrong, that would be better than getting in deeper and deeper, and your husband catching you as he surely would do sooner than later.

Dear Alaba, Women often feel that they are the only ones that are used and dumped by men, but your experience shows that some women can be ruthless in the pursuit of what they want.

What to you was a big romance was obviously a casual fling to this woman now she’s telling you to get a life! Lasting relationships are built on friendship and shared ideas and dreams; not just love-making.

Without these feelings, you soon realise you’re saddled with someone you don’t really know after the lovemaking cools.

Keep your dignity, trying to wash this woman off your life and look for another woman out there eager to make a commitment.

,

He said he no longer enjoys intercourse with me

have been understandable if she were a frivolous teenager, but she’s close to 40.

What are our women turning into?

Alaba, By e-mail

Some women can be ruthless in the pursuit of what they want.

Lasting relationships are built on friendship and shared ideas and dreams; not just love-making.

Keep your dignity trying to wash this woman off your life and look for another woman out there eager to make a commitment.

,

Obsessed with her sugar daddy Dear Bunmi, HAVE a best friend I’m very fond of. For some 18 months now, she’s been having an affair with her boss. She is 24 and this man is much older, married with teenage children. My friend’s mum has found out about the affair and now none of her family members is talking to her.

This man has told her point blank that marriage of any kind is out of the question. It’s obvious he’s using her and I know she'll end up being hurt. She’s not getting any younger and I need to get her to stop seeing this man be-

I

fore even more damage is done. How do 1 go about this?

Adaora, by e-mail Dear Adaora, There are a lot of people in your friend’s life who are trying to get her to finish with this man. And has it made any difference? What you could do is be there when she needs support. That doesn’t mean pretending to approve of the affair, but you can listen when she wants to talk. I believe that deep down, she knows she’s being silly and unwise.

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

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 —53

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 54—Vanguard,

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—55

Protect Northern interest, 19 govs charge delegates zCommotion as delegates disagree over 75% voting rule

BY HENRY UMORU & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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HE governors of the 19 northern states yesterday charged northern delegates to protect the interest of the region at the National Conference by ensuring that issues like security occasioned by the raging Boko Haram insurgency, revenue allocation, rule of law and corruption among others are tackled squarely.

The governors, who met their delegates on the plank of the Northern Governors’ Forum, urged them to ensure that they tackle the interest and aspirations of the North and the nation at large.

This came on a day that commotion heralded proceedings as the 492 delegates, for the second time, failed to reach agreement on the 75 per cent majority clause needed to pass decisions at the conference. Further discussions on the issue have been adjourned till next week to enable further consultations.

Drawing up an agenda for their delegates, the governors stressed that the issue of security must be on the front burner.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the two-hour meeting, which took place at the Niger State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, Governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum , Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said they urged their delegates to vigorously pursue the issue of strict observance of rule of law, corruption and revenue mobilization.

The governors discussed the issue of revenue mobilization and kicked against the 52 per cent being collected by the Federal Government.

In a communiqué, the governors said: “The forum noted that the National Conference was intended to provide a more inclusive and focused forum for candid discourse on the daunting challenges confronting the nation and its citizens, such as security, observance of rule of law and corruption, amongst other issues. Therefore, the Forum came up with a common agenda that would put the Northern delegates in a better position to tackle the interest and aspirations of the North and the nation at large.”

According to Babangida Aliyu, as part of moves to nip in the bud the insurgency in the country, the governors called for the identification of culprits and sponsors of Boko Haram insurgency in other places, even as they urged all member states to establish Security Trust Fund in their states to ensure that funds were available to address the problem, in addition to articulating “a coordinated

Justice Kutigi, confab chair. approach towards fighting insurgency in the north.”

“The crime rate and general insecurity in the region, in particular and the a country in general are increasingly becoming a growing concern, ranging from mayhem being perpetrated by insurgents characterised by sporadic killings and attacks on schools and communities leading to several deaths and thousands being displaced.”

As part of moves to consolidate on the security symposium organised by the United States Institute of Peace, USIP, between March 17 and 19, 2014 in Washington DC, the governors resolved to set up a six member committee to articulate issues of common concern for a follow up and implementation with the agencies through Nigerian Embassy in Washington.

Members of the committee are secretaries to the state governments of Niger, Zamfara, Borno and Kogi, Commissioner for Information, Niger and a representative of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States.

The governors at the end of the meeting drove to Kano State Governor ’s Lodge for a meeting with Northern delegates.

Present at the meeting were governors of Niger, Kaduna, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kwara, Kano, Kogi, acting governor of Taraba, Deputy governors of Borno, Kebbi, Katsina and Jigawa, and SSGs of Sokoto and Plateau.

Commotion

At the conference, delegates, who had successfully debated other issues on rules and procedures failed to reach a common ground on Order Xi (1) and (2) of the Procedure Rules of the conference, which states that, all decisions of the conference at plenary and committee stage shall be reached by consensus, or in the absence of that, the chairman shall at his discretion adjourn proceedings to allow for further

consultations. In case of failure to reach a resolution on the matter by consensus, it shall be decided by vote of three quarter majority.

Delegates had successfully deliberated on all other matters except the voting pattern and proceeded for the lunch break.

With the break over, the Chairman, Justice Legbo Kutigi called for the adoption of the rules. But members objected to the idea.

Amid deafening interjections, a Federal Government delegate, Mr. Mike Ozokeheme (SAN) got up and questioned the wisdom behind adopting an inclusive matter.

At this juncture, the issue was revisited without being resolved.

While some favoured the presidential proposal of reaching consensus or three quarter majority, many advocated and pitched tent with the two-third majority, stressing that it was more conventional and reasonable.

The issue elicited heated debates which stalled further proceedings and eventually forced the conference to close shop before the closing time of 6 pm.

Heated debate

Debating the issue earlier, a delegate under the platform of the elder statesmen, Chief Edwin Clark cautioned the conference not to further associate President Goodluck Jonathan with the 75 per cent clause, emphasizing that issues of rules and order should not stop the congress.

He said: “Consensus should be the order of the day, but where we disagree, are we going to stop this meeting? We should not allow rules or orders to stop us from proceeding. All over the world, the practice is two third majority. No one here should deceive us that, that is the mindset of Mr. President. This matter has come to an end. We should decide it. So, Mr. Chairman, let’s put Nigeria first.

Whether we are talking about two third majority or 75 percent, we are all Nigerians. Let’s put it to vote if you cannot decide.”

Also speaking, another delegate from North, Mohammed Bello said that the issue of majority or minority does not arise.

“We have opportunity now to look at the issues and decide on what way to go. The conference is not about majority or minority. What we are talking about is consensus. Before the president thought about consensus, he must have thought about it seriously. If it is about majority or minority, we would not have been here. Let us forget about our sentiments. If we insist that people will use their numbers to intimidate others, it

will cause problem in this country,” he said.

Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, a delegate from SouthSouth geopolitical zone also lent a voice saying that two third majority was the answer.

He said: “We were here when the president spoke to us. He said the interest of the Conference is Nigeria, not your tribe. The president said we are re-launching Nigeria. We want two third so that we can move along.”

Similarly, another delegate from the platform of retired state security and NIA Officers, Chief Jerry Okwuonu, challenged the leadership and insisted on two third majority.

“I come from a part of the country where even before the white men came, we had reached consensus. But time has changed. We are taking two third so that we can have something to take to Nigerians.”

Chidinma Uwajumogu, an Imo State delegate said, “Three quarter will not suffice. Two third, sir.”

When it become obvious that reaching a compromise was almost impossible given the number of hands that indicated interests to speak contrary to the proposal, a northern delegate, Yusuf Garba advised against a division that may derail the conference.

“I pray that we will not look for division in this hallowed chambers. Whatever, let’s go back to Mr. President and do something that will give us a name,” he said.

Commotion

What looked like a fight among the delegates later ensued in the heated atmosphere. A delegate who was desperate to make a speech, after a while, could not bear it

,

z Want 52% allocation to FG reviewed

guide our decision. Where that is not possible then, three quarter should guide us.”

Another delegate, Bashiru Albasu, retired Police AIG for the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria seeing the rowdy atmosphere advised that it would be futile to continue debate on the matter.

“There is tendency that people are not ready to give way. Let’s take the matter to the authority that convened this conference,” he said.

Adjournment

Kutigi, however, was persuaded by the members to shift grounds and do more consultations Heeding the advice, he said, “we have spoken enough. We are getting disorganized on this debate. I think we will adjourn on this issue till next week for further consultations.”

Work plan

He went on to call for the consideration of the work plan for the conference. But Prof.

Nsongurua Udombana interjected, saying “It is not possible for us to discuss anything even the work plan. We should adjourn today since we can’t reach a consensus on the fraction.”

Akin Ajibode, Ekiti representative and Professor of Jurisprudence and International law supported Udombana saying “We don’t have the legal standing to continue the debate. I will indulge the suggestion and sleep on the proceeding, so that by tomorrow we reconvene.”

At this juncture, Fola Adiola, Ogun State delegate advised that when a matter becomes heated, an escape route has to be taken “When a matter becomes this heated, it is difficult for 492

Amid deafening interjections, a Federal Government delegate, Mr. Mike Ozokeheme (SAN) got up and questioned the wisdom behind adopting an inclusive matter

any longer. He moved from his seat to an usher to collect the microphone.

When denied, he began to shout at the usher.

This attracted attention and also temporarily disrupted the activities of the conference so much that the repeated shouts of “gentlemen, please, your seats, take your seats, please.

Please, be seated,” by the chairman made no impact.

Delegates were not ready to give up on the debate. It resumed with Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, federal government delegate from Kaduna saying, “We all believe that we have come here for Nigeria. Consensus should

,

people to agree. Is it possible to seek the consent of the leaders of the zones? Emotions are just been whipped. We are digging deep,” he said.

The prayers eventually prompted the Deputy Chairman of the conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi to ask for the patience of the members while the chairman sought more consultations on the matter.

With that, the chairman threw a question to the crowd, saying “do You want to adjourn so that you can cool off before tomorrow?

A resounding “yes” from the members adjourned plenary to today.

56 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

H - E - A - R - T - L -E - S - S

Man butchered four days after bury mother

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka A MIDDLE aged man, Oforma Itodo, has been allegedly hacked to death in Aji Community, Igbo- Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State, barely four days after burying his mother.

Crime Alert gathered that the deceased returned to bury his mother only to be attacked by unknown assailants, allegedly numbering over 50, armed with matchets, axes and guns. A family source close to the deceased who pleaded anonymity told Crime Alert that the assailants invaded their compound in their numbers in the early hours of March 3, 2014, accosted Oforma with matchets, axes and guns, and refused to listen to the family members who sought to know

•The deceased – Late Oforma butchering every part of him with matchetes before dragging him out of the compound to an

,

The matter, according to the source, took a different dimension later after it got to an Enugu High Court where surprisingly, the petitioner was allegedly charged as an accused person instead of the complainant

what the problem was.

“The assailants made straight to Oforma who was taking care of his little baby, forced the baby out of his hands and started

,

unknown place where they finally finished him, abandoned him and fled. We are yet to know what may have caused the attack and killing barely four

•IGP, M.D. Abubakar

days after our mother was buried,” he lamented.

The source further disclosed that the assailants did not cover their identities as they know a good number of them, alleging that one James who was popularly known in the community as Otiyo allegedly was the first person to matchet him. He also alleged that among the assailants were a herbalist, a hunchback and others whose surnames could not be ascertained as at press time.

The source wondered why the assailants who were operating

as members of a neighborhood watch in the community did not take him to Enugu Ezike Police Station for interrogation if he had committed any crime than the jungle justice meted on him.

The deceased, Oforma, popularly known in the community as “One Kaine man” was said to have been out of the community for quite sometime, evading the so called neighborhood watch, allegedly being run by a top government official in Enugu who hailed from the community because he refused to join them.

Group lauds IGP for landmark achievements

By IFUNANYA OKAFOR

A

non-governmental organization, the National Alliance for Peace and Security,NAPS, has commended the InspectorGeneral of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, for restoring the glory of the Nigeria Police force.

The group also commended the reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan,stating that it has led to the free hand that was giving the IGP to operate which has impacted positively on the operations of the Nigerian police.

According to a press statement released after the end of its general meeting in Lagos, the group described the IGP as “an exceptionally brilliant cop who is also an administrator per excellence and

has put in place a model in governance since his assumption of office as the number one cop in the country.”

The statement jointly signed by Mr Bayo Fatusin, Mazi Chibuike Jonas and Alhaji Sule Alhmed, the National Coordinator, National Secretary and National Publicity Secretary respectively, listed the various landmark achievements of Abubakar which they said has placed him pivotally as one of the best IGPs Nigeria has ever had.

“One of his greatest achievements was the abolition and dismantling of road blocks nationwide which has reduced corruption greatly among policemen,” the group noted.

The IGP was also commended for reinvigorating the police medical services while also ensuring the devolution of powers to Zonal AIGs which

has brought about smooth running of administration in the Nigeria police force. “IGP Abubakar also deserves commendation for the establishment of the Police Mortgage Bank Limited to ensure that serving and retired police officers own houses of their own and the introduction of high tech equipment which has made apprehension of criminals easier,” the group said.

NAPS, which has offices spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, also commended the IGP for renovation of barracks across the country. “IGP Abubakar has not only renovated police barracks, he has also built new ones while training and retraining of police officers has improved police performance all over the country,” the group stated.

Crime Alert gathered that the killing of Oforma was to permanently cover up implicating statements of some armed robbers recently arrested in the community with dangerous weapons. The suspects had allegedly mentioned names of some prominent persons in the community as their sponsors.

Family sources revealed that the deceased had earlier petitioned the Inspector- General of Police over threats to his life which was forwarded to Enugu State Police Command for investigations.

The matter, according to the source, took a different dimension later after it got to an Enugu High Court where surprisingly, the petitioner was allegedly charged as an accused person instead of the complainant. The High Court Judge on seeing that the matter was upturned against the complainant, discharged him and since then, his assailants have been after him. They killed him four days after he buried his mother.

Neighbourhood watch A competent source in the community disclosed to Crime Alert that the killer group were not genuine members of the

P-H-O-T-O-

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan engagement recently. Pix shows Cp Riv Governor, Rivers, Tele Ikulu, seeing th

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 — 57 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

POLICE PROMOTIONS

neighborhood watch in the community but were allegedly working for the top government official who was said to have paid a whopping sum of N300,000.00 to the leader of the killer-group who allegedly directed his boys to carry out the barbaric and gruesome murder of Oforma.

Investigation also revealed that the leader of the gang hired some men from outside the community while a good number of them were natives of Aji Community. They invaded Oforma’s house around 5.30am on that fateful day.

Contacted for comments, Enugu State Police Public Relations Office, PPRO, Ebere Amarizu( DSP) said that the deceased was mentioned by three armed robbery suspects already reminded in prison custody as one of their members who escaped when they were arrested, explaining that angry mob attacked him as he returned.

It was also said that the mob gave him severe beating leaving him half dead while he died before police could come to rescue the situation in the community.

S-P-E-A-K

was in Rivers State for an official vers, Tunde Ogunsakin and Deputy he First lady off at the airport.

•DCP Ezike of FedSars and his counterpart at FCID, Alagbon.

•The beneficiaries at FedSars

By EMMA NNADOZIE, Crime Editor and EVELYN USMAN

F

ROM East to West, North to South, regardless of continued threats by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, Police formations went agog with jubilation soon after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, released lists of those elevated to wear new ranks in the force.

Unprecedented cries of joy and unsurpassable jubilation rent the air in all the formations as the beneficiaries scrambled to be decorated by their superiors while encomiums were profusely poured on their helmsman, Mohammed Abubakar for that singular courage in carrying out the massive promotion.

Massive promotion In Lagos, beneficiaries at the State Command, Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Adeniji-Adele, Force Criminal Investigations Annex, Alagbon etc tried to outdo each other while decorating their officers and men.

At the Federal SARS, AdenijiAdele, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge, Chris Ezike not only mapped out the day as a special one but turned the event into a carnival of sort as all the operatives came out resplendent in their well-ironed and starched uniforms ready to mark the occasion. Shouts of MD rent the air as each of the beneficiaries displayed acrobatic dance steps that will shame the popular Atilogwu dancers from the East.

Perhaps, one of the most inter-

•CP Muhammed Indabawa of Oyo decorating CSP Moronfolu Adewale assisted by Air Commander Olatokun Odesanya, Commander, Nigeria Airforce Ibadan. Photo: Dare Fasube. esting highlights of the occasion was the happiness exuded by the only Sergeant that was promoted to the rank of Inspector who jumped up severally after completing the normal salutations and went into a frenzy with adorable dance steps and the accompanying lullaby in his native land.

The man in-charge of the section, DCP Ezike did not mince words in pouring encomiums on the Inspector-General of Police whom he said has carried out a ‘tremendously praiseworthy assignment’ by wiping away the tears of members of the force who have suffered for many years without succor.

Decoration with new rank The atmosphere was same at the Lagos State Police Command Officer’s mess , as relatives of the beneficiaries were present to share in the moment of joy.

A total of 577 policemen were promoted in the command. A breakdown of the figure showed that 16 Superintendents of Police were decorated

with the new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP); 42 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to Superintendents; 102 Assistant Superintendents of Police, ASP, were decorated with the new DSP rank, while 417 Inspectors were decorated with the new

,

ying

Jubilations galore across formations in the country

almost been forgotten. Thus, it came to them as a dream.

For instance , one of the Inspectors that was promoted to ASP in Lagos state Police command, ( names withheld) said he had been on his former rank for close to 13 years before being promoted. According to the newly promoted ASP who was full of smile, “ I can’t believe this is happening to me. I have just three years to serve. I thought all was finished for me because I did not know anybody or have a godfather who could project my case.”

The mass promotion as it is described, also received commendation from members of the public.

A security expert, Ogbefu Ehimare said the promotion would, to a large extent, boost the morale of the beneficiaries, stressing on the need for such to be done regularly to deserving policemen.

Another lawyer , Mr Festus Jegbefu however, pointed out

Shouts of MD rented the air as each of the beneficiaries displayed acrobatic dance steps that will shame the popular Atilogwu dancers from the East

rank of ASP. In Ondo State Command, 787 policemen were promoted ,while 387 were decorated with their new ranks in Jigawa State Command. 174 policemen benefited from the gesture in Kaduna State Command; Ebonyi had 273 policemen decorated with their new ranks and Rivers State Command 58, among other commands.

The promotion which was noted as the highest figure so far, received accolades from policemen who benefited from it.

Some of those who were promoted were discovered to have

,

that some policemen were being affected by the quota system. “ For instance, those from the North benefitted from such gesture than those from the West and middle belt. There is therefore, the need to look into this and promote policemen accordingly.”

The newly promoted policemen were however charged by their respective Commissioners of Police to justify their promotion by putting more effort and dedication in their job and be loyal to the Force.

58—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

How Rivers State achieved 100% routine Immunisation

R

IVERS State Government has attained 100 percent routine immunisation coverage as declared by the World Health Organisation, WHO, through its revitalisation its primary healthcare system.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Parker Tamunoiyoriari Sampson, in a chat with CHIOMA OBINNA shortly after receiving an outstanding Government Healthcare Programme of the Year award at the just concluded Nigerian Health Care Award, NHEA, in Lagos speaks on the priority areas that resulted in the reduction of unnecessary deaths of children and women in the state. Excerpts “Our priority to rebuild dilapidated health facilities across the state and equipping them with the right medical equipment and staffing has improved the state’s immunisation coverage. A lot of things are happening in the state which I would want other states to emulate. And key to that and most important is the PHC which we have been able to build in the state.”

“Today assessment by WHO has shown that we have achieved 100 percent routine immunisation. And 100 percent routine immunisation means that parents on their own are willingly bringing their children to the primary healthcare centres which we have built 120 functional health centres with doctors and nurses in all the health centres.”

Tamunoiyoriari Samson who stressed the need for other states across the country to refocus their attention to the primary health system explained that with 100 percent routine immunisation, the women and children are no longer dying as they were dying in the past.

He added that the provision of healthcare centres in communities have returned women, children and their husbands back to the PHCs. “Our efforts have improved the number of attendants in the various facilities. That means we have a better healthcare delivery in rivers state because the women and children are no longer dying like before.” The State commissioner

explained that before now, many of the people were dying for lack of access to health facilities, particularly in the hard to reach areas of the state. Many of the people

were visiting herbalist, traditional healers.

Many were dying of malaria while many of the women were dying of obstructed labours and other pregnancy related complications.

“With the 100 p e r c e n t immunisation coverage, mortality from malaria has reduced.

We acquired rapid diagnostic test kits for all government owned hospitals and health centres to fast tract the detection and treatment of malaria. We have been able to control malaria and we are moving to the elimination of malaria.”

“It now means that people know about malaria and also treated about •Dr. Parker Tamunoiyoriari Sampson malaria. People

are being tested early for HIV/AIDS and those found are recruited for free treatment. It is something we can replicate in other states of the country because 70 percent of our problems could end at the primary healthcare level.

Speaking on the private participation in healthcare, he stressed the need to promote private partnership in the health sector just as it was done in the communication industry as it would save the country reasonable foreign exchange. “We have initiated private public partnership and that is a programme we should promote in the country. There is need for private participation in healthcare. Government has no business in healthcare. Hospital business is a big international business; it is a major foreign exchange earner of countries like India, Cuba and South Africa. So you cannot say that it is just a welfare thing. Just like we have success in the communication industry, we can also have success in the healthcare Sector. We are trying to promote private participation in health and the success we have achieved in the pilot project shows that it can work.”

Experts worry over surge of oral diseases

N

BY VICTORIA OJEME

IGERIAN medical experts have expressed concern over the growing prevalence of oral diseases, harping on the need for dental professionals to forestall rising cases of medical emergencies.

The experts who spoke on this year’s World Oral Day, with the theme: “Celebrating Healthy Smiles” called for development of sustainable strategies for national preventive and therapeutic oral health services in the country.

The National President, Nigeria Dental Association, NDA, Dr. Olojede Olurotimi, argued that the spate of increases in dental flaws, oral cancer and other oral health

challenges in Nigeria could be tackled bya well developed preventive therapeutic oral health services.

Speaking in Abuja, Olurotimi noted: “Oral health is a neglected area of international health, because 90 percent of the world’s population will suffer from oral diseases in their lifetime and many of them can be avoided with increased governmental, health association and society support as well as funding for prevention, detection and treatment programmes.

He expressed hope that added focus will be drawn to the importance of the prevention of oral diseases through educational, community and promotional activities commemorating the World Oral Health Day.

Olurotimi lamented that periodontal diseases are the most common chronic dental disease worldwide, affecting children, adult and elderly and resulting in great impact on well being.

He charged dental practitioners to gather the needed skills to deal with dental medical emergencies, which he said had become the commonest disease in the world.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Alhassan Khali said introduction of the Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, would ensure that diseases such as cancer would be included in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (1) N

IGERIANS and its health care professionals in particular, received a Valentine season present from the National Assembly on Feb. 19th. 2014. The senate passed the National Health bill, aka SB 215, after its 3rd reading. It had received its first reading on October 2nd 2012 and the second on December 12th 2012. The Articles of the Bill are divided into 7 Parts: PART 1 - responsibility of national for health and eligibility for health services and establishment of national health system articles 1-11 PART 11- health establishments and technologies - articles 12-19 PART 111- rights and obligations of users and healthcare personnel - articles 20-30 PART VI - national health research and information system - articles 31-40 PART V - human resources for health articles 41-46 PART VI - control of use of blood, blood products, tissue and gametes in humans articles 47-58 PART V11- regulations and iscellaneous provisions - articles 59-65 The functions of the Federal Ministry of Health is set out in detail on Article 2:1, only for all these functions to be duplicated and upstaged by numerous committees in later Articles.

The constitution and mandates of these committees dilute the functions of the FMOH and create a bureaucratic process with unclear “buck stops here” responsibilities.

Let’s take a look at the Committees.

First is the National Council of Health: a panel of Federal officers and State officers with differing funding sources, funding capacities and health priorities.

The NCOH formed by the NASS in Article 4:1 must meet at least twice a year to attend to ALL health issues in Nigeria!

Where are the other stakeholders of the health industry? Where are the representatives of the professional bodies and the private sector?

Such committees formed to help implement the NHS Bill in the UK often recruit corporate leaders who see the appointments as a vocation and a challenge and lend their expertise to its success. Who funds these meetings? The FMOH? And the NCOH gets its very own sub committee: the Technical Committee. Reading Article 6:1, can someone please do a head count of the members of this (sub) committee?

In Article 9:1, the NASS creates a National Tertiary Health Institution Standards Committee. Again its members count may reach 50 or 100 as it supposedly

fogfem@yahoo.com includes the representatives of all CEOs of tertiary hospitals and registrars of ALL health professions, regulatory agencies or councils in Nigeria. They are to meet a minimum of 4 times yearly.

Then there is the 13 member National Health Research and the 15 member National Health Research Ethics Committees formed by the FMOH in Article 31:1 and 33:1 respectively.

What are the added costs to health spending by these committees? Are there duplication of responsibilities? Are there existing structures in place for their functions? How easily will these committees reach informed collective decisions?

It takes a few readings to understand the language of Article 11 which deals with the (new?) Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

How were these % allocations derived and assigned? Were they based on any data or evidence? Then in Article 11:3(e) we read of yet another committee to be formed by the NCOH: the Emergency Medical

Treatment Committee. (The word “Emergency” is used frequently in this document. It has far greater significance, clinically, than the authors of the Bill may imagine. I will address this later.)

In Article 13 a Certificate of Standards is great idea, but why should the defaulter be allowed a further 2 years to carry on such (substandard) practice?

Article 20 talks of “ emergency” medical treatment. What exactly are they calling “emergency”?

When we triage surgical patients competing for theatre time in the UK or USA we classify elective as planned, urgent meaning within 24hrs, and emergency meaning: within the hour!

The only other situation more desperate than an emergency is when a life threatening resuscitation is ongoing!

Do the lawyers really conclude, in Article 20:2, that imprisoning a health care provider for six months is the right option here?

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014—59

FACILITY TOUR: From left: Factory Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Akinloye Oyegunju, Operations Director; Mr. Abiola Adebayo, Group Quality Manager, Mr. Olayinka Amoo and Lead Consultant, Mr. More Rangnath, during the media facility tour of the new Fidson Healthcare Plc's Biotech Plant at Sango-Ota, Ogun State. Photo: Joe Akintola,Photo Editor.

I am well, fit and ready for National Conference —AKUNYILI A

BUJA—FORMER Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili has denied report that she was seriously sick and currently out of the country and in need of urgent prayers.

In a statement yesterday, Professor Akunyili said: “This story is baseless, unfounded and the handiwork of mischief makers. It should be ignored and discarded in its entirety. As every informed Nigerian knows,

I am a Delegate to the National Conference currently holding in Abuja.

I was duly accredited as a Delegate and I am currently in attendance at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja, venue of the conference.

“While it is true that I recently came out of a major sickness, for which I thank Almighty God for delivering me, I have since been declared fit by my doctors and returned to my normal activities. I shed much weight in the course of the sickness – which is

normal – but I am well now and only need time to regrow some flesh. There is nothing to worry about either my health or my present stature.

“I know that God has kept me alive for a purpose, this National Conference being part of that purpose.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am well now, fit, strong enough and ready for this all-important National Conference and I look forward to collaborating with other delegates to chart the way for a better Nigeria.”

Nigeria industrial sector underfunded —UNIDO

BY FAVOUR

NNABUGWU BUJA—DESPITE frantic efforts by the federal government to revamp the nation’s industrial sector, the United Nation Industrial D e v e l o p m e n t Organisation, UNIDO, yesterday ascribed the country ’s slow industrialisation to underfunding of the sector.

UNIDO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that assists developing countries in industrialisation.

UNIDO’s Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Kormawa, disclosed this in Abuja at a pre-briefing of the agency’s DirectorGeneral, Mr Li Yong’s maiden visit to Nigeria.

Kormawa said Nigeria’s over-dependence on export of raw materials would not

A

enhance development, adding that dependence on export of finished product was a major key to economic development.

He said Nigeria had over

the years focused on export of raw materials, especially oil, without focusing on non-oil sector, such as industry and agriculture.

ICSAN public lecture focuses on power sector

L

AGOS—THE 2014 Public Lecture of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, will hold tomorrow, at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

This year ’s lecture is generating a lot of excitement as it would be focusing on a sector largely perceived as relevant to other sectors.

According to Dele Togunde, Registrar/Chief

Executive Officer, ICSAN, the theme of the lecture is ‘Regulating the Power Sector: Opportunities, Prospects and Challenges.’

The annual event would be chaired this year by Mr. Monsur Ahmed, Group Executive Director, SMCC, Dangote Industries Limited, while the guest speaker is Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

60—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Northern CAN faults JNI claim of marginalisation

By SAM EYOBOKA

C

HRISTIANS in the 19 Northern states and Abuja have described a statement credited to the Secretary General of Jama'tu Nasril Islam (JNI) claiming unfair representation of Muslims in the National Conference delegates list, as a deliberate attempt by the group to discredit the national dialogue seen largely as an opportunity for Nigerians to ventilate their grievances with a view to reaching a consensus that will propel the nation out of its selfinflicted ethno-religious, sociopolitical challenges.

Socio-political challenges Reacting on behalf of Northern Christians under the aegis of Northern CAN, spokesman of the group, Elder Sunday Oibe challenged JNI, who he accused of causing the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration to reject the inclusion of religious variations during the 2006 National Population Census to ascertain the size of each religion in the country, to show proof that Muslims are more than Christians in Nigeria.

Addressing news men in Kaduna last Wednesday, JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar was quoted as saying that despite that Muslims constitute over 60 per cent of the country's population, they were allocated only six slots out of the 20-man Federal Government delegates list to the conference, while similar treatment was meted to Muslims in the appointment of service chiefs and other top Federal

Religious balancing

General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William F. Kumuyi (left) receiving a copy of the Holy Bible from the General Secretary/CEO of The Bible Society of Nigeria, Rev. Dare Ajiboye (m) and Mr. Samuel Sanusi, Church/PR Manager during a courtesy visit to Pastor Kumuyi at IBTC, Ayobo, Lagos.

Government appointments in the country.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Elder Oibe said:

"Ordinarily, we should not join issues with the JNI Secretary General, but we realised that when lies are put in the public

B

ISHOP of interde nominational minis try, Manna Prayer Mountain, Chris Kwakpovwe, has said the Islamic sect, Boko Haram currently wreaking havoc in the North Eastern part of the nation, was an offshoot of cultism.

Baring his mind on the security situation in that region, Kwakpovwe said prayer is the key to Nigeria's current security challenges, noting "gun cannot stop Boko Haram, it cannot stop by war. The new Chief of Army Staff is my friend and I have told him this fact.

"I told him 'your army, gun, armoured tanks cannot stop Boko Haram. A lot of innocent blood has been shed in this

"I don't know where Dr. Abubukar got his statistics that put Muslims over 60 per cent of the nation's population when his group deceived President Obasanjo into accepting to remove ethnic and religious data from the 2006 Census data in exchange for the North throwing its weight behind his third term bid.

"We all belong to the North but often marvelled why everything is viewed from religious prism in the North. These are the same people who have continued to marginalise Christians, denying them Certificate of Occupancy to build churches, denying them opportunities to governmental

appointments, denying Christian students entrance to public schools in all the northern states. He who comes to equity should come with clean hands," Oibe stated.

While stating that the recent statement by the JNI scribe is another in the agenda to discredit the Goodluck Jonathan Administration and sabotage the well-intentioned national dialogue aimed at addressing glaring imbalances in the polity, he thanked God that there are certain credible Muslim leaders in the North who are determined to join the train of moving the entire nation forward.

"We are therefore calling on all Nigerians, especially Muslims, not to listen to people who are looking for every opportunity to destabilize the nation because they benefit from such instability," he urged, noting that majority of Nigerians are today more concerned about moving the nation forward beyond the stereotypes that have stagnated our growth all these years.

According to him, its obvious to several Nigerians in the Middle Belt, South East, South West and South South geopolitical zones that certain individuals do not have the interest of the nation at heart and would do anything to sabotage good programmes aimed at the growth and development of the nation.

NATIONAL CONFAB:

Shun selfish interests, Methodist Prelate tells delegates

By SAM EYOBOKA

P

RELATE of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche, has called on National Conference delegates to put selfish interest aside and focus on the sufferings and pains of ordinary Nigerians as they begin deliberations on national issues that concern the unity and progress of the country.

A release made available by the church’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, quoted

Prelate Uche as saying; “the deliberations would only be said to be successful and fruitful if they guarantee and secure a meaningful life for the ordinary Nigerian. I am happy about the quality of persons appointed for the Conference and I have faith in the quality of deliberations that will be witnessed."

Continuing, the cleric said he trusts that President Good-luck Jonathan and the National Assembly, working hand-inhand with relevant agencies will see that the reports that will emanate from the Conference

Boko Haram an offshoot of cultism—Kwakpovwe

By BOSE ADELAJA

domain and nobody corrects them, there is always the tendency for people to believe them.

"Why on earth will a man of that calibre suggest that the list of delegates to a national conference be based on religious representation, knowing fully well that his organisation was vehement in opposing the inclusion of religious data in the 2006 national census data?"

Northern CAN further argued that the national conference would have been an exercise in fultily if it was based on religious balancing.

country for politics and other selfish reasons. Boko Haram is an offshoot of occultism,'' he maintained.

Addressing newsmen at a post-annual world anointing programme in Lagos, the bishop gave reasons why his photographs are not emboldened on the daily devotional, Our Daily Manna.

He said people do not need his physical presence before using the devotional which was never a business venture but a desire to promote God's kingdom and meet the yearnings of His people.

Kwakpovwe who said the devotional was a product of his wilderness experience, added that it was meant to heal infirmities and draw people closer

to their Creator.

The publisher stated that God gave him the vision after a failed suicide attempt; ''people have used the devotional to pray and it works for them. I don't have a deal on ODM, why should they put my picture on it?"

Speaking on annual anointing service which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the bishop said: ''The programme is an interdenominational programme, meant to reunify the church and nation.

It is a unifier of churches. Our Daily Manna is not a copy cat but a devotional that reveals the mind of God.'' On the 2015 elections, Kwakpovwe said: ''Nigerians must refuse to go after money-bags and turn back to God.

will be fully implemented because the future of the country is dependent on it.

“What we saw a couple of days ago where innocent jobseeking Nigerians lost their lives should guide the thoughts of the delegates. We should ask the simple question: is this the Nigeria of our dreams? What legacy do we intend to leave for our children and those unborn? The Nigeria our forefathers handed over to us in spite of all the deficiencies had enormous potentials and prospects. But what we have today is not a true reflection of the opportunities and resources available to us to make this country work'" he stated.

According to Prelate Uche "that is why it is imperative, that

the conclusion of this conference must bring lasting solution to the humongous problem of home grown terrorism, religious intolerance, endemic corruption, failed schools, hospitals, roads, security, power supply, Niger Delta militancy, oil bunkering, kidnapping, the vanishing opportunities for our youths, the widening gulf between the rich and the poor and worst of all, the receding faith in Nigeria by Nigerians.

This Conference must be seen as a way of saying enough-isenough to these problems of which the most affected are ordinary Nigerians.

"The Church will certainly continue to pray for them and I hope we will all smile at the end of the day,” he said.

Cleric tasks Jonathan on rule of law •as

P

IBA graduates 120, inducts 400

RESIDENT of Interna tional Bible Academy, IBA, Dr. Murphy Akrasi has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that there is rule of law in the country, saying it is the key to peaceful co-existence, reports ETOP EKANEM. Akrasi who made the remark during the induction, graduation/award ceremony of the academy in Lagos, said if people are punished for breaching the law, others will sit up.

At the occasion, 120 students

graduated while 400 were inducted as members.

He said IBA was birthed to train people in God's Word, ways and works for the purpose of launching a new wave of true anointed leaders into the Body of Christ. According to him, “our students are trained to make an eternal impact on their generation for Christ,” and advised both the graduands and the inductees to live a biblical life in all area of endeavour.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 —61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Keshi backs Eagles bench warmers S

TEPHEN Keshi has said he will keep faith with the country’s top stars who have struggled for game time at their clubs ahead of the World Cup. Mikel Obi has had limited playing time at Chelsea, Elderson Echiejile has yet to establish himself at Monaco, while Victor Moses has been virtually frozen out at Liverpool.

These players are expected to figure in Keshi’s 35-man provisional squad for Brazil 2014 and the Eagles coach said he will stick with them as they have continued to deliver for the national team. ”It’s unfortunate Mikel, Elderson and Moses are not playing regularly for their clubs.

But they are not kids who I need to teach how to play football,” said Keshi.

“I would have loved them to be playing regularly for their clubs, but I can’t control that. I watched Mikel against Arsenal when he came in, he was sharp and

C

OACH Stephen Keshi yesterday confirmed Sports

•Mikel

•Moses

played well.

“It’s difficult but they play good for the team when they are here which is more important for our team. We need them in the team and we all know their ability.”

•Echiejile

Keshi also disclosed he has set a personal target for himself at the World Cup even though the NFF have not done so for the team.

“My employers the

NFF didn’t set any targets for me to reach at Brazil 2014, but I have set a target for myself which is not meant for public consumption,” he said.

Kwara shock Union Bank

S

HOCKER in Lagos as former champion, Union Bank basketball team was beaten by newcomers, Kwara Falcons 57-53 in a rescheduled DSTV Basketball League match yesterday.

From left: Representative of the MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Louis Odom, General Manager from Zenith Bank Maitama branch, President, Nigeria Basket Ball Federation (NBBF), Mr. Tijani Umar, and the new Minister for Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, during the opening ceremony of Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League at the National Stadium Abuja, Friday, March 22, 2014

Ekiti United charged to beat Prime FC

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LAYERS and officials of Ekiti United Football Club, who lost their weekend’s Nigeria National League, NNL, match to Bendel Insurance have been urged to put the defeat behind them and strategise ahead of their Week 8 match against Prime FC. The clarion call came from financier of the team, Senator Tony Adeniyi, the representative of Ekiti South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Adeniyi has promised to reward Ekiti United with special bonus if they beat Prime FC in their next match on Sunday, 30 C M Y K

•••confirms Vanguard’s story on Osaze

March at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti.

He has also promised to pay the team N10,000 for each goal scored against their opponents, while the Most Vauable Player, MVP, will get the same sum.

Ekiti United were sixth in the NNL Group B table with 9 points from six matches before losing by 2-

1 to the Coach Austin Eguavoen-led Insurance at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday.

The Governor Kayode Fayemi boys put up a tough defensive play, denying a very mobile Insurance an early goal and maintained a clean sheet till end of the first half in Benin.

Zenith Bank League IGP Queens Oluyole Babes Customs First Bank Benue Princess

82 43 79 79 30

Taraba Hurricane Sunshine Angels Coal City FCT Angels Dolphins

50 58 33 31 70

•Osaze

Vanguard’s exclusive story that Osaze Odemwingie has apologized for the outburst that has seen him kept away from the national team, and that the striker could be recalled.

Speaking yesterday when asked if Osaze had apologized, Keshi said that the Stoke City striker sent an apology to the NFF, to me and the entire team suggesting that he could make a return for the World Cup in Brazil.

All eyes were on Sports Vanguard for that exclusive report done three weeks ago.

NOC congratulates Gov Uduaghan

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa has congratulated Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on his emergence as Vanguard N e w s p a p e r ’ s Personality of the Year.

The award was conferred on Uduaghan at the weekend. Ndanusa said that he was excited to see a man who has done so much for Nigerian sports winning the exalted award of the Personality Award from an iconic National Newspaper like Vanguard. ‘’It is an award well deserved. The Olympic Community wholly felicitates with Governor Uduaghan who has distinguished himself in

the area of sports with modern facilities and personal encouragement and sponsorship of national athletes. He has done much for sports and deserves our applause. He has ensured that Delta state remains a mecca of sort for sports and has an indescribable appetite for rewarding athletes’’, Ndanusa said.

•Uduaghan

Parlour hails Airtel’s support for youth, sports development

A

RSENAL legend and ex-England international, Ray Parlour, has commended Airtel Nigeria, for its significant contribution to youths and sport development in Africa through the Airtel Rising Star African Championship.

Ray Parlour, who gave this commendation during a chat with sports writers in Lagos over the weekend, said “the U-17 Airtel Rising Stars Africa Championship has made noteworthy impact on development of youths in

Africa and the discovery of football talents across the continent as well.”

According to him, “Airtel Rising Stars has developed football in Africa and given opportunities to young boys and girls in Africa to showcase their skills, thereby discovering them at a very young age.”

The Arsenal legend, who was in Nigeria for last weekend’s unveiling of Airtel Premier, noted that the company’s initiative of sponsoring the U-17 Africa Championship is commendable because it

will go a long way to positively impact football across Africa, particularly in the countries that participate in the tournament.

Parlour, who visited as part of the partnership between Arsenal Football Club of England and the Airtel Africa Group, joined other dignitaries who graced the unveiling of Airtel Premier Club, a highly exclusive event which took place in Eko Hotels & Suites on Sunday March 23, 2014.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 2014 — 63

Brazil 2014: Keshi approves wives, I have no team yet says NO to girlfriends I S

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi gave the green light yesterday that married players could go to the World Cup with their wives but ruled out single players going with their girlfriends.

Speaking at the Tom Tom Roundtable yesterday, Keshi said that WAGs – Wives and Girlfriends are good for the players but would not tolerate girlfriends in Brazil. ‘’In any civilized country, WAGs are always allowed to accompany their husbands to the World Cup. In 9994, Westerhof allowed us go with our wives. Married men in the Eagles can go with their wives but there will be no room for girlfriends’’, he said as many single girls in the audience protested mildly.

Super Eagles jubilate after winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

We plan to win every game S

STORIES BY JACOB AJOM

UPER Eagles chief coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has

No World Cup for Alampasu, others consideration.”

G

OLDEN Eaglets stars like Dele Alampasu, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi among others who shone like a million stars at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates have no chance of making the Nigerian squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi made the clarification in Lagos yesterday. “The FIFA World Cup is too far for the U-17 players. If they were U-20s, perhaps, one could have given it a

Keshi who invited three of the World Cup winning U-17 squad members to the pre-CHAN camp and eventually took Dele Alampasu to South Africa for the championship proper, said the players have to pass through the ranks and eventually graduate to the senior national team.

The statement yesterday by the coach put paid to speculations that at least one member of the 2013 Golden Eaglets that won a historic 4th FIFA U-17 World Cup for Nigeria would make it to Brazil.

Agbim Continues from B/P as good as his two world class keepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide.

“The biggest problem with a goalkeeper is that he is the last man in the defence. His flaws are easily noticeable. The question is what were the other 10 players doing before the goalkeeper is exposed and goals scored?’’, Keshi asked defending C M Y K

T is 78 days to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has said he still does not know who will make his squad.

Speaking to reporters at the Tom Tom Editors’ Round Table in Lagos yesterday, the African Nations Cup winning coach said all the 23 places in the squad are still open.

He was asked to say exactly how many openings were still there in the 23-man squad to Brazil, given that the list of invited players is expected to be released soon. Keshi’s answer was short and sharp. “All,” he said.

his goalkeeper in the Tom Tom Editor ’s Roundtable yesterday in Ikeja. ‘’I have very three good goalkeepers. Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim.

One is as good as the other. And the other good thing about them is that they are united and supportive of one another and whoever gets the nod to start does not mean anything to them’’, Keshi added.

declared that players and the entire technical crew of the national team are focused on delivering a good outing at the forthcoming Brazil 2014 World Cup. Keshi who spoke at the Tom Tom Editors round table in Lagos yesterday said there is no amount of distraction that can

sway the team from their target of giving Nigeria a credible outing in Brazil.

“We are focused and the level of dedication and commitment in this set of Eagles is very high. The boys are raring to go. We can’t wait for the World Cup to begin.”

Keshi said he has not

been given any target by the Nigeria Football Federation at the World Cup but he has his personal target. He would not however, be drawn into disclosing his target.

“I have no target set by the NFF but I have my personal target which remains personal to me because in every tournament I enter for, I set a target for myself.”

When pressed further, Keshi said, “we plan to play to win each game at a time until the the end of the tournament.”

“Every position is still open and everybody has to fight to earn his place in the squad. There are no automatic shirts.”

Keshi said there were still a number of tune up matches lined up for the team and confirmed the June 6 friendly with the USA. “It will be our last friendly and good tune up for us before the tournament.”

He doused the tension over the much expected release of the list of invited players to the pretournament camp. “The list won’t be out now.

When it is released, it will be made available to you all. It won’t be a secret thing.”

He expressed joy that his players were fit and in good physical and mental condition, although he reckoned that he would have loved to see more of them being more active for their clubs. “I was happy when I saw Mikel come in against Arsenal. He was looking trim and fit,” the coach said.

•Mikel

Keshi Continues from B/P

Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles Chief Coach (right) and Emil Moskofian, Managing Director, Cadbury West Africa at the 5th TomTom Editors’ Roundtable in Lagos….Tuesday

Okpala Continues from B/P to be a ploy to get him out of the way because he had reported to then Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Patrick Ekeji bonuses were slashed for no just reason. Officials of the NFF did not take kindly to that and punished him for ‘’reporting’’ them to Ekeji.

But when they wanted to impose foreign

assistants on Keshi, the former skipper of the Eagles said that the only assistant he wanted remained Okpala.

At the Tom Tom roundtable yesterday, Keshi said that the NFF were still sitting on his request of recalling Okpalla for the World Cup. ‘’Up till now, there is no change. It is still the same thing. It might change tomorrow. We are in Nigeria’’, he said

very well until somebody put it to him that he possibly refused to invite Uche because the player refused to let him manage him.

Kehi adjusted on his seat, looked at the crowd and asked for the Reporter ’s name. He cleared his throat and retorted. ‘’Before these players started playing football, I’ve made my money.

They cannot give me money to satisfy my hunger. In the past, other coaches did it. I, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi can’t be bribed.

You can’t bribe me.

There is nothing you can use to entice me. Many rich people come to me

with money to influence calling their wards or playing them. I shunned them. Equatorial Guinea promised to pay me more money than what Nigeria is paying me.

The most important thing to me is coaching the Super Eagles. Bringing joy to so many millions of Nigerians is my ultimate joy.

I was with Ike Uche in South Africa during the African Cup of Nations in South Africa. I have no personal grudge against him. He is a good player. But not all good players play for their national team. If you are not a team player, you can’t play for me.

Nobody has money to buy me because I’m well

by God’s grace’’.

V anguard, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Okpala: Keshi still waits on NFF S

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has bemoaned the non recall of his assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala who was disengaged from the team after the Eagles won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa in 2013.

Okpala was laid off on the excuse that the Nigeria Football Federation had lean resources and could not

No player can bribe me — Keshi V

Continues on Page 63

accommodate too many assistants. It turned out Continues on Page 63

Westerhof not a fantastic coach — P.38

STORIES BY TONY UBANI ILLARREAL striker, Ikechukwu Uche took the front burner yesterday at the Tom Tom Media Roundtable with Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

Uche is being left out of the World Cup campaign in spite of his current good runs in the Spanish league.

The former Eagles captain apparently was aware that such burning questions on Ike Uche and Osaze Odemwingie would be asked and prepared well and handled the questions

•Okpala

'Agbim is as good as Enyeama, Ejide' A

L-R: Segun Odegbami, Former Green Eagles Captain; Emil Moskofian, Managing Director, Cadbury West Africa; Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles Chief Coach and Amir Shamsi, Marketing Director, Cadbury West Africa at the 5th TomTom Editors’ Roundtable in Lagos

RE you among those who slammed Super Eagles goalie, Chigozie Agbim for his not too good performance at the CHAN in South Africa?

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi rates the Gombe United goalkeeper who was kicked out by Rangers International of Enugu

Continues on Page 63

•Agbim

Brazil 2014: Keshi approves wives, says NO to girlfriends — P.63 QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Divide (4) 4 Dog (3) 6 Pace (4) 9 Meadow (3) 10 Compress (8) 11 Curse (4) 14 Summit (3) 16 Intended (5) 19 Debased (8) 21 Cap (5) 23 Decrease (8) 24 Abrupt (5) 27 Circuit (3) 31 Fair (4) 33 Fragrant (8) 34 Expire (3) 35 Nurse (4) 36 Deity (3) 37 Duct (4)

DOWN 2 Soon (4) 3 Neat (4) 4 Forgave (8) 5 Regretted (4) 6 Incline (5) 7 Beverage (3) 8 Consumed (5) 12 Confess (5) 13 Daub (5) 14 Label (3) 15 Danger (5) 17 Pungent (5) 18 Taut (5) 20 Claimed (8) 22 Gratuity (3) 25 Escape (5) 26 Located (5) 28 Boast (4) 29 Applaud (4) 30 Break (4) 32 Transgress (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stress 5, Assume 9, Pence 10, Cashew 11, Tester 12, Deter 14, Open 17, Rid 18, Clog 20, Rider 22, Lodge 23, Vacated 24, Screw 26, Defer 29, Chair 30, Hip 32, Dude 33, Local 35, Action 36, Rubber 37, Newer 38, Earned 39, Decent.

DOWN: 1, Sector 2, Risked 3, Sped 4, Sewer 5, Acted 6, Seer 7, Untold 8, Enrage 13, Titanic 15, Pitch 16, Never 18, Coded 19, Ogled 21, Raw 22, Led 24, Scrape 25, Rafter 27, Fumble 28, Regret 30, Honed 31, Pared 33, Lone.

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

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