21 killed in fresh Abuja explosion by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people

VOL. 25: NO. 62174

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

21 killed in fresh Abuja explosion •17 injured; suspect carrying more explosives shot

BY OKEY NDIRIBE, BEN AGANDE, UMORU HENRY, JOSEPH ERUNKE, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, CHRIS OCHAYI & CALEB AYANSINA

BUJA—A THIRD deadly explosion in the Federal capital territory, Abuja in two months, yesterday, exploded at a shopping mall, EMAB Plaza, adjacent BANEX Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, at 3. 50 pm. It killed no fewer than 21 persons and injured 17 others. The extremist Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the two explosions in April and May in Nyanya, a suburb of the capital.

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

ABUJA BLAST—Scene of the Abuja blast and victims receiving treatment at the Maitama General Hospital, Abuja. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida. More pictures on Pages 5&49.

Car bomb goes off near Lagos tank farm

Ekiti election: •P.17 Deconstructing the Fayemi meltdown

Story on Page 6

“I am a truck conductor and my truck was on the queue. I was walking towards the Folawiyo junction when I heard the explosion and I thought it was an earthquake."

Whither separation of •P.19 powers

Mr & Mrs

Nigeria among top three for FDI 9

Wreckage of the car

Gallant Eagles qualify 64 for 2nd round C M Y K

Ekiti guber: •P.19 Matters arising

2—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON

Fire-fighters at the Abuja blast scene, yesterday.

21 killed in fresh Abuja explosion Continues from page 1 Yesterday ’s blast occurred at the gate of the shopping mall. The quick intervention of soldiers saved the city from more blasts as they gunned down a suspect that was carrying another explosives-laden bag on a power bike. It was later defused by the police anti-bomb squad. Eye witnesses said that the bomb was placed in front of a taxi at a point where taxis drop passengers going into the plaza. Those affected mostly were, therefore, taxi drivers, fruit sellers and passers-by. 17 vehi-

cles were also burnt. The soldiers who were said to have rushed to the blast site, also arrested two suspects who were being held in a military facility. George Adigwe, who participated in the evacuation of victims confirmed that 18 dead bodies were moved into the ambulances of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for transportation to various morgues in Abuja metropolis. Security sources at the scene said that it was likely that the dead suspect could have been heading for another target

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

After months of solitude in Antarctica, Admiral Richard Byrd wrote: ‘I’m learning...a man can live profoundly without masses of things.’ What a great place to arrive at!

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

...being positive is not enough. I used to always be positive, because I was a people-pleaser. I never wanted to bother anyone or trouble anyone. I learned that more important than being positive is being yourself— Anita Moorjani

HE gift of life is a blessing, and when we are given a second chance at life, we are grateful. The story of Anita Moorjani is a reminder to keep hope alive no matter what life brings. She shares her experience from ill health to good health; while unconscious she was embraced, by a light energy of unconditional love. She continues: “It was like I didn’t have to do anything to prove myself or to be anything; I was loved unconditionally, regardless. There was no judgment whatsoever. There was only compassion. And I seemed to understand that, even in order to fulfil my purpose, I would just have to come back and live beautifully and just not be afraid to be myself.” We’re here because we are facets of the Divine Love. And we are all connected in every way. Love thy neighbour as thyself - Ella Randle-

before he was shot by the soldiers. Security and rescue officers who rushed to the scene of the blast cordoned off all entrances into the blast area. The injured were taken mainly to Maitama General Hospital, which was the closest to the scene of the blast, as well as, Wuse General Hospital. The bodies of those killed in the blast were taken to Maitama, Wuse and National Hospitals’ morgues.

I saw people burning —Eye witness

An eyewitness of yesterday ’s bomb explosion which occurred in Abuja spoke to Vanguard. He identified himself as Jason Ikenna Nwamadi and works at Emab Plaza, located at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, where the blast occurred. Narrating his experience he said: “At about 4pm yesterday, I was in my office which is located at the first floor when I heard the sound of a huge explosion. The effect of the explosion shook the entire building and everybody began to run helter-skelter. “I ran with others towards the back of the plaza because the explosion occurred in front of the gate. We jumped the fence at the back of the premises with some women who were also running for their dear lives. “After I jumped the fence, I ran through another path to get to the front of the plaza where the explosion occurred. The spot where the bomb exploded was like a taxi park. It is usually a very

busy place and the blast occurred at the busiest hour of the day. "I saw people burning. One of those on fire was Christopher by name. He was burning on top of the bonnet of his Toyota Camry Car. He was eventually burnt beyond recognition. He was the driver to my boss Peter Akande. I don’t know where he has been taken to. Most of those affected were hawkers of banana, groundnut and maize. Women and their children were also among the victims. Drivers of taxi cabs and passengers were also among those killed or injured. At least 40 people lost their lives in the blast. Human parts littered the scene.

Soldiers kill suspected Abuja bomber, defuse another bomb

A middle aged man suspected to be the arrowhead of yesterday’s bomb blast at Emab Plaza, was killed by soldiers who arrived the scene of the blast about 25 minutes after being alerted of the development. The timely intervention of the security men who were alerted by some traders that saw the bomber, saved another bomb that would have exploded after the first one at Emab Plaza. The second bomb, according to eye witnesses, was planted at Banez Plaza, and was to be detonated shortly after the first one. Besides the second bomb, the suspect, according to the sources, had another Improvised Explosive Device ,IED, inside a blue-coloured bag strapped to his back and was about detonating it through a remote controlled device when he was noticed and shot by the soldiers. Vanguard correspondent, who was at the scene of the blast at the time it happened saw the suspect trying to run to another shopping mall to detonate the IED but was easily noticed by some traders. The traders who realised what he was about doing hit him with stones. He fell down and stood up after few seconds but quickly brought out a small white device suspected to be remote from his pocket. When asked by the soldiers to raise up his hands without moving any step, he ignored, a development that made them kill him immediately. When the bag was searched, it was discovered to contain another bomb but which was immediately defused.

We saw bomber before blast —Traders

Meanwhile, some traders at Banez Plaza, who disclosed that they had noticed the strange movement of the suspect before the blast, regretted not reporting him to security agents. Two traders who identified themselves to Vanguard as Ifeanyi Eze and Ndubuisi Emeka, salesmen in two of the shops, said they saw the bomber with a strange bag going from one shop to the other in the plaza but didn’t inform security personnel at the plaza because they never envisaged he could do such a terrible thing. “Although we alerted some of the private security men but they could not do anything much when they discovered he was highly intoxicated. They did not search the bag he was holding but they asked him some questions. “When he told them he was a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp just posted to the area, he was allowed to go even though they did not ask for his identification card,” Ifeanyi said. He added that the private security men could not do much to the suspected bomber when they found out at the time of search that he had huge sums of money in his pocket.

How I escaped —Survivor

One of the survivors of the Abuja bomb blast says his decision to cross the road to serve a customer saved his life. Ahmed Musa who sells fruits at the epicentre of the blast told Vanguard that but for his decision to cross the opposite road to sell fruits to a customer, he would have been dead. Musa said: "I left my shop to serve a regular customer who parked across the road. That decision saved me. The force of the explosion threw me on the ground for a moment’ he said. He explained that the

explosion affected his ear as he could not hear clearly. “I thank God for saving me. People doing this should leave us alone and alow us to live normal lives. We are struggling to survive” he said.

Police to prosecute suspect — Mba

Addressing Journalists at the scene of the blast, Force Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, (ACP) said that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted after a thorough investigation to determine those who sent them. Mr. Mba said that the Police was putting in place measures to secure the business place and intensify the monitoring of plazas, shopping malls and other business places in Abuja. Also speaking at the scene of the blast, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed, who condemned the act, however, expressed condolences to the families of those who died, sympathy to those injured. He stressed that if not the frantic efforts put in place by security agencies, the bombers would have entered the plaza where a lot of casualties would have been recorded. Senator Mohammed who, arrived at 5.50 pm, was accompanied by the Minister of State, FCTA, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; FCTA Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, DSS Director, Brigade Commander, among others. Speaking further, the FCT Minister, who promised to take care of those injured, stressed that the Administration would ensure that security agencies were supported to protect lives and property. Also speaking with Journalists, the Deputy Commandant- General (Operations), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, National Headquarters, Evans Chidi Ewurum, disclosed that

Continues on page 6

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

21 killed in fresh Abuja explosion Continues from page 5 those arrested as suspects in connection with the blast were being taken for interrogation, adding that the agency made available six ambulances to help evacuate victims from the scene to the hospitals.

Protest against FG at scene of blast; military, police booed

The bomb blast took a different dimension as youths took to streets at the scene of the blast protesting incessant bomb explosion rocking parts of the country, especially, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The youths in their hundreds were chanting war songs in condemnation of FG's inability to check spate of explosions nationwide. They also booed solders and policemen drafted to the scene of the explosion. They asked: "What are you people coming to do here? We don’t want to see people here because you have failed to protect us." It took the reinforcement of security agents to disperse the angry youths making mockery of them and restore normalcy to the area.

FG appeals for calm

A statement issued by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri advised FCT residents to remain calm and go about their normal business, assuring that security agencies have fully mobilized to the scene of the incident and are handling the situation. Omeri further said that every step is being taken by the government to check the activities of insurgents in the country, advising Nigerians to remain vigilant and conscious of movement of unidentified people around their areas. He expressed the sympathy of the federal government to the families of those that lost their lives just as he wished the injured speedy recovery.

Sam Nda-Isaiah condemns Abuja blast

The presidential aspirant of the APC, Sam NdaIsaiah, has condemned in unequivocal terms today’s terrorist blast in Abuja. Nda-Isaiah said this is one terror attack too many and that there is now a compelling need for the

present government and security agencies to take more pro-active measures to secure life and property in the nation’s capital. He said one area where security is lapse is the Abuja airport and called for tighter security checks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport and all the other airports and gateways in the country. The APC presidential aspirant called on all those charged with securing life and property in the country to discharge this onerous task with more dedication to forestall a situation where our people become afraid to go about their daily businesses in many parts of the country.

I cheated death — Okechukwu

An eye witness, Mr. Okechukwu said he cheated death as the blast threw him from his shop before he was picked up by people. Said he: “I am a disabled man trying to make ends meet in this plaza. I am lucky to be alive because I could not climb the fence when others were running and climbing fence. The blast threw me from my seat and when my brother could not see me on my seat, he thought I was dead. But for God I would have been dead.

My sisters were blown to pieces — Mather

Another eyewitness, Mather Godwin, a groundnut seller at the scene of the blast said her two sisters, one who was pregnant and another who was breast-feeding, were blown up in the blast, saying that she left the scene of the blast a minute before the blast. Mather, an indigene of Benue State said the blast went off minutes after she asked his sisters to meet her at home as she saw them shattered by the explosion. “A man came and bought all my groundnuts and I went to my sisters and told them to meet me at home and shortly after I left the place I heard the blast and when I turned back, I saw their mangled bodies scattered. Two of them are Blessing and Angela and my friend’s sister was also blown up including all the banana sellers around the place, and their babies, she said. Sadiq Bode, another eyewitness who narrated his experience said: “It happened at the exit gate of Emab Plaza from a vehicle suspected to be a jeep. I was inside the plaza when it happened.

The bomber was stopped by the security man before he ran away. In fact, it happened when one influential person came to buy a phone in the market with team of mobile police men guarding him and when we heard the blast, we ran with them, including the policemen running with their guns, jumping fence. I don’t know if it was the big man they were targeting, but when I came back I did not see the people around the place again, all of them got blown up in the blast”. Another eyewitness, a computer and phone repairer, who declined to give his name said: “The bomber came in Sienna bus and passed through the wrong gate and because there was hold up, a security man who was also blown up in the blast forced him to go back. That was when one man selling cigarette raised alarm that the driver was a suicide bomber and as he was shouting, he was running. The bomber came out of the car without shoe and with earpiece in his two ears he started running before we heard the blast and everybody started running. The most affected in the blast were the hawkers, women selling banana and groundnut”.

Bomb attacks calculated to distract, intimidate Jonathan — Maku

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, yesterday, condemned in strong terms, the bomb blast at EMAB plaza. Mr. Maku, who observed that the Abuja bomb blast occurred simultaneously with another bomb explosion in Mubi, Adamawa State, said the insurgents’ attempt to intensify the spate of bombings and killings in parts of the country was calculated to distract and intimidate the President and his government as the 2015 elections draw nearer. In a statement sign by his press Secretary, Joe Mukta, the Minister, said the Federal Government was deeply saddened by these dastardly acts of murder against innocent Nigerians. “Every time there is any major positive development in the country, it is quickly greeted with bombs and attacks on defenceless citizens. Every milestone recorded by government is followed by explosions and attacks to discourage the citizens and to turn them against the government,” he observed.

ing The Telegraph.

7 corpses at National Hospital Morgue, 7 receiving treatment

Late Bisala Mr. Maku called for unity among Nigerians in this trying moment in order to isolate and defeat the insurgents who are bent on creating panic and dividing the people with the aim of casting President Jonathan and his government in bad light.

12 bodies, 35 injured victims at Maitama Hospital

THE Minister of FCT, Mallam Bala Mohammed said, yesterday, that the unfortunate bomb blast was under control. The minister who spoke at the Maitama District Hospital said the security situation in the capital city has been brought under control as new security measures will also be put in place. He explained that “our neighbour to neighbour security watch in the FCT too is yielding results as we have beefed up security in all neighbourhoods." He told reporters that from available information, 12 victims involved in the blast were brought to the hospital and 35 injured persons were receiving treatment. He promised that his ministry would foot the bills of the injured persons in the hospital.

The Telegraph Managing Editor, Bisala killed in blast

The Managing Editor of The Telegraph newspapers, Mr. Suleiman Bisala was one of those killed in the EMAB Plaza blast in Abuja, yesterday. His colleagues said the late Bisala was at the Plaza to fix his telephone handset when the blast occurred. He had a long

career at the Daily Trust newspapers before join-

A Check by VANGUARD at the National Hospital Abuja, yesterday, revealed that seven dead persons were brought to the hospital morgue, while seven injured are currently receiving treatment. The Public Relations Officer of the National Hospital, Abuja, Mr Tayo Haastrup, told Vanguard that out of the seven injured, two were in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the hospital. A source confirmed to Vanguard that “many of the injured were in critical condition and it will take the grace of God for them to survive”.

Car bomb goes off near Lagos tank farm BY IFEANYI OKOLIE & EVELYN USMAN

AGOS — A car laden with bombs yesterday exploded at the ever busy Folawiyo junction on Creek Road, Apapa, killing four persons, while several others were injured. Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the car, a Mercedes-Benz 190, exploded around 8:30pm, after it was parked beside a fuel tanker heading into Folawiyo tank farm. The explosion was said to have shocked residents of Apapa and its environs, which was also said to have affected two banks operating in the area, while many other buildings were also destroyed . Many residents were scared that the explosion could have been the handiwork of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, who may have targeted the area being a depot of petroleum products. When Vanguard visited the scene, the wreckage of the Mercedes Benz, was seen at the scene, while the remains of an unidentified woman also littered the ground. An eyewitness who identified himself as Musa Ali, told Vanguard that he narrowly escaped death when the explosion occurred. His words: “I am a truck conductor and my truck was on the queue. I was

walking towards the Folawiyo junction when I heard the explosion and I thought it was an earthquake. When I looked up I saw a large ball of fire at the spot where I was to buy food and a woman in front of me was badly injured. Fire fighters quickly raced to the scene and after some minutes the fire was put off. When I went close I saw a deep hole at the point where the explosion occurred." Another eye witness said: “A car wired with a bomb device rammed under a trailer parked outside the tank farm which exploded at about 8.30pm. We were all scared when we heard the explosion and saw smoke everywhere. There was pandemonium as everyone started running helter-skelter and it was in the midst of this confusion that a man wearing a hijab ran into the compound to detonate another bomb. Apparently, the first bomb was meant to be a distraction." However, spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, Ngozi Braide confirmed the incident but stated emphatically that it was not a bomb explosion. She could however not give details of how the tanker exploded, saying the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Apapa would brief her later.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 7

Ritualists' den uncovered, 8 kidnapped victims rescued in Lagos •I was abducted from Anambra 2 yrs ago —Victim

BY EVELYN USMAN & BOSE ADELAJA

AGOS — A RITUALISTS' den was, yesterday, uncovered at Ogolonto area of Ikorodu Lagos, with at least eight victims, said to have been kidnapped from different parts of the country, rescued. One of the victims, a 52-year-old man, who identified himself simply as Onwurah, alleged that his wife had a hand in his kidnap, saying he had spent two years in the enclave. The den was uncovered following a foiled attempt by a mother of four to take one of her victims, a seven year-old boy, to the den. Vanguard gathered that the woman identified as Mrs Rosemary Chukwu, who resides at 33, Omologede Street, behind C&S Primary School, allegedly abducted the seven-year-old primary school pupil, Emmanuel Emeka, on his way to fetch water from a public well at about 6.30 a.m. Chukwu was alleged to have kept the boy inside her toilet and engaged her four children in a prayer session, apparently to prevent her co-tenants from hearing the abducted boy’s cry for help.

How Emeka was rescued

Meanwhile, back in the abducted boy’s home, located four buildings from his captors, his mother became apprehensive over his unusual delay. She was said to have raised alarm which caused residents to conduct a search round the neighborhood for Emeka. Eye witnesses told Vanguard that Chukwu even went out and suggested areas where the search party could search for the missing boy. She was said to have been sighted with a suitcase on her head, accompanied by her children. An eye witness, who gave his name as Oyetoye Gbemi, said: "She told us she was travelling to the village. But one of the area boys who was among the search party, ordered his colleagues to search the box. "Immediately she heard that, she flung the box away and took to her heels. We all suspected something was amiss. When the box was opened, Emmanuel was found inside, half dead. "The area boys descended on her and stripped her naked. On interrogation, she said her pastor, the General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry a.k.a House of Mercy, asked her to bring the boy. "The area boys followed her to 319, Lagos Road, Ikorodu, where the church is situated, where they saw her pastor waiting for her. But on sighting the crowd, he took to his heels.

Court strikes out robbery charge against two

"But for the arrival of Policemen from Owutu division, the woman would have been lynched. The angry mob also attempted to set the church ablaze but were also prevented by the policemen. They, however, succeeded in torching some parts of the property."

Ritualists' den uncovered

When Vanguard arrived the scene, a crowd had gathered, giving varying accounts of what happened. But to the astonishment of all, another building alleged to be used for ritual purposes by Pastor Ernest Nwankwo was discovered. The building located at 7, Oshodi Street, was behind the church. It was gathered that some miscreants uncovered the building while they were chasing the fleeing pastor. The mob was said to have forced some apartments in the building open, where they found an undisclosed number of persons in chains. The victims were said to have recounted how they were kidnapped from Anambra, Bayelsa, Ogun and Oyo states at different times. One of them, according to eye witnesses, who pleaded anonymity, said she was kidnapped 11 years ago. According to an eyewitness, "the woman said she is about 50 years old and that she was kidnapped along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway while returning from a vigil. "The rest were males and were wearing briefs. They looked haggard and tired. The area boys set them free when they opened the apartments. I believe some of them should be with the police. "There were also ‘Ghana must go’ bags of currencies . The area boys looted some of the things they met before the arrival of the Police."

TOP LEFT: Mrs Rosemary Chukwu, the suspect; TOP RIGHT: One of the rescued victims and the Holy Family Ministry premises.

I was abducted from Anambra 2 yrs ago —Victim

When Vanguard visited the den, there were bloodstains around the building and a particular apartment where those alleged to be in chains were kept, was opened up. The apartment was dark and was littered with dirty cutlery suspected to have been used to feed the victims. There was also a bowl which contained suspected human blood. A 52 year-old man seen in chains told Vanguard that he was kidnapped two years ago from Anambra State. He said he used to be a commercial bus driver before he was abducted and brought to Lagos. "The man said he could not join others to escape because the key to his chain could not be found. When he was asked

if Pastor Ernest was responsible for his abduction, he charged at him, saying: "Do not call him a pastor. He is not. He is a killer and a ritualist." A community leader in the area who identified himself as Alfa Olajide Odeji, told Vanguard that the building on Oshodi Street was always under lock and key. He said there were unusual movements there at night. His claim was collaborated by another community leader who gave his name as Elder Sikiru Odebowale. Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide failed. However, Police sources confirmed that the female suspect was in Police custody and that the seven-year-old boy had been taken to a hospital. His condition could, however, not be ascertained. Also, Pastor Ernest Nwankwo was said to be on the run.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — JUSTICE Aishat Opesanwo of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere has struck out an armed robbery charge against two suspects, Paul Ani and Joe Joseph. The judge, while striking out the matter, said the prosecution had not been able to produce a witness after two years that the suspects had been in custody. She said: “I have studied this matter and it shows that the prosecution is not ready to open this trial. Because this matter has been adjourned several times and the prosecution keeps asking for adjournment. The suit is hereby struck out.” When the matter came up for trial yesterday, the prosecutor, Afolabi Solebo, informed the court that the witness was absent from court and asked the judge to give him another date. Opesanwo dismissed his plea and asked the defendant's counsel, Uju Okeke, to respond to the plea. Okeke told the court that the matter had suffered several adjournments since it started December 13, 2013. She, however, urged the judge to strike out the matter, saying the suspects had been in prison custody since 2011 as the complaint was not ready to pursing the case.

Court discharges driver for manslaughter

Meantime, a Surulere chief magistrate's court in Lagos, yesterday, discharged a 35-year-old driver, Richard Ikenna, who faced a two-count charge of dangerous driving and causing death, before it. According to reports, his discharge was based on a report from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, that there were insufficient facts to establish a prima facie case of dangerous and reckless driving against him.

N30m fraud: Prosecutor's absence stalls ex-bank manager's trial

AGOS — THE absence of the prosecutor, yesterday, stalled the trial in a Federal High Court, Lagos, of a former branch manager of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Rosemary Usifo, for alleged fraud. Usifo is charged by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, of the Police with a one-count charge of obtaining N30 million from a customer’s fixed deposit ac-

count. The suit which was fixed for trial could not proceed as scheduled because of the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Effiong Asuquo. Asuquo was said to be away on official duty. Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, further adjourned the case till July 7 for trial. The suspect was first arraigned by SFU on December

5, 2013. She had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge but the judge had ordered her remand at Kirikiri Prisons pending the ruling on her bail application. In the charge, it was alleged that Usifo, while acting as a Branch Manager of the Oke-Arin branch of the defunct Finbank Plc (now FCMB), in 2011, fraudulently obtained N30 million from a customer of the bank.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

NDLEA arrests 8,813, seizes 3.6m kg of drugs in 13 yrs BY EVELYN USMAN

S Nigeria joins the world to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking today, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, disclosed that it had recorded significant progress in its counter-narcotics campaign, with the arrest of 87,813 suspected drug traffickers and a 3,582,563.072kg in 13 years. The feat, however, did not come easy as the agency said it had lost over 100 personnel in the period under review. The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who made the disclosure to Vanguard, explained that 82,295 of the suspects were males, while 5,518 were females. Cannabis, according to him, had the largest chunk with 3,403,041.41kg, followed by psychotropic substances with 155,626.207kg. Giade said: “Cocaine is 20,601.123kg and heroin 3,294.462kg. A total of 23,733 cases were also won during the period under review.” The NDLEA boss noted that the scorecard clearly demonstrated the country’s readiness in securing her from the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse.

IBB VISIT: From left—Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of old Oyo State; former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida; Oba Ayoola Otudeko and Professor Taoheed Adedoja, during a condolence visit by Babangida to the family of late Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao in Ibadan, yesterday. PHOTO: Dare Fasube.

Mysterious snakes, bees attack Boko Haram in Sambisa Forest BY NDAHI MARAMA

AIDUGURI—SOME members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, arrested yesterday at Mairi ward behind University of Maiduguri by members of the Civilian JTF vigilante group, have confessed that most of them are fleeing the Sambisa Forest to areas across Borno State owing to what they believe is spiritual attacks from mysterious snakes and bees, which had killed many of their leaders. According to Kolo Mustapha, one of the arrested insurgents, “most of us are fleeing because there are too many snakes and bees now in the forest. Once they bite, they disappear and the victims do not last for 24 hours. “We were told that the aggrieved people who had suffered from our deadly mission, including the ghosts of some of those we killed, are the ones turning

z Insurgents flee into Cameroon, across Borno zThey bite, disappear; victims die in 24hrs z We kill them if they resist arrest— CIVILIAN JTF into the snake and bees.”

‘Our leaders fled, too’

He said some of their leaders have escaped to Cameroon because they are known to the Nigerian authorities and could be easily identified. According to him, those of them who lived all their lives in Maiduguri have nowhere to run to. So they returned and tried to sneak into town. He said they came in last night and were trying to hide in some uncompleted buildings, when some members of the Civilian JTF saw them. He said: “We are pleading with them to spare our lives. We were forced into the sect. But we know that it is not the

right way. I personally have never killed anyone, but I have my friend here who had killed many people.” Umar Abor, the other arrested sect member said Kolo Mustapha was lying as they had participated in all heinous acts of the sect. He said: “We have fought together since 2010. We have fought in Marte, Bama, Buni Yadima and Gwoza. We were not in Chibok. We have not seen the girls, but we heard about the issue. “Our leaders have been talking about it and we have been following all news from the radio. We decided to flee when almost all our comrades are leaving the Sambisa because of constant attacks by snakes and bees, which we were told was as a

16 soldiers, scores of insurgents killed in Borno clash z They came in 30 over vehicles armed with AAGs— SURVIVOR BY NDAHI MARAMA

AIDUGURI— NO fewer than 16 security operatives, including soldiers and dozens of suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists were reportedly killed Tuesday night, when insurgents attacked a military post in Bulabulin Ngaura in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Bulabulin Ngaura is located south of Maiduguri, along the

troubled Maiduguri-Biu Road, about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, which had witnessed series of attacks, road ambushes and killings by terrorists. One of the soldiers that escaped the attack told journalists in Maiduguri: “Some of my colleagues were abducted and many others escaped with bullet wounds. Dozens of Boko Haram insurgents who

stormed our checkpoint at Bulabulin were also killed. “The terrorists came in a convoy of over 30 vehicles, mounted with anti-aircraft guns and Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs. “I was at the checkpoint when the terrorists came. We tried our best but they had the upper hand. They had AAGs and we had AK-47 rifles. We tried our best to repel them by killing many. “Unfortunately, due to their

large number, some of us escaped to Maiduguri and other places just as about 16 of us could not make it. “As I am talking to you, 16 bodies of our colleagues have been brought to Maiduguri. This is beside those that sustained injuries and many others that are missing in action.” A text message sent to the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade’s phone line, asking for his comments on the incident, was not replied at press time.

result of Chibok abducted schoolgirls. “They (our leaders) told us that it was our enemies and aggrieved people that are hunting us through diabolical means. We were in the forest in 2010 and 2011. We left and came back last year but we have never experienced such attacks. “That is why they believe the Chibok people are using juju to pursue us because of their children said to have been taken by our leaders.”

‘We‘ll reveal our hiding place’

According to him, they have realised their mistakes and repented, promising that if they are spared they would help the community in fishing out some of their comrades and will lead security agents where their comrades had fled. One of the leaders of the Civilian JTF said many of the sect members had been fleeing the Sambisa Forest in the past two weeks and that most of them are being arrested and taken to the authorities, except when they resist arrest, in which case they are left with no option but to kill them. He said: “These ones have not attempted to run or do anything bad. They promise to take us to where they hide their weapons. We are taking them to the chairman of our sector command before they are handed to security operatives.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—9

Kaduna attacks death toll rises to 123 BY LUKA BINNIYAT

ADUNA— DEATH toll in the attacks on villages in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 123. On Monday, 38 persons were killed in night raids on two villages, with several persons injured. Meanwhile, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on the council by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Adamau. The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has condemned the killings, calling on residents of Kaduna State to respect the sanctity of lives. The local CAN leadership of Sanga has put the death toll at over 100. Tuesday, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Shehu Umar, had said: “I can confirm the death of 18 persons and several others wounded. We have also arrested three persons in connection with the crisis. They were arrested with three AK-47 rifles and about 158 rounds of ammunition.” He said investigation had commenced into the remote cause of the crisis, while those arrested are undergoing interrogation. The attacks continued yesterday while an international conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastoralism in West and Central Africa was taking place in Kaduna. The Secretary, CAN, Kaduna State branch, Mr. Sunday Ibrahim told newsmen, yesterday: “Reports reaching me from our Sanga branch reveals that terrible things has happened to our members there. We are told that over 100 people have been killed from yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon into the night. This is very sad. “Residents of Kaduna State must learn to respect the sanctity of human lives. No religion preaches murder. The villages that were attacked were Dogon Daji, Kobin, Naidu, Kabamu Karshi, Hayin Kwanta, Kabani and Gani. “Some people have been arrested among the attackers and were identified as Fulani men. I believe that they are terrorists because the Fulani that we live with cannot do this thing. “I call on the state government and security agencies to intensify security on our vulnerable communities and I want to urge our people to stay calm and not take the law into their hands for that will not be the way of Christians.”

Filled mortuary

The National President of Ninzom Progressive Youth, NPY, Mr. Bezard Wuyah, told Vanguard on phone that the mortuary in Gwantu is filled with corpses, while hundreds of

z They are terrorists, Fulani we know can’t do this— CAN z Security agents couldn’t access villages z Corpses decompose as relatives battle Police over mass burial injured persons have been taken for treatment. He said: “We have lost at least 120 people and we are still picking corpses from the bushes. This morning, we picked five dead bodies in another village.” Shehu Ajetu, the Councillor representing Gwantu, said: “We cannot give a definite number of people that have been killed because in some of the villages that were attacked, it is difficult to bring out corpses from the villages to Gwantu. “Some were killed when they were running into the bush. Besides, everybody is afraid of being ambushed. In Kobin village alone, 37 people were killed. We believe that the casualties are more than this because a lot of people are still missing in Kobin.

Refugees

“Hundreds of people from the villages have relocated to Gwantu and are staying in refugee camps. The refugee camps are at the Gwantu

Primary school and the Divisional Police Station. “Soldiers and police were deployed to control the situation, unfortunately because the rural communities are not easily accessible, it was difficult for the security agents to stop the killings. “The Fulani were well armed with AK-47 rifles. The villagers were very helpless. They do not have anything to defend themselves with apart from sticks and machetes. “It was a well planned attack because they invaded the communities at the same time. They were spread across the local government area and that even made it more difficult for the communities to give each other a helping hand. “Some months ago, there was an issue concerning Fulani and the Numana chiefdom which was being investigated by security agents. Fulani notified all their people to leave Sanga council before they attacked. “They even gave a notice that they will strike, but nobody knew when they will strike. We were thinking that they will

strike in the area where they had problem. So everybody was taken by surprise when they decided to attack many communities.”

Breakdown of casualties

One Christopher Chisom, a local vigilante leader from Gwantu, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “They killed 38 in Kobin, 21 in Dogon Daji and burnt almost all the houses. “In Naidu, 16 people were killed, while in Kabamu we lost 30. About 10 were shot to death in Kabani and nine in Gani. They are mostly women and children. “The police are saying they must be given mass burial, but we want to take our loved ones and give them decent burial. And now some of the corpses are decomposing.” Vanguard could not confirm this figure, as the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Umar, and Kaduna State Police spokesman did not pick their calls or respond to a text message seeking to verify the figures.

PRESENTATION: From left— Former Managing Director, Daily Times Plc, Dr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo; Chairman, National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Rear Admiral Nduibisi Kanu (rtd); Mr. Abdul Abiola; former Secretary General, National Union of Petroleum Employees of Nigeria, NUPENG, and activist, Chief Frank Kokori, and Executive Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout, at the presentation of a book, The Struggle for June 12, in commemoration of the 70th birthday of Chief Kokori in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

SEC wants dividends paid into savings account BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

HE Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday, appealed to Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to mandate the banks to accept payment of dividend warrants into shareholders’ savings accounts. Speaking at the end of the

second quarter Capital Market Committee, CMC, meeting in Lagos, Director General of SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh, said the move would help to resolve the rising spate of unclaimed dividends in the countr y, which is currently put at over N60 billion. Although she said some banks had started accepting payment of dividend warrants into savings account,

she added that mandating others to follow suit was critical in tackling the issue of unclaimed dividend. She said: “We welcome the agenda of the new CBN governor; and we hope to continue to work together with CBN to ensure that we tackle issues that are of utmost importance to the growth of the capital market.”

Nigeria among top 3 for FDI

IGERIA remains one of the top three destinations for Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, in Africa, despite current challenges, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has said. UNCTAD said this just as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, gave its nod in Vienna, yesterday, for the establishment of an Investment and Technology Promotion Office, ITPO, in Nigeria. According to the UNCTAD report released last night, FDI inflows into Africa rose by four percent to $57 billion, with Nigeria’s inflow standing at N5.6 billion in 2013. The report said only seven countries in Africa went above the $3 billion FDI inflow point. They are Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana and Sudan. The Commissioner for Industry and Private Sector Promotion, ECOWAS, Mr. Kalilou Traore, who spoke during the UNIDO forum on Strategies and Instruments for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, said the recently launched Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan was a model for Africa, noting that foreign investments would always thrive in the right environment. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, who also acknowledged the massive investments by Nigerian companies in the country despite the current challenges, noted that ITPO would help to promote Nigeria’s local and foreign direct investment and technology, in addition to boosting job creation, technology transfer and industrial development. He said: “There are only a few countries in the world where UNIDO has set up ITPO to promote investment into the area of technology. “Its establishment in Nigeria will have a big positive impact on the economy.”

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Fashola approves eight waste water plants BY MONSUR OLOOOPEJO

AGOS State Govern ment, yesterday, said plans have been concluded to construct eight waste water treatment plants to reduce constant pollution of underground water which has resulted into frequent cases of water-borne diseases in the state. The plants would be constructed in different parts of the state such as: Iba Housing Estate, Ojo Local Government, Magodo Estate, Omole Phase 1 and 2, Ogba, Ikeja, Dolphin Estate, among others. Coordinator of the Lagos State Wastewater Management, Mr. Lekan Shodeinde who disclosed this after a tour of waste water facilities in the state, said that the number is required considering the huge liquid waste generated in Lagos, saying “1.6 billion litres of waste water are generated daily.” Shodeinde explained, “At least we have 20 million people living in Lagos state and each uses 100 litres of water daily. This account for 2 billion litres; out of this, 80 percent (1.6 billion litres) becomes waste water.”

FG playing politics with demand for state police, don alleges BY DAYO ADESULU

AGOS—AN expert in policing and terrorism, Professor Oyesoji Aremu has indicted the Federal Government for playing politics with the establishment of state police stating that countries where state police is being practised, its citizens know one another. He said, “countries where there are state police, its citizens and the police know one another therefore, terrorism cannot thrive.” Aremu, who had published about 70 books on policing, spoke in Lagos during a pre-launch of his latest book titled: ‘Policing and Terrorism, Challenges and Issues in Intelligence.’ He will launch the book today at the University of Ibadan.

OBA OF LAGOS: Bid to reconcile warring parties fail BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS—AN attempt by a prominent Lagos monarch, Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abiodun Oniru to resolve the dispute over selection and installation of Oba Rilwan Akiolu as the Oba of Lagos has failed as parties opted for trial. The claimants, Princes Sammy Adebiyi and Rasheed Modile had in a suit in 2003 asked the court to set aside the appointment and installation of Akiolu as Oba of Lagos. Defendants in the suit are governor of Lagos state, AttorneyGeneral of the State, Mr Ade Ipaye, Prince Babatunde Akitoye, and Chief Junaud Eko. At the resumed hearing in the suit before a Lagos High Court, yesterday, the claimant’s counsel, Mr Ezekiel Ashade told the court that parties had refused to meet for possible settlement of the matter. The matter is before Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson. He said that since there was no move to resolve the matter out of court as earlier promised, the court should fix a definite date for commencement of trial. While responding, Akiolu’s counsel, Mr Aderemi Bashua, counsel to the other defendants, all confirmed that the parties were unable to settle the matter out of court. However, Justice CandideJohnson adjourned the matter till October 20, 21, and 22 for trial. The claimant had in their amended statement of claim, prayed the court to declare that

only two ruling houses — the Akinsemoyin and Ologunkutere ruling houses — were entitled under customary law to present candidates and fill any vacancy in the stool of the Oba of Lagos. They are also seeking for a declaration that the purported selection or appointment of Akiolu as Oba of Lagos by the king-makers (5th defendant) and approval of same by the Lagos State Government is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. The claimants are also demanding for enquiry as to whether it is the turn of the Akinsemoyin Ruling House to fill the stool of Oba of Lagos. How-

ever, they are also asking for a declaration that the Ologunkutere Ruling House is stopped in law and that it is the turn of Akinsemoyin Ruling House to present a candidate to fill the Stool of Oba of Lagos after the demise of Oba Adeyinka Oyekan. The claimants further stated that the Oba Akiolu branch of Ologunkutere Ruling House is unqualified under the Oba of Lagos Customary Law to succeed Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II, who also hailed from the Ologunkutere Ruling House. According to them, after the demise of Oba Oyekan II, from Ologunkutere Ruling House, the Ak-

VISIT: From left—Shubhash Thakror, Vice President, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Remi Oni, Executive Director, Corporate & Institutional Clients, Standard Chartered; Peter Carter, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission; David Heath, British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria; Carol Oyedeji, Head, Business Clients Segment-Africa, Standard Chartered and Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President, Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce, during a courtesy visit to Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos.

Bamidele tackles Fayemi over proposed councils BY GBENGAARIYIBI

DO EKITI—THE Labour Party, LP, gubernatorial candidate in last Saturday’s election in Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele has raised a poser over the decision of Governor Kayode Fayemi to create more councils few months to the expiration of his tenure, saying it was a ploy to create problem for the governor-elect, Mr Ayodele Fayose. Fayemi had on Tuesday while receiving the reports of the committee set up for the creation of additional local governments declared his determination to create addi-

tional councils before he leaves office in October 16. Bamidele, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by his media aide, Ahmed Salami, said he expected Fayemi at this critical time to concentrate his energy on how to combat the rising wave of youth unemployment in the state, rather than trying to create unnecessary impediment for the incoming administration. The federal lawmaker said the governor would do a great disservice to the state if he carries out the policy, when he knew that he had already incurred N25 billion debt for the succeeding government to defray.

Ajudua wants Bamaiyi, 7 others prosecuted BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

insemoyin Ruling House is the only ruling house entitled to present candidate(s) for the consideration of kingmakers of Lagos to succeed the late Oba Oyekan. They urged the court to declare that the purported selection or appointment of Prince Akiolu as the Oba-elect of Lagos by the kingmakers (other defendants in the suit) and the subsequent approval by the Lagos State Executive Council on Thursday, May 22, invalid, null and void. In his 41-paragraph of amended statement of defence, the Oba of Lagos (3rd defendant) urged the court to dismiss the suit describing it as misconceived, frivolous, vexations and embarrassing.

AGOS—LAGOS lawyer, Fred Ajudua, who is standing trial before a Lagos State High Court, has petitioned the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, asking him to immediately commence prosecution of former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaiya Bamaiyi and seven others. He wants in the alternative, to be given the fiat to commence their prosecu-

tion over alleged conspiracy, offering and acceptance of gratification by public officials as well as levying false accusation. Ajudua in the petition by his counsel, Allens Agbaka, stated that sometime in 2005, he was detained at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons, Lagos with General Bamaiyi amongst others before he was medically evacuated to India for two major surgeries, which led to replacement of his kidney.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—11

Aregbesola dangerous to Nigeria's democracy — FAYOSE A

DO-EKITI—THE Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, AFCO, has described the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola as “one of the dangers to democracy in Nigeria” going by his utterances, especially his call on APC supporters to attack security agents with charms and amulets during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State. The Fayose Campaign Organisation, described Aregbesola’s claim that the last Saturday governorship election, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr Ayodele Fayose won convincingly was fraudulent, as “a function of fear of an impending defeat on August 9, 2014 that has enveloped the minds of Aregbesola and his All Progressives Congress, APC, cohorts in Osun State as a result of the party’s scandalous lost Ekiti to the PDP last Saturday.” The Director General of AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, in a statement yesterday said Nigerians should not be surprised that Governor Aregbesola could describe an election that was applauded by the whole world as the best in the history of electioneering in Nigeria as fraudulent, adding that the governor was only expressing his fear of losing the power that he got through judicial manipulation. While urging Nigerians to ig-

nore Aregbesola, AFCO said; “It is shameful that some people whose mouths should naturally be padlocked still speak on elections in Nigeria.” Speaking further, Anisulowo said; “It is obvious that Aregbesola is afraid, having seen the failure of reliance on thugs to rig election during the last Saturday election. “We are aware of his thugs known as ‘State Boys’ that he

brought to Ekiti last week, but were rendered useless by the heavy presence of security agents. “We have also heard the governor openly encouraging and inciting violence by saying that ‘any security officer who misbehaves will know that we are children of Oduduwa,' while asking members of his party to come to their polling units with charms and amulets.

CONFERENCE: Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (middle), Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Victor Kiladejo (left) and the Regent of Akure, Princess Adetutu Adesida, at the 1st Annual General Meeting and 2014 Scientific Conference of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, in Akure, yesterday.

Olajumoke, Olanipekun hail Ekiti guber polls BY DAYO JOHNSON

KURE—A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Bode Olajumoke has described Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as a rare politi-

cian that had raised the bar in electoral contest in the country. Olajumoke said Fayemi’s decision to accept defeat in the last governorship election has given Nigerians hope on the development of democracy. While speaking with news-

men in Akure, he said Fayemi with his action had also dashed the hope of people that the election would lead to bloodshed. According to him “Fayemi is a good democrat, he has set up a template for future election, he has raised the bar on democrat-

CBN retirees sue 3 directors over contempt of court BY DAUD OLATUNJI

AGOS—CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, retirees have initiated contempt charge against three of the directors of the apex bank before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for alleged disobedience to a court judgment. The plaintiffs had sued CBN on May 6, 1999, praying the court to compel it to comply with the Federal Government’s policy directive on pension harmonisation. The policy, introduced in the public service with effect from January 1, 1997, was designed to eliminate the disparities in the pensions of workers who retired on the same grade/rank and who served the same number of years but retired at different times. After CBN allegedly refused to comply with the judgment, the

“Aregbesola has also called on his ‘State Boys,’ whom he has armed to attack security agents before and during the election, not to be rattled by security agents. “Therefore, it is understandable that Aregbesola can never see the free, fair and transparent election that the entire world saw in Ekiti. But we are sure that the same God that liberated Ekiti people from the APC’s deceitful government would also liberate the people of Osun State on August 9, 2014.”

plaintiffs filed the suit in 1999. They are Mr Jacob Amao (now deceased), Mr Joachim Ajala (deceased), Mr James Jemilo and Mr Thompson Edun. They sued for themselves and on behalf of all CBN pensioners. In a judgment delivered on May 22, 2000, Justice Wilson Egbo-Egbo (now retired), granted the pensioners’ reliefs. The judge directed CBN “to pay the applicants forthwith, all accrued pensions calculated with effect from 1st January, 1997, on emoluments currently earned by their serving counterparts as prescribed under the Federal Government policy on harmonisation of pensions aforesaid, and subsequently, all such pensions as and when they fall due.” Dissatisfied, CBN appealed against the judgment but lost. The Court of Appeal (on De-

cember 5, 2006) and the Supreme Court (on May 21, 2010) affirmed the lower court’s judgment. The Supreme Court even awarded N50,000 cost against CBN. Effort by the pensioners to get the CBN to comply the judgment failed, despite their lawyer, Mr Tani Molajo (SAN) writing the bank twice. The pensioners have, therefore, filed both Form 48 (Notice of consequence of disobedience to order of court) and Form 49 (Notice to show cause why order of attachment/committal should not be made). Named in the charge are Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Alhaji Suleiman Barau; Director Human Resources Ms. Chizoba Mojekwu and Director Legal Services Mr Simon Onekutu.

ic revolution, he has shown that politics is not a do or die affair. “He is somebody that is worthy of emulation, he has raised the bar for the political landscape, I did the same thing when I lost to Prof. Boroffice in the senatorial election in 2011. “Politics and governance are about service to the people, if you offer yourself to serve the people and they accept you it is okay, but if the people say they want another person to serve them, we should learn to respect the views of the people and accept their verdict, this is exactly what Fayemi has done and should be commended for”. Also speaking in the same vein, former National President of Association, Wole Olanipekun has expressed satisfaction over the conduct of the last governorship election in Ekiti state saying the country is moving towards civilised democracy. Olanipekun who spoke with newsmen in Akure during the 2014 law week of the Association, Akure branch also commended the Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemir for accepting the decision of the people of the state on the election. He said he was proud of what happened in Ekiti State during the election and that the election remains one of the fairest and freest in the history of election in the country.

IBB visits Arisekola’s family BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN—FORMER military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has described the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao as an exemplary philanthropist who would be difficult to forget in a hurry. The retired military President said this when he paid a condolence visit to the deceased’s family at their Basorun, OluwoKekere residence, Ibadan. He arrived the residence of the late business mongul around 10:54 am with his entourage. Babangida who was received by the former Minister for Youths and Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Dr. Oba Otudeko, former governor of Oyo State and Dr Omololu Olunloyo, wrote in the condolence register that; “On behalf of myself, family and delegation, we are here to convey our condolence to the Arisekola family. I spoke with him two weeks before his demise and he promised to see me immediately he came back. I didn’t know that Allah had another plan for him.''

Crisis rocking Awolowo market in Sagamu over BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

HE lingering cri sis rocking the Awolowo market, as a result of power tussle between Alhaja Suwebat Alimi and Mr Segun Moshood in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State has been resolved by the state government. Crisis was said to have started in the market as a result of power control and misunderstanding between the Iyaloja and the acclaimed leader, Moshood which resulted in serious division among their followers. The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, who presided at a stakeholders' meeting in Abeokuta, directed that Moshood should stop parading himself as the market leader or Babaloja of Awolowo market henceforth.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Edo Assembly crisis: PDP, APC lawmakers hold parallel sessions BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

ENIN—THE crisis rocking Edo State House of Assembly degenerated, yesterday, with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members and their All Progressives Congress, APC, counterparts, holding parallel sessions in front of the main entrance to the Assembly complex. While the APC legislators’ session, presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Uyi Igbe, adjourned sitting to Wednesday next week, the PDP legislators, at their session presided over by the suspended Deputy Speaker, Mr. Festus Ebea, adjourned plenary to Monday. Mr. Kabiru Adjoto of APC, who announced the adjournment of his faction’s session, said that the House will resume plenary on Wednesday next week and cautioned security details at the Assembly against letting any lawmaker into the complex until sitting resumes. The PDP faction was presided over by the suspended Deputy Speaker, Ebea and they covered their heads with PDP customized umbrellas. They spent about 10 minutes deciding what to do about plenary. Mr. Friday Ogierhiakhi thereafter, announced that they will resume sitting on Monday, June 30, 2014. Earlier, there was drama

when the PDP lawmakers wanted to use an umbrella with PDP logo to protect themselves during the early morning rain, as their APC counterparts protested. The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Philip Shaibu, said that it was sort of a campaign, which according to him was not proper. Meanwhile, the Edo State APC caucus in the House of Representatives, yesterday threatened that the House of Representatives may take over the affairs of the Edo State House of Assembly, if the current crisis rocking the House was not resolved soon. The caucus, in a statement by

Samson Osagie (Minority Whip), Razaq Bello-Osagie, Pally Iriase, Jim Adun, Isaac Nosa Osahon and Peter Akpatason, commended the Oba of Benin for intervening in the matter, but called on the police to execute the order of the state High Court, which restrained the four suspended lawmakers from entering the Assembly premises. Meantime, the elders forum of the APC in Esan South-East constituency of Edo State, has disowned the embattled Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Festus Ebea, describing him as an in-

grate. On its part, the APC caucus in the House of Reps in a statement, said: “As lawmakers, we all owe the institution a duty not to bring it into disrepute by obeying the rules of the parliament and all valid orders made by a court of competent jurisdiction, when they are called to intervene in any matter involving the actions of the legislature. “We call on the members of Edo State House of Assembly, especially those against whom an order was made to respect such orders no matter how dissatisfied they are with the order."

VISIT: From Left: Pastor Tony Onyemaka, DPO Muazu Muhammed, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, SP Awoniyi Bamidele and Pastor Niyi Famuyide during the familiarisation visit by the Trinity House Church, to the Maroko Divisional Police Headquarters, at Oniru, Lekki, Lagos.

Itsekiri leaders condole with Vanguard Publisher over mum's death BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—ITSEKIRI Leaders of Thought, ILOT, has condoled with the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, on the death of his mother, Madam Ariteshoma Amuka-Pemu (Nee Okoro). In a condolence letter by its Chairman, Pa J. Ayomike and Secretary, Mr. Edward Ekpoko, the group extolled Madam Amuka-Pemu for attaining the ripe old age of 109. “She will certainly be missed by many, including some of us who knew her as young boys decades ago in Sapele. She lived well and the lives of the children she raised including your very good self, even though a Sapele Boma Boy, are evidence of this. We join you in

celebrating a life of a virtuous woman, who lived well.” In a related development, His Royal Majesty, Ovie R. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu, in his condolence message, commiserated with the Okoro family of Oviri-Olomu and the Amuka family over the death of their mother.

“The death of our daughter is a painful one. She lived well, she had great children who have impacted lives positively. She lived a fulfilled life as she completed her work on earth. The Olomu people commiserate with Sam Amuka and his siblings and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss."

Groups give Delta two weeks ultimatum over alleged unpaid salary arrears BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—SOME staff of College of Education, Warri, Delta State and some civil rights organisations, Centre for Human Rights Defense and Allied Matters Service, CHURDAMS and Coalition of Human Rights Lawyers, COHURIL, have given a two-week ultimatum to Delta State Government and the Provost of the institution, Mr. Sylvester Ebisene, to release the N200 million accumulated arrears of the staff ’s withheld salaries since Feb-

ruary 2013 or face legal action. The workers and the rights groups, in a statement by CHURDAMS’ National President, Mr. Andrew Onosivwe, said: “If the state governor, Commissioner for Higher Education and the Provost of the College fail/refuse/neglect to heed to the demand for the release of the seized salaries within the period of two weeks, we will set the appropriate legal machinery in motion and exploit all lawful means to protect the workers’ rights to their salaries."

Delta traditional rulers pledge support for Uduaghan

ELTA State Council of Traditional Rulers has commendedthe state gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for beautifying Uvwie, Udu and Warri Local Governments Areas and their environs. The coouncil made the commendation at its meeting in Asaba, presided over by HRM, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri. They urged the governor to continue in his development strides, adding that God will help him finish strong. In a statement, yesterday, the royal fathers promised to support the administration at all times and contribute to the peace and development of their kingdoms. They added that Governor Uduaghan deserved to be supported as the three-point agenda of his administration has been instrumentral in turning the state around

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 13

C M Y K

14 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Anambra to produce 12,000 barrels of crude oil —Obiano O

BY ENYIM ENYIM

NITHSA—GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State yesterday stated that the state would be producing 12,000 barrels of crude oil daily in the next six months against the 6,000 barrels being currently produced. He dropped the hint while speaking on the occasion of the celebration of his 100 days in office at the women development centre, Awka. Obiano also announced that in the next nine months, the Orient Petroleum Refinery in the state would become operational and would start refining crude in the state. According to the governor, his administration has deployed much energy and attention to several activities and synergies with relevant stakeholders in a bid to ensure that in no distant future, Anambra State will become the 10th oil producing state in the country. “In oil and gas, we have recorded some progress in our efforts to make Anambra State the 10th oil producing state in Nigeria. At the moment, we produce 6,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Efforts are underway to double this production capacity in the next six months. “I can authoritatively confirm that the Orient Petroleum Refinery currently under construction in Aguleri

will become operational in the next 9 months. All these will lead to massive job creation for our unemployed youths,” he said. However, he did not speak on the hitches that had stalled the full operations of Orient Petroleum Refinery which had failed to go fully operational since its founding fathers, among whom is former Common Wealth secretary general, Chief Emeka

Anayaoku, initiated the important project which remains the first of its kind in the South East zone of the country. He further spoke of efforts his government had made so far to provide infrastructural facilities for the smooth operations of the oil company when he hinted that “we have just flagged off the construction of a bridge across the Omambala River to

Orient Petroleum’s oil rig at Umueje. “At the same time, we have acquired a licence to build a cargo airport at Umueri to serve the oilfields of Aguleri. When operational, the airport will serve as the hub where aircraft can stop over for refuelling because of the large deposit of aviation oil that we have at Aguleri. This will boost our efforts in job creation”, he said.

AWARD: President, National Library Association, NLA, Mr. Abdulsalami Rilwanu (left), presenting the Golden Merit Award to Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State in honour of his contributions towards the growth and development of library in Nigeria in Enugu, yesterday.

APGA faction faults Umeh's A'Court victory BY NWABUEZE

OKONKWO

NITSHA—THE Chief Maxi Okwu-led faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has faulted the recent Appeal Court judgement which reinstated Chief Victor Umeh as the authentic national chairman of the party, even as it has headed to the Supreme Court to seek the nullification of the verdict. In a communique signed

on its behalf by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Chief Tony Edochie, issued in Awka, yesterday shortly after their crucial meeting, the APGA faction insisted that the Appeal Court erred in law by delivering such a judgement which they said by implication, had declared Umeh’s tenure an endless one. “How can a judgement which borders on tenure of office be given without outlining when Umeh’s

tenure started and when it will end. Does it mean he is now serving an endless tenure?” the communique queried. It expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would definitely quash the Appeal Court's verdict and re-instate Okwu as the authentic APGA national chairman because the verdict was merely a temporary set back, since their demand was based on tenure interpretation.

Anambra gov's wife visits special schools, and dilapidated nature of commissions borehole their schools.

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WKA—WIFE of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, has donated a borehole, cash, gift and food items as well as patronage of arts and crafts produced by the pupils and students of special education centres in the state. Mrs. Obiano’s entry into Special Education Centres

at Isulo, Orumba South, Umuchu, Aguata and Odoakpu, Onitsha South Local Government Areas of the state, attracted cheers and songs of praises from the physically challenged, hearing and visually impaired pupils and students. She had to wear a bold face to conceal her emotions over the plight of the pupils

At Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, where she constructed and commissioned a borehole sunk with her personal money, the First Lady said she was on a return journey, as she promised when she toured the state in the course of identifying priority areas to focus on, after the inauguration of the government.

Lawmaker warns contractors against burrow pits BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA— CHAIRMAN of House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has expressed concern over the level of devastation burrow pits dug by contractors handling federal highways in the South East was causing the environmental and warned against imminent disaster. Consequently, Ekwunife called on South East governors, particularly those of Anambra and Enugu states to call contractors in their states to order. Ekwunife, who spoke while inspecting the damage caused by burrow pits created by contractors handling Onitsha-AwkaEnugu expressway, noted that despite her earlier warning to both state governments to call the contractors to order, nothing had been done to stop the impending environmental disaster the burrow pits could cause to lives and property of the citizens.

Leave Oduah alone, group tells Reps' c'ttee BY IKENNAASOMBA

N IGBO group, the Ikenga Award for Excellence Foundation, has asked the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Nkiru Onyejeocha, to leave the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, alone. The foundation in a statement by its Director General, Dr. Ben Ugwu, said Onyejeocha allegedly made false and spurious allegations that that the Aviation Ministry incurred a debt of N174 billion during Oduah’s tenure as minister, describing it as ‘’scary, unsustainable and a figment of her imagination.’’ The statement read: ‘’It is shocking that recently, an Igbo daughter, Nkiru Onyejeocha...has unleashed unwarranted attacks on the former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 15

Reps order investigation into search of Tambuwal's convoy zNSA apologises to Tambuwal BYEMMANUELAZIKEN,

POLITICAL EDITOR & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday mandated an investigative inquiry into last Monday’s ugly incident where soldiers of the Nigerian Army reportedly insisted on searching the convoy of the speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, before he could enter a public function in Kaduna. . But the speaker yesterday declared that he was not above the law, nor was he averse to being subjected to security screening, but stated that it was expected he enjoyed some level of protocol and privileges in view of the position he occupied. The speaker and his entourage, it was reported, were about to gain entrance into the venue of the International Conference on Security and Development Challenges of Pastorialism in West and Central Africa when soldiers on guard insisted on searching his official car. When the soldiers would not yield to the protests by Tambuwal’s security aides, he

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was said to have alighted and walked the remaining distance to the venue of the conference, Hotel 17, along Lafia Road in Kaduna. The House, which began regular plenary after its end of third legislative session break yesterday, went into a closed door session over the matter for about two hours, and resolved to mandate its committees on Defence, Army, Police Affairs, Interior, Public Safety and National Security to investigate the matter and report back within one week. Chairman of the House

Committee on Works, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, had earlier in a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance, condemned the action of the security personnel, saying it was a dent on the entire membership and institution of the House which Tambuwal represented. Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd. has apologised to Speaker Tambuwal over the incident on Monday when he was stopped and his vehicle searched on his way to a security conference in Kaduna.

Dasuki conveyed his apology to the speaker in a letter delivered to the National Assembly yesterday. Sources privy to the letter disclosed that the NSA apologised for the action carried out by soldiers and pledged that it would not happen again. In the one page letter, the NSA added that he has the highest regard for the person and the office of the speaker. He said the action was not in any way conceived to embarrass the speaker.

FG to relocate Nyanya residents BY BEN AGANDE BUJA—THE weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the award of contract in the sum of N14.07 billion for the provision of engineering infrastructure for Gidan Daya area of Kurudu district in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC. The award of the contract is a prelude to the demolition of

the sprawling Nyanya Labour Camp settlement which has become a huge slum in the capital city, and relocation of its residents to the new settlement. The Nyanya settlement is about 200 metres away from the scene of the two bomb blasts that occurred at Nyanya recently. Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,

Olajumoke Akinjide, who addressed State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting, said the new site was expected to accommodate about 50,000 families. According to her, it will span 152 hectares of land on which will be built 8,064 decent flats to accommodate the families currently living in Nyanya Labour Camp.

FG earns N30.9trn extractive revenue in 4 years —NEITI BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—THE Nigeria E x t r a c t i v e Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, yesterday, disclosed that the Federal Government earned total revenue of N30.90 trillion from extractive revenue between 2007 and 2011. Chairman of NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, revealed this in Abuja at the public presentation of two independent reports on fiscal allocation and statutory disbursement audit 2007-2011 and 2011 solid minerals audit. He noted that out of this amount, mineral revenue remittances account for N23.7 trillion (less JV Cash Calls and NNPC Subsidy Claims) while non-mineral revenues stood at N4.014 trillion.

16— Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

21 Boko Haram suspects arrested in Enugu BY CHINENYEH OZOR

S U K K A — FOLLOWING the recent arrest of 486 Boko Haram suspects in Abia State travelling to Rivers State, no fewer than 21 members of the Islamic sect were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday with dozens of military uniforms. The alleged 21 Boko Haram suspects were intercepted by the Police National Task Force, NATFORCE, at Amala in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, while

travelling to Kaduna State with the alleged military uniforms. Vanguard gathered that the suspects left Aba in Abia State around 2pm for Kaduna before they were accosted at Amala, ObolloAfor, a border community with the northern part of the country. Our investigations revealed that an alleged army sergeant on special duty at Xerox Construction Company at Ohafia, Abia State, had allegedly procured the military uniforms and employed the services of the suspects to deliver the

consignments to an army corporal stationed in Kaduna for an undisclosed mission in the state. The army sergeant, whose identity was not ascertained at the time of this report, was allegedly said to be on the illegal business for quite sometime before the interception. A competent police source total Vanguard that the Young Shall Grow luxury bus was not fully loaded at Aba as it anchored in Enugu where other passengers boarded and mixed up with the dreaded Islamic sect’s members to Kaduna. The arrest of the 21

suspects at Obollo-Afor has reportedly sent shivers to residents of the area and the entire South-East, still grappling with the arrest of 486 suspected insurgents in Abia State recently. The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Area Command, Nsukka, RosAmson Musa Haladu, ACP, condemned the alleged transaction in military uniform, adding that full scale investigations would be carried out to authenticate the true mission of the 21 suspects.

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

certified welding Coordinator, Mr. Uchenna Duaka, has said that Nigeria will soon begin to manufacture steel boilers. Duaka, who delivered a paper at the ongoing Nigerian Institute of Welders, NIW, conference/exhibition in Lagos, said Hull Engineering Limited had concluded the process of delivering steel boilers manufactured by the company in Nigeria. He stated also that heat e x c h a n g e r s

‘Nigeria 'll soon begin to manufacture steel boilers ’ manufactured in Nigeria can be compared with any one manufactured in any part of the world, as it had been recognised by Lloyds, the certifying body of manufactured welding and fabrication works. In his paper entitled Managing Complex Engineering projects in Nigeria Hull Experience, Duaka argued that “complex projects demonstrate ambiguity or uncertainty, such that total predetermination of the outcome is unlikely or even impossible,” noting that the attributes of complex welding projects are subjective. He said: “Complex projects are influenced by two things: perception and context. Perception is basically experienced by students of the welding profession, who find it difficult to comprehend the basic necessities of the complex situation.” He added that the way a primary school pupil sees complexity is different from the way a university graduate sees it, adding that complexity varies with experience, capability and stakeholders involved in the project.

Aregbesola to grace Aremu's book launch

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B A D A N — GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is expected to be Special Guest of Honour today at the launch of a book titled, “Policing and Terrorism: Challenges and Issues in Intelligence”, written by a Professor of Counseling and Criminal Justice at the University of Ibadan, UI, Professor Oyesoji Aremu. The 183-page book, according to the author “provides the practitioner, policy makers, researchers, and students alike with detailed perspectives on many important factors that connect the law enforcement profession with the fight against terrorism”. The book launch will hold at the Conference Centre of the institution.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 17

N honest disclosure is the appropriate way to start today ’s piece. Kayode Fayemi, the outgoing governor of Ekiti State, is my friend. Not only that though; on this page a few weeks ago, I wrote an endorsement of his re-election in last weekend’s gubernatorial election. My endorsement was based on what I saw of his achievements in power over the past four years, as well as my knowledge of his commitment to the development of his community; his passion for our country and his intellectual and human decencies. Fayemi is the quintessential activist who made the transition into the world of politics with the unique opportunity to make a difference. Naturally, for his friends and comrades, we hoped that in a small corner of Nigeria, one of our own could plant the mustard seed of development to vindicate the alternative vision of national development we have espoused over decades, often from the barricades of struggles against dictatorship and underdevelopment. With the complete routing that our friend suffered last weekend, it was obvious that he did not properly understand the cloak-and-dagger propensities of Nigerian politics, especially as they manifested in his state. Many have been so shellshocked about the Ekiti gubernatorial outcome, that those who should have commented, have been unable to rouse themselves from their shock. But politics never allows for self-pity. Our duty is to carry out a dispassionate post-mortem, in order to draw lessons for the

Ekiti election: Deconstructing the Fayemi meltdown witnessed as comprehensive a defeat as Kayode Fayemi suffered in Ekiti state. Not only did he lose to Ayo Fayose, the PDP candidate, by 120, 433 votes to 203, 090, it was very significant that Fayemi did NOT win in ANY of the 16 local government areas of the state. Something was certainly wrong! I have spent time since the election reading EVERYTHING that I have seen on the Ekiti polls. I have also spoken with many civil society activists who were on ground in the lead to the election and were also monitors on Election Day and after. I spoke to some of Fayemi’s strategists and it became clearer to me, that we allowed our subjective wishes for Kayode’s re-election to cloud an objective assessment of Ekiti’s realities. We failed one of Lenin’s basic requirements for understanding social phenomena: “Concrete analysis of concrete situations”! Hindsight is 20/20 and with hindsight, it seemed that Fayemi never connected with

No one in politics should take the people for granted. This is especially important for those who come from a progressive background

future. Lenin used to say that the occurrence of great historical events breaks some people and teaches others. We must confront Kayode Fayemi’s political annihilation, learn its lessons, while underlining his stoicism and decency in the face of defeat; because it took the outstanding patriot he is, to accept the verdict and to respect the choice made by his people. Bourgeois democratic politics can be a pernicious school of learning; and it is not always the best man that wins. The factors that differentiate defeat from victory can often be so subjective and flimsy, that those who track political psychology are obliged to learn its lessons with the detachment of science. And Ekiti taught some remarkable lessons last weekend, which must still be reverberating within the nation’s political circles as I write these lines. This is because since the 1999 transition to civil rule, we have NEVER

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the mass of his people. He was seen to be elitist, an intellectual who lived in the rarified world of the intellect, unable to come down to the levels of the mass. And in politics, perception is everything! This contrasted with the populist, even lumpen propensities of his opponent, Ayo Fayose, who understood mob psychology and would, without batting an eyelid, stop to drink palmwine with Okada riders or eat pounded yam with taxi drivers; dance on the street and if needs be, brawl and pick a fight. In a society where the majority of the population has become very young, Ayo Fayose was able to mass mobilise the youth and the most iconic picture of the Ekiti election, was that queue of very young people, each holding a bag of rice, emblazoned with Ayo Fayose’s name. It was poor imitation and a desperate one, that a few days to the election, Fayemi and his wife Bisi, started serving elderly people cooked rice. It was too

little too late. Cooked rice was no match for the bag of rice that people could cook in their homes several times! Fayemi clearly lost the Ekiti “Rice War”, as prelude to losing the electoral battle.

Political psychology I think a missing factor in our practice of liberal, bourgeois democracy, is the careful analysis of the political psychology of the demographic groups in our society. Today, 63% of our population is under the age of 25, while 75% is under 35. This broad demographic group was born under military dictatorship, with its cultures of violence, impunity and worship of the cult of ill-gotten money. They never experienced a Nigeria that functioned with an ethos of decency and hardwork. They have grown up within a political and economic culture where those able to exploit the frailties of society have excelled; where honest labour does not seem to pay and those who have succeeded are brigands and crooks. So an ethos of grab what you can, how you can, when you can, has become very much ingrained in many of our youth, who do not have many positive role models to look up to and copy. So sundry criminal activities have become the avenue to live a life of unearned luxuries.

Political culture This cynicism also percolates into the political culture. Politicians are followed, especially when they have the populist tendency to dole out money and bags of rice. Knowing that there won’t be accountability once they get into power, these young supporters try to grab as much as possible in return for their votes. It is what in Hausa is described as “Sha Yanzu, Magani Yanzu”! Fayemi was unable to mobilise this constituency of cynicism that his opponent, Ayo Fayose, did magnificently and reaped aplenty! Incumbency literally became a disadvantage for Fayemi, as many of his confidants became albatrosses who lost in their

various local governments, revealing how much they had alienated their principal from the people. Kayode Fayemi ran a very beautiful campaign on social media, and would certainly have won, if that was a vital factor, but it was clear that the effect was almost nil on the ground in his state. And when the Ekiti diaspora in Lagos and surrounding states returned home to vote against their governor, it became a total rejection of what he stood for and the message of development that he was painfully unable to communicate to the people in his state. A civil society activistwas told in Ekiti, that intellectuals like Fayemi, loved humanity so much, that they couldn’t translate that love to real human beings!The assertion was in respect of the difficulty that Fayemi had with teachers over the Teachers Needs Development Assessment Tests; the restiveness of civil servants and those who were hurt during his urban renewal programme. Anything that negatively touched livelihood in a basically civil service and peasant society was likely to be severely punished at the polls. And it was!

Loathing and rejection in Southwest politics The new theme in the politics of the Southwest is the increasing loathing for and rejection of the domineering presence of Bola Tinubu. It manifested in neighbouring Ondo state during Olusegun Mimiko’s re-election and was also a factor in Ekiti. I have read a correspondence, where people said Ayo Fayose was not a credible candidate, but they voted for him, as an expression of disgust with Bola Tinubu’s overbearing presence. They did not want to be vassals of a lord based on Bourdillon Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos. And so complete was Fayemi’s rout, that Bola Tinubu who had threatened election riggers with lynching, has been unable to find his voice to comment on the Ekiti debacle since Saturday. He is still shell shocked! But going forward, the deceitful Tinubu factor must be carefully interrogated so as not to haunt

the APC into the future. There were reports in the days before the election of the militarisation of the state, while APC governors were prevented from entry into Ekiti to attend Fayemi’s final rally. They were also unable to take in money for a last minute inducement of the voters, which left the scene completely to the PDP and Fayose. But in truth, the background of the total rout had been laid in the months and weeks before the polls. It was instructive that elections monitors commended the preparations for and the conduct of the polls by INEC. So that was not an element of worry at all in Ekiti last weekend. It was the complete nature of the defeat, which made it easy for Kayode Fayemi to graciously accept defeat thus helping to open up a new vista of development of Nigeria’s political process. That act will resonate into the future and will help ensure his legacy as a patriot and democrat. But the painful lessons of a complete electoral rout, the type of which we have never seen before in Nigeria, since 1999, must be learnt by all those dedicated to a politics of principled alternatives in Nigeria.

Principled alternative No one in politics should take the people for granted. This is especially important for those who come from a progressive background. There must be an understanding of ‘Real Politik’; while the felt needs of the people should be central to political decision and policy thrust. In the long run, as Amilcar Cabral used to warn, people would not make sacrifices for ideas in our heads, no matter how lofty those ideas might be. Ayo Fayose has taught very poignant lessons in mobilization and the practice of politics as an art of being in touch with the mass of the people. Charismatic individuals are able to build organic links to the feelings of the people and can sway them in directions of their choosing. It is not often or necessary, that those abilities are directed in progressive directions. But those who make claims to progressive politics must learn how to effectively connect with the felt needs of the people to build the blocks of the different politics they talk about. Kayode Fayemi had the best ideas but unfortunately, he was too alienated from the people and was therefore unable to get the people to buy into and own his vision. He was ruthlessly exposed and fatally routed by the same people he wanted to work for. It was a sad political knockout for a genuine patriot. But those who are politically wise must learn very useful lessons from Ekiti state and Kayode Fayemi’s annihilation into the future!

18— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 IT is time we decided what we want as a people. We are all upset about the unflagging security situation in Nigeria. When moves are made to take serious measures, we pull our privileges cards to insinuate we have been insulted. The National Assembly would waste time debating the search conducted on the official vehicle of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal at a security conference in Kaduna. The House of Representatives considers it a harassment of the Speaker, an assault on his office. Tambuwal did the right thing by trekking from that point to the conference venue. If he felt slighted, he knew who to make reports to about the incident. He has been one of the most vocal advocates of improved security measures since insurgents started ravaging our country. Why would he object to the measures being applied to him, as an individual, even to his office? How safe do the promoters of the Office of the Speaker above security think we would be if our security checks were reduced to “waving on” personalities. Suppose insurgents discover the lapses in this setting

Sear ambuw al, Searcch TTambuw ambuwal, Why Not? and explore them? Has the House of Representatives run out of issues of “national importance” that the Speaker’s privileges would be the centre of national focus? The same divisive approach has been applied to the arrest of 486 people in Abia State, some of whom are people on the wanted list. Instead of praising the Nigerian Army for its vigilance, some have turned around to abuse the Abia State Government, as if the army is the State’s.

We have consistently condemned the maltreatment security agents give people, whether they are governors or the governed. Many have been killed at checkpoints by overzealous security agents over minor disagreements. These matters do not receive attention at the National Assembly. Those Nigerians are not privileged enough to have their dignity and lives protected. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is maintained at public cost, on the other hand, is to be treated better than others. Since we are a people versed in comparing our democracy with others’, have we not seen President Barack Obama on queues, showing his identity card? Is there anything super human about us? Security agents must do their jobs thoroughly. It is equally important the rights of individuals are respected, not because of their positions and privileges, but because they are human beings, with rights our Constitution awards. We should think more of using our offices and the privileges they bear to protect our people, who we are in office to serve. Tambuwal should make official protest of the incident to appropriate authorities, not the media.

OPINION 'Pounded yam prophesy' and JKF's defeat BY FEMI AYELABOWO

T was meant to be a prophecy from her God, but those who ought to have done something took after Ali Baba and his band of comedians. They laughed the prophetess to scorn describing her prophecy as a function of the pounded yam for which Ekiti people have become notorious. Others in All Progressives Congress, APC, said the woman was sick in the body and in the head. Feyisetan Fayose is the prophetess whose words came to pass as she said she heard from God, and those busy licking their wounds for denigrating the holy woman are Joseph Kayode Fayemi and the APC, who have been roundly defeated by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Ayodele Fayose, in the Ekiti gubernatorial elections by a whopping margin of nearly 83,000 votes. These were the prophetic words of Mrs. Fayose, a clear week before the elections: "I am not a politician but a woman that believes in God. As the Lord liveth, I have simply come to announce to you and any other doubting Thomases of the inevitable return and restoration of my husband, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to his seat as the next governor of Ekiti State. By the special grace of God, his return is certain and so destined. “I am telling you that nothing can stop it. Ayo Fayose is a man with fierce outlook, but with a good heart. Almost eight years after his exit, his name is still a household name in Ekiti. Time is up for the present government because the PDP has come to take over the administration of Ekiti State.”

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She was merely reiterating what she had said in December 2012 when she told a group of women her husband would return as governor in 2014. It was obvious early Saturday that Fayemi was going to lose following the publication of an inciting statement by Bola Ahmed Tinubu who, it appeared, saw the writing on the wall, even before the elections began, and was threatening fire and brimstone like a petty thug. He did not stop there as he went on to cast aspersions on the Labour Party candidate, Opeyemi Bamidele who, he said, was not ripe enough to be governor. With his head in the clouds, the fake prophet proclaimed: “If allowed to proceed freely and fairly, the election is a foregone conclusion. Governor Kayode Fayemi has distinguished himself as a leader dedicated to the welfare of the people of his state. He has done more good in four years than his PDP challenger can do in a lifetime of lifetimes. The peace and development of Ekiti should not be replaced by a retrogressive mind; in party formation, lack of character, lack of content and lack of discipline.” On Bamidele, the Asiwaju of Lagos politics said: “Sadly, Labour Party’s Bamidele has let unbridled ambition get the better of him. Had he waited to gain the requisite experience and knowledge, perhaps he could have become a decent candidate in time. But that would have been years from now. That time has yet to come. At the moment, he is like unripe fruit picked much too early from the tree. We all know what happens when you eat such a thing. It is bitter to the

mouth and hard on the stomach. The people of Ekiti do not need this.” The man, who appears to be losing political grip, did what his party does when it is not getting a headway in any situation: he blames Abuja, shouting that the Ekiti election was not going to be so much about the candidates, but about those conducting the election and those he described as puppet masters pulling the strings of those conducting the election. And since he was in Abuja when instructions were given to security forces, he disclosed that they were "under instruction to obstruct the process and intimidate those who stand for Fayemi. PDP has raided the public treasury and is pouring the people’s money to buy the election for someone the people don’t want. Adding insult to injury, Minister of State for Defence has deployed to Ekiti where he is brandishing every tool at his disposal to thwart the will of the people." It was obvious that having been blocked by the security forces, the Asiwaju was whining, even before accreditation of voters began. As usual, his party APC belly-ached and made foolish claims of arrest of their chieftains, including a campaign manager that was allegedly caught with 12 unlicensed guns, and a commissioner who now has to explain where he got N119 million that was found on him. Even with the votes of the two men and members of their clans, Fayose would still have won. If anything was being planned by Tinubu and his party, Fayemi who ignored Mrs. Fayose's prophecy was not about to allow his party hawks to use his state as a ground

for war as he quickly conceded defeat and patriotically put in place measures for a handover. Whatever the APC top guns and goons were contemplating, Fayemi poured cold water on it. His words: "Yesterday (June 21), Ekiti State decided. Following the gubernatorial elections held in the land of honour, Ekiti State, Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has officially returned the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the election. "If indeed this is the will of the Ekiti People, I stand in deference to your will. If the result of the election is an expression of the voice of our people, we must all heed your voice. I have just spoken with my brother, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, congratulating him on his victory. In a few hours from now, I would be meeting the Governor-elect to discuss the future of our dear state and how we would work together to institute a smooth transition programme. "It has been a hard-fought election. As expected, in the course of the campaigns, there were unsavory episodes as the candidates toured the nooks and crannies of the state to sell ourselves to the people. Elections tend to be highly divisive affairs that often see brother rising against brother. Despite our diverse party affiliations, and regardless of which way we voted on Saturday, we must remember that we are all sons and daughters of Ekiti State." Good talk! Statesmanlike disposition that other politicans should emulate when they lose in free and fair elections! *Mr. Ayelabowo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014— 19

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N Friday, June 13, 2014, a grand reception was held for the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr Alex Otti, by the umbrella body of traditional rulers in his native Ngwa land, Abia State. Alex is widely believed to be warming up to contest the Abia governorship election on the platform of the PDP come 2015. Top among the dignitaries expected at the event was the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Otti's long-time friend. Muazu had reportedly lined up a jet to bring him and many of his colleagues in the national body of the PDP but had to cancel his trip to Abia at the last minute. He changed direction to Ekiti State, where the governorship election was only eight days away. The PDP reportedly fancied its chances of victory in Ekiti, and decided to leave no stone unturned. Top members of the ruling party from all parts of the country had a free ride into Ekiti to assist their party's candidate, Mr Peter Ayo Fayose, to reclaim a seat from which

he and his Deputy, Mr Biodun Olujimi, were impeached on October 16, 2006. The same could not be said for their counterparts from the All Progressives Congress, APC, whose guber candidate, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, the incumbent governor of the state, was making a bid for re-election. They were stopped by the security agencies and soldiers from joining forces with their party man. To this extent, you can say the playing field was not levelled for fair play. To be frank, the result of the Ekiti gubernatorial election surprised me for many reasons. I have not been to Ekiti State since 2007, but colleagues in the media who had the privilege of witnessing Dr Fayemi's work in the state came back with glowing reports of above average performance, which inclined my expectation towards his re-election. But when the results came out, it was not even a slim victory in Fayose's favour. It was a landslide victory - Fayose polled 203,090 compared to Fayemi's 120,433. Another surprise: I expected Fayemi to latch onto the

security restriction of his party leaders from other parts of the country to discredit the poll and go to the tribunal. I expected the APC to send its National Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to make his usual windy denunciation of the poll and its winner, while flagellating the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. I also expected sections of the Ekiti populace to protest, if not riot.

one of these took place. Fayemi lived up to his image as a genuine intellectual and gentleman. Though it hurt, he summoned courage and conceded defeat, congratulating the winner. The APC also gamely submitted to the wishes of the electorate. Rather

Whither separation of powers?

N a matter of urgent public importance, we heartily congratulate the people of Ekiti State for showing a good example of how to behave in an election. The gubernatorial contest there has been won and lost. What we thought was going to be battle-royal, has ended in a most amicable manner. We knew it would come but we did not think it was going to be in our time that, an incumbent would lose at the poll, concede defeat and relinquish power to the winner without shifting the battle ground to the tribunals. By this singular example, Ekiti State has demonstrated that it is truly the fountain of knowledge. We salute you all. One principal lesson from this is that there is still hope for a better Nigeria, the frightening glimpse from today’s main subject, notwithstanding. We recollect, with nostalgia, those old days when the imperialists took us through lots of rigmarole in our educational pursuit. They took us through certificateless examinations. For instance, the Qualifying Test, QT, was intended to determine your level of preparedness to enter for the General Certificate of Education, GCE, ordinary level. Today, we are returning briefly to the old days. Read carefully this passage taken, in extenso, from Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and answer the questions that follow: 88.-(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into: a. Any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and b. The conduct of affairs of any person, authority, Ministry or government

C M Y K

department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for – i) executing or administering laws enacted by National Assembly; and ii) disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of this section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to – a. make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and b. expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it. 89.-(1) For the purposes of any investigation under Section 88 of this Constitution and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with Section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to – a. procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial, as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter. b. require such evidence to be given on oath; c. summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions; and d. issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after

than riots, there were jubilations in Ekiti State. All is well that ends well. So, congratulations to the electorate, the leaders and people of Ekiti State for giving democracy a good image in their state. It has become the first state since 2011 where there was a peaceful transfer of power from one party to another, unlike Ondo, Edo and Anambra where the peaceful elections merely saw the retention of power by the ruling parties. I hope Osun will emulate Ekiti, and others before it such as Ondo, Edo and Anambra. It is essential we stay on this course of credible and rancourfree polls as we look forward to the big event of 2015. Politicians must learn from Ekiti, not only in terms of the peaceful conduct of the poll and its excellently managed aftermath. Fayemi ran a successful administration but he did not seem to understand the psycho-kinetics of the Ekiti people. Democracy is a game of the people. It was not the rice that decided it as some misguided analysts have insinuated. Everybody gives rice; some even add "meat" to it. Fayose won the election, despite the question marks of alleged murder, money laundering (he still has a pending case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC) and certificate forgery hanging over him. Some even say he behaves like a motorpark tout. Fayose is a democrat, in the sense that he has successfully sold himself into the tender spots of the people's hearts. He is a crowd puller. Such people don't need to give rice to the people to win their love. It is those who have no genuine links with the people that need rice to bribe their way through.

having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the Committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance

Ekiti guber: Matters arising

I can understand the jubilation in the PDP camp; they have reestablished a foothold in the South-West, the absence of which, in the past four years, questioned their claim of being the most evenly spread national party

Ekiti State has demonstrated that it is truly the fountain of knowledge; we salute you all; one principal lesson from this is that there is still hope for a better Nigeria

or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refusal or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law. 2) A summons or warrant issued under this Section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the Hose of Representatives, as the case may require.

OTE: In the course of carrying out its oversight functions, the House of Representatives stumbled into where the

The rice is mere tradition in our peculiar polis-sphere. The Ekiti election presents a serious homework for the APC. It appears to me as though the people of South West are through with their brief romance with Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu's political leadership. The political high tide could be on its way out. Osun State might be next in line. Governor Rauf Aregbesola is reported to have done one or two things there, but his religious misadventures, which have set the state on the brink of religious conflict, could be his undoing. I can understand the jubilation in the PDP camp. They have reestablished a foothold in the South West, the absence of which, in the past four years, questioned their claim of being the most evenly spread national party. The Yorubas in the party can heave a sigh of relief as they are no longer total outsiders. PDP has increased its number of states from 18 to 19 with two allied states: Ondo (Labour) and Anambra (APGA), while APC has dropped from 16 to 15 states. Even if the APC is able to retain its hold in Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Lagos, it is likely to come down further if, as widely expected, it loses Imo and Rivers in 2015. The party must therefore intensify efforts to endear itself to the electorate by closing ranks and offering more quality opposition, as the Obafemi Awolowo political parties did in the First and Second Republics. It must market itself to the people as a credible alternative to the PDP, rather than maintaining its current emphasis on grabbing power from PDP by all possible means.

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly squandered a whopping sum of N10 billion in hiring taxis (air taxis). All efforts to prod further into this abnormality have hit brick walls. Like many other government officials before her, the Minister approached the court to ask for an order to prevent the House from investigating her. After the entire hide and seek, denials and counter-denials, just last week, she succeeded in slapping an order of perpetual injunction on the House of Representatives restraining it from the investigation. QUESTIONS: 1. Can anyone still justify the continued existence of the National Assembly? 2. What is the relevance of the ongoing talk-shop in Abuja? Why would we continue to indulge in the futile constitution-making process, particularly when the existing Constitution is not respected? 3. Even where Black Market Injunctions are injurious to the health of a democracy, they have virtually become a way of life in Nigeria. Discuss. 4. The doctrine of Separation of Powers is merely a term in abstraction. It is not real and it has no place in Nigeria. Discuss. GOOD NEWS: This is just another certificateless examination. You may keep your answer script to yourself. Per adventure your answer sheet is soft enough to be useful at the back of the house, good luck. But weep not for your country!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

INCREDIBLE: Woman gives birth after 14 years pregnancy! S

ATURDAY June 7, 2014, will remain the happiest day in the life of Mercy James. Reason? That was the day she miraculously gave birth to a baby girl after 14 years of being pregnant. The baby was promptly and aptly christined Miracle. And why not? If the mother had delivered at the expected time the child would have been a teenager by now and possibly in secondary school at the JSS 3 level. Mercy, a single parent, said of her ordeal during the 14 years she was pregnant but could not give birth: “When I first took in, I knew that I was pregnant with signs and test that confirmed that I was. Four months later, I went to hospital for another test, the result showed that I wasn’t pregnant, but had fibroid. Subsequently, I began to experience bleeding, at least once a day. Sometimes, my tummy would protrude in the semblance of pregnancy. I went to different hospitals, and I kept on receiving the same result that nothing was wrong with me. But deep down inside , I knew that all was not well with me.

12 bottles of a local cleanser but to no avail. This went on for years. Then God took pity on me and decided to wipe my tears. On the day I gave birth to my baby girl, I initially thought that worms were trying to come out of my body not knowing that it was a baby. This was what I told the midwife when we came to her. But after examining me she told me to push. I ignored her. I became unconscious for about 15 minutes and when I regained consciousness, I heard the cry of a

*Happy mother... Mercy James with her baby, Miracle

Churches and native doctors “So I was taken aback when a midwife told me I was pregnant. But considering the test which showed I had fibroid, I was angry with the midwife for giving me what I felt was a false prophecy of hope. Thereafter, I started going from one church to another and from one native doctor to the other. The results that I got from them all remained the same. I became more feeble and confused that I prayed for death to come. “I went again to the midwife two years after and complained to her about the pains that I was going through, she told me again that it was not fibroid but pregnancy; she advised me to be more prayerful so that God will deliver me from the hands of the devil. I kept on praying and at the same time asking myself that if truly I’m pregnant, why is it that the baby was not kicking? “I bought many concoctions that they said could cure fibroid and drank them. I even drank

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Baby Miracle...born after 14 years in the womb! baby. I was surprised and confused seeing my baby. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hmm,I thank God for my life and that of my baby Miracle. I named her Miracle because she is truly a miraculous child”.

Miraculous child The midwife at the Celestial Church of Christ, Kadoso Parish, Ajegunle where Mercy gave birth confirmed the development, especially the role she played. The woman who simply gave her name as Mrs Ajetima informed thus: “She was pregnant for 14 years and was unable to give birth during this period. Then on Saturday

around 6:30am I saw two persons carrying her to this place. When she came inside, I laid her down and asked one of my daughters to examine her, after the examination, I found out that it was a baby that was about coming out and not worms. I asked her to push and she refused. My daughter gave her a hard slap on her laps since she refused to push. Behold a baby with placenta came out! I started shouting, calling on people to come and see for themselves that Mercy was truly pregnant, because if not, people will start to say that that Celestial woman has given Mercy a baby. Within a twinkle of an eye, the whole place was filled with people. God is wonderful”. Also affirming the happy de-

velopment, Mercy’s closest friend, Odunayo Odeyemi had this to say: “I have known mercy for over nine years now. I met her with the pregnancy . In fact, she did not know that she was pregnant. I followed her to many places but her problems kept on increasing. Merely looking at Mercy then before she gave birth, you will notice that she wasn’t okay. I kept advising her to have faith in God because I had experienced the same thing. I was pregnant for three years and three months and God delivered me. “Mercy came to me on that fateful day around 4am begging me to give her a pain reliever, that she was having pains all over her body. I dressed up and took her to a man that sells

BY AUGUSTINA ANYAEGBU

with a protruded tummy for three years that she had fibroid. So, “it came to me as a shock to learn that she delivered a bouncing baby girl.” For Chidimma Ibe, a neighbour: “She always complained to me that she had stomach pains all these period. She told me that she had fibroid and sometime, she will complain of different things. She was totally confused as to what her condition was. I’m very much surprised and happy she gave birth to a complete baby girl. It was truly a miracle. God was on her side. God is wonderful because all the concoctions she took were enough to kill the baby.” On the father of Baby Miracle, Mercy informed that they got separated on account of the

After examining me, she told me to push; I ignored her; I became unconscious and when I regained consciousness, I heard the cry of a baby; I couldn’t believe my eyes

drugs. After taking the drug, on our way home, she started having serious pains. I called her brother and we both took her to the midwife. Hours later, she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. We all were surprised because we never expected such a miracle to happen. She had a complete baby.” Robert Davidson, one of Mercy’s friends, said that he concluded after seeing Mercy

ordeal that attended her pregnancy. “Friday is the name of my baby’s father. Actually, we are not married. He just proposed to me and I became pregnant for him. He knew about the pregnancy. He always gave me money for tests and scans but he got tired and left me after waiting for me for over a year without seeing any sign of a baby. I have no option than to go my own way,” she informed.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 21

UN advocates safety nets for informal sector *Says 57.9% of Nigeria’s GDP comes from sector By EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

HE United Nations, UN has advised Nigeria to pay more attention to the informal sector of the economy. It said if well developed, the sector would make unprecedented impact on the economic development of the country. Resident Coordinator/Representative of UNDP, Mr Daouda Toure, stated this at the validation meeting for the report on ‘Informal Sector and Economic Development in Nigeria held in Abuja. Toure said the review has become necessary because the sector contributes about 57.9 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and can no longer be ignored by the government. He said the informal sector deserves to be taken care of since it comprises of the larger chunk of the people in the society. He noted that allowing operators in the sector to access some social services, improving on the condition of their services to be able to cater for the health of their families is one formidable way of making growth inclusive. “The informal sector should be well taken care of because it is comprised of so many people in the society, allowing them access to some social services and improving on their condition that enables them to cater for the health of

their families is one formidable way of making growth inclusive. The support has to also go hand in hand with some contribution from informal sector, because throughout the world, people are not reluctant to paying taxes, if they know that the taxes they are paying is going to benefit them and their families. “I think it is a win-win situation. If you know how wealthy the informal sector is, investing in them, allowing

From left: Chairman of Arco Group, Chief J. J. Akpieyi; President of the Academy of Engineering, Prof. A. F. Ogunye presenting the Academy’s Appreciation Award to Managing Director of Arco Pipeline Solutions Ltd, Mr. John Ajabhu (r) with a member of the company’s Board, Dr. Greg Ero looking on.

172.0

-3.1

3,065.00

-31.00

17.84

-0.01

114.51

+0.39

106.07 -0.10 Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(NGN) Central(NGN) elling(NGN) 154.73 263.2731 210.3864 172.8634 1.5187 0.3016 237.9386 24.851 41.251 28.2174 238.671

them to have skill development, allowing them to access credit, the more it benefits them, the more it benefits the economy,” he said. Continuing, Toure said: “The figure for Nigeria is currently estimated at 57.9 per cent of GDP. Across the globe, the informal sector has grown in size and value. The estimated average size of the informal economy as a percentage of the official Gross National Product, GDP in year 2000 was 41 per cent for develop-

ing countries, and 38 per cent for transition countries. It is also estimated that 60 per cent of female workers in developing countries are in informal sector. “Although, the informal sector has been expanding rapidly in the 21st century, its specific role in the economic development of many countries is yet to be fully documented. The relationships between the informal sector, economic growth, and poverty are not fully clear. As such, governments at all levels are making efforts to design the right policies required for enhancing the performance of the informal sector; and strengthen its linkages to economic development,” he added.

155.23 155.73 264.1238 264.9746 211.0662 211.7461 173.422 173.9806 1.5237 1.5286 0.3116 0.3216 238.7075 239.4764 24.9321 25.0128 41.3847 41.518 28.3086 28.3997 239.4423 240.2135

CBN Exchange rate as at 25/06/2014

Emerging market confident of growth — StanChart survey BY PETER EGWUATU

MERGING market con sumers are confident about economic growth, highly optimistic about their personal prosperity, and have clear aspirations for spending their newly created wealth, according to a new independent study by Standard Chartered Bank. The study of 5,000 affluent and emerging affluent consumers across five of Standard Chartered’s key markets – Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya – offers new insight into the aspirations of these consumers, including their appetite to travel, invest in a new car, grow their wealth and buy luxury goods. The study reveals big differences in the background and employment status of emerging market middle-class consumers. Indonesians and Indians tend to work for a local company, while the vast majority of African middle classes are self-employed. While 77% of Indians have a University or post-graduate qualification, 23% of Kenyans did not attend high school. Emerging market consumers have a confident outlook, with a majority of Indians, Indonesians and Nigerians expecting economic growth in their markets to continue, and a majority of consumers in all five countries (between 54 and 91%) expecting their personal financial position to improve in the next five years.

Work set to commence on 3, 050mw Mambilla hydro dam — Sambo BY CHRIS OCHAYI

HE Vice-Presi dent, Arc. Namadi Sambo, has disclosed that work will soon commence on the 3,050 megawatts Mambilla Hydro Dam in Taraba State. Arc. Sambo who spoke in Kaduna State explained that all designs of the major hydro project have been completed and as soon as other logistics are in place, work will resume at the site. He added that the

project, described as the largest in Africa will provide increased electricity generation to the National grid and irrigation to the people of Taraba and its environs when completed. Namadi also expressed his satisfaction at the pace of work in the on-going 215MW thermal power plant project in Kaduna, which is about 84 per cent completed. He directed the contractors handling the project to increase the pace of work on the site to ensure delivery by De-

cember as the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has signified his intention to commission it. The thermal power plant when completed will add another 215MW to the national grid. Arc. Sambo assured Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan is keeping his transformation agenda alive, so also his promise to the people in the Northern part of the country. According to him, “we are doing everything to trans-

form Nigeria and to ensure that power is provided to every part of the country”. Also, speaking at the occasion, Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo assured Nigerians that government is desirous in delivering power to the people because it is their inalienable right to have access to this infrastructure. He said the Kashimbila Multi Purpose Dam also in Taraba State would soon be completed and it is expected to add 40MW to the National grid.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Sub-Saharan Africa dominates the list of countries attracting the most attention from American and European multinationals - Wall Street Journal

Nigeria ranks world's top location for foreign investment A fter being recognised as the country with the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is now ranked as the top economy that American and European multinational companies are most interested in. This ranking was derived from •"The Frontier Markets Sentiment Index", created exclusively for the Wall Street Journal by Washington DCbased advisory firm Frontier Strategy Group.

The index tracks the level of interest shown by major European and American multinational companies in countries across the frontier markets world. The report is based on information collected from FSG's over 200 multinational clients, which include companies like General Electric, Coca-Cola, and Novartis. Below is a chart that shows the rankings:

Frontier Market Sentiment Index: Top 20

*Source: WSJ.com

Inspirational business tips for entrepreneurs

o ensure your venture stays strong, successful and firing on all cylinders, take note of these six inspiring tips. Bring happiness and satisfaction: Whether you’re interacting with the public, a client, an investor or anyone associated with your business, ensure that you are always upbeat and positive. Offering a superior product is great, but bringing joy and satisfaction through cheerful interactions will ensure that you leave a positive mark wherever you go. Focus on creating masterpieces: Being innovative and creative is another way to sustain a successful business. Invest time in inventing ways to stay ahead of the game. Your innovations become masterpieces that will translate into concrete results. Focus on marketing and making: While many rely on marketing to keep their business strong, be sure to focus equally on making

the most superior products and creating the most premium services on the market. When you show pride in everything you create, your customers remain appreciative, loyal and excited. Take responsibility: As an entrepreneur you craft your own destiny, and this means that all your successes and failures lead straight back to you. Learn from both your wins and your mistakes, and take credit and responsibility for both. Accountability rather than excuses will fuel your success. Focus on your strengths, outsource your weaknesses: Too many business owners try to wear many hats. You have a special set of skills unique to you, so use these skills, and outsource the tasks you’re not as good at. Have a business coach, mentor or partner: Many soloists struggle to stay motivated. Having a business coach, mentor or partner can help to keep you on track and stay accountable.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES Date 24/6/14

Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N) 154.73 262.9172 210.7577 173.1535 1.518 0.3017 237.9001 24.8298 41.2525 28.27 238.8412

Central(N) 155.23 263.7668 211.4388 173.7131 1.5229 0.3117 238.6688 24.9105 41.3858 28.3613 239.613

Selling(N) 155.73 264.6164 212.1198 174.2726 1.5278 0.3217 239.4376 24.9912 41.5191 28.4527 240.3848

ccess to funds has been the bane of establishing businesses, particularly micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), in most developing countries such as Nigeria. The Bank of Industry (BOI) was established with a mandate to provide financial assistance for the establishment of large, medium and small projects as well as expansion, diversification and modernisation of existing enterprise; and rehabilitation of ailing ones in Nigeria. BOI is the nation’s oldest, largest and most successful development financial institution. It was restructured in 2001 out of the defunct Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) Limited, which was incorporated in 1964. Who qualifies for assistance? Small, medium and large enterprises, excluding cottage industries; New or existing companies seeking expansion and diversification; Credit worthy promoters who will be required to prove their commitment to the project by contributing at least 25 percent of the project cost excluding land; Borrowers whose management capability, financial situation (including availability of collateral and guarantee), character and reputation are incontrovertible; Clients with demonstrable ability to meet loan repayments and; Borrowers with no record of unpaid loans to erstwhile development finance institutions and other banks. Steps to accessing BOI facility: Write a formal application letter; Completion of BOI's Questionnaire and; Submission of Forms and Questionnaire Project Selection Criteria: BOI's emphasis is on prudent project selection and management accordingly, it supports quality projects with potential developmental impact. The bank therefore

How to access lo Bank of Industry BY YINKA KOLAWOLE considers industries that meet the following criteria: Capacity to substantially add to industrial output; Project that use largely domestic raw materials; Projects that use largely domestic raw materials; Industry in which Nigeria's comparative advantages could be converted to competitive one; Ability to promote the expansion of exports through the production of high quality products that are attractive to domestic and export markets. Others are: Niche projects that produce for worldwide consumption; Projects that create both forward and backward linkages, with the rest of the domestic or regional economy; Ventures that promote inter-state or regional integration; Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's) that have linkage with large firms, belong to clusters and under franchise; Enterprises with high employment

generation capacity; The project must be technically feasible, commercially viable and economically desirable; Enterprises that have good management set-up and proper accounting procedures; Enterprises promoted by women entrepreneurs. The following industrial subsectors are also accorded priority in the project selection: Agro-industries, textile and leather; Polymerbased industries; Solid minerals; Foundries and; Information Communication Technology (ICT) services. Funds available to be accessed from BOI include: AFDB Line of Credit $500 million Line of Credit from African Development Bank (AfDB) in support of business development of export oriented SMEs. N5 billion Dangote-BOI Fund - For the development of MSMEs across the nation at 5 percent interest rate. N90 million Business Development Fund for

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—23

The proactive organisations have higher level of planning effectiveness, as they have a comprehensive strategic plan that is conducted for the entire organisation

& YOU

PRICE MOVEMENT ON NSE (25/6/14)

COMMODITIES (25/6/14)

Top 5 Gainers (N) S/N

Company

Last Close

Current

Change

DangCem

228.25

229.80

1.55

WAPCO

110.65

111.92

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OkomuOil

32.26

33.48

1.22

GTBank

28.50

29.20

0.70

ETI

15.96

16.65

0.69

Commodity Light Crude

Last 105.75

Change ($) -0.28

% Change - 0.26

Natural Gas

4.55

+ 0.01

+ 0.26

Sugar

17.69

- 0.12

- 0.67

Top 5 Losers (N) 1

OANDO

33.39

30.38

-3.01

Coffee

178.45

+4.30

+ 2.47

175.00

172.00

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GlaxoSmith

65.01

64.08

-0.93

Stanbic

26.80

26.00

-0.80

Champion

11.26

10.70

-0.56

3,075.00

oans from

BOI's emphasis is on prudent project selection and management accordingly, it supports quality projects with potential developmental impact

Women (BUDFOW) – Managed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development that provides soft loans to women entrepreneurs. N100 billion Cotton Textile and Garment (CTG) Development Fund – To fund the CTG Development Scheme initiated by the federal government to revitalise the CTG industry along the entire value chain at 6 percent interest rate with a tenor of 5 years. N300 billion Power and Aviation Fund (PAIF) – For the refinancing of commercial banks' exposures to companies in the Power and Aviation sectors, to fast-track the development of the aviation sector by improving the terms of credit to airlines. Interest rate is 7 percent per annum with a tenor up to fifteen years. N235 billion CBN Refinancing/

+19.00

Restructuring Fund (RRF) - For refinancing of commercial banks' exposures to SMEs in the manufacturing sector, to enhance the liquidity of banks and facilitate more credits to the real sector. Interest rate is at 7percent per annum with tenor up to fifteen years. N9.5 billion Cement Fund - For the development of the cement sector. Total Amount disbursed as at March, 2013 to five (5) companies within the cement value chain was N8,479,486.76 N19.8 billion State MSME Fund - For the development of the MSME sector in fifteen participating states, majorly through the bank's cooperative lending scheme, at an average interest rate of 5 percent. The states are: Anambra, Delta, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Osun, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Gombe, Benue, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States, while others are in the pipeline. N10 billion Rice Intervention Fund – Set up by the federal government to ensure Nigeria attains self sufficiency in rice production at interest rate of 4 percent per annum. The fund was initially designed to assist ten (10) pre-qualified companies to set up 17 model rice processing mills in the country. N16.91 billion National Automotive Councils (NAC) Fund – Aimed to achieve the development of the automobile industry subsector of the economy by providing financial assistance to industries in the entire value chain of the automobile industry from component parts manufacturing to vehicle assembling. Interest rate is 7.5 percent for term loan and 10.5 percent on working capital loan. The fund is derived from the 2 percent levy on all vehicles, auto-components, spare parts and raw materials imported into the country. A checklist of appraisal requirements for accessing loan from BOI can be obtained from the bank’s website.

+ 0.62

Is your organisation's strategic planning linked to your budget? BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

•Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort...Paul J. Meyer

n today's business world, we can hardly see any organisation that does not have a well outlined budget in place. Organisations often rely on their budgets to guide them. It is not out of place to have a budget, but it is not enough to rely only on budget in driving the vision of the entire organisation. Most organisations have missed it. How? They have allowed the budget to drive the organisation•fs vision. Such organisations have worked day and night to develop a well outlined budget but may not have realized the need to develop a strategic plan first. For the purpose of clarity, your organisation•fs vision and the strategic plan are what drive your budget, and not vice versa. Organisations that are reactive in their operations have low level of planning effectiveness. They allow the budget alone to drive the plan for the entire organisation. They also view planning as synonymous with financial objectives alone. Some other organisations are traditional in their planning effectiveness, and surprisingly are even better than the reactive

organisations. The proactive organisations have higher level of planning effectiveness, as they have a comprehensive strategic plan that is conducted for the entire organisation. The proactive organisations also start out right at the beginning with a clearly – defined, organisation-wide, shared, and integrated vision. Proactive organisations allow their strategic plan to drive the budget. The budget must be seen as the means to securing the

Cocoa

Organisations should allocate appropriate amount of time for both the planning process and the integration of planning into budgeting

plan. If your plan exceeds your budget capabilities, then it will be necessary to find ways to secure additional funding or reallocate funds to carry out your plan. If this is not possible, then you will have to revisit, review, and recalibrate all of the initiatives planned for your next budget cycle and shift some initiatives to Year 2 of your planning cycle, if your Year 1 budget cannot provide the resources for your Year 1 plan. This insight does not intend to downplay the importance of budgeting in organisations. I am also in support of the fact that all organisations must be realistic about their financial limitations; it would be organisational suicide not to take financial resources into consideration. However, allowing your planning

decisions to be dictated solely by budget may not be in best interest of the organisation. Points to ponder: Organisations should prepare their budgets based on the strategic plan of the entire organisation. The strategic plan should always drive the budget. The budget should not be a stand alone. Organisations should allocate appropriate amount of time for both the planning process and the integration of planning into budgeting. Final note: We must always be strategic in the way we run our organisation. The strategic plan (not just the budget) should be a guide for the entire organisation. Whenever I am presenting •"Strategic Planning and Change" workshop to organisations, a major question keeps coming. How can everybody understand the strategic plan? How can it make more sense to employees across the board? Very simple, organisations should encourage units and departments to develop their departmental or unit plan (level 1) based on the Stragtegic Business Units/ Major Functional Areas (SBU/MFA) business plan (level 2). The SBU/MFA business plan is based on the overall strategic plan (level 3) of the entire organisation. When this is done, no one is left behind in the planning process, and with the right budget in place growth is assured. Having only strategic plan, without cascading it down to the division (SBUs), and to the department/units may not bring all hands on deck. Call or email us for your views or perspectives. Email:uju@hainescentre.com Mobile: 09091142093 C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 25

*Cross section of graduands of Youth Independent Coalition (YIC) at the graduation ceremony and presentation of business kits/prizes to the first set of empowered youths of YIC held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Higher institutions

2014 ADMISSION EXERCISE:

1.2m candidates may not gain admission •Stakeholders berate JAMB, varsities, others •Will monotechnics, CoAs, VEIs, others rescue them? BY IKENNA ASOMBA

I was not always first in school - Africa's youngest PhD holder Pg. 27

Before applying for admission to Med School (2)

HE 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, (UTME) conducted by the the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) which commenced on April 12 and ended on May 31, has come and gone, but one recurring problem is that of the 1,606, 753 million admission

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Exclusive breastfeeding best for HIV positive mothers Pg. 30 C M Y K

ified to sit for post-UTME, an applicant must score at least 180 in the UTME and a minimum of 150 to be qualified to sit for screening examinations conducted by polytechnics and CoEs. Unfortunately, in the just-concluded 2014 UTME, Vanguard Learning (VL) gathered that 351,232 applicants are already disqualified from sitting for screening exams owing to fail-

Of the 128 universities, 40 are federal-owned, 38 state-owned and 50 are privately-owned. There are also 21 federal-owned polytechnics, 38 state-owned and 18 privately-owned. 213 poorly subscribed schools: However, across the country, there are over 213 higher institutions, which do not require JAMB UTME, as a pre-requisite for one to apply. VL gathered that these institutions are poorly subscribed yearly by admission seekers for two major reasons. One, is the little or no publicity employed by their various authorities. Two, what many have described as the long-aged dichotomy placed by policymakers between universities and other higher institutions. These institutions are Colleges of Agriculture (CoAs), Colleges of Health Technology and Allied Institutions (CoHTAIs), Continues on page 26

UNILAG VC pleads for ASUP/COEASU strike resolution, Chibok girls BY TARE YOUDEOWEI

Pg. 27

seekers, about 1.2 million candidates will fail to gain admission, leaving a little above 500,000 (35 per cent) being admitted into the nation’s higher institutions. Even after crossing the post-UTME and screening exercises by universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education (CoE), the increasing number of unsuccessful applicants is worrisome. 351,232 disqualified: To be qual-

ure to meet the minimum 150 score, invalid results and absenteeism. While over 277,753 applicants are already disqualified because they did not meet the 150 average score, 36,164 applicants had invalid results, 37,315 were absent during the PPT and DBT exams, even as 2,494 applicants still have their fate hanging in the balance as their results are currently withheld for further scrutiny by JAMB. 922, 247 locked out: Owing to poor carrying-capacity of the nation’s tertiary institutions, VL gathered that over 922,247 applicants may not be admitted this year. The average Nigerian university has a carrying capacity of 4,500. 268 over-subscribed schools: This situation, stakeholders have argued, is worrisome as admission seekers have to jostle for 268 tertiary institutions where UTME is a pre-requisite. There are 128 accredited universities, 77 polytechnics, and over 63 CoEs across the country.

T the 2012/2013 Convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos held on June 10 and 11, which produced 9,729 bachelor’s degree and 4,821 post-graduate degree holders, the Vice- Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Ade Bello backed by the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Jerry Gana and members of Council, made known the im-

provements on staff welfare as he appealed to the Federal Government on behalf of his colleagues. His words; “We would like to appeal to the President to urgently intervene in the resolution of the over 10 months strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), in the interest of our students and to stem the falling standard of education,

and the increasingly degenerating infrastructure, worsened by the insurgency of Boko Haram. We ask that the Federal Government consider the demands of our colleagues in polytechnics and colleges of education and ensure that the students go back to their classrooms. “We empathize with Mr President and the Federal Government on having to con-

tend with Boko Haram insurgency which seems to be taking its toll on our nationhood. We also sympathise with the families of the abducted Chibok girls. We pray for a quick resolution and return of the girls.” To Nigerians he had a few words of advice; “we all have to put in effort as citizens of this great country to support the government and proffer some Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26 2014

2014 ADMISSION EXERCISE: How 1.2m candidates will not gain admission Monotechnics, Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIs) and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs). Unknown to many admission seekers, there are over 36 accredited CoAs in Nigeria. While 17 are federal-owned, 19 are stateowned. There are over 51 CoHTAIs. Federal-owned (10), state-owned (40) and privatelyowned (1). Also, there are over 27 accredited monotechnics in Nigeria. Federal-owned (23), state-owned (2) and privatelyowned (2). There are over 99 accredited VEI and IEI centres in Nigeria. New Varsities: In a bid to increase access to university education, the current administration of President Goodluck Jonathan since 2011, has established 11 new universities across the six geo-political zones. With a carrying capacity of 500 students annually, stakeholders have argued that it has become imperative for a total overhauling of the nation’s higher education system. This they said, is to ameliorate the frustration millions of admission seekers go through annually. Describing the current trend where an army of admission seekers are yearly shut out from gaining access to tertiary education as abysmal, Dotun Sodunke, Ag. President, Association of Tutorial School Operators, ATSO and Mark Okoh, Principal, Caro Favoured College, Lagos, argued that if left unaddressed, the future is bleak for millions of youths. Sodunke said: “It is unfortunate that is what Nigerian education policymakers have made entry into tertiary institutions become. It’s now survival of the fittest, that you will even see parents who are pastors looking for expo for their children. They will say ‘God, you won’t be angry with me for this

one.’ Yes, if they don’t, their children will continue to remain at home and an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. “In fact, President Jonathan must stop funding universities in the geo-political zones. Sometime ago, I took my students to Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State for post-UTME; there was no structure there so the students were taken to another state university to take the exam. They are still admitting 500 candidates. How can a whole federal university admit 500 people out of the millions of candidates? “If Jonathan had consulted professionals like us who are on the field, not politicians who want to

thereby opening their admission spaces. I am not saying new varsities are not good, but what I’m saying is fund the existing ones, let them be able to admit at full capacity. “Rather than building new federal universities without adequate funding for infrastructure and manpower, the Federal Government in conjunction with state governments should adequately fund the existing universities in order to provide them with adequate manpower and infrastructure to avert congestion.” Ojerinde laments: Expressing worry over the poor carrying capacities of universities,

*Cross section of contestants for the Microsoft Word national competition held in Lagos recently

Continues from page 25

the Registrar and Chief ExecuPresident tive of JAMB, Prof. Dibu OjerJonathan must inde just before the 2014 UTME, out of a total of 1,735,892 canstop funding uni- said didates that registered for the versities in the 2013 UTME, only 35 per cent given provisional admisgeo-political zones were sion into public universities, la-

make money, the money that was spent in providing new varsities would have been invested on infrastructure in the existing ones,

menting that federal universities have not admitted up to 50 per cent of their carrying capacity. He threatened to expose universities that waste scarce spaces saying: “Spaces are there but

UNILAG VC pleads for ASUP/COEASU strike resolution, Chibok girls Continues from page 25 home grown solutions to the issues of insecurity which seems to be hydra-headed and growing like wild fire. We at the University of Lagos have our own role to play. A post- graduate course in Security and Intelligence Studies has been endorsed for commencement by our senate and should engender meaningful research on security issues and concerns.” On staff welfare, Bello said; “The University management has carried out the regularisation and upgrade of qualified temporary, as well as non-teaching staff who have acquired additional qualifications. The newly regularised and upgraded members of staff underwent a one month

immersion programme aimed at re-orienting and positioning them for fresh challenges in line with the vision and mission of our university and have since taken over new roles particularly in the administration of academic departments. “In the same vein, the University Staff Home Ownership Committee has re-invigorated the process of providing eligible members of staff with land and housing loans for building houses and purchasing or redeeming an existing mortgage on a house or piece of land without a building. “All these are geared towards creating an enabling environment for the sustenance of academic excellence at the University of Lagos.”

He thanked staff and students for standing by his administration, saying; “The speed at which we were able to come to full gear with academics after the six months interruption in the academic calendar is an indication of the commitment of all. This is why we were able to complete the 2012/ 2013 academic session promptly. We appreciate you all.” Bakre Oluwafemin Abubakar got award as overall best graduating student and best graduating student, Sciences,with CGPA of 4.86 (B.Sc Electrical and Electronics Engineering), and Akeem-Omosanya Muinat Wuraola, B.Sc Accounting, with 4.75 CGPA, best graduating student, Humanities, amidst several other awards to deserving graduates.

the universities have refused to take students and they are funded yearly. Government has opened up access and so why are they not doing the right thing? There is no pass or fail dichotomy in JAMB as everyone can be admitted if they have the pre-requisites.” Controversial charges: Decrying the horrible experiences admission seekers face annually, JAMB, universities, polytechnics and CoEs, have been picked on for allegedly being insensitive to the plights of millions of secondary school leavers and their parents. In its plenary on July 11, 2013, the House of Representatives said JAMB had over the last three years, generated over N21 billion from sale of forms to candidates seeking admission into the nation’s tertiary institutions despite getting an appropriation of over N6 billion from the national budget within the same period. In a motion moved on the matter, Ibrahim Ebbo said: “In 2011, 1,493,604 candidates bought forms and sat for the UTME organised by the board at the cost of N4, 600 per candidate, translating to a total of N6,870,400, while it got an appropriation of N2,021,235,070 in the national budget. “Similarly, 1.5 million candidates sat for the UTME in 2012, amounting to N6.9 million generated through sale of forms, and 1, 644, 110 sat in 2013 and N7, 562, 906, 000 generated through sale of forms while the Board got N2, 370, 273, 304 and N2, 377,3 97, 191 for the two years respectively.” Meanwhile, this year, aside the revenue running into millions of naira it will get from sale of change of institution and course scratch cards, as well as JAMB e-Bundle scratch cards which enables admitted candidates to print their original notification of results, VL investigation reveals that the apex exam body will officially realise N7, 219,414,800 from sale of UTME forms and another N2,354,157,000 from sale of result checker scratch cards, despite getting an appropriation of N2,557, 641,149 according to the 2014 Federal Government Budget Proposal of the Federal Ministry of Education. Further investigation reveals that the body has a total personnel cost of N2,452,254,545; total overhead cost of N80,319, 604; total recurrent cost of N2, 532,574,149 and total capital cost of N25,067,000. Parents groan: JAMB has come under attack over the N1,500 it charged applicants for scratch card to enable them access examination results. Reacting, some parents and guardians in Plateau State described the N1,500 as ‘very exorbitant.’ Speaking to journalists in

Continues on page 27

BRIEF Nigeria, Singapore graduate 30 BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

IGERIA's aspiration to join the league of 20 industrial-ised nations of the world has been boosted by the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, which recently graduated 30 trainees in Abuja. The first batch was trained in electronics and computer networking, and information and communication technology (ICT) in collaboration with Singapore in order to contribute technologically to the nation’s economic drive. ITF DG, Dr Juliet ChukkasOnaeko in her address, said 97 trainees were accepted in August 2011 out of which 30 were trained at the centre, Model Skills Training Centre, MSTC, Abuja. The remaining 67 would be trained in the near future. “The ITF on its part is evolving new areas of approach to enhance the relevance and quality required of commerce and industry. New competencies are being developed in many areas including vocational and technical training, information and communication technology (ICT) and entrepreneurship development. “ITF approached the Federal Government and got approval to collaborate with the Institute of Technical Education, Education Services, ITEES, Singapore to set up MSTC to pursue a holistic approach to technical skills development in the country”. According to the DG, “the centre is shaped with the mission to create opportunities for school leavers and adult learners to acquire employable skills, knowledge and values for life-long learning and self-help in a competitive global economy. “As the economy restructures itself and moves from labour-intensive to capital-intensive and now knowledge-intensive, the Abuja MSTC is designed by the ITF to ensure that our human capital acquires the relevant skills, knowledge and values responsive to the changing needs of school leavers, industry and community for sustainability and national development. “Plans are in place to establish 38 industrial skills training centres and six centres for advanced skills training. Six mobile training workshops have also been acquired and are waiting to be commissioned. “The MSTC is part of the efforts of government’s youth capacity skills training programme for self-employment and poverty reduction. The MSTCs are post-secondary school technical training institutes established to nurture and produce the much needed technical personnel with the skills and confidence to face the challenges of the changing world,” she said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 27

I wasn't always first in school —Africa’s youngest Ph.D holder A

T a time when the nation i s plagued with all sorts of challenges, some youths seek to make the nation proud. One of such Nigerians is Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara who at 24, is Doctor of Mathematics, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5, thus making him the youngest African with a doctorate degree. To achieve this, he surpassed Opeyemi Shodipe of Babcock University who at 25 had a doctorate with a CGPA of 4.98. The Ekiti State indigene born in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR), who recently convoked from the University of Lagos, Akoka, as the Best Graduating PhD holder, has two first degrees in mathematics and physics which were run simultaneously and master's degree in the same courses, also run simultaneously. From missionary parents and the last of five children, Olaoluwa, in an interview with Vanguard Learning, shared how he achieved this feat amidst challenges and distractions. Having been born and bred in a French- speaking country, how did you cope with academics in English language? When I was in CAR, I was studying French in school but speaking English at home, so it was a smooth transition from French to English. However, French-speaking countries have a more traditional and rigorous system of education, while the English system welcomes change and is more into modern mathematics which I like. The capacity to adapt matters a lot and if one works hard, adapting is not a problem.

which is marriage. They might not mean anything bad, but it can be distracting. Good job offers also come that would make you slow down your work. Fortunately, I was sponsored by Deeper Life Bible Church under the approval of the overseer, Pastor William F. Kumuyi so there was no need to work. Past performance I used to read the textbooks of my elder ones, so that made me generally *Olaoluwa Hallowed Oluwadara smarter than my peers, albeit, I was not always Experience in PhD first in school but my performIt was challenging but very ance improved greatly when I instructive. I learnt a lot about entered university at age 15 to collaboration, mentoring, and study mathematics. I have two the importance of God in one’s bachelors and master's degrees endeavours. There were times and it took me three years to when I was discouraged and get my PhD. needed my supervisor, parents The Future and colleagues to encourage I believe it would not take me me. long to attain professorship. I One of such instances was at might add another doctorate the beginning of the degree, maybe in mathematiprogramme. It seemed that all cal physics. I would also serve the topics had been researched the house of God while and there is nothing left to do working. except the complicated ones Guiding principle beyond one’s ability. Also According to the Bible, sometimes when you send your whatever your hand finds to do; paper to international journals, do it with all thy might. That’s they return it for one reason or my motto. It keeps me going. the other. Though it does not Advice: Never give up. Be fomean you are not good cused, diligent, disciplined and enough, but they have their have God at the center of all your reasons. That can be very dis- endeavours. Olaoluwa Halcouraging. Persistence kept lowed Oluwadara won Univerme. sity of Bangui’s All Time Best Distractions Student Award from the DepartThere were distractions but ment of Mathematics (B.Sc), not restricted to Nigeria. They Best B.Sc Student Award in are universal. Friends, male Physics, 2007 and Best M.Sc and female, can be distracting. Awards in Physics and MatheMainly females but I am a born matics respectively in 2008. He again Christian and I believe currently is a Research Fellow that when it comes to relation- of the Mathematical Analysis ships, it is best to wait for God’s and Optimisation Research time for a proper relationship Group.

2014 ADMISSION EXERCISE: How 1.2m candidates will not gain admission Continues from page 26 Jos, Pankshin and other towns in the state, parents accused the exam body of extorting money from students and parents with all manner of charges. “The charges are strange. Last year, we used the JAMB registration number to check the scores. We were not expecting something different this year,” Mr Gotong Nanman, a parent told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Pankshin. He said he was very surprised when his niece brought the request to him, and said that JAMB was not sensitive to the harsh realities facing poor Nigerians. He recalled that he spent C M Y K

N5,000 to purchase the JAMB form, and another N1,500 was a huge burden, especially since there was mass failure this year. Another parent, Mr. Danjuma Dumak, argued that JAMB was making billions of naira since more than one million candidates sat for the exam. He urged the Federal Government to intervene to save poor people from such pain since many parents had consistently paid for the exams in the last five years. “The National Assembly should also ask JAMB to explain what is happening. They (lawmakers) represent us and should intervene in this matter,” he said. JAMB’s defence:

Meanwhile, JAMB’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, had earlier said that parents who complained about the board’s charge of N1,500 for result checkers were doing that out of ignorance. “Many of them are not aware of the activities of the board; we are trying so hard to reduce the cost of this examination." “If we are to charge according to the services we render, each candidate will pay nothing less than N10, 000 but government has consistently subsidized the services and that is why the registration form costs only N4,000.”

Before applying for admission to Med School (2) “History never repeats itself; man does.” Barbara Tuchmann, Expert on 13th and 14th Centuries European History. Please can you tell me the best PRIVATE UNIVERSITY where my daughter can go to study MEDICINE?

ECENTLY one university placed an advertisement in a national newspaper with respect to students to which it had offered admission to read Law. After years of squabbling with the National Universities Commission, NUC, about accreditation, the university closed down its Law School - leaving many students in a quandary about their future. Naturally, the university promised to find accommodation for those willing in other universities. But, even the authorities know that what they have published is even more scandalous than the scam that got the students into trouble in the first instance. I have read what a few of their professors write about corruption in Nigeria and each time I am reminded of that quip by Samuel Coleridge, 1772-1834: “He saw a lawyer killing a viper on a dunghill hard by his own stable; and the devil smiled, for it put him in mind of Cain and his brother Abel.” (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS pp122-123). Given the unethical conduct of some of our universities, reading stuff from some of the staff, about corruption in Jonathan’s administration, also reminds me of Cain and Abel. Those who collected huge amounts of money for private university education and years after, left the students in a lurch, don’t regard their Council Members or Senate as corrupt. After all, they just duped suckers; thanks to NUC’s

BY TARE YOUDEOWEI

NUC’s provisional accreditation should be scrapped because it had been grossly abused by unethical university administrators

provisional accreditation - which should be scrapped because it had been grossly abused by unethical university administrators. Result of my investigations To the question asked by the wise father, whose daughter wanted to study Medicine at a private university in Nigeria, the answer was startling. Only seventeen universities have been granted accreditation to offer Medicine in Nigeria and NONE of them is a private university. All the universities with approval are public universities. Now, that revelation has implications for those currently enrolled in Colleges of Medicine in private universities. That they are taking a huge risk with their money, time and future is obvious - even to a sucker. Those in level 100, meaning just starting will be advised to get out before doing more damage to their careers and try gaining admission to approved public universities. Those far advanced have a different set of problems and part of my advice to them cannot be published. The same goes for those who have already “finished” and are now clutching worthless certificates. They need advice and they need it very quickly. For those who are just contemplating enrollment in those universities, there is only one piece of advice - forget it. If you don’t, you might live to regret it.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/biolasobowale

28— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Okpe Grammar School wins Math competition

From left: Mr. Michael Ikpoki, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Mrs. Olayinka Bello, Director, Lagos State Ministry of Education presenting a laptop to best speaker at MTN schools debate contest, Daniel Nweneka of Govt Snr. College, Ikoyi while Ms. Ugonwa Nwoye, Customer Relations Executive and Mrs. Aminat Oyagbola, Human Resources Executive both of MTN , look on at the closing ceremony of the 2014 edition of MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care themed: Education in a digital world, held at MTN offices in Falomo last Friday.

Vision 20:2020: Nigeria must focus on global standard – Expert BY DAYO ADESULU

N expert has stated that in order for Nigeria to meet the vision 20:2020 on education, it must put quality education in the front burner by focusing on global standard. Speaking with journalists at Ikeja, the Managing Director, Banquaires-SMS Consultants Nigeria Ltd, Dr Felix Adeduro said: “How can we actualise Vision 20:2020 without putting education in the front burner? To achieve this, Nigeria must connect with global education institution that has all it takes to impact our students. So that when they go, they can learn what it takes to change the system when they come b a c k . ” According to him, development of education is a conscious process of policy formulation, noting that it is not by formulating a policy today and changing it tomorrow.

Guarantee - Guaranty

uarantee and guaranty are similar and different words. Both have similar meanings: ‘an agreement that was made to pay a debt … or something that is given as security.’ Guarantee ‘is the promise that an act will be carried out or a condition will be fulfilled.’ Guaranty is ‘the promise to pay the debt or fulfill the obligation of another if that person fails to do so’. Nonetheless, guarantee is the broader and more common term while guaranty is the narrower term and it appears mostly in banking and other financial contexts. It seldom appears in nonlegal context. The two words are also different in spelling and pronunciation. Examples: I signed a guaranty for my brother's bank loan. C M Y K

Adeduro who stated that there must be a conscious process of development in our education policies explained that development is a coordinated process. He said, if a nation is developing, you must see it on the people, especially in human capacity adding that not everyone will be privileged to go to Harvard University but there are good alternatives in the world. Adeduro who specifically pointed out Amity University, India said the school is of high standard, disclosing that Amity University is another platform like what obtains in Harvard. He said, “It is Industry focus and technological driven.” To buttress his point, he provided that Amity is spread over 110 acres, 2000 student capacity on-campus hostel and 19 inter-disciplinary practice, research and outreach centre. He added that the University which has berthed in Nigeria is ranked number one private university in India.

I guarantee you this machine will work. Guarantee - Warranty Guarantee and warranty have both similarities and differences. The sense relation between them is that they are synonyms. A warranty is a type of guarantee. According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, International Students Edition, guarantee means ‘a written promise given by a company that something you buy will be replaced or repaired without payment if it goes wrong within a particular period’. Warranty denotes ‘a written agreement in which a any pay selling something promise to repair or replace if there is a problem within a particular period of time’. You have a guarantee or warranty on good or services. The two words are used to safeguard the rights of a consumer Examples: The motorbike comes with a year guarantee. The motorbike comes with a full two-year warranty. The difference is that a guarantee is more of a goodwill statement and is usually more open ended than a warranty (not as many rules attached if the item or service does not satisfy.

HE 2014 edition of Ejele Math ematics Competition has been won by Okpe Grammar School, Sapele, Delta State. The annual event was instituted by the Commissioner representing Itsekiri ethnic nationality in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Hon. Michael Diden, alias Ejele, in honour the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh. The competition is designed for senior secondary students in the state. It is expected to move from Sapele Local Government Area to other parts of the state and the country at large. Okpe Grammar school won the competition, in which 32 public and private schools participated in Sapele region. A private school, Excellence School of Science and Technology, also in Sapele, came second while International High School came third. The competition was initiated as part of the programmes to mark the 5th anniversary of the Christ Foundation Ministry, a charity and evangelism outreach, with branches in

Agbor, Ughelli, Koko and Warri. The finalists were given different prizes, including computers, laptops, Ipads, school bags, note books as well as cash prizes to the teachers. Diden, in his remark at the event witnessed by top government officials, politicians and business executives, said the competition was packaged to encourage the students in the study of mathematics, which he described as the core subject in the study of science-related courses. “The competition is aimed at ensuring that the younger generation is assisted to attain high academic and professional standard, especially in the study of science-related courses that would better their lives and equip them for the greater task of self-sustenance and entrepreneurial skill in the near future,” he said. "I decided to embark on this competition for people, who believed in education to contest with others from the state and then, in Nigeria. The aim is to put Sapele in the world map again as it was in the past,” he stated.

Winners emerge at Ose Smart Talent hunt

he 4th edition of Ose Smart Talent Hunt was held recently for school children in Lagos. According to the organisers, the competition is aimed at creating a platform for children to discover and nurture their innate abilities as well as empower them in different subjects especially math, mental quest, debate and impromptu speech. The talent hunt which featured schools like: S.TEE Intl. School, Hopebay College, Wonderful Grace Pry School, Tehila Great Schools, White-field Schools, High Hope Academy and Festac Snr. College, had four major categories. The coordinator of the project, Ose Idahosa noted that the hunt was inspired by the need to help and develop school children, as well as empower young minds to realise

their potentials and give expression to inbuilt talent. Winners were presented with gifts and awards. Festac Snr. College emerged first in Math; S.TEE Intl. School won the first prize in impromptu speech, while High Hope Academy won the debate category. The winners were awarded scholarships while winning schools received plaques and certificates of participation. Speaking to newsmen, the organisers noted that each category is inspired to equip the students as research has shown that most school children have difficulty solving math. The impromptu speech challenges these young minds to always be at alert and prepared at all times, while debate and mental quest empowers them mentally.

Ferscoat students shine at MITV Math, debate contests BY IKENNA ASOMBA

IRECTOR of Ferscoat Schools, Ipaja, Lagos, Felix Opata, has charged the students to always be at their best, assuring that the school will continue to provide the enabling atmosphere to attain their academic goals. He made this charge following the performance of the students at the 2014 National Mathematics competition and Talent Zone Debating competition organised by Murhi International Television (MITV). While the duo of Rilwan Adebayo and Bankole Fasuyan came first at the math competition, the trio of Abies Orasanye, Shikemi Alamutu and Pelumi Gbadamosi won the debating competition. This is even as its rep-

resentatives, Ayomikun Ayobami and Fawaz Kadiri came second in the primary category of the debate contest. Opata congratulated the students "for making us proud through your superlative performances at the MITV mathematics and debate competitions. We are not surprised by the recent achievements of the school because the management has provided the needed facilities such as conducive classrooms, equipped laboratory, boarding facilities, modern sickbay, well stocked library, effective transport service and zero tolerance for examination malpractice. “At Ferscoat, we train you to be worthy ambassadors who can stand on their own in future. We are proud of what you have done, which is in line with our commitment of bringing out the best in a child,” he said.

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survival. As I said earlier, making sure that during pregnancy, the HIV positive mother takes the anti-retroviral drug to significantly reduce mtct. Asked if it is advisable for an HIV positive mother to breastfeed an HIV negative child, Professor Tyndall said: "In that case, that is taken on the advisement of the midwife and the doctor because if she is living in an area where there is no running water and she is giving the child formula, the risk factors are higher. More children die of diarrhoeal disease than anything else in the world. The child can develop

cause it is insecticide-treated. "Early diagnosis and treatment is key; also detecting the type of malaria and species of mosquito. There are two main types of malaria p[arasites: Plasmodiun falciparum which is the deadly form and Plasmodium malariae. So having a transient fever, that is Plasmodium malariae, is not very dangerous unless it is a long-term infection. But Plasmodiun falciparum is dangerous because once the paracetamia level gets very high, it can go to the brain. It can cause severe infections throughout the body including the kidney so it has to be properly managed. What is happening is as a result of people not taking the right drugs in the right amount and for the right number of days. That is what leads to drug resistance. So the

a good immune system with breast milk and overcome other diseases that affect children like pneumonia, meningitis, measles etc. These are things that the child is more prone to, not necessarily the HIV itself. So having the right nutrients and breast milk, particularly the colostrum, is very rich and will set the child up in terms of a good profile of nutrition, longterm but people don't realise that. Other factors can come into play and outweigh the risk factors of HIV transmission in terms of the child's survival. Malaria Over 300,000 Nigerians die of malaria every year according to reports. "The key factors about malaria is the lack of proper management of the disease. First of all, in terms of vector control, simple implementation of having bed nets for children under-five years and all pregnant women, is of great benefit. Pregnant women and children in malaria-endemic areas like Adamawa should be using bed nets. Apart from acting as a physical barrier to the mosquito, it also acts as a chemical barrier if the mosquito comes in be-

parasites still grow even though you are taking the drug. People should take anti-malaria drugs to prevent the growth of the parasite. Those in endemic areas should not take it long-term but expatriates and tourists should take prophylaxis so the drug is in their system to make the parasite uncomfortable and won't start multiplying and growing to a point where they become deadly to the infected person. Don't allow accumulation of water around your homes where the mosquito can breed. A part of your environment is a part of your health. We need more community participation in cleaning up the environment, not just waiting for government. If you come down with malaria, government will not come around to take care of you. AUN plays a very good part here. President Ensign has been very supportive of community events and students going out as part of their curriculum, helping the community because we are a global village. What happens in your backyard is going to affect another person in another country. So people need to be aware of that," she said.

Exclusive breastfeeding good for HIV positive mothers â&#x20AC;&#x201D;JENNIFER TYNDALL BY EBELE ORAKPO

PROFESSOR Jennifer Tyndall is an Associate Professor of Natu ral and Environmental Sciences at the American University of Nigeria in Yola. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, she speaks on her research in public health with particular interest in HIV/AIDS and maternal and infant mortality. Excerpts: Malaria in pregnancy: ccording to Tyndall, malaria and HIV/AIDS in pregnant women are very dangerous and adequate care must be taken to prevent them. "One of the studies I undertook was malaria in pregnant women; also their genotype, whether they are AS or SS because a lot of people don't know their genotype. Another area of focus is HIV/ AIDS. I look at the pre- periand post-natal stages of pregnancy and study the outcome of the mothers and infants to put things in perspective in terms of how many miscarriages she's had, whether or not she has had Caesarean section (CS); whether she is HIV positive or not and whether she is on Prevention of Mother-toChild Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) program or not. If we see her in the antenatal stages early enough, she will go into PMCT programme," she said. Antenatal clinic: "A lot of mothers do not attend antenatal clinics regularly. Some come in the 23rd week and sometimes when they are ready to give birth. Another major issue particularly in rural areas is the lack of facilities; lack of qualified medical personnel - properly trained midwives and medical doctors in case of complications like pre-enclampsia which is basically hypo-pressure which leads to leaky placenta and problems in delivery. If she is HIV positive, we have to find out early enough so she can have the relevant anti-retro viral treatment before giving birth. There was the case of a child in the US who was actually HIV positive at birth but having given the right anti-retro viral therapy, he was allegedly found to be HIV negative. He actually had his serum converted from positive to negative. "It's not only the therapy itself in terms of drugs but the right counseling in terms of behavior, particularly in this area where you have a polygamous set up. One wife or even the husband might be HIVpositive so it is a big problem

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HIV1 is more dangerous because it spreads more rapidly, HIV2 does not spread as rapidly but it is also resistant to certain types of drugs

*Prof. Jennifer Tyndall.... Mother-to-child transmission is highest during delivery in terms of counseling and the acceptance." Dealing with HIV in pregnancy: "Just having a simple cold, lack of proper nutrition, hygiene and also a person's mental psyche (feeling depressed and so not likely to eat properly or take their drugs regularly at the right time) and drinking/eating properly, will worsen the case. If they are HIV positive, using the relevant prophylaxis and condoms, or being sure they remain in a monogamous relationship, or in the case of a polygamous setting, letting the other wives know who may be at risk, goes a long way. Awareness and counseling for the HIV-positive person, ensuring they get their T-cell counts; if it is low, it means low immunity, so they are followed up and drug regimen possibly changed," she said. HIV strain: "Knowing the HIV strain - whether HIV1 or HIV 2, is very important because they are resistant to certain drugs, particularly HIV2. So knowing the strains will aid a good public health physician in its treatment. HIV1 is more dangerous because it spreads more rapidly, HIV2 does not spread as rapidly." She advised that rather than collecting all the drugs at once, patients should collect them bimonthly and go back if they have

complications. Breastfeeding: "Breastfeeding is one of the risk factors but it is actually better when you are HIV positive to do exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) because when you mix it with formula especially in areas without clean water, the child is more prone to diarrhoeal diseases. Mother-tochild transmission in utero is quite low and highest during delivery but through the milk is higher than in utero, so the highest risk factors are during delivery. So if a mother is HIV positive, we transfer her to a hospital where they do CS because that reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission (mtct). But as soon as the baby is born, with the right facilities, the baby is taken straight from the table and given a drip with the relevant anti-retroviral drugs. That is the key because the child has a better chance of

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Samaras happy to be lucky

REECE hero G e o r g i o s Samaras was delighted luck was on his team’s side after they reached the FIFA World Cup last16 in thrilling fashion. Samaras won and converted a 93rdminute penalty as Greece edged the Ivory Coast 2-1 to finish second to Colombia in Group E. The Celtic striker felt his team deserved their victory, despite needing the late slice of luck to set up a meeting with Costa Rica on Sunday. “I think we controlled the game for most of the time. We scored a goal and hit the post a few times,” Samaras told the BBC. “They scored a goal, I don’t know how. “We tried in the last 15-20 minutes to win because we knew we had to win to get into the next round. “We gave everything we had and in the end the gods and the luck was on our side. “We are really proud about our achievement. I am proud of ourselves, of our team. “I hope we gave a smile back to the people back in our country.”

We can can We make make history for for history Algeria Algeria Brahimi -- Brahimi A

LGERIA are ready to make history and reach the World Cup second round for the first time, said playmaker Yacine Brahimi on Tuesday. The Desert Foxes can assure themselves of a place in the last 16 with victory over struggling Russia today although even a draw could suffice were South Korea to lose to table toppers Belgium. “It is one of the most

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which he could do as he has Algerian parents, said that the players were keeping their feet on the ground ahead of the Russian game despite the expectations

Klinsmann ready for ‘emotional’ Germany clash J

• Klinsmann

important matches of my career, it is a match which can write a new chapter in the history of our country, and that is very much in our heads,” said Brahimi, the 24-year-old France born midfielder who plays his club football for Spanish championship side Granada. Brahimi, who played up to Under-21 level for the French national side before announcing he was switching to Algeria,

URGEN Klinsmann said that he expects emotions to run high when his US team meets his German homeland in what he called a once-in-a-lifetime World Cup clash. Klinsmann said it would be a “special moment” when he comes face-to-face with the team and their coach Joachim Loew, his good friend and former assistant when he was Germany boss. And he said there would be “big hugs” before getting down to

business in a game in which the United States, Group G’s surprise package, need at least a draw to reach the knockout phase. “It’s very special. It’s something that doesn’t happen every year and probably not any more in a lifetime. So you try to enjoy this moment,” Klinsmann told reporters. “There is no doubt it’s a special moment because it’s the team that you start building, the group of people that you start to gather round

and they’re all in place still,” he added. “So I will give them big hugs before the game and then leave it aside. We’re going to get the job done and then we can have a farewell hug again.” As a player, Klinsmann lifted the 1990 World Cup and also helped Germany win Euro 1996, their last major title. He then coached them to the 2006 World Cup semifinals before quitting shortly afterwards.

•Jermaine Jones

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 37

IFA said it has opened a disciplinary probe against Luis Suarez of Uruguay for allegedly biting an Italian opponent during a Soccer World Cup game Tuesday. Uruguay won the game 1-0 but it was overshadowed by the incident involving Suarez and Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. Suarez has already banned twice before in his career for biting opponents. The latest incident happened moments before a team-mate scored the winner for Uruguay, who now advance to the next round of the tournament. FIFA rules mean that Suarez, who plays his club football in England with Liverpool, runs the risk of a heavy punishment that could bar him from the rest of the World Cup in Brazil, just as Uruguay emerged from the group phase and reached the round of 16.

FIFA opens probe against Suarez

orty years to the day after his goal shocked eventual champions West Germany, Juergen Sparwasser says he still gets goose bumps thinking about his 1974 exploit for East Germany. Sparwasser, now 66, scored the only goal in Hamburg against what the East, 16 years before unification, referred to as the ‘class enemy’. Sparwasser, who fled to the West in 1988, once said he ought to have Hamburg, 1974, written on his grave “and everyone would know who lies there. But hopefully that’s for the distant future,” he told Welt am Sonntag newspaper. Then German chancellor Helmut Schmidt attended the match, “but none of our political bigwigs,” said Sparwasser. “They probably didn’t get a visa!”

osts and favourites Brazil may have finally clicked into gear on the field but it seems they have been switching off fans in the twittersphere. Five-time winners Brazil’s 4-1 win over Cameroon was their best performance according to two-goal hero Neymar but it was their worst on social media outlet Twitter. Their previous games against Croatia and Mexico generated a record, for the World Cup, 12.2 million tweets for the first and 8.95 million for the second. Monday ’s match inspired 6.1 million. Still, Brazil continue to out-Twitter their rivals. The Netherlands clash with Chile generated only 1.85 million tweets while reigning world champions Spain’s encounter with Australia managed only 960,000.

Messi the frolicking hound

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Sparwasser relives victory over ‘class enemy’

Brazil a Twitter flop

Hodgson: We were unlucky NGLAND manager Roy Hodgson felt his side were unlucky not to bow out of the World Cup in Brazil with a victory. The national side’s underwhelming campaign came to an end as they played out a goalless draw with Costa Rica in their final group game in Belo Horizonte. Hodgson said: “We showed today what a good team we can be. “We are so disappointed not to finish with a victory but I don’t think I have asked for a much better performance. “Apart from the first 10 or 12 minutes of the game I thought we dominated it totally. “Unfortunately we didn’t take our goal

World Cup briefs

ESCAPE . . . England’s forward Daniel Sturridge (3L) escapes tackle by Costa Rica’s defender Cristian Gamboa (R) during their Group D match at The Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte at the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup . Photo: AFP

hile the Netherlands rack up goals at the 2014 World Cup by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, back home there’s a different star in the making. Meet Messi, the brown long-haired dachshund. Since kick-off in Brazil, national broadcaster NOS has housed its football commentators in a studio resembling a Dutch home, with sofas, coffee tables, a library and framed pictures of players... and of course a live hound, who frolicks on the carpet, chews toys and occasionally barks. He has become hugely popular, with his Facebook page receiving more than 12,000 “Likes” in one week and newspapers writing articles about him. Hugo Borst, one of the programme’s analysts says Messi gets fed with food donated by viewers. “He’s got to be careful not to get too fat during his month in the spotlight... and now has to go on extra walks with his owner,” Borst added.

y wins Media Sport Academ U 15 Cup ‘Thunder’ Balogun

ll Ac ad em y ha s ED IA Sp or t Fo ot ba of the ‘Thunder emerged champion ament concluded ll tourn un Balog ’ U-15 footba mini-Stadium Lagos re ua Sq at the Campos d. en last week ted Rozie FA (Ebute The champions defea ting final which was es Metta) 3-1 in an inter y crowd that included cit pa ca a by d ie f attende CA F In str uc to r, Ch of fo rm er FI FA an d s er mb me er oth and Adegboye Onigbinde Foundation. un log Ba r de un the Th sion, Chief Onigbinde Speaking at the occa of government and rs charged the three tie invest in grassroots to s er ld ho ke sta r g othe in the country, pointin football development ly way to discover and out that it was the on e country ’s national th develop talents for teams.

chances today. Had we taken them it would have been a comfortable victory.” Striker Daniel Sturridge missed three

good chances for England and was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the first half after a clash

with Oscar Duarte. Hodgson said: “We created the chances, that is important, and normally Daniel is so

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

BY DAYO BENSON

MR. Augustine Alegeh SAN is one of the five candidates, including four senior advocates vying for the office of the president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. A candidate of the Midwest bar forum, Alegeh in this interview spoke on why he is offering himself for the top job, his visions and missions if elected as well as other related issues.Excerpts:

OU are one of the candi dates running for the office of the NBA president. Why did you put yourself forward? First, I take it to be a positive development that more lawyers are taking interest in the affairs of the Bar, with over 120,000 lawyers enrolled at the Bar. If more lawyers are involved in the affairs of the NBA, then we’ll have quality a association at the end of the day. On your question specifically, as they say in law, the briefs have been filed. All the manifestoes of the candidates are in. The reason why I am the best candidate to lead the bar at this time is evident from a close review of the programmes contained in my manifesto. The programmes I have put forward are contemporary. They deal with the present challenges of lawyers. They don’t address the problems like politicians with promises and grandiose ideas. We have come forward with specific details and specific programmes and we have set out on

INSURGENTS' ACTIVITIES

we must address welfare of affected lawyers —Alegeh of branches from bar practicing fees from the present 10% to 20%. It is a constitutional matter and I intend to seek an amendment to the NBA Constitution to achieve this proposal. The proposal would also have a tied on proposal to allow remittance of BPF share to branches by direct debit via a standing order from the BPF account. This would ensure that the branches get their share timeously and would relieve the National Secretariat of the burden of calculating, computing and remitting the share to Branches through the existing cumbersome process. I intend to seek constitutional amendment to enable us have

I once received a text message from a magistrate in Gombe. I don’t know him personally, We were there to deliver speeches, but I said ‘we have colleagues next door whose professional lives are in shambles

how to achieve them. We have taken on the welfare of lawyers and I believe that definitely a lot has to be done about it. When we take care of the welfare of our lawyers then each member will fulfill their obligations to the association as they will have a sense of belonging. I have put forward different programs. I propose to institute an insurance policy for lawyers from our bar practicing fees . The policy would be flexible to meet the needs of lawyers. It would be a choice based policy where each member would be able to opt for the policy that meets his peculiar expectations. I propose to increase the share

electronic voting at our NBA National elections with the hope that same will eventually apply to NBA branches. The concept of traveling to the delegates conference to vote in July when you will also need to travel for AGC in August is burdensome. Given the security challenges in the country, we should avoid doing things that will make us gather in large numbers. I don’t think we should expose ourselves to security hazards unnecessarily. We need to be security conscious. My definite promise is to have reduced affordable conferences fees. Everything ties to each other. I want to make this point that service to an association must be selfless service, but that service

must also come with clear cut ideas that will bring positive change. I have read all the manifestoes and I challenge you to read all of them. You will be satisfied that the only clear cut ideas are those that I offer and I have clear ideas of how to implement them. Do you think two years will be enough to achieve all these programmes you have itemised? I believe that two years is long enough. I have three programmes and all of them are mind based programmes- Refocus, Reform and Reinvigorate. Let’s all understand that our welfare is of primary importance to us. Once you develop an idea and it sinks into people, you don’t need 100 years in office. A lot of people have been asking ‘ why have we not had this insurance policy in place? We had it some years ago, what happened?’ we need to understand that even if you want four or seven years it still won’t be enough if you don’t know how to go about it.

Landmark changes Personally, I believe that even a tenure of one year is enough to make landmark changes in the NBA, refocus on the welfare of members, reform the secretariat, reinvigorate the entire bar as the voice of the people. These are things you can achieve in six months. When I was challenged to create a database for the NBA, a programme that had been tried by several administrations and failed, in 60 days I had it up and running!

NBA ELECTION: FIDA members rally support for Adekoya

On the insurance policy for instance, I propose open architecture, where a lawyer can come and say ‘I want retirement benefits.’ Another lawyer can come in and say ‘I want an accident policy.’ The insurance company can say ‘we can give you a crossbreed, but you will get a little from each. If you want to put all your eggs in one basket, it’s your choice.’ There are different packages. Once you pay your practicing fees, your name is given to the insurance company as a beneficiary of the scheme. Its automatic and its very simple.

Practice direction I have another programme for example. I would propose that NBA would work with Chief Judges of the High Courts and other Heads of Courts to make certain changes in our rules. For instance a practice direction stipulating that only affidavits prepared by lawyers should be allowed for filing would go a long way to eradicate false depositions and also provide an additional revenue source for Lawyers. All that the court officials do is ask ‘how much have you paid?’ they stamp it and they give it back to you. But you see that is not the aim of an affidavit. An affidavit ought to be a statement of truth. When we insist that ‘each affidavit must be prepared by a lawyer” all the false depositions in affidavits will stop. Will a lawyer prepare such an affidavit, sign and put his stamp and seal? If you go to the Federal High Court today and file an affidavit, you must affix a passport photograph. But that is not the requirement of the Evidence Act. It was brought about

by a simple Practice Direction of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. I intend if I am elected and sworn in, I will have a meeting with all branch chairmen. We’ll come up with a menu of requests to the CJs and the chairmen will then go to the CJs in their respective states to implement these things.

Practical solutions If a CJ agrees, practice directions can be done in one month. I don’t have to travel to every branch to implement this. Why do I have to travel to every branch? The chairmen in these states represent the NBA. They are the ones will meet their state CJs. The best way is to sit down and brainstorm with them so they understand the formulation of the policy and are thereby properly equipped to implement same. You once said that you will declare a state of emergency in legal education. How do you intend to go about this? Since I was called to the Bar 27 years ago, I heard that standards are falling. Each year standards keep falling. I don’t like complaining, I believe in practical solutions. I asked myself, we have members in the Council of legal education and we must give them an NBA position for them to push for implementation at the Council. I intend to declare a state of emergency and I intend to involve those in academia, those who have a stake in legal education and we’ll sit down togethContinues on page 39

THE OPUTA I KNEW Page 39

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—39

Continues from page 38 er and examine all the issues in legal education. Beyond declaring a state of emergency, I also said ‘develop and put forward an NBA position.’ That is critical. Now, if we are teaching law students about Petroleum law, we have to get lecturers from Sciences to teach them about hydrocarbons. They have to understand the composition and content of petroleum. If you want to teach them business law, you must get someone from business admin and accounting to teach them the basics in that field. What I have learnt in my interaction with foreign lawyers during international Arbitrations is that when you are discussing with them, you wonder whether it’s an accountant that you are talking with or whether it’s a chemist. You hear them talking about Bonny Crude and they tell you ‘this one is heavier.’ So, I asked them, ‘were you an engineer before?’ they said ‘No. when we were being taught about Petroleum law now, they also taught us about petroleum.’ So, we need to go to Harvard, Oxford and some of the best schools in the world, get their course curriculum and ask ourselves, ‘which one of these do we intend to remodel in our curriculum after?’ it may seem utopian! It may be too high for us to achieve in one day, but lets us start from somewhere and determine where we want to go and the changes we want to put in place.

Position on legal education If the NBA comes up with a position on legal education, it should be asking ‘what are the criteria for employing lecturers at the law schools or the universities? We need to keep asking these questions. I am not an educationist, but what I know is that I employ lawyers and the quality of service they give to me is unacceptable. For some time I used to think they were lazy, but everybody can’t be lazy. They were sent to us ill-equipped. What I do currently is that I employ and train you for three months. If I see that there is promise, I keep

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor)

Many lawyers have been complaining that the NBA is losing focus as the voice of the masses and not taking position on national issues. How do you intend to restore the peoples’ confidence into the association? I have said this several times and I would like to repeat it again, that the challenges we have in the Augustine Alegeh SAN

We must address welfare of affected lawyers —Alegeh you. The only case where we let go is where we see that this person is totally lost. You have expressed concerns over lawyers in the North East whose practice has been adversely affected by activities of insurgents. Beyond what you have done to help them in your personal capacity, What do you intend to do to address these issues, if you become NBA president? Some things you do out of concern for your brother will touch you eventually. I once received a text message from a Magistrate in Gombe. I don’t know him personally, We were there to deliver speeches, but I said ‘we have colleagues next door whose professional lives are in shambles. What should we do for them?’ I launched that appeal fund on that day, and today people are rushing to add money to that appeal fund. I beleive I can still do more. Out of the five candidates contesting the NBA president, you are the only one fully endorsed by all the branches in the Midwest your forum. How did you manage to achieve this feat? You know we toil in vain, but for the Grace of the Lord. I take it as a blessing from God and I intend to do what I can. I am not the most Senior Advocate of Nigeria from the region. I am not the most politically active lawyer from the Midwest. Lawyers are known to object to almost everything, and it is very difficult to find such a large body of lawyers agreeing on one issue. It is all by the special Grace of God. Before this endorsement, they had been speaking to me. They convinced me to come into the race and I thank God that what they said to me in private they have been able to prove in public. But I have this to say, I decided to contest not because I was endorsed. Not because I thought I was going to be endorsed, but because I felt I have something positive to offer to the NBA. Also, I have a positive record of service to the association. I have a proven record of performance.

NBA is our structure. Let us take the issue of the National Conference for example. The NBA was offered only one slot and our President cried blue

heavens! Despite his cries, they insisted on only one slot. They also went ahead and published the name of the president as the person to take that one slot. He rejected it. But do you know that in the conference that was held during Obasanjo’s administration the NBA was given only one slot and nobody complained. So, times are different. At that time nobody complained, but now everybody is complaining. If elected I will not just criticise, I will give reasons for my criticisms and offer concrete suggestions and alternative proposals. If you galvanise all lawyers and they stand behind the President, that voice will be strong and it will be more respected by the Government. I commended Olisa Agbakoba SAN when he

won the case against the federal government on financial autonomy for the judiciary. There are insinuations that you are a government sponsored candidate, just like the outgoing NBA President, what do you think people have this impression about your candidacy? First, I want to say this. If our president was a Government candidate, why then did he boycott the national conference when the government refused to give the NBA more slots? That shows you clearly that the man is not a Government candidate. What further proof do you need? Here is a president who said ‘no, I am not going to be part of it if the NBA can’t have more than one slot.’ Let me state this clearly, personally I am not a card carrying member of any political party. I do not sit on the board of any government agency. Not at the state level and not at the federal level. I have stayed away. I have worked for Labour Party and I have worked for the PDP.

NBA ELECTION: FIDA members rally support for Adekoya

senior advocate and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Mrs. Funke Adekoya has decried the abduction of the Chibok girls. She noted, “There is no better metaphor for the dangers that women and children face than the Chibok abductions, a saga that threatens to revamp everything that we hold sacrosanct as a people.” Adekoya who spoke at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Lagos, noted that there could be a salutary feature in the Chibok saga, the leading lawyer said: “In all this however, a redeeming feature beckons on the horizon, namely our innate capacity to lend a helping hand to those in need. This passion to be our brother’s keeper was forcefully brought home to me in one of the marches for the Chibok girls of which I participated. Participation in the event cut across age, gender, ethnic and social class divisions.” This was coming as several jurists and associations have giv-

•Mrs. Funke Adekoya en Adekoya the green light to forge ahead with her quest to lead the lawyers’ body in the August, 2014 election. Leading the endorsements was respected jurist and presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Amina Augie who also spoke at the FIDA celebration. Others who also spoke at the occasion threw their weight behind Justice Augie, saying Adekoya has sterling qualities to lead

the Nigerian Bar to greater heights. They include the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa; former Country Vice President of FIDA Nigeria, Chief (Mrs.) Tessa Egbe Ikimi, and renowned broadcaster-turned-publisher and women’s rights advocate, Mrs. Adesuwa Onyenokwe. Meanwhile, the umbrella Igbo Lawyers’ union, Otu Oka-Iwu has equally vowed to support Adekoya in her presidential bid. Speaking through its spokesman, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), the highly influential Otu Oka-Iwu said it would give Adekoya its “maximum possible support.” Justice Augie said that ensuring the Adekoya is elected as the next NBA President should be a major project of FIDA and its members in the coming days, adding that Adekoya has the character to make positive impact on the association.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

BY THEO NKIRE

only came into close contact with the Honourable Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2009 when I did the book OPUTA ON FAIR HEARING. Until then, I had only known him by reputation (and from a distance) as the first Chief Judge of the old Imo State. However, as a young lawyer growing up in the profession in Aba in the early eighties, I remember my then Principal in chambers, the indomitable Anthony Shedrach Nwala, of Lincoln’s Inn, (in my estimation, one of the finest lawyers that ever lived) feeling ever so grateful that a distant relation of the great Judge had retained him to hold a watching brief over a small Magistrates Court matter in which the great man’s cousin was complainant. Just because that cousin bore the name, OPUTA, Mr. Nwala’s joy knew no bounds and he elected to serve pro bono. Such is the magic of the Oputa name! When I took the work (Oputa on Fair Hearing) to him, the great man then eighty-five, would not have me publish anything until he had read every word contained in the 263 page book and he indeed, took his time to read through over a five week period during which he from time to time invited me over for a chat over the work. It was indeed, during those sessions that I came to know the man, Oputa; his life and times, his humility and his deep Christian (catholic) faith; his love of country and his belief in the universality of man. Oputa was a man of impeccable character and great learning. More than anything else, his

THE OPUTA I KNEW

ING [a] painter in words, Oputa’s use of the written word as an art form is proverbial. His sentences are short, crisp and captivating. He knows how to pick the right words and set them down in time and space to the reader’s ultimate advantage. An accomplished craftsman, his use of language as a tool for communicating ideas leaves no one in doubt about his abilities. Art is the one thing he shares in common with his offspring. While the younger Oputa expresses his

Oputa stood head and shoulder above all other; bestrode his world like a colossus and shone like the morning star in the firmament

character was his greatest attribute for in my view, on issues of character, Oputa stood head and shoulder above all other; bestrode his world like a colossus and shone like the morning star in the firmament. It was my love of him and his work that led me to do the book OPUTA ON FAIR HEARING in his honour and to his eternal glory. In my introduction to that work wrote of Oputa and his character: [n]ever in his long career as a judge (a career spanning over two decades) was even a mere suspicion of impropriety ever cast on him (p.iii); and I can now add with no fear of contradiction: never in his long career as teacher, lawyer, judge, counselor, public advocate or private citizen was ever the slightest suspicion of impropriety cast on him. Commenting on Oputa’s command of language in 2009, I wrote at page (v) of the same work OPUTA ON FAIR HEAR-

art in song and dance, the older Oputa expresses his in word and language. Of course glamour is the one thing each Oputa brings to his art’. A peep into some of his judgments will bear me out. Introducing his concurring judgment in TUKUR v. GOVT. OF GONGOLA STATE [1989] 4 NWLR (Pt. 117) 517 Justice Oputa said: I have had the privilege of a preview in draft of the illuminating lead judgment just delivered by my noble Lord, and learned brother, Obaseki, JSC, and I agree entirely and completely with his arguments, his resolution of the various issues, and his final conclusion that the appellant’s appeal be dismissed and the respondent’s cross appeal be allowed. After he observed from the facts that though the cause of action arose from the old Gongola State the suit had been taken out in Kano, Justice Oputa wondered aloud why the choice of Kano. Hear him in his own words:

[f]rom the above facts, even before considering the Claim or Relief sought which normally should determine jurisdiction, one initial question recommends itself – Why go to Kano State to sue for a cause of action which arose in Gongola State? Writing the opinion of the Court in Olaniyan v. University of Lagos [1985] 2 NWLR (Pt. 9) 599 Justice Oputa said: The main issue, and in fact the only issue in this appeal is:- Were the contracts of service of the Appellants validly determined? The trial Court said No, the Court below says yes. Which Court is right? In OTAPO v. SUNMONU [1987] 2 NWLR (Pt. 58) 587 where the issue in controversy was the failure of the Court of Appeal to give the Appellant any hearing at all, Justice Oputa said: a better example of a denial of hearing let alone fair hearing can scarcely be found.

Flagrant violation According to the eminent jurist, Almighty God gave us two ears. So we have to hear both sides. To hear one side to a dispute and refuse to hear the other side is a flagrant violation of the principle of eternal justice. After observing that Professor Olatunbosun had not been invited to defend himself at the meeting of the Board of NISER at which the decision to terminate his appointment was taken, Justice Oputa resorted to the bible story of Adam and Eve and said: [t]hat no man is to be judged unheard was as old as creation, as old as Genesis and as old as the Garden of Eden. He reminded us that after

Adam and Eve sinned God did not condemn them unheard. According to His Lordship, it was only after God had heard them in their defence that: Almighty God proceeded to pass his sentence. He expects us to do the same. (See Olatunbosun v. NISER [1985] 3 NWLR (Pt. 80) 25) In Josiah v. State [1985]1 NWLR (Pt. 1) 125 Justice Oputa recalled (p. 96 OFH) that: When the Court indicated that it will allow the appeal and remit the case back for a “fair trial” and “a fair hearing” Mr. Rhodes appeared to resist this on the ground of double jeopardy. Commenting on Mr. Rhodes’ attitude on this issue, Justice Oputa said: [on] the merits of this case, Mr. Rhodes will be batting on a very slippery wicket. Stating that any order made acquitting and discharging the Appellant in that case would not be an order made in the interest of justice, Justice Oputa said among other things, that: ………..justice is not a one-way traffic. It is not justice for the appellant only. Justice is not even only a two-way traffic. It is really a three-way traffic – justice for the appellant accused of a heinous crime of murder; justice for the victim, the murdered man, the deceased, ‘whose blood is crying out to heaven for vengeance’ and finally justice for society at large – the society whose social norms and values had been desecrated and broken by the criminal act complained of.

Issue of sacrificing justice Further commenting on the issue of sacrificing justice at the alter of mercy in the case on appeal, Justice Oputa said: I will not attempt any such sacrifice, certainly not on the shrine of mercy. On the contrary they cry out eloquently, though silently, for the shattering strokes of retributive justice. (p. 97 OPH) Delivering the lead judgment in Adegoke Motors Ltd. v. Adesanya [1989] 13 NWLR (Pt.109) 250 at page 275A Justice Oputa considered the powers of the Supreme Court (as the final Court in the land) to review its earlier decisions and said: We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final. Justices of this Court are humanbeings, capable of erring. It will certainly be short sighted arrogance not to accept this obvious truth. It is also true that this Court can do inestimable good through its wise decisions. Similarly, the

Court can do incalculable harm through its mistakes. When therefore it appears to learned counsel that any decision of this Court has been given per incuriam, such counsel should have the boldness and courage to ask that such a decision be over-ruled. This Court has the power to overrule itself (and has done so in the past) for it gladly accepts that it is far better to admit an error than to persevere in error. On relating issues to the facts, Oputa repeated what he said in his judgment in Gani Fawehinmi v Nigerian Bar Association & ors. (No.2) (1989) 2 N.W.L.R. (Pt.105) 558 at page 650. “Our law is the law of the practitioner rather than the law of the philosopher. Decisions have drawn their inspiration and their strength from the very facts which framed the issues for decision. Once made, these decisions control future judgments of the Courts in like or similar cases. The facts of two cases must either be the same or at least similar before the decision in the earlier case can be used in a later case, and even there, merely as a guide-. What the earlier decision establishes is only a principle, not a rule. Rules operate in an all or nothing dimension. Principles do not. They merely incline decisions one way or the other. They form a principium or a starting point. Where one ultimately lands from that starting point will largely depend on the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case in hand.”

Greatest judge of our time Oputa was the greatest judge of our time. He loomed large among his peers. To the Honourable Mohammed Bello, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Oputa was the Cicero of the Supreme Court. To many of his contemporaries, he was the Socrates of our times. I call him our own Lord Denning. His work and the contributions he made to the development of our law and our profession will long outlive him. Oputa shall never die. He shall live forever; for even as he lies lifeless, he shall continue to live among us in his works and deeds. We shall always remember him as the one who lived and worked among us and died without blemish. Never in the history of Nigeria has one man brought so much joy and satisfaction to so many through his life and work. Oputa was the incorruptible judge. History shall never forget he was here. Posterity shall always remember. There can never be another Oputa. The template with which he was made has never been replicated. Nigeria may never see the likes of him in a long time to come. (Much of this tribute has been culled from the book: OPUTA ON FAIR HEARING). Theo Nkire is a former Attorney-General of Abia State.

V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY, JUNE 26 , 2014 —41

BAYELSA: Where the sea is still eating away the land! By VICTOR OLADOKUN

Being the fourth instalment of excerpts from “Appointment of A Chief Judge of a State in Nigeria My Experience and The Ascent of Pragmatism and Constitutionalism”contributed by Hon. Umezulike to Judicial Integrity Independence and Reforms: Essays in Honour of Hon. Justice M. L. Uwais (GCON) (CJN) BY JUSTICE INNOCENT UMEZULIKE

Y experience also evinced the triumph of the doctrine of separation of powers. The doctrine refers to the concept that each branch of our tripartite government has its own role and that no branch shall exercise the powers of the other two. Evidently, the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances of each branch over the other is a central feature, and a criteria safeguard of our constitutional democracy. If the N.J.C. is able to read the handwriting from the State Judicial Service Commission and respect the thinking of the Governor of the state on the matter, the succession exercise will never leave a bitter residue at the end of the day. Obviously, this is not a case for the superiority of the executive arm of government. The idea we are simply trying to put forward is that the various organs involved in the selection or succession exercise must not unnecessarily objectify a process which the constitution has clearly declared to be political. From the foregoing, the following suggestions emerge: •The State Judicial Service

ly a legal process, not political. Therefore judicial dependence should not be a cloak that could be thrown around a nominee at the very last minute, and when he may not have the opportunity to defend or explain himself before the NJC. The JSC should also weigh the character, fitness and intellectual competence of the nominees. This is because a Chief Judge must have noble concept of the office and use it to accomplish desirable results. He must also evince some intellectual, moral and philosophical leadership of the State Judiciary. •The NJC upon receipt of the nomination or recommendation from the JSC shall forward the names unedited to the Governor, “For his action please”. The governor in exercise of his powers under the Constitution will, therefore, appoint one out of the names sent. The point we are making is this. If NJC The honour of being a Chief a Judge of a State shall be reserved received list of three for only those who have legitimate judges from the JSC unclaim to distinction in character less there and learning are grave legal reasons Commission, JSC, must recomto the contrary, it must send the mend to NJC the judges for the list as received to the governor appointment after due consulwho then decides ultimately who tation with the Governor of the to appoint from the list. This is State. This approach is desirable the only way the N.J.C. can keep in many respects. It will ensure away from political conflagration that the person or persons evenand retain its awareness and tually recommended to the Govintegrity. ernor are acceptable to him. It •It is necessary to point out will save time and ensure that here that most decisions of the the three arms of government JSC and NJC filter into town operate not in conflict but in even before members rise from great complimentarity to one the meeting. Leaks are vey deanother. plorable and they activate petiHarmonious co-existence betion writers to go to town. And tween the Judiciary, the Executhese leaks diminish the integtive and the Legislature has no rity of the process. bearing whatsoever to judicial •From the list of three judges dependence or independence. sent to the Governor, it will be Obviously in the process of his absolute discretion to send judging, judges put aside their the name of one of the judges personal beliefs and dispositions to the House of Assembly for and decide what the law requires confirmation. If the House reand what the facts lead to. jects one, he would send the othThe articulate concern for proer as the case may be until contecting the interest of the court’s firmation is received. In similar decision making process strictimportant appointments at the

federal level, three names are usually sent to the President of Nigeria from which one of them get appointed. No agency of the Federal Government can or is capable of insisting that a particular person must be appointed by the President. This practice is trouble-free and that is what is envisaged in the appointment of the Chief Judge by the Governor of the state. In short, the argument when reduced to its last analysis comes to the fact that the appointment of a Chief Judge of a State is a political process and the role of the Governor is paramount and prevailing. •A judge with fundamental allegiance to law and judicial ethics even if appointed by his father or father-in-law cannot bend the law for him. •The honour of being a Chief Judge of a State shall be reserved for only those who have legitimate claim to distinction in character and learning, and or, to those whose temperament, character and administrative tendency best reflect judicial and personal commitment to excellence. In this regard any distinguished legal practitioner at the Bar or in academics who has evinced above attributes and who has been on the job for not less than twenty years could be appointed a Chief Judge or his State.

Roster of judges There is nothing in any law or in the text of the Constitution to suggest that the selection must be confined fairly closely to the roster of judges in the State. •We must also note, though obvious it may seem, that a judge rejected for the office of a Chief Judge today, could, if he rectified the deficiencies that denied him the position in the first, becomes a Chief Judge in future. That he or she is rejected now does not make him lose his life. He will not lose his Court. He could still go to the Court of Appeal and there begin a journey to the apex court. Finally, it is well to point out that the matter under evaluation may not be exhausted by any single perspective. Plural Perspective may be needed. We leave that to rejoinders and exponents of other views. We are also typically aware that in every lively legal discussion, contrary opinions must sporadically show their heads. But we insist that the views advanced above are valid, useful, practical, cogent and preferable.

Concluded

KNOW the Niger Delta pretty well. Between 1981 and 1982, as freshly minted University graduates, my cousin Bola Awosika Oyeleye, and friends - Barine L. D. Gbosi, Joseph Uduehi, and I, were all ‘itinerant’ evangelists’ in this area. With our newly acquired Victor and RCA projectors, gasoline generator, reels of Christian movies, and a bed sheet for a screen, we would bundle ourselves into engine powered canoes and make our way into the creeks to preach the Gospel. We were not always welcome, but for the most part, we happened to be the only major ‘entertainment’ gig in town. God blessed our feeble efforts in many a community. For decades, the Niger Delta has poured trillions of dollars into the coffers of Nigeria’s Federal Government. However, more than 50 years after the first crude oil explorations began here, Bayelsa is a sight to behold, and not for all the right reasons. Unlike its distant oil-rich Gulf cousin, Dubai (the world’s quintessential ’22nd Century’ hi-tech nation), Bayelsa and much of the Niger Delta remain squalid and poverty stricken wastelands. A land where the major highlight for a teeming population of unemployed youth and former militants is the monthly allocation of amnesty checks (cheques). A land where women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of manual labor, and where life expectancy is miserably low. My destination was Koluama, a small oil-rich fishing community that’s a three-hour speed boat ride from the capital city of Yenegoa. As you wind your way through the narrow mangrove and head toward the Atlantic Ocean, the frightening evidence of poverty assaults your senses every nautical mile of the way. It’s been more than 30 years since I’ve been back to the creeks of the Niger Delta. Sadly, time has stood still. Nothing much has changed. Electricity, pipe borne water, basic health services, good schools, and decent jobs, are almost non-existent. When I finally pulled up at Koluama, I was greeted by a wailing crowd. As I scrambled out of the boat, I wasn’t too sure that I had arrived at the most expeditious of times. Two young men with blood shot eyes and reeking of alcohol were the vanguard of my early morning welcome party. Very quickly, I was introduced to a young man who introduced himself as the ‘Chief Security Officer’, and shortly thereafter, I was brought to the community’s very articulate traditional ruler, Chief S.E. EdiMangi. I gathered that two days earlier, a late night tidal surge from the Atlantic had swept away more than a hundred metres of its tree dense coastline, and with it, families who were still missing. Brackish water from the Atlantic poured unimpeded into the KoluaEvery household in Koluama ma River. According has a story to tell. Of hopes to Chief Edi-Man- dashed and an uncertain future gi, ever since, many in the community have been too scared to sleep at night. It is no surprise that residents of this eco-rich mangrove have a tendency to see the crude oil beneath their feet as a curse, rather than a blessing. For more than 50 years, this sleepy community has borne the brunt of the environmental cost of crude oil extraction, oil spills, and gas explosions. With no real power to enforce the need for Ecological Impact Assessments, hapless residents literally fold their arms as oil companies such as Chevron, Shell, and Agip, conduct business with wanton impunity. Today, local livelihoods have pretty much been displaced, agriculture has been impeded, and health disorders have risen astronomically. I met Rebecca, a widow with six children to fend for. She proudly ushered me into her humble hut with a little furnace in the corner with which she dried smoked fish. Until recently, she had barely been able to survive. Thanks to a trawler net provided by the country’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, she said for the very first time, she had enough to feed her family and make a decent living. I also met Chris, a young college graduate who is committed to saving his community from ecocide, the ravages of the sea, and the impunity of oil companies. Every household in Koluama has a story to tell. Of hopes dashed and an uncertain future. As I left Koluama, I could not help but think that Bayelsa and the Niger Delta, lay bare what for decades has epitomised all that is wrong with the Nigerian State - corrupt, brutish, cynical, adrift, aloof, lacking systems that make for good governance and functional societies, and the absence of ideas or the political will with which to bring about real change. In short, the Niger Delta continues to be a modern day gold rush that makes El Dorado pale in comparison. An El Dorado, where might is right and where lip service is given to lifting the serf-like conditions of millions of rural poor who hope that ‘some day’ change will come. May God bless the people of Koluama, the Niger Delta, and may God bless Nigeria. •Dr. Victor Oladokun is a TV Broadcaster and Media Consultant

The Power to appoint Chief Justice lies finally with the Governor (4)

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY , JUNE 26, 2014

deputy with immediate effect. Getting Nyako to be served with the notice was, however, a drama. As the issue boiled, the governor relocated to Abuja making it difficult for him to be served with the notice. The clerk upon the directive of the House leadership rushed to a Yola High Court, with a sworn affidavit seeking the leave of the court to serve serve Nyako and Ngillari the impeachment notice through the media. Undeterred, members who were actually on recess reconvened to adopt the votes and proceedings of 18th June when the motion was received, making the impeachment motion a formality. Nyako, meanwhile was doing what he had been loath to do; that is to beg.

Nyako’s troubled times Atiku Abubakar and other Adamawa big men may have intervened to save Governor Murtala Nyako from impeachment, but lasting peace is still far away for the governor

AYBE it was the daring inhumanity in the attacks of the Boko Haram Islamic insurgents in the Northeast that pushed Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa to write two acidic memos on President Goodluck Jonathan alleged compliance to destroy the north. The first memo was addressed to the Northern States Governors Forum, (NSGF) in which he accused the presidency of lukewarm attitude towards the insurgency and the fallouts of such on the Northeast. Despite the nationwide outrage that followed the memo, mainly on the basis of the tone and inferences, Nyako was apparently undeterred as he made a follow-up on the memo even while he was away in the United States.

Subsisting rancour It is the belief of many that the two letters were directly related to the present moves to impeach Governor Murtala Nyako and his deputy. The angst of the presidency over the letter compounded the subsisting rancour that arose from the defection of the governor from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on which he was elected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Remarkably, while he was in PDP, Nyako was a good ally of President Jonathan as he even doubled as special adviser to the president on agriculture. However, the cordiality between the two men immediately soured once Alhaji Bamanga Tukur was made the nation-

al chairman of the PDP in March 2012. Some influential people of Adamawa extraction based in Abuja who before Tukur’s exit had murmured against the Nyako regime found their voice again as they rallied round Tukur to mount opposition to Nyako. Though their children are married to one another, the two men put their marital relationship aside as they fought one another to the hilt culminating in Nyako’s exit from the PDP to the APC and subsequently, Tukur’s exit from the office of national chairman. Remarkably, the Abuja friends of Tukur were pointed as the ringleaders of the impeachment notice that was served on Nyako and were allegedly conduits of the alleged financial largesse reportedly provided by a Niger Delta governor to push the impeachment. Nyako’s problems are, however, not just from outside the state. Even within the state his problems are Herculean as there are many within who are anxious to see his exit. At a point, the current state chairman of the PDP, Chief Joel Madaki openly declared that the days of Nyako’s government were numbered. Madaki made the declaration when he visited the state House of Assembly to declare his support for the impeachment move. Even before then, members of the House of Assembly had converged at the PDP state sec-

ISSUES •Nyako became governor with the help of Senator Jibril Aminu •He is virtually alone among the state’s prominent figures •His move to the APC came after his troubles with his in-law, Bamanga Tukur •Atiku Abubakar and other stakeholders have intervened to help him stop the impeachment •Atiku similarly intervened when Nyako sought re-election in 2011

Prominent persons

•Nyako: Faces a bleak future retariat to formally announce that the entire 25 members of the House had decided not to associate with Nyako in his APC. That should have been a warning for the governor. But he apparently brushed it aside.

The plot unfolds The legislators made deft political moves with the invitation of members o Nyako’s cabinet to appear before the house to give account of their stewardship. The invitations were hurriedly dispatched to the key ministries, boards and parastatals for their commissioners and chief executives to appear before the House, along with all their expenditures and bank accounts while in office. The public gallery witnessed mammoth crowd as the commissioners and chief executives of parastatals took turns to appear before the law makers with deeply probing questions. At a point, one of the female commissioners, who could not communicate very well in English almost collapse while undergoing interrogations. The quick intervention of some female lawmakers for the female commissioner to be discharged saved her from collapsing on that day as members of the public enjoying a

rare opportunity of seeing a big madam in pains made mockery of her with taunts. The probing questions of the commissioners inevitably led to the tabling of an impeachment motion against Governor Nyako and his deputy, Mr. Bala Ngilari. The addition of Ngilari in the impeachment notice was a surprise to many stakeholders, but not totally for his associates who have watched for years how he

BY UMAR YUSUF, YOLA

The governor in Abuja went on a circuit of some of the state’s most prominent persons pulling strings and where not, begging for mercy. One of those approached was Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president who continues to wield much influence in the state. For Atiku intervening to help Nyako was an issue. Though both of them left the PDP for the APC about the same time, intervening on behalf of Nyako was like a double-edged sword for some associates of the former vice-president as they recalled past acts of betrayals by Nyako of the Atiku camp. Meanwhile, what came as a succor for Nyako was the judgment of the state’s acting chief judge, Justice Ambrose Memadi who refused the application of the House for the pair of Nyako and Ngillari to be served

Some influential people of Adamawa extraction based in Abuja who before Tukur’s exit had murmured against the Nyako regime found their voice again as they rallied round Tukur to mount opposition to Nyako

and the speaker of the House of Assembly, Umaru Fintiri who are from the same place, have fought one another politically. The impeachment notice was formally tabled on June 18, 2014 at a session of the House presided over by Speaker Fintiri. The 20 count charge allegation of gross misconduct against Nyako and Ngillari was signed by 19 of the 25 members of the assembly. On being received, the House directed the clerk to serve the notice on the governor and his

through the media. “I hold that service of the notice of allegation against the respondents, (Nyako and Ngillari) must be personal service”, the Acting Chief Judge ruled. With Murtala Nyako and his deputy not available to be served personally with the impeachment notice, and Nyako making underground peace with his foes, it is not surprising that the impeachment process may be running out of steam.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—43

Governing Anambra is not as difficult as they say — Obiora Okonkwo DR. Obiora Okonkwo, political scientist and entrepreneur is the coordinator of Anambra State Good Governance Forum (ASGGOF) and leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, the apex socio cultural and political organization of Idemili in Anambra Central Senatorial District, which played crucial roles in the recent Anambra governorship election. In this interview, Okonkwo, who is Political and Economic adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha and founder, Nigeria – Belgium Business Forum (NBBF), spoke on burning national issues and Anambra politics among others. BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

OW would you analyse the readiness of Ndigbo ahead of the 2015 elections? There may not be a time a section can say they are prepared to grab power. We will always have competent men and women for even the office of president. But we should realize that political power is not served à la carte. The only power that is handed over without a fuss is the “power of attorney.” I am not scared about the readiness of Ndigbo to put up that fight for political power. But we must bear in mind that the contest is usually carried out within a context. As we look ahead to 2015, the question is

•Obiora : We endorsed power shift to Anambra North

whether Ndigbo can realistically go into the fight for any national position? Which position will that be? It is only when the position is identified that the readiness will be assessed within the dynamics. Such dynamics include the principles of rotation and power shift, regardless of the party. Anambra Central is the only place in the South-East where the APC has lawmakers in both the state House of Assembly and National Assembly. How would you assess the impact of APC representation especially in the National Assembly? The impact of Senator Chris

Ngige should go beyond Idemili and Anambra, knowing that he is a senator of the Federal Republic. So it is not easy assessing him in that context. But maybe expectations from his immediate constituency have not been met or maybe the expectations were too high and that is why the yearning for a change is beginning to reverberate. The people wish for a change in the House of Representatives for several reasons. Hon. Charles Odedo might have done well in certain areas but Idemili would wish for a change. We feel that we lost the opportunity to have credible representation and at a time stakeholders including myself met with him

on this score and he explained how it took him a long time to scale the hurdles of litigation in going to the House of Representatives to regain his mandate. He begged for an opportunity to return there for a second term and make amends. He was obliged. But the people collectively have raised the question of zoning his seat. The federal constituency, which he represents, is made up of two major councils and the other section from the North is saying it is their turn. I brokered that deal that he should return for a second term with the understanding that in the 2015 election, Idemili North should produce the candidate. And we believe that this is the issue the APC leader, Ngige was referring to when he said the man will not get the ticket because other people must be given a chance and this might be why he is now running back to

•Says Ngige may not return to Senate

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

He said: was shocked but at the same time extremely happy when I heard it. He has made a first in this country and history will never forget that gesture. His name will be in gold among decent, civilised politicians. People always think that politicians are a bunch of ruffians and they don’t know what they are doing. My feelings towards Gov. Fayemi; because I know him, I told him once that he was in a wrong party but I congratulate him for that magnanimity, that sense of decency, that uncommon courage.

MATURITY

As I have said several times, you know, if you look at pattern since 1999, the quality of people coming now to governance in House of Representatives, state assemblies and all that, •Bode George people are gradually maturing. They watch international television. The world is a global village now. The power you have is in that vote. If a governor comes to convince you that look I will do A, B,C,D for you, and he fails to do that; wait until the time of elections. So, we are maturing. Those who are talking about killing, maiming, roasting people, they have remained primitive people. This nation has gone beyond that. What

The governor, if well guarded and guided will discover that ruling Anambra is not as difficult as many people have been made to believe the PDP. I give Ngige credit for sticking to that understanding reached after very tough negotiations. On the role played by Nzuko Imeobi during last year’s governorship election in Anambra State a rallying point for politicians in the Anambra Central The organization is a grassroots movement, which is focused on enhancing the participation of the people of Idemili North and

I told Fayemi, he is in the wrong party – Bode George Governor Kayode Fayemi’s concession of victory to his opponent, Ayodele Fayose has continued to draw commendations from far and wide and even from normally hostile quarters. One of such normally hostile forces, Chief Olabode George, the erstwhile deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP asserts that Fayemi has made a gesture that history will not easily forget.

South, and beyond, in politics. In the last election, Nzuko Imeobi led the people of Idemili to understand that fairness, equity and justice should be the hallmark of our political development. For that reason, we endorsed power shift to Anambra North regardless of the fact that there were candidates from our zone in Anambra Central. We told the candidates that Anambra Central have had its fair share of political leadership at that level and for the sake of equity, it was time for things to change. The people listened and abided by that reality and in that election focused their attention on the candidates from the North in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives People Alliance (APGA). In the process of supporting the candidates from the North, we reminded them that we have a strong candidate in the APC (Ngige) and since APGA had not done much to attract total sympathy in the area, we were faced with a hard sell. How do we convince our people to vote APGA?

happened in Ekiti has propelled this nation among the G7 in the world. The civilised people; the way politics should be played, the way politics should be handled. It is not a matter of life and death but when you go through judicial rascality and whatever, manipulating the process, you disturb it. You saw what the Ekiti people did. I was there. Before we went to campaign, they said look, we didn’t get salaries both the teachers and civil servants for months. How? And the only industry is school fees. You increased school fees. What were they thinking? These are human beings. Not animals. So for me, it is a glorious ending and also a lesson. If you go to the people to ask them that I will manage the resources optimally for their benefit, you better make sure you do that otherwise you may not even serve out your term before they throw you out.

We said that having decided to give power shift a chance, we have already given PDP and APGA a 50 - 50 chance of winning. The PDP asked for only 25 per cent of the votes from the zone because they knew that they had performed woefully in the past. APGA has never had much success in the area too. In the end, we achieved what we planned. Votes were denied a candidate in our area and the PDP and APGA benefited. The APGA team, which had shown a commitment to change the old system benefited from our good faith and support. His assessment of Governor Willie Obiano’s performance so far Although it is still too early to make an assessment, I dare say that the signs we are seeing are promising and they indicate better things to come. If these indications are maintained, I think we might witness a major shift in focus. The governor, if well guarded and guided will discover that ruling Anambra is not as difficult as many people have been made to believe. Anambra is a state where we have people, whose business turnover could be higher than the monthly earnings of the government. They obviously don’t need the money from the government; they just want to be involved. In the past, communities in Anambra have built their roads, schools and hospitals and handed them over to the government. These are people who don’t know how to depend on government but if you alienate them, they will also alienate you.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Library Association honours Obi

MEETING: Chairman, North-East Regional Development Plan Committee, Alhaji A. K. Ahmad; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Abubakar Mohammad; Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen; former Minister of Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman and Alhaji Ali Kumo, after a meeting with the minister on emergency and socio-economic action plans for the insurgency-ridden region in Abuja, yesterday.

FG lists IoD as prerequisite for registration with FRC BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

HE Federal Government has listed membership of Institute of Directors Nigeria, IoD, as a condition for registration with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRC. This was made known by IoD President, Mrs Eniola Fadayomi, yesterday, at the institute’s 30th Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Fadayomi said: “As a prime leadership organisation that is nationally accepted as the custodian of corporate governance and business ethics in Nigeria, our efforts at promoting lifelong learning opportunities through professional development programmes have been vigorously intensified. “The Federal Government of Nigeria has listed IoD Nigeria as one of the professional organisations in which a director may belong as one of its prerequisites for registration with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRC.” Calling on companies and organisations to contact the institute in their search for independent directors, she stated that the Governing Council had approved the

Launch

IGITAL Reality Print Limited will launch an ultra-modern, purposebuilt print solutions, a onestop-shop facility, today in Lagos. A statement by Elsie Akin Adesola, the firm’s Group Head, said the new facility was in line with the company ’s promise to deliver superior quality concerning “everything within the space of printing.”

commencement of Registration of Independent Directors programme. She said: “This will enable us to create a comprehensive database of directors that are highly qualified in corporate governance, boardroom experience and effective business leadership from which to recommend companies. “We are also inviting interested companies and organisations to support this

initiative in their search for independent directors.” Fadayomi explained that IoD Nigeria had been in existence for over 30 years, and commended past leadership of the institute which gave rise to the successes recorded. Director General of IoD, Mr. Victor Banjo, noted that part of the institute’s objective was to help journalists get better in their job. He said: “Earlier this year, I was actually in Istanbul,

Turkey, at a workshop organised by the International Finance Corporation, IFC, and there, it was said his tool can enhance the capacity and capability of business reporters to actually go beyond just reporting the annual accounts.” He described the successes recorded by the institute in the last 30 years as a giant stride, stressing that its membership consisted of prominent Nigerians heading well known organisations.

S'Court judgment on Igbo inheritance tradition lauded BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—THE Supreme Court has received commendations for voiding the Igbo tradition and custom that barred females from becoming beneficiaries of family estate. The Anglican Bishop of Okigwe Diocese, Dr. Edward Osuegbu, made the commendation yesterday, while delivering his 110page Presidential Charge to the third session of the second synod of the Diocese at St. James Anglican Church, Okwe, Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State. Bishop Osuegbu said: “We cannot but rejoice with Igbo women who won the right to inherit a share of their parents’ estates, following the recent Supreme Court judgment, which voided the centuries-old Igbo tradition that barred females from becoming beneficiaries of family estate, especially in their towns and villages. “The Supreme Court judgment is a victory for gender equality in Nigeria. However, I foresee problems in implementing the judgment as the inheritance

custom is deep-rooted and likely to be resisted by men folk in traditional communities.” He appealed to Ndigbo to embrace the apex court judgment and respect the

provision of equality for men and women on inheritance issues. He said the judgment should become “a convention and the norm” in the spirit of fairness to the women and a springboard for the elimination of discrimination.

FG to streamline industrial relations practice BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday in Abuja, said it would streamline industrial relations practice in Nigeria in accordance with international best practices and standards, even as Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, put the government and employers on notice that it would not hesitate to shut the industry over exploitative employment policy. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, who spoke at the 4th Triennial National Delegates Conference of PENGASSAN holding in Abuja, disclosed that the Federal Government,

through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity was committed to ensuring the elimination of unfair labour practices. Chief Wogu said the ministry would reposition labour administration to ensure that the right of workers to belong to trade unions along industrial lines and the right to bargain collectively would be preserved and enthroned, saying this was the spirit of the core conventions of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, of which Nigeria is a member. Welcoming delegates and other guests, President of PENGASSAN, Mr. Babatunde Ogun, put the government and employers in the sector on notice that it would not hesitate to shut down the petroleum industry should the emerging employment policy in the sector be found to be exploitative.

HE Nigerian Library Association, NLA, has conferred its Golden Merit award on Mr. Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, for his conscious efforts at uplifting library services in Nigeria. According to Mr. Abdulsalami Rilwanu, NLA National President, the Association had wanted to present the award to Obi while in office as governor of Anambra State, but had to delay it due to Obi’s refusal and insistence that he preferred honour offered after one had left office. He said: “Before him, in both the old and new Anambra State, no governor visited or built any library since 1966, when the then Colonel C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu-Ojukwu built the Onitsha Library.” Speaking on the award, Mr. Peter Obi said he was both delighted and humbled to receive the award. He called on leaders to contribute to the resurrection of library culture as part of efforts to support book and reading culture for the good of the country.

Eatery repositions

ANTALIZERS Plc, an indigenous quick service restaurant chain, is repositioning for growth by focusing on new franchise system which involves introducing new outlet models, operational techniques and tools, retro-franchise existing stores and opening new franchise locations. A d d r e s s i n g shareholders at the company’s 16th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Dr. Jaiye Oyedotun, stated that the company will strive to make its outlets the preferred destination of choice by streamlining and improving its menu, introducing new products and improving outlet designs. He introduced Mr. Gbolahan Labinjo as a new addition to the board and praised Olumide Ale and Gabriel Ojesekhonba, who retired from the company, for their contributions.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014—45

Ogoni contractors vow to resist Shell over termination of jobs

Rep flays attacks on Amaechi BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

ORT HARCOURT— THE Oil Field Landlord Contractors Association of Nigeria, OFLCA, Ogoni branch, has vowed to resist a plan by Shell Petroleum Development Company to terminate their jobs by the end of June. The contractors said Shell had told them at a meeting that their services would no longer be needed after June 30, 2014. But the National President of OFLCA, Pastor James Bebe, said in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that Shell should think of other ways of resolving the issue with them rather than a mere threat to terminate their jobs. Pastor Bebe, who is also the Chairman of Ogoni Contractors, said no contractor will leave Shell facilities after June 30, because lands in Ogoni belong to individuals and not communities.

Nigerian widows cry out against discrimination BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—AS the world marks the International Widows Day, widows in Nigeria have joined their counterparts across the world in appealing for the stoppage of discriminatory practices against them. The widows made the call in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State during the International Widows Day celebration. The widows, drawn from across the local government areas of the state also sued for better treatment as well as equal treatment and protection and a stop to sexual abuses and exploitation. Executive Director of Afro Centre for Development, Peace and Justice, Mrs. Augusta Keneboh, at the programme organised by the Women for Peace and Security Network, Delta State chapter, said that "about 115 million widows are living within poverty line while about 81 million others are being physically abused."

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INAUGURATION: Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rivers State, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak; Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari and Administrative Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Rivers State, Mr. Evurulobi Chinedu, at the inauguration of National Inter-Agency Advisory Committee on voter education and publicity Rivers State, in Port Harcourt yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Group rejects demand for creation of new Delta State BY NEVILLE AMORIGHOYE

ARRI—ITSEKIRI Progress Club, IPC, has thrown its weight behind the position canvassed by Warri Study Group rejecting the demand for the creation of a new Delta State as contained in a seven-page memorandum submitted by the people and government of Delta State to the on-going national conference in Abuja. Chairman of IPC, Mr. Fred Ogbe, in a statement, said that they reject the creation of a new Delta State, which will include

lands in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of the state. Reiterating its demand for a Warri State as submitted earlier to the confab in the memorandum submitted in March 2014, the club called on the Ijaws in Delta State to stop beating war drums over Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project located in Itsekiri homeland and advised that the EPZ project should be seen as one that will bring development to the entire people in the Niger Delta

and Nigeria as a whole. “If we claim today that we are running a democracy, a system whose pillar is the rule of law, we advise our Ijaw brothers to tow the path of peace and see the EPZ project in Ogidigben as neither an Itsekiri nor an Ijaw project, but a Nigerian project that will transform the nation and bring development to the impoverished people of the Niger Delta. “Violence is un-progressive. We call on Mr. President to come forward and perform the groundbreaking ceremony to move the EPZ project forward,” it added.

INYC demands re-validation of Itsekiri Amnesty slots BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI—THE Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, has called for a screening exercise to identify the legitimacy of beneficiaries and the value of benefits accruing to the 500 slots allegedly ceded to Itsekiri youths under the Federal Government amnesty programme. INYC President, Mr. Esimaje Awani, in a statement in Warri, Delta State, noted that a review of the Itsekiri nation’s amnesty package had become imperative, following Warri Women Consultative Assembly’s petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, accusing some Itsekiri leaders of shortchanging Itsekiris over the amnesty programme. Awani said: “We are con-

vinced that the irregularities that had attended the enlisting of beneficiaries and the distribution of Itsekiri's share of amnesty funds would soon be made public and the masterminds exposed. “As the process to correct the irregularities gathers momentum, we are pleased to inform legitimate beneficiaries that they stand no risk of losing their opportunities." In the same vein, all illegitimate beneficiaries smuggled into the programme to shortchange the Itsekiri nation will be weeded out.” Awani called on “all legitimate Itsekiri beneficiaries of the amnesty programme to declare their credentials and bio data, including proof of indigeneship before the INYC in Warri to avoid

stoppage or delay in further payment of benefits of any kind to them under the programme.”

BUJA—A MEMBER representing Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Andrew Uchendu, has raised alarm over the spate of attacks on Rivers State governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, since he parted ways with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Uchendu, who addressed newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, chronicled all the unsavoury events in the last one year of how Governor Amaechi was either embarrassed or harassed by security operatives in the country. Giving a breakdown of the series of threats Amaechi received in the last one year, Uchendu said that in May 2013, Amaechi’s aircraft was impounded in Akure “for some strange reasons,” adding that same treatment was meted out on the governor on June 9, 2014 in Kano when Amaechi went to condole with the government over late Emir Ado Bayero’s demise. He said: “As if those two incidents were not enough threat, Governor Amaechi, on June 19, 2014, flew into Akure on his way to Ado-Ekiti, to attend the final rally of All Progressives Congress, APC. The aircraft landed and on his way to AdoEkiti, he was prevented by soldiers from driving into Ado-Ekiti. “To worsen matters, his aircraft was impounded and he was made to drive to Lagos from that point."

2015: Omo-Agege assures Deltans of democracy dividends BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—FORMER Secretary to Delta State Government, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, has visited the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, with assurance that he has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state. Speaking during a visit to the Adagbrasa country home of the President-General of UPU, Gen. Patrick Aziza

(rtd) in continuation of his consultation with stakeholders, Omo-Agege insisted that there was never a time the state governorship was zoned to any senatorial district or ethnic nationality. He said that aspirants from Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South contested the state governorship with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007 and 2011, adding that he was offering himself for the governorship position because of his passion for the entire people of the state.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

No new Chibok schoolgirl had escaped — POLICE

AIDUGURI—THE Police Command in Borno said yesterday that no new abducted student of Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok, had escaped from captivity. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that there were speculations that eight of the abducted school girls escaped from their captors. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Lawan Tanko, told newsmen in Maiduguri that the story was not true. “I want to state without fear of contradiction that I never confirmed the escape of eight of the abducted GGSS, Chibok girls. “I do not even know the author of the story,” he said. Tanko advised journalists to always cross check their facts before going to press.''

Retired police officers accuse pension managers of sharp practices BYDEMOLAAKINYEMI

LORIN—RETIRED police officers in the country have lambasted some of their pension managers over alleged unwholesome practices. The Kwara State chapter of the association made this known in a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Lasisi Akinlabi and Evang Umah, respectively in Ilorin, pointing out that the administrators had mismanaged their money severally. The association pointed out that it could not accept the 18-month notice the administrators are insisting on before handing off their management of the fund. The statement read, “The retired officers of the Nigeria Police in conjunction with other chapters nationwide agitated for the establishment of Special Pension scheme for the administration of the Police Pension Funds in line with what obtains in sister regimental establishments, and have sought to transfer to the scheme after the police authorities got it established.''

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Zamfara to sell off N24bn worth shares in NDPHC G

USAU—ZAMFARA State Government yesterday said it had resolved to sell off its shares worth N24 billion at the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC. The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim BirninMagaji, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Gusau. He said that the state govern-

ment’s decision to sell its share followed a resolution of the state’s Executive Council meeting held Monday. He explained that the amount realised from the mandatory deductions of the excess crude oil funds accrued to states and local government areas were invested in the NDPHC by the Federal Government. The commissioner said that

the amount covered a total of 19 million units of shares belonging to the state and its 14 local government areas. According to him, the state government will use part of the money to address the short fall in the statutory revenue allocation to the state from the Federation account. Birnin-Magaji said that part of the funds would be used in addressing the 2014 budget deficit as well as augment any other aspect of the budget.

VISIT: President Goodluck Jonathan exchanging pleasantries with the Patron, African Church Worldwide, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, while other dignitaries watched during an audience with the President at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Court of Appeal orders reinstatement of deposed Emir of Akko J

OS—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Jos, Plateau State has ordered the immediate reinstatement of the banished Emir of Akko in Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad. Presiding Justice Ridwan Abdullah, in the judgment, said government had no cogent reason for deposing the Emir and banishing him to Bauchi State in 2004. The court also dismissed an appeal filed by Alhaji Umaru Muhammad, who was appointed Emir of Akko after the deposition of Ahmad. The judge said the deposition was an infringement on the fundamental rights of the Emir as enshrined in the constitution and that the government did not state any reason for its action. He said that the appointment of another Emir by the government was null and void since there was no vacancy at the time. The court granted reliefs sought by Ahmad and declared his arrest, detention, banishment and exile to Bauchi State in 2004 unconstitutional, unlawful as well as null and void.

The court said the plaintiff should be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the office and ordered a perpetual injunction against the state government and all its officials from interfering with his liberty. It further ordered exemplary damages of N52 million to be paid to the deposed Emir for wrongful arrest, detention and exile to Bauchi state. It also ordered N10 million general

damages to be paid to the Emir. Ahmad had told the court that he was invited to a meeting by the Attorney-General and the Governor on that fateful day and was abducted after being served a letter informing him of his deposition. He said he was taken by security agents and dumped on the street of Bauchi and warned never to return to Gombe State. The Emir said he was paid stipend of N50,000 monthly for his upkeep, which was stopped when he sued the government.

He, however, said that the state government’s shares at the Mambila and Zungeru Hydro-Power Plants were intact and would not be affected by the resolution.

PDP group urges Fayose to work for the people

BUJA—THE GovernorElect of Ekii State, Chief Ayodele Fayose has been counselled to work assiduously for the welfare and happiness of the common people of the state, who voted him back to power because of what he did for them eight years ago. National Coordinator of the PDP Reloaded, Chief Richard Lamai, spoke in Abuja when Fayose called to thank him and his team for their immense contributions towards his emergence as the party’s flag bearer in the just concluded gubernatorial elections. Fayose had commended the party for their honest advice and guidance, which helped him to navigate the tortuous terrain in his quest to be re-elected the governor. Chief Lamai said it was easy to work with the governor-elect because the group saw in him a rare passion to serve his people and continue the developmental drive he instituted eight years ago before he was forcefully removed from office. “We were convinced that you possessed the necessary wherewithal, which the Peoples Democratic Party require to create the political inroad into the Southwest and the leadership of the party and President Goodluck Jonathan have been vindicated. ''Work for the common people who believe in you, let the whole region of Southwest know what the PDP has for them. Lead the revolution that will take the Southwest from the opposition to the mainstream politics. The way to do this is to work day and night for your people to appreciate what is good governance,” Chief Lamai said

Kaduna's 215 MW power plant to start generating electricity by December

ADUNA—VICE Presi dent Namadi Sambo has said that the 215 Mega Watts Power plant in Kaduna State would start generating electricity by December, this year. He said that has expressed satisfaction at the 84 percent completion level of work done on the plant. Sambo, who inspected the project at Kudendan Industrial area of Kaduna, said he had confirmed that the project had

reached about 84 percent completion. According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani, ‘’power will be generated’’ from the plant by the end of this year. “I want to assure all Nigerians that Mr. President is keeping with his transformation agenda and his promise to the people in Kaduna State and to the people in the northern part

of the country and that we are doing everything possible to transform this part of the country and ensure that power is provided to the industrial area of this part of Nigeria,” Sambo said. In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Phillip Aduda expressed satisfaction with the level of work done on the project, which he said on completion, would bring about more industrialisation and revamp the economy.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 47

We'll treat all pending bills with dispatch

Katsina sets up inter-faith c'ttee

—Benue House

AKURDI — THE Ma jority Leader, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Paul Biam, yesterday assured the public that the House would treat with dispatch, all pending bills and reports before it. Biam stated this in Makurdi while addressing assembly correspondents on the plans of the House as it resumed for the last legislative session. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the lawmakers had gone on recess on May 23 and reconvened on June 24. Biam said the bills and reports pending before the Assembly would be prioritised so that the very critical ones would be considered before others. He reiterated that both the bills and reports would be considered based on the order of importance and relevance to the Benue people. The majority leader said they included the Benue Traditional and Chieftaincy Reform Bill, the Board of Internal Revenue Service Bill and the Precedence Bill. He explained that the first two were initiated by the state government while the precedence bill was a private initiative of Mr Ianna Jato, a member representing KatsinaAla East constituency.

Nasarawa lawmakers urged to extend LG chairmen's tenure

AFIA— THE Emir of Toto in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, yesterday urged the state legislature to extend the tenure of local government chairmen in the state. Abdullahi, who is also the Ohemegi of Padan, made the call when he hosted the Chairman of Toto local government, Alhaji Mohammed Musa, in his palace. He said the tenure extension would allow them to execute more capital projects in their respective areas. He said: “As we are all aware, our role is to ensure peace, unity, progress and to advise the people and political leaders to initiate people-oriented projects in their communities. “I want to advise you and all the new local government chairmen in the state to be prudent you’re your resources and carry your people along."

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Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu receiving an award of recognition as the most dedicated, outstanding, innovation and productive Labour minister ever in Nigeria, from the President of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Babatunde Ogun.

ATTACKS: Plateau youths urge security agencies to stay alert J

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

OS —TO forestall further at tacks on Plateau communities, especially those bordering Kaduna State, youths from six local government areas of the state have appealed to security agencies, especially the Special Task Force, STF, to stay alert and step up efforts in stopping the incessant attacks by “unknown gunmen.” The youths also appeal to the agencies to protect young girls from harm which could jeopardize their future as mothers even as they urged their contemporaries in the state not to make themselves ready tools in the hand of politicians as the 2015 general elections approach. In a communique issued yesterday in Jos at the end of a sevenday peace camp, the ninth in the series organised by the Institute for Governance and Social Research, IGSR, the youths further tasked governments at all levels to create employment opportunities for them. According to the communique, “we are youths from Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, Bassa, Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas who attended the Youth Peace Camp at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills.

”While in camp, we have observed the issues which put us in disadvantaged position and we hereby resolve to stay as one because united we stand, divided we fall.” To address some of these issues, “we urge the government and relevant agencies to act urgently and save our future by creating employment opportunities for us

and encourage entrepreneurial spirit of the youths. ”Security agencies should do more to stop the attacks by unknown gunmen and bandits, protect young girls and children from harm and students especially those from tertiary institutions should desist from being ready tools for perpetration of violence in the state.”

PDP victory in Ekiti, positive development —Gov Ahmed BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

LORIN — GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has described the outcome of the Ekiti State gubernatorial election won by Mr Ayodele Fayose of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a positive development and an indication that democracy was on course in the country. Ahmed, whose party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, lost the election, stated this in his congratulatory message to the governor-elect, Fayose, on his success at the polls. He noted: “The fact that the election went peacefully and an in-

cumbent was defeated shows that Nigerians cherish democracy, especially when the atmosphere is condusive. "The political class should imbibe an enduring lesson of the Ekiti political experiment that elections can be conducted devoid of hooliganism and lack of respect for sanctity of life.” He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the APC candidate, Governor Kayode Fayemi, for his gallantry in defeat by accepting the wish of Ekiti people as well as the police and other security agencies for ensuring that the election was peaceful and largely free and fair.

Kaduna requires N50bn annually to fix primary education

ADUNA — THE Kaduna State Government, yesterday, said it required N50 billion annually to standardise and fix its primary education. The Commissioner for Education, Malam Ibrahim Ali, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, after a meeting with Principals from Northern Kaduna Senatorial District in Zaria. Ali said the money would not only

facilitate the standardisation of primary education in the state but it would also make it excellent among its contemporaries. According to him, it will enable the state build new classrooms, renovate dilapidated ones and adequately build the capacity of teachers, among other things. “In 2012/2013, the state government spent three billion naira to renovate some primary schools but if we want to put all our schools in order, we need about N50 bil-

lion annually. “I am assuring you that we have gone a long way in renovating many primary schools and building of new ones,” he assured. He, therefore, appealed to all to complement government efforts at improving the standard of education as government alone would not be able to shoulder all responsibilities in education.

ATSINA — The Katsina State Government has constituted an inter-faith committee as part of measures to ensure peaceful co-existence in the state. Speaking at its inauguration, yesterday in Katsina, Governor Ibrahim Shema said the committee would be chaired by Grand Khadi Isah Dodo (rtd). He said the committee was constituted to enhance understanding and cooperation between Muslims and Christians in the state. He said the committee was expected to liaise with security agencies, identify problems that could arise in the society and work towards finding a solution to them. The governor urged the committee to solicit the support of religious and traditional leaders,among other stakeholders in the state, to achieve its objective. Responding, Dodo assured the governor that the committee would do its best to ensure that peace prevailed in the state.

CUSPA holds debate

USTOMER Service Prac titioners Association, CUSPA, an independent assessment organisation, is holding a public debate on customer service improvement agenda today. CUSPA is dedicated to the development of customer experience management practices and has positioned itself to improve, manage, and maximize how organiations relate with their customers. President of CUSPA, Mrs. Uloma Umeano, said this year’s debate was the first of many to come as it was part of CUSPA's annual activity which will take place in the second quarter of every year. According to her, "The purpose of the debate is to get possible solutions to the issues surrounding the customer’s experience. This year’s debate is strategically planned to address the lack of service accountability by service providers. "Most organisations have woken up to the consciousness of customer service delivery which in itself is a great start to a process that is meant to delight every customer. However, being aware of customer experience is a far cry from 'doing' it. CUSPA is determined to ensure organisations are practising excellent service delivery. Hence this year’s debate topic: “What function in an organisation is responsible for the customer’s experience?”

48â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

VISIT: From left: Hon. Adebayo Adeyeye, Ekiti State Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, Chief Richard Lamai and Senator Ayo Arise, during a thank you visit to the National Coordinator of the PDP Reloaded,Chief Richard Lamai for the organisation's support in the last Saturday's gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, at the PDP's National Headquarters in Maitaima, Abuja.

VISIT: Leader of the team, Yefimenko Sergly (3rd left)and HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, Agbarakata II of Iggah (3rd right) and others, during the visit by investors from Ukraine to Igga Community in Uzo-Uwani L.G.A of Enugu State, to harness the possiblity of developing steel in the area.

LECTURE: Mrs. Harriet Ogbobine, guest speaker, addressing a cross section of students from select Secondary Schools in Lagos State, at the 2014 Pro-Life Lecture, organised by the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Maryland SubCouncil, Lagos..

PRESENTATION: President of Ijaw Youth Development Association, IYDA, Comrade Fiyebo Eperetei (10th L); Andrew Elijah, Chief of Staff, Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG (7th left) and other IYDA officials, during the presentation of free GCE forms to some students in Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Mr James Livimus, CEO, Yakason Global Best Ventures, Mr. Victor Omoregie, Corporate Affairs Manager, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Nero Ogheneovo, CEO, T-Shirt Factory Nigeria and Mrs. Grace Anyanyo of Favourable Standard Concept, during their visit to Vanguard Media Ltd, Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

VISIT: Mr Charles Gerald of Coporate Affairs Deprtment, Vaguard Media Ltd (left), addressing the pupils of Tresty School, Ijegun, Lagos State, during a visit to the Corporate Headquarters Vanguard Newspapers in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

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MEETING: From left: Dr. Tayo Bello, Chairman, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Yewande Adesina, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health and Dr. Gbolahan Asuni, Executive Secretary, HEFAMAA, during the 5th Stakeholders' meeting with all healthcare providers in Lagos by Lagos state ministry of health and HEFAMAA, in Alausa, Ikeja. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

VISIT: Mr. Charles Gerald of Coporate Affairs Deprtment, Vaguard Media Ltd (left), addressing the pupils of Fastrack International School, Festac Town, and their teachers, during the visit to the Corporate Headquarters of Vanguard Newspapers in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

PROMO: From left: Samson Udoh, Chidiebere Ningwe, Emmanuel Effiong, Ogbo Chukwuma,Nora Mba, Sunday Dike, James Maxwell, Segun Apata, Timothy Victor, Zakky Onyebuchi, Agaku Kelvin Terkaa, all winners of the Star's Trip To Brazil promo, at Don Antonio, Curitiba, Brazil.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D;49

BOMB BLAST AT EMAB PLAZA, ABUJA Scenes of the car bomb blast at EMAB Plaza, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida

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50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

— 51

Benefits of a Veg diet: Cholesterol – Safeguard promotes hand washing with soap the good, the bad, the ugly (2) BY GABRIEL OLAWALE H Hakeem Jimo’s H Ve ggie EART associations recommend all adults age 20 or older have their cholesterol checked every four to six years because high cholesterol can go unnoticed for too long. Total cholesterol scores are calculated by the following equation: HDL + LDL + 20 percent of your triglyceride level. A total cholesterol score of less than 180 mg/dL is considered optimal. With the so called "good’ cholesterol HDL, higher levels are better. The lower the HDL cholesterol level, the higher the risk for heart disease. LDL cholesterol, the bad one, clogs up the artery in form of plaque at the walls. Like in a traffic jam the blood circulation is not flowing optimal: blood pressure. The heart has to work harder: risk of heart diseases. A low LDL cholesterol level is considered good for your heart health. Smoking, obesity and being sedentary will result in lower HDL cholesterol levels. A diet high in saturated and trans fats raises LDL cholesterol such as fries and fried chicken, dairy ice-cream, beef, meals with whole milk, butter, and cheese like pizza, cheeseburger, creamy cakes and so on. Diet plays an important role in lowering your cholesterol. Here are foods that can lower

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Victory

veggienaija@gmail.com

ANDWASHING is one of the most important and easiest ways to prevent infectious disease. Proper hand washing with soap has proved to be the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhoea. Report from World Health Organisation had showed that hand hygiene practices led to reduction of infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria in health facilities.

Hand hygiene •Heart-friendly diet. your cholesterol level and protect your heart. The following foods contain soluble fibre, which reduces your LDL: oatmeal and other high fibre foods, beans and lentils, garlic and onions, avocados, fruit and vegetables containing vitamins C and E such as oranges, pineapple, grape fruit apples and pears. Also Extra Virgin Olive oil will lower your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol but leave your "good" (HDL) cholesterol

level untouched. Soluble fibre reduces the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Walnuts, almonds and other nuts help reduce blood cholesterol. Eat a handful of non-sugar and non-salt coated nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, some pine nuts and pistachios everyday. Although these foods provide many benefits, you need to make other changes to your diet and lifestyle.

When hand hygiene is complied with in health facilities from 60 per cent to 90 per cent, there can be a 24 per cent reduction in Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, acquisition. To help spread this message, Procter & Gamble, makers of Safeguard soap embarked on an enlightenment campaign to educate families on importance of hygiene through proper hand washing. The drive which centres on basic hygienic practices among families is

aimed at total family health. Speaking in Lekki, Lagos, during the “Family Fun Fair” drive to step up family fitness , Public Health Physician, Dr. Nkechi Olalere noted that respiratory infections like pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases have been found to cause about 25 per cent of death in children. “This is where hand washing comes in. Research has shown that just with hand washing the incidence of these diseases can be cut by 50 per cent. That is why the message of hand washing with soap is worth repeating.” Olalere, also known as “Dr Safeguard” disclosed that some times hands may appear to be clean but yet still carry germs because hands pick up microorganisms in a number of ways. Washing and drying hands properly can help prevent the spread of the organisms that cause these diseases. “That is why we call safeguard champion of family health because it is very important in promoting hygene and healthy living. After usage, if you don’t re-infect your self again it can stay there for the next 12 hours.” Brand Communications Manager, Procter and Gamble Ayotomiwa Ajewole re-affirmed commitment to exploring means of increasing the health quota in the home.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

WAS giving my husband oral sex the other day when I accidentally swallowed sperm. Are there any side effects to this? – Wunmi Wunmi you have nothing to worry about. Only infected semen can be harmful and cause ailments such as strep throat and tonsillitis. But if your husband has no diseases, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Semen is primarily made up of sugar and protein, so your digestive system will process it just like food – Uche My wife is three months pregnant. We have been trying to have a baby for many years and we had given up hope when my wife accidentally came across one of your columns where you recommended FertilAid supplement for infertility. She went and bought it and I started taking it. At first I thought it wasn’t going to work but I just kept taking it. This was around January this year. And just last week, my wife went to the hospital after missing her period for two months or so and she was told that she is pregnant. Thank you so much. You have no idea how you help people – Peter You are welcome Peter. That is great news. Register her for ante natal classes and make sure she takes her medicine and rests whenever she is advised to rest – Uche I am 59 years old and I have weak erection. I used to manage it but now penetration is impossible. Please what is the best drug for me? I have heard about all you do for people. Please I need your help too – Olakunle The best available erection enhancer at the moment is Rhino 5 Supplement. So you can try that. It belongs to a rare category of erection enhancers that give hard erections, stamina for multiple rounds, enlarges the penis in length and width, stops premature ejaculation and increases semen volume. Normally you need to buy three or four different products to achieve all that Rhino 5 does and one capsule of it works for up to one week Uche

My husband says I don’t show emotion during foreplay. I don’t know what to do. I can only say that I don’t always enjoy sex – Sherifat Don’t fake it if you don’t enjoy it but men need to know when their women are enjoying what they are doing. Your husband wants to pleasure you and only you can tell him when he is doing it right. So when you are enjoying the intercourse, make the usual noises. It is called verbal affirmation and it is your way of signaling satisfaction. Verbalizing the pleasure you feel also heightens sexual pleasure for both of you. But if you don’t enjoy it, don’t keep him in the dark. Let him know. Sometimes the lack of foreplay is what hinders women from sexual enjoyment. So if he is in a hurry and skips foreplay, slow him down and initiate foreplay by stimulating yourself until you are ready for the main act. That is where vibrators and orgasm gels play a part. But if none of these work, then you need a libido booster. I recommend the Pink Elevate Libido supplement for women – Uche I have a small penis and I will like to enlarge it but I don’t know if penis enlargement really works – Bulus Of course it works. The corpus carvenosa and corpus spongiosum are the two penile erectile tissues that expand when filled with blood to give men their erections. When these tissues are further expanded through enlargement to hold more blood, penis growth occurs. It is that simple. If you want a bigger penis, you can use reliable enlargement supplements such as Extenze Plus or Potent Developer Pump. But you must be patient. All forms of penis enlargement occur over months of consistent use - Uche The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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52—V anguard, THURSD AY, JUNE 26, 2014 52—Vanguard, THURSDA

BRIEFS Akinbade flays rumours of return to PDP

* Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola surrounded by supporters at Ikirun

Omisore wings will be cut – Aregbesola T HE APC candidate, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has blasted the PDP candidate, Senator Omisore of growing wings on account of the victory of the PDP in last weekend’s governorship election in Ekiti State. He said the wings will be cut by voters on Election Day, August 9. Asserting that Omisore was walking on a false confidence, he said Osun State was quite different from Ekiti saying that totally different parameters were at play in Osun. The governor spoke at the Reinhard Bonkke ground in Ikirun, Ifelodun-Boripe-Odo-Otin Federal constituency , during his

campaign tour of the area. “Osun is unlike Ekiti. Osun is a totally different political field which is certainly incomparable in whatever form to Ekiti state. Because of their ruse victory in Ekiti, the PDP candidate in Osun has now grown wings and fumbling about town that osun is the next for them to be captured. “If truly people will vote, and vote will count, the people of Osun will speak with one voice by voting massively for my re-election come August 9. We are not in any way perturbed. We will come out in flying colour because of what we have done and our relationship with the masses.”

The governor affirmed that Osun State had always stood out from the rest of the Southwest in its political permutations as he cited the last presidential election when Osun stood apart from other states in the Southwest in voting for the APC presidential candidate, Nuhu Ribadu. “Our next four years in office will shape the next 20years of Osun’s future, we have shown what we can do in just 37months and I can assure you that this is just a tip of the iceberg.” The governor told the crowd. Aregbesola said the boast of the PDP that they would lock down the state to achieve victory was only in the realm of imagination.”

No, Aregbesola is in a deep mess— Babatope

MEMBER of the Board of Trustees BoT of the PDP and former Minister for Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, yesterday at Okebode in Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State declared Governor Aregbesola to be “in a deep mess” following last Saturday ’s defeat of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State by Mr Ayodele Fayose of PDP. He noted that apart from the victory recorded in Ekiti during last Saturday’s gubernatorial poll, masses in Osun State were eager to dislodge the APC- led government in August. Bapatope’s assertion was quoted in a press statement issued by the director of media and strategy of Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation, Prince Diran Odeyemi yesterday. Babatope, who was part of the entourage of Senator Omisore yesterday said “Aregbesola is in trouble, he is in a deep mess as a result of the Ekiti election’s result. We have witnessed the demise of APC in the South West by the outcome of that poll”. The former minister called on the youths and other eligible voters not to be deterred by the alleged threats from some desperate politicians to use charms and

weapons during the poll, assuring that adequate protection would be provided by security agencies for the people’’. In his remark, Omisore, who

visited the palace of Obaloja of of Olokebode, Oba Ezekiel Adeniran Agunlejika disclosed that all the rights of traditional rulers in Osun State would be

I will put Osun into the NHIS— Omisore

DP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore has pledged to integrate the state into the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS and flayed the incumbent APC government for rejecting the scheme for political reasons. Omisore in a statement yesterday said integrating the state into the NHIS would be in line with his Rescue Mission and 8-point agenda. In a statement issued by the campaign’s director of media and strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, Omisore said Aregbesola refused to sign on to the scheme because of his revulsion for anything no matter how beneficial from the Federal Government. Omisore in the statement explained that the scheme will enhance the healthcare of indigenes after paying counterpart fund to the NHIS which will enable the Federal Government to pay the balance. According to the statement,

•Omisore selected Health Management Organizations (HMO) will be accredited to administer, the programme including the Rural Health Component. Maintaining that such a programme is the only way to provide adequate healthcare to the citizenry, Omisore said it would allow state hospitals to concentrate on secondary health care delivery whilst local government health centers and private hospitals can provide primary health care based on the insurance system.

ABOUR Party candidate, Fatai Akinbade has debunked rumours of his imminent return to the PDP saying jittery rivals were stoking the rumours because of their fears he would win the election. Akinbade has also dispelled speculations of his disqualification from the gubernatorial election, assuring that he would not only contest but would win the coming poll. In a statement by his director of media, Mr Kayode Oladeji, Akinbade affirmed that he was no longer a member of the PDP and would not rejoin the party, adding that the INEC has already cleared him to contest the election as the Labour Party candidate. “My opponents are threatened by my track record and acceptability among the people of the

state, especially the grassroots. They know that at the coming polls, I will beat them silly and that is why they are cooking all kinds of stories which can take them to nowhere.” He maintained that the people of the state were well informed and as such could not be deceived under whatever guise, stressing “I am the person the people of the state want and come August 9, this year, the dream of electing me as the governor of the state, shall be brought to fruition by the grace of God and the esteemed support of our people” The governorship hopeful who enjoined his supporters, admirers and the people of the state to disregard the rumours, assured that the state would not only heave a sigh of relieve but would witness an unprecedented turn around under his leadership.

I will project youths, Akinwusi, SDP candidate

HE governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi has stated that his administration will embark on full scale talent hunt for youths in the state if voted into power in the August 9, 2014 elections. Besides, he stated that parts of his agenda for the youths in the state are skill and entrepreneurship acquisitions for those who are ready to be employers of labour. Addressing over 50 members of Osun Youth Parliament who paid him a visit at the SDP Secretariat in Osogbo, Akinwusi explained that leaders of today cannot afford to abandon “our younger generation to solve their problems by themselves”. According to him, his interest for a better tomorrow led him into politics, saying he is passionate about Nigerian youths and “I have said it before that my government will give full job employment for our graduates and even grant unemployment stipends”. “We have also designed a programme where our government will embark on talent hunts for our gifted

sons and daughters in music, acting, sports and science and technology. “We want to raise new stars in artistic arts, sports and other areas of human endeavours. We need to plan for tomorrow and ensure that full potentials of our younger generations are utilized. “Also, as part of SDP manifesto, we want to ensure that willing youths will be fully sponsored in skill and entrepreneurship acquisitions. Enough of chop and chop politics or pay-as-you-go politics”, he stated. He called on indigenes of the state to free themselves and learn from Ekiti people who took their fate in their hand by voting for a candidate of their choice. Akinwusi explained that his party is set to win the forthcoming polls, saying “Ekiti election results shocked many people, but Osun election outcome will rattle the world”. Members of the Youth Parliament who asked the SDP candidate different questions expressed satisfaction with his response and promised their support for him in the August 9 polls.

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Ekwo: Niger Delta beyond Saro Wiwa BY UDUMA KALU

*Oluyomi Taiwo Osunfisan, explaining one of his paintings

My goal is to bridge gap in art appreciation -- Osunfisan

NYANG E. Ekwo’s The Fall of Silence can be described as one of the radical approaches used to advance the Nigerian environmental cause. It is indeed the new direction the environmental and human rights activities have taken to make change possible without violence, puncturing the style Ken Saro Wiwa, MEND etc. Unlike MEND though, Saro-Wiwa did not advocate violence but his actions led to violence which engulfed him. In this novel, there is no one mounting rostrums to showcase his oratory. Gone is the radical, violent speeches that lead to violence and death. No mass rally, no urge to cause violence but the same determined push that drives social activism in Nigeria rings through here. Perhaps, that is the message in the 335 page -novel: that social and environmental changes can be achieved without the worn and tired approaches which have often led to death and carnage in Nigeria’s human rights movement Readers can very well understand why Ekwo chooses the non violence approach to his radicalism. A judge of the federal The Fall of Silence; Inyang E. high court, Ekwo uses le- Ekwo; Jemie Books; Lagos; 2013; gal and boardroom means Pages: 335 to seek changes in society. This is quite understandable because lawyers understand er is the narrative style, a Dickthe law and know different way ensian prose. Here, the style is to bring change without violence. heavily narrative though the lanIn fact, great many nationalists guage arrests with its easy flow. and leaders have come from the This style agrees with his peacelaw profession, using legal ful revolution. But the question means to push for their cases. But that finally arises in the end is: did those lawyers really succeed Is it possible in Nigeria that the without the more violent and rad- state authorities will become unical angle? Was racial equality in derstanding? That it will approve America achieved without vio- easily the recommendations of its lence away from the Martin committees and embark on deLuther King’s peace movement? velopmental changes and comThis is the great debate that pensations? This is the utopian bestrides the two approaches. part of the story. In fact, the covBecause while the state contin- er picture is a lie to the character ues violently to stop changes, that leads the story of The fall... using instruments in its power, The novel is structured like a the peaceful agitator loses the ar- love story but swings in the next gument until a violent push chapter into a protest-from famimeets the reigning violence to ly, friends to community and create an equilibrium. That is the country.

that they already have a tool that they can use for their art”. Also, he says, “if painting alLUYOMI Taiwo Osunfisan is a veteran ways costs as much as N300, 000 to N100,000, painter using technology to make paint- how can the younger generation or the midings available to a broader spectrum of Nigeri- dle class afford to buy? ans. In a country where more than 58 percent of With stunning titles such as The Drunkard, the population live on less than a dollar daily The Spirit of Tao Solarin, Foamy Waves, among and only well-heeled individuals can afford others, Osunfisan, MD, Grafikat Advertising paintings, Mr. Osunfisan believes that he is Ltd, dazzles art lovers and art connoisseur in bridging the gap in art appreciation . But there his Lekki office/showroom. are those who believe that computer based The painter has for years practiced painting, paintings are not original. a skill which he developed personally, for over To them Mr. Osunfisan says, “painting with a decade before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello computers has advanced to the extent that University (ABU) for studies on the subject. when a work is completed, you get a perfect, What however makes him stand in the current finished job as if it was stamped on the canvas dispensation is his emphasis on innovation in even though the artist has not gone through art, quality and his unflinching commitment to the traditional four stages of colour mixing”. making art available to Nigerians. In his specific case most of what he offers “I believe that every room should be are age long paintings which he did in the beautified with a painting. It makes the room past. The process involves getting a good photograph of the old work, scanOsunfisan is using technology to make ning it and then enhancing it graphically with advanced his classic paintings accessible to a larger software built specifically to audience and at affordable prices handle such tasks. In the end, what comes out is an exact look better and the interesting thing is that it replica of the original. They are then framed does not necessarily have to be very expen- beautifully and can compete side by side with sive” he says, as he enthusiastically points out regular painting. The artist believes that the level of art the inspiration behind the complex stoke of colours which characterizes a painting hanging appreciation in Nigeria is low and needs to on the wall of his office. Through innovation rise, because art is part of what we are, and it in painting, he believes that his goal of beauti- is one of those things we should enjoy every day, he believes that “it should not be the fying every home and office is attainable. What Mr Osunfisan is doing differently is that exclusive preserve of the high and mighty. But how tasking is the art of painting with he is using technology to make his classic computers? The Septuagenarian explains that paintings accessible to a larger audience and an artist is always an artist, “both the at affordable prices. “Several years ago, I visited traditional methods of painting and doing it the United States and found that the use of with computers computer does not affect the originality of a a r e painting, in fact computers can be used to recumbersome” paint an existing work, and making it available what really to a wider audience.” matters is how Based on this discovery, Mr Osunfisan much effort you underwent training in the United States and put to perfect HE presentation of Professor Oyesoji gained mastery of the art of painting with what you do. Aremu’s book on policing and terrorism computers. He explains holds today at the University of Ibadan. AcThe outcome has been tremendous; “his new that “the output cording to the author, the publication of the from the commethod means that he can make copies of his book titled: ‘Policing and Terrorism’ will bring puter is duraold works and still retain the original copies, to 92 the number of book he had published. ble” and that is while the computer generated copies, which Dignitaries expected at the launch include; why he is even look exactly like the originals are made Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Vice more interested available for sale. He explains that “inspiring Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor in sharing it works can now be shared more easily and each Isaac Folorunso Adewole and a host of others. with those who painting can be produced at a cheaper rate According to the author “I canvass seriously a p p r e c i a t e while maintaining its original freshness”. for state policing. In America, United Kingg o o d Mr Osunfisan wishes to achieve two major dom and many European countries they have paintings. things: “I want the younger generation to know

PRISCA SAM-DURU

balance of terror that brings peace and a return to discourse, to peace. In fact, this is what makes Ekwo’s recommendation quite difficult. Though the novel is not devoid of violence, the author uses his protagonist- narrator, Udonne Mbana, a retired permanent secretary, in fact the first in his province, and one of the very few to acquire university education. Udonne is a recluse but a strategist who uses his deep knowledge of the civil service and the law to fight for his Enemese community. There are other forces at play in this very interesting and deep novel. The first thing that engages the read-

Prof. Aremu's book on Policing, Terrorism for launch today

state police. “In some countries, it is one police to two citizens. That is the ratio of effective policing. In such state, the police know the members of the society intimately, just as every person in that community knows one another and the police.” According to him, “The argument of the Nigerian government is that the state police will be hijacked by politicians and state government for their selfish interest.” However, without allowing the state police in the country, are not the politicians and state government still hijacking the police,” he queried.

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56—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

Trustfund urges contributors to monitor remittances WITH almost a decade of the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS), not a few retirees still attribute the challenges of the old non contributory scheme to the CPS. To allay such fears and enlighten its contributors, Trustfund Pensions organized a pre-retirement seminar for those enrolled with it. This edition of Pension & You is not just a report of the event but also one that enlightens all contributors. BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

HE pre-retirement semi nar for potential retirees enrolled with Trust Fund took off with an address by Regional Manager, Abuja North Central, Mr. Maurice Ogar, who said it had been observed that some employees still associate deficiencies of the old scheme (noncontributory) with the new contributory pension scheme. Ogar who said those fears are unfounded, explained that checks and balances, guidelines and the supervisory role of the National Pension Commission

Contributory scheme Mrs. Hellen Da-Souza, MD/CEO, Trustfund Pensions and Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, at an event in Abuja. duced to prevent fraud and other sharp practices. If there is any news of fraud at all, it has to do with the old scheme and not the new one.” Ogar also said payment of what is regarded as “low lump sum payment to retirees” is informed by the scheme’s infancy.

This is the best time for them to check and if there is any unremitted fund, they can find out what really happened so that the money can then be remitted (Pencom) have been put in place to prevent mismanagement and fraudulent practices in the contributory pension scheme. He explained that the contributory pension was introduced to completely wipe out challenges associated with the old scheme. Mr. Ogar noted: “10 years down the line, there are still many Nigerians who are confusing the old scheme with the new one. The massive difference that the contributory pension has made to the system is still lost on many. It is common these days to hear people still associating the fraud that bedeviled the old scheme with the new scheme. The new pension scheme is almost fraud proof because of the many checks and balances put in place by Pencom to ensure integrity of the scheme”. He emphasized: “The new pension scheme came up as a result of the challenges that the old scheme had”. To further assure Trustfund contributors, Mr. Ogar said: “In setting up the new scheme, so many safeguards were intro-

are retired all their contributions must be intact. So, this is the best time for them to check and if there is any unremitted fund, they can find out what really happened so that the money can then be remitted. Some enrollees also forget to update their records. Enrollees must update their records so that they can have their current RSA delivered to them. Also, many enrollees do not understand how important next-of-kin is in the whole set-up. There are some that got employed when they were single and they got married but then forgot to effect changes to their next-of-kin. The name of next-of-kin and phone numbers are very important. We have stressed the importance of that at this seminar.”

He said what retirees get at the point of exit is determined by what has been contributed within that period. In Mr. Ogar’s words, “I do not agree that retirees now earn less than under the old scheme. Where people are getting the issue wrong is that the new scheme

took effect from July 2004 and people who have put in many years into service will be able to contribute enough from 2004 to when they are retiring. As the scheme grows, the benefit will rise because there will be more people retiring under it with many years in service and will therefore be able to contribute for a long time in order to earn a substantial amount upon exit. The truth of the matter is that the scheme is more beneficial to people who were employed under the new scheme than people who spent most of their years under the old scheme.” He said the pre-retirement seminar organized for contributors by Trustfund is a fulfilment of the organization’s pledge for added value to contributors. Continuing, he said: “This

seminar is one of our value added services which we pledged to our customers. Our duty is to constantly remind them of what they should do before they retire and expose them to other opportunities existing outside paid employment.” On her part, Customer Relationship Manager, Mrs. Maha Longe, said the seminar is for contributors who have between six months and one year to retire. She explained that that the seminar was essentially to expose contributors to what they need to do to have a smooth transition into retirement. Her words: “Since they are still in service, we told them they have to monitor their Retirement Saving Account (RSA) and check properly to see if they have unremitted contributions because the law says once they

Educating enrollees on the what determines how much they receive when retire, Mrs. Longe said: “Many enrollees still believe that they are entitled to 50% of their RSA at the point of exit. Some insist on collecting all their contribution. Workers still believe erroneously that the defined scheme is better than the contributory scheme simply because of the amount they collect at the point of exit. Contributors get exactly what they contribute under the contributory scheme but a template determines how much is collected by contributors that Pencom designed. There are five variables involved in the computing of benefits. These variables include: total RSA balance, gender, date of birth, date of retirement, final salary. Contributors get between 25 and 50% depending on how much contributors have in their RSA balance”.

Nigeria to host world Pension summit BY ANOZIE EGOLE

ATIONAL Pension Commission, PenCom, has concluded plans to host the first World Pension Summit, WPS. It will take place in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. The WPS tagged, ‘Africa Special’ will bring together leading players from Africa’s pension industries, as well as key figures from across politics, business and finance to exchange expertise and increase international cooperation on the continent. A statement by the Acting

Director-General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu said: ''We are delighted to bring the World Pension Summit to Africa. A number of African nations are experiencing strong economic growth supported by the rising investment in natural resources and robust private consumption. As a result, the role of the pensions industry in providing a stable consumer savings vehicle for Africa’s growing middle classes, and the investment of capital from its pension funds, is of increasing significance.” “The summit will be an opportunity for the continent’s pension professionals to share blue-

prints and practices with the aim of further developing Africa’s pension market over the next decade,”. According to her, the summit would focus on key lessons learnt amongst African nations and would share global expertise on relevant topics and developments such as pensions administration and investment, risk management, regulatory essentials, technology, communication among others. In the same vain, Eric Eggink, Founder & Chairman of the World Pension Summit,said: “Africa’s growth story, particularly Nigeria as its largest economy, has been well

documented. But with such growth comes a responsibility, expectation and opportunity to leverage capital growth, using pension funds as an instrument for further economic and social development. “The Summit represents strong commitment to ensure sufficient pension provision across the continent, so that African workers reap the benefits of their countries’ successes with a future that is safeguarded in retirement. The World Pension Summit, ‘Africa Special’ will be held annually on the continent.

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58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

By CHINENYEH OZOR, Nsukka

OR several months, confusion and anxiety gripped the people of UzoUwani Local Government Area in Enugu State following incessant robbery attacks along the only major highway linking the agriculturally-rich area with other towns. At the last count, no fewer than five lives have been lost in daylight robbery attacks by bandits who were usually armed with sophisticated weapons. During one of the attacks which took place last month at Nkpunator community in the area, a middle-aged driver attached to the state transport company, Entraco, was killed by heavily armed gunmen that waylaid him on the expressway. The driver who plies the Nkpologwu-Nsukka route was identified simply as Isaac. He allegedly met his death while conveying passengers to Nsukka. Unknown to him, armed robbers had taken over the major road linking Nkpologwu, Opanda, Adani and Umulokpa headquarters of the local government, robbing unsuspected travelers of their valuables and cash. Death of driver Crime Alert gathered that as soon as the driver discovered a road block mounted by men of the underworld, he immediately put the car in reverse, not knowing that the robbers were in two groups, one ahead of him and the other behind. They hemmed him in and shot him dead instantly. The death of the driver heightened tension in the community as youths in their hundreds trooped out for a showdown with the Police in the area, accusing them of not checking the excesses of Fulani herdsmen whom they alleged carry out the attacks regularly. Attack on wedding guests

•Uzo-Uwani LG Boss, Cornel Onwubuya

Insecurity: LG, on war path in •One of the victims, Friday Ugwu still in hospital vealed that based on these attacks, the local government chairman, Cornell Onwubuya, engaged the services of local vigilante groups to patrol the road,an effort aimed at curbing the excesses of the hoodlums. Unfortunately,he could not maintain their services which compelled them to disband. They were reportedly paid a paltry sum of N5,000 just once, after which they were left to fend for themselves. They were also operating without necessary tools like torchlights and other security gadgets needed to in such situations. As soon as they were off the road, hell was let loose. All manner of

The highway connecting Adani-Nsukka where traders from Benue and Kogi ply regularly has made armed robbers find the place a fertile area to operate

To worsen the already volatile situation, few days later, another robbery attack was carried out, leading to the brutal murder of another indigene of the area. This time around, armed men intercepted a commuter bus loaded with passengers travelling to attend a wedding ceremony along Nkpologwu-Aku axis, robbed them of cash and valuables and took one of them whose identity was not known into the bush where his dead body was discovered few hours later. Genesis: Investigations re-

•Enugu-CP, A

crimes ranging from rape, kidnap, robbery attacks etc, resurfaced. Area Commander to the rescue Crime Alert also gathered that it took the intervention of Nsukka Police Area Command to dislodge the armed robbers after some unsuspecting victims were killed. To compound the matter, Adani police station which is few kilometers away from the scene of the killings allegedly complained of lack of vehicles to patrol with. The Area Commander, Musa Haladu, (ACP),

however, came to the rescue by drafting a crack team to patrol the areas and tackle the hoodlums. He also met with the local government boss with a view to beefing up security in the area but unfortunately, his efforts did not yield commensurate results as the robbery attacks continued on the expressway.

Angry youths react Based on this development, angry youths from Abbi Community in the area took the law into heir hands by destroying properties worth millions naira belonging to one of their prominent sons who erected a Police post at the boundary between Nrobo and their community. The youths alleged that the man that built the post had ulterior motives. All efforts by the vice-chairman of the local government Maxwell Odekpe, who hails from the community and his father who also is the traditional ruler of the community to pacify the irate youths fell on deaf ears. The chairman of the council washed his hands off the development, saying that those involved in the destruction of someone’s property should face the wrath of the law. The matter is still pending at Zone 9 Police Command in Umuahia, Abia State where both the traditional ruler and three others including the vice-chair-

man reportedly made statements. Stakeholders meet Crime Alert gathered that the visibly disturbed local government boss, Cornell Onwubuya reacted sharply by summoning a meeting of all stakeholders on the security of the area. During the meeting which took place at the local government headquarters in Umulokpa, the council boss reportedly lampooned the police at Adani which he accused of not helping matters along NsukkaAdani expressway in the area. He noted that the area has in the recent past been nearly overrun by Fulani herdsmen and armed robbers who carried out attacks almost on weekly basis, pointing out that the security of life and property remains paramount as the situation along Adani-Nsukka expressway has gone beyond imagination.

Beyond imagination He also assured that the council has reinforced Police assisted neighborhood watch in the area to patrol the road day and night under the direct supervision of his office. He noted that the measures put in place was to restore security in the local government area, attributing the high rate of crime to the volatile nature of the area which he said serves as gateway to Benue and Kogi states for traders who ply the road on daily basis in convoy. S.O.S to the Federal government: “Uzo-Uwani is a vast area, we have Fulani and armed

robbery problems. The highway connecting Adani to Nsukka where traders from Benue and Kogi ply regularly has attracted armed robbers, who find the place a fertile area to operate. The deplorable nature of the highway further give criminals impetus to operate and I am using this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to come to our aid by rehabilitating the road. We need Federal Government to intervene to help reconstruct Adani-Nsukka highway and to also deploy military men and heavily armed policemen to the highway in conjunction with the local vigilante. This will help control activities of hoodlums along the road.”

Police accused He stressed that the area serves as a gateway to Anambra, Benue and Kogi states. “The council has not enjoyed much-desired Police cooperation whose obligation is to safeguard lives and property of residents, despite huge investment of the council on security agencies at Adani and Umulokpa divisions. The police have not done much to bring crime along the highway under control; we are aware that the policemen posted to the highway were not doing enough to nip the situation in the bud as they fail to patrol the road but only stay at spots where they cannot repel the hoodlums and blame their inefficiency on lack of enough Continues on pages 59

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 59

How we steal loaded trucks in Lagos — GANG LEADER T

Adamu-Mohammed

Police Enugu Continues from pages 58

fuel and spare tire, yet the council maintains each of the divisions in the area monthly. “The police have not justified the huge investment of the council on them but I promise to continue to collaborate with them to find other ways to beef up security in the area. The council recently donated a new Hilux van, we also built the Police a barracks with 8 flats and a befitting station to enhance their operations which was the reason why Security Watch Africa gave us an award last December in South Africa as the most security-conscious council in the country.

No going back The council will not relent in collaborating with the police. Right now, we are in talks with the Police Area Commander to work out other strategies that will help bring an end to highway robbery. “I am prepared to take over the running of the neighbourhood watch for effective co-ordination and I will also embark on an advocacy workshop to tell the people how they should protect themselves from hoodlums. “The neighborhood watch will have to be reconstituted for efficiency, and logistics provided to enhance their operations. Anyone who sabotage their efforts will be handled accordingly. We know what to do to cub the menace of insecurity, right now we have mapped out six units, flashpoints, strategic areas to post security men along the road.”

HESE are not the best of times for a notorious gang of bandits who specialize in stealing trucks from their parks in Lagos State, following their arrest by operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja. Crime Alert gathered that the eightman gang which was formed three years ago, has stolen over 15 trucks from various locations in the state before they were arrested. Clampdown Sources at the State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, had ordered a clampdown on the bandits following increased complaints on their activities. A source who spoke to Crime Alert on the condition of anonymity, stated that the bandits later met their waterloo when they stole a truck loaded with tires valued at N11 million from a warehouse on Happy Home Street, Kirikiri Town. The source added that owners of the truck reported the theft to Manko who swiftly directed the officer in charge of SARS, SP Abba Kyari, to hunt for the bandits.

Identities of gang members In the process, a member of the gang, one Gusoika Chika, was arrested at a popular hotel along Kirikiri Road and while he was being interrogated, he confessed to the crime and also gave the identities of members of his gang as Okechukwu Ukwenu, Azeez Usman, Ifeanyi Mba, Oriyomi Rasheed, Martins Ogunche and Michael Mba, while he identified one Chidera Arinze , 32, a.k.a. Chairman, as leader of their gang. Chika also told the police that Arinze usually financed their operations and he offered to assist the police in apprehending him. Police decoy The source stated further that, Chika then called Arinze on the phone and told him that he has a job for him. Arinze quickly came to the spot where they agreed to meet, not knowing that the police was on ground and he was arrested. According to the source: “After we apprehended Arinze, he told us that he sold the truck to one Alhaji Sudan, who is based in Shagamu and he also led us in arresting all members of his gang,” the source stated. How the bubble burst Meanwhile, when

Crime Alert interviewed the suspects; Arinze the leader stated that he started stealing at Tin-Can Island Port, when he was working as a labourer for one of the companies operating at the port. “I went into full time robbery after I lost my job at Grimaldi Shipping Company Apapa, but while I was there, I use to steal vehicle spare parts from imported vehicles and I would sell them to one Alhaji Ibrahim, Master and Alhaji Sudan, and they usually come from Shagamu. Pressure from Alhaji “While I was doing that, I got caught and was sacked. I then went to Berger Suya on Kirikiri Road and started hustling with some spare parts dealers, but Alhaji Sudan would not allow me rest. He kept calling me and was asking if I had goods for him to buy. At a point, he

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

truck owners as they parked the trucks and at night, I would lead my boys to steal the truck. People around don’t usually suspect our activities because they thought we were the owners. After stealing the truck, we would then drive it down to Shagamu and hand it over to Alhaji Sudan. He paid me N1.5million on the first operation and he started reducing it on my subsequent deliveries. Change in tactics “I stole seven more trucks from Tin Can Island, before I decided to change my tactics. I changed my style because people at Tin Can became increasingly suspicious of our operations. We then started patrolling around Lagos looking for trucks parked carelessly on the road. We stole a truck at Ajao Estate

I discovered that most of the trucks are usually parked along the road after it has being cleared from the port and the owners would remove the batteries from it before parking

told me that he was interested in buying trucks if I had any. He also offered to pay me as much as N2million if I could get him a truck. Because I was very broke and unemployed, I gave the offer a thought and I decided to look for trucks. Everyday, I would go to Tin Can Island Port where I worked, scouting for Tokunbo trucks. How we steal trucks “I discovered that most of the trucks are usually parked along the road after they have been cleared from the port and the owners would remove the batteries from it before parking. I started by recruiting Azeez, Rasheed and Ifeanyi to work for me. I also bought two big vehicle batteries on credit from a man who sells battery at Berger Suya and 100 litres of diesel from one of my friends in the same area. I would then monitor the

•Suspected members of the gang

area, Agbara, Ojuelegba, Second Rainbow Bus Stop and Ijesha Bus Stop. We sold all these trucks to Alhaji Sudan. But before I was arrested, I got a call from Chika who is also one of my boys but he works at a warehouse on Happy Home Street, KirirKiri Town, as an off loader, that a truck carrying tires was parked carelessly outside their company and I led my boys to that place and we stole the truck. We took the truck to Alhaji Sudan but we sold off the tires to ready buyers who came from several parts of the country. I made over N7 million from that operation and I gave N2 million to my boys and kept the rest. After that job, I didn’t know that the Police were at the place and they arrested me. I have led them in recovering some of the trucks and tires and also,in arresting other members of my gang.”

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 58

Images from Eagles/ Argentina match

KEEPER TO THE RESCUE: Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama jumps to make a save in the match against Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre. Argentina won 3-2. PHOTOS: AFP

JOYOUS: Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa (top) celebrates with captain Joseph Yobo after scoring yesterday. HEADER: Argentina's Ezequiel Garay (L) and Marcos Rojo (R) challenge Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie for the ball in Porto Alegre .

CELEBRATION: Nigeria's forward Ahmed Musa (R) celebrates his goal with teammates in Porto Alegre . AFP PHOTO

CONTEST: Argentina's Ezequiel Garay (L) and Marcos Rojo (R) contest for the ball with Peter Odemwingie at the Beira-Rio Stadium.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 — 61

Babatunde out of World Cup I

T is not the best of news for a Nigerian team that zoomed into the second round of the World Cup with France as their next opposition. One of the new kids on the block, Babatunde Michael has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the World Cup due to injury. Babatunde’s hand inadvertently blocked the ferocious shot of Ogenyi Onazi which was goal-bound and it

twisted his arm. Stephen Keshi confirmed in a post match that the player was going for surgery and may not be lucky to feature in Nigeria’s remaining

matches of the Brazil World Cup. ‘’It is sad that we may not see him play again in the World Cup. He is going for surgery. It is bad”, Keshi said, agonizingly.

Musa: I’m on top of the World

Eagles

C M Y K

Continues from BP Beira Rio, Porto Alegre. Any Brazilian asked who, between Nigeria and Argentina, he will easily say Nigeria. The rivalry between Argentina and Brazil is bitter and has been on for long. Brazilians would always be happy to see Argentina fall and vice versa. And Brazilians wished the Eagles well yesterday. But they were very few in the stadium. Argentines took over the stadium. They sang, danced and cheered. Their cheers were deafening. It was simply amazing. Eagles had to be strong to survive the play of the Argentines and the overwhelming crowd. That their team had won two matches and qualified did not matter to them. What mattered was victory. Stephen Keshi had lined out the same team that started the match against Bosnia, respecting the saying that you don’t change a winning team. The game started with Argentina showing no sign of relaxation as a team that had already won two matches and qualified. Inspired by the charged atmosphere, they charged on the Eagles and scored in the third minute. Ambrsoe Efe was missing in his right back position after running forward. Angel Di Maria exploited the space Efe provided him and ran deep before hitting a shot that Vincent Enyeama parried. It hit the post and the rebound Lionel Messi clinically finished up. The Argentines were

Keshi

still celebrating the goal when Michael Babatunde ran deed and provided a pass to the left for Ahmed Musa who cut in and curved the ball into the net for Nigeria’s equaliser. Eagles thereafter enjoyed some reprieve but Argentina continued to push forward, creating chances and taking shots that harassed the Eagles defence. Enyeama had to save two long range shots and showed how reliable he could be. But Argentina appeared to be capitalising on the slow game John Obi Mikel was playing in the midfield. Gonzalo Higuain, Federico Fernandez, Sergio Aguero with Messi kept on attacking and outplaying Mikel, Onazi and Babatunde in the midfield. Osaze was forced to be dropping deep and was doing a good job. Shortly after Enyama parried into corner a curling Messi’s free kick, It did not dawn on the Eagles that they needed to avoid fouls deep in their half. Another foul and another free kick followed. Messi was this time merciless. He curled the ball into the same corner Enyeama had saved but the Nigerian keeper had no answer this time. The goal pained the Nigerians in the stadium who were becoming confident that the Eagles could hold Argentina. It was in the stoppage time of the first half. Even the fans of Argentina were no longer as loud as they were in the beginning. Although Eagles were

more under pressure, they seemed to be surviving, putting more than many had expected. They impressed to a reasonable extent. As the Eagles moved into the dressing room, the news that Bosnia were leading 1-0 against Iran was pacifying. And Ahmed Musa equalised superbly on resumption of the second half. But Argentines know how to make use of set pieces. Marcos Rojo flicked in a corner when Eagles defenders lost a

OT only did he score two goals in a match in the World Cup, he also scored what has become Nigeria’s fastest goal in the country’s World Cup history, and also against a crack Argentinian team.

Ahmed Musa said he felt on top of the World yesterday scoring two goals in a match sharing the spoils with world’s most dreaded player, Messi. ‘’I feel so happy scoring two goals against a Messiinspired team.

little concentration. It all happened within ten minutes of the second half. Ricardo Alveres came in for Messi and Okechukwu Uchegbu came in for injured Babatunde in the 65th minute. It was at this stage that Bosnia scored the second goal against Iran and Tijani Ahmed, a Nigerian journalist roared “ we are in the second round and Eagles needed a tough match like this to prepare them for the second

round.” Uche Nwofor came in for Osaze Odemwingie and there were audible grumbles among Nigerian journalists, who felt that Osaze was having a good game. As at 84th it was 3-1 for Bosnia and Nigeria were coasting home for a second round were they would face France, a strong team but which are beatable. The Nigerian team here have shown that they can still go further.

Continues from BP second round of the World Cup, saying that Nigeria gave Argentina too much respect. ‘’I think that we gave Argentina too much respect in the first half. That is why we played deep not trying to concede goals. It is not in our character to play defensive game. We are known for attacking football like Argentina. But that changed in the second half and we took control of the game and the possession. I think that the game was good with my players improving in all games.

...Jubiter Continues from BP second behind Argentina and moved into the second round to face France. Asked if his team played against Argentina or Messi, he laughed and said; ‘’Messi is a blessing to football. You can’t take it away from him. There are other talented players in the Argentine team but I think that Messi is from another planet. Messi is from Jupiter ”, he said causing an uproar of laughter from the media.

62—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014

C M Y K

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C M Y K

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 Today's Matches Portugal USA Korea Republis Algeria Nigeria Bosnia

vs Ghana vs Germany vs Belgium vs Russia Results 2 Argentina 3 Iran

5 pm 5 pm 9 pm 9pm 3 1