YOBE MASSACRE: How my mates were killed - Survivor

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62089

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Court declines to reinstate Sanusi

YOBE MASSACRE:

What we did with Abacha loot 8

9

We must use confab to build new Nigeria — GEJ

How my mates were killed — Survivor — Okonjo-Iweala

7

BY SAM EYOBOKA, HENRY UMORU, BALA AJIYA & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

•I was shot while sleeping, he says •Thousands of Nigerians flee to Niger Republic •Senate orders COAS to relocate to Maiduguri

D

AMATURU—“I WAS shot on my left leg, while I was sleeping. When I woke up, I could not walk and was later taken to the girls hostel where the insurgents gathered us with the female students. They selected some of the female students and went away with them, while they left some of us groaning

Continues on page 5

•P.25

COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17

Josef•P.19 Omorotionmwan

Mr & Mrs

A survivor of the Yobe massacre. Courtesy: Sahara Reporters.

SWF to finance 2nd Niger What I expect of my Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Road successor— Fashola 8

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2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON and use them as bases.

“We are trying to handle the situation and stop any act that could hurt our security,” he said.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, country representative in Niger, Karl Steinacker, said Niamey was particularly worried because most of the refugees came from the Kanuri ethnic group, a stronghold of Boko Haram.

“The authorities are worried the Nigerian insurgency might spill over into Niger,” he said.

Meanwhile, condemnations have continued to trail the massacre of the students.

FOUNDATION—From

left: Prof. Jerry Gana, Pro-Chancellor and chairman, University of Lagos Governing Council; Prof. Rahmon Bello, Vice chancellor; Dr. Mark John Nwabiela, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, representing the minister; Dame Patience Jonathan, laying the foundation of female hostel complex and Prof. Chukwuma Nwosu, Chairman, fund rising committee, at University of Lagos recently. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

‘How my mates were killed’ Continues from page 1 in pain from gun shot”.

Those were the words of 14-year-old Ibrahim Musa Lampo, a JSS 2 student of Federal Government College, FGC, Bunu Yadi, Yobe State who was one of the lucky survivors of the Boko Haram massacre on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 43 students. The insurgents also burnt the hostels, classrooms and more than 40 houses during the attack.

Ibrahim who recounted his experience while groaning in pains was receiving treatment for

gunshot injuries at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.

His mother, Hajiya Hauwa Lampo, who was sitting beside him on the hospital bed lamented the inability of government to protect the lives of the innocent students.

The mother passionately appealed to the Federal Government to "provide adequate security for all unity schools in Nigeria, particularly in the north eastern region of the country by constructing a fence that will shield the students from intruders.

And if the government

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When you create a vision of what you truly want, your actions will automatically propel you closer to your dream.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I

F you don’t like the scene you’re in, if you’re unhappy, if you’re lonely, if you don’t feel that things are happening, change your scene. Paint a new backdrop - Leo Buscaglia You are the best thing that has ever happen in your life, when you see and consciously know how very special you are, you will understand fully that only you can do the best with what you have. Those special gifts, skills and talents given to you. If you try to be anyone else, it is the worst thing that can happen because you cannot ever be them - and then you give up being you.

The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honour. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.

Buscaglia in his writings, says it perfectly. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.”

can not deploy adequate security personnel, they should despatch sniffer dogs into the schools to patrol every nook and corner and this will go a long way in curbing the insurgency."

Ibrahim’s father, Mallam Musa Lampo, an immigration officer was still in shock over the incident and simply said: “I have committed everything into the hands of God."

Boko Haram attacks

Thousands of Nigerians from the troubled North eastern states are fleeing into Niger Republic as the Boko Haram attacks heightens fears in the region.

A source in the NorthEast, yesterday, said tens of thousands of people have gone to Niger Republic to escape a wave of attacks and bombings

by Islamist sect Boko Haram, which is fighting to carve out an Islamic country from the northern states.

The government in Niamey has granted them refugee status, but United Nations workers say it has also banned the construction of formal camps, fearing any structures could encourage an even bigger influx — or even bring fighters over the border.

“We’re living on the charity and hospitality of locals and aid organizations,” said 28-year-old Umara. “It’s difficult to feed my family. We eat once a day, twice at best.”

A spokesman for Niger’s Interior Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

But Hassane Ardo Ido, General-Secretary of Diffa province, said authorities feared militants might infiltrate the camps

Perpetrators should be swiftly brought to justice —UN Scribe

United Nations Secretary General, Ban KiMoon in a statement issued, yesterday, in New York, strongly condemned the brutal killing of students in Yobe. He expressed “sincere condolences to the bereaved families and hoped that the perpetrators would be “swiftly brought to justice”.

It's declaration of war—Mark

Senate President, David Mark in his reaction described last Tuesday’s slaughter of over 40 students by Boko Haram insurgents as an open declaration of war on Nigerians.

Senator Mark who condemned the killing in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh said that the insurgents had no justification to kill students who neither offended them nor committed any crime, saying “even in war situations, children and women were always spared."

The Senate President said: “This open declaration of war on everybody especially defenceless students cannot be justified. This is inhuman, it is animalistic and barbaric. It is unthinkable that this is happening in Nigeria. It is also curious that under an emergency rule when security operatives should be on red alert, this mayhem still persists. Honestly, this calls for soul searching and I believe the security authorities must rise to this challenge.”

Killings wicked, horrendous — Tambuwal

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, also described the killings as ignoble, wicked and horrendous. In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal tasked security agencies to redouble their

efforts and change their tactics, especially now that those engaged in the killings had increased their attacks on softer targets. He said the only way to console the families of the victims and Nigerians was to fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice.

were extremely gory even by the scorched-earth tactics of the terrorists, plumbs the depth of horror."

APC called on President Jonathan to immediately visit the state to offer succour to the families of the victims and the state government.

Sultan condemns Yobe killings

Senate asks COAS to relocate to Maiduguri

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar condemned the killing, saying it was a senseless killing perpetrated by criminals. “The barbaric and heinous attack is utterly condemnable in its totality,” the Sultan said.

He recalled similar attacks in the past and called on the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, especially the North East.

“Human lives are sacred and must be treated as so,” he said.

Killings extremely shocking — PDP

National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on its part described as extremely shocking the massacre of the students of Federal Government College, Bunu in Yadi, Yobe.

In a statement, yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said that as a party, it has been griefstricken since it received the news of the gruesome killing of the students.

Metuh who described the attack and killing of the harmless students as “monstrous and extremely shocking, said, “The massacre of these harmless students cannot be justified under any guise."

President should visit Yobe State —APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on its part unreservedly condemned the horrific attack on the Federal Government College in Yobe state.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the attacks, which

The Senate on Wednesday directed the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, LtGen. Kenneth Minimah to relocate his office to the 7th Division in Maiduguri and take urgent and appropriate steps to quell the killings by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram in Borno and other states in the North East.

The Senator George Sekibo-led Senate Committee on Defence and Army which said it regretted the Yobe slaughter advised the COAS to restrategize on possible new ways of curbing the excesses of the terrorist group and also mobilise all available military resources and face the insurgents.

The Committee said, “We heard of your planned relocation to Maiduguri, we hereby as the Committee overseeing your activities, direct that your office relocate temporarily to the 7th Division in Maiduguri and that you take urgent and appropriate steps to quell the situation.

“From today, all schools and health institutions should be provided with special security, as we do not want a repeat of these killings of our innocent citizens.

Clerics condemn attack

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in the North East, Rev. Shuaibu M. Byal, called on President Jonathan to do something decisive to arrest the current madness, asking “or how many more innocent persons must be killed before the government comes to our aid?

In a similar development, the Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Uche also expressed great shock and sadness over the gruesome attacks by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram sect members.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Police drop charges against Ojikutu, ex-Lagos dep gov

L

AGOS — A Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, dropped criminal charges against former Lagos Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, over N130 million fraud.

Ojikutu was charged by the Special Fraud Unit on three-counts of conspiracy, fraud, and stealing.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor, Mr Effiong Asuquo informed the court that the prosecution was withdrawing the charges against Ojikutu.

He therefore made an oral application for the charges to be withdrawn.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa, in a short ruling, granted the prayers of prosecution and accordingly struck out the charge.

In the charge, Ojikutu was alleged to have committed the offence in September 2011.

She was alleged to have conspired with one Sampson Ojikutu who was said to be at large, to fraudulently obtain the sum of N130 million from one Cajetan Okekearu.

It was alleged that the money was obtained under the pretence that they possessed a plot of land to sell at Lekki phase 1, Victoria Island Lagos.

The complainant was said to have later discovered that their claim of ownership was false, since there was an already existing title to the land.

The offences were said to contravene the provisions of sections 1(a) (iii), and 8 (a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Drugs: Ghanaian comedian, Congolese nabbed at Enugu airport

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE & DANIEL ETEGHE

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NUGU — OPERAI V E S of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested two foreigners for drug trafficking at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu.

The suspects, a 54-year-old Ghanaian comedian, Musah Iddrisu aka Charles Udunehi and a citizen of Congo Democratic Republic, Inana Cedrick were apprehended at the airport during inward and outward screening of Ethiopian airline passengers.

The Ghanaian, Iddrisu, was said to have bought 450 grammes of cocaine for US$19,000 which he ingested on his way to Thailand while Cedrick, a student, was caught with 1.500 kilogrammes of heroin.

Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Commander at the Enugu airport, Mr. Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, said Inana Cedrick was caught with 1.500 kilogrammes of heroin while Musah Iddrisu was found to have ingested 450 grammes of cocaine.

Udoh added that a Nigerian, Mr. John Obi Nwadilichukwu, was also apprehended by officials of the anti-narcotic agency.

He said: "The Ghanaian comedian ingested 450 grammes of cocaine on his way to Thailand while the student from Congo DRC imported 1.500kg of heroin T

Musah Iddrisu into the country. We have also apprehended a Nigerian by name John Obi Nwadilichukwu, who was to receive the student, collect the drug and pay him for smuggling it."

Meanwhile, Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, has said adequate security efforts had been made to apprehend drug traffickers at the Enugu International Airport.

He said: "We have already deployed our officials to the Enugu airport before it commenced international flights.

Adequate security measures have been put in place to apprehend drug traffickers at the airport."

According to him, all the suspects have made confessional statements and would soon be

Inana Cedrick charged to court.

I am from a poor home — Nabbed student The student, Inana, said that he was given the drug by a Nigerian woman at Nairobi to deliver to her husband in Enugu, noting that he wanted to use the money that he would be paid in buying beads which he would sell in Tanzania.

He said: "I was given the drug in Nairobi by a Nigerian woman who told me to give it to her husband, John Obi Nwadilichukwu, who resides in Enugu. I wanted to use the money they promised to pay me in buying beads for sale in Tanzania. I am a second-

O

SOGBO — ARMED hoodlums, yesterday, invaded the hostel of students of the Osun State University main campus in Osogbo and allegedly raped some female students while some male students were injured.

The hoodlums, according to sources, stormed the hostel located at Oke Bale area outside the university campus in the evening and stole some prop-

I was broke — Ghanaian comedian Also, the Ghanaian comedian, Musah Iddrisu, said he wanted to sell the drugs in Thailand, adding that he went into drug trafficking because he was broke.

According to him, "I am a Ghanaian and a comedian by profession. I got involved in drug trafficking because of my financial predicament. I bought the drugs in Ghana, ingested it and came to Enugu airport.

As a new airport, I felt the security will not be like other airports but I was caught. I regret my action."

10 die, 12 injured in Jigawa auto-crash

BY TINA AKANNAM

D

UTSE — AN accident involving two commercial buses left 10 persons dead, while 12 passengers, including a two-year-old boy, sustained injuries.

Vanguard gathered that the accident occurred along Sada village in Yankwashi Local Government Area of Jigawa state, yesterday.

The state Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr

Muhammad Gidado, who was at the scene of the accident, said it occurred as a result of carelessness of one the drivers while overtaking which resulted in an headon collision.

He said: "It was a very pa-

Hoodlums rape Osun varsity girls, injure others

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

ary school student from a poor home."

erty belonging to the students.

It was gathered that the hoodlums, who were armed with machetes and other dangerous weapons, carried out the operation simultaneously at three different hostels in the area.

The source also said the hoodlums raped female students in all the hostels, while male students who failed to co-operate with

them were stabbed.

The affected hostels are Aso Villa, Diamond Hostel and Marvelous Hostel. Items such as laptops, phones, jewelleries and others were carted away by the hoodlums.

The injured students were said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospitals where they are currently receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, some students of the university have protested against the development, claim-

ing that the incident has become rampant in the university in recent time.

The angry students, during the protest, chanted songs and prevented lecturers and students from gaining entrance into the campus.

They urged the management of the university to find a lasting solution to the recurrent rape and robbery cases in the area, saying their lives were not secured.

thetic scene. 10 persons died on the spot while we rushed the remaining passengers to hospital as soon as we got to the scene.”

One of the buses was from Daura town while the other was coming from Kano State with number plate AE 200 TTK IMO and QC 415 EKY Lagos respectively.

The NSCDC boss further said the injured were receiving treatment in Kazaure General Hospital while the dead ones had already been buried according to Islamic rites.

He then appealed to drivers to observe the rules of over-taking while driving on the highway, adding that lives would have been saved if drivers of the vehicles were a little cautious.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—7

We must use national confab to build a new Nigeria —Jonathan

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR, CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, urged Nigerians to seize the opportunity of the national conference at the beginning of Nigeria’s second centenary to build a country that would in due season lead the great reawakening of Africa.

In a nationwide television broadcast to mark Nigeria’s first centenary, President Jonathan traced the country’s path through the first 100 years and affirmed that the country, despite its stumbles, had made progress as he paid tribute to many of the country’s founding fathers who led the country through the path towards nationhood.

In acknowledging the country’s present troubles, including terrorism, the president used the broadcast to openly condemn last Monday's slaughter of 43 school children in Yobe State and prayed that the incidence would turn a thing of the past in the next 100 years.

Noting the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern Protectorates of Nigeria on January 1, 1914 by the British Colonial authorities, Jonathan said: “I consider myself specially privileged to lead our country into its second century of existence. And as I speak with you today, I feel the full weight of our hundred-year history. But what I feel most is not frustration, it is not disillusionment. What I feel is great pride and great hope for a country that is bound to overcome the transient pains of the moment and eventually take its rightful place among the greatest nations on earth.

“Like every country of the world, we have had our troubles. And we still do.

We have fought a civil war.

We have seen civil authorities overthrown by the military. We have suffered sectarian violence. And as I speak, a part of our country is still suffering from the brutal assault of terrorists and insurgents.

“While the occasion of our centenary undoubtedly calls for celebration, it is also a moment to pause and reflect on our journey of the past one hundred years, to take stock of our past and consider the best way forward for our nation.

Paying tribute to the country’s founding fathers, he said: “Today, we salute

once again the great heroes of our nation: Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye, Dr. Michael Okpara, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Mallam Aminu Kano, Mokwugo Okoye and Chief Michael Imoudu among others.

“The situation was not helped by political instability and the frequent suspension of democracy by military coups. During the civil war, the very existence of our country was cast into doubt but through it all, the promise of a Nigeria that is united, free and strong remained in our people’s hearts.

“Thanks to the efforts of our statesmen and women, and millions of ordinary Nigerians, the union endured and flourished. I would like to specifically commend members of the Armed Forces for their contributions and sacrifices to keep Nigeria one.

“General Yakubu Gowon had the wisdom and grace to declare that the civil war had seen 'no victor, no vanquished' and welcomed, 'the dawn of national reconciliation.'

“It was in this spirit that General Olusegun Obasanjo collected the instruments of surrender at the end of the war and later became the first military ruler in our country to hand over power voluntarily to a democratic government.

“While the Second Republic did not last, his fine example was later followed

by General Abdulsalam Abubakar who paved the way for our current democratic dispensation which has lasted longer than the previous three put together.

“As we celebrate our centenary, I believe that it is vital that we focus our thoughts on the vast potentials of a unified and progressive Nigeria; and build on the relative stability of the Fourth Republic to achieve accelerated national socio-economic development.

“The whole world awaits this African success story.

With our sheer size, population, history, resilience, human and natural resources and economic potentials, Nigeria is divinely ordained to lead the African Renaissance.

“That is why I am confident that in the next 100 years, those who will celebrate Nigeria’s second centenary, will do so as a united, prosperous and

politically stable nation which is truly the pride and glory of Africa and the entire black race.”

“My call for the National Conference in this first year of our second century is to provide the platform to confront our challenges. I am confident that we shall rise from this conference with renewed courage and confidence to march through the next century and beyond, to overcome all obstacles on the path to the fulfillment of our globally acknowledged potential for greatness.”

“I have referred to national leaders who did so much to build our nation in the past hundred years but nation-building is not just a matter for great leaders and elites alone.”

“All Nigerians must be involved in this national endeavour. From the threads of our regional, ethnic and religious diversities we must continuously weave a vibrant collage of values that strengthen the Nigerian spirit.”

“The coming National Conference should not be about a few, privileged persons dictating the terms of debate but an opportunity for all Nigerians to take part in a comprehensive dialogue to further strengthen our union.”

“I am hopeful that the conference will not result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic, religious and other interest groups but in an objective dialogue about the way forward for our nation and how to ensure a more harmonious balance among our three tiers of government.”

“My dear compatriots, as we celebrate our centenary, the security situation in some of our North-Eastern States, sadly remains a major concern for us. Just yesterday, young students, full of hopes and dreams for a great future, were callously murdered as they slept in their college dormitories in Yobe State. I am deeply saddened by their deaths and that of other Nigerians at the hands of terrorists. Our hearts go out to their parents and relatives, colleagues and school authorities.”

“We will continue to do everything possible to permanently eradicate the scourge of terrorism and insurgency from our country. We recognise that the root cause of militancy, terrorism and insurgency is not the strength of extremist ideas but corrupted values and ignorance.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Sovereign Wealth Fund to finance 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Express road

BY EMMA UJAH

A

BUJA—THE construction of the much awaited Second Niger bridge and the rehabilitation of the Lagos Ibadan Express road are to be part financed from the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund.

The Managing Director, MD, of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday.

“Today we announced our first Motorways Investment in the Second Niger bridge we are now the lead financial partner in the consortium with responsibility to invest our equity and attract other equity partners and raise debt for this project.

“We already have soft commitment from potential equity partners. This will be the first federally tendered PPP, Public Private Partnership, project in motorways in Nigeria and we believe the negotiated construction cost will be bankable in the current structure”, he said on the bridge.

According to him, “what we signed is to play two roles this is a PPP which includes development, build, operate and transfer”.

The MD said that it took his team 11 months of negotiation to reach this point and that the concession agreement was being negotiated after which a timetable for getting to financial close would be announced.

He said that the construction of the bridge could commence next month.

Mr. Orji describe the Lagos Ibadan as another “core infrastructure investment” on which he expressed confidence would be a project with good returns.

According to him, the two multi billion Naira projects would be tolled when completed to enable the investors recoup their money.

Mr Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, told the Senate on Tuesday that the Second Niger Bridge between Asaba, in Delta state and Onitsha in Anambra State would gulp N117bn.

You connive with Swiss firms to defraud Nigeria, NEITI tells NNPC

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—THE Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed yesterday faulted claims by the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the corporation did not connive with some Swiss oil dealers to short change the country to the tune of $6.8 Billion.

Mrs Ahmed also alleged that the sum of $22.8 billion was not disclosed by NNPC in its audited financial statements through alternative funding arrangement with its joint venture partners.

The NEITI Boss based her allegation on the 2009 2011 audited report of her organization.

According to Ahmed, who testified before the House of Representatives joint committees on Petroleum Resources, Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Justice probing the allegation, the country lost N98.3 billion to NNPC in exchange rates compared to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN official exchange rate between the period.

She also insisted at the

hearing Bernes revelation on NNPC was true.

Her claims on Bernes were further substantiated by her organization’s Executive Secretary who said that “there is similarity in NEITI audit report and the Bernes Declaration report”, stressing that, “the report (Bernes Declaration report) has a lot of substance in it”.

Going further, Ahmed also faulted the allocation of 445, 000 barrels per day for local refineries through NNPC saying that, “the 445,000

barrels per day allocation should be reviewed to the actual refining capacity of the refineries” Also testifying, the Managing Director of the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Haruna Momoh told the committee that Nigeria was not losing $8 billion annually through swap arrangement of crude oil between NNPC and some foreign oil companies.

Ruling on the issues, the Committee Chairman,

Honourable Ajibola Muraina adjourned the investigative hearing till March 25.

He also mandated the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Acting Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Executive Secretary of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA among others to appear before the Committee on the date.

BRIEFING: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and Chairman, Constitutional Review Committee, Emeka Ihedioha (right) addressing pressmen on the activities of the Constitutional Review Committee on Nigeria constitution, while House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola (middle) and Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor look on at the National Assembly, Abuja. Photo by GBEMIGA OLAMIKAN.

How we spent Abacha loot — Okonjo-Iweala

BY EMMA UJAH

A

BUJA—MINISTER of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala , said yesterday that the $ 500 million recovered Abacha loot was used to develop the nation’s rural areas.

The minister was reacting to an article by Mr. Sonala Olumhense who claimed that $2.5 billion was recovered from the funds looted by the then maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha but that the money disappeared under the minister’s watch.

According to the minister, $ 500 million, not $2.5 billion was recovered and had been spent development projects in rural areas as agreed with the Swiss government.

A statement by Mr. Paul Nwabikwu, Special Adviser to the minister said that the claims by Mr. Olumhense were unverified and largely false.

“The problem I have with Mr Sonala Olumhense’s articles on the Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is the general absence of verified facts and the basing of opinions on gross inaccuracies.

“For instance, Mr Olumhense writes that $2.5 billion of Abacha money was recovered during Dr Okonjo Iweala’s time as Finance Minister under President Obasanjo and that the money disappeared implying some involvement in the disappearance by the Minister.

This is absolutely false. First, the amount recovered was $500 million, not $2.5 billion.

“The recovered amount was channeled into rural projects and programmes as per the agreement with the Swiss government which repatriated the funds. A combined team of Nigerian and Swiss NGOs with the World Bank later verified the use of this money on the ground in the projects cited

and they certified the money had been accurately utilized.

“The World Bank had written about this in a 2007 2008 Handbook on stolen Asset Recovery where the case was cited as a best practice example of how to deploy returned proceeds of looted assets.

Readers of Mr Olumhense would benefit more if his passionate writings on Dr Okono Iweala are supported by a bit more research as opposed to sweeping, unverified statements”, the statement read in part.

On the NNPC oil accounts issue, Mr. Nwabuikwu said that the minister has been at the forefront of the anti corruption crusade and had called for an independent forensic audit to establish the facts of any unaccounted for money and ensure that all every Naira owed the treasury was returned to the Federation Account.

“This is the best way to proceed given the conflicting claims by Mr Sanusi Lamido

Sanusi and the NNPC. After all the speeches and comments like that of Mr Olumhense, the fundamental problem of determining the facts as a basis for action must still be tackled.

Is there room for more action on corruption? Of course the answer can only be yes. But action is needed to achieve change. Talk is cheap, action is crucial.

“The clean up of the fraud in the subsidy payments regime to oil marketers for which she paid a heavy personal price in the form of the abduction of her mother by paid kidnappers in November 2012 is one clear example”.

“Another example is the clean up of the pension fraud with the establishment now of a new institution under the Federal Ministry of Finance – the Pension Transition Administration Department to ensure that pensioners under the old defined benefits scheme are not defrauded anymore”, he said.

9—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

2015 election won't disturb Constitution review — Ihedioha

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA—DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha yesterday said the on-going review of the 1999 constitution will not be affected by the 2015 general election politics.

Ihedioha made this disclosure at a briefing where he highlighted the journey so far on the review of the 1999 constitution.

Asked whether the politicking ahead the 2015 election could truncate the constitution review process, Ihedioha said”No! It cannot in anyway affect the constitution review process as what we should be talking about now is how both chambers can harmonise our reports.

“Let me assure you that once we resume from this break, members of the harmonisation committee will be appointed to work with the Red chamber”.

He explained that “the essence of this briefing is to let you have a glance at our scorecard so far since the journey started.

“The House lived up to his billing as the House of Nigerian people by voting overwhelmingly along the line of the outcome of the Peoples Public Sessions in their constituencies.

“The Committee on Constitution Amendment and indeed the entire House of Representatives has carried out its assignment objectively with the interest of the Nigerian people at heart.

“It has done its best as Representatives of the people. Because we operate a bicameral legislature, the House will have to meet with the Senate to harmonize the two versions of the Reports of the two Chambers. To this end, the House will name a Harmonisation Committee as soon as we resume plenary. The harmonized report will be subjected to further legislative action before being forwarded to the 36 States Houses of Assembly for their concurrence”, he disclosed.

Suspension: Court declines to reinstate Sanusi ...To hear substantive suit March 12

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—BID by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to return to office suffered a setback yesterday as the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, dismissed an ex-parte motion seeking his immediate reinstatement.

In a ruling yesterday, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, said it would not be in the interest of justice to grant such application without hearing from those dragged before the court by the embattled CBN governor.

Consequently, Sanusi was yesterday ordered to serve the relevant court processes on President Goodluck Jonathan, Attorney-General of the Federation, and InspectorGeneral of Police, who were all listed as defendants, even as the substantive suit was adjourned to March 12 for hearing.

Nevertheless, Justice Kolawole maintained that should the court discover that the CBN governor was wrongfully suspended without recourse to the due process of the law, the court has constitutional powers to not only void the suspension, but also order that he should return to office to perform his duties as head of the apex bank.

According to the judge, even where the tenure had lapsed, the court could order the defendants to pay the plaintiff such remunerations and allowances that ought to have accrued to him within the period of his suspension “This is in any event that the suspension carries with

it the stoppage of the plaintiff’s remuneration and allowances,” the judge said.

Justice Kolawole added he was hesitant and constrained to grant the plaintiff’s motion ex parte, saying “it is unsafe, judicially speaking to embark on far reaching interim orders which have all the attributes of a mandatory injunction without according the defendant a hearing.”

Meanwhile, the judge said one issue the court would require both Sanusi and the defendants to address when they have been duly served with the originating summons and motion on notice would centre on whether in the light of the third alteration Act number 20 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended,

whether the Federal High Court, notwithstanding the questions plaintiff has set down for determination, has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

It will be recalled that Sanusi had in his ex parte motion dated February 24, begged the court to issue an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from obstructing, disturbing, stopping or preventing him in any manner whatsoever from performing the functions of his office as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office of the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Sanusi told the court that his interlocutory application was

necessary considering the issues raised in his substantive suit, insisting that delay would entail irreparable and serious damage and mischief on him in the exercise of his statutory duties as the CBN Governor.

Besides, he urged the court to exercise its discretion in his favour by granting the interlocutory injunctions as the President’s continued unlawful interference with the management and administration of the apex bank, unless arrested, poses grave danger for Nigerian economy.

It was his prayer that the court should order the maintenance of status quo ante bellum, which he said should be that he should return to his office as the Governor of the CBN.

FAIR: From left—Mr. Ekundare Olubunmi, Country Manager, Intel Corporation, Chief Clement Isok, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology, Akwa Ibom, Prof.

Chris Ovuworie- (Lead Judge), Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin, Enyioma Anaba, Head of Marketing, Interswitch and Dr. Jerry Orhue, Executive Director, Genius Ilumina at the closing ceremony of just concluded 2014 National Festival of School Science Fair held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last week.

Akinrinade, Ukiwe, Nwachukwu, Jimeta for confab

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, OLAAJAYI & UMAR YUSUF

O

SUN, Adamawa and Abia states have put forward heavyweight delegates to the forthcoming national conference.

Lt. Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), a former chief of defence staff is to lead the Osun State delegation while former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Gambo Jimeta is leading that of Adamawa.

A press statement issued by the Osun State deputy governor, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori acting on the directive of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola also included Prof Mojeed Alabi and four others to represent the state at the conference scheduled to commence next month.

Others on the list of nominees are a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Femi Akande,

former Commissioner for Justice in the State, Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji, Director General Development Agenda for Western Nigerian Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa and Mrs. Bola Ogunrinade (MNI).

Adamawa State, meanwhile has approved the nomination of Hon. Binta Massi Garba, a former member of the House of Representatives and Prince Moses Ngbale as the state’s nominees to the conference.

Ngbale is the chairman of the board of the National Agric Extension and Research Liaison, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria.

In a statement issued in Yola yesterday, and made available to Vanguard, government stated that Jimeta would represent the central senatorial zone, Garba, Northern Senatorial District and Southern Senatorial zone.

The statement declared that in making the nominations, government took into consideration the need to nominate competent persons capable of commenting on the entire contending national issues to be tabled.

Meanwhile, Abia State has also empanelled a high powered delegation to represent it at the national conference. Among those listed were former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former General Officer Commanding, One Division, General Ike Nwachukwu among others.

Meanwhile, Yoruba elders are expected to meet today in Ibadan to select delegates to represent the Yoruba nation at the conference.

Speaking with Vanguard yesterday, a member of the Olubadan-in-council, who spoke on the condition of

anonymity, said the council had picked High Chief Omowale Kuye.

It was gathered that one of the high chiefs initially suggested was turned down because of his political inclination.

According to a source, the overwhelming influence of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the south west is keeping politicians of other political parties at bay.

He said, “let us keep our fingers crossed and see what happens after the Thursday meeting”.

Also, speaking on the conference, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Secretary, Yoruba Unity, said they were not anxious about who represented the zone in the conference.

“The only thing that concerns us is that whoever is chosen at the end of the day, must present Yoruba agenda at the proposed conference.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 —10

What I expect of my successor, by Fashola zSays ‘I'm not praying to be the best governor the state will ever produce'

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola, has said he is interested in who succeeds him next year, towards advancing the cause of the state.

When asked on who he prefers to succeed him, Fashola said: “I prefer a successor that would surpass my achievements in office and advance the cause of Lagos State.”

The governor who said this during an interactive session with State House Correspondents, at the State House Marina, stressed that he was concerned about who would be the next governor of the state.

Fashola, also added a caveat that he was not praying to be the best governor the state would ever produce but expected his successor to carry on the transformation agenda without further delay.

He said: “In terms of policy sustainability, we are fortunate that over the years, the government of Lagos state is becoming more institutionalized therefore it is becoming easier for every successor to improve on what his predecessor has done.

“I am not worried about the person who will succeed me, but I am concerned because I will be involved. I really hope that the person who will take over after me will be a lot better than me.

“I hope that the person can do in four years what it has taken us

eight years to do. That I know will be beneficial to all of us. My interest in the next election is Lagos. Who will be the best to guide and advance the course and interest of Lagos.”

Harping on steps his government had taken in the area of transportation in the state, he said the government is currently proffering solutions in different areas , saying there was nowhere in the world where regional

government had embarked on such massive transportation works his government had embarked on.

Fashola said: “I don’t know any state in the world that is building roads like the 60kilometre LagosBadagry expressway; 50kilometre Lekki-Epe expressway; 20 kilometre Mile12Ikorodu road; a light rail train of 27 kilometres; four major jetties and terminals and also partnering

BRIEFING: From left: Publicity Secretary, Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odunmakin, Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, OAF, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Nigerian Tribune Senior Advert Manager, Mr Kayode Titiloye and Vice Chairman, National Youth Soccer Association, Prince Nurudeen Agara, during a briefing on the 2014 Obafemi Awolowo memorial events, in Lagos.

Centenary ball generates N1.3bn L

BY EMEKA MAMAH

AGOS—ABOUT N1.3 billion was realised during the Nigeria Centenary Charity Ball at Eko Hotel, Lagos Tuesday night.

No fewer than 20 entrepreneurs paid N20 million each for the dinner which attracted eminent Nigerians including the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu among others.

Speaking at the occasion, Vice President Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, said Nigeria was losing over N250 billion to other countries on health tourism alone yearly due to lack facilities pointing out that proceeds from the launch would be used to reverse the trend.

Sambo said the health needs of Nigerians would not be provided for alone by the Federal Government and

to install a cable car system – all at the same time.

“Only national governments do what we are doing. That is what is emboldening us to build more homes in Ikorodu, more homes in Agbowa, in Epe and Badagry because we know that by the time they are completed, any journey from there to the city center will be a maximum of 45 minutes to one hour.”

asked for private partnership with well placed individuals and entrepreneurs to reverse the ugly situation.

The Vice President who listed several interventions carried

out by the Federal Government in its transformation agenda, said the National Referral Centres for Cardiovascular Diseases; Urology and Nephrology

(Kidney Centre); Neurosurgery and Neurology, Burns and Plastics (Reconstructive Surgery); Oncology and Immunology (Cancer Centre); Stem cell medicine and Haemotology and Maxillofacial Surgery would benefit from the proceeds of the Charity Ball.

FG plans auctions on 2.5, 2.6GHz bands soon — JUWAH

BY EMEKA AGINAM &

EMMA ELEBEKE

B

ARCELONA, Spain — EXECUTIVE Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah has said the Federal Government will hold auctions for licenses on the 2.5 and 2.6GHz bands before end of this financial year.

Juwah, who stated this in his presentation to an international audience in Barcelona, Spain at the ongoing Mobile World Congress said licensing of more spectrum would deepen broadband penetration in the country for digital economy.

The planned auction, he said, became necessary following the limited nature of the 2.3GHz wireless for last mile operator, recently auctioned.

Last week, the Commission concluded successful auctioning of the 2.3GHz spectrum license with Bitflux Communications Limited emerging the winner.

Juwah said: “We are overhauling the entire sector to encourage competition.

Towards the end of the year, we are planning to auction 2.5 and 2.6 spectrum for mobile broad band services and before the end of 2015, licence the 700GHz spectrum.

“Broadband demand in Nigeria is very strong. If we

consider the demand we have currently, it will consume the capacity we have now.

“We are creating enabling environment and incentives for the private sector to roll out broad band networks which will be a one off incentive for last mile to be achieved. We will replicate the success we made in voice in broadband plan as we proceed on the journey.

“We are also going to license more retail services and encourage the operators where possible to extend fibre to homes and businesses on their own. Government is committed to providing incentives to winners of infrastructure licenses."

Drainage: Lagos threatens Oworonshoki residents

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BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

A G O S — FOLLOWING the the downpour experienced in Lagos yesterday, the state government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to residents of Oworonshoki, Kosofe Local Government Area, to remove structures along the canal or risk their demolition.

The government also warned residents to desist from dumping refuse into the canal or risk severe sanction.

Vanguard gathered that the affected structures totaling 100 include toilets, kitchens among others erected months after the government completed the dredging and reconstruction of the canals.

Speaking after inspecting the canal in the council area, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr Muyideen Akinsanya, said the inspection of the drainage and other facilities was part of the state government effort to prepare for the rainy season.

He said: “We believe that embarking on such will assist the state government in achieving another ‘flood free year’ as it recorded last year.”

SME financial forum holds tomorrow

L

AGOS—THE maiden edition of Small and Medium Enterprises, SME, financial forum will hold in Lagos tomorrow The forum is organized by SME Business Platform .

In a statement from the organizers of the event the forum would bring together all the key stakeholders in the Small and Medium Enterprise sub-sector of the economy to brainstorm and network to get the best option for financing businesses in the SME categories.

Already the key stakeholders that would be at the event includes, The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, The Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists, NASSI, The NigerianAssociationofSmalland Medium Enterprises, NASME, and the numerous sub-groups under them.

11—Vanguard , THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Roads repair: Ekiti govt alleges non-remittance of N8bn by FG

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI—EKITI State Government yesterday accused the Federal Government of refusing to remit over N8 billion expended on Ado Ekiti-Ifaki road project, even as it alleged that many of the Federal projects meant for the state were being diverted to other states.

At a briefing in Ado Ekiti, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo said over 26 projects across the State were presently neglected or abandoned.

At the briefing witnessed by the Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, the state government accused federal government of politicising most of the projects it (Federal Government) initiated in the state.

The commissioner claimed the Federal Government had refused to complete some of the projects, particularly the Multi-purpose Ogbese Dam in Ise Ekiti, which would have been used for water supply, Agriculture and Power generation and other abandoned projects, despite the letter written by Governor Kayode Fayemi to the appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Ogun bans school-age children from hawking

A

BEOKUTA—THE Ogun government yesterday banned street hawking and trading by school-age children during school hours.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, announced the ban at a sensitisation rally in Abeokuta.

She warned that any child caught violating the order twice would be warned, and if arrested the third time would be remanded at the state juvenile home.

Sonubi said that the child would only be released after payment of a specified fine and presentation of tax receipts by his or her parents or guardians.

Popoola unites Daniel, Amosun, Akala, Ajimobi

BY OLAAJAYI

I

BADAN—THE 70th birthday of a former military Administrator of Ogun and Oyo states, Major General Oladayo Popoola(rtd) in Ibadan yesterday, doused political tension in the two states as archpolitical rivals exchanged pleasantries among themselves.

The event which took place at Vine Branch Church, Mokola, Ibadan had in attendance former Governors of Ogun and Oyo states, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and many other dignitaries.

Daniel left them and went away.

Ajimobi who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, in his usual jovial manner, described Akala as his boss.

Later, Governors Ajimobi and Akala, with Akin Oke, acting state Chairman of APC in Oyo State

stepped aside and discussed for a few minutes.

Ahead of the 2015 governorship elections, many offensive posters have been pasted by loyalists of the two Oyo politicians.

Akala on poster

In a recent interview, Akala argued that a particular poster with the picture of Senator Rashidi Ladoja and his was an insult.

The poster read, two wrongs don’t make a right.

Akala appealed to all politicians in the state to eschew political bitterness that could threaten the peace of the state.

Mild drama

Though, Daniel tried to avoid Amosun after greeting others, Ajimobi pulled his flowing agbada and dragged him towards Amosun.

He then greeted his successor and embraced him.

Also, Ajimobi and Akala who had kept each other at arm’s length since Ajimobi won the 2011 election, exchanged warm greetings.

Some minutes after, Otunba

VISIT: From left: Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Zonal Director, South West, National Directorate of Employment, NDE, Mr. Ola Martins, during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Osogbo.

Akinrinade leads 5 other Osun delegates to confab zAs traditionalists fault non-representation

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—OSUN State Government has announced the nomination of a former Chief of General Staff and elder statesman, General Alani Akinrinade, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Professor Mojeed Alabi and four others to represent the state at the forthcoming national conference.

Other nominees according to a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, are a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Mr. Femi Akande, former Commissioner for Justice in the State, Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji, Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigerian Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa and Mrs. Bola Ogunrinade.

Meanwhile, traditional religion worshippers have faulted the non inclusion of members in the proposed national conference which kicks off in Abuja next month.

At a briefing yesterday in Osogbo, President, World

League of Traditional Religions, Prince Adigun Olosun said non-recognition of members in the federal government slot where the Muslims got 18 and their Christians counterpart also got 18 slots was not fair.

He argued that the non inclusion of traditionalists in the delegates would increase

the anger in the society and would be viewed as deliberate marginalisation of members.

He said: “We traditionalists hereby demand for our 18 slots in the spirit of equity and fairness. We are part of Nigeria and we are also active in the society. Any attempt to bypass traditionalists in the national conference of this

nature is like putting fire on the roof of the house.

“All interests are supposed to be well represented in the conference. We are using this opportunity to tell President Goodluck Jonathan and all stakeholders of Nigerian project to quickly allocate 18 places to us before the commencement of the conference or be prepared to face legal action.”

7-day mourning declared for late Ondo Speaker zDaniel expresses shock

BY DAYO JOHNSON & DAUD OLATUNJI

A

KURE—A seven-day mourning period has been declared by the Ondo State House of Assembly for the deceased Speaker of the House, Hon. Adesina Ajayi.

The speaker died on Tuesday after battling for six months with cancer of the urinary bladder.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, the Chairman of the House’s Committee on Information, Hon. Oye Aladetan, said legislative activities and other administrative businesses of

the House would cease during the seven-day mourning period.

Aladetan said: “A burial committee has been appointed by the House which will organise activities leading to the late Speaker's interment in conjunction with his immediate family."

He described the death of the Speaker as shocking given the extensive medical efforts to keep him alive.

According to him, “the Speaker ’s death remains a great loss to the House of Assembly and the people of Ondo State."

Meantime, the Secretary to

the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, yesterday led a delegation of the state government to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late speaker and the House of Assembly.

Similarly, former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed shock over the death of the Speaker.

In his message of condolence, Daniel through his Media Assistant, Ayo Giwa, yesterday, described the late Speaker as a genuine democrat and a progressive politician who had the interest of his people at heart.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Bayelsa communities warn new buyers of Shell's facilities

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE people of Nembe in Bayelsa East senatorial district, Bayelsa State, have warned prospective investors and buyers of oil wells and facilities owned by Shell Petroleum Development Company to investigate the nonpayment of over $1bllion demanded from the company for damages inflicted on their communities by its over 50 years oil exploration activities.

The chairman, Nembe Kingdom Oil and Gas Committee, Chief Nengi James, gave the warning in Yenagoa following alleged planned sale of oil fields and other assets owned

by Shell in Nembe.

He said that host communities of Nembe Kingdom were not against the proposed sale of Shell's assets, but want the potential buyers to investigate the refusal of Shell to settle the huge cases of compensation as a result of environmental hazards, oil spillage damages, and other health related ailments associated with gas flaring in the area.

Chief James called on the potential investors to discuss with Shell the unresolved issues of payment of damages to communities before buying the assets.

He said: “The investors should be aware that Shell may only be interested in unbun-

dling its responsibility and shift it to the unaware buyers. We want the potential buyers and investors to know that Shell has neither negotiated nor paid damages over the years. We have submitted our position over non-payment of damages and other claims before the United Nations office in New York and the leadership of the National Assembly, demanding redress and payment of over $1 billion as compensation for various damages caused by the company's 50 years

of oil exploration in our area.

“We knew when they were coming into Nembe communities for oil exploration, but their leaving is shrouded in secrecy to avoid payment of demanded compensations.”

According to him, the company, knowing the extent of damage caused to the health of Nembe people and the environment of the kingdom, wants to sneak away and hand over its burden to other companies.

“Shell is yet to conclude with us and we will not welcome any investor if we are not included in the negotiation to discuss issues of compensation on huge damages caused to our people. We have sustained the peace and played good host to Shell during it’s exploration activities. We assure potential investors of peace and same cordial treatment. We are only demanding for the right thing to be done," he added.

PROTEST: Protesters wielding placards marching through the ever-busy Effurun Roundabout, in Effurun, Delta State, yesterday. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Cleric urges FG to order Sanusi's arrest

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—A CLERIC, Prophet Emmanuel Ojo-Agge, has called on the Federal Government to order the arrest and prosecution of the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, over his spending of public funds without due process.

Ojo-Agge, the General Overseer of the City of Gate Mission Benin, Edo State, also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for remaining calm in the face of abuses and insults on his person by some Nigerians, who do not see anything good in him.

Reacting to the spate of criticisms that had trailed the suspension of the CBN governor

by President Jonathan, OjoAgge said: “Sanusi’s suspension by the President was long overdue. It was as if we had two presidents in Nigeria, the president of the financial institutions in the person

of Sanusi and the elected president.

“We have had governors of the CBN in this country in the past and they never came out openly to make unguarded statements or comments against the policies of government. But Sanusi never had regard for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He spoke with impunity and we were begin-

ning to wonder if Sanusi and the President belonged to a certain cult, which would have explained his disregard for Jonathan.

“A lot of people did not know that there was a query issued to Sanusi sometime last year and the President just allowed the report to lie low without acting on it.

Many people did not know

that Sanusi donated the sum of N100 million to a private university in this country for a library probably without due process and permission from the Presidency.

“He donated hundreds of millions of naira to victims of Boko-Haram in Kano. These are public funds. Where did he gets the money he spent?"

Oshiomhole’s policy returned Uzamere to Senate —Edo Majority Leader

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—MAJORITY Leader of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Philip Shaibu, yesterday, said that the war against godfatherism in the politics of Edo State, which Governor Adams Oshiomhole embarked upon on assumption of office, threw up Senator Ehigie Uzamere as candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the Edo South senatorial race in 2011.

He said contrary to the claim by the senator that his support

of Oshiomhole’s nominee for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to be cleared in the Senate, was probably why he was anointed by Oshiomhole, that “is not true because that was not the reason why he was backed by the party. He was embraced by the then ACN after he was rejected by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leadership, which earlier saw that he was not a material for the Senate.

“I read Uzamere’s comments and I laughed. He was

picked because, after Oshiomhole came on board, he said that the only way to end godfatherism was to make sure that those who Chief Tony Anenih rejected, were supported. Anenih chased Uzamere and Domingo Obende out of PDP and Oshiomhole embraced them due to his passion to end godfatherism.

“Oshiomhole did not do that because he expected Uzamere to do him any favour, he did that so that people will believe only in God and the people for victory."

2015: Jonathan presidency, aspiration of S-South —Obiuwevbi

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—MEMBER representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, has described the 2015 race for the Presidency as the collective aspiration of the people of the South-South, noting that President Goodluck Jonathan was just the symbol.

Obiuwevbi, shortly after a meeting with various groups and leaders from the council, said that “any attempt to say that Jonathan should not contest the presidency will show that our democracy was under threat.”

He advised Northerners to give their total support to the president to enable him secure a second tenure, adding “they should reciprocate the gesture we have given to them in the past that helped former President Shehu Shagari and others to get a second tenure.”

Youths urge leaders to convoke confab over Senate seat

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

A

POLITICAL group, Estako for Senate 2015, has called on leaders from Edo North senatorial district to convoke a leaders' conference to agree on whether to allow the rotation of the Senate seat between the Estakos, Owans and AkokoEdos continue, or stop same from the political equation of the area.

The group, meanwhile, wants Edo North political environment to continue to enjoy rotational representation where no group was left out. It also wants the three ethnic groups in the senatorial zone to put aside their personal and individual interests.

The group stated this in a communique by Hassan Bawa at the end of its meeting in Auchi.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 13

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—15

Amaechi-led NGF playing politics with Sanusi’s suspension —JANG •Says he's reading an APC script

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA — FACTIONAL Chairman of Nigeria Govenors’ Forum, NGF, and governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, yesterday, described the NGF led by his Rivers State counterpart, Chibuike Amaechi, as an extension of All Progressives Congress, APC. He also accused Amaechi’s faction of playing politics with the suspension of the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,

CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jang, who noted that Amaechi was reading a prepared script by the opposition, APC, however, urged Nigerians to ignore statements by Amaechiled NGF. In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, by Kassim Yakubu, Governor Jang noted: “Nigerians have grown weary of Governor Amaechi turning every issue even beyond his purview into a

political opportunity.”

He reiterated that Governor Amaechi was not speaking on behalf of governors in the country, arguing that a vast majority of governors did not share in the anti-Federal Government zeal that the Rivers State governor was championing, as evident in the ever reducing number of governors he paraded.

He said: “Nigerians want governors to perform their primary functions of running their states and not this obsession with Pres-

ident Jonathan by Governor Amaechi and his cohorts.

“My advice to them is Nigerians and history will decide if President Jonathan has performed as president. This lowly behaviour will not win them an election.”

Meanwhile, Governor Jang has sent his sympathies to parents of the school children killed

by Boko Haram extremists in Yobe State and called on security agencies not to relent in their effort to fish out the evil perpetrators of the heinous act.

NNPC owes FG N105bn —Reps

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA — SOME officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance to defend the corporation’s 2014 budget estimates, yesterday, were shocked when they were told that the corporation owed the Federal Government N105 billion from its independent revenue.

Chairman of the Committee, Jubril Abdumumuni, who disclosed this while receiving some documents containing the financial statements of the corporation, told the head of the team and chief strategist, Mr. Tim Okon, that a document submitted to the committee by the National Budget Office said NNPC was yet to remit N105bn from its independent revenue to the consolidated revenue account.

But swiftly, the shocked Okon and his colleagues denied knowledge of the money, saying they were not aware.

Similarly, the National Agency for Science, Engineering and Infrastructure said it was not also aware that its 2014 budget was N80m, against the N29m it presented to the committee.

Director of Accounts and Finance, Mr. John Amen, who represented the agency, admitted that the Budget Office forwarded N80m as the 2014 estimates of the agency.

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 17

W

HEN Goodluck Jonathan announced Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s suspension as CBN Governor last Thursday, it was hinged upon sundry allegations prepared by an obscure Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, who announced the suspension, mentioned deep concern “about far-reaching irregularities under Malam Sanusi’s watch”, which allegedly “distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate”. The unprecedented action triggered farther-reaching consequences.

The naira dipped at an all time low for 15 years while the Nigerian Stock Exchange, in the period after the suspension lost over N130 billion. For an administration that is totally and slavishly committed to foreign investment, foreign investors confidence was given a rude shock, by the act of suspending the CBN Governor!

One of the panic responses was the hurriedly arranged PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA CHAT on Monday, during which Goodluck Jonathan laboured to explain his right to effect the suspension, despite the CBN Act. Unfortunately for President Jonathan, he laboured in vain, because in politics, perception is everything. And the dominant perception in the public space, is that Sanusi Lamido had to be sacrificed, even if Nigeria hurts badly, for daring to cross Diezani Alison-Madueke!

Diezani is Jonathan’s super minister and nothing or nobody

Sanusi Lamido is sacrificed but $20bn is still missing super minister, billions disappeared in the subsidy regime. When the House of Representatives launched a probe, a bribery scandal was orchestrated which took a life of its own and in the end, nothing came of the probe and the “sacred cows” who took trillions as subsidies are enjoying the loot today; many had generously contributed funding to the 2011 electoral expenses of the ruling party and administration. But above all else, Diezani is sitting pretty.

It took Sanusi Lamido to open the Pandora’s box. Nigerians became aware of an extant Presidential Order stopping kerosene subsidies. Diezani, Jonathan’s super minister, ignored the order and in the process, frittered away billions of dollars of Nigeria’s money.

Diezani would later say she

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The good thing is that Sanusi Lamido has fulfilled his mission at the CBN; it is Nigerians that must muster the anger to end the regime of impunity and mind blowing theft!

crosses her and will not suffer!

This is an article of faith under this administration. Under this

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ignored the presidential directive because it had not been gazetted. It was under the

same super minister ’s watch that a sum of $6 billion was handed over to Atlantic Energy and Seggy Energy through a joint venture with the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). Part of the fund belonged to the Federation Account. In the final analysis, Sanusi Lamido stood by his claim that $20 billion in oil sales was not accounted for by the NNPC, under Diezani’s watch.

Those who readily jump to the Jonathan administration’s defense, as well as Diezani’s spin doctors, often pointed out that Lamido’s figures fluctuated from over $40billion to $20billion, but they have been unable to muster the indignation to condemn the fact that these huge sums of money disappeared at all!

We are going through some of the most incredible periods in our nation’s history. This is because we have arrived, under the Jonathan administration, to a sorry pass, where brazen theft of billions of dollars, seemed to have become the directive principle of state policy! And the underlining danger we face is the total enthronement of impunity as the central ethos to facilitate and cover up the brazen theft that is so central to state policy. It is this backdrop which explains why they would go after the whistle blower; and

the same impunity has been responsible for the indulgence allowed Diezani in the political system but especially in the strategic petrol sector. For Goodluck Jonathan, Diezani’s continued hegemonic control of the oil sector, despite the frightening levels of impropriety, corruption and scandals, is the constant that he will not allow to be disrupted.

The fact that the CBN Governor can be sacrificed, merely underscores the distance the president is willing to cover to protect this very ‘lucky’ lady!

Those who don’t know should now “Shine” their eyes. Nobody must cross Diezani or that individual will be in soup!

Just in case we haven’t given a thought to it, early this week, Aisha Oyebode, CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation, did the mathematics of what the missing $20billion could buy.

We can buy one Heathrow Terminal Five, commissioned in 2008 and costing 4.3billion Pounds ($7.5billion); 10 Boeing 787-10 aircraft at 43billion; 37 state of the art Tertiary Care Hospitals, one in each state and Abuja (the Apollo Branwell Hospital Mauritius cost $70million); 10 5-Star Hotels at $2.350billion, two in each Geopolitical zone and two in the FCT; 20 State of the Art Malls at $1billion, five in each geo.

Jonathan's Bornu faux pas

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URING last Monday ’s PRESIDENTIAL MEDIA CHAT, Goodluck Jonathan was asked to respond to a statement made by Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima, in respect of the arming and motivation of the Boko Haram insurgents vis-à-vis the Nigerian Army, in the counter-insurgency operations in the state. The governor who had praised the commitment to duty of Nigerian forces, nevertheless pointed to a failure of leadership as affecting military personnel’s morale. An incensed presidency had replied through the Aso villa Man Friday, the “Comical Ali” of Nigerian politics, Doyin Okupe, that the Borno governor was a civilian who could not assess different types of weapons of war. It was obvious that President Jonathan shared Doyin’s simplistic play at politics.

On Monday night, Jonathan condemned Shettima’s statement and in a peculiarly absurd retort, added that he could withdraw the troops from Borno for just a month, and the governor would not be able to stay in Maiduguri’s Government House!

Jonathan was obviously playing a political card against a governor who belongs to a different political party and he obviously was not talking as Nigeria’s president. Otherwise, he would have remembered that he had

sworn to an oath to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians, irrespective of whether they are in the creeks of the Niger Delta, where exmilitants are assured of over N50billion from the 2014 budget of the administration or are the poor and hapless of Borno and Northern Nigeria, who are daily being killed in a horrendous manner by the Boko Haram insurgents. A president is not afforded the luxury of being partisan with such an instance of security, as he did on Monday night. It should be clear to Goodluck Jonathan and his “Comical Ali”, Doyin Okupe, that the insurgency is not about Kashim Shettima, the Borno governor, but the people of a huge swathe of Nigeria.

An angry president It looks clear the president was angry that what is unfolding on ground had been presented so brutally frankly by the governor. Our national defense budget has hit about a trillion naira, but reports from the theatres of operation point to the dearth of basic equipment for the troops such as body armour and night vision equipment. Those who know say that troops killed in the barracks in Bama had been attacked by insurgents who had those equipment.

The issues we face in Borno, Yobe and the entire region are not those we can posture about in order to score cheap political points. Jonathan must work very closely with the political authorities in Borno, especially to coordinate all actions to bring an end to the insurgency. While the federal deployment of troops has been a notable development in the struggle against the insurgency, Borno continues to deploy millions of naira to assist these troops, even if the killings have continued and have heightened to the most tragically incredible proportions. As I write these lines on Tuesday night, the most recent atrocity was the burning of 29 children at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi, in the Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state. By late evening on Tuesday, the death toll had risen to 43. These tragic killings only underscore the need to work together by the political leaders at national and state levels, to find more surefooted ways to assist the dangerous job being done by the security forces on ground in Borno and the entire region.

Goodluck Jonathan’s faux pas last Monday night should not be repeated, in the interest of the Nigerian people he swore to protect as the president of our country.

political zone; four GSM Licenses at $1billion; one cement plant at $1billion; 76 State of the Art Secondary schools at $1.3billion, two in each state plus two in the FCT; and a couple of state of the art universities, medical schools or nursing schools at $110 million.

This takes the total to the $20billion that Sanusi Lamido argued the NNPC under Diezani Allison-Madueke has not remitted to the Federation Account. This is the REAL reason that he had to be kicked off his perch as Governor of the CBN. The good thing is that Sanusi Lamido has fulfilled his mission at the CBN; it is Nigerians that must muster the anger to end the regime of impunity and mind blowing theft!

Nigeria's unemployment dilemma

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EADERS of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), met at a forum in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital this week.

At the forum, they denounced the unemployment situation in the country. Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said the APC’s decision to brainstorm on unemployment underscored their “belief that a mental and intellectual approach to the problem would dissolve the challenge in no long a time”.

Ajimobi added that unemployment was a global problem and in Nigeria, “unemployment rate is spiraling upwards, growing at 16 percent per year”. Serious issue indeed!

But if the so-called “progressives” meeting in Ibadan had used their “mental and intellectual approach” carefully, they would probably have seen that it is the monster of contemporary, neoliberal capitalism that is responsible for this worldwide phenomenon. It is a system that is not creating jobs to meet the needs of a huge army of young, jobseeking people around the world. Nigeria’s ruling class has become totally wedded to the reigning orthodoxy. The state has been gradually withdrawn from creating jobs for people; the ruling mantra is that everything economic should be farmed out to private capitalist oligarchies who would, according to this quasireligious doctrine, then create jobs in an efficient manner. The truth is that it is not happening in the advanced capitalist countries, but they at least still have welfare programmes, even when they are under severe attacks. In Nigeria, the ruling class is stubbornly pursuing the same reforms, in a brazenly fraudulent transfer of public pursuit into private hands. There is no social security for the people, especially the young, while the different groups of the ruling class are enriching themselves.

These are issues that they will need “mental and intellectual approach” to seriously deconstruct, otherwise the time bomb they are sitting on will explode and take the entire edifice down. A regime of jobs creation can only come about when the state philosophically dedicates to it.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 DOES it really matter how many die daily from Boko Haram attacks? Who cares who the targets are? Who is interested in the body count? What difference does it make if 500 die today or 100 the next day?

Have the gruesome details of victims being burnt, slaughtered, or buried alive made any impact on us? Are we even able to count how many have been killed?

Nigeria has descended to the dreaded lethargy prolonged exposure to gory lawlessness creates. There was a time when loss of a few lives drew those magnificent comments about the sanctity of lives and measures that must ensure that we never went through the fatal paths again.

Lives were important. Their importance did not lie in the numbers, but the fact that each life counted, it mattered. Feeble as the efforts governments made to sustain lives seemed, we were aghast at every instance of security agencies unlawfully taking lives.

Government vented its anger on groups that engaged in wanton destruction of lives and property. We had feelings. We were humane. We believed lives were to be taken

BY JOHN AINOFENOKHAI

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HOSE in the legal profession knew from the outset that the 2007 Act of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was basically flawed by allowing the Governor of the Bank to also occupy the position of Chairman of its Board of Directors. We foresaw the dangers of a power-drunk governor exploiting this structural weakness in wreaking havoc on the nation’s financial system. That was one of the major reasons why the 7th National Assembly tried in 2012 to amend the CBN Act. The lawmakers were convinced that the law, as it was (and still is) neither contained enough checks and balances, nor promoted transparency and accountability.

The process of amendment, currently kept in abeyance, was being fiercely resisted by the suspended Governor of the Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who continued to mobilise public sentiments through media campaigns and, in several cases, by donating cash and projects, using public funds. What many Nigerians did not know, and are just finding out, rather painfully, is that Sanusi has been abusing the national treasury over which he was appointed to watch.

When on Thursday, February 20, 2014, the Presidency announced the suspension of Sanusi from office, his immediate reaction was rather curious. “I am surprised, it took Government so long to take this action”, he was quoted to have said. The suspended governor knew what he was talking about. Indeed, he was inadvertently drawing attention to the fact that he had been under investigation

500 killed, 100 Killed, So What? only according to the law. Our wide condemnation of disorder, wherever it occurred, was heard loud and clear.

All these changed with the arrival of Boko Haram in 2010. Daily, since July 2010, the group has killed men, women, children, and the elderly and even stretches its attacks to security personnel and their abodes. The message has been that nobody was safe from the group.

Condemnations of these attacks have waned. They have become trite. Some defend them. Their frequency cannot be the reason for the askance we witness as

criminals who seek sympathy for their causes, maul people to death. No reasons are enough for taking innocent lives.

Few societies would lose the lives Boko Haram is taking without acting more stringently against the group. Nobody or group that develops taste for killing like Boko Haram should be allowed to go free.

The only thing worse than the killings is the realisation of relations of victims that they would not get justice. They have further fears that they would be the next targets. The lenient manners of handling the killers emboldened them.

Our security agencies are under attack.

Children are killed in schools. Women are murdered at home, in markets and places of worship. The message is that Nigeria cannot protect them. Many have reasons to believe unless government counters by bringing succor to the afflicted, and stopping the attacks.

All legitimate measures should be applied to end the attacks. We still believe in the sanctity of lives, and those who do not, deserve the full weight of the law.

OPINION Sanusi: Now, we know why! for quite some time now; that, as far back as June 2013, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, had submitted a report to the President which indicted him of various acts of fraud and mismanagement of the CBN, found him guilty of “financial recklessness and misconduct” and recommended, among others, that the President should, by evoking Section II(2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, “cause the Governor and the Deputy Governor to cease from holding office in the CBN”.

But before going into some of the shocking revelations of the FRCN report, the question is: Why are some Nigerians shedding tears for the suspended governor?

The answer is simple. First, we, Nigerians, are a very gullible people. We hardly learn by our experiences. Even those of us who proclaim, with confidence, that we can never be tricked by conmen or moneydoublers or such fraudsters find ourselves, every now and then, victims of these men and women. The suspended CBN governor wears the appearance of an innocent professional; he is articulate and always sanctimonious in talk. Until the revelations, by the FRCN report, of the sordid and shameful events that led to the President’s decision to suspend Sanusi, many Nigerians believed that he was a man who could never contemplate anything indecent, not to talk of fraud.

The truth, however, is that Sanusi plotted and strategised for everything right from when he was appointed governor of the CBN in 2009. From that time, he knew where he was going and what he wanted.

His main strategy was to attack, weaken or circumvent all those he thought might stand in his way – his professional colleagues in the banking industry, the National Assembly and then the President.

Rather fortunately for Sanusi, the flawed 2007 CBN Act was an effective weapon in his hands. With it, he combined the tactics of intimidation, harassment and blackmail in combating all possible obstacles in his way. Soon after assuming office, Sanusi attacked the nation’s commercial banks and removed their Managing Directors, an action which many described as an unlawful intimidation. But the CBN governor defended his decision by citing provisions of the CBN Act which gave him the powers to do so.

Then Sanusi moved on to the National Assembly and applied a different strategy, that of blackmail. He announced to Nigerians that 25.41 percent of the nation’s budget was expended on legislators’ salaries and allowances. It is needless to say that the lawmakers were embarrassed to the core.

Senators struggled to convince Nigerians that only 3.5 per cent was spent on legislators’ salaries and allowances. But, how many Nigerians listened to them?

Sanusi’s figures had stuck to their memories and that, for them, was the end of the matter.

Sanusi also took up President Jonathan.

When the CBN governor accused the NNPC of failure to remit $49.8 billion to the Federation Account and deliberately leaked his letter to the press, there was

pressure on him from Nigerians and the Presidency to resign his appointment. It was reported that Sanusi, not only refused to resign, but also challenged the President on a heated telephone conversation that he could not be removed by the President except by twothird of the Senate, as required by law.

As Sanusi tackled his perceived opponents, using one strategy or the other, he operated as a sovereign and parallel government, committing a series of illegal acts as listed in the FRCN report.

While by law the President cannot and does not spend money unless duly appropriated for by the National Assembly, Sanusi claimed that he had no such constraints and hence was able to dole out funds for projects without appropriation and outside the CBN mandate. The style of the CBN governor has been that of an unrestrained spendthrift who moves from one launch occasion to another dishing out public funds.

When all the smoke and gimmicks have evaporated, Sanusi must be made to face the reality that he has committed serious breaches of the law for which he must be brought to book. That brings to the fore one remarkable thing about President Jonathan. Although the President may appear slow in acting his machinery of justice and fair play, like the wheel of the law, will certainly always catch up with all those who have transgressed against the nation. Sanusi should not escape justice.

*Mr. Ainofenokhai, a political analyst, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014— 19

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S you read this piece, Nigeria will officially be marking her 100 years of amalgamation by her British colonial forebears. If you are a true Nigerian, don’t be shy or ashamed of calling the United Kingdom your Mother Country.

She is. Almost everything that makes you a Nigerian was conceived and established by her. Even the language we use to communicate with one another both officially and otherwise – the English language – comes from her.

In spite of the glaring fact that Britain created a convoluted geopolitical structure and sewed inequality and strife into her tapestry, Nigerians are often heard saying inane things like: “Nigerian unity is nonnegotiable” or, “Nigerian unity is a settled issue” or, “no Nigerian wants the country to break” or, “Nigerians have agreed to live together”. Nigeria unity is non-

negotiable: says who? Nigerian unity is a settled matter: in which chapter and verse of the Bible or Quran is that written? It is only things written in our adopted holy books that are settled and therefore not subject to negotiation. Constitutions can be amended (renegotiated), but the scriptures can’t. Nigeria is not written into any scripture yet people are proclaiming its unity is not subject to discussion!

When you say Nigerians have agreed to live together, the question would be: what, where, when and how? As none of the numerous conferences that resulted in the various constitutions that were used to rule Nigeria was conducted under a free atmosphere devoid of colonial or military authoritarian rule, it is simply untrue that Nigerians have agreed. That is why you often hear that the Preamble to Chapter 1 of the Constitution is a

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lie. It says: “We, the People of Nigeria: HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved: TO LIVE in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble Sovereign Nation under God…” Further, it is also often held that “no Nigerian” wants the country to break. Oh yeah? When did you pose the question? Where? And who was there to give the answer? The truth is that no such occasion ever arose when Nigerians were asked whether they wanted to live together and they gave a unanimous (or even simple majority) “yes” answer.

What we know is that each government always precludes this question from being posed because they are afraid of what Nigerians might say. The ruling establishment wields the “sanctity” and “inviolability” of Nigeria’s unity as a threat against those seeking a correct answer to the question.

Straightening Amaechi’s K-leg

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MAN’S journey in life reminds us of the antelope and the lion. When the antelope wakes up in the morning, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion, lest it would be consumed. When the lion wakes up, it realises that it must outrun the fastest antelope or it would starve to death.

In either case, it is run, run, run. That also explains why when the wise man wakes up, he prays for all the crooked ways around him to be straightened.

There is nothing here to suggest that on that fateful morning of December 2006, Chibuike Amaechi did not pray before leaving for the Port Harcourt Township Stadium. It was the age of imposition and Emperor Baba Obasanjo had determined to anoint another candidate, Celestine Omehia, who did not need to have gone through the usual nomination process.

That was how Amaechi’s case quickly developed “k-leg”. For once, a very serious matter sounded like a joke and so jokingly did many people take it. But Amaechi knew exactly what was involved. He headed for the courts.

Normally, it is easier to destroy than to rebuild. It takes one person to make a mistake and many people to correct it.

Ever since the K-leg pronouncement on Amaechi, things have not been the same.

It took the Supreme Court to perform the first major surgery on the leg to enable Amaechi run around to seek more permanent remedy.

For Amaechi, it was clear that he had to work twice as hard as his counterparts with straight legs to be half as good as they.

He realised that government is about service, the provision of which is the sole justification for government. Before the advent of this administration, Rivers was a one-city state. Port Harcourt was the only city, but as will be seen in the paragraphs that follow, this administration has changed the definition of Rivers as a one-city state

with the spreading of development efforts throughout the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

Again, Aba Road was the only real thoroughfare across Port Harcourt. Other roads in the city were just narrow ravines that hardly took two cars going side by side. On a bad day, it was not unusual to be held up in traffic on one spot, on Aba Road, for upwards of four hours.

Movement was absolutely horrendous.

But Port Harcourt is now a driver’s delight, with the dualization and widening of Chief G.U. Ake Road, Okporo Road, ElekahiaRumuomasi Road and Ken Saro Wiwa Road, among others.

The Rivers Monorail Project makes the boldest statement of them all. Twice in my life, I have seen Obasanjo open his mouth in absolute bewilderment and he had difficulty in closing the mouth: the first was when he visited the Tinapa Resort in Cross River State years ago; and the second was the penultimate week, when he got to the Rivers Monorail Project in Port Harcourt. Even in its present state as work-in-progress, we agree with Obasanjo that it is a joy to behold. He describes it as a “landmark project and a reference point”.

We are not about to forget the Afam Power Project, which by Obasanjo’s estimation, places Rivers above all other states in the country. Hear him: “Only Rivers State has the capacity to operate a monorail project. With the State generating about 700 megawatts of electricity, 200 megawatts can be allocated to the mono-rail project.” What a great projection!

In a single outing, the foregoing projects were commissioned along with the Model Primary Health Centre, Akpajo; Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Eleme; the Songhai/Rivers Farm, Bunu Tai; the Model Primary School, BanOgoi, Tai; the mini-football pitch at Niger/

For how long are we going to keep on lying to ourselves about the country we all belong to? I have no doubt that if you pose the question at the forth coming National Conference, it will pass by an impressive majority of votes, even if the “Yes” will not be unanimous. I don’t believe that Igbos will vote to secede.

They led the fight for the independence of Nigeria and have paid the heaviest price to build the nation. They have no other place than Nigeria to go.

The Yoruba will vote to stay in Nigeria. Even though they have the geopolitical advantages that will ensure a viable nation, they have benefited from Nigeria more than any other group, and will continue to do so as the epicenter of the nation’s economy. The people of the Niger Delta and the Middle Belt played crucial roles in the war to keep Nigeria one and will become prey to bigger neighbouring powers if Nigeria splits, and they know it.

They need the protection that Nigeria provides.

The people of Arewa probably need Nigeria more than everyone else. Their elite have fed fat off the bounties of the land. If Nigeria breaks, they will become another Chad, Niger Republic or Burkina Faso. Even the insurgents called Boko Haram are daydreaming, not of secession but turning Nigeria into their delusive model of a caliphate or Islamic theocratic republic.

So, if it is so obvious that Nigerians will vote to stay together if the question is popped, why are we saying don’t pop the question”? The answer is simple.

Bendel streets; basketball p i t c h , volleyball court, St. Andrew’s P r i m a r y School, Mile One Diobu; and Professor K e l s e y Harrison Hospital, Diobu, Port Harcourt, each of which is solid enough to sustain an average

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On ‘renegotiating’ Nigeria

Nigerians will say a unanimous “yes” to Nigeria once a charter of equity is agreed; Nigerians will then be confident enough to climb out of their protective ethnic cocoons and become true Nigerians

This k-leg is working hard while others with straight legs are hardly working; if it takes the k-leg to work this hard, we may as well begin to pray to be k-legged

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administration in good stead for an entire four-year tenure.

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hese projects were picked by random selection for commissioning. Others are ready. This k-leg is working hard while others with straight legs are hardly working. If it takes the k-leg to work this hard, we may as well begin to pray to be k-legged.

We now see the rationale in inviting Obasanjo to come and take part in straightening the very leg he deformed.

Like the case of the antelope and the lion, there are those who earnestly pray that Amaechi’s k-leg never gets straight. They

Before you pop the question, Nigerians will like to know the terms under which that future Nigeria is being put together. The general objective is usually not the problem. It is the method of achieving it that you must spell out in clear terms to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Otherwise, people will gladly kill one another even though they agree on a common objective.

The truth is that this Nigeria we all live in is not a happy place for any of us. We all have one thing or the other to complain about it. In fact, we have often done more than just complain.

We have shed blood in our bid to register our discontentment.

Why don’t we sit down at the coming conference and iron out the casus belli? Aren’t we being cowardly in refusing to face our demons? Yet, unless we do so, we are only feeding carbide to the cannon. By the time it will go off, most us may not be ready for the catatonic consequences that will follow.

Nigerians will say a unanimous “yes” to Nigeria once a charter of equity is agreed.

Nigerians will then be confident enough to climb out of their protective ethnic cocoons and become true Nigerians. They will shower this country with their true love and become ready to die for a Fatherland that makes itself a place of pride for all its citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, regional or religious background.

Meanwhile, here is wishing all Nigerians HAPPY CENTENARY. NIGERIA, WE HAIL THEE, OUR OWN DEAR NATIVE LAND!!

are many and they come in various ways.

For instance, Amaechi believes that Dame Patience Jonathan “wanted to micromanage governance in Rivers State but I refused”. The Jonathan administration went further to cede Rivers oil wells to neighbouring Bayelsa State where President Jonathan hails from and this, to Amaechi, amounts to gross injustice.

He speaks further: “They took Soku oil wells from us and they took 41 oil wells from Etche to Abia State” and they expect the man to remain quiet in the face of these injustices.

One bad turn deserves another. While the case lasted, President Jonathan promised that the revenue accruing from the disputed oil wells would be kept in an escrow account but before Amaechi knew what was happening, all the funds had been released to his neighbours, even when Rivers State won the cases in court. It was merely a pyrrhic victory! Their only agendum is to suffocate Amaechi and his government to death.

When Jonathan is not sitting on that kleg, his wife is doing so, as happened in Okrika, when an elected Governor was yet speaking, an unelected first lady, so called, reportedly snatched the microphone from him. And when the first lady is not on him, there is always an Mbu to unleash some onslaught! But to how much humiliation can one man be subjected? In spite of it all, he weathers the storm and he has now moved to the APC where good people are not in short supply! That is perhaps the final antidote to the k-leg!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

SAD END OF COUPLE:

Tragic tale of man who allegedly strangled wife, hanged self

BY OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

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ONSIDERING the hor rific manner of her death, it is inconceivable that the ghost of Mrs. Kemi Bankole, a business centre operator at the University College Hospital, Ibadan who was allegedly killed by her husband last Friday, is presently resting in peace. It would most probably be wandering about and crying for justice.

Unfortunately, Mr. Anthony Bankole somehow contrived to escape the long arms of the law and requisite justice as after allegedly committing the heinous crime of strangulating his wife of many years to death, he chose the option of hanging himself in their uncompleted building at Olodo area of Ibadan and left their

•Anthony Bankole...committed suicide outside. It was gathered that some church members who got hint of it rushed to her and covered her up. This was reported at the Iyana Offa Police Station. Mrs. Bankole was said to have bluntly refused, despite entreaties, to remain with her husband. After making statements, they were sternly warned by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Diran Fijabi and asked to go back home. Despite the police intervention, the woman who was afraid for her life refused to return to her husband.

The matter was later settled

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The husband reportedly raised alarm that his wife was dying; by this time the woman was said to be foaming at the mouth; moments later, she was confirmed dead

four children at the mercy of others.

The quarrel that reportedly led to the death of Mrs. Bankole started like one of several between the couple.

Many of neighbours who spoke with Vanguard Metro, VM, confirmed that the late Bankole always beat his wife at the slightest provocation.

According to them, many a time, he reportedly beat her until she fainted and would then proceed to pour water on her to resuscitate her.

When VM visited the Abayomi, Iwo Road area of Ibadan, where the incident happened, many sympathisers described the woman as an easy-going person who would hardly hurt a housefly.

Two years ago, a serious quarrel ensued between the couple and the husband reportedly stripped his wife stark naked and locked her

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by her elder sister who reportedly invited the couple to Ilesa. There were reported constant accusations by the man that his wife was a flirt.

They still decided to move on.

The latest brawl that resulted in Mrs. Bankole’s tragic death was said to have started on February 14, the Valentine day. The wife was said to have gone to her office and returned home around 8pm. On getting home, the husband, who was allegedly drunk, started accusing the wife of having gone out with another man, an allegation which the neighbours said he could not substantiate.

Around 1.30am, the husband reportedly raised alarm that his wife was dying. He ran to a nearby house to beg a car owner to help them to the University College Hospital. But by this time, the woman was said to be foaming at the

mouth. Moments later, she was confirmed dead.

Before her death, she was said to have called a doctor around 11pm on that Friday, saying her husband “had started again”. The doctor reportedly told her to run out and find somewhere to spend the night.

How my sister died: Speaking with VM, Mrs. Funke Bolanle, the younger sister of Mrs. Bankole, said she saw her sister about a fortnight ago and spoke with her on phone about three days to her sad end.

Narrating how the incident happened, she said: “I was told that around one O’ clock in the morning, my husband’s sister started inviting neighbours to come and help him rush my sister to the hospital.

But she died on the way. The doctors only tried to bring her back to life”.

Conduct of post-morterm Wondering what could have led to the death of Mrs Bankole who did not complain of any sickness on Friday, her co-workers were said to have requested that a post-mortem be conducted on the corpse to know the cause of her death.

The husband was said to have resisted, saying, as the husband, he did not want it done.

Not satisfied, the co-workers raised some money to do the post-mortem.

“When I was told about my sister ’s death, I asked him what killed her. He told me that she shouted in her dream calling names of her children and used her two hands to strangle herself. I knew this was not true”.

Mr. Bankole was said to have

•Mrs Kemi Bankole...strangled

gone back home and mopped the floor, washed a mattress and some clothes believed to have been stained with blood.

The mattress and the clothes were spread on the line at the back of the house.

On Sunday morning, family members of the wife were said to have stormed the storey building where the incident happened demanding to know the cause of their daughter’s death.

Traditional examination They were said to have said they would use traditional means to know who murdered the woman. But that was the last time they would see Mr. Bankole alive.

On Monday, Mr. Bankole, sensing that there was no hiding place, collected N200 from a neighbour, telling him he wanted to go and withdraw some money. But instead he went to their uncompleted building to hang himself.

Suicide message: Before he killed himself, he sent a text message to his brother. The message was written in Yoruba. When translated, it read: “My dear brother, I thank you for all your support from my youth up till today. Conscience fights more than charm. I have decided to do like a man at my site. Bye. I urge you to take heart. Bury me and Kemi in the garage at the entrance.

Don’t bury me outside. Take care of my children. Let them be together. Bye”.

Speaking further, the Kemi’s younger sister said: “My sister was silent to death. The axiom, ‘for better, for worse’ will not apply again. It killed my sister. She suffered till death. If she had

moved away from this man, she would have been alive today. Some people who saw her remains in the mortuary said she was bitten on the nose. Now, where would her four children go? We even heard that one of the family members of the man had taken them to Oyo town where they would be living with a woman who is a farmer. How can she take care of these children?”.

Some of the children were said to be there in the flat with them when the father was allegedly beating the woman.

Husband’s family While arrangement was being made to bury the couple, it was learnt that some members of the husband’s family had suggested that they should sell the uncompleted building which the woman’s family did not subscribe to.

They said the money would be squandered while the innocent children would wallow in poverty.

Though, the results of the post mortem had not been released officially, VM gathered that blood stains were found in the brain of the woman and one of her clavicles, the bone that joins the neck and the shoulder together had broken.

VM gathered that the eldest child was yet to learn of the death of her father because she still asked her aunty the whereabouts of her father not knowing he, too, had passed on.

Reacting to a question on the incident, DPO Fijabi described it as a case of suicide following a homicide.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 21

Global mobile advertising budget to hit $18bn

NACCIMA tasks FG on enabling environment

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

BY NAOMI UZOR

G

LOBAL mobile advertis ing spend in 2014 will hit the $18 billion mark, and grow to $41.9 billion by end of 2017, said Gartner Inc report.

The report stated that African telecoms firms will generate over $1.3 billion in mobile advertising alone by 2016, whilst the global market for mobile advertising will reach $18 billion in 2014, and grow to $41.9 billion by the end of 2017. According to the report, this information goes to show the potential that mobile advertising has, not only in Africa, but globally.

In the same vein, Group Managing Director of Terragon Group, Mr. Elo Umeh, at the ongoing mobile world Congress in Barcelona, Spain described mobile technology as the next step in marketing evolution, and a definitive medium which would redefine ways brands interact with audience in Africa.

Umeh said: “The industry is experiencing a tremendous shift in media consumption by the mass market to mobile like never before, especially in Africa which currently accounts for the highest growth of smart phones globally. “Mobile penetration in Africa is stipulated to be about 80 percent in 2013 and growing.

Right now there are more

T

From left: Convener, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria), Mrs. Margaret Adeleke; Head, Corporate Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Bola Adeeko; Executive Secretary, CECP–Nigeria, Dr. Abia Nzelu and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji at the Bell Ringing Ceremony at the NSE to commemorate International Corporate Philanthropy day. mobile devices than there are television sets. Mobile and digital services have the potential to generate significant earnings and boost the economies in Africa.”

In addition, he said that recent research reports by Gartner Inc, African Telecoms firms specifically are predicted to generate over $1.3 billion in mobile advertising revenue alone by 2016. “The global market for mobile advertising will reach $18 billion in 2014 and grow to $41.9 billion

by the end of 2017 this information goes to show the potential that mobile advertising has, not only in Africa but globally.

“With the growth that is currently occurring in the new media sphere (comprising of mobile technology, internet usage and social media) in Africa, Terragon is currently distinguishing itself as an enabler of the mobile ecosystem in Nigeria. This has been seen in the development of mobile sites for major online

publishers within and outside Nigeria as well as the various campaigns done around content aggregation and dissemination as well as digital marketing.Terragon Group boasts of Africa’s first indigenously owned mobile advertisingnetwork Twinpine, which provides a platform for owners of mobile platforms including mobile sites, mobile apps and social networks, to make money from advertisers by serving ads on their various platforms for the African audience.

Standard Bank supports 1.9m jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa — Report

By PETER EGWUATU

S

TANDARD Chartered Bank has supported some 1.9 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to around 0.6 per cent of the region’s total workforce, according to an independent report on the social and economic impact of the bank’s operations in Africa, looking at the value added to the economy and how it supports trade and employment.

The report authored by Professor Ethan Kapstein, currently a visiting fellow at the Centre for Global Development in Washington DC and Dr. René Kim, observed the following: That the bank contributed USD10.7 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy, equivalent to 1.2 per cent of the region’s GDP; Supports Sub-Saharan trade worth USD7.2 billion, equivalent to 1.2 per cent of the region’s total international trade; Supports USD1.8 billion of tax payments to governments in Sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to 1.1 per cent of total receipts of governments in the region.

The study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis to measure the direct and indirect impact of Standard Chartered’s operations in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya,

Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Further analysis revealed that Ghana contributed USD1.4 billion of value to Ghana’s economy, equivalent to 3.4 per cent of GDP; 283,000 jobs are related to the Bank’s activity, representing 2.7 per cent of Ghana’s labour force. Kenya contributed USD2 billion of value to Kenya’s economy, equivalent to 5.5 per cent of GDP; 323,000 jobs are related to the Bank’s activity, representing 2.9 per cent of Kenya’s labour force and Nigeria contributed USD2.1 billion of value to Nigeria’s economy, equivalent to 0.8 per cent of GDP; 396,000 jobs are related to the Bank’s activity, representing 0.4 per cent of Nigeria’s labour force.

The report also provided recommendations on how Standard Chartered can over time make an even greater contribution to economic growth in Africa. The suggestions encouraged the Group to continue its work toward supporting development and this includes : To further increase engagement with SMEs by providing greater access to supply chain financing; Building on existing collaborations with the international community’s bilateral and multinational development agencies to improve local infrastructure.

he Nigerian Associa tion of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has reiterated calls on the federal government to urgently bring about an enabling environment for business consistent with global practice.

President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammadu Badaru Abubakar, made the call while delivering a speech at the on-going 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair, with the theme “ Agriculture Transformation for Industrial Development; Public Private Partnership (PPP) Approach”.

He said government also needs to intensify efforts aimed at diversifying and increasing export of high value-added agro-allied and manufactured products that depend on the natural resources in which Nigeria has comparative and competitive advantage. “Government should also ensure the removal of procedural and regulatory bottlenecks incompatible with the attainment of the objectives of a dynamic export promotional policy,” he added.

Abubakar noted that the theme of the fair was appropriate given the ongoing focus of government on ensuring that the Organised Private Sector (OPS) remains the engine of real economic growth and development.

-4.0

171.65 2,882.00

-17.00

16.82

-0.52

109.47

-0.04

102.25

+0.42

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

154.75 258.3087 212.8277 174.4842 1.5121 0.3051 238.15 25.2652 41.2623 28.5138 238.9185

45 155.25 259.1433 213.5153 175.0479 1.517 0.3151 238.9194 25.3473 41.3956 28.6059 239.6905

SELLING 155.75 259.9779 214.203 175.6117 1.5219 0.3251 239.6889 25.4294 41.5289 28.698 240.4624

CBN Exchange rate as at 26/02/2014

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Regulators should focus on risk banking techniques —WAIFEM D-G

By UDEME CLEMENT

D

IRECTOR-GENERAL, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Professor Akpan Ekpo has called on banking regulators across the West African region must focus on risk based banking supervision in order to safeguard the banking industry from system distress.

“Regulators must have a firm grasp of different risks associated with banking activities, which include credit/default, foreign exchange, interest rate and liquidity risks in order to adopt risk-focused approach to banking supervision capable of repositioning the financial industry for long term growth”, he said.

Speaking at the regional course on ‘Foundation banking supervision’, organised by College of Supervisors, West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), in collaboration with WAIFEM, in Lagos, Ekpo, explained that rapid innovations in financial markets and internationalisation of financial flows have changed the face of banking almost beyond recognition, that technology and deregulation have provided new opportunities for increased competitive pressures among banks and non-banking financial institutions.

He added, “Following tremendous development in technology, financial services are evolving from transactional to information management, and the structure of delivery channels are changing to electronic distribution channels. This trend has greatly increased the possibilities for contagions as evidenced by the spread of financial crises from Thailand to the rest of Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South America in the late 1990s, and the global financial crisis of 2008. African banks have also increasingly gone global in their operations, opening offshore subsidiaries and foreign affiliates.

As such, risk-focused banking techniques must be used to prevent collapse in the system.”

The WAIFEM’s boss said, “Risk-Focused Banking Supervision (RFBS) entails development and maintenance of a supervisory plan that is current and relevant to the organisation’s changing risk profile.

The implementation of the plan requires overhauling the legal and financial oversight frameworks and changes in the supervisory frameworks of countries within the sub-region. The effectiveness of risk-

focused banking depends on the existence of rule of law that ensures enforceability of contracts, existence of regulatory agencies, which should be both operationally independent and sufficiently funded to carry out their duties. There is need for banking and other financial sector supervisors to work together to achieve effective and co-ordinated supervision, which could be achieved through timely infor-

mation flows, facilitated by enhanced information technology.”

H

e went on, “The impor tance of capital adequacy is indubitable. Capital serves as a risk-absorbing buffer to enable banks be prudent in their risk taking activities. Therefore, it is essential for regulators to keep an eye on the level of bank capital consistent with risk exposure

in banks. The need for establishment of explicit insurance schemes in our countries to mitigate the deleterious consequences associated with systemic crises cannot be overemphasized”. There is the need to build capacity of staff of supervisory agencies in credit analysis and risk management in banking organisations.”

From left: Acting Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. A.S. Daura; Regional Manager, West Africa, Nihilent, Shohel Noor and Chairman, Nihilent Nigeria, Mr. Oti Ikomi, at the signing of MoU to promote egovernance and IT capability, in Abuja.

Ecobank Nigeria to invest $5bn annual in power sector

E

cobank Nigeria has projected power sector funding of at least $5 billion p.a. over the next five years starting from 2014. This according to the bank is in line with its policy to support the growth and development of the power sector in Nigeria, being its own contribution to the sector’s transformation initiated by the Federal Government through its privatization programme.

Ecobank has played a major role on the Buy-Side of the Power Sector Privatization Exercise by providing Financial Advisory Services, Lead Arranger Role, Acquisitioning Financing and Guarantees to Distribution Companies (DISCOS) , Generating Companies (GENCOS) and National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP).

Ecobank Country Head, Power & Energy, Olufunke Jones stated that the bank’s objective is focused on playing actively at all levels of the sector’s privatization which includes Distribution, Transmission and Generation. She said Nigeria has one of the largest gaps between demand and supply for electricity. To bridge this gap the country requires a combination of favorable government policies, private sector participation and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as transparency and persistent monitoring that will guarantee an improved business environment.

According to Mrs. Jones, the current pow-

er reforms have created opportunities for Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX) funding which is a consequence of the handover to the new owners. In her words “there is the urgent need to rehabilitate the distribution networks in order to make them robust and flexible enough to accommodate the nation’s demand for power” .

Also commenting, Mrs. Funmilola Ogunmekan Local Account Manager, Corporate Banking Group said unlike the telecoms industry where new investors were able to take advantage of new technologies to redefine industry norms, the power sector is faced with the challenges of upgrading mostly obsolete equipment and processing under a traditional technology framework.

This, amongst others, is the immediate challenge before the potential of the industry is fully manifested. Mrs. Ogunmekan reiterated that in 2014 Ecobank will leverage its position as a bank with the 3rd largest branch network to provide effective Utility Collections and Cash Management services while providing the required additional CAPEX/OPEX funding requirement for at least five of the Distribution Companies across the country. Ecobank has partnered with these companies to put in place an effective and seamless Utility Collection System devoid of leakages and supported by a robust IT infrastructure.

BRIEFS

Nihilent Nigeria, NITDA sign MoU to promote e-governance

N

ihilent Nigeria, a lead ing consulting and solutions integration company based out of Lagos has signed Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to create a framework for e-governance awards and recognition program and provide training and development around IT skills.

Nihilent, in accordance with the agreement, will work with NITDA in defining the character and ethos of the eGovernance awards through various activities including identification of different award categories, formulation of awards criteria, formation of awards committee by selecting members, definition of field survey and documentation procedure, and formalization of awards and recognition. This way, Nihilent and NITDA will collaborate to foster excellence in eGovernance initiatives in Nigeria and promote use of ICT for developmental purposes. In addition, Nihilent will help NITDA in launching a comprehensive training and development program that aims to tap the best IT skills and talent in the country.

Sterling Bank commends Audax on Google RISE award

S

terling Bank Plc has commended Audax Solutions, pioneers of the Audax Code School, an initiative to teach Nigerian children programming skills for the web, for its selection alongside 41 other organizations spread across 19 countries, as a recipient of the 2014 Google RISE Awards. The G o o g l e R I S E Awards is an annual global award to recognize excellence in computer science education particularly for children between the ages of 7 and 18.

Audax Solutions and Sterling Bank recently organized the Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) Hour of Code and a free Boot Camp for kids and adults to spread awareness of the need for computer science education among the youth.

Speaking on the Award, Mr Emeka Onyenwe, the Business Manager of Audax Solutions stated that part of the cash grant from the Award will be used to further expand the company’s weekend and holiday activities which involves children from under-served neighborhoods and public schools in Lagos State, a priority goal of the organization.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 23

NEXIM harps on removal of non-tariff barriers on regional trade

By FRANKLIN ALLI

T

HE Managing Director Nigerian Export–Im port Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Roberts Orya, has said that the ongoing Borderless Alliance conference in Lagos has potentials to totally remove non-tariff barriers to trade across the ECOWAS sub-region and Africa.

The three-day event kicked off yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja.

Orya disclosed that NEXIM and the Nigeria Shippers Council were hosting this year ’s edition of the conference tagged “Enabling Growth,” Borderless 2014.

He said Borderless Alliance is pivotal to the bank’s mandate to promote and deepen the export of non-oil products and services.

He reiterated the commitment of the bank to facilitating the Regional Sealink Project which is expected to provide maritime connectivity for enhanced movement of persons, goods and services across Africa.

Orya said the sea link project which is being sponsored by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industr y, FEWACCI and endorsed by

both the ECOWAS Commission and the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa, MOWCA, will also help facilitate the realisation of the various maritime-related laws like the Cabotage and NIMASA Acts and the implementation of the National Shipping Policy.

Orya said the sealink project has becomes necessary following the challenges of road infrastructure as well as the absence of rail link within the region, in addition to the comparative low budgetary cost and short implementation timeline for the sealink project compared to either a regional

road or rail project.”High transportation costs and excessive transit time making intra-regional trade noncompetitive, with West and Central African transport and logistics costs is one of the highest in the world,” he said.

Ziad Hamoui, President of the Borderless Alliance, said the conference is well-positioned to reach the developing markets in the Sub-region, from the commercial heart of West Africa.

Dr. Gloria Elemo, DG, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos (4th left) and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (appreciating FIIRO’s cassava bread) with directors and assistant directors of the institute during the minister’s working visit.

SON boss vows to do more for economy

By FRANKLIN ALLI

D

r. Joseph Odumodu, the Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria has vowed to do more for the economy by making the country free of substandard products.

This was his reaction to the conferment of ‘Public Servant of the Year Award’ on him by the SUN Newspaper.

“The award is a motivation for me to do more. am happy that an independent observer has been following our activities at SON. This time, it is not about criticism but recognition for hard work, and we will do more. I dedicate the award to the management and staff of SON because without them, this would not have been possible,” Odumodu told reporters in Lagos.

Industry chieftains who graced the event described Odumodu’s award as deserving.

Mr. Shirish Mehta, Managing Director of MINL Nigeria Limited, who expressed satisfaction at the choice of Odumodu for the award of Public Servant of the Year, said he has consistently followed antecedents as the DG of the SON and the sanitisation campaigns of his agency.

He said the man has made landmark achievements since he became DG of the SON, especially in the last two years, during which he had revolutionised the galvanised sheets sector through his agency’s interventions.

According to him, such interventions led to the introduction

of new standard gauges for galvanised sheets, saying this has made the product affordable by many Nigerians thereby boosting the business of galvanised sheets manufacturers.

Also commenting on Odumodu’s award, Anil Hemnani, of Primlarks Nigeria limited, said he has been particularly

impressed by the dispatch with which Odumodu addresses issues reported by operators to his office.

He advised that the award should fire Odumodu and his team to do more for the country in the area of sanitising the sector of questionable products.

Guinness anchors growth on PPR tripod

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

G

uinness Nigeria Plc has anchored its growth in the brewery industry in the country on ‘People, Performance and Reputation’ tripod.

Seni Adetu, its Managing Director made this revelation during the fourth edition of the company annual ‘Walk the right path, the Pathway of Pride,’ a business integrity and ethics awareness training session which had this year ’s theme as ‘Building on Our Reputation, acting with integrity, everyday and everywhere’ “For us at Guinness Nigeria, People Performance and Reputation form a sacrosanct tripod that ensures that we continue to win in Nigeria. If any one of those legs is removed then we have a problem. Reputation is a very important part of that equation and if we are not winning in that area we cannot expect to win as an organisation. Business integrity is not optional but part of the very fabric of our everyday organisation. There is no alternative to doing the right thing.”

In a keynote address, Ms Yvonne Ike, Managing Director, Renaissance Group West Africa emphasised on building an organisation known not only for excellent products or services but also with a reputation for standing against bribery and corruption.

Ms Olajobi Makinwa, Head, Transparency and Anti-Corruption, UN Global Compact, stressed on the importance of doing the right thing especially in line with legal repercussions.

“Many times people commit crimes in Nigeria and don’t understand the impact of their actions according to the laws of other countries. Certain laws in the UK and the US means that if you do the wrong thing in Nigeria and travel abroad for a holiday you may not come back because you could be arrested according to the laws of the land” Mr. Ike Ilegbune of Convention on Business Integrity (CBi) said integrity is not just a virtue that we should hold as individuals but it is important that it translates into our business operations as well. “Integrity is more than a virtue that we hold because of our religious or moral affiliations; it is actually a critical part of sustained business prosperity.

BRIEFS: Distell Int'l rewards Amarula distributors

D

ISTELL International has rewarded distributors of Amarula cream drink in Nigeria.

The star prize of a brand new Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle was won by Mr. Chigozie Anagu, Managing Director of Chigotex Royal Link who was commended for his astuteness, business acumen and loyalty to the Amarula.

The second prize of a Toyota Saloon Car was won by Mr. Emeka Onyenanu, Chief Executive Officer of Uzems Limited, who was described as a dedicated and consummate marketer of Amarula cream in Nigeria. Other winners went home with assorted prizes which included brand new Generators, Flat screen Television sets and Refrigerators.

Richard Lucas, Country Manager of Distell International in Nigeria, noted “Amarula is unique in taste as it is made from marula fruit that grows exclusively in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa, where nature remains unspoiled.”

Focus Softnet seeks customer base in Nigeria

D

UBAI based Focus Soft net is seeking customer base in Nigeria. Accordingly, the company has signed a partnership agreement with Focus Softnet Services Nig Ltd to distribute its wide range of IT software solutions in Nigeria.

According to the terms of the agreement, Focus Softnet Services Nig Ltd will be the vendor’s gold partner for its enterprise software solutions such as Focus i, Focus RT and Focus 6 and a value added reseller for all other Focus products.

“We are very happy to sign on Focus Softnet Services Nig Ltd as our gold partner for our flagship products and as a value added reseller for our vertical-specific solutions and business process solutions.

The value Focus Nigeria brings to the table is its tremendous expertise and immense market knowledge. The company has deep understanding of the Nigerian market and our solutions and we are confident they will help us establish our customer base and increase our market share and reach across Nigeria and the wider West African region,” said Mr. Ali Hyder, CEO of Focus Softnet.

Focus Softnet is an established software solutions provider with customers across the globe.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Mixed reactions greet FEC approval of NSC as commercial regulator

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & OLAITAN AYOOLA

M

IXED reactions have continued to greet the recent approval granted the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, as commercial regulators for the Nigerian maritime industry.

While some operators are excited about the development, some are afraid that the Council has only been given added responsibility without corresponding powers.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said that the Council cannot do anything until the law is changed.

Also commenting on the development, President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, expressed joy about the development, which he described as a step in the right direction.

Shittu said, “We asked for it, we got it and we are commending the federal government for taking the right decision.

“We congratulate the shipping council and challenge them to bring succour to operators in the industry.”

President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Eugene Nweke, hailed the government’s decision, noting that it shows that the present administration has a listening ear but called on the management of the council to live up to the expectation of operators.

Nweke said, “It is a big plus, we commend Mr. President for demonstrating that he is a listening president and he has the interest of the people at heart because in the last dispensation, we experienced gross negligence in our collective aspiration as a nation..”

“Our country is shifting from public sector monopoly to private sector monopoly. Do we have a structure to regulate the investors that are coming into the country? Why is it that despite all,none of the investors that come into Nigeria operate in accordance with international best practice?

“It is only in Nigeria that investors come and

they do not apply international best practices.”

Similarly, Managing Director/CEO of Shibab Services Ltd, Babatunde Shittu, agreed with Bello

when he stressed that the council has been performing the duties of the regulator.

He, however, charged them to work at improv-

ing the working condition of operators in the shipping sector of the economy.

It will be recalled that the Federal Executive

Council, FEC, last Wednesday approved the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, as the commercial regulator of the maritime industry.

Briefs NIMAREX solicits stakeholders’ participation in 2014 Expo

BY MARIAM EKO

O

Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Habib Abduhalli (left) and Executive Director in charge of enginerring, Mohammed Saleh, at the unveiling of the authority’s e-payment, in Lagos.

Customs halts multi-million dollar cassava processing farm operation

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

A

PAPA Area1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has halted operations at a cassava processing farm established following government’s call for investment in the sector.

The cassava processing farm, Thai Farms International Ltd, TFIL, which is based in Ogun state, had imported equipment for expansion purposes,

which arrived Apapa port early October, 2013 but as at two weeks ago, the consignment is yet to be cleared from the port.

Vanguard gathered that on arrival at the port in Lagos, the clearing documents for the cargo were processed and cleared to exit from port in line with government policy that machines for cassava processing should have zero duty, after it was scanned and certified free to exist on January 5, 2013.

Investigation revealed

that all the relevant officers and agencies that needed to sign for the consignment to exit the port have done so but the officers in charge of Customs Intelligent Unit, CIU, of the Command, refused to sign the release document on 7th of that same month.

The CIU officer’s reason for refusing to sign the released document, Vanguard gathered was based on his belief that the equipment could be

Sacked agencies back at port, as operators kick

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & OLAITAN AYOOLA

F

REIGHT Forwarders Trade Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI) has cried out over the return of sacked agencies from the nation’s ports three years after the Federal Government directed them to leave, even as the group noted that clearing of cargo from the ports now takes about 35 days.

Chairperson of the group, Julie Ogboru, who disclosed this to Vanguard, said all the sacked agencies are back and it is busi-

ness as usual because they are now slowing down the clearing process.

Ogboru also noted that the clearing time from when a consignment is dropped at the port to when it is taken out, now takes about 35 days.

According to her, “All of them are now back to the ports; if you go to the port, you will see what I am saying. They will tell you if “you don’t give me money you go nowhere.”

Continuing she said, “So where do we go from here?

There is corruption everywhere, nobody can talk to anybody. If you dare talk to them, they will tell you they have their papers from Mr. President. Is the

Presidency aware of other systems in the world? Why then are we operating a different system here in our maritime industry?

Therefore, if we cannot put our house in order because we want money, then we cannot set standard because we will be having problems.”

On the way out, she noted that the 48 hours clearance time, which Customs promised could be achieved, then there was a ray of hope.

She stressed the need for Nigeria to go back to the system which is operated everywhere in the world including some African countries.

used for other purposes.

The agent of TFIL, Vanguard learnt had written a protest letter to Customs Area Controller, CAC, demanding for his intervention on the January 13, 2013.

RGANISERS of the Nigerian Maritime Expo, NIMAREX, have urged investors and stakeholders to partake in this year ’s expo and conference.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Chairman, Planning Committee of the NIMAREX, Mrs Margaret Orakwusi, called on Nigerians, investors and stakeholders in the maritime industry to take advantage of the programme coming up next month to grow their businesses.

Orakwusi said that the Expo will serve as an avenue to showcase opportunities for investors to invest and participate in the Nigerian maritime industry.

She added that NIMAREX has been able to midwife the partnership between foreign and local firms in a way that will boost the development of the sector.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 25

From right: (Dr) Patience Jonathan, UNILAG, VC, Prof Rhamon Bello, Chairman, Fund Raising Committee, Prof. Chukwuma Nwose, Chairman, UNILAG Parents' Forum, B. Majekodunmi and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman UNILAG Governing Council, Prof. Jerry Gana unveiling the 15-storey female hostel named after the First Lady.

Patience Jonathan makes case for girl-child university education

BY DAYO ADESULU, AMAKA ABAYOMI & LAJU ARENYEKA

F

IRST Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan has said that Nigerians must ensure that a significant percentage of the country’s young people, especially girls, should acquire university education. “There is a popular saying that if you educate a man, you educate a person, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” she said during a visit to the University of Lagos, UNILAG, last weekend.

“Parents must pay adequate attention to the education and welfare of our children, because education is the key to human capital development and the basis for national development. This is an area that Mr. President and I are very passionate about, because we were once teachers ourselves,” she added.

Mrs. Jonathan’s call for girlchild education is crucial be-

cause of the sorry state of girlchild access to education in the country, even at the basic level. Out of Nigeria’s 10.5 million out-of-school children - the highest in the world - six million are girls. 70.8 per cent of young women aged 20-29 in the North-West zone are unable to read or write.

Experts believe that due to the fact that these girls are deprived so early of an education (including the access to information and knowledge), they remain bereft of the purchasing power necessary for adequate diet, healthcare, skills, or even recourse to support in emergencies, all of which would enable them rise above abject poverty.

Her words: “The building of the 15-storey female hostel is a worthy course because it will reduce the number of those living outside the campus. Education is the key to human capital development, hence the quality of education will determine the type of leaders we will produce in the future. We must

ensure that the girl-child acquires education, because when you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation.

Education is the best we can give our nation. As you pass through the school, let the system also pass through you.”

On standard of education, she urged government to increase the quality of education to compete favourably with their counterparts globally. According to her, "with sincere commitment, we can bring back the good old days when teachers were respected."

Besides, Jonathan also called upon unions in the sector to resort to dialogue as a means of resolving issues that might arise, no matter how difficult they might be. “There is nothing God cannot do,” she said, “I am talking to you as a mother would advise the children whom she loves. Mr. President and I were once students; we want the best for all Nigerian students.”

It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, only called off

its six-month strike last December. The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has kept most polytechnic students at home for 129 days.

Mrs. Jonathan’s visit to UNILAG also highlighted other concerns in the tertiary education sector, one of which is the unavailability of campus accommodation in universities across the country to cater for majority of university students.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Rahamon Bello stated that the institution’s 40,291 students have over the years, suffered accommodation problem apart from the over 16,000 Distant Learning students who scramble for 8,500 available bed spaces.

Bello, who pointed out the importance of the 15-storey building to the institution, said it was designed to accommodate 1,900 out of the 17,934 female students saying the project will assist to reduce the number of female students who live off-campus.

Continues on page 26

Why FG took over schools in 1975 — Pa Fagbulu Pg. 26

ERC condemns continued hike in LASU fees Pg. 37

UNITAR recommends EES for Rivers education, lauds achievements Pg. 30

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Why FG took over schools in 1975 – Pa Fagbulu

BY DAYO ADESULU

D

Dr. Amiel Fagbulu quantity of teachers have been assured; parents have also been relieved of the burden of paying for a thousand and one things for their children’s education; and children have not had it so good in Nigeria since independence. They should therefore guard what they have been given on a platter of gold, jealously.”

,

r. Amiel Fagbulu, 80, who was part of the Federal Government’s arrangement to take over schools in 1975 has said that the arrival of a new child should ordinarily be a thing of joy not only for the lucky parents but also for those around who love them and know the hazards and hardships of child-bearing.

Fagbulu who wrote this piece on the launch of Baptist Central Elementary School, Ilare, Ileife said those who know what it means for a child to learn in a pleasant environment cannot but rejoice with those state governments that are providing first-class physical facilities for the children to learn in.

He said that most people take for granted the fact that governments are only doing what they need to do by providing functional, spacious and convenient facilities for the children in schools, adding, “they hardly pause to think of the extreme cost of those facilities and the juggling of budgets that has to be done to meet other needs of parents for good roads, health centres, safe drinking water, and to some extent, work.

According to him, those governments that are shunning cheaper, less safe and effective school structures and are at the same time increasing the number of children going to school are not unaware of the need to ‘feed and clothe’ these children who need to be attended to properly. It is a heroic act and one of great commitment for anyone to take up the expensive challenge of putting up many purpose-built learning institutions across a state as large as Osun, and providing at the same time food, uniform and instructional materials that are delivered at the cutting edge of technology.

"Fortunately," he continued, “these children have no reason to yell now because they are provided with almost everything that they need to enjoy while schooling, learning and securing their future. The quality and

those schools of the past that have become legends had.”

A

ccording to him, with the injection of dedicated and properly oriented head teachers, and the internalization of the Omoluabi philosophy, there is no reason why these schools cannot match or surpass the greatness of

...Parents have also been relieved of the burden of paying for a thousand and one things for their children’s education; and children have not had it so good in Nigeria since independence

,

Comparing the situation of schools decades ago to what it is in Osun now, Fagbulu said: “I taught at the Government College, Ibadan. I was Principal of Edo College, Benin City. As an inspector, I visited educational institutions from Warri to Ilaro. As a Chief Inspector, I knew intimately all secondary schools in the old Western Region. Above all, I was part of the Aiyetoro Comprehensive High School dream. I feel qualified therefore to say that the standard of the provisions being made systematically for children of the State of Osun match and in some respects, surpass what

•Baptist Central School, Ilare, Ife before

King’s College, Igbobi College, Baptist Academy, Queen’s College, St. Anne’s College, Aiyetoro, Ikenne, and other great schools that have become legends of our time.

His words: ‘’Now that schools are really schools and qualified teachers and not quacks are in charge of the future of our children, some of us who have been around for almost too long are already concerned about the future of the schools that are being celebrated today. ‘’There are many strategies that could be adopted to safeguard the future of these buildings. An obvious one is for government to employ one or

•Baptist School

two guards to keep watch around the clock, especially after hours. Another is for the buildings to be handed over to the community for upkeep and to secure. The third is for the Local Government in which the school is located to take responsibility for keeping them properly maintained and secure. Another is to have a dedicated body to do nothing more than maintain all such facilities as they become commonplace in all our towns and cities. ‘’The demerit of the first is that because schools belong to the people, it is an absolute disservice to the community for it not to make an input – any input - to providing education for its children. What one gets free is easier forgotten than what one really worked for. ‘’Handing the building over to the community has its downturn. Do the people feel committed enough to undertake the responsibility of keeping the school absolutely clean at all times? What if the will is there but the wherewithal to accomplish what is desired is not? These and other questions need to be asked and answered satisfactorily before any action is taken in that direction. ‘’Of the first three options, the most appealing is that the schools be handed to the LGA to maintain and guard vigilantly. That body, unlike communities, can be sanctioned if it fails to perform this duty.

Also the budgetary obligations can be met by any LGA that is serious and responsible. And since the LGA is supposed to be the people’s government, the communities in which they are situated will be involved in one form or the other in their upkeep and proper use.

Finally, a Schools Maintenance Board that will also have a training school attached to it, to train and certify janitors at the highest level to upkeep schools, and public and private facilities, could be established to do the work.

Expertise would be developed and costs would be minimized by offering paid services to institutions and private companies. If properly managed, it could be the answer to elongate the lives of these structures.

"We are witnessing history today. Let us ensure that those who made it possible are there tomorrow."

•Baptist School

Patience Jonathan makes case for girl-child university education Continues from page 25 Meanwhile, Professor Bello has described the First Lady's commitment to women as encouraging and worthy of commendation.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Jerry Gana, noted that the foundation-laying event should be celebrated because it is the first 15-storey building on any campus in Nigeria.

LASG urged to sustain grassroots sports

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

T

HE Lagos State Govern ment, LASG, has been urged to continue its promotion of grassroots sports, as it portends a great avenue to discovering young talents, who will continue to fly the nation’s flag at national and international competitions.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Golden Treasure Investment/ Bureau De Change, Mr. Matthew Aiyeola gave this charge at the 3rd Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of Pampers Private School, Lekki, Lagos.

Aiyeola, who chaired the occasion, stated that the current administration of Mr. Babatunde Fashola, is doing tremendously well in the promotion of grassroots sports, especially through competitions targeted at public schools in the state, however, called on subsequent administrations to sustain the culture.

He said: “Today’s event is a wonderful one, as children are encouraged to compete healthily. It is not the House that wins that matters, but the most important thing is that the spirit of sportsmanship is imbibed by the children. It starts today because these young ones will in the future fly the nation’s flag at national and international competitions.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 27

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

129-day strike: ASUP, FG remain adamant

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

S

TUDENTS in 20 federal polytechnics and tens of state polytechnics across the country have remained at home for a total of 129 days due to the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics. In spite of this, the union and the Federal Government have refused to shift grounds and bring an end to the situation.

In an interview with Vanguard Learning,the ASUP President said: “We have called a meeting for all our members, which will hold very soon. But in the meantime, we have directed our different chapters to start mass protests in their different locations. It is such a pity that since we got back to the Federal Government on February 6thwith the decision of our National Executive Council made on Feb 5thto continue the strike, there has been absolutely no response. This is despite the fact that there are 20 federal polytechnics and even more state polytechnics that have

been closed down for nearly seven months.

“The only reason I believe this is so is because there is a general disregard for polytechnics.

When the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, was on strike, the Federal Government made moves to resolve the issue, but now that it is the polytechnics, government is not interested. When we met with the Supervising Minister of Education before we held our NEC meeting, he refused to discuss any other issue in the 13-point agreement apart from the payment of outstanding arrears.

He simply promised that the government would pay in two installments. But even that statement did not hold water because it was obvious that he hadn’t consulted the Minister of Finance or any other top government official before making that proposal.”

It would be recalled that ASUP embarked on a strike in April 2013, barely three months before the six-month strike by the ASUU which was called off in December. ASUP suspend-

ed the strike in July 2013 as a result of Government’s promise to fulfill four of the 13 issues in the contentious 2009 agreement between both parties.

These four issues include release of the White paper on Visitation to Federal Polytechnics, the completion of the constitution of the governing councils for federal polytechnics, the migration of the lower cadre on CONTISS 15 salary scale, and the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics. The union suspended the strike, and gave Government a one month time frame to resolve these issues.

But it was not until ASUP resumed its strike in January that the Federal Government commenced Needs Assessment and completed the constitution of the governing councils for federal polytechnics.

ASUP is now insisting that all 13 issues must be attended to before the polytechnic lecturers will go back to school.

School introduces dress code for students

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

T

o ensure strict discipline on campus, authorities of Osun State College of Education, IlaOrangun have introduced new dress code for both the male and female students of the institution.

The Acting Provost of the college, Dr Bashiru Gbadamosi, who announced this at the maiden matriculation ceremony for students undergoing degree programme of the Ekiti State University at the college, said the institution introduced the dress code to avoid indecent dressing by students while on campus.

He said the new dress code would afford the students a sense of dressing, which would in turn be beneficial to the society.

Dr Gbadamosi who frowned at the level of indiscipline amongst students of tertiary institutions in the country, said the authorities of the institution would be strict with the new dress code, adding that erring students would be severely punished.

He stated that, “it is morally deficient to engage in indecent dressing on campus. In fact, the college has dress code entrenched in the college handbook, which all students should compulsorily adhere to. Violation of the dress code is considered a serious act of misconduct and shall attract stiff penalty.”

While administering the oath of matriculation on the 335 new students of the university, the ViceChancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Patrick Aina, warned the students against cultism, examination malpractice and other delinquencies capable of making them forfeit their studentship.

He noted that the university is rated as one of the best in Law and Education programmes in the country and urged the students to contribute their quota to the growth of the institution.

He urged the new students to work assiduously to justify the dreams of the founding fathers of the university by playing responsible roles in contributing to the human capital development needs of the country.

Loral celebrates Valentine with less privileged

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA From left: Executive Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Onyekachi Onubogu; Director General, National Mathematics Centre, Abuja, Professor Adewale Solarin; and Head, Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor, Mr. Andrew Enahoro, at a press briefing on 2014 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition, in Lagos.

NMC awards scholarship to Maths winner

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

T

HE Director-General of the National Mathematical Centre, NMC, Abuja, Professor Adewale Solarin, has said the centre will grant the top scorer in the junior category of the National Secondary School Mathematics Competition, NASSMAC, scholarship into the NMC Model International Academy, while the top scorer in the senior category who is willing to study mathematics in the university would be awarded scholarship.

Solarin disclosed this at the flag-off of the 2014 NASSMAC competition aimed at awakening the consciousness and interest of secondary school students in Mathematics.

Imploring other private orC M Y K

ganisations to partner with the Federal Government and promote the study and interest in Mathematics as a subject, Solarin said the final top students in the maths competition would gain automatic invitation to the annual Maths Olympiad trainings.

“The NMC is willing to organise Olympiad trainings for teachers of junior and senior categories winners while schools of the best three students would get 100 NMC branded rubic cubes, branded textbooks and Maths Olympiad textbooks.”

Describing the processes involved in participating in the competition, the Category Manager, Brands, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Inawo Abiola said that the competition is open to all students between

10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SS2, in any government approved school in Nigeria.

“The best three students in both categories will represent their schools, and schools that intend to participate can obtain forms from www.promasidorng.com, the headquarters or regional offices nationwide.”

The properly filled forms must be stamped and signed by the school principal and must be presented by the student to the officials at the examination centre on the examination day.

The first stage of the examination will hold on March 15, 2014, in 200 centres across Nigeria. Students with the highest scores in both categories will move to the second and final stage examination which will produce national prize winners.

I

t was indeed a day of celebration as Loral International Boarding Secondary School Igbesa in Ogun State, joined the rest of the world on February 14 to mark Valentine ’s Day, extending a hand of love to two orphanages.

Apart from visiting and making donation of goods worth thousands of naira to Arrow of God Orphanage in Igando and We-Will Orphanage in Oko Afo, the students also participated in several activities like comedy, dance, drama, miming and talk show.

Explaining the significance of Valentine celebration in the school, Vice Principal (Administration), Mrs. Christy Ndukwe, said that the event is to tailor the pupil’s mindset towards the right tenets of Valentine.

Emphasizing the importance of teaching children the true essence of Valentine, she noted that there is need for these kids to learn how to love in a godly manner and in the fear of God. We have taught them how to love their neighbours, show them love by caring for them, also being compassionate to the less privileged. When the purpose of something is unknown, abuse is inevitable. When they are properly informed about it, they will not abuse it.”

The visit to the orphanage homes according to Oby Oraka, HM, Loral International Boarding Nursery and Primary School, "is to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged children in these orphanages. We also want our students to learn the practical act of compassion which is why the school administration as well as the students pulled their resources together to carry out this project.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

MTN empowers youth with skills development project

By DAYO ADESULU

I

N aligning with the Federal Government’s efforts to raise the level of entrepreneurial skill acquisition in Nigeria, the MTN Foundation has launched a youth skills development project worth millions of Naira at the Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Speaking at the commissioning where the Lagos State Governor, Babatude Raji Fashola (SAN), Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Barr. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Engr. Gasper Olawunmi to mention a few,

graced the occasion, Dr. Pascal Dozie, Chirman, MTN Nigeria said, “the Youth Skills Development Project was conceived from MTN’s recognition of the importance of empowering Nigeria youth.”

He said that the project aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to raise the level of entrepreneurial skill acquisition, adding that it will boost technological advancement which will drive the social economic development.

While MTN Foundation already carries out several projects under the Economic Empowerment portfolio, Dozie noted that the MTNF Board

From left: Director, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius AdelusiAdeluyi; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, and a student of Government Technical College showing the dignitaries the equipment MTNF provided for the electrical workshop of the school.

approved the Youth Skills Development Project in July 2010 as a sign of their interest in youth development in Nigeria.

He said, “We recognise that the youth make up a large part of the Nigerian population and by extension, a significant segment of MTN’s customers.

An investment in the youth is an investment in Nigeria’s future.”

According to him, the Foundation Skills Development Project is designed to foster the spirit of self-reliance amongst Nigerian youth, as it builds the capacity of students in vocational colleges to make them competent technicians for the labour market.

The Chairman explained that under the first phase of the project which is being implemented by Deux Project Limited, four government technical vocational colleges across the country will benefit from an upgrade of their school facilities, as well as provision of cutting-edge equipment for up-to-date training and development of craftsmen, technicians and artisans. ”Apart from Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos State, other beneficiary colleges include; Government Technical College, Owo, Ondo State as well as the Government Technical Colleges in Malali, Kaduna State and Farfaru, Sokoto State,” he added.

UNITAR recommends EES for Rivers education, lauds achievements

By DAYO ADESULU

T

HE United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNITAR has lauded the Rivers State Government for its numerous achievements recorded in the education sector over the years.

The UNITAR Programme Manager in Nigeria Dr Minimah Edmundson stated this when they paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Education Rivers State, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi in her office in Port Harcourt.

Edmundson stated that the rebuilding and upgrading of the infrastructures in schools and introduction of ICT are all steps in the right direction. He also said that the elaborate training and upgrading of the teachers in the preparation and delivery of lessons in line with approved curricula at the different levels have been yielding positive results.

He, however, proposed to the Commissioner for the introduction of monitoring and evaluation for Efficient C M Y K

UNITAR Programme Manager, Dr Minimah Edmundson, Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Perm Sec, Michael West and ED, Rivers State Quality Assurance, Prof Orubite.

Education Systems (EES). He explained that the EES is a computer-based system which uses current information technology to provide modern solutions that will be needed to establish educational infrastructure that will empower teachers to work efficiently and effectively saying, the EES ensures effectiveness and efficiency.

According to him, the mode of its operations include Biometric clock-in-devices which eliminate ghost teachers (save cost for the state), eliminate falsification of signing attendance on note books, eliminate signing attendance by proxy, eliminate artificial truancy; and cover-ups by the administrative heads.

RIGHT OF REPLY (1) "Those who deal in ideas, if they are wise, will welcome attack. Only a peaceful passage should dismay them; for it proves that the ideas do not affect anyone very much."

Professor John Kenneth Galbraith. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 97).

I

received a text message from Professor Omogbai, accusing me of not publishing his rejoinder to an article published on this page. Until then, I had not seen the rejoinder - which as it turned out, was buried under an avalanche of email messages on the same subject.

I later sent Professor Omogbai a text message saying that he will be shocked if he read the massive amount of emails I received from the victims of the Course Note and sexual exploitation rackets.

However, before reading Professor Omogbai's reply, let me quickly acknowledge another text message.

0803-389-8583. Thanks for forwarding your text to Uncle Dele to me. Please, I am not involved in sexual exploitation of my female students. Anybody is free to ask my employer, Alvan Ikoku Fed. Col. of Education and ask about me, Dr Tony Ekwe.

OF "VARSITIES TALK" AND DELE SOB OWALE'S U N PA R D O N A B L E MISCONCEPTIONS Prof. Eric Omogbai (Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria) I have read Dr. Dele Sobowale's first installment entitled 'How ASUU members destroyed Nigerian universities in the Vanguard newspaper of Thursday 2 January and I am shocked and embarrassed by the sweeping and untrue and indeed unjustifiable claim that lecturers, without exception, in all of Nigeria's public universities 'line their pockets with proceeds from the sale of Course Notes'. I was so appalled by this unqualified assertion backed only by hearsay and i n d e p e n d e n t l y unsubstantiated experiences of some of his children and relations that I felt there already exists a sufficient indication of his drift to warrant a response.

One would have waited for the subsequent or concluding installment(s) of the piece before responding but so

much damage has already been done not only to the integrity of a majority of the academic staff of Nigeria's public universities but also to that of the very hardworking graduates of these institutions who leave with well-deserved degrees and who go on to excel not only in the Nigerian labour market but all over the world. If Dr Sobowale's daughter was asked to 'forget about studying, (and) to just buy the Course Notes', it means she acquired no education and it is unbelievable that any enlightened parent would allow such a situation to pass unchallenged. It is important to respond to Dr. Sobowale's piece otherwise people the world over who read him including on the internet might build their opinion on his claims. In the first place, Dele Sobowale is not a runof-the-mill journalist who lives off the dust he can stir up in his weekly columns. He often reminds us, and I believe him, that he is not a journalist at all. Secondly he is a very well-educated man and if he had chosen to be an academic in a tertiary institution I think he would have done very well in the field. One cannot therefore honestly say that he is bashing Nigerian academics as some journalists enjoy doing as a result of sour grapes.

I attended the University of Ibadan for my first degree (September 1973 to July 1979).

Throughout my six years of study there, no lecturer sold a Course Note or 'handout' to me or my class mates. We had them for free because they were produced with departmental resources. But the times are now different.

Public universities have been so starved of resources (responsible for the decay in the system that led to the just suspended ASUU strike) that such facilities are no longer available. The classes are now even much larger and more difficult to cater for with declining resources.

Nonetheless, these do not provide an excuse for the unbridled sale of Course Notes to students.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 , 2014 — 31 ifychimexs@yahoo.com

Vol 02

No. 20 FEBRUARY, 2014

www.vanguardngr.com

PAAR:

We have zero tolerance for corruption

—Customs boss

... we will build a secondary school with boarding for our children After the take over of Destination Inspection Scheme, the Ruling Centre of the Nigeria Customs Service issued the first Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR). The document which replaces the Risk Assessment Report issued by erstwhile Service Providers is a mandatory requirement for imports into Nigeria.

In this interview, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, spoke on a number of things bordering on destination inspection, capacity building, scanning system, among others. He said that the expeditious issuance of the document is indicative of the level of preparedness of the Nigeria Customs Service to handle the scheme. While explaining that form M’ forms the basis of PAAR, he said that with the new system, NCS has zero tolerance for corruption. Excerpt:

L

ET us look at the PAAR. How has it affected the service positively?

We will say it is a success story. We started since December 2013. However, we cannot look at the faces of Nigerians and say we have achieved a 100 per cent success, because there are hitches here and there. But we sincerely thank and appreciate Nigerians for not creating any anxiety, because we have an option which we are working towards.

So, basically, we inherited a backlog and are trying to clear it. Then, we have new ones uploading in the system which is clearly slowing the effectiveness of the PAAR. But actually, we have gone far and we have the cooperation of Nigerians.

In terms of compliance, we have seen a very big improvement from Nigerians and in terms of integrity, you know that some may want to exhibit bad habit. In terms of

revenue, we have seen an increase in revenue, better than what we had before. So, I can say that these are three things that are the elements of the big success we have recorded so far.

Do you think enough awareness has been created on PAAR, looking at the stakeholders level, importers and agents?

You know Nigeria is very big.

But I must say that it is the good hands we have that are managing the PAAR. I just came back from a meeting and I have mandated all the zonal coordinators to go round, whether it is the market, town hall, villages, cities to make sure that Nigerians understand the position of Customs and where we are heading to.

Infact, we are now rolling out a lot of media campaigns ranging from electronic, print media and even into the native languages. So, I believe with the help of that and some others in the various markets, it will help people understand what

,

BY IFEYINWA OBI

Nigeria is very big. But I must say that it is the good hands we have that are managing the PAAR

,

exactly we are doing. You know PAAR is basically not for everybody, it is for those who actually import goods. But actually what we want to send to people is about the trade hub, a systematic and most

CGC DIKKO

simplistic way of doing business in Nigeria. Basically, that is the message we are sending to our traders, big or small. So, we are going to combine the PAAR and the trade hub so that Nigerians will understand that Customs have made imports or exports very easy.

The importers allege that PAAR clashes with form M. How true is that?

No, form M forms the basis of PAAR. I don’t think there is

any reason for there to be any clash. It is the information of form M that will bring up the PAAR. So, I believe if one passes the wrong information or that form M is not valid, form M that is not well cleared in terms of issuance, or a form M that we feel is not genuine, we become suspicious and we reject it. So, if that is what they call the conflict, it is better explained that probably there is a problem with form M that is why it is rejected. Actually, Continues on page 33

Tin Can Island command generates N22m revenue •records N240.2bn in 2013

T

HE Tin can Island command said it has generated N21,560,202million revenue in January 2014, adding that 14 seizures were also made within the same period.

According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Jibrin Zakari, the seized items which included eight 40’ft containers and other items are made up of ladies bags, motor parts, traveling bags, fridges etc. He, however ,did not give the identities of the suspected

smugglers arrested or the names of the agencies they represented.

Similarly, the command recorded a total sum of N240.2billion revenue for the 2013 fiscal year comprising import duty, fees, Common External Tariff levy CET, and Value Added Tax VAT, paid into the federation account.

The management of the service at the beginning of the fiscal year gave the command a revenue target of N264

Continues on page 32

32 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 , 2014

Waivers, exemptions of duty impact on our revenue profile, Magaji E

VEN with its enviable record of achievements, the Customs Area Controller, Onne Port Command, Comptroller Mohammed Magaji has said that waivers and exemption of duties and taxes granted by the government impacted negatively on the revenue profile of the command.

In the performance report of the command from January to December, 2013, the CAC said that bulk cargoes such as rice and cement imports dropped drastically in reaction to the backward integration policy of the Federal Government .

With this, he said that rice importation attracted a duty rate of 10 per cent with a levy of 100 per cent as well as 0.5 per cent ETLS, one per cent CISS and seven per cent surcharge.

Magaji said,“We are determined to ensure the realization of the command’s revenue target, enforcement of the Federal Government’s fiscal policies in her modernization operations.

“The Onne Command has a revenue target for year 2013 as N131,050,000,000.000 or N10,920,833,333.33 monthly.

Officers and men of the command who are always being motivated by the incentives provided by Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Abdullahi Dikko Inde worked tirelessly with determination and commitment to support the realization of this target.”

According to him, oil well equipment and parts which constitute the most common imports through the command

•CAC Magaji attracts five per cent rate of duty under the extant common external tariff. Duty free national integrated power project (NIPP) equipment also patronize the port.

He added that the command collected a total revenue of N85,084,452,311.99 from January 2013.

“This was made up of N58888,285,243.00 collected into the federation account and N31,196,167,068.99 into non federation account.

“However, the Command was able

to achieve 64.9 per cent of the target and recorded revenue increase of N7,493,411,452.52 over the total revenue of N77,591,040,859.47 collected for the corresponding period of 2012 despite the aforementioned challenges” he explained.

The command he said has zero tolerance policy against smuggling hence it seized 17 containers and one truck of second hand tyres with duty paid value of N156.062.963.89.

“Suffice it to state that the achievements in the command can only be attributed to the managerial prowess of the CGC, Dr. Dikko Inde Abdulllahi which has fashioned a new tempo and determination for achievement to all officers of the service.

“The officers and men of the command will remain eternally grateful to the CGC for human capacity building efforts, good welfare packages, supply of generating sets, building of 30-man rank and file block, barracks rehabilitation, borehole, drilling and access roads to Onne Customs barracks Ebubu to mention but a few.

“We can only pledge our absolute loyalty and commitment to the goals and aspirations of the CGC for our service and the nation in general.”

Tin Can Island command generates N22m revenue collected in January of the review period as against the N14.6 billion collected in the January of the previous year.

The command also collected N16.3 billion in February, which is N3 billion less than the N19.3 billion collected in February 2012. The revenue recorded an increase in the month of March of the review period when N17.6 billion was recorded, which is also lower than the N19 billion collected in March of the previous year.

Substantial increase in revenue

•CAC Jibrin Zakari Continues from page 31 billion, which translates to N22 billion per month.

Revenue statistics released by the command shows that though this figure falls short of its N264 billion projected revenue for the year by N24 billion.

It was, however, higher than the 2012 revenue figures by N33.8 billion, as it collected N206.4 billion. Details of the revenue figures released by the command shows that N16.4 billion was

The command, however, recorded a substantial increase in revenue generation in April of the review period when it collected N19.2 billion as against the N15.2 billion collected in April of the previous year. It also collected N19.9 billion in May, which dipped to N17.6 billion in June of the review period as against the N17.1 billion and N18.3 billion collected in the months of May and June respectively of the previous year.

Meanwhile the command collected N20.4 billion in the month of July, 2013, which is the highest in the first seven months of the year. This is about N2.9 billion higher than the N17.4 billion collected in July 2012. The command’s revenue generation profile also rose in

August of the year under review when it collected a whopping N23.7 billion, which is the highest in the year in a particular month as against the N18.5 billion collected in the comparative period of 2012.

The revenue, however, dipped by about N.4 million in September when the command collected N23.4 billion, which is also higher than the N15.2 billion collected in September 2012.

October of the year under review experienced a further decline in the revenue of the command, which further declined to N22.4 billion which is, however, higher than the N16.4 billion collected in October of the previous year.

The command collected N20.2 billion in November 2013, which is N2.1 billion lower than that of the previous month of October. This is however an improvement when compared with the N18.5 billion collected in November of the previous year. Meanwhile, fears that the command might further record a decline in its revenue generation to the uncertainties that surrounded the takeover of the Destination Inspection scheme by the service especially with the introduction of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report PAAR were proved unfounded as it generated a whooping N23.2 billion, which is the second highest in the year after the N23.7 billion collected in August.

•Turaki

•Nkemdilim

We protect national economy by discouraging smuggling, Egbudin assures

T

HE Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Willy Egbudin has assured that the Nigeria Customs Service, through communities and traditional rulers would protect national economy by discouraging smuggling among their subjects.

Egbudin who stated this during review of 2013 activities disclosed that the command has been utilizing every opportunity at various fora to enlighten the citizenry on the ills of smuggling.

During the year under review, the Command, he said made 1,102 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N548,389, 417.00.

While commending the officer in charge of operations, AC Emmanuel Nkemdilim and his crew for the impressing siezures, he said “This is a significant improvement on the seizures and we hope to keep breaking records. The twenty nine (29) suspects arrested in connection with the seizures are at various stages of investigation and prosecution. Goods seized during the period include motor vehicles, motor cycles, frozen poultry products, rice, spirits, second hand clothes, shoes, bags; etc.”

Revenue: According to him, the command has a monthly revenue target of N1,095,000,000 which translates to N13,140,000,000 annually. In December 2013, the command, according to him, did not only meet its target but surpassed it by N161,666,179.35 and this represents 14.77 per cent.

“It is worthy of note that the December 2013 Revenue Collection of N1,260,736,639.35 is the highest monthly collection in the last three years.

This is as a result of the efforts and total commitment of the officer in charge of revenue ,AC Ibrahim Turaki and all other officers of the command.The total revenue collected in 2013 was N8,482,231,289.81 which represents about 65 per cent of the annual target.

“However, my management team and I have been brainstorming to identify and block all perceived sources of revenue leakages. Meanwhile, discussion is on going with our Beninoise counterparts to address the problem of appropriate transit of imported vehicles from Republic of Benin to Nigeria” he explained.

Seizures: During the year under review, he further disclosed that the Command made 1,102 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N548,389, 417.00. “This is a significant improvement on the seizures made in the corresponding year of 2012 where only 480 seizures with a DPV of N227,035,726.00 was recorded.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 33

Continues from page 31 we don’t have any conflict.

Another story attached to the PAAR is this allegation that PAAR takes 30 days to process and if you cannot wait for 30 days, you pay N150, 000. Is the Service aware of this?

Well, I am not aware and this is a strange story, because we have heads of desks and their lines are more and they are opened. I believe that if money is extorted from anybody and the person did not call the desk officers, informing them to intimate the CG, I feel they are not being fair. This is a new system and we have zero tolerance for corruption.

And I say it times without number that often many things are happening and we don’t know. If we know, then give us the opportunity to deal with it, if we didn’t do it, then you can say it out. But we have not known, we don’t know, so we will just take it as a fake story.

Do you have plans to upgrade the scanners you inherited from the service providers?

No, even in the contractual agreement before the people disengaged their services from the Nigeria Customs Service, their scanners should be put into the position for use.

So, basically we are using it and we are waiting for the provisions of the contractual agreement to take effect.

When they are finally disengaged the scanners should be put in the position of use. But now, we are using the scanners and we are manning them alone. We don’t have any problem with them. If we encounter any problem, there are technicians within the Service who can fix them.

For the benefit of the entire nation, we want to know how well the Service

did in generating revenue last year and its a n t i smuggling crusade?

Well, the records available to us is that we have done tremendously w e l l .

Seizures were also very high. I believe with the seizures of last year, we forced those who are doing illegal business to comply. Because if one loses his capital, he would not go to try another bad game. So, I believe we have done well in revenue collection. You have seen what we collected, very close to target, if not because of some issues. At the same time, we have made serious seizures and we will make sure that things are improved.

Considering your passion for capacity building and welfare, seeing the things you have done, do you think what you have done is enough or you have the agenda you want to roll out this year?

Welfare is a continuous processes. We continue to bring something new at least to motivate officers so that they will be up and doing and we will hold them attached to their jobs and make them committed to national development. So, we don’t mind. We want to look at how we are going to have our own secondary school, which is going to be the best in the country, whereby our officers will have a place they will take their children to so that they will have quality

We have zero tolerance for corruption CGC DIKKO education. Actually, we will take the burden of training their children, while the marine officers can stay inside the water, the enforcement officers can stay at the border for a long time, then you find out that the children will be left in the hands of the mother, where as you find out that sometimes, the mother will go out for daily needs.

So, we will make sure that we build a secondary school with boarding where our children would attend and live. Also, we have started owner occupier housing scheme, where our officers will own houses and pay over a long period of time. So, there are many things that we are doing and continue to do to ensure that our officers are well taken care of.

And that we know would build integrity and more revenue will come.

Let us look at trade facilitation, Do you think the service has done well in that area?

Yes, trade facilitation, the trade hub that we introduced is one of the best ways of trade facilitation, because before now somebody would come to the Customs house all the way from Kaduna, or from Lagos to settle a tariff. But with what we have now, it has given you the avenue

FOU impounds second-hand clothes worth N36.2m •warns smugglers

I

N an effort to sanitize the Nigerian seaports of contraband goods, the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded 274 bales of second-hand clothing and 24 bales of lace materials with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N36, 243,000.

Giving details of the seizures, the Area Controller of FOU Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Victor David Dimka while speaking to newsmen at the premises of the Enugu/ Anambra/Ebonyi Area Command of NCS where he displayed the goods seized said that 253 bales of the second-hand clothing were concealed with 45 cartons of Honeywell Noodles in a Mack truck with number plate BDG 809 XD on the Ituku –Ozzala Enugu/Aba Road. The impounded items had DPV of N26, 932, 000.

This is even as 24 bales of lace materials and six jumbo bales of second-hand clothing were deceitfully hidden in a J5 bus with number plate XA 606 KAF along the Four corners Nsukka Road with DPV of N5,806, 000.00.

Dimka added that the FOU Zone ‘C’, Owerri also seized15 jumbo bales of second hand clothing packed in a Toyota Hiace Bus with number plate AKL 595 XA on the Onitsha–Adani Nsukka Road with a DPV of N1, 530, 000 “The beauty of the whole exercise is that the seizures were made barely twenty-four hours after taking delivery of the new Hilux vehicles from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Inde Dikko, CFR; and we are sincerely thankful to him and his management for keeping to the promise.” According to him, two suspects

who have been arrested in connection with the incident were now helping his men in the investigation and will soon be charged to court, as soon as investigation is concluded.

The FOU zone ‘C’, Area Controller who reiterated the determination of his men to tackle the scourge of smuggling in the country, assured that they were now better equipped to achieve the lofty goal. Apart from the suspects already in custody, Dimka said that efforts were on to apprehend those behind them, saying “we are now better trained and empowered to work twenty-four hours and we will stop at nothing to bring smugglers to their knees.”

While appealing for cooperation from members of the public by suppling them with useful information about smuggling activities, the Area Controller advised those who were involved in the illegal business of smuggling to desist forthwith or be prepared to face the consequences of their action if arrested. Meanwhile, the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, has impounded assorted contraband goods with duty paid value of N85, 684,000.00).

The goods which were confiscated by officers of the unit on the Warri/Port-Harcourt Road, Enugu/PortHarcourt, Onitsha-Asaba Road Express way were raked in barely twenty-four hours after the unit had taken delivery of new patrol Hilux vehicles from its headquarters, Abuja.

Briefing newsmen at the Abia/Imo command premises last week, the Area Controller of FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Victor David Dimka, disclosed the breakdown of the seizures as follows:1,233 pieces of used tyres craftily concealed with 95 bags of saw dust in a Mack truck with number plate LXY 630 XC.

to go straight to the classification of an item. I believe we have done a lot.

What do you have to tell the world about the trade facilitation?

The world is very much aware today that the time limit for clearing of cargo in Nigeria has drastically reduced. The introduction of trade hub which will allow for an importer to go to the system and find out where things are manufactured, what is the fare that brings it to Nigeria, who are the related relevant agencies that have anything to do with the cargo.

So, all these ones are even prepared before you make an import so that at least we have given you an opportunity that when the import comes, that the port should remain a transit place where cargo come in and goes out. At the same time, we have so many lines of telecommunication. All we are saying is that once one has hitches, he should call for an intervention and information on how to further facilitate the movement of cargo outside of the port.

As you are aware we have been interfacing with various security agencies and relevant agencies that have something to do with ports operations, and we are communicating with them online, if there is any cargo that comes, one can get in touch with them and they do their due process and relevant activities and we clear the cargo.

Cargo clearing time

So, basically, what we warn people is that the Nigerian Customs are up and doing to reduce the cargo clearing time and we are friendly. We have our way of communication so that anybody who wants to do business in Nigeria can contact us for further enquiry and information on what to do, to make sure that you are safely an investor in Nigeria.

And we make sure that your capital that comes into Nigeria is well protected and facilitated, to ensure that you have a very big and quick turn-over. Investors who are doing business in Nigeria could testify that there is a lot of changes.

Really, it didn’t affect everybody but those who actually are close enough to see it. It’s going out, and I am sure that everybody would witness certain changes in the Customs clearing of cargo and trade facilitation.

PAAR, raising a lot of questions, what more can you say about it?

Yes, you know, it is system based and it has to do with operational issues.

Now, we have at several times, people who are not living up to the level of compliance, that will facilitate in generating revenue. But we are very much conscious that some are coming up with table values, though there are some portions which are not coming up.

Normally, you know the beginning is always difficult. We try to make sure that what we are doing, we are perfecting it with time. Surely, the first two to three months, we are going to have teething problems. But we are very much happy that Nigerians are fully understanding that yes, this thing has not been with us for long, that we are just taking it. Really, there are problems and we are attending to those problems and we are upgrading our system, we are making sure that things are done the normal way. So, I am not doubting that there is no problem.

C M Y K

34 —Vanguard, THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 27 , 2014

Western Marine Command seizes 288 bags of rice, 70 cartons of poultry

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•CAC Willy Egbudin Seme Area Command

SEME Customs makes N7.5m from rice seizure ...arrests suspect I

N a single operation,the Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has made a seizure of rice and boat with outboard engine and vehicles for conveyance valued at N7.5m.

With a thought that officers and men of the Command of Nigeria Customs Service have relaxed their increased surveillance that came with the yuletide period, an attempt by some smugglers to unlawfully bring in rice through the waters was foiled during the weekend.

Armed with the necessary intelligence and available logistics, a patrol team led by

Superintendent of Customs, Aina Olufemi patiently tracked the movement of the smugglers to be sure where their boat will berth and discharge.

Olufemi told Customswatch, “Having fully discharged the smuggled rice at Isalu waterside in Badagry , our operatives swooped on them while loading and tactfully achieved the arrest of one suspect who is helping us with investigation that will lead to the arrest of the baron

and others involved in the economic vice.

“Meanwhile, the outboard engine of the boat and three vehicles (1 volkswagen, 1Iveco & 1 Ford buses) being loaded with rice, bales of secondhand clothes and other smuggled goods have been securely transferred to the government warehouse.

“This recent move by smugglers to test our vigilance has not only been foiled as it also sends a strong signal that our round the clock surveillance remains far from being relaxed.

The CAC also insists that all vehicular and foot patrols in the hinterland remains sustained with increased intelligence to monitor and defy smugglers’ antics along the borderline.

He added, “Our eagle eye officers are leaving no stone unturned including regularly checking the jetties and waterfronts as in the recent case.”

•Seized Goods

OMMITTED to sanitize the Nigerian borders against smuggling of contraband goods, the Western Marine Command has disclosed that 288 bags of imported Thailand parboiled rice with DPV of N3,216,941and duty payable of N1, 685,059.00 were seized.

Briefing news men recently on the activities of the Command, the Controller Area Command of the zone, Comptroller Audu Zakka also disclosed that 70 cartons of imported frozen poultry products with DPV of N1,105,000.00 were equally seized.

Although no suspects were caught during the seizure at Idiroko and Badagry outstations, he further disclosed that 25 kegs of vegetable oil with DPV of N167,500.00

•Seized Goods were also seized. The Command, according to him destroyed the 170 cartons of imported frozen products seized from Idiroko outstation.He said the destruction was witnessed by NAFDAC official, Mr Ande Ripiye, and the Command’s CIU officer Mr Femi.

Zakka vowed that the Command was battle ready to stop smuggling, warning that officers of the Command would not relent in their efforts to seize contraband goods. The breakdown of seizures for December 2013 were 2,700 bags of rice and 135 cartons of poultry with total value of N14,518,530.00.

In another development,the COWA members of WMC which merged with Seme Command played a key role by making huge donations worth hundreds of thousands of naira to two different homes of less privileged children. These included Lady Atinuke Oyindamola memorial home behind Saw-mill AraromiBadagry and the Arrows of God orphanage off LASU/ Ojo expressway both in Lagos State.

During the visit, the chairperson of WM command was represented by Mrs. Christian Antai accompanied by the command’s COWA secretary, Mrs Uwandu, and other COWA members. The Seme chairperson was represented by the Vice chairperson Mrs Hussainat Sabo accompanied by other women of the command.

FOU zone A Ikeja goes tough on smugglers

•CGC Nuhu Isa

T

HERE appears to be tough days for smugglers as the Headquarters Monitoring Team Idiroko axis, domiciled in the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ has gone tough on its antismuggling activities.

This is a result of the giant

•Yahaya Biri strides employed since the present team leader Assistant Comptroller Yahaya Biri Usman took over from his predecessor two months ago.

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Comptroller Nuhu Isa Mahmoud who spoke with

news men recently eulogized the sense of commitment of his team and charged them to remain resilient in the pursuant of their statutory mandate.

He acknowledged the fact that the present leader of the team is a seasoned professional, very fearless and determined to achieve on his official mandate irrespective of the various challenges that are synonymous with anti-smuggling.

The Controller expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs Dr. Abdullahi Dikko Inde and his management team for equipping the Unit

with functional vehicles and other logistics, which have provided the platform for the operational successes of the Unit. He promised to ensure a sustained tempo of activities. The team in their various anti-smuggling crusades has made mouth watering seizures of the various items including: *9,513 bags of 50kg rice with a Value of N47,565,000, a duty of N53,321,500 with DPV of N99,886,500 •4,938 (Four thousand, nine hundred and thirty eight) cartons of smuggled foreign frozen poultry products Valued at N22,221,000 (Twenty two million, two hundred and twenty one thousand Naira only) with a Duty of N4,444,200 (Four million, four hundred and forty four thousand, two hundred Naira only) and a DPV of

N26,665,200 (Twenty six million, six hundred and sixty five thousand, two hundred Naira only). *3,997 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and multivitamins valued at N5, 850,000 with a payable duty of N1,170,000 with a DPV of N7,020,000 .

Others include used vehicles, bales of textile materials, large quantity of used tyres and vegetable oil.

Accordingly, all these seizures were effected between December 5, 2013 and February 8, 2014 and this clearly underscored the workaholic nature of this gentleman officer.

All the seizures recorded by the team during the time in question is valued at N110,660,500 with a Duty of N63,638,725 and a DPV of N174,299,225.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 35

BY MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

T

HE Corona Secondary School, Agbara, has reiterated the overall importance of physical sporting activities and its interaction with students’ learning as well as development of youths. The pertinence of sports was brought to the front burner during the school’s 20th Annual Inter-House Sports Competition, held under the laws of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Friday, at the Corona sports complex.

Propelled by its objectives of providing a comprehensive education that extends beyond the classroom, Corona has since dedicated special attention to the annual sporting event to demonstrate its intensive physical education efforts for the psychological, physical, physiological and personality development of the students.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman PTA, Corona Secondary School, Mr. Charles Okaga, who said that sporting activities are fundamental in both students’ physical and cognitive functioning, also maintained that it helps to redirect the youths’ energies for useful purposes, instill discipline, among others, and in that way, make them more academically smart and socially relevant.

According to him, “Sport also teaches discipline without which you cannot do well in your studies because the discipline you carry from the sports arena into your studies will also guide you in terms of timeliness, in terms of (being conscious about) the rules of the game, and in terms of the tactics and techniques thatyou need to use to win a game.

Fortunately, you also need tactics and techniques to read to pass exams.”

Okaga maintained that sporting activities will not only entertain but also strengthen the relationship between the school and the school’s parents.

He, however, urged the school to sustain the curriculum that accommodates such activities.“The sporting event is a platform that parents look up to and because sports are a source of entertainment and entertainment strengthens social relationship (thus,) sports re important ingredients of social development.

“When you come out for sports and you interact through sports, it creates a lasting impression that would make you to look forward to it. And because there are things you are looking forward to in your relationship, it encourages that relationship to grow, strengthen and to sustain it. So the school should sustain the programme that is making it happen.”

At the end of the competi-

tion, Crane House stood high among other houses as the winner of the match-past, beating Heron, Kingfisher and Weaver Houses in the heated struggle.

This is even as the Crane House dislodged the Kingfisher House (2013 winner), as the overall winner of this year’s competition, with 29Golds, 13Silvers, and 18Bronzes.

The Kingfisher is the perennial champion that has dominated the wining throne for exactly 11 of the 20 times which the competition has held hence, having the best winning records in the school’s history. Crane last held the trophy in 2009.

As 2008, 2004 and 1995/96 are other victory years for the exceptional house. Heron, Kingfisher and Weaver came first, second and third runners-up respectively with -19G, 25S, and 22B, 15G, 14S, and 19B, 11G, 21S, and 15B. Calling for investment on sports in all its dimensions, Mrs. Haishat Idris, a parent, charged the government to invest more in sports at all levels, in an interview with newsmen.

She said,“Sport itself is not even an easy thing and you know this is one thing that in Nigeria we have to take very serious because it is not supposed to be all about the paper or certificate alone as sport is something too in which you should invest in because of the social and economic benefits the country stand to benefit from such endeavours.

Differences between American and British English (3) There are a few differences between British and American varieties of English in the use of certain prepositions and adverbial particles.

AmE BrE on the weekend at the weekend on a team in a team Check something out Check something Protest something Protest against something Stay home Stay at home Do something over Do something again Monday through Friday Monday to Friday Please write me soon Please write to me soon Note also that in British English, words that end in -l preceded by a vowel usually double the -l when a suffix is added. In American English, the letter is not double.

BASE WORD AmE BrE model modeling modelling travel traveling travelling counsel counseling counselling signal signaling signalling quarrel quarreling quarrelling The exceptions are excel and propel where –l preceded by a vowel is usually double when a suffix is added.

BASE WORD AmE BrE excel excelling excelling propel propelling propelling C M Y K

SUCCESS RECIPE WITH UDEME ARCHIBONG successrecipe2009@gmail.com 08035095243

Managing your mind H

E experienced dire poverty and was frustrated by a lack of education.

He saw his situation as hopeless, and a feeling of despair overwhelmed him. In that state of utter despondency, he planned to kill himself by jumping out of a hotel window. In his words, he confessed, “I tried to drink enough courage from a whiskey bottle to jump out of the window. I drank so much that I forgot to jump.” After that event, he decided to take an introspective view of himself to determine the root cause of his problems. He said to himself: “Look here, stupid.

Suppose you owned a factory that was intended to make ice cream and you found that it was not manufacturing ice cream, but carbolic acid—wouldn’t you do something about it? All right…you have a thought factory inside you. You own that factory. But are you managing it well? No, you are letting it run wild. Your thought factory is manufacturing junk—worry, fear, envy, self-pity, gloom, unhappiness, and poverty. Nobody wants junk like that.” He came to the realization that by changing his thoughts, he could change his life. After becoming aware of this truth, he still may not have won every battle but he eventually won the war. He produced the necessary changes in his life and was reputed to be one of the most successful insurance agents of his time and one of the highest paid salespeople in the world since the 1920s. He also became the author of several best-selling books. His name was Vash Young. We are all made and unmade by our thoughts.

We are hindered only by ourselves. We are responsible for

,

Corona harps on essence of sports in general education

If you want to change your circumstance you begin by changing your thoughts

,

our state in life because we are responsible for our state of mind. We are the custodians of fate because we are the master of our thoughts. We mould our lives, shape our character and we are the maker of both our environment and circumstance because we are the lord of our thoughts. Crisis in life is a product of a mismanaged mind. Mismanagement of the mind leads to mismanaged destiny.

Character is not a product of external forces but is the product of the summation of your thoughts; external forces may influence us but they do not determine us. All of our deeds or behavior are carefully crafted by our thoughts; consciously or subconsciously. James Allen reveals, “All a man’s weaknesses and sins and falls take their rise in his own heart, and he alone is responsible for them. It is true there are tempters and provokers, but temptations and provocations are powerless to him who refuses to respond to them. Let a man fully realize that he is absolutely responsible for his every action, and he has already gone a considerable distance along the path which leads to wisdom and peace, for he will then commence to utilize temptation as a means of growth, and the wrong conduct of others he will regard as a test of his own strength.”

When you control and alter your thoughts you control and alter your character and when your character is altered you can control and alter your destiny.

You are what you are and where you are by the law of your being. Your circumstances is created or harmoniously related to your thoughts. Your life moves in the direction of your thoughts. You are constantly reaping the harvest of your thoughts through the fruits of circumstance. If you want to change your circumstance you begin by changing your thoughts. An improved life is a product of an improved mind.

The mind controls the body. Thoughts and health are interrelated. Clean thoughts produces clean habits which manifest in a healthy life. Sickly, weak and impure thoughts produce habits that mar good health. Harmonious thoughts reflect in a harmonious body.

We are designed for accomplishment and having a central purpose in life is vital. Aimless living is failure-ridden living.

When we focus our thoughts to accomplish our purpose in life without wandering, wavering, fear or doubt our destinies becomes beautified with success.

Management of the mind is the key to life.

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 37

ERC condemns continued hike in LASU fees

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HE Education Rights Campaign, ERC, has condemned the exorbitant tuition fees imposed upon students of the Lagos State University, LASU. It would be recalled that the Lagos Government in 2011 in-

creased student tuition fees by 725 per cent as against the previous fees. This development led to a plethora of upheavals in the university including a student crisis that led to the shutdown of the university last month.

Although LASU has been

partially reopened, the ERC believes that “the fee hike is a death pill that threatens the very existence of the university itself.”

In a press statement, the national coordinator of the ERC, Mr. Hassan Soweto said: "To-

Pupils about to board the train for an excursion organised by Wonderland Entertainment.

Russian linguists study Adamawa tongues

By EBELE ORAKPO

T

HE need to document some lan guages spoken in Adamawa that were yet to be captured and documented, led three scholars from St. Petersburg State University, Russia, to Adamawa State where they spent three years researching on the Adamawa languages of Mumuye, Yadang, Waka, and Gengle.

The team comprising Professor Alexander Zheltov, Associate Professor Anastasia Lyakhovich and a final-year student, Lora Litvinova, carried out investigation into classification of the languages in groups and on Friday, February 7, they presented their preliminary findings.

Speaking at the presentation, leader of the expedition, Professor Zheltov, described these isolated languages as belonging to a “hypothetical Adamawa language family.’ This group is called Adamawa-Ubangi and comprises 25 native tongues.

He said that the methods used in the research included, “phonetics analysis with speech analyzer, vocabulary lists of various sizes, thematic vocabularies, sociolinguistic questionnaire, and preliminary grammar questionnaire.” The team found, among other things, a “lack of grammatical descriptions and wordlists for many languages,” and that “typological comparison sometimes may contradict genetic comparison in languages, notably, in ditransitive construct in Waka, Yendang, Maya, and Nyong languages.” They found that plural forms in Nyong language, for instance, could have two suffixes, and that there existed no fixed connection for the gender of speaker in communi-

cation.

The team noted the existence of a “special social connection between the first-born son and family, and his maternal lineage” in Nyong, Maya, Gengle, and Kagama languages.

Zheltov appreciated the American University of Nigeria, AUN for its unstinting support for the expedition, saying that “AUN has continued to support us.”

Sharing her experience, Dr Anastasia Lyakhovich said: “As a member of the expedition, I work on description and analysis of African languages. And what does it mean to work with languages? It is quite complicated…thanks to AUN, our result produced good outcomes of quality.”

Speaking in the same vein, Lora Litvinova, who is visiting Africa for the first time, said she was glad to join the expedition. “The expedition gave me an opportunity to put my linguistic knowledge to practice," and thanked AUN “for the opportunity to know, research, contribute, and open the mind.”

The team donated a book on the Russian city of St. Petersburg to the AUN library in appreciation of its support for the expedition.

Commending the team for the work on Adamawa languages, AUN's Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Idorenyin Akpan said the university always looked forward to the visit of their Russian colleagues, describing their work in linguistics as a great contribution to Adamawa and Nigeria.

day, LASU has the worst enrolment especially among state universities in Nigeria going by its fast declining student population. From the status of a state university with one of the biggest student population, LASU now has less than 13,000 students. By the time the current 300 level and final-year students graduate, there may be less than 6,000 students remaining in the university. This is because no one wants to go to LASU again due to the outrageous fees. Indeed, an offer of admission from Lagos State University instead of being a source of joy for families has now become a matter of anguish and sorrow. There are heart-rending stories of parents selling cars, lands and other valuables to pay their children’s fees. This state of affairs is unfair, unjust and anti-people.”

The group also called upon stakeholders not to relent in the fight for LASU. He continued: “Particularly, we welcome the approval of N51 million by Governor Fashola for the repair of the university’s properties instead of the previously planned agenda to charge students rep-

aration. This shows that struggle pays and the impact our protest and agitation over the past three weeks have had and that if we continue, we can win far more. We in the ERC and the Save LASU Movement are confident and convinced that if a campaign of three weeks could force out these limited concessions from the government, a more tenacious campaign would gain even more.

However, in view of the limitations of these concessions, LASUITES need now to be more confident in continuing the struggle until all demands, especially the reversal of hiked fees, are met."

Soweto also called on the Lagos State Government to allow non-final year students to resume. He said: “We demand that rather than open the university for final year students alone, all students must be allowed to resume, register and write examinations. Please note that we have continued to make this demand because so far, neither the management of the university nor the state government has been able to offer any credible explanation why other categories of students cannot resume alongside the final year students.”

38 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Hult Prize: AUN advances to regional finals

By EBELE ORAKPO HE trio of Blessing Lucy Do uglas, Okonkwo and Aliyu Ahmed of the American University of Nigeria have advanced to the regional finals of the fifth annual Hult Prize, the world’s largest student competition for social good. A release made available to Vanguard Learning showed that this year, over 4,000 applications were received from which the AUN team emerged among the best T

400. Each team was chosen from more than 350 colleges and universities in over 150 countries.

In 2009, Ahmad Ashkar, a student at Hult International Business School came up with the idea of crowd-sourcing brilliant solutions to world's pressing problems like food security, education, energy and access to clean water, from college and university students around the world.

This year's Hult Prize will focus on the 250 million slum dwellers around the world suffering from chronic diseases and who

need help – a challenge personally selected by President Bill Clinton.

Ahmad Ashkar, CEO and Founder of the Hult Prize, recognised by former US President Clinton and TIME Magazine as one of the top five ideas changing the world, explained its purpose: “We are giving entrepreneurs from around the world a platform to innovate and revolutionize the way we think about servicing the poor.”

AUN President Margee Ensign said AUN was actually the only Nigerian university to qualify for the competition. “Part of what

qualified us is our university’s development mission and commitment to fostering development in our region and the continent, together with the students’ strong, longstanding record of academic excellence and community engagement,” she said.

Fardeen Dodo, an instructor in the AUN School of Business & Entrepreneurship, who will accompany the students to Dubai, said the competition will enrich their college experience. “Besides the competition, students will benefit from several workshops, net-

FG raises alarm over threat to indigenous languages

By LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA - The Federal Government has raised alarm over threat to extinction of Nigeria indigenous languages.

Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, noted this at the 2014 The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture UNESCO, International Mother language Day, IMLD, in Abuja.

He said there is remarkable decline in the use of Nigerian languages, especially those living in urban centers hardly communicate in their mother tongues.

The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘local Languages for global citizenship: spotlight on science’.

According to him, “You will all agree with me that our indigenous languages are facing the threat of becoming extinct due to remarkable decline in usage. Our youths, especially those living in the urban centers hardly communicate in their mother tongues. Worse still is the sharp drop in the number of those that could read or write in those languages as a result of over dependence in the use of social media against the traditional letter writing."

He noted, “I believe if we want to give our children the best possible chance to know our history, values and tradition as parents, we must ensure that every Nigerian child can read and write in his or her own language. ”This is not just another educational debate where the answer lies somewhere. It is a responsibility that begins at home. It is one that we need

to take on before our kids step their feet into the classrooms and then carry through their teenage years”.

He stressed the commitment of the ministry in expanding access to quality education and reversing the negative trend of declining

use of indigenous language through advocacy and sensitization campaigns.

He said the use of indigenous language can be used to settle conflicts and promotes peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups.

He said it is therefore imperative for the nation to fast track the process of developing the nation’s indigenous languages and urged all Nigerian students to be proud of the cultural heritage and be prepared to defend it at any fora.

2012/2014 set of Postgraduate Diploma part time students of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, in a group photograph with Jide Johnson, Head, Mass Communication Department (middle) shortly after the end of their programme.

Pearson Education receives CSR Award

P

earson Education, the world’s leading educa tion company, emerged as one of the winners of the Lagos State Government Support Our Schools Initiative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award for 2014.

The ‘Support Our Schools’ programme is an initiative of the Lagos State government which aims at revamping its educational system through the active participation of individuals, civil societies and corporate bodies by supporting any of its 1004 public primary schools, 321 Junior Sec-

ondary and 312 Senior Secondary schools and 5 technical colleges.

The CSR Award/Breakfast Meeting with the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the Executive Governor of Lagos State, is an event held each year to host individuals and organizations who have partnered with the state government with a view to contributing positively to the education sector.

The award was presented to the Managing Director of Pearson Education, Muhtar Bakare, in recognition of the

company’s contribution to the Lagos State Government Ministry of Education Support Our Schools Initiative project.

Pearson has consistently worked with education stakeholders to improve learning outcomes through the supply of our market leading educational resources and provision of research based professional development courses for teachers and school leaders.

Pearson also supports the EKO Education Summit to find ways of implementing sustainable reforms in education.

working, and entrepreneurial learning events run by a number of professionals and trailblazing global experts including Stuart Fleming of Enviroserve, Garett Awad of the Scholl Centre of Entrepreneurship, Ali Edrissi of JP Morgan (UK), and Khaled Gazawi, the CEO of Grameen-Jameel.”

The Hult Prize regional competitions which will take place on March 7 and 8, 2014, in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai, and Sao Paulo will see the AUN team competing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the one million dollar (US$1,000,000) prize in start-up funding to launch a sustainable social venture. The prize money is donated by Swedish billionaire, Bertil Hult, and his family.

On the significance of the competition to AUN being a development university, Dodo said it is a “demonstration of how far our students are ready to go, to action up our vision of development and commitment to addressing the longstanding social challenges that confront Nigeria and Africa at large.”

Following the regional finals, one winning team from each host city will move into a summer business incubator, where participants will receive mentorship, advisory and strategic planning training as they create prototypes and set up to launch their new social business. A final round of competition will be hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative at its annual meeting in September this year, where CGI delegates will select a winning team, and the prize will be awarded by Clinton himself.

“The Hult Prize is a wonderful example of the creative cooperation needed to build a world with shared opportunity, shared responsibility, and shared prosperity, and each year, I look forward to seeing the many outstanding ideas the competition produces,” Clinton said.

Apart from the US$1 million in seed capital, winners also receive mentorship and advice from the international community.

VANGU ARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—39 ANGUARD,

NBA Presidency, South-West lawyers forum crisis deepens

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Fashola, Ajumogobia, others to speak on ‘Life without oil’

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By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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VERY June 24 will always ring a bell in the mind of Akolade Arowolo, a 31 year old self acclaimed youth pastor, who was last Friday convicted for killing his banker wife, Titilayo Omozoje at their residence, 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos,. This is because the day marks his birthday and the day he brutally murdered his wife, which eventually earned him a death sentence last week Friday. Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja sentenced Akolade to death having found him guilty of a murder charge pressed against him.

The events that led to the court’s judgment are almost becoming history, however, the outcome of Akolade’s actions as presented during the trial of the case will continue to hunt him, as he awaits his appeal at the Court of Appeal and perhaps at the Supreme Court.

Immediately the police concluded its investigation, Akolade was initially arraigned on July 8, 2011 before a Yaba magistrate court on one-count charge of murder. However, the DPP’s advice which indicated that there was a prima facie case against him led to his fresh arraignment before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the state High Court on December 21, 2011.

The one count charge signed by the Directorate of Prosecution, Mrs Olabisi Ogungbesan, read: “Arowolo Akolade (M) on or about 24th day of June 2011 at 8, Akindele Street, Isolo, Lagos, in Ikeja division, murdered one Titilayo Omozoje Arowolo,” and that the offence contravenes Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap 17 Vol 2 Laws of Lagos State.

After the preliminaries, trial began with

Arowolo being led out of the court by prison officials after he was condemned to death by Justice Okunnu

Wife Murder: Evidence that sent Arowolo to hangman’s noose

forced the door of the couple’s apartment open the day after the incident, had said Titilayo’s lifeless body was found on the bed soaked in blood. Deceased sister testified next. She There was a knife on the floor, a gaping said the younger sister, Folake hole on her chest, and a hammer on the and herself floor. One of her eyes was gorged out. called their sisWhen I saw it, I thought there was nothing ter, but Akolade was the one that in the socket answered the 15 prosecution witnesses testified, includ- calls on the deceased starcoms phone, afing the father of the deceased, sisters, step- ter they couldn’t reach him again. Later mother, the couple’s neighbour, security it was said that a friend, Mr Tolu Oyesanguard and their landlord. In his testimo- ya called to say that the convict had been ny, George Oyakhire, the deceased’s fa- seen with blood stains. They eventually ther, who was the first prosecution wit- went to the house the next day. ness told the court that his daughter sound- Mr Adewale Tajudeen , a neighbour was ed tensed when he spoke with her on the PW3. He said from his apartment, he day of the incident. could easily see some of the happenings The witnesses also said that on a num- in the couples' apartment. ber of occasions, the deceased had moved According to him, on the day of the inciback home after quarrels with the husband, dent, he saw a deep cut on Akolade’s palm but he had constantly told his daughter to from which blood was gushing, but he report to the police. didn’t answer any inquiries and simply “She came back more than 10 times after shouted on the gate man to open the gate. quarrels with my daughter.” He also said He added that he told other neighbours he had witnessed the aggressiveness of and the next day they went to the police, the defendant, because he (Akolade) al- to give statements. ways beat her and threatened to throw her Another prosecution witness was one down from the top floor of their one-storey Mr Ogbonna, a member of the investiapartment someday. gating team from the state CID, who told Some of the prosecution witnesses, who the court that they inspected Akolade’s car

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and took photos. He said he visited the scene twice and conducted a thorough investigation.

Another principal prosecution witness was the deceased’s stepmother, who also testified to the extent that the couple had never enjoy a jolly relationship as husband and wife. On her account of what she saw on the occasion the door was forced opened, she said, “There was a knife on the floor, a gaping hole on her chest, and a hammer on the floor. One of her eyes was gorged out. When I saw it, I thought there was nothing in the socket.

“Something that looked like a lump of flesh must have been chopped off from the way the deceased was lying on the floor.

They had a stormy marriage...shortly after they married, there was a quarrel, Kolade chased Omo (Omozoje)out with a knife. ” She added.

She testified that the deceased had complained that she was tired of the house and wanted to divorced him. She disclosed that in another incident, a house help said she saw the convict in bed with another woman and reported to the deceased and she moved back to her father’s house. She said, her father also told her not to go back, but Akolade came back to beg and convinced the deceased and she eventually moved back.

The Police witnesses also narrated details of the bloodied crime scene and how

the corpse was taken to the hospital.

The “expert” witness of Professor John Obafunwa, a forensic pathologist and Chief Medical Examiner at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, according to the court provided ample evidence that the prosecution used to nail Arowolo.

Justice Okunnu described Obafunwa’s evidence as “completely professional,” noting that he was “objective, formal, and impassioned.”

After the pathologist conducted a fiveand-a-half-hours postmortem examinations on the corpse on July 6, 2011, he said, during his testimony, that he “discovered at least 76 stab wounds resulting from the use of tremendous force on the chest, heart, lungs, liver, diaphragm, hands and other parts of the deceased’s body.

Continues on page 40

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

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40—VANGUARD,

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Continues from page 39

There must have been many blows, stab wounds. It resulted in severe blood loss .

“The Stab wounds combined caused by sharp weapon , a single and double edged wound.

Injuries to the front of the hear and back of the heart and wall of the heart. You can actually see through to the inside of the chest wall which had collapsed. A particular stab went through the rib cavity to the heart, the stomach was completely torn open.

“All these injuries could not have been self-inflicted because, at a point, you would have dropped the knife,” said Obafunwa.

The defence called six witnesses which included the defendant, his parents, and one Efe Alexandra, who works with a non-government organisation that visited the prison.

Mudashiru Arowolo, the convict’s father, said his son’s marriage to Titilayo had been characterized by undue interference by her father and stepmother.

Mudashiru accused the deceased’s stepmother of attempting to take away the placenta of the couple’s new baby, as well as introducing fetish things into their home.

He also accused the stepmother of assisting the deceased to “abort a baby and tie her womb as a form of family planning,”

Wife Murder: Evidence that sent Arowolo to hangman’s noose

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The Convict being led by prisons officials on his way to prison.... pictures by Lamidi Bamidele In his own testimony, Akolade, told the court that the whole incident happened on his birthday, 24th of June, 2011, and that his wife woke him up with a kiss, and that the disagreement started over their baby's shopping.

He denied ever being aggressive

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Mr Arowolo’s claim that his late wife had attacked him with a knife was inconsistent with the pathologist’s revelations that the deceased received multiple stab wounds resulting to a ‘blunt force trauma'

without informing his son. He further said his son had been a youth pastor at the Foursquare Gospel Church in FESTAC town before they moved to Isolo and he started attending RCCG,Gbagada, where he was a youth pastor. He also denied claims that his son was suspended by the church for womanising and wife-snatching.

During her testimony, the second defence witness, Bolanle Arowolo, had described her son as a well-behaved child who had never showed traits of violence.

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against his wife. He said he only slapped her once, because she valued her ex-boyfriend more than him. He told the court that she (Titilayo) confessed that her step mum took her out for an abortion and he reported to her mother, but he denied ever chasing his wife with a Knife.

He said the only time she had bruises was when she had a fall from a bike. He however said she was temperamental and the family called her ‘Thatcher’. He therefore denied killing his wife, saying, “I love her. I never

thought of it and I am not that kind of person.”

The Court: Justice Okunnu said the defendant’s (Akolade) own testimony served to tighten the noose around his neck as it was riddled with contradictions. The Judge said the evidence was disjointed statements, and “faux pas”.

“In his statements to the police after he submitted himself for arrest, Arowolo, had claimed that he was forced by the police to write that his wife’s stab wounds were self-inflicted. However, while giving evidence, Arowolo had insisted that his wife had only sustained cuts on her hands before he left her to seek for help.

“In a statement, he wrote that she persistently stabbed herself, that something went wrong either mentally or spiritually. I have not ignored this piece of evidence that he was guided to write the statements. The statements were disjointed and contradictory during testimony.

“I note that he proffered excuses for the strange behaviour of his wife. This explanation obviously came from him and not from any-

one guiding him. The defendant in the box was trying hard to renege from his earlier statements,” said the court.

The judge also said that Mr Arowolo’s claim that his late wife had attacked him with a knife was inconsistent with the pathologist’s revelations that the deceased received multiple stab wounds resulting to a “blunt force trauma.”

She held, “I have carefully considered all the evidence. The issue is a simple one. It is the issue as to whether the defendant kills his wife.”

The court stated it needs to consider three ingredients to determine the case of murder.

These are whether the victim of the alleged act is indeed dead, whether it was the act of commission or omission of the defendant that caused the death and whether the defendant carried out the act intentionally.

“From the evidence put before the court by the prosecution and the defence, the victim is indeed dead. It stands without rebuttal.

The prosecution showed acts of characteristic violence in the

marriage and showed that the defendant was capable of committing this heinous act. This was contained in the evidence of all four witnesses for the family, which showed an act of serial act of domestic violence on the part of the defendant.

“I am convinced that the deceased died from a repeated stabbing on that day because the testimony of the prosecution is heavy and also that of the expert.

The defendant also testified to this. Almost two years later, he attempted changing his statement that it was the police who told him to write that she stabbed herself.”

She said Akolade’s words were fluid like someone writing from the top of his head as what he personally knew.

“This is very weighty and very significant because he was the only other person in the room with her and it corroborates the evidence of the pathologist that she died of stab wounds.”

The court now raised the question of who killed her?

Pathologist expert witness She added, “This is where the evidence of the pathologist expert witness becomes useful. I found him to be very professional.”

Justice Okunnu gave detail account of the testimony presented by Prof Obafunwa and concluded thus- “This is very damaging to the defendant. He testifies as to loads of wounds on the victim. The postmortem gives more details. The deceased stomach was torn open. It details wounds to the body as well as her clothing. He rules out the possibility of fresh wounds after death or a case of tampering with the body.”

She said the line of defence that there was another person who may have committed the offence was defeated by the defence.

The court latter brought the doctrine of ‘last seen’. It held that the person, who saw the victim last, bears the responsibility for the cause of death. She said, “It supports the proof already before the court and adds probative value to the prosecutions’ case, that it was the defendant who killed his wife.”

“It is my findings that it is none other than the defendant himself who stabbed the deceased to death. After eliminating all other options, I find that it was the defendant who stabbed his wife.”

The court said, “I studied him and found him intelligent. He admitted that he did study logic and so he knew full well that grievous bodily harm was the consequence of his action. Her resultant death then turned to unlawful killing.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—41

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HINGS are definitely not at ease with the members of Egbe Amofin, an umbrella body of lawyers in the South West, over nomination of a presidential candidate for the 2014 election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which comes up in July. Egbe Amofin has been split into two with a faction supporting the candidacy of Dele Adesina(SAN).

At a meeting in Akure last December, Adeshina was chosen to the disappointment of the forum headed by Bamidele Aiku (SAN).

Lawyers in the zone almost engaged themselves in a freefor-all last Saturday when the screening committee led by Mrs. Priscillia Kuye could not screen the only candidate (Adesina) who presented himself for the screening. Out of the three aspirants, Chief Adeniyi Akintola(SAN), and Mrs. Funke Adekoya(SAN) had earlier sent two separate letters to the screening committee set up by Egbe Amofin, that they would not appear before it for various reasons.

She stated, “the committee did not discuss or decide on whether the criteria established by the previous screening committees, or any other criteria, were to be used for the selection of a candidate. It is therefore unclear on what basis the candidates are to be screened.”

She alleged that, “at the conclusion of the Egbe meeting, certain branch chairmen were overheard stating that adjourning the screening was a waste of time as they have already decided on which candidate to endorse, even without the privilege of reading the CVs and manifestoes of all candi-

whosoever to vote on our behalf the adoption of any candidate in your forthcoming meeting said to be convened for the purp o s e .

The refusal of the two aspirants indeed stalled the screening that was to take place last Saturday as the committee declined to screen Adesina who was the only aspirant that showed up.

But, the committee had a rather hectic time as loyalists of Adesina threw caution to the winds calling the screening committee many unprintable names. They even chanted many slogans suggesting they had no regard for Egbe Amofin again.

•Mrs. Adekoya, SAN

NBA Presidency, South-West lawyers forum crisis deepens

By OLA AJAYI dates”. She also argued that the tenure of some branch chairmen who are members of the committee had expired, particularly that of the chairman of Ota branch. Adding that the appointment of such persons into a committee saddled with such important assignment is procedurally wrong and unacceptable.

Akintola in his own letter said “At the meeting of the Egbe Amofin held in Ibadan on January 11, 2014 , members of two branches particularly Okitipupa and Ikorodu told the meeting that their chairmen’s adoption of one of us in Akure were

done against the will of the executive members and the entire members of the respective branches. Yet, this same chairmen in spite of the denouncements are members of the committee of chairmen who sat on February 15, 2014 to screen the candidates. On what basis then can we be sure that they are representing the wishes of their members”.

Chief Akintola further stated that seniority at the bar is a long respected rule in the legal profession but that “the composition of the committee of chairmen as screening committee has constituted an abuse of this cherished rule and subjecting myself to the com-

Akingbola: Court rejects plea to register £654 million judgment

By ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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FFORTS by the Access Bank Plc, to enforce the London Court’s judgment against former managing director of Intercontinental Bank, Dr. Erastus Akingbola suffered a set back recently as a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere held it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The High Court of Justice, Queens Bench in London, had on August 1, 2012, ordered Akingbola to pay Access Bank the sum £654 million ( N212.2 billion) over alleged illegal purchased of shares when he held sway as the MD of the defunct Intercontinental bank.

In a bid to enforce the London Court judgment in Nigeria, the Access Bank had approached Justice A.A Oyebanji of the Lagos High Court with an ex-parte application, where it sought to register the foreign judgment and the accompany-

Four-hour meeting

•Akintola, SAN

ing order of Justice Michael Burton, dated September 13, 2012.

Justice Oyebanji had acceded to the request of Access Bank by registering the London judgment and ordered Akingbola to pay the judgment sum.However, not satisfied with the judgment, Akingbola filed a petition against the registration and the implementation of the judgment.

Justice Babajide CandideJohnson, who presided over the petition in its ruling held that the Lagos State High Court lacked the jurisdiction and competence to hear or determine any aspect of registration and enforcement proceedings in respect of the foreign judgment and accompanying enrollment order. His lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in the application dated September 27, 2013 asked the Igbosere to quash the registration of the foreign judgment for lack of jurisdiction.

mittee will amount to aiding in the abuse.....”

Also, some members of the branches share the feelings of the two aspirants. In separate letters written to Kuye, lawyers in Ikorodu and Badagry branches have also stated that as far as the screening of candidates for the Egbe was concerned, their chairmen do not hold their mandate.

According to the letter signed by the Vice chairman and Social Secretary of the Ikorodu branch, L.T Ganiyu and Islamiyyat Adesola respectfully, the branch had not met to deliberate on the position that reflects the wish of the entire branch as far as selecting a candidate is concerned.

Secretary to the Badagry NBA branch, SYZ Orlando said in his own letter: “Badagry Branch therefore has not authorized or mandated either the Chairman of the branch or any person

But, this did not make Mrs. Kuye to change her stance.

After a four-hour meeting with branch chairmen at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Ibadan, she said, “ we have four aspirants for the election and one did not submit his CV. Out of the three remaining aspirants, two refused to submit themselves for screening under our jurisdiction. Besides, we have received six petitions. Four from branch chairmen and two from aspirants. The four branches that wrote the petitions are Okitipupa, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ogbomoso. In the petitions, they alleged that some of the members of the screening committee had received financial inducement”.

There is no Egbe Amofin again” and chanted many antisolidarity songs discrediting the committee.

At a time, both parties were struggling to have audience with newsmen at the venue.

When Mrs. Kuye wanted to speak with newsmen on the corridor of the Bar Centre, those who were not pleased by her decision booed her until she retreated.

Fashola, Ajumogobia, others to speak on ‘Life without Oil’

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

F

ORMER minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, will tomorrow lead other legal icons in speaking on their perspectives on the subject “Life without oil” in a one-day Speaker Series holding in Lagos.

The event, which is to mark the 30th anniversary of George Etomi & Partners, would have as its keynote speaker, the governor of Lagos state, Governor Babatunde Raji Fasola. Afterwhich, a panel would discuss on the theme of the event.

According to the organizers, the panel is made up of accomplished Nigerians in various fields of endeavour. The panellists include Mr. Bode Augusto, Mr. Atedo Peterside, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Ajumogobia.

Founder and Principal Partner of the firm, Mr. George Etomi, is expected to present a book ‘An introduction to commercial law’

which gives a panoramic view of commercial law in Nigeria. The book, which is highly recommended for students and practitioners alike, contains nearly 600 pages of information which will serve the reader well.

Industry players agree that the theme for the public lecture, “Life after oil”, could not be more timely given the central role oil has played in the economic life of this country with all of its negative import. It is also believed that the one way to deal with the massive unemployment ravaging the country is for Nigeria to start looking at life without oil.

Etomi was the pioneer Chair of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and is acknowledged to have contributed a great deal to continuing legal education in Nigeria.

The event, which is strictly by invitation, will hold at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Center, Lagos.

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Tambuwal’s travels and tours SPEAKER Aminu Tambuwal’s almost flawless flow with friends and foes has raised concerns among leading partisans of his own political party. Arguably the most popular of the half a dozen speakers of the House in the Fourth Republic, Tambuwal’s ability to avoid trouble despite his hectic pace and pattern is befuddling

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

‘I

AM visiting the national leader of the PDP. Baba and myself are in the PDP,” Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said last weekend as he touched base with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the latter ’s Abeokuta residence.

Speaker Tambuwal’s humored assertion of belonging to the PDP with baba, was certainly not lost on anyone. After all, Obasanjo had two months ago vowed to pull back from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP until what he noted as certain anomalies were corrected. The speaker’s aversion for his own party’s events has also become a trend that these days the news of the speaker’s presence or absence at national events is almost always tied to news reports of such events.

The political commonality between the speaker and the former president is now almost universally said to be that the two men are closet members of the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC. That is given their recent political genuflections towards the opposition party.

However, the encounter last weekend was the first time that the two men were known to have met in public or private since Obasanjo’s famous denunciation in 2011 of Tambuwal’s emergence as speaker of the House of Representatives against the zoning policy of the PDP. The meeting of the two men came in the wake of the increasing curiosity on the political intentions of the two

•Obasanjo explains to Tambuwal: We are now together

Speaker's travels and tours

• Tambuwal, Oshiomhole: Could they form a good team?

“Baba is a leader not only in Nigeria but in Africa and it is only appropriate for those of

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The political commonality between the speaker and the former president is now almost universally said to be that the two men are closet members of the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC

men who have in recent times walked out of sync with the present leaders in the PDP. Calming the anxiety of the waiting journalists in Abeokuta last weekend, Speaker Tambuwal said:

Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

It was not surprising that political pundits projecting higher offices for the speaker were able to match up the duo for a presidential ticket in 2015.

Tambuwal who has been roundly praised for his management of the House and bringing maturity to bear in the face of multifarious political pressures has been repeatedly mentioned for higher office in the country. The most eloquent testimonial for the speaker was the call on him by former President Ibrahim Babangida who at the Vanguard Personality of the Year investiture ceremony last year urged the speaker to aspire for higher office.

“When leaders like Tamuwal delivered on their electoral promise, we advise them to try something higher. For Tambuwal, your guess is as good as mine. Well done,” Babangida had said.

Given the widely reported achievements of Oshiomhole in Edo State, it was not difficult for political pundits to project a Tambuwal – Oshiomhole ticket or an Oshiomhole – Tambuwal ticket with either of them at the head of a sellable ticket.

However, the visit to Obasanjo last weekend was in the view of some further efforts by the speaker in consolidating his grounds ahead of his widely expected presidential declaration.

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us in positions of authority and leadership to occasionally come and consult him on matters of national interest…”

Whatever consultations Speaker Tambuwal came for in Abeokuta, his visit was bound

to raise curiosity especially at the timing of the visit.

Tambuwal was the only one of the 11 members of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State who did not defect from the PDP to the APC when the members deserted the PDP last December.

Obasanjo on his part had at about the time the Sokoto legislators defected signaled his intention to pull back from the activities of the PDP pending when anomalies he alleged in the party were addressed.

Remarkably, Tambuwal has by occasion of accident also missed out from some major PDP activities that ordinarily should concern him.

When President Goodluck Jonathan visited Sokoto State at the beginning of the month to receive former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa into the PDP, many newspapers went to town with the report that Tambuwal was absent at the occasion.

His absence was, however, traced to a trip outside the country as he was at the time of the Sokoto rally in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.

Before the Sokoto rally, Speaker Tambuwal had also raised a stir when he visited Benin, the Edo State capital on a condolence visit to the Oba of Benin on the death of the queen mother.

Speaker Tambuwal took opportunity of the visit to visit

But associates of the speaker are not totally taken by such permutations. Given that the speaker was in Shagari village, Sokoto State, last Tuesday, to celebrate with former President Shehu Shagari, close associates say the speaker’s travels and tours are only illustrative of the speaker ’s readiness to associate with all statesmen irrespective of their political allegiances.

“Would you say that speaker went to see Shagari for political endorsement,” one of the speaker’s associates asked?

That Speaker Tambuwal would visit President Obasanjo who in 2011 called on the speaker to resign his office on account of his alleged willful distortion of the PDP zoning policy reflects the political astuteness of the speaker and his much celebrated humility.

It is also suggestive of the determination of the political class to put all permutations on ground in the forthcoming presidential combat.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 —43

Edo 2015: We will build on Oshiomhole's foundation — Alimikhena • Senator Obende is no threat at all BARRISTER (Chief) Samuel Alimikhena has sought to go to the Senate in the past three rounds of general elections, but failed. Now, the former army officer turned lawyer, a papal knight of St. Gregory (KSG) is seeing hope in the horizon.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

W

HAT has your electoral experiences been like?

In 2007 I contested under the platform of the Peoples•f Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo North Senatorial District. Four of us were in the race but it was unfortunate that the PDP rigged for an unpopular candidate. Their selection was not based on popularity but upon whom you know. Later in 2011 when the fortunes of PDP were dwindling in the state I was approached to come out and contest. When the leaders that be in the PDP saw that there was light in the tunnel, they moved against me and rigged me out and that was why the result of the election was a total failure on the part of PDP. How prepared is APC to claim victory in the state?

It is an understatement to say how prepared is APC to claim victory in the state. APC is all over any where you go in the state now. We have only pockets of PDP members. APC is firmly in control.

What is your message to the

political players?

People should shun politics of deceit and bitterness, politics of cash and carry. Party men and women should hold faith with their leaders and the party so as to achieve the full dividends of democracy. The country would come out strong after the 2015 elections; all we need to do is to shun politics of violence and election rigging.

What is your assessment of the administration of the Comrade Governor?

The Comrade Governor has done considerably very well in changing the face of the state from what it was before he came in. He has laid a good foundation for the APC. It•fs a foundation APC will continue to cherish and build upon.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done very well.

What are your chances in securing the Edo North Senatorial District ticket of the APC? The whole issue about my chance is based on the fact that when one prepares to go into battle, there is nothing like testing the waters. Contest is contest. The only thing you do

is ensuring that you are ready to represent the platform that you choose .My chances are bright.

How familiar are you with the constituencies that make up Edo North Senatorial District?

For the fact that I have been contesting for this same position since 2007 stands me out to know all the constituencies and they too know me well. I am familiar with the people and their support for me is over whelming.

Are you favoured by the zoning arrangement for the position?

Despite the presence of a zoning arrangement in Edo North Senatorial District, individuals are chosen based on performance. We have had experience in the past where we had non-performing senators representing the zone.

Yes it is the turn of Etsako now according to the zoning arrangement to present the candidate with that I am favoured.

Are you aware that the incumbent, Senator Obende Domingo is hoping to return?

•Alimikhena:I am ready to represent Edo North The truth is that everyone has his or her own ambition not minding if you have done well or not to aspire for a position.

The people will decide who their favourite is.

He is not a threat at all. In this type of a contest your pedigree speaks for you. It is not just a cash and carry affair.

Professor Julius Ihonvbere has been endorsed by Owan people what have you to say?

I heard of it. To me it is too early for any endorsement because APC membership registration has not been done yet, no ward or LGAs executives are in place. I heard also that not all the leaders of the two LGAs that were there.

Be that as it may the endorsement has a sectional attribute .As they endorsed him because he is an Owan son, then Etsako endorses me because I am an Etsako son and Akoko Edo endorses Domingo because he is their son. , then where shall we go from there? It is the turn of Etsako to produce a candidate for this election period.

What do you hope to achieve when you get to the Senate?

I want to give my people qualitative representation. I also want to set a record in Edo North senatorial district which would be a platform for others to build on.

Defected governors should return to PDP— Oyibode AMBASSADOR Gabriel Chukwuma Oyibode is the founder and chairman of Amb. Gabriel Chukwuma Etaoghenevwegba Oyibode foundation. In this interview he explains why President Goodluck Jonathan should run for a second term in office among other issues.

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

D

O you believe the president should seek another term and why?

Amidst all odds, the President has performed credibly well in the area of power and infrastructure development, youth empowerment/ Job Creation (U-WIN initiative, SUREP, and others) etc. I opined, he should be given another opportunity to complete the good works he has started.

Does the recent change in the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) portray good omen for the party come 2015 general election?

Yes, because the world is dynamic, therefore change is constant and the recent change in the leadership of PDP would be a good omen for the party come 2015 general election and beyond.

Please comment on the

continued Boko Haram insurgence in the Northern part of the country.?

The aggrieved Boko Haram sects and perpetrators of insurgencies in the north are not spirits but humans. They should be bold and courageous enough to put their cards on the table of dialogue. I therefore urge every Boko Haram member to embrace peace, and if there is anything they are agitating for they should speak out to the government about it reasonably.

Do you think the chairman of INEC, Alhaji Atairu Jega has the credibility to handle the next general election given what happened in Anambra State recently?

Alhaji Attairu Jega is a seasoned professor and a man of integrity, I know he is very credible and has the obligation and passion to handle any situation with regards to elections in Nigeria. Though, there might

be some short comings, but nobody has the monopoly of knowledge. I trust he will improve by the day.

Do you see Nigeria breaking up in 2015 after the general election as predicted by some pundits?

No! Nigeria will remain united.

Because united we stand and divided we fall. Nigeria remains one indivisible entity since the amalgamation in 1914. No matter the dispute arising from various ethnicities, we remain one Nigeria.

Please tell us why the organization was established and how far it has affected the lives of Nigerians.?

To what extent do you think the administration in Delta State has affected the population in that state?

Delta under the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has done well and still hope to do

•Oyibode:Jonathan deserves another term more before the end of his tenure.

Most applauded is the bursary scheme to Deltans, the Delta Beyond oil vision and the three point transformation agenda.

Politics should not be a do or die affair. In life some loose and some win. Nigerian politicians should

eschew the politics of bitterness and violence without which there can be no desired peace for sustainable development.

There is the call from Alhaji Adamu Muazu the new PDP chairman on the five defected Governors to come back to PDP. How do you see it?

It’s a good stride, I also urge the defected governors and party members to come back to PDP if possible; a kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. Therefore there is an absolute need for reconciliation.

The Nigerian state is a project instituted by God. Nigerians should eschew violence and politics of bitterness and seek peace for sustainable development. Everybody must realize that we need to build a united country because what we have now is an agglomeration of nation states. There is strength in unity. Therefore, we should all put aside our racial differences and ethnicities and pursue a common goal.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Ifowodo holds workshop for Delta schools

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NITED States-based literary scholar, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, is organising a three-day creative writing workshop for Delta State secondary schools.

Ifowodo, who is partnering Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the International Institute of Education, said the workshop, which started on Wednesday will end tomorrow at the Morgan Smart Education Resource Centre, Warri, Delta State.

It was declared open by Professor Hope Eghagha, the state’s Commissioner for Higher Education, while his Basic and Secondary Education counterpart, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, gave the closing remarks.

The event is featuring students and teachers of literature, writing activities, prize presentations, lectures, discussions, readings from Nigerian and foreign books.

Some of the books being studied include those by Chinua Achebe, JP Clark, Christopher Okigbo, Wole Soyinka, Molara Wood among others.

Jonathan’s cousin's abduction: IYC teams up with security agencies to fish out kidnappers

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—THE Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide has set up a three man team to liaise with security agencies to fish out the kidnappers of Chief Inengite Nitabai, cousin to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Meanwhile, the state government has called for the unconditional release of the septuagenarian to allow him reunite with his family.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha, reminded the abductors that “kidnapping is a grievous criminal offence, which attracts death penalty,” adding that anyone found guilty will face the full wrath of the law.

Chief Nitabai, aged 70, was kidnapped on Sunday at 9pm in Otuoke by 10 gunmen and whisked away in his Sports Utility Vehicle.

The vehicle was later recovered at Onuegbum waterfront few kilometres away from scene of the abduction

PDP days are numbered, says Delta APC chieftain NAUG, visited him at his

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ARRI—An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Delta State, Mr Agbefe Sebastine, has promised better days for the state owing to the grassroots mobilisation of the party, preparatory to taking over of government in the state and the Presidency following the just-concluded mass registration exercise of members, which included defecting Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members and other parties.

Speaking when members of National Association of Unemployed Graduates,

country home, in Ifie, Delta State, he assured them that as long as everyone has come to the realize the need for a change in the political landscape, with no one sitting on the fence, dividends of democracy were not far away.

He urged Deltans “to be steadfast in our resolve to make the inevitable change a reality by inviting more aggressive mobilisation of members through neighbour to neighbour, street to street, community to community and city to city with the popular slogan “change” as an instrument for our movement.”

where it was abandoned, an indication that his kidnappers might have escaped through the creek.

The kidnapped chief is described as the traditional head of the compound from which the President hails from according to a community source.

IYC in the statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, described as “most unfortunate, the abduction coming at a time when President Jonathan needs to be in the best frame of mind to face the challenges of governing a complex nation

Group calls on police to unmask killer-herdsmen

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ARRI—FORUM for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Delta State, has called on the police to uncover the Fulani herdsmen who allegedly killed two farmers in their farms in Enhwe community, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

The herdsmen fled after killing 70-year-old Akpojotor Ogor and 55-year-old Andrew Edeki, both indigenes of Enwhe following a disagreement over damage caused by their cattle.

Vanguard gathered that the remains of the deceased persons were deposited by the police at an undisclosed hospital in Oleh.

Speaking on the matter, yesterday, national Coordinator of FJHD, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, said “We condemn as barbaric, satanic and despicable, the recent killing of Mr. Ogor, a farmer, aged 70 and an indigene of Enhwe town and Mr Edeki, a farmer, aged 55 and also an indigene of Enhwe town at their respective farms in Enhwe by rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

such as Nigeria.”

It called on the Bayelsa State Government to ensure

Edo monarchs, civil society groups, others back competency test for teachers The Iyase of Benin Kingdom,

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

E N I N — STAKEHOLDERS, including royal fathers, market women, civil society groups in in Edo State have endorsed the proposed competent test for teachers in the state, calling on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to immediately sack teachers who fail the test.

The town hall meeting on the educational sector was organised by the state government, but boycotted by the teachers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, in the state, who had said that its members would not participate in the proposed competency test.

Tempers heightened at the meeting after market women learnt that the meeting was boycotted by the teachers, when one of the leaders popularly known as Madam Blackky described the action of the teachers as arrogant and wicked, saying “ we suffer to make money in the market to pay school fees for our children, so they want us to be wasting our money by allowing illiterates to teach our children? That is unacceptable.”

Oshiomhole disclosed that the series of meetings held with civil society groups and the teachers were to make them know that the exercise was not to witch-hunt but to ensure that qualified persons were saddled with the responsibility of teaching the pupils.

Chief Sam Igbe, Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, Enojie of Opoji, Enojie of Igueben, former Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Prof.Dennis Agbonlahor and others commended the governor for calling the meeting and urged him to conduct the test and sack any unqualified teachers.

Chief Edebiri said: “No competent teacher should be afraid of competency test.

After the incident of the teacher, who could not read her affidavit, what has the NUT done to organise in house cleaning to weed out incompetent teachers from its midst.

Church holds convention

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LOCK of Christ Mission will hold its world convention from February 23 to March 2, 2014, with the theme “Bringing Many Sons to Glory ” at the church headquarters in Warri, Delta State.

Apart from host Bishop and Rev. Dr. Mrs. Simeon Okah, other anointed speakers , who will minister include Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Bishop Kingsley Enakihirerhi, Bishop Emmah Isong, Rev. Randy Bach. Guest artiste is Princess Annie Inyang.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

that the kidnappers were brought to book and its antikidnapping law tested.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Boko Haram's killing of 43 students in Yobe

What a tragic news!

Where are the Arewa Youth Forum, where are the Northern Elders forum protecting Sanusi when he was suspended, is this not an issue enough they can speak out against or protest about? Mr. Ademola Babatunde- Businessman

This is extreme cruelty to the core and I wonder why people are asking for reconciliation with these animals in human skin. How can you bring back people that enjoy killing into your community? Mr. Nelson Azubuike - Clergy

Our leaders should stop playing politics with human lives. These bloodthirsty people's day of reckoning is around the corner. I pray that God gives the families of the dead students’ heart to bear their loss. Mr. Osagie Ukpebor - Cameraman

I know that after an attack, the next thing government say is that they are at the top of the situation. Hardly does a week go by that we do not hear of Boko Haram killing innocent people. It is sickening. Ms. Nwosu Njideka- Communicator

Federal Government cannot crush Boko Haram without help from the Northern elites but because they want power to return to the North, they look the other way, indirectly encouraging the insurgents. Ms. Ebereke Kelechi - Worker

I am not sure the North sincerely wants an end to Boko Haram at the moment. Probably they want to use it as ploy to dissuade northerners from voting for GEJ, like the president said in his media chat. Ms. Chika Dike - Student

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—45

Come to our aid, applicants beg Uduaghan

Warri must discard dirty city image —Uduaghan

BY FESTUS AHON

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ARRI —GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, has challenged residents of Warri, to improve on their sanitary habits with a view of getting rid of the image of a dirty city widely associated with Warri and its environs.

The governor, while unveiling the Delta State Government renovated Cavegina Primary School and Olodi Primary School, as part of a general upgrade of educational infrastructure across the state, said: “They refer to Warri as a dirty city. This has to stop, and it must start with proper guidance of our children on basic hygiene from our homes and schools.

“To this end, government has banned all public functions in public schools in the state,” he said, tasking the supervising Ministry of Basic/Secondary Education and school heads to ensure that the schools are under lock and key after all school activities.

Etsako, Edo North Igbo leaders endorse Ihonvbere for Senate

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EADERS of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Etsako Central and East Local Government Areas of Edo State, have endorsed Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to Edo State Government, for the 2015 Edo North senatorial seat, saying, “we will send our very best to the Senate in 2015.”

Similarly, the Ndigbo community in Edo North senatorial district, during a courtesy visit to Ihonvbere, said: “Whoever is a friend to Ndigbo should be rest assured that all is well.”

According to Prince Malik Afegbua, one of the APC leaders who visited Ihonvbere, “If somebody like this, with a long credential comes to tell you that it’s not governorship this time, but wants to go to Senate, what will you do with him?

“This is the appointed day by God for him to go to the Senate."

EMPOWERMENT: First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (right), being received by the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Evans Bipi, while the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol (2nd right) and others watch, on the arrival of the First Lady to flag off the distribution of economic empowerment items and commodities to indigenes of Okrika, Ogu/Ibolo and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of Rivers State, at the Okrika National Field, Okrika, Rivers State. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

2015: Urhobo in PDP won't work against Uduaghan —Igbuya

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

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AJORITY Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya, has said that the Urhobo in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were determined to follow the lead of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in choosing the next governor of the state.

Igbuya, who is also the national vice-chairman of Urhobo Political Forum, UPF, said Urhobo politicians in PDP would only back an Urhobo person for the governorship, if such a candidate emerges from within the PDP. He was reacting to claims by Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, that the Urhobo nation would present a governorship candidate irrespective of the political permutations set by PDP and Governor Uduaghan.

Restating his loyalty to PDP and

Uduaghan, the state leader of the PDP, Igbuya said it would be out of place for him and other Urhobo politicians in PDP to work at variance with whatever choice was made by the party on the next governorship candidate of the party.

He said: “I am a member of PDP and also a member of UPF and I speak for UPF and members of PDP in UPF. No member of UPF or PDP has denied the fact that Governor Uduaghan is the leader of the party in the state. No member of PDP in Central senatorial district has denied the fact that Uduaghan is our leader.

“It is true that UPU is a socio-cultural group and has not been made a political group.

In a UPU statement, Chief Mike Okenini claimed that UPU will present a governorship candidate come 2015. I

pray that happens in PDP, otherwise, how does Chief Okenini want people like us, who are members of PDP to vote for UPU candidate should he emerge from another party like All Progressives Congress, APC or other parties?

“Chief Okenini should know that he cannot speak for me as a member of PDP on matters of politics or UPF. His publicity ends with matters concerning UPU. For the avoidance of doubt, and for more emphasis, Uduaghan is the leader of our party in the state, where ever he directs us, we will surely go as members of PDP and UPF. If the governor comes out with an Urhobo candidate, is Chief Okenini saying we should ignore our leader’s directive? On Uduaghan’s directive we stand, those of us in PDP and UPF.”

Delta North elders set to endorse Ochei as consensus candidate

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LDERS of Delta North senatorial district in Delta State are set to endorse Mr. Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, as their consensus candidate for the governorship of the state come 2015, with a promise to persuade other aspirants from the district to step down for him.

Ogbuefi Boniface Ossai, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the elders after their caucus meeting in Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of the state, yesterday, said the elders would start by presenting him to all the traditional rulers in Delta North before pre-

senting him to the Delta North Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. According to Ossai, two popular Delta North aspirants, specifically from Ika and Aniocha axis of the district, were already in the process of forming an alliance with Ochei because they find him as the most credible aspirant among those jostling for the position in the senatorial district.

He said: “If the Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw people can come up with a communiqué that Ochei is their consensus candidate, what stops us

from presenting our own son to the leadership of PDP in Delta North?

“We, the Delta North Elders that just endorsed Ochei, had also in time past endorsed Chief Godswill Obielum, an Ndokwa man, for governorship in 2007, but he could not make it, while in 2011, we endorsed Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, an Ika man, for the Senate and he won. So, it is now fair to endorse Ochei, an Aniocha man, who was unanimously presented to us by his Aniocha people as their voice,” he added.

G H E L L I — A GROUP, Voice of the Oppressed, yesterday, appealed to Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to assist graduates “who do not have people in high places” to secure employment in the ongoing recruitment exercise into the state civil service.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Mudiaga Abiri, said that it strongly needs the intervention of the governor to help members secure employment “as we graduated a long time ago, and have been applying to the previous Delta State Civil Service Commission unsuccessfully in previous excersises.

“We were not successful, not because we were not qualified, but simply because we did not have people in high places that would give us employment, as the politicians and the so called king makers have always shared the jobs among themselves, leaving us the less privileged to suffer.

“Again, we do not have the huge amount of money like N500, 000 to buy slots as most of them sell their slots for this amount and even higher. We believe that these jobs are supposed to be free."

Gbemre to be installed Okpako-Orere

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HIEF J.K. Gbemre, aged 89, the oldest man in Iwhrekan Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, will, on March 1, 2014, be installed as the Oldest Man (Okpako-Orere) of the community.

A statement by Justice Godwin Gbemre, of the state High Court in Sapele, on behalf of the children, and Mr. George Djukpan, Chairman of the community, said the installation ceremony will hold at Orhowhe Primary School ground, in Iwhrekan and wouldl be chaired by the state deputy governor, Professor Amos Agbe Utuama (SAN).

Chief J.K. Gbemre

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBUARY 27, 2014

2014 budget: Anambra Assembly denies delay in passage

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA — ANAMBRA State House of Assembly has denied insinuations in some quarters that the 2014 budget was deliberately being delayed to frustrate Governor Peter Obi’s commitment to the development of the state.

This came on a day the state government threatened to clamp down on street traders in Onitsha main market, whose activities have allegedly robbed it of huge amount of money running into millions of Naira in revenue losses.

Speaking on a motion for adjournment, a member of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Ebele Obi, blamed the executive arm of government for the delay in the passage of the budget.

Obi, who represents Idemili South constituency, said: “It is appalling that the finance commissioner, the commissioner for information, commissioner for science and technology and the works commissioner, among others, have refused to furnish us with the performance indices of the 2013 budget of their various ministries. ”Before you ask us to approve or pass the 2014 budget you have to tell us how much government made as revenue last year and how much it spent for us to know how realistic the budget you have presented to us is. ”I want to make it clear to the people of Anambra State that this honourable House is not delaying the budget."

2015: CSOs threaten to move against lawmakers’ re-election over PIB

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — COALITION of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday, threatened to mobilise the masses against re-election of members of the National Assembly should

A

BUJA — THE Illesa water dam project is to be delivered in the next three months, having reached 90 per cent completion, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has said.

The Minister, in a statement

by Head, Press & Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Boade Akinola, assured the residents of abundant water supply as soon as the dam was completed, and the state government completes the reticulation and distribution network.

Ochekpe pleaded with the people to protect the project against vandalism and pollution, adding that the project

Environmental Assembly Nigeria, SEAN, had, on Tuesday staged a rally at the National Assembly for the final push of PIB. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Executive Director of ERA/ FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, said the essence of the briefing was to press home their demands for the

RECEPTION: From left, Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and Sir Marc Wabara, chairman of the reception organised by Abia South Senatorial district chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Aba, for Governor Orji.

Njemanze joins Imo guber race ....As APC, APGA lose more members to PDP

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — FORMER Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prince Ken Njemanze, SAN, has joined the gubernatorial race for the 2015 general polls, on the platform of Peoples Democratic party, PDP. This came as the All Progressives Congress, APC, and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, lost more members to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, last weekend.

Vanguard checks in the state’s political firmament revealed that the entry of Njemanze, who is

Ilesa water dam 90% completed — FG

BY FUNMI OLASUPO

they fail to pass the Petroleum Industrial Bill, PIB, before the 2015 elections.

The CSOs, comprising Environmental Rights Watch/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, Green Alliance Nigeria, GAN, the Host Communities Network of Nigeria, HOCON, and Students

belonged to the community, and that they should accept the dam as their own property.

According to her, the project will provide jobs for about 180 people in the community, in line with presidential order that every project should provide job opportunities for the people.

This, she added, would bring about economic empowerment for the people as well as development for the benefiting communities.

Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, commended the Federal Government for its huge efforts towards provision of potable water to the people of the state, Ilesha town in particular.

from Owerri federal constituency into the race, had changed the political equation in the state.

Confirming his readiness to take a shot at Government House, Owerri, Prince Njemanze said he had held consultations with some stakeholders in the three senatorial zones of the state.

“I have consulted some stakeholders, including members of my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. I will still make efforts to see some others before going full blast,” Njemanze said.

On whether he had a bright chance to grab the PDP ticket, the ex-Attorney General said he would do his best but quickly added "only God gives power."

Meanwhile,PDP chieftains across the South East have applauded leaders of the party in Imo State for putting together one of the best rallies ever held by the PDP in recent times.

Imo PDP Youth Vanguard, led

by Nwachukwu Obioha, member representing Ikeduru/Mbaitoli Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bethel Amadi, leader of Ochendo Grassroots Movement in Abia State, Comrade John Ifenkwe and Mrs. Veronica Igwe, a PDP stalwart from Enugu State, in their separate reactions, described the massive turn-out witnessed at the rally as evidence of deliberate and thorough planning and execution.

Meanwhile, APC and APGA, last weekend, lost more members to Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State.

Immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, and a strong member of Achike Udenwa’s Redemption 98, Chief Sooronnadi Njoku, who until, last weekend, served as a Special Adviser on Justice and Fairness to the present government, had resigned his appointment, dumped APC and rejoined the PDP family.

Vanguard recalls that the presidential unity rally, which was used to welcome back prominent Imo sons to PDP, was massively attended by the national leadership of the party and stalwarts from Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and neighbouring states.

lawmakers to pass the PIB, which, he noted, had popular support not only of national civil society groups, but also most communities across the Niger Delta and other oil-bearing communities.

He said: “Broadly, we see some of the provisions of the PIB as a conflict resolution mechanism to the decades of violent conflicts, and the restoration of transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector in Nigeria to which the national assembly has been called upon to act quickly.

“We state strongly that failure to pass the Bill will have political costs for sitting lawmakers. So far, we would like to commend the efforts of the 7th National Assembly for their response to popular agitations for the complete overhaul of the PIB 2012 as it presents an opportunity to check corporate rule, total disregard of local livelihoods, and reckless degradation of the environment, violence, corruption and theft which have been the sad hallmarks of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

“As groups in the vanguard of campaigns for environmental justice and democratic principles in all spheres of our national life, we are very much concerned with the outlook and ultimate outcome of the PIB which, when passed into law will have maximum impact on local livelihoods and the environment of Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta.

“We believe that with the antecedent of the present National Assembly, in their staunch refusal to bow to corporate lobby and blackmail of law makers, Nigerians will ultimately get a law that they will be proud of.

“A PIB that will enjoy our acceptability and support will be that which will, among others, strengthen Nigeria’s sovereignty by investing the ownership of the petroleum resources in the Nigerian nation rather than the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Abia govt nominates Irukwu, Ebitu Ukiwe, Anya O. Anya, others for national confab

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA — ABIA State government has released 18 prominent names, including a woman as its delegates to the national conference coming up soon.

The names are Prof. Joe Irukwu, Prof. Anya O. Anya, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof. Chibuzo Ogbagu; Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu and Pro. Herbert Orji.

Others are former deputy to Military President, Ibrahim

Babangida, Air Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former Health Minister, Dr. Ihechukwu Madubuike and former Finance Minister, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu.

Also in the list are Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. M.A.U. Ohuabunwa and Prof.

Uche Ikonne, the deputy Vice Chancellor [Academics] of the state university.

The rest are Chief Emma Adiele, Dr. Eme Okoro, Elder Emma Adaelu, Chief Chukwu Wachukwu and Lady Bridget Nwankwo, a former commissioner in old Imo state.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

- 47

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Edem Vindah, Manager, Corporate Media and Brand PR, Nigerian Breweries, Funke Akindele, African Magic Viewers INSPECTION: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (2nd right), flanked by Choice Awards nominee, Mrs. Biola Alabi, MD, M-Net and Mr. Martin Mr. Sayyu Dantata, Chairman, MRS Group (right), Dr. Eruani Azibapu, President, Azikel Group (2nd left), and Mr. Etido Inyang, Special Adviser, Bureau of Technical Matters, during Mobutho, GM, Sales and Marketing, Multichoice Nigeria, during a briefing in Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu. the inspection of the ongoing work at the Ibom International Stadium, Uyo.

LAUNCHING: From left: Managing Director, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, NIBSS, Mr. Ade Shonubi, MD, Digital Jewels, Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa, Head, Process Re-engineering, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mrs. Yemisi Bayagbon, and MD, Chams Limited, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, at the launch of the Bank Customers' Biometrics Verification project in Lagos

SIGNING: Mr. Ali Hyder, CEO, Focus Softnet, Dubai (right) and Mr. Moses Uvomata, Director, Focus Softnet Services Nig Ltd, during the signing of a partnership agreement to distribute its wide range of IT software solutions in Nigeria, in Lagos.

TRIBUTE: From left: Mr. Gbenga Odujinrin, Engr. Isaiah Mohammed, former Executive Director, Nitel Communication Limited, Mrs. Pamela Sadauki, former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Mr. Ejovi Aror, Group Managing Director, IPNX Limited, during the Nite of Tribute in honour of late Co-founder of Techinvest, Telnet, and IPNX, Dr. Burian Carews in Lagos.

From left: Head, Sales, Nokia Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Joseph Umunakwe, Senior Manager, Product Marketing, Nokia West and Central Africa, Mr. Olumide DECORATION: MD, Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue Balogun, and Head, Sales, Nokia West and Central Africa, Mr. Chris Brown, displaying the newly (left) and Captain Ado Sanusi (right), decorating introduced Nokia X range of smartphones, at the 2014 Captain Amir Gaya with his new rank, at Arik Headquaters in Lagos. Photo:Lamidi Bamidele.

Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

From left: Principal, Grace Schools, Lagos, Mr. Ronald Cilliers, scholarship awardees, Rukayat Oseni, Umuani Yusuff, Emmanuel Emejuru and Administrator of the school, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun, during the presentation of the 2014 annual scholarship award to the students by Grace School management, in Lagos.

From left: Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, Mr. Cephas Afebuameh, Mrs. Funmi Afebuameh, Producer, Mrs. Bunmi Odutola, Mrs. Olufunke Sobowale, Mrs. Adedapo Bukola and Pastor Tony Egbe, at the launch of a Gospel album by Mrs Funmi Afebuameh in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Jonathan, Shettima must work to bring peace in Borno — Saraki

NAFDAC warns medicine dealers, food processors against unhealthy activities

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

BY ABEL DANIEL

I

LORIN—Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki has said that the protracted killings in Borno State persist because President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of Borno State, Ibrahim Geidam were working at cross purposes over the matter, stressing that the duo must work together for peace to return to the areas.

The former governor of Kwara State, spoke against the backdrop of Tuesday’s killing of 43 students of a federal government college in Yobe State by terrorists.

Saraki’s views were contained in a statement he personally signed in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday.

He said: ‘’While we are still mourning the last attack in Konduga and seeking for ways to prevent further attacks, the latest killings obviously shows the effect of Mr President and the Governor of the state not being on the same page and it is important that we all put heads together to address this menace before we are all consumed."

ITF restates commitment to training of youths

BY TAYE OBATERU

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OS—DIRECTOR General of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Professor Longmas Wapmuk has reaffirmed the commitment of the fund to training youths in various technical and vocational skills to enable them contribute to the country’s development.

He stated this while receiving a brand new Peugeot 301 car donated to the fund by Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, PAN, noting that it would add value to the training programmes in the fund’s skills training centres.

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BUDGET DEFENCE—From right: Minister of Works; Arc Mike Onolememen; Chairman SURE-P, General Martins Agwai; Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Ministry, Darius Ishyaku, during the SURE-P budget defence at the Senate Chambers,yesterday.

Don't blame Jonathan for your woes, Turaki tells North

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

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UTSE—FORMER Jigawa State Governor, Senator Saminu Turaki, yesterday, asked the North to stop blaming President Goodluck Jonathan for its perceived problems, saying that the North was its greatest enemy.

Turaki also defended the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing it as one that believed in upholding social justice and fairness in the country.

He spoke, yesterday, in his country home, Kazaure, in Jigawa State, shortly after launching the Saminiyya Hallaci programme in the area.

According to him, contrary to insinuations that President Goodluck Jonathan was the cause of the problems of the north, the people of the area were their own major enemies.

He explained that as a northerner, he had suffered more oppression from his fellow northerners as most of those throwing mud at him and his family were from there and not southerners.

Turaki further pointed out that people from the South-South the president’s zone, had been treating him and his associates better than his fellow people, adding that “the people that destroyed the North are northerners, not southerners.”

The former governor, however, called for a- two party system in the country, saying that this would pave the way for Nigeria’s democracy to be strengthened.

He pointed out that the country was still going through a learning political process, add-

ing that with a two-party system, democracy would be strengthened as it would be easier to vote out an unpopular government.

He said that the major problem had always been that party that controlled the Executive also controlled the Legislature and by extension the Judiciary.

His words: “When you have a two-party system, then there would be real democracy, it took America 200 years to reach where they are today; so, it is not done in one day.”

The former governor Turaki further described the emergence of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a strong opposition and the gale of defections in recent times and good omen for Nigerian democracy.

He likened the present situation in the country to the Ibrahim Babangida era when, as a military president, he formed the National Republican Convention, NRC, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, which, he described, as “a good trend because, at the end of the day, the country would have two strong parties.”

AFIA— THE Na tional Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in Nasarawa State, Tuesday, warned medicine dealers and other food processing factories against engaging in acts that do not safeguard the health of Nigerians, saying that it has concluded arrangements to embark on surveillance visits to drugoutlets across the state.

NAFDAC also threatened to clamp down on fake drug dealers pointing out that it had started carrying out raids on bakeries, package water producing factories and other producers of consumables in the state, leading to the closure of some of such factories that failed to comply with its regulations.

State Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Martins Iluyomade, spoke in Lafia, the state capital, during a one-day enlightenment programme organized for members of the Nigeria Association of Patent Medicine Dealers, NAPMED, in the state.

With 4G technology, CDMA is dead, says Ericsson

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE, REPORTING FROM BARCELONA

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ARCELONA— ERICSSON´S product manager for LTE, Joakim Soreliu, has said that with the emergence of 4G network into the burgeoning mobile technology market, the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA operators stands no chance of survival.

Sorelius said, the future of telecommunication technology now depends on LTE, as a 4 generation network, coming to enhance the services of mobile operators and also ensure a guaranteed capacity for installed infrastructure by operators.

According to him, LTE tech-

nology is expected to grow to two billion subscriptions mark by 2019 from the present subscription rate of less than four million globally.

He noted that operators of CDMA across the globe are presently stocked and may not be getting the desired level of demand that can keep them afloat in business, insisting that it is all over them and advised that the only way left for them to keep body and soul together in the business, is by integrating an LTE integrators into their networks.

"Operators of CDMA are stocked, there is no global demand for their services. As far as I am concerned, it is over for them but one more thing they must do is to de-

ploy LTE solutions that can enable them migrate into the LTE platform, else, there will be less demand for CDMA services.

"If you look at CDMA especially in the US, the activities have not been as it used to be five years ago, operators have now left shop. They only render services to few customers with selected operators based on demand. I think there have been less demand for CDMA and so, that is affecting its chances in the mobile dominated market," he said.

The Ericsson manager said that LTE, apart from improving quality of data services, also enhances the quality of of mobile communication services with its superior and advanced technology over the 3G and 2G technologies.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 49

C M Y K

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Sambo, Mark, Ramalan, others eulogise late Isaiah Balat

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L-r, Bauchi State governor Isah Yuguda, Vice president, Namadi Sambo, and Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Ramaln Yero at the funeral service for late Isaiah Balat at his Bafai-gora home town, Zango Kataf, yesterday.

Photos: Olu Ajayi.

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

ANGON KATAF – The remains of late Senator Isaiah Balat was buried, yesterday, after a funeral service attended by a record crowd from the area.

Among the thousands of mourners who witnessed the burial were the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana, as well as members of the National Assembly.

They took turns to eulogise the man seen in life time as the most important political figure in Southern Kaduna.

The family of Balat, who was Special Adviser to the Vice President on Political Affairs said they just wanted their father to be remembered as a good and decent man

who cared for his family and those that came in contact with him.

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU, which spoke for the people of the zone asked the Federal Government to immortalise their hero by establishing a tertiary school and improving the security situation in the area to prevent further killing of the natives by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking after the homily, Vice President Sambo said Balat, “was a brother, a colleague, and a confidant. He was a great mobiliser of people, an astute politician, a humanitarian, humanist and a great asset to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. From a humble background, he converted challenges to advantage and became an icon of his time. His death has created a huge vacuum which cannot be filled now.” The Senate President, Senator David Mark asked Senator Solomon Ewuga to speak on behalf of the National Assembly, in which Balat served as senator representing Southern Kaduna, from 2003 to 2007.

Ewuga said, “I am cold with grief standing here to speak on behalf of the National Assembly. I have known Balat for quite some time, and I have visited this village several times to hold discussions with him on several issues. He was a hardworking, disciplined man who believed in getting things done correctly.

We shall all miss him.”

Professor Jerry Gana, former Minister of Information, who served when Balat was Minister of State for Works, said, "Balat was a very couragous politician.

He was one of us in the G18 and G34 who formed the PDP. He was a principled person, and believed in justice and fair play to all.”

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan, in his speech, said he would miss the invaluable advice he received from the late Balat, noting, “He was one of the people that I always consulted on how to ensure everlasting peace and security in the state. He was loved both by his people and outside his state. The PDP has lost a great leader.”

He promised to complete a community secondary school which the late senator had started in Gora Baffai. He also informed the gathering that Kaduna and Plateau State will hold a meeting of their security Chiefs to see how to curtail the violence in their border areas around Southern Kaduna.

The National President of SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje, in his remarks said that though Southern Kaduna had always been the cash cow of the PDP, it had no any federal institution to show for it.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014—51

Osun pensioners lament death of 45 colleagues, protest unpaid arrears

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE OSOGBO

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ENSIONERS in Osun State civil service are mourning the demise of no fewer than 45 of their colleagues who died recently while waiting for their unpaid pension and gratuity arrears put at N1.4 billion.

In a protest over the unpaid benefits, the retirees claimed the 45 members died between 2011 and now as a result of lack of funds to take care of their medi-

cal bills.

The protest took place under the watchful eyes of the State Police Command after obtaining permission from the Command.

The protesters matched from Oke-Fia end of Osogbo through Alekunwodo and Orita Olaiya blocking traffic and chanting various solidarity songs while demanding for their entitlements.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the retirees pleaded with the state

government to look into their plight and pay them accordingly.

The protesters mostly those who retired in December 2012, moved round major streets in Osogbo including Okefia, Olaiya, Gbodofon, Alekuwodo, Odi Olowo and Asubiaro among others denouncing perceived government’s continuous silence on their plight.

While the protest lasted, commercial activities were halted for several hours in most parts of the state capital.

Addressing the retirees at Orita-Olaiya, the Chairman of the forum, Mr. Tunde Ogunniyi lamented that the pensioners decided to protest after about 45 of them lost their lives over the delay in the payment of the arrears.

He claimed that the affected retirees could not pay for their child r e n 's s c h o o l f e e s among other obligations, arguing that the arrears were running into 10 months now.

State govt react:

Reacting, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, attributed the delay in the payment of the arrears of the pension and gratuity to the dwindling revenue from the Federation allocation.

Ad d i t i o n a l l y, he blamed the failure by the immediate past administration to automate the manual processing of retirees benefits to take care of the surge for the delay.

According to him, ef-

forts by the current administration to automate the process led to the situation where some retirees since December 2012 were unable to submit necessary documents to collect their benefits until November 2013.

He said, “the government believes that the retirees have freedom to express their concerns, it is regrettable that the previous Head of Service that approved the forceful resignation of the group of the retirees did not consider the cash flow implication when granting the approval, thus leading the government not to make adequate provision for the associated obligation. ”This incidence spontaneously led to an increase in the government monthly pension payment from N250million, met at the inception of our administration to N600million.

Manual processing In the same vein, the last administration failed to automate the manual processing of retirees benefits to take care of the surge in number, thereby leading to delay in processing the Authority to collect (ATC) papers of the retired personnel. ” This consequently led to the situation whereby some people who retired since December 2012 were unable to submit their Authority to collect until later month such as November 2013. This is the genesis of the pension arrears. Government has however kept pace to pension payment as soon as their Authority papers are submitted.”

He however assured that Governor Rauf Aregebsola would ensure that necessary machineries were put in place to ensure the outstanding balance was settled by leveraging same with one of our financial partners.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Furore over pulling down of PDP billboard in Kwara

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—POLITICAL crisis is now looming in Kwara State between the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the pulling down of a giant bill board announcing President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Ilorin, the state capital for a political rally on Monday.

Vanguard learnt that the bill board among others, erected at the Zango-Fate roundabout, was allegedly pulled down by officials of the Kwara State Structures For Signage on Tuesday.

The state government said that the bill board was pulled down because it posed serious dangers to vehicles approaching the round about from the three major routes leading to Zango/Fate and Maraba but the PDP was reported to have replaced it yesterday morning.

Both the state Attorney General and Commis-

sioner for Justice, Alhaji Kamal Ajibade and the director general, Kwara State Structures for Signage and Advertising Agency, Alhaji Hammid Olufadi who addressed newsmen on the controversy surrounding the pulling down of the billboard by the state government said that the PDP contravened the the law against bill boards which had been in existence since 2010.

The commissioner for justice said that ignorance was no excuse in law, pointing out that when a law is passed it is presumed that it is in the public domain, adding that the public should not misconstrue the law because of a political party. Ajibade also said that there had been sufficient information on the law on both the state radio, adding, ”the law has been effective and people have been complying with the law in the past one year.”

L-r: Niger State governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, chairman North Central Consultative Assembly, Sen Ibrahim Mantu and the chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Col. Theophilus Bamgboye, during a courtesy visit on the governor in Minna, yesterday.

Edo teachers’ test holds in 14 days— Oshiomhole

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HE Competency test for teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Edo State will hold in the next two weeks.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole announced this, yesterday, after a meeting with the National Union of Teachers, NUT, and the Academic Staff of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, at the Government House.

Also in attendance at the meeting, as observers, were members of the Civil Societies Organisations and some royal fathers and chiefs drawn from across the state.

Oshiomhole who noted that the Government had held five meetings over the issue and had postponed the proposed test twice said “we have met over a period of five times and I believe we have spent more than enough time on the issue.

This test is to be done in the next fourteen days and it is left for the teachers to decide whether they want to do it

or not. This assessment test will not be postponed more than two weeks from now.

It will not be changed and it will be the final.

“The assessment will establish the teachers with the basic knowledge and those who don’t have and for those who have, appropriate training will be designed for them. But there are those who can be described as untrainable and these people cannot benefit from any training”.

The purpose of the assessment is to separate the quacks from the genuine ones, then we can embark on training and retraining. Those who can be retrained will be retrained and those who cannot be trained will be asked to quit the system. We cannot allow a bad teacher to poison the tomorrow of our children.”

The Governor said “the employer defines how he wants to organize his work."

Gulak urges APC to rise above ‘Pull Him Down’ campaign

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PECIAL adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak, yesterday, urged the All Progressives Congress to rise above its “Pull Him Down” campaign and show sensitivity and patriotism in its criticism of the Federal Government on national issues.

Gulak said in a statement in Abuja that the leadership of APC was showing gross insensitivity, lack of tack and crass opportunism in its perception of national issues and at the same time, had shown that patriotism has no place in its lexicon as it desperately seeks to grab power.

He said the APC has shown that it cared little about peace, security and unity of the country partic-

ularly in the delicate situation in the north eastern part of the country where the military has been faced with the Boko Haram challenges.

Gulak described the unfounded allegation that President Goodluck Jonathan had concluded plans to replace the elected Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shettim with a military administrator as wicked and deliberate act of mischief designed to further inflame the political situation in that part of the country and truly directed at the person and administration of President Goodluck Jonathan exposed the APC as a political party that thrives in vile propaganda and totally insensitive and unpatriotic in its “Pull Him Down.”

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 53

Obama confirms Afghan pull out

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FTER giving him the silent treatment for eight months, President Barack Obama on Tuesday called Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

The message? A blunt warning that all U.S. troops will leave his wartorn country by 2015 unless Karzai or his successor sign a bilateral security agreement (BSA) with the United States.

The president had not spoken to Karzai since a June 25, 2013, video conference, and the two had had no contact since a Nov. 21, 2013, letter from Washington to Kabul.

•Barack Obama Obama has said repeatedly that he hopes to leave a residual force of some 8,000-12,000 U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan to train local security forces and target extremists after most

combat forces depart in 2014. But U.S. officials had warned that Obama would pull all American troops absent a BSA that gives American and allied forces immunity from local prosecution.

Karzai refused, saying his successor should be the one to make that commitment.

He continued to say no even after Afghanistan’s “loya jirga” assembly of elders approved the agreement.

On Tuesday, Obama bluntly delivered that warning to Karzai himself, according to a White House statement on the call.

Hezbollah vows to attack Israel

H

EZBOLLAH will respond to an Israeli air strike that hit one of its bases on the border with Syria on Monday night, the Lebanese militant group said on Wednesday.

“The new aggression is a blatant assault on Lebanon and its sovereignty and its territor y...

The Resistance (Hezbollah) will choose the time and place and the proper way to respond to it,” Hezbollah said in a statement.

The strike, which Israel has not confirmed, hit the

Lebanese-Syrian border near the Bekaa Valley village of Janta, Hezbollah said. It denied reports that the strike targeted artillery or rocket bases and said there were no casualties.

Lebanese security sources have said they believed that any attack took place on Syrian soil, but Hezbollah’s reference to Lebanese sovereignty suggested it took place on the Lebanese side of the ill-defined frontier.

Israeli planes have struck areas on the Syrian side of the border several times in the last two years but, if confirmed, an air

strike on Lebanese soil would be the first since the Syrian revolt began in 2011.

The eastern LebanonSyrian border area is frequently used by smugglers and Lebanese security sources say the target of Israeli strikes in Syria may have been trucks of weapons destined for Hezbollah.

Israel has voiced alarm that amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, weapons could be transferred to Hezbollah, which is supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fight an insurgency but has traditionally fought Israel.

Clinton calls for defeat of Senate Minority leader And I am here to tell you -

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ORMER President Bill Clinton took center stage Wednesday in the most watched Senate race in the country, telling a crowd of 1,200 that “it makes a big difference” whether Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes wins in November.

“For the last 30 years, as often as not, their strategy has worked mostly because our people see it, get discouraged, and stay home, believe that it doesn’t make a difference.

I know, it was my life - it makes a big difference who wins this election and Alison Lundergan Grimes

should win it and will with your help,” Clinton said to a roar from the crowd at a fundraising and rally.

Sisi remains Egypt’s defence Minister

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GYPTIAN army chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will keep his post as defence minister in the new government, an official source said on Wednesday, quashing speculation he was about to announce a widely

expected bid for the presidency.

Sisi is tipped to win the upcoming presidential election but has yet to announce his candidacy.

He must vacate the post of defence minister in order to run. The source said he would likely keep that job until an election law is finalised.

It may not take long.

The draft presidential election law will be handed to interim President Adly Mansour no later than Saturday for approval, the state news agency reported, quoting a judge involved in reviewing it.

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

Abubakar re-appointed NSITF MD/CE

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, has approved the re-appointment of Mallam Umar Munir Abubakar, as the Managing Director/Chief Executive, MD/CE, of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF for another four years.

A memo by O.C. Illoh, notifying Abubakar about the re-appointment reads, “I am directed to convey to you the approval of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the renewal of your appointment, Rdf No. PRESS/ ($/ML/75/81/SGF/3/649 dated 7th February, 2014 for another term of four years with effect from 28th December, 2013.”

Abubakar became the substantive MD/CE on 3rd January 2012 after earlier being appointed Acting MD/CE of NSITF on the 28th of December 2009.

He joined the services of NSITF as Deputy Director, Special Duties in 1990.

Abubakar held various positions in the Fund such as Assistant General Manager, AGM, Maiduguri Zonal Office, AGM Lagos Island Office, AGM Lagos Operations, General Manger, GM, Administration, GM Compliance, Head, General Administration.

Mallam Abubakar started his working career with the Bauchi State Government in 1976 as an Assistant Secretary.

He was posted to various ministries where he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Assistant Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary.

In 1983, he was seconded to the newly established University of Technology (AbubakarTafawaBalewa University ATBU, Bauchi) as a Senior Assistant Registrar in charge of Administration, Establishments and Council Matters.

Govts siphon public fund through consultants —ASCSN COMRADE Alade Bashir Lawal is the Secretary General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN. In this interview with Labour Vanguard, among others, Lawal says the greed to siphon public funds informed government officials' resort to consultants rather than civil servants. Excerpts.

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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HAT is your take on the increas ing use of consultants by government at all levels to do the work of civil servants. Is it a loss of confidence in the civil servants?

It is not a loss of confidence in the workers, it is just the issue of corruption. When governments come, especially politicians, the first thing they do is to look for avenue where they can make money and recoup some of their electioneering expenses. So, what they do is to look for some strategic areas of governance and contract them out to consultants.

The irony of the issue is that some of the consultants that we have held discussions with one-on- one, we discovered that it is even these civil servants on ground that put them through. At the end of the day, they just use the consultants as a conduit pipe to siphon public fund. There was a case in one of the ministries not long ago that a consultant was on a weekly basis going home with millions of naira for doing nothing. So, it is not loss of confidence in the workers; they know what they are doing. It is just corruption.

Issue of corruption If this issue of corruption is not addressed, the nation will continue to suffer. Now, the government is finding it difficult to pay workers their wages because when you bring in some of these extraneous factors into play, you are creating a big problem in the system. Maybe, they do not understand the impact on the system. The result is that they are spending more than they are supposed to spend and revenue that ought to come to the government, people are putting their filthy hands into it. At the end of the day, there is a huge gap between receipt and expenditure. What we are witnessing is that government is finding it extremely difficult to meet some of statutory duties, including salaries and allowances. It is a very tragic situation.

As organized labour, how are you taking it?

As a body, what we have been doing since we came on board is to ensure that our members get us informed where such is happening and we take immediate action. For

can convince yourself that something posius, we cannot accept it in any form or guise. tive is coming from the workers. For examWe are only handicapped when we are not ple, go to the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, aware. For example, if something is hapeven as late as 8, 9 pm, you will still see workpening in Nasarawa and our members ers on ground working. In fact, some close as refuse to inform us, there is nothing we late as 2 am the following day. can do. At the Federal level, it is very easy They are doing all these to ensure that the for us to get information, but at the state country grows. But the cumulative effect of level, it is not so easy. We depend on our some government policies is demoralizing. men on the ground. In some cases, some In other climes, the level of productivity would of our officials at the state and local govhave been badly affected. Here, workers conernment levels are not performing as extinue to put in their best to ensure that at pected, especially because of fear of vicleast while they are around, they are counted timization. They will say, I do not want them to have added value to the system. So, I can to zero in on me as the person that leaked beat my chest anywhere in the world that our the information or things like that. When workers are very productive. If the workers you hold such view, you encourage all these were not productive, you would have been kinds of impunities and it affects the entire seeing a different thing in the country today system. because what these workers see on a daily We know our members can move the sysbasis is mind boggling. By the time they start tem to whatever height that the governrecounting some of these things, if they are ment wants, but when officials of not patriotic, we will not be talking about government have all these corrupt tendenNigeria now, we would be talking about a cies when they come in, there is nothing different thing entirely. you do that can satisfy them. It is their greed Can you reconcile the level of productivand nothing else. We are all seeing what is happening now. As we The civil servants that are supposed to speak, some Federal workers have not been be in-charged are not allowed to do paid up to three months salaries. People are pro- their jobs, but political appointees moted, they are not paid ity and remuneration? arrears of their promotions. Somebody is You cannot, the remuneration is so poor promoted from level 10 to 11, from then to particularly in the core civil service. Within 12, from 12 to 13, from 13 to 14 and up till the public sector, you see a wide gap between now, he is still collecting the salary of level what an average civil servant collects and 10. All these things have financial impliwhat other segment of the public service cations and when you go deeper into the collects. Nigerian National Petroleum treasury, you will discover that the money Corporation, NNPC, is part of civil service, had been released once or twice; you will the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is part of then ask yourself where did the money go? the civil service. The core civil service, those The civil servants that are supposed to be who sit down to midwife the policies that in-charge are not allowed to do their jobs, move all these other segments are but political appointees. We need to save shortchanged. At the end of the day, you can the system very fast before it degenerates imagine a deputy director ends up going into a level that will consume all of us. home with about N200,000 a month. Before Can you honestly beat your chest to say you become a deputy director, at least after your members are productive? graduation, you must have put in close to 27 Absolutely, I can. Even when you look at years in service. When you now look at it it from the revenue profile of government, within this clime, you look at the cost of we knew what the revenue profile of the feeding, rent, children’s education and other federal government was 10 years ago, we things that are connected with even going to knew what it was five years ago and we work on a regular basis, you will discover know what it is now. The rising revenue that government wants to turn us into magiprofile did not just come like that. Workers cians to work with such kind of paltry sum.. are on ground doing one or two things on behalf government to ensure that the revenue comes in. From that angle alone, you

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BITS Bits

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 —

Chinwe Arisa with the Oyaya head of the Ohafia war dancers during the celebration

Egbule: A celebration of death among the Uzuakoli T

HE town folks said it, it’s been a long time they witnessed it. Indeed, cultural carnivals, like in many other Igbo communities, are becoming a relic. Worse still, traditional burials, one of the people’s carnival expressions, which used to be their cultural exhibitions in the days of yore, are becoming rarer. But today, very few elders in Uzuakoli, a sleepy but ancient town in Abia state, can recall such carnivals as everything is now done in the Christian ways that heroes these days are interred without lavish cultural farewell.

Uzuakoli, once a slave trading post, was among the early recipients of Christianity in Igboland, hosting the famous Methodist Boys College. Ravished by Christianity and westernization, the traditional burial of heroes is almost forgotten. The rituals, songs and dance, the drama, the sights and sounds that accompanied the burial of a great Uzuakoli man is now almost forgotten.

Nation of dancers And yet, these were among the Igbo people Olaudah Equiano, in the 18th Century, celebrated as “a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets. Thus every great event, such as a triumphant return from battle, or other cause of public rejoicing is celebrated with public dances, which are accompanied with songs and music suited to the occasion.”

Chief Egbule’s burial followed the pattern of a traditional Igbo burial carnival.

It was culture, funeral,song, dance, drama, entertainment, history, ritual and tourism all in one. Though the cultural aspect of the burial carnival started on Monday after the Christian vigil on Sunday, the main course of the funeral was Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Ekpe Secret Society danced round the Uzuakoli community with its Okonko masquerade. The mandatory local cow was slaughtered the next

day, along with other cultural dances involving the youth, young women , married ones and elderly men.

In Igboland, during burials, the first son leads a procession of family and friends around the town, singing and dancing. Carrying enlarged portraits of the deceased, the dance group would, with the already washed body in a casket, pay homage first to the village council of elders, then to his compound council of elders, followed by the relations and friends, chiefs and to the living and late heroes of the town. And these were some

Funeral mass

And all Uzuakoli was at home that day as no work was done during the festival. And so all the people were about, some in the square, in their homes, on the road, or just everywhere for the burial. As the body passed, they hailed the group, till the body returned to the family compound where a funeral mass was held. Even then, the warriors were there till his body was lowered into the grave by 3 pm. But that was not the end of the burial.

The next day, the traditional burial truly began. That Wednesday morning, the young men of the town gathered for the

of the things the people of UzuakoEvery great event, such as a triumphant li reenacted last return from battle, or other cause of public January, when the rejoicing is celebrated with public dances, Arisa family bade farewell to their pawhich are accompanied with songs and triarch, Chief Arisa music suited to the occasion Egbule (Nwa Okpokpobiriokpo). oso uzo, that procession of young warriors But it was not just the burial of a great led by a young man carrying the head of man. It was a re-enactment of the history the slaughtered local cow, leaves match of Uzuakoli community as the story of the round the town and to the maternal home late chief encapsulates the history of the of the deceased in Isikwuato. community.

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By UDUMA KALU

the compound cooked all kinds of food. About three cows were slaughtered for them that morning as large crowd would be feasted that day. And the posters of the late Egbule all over the town, stared at them from the black gate of the estate.

Then the journey to the mortuary began. It was less than five kilometers away but the convoy was long. The return journey, led by Chinweuwa, stopped severally at the late chief ’s friends, in laws, a fellow chief, etc, and cannons were shot. That day, over 200 of them were fired. The shooting would continue throughout the festival, from morning till night.

And the Ohafia Warriors’ troupe were the escort. At every spot where the body visited, the warriors performed, the host paid the deceased his tribute and gave some presents like drinks and kola nuts before the body would be driven off again, to the next place.

A scion of one of the founders of Uzuakoli, his forebears were reputed to be in the slave business, along with some Aro merchants. Vanguard Arts was shown the slave routes around the town, which passes through the Methodist College to Ozi Item, down to far away warriors’ land of Abam and Arochukwu, reputedly, the slave headquarters of Africa then. It told of the sacred areas of Uzuakoli, its historical and revered places, its personalities , history of origin, honour and rites of passage.

That Monday morning, the male relatives of Egbule, whose first son, Mr. Chnweuwa Arisa Egbule, an English graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, now a nurse in the USA, in attendance, held a meeting in front of the compound, an estate of many houses where the burial plans of the deseased were discussed with all kinds of alcoholic drinks being consumed. The women in

,

This procession was to begin in a more elaborate style in the evening. This time, instead of a man carrying a cow head, it was the warrior troupe that led the procession.

And instead of only young men the group this time was all encompassing. All were there, men and women, children and teens, boys and girls in their best traditional attires. They sang and praised the late chief, his achievements, titles, attributes etc. His children were part of his legacy, with their wealth, reach and achievements.

And they held the town spellbound. The warriors, with their rhythmic chests and zigzagging feet, falling to the fury of drums and songs, the carnival was an honour rarely given to the an Igbo hero.

And the community, even when the darkness came, still wanted more. So, that night, they converged at the Egbule estate. And the celebration continued.

55

POEM Ramat Mohammed: Emeralds of eternity

T

he Sepulcher, the mausoleum and the grave smacks of the superfluity of nothingness. He stood for the good Governance of his fatherland.

But on a cursed day, February 13, 1976 the staccato and flurry of bullets from Lt.Col. Buka Suka Dimka’s pistol wrote a threnody on the pages of Nigeria’s history.

Ramat rekindled the spirit of growth and patriotism in Nigeria and gave Nigerians hope. Today, he is rejected like a poison.

He is an unheralded hero and he lies in an unmarked grave. But history will vindicate the just.

He will remain the emeralds of glory, The exemplification of perfection and embodiment of Nigeria’s dream.

General Murtala Ramat Mohammed cannot be blackmailed, suppressed and killed.

He has paid the price for Nigeria’s greatness.

He will remain the emeralds of eternity.

He will remain a flawless pearl in the Military Institution.

The imperiousness of the proverbial Iroko Tree cannot be questioned. It’s majesty and magistracy remains peremptorily unshakeable.

The ranging and tempestuous waves of the ocean cannot sink the divine calabash. So Muritala Mohammed will remain in the annals of World history.

If our Leaders and politicians refuse to testify to his greatness.

The people of Namibia, Mozambique, Angola and South Africa will.

The star, moon, and sun must rise and shine because it is their natural characteristic.

So Muritala will live forever as the emeralds of glory.

By Bobson Gbinije Mandate Against Poverty (MAP) Warri.

56 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 57

58— Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Eto’o ‘very annoyed’ at Mourinho’s jibe Oliseh impressed by C

HELSEA striker Samuel Eto’o is ‘very annoyed’ following Jose Mourinho’s jibe about his age, according to former Cameroon coach Claude Le Roy. Chelsea manager Mourinho was caught in conversation by French TV station Canal Plus with the boss of Swiss watch-makers Hublot, explaining that his side did not have anyone to score goals.

He joked that Samuel Eto’o was probably older than 32 and hinted that an ideal solution may be to sign Radamel Falcao because the Colombian deserved a bigger audience than he had at Monaco.

Mourinho was heard saying: ‘The problem with Chelsea is I lack a scorer. I have Eto’o but he is 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?’

The Chelsea boss hit out at the TV station and branded them unethical, but Le Roy says the Cameroon striker is far from happy with his manager.

Sportsmail understands that Eto’o was the last to arrive at Chelsea’s team-meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday night, arriving 15 minutes late.

And Le Roy, who has coached Eto’o’s nation Cameroon twice, claims the striker is angry with Mourinho.

Speaking to Canal P l u s s h o w Ta l e n t s d’Afrique, he said: ‘I had [Eto’o] on the phone just before I came on screen, and he’s very annoyed,.

‘Actually, Mourinho went to see him before he saw the pictures and told him to not believe everything that was going to be said.

And that he had said nothing about him. But I can tell you that Samuel didn’t like it.’

Eto’o’s ex Anna Barranca yesterday added to the joke, saying: “It is very evident Samuel was older than the age he said he was when he first came to Europe.”

Olaitan's form

F

ORMER Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh has said Olympiacos ace Michael Olaitan is ready for the World Cup. Olaitan has been overlooked by coach Stephen Keshi for next month’s World Cup warm-up against Mexico.

But Oliseh praised the ex-Flying Eagles star after his Greek club upset mighty Manchester United 2-0 in a UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday night, saying he could even gate crash on Nigeria’s World Cup party.

Olaitan may have played as the spearhead of his team’s attack, but he was involved in the second goal by Joel Campbell in the 55th m i n u t e .

Oliseh through his Twitter handle announced that Olaitan is ready for the World Cup in June.

*Eto'o

Ezekiel confirmed for Mexico clash S

UPER Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya has allayed fear over the availability of Standard Leige forward, Imoh Ezekiel to the high profile international friendly match against the El Tri of Mexico on March 5 at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta, USA. Fear has been expressed over the player ’s interest in putting on the national colours following reported strong interest in the youngster by the Belgium authority to cap him.

Alaiya said the goal poacher was the first invited player to be grant-

ed the American entry visa document for the March 5 clash against the North Americans.

“Imoh Ezekiel has been confirmed for the friendly against Mexico thereby resting speculations over his availability for the game.

“In fact, he was the first player to be issued with the American visa for the game.

“Ezekiel is quite ready and eager to feature for the Super Eagles against the Mexicans, he’ll be there for the game and this is authoritative,” said Alaiya to supersport.com.

S

PORTS Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, has said he is thoroughly saddened by the death of Oloruntoba Falode, son of foremost female sportscaster and National Women’s team Coordinator, Aisha Falode.

Also on Tuesday evening, Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi called from the United States to condole Falode on the death of her son, declaring that what was needed was the fortitude to bear the loss and

Rainoil Tennis tourney serves off

I

F you are a tennis buff, then Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, is the place to be right now.

Reason: Tennis aficionados, as well as educated enthusiasts have all gathered at the club to savour the best of the game at the club level with a Lagos-based company, Rainoil Nigeria Limited picking the bills.

Tagged “Sixth Rainoil Tennis Championship,” the competition, which has pitched members of the club in a battle to ascertain the real kings of the game, served off on Monday in three categories, men’s singles, men’s doubles and the veteran category.

Speaking on the tournament, Managing Director of Rainoil, Gabriel Ogbechie, whose company is sponsoring the competition, explained that they are sponsoring the tourney as their way of encouraging tennis development in Nigeria.

Lagos Country

Club hosts 3rd Union Bank table tennis tourney

A

*Ezekiel

NSC, Keshi mourn with Falode •Son’s burial for Monday

”Olaitan impresses me every time. Tonight he has shown so much maturity and if he can play this vs Man .U, he is definitely ready for Brazil 2014,” Oliseh tweeted.

even praise God. “There is nothing one can do about it but to say God gives and He takes but it could be very painful and unfortunate and we don’t pray it happens to any one of us, Madam Falode please take heart”, he said in a telephone conversation.

Abdullahi

CTION continues today at the 3rd Union Bank of Nigeria Table Tennis championship which served off Monday at the Lagios Country Club.

A total of 87 players registered in the competition which has five categories which include men’s singles, veterans, super veterans, men’s doubles and ladies singles.

The tournament which is being officiated by national umpires is one of the biggest sporting events in the Lagos Country Club calendar. The grande finale of the tournament holds Friday, with events starting from 7 pm.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 59

Nigeria may face Scotland N

IGERIA may play a friendly against Scotland as part of their preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

According to reports on BBC Sport, Scotland have been offered an opportunity to face Nigeria in a friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground on an unspecified date in May. Despite confirming their participation in the ‘Road to Brazil’ tourney being organized in the United States by the

*Olaitan

Scouts beseech Olaitan S

C O U T S representing several European heavyweights were in attendance to witness the Champions League showdown between Olympiakos and Manchester United in Greece on Tuesday night.

In one of their famous nights, the Greece powerhouse defeated their British opponents

Continued from BP

2 - 0 thanks to a 38th minute strike by Domínguez and another from Arsenal reject Joel Campbell 10 minutes after the restart.

Gazzetta.gr is reporting that spies of French, German, Italian and Spanish clubs were at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki to run the rule over some of the Olympiakos stars.

And one of the players

NFF

our at the event slated today at the front area of the Sunday Dankaro Football House, Package B of the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, from 10am.

Also invited are Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba, Chairman of the House of Reps’ Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya, Chairman of the League Management Company, Hon. Nduka Irabor, President-General of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and a number of prominent football figures.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari will have the compliment of Members of his Executive Committee, as well as NFF Management led by General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

The Assistant Coach of Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, will represent Head Coach Stephen Keshi, who is already in the United States preparatory to next Wednesday ’s friendly against Mexico in Atlanta. ”There is a uniqueness about the new jersey that Nigerians will love.

The design is a top-ofthe-range thing specially for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014,” Amadu said on Wednesday.

Super Eagles’ players, goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, midfielder Abdullahi Shehu and striker Ejike Uzoenyi will showcase the new wears at the occasion.

NFF’s Director of Marketing, Mr. Adama Idris, will explain the concept of the new design, which will be worn for the first time by the Super Eagles at next week’s international friendly against Mexico in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

they kept monitoring during the game was Michael Olaitan, who was featuring in his third Champions League match of this season.

It had earlier been reported that Valencia, Auxer re, Nice, Valenciennes and Genoa were exploring ways to sign the Nigerian striker in the summer transfer market.

MLS, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and their associates are still making arrangements for other tune-up games for the Super Eagles.

Scotland have been drawn in the same European Championships

AVID Moye’s po sition as Manchester United manager remains secure despite the dismal 20 defeat by Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

In a season of disappointing results during the Scot’s inaugural campaign in charge, the manner of the loss against the Greek champions at the Karaiskakis Stadium, in which they managed only a single shot on target, was a new

R

OBIN van Persie accused his Manchester United teammates of getting in his way as he cut a frustrated figure following the club’s damaging Champions League defeat to Olympiacos.

Goals from Alejandro Dominguez and Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell left United with a huge mountain to climb to make it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Van Persie wasted a good chance to score a vital away goal at the end of the match as the Dutchman put in an uncharacteristically poor

low for United.

The display leaves the champions needing to win the last-16 second leg by three goals at Old Trafford on 19 March to avoid being knocked out by the Olympiakos, who are considered a continental minnow.

Yet despite this – and a league position that has United 11 points from Liverpool in the fourth and final Champions League berth – Moyes retains the full support of the club.

Yahaya Continued from BP loaned out to Spanish side Celta Vigo.

Yahaya had been linked with a four-year deal at Spurs for a long time, but he presumably wanted to assess all available options as powerhouses such as Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Manchester City were also interested in the player.

Nevertheless, sources close to Yahaya have revealed that the striker is officially a Tottenham

*Keshi

RVP: Manchester United players are in spaces I want to play in

Moyes’ position remains secure

D

qualifying group as Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.

Both countries have not met since 2002 when Nigeria came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in Aberdeen.

player now and that he has also been loaned out to La Liga outfit Celta Vigo. “Musa has signed for Spurs after he passed his medical, but he has been loaned to Celta Vigo”, source close to the player told MTN Football. Yahaya was one of Nigeria’s biggest stars at the U-17 World Cup last year, as he netted 4 goals in the tournament and was Golden Eaglets’ second best scorer.

display.

The former Arsenal striker, speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS after the match, said that his cause was not helped by the positioning of some of his teammates.

“It was quite difficult because my team-mates are often in the area

where I want to play,” the United striker said.

“That’s why I have to change my tactics. Unfortunately, they are often in my area.

“It was much too slow today and we only had one shot on target in the whole match against Olympiakos, which is far too little."

Chelsea investigate fan stabbings

C

HELSEA’s securi ty advisers and the British Consulate in Turkey are working together to ascertain the circumstances that led to two travelling supporters being stabbed in apparently separate incidents around the same bar in Istanbul on the eve of the club’s Champions League meeting with Galatasaray.

The clashes are understood to have taken place in the busy Taksim Square area of the city on Tuesday evening, where two Leeds United fans were stabbed and killed before their club’s Uefa Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in 2000. Neither of the Chelsea supporters wounded is thought to have been seriously hurt – one is believed to have been

*Mourinho stabbed in the buttocks and the other in his hand – and it is believed neither required hospital attention.

The club, who are accompanied by an officer from the Metropolitan police as standard on away trips in Europe and routinely carry out an advance inspection of all European venues with a club official before games, were made aware of the incidents and are now speaking with supporters in the city to gather information about what happened.

Eto'o Continued from BP 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?’

Now the footballer’s ex Anna Barranca has joined the debate saying: ‘I think Samuel is not 35 he is more 39.

‘Samuel was born in 1974 and so that makes him 39 now.’

The Italian hairdresser says she was informed of the sport stars true age by a friend who grew up with

Eto’o in Cameroon, west Africa.

A Chelsea source said Eto’o’s passport clearly states that the footballer is 32.

Ms Barranca, 43, is the mother of his child Annie.

Mourinho arrived in Istanbul on Monday night livid that remarks he made in a private conversation which undermine his strikers had been secretly filmed and broadcast.

60—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Joseph, cancer patient, needs N3m for UNLESS parents of nine year- old Joseph Olorunlagbara urgently raises N3 million for a second amputation, Joseph, a cancer of the bone patient, may not survive the dreaded disease. Currently, he has lost his right limb to the disease which cancer experts at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, described as right lower limb osteosarcome.

The sight of Joseph at the Children Cancer Ward of LUTH last week, could unlock even hearts made of stone. He wants to playfoot ball like every other active child but that is impossible now. At nine, he has been confined on a hospital bed for months. He dropped out of school as a result of his condition.

Though, his parents have sold all they have to raise money for initial treatment which included the amputation of the same leg, the wound has refused to heal. Doctors have recommended another amputation with further treatments which would cost N3 million.Unfortunately, his parents, Pastor and Mrs Sunday Olorunlagbara cannot afford the amount needed for the life saving procedure.

According to the father, Sunday, his school mate pushed him while on break at school and he broke his femur bone. He said a traditional bone-setter treated him and Joseph was on his feet again by December 2011.

But the worse happened when Joseph couldn’t get up to undress

himself on January 10, 2012, the day he was supposed to see the bonesetter.

“The shock discovery we noticed was that the leg had become shorter than the other one. So, I contacted Dr Segun Odunaike at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL) and he instructed that a Plaster of Paris (POP) should be cast on the leg.

After that, my son couldn’t sleep all through the night. The following day, I took him back to the hospital and the POP was removed and part of his diseased bone was

removed for pathological analysis.

After the test, it was discovered that my son had cancer of the bone,’” he said.

The doctor recommended Dr Samuel Eyesan of Bowen University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, “who asked us to take the sample to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, and after 21 days the histological report showed that my son has high grade osteosarcoma.

“That was when they ordered my son’s leg to be amputated. But the leg became swollen again after about two months. So, we did magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and they asked for further amputation, but I protested that what has been cut was close to his buttock and they saw reasons with me. And a team of experts met and agreed that we should place him on radiotherapy.

Today, the only option is amputation which we can no longer raise money for. I am appealing to Nigerians and corporate organisations to please save my son’s life.

If you are touched by Joseph’s story, please send your donation to account number: Olorunlagbara Sunday: UBA 2001112603 or call him on 07031661803, 07084290066 and 08074842799.

•Master Joseph

FG re-appoints Prof.

Ujah as NIMR DG

•Professor Innocent Ujah

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has re-appointed the Director-General, DG, of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah to serve another tenure of four years. ®n a letter dated February 14th, 2014, Minister for health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu urged the DG “not to rest on his oars but to improve on his current performance. Professor Ujah’s current tenure expires on April 14th, 2014.

Born on 6th November, 1954 in Okpokwu local government area of Benue state, an astute Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecological Surgeon assured that his new tenure will be hinged on the consilidation of past achievements to reposition the institute to become a truly centre of excellence for health research.

The strategic plan of the institute between year 2011 to 2015 and the measurement of his earlier successes emphasised on strengthening health research capacity, Information Communications Technology (ICT) of the institute, establishment of effective public relations unit, partnership and collaboration for enhanced synergy and welfare and performance of institute staff.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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VER since I got married, my husband and Ialways fight about one thing or the other.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 61

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62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 — 63

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

NFF to unveil Eagles’ World Cup jersey Eto’o is 39 NOT 32 — ex wife Eto’o ‘very annoyed’ at Mourinho

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former lover of Chelsea footballer Samuel Eto’o has accused the striker for being seven years older than he claims to be.

The allegation comes after Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said Eto’o was probably older than 32.

‘The problem with Chelsea is I lack a scorer,’ said Mourinho.

‘I have Eto’o but he is Continues on Page 59

•Eto'o

•Eagles' Jersey

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HE Nigeria Football Federation will unveil the new jersey of Nigeria’s National Football Teams, which will also serve as the Official Jersey of the Super Eagles at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals taking place in Brazil this summer. The new and refreshing design is produced by Adidas, the official kit supplier of Nigeria National Teams and the leading kit manufacturers in the world.

Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi will be special guest of hon Continues on Page 59

Nigeria may face Scotland — Pg 59

RVP: Manchester United players are in spaces I want to play in — Pg 59

Eaglets star, Yahaya signs for Tottenham

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IGERIA U-17 s t a r , Musa Yahaya, has finally signed for To t t e n h a m H o t s p u r , according to reports.

The forward has also been immediately Continues on Page 59

•Yahaya

Scouts beseech Olaitan Pg 59

•RVP

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Composition (5) 9 Beg (6) 10 Middle (6) 11 Taut (5) 12 Wicked (4) 15 Muddle (4) 17 Joy (7) 20 Mine (3) 21 Domesticated (5) 23 Mistake (4) 25 Net (4) 26 Soar (5) 28 Horse (3) 30 Parted (7) 33 Group (4) 35 Manufactured (4) 36 Sweetmeat (5) 38 Educate (6) 39 Hidden (6) 40 Slumber (5)

DOWN 1 Stupefied (5) 2 Mar (5) 3 Consume (3) 4 Snub (6) 5 Pain (4) 6 Still (3) 7 Precipitous (5) 8 Animal (5) 13 Account (7) 14 Restrict (5) 16 Spotted (7) 18 Recorded (5) 19 Border (3) 22 Material (5) 24 Seed-case (3) 27 Puzzle (6) 28 Oath (6) 29 Bay (5) 31 Old-fashioned (5) 32 God (5) 34 Shout (4) 36 Lettuce (3) 37 Yelp (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Ironed 6, Desert 9, Waded 10, Potter 11, Bitter 12, Remit 14, Idol 17, Dot 18, Aide 20, Renew 22, Allot 23, Present 24, Alley 26, Deter 29, Star 30, Wed 32, Ride 33, Fired 35, Exceed 36, Facade 37, Tenet 38, Nether 39, Recent.

DOWN: 1, Impair 2, Option 3, Ewer 4, Dared 5, Debit 6, Edit 7, Entail 8, Target 13, Monster 15, Dealt 16, Leper 18, Alter 19, Dozed 21, Wry 22, And 24, Astern 25, Lancet 27, Tirade 28, Repent 30, Wider 31, Defer 33, Fete 34, Date.

How to Play Sudoku

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lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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