Oil discovered in Lagos

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61913

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Oil discovered in Lagos •Afren, partners say oil found in OPL 310 •DPR to authenticate discovery in 2 weeks

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

L

AGOS—NIGER IA’S commercial capital, LAGOS, is on the verge of joining the country’s oil-producing states with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities in the coastal state.

Yesterday, Afren Plc and its partner, Lekoil Limited, announced significant oil discovery offshore Dahomey Basin in Lagos, according to the London Stock Exchange.

In separate announce-

Continues on page 5

I did not attempt to flush my baby — OAU Student •P.28

COLUMNISTS:

Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17 VISIT TO SUNTAI—From left: Wife of the embattled Governor of Taraba State, Hauwa Danbaba Suntai; wife of the Governor of Benue State, Yemisi Suswam and Gov. Gabriel Suswam of Benue, being welcomed by Gov. Danbaba Suntai of Taraba at the Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Centre and Home in New York on Tuesday. Governor Suntai's state of health has generated much heat in the political arena recently. Photo: NAN.

OCHEREOME NNANNA•P.19

Josef Omorotionmwan •P.19

I killed 23 people in two days, says arrested Boko Haram member

•P.9

Amaechi's NGF adjourns meeting for Jonathan's dinner

Mandela's tribe asked to prepare for his death C M Y K

•P.4 P.59

Mr & Mrs

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013— 3

C M Y K

4 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

NGF crisis: No northern gov betrayed anybody —Aliyu •Govs owe Nigerians apology —Uduaghan

BY EMMA AMAIZE & WOLE MOSADOMI

C

HAIRMAN of the North ern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, yesterday, gave an insight into what transpired during the NSGF meeting before the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF. He said that "no northern governor betrayed anybody."

This was just as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said the 36 state governors were full of regrets over the unpalatable turn of events in the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and jointly owe Nigerians apology for their comportment.

Governor Aliyu, who spoke at the turbaning of his deputy, Ahmed Ibeto as Wali Raya Kasar Nupe said: “many people have been asking why governors could not unite to elect a leader, but we were united and elected a chairman. If other people recognized another person as a chairman we will resolve our problem but we must recognize Governor Amaechi as NGF chairman.

“Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State emerged as a candidate from the north after the NSGF discovered that there was an issue between Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda and the Kastina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema. The NSGF waded in and we agreed that Jonah Jang should contest and let the two people drop their ambition. Even at that I told them that we must go and insist on consensus but where election take places the conscience of the people would prevail.

“Thirty-five governors voted. 19 for the other and 16 for a particular candidate. Those who go around destroying other people’s reputation should just bury their hatchet. We cannot go to 2015 with factions or disunited. There will be no progress, we must unite and come as a group.”

Govs owe Nigerians apology– Uduaghan Giving his perspective of the NGF crisis, Governor Uduaghan in a phone-in programme on Delta Rainbow Television, Warri, said: “What happened in the NGF election is very unfortunate

Only undemocratic govs support Jang—Amaechi

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA— CHAIRMAN of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday, maintained that only undemocratic governors were supporting Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang as chairman of the Forum.

Amaechi who spoke at a symposium on Review of the 1999 Constitution and its impact on the much needed judicial reforms, organized in Abuja by the Rule of Law Foundation, said he was surprised that even Governor Jang, who he said participated in the election that saw his re-emergence as the NGF chairman, turned around to thwart a process he said was impeccable and highly transparent.

He further stressed that aside Jang, all the other governors that attended NGF meeting on the day the election was held, voluntarily participated in the exercise.

In attendance at the symposium were two former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais and Dahiru Musdapher, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Justice Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General of Ekiti State, Wale C M Y K

Fapohunda. Besides, Amaechi, wondered why Jang, after voting during the election, made a volteface to claim that he was ab-initio endorsed to take over the leadership of the NGF. He said: “NBA cannot afford to lose its voice.

NBA has lost its voice. For NBA to see a free and fair election where 35 governors that govern 35 states and make decisions for hundreds of millions of people and for NBA to say ‘if you cannot organize yourselves dissolve, then you have lost your voice.

“I want to say it and I want to be put on record, anyone who supports the Jang faction is undemocratic. We chose who should be the returning officer. We appointed our director general to be the returning officer for the election. And we voted. Everybody voted including Jang. In fact, Jang was among the first persons to vote.

"And when I won, they were there. We were to commence voting for the chairmanship when my brother and colleague from Akwa Ibom got up and said there was a document I had where 19 governors had signed for us. And Jang said northern governors forum supported him but the same northern governors voted and they should have, therefore, voted for him.

L-r: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III; Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, during the turbaning of the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto and two other eminent Nigerians at the Wadata palace, Bida, yesterday

and I think every governor, not just the 35 but the 36 governors, owe Nigerians apology. All of us, not just one person, because all of us collectively did not handle the issue properly.

“It should not have got to where we are now if we thought about the implication of what we were doing, so we owe Nigerians apol-

ogy. And again, I want to emphasize that there is no need for us as governors to make statements that are inciting, either to incite the public or incite others.”

On the way forward, he said: “We need to see how we can bring our forum back as one. The truth is that with the way we are now, it will be difficult to get things

properly done.”

Uduaghan, however, clarified that President Goodluck Jonathan “had nothing to do with what is happening in NGF. It is very embarrassing when people said the problem was instigated by the Presidency, whereas the Presidency has nothing to do with what is happening.

Amaechi's NGF defers meeting to attend Jonathan's dinner •17 governors in attendance •We must honour and respect Jonathan as governors; to hold meeting at next NEC — Amaechi •6 PDP governors in attendance

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH, BEN AGANDE, HENRY UMORU

R

IVERS Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and 16 of his sympathisers in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday opted to reschedule their meeting so as to attend a dinner with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

The pro-Amaechi governors, with the exception of governors of Kebbi and Yobe who were outside the country, decided to tinker with their meeting so as to attend the dinner, which was also slated for 8pm, as a mark of respect to President Jonathan.

A source close to one of the governors said that Amaechi had been meeting with his colleagues with a view to deciding whether to shift the NGF meeting until after the Presidential dinner or to reschedule it altogether.

It was learnt that Amaechi and his colleagues did not want to boycott the dinner, which many see as a ploy to stall the NGF meeting, so as not to give the impression that they were at war with the President.

Speaking with Journalists at the end of the meeting, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forumn NGF and governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi explained that there was no meeting as it became imperative to put it off and attend the dinner by President Jonathan as president of the country.

According to Amaechi, as compatriots and governors, they must respect the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said, “there was no meeting, we decided to differ to the President. We agreed that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that as Compatriots and as governors of different states, we must honour and respect the president and having invited us to a dinner, we decided to go for the dinner.”

On when the meeting would be re-convened, the NGF chairman said, “the next meeting will be at the next National Economic Council, NEC meeting.”

Also answering questions from journalists, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said, “if the dinner ends in good time, we will be back for our meeting, if the dinner stretches much longer than we anticipate, we would stick with the President.” It was gathered that Governor Amaechi led the 16

other governors who were sympathetic with him to the Villa.

However while the dinner with the president was on-going, Governor Amaechi and many of his sympathisers were said to have left the dinner midway. It was gathered that as at the time they left, the president had not delivered his address and neither Amaechi nor Jang had been recognised by the organisers.

Present at the meeting were six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The PDP governors were Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers; Mauzu Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State; Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano; Murtala Nyako of Adamawa; and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto.

Others were Adams Oshiomhole of Edo; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa; Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Babatunde Fashola of Lagos; Governor Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara; Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, while Kassim Shetimma of Borno and Rauf Aregbesola of Osun were represented by their deputy governors.

Governor Amaechi who led others to Villa drove himself, just as Kwakwanso, Fayemi and Amosun were in the same car with him.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

OPL 310—Map showing the location of OPL 310 , along the Dahomey Basin.

Afren, partners discover oil in Lagos Continues from page 1 ments, the partners said they discovered a significant light oil accumulation based on the results of drilling and wire line logs from a high impact Ogo-1 well, located on the Oil Prospecting Licence, OPL 310 offshore Nigeria.

Afren is optimistic that the discovery is likely to be significantly higher than the anticipated 78 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), which encourages search to further high potential zones.

The discovery is subject to the authentication of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which is ex-

pected in two weeks.

If certified and the partners produce the first barrel of oil, Lagos will become the 11th oil producing state in Nigeria, a club Anambra State joined recently. It will also boost the economy of Lagos, which currently generates about N29 billion internally every month.

The other oil producing states are Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Ondo, Abia, Imo, Edo and Cross River.

Geological studies indicate that the Dahomey Basin is a combination of inland/coastal/offshore basin that cuts across some West African countries including Lagos, Nigeria as well as

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Success and preparation are brothers that depend one on another. Success depends upon previous preparation, and previous preparation ultimately depends upon success and without such preparation, success waits at the door.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives — John Kennedy A man has been looking for a parking space for more than twenty minutes. He turns around, he waits, and he drives a bit further, but finds nothing. He has an important business meeting and he’s going to be late, but nothing, no parking space.

Filled with despair, he raises his eyes up to the sky and says: “My God, if you get me a parking space in five minutes, I promise you that I’ll sip garri {Cassava grains} for the rest of my life...”

And suddenly! An amazing thing happened! Right next to him a car drives away leaving an ideal parking spot. So the man turns his eyes to the sky and says: “God, stop searching, I found one!”

Sometimes we get like this with situations in our lives, we make promises when things are not going in our favour and forget all about it when everything is fine. Gratitude is the most essential attitude for a fulfilled life, with gratitude we are open to appreciate our present circumstances and can learn the necessary lessons that life is teaching us to unfold better. And with gratitude we are open to accept more of life’s abundant grace and blessings.

Southeastern Ghana, Togo and the Republic of Benin.

The basin is said to be separated from the Niger Delta by a surface basement popularly called the Okitipupa Ridge.

“The Ogo-1 well has been drilled to a total measured depth of 10,518 ft (10,402 ft true vertical depth sub sea), and has encountered a gross hydrocarbon section of 524 ft, with 216 ft of net stacked pay.

“The well was targeting 78 mmboe of gross P50 prospective resources, but based on evidence to date, targeted resources are likely to be significantly in excess of previous estimates,” Afren said in a statement made available to Vanguard.

The company added that “further evaluation using wire line log analysis is currently underway prior to extending the well to a total measured depth of 11,800 ft (11,684 ft true vertical depth sub sea) to target further high potential zones.”

DPR yet to authenticate discovery However, speaking with Vanguard on phone, the DPR said authentication of the discovery could only come after side-tracking (ST) verifications.

A top management source in the upstream unit of the regulatory agency, said: “As far as we are concerned, the discovery for now is very speculative. The side track will indicate whether the resource they have found is actu-

ally crude, and this verification takes about two weeks. Thereafter, the company will communicate the tracking result to us, after which we will certify the discovery.”

Partners plan side track Ahead of the planned ST, Afren expressed confidence that estimated reserves of about 124 mmboe have a better than 50 per cent, P50, chance of being technically and economically producible.

“Partners intend to drill a planned sidetrack, Ogo-1 ST, which will test a new play of stratigraphically trapped sediments that pinch-out onto the basement high targeting 124 mmboe of gross P50 prospective resources,” it confirmed in the statement.

Commenting, the Chief Executive of Afren, Mr. Osman Shahenshah, said: “The discovery of oil in the Ogo-1 well opens up a new oil basin in an under-explored region and represents a possible extension of the West African Transform Margin.

“Based on evidence to date, targeted resources are likely to be significantly in excess of previous estimates, with some high-potential zones still to be drilled.

We look forward to working with our partners to realise the full potential of Ogo 1 and our additional prospects on the licence.

“The Ogo-1 exploration success follows a series of recent discoveries, Okoro Field Extension, Ebok North

Fault Block and Okwok in Nigeria and Simrit-2 and Simrit-3 on the Ain Sifni Block in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”

On his part, Lekoil CEO, Mr. Lekan Akinyanmi, said: “The discovery of oil in the Ogo-1 well opens up a new oil basin in an under-explored region and represents a possible extension of the Cretaceous play along the West African Transform Margin. The discovery is a clear validation of Lekoil’s technical analysis and of our extensive studies on the Dahomey Basin.

“Results to date indicate that the discovered resources could be significantly in excess of P50 estimates prior to drilling. While Lekoil notes these results are preliminary, we believe

there exists substantial scope for upward revisions to the data announced today (Wednesday) as drilling and interpretation continues.

“We look forward to working with our partners to realise the full potential of Ogo and the additional prospects on the licence.”

Equity participations The Ogo-1 well is being drilled by Afren, as technical partner, under a farm out to Lekoil, as announced on May 14, 2013.

The operating licence for OPL 310 acquired in 2009, is valid till February 2019. But equity participation and economic interests on the bloc now stands as follows below:

Participants

Participation Economic Interest

*Optimum

60.00%

30%

*Afren

22.86%

40%

*Lekoil

17.14%

30%

Grant repentant Boko Haram members amnesty — Onyema

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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AGOS—COORDINATOR of the presidential amnesty transformation programme, Allen Onyema, has urged the Federal Government to give repentant members of Boko Haram a second chance by granting them amnesty.

Onyema, who partly blamed northern leaders and elites for the pervasive poverty in the region, also advocated compensation for victims of the sect's activities.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, the lawyer, who leads the

Federation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), urged members of the sect to come out, renounce violence, and accept the amnesty being offered by the government.

Noting that majority of northerners want peace, he regretted the violence in the region.

“All hands must be on deck to address the problem. The Federal Government should use the carrot and stick approach. Those, who are ready for amnesty, forgive and rehabilitate them.

"Also, victims of the crises whether through military or Boko Haram incursion should be compensated."

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

How our brother was killed in Irish prison —Family

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—BROTHER to the late Godswill Udechukwu, Mr Kennedy Monye, yesterday, told the House Committee on Diaspora of how his brother was allegedly murdered by 30 inmates in a Dublin prison in April.

Monye narrated how Udechukwu was severally stabbed by the inmates and subsequently rushed to the Saint James Hospital in Dublin where he finally died without medical attention.

He explained: “How did prison inmates get knives and sharp objects used to stab my brother if there was no connivance with the authority?

“Even before he was sentenced to life imprisonment over the murder of his wife, the Irish press had already condemned him, describing him as a monster. “ Displaying the various publications before the committee, Monye said: “How could my brother get a fair trial after all these publications and now they have killed him. All we want is for the Irish government to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to book.

“We equally want the son of our brother, Master Jaydin and Udechukwu corpse released to us.“

28-yr-old man gets 6-month jail for burglary

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — MAGISTRATE Olufunke Hamzat, of an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, yesterday, sentenced a 28-yearold man, Lucky Matthew, to six-month imprisonment over burglary and stealing.

Matthew was sentenced without an option of fine after he pleaded guilty to the charges, brought against him by the police.

The defendant who resides in Agege area of Lagos faced a three-count charge of burglary, conspiracy and stealing, alongside Chigozie Udeh, 26, who pleaded not guilty.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe said that the suspect broke into the house of Mr Obinna Williams through the roof and attempted to steal some clothes.

‘How I was kidnapped, raped for rejecting love advances’ She is my lover — Suspect

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — POLICEMEN at tached to Adeniji Adele division have arrested a 22-year-old man who alleged kidnapped and raped a student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, for turning down his advances.

The suspect, Babajide Bashorun, was also alleged to have taken nude shots of his victim (names withheld) and pasted them on the internet with her real name, school, department and age.

But the suspect in an interview with Vanguard claimed that the lady was his girlfriend. He admitted to have taken her nude pictures and gave them to his friends whose identities he gave as Aje Mayowa and Babajide Ademuyiwa, both final year students of Architecture also of UNILAG. The incident, as gathered, occurred two months ago at 1, Ajose Street, Enu-Owa area of Lagos Island. But the female undergraduate was silent over the matter until her relations abroad who stumbled on the nude pictures on the internet contacted her mother in Nigeria, last week.

How it started Narrating how the incident occurred, the female undergraduate said: “Babajide came to our house to treat our dog. In the process, he requested for my phone number and I reluctantly gave him. He started calling me and told me he would like to go out with me.

“But I told him I already had a boyfriend whom I loved. Yet, he kept calling me, saying he was not interested in just going out with me but wanted to marry me.

Aside that, he kept monitoring my movements and at a point, I deleted his contact on my phone.

“I was returning home for a weekend in April , a car stopped by my side at Idumota bus-stop.

Jide was sitting beside a driver who was unknown to me.

“On sighting him, I walked past. But the next thing he did was to hold me by the hand, dragged me into the car and drove to his house.

“When he got home, he started beating me and tore my clothes, asking what I wanted that he could not give me. He instructed me to unlock my phone and when he discovered that I used my boyfriend’s name as password, he resumed the beating.

“At a point, he gave me his phone to speak with some of his friends who told me I was in for trouble, for turning down a member of their unnamed cult, threatening that they would kill me for

The victim with bruises treating him shabbily.

“Thereafter, he raped me and when he was done, his friend took his turn despite my plea.

When he saw I was bleeding, he stopped and started begging me.

At that point, he brought out his phone and started taking my nude pictures. I made attempt to cover my face but he hit me on the head with a bottle and continued taking the shots.

How I escaped “I begged him to allow me call my mother to give him some money for my release but he refused. I also appealed to him to delete my pictures when he started begging me.

“I stayed in that room all night till the next day when he went out to get me some drugs. Immediately he stepped out, I tried the door and discovered it was not locked from outside. I quickly changed into one of my dirty clothes in my bag and escaped.

“But I could not tell anyone at home. When my elder brother asked what the problem was on seeing the blood stained clothes, I told him I was involved in an accident and when my mother insisted on knowing what the problem was, I told her I fought with a course mate. She insisted on going to school with me on seeing the magnitude of the injury but I prevented her.

“Barely had I settled down than Babjide called, threatening to kill me if I disclosed what happened to anyone. As if that was not enough, his friends also called and threatened me as well.”

She is my girlfriend — Suspect However, on his part, Babjide claimed that the undergraduate was his girlfriend, adding that

they only had a fight on that fateful day.

Expressing shock over his arrest, he said: “She is my girlfriend. We only fought in April and have resolved the matter.

“What led to the fight was her request for money to buy an IPad which cost over N100,000. Because of my love for her, I managed to raise N70,000. She visited me on that day and I advised her to change her way of living which included going to club . I also accused her of flirting with other men. Along the line, we started fighting and I used a mop stick to hit her and in the process , took shots of her and sent the pictures to my friends. But I did not tell them to paste the pictures on the internet.”

Police sources hinted that efforts were on to arrest Mayowa and Ademuyiwa alleged to have pasted the victim’s nude pictures on the internet, while Babajide had been charged to court for kidnapping, rape, conspiracy, attempt to commit murder, indecent assault, and assault occasioning harm.

The suspect, Babajide Bashorun

Attempted murder of Lagos Judge:

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS — JUSTICE Christopher Balogun of Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, yesterday, adjourned till July 11, 2013 for hearing of fresh application to quash the charge against a 32-year-old commercial bus driver, Quadri Kasali, charged for alleged attempted murder on Justice Adeniyi Adebajo.]

During last Tuesday’s proceeding, the court listened to the testimony of two witnesses

in the matter and adjourned for continuation of trial, but the defence counsel, Mr Oludare Falana, yesterday, reminded the court that he had filed an application to quash the charge against the defendant.

“We are ready for trial but I want to remind the court of an application we filed yesterday, praying the court to quash the charge against the defendant,” Falana said.

The presiding judge subsequently asked the prosecuting counsel, Mr Femi Adamson, if he had been

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—7

EFCC arraigns 14 suspects for illegal oil bunkerring

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS— FOURTEEN suspects, arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for illegal bunkering were, yesterday, arraigned before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The suspects identified as Abu Ali Jibia, Akume Surprise, Boglo Babatunde, Umar Mohammed, Nafiu Hussain, Ibrahim Yakubu, Calvin Ajike, Alhassan Oseni, Kenneth Osei, Korlee Uebari, Habourpoint Nigeria Limited, Chidodo Access Oil & Gas Limited and Millennium Jetty and Marine Services Limited pleaded not guilty when a five-count charge of illegal oil bunkering were read to them.

One of the charges against the suspects read: “That you Abu Ali Jibia, Akume Surprise, Boglo Babatunde, Umar Mohammed, Nafiu Hussain, Ibrahim Yakubu, Calvin Ajike, Alhassan Oseni, Kenneth Osei, Korlee Uebari, Habourpoint Nigeria Limited, Chidodo Access Oil & Gas Limited and Millennium Jetty and Marine Services Limited on or about the 22nd day of May, 2013 at Liberty Jetty, Marina, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired to commit a felony to wit: carry out an act for which a licence is required under the Petroleum Act without lawful authority or appropriate licence contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 77, Laws of the Federation 1990.”

The prosecuting counsel, A. B. C Ozioko, asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand all the accused persons in prison custody with the exception of the second accused who is the captain of the ship. Ozioko prayed the court to remand him in EFCC custody so that he could lead investigators to the vessel.

Defence counsel, Nelson Ohaji, while opposing the prayer of the EFCC counsel, informed the court that all the defendants had

BY SUSAN EDEH

B

The suspects at the court premises, yesterday. filed applications for bail and pleaded that they be remanded in EFCC custody if their applications were not considered.

Justice Tsoho adjourned the case to June 28, 2013 for hearing on bail applications and ordered that all the accused persons be

remanded in Ikoyi prison with the exception of the second accused person who was ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody.

Fire at Atlas Cove as vandals burst NNPC pipeline

BY EVELYN USMAN & BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — AN explosion rocked Akinbo jetty, Ilado, close to Atlas Cove area at the early hours of yesterday. The explosion which resulted in a fire, was reportedly caused by some vandals who attempted to siphon petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects stormed the area at about 1 am in some boats and broke one of the pipeline valves.

Reports had it that the vandals escaped the scene on noticing some security operatives from afar.

However, in the process, one of the broken pipelines suspected to have been struck with a metal implement reportedly exploded, forcing the vandals to abandon over 200 jerrycans.

Spokesman for the National Emergency Management

Court adjourns till July 11 served which he confirmed.

Justice Balogun said he would have ignored the application and continue with the trial if the application had not been filed, but would decide on it since it’s already in his file.

He said: “I would have ignored the application and continue with the trial if it was not in my file, as the case was yesterday but now that it has been filed, the court has to decide on it”.

Both counsel told the court that they would need seven days each to reply and respond on the fresh application seeking to quash the

2 injured, 30 cows killed in Bauchi auto crash

charge against the defendant.

It would be recalled that the defendant was initially arraigned before Tinubu Magistrate Courtfor allegedly driving a commercial Vanagon Bus at about 2.20pm on Moloney Street, Lagos Island and hit Justice Adebajo with intent to kill him. ”The police claimed that the judge had challenged the accused who allegedly obstructed other road users, but in reaction, Kasali purportedly hit the judge three times with his commercial bus with number plate XA 242 KLK.

Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, when contacted said: “The fire did not start from the main pipeline. Rather the valves supplying the product was what exploded. The first batch of our team reached there around 7.30am and the fire was finally put out at the Akinbo Jetty of Atlas Cove around 10.48 am. Cooling and pegging process have commenced and it is not a barge but vandalism of NNPC pipeline against earlier information that a barge exploded. About 200 jerrycans of 50 litres were recovered as well as three burning boats belonging to the vandals.“

The Western Naval Command Information Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jerry Omodara, also confirmed the incident but said no casualty was recorded as earlier claimed.

He, however, could not state the cause of the explosion but said it occurred around the police post close to Atlas Cove.

He said: “The situation has been brought under control and I spoke with the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, who confirmed that he had already deployed some officers to the area to access the level of the explosion.

Man jailed 22 yrs for abducting Italian

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA — AN Asaba High Court has sentenced one Bello Okashetu to 22 years imprisonment with hard labour for kidnapping an Italian.

The victim, Mr. Renzo Galvagni, an engineer, according to prosecution, was abducted by a gang of kidnappers on March 8, 2011 on Okpanam Road.

The court was told that the victim, however, summoned courage and jumped out of the gang’s moving vehicle while being taken to a hideout after the gang had succeeded in disposing him of his International passport, cheque booklets, two laptops, cash and other valuables at gunpoint.

Handing down the sentence, yesterday, the judge (names withheld) stated that “in considering the plea for mercy by de-

fence counsel, the court is also mindful of the prevailing rate of the crime of kidnapping. To serve as deterrent to others, I hereby sentence the accused to five years imprisonment with hard labour on count three; seven years imprisonment with hard labour on count four and 10 years imprisonment also with hard labour on count five without no option of fine. Only counts four and five are to run concurrently.”

Prosecution called three witnesses, including the victim, to prove its case while the accused called no witness but testified for himself.

The court also ordered the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of ‘B’ Division, Asaba to destroy the weapons recovered from the accused which include one AK 47 rifle, 29 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines within 28 days of the judgment in the presence of the Court Registrar.

AUCHI — TRAFFIC along the ever-busy Bauchi/Jos highway was halted for hours, yesterday, following a motor accident that killed 30 cows while two persons sustained injuries in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the accident which took place in the early hours of the day, involved a truck conveying cows to Bauchi State and another articulated vehicle going out of the state capital.

He said the accident happened when the driver of the truck from Bauchi attempted to overtake another vehicle and in the process, collided with the trailer.

Confirming the incident, state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Henry Olatunji, said the accident occurred when the truck and the trailer collided as a result of wrong overtaking.

Army arrests 8 for adulterating Larfarge, Dangote cement

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — THE 35 Ar tillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta in Ogun State said, yesterday, that it arrested eight persons for allegedly operating an illegal cement factory at Ewekoro along the LagosAbeokuta Expressway.

A statement by the Army Public Relations Officer, Captain Adamu Ngulde, said the suspects were caught adulterating products from Larfarge and Dangote cement.

According to him, the suspects were mixing the two products with sand and sawdust at their illegal factory and then repackaging it for sale to unsuspecting members of the public.

He said: “The eight suspects were arrested by troops of the special squad, Operation MESA, at about 5.00am on Monday while re-bagging the product into sacks at their alleged illegal factory.

“The suspects are Bamidele Raji, Sikiru Adesina, Abiodun Akinfenwa, Wale Ogunaike, Sarafa Yusuf, Joseph Guto, Funso Orutoso and Akinlodu Jalili."

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

FG re-arraigns Hezbollah arms suspects

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, re- arraigned the three Lebanese, Mustapha Fawaz (49), Abdullahi Thahini (48) and Tahal Roda (51), accused of complicity in the illegal importation of arms into Nigeria.

The accused persons, who were said to be members of the military wing of Hezbollah, an alleged Lebanon-based terrorist group, yesterday, pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge that was preferred against them before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

They were subsequently remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. Meanwhile, the accused persons, who were arraigned alongside two of their companies, Amigo Supermarket Limited and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, had through their counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), begged the court not to remand them in prison custody.

They said they preferred being kept with the DSS, pending the determination of their bail request.

Specifically, Fawaz who is the co-owner of the two indicted companies and his partner, now at large, were said to have “knowingly permitted a meeting connected with an act of terrorism” to be held in the premises of the supermarket.

FEC MEETING: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and Mr. Bello Adoke, Justice Minister, during the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

Reps dump Jonathan's 2013 Budget Amendment Bill zTantamount to shutting down SEC's business— Jonathan

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives, yesterday, confirmed widespread speculations over its planned rejection of President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal for the amendment of the 2013 budget by throwing out the fiscal document on the ground that it was incurably bad.

The House rejected the President’s budget amendment proposal after a report on it was presented at yesterday ’s plenary by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Sam Tsokwa.

He presented it on behalf of the Joint Committees on Rules and Business, Judiciary and Justice, which was given the responsibility to examine and determine the legality of the President’s letter to the National Assembly last March.

Tsokwa had in the report

informed the House that going by the content of the letter, the President was silent on what should be amended in the 2013 Appropriation Act, adding that he should have presented a Supplementary Appropriation Act. Tsokwa said: “A community reading of Section 81, Subsections (1) (2) and (4) of the Constitution creates a very strong impression and feeling in the mind that the Constitution does not favour, admit of or even contemplate the amendment of an Appropriation Act save through a Supplementary Appropriation Act. “The document, the Appropriation Act 2013 Amendment Bill, which Mr. President’s communication forwarded to the House, has apart from its long title, Appropriation Act 2013 Amendment Bill, has nothing in it to show that it is a document seeking to amend or repeal and re-enact the 2013 Appropriation Act. “The purported Amendment

PDP c'ttee on Taraba visits Suntai in USA

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE Senator Hope Uzodinma-led seven-member committee looking into the political quagmire in Taraba State, following the long absence of Governor Danbaba Suntai, has concluded arrangements to visit the governor in the United States of America this week.

The committee members will use the visit to show their concern and pray with Suntai for quick recovery.

Speaking with Vanguard, yes-

terday, on how far the committee had gone since its inauguration last month, Senator Hope Uzodinma, PDP Imo, said that the visit by the committee became necessary to cool down nerves of party members and stakeholders in Taraba State.

Senator Uzodinma, a member of PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, said: “The committee was not set up to remove Suntai, but to bring together stakeholders of the party into one family in Taraba, especially

ahead of 2015 elections.”

The committee was set up to fast track the process of constitutional adherence in Taraba State as it affects the current status of the office of the governor of the state.

Other members of the committee are the Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak; Alhaji Shittu Mohammed, Alhaji Bala Buhari, Professor Richard King, Mrs Bolajoko Doherty and Senator Abubakar, who will also serve as Secretary.

Bill, a five-clause Bill, is completely and totally silent on what and which sections of the 2013 Appropriation Act it seeks to amend and/or repeal.

“It is also silent on the schedules or what aspects of the schedules to the 2013 Act it seeks to amend and/or repeal.”

‘It’s unconstitutional’

He further observed that the content of the letter clearly indicated that what the President needs to present to the House is a 2013 Supplementary Appropriation Act and not a 2013 Budget Amendment Act, which is unconstitutional.

Tsokwa also informed the House that since the President asked for approval of N4,987,382,196,690 instead of the N4,987,220,425,601.00 appropriated by the National Assembly, he ought to have sent a 2013 Supplementary Budget to the parliament.

He said: “Clearly, what the Amendment Bill 2013 seeks to appropriate is more than what was appropriated for the 2013 fiscal year in the 2013 Appropriation Act. “That is to say, the executive would appear to be seeking additional funds.

“Obviously, this cannot be achieved through an Amendment Bill. The answer lies in a Supplementary Appropriation under Section 81(4) of the Constitution.

“At best, the Appropriation Act 2013 Amendment Bill of Mr. President, for want of a better description and or expression, is, in the words of Hon. Dogara, a ‘2013 Appro-

priation Bill No. 2’. It is alien, a stranger or, indeed, an interloper in our constitutional arrangement.”

When he finished his presentation, Tsokwa’s Joint Committee report was applauded by his colleagues.

Speaker of the House, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, subsequently announced that the report didn’t need a debate and therefore ruled that it had been adopted by the House.

It would be recalled that there were unresolved differences between the National Assembly and the Presidency over the 2013 Appropriation Act, which resulted in the President’s delayed assent to the 2013 Appropriation Act.

‘The President’s letter’

President Goodluck Jonathan had, last March, sent a letter to the National Assembly proposing that certain clauses of the 2013 Appropriation Act be amended.

One of the clauses President Jonathan wanted amended was that which denied any allocation to the Securities Exchange Commission, SEC. In the letter, entitled Submission of the 2013 Amendment Budget Proposal and the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUREP) Amendment Budget Proposal, addressed to both the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and Tambuwal, the President expressed dissatisfaction with the provisions of the Budget Act relating to SEC and some other clauses.

The President had complained about clause 10 of the Appropriation Act, which stated that “all revenue however described, including all fees received, fines, grants, budgetary provisions and all internally and externally generated revenue shall not be spent by SEC for recurrent or capital purposes or for any other matters, nor liabilities thereon incurred except with prior appropriation and Approval by the National Assembly.”

President Jonathan insisted that the clause ought not to have been inserted in the first place.

According to him, “considering the fact that the budget of SEC does not form part of the core 2013 federal budget as presented to the National Assembly, I believe that this clause ought not to have been inserted in 2013 Appropriation Act in the first place.

“Secondly, the import of the clause is tantamount to shutting down the business of the commission with a potential negative impact on the Capital Market.”

However, neither the House nor the Senate deliberated on the President’s proposal before proceeding on a two week recess on June 6.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—9

I killed 23 people in 2 days, Boko Haram member confesses As 50 sect members pledge to assist FG

FG to scrap some research institutes

BY BEN AGANDE

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI—A member of Boko Haram Islamist sect shocked the people of Ngomari Airport Ward ‘Bakin Borehole’ area in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, when he confessed to have killed 23 people in two days, including a village head and Police officers in the area.

The Boko Haram member, who was arrested Tuesday evening, was said to have rented a room in the area about a year ago.

A resident of Ngomari, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen yesterday in Maiduguri that the sect member was arrested wearing a jeans trouser and vest at a borehole, where he went to fetch water.

According to him, the sect member who was arrested by vigilante youths, called ‘Civilian JTF’ was a resident of Gwange, a stronghold of the sect.

He said the arrest was made possible when the youths went looking for him and arrested his younger brother, who took them to Ngomari where the suspect had been hiding.

The resident said: “We were shocked when we heard that Civilian JTF came and arrested a sect member in our area. We never imagined we could have somebody like that in our area because we have been living peacefully.

“We were most shocked when the sect member confessed that he killed 23 people in two days. That is horrible and unimaginable but a reality.”

He added that while members of the youth group were beating the arrested sect member, they also asked him of one Idris Musa, who they believed was one of the sect members.

Meanwhile, over 50 de-

tained members of the sect have appealed to Federal Government to give them a second chance as they were ready to assist the government in bringing the crisis to an end.

The sect members made the appeal when the presidential committee on dialogue and peaceful resolution of security challenges in the North visited one of the detention centres in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

One of the detainees, Adam Konto, introduced himself to the chairman of the committee, Kabir Turaki as the Amir (Commander) of the Bayan quarters, one of Boko Haram’s stronghold in Maiduguri.

He said he was speaking on behalf of the other detained members of the sect and that they would not take up arms against the government again.

Konto said: “We pledge to

assist the authorities if given a second chance as most of us were brainwashed and recruited into the sect and given instructions to carry out dastardly acts without our full understanding of what we were doing.”

Another detainee, who identified himself as Babagana Saje, said that he was ready to denounce the sect and that the Police should be commended for keeping them alive.

He said: “The police have been treating us fine. We have been allowed to take our bath and have been well fed.”

Chairman of the presidential committee, however, promised the detainees that their cases would be looked into.

He said: “If you are sincere with this information we have gathered, we will bring you into the proposed amnesty agenda.”

DIASPORA C'TTEE: From right— Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman; Mr. Ameke Ikechukwu and Mr. Bimbo Daramola, members, all of House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, at the committee's meeting with brothers of late Udechukwu Godwill, who was murdered in Dublin prison, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

A

BUJA—AS part of the implementation of the white paper on the Steve Orosanye committee on the rationalisation of agencies and parastatals, Federal Government, yesterday, resolved to scrap some research institutes.

Others would be realigned to make them meet their goals.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, disclosed this at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting yesterday.

He added that at the end of deliberations on the white paper, the council also decided that the existing river basins in the country and some national monuments such as the National Theatre would be commercialised.

According to Maku, the decision to realign some of the research institutes, especially those under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is to ensure that they have noticeable impact on the scientific development of the country, adding that some would be alligned to universities.

He said a committee was empaneled, headed

by Shamsudeen Usman, Minister of National Planning, to come up with details on the institutes that would be affected and report within two weeks.

On the river basins and the National Theatre, Maku said the essence was to make them more viable while still being relevant to the nation.

He said: “We believe that research that is disconnected from the industry does not produce results, so we believe research centres must concentrate on new ideas."

SEC bribery scam: Court refuses to quash charge against Hembe, Azubogu

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—FORMER Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Mr. Herman Hembe and his Deputy, Mr. Chris Azubogu, yesterday, failed to persuade an Abuja High Court at Apo to quash the

criminal charge that was preferred against them by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Peter Kekemeke held that the two lawmakers will face prosecution, saying he was satisfied that a primafacie case was established against them by the antigraft agency.

The judge maintained that having gone through the substantive charge vis-à-vis the accompanying proof of evidence before the court, they have a criminal case to answer before the court.

Consequently, he dismissed two separate preliminary objections that sought to insulate the two

embattled lawmakers from prosecution, even as he ordered them to appear in court on October 21 to enter their defence.

Specifically, EFCC, in the charge read in court, yesterday, alleged that the lawmakers had at sometime in October 2011, converted to their use, $4,095 being

money given to them by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, as travelling allowance to Puncta Cana, Dominican Republic, to attend a conference.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused persons took the money though they did not attend the said conference.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Lonestar alleges threat to destabilise operations

BY MICHAEL EBOH

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ONESTAR DRILLING Nigeria Limited, yesterday, accused officials of Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, SPDC, of attempting to sabotage its operations in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking in an interview in a television programme, Mr. Phillip Orbih, Company Secretary/Corporate Affairs Manager, Lonestar, accused Mr. Ehis Aimufua, Manager, Swamp, SPDC, of threatening to destroy its oil drilling rig, withdraw its security details and cause chaos and confusion in its operations.

Orbih claimed the company ’s agents captured Aimufua on tape issuing the threats and boasting that he would delay the payments due the company.

Responding to the allegation, Mr. Tony Okonedo, Corporate Media Relations Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Limited, said, “Any allegation which suggests that we have any interest in obstructing the progress of local companies is baseless and false.”

However, when contacted, Mr. Ehis Aimufua, said the purported recording was a falsehood and a calculated attempt to blackmail his person.

Church inauguration

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CTIVITIES SLATED for the inauguration of Emmanuel District of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church began on June 24 with a threeday revival, entitled, ‘Divine Triumph.’

The revival, holding at the church, 84, Old Ota Road, Orile Agege, Lagos, will feature Mothers’ Day Variety Show also at the church auditorium today from 12 noon till 5.00p.m.

His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. S. A. Abidoye, the Baba Aladura and Chairman, C&S Movement Church Worldwide , as part of the programme, will visit some newspaper houses He will also visit the Mount of Deliverance at Igbusi Village, Ifo, Ogun State, from 10.00 a.m. till 12 noon and later dedicate the Akute branch of the church on June 29.

LECTURE: From left, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), President, Lagos State University Alumni; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of State and Chairman of the occasion, and Prof. John Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, LASU, during the 2013 LASU Alumni Association Annual Lecture, at the university’s auditorium, Ojo, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

LUTH resident doctors begin 3-day warning strike L

AGOS — ASSOCIATION of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital,LUTH, chapter, IdiAraba, Lagos, yesterday, em-

barked on a three-day warning strike in compliance with the directive from the association‘s national body.

Dr. Emeka Ugwu, President

Fashola, Shonekan urge Nigerians to revive socio-cultural values

BY Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and former head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, have spoken on the need for Nigerians to revive the socio-cultural values that have helped to define the country in the past, saying, “it is the cause of insecurity in the country.”

They spoke at the annual lecture of the Lagos State University, LASU Alumni, with the theme, ‘Good Governance: A Tool for Revitalisation of the Socio-cultural Values for Social Developmen,’ at the LASU Campus, Ojo. According to the duo, “these socio-cultural values are the fundamentals for development in any country and will catapult the country to an enviable height, if quickly revived.”

Shonekan who chaired the 21stannual lecture of the Alumni, blamed kidnapping and other challenges confronting the country on the lack of socio-cultural values, eroding daily from the Nigerian society, saying, “all these are the manifestations of the debasement of values in the country.”

Earlier, Fashola who delivered a lecture entitled, ‘Re-ordering our socio-cultural val-

ues as a tool for good governance and development,’ said “It is only the restoration of values that can enable good governance to drive. As a nation, we must reclaim these values because they are strongly eroding away quickly. These values are some of the things that have made us essentially African. And we need to go back to some of them quickly.”

The governor while explaining the lost values, said “decency and diligence, hard work, humility, integrity and honesty. These are some of the critical values that we must adhere to in the country.”

of the association, LUTH chapter, confirmed the strike in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Ugwu said doctors at the hospital had complied with directive, noting that few members were operating skeletal services at the accident and emergency unit.

He said the strike was to address the lapses on the side of government to improve healthcare delivery in the country.

The president of the association, however, appealed to Nigerians to bear with the doctors and join them in fighting the just cause.

He said that the consultants were attending to the patients since they were not on strike, saying “There has been 21-day ultimatum before this strike. So, what the association is requesting, budgetary provision are for training of specialists in Nigeria, funding for residency training in Nigeria, among others.

“We appreciate the effort of the current Minister of Health for including some funds in this year’s budget for training, but it is grossly insufficient.

“So, in LUTH because we are part of the national body, we have joined the strike, but we are providing services for patients that come to the accident and emergency department so that we can prevent people from dying because of this unfortunate three-day warning strike.

“We are not running clinics, we are not doing the non-emergency services; the consultants are not on strike. ‘So, we believe that Nigerian people should also help us to prevail upon the government to make sure that our hospitals are standardised and then the training of specialists in Nigeria should be comparable with what is obtainable all over the world.

“But, we want to appeal to Nigerians to bear with us and to know that we have their interests at heart.“ Dr Osahon Enabulele, National President, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, had on Monday called on the Federal Government to prepare a supplementary budget that would cater for the training of resident doctors nation-wide.

UN Sec-Gen warns on dangers of illicit drugs

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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ORRIED BY the in creasing drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria and other parts of the world, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, yesterday, called on governments and civil society groups to do everything possible to raise awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs and how to prevent people profiting from their use.

In a statement from the United Nations Information Center, Lagos, Ki-Moon, said tackling illicit

drugs trade was a shared responsibility, contending that it required a robust and coordinated law enforcement response within and among countries.

According to the statement, “We must also address threats such as the emerging problem of new psychoactive substances, many of

which are not under international control.

“Young people must be made aware of the dangers of these drugs. Drugs threaten the health and welfare of youth and children, families and communities, and the billions of dollars generated by the drugs trade feed corruption, enhance the power of criminal networks and create fear and instability.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 —11

Group urges Yoruba leaders to save Ngeria

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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L-r: Sokoto State Governor, Nagatakarda Wamakko; Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi; Nasarawa state Governor, Tanko Al-Makura; Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and others at the Amaechi led Nigeria Governors Forum meeting in Abuja, yesterday

NDLEA intercepts 6,022kg of Indian hemp in Osun

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — SIX thousand and twenty-two kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, has been intercepted in the last 12 months by the Osun command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA. Similarly, 85 hectares of cannabis sativa farmlands were destroyed in four different locations in the state, during the same period The state commander of the agency, Ms Anthonia Eden, made this known, yesterday, in a statement to mark the 2013 International Day against Drug Abuse.

Eden said that 219 suspects were also nabbed with the drug exhibits, adding that the figure comprised of 199 males and 20 females.

She gave the breakdown of the destruction as follows: 30 hectares at Oloro Arinkinkin reserve in Isokan Local Government Area, on Aug. 5, 2012 and 10 hectares iat Ikeji-Ile in Oriade Local Government Area, on Sept. 11, 2012.

She added that five hectares farmland of the illicit weeds was destroyed at Oloro Araromi,on Sept. 25, 2012 while 40 hectares was destroyed at Ago-owu forest reserve, on Nov.12, 2012, all in Isokan Local Government Area .

The commander further said the agency secured 76 convictions in court while102 drug dependent persons were rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the society during the period.

Osun/Ekiti 2014: Bode George tasks PDP S-West leaders

BY DAPO AKINREFON

F

ORMER DEPUTY Na tional Chairman, SouthWest, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has tasked his party leaders to win the 2014 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states respectively.

He also enjoined the leaders to ensure that PDP wins all elective positions in the South West in the 2015 general elections.

He said this in Lagos at a meeting attended by South West leaders of the party including, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Minister for Works, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, General Raji Rasaki

COAS declares FG’s determination to crush insurgency

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday, declared that the efforts of the federal government to flush out insurgents from the country is irreversible .

Speaking in Akure Ihejirika said that the Nigerian Army under his leadership was ready to defend the sovereignty of the country.

According to him;” Efforts to rid our country of vices is irreversible.”

He was in Akure, Ondo State capital for the inauguration of the Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade.

Reviewing the performance of the Nigerian Army in the on going war against terrorism, Ihejirika said the country was winning the war.

According to him; “The state of emergency declared in three states of the northern part of the country had ensure significant achievements in the war against

(rtd), Sen. Ayo Arise, Dr. Ademola Dominic, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Chief Bode Oyedele, Chief Tunji Shelle and Sen. Bode Olajumoke.

Also at the meeting were, a former Minister for Education, Dr. Tahoeed Adedoja; former Minister for Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese; Chief Saka Balogun, Chief Yomi Akintola, Engr. Makinde, Chief Olayiwola Olakoje and Chief Asimiu Alarape, among others.

Addressing the stakeholders meeting, Chief George restated that the PDP must regain its glory in the South West rstates, including Lagos State.

According to him: “We have no excuse to lose in any position again in the South West. We must all go back to our wards, local governments and senatorial districts to rejuvenate our party structures to ensure victory for the PDP both in Osun/Ekiti states and for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015”.

terrorism.

Ihejirika however noted that; “Although the Nigerian Army had lost some men and equipment in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, the nation is winning the war.

The Chief of Army Staff said, “The troops on ground are doing a very good job in our quest to rid the country of insurgents.

“However the battle is not over, more efforts are still needed and this has been my message to the commanders and HE ORGANISATION of African troops.

Instituted Churches (OAIC), Ni“No doubt the Army is geria Region, under the leadership of doing well in the fight its president, His Grace, Most Rev. against terrorism, Daniel C. Okoh, will hold a leaders’ though we have lost a retreat at Lagos State VIP Lounge, couple of men and Badagry, from Tuesday, July 2 to Thursequipment in the fight day, July 4, 2013. against insurgent.

The theme of the retreat is “Efficient “ We have made tre- and Effective Management of the mendous achievements Church”, and will be facilitated by and in line with the di- Christian Organizations Research and rective of the President Advisory Trust of Africa (CORAT Afwe will go all the way to rica), based in Nairobi, Kenya, in adflush out the insurgents dition to other experienced speakers from our country”. chosen from Nigeria.

OAIC holds leaders’ retreat

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SOCIO-CUL TURAL group Odua Republic Front ORF, has called on Yoruba political leaders to forget their differences and save the nation from disintegrating in 2015, as earlier predicted by some people.

Speaking in Lagos, ORF President Comrade Jubril Ogundimu, urged the leaders to end internal crises capable of jeopardising the 2015 elections.

According to him, the South-West governors should learn from the good works of governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, who used his position to unite two monarchs of Yoruba land, Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo, saying the action was a welcome development especially now that the nation is facing security challenges.

Fayemi appeals to Ekiti teachers over strike

E

KITI STATE Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has reiterated his appeal to teachers in public schools in the state to call off their ongoing strike in the interest of pupils who have been at home for over three weeks.

Fayemi who made the appeal Tuesday night while featuring on his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor,” urged the teachers to consider the very lean purse of the state and the future of the pupils and students rendered idle by the strike.

The Governor urged teachers in the state to accept the 15 per cent out of the 27.5 per cent Peculiar Allowance being demanded by them pledging to commence the payment of the remaining 12.5 per cent as soon as the state finances improved.

He also stressed that the ongoing recruitment of new teachers is not aimed at replacing the striking ones, noting that the arrangement to bring new teachers on board to fill consequential vacancies in the teachings service was already in full swing before the strike commenced on June 1.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Execution of convicts: SERAP wants African Commission to intervene

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AGOS—THE SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has asked the African Commission, to “order the Nigerian government to withdraw the directive to the 36 state governors in Nigeria, to move swiftly to execute prisoners on death row across the country.

It wants the Commissioner Zainabo Kayitesi and Chairperson of the Working Group on Death Penalty to intervene in the matter.

SERAP, also, want adequate compensation paid to families of the four prisoners already, executed by the prison authorities in Edo State.

In a request for provisional measures by Solicitor to SERAP, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the organisation asked the African Commission to “urgently exercise its authority to request Nigeria to immediately withdraw the directive by President Goodluck Jonathan to 36 state governors in Nigeria to execute all death row prisoners, and fully accord the prisoners their fair trial and other human rights, pending this Commission’s decision.”

The request for provisional measures was submitted in conjunction with SERAP’s communication to the African Commission.

It said: “Unless the African Commission urgently intervenes in this case, there is a risk of irreversible denial of several death row prisoners in Nigeria, which in turn will render nugatory the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.”

Nigeria’s FDI drops by 21.34% in 2012

BY MICHAEL EBOH WITH

AGENCY REPORT AGOS—FOREIGN Direct Investment, FDI, to Nigeria dropped by 21.34 per cent to $7 billion (N1.120 trillion) in 2012, from $8.9 billion (N1.424 trillion) recorded in 2011, according to the 2013 World Investment Report published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD. Despite the drop, the report disclosed that Nigeria accounted for 41.67 per cent of the total Foreign Direct Investment flow to West Africa and also accounted for 14 per cent of the total inflow to the African continent.

The report said Africa was one of only two regions in the world to experience an increase in foreign direct investment in 2012, adding however, that inflows to Nigeria and South Africa declined.

“Although West Africa had the biggest share of investment, flows to the region declined by 5 per cent to $16.8 billion largely due to decreased investment in Nigeria.

Its FDI inflows fell from $8.9 billion in 2011 to $7 billion last year due to political insecurity and a weak global economy,” UNCTAD said.

According to the report, while global FDI fell by 18 per cent last year, Africa bucked the trend with inflows increas-

L

ing five per cent to $50 billion, as countries like Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda reaped the benefits of new discoveries of oil and gas.

The UN report noted that FDI flows to South Africa slumped 24 per cent to $4.6 billion in 2012, largely due to a foreign mining company offloading its stake in a South African subsidiary.

It, however, noted that inflows to Mozambique doubled to $5.2 billion, driven by com-

panies like Brazil’s Vale and London-listed Rio Tinto, who are developing huge offshore gas and coal deposits.

The report further stated that FDI to central Africa surged 23 per cent to a record $10 billion, while in east Africa recently discovered gas reserves in Tanzania and oil fields in Uganda resulted in a 40 per cent jump to $6.3 billion.

African countries, led by South Africa and Angola are

stepping up their investment overseas, with FDI outflows from the continent nearly tripling from $5 billion in 2011 to $14 billion last year, the report noted.

UNCTAD also stated that South America was the only other region to see a year-onyear rise in FDI inflows, which grew 12 per cent, adding that flows to the Latin America and Caribbean region as a whole declined.

CONVOCATION: Mr. George Osahon, Chairman, Governing Council, Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun (right) and Mrs. Nnenna Dennar, Acting Principal, PTI, during the institute’s convocation, at Effurun, Delta State, yesterday. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Court dismisses Sylva’s suit challenging Dickson’s election

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, dismissed a case by the former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, challenging the election of the incumbent governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

Sylva had through his counsel, Mr. Robert Clarke, SAN, filed a fresh suit, seeking to be declared the valid candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the February 2012 gover-

norship election won by Dickson.

The trial judge, Justice Lambo Akanbi in his ruling, dismissed the suit. The court held that the suit by Sylva was an abuse of court process.

Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has described the verdict of the court as a welcome development.

Commending the judgment, Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said it had further confirmed his earlier position that the

country’s judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, adding that Sylva’s suit was aimed at derailing the developmental train of his administration.

The court held that the suit amounted to abuse of judicial process for Sylva and his lawyers to bring such matter that had been rested by the wise Justices of the apex court.

“It is an abuse of the court process for the plaintiff (Sylva) to approach this court on a matter already decided

by the Supreme Court. I shall not encourage any journey in futility,” Justice Akande held.

Akanbi dismissed the argument of Sylva that since he won the January 2011 primary organised by PDP, the party had no right to organise another primaries that produced Dickson as its candidate in November 2011.

He had argued that the matter had outlived its usefulness as it had extended beyond the timeframe allowed by the Electoral Act.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—13

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14—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Alleged N5.2bn scam: Court acquits Elumelu, Ugbane, Jibo, others

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI BUJA—RESPITE came the way of former House of Representatives’ Committee Chair-

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man on Power, Ndudi Elumelu, as an Abuja high court at Maitama, yesterday, quashed the 62count criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Also discharged and acquitted were the erstwhile Senate Committee Chairman on Pow-

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega (right) and National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA, Chief Victor Umeh during the presentation of INEC programme of Action in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

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er and his then deputy, Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane, and Jibo Mohammed.

EFCC had on October 30, 2009, arraigned the lawmakers, alongside six civil servants, following roles they allegedly played in a N5.2billion Rural Electrification contract scam.

They were charged with criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and gross misappropriation of public funds.

The said contract that culminated in their trial was initiated by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration under the Grid Extension and Solar Electricity Project, aimed at enhancing electricity supply in rural communities in Nigeria.

Whereas the lawmakers were accused of awarding the contract to fictitious companies, the civil servants were, on the other hand, accused of using their various positions to facilitate the illicit withdrawal of funds provided for the project under the 2008 amended budget of REA, with the proceed allegedly shared among all the accused persons.

The six civil servants fingered in the alleged fraud were the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Power, Abdulahi Aliyu; Managing Director of REA, Samuel Gekpe; Simon Kirdi Nanle; Lawrence Orekoya; Abdulsamad Garba Jahun; Mr. Kayode Oyedeji and Mrs Igwe Paulinus.

EFCC had alleged that they facilitated the sequential withdrawal of monies earmarked for the said rural electrification contract.

However, sequel to an application by the six REA officials, trial Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ordered separate trial for them, even as Chief Judge of the High Court on October 17, 2012, transferred the case-file of the lawmakers to another judge.

Subsequently, the lawmakers, through their counsel, queried the propriety of the charge against them, contending that going by the proof of evidence before the court, EFCC failed to establish a prima-facie case against them.

Urging the court to quash the charge for constituting an abuse of court process, the accused persons, aside challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try them, argued that going by the provisions of section 6(6) and section 36 of the 1999 constitution, as well as sections 185(b) and 187 of the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC, they ought to be discharged by the court.

They further argued that the Legislative House Power and Privileges Act, CAP 208, imbued them with immunity against prosecution concerning any action they committed in the performance of their legislative duties.

Gov Obi gives N62.2m to 2,500 ex-Biafran soldiers, 64 ex-Rangers players

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—NO fewer than 2,500 ex-Biafran soldiers and 64 former players of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu have so far received about N62.5 million upkeep allowance from Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi. While the ex Biafran soldiers received N5,000 each, former Rangers players, many of them who are down with ill health, received amounts ranging from N200,000 to N1 million to enable them obtain medical treatment either locally or abroad, in addition to monthly stipends they received from the state government.

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike, while handing the cheques to chairman of former Rangers players, Mr. Luke Okpala, for onward distribution to his colleagues on behalf of the governor, said Obi’s gesture was to further recognize the heroic roles played by the footballers immediately after the Nigerian civil war.

Health Minister appeals to striking doctors

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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INISTER of Health, Pro fessor Onyebuchi Chukwu yesterday, appealed to striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, to suspend the ongoing threeday nationwide strike to allow for implementation of the resolutions reached between them and the Federal Ministry of Health.

NARD had last Wednesday ordered its members to embark on a three-day warning strike to protest alleged poor funding for training of its members by the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Communication, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, the Minister, who called on the aggrieved doctors to rescind their decision, expressed disappointment on the decision of the doctors to go ahead with the strike after a meeting with members of NARD, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, ISTH, Branch, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA and representatives of the Board and Management of ISTH

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—15

Jega admits presence of corrupt staff in INEC

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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BUJA—CHAIRMAN of Inde pendent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has admitted the presence of corrupt officials and staff who aid and abet rigging and other electoral malpractices during elections in the commission.

The admittance came as a reaction to various knocks given Jega by some political parties and stakeholders who converged on Abuja yesterday to witnessed the unveiling/public presentation of Strategic Programme of Action of INEC covering 2012 to 2016.

According to Jega, many staff of the commission who compromised standards, have been either prosecuted or dismissed from their duties. He, however, said the exercise was done without usual media hype.

Jega said: “INEC officials are not immune to prosecution. Since we came here, as a Commission we have prosecuted INEC officials, who have been clearly found guilty

of breaching established laws, rules and regulations and we have also quietly shown people the way out. Probably, it was not well advertised.

“There were many people that were indicted who were not faithful due to criminal activities which clearly were incompatible with the objectives and responsibility that they were supposed to bring to this job. We have retired people.

“We have dismissed people and asked people to withdraw their services. We have done a lot quietly and it is not something that really should have been advertised.

“We made it very clear as a Commission and I think in one of the interactive sessions we had with staff of INEC, we made it very clear to them that we are drawing the line.

“We said we were not looking for fault. We will not do anything wrong or ask anybody to do anything wrong and if anybody should do anything wrong, he will have him or herself to blame. And that has been our guiding princi-

ple. It has helped tremendously.

“No doubt, I must share with you that my own assessment of what has happened is that in INEC previously, certainly there were a few bad eggs who had done things and things they had done had more or less damaged the image of the entire members of the Commission.

“It is really a terrible thing that has happened. And it is very, very clear that majority of staff of INEC are honest people doing honest job under very difficult circumstances. All they required was motivation and encouragement and inspiration from the conduct of those who are placed in positions of responsibility.”

Ajaokuta Steel: FG expresses satisfaction with level of work

BY NOEL ONOJA HE Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the level of work done at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

This was stated by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Musa Mohammed Sada, during a visit by the Managing Director of Reprom Company Ni-

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geria Limited, Mr. Attah Achimugu, who led his management team and foreign technical partners.

Mohammed said, "with appreciable level which the work has reached, operation of some section of the plant will commence soon".

Reprom Company Nigeria Limited had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in March 2013 for billet conversion project to operate the thermal power plant and light section mill at the steel company.

The minister said: “Federal Government has expressed appreciation over progress made to operationalise the thermal power plant and light section mill of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.”

He noted that it was a thing of joy to hear from the investor, that work had reached advanced stage to kick start the thermal power plant and light section mill.

The minister added that Ajaokuta Steel Company had prospects for the industrialisation of Nigeria and that every well meaning Nigerian was looking forward to the realization of that vision.

He observed that Reprom Company Nigeria Limited and its foreign technical partners were worthy partners to achieve the objective of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited since they understood the technology of the integrated steel plant.

The minister advised the company to fast-track implementation and completion of the Memorandum of Understanding on the steel plant in good time.

Sada noted that since every Nigerian was passionate about Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited towards the industrial development of Nigeria, Reprom Nigeria Company Limited should keep Nigerians abreast of what it was doing at the integrated steel plant from time to time.

ASUP strike: Arewa youths ask Education Minister to resign

BY SONI DANIEL

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NGERED by the pro longed strike by academic staff of polytechnics in the country, Arewa youths on Tuesday called on Education Minister, Prof Ruquayattu Rufa’i, to resign with immediate effect.

The youths, under the aegis of Arewa Youths Forum, AYF, issued the warning while reacting to the worsening crisis in polytechnics across the country.

National President of AYF, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, told Vanguard that it was unbecoming of the education minister to continue to behave as though nothing was happening, many months after academic activities had been brought to a standstill.

Gujungu noted that the action of the minister was not only a setback to the north but also Nigeria and should, therefore, be made to give way in the interest of the nation.

Metuh picks form to recontest for PDP scribe

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

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RSTWHILE National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh has picked nomination form to re-contest the position.

A statement by his campaign organisation said Metuh would be soliciting for votes of delegates to the July 20, 2013 Special National Convention of the party.

Metuh was before his election as national publicity secretary of the party in the controversial March 2012 convention, the national vice-chairman (South East) of the party.

Director General of Olisa Metuh Campaign Organisation, Okey Ezenwa said the decision to re-contest the office was upon consultation with stakeholders who credited Metuh with shoring up the image of the party and the innovations he brought into the publicity machinery of the party.

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16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Grant repentant Boko Haram members amnesty —ONYEMA

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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AGOS—COORDINATOR of the presidential amnesty transformation programme, Mr. Allen Onyema, has urged the Federal Government to give repentant members of Boko Haram sect a second chance by granting them amnesty.

Onyema, who partly blamed northern leaders and elite for the immense poverty in the region, also called for compensation for victims of the Boko Haram menace whether through attacks of the sect or military incursion.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard, the lawyer, who leads the Federation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN, urged members of the sect to come out, renounce violence, and accept the amnesty being offered by the government.

Noting that majority of northerners are peaceful and want peace, he regretted the violent turn things had taken in the region.

NTA goes digital in 2015 —MAKU BYEMMANUEL

ELEBEKE BUJA—MINISTER of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has assured that the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA will be digitalized by 2015.

The minister disclosed this yesterday, during the inauguration of a new board for the NTA. He said that his ministry would work with the new board to realise the goal of migrating the nation’s television station from analogue to digital platform in line with the world best practices.

According to him, the digitalisation of NTA became necessary for the organisation to be competitive and enhance its operations.

In his response, Director General of NTA, Musa Maiyaki, said that the need for digitalisation of NTA can’t be over emphasised as it has become the norm in the broadcasting world.

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Democracy can’t survive without strong political parties —SAMBO

BY TAYE OBATERU & HOPE

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OFOBIKE

this centre for self-improvement.

“Leadership is developed through a never ending process of self study, education, training and experience to inspire us. As tomorrow’s leaders there are certain things we must be, know and do. These do not come naturally but are rather acquired through

continuous work and training.”

He said, although politics, politicians and political parties are negatively viewed by the public, politics still remain a noble pursuit as it is about serving the public and improving the lives of citizens.

He restated the commitment of

the Jonathan’s administration to the cause of free, fair and credible elections, adding that the establishment of the centre is an opportunity to raise the capacity of political parties to play their own role in achieving and sustaining the objective.

OS—VICE President, Namadi Sambo, yesterday, declared that democracy cannot survive without strong political parties.

He stated this at the commissioning of the Political Party Leadership and Development Centre of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, Kuru, Plateau State.

Represented by the Special Adviser, Political Matters in his office, Senator Isaiah Balat, Sambo said, although the tendency has been to pay more attention to governmental bodies and civic institutions, political parties actually oil the democratic wheel.

Sambo said: “More concern is often shown to the establishment of governmental bodies and civic organisation, while little attention is paid to the development of strong political parties. Although both of the civil societies and other government bodies are important SESSION: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote in every nation but without strong (left) and Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, during the techand dynamic political parties de- nical session, at the National Council of Agriculture and Rural Development conference in mocracy cannot survive in the Abeokuta. long run.”

“Political parties may decline overtime if they do not make conscious efforts to strengthen themselves.

Leaders of the parties owe themselves the obligation to take advantage of opportunities offered by

Drug abuse worse than HIV/AIDS —SHETTIMA

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BY NDAHI MARAMA

AIDUGURI—GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State, yesterday, said that drug abuse was worse than HIV/AIDS adding that apart from the Second World War, nothing had consumed more human lives than drugs.

Shettima spoke at Government House, Maiduguri, while inaugurating a 10-man Anti Drugs Control Committee to complement the efforts of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. He said that people under the influence of drugs could commit heinous crimes such as rape, murder, robbery and sometimes even commit suicide, because the drugs controlled them, pointing out that drugs were like forbidden fruits, which once tested was difficult to resist.

According to Shettima, Nigeria had become a transit route for drug traffickers just as Borno which borders three countries of Chad , Niger Republic and Cameroon was a gateway for the illicit trade to other African countries and Europe.

Shettima said the committee would, however, complement the efforts of the NDLEA in curbing drug related crimes in the state.

He said that the task of the committee include; monitoring the activities of drug vendors in the state, enlightening the youths on the dangers of drug abuse, prevention of the proliferation hard drugs in the state as well as the identification and punishment of pharmaceutical stores that sell hard drugs among others.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013— 17

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AST weekend, the cream of the Northern Nigerian elite gathered in Zaria, for the turbaning of General TY Danjuma, as JarmaiZazzau. In the fractured and mutually-suspicious mode that rents the North today, it is perhaps only General TY Danjuma, that can bring all our people together, and in the process, not only sharply express opinion about the various ailments in Northern Nigeria today, but also offer a soothing balm of hope about the possibilities of re-constructing bridges that were dynamited by the ethno-religious and mutually-assured destructive activities of the past couple of decades in our region.

It is indicative of TY Danjuma’s stature today, that practically every Northern state placed advertisement in Nigerian newspapers to felicitate with the general, just as GeneralBabangida, declared that TY Danjuma, is today the embodiment of the virtues of the Sardauna, for our people: “50 years after the demise of Sir Ahmadu Bello; TY Danjuma has virtually picked up the (gauntlet?) from where the Sardauna had left it”.

One of the unstated facts of Northern Nigerian life, was that for a long time, General TY Danjuma, was very angry with the Northern Nigerian elite. This was related to the perceived snub thrown at him, despite personal sacrifices he made for the North, in the tragic circumstances of 1966. He was also an outstanding war commander and was backbone of the much-regarded Murtala/Obasanjo administration.

Ethno-religious identities The North began to alienate itself and inter-elite rivalries for positions of power and privilege, were gradually fought out with strong currents of ethno-religious identities. The Sardauna’s North of “One People, One Destiny” began to unravel.

An assertive “Middle Belt” configuration emerged, which was far more religious than geographical, even when there were absurd efforts to politically elasticise the Middle Belt concept. Political opportunists without varnish, like Jerry Gana, milked this new configuration, while TY Danjuma’s anger, was adroitly exploited by many champions of Middle belt identity, to feather personal nests and secure funds to pursue personal political ambitions.

But the idea of “Northern-ness” is far too resilient; and an interesting element of its expression, was how younger elements in Northern Nigeria, Muslim and Christian, genuinely admire TY Danjuma and gravitate towards him. It became clearer to the younger people, that here was a man of unusual candour and an incredible sense of honour. As the older generation of leaders witnessed a gradual erosion of influence, TY Danjuma began to emerge more and more as a symbol of what was lost in the bitter rivalries tearing the region apart. All sides of the Northern divide found something they could valorise in TY Danjuma; and hope became stronger, that he could become the bridge re-linking our people. The recognition; adulation and sincere respect from “younger” Northern intellectuals like Malam Abba Kyari and AdamuAdamu, C M Y K

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"This is the time for elders to be circumspect and temperate in their utterances; it is not in our character as northerners to talk too much. We need to think more, pray more, plan more, work harder, relate better, and talk less. Battles are better fought and won through wisdom and strategy than through inflammable pronouncements and political tantrums”.

– General TY Danjuma, while being conferred with traditional title of JarmaiZazzau.

The T.Y. Danjuma effect in Northern Nigeria

General TY Danjuma began to thaw TY Danjuma’s anger; just as the Northern establishment also gradually warmed to the general. This in my opinion explains the surfeit of awards and chieftancy titles from nearly every corner of Northern Nigeria. There is of course the huge philanthropic generosity of the General in tow too. And in the context, TY Danjuma is also very much a man of his times; he is a dye-in-the-wool Northerner, despite the anger which led him to champion the Middle Belt agenda which political opportunists of all hues, led by the ubiquitous AGIP (Any Government in Power), Jerry Gana, have exploited for years!

And true to his forthrightness, TY Danjuma looked at the Northern condition in the face at the weekend in Zaria, and spoke words of truth, to the discomfort of

the gathered members of the Northern establishment (that he is incidentally very much part of!): “when elders become decadent, the youth are bound to be delinquent”, he noted. TY Danjuma added that: “what has been in short supply are patriotic elder statesmen who would use their experience to give the country a clear sense of purpose and direction”. Nigeria’s tragedy, and indeed the North’s, according to TY Danjuma, is a surfeit of politicians scheming and screaming for due and undue advantages. Dissecting the Northern condition further, TY Danjuma said: “our society and economy are in tatters. In a highly competitive world, our children are missing out in getting qualitative and functional education. The masses of our people are chained down in dehumanising and grinding poverty, while we continue to maintain a few islands of false prosperity in a turbulent ocean of penury and squalor. There cannot be peace and harmony where there is a wide disparity between the few rich and a multitude of the poor”. It is interesting to note that TY Danjuma is the best example of “the few rich” that he talked about. We underline that it is the capitalism-withouta-human-face the Nigerian ruling elite conspired to impose on our country that facilitated the process that TY Danjuma so eloquently described. The positive for TY Danjuma is that he took from this society; became a multi-billionaire but has the decency and utmost class self-interest to give out a huge part of his fortune, in

TY Danjuma will likely continue to give from his huge wealth but above all, he will remain a fascinating rallying point for a Northern Nigeria that for too long has been in search of an authentic hero, since the day the bullets of mutinous soldiers cut down the muchlamented Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna

,

probably the greatest philanthropic project ever seen in Africa!

It seems clear that TY Danjuma won’t stop giving back to society. At 75 years, he thought he had paid his dues; wanted to spend the rest of his life “in quiet retirement, leaving the public arena for the new generation of leaders to improve on the modest achievements of my generation”. But as the German poet Heine once noted, the field of life is greener than all concantenations of minds. Given the crises phenomena around, especially in the North and the need to keep giving; keep searching for harmony and to keep repairing bridges between and within communities, TY Danjuma found an epiphany: “It seems clear to me now that real retirement is only possible in the grave.

Our lives and living apparently are inevitably tied eternally to responsibilities”. Given the foregoing, TY Danjuma will likely continue to give from his huge wealth but above all, he will remain a fascinating rallying point for a Northern Nigeria that for too long has been in search of an authentic hero, since the day the bullets of mutinous soldiers cut down the much-lamented Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna, in the early hours of January 15, 1966. That tragic momentvery much defined TY Danjuma’s place in our nation’s history!

The inspiring story of Dr. Rabia SalihuSa'id

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AST Saturday I was back in Kano, to attend the Convocation Ceremony of the Bayero University; with the special interest of felicitating with Rabia SalihuSa’id, who was awarded the Ph.D in Physics. Rabia is my friend and a mother of six children and also a grandmother. Apart from her job as lecturer in the Physics Department at BUK, Rabia is also Deputy Dean of Student Affairs (Female), at the university.

This extraordinary woman of rare courage is an individual of many parts and a poster child for the progress available to women in Northern Nigeria, when they muster the courage to break the yoke of oppressive traditions and chauvinism that are very strong in our society.

That Rabia has graduated as a scientist, is a feat that should be held up for emulation by women in Northern Nigeria; by our society at large; by husbands who marry their wives very early and by parents who give out these children and so deprive half of our society the opportunity to discover and actualise potential that can be contributed to the struggle against underdevelopment. I write these

lines as a parent of four daughters, who are very precocious; have a variety of interests from ballet; swimming; fashion design through to discovering the beauty of our world, while not neglecting their Western and Islamic education!

Rabia got married soon after secondary education and therefore faced the challenge of attempting to balance her life as wife and mother with a burning desire for higher education. When she returned to university in 1990, she had been married for seven years and had three children, aged 6, 4 and 2 respectively.

The first child, a boy, was born with a physical congenital defect; he had a club foot which needed orthopedic procedures to correct and this was as Rabia was completing her university foundation programme. She had another child while studying for her undergraduate in 1992 and that baby was born with the sickle cell disease. The frequent crises and hospitalisation took a toll on her life but she was determined to succeed.

In all, she went to earn a bachelor’s degree; two masters of science degrees and last Saturday, a doctorate in Physics. In the lead to

that, she has studied and researched in some of the leading scientific institutions in the world. A pamphlet published to commemorate her degree, said of her story, that it was told: “to young girls in northern Nigeria who were married off early and now wish to return to school, that they can do it. The capacity to succeed lies in their determination to pursue their dreams. If I can do it, then they can”.

Speaking further on her intentions for the future, Dr. Rabia said she has “a desire to attain a decision-making position in my community. I would like to be in a position to influence policies that have direct bearing on the attitudes of youth, particularly females to acquisition of knowledge, education and higher studies”. She is also interested in environmental issues; empowerment as regards women’s reproductive health; energy issues and green technology.

That cocktail of ambitions clearly underscores the confidence which education gives. We will certainly hear a lot more about this courageous woman into the future. She is an inspiring example of what is possible for women in our society, but especially in Northern Nigeria. Congratulations Dr. Rabia SalihuSa’id!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Fathers’ Day, June 16, had a unique message for Governors - sign the death warrants of those on death row. Eight days after Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State approved execution of four death row convicts; his intention preceded the President’s message.

Oshiomhole’s action sparked off outrage from the human rights community, particularly Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which had campaigned against the hangings. They view execution of condemned felons as “barbaric” and a violation of human dignity.

The concerns could be consigned to meddlesomeness, knowing that their nonbarbaric countries, still execute some classes of criminals. There are areas of human rights that should bother these organisations. Did the suspects have access to fair trials? What is the penalty for their offences? We think their interventions at such levels could make a difference to the suspects’ cases.

Noise about death sentences, abolished in some countries, tends to ignore the rights of the victims and their families, who in these

Edo Hanging R ow Ro cases lost lives. ‘We are firmly on the side of the innocent members of the law-abiding public whose right to life and the achievement of the loftiest potentials under the law were savagely terminated by deviants. The law mandates the state to ensure justice is done to all, including the suspects. The quest for justice saw them through the appeal processes, and the verdict was still death.

The brazen brutality and barbarism involved in some of the cases are too nauseating to be repeated here. No decent society would tolerate them. When a citizen, for whatever reason, takes the law into his hands, terminating the life of another, the state has a duty to bring the offender to appropriate justice. This will not only

reassure the victims’ families that the law “will fight” for them (and thus prevent the urge for vengeance) it will also help to deter those who might contemplate brutal behaviours.

Our concerns centre more on the law enforcement mechanisms being robust enough to ensure that all cases, especially those warranting capital punishment, are diligently prosecuted, with the rights of the accused protected and their appeals exhausted. The finality of death sentences demands irrefutable evidences in reaching the decisions.

Governors should review each death row case on its merit. Where necessary they should apply the prerogative of mercy and possibly commute sentences to other forms of penalty, where doubts or extenuating circumstances arise.

Otherwise, once the brutality of offence is established by law, there should be no hesitation in allowing the law to take its due course.

Neither law nor nature permits brutality on the death row; leaving convicts, unattended, for years is also barbaric and inhuman.

OPINION

BY JACKSON ABBAH

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OCATED in present day Ohafia Local Government in Abia North Senatorial zone of Abia State, the Abiriba people have a rich and amazing history. Generally referred to as one of the Cross River Igbos, they migrated to their present location about 500 to 600 years ago from Northern Cross River. Their topography is hilly with sandy rocky soil, not very friendly to farming, but compensates with an avalanche of rivers, streams and springs.

They were predominantly a community of farmers and blacksmithers.

At the zenith of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade in the 17th Century, the first set of Abiriba blacksmiths left their community and established their trade in Arochukwu, the fulcrum of the slave business in Igbo land. As there were no vehicles or horses, they needed to produce their goods closer to the market. These great men, Nwafor, Udenyi and Ude started the apprenticeship system of taking into their trade, young boys aged between five and 10, who were trained in morals, discipline and the skills of blacksmithing. Their main products were hoes, matchets, cudgels, guns, chains and ivory. While some engaged in manufacture, others distributed such manufactured goods all across present day Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa states. Such apprentices, sometimes upon starting their own business, became more successful than their master. The system encouraged them to engage other apprentices from the village, not necessarily their blood relations, to learn under them. This practice has C M Y K

Memorial tto o a great Abibira son, Dik e Dike Udensi Ifegwu endured over the centuries till now.

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he consequence of these centuries of apprenticeship and international trade, was that great wealth came into the community and ordained a culture of peer competition where exceptionally gifted young people created wealth, at a relatively young age.

In 1975, a young man who could not continue secondary school education four years earlier, due to lack of finance, and as a result of the civil war, and who had been apprenticed to a master ( the late Chief OkaforMang) to learn trading, attracted great attention in a community that boasted so many great men of wealth such as Chief Nnanna Kalu, Chief Okafor Mang, Chief Nwojo Omokorie, all of blessed memory.

The young man’s name was Dike Udensi Ifegwu. He was 24 years old. He had just built a two storey building of six flats, but was still living in two rented rooms. The community took note. In the next four years, he committed his mind and soul to large scale importation and distribution of various goods, attracting the attention of the big four banks then: Union, First, U.B.A and Afribank. At the young age of 30 in 1981, of the over 20 factories established

by Abiriba people in Aba, he alone owned three namely: Dubic breweries (brewers of

Dubic Beer), Dubic Industries and Unijoy Paper Mills.

At the age of 39, in 1990 he was majority shareholder in two banks: Alpha Merchant Bank and Citizens International Bank, where he was Chairman. As Chairman of Citizens International Bank, he conducted meetings with precision, candour and understanding. During meetings, he ensured every member voiced his opinion on any item on the agenda. He never interfered with management on any issue, not even employment. I was always amazed as to how somebody who did not go beyond class one in secondary school, could understand basic principles embodied in a financial statement. He will ask questions or seek clarifications on such accounting principles like accruals, depreciation and amortization. His understanding of risk assets was beyond the ordinary. It is to his credit that during his tenure as Chairman of Citizens bank, the bank was the most profitable among the new generation banks.

Lord Chief Dike Udensi was a pioneer in many ways. He was known to be the first Nigerian to solely establish a brewery that produced Dubic Beer. Guiness Nigeria is reaping bountifully from the brand today.

In 1991, he joined others to establish a bank in Benin Republic called Banc Internationale du Benin, where he was made

a Director. As early as 1993, he teamed up with Jimi Lawal to buy the 40% shares of Banc Internationale Afric Occidentale in Afrikbank. This would have made him the highest shareholder and owner of Afribank.

This dream was aborted by the late Gen. Abacha which led to his exile from Nigeria until Abacha died in 1998. By 1992, he and Jimi Lawal also negotiated and started construction of a 600-room Alpha Sofitel Hotel by the Bar Beach, overlooking the Lagos Lagoon. This also was aborted by the government-induced collapse of Alpha Merchant Bank.

Chief Udensi Ifegwu, was truthful to himself. He called himself a trader and refused to be lured into any enterprise he could not clearly comprehend its nuances, no matter the projected profit. He was pragmatic in his business dealings, avoiding undue psychedelism, but with an eye on results. Though socially, he was extremely shy, he was humongously bold when it came to business decisions.

As this Abiriba Icon goes home at the young age of 61, it is important the country remembers him for the thousands of lives he touched through the various businesses he established. He exemplifies the notion that a person can be immensely successful, without government contract or government patronage, such as import duty waivers. His life is a testimony that university education or an MBA alone does not determine how successful a person would be. *Mr. Abbah, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013— 19

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AYELSA State has become a hotbed of strange news of late.

You will recall that only in March this year, the Governor of the state, Seriake Dickson, declared war on rumour mongering and set up a “high powered committee” to tackle the monster. The newest info from President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state is that the Bayelsa State Government has offered a one billion naira worth of “empowerment” to 10,000 “repentant” cultists.

Now let’s pause to ponder.

Bayelsa is the least populated of the 36 states of the federation, with an official population of 1.7 million people according to the 2006 census. This suggests that one in every 17 persons in Bayelsa is among the “repentant” cultists. If you remove from this group those too young or too old to engage in the usually active and vigorous activities of cults you will come up with even a high proportion of “repentant” cultists out of the entire population.

Now, if 11,000 people (the total number of “repentant” cultists as contained in the news report) decided they would no longer engage

in demonic activities, only goodness knows how many are still out there as “unrepentant” cultists.

Personally, I do not believe that the 10,000 are genuine cultists, forget about whether they are repentant or not. I do not even believe Bayelsa has that many of them. In any case, how was the government able to define who a cultist is, and what makes one a “repentant” cultist? My suspicion is that Governor Dickson’s own idea of dealing with cultism in his state was to embark on the newest pet approach to problem solving by our current crop of political leaders: abuse of amnesty.

Bayelsa did not start it, and the state is not the only one doing it.

Abia offered amnesty to “repentant” kidnappers. The Federal Government, under pressure from Northern leaders, is considering offering amnesty to “repentant” terrorists in the North. President Jonathan was arm-twisted to set up the Alhaji Tanimu Turaki Committee to explore amnesty for Boko Haram and other murderous Jihadist outfits because when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was alive, he offered amnesty to Niger

Delta militants in exchange for peace in the oil producing region, and it worked.

So, more and more political leaders are turning to this lazy approach to apprehension of high crimes without deeply considering the long term effects rewarding “repentant” criminals. For instance, we started from militants, then kidnappers. We moved on to terrorists. And now, Dickson has expanded the offer to cultists. Nothing will stop another governor enamoured with this style of governance from extending it to “repentant” armed robbers, serial murderers and ritualists.

What manner of marking scheme?

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IGERIA today is fast drifting toward Plato’s definition of a degenerating society; a society that permits the voice of the mob to determine the affairs of government. By accepting unbridled protests as a way of life, we have tacitly suggested that the great issues of our time are best decided by posturing and shouting matches on the streets.

The other day, the Senate invited Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina to shed some light on aspects of the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensions Fund, which he was overseeing. Not only did he refuse to honour the invitation, but just about when he was expected to appear at the Senate Chambers, his rented crowd was at the entrance of the National Assembly, pouring invectives on the senators for daring to invite their principal.

You can also imagine the ease with which students these days embark on the destruction of government property. More amazing still is the ease with which these lawbreakers are let off the hook.

Sometimes they are asked, in a most palliative way, to pay the cost of replacing the damaged property. This merely begs the question.

We must learn to develop zero-tolerance for lawlessness. Once an individual has deliberately violated the criminal law, such should be removed from the academic community, which in the first place, is not equipped to deal with the argument of force; and placed in the larger society, which has both the aptitude and determination for the task. A crime is no less a crime simply because it has been committed by a student.

No lawbreaker should be treated with kid gloves.

Students who relish in the destruction of the Comrade Buses and those Red Roof

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School Buildings, which are acknowledged all over as unprecedented revolution, will learn the correct lessons after they spend time at Kirikiri or Oko Prison.

The penultimate week, Edo State finally got to the point of doing what various other states have done – the partial ban on commercial motorcycle operators – in Oredo, Ikpoba Okha and Egor local government areas.

The day after the ban, there was the mother of all demonstrations at the Oba Ovonramwen Square, Benin City, bringing traffic and all commercial activities to a halt.

The era of appeasement must end! When peace comes through appeasement and capitulation to the likes of the Okada riders by trading away sound security principles, the peace thus purchased cannot be worth the price.

If we may ask, how is all this different from the present exercise in which the Oga at the top is personally writing his own testimonial? Certainly, Nigerians are gullible and most times, easy to please. In the unfolding theatricals, the President suddenly starts to speak of marking scheme, which is understandable, knowing where he is coming from as a former lecturer.

He goes on national television to accuse everyone of not giving him a marking scheme. He suddenly throws up what looks more like a report card (and so variously described), which is available only to him and some members of his kitchen cabinet, and proclaims: “Here is my marking scheme”. By any standard of academic judgement, that which he calls a marking scheme can, at best, only pass for an examination script.

Based on the wrong marking scheme, he proceeds to rate himself an A++ Student

and his administration, most excellent; in the tradition of the lizard which falls from a great height and seeing that nobody is appreciating it, n o d s approvingly: “If no one praises me, I must praise myself”.

But who says we have not given the President a marking scheme? Should he, in fact, be marking his own scripts, based on

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Stop rewarding ‘repentant’ criminals

The primary duty of elected leaders is to maintain law and order, and not to open the public treasury to “repentant” criminals; how should they repent if crime is made to pay? They will only spend the money and come back for more, as some of the socalled “repentant” militants are doing

Our youth are being dehumanised with these offers of largesse to “repentant” criminals.

Thousands of innocent Bayelsa youth had to sign up as “repentant” cultists in order to benefit from the N100,000 per head which the one billion naira comes to. Up till date, thousands of young people from the Niger Delta (including those posing as such) often gather to block our highways, particularly EastWest Road, Gwagwalada-Abuja Road and Warri-Benin Road, to press their demand to be included in the post-amnesty bonanza for “repentant” militants of the Niger Delta. As soon as Boko Haram decides to accept the amnesty offer, millions of almajiris dressed in rags will storm booty centres to be given their cuts as “repentant” Boko Haram terrorists.

What, pray, is this country turning to? Where do the innocent, long suffering, struggling and law-abiding youth come in? We see them everyday in the traffic, hawking all sorts of goods under the sun, moon and rain. Millions of graduates and school leavers crowd street corners and watch the scene go by. They are wasting their years in idleness, and watching the crooked ones among them being given the bounties of the state for posing daunting security problems for the government and the people of Nigeria.

They are getting more and more convinced that in this country, the leaders prefer to favour criminals rather than law-abiding citizens.

We are practising reversed civics.

This has got to stop.

We must restore the dignity of the Nigerian citizen by returning to the path of civilised governance. The primary duty of elected leaders is to maintain law and order, and not

The era of appeasement must end!

When peace comes through appeasement and capitulation, the peace thus purchased cannot be worth the price

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his own scheme? How can he be the examiner and the examinee? We are the examiners and we are aware of at least a thousand marking schemes in our hands.

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f nothing else, the annual Appropriation Act given to the President is one bold scheme on which the evaluation of his administration can be based. For all we know, under a scheme in which, year after year, the recurrent budget performs at close to 100 percent while the capital budget hovers around the 20 percent level, there is an abysmal failure!

It gets even worse as we approach the sectoral levels. The Federal Government may have given up in some areas. One such surrender is in the area of roads. Our

to open the public treasury to “repentant” criminals. How should they repent if crime is made to pay?

They will only spend the money and come back for more, as some of the so-called “repentant” militants are doing. They will create more problems to keep the free money coming.

There are two firmly established methods of determining that a former criminal has indeed repented. The first is that the criminal, on his own, quits. The second is that he is caught, arraigned in the courts, tried, sentenced and sent to jail. When he gets there, he is trained in skill acquisition as part of the correctional process. While in jail, a small portion of stipends he earns from his work is set aside and given to him at the completion of his term of incarceration. The state creates an enabling environment for such ex-convicts to reintegrate in society. They are given a second change to live decent lives. If they are able to fit back into society without slipping back into the life of crime, then they have indeed repented.

This is a well established system of maintaining social stability. With this system, criminality is deterred and only the few genuine criminals are there for society to contend with.

But the “amnesty abuse” style being popularised by our political leaders makes criminality seem attractive. It makes governance seem like a huge joke; in fact a sick joke.

You cannot build a great nation this way. Let those who are incapable of maintaining law and order desist forthwith from seeking election into exalted offices. And when they do, let the electorate keep them out.

President was at the requiem mass for General Andrew Azazi, the former National Security Adviser, NSA, in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State. The officiating minister, Bishop Hyacinth Egbebor, accused the Federal Government of neglecting roads, which is responsible for the number of accidents and death of many Nigerians. But our President retorted that accidents occur more on good roads than on bad ones. What a clever design to abdicate one’s responsibility!

There can be no better marking scheme here than what millions of Nigerian road users have permanently in their hands and they mark the scripts on a daily basis. Those citizens who ply the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and most other highways throughout the Federation cannot award you a pass mark after the day’s ordeal on those death traps.

In the energy sector, no one is expecting every Nigerian to become an electrical engineer but a man expects that when he return home at the end of a day’s hard work, at the touch of a button, light goes on and when he is going to bed, he touches the same button and light goes off; he will award you a pass mark but if the situation is such that he is perpetually sentenced to darkness; to the extent that on festive occasions, neighborhoods have turned mortuaries because of the absence of power supply; the cottage industries he once knew have moved to neighbouring countries, he must grade you poorly. That is where we are now.

Jonathan’s marking scheme is his latest exercise in self-delusion, which carries him nowhere. Neither can it change this reversegear!

20— Vanguard ,

THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JUNE 27 , 2013

Arrest of royal father sparks crisis in Lagos community

Debate of the masses

How gullible can we be?

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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POPULAR saying has it that where two elephants fight, the grass suffers. This aptly describes the present state of Imowonla community in Ikorodu area of Lagos State where the land owners popularly called Omo-Oniles have taken the law into their hands, threatening the peace of this ancient community in the process.

It started as a seemingly harmless quarrel in the Ifegunwa family, but this later took an ugly turn when dangerous weapons were freely employed in the fight that broke out among rival factions. Eventually one of the factions prevailed over *No longer welcome ...Imowo-nla. INSET: Oba Adeoriyomi Akeem the other in the process of which some innocent lives were lost. digenes of the land (names withthis community; we believe the PoThe bloody crisis has prompted held) confessed that they witnessed lice will do a thorough job this time many to flee the community, with the May 21 crises where the hoodaround,’’ he stated optimistically.

A visit to Egbin Kingdom, resome residents alleging that one of lums were led by the royal father. vealed that although the communithe factions has the backing of some Some of the victims of the attack ty is the host of Nigeria’s biggest police men deployed to keep the want the culprits of the dastardly acts power generating plant, the Egbin peace there. When Vanguard to be brought to book. An octogeThermal Station, electricity is a luxMetro, VM, visited Imowo-nla, the narian, the Alagbolire of Ikorodu, ury that residents have not been few residents in the town could not Madam Adunni Tijani, said the inlucky to enjoy for a long time. Also, hide their anger as they accused the cident has taken a serious toll on a source in the community informed Police of taking sides in the quar- residents. ‘’This community used to that about 1000 hectares of land rel. be a beehive of activities, but this is were acquired by the Federal Govno longer the case as many residents ernment for developmental purposare now in exile,’’ she said.

Sweeping es with a promise to use part of the A resident, Mr. Nurudeen Oluunder the carpet proceeds to develop the town but mide, said he has relocated his famThey told this reporter that some I lost my husband during one of the hoodlums were arrested with dangerous weapons about two years fracas; he was on his way to the farm ago, but that the matter was swept around 6am, in 2011, when the hoodlums under the carpet to favour one of the factions. According to them, the attacked and killed him culprits were not prosecuted and are still walking freely in the town.

They also informed that rather than ily to Sagamu as a result of the crithe government is yet to fulfill the be intimidated by the heavy presses.

“I have relocated my family to promise. ence of law enforcement agents, the Apart from bad roads, a walk round Sagamu while I remain here due hoodlums have become sufficiently the town showed three moribund to its proximity to my place of work,’’ emboldened to employ new tactics public boreholes with residents trekhe informed. in their nefarious activities. The deking several kilometres to get potaAnother resident, Madam Oriolavelopment has also been linked to ble water for their use. pe Adeoye, said she has relocated the gruesome murder of two policeSome residents who did not want to Ijede, a neighbouring commumen in May 2013 and seizure of their names in print told VM the acnity as a result of the incessant frafour rifles from the cops. The killing cused royal father’s knew nothing cas. ‘’I lost my husband during one of the cops prompted the Nigeria about the matter, saying his arrest of the fracas. He was on his way to Police Force to swing into action to was a ploy to destabilise his kingthe farm around 6am, in 2011, when fish out the culprits. Some suspects dom. the hoodlums attacked and killed were said to have been arrested in ‘’The king was not satisfied with him. Recently, my cousin was kidconnection with this. the way the community is being napped and tied to a tree before he maginalised and has been making Worse still, the royal father of a was released; since then, his health effort to put things right. We believe neighbouring community, the Obathas been failing,’’ she said. he has stepped on powerful toes eru of Egbin royal kingdom AdeChairman Joint Community Dewho have vowed to make life unoriyomi Oyebo Akeem, was alleged velopment Association, Imowo-nla, bearable for him. But the gods will to have masterminded the recent criMr Aseez Sikiru, was not on seat not rest until the truth is established,’’ ses in the community, a reason for when VM visited.

The traditional they chorused. which he was remanded in prison. ruler was indisposed but the SecWhen VM visited Egbin’s palace, When VM visited Imowo-nla on retary to the Ifegunwa family, Idthe family declined comment on the two separate occasions, there were owu Olaribigbe, informed that the arrest of their bread winner. ‘’Wait conflicting accounts over the arrest Police are still investigating the till you hear from the horse’s mouth,’’ of the royal father, although two inmatter. ‘’Government should rescue they chorused.

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BY EBELE ORAKPO

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GET sick to the pit of my stomach when I hear what Nigerians do in the name of religion,” said Mercy in the Oshodi-bound commuter bus as a radio presenter narrated how a couple was arrested for defrauding a man of over $13,000 and N500,000 in the name of delivering him from evil spirits.

“This is sheer madness.”

“Ol’ boy, those demons must be very strong to have needed dollars before they could leave,” commented Abel.

“Of course when politicians now deal in dollars, the fraudsters must step up too. Who no like better thing?” asked Nike.

“This is not funny. How could somebody carry his hard earned money to another man for deliverance? Do you have to pay to be prayed for? That should have been the red alert but because he was so gullible, he couldn’t see.

Someone rightly said that a gullible man is a walking disaster,” said Emeka.

“A perfect example is the Boko Haram guys.

Someone tells them they should go and fight perceived enemies and blow themselves up as martyrs and then get rewarded with 70 blackeyed virgins in Paradise.

They never stop to think why these people do not want the goodies for themselves and their children. They tell them that Western education is evil and yet send their own children to Western countries to study,” said Bob. Narrated John: “A few days ago, I heard of a woman who was defrauded of N245,000 by a so-called prophet to cast out the evil spirit in her. He had claimed that something was covering her glory and that was

why she was barren and then requested for N245,000 to cast out the evil spirit. The woman obliged. Some days later, he asked for N450,000 to buy a one-eyed cow to prepare something for her to ward off the spirits.”

“One eyed cow indeed!

And the foolish woman obliged?” asked Abel.

“No. At least she had the presence of mind to invite the police at this point. And the man was arrested and charged to court,” replied John.

“It’s possible they use diabolical means, or hypnosis. I don’t believe that someone can be so foolish ordinarily,” said Stella.

“My sister, they are just gullible, pure and simple.

A guy narrated how he was beaten black and blue by a so-called prophet in the name of praying for him to get healed. In the end, he came out worse, adding headache and body pains to the original symptoms,” stated Mercy. “He had to go and buy pain killers.”

“I swear, if I were the man, I would have given him the beating of his life and left him with a mark he will not forget in a hurry; what nonsense!” exclaimed Ade. “Beat a prophet?” asked Abel to which Ade replied thus: “Which kind prophet? He is not a prophet of God. Maybe he is a prophet of hell.”

“We should wake up from our slumber. We are too docile and mentally lazy and that is why Nigeria is where it is today. Most of its citizens are ready to believe anything. We are too lazy to hold our leaders accountable so it will continue to be business as usual. At least, if we are not lazy, the Bible is clear on how to deal with demons; so why would these people fall prey to fraudsters in the name of religion?” asked Bob.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 —21

Stakeholders kick against foreign domination of seafaring

By GODFREY BIVBERE & VIVIAN NWAOGU

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TAKEHOLDERS in the maritime sector have accused the Federal Government of neglect of shipping subsector of the industry resulting in the domination of the seafaring business by foreigners.

Speaking at a one day seminar organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to mark the World’s Seafarers’ Day in Lagos, stakeholders also disclosed that the lack of data in the sector makes it impossible to know the exact number of seafarers in the country.

A master mariner and Managing Director in charge of port operations for Dangote Port, Capt Joshua Oyewunmi, lamented the ugly condition of Nigerian seamen despite their contribution to the country ’s economy.

Oyewunmi said in the sixties, data on seafarers were intact but not any more. He explained that it is a shame that there are no data on Nigerian seafarers.

According to him, “Government has failed woefully because it does not treat seafarers well and this is extended to authorities of other countries who treat Nigerian seafarers as nobody. We pay more on vessel charges but

even after that, we are treated as nobody because that is how our government treats us. It was government that wrecked the Nigeria National Shipping Line.

It is sad that even up till now there are no vessels to train seafarers. ”The seamen are looked down upon as just drunkards but we know that we move this economy,” Oyewunmi said.

Blaming the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA for the woes of indigenous shipping industry, having failed to enforce the Cabotage Act, the seafarers passionately appealed to the agency to do its works well.

They called on NIMASA to rise up to the occasion and purge the nation’s waters of seafarers from Ghana, Philippines and many other nationals who currently have flooded the country’s coasts and taking away jobs from Nigerians.

Defunct NNSL’s captain and consultant to International Maritime Organisation IMO,

From left: Head of Egyptian delegation, Mr. Ahmed Talaat; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; and Turkish Deputy Minister of Economy, Mr. Mustafa Sever, during the D-8 Ministers Council Meeting in Abuja.

Capt Biodun Omoteso, who was Guest Speaker at the forum, decried the poor welfare of indigenous seamen, adding however that the job must be there in order to talk of welfare.

In his words, “The Cabotage Act is a beautiful Act that says every vessel must be pulled by Nigerians, but a waiver clause that enables them to hire expatriate was introduced and the Cabotage went sick. Today it is waiver upon waiver and the

Nigerian seafarers lost all opportunities to get job,” Omoteso said.

Earlier in his welcome address, MARAN President, Mr. Bolaji Akinola said the occasion is set aside by the IMO in recognition of the 1.2 million seafarers worldwide.

He noted that despite the fact that the nation’s fortunes are tied to the sea, with over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s income generated from oil export by sea, Nigerian government has shown

no regard for seafarers. ”The country is also dependent on imports which come through the sea by effort of seamen. The simple fact that government does not have data on seafarers is the beginning of our woes and an indictment on our maritime safety administration.

“It is high time that the government woke up to its responsibility and ensures that Nigerian ships have jobs to do in the nation’s waters,” he said.

NIWA decries slow pace of Lokoja inland port construction

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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ANAGING Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hajia Maryam Ciroma, has decried the slow pace of work at the N4.3 billion 1.3 120.0 Lokoja Inland port construction, stressing the 2,151.00 -20.00 need for the contractors to speed up work on the 17.02 0.28 project.

Ciroma said this while on tour of NIWA’s 101.02 +0.11 facilities in Lagos. She hinted that she would 94.97 +1.28 soon invite the contractor for a chat to deterCURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING mine what the problem is. She noted that it is DOLLAR 154.75 155.25 155.75 good for such projects to POUNDS 237.8198 238.5882 239.3566 EURO 202.6761 203.3309 203.9858 be completed on time as FRANC 166.6128 167.1512 167.6895 a result of benefit to be YEN 1.5839 1.589 1.5942 derived from it by NiCFA 0.2924 0.3024 0.3124 gerians.

WAUA 233.4406 234.1948 234.9491 She noted that the RENMINBI 25.2273 25.3093 25.3913 RIYA 41.2623 41.3956 41.5289 completion of the project KRONA 27.3918 27.4803 27.5688 will help reduce over SDR 234.1987 234.9554 235.7121 dependence on road transportation, adding CBN Exchange rate as at 26/06/2013 that it will also help in

linking the north with the south by water.

The NIWA boss, who also decried the low level of water transport development in the country, explained that although NIWA collected N1.66 billion in 2012, the Authority still needs more funds to execute its projects.

This she noted will ensure that Nigerians benefits from a developed water transportation system in the country. She pointed out that while NIWA is seeking for more funds, the Authority is also working on collaborating with private sector operators to bring in their money and expertise.

She noted that she is under taking the tour of all its facilities so as to understand the challenges facing the agency and how they can be addressed.

Ciroma also said that in achieving its desired goal and fight the financal challenges it will open its doors to private partnership.

Nigeria reserves drop to $48.33bn …Naira dips further to N161.55 to a dollar

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IGERIA’S foreign exchange reserves dropped by 0.16 percent month-on-month to $48.33 billion by June 24, the lowest level in more than three months, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed yesterday.

The reserves, however, were up 30.86 per cent year-onyear, compared with $36.93 billion the same time last year.

The CBN had sold $3.02 billion at its twice-weekly

foreign exchange auction between May 22 and June 24, in its bid to support the naira currency, foreign currency traders said.

Meanwhile, the naira fell against the dollar to its weakest in over a week on the interbank market as the CBN failed to intervene in the market on Wednesday, traders said.

The local currency closed at 161.55 to the dollar, its weakest since June 14 when it closed at 162.7 to the

dollar. The naira closed at 160.50 to the dollar the previous day.

“Demand for the dollar remain strong in the market, while the sales of $12 million

by Agip was too little to support the naira,” one dealer said.

Traders said the central bank failed to sell dollars directly to some outside its regular twice-weekly auction as it had done in the last two weeks, causing the naira to lose value.

22— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Ecobank Group’s assets hit $20bn mark

BY PETER EGWUATU

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cobank Group’s assets have hit the $20 billion market for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, just as shareholders unanimously approved all the resolutions by its Board of Directors to amend the company’s Articles of Association.

The shareholders from all the African regions who attended the 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Togo recently also approved the proposed $68.8 million dividend declared by the Board of Directors of Ecobank Group for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

Specifically, Messrs Moses Igbrude, Alhaja Ayodele Kudaisi, Kelly Assu, Doube Caulus, Wahab Ajani, and Kenneth Nwosu and many other shareholders commended the bank’s overall performance for the financial year under review, while calling on the management of the bank to curtail its overall cost.

They further requested the bank to improve on its dividend payment and its share value to make its shares attractive for investors.

Speaking on the performance of the bank for the year under review at the bank’s AGM , held in Togo last week, Chairman, Board of Directors of Ecobank Group, Mr. Kolapo

Lawson, said, Total assets at the year end reached the US $ 20 billion mark, increasing by 16 per cent over $17.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

According to him “Customer deposits and customer loans increased by 21 per cent and 28 per cent respectively. A disciplined approach to cost

control, coupled with the continued conservatism of our leading and risk management policies, combined to deliver a 25 per cent year on year improvement in Profit Before Tax (PBT). On the basis of this, we are proposing a dividend payment for 2012 of US $ 0.4 cents per ordinary share.”

The Chairman noted that the bank’s focus had been on the smooth integration of the two major recent acquisitions in Ghana (the Trust Bank) and Nigeria (Oceanic Bank), whilst strengthening the Group’s balance sheet through the issue of US $ 350 million of new equity.

FirstBank partners WAEC on e-registration cards

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ver 700 First Bank of Nigeria Limited branches have been designated as sales points for the e-registration of candidates for the November/December 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as both institutions partner on driving excellence among youths in the nation.

The e-registration materials can be obtained over the counter at a cost of N9, 350 only till Wednesday, July 31, 2013. From Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 10, 2013 the registration materials will still be available at FirstBank, but will attract an additional charge arising from late registration fees.

According to FirstBank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank has been a major player in youth empowerment and development and welcomes this partnership as another platform for promoting excellence in educational development in the country.

C M Y K

From left: National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD, Head of Finance and Operations, Mr. Titus Oladunni; Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Bola Ajomale and Legal & Compliance Officer, Miss Omobolanle Sanusi all ofNASD Plc during a press briefing in Lagos to announce the official launch of the company to begin over the counter (OTC ) market operations.

Correspondent banks to debit MFBs for Deposit Insurance Premium STORIES BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) said that correspondent banks have agreed to debit microfinance banks for deposit insurance premium, and transfer to the corporation.

Faced with increasing incidence of bank distress and failure in the late 1980s and the attendant impact on public confidence in the nation’s financial institutions, the Federal Government introduced the Deposit insurance Scheme (DIS) in 1989 with the promulgation of the NDIC Act 1988. The purpose of the scheme was to protect the deposit of small savers from the negative effect of

bank failure. Hence, the scheme insures deposits, initially up to N100, 000 but now up N200, 000 i.e. maximum insured deposits. By so doing, the scheme helps to maintain public confidence in the banking system.

As the administrator of the DIS , the NDIC collects deposit insurance premium from banks (including mortgage banks and microfinance banks) which is pooled together in the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF).

In the event of bank’s failure, the Corporation uses the DIF to settle depositors up to the maximum insured limit.

Managing Director/Chief

Executive Officer, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, however said that MFBs have not been paying the required deposit insurance premium.

Speaking at a workshop in Lagos at a two day workshop for the Micro Finance Bank operators, Umaru said, “We are concer ned that many MFBs are not operating as they should and neither do they play by the rules. As many as 15 per cent of the over 880 MFBs operating presently in the country fail to render returns to the supervisory authorities as and when due, while as many fail to pay their annual premium as required by Law.

The Corporation has proposed tripartite agreement wherein the correspondent banks of the MFBs would be required to debit their accounts and credit the Corporation with the premium due.

Ibrahim , who was represented by the Director of Special Insured Institutions Department, NDIC, Bashir Dada Umar said, “The regulatory authorities are aware of the challenges affecting micro finance banking sub sector in the country. Some of the challenges include under capitalisation, illiquidity, high cost of funds, high operating cost, poor infrastructure, false life style or proprietors/managers of MFB’s.

Vanguard, THURSDAY , JUNE 27, 2013—23

ARSO president seeks regulation of service industry ...SON set to unveil ISO 26,000 CSR

BY FRANKLIN ALLI & JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE President of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has called for the regulation of services industry in the continent.

Odumodu, who is also the Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), charged manufacturers in African countries to adopt high standards in processing and manufacturing goods, noting it will boost export earnings for the continent.

He made these calls during the African Standardisation Day held in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon.

“The services industry is becoming increasingly wide spread in our continent. It also constitutes a key driving force behind our economies. For this reason we need to regu-

late the service industry through standards to ensure we reap maximum benefits,” he said He stressed that standards play a big role in marketing products, adding that consumers on the continent and the international market will be guaranteed quality products.

We need to ensure that as much as we want to rapidly industrialise our economies it should not be at the expense of the environment. Standards will give direction on issues such as safe handling and disposal of hazardous material, industrial safety as well as planned human settlements,” he said.

Meanwhile, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has said that it is set to adopt a new standard policy, Social Responsibility Standard, in Nigeria.

The Director General, SON, Dr. Joseph

Odumodu, disclosed this during the presentation of ‘NIS ISO 22,000: 2005’ Food Safety Management System Certification to Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, in Lagos.

He said the new standard will ensure that busi-

nesses have standards that they look up to in terms of engaging the people they operate in their environment and also monitor impacts assessment. He, therefore, called on businesses in the country to subscribe to

the ISO 26,000 which will be adopted next month in Abuja.

He enjoined Promasidor to continue to strive for excellence since quality assurance remains the best option for sustaining business growth.

The SON boss however warned that the company having gained certification for its production process has been placed under periodic assessment and risks withdrawal of the certificate if found unworthy

Grand Oak invests in new packaging technology

G

RAND Oak Limited has invested in a new packaging technology to protect its alcoholic and wine products from adulteration.

The company’s brands are Calypso coconut, Dark Sailor Rum and Seaman’s Schnapps.

“We pioneered the introduction of 3cl satchels in transparent film and later upgraded it from transparent film to laminate; we also pioneered the offering of alcoholic beverages in 20cl Pet bottles,and now introducing the new Cool Twista range,” said Mr. Akshay Kumar, the company’s Managing Director.

“We did a lot of research to have come out with this new innovation . Time change, people change, and so we give consumers what they are looking for.

“Also, this innovation is a powerful way of making sure the products is not faked ; Our consumers should be 100 percent sure that what they are getting is absolutely the genuine stuff, he said.

Charles Nnochiri, Category Manager, added that the company believes so much in its consumers so much that the more

they evolve, we evolve with them.

According to him, Grand Oak is a company motivated by innovation, stressing: Innovation is what makes us leader in the wine and spirit industry; a slogan says Innovate or die. I can confirm to you that we are the only company in the whole of Sub Saharan Africa using this technology to bottle wine and alcoholic drink,’ he said.

General Manager Marketing, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Brajesh Kumar; Financial Controller, Mrs Folasade Adebayo; Managing Director, Mr. Akshay Kumar and Chairman, Association of Hot and Wine Drink (South/West), Mr Soyemi Akeem during the unveiling of Cool Twista, a new packaging innovation by the company in Lagos.

Trade relations: Israeli Ambassador lists priority areas

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

I

SRAELI Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti, has promised to take strengthening trade and commerce relations with Nigeria as a top

priority.

Israel is one of the most important countries to Nigeria and my job is to strengthen that relationship in terms of trade and commerce,” he said.

The newly appointed ambassador commended Nigeria-Israel Chamber of Commerce (NICC) in Lagos for its role in business linkages between the two countries.

He said that there is

HSE: Lafarge records zero fatality in operations

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

L

AFARGE WAPCO Nigeria has disclosed that the company did not record any form of accident or fatality this year following some safety measures put in place to guard its workforce, said Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Joe Hudson.

The company also said that injury frequency rate has been reduced maximally.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark its annual Health and Safety Month,

Hudson said the feat was made possible through continuous engagement of all employees to imbibe health and safety culture.

He stated that the company sees the period of the Health and Safety Month as an ‘opportunity to pause and think about our current situation and deliberate on our target destination of being one of the safest places to work in.

In a presentation on stakeholders’ commitment, Mr. Edward Alabi, said that between 2006 and 2012,

Lafarge Group was been able to reduce fatality globally by half, while work related accidents were reduced by quarter, adding, “No matter how successful we have been, we are not yet where we want to be. The target is to eliminate fatality completely.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Olawuni Oyeyemi, Controller of Labour, Ogun State, commended the company for showing high level of commitment to all important health and

safety issues in Nigeria.

He said, “According to International Labour Organisation, ILO, every year, an estimated two million people die as a result of occupational accidents and work related diseases across the world. There are some two 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million work related diseases each year.

“It is noteworthy to mention that Lafarge Group has shown high level of commitment to all important health and safety issues in Nigeria.”

need for both countries to have confidence in security issues, stressing that people are safe in Israel, just as Abuja and other places.

To the Chamber, he said “I need your help to convince people from Israel to come to Abuja and I will help you to persuade Nigerians to go to Tel Aviv.

“If Google has bought Israeli Hitech Company with $1 billion, then you do not need a better perception of Israel’s economy,” he said.

In the same vein, wife of the Ambassador, Mrs. Ayulut Palti said. If we must change perception from both side, I think it will be wise to improve our cultural relation.

President NICC, Senator Ben Obi, noted that terrorism is not limited to Nigeria or Israel alone and if Israel economy is robust, the context of security might be redefined.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY,JUNE 27, 2013

NIWA, LASG on collision course over shoreline encroachment

BY GODWIN ORITSE

T

HE National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Government (LASG) are currently at logger head over some claimed shorelines in the Lekki area of Lagos.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, the Managing Director of the authority, Hajiya Maryam Inna Ciroma said that the state government has encroached on some of its shorelines despite the visible sign boards warning trespassers to stay clear of the properties Ciroma explained that the state government encroach on the NIWA’s property and went on to get legislative powers to acquire them.

The NIWA boss also disclosed that while negotiations are on going on some yet to be resolved lands illegally claimed by the state government, the same government has gone ahead to claim more lands She explained that the state government was expected to maintain the statu quo until all outstanding issues regarding illegally claimed lands are resolved.

“Without waiting for the outcome of the on going negotiations, the

state kept on trespassing,on NIWA ‘s properties and claiming lands that do not belong to the state.

“The recent acquisition was less than three months ago” she added.

Hajiya Ciroma explained that the authority will definitely take it up with the state government since Federal laws supercedes states laws adding that by the Act setting up NIWA, the authority is very aware of its jurisdiction.

The land allegedly acquired by the Lagos government is the shoreline at the lekki scheme one over looking Banana Island in Ikoyi.

Ciroma said “This particular piece of land belongs to NIWA , that is our right of way and the Lagos State government has put a fence on it and they are trying to claim it as part of their property.

“We have laws that govern this country, we have the concurrent list, we have the legislative list and all other laws that govern the country.

“If the Federal Government passes a law, it is binding on everybody and Federal supercedes state laws , and the law setting up NIWA has clearly specified certain right of way for the authority.

“For the Lagos state Government to have encroached on our right of way and insist that they have passed a law in the State House of Assembly, is

T

HE National Assembly has thrown its weight behind last week submission of the Instrument of Ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), saying it will hasten the process of domestication of the all-important convention.

This assurance was given last week in Geneva, Switzerland by the chairmen of the House of Representatives committees on Treaties and Agreements; Hon Yakub Alebiosu and his counterpart in committee on Labour and Productivity; Hon Essien Ekpeyong.

The duo spoke at a dinner to commemorate the historic submission,

where they also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Minister of transport as well as that of Labour and productivity for ensuring that the convention was ratified by the Federal Government.

Emphasising that the responsibility of domesticating the convention rest squarely on the shoulder of the National Assembly, Hon Alebiosu observed that, “ yes, everyone is excited, but that should be after domestication”.

“We are looking forward to receiving the instrument and I want to assure you that we will do everything to fast track the process of ratification”, he told the

the Managing Director of the agency, Mr. Yinka Marinho did not take calls when we phoned.

Recall that while the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is responsible for regulation of water transport in Nigeria, the Lagos State Waterways Authority are responsible for the state.

DEPLOYMENT : The newly re-deployed Customs Area Controller of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Nuhu Mahmud (third left) with members of the management team.

FG directs service providers to work with Customs

By GODFREY BIVBERE

T

HE Federal Government has directed the three Service Providers engaged to provide scanning services at the nation’s seaports,

National Assembly assures on quick domestication of 2006 MLC

By GODWIN ORITSE

unacceptable to us.

“We will keep talking to the State Government because dialogue is better than legal tussle, we will see if we can dialogue with them and

see how we can resolve this issue in our interest.

“If that fails, we will employ legal means to ensure that we recover our rightful property from Lagos Government”.

Effort to get comments from the management of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) was futile as

high profile guest who had thronged out for the dinner.

Expressing total support for what Alebiosu said, his labour and productivity counterpart; Hon Ekpeyong equally stressed: “Immediately it comes, we will fast track it and ensure that it is passed”.

But speaking earlier, the executive director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Barister Callistus Obi had assured the guests of the agency ’s total commitment to the final lap of making the MLC 2006 domestication into reality.

airports and land borders to work with officials of the Nigeria Customs (NCS) in the next six months with a view to handing over in November..

The three Service Providers are Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited, Societe General De Surveiliance (SGS) and Global Scansystems Limited.

A source close to the Ministry of Finance told Vanguard that government is determined to ensure that the Service Providers hand over at the end of the second extension of the contract.

An official of one of the Service Providers at the ports who confirmed this to Vanguard said that they are already working with Customs officers at their locations in line with the directive.

Public Relations Officer of the Apapa Area1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Emma Ekpa, told Vanguard that though they have not gotten any directive

to that effect yet, but they have been working closely with the service provider.

He noted that they have been taking responsibility for every task that falls within their area of jurisdiction while the service providers do the same.

Recall that the Federal Government recently rejigged the scanning slots of the three Service Providers after the extension of the destination Inspection contract.

In the new disposition, , Globalscan System Limited, the only indigenous operator amongst the three appointed by government is now to handle Apapa port where Nigeria’s largest volume of imported cargoes come trough into the country.

According to a circular from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signed

by Batere Musa, Director in charge of Trade and Exchange Department, disclosed that Globalscan apart from handling the scanning functions at

nation’s premier port, will also be responsible for the same service at the Murtala M o h a m m e d International Airport, Seme land border, Ikorodu Land border and Warri port.

Cotecna Destination Inspection Nigeria Ltd, which before handles Apapa port has swoop places with Globalscan and will now add Port and Terminal Multipurpose Ltd (PTML) hitherto handled by Globalscan to its area of coverage.

Cotecna is expected to hold on to its previous allotment of Abuja International Airport, Kano International Airport, Lagos Free Trade Zone, Jibiya border post and Banki border post.

Similarly, SGS Inspection will still hold on to its previously held allotments of Port Haercourt port, Onne port, Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt Free Trade Zone, Onne Free Trade Zone, Ilorin International Airport.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 — 25

learning@vanguardngr.com

BY DAYO ADESULU

E

MINENT Nigerian professors in diaspora who are making waves in the education sector, have stormed Ekiti State for two weeks to impact knowledge and chart the way forward for the ailing education sector.

Delivering the keynote address at the official launch of Ikogosi Graduate Summer School (IGSS) at Ikogosi, Ekiti State, Professor Niyi Osundare who threw his weight behind Professor Wole Soyinka's call for a declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector said, there is a lot of truth in what he said.

“Let us dismantle it and rebuild again. It may not be that drastic as there are a lot of rooms for improvement.”

He posited that the setback in Nigeria's education sector was due to government's inability for many years to rectify it, noting that it is always easy to destroy but difficult to build. According to him, we are reaping the result of our education which went backward for two decades.

The poet said that in declaring a state of emergency, we have to look at the various institutions in the country to know those that qualify and those that parade

Iganmode Grammar Sch wins Cowbell maths contest - Page 26

Mixed reactions trail FG’s fibre-optic network - Page 30 Firm trains 200 teachers on ICT in teaching - Page 27 C M Y K

Osundare backs call for state of emergency in sector themselves as universities in Nigeria. “How many are qualified as universities, how many are there to teach and how many were established for the purpose of profit and ego?"

He pointed out that the 129 universities in Nigeria are too many as many of them lack

•As Fayemi launches IGSS the qualities of a university.

The solution according to him, is not in the numbers of students who gain admission into the universities but in quality of education they

receive.

“Setting up mushroom universities is going to compound the problems," he added.

Osundare who urged the Federal Government to

revalidate and strengthen the existing universities, disclosed that expanding the existing ones to accommodate the teeming youths seeking admission will place the sector in a better position.

Continues on page 36

•From left: Deputy Governor, Ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; wife, Erelu Bisi; Babafemi Ojudu,Senator representing Ekiti Central at the National Assembly, Prof. Sola Adeyeye , Osun Central Senatorial District and Prof. Niyi Osundare delivering his Keynote address at Ekiti State during the opening of the first Ikogosi Graduate Summer School, at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ekiti, Ekiti State.

FG restates commitment to eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

HE Federal Government has restated its unwavering commitment to the elimination of all forms of illiteracy from the nation through harnessing its high level partnership with local and international development partners.

Speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Tuesday when he granted audience to the Director, Bureau for the Development of Education in Africa, BREDA, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, Dr. Ann-Therese Ndog-Jatta stated that there is no way meaningful development can take place in the face of illiteracy.

He stated that the administration’s programmes in the areas of Almajiri, girl-child, boy-child, adult literacy and non-formal education programmes are all geared to-

wards eradicating all forms of illiteracy from the nation.

He said; “If previous administrations had worked towards eradicating illiteracy the way President Goodluck Jonathan has done in the past two years, we would have substantially tackled this challenge.

"However, I am happy we are making serious progress with our direct partnership with UNESCO and we shall continue to build on the successes already recorded."

Barr. Wike noted with satisfaction the train-the-trainer programme being executed by UNESCO for the Federal Ministry of Education, pointing out that the programme will help in building capacity of literacy facilitators across the country.

He said that the programme is also aimed at re-vitalizing adult literacy with emphasis on skills development and wealth creation for the empowerment of

less privileged Nigerians. He assured UNESCO that the Federal Ministry of Education will lead advocacy and awareness creation to state governors and the private sector to ensure that they key into the need to support the efforts of the administration in improving the literacy level of the Nigerian people.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Education will also link up with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan to request the wives of state governors to actively participate in adult/youth literacy programmes.

“We still appeal to UNESCO to continue to extend more technical support to us in the area of elimination of illiteracy in our nation. By next year, we shall increase the level of funding for literacy programmes and all mass literacy agencies will be galvanized to take the efforts of Continues on page 30

26 —VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Iganmode Grammar School wins Cowbell maths contest

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

I

GANMODE Grammar School, Ojuore, Ota, Ogun State made history last Thursday as they emerged winners of the 2013 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) for the third year running.

The school also won the Benson Oweka Memorial Prize of higher education exercise books and pens for all its students for its consistent outstanding performance average over a three-year period spanning 2011 to 2013.

The prize was instituted in memory of late Benson Oweka, the Brand Manager of Cowbell Milk who died 11 years ago in a plane crash in Kano.

Coming first with 94 per cent in the senior category was Master Akindele Oyedele, an SS2 student of Iganmode Grammar School, who went home with N300,000 and a laptop.

Following closely with 83 per cent was Miss Adegbohungbe Lois from Reality High School, Ilesa, Osun State, who won N250,000 and also a laptop while Master Obasi Nnamdi Peter from University of Nigeria Secondary School, Enugu, with 81 per cent took third position. He went home with N200,000 and a laptop.

In the junior category, 13year-old Master Iyoha Omonzokpia of Loyola Jesuit College, Mangoro, Abuja, came

first with 93 per cent. He carted home N250,000.

Omojola Samuel of Reality High School, Oromu, Osun State, came second with 91 per cent and went home with N200,000 while 14-year-old Master Amulah Caleb, with 89 per cent, came third and won for himself N150,000.

While the top 10 winners in the senior category went home with laptops, the national champions and their teachers in both categories will be sponsored to an all-expense paid vacation by Promasidor.

Welcoming the winners and guests, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Nigeria, Chief Keith Richards, said the vision of the organisation is to give all eligible Nigerian children the opportunity to participate in the competition, thus improving their performance in mathematics. ”The primary objective of the CSR initiative is to arouse and re-awaken interest in mathematics amongst secondary school students as a road map to nation building.”

In a keynote address, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Professor Adewale Solarin, noted that NASSMAC is Promasidor’s contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure the technological development of the country through popularisation of mathematics and mathematical sciences amongst the youths.

In the same vein, a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Education, who represented the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, Dr. Abbas Adebibu, thanked Promasidor for supporting the transformation agenda of the Federal Government through its sponsorship of NASSMAC on an annual basis.

From left: Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kachi Onubogu; first prize winner in the senior category, Master Akindele Oyedele of Iganmode Grammar School, Ojuore, Ota, Ogun State; Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Abbas Adebibu and MD/CEO Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, at the 2013 Cowbell NASSMAC prizegiving ceremony in Abuja.

Students urged to avoid negative peer pressure

By EKEMINI EYOH

T

HE Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice LawrenceNemi has advised students to steer clear of friends that influence them negatively. The Commissioner made this charge at the 2013 Total Open Day Forum for students from Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

The Total Open Day Forum is part of the Total E&P Corporate Social Responsibility with the aim of providing quality guidance and counselling to students in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. The Commissioner who was represented by the Director, Higher Education, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mae Solomon described peer group pressure as influence that a peer group exerts on others to change their attitudes, values, or behaviours to conform to group norms. Mrs.

Solomon said that peer group pressure is always high during adolescence.

She also said that peer group pressure is always negative although such peer pressures have the positive sides. “Peer groups and the pressure they bring to bear on young people to conform to the group are not necessarily always negative.

Peer group pressures can be positive influences to succeed such as in a sporting team, classroom or church choir. Peer groups are often supportive environments within which adolescents can achieve their major developmental goals of identity formation and autonomy, that is, eventual separation from parental authority.”

Solomon advised the students to join groups like the Press club, Drama and Reading clubs that will motivate and inspire them to achieve their goals in life. “Today, my focus is on the positive aspects of

•Alice Lawrence-Nemi peer group pressure. As students and as someone aspiring to be a better person in life, I ask you to join groups that will affect your life positively.

Groups like the Reading clubs, Press Club, Drama Club, choir etc. Such groups will inspire and motivate you to achieve your goals in life.

Also, I want to advise you to desist from groups that will distract you academically, social-

ly and morally.” She, however, called on parents to stay close to their children to guide them especially during the adolescent period. The Commissioner also commended Governor Rotimi Amaechi Rivers for transforming the education sector in the state and also the management of Total E&P for organising the Open Day Forum for students.

Another speaker at the forum, Prof. Ogbonna Joel said that peer groups affect the behaviour of a child. He stated that good peer group can make someone to be a better person.

He advised the students to always think right, choose right and act right stressing that the key to success lies in it. Other speakers at the forum include Dr Augusta Fubara, Dr Chuka Nwagbara who spoke on Peer group pressure and drug abuse among students, Mr. Emma Ezeoba amongst others.

Wike to declare NECO stakeholders' forum open

M

INISTER of State for Education, Mr. Nyeson Wike will on Friday in Lagos declare open a Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) for the South -West Zone.

The theme of the forum, Repositioning NECO for more Effective Service Delivery: A Collective Approach, is aimed at involving stakeholders in the task of taking the council to the next level.

Chairman, NECO Governing Board, Dr. Paddy Njoku in an interview said stakeholders expected at the forum include all the Executive Governors of the South-West states and their Commissioners for Education, the National and South West States Chairmen of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Parents Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN).

Others include the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), secondary school principals under the umbrella of ANCOPSS and secondary school students, particularly SS 2 students in the zone.

Njoku further disclosed that NECO Registrar, Professor Promise Nwachukwu Okpala, Professor Pai Obanya, Professor Osinowo and Professor Nuhu Yakub are among the eminent scholars expected to present papers and serve as discussants at the occasion.

British Council introduces Int’l School Award in Nigeria

T

he British Council has an nounced the introduction of International School Award in Nigeria. The Award which recognises commitment to developing global citizenship in young people will also prepare them for work in a global economy by increasing their understanding of other countries’ cultures and international learning in the curriculum.

The Award according to a release will provides a motivational framework for teachers to develop themselves professionally and enhance an international dimension to their skills. It is available to any school, recognising different levels of achievement in international work.

To gain the Award, schools must submit evidence of the impact of international strategies and activities and must demonstrate that the whole school is engaged in the process.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 —27

Firm trains 200 teachers on ICT in teaching

By DAYO ADESULU

P

URSUANT to the first of June when the MTN declared a 21day free teaching for public school students in Nigeria, its ICT facilitator went further last week to train over 200 teachers on the use of ICT to deliver lecture to students.

Speaking with journalists at the end of the exercise held at MTN Apapa branch office, Mr Felix Omojola, MTN 2013 Project Manager said that the seminar was meant to open a new horizon for teachers in the federation as it was held in three major regions in Nigeria. “It was held in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja,” he said.

According to Omojola, the seminar is to project the use of ICT in education adding that teachers need to create more exciting ways in getting students to understand their subjects. He said; “ICT is the bedrock of e-learning today.

Anyone who is serious in impacting knowledge, needs to know the way of using ICT to achieve this.”

Asked if the cost of possessing ICT will not be a hin-

drance, Omojola argued that the cost cannot be a barrier to the use of ICT in this part of the world saying, “over 34 million Nigerians today have access to the penetration of data from the globe.” He explained that through MTN, anyone can have penetration to data at affordable cost, stressing that the cost of acquiring ICT equipment and data is reducing by the day.

“We should not be talking of cost effect but ability to use ICT

to enhance learning and teaching,” he added.

Speaking on why MTN focuses mainly on public schools, Omojola reiterated that the choice was basically due to paucity of funds in running public schools adding, “because private schools have been taken care of by the owners, hence we decided to concentrate on public schools in the country believing that they are lagging behind in ICT equipment.”

Speaking in the same vein, the facilitator for MTN on ICT training, Mr Peter Kanmi outlined the importance of teachers using ICT to teach students.

According to him, the innovation helps students to remember better and learn better. He asserted that it will help science teachers to learn together and also help students to understand easily. He, however, disclosed that using ICT to teach will not replace a teacher as teachers are still their guide.

•A cross section of teachers at Yello Care seminar held in Lagos.

School improves academic delivery, floats multimillion naira facilities

BY MUSBAUDEEN SEKONI

D

EDICATED to maintain ing a policy of continuous investment in teaching and learning, human capital , infrastructure and environmental development, St. Saviour ’s School, Ebute-Metta, recently commissioned a state-of-the-art building to punctuate her dedication to a standard educational venture.

The Diamond Jubilee Building, which was commissioned alongside a borehole and water treatment plant, has been described by those who graced the event as record-making in the history of primary education in Nigeria.

Some of the guests include Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Nnamdi Mbanefo (SAN), the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and the Director of Admin and Human Resources, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Aminu Guso.

The Chair, Board of Management (BoM), Mr. Tom Ogboi, in his address, noted that apart from the fact that the school is cautiously walking the path of the founding fathers in the last 63 years, which was to provide the foundation for a wellC M Y K

rounded educational training, developing the total man and character formation for leaders of tomorrow in every endeavour of life said, “We are proud to say that we have kept the vision of the founding fathers of the two schools and have actually expanded the scope in terms of teaching and learning delivery systems and technology, which were not envisaged at the conceptual stages.”

“The Diamond Jubilee Building is a modern world class educational facility with eight modern classrooms powered with ICT systems, interactive white boards, maximum airconditioned circulation spaces, well lit and served with fire detective/alarm system, audio evacuation, PAS and portable fire fighting appliances, library facilities, resource centers, language laboratories, office ac-

commodation and a total of 20 toilet facilities, across the floors.”

The Chairman, Building Committee, BoM, Mr. Austin Onaro, who gave an insight into the roughly N200m project, added that, “The Board of Management also took the opportunity to install a borehole to supplement low mains supply in the Railway Compound in which the school is situated and serve the school’s neighbours.”

From right, Chairman, Board of Management, Mr Tom Ogboi; SUBEB Chairman, Lagos State, Mrs Daudu Agbolahun; Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Luois Mbanefo and School Chaplain, Venerable Ezediaro at the commissioning of the Diamond Jubilee building at Saint Saviour's School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

UNN Alumni Association holds 84th NEC meeting

T

HE University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Alumni Association holds her 84th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting from 4th - 7th July, 2013 at the prestigious Standard Alliance Events Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The theme for the meeting is Education, Standards and Society.

The guest speaker for the event, will be Prof. Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, PhD, OON, NPOM, Nigeria's Minister of Power, just as the National President, Dr. Nwanne Chioke, will lead other national officers, including presidents and representatives of the over 40 branches of the Association to the meeting.

The alumni uses the NEC meeting to bring together all Lions and Lionesses within and outside the country to rub minds on issues as they affect their alma mater, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as the larger society. It also serves as an opportunity to sustain networking among members, as they share their ideas on various aspects of nation-building and professional development in their respective fields of endeavour.

The opening ceremony, which is expected to be declared open, by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, will be chaired by the Chairman of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, who is also, the Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

Members of the Alumni Association will also use the period of the meeting to review new areas for intervention regarding infrastructural facilities at the institution.

The Local Organising Committee for the meeting is chaired by Professor Pat Utomi of the Pan-African University and Director, Lagos Business School.

The President of the Lagos Branch of the Association, Chief (Barr.) Andrew Oru, calls on all Lions and Lionesses, along with their friends and friends of the university in Lagos State and environs, to endeavour to attend the opening ceremony on Saturday, July 6, 2013.

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Student donates to management

Firm trains undergraduates

BY GILBERT ALASA, UNIBEN

A

TOTAL of 105 youths made up of fresh graduates and undergraduates have completed training on employability and enterprise skills by the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC) and TY Danjuma Foundation. The event which lasted for three weeks was held at the Precious Palm Royal Hotel in Benin-City, Edo State.

The Managing Director of Precious Palm Royal Hotel, Barrister Nosagie Jude charged the trainees to inculcate healthy values in their endeavours. He noted that discipline is crucial for anyone who wants to lead a successful life.

In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of AGDC, Mrs. Detoun Ogwo

lamented the high level of unemployment in the country and urged the trainees to take advantage of the training as a platform to set themselves apart from the crowd. Mrs. Ogwo urged participants to learn to communicate their skills and competencies as no employer underestimates value. Participants were also taught practical skills in resume-writing, business development, presentation skills, personal branding, self management, problem solving proficiencies amongst others.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony last week, Projects Officer of AGDC, Mr. Godbless Otubure told the trainees to approach life with renewed vigour and constantly strive for excellence in their various career pursuits. He said; “I want them to go out there and showcase what they have

learnt. I want them to become the agents for activating the local economy.”

A 400 level student of Foreign Languages at the University of Benin, Chidi Joyce who participated in the programme commended the organisers. “I believe AGDC has prepared me to take on the world. In three weeks, I learnt what I could not learn in school for four years,” she said.

Meanwhile, the training was followed by a community development exercise in seven local government areas in the state. During the exercise, career development sessions were held and learning materials were also distributed to secondary schools in the state. Principal of Edo Boys College, Mrs Emokpai-Ogbebor Mariana lauded the gesture when one of the teams visited her school on Friday.

BY STANLEY UCHEGBU

S

TUDENTS, especially those in tertiary institutions are known mostly for demanding for one thing or the other. While some spend their allowances extravagantly, others think of ways to invest and multiply the little they have. But Rejoice Eziedo popularly known as Ada Chris, a final year student of Educational Administration and Planning and the former Coordinator of Female Leadership Forum, University of Calabar Chapter (FLF UCC) thought it wise to donate generously to the Student Affairs Division an ultra modern notice board which will facilitate information dissemination on campus.

While presenting the ultra modern notice board to Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Eyong, Rejoice extolled the management and some staff in her department for their outstanding performance in carrying out their duties.

She added that since she gained admission into the institution, it has been a driving force in the realisation of her lofty dreams and ideas. Citing from the words of Abraham Lincoln, she said; “Don’t leave any environment the way you meet it, always bring positive change to make it better.”

Unveiling the notice board, Eyong who was exhilarated by the project thanked Rejoice immensely for the good gesture. He said; “It is a thing of joy and surprising that a student could have the wisdom to think of adding to the system, we thank her very much for the presentation and we promise to make use of it diligently.” He noted further that even if students got infuriated and came up with the idea of vandalisation, when they come to Student Affairs Division, they will find out that the board was donated by a Malabress and they will spare it.”

Reacting to the gesture, the me. It was a friend, Satope, who approached the toilet and Student’s Union President, found the baby that called an Hon. Bassey Eka, commendelderly cleaner for assistance. ed her ceaselessly for her beOyinlola said she was scared nevolence, adding that she because she was not expecting has demonstrated an attribute the baby that day. “Seeing the of a good leader with stubaby was terrifying because I dents’ interest at heart. He was not expecting the baby to prayed to God to give her the come out yet. grace to continue to do more She debunked insinuations for the university. He also that she attempted running urged the students to emulate away when one of the cleaners her and equally ensure they saw her. “That is untrue! More- leave a legacy behind before mi hostel’s toilet is a public graduation. place where everybody comes Speaking to Quadlife shortin almost at the same time. Peo- ly after the presentation, the ple were everywhere while I former SUG vice-presidential was in the toilet. Just like me, aspirant said; “Life is not just everybody was scared when how happy you are but how they saw me and they had to call the cleaner for help be- happy others can be through cause she is an elderly person. you. "

I did not attempt to flush my baby — OAU Student

By SIKIRU AKINOLA

W

HEN news spread that Oyinlola Diana Rotimi, a 400 level student at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, allegedly attempted to flush her child down the toilet, there were criticisms and counter-criticisms. This prompted Sikiru Akinola, 400 level Political Science student to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, in a release, had debunked the rumour, saying that the lady never intended to terminate the baby’s life but

gave birth before due date as she was said to be ignorant of child delivery. ”The truth,” the image maker said, “is that there was a delivery of a baby boy by an inexperienced mother who, in her naivety, thought she was pressed by call of nature while she was actually in labour pains. ”Prior to the child’s delivery, the young, inexperienced mother was bleeding and went to the toilet only to discover that something expelled into the water closet. ”It is overwhelming, it’s unexplainable; I can’t explain it.

I don’t know how I feel but it’s really great and wonderful.”

Those were the words of Oyinlola Rotimi, when our corre-

Frequently confused words Exercise Choose the appropriate word from the alternatives in the parenthesis.

1. ‘(Breathe/Breath) in… out’, said the Coach.

2. President Goodluck Jonathan promised to C M Y K

spondent sought to know how she felt about the birth of the baby boy. She said the allegation that she wanted to flush the baby was untrue. ”It is not true at all. It is blatant lie. I was purging through out the night and I had no idea what labour pain was. Actually, I can’t call it labour pain because I was going to the toilet throughout the night till that fateful morning. ”I went through pain going to the toilet all through the night. I went to the toilet that morning to defecate. There was this force that just came out and the baby came out and entered into the closet. I was just there standing and bleeding. People came out when they saw blood coming out of the toilet to help

give the nation a (breathe/breath) of fresh air.

3. The athlete (breathed/breath) deeply before speaking to journalists.

4. His (breathed/breath) smelt of alcohol.

5. My wife sat (besides/beside) me during the church service.

6. A tree is growing (besides/beside) our house.

7. What other sports do you like (besides/beside) football?

8. (Besides/ beside) working as a doctor, Femi Olugbile also writes novels 9. The cooking gas (diffuses/defuses) in the air.

10. Members of the Joint Task Force are trying to (diffuses/defuse) tension in some parts of the North.

11. The Professor’s theory is ( vulnerable/ venerable) to criticism.

12.

Children and women are most (vulnerable/ zCONTINUES NEXT WEEK. Send requests/problems to Gabriel Osoba, Ph.D, Department of English, Lagos State University, Ojo, through Editor, Teach Yourself English, Vanguard Newspapers, PMB. 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or email: editor@vanguardngr.com & gabosoba002@yahoo.co

venerable) to abuse during civil war.

Correction 1. ‘Breathe in… out’, said the Coach.

2. President Goodluck Jonathan promised to give the nation a breath of fresh air.

3. The athlete breathed deeply before speaking to journalists.

4. His breath smelt of alcohol.

5. My wife sat beside me during the church service.

6. A tree is growing beside our house.

7. What other sports do you like besides football?

8. Besides working as a doctor, Wale Okediran also writes novels 9. The cooking gas diffuses in the air.

10. Members of the Joint Task Force are trying to defuse tension in some parts of the North.

11. The Professor’s theory is vulnerable to criticism.

12. Children and women are most vulnerable to abuse during civil war.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 —29

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27,

2013

Mix ed reactions tr ail FG’s ffibre-optic ibre-optic ne twor Mixed trail networ tworkk

By LAJU ARENYEKA

T

HE Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, at the ministerial platform held recently said that the Federal Government would launch its Fibre-optic Research and Education Network, connecting 27 universities one another by the internet.

However, while some have commended the Minister ’s efforts, other stakeholders in the sector are skeptical about the idea.

Prof. Olu Jegede, Dean of Education and Professor of Computer Education at Obafemi Awolowo University Ife, said; “It is a welcome development because it will reposition the tertiary education system in many ways. It will promote resource sharing among universities. Students and faculty will have better access to theses, e-books and even laboratory facilities that belong to their colleagues.

They will also have opportunities for video conferencing; where students in one institution can view classes in another institution in real time.”

C M Y K

The Professor added that this initiative will in the long run increase the quality of graduates because “academics is all about interaction, and once interaction is increased, quality will also increase.”

Another academic, however, believes that such interaction

should take place among polytechnics and innovative enterprise institutions instead of universities. Dr. Andrews Jegede, National President of the Association of Innovation and Vocational Institutions said that the concept of fibre-optic networks among universities

will not work because universities do not deal with the technical aspect of learning.

According to him, “the universities will not be able to manage it because they lack the manpower and technical know-how to operate such a system.

Group excites YABATECH students on potentials

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

T

HE Yusuf Grillo Hall, Art Complex of the Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, was filled with expectant and excited students of the College who were tired of government’s neglect and had come to take charge of their future and destinies at the Future Is Now seminar. Organised by Bukasin Unique Touch, the seminar, which boasts of local and international mativational speakers and start-up entreprenuerial coaches, was aimed at prompting the youths to take charge of their future by understanding that they are responsible for what they become.

The convener of the seminar, Mr. Ebuka Ewuzi, said the power behind the seminar is to take ordinary men who have lost hope in the government to where they ought to be. ”We want people, especially students, know that they are responsible for their destinies and make that decision to succeed in life. This is because today’s youth blame their misfortune on

government, forgetting that they are the key players in how they turn out.”

On the choice of speakers, Ewuzi said they are young men and women who have fulfiled their potentials in life and have the passion to groom the next generation of leaders.

Pointing out that champions don’t wait for the future but work hard for the future to be now, the founder, I Am Champ Foundation, Mr. Abiola ‘Champ’ Salami, urged the students to work hard now so that their future would be better. ”Champions don’t sit in the now and think about their future but they work assiduously to ensure that their future is meaningful. Where you are going is a place of wealth but it requires lots of hard work because nobody would pay for your talents but your skills. ”We can only go as far as our competence and the illiterates of the 21st Century are not those that can’t read nor write but those who can’t relearn. This means that what you do now echoes into eternity and determines if you would be a champion or a tramp.”

FG restates commitment to eradicate illiteracy in Nigeria Continues from page 25 the administration to improve our literacy to the next level”, Wike said.

Earlier, the Director of the Bureau for the Development of Education in Africa, BREDA, Dr. Ann-Therese Ndog-Jatta while commending the Federal Government for sponsoring the training programmes being organised by UNESCO, declared that with improved commitment from states and local governments, illiteracy can be completely eradicated from the nation.

She said that with the population of Nigeria, if the illiteracy challenge is tackled in the country, it would go a long way in helping in the development of the region. She urged the Federal Ministry of Education to work towards engaging the governors and local governments to pay more attention to literacy programmes.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27 , 2013 — 31 ifychimexs@yahoo.com

Vol 01

No. 17

JUNE, 2013

www.vanguardngr.com

We have done well in capacity building, education— Dikko ... says he feels highly elated and challenged ...capacity building and education key to success

For his commitment in taking the Nigeria Customs Service to the next level, the Comptroller General, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi, CFR, was recently given an award by the Bulgaria Alumni Association. He has also won several other awards both in Nigeria and abroad. However, in this interview with Vanguard Customswatch, he said that he has done well in many areas especially in capacity building and education.

He said he regards his achievements as service to the nation, adding that he would do more to maintain the standards or go above it. Excerpt.

•CGC Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Stories by Ifeyinwa Obi

H

OW do you feel today after receiving the award?

Well, I feel great today because these are people that we have stayed together for almost six years in Bulgaria.

It is on record that virtually all the officers in the Nigeria Customs Service are now computer literate, that’s why we are motivated to take care of them

,

Some I met, some I left there.

So today, the re-union is giving me great joy. I thought we would not meet again, but as God would have it, we are all here together as a family, and we remember those old good days, when we were together in Bulgaria. So, I C M Y K

thank Almighty Allah, and I’m highly elated.

What does this award mean to you, in terms of your daily contribution to nation building, particularly the transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service?

Well, it’s like I’m challenged because what I’m doing is service to the nation, but

award by your former institution.

Can you remember a little about the school?

I can tell you that we learnt Bulgaria language then, but

having come back to Nigeria, one has to learn another language. But what actually made us exceptional from others is the hardwork and perseverance.

You want to see yourself as a servant, not a leader or a master. There was a lot of discipline in what we learnt.

One of the core values we learnt was that it’s dutiful to do all you have to do before you leave office for the day, or

you go to bed.

In terms of administrative expertise, and how to carry yourself, we learnt value in whatever we were doing. So, I must say I’m grateful to the school.

What are your words of advice for Nigerians who are going abroad to study?

They should be themselves

Continues on page 34

,

people are actually watching what I’m doing. They feel that I’m contributing to the nation, so I have to do more to maintain the standards or go above the standards.

In London, you were given an award; now in Lagos, you have been given another

CGC Abdullahi Dikko (left) receiving a special award from Alhaji Kabiru Tamini Turaki at the Bulgaria Alumni Association award nite in Abuja

32 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27 , 2013

Customs, EFCC partner against corruption •NCS commands to participate in anti-graft workshops

C

OMPTROLLER General of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi has disclosed that plans have been concluded for a joint anti-corruption campaign with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, to sustain the war against economic saboteurs.

He also stated that officers in various commands and formations across the country would now be participating in workshops in financial and corruption matters.

Abudullahi, who said this at the official launch of Joint Customs-EFCC Anti Corruption Campaign in Abuja, said the programme would instil integrity into the Service’s operations.

His words: ‘’In this campaign we have found a worthy partner in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to cooperate with us and spread

T

HE Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it intercepted contraband valued at N153.6m in May. The Public Relations Officer of the command, Uche Ejesieme, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the command also intercepted contraband valued at N91m in the corresponding period of 2012.

“May 2013, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘’A“ intercepted a total of 262 seizures of assorted contraband valued at N153, 678,768 with a Duty of N25, 359,073, and a Duty Paid Value of N179, 037, 841,” he said.

Comparative analysis He said the zone also had a total of 18 suspects arrested in connection with the seizure.

“A comparative analysis, at least you can see from the board here that for the corresponding period of last year, we had a total of 177 seizures of assorted contraband valued at N91 C M Y K

the message that together we are forging a united stand against corruption. ‘’In the past, Customs/EFCC collaboration has been a reference point of the best practice. Our officers seconded to the commission are instrumental to the commission’s success. We have worked closely together in special joint operations, investigations and training.

“In building this synergy, we are sending strong signals to all economic saboteurs that they now face a more difficult task to evade payment of Customs duty or smuggle prohibited goods through our borders. ‘’In embarking on this journey, we have fully prepared our officers and men for zero tolerance through our six-point agenda. We have improved their capacity through training. We have boosted their welfare through increase in salaries. We have

CGC Dikko Inde Abdullahi and chairman EFCC Ibrahim Lamorde exchanging bannerettes equally introduced full automation into our processes to reduce physical contacts and the environment for corruption.”

The Customs boss added: “I, therefore, urge all stakeholders and indeed the generality of Nigerians to support us in this historic campaign to instil integrity into our operations. This is an introspective initiative carefully designed to fire the consciousness of our officers and men and improve integrity and quality service

delivery. Officers who are supposed to be the fighting force in the battle against financial crimes, corruption and economic sabotage can not be expected to deliver on this mandate if they themselves are afflicted by the same malaise.’’

Accordingly, he said, ‘’ the programme will encourage the NCS to create a zero tolerance unit to sustain the campaign and promote transparency, accountability and integrity in the workplace.

The programme is therefore in

line with the preventive provision of EFCC Act of 2004 which mandates it to adopt measures which may include collaboration and regulatory actions aimed at prevention of economic related crimes.’’

Abdullahi said: “The programme will encourage officers to undertake a reexamination of their work processes and procedures for possible areas of vulnerability to acts of corruption and enhance their ability to identify such loopholes in their various units.’’

FOU Zone A intercepts goods worth N153.6m in May— Spokesman million. Total Duty is N10 million with a Duty Paid Value of N101 million and we also had 38 suspects during the period.

“Comparatively speaking, if you look at the two reports, you could see quite clearly, that we had actually raised our standards of operations because the successive Controllers of Federal Operations have always been putting modalities in place to make sure that we will continue to remain on top of our statutory assignment,” he added.

He said that some of the suspects apprehended along with the seizures were still being investigated, while some of them had been charged to court.

Ejesieme said the number of suspects declined to 18 in May 2013 from 38 in the corresponding period of 2012 due to the awareness campaign disseminated to the

CGC Dikko Inde Abdullahi and chairman EFCC Mr Ibrahim Lamorde leading other dignitaries in the walk against corruption

public against smuggling. He advised the smugglers to desist from criminal acts which he described as injurious to the nation’s

economy.

“Apart from that we need to also help develop our GDP because the more we continue to smuggle the more it affects

us, the more issues of unemployment become pronounced.

“If they decide to be Continues on page 33

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27 , 2013 — 33

FOU Zone A intercepts goods worth N156m in May —Spokesman Continues from page 32

NCS/EFCC joint anti corruption walk

EFCC chairman makes case for NCS integrity unit •Commends NCS boss on anti-corruption

T

HE Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Lamorde has called on the Nigeria Customs Service,NCS, to establish an integrity unit, noting that it would provide a rallying point for the promotion of transparency and accountability.

He also commended the Comptroller General, Alhaji

Dikko Inde Abdullahi, for accepting to partner with the EFCC in the fight against graft.

Lamorde said this in Abuja at the EFCC Anti-corruption Sensitisation Programme organised for the NCS. His words:’’This partnership will go a long way to show that the EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service , as key players in the Nigerian law

enforcement community, have a zero tolerance on corruption.

“Experiences shared and the lessons learnt from this interaction and others scheduled to hold in various Customs commands around the country, I believe should be the resilient framework on which the relationship between the two agencies should be built.’’

Lamorde added: “I wish to call on the Comptroller General to accept my proposal for the establishment of an NCS Integrity Unit . The unit is expected to be the rallying point for the promotion of transparency and accountability in the NCS towards the achievement of the mandate of the service.’’

recalcitrant, Customs particularly the Federal Operations Unit would continue to wreak havoc on them because if they continue to smuggle we would continue to arrest.

“If you go to warehouse now, in workshop area you will see the quantum to seizures that we have impounded over the period,” he said The spokesman said it was better for smugglers to have a change of attitude and channel their money in more useful ventures instead of using it to engage in smuggling activities because “I can assure you that we are not relenting.

“Moreso now that we have been so motivated by the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde CFR, and his management team.”

He said a new comptroller, Isa Nuhu, had been posted to the unit since June 11 following the routine change that took place recently at the headquarters

CCC kick-starts markets sensitisation campaigns at Lagos Int’l Trade Fair Complex

I

N a bid to ensure increased adherence to government policies on the part of the importing public, the Customs Consultative Committee (CCC) last Thursday launched its intensive market sensitisation campaign at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Ojo, Lagos.

The Committee was set up by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdulahi, to facilitate trade and monitor the level of compliance by both Customs personnel, importers, and Customs agents.

Membership of the Committee includes Customs, importers, Customs agents and the Press.

At the sensitisation campaign, which witnessed an overwhelming turnout, a C M Y K

member of the CCC, and National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke, explained the cargo clearance processes to the business community .

Fast track system Nweke stated that when importers were fully compliant in their declarations, they would benefit from the fasttrack system, stressing that this would reduce cost of doing business at the ports.

Nweke noted that when the Service finally assumes full control of destination inspection scheme, the new cargo clearance procedure, the Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) will further help in facilitating trade.

He said: “The PAAR will ensure that as soon as a vessel leaves her port of origin, the shipper or the carrier agent will transmit electronically the shipping manifest to the Customs server, and the Service will in turn send the consignee a message to come forward and take the goods, because it is the system that will trigger the selectivity either for red, yellow or blue channel.”

President of the Balogun Business Association (BBA), which hosted the sensitisation campaign train, Brother Leonard Ogbonnia, while expressing his appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs for creating the CCC, affirmed that traders at the market have complied with import guidelines, and were, therefore, familiar with the emergent PAAR regime.

Ogbonnia, who is also a

member of the CCC, said that, with the traders’ constant cooperation, importation and trading would be made easy in Nigeria.

“Before now we have been complying, and will continue to be compliant. We

•Containers

understand the system and that is why we have no issues with Customs,” he said.

The CCC is expected to carry its sensitisation campaign to other markets, as well as Customs formations in the coming weeks.

34 —Vanguard, THURSDAY,JUNE 27 , 2013

NCS to Globalscan.... No documented case of cancer caused by use of scanners T

HE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has described as untrue the statement by Globalscan boss, Mr Udechukwu that Nigeria risked the outbreak of cancer in the country ’s ports and borders if scanners were handled by untrained and inexperienced Customs Service operatives.

The Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller, Wale Adeniyi, while speaking on the allegation noted: “We find Udechukwu’s “cancer mongering” quite amusing because of his apparent ignorance of radiation safety knowledge. There has not been a documented case of cancer caused by the use of these scanners anywhere in the world.

“The scanners have multiple fail-safe systems to ensure that they cannot be operated in an unsafe environment. It is for this exact reason that his sites in PTML, Warri and Calabar were declared unsafe for any scanning activity. It is Udechukwu and his company that have safety questions to answer even before handover.”

Diversionary tactics from real facts According to the NCS PRO, the failed attempt by Udechukwu to change the narrative of DI, hiding behind the façade of capacity gap and cancer mongering should be put in proper perspective.

He said: “Most Nigerians still find it very difficult and disheartening to correlate the amount of money thrown at the SPs, particularly Globalscan, in return for the poor infrastructure, operation, and capacity building and transfer activity delivered so far.

“The seven years of service paid for by the Federal Government in no way represents value for money.

Udechukwu’s position that the NCS has insufficient capacity to take over is a clear selfindictment by Globalscan.

“We will not allow the criticisms of Udechukwu and his likes to deter us from building our capacity to perform our statutory responsibility. We are already on a steady course, that is selfsustaining and inward looking.

Our salvation ultimately lies not in the hands of self-styled desperate arm- chair experts.”

Plan for Operational Safety and Capacity building: As part of the take over plans, he informed that Customs has C M Y K

developed own professional and sustainable scanner training capability, including the professional development of expert trainers.

Adeniyi explained: “NCS has undertaken an enormous development of training courses for all officers involved in scanning, with specific training for each functional role.

“NCS has also undertaken the selection and delivery of these courses to over 300 NCS officers. This is reinforced by a programme of coaching by experts who have years of experience in operating scanners for Customs around the world.

“NCS has selected 20 officers to act as Radiation Protection Supervisors at each site. These officers report to the NCS Radiation Safety Officer, who holds an MSc. in Physics and has over seven years experience with x-ray scanners.

“All these officers are trained to international standards and qualified from a UK Radiation Safety company and will be further trained and assessed by an NNRA approved establishment.

“All of these activities have been instigated and carried out

by NCS as a response to the failure of the SPs to carry out a credible transfer activity. In particular GlobalScan has the worst maintained and operated equipment among the SPs.

Lack of capacity “It is amusing as much as insulting to be criticized for lack of capacity at the end of a seven year contract which had, as its goal, the establishment of an NCS scanning capacity.”

He further informed that in 2005, the Federal Government had conceived the DI programme as a viable approach to Customs Modernization.

Four companies, he said were engaged on a Build- OwnOperate and Transfer (BOOT) basis over a seven year period to provide the required infrastructure. Globalscan, one of the SPs contracted, he said “ was allotted Seme Border, Ports of Calabar, Warri, Port Harcourt as well as International Airports in Lagos and Port Harcourt.”

He noted: “One of the obligations of the Company under the contract is the installation of fixed scanner in Seme Border and mobile ones at the other sites. Customs

Scanner at a border post officers were to be trained on operation and maintenance of the scanners during the contract period.

“Citing various excuses, Globalscan did not start construction in Seme site until about two years ago. In the other locations, virtually all the mobile scanners supplied have serious operations and maintenance issues.”

Performance Audit Reports: Several Audit and assessment reports from Accenture, World Bank and Oversight

Committees of the National Assembly, according to Adeniyi were unsparing in their indictment of Globalscan’s shoddy handling of its sites.

“Last year, the NCS carried out its own audit, supported by a team of consultants. The exercise showed a pitiful state of equipment performance, availability, safety and maintenance, compounded by very poor facilities for staff. The fixed scanner expected to have been delivered half way into the contract period is still under

construction, seven years after.

“The mobile one brought to the border as stop gap had hydraulic system failure, rendering it useless since November 2012.

“The situation is worse in PTML (Tin can), Warri and Calabar Ports, where the equipment supplied cannot be used on the basis of poor performance and safety issues” he further explained.

We have done well in capacity building, education, Dikko Continues from page 31 and understand they have no other country greater than Nigeria. They are going there for a purpose and immediately they achieve that purpose, they have to come back. That’s how nations are built. Others have learnt and they came back.

What’s your message for Nigerians in diaspora, especially professionals?

They should come back home. I’m here and I have been given an •CGC Abdullahi Dikko with Hon. Abike opportunity by His Excellency, President Dabiri-Erewa at the Bulgaria Alumni Goodluck Jonathan, and I have excelled. Association award nite in Abuja If they come back, they will also be given an opportunity. If we have about 10 professionals like me in the Service, I believe Nigeria will be like another United building and education, we have done well.

The two factors are really the key to our States of America. success. It’s also pleasing that officers in Sir, your achievements have been the Service are willing to learn and virtually enumerated today, and I believe you are everyone has embraced modernization, proud of yourself, which of your which is why they are now the key to the achievements gladdens your heart most reforms. It’s also on record that virtually all the officers in the Nigerian Customs when you remember?

I believe to whom much is given to, Service are now computer literate, that’s much is expected of. . In terms of capacity why we are motivated to taken care of them.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 — 35

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36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Osundare backs call for state of emergency in sector Continues from page 25 To revamp the sector, he added, there must be a change in our attitude saying success or failure come from inside. The professor who believes money is not our problem in Nigeria but how to judiciously spend it, stated that money generated in this country can fix the sector if our government set their priority right. “Government has to reorganise its priority. There was a time Nigeria was committing 20 per cent of its budget to education but later went back to 1.8 per cent,” he said.

He, however, maintained that the Federal Ministry of Education should know where to commit the allocation given to them because there are lots of things to spend the money on.

His words, “When you have your allocation, you should know how to set your priority right. Why don’t you commit 25 per cent or 30 per cent of this money to post-graduate education in major regions in Nigeria. Spend part of it on staff training and development, while some of the fund can go for equipping the laboratories.”

Having lived in Nigeria for years before relocating to UK, he disclosed that the physical environment of our university is not conducive for learning adding that lecture rooms are too close to students' union building. “How can somebody think in such kind of place,” he queried.

He also lamented that many of our students have no ambition, therefore lack the drive to pay the price for success.

The Professor of Literature who concurred that learning is difficult said personal discipline on the part of students will help them, adding; "that is part of the

price to pay." After each course with a professor, students should ask themselves, what they have gained, what they have learnt and what can they pass on to the future students?

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eanwhile, addressing the crowd at the launch, Governor Kayode Fayemi stated that the innovation of IGSSwas to encourage and provide scholarly exchanges and interaction between post-graduate students, scholars in Nigeria and Nigerian scholars abroad. He said it is to provide external mentoring to post-graduate students in Nigeria, to train them in the art of writing proposals for graduate programmes, research funding and how to publish in international journals.

He said; “We hope to create and nurture relationships amongst Nigerian scholars in the diaspora, Nigerian scholars at home and post-gradu-

ate students in Nigeria.”

Fayemi explained that the IGSS will adopt inter-disciplinary, comparative and highly interactive approaches to training participants adding, that the IGSS is designed to enrich and expand the training of post-graduate students in Nigeria, to provide expansive and great scholarly opportunities for post-graduate students, to train post-graduate students in the processes and culture of research in the global age.

The programme, he pointed out, will deepen and expand the horizon of post-graduate students in Nigeria thereby introducing post-graduate students to world class research and scholarship.

Recalling the conceptualisation of the idea, Dr Fayemi said; “The proponents of the IGSS thought that if our education system was to become competitive on the global scale as quickly as possible while implementing necessary reforms, we have to ur-

gently seek out ways to redeem the colossal loss of human capital. That is why some of our brightest minds in the academia leave shores.” He disclosed that the phenomenon popularly called brain drain was as a result of decades of military dictatorship and bad governance which almost paralyzed our education system.

According to him, the programme is designed as a fully residential intensive training school and will facilitate scholarly, experiential and practical insight into the dynamics of knowledge production in 21st Century Nigeria.

Fayemi who urged the 50 pioneer students of the IGSS to make the best of the opportunity, stated that his administration has invested huge resources into the project to ensure that all 50 successful candidates are able to participate in the IGSS free of charge so as to forestall exclusion of anybody on the basis of finances.

*Mrs Joan Ihekwaba, General Manager, Marketing, UAC Foods Limited (3rd right); Mrs Ethel Mba, Brand Manager, Dairies and Beverages, UAC Foods Limited, Mr Peter Folikwe, General Manager Sales, UAC Foods Limited (right); Mr Solomon Addey, Vice-Principal, Wesley School II (left); Mrs Kemi Ogunnubi, General Manager, Trading, UAC Foods Limited, Mr Alimi Kehinde, Vice-Principal, Wesley School and students of Wesley School for Hearing Impaired during the donation of items to the schools on Children’s Day, in Lagos.

Dufil supports motion against child abuse D

UFIL Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, in line with its passion to empower and support Nigerian children, recently partnered with Vanguard Newspapers on the fifth edition of its Annual Children Conference in commemoration of The Day of the African Child.

The theme of this year ’s Children Conference was Roles of Teachers in Curbing Child Abuse. This yearly event which took place at the Lagos Television (LTV8) Agidingbi, Ikeja, hosted pupils and students from public, private primary and secondary schools in Lagos State as well as heads of schools and counsellors.

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The event was graced by dignitaries such as wife of Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Adesegun and wife of frontline industrialist, Mrs. Khuburat Olayinka Razak-Okoya, who was the mother of the day.

Speaking at the event, the Mother of the Day, Mrs. Khuburat Razak-Okoya, noted that “child abuse in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, is a silent endemic issue with long-term adverse effects on victims. This issue invariably has a longstanding impact on the future of the nation and the continent.” She also used the opportunity to appeal to leaders, welfare groups, corporate organisations and all

well-meaning Nigerians, to keep fighting against child abuse until it is totally eradicated. lso commenting on the event, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations/Events Manager of Dufil Prima Foods, explained that Dufil Prima Foods’ resolve to support Vanguards initiative to celebrate as well as empower the African Child, is hinged on the organisation’s core belief of placing high value on children and at the same time, understanding their relevance to the future of any nation.

In Ashiwaju’s words, “Dufil Prima Foods is committed to the proper growth and development of Nigerian children

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and dedicated to celebrating their importance to the nation.

The Day of the African Child is a laudable initiative on the part of Vanguard Newspapers as it commemorates children in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

The ‘Day of the African Child’ conference is in commemoration of the International Day of the African Child, which was created by the African Union (AU) to mark the gruesome murder of 200 South African students in Soweto who protested the discrimination and poor quality education given to black children 23 years ago, during the apartheid era.

Victoria Global University confers professorship on three Nigerians

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

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N line with its mission of maintaining a global presence as Education Knows No Boundary, Victoria Global University Turks and Caicos, (UK Overseas territory), one of the institutions dedicated to the propagation of knowledge and its correct application, recently conferred her highest academic award (Professorship) on three deserving Nigerian scholars who have distinguished themselves in nation-building, education and professional advancement in Africa.

The recipients were Dr. Archibong Edem Archibong, Professor of Law, Engr. Roland Bassey Ephriam, Professor of Civil Engineering and Prof. Inoalaji Ruth Abosede, Professor of Education Management.

The event which attracted notable dignitaries especially friends and family members of the awardees held at the Fuction Hall of the University of Lagos, was chaired by Chief Alex Akinyele.

In his address, the president of the university, Dr. Benedict Mukul who described the event as the first of its kind in Africa said that VGU which is founded upon the highest of human ideals and aspirations is predicated upon the principles of goodwill and service. The school according to him, “welcomes the opportunity to acknowledge, embrace, and celebrate individual accomplishments. And that it was in line with that philosophy that we choose to appoint these three Nigerian scholars with the Victoria Global University highest appointment in the academia.” He stated that these people have proven to the university that "you are preeminent leaders in your fields, and persons of integrity. You have demonstrated superior expertise and commitment and we equivocally state that you are deserving of the highest acclaim that the university can bestow.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, Alex Akinyele who congratulated the recipients observed that a little learning is dangerous. We are here to honour those who have taken time to learn. It is necessary in our life to do well in whatever we do. Learning is a very serious discipline because everything about it is discipline.

The former sports secretary who is comfortable with what is happening in the educational sector charged the new professors and old ones to take it upon themselves to translate what they have learnt to the younger ones. “Our duty now should be to take it on ourselves to translate what we have learnt to the children, take it as a challenge to inculcate moral and physical discipline in the children,” he added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 — 37

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

By EBELE ORAKPO

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RTISTS and aspiring artists can now rest easy as cheaper alternatives to the costly art media have been discovered by one of their own, one of the pioneers of Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Ifeoma Perpetua Madumere.

A teacher at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta State, Madumere wanted alternatives to traditional art media that will not only compare favourably with existing media but will be cheaper so as to encourage more people to go into art, make teaching/ learning of art easier while making a mark in the art world.

In this chat with Vanguard Learning, she spoke on what inspired her and the results she came up with.

Excerpts: Inspiration: ccording to Mrs. Madumere who studied Fine and Applied Arts both at Bachelor ’s and Master ’s levels at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, she was inspired to go into this research to find a way of “reducing the pains of enthusiastic artists and students worldwide that have been facing the challenge of high costs of painting media.”

She said what gave her the final push was watching manicurists at work. “Any time I watch manicurists doing their job, I see how the towels are stained and remain permanent so I began to think that it could work for art,” and so she began experimenting with cosmetics in art over a year ago.

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The experiment: uring the experiments, Madumere discovered that cosmetics such as nail polish, eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, eye pencil, among others, apart from being “used to enhance the appearance of individuals, could be effectively used for creating art works especially painting anddrawing.”

She recalled that since the inception of art, many eras had come and gone, starting from the Stone Age (Paleolithic) to the present. “The cave artists used local media from their immediate environment for painting and drawing. As art gradually developed, new and modernized media such as oil colour, gouache, poster colour, water colour, pastel and pencil emerged and still in use till date. All these are inventions by our predecessors, how far have we gone to discover new media to make

Innovation, key to modern devt – Ifeoma Madumere our era remarkable and unique?” she asked.

Madumere who sees innovation as a key to modern development said without it, the world will be stagnant.

Saving cost: adumere noted that “using cosmetics for painting and drawing is cheaper. “I bought different colours of cutex at N40 each whereas one tube of professional oil colour is N2,000 and you buy as many colours as you want. Eye shadow, a substitute for professional pastel costs between N250 and N300 while pastel goes for between N1,000 and N1,800 depending on size and it doesn’t contain all the colours. The eye shadow I used for the portrait was just N300," she stated.

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The beauty of the innovation: "Nail polish is as good as oil colour, they have the same glossy effect and permanence on canvas. It can be blended but the only difference is that, nail polish requires quick application to avoid being congealed. Eye shadow has the same effect as chalk-pastel.

Lip-stick and eye pencil are in the same line with wax crayon. Apart from nail polish, other media can be fixed with Artist Fixative for pastel, charcoal and pencil to make them permanent on cartridge paper, cardboard, chipboard among others," she said. Continuing, Madumere said; “It is amazing to see cosmetics which come in different brilliant colours, emerge on canvas and paper. Those who are deficient in colour mixing now have a way of escape because the items have interesting tints and shades of different colours ready for use. The most surprising thing is that one does not need to support cosmetics with any vehicle or medium outside the family before one achieves one’s objective.

Interestingly, the pack of nail polish contains palette, brush and assorted colours as if it was originally planned for painting," she

*Mrs. Ifeoma Perpetua Madumere enthused.

She noted that by this innovation, "people who have the notion that art is an expensive course and materials are not always within reach, can now see cheaper and more available media for painting and drawing."

*Costly art media? Cosmetics to the rescue.

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SHRM awards 5 international certification scholarships T

HE Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the world’s largest HR body, has announced plans to award five international certification scholarships worth USD$800 each in 2013 to HR professionals in Nigeria.

The scholarship is targeted at practitioners who are pursuing professional certification as Human Resource Business Professionals (HRBP) or Human Resource Management Professionals (HRMP). The HRBP and HRMP are globally relevant credentials for HR practitioners outside of the US.

According to Oliver Nnona, SHRM Nigeria’s Country Leader, “the sponsorship programme is put forward by the SHRM Foundation in partnership with the SHRM Learning System certification preparation products, and is designed to validate core human resource knowledge and skills. These credentials demonstrate mastery of generally accepted HR principles. Scholarship funds must be used for either HRBP or HRMP exam fees, and/or SHRM Learning Systems test preparation.

Scholarship recipients may use funds for purchase of a SHRM Learning System or to

attend a certification preparation course offered by an approved SHRM training partner.”

On the scholarship eligibility, Nnona said; “Human resource professionals and HR educators located outside the US including Nigeria, who have taken an HRBP or HRMP certification exam in the 2013 calendar year are eligible to apply. Also eligible are those preparing to sit for an exam within the next year.”

To apply for this scholarship, qualified applicants need to complete and submit the online application using the link published on SHRM

Foundation’s website or by contacting the SHRM Nigeria team. Applications must be submitted in English. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the strength of the applicant’s work experience and commitment to a career in human resource management, volunteer and teaching experience, and financial need.

Applications must be completed and submitted online

by July 15, 2013. All applicants will be notified of the scholarship results by October 15. Scholarship funds will be distributed by the end of the year, after receipt of tax ID.

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

NERDC trains Ondo teachers on new curriculum

BY DAYO ADESULU

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AST week, teachers from public and private senior secondary schools in Ondo State were equipped with new skills and techniques of implementing the new Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC) at a six-day rigorous training programme which was organised by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) in collaboration with Ondo State Ministry of Education. The capacitybuilding workshop took place in three major towns in the state viz iAkure, Ikare and Okitipupa, with close to 800 teachers in attendance.

Addressing the teachers and the state’s education policymakers led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. T. O. Kolawole, the Director/

Head of NERDC SouthWest Zonal Office, Dr. Moses Salau, explained that the restructuring of the SSEC resulted in the development of 42 curricula (subjects) and 34 vocational Trades/Entrepreneurship curricula, an exercise that was approved by the National Council of Education (NCE) in 2009, adding that the curriculum will provide for a systematic connection between its contents and the learning of future contents.

Salau, who spoke on behalf of the agency’s Executive Secretary, Prof.

Godswill Obioma, further told the gathering that the senior secondary curriculum is structured in a way that will ensure that every senior secondary school graduate is well prepared for higher education, and has acquired relevant functional trade/ entrepreneurship skills needed for poverty eradi-

cation, job creation and wealth generation and in the process strengthen further the foundations for ethical, moral and civic values acquired at the basic education level.

This means that the new curriculum is designed to stem the tide of mass failure in the senior secondary certificate examination (SSCE) and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board-conducted examination. His words; “The philosophy of the curriculum concerning adequate preparation of every senior secondary school graduate for higher education implies that he or she would have passed creditably well in WAEC and JAMB examinations.

That the graduates would have also acquired saleable skills, with the capacity to set up their own businesses as a fall-out of the skills they acquired

from the 34 trade subjects.

This functional education will make them job creators instead of job seekers, thereby banishing poverty from their lives.”

According to Dr. Salau, each senior secondary school is not to teach its students all the 34 trade subjects but schools are to choose the ones for which they have facilities and workshops and the ones most relevant to the school’s

vision and the community, adding that a student is expected to offer one of these 34 trade subjects.

The facilities and workshops for teaching these trade/entrepreneurship subjects, according to Salau, are to be provided by the owners of private schools as well as state and federal governments in the case of public schools.

Among the 34 trade sub-

jects are auto body repair and spray painting, auto electrical work, auto mechanical work, auto parts merchandising, air conditioning/refrigeration, welding and fabrication, radio/TV and electrical work, block-laying, painting and decoration, plumbing and pipe-fitting, mechanical woodworking, carpentry and joinery, furniture making and catering.

Rivers employs 13,000 teachers

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OR the first time in the history of this country, 13,000 teachers will be employed by a state government. It sounded like a joke on May 1, 2012, during the Workers’ Day celebration at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt when the Governor of Rivers State, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi declared that

the state will employ 13,000 teachers. Many wondered why the government will employ such number of teachers while some thought it is unachievable.

Governor Amaechi on declaring State of Emergency in the education sector in 2008, rolled out plans to build 750 model primary and 24 model secondary schools in the state.

Currently, 264 model primary schools have been completed while 100 of these schools are fully functional.

These schools which have world class facilities have become the toast of many parents who are now withdrawing their children from private schools to the public schools. The schools have a population of 390 pupils in each school and 30 per class. The essence of this is to improve the studentteacher relationship in the schools.

The situation has led to the overflow of students in the schools and the need for more teachers became necessary because without teachers, the much anticipated free, compulsory and qualitative education will not be achieved.

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi stated this while receiving the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO representative, Prof Hassana Alidou in her office in Port Harcourt.

Dame Lawrence-Nemi said that the state was able to achieve this giant stride because of the passion of the Governor. She said the teachers will collect their appointment letters from Wednesday 19 th June 2013, adding that they will undergo three months training before resuming classes in Ac-

It's time to catch them young — LG boss

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HE pupils of St. Jude’s Private School, Festac town were guests of Amuwo Odofin Legislative Council. The essence of the visit, amongst other things, was to understudy the legislative proceedings of the council, with a view to giving the kids practical knowledge on legislative business.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Mojisola AlliMacaulay of Ward B1, who stood in for the Leader of the council, educated the pupils on legislative proceedings, the duties and functions of the legislature and how to become a legislator, C M Y K

among other things.

Macaulay advised them to be disciplined and pay more attention to their immediate environment.

The Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin LG, Comrade Ayodele Adewale who was at the special parliamentary session to encourage the pupils, stated that their visit would help to reinforce and facilitate learning, comprehension and retention of all knowledge gained. Comrade Adewale emphasized that it is time to brush up the pupils and prepare them to face the task of being leaders of today. In his words, “It is time to catch them young.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 —39

I N S I D E

Ex-employee sues PENGASSAN over unpaid entitlement — Page 40

The NIALS' epochal summit (2)

— Page 41

International Widows’ Day: Are their human rights protected?

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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SSUES surrounding experiences of widows across the country have called for more attention, despite laws enacted by governors of some states, as the world celebrated International Widows’ Day last Sunday.

Sometime in 2001, the Government of Enugu State passed the Prohibition of Infringement of a Widow’s and Widower ’s Fundamental Rights Law. The law prohibits infringement of the fundamental rights of widows and other related matters. Subsection 1 of this law specifically forbids forcing a widow to drink the water used to wash her husband’s corpse.

According to a report by the Women’s Rights Watch, “three states have passed laws against punitive widowhood rites, Enugu, Edo and Oyo state”.

However, the report states that despite these laws, the mourning rites continued to be practised in these states in 2003.

Against this background, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, called on women not to loose their rights when they loose their husband.

In a statement marking the International Widows’ Day, Ki-Moon noted that globally about 115 million widows live in poverty, and 81 million have suffered physical abuse.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi

Ban Ki Moon, UN Sec. Gen.

all widows so they can enjoy better lives and realize their great potential to contribute to our world.”

The international Widows’ Day was introduced to address poverty and injustice faced by widows and their children in many countries.

It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2010 and is observed annually on June 23. Widowhood problem is universal; but of particular concerns are horrifying practices in some eastern parts of Nigeria.

In Igboland, is widow’s problem still being compounded by the Umuada (daughters of the land) who

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Let us use this International Widows’ Day to advocate for the rights of all widows so they can enjoy better lives and realize their great potential to contribute to our world.

While bemoaning the worldwide incidents of human rights violation of widows, such as disinheritance, denial of right to land and property of their dead spouses, absence of social safety nets and outright denial of sources of livelihood, urged all to advocate for the rights of widows.

He said: “No woman should lose her rights when she loses her husband.

Girls married to much older men are especially vulnerable. ”Let us use this International Widows’ Day to advocate for the rights of

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are often accused of making laws that make life horrible for the widow?

Widowhood practice differs. In some societies, the widow is locked up with the corpse. While in other climes, the widow is whipped by terrifying poison-carrying masquerades. She cannot hug or be hugged.

She can’t shake hands or go to the market.

After the one-year mourning period, the widow is taken to the river for the Aja-ani ritual during which the aja-ani priest ‘rapes’ her.

In some societies, the widow is raped by 10 men, which serves as a means of cleansing her and making her available for other men.

A common practice in some parts of Nigeria is that when the man of the home passes on as a result of illness or accident, his wife is usually accused of being responsible for his death.

In other to prove her innocence in her husband’s death, the widow would be made to drink the water used in washing her husband’s corpse.

The consequences of her refusal to carry out the ritual include physical assault, banishment from the family or denying her access to her husband’s property, including the children.

It would not matter if the widow contributed her money, sweat and initiative to the acquisition of the property.

At such times, when the widow goes to lodge complaint at the police station, the common thing she would be told is “this matter is domestic and outside our area of authority”.

In some cases, the widow is compelled to take oath with kolanut placed on her dead husband’s forehead and complete the swearing with 2 broom sticks.

But the story, even among the Yoruba, is not better because the widow is often seen as a chattel. Her late husband’s property is then shared, along with farmlands and furniture. Often, a widow is the first suspect when the cause of her husband’s death is being investigated.

Governor Sullivan Chime Children of women in this category have dropped out of schools due to poverty or lack of care from the husband’s relations. The widow and her children bear the double tragedy of losing their family head and facing unimaginable hardship.

Meanwhile, Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, CEDAW, described Human Rights violations against widows as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

In a related development, the Continues on page 40

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

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Ex-employee sues PENGASSAN over unpaid entitlement

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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N employee of Petrole um And Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr Douglas Atagamhen, has dragged his employer before the National Industrial Court in Lagos, following the alleged refusal of the latter to pay his entitlement after he was sacked.

In his claims, Atagamhen, through his lawyer Mr Gani Adetola Kaseem SAN, posited that he was an Accountant in the employment of the defendant (PENGASSAN), before he was later moved to the Kaduna zonal office in the capacity of Senior Organizing Secretary.

Atagamhen, who is praying the court to order PENGASSAN to pay N8.3m as net sum for his entitlement, said when he applied for a two-year study leave to undergo a post-graduate course, Master in Business Admission, Strayer University, Virginia, USA, PENGASSAN through its General

Secretary gave him a conditional approval.

He said: “Having worked for the Defendant Association from March 8, 2010 and my appointment having not been determined before July 14, 2011; I am entitled to be fully remunerated for the period in accordance with extant conditions of service for staff of the Defendant Association.

Having not been paid any part of my terminal benefits before February 2012, I am consequently deemed to have remained in the employment of the Defendant Association and therefore to be remunerated up to that time.”

According to Atagamhen, PENGASSAN General Secretary gave him conditional approval to his study leave, after reiterating that the claimant could not be granted leave with pay but assured him that he would be assisted by the payment of his furniture and housing allowances during the period of his leave.

“I accepted the conditional grant of my study leave without pay and subsequently commenced on the study

leave and resumed study at Strayer University, Virginia, USA. While on my study leave, I was surprised to receive a letter through my email declaring me to have been away without official

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Managing Partner of Partnership for Justice, PJ, Itoro Eze-Anaba, said, “Widows face discriminatory customary practices that constitute violations of their human rights. These practices violate their right to health, right to life, right to human dignity and right to freedom from discrimination.

“Nigeria has signed and ratified different regional and international human rights instruments that seek to protect the rights of women including widows from discriminatory practices. The government should without delay implement these regional and instruments.

“The National Action Plan, NAP, on the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria is a 4-year plan of action voluntarily adopted by the government to improve human rights in Nigeria.

The NAP contains government voluntary commitment to end discriminatory practices against women including widows.

“During the review of Nigeria’s human rights situation in 2009 by the

United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva the federal government accepted to implement all the recommendations made by the Council including the domestication of all international instruments including CEDAW and the Protocol to the African Charter on Peoples and Human Rights on the Rights of women in Africa.

Widows face discriminatory customary practices that constitute violations of their human rights

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“Four years after the NAP as a government human rights agenda, nothing is in place to implement it. No government agency has the responsibility for its implementation. The government should take the necessary steps to fulfill these commitments.

Is should put in place a mechanism for implementing international, regional and

perform my official duty. I visited the Headquarters of the Defendant Association to inform the General Secretary of my resumption to duty and also formally tendered a letter.” he said.

Fashola tasks lawyers on culture of impunity

BY OLASUNKNAMI AKONI & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola SAN has charged members of the Nigerian Bar Association to speak up against the culture of impunity.

The governor, who gave the charge while hosting members of the Nigerian Bar Association- Ikeja Branch and the Law Week Planning Committee of the Lagos Branch, noted that the responsibility to speak for process and due diligence lied more with members of the Bar who must always ensure that things are done only because they are right.

Governor Fashola

“Sometimes the process is as important as the result itself. How was it done? Was it done with impunity which could take away a lot from it or was it done according to process? The responsibility to speak up for process and national human rights diligence lies more with us. commitments. The govern- We are supposed to know”. ment should domesticate Fashola said.

CEDAW and the African Commending some of the Women Protocol. topics listed for discussion “States where these practices are rampant should during the on- going Law Week of the Lagos Branch of pass laws against widowhood rites and create aware- the NBA, Fashola said: “That takes me to some of the ness about the damaging effects of these practices. The serious issues proposed to be raised by the Lagos Branch government should encourage widows to be financially of the Bar Association at its Law Conference week. I independent. More importantly men should be encour- think there are serious issues that speak to the challenge of aged to write their wills stating how their belongings today and I hope members should be shared when they and non-members will die.” She added. participate fully. The bigger No doubt, one way of burden lies on us members of protecting widows is by law. the Bar to lead by example The 1999 Constitution and I hope that not only provides for such protection, would we talk about these under provisions that award things but would do basic human rights, but the something about it if specific laws to achieve these everyone leaves those are inadequate. conferences and meetings Human Rights violations with a resolve to do the little against widows are enthat he or she can do”. trenched in ancient cultural Professor Itse Sagay SAN, practices that have managed in his keynote address, to survive the times. Protectobserved that an insatiable ing the basic rights of widand unrestrained urge for ows, and safeguarding them material things are from obnoxious practices, responsible for the decline in cannot be over emphasized the legal profession. in an environment where He said: “no client will even enacted laws seem swayed.

Are their human rights protected?

Continues from page 39

leave.

“Consequently, I returned to Nigeria and resumed work on March 8, 2010 at the Kaduna zonal office of the Defendant Association. Upon my resumption, I started to

dare approach a judge directly. We (lawyers) do the dirty job. Some of our colleagues have established themselves in business as the right persons to approach in order to buy a judgment.

They are the middle men; they go betweens.”

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo SAN, in his opening remarks, revealed that the Chief Justices of Nigeria would soon put in operation a new rule that will eliminate delays in the administration of justice in Nigeria.

However, the Chairman of NBA, Lagos branch, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo stressed the need for lawyers to come together to reappraise the law, the rules of procedure as well as social and political situation in the country.

He stated that in order to protect the nation nascent democracy, there was need to address the issue of corruption, adding “corruption is becoming the norm in our society, so are criminal activities.”

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Ikeja Branch, NBA, Mr Monday Ubani, commended Governor Fashola for redefining the parameters of good governance through the changes he had made in handling of the affairs of the state.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—41

SBL holds business law conference in Lagos The Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA-SBL, last week in Lagos, held held its 7th Annual Business Law Conference with the theme, ‘The Legal Profession in an Emerging Economy. The three-day event, had in attendance, notable legal luminaries, politicians, captains of industry among others. Photos by Innocent Anaba

The NIALS' epochal summit (2)

BY AWA KALU, SAN

man, President Barack Obama during his T would be intellec previous tour of Africa. tually dishonest to His assessment was that attempt a summation of Africa would be better off what transpired at this if the continent’s leaders epic summit, considering changed from their the sheer breath and preference of being scope of the ideas which ‘strong men’ to concenwere freely exchanged at trating on the developthe intellectual market ment of ‘strong instituplace. Perhaps, it would tions’. I am not quite serve as a pointer to the Awa Kalu, SAN sure that any consensus fertility of those ideas who delivered a stinging emerged but opinions were one to choose a clearly oscillated on both rebuke to those whose typical session, the sides of the divide failure to plan has led to session on Law and culminating in a grudgGlobal Peace, integrated failure of policies in ing indulgence on what different facets of state with Law and Public would appear to be a and national sectors of Policy, featuring such compromise – the strong intellectual heavyweights our economy. Of course, leader as a catalyst for these gentlemen and as Professor Obiorah strong institutions. Femi lady of ideas were Okafor, an academic Falana Esq., SAN, admirably managed by giant, well respected foremost activist posed locally and international- Professor Pat Utomi, a the teaser, whether the celebrated scholar in his ly; Ambassador Ojo supposed strong man own right who ably Maduekwe CFR, former would be in the mould guaranteed a clear foreign Affairs Minister, of the dreaded Emperor blending of the views multiple Minister of Jean Bokassa, General expressed by the panother ministries, current Idi Amin Dada of Uganelists and the audience.

High Commissioner to da, Mobutu Sese Seko Canada whose intellectu- My recollection of the of Zaire or even the contributions from all al effervescence and leaders who legitimized sides was the coalesunfailing logic make apartheid in South even his adversaries nod cence of those ideas into Africa or could that be a in agreement; Mr. Odein the cauldron in which the fitting label for the likes long running dispute Ajumogobia, elegant of Ghana’s Kwame over the “strong man Senior Advocate of Nkrumah, Senegal’s Nigeria and also a former versus strong instituLeopold Senghor or tions’ has been brewed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tanzania’s Julius NyWhether there will ever whose strategic insight erere? What about be an agreement over into Law and Global Emperor Haile Sellaseie which is to be preferred Peace: Reassessing the of Ethiopia, Jomo place of the super powers remains to be seen.

However, for the purpose Kenyatta of Kenya and was rich and illuminatHouphouet Boigny of ing; and the representa- of juggling our memory, Cote D’Iviore. In the it appears that the tive of the statistician context of the African controversy was engiGeneral and chief continent and its relative Executive of the National neered by a recommenunderdevelopment how Bureau of Statistics, Mrs. dation made by the is the strength of an world’s most powerful Yvonne Odu-Thomas, African leader or the

I

Left: Justice Funmilayo Atilade of Lagos State High Court and Mr Okey Wali, SAN, NBA President.

Left: Mr Fabian Ajogwu, SAN and Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, former President of NBA.

Left; Mr Ibrahim Mark and Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, both former Secretary Generals of NBA.

institution he either creates or destroyed to be gauged? Put in another way, was our industrial base in this country destroyed by strong leaders? Was the dilapidation of our infrastructure occasioned by strong or weak leaders? These are questions that the vibrancy of Professor Azinge’s summit provoked and I join his teaming admirers in thanking him for providing the plat form for examining the Kaleidoscope of pitfalls and ‘progresses’ that we have made in the last 100 years.

Two stirring speeches would sum up the path to the future. Hon. Justice S.M.A, Belgore’s ‘Never-Give-up-on Nigeria’ clarion call was appreciated by Mr. President as well as the Chief Justice’s zero tolerance for corruption in the judiciary, zero tolerance for abuse of office, zero tolerance for indolence, zero tolerance for abuse of the equitable remedy of injunction. Perhaps, we the citizens of this country may develop zero tolerance for anyone who fails to play his part in the implementation of this administration’s well packaged Transformation Agenda.

Nigeria shall never ‘die’ but will celebrate the next centenary.

Concluded.

Nigeria's development dilemma (2)

BY CHRIS EKPENYONG

T Left: Mr Asue Ighodalo and Mr Austine Alegeh, SAN.

Left: Mr Emeka Obegolu, Secretary General of NBA and Aisha Ibrahim, Financial Secretary, NBA.

HERE may be a few miscreants whom either the society have failed to imprint the right character traits in their formative years, or a downright deviant involved in such crimes.

Where such exist, they can be identified, isolated and put somewhere before They constitute a nuisance to the larger population. In other words, crime is an undesirable ingredient of the society, but not so insipid as to become epidemic as we observe today. It is therefore a fact we have to swallow with pains that what we see today in our country are products of prolonged injustice and

Chris Ekpenyong acute economic deprivation.

A few years ago, United Arab Emirates (UAE) was one desert land that was hardly attractive to any investor. Today, its commercial capital, Dubai, is a Mecca for tourists, a real estate delight and a super market for importers. Its sky is filled with impressive high rise

buildings that may soon - without air conditionbe today’s towers of ers. Ethiopia, an arid Babel. They completed land, and without a drop the longest, and most of oil, way back 10 to 15 modern, automatic years ago, had their driverless rail system in universities IT complithe world in year 2012; ant, where each office one that will be carrying occupied by a lecturer is an average of 1.2 million served with a networked passengers daily. It is computer system. Its air underground and fully line is acquiring the 787 air-conditioned. The booing aircrafts for cross Chinese rail system, continental operations. another modern wonder, Well, public universities travels at almost 700 km in Nigeria are still busy per hour. That means it struggling for convencould get to Abuja from ient office space to Uyo in less than 2 hours, bother about IT. Nigeria and at a far cheaper rate Airways is a cognomen than aero plane. Presifor failure. We still have dent Goodluck Jonathan the British Telecom, has just been able to whereas NITEL has revive our rail system become a putrefying after many years in the carcass. limbo.

Chris Ekpenyong, former It is travelling at about Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is a lawyer.

50 km per hour, manned – and I am sure To be continued.

42 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 42—Vanguard,

Apology not accepted Infidelity in relationships is an age long social vice; otherwise, God would not have included covetousness in the Ten Commandments. The adrenalin pumping excitement and power derived from this act of betrayal, oftentimes, crumbles into shame and pain when their hitherto partners discover their secrets. For the betrayed, their reaction will depend a lot on their general state of health and mind. While some partners are able to forgive, work things out and revamp their relationships, some others may resign to fate and move on to other relationships. However, there are some who may not be able to do either of the two, believing that their hearts can not be mended unless they take their pound of flesh in their own way. The story you are about to read happened over 30 years ago in one of the Ijebu towns in Ogun State. An extra marital affair between two people left a trail of death, pain, anguish and bad memories too deep to shake up. Rafiu, (52), narrates the story of how his family’s fortune and fate took a dramatic turn when his father fell in love with another man’s wife.

He says though infidelity is now so high in the society, it appears people are now more tolerant of the shameful act. His story begins below. Happy reading! warned him to keep away from his wife, but he has refused to listen.

The man was very hurt and bitter

,

My parents were not even literate. They were petty traders and were just lucky to be able to make ends meet. So, what could he possibly want with this kind of woman, or what would the woman want with my father?

.

I

WAS 19 years old at the time, the eldest child of my father. We were not rich, just okay for the environment we lived in and our family in general, was one of the few notable ones in the community back then. I was still in Modern school and I had three younger ones all from my mother.

I cannot remember precisely when the affair started but we had been hearing several versions of the story as rumours before the woman’s husband finally visited our compound. We lived in a big family compound. The land, having been bought by the eldest of four brothers. The four brothers had built a house each on the land, making it a family compound.

My father was the second born of their parents, so the man came to see my big uncle who served as the head of the family. He narrated how my father had been dating his wife and mother of his children secretly.

How he had been informed and on investigation discovered it to be true and how his wife has even confessed to the affair. He went further to disclose how he had approached my father with his finding and

willing to marry him, why a married woman and this one in particu l a r .

You see, the young woman in the center of the controversy was a friend of another uncle’s wife. These women were the reigning queens of our town in those days. They were flamboyant, make up and party women, you know, socialites in that setting. They belonged to a club or society and they called themselves sisters. The more reserved women, especially the married women did not like them as they were known to be promiscuous and fond of snatching people’s husbands. We were sure that my father must have met this woman through my aunt.

For a few weeks, we did not hear anything about the affair except that the woman had packed out of her matrimonial home. She returned to her parents’ house, leaving her two children behind. A few months later, my father announced that he was taking a second wife. It was the woman. There was nothing anyone could do about it. The family was polygamous. In fact, prior to his meeting this woman, we used to marvel at our father’s lack of interest in taking another wife. Howev-

about the whole thing and it was obvious that he truly loved the woman. Of course, my father owned up to all the allegations that was laid against him but announced that he was not in the position to make the decision. Only the woman in the controversy could do that. The man left after extracting a promise from my uncle that he would wade into the matter and resolve everything.

Naturally, the matter caused a problem between my parents and my mother could not help but give us blow by blow account of all that was happening. She expressed fear that something terrible could happen to any member of the family as a result of my father’s recklessness.

If he must take a lover, there are several young women who will be

er, no one expected him to pick such a woman. My parents were not even literate. They were petty traders and were just lucky to be able to make ends meet. So, what could he possibly want with this kind of woman, or what would the woman want with my father?

Anyway, this woman was brought in and everything changed immediately. She was given preferential treatment at everything. They attended parties together and my father lavished her with gifts and attention. He was love struck and remained in this hazy condition until he died suddenly three months after. He had returned from the market one evening and complained of a fever and headache.

To be continued

My moment of weakness!

Continues from last week HE pleaded with me to have sex with her and that she could be discreet about it such that no one would ever know. As she spoke, she ran her hands up and down my body. I was glad I still had my clothes on but this did not really prevent me from feeling the sensation from her touch. I tried to tell her to get hold of herself and behave like the responsible girl she was supposed to be. I even tried to make her see the impossibility of a relationship between us but it all fell on deaf ears. She just would not accept no for an answer. Soon, she began crying, calling me a jerk.

She said I was afraid to take her and that all I had told her about

S

my affairs were lies, she did not believe that I was man enough to do that. At the end of the day I was forced to take her.

I did it twice as I did not enjoy the first one. Perhaps, my body was not really tuned to hers. The second one was better and her performance superb. Maybe she deliberately put a lot of effort into it just to convince me she is a big girl. Or maybe what she gave me was a tip of the iceberg as she later said. I would not know because I never gave her the opportunity to make such a thing happen between us again.

I could not sleep much through out the night as I kept thinking of what could happen if anyone knew about us. There was no way I could continue with such a dan-

,

gerous relationship and I had to let her know. I realized that the fact that I had not been able to read her correctly before now meant that she was simply unpredictable and even capable of anything.

The fact that she called me “uncle” made everything odd and I felt like a hypocrite from that moment. I tried to justify my action by concluding that she was not my sister or even relation. She was just the sister of my next door neighbour and that was all there as to it. However, even if it was true that I was not responsible for her, I was responsible to my wife and a little bit to her brother who is my friend.

I took her to the motor garage and gave her more money than

Create a connection beyond physical attraction

By ONOZURE DANIA

A

RE you ready to elim inate all the insecurity that comes from losing the guy you really want, and start experiencing the love, attention and respect you deserve from a man? First, you need to answer a few important questions and you need to think about them carefully.

Have you ever had a man you were interested in, maybe even someone you really cared about and all of a sudden becomes distant and withdrawn and you just could not figure out why?

Or maybe you began to develop strong feelings for a man and knew you wanted to be with him and only him, but he seemed ambivalent and “wishy-washy” about the situation. Have you felt like he’s afraid to commit to you, or took you for granted, or did not value you as a person?

Are you apprehensive about giving yourself emotionally and physically to a man because you are afraid he won’t do the same? Or worse, that he will just leave for no reason at all?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I have some important news for you.The news is that you are not alone.

In fact, that list of questions was created from chatting with some ladies about the problems ladies are facing in their love lives.

It’s a fact that relationships with men so often start off hot and heavy, but then quickly and unexpectedly turn ice-cold. Nearly all women have had the experience of feeling like they

I normally would have. For the first time, I realised that she was very pretty with a nice figure too.

I also realised the type of game many of these young girls engage in when they are opportune to be far from home. I worried that my little girl may fall into this category of girls too. Afterall, this was a girl my daughter looked up to like a role model and close adviser. I know my daughter would not be doing it for money too just like this girl, she would be doing it for the fun of it.

She was around a couple of weeks later for about a week and I successfully avoided her. Then, she came for her holidays two months after our encounter. She would come to our house as usual and behaved as if nothing ever happened between us. She and my daughter got along so well as still do till today. But I started re-

have finally found something real with a man, and sharing themselves both emotionally and physically, only to have him suddenly pull away.

And what is worse, when this happens, there often seems to be no explanation, and no good reason at all.

But the truth is, there is a reason why, because it is difficult to have a person reject our feelings.

It’s worse not knowing why men pull away from some women but fall head over heels for others. Men in these situations are rarely any help. They will usually try to explain themselves by saying dumb things like “It’s not you, it’s me.” Or another predictable male excuse such as, “I’m just not ready for a serious relationship.”

Guys who do this will agree with me that it is true, guys who withdraw spontaneously, get scared when a relationship gets close and intimate. These types of guys can make a close, loving, lasting relationship impossible.

Deep down, 99% of all men are ready for a relationship and would love to find that special woman, someone with whom they could finally let their guard down and experience true love.While some men will date several women at once, it’s only because they haven’t met the one they are really looking for.

The reality is that most men have never pulled away from a woman because they were not ready for a relationship, because they got nervous or wanted to take things slow.

senting their relationship. I tried my best to keep away from her but one day I was informed that I had a visitor at the office. It turned out to be her and we were forced to be together privately for the first time since our encounter. We had lunch together in the Staff canteen and I told her that a relationship between us could not happen. She was free to get in touch with me anytime she needed anything and I could assist. I gave her some money and she left. I could see the embarrassment and pain on her face as she walked away. I felt a huge relief.

My girl got married two years ago to a very neat young banker in a big society wedding. She is now a manager with a Telecommunication outfit. My family was well represented at the event and we also contributed towards her wardrobe.

Concluded

Vanguard Vanguard,,

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

— 43

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

ARIES: Although there will be challenges here is a day when things will eventually go according to your plans. Don’t take friends for granted.

TAURUS: From now until next few days you will need to be as practical as possible along your career line; this is the wrong time to experiment with new ideas.

GEMINI: You may not be in total control of your mind till around 5.36pm. That is to say you will need practical approach in all you do today. Be more careful.

CANCER: Continue to be more careful about proposals having to do with joint ventures. Yet that is not to say you can not take good advice. Prepare to work harder.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

S

OME of us think it is the generosity of the night that makes it to allow us to sleep every night. But do you agree with the above claim? Or what do you think?

Let us examine the facts: For example, the

Is the night so generous? thief that steals your property and later turn around to be giving you stipends, can you claim he is generous to you? That is how the night is. The night gives cover to devilish and

dangerous people to perpetuate their wicked devices; the night steals our time by compelling us to sleep to our own detriment and not allowing us to complete our task.

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

The night is not so generous. Destinies are destroyed in the night. Life purpose of some bright individuals are decided either for good or for bad in the night. The night is guilty of conspiracy with the wicked.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO: You stand good chance to extend favourable events of yesterday both at work and on matters-ofthe-heart. Watch what you sign before 5.36pm.

VIRGO: Young-at-heart may be willing to give priority attention to sentimental related issues probably because of yesterday’s success.

LIBRA: Refuse to become mentally arrogant or else you would be working against your own interest.

Your love life will continue to enjoy favourable aspects.

SCORPIO: Financial success is within your reach, especially if you back your old plans early in the day. The more family minded you are the better for you.

SAGITTARIUS: It is important you don’t allow others to mislead you in the name of giving you good advice before 5.36pm. Those travelling or moving around in search of love may be in for both an exciting and pleasurable day.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN: You will be in better position to consolidate on progress made yesterday. And it is wrong to take people for granted today.

AQUARIUS: Many people may be disappointed because of broken promises, therefore you will need to prepare your mind accordingly and refuse to take others for granted.

PISCES: You can make it a good day as both career advancement and financial success are closer to you. Secret lovers are in for an exciting day.

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

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

I want comprehensive Astrological analysis of my life, especially my love life and what I should expect from social activities around me.

Daniel Lagos.

Dear Daniel, What space can take will be given here-under YOUR LOVE LIFE You were given handsome and magnetic body.

Many planetary placement in Leo particularly the conjunction of magnetic Uranus, sexual Mars and romantic Venus are pointer to very active love life.

Certainly romantic fun with beautiful women can not elude you, but you must always be careful.

Major challenge of your love life is coming from difficult aspect from Jupiter in death related Scorpio to the conjunction of Mars, Uranus and Venus in child bearing Leo, if this is not well managed it can cause avoidable death either of a spouse or a child. But your being spiritual can take good care of this tough challenge of your love life.

YOUR SOCIAL LIFE Here is an incurable LOVER OF TOTAL FREEDOM. But fortunately on one hand Saturn made it very difficult and rough at the initial stage and instilled discipline into your inner-self, but unfortunately on the other hand the same difficult Saturn killed some of rascally useful traits in you capable of making you a big time freedom fighter.

Let me say this here, the truth is as much as some of wicked witches and wizards would like to harm your FAME your natal affiliation to them through your Neptune in Scorpio at positive angle to your natal Sun in homely Cancer will not allow them; then that does not mean you should leave your defence open unnecessarily.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

44—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

2015: Nobody can stop our campaign for Jonathan, says Kuku

EDO 2016: ACN group advocates incorruptible leadership

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

S

PECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has warned that no amount of threat will deter the natives of the region from urging the President to contest the 2015 election.

Kuku spoke at an event in Abuja to mark the fourth anniversary of the proclamation of amnesty and three years of the implementation of the programme.

He said that it was the right of the Niger Delta people to campaign for Jonathan even though he was yet to declare his interest in the next election.

He said: “It is our right to continue to urge the President to consider running for a second term in office although he has not told us to do so and has not declared his interest to run.”

The adviser pointed out that having performed more than any other Nigerian President, Jonathan must be convinced to return in 2015 to consolidate the good work he had started.

Reflecting on the amnesty programme, Kuku noted that despite the lavish training of 30,000 youths from the Niger Delta by the Federal Government, the region still needed more government attention.

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—AHEAD the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, a socio-political organisation, Edo Solidarity Movement, ESM, made up of prominent leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has advocated the installation of functional and incorruptible leadership at the party level.

The group said such a move would ensure that quality persons, who would be accountable to the people, were elected into political offices.

The group, led by the Political Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Charles Idahosa, hailed the developmental strides of the governor.

Some of the leaders from the three senatorial districts at the meeting, include Alhaji Usman Shagadi, Harrison Omagbon, Gentleman Amegor, Modino Emovon, Mr. Oyibo, Crosby Eribo, Mrs Adams, Rev. Egha-revba, among others.

According to Kuku, the Federal Government was yet to clean up the region, provide opportunities for the natives in the oil and gas industry, complete the East-West Road and construct the Niger Delta Coastal Road that would

traverse the entire region from Calabar to Lagos.

Giving a breakdown of the success so far recorded by the amnesty programme, Kuku announced that 14,000 out of the 30,000 Niger Delta youths, who embraced the

Lawmaker faults EFCC's prosecution of Fani-Kayode D

EPUTY Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights, Mr. Rotimi Makinde, yesterday, faulted the money laundering charge preferred against former Aviation Minister, Femi FaniKayode by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Fani-Kayode is being prosecuted before Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia of the Federal High

Court in Lagos over alleged N230 million scam.

Makinde, who spoke on the ruling of Justice OfiliAjumogobia, disqualifying the prosecutor from the case, noted that the case was nothing but political persecution of the most vicious and cruel kind.

He said: “At a time, EFCC accused him (Fani-Kayode) of involvement in the misappropriation of N19 billion Aviation

IGER Delta youths, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Mandate for Transformation Agenda, have thrown their weight behind the Managing Director of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Engr. Paul Ebele for improving the service delivery system of the re-

finery.

The youths also lauded the efforts of the Depot Manager, PPMC, Warri, Mr. Ali Abdulil for enhancing the effective distribution of petroleum products and building a mutual relationship between the company and her host communities in line with best global

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, a political group, Urhobo Political Movement, UPM, has insisted that the Urhobo people were still interested in the

gubernatorial position of Delta State.

National Chairman of UPM, Chief Ominimini Obiuwebvi, briefed newsmen on the position of UPM shortly after a meeting of the group in Otu-Jeremi,

practices.

National Coordinator of the group and ex-militant leader, Fiawei Pathfinder, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that the duo were working in line the transformation agenda of the Federal Government in the upstream and downstream sectors.

He said that Ebele had ensured the constant supply of crude oil and steady gas supply to the national grid and that the group was proud of him as a Niger Delta son.

Pathfinder said that the two companies were been managed by experienced and capable hands.

Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

Obiuwebvi declared that no ethnic group had more stakes in the governance of Delta State than the Urhobo nation.

According to him, there was no time stakeholders in the state met and decided that the governorship should be zoned.

He added that the Urhobo people were in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of state of emergency to solve the security challenges in some Northern states of the country.

He maintained that there were no cracks in the Urhobo umbrella body, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, as being insinuated in some quarters.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

Intervention Fund. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence.

“The current charges largely concern cash lodgement made into his private bank account between August 2006 and March 2007.

“The judge was correct to have disqualified the prosecutor, who was said to lack the authority of the Attorney-General of the Federation to prosecute the case."

Urhobo still interested in Delta guber slot

N/Delta youths laud Warri refinery boss on service delivery

N

programme had been deployed to study in various universities and schools in Nigeria and abroad.

Similarly, 2,299 others, he said were undergoing various forms of skills acquisition in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Jonathan's mid-term report

E

VERYDAY you keep hearing words such as GDP, inflation, external reserves, interest rates— how have these made positive impact on the average Nigerian, who constitute the larger population?— Miss Adebola Adeshida, Student.

I

F stability provides the platform on which we can solve other problems in this country, why then is PHCN not working? Why are our roads not working yet? Why are polytechnic students at home?— Mr. Emmanuel Ijanna, Student.

I

was watching one of the ministers give his mid-term report.

He said that government had put an end to nearly four decades of corruption in the seed and fertilizer sectors, all within 90 days.

If true, I give Jona-than 90%.— Miss Sandra Anyian, Businessperson.

L

IKE the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said, there are problems with jobs. So I will rather score the administration average.— Mr. Jerome Samson, Businessperson.

I

always tell people that we do not have a government that put the interest of the people first. It is not just about this administration, it is a general thing in Nigeria. If I have to score him, 5% is okay.— Mr. Kazeem Aremu, Businessperson.

F

OR me, I will rather score the current administration 50%, looking at the security challenges it has faced in the last two years. Probably, by the end of the remaining two years, the score will appreciate.— Miss Okoye Precious, Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—45

Amnesty, group want Shell probed over pipeline fire L

BY INNOCENT ANABA

AGOS—AMNESTY International and Nigerian National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills, NACGOND, have called for investigation into a major fire that forced Shell Petroleum Development Company to close its Trans Niger pipeline in Rivers State.

The organisations called for an independent inquiry into the events that led to the fire at Bodo in Rivers State, an area already devastated by years of oil pollution.

It will be recalled that eight Shell contractors were arrested

by Nigerian security services in connection with the fire that broke out on June 19, following an oil spill at a section of the pipeline near Bodo that was being repaired by Shell contractors.

A Shell-led investigation into the cause of the fire is due to begin this week, it was gathered, while Shell claimed that the fire was a consequence of oil theft.

The groups said: “Community members told NACGOND that in the days leading up to the fire, Nigerian security forces prevented anyone other

2014: Anambra group endorses Nwandu for Gov

A

WKA—PROGRESS Forum for Anambra People,PFAP, has thrown its weight behind the candidacy of Prince Arthur Nwandu in the next gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

It also described Nwandu as the best person to succeed the incumbent, Mr. Peter Obi, even as it urged the aspirant not to allow pecuniary consideration to tarnish his name.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of PFAP, Mr. Ekene Anaezeofor, commended Nwandu for hosting the Hausa Community in the state, describing same as a means of ensuring inter ethnic harmony.

He said: ‘’The group has recommended Prince Arthur Nwandu as the best candidate to occupy the state governorship seat in Awka after Governor Peter Obi. The group comprises professionals, businessmen and traders commended Prince Nwandu for hosting the Hausa Community in the state in his Enugwu Ukwu residence as a means of “ensuring inter ethnic harmony and peace among the various ethnic groups in Nigeria.’’

than Shell’s contractors going near the area of the spill.

From the shore, people saw barges being loaded with oil and taken away from the site.

“Shell appears more concerned with conducting a public relations operation than a clean-up operation. It should focus less on its reputation and start addressing the damage caused to the lives of the people of Bodo.

“Shell’s investigation into the cause of the fire is not enough.

“What’s needed is a fully transparent and independent inquiry into what happened at Bodo in the days before the fire and the role and competence of Shell’s contractors.

There are serious unanswered questions as to who Shell entrusted with the high-risk repair of the pipeline, and about

its own level of oversight.”

It was gathered that the fire broke out following an oil spill on June 11, in an area where Shell contractors were working on maintenance and repairs.

The area was guarded by security forces apparently preventing unauthorised access.

Local residents attempted to visit the site to asses the scale of the spill but were turned back.

TRIAL: Mr. Fred Ajudua(middle), with security operatives, when he appeared at an Ikeja High Court over alleged fraud case in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Imoke charges civil servants on govt’s success

C

ALABAR—GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has said the civil service has a direct bearing on the success or failure of any administration.

Imoke made the assertion during the 2013 Civil Service Day Celebration at the Cultural Centre, Calabar.

According to him, the theme of the celebration, “Nigeria Public Service in the Age of Open Government: Giving Voice to the citizens,” was not only apt but also in consonance with the policy

thrust of his administration, which had placed great emphasis on efficient and effective service delivery from the civil service to its citizenry for the overall development of the state.

Imoke said: “It is in this respect that the civil service is a key determinant of the success of the government. It is an indispensable institution for the purpose of running an efficient and even laudably inspirational tagline to today’s celebrations, but if we are to take this claim seriously, it consti-

tutes a burden which, although not insurmountable, is significant and considerably tasking for the civil service.”

He said this requires an atmosphere of accountability and open line of communication allowing for full participation and feedback between the service and the people it serves, adding that there must be an overwhelming and over reaching acknowledgement that government in general and civil service in particular exists for the sole purpose of service to the people.

2015: IDC makes case for Delta South back to the Itsekiri and we Senatorial seat have a very sound Itsekiri son

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ARRI—ITSEKIRI political pressure group, Itsekiri Development Congress, IDC, has said that it was the turn of Itsekiri nation to produce the next senator for Delta South Senatorial District come 2015.

The group during a briefing in Warri, said the senatorial seat had gone round all

tribes in Delta South, except Itsekiri.

IDC said: “What we are saying is that there shall be no compromise whatsoever on Delta South Senatorial seat. It is the turn of the Itsekiri nation to produce the next senator.

“It has gone round all the tribes in the zone, now it is

with a high profile and right credentials to represent the zone, waiting to take over from Senator James Manager, an Ijaw man.

“It should also be recalled that Senator Stella Omu, an Isoko, represented the zone earlier. We are not negotiating it. It must be Itsekiri’s turn now.”

Rivers upgrades medical firm

BY EGUFEYAFUG-

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BORHI

ORT HARCOURT — The Integrated Medical Industries, IMI, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State is expected to leap from its current 160 million syringes per year to 1.3 billion in 2014.

Chairman of the IMI and Rivers State Health Commissioner, Dr. Tamunoiyoriari Parker, said the projected increased production would be achieved on completion of ongoing $27m upgrade in the firm.

Parker, spoke in Vienna, Austria, during the first test run of the IMI power plant built by G E Jenbacher GMBH & Co, a subsidiary of General Electric.

He said: “Oil has been good to the Rivers people, but Governor Amaechi believes that the best way to sustain development in the state is to stimulate the economy independent of oil. That is why the state government had invested heavily in manufacturing, farming, education, health and energy.”

Uduaghan lauded on Supreme Court victory

BY SIMON ADEWALE

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BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member representing the Ndokwa East constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has lauded the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan on the Supreme Court judgment validating his electoral victory.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Osanebi also praised the judiciary for not allow people to ridicule its reputation. He added that the Supreme Court judgment was a victory for democracy.

The Chairman of House Committee on Interparliamentary Matters, also called on Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, and other aggrieved persons to join hands with the Uduaghan’s government to move the state to a greater height and bring dividends of democracy to the people.

46—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

£3,000 visa bond: Cleric urges UK to rescind decision CHAIRMAN, Niger Delta Bishop forum, Archbishop God-Dowell Avwomakpa, yesterday, called on the U.K to reverse her decision on the proposed £3,000 or N750,000 Visa bond which the British government planned to implement beginning from November this year.

Avwomakpa, who is also Chairman, South-South zone of CAN, noted that the proposed visa bond coming from Nigeria’s former colonial master negated the bond of historical relationship, spirit of father and son as well as the allegiance that Britons owed Nigeria as colonial master and father.

According to Avwomakpa, “the world is amazed that the British government which colonised us and introduced us to western education and parliamentary system of government could seek to introduce a £3,000 bond as advanced payment for liability by any Nigerian intending to visit the U.K. “He noted that the first country any Nigerian child wants to visit either for education or other reasons is the U.K because almost every Nigerian parents have told their children something good about the Britons."

UPP wants N-Assembly to correct imbalance in Nigeria's structure

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HE United Progres sives Party, UPP, has asked the National Assembly to address the imbalance in the number of states among the six geopolitical zones by increasing the number of states in the country to 42.

Governorship aspirant of the party in Anambra State, Dr Okey Umeano, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Onitsha.

The Igbo, he said, needed to have sense of belonging and one of such ways to achieve that was to create two additional states in the SouthEast while the zones which presently have six states should get additional one, for all the zones to have equal number of states.

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Ebonyi traders worry over influx of fake naira notes

BY PETER OKUTU

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CONCERT—Joseph Ogbuka, Assistant Manager, Youth Segment, MTN, presenting prizes to some youths who attended the MTN Project Fame's All-Stars Concert at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, Cross River State.

Terrorism: Ihejirika lauds Ndigbo for not attacking Northerners

BY OKONKWO EZE NITSHA—THE Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has commended Ndigbo for not making the mistake of embarking on a reprisal attacks against northerners resident in Igbo land during last year’s bomb attacks in Kano and other parts of the north.

He said if Ndigbo had made such a mistake, the terrorists, would have satisfied their own aspirations in trying to create a state of anarchy in the country.

Ihejirika, who spoke at the Army Officers’ Mess, Military Cantonment, Onitsha, Anambra State, during the commissioning of some refurbished military vehicles, including prime movers, ammunition carriers and command post vehicles.

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He said he was impressed that Ndigbo were sensible enough to have shunned reprisal attacks.

He expressed optimism that with the support of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Onitsha business community, the terrorists would not only be surmounted and kicked out of the country, but also kicked out of neighboring countries.

He also commended the Onitsha business community for the support and co-operation given to his officers and men in the commercial city and urged them not to relent in their efforts.

Ihejirika said: “My officers and men are here to do a peculiar and selfless job for mankind”.

He also warned the soldiers to be patient and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of Nigerian soldiers, particularly during this democratic dispensation.

Earlier in his remarks, Commandant of Army Corp Artillery of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen A. K. Kwaskebe, had commended Ihejirika for approving the refurbishment of miliary vehicles and equipment which were abandoned in Calabar, Cross River State, after some foreign peace missions.

Kwaskebe disclosed that some contractors had bidded for refurbishment at N300 million but added that the military applied direct labour which paid off as only N18 million was spent for the refurbishment.

FG meets with NPA, NIMASA, MWUN over industrial unrest

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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HE Federal Government has summoned the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and leaders of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, to a meeting today in Abuja, to find amicable solution to the dispute threatening industrial peace in the industry.

Vanguard gathered that the government, through the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, summoned

NPA, NIMASA and MWUN to the meeting to stem the looming industrial unrest that could begin next Wednesday.

Confirming the summon, President-General of MWUN, Anthony Emmanuel Nted, said the union had received invitation from the Labour Ministry to a meeting over unpaid 11 months salaries to members, among other issues.

MWUN had two weeks ago, petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan, threatening to shut down the nation’s ports next week over unpaid 11 months salaries to members by the NPA. In the petition dated June 12,

2013, the union alleged that NPA had for the past 11 months not paid tally clerks, onboard security men and others, but had been spending not less than N300 million monthly to pay illegal employees, known as cargo surveyors, who had nothing to do in the ports.

MWUN gave NPA up till next Tuesday to pay the tally clerks and onboard security men their 11 months unpaid salaries and disengage the cargo surveyors who had no defined job in the ports, but received handsome pay, failing which the nation’s ports would be shut down indefinitely.

BAKALIKI—THERE is palpable fear that fake naira notes may have started circulating in most markets in the state, as some suspected syndicates are now taking advantage of unsuspecting business men and women.

This development has affected the manner goods and services are being exchanged as traders and buyers are now cautious of every currency they received.

Vanguard gathered that one Obaji Chijoke was apprehended by one Nwite Izuchukwu at Nkaliki Market in Abakaliki for paying him with fake N1,000 note after buying CD plate at the cost of N1,500, while he (Chijioke) was expecting a balance of N900.

When he discovered that the N1,000 note given to him by Chijoke was fake, he raised alarm which attracted attention of other traders as they promptly held the suspect who was later handed over to the police.

Sir Obiemeka for burial

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IR Edmund Igbokwe Obiemeke, 76, of Umuigwe Ndiezike Village, Odoata-Amuamu, Ihiala Local Governm2ent Area, Anambra State is dead.

There will be vigil mass in his compound today and the funeral mass takes place tomorrow at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Odoata, Amuamu, Ihiala.

This will be followed by interment at his compound.

He was until his death, a community leader, devout Christian and Catholic Knight of St John International in Ihiala. He is survived by many children amongst who is Lady Anderline Chukwudebelu.

 Late Sir Obiemeka

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—47

PRESENTATION: From right: Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman, IDEA Board of Directors; Mr. Kyari Bukar, Chairman of TechLaunchpad and Mr. Pius Okigbo,Vice Chairman, IDEA Board/member of Techlaunchpad Board, during the presentation and Induction of Techlaunchpad software developer to the Minister of Science and Technology, at Sabo, Yaba, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

AGM: From right, Mr. Godwin Samuel, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser; Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Chairman, Board of Directors; Mr. Larry Ettah, Group MD/CEO, and Mr. Abdul Bello, Director, all of UAC of Nigeria Plc, during the company's 2013 Annual General Meeting, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac Road, Mile 2, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

EMPOWERMENT: From left, a beneficiary, Mrs. Iyabo Oladipupo; Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, with other beneficiaries, Miss Aishat Adewunmi and Mrs. Isimat Iyanda, at VISIT: A contestant, Miss Celestine Queen, addressing wife of Ekiti State Governor, the presentation of mobile carts by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, during the Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during Miss Nigeria 2013 team visit to Mrs. Fayemi, in AdoIndomie Empowerment Programme, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Ekiti..

Photo Editor.

GRADUATION: Principal, Avi-Cenna International School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. David Ogburn, presenting a certificate to one of the 52 students, who graduated from the school after completing their secondary school education.

ANNIVERSARY:From left, President Goodluck Jonathan; former Zambian President, Kennet COMMISSIONING: Members of staff and man- Kaunda, and Queen Akasoba Duke-Abiola, the agement of Shoprite, Ibadan, during the commis- Akasoba of Kalabari Kingdom, at the 50th annisioning of the outlet, in Ibadan, Oyo State. versary of the African Union, in Adis Ababa.

DONATION: From left, Grace Ikuabe, Ikponmwosa Odiase, Margaret Asian, Human Resources Manager, all of Protea Hotel Select Emotan and Mr. Shedrack Aims Ikharo, Public Relations Manager, Edo Orphanage Home, during the donation of items to the orphanage by the hotel, in Edo State.

CONFERENCE: From left, Manager, Mobile Financial Service, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwaseun Omotosho; Head, e-Business, Stanbic IBTC, Adeleke Adekoya; Head, Policy, Economic Analysis & Research, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Henry Nkemadu and Divisional Head, UBA, Adeyinka Adedeji, at the Nigeria Cashless Society Initiative Conference, in Lagos.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Kaduna lawmakers in Ethiopia for retreat

Zamfara cattle sellers seek modern market

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ADUNA— SEVENTEEN members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly have arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on a weeklong retreat, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

The legislators, led by the Deputy Speaker, Dr Dogara Mato, make up the first batch of the 34 members of the state House of Assembly to arrive in Ethiopia for the retreat.

The programme, which is being coordinated by Kadunabased Express Lead Consult, has “State Legislations and the Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria,“ as its theme.

The consultant’s Malam Ibrahim Othman said the Speaker, Malam Mu’azu Gangara would lead the second batch, adding that some of the issues to be discussed during the retreat include unemployment, insecurity, poverty, justice and equity.

NDLEA convicts 21,781 drug traffickers

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI & SUSAN EDEH

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HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has convicted 21,871 drug traffickers since inception of the agency’s operations 23 years ago.

The Kwara State Commander of NDLEA, Mr.Segun Oke, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Parah Julius, made this known, yesterday, at separate events to mark this year ’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking in Ilorin and Bauchi respectively.

While noting that the agency was winning war against drugs, Julius said that the agency had impounded 617.832kg of Cannabis Savita, (Indian Hemp) from 100 suspects between January and June, this year.

However, Mr Oke said in Ilorin that “looking back at the contribution of Nigeria, I am bold to state that the NDLEA is winning the fight against illicit drugs,” pointing out that more than 3,434,966.23 narcotics drugs were seized within the period under review.

He said: "The break down of the drugs shows that 2,827,861.70kg of cannabis, 178,120.73kg of cocaine, 195,283,92kg of heroin and 233,699kg of psychotropic substances with Kwara State accounting for about 10,532kg within a time line of 10 years."

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From left: Company Secretary, Unity Bank plc, Aisha Abraham; Chairman, Nu uman Barau Danbatta; and Managing Director, Ado Yakubu Wanka during the Unity Bank Annual General meeting in Abuja yesterday.

Usmanu Danfodio varsity gets $4.2m grant for solar panels

BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

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OKOTO—THE Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, UDUS, has received a $4.2 million (about N630 million) grant from the World Bank for the production of solar panels aimed at boosting e l e c t r i c i t y .

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu who made this known in an interview with Vanguard in Sokoto said that at present, UDUS spends N6.8 million

monthly on purchase of 44,000 litres of diesel for water and electricity supplies, even as the main campus of the university had not been connected to the public water supply network since it was established in 1975.

Shehu said that UDUS secured the grant for the production of solar panels through the Sokoto Energy Research Centre, SERC. He said: "The project will be executed under the Directorate of Science and

Benue CNPP blasts Gov Suswam

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI—BENUE State Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan has berated Governor Gabriel Suswam for pulling out the Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, saying his decision was not in the best interest of people of the state.

Agan who spoke in an interview with newsmen, lamented that Suswam took the decision without consulting with political stakeholders in the state.

He said: "Benue State remains part and parcel of the north and it is improper for Suswam to single-handedly pull it out of an important grouping of that nature without consulting with the people who gave him their mandate in the first place."

On the crises in the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, he also criticised Suswam’s non recognition of Governor Chibuike Amaechi as the authentic chairman of the group, noting: “Suswam failed

to realise that the people of Benue State and indeed the CNPP recognize Governor Amaechi as the authentic chairman of the NGF, because it is clear to every rational mind that the man won the election.

"They do not care that their action is heating up the polity because, in the first place, most of these governors have abandoned their responsibilities to their respective people who are wallowing in penury. It is a shame that most of our governors have become political contractors who no more consider the interest and well being of their people but dissipate energy in the pursuit of their personal gains to the detriment of the people’s wishes and aspirations.

"What they are doing is a slap on the faces of all Nigerians, perhaps they are taking us for granted, but we are waiting for them at the polls in 2015 because we cannot continue like this as a nation.”

Technology Post Basic Education, STEP-B, programme of the university.

SERC was recently selected as one of the few centres of excellence in renewable energy.

In the next one year, the centre will commence the production of solar panels to stop their massive importation. The grant is also for the conduct of research in renewable energy, training and purchase of equipment for the project.”

Shehu said the equipment, which were being expected in the country, would improve power supply in the state, adding: “It will also improve our revenue base, enhance capacity building as well as reduce the costs of the provision of renewable energy."

He, however, reiterated the need for the establishment of Education Bank in the country as obtained in other parts of the world, adding: “such bank will help in advancing soft loans to students, especially those from less to do families to acquire education at all levels. These type of indigent students will therefore be able to pursue their education without poverty hindering them and they can repay the loans upon graduation.”

On water supply, Shehu said: "the main campus which houses majority of the members of the university community is being supplied solely with water from bore holes sunk across the campus. We also use generators to complement power supply from PHCN which has been epileptic all over Nigeria. I am appealing to the government and other key stakeholders to assist universities all over Nigeria in overcoming most of their problems, including those of water and electricity supplies.”

GUSAU—THE Cattle Sellers Association in Zamfara State, yesterday, urged the state government to build modern cattle markets across the state to boost cattle trade in the area.

Chairman of the association, Alhaji Aminu Garba, who made the call in Gusau in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, said there was need to provide modern cattle markets in the state capital and the other 13 local government headquarters, to accommodate the increasing number of cattle being brought to markets across the state.

He said Zamfara remained a major source of cattle in the country adding that enhancing the market facilities would attract more customers and boost the state’s economy.

Garba noted that the number of cattle markets presently were grossly inadequate to cater for the number being brought for sale daily.

Asabe foundation blames poverty for widows' plight

BY LAJA THOMAS

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HE Asabe Shehu Yar ’Ádua Foundation, ASYARF, has identified poverty and lack of courage as the major challenges confronting widows in Africa.

More than 115 million out of the 245 million widows worldwide are said to be living in grinding poverty.

The figure includes widows and their children evicted from their family homes and elderly widows caring for grandchildren orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis in the sub-Sahara Africa.

Founder/President of the Foundation, Dr. Asabe Musa YarÁdua, made this observation at a ceremony in Kaduna to commemorate the International Widows Day. Yar’Adua noted that the lack of the courage to tackle the challenges confronting widows was an obstacle against the battle on poverty.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—49

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Vanguard, THURSD AY, JUNE 27, 2013 —51 THURSDA

Don’t be caught ‘dead’ with dirty money!

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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OU are dead without money.” This affirmative title of the best-selling thriller authored by suspense and mystery novelist James Hadley Chase, aptly describes the essence of money.

Money sustains life. With money you can have a life. Money makes the world go round. Money is the world, money is the word. Money moves the world, money stops the world.

When money talks, people listen.Such is the power and authority of the phenomenon called “money”.

But as powerful as money is in keeping life, money could also easily take life.

The mere act of handling or touching money could cost you your life.

Literarily, you could be “dead“ with money.

Do you put money in your mouth? It’s a foolhardy thing to do considering all the abuse money goes through on daily basis.

Several Nigerians will not touch dirty or mutilated currency notes with a metre pole. They prefer clean, mint notes. Do not blame them. They are the wise ones.

Dirty money is a serious health hazard. Today, the job of separating dirty money from an unsuspecting public falls to the Central Bank. It is a justifiable task.

Millions of currency notes in circulation are full of disgusting germs.

Some notes are downright filthy and

• Dirty currency notes smelly, emitting offensive odours and poisonous, nauseating fumes that threaten to choke you to death.

Studies of bacteria on money are scarce. However, a 1972 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied bacteria from 200 coins and notes and found potentially harmful germs like fecal bacteria, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus on 13 percent of coins and 42 percent of notes.

The study concluded: "Money is truly dirty."

Currency notes are actually built to take an extreme amount of abuse. The average American dollar or British

pound last an average of 18 months, and it is doubtful just how long the Nigeria naira note lasts.

Worse still, there are no tests to show how soiled the average currency note is or to reveal what soils it so you can never really know where the money in your hand has been.

Common contaminants in paper money usually include traces of illicit drugs, as well as deadly pathogens such as hepatitis C and noroviruses which cause colds.

The plain truth is that millions of currency notes in circulation are colonised by unfriendly bacteria.

Fortunately, the bacteria shrivels on money's dry surface. As 25 percent of people carry the S. aureus in their noses, it's no surprise that the bug gets onto fingers and money.

Anything that gets on hands can get on money. And hands are hardly germfree. While not the germiest parts of the human body - they're too dry for that hands have a local population of bacteria quietly grazing on their skin debris.

So what can we do about dirty money and germs on currency? Money is not a major cause of exchange of diseases, the biggest culprit when it comes to transmitting sickness is a simple lack of hygiene.

The most common problem is lack of hand washing. There are a lot of bacterial diseases that can be spread because people don't wash their hands often and well enough.

Also, do not forget those are all things your mother told you. Mothers are perfectly right to warn children not to put money in their mouths.

Actually, the best way to protect yourself is to keep your fingers and money out of your mouth (even though it wont kill you), it is dirty and smelly, don't rub your eyes, don't pick at your scabs, and wash your hands, especially after going to the lavatory.

The concern of all should be that, in the interest of public health, it is desirable to withdraw all soiled currency notes from circulation as soon as is practicable.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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She hardly allows me sex until I pick up a quarrel with her. On the occasions that she decides to have sex with me (which must be on bed) she will turn her back and ask me to enter through the back.

Even when we do it like this, she makes sure to hide all her sensitive parts like breast with her hand so that I won’t touch them.

The most annoying thing is that on many occasions she would have slept off while am still on it.

I have tried my best to make her happy by being a responsible husband to her and my children.

I have called her on many occasions for us to have the matter discussed but if I talk for the whole day she will not have anything to say other than promising that she will change which she never does. This has made me to cheat on her on one or two occasions. But I am not always happy any time I do this because I love her - Seyi Hello Seyi. A lot of women and men have very shocking agendas when it comes to marriage. There are people who trick others into marrying them for a variety of reasons such as financial security, to have children or to hide the fact that they are gay or lesbian. It happens all the time.

As soon as the marriage takes place, their behaviour changes and the reluctance to be intimate is one of the signs that there is a major problem. I suggest going for marriage counselling with your wife because she needs to explain herself too.

If that doesn’t work, then I don’t see a happy feature for both of you. You are already cheating on her which is a clear indication that your marriage is tumbling over a cliff – Uche

I am not sexually satisfied so I use prostitutes sometimes. I am not happy about it. Once I contacted a sexually transmitted disease. What can I do to stop this? Williams Hello William. First of all, always use a condom in any sexual situation. Secondly, have you received treatment for your STD? If not, go to the hospital and get treatment. And lastly, very few people in this world are sexually satisfied.

That is why adult men and women masturbate. Sex toys such as Foxy’s Platinum Masturbator can help give you relief without the infidelity and risk of contracting a disease – Uche I like your penis sleeves. I am using Stud Extender now and it really does make me look bigger and my woman likes it. But it is covered at the mouth. We are trying to have a baby. Do you have any other good sleeve that is open ended? Thanks – Bello Hello Bello. You can use the Bigger and Better Sleeve or the Invisi Rider Sleeve. They are both open ended – Uche Do you still have Shane Diesel Prolong cream for preventing premature ejaculation? The one I bought is finished – Dike Yes we do. Call the numbers here to get it – Uche I travel a lot so I need a vibrator that can give my wife quality pleasure in my absence. I also want your best penis enlargement pump. Thanks – Andy Hello Andy. Get her the Dual Rotation Rabbit Vibrator and for you, I recommend the Automatic Precision Penis Pump – Uche Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

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52 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

N730,000 UK visa bond: Nigeria'll reciprocate — Sen Nwagwu SENATOR Matthew Nwagwu (PDP Imo North), chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, is not happy with the proposed UK visa bond policy which seeks to compel visitors from some countries, including Nigeria to deposit to UK immigration authority, the sum of 3,000 pounds which they would forfeit if they overstay their visits. In this interview, he said Nigeria would pay UK in her own coins at the appropriate time.

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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HAT is the position of the Senate on the proposed United Kingdom policy that seeks to force visitors to UK to deposit 3,000 pounds to their immigration authority?

But as a Nigerian, I have to say that any government including the UK government has the right to make a law that will protect its interest. So it’s left to Nigeria also to make the law that will protect Nigerian citizens’ interests also.

When they inform us

they should know that they can equally do it elsewhere, they must not go to the UK. They should not say ‘I am going to see doctors,’ are there no doctors in other places in the world? Or you want to go and do business in the UK, would you say that particular business is not in other places in the world?

Nigeria and the UK are doing well in terms of relationship but if there is a crack in that relationship, it must not be that oh, because my doctor is there, my university is there and my business is there, I must go.

Well, if you must go, then you deposit the 3000 pounds they are talking about and we will stop talking about it. If Nigerians must go there and deposit that amount, how many Nigerians can afford that amount?

security threat to the UK...

If Britain is judging us like that, then, that is their own judgment. We have many Britons, many UK people living in Nigeria and they are moving about freely and doing their businesses. At times, you want to refer to some situations in some parts of the North, and say yes, that may have been the reason they are coming up with this but Nigeria, generally, is calm and peaceful and many foreigners are here doing their work and businesses. So to classify Nigeria as one of the countries

POINTERS

•Nigeria should show reciprocity •Nigeria should choose its true friends •Nigerians should choose alternative traveling destinations •Nwagwu officially on this policy, we will sit down to study it and then respond to them officially. We will not accept it if Nigeria is branded among the countries they are targeting and we will respond to them in that order.

That is what we call reciprocity.

If the policy comes into effect, it’s left to Nigerians also to begin to find alternative travel destinations.

Some of our people are rushing to UK as our traditional partner, good friend and brother, if they now decide that they have had enough Nigerians for whatever reason, then, Nigerians should think whether it is worthwhile depositing the 3,000 pounds.

I’m sure Nigerians would also respond on their own without anybody telling them. Again, we have to find out why and what informed this policy if it is true and look inward. Are there things we are doing wrong and are there things we need to correct?

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posing security threats is out of the way.

Like I have said earlier, you have to look at your friend properly, to know whether he is the friend you know or not.

Britain should even be the one to properly understand Nigeria and her problems and

then help us in whatever way they can. I am sure they are helping but if they impose the law on Nigeria that questions our continued relationship.

You said Nigeria should begin to think of alternative travel destinations, are you

saying they should stop traveling to the UK? If your friend says stop coming to my house, you have to think. If Nigerian graduates for instance want to do Masters’ course or things like that and that course is in UK,

What do you think is really responsible for this policy?

I think they only referred to security risk, that they (visitors from Nigeria) may be security risk. Nigeria has security challenges and we are also addressing them aggressively.

That is why we have our troops in Mali and some other countries, to make sure that this thing doesn’t descend on us.

That is why there are troops in several places in the North and that is why there is state of emergency in three states.

Ekweremadu: A half-time appraisal

BY UCHE ANICHUKWU

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HE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu is one Senator who has his hands full. Apart being unanimously reelected Deputy President in 2011, he is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

He is also the Chairman, Governing Council of the National Institute of Legislative Studies.

At the sub-regional level, he was unanimously elected the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, in August 2011. Only last week he was appointed Secre-

tary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Special Convention Committee. Yet he has demonstrated that he has the energy, intellect, passion and Midas touch to drive the institutions and tasks placed on his shoulders.

Midway into his term as the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and his principal, the Senate President, the Most Distinguished Senator David Mark, have continued to maintain stability and entrench a culture of honour and legislative excellence in the Red Chamber. The ability of the duo to guide the Upper Chamber to strike a balance between nation-

al interest and other multifarious intervening interests- political, individual constituency, ethnic, religious, and even personal, etc- is a high mark of leadership.

Two years down the line, Senator Ekweremadu has several Bills and Motions to his name.

However, Senator Ekweremadu’s name has become more synonymous with constitution amendment and true federalism. Drawing experience and inspiration from the breaking of the jinx of amending the 1999 Constitution during the 6th National Assembly which laid the foundation for the relative suc-

cess of the 2011 general election, Ekweremadu and his team are on the march again. The Ekweremadu Committee has so far shown that it bears no allegiance to any, except that which it owes to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has no interest to protect, except that of the generality of the Nigerian people and posterity. He has effectively guided the Committee on the path of superior argument and public will.

At the sub-regional level, Senator Ekweremadu inherited a Parliament that was largely obscure and strictly consultative or

Continues on page 53

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 — 53

Anambra 2014: 100 reasons they want me to be governor — Annie Okonkwo •Anambra North can only get governorship on merit SENATOR Annie Okonkwo represented Anambra Central in the Sixth Senate.

He is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship aspirant in Anambra. In this interview, he said the South-East would not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 because of unfulfilled promises. He also, among others, said the other zones of Anambra State would not surrender the governorship to Anambra North without a fight.

O

N whether All Progressives Congress (APC) would provide the needed alternative If we want this country to survive, we need a party like APC that would compete with PDP, a party that will give people the opportunity to have an option instead of creating doubt in people that after voting for their choice party, the party will not win.

Majority of us that left PDP were not satisfied with their conduct.

We would have decamped long ago but there was no alternative platform and when APC was introduced, we decamped immediately. APC was formed in order to rescue the people and the country from PDP’s undemocratic way of leadership. No party can rule forever, we need to try APC since PDP has failed.

They don’t think of the welfare of the people, they don’t think about how to provide security for the people, all they are thinking about is themselves.

On perception of APC as Yoruba/Hausa party and fear that the Igbo would be marginalised in the party That perception is wrong because APC is not a Hausa/

Yoruba party. We, the people of the South-East observed that the only political party where the Igbo will have a say and ample opportunity to actualize their presidential ambition is in the APC. Don’t forget that I am the President of C21, a socio-political group that is seriously advocating for the emergence of a President of Igbo extraction. With the signatory of the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha and with the support of C21, APC has become a recognised national party and every position will be shared equally.

The focus point of APC is internal democracy and I am very optimistic that an Igbo man will emerge as the presidential candidate of APC in 2015.

His assessment of President Goodluck Jonathan in terms of infrastructural development Now, we have not seen tangible things that we can point at as what he has offered the South East. Starting from the dredging of the River Niger, nothing has happened, construction of second Niger bridge, the roads that lead to the East or that are in the East are still in terrible condition.

The other time they came in to say they have

,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

Since the creation of Anambra there was never a time that the people of Anambra State sat down and discussed zoning

•Okonkwo

,

commissioned Akanu Ibiam International Airport, nothing is there, and we are now going into the final stage of the race.

I do not see anybody that will come and tell me that the promises have been kept.

South East has suffered for this government and we cannot boast of anything that will give us hope or convince us that the South-East will be taken care off. If they have not done anything before now the probability of trusting them that they will do something is very slim and dangerous. We cannot be asked to continue with this government; yes Ndigbo as far as I am concerned will not accept promises that have not been kept. So we are looking for an

alternative that we are sure will keep promises.

His take on unfolding events in Anambra ahead the 2014 governorship election Things have started happening in Anambra because the election is six months down the line. Our concern is to ensure that APC captures the state. Anambra election will be the first test for APC. Presently in Anambra, the two political parties, PDP and APGA that can compete with APC are having serious crises. With the way things are going in the state, it will be very difficult for any party to beat APC. APC will win the election.

On his chances of emerging as APC governorship candidate in Anambra Forget about the people coming out, at the end of the day the party will produce only one candidate. APC

Ekweremadu: A half-time appraisal Continues from page 52 advisory- unable to make laws, carry out oversight functions, approve budgets or some statutory appointments. Apart from raising the Parliament’s visibility and deploying it as a real tool for regional integration, he has vigorously pursued his major agenda of enhancing of the powers of the Parliament to conform with other seriousminded regional parliaments like the European Union and even the East African Legislative Assembly.

Within two years, the Ekweremadu-led Parliament has raised, adopted, and transmit-

ted a Draft Supplementary Act for the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament to the ECOWAS Commission. This quest has received immense support from the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Alassane Ouattara and other ECOWAS institutions and organs. A Roadmap for the Enhancement project was recently adopted in Accra, while the Financial Chain Team of ECOWAS has considered the Financial Budget and Draft Organogram component of the Draft Supplementary Act. If all goes according to plan, Ekweramdu and indeed the ECOWAS Parliament are at the thresh-

old of history.

Furthermore, Senator Ekweremadu has undertaken robust infrastructural development of the Parliament, securing Nigerian Government’s grant of N932,264,779.50, as the host country, for the construction of a brand new state-of-the-art office complex for the Parliament.

In addition, reconstruction of the existing structure is in progress.

But more importantly, from Guinea Bissau to Guinea Conakry, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, etc, the ECOWAS Parliament under Senator Ekweremadu has continued to play greater part in consolidating democracy. It has

repeatedly voiced its opposition against all forms of sit-tight syndrome, unconstitutional take over of power, militancy, insurgency, and terrorism. He has brought parliamentary diplomacy to bear on building partnerships and addressing many challenges facing West Africa.

As the 7th Senate returns for the second half of its lifespan, all eyes will be on Senator Ekweremadu to sustain and possibly surpass the already garnered momentum on all fronts.

•Uche Anichukwu is Special Adviser Media to the Deputy president of Senate

believe in internal democracy and not where you impose candidate on the people. It is the people that will decide their candidate but if they think I am not the best candidate to carry the flag, anybody the people elect, I will support the person.

I am not a neophyte in politics. I have been in Anambra politics for over 20 years and the people know me too well. I have been able to positively affect lives in the state.

Credible candidate Because of my achievement, recently, some group of people without my knowledge went and wrote 100 reasons they want me to become the governor.

On agitation of the People of Anambra North for power shift Since the creation of Anambra there was never a time that the people of Anambra State sat down and discussed zoning. In all the elections that took place in Anambra, the North, the South and the Central participated.

So I don’t see the reason they will come out now and be saying that it is their turn. If they present a credible candidate, no party will deny them of the mandate but if it is leaving the election open for the people of the North it is not possible and it has never been done anywhere. The present governor is from the Central but I don’t see anything special that people of the district have benefited.

So the most important thing is to elect somebody that has the people at heart.

54— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

BY JAPHET ALAKAM AS part of activities mark ing the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of The Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA), the body organised its first distinguished lecture themed “The Role of Art in National Transformation”, which aims to grow public dialogue and critical debate centered on contemporary art developments in Nigeria and Africa. It also serves as a platform for today’s most celebrated artists, thinkers, writers, curators, critics and art historians to share their knowledge, perspectives and ideas on the role of art in shaping society.

The lecture which was chaired

by Chief Arthur Mbanefo with Dr. Abdullahi Muku, DG, National Gallery of Art as the guest of honour was delivered by Romuald Hazoumé, a celebrated artist and social thinker from Benin Republic at the Nigerian Institute of International affairs, Lagos.

In the well attended event, the speakers deliberated on a whole lot of issues, but two topical issues that were seriously mentioned as the necessary tools required for the development of art in Africa

•From right: Romuald Hazoume, guest lecturer, Abdulahi Muku, DG, National Gallery of Art, Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Chairman of the occasion and Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya at the event

‘How not to transform art in Nigeria' ing out that “we don’t have to wait for foreigners to develop us.

We don’t need to do like the whites, we must build our own as that is the only way to be on top. The neglect of art by the leaders is the bane of our development as the only way for development is to respect who we are, respect the works of art

,

,

Art serves as a basis for our development, but we must draw and paint to suit our culture

were the need for Africans to promote their culture by protecting their art works, and the building of a befitting gallery of art in the country.

Importance of art On his part, the revolutionary guest speaker who dramatized and played it right home to the audience, charged Africans on the need to preserve their culture.

Speaking on the importance of art and how it will help to build our image, he said that “art serves as a basis for our development, but we must draw and paint to suit our culture. It is only when we do so that we really bring our society into international consciousness.” He cited the case of the exploits of late Afro beat musician , Fela Kuti and how he would have been received in foreign countries if he was still alive more than the way the president or former presidents of Nigeria will be received.

Known for his love for the recycling of waste as well as his mask series which has taken him to major exhibitions all over the globe, Hazoume who was dressed in his traditional Yoruba attire to demonstrate his love for Africa charged Africans on the need to build their country, point-

and save our reputation.” He added.

Displaying some of his works on the screen, the celebrated artists who said that he works with rubbish explained that he uses discarded cans thrown away by oil thieves from Nigeria to do his works. And some of the works address some of the topical

issues about his country and Africa. He came down heavily on Nigeria artists, who do their work to suit the whites and virtually sell all their art works to them and charged them to look inwards. He also charged the federal government as a matter of urgency to build a befitting national gallery of art that will house art works produced in the country. “As an artist, we do not need to sell every work we produce because the whites are buying virtually all the works we have, we need to protect them by saving them for posterity, build our country with ease, creativity, save our culture, think about who we are, and what we are doing”. He noted.

He also charged the money bags to channel part of their money to arts instead of buying choice cars and other things so that it can provide job for the

teeming unemployed youths Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Arthur Mbanefo who took the audience down to when the society was formed, commended the members for its sustenance.

He said that the society has grown in years and that 50 years is good to celebrate as it will afford them the opportunity to assess its failures as a body and affect changes that are required . “The practice of art has changed in Nigeria because of the new materials, art auctions/exchange so the body should be apt to face the challenges to determine the future of arts.” He then charged SNA to look into the impact of the auctions and find ways of regulating it to determine its effects on the members.

The DG of National gallery of Art, Muku who observed that the topic is an agenda that will be uppermost in the mind of the

artists disclosed that art does not base only on studio work and calls for the need to look into the process of transforming it into real money.

According to the SNA President, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu, the year-long celebration which started in March, aims to sustain efforts to connecting all members of the Nigeria art community with the pulsation of state at all times.

It is a platform for today’s artists, thinkers, writers, curators, critics and art historians to share their knowledge, perspectives and ideas on the role of art in shaping society.

P resent at the lecture were:Chief Arthur Mbanefo, Abdulahi Muku, Dr Bruce Onabrakpeya, Prof. Uche Okeke, Prof. S. Adetoro, Pa Okhia Odjekere, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Kunle Filani, Kunle Adeyemi and a host of others.

The odd way to be distinct

By EBELE FRANCIS

The Quest for Distinction (The Odd Discovery); Isokari Francis Ololo; Friesen Press, Canada (2013); pp. 125

U

SING what he describes as ‘the Odd Discovery’, Dr Francis Ololo uses oldtime wisdom, faith principles, personal experiences and management concepts to impart the secret of success; how an individual could rise above his circumstances and attain an enviable position in life. This philosophy runs through Ololo’s 11 chapter-inspirational book, The Quest for Distinction (The Odd Discovery).

The book teaches that for one to succeed, one has to look on to the Master of Success Himself —God. There is something universal and timeless about this book that lends itself to popular appreciation. Even though the author speaks from the Christian point of view, even nonChristians can gain from the philosophical doctrine therein. It is a book for everyone.

He identifies two major categories of believers- the Odd and the Even. Ololo analyzes the major distinguishing features of the two opposites, especially their attitude to service and reward. While the odd type is service-

oriented, the even type is reward centred.

He argues that the focal issue should be service first; “Once a true Believer makes the principle of “God first” a habit, the mentality of service first becomes ingrained and unshakeable.”

The second chapter is on how to use one’s talent for the service of God and humanity.

He observes that, “The Odd believes in an ultimate creative, spiritual personality called God and that temptation is a tool for the Devil to execute his mastery of evil. Through temptation “the Even run to all sorts of shrines, temples, and huts looking for mystical powers. Even in the Church of God today, the Even, rather than looking for God, are seeking prophecies, signs, and wonders.” The author refers to this phenomenon as “too much Churchism and too little Godism.”

‘Exceptionality and the Heart-Mind Principle’, which describes the need for the Odd to do whatever they are doing with the whole of their souls, spirits, and bodies, is the major subject-matter of Chapter Eight.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—55

Bauchi govt alleges plot to destabilise state

PPMC puts out Ilado fire zNo casualty recorded—Navy

B

AUCHI State Govern ment raised an alarm yesterday that it had uncovered a plot by some people to cause crisis in the state and discredit the government In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Isa Yuguda, Mr Ishola Adeyemi, said the masterminds of the plot have also been uncovered and the government would soon move against them and their collaborators According to the statement, “the Bauchi State Government has uncovered a plot by some misguided and anti-progressive elements to plunge the state into a crisis, using agents of destruction within and outside the state to cause disharmony and disaffection among the people of the state towards discrediting and destabilizing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led administration of the Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

“It has also been discovered that the brains behind this evil plot against the government and good people of Bauchi State have recruited and engaged propaganda merchants and rumour vendors to spread rumour, raise false alarm and publish deliberate misinformation about the state and the Chief Executive with a view to imposing hate, fear and terror, thereby scaring citizens, residents, visitors and genuine investors from engaging in peaceful, productive and legitimate business in the state.

“The government is pleased however to inform the good and peace-loving people of the state that it is adequately on top of the situation, courtesy of our competent and security officers collaborating with patriotic and loyal members of the public.

"Government is in possession of closely-guarded documents detailing the sponsors, sources, and strategies of the plotters, including their collaborators within the state.”

The statement added that, “the three arrowheads of the plot have held clandestine meetings in some capital cities within and outside the country, with some top politicians, opposition figures in attendance.”

It explained that the statement had become imperative to alert unsuspecting members of the public, particularly the peace-loving people of the state, of the plot and to assure them that government had taken appropriate measures to foil it.

P

POLIO PLUS—From left: Sir Emeka Offor and Urs Herzog, PolioPlus National Advocacy Advisor , Rotary during polio workshop yesterday at the ongoing 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Emeka Aginam.

Baga massacre: We saw only 9 graves — Senate

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—THE Senate Com mittee probing the Baga killings in Borno State, has faulted the death toll reported in Baga town, Borno State, during the exchange of fire between members of Boko Haram and the Joint Task Force.

The committee said contrary to claims of mass graves, only nine graves were found during its visit to the affected area even as it admitted that it was unable to visit one other grave said to be located in a faraway grave yard.

It said the state governor, Kashim Shetima particularly claimed during a meeting with the committee that 187 persons lost their lives in the incidents besides 2,000 houses burnt but said his claims were over-exaggerated.

These were contained in the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Defence and Army, Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence, submitted to the Senate during yesterday’s plenary by its chairman, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, PDP, Rivers East.

The committee said: “Members visited the grave yard where they saw freshly dug graves numbering nine and were also informed of one grave in a faraway grave yard.

“The Joint Committee visited the Baga Community burial ground where nine fresh graves were identified and a claim of burial of another person in a distant location. There were no mass burial graves identified”.

The Senate joint committee equally said it was able to find out that the deadly clash came up following the killing and mu-

tilation of the body of a soldier with the Joint Task Force, identified as Lt. Zira, by armed bandits suspected to be Boko Haram members.

The deceased, according to the committee, was brought out from a bus through personal identification by the bandits.

Besides, the committee said it found out that two weeks after the killing of Lt Zira, the insurgents again, attacked a patrol team of the Joint Task Force in Gajagaja area in Baga where they shot a soldier in the head resulting in his death.

The committee also said it discovered during its visit to Baga town that the insurgent started the action that resulted in the deadly consequence as they were the first to attack the troops from the Joint Task Force sent to the area to repel the suspected Boko Haram elements.

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

IPELINE and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, yesterday, confirmed that it had successfully put out a pipeline fire, which occurred while vandals tried to siphon fuel.

Attempts by the vandals to steal oil from the Akinbo Jetty, Ilado, Lagos, on Tuesday backfired as their canoe gutted fire, thereby preventing them from carting away with their loot.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has confirmed that there were no casualties from the incident.

However, rumours had it that the vandalism occurred at the Atlas Cove Jetty, Nigeria’s biggest reception jetty for refined products, thereby leading to an explosion at the tank farm.

But PPMC spokesperson, Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, who denied rumours of the explosion at Atlas Cove, confirmed that the incident took place at Ilado, a popular spot for pipeline vandalism in Lagos.

He told Vanguard on phone: “There was no explosion at the Atlas Cove yesterday (Tuesday). What happened was that vandals attacked a pipeline at Ilado and in the process their canoe gutted fire.

"The fire also extended to the pipeline, and our engineers immediately swung into action and successfully put out the fire".

Exhibition

Ekweremadu harps on judicial reform, decries abuse of court process

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—DEPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday tasked judicial officers to tackle tendencies that tended to bring disrepute to the judiciary.

He said it was time for judicial officers to do away with what he called “ridiculous ex parte injunctions, endless adjournments, and abhorrent judgments, saying these could be easily achieved through what he called attitudinal change.

He spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ symposium, organised by the Rule of Law Development

Foundation in Abuja.

Ekweremadu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said judicial officers who erred should be sanctioned.

He noted that the review of 1999 Constitution would bring about substantial judicial reforms if the amendments proposed by Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution were eventually passed into law.

He said: "With a morally upright and well-reformed judiciary that applies the letters of the law fairly and timely, the systems manipulation, overheating of our polity, reign of impunity in high

and low places, the blatant disrespect for the law, and the rape of public treasury would abate considerably”.

He listed the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from that of the Minister of Justice and separation of the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the State from that of the Commissioner of Justice of states, provision for security of Tenure for Attorney –General of the Federation and the State as well as financial autonomy for both offices and the State Judiciary as highpoints of judicial reforms proposed by the committee.

A

WATER and building materials exhibition is scheduled to hold in the country.

The exhibition which is packaged by Ace Event Management Ltd of UK is billed to feature seminars on water and sanitation, building and construction.

The event which holds in Abuja, November 26-28, follows the announcement of similar event held in Accra on May 22-24, 2013.

The Water Africa and West Africa Building and Construction exhibition which was last held in Nigeria, May 2012, is expected to showcase machinery, tools and techniques for the housing and infrastructure construction sector.

56 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

BITS Bits Kaigama heads new TUC executive TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has elected new officers to run its affairs in the next three years.

The new executive is headed by the President General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, who defeated the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Comrade Babatunde Ogun, to emerge TUC President at the 9th Triennial Delegates Conference, of the umbrella body for senior staff associations in the country.

Esele is TUC's last President-General COMRADE Peter Esele, is the last President General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC. This followed the amendment of the constitution of TUC which changed the appellation for the head of TUC from President General to President.

Until the amendment, the head of TUC was known as President General . The ammendment takes immediate effect.

It was gathered that the amendment done earlier in the year was done to remove what some leaders of TUC considered as militarised designation.

Textile workers lose pioneer General Secretary THE National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailori n g Wo r k e r s o f N i g e r i a , NUTGTWN, has lost its pio n e e r G e n e r a l S e c r e t a r y, Prince Emmanuel Abiodun Olaleke.

Aged 74, he died Saturday June 8, 2013, in Abuja, after a brief illness.

A statement by Oladele Hunsu and Issa Aremu, President and General Secretary of the union, said “Late Prince Olaleke was born on December 24, 1939 in Abuoba, Obuasi District in the Gold Coast (now Ghana).

He hailed from Irra community in Oyun local government area of K w a r a State.

Nigeria ratifies Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

N

IGERIA has become the 37 th member state to ratifiy the Maritime Labour Convention at the just concluded 102 conference of the International Labour Organisation held in Geneva, Switzerland. Labour and Productivity minister, Chief Emeka Wogu presented the instrument of ratification to the directorgeneral of the ILO, Mr. Guy Rider in Geneva. Wogu told the ILO director-general that “ the discovery of oil in many countries in the West African sub region has increased maritime activities which has made the ratification of the MLC 2006 more compelling”.

The minister said, “Nigeria has decided to join other countries that has ratified this very important convention known as the Seafarers Bill of Rights in order to safeguard the fundamental rights of the seafarers and ship owners.”.

Maritime industry H e e m p h a s i z e d , “ To d a y marks the beginning of a journey that will take Nigeria to a higher level in the maritime industry”. The minister further explained, “ It is in realization of this new trend of economic activities that will create both positive and negative results of the sector such as employment generation, increase in revenue generation, piracy, oil bunkering and insecurity that has informed the need for a well regulated maritime sector”.

The minister said government hopes that with the ratifica-

Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu (CON) and Director General of the International Labour Organisation Mr. Guy Rider tion of this instrument, many young Nigerians would be attracted to seafaring career for gainful employment.

He also listed other benefits which the Nigerian government expects with the ratification as. , “increased revenue generation, capacity building and tremendous improvement in ships registration including compliance with international requirement and standards of the ILO and the International Maritime Organisation”.

For those already engaged as seafearers, the minister said the ratification of the instrument would translate to “ improved networking and seafearers friendly ports activities with concomitant increase in trading and shipping among others”.

Nigeria is the fifth State in the African region to ratifiy this

instrument. The Republic of Benin, Liberia , Morocco and Togo had earlier ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.

ILO director-general, Mr. Guy Rider who received the instrument said, “ I welcome Nigeria, a major port Sate in Africa, among the States parties to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. I am particularly pleased to see one more African country joining the global effort for promoting decent working and living conditions of seafarers and ensuring conditions of fair competition for ship owners”.

Mr. Guy Rider added, “ Today’s ratification of the MLC, 2006 adds itself to the ratification of another important maritime instrument, Convention No. 185 on Seafarers’ Identity Documents and underscores

Nigeria’s strong commitment to the advancement of the wellbeing for its seafarers and the long-term interests of its shipping and port sector.”.

The ILO directorgeneral expects that “ active steps and well-targeted measures would now be taken to effectively implement the Convention in law and practice, as the entry into force of the Convention is only two months away.”

L a b o u r m i n i s t e r, E m e k a Wogu said the ratification of the instrument is a result of the efforts of the tripartite social partners; government, workers and private employers with guidance of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the assistance of the International Labour Organisation.

New TUC President to work with NLC, others

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

N

EWLY elected President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, has spoken about his determination to work with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and all TUC members as one family to lift up the living standards of Nigerian workers and other underprivileged groups in the country.

In his acceptance speech after his election as President of the TUC at the 9 th Triennial Delegates Congress of TUC, in Abuja, Kaigama said

there were no victors and no vanquished, noting that “this victory is for all of us because the task of consolidating the lofty achievements of the past executive and lifting the Congress to the next level rests squarely on our shoulders and as such all hands must be on deck.

I must admit that in the build-up to this election, there were minor distractions which were not entirely unexpected in a democratic organization such as ours. I believe that we have been better tutored by the experience of the campaign and are

now more prepared and resolved to always stand by the trade union maxim that an injury to one is an injury to all. We, therefore, harbour no malice towards anyone but goodwill towards all. I accordingly extend my hands of comradeship to my fellow contestant.

I implore him to join hands with us in the TUC family so that we can pool our intellects together to advance the profile of the Congress to greater heights and uplift the living standards of Nigerian workers and other underprivileged groups in the country.”

“I must sincerely put on record the indelible and invaluable contributions of the immediate past PresidentGeneral of the Congress, Comrade Peter Esele, and those of his colleagues in the national administrative council for not only making the TUC formidable but also nurturing it into an institution that is now highly respected at home and abroad.

I wish to assure you that the new Leadership of the TUC will strive to further enhance the status of the Congress and move its banner to the next level.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013 — 57

Military retirees task defence minister … demand immediate payment of 3 years pension arrears

F

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

rustration, anguish and lamentation could be seen on their faces when retired military men gathered to draw public attention to their plight over non-payment of three years pension arrears. They had served the nation with youthful and productive lives fighting for the survival and unity of Nigeria, Under the aegis of the retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers, RANO, Association of Nigeria, thet rose from a recent emergency meeting of the associaton's national executive committee, held in Abuja and demanded for the immediate payment of their accumulated three years pension arrears by federal government.

The retirees in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stated that they were disappointed with the way the federal government handled their welfare, particularly at a time they ought to be well treated and appreciated for all they had done and were still doing to keep the nation together.

According to them: “We are dismayed with the way this present federal government is toying with the welfare of retired military personnel now in their old age. There is no gain saying the fact that these retired and devoted military personnel have been contrib-

uting to the training of their serving colleagues in tackling the contemporary security challenges in the country.

“Apart from these national commitment, it is obligatory for retired military personnel to be prepared for re-engagement whatever the need arises. This we cannot refuse. So, we are combat soldiers in waiting, therefore very productive to the nation contrary to the wrong assertion being peddled by some uninformed officials in and out of government that retired military personnel are unproductive,”

Military pensioners Speaking more on their plight, the President of RANAO, Retired Maj.-Gen Rabiu Aliu, said that the plight of pensioners in Nigeria was generally condemnable whether military or not, noting that the retirees agitations were not just for military pensioners but for the entire of pensioners in Nigeria who have not been paid their benefits.

He said “it is agonizing to see retired military officers being brought with wheel barrows to complain about non-payment of their pension and to show that they exist. I believe everybody should have his dues and rights.

It is not only the military. There

The Secretary of RANAO, retired Brig.-Gen Patrick Onaghise flanked by the President, retired Maj.-Gen Rabiu Aliu (right) and another exco member of the association (left) addressing the press at the occasion in Abuja. are civilians too who are being owed as well, and they are not faring well. Whenever we have this revalidation, when you see soldiers being brought in wheel barrows to come and say that they are still existing, it is sad. This country has a responsibility and they have to take this responsibility seriously, old people cannot come to the street and start demonstrating because some of them are even dying.

“Let us take it as a responsibility to ensure that when we get older, we do not go through the sufferings that we are going through,” he advised.

The Secretary of RANAO, retired Brig.-Gen Patrick Onaghise, who also briefed newsmen at the end of the programme in Abuja, regretted that the association had lost some of its members as a result of the situation.

“In 2010, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, approved the upward review of salaries of federal officers, which automatically applied to pensioners.

“On the 26 of June 2010, the President, while flagging off the

payment of outstanding arrears of military pension, directed the Minister of Defence to ensure that military pensioners be included simultaneously with any future review. “ We are aware that all federal public servants including serving military personnel have been receiving this new remuneration with effect from July 1, 2010.

“Ever since, this directive by the president, the retired military personnel have not been paid in spite of several representations to the presidency, the National Assembly and several well-meaning Nigerians. Many of our colleagues who would have aged gracefully have suffered stroke, blindness, paralysis; many have even died of illness which probably would have been treated if they had sufficient money for prompt and adequate medical care,” he said. The RANAO scribe noted that its members were always dissuaded from taking their protests to the streets, adding however that their patience was running out.

He said it was not wise to owe

Union dues : NUP decries non implementation of FG directives

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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HE Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has lamented the non payment of the 14 months pension arrears contrary to the directives of President Goodluck Jonathan for immediate payment of the arrears of the check- off dues owed the union.

The union in a statement by its General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal in Abuja, said out of the 14 months pension arrears directed by the president only six months amounting N90 million had been paid.

President Jonathan had late last year after the union threatened to embark on industrial

action over the non payment of the outstanding arrears intervened and entered into agreement with the leadership of NUP, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC. The President directed the Head of Service of the Federation, HOSF, to pay all the outstanding arrears of the union’s check- off dues.

But the union lamented the failure of the federal government to abide by the agreem e n t .

The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, having exhausted all avenues to compel the Federal Government through its agencies to address the de-

plorable plight of its members, coupled with the withholding of its check-off dues for about 14 months decided to embark on a mass protest on the 10th April 2013 under the leadership of NLC/TUC in solidarity with the union as injury to one is injury to all.

“The federal government having seen the seriousness and commitment of the labour movement to carry out its inention wisely invited the leadership of NUP, NLC and TUC to a roundtable discussion towards addressing the grievances of the pensioners. In the end, an agreement wasreached which culminated inthe presidential directives to the Head of Service of the

Federation (HOSF) to pay all the outstanding arrears of the union’s check-off dues aside the Commitment set up (headed by the SGF) to work assiduously towards the payment of all outstanding entitlements.

“This has resulted in the HOSF taking bold steps to set up a 25-member committee drawn from the union and the civil service to aggressively address the problems of the pensioners. The union is eternally grateful to the new HOSF for giving its members the opportunity to serve in the Committee which will go a long way in fast tracking pension payments.

retired officers as they could fall prey to the whims and caprices of nefarious elements in the society. Onaghise appealed to the Federal Government to treat the issue with the seriousness and urgency it deserved. According to him, RANAO had made lot of efforts and pleas to secure the payment without success.

Drawing comparism with their counterparts in other countries, the group said, “in many countries, retired military personnel are regarded as heroes and are so treated because of their sacrifice and service to their nations.

Pension and gratuity Issues of free medical and health services, rebate in transportation, in food items and hotel accommodations are common place. Their pension and gratuity are paid as at when due and are reviewed in line with their constitutional provisions. They do not have to beg or agitate for them.”

Section 173 of the constitution as amended states that, “any benefit to which a person is entitled in accordance with or under such law as is referred to in subsection 1 of this section shall not be withheld or altered to disadvantage except to such extent as is permissible under any law including the code of conduct. Section 173 subsection three also stipulates that Pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any federal civil service salary reviews whichever is earlier.

However, the federal government appears not to have complied with this constitutional requirement. Though, the group acknowledged the approval by the President for upward review of their pension in 2010, and subsequent directive to the minister off defence to ensure that military pensions be included simultaneously with any future reviews.

58— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

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Mandela’s tribe told to 'prepare for his death' •Family split over burial site •Zuma sings for him

BY UDUMA KALU with agency reports

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ELSON Mandela’s tribal leaders have been told to prepare for the death of the ailing former president. The family of the 94-year-old legend have been meeting with senior tribal elders over the past two days.

A South African archbishop who visited the former Nobel Peace Prize winner in hospital offered a prayer in which he wished for a “peaceful, perfect end”.

Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, asked for courage to be granted to Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, and others who love him “at this hard time of watching and waiting”. “May your blessing rest upon Madiba now and always”,

Makgoba said in the prayer, using Mandela’s clan name. “Grant him, we pray, a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect end.”

President Jacob Zuma has said doctors are doing their best to ensure the “recovery, well-being and comfort” of South Africa’s first black president, one of the 20th Century’s most influential figures.

Zuma said on Wednesday that Mandela’s situation was unchanged. “As he remains in a critical condition in hospital, we must keep him and the family in our thoughts and prayers every minute,” he told a meeting of a health workers union.

Mandela is still in a critical condition and is reportedly no longer able to breathe unassist-

•Mandela ed. And although it is against xhosa tribal tradition to discuss the death of a living person, they have been told to

YRIAN President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have retaken a town on the Lebanese border as they press an offensive against rebels in a conflict that has now cost more than 100,000 lives, activists said on Wednesday.

The army took full control of Tel Kalakh, driving out insurgents and ending an unofficial truce under which it had allowed a small rebel presence to remain for several months.

The fall of Tel Kalakh, two miles from the border with Lebanon, marks another gain for Assad after the capture of the rebel stronghold of Qusair this month, and consolidates his control

around the central city of Homs, which links Damascus to his Alaw-

I

N a major victory for gay rights, the Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples and cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in California.

The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay mar-

ite heartland overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

... UN diplomat lists 10 incidents of Syria’s chemical use

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RITAIN and the United States have notified the United Nations of 10 different incidents of alleged chemical weapons use by the Syrian government, a U.N. diplomat said Wednesday.

The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because the incidents have not been publicly divulged, said the Americans and British have found no evidence that the opposition possesses or has

lied Workers’ Union conference with a rousing rendition of a song about Mandela. Loosely translated from isiZulu, he sang: “We are walking a long distance, so said Nelson Mandela to his supporters.”

Dipping his body into the song, as the redclothed delegates harmonised and ululated, Zuma sang several refrains.

Well-wishers’ messages, bouquets and stuffed animals have piled up at the guarded boundary around the compound where doctors are treating the former South African president for a recurrent lung infection.

US S/Court okays gay marriage

Syria death toll tops 100,000

S

‘prepare for the worst’.

Meanwhile, South African papers Wednesday reported that Nelson Mandela’s grand-

son Mandla stormed out of a meeting in Qunu after a disagreement over Madiba’s gravesite.

Three sources said the Mandela family was torn between Mandla Mandela, who wants Mandela buried at his birthplace in Mvezo, and the rest, who felt that Madiba’s wish to be buried next to his children should be respected.

The Star reported on Wednesday that a Mandela family meeting held in Qunu on Tuesday was to discuss a “significant” family matter.

Also, Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma opened the National Education, Health and Al-

used chemical weapons.

The Syrian government initially asked for a U.N. investigation of an alleged chemical weapons attack on March 19 on the Aleppo suburb of Khan al-Assal which it blamed on the rebels. But it has refused to allow a U.N. investigation team into the country to conduct a broader investigation of other allegations of chemical weapons use, initially raised by Britain and France and then by the United States.

riage law that has kept legally married samesex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits.

The other was a technical ruling that said nothing at all about same-sex marriage, but left in place a trial court’s declaration that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

That outcome probably will allow state officials to order the resumption of same-sex weddings in the nation’s most populous state in about a month.

In neither case did the court make a sweeping statement, either in favor of or against samesex marriage. And in a sign that neither victo-

•Gays, lesbians celebrating their victory yesterday ry was complete for gay rights, the high court said nothing about the validity of gay marriage bans in California and roughly three dozen other states. A separate provision of the federal marriage law that allows a state to not recognize a

same-sex union from elsewhere remains in place.

President Barack Obama praised the court’s ruling on the federal marriage act, which he labeled “discrimination enshrined in law.”

Al-Qaida changes style after CIA leaks

U

.S. intelligence agencies are scrambling to salvage their surveillance of al-Qaida and other terrorists who are working frantically to change how they communicate after a National Security Agency contractor leaked details of two NSA spying programs. It’s an electronic game of cat-and-mouse that could have deadly consequences if a plot is missed or a terrorist operative manages to drop out of sight.

Snowden, the man who leaked the secret

Two U.S. intelligence officials say members of virtually every terrorist group, including core alQaida, are attempting to change how they communicate, based on what they are reading in the

media, to hide from U.S. surveillance — the first time intelligence officials have described which groups are reacting to the leaks. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak about the intelligence matters publicly.

The officials wouldn’t go into details on how they know this, whether it’s terrorists switching email accounts or cellphone providers or adopting new encryption techniques.

60— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27 , 2013 — 61

NFF sticks to $5,000 bonus Maigari says only Govt can change it

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FF President Aminu Maigari says the final word on the Super Eagles bonus dispute will come from the Federal Government.

Nigeria players went on strike days before the Fifa Confederations Cup was due to kick-off, threatening not to travel to Brazil until their slashed bonuses were restored.

It took the intervention of the government to avert what could have been a international embarrassment, but Maigari insists that the there was no going back on the decision from an NFF point of view.

“For now, the bonus is back to $5000,” Maigari told KickOffNigeria.com. “But we are waiting for government to decide.

“Whatever the government decides is what we will do.”

However, the NFF President added a warning. “If government says $10000, they will give us the $10000. If they say go back to status quo, then fine, that is what we will do.

“But it’s a matter of being patriotic, and showing love for your country. I ask them to first put the country in mind. Money comes after.”

COMPTROL KICK....Comtroller of Prison, Lagos State Command, Mrs Catherine Nkollika Ononye, takes the kick-off before the football match between inmates at the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons, yesterday in Lagos.

Let’s team up to develop gymnastics — Adefemi urges Nigerians

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HE President of Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria, Folusho

Adefemi has promised to turn Gymnastics into a medal-winning sport that would bring glory to the country at international competitions.

He however, called on members of his board to brace up for the challenge of repositioning Gymnastics and take the sport to the next level.

Gymnastics Federation holds their inaugural meeting at the Nigeria Olympic Committee Boardroom on Saturday, June 29.

The federation boss said, “Nigeria is blessed

with a lot of potentials in gymnastics. What is desired now is the right environment to tap this reservoir of talents. We are going to look into many areas like scouting for talents, marketing and sponsorship to ensure that our Gymnasts are kept busy with competitions in Nigeria and outside the shores. There will be seminars(trainings) for both practitioners and officials. We want to take our rightful place in the sport”, he said.

Warri ready for E. K. Clark wrestling championship Speaker of the Delta state house of assembly, Right Honorable Victor Ochie has said that the state is now ready to host the median edition of Chief E.K. Clark national wrestling championship. The speaker who is also the chairmain of the local organizing committee for the championship confirmed the readiness of the state in hosting the national championship after an inspection tour of the venue of the event in Warri.

Honorable ochie said the state government through the delta state sports commission working in conjunction with the wrestling federation of Nigeria will ensure that the championship meets its main objective of discovering young talents that will represent the country in the future, he therefore called on all and sundry most especially Deltans to support and work with the local organizing member in ensuring the success of the championship.

D’Tigers off Federer suffers Sergiy to China

upset D

EFENDING cham pion Roger Federer lost 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-5) 75 7-6 (7-5) to world number 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round at Wimbledon.

Seven-time winner Federer, 31, was made to look sluggish by his Ukrainian opponent, who played

•Federer

inspired serve-and-volley tennis on Centre Court.

It is Federer’s earliest exit at Wimbledon since 2002, when he was beaten in the first round.

Federer’s defeat is further good news for Britain’s second seed Andy Murray. Fifth seed and two-time champion Rafael Nadal was also on Murray’s side of the draw but lost in the first round.

And sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew from his second-round match because of an injury, meaning the highest seed left in Murray’s half is 15th.

Federer’s defeat meant it was also his earliest Grand Slam exit since losing in the first round of the French Open in 2003.

T

HE Senior men’s na tional basketball team, D’Tigers have departed for Lanzhou and Guangzhou,China to open their international preparation for the African Championship (Afrobasket) in the Stankovich Cup tournament from June 27 to July 10.T he home-based players and coaching staff left Lagos Tuesday afternoon on Qatar airlines via Doha while their US-based colleagues departed the Los Angeles international airport on an air China flight via Beijing same day. The team are expected to play Germany today and subsequently square-off against Argentina, Puerto Rico, China and Australia in the round-robin contest, the first leg of which ends in Lanzhou July 1.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Olympic Day Run to hold in two phases

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RACING FOR LIFE: Marathorners at the 2013 Boston Marathon

Messi off to Senegal B

ARCELONA star Lionel Messi will visit Senegal on Thursday to help Qatar’s Aspire Academy’s anti-malaria campaign.

The Argentina captain will help distribute mosquito nets to locals in a bid to reduce malaria outbreaks in the area.

He will be attending the official launch of the Soccer for Health world programme that will kick-off in Dakar, Senegal’s capital.

In a chat with media Messi said: “I know my

trip to Senegal will be difficult because I will see the suffering that malaria causes, but I know that we have a great chance to use the power of football to help save lives.

“Every 90 minutes 180 children die from this horrible disease in Africa, but almost all of these can be avoided by using bed nets.

“Football Combating Malaria is a very special project to me because I know it will help save thousands of young lives, and I’m delighted

Keshi Continued from BP team.“Taiwo is still playing but I have younger players that are playing well. I have Juwon, who is not here. I have Benjamin Francis, and I have Echiejile whose performance has improved greatly. So it will be a difficult thing for Taiwo to get back in.

“For Osaze, he still has a place in the team.“I’m not looking for an apology from him. Osaze is somebody that I like very well and he knows that.

The thing is, it’s about the team that I’m worried about.

“I don’t want to have a player that will come in and divide the team, or who will destabilize the team, because when the team is not together, it becomes very difficult to win.“I’m not saying C M Y K

he is going to come in and do that, but a little bit of what he has shown has told me that this is possible.“I really want to have him in the team, and I would like to give him another opportunity. ”One player that Keshi says he really wants to see back in the national team is Obinna Nsofor, along with Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins.“The person I am really keen to have is Obinna Nsofor.“Unfortunately, each time I call him, he’s always injured. Hopefully next time he will be fit.“Martins is coming back gradually. The last two call-ups he wasn’t in good shape but I needed to play him,” he t o l d KickOffNigeria.com.

to be involved and throw my support behind it.”

HE Nigeria Olym pic Committee (NOC) has said that this year’s Olympic Day Run will hold in two phases, the first coming up on June 29 in most states of the federation while the likes of Lagos, Imo, Osun,, Oyo. Anambra and Ondo will hold theirs on July 6.

States that will hold theirs on June 29 include Bayelsa, Rivers, FCT, Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Plateau.

The Olympic Day Run is an annual event organised by the global Olympic body to celebrate the rich ideals of the Olympics. In Nigeria, it is jointly organised by the NOC and the Nigeria Sport For All Commission, who yesterday said that the decision to hold this year’s Run in phases was as a result of

Amaju Continued from BP following: “It is fundamentally wrong to assume that Keshi has reached his limit.

Keshi should not be condemned but celebrated.

He has been on duty for only two years and within this period we won the Nations Cup, something we were doing under an indigenous coach for the first time. Everybody is celebrating Alex Ferguson for the feat he achieved with Manchester United.

But how many years did he work before he won his first trophy? Martin Osaile wants Osaze back to the Eagles. I don’t have anything against that. But we won the Nations Cup without Osaze.

We all know that Osaze has a history of clashes with coaches. He had problems with Amodu, Lagerback, Siasia and now Keshi. Indiscipline or impunity is not a synonym for heroism. Has Osaze changed? Does he respect the coach?

Even in Europe he quarrels with his managers. What will become of the Eagles if he returns to the team without changing? Keshi should stand tall for the decisions he has been taking. He exposes unknown players and with time they

will get it right. You can imagine Egwuekwe of Warri Wolves playing against Inesta of Barcelona. Keshi should be supported. Delta State will support him 100 per cent. In Brazil, his boys made some defensive mistakes and conceded goals.

He should be allowed to learn from those mistakes. At the Nations Cup he fielded the likes of Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona and I doubt if Nigeria would have won the Nations Cup without the local boys that he introduced.

The coaches before him couldn’t do that. Osaile might have some points but he should have channeled them to Keshi and not to attack him publicly.

I did not believe in Keshi before the Nations Cup. And I told him when we met. But he had a superior argument over the points I raised and he later proved me wrong.

During the Nations Cup, we saw the Eagles play with rhythm for the first time in a very long time.

There was link from the defence to midfield and from there to attack. I think that we should celebrate Keshi. On the issue of marketing players which Osaile alleged, my question is which coach does not sell players?

the monthly environmental sanitation exercise that will hold in some states on June 28.

A statement issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the NOC, Tony Ubani, urged all would-be participants in the Run to assemble at the designated points on time.

Ubani, who said that the Run was an ideal platform to highlight the benefits of physical activity which allows people to learn about Olympic values and to put them into practice in their everyday life, noted that engaging oneself in exercises promotes the healthy fitness of an individual.

Emenike: Eagles will return to shine in Brazil

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MMANUEL Emenike has vowed that Nigeria will shine at next year’s World Cup after they exited in the first round of the Confederations Cup. The absence of the 2013 AFCON hotshot from the FIFA Confederations Cup has been a major talking point due to the poor finishing that led to the team’s ouster. Spartak Moscow striker, who is back and fully fit from a knee injury, said he hopes to return with a good performance for his club and also lead Nigeria back to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. “We will return to Brazil

next year for the World Cup,” Emenike told MTNFootball.com “My heart was with the team in Brazil, but I could not help them because I was out injured.

“This is not the time to blame anybody or the team for the ouster. Our elimination from the Confederations Cup will only make the team come back stronger for the World Cup.” The big striker added: “We don’t need to blame the team or crucify any player, I believe this will be a blessing in disguise for us when we return to take the world by storm.

F/Eagles Continued from BP widely expected to crush bottom team Cuba to go through.

So, it is really a battle for second place between Nigeria and Korea, which the Flying Eagles aim to win.

“We have to beat South Korea on Thursday,” declared Nigeria U20 assistant coach Jurgen Press.

“We don’t want to subject ourselves to the lottery of finishing as one of the four third best teams going into the next round.”

Second place in Group B will also ensure the Flying Eagles stay put in Istanbul to take on the runners-up of Group F, which has Uzbekistan, Croatia, Uruguay and New Zealand.

The Flying Eagles have detailed information about their Thursday’s opponents having watched them at the recent Toulon Tournament as well as at their first two games here in Turkey.

The entire stayed back to

watch the first half of Monday’s pulsating 2-2 draw between Korea and Portugal in Kayseri.

They are a very organised, technical team with great stamina and are mentally strong.

Korea are the most consistent team from Asia at the U20 World Cup as this is their 13th appearance in the competition and they have qualified for the last six editions.

Their best result in this tournament was achieved 30 years ago in Mexico when they reached the semi-finals before they were edged out by eventual champions Brazil 2-1.

The class of 2012 won the Asian U19 championship courtesy of a win after a penalty shootout against Iraq. The last time the country won this competition was in 2004.

They barely scraped a 21 win over Cuba in their opening game in Turkey, but stepped up their game against two-time champions Portugal in their next game to earn a draw.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013—63

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V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

TODAY’S MATCHES CONFEDERATIONS CUP Spain vs Italy RESULT Brazil 2 vs Uruguay 1 FIFA U-20 W/CUP Spain vs France 7:00 pm Ghana vs USA 6:00 pm Korea vs Nigeria 4:00 pm Portugal vs Cuba 3:00 pm

Keshi opens doors for Yobo, Osaze, Nsofor •Rules out Taiye Taiwo

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IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has opened the national team door to striker Osaze Odemwingie and skipper Joseph Yobo, but Taye Taiwo may not find it easy to get his way back into the team.

They have been out of the national team fro sometime. But shortly after the Super Eagles’ Fifa Confederations Cup

campaign came to a grinding halt against Spain, Keshi told KickOffNigeria.com exclusively how the players can get back in.

“They should just be themselves, play their game,” Keshi said. “Yobo is still my captain. It’s unfortunate that he’s not here, but he’s still the captain of the Continues on Page 62

WIMBO CRASH••• Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki falls against Czech Republic’s Petra Cetkovska yesterday at the Wimbledon Tennis tournament.

Wozniacki slumped to a 2-6, 26 defeat to Petra Cetkovska.

Photo: AFP

F/Eagles gun for automatic qualification •Against S/Korea matches with Korea Kick-off: 4 p.m. two second on four points.

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HE Flying Eagles of Nigeria will go for a win in today’s final Group B match of the U20 World Cup against South Korea to earn automatic passage to the round of 16.

The Flying Eagles are third in the standing with three points from

Portugal are top also on four points but are Continues on Page 62

Why Nigeria must celebrate Keshi — Amaju

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

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XECUTIVE Chair man of Delta State

Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick said yesterday that Stephen Keshi should be celebrated and not despised for the

PUZZLE

who said that Keshi had reached his limit and might not offer Nigeria more than he did at the last Nations Cup in

South Africa where Nigeria won the cup 19 years after they did so in Tunisia. Amaju said the Continues on Page 62

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Confederations Cup failure.

Amaju was reacting to the remarks of sports promoter, Martin Osaile

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 2 Mark (5) 7 Run (4) 8 Contaminate (6) 9 Fumble (5) 11 Droop (3) 13 Taxi (3) 15 Healthy (4) 16 Seed (3) 18 Jest (4) 19 Dreary (7) 20 Mass (4) 22 Surfeit (4) 23 Humility (7) 25 Beam (3) 28 Bluster (4) 30 Conflict (3) 31 Speak (3) 33 Lurk (5) 36 Lithe (6) 37 Engrave (4) 38 Piquant (5)

DOWN 1 Seaweed (5) 2 Plead (3) 3 Fuss (3) 4 Expire (3) 5 Away (3) 6 Fragment (5) 10 Bucket (4) 11 Gulp (7) 12 Gleam (7) 13 Cruel (7) 14 Canonise (7) 16 Might (5) 17 Trivial (5) 18 Ewer (3) 21 Seed-vessel (3) 24 Bag (4) 26 Forego (5) 29 Whim (5) 32 Cunning (3) 33 Clique (3) 34 Vessel (3) 35 Clef (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 1, Shoot 5, Sister 8, Visit 10, Speech 11, Agog 14, Ravage 15, Holdall 18, Pep 19, Lop 21, Left 23, Bowie 24, Rest 27, Wet 29, Win 31, Refined 32, Claret 34, Bath 35, Unison 38, Upset 39, Egress 40, Weary.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Hop 3, Overdo 4, Tic 5, Star 6, Shovel 7, Reject 9, Shallow 12, Gap 13, Gape 16, Ooz 17, Lower 20, Piteous 22, File 24, Recite 25, Swab 26, Tirade 28, Finite 30, Net 33, Thurs 36, New 37, Oar.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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