Abuja Killings: FCT to demolish 100,435 buildings

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61980

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Edo High Court judge kidnapped

DEPORTATION OF IGBO: P.8

Fashola apologises 10

ABUJA KILLINGS:

FCT to demolish 100,435 buildings •Owner of Apo killings house identified •Okada/Keke riders give FG 7-day ultimatum

By HENRY UMORU & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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BUJA — FOL LOWING the raid on an uncompleted building believed to be a hideout of Boko Haram members near the legislative quarters at Apo, Abuja, last Friday by the Department of State Service, DSS, which claimed 10 lives, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) announced, yesContinues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

DONU KOGBARA •P.17

ADISA ADELEYE •P.55

Mr & Mrs

COLLAPSED — A three-storey building at 15 Ali Street, Tinubu, Lagos collapsed, early yesterday, killing two, with six others injured. INSET: Another view of the collapsed building site.

We're investigating Shekau's new video — ARMYPg. 9 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

AKA IKENGA—From left: Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State; Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, SGF, representing President Goodluck Jonathan; Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Chairman of the occasion; Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, President of Aka Ikenga and Guest Speaker, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, during the 25th Aka Ikenga Anniversary Symposium held at NIIA, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

FCT to demolish 100,435 buildings Continues from page 1 terday, that 100,435 illegal, uncompleted buildings have been marked for demolition.

FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this when the House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Safety and National Security visited his office on oversight duties. According to him, 100,000 illegal buildings and 435 uncompleted houses have so far been identified in the FCT to be pulled down. He explained that his administration would no longer

condone the delays by developers in completing their buildings, after being allocated plots of land.

Said he: “Very soon, we will take a decisive action on uncompleted buildings in the FCT. We will ensure that all buildings that have exceeded the two-year period approved for building will be demolished. If we cannot demolish, we will make them police posts.

This time around, we will take a definite action,” he said.

Owner of Apo killings house

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Money does not answer all questions, it does not always bring you or guarantee you happiness and rest of mind; only your mind can settle your mind.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult —-Seneca A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown. Gail Devers writes about keeping your dream alive, if we learn to understand that to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.

One way to keep the dream alive in your mind is to journal about it. Write about yourself and about your dreams. Write about the little things, the emotions, and try to describe your dream as vividly as possible. The point is to help you feel that joy before it has even happened. Whenever you need a little boost, try to read something you wrote weeks ago, something you might have even forgotten about writing. Let the trust in your dream and the warm comfort, guide you all the way from dream to finish.

Another technique to help you keep the dream alive is to surround yourself with little reminders. It can be anything from a vision board, to a note on your phone. Here is a beautiful reminder I tell myself. “Everything is possible”

identified

Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has formally come up with the identity of the owner of the property, declaring that it belongs to Adunni Oluwola Salisu, a civilian, contrary to speculation that a General owns the property.

The disclosure came just as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika insisted that artisans arrested during the encounter last Friday were terrorists, considering ammunition recovered from them The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed at a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and National Security investigating the incident explained that the said plot of land was allocated in 2007 and obtained a building plan approval from the Development Control Department granted in 2009.

Also speaking with Vanguard yesterday, the Director, Development Control, FCDA, Yahaya Yusuf gave the name of the owner of the said property as Adunni Oluwola Salisu.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika who also spoke with newsmen after a closeddoor session with the committee, said that, “considering the ammunition recovered, in addition to arms and weapons from suspects and from the fact that on approach to the area, the personnel were fired at

and had to return fire and also made arrests, there is no doubt that those people were terrorists.”

When asked if he believed that the operation was successful beside the killings, he said: “Well, I will say that the operation has succeeded in pre-empting planned attacks on some parts of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The Army boss explained that the operation was not the first as his men succeeded in intercepting several intended terrorist attacks on the FCT in recent times.

He said the information on the activities of the terrorist group around Apo area could not be turned down because security agents had conducted a thorough investigation before making the move to remove the explosives.

The attack, according to him, was coordinated by the Commander, Guards Brigade and was carried to intercept hidden improvised explosive devices (IED) in a cemetery in the area.

Motorcycle, tricycle operators issue ultimatum

Meanwhile, the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owner ’s and Riders Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS) yesterday gave the Federal Government seven days ultimatum to set up a commission of inquiry to unravel the killing of eight tricycle operators in Apo and if the govern-

ment fails to meet the ultimatum, it will shut down the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Reacting yesterday in Abuja for the first time since the incident happened last Friday at a one-day seminar on the challenges of tricycle and okada operators in FCT, NATOMORAS FCT Chairman, Alhaji Usman Buba Gwoza lamented that their members were gruesomely murdered without just reason. He stressed that the association appreciated the support of good Nigerians, the Senate and Human Rights Commission for lending their voices for justice to be done.

Integrity test for uncompleted buildings

Speaking further, the FCTA Minister who announced that there were 435 uncompleted, but abandoned buildings scattered across the Federal Capital City that were already undergoing integrity test for revalidation of approval to continue development, stressed that being apprehensive of negative possible impact on the environment, he had earlier directed the FCT Development Control Department to take census of all uncompleted and abandoned structures in the city to ensure that they all undergo integrity test.

According to him, any of such uncompleted building that fails integrity test would be demolished to safeguard lives, adding that the outcome of the census would be used by the Administration and the security agencies in preventing miscreants from using such areas for unlawful activities. He also warned that the FCT Administration will use the census to clean up the city and that where miscreants were found, owners of such buildings will

have themselves to blame.

He said: “The FCT Administration will use the outcome of that census which had earlier been advertised to swing into action. Members of the public are enjoined to be vigilant at all times and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agents.”

Speaking further, NATOMORAS FCT chairman said, “We call on the federal government to immediately set up commission of inquiry to unravel the mystery behind this inhuman act.

Killing of innocent and armless citizens of our great nation should not be tolerated by caring and loving government. We shall immediately be embarking on protest throughout the entire FCT if this is not met within seven days,” he said.

Buba Gwoza who noted that eight years after the ban on commercial motorcycles in the capital territory, FCT administration has refused to fulfil its promise to provide tricycle as an alternative to those affected during the ban He said that the association has over 15,000 tricycle and 80,000 okada operators in FCT, adding that 20,000 motorcycles of its members have been impounded since the ban of okada in the capital territory without informing the association on the guidelines to recover them.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Senate Committee on MDGs, Senator Ali Ndume who appealed to the association to shelve its proposed protest until the Senate looks into the Apo killing, however warned that the fight against terrorism should not be an excuse to take innocent lives, adding that there was no law in the country banning the operation of okada, adding that he would not know why government should wake up and ban okada in FCT.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

SFU arrests Chinese bizman for fraud

BY EVELYN USMAN

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PECIAL Fraud Unit, SFU, Milverton, Lagos, has arrested a Chinese Chief Executive Officer of a manufacturing company in Ogun State over an alleged $644,171 Dollars fraud in China.

The 50-year-old suspect, Mr. Fang Yang, reportedly fled China to Nigeria in 2001 after his alleged accomplice and prime suspect, Leng Jiqing was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Briefing journalists shortly before releasing the suspect on bail to representatives of the Chinese government, yesterday, Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Unit, Mr. Tunde Ogunsaki, said that the money had been recovered from the suspect, which was handed over to the representatives of Chinese government.

He explained that Yang was arrested after three weeks of manhunt in Ogun state, following a petition to the Unit by the Chinese government.

He said they were informed that Yang and Leng Jiqing, former Legal representative of Qingdao Sifang Qiaolian Trade Co. Beijin, were wanted for eight million Yen loan syndicated through a fake bank deposit receipt in 1996 to get a mortgage from the second Sub-Branch of China Agricultural Bank of Qingdao.

However, representatives of the Chinese government left the conference hall with the suspect before the end of the briefing, refusing to speak with journalists.

STOP THE WASTE RALLY: Youths and civil society groups besiege Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu's convoy outside the National Assembly complex during a Stop National Waste rally in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Army begins full scale operations in Kokori — Uduaghan

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said, yesterday, that the army had commenced a full-scale military operation at Kokori, the country home of arrested kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Aniarah, in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state to flush out his associates and other criminals.

The governor, who addressed newsmen in Warri, Delta State, yesterday evening, dismissed speculation that there was heavy casualties in the ongoing operation, saying one person was killed.

There was a report that many casualties had been recorded, which the governor debunked.

He stated that some Kokori people have questions to answer over the exploits of Kelvin.

Few hours before the governor spoke to journalists, some gun-toting bandits struck in Warri, killing a mobile police sergeant attached to the wife of a member of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Dan Mayuku.

He advised indigenes of

Kokori and other parts of the local government to stay indoors between 6.00pm and 6.00am to avoid any untoward event, adding, however, that this does not suggest a curfew, but a way to guarantee their safety.

Reiterating that the ban on commercial motorcycle operation in Kokori and other parts of Ethiope East stands, the governor said the Kelvin affair was a very sensitive case and if it was not properly handled, it was capable of consuming the whole community.

The governor said: “You could almost say the whole community is guilty. It is shameful that mothers who are supposed to be dancing behind their children who are graduating from higher institutions were rather dancing behind their criminal children carrying guns, backing illegality.”

He said some residents had left the community on their volition and the town was almost like a ghost town because of the criminal activities of Kelvin and his gang.

“At the end of the day, the full story of Kelvin will be known,” the governor added.

Enugu monarch's wife still missing

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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IFE of the traditional ruler of Abba- Igogoro in Igbo Eze North Local Government

Adiza, the monarch's wife.

Area of Enugu State, Igwe Omale Nwogbo, Adiza, who was kidnapped by unknown persons from her home on September 15, is yet to be released.

Adiza, 85, was kidnapped, four days after some armed men invaded the palace and inflicted machete cuts on her husband before shooting at three other persons in his palace at 8pm.

The traditional ruler was said to be having a meeting with some people in his Igogoro palace when the gun-

men struck.

Igwe Ogbo was said to have been reportedly given three machete cuts on his head.

Adiza’s son and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state, Prince Goddy Ogbo told Vanguard in a telephone interview, yesterday, that his aged mother had not been seen since she was kidnapped.

According to him, while his mother was being taken away, she kept shouting “Blood of Jesus, Blood of Jesus.”

He said what was going on now in Kokori was a security issue that had his backing as governor of the state, adding, “we don’t want to create room for speculation or bias. I am approaching the issue with a very open mind.”

The governor said some persons had been arrested with in connection with the high profile kidnapping and armed robberies by the gang, pointing out that the strategies put in place to arrest Kelvin paid off, despite the propaganda stint with some misguided Kokori youths.

He confirmed the arrest of the chief priest of Kokori, Michael Omonigho, saying Kelvin had cells scattered across six states.

According to him, the chief priest and others arrested were being interrogated and details

were not possible at the moment.

He said: “We must say with a lot of sadness that he had a lot of strong support from the Kokori community; even the propaganda photos.”

Uduaghan, who was flanked by the heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police and Department of State Services, noted that the state government would no longer treat the case of the kidnap kingpin with kid gloves.

Last night, report filtered in that some youths set bonfires on strategic points in the community, protesting the arrest of the kingpin.

Soldiers were on ground in the community to forestall breakdown of law and order and they were seemingly searching for associates of Kelvin.

3 killed, others injured as building collapses in Lagos

BY UJU MBANUSI

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three-storey building at 16, Alli Street, Tinubu, Lagos Island, collapse on Wednesday night, killing three of its occupants and injuring many others.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the building collapsed on a bungalow beside it at 10:30pm, adding that two persons were brought out dead in the early hours of yesterday.

The source said that the dismembered remains of the third casualty were picked up later in the day by members of the Lagos State Collapsed Buildings Rescue Team.

It was also learnt that the injured persons were reportedly rushed to the Emergency Unit of the Lagos Island General Hospital, where some of them were still receiving treatment.

When Vanguard visited the scene, Rescue Team and civil defence team were trying to

recover more bodies believed to be trapped in the debris.

Also present were men of Lagos State Civil Defence, and the Lagos State Hospital Emergency teams.

One of the residents, Bisiriyu Oluwaseun Anotu, a 500 Level Business Administration student of the Lagos State University, Ikoyi Campus, who lived on an apartment on the last floor of the building, said “I rushed down only to see what used to be our home in shambles.

“Although we were served notice to vacate the building in August by the Lagos State Government on the ground that the building was not save for habitation, most of us stayed because we had nowhere else to go to, moreover our rent was still running.”

At press time, the whereabouts of the building's developer, identified as Chief Toulet, was not known.

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Supreme Court to hear Bode George's appeal Dec 31

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Supreme Court, yesterday, slated December 31, to decide the merit of an appeal that was filed before it by convicted chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, challenging the verdict of Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal which upheld the judgment of a Lagos High Court that sentenced him to prison in 2009.

The former Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, alongside five of his co-convicts, yesterday, insisted before the apex court that they were wrongfully jailed.

Other appellants before the court are Alhaji Aminu Dabo, Captain Oluwasegun Abidoye, Alhaji Abdulahi Aminu Tafida, Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Mr. Sule Aliyu.

It will be recalled that they were convicted over offences bordering on corruption, inflation of contract sums and contracts splitting.

However, arguing through their lawyers led by a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, and former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, the appellants, contended that the Lagos State High Court was bereft of the requisite jurisdiction to try them in the first place.

NUT threatens to shut down education sector in solidarity with ASUU

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE & AZEEZ SANUSI

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BUJA—THE Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, yesterday, gave two weeks ultimatum to the Federal Government to honour the agreement it reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, or face total shutdown of the education sector in the country.

The NUT President Comrade Alogba Olukoya, stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

He said it is imperative for the Federal Government to fully honour the 2009 agreement with ASUU or NUT would mobilize it members and shut down completely the educational sector in the country.

According to him, “Education is a thing that is worth addressing, during our time when we used to sit under the tree, the quality of education was better than this. So we want to draw the attention to everybody, especially those in public education to at least focus their attention to education.

“If at the end of two weeks this matter remains the way it is, we shall shut down our primary and secondary education in solidarity with ASUU. The demand of ASUU is not new so we should begin to respect agreements. Go to our public universities and see what is happening, since 2009 they have not demanded for anything new.

“We are already working with the students and let it be known that we don’t have functioning primary, secondary and university education in the country. We have already asked our people to begin mobilization”.

Comrade Olukoya said the struggle of ASUU is not only to improve the condition of service but for the return of quality education in the universities through appropriate funding and provision of infrastructural facilities.

He said: “The current struggle of ASUU is most nationalistic, patriotic and self sacrificing, we commend our teachers for

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Oriame Akene led lawyers to protest to the Edo State Police Command office and the Department of Security Service, DSS, where they demanded for the release of the abducted judge unhurt.

The lawyers described the Judge's kidnap as one too many and appealed to the security agencies to do something about it.

When contacted, Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, denied that the judge was kidnapped, noting that it was merely a case of missing person.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Moses

and similar partrotism by acceding to the demand of ASUU, which we consider reasonable and just and fair.”

BRIEFING—From left: Minister State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and National Security, Bello Mutawalle, addressing newsmen at after a meeting with the National Assembly members on the killing of seven suspected Boko Haram members in Apo in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

FG explains delay in payment of disengaged staff of PHCN

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—THE Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, yesterday, explained that the delay in payment of the entitlements of disengaged staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, was to ensure that no mistakes were made.

In an interview with newsmen after a meeting with

Edo High Court judge kidnapped

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE ENIN—JUSTICE Daniel Okungbowa of the Edo State High Court has been kidnapped.

This incident happened less than three weeks after the release of a human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhomhe, SAN, by his abductors.

Justice Okungbowa was reportedly kidnapped in Benin City, the state capital, while his whereabouts remain unknown at press time.

Meanwhie, the Benin branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by its Chairman, Mr.

remaining solid and immovable in the face of threats. May we call on the Federal Government to demonstrate responsiveness

Eguavoen, who responded to the lawyers demand, said that the police was working hard to ensure that the judge was released unhurt.

It will be recalled that recently, the wife, daughter and driver of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court were kidnapped in Benin, Edo State.

The gunmen reportedly waylaid the woman, her daughter and their driver at gunpoint as they were driving to Benin, in preparation for Justice Vivour daughter ’s wedding.

Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Igali said the delay not withstanding, remarkable progress has been achieved in the privatisation of the disbundled PHCN. According to him, all issues relating to labour and others would be resolved before the handover and takeover, adding that “There is progress in the handing over of the 10 distribution companies and four generating companies, we are in the last stages. A formal ceremony will take place to hand over the documents to the new owners.

“There will be no physical handover until the end of this year. We are starting with handing over of the documents, the protocol ceremony for Mr. President to preside over after which, we have one month to undertake cropping issues, for example labour.

“We are making very good progress to ensure that all workers are paid. When you are dealing with paying accounts of workers, about 40,000 people, you have to be careful because it is not something you rush into.

“So, we think that when the hand over of the documents is done, we still have another one month to ensure that we look into claims and so on before the final physical take off.”

Igali said the meeting with Sambo was a periodic review of progress on work on the power plants and the need to deal with issues pertaining to ensuring that when the project eventually comes on stream, there would be supply of gas.

He said the implementation of the present administration’s power masterplan was encouraging, adding that Nigerians should be optimistic.

“All things are going on very well.

Let’s be optimistic. The other sectors that the private sector took over, there is an exponential change in the sector. We saw it in telecommunication. You all were here when it takes a day before you make a call before private sector took over. But today, Nigerians have access to telephones.

“In the banking sector, when you go to banks, you queue up for almost a whole day taking a tally to wait. Today, you can stay in your office and perform your banking transactions because the private sector took over.

“In the power sector, the government has gone to the private sector and they have shown strong and robust commitment to this country. Despite the fact that we still have power outages, the private sector have shown robust commitment that they are committed to working together with the government."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 9

BY UDUMA KALU, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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HE Nigerian army said yesterday that it is investigating the new video distributed to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno state last Wednesday featuring a man claiming to be Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, said to have died earlier.

In it, a man claiming to be Shekau, debunked earlier claims by the Nigerian military that he died from gunshot wounds August 19.

JTF spokesman in Borno at the time, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, had in a statement said, “Intelligence reports available to the JTF Operation Restore Order revealed that Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorists’ leader may have died. He died of gunshots wounds received in an encounter with the JTF in one of their camps in Sambisa Forest on June 30 , 2013.

"Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide, a border

Army: We 're investigating Shekau's new video community in Cameroon for treatment from which he never recovered.”

In the new video however, Shekau said the world “should know that he could not die except by the will of Allah.”

But commenting on the new video, Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru said, “on the issue of that man being alive, we are investigating it and we shall get back to you; we are checking the veracity of the story.

“We cannot say at this juncture whether the claim is true or false until we authenticate the veracity of the video,” army spokesman Ibrahim Attahiru told AFP adding that “the army authorities have to verify the claim. This is precisely what we are doing”.

Shekau has been declared a global terrorist by the United States, which put a $7 million bounty (5.2 million Euros) on his head.

Although Shekau’s identity could

not be confirmed — he appears slightly younger and rounder faced in the latest video - it was distributed to journalists in Maiduguri through the same channels the sect always used to disseminate statements.

“The man in the video, kneeling on a carpet scattered

with rockets said “Yes, we carried out the Benisheik attack killing more than 200 people too, we slaughtered them.”

The video is the second to feature someone claiming to be Shekau since the army said he was probably dead. The man has many of Shekau’s features.

He has a similar beard, wears military uniform and his head is wrapped in a turban. However, Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, said the Boko Haram leader was seen in the video wearing a camouflage, seated and surrounded by dozens of hooded lieutenants.

Appeal Court upholds Charles Taylor's 50 years jail term

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IBERIA’S warlord Charles Ganaka Taylor, yesterday, lost his battle to upturn a 50-year jail sentence handed down to him in May 2012 by the UN-backed special court in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The former Liberian President, who launched 11 year civil war on Liberia was sentenced for aiding rebels who committed atrocities in Sierra Leone during its civil war.

Taylor, 65, was found to have supplied weapons to the Revolutionary United Front rebels in exchange for a constant flow of so-called blood diamonds.

He was found guilty at his trial of 11 crimes including terrorism, rape, murder and the use of child soldiers by rebel groups in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the vicious civil war of 1991-2002.

Taylor became the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since World War II. His lawyers had argued that there were legal errors during his trial.

The court’s decision has been closely watched because the guilty verdict was hailed as a landmark, proving that even people at the highest level of power can be held to account. Taylor has always insisted he is innocent and his only contact with the rebels was to urge them to stop fighting.

Judge Richard Lussick said at his trial that they were “some of the most heinous crimes in human history.” Taylor appeared impassive in court as the judge upheld his convictions and 50-year sentence.

In its ruling, the special court said that Mr Taylor’s personal conduct had a “significant effect on the commission of crimes in Sierra Leone."

DEBATE—From left: Samson Itodo, Yemi Adamolekun of Enough is Enough challenging Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Smart Adeyemi and other legislators during Nigerian Youth and Civil Society groups rally titled Stop National Waste in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

10—Vanguard FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Lagos CJ frees 129 inmates from Ikoyi Prison

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — LAGOS Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Philips, yesterday freed 129 inmates of Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, majority of whom were awaiting trials.

Phillips had on September 25, released 119 inmates from the Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Prisons in Lagos.

The chief judge ordered the release of the inmates during her visit to the prison as part of activities marking the one-week 2013/2014 legal year which commenced on September 23, 2013.

She said the gesture was aimed at decongesting the prison to alleviate the sufferings of inmates.

Phillips admonished the freed inmates to be of good behaviour and make positive impacts in the society.

She said: “Today, I release you, September 26, 2013, from prison custody and I admonish you to go and sin no more.”

Phillips commended various non-governmental organisations, especially the Christian Lawyers Association, CLA, and the Zarafat and Knights of Saint Mulumba, KSM, for their contributions to the welfare of the inmates.

Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele, said the correctional facility had 1,835 inmates with of 1,671 of them awaiting trials.

US, Kenya envoys for symposium

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

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NITED STATES Ambas-sador to Nigeria, Mr. Jeff Hawkins and his Kenyan counterpart, Mr. Tom Amolo, will, today, in Lagos, lead other speakers, talk on ‘Effective Leadership,’ at the Great Alpha organisation’s lecture symposium in commemoration of its silver jubilee.

The Great Alpha is one of the oldest student organisations at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, established in 1963 and since then has helped prepare its members for responsible and leadership positions in society.

DEPORTATION OF IGBOS: Fashola apologises

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO & ANOZIE EGOLE

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AGOS — TWO months after the controversial deportation of Igbo residents, Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, rendered an unreserved apology to the Igbos over the July

24 dumping of some alleged destitute in Onitsha, Anambra State by his administration, saying, “the action of our government was misunderstood.”

This came as President Goodluck Jonathan, deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Rev. Matthew Kuka, urged Ndigbo to continue to chart new

developmental cause for the nation.

However, speaking at silver jubilee symposium of Igbo think tank, ‘Aka Ikenga,’ at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Fashola insisted that he could not allow differences on a subject matter tarnish the bond and friendship that were built overtime with the Ndigbo in the state.

VISIT: Consul-General of the United States in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, receiving a gift from the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola when the envoy paid the governor a visit in his office in Osogbo. In the middle is the Political and Economic Secretary in the US Embassy, Mr. Rolf Olson, while Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola (right) looks on.

FG, nPDP at war over economy

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA — THE Federal Government and the leadership of the new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, were at daggers drawn, yesterday, over the state of the economy.

While government said the economy was booming, though with some challenges, nPDP alleged that the economy was comatose and on the brink of collapse.

Speaking when he presented the score-card of his ministry before the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who noted the opposition was out to distract the government, said the allegation was a mere political propaganda by detractors to pull down President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He contended that the economy was not in danger and that adjustments were ongoing to correct recent issues within it.

At the briefing, which was presided over by the PDP Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the Minister noted that the decline in Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, from $8.1 billion in 2011 to $7.1 billion in 2012 was not enough to conclude that the economy was not doing well, even as he boasted that Nigeria’s FDI was still the highest in

Africa.

Ortom, who noted that he would not take criticisms against the government from the opposition seriously, said: “You see, the tendency to pull down government by the opposition had always been there.

But I assure you that the economy is doing well. These are mere gimmicks by our detractors to pull us down.

“The economy is doing well.

Those allegations are mere gimmicks to pull us down and the economy is under internationally reputable technocrat led by the Finance minister.

“For instance, I appreciate that prices of cement are still high because of the high cost of production which is partly due to some infrastructural deficit. But government is working very well so that in no distant future, the prices will come down.”

He, however, admitted that

some of the setbacks in FDI were caused by the security challenges in the country which, according to him, was not peculiar to Nigeria.

The minister said based on steps being taken to address the challenges faced in the investment sector, government was hopeful that in 2015, Nigeria would be ranked among the first five in Africa and 34 globally, in terms of friendly and conducive environment for business investments.

He added that the economy was growing, but that more jobs needed to be created to meet the expectations of job seekers.

But countering government’s position, the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led nPDP, warned that unless government quickly address the present situation with the economy, its collapse could throw the nation into a state of anarchy.

Group wants Christian as Lagos next gov

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — A non-partisan group, under the aegis of Christian Conscience, has called for a Christian to be elected governor of Lagos in 2015.

The former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos, who is also a pastor of the Redeemed Christian

Church of God RCCG, Professor Yemi Osibajo, a social commentator and columnist in Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. Dele Sobowale, former Commissioner for agriculture and Cooperatives, Enoch Ajiboso, Arch Bishop of Methodist Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Ajayi, among others, maintained that virtue remains the watchword for any candidate aspiring for the office.

Rev. Kuka who was the guest speaker at the symposium, had earlier accused the governor of personally attending the event to settle differences with the Ndigbo speaking community over the controversial deportation saga.

Responding, Fashola argued that his relationship with the Igbo remained solid and that many had misunderstood and misrepresented the actions of the Lagos State Government because of party politics.

According to him: “The truth is that I do not have a problem with the Igbos, they know that because the largest herd of cattle I received during my father’s burial came from the Ndigbo. Those people who came under their many colours are not people I have a problem with, they are my kindred and my people.

“Also, there were people who did not clearly understand me and they have misunderstood words said or misrepresented actions taken in the way that it has pleased them to do so. To those people, I owe an explanation, not a defence of what has happened and that is partly why I am here.

“We have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, trust and love. That relationship was started by our ancestors, it was handed over to us and we have nourished it with a lot of trust, with a lot of understanding and with a lot of fidelity.

“Those who misunderstand that relationship, think that there is no value in that relationship I have come here to correct that because I place a lot of value on that relationship. If those people have misunderstood me or they have misunderstood actions taken by our government, here, now and today, I offer an unqualified and unreserved apology.

“Why should people feel compelled to migrate from one place to the other? Is there one part of this country that is less endowed whether in human or natural resource? Is that the problem? Is it the case that perhaps some parts are so endowed or not adequately managed?

“Those are the honest debates that we must have. The political storm is gathering and allusions have been made to the issues I address, not only by the chairman, but by the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo. How can development be so difficult in the part of Nigeria that gave us Ike Nwachukwu, Chinua Achebe, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme and so on, how can development be so difficult in that part of this country? I think those are the real issues.”

“I think we have been in the news of our relationship for the wrong reasons in the last few weeks, but if you listen to the voices of those who speak the loudest, you would see that they do not speak about us, they do not speak about the problems, but about themselves. The majority of us are concerned about how to make it better, that is what concerns us always in Lagos, and it is not an easy decision for me.”

Vanguard FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013—11

2015 elections suicidal without National Conference — Afenifere

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — THE Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, yesterday, said it would amount to political suicide if the 2015 general elections were held without the convocation of a National Conference.

The group spoke in Ibadan through its Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin at a public presentation of a book entitled, ‘My Time in the Charging Cloud: An Anthology on African Students’ Movement Struggle, Social Justice, Democracy and Good Governance,’ written by Oludare Ogunlana.

According to him: “It is evident that unless the

Alice Adeyanju for burial

National Conference is organised, it would be difficult to have a successful election.”

He lamented that some of the nation’s leaders were shameless and despite the fact that they did not make any impact while they were in office, it was abnormal to blame the whole problems of the country on one person.

Odumakin contended that, “we are not jealously guarding the hard-won democracy with the way some leaders are taking the matter.”

Justifying his stance for a National Conference, Odumakin alluded to Yugoslavia and Ethiopia, noting that while Yugoslavia ignored the call for such conference and had now become history, Ethiopia on the other hand heeded the call and

Ogun PDP chieftain faults impeachment threat against N/A

BY DAPO AKINREFON

Late Adeyanju

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RS ALICE Adeyanju (Nee Aderounmu) who died Monday, July 8, 2013, at the age of 95, will be buried Saturday, September 28 at the family compound, on Adigunsi Street, Ikolaje-Idiroko, Ogun State.

According to the family ’s announcement, Christian wake-keep will hold on Friday, September 27, 2013, at the Etikoto compound, IkolajeIdiroko, Ogun State, with the church service holding on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at The Everlasting Gospel Christian Ministry of God, Idiroko, Ogun State.

had remained a united country till today.

Speaking, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku said over 16,000 Niger Delta militants had been sent to schools.

Kuku, who was represented by Mr. Henry Ugbolue, commended the efforts of President Jonathan on Niger Delta, noting the youth were very grateful to Mr. President for his gesture.

He said, “politics, being a game of numbers deserves participation. All of us need to be involved to ensure that we bring about the country of our dream.

“We can’t stay aloof and expect things will get better; we don’t have any other place we can call our home.”

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MAJOR financier of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has faulted reports of impeachment threat against the leadership of the National Assembly.

In a statement, Kashamu said the allegation by the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led group was “a clever-by-half move to blame another person for their own plot.”

The statement reads in part: “There are rumours that between September 9 and 13, 2013, N700 million was moved from Kwara State under the pretext that the money

belongs to Unity Bank.

“Precisely, on Monday, September 9, 2013, the sum of N350 million was said to have been moved in four Ghana-Must-Go bags from the state into Abuja. The money was reportedly traced to the state government.

“Yet, some officers of the bank, working in concert with some government officials, pretended as if the money belonged to the bank. “...The couriers of the money were reportedly arrested by vigilant officials of Department of Security Service, DSS, at the Ilorin airport. They were later released upon the intervention of a higher authority and the slush fund found its way into Abuja.”

NMA extends ultimatum to FG over members’ remuneration

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & KOSISO UDEMBA

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AGOS — Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has extended its 21- day ultimatum to the Federal Government over alleged irregularities in the remuneration of its members, occasioned by

the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS. It gave the government one month to rectify the anomalies or face industrial action, lamenting that despite assurances by the Federal Government to rectify the problems, nothing was done.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its Executive Council, NEC, NMA expressed regrets over the persistent and widening circles of irregularities in the remuneration and non-payment of several months of earned wages of medical professionals due to the problems inherent in IPPIS.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Kidnapping, oil theft down in Delta —Uduaghan

BY EMMA AMAIZE SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, said that kidnapping, piracy and oil banditry have reduced, while security has improved tremendously in the state.

He stated this in Asaba when he met with traditional rulers and Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in the state.

He added that the setting up of the Special Task Force, headed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), would help resolve issues surrounding oil theft in the country.

Uduaghan said: “Among all the states in the Niger Delta region where there is crude oil theft, Delta State is the least affected. I am happy to say that security in the state has improved tremendously as kidnapping, piracy and oil theft have reduced.”

He noted that the taskforce was meant to overcome the challenges of jurisdiction and prosecution of suspects, adding that oil theft suspects would now be effectively prosecuted since it was now a federal offence.

He commended the Federal Government for the efforts taken to check oil theft in the country,

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adding, “until prosecution of all those caught in the vandalisation of pipelines and oil theft is taken seriously, no matter their status, we might not get to the end of this problem.”

The governor charged the roy-

al fathers and people of the Niger Delta region to cooperate with government and security agencies to checkmate incidents of oil theft, as they were the worst hit by the problem.

He said: “It is not the money being lost through oil theft that is the issue, but the damage to

the environment through pipeline vandalism and sabotage. It is not in our interest as we bear the brunt of the physical damage associated with the oil theft, especially the contamination of the air, water and food chain and the genetic mutations for years to come.”

BY DANIEL GUMM

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BY-ELECTION PRIMARIES: From left: Delta State deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN; Chief Tom Amioku, Chairman, PDP Delta Central; Prof. Sam Oyovbaire and Mr. Emmanuel Ighomena, Delta State PDP Deputy Chairman, during the PDP Delta Central senatorial district bye-election primaries, at Sapele Township Stadium.

Delta Central by-election: Emerhor wins APC ticket ...as Keyamo protests

BY EMMA AMAIZE & FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—CHARTERED Accountant and insurance guru, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, has emerged All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the Delta Central senatorial by-election billed for October 5.

His main opponent, Festus Keyamo, pulled out of the party ’s primaries, Wednesday, though he got 36 votes.

He cited irregularities in membership registration among other reasons, Chairman of the party’s Primary Committee, Senator Osita Izunaso, who announced the result in Ughelli, said that Emerhor polled 1,674 of the delegates’ votes.

He said Keyamo and Emerhor were the two aspirants screened by the party before the primary election was held.

However, Keyamo, in a petition, to the Chairman, APC Delta Central Senatorial ByeElection, announcing his pullout from the primaries after being cleared to contest, said: “I have taken a painful but necessary decision not to participate in the primaries to be organised later today (Wednesday), in Ughelli, because the whole exercise is

You can't stop Jonathan's re-election, group tells Northern leaders

nothing but a sham that is packaged, rigged and concocted to favour my opponent, Emerhor.

“The exercise was preceded on September 24, 2013 by reg-

istration of limited number of members of APC in Delta State since there were no registered members before now, being a newly registered party.

“In the said exercise, it was

agreed with members of your committee that the slots for the registration cards for the new members would be distributed evenly among former members of the merging parties in each local government area.”

Libel: Court awards N25m to Oshiomhole

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—AN Edo State High Court has awarded the sum of N25 milliom to the state governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, over a libelous publication by Dockland Communications Limited, publishers of News of the People Magazine.

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, in his judgment, said that Dockland Communications had failed to prove the veracity of the libelous publication of the magazine in 2011, which was carried on the front page and at page 19, with the headline, “Oshiomhole’s sex power exposed: Impregnates young girl six months after death of wife.”

The governor had sued the magazine after it failed to retract the said story and apologise to him as contained in a letter to them by his lawyer, Ken Mozia.

Oshiomhole, who demanded for N250 million in damages,

argued that the defendant, among other things, falsely wrote that he bought a jeep for the said girl, whom he was alleged to have impregnated and that he was interfering in the academic activities of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, on behalf of the girl and that he used sexual performance enhancement drugs, in addition to performing traditional marriage rites prelude to a marriage between him and the said girl.

During trial, the governor, under cross-examination, said: “I am a public officer, and as you have rightly pointed out, as a governor, what I do or fail to do is important. My character is important and people’s opinion of my personal life is important. My children are still in agony. The magazine published this just a few months after my wife passed away and this publication coincided with my daughter’s wedding. A governor whom I invited for the wedding asked

me if I was the one going to wed or my daughter. Your image as a public officer is very important.

“After this publication, I had very serious family crisis because my children were still in grief over the death of their mother,” he told the court.

ARRI — THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, NDIMRC, has told the North to forget the Presidency till 2027, just as it told the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Northern governors that they cannot stop the reelection bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

In a statement by its President, Nelly Emma and others, the group threatened to cut oil supply to the North should leaders from the region continue to oppose the reelection of President Jonathan.

NDIMRC said: “We want the Sultan of Sokoto to know that we are aware of plans by some governors from the North to frustrate the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015. We want him and others to know that we will resist any attempt to stop the President in 2015.

“We are not begging the Northern governors and other leaders from the region to allow Jonathan contest in 2015. The issue of Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015 is sealed, signed and delivered.

"The plan by the North to use Boko Haram to frustrate President Jonathan has failed, hence the enemies of the President are now using the governors of the North to destabilise the administration of the President and they will fail in their mission,” it said.

Lassa fever claims 93 lives in Nigeria

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—NO fewer than 93 persons have died from complications associated with Lassa fever between 2011 and January to September, 2013, while 377 patients, who were diagnosed with the disease were admitted within the same period.

Director of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Dr. Daniel Asogun, dis-

closed this, yesterday at the World Lassa Fever Day. He said that of the number of deaths recorded, 17 people died in 2013, noting that the figure was already higher than what was recorded in 2011.

Asogun attributed the decline in the number of deaths at the centre to the awareness being created by the institute.

He said: “Through the activities of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, ISTH, the case of fatality from Lassa fever in the institute has dropped.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —13

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14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

S-East states disagree on revenue sharing formula E

BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—THE twoday public hearing on the review of the Revenue Allocation Formula for the South East zone commenced in Enugu, yesterday with states in the region disagreeing on the formula to be adopted in sharing revenue accruing to the federal government.

Although the five states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo unanimously agreed on the need to urgently review the current revenue allocation to make more funds available to them and the

local government councils, they, however, differed on the percentage of monthly revenue that should go to the three tiers of government.

The public hearing which is holding at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, was attended by representatives of the five state governments in the zone, local government officials and nongovernmental organizations, among other interest groups.

While Enugu and Anambra states adopted same position on the sharing formula, three others,

including Ebonyi, Abia and Imo, sang different tunes which were aimed at giving them more economic advantage, especially Abia and Imo, which currently enjoy oil producing status.

Enugu and Anambra asked the Mr. Elias Mbam-led Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to reduce the Federal Government’s share of revenue to 40 per cent from the present 53 per cent.

They demanded that states’ share should be increased to 40 per cent

from the current 27 per cent, while the local government should retain its 20 per cent.

Noting that the present formula was grossly lopsided, in view of the enormous responsibilities being shouldered by state governments, deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, and Gabriel Onyenwife of Anambra State House of Assembly, who represented the two states, stressed the need for the states to receive more funds to enable them cater for the enormous

needs of their people.

But Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states made different submissions in which they disagreed on the formula for revenue sharing even though majority of the states were of the view that the 13 per cent derivation should be retained.

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Timothy Odah, speaking on behalf of his state, called for the reduction of Federal government’s share from 53 per cent to 46 per cent and the local government’s allocation from 20 per cent to 16 per

cent while the state should receive 35 per cent as against the present 27 per cent.

On its part, Imo State suggested a reduction of the Federal government’s share from 53 per cent to 30; increase of the State’s share from 27 percent to 40 per cent and local government’s share from 20 percent to 25 percent.

Abia suggested 45 per cent to Federal government; 32 per cent to State government and 23 per cent to Local government as against the current 53 percent, 27 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

The states and stakeholders from the South East zone emphasized the need for the federal government to set aside special funds to tackle the enormous ecological challenges in the zone just as they canvassed that population should be used as a major yardstick for revenue sharing and not on the basis of landmass.

Alleged N10.6m fraud: Ex-Anambra commissioner to visit SFU

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS—THERE are indications that former Anambra State Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Vincent Ezenwajiaku , who was declared wanted last week by the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi , over an alleged case of N10.6 million fraud, would be visiting the unit soon.

Although the exact day and time was not ascertained but the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit, Tunde Ogunsaki , disclosed yesterday that information at the unit’s disposal showed that embattled Ezenwajiaku had volunteered to hand himself over to the Unit for proper investigation.

Ogunsaki, however, described as untrue claim by the former commissioner that there was never an official invitation to him to report to SFU. “ For your in formation , I learnt he said he had never been contacted. But I make bold to state that before we declared him wanted, our officers were in Awka, Anambra state ,where he made statement and was released on bail. He actually jumped bail by not coming when he was expected to,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 15

2015: INEC won't provide security for observers, says Jega

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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BUJA—AS the 2015 general elections draw nearer, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has advised intending observers of the poll to make their own security arrangements.

This advice was given, yesterday, in Abuja by the Chairman of INEC Prof Attahiru Jega, in his remarks at a one- day workshop organised by the commission, entitled “Election Observation Outside Nigeria; Lessons Learnt.”

Jega further stated that all over the world, apart from Venezuela, election observers were always responsible for their own security, adding that this would also apply to Nigeria since INEC would be saddled with the engagement of security agencies for the overall conduct of the polls.

Said he: “What we do in Nigeria is to liaise with the security agencies to provide security for the overall conduct of the elections.

tions.”

Commenting on other arrangements being put in place by INEC for the elections, Jega disclosed that both the management and staff of the commission had visited about 16 countries for peer review and discovered the importance of planning ahead, which he described as very tasking to most countries.

ICT influence He further revealed that the application of Information and Communication Technology had helped in most countries, especially in the developed ones, adding that politicians in matured democracies nevr took elections as a do-or-die affair, unlike what was obtainable

in many African countries.

“Technology has helped to remove some logistics problems which INEC has learnt from, but I must add that the use of technology in Nigeria would be difficult in the collation of results so as to avoid what happened in Kenya where a lot of crisis ensued because of that situation.

“In matured democracies, even where ordinary A4 paper is used as ballot paper nothing happens,” Jega said.

Igbani speaks Earlier in his welcome address, INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Election Monitoring and Observation, Dr Ismail Igbani, said the biggest

challenge facing the commission now was how to conduct a free, fair and credible election in 2015.

He said it was very obvious that it would not be an easy exercise.

He said: “All that is left is for all the operatives that will play one role or the other in the conduct of the elections to endeavour to be above board in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

Igbani further pointed out that it was paramount that INEC continued to keep abreast of universally accepted good practices that are being introduced in many parts of the world, insisting that the commission could not afford to lag behind in keeping up with global trends.

Observers to provide own security “Observers can make their own security arrangements. We even have some countries like India that do not allow anybody to observe their elections.

“However, we accept that the presence of foreign observers adds credibility to the outcome of the elec-

MEETING: From left: Frank Nweke Jnr, Director General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Petroleum Minister and Foluso Phillips, Chairman, NESG, during the meeting of Presidential Eminent Persons Group on Nigeria's Agriculture in Abuja.

Nigeria @ 53: Senators decry slow pace of devt

BY JOHNBOSCO

AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—AS Nigeria clocks 53 years of independence on Tuesday, senators, yesterday, lamented that the country had not met the expectations of its founding fathers.

The senators, who spoke during debate on the motion, titled “Congratulations to Nigerians on her 53rd Independence Anniversary” sponsored by Senators Victor NdomaEgba,PDP,Cross River Central and Ita Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom North East,and ten others, regretted that Nigeria was still far below expectation, especially when compared with its contemporaries like Malaysia and Brazil.

They insisted that Nigeria was in a pitiable state when

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compared to some other countries in the world that became independent nations about the same time as Nigeria.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Smart Adeyemi,PDP, Kogi West, said though at independ-

ence Nigeria was considered to be one of the emerging great nations of the world, it was more or less a dashed hope, even in its present state at 53.

He identified parochialism as one of the major problems of modern day

Nigerians, particularly in the realm of leadership.

He said: “At 53, were Nigeria nation being governed the way it is supposed to have been governed over the years, we shouldn’t be talking about federal character."

2015 politicking is distracting governance, Ekweremadu warns

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN,

POLITICAL EDITOR BUJA—THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has warned that 2015 politicking is gradually sidetracking the process of governance in the country and challenged the media to turn down the volume.

Ekweremadu spoke at

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an international experience sharing conference on media and elections in Abuja yesterday, just as Speaker Aminu Tambuwal challenged the media to always stand by the constitution in its reportage and charged journalists not to give vent to the illegal acts of politicians.

Erstwhile director-general of the Nigerian Tel-

evision Authority, NTA Dr. Tony Iredia, in his keynote speech at the conference, said the Nigerian media was reflective of the society and decried what he described as the seeming reluctance of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to adopt technology as a way of checking malpractices in the voting process.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

968 oil tankers lift 82.1m metric tons of crude without piracy attack —Navy

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—THE Nigerian Navy declared, yesterday, that following strong surveillance and response capability of the force at sea with regards to ensuring security and safety, over 968 crude oil tankers successfully lifted 82, 122, 452 metric tons of crude oil on behalf of the federal government between January and September 2013, without being attacked by pirates or robbers.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, who made the disclosure, noted that the success was made possible as a result of increased maritime law enforcement capability which is the third leg of the Trinity of Actions, initiated to checkmate crude oil theft, piracy, ship hijacking and other criminal activities in the maritime sector.

Speaking through the Director of Operations at Naval headquarters, Commodore Joseph Okojie, the CNS said: “In

line with this trinity, arrested suspects are regularly being handed over to the EFCC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp and the Nigeria Police for prosecution”, adding that “a recent example is the handing over of 61 oil thieves to prosecuting agencies on September 25 by the Central Naval Command.”

Expressing worry that piracy, crude oil theft and other illegalities have been a major source of revenue leakage in the country, Okojie said, “Arising from the Presidential mandate to checkmate maritime crimes, the CNS promulgated the first Nigerian Navy Strategic Guidance 1, aimed at eliminating these cankerworms.

“It provides for signature obligation on the field and unit commanders. It also places additional obligation on the field commanders to bolster the operational capability of the Navy, for which they have signed performance contracts.”

Giving a picture of the challenges the Nigerian Navy was faced

with, Commodore Okojie said, “It is estimated that there are over 5, 779 oil wells, 9, 717kilometres of pipelines, 112 flow stations, 16 gas plants and 126

production platforms, floating Production Storage offloading and Floating Storage offloading platforms, as well as other critical

maritime assets and infrastructure”.

Towards fulfilling the response capability of the force as contained in the trinity of actions, Commodore Okojie said, “The asset recapitalization of the Navy has resulted in the acquisition of some Seaward Defence boats, helicopters and support facilities to enforce statutory responsibilities.

CBN revokes licence of 20 BDCs

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has revoked the licence of 20 Bureaux de Change, BDC, companies for foreign exchange malpractice.

Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed this at Ikoyi Club 75th Anniversary Lecture held in Lagos on Thursday.

Sanusi, who declined to mention names of the affected BDCs said that the promoters would be charged with money laundering.

He said the affected BDCs operators bought dollars from commercial banks without accounting for what the dollars were needed for nor purchasers of the money.

The CBN governor said that the apex bank’s investigation

showed that commercial banks were importing billions of US dollars in the country for onward sale to the affected BDCs. “This week, I have revoked licence of 20 BDCs and they will be prosecuted for money laundering with the banks,” Sanusi said.

He said that Nigeria had

taken over from Russia as the highest importer of U.S. dollars which led to the fall of the nation’s local currency at the foreign exchange market.

Sanusi said that the country was importing more U.S. dollars in cash than any other country in the world.

Celestial Church of Christ parish marks 30th anniversary

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EAD of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Worldwide, Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa, is billed to deliver the sermon during the 30th adult harvest/ thanksgiving anniversary of CCC, Jakande Estate Parish,

One Cathedral, holding on Sunday September 29, at the church premises. A statement by the parish shepherd, Superior Evangelist Aiyeyemi Nejo, said the service is expected to attract a cream of top leaders of the church in Nigeria and overseas.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —17

Readers’ reactions to current issues and points

*+2348025468781 Daniel Eghosa Obasohan ear Donu, whatever you have been writing about is the truth. Only truth and justice can set Nigeria free.

Those in the corridor of power, if they have wisdom should appreciate you and listen to your wise counsel.

D

*+2348037105828 Dr Iwagwu P Donu, thanks for sharing my view that the interest of the South-South is paramount. I am an Igbo man. You are close to Amaechi; tell him that though Jonathan may not be a great leader, he (Amaechi) should not be remembered as the man that helped other people push out the president from his zone.

If Hausas are genuine let them support him to be the presidential candidate and not vice. He should remember Judas Iscariot. Thanks *+2347037264301 Anonymous That is the beauty of democracy. To me, this President is working in spite of the distraction from Amaechi and his likes. *+2348139152222 Bright O Amaechi must be cowed because he is a Judas in our midst. We the people of Niger Delta would not accept any-

,

Not in Nigeria. I was sick to listen to a very popular sport radio station in Onitsha in a phone in programme at about 6pm_10pm (4 hours) on Friday 20/9/2013 castigating, abusing and cursing this man for returning this bag with money and other documents.

I listened to that programme for those four hours and all (100%) the callers were calling this man names. Including one of the co_presenters in pidgin.

Instead of commending this man, it was the opposite and the presenters were laughing gleefully along with the callers abusing this man.

The story has changed for this good man. Another

Niger Delta states

Niger Deltans for Jonathan and Amaechi. As a Niger Deltan, l feel highly embarrassed by this puerile altercations between these two elders.

There is a saying that a shegoat can’t be allowed to deliver with a rope on its neck in the presence of an elder.

Like you rightly observed, wicked sycophants fuelled by greed and pecuniary intoxicants want this show of shame to continue.

The so-called Niger Delta elders can’t broker peace because most of them lack the moral disposition to do so.

Since the elders have failed to bring two of them back from this cliff journey, l want to appeal to intellectual youths in Niger Delta to save us from this show of shame. Thanks *+2348073780695 Martins My position has always been that you should never have descended into the arena of the Rivers State political

Since the elders have failed to bring two of them back from this cliff journey, l want to appeal to intellectual youths in Niger Delta to save us from this show of shame

,

thing less. GEJ is our brightest prospect for now. Anything short of this is a recipe for future disaster. The hand that disturbs the bee’s nest would be badly stung. *+2348023018952 Vincent Efeakpor DK, thanks for your piece on C M Y K

crises by clearly taking sides with Amaechi and glossing over the fact that 99 percent of the political establishment in the state are not with him.

Your column should not inflame the crisis but should rather edify and bring warring parties together. Your column of last Friday is brilliant, fan-

*President Goodluck Jonathan tastic and a step in the right direction. *From Peter Udosen <fazclean_ventures@yahoo.com> Don, Don, The Yoruba people have the most sophisticated internal mechanism for conflict resolution among themselves: i.

They understand antics and diplomacy; ii.

They fight to re_group – not fight to finish as if there is no tomorrow; iii.

They respect themselves but can also betray one another; iv.

They have caucus.

The interplay of i_iii is taken care of by item iv when the

*Governor Chibuike Amaechi caucus meeting holds (at whatever time it pleases them). They prostrate and shake hands and all boiling matters simmer down to some agreements. I would call that political sagacity. *From Chris Djeniko <cdjeniko@gmail.com> Glen James is an homeless man in Boston, USA. He made headline last week for returning a backpack he found outside a shopping mall that contained more than $40,000 cash and traveller’s checks. It was a story of one good and honest man. People there in USA appreciated him.

American, Ethan Whittington, 27 years, who read this story online has started an online campaign to raise money for this ‘Good Samaritan’ man. As of Thursday last week, about $100,000 has been contributed from more than 4000 contributors and the target is $250k.

The police has also given him a plaque for his honesty.

LET ALL THOSE CALLERS TO BRILA FM ONITSHA HIDE IN SHAME. It will be good too for the radio station to apologise to the man and all morally upright listeners of Brila FM 88.9 in Nigeria.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 CHIEF Justice of Nigeria Justice Mariam Mukhtar has been praised for the changes she is making in the judiciary. She has been in office for a little over a year. Her remarks at the inauguration of 17 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, about the security agencies, shows she has more work to do before she leaves next year.

“It is common knowledge that our security agencies usually rush to the courts with suspects, before looking for evidence to prosecute them. The persistent use of the “holden charge” by these agencies to detain awaiting trial suspects is a major contributor to the high number of cases pending in our courts,” she said.

According to Justice Mukhtar, in other places, security agencies place discrete surveillance on crime suspects, sometimes for years, until enough evidence had been obtained for their prosecution.

“But in Nigeria, suspects are promptly arrested and often times arraigned in court, even when no evidence for prosecution has been gathered. The backlash from such failure of proper investigation by our security

What CJN Can Do agencies is the resultant hike in the number of cases pending in the courts,” she said.

Consequences of poor investigations of cases include the high number of suspects awaiting trial. Some spend more than 10 years awaiting trial, some die. Without adequate evidence against them and the constant transfer of police personnel, some of the cases are forgotten. If the cases ever get to court, the suspects cannot get justice.

What justice can a man get if he is released after 20 years in detention? A lot is wrong with our criminal laws, which Justice Mukhtar described as “archaic and culturally irrelevant.”

She captured the chaos more succinctly. “To exhaust complete remedy in a case, that is from trial court to Supreme Court, could take up to 20 years with the original litigants dead and substituted and in some cases the substitutes also dead and substituted,” she said.

We agree with her but believe that with her experience and commitment to the rule of law, she is in podium position to see the judiciary change in our generation. Time is not on her side, but she can seek out organisations and review institutions that can facilitate quicker dispensation of justice.

Ordinary Nigerians recount these deficiencies with similar aptitude. We expect Justice Mukhtar should be different.

Sanitisation of the judiciary is incomplete without overhaul of the laws, the police and the prisons.

Justice Mukhtar understands these and can commence processes to achieve delivery of justice in the wholesome manner she anticipates. She is among a few with profound concerns on the matter and should not allow any obstacles to stall her attention.

OPINION

Between years of experience and PenCom Director-Generalship I

BY RABIU USMAN

READ with a lot of disappointment, Mohammed Haruna’s recent column piece entitled “Between Senator Anyim and Hon. Bala”, which was published in the Daily Trust and The Nation newspapers of September 11, 2013. Mohammed accused Anyim of tribalism, alleging the Pension Reform (Amendment) Bill 2013 is also aimed at lowering the bar on years of experience qualification for the Director-Generalship of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, from 20 years to 15 years to pave way for the appointment of the current Acting Director-General, DG, Mrs Chinelo AnohuAmazu as the head of PenCom. To start with, I wonder how Mohammed is so sure the woman in question is penned down for confirmation as DG of PenCom. It saddens me when serious national issues, including matters that affect pensioners’ welfare are reduced to ethno-religious politics. Of all the great proposals in that Bill, none else captured his attention.

And if Mohammed would argue that graduates of 15 years standing are unqualified to handle just an agency of government, even though he admits, in the case of Anohu-Amazu, that she “is a smart lawyer ”, then why do we need to send our children to school when we are never willing to yield the system to them. Count me out of this gerontocracy, a system held hostage by old men and women who have "eaten", but prefer to stay put to perpetrate corruption and impunity in the system.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no doubt, had his own excesses in office, but Pension Reform Act 2004 remains one of the greatest legacies of his regime and which President Jonathan is working to take the pension system to greater heights and bring it in tandem C M Y K

with international best practices. One of the provisions that does not stand the test of modernity is the 20 years requirement for the headship of PenCom. The only reason that has been adduced is that 20 years of experience would ensure proper administration of the pension system. But the irony in this line of thought is that as can be seen in the massive corruption in the old pension system, donkey years of experience do not translate to competence and integrity. From Abdulrasheed Maina, to Atiku Kigo, and John Yakubu, all the people mentioned in the N273 billion scam in the Police Pension Office had over 20 years experience.

Curiously, such crazy years of experience are not prescribed for the headship of most regulatory agencies in Nigeria’s financial services sector, including those that handle far greater responsibilities and funds than the PENCOM.

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is the engine room of Nigeria’s economy and financial sector, managing an external reserves, which stood at USD48.76 billion or N75.57 trillion as at last April. Its assets and liabilities stand at N14, 041,867,399 trillion as at June.

The CBN licenses and regulates the N24.58 trillion strong banking/financial sector. Yet, the CBN Act 2007 only stipulates that: “The Governor and DeputyGovernors shall be persons of recognised financial experience…”.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, assesses, collects, and accounts for taxes accruable to the Federal Government. It raked in about N5 trillion in 2012 alone.

Yet the FIRS (Establishment) Act 2007 only provides that the “Executive Chairman shall have cognate experience and skills in accountancy, economic, taxation, and re-

lated fields”.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, insures all the deposit liabilities of Nigerian banks and other deposit-taking institutions in Nigeria which is over N24.58 trillion. The law does not mention years of experience. Meanwhile, funds under PenCom stood at N3.60 trillion as at May 2013.

Only 10 years cognate experience is needed for the Director-Generalship of the Corporate Affairs Commission and 15 years for those of the Security and Exchange Commission the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM. The 40 years prescribed by the Constitution for the Presidency of Nigeria is not even up to 20 years if you take away about 24 years from birth to completion of national service.

Indeed, modern economies are yielding more space to digital minds, professionalism, creativity, and competence.

I recall all the noise Senator John McCain made about his age and experience. But Americans needed creativity and competence to revive their economy. They chose Obama who is of Kenya origin over McCain, a fullblooded and “well experienced” American. Here we are, basking in tribalism and gerontocracy. Will we ever learn a thing?

Let me conclude by emphasising that as a pensioner, I do not care if an Igbo or Igala or young man/woman pays my pension. All I care about is to have my pension regularly. I am sure this too should matter to members of the National Assembly. *Alhaji Usman, a pensioner, wrote from Birnin Kebbi, Kebi State

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013— —19

E

VERY country has her own challenges with substandard goods and products, whether manufactured locally or imported, but that of Nigeria is in higher than usual dimensions. The prevalence of substandard products was so much in the pharmaceutical sector until Prof. Dora Akunyili proved that the challenge of fake drugs could be dealt with successfully. It was not easy for her and her colleagues at NAFDAC in those days. Attempts were even made to kill her, perhaps to send warning message to other chiefs of regulatory organisations of government, but she was not deterred; with the support of the Federal Government, she fought the fake drugs lords to submission.

Her predecessor has continued with that spirit.

The preponderance of fake products in almost all spheres of human activity here is alarming. From computers and ICT products, building materials, machinery, cars and spare parts, hand kerchiefs, towels, to keys and padlocks, fake products flood the market daily, and they are mostly from China and Asia. The Asian Tigers are here, but more with substandard and economically wasteful products. The government body responsible for designation, establishment, approval and declaration of standards in respect of materi-

als, commodities, structures and processes, certification of products in commerce and industry, their promotion at national, regional and international levels, throughout Nigeria, and the enforcement of same is the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON.Their mandate is enormous, the challenge is gargantuan, they are restless, committed, doing their best, but the influx of fake products continue without abating.

Only this week, the Director General of SON declared their readiness to enforce standards in the electric bulb section by destroying fake electrical bulbs. The incidences of frequent fire outbreak in homes, industries and offices these days, make the need to check fake wires and bulbs imperative. Door keys and padlocks from China do not last for more than a few weeks; same in the motor spare parts markets, where used parts are now preferred to the so called new ones from China. Today, for almost all items in the market, you have original and fake products displayed side by side, with impunity, and the buyer decides, depending on his choice and purse. But the worrisome aspect is that the crooks are thriving too much in this business. Some of these men import substandard products from China, paste the name and logo of standard and popular brands on them and sell.

Others even open up products

,

like television sets, change the internal components, and sell!

This is where all genuine companies exporting to sell in Nigeria need to collaborate with the SON Conformity and Assessment Programme, SONCAP.Established since 1971, SON has changed and is actively involved in import inspection of goods and quality assessment at the ports and borders of Nigeria, considering the economic and health/ safety implications of influx of substandard goods into the country. But fake products are everywhere.

The question then is: Why is the impact of SON so little felt by the people?

The many problems of the importers drive them into cutting corners to make some profit.

First, they pay import duty, NAFDAC fees, SON dues, ship agent fees, clearing and forwarding fees, wharfinger, wharfage, stevedoring conservancy dues, animal and plant quarantine dues, and many

PDP crisis of shame

BY MARTINS IWUANYANWU

T

HE current crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is completely absurd and disheartening, particularly when you consider the fact that those behind it are people who have benefited from the party. Some have occupied key offices as long as 12 years, enjoying all the benefits of this office. I beg to disagree vehemently with those who are happy with the current situation in the PDP; some see it as an opportunity for other parties to get stronger. But why would a serious political party throw its door open to rebels. I am very sure that what is happening now in the ruling party would happen in any other political party in Nigeria today. Come to think of it, are these politicians not the same?

It is a fact that politicians and political parties everywhere in the world do have their differences. However, no one will vow to pull down the party except he has his way in any issue.

Among the so-called PDP insider opposition, who benefits if PDP is destroyed? What we have seen elsewhere in the world is that if you belong to a political party and later disagree with that party ’s philosophy or ideology, you could leave to form another party with those you share the same ideological concern with or join an existing one. You do not have to say that you must destroy that party or pull it down at all cost.

It is only a fool that will applaud ex-

C M Y K

treme radicalism as Governor Chibuike Ameachi has very much demonstrated. Mr. Amaechi’s extreme radicalism in the manner he has taken issues against the PDP leadership and the Presidency is unheard of. I have no doubt that he could not have done this under Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Perhaps the reason for this lack of respect for the party authority

by Amaechi and a few others is because President Goodluck Jonathan is a gentleman and a civilian. I guess Amaechi and his fellow rebels misunderstood the fact of President Jonathan gentility but we must also understand that compromise is never a sign of cowardice anywhere.

T

he show of shame orchestrated at the National Assembly by the PDP factional leader Alhaji Baraje with the cooperation of the Speaker, Alhaji Tambuwal and the so -called G7 Governors even while peace talk is still on going within the party is totally condemnable. I will be very surprised if the IGP will not arrest Baraje and Co and charge them to court for breach of public peace.

I am not a PDP member so let nobody think I am speaking for PDP. However, I feel very sad over the actions of the extreme radical elements within the ruling party. I am concerned about our nation and our hard-earned democracy. There is no doubt that the actions of these few disgruntled ele-

more, before the containerised goods leave the sea port. If any of these government officials or department is not pleased, he simply raises an issue against the importer to the Customs which elicits some enforcement action against the man. At the end of the day, he settles, with more cost, and he sells at a loss. Next time he asks the exporter to reduce specification and quality in order to recoup his losses in the earlier consignment, and it subsequently becomes a habit.

Second, where the officers in charge of a particular section in the ports clearance process come predominantly from one ethnic group, they use their position to promote the interest of importers from that group and punish or put importers from other or perceived rival ethnic group at a disadvantage. The net effect is that the disadvantaged importer struggles to also make some profit by importing poor quality products. Greed, corruption, and ethnic manipulations have played together at the seaports to land substandard products in Nigeria, complicating the challenges of SON.

T

hird, with Nigeria as a dumping ground of all sorts, due to absence of government encouragement for production and manufacturing, many want to import from China, the known centre for fake, cheap and substandard products. They all find patronage for the questionable products they import because of our huge population, and continuously depreciating

,

By CLEMENT UDEGBE

,

Too much fake products in Nigeria

SON cannot continue to treat symptoms by destroying the importers goods alone, which only impoverish Nigerians; the battle must now be carried beyond our borders to Asia

Let us save our democracy by rejecting all the lies of the disgruntled insider opposition of PDP; let’s negotiate Nigeria; let’s have a constitutional conference NOW!

,

Naira purchasing power. The market for fake products has become large because the majority cannot afford the high cost of the original standard quality products.

Fourth, the Lagos seaports have been so balkanized among the ruling class and their cronies, in what they called concessioning, which has made the place look like a mad house. Any conscientious citizen who used to visit the Lagos seaports of Tin Can, and Apapa in the early 1980s to 1990s, will shed tears for this country over what presently obtains there. The ports have become the shame of their past glory.

The work of SON needs to be known by all and sundry through more education, more campaign, more information to the consuming public. The cooperation between SON and the consumer protection agencies need to be enhanced in the interest of the people.

SON on its part cannot continue to treat symptoms by destroying the importers goods alone, which only impoverish Nigerians. The battle must now be carried beyond our borders to China and Asia.

Early this month, our President visited China with a very powerful delegation, and a top parliamentary official from China also visited Nigeria a few days ago. They should be telling themselves the truth about the need to start punishing exporters of fake and substandard products to Nigeria.

*Mr. Udegbe, a lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

tator even in handling the PDP affairs in his state.

Nigerians must also know that it is possible the G7 governors are afraid of what will happen when they leave office and President Jonathan is still in power. If not, how can these fellows demand as a condition for peace in the PDP that President Jonathan must forfeit his constitutional right of running for a second term? And for Bamanga Tukur, is he on a term-less tenure in office? Why would anybody not be patient? Those who are opposed to Jonathan’s second term ambition should present their own candidate to contest against the President within the party.

Politics is about give and take and not take and take, therefore Nigerians must not pretend and keep quiet over this recklessness that is now a major threat to our hard-earned democracy.

All well-meaning Nigerians must understand what is at stake and rise up to the occasion NOW. Let us save our democracy by rejecting all the lies of the disgruntled insider opposition of PDP. Let’s negotiate Nigeria! Let’s have a constitutional conference NOW! Let’s work with the counsel of Senate President David Mark! It is time to talk.

ments within the PDP border on treasonable crime. We therefore cannot afford to fold our arms and watch our hard-earned democracy truncated in whatever disguise. All the Northern governors involved in this crisis were in their states when the Boko Haram took over the reigns of power and they could not do anything to stop them.

This current move must be plan B by some elements who are likely to be sponsors of Boko Haram but now fighting through this means after they realised that Boko Haram has practically been dismantled. And for Gov Amaechi, I would like to ask, whose cause is he fighting and what would be his reward if Jonathan’s government is destroyed?

After brow-beating his Rivers people to submission by destroying their properties, how can he now be talking about justice and equity and *Dr. Iwuanyanwu, a leadership specalling Jonathan a dictator. That is cialist, wrote from Lagos being hypocritical because he is dic-

20— Vanguard ,

FRIDAY FRIDAY,, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 21

ICAN President, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed (left), presenting some souvenirs to the representative of the Acting Rector of Waziri Umar Federal Polytechnic, Birni-Kebbi, Mr. Sunday Popoola, during Mohammed’s visit to the Polytechnic on Wednesday.

FG lauds energy firms for boosting LPG usage ....As consumption hits 36% in 2012

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

he Federal Government has lauded local oil and gas companies in the country in popularising the usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG also known as cooking gas as consumption increased from 100,000 metric tonnes to 250,000 metric tonnes in 2012 accounting for 36.8 per cent increase.

Speaking just before her departure to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, the Minister of

Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, gave a rare praise to oil firms that were working hard to promote usage of cooking gas in Nigerian homes. The campaign was initiated by Oando, Techno Oil, and NIPCO She said that government was delighted over the remarkable increase in LPG consumption from 100,000 metric tonnes to 250,000 metric tonnes in 2012.

“Government appreciates the pioneering efforts of Tecnho Oil Ltd, Oando Plc and NIPCO Plc

in the popularisation of small gas cylinders for low-income homes,’’ she said.

In 2012, Techno Oil launched its “Going Green Revolution’’, introducing its innovative Gas Stoves, in a bid to make Nigerian households to embrace the use of cooking gas, rather than using kerosene, fire wood and other sources of energy, harmful to the environment.

Oando Plc had similarly, invested in the deployment of Gas Stoves, providing the product in major retail outlets nationwide to make Nigerian

households to embrace the facility.

Few months ago, the Lagos State Government launched the “CAGEL Programme, aimed at prompting clean and sustainable environment.

The programme was commissioned by the Governor of the state, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, with the active support of Techno Oil and Oando.

The CAGEL Programme, launched at the popular Oyingbo market in the Lagos heartland, attracted hundreds of households who went home with 3 kg and 6 kg gas stoves at subsidized rates.

Reacting to the commendation given to oil and gas companies for popularising LPG usage, the Executive Vice-Chairman of Techno Oil, Mrs Nkechi Obi, expressed her delight that government has started appreciating the struggle of the oil companies to promote LPG usage in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is a predominantly gas province with untapped huge expanse of gas reserves in excess of 187tcf and an average production capacity of over three million metric tonnes per year. But in spite of this huge endowment, Nigeria regrettably, has the lowest per capita LPG consumption of 1.1kg in Africa. ”Nigeria averagely spends about N345billion on kerosene subsidy yearly and increased LPG usage will reduce the amount and also reduce the unquantifiable damage to the environment through the use of fire wood.

For us in Techno Oil, the advocacy for the switch to the use of cooking gas — a cleaner way of cooking — has become a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”

117.25

-0.6

Congestion: Transport minister

2,563.00

-40.00

17.63

0.21

orders transfer of containers to off-dock terminals

By Godwin Oritse

108.09

-0.55

102.38

-0.75

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.75 155.25 STERLING 248.3428 249.1452 EURO 209.0982 209.7738 FRANC 169.9242 170.4733 YEN 1.57 1.575 CFA 0.2989 0.3089 WAUA 236.0427 236.8053 RENMINBI 25.2809 25.3631 RIYAL 41.2612 41.3945 KRONA 27.9595 28.0498 SDR 237.1234 237.8896

SELLING 155.75 249.9476 210.4494 171.0223 1.5801 0.3189 237.568 25.4452 41.5278 28.1401 238.6557

CBN Exchange rate as at 26/09/2013

F

OLLOWING the visit to some of the terminals in the Lagos ports area by the Transport Minister, Senator Idris Umar, the minister has directed that containers that cannot be handled by any terminal operator should be transferred to off-dock terminals in order to reduce the number of containers that are presently causing congestion at the port.

The minister has equally directed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should not stem vessels to any terminal that is having a pile-up of containers within its facility.

Umar had set up a committee to look at

the issue of congestion at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) as well as the physical examination site at APM Terminals which has generated a lot of complaints from port operators.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos after a closed door meeting with stakeholders, Chairman of the Committee and Executive Director Marine and Operations of the NPA, Engr David Omonibeke, said that the committee is bent on clearing the congestion at the port before the end of the year festivities.

He said that the committee has directed that terminal operators must liaise with other terminals to handle their cargo if they do not have adequate space for the consignments.

Experts fault retention of MPR at 12% S

ome financial experts have faulted the central bank for retaining the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 percent for twelveth time in a row.

The experts told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the retention of the MPR at 12 per cent would make the cost of borrowing to be still high.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retained the MPC rate at 12 percent on Tuesday.

The apex bank also retained the 50 percent Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public sector funds and 12 percent CRR for private sector deposits.

Mr Harrison Owoh, the Managing Director, H J Trust & Investment, in Lagos, said that the real sector would not record meaningful growth with double digit interest rates.

Owoh said that the apex bank should reduce the rate to eight percent to encourage borrowing, especially by manufacturers.

He said that manufacturers needed to be encouraged to improve productivity and reduce unemployment rate.

Owoh said that the retention of interest rate at 12 percent for almost two years was not good for economic growth and development.

Mr Sehinde Adenagbe, the Managing Director, Standard Union Securities Ltd., Lagos, said that the capital market would experience lower transactions due to movement of funds to the money market.

Adenagbe said that investors would tend to seek for money market instruments with higher returns at minimal risks.

According to him, investors are after profit and the retention of the rate will lead to low daily transactions at the nation’s bourse.

Mr David Adonri, the Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Securities Ltd., Lagos, said that the retention could force funds away from equities market.

Adonri said that the apex bank needed to ensure single digit interest rate to lower inflation rate.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 , 2013

Honeywell Flour profit soars to N2.8bn

By Dotun Ibiwoye & Paul Metu

H

From left: Director, United Kingdom Trade and Investment, Mr. Mike Purves; Executive Director, Business Development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock; and Head, Corporate Services Division, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko, at the courtesy visit of the High Commissioner to NSE in Lagos.

Capital Bancorp balance sheet size hits N3.5bn … Celebrates 25 yrs of added value

By PETER EGWUATU Capital Bancorp Plc, one of the operators in the capital market, has disclosed that its balance sheet size has grown to N3.5 billion from N2.3 million it started business with in 1988. It also disclosed that its shareholders fund stood close to N2 billion, as it celebrates 25 years of resilient services to boosting the financial sector of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking to newsmen preparatory to the company’s 25th anniversary scheduled for October 4, 2013 in Lagos, Chairman, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Mobolurin Olutola said, “We have done well to remain in business for these years despite the challenges.

We started business with a capital of N2.3 million and today, we have up to N2.3 billion balance sheet size and a shareholders’ fund of close to N2 billion. When we stated, we had no

office of our own, but shared office with a friend for three months. It is after three months that we moved to our own office. Some of the few finance houses that started with us had closed shops, today there are hundred or more finance houses in the country.”

On its operations, he said, “We went into business providing stock broking services and later on we started financing small and medium businesses. We offer select clientele investment banking (securities trading, financial advisory and capital issues and investment services .We are now into equipment leasing and doing well. Equipment leasing was something that was not widely used, though the Merchant Banks were already in it when we started providing the service. People even said how we can cope when the commercial banks were providing 90 days facilities. However, we were

resilient and added value to our clients that was what had sustained our business.”

Continuing, Olutola said, “In the capital market, we are not pushover.

We have done some of the innovative instruments. When the Federal government came up with the issuance of bonds, we were in the first and second tranches and we acted as advisers. We have also undertaken equity issue, convertible and preference issue. We are one of the few early dealers in the newly traded market, NASD.” In his own remark, Managing Director, Capital Bankcorp, Mr. Aigboje Higo, said “ We recently launched online Trading Portal which enables members of the investing public to open a stock broking account and trade in shares of quoted companies from the comfort of their homes, offices with the use of computers, mobile devices etc.”

Oando shares resilient despite alleged 30% ownership by Ibori

By NKIUKA NNOROM

D

espite the on-going allegation over ownership of 30 percent equity stake in Oando Plc by jailed exgovernor of Delta State, James Ibori, investors have so far shown favourable disposition towards the stock as it has withstood free fall as earlier expected.

After falling to N9.32 per share on Wednesday 18th September from N11.50 on Monday (18.96 percent decrease) when the news broke out, the share price picked up on Thursday 19th September to close at N10.00 per share, representing 7.3 percent increase.

The trend continued on Friday with maximum increase of 10 percent to close at N11.00 per share.

C M Y K

However, there was a reversal on Monday, 22nd September as the share price once more slipped to negative region to close at N10.30 per share. It again rose to N10.39 on Tuesday and further appreciated to N10.50 at the close of trading on Wednesday.

Olufemi Awoyemi, CEO, Proshare Limited, an online investment portal, had said that the panic selling that greeted the news would fizzle out in no time.

He said, “While the company responded by clarifying its relationship and affirming that the investments was not substantial as alleged, investors who already had a muted outlook towards the stock (due to its state of financial leverage/gearing, continuing decline in its top-line, and increasing operating

costs), went into an expected panic and for two days, Oando’s share prices dropped by maximum limits. ”It mattered little to most that the initial burden of verifying the sources of funds and certifying shareholders rested with the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and that in the worst case scenario, Oando’s liquidity will not be affected severely, and if at all, will be limited to whatever sums is agreed on as the shareholding of James Ibori in Oando Plc (to be sold in the secondary market to convert back to cash for the ‘owners’ of the funds).”

“Market reaction to the negative news surged the bearish volume traded astronomically on Tuesday, recording 683.72 percent volume growth as 4.5million units exchanged hands with corresponding plunge in the price level.”

oneywell Flour Mills Plc’s has recorded Profit after Tax (PAT) of N2.8 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2012. This represents a growth of six per cent from N2.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

The company’s shareholders’ funds and total assets increased by nine percent and 16 percent to N19 billion and N55 billion respectively, while its earnings per share rose from 33.97 kobo to 35.86 kobo.

Speaking at Honeywell’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the chairman, Dr. Oba Otudeko, stated that the management has recommended a total dividend payout of N1.27 billion, representing a distribution of 16 kobo for every 50 kobo ordinary share held.

He disclosed that the company has acquired about 64 hectares of land along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from the Ogun State government within the newly created industrial zone known as Flowergate scheme.

Otudeko also affirmed that the company plans to develop the Honeywell Integrated Foods Complex and locate several production and processing factories within this Food Complex, with emphasis on the manufacture of value-added human animal food products. This, he noted, will result in a major and significant growth for the business.

NSE commences transaction on new trading engine next week

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

ll is now set for the Nigerian Stock Exchange to commence trading activities on its new trading platform, XGEN, from next week, said the Chief executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema.

He explained in a statement that the NSE has had series of market readiness tests preparatory to the take-off of the new trading platform.

“We created a new market structure that is world class and are now making final preparations to cutover to our next Generation platform this weekend.”

Onyema said.

Also commenting, the Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo, said, “We have great confidence in this platform. Three market readiness tests were successfully executed over the past five weeks with a focus on the performance of the trading engine and integration of all interfaces including remote users coming in via the Fix gateway.

Brokers and NSE technical team were able to successfully place orders, migrate data and complete a series of full dress rehearsal. It is exciting that we are able to execute and test all our tasks and are confident with the results.”

X-GEN has been described as a high performance, robust and scalable, multiasset, multi-market matching trading engine. According to Bajomo, “This is the first country in West Africa to adopt this highly sophisticated trading system.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 23

NAQS debunks cassava disease claim in Nigeria

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

A

Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Media Consultant, Bridgeworld Communications; Dr Olayiwola Onasanya, Director of Agricultural Services, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Mr Kayode Ashafa, Programme Manger, Lagos state Agriculture Development Authority at a media interactive session with Lagos State Commercial Agriculture Development Project themed ‘Media and the Challenges of Food Security in Nigeria’ held in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

CADP increased Lagos agric GDP by 12.6% in 2012

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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he Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) intervention contributed about 12.6% to the agriculture Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos state last year, just as the project supported over 3,508 beneficiaries directly and created over 6,000 direct jobs.

Dr. Olawale Onosanya, Director Agriculture Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed this during the week while giving a good will message at an interactive session of beneficiaries of the CADP’s projects in the state with media practitioners.

He added that the project indirectly influenced over 80,000 beneficiaries that benefited from the rural infrastructure interventions like road constructions.

Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) is aimed to improve Agriculture production in Nigeria by supporting the commercialization of agriculture production, processing and marketing outputs among small and medium-scale commercial farmers and agro-processors.

CADP is supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria strategy options of diversifying into non-oil

sources of growth and away from over dependence on oil and gas.

Onosanya said Lagos state has consistently paid its counterpart fund as the state wants to be able to produce 25% of its food consumption by the year 2015.

While promising that the state will continue to fund the project, he said farmers that have been commercialized by the project will benefit from the state’s collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture.

The project has helped to improve access of participating commercial farmers to new technologies, improved infrastructures, finances, and output markets, to strengthening agricultural production systems and facilitate access to market for some targeted value chains among small and medium scale commercial farmers in five participating states; Cross Rivers, Enugu State, Kaduna State, Kano State, and Lagos State.

The value chain for Lagos State is Poultry, Aquaculture with Rice as Staple. The value chains were selected based on the agricultural strengths of the state.

Also speaking at the event, the General Manager of the project in the state, Gbenga Ashafa, disclosed that the impact of the project has been

felt in all the value chains in the state.

He added that the state is committed to increasing agriculture production so as to be able to feed the teeming population, “the task of feeding Lagosians is big but with the farmers support it is possible.”

Ashafa disclosed that the project has supported 1483 farmers under the aquaculture value chain with various inputs, 741 farmers under the rice value chain and 1284 farmers under the poultry value chain in the state.

He said the use of Nipple fitted battery cage for poultry birds by the project beneficiaries as against the open drinkers system has resulted in reduction of mortality and diseases transmission by over 15%, increase in egg production by 20% and feed wastages by over 40%.

BUJA- THE Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Service, NAQS, yesterday vehemently debunked claims that Cassava Brown Streak Virus Disease (CBSVD) had been discovered in Nigeria.

NAQS in a statement signed by its coordinating director, Dr. Mike Nwaneri, made the clarification following a recent newspaper publication on September 13, 2013, alleging the break out of the virus in the cassava industry, stating that the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, and European Union, EU, jointly revealed the cassavas produced in Nigeria and Ghana were struck by Cassava Brown Streak Disease.

Although, NAQS said it alerted its officers at various entry and exit points across the country on the disease in East Africa The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Nigerian agricultural quarantine service has been drawn to a newspaper publication on page four of daily news watch newspaper on September 13th 2013, supporting that the food and agriculture Organisation, FAO, and European Union, EU, said that global cassava produced in Nigeria and Ghana have been struck by Cassava Brow Streak Disease, CBSD. “While it is true that NAQS raised the level of alertness of its officers at various entry/ exist points in the country against this disease because of its presence in some East African counties. Cassava Brown Streak Virus Disease is not in Nigeria.

“The general public, especially cassava farmers are advised to disregard this alarm as it is false in its entirety.”

The organization also stated that there was no import permit or planting materials issued for over 20 years on cassava that could lead to the presence of the disease in Nigeria.

However, NAQS has urged cassava farmers to report any illegal importation of cassava planting materials at any of its zonal offices in Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Kano and Maiduguri, or at the head office in Abuja.

Ban on rice importation will trigger local production -Gov. Ahmed Kwara State Government says the proposed ban on rice importation by the federal government by year 2015 will encourage the growth of local rice farmers and millers in the country.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed who stated this yesterday at the commissioning of Quarra Rice Mill at Tsaragi in Edu local government area of the state said the proposed policy can only work through a holistic approach that include tax incentives and effective policing of the nation’s borders.

Cassava farmer decries government funding T

he optimism by the Federal Government that “cassava in Nigeria will become like oil and gas,” might not be realities after all as many who have come to embrace its cultivation are not finding it easy.

One of such people is an insurance broker turned cassava farmer in Aiyepe Village in Ogun state who decried the stress in getting fund to cultivate more hectares of the crop.

Francis Adesina said when the federal government launched the cassava bread in 2012, it was one of the most talked about initiatives of the Akinwumi-led government, but since then it seems the project had become one of the white elephant projects of government.

“My interest in farming started with the information of what benefit Nigerians stand to gain from cultivating cassava by the government under the Agriculture Transformation Agenda. I had plans to cultivate four hectares of land in Aiyepe, but when we learnt that the government was going to give loans for one hectare, we decided to stop at two hectares.”

When told of government’s reenergized efforts at cassava development when it agreed to consider an initial request of about N10 billion

cassava funds to further explore potentials of the cassava industry in the country, Adesina said they have not benefitted from it.

He informed that they had hoped to key into the government’s funding through the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association that had an MOU with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Adesina explained that one condition for the disbursement of the loans to 60,000 cassava farmers by the Bank of Agriculture through the association for this year’s cropping season was to maintain an account with BOA for three months.

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

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REPORT on national survey has shown that the nation committed N211.5 billion to exportable crop farming activities during the 2011/2012 survey year.

The report issued in Abuja

by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), was prepared by Consultative Committee on Agricultural Export Commodities in collaboration with agency.

It said that the other collaborative agencies were the Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The report said that of the figure, “own fund” led the list with N134.19 billion (63.44 per cent), followed by micro credit institutions with N36.86 billion (17.42 per cent).

The N134.19 billion own fund referred to personal fund committed to any of the 14 exportable crop farming activities by a holder.

Community banks’ recorded the lowest amount of N1.30 billion (0.61 per cent), according to the report.

It stated that disaggregating the own fund into states, Kaduna State recorded the highest with N9.51 billion (7.09 per cent) followed by Kano state with N9.45 billion (7.04 per cent).

Ekiti has the lowest amount of N0.61billion (0.45 per cent).

Nigeria sets for sustainable palm oil

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MEETING — From left: Chairman, Agric and Non-Oil Export Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Prince Wale Oyekoya, Vice President, LCCI, Mr. Adams Idufieko and Secretary, Agric and Non-Oil Export Group, LCCI, Mr. Olayemi Oluwole, at the one-day meeting, Tuesday, at the LCCI Centre, Alausa, Lagos. PHOTO: Daniel Gumm.

‘Nigeria entrusts N211.5b to exportable crops in two years’

BY DANIEL GUMM

The report said that cooperative banks contributed N12.62billion (6.00 per cent), Bank of Agriculture N2.10 billion (0.96 per cent), commercial banks N1.41 billion (0.67 per cent).

The community banks contributed the lowest amount of

NovelP ott oun ttoo velPott ottaa Y&R, Camer Cameroun deepen cocoa production

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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OVELPOT TA Y&R Cameroun, an integrated marketing communication firm for French territories in West and Central Africa, said it is partnering Conseil Interprofession du Cacao et du Café, CiCC, and Ministry of Trade, Cameroun for FESTICACAO which aims at promoting cocoa by positioning it as a product that meets international standards .

FESTICACAO is an annual public event aimed at promoting cocoa by positioning it as a quality product that meets international standards, with theme: ‘Youth, the Takeover!’ this year’s event seeks to discuss the different opportunities available to young people who want to get involved in cocoa production. The event is slated for November 28 to 30, 2013 in Yaoundé, Cameroun.

Speaking on the upcoming event, the Minister of Trade, Republic of Cameroon, Luc Magloire Mbarga Antagana said: “FESTICACAO is a national promotional event for cocoa and is now an international rendezvous for the cocoa industry in Africa. This industry has the ability to employ more people than it is

currently doing; the global demand, due to the multiple health benefit of the product, is on the increase and the onus is on us to encourage our young people to pursue careers along this line. This year, we are looking to boost the various investment opportunities in the cocoa industry; through this approach we believe many of our people, especially the youths, will be able to strategically position themselves to tap into the many opportunities that abound in the cocoa trade.”

While inviting delegates and exhibitors across Africa, the Country Head, NovelPotta Y&R Cameroun, Mr. Alex Bisse said: “FESTICACAO is not only a festive event but it is also a time to deliberate on the themes that probes the prospective of the entire cocoa industry thereby admonishing young people to ensure succession in the cocoa fields - with a new philosophy, new approaches and practices that meet the quality standards of an increasingly demanding international market” He added that FESTICACAO 2013 will be graced by international speakers from global cocoa processors and chocolate makers.

N1.30billion (0.61 per cent).

It said that the ages between 30 and 49 years committed the highest fund to exportable crop with a percentage of 47.99.

This was followed by holders of ages 50 to 64 years with 30.99 per cent while the age group of 15 to 29 had the lowest percentage of 5.20.

“Overall, 984,235 holders reported the use of improved seedling. Kano State reported the highest number of 168,138 (18.17 per cent), followed by Katsina State with 123,006 (12.62 per cent),” Niger State, according to the report, did not report the use of improved seed/seedling.

It stated that Lagos and Bayelsa states reported the least number of holders that used improved seed/seedling with 41 (0.01 per cent) and 250 (0.03 per cent) respectively.

“A total of 27 states and Federal Capital Territory planted cashew on a total land area of 120.17 (‘000) hectares.

“Kwara planted the largest hectares of land of 31.49 (‘000) hectares (26.20 per cent), followed by Imo with 11.86 (‘000)

hectares (9.87 per cent) “The least areas planted were recorded in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states with 0.01 (.000) hectares and 0.55 (.000) hectares respectively,’’ the report said.

“Cocoa was cultivated in 18 states on a total land area of 1,363.60 (‘000) hectares.

“Cross River cultivated the highest hectares with 327.91 hectares (24.05 per cent), followed by Ondo state with 321.97 hectares (23.61 per cent) “The least cultivated land areas were 0.04 hectares, representing 0.003 per cent by Imo and 0.18 hectares (0.01 per cent) by Rivers State,’’ the report said.

It said the total production by the 18 states was 370.01 metric tonnes with Ondo State contributing the highest with 92.22 (‘000) metric tonnes (24.92 per cent), closely followed by Osun with 74.10 (‘000) metric tonnes (20.03 per cent).

The report said the least production was 0.01 (‘000) metric tonnes (0.003 per cent) by Imo and 0.09 (‘000) metric tonnes (0.24 per cent) by Bayelsa.

Nigerian exporters set for 7TH ECOWAS Trade Fair in Accra

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HE Selection /briefing exercise for the 7 TH ECOWAS Trade fair in Accra, Ghana, coming up on October 24 - November 4, 2013, kicked off yesterday with frenzy as the various exporters from Nigeria were on hand to exhibit their products at the Apapa premises of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Lagos Zonal Office.

Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, Acting Zonal Controller, Nigerian

Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Lagos Zonal Office, explained that the the priority sector would be the manufacturing sub-sector. She also noted that interested companies needed to attend the selection and briefing exercise as with the following: a.

Product samples, company and product profiles, (promotional materials,) flyers, brochures, complimentary cards and passport photo of the company representative that will be in Ghana for the fair.

HE Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Africa Roadshow aimed at creating awareness and building capacity among key stakeholders in the palm oil supply chain had been concluded Nigeria.

The event was jointly organised by Proforest Initiative (UK) and Solidaridad West Africa, in collaboration with RSPONigeriato intimate stakeholders in the palm oil supply chainwith the understanding and uptake of the principles and criteria of the RSPO. Present at the event were stakeholders including growers/millers, processors, associations, NGOs, financial sector, state governments, research institutes and the media.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Fatai Afolabi, the facilitator of RSPO in Nigeria, noted that RSPO requires palm oil producing countries to develop their respective national interpretation of the RSPO principles and criteria.

He stressed that “if Nigeria would aspire to rise back to the number one position in the global palm oil trade, it has to develop its oil palm industry on sustainable and globally accepted standards and best practices.”

Some of the highlights of the two-day event were: Introduction of the course outline and objectives of the road-show, new planting procedures (NPP), general overview of RSPO principles and criteria, RSPO certification process, introduction to high conservation value (HCV) among others.

At the open session discussion, participants deliberated on the benefits, constraints and opportunities for the uptake of RSPO new planting procedures (NPP) as well as production of sustainable palm oil in Nigeria.

The participants, who agreed that Nigeria should embrace RSPO requirements, however, suggested that creating more awareness, capacity building, support for RSPO process and funding are the way forward for the uptake of RSPO in Nigeria.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 25

26 — Vanguard ,

FRIDAY FRIDAY,, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013—27

24 HOURS AFTER KELVIN'S ARREST

Uneasy calm in Kokori •Youths clash with soldiers over chief priest’s arrest •Villagers flee, go into hiding

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HERE was nervous serenity in Kokori, the country home of the most wanted kidnapper/ armed robbery kingpin in Delta State, Kelvin Oniarah, 24 hours after he was arrested, Wednesday, at a hotel in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, where he was taking cover with his comrades-in-arms. The news of his arrest had not reached the troubled community as at 10.47 am on Wednesday, September 25, when Vanguard reporters visited the community, but there was trepidation everywhere. It was visibly etched on the faces of the people.

Vanguard got the news of Kelvin’s arrest at about 5.00 am, two hours after he was nabbed in Port-Harcourt. A top security official in Delta State, who did not want to be quoted confided to one of our crack reporters. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, was immediately contacted, but he said, “That is what I am hearing but I do not have the details.”

Internal operation From his speech, it was overt the arrest was not done in the state, but a police officer claimed the arrest was made by the police in Rivers state, which was later found to be false. Our reporters in Port-Harcourt drew a dead end from the police in Rivers state, as senior officers contacted said they knew nothing about the arrest.

Siege to Kokori: Soldiers, who we later learnt, had been in the community since Monday on “internal operation”, laid siege to the community when we visited and it was not difficult to perceive that their presence was the reason for the edgy serenity. Some of the villagers began to flee the town, same day, suspecting that something ominous could happen with the heavy presence of soldiers in Kokori.

However, unlike Tuesday, September 17, when the villagers, both young and old, came out to dance and rejoice with Kelvin, who literally materialized from the moon, and issued a 60-day ultimatum the State and Federal Governments to develop the community or his group, C M Y K

Liberation Movement of the •Military men on the streets of Kokori, Delta State, yesterday Urhobo People, LIMUP, would blow up oil facilities, the people were hiding in their houses on in different directions with some villager, who spoke to Vanguard possess a Ph.D in Mechanical soldiers in hot pursuit, while from Kokori said, “The situation Engineering and a former aide September 25 Stop and search: The soldiers others dismantled the wooden is now hazy, the enraged youths, to a top politician in the state, stopped our reporters and barricade. About four persons, who did not know that Kelvin wanted, last year, after series of ordered them to identify already arrested in connection had been arrested, engaged the kidnap and armed robbery themselves. To the warm smile of with Kelvin, were lying on the soldiers. “As I speak to you now, operations, within and outside the our Regional Editor, one of the floor in two of the Hilux vans it seems as if they have called for state, were traced to him, but he reinforced and there is remained hard to pin down. soldiers hollered, “Who is driven by soldiers.

One of the arrested persons apprehension everywhere, there Delta State Police laughing with you, who are you and what are you doing passed a message to somebody is fear that they will demolish the Commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu here?” The crew disguised in his native dialect to tell his wife community overnight because the Aduba, who confirmed Kelvin as themselves into the town with the that it was unlikely that he would boys have provoked them and I the most notorious kidnapper in vehicle of staff photographer, be released yesterday, and asked am packing some items to come the state, in an interview with Vanguard, last year, expressed Akpokona Omafuaire. He was her to feed the chickens, but his to Warri,” he added.

The youths were said to have optimism then that he would be asked to open the booth of the wife, strapping a baby behind, vehicle, while boss was ‘marched’ was crying her eyes out, as she been angered by the destruction arrested shortly. Commissioner of the community’s shrine, which Aduba told Vanguard in the to the commander to explain their shadowed the soldiers. a source said was where Kelvin aforesaid interview that mission to Kokori. derived his myth. By Thursday motorcyclists, popularly known as The commander, who appeared Hostile morning, Vanguard received an Okada riders in Kokori were on quite friendly, was interrogating disposition unconfirmed report that about 12 the payroll of Kelvin, as they tip a pastor and his wife, who were Vanguard overheard an elderly persons were killed and eight him off whenever security agents new in town when our team arrived on what they know about woman telling a fellow villager others injured in the clash. A enter the town to look for him.

Fear of Kelvin in Kokori: Kelvin and his gang. He told our that when Kelvin came the other villager who spoke on phone, reporters after introduction, “We day, the people trooped out to said, ‘What I can tell you is that Investigations by Vanguard are on internal operation.” dance with him, but today, there was heavy shooting and showed that Kelvin was feared in Vanguard broke the news of soldiers have come to the armoured tank had been Kokori and his tribesmen could Kelvin’s arrest in Port-Harcourt to community because of the trouble deployed, but I am not aware of not dare to report him to security agents because of the fear that he the commander and he said, of one man and everybody was any death.”

Monarch’s palace deserted: In would find out the informant and “That lessens our job.” He later feeling the pain. It was palpable cleared the reporters to proceed from the hostile disposition of the As I speak to you now, it seems as if they on their fact-finding visit, but youths that there could be crossfire with the soldiers, who cautioned them to be careful and have called for reinforced and there is introduce themselves properly to were unhappy that “civilians” “my men when they ask you any were barricading a major road apprehension everywhere, there is fear that when they knew the army was in they will demolish the community overnight question.” town on ‘internal operation.”

Crossfire: The delicate peace in because the boys have provoked them Lock the community snapped barely an Kokori on Wednesday, the palace and key hour later, as youths were said to of the traditional ruler, His Royal kill the person thereafter.

Vanguard also gathered that As we drove into the have confronted soldiers for Majesty, Ogurime-Rime, Ovie of sometime, months ago, at a community, it was noticed that allegedly arresting the chief priest Agbon kingdom, looked deserted. meeting of the Ughelli monarch, many of the houses were locked, (Ose-Igba) of Kokori, said to have A source said Kelvin and his gang HRM, Oharisi III, security agents but people were peeping from the been the spiritual backbone of had made the palace and Kokori chiefs and leaders, the corners of their homes and Kelvin and his gang. One uncomfortable for the king, who chairman of Delta State vigilance backyards, and ran deeper inside person was said to have been had been tortured and almost group, Mr. Monday Ohwosiri, when they sight soldiers initially injured in the cross-fire, incapacitated by the gang, and alleged that Kelvin and his gang coming. The Kokori market had just as the shrine was destroyed so, he lives outside the killed a soldier at Ekiugbo only few traders as we passed, by a vigilance group. community. junction, December, last year. He As at 4.00 pm, it was not really while the few villagers that were Police also in Kokori: At about predicted that Kokori community seen outside watched clear what the situation in Kokori 11.02 am, Vanguard sighted a would not know peace until the suspiciously. They refused to was, as some persons said the police team from Isiokolo end, people surrendered Kelvin to answer questions but from their youths had gone on rampage, racing to Kokori, apparently to security agents. Kokori chiefs, who demeanour, they were not aware while security agents were join forces with the soldiers, who had earlier feigned ignorance of destroying houses. But soldiers, have been on ground since that Kelvin had been arrested. the criminal escapades of their As we drove round Kokori, who stormed Kokori community Monday. The gangster, Kelvin son promised to consult elders of with over up to 10 Hilux patrol Vanguard observed that youths, and his exploits. Kelvin is a the community and act promptly. believed to be Kelvin’s boys, had vans, were visibly in control as relatively unknown youth in Erratic criminal: In March, this suddenly laid a blockade. But for they patrolled the streets. A Kokori, it is his criminal exploits year, Kelvin, suspected to be a the intervention of soldiers, who source called one of our reporters that brought him to hideous drug addict, phoned the were following our reporters to say the army had embarked on limelight. The elders dread him, Commissioner of Police, pleading behind, apparently to give them mass arrest, but Vanguard but there was nothing they could for amnesty, but 48 hours after the cover, it could have been an ugly counted five persons that were do to tame him. The youths call, he ambushed and killed encounter as Kokori boys were arrested, Wednesday morning, adored him because he spent his three officials of the Nigeria more often than not, antagonistic. including the chief priest, who blood loot on some of them. Police Prisons Service, NPS, Warri, with On sighting the soldiers, they fled was picked up later. declared the suspect, said to his gang.

Panic: At about 5.00 pm, a

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By EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South & FESTUS AHON

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28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

My frustration as a musician — Baba Fryo Denge Pose crooner Baba Fryo is still around, very much around. Our reporter recently caught up with him in Tedi Village in Ojo Local government area of Lagos and what could you expect? One of Ajegunle’s finest bared it all. Excerpts:

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HAT is happening to Baba Fryo?

I am living a very simple life and trying to re-arrange myself since my last record label O’jez Music, frustrated me. I am trying to pick up myself again. If you listen to Peter Tosh in one of his songs he said: “I got to pick up

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Is it Blackout for

Blackberry?

myself, dust myself up, and start all over again.” So, I just want to start all over again as if I have not done music at all. I have some beautiful tracks right now.

I will release one on air as a single.

What do you mean exactly by being frustrated?

My album was delayed for three years. Is that not frustration? Already I have taken my mind off music. I was made to feel as if I am no longer doing music again. He didn’t make me feel as if I am still in the industry.

What were the terms of the contract?

For me, I refused to sign any contract when time has been far spent. It took them three years to draft a contract as against when I started with them spanning one to three years.

You are now asking me to sign a contract. I am not a baby in this industry. That is why today, artistes pay for their songs to be on CD compilation and also pay the marketer to sell their music.

The music industry is already corrupt. It has cancer for now.

COSON is paying royalty. Are you a member?

People that are being paid now are members of COSON. I am not a member of COSON but a member of MCSN. MCSN and all others are having issues.

They don’t have time to look for money. Everything about our royalty is pending. While I was there, they usually give us something no matter how small.

I used to be a member of PMRSN, that is the former COSON.I left because they were not working well.

How many albums do you have?

I have three. I am working on the fourth one.

What happened after you released , “Notice Me” and why Notice Me? Notice Me is about people who are full of themselves. You know my music affects the lives of people positively. Before the ‘Notice Me song’, there were a lot of braggarts who pretended to be what they were not. When people travel and return from abroad you know how they

intimidate people around here .

It was rumoured that the song was an attack on Daddy Fresh?

Well, I will not say it was an attack on Daddy Fresh. In my first song, I said , ‘I want to throw a stone and anybody the stone meets, that’s his own problem.

It is a conscience. If you are engaged in ‘notice me’ and I play that song, it will affect you.

Many musicians attacked me when I released the song. I will not mention names but they know themselves. Those who put earrings on their noses, ears, tongues, stomachs, everywhere, they attacked me seriously. I give thanks to God for the inspiration.

Everybody has what influences what they do. People feel the kind of songs I compose and I am happy because when I did ‘Denge Pose’, it really affected people positively .

It was rumoured that you made so much money but lavished it, living in hotels?

That is iniquity. I lived in a hotel but I didn’t pay a dime. It was while I was living in the hotel that I thought of buying a land. The first land I bought was two plots. When I realized I didn’t like the area, I decided to sell them and bought other lands at Okoafo and Amuwo.

Living in a hotel to me is a worthwhile experience. I experienced many things .It is not every cloth that is dried in the sun. I spent and I’m still spending. But I don’t spend anyhow. I still give thanks to God.

,

By SAM ANOKAM

I think P-Square is good. Those boys are good entertainers. They show other artistes example to follow.

Secondly, I think Tuface is trying but I pick P-Square

What was your experience?

You will see the case of a nursing mother with her baby coming to the hotel to sleep with an old man using a walking stick.

I have seen some men with pregnant women. Not that the

,

owner of the hotel supports these things , he dares not see it. Some would come with their child, give the child biscuit and leave him at the reception while they climb upstairs for the amorous romp even in a very hot

afternoon. I saw many iniquities.

Denge Pose, was said to be an attack on Showkey?

Like I said, anybody who thought I was referring to him, then I was referring to him.

What is your relationship with Daddy Showkey now?

We are best of friends. We have talked about the past and realised we have made our mistakes. If we had been working together right from time, I think many Ajegunle artistes would be more successful today. Now that we are working together things are bound to Continues on page 29

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013— 29

Synopsis Keeping My Man Keeping My Man follows the journey of three couples, doing whatever they can, to keep sparks in their marriage. Zion (Rukky Sanda) and Tokunbo (Ramsey Nouah) always look perfect to their friend. They represent the epitome of marital bliss, never lacking PDA. Maya (Ini Edo), the newly-wed looks up to Zion and always seeks her advice on her marital issues. Tamar (Monalisa Chinda) questions a woman’s role in her marriage .

My frustration as a musician — Baba Fryo Continues from page 28 improve for our people.

What do you think about Majek Fashek?

I wasn’t close to Majek. Some individuals are saying his problem is spiritual. You cannot ask a sick person to tell you what is wrong with him. He cannot.

If you ask Majek, he would tell you its spiritual. I think

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK TWO GUNS THIS IS THE END ELYSIUM GROWN UPS SMURFS

Exhibition Schedule from Sept. 27th -Oct. 3rd, 2013 Majek needs to go back in timeto correct his mistakes, his lifestyle.

You have been in music for sometime but some younger guys have taken over.

Do you honestly think you can still make a great comeback?

I believe hundred per cent that I will come back with my own pattern. Let me tell you something, some people believe that you must play what these boys are playing before you can make it. No, I disagree. Play something that people will accept. Once people accept what you play, that is all. I listen to the music they play these days and discovered they are old pattern. It’s just a small touch that is added.

Listen to Flavour. The beat is old, it is the tempo that has been increased.

Even the woman that sang ‘Ko si Oba bi re’, is not different from the normal gospel music that was being played in the past. How can Baba Fryo sing like all these small boys? That is iniquity.

What kind of music do you play?

I play Afro reggae beat. That is why when I sing, they would say I sing like Fela. My own pattern is not Afrobeat. If you say Fela did not sing like someone, we were not his age mates when he was alive. We may not know who was Fela’s mentor or who he sang like.

Somebody must imitate somebody.

In other words, Fela influenced your going into music?

Not only Fela. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Manu Dibango also influenced me.

Do you agree that you are one of those who started lewd songs with Johnny Waka?

No. I disagree because many people have been singing it. What would you say about Fela?

Are you a member of the Jehovah witness as your wife is?

I am everywhere. What I mean is that I stand apart to observe things. I always attend ‘Jehovah Witnesses’ preaching because it is very educative. They don’t go after your money. They don’t need your money. Some pastors call them vendors. If they sell the book, I will be buying it. I have

investigated many churches and found out that many of them are full of iniquity. Many exist to exploit people. They have turned all Christ taught upside down. They twist the Bible to suit their own interest. If they have not collected tithes and offerings repeatedly, they are not satisfied. I call them fancy pastors.

What do you do aside music?

I sell lands. I am an Estate agent though I still perform my shows. I just came back from a show in Abuja .

Among the younger ones, which one do you think can last long on the scene?

I think P-Square is good. Those boys are good entertainers.

They show other artistes example to follow. Secondly, I think Tuface is trying but I pick P-Square.

When are we expecting your next album?

Wait, you will hear my single this year even my mother is insisting that I sing in my native dialect. So expect to listen to my single in my native dialect with pidgin English to spice it up.

It is called, Kpokrikpo.

Since you left AJ, it has not remained the same. Why? It cannot remain the same because it’s like the pillars have left. We put structures on ground but the people handling it are not doing so well. All of them are following the same pattern which is not good and I was saying this thing when it started. If you listen to Daddy Showkey, you would know it is Showkey. If you listen to Baba Fryo, you would know it is Baba Fryo. Ditto to Daddy Fresh, Nico Gravity, China Ray. Apart from Fleckterman who is different, many people followed Femi Oritse style.

They want to play like Femi Oritse. So Ajegunle music began to go one way. I was in Ikorodu where they were playing all these Nigerian hip hop music and one lady got annoyed and said they should remove the Ajegunle music because it sounded the same. But our own songs back then were not sounding the same. We laid the foundation but they did not follow it.

I sell lands. I am an Estate agent though I still perform my shows. I just came back from a show in Abuja .

,

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Keeping My Man : 2:05pm,6:25pm The Big Wedding : 4:00pm,8:30pm This Is The End : 11:50am,8:40pm Phata poster : 5:45pm Grown Ups 2 : 1:50pm 2 Guns : 6:00pm,8:10pm,10:10pm Elysium : 3:40pm Smurfs : 1:35pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Keeping My Man : 3:25pm The Big Wedding : 10:30am,8:15pm This Is The End : 3:05pm,5:20pm Grown Ups 2 : 10:30pm 2 Guns : 6:30pm,8:40pm Elysium : 8:20pm Smurfs 2 : 1:55pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Keeping My Man : 12:00pm,4:00pm,6;00pm,8:10pm The Big Wedding : 1:00pm,2:50pm,4:45pm,6:40pm,8:30pm, This Is The End : 12:30pm,2:40pm,4:50pm,7:00pm,9:10pm Grown Ups 2 : 12:00pm,4:00pm 2 Guns : 12:50pm,3:00pm,5:10pm,7:20pm,9:30pm Elysium : 7:15pm,9:25pm World War Z : 6:05pm,8:20pm Smurfs 2 : 1:10pm,5:10pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Keeping My Man : 2:35pm,9:00pm 2 Guns : 2:10pm,6:30pm,8:40pm Elysium : 6:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Keeping My Man : 3:50pm,6:20pm,8:50pm This Is The End : 12:10pm,4:30pm Grown Ups 2 : 6:50pm,8:50pm 2 Guns : 11:40am,4:15pm,6:35pm,8:55pm Red Hot : 12:50pm,4:50pm Elysium : 4:10pm,8:35pm Dead Man Down : 1:55pm House of Gold 2:50pm,6:50pm,8:55pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Keeping My Man : 12:30pm,2:30pm,4:30pm,6:40pm Grown Ups 2 : 12:25pm,2:30pm,4:35pm,6:55pm Elysium : 12:10pm,4;40pm Dead Man Down : 2:10pm,6:50pm Smurfs : 11:45am,1:35pm House of Gold : 4:20pm,7:00pm White House Down : 3:45pm,6:30pm OZONE CINEMAS LAGOS Keeping My Man : 10:05am,6:05pm This Is The End : 12:05pm,2:00pm The Big Wedding : 10:20am,9:10pm

2 Guns : 1:00pm,8:30pm

FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, SURULERE Keeping My Man : 11:00am, 1:40pm The Big Wedding : 12:45pm,4:40pm This Is The End : 12:45pm,4:40pm 2 Guns : 10:40am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, IBADAN Keeping My Man : 12:10pm,4:15pm The Big Wedding : 11:15am,1:00pm,2:50pm Continues on page 28 This Is The End : 6:20pm,8:20pm 2 Guns : 2:00pm Grown Ups 2 : 10:20pm,12:15pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS,CALABAR Keeping My Man : 2:10pm,4:30pm Grown Ups : 6:35pm,8:40pm •Laide Bakare 2 Guns : 4:25pm Elysium : 10:00am

,

30 — Vanguard ,

FRIDAY FRIDAY,, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —

W

hite has come to stay as the ultimate in luxury. When you walk into a room in all whites, you are guaranteed to turn heads.

Whether in combination or alone white is pristine, white is pure and white is the ultimate wow factor.

1.White with metallics

31

White and the Wow Factor (5 Ways to wear white)

Nothing offsets bright shiny metals better than white white.

Or is it the other way round? Check out Genevieve’s white pantsuit at the movie premiere of Half of a Yellow Sun in Canada this month.

2.White a-la off-white For more demure events and of course weddings where you cannot steal (all) of the attention, off-white is the subtle version of white, and it’s the subtlety that gives it a sexy edge. Check out Ini Edo at the Premiere of Chioma Chukwuka’s movie, On Bended Knees.

3.White with a dash of colour Contrasts are not always a great idea in high style, but white with a dash of colour can stun in a way that makes it all worth it. It can be a multicoloured scarf over a white suit, blood red shoes or even neon coloured nails. Singer Kerry Rowland kills it in this short white number at the X Factor’ auditions in Manchester.

4. As an LWD The little white dress has become as much of a wardrobe essential as the more classic little black dress, for that awkward moment when you want to look formal but not too trussed up. The LWD is not for the faint hearted of course, as it won’t slim off the body instantly as the LBD would do. If you do have a figure that bears close scrutiny, the LWD is just the thing for you.

Borrow a leaf from Seyi Shey with her sexy number for the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards red carpet.

5. In Combination.

White pants, leggings, skirt or jacket over or under the rest of your outfit is the easiest way to rock whites. You get the attention without actually going all the way. It really is a win-win situation.

Pairing white is actually quite easy and there’s no reason not to take advantage of it whether it’s for day, evening or night. Get a cue from Rita Dominic at the Ebonylife TV launch earlier in the year.

Statistics : THE CASE FOR WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP T

he Women’s Entrepreneurship Diagnostic incorporates USAID’s increasing focus on evidence-based policy-making to improve aid effectiveness, following the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness as well as the policy focus on inclusive growth following the 2010 Presidential Policy Directive for Global Development. At the same time, aspiring women entrepreneurs face different barriers than do their male counterparts, warranting tailored designs for them. As with other development objectives, one key step to better designed programming is identifying the most binding constraints to the outcome, i.e. those constraints that, if overcome, will unleash the greatest impact.

US$3 trillion

I

n developed economies,

women help create new jobs and income opportunities.

Women-owned businesses in the United States, for instance, contribute nearly US$3 trillion to the economy and have grown

at more than twice the rate of businesses owned by men.

6 million

I

n

developing countries,

increasing women’s entrepreneurship improves incomes while reducing poverty and ine-

quality. For instance, there are nearly 6 million formal, women-owned small businesses in East Asia. In countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are growing at a faster rate than men-owned firms.

31-38%

E

comes and improved wellbeing. In contrast, limiting women’s economic potential and the talents of half the population is like leaving money on the table. Yet, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that SMEs with full or partial female ownership represent 31 to 38 percent of formal SMEs in emerging markets

25%

xpanding women’s

economic potential means expanding opportunities throughout the economy— both through growing in-

S

t

tudies show h a t constraints to firms’ invest-

ments, as they seek to grow in emerging markets, could lower aggregate economic productivity by as much as 25percent.Similarly, when many countries seek to grow their way out of the recent economic crisis, we need to reduce the barriers to women’s economic participation and enhance their efficiency and productivity

70%

A

n estimated 70 percent

of the businesses operating informally in the DrC to avoid the perceived legal hurdles, the bank recognized that there was more money in the informal sector than in the formal sector.

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Denrele denies gay photo shoot with Charley Boy

How Glo hosted X Factor on West Africa’s largest LED screens, lights

T

HE grand stage and set of the world’s biggest singing reality TV show, X Factor, was the object of admiration and discussion amongst the live audience of that witnessed the live performances of the Grand Finale of the show held last week.

The show was brought to Africa for the first time by telecoms giant, Globacom; and although the Top 9 contestants had been performing on the masterpiece that was the X Factor stage since Friday July 23, it was at the grand finale held on September 17 in Lagos that it attracted the most attention.

The stage is massive and built to international standards. It is centred around an impressive “X” structure that is creatively lit internally with LED lights which frame one of the largest LED screens in West African productions. According to professional set designers, “X Factor stage is the biggest set of any music reality TV show in West Africa. It is big is scale, scope and grandiose.

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

W

ho would have thought gay photos of OAP Denrele Edun and Charley Boy that went viral online sometime ago were fake?

Well, in case you didn’t know those pictures were the handy work of haters, now you know because Denrele himself has finally cleared the air.

He made this revelation on Sunday, during Channels TV Rubbin Minds where he was a guest.

According to Denrele, he never knew where those pictures emanated from and couldn’t have indulged in such a shameful act.

And when asked why it took him so long to come out with the truth he said, he didn’t want to waste time responding to untrue allegations as he believes he was obviously doing great on his job hence, the reason for the negative gossips.

It would be recalled that recently in an interview with The Punch, Denrele’s father also debunked gossips that his son could be a gay.

According to him, Denrele was brought up in the fear of God and believes his son couldn’t have done all the negatives he was accused of.

Denrele’s father referred to his son as “a responsible son”

Information made available by the organisers reveal that the state measures 30m wide and 9m high. It covers 540sqm, and it took over three months to manufacture by over 100 people.

The lighting rig is also on a scale seldom seen in West African productions and includes some of the latest technology used in international productions. Of notable interest is the use of 12 Sharpies to create a dynamic sweep of light across the stage and audience.

Fanning out on either side of the “X” is a strip of LED screens that pulsate with bright colours and graphics throughout the show. The set has a large thrust that picks up on the angles of the “X” and projects the artists out into the audience and onto the judges who are sitting at their signature X Factor desk.

Despite the magnificence of the stage, more glamour was added when it was opened for the grand finale show with large chandeliers hanging above massive, glaze floor.

Entertainment and fun as Star splashes prizes

By AYO ONIKOYI

C

onsumers of Star lager beer from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc continue to cart away prizes at the Star Win and Shine draw parties. Last weekend was the turn of the Amuwo Odofin consumers to smile home with prizes.

The party held at the Eldorado-M8.

The promo involve 100 parties scheduled to hold across the country, as part of this year’s edition of National Consumer Promo, Star Win and Shine promo. At each of these parties, 50 people will go home with fabulous prizes including N100,000, N50,000, LCD TVs, DVD Home Theatres, Blackberry phones, Star branded rug carpets and lots of European club side jerseys. The fun continues this weekend again.

*Jersey winners pose for the camera

*DVD Home Theater winners pose with their prizes.

*N100, 000 winners pose with event Compere, Spider Man and draws Auditor, Femi Obanibi

*LCD TV winners, Mayor and Femi receive their prizes

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 — 33

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45—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Accusations, counter-accusations trail teachers' dispersal in Rivers

‘Laws to curb fire disaster on the way'

F

BY IMITOTA ONOYUME & EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

EDERAL Fire Service has prescribed laws to curb the incessant fire disasters in public and private buildings as well as markets in the country, to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and property.

Controller-General, Federal Fire Service Abuja, Engr. James Okebiorun, spoke while being presented with an honorary Fellow ’s awards by the Institute of Administrative Management of Nigeria, IAMN, in Lagos.

He said that a bill had been sent to the National Assembly to regulate how to prevent fire incidents in public places, factories, markets and private living homes.

P

ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, said, yesterday, that he dispersed the gathering of newly recruited teachers that wanted to collect their appointment letters in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, to avoid breakdown of law and order.

Mbu, who spoke at the state Police headquarters, said he acted on ‘security report’ that those at the stadium were allegedly hired to disrupt the peace in the state, adding that they were specifically recruited to embark on anti-President Goodluck Jonathan protest, as they were 18,000 youths in all.

The state Police Commissioner displayed some of the placards, allegedly recovered from the dispersed crowd, some of which read: Amaechi for Vice President 2015, North for President, Amaechi for VP and It is time for the North.

Orubebe for Warri confab

minding that such rallies were in contra-distinction with Independent National Electoral commission, INEC’s regulation and also capable of breaching peace considering the volatile situation in the state.”

placards). We put them together. As a Commissioner of Police, whose ears are on the ground, I will always abort such gatherings.”

They were hired— Mbu

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, described the action of the Police as another act of impunity.

She said: “This is the impunity we have been talking about in Rivers State. It is clear to Rivers people that this is the action of retrogressive forces, who are totally against development, because, it is the first time any government, whether state or federal is employing 13,000 teachers at once.

“I think they are afraid and worried that the people will actually see that work is going on. Otherwise, tell me why

Continuing, Mbu said: “The truth is that the state government is trying to keep the Police perpetually at work by distracting us.

“Those newly employed teachers, in quotes, were youths hired to carry placards and protest against the President.

“They were called to go there.

Nobody invited the Police. My informant told me that they were not called to be given letters, but were given cardboards to protest against Jonathan.

“They tore these things into pieces (holding the alleged

Obende commended on constituency devt

Lawmakers react

W

ARRI—MINISTER of Niger-Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, will lead the dialogue on how to revive the spirit of the old Warri among presentday residents at the third quarterly meeting of the Warri Rebirth Initiative, WRI, slated for September 29, in Warri, Delta State.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Kes Agbosa, said in a statement in Warri, yesterday, that the conversation by Orubebe would be the highpoint of the meeting expected to witness the unveiling of a new trustee for the group.

Meanwhile, condemning the action of the Police, member representing Asari-Toru/Akuku-Tori Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Dawari George, said it was shocking, adding “I cannot come to terms with what happened in a democracy and a society of law.”

Another lawmaker, Leyii Kwanee, Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, described the police stoppage of the teachers’ gathering as “fascist and totalitarian.”

Kwanee accused the Rivers Police of double standards in its security duties, saying “the Felix Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had been organising political rallies without being dispersed by the police not

It’s impunity — Commissioner

BY Ebere Nwafor

E

DO North Movement for Democracy and Justice has commended the achievements of Senator Domingo Obende, describing him a performer, who has been working hard to fulfill his election promises to the good people of Edo North senatorial district.

The secretary of the Movement, Mr. Daniel Iko, in a statement, yesterday, said: “It is on record that he is one of the few Senators that regularly consults his people and periodically presents his score card.

“In his desire to provide portable water for the people, he acquired a borehole drilling rig with his personal resources, which has since been put into

use in the senatorial district.

“Obende has sponsored six bills on the floor of the Senate, most popular among the bills being the ‘Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill,’ which has been passed by the Senate, while other bills are at various stages of committee work.

“He has always stood by his people at the senate. Through his effort, more than 35 persons have secured jobs in various federal establishments, in addition to his scholarships for indigent students.

“He has sponsored more than 50 persons on pilgrimages to Mecca and distributed seventy 500 KVA transformers across Edo North, to boost power supply.

“Through his empowerment

scheme, Obende has distributed various items including generators, fridges, cash, sewing and grinding machines to enable his constituents start small businesses.

“As part of his constituency project, he has constructed 12 comprehensive health care centres in the six local government areas in Edo North, including provision of solar-powered street lights, solar-powered borehole in Eme-Ora, Owan West council and constructed 12 six-classroom blocks at Igarra Technical College.

“We are proud of what Senator Obende has achieved for our people and these achievements are visible, verifiable and laudable,” the Movement for Democracy and Justice scribe added.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

people want to cut short people’s smile? These are people that have been unemployed.

“Nigeria is crying about unemployment, education system is in a mess, and a government employs 13,00 teachers. Somebody chooses to treat this with levity and to tear-gasses the teachers, saying that the teachers were there to protest against President Jonathan.

“What is the correlation between getting their employment letters and President Jonathan?

Why do people continually want to drag President Jonathan’s name into everything? Is there something they are telling Rivers people that we don’t know?

“Rivers people need to fight and ensure that this reign of impunity stops.

“It is clear that Mbu has an agenda to destroy Rivers State and Rivers people have to ensure it does not happen.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On 2015 elections

LL the “Greedy-7” governors are in their second term.

What did they forget in the first tenure that they needed another for? Whatever made them go for second term applies to President Jonathan. Only Nigerians will decide the President’s fate.— Mr. Chibuzo Eke, Businessman.

A C M Y K

ONATHAN’S presi dency may have a dismal production quotient, yet arguments against his right of re-run, should he so desire, are faulty and feint. They are weakened by their unreasonable propositions and pseudo-arithmetical calculations.— Mr. Darlington Ehondor, Journalist.

J

HOSE opposed to Jonathan’s second term are selfish people. If Nigerians deem it fit to vote him to a second term, who are they to tell us not to? What are their interests for Nigeria if not greed and lust for power at all cost? Run Jonathan, run.— Mr. Paul Tuama, Businessman.

T

T is no secret that some past leaders spent at least eight years ruling Nigeria, yet wanted more. One particular president, who was once a military ruler, wanted another four years after his eight-tenure presidency. — Mr. Onyebuchi Hookz, Worker.

I

HE President has performed creditably given the extent to which some people want to make Nigeria “ungovernable” for him.

He has achieved great strides in agricultural reforms, which is crucial for food security and employment. — Mr. Austin Ekanem, Businessman.

T

IGERIA’S constitution stands. People should read it.

If the President says he is not going to run for a second term gazillion times, he has the right to change his mind as long as the constitution allows him to do so. He has not broken any law.— Mr. Larry Irabor, Self-employed.

N

46—Vanguard , FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

SSANU orders strike over salary stoppage

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG & KELECHI AZUBUIKE

A

BUJA—SENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has directed members to begin a nationwide strike in all public universities on Monday, over alleged stoppage of salaries of the varsity workers.

Already the association had written to intimate Vice Chancellors of Federal universities, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister of State for Education, N . Wike and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, about the impending strike.

Experts urge collective effort to fight cancer

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

L

AGOS—HEALTH ex perts have called for collective effort in tackling the rising incidence of childhood cancer in Nigeria, stating that the disease was almost assuming epidemic dimension in the country.

Speaking in Lagos, President, Children Living With Cancer Foundation, CLWCF, Dr. Nneka Nwobbi, posited that checking the scourge of childhood cancer required collective effort because of the huge amount of money involved in treating each cases.

Nwobbi, who spoke during a Cancer Awareness Walk to enlighten the public on the need for cancer screening and early detection, advised sufferers not to see the disease as a death sentence.

Passage

C

HIEF Cypril Uzoma Nwadike, 69, father of the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, of Umuezegem, Okigwe, Imo State is dead.

The wake-keep would hold today, at Nwadike’s compound, while he would be laid to rest tomorrow in Okigwe.

Late Cyril Nwadike

Kidnapping: Police arrest 20 Okada riders, seize 500 motorcycles in Aba

BY ERIC UGBOR

A

BA—IN a bid to check mate the renewed wave of kidnapping in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, the police in the state have arrested twenty persons, while over 500 motorcycles were seized for contravening the ban on motor cycle operation in some parts of the state.

The state government had in the wake of the kidnap insurgence in the state, banned the use of motorcycles in some local governments areas of the, including Aba, Umuahia and environs.

However, after a while, the use of bikes, particularly among security personnel, triggered a gradual return of the use of motorcycles in the city, even by Okada operators.

Frowning on the development, the area commander, Aba, ACP Rabiu Dayi, told Vanguard that the renewed clamp down was in line with the directive of the state government banning the use of motorcycles in the city and its environs.

He said: “We are renewing our clamp down on motorcycle operation in Aba which was banned by the state government because of

the resurgence of criminal activities in the city particularly kidnapping.

“Kidnapping is gradually coming back to the city and what the hoodlums mostly use now is motorcycle and because of this, we are going to enforce the ban fully.

“I am therefore, warning my men and personnel of other security outfit not to violate the ban anymore because any of them caught will apart from having his motorcycle seized, will also be prosecuted.”

While advising managing di-

rector of BUCHI Enterprises who claimed the Ministry of Transport, Umuahia, gave him the nod to operate Okada within Ariaria international market axis to desist from such move or face prosecution, the area commander said the over 500 motorcycles so far seized would be destroyed.

IDEAS ON EDUCATION: From left: Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Country Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria, and Jean Gough, UNICEF Representative, during Accenture’s festival of ideas on education in Nigeria, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

FG explains delay in re-modelling of PH airport

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

L

AGOS—THE Federal Gov ernment said, yesterday, that the delay in completion of Port Harcourt International Airport was caused by the expansion in the scope of work, noting that work was in progress.

Government’s reaction came against the backdrop of claims

by Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that work on the airport had been abandoned.

General Manager, Corporate Communication, FAAN, Yakubu Dati, sa id the airport was too important to the Niger Delta to be abandoned.

“The airport is very, very important, especially as it is the window into the Niger Delta region. This is why the Fed-

Session

A

MALAYSIAN business del egation will hold an interactive session on September 26 and 27, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos to seek agents for their products and services in Nigeria.

The event is organized by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, MATRADE, export promotion agency.

It will feature companies with interests in logistics freight forwarding, baby products, palm oil, gas, personal, oral care furniture, household, electrical electronics, machineries among others.

eral Airports Authority of Nigeria and, indeed, the government had made the Port Harcourt International Airport a priority.

“I want to also say that when we started, we wanted to remodel the airport, but eventually it became total reconstruction. The contractor

had to pull down most of the areas which were not even in the initial drawing, which was what resulted in the extension of work.

....Worries about youth unemployment

O

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—THE Federal Government has said that one of the most critical and significant social and economic change requirements for Nigeria today was youth empowerment.

The Operations Officer, Project Implementation Unit of Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, Federal Ministry of Finance, Ngozi Okonkwo, who stated this yesterday at a sensitization session in

Owerri, also explained that “youth unemployment is estimated to be as high as 35 per cent, especially among the 1840-year olds.”

According to her, potential contribution of Nigerian youths to the nation’s development is enormous and should be properly harnessed before it gets disruptive.

She explained that the priority areas of the Subsidy Rein-

vestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, included maternal and child health services, graduate internship scheme and vocational skills development.

On the specific objectives of the scheme, Okonkwo said government hoped to provide 50,000 graduates with quality work experience, as well as improve job placement options by providing opportunity to acquire professional skills.

LG faults bizman on N8m bridge contract

BY VINCENT UJUMADU&

ENYIMENYIM NITSHA—Awka North lo cal government council, Anambra state, yesterday, described as false media reports in some national dailies by the chairman of the Chribech Nigeria Limited, Mr Dominic Okika over the construction of N8 Million mini bridge at Ugbenu town in Awka North local government.

In a press statement yesterday made available to Vanguard and signed by the Transition Committee Chairman of the local government, Mrs Joy Enweluzor entitled, ”false claims of one Mr. Dominic Okika and his Chrisbech Nig. Lim-

O

ited Company.

Re: L.G Official, UNIZIK lecturer in N8 million scam, said the publication was false and baseless.

Enweluzor informed that the construction of the mini bridge at Ugbenu town in Awka North local government was never at any material time awarded any contract to one Dominic Emeka Okika or his purported company Chrisbech Nig Limited for the construction of a mini bridge at Ugbenu town.

Part of the statement read thus: “The attention of Awka North Local Government council, Anambra State has been drawn

to the false claims made by one Mr Dominic Emeka Okika and his company Chrisbech Nig limited over the construction of Mini Bridge at Ugbenu Town in Awka North local Government of Anambra State. ‘’For the purpose of clarity we wish to state that Awka North Local Government Council of Anambra State, never at any material time awarded any contract to one Dominic Emeka Okika or his purported company Chrisbech Nig Limited for the construction of Mini Bridge at Ugbenu Town, Awka North local government council, Anambra State.”

Vanguard , FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —47

VISIT: MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Ikpoki (left), welcoming the finalists VISIT: Governor Akpabio (right); Pro-chancellor, University of Uyo, of this year's MTN Project Fame West Africa to his office, at MTN Corporate Head Professor Kimse Okoko (middle); and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Office, Falomo, in Lagos.

Comfort Ekpo, during a courtesy visit to the Governor's Office, Uyo.

SEMINAR: From left, Nigerian Idol Season 3 Winner, Moses Adigwe; Chief Geek, Analyst Retail Operations, Etisalat Nigeria, Kolawole Fashola, and renowned motivational speaker, Niyi Adesanya, at the Etisalat Cliqfest Campus Seminar, at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Rotn. Olugbemiga Olowu, Rotary District Governor, District 9110,Nigeria; Rotn. Kunle Oyatomi, President, Rotary Club of Egbeda; Dr. Lanre Shoyinka, Assistant District Governor; Mrs. Kemi Oyatomi, and Rotn. Chuks Okonkwo, Immediate Past President, during commissioning of water project of Rotary Club of Egbeda for a community in Isheri-Olofin, Lagos.

Photo: Bunmi Azeez

AWARD: Chairman, Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye (2nd right), flanked by his wife, Olubunmi, (right), and the President, Rotary Club of Ogba, Lagos, Barrister Samson Omodara (left), during the presentation of ‘Award of Excellence’ to the NUJ chairman by the Rotary Club, in Lagos.

SUMMIT: Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza (right), receiving Africa Investor (Ai) SRI 30 ‘CEO of the Year’ Award from Managing Director, Africa Investor, Hubert Danso, during Ai CEO Institutional Investment Summit, at the New York Stock Exchange.

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AWARDS: From left, Company Secretary, British Amerian Tobacco Nigeria, BATN, Abiodun Peters; Head of Project, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation,BATNF, Mr. Abayomi Oyewole; Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Executive, BATN, Nancy Nwanze, and General Manager, BATNF, being presented with the award of Best Company in Wealth and Income Generation at the 7th annual SERA Awards, at Muson Centre, Lagos.

ASSEMBLY: From left, Hon. Bawa Ka'oje,President Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria,APBN; Mr. Gabriel Fasoto, First Deputy President of APBN, and Ramatu Aliyu, General Secretary of APBN, at the 29th Annual General Assembly, AGA, at Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

FORUM: From left, Mark Eddo, host and former BBC reporter; Tonye Cole, founder, Nehemiah Youths Empowerment Initiatives; Dr. Yemisi Johnson, cardiologist; Sister Jayanti, Director, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and United Nations representative; Stefano De Leo, Consul-General of Italy, and Sheik Abdul-Rahman Ahmed, Islamic Scholar, at the Power of Peace forum, organised by the International Friends of Peace to mark the 2013 UN World Peace Day, in Lagos.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

States applaud NTI over transparency on MDG funds

Jigawa embarks on N3.4bn water control, township road projects

BY FUNMI OLASUPO

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AGOS—STATES’ Education Authorities have applauded the National Teachers’ Institute, NTI, for its transparency in handling the MDGs fund for retraining teachers nationwide.

States Commissioners of Education and Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards, SUBEB, who met in Kaduna to review the 2013 MDGs teachers’ retraining activities being undertaken by the NTI expressed satisfaction at the utilisation of the funds.

The institute is training 10,000 teachers under this year ’s programme.

The trainees would receive latest methodologies in identified focal areas for both primary and junior secondary schools.

The Chairman House Committee on MDGs, Alhaji Alhasan Dogoa challenged the institute to do more in the area of capacity building among teachers, with a view to boosting the quality of teaching and learning in the nation’s educational system.

He noticed that the number of out-of-school children in the country has drop significantly due to the institute’s efforts in re-training teachers and that it should not rest on its oars.

Dogoa said the NTI had always offered itself to the public for scrutiny in the implementation of its programmes and urged other public institutions to borrow a leaf from the organization.

He said, “ when you look at the way NTI usually handles the implementation of the MDGs component of its own track here, I want to stand bold to tell you that the NTI is the only agency out of all MDAs we engage with that has always been doing this in transparent manners.

The Director-General of the NTI, Dr. Aminu Sharehu said that although the MDGs funds was less than anticipated, the institute made the best possible use of it.

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VISIT—Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu making a presentation to the Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontagora, Maj. Gen. Husseini Abayomi Salihu, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor in Government House, Minna on Wednesday.

Borno awards N2bn contract for state university M

AIDUGURI—THE Borno State Government has said it would soon award a N2 billion contract for construction work at the permanent site of the proposed state university.

Gov. Kashim Shettima stated this while receiving members of the Governing Council of the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, in his office.

He said government was determined to erect structures that would be a pride to all indigenes of the state.

“In a couple of days, we will be awarding a N2 billion contract to build structures at the permanent site of the Borno State University to be established in Maiduguri.

“The idea is to put in place world-class structures that can stand the test of time.

“We do not want to have a glorified secondary school as the permanent site for our state university,” Shettima said.

The governor said the state government would take its time to ensure it puts in place befitting structures at the university.

“Even if it will take us two or more years to build, we will ensure we put in place befitting structures,” he said.

Shettima gave assurances that the state government would partner with UNIMAID towards the successful take-off of the state university.

“I want to assure you that we are willing to partner with UNIMAID in many areas to-

wards developing the state,” he said.

The governor also promised to explore the possibilities of assisting UNIMAID, a Federal Governmentowned university, to tackle its problem of perennial water shortage.

While speaking, the Chairman of UNIMAID’s Govern-

ing Council, Alhaji Ballama Manu, had sought the state government’s intervention in tackling the water shortage problem on the campus.

Manu also urged the state government to assist the university in the area of road rehabilitation and provision of houses for staff.

UTSE—THE Jigawa State government has awarded a N3.4 billion for water control and township road projects in the state.

About N1.9 billion of the amount would be spent on river realignment and water control projects in Dutse, the state capital, while another N1.5 billion was for the phases one and two of the Dutse township roads awarded to CGC Construction Limited.

The Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, announced this while addressing newsmen after the state executive council meeting in Dutse.

Ibrahim said that the contract for the river realignment and water control projects was awarded to the Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company.

The commissioner explained that N4.5 billion had so far been spent on Dutse township roads, with the additional phases one and two.

FG registers 15.5m farmers under Growth Enhancement Scheme M

INNA— THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, said it had registered about 15.5 million farmers under the Growth Enhancement Scheme, GES. Regional Director for North Central, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sunday Edibor announced this in Minna at a stakeholders’ meeting.

He said the farmers were from Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa and FCT, to ensure national food security.

Edibor said the scheme, which would boost agriculture and ensure self reliance for the farmers, was to help the country in its effort to stop food importation by 2015.

“We intend to stop importing food by 2015, so we have to take steps that would aid the intention of the Federal Government in producing its own food.”

He said the states and number of farmers registered between 2012 and 2013 included Niger, 270,000; Plateau, 360,000 and Benue, 252,000.

The regional director said the meeting involved GES and Agricultural Development Project coordinators in each of the states, agro-allied dealers and suppliers.

The meeting also involved the state directors of agriculture where the 2013 performance of the scheme in the region was reviewed.

Edibor urged rural farmers

in the region to register in their various states, to ensure their reliance and food security for the country.

“They should come out to register before we conclude this programme in 2015; they stand the chance of improving their finances and ensuring food security for the nation,” he said.

He said the stakeholders deliberated extensively on the issue of inadequacy of fund and extension workers.

The director, however, said that the issues would be tackled by the ministry in the 2014 budget.

Edibor thanked the Niger Government for supporting the scheme and its agricultural regeneration programmes.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013—53

Youths advised against violence, rigging

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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HE Governorship Candidate of the Progressive Party of Nigeria, PPN, Chief Basil Iwuoba yesterday advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for thuggery and rigging in the forthcoming poll.

Speaking with reporters in his campaign office in Awka after the release of the names of the 23 nominated candidates by INEC, Iwuoba told the youths to shun money bag politicians who would want to engage them for such

dangerous job they would not allow their children to do.

“I believe that the youths have learned their lesson from the past that once they assist any politician that wants to be

a governor and he wins he would not give them access to see them again”.

He equally urged the electorate to make sure that they gave their vote to a

credible candidate that would take the state to the next level, advising further that they must elect a governor that would be accessible to them.

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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Enugu orders Ubah to remove campaign posters

BY TONY EDIKE

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HIEF Omife I. Omife, Campaign Coordinator of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the Labour Party Governorship Candidate in Anambra State, has been directed to remove the campaign posters of Ubah which flooded the streets of Enugu, last week.

The state commissioner for Transport, Chukwuka Utazi, who gave the directive in Enugu, said that the posters were used to deface the modern bus-stops built by the Governor Sullivan Chime

administration to provide shelter for residents.

According to him, the government frowns at the indiscriminate pasting of posters at unauthorized places, stressing that even though the government was not against people campaigning in the state, it would not allow anybody to constitute nuisance in the state capital.

He directed the campaign coordinator, who organised the visit of the politician to Enugu, last weekend, to remove the offending posters without delay

warning that such ugly development would not be tolerated in future.

The directive came even as the Enugu State Waste Management Agency, ESWAMA was said to have demanded some amount of money as a penalty from the Ubah campaign organization for pasting the posters at unauthorised places.

Utazi, however, denied knowledge of the penalty but insisted that the posters must be removed by those who pasted

them.

Omife told Vanguard that he had been under pressure from the government agents since the visit of the Labour Party candidate to Enugu last Friday, adding that he had been told of the government’s position regarding the issue.

He said that the Transport Commissioner had contacted him and directed that the posters should be removed but noted that he was not aware that it was an offence to paste campaign posters in public places in Enugu.

Okorocha’s ingratitude to APGA

BY STAN OKEKE

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MO State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, in a few national dailies on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 posited that he had forgiven the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, for what he termed Umeh’s antagonism and blackmail against him.

Okorocha said he had forgiven Umeh for all he said against him and went further to make some sarcastic comments that suggested that the APGA national chairman was leaking his wounds for losing some phantom APGA chairmen to the All Progressives Congress (APC). As a matter of fact, Okorocha said, among other unfortunate utterances that Umeh’s reaction was predictable since he lost dozens of state chairmen to APC and his source of livelihood.

This is laughable and most unfortunate. Basically, my intention here is merely to put the records straight, for posterity and the good people of Nigeria to judge. Owelle Rochas Okorocha claimed that 22 state

Ebonyians in Anambra support Ngige

chairmen of APGA decamped to APC. Okorocha, in jumping ship to APC, tried to give the impression that he got to office of governor of Imo state on his personal capacity. But the APGA national chairman said, ‘no, APGA provided you the platform and structure with which you got to office.’ These are perhaps, Umeh’s sins against Governor.

Okorocha.

These were all statements of fact but the Imo State Governor, instead of seeing and stating the facts as they are, resorted to propaganda and falsehood.

On the issue of 22 APGA state chairmen declaring for APC, Chief Umeh had long put the records straight, stating categorically that no such thing ever happened. He explained that it was five redundant state chairmen from Lagos, Cross River, Niger, Kogi and Taraba states that joined the APC. This claim by Okorocha, the APGA national chairman stated, was at best, politics of propaganda and falsehood. We also know that these so called chairmen have names and their various states of origin. Can the APC and Governor? Okorocha

publish these names for scrutiny and verification? Okorocha also talked about source of income; for whom? One is really at loss as to what he meant by that.

Was he implying that the nonexistent state chairmen were Chief Umeh’s source of income?

What an insult, and coming from someone who should know better. We cannot at this age, degenerate to this level of slimy and dirty politicking.

Governor Okorocha, for the records, is the greatest beneficiary of Umeh’s political benevolence. Even with his political antecedents, Umeh still afforded Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the best political opportunity of his life, by offering him the APGA platform to run as governorship candidate in Imo State.

Even in 2011, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ordered for a supplementary governorship election in Imo State, Rochas Okorocha headed to court, to stop the supplementary poll. It was the same Chief Umeh that Okorocha is castigating today, who overruled Okorocha and disassociated APGA from the

lawsuit and insisted that APGA would participate in the supplementary poll and forced Okorocha into the supplementary election.

Had the court stopped the supplementary election, Chief Ikedi Ohakim would have been the governor of Imo State today and not Okorocha.

The same Umeh, as national chairman of APGA, worked as the polling agent for APGA/ Okorocha at the supplementary poll in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, which was considered a difficult Local Government Area, returning 24,700 votes for APGA, against PDP’s 12,278 votes and at the same time, protecting the victory of the APGA House of Assembly candidate for Mbaitoli LGA, Hon. Victor Chidi Ndunagu.

Indeed, Okorocha has forgotten how he secured victory in the 2011 governorship election in Imo State.

At the time this happened, Chief Umeh received numerous phone calls, warning him of the political and other consequences of admitting Okorocha into the APGA family. This was as a result of Okorocha’s betrayal of the

BONYI citizens resident in Anambra State have pledged their support and readiness to work with the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Senator Chris Ngige in his campaign.

Ebonyi leaders, who paid a courtesy visit to Ngige’s campaign office were led by Elder Sam Igwe and Honourable Bernard Ebele.

The duo, who spoke on behalf of the group, said they have embarked on a door-todoor campaign and described Ngige as God sent to the people of Anambra.

Igwe also urged people, who want the progress of Anambra to join hands and return Ngige to the Government House.

Igwe referred to Ngige as a magical performer, saying: “As a Senator, he redefined legislative representation as he virtually impacted positively on the lives of all his constituents, the record speaks for itself.”

•Okorocha other parties he had been with, including PDP and the defunct ANPP. Obviously, Chief Umeh is now paying the price of that misplaced trust and belief that Okorocha had turned a new political leaf. *Stan Okeke, Special Assistant (Media) to the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, wrote from Awka.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

We can't return Anambra to Armageddon — Obiano THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Dr Willy Obiano, spoke to some journalists in Lagos on his vision and mission for the Anambra state, after his presentation by Governor Peter Obi and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, weekend. Excerpts: we cannot allow those responsible for this state in the past to take over and lead you and I to Armageddon again.

Being a green horn is not a negative thing, what matters is the substance you carry.

His vision of Anambra in eight years time, if elected Then Anambra state would have started a journey in terms of industrialization, all the roads in the state would have been completed that subsequent governors will not be talking about building roads rather they will be concentrating on something different.

There is need for continuity. The truth is that Governor Peter Obi has given us a new Anambra, a great place where positive changes are taking place. NdiAnambra cannot allow our beloved state to take a slide into the dark days again. We have seen the light; we cannot return to darkness.

My running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke and I, are prepared to expand the current development paradigm in Anambra State. We have the experience, the academic, professional and

H

IS pedigree and suitability for the job Willy is from Aguleri. My parents are Phillip Obiano and Christy Obiano, my father is late and my mother is still alive doing her business in Onitsha.

I did my primary school education at the Holy Trinity School, Onitsha; my WASC and HSC at Christ the King College (CKC) Onitsha. My first degree in Accounting was at the University of Lagos and the Second, MBA, Marketing was also at UNILAG. I started work with First bank and was there for 16 months before I joined Texaco Nigeria as a Senior Accountant. I worked with them for over nine years. I was promoted to the Chief Internal Auditor of the firm in my third year with the company, with expertise in refineries and bunkering audit.

I was the first black man to occupy that position, which was challenging and required a measure of expertise and skills.

This is the type of experience I had before I was invited to join Fidelity Bank, PLC where I worked for 23 years with nine years as Executive Director inCharge of Business Banking as the number two man.

Chartered accountant As a Chartered Accountant for over 23 years now, a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and one who had managed money and human beings without being found wanting, I understand what governing a state is. I will bring all this experience in administering and serving Anambra people.

His motivation to run for Anambra governorship The motivation is to contribute to the development of my people.

I think it was the Philosopher Plato that said that when the wise people refuse to partake in the governance of the people, the unwise will occupy the space.

When they do, they end up inflicting pain on the society and themselves. Mr. Peter Obi has taught all of us that good people are needed to take charge and rescue the society from wolves masquerading as leaders.

•Obiano His chances Igbos are excited because they are emotional about our party, APGA. If you ask me I will tell you that Anambra people are already mobilized by the achievements of Governor Obi. The evidence of what Governor Obi did to fix the state is everywhere so Anambrarians are just waiting for the D-Day to cast their votes for APGA, a party their great leader Eze Igbo Gburugburu, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu built and identified with until his death.

A party that has men of sterling qualities like our Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, who is committed to the party.

With what Obi has done in Anambra State our people are now at home with what it means having people with pedigree at the helms of affairs. Before Obi, Anambra was lying fallow, today it has become the talk of the town.

From pariah state, it has moved to a beloved state. This is why we preach continuity and the need to get another good man who is untainted by his past to take over from the Governor.

Greenhorn political tag Holding any political office in

the past is not a qualification for running a business or a state.

When Governor Peter Obi came on board he was actually by some people’s calculation, an unknown quantity but you can see that he delivered more than those who people saw as big names. There are many unknown people that have come into a race such as this and surpassed all others.

Professional competence What is important is the background of the person coming, the professional competence, ability to drive the process, the person’s proven track record, the academic qualification, your ability to know how to access funds to continue with projects, the ability to manage relationships.

I say this because before Obi became the governor no development partners was in good terms with Anambra State.

It was almost war between the State and the Federal Government. In all these, development was undermined.

Today the story is different and

,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE,

DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

do. The 3 C’s are: Continue, complete and commission.

Fresh things he is bringing into governance I hope you are familiar with Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) which involves uniform development across all sectors?

That principle is still valid and germane. If we are working in Education for instance we will also be doing something in health, security, infrastructure, tourism that is simultaneous with development across all local governments of the state.

The core of what we are going to do will rest on Agriculture, trade and commerce and industrialization, of course the enablers have been kick started by this administration and we are going to enhance them.

For instance in Agriculture, by the time we organise the farmers into cooperatives into a mechanized system of agriculture, introduce quality seedlings that will enhance their productivity, it will create an environment for people to start doing storage activities, which becomes an industry that will

There is need for continuity. The truth is that Governor Peter Obi has given us a new Anambra, a great place where positive changes are taking place. Ndi-Anambra cannot allow our beloved state to take a slide into the dark days again

experiential pedigree to give Anambra a purposeful leadership.

We shall not have any abandoned projects in Anambra State. Government is a continuum and the APGA doctrine of governance recognizes and encourages the cultivation of certain positive attitudes to leadership.

We shall help entrench the current culture of purposeful governance in the state. Our main focus is for Anambra State to become the first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities while our mission is to create a socially stable, business-friendly environment that will attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth-creating opportunities in Anambra State. We are convinced that the 3C’s of our vision will drive what we want to

,

employ people.

From there you go to packaging which is also an industry that will employ people.

You also go to manufacturing which will create industry that will engage people. We will utilize the entire value chain. So agriculture will be the spring board. What is good about agriculture in Anambra State is that we have very arable land and the food basin. As a matter of fact, our state can produce enough food that will feed the country, so we will start the process of mechanization, get people that have done it in other places of the world like Israelis or Zimbabweans, etc to train our people.

Another enabler that helps agriculture is roads. I am happy that Governor Obi has made our work easier by building roads in strategic fashion. We shall continue in this direction.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013—55

T

HE month of September which daily bears news of surprise attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in Maiduguri, other isolated places, and of recent, Abuja seems to be crawling to its uncertain end.

However, the crisis within the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains unsolved at this moment.

Many commentators on Nigerian affairs agree that the present happenings in the country‘s political and economic affairs are necessary for the Nigerian leaders to wake-up and re-assess the current situation.

Though the military force appears to be weakening, the full range of insurgency, sporadic uprisings, kidnappings and ritual killings are still the challenges of the moment.

The devastation of Nassarrawa State by Ombatse cult members is a grim reminder of the general problem of insecurity in the country.

Unfortunately, the leaders of the political parties seem to think that the elections of 2015 and the Second Term agenda of the current President are the main issues. It does not make much sense to state that elections could be meaningful only if the country is stable and fairly prosperous.

The sordid political situation in which the ruling party is devoting much time to either ‘patching up‘ or break, rather than ruling this country positively, has influenced some patriotic Nigerians to suggest a form of dialogue or conference to re-examine the structure or foundation of the edifice called Nigeria. The present picture bears the characteristics of a failing State where life is not only in danger but living is precarious.

While the calls for a conference by elders and notable politicians, especially the Senate President, David Mark and Chief Edwin Clark – all great supporters of President are praise worthy, it would require a great show of statesmanship and not a crafty trait of a politician for the calls

Looking back at the starting block to be heard.

Many patriotic Nigerians are yet to be convinced that President Jonathan is a statesman and not one of those wily politicians who put party before the nation. They always believe, and perhaps justifiably so, that they owe their eminent positions to the party. And they lamentably forget that others like Generals Obasanjo, Buhari, Babangida, Abacha and Abubakar had ruled the country without belonging to political parties.

Perhaps, they were members of the ‘Third Party‘ of Adisa Akinloye‘s conception during the 1970s and 1980s.

While the conveying of a conference may be the ultimate step to resolving the country‘s problems, some are suggesting that Nigerian leaders should work back in their minds to the starting block – the year of Independence in 1960. Nigeria‘s freedom from British imperialism was fought and won on the promise of continuous peace and freedom. Before 1960, the federal cabinet was made up of representatives from the three Regions (North, West and East (with Cameroons): The action of the Central Government could be said to represent the

collective wish of the people of Nigeria.

Unfortunately, the post-independence federal government was not a truly national one, but based on the alliance by politicians of the Northern Peoples‘ Congress (NPC) and the NCNC – leaving out the AG of the West. That alliance could not prevent the military coup of 1966 and the civil war of 1967. It is noted that similar political alliance in 1979 could not stop those politicians in military uniform to seize power in the coup of 1983.

Many political analysts believed then that if a genuine national government had been formed in 1960, there would have been no coup in 1966 and the subsequent unnecessary civil war. A rational national government in 1979 and 1983 could perhaps have prevented the coup of 1983. In politics of underdevelopment (especially in a plural society), a genuine national government, representing the interest of all appears to be one of the reliable solutions to national problems.

Therefore, the present federal cabinet should reflect representatives approved by their respective states.

The economy at Independence was rural, with agricultural products,

2015: Ajimobi, Lanlehin’s wrangling won't hurt APC in Oyo — Oladele

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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R. Bosun Oladele, the immediate past Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, believed to have been wrongly removed from office by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, in this interview, says he won't challenge his former boss in contest for 2015 governorship ticket of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Oyo State. Excerpts: ON his refusal to speak on his removal from office in November 2012 Having been in politics since 1999 and what happened had happened the way it happened, ordinarily one would feel discouraged. But again, when you look at the terrain and the question is often asked: Do I want to quit? The answer will be no. Otherwise, you leave the terrain for charlatans that is, people who would not add value to the polity, others and to existence generally. So, that alone is a motivating factor. I would say that I am not out of politics but I am out of office as an appointee.

And you rightly said 2015 is already around the corner. I know a lot of politicking is going on and in the progressive fold, to which I belong, the people of the party will decide and I mean to say that the members, leaders and executives of the party will decide.

If only one of them is trying to decide for others, then the situation may not be right. But there is a level at which all of them come into a synergy and people will say the voice of man is the voice of God. So, if we start having a situation where there is a clamour, then the time is due for representation.

For now, I am waiting, I am watching and I can say that I’m looking very closely at the situation.

On why the governor removed him In all honesty, I am yet to know why I was removed from office.

Nobody has ever told me anything.

The governor has been in communication with me. No act of indolence, accusation of nonperformance, etc were alleged against me. I was not levied with accusation of non-performance.

•Oladele I want to say categorically that up till now, if you ask me what led to my removal from office, I will tell you I don’t know.

Where do you go from here?

As I said earlier on, there could be a number of options and a politician must always be careful in taking any of the options.

Whatever option he takes must be in tandem with the will of the people because it is the people that are going to decide on it. On where I go from here, I would say that I am still consulting.

groundnut, cocoa and palm oil, providing the mainstay. Each of the regions was bountifully blessed by nature. Each regional government relied on local taxes‘ - income and corporate for its administration before the advent of oil and its disruptive influences.

The old regions also developed industrial estates and made special arrangements with foreign companies for the manufacturing of import substitutes.

A more rigorous application of present agricultural agenda with extra efforts on local production of imported commodities would remind us of the golden past in the pursuit of a comprehensive full employment policy.

Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had this to say at the recent Euro-money Conference: The fund is about One billion dollars (more than N150 billion) The fund is being invested overseas in real and financial assets such as: Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate, Precious Metals, among others The Sovereign Wealth Fund and the excess crude account are like a buffer that will stabilize the economy.

The Sovereign Wealth Fund was created to re-distribute oil wealth for the benefit of the present and future generations.

It will also help in providing critical social infrastructure to stimulate the private sector investments for economic growth.

Perhaps the Central Bank Governor would tell the nation how investments of our oil money in foreign countries would benefit the local economy which is plagued by serious problems of unemployment and dilapidated infrastructures.

It may also be necessary for him to explain how employment can grow under a continuous tight monetary policy.

However, his plan not to support the policy of naira devaluation is welcome.

Oyo State polity is heating up and the die appears cast between the APC and the Ladoja’s Accord Party. But with the intraparty wrangling within your party, particularly between Governor Ajimobi and Senator Femi Lanlehin, won't it hurt APC at the polls?

We know how long we stayed in the trenches. We know the kind of opposition we confronted and we know the kind of might behind them at that time in 2011.

But as we proceed now, we know we have one solid house but the enemies would always want to create divisions.

I know there will always be disagreement here and there. I know that the disagreement we are having now is based on principle and it is nothing personal.

You are talking of Senator Lanlehin and Governor Ajimobi.

These are matured leaders and at that level, don’t forget that in the progressive, we have ways of resolving issues.

Apart from the leaders we have at the state level, senator s and the governor, we also have national leaders and I want to believe that at the end of the day, we would come out of this stronger and then ride to election and win.

On whether the wrangling between the governor and the senator was because of misplaced rights, I would not say yes. True, there were many of them aspiring for the ticket and

Senator Lanlehin was one; Senator Ajimobi was one of them and others.

It could have been any of them because all the aspirants were qualified to be governor. But the leadership of the party both at the state and national levels saw in their own wisdom the need to have a consensus.

That was what led to the emergence of the present governor. And after the candidate emerged, everybody rallied round and worked for his success and we succeeded.

And I believe that a lot of people also got what I could call palliative positions because the governorship itself is just one position and it is only one person that can occupy it.

Today it is the present governor that is there and tomorrow it could be another person.

On PDP's comments that if APC picked General Buhari, that the PDP would floor it at the presidential election It is not the place of PDP to start shopping for presidential candidate for APC. Because, if a party has been able to surmount every obstacle that the presidency and the PDP had put in its way to get registered, then, that party is capable of picking a presidential candidate that will be generally acceptable to the change-loving people of Nigeria.

That is the bottom line and that is where the presidency and the PDP are catching cold.

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

Vanguard CLASSIFIED JOSEPH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christiana Abimbola Aramide Omotolani Joseph, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christiana Abimbola Aramide Omotolani Agbeseyi. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

BILLS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bills Mega Kaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odok Mega Kaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Charles Chibueze Nwosu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Charles Chibueze Nwanmah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MADUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maduka Ifeoma Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnani Ifeoma Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZOAMAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Nmezi Amobi Uzoamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Emenike Nmezi Amobi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BERNARD—I ELERI—I formerly formerly known and known and addressed as addressed as Miss Miss Nkemdirim Favour Bernard Mary Jane, Eleri, now wish to be now wish to be known known and addressed as and addressed as Mrs. Ewah Nkemdirim Mrs. Mary Joseph Akah. All former Favour. All former documents remain documents remain valid. valid. University of Ebonyi State University, Port Harcourt and Abakaliki and general general public please public please take note. take note.

KAMALU—I formerly known and addressed as Rev. Demian Kamalu Obi, Mary Kamalu Obi, Samuel Kamalu Obi, Emmanuel Kamalu Obi, Godfirst Kamalu Obi and Byna Kamalu Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Rev. Demian Nzefuihu Obi, Mrs. Mary Nzefuihu Obi, Samuel Nzefuihu Obi, Emmanuel Nzefuihu Obi, Godfirst Nzefuihu Obi and Byna Nzefuihu Obi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKE —I formerly known and addressed as Miss Kelechi Immaculeta Eke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kelechi Immaculeta Opara. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public please take note.

EYO—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Gloria Ephraim Eyo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Ukeme Udo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

E L E N W O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Chibite Charity Noble Elenwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abigail Chibite Igwe.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWU—I formerly known and addressed as Owu Somtochukwu K. C., now wish to be known and addressed as Chima Somtochukwu K. C. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebeh Oluchi Nellyclare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezurike Oluchi Nellyclare. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EHUE— I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ehue Sebastian Uhunekpenma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Okwudibie Fortune Sebastian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to confirm that the name Dogbej Precious Umukoro, refers to one and the same person as Precious Igberhi Ogheneovo, now wish to be known and addressed as Precious Igberhi Ogheneovo. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

FRANK—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Imaete Moses Frank, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Imaete Ifreke Michael. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YUSUF—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Odufa Yusuf, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Odufa Ehigie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Emmanuel Omonzokpia Okeri, refers to one and the same person as Emmanuel Omonzokpia IghodaroOkeri, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmaunel Omonzokpia Ighodaro – Okeri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGWE—I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaobi Anthonia Igwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adaobi Anthonia Aniebona. All former documents remain v a l i d . A s s e t M a n a g e m e n t Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON and general public please take note.

BALOGUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nazifat Olayinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajibola Nazifat Olayinka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkiruka Francisca Nwosu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkiruka Francisca Emekpe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A D E TAYO — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Oriyomi Abolarinwa Adetayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Shode Oriyomi Abolarinwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinwendu Nneka Eze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinwendu Nneka Muoghalu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U D E M B A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss U d e m b a Obianujunwa Stella, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nnaeto Obianujunwa Stella. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZOARU—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Bukola Ifunanya Uzoaru, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Ogunleye Bukola Temitope. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

EDHEMUAINO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edhemuaino Victoria Omamuzo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omamuzo Victoria Olise-Prince.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Hycentha Chinyere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odo Hycentha Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), Enugu, First Bank Plc and general public please take note.

ANUDU —I, formerly known and addressed As Miss Anudu Amarachi Josephine, now wish to be known and addressed As Mrs. Anih Amarachi Josephine. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Queendaline Chinasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwonye Queendaline Chinasa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EZEANOCHIE—I, fomerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeanochie Chisom Peace, now wish to be know and addressed as Mrs. Azubike Chisom Peace. All former documents remain valid. Anambra State University, NYSC and general public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to certify that the name(s) Miss Chinyere Ifeyinwa Nwolisa, Mrs. Chinyere Ifeyinwa Okoye and Mrs. Chinyere Ifeyinwa Ifeanyichukwu, refer to one and the same person, I now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinyere Ifeyinwa Ifeanyichukwu.

All former documents remain valid. Nov/Dec WASSCE (Private), Federal Polytechnic Oko, NYSC, ASUBEB, ASCON, FIRS, Immigration Service, and general public, please take note.

ODILI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Peace Odili, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Peace Obanogun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name This is to certify that the names(s) Obiora Anthony Chidume and Obiora Samuel Chidume, refer to one and the same person, I now wish to be known and addressed as Obiora Samuel Chidume. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Orji Gladys Chinenyenwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ofojie Sylvanus Gladys Chinenyenwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A N YA N W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Anyanwu Chidinma Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okechukwu Chidinma Precious. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBU—I,

ERHEBERE—I, Formerly known and a d d r e s s e d as Miss Faith Erhebere, now Wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Faith Onorioma.

All former documents remain Va l i d .

General public please take note.

ARUMALA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Arumala Genesis, now wish to be known addressed as Mrs. Awese Genesis. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAGIEDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osaherumwumwen Osagiede, now wish to be known as Mrs. Osaherumwumwen Iteku. All former documents remain valid. UNIBEN, NYSC, Broad Global Investments Limited, Effurun and general public please take note.

OJAIDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojaide Silva Akpoviroro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mukoro Silva Akpoviroro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGAGA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bridget Roghokome Ogaga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Roghokome Oghumu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

formerly

known and addressed as Miss Ethel Obu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ethel Obu Imeh-Etuk.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 20 13 —57 2013

Vanguard CLASSIFIED Confirmation of name This is to inform the general public that Oyneninwane Lucky Success, Ubom Lucky and Onyeninwane Success is one and the same person. The name Success and Lucky are my English names while Ubom is my Grandfathers name and Onyeninwane is my biological fathers name. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

ISIBOR —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Isibor Blessing, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Osazuwa Blessing. All documents bearing my former names remain valid. The Nigerian Copy Rights Commission and the general public should please note.

ONIANWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Clare Ngozi Onianwa, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Clare Ngozi AmechiNwanze.

All documents bearing my former names remain valid. General public should please note.

O B O R O H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejiroghene Lucy Oboroh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ejiroghene Lucy Ogheneohwo. All former documents remain valid. General Public pleasetake note.

OBI—I, formerly known

public please take note.

OYENIYA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Oyeniya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abimbola Ughoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBENEBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebenebe Chioma Obianuju, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwokedi Chioma Obianuju. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGWUONWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Ijeoma Egwuonwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Ijeoma Onwughalu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHIAGORO—I, formerly known and addressed Miss Chiagoro Lawrencia Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Felix Lawrencia Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public please take note.

NWOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwoke Patience Chinwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adimo Patience Chinwe. All former documents remain valid. Mainstreet Bank and general public please take note.

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UGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Ngozika Georgina and Mrs. Odo Ngozika Precious, now wish to be known and addressed As Mrs. Nweze Ngozika Precious. All former documents remain valid. Samuel Bill International Academy (Sabia) and general public please take note.

ODO—I, formerly known and addressed as Odo Valentine Ejikeme, now wish to be known and addressed as Nweze Valentine Ejikeme. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJAKAIYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajakaiye Hannah Iyabo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ilesanmi Hannah Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

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OKOROCHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorocha Faith Eziamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orji Faith Eziamaka. All former documents remain valid. Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public please take note.

Correction of Name The correct spelling of my name is Denghe Lisus, but it was wrongly spelt as Denghe Linus on my NECO result of June/July 2006. I hereby state that the names Denghe Lisus and Denghe Linus refer to one and same person. All former documents remain valid. NDU and general public please take note.

OHAERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohaeri Audrey Obioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onuzo Audrey Obioma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

and

addressed

as

Nduka Owen Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Ndunaku Owen Timothy Ifeanyi.

All former documents remain valid. General

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E RT S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N G U A R D MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 E A S T P AV I L I O N T B S , LAGOS.

58—Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

We have been to clients at Enugu, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi, that is the eastern flank who import through Lagos and made them know that we are actually back.

They have shown a lot of interest but one issue we have always had is the vessels to bring such cargo, that is, containerized vessels.

"Before now, we had reached an agreement with two shipping lines who agreed to come and as we were doing the marketing campaign, they suddenly withdrew their vessels. And you know, when you have been to a client once, twice and they are showing interest and suddenly everything goes that way, they will not take you seriously anymore. That is what the shipping companies have made us look like. And up until now, we still have clients that have been calling, making enquires on vessels that could come...

Containerised vessels •Vessels discharging at Port Harcourt port

Why eastern ports are lying fallow G

OING to Apapa from any part of Lagos is akin to travelling through the biblical “ valley of the shadow of death.” The reason for this description is not far-fetched.

Apapa is home to the nation’s busiest seaports, hence the traffic snarl on virtually all the roads leading into and out of the town.

It is commonplace to find heavy-duty trailers and articulated vans stuck on the highway for several hours, thereby impeding the free flow of traffic in that axis. In fact, the traffic jam along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, has been directly linked to the congestion in both the Apapa and Tin-Can ports. Vanguard learnt that the congestion is a fallout of the snail-speed offloading of containers by the port terminal operators and acute shortage of space for the trucks to park while waiting to discharge their consignments.

The irony is that while the Lagos ports are heavily congested with ships queuing to get port calls to berth, the eastern ports are lying fallow due to little or no patronage. Apart from the Port at Onne in Rivers State, the other seaports located at

Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri and Koko are, mildly put, existing only in name. Another irony is that most importers who make use of the Lagos Ports have their businesses in the South South and South East geo-political zones.

Stakeholders in the maritime industry who spoke to Vanguard laid •Mrs. Lizzie Ovbude, MD, PTON Ltd most of the blame for the under-utilization of the bait and the result was a boom eastern ports on the corridors in the operations at the eastof the Federal Government and ern ports. But this incentive was the foreign shipping lines. The withdrawn after the concession. government is said to have To make things worse, the rolled out policies that have di- freight charged for using the rectly and indirectly stiffled the eastern ports was hiked. Stakeholders who spoke to Vanoperations of eastern ports. guard in Port Harcourt recently alleged that these measures Concessioning were deliberate because the of ports Government wanted to give Prior to the concessioning of undue advantage to the westports to private operators in ern ports.

Operator’s perspective: The 2006, the Federal Government gave up to 30 percent discount Managing Director of Ports & as incentives to shipping com- Terminal Operators (Nigeria) panies willing to use the east- Limited, the concessionaire to ern ports. Most of these ship- the premier seaport in Portping companies jumped at the Harcourt, Mrs Lizzie Ovbude

enumerated some of the constraints the concessionaires are grappling with. She said, “I know that when NPA was still the master sea dock, to improve traffic in the eastern flank, NPA had to give about 30 percent discount. That was some years back, before the concessioning.

They gave about 30 percent dis-

,

By JUDE NJOKU, (who was in Port Harcourt)

They are all foreign ship owners and if they say they are not coming, we cannot force them to come. And that is why you see a lot of importers go to Lagos and begin to truck their cargo down.”

Although Mrs Ovbude agreed that the channels in Port-Harcourt Port 1 are not big enough for containerized vessels to berth, he listed efforts made by her company to expand the draught to enable moderately bi vessels to come in. He was pissed by the fact that the Federal Government is not doing anything to dredge the port to pave the way for containerized vessels to come to the oldest seaport in the eastern part of the country.

“They complain about chan-

For Port Harcourt Port, I don’t know whether it is a kind of conspiracy from ship owners; you know that the shipping industry is dominated by foreigners

count to vessels that are willing to come to the eastern ports.

That was a kind of encouragement to enable vessels to come to this part of the country. But after the concessioning, there has been no such encouragement."

She alleged that there is a conspiracy by ship owners to stifle the operations of the ports in Port-Harcourt. Her words: ”For Port Harcourt Port, I don’t know whether it is a kind of conspiracy from ship owners; you know that the shipping industry is dominated by foreigners. They own the vessels.

I do know that we have done a lot of marketing campaigns from Port Harcourt Ports here.

,

nels but I want to say that even though ships have grown bigger and they want to take comparative advantage of bigger vessels because your cost on a bigger vessel is the same as your cost on a smaller vessel.

If you have a bigger vessel that will bring much cargo, you will spread your cost and it becomes lower than when you take a smaller vessel that will bring small cargo, small tonnage; your cost goes higher when you spread it on small tonnage cargo. That is an issue, the non-dredging of the channels, the non-dredging of the ports.

That is why I said from the beginning that I may not be able

Continues on page 59

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013—59

Continues from page 58

to tell you all the constraints because I will talk from the perspective of a port operator but freight forwarders will have their own issue. If you go into the terminal, you will see the extensions we did to be able to achieve a deeper draught to allow for at least moderately sized vessels to come..

At a point, the facilities became very dilapidated and operations went down. We have also been marketing, telling our clients that the port is no longer what it used to be. We have made it operational once again.

When the facilities went down, there were no plants. Today, we have bought kalmar container handling equipment and so the equipment to operate efficiently are there.

Deeper level draught The stacking area is there, the berths have been improved because we have extended into the water to achieve some deeper level of draught. Government will need to do something and what government needs to do

C M Y K

is, the type of encouragement they gave to shipping companies a few years back, they need to bring it once again,” she canvassed.

Another issue which the PTOL boss would want the government to look into is the alleged monopoly granted to INTELS Services, the concessionaire for the Onne ports, to handle oil and gas related car- •Uche Eluagu go. “We have been trying to tackle it in the most legit- Transport in 2008 specifying imate manner we think it can that no terminal has monopoly be tackled. We have taken the of any cargo.

"We are all concessioned terissue to the National Assembly; minals and ports and we have there has been a public hearing on it and that is the issue of been given a level playing field. oil and gas related cargo. IN- So, it is for us to go out and TELS still claims that they are market to our clients and attract the only ones that have the right as much business as we can to handle oil and gas related into our terminal. But you see, cargo. The National Assembly there was one circular that the has said that in as much as we Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, are a multi-purpose terminal issued which was what necesand the lease agreement we sitated our taking the matter to signed with the government has the National Assembly. Despite given us the right to handle the fact that we were given the general cargo, we should not be status of a multi-purpose termirestricted. And there has been nal which means we can hanan advert from the Ministry of dle any type of cargo, NPA in

the circular tried to restrict us and the National Assembly has made it clear that we cannot be restricted. But the foreign importers still fear that if they bring their ship to this place, the ship may be turned back because of that singular circular. What we have been trying to do is to educate them with the circular issued by the Ministry of Transport in 2008, the public hearing on the issue and the House of Representatives resolution that has not given any monopoly for any cargo,” she clarified.

Vanguard observed that although the operator has tried to improve its berthing facilities,

,

Why eastern ports are lying fallow

reeled out the challenges facing their operations, accused the federal government of churning out policies that were deliberately targeted at strangulating operations in the eastern ports. The duo of Mr. Uche Solomon Eluagu and Chief Obi Chima told Vanguard that the disparity in freight charges has greatly impaired the operations of ports in the eastern flank.

Mr. Eluagu who is the Public Relations Officer of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter , alleged that the Federal Government is encouraging capital flight to Lagos by its deliberate policy of strangulating the eastern ports.

He declared: “ The government is deliberately strangulating and frustrating the business activities in the eastern ports, thereby creating capital flight to

What is the rationale behind an importer who is based in Port Harcourt, Aba or Onitsha shipping his cargo to Lagos?

only a few light vessels like fish, salt and wheat vessels discharge at the ports. Rice and Cement vessels which used to come, rarely due so due to the hike on duty on the them. In fact the warehouse which was used by Dangote Cement was being dismantled when Vanguard visited the port.

Freight forwarders’ perspective: Freight forwarders who

,

Lagos. Let me give you a practical example. The question everybody is asking and which is begging for an answer is: “What is the rationale behind an importer who is based in Port Harcourt, Aba or Onitsha shipping his cargo to Lagos?

To be concluded

60 —

I

Vanguard, FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

T was natural that Blessing Okagbare became emotional exactly two week ago.

What Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan did overwhelmed her and she strongly fought back tears. When the emotions got the greater part of her the tears flowed.

They were tears of joy. She couldn’t believe what was happening.

On a Friday this column was to educate the government on the need to fund sports and raise it to the standard that could attract corporate sponsorship, Uduaghan was in Asaba practising what I was preaching.

President Goodluck Jonathan had received Blessing in Aso Rock for her feat at the World Championships in Moscow, where she won a silver in the Long Jump and a bronze in the 200m.

The President rewarded Blessing with N3m. Delta State was to receive her three days later. Uduaghan, the sports loving governor knew that his action might be misconstrued and politicised if he gave more money than the President’s N3m. He announced a reward of N2.5m but brilliantly approved a $360,000 Rio Olympics training grant for her. She is to receive $120,000 every year from now to the Olympics. Blessing started crying. She banked on some rewards but never expected what was happening. The grants were huge. They came three years to the Olympics. No Nigerian government, state or federal, had ever done this. Uduaghan has set standards for Nigeria. He has shown the way. But who else will follow? Which governors can emulate that? And must it be only Blessing Okagbare?

Nigeria went to the London Olympics with one athlete in mind, same Blessing. And when she failed, it was the end of the road for Nigeria. At the last World Championships in Moscow, Nigeria also relied on the same athlete. Fortunately, she won a silver and a bronze and gave Nigeria a name.

“It was Blessing’s day and the governor did not want to mix things up. As I told you, Regina George is on board now. The governor will approve some training grants for her and some other athletes who have distinguished themselves. You must attain some standards for you to attract such sponsorship from the governor.

That should be the driving factor for athletes to work hard,” Solomon Ogba explained to me when I insisted that the governor’s assistance should also be extended to some other athletes.

Governor Uduaghan is on track. Only last November, he held a sports summit in Asaba to find solutions to our problems in sports. Uduaghan could do more in the

08053068728

QATAR IN 2022

T

Just five more governors! implementation of the report of that summit. With the Governor’s Cup, a soccer competition among secondary schools in Delta and Awoturo Eleya Cup, a track and field competition now on, Delta has already started the implementation of the report. But there are a lot more, some of which Uduaghan has even agreed, in principle, to execute. Laying of tartan tracks in some schools in Delta State and the engagement of coaches and instructors to begin mass participation of students and local communities in athletics, doing some for some other sports, establishing the platform to develop the outstanding players from the Governor’s Cup, the Delta State Schools Sports Festival are among some of the programmes that could engineer mass participation of athletes some of whom could transform to elite athletes. They are yet to begin these ones. These are aside other capital projects that could be handled in due course. Delta is, no doubt, the reference state in sports development. Uduaghan deserves accolades and a national award for his sports development programmes. Governor Liel Imoke of Cross River also deserves accolades. With Bruce Ejirigo, the man has started a commendable athletics programme in the state. It is a programme that will produce results when he must have left office. But the legacy is there and posterity will place him well in the history of sports development in the state. f only we could have just five more governors doing what Uduaghan and Imoke are doing for sports, Nigeria will be better for it. The biggest problem the National Sports Commission has aside the poor funding

I

Scramble masters vow to dethrone Nigel World Scrabble players have vowed to give World Champion Nigel Richards the fight of his life, just as Governor Godswill Akpabio has declared that the Godswill international classics will outlive him.

Speaking yesterday in Uyo, During a courtesy cal by the executive of the scrabble federation of Nigeria and the visiting players, Governor Akpabio said the decision to sponsor the Classics was not a political one so there is no how, it will be affected when I finish my term.

Amidst applause, he expressed delight that a competition that started less than seven years ago with less than fifty players now had over 400 players with the world champion in attendance. ” I am happy with the

national body and the state association for raising the bar of this competition to becoming not only the most attended in the world, but one that will attract the world champion and four former world champions.

This competition was not a product of politics, so there is no how it will be affected by my political fortunes” Governor Akpabio insisted.

He also promised the state body that he will be in the forefront of encouraging the Drabble to schools initiative and urged his special adviser on youth and sports to liaise with the commissioner of education and the state scrabble association to make it a reality.

Earlier Scrabble president Toke Aka had thanked the governor for his support for scrabble

IGERIA’S national women’s basketball team who placed fourth in Group B of the Afrobasket championship holding in Maputo, Mozambique, will today confront the host to decide who moves into the semi final tomorrow.

The Nigerian women who had very little time to prepare for this championship won two matches against Kenya and Cape Verde but lost three to favourites Angola, Mali and Cameroon in their group.

he London Guardian yesterday published a report saying that the International Trade Union Confederation says that construction work in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup may leave up to 4,000 people dead before a ball is kicked during the World Cup. Since Qatar won the bid to host the World Cup, England and a few other European countries have not stopped expressing outrage over the success of the tiny Middle East country. They have alleged corruption but till date they have not been able to prove it. Their concentration now is on weather. The summer is extremely hot in Qatar and one of Qatar’s campaign points is to use cooling machinery that could bring the temperature in the stadiums down to 25 degrees or even less during games.

FIFA bought this. But the Qatar critics would not rest.

Their campaign so persisted that FIFA was compelled to consider changing the games from summer to winter.

They would also not have this because the league in Europe would have to change in 2022 to accommodate the World Cup. Qatar has remained quiet and said the decision was up to fifa to make, assuring that whether in winter or summer theirs is to host a memorable World Cup. England is leading the campaign for fifa to change the venue. The story now is that many people will die at construction sites. I think that the campaign against Qatar is now dirty and full of mischief . The story reads “Qatar’s construction frenzy ahead of the 2022 World Cup is on course to cost the lives of at least 4,000 migrant workers before a ball is kicked. Death toll could rise to 600 a year.”

What could be dirtier? Some construction frenzy to get the facilities ready should be commended and not condemned. And in all major construction sites, there are always accidents, some of them fatal. It is against this background that I urge the Qatari authorities to be careful and ensure safety measures. They should also address the allegations in the Guardian and ensure all workers work in reasonably safe conditions. They should also be paid their wages. But they should not be distracted from making 2022 a reality. More on this later.

Bike-A-Thon race Route released

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WELCOME. . . Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State welcomes Scrabble Champion, Nigel saying that through that support, Nigeria has gone on to win eight of the nine

African Championships they have so far participated in.

Afrobasket: Nigeria battle Mozambique in a must win game

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from federal government is the dismal performance of states in sports development. Most states only fund football clubs, many of which have become corruption tools for siphoning money. You hear of the hundreds of millions approved for the clubs only for a little to be spent on the clubs. The states are supposed to be producing athletes for the NSC.

Coach Scott Nnaji who spoke on phone from the the team’s camp in Maputo yesterday said they are ready to put in their best in the crucial encounter while the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF president, Tijjani Umar who joined the team in

Maputo Wednesday said he hopes the players will be focused to confront the host.

“They had a good game against Cameroon but lost concentration in the last quarter. I hope they will be focused as they confront the host on Friday,” he said

RGANISERS of the first ever Bike-A-Thon ride to be staged in Lagos on Saturday, October 19 have announced the route of the fun ride in Lagos.

Chairman, Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, Dr Funso Olatunji said yesterday while announcing the routes that the fun ride was designed to generate interest, increase awareness and raise funds for activites towards total eradication of polio disease which is endimic in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria. The race is part of programmes to commemorate the annual World Polio day on October 24.

Dr Olatunji informed that Nigeria currently remains one of the three most polio-endemic countries alongside Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Bike-A-Thon would be in three categories of 50km, 10km and 5km.

50km.

This route will take off from the LEKKI 1 in front of the Divine Mercy Catholic Church open ground to Bourdilon Ivan Ikoyi Link Bridge then to the 3rd Mainland Bridge to Adekunle, to Jibowu via Herbert Macaulay. Turn at Jibowu to Yaba and to Iddo, and Carter bridge to outer Marina to Awolowo Road, Bourdilon and via Ikoyi Link Bridge back to the starting point for the Closing Ceremony.

Continues from BP delighted because I always tell him he can do it whether at club or national team level but he has to move closer to the goal area. He has done it on one or two occasionswith the national team and there should be nothing special about his scoring for Chelsea but a lot also depends on what Coach Mourinho wants him to play for the club. I am sure the goals will start

Keshi

pouring in for him now”, he said.

On Victor Moses, Keshi said he is excited at the form of the player for his new club, Liverpool FC, adding that Moses has always had a very positive attitude to the game of football and predicted that he will not only be a legend of the game for the Super Eagles but in English and European football.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —61

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62— Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 —63

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 , 2013

FIXTURES EPL Saturday 28th September Tottenham Aston Villa Fulham Hull City Man U Southampton Swansea City

Keshi hopes on Dike, Omeruo, Reuben’s return …Hails Mikel, Moses club performance UPER Eagles boss, S t e p h e n Okechukwu Keshi has said he cannot wait for the trio of Bright Dike, Kenneth Omeruo and Gabriel Reuben to get back into full fitness as the Brazil 2014 World Cup beckons.

Team’s Media Officer quotes Keshi as saying from the United States where he has gone on a short visit to his family that the three players gives him a lot of options in the major departments of the game. Dike is a powerplaying striker, Omeruo, a central defender and Reuben a combative midfielder with an eye

for goals.

“I am in touch with the three of them and have been praying with them and for them because Nigeria and their club sides need them because they are at their prime and very good at what they are doing. So I will want Nigerians to join me in praying for them so that they can return to action on time.

Keshi also spoke on Mikel’s first premier league goal for Chelsea last weekend since joining the London side seven seasons ago. “I have been trying to reach him but to no avail but am absolutely

Continues on Page 60

PUZZLE

12:45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 5:30pm

Capital one Cup 4th-Rnd draw in full Sunderland Leicester City Birmingham City Manchester United Burnley Arsenal Tottenham Newcastle

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Southampton Fulham Stoke City Norwich City West Ham United Chelsea Hull City Manchester City

All ties to be played on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30.

Qatar World Cup building work ‘will cost 4,000 lives’

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A T A R ’ S construction frenzy ahead of the 2022 World Cup is on course to cost the lives of at least 4,000 migrant workers before a ball is kicked, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has claimed.

The group has been scrutinising builders’ deaths in the Gulf emirate for the past two years and said that at least half a

million extra workers from countries including Nepal, India and Sri Lanka are expected to flood in to complete stadiums, hotels and infrastructure in time for the World Cup kickoff.

The annual death toll among those working on building sites could rise to 600 a year – almost a dozen a week – unless the Doha government makes urgent reforms, it says.

Afrobasket: Nigeria battle Mozambique in a must win game — P.60

•Bright Dike

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Chelsea Man City Cardiff West Ham West Brom Palace Arsenal

Complete fixtues in today's Sports Vanguard on Centre Spread

2014 World Cup

S

v v v v v v v

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Discover (4) 4 Intelligence (3) 6 Lament (4) 8 Pester (6) 9 Shrewd (6) 10 Barrier (3) 12 Decoration (5) 14 Arrogant (5) 15 Postpone (5) 18 Erase (6) 20 Began (6) 24 Dissuade (5) 26 Javelin (5) 28 Vagrant (5) 30 Artful (3) 32 Purpose (6) 33 Assault (6) 34 Nurse (4) 35 Pale (3) 36 Hood (4)

DOWN 2 Silly (5) 3 Demean (7) 4 News (4) 5 Side (4) 6 Irrigate (5) 7 Encroach (7) 11 Imitate (3) 12 Enthusiastic (3) 13 Permit (3) 16 Dined (3) 17 Decay (3) 19 Cost (7) 21 Favourite (3) 22 Wandering (7) 23 Immerse (3) 25 Fish (3) 27 Correct (5) 29 Parrot (5) 30 Pack (4) 31 Thread (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Ready 7, Banal 8, Visit 10, Divot 12, See 13, Topic 15, Message 17, Heroic 19, Rue 20, Torrent 23, Fuse 25, True 26, Smother 30, Ire 31, Reside 34, Protest 37, Split 38, Art 39, Tutor 40, Amber 41, Range 42, Testy.

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 1, Canoe 2, Radio 3, Elicit 4, Doom 5, Dissent 6, Siege 9, Sea 11, Terrier 13, Theft 14, Press 16, Sue 18, Contest 21, Trail 22, Beret 24, Emitted 27, Ore 28, Resort 29, Frame 32, Spray 33, Dirge 35, Orb 36, Tune.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

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lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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