Gunmen attackSARS Hqtrs in Abuja

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61762

Bandits bomb banks in Auchi •P.43

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N150

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

New electricity tarrif soon — NERC

A BOOK YOU MUST READ

The Nigerian Defence Academy —A Pioneer Cadet's Memoir (2)

•P.7

BY COL. PAUL OSAKPAMWAN OGBEBOR (RTD.) •Pgs.34&35

Gunmen attack SARS Hqtrs in Abuja •Two policemen killed, two suspects arrested •30 suspects escaped, 25 re-arrested — Police •Say no terror-related detainee escaped

•Jaji attack: Death toll rises to 15

—P.5

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA— GUN MEN, yesterday, launched an attack on the headquarters of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Abuja believed to be holding suspected Islamist extremists, killing two officers and leading to the es

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Will Nigerians obey the new Constitution?

•P.17

The State and demand for•P.19 State police (3)

Mr & Mrs

SARS GATE

—Gate of the Headquarters of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) which was attacked by gunmen in Abuja, yesterday. Inset: Policemen on guard around the vicinity.

NUPENG shuts down Shell operations nationwide •P.8

2—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

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POCKET CARTOON

Gunmen attack SARS Hqtrs in Abuja, free detainees Continues from Page 1 cape of 30 detainees.

Police authorities, however, claimed to have rearrested 25 of the 30 escapees and said no one being held on “terror-related charges” was freed.

The attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad compound in the predawn hours resulted in a gun battle, with police claiming to have repelled the assailants and arrested two of them.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. The raid was similar to others carried out by Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram.

However, a statement signed by Force Spokesman, CSP Frank Mba reads: “In the early hours of today, November 26, 2012, at about 2am, unknown gunmen in large numbers attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Federal Territory Police Command. Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes,

at the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled.

“However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape.

Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, 25 of the suspects have been re-arrested, while five suspects originally being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at large.

Two Policemen died during the operation while two of the attackers have been arrested.

“It needs to be emphasized here that no suspect held for terror related charges, escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack”.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.

He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

A

S we express our gratitude, we must never for get that the highest appreciation is not to speak words, but to live by them – John F. Kennedy. To live by them, believe in something and stand for the truth.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it — Dale Carnegie

H

UMANS are often happiest when we’re caught in the moment just embracing life and the more our mind wanders, the less happy we are likely to be. According to researcher Matt Killingworth, people want a lot of things out of life, more than anything else, they want happiness. Aristotle called happiness “the chief good,” the end towards which all other things aim. According to this view, the reason we want a big house or a nice car or a good job isn’t that these things are intrinsically valuable. It’s that we expect them to bring us happiness.

He surmised that the paradox of happiness is that even though the objective conditions of our lives have improved dramatically, we haven’t actually gotten any happier.

Maybe, because these conventional notions of progress ’t delivered benefits in terms of happiness.

Research findings show that people are happy when they’re focused on the present, when they’re not mind-wandering.

People are less happy when they’re mind-wandering matter what they are doing. Learning to be grateful for the present situation gives room for inner contentment and satisfaction.

a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Members of Boko Haram have carried out scores of attacks in northern and central Nigeria, including police stations and sometimes with the intent of freeing jailed members.

A visit to the scene, revealed that the main gate outside the police unit was heavily guarded.

There were two armoured vehicles, six police trucks and more than a dozen armed policemen.

It was not immediately possible to determine whether the complex had suffered damage.

On Friday, the military offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in reward for information leading to the capture of leaders of Boko Haram in a statement that listed 19 alleged senior members of the group.

The rewards ranged from N50 million ($317,000, 245,000 euros) for the suspected leader, Abubakar Shekau, to N10 million for various Boko Haram “commanders”.

as assigned it by the Federal Government which is ridding the nation of terrorists and other elements bent on causing destabilization of the polity.

Disclosing that the Army will remain professional in the conduct of its operation, Ihejirika said: “We will always keep strictly to the rules of engagement” adding “despite the level of propaganda of the Boko Haram terrorists in the plot to discredit the army, we will not be deterred in our resolve to address the current internal security challenges in partnership with other security agencies.

“In the incoming year, our focus is to ensure the mass production of locally manufactured Armoured Personnel Carriers to meet our operational requirements.

Equally, we hope to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Army Engineers through acquisition of necessary equipment so that it can take up bigger challenges outside the Nigerian Army”.

Boko Haram member sends letter offering dialogue

A

PURPORTED sen ior member of Islamist militant group Boko Haram has distributed a letter requesting talks with the government, a day after a double suicide bombing blamed on the sect killed at least 11 and wounded 30 in an army barracks.

The letter, according to Reuters was signed by Sheik Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez, a man known by security sources to be a sect member but considered to be a moderate.

If the letter is genuine, it would appear to mark a change of tact for the Islamists that fits ill with a spate of violent episodes, including the bombing of the military church on Sunday. That

bombing showed a degree of sophistication not seen from Boko Haram for months.

Nearly 3,000 people have died violent deaths related to the conflict since the sect launched its uprising in 2009, according to a count by Human Rights Watch.

Boko Haram has replaced militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta over that time to become the biggest security threat to Africa’s top energy producer.

The letter was handed to the national head of the union of journalists, Aba Kakami, who has often received and distributed statements from the sect, usually claiming attacks against high profile targets or warning of them.

Jaji Bombings: Army Chief orders board of inquiry Meanwhile, 24 hours after terrorists struck at the Military Protestant Church of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika has ordered a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the bombing even as he noted that the bomb attack should have been avoided.

Said General Ihejirika: “The bombing attack of yesterday (Sunday) was a very sad event. A board of inquiry has already been instituted to unravel what happened which we believe could have been avoided”.

The Army Chief who was speaking in Asaba at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, vowed that despite incessant attacks on the Army, no amount of distraction will deter the Nigerian Army from achieving its objectives

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JAJI BLAST Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State with the Commandant of Command and Staff College, Jaji, AVM Ibrahim Abdullahi Kure when the governor visited the scene of the bomb blast at the military barrack church in Jaji yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Jaji attack: Death toll rises to 15

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA –THE death toll in last Sunday’s bomb blast at St Andrew’s Anglican Church at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AFCSC, Jaji, Kaduna State has risen to 15. Jaji is about 40 kilometres north of

Kaduna city.

The Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Abdullahi Kure, gave this hint while conducting the state Governor, Patrick Yakowa round the church amid tight security.

The Director, Nigeria Air Force, NAF, in the college, Air Commodore

Alechenu Ekagbo, and some children were alleged to be among those who were seriously injured.

Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa who visited the scene of the bombing at Jaji, yesterday, described the inci

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6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

SEC bribery scandal: EFCC re-arraigns Hembe, Azubogu

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA — FORMER Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Other Institutions, Herman Hembe and his deputy, Chris Ifeanyi Azubogu, yesterday, took fresh plea before an Abuja High Court sitting at Apo. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, re-

docked them before Justice Peter Kekemeke, on a two-count charge bothering on fraud.

Specifically, EFCC, in the charge read in court, yesterday, alleged that the lawmakers had at sometime in October 2011, converted to their use, $4095 being money given to them by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, as travelling allowance to Puncta Cana, Dominican Republic to attend a

conference.

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

It said their action ran contrary to section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and is punishable under section 309 of the same code.

The re-arraignment of the two embattled lawmakers followed the decision of Justice Abubakar Sadiq

Umar to hands off the case owing to a petition written against him by the EFCC accusing him of bias in the prosecution of the case.

EFCC had while challenging the resolve of the former trial judge to handle the case objectively, queried why he allowed the accused persons to stand beside the dock and take their plea rather than stepping into the dock as required by the extant procedure in prosecution of such criminal cases.

Consequently, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary, Justice Lawal Gummi reassigned the matter.

Meanwhile, when the matter was mentioned, yesterday, prosecuting counsel, Onjefu Obe, made an oral application for the case to commence de-novo in line with the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC. Though, both counsel to the accused persons, Mr.

Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) and Emeka Etiaba, did not object to the prosecution’s prayer, they, nonetheless, urged the court to allow the lawmakers on the bail terms earlier granted to them by Justice Umar, a request that was accordingly granted.

After the two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge, Justice Kekemeke adjourned the matter till January 23 and 24, 2013 for accelerated hearing.

FUEL SUBSIDY SCAM:

We’ve enough evidence to nail suspects, EFCC tells court

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

CONFAB: Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) and Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko during the 2012 Comptroller-General's Annual Conference, in Katsina State, yesterday.

FG needs N40.7bn to boost infrastructure —Minister zWarns telecom operators to improve facilities zTo launch $15m venture capital

BY PETER EGWUATU

W

ARRI — MINISTER of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, yesterday, disclosed that the Federal Government needed to invest N40.7 billion in infrastructure between now and 2015, even as plans have been concluded to commit $15 million in venture capital to boost the I n f o r m a t i o n Communication Technology, ICT. She also berated telecommunication operators for poor services and warned them to invest more in infrastructure to enhance their services.

The minister who disclosed this at the Capital Market Committee, CMC, retreat in Warri, Delta State, said: “Government is planning to launch a

venture capital by committing about $15 million in the first instance to enable talented youths have access to funds to boost the telecomm sector since these youths cannot access capital from the banks because of their inability to provide the needed collaterals.

Warns telecom operators

“The mobile telephone can be used to democratize the Nigerian capital market if well harnessed. So, my ministry is really in talks and engaging the telecommunication operators to commit more funds in boosting their infrastructure to meet the increased capacity of their network. We are also working and ensuring that some bottlenecks militating

against their services are eliminated so that they can give Nigerians the best services like what obtains in other jurisdictions.

“We also want the telecom operators to modernize their network as most of their facilities have become outdated and need to be upgraded to be able to serve the increasing number of network users in the country.”

She disclosed that her ministry could not force the telecom companies to go to the capital market, saying: “There has been talks with my ministry, the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Though there is need for the telecom companies to list on stock exchange but there must be a holistic approach to bring these

companies to the stock market.

"So there should be rules, laws or standards that must be set up for certain size of companies either in terms of capital, employees, etc to be listed on the Exchange.

It should not be restricted to telecom companies but to other companies across all sectors of the economy. In doing so, it will make sense so that it will not appear that they are being forced to do so."

In her welcome address, Director General, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh, said: “There is need to have a strong institution, be it SEC, NSE and operators, to deliver service efficiently. We should tap the abundant resources we have to develop the capital market and the economy in general."

BUJA — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, told Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of an Abuja High Court that it has gathered enough evidence to nail the trio of Helyn Aninye, Chizobam Ben-Okafor and PonSpecialized Services Limited over their alleged involvement in the illegal diversion of about N1.4 billion through fuel subsidy scam.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the accused persons on an 18-count criminal charge bothering on forgery and obtaining money under false pretence.

Though EFCC made frantic moves to dock them, yesterday, however, the plan was thwarted by their counsel, Chief Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, who opposed their arraignment on grounds that the proof of evidence did not disclose a prima facie case against his clients.

He said:“My lord, assuming there are offences to be disclosed, they have not in any way been linked to the applicants, and these links must have a prima facie elements to the applicants.”

It was his contention that in a case of forgery, the EFCC ought to have produced the original maker of the alleged forged document.

However, EFCC, through its counsel, Mr Steve Odiase, while

seeking for leave to prefer criminal charges against the accused persons under Section 185 (b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, maintained that the proof of evidence contained enough prima facie evidence capable of nailing them to the fraud.

He told the court that the prosecution had formulated three issues for determination in granting the application which, according to him, included whether the proof of evidence discloses an offence known to law and whether there is a linking of the charge to the applicants.

“My lord, the statement of one (name withheld) of Quality Marine Services Limited is enough link to the accused persons.

Besides, it has been established that in a case of forgery, the accused must not be the maker of the said document before being liable,” Odiase said.

The judge who advised counsel not to jump the gun by addressing issues in the substantive case, adjourned to February 21, 2013 for ruling on both applications.

The accused persons were said to have on or about March 3, 2011 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain N1.413,507,951.50 under false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria as subsidy for the importation Premium Motor Spirit under the Petroleum Support Fund.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—7

New electricity tariff coming soon —NERC

BY OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI

A

NIPSS GRADUATION: From left: Governor Magatakada Wamakko of Sokoto State; Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State; representative of the President, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Chairman, Board of Governors National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies,NIPSS, Maj.-Gen. Paul Omu and Director General NIPSS, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande at the NIPSS Senior Executive Course 34 graduation ceremony, in Kuru, Jos.

Senate, minister disagree on closure of some foreign missions zAs Ashiru laments lack of funds by embassies

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA — THERE was a sharp disagreement, yesterday, between the Senate and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, over whether some of the foreign embassies should be closed down for lack of funds.

This came just as Ashiru told the Senators during the defence of 2013 budget that the ministry and the embassies were handicapped as they lacked funds to carry out major administrative activities required of them.

He also stressed that if there was inadequate funding, there was nothing the embassies could do.

According to him, it was the prayer of everyone that nothing very serious as tragedy breaks up outside the country because the embassies and missions would be incapacitated.

The argument on whether some of the embassies or missions be shut came up when the Senators made it clear that it had become imperative to do that since they lacked funds to operate.

But responding, the Foreign Affairs Minister who noted that closing foreign embassies would not be better for the country in the international community, was however, quick to add that it would create more enemies for the

country among nations, just as he canvassed the reduction of staff of the various embassies to reduce the cost of funding the embassies across the world.

Speaking earlier during the defence, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator

Matthew Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North advised the minister to close down some embassies to address the problem of inadequate funding facing the foreign missions.

Olugbenga informed members of the committee that there was financial provision for any Nigerian

stranded in foreign countries as he also expressed concern over bad and off the road cars being used by the country's ambassadors in their places of primary assignment. He urged the committee to jerk up the budget of the ministry if it must solve these problems.

2013 budget: Senate bemoans paltry allocation to military pension board

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA — THE Senate, yesterday, said that if the military pension board must perform effectively, its budgetary allocation must be improved upon, just as it expressed dissatisfaction with the allocation of N199.343 million in the 2013 budget for the board.

This came as Chairman, Military Pension Board, Rear Admiral Bala Mohammed, told the Senate while defending the 2013 budget before the Senate Committee on Establishment that N90 billion was needed in 2013 to enable the board address its needs, adding that these include payment of pensions, settlement of pension arrears in the on-going year as well as recurrent expenditure.

The Senate, however, promised that it would ensure that the board’s budget was increased to give pensioners a befitting life.

Speaking, yesterday during the budget defence, Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services, Senator Aloysius Etok, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-West, however, described the budget as grossly inadequate, adding that the committee will assist the board to obtain N10 billion against N15 billion being sought for the construction of its permanent office.

Also, yesterday, at the budget defence before the Senator Barnabas Gemade-led Committee on National Planning, Deputy Chairman/ Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman urged the Senate to make

it mandatory for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to submit their audit report as at when due especially when the Senators go out on oversight functions.

BUJA — THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has announced impending review of the newly deployed Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO It said this was necessary following a series of complaints from electricity consumers, especially Small and Medium Enterprises, about high fixed fee they must pay every month irrespective of the power situation within any particular month.

Executive Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs at the NERC, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, confirmed this to newsmen on the sideline of Power Consumers Assembly in Dutse, Jigawa State by the commission.

Abba said having received the complaints, the commission had put a process in motion to resolve the complaints of the SMEs, adding that the new tariff regime provided for review mechanism in case of such complaints.

He said: “There have been quite a number of complaints that have been raised. MYTO in itself has a mechanism for review. It is a multiyear tariff order that has safety guards within it. Wherever there are issues raised by customers or even a service provider, the commission has the responsibility to sit down, listen and review where necessary.

“MYTO already has a sixmonth window for regular reviews. Also within it, if there are complaints regarding the implementation of the tariff order and the complaints were brought in within sixty days of its deployment, then the commission is also

obliged to sit.

“We have had complaints from commercial operators, specifically, Small and Medium Enterprises, complaining about high fixed charges, equivalent to industrial categories. It is a complaint that was laid and met these criteria for review within 60 days of the MYTO order. We are now in the fifth month of the implementation of the tariff.

“These complaints were made within the 60 days of implementation and we have sat down with all the stakeholders.

My chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, is meeting with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises on this particular issue as we speak. We have consulted the distribution companies.

We have met severally and we are in the process of addressing this particular issue.

“So it is a review that is already being taken care of.

It is unfortunate that some particular group has suffered this long but I can assure you we are putting all efforts to ensure that this is redressed.”

DISCOs must provide meters to all customers

He also insisted that the distribution companies across the country must provide meters to all customers in the next 13 months as ordered by the regulatory agency in June.

Abba said: “We are insisting on that. It is an order of the commission. It has not been withdrawn.

An order is an order. We are operating a rule-based sector now. We believe that with the coming in of private operators, they will even be more aggressive in terms of revenue drive.

AGF inaugurates governing council for NHRC

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA — ALMOST a year after the Senate confirmed their nomination, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, yesterday, inaugurated the governing council of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC. Those sworn-in yesterday were Prof. Chidi Odinkalu as Chairman of the Council; Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe; Mrs Funmi Falana; Mrs Eugenia Abu; wife of immediate past President of

the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ranti Bosede Daudu, Dr Dave O.C. Ezeigwe and Olawole Fapohunda.

The AGF who maintained that his eventual decision to administer oath of office on them, yesterday, was “the culmination of the determined effort of the present administration to ensure that the NHRC is properly positioned to discharge its statutory functions,” noted that despite the best efforts of the President Goodluck J o n a t h a n - l e d administration “gaps remain in the protection of human rights in Nigeria."

He said: “Our collective desire as a nation to live under a constitutional order that would guarantee our basic rights and liberties propelled the return of our country to democratic rule on May 29, 1999.

"In the last 13 years, we have witnessed significant incremental progress in the level of compliance with our domestic and international human rights obligations.

“We need a national human rights institution which can act as a watchdog and at the same time partner with government to advance the cause of human rights in the country."

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

NUPENG shuts down Shell operations nationwide ….Protests sack of 1,500 workers

BY EMMA AMAIZE, VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & KUNLE KALEJAYE

A

GGRIEVED mem bers of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, protesting alleged unfair labour practices, yesterday, shut down the operations of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, nationwide.

This came as a nationwide strike by NUPENG looms following alleged assault on members by security operatives at Shell locations across the country, which prompted the Warri and Port Harcourt zones that serve the South-South states and eastern states to begin immediate strike.

Locations in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country, Vanguard gathered, had been directed to also down tools between today and tomorrow.

Barricade

The aggrieved workers were said to have stormed Shell's offices in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Abuja between 2am and 3am and effectively barricaded the offices with tankers and prevented people from gaining access to the offices.

It was gathered that immediately the protesting workers came, they were confronted by security operatives and were said to have battled with the law enforcement agents for several hours as the law enforcement agents tried in vain to dislodge them.

At press time, the tankers were still at the Shell office in Lagos. Vanguard gathered that the tankers were towed away at 10am in the Warri and Port Harcourt offices, when the protesting workers left for a rally across major streets in the cities.

Grievances

The workers, who picketed Shell office in Lagos, were led by the Lagos Zonal Chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, who vowed that the action would continue today.

He accused Shell's

management of several unfair labour practices including casualisation of workers and contract staffing.

Speaking, the Acting General Secretary of NUPENG, Mr. Isaac Aberare, deplored the attitude of the security operatives and claimed they assaulted harmless and unarmed workers, who were fighting for their rights, saying that their action was unbecoming of law enforce-

ment agents in a democracy.

He confirmed that members in Warri and Port Harcourt zones had begun an indefinite strike to protest alleged ill-treatment and said Lagos and other parts of the country would join in the industrial action should the harassment continue.

Earlier in a statement, Aberare said the picketing of Shell formations nationwide was due to

the recalcitrant posture of the management towards the issue of unfair labour practices.

He said: “The issue of casual, contract staff or service contracts staff without conditions of service had been in the front burner with Shell in recent times without any headway. The issue had become a social phenomenon and a hydraheaded evil in labour relations with Shell."

Cashless economy: Prominent Nigerians brainstorm in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

P

ROFESSOR Wole Soyinka; Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, former IGP Mike Okiro, and others, yesterday, said the cashless economy policy would assist in tackling corruption and other security challenges.

They spoke at a two-day workshop with the theme: The Dynamics of Cashless Economy and the

Emerging Methods of Financial Crimes, organized by the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, in Lagos.

Prof. Soyinka, who was represented by Mr. Falana, said in a paper he presented that Nigeria had come of age to implement the cashless economy system, which he said would reduce the spate of illegal flow of cash within the economy.

Soyinka said Nigeria had sufficient laws to deal with the issue of corruption than many other countries.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—9

Banks will soon scrap N100 ATM charge - ACAMB LAGOS — The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks, ACAMB, has said that banks were not relenting in the bid to stop charging customers N100 for using other banks’ ATMs. Its President, Mr. Tunde Shofowora, said in a statement in Lagos yesterday that modalities were being perfected to stop the N100 charge.

“Banks are in the process of working out the modalities with ATM third party service providers to aid the scrapping of the N100 charge,“ he said.

The decision to stop the charge was taken at the Bankers’ Committee meeting on Nov. 13.

Shofowora urged banks to speed up the process,

promising customers that the rough edges would be perfected in few days.

He also urged merchants, traders, supermarket owners and proprietors of filling stations to ensure that their transactions were epayment compliant with their Point of Sale (PoS) terminals.

According to him, every bank in the country is promoting electronic payments and increasing availability, reliability and security of electronic channels for business transactions.

Shofowora said that ebanking would discourage heavy cash usage and help to reduce money laundering and crimes fuelled by too much cash flow.

Pharmacists charged for Cynthia Osokogu's murder set free

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

Ahead of the formal arraignment of the suspects in the murder of Cynthia Osokogu Udoka before the state High Court, two pharmacists, Orji Osita and Maduakor Chukwunonso charged alongside the accused have been set free by the court.

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo ordered their release from detention while giving his ruling in a motion filed by the two accused persons.

The Director of Public Prosecution, had in his advice dated Nov 1, 2012 declared that the two pharmacists were not culpable of the charge of murder and other

charges.

However, the other accused, Okwumo Echezona Nwabufo and Ezike Ikechukwu Olisaeloka were found culpable.

Granting the pharmacists’ release, Justice Onigbanjo held: “Having carefully considered the process filed in support of this application and the contents of the Director of Public Prosecution’s advice dated Nov. 1, 2012. attached as exhibit OEI to the 2nd respondent’s affidavit of response to this application to the effect that the applicants (the pharmacists) be released unconditionally since they have no case to answer.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CEMENT TRANSPORTERS AND DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA This is to inform the general public that the above named association is desirous of being registered under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act. The Trustees Are: 1. Alhaji Aileru Sulyman 2. Alhaji Haruna Said 3. Bameke Akinlabi 4. Alebiosu Ramoni 5. Rabiu Nasri 6. Alhaji Adio Nurudeen 7. Alhaji Saka Ojopagogo 8. Onyeana Edward 9. Ofodile Okonkwo 10. Dike Osita Ogidi The Aims And Objectives Are: 1. To create an atmosphere of trust, honesty and justice amongst members 2. To ensure the quick resolution of disputes among members 3. To foster good working relationship amongst members Any objection to the registration of the above-named Association should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja within 28days.

Signed: Chibuzo Iroaganachi (Solicitor)

From left: Mr. Femi Falana, Guest Speaker; HRM, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1, the Oba of Lagos and Mr. Tunde Panox, SA to Lagos Governor on Security Matters, at the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit two-day workshop entitled: 'The Dynamics of Cashless Economy and Emerging Methods Of Financial Crimes,' at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Ahmadu Ali’s son re-arraigned over N4.4bn subsidy fraud

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHEAL OLADEPO

LAGOS—Mamman Nasir, son of the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman, Ahmadu Ali and three others were yesterday re-arraigned before an Ikeja High Court in an amended N4.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud charge.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the defendants

on a 13-count amended charge before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo for alleged conspiracy, forgery, obtaining money under false pretence and use of false documents .

Those arraigned alongside Ali were Christian Taylor, Abdulazeez Afeez and Nasaman Oil Services.

The duo of Ali and Christian Taylor had earlier been arraigned before the court alongside Nasaman Oil Services on July 26 over alleged N2.2 billion fuel

subsidy scam before amending the charge to re-arraign the defendants on N4.4 billion yesterday.

When the charge were read to them they all pleaded not guilty to the charge and the presiding Judge extended the earlier N200 million bail condition granted the defendants when they were first arraigned.

In the amended charge of 13 counts, the antigraft agency alleged that the defendants were involved in subsidy fraud amounting to about N4.4

billion.

According to EFCC, the defendants had conspired to obtain the money from the Federal Government for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).

The EFCC said their alleged offences contravened Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.

Further hearing is adjourned till February 6, 2013.

Rumour of BRT bus plunging into Lagoon rattles residents

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & IFEANYI OKOLIE

— THE L AGOS information that a bus belonging to the Bus Rapid Transit, a franchise under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, plunged into

Lagos Lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge, yesterday is untrue, after-all.

However, the rumour sent jitters down the spines of residents, who made frantic calls to various quarters for confirmation or otherwise.

The information was later dismissed by relevant authorities including the: state Police Command, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, L ASTMA, L AMATA, LAG BUS Asset Management, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, among others.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of L AGBUS, Mr. Tunde Disu, quickly went on air at Lagos Television, LTV, to calm the already agitated residents by assuring them that the information going round was only a rumour.

Meantime, an incident that affected a LAGBUS reportedly happened yesterday when one of the branded busses collided with a commercial bus,

popularly known as Danfo, at the Ebute Ero, Lagos.

Vanguard gathered that the LAGBUS, with registration number Lagos KSF76XA, carrying full load of passengers and was heading towards Tafawa Balewa Square when the incident occurred.

A trader under the bridge, who declined to give her name, said: “The green bus was speeding behind the LAGBUS and attempted to overtake it when the incident happened.

"The LAGBUS rammed the bus with registration number Ogun XC595JGB into the railings, almost plunging it into the lagoon.”

The incident caused pandemonium and people began sending exaggerated message.

10—Vanguard, TUESAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Power: Ondo to partner private investors ...Takes preventive cholera measures

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

From left; Mrs. Bimbo Adesanmi, Programme Manager, Partnership For Child Development; Dr. Uko Esiet, member, Partnership for Child Development, International Advisory Board; Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori, Osun State Deputy Governor/Commissioner for Education and Mr. Jayeoba Alagbada, Commissioner for Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment, at the Endorsement and Sign-Off of the Osun Elementary School Feeding, Transition and Strategy Plan, at the Governor's Office in Osogbo.

Ogun govt signs N90.3 bn road contract

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—The Ogun State government yesterday disclosed that it had earmarked N130 billion for the construction of 14 roads across the state.

It, however, signed contracts worth N90.3 billion for the construction of eight out of the 14 roads which cut across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for works, Mr. Olalekan Adegbite said the chosen companies have between 18 and 24 months to

complete the capital intensive projects.

Adegbite addressed newsmen in the company of his counterparts in the ministries of Finance and Information, Justice and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kemi Adeosun, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Wemimo Ogunde and Muyiwa Oladipo respectively He disclosed that the decision to give the contracts out to China Civil Engineering Construction Company, CCECC, PW Construction Ltd, Hi Tech a and Borino Prono Construction Ltd. passed through the due process.

JABU employs 14 first class graduates

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE —THE Joseph Ayo Babalola University, JABU, Ikeji Arakeji, in Osun State has offered automatic appointments to its 14 first class graduates.

Vice Chancellor of the Institution Prof. Sola Fajana said this yesterday at a press conference to herald the 4th convocation ceremony of the institution in which 316 students will be graduating.

According to him, “Our conventional practice of granting automatic appointments to our first class products is now a permanent policy of the

university.

“We have promptly sent letters of appointments to a total number of 14 first class graduates from our second set and about ten of them have so far responded by submitting their letters of acceptance.

“This is put in place to encourage JABU undergraduates to strive towards excellence and distinction as they look up to their graduate teachers as role model and mentors.

On the convocation slated for Friday, Fajana said that nine student had first class, 189 second class upper, 94 second class lower while 24 had third class.

KURE —ONDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has restated his administration’s preparedness to partner private investors and international agencies to boost power supply for its industrialization drive.

Mimiko said this in Akure while declaring open a capacity building workshop with the theme, “Training on

I wont demolish Oyinlola govt’s schools – Aregbesola

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — Osun State government has assured that it has no intention of demolishing school buildings built by the immediate past administration of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The government clarification came on the heel of speculation that the present administration of Rauf Aregbesola was bent on destroying projects including school buildings executed by the Oyinlola administration.

The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Tomori who spoke while addressing a press conference in Osogbo yesterday, noted that the rumours of the demolition are figments of the imaginations of the enemies of progress in the state.

Mrs. Tomori said the government of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has not demolished any of the school buildings that have the inscription of “Oyin ni o,” which was an identity of the buildings built during Oyinlola’s tenure of office.

She said: “We have not demolished any of the buildings built by Oyinlola in any of our schools because we are not ready to waste our money. In fact, we don’t have the paint to waste by erasing “Oyin ni o”

from the buildings. What the present administration has done is to demolish dilapidated buildings in the interest of the lives of the young school children.”

The Deputy Governor who doubles as the Commissioner for Education also disclosed that the state government has suspended some teachers following their absence from duties when she visited the schools.

According to her some of the affected teachers were given two weeks suspension, while some were given a month suspension without pay, stressing that the gravity

of their offence determined their penalty.

It would be recalled that some teachers in some primary and post primary schools in the state were absent from duty when the Deputy Governor paid unscheduled visits to their schools in September this year.

Commenting on the closure of the state College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Mrs. Tomori informed that the institution would be reopened very soon as the state government has commenced the review of the circumstances that led to the closure of the institution.

Diffusion of Turbine Technology for Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development in West Africa,”.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with vast water bodies to aid hydro-power supply.

He noted that his administration was devising means of generating power to grow businesses in the areas that are far away from the gas line which is currently under execution by his administration.

The Governor disclosed that the state government established a Small Hydro Power (SHP) committee two years ago in a tripartite relationship among state government, Bank of Industry (BOI) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) regional centre with the intention to make power available for industrial cluster, cottage industries and SME’s across the State.

Meantime, following the outbreak of cholera in its neighbouring Osun State, the Ondo State government is to commence border immunisation of children in Owena area of the state.

Health Commissioner Dayo Adeyanju said this in Akure at the flag-off of the November 2012 maternal new born and child health week.

...Marks 2 years as governor

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — Osun state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has reiterated the commitment of his administration to make life more abundant for the people of the state through purposeful and visionary leadership.

The governor in a statement in Osogbo yesterday to mark the second year in office said two years in the saddle, “it is obvious to the entire people of the state that the landmark development initiatives of the administration have brought hope back to a hitherto despondent

citizenry.”

The statement, signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, listed concrete achievements in the areas of education, agriculture, roads infrastructure upgrade, urban renewal and environmental and health care delivery.

Others are: restoration of peace and security of lives and properties of the people; tourism development and job creation upon which the citizenry have seen wide gap between the current administration and the past one.

“Our determination to change the face of

education is paying off noticeably as illustrated by the new infrastructure in the schools, development of new school curriculum, substantially increased funding of schools, innovative projects such tablets of knowledge, school uniforms, school feeding programmes and others.

“On agriculture, the people have come to embrace our strategic transformation towards massive food production with loans to farmers and assistance towards formation of more productive cooperative societies; introduction of scientific approach to animal and crops productions.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—11

Uduaghan lauds Nigerian Army over crime prevention in Delta

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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S A B A — D E LTA State Governor, Dr. Emmnauel Uduaghan, says the Nigerian Army has helped in no small measure in checking crimes, especially kidnapping, in the state.

Receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, Asaba, Uduaghan said: “We have a three-point agenda among which are peace and security, and

TOWN HALL MEETING: Cross section of Rivers State Traditional Rulers at the town hall meeting organised by Port Harcourt City Local Government Area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

N'Assembly urged to give royal fathers constitutional roles

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Onolememen berates FRSC over P Ovia River accidents

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—MINIS TER of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, has berated operatives of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, over the number of abandoned lorries by Ovia River, on the Benin-Shagamu Expressway, lamenting that the situation had led to several accidents on that axis.

The Minister, who witnessed two accidents at the Ovia River while inspecting on-going work on the Beniin-Ore Expressway, described the situation as unacceptable and threatened to report the matter to the Corps Marshall of FRSC. He said: “What we saw on the Ovia Bridge is very disturbing. We witnessed two accidents there and FRSC person-

nel were not there to attend to them, but few kilometres from the spot, you have an FRSC point.

This is unacceptable and I am going to take up the issue with FRSC Corps Marshall.”

Speaking on the commitment of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to deliver on the Africa highway project, the Minister, who said the first and

second phases of the Sagamu-Benin Road rehabilitation work would be completed by March 2012, added that the third phase would commence immediately after.

He said: “The road is part of the Trans-Africa Highway beginning from the Lagos coast, through Ore, Benin, to Mombassa (Kenya). You will recall that Mr. President in his nationwide

ACN threatens legal action over Delta Noting that the party LG Caretaker C'ttees was disappointed with

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—DELTA State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has threatened legal action against the Delta State Government over the constitution of Caretaker Committees in 23 out of the 25 local government

areas in the state.

Addressing newsmen after a meeting, ACN state Chairman of the party, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, said a team of lawyers had been put together to examine the caretaker committees set up by the state government instead of conducting council elections.

Oil, gas managers task PTI on partnership

BY EMMA AMAIZE

P

ORT HAR COURT—MANAGERS of oil, gas and allied companies have called on the management of Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, to come up with strategies to actualise the vision of the institute through partnership and collaboration with players in the

speech, said his administration would deliver on its transformational agenda.

“The project started years ago, and it is on schedule. The major problem here is the Ovia River Bridge head and how we can reduce carnage and deaths on that axis. We had approved the construction of barriers to prevent vehicles diving into the river."

sector.

They made the call in a communiqué at the end of a workshop on Training managers of oil and gas and allied companies and PTI management, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The participants also called on PTI to initiate strategic partnership with professional bodies such as Society of Petroleum Engineers, SPE,

Nigeria Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, and the Federal Ministry of Labour to obtain international certification for its industry related courses.

It noted that the state of the art equipment installed under the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, upgrade project “is a crucial basis for acquiring such international accreditation.”

the action of the state government, he said ACN was prepared for the council polls, only for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to inaugurate caretaker committees.

He said: “ACN had hoped for the conduct of council elections when the governor recently forwarded names of nominees for the composition of the state Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, to the state Assembly, although some of the nominees were faulted by us and the House was accordingly petitioned.”

Noting that there was an existing ruling on the matter in respect of Edo State, he stressed the need for the court to further interpret the law. He maintained that the party was hopeful of wining no fewer than 17 out of the 25 councils in the state.

the Army is playing a very crucial role in this regard.

“Sometimes, some of the issues are overwhelming for other security agencies and we've had to call on the Army for assistance and they have done creditably well. Your men on ground here have done well and have been very supportive.

“We have regular Security Council meetings and their contributions at these meetings have actually helped us to keep the state peaceful."

ORT HAR COURT— TRADITIONAL rulers in the country have urged the National Assembly to ensure that they were assigned constitutional responsibilities as the process to amend the constitution intensifies.

National Chairman, Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, King Frank Eke, Eze Oha Evo II of Evo Kingdom, who spoke, yesterday, in Port

Harcourt, Rivers State, said traditional rulers should be assigned the constitutional duty of maintaining peace in their respective domains.

He said they should be made to work with security agencies and government to achieve lasting peace in their areas.

He said such constitutional duty, in addition to the advisory role they currently play, would make traditional institutions to be active in promoting decent values in their various kingdoms.

GCU Old Boys hold luncheon

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HE Old Boys’ Asso ciation of Government College Ughelli, GCUOBA, Lagos branch, is to hold its annual luncheon on December 2, at the banquet hall, Sheraton Hotel, Lagos.

A statement by the Association's committee secretary, Mr. Akeju Akintomiwa, said the event to be attended by prominent Old Boys and other eminent Nigerians will also provide an opportu-

nity to raise fund for other laudable projects in the school.

Akintomiwa disclosed that Chief Newton Jibunor, former Chairman, Managing Director of Costain West Africa Plc will chair the event.

He said in the last five years, the association had supported Delta State Government by committing over N120 million to the provision of much needed facilities in the school.

Salvation Army distributes relief materials to flood victims in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HAR COURT—FOLLOWING widespread complaints of food shortages and health hazards by returnee flood victims in Ubarama and Abwunugbokor, in Rivers State, the Salvation Army has distributed food items and mosquito nets to communities in Ahoada West Local Gov-

ernment Area of the state.

Major Joseph Mbagwu, Commander, Rivers/ Bayelsa Division of the Salvation Army, who supervised the sharing of the items, weekend, told Vanguard, that the gesture was one of the measures by the Christian voluntary group to assist the internally displaced persons to settle down as they return home from the various relief camps.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Okada ban: Uduaghan deserves kudos —Delta PDP chieftain

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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From right: Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Aliru Momoh and Obi of Owa, HRM, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, when the latter's son, Kenneth Efeizomor, got married at Owa-Oyibu, weekend.

CHEIFTIAN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Michael Tidi, has commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for banning the use of motorcycles as a means of transportation in the state, describing the decision as a life saving legacy.

He also commended the governor for rehabilitating major roads in Warrri metropolis, noting that it was a befitting legacy to the people of Delta.

Rivers spends N5.4bn on building of primary schools in P-Harcourt

One killed, two Lebanese kidnapped R in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—AP PREHENSION, yesterday, enveloped Gbarigolor, a riverine community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the kidnap of two Lebanese and one Nigerian attached to Setraco Nigeria Limited, a construction firm working in the area, by unknown gunmen.

A native of the community identified as Mr Joseph Akpudi, working with the construction firm was reportedly killed in an exchange of gun fire between the suspected kidnappers and local vigilante after security aides attached to the expatriates fled into the swamps for safety following the heavy shootout.

The expatriates simply identified as Hadrid and Ghardel, were whisked away by the abductors in a waiting speed boat, af-

ter they allegedly stormed the hitherto peaceful Gbarigolor community 9am. At press time, the name of the abducted Nigerian was still unknown.

Heavily armed, the suspected kidnappers, Vanguard gathered, escaped into the creeks, meandered through the Esama River and headed towards Bayelsa State.

A reliable source told Vanguard, that a commercial motorcyclist identified as Emiekeme was hit by stray bullet and is receiving treatment in a private hospital in Bomadi.

The source, who does not want his name in print, said the company was working on the Gbarigolo/Esama Bridge when the hoodlums struck.

BY EMMA AMAIZE & AUSTIN OGWUDA

sons, IDPs, in the state to the committee for appropriate management.

The committee, chaired by a former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai, rtd., in an interim report submitted to the governor, said the committee planned to “open one or two bank account(s) for the purpose and operate same to tackle the immediate prob-

P

ORT HAR COURT—VICTIMS of the flood disaster in Rivers State have appealed to the Federal and Rivers State governments for financial assistance to rebuild their homes that were washed away by the flood.

IVERS State gover nor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday, said his administration had spent over N5.4 billion in building model primary schools in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Amaechi added that his government would increase the number of classrooms from 14 to 20 classroom blocks to meet the increasing number of school children seeking admission in the state’s model primary schools.

He spoke during a town hall meeting with

the people of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area at the council headquarters, yesterday.

The town hall meeting is a regular interactive forum between the state governor and the people of the 23 local government areas of the state.

Amaechi said: “In Port Harcourt alone, we had built 32 primary schools and 80 per cent of the contracts were given to Rivers people. We spent N5.447 billion in building primary schools and other institutions in Port Harcourt."

Delta flood c'ttee begs Uduaghan to Delta Central, South urged to concede 2015 guber to North release FG’s N500m grant

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ARRI—THE Committee on Management of the Federal Government Fund and Post Flooding Rehabilitation of Victims in Delta State, has called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to release the N500 million grant for internally displaced per-

We've nowhere to go —Rivers flood camp on Sunday. He victims said after he announced

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. However, a senior police officer in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.

The source said the police was on top of the situation and expressed hope that the suspected hoodlums would be arrested and bought to book.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday in Warri, Tidi argued that Uduaghan has been able to uplift the socio-economic state of the people because of the good team he had.

He said: “Your road rehabilitation across the state, especially in Warri metropolis, has in many ways improved socioeconomic activities in the state. We are also appreciative of the ban on okada as commercial means of transportation. That alone is laudable because of the inherent nuisance motorcycles constitute to members of the public."

Some of them who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday, at a camp in Okobe community, Ahoada West Local Government Area, said they were yet to move out of the camp after it was shut on Sunday.

The Camp Coordinator, Pastor Chibuzor Okpoko told Vanguard, that he got instruction to shut the

the closure of the camp on Sunday, most of the displaced victims were yet to go back home as at yesterday.

He said they had come to complain to him that they had nowhere to relocate to. He enjoined the Federal and Rivers State governments to assist the victims with money to rebuild their houses.

lems facing the victims.”

Meanwhile, Governor Uduaghan, has given indication that a new bill was in the making aimed at protecting the environment and to forestall future menace of flooding in the state.

The governor, while presenting the 2013 budget proposal of N398.31 billion to the State House of Assembly, said: “We have commenced action to protect the environment with relevant bill, which shall be presented to this House in due course. Unapproved structures standing on water ways are being removed. In the days to come, we would unfold more measures to strengthen our flood protection system.

“As a way forward and for better and larger participation, we shall in the course of 2013 introduce measures aimed at educating our people more on the issue of environment and climate change."

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

P

EOPLES Democrat ic Party, PDP, chieftain in Delta State, Chief Godswil Obielum, has urged Delta South and Central Senatorial districts in the state to concede the 2015 governorship slot to the North without any strings attached.

Speaking while receiving a delegation of Anioma Agenda during a courtesy call on him, the PDP chieftain said if left alone, the top contend-

ers for the PDP ticket would decide on the ticket without rancour.

The Anioma Agenda delegation led by its chairman, Mr. Alex Onwuaduamu, on his part said the group was committed to the emergence of an indigene of Delta North as the next governor of the state based on equity, fairness and justice, stressing that the zone was the only one of the three senatorial zones in the state yet to produce a governor for the state.

Onokpite: Family cries out one year after those behind his killing.

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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NE year after the governorship candidate of Citizens Popular Party, CPP, in Delta State, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, was killed, his family, yesterday, called on the police to expose

Addressing newsmen, counsel to the family, Mr. Odiana Eriata, noted that available information from police so far, had shown that a killer gang exists in the state.

He alleged that there had been attempts to cover up the extra-judicial killing of the politician.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—13

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14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Obi donates N50m to 3 mission schools in Onitsha B VINCENT UJUMADU

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DINNER: From left: Country Commercial Manager Nigeria, British Airways/Iberia, Mr. Kola Olayinka; CEO, British Airways, Mr. Keith Williams; Special Adviser to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Iyal; former Minister of Tourism, Mr. Franklin Adejuwon and GM Africa, British Airways, Mr. Ian Petrie, at the executive dinner organised by British Airways in Abuja.

Nursing mother stabs husband to death in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI— EBONYI State police command, weekend, arrested a 24-year-old nursing mother, Mrs. Edith Okoji, for allegedly stabbing her husband to death after a quarrel revolving around infidelity.

The incident which occurred last Sunday at No. 8 Eze Street,

Abakaliki, generated lots of insinuations as bewildered neighbours in the area were seen discussing the matter in small groups.

Briefing newsmen on the incident, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Sylvester Igbo, said the deceased, Mr. Oyenel Okoji, was an Assistant Superintend-

ent of Immigration attached to Ebonyi State Headquarters of the agency.

According to him, investigation so far conducted by the police on the matter indicated that the accused, who already had three children for the man, may have carried out the act on the ground that her husband was suspecting her of infidelity.

The police spokesman

revealed that the accused, who was a law student of Nigeria Open University, had admitted committing the crime but blamed it on the devil.

The body of the deceased, who hailed from Ahoda-East local government area of River State as the wife, had been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, FETHA, for autopsy.

State creation: S-East Govs, stakeholders hold talks in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE NUGU—LEADERS of the South East zone of the country, including governors, former governors, former ministers, traditional rulers held an emergency meeting in Enugu yesterday where they dialogued on how to handle the issue of creation of an additional state from the area.

Although the participants declined to comment on how the meeting handled the issue of discordant tunes exemplified in the number of state agitations coming from the zone, it appeared they were close to agreeing to a particular demand from the area.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and his Anambra State counterpart and chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Mr. Peter Obi, spoke separately to newsmen but none of them actually gave an inkling as to which particular demand the leaders were likely to adopt.

In the same manner,

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Senator Ayogu Eze, former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, former MAMSER director-general, Prof, Elochukwu Amaucheazi, former president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Jus-

tice Eze Ozobu, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo, acting governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, among others declined comments on what transpired.

However, both Obi and Okorocha who spoke briefly, hinted that the leaders will converge again shortly to take the final decision that would be binding on Ndigbo on the issue of creation of an additional state for the zone.

Wogu sold indicted firm —Company Secretary

BY WILLIAM JIMOH BUJA—THE veil surrounding the reported linkage of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, to Pinnacle Contractors Limited, one of the companies indicted by the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede panel on subsidy claims lifted yesterday.

The company which was indicted by the Imoukhuede committee for fraudulently receiving N2,755,646,744.04 was confirmed sold in March 2010 by the Company Secretary, Mr. Oliver Enyinninya.

Wogu would not speak on the development yesterday, but the Company Secretary, Oliver Enyinninya of the firm who handled the transaction confirmed the transfer of the company prior to Wogu’s ascent to the fed-

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eral cabinet.

Wogu had reportedly floated the company in the nineties but sold it in 2010.

“I have been legal secretary of Pinnacle Contractors up to 2010 when it was sold and I am aware of that transaction,” Enyinninya told Vanguard yesterday.

“As I speak to you now, I cannot legally say that I am the Company Secretary to Pinnacle Contractors. I was company secretary when my clients were involved in it and that was up to 2010 when they transferred all their interests and my retainer ceased,” he added.

“I was Company Secretary from about 1999 to 2010, and I was participatory to the transaction for the transfer of ownership.”

There were indications yesterday that the reports linking Wogu to the company may have been moti-

vated to blight the minister’s political standing in his native Abia State where he is a leading member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

WKA—GOVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has distributed cheques of N50 million to three secondary schools owned by the missionaries in Onitsha for various development projects.

The benefiting schools are Christ the King College, CKC, Queen of the Rosary College, QRC, and St. Charles Science School.

Obi, on the occasion, assured that he would continue to partner with the church and other

groups to uplift the society, adding that his interest in education was borne out of the realization that it remained the best legacy one could bequeath to the youth for future challenges.

The governor explained that the on-going Prof. Chike Obi Science Centre at CKC was a project being executed by the late Prof. Chike Obi’s children, in collaboration with the state government, to honour the great mathematician who was an old boy of the college.

Customs impounds N1bn contraband

BY LAJA THOMAS

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WERRI—FEDERAL operation unit zone C Owerri of Nigeria Customs Service has impounded contraband goods with duty paid value of N1,005,870.207.00 from smugglers in the Eastern axis between January and October 2012.

The unit’s Comptroller, Mohammed Biu, disclosed this at a briefing in Owerri, Imo State

capital.

According to him, the large quantity of the contraband goods was intercepted when he assumed duty.

He said of the figure, he said the unit recorded a seizure of goods worth N600m within two months.

Comptroller Biu said the seizure comprised second hand clothing, used tyres and poultry products amongst others.

Education Minister tasks varsities on job creation

BY EMMNUELELEBEKE BUJA—MINIS TER of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, yesterday, said the focus of Nigerian universities should be on how to produce quality graduates that are not only employable but capable of creating jobs.

She decried as worrisome the situation where graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria were only trained to be job seekers after graduation without using their

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talents to create jobs in the face of the acute unemployment problem facing the country.

The minister represented by the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okogie, spoke in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the Training of Trainers workshop for Nigerian Tertiary institutions organised by SMEDAN, in collaboration with NUC and University of Ibadan.

FG, Embraer open talks on re-fleeting of efficient and appropriate domestic airlines

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR HE FEDERAL Gov ernment and Brazilian plane maker, Embraer, have agreed to collaborate to facilitate efforts to assist domestic airlines acquire new aircraft.

This is the outcome of preliminary talks opened last weekend in S.J Dos Campos, the headquarters of Embraer in Brazil by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, led by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi,

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and Senior Vice President Operations/Chief Operating Officer of Embraer, Mr. Luis Carlos Affonso.

Uriesi told the Embraer executives that the Federal Government had resolved to assist domestic airlines in Nigeria re-fleet with new aircraft, working directly with aircraft manufacturers across the world.

He emphasised the need for the use of proper equipment (aircraft) by domestic operators, explaining that informed the need for government to intervene directly in the acquisition of aircraft that are effective,

for the region/routes.

He said: “Domestic Carriers use wrong equipment for most of their operations.

There is no established record of sustainability for these airlines mainly because of the use of wrong equipment."

Speaking on behalf of Embraer, Luis Carlos Affonso, said the company welcomed the opportunity to work, partner and collaborate with the Federal Government in its desire and determination to assist domestic carriers acquire new and more efficient fleet.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—15

BOMBED: Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State (right) and AVM Ibrahim Abdullahi Kure, Commandant, Command and Staff College, Jaji, at the military barracks' Church in Jaji, scene of bomb blast, yesterday. PHOTO:Olu Ajayi.

Lawmakers probe Petroleum Ministry's budget for rents

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), yesterday, summoned the Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani AllisonMadueke, over the ministry’s huge allocations for rents in the ministry’s 2013 budget proposal.

Members of the committee were miffed that funds proposed for rents in the 2013 budget for agencies’ in the ministry amounted to over N1 billion, besides a billion naira earlier ‘wasted’ by the ministry in acquiring a property that was later

revoked.

The Committee, chaired by Ajibola Muraina (PDP-Oyo), at the budget defense meeting with Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, observed that several agencies in the oil sector still appropriated several billions of naira as rents in their annual budget, instead of striving to have their own buildings.

Ajibola wondered why government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, could not agree among themselves to do the right thing out of patriotism.

... question conflicting Agric Ministry's allocations

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives is set for a showdown with the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, over conflicting positions given on the 2013 budget.

Adesina had in a letter to 39 agencies, dated November 20, 2012, with a reference number FMA/DFA/3415/1/117, threatened sanctions against any agency that sought an increment from the Ministry’s proposed budget as submitted to the National Assembly in September.

The minister ’s directive, signed on his behalf by one Mr. Idris Mamman, read in part: “You are also to ensure that your programmes/ projects and capital ceilings are at par with what was approved in the executive bill as any deviation from the 2013 ExecuC M Y K

tive Bill will be viewed as serious misconduct.

Please ensure compliance.”

MTNF: From left— Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Commissioner for Education; Ms Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, MTNF; Oba Oyedeji Ayinla Isiba, Olu of Agege; and Mr. Dennis Okoro, Director, MTNF, at MTNF Science Techology Laboratory upgrade at Vetland Grammar School, Agege, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akintola Joseph, Photo Editor.

Reps summon Anenih over N2.3bn road project

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, summoned former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, over the N2.3 billion purportedly disbursed for an abandoned road project in Nassarawa State in 2006.

The contract was awarded in 2001.

House Committee on Public Accounts also summoned the site engineers, Federal Controller of Works and Permanent Secretary of the ministry when the contract was awarded.

The committee, chaired

by Solomon Olamilekan, however, said it would not hesitate to use the services of Interpol to extradite the contractor, Torino Internazionale Nigeria

Limited, that left the country after collecting N1.8 billion without executing the road project.

According to him, Chief Anenih had been invited in respect of a memo he presented to the then Federal Executive Council, FEC, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which made the body to award the contract, despite earlier strong advice that the firm had no technical capacity to handle the road project.

The committee expressed reservation as to why such huge amount of money would go down the drain under the watchful eyes of those at the helms of affairs.

Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF, had in its 2006 audit report, alleged that the failed road contract was awarded at the cost of N2.3 billion, of

which N552 million was paid, before the contract was terminated.

The contractor later went to court and obtained court judgment of N1.3 billion against the Federal Government for terminating the contract.

Another in Enugu

In a related development, the committee had summoned another contractor along with site engineers and Federal Controller of Roads over another failed N1.45 billion road contract in Enugu State.

The AuGF, in a query also raised in 2006, alleged that the contract was awarded in 1999 at the cost sum of N1.45 billion and had reached about 70 percent completion before it was terminated on the request of the contractor and later

PDP, ANC move to unite Nigeria, S/Africa

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—AS part of moves to boost the economy of Nigeria and South Africa, Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and African National Congress, ANC, have both agreed to come together.

Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja, at his private residence when he received the delegation of ANC, led by its Treasurer-General, Dr. Mathews Phosa, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called on the South Africa ruling party to come to Nigeria and invest in infrastructure, solid mineral

exploration, agriculture, refineries, among others.

According to him, it had become imperative for both parties, as ruling parties in their respective countries, to come together and build what he called a United States of Africa to beat the United States of America, Japan, Russia and other developed countries of the world.

Tukur said it was time ruling parties in Africa helped in strengthening Africa’s peace as well as fortify trade and investments across the continent.

He said trade and investments remained the most potent way of har-

nessing the resources of the continent.

Tukur said: “We believe that ruling parties in Africa must build stronger ties and have a common platform to articulate the challenges facing African continent and stimulate a peaceful United States of Africa.

“We must also explore the potentials of trade and investments across the countries in Africa as it remains a viable tool in harnessing the potentialities in the continent.”

Earlier in his remarks, Phosa explained that he was in Nigeria with his team to return PDP ‘s visit of a few months ago

to South Africa, disclosing that the visit was also an avenue to exploit the potentials of both countries, especially in the areas of trade and investment.

Phosa added that both parties stood to learn and gain a lot from each other.

Some notable South African businessmen on the entourage of Dr. Phosa included Robert Gumede, Executive Chairman, Guma Group; Ivor Ichikowitz, Executive Chairman, Paramount Group; Mario Pikan, Executive Director, Guma Group; and Eric Ichikowitz, Executive Director, Paramount Group.

re-awarded.

Terminated, re-awarded

Federal Controller of Works, Engineer Dan Shehu, who appeared alongside Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji A. Mohammed, alleged that the road contract was terminated at the instance of the contractor, who claimed that the contract was awarded at a low rate and as such could not continue.

He said this prompted the government to reaward the remaining 30 percent at the cost N1.09 billion.

At this stage, committee members became furious as to why the remaining 30 percent part of the contract should be awarded at a cost of N1.09 billion for a job that could only require between N300 and N500 million to complete.

Consequently, the committee summoned the site engineer and other key officials of the ministry, when the contract was awarded, to appear before it along with the photographs of the controversial roads.

‘Shady' vouchers in Works Ministry

Also, the committee had set up a sub-committee to verify about 150 “shady” vouchers from the Ministry of Works amounting to N2.2 billion, which the ministry could not account for.

The sub-committee, headed by Pally Iriase, has a representative of the AuGF and is expected to report back within seven days.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Kebbi uncovers 9,258 ghost workers

B

IRNIN KEBBI— KEBBI State Verification Committee on Local Government Staff has uncovered 9,258 “ghost workers” in the 21 local councils, an official of the workers union has said.

Alhaji Bello Barade, state Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, that the figure included workers that failed to appear for clearance.

Barade said the exercise, conducted two months ago, had cleared

24,126 workers “as genuine staff of the councils.

“The records of such workers were studied and they were cleared. The exercise was not aimed at witch-hunting any worker.”

He disclosed that 12,830 of the workers verified “were beneficiaries of political patronage.

“Such categories of staff would not be considered as workers due to the nature of their recruitment on political grounds, but they would continue to enjoy their salaries and allowances.”

SERC builds first renewable energy village

BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

S

OKOTO—SOKOTO Energy Research Centre of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, UDUS, has built the firstever Integrated Renewable Energy Powered Model Village in the country.

Meeting

C

HAIRMAN, Caretaker Committee, Ethiope East Local Government, Chief Sunday Onriode, has invited all registered contractors with the local government to an important meeting.

A statement said the meeting, scheduled for tomorrow at 10am in the council hall of the local government in Isiokolo, was meant for local government contractors who were yet to be paid.

The project, situated at Danjawa model village in Wamakko Local Government of Sokoto State, was built at the cost of N22,739,330 and designed to integrate major renewable energy technology.

Director of the Centre, Prof. Bashir Danshehu made this known at a three-day international workshop on Model Rural Village Through the Applications of Renewable Energy Systems, held at the centre’s auditorium in the university, yesterday.

He said the project “comprised photovoltaic and wind power systems to provide electrical needs of the village, while the solar water heater would provide for hot water requirements and the bio-gas plant to carter for cooking requirements of some selected houses.”

Ex-ANPP boss, two others killed zBomb planted on ex-cop's rooftop

BY SUZAN EDEH & NDAHI MARAMA

B

AUCHI—THREE people, including the District Head of Gudumbali, Zanna Mulima and former local council chairman of All Nigeria Peoples’ Party, ANPP, have been reported killed in separate attacks in Borno and Bauchi states, weekend.

In Maiduguri, Borno State capital, the former ANPP boss, Alhaji Tar Kusurambe was killed by unidentified gunmen.

Two other persons were killed in Bauchi, even as an explosive planted in the house of a retired police officer at Gudum Sayawa, was successfully defused.

15 gunmen

Vanguard gathered that unknown gunmen, numbering about 15, stormed Gudun Sayawa, a suburb of Bauchi at about 8pm and killed the two persons.

One of the victims, Mrs. Alheri Ayuba, a mother of three, was killed on her way from a neighbourhood, while Iliya Duba was shot dead as he was about to go to bed.

Some residents of the area, however, alleged that the attack was targeted at a retired police officer. The explosive was found atop the roof of the said officer ’s house.

According to sources, some of the residents of Gudun Sayawa put distressed calls to the anti-

bomb squad, which quickly evacuated the explosive.

Some members of the vigilante group in the area, however, claimed that the police reportedly prevented them from pursuing the gunmen with the aim of arresting them in the premises of a company where they hid shortly after the gun attack.

They vowed to retaliate, blaming the Isa Yuguda’s administration for failing to address the insecurity challenges experienced in the area,

alleging religious intolerance.

9 in Zango

Some weeks ago, nine people were killed in Zango, near Gudun Sayawa, in similar circumstances.

Among hundreds of sympathisers, who stormed the area to see the level of damage, was Director-General InterReligious Council, Pastor Kennedy Masau.

Masau, however, condemned the incident, saying it was not only

... as Nasarawa Senator distances self from communal crises

L

AFIA—SENATOR representing Nasarawa North, Sen. Solomon Ewuga, CPC, yesterday, dissociated himself from the ethnic crisis in Nasarawa South Senatorial District of the state.

Ewuga distanced himself from the crisis in a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia.

Ewuga, however, condemned the recent crisis between Eggon people in Assakio and the recent one between them and Koro people at Agyaragu.

The lawmaker expressed shock over the loss of lives and property as a result of the crises in Agyaragu and Assakio.

He said: “We have for long been living as brothers and sisters in the state.

Why is it now that we have to take arms and begin to kill each other?

“There is the need for all of us to know that we are our brother’s keeper and that the whole state belongs to all of us. As such we should learn to

embrace dialogue whenever there is disagreement.

“We should do this anywhere we find ourselves as no meaningful achievement can be recorded in an atmosphere of rancour.”

Kano records 4,413 TB cases

K

ANO—A total of 4,413 new cases of tuberculosis were registered in Kano from January to September this year, Dr. Tijjani Hussain, Coordinator of Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in the state, has said.

Hussain told newsmen in Kano, yesterday, that the number of TB cases had been on the increase since 2003.

He said the number of

registered cases had jumped from 2,236 patients in 2003 to 6,090 cases in 2011. He, however, assured that the figure was not frightening as it was below the 20,000 new TB cases expected to be discovered yearly in the state.

Hussain said so far, 50,701 tuberculosis patients had been diagnosed and put on treatment in the last nine years across the state.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

barbaric but uncalled for.

He called on the people to be at alert and guard themselves against future occurrence to ensure peace, unity and tranquillity in the state.

Attempts to confirm the incident from the Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ladan Mohammed, were futile.

Meanwhile, Kusurambe was shot dead at his residence at 2am in Magumeri town, barely two days after returning from Saudi Arabia on the 2012 hajj exercise.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Do you support creation of new states?(3)

I

N Ogun State, for example, internally-generated revenue and Federal Government allocation are used on Abeokuta territory, while little is spent in Ijebu. So the clamour for Ijebu State is justified.— Ms. Afolashade Sangobanwo, Lawyer.

C M Y K

T

HIS issue cannot elicit a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. It requires an understanding of what provokes application for creation of states and looking at the benefits as well.

For me, a restructuring of state institutions and mode of operation should be genuine.— Mr. Martins Bisong, Lawyer.

W

HY create more states when the existing ones are not economically viable? In fact, some states should be merged. Somebody is telling me that we need to create more states when the existing ones cannot sustain themselves?— Mr. Mike Dedon, Lawyer.

T

HE critical questions are whether the new states will be created as stipulated in the Constitution and if it would be based on fairness and equal distribution? What does Nigeria stand to benefit? We should be talking more of quality service delivery.— Mr. Tosho Suleiman, Lawyer.

I

T is better to focus on developing the existing states and empowering our local governments.

The states created by the military only exist on the map to make up the numbers without actually discharging its duties and obligation to the citizenry.— Mr. Adebowale Kamoru, Lawyer.

T

HERE is no need for creation of new states. All we need is to focus on the existing states and provide the basic amenities. When we had regions, it was easier because there was competition and growth, unlike now.— Ms. Adesola Olatayo, Lawyer.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—17

I

Will Nigerians obey the new Constitution?

Lawlessness, our bane

I

am also one of those who believe that a more law abiding people would have made more progress with the 1999 Constitution even with all the flaws.

Many Nigerians will say that our problem as a nation is ethnicity. Others will even say our problem is corruption.

But I will say that the crises of the nation from independence have been largely because of our unwillingness to obey the laws we made for ourselves by ourselves! Nigerians, especially our political leaders, are geniuses when it comes to sidestepping, avoiding and outright disobeying of our laws. So the question many people are asking now is what use would the present effort serve if at the end the outcome will not be obeyed or we lack the will to enforce them? Those who express such scepticisms have good reasons. Though our laws are the same but we have two systems of application; the poor man who steals a goat may rot in jail awaiting trial; the big man who steals billions can have his passport released to him to go abroad for medical tourism, and if ever convicted (which is near impossible with a retinue of Senior Advocates of Nigeria who arrange plea-bargaining) he simply spends time in a five star cell in a private hospital!

The 1999 Constitution, for example, provided that when a legislator elected on the platform of a political party defects to another party, he or she loses his or her seat, except in the case where the party on whose platform the legislator was elected is factionalised or merges with another party. I am aware that there was a Supreme Court ruling during the Obasanjo-Atiku imbroglio as it affected a president or vice president and a similar ruling on governors during Governor Yuguda’s case. But I cannot remember if there has been a similar ruling concerning legislators or when that section of the Constitution was deleted or amended.

But we have witnessed many legislators defect to other parties without the leadership of the National Assembly as much as calling their attention to the provision of the law. It is as if it did not exist. There was a case where a court, I think is a South West state, ruled that a defecting legislator should vacate his seat. Otherwise that provision in the Constitution is as good as dead. Those decent enough to go through the motion of obeying the law went to their wards to simulate crisis and thereafter told us that their party was factionalised! We C M Y K

all know that what the Constitution envisaged was fractionalisation of a party at the national level! Yet, the law makers have been law breakers, taking the nation for a ride!

Between November 23, 2009 when President UmaruYar’Adua went to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for medical treatment and May 2010 when he died, the nation was dragged through what many agreed was a needless constitutional crisis over a simple matter of writing to inform the National Assembly about his medical vacation as provided by the Constitution. It was clear then to any discernible person that a president who made rule of law a cardinal principle of his administration could not wilfully subject the nation to the trauma we went through; meaning that at the time and in the condition President Yar’Adua left the country, he may not have been in a position to transmit a letter before proceeding to Saudi Arabia. But it was some power mongers around him who did not want such constitutional provision obeyed.

After all, if Yar’Adua was able to sign a Supplementary Budget from his hospital bed, it would have been possible for him to sign a letter!

The crux of the matter was that transmitting the letter to the National Assembly would have transferred power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to become Acting President till Yar’Adua returned. Why the Constitution provided for a joint ticket of a President and Vice President was to avoid vacuum in the nation’s leadership. It clearly

stated that where for any reason the President could not carry out his or her responsibilities, the Vice President stepped in. But there were people who did not want that law obeyed so that power did not go to Jonathan. They, therefore, devised all manner of lies and shenanigans that made the nation look ridiculous and unserious in the eyes of the world. Even when, for the fear that the Federal Executive Council was about to invoke section 144 of the Constitution, the manipulators (we called them “the cabal” then) hurriedly ferried Yar’Adua back to the country, the serial lies continued. Today, Yar’Adua was seen climbing ten flights of stairs; the next day he was seen playing squash; yet another time he was seen in his study! The next day he receives marabouts and Pentecostal clerics! Yet, the man would not see his Vice or go to

,

N recent times, Nigeria has preoccupied itself with the review/ amendment of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Yes, as amended! It is less than three years since the constitution was amended, you remember? Now we are at it again. Let me say that the exercise is very desirable. We all acknowledge the flaws in the Constitution. I was a member of the Citizens’ Forum for Constitution Reform, CFCR, that, from 1999 to 2002, looked at the flaws in the 1999 Constitution and came out with a model constitution. The gender issue that played out during the aborted swearing in of Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo as a Judge of the Appeal Court was just one of the several abnormalities in the 1999 Constitution interrogated during those efforts. Even though the efforts of the CFCR and other civil society organisations were made available to the politicians during the moneyguzzling nationwide gyrations about constitution amendment, including Obasonjo’s National Political Reform Conference, the politicians simply looked the other way and embarked on self-serving exercise with the sole intent to consolidate their stranglehold on the people. So I have no illusions whatsoever about the necessity for a more inclusive and participatory constitution review process as the recent exercise tried to achieve.

At the root of our inability to make progress as a nation is our penchant to disobey laws. In every case of political instability you can always locate where the law has been flagrantly violated

,

his office! An impression was created that there were two Presidents in the Villa! It was all lies to avoid obeying the Constitution.

Religious & geographical sentiments

W

hen we try to obey the Constitution, we infuse into it religious and geographical sentiments for what we call balance. Thus, when the President is a Northerner, we ensure that his Vice is a Southerner. When he is a Christian, we insist that his Vice must be a Muslim. This so-called balance satisfies our short term expectations until something happens, as in the case of Yar’Adua’s illness and death, which puts such short term calculations to test. Then, the Southern Vice President is no longer good

Biafra, Odi and defenders of genocide

I

WAS amused by the altercation between the Obasanjo camp and President Jonathan’s camp. In a recent speech in Warri, Obasanjo reportedly dismissed President Jonathan as a weak leader over his handling of the security challenges of the country. And in his recent media chat, President Jonathan counter-punched Obasonjo for killing defenceless old men, women and children in Odi, Bayelsa and Zaki-Biam in Benue. He said OBJ killed defenceless civilians and not militants.

And pronto, Femi Fani-Kayode, the historian, jumped out to rationalise that, actually, the massacre of men, women and children in Odi helped stem the killing of security men by militants! Few weeks ago, Femi Fani-Kayode jumped out to defend Chief Obafemi Awolowo and excoriate Chinua Achebe’s deprecation of Awo’s use of mass starvation as weapon of war against Biafrans. Mass starvation of Biafrans quickened the end of the war, he rationalised. And Gen. Gowon lent his support by insisting he had no regrets for using mass starvation against Biafrans. But last week, Gowon again lent his voice, except that this time he was lambasting Obasanjo, for killing innocent civilians in Odi! It seems genocide is becoming a golden bullet for quickly dealing with our national problems! I found these exchanges, especially Gen. Gowon’s intervention in both cases, very interesting. Now, my question to Gen. Gowon is, when is genocide not genocide?

enough to succeed his principal and the Muslim Vice becoming President is construed as an attempt to Islamise the country! If we know we are never going to stand by the Federal characterisation of the presidency, why not have Northern-Northern, ChristianChristian or Muslim-Muslim ticket (as we had in 1993) so that should the Yar’Adua scenario occur, we do not feel we are losing power? Taraba State presented a case similar to the Yar’Adua scenario recently when Governor Suntai was ferried to Germany for treatment and some elements tried to frustrate his Deputy from taking over. These things show a tragic lack of respect for the law.

Last week, the Daily Sun newspaper reported the arrest of a member of the Federal House of Representatives at the Games Village Junction in Abuja by Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, for driving against the traffic (Daily Sun November 23, 2012, page 13). He was reported to have resisted arrest because he was hurrying to a meeting with Dr. NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance. Even Mr. Steve Orosanya will scream: “So what?!” It was further reported that the recalcitrant law breaker challenged the officer to watch out for public officers who have exception while using the road as the rule should be bent for their sake! His quote: “That is why am telling you that in government there are people that are allowed to bend some of the laws”. This is a typical example of why we have the rot in our system. A US senator that does this knows that he will land in jail and such a scandal that may cost him his seat! But not in Nigeria! Ours is a jungle!

The former National Security Adviser, Gen. Azazi, traced the present violence in some parts of Northern Nigeria to the crisis of zoning in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Some disputed the link to violence, and indeed the President and the PDP did not seem to share Azazi’s sense of humour; he thereafter lost his job. But many agreed with Azazi. However, we can locate a sidestepping of the zoning rule inscribed in the constitution of the PDP in the emergence of President Jonathan as candidate of the party in 2011. People who had different views, including the former chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, met with certain unpleasantness. There is no knowing the trajectory the country would have followed had the PDP obeyed its own rules. And this is not peculiar to the PDP alone. The opposition parties that hypocritically criticise the PDP are no better when it comes to obeying their own rules. That is why there is hardly any political party today that is not crisis ridden, to the detriment of peace and stability of the country.

Even with the tentative attempt to define our country as a secular state, we still see religion intruding into the political affairs of the country with attendant tension. Clerics have openly campaigned for political parties by sending threatening text messages to voters about damnation and in a certain case clerics in full regalia were seen at polling booths intimidating voters.

Many times workers' unions have subjected the nation to avoidable traumatic work stoppages on the grounds that governments refused to obey agreements reached with the unions. Corruption is ravaging our country today simply because people are violating laws and, unfortunately, getting away with it. At the root of our inability to make progress as a nation is our penchant to disobey laws. In every case of political instability you can always locate where the law has been flagrantly violated. Nigerians not only want to have their say, they also insist on having their way, whether right or wrong!

Nigeria is the only country I know that wants to be one of the best in the world, but with a set of rules different from that which produces the best among nations.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, cannot convict high profile thieves. EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde, while asking for more money to run his unproductive organisation told the Senate that big thieves had resources to keep their loot while their cases linger in court.

What is the solution? “Unfortunately, these are people who have the resources to drag these cases indefinitely and perpetually. We have established a very strong assets forfeiture unit. The first thing we do now is that we try to recover and confiscate the assets of individuals that we are investigating because it is only when you deprive them of their resources that you will be able to force them to stand trial,” Lamorde explained. He probably expects Nigerians to applaud his ingenuity.

How would he seize assets without going to the same courts he said the thieves manipulate to keep their loot? Lamorde cannot fool Nigerians. EFCC is notorious for bungling cases in court. Many cases it takes to court are thrown out because it

BY ADEWALE KUPOLUYI

Continued from Monday viewpoint

A

FURTHER breakdown showed that while personnel allocation increased

by N38.584bn, overheads got N1.836bn and capital N3.231bn, respectively.

Disturbed by the huge gap between amount for capital and recurrent expenditure, the Senate Committee on Education has had to query the large percentage of the Ministry ’s budget voted for recurrent expenditure to the detriment of capital expenditure for infrastructure in the sector.

The Chairman of the Committee, Uche Chukwumerije, observed that the distribution of funds between recurrent and capital posed challenges of slow pace in infrastructural development in the relevant agencies and institutions.

This should equally be noted in the course of the implementation of the 2013 budget.

Secondly, there are instances of large variances between budgetary provisions and actual expenditure in the sense that budgetary pronouncements are often not backed by fund releases.

For instance, the Federal Ministry of Education received a total capital allocation of N5.49bn in 2011, out of which N3.688bn was released, while total

C M Y K

More Boos or Boostt F For Corruption rushes to court without enough evidence.

For a long time, EFCC has been wasteful, and another good brief for its lawyers who make millions of Naira for announcing their presence in court. How much did EFCC recover in 2012 that it spent N500 million in legal fees?

Lamorde sounded pathetic about EFCC’s capabilities. He provided no hope that the billions of Naira he wants to spend in 2013 would not be another waste. His concern about the comfort of his staff was the worst plea to make at a time he should have been presenting his plans for more effective prosecution of criminals.

If the budget had met his expectations for personnel costs, he would have been content. Nigerians will not get any benefits from EFCC when all that matters to the chief is how to maintain a bureaucracy that thrives on excuses.

The EFCC chairman has just served notice that 2013 would be worse in terms of the Commission’s performance. When he returns for the defence of the 2014 budget, he will tell Nigerians that the cuts in his personnel budget incapacitated the Commission.

We should expect no meaningful results from the prosecution of the fuel subsidy thieves or former governors, who EFCC, has prosecuted for more than five years.

EFCC appears to be telling thieves to aim for bigger loots. It’s a shame.

Lamorde came to the job with promises of how tough he would be on criminals. It is a pity he is asking Nigerians to lower their expectations. Corruption is thriving, Lamorde by his admission, will do little about it, even at that, he will take only on little thieves.

OPINION 2013 budget: Rescuing education (2) commitment was N3.497bn and actual draw down was N2.699bn.

Similarly, stakeholders have also called for a review of how to share financial responsibility for primary education across levels of government but the issue has never been fully resolved. It has been argued that there is an apparent lopsidedness in the funding of various sub-sectors, with higher education having 30 per cent of the entire allocation.

The United Nations Development Programmes has noted that if the current trend continues, the target of achieving universal primary education by 2015 will be missed by at least a decade and this slide might lead into having 47 million children out of school in 2015.

Already, 46 countries have been identified to be going backwards or will not meet the target until after 2040, as these countries account for 23 million of the 110 million children that are currently out of school in developing countries.

It is will not be out of place to mention that the Universal Basic Education, UBE, guidelines provided that every primary or junior secondary school in Nigeria is expected to have one general science laboratory for elementary science and

domestic science, one ventilated improved toilet for a maximum of 40 pupils or students per toilet and, one teacher to handle only 40 pupils or students in a class.

These criteria are far from being met due to poor funding. In fact, in many primary schools, pupils sit on the bare floor in a classroom. Most secondary schools lack classrooms, libraries, laboratories and equipment. This trend should be curtailed.

The scrutiny and timely passage of the 2013 budget should be the needed tonic in the life of the nation’s comatose education sector. The National Assembly should be thorough in carrying out this crucial assignment.

I

ssues of budget implementation, monitoring and evaluation are very critical. These responsibilities cannot just be left to the executive and the legislature alone. There should be independent bodies to monitor the implementation of the budgets.

The media and civil society organisations as well as universities should be empowered to monitor and evaluate budget implementation and give their independent assessments

without hindrance.

The National Assembly should pass the necessary legislation to empower the non-state actors to be at a vantage position to do so.

It should be realised that budgets should not just be rituals and the reeling out of figures from self-assessment of performance. Therefore, Nigerians deserve to get answers on how far the 2012 budget has been implemented, as this will, no doubt, serve as the baseline for the successful implementation of the 2013 budget.

The executive arm of government should also take very seriously, the remarks made by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that there should be strict adherence to budget implementation.

For now, it must be collectively agreed that the state of education in Nigeria is lamentably poor and replete with enormous challenges, requiring the adoption of sincere and pragmatic approach in turning round the situation around.

Concluded

*Mr. Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agric., Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012— 19

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Continued from last week: Amoda argued that as a nation, we must continue to emphasise the need for local police.

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HE colony of Nigeria was not federalist, the British did not co-ordinate contesting and putative rival sovereigns. The structure of colonial sovereignty in Nigeria was unitarist and the Colonial Office administered the colony of Nigeria by expedient, effective and efficient methods from their viewpoint of imperial interest.

The transfer of ownership of colonial Nigeria by the British was to a successor government presumably representing the colonial subjects of the British Colonial Government. There is a world of difference between the subjects of the British Colony of Nigeria and the peoples of Nigeria.

Colonisation was the transformation of pre-colonial peoples of separate sovereignties, in conflict or coexisting through commercial or military or diplomatic relations in the territories, conquered and colonised by the British.

Independence was not granted to the pre-colonial ruling classes or to the pre-colonial

subjects but to British colonial subjects administered by the British. The government of the colony was not federalist, it was the government instituted for ruling colonial Nigeria. The point is that colonial Nigeria was not a federalist colonial empire, being part of the British Empire.

The British transferred administration of the government of colonial Nigeria to Nigerian politicians recognised as representatives of subjects emancipated from colonial rule. Federalism as the structure of independent Nigeria is a subject of postcolonial contestations for sovereignty and one of competing objectives of the politicians organised for sovereignty. It is important to note the fact that a federalist structure of sovereignty is only one of several objectives of Nigerian post-colonial contestations for sovereignty.

This contestation is not to be confused for electoral rivalry for office holding. Nigerian

Another tourism revolution in Cross River

BY OTEI CHAM

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EVERAL years ago, Andrew Carnegie, a famous motivational speaker, said “the men who have succeeded are men who have chosen one line and stuck to it.” In other words and succinctly put, consistency is key to success.

No doubt, Cross River State under the reigns of its Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has been unswerving with the promotion of tourism in the 45-year-old State since he assumed office in 2007. Before now though, the sector used to be driven by attitudes that could be qualified as laissez-faire. What was discernible at the time were sights begging to be seen, explored and tapped; and investors waiting to be hugged and given confidence in the tourism sector.

Amidst the new revolution, the culture of the people and tourism have been taken to the next level with yearly introduction of slogans and campaigns in line with global tourism needs.

This year, a new tourism campaign message has been introduced in the State: "Cross River: Africa’s Warmest Welcome".

According to the State Tourism Consultant, Mr Mike Gendell, the message is not to replace the parent slogan of the State, "Destination Cross River: The Nation’s Paradise". Rather, it is to echo and re-echo the commitment of government in tourism. And just tourism-the mainstay of the state economy.

No doubt, Cross River is blessed in this regard. Besides carnival, several new yam festivals are held annually across the State.

Popular among them are the Lebokucelebrated in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Ikom Highlife of Ikom, Yala Yayawo Festival of Yala, alongside the Ogoja, Obudu, Boki and Obanliku New Yam celebrations.

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electoral politics is contextualized by Nigerian sovereignty politics. The fact of this contextualization is evidenced in the fact that Nigerian electoral politics is also a platform for Nigerian sovereignty rivalry; it is a platform and not the exclusive platform. What is important to note is that the outcome of sovereignty politics determines the relevance and life of the present constitution and for that matter of any other constitution.

Thus, the position of Dr. Kayode Fayemi on the outcome of Nigerian sovereignty politics is federalist, that is, that the structure of Nigerian sovereignty should be federalist. But can such an outcome as desired and envisaged by Dr. Fayemi be decreed or be prescribed?

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ore immediately is the question: Can the outcome of contests for power be limited to a co-equal balance of power? Can co-equal balance

The 2012 celebrations attracted corporate sponsorships and high attendance.

Organisations explore the opportunities to showcase their existing and new products.

Tourists relished the Ikom monoliths, also known as Akwanshi or Atal, among the Ejagham people scattered in over 30 different communities. The good news, therefore, is that the monoliths, constructed between 2500 BC and 1 AD, were recently added to the World Monuments Funds list of sites in danger and are being reportedly considered for inclusion onto UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.

Few kilometres away is Obudu, where the Ranch Resort is located. The Ranch is 1,576 metres above the sea level. Its climate is temperate and with the longest canopy walkway in the entire globe. The thrill is chiefly for business and leisure .

The Obudu Conference and Leisure Resort has 20 African bungalows and 20 mountain villas providing 60 rooms. It also boasts of a 250-seat ultra-modern International Convention Centre that can take up to 250 delegates at a time. It is the Presidential Retreat, Nigeria’s version of Camp David.

There is also an Executive Board Room for 30 persons; two Syndicate Rooms for 40 each, plus stylish restaurant, bar and an Internet Service Centre.

Accommodation and meeting spaces at the resort and elsewhere around the State are affordable and are being expanded.

Plans are also underway to grade existing hotels and guests’ houses in the State in line with global requirements for the hospitality industry.

However, at the presentation of the tourism campaign message in Calabar, following the one that was held earlier in the month in Lagos, a participant worried that the grading may be politicised and place some hotels as second class, but the

of power amongst sovereignty parties yield an unequal balance of authority amongst sovereignty parties? This is the dilemma of Nigerian prescriptive federalism implicit in Dr. Fayemi’s politics.

Practical as opposed to normative demand for coequality will result in confederation, for co-equality of sovereign reflects confederal structure of sovereignty. To sustain and secure confederal structure of sovereignty will entail confederal structure of government and structure of administration. Those arguing for federal structure of government are bound to struggle for an outcome which in this case is unequal structure of sovereignty reflecting unequal balance of power in the context of who rules postcolonial Nigeria. Whether the outcome of the contest is coequal or unequal balance of power in the politics of who rules, the preference for either outcome chosen as an ideal outcome carries with it consequent demand for separate security outfits, including separate armies and separate police systems.

The above can be illustrated with the decolonisation of British India. In this case, the politics of independence was conducted pari passu with the politics of who rules postcolonial British Indian. British India became post-colonial India and Pakistan and Pakistan became post-colonial Pakistan and Bangladesh, with the vexing status of Kashmir serving as evidence of the unresolved question of who owns and therefore who rules Kashmir, India or Pakistan?

And even in India there are

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The State and demand for state police(3)

The demand for state police and opposition to such demand is a function of sovereignty politics and not of electoral politics; it is therefore not a constitutional issue

The culture of the people and tourism have been taken to the next level with yearly introduction of slogans and campaigns in line with global tourism needs

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State Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham, who represented the State Governor at the forum allayed his fears.

In his words: “It is all about quality service. Once a hotel owner does the proper thing in terms of standards, sanitation and good reception, visitors would worry less about the grading of a hotel.”

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his is not the only modification being planned for the State tourism sector. The use of the media-local, national and international- for sustained advertisement of the tourism messages is being proposed as well as the development of the government website to convey the messages- the way government is proposing the establishment of conference centre in Obudu.

The construction project of railways from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar to Tinapa Business Resort to convey fun-seekers and investors around Calabar has not been abandoned. The government has assured that the contract would be completed in 2013.

Innovations are also being carried out in the patterns of festivals observed in the State, coupled with music, costumes, crafts and food served visitors. This year’s 32-day Calabar Festival promises to be scintillating in all aspects. Some of its components are the Carnival Calabar, Calabar Carnival

parties seeking the further partisan of the country for the creation of more countries out of India. From the Indian example, we see that the politics of who rules determines the structure of government, the structure of administration and of the constitutions as the fundamental law of the ruling regime.

It is, however, the case for Nigeria that the conflict of who owns and rules Nigeria has been managed as conflict over who governs Nigeria. But that this decision is a conflict management understanding and not conflict resolution consensus is evident in such legitimation maxims as Federal Character structure of office holders in the electoral parties and all institutions of government. The demand for state police and opposition to such demand is thus a function of sovereignty politics and not of electoral politics. It is therefore not a constitutional issue.

The fear that the state police would be partisanly administered is not an issue resolved by faith in the doctrine of Presumption of Regularity.

This doctrine is a rule of conduct in a politics where all are in full accord on who rules Nigeria.

There is as yet no such consensus on what Nigeria is or what it should be and whose values would be sovereign and hegemonic in the Nigeria to be politically determined. The continued demand for state creation is a sign of the fact that each interest group seeks a state as the platform for its participation in the politics of who rules all or part of Nigeria.

Concluded

Queen pageant, the HIV/AIDS Walk/ Conference, musical concerts featuring local, national and international artistes; cultural fiesta, boat regatta, Christmas Camp for children, Children Carnival, African Food Expo, fashion shows, Film Festival, Carol Night, golf and soccer tournaments and fireworks.

Moreover, the government is also developing eco-tourism through exploration of the varied rainforests in the State- a unique way of expanding the agricultural needs of the people.

Through agriculture, which the government is passionate about, the State can now boast of food security, enhanced households’ income and job creation.

Investors such as Wilmar Group and Songhai Farms, the latter famous in Benin Republic, are taking advantage of the State temperate climate, general security, cleanliness and rich soil types to do business in the State.

In the area of Sports, government is intensifying sports tourism with the yearly promotion of Obudu Mountain Race, among other contests that investors and tourists are showing interest in.

Abebe Dinkesa, an Ethiopian, won this year’s race, while another Ethiopian, Etenesh Dironeda, won the female category.

Each took home a $50,000 prize.

Dinkesa, is said to have previously won the 2008 race, which took place at the Obudu Mountain Resort.

For Senator Imoke: “You are always welcome in Cross River. We look forward to taking good care of you. Once you have got that Cross River feeling inside of you, you will never want to leave.

“We are a destination of note and I know that more and more tourists and business visitors will be coming to see us in the near future. Calabar is just one hour’s flying time from Lagos to Abuja. So I invite you to explore all of the options and attractions."

*Mr. Oham, a journalist, wrote from Calabar, Cross River State.

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Puzzle over killing of police inspector

BY SUZAN EDEH, BAUCHI

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NE day, we will all die and when the time comes, there is nothing that can be done about it. Death is a debt every living soul must pay when the time comes”.

These were the last words that Babangida Mohammed Danbaba, a Police Inspector attached to the Government House Bauchi, said to one of his colleagues at work. About

of my colleague I could not recognise him because of the bullet wounds, about three of them on his body. There was one on his chest, another one on his left hand shoulder, while the other bullet wound was on his leg”.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ladan, said the police are still investigating the matter and appealed to the

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I heard several gunshots; when the gunshots ceased I started hearing screams and people mourning, but I refused to go out; it was later that somebody came and told me that my husband was attacked and killed by gunmen

two weeks later that statement turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. The death of Babangida, popularly called IBB, has left family members and his colleagues in shock because nobody expected that he would die so soon.

His death, which is still shrouded in mystery, happened on November 18, 2012.

This was precisely around 5.40 am. Vanguard Metro,VM, gathered that on that fateful day, the late Babangida, along with his son, Ukashat, woke up early in the morning to go the mosque located along Nasarawa Road.

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aving concluded his prayers, he left for home unaware that he was being trailed by some assailants who subsequently shot at him three times. They thereafter left him in his pool of blood. According to a source who spoke to VM on grounds of anonymity, the incident threw the entire Gwalaga community, a suburb in the state capital, into mourning just as fear now grips the entire residents of the area.

According to a source who spoke to VM on grounds of anonymity, the gunmen escaped immediately after the incident.

One of Babangida’s colleagues, Muhammed, who told VM that he was among those who conveyed Babangida’s corpse to the mortuary, said: “When I saw the lifeless body C M Y K

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people of the state to assist the police with relevant information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

When VM visited the Home of the late Babangida in Anwa

*The late Babangida Mohammed Danbaba...killed by unknown gun men Gwalaga, the entire members of the family were in a mourning mood. Friends, colleagues, relatives in and outside the state came to commiserate and condole the family over the tragic incident. It was clearly evident that the family had lost one of the breadwinners and pillars of the family. The wife of the late Police Inspector, Hajiya Hauwa Babangida, who was still in shock over the death of her husband narrated to VM what happened on that fateful day. She said: “My husband got up early Sunday to go and pray in a nearby mosque in the area.

It was almost 6 0’clock in the morning and I was still in bed.

Then I heard several gunshots. I did not know where the gunshots where coming from, so I came out to ensure that all the doors to the house were properly locked. When the gunshots ceased I started hearing screams and people mourning, but I refused to go out. It was later that somebody came and told me that my husband was attacked and killed by gunmen”.

Hajiya Hauwa, who described her husband as a friendly, peaceful and loving

person, wondered why some persons will kill him when he had done nothing to offend them. She prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.

His aged mother, Hajiya Rukayat Danbaba, who resides in Kano State also could not hold back her grief. According to her, IBB was so dear to her and was one of her favorites.

She recalled the last discussion she had with him on phone, saying: “I complained to him that I lacked appetite and he asked me what I wanted to eat.

I told him that I would like to eat chicken and he instructed a member of the family to kill four chickens and roast them for me. My son also asked me if there was anything I lacked and I said no since he provided for me. In an emotion-laden voice, she lamented thus: “I have lost two sons in my life.

The other one was also a policeman like Babangida, although in his own case he was ill. My late sons were the pillars of my life. They ensured that I lacked nothing, now they are gone. I know Babangida to be a very peaceful, friendly and easy-going person. He hardly makes trouble with anyone and I wondered why someone will just kill him”.

Some of the staff of Government House who spoke to VM described late the Babangida as a very accommodating and hardworking person who took his job seriously.

NEMA takes early steps against fire incidents in dry season

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GAINST the backdrop of the recent flood that ravaged many parts of Nigeria, leaving death and destruction in its wake, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, says it has taken pre-emptive measures against any likelihood of future re-occurrence of disasters, including bush and market fire during the harmattan and dry season. To this effect, the agency, according to its top officials, has inaugurated a technical committee to map out the most vulnerable areas in the country. It No to bush burning — NEMA also warned road users against reckless driving durmonths so as to minimise risks of road accidents that could ing the Ember months. involve fuel tankers. While mobile ambulances are strategiDirector General NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi who discally stationed in prone areas, sensization campaigns are closed this at the weekend in Abuja solicited the cooperation essential to reduce the vulnerabilities.” of the stakeholders and supports of international agencies to He said the experiences from the unprecedented flood was protect the communities and build the culture of disaster rea challenge that required synergy among the stakeholders, silience among the people. He spoke while separately reincluding the states and local governments as Nigeria has ceiving in his office a team from the United Kingdom Cabicapabilities to address different kinds of disasters given the net Office Briefing Room led by Mr Nick Gibbons and the necessary cooperation and supports. However, Sani-Sidi said newly appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Abuja the Agency has already developed a National Contingency Camp, Group Captain Joseph Malgwi.

Plan to guide timely response to any sudden onset emergenHe said: “We have mobilised our stakeholders and voluncy in the country. teers to be prepared in the likelihood of massive fire inciIn their separate remarks, Mr Gibbons said his team were dents in markets, farmlands and forests in the harmattan and at the Agency to explore areas of cooperation to assist the dry season due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable macountry, while Group Captain Malgwi said the visit was to terials and bush burning. strengthen existing working relationship between NEMA and “We are closely monitoring the traffic in collaboration with the NAF unit. our stakeholders during mass-rush of commuters in Ember

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 21

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE & ROSEMARY ONUOHA

FG, state should present financial statement — FRC

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HE Financial Reporting Council, FRC, has called for the enactment of a financial management law that will compel the federal and state governments to present financial statement.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee made this assertion at the annual workshop of Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria, FICAN, in Ijebu-Ode last week.

Obazee said that the federal and state governments have always issued bonds with no financial statement showing how they have managed funds and allocations under their care.

To this end, there is need to change the financial management law in the

country to create room for accountability, Obazee said.

Obazee said that through bonds, governments can repair the nation’s infrastructural deficit, however, governments must be made to present accurate and authentic financial statement of their stewardship

before such bonds can fly.

With a sound financial management law, Obazee said that international investors will want to reckon with Nigeria, stating “If we don’t change the negative perception of this country, the country will not change.”

While commenting on the

• From left: Mr. Richard O. Ikiebe, Director, Centre for Leadership in Journalism (CLeJ), School of Media and Communication, Pan-African University (PAU); Mr. Jim Obazee, Chief Executive, Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and Ugo Okoroafor, Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the 2012 annual conference of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

capacity of FRC to punish defaulting external auditors, Obazee said that the law setting up the FRC empowers it to punish such offenders.

“As the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board, NASB, we only punished defaulting external auditors within the ambit of the law and that law was largely defective in the sense that it didn’t allow us to publish all of those things we were doing. But as FRC, we are now allowed to publish and that is why you can now see us mention names on our website and going forward, you will begin to hear names of offenders and of what is going on.”

Obazee warned external auditors to avoid sharp practices as they stand to lose their operational licenses due to false reporting of financial statements.

Obazee said that, already, the Council was investigating an auditor, who was found to have presented several reports of a quoted company, saying he risk having his license withdrawn.

“There is a place for Nigeria going forward, there is no place for Nigeria going backward,” Obazee enthused.

Obazee noted that there is need to reduce the dominance of banks in the nation’s financial sector by introducing policies that will expand the investment scope of other players in the system.

Capital market critical to economic growth —Sanusi 141.8

-0.35

2,527.00

-35.00

19.12

-0.02

110.59 87.50 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI

RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.76 246.9196 199.2535 165.3595 1.8741 0.2831 235.327 24.8438 41.266 26.7141 236.0864

155.26 247.7173 199.8973 165.8938 1.8801 0.2931 236.0873 24.9245 41.3994 26.8004 236.8491

-0.79 -0.78 SELLING 155.76 248.5151 200.541 166.428 1.8862 0.3031 236.8476 25.0052 41.5327 26.8867 237.6119

CBN Exchange rate as at Monday 24/11/2012

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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HE Governor of Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has stated that the nation’s economy will not recover fully until the capital market is given its place as a long-term security provider.

Sanusi stated this while addressing officials of the Charted Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) during a courtesy visit to his Lagos office.

“Without a very strong and deep capital market the economy will continue to depend on banks for investment funds”, he said. He noted that banks do not have what it takes to provide the kind of long-term loans required to grow the economy. For this reason, he said, the capital market becomes handy in the provision of the needed funds for growing the economy.

The Governor gave the assurance that the Nigerian capital market will bounce back next year. According to him, every

downturn of the capital market takes an average of three years to recover. “I have always said that the market will recover in 2013”, but the question according to him is, have we learnt our lessons? “We need to look at the concentration of the market. A situation where the banking sector remains the dominant player in terms of capitalisation is not ideal”, he said.

The Governor advised members of the CIS to use the occasion of their forthcoming National Workshop as an avenue to discuss issues that will stabilise national growth and to facilitate the further deepening of the Nigerian capital market. Speaking on the much talked about forbearance for capital market operators who obtained margin loans from banks and are currently not able to pay back, the CBN Governor said, “Our position at the CBN is that everybody who have lost money through margin

loans and trading have to bear their losses”.

“We are of the opinion that capital market operators, the banks and AMCON should all take a portion of the losses so that the market can move forward”, the Governor said.

He asked the CIS to put its house in order, stressing that some members of the association are frustrating efforts to enforce forbearance package for defaulting brokers. He stated that a situation where a few persons who were able to successfully repay the margin they obtain from banks go about campaigning that their peers must be compelled to meet their obligations does not augur well for the implementation of the policy.

Earlier in his address, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIS, Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, appreciated the CBN Governor for his effort to stabilise and grow the Nigerian economy.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

UBA, MoneyGram donate Oncology centre to LUTH

From right: Abiola Popoola, President/ Chairman of Council of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM); Sunday Korode, Vice-President; Sunday Adeyemi, Registrar/CEO; Adesua Atanda, Chairman, Learning & Development Committee; Toyin Ojudun, Head, Consultancy & Research and Sola Joseph, Director, Membership Services at the formal commissioning of CIPM’s new Learning Centre, in Lagos.

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S part of activities planned to mark 15 years of partnership, UBA in conjunction with MoneyGram has donated a fully branded crèche for the Oncology Pediatric ward of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Nigeria.

The ward branch was handed over to Senior Management of LUTH at a colorful ceremony within the hospital premises.

While making the opening remark, The Product Manager, Stella Okojie, said that as part of UBA’s incentive to reward customers during the UBA/ MoneyGram 15th Year Anniversary, the Bank plans to execute hospital-based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

The hospital based initiative will take place in four regions, namely Lagos (Lagos University Teaching Hospital), Ibadan, Benin and Enugu. She further remarked that at the end of execution of the respective activities, “We hope to see great improvement in the needs/ psychological well beings of the targeted children in the various hospitals as well as create extra brand equity for UBAMoneyGram operation in the respective communities.”

Olusegun Oladipo becomes Learn Africa MD

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EARN Africa Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Oladipo as the acting managing director.

The appointment took effect from 27th September, 2012.

Mr. Oladipo holds NCE in Business Education from Kwara State College of Education before obtaining B.Sc. in Business Administration from University of IIorin.

He started his career with Odutse Booksellers, Ibadan, where he worked between 1981 and1982.

He also worked with Olumawu Basic Education School, Ilorin in 1991 before joining Longman Nigeria Plc in 1992 as Educational Sales Representative. He rose to Senior Sales Representative, Marketing Executive and Sales Promotion Manager (West).

New regulations, reforms strengthen Nigeria’s capital market — Oteh

By PETER EGWUATU

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HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said that recent regulations and reforms in the financial sector have contributed significantly to boost Nigerian capital market in recent time.

Director General of the Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, who stated this at the third Nigerian capital markets workshop, an annual event hosted by Thomson Reuters, J.P. Morgan, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and London Stock Exchange, said, “Recent reforms to boost regulation as well as liquidity have strengthened Nigeria’s capital market and are partly responsible for the robust rally in equities this year.

Speaking at the event, Oteh, who was represented by Mrs Louisa Eni-Umukoro, Director, Collective Investment Schemes at the SEC said, “By improving transparency and imposing accountability on all market intermediaries, we have made the market safer for all investors, domestic as well as foreign. Introducing new measures such as market making and securities lending have boosted liquidity and trading. These factors, taken together with the growing international investor appetite for Nigeria have seen our markets rally by more than 40 percent since it bottomed out in February of 2009. A strong and secure secondary market will boost the primary market with companies returning to equity funding, which will in turn ensure that in the near future, Nigerian capital market is truly representative of the wider Nigerian economy.”

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, also recounted the number of steps taken by his organisation to strengthen governance as well as the equity and debt markets. The Nigerian Capital Markets Workshop sees the participation of over 150 delegates from a large number of private companies representing the entire gamut of Nigerian industry. In addition to

addresses by eminent financial sector professionals, panel discussions are held on subjects crucial to Nigeria’s current financial & economic development.

Giving the opening address Mr. Tosin Adewuyi, Managing Director and Senior Country Officer for Nigeria spoke about J.P. Morgan’s commitment to Nigeria and the continued development of Nigeria’s capital markets. He noted the very high level of interest in the Nigerian capital markets by foreign investors and the associated positive impact on the economic

development of Nigeria. Leading a panel discussion on the importance of targeting institutional investors by Nigerian companies Mr. Keith Nichols, Managing Director, Africa, Thomson Reuters said: “Nigeria is an emerging economy with ties to a many of its peers, including the BRICs. Investors are looking for ways to expand business ties in the region through this market.

Overseas enterprises view it as a logical first step toward greater involvement in Africa.

Haggai Savings grows assets, strategies for the future

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AGGAI Savings & Loans Limited, a primary mortgage institution, has grown its total asset base to N4.7 billion in 2011, while its shareholder ’s funds increased to N653.3 million in the same year.

Announcing this at the banks 2011 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos, Elder SM Olakunri, Chairman of the board, revealed a performance that was a delight to the shareholders of the bank which has consistently declared profit in the past 5 years.

As part of the operating results for the year ended December 31st, 2011 declared at the AGM, the bank’s gross income increased to N684million up from N619million declared in 2010. The bank’s deposits base also increased to N2.7billion in the same year from N1.9billion in the previous year.

In the same vein, the bank declared a profit before tax of N206.6million which is a slight decrease from N225.9 million posted in 2010. Despite this decrease in profit for that operating year, the shareholders went home smiling as a dividend of 30kobo per every ordinary share was declared for the year ended 31st

December 2011.

The Chairman of the bank announced at the AGM that the mortgage finance institution is embarking on a five-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the bank to become one of the first 5 largest primary mortgage banks in Nigeria. As part of the plans towards achieving this laudable strategic growth, the mortgage bank is working on its recapitalisation process as demanded by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The recapitalisation process will see the bank picking up a National Mortgage banking license from the apex bank. Still in line with this strategic growth plan, the bank which has operated as a one-branch bank in the past will open its Redemption Camp branch on the Lagos/ Ibadan express way very soon.

It is worthy to note that Haggai Savings & Loans Limited is a product of several transformations.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—23

CSR: Reckitt Benckiser in Bayelsa, donates to flood victims STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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S part of it Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and commitment to healthy living, Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited has donated range of its products including; Mortein, Dettol and Harpic to victims of the recent flooding in Bayelsa State. The gesture was aimed at complementing the various efforts by government and publicspirited organisations and individuals to bring relief to the victims.

The products were received by the office of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Rachael Dickson, in Yenagoa, the state capital for distribution to the victims at the various relief camps set up by the state government.

The assistance from the company was made on the platform of its Mortein insecticide brand’s partnership with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), which is currently holding its 5th Quadrennial 2012 National Delegate Conference in Yenagoa.

Speaking at the presentation of the products, the Brand Manager (Mortein), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Yusuf, said the act of kindness

by Reckitt Benckiser Nigeria Limited was a further demonstration of its belief in Nigeria and the people. ‘‘This gesture is simply to demonstrate again that the people are at the heart of what we do at all times. We believe that our people, who have been rendered homeless by flood, need every available help and

support that they can get so that they can carry on with life again.

This is no doubt a trying and difficult period, but we must all rise to their need and help them to get back their lives’’, she said.

Yusuf noted that as a responsible and r e s p o n s i v e organisation, Reckitt Benckiser was sensitive enough to know the health and hygiene challenges which persons displaced by flooding were facing especially children and pregnant mothers. She explained, “We know that in situation like this, children and pregnant mothers are more easily predisposed to health situations like malaria, diarrhoea and other respiratory diseases. This is why we have come in our own little way to offer whatever help we can to

see to the improvement of lives at the camp especially those of children and pregnant mothers, and every other Nigerian.’’

Receiving the products on behalf of the flood victims, the First Lady, Mrs. Dickson, commended Reckitt Benckiser for its concern for the people of Nigeria. Represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Sarafina Otazi, she said the assistance would go a long way in alleviating the plight of the beneficiaries. ‘‘This act of kindness demonstrated by Reckitt Benckiser will significantly impact the lives of the people.

“Definitely, it will bring succour to them and make them smile again while they make gradual return to their normal lives.”

Halogen Security unveils lie detector, celebrates 20 years

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & PEACE ONYEUKWU

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ALOGEN Security Company Limited has unveiled a lie detector device, as its marks 20 years anniversary celebration.

S p e a k i n g , Representative of the Lagos State Governor, Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Major, Tunde Panox (Rtd), congratulated the company on its achievements over the years, while saying that . He said that it was an honour to identify with those who are making a mark in their respective industries and adding value to the state, and the country at large.

In his welcome address, Chairman, Troyka Holdings, the Holding company of Halogen Security, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, applauded management

and staff of the company on the occasion, and said that he is proud of the great feat attained by the company in the past 20 years.

According to him, the company has shown annual growth on every side and brings much pride to the Group through her achievements, creative corporate and business efforts. These, he opined had endeared the company to her numerous clients and important stakeholders, and has contributed in no small measure to the company’s sustenance 20 years tall in excellence.

Shobanjo further expressed his views on security as a necessity for growth and productivity in any nation and reiterated it as one of the areas the country needs to focus on. “The stability of a nation’s

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

The Independent Compressed Natural Gas plant project in Rivers State is one example of a beneficial partnership between Skye Bank Plc and a private sector player in Port Harcourt for the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

The company’s scope covers; Deployment of gas processing facility to clean and compress gas, before conveying CNG in specialized trucks to proximate market places. · Construction of mother and daughter stations at owner’s site and client’s site which is used to transport gas from a gas node to client’s site.

The bank believes that the project will revolutionise the manufacturing and From left: Managing Director/CEO, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), transportation industries Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; Executive Vice President, Private Banking, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Bernadine Okeke; Managing Director/CEO, FBN Capital Limited, Mr. Kayode because of its confirmed Akinkugbe and former Director General, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), potentials and benefits to Dr. Ernest Ndukwe at the closing session of the FBN Capital 2nd Annual Investor Conference, these sectors. The project in Lagos. is also in line with the government’s objective of making available to Nigerians the benefits of sustainable energy which is the only form of energy that is long lasting, nature and environment-friendly as opposed to organic fuels.

According to Tajudeen

BY PETER EGWUATU Ahmed, Head, Corporate and Strategic supplied by the Power Holding Planning, “We understand the challenges Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is just KYE Bank Plc has continued to of the industry and investment 3,804MW for a population of 150 show commitment toward boosting opportunities that exist in it. Our broad million people, compared with the infrastructure especially in the power transformation strategy supports 40,000 MW capacity for South Africa, sector of the country. meaningful partnership with government which has a population of 50 million Industrialisation and development agencies and institutions to execute their people. come on the wings of adequate and primary mandates”. The aim is to attract Meanwhile, Skye Bank has been a stable power supply as all industrial foreign investments into the state’s prominent player in project and processes depend on stable and cheap economy. infrastructural financing over the years, electricity supply. Indeed, without When the project is completed, it is helping corporate organizations, exceptions, all developed nations rank expected to provide gas to power several individuals, local, state and the Federal high on the efficient power supply index industries in the state and boost their oAut Government to fund some of to underscore the correlation between put.

This increase in output is expected developmental programmes which have development and power supply. Same to lead to greater revenue for the affected direct and beneficial impact on the cannot, however, be said of Nigeria companies and in turn enhance their ability people.

The bank’s intervention cuts where the epileptic and erratic nature of to generate employment and increase their across all sectors and there are power supply has not only undermined capacity. memorable foot prints in this regard. efforts at operating industrial machines

Skye Bank keys into govt’s drive to boost infrastructure S

but has also increased the cost profile of the real sector.

It is the deplorable state of the power sector and the attendant power outages across the nooks and crannies of the country that informed the decision of the government of former president Olusegun Obasanjo to conceive and launch the National Independent Power Plant (NIPP) project shortly after its inauguration in 1999. The scheme which led to the establishment of several power plants across the country was the government’s strategic response to the abysmal and debilitating power situation in the country then.

From the available statistics on the power crisis in the country, it is clear that a lot has to be done to generate and distribute the estimate power requirement to support and promote sustainable national development.

According to Renaissance Capital, a global investment company and research firm, the peak electricity generation

Keystone Bank appoints new head for marketing

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EYSTONE Bank has appointed Mr. Mohammed Ciroma the head of its Marketing and Corporate Communication division.

Mohammed Ciroma, a graduate of Law was born in March 1966. He schooled variously at Corona School, Lagos, Federal Government College, Azare and the University of Maiduguri.

Mohammed comes to Keystone bank with an enviable media pedigree. He was the Deputy Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, the Managing Director of DAILY TIMES Newspapers and most recently Director of Communications Resort International LTD, parent company of BiCourtney LTD.

Mohammed Ciroma’s appointment is part of Keystone bank’s continuous drive to meet its corporate goals by engaging first class professionals to man strategic positions. The acting Managing Director, Dr. Shehu K. Muhammad, an astute professional banker, is a product of this new thinking.

Mohammed Ciroma combines his media asset with experiences in banking and public service. He has served as a member of a Ministerial Committee on sources of revenue and funding for government parastatals. He was also a member of the governing council of the National Open University of Nigeria.

Mohammed Ciroma who started working life as a legal officer for IMB and later FCMB is married with children.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION: CBN makes case for financial ombudsman bill

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria, CBN, has charged all stakeholders in the financial sector to pursue the proposed financial ombudsman bill presently before the National Assembly with vigor to ensure its passage as soon as possible.

Mrs. Bolaji Ibunoluwa of the CBN who stated this in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital said that the passage of the bill would in no small measure promote financial inclusion.

Ibunoluwa said “The proposed financial ombudsman when established would complement the regulators and financial institutions dispute resolution mechanisms and reduce the regulators present burden of carrying out complaint management. This would enable them concentrate on more proactive areas of consumer protection.”

Stressing that a robust consumer protection is a critical aspect of financial services regulation, Ibunoluwa added that a robust consumer protection regime would enhance consumer confidence in the financial products/ services offered by the financial institutions thereby resulting in high levels of participation and stability in the system. All these would ensure the attainment of the financial inclusion strategy with an impact on the real economy, she said.

According to her, to ensure the safety, soundness and stability of the financial system, the consumers must be adequately informed and enlightened on the various products and services offered by financial institutions to enable them make informed decisions in their financial dealings.

It will be recalled that the CBN, in collaboration with other financial services regulators, promoted the financial ombudsman bill presently before the national Assembly in recognition of the need to concentrate more on proactive consumer protection activities.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—25

BRIEF From left: Governor Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Abdulkadir Musa; and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, at the Practical Nigerian Content Conference, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Unpaid claims: MOMAN decries fractional payment

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

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ELECTRICITY: BPE receives $335.85m bidders’ guarantees

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n line with the payment mechanism for the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN successor generation and distribution companies, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, confirmed it has received bank guarantees of over $335.85million from the preferred bidders for the companies.

In a statement last week, the Bureau said the National Council on Privatisation, NCP had approved the payment mechanism for the PHCN successor generation companies, Gencos, and successor distribution companies, Discos, at its sixth meeting for 2012, on October 29, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

It explained that the process involved the submission by the preferred bidders of additional bid security in the form of a letter of credit or bank guarantee for 15 percent of the transaction value to the BPE. The preferred bidders were required within 15 business days of notification from the BPE, to submit a “Preferred Bidder ’s Bank Guarantee.” The deadline for receipt of the bank guarantee was Friday, November 23.

The preferred bidders for the Discos submitted bank guarantees worth about $188.48million, while the preferred bidders for the Gencos submitted bank guarantees of about $147.38million.

The breakdown of the guarantees are as follows: DISCOs Abuja Disco: Kann Consortium Utility Company Ltd – $24,600,000.00; Benin Disco: Vigeo Power Consortium— $19,350,000.00; Eko Disco: West Power and Gas— $20,250,000.00; Enugu Disco: Interstate Electrics Ltd— $18,900,000.00; Ibadan Disco: Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd— $25,350,000.00; Ikeja Disco: NEDC/KEPCO Consortium— $19,650,000.00; C M Y K

Jos Disco: Aura Energy Ltd— $12,300,000.00; Kano Disco: Sahelian Power Ltd— $20,550,000.00; Port Harcourt Disco: 4Power Consortium—$18,636,306.00; and Yola Disco: Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd— $8,890,000.00.

GENCOs Shiroro Hydro Power Plc: North-South Power Ltd—$16,748,180.00; Kainji Hydro Power Plc: Mainstream Energy Solutions—$35,680,500; Sapele Power Plc: CMEC/EURAFRIC Energy Ltd—$30,150,000.00; Geregu Power Plc: Amperion Power Distribution Limited—$19,800,000.15;

Ughelli Power Plc: Transcorp/ Woodrock/Sumbion/Medea/PSL/ Thomassen—$45,000,000.00 It would be recalled that the NCP also approved the next steps for the conclusion of the privatization of the generation and distribution companies. The next stage is that the designated preferred bidder will be invited for negotiations with the BPE. Within 15 business days after signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, SPAs, the Shareholders’ Agreement or the Performance Agreement whichever is earlier, or at a mutually agreed earlier time, the bidder shall make a down payment of 25 percent of the share purchase price.

Job creation, condition for winning oil contracts

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he Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that will make creating employment for young and qualified graduates as part of the conditions for winning oil and gas contracts.

The two organisations signed the agreement, tagged: NCDMB-PETAN Capacity Building Internship Programme, during the Practical Nigerian Content Conference held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State last week.

The Executive Secretary, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, signed for the Board, while PETAN Chairman, Mr. Emeka Ene, signed for the service companies’ association.

Under the MoU, PETAN companies

will make commitments in the form of plans that they will recruit qualified Nigerian graduates.

The NCDMB will issue certificates to the service companies on receipt of the plans and the commitments will count alongside other variables in the evaluation of bids by service companies for industry contracts.

Thereafter, NCDMB and PETAN will recruit qualified Nigerian graduates and expose them to various training and skills development workshops, and on-the-job training to prepare them to work in the course of the contracts and gain employment.

PETAN companies will then absorb the trainees once they win the contracts and retain them after the internship phase based on their performances.

ajor Oil Marketer Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, has said that virtually all it members have been paid subsidy claims, but only a fraction of what they were expecting.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, in a telephone chat with Vanguard admitted that most members of the association, including, Conoil, Forte Oil, Mobil, MRS, Oando and Total, have been paid subsidy but below their expectations.

He urged the Federal Government to expedite payment of subsidy claims, as banks’ interest continue to accumulate, noting that the amount received so far by MOMAN members cannot pay the banks charges.

“We have been paid a fraction of what we are expecting, almost everybody have been paid, but banks’ interest continues to rise, and we need to get back to our importation business,” Obafemi said.

In spite of the subsidy claims crises, he maintained that no MOMAN member ’s major oil marketers assets will be taken over by bank, and called on the government to pay the marketers that were not indicted by the AigImohkuede’s committee report.

“The Federal Government was waiting for the Aig report, now that the report is out, those that are found wanting should be made to pay while those that are not found wanting should have their subsidy claims paid to them,” he said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has remained the only importer of fuel since the controversy over the payment of subsidy claims began. Oil marketers refused to import any more fuel until their subsidy claims have been paid, but government refused to pay some claims which it described as spurious.

26— Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

TCN: W e 'v e no ed of ermination no tice —Manitoba We 've nott receiv received offficial ttermination notice

BY CHIOMA OBINNA FOLLOWING reports that President Goodluck Jonathan terminated the $ 2 3 . 7 m i l l i o n management contract for the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN awarded to a Canadian firm, Manitoba Hydro International, MHI, the company said it has not received any official termination notice from the Federal Government.

Reacting to the reports in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of MHI, Mr. Don Priestman, said if it

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eventually happened, the company would seek compensation from the government.

“Government has not formally communicated its decision to cancel the three-year contract. The company would certainly ask for compensation from the government, if it communicates its position as reported in the media.

“For now, we have got no official word from the government on the contract cancellation, and everything we know about it has been from media reports which are a heck of a way to do

things.

“We have no official communication from the government up till now, and until we get some official notification to that effect, I guess we will have to wait to know the government’s position.”

Priestman said President Jonathan had only directed a team of experts to review the contract and the review will be concluded by next week, and dismissed insinuations about the cancellation of the contract.

Asked the next line of action, he said the decision was no longer in his hands, saying,

“Certainly we have a case. We are owed a lot of money, and we hope to ask for compensation if we are communicated of government’s position that the contract has been terminated.”

On the state-owned transmission utility as well as Manitoba’s position, Priestman said: “We have to wait to take a decision to demobilise. Right now, we are in a limbo. We came here in good faith to do our job, but the mood here suggests otherwise, and we reckon that we are not in a fight with anybody; we just want to do our job.”

He also hinted that the

company had met with government officials in the Presidency, adding that the current review was being done to ensure that whatever irregularities that needed to be corrected in the contract were effected.

Priestman, who expressed optimism in Mr President’s good intention said: “He (President) is also aware that there are some interest groups and politicians who want to derail the process. But it must not be hijacked by these politicians whose sole aim is to sabotage the programme for their own selfish gains.” he said.

Schneider Electric promotes access to energy …Donates

300KVA transformer to IIT

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CHNEIDER Electric, global specialist in energy management, has donated a 300KVA distribution transformer to the Institute for Industrial Technology (IIT) in Lagos.

Schneider Electric made the donation to the institute as part of its access to energy programme under its corporate social responsibility initiative.

Prior to this donation, the Institute and its environs were not connected to the national grid thereby resulting in arbitrarily high costs of running the institute on generators.

In 2008, Schneider electric embarked on an access to energy programme, which included the provision of sustainable renewable energy solutions to people at the base of the pyramid and strong investments in electrical technical training.

Speaking at the commissioning event, the Country President, Schneider Electric, Mr. Marcel Hochet, said, “We are not only here to do business but to also contribute to the development of the people and society. We are especially very concerned about technical education and are committed to increasing the levels that exist today in the country.

Standard technical training is essential to real economic development and we will continue to invest in training and maintain our partnership with IIT.” IIT is a world class, non-profit, single sex, technical – vocational school, known for its high technical and moral standards. IIT offers topquality hands-on practical skills training to Nigerian youths and adults mainly from the lower income stratum of society.

TUESDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 27

Dickson tasks oil companies on operational bases

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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From left: CEO Oando Marketing Plc, Mr. Yomi Awobokun; Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Francois Boussagol; and Vice President, LPG International Business Line, Total Gaz France, Mr. Renzo Bee, at the Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association Conference, in Lagos.

OVERNOR Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State, has called on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, to address the issue of multinational oil companies having operational bases outside their areas of operations.

Dickson made the call in Yenagoa, at the signing of a

Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the NCDMB and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, to develop an internship programme for young Nigerian graduates to become technicians, technocrats and engineers in areas relevant to the oil and gas industry.

Speaking on, “The Role of Oil Bearing States and Enhancing Local Content Development,” Dickson stressed that while the board was making efforts to promote local content in the oil and gas industry, it should also consider the involvement of the people of the oil producing states in all aspects of the industry.

He recalled that Bayelsa State was the place where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity, adding that the area is now, “a metaphor of what it is today and what it is likely to be tomorrow, a story of neglect.”

According to the governor, if a census is conducted about those who own oil blocs and oil wells it will be revealed that indigenous participation is lacking in both the upstream

and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

He added that those who engage in what he called, “mega deals in the oil industry and stay in mega cities” do so at the detriment and development of the local economies of the areas where oil exploration and exploitation activities take place.

His words, “If you take a census of those involved in the implementation and ownership of oil well, vessels and others, they are not from these devastated communities.

“These top players in the sourcing and lifting of crude from these devastated communities don’t have offices here in the Niger Delta. We have discovered that we produce the oil and these other states take the wealth at our own detriment."

Delivering a keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, stressed that for Nigeria to actually become a major oil producer in the world, it must make concerted efforts to own critical components of the resources in the industry.

LPG programme can save Nigeria N5bn annually

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ANDO Marketing PLC’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG programme, under which the company introduced OGAS 3kilogramme cooking stove for low income households, is capable of solving the perennial problem of deforestation in Nigeria.

This revelation was one of the high points of the presentations and discussions during a recent Oando/ACCESS AFRICA - Agriculture, Climate Change and Entrepreneurship Support Services summit held in Abuja with the theme “LPG as a climate control tool in Africa: The Sustainability Agenda.”

According to the discussants, the clamour for the use of LPG for cooking was premised on the fact that it would

check uncontrolled felling of trees for firewood, with its attendant deforestation and indoor air pollution.

This year ’s summit, the first edition, which was chaired by a former First Lady and Founder, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA, Justice Fati Abubakar, noted that over 90 per cent of households in Nigeria use firewood or Kerosene despite harmful effects.

The summit acknowledged that though deforestation was a global challenge, it noted that a situation where three million cubic feet of wood was cut annually for firewood in a country, which ranked as sixth largest producer of natural gas in the world was unacceptable.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

BRIEF

China’s state owned companies: CNOOC and Sinopec, have focused largely on buying producing assets, rather than participating in bid rounds in Nigeria.

The take- over of TOTAL’s 20% stake in OML 138, helps China Inc. to entrench itself as a major producer of hydrocarbon liquids in Africa’s largest oil producing jurisdiction.

With the 28,000 barrels per day, bpd added by the latest transaction, China’s net production in the country becomes 181,000 bpd, trailing only that of Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron and TOTAL. The Chinese government is a bigger producer in Nigeria than ENI, the Italian major.

This is how it happened: In 2006, China National Overseas Offshore Corporation, CNOOC, launched itself into the country by paying $2.268 billion for 45% of the SAPETRO held, TOTAL operated Oil Mining Lease, OML 130, which contains the 750 million barrel condensate field, Akpo.

In 2008, Sinopec took over technical operatorship of NPDC’s OMLs 64 and 66. In March 2009, four years after the Asian operator signed a joint venture agreement with NPDC, a significant discovery was made on OML 64, a 150 feet of pay in four reservoirs in Kakaku 1, with the rig Lonestar 2005. There’s no production yet.

In August 2009, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) paid $7billion to take over Addax Petroleum, the largest and fastest growing international independent in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.

In between these deals, Sinopec took advantage of the Nigerian marginal field programme by acquiring 40% in (local company) Universal Energy’s Stubb Creek, a 15 million barrel field located in the Eastern Niger Delta. The marginal field programme is designed to allow Nigeria’s homegrown independents to become producers of small fields.

As at November 22, Sinopec still hadn’t brought Stubb Creek to production. Why should it worry?

There are bigger fishes, including Usan, to fry.

CNOOC bought 38% of Emerald operated Oil Prospecting Lease, OPL 229.

There is an oil discovery on the lease, but the partners don’t seem to be in a hurry.

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Why TOTAL’s sale to Sinopec is surprising

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here are five clear reasons why many were surprised by TOTAL’s announcement, on Monday November 18, 2012, that it sold its 20 percent stake in Nigeria’s Oil Mining Lease, OML 138, to China Petrochemical Corp (Sinopec), as part of an assetdisposal programme, according to Africa Oil and Gas. How could the French major choose a $2.5billion cheque over continued, profitable operation of a producing deepwater asset, gushing 140,000 barrels of crude oil a day, and primed to reach 180,000 bpd in a matter of months?

The OML 138 has considerable upside potential, at least at a first glance. To the east of Usan, the licence’s only producing field, is the undeveloped Ukot play, whose discovery well –Ukot-1flowed at a rate of 13,900 bpd on testing, in 1998. Usan’s appraisal had also led to the “discovery” of Usan West field which, with Ukot, is on standby, for near term development.

OML 138 is governed by the 1993 Production Sharing Contract, PSC agreement, a sweetheart deal, which allows zero royalty and Petroleum Profit Tax, PPT, of just 30 percent. This PSC has not been renegotiated.

How come that the other partners, including America’s largest oil companies, ExxonMobil and Chevron, each of which holds higher equity (30%) than TOTAL, as well as Canadian independent, Nexen with 20%, did not invoke a right of first refusal to the transaction?

TOTAL has been the most aggressive investor in the Nigerian E&P space in the last five years. It has delivered two large deep-water fields where other majors have held up investment, citing inclement climate.

The Usan field is the newer of the two.

TOTAL has promised more deep-water developments. The third, Egina field, was supposed to have its final investment decision, FID, taken at most, in a month’s time by the company’s own words. Now this.

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… 181k bpd makes China, Nigeria’s 5th largest producer

based upstream analyst, who is focused on the continent. True, but does it mean that TOTAL, who paid around $1.5 billion two years ago to acquire a landlocked asset in Uganda, which would require a further $12-15 billion investment on a 1,000Km pipeline for evacuation, ranks such an asset higher than OML 138, or would it rather sell OML 138 to secure a place in the East African frontier?

Part of the data that may provide the sale is that the 1993 PSC agreement, which incentivized the development of fields like Usan, is under pressure.

Compared with $31billion made from Joint Venture licences in 2011, the Nigerian state makes around $1billion from licences under PSC terms, most of which are deepwater fields.

So the Government, after allowing zero royalty for deepwater acreages awarded in 1993,(when the country was unsure of what treasure lay in the frontier) is now keen on collecting royalty. Indeed, the major bone of contention in deepwater is that fiscal terms have become less favourable to the producers in the PSCs that are becoming operable since the first open acreage sale in the country in 2000.

Enter the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, an omnibus piece of legislation, which combines 16 different Nigerian petroleum laws in what is supposed to be a single transparent and coherent document. The legislation has been locked down in a raucous debate since it was first presented to the National Assembly in 2008.

The PIB is perceived as a law that would formally grant government access to taxes that are far much higher than today’s take that the IOCs consider outrageous. Royalty on deepwater fields (in excess of 250metres water depth) will go up from zero to 15%. Is that enough for TOTAL to walk out?

Oil majors are global travelers, who are always having a wide choice of assets all over the planet and ranking them

In the one week between the break out of speculation about the TOTAL-Sinopec deal and last Monday’s announcement, everyone had assumed that TOTAL was selling stakes in some of its mature assets on land and swamp, an area prone to militancy and oil theft.

TOTAL has 10% equity in 32 Shelloperated OMLs on these terrains. Those, it was generally assumed, were more likely to be prospects for sale. But a brand new deep-water field for sale? Seriously? No. Still, it is in scrutinising the content of the surprises that the deal’s raison d’être starts to make some sense. The Usan field no doubt looks like a high value field, one of only seven fields in Nigeria with production of over 100,000 bopd.

TOTAL plans to complete $15billion to $20billion of asset disposals from 2012 to 2014, and OML 138 happens to be one of them. “If the company could sell such a prized Nigerian asset, then it means that the rest of its assets in Nigeria is fair game,” says one official at the country ’s Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. TOTAL’s press statement on the sale, however, contends against insinuation that it is exiting the country. “Usan accounts for less than 10% of the group’s equity production in Nigeria”, TOTAL’s President, Upstream, Yves-Louis Darricarrere, was quoted to have said. “The sale of the asset operated from a minority position will allow us to focus our resources on the material growth opportunities in TOTAL’s portfolio.”

Even then, “oil majors are global travelers, who are always having a wide choice of assets all over the planet and ranking them”, says Jerry Tolkein, a Cairo

,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—29

Delta state

Okada rider with a heavy mass of load before the ban

Mixed blessings in Delta Amaize in this report looks at how the restriction order on okada in Delta State has brought considerable pains on the commuting public while the keke transport system is yet to be patronised by erstwhile okada riders because of its high cost

By EMMA AMAIZE Regional Editor, South South

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INCE November 1,2012 when he restriction on commercial motorcycles (Okada) transportation took effect in three prime cities of Delta State, namely Asaba, the state capital, Warri and Effurun, the response has been opinionated, depending on who is speaking and his/her perception of the new development.

However, that it has had both positive and negative impact on the people is unmistakable. To some people, the restriction is good riddance to bad rubbish, while to others, the government has only shown that it is abhorrently insensitive to the pains of the governed, particularly those in the lower social hierarchy, who eke out a living through okada transportation.

Like most policies of government, the discharge of the restriction order on the first day in Warri, Effurun and Asaba was a disappointment. There were insufficient tricycles on the roads and many wondered whether the policy was to worsen or alleviate the plight of the people.

It was later learnt that some C M Y K

leaders of the motorcyclists’ association, who collected the tricycles at a subsidized rate of N150,000 per tricycle from government for distribution to their members, turned it to a business venture by selling them at N250,000 and above to merchants. The merchants, in turn, sold at between N380,000 and N400,000 to the real users. Government bought it at about N300,000 and the Ministry of Transport recommended that should be sold at N200, 000, but the governor, Dr. Uduaghan, brought it down to N150,000.

Registration fees charged Motorcyclists objected to the rip-off by refusing to pay more than the N150,000 approved by government and additional N20,000 registration fee charged by their association. That was why there was inadequate tricycles on the roads on November 1, 2012.

Investigations, however, show that given the bad roads, the tricycles look fragile for transportation in the difficult terrains of the three cities.

The most common problem is that the tyres pull off while in motion putting the users at risk.

Vanguard had seen some broken-down tricycles in Warri. Some commuters do not even want to step on the tricycle on grounds that it is not safe.

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Igbakpa, admitted in an interview with Vanguard: “What government owes the people are the basic infrastructure and when you talk about infrastructure, you talk about transportation and the basic infrastructure is road.

The governor has given that marching order. He read the riot act recently, authorized and given marching order that between now and December 15, it is the contractor shape in or you shape out. So the contracts have been awarded. He is ready to pay. As soon as you work, you get your money, and it is now the business of the contractor to work “And let me appeal to my brothers out there that a contractor who is working in your area you should be the one to protect that contractor to actually make sure they work. If you go there and disturb the contractor, it is wrong;

we do not have enough time.

This is Niger Delta; it is quite expensive to construct roads here. Again, by March, the dry season is gone and the rains will take over again. The Direct Labour Agency, DLA, has the fundamental work to maintain roads and His Excellency has asked them to do that.”

Vanguard went to town to sample opinion.

Okada is like coffin on two wheels - Ogeah Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Chike Ogeah, who spoke to Vanguard in his office at Asaba, said: “Definitely, it (restriction) is to alleviate the plight of the people, not only to alleviate the plight of the people, but

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OKADA BAN:

Sports Club, Asaba, Mr. Obi Adimkpaya, in an interview, said: “It is a welcome development, but the connecting roads in Asaba should be repaired to ease transportation”.

Govt should fix the roads – Chair, Labour Party Chair of Labour Party, LP, Delta State, Comrade Emeka Nkwoala told Vanguard: “okada should not be the source of earning a living for our people. Where are the industries? It is a good development. However, we expect our government to fix the roads to enable the Keke ply them. We also expect the government to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive, especially textile and garment.

This will go a long way to absorbing the people displaced by this policy in guaranteeing dignity of labour”.

Our problem is bad road Driver Peter Afamefula, a commercial taxi driver, who pleaded anonymity said: “Nobody is quarrelling with the ban on okada, but look at the roads. Do we have roads? Instead of government to repair road, they brought out big buses, which roads will the buses pass? Our problem is bad roads.

Good and bad- Civil servant A civil servant, Miss Blessing Oformiyan, asserted: “To me, the ban on okada is a very good thing when viewed from the associated rate of accidents it has caused.

If you go to hospitals, you will

The government should have flooded the towns with the keke, repair the roads, buy more buses before the ban would have taken effect

to increase the standard of living of the people if you ask me.

That is why government, in its wisdom, has to replace the much higher and dignified mode of transportation. You were all there when we launched the Marco Polo buses. These buses are supposed to be doing intra and inter-cities. The reasoning of government is that our children were being maimed on a daily basis and enough is enough. Both the riders and the carriers of these okada, almost like a coffin on two wheels, ply the road without protection, without helmet and all that. Again, in cases of kidnapping, we know the role okada has played in kidnapping and armed robbery. So they use it to commit crime.”

Welcome development – Adimkpaya Public Relations Officer, PRO,

,

see many patients who are victims of Okada accidents. However, I think the timing is wrong because the keke are inadequate. Also, the roads are not good enough. The ban has caused many pains because in the area I stay, there are no taxis and buses. So, we have to trek a long distance with loads, particularly when returning home from market and work. In addition, it has caused displacement in the life style of people, aside the hardship it has brought. To me, the government should have flooded the towns with the keke, repair the roads, buy more buses before the ban would have taken effect. The ban is not helping us to exercise in any way; it is pains and hardship, cost of boarding a cab has increased because okada is no more.”

To be concluded

30—Vanguard , TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Toyota lifts 2013 Corolla with new premium packages

BY THEODORE OPARA

T

HE Toyota Corolla, already one of the best-equipped cars in the compact class, offers new comfort amenities with a choice of Premium Packages.

Corolla models feature a revised chromeaccented grille for 2013..

The 2013 Corolla LE model gets a standard 6.1-inch touch-screen control panel for the AM/FM/CD system, six Premium speakers and a USB port available with iPod® connectivity. Package (16-inch, fiveBluetooth ® wireless spoke alloy wheels with tires, technology provides P205/55R16 hands-free phone integrated fog lamps and capability, music streaming a power tilt/slide moonroof and phonebook access, and with sliding sunshade) is automatic sound leveling augmented by the new adjusts for outside noise. Premium Interior Package, The system also comes which shares the features equipped with an auxiliary of the S Premium Interior input jack. Auto-sound Package, also adding an 8leveling adjusts volume in way power driver’s seat. response to ambient noise. The new Premium Complete It also features steering wheel audio control Package in the LE model is also similar to that offered switches.

Compact car buyers are for the S grade, but differs increasingly seeking in its use of 16-inch alloy premium features, and the wheels with 205/5R16 tires.

The 2013 Corolla is 2013 Toyota Corolla LE model answer that equipped with the 1.8-liter demand with three Premium Packages. The LE, which already offered an optional Premium Package, adds the Premium Interior and Premium Complete Packages for 2013.

HE Federal Road In the Corolla LE, the Safety Corps and

•Powered by 1.8 litre engine that churns out 132hp •6.1 inch touch-screen control panel for CD/FM system •Equipped with Toyota Star Safety System

DOHC four-cylinder engine, which produces 132 hp at 6,000 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) controls valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts to help optimize performance and fuel economy.

The 1.8-liter engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT). The four-speed automatic uses

a torque converter with flex lockup for increased fuel efficiency, as well as uphill/ downhill shift control. For a more engaging driving experience, the driver can shift the automatic manually by moving the shift lever to the left from its “D” position into the “S” position, then pushing forward for upshifts and back for downshifts. An indicator inside the combination gauge shows the gear selected.

The 2013 Corolla has earned an EPA-estimated

fuel economy rating of 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the fivespeed manual transmission, and 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with the four-speed automatic transmission.

The smooth-riding Corolla is built around a stiff body structure that relies on high tensile strength steel, gussets and cross members for its

Truck makers set to clash at TRACCON Africa

T

HE annual Two-day Truck, Tyre, Logistics and Fleet

FRSC, AFRIBABY partner for maternal and infants’ road safety

T

•Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, a Nigerian baby and Mrs. Olayinka Odiboh of AFRIBABY C M Y K

Afribaby Initiative, a nong o v e r n m e n t organization, have concluded plans to ensure the safety of nursing mothers and their infants on the roads, this yuletide. To this end, the two organizations have agreed to embark on a road safety enlightenment demonstration for nursing mothers during the 5th African International Babycare and Mothercare Festival, coming up at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja between 4 th and 6 th December, 2012.

This revelation was

made known by the Executive Director, Afribaby Initiative, Mrs. Olayinka Odiboh whilst briefing Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and other members of the Board of Trustees on the programme of event, recently.

In her briefing, she said that Commander Jonas Agwu, Corps Public Education Officer will deliver a lecture and demonstrate to nursing mothers, how to ensure their babies’ safety whilst driving or travelling. The Road Safety Officer will also demonstrate to mothers, how to handle babies while riding on

strength, rigidity and lightweight construction.

Front suspension is composed of a compact, rigid L-arm-type MacPherson strut with a stabilizer bar.

The Corolla’s torsion beam rear suspension employs a coilover-shock arrangement that allows efficient packaging along with agile handling and excellent ride comfort.

commercial motorcycles, in buses and what to do in emergency traffic situations to ensure that they and their babies stay alive.

According to Mrs. Odiboh, the demonstration is the first of its kind in the history of the continent as twelve African Countries will be represented by thousands of mothers and their babies at the Afribaby event and they are: South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.

Conference and Exhibition (TRACCONAFRICA) slated for the 29th and 30th November, 2012 is already proving itself as an exhibition of repute in the truck and logistics industry timetable in the continent as Titans of the industry continue to confirm their presence to showcase their products, trade and services at the exhibition.

A statement by the publisher of On Wheels Magazine, Jabez AinaScott, the organizers of the event said that the logistics industry major players, including Mobil Oil Plc, Mercedes Benz, TaTa, BukkeHave’s Renault, Iron Products Industries (IPI), and Richbon’s Sino trucks and some others have signed-on to participate in the event.

Also expected at the show are Lanre Shittu Mack trucks, ATC Nig Ltd-Volvo trucks, GM’s Isuzu, Prolong Lubricants and Oando Oil.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—31

Storm: Automakers count loses

Mercedes Ener-G-Force concept imagines the SUV of 2025

E

VERY year, the Los Angeles Auto Show hosts a challenge among automotive designers to concoct farflung ideas about the future of transportation.

This year’s theme asked what the law enforcement rides of 2025 might look like, and the sketchers at Mercedes-Benz were so enamored with their design they built a lifesize version, creating a Gelandewagon for the end of the world.

Dubbed the Ener-GForce, the truck is in Mercedes’ own words “pure science fiction,” but it does provide a few hints as to where Mercedes designers see SUV styles heading. Based on the military-grade GClass SUVs, the EnerG-Force features builtin police lights, a bull bar integrated into the grille and 20-inch offroad wheels “guarantee the rightof-way even where no way exists.” Since this is 2025, power comes from a hydrogen fuel cell sending electricity to motors in each wheel hub.

As part of the design competition, Mercedes filled the Ener-G-Force with a few less realistic, imaginary tools. The hydrogen from the fuel cell comes from a more up-to-date take on Mr. Fusion that pulls hydrogen from any given source, and

Multi-Choice wins Coscharis promo bus

M

U L T I CHOICE has become one of the first companies to win a brand new bus under the Coscharis Ember months promotion, which kicked off on November 7, 2012.

The promo which run till the end of the year, according to Coscharis Motors was packaged to appreciate its customers for their support over the years.

stores the water produced by the cells in roof tanks.

The space where a spare tire goes on the modern G-Class is filled with tools. And the roof rack includes a “terrascan” topography sensor that adjusts the suspension for different terrain. Given that Mercedes already sells technology that attempts to sense the road and even the wakefulness

A

of the driver, some of this sounds like it could be on

a options list well before 2025.

UTOMOBILE manufacturers and dealers in the United States of America are counting their losses following the storm that rocked part of the country like new Jersey and New York. Information reaching Vanguard Motoring has it that no less than a quarter of a million new and used cars and trucks would be scrapped following the devastating storm. It is doubtful however, if the scrapped vehicle would not find their way to the booming used car market in Nigeria.

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Why demands for new states persist does not accept state creation, it will not happen. I will also like to say that ACF has already published its position about state creation. We do not believe that at this stage in Nigeria, we need any more states.

“The 36 states are already enough, and so if you increase it more than this, like they are saying up to 50 states, it means there won’t be a place to even sit down and talk. So we have our position clear that for now Nigeria does not need more states. We are going to convince our governors and legislators not to accept creation of more states.

Let’s maintain the ones that we have for now, and later we may consider more", he added.

ARG, IYM flay Mohammed

•From right: President Goodluck Jonathan and Senate President, David Mark

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

I

N SPITE of the difficult hurdles needed to be surmounted before new states can be democratically created those pushing for new states, especially in the South-East, are not relenting in their quest.

Demand for the creation of at least one more state in the South Eastern geopolitical zone dominated proceedings at the zonal public hearing on constitution amendment held in Enugu penultimate week. South East leaders at the hearing took turns to insist that the zone must get at least one additional state to bring it at par with other zones.

The proposed states include Aba from Abia, Adada state from the current Enugu state, Equity state to be created from the five states of the south east, Njaba state from Imo and Anambra states, Orashi from Imo state, Etiti from Abia, Enugu and Imo states.

Before then, the Senate Constitution Review Committee had received 56 demands for new states across the country.

Insurmountable hurdles

In line with the dictates of the constitution, it may be easier for the camel to pass through the biblical eye C M Y K

of the needle than for new states to be created under a democratic setting.

To sail through, each demand has to meet the constitutional provision as contained in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that those seeking for a state must have the support of 2/3 majority of members representing the area in the Senate, Federal House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly and Local Councils

The Northern hurdle

If the position of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is anything to go by new states would not be

created.

ACF Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, said in Kaduna on Tuesday that clamour for new states could only be successful if the North agreed. Speaking at the headquarters of the ACF during the visit of a delegation from Delta State, led by Chief Isaac Jemide, urging for a state not to be created out of Delta State, Mohammed said: “I will like to say first and foremost that if North does not agree with any state of the federation, the issue of state creation will not happen because we represent 19 of the 36 States, and if this side of the country

CHANGING POLITICAL STRUCTURE 1960 political structure Northern Region – 14 Provinces Western Region – 9 Provinces Eastern Region – 12 Provinces 1963 political structure Northern Region – 14 Provinces Western Region – 7 Provinces Mid-Western Region – 2 Provinces Eastern Region – 12 Provinces 1967 political structure North – 6 states, 41 Divisions West – 2 states, 17 Divisions Mid-West – 1 state, 10 Divisions East – 3 states, 28 Divisions

1996 political structure North – 20 states, 414 LGs South – 17 states, 355 LGs Current structure since 1999 North-East – 6 states, 112 LGS North-Central –7 states, 122 LGS North-West – 7 states, 180 LGs South-West –6 states, 137 LGS South-South – 6 states, 123 LGs South-East – 5 states, 95 LGs Outlook of the pioneer regions in 2012 North – 20 states; 414 LGs West – 8 states; 180 LGs East – 9 states; 175 LGs

Reacting to Mohammed’s comments, Chairman of the Igbo Youths Movement, IYM, Evangelist Elliot Uko and a chieftain of the Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, Mr. Bisi Adegbuyi, said the ACF leader spoke the way he did because his region had been the beneficiary of years of injustice perpetrated by Northern-dominated military governments.

Said Uko: “Mohammed can afford to speak the way he did because northerners know that their military wing restructured the country to suit them in terms of bogus population, more states and local councils. So they will insist on this evil structure because it favours them. But Nigeria will never know peace until we restructure this country along the lines of true federalism based on six regions.

“We are not happy with the constitution amendment exercise because the National Assembly is doing piece-meal amendment, which is a waste of people’s time. What this country needs is a fundamental restructuring from military, unitary 36 states to true federalism of six regions.”

S

peaking in like manner, Adegbuyi said the golden era of governance in the country was in the First Republic, when Nigeria practiced true federalism based on strong regions or federating units as exemplified by the achievements of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Western Region), Ahmadu Bello (Northern Region) and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe/Michael Okpara (Eastern Region).

He however agreed with the notion of stopping creation of new states. Reason: “We have created many states yet no development. Instead of new states, the old ones should be merged for us to have strong federating units. As presently constituted, the states are not agents of development. Apart from two or three states, the rest are not viable. If states are stopped from collecting allocation from the centre, most of them will collapse. Any state that is spending more than 50 per cent of its budget on

Continues on page 33

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 33

Why demands for new states persist Continued from page 32 recurrent expenditure is not doing well.

“The way out is to adopt the Brazilian model. States should be collapsed and reverted to regions. If they feel that the regions would be too strong and threaten the unity of the country like we witnessed before the civil war, we should have the local councils as development centres. Brazil has 5564 municipalities, which are autonomous and control the resources they find in their environment. That is why Brazil has recorded rapid development in the last 15 to 20 years because the development is bottom-up.

So, our local councils should be devoid of control from the states or federal government.

Let’s create ethnic-based local councils that would be autonomous and control their resources. We should reduce the power at the centre because the centre is too strong, burdensome and unwieldy and is doing very little.”

Current structure Adegbuyi stressed the need for restructuring of the polity insisting that “development in Nigeria under the current structure is a journey to no where.”

The politician, who admitted that no state could be created without the backing of not only the North but also those of all states in the country, however, said “the North is exercising its political power, which the military conferred on it by creating more states in the

union will continue and you cannot stop selfdetermination.”

Although some stakeholders oppose new states on the

,

Although some stakeholders oppose new states on the grounds of high cost of governance, rising graft, insolvency of states, nonviability of the proposed states and worsening economic fortunes of the citizenry among others

North. That is why we have mutual distrust and suspicion between the North and the South. We have to redress these fault lines or there will be no development.

“The way forward to restructure the country.

President Goodluck Jonathan should send an executive bill to the National Assembly to convene a national conference of ethnic nationalities to agree on how we want to live together. Without it, the disparate tendencies for groups to want to opt out Nigerian

,

grounds of high cost of governance, rising graft, insolvency of states, nonviability of the proposed states and worsening economic fortunes of the citizenry among others, those calling for new states said the measure would help to redress prevailing injustice in the polity.

Former National Chairmanship Candidate of the PDP, Chief Sonny Iroche wants the states pruned down.

“I think we should reduce the number of states. The problem

in Nigeria now is not state creation but failure of leadership through massive corruption. The states are too many. Creating more states means governments will become too large, more governors, ministers, senators, etc and more money spent on them to the detriment of the desired development. The government is too large.

Money budgeted go into pockets of government officials.

Nigeria is bleeding from all offices of all tiers of government. Look at the salaries of our Federal Lawmakers, and they want to add more.”

However, the PDP chieftain said his suggestion was not unmindful of the injustice done to the South East geo-political zone, which has been shortchanged on the issue. “Every other zone has seven or six states except the South East that has five. What should be done is to collapse the states in other zones to five, to ensure equity,” he added.

The genesis

In 1914, when the Southern

and Northern protectorates were brought together, the North was just a protectorate without divisions.

At independence in 1960, there were three regions - Northern, Eastern and Western.

In 1963, the civilian regime created a fourth region, Midwestern, out of the Western Region. Then Northern Region had 14 provinces; Western Region (7 provinces), Midwestern (2) and Eastern Region (12). In essence, the North had one region and 14 provinces while the South had three regions and 21 provinces.

However, things started tilting in favour of the North when in 1967, and by military fiat, the regions were replaced with 12 states; six in the North, and six in the South.

All through the Northdominated military era, series of state and local council creations were made such that by 1996, the North, which trailed the South in terms of number of regions, provinces and divisions, was further divided into 20 states (including Abuja) and 414 local councils.

Conversely, the South that had six states and 55 divisions in 1967 was divided into 17 states and 355 local councils.

More states less derivation

As more states were being created, the derivation formula plummeted. Emphasis shifted from revenue generation to revenue sharing. Strategic efforts, as it were, were to made to ‘feed’ the emerging ‘dependent’ states.

For instance, in 1953, the derivation formula was 100 per cent and every area catered for its needs. The formula was reduced to 50 per cent at independence in 1960 and by 1970, it was 45 per cent.

Thereafter, we had 1975 (20 per cent), 1982 (2 per cent), 1984 (1.5 per cent), 1992 (3 per cent) and 1999 (13 per cent).

But for dependence on the centre for allocation, military rule, distorted derivation formula and faulty presidential system, the demands for states and local councils would have been lean.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

BOOK SERIAL

The Nigerian Defence Academy —A Pioneer Cadet's Memoir (2)

BY PAUL OSAKPAMWAN OGBEBOR

YESTERDAY....

Paul Ogbebor wrote, among other things, of his battle to gain admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy-'The Great Quest.'

TODAY....

"Thus, I was admitted on January 20, 1964 into the institution where I began my military career and life ambition. Although we the new intake cadets resumed training in January 1964, the institution was only officially inaugurated in March 1964. Thus by dint of history, destiny, divinity or whatever you may call it, I became one of the founding and pioneering cadet intakes into the Nigerian Defence Academy, notably called NDA Course I with admission number 40." He opens today with his admission success story and concludes this two-part book serial with: The Nigerian Armed Forces, Repositioning For A New Status, Nigerian Adoption of the Indian Experiment and The January, 1966 among others.

My Admission into NDA After the initial training in Nigeria, my counterparts who included the late Major Okhuarobo went to Canada and the late Major Igbinosa went to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom to train and were commissioned. While I waited for resumption - the Nigerian Government had decided to take a very bold step to

,

For Nigeria to meet her new security responsibility, she needed larger military forces that could sufficiently police and defend her vast territory.

Thus, the Army was enlarged from the only existing one and a half Infantry Brigades inherited from the British in 1963 to one Infantry Division...

,

establish its own military institution that would locally produce officers in Nigeria for the Nigerian] Army, Navy and the Air Force. Such historic milestone gave birth to an establishment called the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) also situated in Kaduna.

Thus, I was admitted on January 20, 1964 into the institution where I be-

lican status in 1963 and also became a founding member of the Organization of African Unity that was equally founded in 1963.

Repositioning for a New Status Vice President Namadi Sambo (7th right) and other dignitaries at a recent passing out parade of NDA cadets.

gan my military career and life ambition. Although we the new intake cadets resumed training in January 1964, the institution was only officially inaugurated in March 1964. Thus by dint of history, destiny, divinity or whatever you may call it, I became one of the founding and pioneering cadet intakes into the Nigerian Defence Academy, notably called NDA Course I with admission number 40.

moted trade missions under the name of United African Company with organized and maintained administrative echelon, under the headship of Lord Fredrick Lugard. His role was to run the bureaucracy for policy implementation and above all, protect the

The Armed Forces of Nigeria By the Berlin conference agreement of 1884, the whole of Africa was partitioned and shared among some powerful expansionist European nations.

Great Britain’s share included the landmass that is now called Nigeria.

This came into being in 1861 when Beecroft took over Lagos after an armed expedition from Fernado Po. In turn, all other kingdoms and their kings like Nana of Itsekiri, Jaja of Opopo, Oba Ovonramwen of Benin, the Etsu Nupe, Usman Danfodio, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Alafin of Oyo, etc. were subdued and their kingdoms annexed to form the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria. The North and South were eventually amalgamated in 1914 to give birth to the political and geographical entity of Nigeria as a nation.

The subduing of the various monarchs of region to give up their economic, cultural, spiritual and physical powers in order to accept foreign political powers and colonial rule was an up-hill task, achievable only through the use of organized cohesive force.

This phenomenon crystallized into the need for maintaining a standing Army to enforce the successful colonization and amalgamation of the new nation.

For the realization of such a mission, the British Government organized a quasi task force in Nigeria made up of armed troops that were just strong enough to enforce the King of England’s authority, presence and be able to subdue any belligerency. It pro-

Cadet Ogbebor on fatigue in Naval ship during an exercise on high sea in 1965.

team of Christian evangelists whose primary task included influencing the values of the natives in order to make them malleable enough for easy governance at minimum force and cost.

With the increasing awareness and exposure from the 1st and 2nd World Wars and above all, Western education, there were soaring and restive demands for a better standard of living and participatory governance. The result was several reforms culminating in the attainment of self-rule in 1956 and Independence in 1960.

By the new status, Nigeria automatically qualified and became a member of the United Nations Organization in the same year of Independence. The country progressed to achieve a repub-

Nigeria’s new status as an independent nation meant new demands on her political, economic, social, cultural, and above all, security handlings. Prior to Independence as earlier noted, the Nigerian Army was created to meet the colonial masters’ needs, which was why the training and tradition were hundred percent British in content and orientation. To ensure and maintain such status quo, all the key positions were held by British citizens. Although the basic military training was done in Nigeria, the institution was completely modeled after the British pattern and manned by British military personnel while only two to three vacancies were created in British institutions to train Nigerians as officers.

For Nigeria to meet her new security responsibility, she needed larger military forces that could sufficiently police and defend her vast territory. Thus, the Army was enlarged from the only existing one and a half Infantry Brigades inherited from the British in 1963 to one Infantry Division, In addition, the Nigerian Marine Service was restructured and equipped to form the Nigerian Navy, which has the role of securing the about 1,000 kilometre length of Nigeria’s coastal waters. Also a modern Air Force was in 1963 established with the role of protecting Nigeria’s vast Air space of about Nine Hundred and thirty thousand square kilometres in surface area.

The efficiency of any armed force depends mainly on the quality of its training institutions and the calibre of the officers. The British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is amongst the oldest military institutions in the world for the training of officers.

Truly, it was a privilege to have Nigerians train there. But the maximum vacancies of five in a course intake of two years duration were grossly insufficient for her new Armed Forces. Notable peculiarity was that, the British military institution was largely tailored to the British requirements and orientation only. It was to allow elbowroom for other nations that a department had to be created in 1875 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the edu-

Continues on page 35

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 35

BOOK SERIAL

The Nigerian Defence Academy —A Pioneer Cadet's Memoir (2) cation and training of foreigners; especially to meet the needs of the Royal Indian Army. Such arrangement enabled a large cadre of Indian military manpower to be trained under an Indian setting. Another peculiarity of the historic British Military Academy is that since Great Britain has a very long history of secondary and tertiary education facilities, the military institutions had enough reserves of highly educated and qualified citizens to draw from in its selection and recruitment of officer cadets; meaning that further academic education had never been the focus in the British Military institutions and in the training curriculum of British officers. Whereas, up to the seventies, secondary and tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria were few and the preserve of the privileged or extra ordinarily talented ones; which means that the few adequately and suitably available educated Nigerians were in high demand in other sectors or endeavours. For a Nigerian to fully benefit from the British military officers training, he must have had the opportunity for continuous higher educational studies. This made the British military institutions most inadequate for Nigeria’s requirements.

In a bid to produce enough officers to fill the vacancies created by departing British officers who were serving in the Nigerian Army, Nigerians were sent to be trained as officers in the United States of America, India, Canada, Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Australia etc. The development brought the huge problems of un-unified training standards and compromised quality in officer-ship with the attendant danger of undue complex and problems of harmonization. There was a case where some other ranks of the Nigerian Army were sent to a certain foreign country in the quest for training additional officers. Unfortunately, the Nigerians were commissioned as officers after only 16 weeks leadership training. Whereas some other Nigerians attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for two years, the Ethiopian Military Academy for four years, the Indian Defence Academy for four years etc. to train and receive commission as second lieutenants compared to those who did the leadership course for only sixteen weeks. There were yet some Nigerians who were trained and commissioned also as second lieutenants after doing only two to six months in British, Indian or other training institutions which were only set up to give crash training and commission to the host country’s citizens who had received either a university or other tertiary educational qualifications.

It is true that the military principles of war are universal… But in view of the peculiarity of each country in terms of climate, terrain, weaponry, level of technology, financial constraints, ideology and the types of war that could be fought, each nation has to develop its own doctrine. … For example, for Nigeria to have the Armed Forces that is Nigerian in doctrine, regimentation,

,

Continues from page 34

The Indian experiment has survived the test of time for many decades; judging by the very high standard of discipline and quality of the Indian Armed Forces performances in war and peace. The Indians have also succeeded in perfecting and exporting the defence joint officers training system to many countries, including Nigeria.

In a bid to produce enough officers to fill the vacancies created by departing British officers who were serving in the Nigerian Army, Nigeriemy was appointed the first Director ans were sent to be of Academics in the NDA for the purtrained as officers in the The Nigerian Adoption pose of successful implementation of the project.

United States of America, Nigeria and India have a lot in comIndia, Canada, Pakistan, mon having graduated through the Egypt, Ethiopia, Aus- same British colonial rule to attain po- The Nigeria Defence litical independence. To sustain their Academy is born tralia etc. new independent status, the new born

,

weaponry and facilities for the production of the proper kind of officers, it had to have its own officers’ training institution. The usual tradition in some countries has been for each of the services or arms to establish its own school.

For instance, the British has the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, the Royal Naval Academy in Dartmouth, and the Royal Air Force Academy in Cromwell.

countries had to rationalize their scarce resources to meet their competing priorities which included building indigenous and requisite armed forces that is able, efficient and disciplined enough to secure and guarantee the lasting peace required for national development.

Nigeria being in search of sustainable and affordable democracy, set up a committee to study and recommend a unified system for the training and commissioning of officers into the Ni-

By an act of parliament in 1963, the Nigerian Defence Academy was legally born. The institution immediately came into existence when a team of officers, men and academicians were commissioned on 2nd January 1964 by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, to establish a Defence Academy that would recruit, train and supply the requisite quality regular combatant officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The January 1966 Coup D’etat

NDA cadets during their recent passing out parade.

The British arrangement has the advantage of concentration of efforts in particularizing the officers’ training.

But it has the disadvantage of triplication of costs and lacking in depth in general service knowledge required for the promotion of esprit de corps and common doctrine that can enhance joint operations.

However, many other Nations had decided to use their military academies as unifying centres by establishing one institution to train their Armed Services officers. Chiefly, amongst such countries is India, which established just one unified National Defence Academy where all eligible Indian citizens are admitted as cadets and trained together but respectively commissioned into the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

gerian Armed Forces. It is gratifying that a defence academy development committee wisely recommended the Indian experiment which gave birth to the Nigerian Defence Academy in January 1964.

In order to make sure that the aim and objectives were successfully planned and executed, the Indians who originated the system were invited by the Nigerian government to establish the proposed Nigerian Defence Academy. This resulted in the arrival in Kaduna, with the history of being a military citadel, a team of eight Indian military experts to engineer and start the institution on 20th January 1964.

Also, Malam S.S. Waniko, the Chairman of the Nigerian government committee on the planning and establishment of the Nigerian Defence Acad-

I LIVED in the last room of the third block nearest to the Non-Commission Officers quarters and others who were instructors and staff of the NDA. The sound of vehicles and the unusual movements from the above quarters woke me up from sleep. I looked at my watch and it was about twelve midnight. I looked at the Academy time table and there was no official exercise scheduled for us. Thus, I discountenanced the movements and went back to bed.

But I heard gun shots. Then I remembered that I had overheard someone saying that the NMTC was going to be on a night exercise codenamed ‘Operation Damisa’ on the 16th of January 1966. I then questioned why the Academy authority had not deemed it fit to involve the cadets as observers. I was still enjoying the continuous sounds of the mortar and other supporting weapons staccato when I slept off.

I woke up next morning to put myself and things together to start the day’s activities when the news came that there had been a military coup The military coup was later authenticated in a radio broadcast of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, who was the Commandant of the NMTC that planned and executed the coup, which was the first military coup in Nigeria… There was apprehension since the broadcast was from Kaduna.

What was the situation in Lagos which was the seat of the Federal Government?

FIND THE ANSWER IN OGBEBOR'S GREAT BOOK. GRAB A COPY. (CONCLUDED).

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Fashola’s statistics justify Lagos Road Traffic Law VITAL STATISTICS

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has given an account of his stewardship in the last 2,000 days noting that the state has recorded more voluntary compliance with the Road Traffic Law and an improved driving culture on the roads.

Fashola, who spoke during an interactive session held in, Ikeja, the state capital with various stakeholders in attendance gave a detailed account particularly of what has happened so far as regards government’s efforts through policies rolled out to manage traffic Tracing the origin of the Road Traffic Law, Fashola noted that the amendment in the new law incorporates the remaining part of the Report of the Alhaji Musiliu Smith’s Security Committee which was set up in 2007 and which had not been fully implemented.

“Many policies aimed at improving driving culture, regulating unauthorized vehicles and personnel, preventing drink driving and im-

On the Lagos Drivers’ Institute A- From August, 2nd -September 2012, 68.4 percent increase in attendance in the Drivers’ Institute.

B- Out of the 13,322 people that attended drivers’ institute- 11,986 had good vision C- 1,346 representing about 10.1 percent had bad vision, referred for corrective action such as glasses to improve their vision D- 58,174 vehicles came in to obtain road worthiness certificates, a 20.9 percent increase from the period before the law.

E- 48.4 percent increase in the issuance of Drivers’ License

•Fashola proving safety and protecting lives on our roads are contained in the law, he said” He disclosed that one month of advocacy which is still going, the installation of over 17,000 road signs, all in response to the feedback from citizens, has commenced structured enforcement.

Providing details to show components of the improved driving culture, the governor rolled out statistics recorded within the last three months of implementation of the traffic law.

On Traffic Law F- Fines on violators of traffic law reduced between JulySeptember by 24.2 percent G- Number of vehicles arrested for various violations dropped by 16.9 percent H- Arrests for driving against traffic dropped by 35.9 percent I- BRT lane violations

dropped by 74.2 percent J- Okada accidents dropped from 646 to 525 cases in September, a 18.73 percent reduction K- Deaths through Okada dropped from 14 to 8, a 42.86 percent reduction.

L- Police record shows crime generally perpetrated by Okada especially robberies dropped 30 percent in September and 60 percent as at the end of October, compared to the month of July, before the law came into force.

M- Healthcare monitoring shows, 65 percent of people sampled after the law want to reduce alcohol intake as against 30 percent before; N- 93 percent want to reduce drugs as against 71 percent before the law; O-77 percent convinced that alcohol is a danger to them and their passengers if they drink and drive, as against 10 percent before the law.

P- Only 4 percent say they can still able to purchase alcohol within the motor park after the law, as against 58 percent before the law.

Lagos: City dotted by collapsed buildings The incessant building collapse in Lagos metropolis has left the sprawling city with not less than ten collapsed buildings in less than one year, Vanguard can authoritatively report.

November 22, 2012 A two-storey building, Block M20, Jakande Estate, at Church Street, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 22, 2012 Collapsed at about midnight killing two sisters.

Just as the family in Isolo collapsed building were still counting their losses on Wedneday last week, calamity also struck the same day in the evening, as a storey building on 174B Corporation Drive Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi, collapsed killing a labourer.

This happened in the eveing of the fateful day.

A two storey building constructed by the Lagos state government in 2001 had collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday at the Jakande Low Cost Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, killing two sisters and wounding their mother.

A three-storey building at 3, Anikantamo Street, at AdenijiAdele, Lagos Island, collapsed in June this year rendering about 30 families homeless. The incident occurred at 12.45 pm following a loud bang which jostled residents of the area. The building was constructed about 10 years ago and had signs of imminent collapse before now.

Another collapse this year resulted to the death of one labourer, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a storey-building being refurbished, collapsed on the premises of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited on FIRRO Road, Cappa, Oshodi, Lagos. This happened around March this year. Some occupants of a three-storey building on Lagos Island were believed to

•Collapsed building have died after it collapsed Last year in February..

T

he eight-year-old building located in Anikantamo area of Victoria Island near Adeniji Adele collapsed around 1p.m, without giving any sign.

Rescue workers raced to the scene and began checking the rubble for any signs of life.

The spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaibu, confirmed the incident.

Six people were equally reported dead and 30 others rescued when a four-storey building collapsed in the central Lagos business district last year. Six people were pulled out dead while there

were more trapped under the rubble. The tragedy occurred around July last year As Lagos residents were making last preparations on New Year ’s eve in 2011, to usher in a fresh year, tragedy struck, as a two-storey building under construction collapsed in Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos State, killing four persons.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 37

Tips to remember as you approach a railway crossing

Free access turns Lagos rail crossings to death traps

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

HERE are increasing cases of fast moving trains crushing vehicles at various railroad crossings in the state, apparently due to unavailability of railroad gates at point of rail crossings.

Many lives have also been lost to the carefree attitude of relevant authorities to take the proactive measure by erecting the standard gates at these points. It can take up to two kilometres for a train to stop under full emergency braking.

About two months ago, at Ikeja along and Agege- Guinness Road, at least 10 people lost their lives when their vehicles ran into a fast moving train as they attempted to make a quick dash across the railway, but, Alas!, they could not make it.

Commercial motorcycles, popularly called “Okada Riders”, are not left out of the risky business. On Monday 28th, May, 2012, tragedy struck in the early hours when a fast moving train crushed an unidentified

Okada rider and his passenger at the same spot.

According to eyewitnesses, the train, heading towards Oyingbo area of the state crushed the Okada rider, a middleaged man and his passenger.

“He wanted to make a quick dash but he was not lucky enough, all of a sudden we just heard the sound of broken bones and saw dismembered body scattered all around the area.” An eyewitness told Vanguard.

The dismembered body of the Okada rider, who was said to be a Mali citizen, was later taken away.

Only, last week, another disaster was averted at IjaiyeAgbado Railroad crossing, as a fast moving train enroute Agege-Oyingbo almost crush another car, apparently un-

aware of the fast moving train who failed to hoot to warn motorists. Save for the passersby who called the attention of the driver to the fast approaching train who quickly applied his brakes.

When contacted, Mr. David Ndakotsu, Assistant Director Public Relations of NRC, stated that NRC has commenced the placement of railroad crossing gates across the country, saying before the end of this year, Lagos railroad crossings would have gates but before

then it mean Lagosians are on their own.

According to Ndakotsu: “The NRC runs mass transit train service in the Lagos area between Iddo/Apapa and Agbado/ Ijoko and the service is currently moving about 16,000 passengers a day.

He stated that the authority had added more fleet to the existing ones inorder to accommodate theincreasing patronage from passengers and with an increase in the frequency of weekend operations.

:Slow down, listen and look both ways to make sure the way is clear before crossing the tracks. *If a train is coming, stop at least five metres from the nearest rail or gate. Do not cross the track until you are sure the train or trains have passed. *Never race with a train to a crossing. *If there are signal lights, wait until they stop flashing and, if the crossing has a gate or barrier, wait until it rises, before you cross the tracks. *Never drive around, under or through a railway gate or barrier while it is down, being lowered or being raised. It is illegal and dangerous. *Avoid stopping in the middle of railway tracks; for example, in heavy traffic, make sure you have enough room to cross the tracks completely before you begin to cross. *Avoid shifting gears while crossing tracks. *If you get trapped on a crossing, immediately get everyone out and away from the vehicle. Move to a safe place and then contact authorities. *Buses and other public vehicles are required to stop at railway crossings that are not protected by gates, signal lights, or a stop sign.

School buses must stop at railway crossings whether or not they are protected by gates or signal lights.

Watch for these buses and be prepared to stop behind them. *If you are approaching a railway crossing with a stop sign, you must stop unless otherwise directed by a flagman.

Abandoned Lagos public toilets now criminals’ hideouts

BY BOSE ADELAJA

A

BOUT three years ago, Lagos State government through the Ministry of the Environment constructed rest rooms/public toilets in some designated areas in the State to serve the public.

Some of these toilets have been completed and commissioned while some others were left uncompleted for reasons best known to the government.

The project was kick-started by the immediate past Commissioner for the Environment Mr.

Muiz Banire who claimed that its purpose was to give Lagosians especially commuters and traders amongst others a new lease of life.

As at the inception, residents of the areas where these toilets were sighted benefitted greatly from the service especially around Palmgrove, Oshodi, Ijesha -Express, Ejigbo to mention but a few.

These toilets were well structured with beautiful red bricks with water system working and spacious veranda, also, they were well secured and the

projects created some job opportunities for the managers. All of a sudden, these decent and well funded projects became abandoned, replaced by privately run mobile toilets distributed by a Lagos based firm which has taken over every nook and crannies of Lagos including party venues, market centres and bus-stops.

The mobile toilets are makeshift types; uncomfortable, not spacious and unkept compared with these supposed public toilets that had necessary amenities to service their communities as four people could use

each at a time with sufficient clean water from the borehole into the suspended water tanks.

Vanguard investigation revealed that some of these decent and capital intensive structures have become parking stalls for traders and hide outs/ homes for hoodlums, street boys and girls where there is abuse of hard drugs for both sellers and end users.

A typical eyesore is that located within the proximity of NAFDAC office around Oshodi -Isale.

Some commuters told Vanguard that it is offensive to see

that this eye sore is within the LAGBUS terminal where people see this ugly incident happen without careless abandon In a chat with Vanguard, one of the users who pleaded anonymity, said the place was being allocated to them by area boys and ‘’Agberos’’ with no specific fee. ‘’You can be thrown out at any point in time depending on their state of mind,’’?

Vanguard ran into some area boys around 8.30pm last Wednesday and they said in Yoruba dialect, ‘’Iya, e so’ oju nu (Madam, mind your business).

Colourful opening ceremony for Eko 2012 today

T

•A Public toilet C M Y K

HE Local Organising Committee, LOC, of the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) said that it had planned a colourful and memorable opening ceremony for today.

The festival is scheduled to run from today to December 9. The statement signed by the LOC Secretary, Kweku Tandoh, said that the ceremony would showcase the best of Lagos. “The ceremony will provide opportunity for the world to exploit the tourism potential of the state.

According to the statement, the opening ceremony will start by 5 p.m. and will feature some foremost musicians in the country. ‘``The ceremony will commence by 5 p.m., but the gates will be opened at 3 p.m. with pre-opening ceremony activities,” the statement added.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

When sex refuses to bind (4)

E

mmanuel, (29), Sur veyor, has been living alone for the last three years. His wife insists she cannot endure a sexual relationship with him.

Why? His account: The honeymoon ended on this note. Nothing happened. By this time, I was already feeling a bit ashamed of myself. As if I were a freak, or something.

It was obvious that we needed help but who can one turn to for that kind of assistance? Would I need to be showing myself to

them to determine if it was too big or not? I knew it was going to be a big problem and the only person I could confide in was my mum.

At first, she thought I was joking, but after I told her we’d not done anything

,

HI, a lot have been said about sex.

Its ordained by God for procreation and recreation between a man and his wife. It has been described as the lubricating oil for a healthy,intimate relationship. Sex has also been ascribed some therapeutic and rejuvinating powers.

The more sex a couple has the better for them and their relationship.

However, this is not always the case in many relationships.

Sex, which ought to be freely given and enjoyed between a man and his wife may sometimes turn them into enemies, eventually destroying their otherwise great marriage and relationship.

In this article, our respondents share with us, their stories and how it affected their lives.

Please, feel free to share your experience or that of someone you know with us too. It might be benefitial to someone out there.

Our address remains: The Human Angle, Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail address: humananglepage@yahoo.com.

Happy reading!

Bola’s case, it is not likely that she will surrender easily. So, almost five months after, I decided to do as advised.

Perhaps, if I had not done it, things would not have turned out that way.

What happened after that

That night we ended up in the hospital where the doctor made it worse by saying that it was because I roughen her up that the blood was so much

since the wedding? She realised how big the problem was.

Accompanied by my father, she went to see Bola’s parents who were surprised at the news.

Apparently, Bola had not discussed it with them.

They promised to do something about it. Six weeks after, I had no choice but to discuss with our Pastor. He was surprised and so was his wife. Bola had refused to talk to anyone.

The pastor and his wife called us for another round of marital counselling and the wife arranged to talk to Bola privately. Every day, Bola will promise to give it a trial but in the night, she will back out. Gradually, frustration took over and I had to apply force as I’d been advised.

My parents as well as everyone I managed to confide in assured me that I had to be a man. If I continue to look at her, she will not get anything done. Sometimes, a woman needs a little pressure before she can surrender to such a thing and in

,

still freaks me out. The amount of blood that came out was like one had slaughtered a chicken. It was all over the bedsheet. Bola did not help matters. She started shouting and calling me names. She took the phone, called her parents, called the pastor and even some of her friends.

That night we ended up in the hospital where the doctor made it worse by saying that it was because I roughen her up that the blood was so much. He however assured that it does happen to some people. But the damage had been done.

From that point, I became the enemy. From the hospital, Bola returned to her parent’s place the next day. Both her parents had labelled me a monster.

They stopped short of asking me to show them the weapon I’d used to inflict such injury on their daughter. Her mother’s reaction was most bizarre.

They insisted she would stay with them

until her wounds healed.

It was the most embarrassing week of my life.

Before I knew what was happening, our story was on almost all lips in the church. After she returned home, we became almost like strangers. She began avoiding me like I had a disease.

When I even tried to crack some jokes to make her laugh, the look on her face will say, back off. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

That month, Bola missed her period and our son was conceived.

Everyone, including my parents advised me not to touch her again so that the pregnancy will not be terminated, especially because of our situation.

That was how I became celebate in my marriage at barely 25 years.

The pregnancy was very traumatic for us, because Bola was ill most days of the week than she was healthy. There is probably nothing under the sun that she did not complain about. Eventually, we agreed that she should go back to her parents’ place where she felt sure she would get the attention she wanted. My parents had offered initially but she turned them down, so, I had no choice but to support her.

Things did not turn out as we had envisaged they would. Bola had to undergo a Ceasarian Section to be delivered of the baby who was also born with some minor complications.

This made it imporsible for them to be discharged from the hospital in time for the naming ceremony.

So, it was performed at the hospital and we had a little entertainment at both of our parents’ homes.

After they were discharged, Bola returned to her parents’ for further care on the order of her mother. I later heard that they said they could not trust me to keeep my hands off her., adding that they do not want a repeat of what happened before.

To be continued Asisted by Onozure Dania

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Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

Taking a break in relationship

BY ONOZURE DANIA

Do you know that there are times when a relationship reaches a point where one or both partners feel the need for some space and want a break from each other, believing that a break will do the relationship good? Can taking time apart from each other actually help your relationship or is taking a break simply a way to avoid certain issues that will still be there waiting for you when you get back together?

Well, every relationship varies and it is important that every couple understand that taking time apart is not a substitute for fixing or solving problems in a relationship.

This is because, if you part when you are having problems, they will be waiting for you when you meet again. So, it is essential that you talk about your issues first before you decide if a break is needed and best for the relationship. Many people get scared and paranoid when their partner asks for some time alone because they feel and fear that their partner may not love them anymore or will not come back.

Though it is always possible for your partner to change their mind during the break and decide not to continue with the relationship, but there is no need to fear the break, because the two of you wouldeventually have broken up anyway, if your partner was already thinking of doing so. A break can help you re-discover your Individual self. Many times, one or both people in a relationship will lose themselves in some way or form and will begin to feel stress and resentment in the relationship, even though it may not be about their partner personally. In every relationship, couples will

compromise their differences to keep things healthy and happy and in making these compromise and changes, you both have to let go of a part of yourselves in order to compromise your differences.

Sometimes this happens so often, that one or both of you will feel like you have completely lost yourselves and will feel stressed and resentment towards each other, even though it has nothing to do with any of you in particular.

Relationships can get so deep that you both can connect as one so intensely that you neglect yourselves as individuals, and in order to re-discoveryourselves, there will be need to take some time apart from each other.

Remember, you need to be whole as anindividual first in order to be whole together as a couple, and time apart is best if one or both of you feel like you need to get back in touch with your individuality.

Slow down the pace to learn more about each other. Some couples get so excited when they enter a relationship, that everything moves so fast, which can get stressful, pressuring and scary, in which a break is then a good idea as well.

Taking time apart can help a relationship build a better bond because you will both replenish yourselves during the break and will then be able to give the relationship the efforts and attention needed to keep it healthy.

If you are afraid that you will lose the relationship if you take a break, just remember that you would have broken up later anyway, not because of the break, but because you grew apart and had irreparable issues or maybe your partner or you just wanted to move on.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—39

Capt. Idahosa Okunbor bags Uniben's honorary doctorate degree

Capt. Idahosa Okunbor being congratulated by His Royal From left: Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbor, JP and Prof. Isa Odidi, another awardee, at the conferment of honorary degree of Doctor of Science of the University of Benin to Capt.

Highness, Dr. Aliyu Musdafa, at the event.

Okunbor, weekend. Photos: Barnabas Uzosike

Capt. Okunbor and his wife, Mrs. Okunbor, after the conFrom left: Hon. Regina Oviaesy and Capt. Okunbor with his wife,Mrs. Okunbor after the event. ferment of doctorate degree (honoris causa)

From left: Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, Marketing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc; Mrs. Edith Onyema, Best Graduating Student; Mr. Rotimi Fadipe, Director, Logistics and Mr. Ibukun Ojo, Finance Director, at the Certificate Award Ceremony for graduands of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc Baking School in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

NIPSS GRADUATION: From left: Mr. Louis Odion, Chief Julius Adelusi, Chairman of Juli Pharmacy; Prof. Ibilola Olatunji-Bello and Mr. Tunji Bello, both graduands, at the NIPSS Senior Executive Course 34 Graduation Ceremony in Kuru, Jos. C M Y K

From left: Lion (Mrs.) Lami Ahmed, Princess Adetope Tychus, Guest Speaker, Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, Guest Speaker, Mrs. Kehinde Oginni, representing Chairman, Amuwo- Odofin LG and Lion Stella Agbogun, District Governor 404B, at Peace Poster Contest Seminar entitled: Imagine Peace ', organised by International Association of Lions Club Multiple District 404 Nigeria, to mark 25th anniversary of the contest, at Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

From left: Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Governor; Mr. Peter Obi, Anambra State Governor, andValerie Ebe, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, during a condolence visit to Mrs. Margaret Obi, wife of Anambra State Governor, on the demise of her uncle.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Works Minister, Mr. Mike Onolememen (left), inspecting works on Ovia River Bridge, along Benin-Ore-Shagamu expressway, where he ordered the contractor rehabilitating the road; RCC, represented by Sharon Liblich to construct concrete railings on both sides of the bridge to prevent vehicles plunging into the river.

From left: Smirnoff Brand Manager, Mr. Femi Akinrinade; Commercial Director, Ms. Lisa Nichols; Marketing Director, Mr. Austin Ufomba, and HR Director, Mr. Wale Adediran, at the Smirnoff drinks party in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

EFCC to probe First Bank over alleged loan fraud

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—OPERA TIVES of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have commenced investigations into allegations of fraud associated with agricultural loans

and illegal detention of about 300 herdsmen and farmers in Shira and Giade Local Government areas of Bauchi State.

An agricultural loans amounting to millions of naira was said to have been disbursed to the herdsmen

and farmers in the two council areas by the Shira branch of First Bank Nigeria Plc .

Allegations of maltreatment and detention of the beneficiaries during the loans recovery allegedly involved a traditional ruler and a Sharia court judge in the area in alleged connivance with the bank.

Flood: Dangote c'ttee raises N12bn

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — CHAIRMAN of the Presidential Committee on Flood Reliefs and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, weekend, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said his committee was able to raise N12 billion out of its N50bn target, assuring the government of his support in cushioning the effects of the flood on the victims.

Of the amount raised, the Chairman disclosed that 36 states including Federal Capital Territory contributed N1.8bn.

Making this known during his visit to Bayelsa State, Alhaji Dangote said the fund was meant to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims, lamenting over what he described as unquantifiable loss the state suffered during the period.

Noting the degree of devastation, the Chairman assured the government of his

committee’s support, adding that his committee would not only send relief materials but also rehabilitate the victims, in terms of provision of social infrastructure to enable them bounce back to life.

Dangote said his committee was quite touched by what happened in the state, adding that he would in his capacity as the Chairman of Dangote Group visit the state soon and contribute his quota in support of the victims.

Vanguard gathered that EFCC operatives’ visit to the area followed a petition the commission received on October 24 this year from the communities against the bank’s branch, a traditional ruler and judge of a court.

The beneficiaries were allegedly cajoled to open account with the bank's Shira branch so as to benefit from an agricultural and animal husbandry loans to boost their occupation.

It was further alleged that the villagers were deceived into receiving the loans sometimes in 2009 which were interest free, ranging from N350,000 to N1 million.

It was also alleged that the traditional ruler employed an agent who acted as clerk or secretary to facilitate documentations between the farmers and the bank as the traditional ruler and most of the illiterate farmers could neither write nor read in English language.

Ex-IYC leader flays ethnic, religious politics

BY INNOCENT ANABA

L

AGOS—DR. Chris Ekiyor, former President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has decried ethnic and religious consideration in running public and private institutions, which he noted was dragging the country backwards, noting that serious effort must be made to eliminate same from the country’s social and political life.

He stressed that the polarisation of the country into ethnic and religious divide portends great danger for Nigeria’s essence and greatness.

Ekiyor, also Convener of Nigeria Youth Integration Summit Group, NYISG, said it was unfortunate that religion and ethnicity now play major role in the selection process in all aspect C M Y K

of the country’s life rather than merit.

Speaking in Lagos, weekend, at a briefing to announce this year’s youth summit slated for November 29, at Silverbird Galleria in Lagos, he noted that the summit hopes to

build a pan-Nigerian think-thank of young people, who would look at people as Nigerian and not think about the bias of ethnic nationalities, adding that the summit would also address issues affecting the country from Nigeria’s

point of view and not through ethnic or religious divide.

The theme of the summit, was taken from a book written by a young Nigerian, Beauty Odiaka titled: “Fostering Unity in Diversity.”

Odumodu woos manufacturers on quality summit

L

AGOS—MANUFAC TURING firms have been advised to explore the array of resource persons and international experts being assembled for the maiden Nigeria Quality Summit to update their knowledge and skills on current best practices for increased efficiency.

Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Ikem Odumodu, who made the call in Lagos said the

Agency in realising the need to make Nigerian companies more competitive and prepared to play in the global market has concluded plans to host the first Nigeria Quality Summit on December 6, 2012 with an array of resource persons from developed world and emerging super economies like Malaysia.

Odumodu said: “The Chief Executives of Swedish Standards Institute,

Standards Malaysia, South Africa Bureau for Standards, Egyptian Standards Board and Chairman of International Organisation for Standardisation Committee for Developing Countries ISO DEVCO who is also Director-General of Kenya Bureau of Standards have all accepted to speak on various topics with the theme: "Less Waste, Better Results – Standards Increase Efficiency.”

Lack of maintenance culture blamed on leadership

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS—GENERAL Secretary, Nigerian chapter of International Facility Management Association, Mr. Tunji Okesola, yesterday, said the nation lacked maintenance culture due to problems of leadership.

He also made case for training of people to handle infrastructure.

Okesola, who spoke on facility management in La-

gos, said: “Due to some reasons, we have not been able to care about the infrastructure we have. We have lacked that because of so many problems, one of which is leadership.”

He pointed out that we do not have a leadership that is very conscious of the need, not just to provide infrastructure, but to ensure that it is sustained by mapping out policies that would help individuals and corporate entities maintain infrastructure in the country.

Ijaw communities protest imposition of candidate

BY EMMAARUBI

W

ARRI—THE people of Ijansa/Ijelejele communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have protested against alleged imposition of a councillorship candidate, Mr. Arex Akemeotubo, to represent ward 13 in the council’s Transition Committee recently constituted by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

But Mr. Arex, in his reaction, said the alleged ward 13 does not exist, as it was not recognised by law, adding that he was not repre-

senting Ijansa/Ijelejele communities in the Transition Committee, but OgbeIjoh community.

The people in a protest letter addressed to Governor Uduaghan, the community Chairman, Mr. Johnbull Aniyanghan; Roland Takemebo, Chiefs Richard Evene; Tuwei Koredegha; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ward leaders respectively, said the Delta State Electoral Commission, DESIEC, created additional wards in 2004 and in the process carved out Ijansa/Ijelejele communities from Ogbe-Ijoh as ward 13 for them.

Constitution: Group tasks c'ttee on gender discrimination

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & GABRIELOLAWALE AGOS—GENDER and Constitution Reform Network, GECORN, has called on members of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution to ensure that memorandum submitted to it on provisions of the 1999 constitution that discriminate and marginalise women were amended.

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The group made the call at the just concluded zonal public hearing of the senate committee.

According to GECORN’s national coordinator, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the history of successive constitutions in Nigeria has been a history of exclusion, discrimination and imposition on gender bias provisions, a trend which should not be allowed to continue.

Vanguard,

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

—41

Mursi, judges parley over power grab

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GYPTIAN President Mohamed Mursi met with senior judges yesterday to try to defuse a crisis over his seizure of new powers which has set off violent protests reminiscent of the revolution last year that led to the rise of his Islamist movement.

The justice minister said he believed Mursi would agree with the country’s highest judicial authority on its proposal to limit the scope of the new powers.

But the protesters, some camped in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, have said only retracting the decree will satisfy them, a sign of the deep rift between Islamists and their opponents that is destabilizing Egypt two years after Hosni Mubarak was ousted.

“There is no use amending the decree,” said Tarek Ahmed, 26, a protester who stayed the

night in Tahrir, where tents covered the central traffic circle. “It must be scrapped.”

One person has been killed and about 370 injured in clashes between police and protesters since Mursi issued the decree on Thursday shielding his decisions from judicial review, emboldened by international plaudits for brokering an end to eight days of violence between Israel and Hamas.

Mursi’s political opponents have accused him of behaving like a dictator and the West has voiced its concern, worried by more turbulence in a country that has a peace treaty with Israel and lies at the heart of the Arab Spring.

Mursi’s administration has defended his decree as an effort to speed up reforms and complete a

democratic transformation.

Leftists, liberals, socialists and others say it has exposed the autocratic impulses of a man once jailed by Mubarak.

Mursi’s office said he met with Egypt’s highest judicial authority, the Supreme Judicial Council yesteday , and the council hinted at compromise.

Mursi’s decree should apply only to “sovereign matters”, it said,

British family with 16 children

British largest family records 16th birth

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RITAIN’s biggest family just got bigger as mum gives birth to her sixteenth child and she already wants another baby!

Sue Radford, 37, from Morecambe, Lancs, now has nine sons and seven

daughters since welcoming little Casper into the world just over a months ago after a 16minute labour.

Food costs the couple

some £250 a week. Each day the family guzzles three loaves of bread, two boxes of cereal and 18 pints of milk while and average supper can include 16 pork chops,

EU ministers meet on Greek bailout

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URO zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund began their third attempt in as many weeks to release emergency aid

for Greece yesterday with policymakers saying a write-down of Greek debt was off the table for now.

Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras voiced

Israeli Defence Minister to quit politics

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SRAELI Defence Minister Ehud Barak, a leading strategist in confronting Iran over its nuclear program, said in a surprise announcement yesterday said that he would quit political life after the January 22 national election.

Some commentators speculated Barak was trying to duck a trouncing for his tiny centrist party in the ballot, after which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads the front-running, rightwing Likud, might return him to defence and military headquarters as a professional appointee.

But others said 70-yearold Barak, who has served as prime minister and armed forces chief, may have had enough of campaigning and wanted to focus on resolving the Iranian issue before leaving his post.

“I stand before you to share my decision to resign from political life and not to run in the coming election for the C M Y K

151bs of potatoes, three cabbages and 30 carrots with Alo Kapfo Krazia, Shahnaz Yesmin, Vikas Commentator and 43 others.

Knesset,” Barak told a news conference, adding he would stay on as defence chief until a new administration is sworn in.

Speaking five days after an eight-day Gaza offensive ended in a ceasefire with the enclave’s Hamas Islamist rulers, Barak said he wanted to spend more time with his family and that politics “has never been a passion of mine”.

Should Barak’s resignation prove permanent his successor would likely come from Likud ranks. He might even be replaced by the current foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, the Likud’s more hawkish coalition partner.

Few doubt that this would affect the tenor of a ministry that oversees everything from armed conflict to administration of occupied Palestinian territory to liaising with regional power-broker Egypt.

confidence the ministers would finally reach a deal after Greece had fulfilled it’s part of the deal by enacting tough austerity measures and economic reforms.

“I’m certain we will find a mutually beneficial solution today,” he said on arrival for what was set to be another marathon meeting.

Greece, where the euro zone’s debt crisis erupted in late 2009, is the currency area’s most heavily indebted country, despite a big “haircut” this year on privately-held bonds. Its economy has shrunk by nearly 25 percent in five years.

EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said it was vital to disburse the next 31 billion euro tranche of aid “to end the uncertainty that is still hanging over Greece”.

He urged all sides to “go the last centimeter because we are so close to an agreement”.

Greece had met international lenders’ conditions and “Now it is delivery time for the Eurogroup and the IMF,” Rehn said. Negotiations have been stalled over how Greece’s debt, forecast to peak at almost 190 percent of gross domestic product next year, can be cut to a more sustainable 120 percent by 2020.

42—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

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Vanguard , TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 —43

Jaji attack: Death toll rises to 15 Continues from Page 5

Mr. Olubiyi Odunaro receiving treatment from a health officer attached to the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS. Photo: Monsur Olowoopejo.

HUNGER STRIKE: Ex-banker suspends indefinite action as Fashola wades in

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—BARELY two weeks after embarking on an indefinite hunger strike to protest nonpayment of his terminal benefit, Mr. Olubiyi Odunaro, a 53-year-old former employee of Hallmark Bank Plc., yesterday, suspended his hunger strike.

Odunaro, had commenced the indefinite hunger strike on November 12 this year in protest against the non-payment of his terminal benefit as well as that of over 14,000 of his colleagues who were also affected.

Odunaro suspended the hunger strike after several minutes of appeals from the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Justice and Law Reform, Mr. Lanre Akinsola and the President, Association of ex-staff of Non-Consolidated Banks, Mr. Magnus Maduka at a garden on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, a place he had turned abode since commencement of the strike.

Hallmark Bank was one of the banks that failed to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN, recapitalisation requirement in 2005 and had to fold up, laying off its staff in the process.

According to Odunaro, “On this strike, I am not

acting alone. It is a struggle for me and others who are affected. Since I have received the assurance from my association that I should suspend it; and that the state governor, is now aware of the issue, I will do so today.”

The Ex-Banker who was taken to the General Hospital, with the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, added, “I am suspending it and I would give the state government the benefit of the doubt. I know the state government has been up and doing on various issues concerning its residents,” Ipaye said: “This is a very pathetic situation and im-

mediately the Governor, Babatunde Fashola, read about it in the media, he mandated the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and the office of the Senior Special Assistance on Justice and Law Reform to set up an inter-ministerial committee that would act on behalf of the state government on the issue.

“The most important thing to the state government is the health of Odunaro. So the first thing we would do is to provide medical service to him. This is because it is an issue concerning a man who has been on hunger strike for the past 15 days. We believe

that there is an urgent need for medical attention, and that was why we have brought medical personnel to covey him to the General Hospital.”

The Attorney-General emphasised that it “is when one is alive that he or she would be able to fight for his rights”, stressing that, “We do not want any causality. It is not in the interest of the state government for any of its residence to die.”

He said that the state Government through the Directorate of Citizens Right and other agencies would be providing free legal service for him and others who were affected.

Bandits bomb banks in Auchi

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY— DARE-devil armed bandits took over Auchi town in Edo State, late yesterday, robbing banks, after using bombs and dynamites to blow up the banks.

It was gathered that the robbers invaded the town with sophisticated weapons and blocked all exit points before launching the attack on the banks.

Three new generation banks on Poly Road and a first generation bank at Igbe Road were said to have been attacked by the robbers.

An eyewitness told Vanguard, that security operatives, including members of the Joint Military Task

Force, were overwhelmed.

Vanguard learnt that soldiers attached to Army School of Electrical Engineering in Auchi, were unable to move against the robbers because they had no orders to do so.

A student of Auchi Polytechnic, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “They are still shooting every where and the bombs are shaking the houses and roofs. Some roofs have been blown off and no body knows what is happening outside for now because every body has run inside their houses. The entire place is like ghost town now.”

Edo North Area Commander of the police, Mr. David Jimwan, could not confirm the news that a po-

lice station was bombed, saying “we cannot tell the situation now until things settled down.

At press time, the robbers were still operating with no resistance from the police.

Security doors of the banks and ATM machines were not spared during the attack as they were destroyed by explosives.

Residents of the area ran for their lives on hearing the explosions. No death was recorded so far, but the robbers had a field day as they were not challenged by security operatives, who were no where to be found.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Anthony Arhuoyo, did not pick his call.

dent which occurred inside a military establishment as ‘’a devastating event that calls for sober reflection."

His words: "The bombing of a church within a premier institution like AFCSC is a wake-up call to all security agencies within the country to continue to sit up so as to fashion out a solution on how to curb the incidents of bombing or terrorism. The biggest project now in Nigeria should be the search for peace so that the enormous potentials of Nigeria can be fully harnessed. Religious bigotry or terrorism will only destroy Nigeria instead of building it.”

The Governor also said that the state government would pay the medical bills of the victims.

Kure had told Yakowa that some of those who died included children, without giving further breakdown of those who were either dead or injured.

At least 50 people were said to have been injured during the bomb attack, even as unofficial sources claimed that no fewer than 30 died.

This was even as the Military, placed security cordon of about one kilometre radius from the church and all the hospitals where the victims were rushed to for treatment in the area with clear instructions barring newsmen from coming near such areas.

Journalists, others barred Journalists who accompanied Governor Yakowa and other nonmilitary officers were also barred from both the scene of the bombing and the hospitals.

Governor Yakowa, was allowed into the Jaji barracks with limited number of his cabinet members but journalists were bared from following him into the devastated church building, as they were diverted into a conference hall about a kilometre from the area and warned not

to aim their cameras at any object in the barracks.

Officials of both the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and the Red Cross who spoke to Vanguard expressed anger over the refusal of the Military to allow them into the barracks to ascertain the number of casualties and the needed relief materials for victims and their relations.

Air Commodore Ekagbo’s family A source in Ekagbo’s family who described him as an affable gentleman that loves to play golf, said the military officer was in his house about 10 meters away from the church, when the second explosion occurred.

“He was severely injured, even as part of his house came down on him. He also had some visitors, who also sustained sever injuries.

The entire brigadiers’ quarters to the end of diamond Bank, was badly damaged.

"I counted about 20 burnt cars and even more motor-cycles.

When the Air Commodore was taken away, we all thought he was dead.

And we the Idoma Community here (Jaji) had started mourning him deeply, until we were assured this (yesterday) afternoon, that he had very bad injuries but is alive. The problem is that even we his family members are not allowed to see him."

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Bola Koleoso, in a text message to Vanguard on the issue also simply stated: “It is either you believe me or you believe lies. As of now 5:45pm, (yesterday) Monday, November 26, 2012, there is no information like you are saying. Investigation panel has been set up and only the panel can specifically say what is authentic concerning the unfortunate incident beyond my press releases. Thank you.”

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

HIGH POINTS The emergency repairs will ease the nightmares usually faced by commuters during the Christmas period Rapid progress must be made on the reconstruction during the dry months Government should empower the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA to carry out its mandate of preventive, proactive and routine maintenance on major roads across the country.

•Passengers trapped in the Benin-Ore gridlock

Unending promises on reconstruction of Lagos -Ore-Benin highway Expert seeks emergency repairs before xmas

By JUDE NJOKU

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XACTLY three years ago, the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the then Works & Housing Minister, Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal, inspected the reconstruction works on the everbusy Lagos-Ore-Benin expressway. The traffic gridlock on that day was so frightening that Governor Mimiko and Dr Hassan Lawal became emergency traffic wardens. Speaking to newsmen after that harrowing experience, Governor Mimiko said: “We have all been witnesses to the harrowing experiences that our people go through on this road on a daily basis. We cannot run away from the fact that this road is congested hence the road has broken down completely. The solution I see is simple: from Lagos to Benin, this road has to be reconstructed. The palliative that is going on is okay for this season but ultimately, the Federal Government must commit itself to rebuilding this road. This is a very important atrial

road in this country. We must do something about this road, people sleep here for two, three days and you know what that means in terms of loss to the economy of this nation not to talk of the psychological torture that people go through. There is no question about the fact that this road has to be rebuilt. Yes, we welcome the rehabilitation that is going on but ultimately, this road must be rebuilt”.

A year before this incident, the then Minister of Transportation, Mrs Dieziani Allison Madueke reportedly wept uncontrollably after a facility tour of the road.

Mrs Madueke who empathized with the sufferings Nigerians go through on that road, gave reasons for betraying her emotions. “I weep at the sight of everything that shows failure of government in Nigeria. Lagos-Shagamu-OreBenin Road is a clear picture of Nigerian state abandonment of its responsibility to its citizens”.

Continuing, she promised to remedy the situation by fixing the road. “The challenge for us is to act wisely in dealing with this matter. The errors have been made but I think we can still correct the problem by looking for what will ensure a renewed government relevance not for self-serving or the good of a few but the good of all”.

Despite the weeping and hopes raised by the Minister, nothing was done to fix the road until she was deployed to the Petroleum Ministry.

Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal who later took over as Minister of Works & Housing made similar pledges on the road but nothing concrete was done until he bowed out of office. Successive Works ministers after him equally promised to fix the 250 kilometres road but these promises were never actualized till date.

Biblical valley of the shadow of death

Indeed, traveling along the Lagos-Shagamu-OreBenin highway is like a journey through the biblical “valley of the shadow of death”. Under normal circumstances, the journey from Lagos to Benin should be covered in two and half hours but due to the dilapidated state of the expressway, commuters spend almost the entire day on the road.

It was against this backdrop that a contributor to the last presidential media chat told President Goodluck Jonathan that whosoever fixes that road and power would be regarded as the best President Nigeria has ever produced.

In a swift response, President Jonathan said he would fix the road before the end of his current four-year term.

The President who also promised to review the concession agreement with Messrs Bi-Courtney on the reconstruction of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, matched his words with action when the following day, the concession contract was revoked. The prompt using a mat at the entryway of a action taken by the Federal home, building steps or using Government has since raised the hope grates to scrape dirt off shoes, of stakeholders that the Lagosand encouraging residents to Shagamu -Ore-Benin Road, will also remove shoes inside will all make receive prompt presidential attention. a difference.

Construction experts who spoke to * Use materials that are easy Vanguard Homes & Property to clean. Dust is easily removed weekend, called on the president to from smooth and cleanable start by embarking upon emergency surfaces (smooth flooring such as repairs of the road to enable millions wood, tile, linoleum, and vinyl) of Nigerians who want to travel during through vacuuming and the Christmas and New Years mopping. festivities, do so without much distress.

Dry season and how to reduce exposure to dust

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xposure to dust inside homes can have adverse health outcomes, such as respiratory problems, asthma, allergic reactions, and lead poisoning (if the dust contains lead). Dust comes from two sources. First, dirt and dust can be carried in from outside on shoes or blown in through windows and doors. Second, there are indoor sources of dust, particularly dust mites.

While it is impossible to have a dustfree home especially in a tropical climate like ours in Nigeria, it is

possible to live in a home that minimises dust that is carried in from the outside and to avoid conditions that can promote allergens in dust.

These simple measures will help to reduce the dust in your home this dry season. * Because nearly two-thirds of the dust in our homes is tracked in from outdoors, one key strategy is to build and maintain homes that help occupants track off dust before it is carried inside. Simple steps such as

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—45

MATERIALS WATCH

Cornerstone estate, Oregun

Cement Dangote cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Elephant cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Sandcrete Blocks 6 inches vibrated per block---N130 9 inches vibrated per block---N150 6 inches hand mould per block---N80 9 inches hand mould per block---N90 Sand Soft per tipper load ---N13,000 Sharp double tipper load---N23,000 Gravel double tipper load---N25,000 Gravel single tipper load---N18,000 Granite per tipper load----N120,000 Reinforcement 8 mm (153) pieces per ton ---N125,000 10 mm (153) pieces per ton---N136,000 12 mm (93) pieces per ton---N161,000 16 mm (93) pieces per ton---N172,000 20 mm (53) pieces per ton---N122,000

•Row of houses at Cornerstone Estate Oregun

Cornerstone delivers N700 million phase1 Oregun estate Stories by KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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HE first phase of Cornerstone Housing Estate in the Oregun area of Lagos metropolis has been completed and work started on the second phase of the scheme. The completed phase comprises 12 units of semidetached and two fully detached duplexes while the second phase will feature six semi-detached and two detached units, as well as six terrace units.

A joint venture between Cornerstone Real Estate Limited (formerly Cornerstone Construction Limited), the Dr. Oladele Ajose Family and Mutual Benefit Assurance, as well as some private investors, the estate sits on five acres of land. Both phases of the project consist of 26 housing units.

The Chairman, Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, Mr. Lanre Okupe, put the cost of the first phase at about N700m, while the combined estimated cost of the two phases is N1.4bn.

Okupe who conducted newsmen round the estate last week, said that 10 units have been sold in the first phase. According to him, potential buyers of the remaining two units will pay marked up prices.

Completed features The portion of the estate that has been completed features tarred road network, street light, perimeter fence, electric transformer, treated water and security service, all of which will be extended to the second phase.

The selling prices of units in the second phase will be slightly higher, according to Okupe, because of the low land nature of the site, which will require about 26-metre deep pilling foundation.

The semi-detached unit is a four-bedroom duplex with all rooms having en-suite facilities.

It has a self-contained boy’s quarter attached to it. The unit features the guest room downstairs together with visitors’ bedroom, kitchen with marble top cabinet and the dining area.

The remaining three bedrooms, the family lounge and balcony are located on the upper floor, which is connected to the ground floor with a network of stairs and stainless balustrade railings. The floor areas are finished in vitrified tiles, while the ceiling of the ground floor is made

of POP. The upper floor ceiling is made of PVC tiles, while the doors are largely imported and the wardrobes are elegantly finished. Each unit has parking space for four cars.

Okupe expressed frustration at the inability of banks to fund real estate projects, but rather preferred to fund trade in goods, which would bring instant returns.

As a result of this, he said the company had to raise capital to finance the project from other sources.

He also said the inability of the Lagos State Government to fast-track the process of issuing building plan approvals was another major challenge that developers were facing, citing the example of the Oregun project, which took about two years for the approval to be secured.

For interested buyers of units in the estate, Okupe said the company would accept payment in installments, while First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Standard Chartered Bank and GTBank had signified readiness to arrange mortgages for those who need such facilitiesss.

Woods Timber (hard) 1x1x12---N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12---N800 Timber (hard) 2x4x12---N700 Softwood 2x2x12---N260 2x3x12---N300 Plywood 3x3x8---N3,500 2x4x8---N2,400 Roofing Sheets Corrugated iron sheets per bundle---N10,000 Asbestos (Super) 4x8 per piece---N1,600 Asbestos (Solo) 4x6 per piece---N1,500 Wall tiles (ceramic) 6 x 6 per square metre----------N1,200 20 x 20 (China) per square metre----------N1,100 20 x 25 (China) per square metre---....N1,400 Floor tiles (ceramic) 14 x 14 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,800 14 x 14 (Brazil) per square metre------------N1,420 13 x 13 (Spain) per square metre---------N1, 550 45 x 45 (Spain) per square metre------------N1,900 40 x 40 (Marble Spain) per square metre--N3,800 30 x 30 (Marble Spain) per square metre----N2,000 Plumbing Materials Galvanised conduit pipes per length 20 mm diameter -----------------N170 25 mm diameter---------------N170 PVC conduit pipes 20 mm diameter per length -------N120 25 mm diameter per length------N130 Source-----------Cement tiles and building materials market along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

LASG, UNDP train journalists on coverage of climate change issues

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F the needed societal transformation to meet the climate change challenge is to be achieved, the media must rise up to its traditional role in the society. This view was canvassed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello at a two-day training programme for Environment Journalists organised by Lagos State Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP. He stated that the media needs to do more particularly in the area of advocacy and exchange of climate change information. The theme of the workshop was “Taming the Climate Change Monster with the Power of the Pen: Nigeria Journalists in Focus”.

According to him, the theme was a reflection of the growing alliance of the state government with the multilateral body in pushing the cause of the environment further. He stressed that the responsibility of educating the government and the governed on these enormous realities largely rests

on the media.

He therefore encouraged enterprising journalists to explore reports on various dimensions of the climate change maintaining that “Climate Change is not the only environmental problem, but just an aspect of the bigger challenge, which is the unsustainable way we are living on Earth and how we are managing our natural resources. The task we all have in our hands is to bring about change in the ways we do things”.

Continuing, he said: “Climate change is no longer a far flung scientific jargon associated with the Western World as some pessimists would want us to believe.

Climate change is a global phenomenon with varying impacts from region to region, from the developed to the developing and underdeveloped worlds, the reality of climate change is becoming more and more evident”.

Bello stressed that one of the determining factors that would guarantee victory against the scourge of climate change was the task of educating over seven billion world inhabitants on the dynamics of climate change.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

L-r: Head of Mobile Phones, Nokia Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Calin Ticanan; General Manager, Beat FM, Deji Awokoya; Chief Editor, Goal.com, Lolade Adewuyi; Head Development & Experience, Nokia, Teemu Kijarvi and Vice President, Nokia West Africa, Mr. James Rutherford at the global launch of the Nokia ASHA 205 and 206 range in Lagos yesterday.

R-l: Collins Olorogun, Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Area, Abonemo Obalei; Secretary to Bomadi L.G.A, HRM Pere Kalanama VIII; Ernest Tobi,Vice-Chairman, Bomadi LGA, (2nd left) and Allen Egbegi. Supervisor for Works Bomadi LGA, at the palace during a courtesy visit.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—47

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48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

HIV immunity on the horizon ••As novel preventive vaccine debuts

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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OR the first time since the the battle against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, began, real hope has emerged of prospects of long-lasting immunity against the virus which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. This development arose from a scientifc feat by the Texas Biomedical Research Institute on a single dose novel HIV vaccine designed to last a lifetime.

Just last week, Texas Biomedical Research Institute applied for a patent for a genetically-engineered vaccine strategy to prevent HIV infection that targets the outer layers of body structures that are the first sites of contact with the virus.

Statistics available have shown that more than 90 percent of new HIV infections worldwide are transmitted by sexual intercourse through outer layers of cells called epithelial cells which line the surfaces of structures throughout the body. The new vaccine is directed to what the mucosal layers of the epithelium in the genital and rectal areas where the virus enters the body.

In Nigeria, populations at greatest risk for HIV comprise 3.4 per cent of population but account for up to 40 percent of new infections.

According to the researchers, the newly developed vaccine would lead to the continual production of disease-fighting cells without being eliminated by the immune system. Another feature of the vaccine system is that it could be adapted for use against other infections.

In the views of Marie-Claire Gauduin, from Texas Biomed's Department of Virology and Im-

munology, who is also a co-inventor on the patent with Philippe Blancou, a visiting scientist from the University of NiceSophia Antipolis, France; “The development of an effective AIDS vaccine that restricts viral

replication at the mucosal level of entry may be our best hope for controlling the HIV pandemic."

Gauduin added that only lifelong stimulation of the immune system by the vaccine would be sufficient to achieve long-term

protection. One of the main reasons for the failure of HIV vaccines thus far is their inability to deliver antibody-producing cells for prolonged periods of time, thus only achieving weak and transient protection at best.

The primary target for viral transmission through different mucosal sites varies depending on the tissue. However, soon after crossing the mucosal layer, HIV rapidly spreads to lymph nodes and other organs where it replicates.

The vaccine will have a molecule and stem cell gene tagged to target epithelial cells, that combined, will promote the production of antibody-producing cells.

Thus, the epithelial layer will continuously release new antibody-producing cells and not be eliminated by the body's immune response.

• From left: Mr. Erwan Vilfeu, Business Executive Manager, Nescafe, Mrs. Iquo Ukoh, Executive Director, Head Marketing Service Nestle Plc, Prof. Rahamon Bello, Unilag Vice Chancellor cutting the tape and Prof. Babajide Alo, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academy and Research, during the official opening of Nescafe Cafe, at Unilag Guest House. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

‘Nigerians spend $700m annually on overseas treatment’

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE, CHARLYNE IKPE & BUSOLA LIKOLO

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IGERIANS spend over $700 million every year on medical treatment overseas as a result of inadequate healthcare services in the country.

President, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele who disclosed this in Lagos last week said the nation is losing so much money to overseas treatment while a country like India earns over $260 million in medical tourism every year.

Speaking during the annual general meeting and conference of the Lagos State Medical Guild, tagged: Medical Tourism: economic implication for Nigeria, Enabulele posited that it is saddening that over 5,000 Nigerians visit India and other countries every month for medical treatment with many ending up with various risks and challenges including misdiagnosis, legal and ethical issues, exposure to infectious diseases, as well as post-surgical complications.

He decried lack of political commitment, high level corruption and mismanagement of collective wealth, such that political leaders paradoxically seem not to have confidence in the healthcare facilities in the country.

Nescafe Café opens at Unilag

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE & NNAMDI OJIEGO

Chemists are essential to Nigeria’s transformation S agenda — OGHIFO

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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HE Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON, is being repositioned to becoming a major responder in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan even as chemists have been recognized as the critical pre-requisite in the attainment of the transformation process.

Disclosing this during the 7th Fellowship/Induction ceremony of the Institute in Lagos last week, the Registrar/CEO, ICCON, Prince Jay Oghifo, asserted that the Institute is championing a new course for professional identity of chemists in Nigeria. Oghifo who described the

event as a significant step and professional landmark in the annals of the Institute, said they were moving fromadvocacy to actualisation of objectives.

“An induction is always a time of advancement in the life of the inductees and the organisation.

It is an outstanding accomplishment that should be seen not as an end but as the beginning of a potentially fulfilling experience in activities of the inductees,” he stated.

Further, Oghifo said: “On the 12th of October this year, an Expert Committee was instituted by the Minister for Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu and he mentioned the role of chemists

in development of transformation as indispensable. Government is taking the issue of re-organising the education sector and the Institute should turn around the teaching of chemistry as it is learned and practiced.”

Lamenting that what obtains today in chemistry is not what it should be, Oghifo argued: “We have the responsibility to turn it around. It begins with acquiring knowledge before applying it. There is really the need for review of the curricula and to put chemistry into proper perspective. The immediate input is to see people in the industry come on to reposition the profession and contribute to the well being

of the nation.”

Admonishing the new inductees and Fellows to uphold ideals of the profession and institute, he remarked: “Be reminded that being inducted does not make you professional chemists as such. It makes you trainee professional chemists. Our calling goes beyond identifying atoms and molecules.”

A high point of the event was the conferment of honourary Fellowship award of the Institute by ICCON President, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, on the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed which was collected on his behalf by the State’s Commissioner for Works, Dr. Abubakar Kannaike.

TAFF and students of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos can now enjoy the health benefits of coffee in a relaxed atmosphere, thanks to the debut of the Nescafe Café which was formally commissioned at the University of Lagos last week.

Declaring the café open, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahman Bello, said the new café would be a place where staff and students can interact, socialize, engage in light reading and enjoy Nescafe with their meals. He said the management would add traditional menu, barbecue, music and live performances while visitors to the café would also be able to connect wirelessly to the internet.

Marketing Services Director,

Continues on Page 50

Vanguard, TUESD AY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 49 TUESDA

2m employees die in the workplace every year — IOE

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & ONOZURE DANIA

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WO million persons die in the workplace every year out of an estimated 160 million work related diseases, and 270 million fatal and non-fatal work related accidents that occur each year in the workplace in Nigeria and other countries.

Worse still, about 4 percent of the World’s annual Gross Domestic Product, GDP is lost as a consequence of occupational diseases and accidents.

Reeling out these figures in a paper entitled: “Towards an Accident Free Workplace – Emergency Trends and Best Practice”, Dr. Janet Asherson of the International Organisation of Employers, IOE, said the profile of global industrial deaths and related issues warranted scrutiny.

Though figure for Nigeria was not available, Asherson who spoke at the 1st Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF/ Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Workplace Safety Awareness Day/Award Ceremony, in Lagos, noted that companies should “view risks holistically to include those of contractors, drivers and home workers use benchmarking and comparisons intelligently to judge performance”, insisting that employers should “look

beyond just safety into wellbeing, human behaviour, product safety, influencing supply chain, informing customers, engaging community, especially the corporate social responsibility, CSR, agenda.

Common workplace diseases include backache, occupational asthma, occupational overuse syndrome, and work-related stress among others.

Speaking earlier on the programme, President of NECA, Chief Richard Uche, observed that 30 companies in Lagos and Ogun States were invited to participate in the Pilot Organisational Health and Safety, OSH, Compliance Audit but 25 companies participated in the exercise and the Audit

Report, which was later presented to the NSITF. “As part of this partnership, the NSITF - NECA Interactive Enlightenment Fora, which attracted a total of 675 participants in Lagos. Among specific objectives of the forum were provision of a platform for the Organised Private Sector, OPS, and other stakeholders to be enlightened on the implementation modalities of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010; To address employers’ concerns and challenges in complying with the new dispensation; and to review updates and developments and clarify grey areas in aid of a hitch-free implementation.

•Mr.Victor Olaotan of Tinsel being screened during an awareness programme by Urban Safari as part of exercise to mark the 2012 World Diabetes Day in Lagos recently.

Urban Safari, DAN seek proper attention on diabetes management

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O check the rising incidences of diabetes among Nigerians, experts have called for massive education and proper attention on the management of the disease in country.

Experts who spoke in Lagos during an awareness programme organised by Urban Safari in collaboration with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, DAN blamed increasing incidence of the disease on poor awareness.

At the awareness programme held at the Isolo General Hospi-

tal, Lagos, the Manager of Urban Safari, Mrs. Dele Chinedu emphasised the need for more awareness creation in combating the scourge in Nigeria. She revealed that almost 80 percent of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle income countries like Nigeria.

Chinedu, disclosed that, though cost of managing diabetes was high, “our collective collaboration will bring succour to the less privileged who live with this disease’’.

She added that, the partnership

with diabetes association to mark the World Diabetes Day is borne out of the desire to support efforts of the association to further educate and promote the awareness and the need for proper attention on prevention and maintenance of the disease that has killed so many people for lack of knowledge.

In his own remarks, chairman of the association identified cost and illiteracy as some of the factors affecting the treatment and management of diabetes in Ni-

Dickson, NANNM laud Mortein’s anti-malaria drive

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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HE insecticide-led antimalaria awareness and sensitisation initiative spearheaded by Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Mortein brand of insecticide has received accolades for health safety and all-inclusive proactive step to stem the high prevalence of malaria in Nigeria.

Malaria remains the most worrisome cause of maternal and infant mortality in Nigeria accounting for about 11 per cent of maternal deaths, especially in first-time mothers; about 25 per cent of deaths in infants and 30 per cent of deaths in young children.

Stakeholders at the justconcluded 6th Biennial/5th Quadrennial Conference of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriaki Dickson, who unveiled the Mortein product as the sponsor brand for the conference, said the partnership between NANNM and the leading insecticide brand would go along way in the fight against malaria in the country.

Represented by a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emelah Gentle added that complementary efforts of such would certainly go a long way in ensuring that “our children and mothers are free from the scourge

of malaria.” National President of the NANNM, Mr. Lawal Dutsinma noted that malaria being the most common cause of maternal and infant mortality, it was imperative to involve all relevant stakeholders in the ongoing effort to stem the trend.

He described the Reckitt Benckiser’s Mortein-inspired initiative on malaria as a step in the right direction, stating that NANNM was delighted to associate with the programme that targets the most vulnerable

groups. Dutsinma also expressed optimism that the malaria challenge would become history as more Nigerians become well informed about the steps they need to take so that they are protected against malaria parasite carrier-mosquitoes.

He advocated for constant adoption of simple protection habits by Nigerians which include maintaining clean environment, keeping the surrounding free of stagnant water, sleeping under Long Last-

ing Insecticide Treated Nets and spraying of the rooms with insecticides recommended by the World Health Organisation, WHO. Reckitt Benckiser ’s Mortein insecticide has been certified to be safe, meeting WHO recommendation.

Brand Manager, Mortein, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Yusuf, said it was important to intensify awareness on the promotion of cleaner and healthier environment in order to win the fight against malaria in the riverine communities, .

•L-R: Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Dickson, represented by a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Emelah Gentle, unveiling Mortein Insecticides Brand alongside Brand Manager, Mortein, Reckitt Benckiser, Oluwatoyin Yusuf during the 6th Biennial/5th Quadrennial 2012 National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives National Delegate conference in Yenagoa recently.

geria while appealing for assistance from local, state and federal governments.

He explained that diabetics can live normal healthy life only if they could be committed in managing the disease. The best way to achieve this is by eating properly and regularly, taking drugs as prescribed by physicians, and regular exercise.

Grey Goose, EJAF raise 100 Euro against AIDS in Africa

BY PRINCEWIL EKWUJURU

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REY Goose in partnership with Elton John AIDS Foundation, EJAF has raised over 100 Euro towards the fight against AIDS in Africa. The sum was raised at Grey Goose annual Winter Ball to support independent AIDS charities in the world at Battersea Power Station, London.

EJAF has raised over 100 million Euros to provide grants for 15 countries in four continents and supported 1,300 projects since 1993. Although HIV prevalence is much lower in Nigeria than in other African countries, the size of Nigeria’s population means that as at end of 2009, there were an estimated 3.3 million people living with HIV. The 6th edition of the international event which was tagged ‘1950’s Cote D’Azur’ hosted numerous artistes.

Managing Director, GDN Nigeria Limited, Aisien lauds efforts of the foundation to have supported about one million Africans through antiretroviral treatment among other interventions. “Africa is home to only about 14.5 per cent of the world’s population, and yet as at 2009 it was home to 69 per cent of all people living with HIV,” she disclosed.

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50—Vanguard, TUESD AY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 TUESDA

Spices for fighting cancer Ginger HIS spice is probably among the oldest known medicinal plants in history. What we know as ginger, is actually the underground stem of the plant zingier offi cinale. It has been widely used as an herbal remedy for numerous ailments in Asian, Indian, and Arabian cultures for centuries. In the West, we typically use ginger to treat such things as nausea and infl ammation. But more recently, studies are looking to ginger as a possible anticancer agent, more specifi cally in cases

T

of ovarian cancer where research shows ginger can cause cancer cells to die off .

Other studies suggest ginger may also cause cancer cells to die in cases of leukemia154 as well as stomach cancer.

Research also shows ginger may be useful to treat cancer-associated bone loss as it can prevent bone resorption, commonly associated with cancer and other chronic infl ammatory diseases.

Rosemary: While this popular plant is widely used as a culinary spice, especially in the Mediterranean area, it is also now believed to have numerous protective

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

properties against various cancers. One compound found in rosemary, carnosol, has been shown to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance known to trigger cancer causing DNA damage by as much as 50 percent. Other studies suggest rosemary can inhibit the formation of breast cancer cells by as much as

Neimeth’s essay competition makes case for nurses

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HE new NCP Essay Competition for nurses instituted by Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc would improve nursing care in the country, says the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Pharm. Emmanuel Ekunno.

Addressing nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian and Midwives, NANNM, Lagos State Chapter, during the official launch of NCP Essay Competition, Ekunno recalled that Neimeth’s partnership with nurses began in 1984 in recognition of the important place the profession occupies in the healthcare ladder.

Topic for the 6th edition of the competition is “Beyond 27, 7 more innovative ways to use NCP in modern nursing care.”

He said it is open to student nurses and staff nurses/midwives. “Essays must be typewritten, not more than 927 words, school address must be stated and participants are to enclose three packs of NCP 100ml with a self -addressed envelope to the independent panel of judges.

Prizes range from an Ipad to a home theatre at national level and a blackberry to a food processor at zonal level.

Continuing,he said: “We appreciate that you are a caring profession, silent workers, caring hands and today we recognize it.” He explained that in the collaboration between Neimeth and nurses, there would be joint training for nurses, adding that

the company has plans to employ nurses as marketing officers. The Neimeth boss noted that the competition has been on for the past 10 years, Lagos State Chairman of NANNM, Mrs. Olusola Olatunde said: “Partnering with nurses is like planting a tree that will yield gold in return, because you will definitely reap from the partnership.”

Nescafe Café opens at Unilag Continued from Page 48 Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Mrs Iquo Ukoh, said the new Café marks the beginning of a new partnership between Nestle and Unilag. “It is the 2nd of its kind. The first was opened at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ibadan. The essence of the café was not only to bring the product closer to the consumer but to empower students by providing a training ground for entrepreneurship.” Citing the recently concluded Nigeria Campus Enterprise Challenge in the University of Ibadan which

Nescafe partnered with, she said the students were given first hand opportunity to run the café as part of the competition.

“The winners have been brought into Nestlé for training and have been given products to the tune of N100 000.00 as startup capital. They will now run the café for a probationary period of six months.”

Category Business Manager, Nescafe, Mr. Tayo Olatunji said the café is a platform for students and staff to engage with the NESCAFÉ brand without having to leave their campus.

74 percent. Rosemary is also shown in studies to protect prostate cells with its powerful antioxidant activity. This herb contains numerous anti-aging constituents and signifi cant 5-LO inhibitors that prevent the metabolization of the enzyme 5LO that is associated with the production of a further chemical known as 5-HETE, which is necessary for prostate cancer cells to survive. In other words, chemicals found within rosemary could prevent the metabolic process required to produce prostate cancer cells. Initial animal studies further show rosemary has an antimutagenic eff ect that may prevent cancer in general from developing by lowering the occurrence of cell mutation, which is essentially, how cancer forms.

Turmeric Also known as curcumin, turmeric is a member of the ginger family believed to have healing properties because it inhibits the production of the infl ammationrelated enzyme cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX2), which is directly linked to certain infl ammatory diseases and cancers, specifi cally bowel and colon cancer. Some studies further show turmeric inhibits a cancer-provoking bacteria (H. pylori) associated with gastric and colon cancer.

There is further research showing turmeric can also slow tumor growth in cases of prostate cancer. In Japan, researchers now defi ne curcumin as a broad-spectrum anti-cancer agent following numerous studies that clearly show its powerful antioxidant eff ects.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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LEASE I need your advice. I am under pressure from my mother-in law to have a male child.

When I got married years ago, my husband and I agreed to have three children. Today we have three wonderful girls and we are happy. I love my children but my in-laws insist I must have a boy. I am not God. I don’t want to have any problems with my husband’s family but the pressure from them is too much – Mrs Brown Dear Mrs Brown, it is unfortunate that in 2012, some people still see girls as inferior to boys. But it is our job as parents to put our collective foots down and make it known that a child is a wonderful gift from God regardless of his or her gender. So this is what you must do. Y ou and your husband need to sit his mother down and tell her to stop dictating what happens in your marriage. Respectfully make her understand that you are the one who gets to decide how many children you will have and that her insistence on a male child suggests that your daughters are inferior, which is insulting to you and your children.

I know you don’t want to make trouble and that is why you have not spoken out for yourself. But Mrs Brown, sometimes trouble follows us around whether we like it or not. It is up to us to fight back and reclaim authority over our own lives. You are the only woman in charge of your family affairs. Let your mother in law know this. Take care – Uche Sir I have read through your column in the paper and I must say that I commend your effort. Please I am diabetic, hypertensive and I also ejaculate within the first minute of insertion. I have weak erection and after ejaculation, it takes me up to one hour to get another erection. Please what will you recommend to enable me last up to thirty minutes and to make my erections strong? I also want my wife to reach orgasm. Thanks for your anticipated response – Chuma

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These products are so easy to use that you don’t have to be smart or even good in bed to make them work for you. And for your wife, there are many ways you can make her reach orgasm. The easiest and fastest way is with the use of a vibrator and an orgasm gel. If she applies an orgasm gel like the Liquid Sex Lubricant on the clitoris while massaging the clitoris with a simple and affordable vibrator like Velvet Touch or Party All Night, she will have an orgasm within twenty minutes. Great sex can be easy with the right tools – Uche In September 2012, I ordered Mega Me Penis Enlargement Cream. I will like to continue with the treatment as I have observed some enlargement. I also want to order Sex Voltz. Please let me know the cost – Williams That’s great William. I am always very happy to hear stories like yours because it gives other people hope. Thank you for letting us know – Uche That’s all for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 or 08191978308 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—51

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52—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012—53

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 54

Sports Festival Splash.....Sports Festival Splash

MOC confirms Lagos readiness A

S the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 kicks off today, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) yesterday confirmed that Lagos was indeed ready to host the sporting fiesta.

With all the facilities in place coupled with the efforts of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to stage a befitting fiesta, the MOC through its secretary general, Abba Yola, described this as the best in the history of the games.

“From the MOC, I want to say we are indeed satisfied that Lagos is ready to host the 18th National Sports Festival and with all the equipment in place, we are happy to inform you that Lagos is fully ready for the games. This is the first in recent times, that a state will match all its words with action by ensuring that all what they promised were ready even before the kick off of the game.

The

partnership between and LOC and MOC have been tremendous, as both bodies have really worked together to ensure that the festival becomes a rallying point for others.

We want to sincerely than the Lagos State Government for ensuring that all what they said they will do were done and we are sure that this will be another major milestone in the history of National Sports Festival,” the MOC scribe said.

Hisses as Eko 2012 rolls off today

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

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TORCH OF UNITY: Steve Olarinoye carries the torch while, Dr Kweku Tandoh(l) and Hon Lawrence Babatunde Ayeni, Chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Sports march along at the weekend

Delta House of Assembly on break for NSF ...Speaker donates N2m to Team Delta

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

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11,549 participants, 350 journalists accredited

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OR the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) for the sporting fiesta has accredited 11,549 participants and 350 journalists.

According to the secretary general of MOC, Abba Yola, the participants are made up of athletes, officials and delegates with athletes expected to compete in the 25 events made up of 8,045, while the officials are 1000 with the rest being the delegates.

He also said that over 350 journalists have so far being accredited by the MOC being the largest in the history of the games.

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SPEAKER’S SUPPORT.......Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei (right) presents the cheque of N2m to the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick in Asaba

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HORTLY after Efe Efeburuku, the chairman of Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Sports charged the Delta contingent to Eko 2012 to go to Lagos and return as tops Victor Ochei, the Speaker donated N2m as his contribution to the Delta contingent.

The Speaker, in a rare show of support, aside the money, told Executive Chairman of the Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick that for the next one week all members of the House of Assembly would focus on the festival and it might necessitate a one week break so that members can move to Lagos to support Team Delta.

“We’ll all be there to play our own role, to cheer our athletes and help out in any way that we can,” Ochei said after

Fijabi targets gold

IVERS 2011 gold medalist, Olaide Fijabi believes nothing can prevent him from claiming gold medal at the 18th National Sports Festival.

A regular performer at the monthly Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, Fijabi said: “I so much believe that with

constant training, dedication, support, hardworking and determination, I can become what I want to be in boxing. I also believe that that is the only tonic needed to succeed in whatever one is doing. In my own case, I trained constantly, I am dedicated with this boxing and I so

much believe that with God on my side, I am very sure that success is the key word for me.”

He added: “I am very proud of being part of Team Lagos and I thank the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi for his support and interest in me.

presenting a cheque for N2m, his personal donation to Team Delta, interestingly, the only state whose officials canvassed and secured corporate sponsorship for their athletes.

Only last week, Senforce Insurance Brokers and 1st Marine and Energy Limited doled out up to N10m to Team Delta after Gbessu, the chairman of their volleyball Association offered to sponsor their team.

Gbesu will also supply energy drinks and water to Team Delta throughout the sports festival.

Before Pinnick led members of his board to the Speaker they addressed members of Sports House of Assembly Committee on Sports on the floor of the House. Pinnick fielded questions on not only the sports festival but also the state of sports in the state. Efe Efeburuku was at home on sports issues and queried the deteriorating sports facilities in the state and charged Pinnick to address the problems.

He frowned at the inconsistencies of Warri Wolves and said that “they are now like Chelsea.”

Pinnick assured that his commission was addressing the problems.

HE much publicised 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Eko 2012 kicks off today amidst hisses from all quarters as the organisers are still battling to put finishing touches on the festival preparation.

Journalists and athletes grumbled yesterday over the inability of the MOC to come up with accreditation cards while some officials complained of unpaid allowances.

Sports journalists covering the festival waited in vain to get their accreditation tags after three months of filling them.

The situation puts both the journalists and athletes at a very tight corner to cope with the tight security guards that will be on ground today for the opening ceremony at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

When Sports Vanguard visited the Media centre of the event, a female official who pleaded anonymity said the accreditation cards were not ready and wouldn’t say when it would be ready.

However, over 1,000 members of the callisthenics group for the festival were at the stadium rounding off their preparation for the opening ceremony.

A spokesman for the calisthenics group, Mrs Tayo Popoola said that her group would stun the spectators with their thrilling displays, coupled with choral music, at the ceremony.

•Abba Yola

Vanguard, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 — 55

NSF: Athletes complain of poor menu, another hails accommodation T

HE Kaduna State contingent to the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) on Monday decried the poor menu provided by organisers of the festival at the Games Village at the University of Lagos (Unilag).

They also complained of poor distribution of water at the Fagunwa Hall of the university.

Some of the athletes who spoke yesterday said that there was need for the replacement of some bad electrical fittings in the hostels.

Some of the athletes also said they may be compelled to sleep outside the hostels because of the harsh smell of the painting that was still fresh.

Ezekiel John, a hockey player, said the upper floor of the hall could do with a better water distribution system, noting that something had to be done so that athletes would not have to go downstairs whenever they needed

•Cech C M Y K

Continues from B/P coming in, grabbing and holding me. Every time I tried to get off, the referee kept warning me for shots,” he said, but was gracious in defeat: “At the end of the day, Robert fought a good fight and he got the win.” The judges saw it the same way, unanimously scoring it 116-110 in favor of Guerrero.

That swelling will go down soon enough, which is good because you probably don’t want to go through life looking like one of the mole people or something out of Pan’s Labyrinth. You know, Andre, it’s probably best just to stay away from mirrors altogether for the next few weeks.

Officials Continues from B/P

BURNING THE TRACKS ••• Athletes competing at the 2011 Garden City Games in Port Harcourt. water.

“The upper floor of the Fagunwa Hall has a problem with water. We are forced to always move downstairs each time we need water.

“That is not good enough, the officials should please correct the situation. The quantity of food given to us is also

Cech warns Blues B

LUNT Petr Cech spelled it out to any Chelsea player who disagrees with Roman Abramovich: “If you don’t like it, you can leave.”

Abramovich last week brutally ditched Roberto Di Matteo months after the Italian delivered Champions League glory to West London.

He then shocked the Shed End by replacing the hero boss with former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

Stamford Bridge fans nailed their colours to the mast yesterday by savagely jeering Benitez during Chelsea’s 0-0

Boxer

draw with Manchester City. But Cech has told the Blues dressing-room: If YOU disagree too then you might as well clear off.

Keeper Cech said: “You adapt or you’re out. It’s as simple as that.

“You’re here to play, you’re here to do what the club and manager wants you to do. If you don’t like it, you can leave.

“I’m here to play, I want to play so I do everything I can straight away so that the manager has no option but to put me in goal.

“That’s the way I work and is the way it works for everybody because, if you stay sad and don’t do the right things, you can end up on the bench and you’re not playing and it will be even more disappointing.

“As a player, you need to do the right thing all the time.”

Cech insists Benitez deserves a fair crack of the whip. And the veteran stopper reckons it is down to the players can help Benitez win over the fans.

very little and not enough for me,” he added.

Moses Itodo, who also complained of the poor menu, noted that a nutritionist ought to have been hired and not just mere caterers.

Paul Mac, assistant coach (Hockey), complained about the number of athletes per room, saying that they were up to five in a room.

However, Enesi Junior from Kaduna State, a Technical Official for

Cricket, commended the surroundings, saying that he could not have expected anything less from a school environment.

“The environment is okay. I have observed that what Lagos State has offered is better than what it used to be in terms of cleanliness.

“The accommodation is splendid because I could not have expected less from a university environment,” he said.

OUI wants Becks Continues from B/P season ends in December.

The former Manchester United midfielder, 37, has been linked with moves all over the globe, while new QPR boss Harry Redknapp has not ruled out trying to tempt him to Loftus Road.

But superstar Ibrahimovic, who scored all four goals in Sweden’s 4-2 win over England earlier this month, reckons Goldenballs should join him in Paris.

The pony-tailed striker said: “I am sure there will be many offers for him from clubs all over the world, but it is a very exciting project here in Paris and if he still wants more trophies then this is the right club for him to join.

“We can win the Champions League over the next two seasons with the team that is being built.”

Ibrahimovic would also like to see former striker partner Mario Balotelli join him at PSG. The pair played together during a trophy-laden spell at Inter.

The 31-year-old added: “Mario has so much talent, at his age he has the potential to be one of the best strikers in the world.

“I think he has matured and I know he would like to play with me again.”

Ibrahimovic has also ruled out any possibility of plying his trade on these shores.

He said: “I will never play in England now.

“I know I have had my critics there, but I know I could have scored goals in England — I could score goals anywhere.

“Arsenal could have happened, but I am pleased with the clubs I have played for and what I have achieved.”

Peter Bolumole, Secretary, Protocols and Ceremonials Subcommittee of the LOC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the venue for the historic event was ready.

Bolumole said that the official time for the commencement of the ceremony for the biennial Games, tagged “Eko 2012” was 4: 00 p.m.

He noted that the gates would be thrown open from 3 p.m., free of charge to sportsloving Nigerians.

“Lagos State is ready and we promise to put up a thrilling opener to the historic Games because the sports festival is one that we value a lot.

“The official time for the opening ceremony is 4: 00 p.m. but the gates would be thrown open by 3:00 p.m. and entry is free for all sports lovers,” the subcommittee secretary said.

Bolumole revealed that among expected

dignitaries are President Goodluck Jonathan, who would be represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Gov. Babatunde Fashola, as well as all other state governors.

He expressed confidence that the event would be colourful and would also reflect the state’s cultural heritage.

The sub-committee Secretary also disclosed that one of the country’s best musical artistes, Banky W, is expected to grace the ceremony with his performance.

“We are confident of a colourful and delightful ceremony that will reflect the cultural richness of the state.

“Also, Banky W, who is one of the country’s best musical artistes, will be performing. As such, we expect this will turn out to be a magnificent event,” he said.

The secretary also assured Nigerians that security would be tight at the venue and urged sports fans to have no cause for alarm.

Don’t like it? Then leave!

Jonathan Continues from B/P Organising Committee hinted that the president’s address will harp on the return to the very essence of the sports festival which is to foster unity and discover budding talents for the country.

Apart from the President, members of the National Assembly, top government functionaries and other prominent members of the public, including corporate Nigeria will be in attendance.

The ceremony is also expected to attract some state governors including the host Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the

Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, top ministry officials.

Secretary of the Main Organising, Abba Yola, yesterday disclosed that 11,549 athletes, coaches and officials have been accredited for the 2012 festival, making it about Nigeria’s biggest national sports festival in history. Over 350 journalists have also been listed for the festival.

The events of the games kicked off yesterday with male and female football matches played at Onikan Stadium and the Agege Stadium.

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VANGUARD, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

LATAN Ibrahimovic has urged David Beckham to sign for mega-rich Paris St Germain.

Becks is on the lookout for a new club having decided to quit LA Galaxy when the MLS Continues on Page 55

18th National Sports Festival...... Eko 2012

Jonathan to declare festival open

BY JACOB AJOM

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to declare open the 18 th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012 today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The President who will witness the highly anticipated opening ceremony is said to be very keen on seeing the success of the games which he hopes will kick-start preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The opening ceremony which has been touted to ‘ replicate’ that of the London 2012 Olympics will witness the culture and tradition of the host state, Lagos - its aquatic splendour and tourism potentials will be showcased at the ceremony.

A member of the Main

Continues on Page 55 TODAY'S

Boxer has a new look after loss •President Jonathan

•Gov Fashola

Opening ceremony: Officials throw gates open

T

HE Local O r g a n i s i n g Committee (LOC) on the 18th National Sports Festival said on Monday that the gates of the

PUZZLE

Teslim Balogun Stadium would be thrown open for Tuesday ’s Games opening ceremony.

Continues on Page 55 YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

T

HOSE two gentlemen there appear to be different people, but here’s the shocking truth: they’re the same man!

That’s Andre Berto, former 147-pound welterweight champ, after taking a merciless 12-round beating at the gloves of Robert Guerrero on Saturday night.

ACROSS 2 Advantage (5) 7 Believe (5) 8 Inflexible (5) 10 Recorded (5) 12 Youth (3) 13 Implicit (5) 15 Declined (7) 17 Worshipped (6) 19 Obese (3) 20 Delineated (7) 23 Dregs (4) 25 Trade (4) 26 Rescinded (7) 30 Father (3) 31 Determine (6) 34 Discussed (7) 37 Restrict (5) 38 Feline (3) 39 Quilt (5) 40 Ebbed (5) 41 Cogs (5) 42 Stitched (5)

Guerrero won on a unanimous decision, and is now 31-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Berto is now 28-2, and gave almost as good as he got, impressive for a guy who fought most of the fight with his right eye swollen shut.

“I did tell Andre I was going to beat him down,

so I had to be a man of my word,” Guerrero said afterward, and that photo above is evidence of that.

“But he did defend himself like a true champ.”

Berto, meanwhile, complained about the officiating: “He was Continues on Page 55

DOWN 1 Wide (5) 2 Moving (5) 3 Said (6) 4 Always (4) 5 Weakened (7) 6 Jockey (5) 9 Fuel (3) 11 Polluted (7) 13 Agree (5) 14 Shroud (5) 16 Enthusiast (3) 18 Deciphered (7) 21 Material (5) 22 Swift (5) 24 Calmed (7) 27 Tank (3) 28 Erase (6) 29 Rot (5) 32 Quoted (5) 33 Soiled (5) 35 Prohibit (3) 36 Cheat (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Aroma 5, Hubbub 8, Alone 10, Jester 11, Life 14, Proved 15, Forever 18, Ere 19, Rim 20, Envy 23, Lever 25, Plan 27, Dam 30, Fop 31, Legible 32, Crater 34, Rite 35, Thieve 38, Swoon 39, Decent 40, Trivial,

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Rye 3, Matted 4, Ale 5, Help 6, Before 7, Boldly 9, Ordered 12, Ire 13, Even 16, Opal 17, Rival 20, Memento 22, Veil 24, Picked 25, Afar 26, Notice 28, Divine 30, Pet 33, Rest 36, Hop 37, Vat.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place 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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