BOXING DAY TRAGEDY: Firecrackers wreak havoc in Lagos

C M Y K

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61783

OKONJO-IWEALA'S MOTHER:

Police obtain database on g.6 kidnappers •P

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Runaway wonder banks operators 'll be tracked down — SEC •P.6

BOXING DAY TRAGEDY:

Firecrackers wreak havoc in Lagos

BY EVELYN USMAN, BOSE ADELAJA & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—ONE per son was, yesterday, burnt to death and over 40 persons injured when a three-storey building where firecrackers were stored went up in flames at the Idumagbo area of Lagos Island Local Government, Lagos State.

The South West information officer of the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that

•One dies, 40 injured, 10 houses, 7 cars destroyed •I prefer to be dead, cries affected trader •Crowd, traffic hinder rescue efforts

Continues on page 5

•P.29

Jonathan and the exploitation of symbolism •P.17

THE HUB •P.19

Mr & Mrs

BANGER!—Scene of the firecrackers explosion at Jankara area of Idumota Market, Lagos, yesterday. Photos:

Kehinde Gbadamosi. More photos on Page 16.

Azazi for burial Saturday in Yenagoa

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2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 3

C M Y K

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

Firecrackers wreak havoc in Lagos Continues from page 1 one unidentified person was burnt to death by the raging fire.

He said: “The body has been deposited at the Lagos State General Hospital on the Island.”

He also said that 40 persons were injured, with five sustaining severe injuries, adding “they have been referred to their personal hospitals based on their demands.”

Vanguard gathered that few minutes after the explosion occurred, some of the residents ran helter skelter, following fears that a plane had crashed.

The building located at 45 Ojo Giwa Street, went up in flames at 9:30 am, destroying nine other buildings within 60 metres radius.

The fire also razed over seven vehicles, including those with Number Plates: PK 788 KJA, LG 140 LSR, CG 190 APP. They were parked on the street by the traders and their customers.

I prefer to be dead – affected trader According to Mr. Hi-

Mr. Hilary Oduegwu, and other traders affected by the fire incident. Photo: Monsuru Olowoopejo.

lary Oduegwu, a trader whose office was burnt; “I prefer to be dead by now because I do not know what to do. My business is gone. How do I start again?”

According to him, “I am confused at this time. I have lost everything in my office. I was unable to remove any of my goods worth over N3.5 million.

“I am the breadwinner of my family. I couldn’t go home for the festival because I had to settle

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and mor— Jose Mujica,Uruguay President. Live within your means.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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EARLS of wisdom to live by every moment of our lives by Marc and Angel Hack. May you find these pearls of truth as enriching and uplifting! Even if you can’t see it now, you are making progress. – You may not be where you want to be yet, but if you think about it, you’re no longer where you once were either. You have good reason to believe that you can trust yourself going forward. Not because you’ve always made the right choices, but because you survived the bad ones, and taken small steps in the right direction. So cry for a moment if you have to, and get it out of your system. Crying doesn’t indicate that you’re weak; since birth, it has always been a sign that you’re alive and full of potential. Once you’re done, keep going! You’re undoubtedly getting closer to where you want to be.

How you feel when you’re stressed is not a true measure of reality. Just because you’re afraid, doesn’t mean you’re in danger. Just because you feel alone, doesn’t mean nobody loves you. Just because you think you might fail, doesn’t mean you will. Look beyond your doubts and keep searching for the truth. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. The sun is always shining on some part of your life. Sometimes you just have to forget how you feel, remember what you deserve and keep pushing forward.

some issues. So I told my siblings to leave while I stay back and make more money.”

Speaking on how the explosion occurred, Oduegwu said: “I arrived here at about 10:00 am and I discovered that my office had been razed by fire.”

Mr. Henry Awaroye, another trader who deals in electrical appliances, explained: “I arrived at the office this morning at about 8:30 am and began to display my goods at 2, Okoya Street.

“But few minutes after, I heard a loud bang.

Immediately, I ran out of my office to know what was happening. When I got outside, I discovered that people were running and a thick smoke had enveloped the area.

“While I was still busy investigating what may have led to the explosion, I didn’t know that my office has also been affected by the explosion.”

40 injured About 40 persons reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in the resultant stampede.

The raging fire said to have defied efforts of fire fighters, spread to other buildings, with the occupants scampering in different directions for safety.

The affected buildings had stores, majority of which were closed for the Christmas celebration and residential apartments. Also af-

fected was King Ado Senior /Junior school.

Most of the traders who were contacted on phone rushedto the scene in an attempt to salvage some of their goods. Unfortunately, it was the charred remains they met.

One of them who identified himself as Mufutau Ajade, an electronics dealer, could not utter a word when Vanguard approached him at first. But when he summoned courage to speak, he said, “it is so painful that this is happening to me now.

When I was informed, I took a cab and rushed down to see if I could salvage some of my electronics. But as you can see, they are all gone. I can not quantify what I lost in the fire. It is worth several millions of Naira. This is not a good way to start the coming new year. It means I have to start life all over again”, he lamented.

I borrowed my capital – Victim A woman, simply identified as Mrs Gboyega, was seen wailing and rolling on the ground.

Speaking in Yoruba, she said the money she used to stockpile her shop for the Christmas was borrowed with a promise to pay the lender at the end of January 2013.

Another trader, Ndubuisi Okafor said: “I just started my own business this December.

I had to borrow the sum

of N3.5 million to start this electronics business just two weeks ago, only for every thing to go down the drain just like that”.

It was discovered that aside the goods that were destroyed by the fire, cash was also destroyed as some of the traders reportedly had in-built safes in their shops. Some of the affected traders were discovered to have traveled to their home states for the Christmas celebration.

Rescue teams such as policemen, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, LASEMA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal and state fire services, Red Cross among others were sighted at the scene.

Affected buildings to be pulled down Already, the two-storey building where the fire started, had been brought down completely. General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who was at the scene, disclosed that all affected buildings would be completely brought down.

Asked whether there were plans to compensate occupants of the affected buildings, he said there were no plans for that yet, until investigation into the cause of the fire was concluded. The affected buildings included numbers 43, 45, 47, 49 Ojogiwa Street and others which numbers could not be immediately ascertained because of the manner they were numbered.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe told Vanguard that effort to con-

tain the fire started at about 10am.

Spokes person of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide who was also at the scene, described the incident as one that could have been prevented, had report on the sale of fireworks at the warehouse been reported to the Police.

Stop this dangerous business, Fashola warns residents Speaking on the incident, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State appealed to the residents to desist from the dangerous business, saying “the consequences are more than the gain.”

Fashola recalled that few months ago, he urged the residents to desist from storing inflammable materials in their homes, because the dry season has commenced.

“But they have failed to listen to our appeals.

We know that people have the right in a democratic government to decide whatever they wish to do but they can only embark on such act when it is not injurious to others.

“The government cannot be everywhere; all that the government could do is to appeal to the residents to desist from such business of storing these inflammables in our homes.”

According to him: “Two weeks ago, the state fire service responded to over 22 fire cases. We can reduce such statistics but government cannot commence door-to-door check to know who have stored any inflammable materials in their homes.”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Runaway Wonder Banks operators 'll be tracked down — SEC

BY PETER EGWUATU

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President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) being presented with a Christmas present by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

They are flanked by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo; Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed; John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev. John Okpara, at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

OKONJO-IWEALA MOTHER'S KIDNAP:

Police obtain database on kidnappers zAs two kidnappers escape arrest by the whiskers zAbout 500 phone calls received by kingpin zMonarch yet to return to palace

BY EMMA AMAIZE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH & AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — THE police in Delta State have obtained a database on the 10-man kidnap gang that abducted Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, 18 days ago.

However, two suspected members of the gang escaped arrest by a hair ’s breath during the week, following separate manhunt for them by teams of the Police and State Security Service, SSS, from Abuja.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed the upto-the minute development exclusively to Vanguard in Asaba.

The queen of OgwashiUku regained freedom December 14, after spending five days in the den of the kidnappers.

Aduba, for tactical reason, declined further details on the manhunt for the fleeing kidnappers but said their days were numbered.

Vanguard gathered that the dossier on the kidnappers was made possible by the recovery of the GSM handset of the kingpin of the gang, Nwaeze Nwosa, aka Bolaji,

who was shot dead by the police in Asaba.

A source said the police were trailing the kidnappers based on information on their identities and were confident that they will smoke them out.

Aduba revealed that about 500 calls were received by the kingpin with the handset, presently in police custody, in connection with the kidnap of Prof. Okonjo. He said police were working on available leads to track down the gang members.

On ransom A ransom of between N10 million and N11 million was allegedly paid before she was released to the family, but there was no love lost among the security agencies involved in the manhunt, and so, they hoarded vital information from themselves.

For instance, while Vanguard established that ransom was paid to the kidnappers, the police commissioner, who addressed reporters, December 14, the day the queen was released, was categorical that the police were not aware of the payment of ransom.

He stated that the police would never encourage the payment of ransom, but unconfirmed report said marked money was given to the kidnappers, and one of the kidnappers, who deposited

part of the money in the bank, had been arrested.

How Nwosa was killed Nwosa was shot and injured, as he attempted to scale the fence when police officers stormed his residence in Asaba. He was previously arrested and charged to court for the kidnap and murder of Obilink, a petroleum magnate in Asaba and was granted bail.

Aduba told Vanguard that his gang members ran away immediately they got the news of his death, and the ensuing panic in his camp led to the release of Okonjo, adding: “There was wild jubilation by people living around his neighbourhood when he was killed.

Police not sleeping on kidnap cases “The police are not sleeping on the kidnap cases in the state, even when the victims had been released. For instance, we are still trailing the kidnappers of the mother of a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, despite the fact that she had been released. We got information that one of them wants to travel out of the country and we are monitoring him.”

Vanguard reliably gathered that the late Nwosa was into

grass cutter and fishing business and the farms were yet to be pulled down. He was also said to have a strong room, which security agents have reportedly not broken into yet.

“Many expected security agents to have done more in respect of searching Nwosa’s residence after his death but not much has been done thereafter,” an informed security source hinted, yesterday.

SSS team storms Asaba A team of men of the State Security Service, SSS, from Abuja, weekend, stormed Asaba, Delta State capital on the trail of the suspected kidnappers of Prof. Okonjo.

An inside source, who told our reporters about the presence of the team, said: “We are also making progress, but for the details it is only in Abuja that you (press) can be briefed. For us here, we are not sleeping, we are cracking too.”

Monarch yet to return to palace A visit to the palace showed that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, was yet to return to his palace. The Obi was away when the wife was seized and men of the Customs Service were still keeping vigil when we visited.

AGOS — INVESTORS in the nation’s capital market still have hope of recovering their money from illegal capital market operators, otherwise known as (Wonder Banks) as the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has resolved to hunt fraudsters who escaped from the country.

Vanguard gathered that total claims against the Wonder Banks have risen to N106 billion, a situation the commission said did not augur well for the development of the capital market and the economy in general.

Director General of the SEC, Ms. Arunma Oteh, who confided in Vanguard on the commission’s zero tolerance, said: “We will not rest in our determination to restore investors' confidence and protection. So, for those registered capital market operators who collected money from innocent investors with the intention of investing the money in the capital market and thereafter absconded to other countries, the commission will try as much as possible to track down these fraudsters and bring them back to Nigeria for prosecution.”

On how the fraudsters would be tracked down, she said: “The commission had signed bilateral agreement/cooperation on securities dealings with member countries of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, IOSCO. "Also, we intend to sign more bilateral cooperation with security agents across the world. So there will be no hiding place for any registered capital market operators who must have duped investors and run away to other countries. We will get them through these security operatives once information about these people are sent to them.

“We will soon be having collaboration with the US Intelligence and Security Agencies as SEC Nigeria is a member of the IOSCO’s Africa/ Middle-East Regional Committee. We would be collaborating with countries that are not even members of

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—7

PIB: North changes tactics

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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From left: Ven. James Odedeji, Dean of Cathedral; Chief Bimbo Adesanya; Registrar of Lagos West; Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, Bishop of Lagos West and Justice Babasola Oguntade, Chancellor, Lagos West after the Christmas church service at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Azazi for burial Saturday in Yenagoa zHe 'll be given state burial —Dickson

BY SONI DANIEL & SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, said the former National Security Adviser, late Gen. Andrew Azazi, would be given a befitting state burial.

He will be buried on Saturday, December 29 in Yenagoa.

The decision of the Bayesa State government to accord Azazi a state burial was in recognition of his enviable record of service to the state and country.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel

Iworiso-Markson, stated this while approving the burial programme of the late General in Yenagoa.

The governor said: “In view of the late General Azazi‘s illustrious military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his remains would be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the state capital. This is to demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Azazi as a true hero of Ijaw nation.”

Burial arrangement

The burial arrangement would kick off tomorrow,

with service of songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, commendation service the next day, Saturday and interment at noon followed by reception for guests/ dignitaries.

Family wants him buried in his village

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the family had wanted the body of Azazi buried in his home village of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in line with the tradition of the area.

They argued that since their son died in a helicopter crash, the body should be given to the family to bury in line with their tradition not minding

Sanusi to FG: Stop accumulating debts for future generation

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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AGOS— CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has warned the Federal Government to stop accumulating debts for future generation by reducing its current levels of borrowing.

He said the current level of borrowing, if unchecked, would result to unmitigated hardship for future generations.

He urged the Federal Government not to allow the present and unborn generations inherit the heavy burden of foreign debts, cautioning that Nigeria, currently under the suppressing weight

of the heavy burden of foreign debts, is in great danger.

Speaking at the just concluded conference of Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC), in London, he warned of a great danger ahead if the nation continued to live above its realistic means.

His words: “We are borrowing more money today at a higher interest rate while leaving the heavy debt burden for our children and grandchildren.

For example, if you receive your salary and everyday the money is not enough, you have two options to adjust yourself; Either check your expenditure or check your wages.

his status.

However, it was leant that the Nigerian Army, which regards late Gen. Azazi as one of its heroes, pleaded that the burial be done in the state capital to enable its officers and men to accord their departed hero full military honours in line with their tradition.

At one of the meetings in Yenagoa, yesterday, the army pointed out the huge logistic challenges that would be involved in taking the body of the late General and hordes of military personnel and equipment to Peretorugbene for the burial.

They argued that if the burial was done in Peretorugbene, it would not be possible to ferry in the number of personnel and personalities expected to perform and grace the occasion because of the rough tide at this time of the year.

The officers were said to have pointed out that the burial of an outstanding officer like Azazi should be done in a place where the top brass of all arms of the Defence Ministry, where he served as Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and lately, National Security Adviser, should be able to attend in large number to accord him the last respect.

Vanguard learnt that the governor ’s timely intervention prevented another round of meeting that was slated for the night between the military top brass and some family members.

He urged the ruling class and the older generations to set good example and educate the coming generations for a better and secured future.

According to him, such example should be set by not accumulating debt for future generations to inherit.

“Where would the future be for Nigeria, if today should be allowed to destroy the future”, he queried.

Mallam Sanusi was among the high-profile Nigerian delegation that attended the 13th session of the Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC) of the Council,which was held z See photos of recently at Beckley Hotel Service of Songs on

Continues on Page 10 Page 16.

AGOS — N O R T H E R N energies on tackling perceptions of lopsidedness in the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is to be addressed at the committee level of the House of Representatives, Vanguard has learnt.

Northern concerns on the contents of the PIB forced the Senate to step down the second reading of the bill last week before the Senate went on Christmas holidays.

However, in the House of Representatives, such concern was strategically played down, it was gathered at the weekend.

The PIB is a revolutionary bill that bundles the legal framework governing the oil industry in the country under one law and at the same time addresses the concerns of producing communities.

However, the provision concerning the establishment of a Host Community Fund among others has particularly stirred concern among some in the north who fear that the bill could drain

more oil revenue that would otherwise have gone to the north.

“Our concern is that there is the amnesty programme, derivation and other incentives going to the oil producing regions of the south. So, our concern is how are we sure that such provisions that give advantage to those producing oil now would be replicated when oil is found in the north,” a prominent member of the House from the north said, yesterday.

As a bid towards addressing the perception of the lopsidedness, it was learnt that the northern legislators would direct themselves towards engrafting provisions that would benefit the northern region during consideration of the bill at the committee level.

“In the House, we have decided to work behind the scene at the committee level and that is the reason that when the bill came up it was immediately referred to the committees of downstream, upstream and others to work on so that there will be not much controversy,” the

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Runaway Wonder Banks operators 'll be tracked down — SEC Continues from page 6 IOSCO to make sure we get rid of fraudsters in our market.”

On the local scene, the SEC recently collaborated with the Nigeria Police to strengthen its enforcement unit.

At the inauguration ceremony of the 18-man team seconded to the Commission, Oteh said, the deployment of policemen to the Commission would help speedy resolution of cases involving market abuses, fraudulent disposal of investor assets, illegal fund management, wonder banks, insider dealings, corporate accounting fraud and share manipulation by capital market operators.

Commenting on the spate of Wonder Banks in the country, Director General of SEC, Arunma Oteh warned investors not to patronize non registered capital market operators in the execution of their investment needs.

According to her, “The Commission does not recognise non registered

capital market operators that we don’t have their track record and may not be able to prosecute in case they go against the rules and regulations guiding the capital market.

“Investors should patronize registered capital market operators that are duly registered

by SEC, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and also are licensed by Institute of Chartered Stock Brokers (CIS). The SEC is the apex capital market whose primary role is to regulate and develop the market. It has responsibilities to protect investors and that is why we are advising the investors to patronize registered capital market operators that we can easily apprehend whenever they defraud investors or commit other malpractices. We have dragged some of them to Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) so that they can be punished for defrauding innocent investors.”

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PDP to CPC: You ‘re blind to Jonathan’s govt achievements

BY EMMA AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, has cautioned Nigerians against being taken in by what it claims as the rhetoric of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, a party it claimed would lead Nigeria on the path to Somalia if given the opportunity.

Reacting to the CPC’s criticism of the Christmas day speech of President Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the statement as a ritual bereft of imagination or sincerity.

The CPC had in the rebuttal described the PDP as being “more interested in seizing political power rather than the adequate planning for effectual governance,” noting what it claimed as the trillions of naira wasted in multiple fraud schemes, including

the oil subsidy regime.

The PDP said: “President Jonathan has invested heavily in critical infrastructures such as power, road and rail transport, security, agriculture, education among others.

While the maturity span of some of these infrastructure is long term and are expected to yield benefits in coming years, there is abundant evidence that steady gains are already crystalizing in sectors such as power, education and rail transport. ”The CPC will definitely be blind to this steady progress because constructive engagement is not the ultimate motivation of its criticism,” the statement a d d e d .

On the allegation that the PDP governments mismanaged resources of the country, the PDP said: ”Even in 2011 when the CPC took desperation to a criminal level, orchestrating an orgy of election

violence that claimed many lives, Nigerians stood firm for the PDP in an election adjudged locally and internationally as the most credible in the nation’s recent record. But has the PDP squandered its mandate,” the statement asked. ”This can only be true in the diseased imagination of the CPC. The PDP has remained the only truly national party on whose shoulders revolve the unity of the nation. Need we say that a Nigeria in the hands of a political party like the CPC is on an express road to Somalia.

Besides, the statement continued, ”the PDP met Nigeria a pariah state, retrieved and returned it to the centre stage of global reckoning. It is also on record that at a time the economy of the western nations was hobbled by the global melt down with banks collapsing, no bank in Nigeria suffered similar fate.

”Similarly, as part of the party’s strategy against corruption, the PDP liberalized the economy and threw the door open to generate new jobs. The party also established anti-corruption agencies, the EFCC and ICPC as well as enacted the Freedom of Information law to enhance transparency in governance. The party’s dispassion in winning the battle on corruption has seen even senior members of the party convicted for c o r r u p t i o n . ”We must add, that our battle on corruption is total and that President Jonathan has won the most critical aspect of it which is against electoral corruption. Nigerians now go to the polls and are sure their votes will count””. There is no shorter road to good governance than when mandate and withdrawal of it depend entirely on the people,” the statement concluded.

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

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S criticisms continue to mount over the decision of the National Assembly not to pass appropriation bill for Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, for 2013, capital market operators have called on both the legislative and executive arms of government to find lasting solution to the problem.

The operators, who spoke to Vanguard in a separate interview, said it has become pertinent for Mr. President and the National Assembly to reach a face-saving compromise to save the capital market and the economy the consequences of their actions.

“Who is right or who is wrong in my opinion is not the solution to the problem now. The solution should be for the Executive and Legislature to look at the bigger picture and effect of their action on the economy,” says Alhaji Rasheed Yussuff, Managing Director/CEO, Trust Yield Securities Ltd. According to him, the tussle between the SEC

Oteh, N-Assembly face-off: Capital market operators sue for peace DG, Arunma Oteh, and the National Assembly has taken a dimension beyond what could be seen on the surface, saying that it has become a contention of who has the power to do what.

Collaborating his view, Mr. David Adonri, Managing Director/CEO, Lambeth Securities & Investment Ltd, advised the Legislature to find other ways of settling whatever problem they think they have with the director general of SEC, instead of directing their anger at the employees of SEC. He said, “If they have problem with Arunma, they should be able to work in harmony with the Executive to resolve the issues they have with her””.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—9

Mandela discharged from hospital

BY EMEKA MAMAH, with agency report

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ORMER SOUTH Afri can President, Nelson Mandela was yesterday discharged from hospital in South Africa, the county ’s presidency has said.

Mandela was treated for a lung infection and gallstones He would continue to re-

ceive treatment at his home in Johannesburg until he has fully recovered, according to a statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office.

Mandela was admitted to hospital 18 days ago.

His wife, Gracia Machel, and President Zuma visited him on Christmas Day and said he was in good spirit.

Afterwards, Mr. Zuma said doctors were happy with the progress Mr. Mandela had made.

In his statement on Sunday,

Zuma thanked South Africans for the messages of good wishes they had sent his predecessor and asked that Mandela be allowed continued privacy to complete his recovery.

The South African government had said the 94-year-old Mandela was admitted December 8, 2012 to an hospital in the country’s capital, Pretoria.

Officials said Mandela underwent an endoscopic surgery to remove gallstones last Saturday after doctors treated him for a recurrent lung infection.

Director denies earning double pensions

On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma said in a statement that Mandela required “extraordinary care” due to his age and could spend several more days in the hospital recovering.

The anti-apartheid icon, Mandela is revered for being a leader of the struggle against racist white rule in South Africa, serving 27 years in prison for his beliefs.

He served one five-year term as president before retiring from public life.

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FORMER Senior Director at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Dr. Stephen Momoh, queried by the organisation for allegedly receiving pension from two government agencies against government rules, has debunked the allegation.

Speaking with Vanguard during the week, Dr. Stephen Momoh, described the allegation as untrue as he was never informed by his former employer, Obafemi Awolowo University, that he had been placed on pensionable benefits.

Describing the allegations that he had probably been receiving pensions from both government bodies as baseless, Momoh said he was in the employment of the Obafemi Awolowo University from where he voluntarily retired in 1994 and went into private consulting.

Momoh added that he took up a fresh appointment with NASENI in mid 2004.

At the time of his voluntary retirement from the university, he had not attained the statutory retirement age as such was not qualified for pensionable benefit.

He explained that his retirement from the university that he wrote to the university twice asking that his retirement be converted to voluntary resignation or withdrawal of service.

“After the two letters written to the university for the conversion of his retirement to resignation or withdrawal of service, I had no further communication with the university. The university never informed me by any means, that I had been placed on pensionable benefits.

Momoh continued “I was not aware that pension payment had been made in my favour through my bank account which I have never accessed for ten years."

From left: Rev. Pelumi Johnson, Provost; His Grace, Adebola Ademowo, Bishop of Lagos; Princess Adegoke Orelope-Adefulire , Dep Governor Lagos State and Justice George Oguntade, after the special church service for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, at the Christ Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Man nabbed with 1.6kg cocaine on Christmas day .My wife warned me — Suspect

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — A suspected drug trafficker, Chukwuemeka Patrick, was on Christmas day arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos with parcels of high grade cocaine with a total weight of 1.620kg concealed in his shorts.

The suspect was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil The drug was detected during inward screening of passengers on an Emirate flight at about 3:26p.m. on Christmas day.

The 48 year old suspect said that his wife warned him

against smuggling the drug but he ignored her warning.

“I am a business man living in Brazil. I import Brazilian hair for sale in Nigeria. My regret is that my wife told me that she had a dream where I was arrested at the airport some days before my trip but I ignored her.

“I had thought that Christmas day was a good timing to bring the drugs but I was caught at the airport. A Brazilian friend gave me the drug and I was to sell and give him half the amount and take the remaining half.

“I felt it was a good deal and ignored my wife’s warning. I do not know what to tell my wife. In fact, I am confused” Madueke lamented.

The suspect who had lived

in Brazil with his wife and three children since 2007 hails from Orukwu village in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Confirming the arrest, the Chairman, NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said the arrest was a sign that drug barons are running out of tricks.

“The Agency will continue to detect drugs and apprehend drug barons. This seizure is a demonstration that officers are always at alert to clean our society of narcotics. Those who are planning to make quick money through drug trafficking should be ready to face the wrath of the law,” the NDLEA boss assured.

Adeboye fellowships with prisoners

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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AGOS — THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, yesterday, spent the Boxing Day with inmates at the Maximum Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

The cleric used the occasion to commission the prison computer room and also assured the inmates, especially those awaiting trial of his unwavering interest in taking their plights to the appropriate authorities.

Adeboye advised the inmates not to lose hope but rather make use of the available facilities within their capacity in the prison to become better and changed citizenS. In his words: “The first time that I was here I met over a 1, 000 inmates in a room that supposed to accommodate 600 people and I informed the necessary authorities and I was happy that they released some but I will not stop asking for more."

Lagos lifts Environmental Day restriction

BY DAPO AKINFEFON

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AGOS — THE Lagos State Government has lifted the order restricting vehicular and and human movements during the December monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

In a statement by Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, the suspension of the exercise was to allow free movements of persons who may be travelling during the festive season and to allow for hitch-free preparation for the New Year.

Bello stated that “ we cannot but encourage cleanliness in all aspects of human endeavours and therefore enjoined all and sundry to ensure that the festival is celebrated in the cleanliest environment.

10—Vanguard , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PIB: North changes tactics

Ondo PDP in fresh crisis over Oct guber poll

BY DAYO DOHNSON

Continues from Page 7 lawmaker said.

The situation in the House is different from that in the Senate where when the bill came up for second reading, objection immediately surfaced, forcing the Senate leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba to step down the motion for the reading of the bill.

The opposition by the north was upon the report of a technical committee constituted by the Northern Governors Forum last August on the PIB. The committee allegedly headed by a former executive director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in its report, argued among others that the PIB in its present form would further impoverish the north.

The committee had claimed the absence of the Oil Exploration Agency, which was in the earlier bill produced under the regime of erstwhile Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr Rilwanu Lukman. The Oil Exploration Agency was expected to lead the charge in oil exploration in the north.

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KURE—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State is enmeshed in another internal crisis over the candidature of its governorship candidate in the last election, reasons for the party's defeat and how campaign funds were disbursed Director General of the campaign organisation, Dr. Dare Bada was the first to fire the salvo in a statement in Akure when he said that wrong “candidature, poor funding, lack of financial commitment on the part of

the candidate and bad leadership of Dr. Agagu, caused the failure and loss of the PDP in the last Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Immediately after the defeat of the party in the last election, the leadership of the party was polarised as they accused the candidate of not declaring the actual amount released by the Presidency for the conduct of the election and that he was imposed on the party by the former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

This rumbling pitched the candidate against others led by the Director General who

publicly, weekend, alleged that the former governor, Dr. Agagu and his goons fixed Chief Oke as the candidate of the PDP, which, he said, was not for altruistic reasons but for political manipulations and monetary gains.

Bada declared that “ while Dr. Agagu did not want to lose his position as the prima donna of Ondo State PDP, he cunningly threw up Chief Oke who surreptitiously craved a ministerial slot.

"Loyal members of the party innocently sacrificed their all in the interest of party loyalty without knowing that they were

being taken for a ride and that they had become mere pawns in the chess board of a cabal of selfcentred political gladiators.

“The picture of Chief Oke shaking hands with President Jonathan which was distributed to party members and conspicuously hung in front of the secretariat was part of the ploy to deceive members that Oke was the choice of Mr. President.

Bada added: “Oke had made powerful enemies during his tenure as legal adviser and had therefore become a liability to the party, a situation that favoured Agagu’s schemes.

"I repeat the facts that wrong candidature, poor funding, lack

Stop accumulating debts for future Continues from Page 7 in Knightsbridge,Central London.

The Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC) is a crosscountry organisation of prominent investors, drawn from various countries around the world with the task of advising and encouraging governments on economic development issues as concerned nations, especially the fast growing economies in the World.

The business conference sessions had Vice President Namadi Sambo leading a strong team of economic planners and policy makers teaming up with business executives to canvass international investors for the country.

The conference looked into the best ways of attracting investments to Nigeria and all speakers had the consensus that the nation with many opportunities and natural resources stands to grow faster economically, if the current trend of economic progress was sustained.

From left: Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor; Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Mr. Ademo Olu-Martins, Chairman, Okada Riders Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, at the flag-off of the Okada Riders' website, during the 1st Okada Day Celebration, in Ado-Ekiti, weekend.

of financial commitment on the part of the candidate and bad leadership of Dr. Agagu caused the failure and loss of the PDP in the last Ondo State gubernatorial election.”

But the PDP candidate speaking through the party Publicity Secretary, Wale Ozogora absolved Dr. Agagu by saying that he was never part of the selection process that led to the emergence of Chief Oke. “The truth was that the aspirants themselves met and agreed on the formula that was used which threw up Chief Olusola Oke as a consensus candidate,” he said.

Ozogoro alleged that Dr. Bada was yet to account for N65million appropriated to his office as Director General of Oke Campaign Organisation after the election.

Akala flays Olunloyo for defecting to ACN

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — FORMER Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala of Oyo State has said the defection of Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, ex-governor of the state to the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, did not move the Peoples Democratic Party because he was not significant.

Dr. Olunloyo defected to the ruling party some weeks ago.

According to Akala who spoke at his Ogbomoso residence during his annual Christmas party, “He is not significant as far as I am concerned. If Alao-Akala should decamp to another party now, you can imagine how many people will move

with him compared with that of Olunloyo.

"So, that cannot move us a bit. We are still together in the PDP. We are everywhere across the state and by the grace of God, we are going to make it in the end”.

To Akala, the erudite exgovernor did not have any electoral value that could warrant any anxiety over his defection.

Akala said: “Those defecting are political jobbers. Take a look at the pedigree of such people and you will be able to determine their substance. They are parasites. They just always want to hold on to something. Anybody who thinks those people matter is just making a mistake”.

“For Olunloyo, I ask, who is Olunloyo? Olunloyo is just somebody, who does not have pedigree. His problem is that he is consistently inconsistent. He is not a politician. What is his electoral value? He has no electoral value. If he has decamped, let him show us his followers.

“Who will follow him to ACN? Can he command any following? At the beginning of our government, we only accommodated him.

Successive governments have been accommodating him because he was a former governor. I am an exgovernor and so I deserve such a privilege also. He has never been a member of the PDP. He is not a card-

carrying member."

The Ogbomoso-born PDP chieftain described as complete falsehood the rumour that he petitioned the national secretariat of the party over the crisis within the party.

“It is not true. I didn’t petition the national headquarters. I know Oyo PDP very well and I know our problems and so I went there to offer them solution about the problems of Oyo State and that is exactly what they are now pursuing to ensure that we are one. And by the grace of God, in the new year, we shall become one.

He stressed: “At every level, we have leaders we respect. It starts from the ward, local to state levels. At every respective area, everything is now in harmony. We don’t lord anything over anybody.

Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 27, 2012—11

Okonjo’s kidnap: Group flays arrest of 70 persons in Agbor

JTF arrests Police ASP over alleged illegal bunkering

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EOPLE of Agbor in Delta State, have condemned the arrest of no fewer than 70 indigenes of the community by military officers under the guise of searching for kidnapped Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s mother.

The people, under the aegis of Agbor Vanguard, described the arrest as unlawful and a breach of fundamental human rights of innocent citizens of the community.

In a statement by its secretary, Mr. Ebede Benedict, the group, said the 70 persons where arrested from Ozanogogo and Alisor communities in Agbor Kingdom, Ika South Local Government Area of the state by overzealous military officers.

“We condemned the act in its totality. The 70 persons where arrested during the Agbor Unity Cup football tourney because we are known for only peaceful ventures.”

DESOPADEC to industrialize oil-bearing communities

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—COM MISSIONER representing Ughelli North and Ethiope East Local Government Areas on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Ominimini Obiuwebvi, has assured that the commission will industrialise oil producing communities in the state.

Obiuwevbi, while distributing Christmas rice and other items to people of Ughelli North and Ethiope East councils, said the commission’s 2013 budget was aimed at opening up oil producing areas and restated the determination of the commission to embark on projects that would create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in oil producing areas.

He said the commission was already looking at the possibility of acquiring the moribund Bendel Glass Company.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU ALABAR—JOINT Task Force, JTF, tagged Operation Pulo Shield, set up by the Federal Government to rid the maritime environment of criminal elements in the Eastern waterways, has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, over alleged illegal oil bunkering. The security outfit also uncovered and raided an expansive oil depot, where diesel was stored in drums in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

Illegal oil bunkering in Calabar and Bakassi Local Government Areas of the state seems to have persisted, despite the clampdown on perpetrators of the illegal business.

Public Relations Officer of 13 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Captain Joseph James, said the latest discovery of illegal bunkering and the arrests were as a result of intelligence gathering by the Army.

Captain James said the raid

by JTF was led by Major Abdulmaleek Mohammed of the Brigade, adding that six persons had been arrested, including a serving Police ASP, who was one of those behind the illegal oil bunkering.

He said: “Following a tipoff, the Commander of 13 Bri-

gade, Brigadier-General Shehu Yusuf, immediately ordered the JTF to raid the depot, which is in a hideout, off Mesembe Avenue, in the Anantigha area and close to the headquarters of the Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.

“As you can see, there are nearly 8,000 drums of fuel and

END OF YEAR PARTY: Pensioners of Shell Petroleum Development Company, during their end of year party in Warri. Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Fresh storm over alleged kidnap of Ugborodo leader

BY EMMAAMAIZE & EMMAARUBI

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ARRI—CONTRO VERSY is trailing the purported kidnap of embattled Eghare-Aja (community leader), Chief Wellington Ojogor, of oil-rich Ugborodo community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.

Chief Ojogor was allegedly abducted, first on November 12, in Warri, and whisked away to Ugborodo, but the community leader refuted the claim 24 hours later.

One of his sons, Mr. Oyebo Ojogor, who spoke to

Vanguard, said his father was abducted by some of his brothers and some members of a rival faction in the Ugborodo leadership crisis, while attempting to force his unwilling father to sign some documents for them.

He said: “My father and a man, who is working for us were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination. I was told that they first took him to Warri and later to an undisclosed place in Benin City, Edo State.”

Meanwhile, his brother, Tuoyo, who also spoke to Vanguard, said he, his eldest brother and others, only went to rescue their father from Ugborodo because of his fail-

ing health.

He said Chief Ojogor, was seized by three of his brothers from Warri on November 12 and taken to Ugborodo, adding that worried members of the family took him away to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in Benin-City, where he volunteered statement on his earlier kidnap.

Tuoyo explained that after making statement to the police, his father was taken to Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, where he is currently receiving medical attention.

However, Oyebo disagreed, saying his brothers were playing politics with the life of their father.

We built 60 new schools in one year, says Delta Commissioner

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—DELTA State Commissioner for Special Duties (Special Infrastructure), Mrs. Orezi Esievo, has said that the state government built 60 schools across the state in the last one year. She has, meanwhile, sought for

diesel well arranged here.

You can also see how they expertly dredged this canal to enable these boats bring in these products from wherever.

“It appears that the illegal bunkering business had been on for some time before the intelligence report came in.”

more funding in 2013 budget to enable her Directorate realize her projections.

Esievo, at the budget defence before the state House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties, said 40 of the schools had been completed, while the remaining were nearing completion.

She told the committee that work had also commenced on two of the four new polytech-

nics approved by the state government this year.

The Commission said work had commenced at the proposed state Polytechnic, Aboh, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Sapele Polytechnic, in Sapele Local Government Area, “while Bomadi Polytechnic and Abigborodo Polytechnic in Warri North Local Government Area will take off next year.”

Sustain peace, Amaechi urges Rivers residents

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has called on residents of the state to continue to pursue the path of peace.

Governor Amaechi, in his Christmas message, charged the people of the state to see Christmas as a season to strengthen their love for one another.

He added that people in the state should continue to thank God for His blessings in their lives, saying that he was an example of God’s blessings.

He said: “I speak to you as my brothers, sisters, our mothers and fathers, it is important for all to maintain the peace because Christmas is the period of peace and love.

We should share love. We should share God’s gift with others. We should share the love of God. “Maintain the peace; don’t take the laws into your hands.

Don’t give to God what costs you nothing. Unto God everyday is testimonial. You must get up and testify to God’s glory because the more you thank God, the more you get blessings. I am an example of God’s blessings.”

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Clark to FG: Stop paying 13% derivation via state govts

BY EMMA AMAIZE & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ARRI—IN what appears to be a vote of no confidence on governors of Niger Delta states, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to stop paying the 13 percent derivation fund to oil producing communities through the governments of their states, saying it was unconstitutional.

He described as sheer greed on the part of governors of oil and gas producing states, to appropriate the 13 percent derivation fund meant for the oil and gas producing communities.

He lamented that oil and

gas producing communities had little or nothing to show in the past 13 years for the over N7.282 trillion collected by the state governments.

Chief Clark made the call in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, while playing host to the leadership of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Nigeria, led by the traditional Prime Minister of Gbaramatu Kingdom and former chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okirika.

He said only direct allocation of the 13 per cent fund, through an administrative committee, would guarantee rapid transformation of the deprived

and neglected oil and gas producing communities.

He said there was nowhere in the 1999 Constitution, where it was stipulated that 13 percent derivation fund should be paid through any state government, saying: “The Federal Government should stop paying the 13 percent derivation fund through the state governments.

“The provision in the 1999 constitution is clear, 13 percent derivation fund stands on its own. It is not part of any consolidated revenue of any tier of government, nor part of any State Joint Local Government Account; 13 percent derivation fund should, therefore, been treated on its own.”

Fire razes part of Swali market in Yenagoa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A section of Swali mini market in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was yesterday, razed by fire.

Though the immediate cause of the inferno, which started at 1.30am could not be ascertained, it was gathrerd that about 133 shops were destroyed by the blaze with goods worth millions of naira destroyed.

Some of the shop owners, who rushed to scene, it was learnt watched helplessly as the inferno swept through the section close to the slaughter area.

Others it was gathered had travelled for the yuletide and may not return until January.

A resident close to the area, said the inferno might have been caused by bush fire and aided by the harmattan wind.

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fi-

delis Odunna, confirmed the incident, adding that the police would carry out

an investigation to determine the cause of the inferno.

Itsekiri youths urged to be clear indication of the benpeaceful efit from peaceful ap-

BY DANIEL GUMM ARRI—ITSEKIRI youths have been urged to embrace peace and shun acts capable of derailing the prevailing peace in Itsekiriland.

National President of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, Mr. David Tonwe, gave the advice while receiving in audience the leadership of a socio-cultural organisation, Benin River Forum.

He said: “INYC, as an organisation, had consistently adopted peaceful disposition in approaching issues and the result had been rewarding.”

He cited the recent inclusion of formally armed youths of Itsekiri extraction, among those to benefit from the Presidential Amnesty Programme, as a

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proach to issues, irrespective of their nature, “though the number approved by Mr. President for INYC falls short of our expectation.

“Even at that, we remain eternally grateful to Mr. President for his magnanimity and we appeal that the number currently allocated to INYC be reviewed upward.”

Benin monarch gets Oxford/ Cambridge membership card

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—AS part of its end of year activities, Oxford-Cambridge Club of Nigeria, has paid a courtesy visit to its Grand Patron, the Oba of Benin and extolled the contributions of the monarch to the growth of the club.

Speaking at the palace, the Club’s President Mr. Fela Akoni, informed the Oba that they came to thank him for supporting the club over the years.

He intimated the Oba of the club’s activities in 2012. The Oba was subsequently presented with his club membership card.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 13

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14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Abia govt earmarks N5bn for road projects

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—ABIA State Government has allocated funds to the tune of N5 billion to contractors handling road projects in various parts of the state to commence work this dry season.

Governor Theodore Orji, who announced this while having a meeting with contractors building road projects in the state, said he would want to achieve a lot in the area of road construction this dry season.

Orji warned that his government would not tolerate laxity or un-seriousness on the part of any contractor handling projects for the state and told those not interested in working for the state government to leave.

Orji noted with regret that some contractors, after being mobilised move to site, ended up without doing any meaningful job.

Group faults Okorocha on 2 weeks holiday for workers

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NUGU—AN Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Odinmaigbo, has condemned the two weeks holiday granted civil servants in Imo State, saying it amounted to carrying theatrics in governance to a ridiculous level.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State granted civil servants in the state two weeks holiday to celebrate Christmas.

However, the Secretary General of Odinmaigbo, Chief Maxi Okwu in a statement in Enugu yesterday, said: ‘’The recent declaration of two week public holiday in Imo state by the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is a great disservice to the enterprising Imo state people in particular, and Ndigbo in general.

“This stunt in our view carries theatrics in governance to an absurd level. The havoc its spiral effect would have on the economic life of Imo people is better imagined than described.”

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Gunmen kill US returnee in Enugu E

BY CYRIL OZOR

NUGU—GUNMEN yes terday shot dead a US returnee, one Ogbo Edoga, in his home town at Aku, IgboEtiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Report said the economist was trailed to the house of one of his kinsmen, from where the two assailants, accosted him and shot him at point blank. He reportedly died before reaching the hospital.

Family sources said the deceased returned to Nigeria to attend a meeting of Nsukka professionals based in United States,geared towards raising funds for the construction of an ultra-modern medical diagnosis centre to be built at Ede Oballa community in the area.

Eye witnesses said the killers had asked the deceased ‘where is the money? But the soft spoken Financial economist reportedly knelt down, begging his assailants to spare his life, only for one of them, said to have been armed with an AK 47 rifle, to release several shots around his waist after forcefully snatching his waist band.

The assassins were said to have escaped in a car belonging to a retired senior officer of State Security Service SSS who was passing by.

The incident, threw Aku community into pandemonium , disrupting programmes lined-up for the day, which included a reception for an indigenous priest and the dedication of a structure built by the deceased’s twin sister’s husband.

Following this development, security has heightened in the area ,as a combined team of Military men and policemen have mounted surveillance and patrol all over the area in search of the killers.

Meanwhile, the Assistant

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (right) and General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, World Wide, Prophet Samuel Abiara, during a visit to the governor in Osogbo, yesterday.

Fire razes NTA station in Abakaliki

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI—A mysteri ous fire Tuesday gutted the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Abakaliki, destroying broadcast equipment and furniture worth millions of naira.

Vanguard learnt that the fire which started from the studio section of the complex around 9pm while the station was on air, quickly spread to other sections and immediately yanked broadcasting off air.

Many residents who were viewing the station at the time it went off air later told our correspondent that they were alarmed over the manner the station went off air, stressing that they became s u s p i c i o u s

that something was wrong.

A distress call was reportedly put across to Ebonyi State Fire Service office located about eight kilometers away but no sooner had they arrive with a fire truck, said to be half filled with water, than they ran out of water and had to run back to station to refill while the devastation by the raging inferno continued.

On their arrival nearly 45 minutes later, the entire studio had been consumed and it took the firemen another gruelling 30 minutes to quench the fire.

Sources close to the station attributed the cause of the fire to electrical sparks in the studio.

Equipment said to have been destroyed include video camer-

as, three monitors, microphones, p r o p s , underground cables and studio lights.

The fire incident drew the attention of the General Manager, Mrs. Nkechi Odukwu, who rushed back to office on getting wind of the development.

But both the staff on duty and those that rushed to join them were helpless as every effort made to extinguish the fire before the intervention of men of the fire service had little or no impact.

Meanwhile, Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has paid a sympathy visit to the television station in Abakaliki, describing the incident as unfortunate.

FG warns FETHA staff against corruption

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI—THE feder al government yesterday warned members of staff and management of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, FETHA, against collecting money from prospective employees who had applied for employment in the health institution.

Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, who

Commissioner of Police incharge of Nsukka zone, Ros Hamson Aladu, who confirmed the incident, described it as assassination . He therefore, urged all returnees in the area to quickly apply for police protection.

handed down the warning during an unscheduled working visit to two health institutions in the state, FETHA and the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, said the federal government would deal decisively with those guilty of such act.

He charged the management of the institutions to maintain the proper work ethics befitting of their sta-

tus as the federal government had put modalities in place to ensure prompt payment and promotion of workers at every point in time.

Chukwu also called on the staff to work assiduously towards the upliftment of FETHA, even as he cautioned them to eschew dichotomy and work for the overall success of the hospital.

Airline operators raise airfares

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BY DANIEL ETEGHE

AGOS—DOMESTIC air lines operating at the Muratala Muhammed Airport, Lagos yesterday increased air fares due to high demand for tickets by passengers travelling for the festive season.

Vanguard gathered that fares by hour flight slightly increased by 20 per cent depending on the airline and the destination of travel. For instance, tickets previously sold for between N25,000 and N28,000, now sold for between N30,000 and N35,000 respectively.

At least, an hour one-way ticket on IRS flight from Lagos to Abuja was sold for N28,000, Lagos- Kaduna N28,000 while it was N33,000 to Kano.

In the past, Abuja and Kaduna would have sold for between N25,000 and N26,000, while Kano fluctuates between N29,000 and N30,000.

One of the passengers told Vanguard that airlines operators should consider the passengers and be lenient when increasing fares, stressing that the economy of the country was not favourable to Nigerians at large.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—15

No business as usual in 2013— ICPC

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—CHAIRMAN, In dependent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, has warned that it would no longer be business as usual, for the corrupt, from 2013.

Nta revealed that he would go after “contractors who abandons project on site after collecting mobilisation fees, the university teacher who extorts and harasses students, the public servant who breaches fiscal and budgetary rules and persons living in apartments or owning prop-

erty above their legitimate means.”

Fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja, the ICPC helmsman said under his administration, the commission would no longer wait for petitions from the public before moving against abuse of office by public officials.

He noted that impunity to law and order and non-compliance to rules and regulations were the major contributing factors to widespread corruption in the country.

According to him, ICPC has established two units, Financial Investigation and Assets Tracing and Recovery Units, to

vigorously pursue the preventive aspect of the commission’s mandate.

He disclosed that the system review into the activities and operations of 185 ministries departments and agencies, MDAs, had yielded the recovery of N188 million in 2011 from eight MDAs and N25 million from some area councils top officials in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Nta restated his earlier warning to MDAs not to touch unspent funds in the 2012 budget, saying “we are going to check the treasury in January next year to see how much

has been returned.”

On the sanitation of the Contributory Pension Scheme that led to the remittance of N243 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts, RSA, of contributors this year, Nta noted that before the ICPC intervention, the pension scheme was fraught with irregularities, such that officials on the same level and duration of service had different amount of money credited to their accounts.

Nta said ICPC, in partnership with National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, had taken steps to produce a perception index of corruption in Nigeria.

Nigeria, Cameroon develop MoU on Ladgo Dam

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BUJA—NIGERIA is prepared to develop a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with Cameroon on the management of water from Ladgo Dam, an official told the newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.

The official at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources said in Abuja that the technical mission to Cameroon on the issue of Ladgo Dam would visit the country between today and tomorrow to discuss modalities for managing water resources.

Unregulated water released from Ladgo Dam located 50km south of the City of Garoua on the Benue River caused huge flooding in Nigeria in September.

The official said: “What informed the decision to visit Cameroon is as a result of the September floods.

“One of the causes of the floods, apart from excessive rainfall, was the unregulated release of water from Ladgo Dam.”

Minister lauds GES scheme

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INISTER for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has described the Growth Enhancement Support scheme, GES, introduced in the outgoing year by his ministry as the saving grace for the Nigerian agriculture sector.

At the end of the year review of the ministry’s activities in Abuja, Adesina said: “But for the GES, Nigeria would have seriously felt the impact of the flood disaster that occurred in some parts of the country.

“It is not true to say our people in the rural areas cannot use mobile phones to redeem seeds and fertilisers. The same people use the phones to ask their relatives in the cities to send money to them.”

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16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE OWOYE AZAZI

A Service of Songs was held for late General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd) at Harbour Point in Lagos, yesterday. CLOCKWISE: Widow of late Azazi (3rd left) and other members of the family; From left— Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Mr. Tony Elumelu; Mr. Ben Bruce (right) and Oba Otudeko. PHOTOS: Bunmi Azeez.

FIRECRAKERS EXPLODE IN WAREHOUSE An explosion in a warehouse loaded with firecrackers killed one and injured 40. It also razed 10 houses and burnt seven cars in Idumagbo, Idumota, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 17 “Most of us who are politicians exploit religious sentiments to divide Nigerians for our own selfish gains. We exploit north-south divide to divide Nigerians for our selfish gains” -President Goodluck Jonathan, paying tribute to the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa HEmost iconic image last week might have been lost to most of our compatriots; what with the tragic chopper accident which claimed the lives of leading politico-security officials of the Nigerian state, in Bayelsa state. As we commiserate with the families of the deceased, the accident underlined further, the sorry pass that we arrived at as a nation. Of course, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered an investigation, but as sure as night overtakes day, there is not much that will likely be gained.

Psyche of the ruling elite Haven’t we walked the same route in the past? Why do we expect that just because a favoured former NSA and governor have tragically died this time around, things will be done differently? Wired into the psyche of the Nigerian ruling elite is behaviour which approximates that famous definition of lunacy: doing the same thing over and over and yet expecting different outcomes! But we can tarry for a while on that subject.

Deliberately manipulating

Goodluck Jonathan and the exploitation of symbolism who was D E L I B E R AT E LY manipulating the 2012 Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Church was the same one telling us about Nigerian politicians as we quoted at the head of this piece.

Might we recall, that one of the most divisive imageries of the 2011 electioneering campaign, was the way the electorate was manipulated into accepting that Jonathan was THE President Goodluck Jonathan: Is he Christian candidate. guilty of his own comment?

For months surreptitious and the church: As I indicated open campaigns were carried above, it was not the chopper out in churches to that effect. deaths that was emblematic of It was a clear subversion of the the week that was, but the ethos of democratic culture, to iconic image of President box people into the emotional Goodluck Jonathan’s return to black hole of religious support the Redeemed Church and for a candidate. But it was very that posture of meek effective! surrender in front of Pastor Against the backdrop of the Enoch Adeboye. A president crises phenomena which dog

the Jonathan presidency today: several scandals; disproportionate levels of corruption; allegations of incompetent governance; a restive and disappointed population, even among and especially the Christian

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His return to that old meek-as-a-lamb posture of surrender in the presence of Pastor Enoch Adeboye was a classic case of an exploitative use of religion!

It is a prelude to the run up to the 2015 elections; in Nigeria, the manipulative use of religion and exploitation of metaphysical symbolism is one path of access to power and a major method of retaining it

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population, emotionally blackmailed in 2011, etc; the President found it imperative to return to the scene of bountiful harvest from 2010. In truth, Jonathan needs all and every imagery that can be

Gabriel Suswam and the Boko Haram Red Herring

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AST week Monday, Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam alleged that members of Boko Haram were planning to attack him. An attack which he said was coming “soon”, led to him urging “Christians in the country” to pray fervently for him and his family. Unfortunately, Governor Suswam was not reported to have told the congregation of the NKST Church in Makurdi, where the plan to attack him was hatched and then leaked. He however assured the congregation that “going by security reports available to me, I may be attacked any day, anywhere, anytime and this is the reason I call

according to the TRIBUNE report, that “ with the demise of Patrick Yakowa and the current situation of Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State, only two Christian governors, out of the 19 state governors in the region are now left standing”.

In truth, I find it difficult to wrap my head around this report. I have always seen Gabriel Suswam as one of the really level-headed of the Northern governors, but this eclectic report just beats me hollow! This past week has been very rich in conspiracy theories, but why on earth will the Benue governor be targeted by Boko haram? And it is so serious that the

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In truth, I find it difficult to wrap my head around this report. I have always seen Gabriel Suswam as one of the really levelheaded of the Northern governors, but this eclectic report just beats me hollow!

on you Christians to pray for me and my family ”. Curiously, he was similarly reported by NIGERIAN TRIBUNE newspaper of Tuesday, November 18th, 2012 to have “decried a situation in which only four Christians from the North were elected governors of their states”.

Gabriel was apparently feeling sort of spiritually forlorn, when he added, C M Y K

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attack can take place “any day, anywhere, anytime”? If the plan is so concrete will a church help avert it? Or was there a need to play the religious card to achieve some purpose? And what might that purpose be? Benue State has not featured within the scope of activities of Boko Haram; and the problems that Gabriel has faced in Benue

exploited and manipulated, in preparation for 2015! When the President told the gathering that: “People ask me whether I would contest in 2015 and I tell them it is too early to talk about 2015 elections”, he was engaged in terminological inexactitude!

Because in truth, candidate Goodluck Jonathan has begun his campaign for the 2015 elections! He has a head start above every other potential candidate and by returning to the Redeemed Church, he only underlines that we are going to witness as divisive an election in 2015, as we saw in 2011. It will be messier this time around, because candidate Goodluck Jonathan will not have a record to present to the Nigerian people. He will therefore be

Gove Gabriel Suswam, Benue State: Playing up the religious card? have been far more political and localised to his state. So why play the religious card this time?

And what has it got to do with the tragic fate of governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa? And what religious element was embedded in the plane piloted

by Governor Danbaba Suntai himself? What are the concrete issues for which Gabriel is stoking the base instincts of religion? And why is he in one fell swoop destroying his own reputation for measured and responsible attitudes and utterances?

Why? Could it be in tune with Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that “…politicians exploit religious sentiments to divide Nigerians”? But why would Gabriel Suswam need to divide Nigerians along the religious line? Why?

obliged by his circumstance to do a real “ROFOROFO FIGHT”. Every type of imagery will become available for exploitation to gain political control and none more so than religious imageries and the manipulation of our fault lines.

When President Goodluck Jonathan said “most of us who are politicians exploit religious sentiments to divide Nigerians for our own selfish gains”, he was certainly saying that he is also not averse to so doing! His return to that old meek-as-alamb posture of surrender in the presence of Pastor Enoch Adeboye was a classic case of an exploitative use of religion!

It is a prelude to the run up to the 2015 elections.

Metaphysical symbolism Patriotism was often described as the last redoubt for scoundrels. In Nigeria, the manipulative use of religion and exploitation of metaphysical symbolism is one path of access to power and a major method of retaining it. Remember what T. S. Eliot said in MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL? “The strong man strongly and the weak man by caprice. They have but one law, to seize power and keep it”. Our “weak” Jonathan is on the way and the histrionics before the famed man of God was the beginning of the 2015 electioneering campaign; never mind the strenuous denials.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 SENATOR Smart Adeyemi was not exactly smart this time. Months after the Senate’s circuitous positions on amending the Constitution; he is blaming governors for frustrating the process.

Who was he speaking for and in what capacity? He is Chairman of Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. It is common knowledge that FCT is steeped in scandalous indifference of its officials to welfare of its inhabitants. Public facilities in Abuja are collapsing while Adeyemi’s attention roams.

The senator ’s response to governors demanding more powers from the centre is that the President should set the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on them. Is that how a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria reasons in the 21st century? By extension, if the governor concede more powers to the centre, EFCC should overlook their thievery? Adeyemi should be smarter.

Why would anyone support more states, considering the economic implications of creating more cost centres? Does the Senate have a position on state creation and other issues being canvassed to make Nigeria

Ex cuses F or F rus trating Excuses For Frus rustrating Constitution more governable?

The National Assembly has no articulated position on constitution amendments. On state creation – Adeyemi’s pet project Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who also leads the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment, held three positions in two days: creation of new States not possible, new States would be created, Nigerians would decide on new States.

Which of these positions reflected opposition of governors to new States? “ If we have governors who are progressives, the constitution amendment would be successful. They will not allow the constitution amendment to be successful.

The fundamental aspect of the constitution amendment is the autonomy. If we cannot

get the State Assemblies to be autonomous, there will be no development and the standard of living of the people will be static,” Adeyemi waxed.

On what is he building his fears? What is the position of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to which he belongs, with its commanding majority, on amending the Constitution? Are majority of governors not of PDP? Is he saying PDP is against amending the Constitution or cannot direct its governors to the common good?

“State governors siphon local government funds to a point some local governments cannot even pay salary,” Adeyemi lamented.

Yet, if they agree to state creation, Adeyemi would allow them continue looting treasuries? “ We cannot amend the Constitution without getting two-third of the State Assemblies concurring with us ,” he mourned. Was he not a senator when we had the Document of Necessity in 2010? Did governors and State Assemblies oppose it?

Nigeria is unsustainable without critical amendments to bases of its federalism.

Adeyemi should not distract a process because it counters his interests.

OPINION

BY EDWIN EKENE

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IVING in a country where any critical observation attracts negative or sometimes shadow chasing responses, a less courageous person may be cowed from expressing his views when it comes to ecclesiastical matters. But, since Nigeria is a fundamental member of our interconnected world, I will like to share some of the contents of a story I read some years ago with my fellow compatriots.

Actually, it was a debate between Erik Stanley, the head of the Pulpit Initiative for Alliance Defense Fund, a legal alliance of Christian attorneys in the United States, and Rev. Barry W. Lynn, the Executive Director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. The title of the debate, which was published in the Los Angeles Times of September 23, 2008, was, “Why Don’t Churches Pay Taxes?” Since religions are charitable organisations that engaged in beneficial services, the two resource persons invited for the debate both agreed that, churches are tax exempt under the principle that, there is no surer way to destroy the exercise of religion than to tax it.

Erik Stanley, been a proponent of an unconditional tax exemption for the church said: “The 1954 Federal Johnson Amendment prohibits a pastor from talking about candidates from the pulpit in light of scripture. Thus, based on what a pastor says

Should religious organisations pay taxes? about an election from the pulpit, the tax code allows the government to tax a church”. But, Mr. Stanley went further to state that, conditioning tax exemption for churches on refraining from speaking about certain things is just as dangerous as taxing the churches outright… The conditions allow the state, through its discretion and power to punish disfavoured views and reward favoured ones. While countering Stanley’s assertions, his opponent in the debate, Rev. Barry Lynn, said: “Sometimes when a camel sticks his nose in the tent, the camel smells unpleasant things… I see no evidence that restricting the ability of a pastor to convert his church in to a political action committee is intended to cause or has caused the destruction of religious enterprise.” “When any group accepts a tax exemption, it agrees to play by certain rules and accepts a certain degree of oversight”.

Can we give thoughts to the above debate here in Nigeria? However, I believe that our destinies were never determined before we were born, and that God Almighty has given us the free will to determine and shape our destinies, making man the direct recipient of his thoughts, words and actions. But, since nature still have some percentage of influence on man, some persons are more

privileged and well positioned than others, and that is why some individuals are still living in poverty. Poverty according to Wikipedia is an economic condition of lacking both money and basic necessities needed to successfully live.

Such necessities includes; food, water, education health care and shelter. According to reports, over 112 million of Nigeria’s populations of 167 million people are living in relative poverty, while the number of those in abject poverty is, 99.248 million.

In 2008, the numbers of private jets in Nigeria were 20. But, between 2008 and 2012, the number of private jet owners have moved from 20 t0 150, making Nigeria, the second largest market for private jets in the world after China. This boom in the acquisition and ownership of private jets in the country is manifesting its effects on businesses that engage in aircraft charter operation. The increase in private jet ownership is now sending people whose means of livelihood is aircraft chatter operation out of business.

for humbly ministering to lepers, the homeless and the poor in the slums of Calcutta is still in our midst today!

Similarly, while I believe that, too-much gap between the rich and the poor undermines democratic solidarity in the political circles, the faith based community whose desk lies the immediate challenge of being the voice for the voiceless, the eyes of the blind and the hope of the poor, should not compete for ostentatious recognition in the society where many doubts the possibility of living for another day, not because of Boko Haram nor MEND, but it is simply because of abject poverty. Hence, we should try to answer a very simple philosophical question of what is man? And what is the essence of human existence? If we are able to answer the above questions, I think we should know that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, and thus, in the words of Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister : “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

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critical look at the new crave for private jets especially among the spiritual leaders, one is left wondering if the likes of the humanitarian nun of Calcutta, called Mother Teresa, who became famous

*Mr. Ekene, a public affairs commentator, from Achara Layout, Enugu State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—19

, We were asleep while they built

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OUSING administration has always been a major problem in Nigeria. It was in 1984.

I had just been appointed Chairman, Board of Directors, Bendel Development and Property Authority (BDPA). The books were in bad shape and there were many defaulters around. Many who bought the Authority’s houses were heavily in default in their repayment.

Worst hit was the mortgage loan department where government was taken for Father Christmas and loans granted public officials to build personal houses were simply not being repaid.

People were perhaps not properly informed that the facilities they were enjoying came from borrowed money. The Authority had gone to the Capital Market to borrow money partly for on-lending and partly for the execution of the Bendel State Housing Stock. Amortisation of the capital market loan was around the corner.

My board had a duty to perform.

If we were to succeed, government business must be taken as somebody’s business. We first issued C M Y K

threat notices of our intention to go public on defaulters who remained adamant after a given date. Some didn’t believe us.

At the expiration of the notices, we went public. The Nigerian Observer and the Daily Times were quite handy. The publication of the list of defaulters was accompanied with dates when we would meet all those who still remained adamant in court for forfeiture proceedings.

There was a pathetic case of this humble Professor. He was one of the beneficiaries of the Authority’s housing loan. Ten years earlier, he had borrowed about N20,000. He invested part of the amount in the acquisition of land and the balance was used to commence development. In fact, the house had reached roofing level when he went there one Monday morning to find that it had been pulled down because he was said to have bought the land from a wrong owner.

The Shylocks destroyed Professor’s structure and started building on the land, day and night.

The place was fortified with fiercelooking thugs and military hirelings.

Why are they begging the Minister not to demolish the estates instead of asking him to account for the administration’s dereliction of duty? Do houses sprout up overnight?

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At the time of our publication, Prof’s loan balance had risen to N35,000. He had no house; no land; and he was threatened with forfeiture, even where there was nothing to forfeit at that time. Our court case was still hanging over his head, hence he wept profusely when he appeared in my office.

In land development in most major cities, community youths have virtually taken over the functions of the Town Planning Authorities. While the youths are very active, town planners have gone to sleep. If you want to try your luck, just start building without paying the fees of the area boys. They will find you out in less than six hours. Besides seizing your men and materials, which would be released only after you have paid the last kobo; most times, they would give you the beating of your life time.

Clearly, the Federal Government has a lot to learn from the area boys.

In the dominion of the area boys, no house can be built without their knowledge.

But in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), anybody can begin to build while officials are asleep. They may wake up years later and roll in the bulldozers.

This first came to the fore during the era of Mallam el-Rufai as Minister of the FCT. Years after people had completed their houses and moved into them, the Minister moved in the bulldozers and pulled down the buildings, describing them as illegal structures.

We see aspects of sadism to all this.

Otherwise, the best time to check a trespass or non-compliance is when it is just occurring, not years after it has occurred. It smacks of insensitivity to begin to pull down completed buildings. Apparently, you were asleep while they built.

Did the allottees of those wrong plots allocate the plots to themselves?

Somebody somewhere was derelict in the performance of his functions.

How many such officials have been beheaded or brought to book in any form?

Still, things are getting incrementally worse. On Tuesday, 4 December 2012, the current FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, while defending the FCT budget estimates for 2013 with the Senate Committee stated that authorities of the FCT were set to demolish 31 illegal estates.

Hear Bala Mohammed: “The FCT Administration is empowered by relevant laws to carry out demolition of illegal structures in any part of the territory… There is a lot

of impunity in Abuja and we have evidence where we tell developers not to go on with building without master plan but they will not heed.”

In the kingdom of the area boys, they would constructively stop any developer from developing rather than allow him develop for later destruction.

The FCT Administration that is empowered to demolish cannot say it had no power of enforcement to stop development at an early stage.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee is asking the wrong questions. Why are they begging the Minister not to demolish the estates instead of asking him to account for the administration’s dereliction of duty?

Do houses sprout up overnight? For all we know, houses are like farms – you cannot hide them.

The FCT Administration that I know has a large body of town planners, enforcers and inspectors of all shades. Apparently, they went to sleep while developers went to work.

Who pays for their slumber? That’s the question.

An essay of this nature should end with a prediction: Sometime someday, somebody somewhere will seize part of the Eagle Square, Abuja or even the Aso Rock Villa while FCT officials will be asleep and before they wake up, a magnificent personal mansion will be standing there! When they wake up years later, they will only reach out for the bulldozers. Before the bulldozers go to work, there will be the rude awakening that the land on which the mansion stands had been used as collateral for some oil subsidy transactions! It sounds incredible but that is a clear direction for our future!

20—Vanguard , THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 27, 2012

In Imo, succour comes to flood ravaged communities Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, Chief F there is anything that Gerald Irona, Senator took our self-styled fortune Hope Uzodinma and tellers by surprise, it was the the management of huge flood that ravaged parts Addax Petroleum.

The Company’s visof Nigeria recently. They did not see it coming and none of it to the flood victims them went to town with the was spectacular. Addax management prediction.

The Director General, Nige- splashed relief materiria Meteorological Agency, N als and cash worth milOfficials of Addax presenting relief materials to the flood victims MA, Dr. Anthony Anuforom, lions of Naira to the flood victims, beginhowever took the shine off the supposed seers. He predicted ning from Orsu Obodo the impending doom. Address- and Eziorsu communities, was meant to complement the enable them transport the items but many are still living in refing the impact of climate Oguta local government area. ugee camps. efforts of government and do- to their homes.

Receiving the relief materiPresenting the relief matechange in the world, in his reVanguard investigations renor agencies in alleviating the als on behalf of their commu- vealed that many buildings woes of the communities. “ Addax is appreciative of the nities, the President General of were either swept away by the Addax management splashed relief very cordial relationship be- Orsu Obodo Progressive receding flood or are badly materials and cash worth millions of tween our company and the Union, Professor Benneth cracked and thus rendered host communities. It stands to Kaenenechukwu Obi, described unfit for human habitation. The Naira to the flood victims, beginning reason that whatever effects the the event as “a product of the same is also true of their farmfrom Orsu Obodo community equally affect us”, friendly relationship between lands. Crops were destroyed the Company and its host com- beyond redemption. It is not the MD said. clear what the farmers would He appealed to the commu- munity. cent pre-convocation lecture in rials to the traumatized victims Today, the huge flood has do now, especially as they nities to ensure equity and fairFederal University of Technol- on behalf of the Managing Diness in the distribution of the receded but the big question is claim that the N400 million ogy, Owerri, FUTO, Dr. Anu- rector, MD, Mr. Cor Zegelaav, relief materials, stressing that how the victims will survive the promised by the federal governforom said the sad phenome- the company’s Community Reapart from the food, each flood deluge. Some of the victims ment was yet to get to them. non is now threatening the lations Manager, Mr. Emeka victim will get N50,000 cash to have gone back to their homes safety and survival of mankind. Obi, explained that the gesture “ It was mankind’s quest for economic prosperity through technological development that has inadvertently affected the environment negatively”, AnuThe company had to put off all business transactions on

By BOSE ADELAJA forom said. that day to enable its staff management and staff show Continuing, the NMA boss the love to the abandoned. Items doled out included; waLAGOS-BASED accounting firm, Messrs Erst and reasoned that sea level rise, ter dispensers, refrigerators, drugs, assorted beverages, Young Nigeria, as part of its corporate social responresulting in perennial flooding electrical items and toiletries. sibility, recently donated various household items and of coastal zones are among the Making the presentation at the Lion’s Village, Mr. Dayo drugs to inmates of two orphanage homes in Lekki/Ajah consequences of global warmBabatunde said the firm will make it a point of duty to axis of Lagos State. The beneficiaries were the Lagos State ing and climate change. “These touch many lives in their day to day activities, especially Motherless Babies Home at Lions Village, Lekki Phase 1 phenomena are destroying the the less privileged ones. and Sought After Children Orphanage, Addo-Owode. delicate balance of the ecosysResponding, the Administration Officer for the Home tem, resulting in the loss of Titilayo Ojulari said the Home is in partnership with Inbiodiversity and serious enviternational Association of Lion’s Club. About 118 children, ronmental challenge in the afaccording to her, are being catered for in the orphanage. fected areas”. Dr. Anuforom She said the children aged between 0 to 19, were either said. abandoned or abused by their parents before they found In Imo State for instance, their way to the Home. Also, the children can be given thousands of people scamout for adoption or fostering (if approved by the governpered into safety in neighbourment) depending on the circumstances. ‘’Some of them ing communities and in either are here for care and protection, the adoption process starts public buildings or homes of from the Ministry, our own is to take care of them before friends and relations. They bethe fostering or adoption period,’’ she said. came refugees in their own On the adoption process, Ojulari said intending parcountry! A good spirited indients must have a good job and shelter while other providuals and corporate bodies cesses will be reeled out by the government. sent relief materials to the unAt Sought After Children Orphanage, President of the fortunate victims of the flood Home Mrs Carol Silver-Oyaide, appreciated the gesture disaster. These included the of the firm ,saying the donated items will be well utilised.

Deputy Speaker, House of RepThe West African Leader for the Firm, Henry Egbiki told resentatives, Chief Emeka IheVanguard Metro that the organisation has set a day aside dioha, Governor Rochas Okoto look at the plight of the abandoned. ‘’It takes a divine rocha, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the calling to leave your job and concentrate on the Homes,” Minister of State (1) for Foreign he said.

Staff of Erst with the gift items

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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Accounting firm puts smiles on abandoned children

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 21

Long queues resurface at Lagos filling stations — NAN survey R

ESIDENTS of the Lagos metropolis on Tuesday experienced the return of fuel scarcity as long queues of motorists reappeared at major filling stations. The fuel situation became worst on Christmas day, as many filling stations did not have fuel to sell.

Some motorists said that they had spent hours on the queue waiting to buy fuel, adding that some of the filling stations had exploited the situation by increasing the pump price of their petrol. Some filling stations at Ikorodu, Bariga, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, sold petrol at prices ranging between N100 and N120 per litre, instead of the regulated price of N97 per litre.

At Mallo filling station in Ikorodu, Mr Andrew Badru, a banker, said that there was no justification for the current fuel scarcity as the government had assured the citizens of abundant fuel supply during the Yuletide period. He said that most marketers were just taken undue advantage of the festive period to exploit the citizens. “‘I bought a litre of petrol for N110, as against the regulated price of N97 per litre; this is an indication of exploitation,” he added. Another motorist, Mrs Ifeoma Vincent, however, urged the regulatory agencies to intervene and curb the arbitrary increase of the pump price of petrol by some filling stations in the city. She said that the development has compelled commercial vehicles’ drivers to increase their fares, adding that the drivers often cited difficulties in getting fuel as the main reason behind the increase.

“For instance, the transport

fare for a trip from Ikorodu to Ojuelegba, which used to be N250, is now N700, while a journey to Ketu, which formerly cost N100, now costs N300. Apart from the hike in transport fares, the fuel situation has also affected the traf-

fic situation, as parts of the roads have now been taken over by vehicles queuing for fuel,” she said. However, some marketers, who preferred anonymity, blamed the fuel situation on the inability of the NNPC to supply fuel to

From left: National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Eugene Nweke; National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu and Chief Taye Oyeniye, comparing notes at a function in Lagos.

the fuel scarcity in some parts of the country, as the pipeline, which conveyed from Atlas Cove to Ejigbo, Mosimi, Ibadan, Ore, and Ilorin fuel depots had been shut.

A visit by NAN to some depots in Apapa also confirmed claims that almost all the depots had not received fuel since last week, as the depots’ owners said that they had not received any allocation from NNPC or Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd. (PPMC). However, Mr Olumide Ogunmade, the Chairman of the Western Zone of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), condemned the incessant damage of the NNPC pipeline at the Ije-dodo area of Ijegun.

Ogunmade, who blamed the development on the activities of vandals, noted that the Ijedodo axis was a route to all fuel depots, adding that the explosion at the pipeline was tantamount to cutting off the supply route from Atlas Cove. “‘Government needs to tackle pipeline vandalism holistically; we must not surrender to vandals,” he said.

Fishermen decry frequent spills at Qua Iboe Oil Fields

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ESIDENTS along the At lantic coast in Akwa Ibom have decried frequent spills at the Qua Iboe Oil Fields, operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN). major ExxonMobil on Dec. 19, reported a fresh oil spill near the Akwa Ibom coastline.

It will be recalled that separate spills had occurred at the oil field on Aug. 13, Aug. 24.

Nov. 9, and Dec. 19. Reacting to the development in separate

interviews with NAN on Tuesday, the residents said that incessant spills in the area had destroyed fishing at the coastal communities. Chief Inyang Ekong, Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria, said the impact of spills on the fishing communities in Southern Akwa Ibom had led to dwindling fortunes for fishermen. ‘’The spill seriously contam-

TCN assures Nigerians of steady electricity supply

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the filling stations.

The marketers said that the explosion at the NNPC pipeline at Ije-dodo in Ijegun, Ojo Local Government Area, also contributed to the scarcity of petrol. They noted that the incident could have worsened

HE management of Transmission Compa ny of Nigeria (TCN) on Tuesday assured Nigerians of steady and regular electricity supply. Mr Jonathan Ndiagwaralukwe, the Executive Director (Systems Operations) of the TCN, gave the assurance in Abuja.

“We are promising steady electricity not only during the Yuletide but also throughout the year; we are moving the sector forward. We are saying Nigerians deserve steady electricity supply and one of the cardinal points of this government is regular power day or night. All the efforts made in the past to improve the

sector are gradually yielding fruits; we expect that the tempo would be sustained because all the investments made in the rehabilitation of power stations, transmission lines and even in power distribution are coming onstream. “Also, new projects are being inaugurated, especially the National Integration Power Projects (NIPPs) and new power stations.

As regards steady gas supply to our thermal stations, which has remained a thorny issue; there is an improvement. Power stations are now getting gas and new NIPPs are coming on-stream,” he said.

inated the waters, causing fish drought and distorting the marine food chain because of the toxic chemicals the oil company uses to disperse the oil.

nomic rights. He said that the frequent spills had impoverished the fishing communities along the coastline.

Whenever a spill occurs, fishermen are thrown out of business because when 3.35 146.3 the waters become toxic, fishes migrate from the 2,316.00 -12.00 reach of fishermen and for you to have any catch you 19.25 3 -0.02 have to go beyond Nigeria’s territorial waters at the mercy of the Cameroon 108.91 +1.29 gendarmes. ‘’The first thing we do 88.57 +1.56 is to instruct our members to withdraw from fishing to avoid catching contam- CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING inated fish and we have DOLLAR 154.77 155.27 155.77 asked Mobil to compen- POUNDS 250.4643 251.2734 252.0826 sate us for the lost income EURO 204.7298 205.3912 206.0526 within the period they are FRANC 169.3697 169.9168 170.464 cleaning the spill,” Ekong CFA 0.2935 0.3035 0.3135 238.3891 239.1593 239.9294 said. Chief John Etim, a WAUA 24.9197 25.0004 community leader in RENMINBI 24.839 RIYAL 41.3624 41.4961 41.6297 Ibeno Local Government 27.4284 27.517 27.6056 Area, noted that the fre- KRONA SDR 239.1506 239.9232 240.6958 quent spills were depriving the CBN Exchange rate as at 24/12/2012 communities their eco-

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY , DECEMBER 27, 2012

European shares end last session before Christmas flat

E

Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, Secretary General; Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman; Dr. Raymond Ihyembe, Vice Chairman and Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, ICC Nigeria Board member at the Chambers dinner.

Stockbrokers caution new SEC board on sensitive issues NKIRUKA NNOROM

C

APITAL market operators have enjoined the newly appointed board of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, to handle sensitive issues and information emanating from the commission with care, saying misinformation is capable of creating panic in the market.

Vanguard recalls that the last board of SEC vacated office last June while the Director-General, Ms. Arunma Oteh, has been running the affairs of the commission without a board.

However, the Federal Government, at the weekend, announced a new board with Dr. Suleiman Abdu Ndanusa, a former DG of the commission, as chairman.

Other members are: Mallam Mounir Gwarzo; Mrs. Sa’adatu Bello; Mr. Zakawanu Imhobobho G a ruba; Mr. Adefunke Abiodun; Mr. Ugochukwu Ikemba.

Speaking on behalf of other stockbrokers, Mr. Emeka Madubuike, Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, said the appointment would go a long way in boosting the operations of the apex regulatory body of the Nigerian capital market.

He stated that leaving the commission without board was tantamount to leaving the market rudderless, adding that it would enhance the operations of the commission.

“It has been long overdue because the last board left office last June. With a new

board some of the actions that needed board’s approval that have been delayed can now be considered. We are also pleased with the inclusion of some experienced people on the board, especially the chairman, who was once a DG. This is a good development for the regulation of the market,” Madubuike said.

He therefore, advised the board to work in harmony and take proactive decisions that would sustain the recovery being witnessed in the market.

“For instance, SEC came out with a list of 35 stockbroking firms, saying their registration has been withdrawn. It is good a move but such information should be put in

better perspective. The broking firms referred to have been out of operations for over four years. But investors may not know this. We only hope that the new board would address how the commission send its market sensitive information out so as not to create panic this time that the market is witnessing gradual recovery,” he said.

NSE market value drops by N17.7bn

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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HE value of equities list ed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, fell by N17.70 billion on Monday, while the All-Share Index also fell by 55.4 points.

Specifically, the market capitalisation which opened at N8.75 trillion dropped by 0.23 per cent, to close at N8.73 trillion.

While the Share Index, another market indicator, fell by 0.20 per cent to close at 27,346.66 points from 27,402.06 points.

No trading took place Tuesday and Wednesday due to Christmas holiday.

86 equities were traded Monday as against 93 last Friday with more activities recorded in Financials, Conglomerates, Consumer and Goods Services sectors.

Ikeja Hotel Plc led the losers’ chart, declining by 5 per cent to close at N0.76 per share. This was followed by Live Stock Feeds Plc that dropped by 4.86 per cent to close at N1.37 per share and Fidson Healthcare Plc depreciated by 4.76 per cent to close at N1.00 per share.

On the contrary, Forte Oil Plc topped the gainers’ chart, rising by 4.90 per cent to close at N8.13 per share. This was followed by NPF Microfinance Bank Plc that rose by 4.85 per cent to close at N7.75 per share, and RT Briscoe Nigeria Plc appreciated by 3.73 per cent to close at N1.34 per share.

Meanwhile, equities transaction recorded 46.72 per cent depreciation, with a turnover of 116.08 million shares valued at N1.26 billion exchanged in 2,006 deals as against 3.01 per cent depreciation recorded in the previous trading of 217.86 million shares exchanged in 3,710 deals.

As usual, Financial sector led the market transaction volume with 169.89 million shares valued at N1.32 billion exchanged in 2,182 deals as against 232.51 million shares valued at N1.40 billion exchanged in 2,153 deals in previous session.

The volume recorded in the sector was driven by transaction in the shares of First Bank of Nigeria Holding Plc (FBNH), Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, Resort Savings & Loans Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. The total volume of 55.30 million shares valued at N646.91 billion traded in the five equities accounted for 47.64 per cent of the entire market volume and their value represented 51.26 per cent of the market’s value.

Financial Services sector led the market sectoral performance with 73.93 million shares traded in 1,084 deals within the sector, followed by Conglomerates sector with 19.63 million shares traded in 88 deals while Consumer Goods sector recorded 10.61 million shares in 468 deals.

UROPEAN shares closed provisionally lower in a thin last trading session before the Christmas break with investors opting to trim positions in the absence of a resolution to U.S. budget talks.

French, Dutch, Spanish and UK markets traded for only half the session while those in Ger many, Italy, Austria, Greece, Denmark, Nor way, Sweden and Switzerland were closed.

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed down 0.1 percent, at 1,138.14 points, still just a few points shy of an 19-month high of 1,144.15 hit last week.

“There are very few people in the office and most of the business being done is trimming positions after some decent year-end gains,” a London-based trader said.

The euro zone’s blue chip Euro STOXX 50 index and France’s CAC 40, which are trading around 16-month highs, closed down 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent respectively. Spain’s IBEX finished up 0.1 percent and Britain’s FTSE 100 index was up 0.2 percent; they are both at around 9-month highs.

Rebecca O’Keeffe, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said the march higher was largely the result of investors betting U.S. policymakers will avoid the so-called fiscal cliff and that Europe’s debt crisis is abating.

After shunning European assets most of the year because of fears the crisis would lead to a break-up of the euro zone, investors have shown appetite for European stocks recently, according to EPFR Global data.

But momentum has been stalled by concerns over the talks between U.S. Democrats and Republicans to avoid around $600 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that could drag the world’s biggest economy back into recession.

“Events last week highlight the yawning gap that still remains between the Republicans and Democrats and suggest that investor optimism may be misplaced,” Interactive Investor O’Keeffe said. The majority of sectors ended in negative territory, but media shares managed a 0.3 percent rise boosted by M&A activity at London-listed broadcaster ITV. ITV rose 0.6 percent after announcing the purchase of a 61.5 percent stake in U.S.based Gurney Productions, which makes reality programmes.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 23

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Banker hails mandatory certification for microfinance operators T

HE Chief Executive Officer, MoneyWise Microfinance bank has said that the mandatory certification for operators of microfinance would enhance efficiency in the sub-sector.

The CEO, Mr. Dele Oyekanmi, who is also the Chairman, National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMBs), Ikeja chapter, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He commended the

Central Bank of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for fixing 2013 for the total compliance of the mandatory certification for microfinance banks.

Oyekanmi observed that the policy would ensure that microfinance institutions in the country were managed by experienced hands.

“The programme is going to be mandatory for all microfinance operators in the country as from 2013 and if you do not pass the examination

you cannot run microfinance bank in Nigeria,” he said. He said that the programme, which started in 2010, was being conducted twice in a year

and had transformed the sub-sector.

Oyekanmi said that before now, running microfinance bank was quite challenging be-

cause operators ran it as commercial and community banks, noting that they were different ballgame.

He said that there was

need for active participation of trained personnel in the administration of microfinance banks to improve stability in the sub-sector.

ANAN ex-president tasks NASS on 2013 budget oversight functions

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FORMER President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, has tasked the National Assembly to properly enforce its oversight func-

tions regarding implementation of 2013 budget.

Nzekwe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He commended the

National Assembly for passing the 2013 budget in good time. The accountant also commended the National Assembly for extending the capital component of the 2012 budget up to April 2013 to ensure a comprehensive implementation of the 2012 budget.

“Nigerians are happy that early passage of the 2013 budget was given priority’’, he said.

The former ANAN

president said that effective performance of the oversight functions by the National Assembly would enable Nigerians benefit from the dividends of democracy.

“It is very funny that after preparing a lofty budget, nothing will be there to show for it at the end.

“No matter how well prepared and presented a budget is, if not properly implemented, it becomes a bad budget,’’ he said.

CBN ex-director urges FG to adopt measures to restore investors’ confidence

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FORMER Director in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Titus Okunronmu, has urged the Federal Government to adopt more aggressive measures to restore investors’ confidence in the financial sector.

Okunronmu said that the measures would further ensure stability in the nation’s financial system.

According to him, the banking system has been over-heated by the recent financial crisis and need urgent attention to achieve sustainable growth.

Okunronmu noted that there should be proper regulation and enforcement of all economic policies pertaining to the financial sector.

He said that the CBN should ensure that all the required banking regulations and policies were strictly adhered to by all financial institutions.“The apex bank also needs to monitor and constantly supervise the way loans are disbursed in the banking sector,’’ he said.

Okunronmu said the era when managing directors of banks gave loans to customers without collateral was over, adding that there should be checks and balances in the way loans were disbursed to customers.

He stressed the need for the CBN to encourage banks to expand real sector financing to boost the nation’s economy and employment generation.

Budget implementation ’ll determine business direction in 2013 —CIIN President

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HE Chartered Insur ance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has predicted that early implementation of budget would be the driving force of businesses in 2013.

Dr Wole Adetimehin, President of the institute, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that timely implementation, as opposed to the past pattern, would aid business direction in 2013. According to him, it is commendable that the budget was passed before the close of 2012,

but “implementation is what matters”.

“All operators in the various sectors of the economy can also leverage on the early passage to structure and restructure their business plans for 2013,” he said.

Adetimehin expressed optimism there would not be any delay in signing the budget because of the increase in its size

by N60 billion by the National Assembly. He said that any controversy on the size could make nonsense of the early passage of the budget.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 —25

Nigeria Navy seeks collaboration to fight piracy

BY EDIRI EJOH

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From left: National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of ANLCA, Henry Njuko at a function, in Lagos.

HE increasing spate of il legalities in Nigeria waters is becoming a major source of worry to the Nigerian Navy because of its adverse effects on the nation’s economy. To this end, the Navy authorities have called for collaboration of both stakeholders and the Navy to reducing the scourge.

The position of the Nigerian Navy was made known in Lagos recently at the sixth Ships & Ports Annual National Essay Competition Prize presentation Ceremony by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western naval Command, Rear Admiral Amin Ikioda, who was represented by the Command Intelligence Officer, Commander Usman

Fish poaching: Economic effect unquantifiable — former fish trawler boss

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

F

ORMER President of Nigeria Trawler Operators Association (NITOA) and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the fishing company,MORBOD Fisheries Limited, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi, has said that uncontrolled poaching of the nation’s fishing resources, remains both economic and security challenge that should be tackled urgently.

Orakwusi who spoke to Vanguard in Lagos, said the issue of poaching in Nigeria waters “has been going on for so long. Very big vessels come to the nation’s waters and poach unhindered, adding that it is part of the security challenges being faced in the

maritime industry.

The MORBOD boss explained that these big vessels come and attack their own vessels and go on to fish as much as they like before sailing out. She said that most of the time local investors loss so much in terms of human and equipment and that is why the nation’s trawling business has almost collapsed.

Orakwusi said government is doing something about the situation but noted that much need to be done if the fishing industry must be exploited for the economic benefit of the country and its hungry citizenry, she added that this can only be done through encouragement of local investors in the sector.

She however observed that the dominance of the sector by

foreigners and poachers is not safe for Nigerians as most of the fishes being dumped in the nation’s market “are not fit for human consumption.”

As a means of attracting investors and exploiting the huge potential of the sector, the former NITOA President called on government to create a dedicated terminal for fishing business in the country.

According to her, a dedicated terminal will help greatly to reduce the cost of investment for anyone wishing to seek investment opportunity in the area.

She noted that the present situation where an intending investor had to get a jetty, buy the vessels, get carpentry workshop, build a cool-room for storage of their catch, buy barges etc, actually increase

greatly the initial amount an investor would need to enter into the business.

She pointed out that with a dedicated terminal; there would be others going into specialized aspect of the fishing business without necessarily investing in the whole business.

Should a dedicated terminal be created for fishing, some people will focus on provision of cool-room, others will provide such services as mechanical workshop, carpentry workshop, drydocking facility, renting of barges etc, she noted.

This, in the long run will greatly bring down the cost of investment in the sector and attract more investors as well open it up for more Nigerians to come in.

Bugaje.

Ikioda said the activities of crude oil theft often involve the movement of huge cash through the banks and this could be a veritable source of intelligence if suitably harnessed and provided to relevant agencies.

According to him, there is the need for government to further monitor commercial banks in their implementation of the existing anti-money laundering policy.

“In this regard, there should also continue to be close liaison with other security agencies, especially the Department of State Services,” he added.

He called the Federal Government’s assistance for the nation’s security agencies through capacity building and equipment procurement in order to boost their capacity to combat the scourge of criminalities in the waters.

According to him, “Greater attention must be made to enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Navy through the acquisition of more functional ships, boats, offshore patrol vessels (OPV), helicopters and back-up facilities to enable them perform their statutory role of hunting down sea pirates and smugglers.”

The Naval Chief added that it was during one of the meetings, the inadequacy of naval platforms to cover the West Maritime Area of Nigeria, was identified as a factor militating against the desired results in the fight against piracy.

He noted that “with new acquisition of vessels, the Nigerian Navy increased its patrol activities especially around potential areas of pirate’s attacks.”

“Also, it was opined that Naval personnel could be deployed onboard non Naval vessels for escort duties to deter would be pirates and repel any attack for economic prosperity,” he declared.

BRIEFS Seme Customs makes seizures worth over N24m

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

S

EME Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has impounded various contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N24 million being smuggled into the country between November 19 and December 23, 2012.

The goods which includes bags of rice, vehicles, second hand clothes, vegetable oil, textile materials, frozen poultry products, shoes etc. According to a statistics made

available to Vanguard, the Command impounded over 803 bags of rice and over 450 cartoons of frozen poultry products most of which have been buried as a result of their perishable nature.

A source close to the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Abdul Saleh Othman, told Vanguard that the number of seizure and the value would have been more but for the fact that they had to make some of the owners of the seized goods pay duty on the m.

When contacted, the officer

in charge of operations at the Command, Emmanuel Nilemdirim, said that seizure at the Command is a daily occurrence, adding that it will continue.

He however refused to confirm the amount of items seized as well as the value of the item, directing our reporter to the Public Relations Officer of the command, Ernest Olotta.

Efforts to get the Commands spokesman on phone proved abortive.

Africa lucrative market for cargo handling equipment

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WO Chinese heavylift ves sels arrived in the Angolan port of Lobito at the end of November bringing several items of cargo handling equipment, including two STS gantry cranes, another crane and rubber tyre gantries for the port, reports Cape Town-based surveyor Dennis Henwood. The vessels were the ZHEN HUA 9 and ZHEN HUA 13 and the equipment was discharged to the accompaniment of traditional Chinese dragon dancing with local Angolan music play-

ing in the background.

The port is being upgraded with a new container terminal and refurbished railway lines. Elsewhere a grand new railway station has been built while the main line from Lobito and Benguela to the Zambian border has been completed.

This has the potential of diverting traffic from Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Benguela and Lobito ports instead of the much longer runs to Durban, Maputo or Walvis Bay.

26 — Vanguard,THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

IDL eyes market visibility with Veleta despite industry challenges

By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

I

NTERCONTINENTAL Distillers Limited, (IDL) marketers of Veleta drinks said the product recorded a remarkable market penetration in 2012, with 2013 offering greater opportunities despite challenges from the influx of foreign drinks.

Mrs. Chioma Alonge, Brand Manager, Veleta, disclosed this at Intercontinental Distillers Brands Light up Jazz Night with Yemi Sax organised to celebrate the company’s fans in Lagos.

Shesaidthecompanyhas a lot to offer its customers

next year as plans are intact to bring out the variant options of Veleta.

“2012 has been an awesome year. Veleta is gaining more ground and more visibility in the market.

Initially, people didn’t know much about the product. But now, through awareness, we are creating better visibility for the product.

“That is why we are here today to celebrate our customers and identify with Yemi Sax as a means of encouraging our indigenous talents, national pride and culture. Veleta, being a non-alcoholic drink, really nice and very good, has

been able to survive competition due to its quality which meets industry standard.

“However, the rate of influx of foreign drinks into the Nigerian drinks industry is alarming. This is be-

cause of the ease of importation and porous border.

Meanwhile most of the foreign drinks are substan-

dard and not good for the health. Nigerians feel that because they are foreign, they are quality.

Sunglass, Glamour.com target Nigerians to boost online shopping industry, e-commerce will preparedness to deliver on best premium products conBy PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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S online shopping be gins to gain ground in Nigeria, Sunglass.com and Glamour.com, both, an online shopping portal said its targeting the 50 million Nigeria internet users to boost sales.

The shops expressed their

demand for goods purchased form its shopping machine.

The companies which is under the Management of Mr. Jaime Moreno, Chief ExecutiveOfficerofthecompanies, said they are bringing quality to online shopping at the click of a button noted its doing this with local knowledge, whilst stressing that they are bringing the

sumers can get any where in Europe, Dubai or Uk. Moreno said that Nigeria being rated 10th among internet users globally with its 50 million internet users are potential hope of the growth of online shopping and growth of the economy.

We have others coming up, andbecausewehave50million internet users who are becoming part of the new

surely thrive in Nigeria and sunglss.com and Glamour.com are capitalising on this advantage to pitch their tent in Nigeria to serve the the Nigerian population.

Starting business in the pastsixmonths,Morenosaid the companies were already a global retailer who offers products of high quality at lower prices, while stressing that Sunglass and Glamour will be offering the same quality of services obtained in other parts of the world where online trading is thriving.

CMCIN honours Rivers First Lady

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BY OLAYINKA LATONA

HE Certified M a r k e t i n g Communications Institute of Nigeria, CMCIN, recently honoured wife of the Governor of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi for contributing towards the development of youths and children in Rivers State.

Receiving the award on behalf of Mrs. Amaechi during the 9th National Professional Engagement Forum/Special Induction at Centre for Management Development, Lagos, themed: “Maximising & Measuring Public, Corporate & Marketing Communications”, Chinda Ogbuji who is also an associate member of CMCIN assured Nigerians that the Rivers State first lady would not relent in her activities in ensuring that rights and development of children and youths in the state were protected.

The award, according to the Vice President of the institution, Mr. Olu. Oyewole, was based on the institute’s monitoring of her excellency ’s strategic use of integrated communications for public enlightenment, youths and children engagement and empowerment for good governance in Rivers State.

Other special inductees included Kolawole Taiwo, Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Chief Vijay Nair, Business Head, Cormart Nigeria, Balogun Abdul-baq, Lola Akande of the Lagos State House of Assembly among others.

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 27

2012 education in retrospect

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

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S we all get ready to pop champagne to celebrate a remarkable year and count down to 2013, we a t Vanguard Learning bring you a collection of stories that

Lecturer's salar as salaryy w was N550 in 1 990 — Prof Banku — Page 34 C M Y K

made 2012 outstanding.

ASUU strike The year started off with the suspension of strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which kept public universities under

lock and key for two months.

The strike was in protest of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour an agreement it reached with the union in 2009 to arrest and reverse the decay in the university system and reposition it for greater

Don calls for total deregulation of tertiary education

responsibilities in national development; reverse the brain-drain, not only by enhancing the remuneration of academic staff, but also by disengaging them from the encumbrances of a unified civil service wage structure; and restore universities

Predicting 2013 Campus trends (PT 1)

through immediate, massive and sustained financial intervention among others.

ASUU and FG finally reached a common stand on the following: funding; review of laws that impinge on university autonomy; separate salary structure for academic staff in the universities; earned allowances to entitled academic staff; and pension for university academics and compulsory retirement age.

Rainstorm kill students, teacher On Monday, February 13, 2012, an early morning rainstorm wreaked havoc in several parts of Lagos, destroying houses, cars, electric poles, and uprooting many trees, thereby leaving 15 persons dead, teachers and students inclusive.

Among the dead were 10 children, who drowned at Shibiri Ekunpa area of Ojo when a passenger ferry taking them to school

Continues on page 28

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

(WASSCE).

In the May/June 2012 WAEC exams, only 38.81 per cent of the candidates or 649,156 of 1,695,878 candidates obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English language and Mathematics.

Of the 1,695,878 candidates, 6.70 per cent (112,000) were withheld for various report of alleged involvement in examination malpractice; 46.14 per cent (771,731) obtained six credits and above; 56.93 per cent (952,156) obtained five credits and above; 66.24 per cent (1,107,747) obtained credits and above in four subjects, while 74.55 per cent (1,246,729) obtained credits and above in three subjects.

The results were not any

Destroyed buildings by the raintorm

2012 in retrospect Continued from page 27 capsized. Also, two students of Goodness Comprehensive High School were killed when the storm destroyed their school building, while a teacher at St. Gregory College, Obalende, was killed when a mast collapsed on him.

Also, Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate Primary School, Oke Afa Junior and Senior Colleges had their roofs blown away by the rainstorm.

8.43% education budget Concerned education stakeholders were shocked at the allocation of N400.15 billion (8.43 per cent) of the 2012 annual budget to the education sector, a far cry from the 26 per cent recommended by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO. A breakdown of the budget showed that N345.091bn (82 per cent) was allotted to recurrent expenditure while a meager N55.056bn (18 per cent) is for capital expenditure. N317.896bn was proposed for personnel cost and N27.192bn was for overheads.

Nigeria spends less than 9 per cent of her annual budget on education, far below what other African countries spend on education. Botswana spends 19.0 per cent; Swaziland, 24.6 per cent; Lesotho, 17 per cent; South Africa, 25.8 per cent; Cote d’Ivoire, 30 per cent; Burkina Faso, 16.8 per cent; Ghana, 31 per cent; Kenya, 23 per cent; Uganda, 27 per cent; Tunisia, 17 per cent; and, Morocco, 17.7 per cent.

Death of UNILAG VC Just when things were getting normal, the Nigerian academic community was

•Education minister, Prof. Rufa'I

thrown into mourning following the death of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofeluwe.

Sofeluwe, 62, suffered a heart attack in his office and was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital where he suffered another attack before giving up the ghost in the early hours of Saturday, May, 2012.

Sofoluwe, who was appointed on January 31, 2010 as the 10th VC, got his first degree from the University of Lagos in Computer Science.

Educating 9.5 million almajiris Resolute in achieving Education for All by 2015, the Federal Government launched the Almajiri model school in Sokoto State, which has been replicated in other northern states, aimed at broadening the horizon of over 9.5 million almajiris on spiritual and moral values.

President Jonathan, at the inauguration of the first

•Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie

Almajiri Model Boarding School in Gagi, Sokoto State, said his administration believed that the time had come for the nation to build on the moral foundations of the traditional school system by providing the Almajiri with conventional knowledge and skills that would enable them to fully realise their creative and productive potentials.

Government had so far constructed 35 of such model schools, while states with large population of Almajiris would have both the boarding and day schools. The school comprises 15 blocks of classrooms, language laboratory, clinic, recitation room, vocational workshop, Mallams’ quarters and a dinning hall.

Mass failures in public examination Public attention was, again, drawn to the rot in the education sector following the mass failure of students in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination

better in the UTME as, according to JAMB Registrar/ Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, of the 1,503,931 candidates that sat for the exam, only 3 scored 300 and above; 901 scored between 270-299; 71,339 candidates scored between 250-269; 601,151 scored between 200249; 374,920 candidates scored between 170-199; while 336,330 scored below 170.

27,266 results where withheld in 52 centres in eight states for exam malpractice, while number of invalid results was 5,161.

License withdrawal The National Universities Commission (NUC) threw some spanners in the wheel when it announced the suspension of the licences of seven private universities on July 4.

The affected universities Madonna University, Lead City University, Tansian University, Caritas University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Achievers University and Obong

University – had their operational licences suspended for failing to live up to guidelines stipulated for running of universities in Nigeria by NUC. According to the Executive Secretary, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, some of their offences were unwillingness to comply with regulations, inappropriate governance structure and poor management of academic activities. He added that the suspension would be lifted as soon as they comply.

Ban of part-time programmes Then came the ban on parttime programmes in varsities by the NUC, which stakeholders say would deny millions of Nigerians whose only chances of acquiring higher education were through part-time programmes.

According to Okojie, the ban is aimed at rationalising the activities as well as ensuring that best practices and standards are maintained. He added that until the ban is lifted, admission into parttime programme will not exceed 20 per cent of a varsity’s total intake while lectures will be restricted to varsities campuses only.

PhD truck drivers The value of our educational certificates was brought to question when Dangote Group announced that it received 13,000 applications from graduates for employment as truck drivers. Of this number, six PhD, 704 Masters and over 8,460 Bachelor degree holders applied for the Graduate Executive Truck Driver positions.

According to the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, most of the applicants are from reputable universities and our plan is to eventually make them selfdependent.

The drivers will get trip allowances on each trip along with their salaries, and will own the trucks at no interests or repayments after they must have reached 300,000km, (about 140 trips from Lagos to Kano) within two to four years.

ALUU 4 The death of the four University of Port Harcourt students that were lynched in Aluu Community, Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, for allegedly stealing phones and laptops would forever remain in the minds of many.

The students, Chiadika Lordson, Ugonna Kelechi Obusor, Mike Lloyd Toku, and Tekena Elkanah, were beaten and later set ablaze by members of the community.

According to an eye witness, Miss Ibisobia Elkanah, sister to Tekena, policemen who visited the scene when the students were being beaten encouraged the mob to ‘burn them alive’

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36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Don calls for total deregulation of tertiary education

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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MIDST hues and cries from some quarters that the rot in infrastructure in our tertiary education system is becoming too alarming, former Special Adviser to the past Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof.

Tunde Samuel, has called on government at federal and state levels to totally deregulate the system, given the macro economic reality on ground.

Delivering the 49 th Inaugural Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo entitled: “Total Deregulation: The Inevitable Bitter-Pill or Partial Deregulation, a Policy Heresy-Which Option for Public Tertiary Education in

•Prof. Tunde Samuel receiving a handshake from LASU VC, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa after delivering his lecture

No plans to increase tuition fees —OAU Registrar

BY ABASS ALOBALOWO, OAU

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HE Registrar of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Ayorinde Ogunruku has debunked rumours that the university authority is planning to increase tuition fees.

He was reacting to last week’s lecture boycott and protest for restoration of the proscribed students’ union by students.

He said that the procedure for increase in fees is quite clear, adding that no committee has met nor discussed anything whatsoever about any increase in fees.

In a statement issued last week, Ogunruku said: ‘’Further to the circular issued on

Sunday December 2, 2012 on the activities of some students in the university, the attention of the university management has been drawn to rumours being peddled by some mischief makers to justify their nefarious illegalities that the university has planned to increase school fees from the beginning of the 2012/2013 session.

“Those concerned have today forced some students to boycott classes without following the normal University regulations in that regard.’’

He, however, enjoined students to disregard the lies which are being orchestrated by some students in order to drum support for their unscrupulous intentions.

Nigeria?”, Prof. Samuel averred that if the sector must witness rapid academic and infrastructural growth, the need for government to hands-off its regulatory control on how public universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education are managed becomes expedient.

Buttressing his point, the Head, Department of Education Management, LASU lamented the difficulty for ivory towers to get monthly imprest, pay salary, attend conferences, workshops, engender infrastructural renewal and development for effective teaching, learning and research.

He opined that “as the cost of education has been on the increase and the waiting period after graduation is now indefinite, it’s difficult to advise government to continue to bear the huge financial burden of tertiary education.

“Given the macro economic reality on ground as enunciated in this inaugural lecture, my thesis is that total deregulation is inevitable but not now, if tertiary education is to fulfill its social welfare function. My position is reinforced by the brutal fact that with a per capita of less than $2 per day, majority of Nigerians can not have access to tertiary education even at the current cost.”

Going by the United Nations Unit Cost Estimate for Tertiary Education in Africa, which is

put at between $10,000$15,000 or N2.3m upper limit and N1.5m lower limit for a four year degree programme, the don held that “public tertiary institutions in Nigeria should charge a lower limit of N391,000 and an upper limit of N500,000 to keep tertiary education alive.

He recalled that a funding scheme which he suggested in 2002 at a World Bank Summit on Alternative sources for funding Higher Education in Nigeria should be adopted.

According to him, “government should take care of municipal cost, salaries and allowances of staff; tuition fees should be set aside for capita projects, whilst accommodation should be left for parents in line with the dynamics of partial deregulation.”

In his one hour interactive lecture, Prof. Samuel, while evaluating the current state of the nation’s education sector, amongst other things recommended that higher institutions of learning must embrace vocational and technical education, noting that “there is no tangency between the gargantuan investment in tertiary education and the rate of return but massive joblessness in the economy.”

Recommending that there is need for managers of tertiary institutions to prudently manage funds disbursed, he admonished: “Governing Council Chairmen and members should adhere strictly to fiscal discipline.

US, Gordon Barrett train 100 corps members on skills acquisition

By DAYO ADESULU

I

N order to prepare jobless Nigerian youths for the future challenge, The United States Consulate General, Lagos in conjunction with Gordon Barrett have organised one day workshop for one hundred successful corps members who were outstanding in entrepreneurship during their service year.

Mrs Rhonda Watson, Diplomacy Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos who spoke on behalf of the Consulate General said, as future leaders of this country, youths should focus on what to do to make a difference in a system that C M Y K

is plagued by joblessness and corruption.

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atson who stated this at the Embassy’s Multi purposeHall noted that corruption is the bane of development in any state, urging youths to determine to make a change in the system. She said: “You are the leaders of tomorrow, focus on what you can do with your yourselves. Don’t say, since nobody is doing it right, you will follow that same path, be the change agent and let the change starts within you” According to Watson, the action you take can have impact in you and the society at large adding that if you see the society as a place where nothing can change - the way

you see things is your paradigm. “Examine your behavioural system and identify what can be change.

Change may take time, but definitely, the change will come,” she said.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Sparking Creativity and Innovation,’ the Public Affairs Officers pointed out Stephen Covey’s seven habits embody which she referred to as the basic building blocks of human effectiveness.

Watson listed the seven habits as: “Be proactive, Begin with the end in mind, Put first things first and Think winwin. Others include, Seek first to understand, then to be understood, Synergize and Sharpen the saw.

She explained that to be

proactive implies empowering individuals to make their own decisions according to self-determined values, and to work on things they can control in lieu of reacting to or worrying about conditions over which they have little or no control.

B

egin with the end in mind, means to enables individuals to shape their own future, beginning with the end in mind in all areas of life and using their personal mission statement to guide decisions.

On putting first thing first, Watson said, it deals with a new generation of time management, which focuses on preserving and enhancing relationships and

on accomplishing results, rather than focusing on things and time. ’Think win-win,’ she noted encourages a frame of mind, based on the character traits of integrity, maturity and an abundance mentality that constantly seeks mutual benefit in human interactions.

You must seek first to understand, then to be understood, Watson told the youths, saying, they must focus on listening with the intent to understand which improves interpersonal communication, facilitates problem solving and minimises autobiographical responses and other barriers to effective communication.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—37

Predicting 20 13 Campus trends (PT 1) 201

Wukari varsity holds maiden matriculation

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

2

013 is bound to be an exciting year for campus fashionistas. First year students will begin to dress more mature, and final year students will start to care less. The red carpet will most likely be thrown open to the students in the classes caught in the middle.

We might be not get our predictions a hundred percent, but it sure is exciting to try.

Pants: Blue jeans are likely to give much more allowance for other colours of pencil pants. More people will resume school with their new ankle length trousers, and some more quadlifers will give palazzo trousers a try.

Blazers: Many undergraduates are likely to begin the new year wearing blazers. As soon as the harmattan is over, a paradigm shift will take place and only the blazer-fanatics will remain.

Hair: Brazilian hair and its Peruvian and Indian counterparts aren’t so much of a sensation anymore. That’s why more quadlifers will wear them; they would be more affordable and accessible. The hype will be about the partings. The invisible parting is just the beginning, more inventions will evolve.

Berries and Tablets: Just in case you haven’t noticed, the blackberry is a fashion item. n that is now taken for granted with the advent of tablets. Ipads, galaxy tablets and the entire family of tablets will try to steal the runway from the blackberry.

They would be quite popular but popularity doesn’t mean pinging, so the BBM king will reign supreme!

More predictions for you next week, and remember, we told you so!

BY ABIGAIL FRANK

H

ECOWAS to assist Technical Colleges improve curricula

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

A

S part of efforts to assist in restructuring the curricula of Technical Higher Institutions of learning across the country, the Economic Community of West Africa Countries (ECOWAS), has convened teachers, curriculum development experts and specialists at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, UNESCO-Nigeria Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre of Excellence.

The workshop is aimed at developing curricula and instruction materials, and training teachers on the use of this curriculum, thereby improving students’ readiness for the global workforce.

According to Principal Programme Officer Education, ECOWAS C M Y K

From left: Dr. Duro Damisa, International Resource Person for ECOWAS; Dr. Mrs. Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, YABATECH Rector; and Mrs. Rechael Ogbe, Principal Programme Officer, ECOWAS Commission Abuja.

Commission, Mrs. Rachael Ogbe, “the workshop aims at putting mechanism in place to ensure it develops curricular with the renewal and commitment to continue preparing students for changing global workforce.”

She said the various units and components of the conceptual framework include

understanding the revised curriculum, breaking of the curriculum into syllabus, scheme of work, unit of work, lesson plan and their preparation, modern technical teaching approaches and lesson plan based on modern teaching approaches among others.

While citing Singapore as

the second best economy after Switzerland, she said they were able to achieve the feat through the effective and pragmatic Technical Education, which can be achieved in the ECOWAS region..

Ogbe pointed that teachers must devote time and energies to their professional activities, contribute to new concepts, courses methods and teaching material, noting that “they should be able to help the learner to create a passionate mindset for learning.”

Declaring the workshop open, YABATECH Rector, Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, lamented the shortage of trained TVET professionals, policy planners and employment sector analysts in many of the countries that make up the ECOWAS region.

She noted that the onus is therefore on ECOWAS countries to fashion out a well-articulated TVET policy to drive the attainment and implementation of the principles and goals of TVET in the Sub region.

ISTORY was again recorded at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State when about 500 pioneer students were matriculated amidst jubilation and innovative highlights which kept people in attendance in high spirit.

The formal launch of the university ’s maiden magazine ‘The CROC’ and the unveiling of branded produce like soya beans, maize among others, produced by the university were among the high points of the occasion held at the university matriculation ground.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i said the establishment of the university was in fulfillment of Transformation Agenda in education sector promised Nigerians by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

She also announced the legalization of the nine new universities whose bills of establishment have been passed into law.“I am happy to inform this august gathering that the Bills establishing the nine new universities have been recently passed into law; this has therefore completed the ground work for the take-off of the new universities,” she confirmed.

Apart from placing premium on accessibility to tertiary education, Prof.

Rufa’i added that the present administration, through her ministry, emphasizes equity, standards and quality assurance, teacher development and vocational and technical education as core areas in the educational development.

While expressing confidence that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Geoffery Okogbaa, and his management staff will uplift the university, the Rufa’I acknowledged the support of Taraba State Government to the institution.

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Kiddies sure know how to have fun, especially this Christmas season. Below are some pictures and greeting cards by the kids.

Pupils of Favour Auditory Oral School, ori-Oke, Ejigbo, at their end of year party

Pupils of Patrick Learning & Speech Center choreographing at the World Disabilities Day celebration in Lagos.

•Pupils of Barbara Cox Schools at their 2012 end-of-year party.

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Pupils of Glorious Vision Nursery & Primary School at their end of year party

Culrural display by pupils of National Orthopedic Hospital School during the World Disabilities Day celebration in Lagos.

Laureates College drama group during their end of year party

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—39

When lecturer's salary was N550 in 1990 — Prof Obi

By DAYO ADESULU Professor Florence Banku Obi is the Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Calabar (UNICAL). She spoke on sundry issues affecting students and lecturers in the Education sector and the way forward. Excepts.

HAT inspired the public lecture?

The Public Lecture is part of my drive to bring in quality and mentorship to our colleagues. Over the years, I discovered that academic excellence is gradually being eroded, especially in our faculties, so when I came on board, I told my colleagues that we are going to correct the academic culture by consistently organising seminars, conferences and public lectures to serve as platforms for academics to rub minds.

During my campaign, I promised my colleagues that I would engender this kind of arrangement, especially mentorship and mentoring of the young lecturers. So, I told them that three months into my tenure I will organise a public lecture, which is what we have today.

Aside targeting the regular students, we have agreed at the faculty to review our programme in few disciplines and bring in quality in all that we do. We have set a process of programme review in conformity with what is obtainable in academics in this century, so good that the Senate has approved of the review so that we can give our students an edge in the saturated labour market.

We are also reviewing a graduate programme by making the public lecture compulsory for all of them.

We have also made it a policy that graduate students must present three seminar certificates before they can face the final examination because we want to be sure of the quality of graduates we are sending to the labour market.

The sandwich students were there too because that’s where we have the problem. We are relentless in our efforts to improve the quality of our Sandwich students because, at the end of the day, they will also obtain degrees from this same university.

Do you have separate cutoff marks for education students?

That is where I may have a very big challenge because I am not really in charge of the admission. Though I am in charge of admitting students into my faculty but I may not be able to take a final decision.

We once had a Dean who C M Y K

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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said there was not going to be lower cut off point for Education and would not admit people who did not take Education as first choice, so I have to take that to my Management Committee for deliberation because there is no way people who are not interested in obtaining degree in education will do well.

Do you compromise admission criteria because you need students in the department?

Admission criteria is not compromised just because we need students. If you are coming to study Education, you need to have a minimum of five credits include Mathematics and English. The only difference is that people don’t like coming to the Faculty of Education for any of the programmes because they prefer to first go for some other disciplines where they think they are better, and when they discover that they don’t measure up to the requirements, they then come to the faculty through supplementary list.

H

ow do you intend to sustain this passion to revamp the situation?

I am passion drive and my colleagues can attest to the fact that when it has to do with

,

W

•Prof Florence Banku Obi going on to ensure that they are doing the right thing doesn’t take much too.

We have monthly seminar which is like a mentoring programme. it’s about standard internal quality accountability. We check ourselves ask what we are doing wrong, what are we supposed to be doing that we are not doing so we brainstorm for result.

Do you agree that many lecturers compromise with students?

I know that many lecturers are highly compromising, however, what I know about my

Students can afford to buy Brazilian hair for N120,000 but can’t buy textbook, don’t go to libraries to study, don’t do their assignment just because it is free.

quality, I have always championed the course that we must maintain quality all through in the system.

I know I would sustain the passion because I made a promise that I am going to sacrifice my two years to improve the faculty and I don’t want to fall short of what I have promised.

Advising students to work hard does not take much, telling colleagues to do the right thing does not take much, and going to the classes every morning to see what’s

NUT boycotts NTI, MDG trainings

,

faculty and what I have told them is that when I see a lecturer compromising, I invite such to my office for a talk, and if he still continues, it becomes official.

The VC and his deputy are not ready to compromise. We have boards around the school where we give students numbers where they can report lecturers who are asking them for money.

Compromising is not about the welfare of the lecturers because when I came into the university as an Assistant

Lecturer in 1990, my salary was N550 and I was not involved in any fraudulent act. I think some of our members are just too unethical despite any increment in our salary.

I

f you were made Minister of Education, what will you put right?

The first thing I will do is introduce tuition fee in federal universities because when students pay school fees, then they will take their studies seriously. This is the only country where students at the university level do not pay school fee.

In every other countries, students pay heavily in the university.

Many people who have children in the nursery schools pay more than N100,000, but when they come to the university, it is free. When the students know that they are not spending so much on their education, they would not have time to study because they are more interested in knowing the names of football players.

It may surprise you to note that when lecture is slated at 4:00pm and one of these big clubs are playing football, you won’t find them in lecturer hall. If they were paying fees like they do in other countries, they won’t try that.

Students can afford to buy Brazilian hair for N120,000 but can’t buy textbook, don’t go to libraries to study, don’t do their assignment just because it is free. If their parents are paying heavily for their education, the situation would change.

igeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has insisted on boycotting teachers training programme being organised by the National Teachers Institute and office of Millennium Development Goal over disagreement bordering on unpaid allowances in the 2011 edition.

NUT’s President, Micheal Alogba, insisted on going ahead with the threat in Abuja during a press briefing in Abuja recently.

It would be recalled that NUT and management of NTI have been embroiled in disagreement over inability of the latter to settle the outstanding allowances being owed those who participated in the 2011 edition.

Alogba also reacted on the on-going debate for local government autonomy in the country, saying the union was not against moves to make local government administrations autonomous but that the Joint Allocation Committee (JAC) which has been responsible for prompt payment of teachers salaries and allowances should not be disbanded as it might stir up further unrest within the school system.

According to Alogba, there has been industrial stability in the basic education system because JAC was living up it expectation and so should be encouraged.

He hinged the union’s resistance for the proposed training on insincerity of purpose, noting that at the last edition both agency shortchanged the teachers of N11,500 each.

“NUT is aware of the clandestine move by the NTI and MDG to shortchange our members into taking part in a training seminar.

"Based on our resolve that until the balance of 2011 allowance is paid to our members, no teacher in this country would take part in any training being organised by either NTI or MDG. “You will recall that the teachers that took part in the last exercise were supposed to be paid N14,000 for a ten day programme, but they were shortchanged and paid only N2,500; are we slaves in our country.”

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

FG delays N6.8bn vocational skill projects by 2 yrs

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

F

EDERAL Government has delayed the completion deadline of the N6.8 billion African Development Fund (ADF) assisted skill and vocational education projects by 24 months due to low disbursement rate and other logistic problems.

Funded by the African Development Bank, the project, which was initially set for completion in December 2011 across the six geo-political zone, had to be extended by two years, terminating in November.

Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufai, at a meeting with the project steering committee members identified weakness in the conception of the project as a major reason for the delay, noting that the International Competitive Bidding procurement process contained in the project conception had not only delayed implementation, but contributed to outstanding

projects that were yet to be awarded. Rufa’I urged the committee members to fast-track the implementation of the remaining activities with a view to delivering on the projects ahead of the November 2013 target. Project Coordinator, Ebele Nwafor, said the first

phase of the project component consist of vocational skill workshops across the benefiting institutions is going on and assured of beating the 2013 deadline.

He explained that the entire project was aimed at enhancing quality teaching and learning of

vocational skill and revision of existing development training strategies for optimum output.

The ADB is responsible for 89 per cent of the funding requirement, leaving Nigeria with 11 per cent counterpart funding with a total of 35 per cent releases for the project.

•Pupils of Barbara Cox Schools presenting a dance-drama during their 2012 end-of-year party.

Formulate library of literature for posterity, Fashola tasks writer

BY MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola has urged writers to write good educative and historicalbooks that will formulate library of literature which the next generation can live on to have understanding of the past, compare it to the present,in order to prepare for tomorrow.

Speaking at a book launch: ‘BLESSINGS, a history of Eko Club,’ held at Blessings Hall, Eko Club, Fashola said: “Members of the club should formulate the library of literature that the next generation can live on so that they will have an understanding of what happened yesterday, know how things are today and prepare them for tomorrow.”

The governor who commended the initiator and author of the book, Alh. Lateef Bada for his vision and tenacity to deliver on the vision said, there would be no second hand version and distortions on how the club was formed.

In his remarks, Alhaji Lateef Bada who authored the book, Blessings, History of Eko Club, averred that the group wants to know the pedigree of every Lagosian, because of their realisation that a lot is being lost from the nonchalance of the people to retain their history. He explained that the need to keep the history for the coming generation spur him to achieving this feat.

On his part, Engr. Alabi Lawal, president of Eko Club remarked: “What we are witnessing today has never happened in the annals of the history of this club.

In line with the custom this administration assigned to this C M Y K

*Governor Babatunde Fashola, launching the book: Blessings, History of Eko Club, at Eko Club, Lagos. group, it will henceforth be mandatory to infuse this priceless book among the induction processes of new members. It is in line with the adage of our fathers that if a child does not witness the history, he meets the history which is an equate of the witnessing the history.”

Mainwhile, governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has condemned the antagonistic nature of the Federal Government to the Lagos State government $600 million loan from the World Bank for the growth and regeneration in the infrastructural section of the state.

Fashola, while speaking at the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Blessings,’ A History of Eko Club, authored by Alh. Lateef Bada, a founding member and

member Board of Trustee, Eko Club pointed out that cities grow and regenerate, he goes further to reiterate the necessity of the loan which was meant to be disbursed into boosting the state’s infrastructural development plans and regeneration but was unfounded frustrated by the FG. This came in response to issues raised by a Professor of Political Science and lecturer, University of Lagos, Adele Jinadu, during the critique of the book, as the professor quoted some individuals who challenged the administration over the lingering plight of infrastructure in some quarters of the state.

“The suggestion for the establishment of an urban renewal fund in the state is excellent but, it is

convenient on the other political side to say don’t give them the money, why are they borrowing,” the governor said.

Recall that Lagos State government had sought for a loan said to be an urban renewal fund from the World Bank, in a petition recently presented by Fashola to the House of Representatives Committee on Loans, Aids and Debts, seeking an intervention in an alleged attempt by the FG to halt a $600 million loan facility the state had with the World Bank, the loan was procured on the understanding that Lagos State would access $200 million over a period of three years, spanning from 2012 to 2014.

However, only the first tranche has been paid in 2011.

Winners emerge in Loral School musical contest

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INNERS have emerged from the 2012 edition of ‘Musical Contest’ of Loral International Secondary School, Igbesa, tagged ‘Loral Idol’.

The event held at the school premises recently, saw Master Christian Akele, a 16 year old SS2 student emerged the overall winner with the song titled, ‘Originality’, while Chidinma Igwu, JSS 2, and Damilola Adesina, SS3, emerged 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

According to the judges, it was not an easy win for Christian as he had to contend with seven other resilient contestants who showed uncommon tenacity in the battle for the coveted prize.

The eight finalists emerged from a six week intensive selection process which involved over one hundred contestants at the preliminary stages.

Speaking on the rationale behind the contest, the Senior Principal of the School, Mrs Maria Uzuegbunam stated that the event was one of the various co-curricular programmes of the school aimed at identifying and developing the musical talents of the students.

According to her, students with such musical talents and sense of creativity should be encouraged to develop their potentials. She enumerated some of the benefits embedded in such talents as included physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—41

Nigeria public school student emerges Afriacan 3rd at DSTV Eutelsat contest

•A cross session of Littoral University students during matriculation.

French govt endorses Nigerian varsity in Republic of Benin

BY MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

T

he Littoral University community gathered recently at Shito Seme to commemorate the endorsement by the government of Republic of Benin for the school to kick off a full fledge university system after several years of struggle to upgrade its status from the School of Part Time.

Offering a cross-border education, the university according to the Founder and Vice Chancellor Prof./ Rev. (Dr) Ayeni Oyebode, harbours a conglomeration of different nationals and is structured to contribute hugely and qualitatively to knowledge in the educational arrangement in the entire world through research carried out in uncompromising manner.

Speaking to Journalists recently during the celebration at Seme, the Vice Chancellor of the university, reiterated the sustained readiness of the institution to ardently groom all-rounded and competitive graduate who can meet the complex human resources needs of the current generation leaving behind heritable success for posterity and to cultivate Nigerians learning there while ensuring that the love and friendship between Nigerians and other nationals is neither jaundiced nor frustrated.

“Littoral University offers programmes in Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology among others, programmes are offered in: School of Arts, Communication and Languages under which there are: Mass Com-

munication, Linguistics etc.

Secondly, it is a School of Economics and Business Management. Other courses include, School of Law and Political Science, International Relations, Conflict Management and Diplomacy, Strategic Studies, Criminology etc.”

He noted that the School of Science and Technology, and School of Education were named after Bishop David Oyedepo.”

He disclosed that the university is currently making a move to affiliate with best pri-

vate universities in Nigeria and in the US to catalyse the set goals and securing sustainability.”

On admission process,the VC explained that any interested Nigerian must have 5 credits, English and Mathematics inclusive and will have to pass the Aptitude Test. However, for other nationals, the requirements differ. Thus, Nigerians coming will go through the usual protocols because in due process we are making moves to get accreditation from the

Bankers, experts float online crèche to monitor children

I

N the quest to play the role of a guide to our innocent children in Nigeria, a group of educationists, bankers and telecommunication experts have established a crèche where parents can monitor their children online.

Explaining the aim of the innovation,the Head of Mustard’Ville School, Mrs. Ayooluwa Lanre- Akinremi, stated that the objective of the promoters is to create a conducive and homely environment to take care of the children and relieve parents the stress of combining their work with nursing children.

Lanre- Akinrem who lamented the rate of kidnapping in the society by some “trusted” house maids/ relatives said, the crèche would provide comfort for parents.

With this, she said,‘’Parents can concentrate fully at offices with peace of mind bearing in

mind that their children are in safe hands.”

Her words: “Today, there seems to be a rapid increase in child kidnappings especially by housemaids and relatives; those we trust to take care of our kids while we are away.

Because of this, daycares seem to be a better option, but many of them have been faulted on basic hygiene and routine procedures. A few months ago, there was a video of a boy violently attacking some toddlers in a daycare in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA, right under the nose of the socalled nannies.”

She explained that the parents could keep a constant eye on their babies whenever and wherever they are with the crèche’s online, real-time surveillance nanny cam.

According to her, the outfit will be managed by seasoned and well respected professionals experienced in Crèche management and Montessori education.

From left: Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe (middle) flanked by Master Isa Bello Suleiman of Zamani College, Kaduna; and Miss Imoh Daniel of Army Day Secondary School, Cross River State

By DAYO ADESULU

T

HE duo of Master Isa Bello Suleiman of Zamani College, Kaduna; and Miss Imoh Daniel of Army Day Secondary School, Cross River State have shun in Africa continent as they emerged the 2012 Country Winners in the Essay and Poster categories, respectively at 2012 DSTV Eutelsat Star Award winners. While Oyindamola Adisa of Adesoye College and Simon Akpan Anita of Lagos Anglican Girl’s Grammar School emerged runners up in the essay and poster categories as well.

The presentation which held at Multichoice Boardroom, Victoria Island attracted Professor Funsho Falade from UNILAG who was also the Judge, DSTV Eutelsat, Mrs Ronke Bello, Managing Director, Innovative Literacy, representatives from Kaduna and Cross River.

Speaking at the award ceremony where a Plasma

television and a certificate of excellence were handed over to each of the star award winners, the Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe said: “The awards seeks to inspire innovative thinking among secondary school students and create awareness on how science and technology can be applied to everyday life.”

According to Ugbe, the DStv Eutelsat Star Awards is a Corporate Social Responsibility of MultiChoice Africa and Eutelsat to educate and create awareness about satellite technology and its application among African students.

He added that the award is designed to stimulate interest in science and technology among African school children by educating them on the science involved.

The Managing Director pointed out that last year when they commenced the award, over 150 entries were received in Nigeria.

From left: Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Istifanus Gbana; Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I; FUW VC, Prof. Prof. Geoffery Okogbaa; and Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of NUC, at Federal University, Wukari's matriculation

42—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

I N S I D E

Nigeria oil judgment: A small step in the journey from —44 travesty to justice

•President Good Luck Jonathan

•Chief Justice of Nigeria Mariam Aloma Mukhtar

Constitution Review: Matters arising

•Justice Ayo Salami

Issues that shaped the judiciary in outgoing year A

S the Year 2012 folds up in four days,the Nations judicial sector no doubt witnessed epocal events that shape the polity. In our usual tradition we recall some of this landmark events as the signpost the character of our judicial system.

January 4, 2012 Petitioners In Dilemma As Court Of Appeal President, Justice Adamu, Frustrates Cases Barely five days before all the 2011 election cases pending at the Court of Appeal in Benin City, elapse, petitioners, their political parties and supporters who besieged the court this morning have accused the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu and the judges of deliberately frustrating the cases so as to guarantee injustice where justice was sought.

The appeal cases were filed by candidates of State Assemblies and the National Assembly after the lower tribunal had struck them out. Under the provisions of the Electoral Law, they will elapse on January 9, as the law allows only 180 days for them to be completed.

Rivers Judiciary Begins New Legal Year January 25, 2012 The 2011/2012 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary commenced. The

new legal year started with a rededication Church Service and a Special Court Session on Friday, 20th January, 2012. The programme was rescheduled for one week due to the recent nation wide strike embarked upon by the organised labour unions in protest over the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

February 29,2012 National Judicial Council approves Justice Salami’s

,

COMPILED BY DAYO BENSON & ONOZURE DANIA

The Committee had absolved Justice Salami, who was suspended last August 18 by the same NJC, of any wrongdoing and recommended that he should be reinstated.

,

reinstatement The National Judicial Council (NJC) rose from a meeting Wednesday reversing itself and approving the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, in a decision that promises to bring to an end several months of bickering within the nation’s

judiciary.

A source at the meeting said members reviewed the recommendations of the 29-member stakeholders Judicial Reform Committee, headed by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, constituted by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher, shortly after he took office.

The Committee had absolved Justice Salami, who was suspended last August 18 by the same NJC, of any wrongdoing and recommended that he should be reinstated.

M

ay 11, 2012 NJC reinstates Salami as President Court of

Appeal After considering the report of an adhoc committee set up to resolve the crisis within the judiciary, the National Judicial Council resolved to reinstate the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, who was suspended by the council on August 18, 2011.

The NJC rose from a two-day meeting on Thursday with a resolution to reinstate the embattled president of the Court of Appeal, after a nine-month impasse.

Although there was no official statement from the NJC, a source privy to what transpired at the meeting informed our correspondent that the council had forwarded a recommendation for Salami’s

— 44

•Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher, reinstatement to President Goodluck Jonathan.

July 4, 2012 Jonathan appoints first female Chief Justice of the Federation The President, Goodluck Jonathan, has sent Mariam Aloma Mukhtar ’s name to the Senate for confirmation as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The President also sent the names of Justices Kumai Akaah and Atanley Allagoa to the Senate for confirmation as justices of the apex court is however, not new to pioneering as she was the first woman to be appointed Mrs. Mukhtar who is considered by many lawyers as a person of strong will and character, will become the first female head of the Nigerian judiciary.

August 2012 okeywali SAN succeds JB Daudu as NBA president The 2- year tenure of mr joseph bodurin Daudu SAN as president of Nigeria Bar of Association NBA ended and he was succeded by MR Okey walli SAN who immerged after the associations

Continues on page 43

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

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—43

Issues that shaped the judiciary in outgoing year Continues from page 42 deligate conference in Abuja MR Walli after the swearing in promised that it would not be business as usual in the affairs of NBA. October 3, 2012 NJC drags FG to court; says Jonathan lacks powers to stop Salami’s recall ABUJA – The National Judicial Council, NJC, yesterday, maintained that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the constitutional powers to stop it from reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Justice Isa Ayo Salami. The legal body made the declaration on a day it urged the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to declare the re-appointment of the Acting PCA, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, by President Jonathan as unconstitutional and illegal.

complicated the planned the recall of the former president of the court, Justice Ayo Salami.

The CJN reportedly met Justice Salami a few weeks ago to discuss his recall on the condition that he turns in his resignation letter post dated to January 2013, but the Justice Salami rejected the offer.

Today ’s swearing in of Justice Bulkachukwa is another peculiarity in Nigeria’s troubled history of judicial perfid.

N

•Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor Judge Of The Appeal Court

•NBA President MR Okey walli SAN

O

ctober 4, 2012 Why I’m against Salami’s reinstatement - Ag PCA ACTING president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Dalhatu Adamu, has given reasons for his opposition to the suit seeking recall of the Justice Isa Ayo Salami from suspension.

A group, the Registered Trustees of Centre for the Promotion of Arbitration, has tabled a suit before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, seeking the termination of Adamu’s tenure as acting president, which had spanned 14 months.

The plaintiff also wanted the court to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from further extending Adamu’s acting tenure, which had been done four times.

The constitution prescribes a three-month acting period, only renewable by the president on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), while the NJC as a respondent in the suit had concurred with the plaintiff that Adamu’s tenure would be deemed illegal without its recommendation, though the council had not denied recommending him to Jonathan during the past renewals.

November 2012 State OF ORIGIN: Female judge denied Appeal Court seat The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Maryam Aloma Mukhtar, yesterday, declined to administer oath of office on one of the newly appointed justices of the Appeal Court.

The decision of the CJN was sequel to a petition

•Former NBA President Joseph Bodurin Daudu SAN challenging the state of origin declared by the judge, who was nominated under a slot reserved for Abia State.

Consequently, only 11 Justices were sworn-in yesterday, including Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim who has been the Chief Justice of Gambia since 2009.

•Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice Mohammed Bello Agboke

November 23, 2012 Chief Justice Of Nigeria Swears In Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor As A Judge Of The Appeal Court The Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mariam Aloma Muhktar, today backed down from her earlier position to exclude Justice Ifeoma Jombo-

Ofor from the bench of the Nigerian Court of Appeal.

Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor was sworn in Abuja alongside Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachukwa, who now serve as the presiden t of the court of Appeal for the next three months. The searing of Justice Bulkachukwa, further

ovember 23, 2012 Jonathan appoints another acting Appeal Court President President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday approved the appointment of another Acting President of the Court of Appeal as Justice Ayo Salami remained suspended.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Information, National Judicial Council, Mr. Soji Oye, said Jonathan approved Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa as acting PCA, following the expiration of Justice Dalhatu Adamu’s term in the office on Friday (today).

American company accuses Nigerian Judiciary of Corruption in US Court December 2, 2012 An American Company told a court in the US that the Nigerian judicial system “does not provide impartial Tribunals or procedures compatible with the requirements of due process of law” A U.S. based Multinational Corporation with a strong presence in Nigeria and enjoying the patronage of the federal government in the oil and gas sector has accused the Nigerian judiciary of understaffing, inefficiency, and corruption.

44—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Nigeria oil judgment: A small step in the journey from travesty to justice

BY KOLAWOLE OLANIYAN

,

L

AST week something mo mentous happened – and those of us who campaign for justice for the victims of oil spills in the Niger Delta had good cause to feel Christmas had come early.

The event was a judgment (obtained by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) in which ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) court ordered the Nigerian government to punish oil companies over pollution, and it sent out a message of hope to the tens of thousands of people whose livelihoods have been destroyed. But while there was a pause for celebration the fight goes on because pressure is needed to make sure that the government adheres to this judgment.

Oil companies, particularly Shell, have managed to evade responsibility for far too long.

And the Nigerian government has allowed them to do so, putting profits before people.

As a result, communities in Bodo, an area badly affected by oil spills, are sinking further into poverty, unable to eat the contaminated fish or drink

Oil companies, particularly Shell, have managed to evade responsibility for far too long. And the Nigerian government has allowed them to do so, putting profits before people

•Chief Justice of Nigeria Mariam Aloma Mukhtar the water, stained black from the pollution.

Oil spills have occurred since production began over 50 years ago and that’s what makes the ECOWAS judgment so significant.

The Court ruled that the Nigerian Federal Government and six oil companies – Shell, Chevron, Elf Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Agip Nigeria and Total Nigeria – have violated

,

various human rights.

These include the right to a general satisfactory environment and the right to natural wealth and resources, as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights ratified by Nigeria in 1983.

The Court ruled that the government must now quickly implement the judgment and hold the oil companies to ac-

count.

As a concrete example, this means the government has to compel Shell to comply with national regulations, carry out a comprehensive clean up of the Bodo oil spills and properly compensate the people whose lives have been devastated. Shell also has to prove that it has done everything possible to ensure that oil spills do not reoccur.

B

ut this important deci sion comes against a backdrop in which the government has constantly given the green light to Shell to devastate people’s lives as the company wields enormous power.

According to information in the Wikileaks disclosure of US diplomatic cables in 2010, Shell has employees seconded to all relevant ministries and has access to everything that they do.

It’s also clear that oil companies wield tremendous influence over the regulatory regime that governs their operations.

In fact, the investigation process into oil spills in the Niger Delta is a travesty. There is very limited information publicly available regarding

the state of Shell’s infrastructure in the Delta. But it is widely known that the company has failed to adequately maintain it over the years, with tragic consequences.

The government has to exert its authority over Shell as, with the ECOWAS judgment and court cases pending in the UK and the Netherlands next year, the clock is ticking against such negligence.

It is due to the total failure of the Nigerian system for regulating oil companies and ensuring that spills are properly addressed that the Bodo community decided to take Shell to court in the UK. And with countries across Africa, such as Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroon, starting to exploit oil, these judgments have implications beyond Nigeria.

The Nigerian government and the oil companies operating in Nigeria have to set a good example and make sure that the industry brings development to the people, rather than allow a string of needless tragedies to continue.

By Kolawole Olaniyan, Legal Advisor, Amnesty International, International Secretariat, London

Constitution Review: Matters arising (3)

BY UGONNIA ANYADUBALU

tate Police: Part 1, S item 45 of Exclusive Legislative List 1. Exclusive Legislative List Part 1 item 22 which excludes the conduct of local Government election from the control of Federal Government and by extension INEC. I advocate a full presidential system of government at the Local Government Councils and where their elections will be conducted by INEC like the latter does for House of Assembly, National Assembly etc. we are witnesses to a situation where the Governors bluntly refused to organize a local Government election and where the few hold the election, the fairness of such election is always in doubt. The question that will continue to agitate discerning minds is why parties win elections in a State but when the Local Government election is organized, the same parties hardly win any Local Government seat.

2. To ensure the independence of the Local Government

system, section 162(7)(8) of 1999 constitution should be amended to grant financial autonomy to the Local Government councils wherein they will receive their allocations directly from federation account.

The present situation of joint State and Local Government account is very attractive to the Governors who in order to retain the hinge resources meant for all the local Government councils in that states refuse to organize election or run the local Government through care taker committee and appoint their surrogates who cannot question than to run the Local Governments. In a situation like above, the growth of democracy is stultified. Local Government is the closest tier of government to the people and should be promoted. It should also serve as a training ground for budding politicians. Democracy at that level should be encouraged therefore Governors who refuse to conduct local Government election are greatest enemies of democracy.

The third provision is Part II B which creates independent State Electoral Commission

mentarian was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.

T

•Ugonnia Anyadubalu should be deleted in view of the transfer of the function to INEC. CROSS CARPETING My position is that it is immoral for a person who is elected under a platform to abandon the platform and join another platform without resigning from the position. Section 68 (1)(g) and section 109 (g) prohibit that though they provide a leeway that allows cross-carpeting as a result of a division in the political party of which a parlia-

his proviso though com mendable but it has been abused. We witness a situation whereby members of legislative House cross-carpet from minority party to a ruling party in the State or Federal Government without any qualms irrespective of whether there is any faction or merger in the party they were previously sponsored.

The only protection is that their new party is the ruling party therefore nobody will ask them to vacate their seats as provided in section 68 (1) and 109 (1) 1999 constitution as amended.

My take therefore is that since we now operate tyranny of the majority in this case, let us delete the proviso so that any member of the Legislative House whether National or State shall vacate the seat if he joins another political party except the party he was elected into the seat.

STATE CREATION

I advocate that the amendment of section 3(1) and or First Schedule of the 1999 constitution to include a State from the South- East. Equity is Equality therefore out all the six Zones in the country, the South-East has the least number of States (5) five as against Six (6) or even seven (7) by other zones.

The same South –East has the least number of Local Government Areas yet the local government system forms part of the distribution of the commonwealth. South – Easterners are being cheated in the distribution of the Federal allocation and other common wealth.

It would be recalled that during President Obasanjo’s regime, a State was approved for South- East but this was scuttled because of the fear of third term.

This is therefore another opportunity for the hallowed Green and Red Chambers to right the wrong by creating a State for South-East

•Mr. Anyadubalu, a lawyer cum prolific writer, writes from 129 Okota Road Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—45

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (right), and DCP Tinuoye Olumide, Governor of the Yard, during his yearly prayer for prisoners at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, in Lagos.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

From left: Very Rev. Pelumi Johnson, Provost; His Grace Adebola Ademowo, Bishop of Lagos; Princess Adejoke Adefulire-Orelope, Deputy Governor, Lagos State, and Justice George Oguntade, after the service the Christmas service at Christ Cathedral Church Marina, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, Rev. Musa Dada, (left); presenting a Christmas gift to the state Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, during a Christmas visit to the governor, by the state CAN executives in Minna.

Members of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, led by the President, Rotarian Jimmy Evbomwan, (2nd left), Rotarian Isichei Osamgbi and Rotarian Charles Okonkwo, in an HIV AIDS awareness walk in Ikoyi, Lagos.

RECEPTION: From left: Chairman/Group CEO, Standard Alliance Group, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor; newly appointed and first Nigerian MD, AIRTEL Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Mrs. Famutimi, Chairman, AIRTEL Nigeria; Dr. Oba Otudeko and Mr. Famutimi, during a reception held in honour of the new MD in Lagos.

New Chief of Mambilla, Alhaji Shehu Audu Baju Ii (left) and Deputy Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr Abel Diah, during a reception to mark his assumption of office in Gembu, after his appointment as a First Class chief.

Ondo State Gover nor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko(right) and his wife, Olukemi, during the Christmas Day Service, at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Akure.

46— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 46—Vanguard,

Vanguard Vanguard,,

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 PISCES; Success is within your reach but you must do away with mental arrogance and take good and practical advice from the professionals. Work harder.

ARIES; Your being enterprising will go a long way to further enhance your prospects and if financial advancement is your priority you will fare better. Be more loving.

TAURUS; Prepare to take the lead and exhibit your special talent. Advice from younger people may look good but not practical enough thus if you must take advice today take it from matured personality who may appear authoritative.

GEMINI; Element of luck will work in your favour, however that is not to say you can not back your reasonable plans with practical action. Keep your secrets.

CANCER; You will have your ways; much will depend on how ambitious you are, the bigger your aspiration the better. Take your tried and trusted friends seriously.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

—47

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

S

OMETIME ago (I don’t know of now) there was a booming business for a young man in the frontage of the American Embassy who rents our umbrella to the teaming members of the public who throng the embassy daily to obtain visa to

Identifying the season of our life – 2 America for a fee. Where others saw nothing, this young man saw a gold mine. He saw it as an opportunity to make money.

I am sure you have seen an empty cement

TERROR MUDA

bag, some even littering your surroundings, do you know you could earn money from it?

Some people live by selling it. I went to buy a little quantity of sand recently and lo, I was

in “Never say goodbye”

asked to pay thirty naira for an empty cement bag, the same bag some people throw into the dungeon.

We must learn to exercise our mind. Think of the probable ways we can apply what we see, smell and feel. Train yourmind to always see the useful and beneficial aspect of every situation. For every burden has its blessings.

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO; Here is an ambitious day for many of you and with moderation things will go according to your plans.

Financial success is actually close to you than you think.

VIRGO; Make sure your plans for both immediate and far future are legal friendly. This is day of success you will need to savour with your partners/spouse.

LIBRA; Even if you think your health is ok you better make sure you confirm your fitness from your doctor before giving in to strenuous activities. Success at work indicated for those of you who are truly healthy. Be practical please.

SCORPIO; It will not be a bad idea trying to consolidate on progress made recently. And the more co-operative you are today the better it will be for you..

SAGITTARIUS; You will be in good position to take good advantage within your working arena.. Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make important future plans.

CAPRICORN; Tomorrow may bring more challenges than anticipated that is why you will need to prosecute your plans now. Lovers are fairly favoured.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS; Those of you who are moderate and practical with their financial plans are in for a good day. Live up to expectation within your family circle.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Early death for me?

Dear Joshua, I am not having any terminal disease but some times am afraid of life. Bluntly ‘am I meant for early death?

What are my weak points health-wise? Please tell me about my career line.

Adewale, Abeokuta.

Dear Adewale, You are not meant for sudden death but that should not be a license for reckless life style. Although Cancer is said to be one of weak Star signs, with potent and positive aspects the Sun and Mercury got from planets in Virgo and more powerful Scorpio yours is a strong constitution meant for good health. .

Certainly you must have gone through rough times when you were younger, once you are out of it your health path is clearer. And nothing is pointing to early death.

Naturally Cancer born people must be more careful about their tummy (stomach related ailments) and you are not an exception. Other thing you will need to watch carefully include the circulatory system (because of Aquarius influence). Your sense of taste is distinctive and capable of making you a little bit stout as a result of little enlargement of liver because of your sugar intake, which you can control perfectly. As a tropical man fever can come and go, but nothing fatalistic here please.. If you notice toothache symptom do not ignore it.

But yours is a sound and good health, astrologically.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world. Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why?

Because Aquarius is equally political.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, DECEMBER 27, 2012

2015: A-Ibom group prays for good successor

W

Members of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, led by the President, Rotn Jimmy Evbomwan (2nd left), Rotn Isichei Osamgbi and Rotn Charles Okonkwo, during HIV/AIDS awareness walk in Ikoyi, Lagos.

From left: Former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, his wife, Yeye Otun of the Source, Oluwakemi and former Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Adewusi singing at the 2012 interdenominational Christmas carol held at Opadoyin Akala Lodge Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

‘Kidnap of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother, unpleasant experience for Delta’

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah has said that the recent kidnap of the mother of the Co-ordinating Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala was a nightmare he would not like to witness again, just as he said the state government was working towards getting to the root of the problem of kidnapping.

Reliving the experience in Asaba during an interview with newsmen, Ogeah said, “the kidnapping of the King of Ogwashi Uku’s wife who is the queen and the mother of Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister was a very trying period for the state and the nation.

“It took this unfortunate incident, for me as a person and I can imagine what my governor might have gone through at his level and maybe the President as well (to realise the enormity of the situation).

I was getting calls on a minute by minute basis from France, from Reuters or is it AP in New York.

The reaction was worldwide; even there were some that I did not understand the language they were speaking. I would just see a foreign number, how they got my number I do not know and the next thing I would hear was where is the mother of the Co-ordinating Minister of the Nigeria’s Economy?

“So I know Presidents were calling our President and my governor and thank God for the way it has ended. It is not something that is pleasant. It is something we have to collectively work and put be-

C M Y K

hind us in terms of whether she is a queen, king or indeed my colleague (Commissioner Hope Eghagha) that you know had already been kidnapped and was away like almost three weeks in very horrendous circumstances, I must tell you. I do not wish

that type of experience or nightmare for anybody.

“I think government has resolved that it would do everything it has to do, not just in terms of the provision of infrastructure but security. We are going beyond that and we are realizing that this problem is more systemic than just se-

curing the environment. It has to do with why do we have so many of our youths doing this (kidnapping) and why have we regressed so much in our values as a people? These were things that were sacrilegious and unheard of in the African continent as a whole and Nigeria in general before.

2012, worst in Nigeria’s history—Gov Elechi

A

BAKALIKI—GOVER NOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has described 2012 as a bad year for Nigeria, saying the year can pass as the worst in Nigeria’s history.

Elechi made the statement on Tuesday at Echialike, his hometown in the Ikwo Local Government Area of the state, while addressing parishioners at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, during a service to mark this year’s Christmas c e l e b r a t i o n .

He said: “The year was bad for the country and the worst

in terms of natural disasters such as flood, senseless killing of innocent citizens by terrorist and other hoodlums, among others.

“We should, however, be consoled with the fact that other countries have their own share of these misf o r t u n e s . ” The governor called on Nigerians to put the ugly incidents behind them and concentrate on moving the country forward.

“We should forge ahead with renewed hope of a better future and pray earnestly to God for His grace and protection.”

Elechi said Nigerians should learn to celebrate Christmas and

other festivities with utmost degree of caution and decorum.

“The best Christmas is the one celebrated in a way that ensures we live to celebrate another one.

“The way people drink and drive recklessly on our roads leaves much to be desired.

“Though we should not be ruled by the fear of death, we must make efforts to live by ensuring safety on our roads.”

He called on Christians to ensure that they inculcated the significance of Christ’s birth by living a life of humility, tolerance and good neighbourlin e s s .

Insecurity: Police assure Zamfara citizens

G

U S AU — C O M M I S SIONER of Police in Zamfara State, Mr Usman Gwary, has assured the people that the police command is on top of the crime situation in the state, regardless of the recent killings in some are a s .

He gave the assurance in Gusau at a news conference on Tuesday over the spate of killings by gunmen in some parts of the state.

Gwary stressed that the command had been working to ensure that normalcy returned to the affected areas, where gunmen killed 10 vigi l a n t e s .

“We have been strategising and putting our intelligence gathering together but you

know we cannot make some of our plans public so as not to jeopardise our operations,” he said.

“Just two days ago, I deployed three pick-up vans with heavilyarmed mobile and regular police-

men to the troubled area on Zurmi-Katsina road. We will continue to mount surveillance there until we are certain that there is no more problem,” he, however, a d d e d .

Total Plc, France to train 5 Nigerians abroad

A

BUJA—TOTAL Plc and the Embassy of France in Nigeria have initiated a joint scholarship scheme to sponsor the training of five Nigerians abroad every year.

A statement by Mr Charles Ebereonwu, Manager, External Communication, of Total, said that the scheme was part of the company’s efforts to contribute to the development of the country ’s education sector.

It noted that the Joint Scholarship Scheme, TQJS, titled “Total E &P Nigeria Ltd, TEPNG /Quai d’ Orsay” would take effect from the 2012/2013 academic session.

The statement, however, said that the pilot stage of the scheme had commenced this year with one candidate sponsored to study international law in France.

ORRIED about conti nuity in Akwa Ibom State after Governor Godswill Akpabio exit in 2015, a group, Akpabio Mutual Alliance, AMA, has urged Akwa Ibomites to pray for a good successor.

Speaking during a meeting to review the activities of the group and inauguration of over 50 new members in Lagos, its President, Dr Ani Idiong said prayer was the key word to get a good successor like Gov Akpabio and urged the state to pray for “the God Almighty intervention so that it will not be disappointed in 2015.”

Idiong, who lauded the Akpabio administration for “his uncommon transformation,” went philosophical with figures to buttress his points, saying the repeat appearance of figures 20 and 9 in the events of Akwa Ibom State was not a coincidence but divine.

Interior Minister cancels Immigration recruitment

M

INISTER of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro has ordered cancellation of the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Moro also directed that appointment letters earlier issued and documentation carried out should be cancelled, until the Civil Defence, Immigration and Prisons Service Board, meet to consider the waiver granted Nigeria Immigration service for recruitment into the service.

Emir of Gombe interred

G

OMBE— THE remains of the Emir of Dukku, Gombe State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Rasheed, were, Tuesday, interred in Dukku area of the state.

Alhaji Bala Mohammed, Secretary of the Dukku Emirate Council, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the emir, who died 91, had three wives, 53 children and many grand children. He said the emir died on Monday night at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Gombe, following a protracted illness.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and other top government officials attended the funeral prayer.

•Tambuwal: Speaker, House of Reps

•Madueke: Oil Minister

PIB: Drums

of war

THE legislative framework to rectify the rot and rudderless petroleum sector is enmeshed in a controversy over regional interests. It is still an unfolding battle.

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

T

HE fate of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) may lead to an uproar in the National Assembly as soon as the federal lawmakers resume from their current end of year recess.

Already, the stage is set for a showdown between federal legislators from the Northern part of the country and their counterparts from the Niger Delta Region over some provisions of the bill presently awaiting passage.

The bill which was presented to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan last July aims among others, to create a conducive business environment for the oil and gas industry in the country.

Debate on the Bill entitled “A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria and for other related matters and a Bill for an Act to establish the New National Frontier Agency for the purpose of exploration and production of oil and gas in the Frontier of Chad Basin, Dahomey Basin, Imo Basin, Benue Trough, Bauchi Basin and Sokoto Basin and for other matters connected therewith” was led by the House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande.

According to her: “ From 1959 to date there have been about 16 laws in our statutes regulating

the petroleum industry. Some of these are the Petroleum Profits Tax Act, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act and the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Act.” “The Petroleum Industry Bill 2012 is seeking to harmonize and consolidate all these laws in order to better regulate, coordinate and manage the operations of the industry.”

PIB non-passage hurts economy She also informed her colleagues that non-passage of the bill had occasioned an atmosphere of confusion and uncertainty in the oil and gas sector, leading to loss of billions of dollars in potential revenue for the country.

Said she: “This situation continues to deteriorate with further delays in the passage of the bill. Recent discoveries of oil overseas and in neighbouring countries pose significant threats to the inflow of global investment funds to our oil and gas industry and seriously jeopardizes future earnings. As we speak investment in the oil and gas sector has dwindled and our crude reserves are shrinking.

This is because most investors are awaiting the enactment of this very important legislation that has the potency to affect our quest to become one of the top 20 largest economies by the year

2020.”

Investigations have shown that despite the seeming noble intentions of the bill, many legislators believe that it ought not to be allowed to sail through verbatim. Several members of the House of Representatives from different parts of the country had expressed reservations about certain provisions of the bill especially those which gave wide powers to the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

This was confirmed by Hon. Daniel Reyenieju (PDP Delta), who said such a reservation among legislators was not misplaced. He welcomed meaningful contributions for amending the bill from his counterparts adding that they should be inspired by patriotic considerations rather than regional or ethnic factors while deliberating on the proposed law.

Massive northern opposition Reyenieju’s view notwithstanding, there are clear indications that opposition to the bill has crystallized among federal parliamentarians from the northern region.

Indeed, members of the Northern Senators Forum recently demonstrated their dislike for the bill. Their action followed briefings on the bill by a consultant hired to scrutise the bill with a view to identifying how

major objection of the North against the bill is directed against the clause which provides for the creation of a petroleum Host Community Fund that shall be charged on international oil companies operating in the country.

A member of the House from the South-Eastern part of the country who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said the feeling among Northern lawmakers was that the Niger Delta Region was already getting too much revenue allocation from the federation account.

Giving a deeper insight into the thinking of the Northern lawmakers, he said the feeling of meagre revenue allocation to the North was believed to be partly responsible for the Boko Haram insurgency which has seriously undermined the security situation in several parts of the region.

North opposed to the bill it infringed on the interest of the region especially as it relates to revenue allocation.

The consultant’s report was said to have confirmed the fears of the Northern lawmakers that the bill will allocate more petroleum funds to the Niger Delta region and correspondingly reduce the allocation to the North and the rest of the country.

Not surprisingly, the hostility of the Forum was recently on display in the Senate as the lawmakers suspended the consideration of the bill, despite efforts by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba to ensure it is debated in the Upper Legislative

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 49

A lawmaker from the Northern part of the country who spoke to some journalists confirmed that the North is actually opposed to the bill. Said he: ”All of us know that we are not united in this country. We believe that leaders of the Niger Delta are attempting to take advantage of the fact that their kinsman is the current President and increase revenue allocation to their region. This is unacceptable because what the Niger Delta states are collecting from the federation’s purse is lopsided.”

The legislator further added that opposition against the bill was responsible for an amendment that has been

Many legislators believe that it ought not to be allowed to sail through verbatim

Chamber. It was gathered that the decision to discard debate on the bill was as a result of the underground moves by the North.

It was also gathered that the Northern Senators were also angry that the PIB did not prioritise gas supply to the North.

They are also uncomfortable that revenue accruing to four states in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers is higher than that of the 19 states of the North put together. The consultant’s report also criticised what it called apparent divestment moves through the establishment of a National Oil Company and National Gas Company.

It was further learnt that the

,

proposed for the bill. The amendment seeks to create a petroleum exploratory agency which shall prospect for oil and gas in the Northern, SouthWestern and South-Eastern parts of the country.

It was also learnt that the purpose of the amendment is to mobilize support against the proposed law from almost all parts of the country minus the Niger Delta Region. A source revealed that this strategy would ensure that lawmakers from the Niger Delta would be isolated during the forth-coming debate on the bill in the National Assembly.

This would then ensure that the bill is either outrightly killed Continues on page 50

AJIMOBI VS TOKYO:

BY OLA AJAYI

T

HE first administration to involve the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW in partisan politics was that of late Lamidi Adesina which governed the state between 1999 and 2003.

If politicians had not sought their services at one point or the other, it would have turned into a shocker how mere drivers got the effrontery to assert authority the way the union has sought to do in recent times.

It is as such not surprising that the union has in recent times sought to put politicians as coperpetrators in the repeated violence in the state who they claim want political office by all means.

That was the issue when the reinstated leader of the NURTW in the state, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola aka Tokyo recently engaged the government over the leadership of the union.

That was despite the seemingly matured way Governor Abiola Ajimobi was credited to have handled the delicate issue of the leadership of the union.

Tokyo too, had also been trying not to involve the governor in the controversy.

It is no news that the governor effectively laid to rest the spate of violence that had characterized the activities of the union immediately he assumed the mantle of leadership in the state. But Tokyo, as he is popularly called, is saying he

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50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

And the beat goes on

EVER since politicians in Oyo State saw the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, as a veritable instrument for winning elections, peace has continued to elude the political atmosphere in the state.

•Ajimobi: Challenges Tokyo to prove support

•Akinsola: Claims to have helped Ajimobi

on Tokyo telling him to come out and tell the world how he worked for Ajimobi. In a statement by the publicity secretary of the party, Dauda Kolawole, the party

thug army. This too is absolutely untrue. If you know the governor very well, he abhors thuggery.

More fundamentally, how could thugs have stood against an incumbent whom we were campaigning against… an incumbent who had the paraphernalia of security?” the party said.

But, Tokyo, responding to the statement said, through a spokesman, Hammid Yusuff, that “the statement credited to Dauda Kolawole is larger than his mouth and a larger load for him to carry.

“The best thing he should have done before uttering such illadvised statement is for him to have gone to elders of the party to learn the history of the party instead of uttering derogatory statement on Alhaji Lateef Akinsola,” saying everyone in the state knew the extent of Tokyo’s efforts in assisting Ajimobi to win the election.

ACN did not win in Akinsola’s ward, nor even in his polling booth, so how did he help Ajimobi win election?

has delivered his own part of the agreement reached with the governor to ‘help’ him mobilize his supporters to win the election.

He is accusing the governor of having reneged on his own part of the agreement that he would reinstate him.

Though, many people are saying Tokyo has had enough domination over the union for the past eight years or more, Tokyo insists he has never been allowed to spend his full term as specified by the union’s constitution.

According to him, his tenure was interrupted by Senator Rashidi Ladoja when he was arrested and detained for a crime. And when Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala brought him out of the custody, he did not allow him to finish his second term when he was rudely impeached by his late subordinate, Alhaji Lateef Salako, aka Ekleweomo.

Governor Ajimobi has stayed aloof but, his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria has taken

,

challenged Tokyo to say in specific terms, what work he did for the party in the 2011 elections that could warrant his ceaseless shouts to that effect.

According to the party, to the best of its knowledge, Tokyo was never a card-carrying member of the ACN, nor was he any of its political leaders who could effectively lay claim to the victory of the party in the last gubernatorial election in the state.

“As far as we are concerned, Tokyo is just a frustrated man who is attempting to clutch at straw and reap where he did not sow.

He should face his travails headlong in the hands of the state which had declared him wanted and in the hands of the NURTW body which does not want a remembrance of his Satanic leadership of the union. Neither ACN nor the leader of our party in Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is responsible for his woes,” the ACN said.

While maintaining that the people of the state who sacrificed their all and queued inside the scorching sun on the day of the election were more significant than Akinsola in sacrifices for the ACN and Governor Ajimobi, the party urged the former NURTW kingpin to take his life travails in his strides. “When the name Tokyo is mentioned, he reminds the people of the dark days of bloodshed in the state, when life was indeed nasty, brutish and short. He belongs to a forgotten era that God will never inflict on us again,” said ACN.

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hallenging Tokyo more, the ACN said. “From what we gathered, ACN did not win in Akinsola’s ward, nor even in his polling booth. We are not even sure he voted on election day. So how did he help Ajimobi win election? How did he work for Ajimobi? Some people have also claimed that he was a head of a

While describing Kolawole as “a political opportunist,” he directed the party spokesman to ask Governor Ajimobi about his contribution towards his success at the 2011 poll in Oyo state.

The group said that Kolawole’s statement was “a careless talk of a pretender, distorter of facts, a starter in Oyo state politics and a political mercenary”.

This man Dauda Kolawole should know that those who live in glass house should not throw stones. Another election is around the corner. We shall see what contributions Dauda Kolawole will put in ensuring another term for his avowed party”, Yussuf said.

It is claimed that the fear of the government is that if it tries to reinstate Tokyo, that that might trigger another orgy of violence in the state because other leaders of the union who are now in hiding, could resist it.

PIB: Drums of war Continues from page 49

or amended in such a manner that its original goal would be defeated.

Indeed, the opposition of Northern members against the bill was apparent right from the first day it was presented by the leader of the House, Hon.

Adeola-Akande (PDP, Oyo). That first debate had indicated a clear pattern in the contributions of members indicating regional divides.

For instance Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed (CPC/Kaduna), who is the Deputy Minority Whip of the House had argued that

the bill if passed into law in the form it was presented by the executive would further divide the country adding that the bill had contradictory provisions on regulation and deregulation of the industry. He further proposed that the powers of the Minister in the bill should be curbed.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 51

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52— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—53

Edited by MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU 08026350360 E-mail: chimeena@yahoo.com

NICO: Stakeholders discuss culture for democratic growth T

BY CALEB AYANSINA

HE quest about how Nigeria’s indigenous culture and traditional governance systems could be employed in furthering good governance in contemporary Nigeria was the central concern at the just concluded 3rd National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) annual lecture held in Abuja last week. The lecture was themed; Culture, Good Governance and Nigeria’s Democracy held in Abuja.

At the lecture, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma noted that “if Nigeria must stand tall among

the comity of nations, we must as a matter of urgency explore the cultural dimension, not only in our quest for good governance and democratic ideal, but in every sphere of our national development”.

According to him, with what is happening presently in the country, “there is need to embrace our culture, cherish its inherent values and accord it a place of pride in all aspects of our development agenda”.

Also, the Guest Lecturer and Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof.

Shamsudeen Amali did not hesitate in calling on the nation’s leadership to select some cultural aspects of

Chief Edem Duke, Tourism and Culture Minister (m) and others at NICO event traditional system of governance and infuse them into the country's democratic practice, for the people to richly enjoy good governance.

The university don explained that for the fact that there are some cultures that need to be

abrogated because they are injurious to societal growth does not mean that the people’s way of life, which is their culture should not be taken into consideration, noting that some cultural elements and their institutions could be used to

Indira’s puberty rite at Didi Museum

BY JAPHET ALAKAM

I

N this 21st century when western influence has led to the death of many African cultures, there are still some tribes that are still retaining their cultural heritage. One of such tribes is the Manya Krobo of Krobe Odumase, a small glass bead making community in the Eastern region of Ghana.

This community despite the influence of western culture still holds the Dipo Puberty Rites Festival, a festival where adolescent girls are engaged in a series of customary rites to initiate them into womanhood.

Dipo is similar to the Ovia-Osese festival of the Ogoni people and the fattening room culture amongst the Ibibio people of Nigeria. The Dipo-yi undergo a series of rituals, tests and tasks designed to confirm their chastity; successful completion of which is a perrequisite for a woman to be considered suitable for marriage and motherhood by the community.

This series of photographs was displayed at the National Museum, Barnes Road, Accra from 2nd to 8th December 2012 and was opened at Didi Museum, Lagos from 15th to 22nd December 2012.

The exhibition which is her second solo exhibition and her first to open in Nigeria featured about 30 images in black and white. It was declared open by Newton Jibunoh.

Commenting about the exhibition, Indira who confessed that she received her basic photography training in a traditional darkroom and only worked with black and white film before she started shooting digital in 2009 said that the works are in black and white because “shooting black and white offered more flexible options for contrast which is great for covering wax prints and other multi-

coloured items like the glass beads which feature prominently in the Dipo festival”.

On the choice of Nigeria, Indira who considers Nigeria her second home stated that, “bringing the exhibition to Nigeria has definitely increased the exposure my photography has received.

In addition, showing here has encouraged dialogue centred on the meaning and relevance of my work to the Nigerian community”.

Speaking at the event, Newton Jibunoh, the founder of Didi Museum described the exhibition as an inter tribal exposition that brings out to a larger public here in Nigeria, a part of Ghana that is working very hard to retain their cultural heritage and the various traditional festivals.

Documentary photographer During the 2012 Dipo festival held in Ghana, Indira E. Echeruo, a social documentary photographer from Ghana whose primary photographic interests are in chronicling cultures and in portraiture captured some stunning images in black and white of what can be described as a rich and intricate culture of the people.

And as a way of bringing the festival to the public, the artist organised an exhibition tagged Portraits from the Making of a Woman, a photo-on-canvas exhibition of a selection of portraits taken during the 2012 Dipo Puberty Rites Festival.

Indira Echeruo explaining some the works to Newton Jibunoh during the exhibition

achieve peace, progress and unity in the country.

“In order for contemporary Nigerian democracy to richly enjoy good governance, we would have to know and select good cultural aspects from the traditional system of governance, such as family systems and values, honesty, peace and integrity and infuse them into the contemporary Nigerian democratic practices through the National Assembly.

Democratic practice “The contemporary Nigerian democratic practice is being presently heavily criticized for not doing enough for the majority of the people. But in order to achieve considerable degree of good governance for the majority of the people in the nation, it is very important the nation should know that some cultural elements and their institutions or organs such as religion, accountability, leadership, discipline, patriotism etc could be consciously used.

“To increase the success of the current Nigerians democratic dispensation, we need to use effectively and systematically the cultural elements mentioned above for good democratic governance through education, transportation, communication and various other fields of human activities” He said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Emeka Nwabueze of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka noted that “these lectures do not only give us a panoramic view of culture.

They lay bare how cultural colonization has adversely affected our body politic as a people, especially with regard to the imposition of beliefs and social practices of a dominant group against a subjugated one”.

54 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 , 2012

• The suspected vandals.

I took to vandalism to have my share of the national cake — pipeline vandal suspect FEMALE suspected pipe line vandal, Jelilat Olailikon, who was arrested alongside four others by the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force Unit on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, has confessed that she took to the illicit business as part of her share of the national cake.

Jelilat who initially did not show any sign of remorse when arrested, shrugged her shoulder when approached by Crime Alert and in a nonchalant manner said: “I am just a business woman. No one will get an offer that would fetch him or her a hundred per cent gain that would not jump at it. My only mistake was that I failed to carry out proper investigation before venturing into the business.

“When I discovered that the petroleum product was from NNPC pipeline, I decided to continue since its government’s

money. Everybody wants to eat from the national cake and I saw that as my only opportunity to make money”, she stated.

But after a second thought, she admitted she was wrong and said:“ I am truly sorry, if they can forgive me, I will not do it again.”

Meanwhile, her alleged partners in crime, admitted to

,

A

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

successfully loaded the truck with 100gallons of 50 litres of PMS. An Assistant Commissioner of Police who heads the Task Force, Friday Ibadin, gave the identities of the other suspects as Muritala Kareem, Musiliru Ashiri, Ahmed Lamidi and Elizabeth Folorunsho, re-stating the task force determina-

,

I must say that greed lured me into this. I regret my action. More painful, is the fact that my children will be disappointed in me

be siphoning the petroleum product from System 2 B pipeline in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

Luck, ran against them after they were arrested by operatives of the Task Force who were on a routine patrol along Konu village, while they were siphoning the product into a DAF truck with registration number XA813JND. Already, they had

tion to reduce pipeline vandalism to its barest minimum.

Said he, ”We are determined with the help of the communities where these pipelines are buried to curb activities of these vandals. Meanwhile, I wish to use these medium to plead with Nigerians to desist from patronizing these vandals. Anyone caught buying this product is

assumed an accomplice to the crime and will consequently be arrested,” ACP Ibadin threathened.

Jelilat pushed me into it On his part, , Muritala, 41, a resident of Awori village in Epe area of Lagos, claimed Jelilat lured him into vandalism.

His words: “I have always been a happily married and contented man until the day I met Madam Jelilat. She came to my shop and said she wanted to introduce me into oil business. I initially told her I was not interested in vandalized product but she insisted that it was a genuine business.

Reluctantly, I joined and she introduced me to one Elizabeth and Taye, who sold 50 litres of Diesel for N4800. It was later that I discovered I was buying vandalized products. Initially I wanted to stop but because Christmas was fast approaching, I decided to continue so as to have enough money to feast with my family.

When we buy a 50 litres gallon for N4800, we would sell for N6000. But if you go to a filling station, it is sold for N7,750. The business was booming, as many customers patronized me It was while we were on our way out of Konu that the police on patrol arrested us. I must say that greed lured me into this. I

regret my action. More painful, is the fact that my children will be disappointed in me”, he said.

Another suspect, Elizabeth, 36, an indigene of Owori in Ondo state, lamented that she decided to go into the illicit business after her husband died. “I was a full time house wife when my husband died and there was no one to take care of me and my children. To make ends meet, I started carrying loads for people. It was during one of the errands that I was introduced to the business by one of my customers. I was aware that my suppliers were vandals but there was nothing I could do about it because I felt it was better than to sell my body to men for money.

•I.G. Abubakar

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 , 2012 — 55

My ex abducted, raped me because I dumped him — Rescued victim ••I was jealous — ex-boyfriend

BY DONALD ARJI

T

•Bose Ashade — The victim

HE hitherto quiet atmosphere wit nessed in Ligali street, Ojo road in Ajegunle area of Lagos was recently truncated, following the abduction of a 22-year-old lady identified as Bose Ashade, right in front of her compound.

Noone could go for Bose’s rescue, as the thugs said to have been heavily armed, threatened to kill anyone who dared to thwart their mission. And before everyone, helpless Bose, was whisked away in the thugs operational motorcycles. Time was 6pm last Friday.

Her apprehensive grandmother could not be consoled as she wailed uncontrollably, wondering why any one would choose to abduct her granddaughter who has been in her custody since the demise of her parents.

However, about seven hours later, news filtered in that Bose had been rescued by policemen from Layeni Division, somewhere around Arinu Ishola Street, Alaba. Upon inquiry, it was discovered that her abduction was masterminded by no other than her former boyfriend, one Ibrahim Bolaji.

Bose as gathered , had been in a relationship with Ibrahim for two years before the relationship went sour, over an unknown reason.

Crime Alert gathered that Ibrahim had on several occasion attempted to win back his girlfriend, all to no avail.

But along the line, he reportedly learnt that one of his friends was going out with Bose, a major reason he told Po-

licemen made him abduct her.

Hear him: “Even if she was leaving me, she should have at least, accorded me the respect by going for another person instead of my friend. It was like a slap on my face. I only sent some of my friends to abduct her so as to teach her a lesson. I never intended to collect any money as ransom”, he said.

But while in the hideout, Bose said she was raped by Ibrahim. At first, she said she thought the thugs were kidnappers. Sharing her terrible encounter with Crime Alert, she said: “From the way they operated, I concluded they were kidnappers. My grand mother sent me on an errand that fateful evening and immediately I stepped out o f the compound, about nine men grabbed me and started beating and dragging me at the same time on the ground. I begged them not to kill me , that I was not having any money with me. But they did not stop.

When I got to their hideout around Alaba, my ex-boyfriend, Ibrahim, came in. I was shocked and asked why he would do this to me. Before I could finish the statement, one of them landed a slap across my face.

And right there, Ibrahim raped me asking if that was not what I wanted.

My phone saved me “When he finished with me, he left me in the room and directed his boys to keep an eye on me. But I had my phone with me and quickly text the location I was to my new boyfriend who contacted policemen at Layeni.

The policemen arrived at about 12.30am and rescued me. But for their swift arrival I do not know what would have happened to me”, she said, weeping.

Meanwhile, Crime Alert gathered that policemen at Layeni Division were on the trail of the thugs who stormed Bose’s place that fateful day.

Court slams Oil and Gas MD 7 year- jail term for obtaining money by false pretence

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

J

USTICE Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, has sentenced a Managing Director of an oil and Gas Company, one Akinyemi Idowu Jegede to seven years imprisonment.

The convict was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two- count amended information dated March 1, 2011.The accused was said to have obtained by false pretense, the sum of N27, 692,500 (Twenty Seven Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira) contrary to section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

Akinyemi, a Chartered Accountant and Managing Director of Trans-Atlantic Global Oil was arraigned on September 10, 2007, on allegation that he fraudulently obtained money from his victims in a dubious forex transaction.

His arrest and prosecution was sequel to two petitions dated 18th and 20th September, 2006 by Amfidel International Limited and Sunny Ositez International Limited respectively, where they alleged that one Mr. Ifeanacho Egbuna who was the Branch Manager of Fidelity Bank Plc, Enu-Owa Branch, Lagos Island collected several sums

of money from them with a promise that the dollar equivalent would be transferred to the account of their overseas suppliers.

To finalize the transaction, the petitioners issued draft for the sums of N13, 570,000.00 and N14, 122,500.00 respectively in the name of Trans-Atlantic Global Oil Services Ltd, a company wholly owned and operated by the accused person.In the course of interrogation, the accused volunteered in his statement wherein he admitted collecting a total of N27, 692,500 (Twenty seven Million, Six hundred and ninety two thousand five hundred naira) from the said Mr. Ifeanacho Egbuna and that he could not transfer the said sums as agreed because he had some problems in his petroleum business.

On December 13, 2012, counsel to EFCC Francis Usani urged the court to convict the accused person on the strength of the testimonies of seven witnesses and the twenty-three exhibits tendered during trial. But counsel to accused person, E.D Onyeke prayed the court to discharge and acquit his client of the charges preferred against him.But Justice Okunnu in her ruling convicted and sentenced the accused to seven years imprisonment and also ordered the convict to pay restitution to the victims.

PHOTOSPEAK

* CSP Mohamed Muazu receving the award of Environmental Friendly Officer Award from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umaru Manko at the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN, 2012 Annual Lecture Award in Lagos

56—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

The newsroom of the future

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EWSROOM lead ers including Raju Narisetti of The Wall Street Journal and analyst Ken Doctor will convene online Jan. 16 to discuss the news industry ’s future in a free, two-hour webinar hosted by the World Editors Forum (WEF), the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA) and the University of South Carolina College of Mass Communications and Information Studies.

The webinar will begin at 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time in the United States).

•Akogwu killed by Boko Haram and bombed ThisDay office in Abuja

2012: Nigerian media in peril, repositions

BY UDUMA KALU

M

ORE than ever before, Nigerian media is in danger. It has always been bad, though but today, journalists are being bombed indiscriminately. They are harassed, terrorised, tortured, threatened and killed at will.

For the first time, journalists staged a walk in Lagos to protest the “incessant attacks and brutalization” of their colleagues.

And it was not just the killing that was a danger to the media, the internet posed a big challenge too, with news now free online and dwindling fortunes. The advertiser alone, seems to hold all the aces for the future media.

Yet, news houses have to develop applications for sms news alerts, mobile journalism, mobile news alert, social media, news alerts etc. While investing on the hard copy, the media houses must respond to the internet .

They have to buy latest software for easy access online, blogs, community pages, facebook, google, video, audio etc for easy interactions.

Easy interaction So, the media in 2012 has been expensive and the rewards are yet to be decided. What is already known is that some media houses such as The Economist of London are packing up their hard copies for the online edition. But for the Nigeria journalist, 2012 opened with a nightmare on January 20 when the 31 year- old Channels TV reporter, Enenche Akogwu, was shot dead by Islamic militants during the Kano bomb blasts that rocked the city.

This murder unleashed a wave of other vi-

olent attacks. In April, the sect’s suicide bombers rammed into ThisDay, The Sun and Moment newspapers and bombed them. Before the attack, there were several youtube, email and phone threats to vocal journalists and editors with the purpose of cowing them into silence. Newspapers, television stations and radio stations the group saw as unfriendly were repeatedly threatened as Punch, The Nation, Vanguard, Voice of America, Punch and Guardian.

Of course, these brought fear to media practitioners. A scene painted in Maiduguri, capital of the sect, is a pointer to the mood in most media houses as journalists there got scared.

This made the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye at the 2012 CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards ceremony, in Lusaka, Zambia, where Nigeria won the Free Press Africa Award category, decry the current assault on free press in the country.

Two Nigerian journalists specially recognised there were Zakariyu Isa, a cameraman with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Maiduguri, shot dead in front of his home in Maiduguri in October 2011, and Eneche Akogwu. Adefaye would go ahead later to hold an annual meeting of the editors with the theme ‘National Security and the Nigerian Editor ’ with the hope of brainstorming on insecurity facing the media.

So when the Lagos based journalists protested for the first time, it was not just because of Benedict Uwalaka of The Independent beaten black and blue or The Punch photographer also beaten by illegal train passengers or the harassment of other journalists in Abuja and Akwa Ibom, it was because the new terrorism wanted to end the Nigerian media’s hard won freedom.

Protesting Nigerian journalists and inset: Bloodied Uwalaka

Signage gets longevity device

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

S

OON, signage own ers will no longer need to replace faded or degraded signages, as Light Level Limited, a sign manufacturing company in collaboration with Vicom Outdoor of Netherlands has brought to Nigeria a signage cleaning concept called HQ coding.

HQ coding, a two face prone cleaning concept will see faded signages come back to life spending another 10 years thereby saving the sign owner the fortune of manufacturing a replacement in the nearest future, said Light Level Managing Director, Mr. Uwamai Igein at the press briefing and mock demonstration of the cleaning concept in his

office in Lagos, who also pointed out that the company which is into the business of visual communication noted that maintenance is key.

“It is a lot easier to spend much in manufacturing a signage, but what happens after some years,” he queried. “We noticed that the cost of maintenance is usually very low, by this, a lot of our customers do not know we have a new outfit under our roof that is responsible for maintenance of signages.”

So that arm is going to work 100 percent with Vicom Outdoor. “We want to see a cleaner signage environment in Nigeria, we want to see in Nigeria like signs that are produced in other countries of the world.” he enthused.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 57

Chukwueke awaits Obama’s residency bill H

IS journey started in Nigeria, a taunted teenager with large tumors on his face, driven into deep despair. Eleven years later, Victor Chukwueke has undergone numerous surgeries and is a step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a doctor.

In a rare act, the United States Congress passed a private bill last week granting Chukwueke permanent residency after years of his living in Michiganonanexpiredvisa.

ThebillisawaitingPresident Barack Obama’s signature.

“ThedayCongresspassed thebillwasoneofthehappiest days of my life,” said Chukwueke, who left Nigeria as a teen in 2001 to get treatment for the tumors.

Private bills — which only apply to one person and mostlyfocusonimmigration — seldom pass. His is the only private bill to pass in Congress in two years.

“I was overwhelmed with joy; it was nothing less than a miracle,” the 26-year-old said. “Only in this country cansomanymiraculousand wonderful things happen to someone like me.” Victor Chukwueke attends his graduation at Wayne State University, where he served as commencement speaker.

Only in this country can so

hisface.Treatedasanoutcast becauseofhisdeformedface, he was depressed and humiliated, he said. His family abandoned him at an orphanage. Nuns from the

Mandela in good spirit, says Zuma

R Victor Chukwueke (second from the left) is shown with his surgeon, Dr. Ian Jackson, the doctor’s wife and the nun who has cared for him since he came to the United States many miraculous and wonderful things happen to someone like me Victor Chukwueke. Before

coming to the United States at age 15, Chukwueke lived in the southeastern Nigeria town of Ovim.

He suffers from neurofibromatosis,agenetic disorderthatcausesmassive life-threatening tumors on

E C U P E R AT I N G South African icon, Nelson Mandela was in good spirits in the hospital where he spent his Christmas after an endoscopic surgery to remove gallstones from the 94 year old statesman. The country’s President Jacob Zuma said. “He was happy to have visitors on this special day and is looking much better,” said Zuma,

Egypt referendum: Morsi backers urge unity

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ACKERS of President Mohammed Morsi have urged all Egyptians to work together after the adoption of a controversial new constitution.

Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie said Egyptians should “begin building our country’s rebirth with free will... men, women, Muslims and Christians”.

More than 60% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum, although only a third of the electorate voted.

Critics say the document favours Islamists and betrays the revolution.

President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power in February 2011 after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule.

•Mursi

Syria to discuss peace proposals with Russia •as Military police chief al-Shalal defect

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YRIAN President Bashar al-Assad sent a senior diplomat to Moscow yesterday to discuss proposals to end the conflict convulsing his country made by international envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Syrian and Lebanese sources said.

Brahimi, who saw Assad on Monday and is planning to hold a series of meetings with Syrian officials and dissidents in Damascus this week, is trying to broker a peaceful transfer of power, but has disclosed little about how this might be done.

More than 44,000 Syrians have been killed in a revolt against four decades of Assad family rule, a conflict that began with peaceful protests but which has descended into civil war.

Past peace efforts have floundered, with world powers divided over what

Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy rescued him from the orphanage more than a decadeagoandarrangedfor aMichigandoctortoperform surgery on him.

reportedly fled to Turkey.

Lt Gen Abulaziz alShalal is one of the highestranking officials to join the uprising against the Syrian regime.

After the referendum result was announced on Tuesday, dozens of anticonstitution protesters blocked one of the main bridges in the capital Cairo, setting tyres alight and stopping traffic.

The political divisions surrounding the referendum have led to economic uncertainty and a reported rush to buy US dollars.

Currency exchanges in parts of Cairo were said to have run out of dollars.

Before the result was announced, the authorities declared a limit of $10,000 (£6,200) for travellers into and out of Egypt.

•Mandela who visited Mandela in a Pretoria hospital Tuesday.

“The doctors are happy with the progress that he is making.” Mandela, 94, has received round-the-clock care since an acute respiratory infection in 2011. He was hospitalized for a lung infection on December 8; and on December 15, he had successful endoscopic surgery to have gallstones removed.

Mandela, the former South African president, has not appeared in public since the 2010 World Cup hosted in his country.The Nobel Peace Prize winner spent 27 years in prison for fighting the oppression of blacks in South Africa. He became the nation’s first blackpresidentin1994,four years after he was freed.

South Africa last month launched a new batch of banknotes with a picture of a smiling Mandela on the front.

Queen highlights Diamond, Olympic events in Christmas message Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (R) meets International peace envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in Damascus

has become an increasingly sectarian struggle between mostly Sunni Muslim rebels and Assad’s security forces, drawn primarily from his Shi’ite-rooted

Alawite minority.

Meanwhile, the commander of Syria’s military police has defected from President Bashar-al Assad’s government and

B

RITAIN’s Queen Elizabeth II reflected on a year of personal and Olympic celebration in a Christmas message Tuesday that emphasized serving others.

“This past year has been one of great celebration for many,” the 86-year-old monarch said in a

videotaped message, reflecting on her Diamond Jubilee, which she called

Japan elects new PM

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HE Japanese parliament elected Shinzo Abe as prime minister Wednesday, giving him a second

Pope expresses concern over violence in Nigeria,Mali

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ATHOLIC Pontiff Benedict XVI has expressed concern over the violence in Mali and Nigeria, “where savage acts of terrorism continue to reap victims, particularly among Christians,”calling for peace in many of the

world’s hot spots.

From Syria to northern Nigeria, the leader of the Catholic Church urged dialogue and the protection of civilians. “In this world, there is a good soil God has prepared,” the pope said.

“Consequently, there is

hope in the world; a hope in which we can trust, even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations.” He called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria, where a civil war has claimed more than 40,000

“especially memorable for me and my family.”

lives. “May peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims,” Benedict said.

chance at the same job five years after he resigned abruptly. Abe, 58, is the nation’s seventh prime minister in six years. He started the revolving door of prime ministers by resigning in 2007, just one year into the job. The leader of the Liberal Democratic Party has vowed to boost the economy and defend Japanese interests, including territorial disputes with China over a group of islands.

58—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

BITS ASCSN petitions Orji, seeks re-instatement of sacked non-indigene workers

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Concept of infallible leadership “In our view, the concept of an infallible leadership which ascribes to itself a transcendental divinity has become obsolete, anachronistic, and stands in direct antithesis to democratic ideals of the 21st century, despite the plethora of sycophants cheering the leader to carry on.”

ASCSN argued that from ethical perspective, the action of Governor Orji was fundamentally flawed and urged him to reflect on what would happen if all the other 35 state governors decided to follow his footsteps by sacking all non-indigenes in their public services.

It noted that the action of Governor Orji did not produce the greatest good for the greatest number of persons. “ Can we really say that if all the other 35 state governors in the federation were to follow the footsteps of Abia State government on this policy, it will promote the greatest good for the greatest number of Nigerian citizens?” the group queried.

Director-General of MINILS, Dr. Niyi Olanrewaju (middle) welcoming the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, to the summit.

Stakeholders step up social protections drive for vulnerable workers

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG MICHAEL Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin Kwara State, has not only become a reference point for workers, unionists, industrial relations practitioners’ education in Nigeria, also, its annual National Labour Summit, has assumed a rendezvous for stakeholders to meet and proffer solutions to topical lindustrial relations issues.

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O, it was not surprising that the eighth MINILS National Labour Summit with the theme “Social Security, Labour Relations and the Transformation Agenda: Extending Social Protection in Nigeria”, apart from being attended by major stakeholders, it equally provided an avenue for the fertilization and exchange of ideas on diverse industrial relations’ concerns in the country.

Welcoming participants, Director General of MINILS, Dr. Niyi Olanrewaju, explained that the theme of the summit was carefully chosen to fit into national development efforts with current emphasis on global policy disclosure.

According to him, “there is now consensus that social protection issues need to be given serious attention within the context of development processes adding that the summit will address the need to evolve progressive social models in which industrial relations actors will function as active participants.

This will help to advance the cause of social protection and

development in the country. “I am aware that these ideals are adept to the transformation agenda of the federal government, as well as to the massive programmatic expressions and effort to actualise this policy by the federal ministry of labour and employment. It should gladden you to learn that the institute is also applying itself

,

SSOCIATION of Se nior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has petitioned Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State to reinstate all nonindigenes in the state public service sacked by the state government earlier in the year.

In a letter with reference number ASCSN/ABIA/ VOL.IV/672 , dated December 6, 2012, by its Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, ASCSN lamented that Abia State government had refused to reabsorb the sacked employees, including Abia women married to non-indigenes, despite pleas by trade unions, religions leaders, royal fathers, human rights organizations and other eminent Nigerians.

According to the association “It may well be that advisers to the helmsmen in Abia Government House subscribe to the pervading culture of impunity that is being entrenched in the administration of public affairs in Nigeria in which the strong leader must go on with a policy, no matter the monumental opposition against it and in spite of its adverse effect on the citizens because to make a detour is tantamount to being a weakling.

and interests in the Nigerian industrial relations system, particularly labour and employers.

The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan regards these categories as partners in development, and remains convinced of the need to involve them in social policy matters. In terms of concrete efforts of the labour ministry in the area of

In terms of concrete efforts of the labour ministry in the area of social protection, you are aware of our various robust interventions to ensure the mainstreaming of the new minimum wage law

to these broad national development concerns and strategies, within the context of its mandate. We have gone ahead in the course of this year, to mainstream emphasis on this theme by way of refocusing our training and research activities.”

Dialogue, consensus building Speaking, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, said government through the labour ministry had been encouraging dialogue and consensus building as standard procedure in terms of its governance strategy, while assuring that government was committed to regular engagement with industrial relations actions to ensure industrial peace and harmony.

He said “I am aware that a crucial aspect of the transformation agenda has to do with relations with the diverse actors

,

social protection, you are aware of our various robust interventions to ensure the mainstreaming of the new minimum wage law. The ministry remains active in the field, facilitating dialogues between employers and workers at different levels, with the aim of ensuring adequate compensation and income security for workers.”

“I am aware of the role of law in terms of advancing the cause of social protection in the country. That is why we have been encouraging the review of our labour laws to ensure emergence of the appropriate legal environment which supports social protection reforms. This is precisely what we have done with the Employees Compensation Act of 2010, which is a notable outcome of this process.”

Role of social actors Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, in his speech, con-

tended that driving social policy transformation agenda depended on the intervening activities of not just the government but on activities of trade unions and employers.

According to him, any attempt to transform and reposition the labour relations system now taking a center stage must begin by addressing the critical perception and needs of workers as key stakeholders, especially those in the public sector, which constitute the mass of the nation employers and unionised workers.

Any nation that seriously desires to reduce poverty and improve on its socio-economic development must approach these through improving on its social policy and labour relations, especially the unification of the processes, through implementable legislations.

He said though the present administration had demonstrated its seriousness in transforming the social policy and labour relations of the economy, there should be a sound policy focus on the poor, that provides measures and remedies that would ensure that subsidies meant for the poor “do not end up highjacked by those in the society that can do without them”.

“Other areas of the transformation that can further extend protection to Nigerian workers, require policy focus on improving the well-being of Nigerian policy and reducing excessive inequality in the access to basic economic needs and education, which are known to breed conflicts in our society.

Also, our social policy framework should adopt a special focus on the young people of our society, the vulnerable individuals-employed and unemployed, and fully integrate their needs into the nation’s development strategy.”

Vanguard,THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012—59

PenCom sends debt recovery agents after media houses STORIES BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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ATIONAL Pension Com mission, PenCom, has sent debt recovery agents after management of media houses and other companies who have continued to breach the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004 by failing to remit deducted pension fund and have continued to incur high debt profile Responding to concerns raised by stakeholders at 2012 National Workshop organized

by PenCom, for Business Editor, Labour, Finance and Labour Correspondents, in Abuja, .

Farouk Aminu, the commission’s Head of Research and Corporate Strategy, dismissed insinuations that the commission was shying away from confronting media houses over non-compliance as required by law, saying “It is not like we are avoiding totackle the issue of noncompliance with the media houses and others.”

According to Dr. Aminu “If you remember in our last conference, we told you the media houses that were not complying as at that time. After that time, we sent our staff to the affected media houses to evaluate the level of noncompliance.

After the report of that examination, we wrote to the media houses and demanded that they

comply. Some have actually responded and even made proposal on how they would pay the outstanding payment over a period of time.

If you look at our sanction regime, there are different levels of enforcing compliance. Like we had explained, the sanction level would start with engagement, and with consistent noncompliance, after other strategies, we could resort to legal action.” “ We use naming and shaming, monetary sanction and today, we have reached the level of appointing and assigning recovery agents to specific employer. That follows the systematic approach. It is not sensational and you get the desired objective. In that context, the media houses are not going to be treated differently.

They will be treated as part of noncompliant employers if they happen to be so. Among the 15000 or more employers that we have assigned, some media houses are part of it.

The recovery agents were mandated to start from 2005. It means they are expected to handle of noncompliance from 2005 to date. So, we are very systematic in term of how we approach the issue of enforcement of noncompliance. We try to be as consistent as possible in all the sectors including the media “

From left: Acting MD/CEO, Trust Fund Pension, Mrs. Helen Da-Sauza; Chairman, Board of Trust Fund Pension, Dr. Ngozi Olojeme and the Company Secretary, Musa Nasir at the company’s Annual General Meeting, in Abuja.

More workers join Trustfund pensions

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NCREASING number of workers in both private and public sectors are choosing the Trustfund Pensions Plc, for their retirement saving account, RSA, the management has said. It explained that the choice of Trustfund is based on its solid financial base and sound management team.

Speaking at its Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trustfund Pensions, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, told the elated shareholders, contributors and other stakeholders, that no less than 278 million workers were now account holders in Trustfund.

According to her, “It is our earnest desire to continually create wealth for our shareholders. This is demonstrated in the value added to our shareholders’ fund from N1.773billion in 2010 to N1.994billion in 2011 representing over 12 percent increase. We would continue to put up efforts to guarantee

wealth creation for our shareholders. We aspire to be leaders in fund management and this is demonstrated in the performance of our Fund Under Management, FUM. There was an increase of about 20 percent of our FUM from N116 billion in 2010 to N139billion in 2011. This is because of the increase in the number of Retired Saving Account, RSA, holders; from 234million to 278million, revived effort at the funding of unfunded accounts etc. Also, some state governments have demonstrated increased commitment towards the person reforms. We shall continue to revive the market to access all viable means go increase funds in the year to come.”

“During the last AGM, I informed you that our company had recapitalized to N2billion with N1billion fully paid even before National Pension Commission, PenCom’s guideline for N1billion minimum capital base. is my pleasure to inform

Pension scam in Nigeria: Role of regulator

BY IVOR TAKOR

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N recent month’s reports of pension scam carried banner headlines in the country’s news Media, both print and electronics resulting to probes on pension administration by special committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Some of the well-published scams are those of the Office of Head of Service of the Federation, Police pension and PHCN. The Pension Department of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation fraud was so mind bugging that according to the Pension Task Force under leadership of Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina the sum N12 billion was found in the personal account of a former director of the Pension Department and another N4 billion was allegedly found in the per-

sonal account of a deputy director of the same department.

In respect of the Police pension scam, six civil servants have been charged to court following their alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of N32.8 billion from the Nigerian Police pension fund between January 2009 and June 2011. The Task Force under the leadership of Maina claimed to have recovered over N159 billion in properties and cash from pension fraudsters.

Also the report of the investigation into the alleged mismanagement of pension fund by a Senate Committee revealed that from 2005 to 2011 government officials in charge of pension funds in the country stole N237.9 billion pension funds, through a syndicated and institutionalised corruption, fraud and embezzlement in the management of pension funds in the country.

The most recent is the controversy sur-

rounding Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staff pension fund. It is yet to be made public if indeed there has been embezzlement of PHCN pension fund and the amount involved.

However, what is now public is the allegation that a PHCN pension fund (2,204,814.18 pound sterling) had been uncovered in a United Kingdom bank.

It is believed that the money is PHCN pension which had been lodged in the UK bank account for close to 21years, meant for payment of pension of expatriate workers of the defunct utility board, the company which metamorphosed to PHCN. It has also been revealed that the last expatriate pensioner of the utility board is late.

IVOR TAKOR, Executive Director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy, CPRA

To be continued

you that our company met the requirement. We will continue to assess our operating environment with focus on capital issues to meet challenges as anwhen they arise. want to acknowledge that our company performed well despite the gloomy economic situations as cited earlier. me our partners and all interested parties that efforts will continue to be made to ensure that our company is steady on te of wealth creation for all members, while recognizing any significant change in policy and business environments. “

Corporate governance Continuing, she noted that “issues of corporate governance continue to generate much concern among Nigeria’s corporate world as well as internatinal . I am pleased to inform you that Trustfund Pensions Plc is built around a sound corporate governance practice, which checks and balances among the different Board Committees. want to use this opportunity to express my sire to members of the Board of Directors and colleagues for their continued support and creative ideas for best .

Their commitment and readiness to accept challenges even in the most difficult situations make a whole lot of with their expertise and professionalism which have been reflected in the various successes recorded during the year. me assure you all that our company will continue to strengthen its corporate governance structure and practices as all is will continue to align with different committees established.

We shall continue to support the management in bringing out the best in our workforce in the interest of all stakeholders.”

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Cat alonia ttes es ough, sa ys K eshi Catalonia estt ‘ll be ttough, says Keshi E

AGLES coach Stephen Keshi has welcomed a January 2 warm-up against Catalonia, but hopes the cold weather in Spain will not affect his team.

“I hear that 10 players from Barcelona will be part of the team, that is great news and it’s an opportunity for my boys to show that they have the capacity to play against the best footballers in the world.

The score line may not matter but we will not disappoint Nigerians,” said Keshi on the friendly.

The coach though said he hopes the cold weather in Europe at this time of the year will not affect his players.

This will be the second time the Eagles will clash with Catalonia having first lost 5-0 to the selected side in December 1998.

The other AFCON warm-up confirmed for the Eagles will be against Cape Verde in Portugal on January 9.

The Eagles will depart for Faro, Portugal, Thursday afternoon through Accra, Ghana, to begin the final phase training for the Nations Cup.

I

NTERIM Management Committee of the Nigeria Premier League will be inaugurated today in Abuja at the boardroom of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The 13-man Committee has

10 days to get that sorted out with. “By that time we will already be rounding off our training, that is why we may have to leave him behind”, he declared.

Keshi also revealed that Kano Pillars’ Papa Idris and Enyimba’s Henry Uche have been offered opportunity to hustle for shirts in the Faro camp and should be travelling with the team on Thursday. The duo have been excellent in training despite the fact that the list of home based players for the camp has already been released.

The longest serving captain of the national team also spoke on the international friendly against Catalonia, of Spain, noting that he fears the weather may C M Y K

Honourable Nduka Irabor as chairman. The committee is to organise the 2012/2013 league season, reorganise the sponsorship and marketing aspects of the league and look into rules governing the competition.

Kanu

MISSION POSSIBLE: Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi charging his wards to go for the kill.

Eagles Afcon list ready Jan 8th H

EAD coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi has exclusively told supersport.com that the 23-man list for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be released on Tuesday, January 8 in Faro,

Okonkwo Continues from B/P

Irabor committee for inauguration today

affect his team but noted that the players will give the game their all.

“I hear that 10 players from Barcelona will be part of the team, that is great news and its an opportunity for my boys to show that they have the capacity to play against the best footballers in the world.

The scoreline may not matter but we will not disappoint Nigerians.

On his goodwill message to Nigerians, Keshi urged Nigerians not to cease praying for the team as he foresees the team putting smiles on the faces of the numerous soccer fans in the country. “We need their support and prayers and hopefully we will put smiles on their faces at the end of the championship in South Africa.”

Portugal.

Keshi released a provisional list of 32 players comprising of 14 players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and 18 oversea-based players last week.

The ‘Big Boss’ has now lifted the lid on the date the final list of Nigerian players to the 2013 Afcon will be released as the Super Eagles begin their quest to win the trophy for the third time.

“The final list will be released on January 8 (2013) at our training camp in Portugal. We would have ascertained the level of fitness, form and mental state of the

players in the provisional list by that time,” Keshi said.

Experienced names like Kalu Uche, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Peter Odemwingie were excluded from the provisional 32-man squad but Keshi is optimistic the players, who made the cut will deliver in South Africa.

“It’s not going to be easy but I am sure all the players are up for the task. We urge Nigerians to support all the 32 players in the squad.

Those players are all Nigerians and deserve support.

Rabiu to relaunch career with Nigeria call up

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ELTIC midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim is keen to use the opportunity his invitation to Nigeria’s senior team to relaunch his career.

The 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup winner has not been able to hit the height expected of him following his eye-catching displays in the championship in Korea in 2007. And being one of the surprise inclusions in Stephen Keshi’s 32-man preliminary squad, the

former Nigeria U20 player is hoping to make the best out of the chance.

•Rabiu

Continues from B/P thinking is to go there and say well we will be fine if we can reach the semifinal then, they don’t believe in theirselves.

“They should see themselves as a winning team and don’t put their mind in some players that are not in the team said the two-time African Footballer of the

year.”

The former Ajax star added that Nigerians should allow Stephen Keshi to concentrate by ending the arguments generated by the list of players invited for the camping.

He declared that the former Togo and Mali coach is experienced enough and can’t choose a path to failure.

Ballon d'or Continues from B/P name of Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, the right with Barcelona midfielder, Andres Iniesta and the centre, and largest plaque inscribed with the name of Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi.

The photo was first published by Argentine sports daily, Diario Ole and while there has yet to be an official statement by football’s

governing body, FIFA, we will get our answer soon enough as the official announcement will be made on 7th January, 2013 at the Palace of Congresses in Zurich, Switzerland.

Messi has won the prestigious award for the past three seasons and was already heavily favoured to win his fourth this January, prior to the release of this photo.

Eagles Continues from B/P in his contract that says he cannot go to the Nations Cup without the M a n a g e r ’ s permission.“To make matters worse Newcastle fears that Demba Ba, will be leaving the club by the January window and they need a strong strike force and with Ameobi being their most experienced player in that area we may lose him. But he has said he will talk to me on Boxing Day night and after that I will let Nigerians know what the position is, because he wants to thrash out the issue with his Manager, Alan Pardew”.

The Super Eagles will have their last training

session at the Abuja National Stadium training pitch this morning before departing for Portugal.

All players who will not be making the trip to Portugal will be decamped same day.

And Keshi took time off to pay homage to the determination and commitment of the h o m e - b a s e d professionals during training. “It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals and I know when we return they will be part of the set up for the next round of qualifiers in the national team”.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 61

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62— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012 — 63

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Visa stops Okonkwo

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UPER Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was again on the hot seat Wednesday morning, for the last time before hostilities start at the Afcon 2013 Nations Cup

in South Africa, during the weekly media chat and he gave a comprehensive overview of how training has been going on in camp.

He revealed that new

Eagles off to Faro today • Contract clause may halt Ameobi's Afcon dream

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HE Super Eagles will depart for Faro, Portugal today through Accra, Ghana, to begin the final phase of its camping for the Nations Cup, with head Coach Stephen Keshi, hinting that Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, has a contract clause that may exclude him from the Afcon Championship.

Speaking at the weekly media parley in Abuja that precedes the team’s departure, Keshi declared that he spoke to the gangling striker on Christmas day and he

Ballon d'or winner leaked A

PHOTO has circulated the internet showing the 2012 Ballon d’Or trophy, with Barcelona’s Leo Messi name engraved at

the bottom, potentially revealing the Argentine is due to received his unprecedented fourth consecutive Player of the Year award.

The image clearly shows the unmistakable trophy, with three panels at the base; the left engraved with the

Continues on Page 60

TODAY'S

2 1 4 0 0 1 1

•Okonkwo

Kanu: Eagles can win Nations Cup

F

•Keshi told him that two years ago he signed a clause Continues on Page 60

EPL Results Everton Fulham Man United Norwich City Reading Sunderland QPR…

Warri Wolves acquisition, Chibuzor Okonkwo, who was scheduled to head to the Faro, Portugal camp of the team, may have missed out due to the fact that he does not have a valid Shengen visa for the trip and it will take a minimum of Continues on Page 60

Wigan Athletic Southampton Newcastle Chelsea Swansea City Manchester City West Bromwich

1 1 3 1 0 0 2

PUZZLE

REVEALED: The biggest plaque in the middle shows Lionel Messi as winner YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Sermonise (6) 5 Char (6) 9 True (5) 10 Battle (6) 11 Cavalryman (6) 12 Hickory (5) 14 Lengthy (4) 17 Youth (3) 18 Sported (4) 20 All (5) 22 Sculled (5) 23 Oriental (7) 24 Belt (5) 26 Suit (5) 29 Fuel (4) 30 Skip (3) 32 Eat (4) 33 Last (5) 35 Fisherman (6) 36 Felt (6) 37 Mock (5) 38 Boarded (6) 39 Mission (6)

ORMER Nigeria’s captain Nwankwo Kanu has stated that the Super Eagles will only win the 2013 Nations Cup if they have the belief.

Kanu, now a Nigerian football ambassador said he believes Nigeria is going there to win the cup.

“We should all believe in this, the players should believe that we can achieve it but if there

DOWN 1 Souse (6) 2 Fur (6) 3 Applaud (4) 4 Inn (5) 5 Cold dish (5) 6 Tribe (4) 7 Clergyman (6) 8 Damaged (6) 13 Warn (7) 15 Egg-shaped (5) 16 Grand (5) 18 Diminished (5) 19 Lac (5) 21 Yelp (3) 22 Sphere (3) 24 Straggle (6) 25 Tattered (6) 27 Festival (6) 28 Nursed (6) 30 Rented (5) 31 Out-dated (5) 33 Gala (4) 34 Ogle (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

How to Play Sudoku

ACROSS: 4, Slope 7, Amoral 9, Duo 10, Bus 12, Motto 13, Hawk 15, Dumps 17, Enrobe 19, Ewer 20, Taboo 22, Set 24, Blacken 27, Err 28, Reach 31, Wild 33, Airman 35, Rabbi 37, Riot 38, Baton 39, End 41, Net 42, Deduce 43, Renew.

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Sachet 2, Cobweb 3, Tab 4, Sump 5, Loose 6, Pathetic 8, Ludo 11, Subscribe 14, Knob 16, Meek 18, Role 21, Abdicate 23, Term 25, Arab 26, Near 29, Animus 30, Hatred 32, Drone 34, Rind 36, Anew 40, Den.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.