7 feared dead asflood sweeps Lagos

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61655

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

N150

LAGOS YESTERDAY — Top: Rescue bid almost turned tragic in Shogunle. Below & Top right: Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Maryland. Below right: Old Ota Road in Agbado Oja in Ogun State. See more pictures on Pages 8&9.

7 feared dead as flood sweeps Lagos •Houses submerged, one collapses in Bariga •Community link bridges washed off •Pupils trapped; motorists groan in traffic •Govt warns of more rains, advises residents •Dana gets 7-day ultimatum to compensate crash victims' families •P.6

Faroukgate: Police •P6 uncover fresh $10m bribe C M Y K

BY LEKE ADESERI, SOUTH WEST REGIONAL EDITOR, KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, EBUN SESSOU & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—RESI DENTS of Lagos State were, yesterday, enveloped by flood following heavy downpour that started Wednesday night.

A number of houses and roads were subContinues on Page 5

L

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

7 feared dead as flood sweeps Lagos Continues from Page 1 merged by the flood caused by the rain that lasted several hours.

Sections of LagosAbeokuta Expressway were cut off on both sides by the flood, leading to a gridlock.

Many road users were forced to return home or seek alternative routes, while others remained at the spot, waiting for the flood to abate.

A portion of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road by Mobil Filling Station was submerged, as were some areas in Mafoluku, Oshodi.

Many residents could not make it to their offices and business places yesterday as most areas in the state were heavily flooded.

Vanguard learnt that in some areas, many property were swept away and some major roads in the state were blocked.

Some of the worst hit areas include: Popo Igunnu, Jimoh and AgoHausa Streets, all in Okokomaiko, Iba Local Council Development Area; Jakande in OtoAwori Local Council De-

velopment Area; Sango, Igi avenue, GRA Ikeja, Gbolahan Bankole Street in Igando LCDA, Aboru; Ipaja-Ayobo, Shogunle, Apapa, among others.

Aiyepe Street in Itire, Canal Pepple Road, Shomolu, Agbado-Ijaiye, Ikola, Agbado-Okeodo LCDA, Akintan, Cele, Bakery Bus Stop, all in Ejigbo LCDA; Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation , NNPC at Ejigbo LCDA had its fence destroyed during the downpour.

Disaster on bridge linking Lagos and Ogun The bridge linking Lagos and Ogun states at Ayobo, in Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area, was submerged.

Six adults and a child were reportedly carried away by the flood while they attempted to cross from Ogun to Lagos State.

At Okokomaiko, over 500 pupils of Fazil Omar Ahmadiya public Nursery and Primary School 1, 11 and 111, were sent home by the Headmaster after the entire school premises was flooded.

A pupil of the school,

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

N

OBODY knows what the future holds, but de cisions determine destinies.

Today actions are the results of yesterday’s decision and today’s decisions will determine tomorrow’s actions; be careful what you do. It takes only one little turn to make a large mistake.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

ELEN Keller, despite being blind and deaf almost from birth, could perceive life in a way few could ever hope to experience. Here is her take on love and I hope it brings you a beautiful smile knowing you are enough for love.

“I remember the morning that I first asked the meaning of the word “love’. Miss Sullivan put her arm gently round me and spelled into my hand... ”Love is something like the clouds that were in the sky before the sun came out,” she replied.

"You cannot touch the clouds, you know; but you feel the rain...You cannot touch love either; but you feel the sweetness that it pours into everything.

Without love you would not be happy....The beautiful truth burst upon my mind. I felt that these were invisible lines stretched between my spirit and the spirits of others".

Source of love is deep in us, and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. If love is in our heart, every thought, word, and deed can bring about a miracle. Because understanding is the very foundation of love, words and actions that emerge from our love are always helpful.

H

Chukwuemeka Amadi said that one of the headmistresses of the three schools, Mrs. Asa sent them home because the entire premises including the classrooms had all been submerged in flood.

On Jimoh Street, the flood destroyed property of the residents leaving many to bail out water from their living rooms.

Mr. Sam Adebowale, a resident of the area, said that the water destroyed their property because their living rooms were submerged by the flood.

Adebowale lamented that the damage was due to the fact that the drainage canals servicing the area were not cleared by the state government before the commencement of the rain.

At Jakande in Okokomaiko, residents groaned as they were left stranded for hours because the commercial vehicles and Motor cycle operators popularly called Okada plying the routes refused to ply the flooded road.

One of the drivers, Mr. Fatai Olawale, said they could not ply the road because the over 10 kilometre road had been flooded.

Vanguard gathered that motorists who summoned the courage to convey passengers got stranded as their vehicles broke down on the road.

At the Aboru area of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, not less than 50 houses were said to have been flooded.

At Alabede area, many residents managed to wade through the flood successfully as buses and motorcycles refused to convey them beyond that area.

At the time of this report, residents of IsheriOlofin, Egbe-Idimu LCDA were still wallowing in the flood and calling for the state government’s attention.

The flooding of the area, which they said started since seven years ago, got worse recently with the diversion of a drainage channel to the area by the Chinese Construction Company, CCECC, during the construction of the LASUIba Road. They claimed that they had sent series of letters to the authorities over their plight to

no avail.

The neighbouring communities in Ogun State were also affected.

Some of the residents had their properties swept away.

Residents who lamented the situation said it took them hours to even leave their homes for work in the morning.

Monarch cries out The Alado of Abule Ado in Oriade Local Council Development Area, yesterday, cried out over the inability of his people to either move out or return to their homes.

The Oba said: “This is to inform the state government that Abule Ado bridge has collapsed over night. We have been cut off completely.

Our students, market women, workers and others cannot go out or come in. An urgent intervention is needed.”

One confirmed dead as fence collapses in Bariga One person was confirmed dead when the fence of a building at 34/40 Shogbamu Street collapsed on another building at 2 Community Street Ita–Baale, Bariga Lagos.

The unfortunate incident which occurred at about 1am during the heavy rain, killed a 22year-old male whose name was given as Ahmed Shotuminu.

It was a pathetic sight at the scene of the incident when Vanguard visited as the people wore gloomy looks. The remains of the deceased, who was said to have recently graduated from a furniture making workshop was being prepared for burial.

A resident who gave his name as Seyi Odubanjo, narrated that the fence collapsed at about 1am when the rain was falling heavily, adding that the victim and his younger brother were in the house when suddenly the fence crashed into their apartment.

“The two of them stay in the boy’s quarter of

the main building and were both fast asleep when the fence collapsed. But Ahmed was not as lucky as his brother who escaped with minor injury.

“The bricks fell on him and he died instantly, I was sleeping in my house which is opposite their apartment when a call came in that building has collapsed on them and I should come and assist. I quickly rushed to the scene but we could only see his leg while the rest of his body was covered in rubbles.”

Fresh warning Meantime, the Lagos State Government has again warned residents to be prepared for heavy rainfall accompanied with severe windstorm within the next two weeks, which has been envisaged to be the peak period of this year's rainy season.

The alert was given by Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, while monitoring state of the environment during the rains in the state.

The commissioner urged residents living along low line areas of Eti-Osa, Badiya, Amukoko, Makoko, Iwaya, Ajegunle, Owode, Agiliti among others to vacate those areas during this period, and move upland as the intense rains would be accompanied with windstorm.

In case of emergency, residents were implored to take full advantage of Drainage Engineers and Drainage Maintenance officers posted to all the 57 local Government Council Areas of the state, and relate with them effectively to solve their drainage challenges.

Bello, explained that the officers are readily available to provide relief and solutions to all flooding challenges in each Local Government area of the state.

Lagos urges motorists to be cautious The Lagos State Government has also appealed to all road users especially motorists to observe and obey road traffic signs and other traffic rules and regulations in the state.

Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa who gave the advice said that motorists needed to be more safety conscious, drive with care and ensure that their vehicles are road worthy before putting them on the road especially during the rainy season.

He urged them to ensure that their windscreen wipers were in proper working order and that their tyres were also in good condition before embarking on any journey.

Opeifa reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to safety of lives and property and implored all drivers to avail themselves the opportunity of attending any of the five driving institutes established by the government for recertification and also to enhance professionalism.

The commissioner noted that officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be on hand to assist motorists, while the personnel of Vehicle Inspection office (VIO) had been directed to intensify efforts and ensure non road worthy vehicles were not on the roads.

6—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

DANA AIR CRASH:

Reps give mgt 7-day ultimatum to pay compensation Victims' families of past crashes to be paid also

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (right) receiving a memorandum on constitution review from the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Raph Uwechue at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, yesterday.

Faroukgate: Police uncover fresh $10m bribe To clear oil marketers indicted in N422bn fraud scandal 80% bribe money collected abroad As Reps summon Otedola to appear on July 3 BYKINGSLEY OMONOBI

BUJA — INVESTIGATIONS

by Police detectives into the $620,000 oil subsidy bribe money collected by Mr Farouk Lawan from oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola, have unearthed a wider financial scandal.

It was gathered that oil marketers who were indicted in the report recently submitted to the government by the Aigboje Aig-Imoukuede-led panel that probed the fuel subsidy claims allegedly paid about $10 million as bribe to Lawan committee.

Vanguard gathered that while the Aig-Imoukuedeled panel uncovered fraudulent overpayments to many of the oil marketers to the tune of N422 billion, all the oil marketers involved and indicted were invited and interrogated by the Lawan committee but were given a clean bill of health.

A

80% bribe money collected abroad It has now emerged that the oil marketers gave bribes in foreign currency to the tune of about $10 million and that over 80 per cent of the bribes given

were done abroad as the oil marketers, acting in partnership, sponsored some of the leaders of the House subsidy probe panel to the UK and the US, lodged them in choice hotels and gave them the bribes which influenced their being cleared of any fraudulent practice by the committee.

Sources told Vanguard yesterday that the decision of the oil marketers to give out such huge bribes to the House committee was to enable them use the clean bill of health report card, given by the House, to counter the report that would be presented by the Finance Committee panel.

According to sources, police detectives were shocked to find out that the amount of bribe money collected by the Lawan subsidy probe panel to over N15 billion while many House members who hitherto pretended to know nothing of the $620, 000 collected by Farouk, and even lambasted him over the $3 million scam, are neck deep in the $10 million scam.

The marketers were said to have settled for the Farouk committee because the Aig-Imoukuede panel was a no go area and bluntly told them they

were not interested in taking bribes to influence their finding.

When Vanguard sought to know what the Police would do concerning the new discovery about the $10 million bribe money most of which took place abroad, it was told that the Police has its ways and that those involved would be found out.

Lawan when he appeared before the committee.

Lawan who arrived the House Meeting room 4.59, venue of the hearing, at exactly 1.05pm looked relaxed in his white caftan with a white hat to match.

However, shortly after saying the prayers and reading his opening speech, Musa ordered journalists out of the venue of the hearing.

Reps summon Otedola to appear on July 3 Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges has summoned Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Mr. Femi Otedola, to appear before it on July 3.

This was disclosed, yesterday, by the chairman of the committee, Gambo Musa, while briefing newsmen on the proceedings of the committee which interrogated Farouk Lawan over Otedola’s allegation that Lawan collected $620,000 as part of the $3 million bribe he had demanded.

Musa said this had become necessary to enable Otedola respond to some of the revelations made by

BUJA — THE House of Representatives, yesterday, gave the management of Dana Air to an ultimatum to pay the required compensation to families of its ill-fated aircraft that crashed in Lagos, Sunday, June 3, 2012, killing all 153 pessengers on board.

The resolution of the House followed a motion sponsored by Yakub Abiodun which gave Dana Air until next Tuesday to comply with its resolution.

Abiodun who led the debate on the motion had pointed out that his prayer was in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, which stipulates that 30 per cent of compensation due to be paid to families of airborne crash victims within 30 days, while investigation into cause of such accidents continues.

Also, all other airlines who have had plane crashes in the past have been directed to comply with the laws by paying the 30 per cent of the required compensation or in full where investigations have been concluded.

The Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, simply known as the Montreal Convention, adopted by a diplomatic meeting of member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation,

ICAO, in 1999, stipulated a Special Drawing Rights, SDR, for victims of air crash, which current value is put at about $171,000 per passenger.

Abiodun who moved the motion under matters of urgent public importance argued that since section 48 of the Civil Aviation Act stipulated that an advance payment of 30 per cent of the SDR be made within 30 days, it was important that the House urge the management of Dana Air to comply immediately.

Deputy Leader of the House, Mr Leo Ogor, representing Isoko Federal Constituency who supported the motion, however, said there was an urgent need to domesticate all international conventions or treaties entered by Nigeria with a view to giving them the force of law, as according to him, issues like this would be easily dealt with when they arise.

Also Reps Haruna Kigbu, Nnena ElenduUkeje, Musa Sarki Adar, Peter Edeh and Kingsley Chinda in their separate contributions described the development as unfortunate, arguing that it would amount to irresponsibility on the part of the House if nothing was done to compel Dana Air to act immediately, especially in the face of the trauma still being faced by families of victims who were yet to identify the remains of their loved ones.

ALLEGED N558M FRAUD:

Why I can't be tried, Ehindero tells Court You have a case to answer—ICPC

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA — FORMER Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, yesterday, challenged the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to try him over alleged misappropriation of about N558 million belonging to the Nigeria Police Force.

The ex-police boss who appeared before an Abuja High Court, yesterday, sequel to a six-count criminal charge preferred

against him by the anti-graft agency, declined to either mount the dock or enter his plea to the charge, saying the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, never consented to his prosecution.

He argued that the ICPC ought to have secured the fiat of the AGF first before initiating a criminal proceeding against him over a case he said was baseless.

Meanwhile, the ICPC, yesterday, said it had enough evidence to nail the former IGP, who it alleged conspired with a former Commissioner of Police in

charge of Budget, Mr John Obaniyi, and diverted police funds into two fixed deposit accounts with Wema Bank Plc and the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, noting that the said fund had generated interest of over N16 million.

Ehindero was charged as the 1st accused person while his alleged coconspirator, Obaniyi, was listed as the 2nd accused.

Following the refusal of the ex-IGP to mount the dock, yesterday, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, subsequently adjourned till July 13 to entertain legal arguments on the preliminary objection.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—7

hands of the children, noting: “A lot of things are happening in the country and in the world today.

Children are being abused and not only sexual abuse but also other abuses from the home."

Advising the children to be more courageous in life, Bayagbon remarked: “Nigeria is the largest country in Africa and anywhere you go in the world, there is a Nigerian. When you see people who have achieved confidence, if you look very well, one or two is a Nigerian.”

Broader concept of child abuse From left: Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs, Abdulahi Dikko; Secretary General of World Customs Organisation, WCO, Kunio Mikuriya; President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience after the opening session of WCO119/120th sessions yesterday, in Brussels, Belgium.

4TH VANGUARD CHILDREN'S CONFAB:

Stakeholders worry over child abuse Say it has assumed epidemic proportion Call for actualisation of Child Rights

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE, CHIOMA OBINNA, BOSE ADELAJA, BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & OLAYINKA LATONA

AGOS — HUNDREDS of school children, their parents, teachers and counsellors, yesterday, gathered at the 4th Annual Vanguard Children’s Conference to press for the actualisation of the rights of the Nigerian child even as stakeholders raised dust over glaring incidents of child abuse in the country, which they said had become a silent epidemic.

At the conference, with the theme, “Child Abuse: Enforcing the Child’s Right for a Peaceful Nation” which took place at the Muson Centre, Lagos, participants called for more attention and commitment to the cause of Nigerian children from parents, guardians and government at all levels.

Speaking at the occasion, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, who decried the perennial incidence of child abuse in the country, harped on the need to protect the rights of children at all times.

Orelope-Adefulire who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty

L

Alleviation, Alhaja Risikat Akiode, charged parents and guardians to report cases of child abuse to the relevant authorities as part of strategies to ensure a better future.

Advising the children, she said they should learn to speak out and report any act of child abuse to their parents and counsellors, adding: “Do not succumb to possible threat by your abusers to injure or kill you. Girls among you should also deviate from dressing indecently.”

Further, she said the ministry viewed child abuse as an offence that must not go unpunished, noting: “Right now, we are prosecuting offenders who are being made to face the wrath of the law.”

Mrs Fashola tasks children on self confidence In her view, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, admonished the children to build their self confidence and self esteem through quality education and moral values.

She said: “Education is the best legacy any parent or guardian can give a child.

Education is very important to a child, that is why the Lagos State Government has made it free. A child has the right to be enlightened; you must imbibe good values

so as to stand tall in the society.

"I know there are so many distractions in your generation which we are trying to remove. I want to enjoin you to take your education seriously.

Listen to your parents and teachers carefully.”

Represented by Mrs Bisi Awoyem, Project Director, Lagos Empowerment and Resource Network, LEARN, she opined that the school had the responsibility to give adequate education to a child while parent must instill sound and moral value which when combined would give self confidence to a child.

Mrs Adesegun laments increase in child abuse On her part, wife of the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Adesegun, said the country had witnessed unexplainable increase in child abuse in the last five years, blaming the trend on the socio-economic problems and influence of the social media in the country.

Adesegun, however, identified the Nigerian culture as one of the factors that prevent victims of child abuse from reporting cases of abuse.

Stating why such cases should be reported, she said: “If we refuse to talk and act, the perpetrators will continue in their

deed.

The health implication will result to psychological effect and that is why we must act.”

Regular awareness Corroborating their views, Director of Youth and Social Welfare, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Jaiyeola, who spoke on “Abuse: What can my counsellors do for me” stressed the need for regular awareness programmes to educate the children on their rights in the society in order to have a peaceful nation.

She said: “Children, as we all know, are the future champions and leaders of any society, therefore, they must be adequately supported, encouraged and socialised. Lagos State Government acts in the best interest of the children and will not relent in giving support to their welfare and rights.”

Jaiyeola pointed out that the rate at which children were being subjected to various forms of abuse was quite alarming and one of the major policies of the present administration in Lagos state, is to eradicate incessant child abuse.

Bayagbon advises children to be more courageous in life Earlier, the Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, opined that the future of the country lies in the

Also, National President, Public Health Nursing Officers of Nigeria, Chief Adeyemi Oluwatayo, noted that a child had right to life, survival and balanced development, saying: “A child needs to be nurtured and assisted to develop into responsible and productive adult who will take over the running of society tomorrow.”

Oluwatayo explained that the broader concept of child abuse includes physical and general violence on the child. She said the fear of stigmatisation might be a major reason why many minors who are victims of child abuse, do not report to the law enforcement agents, stressing that there is need to report.

In her words: “Reporting is to expose the perpetrators, to curb the repeat of the abuse, to seek redress in the court of law, for counselling to prevent depression, for documentation and reference purposes, for prompt management and

follow up at home.”

More awareness on the rights of children In her welcome address, Vanguard’s Kiddies Editor, Mrs. Funmi Ajumobi, said the theme of this year’s conference hinged on the need for the children to regard one another as brothers and sisters in the school, home, community and place of worship.

Noting that civil society organisations and individuals have continued to speak out against child abuse, she stressed the need for more awareness on the rights of children as part of strategies to ensure that no child sleeps on the street or comes to school with inexplicable wounds, among others.

She advised the children to always speak out when their rights are infringed upon.

She said: “To parents, teachers, government, counsellors, corporate bodies, advocates for change and other stakeholders, I commend your efforts for and about children but I call on you to do more. The Bible says train a child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Every adult in children’s area of influence can do a better job of nurturing children in the right way.”

Also, a child counsellor, Mrs Christiana Akindolie of Christian Faith Foundation, who said sexual abuse had assumed an epidemic level in the country noted that the consequences were grievous and urged children to take ownership of their bodies.

Nigeria lost $14bn to oil theft, subsidy fraud in 2011 —Okonjo-Iweala

BY UDUMA KALU WITH AGENCY REPORTS

AGOS— MINISTER of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has disclosed that Nigeria lost $14 billion in 2011 to oil theft and fraud in the allocation of a controversial fuel subsidy.

In an interview with Financial Times of London, the Finance Minister said the trade in stolen oil led to a 17 per cent fall in official oil sales in April, or about 400,000 barrels per day.

L

“We have to get very serious about the bunkering issue. If we can stop the amount that is stolen, we can beef up the excess crude account faster,” she said, referring to the rainyday account where savings accrue above a benchmark price for oil, set at $72. This holds more than $4bn, OkonjoIweala said.

But those funds could be targeted to supplement this year ’s budget for the fuel subsidy which has already been largely depleted.

8—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

HEAVY DOWNPOUR WREAKS HAVOC IN LAGOS

Flood cuts off residents of Arowojobe Estate, Mende, Maryland, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

A canal at Alakuko road, along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Flooded area of Agbelekale, Abule Egba. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Motorcycles, popularly known as Okada and vehicles wading through the flood on Agege Motor road, Oshodi-Isolo LGA. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Flooded part of Orile-Iganmu road, Lagos. Photo: Folake Odebiyi.

Some residents of Odubanwo street, Off Ijaiye Road, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, packing their belongings outside. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

A flooded building at Ladipo Bus stop, Shogunle, Agege Motor Road. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Vehicles and houses overtaken by flood leaving residents stranded at Akewukewe Street, Ijesha, Surulere.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—9

DOWNPOUR WREAKS HAVOC IN LAGOS

A heavy rainfall that lasted from Wednesday night till the early hours of yesterday caused flood and destroyed property in Lagos. ABOVE: Jakande Estate, Ejigbo. PHOTOS: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor, Sylva Eleanya, Diran Oshe, Biodun Ogunleye and Folake Adebiyi.

Old Ota Road, Agbado Oja, Ogun State.

Orile.

A landlord and his property in his Ejigbo residence.

Owonikoko Street, off Alakuko Road.

Sari Iganmu Junior Secondary School, Orile.

C M Y K

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Osun seeks return to regionalism

4 security operatives die in Ibadan auto-crash

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO—THE peo ple of Osun State have opted for a return to parliamentary democracy and regional system of government as practised in the country during the First Republic.

The country, in the Second Republic, in the 1979 Constitution, adopted presidential system of government and jettisoned the parliamentary system operated in the First Republic.

This formed one of the proposed amendments contained in a memorandum sent to the National Assembly for amendments of some sections of the Constitution relating to certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, had directed that the state should contribute immensely to the debate by constituting the State Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution to aggregate the views of Osun State citizens.

Also on the 15-man committee recommendations headed by Chief Gbadegesin Adedeji, a lawyer, are constitutional recognition for the six geo-political zone/regions; that the geo-political zones or regions constitute the federating units, replacing the present state designate and that they should be created based on considerations of culture, land, nationality and political expediency.

O

Prayer AJIA Aishat Abubakar Musa, wife of Alhaji Abubakar Musa, a veteran journalist and Personal Assistant to former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Aliu Atta, is dead. Aged 50, she died on May 16, and had been buried according to Muslim rites.

The 40th-day prayer for the late Hajia Musa holds tomorrow at her residence, 26, Oyekanmi Street, Idi-Araba, Lagos.

She is survived by her widower, four children, a grandson , brothers and sisters.

H

The late Hajia A. Musa

BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN—FOUR days after a tragedy claimed the lives of seven traders in Ibadan, four men of the Oyo State Government security outfit, Operation Burst, yesterday, died

I

while four other civilians sustained injuries when their van collided with a private car.

Those that died in the accident were policemen and soldiers who were joined to check criminality in the state.

The fatal accident happened on Mokola-Sango road when the vehicle of the securitymen lost control after negotiating a bend and skidded off the road.

After losing control of the vehicle, the driver hit

PA OLATUNDE DA SILVA BURIED IN LAGOS...

Thousands of prominent Nigerians attended the funeral service and burial of the late Pa Victor Olatunde da Silva, father-in-law of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Governor of Ekiti State, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Pix: Shola Oyelese.

From right, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; A r e m o Olusegun O s o b a , former governor of Ogun State and Mr. T u n j i Ogunsanya, MD/CEO ,MIC, at the service.

From left, Mrs. Alice da Silva,widow and children, Erelu Angela Adebayo, Mrs. Kemi Ibru, Mrs. Mayenne da Silva and Mr. Tunde da Silva and others.

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

AGOS—PETRO LEUM marketers operating in the downstream petroleum sector, have raised an alarm that they will not be able to fulfill their obligations with regard to importing the anticipated quantity of refined premium motor spirit, PMS, or petrol, for Quarter 3, 2012, as directed by the Federal Government.

The marketers said they were incapacitated due to the delay in the payment of outstanding N200 billion subsidy claims for the balance of 2011 and current 2012 claims.

They warned that failure to urgently meet their demands “as a matter of extreme urgency” might result in imminent scarcity of petrol in the market.

In an advertorial, yesterday, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, issued import per-

L

an electric pole before it crossed its lane and faced the car heading towards University of Ibadan.

The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor, said: “One Police Inspector, Adebola Apata, Lance Corporal Bola, a female, and one private soldier, Oneh, died, while “Police Corporals Bello Kayode and George Adeyemo and Sergeant Abdullahi Mannir (soldier) as well as the driver of the private vehicle and the cyclist were injured.”

Meanwhile, Governor

Abiola Ajimobi, according to reports, immediately rushed to University College Hospital, Ibadan, where the victims were taken to.

Ajimobi, after emerging from the Emergency Ward of the hospital, said the government would foot the medical bills of those injured.

He was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-General M.D. Abubakar; state Director of State Security Service,SSS, Mr. Charles Ugwu; state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Chief of Staff, Dr. Adeolu Akande and other top government officials.

Oil marketers panic over fresh subsidy report

BY EMMA UJAH, (Abuja Bureau Chief) & OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI BUJA—THE new re port on fuel subsidy utilisation by the Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede Committee is creating panic among petroleum products marketers, industry sources have revealed.

The report, which was submitted to the Presidency last Friday, as learnt, was based on a pain-staking forensic examination of all claims made by the marketers and receipts, which had indicted several major oil marketing companies.

Industry sources said the report recommended that those found to have

A

received payments for products they did not import be made to refund such money in addition to being blacklisted by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA. Although the Presidency is said to be keeping the report secretely, it was learnt that many of the oil companies approved by PPPRA for the third quarter fuel import were indicted in the report, for bogus claims.

Dana: Only 34 families file claims for insurance S the 30 days stipulated by law for the beneficiaries of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated Dana Air plane to get the first tranche of payment ($30,000), approaches, the airline said only 34 families out of the 127 that were contacted, have duly completed and submitted their claims’ forms.

The Dana aircraft, MD-83 crashed on June 3 killing all 153 people onboard and some 10 others on the ground.

Dana Air insurers have nine more days to commence payment or fall foul of the law.

In a statement, the airline said, “as at the close of business on Monday, June 25, the company had received completed insurance forms for 34 of the victims, two of which are

Q3 petrol imports: Marketers A can't meet obligations ...say FG owes N200bn outstanding debts mits to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and 36 other marketers to import petrol for the country for the third quarter of the year.

However, in a letter to PPPRA, also copied the President as well as the Ministers of Finance and Petroleum Resources, the marketers declared that they will not be able to import as much as expected.

Entitled, PMS Allocations Under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Scheme for the Third Quarter 2012, the marketers, in a letter, signed by their respective trade groups, identified five factors which would make them unable to fulfill their obligations.

They said: “The current business environment in

the sector makes it necessary to bring to your attention factors that inhibit our ability to import the said volumes in Q3 2012: i. Due to the fact that issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes covering balance 2011 and current 2012 PMS import transactions were initially severely delayed and now currently suspended, we have huge outstanding, verified and unpaid subsidy claims in excess of N200 billion from the Federal Government. ii. Non-reimbursement of the subsidy claims impairs the ability of any company to meet its obligations to the banks for loans advanced for the purpose of importing PMS under the scheme for the Nigerian public.

iii. This inability to repay has led to significant interest rate and exchange rate differential exposure which have to be claimed by the participating companies and reimbursed by the Federal Government. iv. Conflicting statements by senior Government officials as to the adequacy or inadequacy of the amount appropriated for subsidy in 2012 and the subsequent halt in issuance of the Sovereign Debt Notes as stated above, has led to an atmosphere of extreme uncertainty in which most banks are reluctant to provide further funding for importers and others are only willing, under extremely severe and uneconomic terms for our companies.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—11

2 docked over murder of 3 journalists

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN—TWO persons, John Michael, 36, and Salisu Danjuma, 52, were, yesterday, arraigned before an Afuze Magistrate's Court, Edo State on a four count charge of conspiracy and murder of George Okosun and Olatunji Jacob, journalists with the Independent Television, ITV and Fidelis Okhani of AIT. The offences are punishable under section 324 of the criminal code Cap 48 Vol.11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976 as applicable in Edo State.

According to the prosecution, the suspects were alleged to have on April 28, 2012 murdered one Olatunji Jacob on Auchi-Warrake Road in the Afuze Magisterial District, thereby committed an offence punishable under section 319 (1) of the law.

The duo was also accused of conspiring and killing one George Okosun and Fidelis Okhani, thereby committed offence

B

punishable by the same section of the law.

When the case came up, yesterday, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were ordered by the trial magistrate, Mr William Aziegbemi to be

reminded in prison custody till August 6, 2012.

Meanwhile, the case file has been referred to the Registrar of Edo State High Court and Director of Public Prosecution at the State Ministry of Justice for legal

advice.

It will be recalled that the late journalists were on the convoy of the state governor, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, when the accident occurred, claiming their lives.

Okotie-Eboh tasks Jonathan on state include the fact that they and other deficiencies could police would get the commitment be reduced drastically, as

BY DANIEL GUMM

A R R I — CHAIRMAN of Itsekiri Cultural Renaissance, ICR and son of first republic Finance Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to consider the resolution of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, calling for the establishment of state police in the country.

Okotie-Eboh, who made the call in Warri, Delta State, after a meeting of ICR, said the benefits of community policing were enormous, adding that “Nigeria is now ripe for state police.”

He explained that the merits of state police

W

of the people of the area, who would be more committed to fight crime because the security of their own people is involved, adding “they would have better knowledge of the state and would be ready to protect the state.”

He noted that other advantage of state police, was that “it will go a long way to create jobs for unemployed youths, since the force must be made of indigenes of the state and it would give state governors good reasons to invest in their police.

“The long standing police issues like poor pay, poor crime report statistics, deplorable transportations, violence-prone acts, bribery-prone behaviours

different states could more likely expend money and resources on their security measures, which include those enforcing laws to protect people,” OkotieEboh said.

INEC tasked on transparent Edo guber poll AGOS—THE PanIgbo socio-political unity group, Committee 21, C21, has charged Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to see the forth coming Edo gubernatorial election as a ‘transformational atonement’ for its unflattering record the last time they were on duty in the state.

President of the group, Senator Annie Okonkwo in a statement, called on INEC to learn from history and note that, the last time they conducted governorship election in Edo State, it took the courage of the judiciary and the patience of the people to retrieve the mandate

L

denied them by a conniving INEC, even if though under a different helmsman.

He said: “This is why I honestly believe that INEC must use the July 14 election to atone for the injuries the people suffered then, by making sure that the outcome of this coming poll reflect their electoral choice and preference.

“Given the loud whispers that the increased violence across the nation is bred and fuelled by disaffectionsonelectoraloutcome that lacked integrity, INEC must do everything needful to make sure Edo State, the heart beat of our bleeding nation is spared this viral sub-culture of violence and socialdisharmony,” he added.

Owie hails Jonathan on Asemota's Agriculture and the institute, having served appointment ofmembers of the Agric

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— FORMER Chief whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the appointment of Dr Omorefe Asemota as the new Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research NIFOR. Owie who said the decision of the President confirmed the resolve of the Federal Government to appoint capable hands to run the nation’s research institutes with a view to developing them.

While he also commended the Minister

Council of Nigeria for what he described as the transparent manner the interview was conducted, said with the experience Dr Asemota had gathered in

in many capacities, he is confident that the new Executive Director will positively refocus the institute as directed by the President.

S-South youths to Boko Haram: State your grievances

BY ETOP EKANEM

A G O S — A S condemnations continued to trail the bomb attacks by Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in the Northern part of the country, National President of SouthSouth Youth Council, Lagos State, Mr Tomzine Benedict, has challenged the sect and their sponsors

L

to be bold enough to express their grievances and agitations openly, for Nigerians to know what they are fighting for.

Tomzine said that the Niger Delta freedom fighters agitations were against the oppression, criminal neglect and polution of their region by the Nigeria State, stressing that the agitation of the sect, which they are afraid to express, is to perpetuate the Northern oligarchy in the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

Firm commissions 1,500 metrictons barge ARRI—THE Nigerian Local Content Act has received a major boost, as an indigenous firm, Coordinate Global Services Limited has set the pace in barge and tug boats building, with the commissioning of a 1,500 metric tonscapacitybargeinWarri,Delta State.

The feat will no doubt bridge the high demands for barges by end users in the oil and marine industry.

Vanguard gatheredthatColby– 1, first of its kind in the country, wasbuiltforColbyNigeriaLimited owned by Prince Sunny OmatseyeatN110milliontocarry out the Bateren-Utonyibo creek canalization project by the Federal Government for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs under the local content programme.

W

12—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Present generation of Nigerians 've failed us — Anyaoku ...canvasses reduction in cost of governance

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—FORMER Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku said yesterday that the present generation of Nigerians had failed the country, noting that Nigeria developed faster under regionalism.

Speaking at the second Emeka Anyaoku lecture on good governance in the Anambra State capital, advocated for restructuring of the country with the main aim of reducing the cost of g o v e r n a n c e .

He regretted the present insecurity in the land and called for pragmatic and proactive measure to encourage the youth to channel their energy towards ideal nation-building.

In his speech, Governor Peter Obi urged the youth to emulate celebrated role models who would inspire them to greatness and resist being used by desperate individuals to achieve selfish ends so that their future would not be der a i l e d .

He noted that Anambra State had produced quali-

ty human resources including, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who he observed, had attained one of the highest positions in the world, bringing honour and pride to the state and entire black r a c e .

Governor Peter Obi, who observed the large presence

of old students of Merchants of Light School, Oba, Anyaoku’s alma mater, charged Old Students Associations of various schools to be actively involved in monitoring students in their former schools to enable them attain their full potent i a l s .

FG to capture 20m farmers in data base

BY WALE AKINOLA

I

N her resolve to deepen the accruing advantages of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme, GESS, across farming communities in the country, the Federal Government has flagged-off the e-Wallet Operations with an assurance that no farmer will be left out of the scheme.

Flagging–off the scheme in Abakaliki, Awka and Enugu, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said the Federal Government captured 4.5 million farmers through the scheme, stressing that as far as its successes were concerned, 20 million farmers

would within the next three years be in the nation’s data base for proper agricultural planning activities.

Adesina spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyem o m i .

He further said the scheme which was about ensuring bumper harvests and food security in the country in particular and Africa in general, was the government’s blue-print to address the challenges of past systems of inputs distribution, procurement and subsidy administration on all value chain commodities from the grass root to national level.

Proposed ban on Okada: Enugu govt forwards bill to Assembly

BY TONY EDIKE NUGU—THE move by Enugu State Government to tackle criminal activities and the nuisance caused by commercial motorcycle operators within the capital city commenced yesterday with an executive draft bill sent to the state House of Assembly to ban them from plying the city.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the State Executive Council, SEC, meeting chaired

by Governor Sullivan C h i m e .

He said the proposed bill after due consideration by the House and signed into law will make it an offence for anybody to use motorcycle within Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East local government areas of the state.

Ugwoke who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Chuka Utazi said the law prohibiting the use of motor-

E

cycle in those areas was necessary to check the recent security challenges constituted by the operators.

He also explained that the council also considered

among others, the health hazards it exposed the users, increasing cases of road accidents involving the operators and reckless abuse of traffic rules.

Sanitation: Nigeria loses N455bn annually — UNICEF

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE BUJA—THE United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, yesterday, said apart from the scores of people that die yearly as a result of poor sanitation in Nigeria, the nation also loses over N455 billion.

A representative of UNICEF, Bisi Agberemi, stated this at the commemoration of 2012 National Environmental Sanitation Day organised by the Ministry of Environment with the theme ‘My Environment, My life: Sanitation my Duty.’

According to Agberemi, “the direct consequence of poor environmental sanita-

A

tion is high morbidity and mortality rates due to sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid. Children under five are the most vulnerable to the effects of poor sanitation and hygiene in the country.

In 2011, the weekly Epidemiology Report of Federal Ministry of Health reported 23,366 cases of cholera with 742 deaths in 203 local government areas of 26 states.

These deaths could be averted with the implementation of effective and sustainable environmental sanitation interventions with active participation of all relevant stakeholders including the communities.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 20128 —13

THE 4TH ANNUAL VANGUARD CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH LAGOS STATE GOVT AND CBAAC, AT MUSON CENTRE, ONIKAN, LAGOS, YESTERDAY. PIX: JOE AKINTOLA, PHOTO EDITOR, KEHINDE GBADAMOSI, BUNMI AZZEZ & FOLAKE ODEBIYI.

From right; Mrs Funmi Adesegun, wife of Ogun State Deputy Governor; Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager Publications/Editor-in Chief, Vanguard Newspapers; Mrs Toyin Jaiyeola, HOD, Family Social Service, Office of Youth & Social Development, Lagos State and Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspapers.

Mrs. Risikat Akiode, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (right) and Mrs. Yetunde Arebi, Deputy Woman Editor, Vanguard Newspapers.

Mr Adesegun Dosumu, representing the D.G, Centre for Black African Arts & Civilization, CBAAC (right) and Pastor Aniya

From right; Mr Tony Ubani, Sports Editor; Mr Jide Ajani, Sunday Editor, Vanguard and Mr Victor Omoriege, Corporate Affairs Manager, Vanguard.

Cross-section of students at the event.

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—15

C M Y K

16—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Gunmen kill PDP chieftain, wife, child in Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—A chieftain of Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mr. John Bare, his wife and child were, Wednesday, murdered by gunmen at Gwarim, Rim village.

Bare, who until his death, was the Chairman of the party for Sharubutu Ward in the area was said to have been ambushed by suspected Fulani herdsmen as they returned from an out-

ing about 3.30pm.

The politician was said to have been on his way back from Riyom, where he attended a relation’s burial, when he and two members of his family met their untimely death.

Member representing Riyom Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Daniel Dem, confirmed the killings, which he described as sad and uncalled for.

He described the late politician as a committed party man, who worked

hard to ensure victory for the party in past elections in the area.

He appealed to security agencies, especially, the Special Task Force, to do all within their power to bring the rampant killings in the area to an end and also track down Bare’s killers.

The lawmaker appealed to his people to remain vigilant and security-conscious and consoled with the bereaved community over the killings.

Subsidy probe: Allow EFCC do its job, Jonathan tells Nigerians

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck has again enjoined Nigerians to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

work well to establish a water-tight case against those indicted by the House of Representatives committee investigating the subsidy regime, rather than stampeding the com-

Dabiri-Erewa advocates free education

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE, IKENNA ASOMBA & RITA OBODOECHINA HAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called for a constitutional amendment to provide for a compulsory free basic education for all Nigerian children.

Dabiri, who was conferred with a fellowship award at the Adeniran Ogunkoya College of Education, AOCOED, Ijanikin, yesterday, in Lagos, said it has become expedient to have free education, considering that the nation has struggled to maintain quality education system in the last 50 years.

She said: “It is time we do something in the country to provide for a better future for our children. If af-

C

ter 50 years of independence we are still traveling abroad for rights like education and medicare, then it is unfortunate.

“We should amend the constitution to make it compulsory for every child to have free compulsory education. This does not have to do with going about making noise, but by making it a constitutional guide. Free basic education and free basic medical care for the Nigerian children is a necessity.”

Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has appealed to all tertiary institutions in the country to take advantage of the policy provision on Open and Distance Education as outlined in the National Policy on Education 2004, and stop operating satellite campuses and external programmes.

mission into taking hasty decisions.

Addressing Nigerians resident in Belgium, after delivering a keynote address to the 119th/120th Sessions of the World Customs Organisation, the president said it was better to do a good job than to lose the cases in court due to shoddy preparations.

He said: “EFCC is working on the report, so we must give them the chance to do their job. We have to build water-tight cases if we hope to get any conviction for any wrongdoing, and the law demands proof.”

He challenged Nigerians to work for the unity of the country rather than consistently run the country down.

He added: “Take a look at the United States of America. After September 11, 2001, all Americans came together to support their government’s fight against terrorism, regardless of their political leaning.

“We will continue to ensure our freedom of speech, but we should use it to build the country, not destroy.”

In his brief remarks, Nigeria’s ambassador to Belgium, Mr. Felix Awankor, said Nigerians in Belgium were well-behaved.

ANPP loses to Wamakko at A/Court

BY ABDALLAH ELKUREBE

S

OKOTO—SOKOTO State Judicial Division of the Court of Appeal, Wednesday, dismissed an appeal filed by Alhaji Yusha’u Ahmed, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, governorship candidate in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state, against Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

ANPP had approached the Court of Appeal through Appeal No. CA/ S/EPT/GOV/1/2012, discontented with the judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which struck out its Petition No. SK/EPT/GOV/1/ 2012 on May 2, 2012, in favour of Governor Wamakko.

Aggrieved by the tribunal’s decision, ANPP and its governorship

candidate filed a Notice of Appeal premised on 11 grounds of appeal, in the process, distilling seven issues for determination by the Appeal Court in their brief of argument filed on May 28, 2012.

According to the judgment, Wamakko also distilled four issues for determination in his brief of argument filed on June 5, 2012.

Sweet & SOUR

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 17

Donu Kogbara

A worthy appointee T

HE goodwill that inspired millions of Nigerians to vote for the President last year has steadily evaporated, as has the once-widespread belief that he and his subordinates could be trusted to deliver the benefits they promised us.

Various scandals, disappointments and failures have cast long shadows over Goodluck Jonathan’s image and administration. Almost everything he

NNPC shake-up

T

HE President has just ap pointed a new senior management team at NNPC. It will be headed by Andy Yakubu, the new Group Managing Director, GMD. Government officials are not famed for embracing integrity and efficiency. And NNPC has been frighteningly rotten to the core for a long time. Most of the new faces at the top have been deeply embedded in The System for years.

It is, therefore, tempting to wearily assume that nothing will change much and that Yakubu et al will not be significantly different from their predecessors. Many indigenous and foreign oil industry insiders are gloomily predicting that they will enthusiastically embrace a business as usual policy, while mouthing platitudes about reform.

Miracles do happen on oc-

casion. People who have not hitherto come across as sincerely committed change agents can suddenly remember that you can’t fool God and that Eternity is far more important than the powers and baubles we can enjoy during our brief earthly sojourns; and I guess that it’s possible that the petroleum minister and her boys will pleasantly surprise jaded cynics by deciding to do the right things and turning out to be the strong tonic that NNPC – and the economy in general - desperately needs.

If Madame rolls up her stylish sleeves and leads a successful moral and practical transformation effort, she will silence the multiple detractors who are currently baying for her blood; and I will hail her from the rooftops.

says or does nowadays is mocked and criticized in public fora and private gatherings.

But Mr President does sometimes display sound judgment.

And I think that he deserves hearty congratulations for two of his recent appointments.

I know several people who have worked or socialized with Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), the new National Security Advisor.

And I have yet to encounter any Northerner or Southerner who has anything bad to say about him. Let us pray that he dynamically deals with the major security challenges he will face.

Col. Sambo Dasuki, new NSA

Silver spoon neurosis!

S

OCIAL envy – especially within government circles - is one of the factors that have prevented Nigeria from fulfilling its potential. Bitter resentment of people who grew up in privileged circumstances is very commonplace here. Folks whose parents were educated or gifted or affluent or famous or well-connected or influential are often slyly marginalized or sabotaged.

I totally understand why those who had less as children and have struggled for everything they have achieved should succumb to human frailty and jealously and secretly hate those who had a head-start and a relatively easy ride. But we all need to get over destructive mindsets that are rooted in the past…and focus on becoming positive contributors to

Society in the present and future!

Kids who were born with silver spoons in their mouths can be obnoxious…as in snobbish, spoilt-brattish, etc. And you don’t have to tell me that some of them are complete losers because I know many who are daft or drug addicts or whatever.

But quite a few members of the silver spoon brigade are decent, intelligent, industrious individuals; and the exposure that they have gained over the years through family backgrounds that enabled them to attend elite schools, travel the world at early ages, etc - should be regarded as a useful resource. In other countries, the more exposure you’ve had, the more valued you are. Here, the more exposure you’ve had, the more you are tor-

Dana crash: Imperative for a health bill

By VICTORIA OJEME

F

ROM emergencies arising from the spates of bomb blasts across Northern Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, the nation once again had to confront a major emergency, after a Dana air plane crashed into a two storey building in IjuIshaga, Lagos. The air mishap claimed all 153 passengers on board the aircraft, and many more on ground, bringing the total death to168.

Again, just like when the nation was confronted with major emergencies in the proportion witnessed on that black Sunday, the rescue efforts presented a spectacle of hundreds of unskilled persons of so-called rescuers, and in some cases looters, all becoming more of obstacle than emergency help in such dire situations. The yet to be signed Health Bill, if operative would have in very significant measures provided a platform for

first responders trained and well equipped to mobilise to the scene of the crash.

Who knows, rather than evacuation of the dead, perhaps at least few of the passengers would have been rescued out of the crashed aircraft. It will be recalled that before the ill-fated aircraft was engulfed in flame, some of the passengers were reported to have sent distress messages to their relatives, pleading for urgent rescue.

If provisions of the Health Bill are anything to go by, there would have been established a pool of professionally trained emergency rescue workers armed with the relevant skills of accessing a crash site and working to save lives rather than the current situation of evacuation of the dead.

Moreover, during emergency rescue, government hospitals are usually preferred destinations no matter the distance from the ac-

cident site, mainly because private health providers would often demand payment and in most cases police reports before administering treatment. But the Health Bill clearly provides that all health providers are obliged to offer treatment in the event of an emergency, which if signed into law could significantly reduce the number of accident victims who die on the way to hospital for treatment.

Emergency rescue Indeed, with less distance to cover, since victims could be taken to the nearest hospital, whether public or private, it means that more lives could be saved during emergency rescue.

Part 111, section 20(1-2), section 21(1-3), among others provides for compulsory treatment for emergency cases and also provides for a fine of N10,000 or

three months imprisonment.

According to section 20 (1): “A health care provider, health worker or health establishment shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment for any reason. “Any person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N10,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both fine and imprisonment,” subsection 2 of section 20 stated.

It is also instructive to note that the question of social exclusion in access to medicare has been addressed by the Health Bill, because more often than not people are denied access to medicare or disadvantaged by who they are or where they live and as a result are locked out of the benefits of health care. Some of the socially excluded groups include the rural and urban poor women and men; young people, physically challenged, old

mented and excluded. There are always exceptions, of course.

But I’m talking about the general rule.

People who have shone despite difficult or unremarkable beginnings deserve maximum respect, not least because you have to be superrobust and supersmart to rise above tough or average antecedents. And I urge all those superrobust and supersmart ladies and gentlemen out there to form productive partnerships with compatriots who can bring scarce strengths to the table.

Who cares who was who yesterday or whose parents had – or didn’t have – x possession or perk in l963?!!!? All that really matters is what’s happening today. And we really, really, really need to kick inferiority complexes into touch.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

people/retirees and other less privileged service users.

The Health Bill further provides for trained personnel in all spheres of health services, including emergency care. In this regard section 41(1) provides for a National council, which shall among others, “develop policy and guidelines for, and monitor the provision, distribution, development, management and utilisation of, human resources within the national health system.

Subsection 2 states that: “The policy and guidelines stated in subsection (1) shall amongst other things facilitate and advance - (a) the adequate distribution of human resources;(b) the provision of appropriately trained staff at all levels of the national health system to meet the population‘s health care needs; and (c) the effective and efficient utilisation, functioning, management and support of human resources within the national health system”.

To be concluded

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 PRESIDENT Joyce Banda, 62, emerged as Africa’s second female president on April 7th 2012 after her predecessor, Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika, died of heart attack. She promised to shake things up and improve relations with aid donor countries.

One of the steps she took recently was the decision not to extend invitation to President Omar Al Bahsir of Sudan, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for gross human rights abuses. But the more controversial of her agenda to restore the flow of foreign aid to one of the world’s poorest countries is her determination to approach the parliament to quash a legislation outlawing gay marriage in Malawi.

Malawi, a country of about 15 million people, 60 per cent of whom are living below the poverty level, is one of the embarrassments of the African continent where dependence on foreign aid has for long been accepted as part of the nation’s fate. A country that earned its independence in 1964 has, through its ageold dependence on foreign aid, shown its inability to defend its independence, especially on the economic front.

BY JOHN AINOFENOKHAI

Continued from yesterday

F

OR those who have keenly followed the performance” of the Oshiomhole administration, one conclusion is inevitable: that it is a continuation of the Igbinedion years. The thin line is that while Igbinedion is said not to have done anything at all (and this is arguable) and our public funds just crudely disappeared into private pockets, Oshiomhole has gone digital and scientific by tying the questionable expenditures of contracts which did not pass through due process.

It is therefore understandable why a majority of Edo people have become gullible of the impression of a “performing governor” that Oshiomhole has cleverly orchestrated with the expansion of some roads and renovation of some roadside schools at over-inflated contract sums. This is the issue.

If the claim is that Oshiomhole has performed, the question is: How much financial damage has the socalled performance unjustifiably caused to our public coffers? For instance, the expansion of the eightkilometre airport. The renovation of Maria Goretti College was said to have gulped N550 million while that of Idia College purportedly cost N500 million.

We are talking of renovation and not building of new schools.

The tragedy of this deceptive governance style is that while Oshiomhole is seen to have done some

Joyce Banda’s bad example for Africa The decision of President Banda to reverse the ban of same-sex marriage to please Western aid donors is a total betrayal of a country with a proud pre-colonial past which saw the Maravi (“rays of light”) Empire steeped in advanced iron work. Thus, the president has thrown the dignity of the Malawian people through the window because of filthy foreign aid. She is willing to allow unnatural and abominable practices that have helped to compromise the social and moral substance of Western societies to be foisted on her country.

The late Mutharika was guilty of so many

OPINION The tragedy of governance in Edo(2) work in and around Benin City, unenlightened Edo people do not know that billions of naira have been spent in the guise of infrastructure and development projects. The strategy of the Comrade-Governor is simple: He gives the people some things to see and admire which were lacking under Igbinedion.

Now, the economic argument in informed circles is that Oshiomhole’s government has made the people to pay for the financial recklessness of his government through a harsh tax regime. High taxation, they argue, would not have been necessary if there were no leakages occasioned by over-inflated contracts. The point being made is that with imposition of responsible taxes coupled with judicious use of federally collectible revenues (which have notched up under Oshiomhole than they were under Igbinedion), even a governor without clear vision or sharp focus but with integrity would be able to turn round the fortune of the state.

D

oes it not, therefore, amount to an abuse of the people’s mandate and betrayal of trust to run Edo State political economy on maladministration? I am sure that if Igiebor were to attempt an assessment of Oshiomhole’s performance, what is on ground today would not be in sync with the original intent

sins, including the misuse of the foreign aid, but at least he firmly upheld the dignity of his country and let Malawians “go hungry” rather than being subjected to the indignity of imposed Western values.

We call on Malawian people as well as other Africans to rise up against the betrayal of Malawian independence. Banda should borrow a leaf from Nigeria, whose president and parliament boldly rejected same-sex marriage and the foreign aid the West used as an instrument of blackmail.

Surely, Malawians can follow the example of Lee Kwan Yew’s Singapore and pull themselves out of the poverty trap. Unlike Singapore, Malawi is blest with some natural resources including land. Let the Asian countries example of rapidly exiting the indignity of foreign aid through internal re-engineering be the guidepost for struggling African countries.

Homosexuality is a taboo all over Africa. Let Africans, like the Arab/Muslim world, reject any foreign influence that can undermine our social fabric and take away our cultural identity.

and purport of his prophetic proposition(s) when Oshiomhole was yet to throw his hat in the ring for the governorship contest.

Lest I forget, will Igiebor say Oshiomhole is capable of evenhandedness in the development of Edo against the backdrop of the networks of road infrastructure (these are largely non-economic roads) which he constructed in and around his Iyamho village and other communities in Etsako area of the state? The Comrade-Governor did not pretend that he did not know what he was doing. He saw it as an opportunity to develop his area at the expense of other areas, claiming that an Etsako man might never have the opportunity of being governor again.

What of the mansion that he is building in his village? Where is the money coming from? Can he still be said, as Igiebor projected in 2005, that Oshiomhole “commands a deep moral authority?”

Besides, where is the nobility of defending the interests of the people? These odious acts are tragic and antithetical to the persona of a self-professed comrade and people’s governor. Is he, for instance, governor of Iyamho or Etsako? I think he is both and that is why I consider his current enterprise of seeking for the votes of other segments of Edo State in the July 14 poll, perhaps to continue the perpetuation of Iyamho or Etsako agenda in office, repulsive.

Concluded *Mr. Ainofenkhai, a political analyst, wrote from Anambra State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 19

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 21

AMCON assures on health of Nigerian banks

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

M

ANAGING Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, has allayed fears in the financial system over impending bank’s crisis in the nation, saying that there will be no such occurrence in the foreseeable future.

The AMCON boss said the banks now have clean balance sheets, adequate capital and enough liquidity as a result of provisioning made for bad loans.

He added that following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s intervention and reform of the banking sector, the local lenders have emerged stronger and stable.

Chike-Obi said, “Nigerian banks are among the healthiest banks in the world. There will be no bank crisis in Nigeria in the foreseeable future.” ”There are things that can happen outside our control that can make banks have problem. For instance, if the oil price goes to $40 per barrel, everybody will have a problem at hand. So, there are things that can

happen that can make life difficult for everybody, but as far as the banks are concerned, they are healthy, they are stable and they are very solid. There will be no bank crises in Nigeria in the foreseeable future,” he assured.

He emphasized that the objective of the agency was clearly to let the world know that the banks are healthy, adding that they are safe for financial services.

Reacting to the inclusion of Nigeria in as high risk to world’s financial system by Financial Action Task

Force, he said, “What we are focused on is the health of the banks. Nobody has said Nigerian banks are not among the healthiest banks in the world.

“They are part of the healthiest banks in the world. So, the issue of whether or not they put us in high risk money laundering system to satisfy the American standard is the business of CBN and the law enforcement agencies. But that really is different from health of the banks. Nobody will say that Nigerian banks to-

day are not among the healthiest banks in the world.

Vanguard recalls that some analysts have been raising concern over the health of some banks in recent times, especially the ones adjudged to be financially sound by the apex bank after the stress test conducted on banks in 2009 that unraveled the rot in the banking sector.

They believe that profits being churned out by the banks are paper profit, saying that most of them are in grave danger.

Manufacturers tasked on use of modern technology for local foods

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

M

ANUFACTURERS in the food processing business have been called upon to adopt modern technology in the production of their goods to make them more wholesome, hygienic and convenient for consumers.

Making the call at an award ceremony to recognize distributors of Lisabi Mills Limited that achieved outstanding performances in 2011 in Lagos, the Managing Director, Mr Shex Ladipo, advised the manufacturers to use more local contents in their products.

Ladipo expressed the company’s appreciation to the distributors, many of whom have been transacting business with them for over 20 years, describing them as partners and a vital stakeholder group to the company.

“Our distributors are the conduit through which we sell and gather information on our products for improvement. They mean so much to us and this is why we are appreciating and celebrating them”, he said.

According to Ladipo, the company would still be expecting them to be more aggressive in their sales drive to ensure that it’s product are made available to every market segment throughout Nigeria.

He said the company would also continue to support government’s efforts to achieve national food security through expanded output of local manufacturers, employment generation, research as well as advocacy for effective agricultural development policies.

From left: MrAimila Samson Tokunbo, Piping Design Engineer, Crestech Engineering; Mr. Richard Smedley-Williams, Sales Drector, Autodesk and Mr. Tokunbo Osindero, Partner, Archimedian Associates during the Autodesk Design Solution Symposium 2012, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

ARSO, SON move to boost intra-African trade

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

A

FRICAN Regional Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) are on the move to boost trade among African countries through harmonisation of standards.

At an event organised by the two standards body in Lagos, Dr. Kioko Mang’Eli, ARSO President, and Dr. Joseph Odumodu, SON Director General, told journalists: “Trade among African countries is abysmally low and we need to facilitate more trade among African countries.”

“We are saying Africa can stop buying substandard goods coming into the continent from Asian countries by harmonizing the issues of standard, conformity assessment that are in place and making them more useful to their countries. And there is need to severe bilateral ties with countries that bring those goods by not accepting to do business with them.

We ought to be doing business with countries that are friendlier in trade agreement,” said Kioko.

He called on governments to support standards bodies so that they can come up with conformity regime that can stop counterfeit products from coming into their country. He observed that current standards and conformity regimes are not geared towards unity and development of Africa, although the African Union says they want to do integration of our economy, in terms of common currency and tariff.”

SON Director General, noted: “Africans are not trading with each other. I can tell you, if Africans are trading with each other, it is cheaper and more efficient. We need to build the African continent in terms of our capacity; we need to reach out and build ourselves to the level of other Continents of the world, and the only way we can do this is trading with each other.

157.15

+1.25

2,103.00

+1.00

19.83

+0.08

90.19 78.37

-0.79 -1.39

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING CFA KRONER EURO POUNDS RIYAL SDR FRANC DOLLAR WAUA RENMINBI

0.2758 26.0161 193.4361 241.9849 41.3049 234.5802 161.0124 154.91 233.4871 24.343

0.2858 26.1001 194.0605 242.766 41.4383 235.3374 161.5321 155.41 234.2407 24.4221

0.2958 26.184 194.6848 243.547 41.5716 236.0945 162.0518 155.91 234.9943 s24.5011

CBN Exchange rate as at 28/06/2012

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

STORIES BY DANIEL GUMM

M

INISTER of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has explained to stakeholders in the oil palm production industry that the Federal Government is in total support of the goal of the Round-table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and “will work with the group in actualising the objectives of the oil palm value chain of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).”

Adesina, in a goodwill message at the Nigeria National Interpretation of the Principles and Criteria of RSPO presentation and fund raiser for the private sector, noted that in promoting oil palm, government’s concern was to bridge the gap in vegetable oil production estimated annually at over 350,000 mt, raise productivity, promote

value addition, create employment and improve oil palm marketing activities.

He said that Nigeria’s oil palm industry could not be transformed without first putting in place sustainable arrangements that must guided production, processing, and marketing activities to ensure quality standards and environmental friendliness, adding that the way forward was to pursue food security goals through sustainable means.

The minister, who was represented by Dr. Dickson A. Okolo, Deputy Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that government was very much interested in this current programme of RSPO. On what he thinks about the programme, he said “it is a very laudable programme indeed; when

Govt is in support of RSPO — AGRIC MINISTER

FORUM — From left: Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor, Kogi State, with Chris Onwuka, Chairman, Annual Nigeria Development Forum, at the ongoing 10th Nigeria Development Forum, holding in Lokoja, Kogi State.

we talk about food security, we are also talking about sustainable food production and so this is the first step in that direction towards

Cus Custtoms impounds 2,590 car carttons of poultr oducts poultryy pr products

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is winning the war against smugglers as it has announced a seizure of over 2,590 cartons of various sorts of poultry products.

The items which have a duty paid value of over N15 million were seized recently by men and officers of the Federal Operations Unit, (FOU), Zone 'A', Ikeja, Lagos.

The interception of the contraband is coming on the heels of an earlier seizure of goods in IPL by men and officers of NCS during a routine patrol of areas within its jurisdiction.

Customs Area Controller (CAC), FOU, Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Dan Ugo made this disclosure, while conducting some journalists and representatives of the National Administration for Foods, and Drugs

Control (NAFDAC) round the destruction site located in the workshop area of the command.

Ugo said that his latest operational method which is 'intelligence based' has provided the platform for the actualisation of this feat, stressing that the need to protect local farmers and the attendant creation of jobs from the negative effect of those he described as "unpatriotic persons" who have taken smuggling as a means of livelihood.

He explained that this was the basis for the latest onslaught on smugglers by men and officers of NCS, FOU, Zone 'A', Ikeja, Lagos.

"The unit is determined more than ever to enforce full compliance with the headquarters' directive on zero tolerance for the

importation of poultry products into the country. Our mandate is clear and our operational readiness to frontally confront this hydra-headed monster is total."

He commended Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi and NCS management team for their unalloyed support and encouragement in the provision of what he termed as an "enabling environment" which informed the achievements the unit has recorded so far.

He assured the public that the unit would ensure the sustenance of its campaign aimed at suppressing smuggling to its barest minimum.

The CAC advised importers of items in the IPL to venture into other legal businesses to avoid incurring more financial losses.

SEIZURES — Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Comptroller, Dan Ugo and his officers, inspecting some of the seized contrabands. INSET: Cartons of pasta, which the smugglers used to conceal the poultry products.

achieving sustainable oil palm production in this country.”

“Nigeria has been down for quite some time in the oil palm industry and under the current agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, we

are reviving the oil palm industry.

“The ministry is supporting the production of 60,000 hectares of oil palm by 2013, and the ministry is working towards raising 9,000,000 improved oil palm seedlings that will ensure

the planting of 50,000 hectares in 2013.

“Our interest is not just to plant for the sake of planting, we want to make sure that it is done sustainably and that is why the ministry and the minister is very much interested in ensuring that we get things done very properly, “ he stated.

The current effort towards supporting oil palm development in the country, “is essentially a private sector activity.

Government is only facilitating in the areas of research, growth enhancement support, and capacity building.

Ordinarily, everything is going to be private sectorled.”

On his advice for the RSPO initiative, he said the ministry as encouraging them. “They are the early birds, we are expecting others to join, because this is an international best practice that must be adopted,” stressed.

How Nigeria loses transit trade in W-Africa IGERIA is rapidly procedure and cost, around the globe and and operational, only berth N losing maritime simplification businesses to its confidence building at port or loading centre neighbours in the subregion and it is the concern of a maritime operator, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA).

Amiwero, in letter to the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, detailed how Nigerian ports played host to the land lock countries of Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and Cameroun in the sixties, and informed the President that “ we lost all to Ghana and Cote’ Ivoire due to their process that conforms to FAL convention of the (IMO) Kyoto convention and reform implementation of the Process Procedure that maximises, harmonises and facilitate trade.”

He said that Ghana has moved from manual escort of men to Electronic Transit through satellite tracking device on all trucks on transit to Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso, while Nigeria lost the transit trade due to failure of modernisation and implementing reforms on process and procedure.

In his words: “Nigeria lost all transit trade to Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire due to reform in procedure of electronic transit that accommodated E-Bond through the satellite tracking device, thereby minimising manual

process.”

The maritime operator stressed that it should be of concern to the nation that “ we are losing out to our neighbours, bearing in mind that the region will soon be one entity, we hope Nigeria should be more serious so as not to continue with the present drift.”

He explained that mega ships of 4,000 TEUs are visiting ports and trans-shipment centres that could accommodate them, based on the draught level, equipment and procedure to facilitate trade, explaining also that close to 1,000 vessels with mega/ cellular ship statues, “having being deployed

that could accommodate them.”

Amiwero told the President in the letter that the sub-regional level of competitive ports are planning for the ship of this size based on the inclusion of trans-shipment centre/hub port in their development plan.

He asked: “Is Nigerian ports ready to receive any of these mega ships, with all the indices available and what is the future of our developmental plan, with the developmental moves by the regional neighbours, who are working very hard to siphon 75 per cent of the cargo traffic of Nigeria.?”

ECOWAS urged to eliminate barriers to regional free movement

A

N ECOWAS information and sensitisation workshop for government officials and non-state actors has ended in Accra, Ghana with the participants calling on member states to ensure effective implementation of the regional free movement protocol, through reducing and ultimately e l i m i n a t i n g “harassment, corruption and extortion by border agents.”

The implementation of the ECOWAS flagship Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods, and the Rights of Residence and Establishment, which

makes the region the only one with a visa-free regime in Africa, faces some impediments, mostly extortions and multiple road blocks mounted by security officials of member states along the regional road corridors.

As a solution, the workshop has recommended that member states should install security cameras at border posts to check the extortion of monies from travellers.

They should also integrate the values of ECOWAS into their educational curricula to inculcate the sense of community into citizens.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 23

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 25

26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 27

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 29

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

34 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 35

L-R: Mr. Chidiebere Ugboaja, Chief Victor Ngozi Mbadiwe, CEO J. Green Mbadiwe Ltd & Ms Carrisa Mbadiwe, Chief Operating Officer during the press conference of the 20th edition of the National Barber's Competition

The Institute of Strategic Managers, Ghana held a One day Seminar/ Conference of Professional Fellowship Award on Distinguished Nigerian Icons in Lagos yesterday.

Mrs Kehinde Oduyemi representative of Bauchi 1st Lady (middle) presenting an award to Mr Solomon Edebili while Mr Femry Kayode Executive Director of the Institute left looks. Photo: Shola Oyelese

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

40 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 Continued from last week

S

Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

Yet another grief (2) destroy Ayub’s body and filled it with disease until it was reduced to mere skin and bone, making him suffer severe pain. But through all the period, Ayub remained strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complain. He did not despair, nor did he turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah’s Mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him. Only his kind loving wife stayed with him who

Ayub had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of years of hardship overcame her, and she wept. She said to her husband: “How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don’t you call upon Allah to remove these sufferings?” Ayub sighed, and in a soft voice replied, “ Shaytan must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied.

,

eeing this, Shaytan was frustrated. He again complained to Allah: “I have stripped Ayub of all his wealth, but he still remains grateful to You. However, he is only hiding his disappointments, for he places great love on his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You will then see how he will reject You.” Allah granted Shaytan authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Ayub’s faith in his Lord nor his patience.

Shaytan again shook the very foundation of Ayub’s house and sent the building crashing, killing all of his children. Then he went to Ayub disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to him: “The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers.” Ayub, firm in his faith, replied: “Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator.”

He then prostrated again to his Lord.

At this Shaytan was extremely humiliated. He again called on Allah: “O my Lord, Ayub’s wealth is gone, his children are dead, but he is still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children.

Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You and thus become disobedient.” Allah wanted to teach Shaytan lesson that Ayub was a devoted servant of Him, and so He granted Shaytan his third request but placed a condition: “I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion.” Armed with this new authority, Shaytan began to

Muslims should never border about their viltuperations, Islam has been existing long before they were created, the Qur’an has no similitude and no greater man in history of mankind than Prophet Muhammad. But Allah has made it impossible for them to believe, so that they can be used to stoke the fire in hell

,

remained his sole companion and comforter through many years of his suffering. In desperation, Shaytan went to Ayub’s wife in the form of a man, and asked, “Where is your husband?” She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumpled on the bed and said: “There he is, suspended between life and death.” Shaytan reminded her of the days when

Tell me, how long did I enjoy good health and riches?” She replied, “For eighty years.” Then Ayub asked, “How long am I suffering like this?” She said, “For seven years.”

Then Ayub told her, “In that case, I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and

plenty. It seems that your faith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah.

If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything from your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases.” Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him and seek shelter elsewhere. In his helpless state, Ayub turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy: Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show Mercy. (21:83) What a man of patience, faith, and self-respect!

Even in this miserable condition, he did not ask Allah to remove his affliction but merely stated that He is the Most Merciful of all who have mercy! Can there be any trial more difficult and painful then what Job went through one after another? He lost all his wealth and property, all of his children were killed when the building in which they were living collapsed on them, his friends and people left him, and he suffered from a sever skin disorder for years. Yet, he did not complain to Allah nor was he dissatisfied with Him throughout these extremely difficult trials.

The result of his patience and faith in Allah was this: he came out of all these trials with superb success. He asked for Allah’s Mercy, and rushing down it came: So, We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his

Etiquettes of preparing for Ramadan

Fidau for Pa Ham med Olawale Hamm

T

HE late Sheikh Hamed Olawale has been described as a trustworthy muslim whose life was dedicated to the service of humanity. This was made known to Vanguard Facing the Kaaba by Alhaji AbudulRazaq Zakariyah at the fidau in honour of the late cleric, a muslim leader in the Sasa area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Alhaji Zakariyah said all monies kept in his care as trust were returned just as they gave him adding that the late cleric emulated the trait of Prophet Muhammed in keeping valuables for people. Scholars from Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin gathered at the occassion for the prayer. The lecturer of the day, Sheikh Muhammad Quasim Akilapa, (son of the famous Shiekh Akilapa who died recently) whose message was based on ‘Death’, charged the children to live by the legacies of their late father.

Among the cleric's 12 children are Imam Tirimizhi Olawale who is the Missioner of Igbogbo branch of NASFAT, Alh Tawakalitu, Olawale, Fausiyat, Fatimah, Mujidat Olawale, among others.

Sheikh Olawale died on June 17 at the age of 95 years.

•From right, Alh Is’haq Zakariya, Imam Tirimizhi Olawale (son of the deceased), Alh AbdulRazaq Zakariyah and Alh. Alade Asimiy during the Fidau for late Sheikh AbdulHameed Olawale in Ibadan recently.

family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them - as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship Us. (21:84) Allah (swt) praised him in the Qur’an, saying: Truly We found him full of patience and constancy, how excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)! (38:44) And He rewarded him with more than what he had: And We gave him (back) his people and doubled their number as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration for all who have understanding. (38:43) The verse above significantly ends with “for all who have understanding.” Indeed, for people of understanding, there are lessons to be learned from the example of Job, a mortal human being who left behind immortal lessons for patience, forbearance, and faith in Allah (swt) that will continue to inspire believers, generation after generations.

Back to those who continued to call Islam names inspite of clarifications by leaders in different fora, they will be put to shame, they will never triumph in their bid to decimate Islam. For them is disgrace and torment in this world, and certainly doom in the Hereafter.

They have refused to reason and so will they continue in their illogical argumentent just to favour their path. Muslims should never border about their viltuperations, Islam has been existing long before they were created, the Qur’an has no similitude and no greater man in history of mankind than Prophet Muhammad. But Allah has made it impossible for them to believe so that they can be used to stoke the fire in hell. Their hearts have been afflicted with incurable disease, they have lost their inner sights and so they can not see. The Qur’an says: “Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).” (Q2: 17-18).

Brothers, how are you preparing for Ramadan?

By Harun Razaq HE importance of preparing for the blessed month of Ramadan cannot be overemphasized. It is the habit of the conscious Muslims to start preparation six month before Ramadan. Lack of proper planning impede the proper observation of the religious duties in the month of Ramadan. We hereby present below some steps that will –– insha Allah ––help to achieve full reward of the month.

FASTING: To fast in part of Sha’ban in line with the sunnah of the prophet (SAW), but it should be noted that, this fasting is expected to start from the beginning of Sha’ban to the middle of the month. And to use the other part of the month to rest before Ramadan, but those are in habbit of observing this sunnah such as the fast of Mondays and Thursday etc may continue.

INTENTION: Determine in your mind to carry out a lot of good deeds during the month of Ramadan. Even if one dies before the month with that intention, one would still have the reward according to the saying of the prophet (SAW) in a famous Hadith.

MARK OUT YOUR OBJECTIVES: for Ramadan and plan out how to realize them by gradually putting them into practice before the month.

DISCARD SIN: By moving away from at least one sin daily and never return to it again.

TAUBAH (REPENTACE): try to make sincere taubah daily by saying “astagfirlla” 100 times daily or making nafilah taubah.

T

•From left, Alh Tawakalitu Olawale, Fausiyat, Fatiamah and Mujidat Olawale during the Fidau for their late father in Ibadan recently.

•From right, Khalifat Sheikh Qazeem Akilapa, Imam Tirimizhi Olawale and a NASFAT Protocol officer at the fidau in Ibadan recently.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29 , 2012

Help! Afro-beat is dying —Seun Kuti

By Ogbonna Amadi, Entertainment Editor

S

eun Kuti, son of legend ary Afro-beat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti in this interview raised an alarm over the dying state of the music that gave fame to his late father Fela saying “if nothing is done to

change the trend, we may lose that genre of music to foreigners”.

Excerpt; Seun Kuti Well its too late to stop the art from being stolen away because it has been stolen already. Afro beat can no longer be termed a Nigerian phenomenon anymore although it was made in Nigeria. But together, we can catch up with what the kids in Europe and America are doing with Afro-beat music as well.

Why is that so?

That is because it has now become a global thing. There are now wonderful bands that play Afro-beat and most do not come from Nigeria.

Have you had an encounter with any of such bands?

Loads of them I’d say. But what really opened my eyes was playing with a band owned by a 16 year old male in Holland called ‘Jungle by Night’. It was really fascinating, the level at which they were familiar with the music.

I doubt if we have teenagers aged sixteen in Nigeria who can do same. Not necessarily Afro-beat music but any other good music.

But the major ingredient in Afro-beat is not just playing the instrument but also the ability to sing. Were they also good singers?

They don’t do lyrics in their music yet but I think the major part of Afro-beat is not just the singing but the music because that is what differentiates it from any other kind of music. It is the mode that makes it its own genre and it takes professional musicians to understand that. So to see people of that young age understanding Afro-beat to that level is just wonderful and impressive showing that we in Nigeria have a lot of work to do in order to catch up.

But the essential ingredients like the native African drums and percussion are imporContinues on page 43

‘I was not slapped’ IP-HOP sensation, Dav id Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has refuted rumours that he had a scuffle with mobile policemen.

The internet was awash Tuesday night, with unconfirmed reports, claiming that the young hit-maker was slapped by uniformed men ‘for being rude.’

But the 19-year-old musician quickly took to his Twitter handle, to refute the story. He described it as “untrue and baseless.”

“I am safe and at home …

Stop the lies.” he tweeted.

Davido who is currently

H

INSIDE

Beyonce writes letter to Michael Jackson C M Y K

Source debunks break-up rumour of Sherrif Shagaya and Mar yam Tukur

With shaka, your iPhone becomes wind-speedmeasuring machine

signed on to HKN records will be launching his debut album “O.B.O Genesis” at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Sunday, July 22.

Davido

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—43

Help! Afro-beat is dying —Seun Kuti Continues from page 42 tant. Did you also see that in their music?

Percussion is a musical instrument that people study in the University to be able to play. And if you think that the best ‘Konga’ players are from Africa, you are mistaken. The best players are from South America, Latin America and some of the other white countries that know their onions. When it comes to professional ‘Konga’ playing, believe me, Africa is not the best.

So you are facing stiff competition too.?

Of course, and a very serious one at that. You see, music is not sports. There are some good bands out there too.

You must be worried then that aside you and your brother, no one else is doing Afro beat...

Its not just about my brother and I being the only ones to do Afro music, I’m just sad about the level of music in Nigeria generally.

We no longer breed musicians rather, they are more of entertainers and Nigeria is loosing the art of music in itself. Good musicians are hard to come by these days unlike in the 60’s and 70’s when you could disband today and create a new band tomorrow. Good musicians were readily available but today, the story is not the same.

Well everybody wants to get on the fast one...

Yes. But you cannot blame them because the industry does not allow for real growth. They grow in Europe and America because there are lots of grounds and public services that assist young musician to grow and play their music well. But we lack such C M Y K

activities and services in Nigeria and Africa at large. They believe that whatever you are doing has to pay immediately. So most people want to release their album on time and see if they can make some money.

There is this school of thought that says people run away from Afrobeat because it is expensive. How true is that?

That is exactly what I’m saying. To become a good musician, you need to learn your instruments. It is just as hard as becoming a scientist.

You have to sit at home, study your music and practice a lot. Unlike science where a field is created with certain laws and one can grow within a specific field, in music, there are no rules. People do not expect you to say because you play the sax, you would only play Afrobeat. You must be able to play your sax in a Rock band, Jazz band, everywhere. So it is a science that encompasses everything and so you have to continually expand your skill.

Are you aware that some concerned practitioners have come up with a reality show that will help discover new talents in Afro-beat?

Yes, I have heard about it. I believe that it’s a step in the right direction. Nigeria is ripe for a show like that and it would go a long way.

Sometimes we are used to copying too much and I feel its time to do something by us and for us. I don’t like to predict the future but what I can say is that; it is a step in the right direction towards developing music and quality musicians here in Nigeria and the entire Africa.

The organizer of the reality show, Mavina Entertainment limited have my seal of approval.

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

STAR TREK—From left: Andrew Okwudu, Regional Business Manager, South; Obabiyi Fagade, Brand Manager, Star, both of Nigerian Breweries Plc; Hip Hop artiste, Tuface Idibia and Edem Vindah, Media and Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during a Star Trek concert.

Military hospital commissions new wards

BY EBELE ONUORAH

A

S part of steps towards improving health care delivery in military hospitals, the Nigerian Military Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, commissioned VIP wards and doctors’ call duty rooms.

Speaking at the event, Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Major-General Samuel O. Ameh said: “the commissioning of the VIP wards and doctors call duty rooms is an improvement on what we had. This is to make the hospital more patientfriendly. Nobody actually prays to be admitted in the hospital but when we have to, it is our duty to ensure that the environment is friendly enough to help speed up recovery.”

Partnership LYMPUS Europa Holdings GmbH, Hamburg, Germany has appointed Astra Instruments Limited as a distribution partner for the Olympus Micro-Imaging Solutions division. Olympus Europa Holdings GmbH is responsible for the Olympus business in Europe, Africa and Middle East.

According to its Managing Director, Uchenna A. Okpara, for many years, Astra Instruments has supported the industrial, environment, education, health, and oil and gas sectors with quality and innovative laboratory equipment and scientific instruments, offering solutions for water analysis, flue gas/emission monitoring, advanced laboratory and industrial weighing systems, viscometry, rheometry, powder and texture analysis.

O

RETREAT—From left: Senators Sola Adeyeye, Jide Omoworare, Chief 'Bisi Akande, ACN National Chairman; Senators Robert Boroffice and Gbenga B. Ashafa during the Senate retreat in, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

3rd Mainland bridge: I didn't announce closure—Lagos FRSC boss L AGOS—SE C T O R Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Lagos State, Nseobong Akpabio, has denied announcing closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repair work.

Akpabio said FRSC rather informed the public that there would be diversions which would lead to delays during the period of re-

pairs.

In a statement, Akpabio said: ‘’ The attention of FRSC has been drawn to alleged statements credited to it that the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed to traffic during the repair.

This is not correct. To set the records straight, at no time did FRSC assert that the bridge will be closed or shut during the proposed repair

work. ’’Rather, the corps only informed the public that there will be diversions and delays during the period.

Therefore, they are advised to strictly adhere to road signs, traffic rules and regulations to avoid hitches. ''Also, the traffic information will be communicated from time to time via radio, television,

newspapers and social media network. ’’The repair which is in phases will affect traffic into Lagos from Ogudu and Oworonsoki expressway. Also out of Lagos to same axis. However, the routes where there will be traffic restriction will be communicated to the public soon".

Importation of explosives: Trial of suspect stalled

BY ONOZURE DANIA AGOS—THE trial of a 45-year-old man, Mr Michael Ernest, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court over alleged illegal importation of explosives has been stalled following inability of prosecutor to produce the accused person.

Ernest, who was arraigned before Magistrate E.O Ogunkanmi on April 3, 2012 for allegedly being in possession of 10 packages of 1.4 explosive substances without a valid licence, was said to have been trapped in the crisistorn Kaduna State, hence his inability to appear in court when his case came up for hearing.

Police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Lawrence Mamah, had alleged that Ernest was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on March 16 when he was caught with the prohibited items, adding that the accused was also caught with a blasting machine.

He had claimed that Ernest was intercepted on arrival at the airport from South Afr i c a .

Ogunkanmi had granted Ernest bail in the sum of N700,000 with two suret i e s .

Ernest’s Counsel, Mr A.M. Nwosu, said his client who

L

resides at 64, Pana Road, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, Kaduna State had not been able to travel down from

Kaduna, to make an appearance before the court for the commencement of trial due to the crises in the state,

prompting the magistrate to adjourn the matter to August 8 for commencement of trial.

LG poll 'll not hold in Abia until..., say lawmakers

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—LOCAL Government elections will not be held in Abia State until after the conclusion of the on-going constitutional amendment by the National Assembly, the State House of Assembly has said.

This came against the backdrop that the House had received list of the serving transition committee chairmen of the 17 Local Government Councils from the Governor Theodore Orji, for renewal of their tenure which had just exp i r e d .

It was said the House would give the transition committee chairmen a fresh mandate to legalize their tenure, even as the House has issued a N1 million cheque to Abayi International School, Osisioma, near Aba, whose 15 pupils were kidnapped in 2010 in the state.

The Speaker of the House, Chief Ude Chukwu, who handed over the cheque to

one of the parents, Mr. Israel Afonne, said the gesture was in fulfillment of a

promise made to the pupils when they were rescued by security operatives.

Ikeja NBA resolves leadership tussle

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

L

AGOS—AGGRIEVED parties in the leadership crisis that engulfed Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, following last month's election had amicably resolved the issues.

The resolution of the disagreement followed interventions from leaders of the Bar, as well as the decision by the two aggrieved parties to sheath their swords and move the branch forward.”

The crisis started after its May 9, 2012 elections, which prevented the swearing-in of new executive committee.

The new executive team

led by Mr. Monday Ubani had won the election but their inauguration was put on hold due to a court order restraining the outgoing executive from swearing them in.

According to sources, the terms of their settlement was filed before Justice Yetunde Idowu of the Ikeja High Court.

Two judges, Justices Toyin Taiwo and Opeyemi Oke, from the division have heard the suit filed by Mr. Yinka Farounbi who lost the chairmanship position to Mr. Ubani at the May 9, 2012 election, Addressing newsmen, the chairman-elect, Mr. Ubani said "concessions were made by both sides in the interest of the NBA.”

Group endorses Oshiomhole

A

FEMAI Empower ment Club of Nigeria, a group committed to youths and women empowerment, has called on Edo State people to support the re-election bid of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to enhance economic growth and development in the State.

President of the Club, Mr. Nurudeen Yusuf, made this appeal at its meeting in Lagos, stressing that the re-election of Oshiomhole would enable him to consolidate on the projects embarked upon in the last four years.

Ozoro Progressive Union ZORO Progressive Union, OPU, Mushin branch of Lagos State holds her monthly meeting on Sunday, at the chairman’s residence, Arida, Ikotun Lagos.

The Publicity Secretary, Mr. Henry Opighe, urged all members to attend as the meeting will discuss critical matters relating to welfare and recent development in the branch.

O

Meeting HE Lagos State branch of Unity School Agbarho Old Student Association, USAOSA, meeting holds on Sunday at 1, Raymond Njoku Street, Sabo, Yaba.

According to its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Edoja, crucial issues relating to the development of the school will be discussed at the meeting to be hosted

by Mr. Amaize Ojeikere.

T

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 45

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 47

48 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 51

C M Y K

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

TURBO CHARGING:

Is Jonathan reviving his presidency?

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

T

HE first action was the sack of his two top security chiefs, Gen. Andrew Azazi as National Security Adviser, NSA and Dr. Haliru Bello as Minister of Defence.

Following the dismissal of the duo last Friday, the President on Tuesday frontally confronted the specter of corruption in the petroleum sector with the sack of the management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Indications are that the President is determined to further burnish the poor image of his administration with further changes in the coming weeks.

Remarkably, the sack of the security chiefs came at a time when most Nigerians had given up on an unambiguous response from the administration to the repeated security incidents that have marked the life of the administration.

The actions of the President in the week leading to the sack of Azazi and Bello did not betray what was what to happen last Friday.

WITH an image disfigured by the Islamic Boko Haram insurgency and emissions of corruption all around the different arms of government, President Goodluck Jonathan has in the last week sought to rebuild the kind of goodwill that shadowed his emergence. Will it work?

Campaign against graft C M Y K

Trip to Brazil

C M Y K

*President Goodluck Jonathan: Talking tough him found it difficult putting a defence on the Brazilian trip.

Azazi’s perceived poor performance and subsequent sack was largely unexpected.

But given the shape and structure of the intelligence service he led, not really surprising.

Azazi by almost all accounts has about the best training in intelligence services in the country, having risen through the ranks to the peak of the intelligence branch in the Nigerian Army. His training and experience should have given him proper direction in resolving the problems raised by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Besides, Jonathan’s near filial relationship with Azazi gave him a measure of security in the

,

Indeed, his decision to go ahead with his trip to Brazil for the United Nations Earth Summit in the wake of multiple security incidents in Yobe and Kaduna States penultimate Tuesday, was in the opinion of many Nigerians a demonstration of President Jonathan’s low concern for the state of insecurity in the land.

If not, then, that of his satisfaction with the performance of Azazi and Bello in handling the insurgency.

But returning from his Brazil trip the President fired the duo of Azazi and Bello for reportedly measuring poorly in their assignments. If anything, the President may also have been moved by the unprecedented outpouring of public condemnation against his administration.

Not only was he accused of being insensitive, he was also portrayed as preferring the international limelight to sitting down to solve the problems at home.

It was such that even strong political associates of the President normally defensive of

President demonstrated his determination to leave no stone unturned in his efforts in checking the insecurity situation in the land.

That fact is reinforced by the appointment of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) as the new NSA. Dasuki, a scion of the Caliphate is a son of the former Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki and was also Aide-de-Camp to General Ibrahim Babangida, the country ’s former Military President.

Dasuki could as such be well positioned to mobilize the northern establishment in the war to bring the insurgency to its knees. Besides, Dasuki being a confidant of General Babangida could also establish a link between the administration and the former Military Head of State who could also bring his military and political experience to bear in stabilizing the polity.

Babangida and the Jonathan administration have had a bitter-love relationship before the 2011 PDP presidential primaries.

While there are agitations for the President to do a sweeping change of the cabinet and his advisers, it is doubtful that the President would go the whole hog given the successes scored in certain sectors

,

corridors of power.

However, the widespread breakdown of security in many parts of the North meant that the duo of Azazi and Bello had

their hands full in containing the insurgency against the church in Northern Nigeria and the security institutions.

The response of the security system was not only jumbled, but sometimes smacked of lack of professionalism.

It showed few months ago when Azazi at a summit of South-South political leaders blamed the crisis on the zoning policy in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. But beneath the veneer of professional incompetence attributed to Azazi are insinuations of complications in the power structure and other issues that may have hindered his effectiveness.

By shoving Azazi, one of his most trusted loyalists from his Ijaw home base, aside, the

Remarkably, the sacked Minister of Defence, Bello is also known in political circles to be a Babangida man. It is thus noteworthy that the sacking of one Babangida man is made up with the coming of another Babangida man.

The changes in the NNPC are reportedly the President’s own attempt to put the administration in front of the campaign against graft. The NNPC came in for serious blame in the report of the House of Representatives investigations of the utilization of the subsidy regime in the procurement of petroleum products.

Though that report has now been seriously tainted by the evolving scandal around the Farouk Lawan led probe, Dr. Jonathan’s effort last Tuesday in relieving the top management of the NNPC of their jobs may show the President’s determination to set himself on the correct side of popular opinion.

While there are agitations for the President to do a sweeping change of the cabinet and his advisers, it is doubtful that the President would go the whole hog given the successes scored in certain sectors like agriculture, power, labour, and the cordiality with the legislature.

But on the streets the opinion is that the changes may only be part of what is expected to put the presidency on the correct path. The people apparently want many more changes.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012—53

*Governorship candidates of seven political parties who participated in the debate on Wednesday

GUBER DEBATE:

What they said IN the first of a two part debate ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election, six of the seven candidates canvassed their ideas before a live audience.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & SIMON EBEGBULEM

I

T was the first of a two part debate ahead of the July 14 gubernatorial election in Edo State.

The six men with eyes on occupying the Dennis Osadebey Government House in Benin were grilled by a panel anchored by Lola Owoye-Wise (AIT) that also included Prof. Austin Asagba, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Benin and veteran NTA broadcaster, Phil Obanor.

The debate at the Fairview Hotel, Benin was organized by the Nigerian Elections Debate Group, NEDG The six candidates who participated in the debate were Adams Oshiomhole, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Russian trained Frank Ukoga of the Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP; Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Roland

Izebuwa of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and Paul Orunmwese of the National Conscience Party.

The only absentee of the seven candidates was the Labour Party candidate Comrade Andrew Igwemoh.

No reason was given for the absence of the Labour Party candidate and throughout the debate, his seat was conspicuously displayed showing his absence.

There were speculations that the PDP candidate, Airhiavbere would not participate following the absence of his running mate, Johnson Abolagba in the debate among the deputy gubernatorial candidates the day before. The PDP candidate, however, dismissed that with his appearance.

Prior to the debate the candidates who stood throughout the three hour affair had agreed the arrangement. It was resolved that the candidates would stand from left to right facing the audience according to the alphabetical order of their

political parties.

So, Oshiomhole of the ACN was first and the last was Ukoga of the SDMP.

asking where was all this money? All that money was there but it was privatized.

Airhiavbere (PDP) What they said: Oshiomhole (ACN) In this state, a particular political party led the state for over ten years and felt that they were above the law. But today, we pushed them away and we have shown leadership and that at least Edo can work.

The industries my brother talked about and the Edo Line were all run aground by the past PDP government. But today, we are fixing them and bringing them back to business.

We have positively touched the lives of our people in the three senatorial districts and nobody can take that away from us.

Even an armed robber can preach morality. The evidence of how we spent Edo resources is everywhere in these 18 local government areas so that people are now

We are talking about free health care because this is election year. When we come to beautification you put N18 billion, what are you beautifying? Your pocket?

It Is Sad That We Have No Workable Health Care System In This State. Even The Work Being Done At The Special Hospital Is Substandard And That was why it Collapsed.

But a PDP government will ensure that we have Specialist hospitals in the 192 wards in the state.

We will strengthen the Primary Health Care system because when we do that, we will be able to ensure free medical health care for women and children while our senior citizens will enjoy free medical care.

Edebiri (ANPP) The problem we have in the state in the last thirteen and half years is that we have neglected the less privileged.

When people in village fall sick they go to the chemist because successive governments failed to put in place specialist hospitals in these localities unlike it is done abroad. If I am elected into office, our government will replicate what obtains abroad so that our people in the rural areas will enjoy good health care services.

Ukoga (SDMP) When we come into government, our government will encourage the Federal Government to have our nuclear power plant because with that we will be able to generate electricity effectively to our people and when we do that we will industrialize the state which will help create jobs for our youths.

Izebuwa (CPC) With all respect to the Comrade Governor, there is still a lot to be done. Despite what Adams Oshiomhole has done there are still communities that need to be given light. And a CPC government in the state will ensure electrification of rural communities and increase food production by investing seriously in agriculture.

Orunmwese (NCP) NCP government will lead by example even though the art of governance is one of the most difficult things you can ever think of.

C M Y K

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

N

IGERIA, as some would say, is a funny place inhabited by funny people. It is a place, as many believe, ‘where anything goes‘.

Many people believe, and truly so, that nothing is impossible in this great country of ours.

It may not be funny that inspite of strong security responses, the Boko Haram sect chooses its target at any time with devastating effect. Therefore, it does not make any sense in warning the deadly squad not to extend its murderous act beyond the Northern axis since any agent of Boko Haram knows that the suspected haven of Southern Christians is the place of worship.

Perhaps it is only in Nigeria that a serious matter is always treated with painful levity and with apparent disdain. It is comical if not absurd that the present situation is generating debates on good leadership. Many analysts continue to blame the woes and the inadequacies of Nigeria‘s economic and political instability on lack of visionary leadership.

The leaders of the first republic were dubbed local or regional captains. As former President Obasanjo once noted, ‘I think the major mistake of independence was that we had three countries in one and three leaders that were barons of each of the three countries‘.

It is a pity that in the cozy atmosphere of the 1980s and 1990s, the exploits of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo were viewed with jaundiced glasses and reviewed sarcastically by some biased historians.

Sir Ahmadu Bello, from his background of aristocracy, was able to establish the ruling dynasty of the Hausa/ Fulani in Nigeria till today.

This was done under the canopy of ‘One North, One Destiny‘. Even with the creation

National leadership and complexities of domestic issues of many states in the north, the propensity to rule in the average Northern politician is evident.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo‘s political sagacity in advocating the concept of Federalism for Nigeria has been the saving grace for Nigeria as one entity till today. The immense contributions of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe towards gaining independence for the country and the redirection of the Ibos into an undivided country after the end of the civil war cannot be easily forgotten.

The problems of Nigeria after the exit of the old political giants of the country could be attributed to lack of proper understanding of the past and poor appreciation of glorious historical events.

The present has failed to build on the past; rather the present is enjoying the toils of the past without thinking of the future.

Unfortunately, the present leadership has not found favor with a critical public which perhaps, is looking for a Leviathan or the PALLADIUM‘S “a leader for the times”.

If Olusegun Obasanjo was

‘imperious and provincial‘, or a Shehu Shagari ‘insular and tactless‘, and Goodluck Jonathan ‘ineffectual‘, then something is wrong with us as to suggest living in a state of warped mentality or historical illusion.

Is President Goodluck Jonathan ineffective? It may be too early to assess fairly a leader after just one year in office.

Some are even suggesting that the incumbent President should not try to present himself for re election in 2015, while other political blocs are busy scheming for the top post that might arise in that fateful year. It is a pity that the prospect of a ‘Northern President‘ or ‘Ibo President is being contemplated during this period of civil strife and destruction of lives and properties.

The sad side of the story is that many Nigerians see the Boko Haram insurgency and its bloody accomplishment as President Jonathan‘s baby and Northern States‘ affairs. This is absolutely wrong and quite insensitive.

What affects the head should also

be the problem of the eyes.

Therefore, the grand political schemers should think deeply about the survival of the country before 2015.

To many analysts, the problems of President Jonathan could be due to the bad luck of not having good advisers or inability to listen effectively to sound advices.

The President looks like a leader who needs a refresher course in political economy. With the array of economists in his team, it should not be difficult for the President to embark on policies which would increase national income, stimulate effective demand for goods and services and increase employment.

The growth stimulant is the proverbial “oil money” which is being grossly mismanaged and continues to fuel corruption. It is still a surprise that the country continues to import a single product (refined petrol) and pays subsidy on the difference between the landing cost and the pump price.

A barrel of crude oil being refined yields other products beside gasoline. The question is: what happens to the prices of these products in the determination of the price of gasoline as a single product?

The other point which comes to mind is the Power Policy of the government. The scenario is this: the country is blessed with oil and gas – ingredients to make the supply of adequate power possible. Thermal Plants to supply electricity have been built all over the country but could not function because of lack of gas supply. The Gas Company (Foreign and Nigeria interest) would not supply the product because of the huge debts owed by the PHCN (Power Holding Company of Nigeria – Nigeria interest).

Our economic gurus have found an answer in the increase in electricity tariff without

increase in electricity supply.

The same argument applies to increase in price of gas to industries to attract foreign investments. Nobody seems to be thinking on what the effects on tariff increases on supply of electricity and gas would be on the economy.

It should also be admitted that the economic transformation agenda of the President is suspect.

It is unlikely that any meaningful economic prosperity could be built on tough monetary measure and high foreign exchange rate which does not allow for cheap importation of essential goods for the country‘s economic infrastructural development. It has been said several times that tightenened monetary policy as anti inflationary measure is an illusion. But this is the avowed policy leaving the Naira, bastardised and unstable.

Perhaps, Cheap Money Policy, well managed could be the answer to expansion of supply of commodities.

On the political scene, the wide acceptance of President Jonathan as a candidate of a minority tribe (Ijaw) was believed could bring an end to the dangers of ‘power blocs‘ in Nigeria's political system. The President should rise above petty party politics and don the toga of a Statesman at this moment of uncertainty.

As I have stated before in this column, summing up the mood of the 1930‘s in Britain, a Cambridge don, David Thomson noted that, ‘within so brief a span, the people of Britain knew deep economic depression and widespread distress, prolonged crises and intense anxieties, fumbling leadership and moments of national humiliation‘.

Now it is the right time to look beyond the enchanting choruses of the party faithful.

Sms only 07059197616

promises, especially when such promises made in the past were never pursued and the result sheet showed a negative result of failure.

The Edo masses have July 14,

2012 election as a glaring golden opportunity to pull out the red card to the party that merits it.

EDO GUBER:

Masses will decide

BY USMAN ABUDAH

N

ATURALLY, one would have expected the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its adherents to recoil into a shell and possibly retrace themselves to the drawing board to make plans for life and make a repentant comeback effort after the Adams Oshiomhole years.

Remarkably, there is this unconscious nauseating attitude being exhibited by the few remaining followers of PDP in Edo State that the party would beat the masses oriented party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). These are indeed, not members, as there is a clear difference between being a true member and a follower.

Followers are gamblers because gamblers don’t have ethics, as their only pursuit is to get to the seat of power and

resume their style of ruling, reigning and ruining the system while true members know what it is to fail the people.

There is no doubt that Comrade Oshiomhole is delivering to the Edo people the promises he made to them during his first campaign.

He saw the emptiness of the masses before his advent and there is no doubt that the three senatorial districts in the state are today enjoying the good service they deserve.

The PDP had an opportunity, even though it was through rigging but still failed to work and Oshiomhole through a landmark judgment retrieved his mandate.

Returning from the court of appeal, Oshiomhole started working while the opposition has been talking, albeit pitiably, promising much.

The campaign picture is clear: performances and promises can’t be put on the weighing scale.

Oshiomhole’s scores for his three years-plus in governance, knock out the loud noise of the PDP. Retired General Yakubu Gowon’s recent trip to Edo State for a commissioning ceremony threw up its own revelations for any realistic observer: his remarks at the ceremony were a recollection of what he described as Dr. S. O. Ogbemudia’s performances when he was a military Governor, concluding with a declaration to Oshiomhole to…”go on with your developmental performance”.

It was message to the people and it sank.

Democracy is a neat pattern of politicking, wherein gabbage can be voiced, but the people know the differences between practicability and empty

*Abudah, a journalist wrote from Benin City.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 55

C M Y K

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 57

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 59

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may bring you personality clashes base on envy from the other party. Slow down and give peace a chance at least for now.

SCORPIO; Full-Moon in Aries points to possible misunderstanding (probably) within your working arena. This is the wrong time to fan the embers of discord.

SAGITTARIUS; Although the full-Moon is generating tension, your wish is to have your good time. It’s wrong to under-rate the havoc jealousy can wreck.

CAPRICORN; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis will bring pressure from many fronts, the more noticeable ones are career/business and domestic related types

By Richard Eromosele

HEN the crafty devils want to deceive Eve, he confused her by telling her what she wants to hear. The holy writ says, the devil told Eve ‘if you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will be like

W

Are you on drugs?

God. But did she actually look like God after tasting the forbidden fruit?

This is the same way drug addicts feel. They believe when they take drug it makes them high.

TERROR MUDA

It gives them boldness. Yes, they are bold: But what kind of boldness? Animal boldness? Some say, it leads to high performance. But, at what expense? Examples abound of

in “Never say goodbye”

very skillful talents who got themselves destroyed through drugs.

Stop being hooked on drugs. Drug destroys your life, destroys your family, destroys your health and destroys your destiny.

Think about it!

By Kola Fayemi

AQUARIUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to watch what you sign and verbally agreed to do. If you fail to respect the law, it’ll back-fire very soon.

PISCES; Today’s full-Moon in Aries does not encourage carelessness with money as such can actually lead to avoidable but serious troubles. Avoid jealous approach ARIES; Full-Moon in your Star sign will encourage you to under-rate many to their resentment the way you too’ll be negatively affected. Don’t ignore your spouse TAURUS; Full-Moon in Aries warns you to do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Take your health seriously today more than before GEMINI; Today’s full-Moon in Aries can tempt you to expose your love life unnecessarily. Separate your private/personal affairs and open friendship

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Full-Moon will certainly affect your mood and make you aggressive but, encouragement of tension along your career line and/or within your business circle can not help your cause now. Protection of your image is important however.

LEO; Full-Moon may bring you what you’re likely to see as an insult but in reality it is not one. You only need to be on the right side of the law so that you’ll have the last laugh to the detriment of your opponents. Discourage of jealousy within you.

VIRGO; Full-Moon across Aries/Libra axis may generate tension around you but, the best way for you not to be the loser is to make sure your finances are well protected. Then green eyed monster called jealousy may make things a little bit difficult.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send your date and place of birth to the Astrological Counselling, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos

dadadekola@yahoo.com

VIRGINIA

Basic characteristics of Pisces Pisces is 12th of the twelve Zodiac signs ruled by mysterious Neptune. It quality is mutable while it element is water. Mutable aspect of Pisces indicates that people born under it are changeable, by this I mean they change their minds often times. Being a water sign, naives of this Star have very strong intuition and can flow into anybody heart and/or mind.

Neptune as the ruler of Pisces brings compassion and ARTISTIC talent into Pisces born people’s creativity quotient. Neptune rules psychic related thing and many of things that cannot be placed above board; Neptune makes most natives of this star sign secretive, hard to understand and dreaming.

Two opposing fishes as joint symbol of Pisces oftentimes responsible for occasional confusion suffer by all natives of Pisces one time or the other. It is truly important for them to learn how to control both their emotion and mind.

Because it is easy for Pisces people to become pessimistic unnecessarily The reasons are while one of the fishes may head for optimism and day dreaming, the other’s inclination may be of fear, despondency and timidity. Thus, confusion can creep in and that will be to the detriment of their confidence.

Cultivation of practical nature and adoption of realistic method in all you do will be of great importance.

It is equally important for Pisces born people like you to take psychic related things more seriously because they can make use of psychic and/or spiritual related things.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

TERROR MUDA 25TH JUNE 2012.jpg

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012 — 63

HIS is track and field season but I'll come to this next week.

I was in Calabar to see the Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0 in a Nations Cup preliminary match. And just like I reminded Samson Siasia during his time that his team had exhibited only 40 percent of what his dream performance was, I say same of Stephen Keshi’s team today.

Siasia spoke of a team that could play with so much passion from the defence to the midfield and to attack, a team as collective as Barcelona FC. And I awarded my 40 percent mark after a few games, insisting that a 50 percent execution of the plan would easily qualify Nigeria for the World Cup, 60 percent to the second round and a 70 percent to the semi-final where anything could be possible. Siasia did not get out of the 40 percent mark until he was disengaged.

But he planned to make changes. However, time was against him. Pity. The difference between that era and now is that Keshi has embarked on building a new team and focusing on the domestic league. Nigeria now plays a match with up to five to seven local players in the team. Given what we saw of the foreignbased players in Ethiopia and in Abuja against Guinea, I guess the game would have been up for Keshi now if he did not introduce players like Gabriel Ruben, Azubike Agwuekwe, Godfrey Itama, Ejike Uzoenyi and Oshanuwa. It is not only about introducing them but also doing a fairly good job coaching them.

But I say today, again, that what the players have exhibited in the three competitive matches we have seen is only 40 percent of Keshi’s dream performance.

And if, at their level, they could produce 40 percent now, with more matches and exposure they could be the dream team of Nigeria. But time is never the friend of coaches globally and Nigeria in particular. I have heard people like Ade Ojeikere argue that Keshi was yet to select the best from the domestic league and that he needed to search for more. While he does that I also suggest strongly that he keeps an eye on emerging young Nigerians in leagues abroad for a blend that will make the Eagles super again.

He certainly needs more creativity in the midfield and he needs strikers too. He needs to work on set pieces, marking in the midfield and attacking runs.

With two defensive midfielders in Gabriel Ruben and Obiora Nwankwo, he needs some flair in front of them and if Ike Uche, a natural support striker does not fall deep enough to help in the upper middle of the field and Ahmed Musa and Ejike Uzoenyi, on the wings, do not play deep also to help in the middle, there could always be a problem with tactics.

Keshi does not play 4-2-4 but the failure of some players to play to instruction makes his tactics collapse to something like that. However, he appears determined to transform the Eagles. He must not allow anything to distract him from doing so. The Football Federation must lend their support.

T

Re Keshi’s dream tackle Dear Onochie, OUR article was an interesting piece. Char acter is what is lacking in our national teams,

Y

Scoring Keshi! not skills. When pride and indiscipline enter through the door, determination and knack for honor fly out through the window. If you have watched any of our recent matches on TV with any of the old Nigerian players around and see the tears that flow from their eyes whenever our team is not doing well you will understand that their character, defined by an inherent fighting spirit, has not waned even with age.

Whoever restores self-belief and desire for success in our national teams has done it all for us.

Please note that it was Aham Nwankwo that scored the goal for BCC and not Arthur Nwankwo, the politician.

Thanks and God bless.

Paddy Ezeala Regional Communication and Campaigns Coordinator, Oxfam America,West Africa Regional Office Dakar, Senegal Dear Onochie, OUR article was a masterpiece. I so enjoyed it, maybe because I knew all the characters mentioned, from Ade Ojeikere (who always sat beside me at the Ogbe Stadium in my Benin-City days) to those Insurance dare-devils who reigned mightily after the likes of Victor Oduah and Tony Otah. Now, can you ensure that these upcoming Eagles understand the import of the story: “wearing the Nigerian shirt in spirit, soul, and body”? You may need to start a serial on such real life account of our great heroes. It will motivate these emerging crop of players (plus the thousands coming from the football academies) and it will take us as a sporting nation to our real dream of standing tall in the world through sports. Once again, I thank you and Ojeikere for reliving that dream.

Thanks Sir Azu Mafiana

Y

Thank you Onochie for your wonderful piece today on Keshi’s dream tackle. I have always believed that senior sportswriters like yourself and other willing ones should be in the vanguard of the crusade to restore our football to it’s winning ways and take it back from the brigands that are killing it today.

After reading your article today, I was overwhelmed

Use Sports Festival as harvest ground for talents — Fashola ministries to use the NaBY JACOB AJOM XECUTIVE governor of Lagos State, Baba-

E

tunde Raji Fashola has charged the National Sports Commission and the various state sports

Okagbare, Metu surrender Continues from B/Page

training, but the legs simply refused to move.”

Coach Innocent Egbunike was philosophical. He sad the African championships were only a race they had to run, but was hopeful that the athletes would return to the best frame of mind to continue with the rest of the competition.

Earlier in the day, Seun Adigun stumbled during the 100m hurdles race and that effectively ruled her out from defending her

gold from Nairobi 2010.

Senegalese Gnima Faye took the gold at 13.36, Algeria’s Amin Fergugen was second with 13.56, while Uhunoma Osazuwa won bronze with 13.61.

It was the first medal for Nigeria in the championships. Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials had hoped to clinch all the medals at stake yesterday, but the poor outing has put a mark on their plan to emerge champions. .

tional Sports Festival as a harvest ground for talents.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of icons of the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos yesterday, the governor recalled with nostalgia the emergence of youth talents from past festivals who grew up to become national heroes and heroines in the nation’s sporting history. “I can only feel happy if we can use the sports festival to discover and nurture new Chioma Ajunwas, Mary Onyalis, Pat Ekejis, Henry Nwosus, the Okochas and others like them who were products of the national sports festivals. Only then can we justify our hosting the games,” the governor said.

HE 35th edition of the International Open Chess Championship sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries Plc has been given a monetary boost with the prize money almost double the one of last year as the company and the Nigeria Chess Federation, NCF, ushered in the 2012 edition with a press briefing in Lagos yesterday.

Corporate Affairs Adviser of NB Plc, Yusuf Ageni who spoke through Vivien Ikem said that a total of N1,575,000 has been set aside as total prize money which winners in the eight categories will take home as against N890,000 of last year. He said that the competition which runs from July 2-7 at the Indoor

T

by a spirit of nostalgia. The names Ogboe, Monidafe,Surugede, Adiele,Agbonifo, Egherevba and others you mentioned made me proud to be a Nigerian. These are players who fought and died literally on the field of play for our country. They played the game because they loved the game and our country and not because of what they would get from playing. These are the kind of players we should hold up as hero’s to the present generation so as to build in them the fighting spirit required to winning football games.

I dare say that most, if not all our present players were not born when Keshi made his awesome tackle on Ogboe in his dream. So it is the responsibility of senior sportswriters to write about the exploits of our players of old so as to point the right direction to the younger generation instead of dissipating energy looking for problems in the Keshi team to magnify and in the process bring him down.

You said, “who will fight for Nigeria”. I want to challenge you to lead the fight for Nigeria on your pages and we will all follow you. Let’s start with the fight that until players like Mikel Obi and Osaze Odemwengie imbibe the spirit of country first to fight for our country, they should be shut out of the Eagles. Then and only then would our climb back to football prominence start.

Best wishes, Chris Omorodion Onochie, OW you dey?

You go kill person with that your story about Keshi chasing Henry Ogboe for dream…that Boy, Ogboe na real wizard…remember Insurance v Rangers for 1978 Challenge cup finals…

Regards Emeka

H

Dear Onochie, TOTALLY agree with your recent post about our football. I am with you on this school of thought. I laugh when most Nigerians talk about Mikel Obi coming to play for the Eagles when we have discovered Reuben Gabriel. These local lads currently replacing the likes of Taiwo, Mikel Obi, Ayegbeni, etc have so much potentials to be stars.

All they need is more European training tours to expose them to overwhelming crowds and training facilities. I support Keshi and his policy and he should Stick by it and don’t get distracted by some media sycophants who never see good in our local coaches.

Onochie, you are my favorite sports editor and I applaud you in your writings in moving Nigeria sports forward.

God bless you and your family and may He grant you your heart desires.

I

Echika.

Writes from abuja

Nigerian Breweries raises cash prizes for Chess Open Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos will see participants competing

in the FIDE Section, Categories 1 and 2, Ladies, Under-14 Boys and Girls.

Warri to host Africa Continues from B/Page

ga Daniel. During his tenure the state hosted the National Sports Festival, built two stadia in Ijebu Ode and Shagamu. Abeokuta was home of the Falcons and they capped their show in sports by hosting WAFU Competitions. Their athletes started competing and ranking among the best in the country although Delta till date remains outstanding in sports development.

Amaju Pinnick, the chairman of Delta State Sports Commission said yesterday the award to host a huge African championship was another landmark in Delta’s drive to develop sports not only in the state but also the entire country.

Solomon Ogba, the current President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria pressed for a grand prix track and field championship in Delta

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2012

Athletics: Warri to host Africa

By Onochie Anibeze FTER successfully hosting a Grand Prix two weeks ago, the Warri Township Stadium will host the first ever African Youth Athletics Championships next year. The good news came yesterday from

A AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:

Benin Republic where Africa Athletics Championships are taking place in Port Novo.

Bukola Olapade whose company presented Delta’s bid on behalf of Delta State and AFN celebrated the award this way: “Our presenta-

tion was classic, it was colourful and when they announced that Nigeria won I was excited but not totally surprised.”

Olapade was the commissioner of sports in Ogun State under Gben Continues on Page 63

Shocker as Okagbare, Metu surrender Alonso: My team-mates 100m gold fixed it

BY BEN EFE, Port Novo ARD TIMES hit Ni gerian athletes here at the African Championships and it was a pitiful sight as Blessing Okagbare and Obinna Metu failed to measure in the men and women 100m decided yesterday.

Okagbare, who is the defending champion from Nairobi 2010, shocked not only Nigerian officials but the entire watching spectators as she was easily taken by Gabonese Ruddy Zang Milama. Okagbare, who had the fastest time leading to the final, did not put up a fight as Milama pulled away from the pack. She finished 11.16‘ seconds, while Okagbare followed closely at 11.18 seconds. Gloria Asumnu was third with 11.28.

More shock was to follow, when the three Ni-

H

TODAY'S

gerian men in the final were simply blown away.

Metu once more demonstrated that he is only a local champion by always failing to raise the bar at the international competitions.

He had shown signs that the worst was coming during the semi-finals. However, officials were calculating that he was saving the best for the last. But that was not to be as he was totally eclipsed by Simon Macaque with whom he struggled till the 80m mark. Metu was consumed by heat of the chasing pack.

South African Magakwe finished at 10.29, he was chased down by Amr Saud of Egypt, Cote’d Ivoire’s Hua Wilfred Koffi came third with 10.37.

Metu retained the fifth position he took in 2010 with 10.47, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Stanley Azie made up the num-

PUZZLES

PAIN’S Xabi Alonso has spoken of his relief after his side beat Portugal on penalties to progress to the Euro 2012 final.In an even contest at the Donbass Arena, Portugal fell to a 4-2 defeat in the shoot-out after a twohour long stalemate.

Despite Spain being tipped as favourites for victory, Paulo Bento’s men put up a stern fight in Donetsk and had chances to go

S

ahead in normal time, which did not go unnoticed by the Real Madrid playmaker.

“Fortunately there was a happy ending for us, but it was tough and we had to work for it,” Alonso told reporters.

“It was a very even game. In extra time we had a lot of chances, but someone has to win and fortune smiled on us. I missed my penalty but my teammates fixed the rest and we won.''

Postiga: We gave our all CELEBRATION . . . Spanish players (From L) Gerard Pique, Fernando Llorente and Xavi Hernandez celebrate after winning the Euro 2012 football championships semi-final match against Portugal at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. Photo:AFP

bers from the rear with 10.48 and 10.58 respectively.

“Nothing happened! It is only a race,” Metu offered as he walked away.

YESTERDAY'S

Egwero summed up their frustration: “It is a bad day for all us. We did all the right things in Continues on Page 63

ELDER Postiga be lieves his Portugal colleagues can return home with pride, despite their heartbreaking semifinal defeat to Spain at Euro 2012.

Cesc Fabregas scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out on Wednesday to dump Portugal out of

H

the tournament at the penultimate hurdle, after Bruno Alves saw his attempt rattle the crossbar.

Postiga, who missed the match due to injury, feels their failure should not deflate spirits back home, as his side can now build on their experience in Poland and Ukraine.

Euro Final: Spain vs Italy Sunday — 7.45 p.m.

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS ACROSS 2 Strict (5) 7 Unaccompanied (4) 8 Eatable (5) 9 Brag (5) 11 Deity (3) 13 Equality (3) 15 Attack (4) 16 Name (3) 18 Thoroughfare (4) 19 Scolded (7) 20 Greedy (4) 22 Hero (4) 23 Please (7) 24 Flat (4) 27 Shelter (3) 28 Tidy (4) 30 Performed (3) 31 Owing (3) 33 Wide (5) 36 God-like (6) 37 Vanquish (4) 38 Soiled (5)

DOWN 1 Beverage (5) 2 Weep (3) 3 Epoch (3) 4 Entrap (3) 5 Gratuity (3) 6 Unsoiled (5) 10 Stigma (4) 11 Lubricated (7) 12 Parted 970 13 Waded (7) 14 Full (7) 16 Satan (5) 17 Swim (5) 18 Garland (3) 21 Lair (3) 24 Equipment (4) 26 Call on (5) 29 Presage (5) 32 Tear (3) 33 Couch (3) 34 Scull (3) 35 Parched (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Slice 5, Former 8, Offer 10, Refute 11, Edit 14, Easier 15, Leisure 18, Bed 19, Inn 21, Dent 23, Under 24, Bear 27, Gem 29, Van 31, Debated 32, Teeter 34, Rite 35, Idiocy 38, Arson 39, Runner 40, Newer.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Lie 3, Course 4, Eft 5, Free 6, Raised 7, Regret 9, Fearing 12, Dab 13, Tide 16, Edge 17, Ended 20, Nemesis 22, Name 24, Bottler 25, Aver 26, Ration 28, Marine 30, Net 33, Rear 36, Don 37, Cue.

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.