POLICE PENSION SCAM: EFCC re-arrests Yusufu, pension boss

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61807

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N150

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Moses'delivers' Nigeria •See Back Page

POLICE PENSION SCAM:

EFCC re-arrests Yusufu, pension boss •Files fresh charges against him •To be arraigned over another N300m fraud today $67bn Foreign Reserves: Ezekwesili lied •P.8 shamelessly

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—DISSATIS FIED with the slap on the wrist sentence that was handed to the convicted former Director of Pension in the Police Affairs Ministry, John Yakhubu Yusufu, by an Abuja High Court on Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, disclosed that he Continues on Page 5

— Presidency

Kwara govt, Vanguard Newspaper, hold agro summit in Ilorin today —P.16

Nigeria expends N7bn on troops, UP NIGERIA!—Nigeria midfielder Victor Moses (R) celebrates after scoring against Ethiopia, yesterday, the 2013 African Cup of Nations Group C football match at the Royal Bafokeng logistics to Stadium induring Rustenburg, South Africa. AFP photo.

Mali —P.5 — Jonathan We're not against Jonathan, govs •Pg.6reply Clark•P.11 C M Y

•P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P.38

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

Mr & Mrs

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

C M Y K

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4— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

Nigeria expends N7bn on troops, logistics to Mali — Jonathan LAWMAKER ARRAIGNED—Chairman House of Reps Committee on Internal Security,

Hon Aliyu Gebi (right) arraigned for giving a dud cheque at FCT High Court Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

EFCC re-arrests, Yusufu, pension boss Continues from page 1

has been re-arrested over alleged involvement in another N300 million fraud.

Consequently, lead prosecutor for the antigraft agency, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, yesterday, entered a fresh four-count criminal charge against him before the Abuja Division of Federal High Court.

Besides, investigations

by Vanguard also re-

vealed that Yusufu will be docked before trial Justice Adamu Bello today.

The ex-Pension boss had confessed before the Abuja High Court that he connived with seven other civil servants and stole about N23billion from the Police Pension Fund.

Shortly after he pleaded guilty to a three-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Do something well.

Whatever you do consistently perfectly for long enough, you will know how to do it and do it excellently well; it will prosper you and consistently perfect your life.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

W

HERE there is a will there is a way. Accept the prospect of change as a way to move ahead. Be glad when you don’t always get your way. Everything has a purpose; everything has its own time —Arthur Pine Don’t dwell on what could have been done differently. That’s another way of resisting change, and it can only keep you down. Take action, you can’t let rejection keep you down. Turn a situation over and over in your mind until that new idea emerges.

Find ways to get your thinking out of rut and new ideas will come. Yes you can do anything you want to do.

Take action! You can’t let rejection keep you down.

Your biggest break can come from never quitting.

Being at the right place at the right time can only happen when you keep moving toward the next opportunity. Use a bad situation to overcome other obstacles in your life. Give yourself a second chance.

EFCC, trial Justice Abubakar Thalba who relied on the provision of section 309 of the Penal Code, sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N750, 000 fine, a sum the convict quickly paid amid cheers from his friends and family members.

Nevertheless, Vanguard gathered that his joy was short-lived, as operatives of the antigraft commission swooped on him at his residence and whisked him back to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja where he was grilled and detained for subsequent prosecution today.

In the fresh charge against him a copy of which was secured by Vanguard, the accused person, on or about February 14, 2012, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form he filled and submitted, adding that he failed to declare that he owns a company known as AYA Global Services Limited.

He was said to have used the name of the company and lodged in a fixed deposit account with a bank, the sum of N250 million, N10 million in a fixed deposit account with another bank, and another N29 million which he was

said to have instructed one Danjuma Mele to lodge in his company account in the name of Jidag Technical Services Ltd with yet another bank.

According to the EFCC, the offence is punishable under section 27 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment e.t.c) Act Cap E1 2004.

Yusufu was hitherto facing trial alongside a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Atiku Abubakar Kigo and six others, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.

EFCC had alleged that the accused persons conspired and sequentially withdrew monies from Police Pension funds in an account domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria and shared it among themselves, adding that the 3rd accused person, Inuwa Wada, collected N18million from Unity Bank Plc, as his reward for retaining the Police Pension Account with the bank.

The commission maintained that the fraud was perpetuated between January 2009 and June 2011.

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—NIGERIA has so far committed about $34million (about N7billion) towards the deployment of troops and logistics support to the Malian crisis with an additional pledge of $5millionin further assistance.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who made this disclosure at the Donors’ Conference organized at the end of the 20th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, also revealed that 900 combat soldiers and 300 Air Force personnel are already on ground in Mali as part of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA).

According to the president, Nigeria’s commitment was an expression of Nigeria’s desire to restore normalcy in Mali, noting that the country has undertaken the re-construction and refurbishment of a number of medical clinics in the military barracks of some of the Malian Defence and Security Forces, as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) intervention to the tune of US$5.5 million.

“The collaboration between these four organizations on this initiative is a clear demonstration of international solidarity, sympathy and cooperation required for a definitive resolution of the Malian crisis which has serious international consequences.

“Specifically, Nigeria has commenced the de-

ployment of 900 combat soldiers and 300 Air Force personnel to Mali as part of AFISMA. Nigeria has so far provided about $32 million for the immediate deployment and logistic support for the troops.

“Prior to this, Nigeria dispatched relief and humanitarian relief and supplies amounting to US$2 million and Nigeria has undertaken the re-construction and refurbishment of a number of clinics in the military barracks of some of the Malian Defence and Security Forces, as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) intervention to the tune of US$5.5 million.”

He recalled that at the political level, he had visited Mali, in his capacity as co-mediator, on October 19, 2012, to urge national consultations and dialogue in Bamako, the Malian capital, with a view to promoting a united political front on the basis of the ECOWAS roadmap for the resolution of the crisis in Mali.

While extolling African countries for their support for Mali, the president assured that Nigeria’s support was a continuous process and “for this reason, the pledge I make today (of $5million) is a further expression of our commitment to a worthy international effort.”

He suggested however, that the funds generated in the Donors’ Conference should be used not only for defence and security purposes, but also for the provision of necessary humanitarian support.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Robbers return to LagosBadagry road zRob Vanguard staff

BY EDIRI EJOH & VICTORIA EDEMA

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Suspected kidnappers of Nkiru Silvanus being paraded by SSS and Police during a joint press briefing in Abuja, yesterday Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Police, SSS parade Nkiru Silvanus' alleged kidnappers A

BUJA — Alleged kidnappers of Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, were yesterday paraded by the State Security Service, SSS, in Abuja.

The actress, an aide to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, was kidnapped in Owerri, Imo State, with the gang allegedly led by a police officer dismissed from the mobile police unit.

She was kidnapped along with two men, Uche Okoli and Kenneth Okoli, at Nworie Street, Akanchawa roundabout area of the state by three gunmen, and were kept in the bush around Avu junction for six days.

They were released on December 21, 2012, after payment of N8 million ransom.

The gang members, six in number, admitted carrying out

several other kidnap operations getting ransom payments of N1.9 million, N3 million and N1.5 respectively.

The paraded men include Ndidi Cletus, also known as Matthew Ofurum; Stanley Asouna; Aminu Musa; Muhammed Abubakar; Obinna Okolisa and Samson Onwuka.

Leader of the gang, Ndidi Cletus, 30, is a former mobile

police constable who was dismissed in 2007. He confessed to joining the police in 2004 with the name, Matthew Ofurum.

Other members of the gang include Musa, 40, said to be a cattle trader and battery charger from Taraba State; Abubakar, 34, a cattle rearer from Nasarawa State, and Okwolisa, a trader and Keke NAPEP operator.

AGOS — Armed bandits are back at Agric-Volks end of the Mile 2 - Badagry Expressway after about a year of respite for commuters plying that route.

The attacks, which Vanguard gathered started about a forth night ago, usually take place between 8p.m and 10p.m due to heavy traffic caused by several failed portions of the road in the area.

Vanguard’s Maritime correspondent, Godfrey Bivbere, was a victim of the robbers, yesterday, when he and his co-travellers were dispossessed of their valuables including handsets, identity cards, keys and cash.

Bivbere said as he was driving along the road at about 10p.m, the vehicle in front of him was reluctant to move when the road became clear. He said he blasted his horn to alert the driver but was surprised when the robbers who litter the length of the road attacked them.

He said while the boys collected his dual SIM-handset while Rosemary lost her bag in which were her Galaxy Tab, Laptop charging, house keys, about N5,000, Vanguard identity card, among other valuables.

Police Corporal dismissed over seized motorbike zCommand uncovers robbers warehouse

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a Police Corporal, Gboroye Folagbade, with Force number 444123, who allegedly stole a seized motorcycle while enforcing the state’s new traffic law, in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

The Operation Officer of the division seized the motorcycle from one Saheed Owolabi, over his violation of the new traffic law, late last year.

Efforts by Owolabi to recover the bike failed, as he was informed that it had been transferred to Alausa for crushing.

But on January 10, 2013, Owolabi reportedly found his motorbike with another rider identified as Ismail Olomitutu, around Anibaba area of Iko-

rodu and raised alarm.

Olomitutu confessed to have bought the motorcycle from Corporal Folagbade at the rate of N55,000.

Irked by the incident, the visibly angry Command’s boss, Mr Umar Manko, ordered Folagbade to be tried in an orderly room over what was described as a discreditable offence.

Confirming the dismissal, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said: “The offence is contrary to paragraph (E) of the first schedule of Police Act and Regulation 370, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command promptly reviewed the proceedings and upheld the findings of guilt and thereby approved subject’s dismissal

from the force with effect from 16/1/2013.

All police uniforms and other accoutrements have been retrieved from the suspect and has been arraigned with one other at Chief Magistrate Court II Ikorodu on 17/01/2013 in Charge No. IKD/B/05/2013.

Command uncovers robbers warehouse Meantime, operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, have uncovered a hideout used as warehouse by a notorious robbery gang which specialized in attacking vehicles spare parts being imported into the country, somewhere in Maya village in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

Consequently, the operatives have arrested five suspected

members of the gang.

Recovered from the gang’s hideout was a lorry loaded with Honda automobile parts, suspected to have been stolen and house breaking implements.

During interrogation, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said the robbers confessed to have been responsible for the operation at an automobile company last June, along the Oshodi/Apapa expressway, where assorted Honda vehicles parts valued at N28. 8 million were carted away.

The suspects, she said, had been on the command’s wanted list. The suspects, Okwudili Godwin Obina Ilojebe, Ikem Ejimofor, Ndubusi Ike and Ejimofor Nwampa, attacked security guards at Honda Place

Company on June 31, 2012 at Plot 9, Block ‘A’, Rainbow busstop, along Oshodi/Apapa expressway, where they carted away automobile parts.

"We have been on their trail, until they were arrested following a tip off at about 4a.m, yesterday,” she said.

Braide further disclosed that policemen attached to Alakara division also stormed another shop at Oyekunle Street used as armoury by bandits.

Two locally-made pistols with 58 cartridges, according to her, were recovered in the shop.

But no arrest was made as the shop owner was nowhere to be found.

She, however, said policemen were on the shop owner’s trail, adding that operatives at SCID had begun investigation into the recovery.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—7

Man slumps, dies in Lagos with N200 in wallet

Federal Polytechnic, Offa shut due to Offa/Erinle crisis (INSET): Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State.

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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10 people feared killed in renewed Offa/Erinle crisis zProperty worth millions of Naira destroyed zOffapoly shut zPolice take over flash points

BY DEMOLA AKINYEM

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LORIN — At least 10 people were feared killed, yesterday, in a renewed hostilities between the people of Offa and Erinle areas of Kwara State while property worth several hundreds of millions were destroyed.

Staff and students of Federal Polytechnic, Offa and other residents of border areas of Erinle have vacated the flash points for fear of being killed by the attackers, a development that forced the authorities of the polytechnic to hurriedly shut down the institution, yesterday.

Eye witness account told Vanguard that charms, guns and other dangerous weapons were freely used by people of both communities, even as commercial and private vehicles travelling to and from the towns to Osun State have steered clear of the areas.

Already, the state police command, yesterday, said it had drafted about 40 anti-riot policemen to the affected communities to maintain law and order.

Though the two troubled communities have been at daggers drawn over land for the past three decades, the recent war reportedly started when an unnamed native of Erinle went to Offa to buy tiles

and the vehicle he used to convey the materials back to Erinle hit another vehicle belonging to an Offa indigene, which resulted in an argument and subsequently a fisticuff.

Contacted, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Olufemi Fabode who confirmed the crisis said the matter had been brought under control.

He said about 40 men of the state police command had been drafted to the affected areas to maintain law and order.

Fabode added that community leaders from the two towns had been directed to talk to their people to forestall the spread of the violence. He, however, denied the alleged killing of anyone during the clashes.

Also, reacting to the development, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, advised individuals and groups with a grievance or disagreement to utilise lawful channels such as the law courts for dispute resolution rather than taking laws in to their hands.

Gold, therefore, appealed to the people of the affected two communities to continue to embrace peace so as to move

the state forward.

He said this became necessary because no development could take place in the areas during crisis.

NURTW denies involvement in the crisis Meantime, the Kwara State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has denied involvement of its members in the violent clash.

A statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin and signed by the state union’s chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore, described the clash as an age-long communal clash.

It added that the NURTW members neither partook nor supported the fracas as being made to believe in some quarters and stated that it would be naïve of any section of the society to link it with the communal unrest.The statement added that the union remains “a disciplined organisation that would not drag its reputable name into the mud”.

The union commended the state government for wading into the violence on time and called on the two communities to embrace peace in the interest of growth and development.

AGOS — A middle-aged man yesterday slumped and died around First gate, in Ikorodu area of Lagos.

According to eye witnesses account, the deceased a resident of First gate, was said to have started his journey from First gate until he got to Lagos State Polytechnic bus-stop where he slumped and died before help could come his way.

Eye witnesses account said the incident caused panic among residents until the arrival of the police who restored calm.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that sympathisers put a call across the Police on Sagamu road where a team led by the Divisional Crime Officer DCO, Sunday Akaeze, rushed to the scene to render assistance to the man but this was too late as he was later pronounced dead at the Government Hospital in Ikorodu.

On noticing the situation, the Police conducted a search on the man and found a wallet containing N200, a riders’ badge and an Identification card bearing Douglas Esiong, a staff of a private company at Anifowose, Ikeja, also in Lagos.

Vanguard also gathered that one of the symapathisers who identified the man rushed to his house to inform his family but the house was under lock and key but the Police intensified effort to locate the man’s family but none of them could be reached as at the time of filling this report.

Another eye witness told Vanguard that the deceased was looking sick as at the time he slumped but nobody was able to ascertain the cause of his death and his body has been deposited in the morgue.

Contacted, Police PRO Ngozi Braide said she was yet to be briefed about the incident.

Houseboy allegedly organises stealing of boss’ car

BY EVELYN USMAN

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OLICEMEN attached to Bode Thomas Division in Lagos, have arrested a houseboy who allegedly connived with a robbery suspect to steal his boss’ Nissan Ultima car from his Surulere apartment.

In his confessional statement, the 20-year-old suspect, Akan Solomon, said he was tempted by the fleet of cars in his boss’s garage.

Vanguard gathered that Solomon allegedly duplicated the Nissan Ultima car key and gave to one Kingsley Emmanuel. While everyone was out of the premises, the latter, reportedly drove the car to the popular Ladipo market for onward sales, Monday.

But they met their waterloo, after the buyer, requested for the car’s complete documents which they failed to produce. This arouse the buyer’s suspicion who reported the case at Ladipo police division.

When policemen arrived the market, the duo who apparently sensed danger, had taken to their heels, abandoning the car.

Solomon as gathered, later went to Bode Thomas police division to lodge a complaint that his car was stolen from where it was parked, only to be arrested.

He was said to have later opened up and thereafter, led a team of policemen to his alleged partner in crime’s house in Adeniyi Jones area of Ikeja.

The suspects were charged at Magistrate’s Court 3, Surulere, for conspiracy, stealing and breaking-in, according to sources at Bode Thomas Division.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Excess crude account: States get $1bn

$67bn foreign reserves: Ezekwesili lied shamelessly — Presidency zSays govt 'll not engage her in any public debate

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved distribution of $1billion from the excess crude account among the 36 States and FCT. This was part of decisions taken at the National Economic council at its first meeting for the year.

Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi who briefed newsmen after the meeting said there is a total balance of $9.242 billion, in the excess crude account after $1billion was spent on subsidy payments by the Federal Government.

Governor Amaechi said the council was briefed by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama.

He said the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, also presented a memo to the Council on the status of the on-going implementation of the States GDP Computation programme embarked upon by the Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, the Governors’ Forum and the States.

The governor said the Minister informed the Council that following the successful completion of the flag-off of the State GDP computation in the six pilot states, the NBS is now working closely with the States’ statistical bureaux/agencies to conduct the survey and publication of data on the GDP computation for the six states.

The states include Niger, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra, Kano and Lagos.

The governor quoted the Minister as saying that the States’ GDP computation programme is being implemented in two phases with the first phase which covers the six pilot States in each of the geopolitical zones due to be completed in April.

The second phase of the programme, the governor said, is to cover the remaining States, from April – December, 2013.

He said the Council reiterated the endorsement it had given to the roadmap, when the matter was first presented to NEC in July 2010.

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE Presidency has again taken a swipe at former Vice President, World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, accusing her of inciting Nigerians against the Federal Government, just as it stressed that her allegations were almost stupid and senseless.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, noted that the former Minister of Education lied shamelessly by raising false alarm on what she would have buttressed with figures, especially against the backdrop of where she was coming from as an officer of the World Bank.

Okupe who said that it was not true that the money was squandered as alleged, stressed that the Federal Government was not run by proceeds from the external reserves, but what the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, remits to the government and that which is shared among the three tiers of government.

The Presidential aide who dismissed calls for public debate with the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku by Ezekwesili as a non-issue, said the government was not prepared to engage her in such a debate, adding that as at January 22, this year, the nation’s External Reserves stand at $45.3 billion, while in December 2012, it was $43,830,418,364.91.

According to him, in December 2007, the External Reserves was $51,333,152,495.79; in 2008 December, it was $53,000,355,063.51 and in December 2009, the reserves dropped to $42,382,493,319.69; as at December 2010, it also dropped to $32,339,252,389.10 and in 2011 December, it was $32, 639,777,078.09.

It will be recalled that Ezekwesili had alleged that government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and that of President Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of $67 billion from the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves.

Nigeria's foreign reserves as at Jan 22, 2013, stand at $45.3bn Okupe who noted that she was grandstanding and playing to the gallery, said, "We find it surprising that after an extensive explanation by the Minister of Information whereby facts were stated regarding the weighty and sweeping statements made by Oby Ezekwesili, rather than cite

SOUTHERN PEOPLES' ASSEMBLY—A cross section of delegates during the Southern Nigeria Peoples' Assembly held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, yesterday. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu.

the sources and establish the credibility of her figures has decided to divert attention from the issues she raised by calling for a National debate on issues that are not in contention.

"Ordinarily, the call by Oby Ezekwesili for a National Debate with the Minister of Information ought to have been ignored and allowed to fall flat. However, we are compelled to respond in view of the penchant by some highly placed Nigerians who use government offices to build up reputations for themselves and then later turn on the same government to denigrate it, just to play to the gallery and incite members of the public through dissemination of false, unsubstantiated and malicious information.

"Rather than substantiate her claims, Ezekwesili chooses conveniently to grandstand, claiming that she will remain silent until “a responsible response” is given to her demand on accountability. A more rational approach would have been for her, being the accuser or Agent Provocateur to assume the responsibility of providing the facts to back her claims.

"Ezekwesili alleged that the government of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and that of President Goodluck Jonathan had collectively squandered a total of $67 billion from the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves. While Minister of Information has debunked this statement as manifestly untrue and not based on any fact, we wish to reiterate for the purpose of clarity as follows that: "The money spent on running the government is what the CBN remits to the Federation which is then shared by the three tiers of

government i.e. Federal, State and Local Government.

"The corresponding allocation to the Federal Government based on the approved benchmark is then dispensed by the Federal Government and the MDAs according to the items specified and approved by the National Assembly in the budget of that year.

"The unspent balance plus income from other income from exports other than oil constitutes the nation’s foreign reserve, a portion of which is kept as the excess crude oil reserve.

"The latter is shared periodically by the three tiers of government on need to spend basis.

"According to the statement this office received from the CBN, it is factually incorrect to say that the reserves of the government were dipped into or misapplied.

It is important to note that the Federal Government does not dip its hands into the external reserves.

External reserves are available for use in settling both public and private sector foreign currency obligations of Nigeria.

"Whenever a ministry or agency of government needs to incur approved expenditures in foreign currency (e.g. payment of goods and services, settlement of external debt etc.) it must provide the naira equivalent to the Central Bank of Nigeria before the bank sells the required foreign currency. The same applies to the private sector.

"The management of external resources (also known as foreign reserves) is one of the statutory mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Section 2 subsection (c) of the CBN Act 2007 states that the Bank shall “main-

tain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency”. Therefore, foreign reserves are used to support a broad range of national objectives such as defending the naira. It also serves as a buffer especially during periods of crisis.

"The breakdown of the country’s foreign reserve figures from the CBN which is the only custodian banker of all our National Resources, is also herewith attached for all to see. It shows quite clearly without ambiguity that Ezekwesili lied shamelessly by publishing false figures. We challenge Oby to categorically state her own source of information to authenticate her claims.

Ezekwesili should retract her statement and apologise to Nigerians "It is obviously preposterous for Ezekwesili to be asking for a National debate on the outlandish and reckless disinformation she made to incite the Nigerian people against the government. This was a deliberately calculated, albeit unsuccessful effort to bring the Jonathan's administration into disrepute unjustifiably.

"I regret to say that Ezekwesili should show dignity and character by letting the Nigerian people, whom she sort out to fool, to know the source of her figures otherwise, she should be honourable enough to retract her statement and apologize to the government and people of Nigeria. Else, she should be regarded by all as a willfully perjured individual not worthy of any respect or recognition whatsoever.”

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012—9

NLC irked by light sentence given Yusufu for stealing N23bn

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, expressed outrage over the two years jail term imposed on Mr. Yakubu Yusufu, for stealing N23billion out of over N40billion found to have been stolen from the coffers of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund between January 2008 and June 2011.

NLC argued that the import of such a ridiculous light sentence showed clearly that Nigerian judiciary was being

compromised and obviously encouraging corruption in a country that had lost most of her earnings to a few individuals who used public offices to corruptly enrich themselves.

In a statement by its Acting President, Kiri Mohammed, Congress urged the National Assembly to review the nation’s judicial system to make it more patriotic and function in the interest of democracy which would be threatened should this type of ridiculous judgment be allowed.

The statement entitled “Pension Thief Must be Retried”, NLC said: “We are startled at the judgment by an Abuja High court yesterday which convicted a man who already admitted stealing N23billion out of over N40billion found to have been stolen from the coffers of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund between January 2008 and June 2011 to just two years in prison with an option of fine in the sum of N750,000.

"That Justice Abubakar Talba could only convict such a high profile thief who has enriched

himself with money reserved for people who have served this country honestly and have retired into abject poverty and penury to a scandalous two years imprisonment with an option of fine in the ridiculous sum of N750, 000, shows clearly that the Nigerian judiciary is being compromised.

"They are obviously encouraging corruption in a country that has lost most of her earnings to a few individuals who have used their public offices to

From Left: Oba Obateru Akinruntan, Olugbo of Ugboland; Adewale Osmo, President, Ikeja Country Club; Chief Idowu Sofola, (SAN), Trustee, Lagos Country Club and King Sunny Ade, at the Annual Party of Ikeja Country Club, in Lagos.

Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Police projects hampered by poor funding —Minister Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt Caleb Olubolade (rtd), has said the police are still faced with the challenge of poor funding, which has hampered some of its projects.

Presenting his 2012 report of his ministry’s progress and challenges, Olubolade also said, “in the face of the current security challenges in the country, the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to confront the development has over the years been constrained by the dwindling financial provisions for the force.”

However, the minister said the operational capacity of the police had been enhanced through training, capacity building, delivery of 1,500 patrol vans and 90 cars, strengthening of the AirWing Section of the force and acquisition of a strategic intelligence platform.

The minister who disclosed that no fewer than 4,000 retired police officers were yet to receive their pension noted that the number could be more, as more files of retired officers were still being processed.

EFCC docks lawmaker over alleged N125.5m cheque scam

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday docked the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Aliyu Gebi, before an Abuja high court at Apo, following allegations that he issued 13

separate dud cheques to the tune of N125.5million to oil company he borrowed money from in 2012.

The anti-graft agency in a 13count charge it preferred against the embattled lawmaker told the court that the accused, knowing he had insufficient fund in his account, issued dud cheques in

favour of the complainant, Musty Petroleum Limited.

It maintained that the offence was contrary to and punishable under section l(b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Specifically, EFCC alleged that the lawmaker issued the com-

65-yr-old, 5 others arraigned for stealing N7m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—A 65-year-old man and five others, have been arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate court, for allegedly stealing the sum of N7million, belonging to Freedom Merchant Market Association.

The defendants are Sylvester Umeaku, 54, Stella Anumaka, 40, Godwin Nwankwo, 52, Emmanuel Ikeahugo, 58, Igwegbe Emmanuel, 65 and Anakwenze Pauline, 54.

When the charge was read

to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge of conspiracy and fraud, before Magistrate O.A. Okunuga.

The defendants were said to have committed the alleged offence on June 14, 2012, at 9/11, Awodi Ora Estate area of Lagos.

The defendants were alleged to have fraudulently converted the said sum, property of Freedom Merchant Market Association, into their own use.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Barth Nwaokaye, “the offence committed is punishable under section 409, 284 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.”

However, Magistrate Okunuga granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties, who must be resident in Lagos and show evidence of tax payment for three years.

Ogunuga adjourned the case to February 27, 2013, for trial.

plainant with post dated cheques from his United Bank For Africa, UBA, personal account and a company account named Craft

Technology Limited with value of dates on 13/01/2012 and 12/ 01/12 respectively.

Special Fraud Unit wants Ifeanyi Uba's N10bn suit dismissed

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS —THE Special Fraud Unit, SFU, of the Nigerian Police, yesterday, asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to dismiss a N10 billion suit by the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, to challenge his detention over alleged oil subsidy scam.

SFU, in a preliminary objection by its counsel, faulted the fundamental rights enforcement suit, describing same as an abuse of court process.

SFU told the court that

police could not be restrained from carrying out its statutory duties as Ubah had sought to do with the case, contending the subject matter of the suit had been litigated upon by another court.

It also argued that Capital Oil had failed to satisfy the condition precedent to enjoying the rights prescribed under the human rights enforcement proceedings.

Ubah and his company are demanding against the Nigerian Police and others, N10 billion for his arrest and detention for 10 days.

10—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30,

CBS to launch 24-hour pan-African News Channel CONTINENTAL Broadcasting Services, CBS, yesterday, said it would launch TVC News, the continent’s first 24-hour pan-African News channel.

The TVC News channel, which would begin transmission in February 2013, according to statement by the company, would look at the world through Africa’s eyes.

The 24-hour pan-African News channel will offer a fresh perspective on African and world events and will deliver to viewers the latest news 24 hours a day, telling the news as it is, with reporting that is as fearless as it is informative, and all with an African twist.

OYES has proved critics wrong — Aregbesola

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — G O V E R N O R Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday, said his administration had proven his critics wrong with the success of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES, established two years ago to reduce youth unemployment in the state.

At the inception of the programme, the main opposition party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had accused the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN led government of recruiting youth in the state to unleash terror on innocent citizens and rig future elections in its favour.

But speaking at the passing out parade of the first batch of the 20,000 cadets at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Ede, Aregbesola said apart from other states of the federation taking interest in the programme, the World Bank had also recommended it to reduce unemployment in the country.

2013

Court jails college provost, bursar over fraud

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN — AN Ibadan High court, yesterday, convicted the Provost of the Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan, Mrs. Ruth Adehwe Aweto and the bursar of the college, Mr. Adekanye Komolafe for defrauding the Federal Government.

They were both sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

According to Justice Mashood Abass, who read the three- hour judgment, the two public officers were guilty of

four of the eight charges leveled against them.

The convicts were charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for misleading the government through the budget proposal submitted by the college for the year 2006.

According to the charges against them, “Ruth A. Aweto, (F) and Adekanye Komolafe (M) between the months of October 2005 and January 2006 or thereabout, at ibadan, being

public officers in the service of Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan did engage in criminal conspiracy to use a document which is defective in material particular; to wit, Budget proposal submitted by the college for the year 2006 to mislead the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

“The aforesaid Budget proposal that 41 casual staff of the said college who were entitled to N3,690,000 as total annual emolument for the year 2006 were permanent staff of the said college and were therefore entitled to full

Mimiko wants Ibadan tribunal to dismiss Oke's petition

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday, asked the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in the state to dismiss the application of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the last governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke, for lack of additional facts and evidences to argue its petition.

Consequently, the tribunal Chairman Justice Andovar Kakaâ, said the tribunal had reserved ruling on this and other 33 applications for February 4, while it extended the ongoing pretrial period for the petitions by 14 days starting from January 25.

At the resumed pre-trial of the petitions filed by three political parties - Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; PDP and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, challenging the governor's victory in the election, Dr. Mimiko said granting the application would contravene the 21 days allowed by the Electoral Act. Other respondents the Labour Party, LP, and

Family petitions CP, accuses lover of killing daughter

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE family of Oyekanmi in Ode Irele area of Ondo State, has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Mshelbwala, over the mysterious death of their 47-year-old daughter, Malomo Oyekanmi.

The petitioners from Irele local Government area of the state, said their daughter was murdered in Okitipupa.

According to the petition by Oyekanmi Olawale on behalf of the family, they accused the police authority in Okitipupa division of delaying investigation into the murder of their daughter.

The Oyekanmis alleged that Malomo was killed in controversial circumstances by her lover, Stephen Edolor last week.

Olawale said the deceased and Edolor had been living together as live-in lovers.

According to him: “The death of Malomo was reported to the police by a Good Samaritan and the police took custody of the suspect, Stephen Edolor since 23rd January, 2013.The case is yet to be referred to Akure, Ondo State Police Headquarters, Homicide Department for thorough investigations.”

the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, argued through their counsels that the PDP candidate was trying to amend its petition after the stipulated 21 days granted by the electoral law.

The counsel to the PDP, Dr. Kayode Olatoke, in a motion brought before the tribunal, prayed the court to grant the party leave to produce additional facts and evidences to argue its petition.

Olatoke said granting the application, the respondents would not be prejudiced in any manner. But the respondents unanimously opposed the application.

benefits and Emoluments as payable staff totaling N7,041,861.15 for the year 2 0 0 6 . ’ ’ They were sentenced to one year imprisonment for each of the counts, and the sentence is to run concurrently.

The judge stated that the prosecution counsel had proved the case beyond reasonable doubts that the accused being the principal officers of the college, betrayed the trusts reposed in them by the Federal government and used their positions to mismanage the money entrusted to them for smooth running of the College.

The court held that there were enough proofs that the college employed 41 casual workers with the monthly salary of N7,5000 which amounted to N3,690,000 as the total emolument for year 2006.

But the convicted persons jerked up the salary to read N7, 041,861.15k.

He noted that the accused persons said it before the court that they agreed to present and submit budget proposal of N7,041,861.15k of the college on the 41 casual workers for the year 2006.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 30, 2013—11

MEND disowns threat to crumble Nigeria

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—MOVE MENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has disowned the threat, last week, purportedly by the group, to tear the country apart over the conviction of Henry Okah for terrorism acts in South Africa.

One Mr. Azizi had in a statement, last week, supposedly on behalf of MEND, said the group would collapse the country over Henry Okah’s conviction.

However, MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, in a statement, yesterday, denied the threat and said: “We wish to advise Nigerians and the media to disregard the pathetic attempt at propaganda by a so-called Azizi and his statements, which are not authentic and statements emanating from MEND. “As claimed by this Azizi, MEND would like to clarify that Henry Okah is not and has never been viewed as the leader or founder of MEND, but rather known as a sympathiser and supporter of

INC slams Orubebe over E-West Road

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—SECRETARY – GENERAL of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Chief Robinson Esite, has said that the Minster of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has not performed.

He also called on the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works to take over the construction of the East-West Road from the Niger Delta Ministry, which he said had been abandoned for over 20 years, with a view to completing it as soon as possible.

Esite, who spoke to Vanguard in Benin, Edo State, yesterday, said: “I must be categorical, whether Orubebe is from the Niger Delta region or not, Orubebe has not performed to the expectation of the Niger Delta people. We are not bothered about the internal problem he may be having, all we are concerned about is his performance.

“If there are reasons why he cannot perform, let him tell the Niger Delta people.

He should hold a stakeholders meeting with the people and tell them why he cannot perform. People are not aware of why he cannot perform; all we know is that he is not performing.”

our cause “Our fighters are freedom fighters, who are fighting for justice, the emancipation of the Niger Delta region and control of our God- given resources and not assassins, as stated by this so-called

Azizi.

“Our struggle is not and had never been about the disintegration of Nigeria or a North and South fight as stated by this so-called Azizi. With regards to the trial, judgment and sentencing of Henry Okah and

other Niger Delta indigenes, we will issue a full formal statement in due course stating our views and plans for the future., “MEND will once again strongly urge Nigerians and the media to disregard any statement from this person.”

Ijaw group wants communities to manage derivation fund

BY DAPO AKINREFON

A

A TIME WITH JESUS: Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife, Roli, during "A Time With Jesus" programme in Asaba, yesterday.

We 're not against Jonathan — Govs

BY HENRY UMORU

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B U J A — T H E 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday dismissed allegations by Elder Statesman and prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark that they had formed an opposition to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government.

According to the governors, they were not fighting the President0, just as they stressed that as an elder, they were not prepared to join issues with the former Federal Commissioner for Information.

Addressing journalists at the end of their meeting, held at the Rivers State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro Abuja, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, however, tongue lashed the Federal Government over its attitude towards the management of Excess Crude Account, ECA. This came just as the governors vowed not to further accept adjournments of the case pending at the Supreme Court.

Asked to react to Chief Clark’s allegation of forming an opposition to the Federal Government and whether they were fighting President

Jonathan, Amaechi said: “No. Chief Edwin Clark is an elder statesman, we are not going to respond to him.”

Clark last Thursday alleged that the governors had become more dictatorial than former military governors and using the forum as an opposition Party to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government. There have been several moves by the Federal Government to have an out of Court resolution of the excess crude account crisis with the governors, but all moves have been futile because against the governors had repeatedly described the action of the Federal Government on the account as illegal.

Vote of Confidence on Amaechi At the end of the meeting which was the first this year, the governors also “declared their confidence in the Chairman and endorsed his leadership as head of the Forum.”

Amaechi said: “Forum decries the present attitude of the Federal Government on Excess Crude Account and resolves to take no further adjournments in the subsisting case in court but to seek a final resolution of the matter from the Supreme Court.

“Forum agreed to hold a twoday retreat to deliberate on the current state of security of the

country.

“On the rising incidents of Polio in the country, Forum unanimously agreed to lead the efforts to eradicate polio by instituting the following: “A monthly campaign to be headed by Governors in all 36 states of the federation to promote healthy environmental habits; “Governors from non-polio states will support their counterparts in affected states by joining them in their states during upcoming national polio campaign; “To meet with Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication in order to identify current funding gaps and challenges against polio eradication in Nigeria.

“The Forum remains resolute in the development of our different states for the benefit of the nation and our citizens.”

On when the security summit will be held, he said, “the committee is working on it. When the committee brings in their report we will fix a date.”

On the health situation of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and as one of the governors who visited him, Amaechi said: “I talked with him, put him on the phone to an editor of Vanguard who is my friend. It was real.”

At the meeting were governors of Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Anambra, Bauchi and Adamawa.

Others were deputy governors of Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, Kwara, Jigawa, Niger and Benue.

NIGER Delta group, under the aegis of Izon Ikemi, has said that there was need for oil producing communities to directly manage their derivation funds from the Federation Account.

It also reiterated its support for President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration, just as it called for urgent attention to be given to the peoples’ desire for a better management of regional and national affairs.

The communiqué by Chief Tom Ateke, Mr Tony Uranta, Chairman, among others, said: “The oil and gas producing communities bear the brunt of oil exploration activities and are not properly taken care of with the funds by their state governments.”

Delta LG secretaries drum support for Uduaghan

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—SECRETARIES of the 25 local government areas in Delta State, under the aegis of Forum of Local Government Secretaries, have asked the people of the state to continue to support the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in its resolve to fast track the development of the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a meeting of the forum, its chairman, Chief Isaac Atikueke, said: “We thank Governor Uduaghan for giving us the opportunity to serve our people.

“We urge Deltans to give the governor the needed support to fast track the developmental needs of the people.”

He stressed the readiness of the secretaries to work in harmony with their council chairmen to take the councils in the state to greater height.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

LG polls: Crisis rocks Edo ACN over alleged imposition of candidates

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—CRISIS is brewing in Edo State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, following accusation of imposition of candidates by senior party officials ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Deacon Domingo Obende, has been accused of attempting to impose an aspirant on the party in the forthcoming council polls and may have incurred the wrath of the leadership of his party, ACN, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

Vanguard learnt that Senator Domingo, who was accused of attempting to impose one Akin Agbaje on the party, was allegedly meddling in an issue

that was not within his jurisdiction, since the internal zoning of the chairmanship slot was said not to be in favour of his Akoko Edo South Constituency.

However, Senator Obende, has denied imposing any chairmanship candidate on the party, insisting that he was only interested on who becomes the chairman of Akoko-Edo council as a concerned citizen of the area.

Meantime, yesterday, party stakeholders, including some chairmanship aspirants, accused the Political Adviser to the governor, Mr. Charles Idahosa, of trying to impose one Mr. Roland Alari, as the chairmanship candidate of the party for Uhunmwonde Local Government Area without passing through due process. Idahosa, however, denied the allegation.

The imposition of candidates, Vanguard learnt, is prevalent in Edo North

and Edo South Senatorial Districts.

In Edo North senatorial district, party officials alleged plans by some top government officials to impose some candidates who did not pass through due process as chairmanship candidates.

The aggrieved party members are alleging that some of the party leaders had betrayed the mantra of ‘one man one vote’ upon which the party won popular acclaim in the state.

Party leaders from Uhunmwonde, in a communiqué read by Chief Sam Iredia, alleged that the governor ’s aide organised an illegal congress last Monday at his residence, when the state leadership of the party was yet to screen the aspirants, scheduled for February 2 and 3, 2013.

But reacting, Idahosa said the primaries conducted at his residence were on the instruction of the state party caucus.

NASS to FG: Revoke Dana's licence, sack NCAA boss, Demuren

BY HENRY UMORU &

JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—THE Na tional Assembly, yesterday, asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, revoke the current Air Operating Certificate, AOC, of Dana Airline on the grounds that its issuance failed to meet the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations of 2009.

The revocation order by the Senate is coming on the heels of commencement of operations, January 4, 20213, by Dana Airline, seven months after the revocation of its licence.

The National Assembly also called on the Federal Government to sack the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Mr. Harold Demuren, alongside Engineer Suleiman Akwuh, who carried out pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana aircraft, for professional negligence.

These were some of the recommendations adopt-

ed by the Senate, yesterday, following discussions on the report by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Aviation on the Crash of Dana and Allied Aircraft last year, following the crash of Dana Aircraft in Egbeda, Lagos, on June 3, 2012.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma (PDP, Imo West), also recommended that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, must go after the Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, to recover the N35.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund, which he was said to have diverted into estate development.

The fund was extended to Air Nigeria, guaranteed and disbursed by United Bank for Africa but was allegedly diverted to other uses.

Out of the 16 recommendations by the Committee, the Senate adopted 14, among them, that the staff strength of NCAA be totally over-

hauled with a view to injecting technically and professionally qualified personnel to enhance its regulatory role in accordance with the international best practices and to enable them respond promptly and adequately to air accidents in the country.

The Senate also agreed that the management and operations of NCAA remain autonomous and all aircraft investigation reports be made public, adding that NCAA should compel all airlines involved in accidents to settle all outstanding insurance obligations and ensure that current operating AOCs have reliable insurance cover in line with the Civil Aviation Regulations.

According to the Senate, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, as well as Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, must be properly equipped with well trained staff and equipment to enable them carry out their responsibilities.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 13

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14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

CAN passes confidence vote on Oritsejafor

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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B UJA—CHRIS TIAN Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, passed vote of confidence on Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor led administration, saying it is well satisfied with the way he handled its affairs.

The christian national Body had in the recent time been rocked with internal crisis, climaxed with the withdrawal of membership by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, on the allegation that CAN was being too close to the government.

Arising from its emergency meeting in Abuja, the President-in-Council said it had set in motion the process of resolving its issues internally.

In a statement, CAN Vice President, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh said: “Some of the recent issues in CAN were discussed and it was resolved as follows: that CAN is a family. As a family, it has its own internal mechanism for resolving its issues. CAN has therefore set in motion the process for resolving these issues.”

Presidency: Nobody can stop Jonathan from re-contesting in 2015 —Clark E

BY TONYEDIKE

NUGU—IJAW Na tional Leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, yesterday, declared that nobody could stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking a second term in office, saying only the Nigerian electorate could decide his fate in 2015.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the opening of the Southern Leaders Conference in Enugu, Chief Clark said it would be wrong for the South to return power to the North in 2015 when the incumbent president had all the rights to re-contest.

He said since the North had ruled the nation for 38 years and the South had done only 13 years, there was need for the purpose of equity, justice and fairplay, for power to still remain in the South His words: “The Constitution provided for two terms. In 1979, Shehu Shagari from the North was president until 1983 when he got his second term but Buhari for reasons best known to them, they thought that at the end of his second ruling he will hand over to Ekwueme or to Akinloye.

They then staged a coup and drove him (Shagari) away and imprisoned all the politicians. Who took over? Another Northerner.

“Then Ibrahim Babangida said we have had enough. He took over from Muhammadu Buhari.

Babangida handed over to Ernest Shonekan, he didn’t even rule for only three months and Sanni Abacha overthrew Shonekan.

Even when MKO Abiola was elected in 1993 he was not allowed to rule even one day. MKO Abiola was driven away and killed - one of the wealthiest men in Africa. Abdulsalami Abubakar

also ruled after Abacha died.

“Then Obasanjo came and ruled for eight years and Umaru Yar’Adua was also going to rule for eight years. Why would Jonathan not be allowed to rule for eight years?

“Well, that is not what we have come here to discuss but quote me, the Constitution of Nigeria says a president will contest election for two terms and remain in office for eight years,

four years each. Jonathan came in as president because his master (Yar’Adua) died. And somebody has to feel that position and you don’t count that period as if he has contested election.

Swearing-in has nothing to do with that provision of the election. Jonathan has every right to re-contest in 2015 to complete his eight years. Nobody can stop him.”

Also speaking at the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly

MEETING: From left: Chief Edwin Clark, Dr. Alex Ekweme, former Vice President, and Bishop Emmanuel Gbonigi, at the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly meeting in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: Hill Ezeugwu.

Chime handed over to me —Onyebuchi

E

BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—THE Acting Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, has denied reports that his expenditure limit has been fixed at N500.000 in the absence of Governor Sullivan Chime.

Onyebuchi was speaking at an interactive session at the end of a tour of projects in the state by the national good governance team.

Describing the report as untrue, the Acting governor said he would not have been able to pay the salaries of workers and contractors if his spending limit

was pegged at N500,000.

He also affirmed that Governor Chime duly transferred power to him before he travelled via a letter he transmitted to the House of Assembly.

He added that he had since been running the state without hitches and with the full cooperation of government officials and ministries.

CBN probes banks for N53bn European Investment Bank loans Stanbic IBTC and GuarBY BABAJIDE KOMO-

LAFE AGOS—THE Cen tral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has commenced investigation of banks for the utilisation of over N53 billion loans from European Investment Bank,

L

EIB, The EIB is Europe’s long-term lending institution. It is owned by the 27 member countries of the European Union. Recently, the bank lent N53 billion to four Nigerian banks namely FirstBank, UBA,

‘Why FG is unexcited about Boko Haram cease fire’

BY SONI DANIEL,

REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH BUJA—POSSIBLE reasons the Federal Government did not jump at the ceasefire offered by a faction of the Boko

A

Answering questions on the achievements of the administration, Onyebuchi disclosed that 435 of the 472 communities in the state had been electrified.

Haram sect on Monday, emerged last night, with suggestions that the government did not want to be taken for a ride by individuals and groups.

Findings by Vanguard indicated that the government was careful not to rush into opening its arms to one faction of the sect only to be confronted afterwards by another group.

Besides, the government, it was learnt, felt be-

trayed by many individuals and groups who posed as Boko Haram leaders and peace mediators, only to turn round and blackmail the administration.

A top source who, spoke with our correspondent insisted that while the government was desirous of an end to the insurgency in the county, it would, however, not rush into embracing unknown individuals and groups all in the name of achieving peace.

anty Trust Bank.

In a circular posted on its website yesterday, the CBN said that banks should submit returns on the EIB loans from 2008 to 2012..

The circular titled Re: European Investment Bank’s, EIB, investments in Nigerian banks for period January 2008 to December 2012,” and signed

by N.T Ngba for the Director, Trade and Exchange, stated, “You are hereby requested to submit returns on the above subject, to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The report which should be in the attached Excel format, should reach the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Abuja, not later than 12.00noon on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. You are required to make NIL return where appropriate.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 15

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16—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Kwara govt, Vanguard Newspaper, hold agro summit in Ilorin today

Reps to probe sale of oil block to British coy

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMA OVUAKPORIE

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution to probe the sale of an oil block to a foreign oil exploration company.

The Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal mandated the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to carry out a comprehensive investigation on the sale of Oil Mining Licence, OML 30 to the company.

The resolution was passed based on a motion brought by Yusuf Tajudeen, (PDP, Kabba Bunu/Ijumu) under matters of urgent national importance. The motion was seconded by Sunday Adepoju, (ACN Oyo).

According to Yusuf: ”Sometime in November 2012, OML 30 located in the Western Niger Delta area was sold to Heritage , a company managed by a British National. “ He noted that “the sale of OML 30 did not factor in the right of Nigerians to know how their commonwealth is managed. “ Said he:”The sale of OML 30 to Heritage Oil, a company, whose Chief Executive’s antecedent is allegedly unsavoury is highy disturbing.

“The past activities of the British owner of Heritage Oil led to prolonged militia operations and political instability in Angola and Equatorial Guinea".

I

LORIN—ILORIN, the Kwara State capital will host the international community today in its stride to make agriculture a serious business in Nigeria.

The programme being put together by Vanguard Newspaper Ltd, Courtly Communications Ltd and Kwara State Government, is billed to focus on the challenges and ways of financing mechanised farming in the country. Head of Central Bank of Nigeria Project Implementation Office, Mr. Jude Uzonwanne, will represent the apex bank in explaining to Nigerian farmers and stakeholders the best ways to finance agriculture in the country.

The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, will chair the event, with Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as Special Guest of Honour while Mr. Bode Olayemi, state commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, will host the occasion.

According to Dr. Olufemi Akorede, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, one of the main policy strategies of the current administration in the state is what it describes as ‘Impactive agriculture.’ Although the previous administration in the state was credited such as the promotion of commercial agriculture through the New Nigerian Farmers Initiative, the current emphasis reflects a determination to sustain the previous administration’s policies in the sector as well as chart new territory.

In 2004, the state pioneered the first structured commercial agriculture venture called the New Nigerian Farmers Project involving 13 displaced Zimbabwean farmers. The project was

Kwara State Governor, AbdulFatah Ahmed

designed to leverage on their expertise, the vast natural resources and the state’s position as an agrarian state to stimulate food sufficiency, jobs for the youths and promote state-wide adoption of successful commercial agriculture.

Also, the government recently partnered Cornell University, New York to develop the first ever Kwara State Agricultural Modernization Master Plan, KAMP, a pioneering effort by a sub-national anywhere in the world. KAMP is a five year plan for generating agro -led prosperity, wealth creation, job opportunities and food security through partnership among farmers, the private sector, multi-lateral organizations and government. Within five

years, as envisaged by KAMP, Kwara State is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and economic transformation through structured agro-reform.

Presently, 25 private investors have entered into partnership with Kwara State Government under the PPP programme, some of which are local and international investors from USA, Spain, India among others. Last year, the state government entered into an agreement with Valsolar S.L of Spain for a 280 million Euro Joint Venture for the cultivation, processing and packaging of rice in the state. The government also signed a $100 million MoU with a US investor for the establishment of a cassava processing plant. On cassa-

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

va, Ireti Farms of Shonga Farms Holdings has signed a deal with Austravia of Hong Kong for the supply of 500, 000 tons of cassava chips per year.

Kwara State is also leading the way in the implementation of the Agricultural Value Chain designed to institutionalise planned agriculture to offer investors the opportunity to maximise yield along the chain and also economically empower our farmers. Driven by this vision, Kwara State is establishing Agriculture Malls as one-stop shop for agro-finance, farm inputs, equipment and extension services based on the value chain concept.

In recognition of the state’s strides in Agriculture, the Federal Government, last year, voted Kwara State as ‘The Most Agriculturally Developed’ in the country.

Asked why holding the summit in Kwara State, Pius Odiaka, who initiated the project, said that, Kwara State Government “is most sincere in its programme in agriculture,” adding that “if the emerging infrastructure for agriculture in Kwara State and the state government’s sincere purpose in creating schemes and incentives for commercial farming spread nationwide, many young Nigerians will go into farming, which will not only ensure food security in the country, but will also enhance obvious growth in the economy.”

Today’s summit will start at 9am, while Governor Ahmed is expected to inspect samples of farm produce, on exhibition, shortly before noon.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY: WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

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am in support of Lo cal Government having autonomy because with that development will get to the grassroot.

This does not rule out that there will still be embezzlement, but atleast tax payers in those areas will see what their money is used for.

Mr. Oladipupo Bada— Administrator.

C M Y

T

HE problem should not be whether Local Governments should have autonomy. It is more of “who checks how money is being spent”. If money appropriated for Federal States and Local Government is used appropriately, then why would anyone bother on autonomy? Miss Constance Nduba—Student.

T

HE Local Govern ment should have its own account, which will help in providing social amenities to the people.

I believe there are minor problems in communities that the presence of a working Local Government can solve, if the fund is there. Mrs. Titilope Dada—Student.

I

really support that Lo cal Governments should have autonomy, but I do not believe they will be able to achieve so much without the States and Federal Government. May be, with money in their (Local Government) hands, things will be better at the grassroots.

Miss Yinusa Abiodun— Caterer.

C

REATION of Local Government was basically to get government closer to the people, especially at the grassroots. But today in Nigeria, many people at the grassroots are yet to feel government; so let there be autonomy in the Local Government. Miss Kemi Magnus—Student.

W

HY won’t I support Local Governments in having autonomy? In my Local Government (Idimu), for over two years now roads have been bad, due to the Local Government’s impecuniousness.

Let the States, Federal Government and LGAs run separate accounts. Miss Maryam Ade-Akanni— Computer Trainee.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 17 “The right to be heard does not include the right to be taken seriously”- Hubert Humphrey

D

Governors will point to the flaw in our political system which places so much premium on public offices as sources of accumulation of personal wealth and

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O State governors deserve the approbium directed at them from all informed sections of the polity?

What does it feel like to be a governor and exercise the type of powers that make you at once a major source of power and patronage, and an albatross around the neck of our democracy?

How did we end up creating such monstrosities, and what can the nation do about these 36 Nigerians who Chief E.K. Clark said recently represent a virtual opposition to the president, the PDP and the Nigerian people? Are the awesome powers of governors constitutional accidents, or products of a democratic process that does everything else except promote democratic values and practices?

There is a real danger that our governors could develop thicker skins from unceasing criticisms, and become even less responsive to criticisms.

Their perceptions of being surrounded by opponents, enemies, a media that takes and fails to sing praises, and outright blackmailers will be compounded by the near-universal consensus that they represent everything negative about our democratic process. They are fighting a President who would love to whittle down their powers; party members who resent their frightening choke on party matters; federal legislators who come to power through their largess and patronage and then get so intoxicated by the rarified air of Abuja that they wear the toga of opposition, and public opinion which portrays them as little more than guzzlers of public assets.

People who are hounded by hostile perceptions and bombarded with every criticism are the wrong people to trust with this much power. They could, as many do, retreat with all the powers they have, and run states virtually as personal estates. Shielded from prosecution by immunity clauses, with state legislators secure in their pockets, local governments as extensions of their assets, media that can be ignored, voters and a public that are relevant only around elections, with vast resources to buy clergy, community and opinion leaders and even political opposition, governors have all the potential to develop into frightful monsters. Very few of them are not at that stage already. In power they are untouchable. Out of it they defy the laws of the land with stupendous riches.

It is important to seek an understanding over whether the situation regarding the central position of our governors is inevitable, avoidable, or necessary. Those who will make the case that it is inevitable that governors will have so much power

So it appears that you cannot do anything of value to the polity or economy with our governors; and you cannot do anything legally without them; how did the fate of our federal system come to depend on just 36 citizens?

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dispensing of patronage. They will point to the weaknesses in our constitution which hands over the third tier of government, lock, stock and barrel to the second tier, the states.

They will point to an untidy allocation of responsibilities and resources between federating units that gives too much underserved responsibility and resources to the centre, and too much power to states without providing for effective institutional mechanisms to check them. They will point to the pervasive dominance of the PDP since 1999, and its tendency to acquire power at all cost, and run administrations which are successively worse than those that preceded them.

They will point to the pivotal role of state governments in funding all parties, employing the same predatory tactics. Finally, they will point to the virtual control of governors over the amendment processes, including possible amendments that will reduce impunity and corruption.

Those who will see the status quo as avoidable will point at the military mindset which informed the constitutional provisions for an extremely powerful president and

governors at state levels. They will make reference to the emergence of President Obasanjo as an extraordinarily powerful figure, and his influence on the manner state governors read their roles. They will draw attention to the missed opportunities during considerations for constitutional amendments to free local government councils and state assemblies and judiciary from the control of state governors, and improve the electoral process, particularly intraparty democracy.

Unfair allocation of powers

T

hose who will argue that the awesome powers of governors are necessary will draw attention to the unfair allocation of powers and resources in the federal system which gives the federal government much more than it deserves or needs, and will then justify the existence of power in the office of state governors to make the best use of the resources the state has. They will argue that governors need powers which will otherwise be wasted or abused by a state legislature and local governments, so that important decisions and control of institutions responsible for policy formulation and implementation are not subverted. They will say it is easier to hold one office accountable; it is

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi, governors forum.

chair,

safer to trust resources in governors than to have chairmen of local councils controlling billions; and that you need power to handle security, provide rallying points for plural communities,

OPINION

and engineer social cohesion.

There could be, altogether, a different argument that can be made.

Some people will say there is very little wrong with our constitution. What is wrong is the quality of people who operate it. They will have a lot of sympathy. The instances where state governors operate with scant respect for popular opinion or the laws of the land are many. Three or four governors have been away for months from their states, and have not taken the constitutional steps to regularise their absence. There is a state where the governor ’s policy on all issues is labelled with his name; and all development projects and schools must have his name painted on rooftops. Another is being accused of spending three billion at the wedding of his daughters. Another is accused of importing a snake as a pet at the cost of millions. One has plunged his party into a serious crisis over the control of state party executives.

Another is embroiled in a quarrel with a powerful Minister over President Jonathan’s record. Another is being accused of foisting a state religion.

Northern governors are being collectively blasted by Nuhu Ribadu for frittering N8.3 trillion allocated to the region since 1999. Governors in the South-south are being accused of even worse abuse of the peoples’ resources.

Four or five northern governors will now abandon state affairs (but not the money) effectively to pursue presidential ambitions. People in the north hold their governors collectively responsible for the state of the north today. You can go on and on.

Not much is likely to come out of the current attempt at constitutional amendments. Governors oppose some of the key issues at stake such as L.G or state legislature autonomy, and are divided over others, such as state creation or state police, or sharing of resources. This means, effectively, that much of the status quo will remain.

This includes all matters related to the powers and responsibilities of governors. In fact, the basic structure of the federal system is unlikely to be affected at all.

This leaves Nigerians with the only option of electing better quality of leaders into offices. Improving the quality of the electoral process will be a vital step in this direction, but even this is contingent on the disposition of governors. So it appears that you cannot do anything of value to the polity or economy with our governors; and you cannot do anything legally without them. How did the fate of our federal system come to depend on just 36 citizens?

ANAMBRA 2014: Angst of the Nay Sayers

BY VICTOR OGENE

R

EADING through the back-page column of ThisDay, Monday, January 21, 2013 by Nigeria’s former Chief Economic Adviser, governor of the Central bank and left me with an admix of fun and introspection. It was vintage Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo: lucid, engaging, but in the end, profoundly entertaining.

In the piece which, to all intents and purposes, is intended to announce his return bid for the government stool of his home state, Anambra, Soludo regaled everyone with the rather incongruous story of how the late President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua ‘begged’ him, in 2009, to consider doing Anambrarians the odd favour of using him, Soludo, “to make Anambra a model state”.

Such incredulity! Since the dead don’t talk, Soludo

heightened his esoteric tale by taking his readers on a marabout’s excursion of how, in his words, Yar ’Adua had promised: “If you accept to do this, I will come out fully to make sure that you get there”.

So much for merit and respect for the triumph of the peoples’ will in a democracy.

In fact, the story of previous Anambra governors, since 1999, and the merit quotient in the calculations that foisted them onto the stool, is better left for a more auspicious time.

For now, it would suffice to lend my squeaky voice to the on-going debate, concerning a power shift to the North senatorial zone of the state, especially against the back-drop of a melange of lies, deceit, revisionism and standing truth on the head, by gladiators whose only armour in the quest to become governor is anchored on a fable of inexhaustible wealth; again a story for another day.

For those not familiar with the issue at stake, here’s a summary: In the run-up to the 2010 gubernatorial contest in the state, all the leading candidates: Governor Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chris Nwabueze Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Soludo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Andy Uba of Labour Party (LD), and Nicholas Ukachukwu of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), made promises (some, I am told, documented) to the effect that come the next round of gubernatorial poll, in 2014, they would support an indigene of Anambra North senatorial zone to become governor.

As it were, the afore-mentioned governorship candidates all hail from Anambra Central and South senatorial zones.

Continues on Viewpoints Page

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 THE public’s outrage at the two-year sentence for Mr. John Yusuf, a director in the Police Pension Office, who pleaded guilty to stealing N23 billion out of the N40 billion stolen from the Police Pension Fund, is understandable.

It is possibly heightened by the fact that Justice Abubakar Talba of a Federal Capital Territory High Court gave Yusuf an option of N750, 000 fine which he reportedly paid before being driven home – to freedom.

Six days before the Abuja judgement, an Abeokuta Magistrate Court sentenced 49year-old, Mustapha Adesina, to two years imprisonment for stealing vegetables worth N5, 000. Adesina had an option of N10, 000 fine. It is the same law, in different cities that took the two to jail.

While blames are raining on Justice Talba, the major problem is with our laws which encourage corruption. Yusuf was also ordered to forfeit about N325m cash and 13 houses. He was jailed under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws

Time To Fight Corruption

of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, the Ogun State version gaoled Adesina.

The law says Adesina who stole vegetables worth N5,000 should suffer the same sentence (or about the same) with a man, whose N23 billion is the equivalent of the eight month’s monthly revenue allocation to States like Yobe and Ebonyi.

“The court has a duty to do justice for not just the convict, but for the society al large.

Today Nigeria is bedevilled with the cankerworm of white-collar crime which has subjected the citizens to abject poverty.

It is not in doubt that the standard of living of an average Nigerian is declining day by day,” Justice Talba said before letting

the man off so easily.

Nigerians would get angrier reading those words. Equally disturbing is the surprise of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that worked on a plea bargain with Yusuf when the suspect changed his plea from “guilty” to “not guilty”, yet the judge was able to pass his judgement on the same day, on a case he rated “white collar crime which has subjected the citizens to abject poverty”.

The judgement did not reflect those words. The stolen money is the pension of thousands of police men and women, who on retirement walk through mazes trying to get their pension. The misfortune the maladministration of the pension fund has visited on many families did not ring through the judgement.

Corruption, in its worst forms like the appropriation of others’ future, would thrive for as long as the thieves know that all they have to do is steal enough to keep the law at bay. Appropriate laws to fight corruption are long overdue.

OPINION

BY JESUTEGA ONOKPASA

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RETO Road is a street in Sapele, famed timber capital of Nigeria. It is probably the safest neighborhood in the town and got its name from one Ireto, now late, the founder of Ireto Hotel now called Richards Continental Hotel, still one of the best hotels in Sapele. Ireto Road is a monument to underdevelopment, is flooded in the rainy season, a dust strip in the Harmattan, and perennially a road to hell for pedestrians and drivers alike. The Sapele Local Government Area Council never bothers to even grade the road and for the residents of the neighborhood, to live there must be to feel victimized, isolated and roundly alienated from the rest of the world. In that regard they are hardly differentiated from a lot of other Nigerians, except for the circumstances responsible for the pathetic state of their road.

They uniformly and unequivocally blame Chief Monday Igbuya, the member representing Sapele Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly for the pathetic state of the road. They claim the money meant for its construction was converted, diverting same for the purpose of constructing two well tarred roads, one leading to his house and the other to his hotel! The supporters of Igbuya flatly deny this, forcefully maintaining that Igbuya was not paid a dime for the road, and alleging C M Y K

Ireto

road

rather that one Mike Diden is to blame, having sent one ‘Bando’ – recently convicted of murder – to chase away workers constructing the road, for the purpose of taking over the contract for himself. From their perspective, if anyone owes the residents of Ireto Road an explanation as to how the construction of the road became an abandoned project, it is one ‘Ejele’.

Igbuya used to be Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on the DELTA State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, in which capacity he failed to have the road constructed. He is now the Assembly’s Majority Leader and nothing has changed.

Diden, on his part, apart from being a pastor, is of all things, a serving commissioner on the present DESOPADEC board, in which capacity he has indicated not the slightest interest in having the road fixed! It may be safely concluded that both men have failed woefully in their respective positions to improve the lot of the hapless residents of the street by allowing Ireto road to remain in the this state of disrepair.

It would appear that Igbuya feels that if he didn’t get the contract why should he bother whether or not it is executed? As for

Diden, he might as well not give a toss what becomes of the project. He is not even from Sapele Local Government Area and is just another resident of the town. He hails from Warri North Local Government Area and in fact once chaired its council.

How he made the transition from a mere resident to the sort of stakeholder who wields such 'enormous power' preventing others from executing their contracts and not been in a position to do same effective rattles the imagination of many Sapele residents.

Inspite of Diden’s conduct for which he can be forgiven, how does this compare with Igbuya’s in this Ireto road affair?

Igbuya is a legislator, not a contractor and folding his arms while the project went into freefall simply because Diden cornered it for himself is most appalling. Pointing the finger at Diden is entirely beside the point.

The fellow is just another politician who happens to reside in Sapele. Igbuya, on the other hand, is not only an indigene but a member of the House of Assembly, and in fact used to chair Sapele Local Government Council! Who prevented the project from being executed is not the concern of the residents of Ireto Road. They want their road constructed and justifiably blame Igbuya for its abandonment because

he is their representative. If Igbuya cannot appreciate this, then it is unfortunate because it means he lacks the democratic maturity required of a leader.

Unfortunately, the residents of Ireto Road ultimately blame Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for their plight, given that at the end of the day, the buck stops at his table. Their street not only lacks the status of a decent road but is plagued by low voltage electricity and hardly any government presence whatsoever. They wonder why they are not beneficiaries of the governor’s developmental strides across the state and why they must remain constrained to their pathetic excuse for a street. Sadly, these two men, Igbuya and Diden, who may be said to have in several ways benefitted much form the governor, both being members of his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, are now at the center of a sordid affair that can only bring him embarrassment in the eyes of his constituents. The Governor should visit Ireto Road and see what the Deltans who live there have to face up to on a daily basis.

He should insist on seeing the road in its stark grotesque reality to feel the pain of those who have to contend with it every single day. They look to him for succour and intervention and he must not let them wait in vain.

*Mr. Onokpaasa, a social critic, wrote from Sapele, Delta State.

—19 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—

, What’s the meaning of Jonathan’s visit to Ikeja Police College?

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'M still at a loss understanding the purpose of President Jonathan’s visit to the Police Training College in Ikeja given the very confused and confusing comments coming from him and the presidency. With each passing day and event, the president gives one the strong impression that he is unprepared for the office he occupies.

The mental and intellectual demands of this office are increasingly beyond the president. Indeed, the very nature of the political system Nigeria operates, by which I mean the presidential system, makes a greatly disproportionate number of our politicians and public officials totally unprepared for the task they are entrusted with.

More of this shortly- first to the Channels Television expose on the rot in the police college.

Just days before the presidential visit, I had seen a promotional report of the utter rot and physical dilapidation that has taken over the Ikeja Police Training College, Nigeria’s premier training school for police recruits. It was shocking and but for the fact that cameras captured scenes that many, no doubt, quite recognised it

would have been difficult to believe the recorded images of the college in that report. The interior of the college revealed our police officers were actually being trained and made to live in environments unfit for human habitation. Literally, the footage before the eye was that of a pigsty- wretched and dingy as it could ever possibly be.

Even though I was shocked anew by the pictures, they were no different from what I saw a couple of years ago when I walked through the College and the police barracks located there.

It was during the funeral events for Chief Gani Fawehinmi. At some point either before or after the funerary ceremonies, I took a look around and went as far as the barracks for junior officers. The entire environment looked utterly rundown, dirty and unhygienic.

For the son of a police officer who was raised in one such place I couldn’t believe what I saw. The buildings looked tiny and ugly with faded walls, broken sewers and drainages.

No one looking at the Ikeja Police College from outside would believe the rot inside. It is the veritable biblical whitened sepulchre that is full

Indeed heads should roll and the decapitation should begin from Abuja starting from the presidency, down to the Ministry for Police Affairs

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of rot and dead bones. The fact of its location in the heart of the country ’s number one city makes its bad fortune truly scandalous and lamentable. A hint of the rot inside can be had from looking across the walls outside.

But everybody pretends not to see it or that it simply doesn’t exist only to complain loudly when we are confronted by police officers and other uniformed security personnel, obviously products of training schools like this, who end up killing citizens for mere N20 bribe or leaving their duty posts to rape hapless innocent women labelled prostitutes as soldiers of the Brigade of Guards, people with responsibility for the protection of the president, did this past December in Abuja.

Nigerians couldn’t have forgotten a similar scandal broke in the early 1990s when Abacha presided as the Chief of Army staff and the army barracks in Ojo area of Lagos was in a state of total ruin. The thieving that characterised the Abacha years had obviously begun well before he became head of state but as usual we were too unconcerned to see.

But now that Channels has, hopefully, shocked the conscience of those who still have in them anything that goes by that name among our politicians- now the television station has brought the wreck that is our foremost police training school, a picture of what goes on in the other training schools, to the notice of Abuja and the rest of Nigeria what is baffling for me is the reaction of the presidency and President Jonathan himself. Some have praised the president for what they call his prompt response to the footage of the Police College. But I’m yet to understand the basis of such praise or in fact of the president’s visit. And this is precisely because of the comments the president made during his visit and news reports of his reaction since then.

Remember he was on his way to Cote D’Voire when he stopped over at the college? He was reported as wondering how people could be made to live like ‘poultry chicken’ which would suggest his discomfiture at what he saw. Thereafter, he asked those around including the Commandant of the college, Irimiya Yerima, to know how Channels gained entry into the college to record the transmitted footage of the college which the president himself claimed was the reason for his visit. Apparently nobody could explain how but the president went on to say the entire report was an attempt to embarrass his administration, wondering if the Ikeja police college was the only one in the country.

In one breath the president sounded outraged by the condition of the college; in the next breath he saw mischief

Anambra 2014: Angst of the Nay Sayers Continued from pg 17 What is more, of the three senatorial zones, it is only Anambra North that has not produced the governor of the state since the split with Enugu 22 years ago.

In honour of the promise made to the people of Anambra North, Governor Obi, despite not winning overwhelmingly in the area, has repeatedly stated that his successor should come from the area.

Since this statesmanly pronouncement

by Governor Obi, all manner of persons, especially political scavengers and buccaneers have gone on frenzy, offering a multiplicity of reasons why they would rather not side with the truth.

Ranging from the sublime to the ludicrous, their contentions have progressed from the primitive notion that ‘power is not given but taken’, to the fact that zoning is not only alien to our culture, but is also unconstitutional, onto the falsity that ceding power to a particular area would deny others of their fundamental rights to seek power in a democratic milieu.

Pray, in what way has the job of C M Y K

Anambra State helmsman over the last two decades been composed to reflect the diversity of the peoples of the state (Anambra North especially), as envisaged by the Nigerian Constitution?

To “promote a sense of belonging”, therefore, Ndi Anambra must strive to not only drink from this principle of democratic tonic, but, in fact, as our late global statesman Owelle Nnamdi Azikiwe did, show the light for others to follow.

Indeed, what Governor Obi has proposed, with his ‘Anambra North for Governor’ mantra is neither illegal nor alien in our country’s democratic culture.

Besides, in all other states where the proposition has been implemented, it is to the harmony of all concerned; a most recent example of such power shift has been the fruitful outcome of its practice in Akwa Ibom state.

The former governor of the state, Chief Victor Attah, from the majority Ibibio region of the state, having regard to the erstwhile inequity in the state as it concerned the state’s governorship

position, proposed a power shift that was to lead to the emergence of his successor from the Annang zone of the state that had never produced a governor of the state prior to that period.

Leaving precedent and constitutionalism aside, morality and divine precepts demand that our kith and kin from Anambra Central and Anambra South senatorial zones accede this time to Anambra North’s quest for the governorship stool.

At this juncture, I hasten to ask: which father (in this instance, Anambra state) would offer one of its children (the North) scorpion, when he requests fish, especially at a time the other two siblings are bloated on beef?

Which display of love is evident in continually denying one’s sibling a share of the family inheritance? *Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is also deputy chairman, Media & Public Affairs Committee.

makers out to tarnish his administration at work. What sort of contradiction is this? Is the president denying the fact of his own eyes? At least he can’t claim here that the footage he saw was manufactured? Or is he saying the other police colleges across the country have a better deal and that the Ikeja college is alone in its misfortune, as his second comment seems to suggest? But Nigerians know that from Ibadan to Enugu, Kano and Jos it’s the same story of neglect across our police training schools in particular and training schools for other paramilitary and military organisations in general.

Acquisition of political skills Our president talks in this contradictory manner because he lacks, like many of our politicians in the National Assembly and state houses, the right grooming for speaking and answering questions in public. The presidential system provides a cover for many of our politicians from being questioned on their activities and as such shields them from acquiring political skills necessary for their office.

Reports abound of legislators in Abuja and the states who, throughout their time in office, never stood up to speak for once- either initiating or supporting a motion, or defending a position, a line of action or whatever else that politicians in other places do.

This is unlike the case in the parliamentary system where lively debate is the order of the day. In such system, President Jonathan would by now be fighting to justify his stay in office rather than lower people being held responsible for the failure of his administration as with this cheap talk of heads rolling after his visit to the Police College in Ikeja. Indeed heads should roll and the decapitation should begin from Abuja starting from the presidency, down to the Ministry for Police Affairs.

*Obi: Advocates power shift in Anambra

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 30 , 2013

How Benue minority whip escaped midnight arson Debate of the masses

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

Nigeria’s budget in trouble

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BY EBELE ORAKPO

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sympathies with their colleague, said the attack was unacceptable.

He noted that it was an attack on the entire legislative arm of the state government stressing that members of the House would also regard the unfortunate development as a direct affront on all members of the Benue State House

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EW days ago the Minority Whip of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange narrowly escaped death when his residence was attacked at the middle of the night by yet to be identified men who set ablaze his two cars that were parked at the porch of his house.

The lawmaker who escaped with members of his family unhurt, however lost the two cars and some valuable documents.

The attack on the young opposition lawmaker has generated lots of condemnation and reactions from the people who have also called on the authorities to stem the spate of such attacks in the state.

Though a leading member of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the victim is a significant voice in the legislative arm of government and one of the pillars of the opposition in the House.

Among the very first callers to the home of the visibly shocked legislator was the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani who described the attack as unacceptable and highly condemnable.

Lawani who visited the lawmaker with top g o v e r n m e n t functionaries, urged law enforcement officers to thoroughly investigate the unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to book to serve as deterrent to others.

While consoling the family, the Deputy Governor said: “Law enforcement officers must ensure a thorough investigation of this matter and also ensure that those behind this condemnable attack are brought to justice”.

In his reaction, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terhile Ayua, who led other lawmakers to

fore we come out with an official position on the matter”.

Recounting his experience, the victim of the attack, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, representing Ushongo constituency, said he went to bed at about 11pm on the fateful day only to be woken up around 1am by the scream of his wife that their cars were on fire

This is a worrisome development and we condemn it in all ramifications, because we view this as a direct affront on the entire House and it is unacceptable

of Assembly.

Hon. Ayua told newsmen that the unfortunate incident was bizarre and worrisome but urged security agencies in the state to unravel the masterminds of the attack.

The Speaker said: “This is a worrisome development and we condemn it in all ramifications, because we view this as a direct affront on the entire House and it is unacceptable”.

He added: “We will however await the outcome of the investigations of law enforcement agencies in the state be-

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and it was about engulfing the entire house.

He warned that this latest attack on him was a clear indication that the state was gradually descending into anarchy.

While pointing accusing fingers at the executive arm of government for the attack, the lawmaker said, “What we see happening today in Benue state is unfortunate, people are molested, harassed and intimidated for expressing their views on issues that concern the wellbeing of the state.

I expressed my views

on the floor of the House on how funds are being expended by the executive arm of government without approvals of the House and I am attacked the following day. Is this what the people of the state expect from a government?”

Continuing, the minority whip said: ”If a lawmaker is attacked with impunity, what then will be the fate of the ordinary citizens of our state? It is just unfortunate and heart rending. I urge law enforcement agencies to investigate this incident and apprehend the culprit”.

Mr. I kyange who said he was lucky to have escaped alive with his family said he lost two of his cars including his official car, a Toyata Avensis and his private Range Rover SUV to the arsonists.

He added that the masterminds of the attack had intended to eliminate his family through the fire but for God’s interference.

When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Daniel Ezeala confirmed the attack but added that investigations into the matter had commenced without any arrests made for now.

, God help us!

Why must we always be caught napping?” asked Joe rhetorically as he read an article in a national daily. “The story says that our 2013 budget is already in trouble even before it takes off, reason being that the US, the biggest buyer of Nigeria’s oil, is producing enough oil now for the nation so we have lost that market.”

“I love that! exclaimed Ben. That is what we need to wake us up from slumber. For years, people have been shouting themselves hoarse on the need to diversify our mono-product economy. How can we put all our eggs in one basket, I mean, it’s not done.”

“Diversify? The Nigerian leaders that I know will do practically nothing about it.

Rather, they will seek to first satisfy their insatiable appetite for wealth and guess what? The common man will pay for it as usual. No matter what happens, they’ll still have enough to share. I only see infrastructure development coming to a halt so no more roads, water, light etc,” said Emeka.

“Exactly! Salaries of workers, especially the lower cadres, will cease because there will be no money to pay them after the big guys have shared whatever comes from oil,” said Ugo. “My fear is that it will cause a ripple effect because when people begin to feel the pains, they will take it out on the society.

Unfortunately, they take it out on the wrong people and not on those who have caused them pain by stealing what rightly belongs to all of us,” noted Biodun.

“The US has proved to be a determined nation with visionary leaders.

They’ve seen what is going on in the world oil market; any slightest thing, the Arab world, which controls most of the oil, will increase oil prices by cutting down on production, raising price, just to hurt those that depend so much on oil. So it’s the US calling their bluff. OPEC can never hold them to ransom ever

again. That is the way to go. Unfortunately, our people will never learn,” lamented Joe. “No cause for alarm!

China is still buying so no shaking,” said Mike tongue-in-cheek. ”Don’t worry. The Chinese will soon show you the stuff they are made of.

From a developing nation a few years ago, to a world power today, “ replied Emeka; adding; “I think we got the kind of leaders we deserve. We are too laid-back. Always attributing anything that happens to God.” “But is it not correct?

Nothing happens without His knowledge,” argued Biodun.

Replied Ugo; “Right! He knows all things but does He permit all things? We are free moral agents, free to choose the way we want to go but we must bear the consequences of our choices. So I believe that all the negative effects of our actions are catching up with us in every area. God means well for us and gave us laid down rules to follow so that it will be well with us but we have chosen to go our own way.

Look at the changing climate, rainy season in January! And I bet you with my ten fingers, our leaders are not prepared at all for any disaster or even to give information to farmers on what to do at this time.”

“We have this lazy mental attitude. Our leaders will empty the public treasury, starving us of the necessities of life and what do we do? We fold our hands, lamenting and cursing them, waiting for God to come down and do for us what we can do for ourselves by holding our leaders accountable,” stated Joe. “That is even better. In most cases, what we do is to worm up to them to get the crumbs that fall from their tables. It’s so pathetic. Instead of wresting what belongs to you from them, you are genuflecting before them to get crumbs. So why won’t they steal more so they can be treated like tin gods?” asked Ugo.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 21

AFC, FMO launch N2.36bn facility for investment in infrastructure

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

IGERIAN-BASED Africa Finance Corporation, AFC, yesterday, signed a N2.355 billion (US$ 15 million) agreement with the Dutch Development Bank - The Nederlandse FinancieringsMaatschappij voor Ontwikkelings Landen N.V (FMO) for investment in critical infrastructure projects across Africa.

According to a statement by the AFC, the agreement has led to the launch of a project development facility, designed to make early stage investments in projects under development, pre-financial close, in the infrastructure sector across sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaking at the launch of the facility, Jurgen Rigterink, Chief Investment Officer, FMO, said the need for financing early stage risk in emerging markets can only be effectively addressed and fulfilled when institutions form strategic partnerships.

According to him, FMO is delighted to partner with AFC, which is uniquely placed to manage the facility given its local presence in the region, its extensive track record and proven expertise in project development.

“FMO believes that this Facility will assist in bringing key infrastructure projects to market, thereby creating development impact and reinforcing AFC’s and FMO’s role as leading private sector

investors in Africa,” Rigterink said.

Also speaking, Mr. Andrew Alli, President & Chief Executive Officer, AFC, said the N2.355 billion facility will fund early-stage equity investments in projects under development

by AFC, and third party developers, including those referred to the facility by FMO. He said the facility will be managed by AFC and will typically fund technical advisory services and third party expenses.

“These include: feasibility assessments and market studies, environmental reviews, fi-

From left: Aremo Olusegun Adeniyi, Security Officer/Protocol Officer, Mobil Producing Nigeria Limited; Mrs Vicky Ekhomu, Managing Director, Transworld Security, and Mr. Mandu Obot, National Security Operation Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc during the inauguration of the Certified Protection Professional Training Programme, in Lagos.

2,167.00

-28.00

18.41

-0.08 +0.12

95.93 --0.02

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.73 244.0092 207.8952 167.4024 1.7003 0.2959 236.6431 24.8725 41.2569 27.8537 237.4022

155.23 244.7977 208.567 167.9433 1.7058 0.3059 237.4078 24.9533 41.3903 27.9437 238.1694

PETROLEUM marketers in Kebbi have appealed to Petroleum Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPPMC) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to check the high price of petrol in the state. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Birnin Kebbi alleged that a litre of petrol was being sold for N105 at the depot instead of the official price of N94.5.

Alhaji Muhammadu TilaJega, the Vice Chairman of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that scarcity was responsible for the high price of the product in the state. Tila-Jega alleged that it took more than three months for marketers to get the product at the depot. He said that marketers could not sell to consumers at N97 per litre, but at a higher price to stay in business.

D

1.1

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

partnerships in order to manage the risks involved in long term project development financing. Discussions initiated in 2008 with FMO, one of the leading DFIs active in Africa, which is fully committed to the continent’s economic development, have culminated in this shared Facility, with a pipeline of projects ready for execution immediately.

“We are glad to be working with an institution that has similar objectives and risk appetites to AFC. This collaboration demonstrates the ability to forge strategic partnerships to drive economic transformation in Africa.”

NAICOM reassures Dana plane crash victims of entitlements

147.65

113.40

nancial modeling services, technical design, and legal services. The geographical focus of the Facility is sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa and its sector focus is:- power, transportation, oil and gas infrastructure, agribusiness and social infrastructure,” he noted.

Alli maintained that the AFC offers a unique value proposition by providing early stage risk capital and advisory services to fast track infrastructure projects under development.

He said, “Financial institutions need to form strategic

PPPMC, DPR urged to check high cost of petrol in Kebbi

SELLING 155.73 245.5862 209.2388 168.4843 1.7113 0.3159 238.1725 25.0342 41.5236 28.0337 238.9365

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/01/2013

NOTAP to partner NCC to domesticate software in Nigeria

T

HE National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) said it would partner with the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to acquire and domesticate software in the country. Dr Umar Bindir, a Director in NOTAP stated this in Abuja.

Bindir said, “The synergy between NOTAP and NCC is going to fully mature this year, so that we can take specific steps either to develop software for banking applications, education sector, health sector and so many more. Our strategy to acquire and domesticate these software, is first to do with partnership among the agencies that are involved and the key of the partnership are NITTDA, Galaxy Backbone, ISPOND, NCC and the Computer Registration Council of Nigeria.”

According to Bindir, the synergy

among these agencies will ensure the sustainability of the importation of software Nigeria. He said, “The consumption of software in Nigeria is literally total. We are buying software for the banking sector, communication and oil and gas sectors. It is apparent to say that it is not healthy for Nigeria to depend on software importation, thus the country has to take a position to start injecting a bit of local content in these goods and services.”

The director said that the sustenance of software importation was a problem, adding that there was the need for Nigeria to actively involve the help of graduates computer scientists and programmers. “We have to make use of the skills from graduates, who are working at research institutes to start looking at the unique needs of Nigeria in most of the sectors and to start coding software that can fix it.”

IRECTOR, Corporate Affairs, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Mr Lucky Fiakpa has reassured families of victims of the last Dana plane crash in Lagos of their entitlements.

Fiakpa said in Lagos that it was not true that only a victim was being compensated. “There is no truth whatsoever in that allegation. If indeed it is true, let such person come to us and we will assure that every victim is being paid,” he said. Fiakpa said that the affected beneficiaries needed to be documented and urged them to be patient.

According to him, the documents have to be verified to ensure that they are genuine claimants and this will take some time. He said the insurance firm would pay once the documentations were satisfied to be genuine.

Fiakpa said that those who felt that they were not being properly attended to should contact NAICOM Complaint Bureau.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Oando Rights Issue: Shareholders to reap benefits of future investments refurbishing of the FPSO for OML 125 leading to only partial production for the year. The profit after tax is also expected to grow by 92.08 percent to N28.818 billion in 2015 from N15.003 billion in 2013. Shareholders of the company are expected to receive an enhance package of reward in terms of dividend payment during the period with the dividend growing by 93.8 percent from N1.29 in2013 to N2.50 in 2015.

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

D

The Rights Issues Oando Plc is shopping for N54.78 billion through the issuance of 4.55 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N12.00 per share to the existing shareholders. The offer opened on Friday 28th December, 2012 and is scheduled to close on Wednesday 6 th Febr uary, 2013. The offer is being made at a proportion of two new shares of the company for every one previously held. A window of opportunity also C M Y K

Wale Tinubu, GCEO, Oando Plc exists for Nigerian shareholders who for one reason or the other may not be able to pick up the ongoing offering. The company secured the approval of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, for the trading in the Right of the equity on its floor at the price at which the Rights are quoted on the NSE. Shareholders who wish to renounce their Rights partially or in full are advised to take advantage of the trading window to make money for themselves on the short-run. This simply means that instead of losing out for failing to take up the allotted Right Issue, shareholders can actually sale them to other interest investors.

Furthermore, shareholders who trade their Right can still apply for additional shares.

Purpose of the offer & use of proceeds The offer, according to prospectus, is a critical step towards the execution of its strategic expansion plans; optimising its balance sheet and improving its leverage position.

N27.78 billion or 52 percent will be applied towards refinancing of the company’s upstream assets. In clear terms that amount will be use for the part-payment of a N60 billion syndicated loan facility championed by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc to fund the acquisition of upstream assets and swamp drilling rigs. The sum of N23.70 billion representing 45 percent is expected to be used for the purchase of Conoco Phillip’s Nigerian business assets for which an sales and purchase agreement has been signed by both parties, while the balance of

N1.46 billion or three percent will be ploughed back into the company as working capital.

Financial Projections ccording to the offer prospectus, the company ’s turnover is expected to grow by of 11, 13 and 1 percent to N708.252 billion, N797.252 billion and N804.323 billion in 2013,

A

,

ISCERNING investors’ always consider two things whenever they are confronted by an investment decision. These two are the desire to invest in stock that will always deliver good returns either in terms of capital appreciation or dividend payment. Investing in a company, especially in Nigeria, therefore, is synonymous with how far shareholders get compensated in these two variables. In addition to this is the prospects of the company involved and stability of the board and management.

Oando Plc, an integrated energy solution company, is reputed to have scored quite high in these two areas. This formed part of the reasons why analysts across board, including notable leaders of major shareholders associations in the country have variously thrown their weight behind the on-going Rights Issue of the company, while advising other investors to take advantage of the offer to increase their holdings so as to reap the benefits of the huge investments the integrated energy group has made over the years. It is also believed that at this time when the capital market is in need of liquidity, an offer like this will add to boost activity in the market. For instance, Sir Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN, said “Shareholders should embrace the shares as a future stock. The company has made good investments in the energy sector and very soon the benefits will begin to manifest. The Right Issue, is therefore, an opportunity to buy more shares and wait for the returns that would come from those investments,” he said. For BGL Securities & Investment Limited, the planned acquisition of upstream assets of Conoco Phillips Nigeria Limited portends strong prospect for shareholders of the company.

Equity status Oando had an initial authorised share capital of N4 million comprising four million ordinary shares of N1 each, and an issued and fully paid-up share capital of N4 million comprising of N4 million ordinary shares of N1.

Currently, the company ’s authorized share capital is N5 billion comprising 10 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo each, of which N1.38 billion comprising 2.74 billion ordinary share capital.

Analysis of the shareholding structure of the company shows that Ocean & Oil Investments (Nigeria) Limited holds 241.816 million or 10.63 percent of Oando’s equity currently. Stanbic Nominees Nigeria Limited Trading A/Cs has 261.544

The company has made good investments in the energy sector and very soon the benefits will begin to manifest

2014 and 2015 in that order, while the cost of sales will increase by eight, nine, and four percent to N608.792 billion, N666.619 billion and N609.208 billion during the same period. However, gross profit is projected to appreciate by 37 and 31 percent to N99.460 billion and N130.633 billion in 2013 and 2014 respectively, but decline by 13 percent to N114.115 billion in 2015, due to the

,

million units representing 11.50 percent of the company’s outstanding share credit to it while the balance 1.77 billion or 77.87 percent is held by Individuals and institutional investors.

The board of directors The board of Oando Plc is chaired by HRM Oba Michael Gbadebo, The Alake of Egbaland. It is composed of 11 members four of them

serve in the executive capacity, while the remaining six include the chairman do so as non-executive director. The company’s secretary who also doubles as the Chief Compliance Officer is equally a member of the board of director.

The executive management led by Mr. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive (GCEO), includes Mr. Omamofe Boyo, Deputy Group Chief Executive (DGCEO), Mr. Olufemi Adeyemo, executive director/ chief financial officer (CFO) and Mr. Mobolaji Osunsanya, executive director.

History of expansion drive The entity now known as Oando Plc commenced operation in Nigeria as a petroleum marketing company in 1956 under the name ESSO West Africa Incorporated, then a subsidiary of Exxon Incorporation of the USA. Thirteen years later, precisely, on August 25, 1969, the company was incorporated under Nigerian law as Esso Standard Nigeria Limited.

But change came its ways again in 1976, when the Federal Government of Nigeria bought Exxon’s interest in the company and was rebranded as Unipetrol Nigeria Limited. As a result of the government acquisition, it transformed into a public limited company in 1991 and was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in February 1992.

In 2000, Ocean & Gas Investment Limited (“OOL”) acquired a 30 percent stake in Unipetrol from the Federal Government of Nigeria and then became the core investor, while the remaining 10 percent was sold to the public.

In August 2002, Unipetrol under the grips of OOL initiated its expansion program in the energy market in Nigeria through the acquisition of 60 percent stake in Agip Nigeria.

The company won an International bid conducted by Agip Petroil International B.V.at a price of US$86 million.

S-Africa stocks rise by 0.2% S OUTH African stocks booked record closes after turning positive in late Monday trading, lifted by positive U.S. durable goods data and a strong showing from locally listed shares of brewer SABMiller.

The broad All-Share index touched a new intraday high in morning trade but stocks later turned negative, weighed down by a bearish sentiment in global equities markets.

The index ended 0.2 percent higher at

40,618.32 while the blue chip Top-40 index gained 0.26 percent to 36,157.58 - both record closing highs.

“Most of the guidance came from durable goods from the U.S., which comfortably beat expectations. That started pushing things into positive territory,” said Byron Lotter, portfolio manager at wealth manager Vestact.

“That’s another indication of the housing market in the U.S. picking up, which is vital for the global economy because the U.S. consumer is extremely important.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—23

DIARY Select ICT events zITEXPO East 2013. Holds 29 Jan-1 Feb 2013 in Miami, USA.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

How to hasten broadband roll-out, by NCS

zBETT 2013.

Holds 30 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in London, UK. zMacWorld Expo 2013.

Holds 31 Jan-2 Feb 2013 in San Francisco, USA.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

zCasual Connect 2013. Holds 12-14 Feb 2013 in Hamburg, Germany.

,

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

MeCam wearable video camera

C

APTURE every mo ment of the next great event hands-free with the MeCam, a video camera that can be pinned to your clothes or worn like a necklace.

The MeCam measures less than two inches in diameter and weighs under two ounces. Operation is by three buttons on the side, which are easy to access while wearing the device, and its LED infrared lights allow for night recording. The device can capture and store about one hour of HD footage (with audio) on its standard 4GB card, with an additional four hours possible with the optional 16GB card, and it can also be used to snap photographs.

I N S I D E C M Y K

Copyright Commission impounds N4.3bn pirated goods in 2012

zEkuwem: No rocket science involved....

INSECURITY: Application of ICT solutions should be top priority now — EKUWEM

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

E

VER since the fortunes of the nation's security took a downward spiral, culminating in the recent attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, many Nigerians have spoken out on the need to further secure the country against internal and external incursions.

Among them is top ICT professional and security equipment specialist, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, who opined that boosting security nationwide does not require rocket science know-how but that of mere ICT application. In an exclusive chat with Vanguard Hi-Tech, Ekuwem, who is CEO of Tel-

edom Group and past president of ATCON,noted that all it takes to push insurgents out of the system was to show them that their identities could be an open secret. For him, this only requires putting the right surveillance applications in place and into right use.

ICT-based automation

His words: “The fact is that we can have ICT-

based automation of procedures in the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, NDLEA, Prisons, State Security Service, FRSC, including the National Security and Civil Defence Corps which can enable them bend over their laptops to have access to a criminal database and know whether a suspect is a serial offender.

“If we are serious about security, we should have

Gamma ray-based scanning of vehicles and cargoes, VACIS, on our roads, highways, airports and seaports to detect bombs, explosives, arms, ammunitions, light weapons and dangerous chemicals with local and remote display of scan outputs using broadband”. Ekuwem stated that all the acts of terrorism in the country recently were perpetrated by human beings who with

Continues on page 27

,

zGraphics of the Americas 2013.

Holds 21-23 Feb, 2013, in Orlando, USA.

It is no rocket science to have CCTV/IP Camera-based surveillance of each local government headquarter in a state. Videoaudio outputs are transmitted to a designated security monitoring centre

Peugeot car running on air in place of battery coming

Nigeria planning links with EU, UNESCO to localize solar technology, says S&T minister

HILE listing measures that would help Nigerian IT sector to be part of digital economy, the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, has said that effective Infrastructure sharing policy holds the key to broadband penetration in the country.

The NCS President, Sir, Demola Aladokomo while taking stock of the sector recently told IT Journalists that government should also improve the operating environment which affects providers and operators on issues such as cost of doing business, power supply, security, public-private sector interaction and multistakeholder involvement in strategy/policy formulation.

In 2013, promotion of software development, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, local content development, ICTenabled job creation and e-government, he said, should be the highest priority of the government.

Infrastructure sharing policy According to the NCS President, broadband strategy needed to address last mile connectivity as well as improving access to underserved/ unserved communities.

An effective infrastructure sharing policy that improves availability and cost, he added holds promise for improving broadband penetration.

“Government should provide leadership in stimulating innovation growth through the deliberate development and promotion of online and mobile services by government agencies. Creative IT infrastructure schemes for students in

Continues on page 26

On toxic e-waste shipments to Nigeria

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,JANUARY 30, 2013

Copyright Commission impounds N4.3bn pirated goods in 2012

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

T

HE Nigerian Cop yright Commission (NCC), says it prosecuted 31 copyright cases in 2012, 26 of which were criminal convictions of pirates and five civil suits.

Director-General of NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude who disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja, also revealed that the Commission, during intensified anti-piracy operations last year, arrested a total of 85 suspected pirates and confiscated 3,621,787 million units of pirated goods worth about N4.38 billion (N4,379,431,000.00).

Mr. Ezekude said the commission, between July 2011 and December 2012, was able secure 29 convictions of pirates of copyright-protected books, musical and movie works, broadcast signals and software products, saying that the number of convictions shows a phenomenal increase from 10 convictions recorded by the Commission in 10 years, between 2000 and 2010.

"This feat which had never been recorded in the 22 years of the Commission can be traced to the enhanced surveillance activities of the Commission’s operatives, support of stakeholders, and more importantly, our synergy with the Nigerian Customs Service under our Inter-Agency collaboration initiative", he stated.

Partnership

The Director-General also revealed that the inter-agency partnership between the Commission and the Nigeria Customs has engendered the establishment of a protocol which makes it mandatory for any importer of copyright-protected goods to obtain a letter of clearance from the Commission as a condition for clearance and release of such regulated goods by the Customs.

He noted that the high point of the Commission's enforcement measures in collaboration with the Customs was the historic and unprecedented confiscation of a total of 13 containers of 3.6 million 3,613,315 units of pirated products, valued at four billion, seven hundred and fifty million Naira (N4.75 billion) at different seaports in the country.

He pointed out that 11 of the containers were loaded with pirated books of Nigerian and foreign authors while the remaining two were loaded with C M Y K

pirated musical and film works of local and foreign titles.

The Director-General stated that on January 25, 2012 in Epe, Lagos State, the Commission also destroyed by public burning 722 million units of various categories of copyright infringing products impounded between 2007 and 2011, estimated at N6.5 billion.

"The essence of the exercise was to ensure that the materials are permanently prevented from entering into the channels of trade; and also send a warning signal to perpetrators of piracy that it was no longer business as usual", he stated,

Improvement

The NCC boss who noted that there was an improved international rating of Nigeria in the global fight against piracy stated that the enhanced protection of local and foreign copyright works attracted increased investment in the copyright based industries. "There are clear indications of a reduction in the level of domestic piracy which impacted positively in the legitimate copyright businesses as operators have reported over 50% increase in the profit margin for the year under review", he added.

According to the Director-General, the Commission, last year, initiated a mechanism for the reform of the Nigerian copyright system to address the challenges that modern digital technology pose to the country’s existing inadequate copyright frameworks.

Reforms

Noting that Nigeria was the first African country to undertake the comprehensive copyright reform as did China, India and Brazil, the Director-General stated: “The goals of the reform process include; updating the Copyright Act to meet the challenges of the digital age; to encourage and reward new forms of creativity and provide a platform for the creation, commercialization and broad diffusion of new knowledge, while enabling Nigerian businesses to profit from expanding global trade in cultural goods, which is currently heavily skewed in favour of countries with fully developed copyright systems”.

F

RENCH auto maker, Peugeot, has announced plans to introduce a new hybrid car that does away with lithium-ion batteries entirely and instead uses compressed air to provide zero-emissions driving. The new compressed air car that will be powered by a hybrid system that combines a gas motor with compressed air storage.

Although the system was unveiled in a new hybrid car, Peugeot says that the system will be fitted to its current models starting in 2016. The system uses a gas engine, a unit to store energy in the form of compressed air, a hydraulic motorpump assembly and an automatic transmission working with an epicyclic gear train. How does it work? A hydraulic motor-pump forces the compressed air against fluid, which then activates the hybrid’s wheels. In city driving, drivers will be able to drive up to 50 miles without using any gasoline.

Peugeot car running on air in place of battery coming

zPrototype of the Peugeot car that will use compressed air instead of battery power The compressed air hybrid car also features a smart control system that adapts the operating mode to the driver’s commands and

optimizes energy efficiency in three different modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), gas internal combustion and com-

bined. In 2016 the system will be implemented in Peugeot’s current models like the Citroën C3 and Peugeot 208. — Inhabitat.com

Konica Minolta offers cost savings in digital printing

BY EMEKA AGINAM

L

ATEST entrant into the Nigerian IT market, Konica Minolta, a global leader in digital printing solutions has assured end users of 70 % cut on its range of products and applications.

Speaking during the introduction of the solutions at the just concluded Konica Minolta Digital Print Solutions exhibition organized in conjunction with Skysat Technologies Nigeria Ltd, the Area Manager, Central Asia, Middle East & Africa for Konica Minolta, Mr. Mark Oldfield described digital printing possibilities in Nigeria as endless.

According to him, “Konica Minolta is here to stay. We have come to Nigeria because the digital way is the next big thing in this part of the world and Konica Minolta is proud to be a part of it. The relationship with Skysat Technologies will in no small way develop and boost the economy of Nigeria and for that we are most honoured to be a part of this ride,” he said.

He informed that products would save users up to 70 % on printing expenses, quality print production, the highest colour

accuracy and so much more.

Also speaking, Abdusattar Debs, Chairman, Skysat Technologies Ltd disclosed that Konica Minolta comes with a promise to help boost the country’s economy.

“Regardless of the evident challenges in the Nigerian economy, Konica Minolta has a promise to deliver cost-effective machines, overly efficient after sales service and the cheapest consumables possible. It is surely go-

ing to boost the Nigerian economy,” he said.

For one thing, the Digital Print Solutions Expo would serve as a platform through which products and applications will be presented to the primary market. The event was organized to showcase the range of Konica Minolta printing brands.

These brands range from small black and white printers for small offices, to the segment range products designed specifically for banks, oil and

gas companies and a host of others.

Skysat Technologies, the authorized distributors of Konica Minolta products for Nigeria, offers aftersales support through tailor-made technical service agreements in addition to total printing and document management solutions that help customers optimize the office environment, thereby boosting productivity as well as reducing total cost of ownership for customers printing needs.

lFrom left: Mark Oldfield, Area Manager, Central Asia, Middle East & Africa, Konica Minolta; Beatrix Dancs, Business Solutions Manager, Konica Minolta Europe; Izzat Debs, Managing Director, Skysat Technologies Ltd; Dr. Ademole Ajayi, National President NACCIMA; Abdusattar Debs, Chairman, Skysat Technologies Ltd., during the Konica Minolta Digital Print Solutions Exhibition, in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 25

Nigeria planning links with EU, UNESCO to localize solar technology — S&T Minister

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

M

INISTER of sci ence and technology, Professor Ita Bassey Okon Ewa has said that the Federal Government through its research agency, SHEDA Science and Technology Complex, Abuja has concluded plans to partner the European Union and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO to enable Nigeria domesticate solar technology in the country.

This he said is part of the ministry ’s dream projects to compliment federal government’s effort to ensure steady power supply in the country in line with the realization of the Vision 20 2020 age4nda.

The minister who disclosed this during his facility tour visit at the SHEDA complex in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the quality of scientific research and achievements recorded by indigenous scientists at the complex, especially in the area of solar energy and agricultural implantation said the issue of power in the country had become very crucial and believe that Nigeria cannot drive the Vision 20 2020 dream without technology.

He said Nigeria can make breakthroughs if local scientists are given the right support to commercialise their products and services and also make them available for export. ‘‘We are looking at a situation where we can engage some of the international bodies like European Union, UNESCO to come and partner and drive solar technology here in SHEDA Science and Technology complex.

We believe that we cannot drive the Vision 202020 dream without technology. Once we have this crucial issue of power, which is very crucial to technology, the first way out is how to overcome that problem. Once that is captured, power will be an integral part of that drive. ‘‘What we have seen here on ground are seasoned scientists who by their own respects have developed capacities in terms of knowledge in areas of solar technology, microscopy which is very essential areas of inorganic diets and others. We have also seen prototypes of solar technology here,

in which people are having indebt studies of how solar intensity could be captured. Ones the solar intensity focusing has been fully developed, that will actually give us a vantage point to capture solar intensity from the sun,’’ he said.

While extolling the works of Nigeria scientists at the complex, the minister promised to support the organization in the area of product processing lines and develop-

ment to produce them in commercialize quantity that would serve the entire Nigerian populace. ‘‘I believe we have the infrastructure on ground but we are limited to the fact that it may not be up to a point it could be commercialised. Commercialization will come in where we look at the processing line and develop products that can actually can serve the Nigerian populace,’’ he said.

Also speaking, DirectorGeneral of the agency, Professor Sunday Thomas said the complex is driven by the zeal to domesticate research and industrialize Nigeria in the areas of solar energy and information technology. He noted that energy had become very important for any technological development, which informed the effort of SHESTCO to domesticate power through agricultural implantation and solar en-

ergy development. ‘‘Energy is very important for any technological development. The complex is looking at other areas that affect the overall development in our country; you saw the advanced technology lab in which the culture can be greatly enhanced

z Ewa

through agricultural implantation. There are also activities leading to novel drugs which is being tested and development for treatment of cancer because healthy bodies are required for serious economic development in any nation,’’ he said.

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Application of ICT solutions should be top priority now Continues from Page 23

ISPON, Ovia link up for software excellence

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

ITH the establish ment of a prize for excellence dedicated to s o f t w a r e startups,President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chris Uwaje has said with optimism that Nigerian youths will be empowered with digital entrepreneurship that will prepare them for the 21st century job market.

The initiative, according to the ISPON President is a functional response by Mr Jim Ovia – founder of Visafone Networks, to resolve the missing link in the nation’s knowledge capacity development space by invigorating a proactive strategy to enthrone software startups.

The prize for software excellence domiciled under the flagship of ISPON, Uwaje noted is per-

haps, the most ambitious ICT knowledge initiative to date.

Uwaje said the initiative was designed to recognize and mentor the “Best Software Start-up of the Year” and to ensure that Nigeria becomes a force to reckon with in the global software development-entrepreneurship landscape. The maiden edition of the prize for software excellence, established to recognize the “Best software start-up of the year” (2012), will be held at the prestigious ISPON President’s Dinner 2013 ISPON, he said was greatly honoured to be associated with the prize for software excellence and also inspired by the dynamic relevance of ICT and technology-related initiatives powered by the Jim Ovia Foundation.

The initiative, Uwaje

said aims to redefine and add value to the existing models for digital knowledge development and empowerment. It will also advocate and promote agile software development process. “This ensures refinement of the model informally or formally with a justification tool. The advocacy will also focus on Domain analysis involving a broad study of the relevant domain, its intrinsic aspects, its particular technologies, roles of the people involved, perhaps its role in a wider socio-economic context.

“Software is a key enabling technology in business, industry, government, and defense, and permeates products and services of all kinds. It is no exaggeration to state that the progress of modern society is now totally and irrevocably depend-

ent on software, as clearly exemplified by the year 2000 bug (“Y2K”) crisis.

Economic sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, communications, health care, energy, transportation, entertainment and education, as well as national defense and government, depend for the conduct of daily operations on software ranging from personal computer applications to large-scale, networked systems and Cloud computing with astonishing complexity “The critical infrastructure of the nation is largely controlled and managed by software. In short, software has become a prime critical national resource, vital to national well being, sustainable development, creation of wealth and global competitiveness.

BY HARUNA BURAIMOH

National security database

N

On toxic e-waste shipments to Nigeria Convention and Harmful Waste Act. However, despite sensitization/awareness efforts, some unpatriotic Nigerians in collaboration with their foreign counterparts still continue to ship toxic/harmful waste materials into Nigeria environment for selfish/material gains and gratification. It is very pertinent to note that these toxic waste materials, or used goods when dismantled contained heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, just to mention a few. These heavy metals when disposed improperly are very harmful to human health and the environment.

Toxic waste materials are dangerous to human health and man, fauna and flora. They can cause epidemics and eventually death. It can be in the form of cancer, abortion of the unborn

,

OW, shipments of toxic wastes to Nigeria are recurring with more regularity. Every now and then Nigeria has become a dumping ground for toxic waste materials from Europe and other nations who want to rid their environment of toxic waste materials.

These waste come in the form of used electrical and electronic equipment such as TV sets, computers, control processing units (CPU), digital video recorders, microwaves, pressing irons, and stereo sets.

Others are used tyres and cell phones, just to mention a few.

However, cases abound of these toxic waste materials which enter into Nigerian environment with impunity and with no regard to human health. In our recent experience, the first was the Koko Port shipment dump of 1988 in Sapele, Delta State, with over 3,500 tonnes of toxic/ harmful wastes and the originating country was Italy.

Also in April 2010, the National Toxic Waste Dump Watch arrested and detained a vessel, MV Nashiville, also laden with toxic waste. In June, 2010, MV Gumel, a vessel with eight containers of toxic waste was arrested and detained in Lagos port. By these occurrences, our country Nigeria is being turned into dump for toxic/harmful waste materials, contrary to BASEL

impunity transport their terrorist equipment and tools undetected.

He said that the issue of tackling security in the country was a matter of asking the right questions, inherent in which are the answers. The questions according to him, include “how can we use ICT to monitor, detect, analyse, transmit the acquired data and information, receive same, store same, retrieve same for further analysis and retransmission, coordinate and manage an entire operation? How can we uniquely identify a criminal? How can we track, monitor and locate terrorists? Do we have CCTVbased or IP camera-based surveillance of our major towns and cities? Can we rapidly analyse the acquired video data for rapid response intervention with arrest of criminals? My simple reaction to all these questions is: ICT to the rescue! Software engine to the solution.”

child, kidney failure, deformities, distortions in body chemistry, blindness, and gastro-intestinal imbalance amongst other diseases and problems inherent with toxic waste materials which slowly lead to death. The Zamfara lead poisoning and epidemic is a case in point.

Therefore, making Nigeria a dumping ground for these harmful waste materials does not do us any good. These activities of importers of toxic waste into Nigeria should be condemned in the strongest terms and the offenders/defaulters should be punished appropriately. NESREA should be commended, encouraged, and supported in waging this war against illegal dumping and shipment of toxic wastes into Nigerian environment. All Nigerians should key into this idea and answer

Toxic waste materials are dangerous to human health, fauna and flora.

They can cause epidemics and eventually death

to this clarion call.

The sanction on the ship will serve as a deterrent to others who do not adhere to the laws of the country on harmful waste. Nevertheless, one question still comes to mind. How does this toxic waste material escape from their destinations with all their advanced security network and technology here?

What is the work of the security agents/organizations at the ports in Europe and other Western nations if these toxic waste materials could escape into Nigeria and her neighbouring countries? The indication is that the countries borders, seaports and airports are porous, and should be condemned in the strongest terms. Efforts should be intensified to put Nigerian borders/shores in shape, and security agents should be at alert every time. NESREA and the National Toxic Dump Watch should be commended for their efforts to rid Nigeria of toxic wastes and harmful materials.

Haruna z Alhaji Buraimoh wrote in from Kano State, Nigeria.

He advocated that the country should have a national security database with some form of password-restricted access, which all security institutions in the country, tertiary institutions, hospitals, banks, insurance companies, hotels and guest houses, church and mosque administrations, sports and recreational clubs, airports, seaports and motor parks, should be connected to. His reasons were that since an average citizen must have one thing or the other to do with one or two or more of these institutions and organizations, it would be simple to detect one with criminal records, just by a mere logging in of his details.

“Just imagine at a hotel or airport check-in counter, motor park, railway station or in a bank when your criminal identity is known via a software-triggered pop-up by a young man or woman who was compelled by due process to log in to the criminal database while attending to you.

The bank will refuse to do business with you. The hotel will politely refuse to check you in. Wherever you go your criminal past will haunt, embarrass and shame you down. Criminals will either be embarrassed out of our streets in shame or be legally put behind bars where they actually belong.

No rocket science

“It is no rocket science to have CCTV/IP Camera-based surveillance of each local government headquarter in a state.

Video/audio outputs are transmitted to a designated security monitoring centre in the local government secretariat or in the Divisional Police Officer ’s office.

Transmission to monitoring centres can be by broadband wireless or fibre optics. Video/audio outputs from contiguous local government secretariats are homed to the Area Police Commands as mini monitoring centres. Outputs from Police Area Commands are homed to master monitoring centres in the State Police Command Headquarters. In each of the monitoring centres, a software engine provides playback on a date-andtime-specific basis of what happened when, where, how and by who?

Transmission from points of data capture to monitoring stations can be by satellite, optic fibre or terrestrial microwave.

Role of NigComSat, broadband cable operators

This is where NigComSat, Galaxy Backbone, Main One, Glo One, Teledom, among others come in. They will provide large capacity long distance broadband transport facilities. Acquired data can be analysed in situ or remotely for rapid response or intervention by relevant security agencies. You can contact the Institution of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) to give details of this kind of software engine. By the time we have broadband infrastructure penetration of all offices, homes and buildings in Nigeria, surveillance will be easy, fun and exciting.

There are mobile VACIS systems that can easily be tucked into security patrol vans for deployment at checkpoints in fifteen minutes. We can deploy Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems to capture the number plates of culprit vehicles as well as utilize Identity Recognition (IR) systems to uniquely identity and apprehend the criminal motorists.

Outputs of all these scanning devices can be displayed in situ or remotely via broadband connectivity with high level software engines for date-and-time-specific playback.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—27

How to hasten broadband roll-out, by NCS Continues from Page 23 the educational sector that engender significant growth in local content development and enterprise should be developed. Student PC ownership scheme is a step in the right direction,” he said.

IT innovation venture capital fund The IT innovation venture capital fund setup by the Ministry of Communication Technology, he said was applauded, noting that access to capital generally in the ICT sector needed to improve by ensuring the financial sector plays its critical role as part of innovation ecosystem required to create the future. “The issues of quality of service and consumer protection are still work in progress. Regulation and improvement of the operating environment are critical” he expalined.

Legislation According to him, government should be involved in ensuring there is legislation that provides the country with the

legal backing and confidence for a knowledge driven society. More needs to be done to put the right legal and regulatory framework that promotes trust and confidence in IT enabled activities in place, he said.

Role of stakeholders “Stakeholders will play roles determined by their

mandate. All stakeholders have a role to play in the ecosystem - industry players, government, investors, SMES, youth, the populace, etc. Essentially while stakeholders have different interests and varying responsibilities, they should all have the common goals of innovation growth and acceleration of IT develop-

ment in Nigeria.

Professional and advocacy groups in representing the interests of practitioners and stakeholders will raise pertinent issues, organize events, engage in strategic partnerships and develop initiatives that ensure the country leverages on IT to address developmental challenges.

“With members within the social, education, business and technology communities, professional associations such as the NCS will employ the expertise and capacities of members to ensure that IT is effectively deployed to improve security, poverty eradication, employment generation, local content development, research and youth innovation. In this regard, NCS will address the issue of “e-Government and National Security,” during its annual conference holding in July 2013,” he explained.

From left: Paul Ehiane, Santus Shaida, Catherine Adeh (all Etisalat customers), Mayowa Adebayo, Etisalat Manager, Customer Experience; Peter Igben and Paul Moses Abutu (also Etisalat customers) at the Etisalat VIP booth at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit before the Nigeria vs Zambia match on January 25 during an Etisalat Customer/Staff Reward Trip to South Africa.

Schneider launches white paper app for Android

BY GABRIEL AMADIEGWU & QYADRI SHODIYA

S

CHNEIDER Elec tric has announced the launch of its new white paper app for Apple iOS (iPhone, iTouch, iPad) and Android-supported tablets and devices.

The app will give users free, mobile access to Schneider Electric’s 150+ white paper library, the popularity of which garnered close to eight million downloads in 2011. As the next step in the evolution of this expansive knowledge base, the app’s availability comes in conjunction with the release of one of Schneider Electric’s research papers on the newly emerging field of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM).

The paper, titled “Avoiding Common Pitfalls of Evaluating and Implementing DCIM Solutions”, addresses how to prevent the loss of ROI when choosing, installing, and maintaining DCIM solutions – a technology which has been lauded among IT and data centre professionals as the cornerstone to achieving optimal electrical and operational efficiencies, slashing energy costs and reducing time to execute data centre changes and resolve problems.

According to the Vice President, Data Center Global Offer, Schneider Electric, Kevin Brown, “to help create the most sustainable and reliable data centers, we invest heavily in data centre research to help guide our strategy and product development.

We make much of this research freely available through our white papers in order to help others understand the industry technologies and their challenges such as DCIM,” he said.

“We’ve listened to our customers who have been asking for easier access to the white papers via tablets and other mobile devices.

We are excited to provide this capability via our new mobile application which enables convenient offline access to the entire library published by our Data Center Science Center.”

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012

FULL STRETCH . . . Ivory Coast Forward Didier Drogba (c) stretches as he vies with a Tunisian opponent during their AFCON 2013 match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Ivory Coast won 3-0. Photo: AFP.

Ivory Coast out to add to Algeria’s woes I

VORY Coast will look to make it three wins out of three at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Algeria at the Royal Bafokeng t o n i g h t .

The Elephants started the competition with a hardfought 2-1 win over Togo before stepping up a gear to register a solid 3-0 win over Tunisia.

Sabri Lamouchi’s side are guaranteed to finish on top of Group D irrespective of the outcome of the match between Togo and Tunisia, who will battle it out for second place at the Mbombela Stadium.

Nonetheless, the Ivorians will look to replicate their form from the 2012 edition where they maintained a perfect record en route to the final, where they eventually lost to Zambia on penalties.

Algeria on the other hand have it all to do as they are still searching for their first goal and first point in the

C M Y K

tournament.

The Fennec Foxes have looked good on the ball but have nothing to show for it after losing their opening game to Tunisia 1-0 before a 2-0 loss to Togo confirmed their early exit. However, attacking midfielder Adlene Guedioura says his team cannot be faulted

for the way they have played so far and will be keen to make a statement before bowing out of the competition. ”The only thing you can reproach us for is not scoring,” Guedioura said. ”You can’t reproach us for our competitiveness, our ambition, our style of play.

”We respect football and we respect our country. We’re going to try to beat Ivory Coast. ”It’s not good to finish with three defeats, because we deserve more than to lose the first two games.”

Algeria will draw inspiration from their last

meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where they scored late to tie the match at 2-2 before netting in extra time to secure a 3-2 win.

Lamouchi has already fiddled with his squad against Tunisia, leaving players like Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba out of the starting lineup, and is likely to make more changes for this game.

Vahid Halihodzic is also expected to make some changes to his squad in order to give unused players a chance to get valuable experience in preparation for their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Keita offers to pay Mali bonuses C APTAIN Seydou Keita won’t let a possible disagreement over player bonuses spoil what he called Mali’s “priceless” campaign at the African Cup of Nations even if it means paying some of the money himself.

After Keita’s Mali progressed to the quarterfinals, the skipper said there could still be a problem over extra payments for players if they reached the semifinals by beating host South Africa on Saturday.

But the former Barcelona midfielder said he would help if it was needed, and stressed Mali’s attempt to succeed at the African Cup and win a first ever title to bring some joy to its troubled homeland was “not about money.”

“You cannot imagine how moved and happy I am to be here today and be able to play a match that will bring joy to my country,” Keita said after Mali’s 1-1 draw with Congo saw it reach the least

eight. “This is priceless.

Money doesn’t matter in such moments.”

Mali has twice entered the cup with problems back home. At least year ’s tournament, Keita appealed for peace in Mali as a military coup unfolded while the team was playing in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. There, Mali made the semifinals and eventually finished third for one of its best results.

•Keita

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 29

F - L - I - C - K- S

Your Country has got a bad name here!

A

FTER seven hectic hours on a flawless road, you could imagine how tired I was when I checked into Holiday Inn at 99 Leyds Street,by Oliver Thambo Drive.

Formalities started with production of my International Passport when the receptionist, a white lady, looked and asked; “Are you a Nigerian?”.

Proud that she could be one of those who are crazy over Nigerians, I said yes. She turned her face and continued to fill in my details in her register. “You’ve got a terrible name in this country”. It was like a thunderbolt. Apparently aware of my fury, she changed gear and tried to make it lighter. “Anyway, we all have terrible names”.

Trust me. I would not allow her walk away easily by insulting me in the market place and coming to apologize in private. She stretched her hand for her money when I asked why she said that

SADNESS ‘N’ JOY . . . Zambia players celebrate at the team’s goalkeeper scored a penalty to Nigeria at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit. Match ended 1-1. Photo: AFP. Nigerians have bad reputation? “No, you guys are known for the wrong reasons.

That is the truth. If the police arrest people for various

Taxis are Lords A

T Nelspruit where the Eagles had the misfortune of drawing all their two games, the cab drivers were gentle and listened to the passenger. Their only fault was that they talk too much. It is a general disease of the people of that area.

Even when you are not listening, they would talk and talk to the point of annoyance. But out here in Rustenburg, the cab drivers are kings. They give out orders to passengers. Nobody challenges them. A driver determines who sits at the front with him.

He could pull-up on the road and ask the person at the back seat to swap with the man or woman at the front. His words are law. And once you are seated at the front, he would convert you to his conductor.

You would collect the money from all the passengers and he would tell you how much the total sum. God save you if you make a mistake. You would pay dearly for it.

Failure to obey the driver, he pulls out a gun. The Police recognize their power and the people obey them foolishly.

Once you are in, you are a zombie. Nigerians who live here have warned us to be careful and not to go alone. The streets here are busier than Nelspruit and abound with pick pockets in day time.

There are more people here.

It reminds you of Oshodi before the era of Babatunde Fashola. They know visitors with the eagle-eye of immigration officers.

Once you notice somebody following you, cross the road and stop where people are. That is how good this place BLACK STARS QUEEN . . . is.

Ghana’s supporters cheers her team.

offences, Nigerians surely must be there. It’s a bad thing down here”, she said as a matter of facts and stuffed my money in her wallet and took me to my room.

S

he had deflated my ego and I was pained and all my showmanship was gone.

I had dressed simple and thought I was good after reexamining myself on the mirror from Nelspruit. The women of Mbombela were in tears when I waived goodbye.

They love Nigerians for their energy and their money. One said that all Nigerians are millionaires. That was better than one undressing me with unkind words in another

region. I checked into the room and did a quick check and discovered that there was no air-conditioner in my room but electric heater. “You do not need that now because it would be terribly cold later”, the receptionist offered. Not for me.

“Have you been to Nigeria before?”, I asked. Luckily, she shook her head. “I’m a Nigerian and I am used to the cold. I need the A/c with this searing heat. In my country, even the smallest of Guest houses have heaters and A/c in all the rooms at an affordable cost. I cant pay through my nose and not have one in my room”. “Is Nigeria beautiful?”, she asked falling

into my trap.

“OMG! You need to get to Nigeria to know that you have been living in hell. Why do you think that we are the most populated black nation in the World? Do you know that Nigeria is the heartbeat of all black race? Do you know that we are among the world’s largest oil-producing countries? I shook my hand revealing my black pearl wrist watch that Onochie Anibeze bought for me in one of his trips round the world. It worked.

“That’s a good wrist watch you are wearing”, she remarked. I grew taller and adjusted my trouser tucking my shirt inside the trouser.

She excused me and dashed off to bring another key to another room. It was better. A beautifully decorated bed stared me in the face. She powered the a/c and showed me a giant refrigerator that could accommodate me if I decide to step inside. It was a king-size room with all the splendor in it. “I’m happy you love it.

You need to give me $50 more.

It is $150 a night”, she said.

I’ve talked myself into trouble”, I said to myself. I cant pretend to be what I am not. My Editor approved a $50 per night accommodation for me. My phone rang and brought relief to me. After about two minutes on the phone, I told her that it was our chef de mission. He said that nobody should stay alone in the room. They had made reservation for me elsewhere. She winked and called a porter to help me out with my luggage. I breathed heavily once out and thanked God for saving me.

Ass-orted!

C

LEMENCE Westerhof once said that he loved Nigerian women. He loved the natural beauty of Nigerian women especially the rhythm at the back when they walk.

The only problem with a Nigerian woman is what Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo, called Shakara. No Nigerian woman would approach a man or tell you I like you.

And when you admire and tell one that you love her, you are looking for trouble. “Look me look dis one o. You love who? Chai!”. All those ones are shakara or what my Warri friend would call IGG meaning Initial Gra-gra. E wan do. If you persevere and cross that hurdle, you would be the one on the run.

All responsibilities from “my landlord gave me a quit notice, to send me recharge card or

AFCON COMICS . . . Supporters of South Africa celebrate as their team beat Morocco at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Photo: AFP. my mother is in the hospital, I want to re-touch my hair or fix Brazilian hair, or my cloth is with the tailor etc are yours.

If you have the misfortune of falling for a student, you are in grave financial danger of paying for handouts, project money, school fees, hostel money and those dangers of unfaithfulness and responsibility that you would not allow your wife to bring forward.

The reverse is the case here.

Women toast men and men ask for favours like Nigerian women. The beauty of a South African woman is in her waist.

Nature has endowed them with big waist and they wag it provokingly.

My Ibo brother told me; “Nnaa, they are assorted here.

You don’t sweat to get any one.

Just say excuse me and they are smiling like Eve when she ate the forbidden fruit.

C M Y K

30 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

F - L - I - C - K- S

Only old men go to Church L

AST Sunday, I incurred the wrath of my driver when I told him to take me to a church so that I can worship the King of Kings. He protested that he would not come and I thought he was joking. He did not come. “It is only old men who are about to die who go to church. They are tired of the world and want God to forgive them and welcome them into His kingdom. Many people in South Africa don’t go to church.

Most of the churches in South Africa are owned by Nigerians.

They are industries. They use it to make money ne”, he rapped.

Another encounter. The driver that brought me from

Nelspruit to Rustenburg took to his heels when I alighted from the bus and said; “thank you, Jesus”. “You don’t like Jesus?”, I asked in awe. “No, no, no. People use that name to cheat and deceive. I don’t believe in it”. I gaped in shock. “We don’t go to church here.

Only old men and women go to church. You know what is right and you do it. That is better. If you go to church, you will be contributing to another person to make him fat. Look, my friend. There is no truth in the world. Once somebody says true to God, you are being cheated”. Throughout the six-hour journey, there was no mighty church building. All the buildings are

Crocodiles on the loose!

STAND 4 YOUR COUNTRY . . . Angola’s supporters cheering their country against Cape Verde at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Photo: AFP.

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OUTH Africa’s wild life is a major boost to their economy and attracts tourists to the rainbow nation. Its always a pleasure driving and

Cape Verde in 7th heaven after reaching quarters

T

HE tiny island of Cape Verde is the only debutant at the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations under way in South Africa. The journey of the Blue Sharks to the final tournament was not rosy as they stunned four-time winners Cameroon in the qualifiers.

The Sharks tamed the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 in Praia, but a 1-2 loss in the return encounter was little enough to ditch their hopes, ensuring they go through 3-2 on aggregate.

In South Africa, they have proved to all that their presence at this biggest stage in African football was not by chance holding hosts Bafana Bafana in the tournament opener before settling for a 11 draw with Morocco in their second game of Group A. However, their biggest moment will come on Sunday, January 27 against fellow Luxophone brothers, Angola, whom they beat 2-1 to claim a historic place at the knockout stage of the continental showpiece event on their maiden appearance.

It was an emotion-filled

scene at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as the Islanders came from behind to score two goals, in what has been termed the “most dramatic last 10-times” so far at the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Blue Sharks displayed a ‘ never-say-die’ performance pressing their Po r t u g u e s e - s p e a k i n g counterparts in search of the result they so much desired.

Fernando Varela reduced the deficit on 81 minutes before Heldon scored the match

winner at the death after Angolan goalie Lama had spilled a harmless effort his way.

Mario Semedo, President of the Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol said that he never gave up even when things got difficult.

“I never gave up and I had the conviction we could come back. I know the quality of the team and I was certain it was possible,” he said with a broad smile on his face at the team’s hotel in Summerstarnd, a suburb of Port Elizabeth.

seeing such animals on the roadside. Oyibos stop and take pictures. For me, I thought about how to kill it and make ngwo-ngwo soup with Cameroon pepper and a big bottle of Odeku to drive it in.

If one is caught harassing the animals, jail awaits such an offender without option of fine. But what happens if one comes across the run-away crocodiles? About 15,000 crocodiles escaped from a South African reptile farm along the border with Botswana.

Driving rains forced the Limpopo River over its banks on Sunday morning near the Rakwena Crocodile Farm.

The farm’s owners, fearing that the raging flood waters would crush the walls of their house, opened the gates, springing the crocodiles,.

About half of the reptiles have been captured, with thousands still on the loose.

AFRICAN BEAUTY . . . A Ghana’s supporter cheers her team against Niger. industries. But in Nigeria, all the warehouses have been bought over by churches.

What an irony! We pray all the time in Nigeria and yet Nigeria is sliding backwards.

South Africa is marching forward. Our leaders sit at the front rows in churches and give fat offerings and tithes.

Unlike in the days of old from the Bible, no pastor or Man of God can look a corrupt leader in the face and tell him the truth. For Eagles to play ball, we have to pray for them to play. My wife accused me that since I left Nigeria they had not seen light in Shogunle area of Lagos.

I don’t work in NEPA or Power Holding. And yet, our leader claimed that Nigerians are happy there is steady power supply. A governor will tar one small road and spend more money in publicizing it.

One Governor listed among his achievements in a state that he paid salaries regularly.

He was applauded. Another said that he brought Mr Biggs to his state. He got a chieftaincy title. We are in trouble, indeed!

Until coins weigh you down

F

SEVENTH CLOUD . . . Cape Verde’s team players celebrate their victory over Angola as they qualify for the quarter finals stage of AFCON 2013. Photo: AFP.

OR Nigerians, coins are almost a taboo to carry.

Coins in Nigeria have gone into extinction. It is then dangerous to see coins here.

Every little purchase you make, be sure to get coins as change. And there is virtually nothing that one would buy that would not have coins on top. I understand that the coins are taxes that go to Government for maintenance of roads and other public

utilities.

The people are happy because the government provides all the basic amenities. As for us, we have the misfortune of carrying coins about and it is threatening to create holes in my pockets.

They are heavy. They mark you out with the noise that comes from your pocket. They also weigh you down when you are walking.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—31

With population of 165m, Nigeria still underinsured — AM Best

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

A

.M Best Company, an international rating agency, has said that Nigeria and Egypt are considered underinsured, given their large populations of 165 million and 82 million respectively.

The report, which was conducted by A.M Best, said that African insurance market is relatively concentrated, with premiums from South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya representing 89.2 per cent of total non-life and life premium on the continent in 2011, even as South Africa is by far the largest insurance market in the region, with total premium of USD 52.4 billion in 2011.

“An insurance market’s maturity can be gauged by examining proxies, including the size of the life sector, the balance in terms of lines of business and the extent to which motor dominates the non-life sector. South Africa stands out as 79.3 per cent of its total insurance premium originates from life risks. The strong demand for life business results in total insurance premiums in South Africa representing 12.9 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) – well exceeding insurance penetration in some European countries,” the report said.

According to A.M Best,

Kenya and Morocco have the next highest levels of insurance penetration on the continent at 3.2 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively, which is comparable to markets such as Brazil and China. The rest of Africa has very low demand for insurance. In particular, Nigeria and Egypt are considered underinsured, given their large populations of 165 million and 82 million.

The report said that for Demand for insurance in

Africa has continued to increase in line with economic growth. The six largest insurance markets in Africa saw total premium increase 7.8 per cent in 2011 to USD 60.7 billion, with Nigeria and Morocco experiencing double-digit percentage growth. Insurance markets are growing from a low base, although they are still expanding at a faster rate than more developed markets.

Egypt has been an exception, with a 0.4 per cent contraction

in total premium owing to the unstable political situation after the removal of President Hosni Mubarak from office in February 2011.

The report further stated that a number of sub regional initiatives on the continent seek to promote development of the African insurance industry, including the West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA).

Insurance institutions in the five English speaking West African countries , The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria – founded the association in 1973. WAICA has converted its WAICA Reinsurance Pool to a fully fledged, sub regional reinsurance company.

From left: Men’s Division 1 Singles Champion, Mr. Emmanuel Jack receiving his trophy from the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Wale Onaolapo of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, at the just concluded 4th edition of the Annual Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc Table Tennis Tournament at Ikoyi Club, Lagos.

INSCAN appeals to brokers to comply with ‘No premium, no cover’

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

T

HE Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, has asked brokers to comply with the enforcement of section 50 of the Insurance Act 2003 which emphasizes ‘No Premium No Cover’ policy.

According to INSCAN, all insurance brokers in Nigeria should comply so that the interest of the insurance consumers will not be prejudiced before the underwriters.

INSCAN said, “We hereby enjoin all insurance brokers in Nigeria to comply strictly with the provisions of section 41 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 as regards remittance of premiums so that the interest of the insurance consumers will not be prejudiced before the underwriters.

“We also enjoin the insurance companies in Nigeria to comply with section 70 (1) of the Insurance

Act 2003 on payment of claims. We are in full support of all the recent reforms and initiatives of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, in pursuit of its main duty of protecting the interest of the insurance consumers in Nigeria.”

In a statement signed by its National President, Mr. Isaac Areola, the Association said it is in total support of the enforcement of section 50 (1) and (2) of the Act by NAICOM with effect from 1st January 2013 as the provisions relate to the insured, the underwriting companies and the insurance brokers.

According to Areola, Our Association is in total support of the enforcement of section 50 (1) and (2) of the Insurance Act 2003 by the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, with effect from 1st January 2013 as the provisions relate to the insured, the underwriting companies and the insurance

brokers.

“The Section 50 empowers an Insurance company to repudiate any claim as from an aforementioned date on which no premium has been paid except as provided in Sec 69 of the Insurance Act 2003 regarding Third Party Liability Claims.

“We hereby enjoin the Nigerian insurance industry to consequently establish the ‘premium financing’ concept as a line of business in the manner it obtains in other jurisdictions to solve this very simple problem.

“That an insurance company will be justified to repudiate any claim as from the aforementioned date on which no premium has been paid except as provided in Sec 69 of the Insurance Act 2003 regarding third party liability claims.

“That an insured person need not pay the total annum premium debited at the inception of cover but the

insurance company will be justified to pro-rate its cover to the extent to which the deposit premium is able to carry the risk.

“That the insurance companies should recognise the fact that the effective date of the enforcement is 1 st January 2013 and that we expect fairness, equity and good business relationship to prevail on all covers binded up to 31st December 2012 and thereafter.

“That unless the “No Premium No Cover ” provision was endorsed on any policy document being the evidence of the contract relating to a claim before 1st January 2013 or any other endorsement to that effect, our Association will presume non – disclosure of a material fact on the part of any underwriter wishing to repudiate any legitimate claims on basis of this provision and we shall explore all legitimate means to pursue our members claims to logical conclusions.

BRIEF 70% Americans lack Insurnace understanding

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ecently, LIMRA provided a life insurance IQ test to 4,000 Americans to gauge their knowledge and understanding of life insurance. Less than a third (1,200) passed the 10-question exam and the majority (55 percent) answered fewer than five questions correctly.

“In addition to identifying the aspects of life insurance that consumers understand and where consumers admit to being in the dark, the study also shed light on some widespread misperceptions,” said Jennifer Douglas, LIMRA associate research director for strategic and developmental research.

“With life insurance ownership at an all-time low, it is important that the industry not only overcome consumers’ lack of knowledge about life insurance but address the misinformation that is out there confusing them and possibly having a negative impact on their image of the industry.”

Consumers leave life cover off the shopping list, survey shows

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ife insurance would be a long way down the wish list for consumers given a 10 per cent rise in income, according to a poll by TAL. Some 58 per cent of respondents say they would save the money, while other popular options include settling bills (30 per cent), paying a mortgage (28 per cent) and reducing credit card or personal debt (25 per cent).

“The deleveraging taking place since the global financial crisis is still a priority for consumers,” TAL CEO Jim Minto said.

Other desired purchases include holidays, cars, technology, meals out and additional study. Only five per cent would take out or upgrade personal insurance, including income, disability, life and illness cover.

32—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

StarTimes wins PayTV channel provider award 2012

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From left: Mr. Yomi Adedeji, CEO, Sofcom/Magio; Mrs Temitope Jemerigbe, Managing Director, DKK and Mr. Dom Lawson, CEO, D58 Productions Company, during a press conference for Camora Entertainment Business Platform, in Lagos.

ICM targets customers with Scavenger Hunt Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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N a bid to redefine shopping experience, Ikeja City Mall (ICM) has introduced a new shopping experience tagged; Scavenger Hunt. A senior management staff of the mall said this January the ICM promises to thrill its customers to an exciting and experiential shopping activity.

The Ikeja City Mall Scavenger Hunt game will welcome all shopaholics to a fun, challenging and rewarding shopping experience. Shoppers who participate in this game will journey from shopping to winning. That’s because the winners of this game will go home with exciting gifts, some of which will last a lifetime, she said.

Winning has never been this easy. To participate, consumers are expected to make purchase(s) from any of the stores in ICM, get a receipt of purchase, and then indicate name/phone number behind their receipts for identification. The receipts are to be dropped off at any of ICM Scavenger Hunt DropOff Boxes within the ICM. The more purchases consumers make, the more their chances of being drawn to participate in the ICM Scavenger Hunt.

The promo runs from the 17th – 30th January, 2013.

Selection for participation will take place on Thursday, 31st of January 2013 while the actual Scavenger Hunt will take place on Saturday, 2nd February 2013. Participants

are urged to like the ICM Facebook page, http:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / ikejacitymall and follow it on Twitter @ikejacitymall for more information.

The ICM SCAVENGER HUNT is the first of many shopping delights that the ICM has planned for its customers in 2013.

FCMB offers free Visa Naira cards to customers

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IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has announced free issuance of its new range of Naira Visa Cards to customers.

The FCMB Visa Cards, which are available in debit, credit and prepaid variants, are Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) compliant and come with enhanced security features in line with global card industry standard chip technology.

Speaking at the introduction of the Cards, FCMB’s Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Shiba Ghosh said, “We are excited to be introducing these internationally acceptable VISA Naira denominated Cards which come

in three variants and provide our customers the convenience to transact anywhere in the world”.

Cardholders stand to enjoy various benefits such as discounts on purchases at certain merchant locations, secure online functionality with Verified by Visa (VbV), which is a second level authentication service that reduces the risk of making online transactions.

The Cards can be used worldwide on Point of Sale terminals, over one million ATMs and 29 million merchant locations, thus fulfilling cardholders’ electronic payment, purchasing and withdrawal needs.

TARTIMES has been adjudged as the best pay digital channel provider in Nigeria for the year 2012.

This award was given by the Nigeria Broadcaster Merit Award for the company ’s quest in ensuring that every home in Nigeria has access to digital television.

The award which was subject to public view and response through an on-line voting and resourceful research/survey from reputable agencies was won

by StarTimes amongst other competitors on the same digital platform.

Speaking on the criteria of selection, the organizer/ initiator of the award, Mr. Kazeem Popoola, said the award nomination was made

by Nigerians through on-line voting and StarTimes has transparently emerged as the best public choice in digital service. “Nigerians are now testifying to the tremendous

OYSAA begins removal of billboards over debt

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HE Oyo State agency in charge of outdoor advertising and signage regulation, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, OYSAA has began demolition of illegal billboards and signages across the state that are indebted to the agency.

Others that will be affected are billboards that owners have failed to show up to claim ownership by way of the appropriate levies and dues as directed by the agency.

OYSAA is the government agency established to regulate and control the administration of outdoor signage and advertisement in Oyo State.

In telephone chat with the Director-General of the agency Mr. Yinka Adepoju on the impending removal exercise, he lamented the high volume of indebtedness by practitioners, corporate

Cadbury’s Bournvita Yummy Promo produces more winners

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ORE Millionaires have emerged in the ongoing Cadbury Bournvita Yummy Life Promotion at the week 8 and 9 draws saw Odera Obidimma, from Abuja and Nnaemeka Nnawube from Ebonyi became winners of one million Naira at the electronic draws witnessed by regulatory Agencies and the Media.

Other winners that emerged at the draw which is the first edition for 2013 includes, Timothy Ilelaboye, a factory worker in Agbara, Lagos and MichealNdukwe, a tricycle rider from Imo State who won

the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira each while 7 others won One Hundred Thousand Naira cash each.

The emergence of these two new Millionaires brings the total number of winners of the ultimate prize of One Million Naira in the promo to nine alongside the seven previous winners including, Mrs Angela Emeruwa a Business woman from Warri, Hannah Funmilayo Adedayo, a secondary school teacher from Ilorin, Amina Ahmed, an undergraduate student of Ahmadu Bello University,

service of this brand; it is so good to know that StarTimes within the short period of its entry into the Nigerian Market has changed the Nigerian attitude towards pay TV” Popoola said.

Responding, the Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Eric Liu disclosed that StarTimes as a brand is in Nigeria to bring real entertainment to every home, “Our vision is to revolutionize the digital broadcasting industry and provide service that is affordable and available to all Nigerias, and we will continue to do so” he said.

Mr. Eric said that since the inception and operation of StarTimes in 2010, every Nigerian family has been able to access quality digital entertainment affordably. He added that with this, StarTimes has proved its excellence and originality in the pay tv industry in Nigeria.

Zaria, Kaduna, Tomori Oladejo, a petty trader from Lagos, Patience Akeraqh from Enugu, Mike Ukono , a Businessman from Owerriand another student, Elekuro Adeyemi Oluwakemi from Ibadan.

In his remarks at the draw, the Marketing Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Dele Anifowose said “with the level of participation from the consumers, the Cadbury Bournvita Yummy Life Promo has so far achieved its set objectives, which is to create excitement, delight and reward consumers for their loyalty to the brand.”

organization and other signage owners to his agency.

Mr. Adepoju registered his displeasure on the attitudes of these recalcitrant stakeholders who in spite of repeated reminders have refused to fulfill their financial obligations to the State Government emphasizing the fact that it is the corporate responsibility of such defaulters to pay their billboard taxes and other relevant bills as at when due.

“We have full backing of the state government to remove any billboards that failed these tests particularly those that owners have failed to come forward and pay for. We are going back to site on Monday to ensure that those boards are no longer there. If they have paid in those states why can’t they do the same in Oyo,” he said.

Adepoju informed Daily Independent that letter of notification on the plan demolition was duly sent to Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN for it to inform its members of the development and also to urge members that have pay to come forward and do so before the agency is accused of highhandedness.

The Director General who also noted that a recent monitoring exercise carried out by his Agency across the State revealed there were lots of billboard clusters on the roads while many are in state of disrepair thereby degrading the aesthetics of the environment claiming that all such irregularities shall be immediately corrected.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—33 Contact: udumali@yahoo.com 08126502370

Reign of Terror: Editor killed in Anambra zDSS detains Ndibe zNigeria not safe place for journalism practice — Freedom House

BY UDUMA KALU

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HE year 2013 started with ugly stories for the Nigerian media.

An editor was killed in Onitsha, Anambra State while celebrated columnist and author, Professor Okey Ndibe, was detained by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, last week.

Already, US based watchdog dedicated to the expansion of global freedom and democracy, Freedom House, in its 2012 Freedom of Press report on Nigeria said, “Despite the backing of the federal courts in attempts to extend protections for a free press, Nigeria remains a dangerous place to practise journalism.

Nigeria’s vibrant and active media sector continues to face numerous attempts by state and nonstate actors to suppress political criticism and intimidate journalists.

Libel is a criminal offence, and several journalists have been charged in recent years.

With the media lansacpe becoming dangerous, assassins had killed Ikechukwu Udendu, editor of Anambra News, a monthly newspaper based in Onitsha, last Saturday, January 12.

This becomes the seventh journalist in the world this year to be slain.

He was on his way home to Ogidi from Onitsha when he was murdered.

Udendu had gone to a commercial printing house in Onitsha to check if his monthly paper was ready for distribution.

Gabriel Baglo, Africa director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in reaction said, “Nigeria has become a country of impunity for those who have attacked and killed journalists. This is a real press freedom regress.”

Muhammad Garba,

•IGP Muhammed Abubakar president of the NUJ in his reaction said: “Journalists now live in perpetual fear of being either arrested by security operatives or attacked by faceless assailants without any just cause.”

Worried by the ugly trend, the New York-based press freedom watchdog, the Committee to Protect

•Ndibe

Journalists, called on the Nigerian authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice Still, on January 8, 2013 Ndibe who lives in the United States, was detained on his arrival at the MMA, Ikeja for more than 10 hours.

He told Vanguard that,

Role of media in conflict resolution

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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HE Media Panel: Reportism in Conflict has come and gone.

But one thing stands out from it: it succeeded in sensitizing members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm on what their attitude should be to reporting the truth under conflict situation.

Organized by Ufuk Dialogue Foundation and Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja, the two-day event was held in Lagos on Monday, January 21 2013 at Lagos State University School of Communication, Yaba and in Abuja on Tuesday January 22, 2013 at Nigerian Turkish Nile University in the Federal Capital Territory, seeking to suggest that workable principles of dialogue, tolerance, coexistence and mutual understanding should be applied in the training of media reporters as well as in the strategic procedures of reporting conflict issues.

At the Lagos event, held in collaboration with The Nation Newspaper and the Lagos State University (LASU), facilitators were drawn from Turkey and Nigeria to discuss what the role of media should be in conflict resolution in any given society particularly in Nigeria.

Guest speaker, Mr. Abdulhamit Bilici, who is General Manager of Cihan News Agency and Zaman Media

•Guest speaker and General Manager, Cihan News Agency, Turkey, Mr. Abdulhamit Bilici (right) and others at the event, in Abuja.

Group, Turkey, observed that the media had not only influenced all spheres of lives but also had given shape to social relations.

He was bothered more on how the media could play a positive role in ethnic, ideological, religious or sectarian conflicts, despite one of the basic rules in conventional media which says, "bad news is good news."

In his lecture titled, “A responsible media: Is it possible?” Mr. Abdulhamit Bilici, citing the operation of his media organization, Zaman Media Group with regard to its handling of reports of conflict situation in Turkey, told the audience that there a possible way to be a respon-

sible media.

“We have a clear position on terrorism and violence. Irrespective of the motive, we condemn any terrorist act. We do not hide our Islamic identity, but we do place a distance between Islam and terrorism.

Prominent figures such as Fethullah Gülen condemned such terrorist acts in the name of Islam and we have published this several times as a headline story despite death threats. And the Zaman Media Group strongly supports initiatives for dialogue among different cultures, religions and civilizations. We invite representatives of such groups to our conferences and editorial meetings," he said.

At the Lagos panel, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Online Editor of The Nation Newspaper, in his presentation titled, “The role of media in conflict resolution”, noted that the information and education role of the media provided it with a major opportunity to help resolve conflicts, especially when the ethics of the profession were strictly adhered to.

“Specifically, the media should stick to the truth in reporting all sides of a conflict instead of publishing falsehood and propaganda from interested parties. The standard maxim of media practice is when in doubt, leave out,” he said.

“The SSS kept me at the airport for more than 10 hours (from Saturday night to Sunday morning).

I understand the Yar’Adua government had put me on a list of state enemies. I was told that the list had been destroyed, but this was the fifth time I was

stopped coming in or leaving Nigeria.”

At the airport, a plain-clothed immigration officer, after checking his passport, took Ndibe to a DSS man who seized his passport. He was detained for 10 hours.

He was however later asked to report the following Monday morning at the agency’s office in Ikoyi to see the director for his passports. The director told him he committed no crime and that the agency should have removed his name from the list long time ago.

It would be recalled that in 2008, President Umaru Yar’Adua included Ndibe on an enemy list of critics and activists.

But President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly ordered that the enemy list be discarded.

CBS to launch pan-African News Channel

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ontinental Broadcasting Services, CBS, said it is set to launch TVC News, the continent’s first 24-hour pan-African News channel.

The TVC News channel, which will begin transmission next month, according to statement by the company, will look at the world through Africa’s eyes.

The 24-hour pan-African News channel will offer a fresh perspective on African and world events and will deliver to viewers the latest news 24 hours a day, telling the news as it is, with reporting that is as fearless as it is informative, and all with an African twist.

Chief Executive Officer, CBS, Nigel Parsons, who was formerly Al Jazeera English boss, stated that for so long, issues concerning Africa and Africans have been overwhelmingly reported by the foreign media, which often, misrepresent the continent.

“I believe that TVC News cutting-edge reporting and programming will fill an important void by serving as a voice for Africa and Africans on the street to be heard on the global scene, challenging stereotypes, correcting factual inaccuracies and reshaping global perceptions about Africa,” said Nigel.

Law Digest debuts

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AW Digest, a new in ternational legal journal has been launched in the Nigerian market.

The magazine which has online edition will profile Nigerian lawyers who have made outstanding contributions to the legal community and espouse the high standard of the profession.

Publisher of the 52page full-colour magazine, Seyi Clement, said the magazine is a truly independent publication, which addresses

legal issues without any personal or political an-

Amaka Igwe launches TV station

CELEBRATED film maker, producer and director, Mrs. Amaka Igwe, is set to join the group of television station (QTV) owners in February, 2013.

The federal government awarded the MD/CEO of Amaka Igwe Studios, BOBTV, and movie producer already has a radion arm Top FM.

34—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 30, 2013

How citizen Aigbedion was mobbed, ‘murdered’ in Turkey •Family accuses Turkish Police of connivance •Aigbedion

•He died of infection—Turkish Police

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

bread winner.

Narrating the circumstances that led to the demise of Courage, his younger brother, Mr. Presley Aigbedion told VanguardFeatures,VF that the Edo State born ex-CBN staff, died in a police cell, where he was kept for three weeks after being mobbed to a state of coma. ‘’My brother left Nigeria for Turkey in 2011, but I don’t know the precise date he left.

He was a peace loving and responsible citizen of this country. I was in the United Kingdom ,UK, when the incident happened. Upon receiving the news of his death, we had to send my elder brother, who is based in Germany to visit Turkey in respect of the matter,’’ he stated.

He further said: ‘’My elder brother made some useful findings in Turkey, which gave us the idea that our brother was mobbed to a state of coma by five Turkish youths on his way from work, he was subsequently arrested by Turkish police and was kept in their custody without medical attention. And he died three weeks after in Police custody.

While in Istanbul, my brother spoke to our late brother ’s

flatmate, who also told us that he was mobbed and allowed to die by the Police.’’

Allowed to die in Police custody

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ontinuing his narration, he said: ‘’The Police and hospital reports said Courage died on October 17, 2012, since we did not know the exact date this happened, because we did not have access to the police report that must have been issued. Some visited him in jail and confirmed that he was kept in a police cell for three weeks.

His co-worker confirmed that he worked with Courage on the day the incident happened.

That after work, they went separately to their various homes. His roommate also confirmed that Courage was brought into their flat at 2:00 am by the Police. The Police asked him to bring his passport and the roommate observed that he was bleeding profusely while his left eye was heavily bandaged, Courage struggled to tell them that he was waylaid by five Turkish boys, who beat him up at about 8:00 in the night.’’

Explaining further , he said: ‘’The roommate pleaded with the police to take him to the

hospital because he was in a bad state. But they said they were taking him to their station.

The roommate tried to visit Courage but he was not allowed to see him. He left him an envelope with some money at the counter. Three weeks later an official of the Nigerian Community in Istanbul called the roommate to say that Courage was dead.’’

According to Mr. Aigbedion, ‘’While in Turkey, the Nigerian Embassy sent an official, Mr.

wounded when he was brought to the station.’’

Aigbedion also added thus: ‘’We went back to the hospital on December 12, 2012 to identify his remains. I saw him and his left eye was deep blue resulting from the injury he may have received. I and Mr. Nwokolo the embassy official signed some papers for the release of his body once the Turkish government agrees to bear the cost of repatriation.’’

Aigbedion, who was

,

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ERHAPS if Mr. Courage Aigbedion, was told when he was leaving Nigeria for Turkey in 2011, that he was embarking on a suicide flight, he would have dismissed it with a wave of hand.

For someone, who lived in a country where relocating to Europe, seems to be the surest exit from harsh economic conditions, there would not have been anything anyone could have done to dissuade Courage from searching for greener pastures abroad.

Hence, all that mattered to him while leaving Nigeria, were the prospects of landing a good job in Turkey and coming back to the country an economically satisfied person.

But all the dreams that accompanied the former staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria,CBN, were short-lived in October 2012.

Accordingly, Courage’s journey to the land of no return, started on October 17, 2012 on the streets of Istanbul, as he was allegedly mobbed by five Turkish youths and subsequently died in Police custody.

Today, the family of the deceased are distressed over this mysterious death of their

The roommate tried to visit Courage but he was not allowed to see him;three weeks later an official of the Nigerian Community in Istanbul called the roommate to say that Courage was dead

Nwokolo to accompany my brother to the police station in Istanbul and the mortuary where he was kept for identification. At the police station, nobody showed us the charge sheet against him. No body showed any repatriation form they have filed to return him to Nigeria. No one could tell us exactly what he did wrong. One of the policeman confided in me that Courage was actually beaten up and

,

overwhelmed by emotion, said the Speaker of the House of Representatives had been petitioned on the matter.

Petition to House of Reps

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he petition which was signed by the father of the deceased, Mr. Osazuwa Aigbedion, the family called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Continues on page 35

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 30, 2013— 35

The Enugu intellectual war for English Language A participant’s diary of a 5day seminar on ‘Capacity Building for English Language’ organised at F.G.C Enugu for 78 teachers of English Language from selected Unity and State schools in South West, South East and South South zones. BY OKOFU UBAKA

A

PART from the fact that it was published on the centre spread of one of the national dailies of October, 24th 2012, nothing about the seminar, from the onset, sounded serious.

Before now, there have been seminars to light up the education sector.

But, recommendations and findings from such seminars had ended up gathering dust, or finding their way into trash cans.

With this apathy, I set out for F.G.C, Enugu, venue of the “Capacity Building for English Language” seminar, organised for teachers of English Language.

Participants were drawn from selected Unity and State schools from the South East, South West and South South geo-political zones of the country. The five days seminar which attracted no fewer than 78 participants was the brain child of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), in collaboration with SETP B Project Office, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

Peeved by the early morning crowd at the bus terminus, I ruminated over why so many persons were travelling to Enugu that chilled Sunday, December 9th morning.

Since I am from the Niger Delta, I didn’t find the Enugu weather particularly friendly and so I braced up to face its unfriendliness for the next six days of my stay. I was perched against a dusty and a skin-biting weather. I was afraid of falling sick, but the seminar was so engaging that each day was rewarding and insightful. Soon, I was to find out that as the seminar petered on,each successive day, participants, were better informed than the previous. Speaking frankly, one person was instrumental to the fillip,if not the boost that was given to the Enugu seminar. I have met professors, but in Enugu, I met one with a difference in Prof. Joy Eyisi.

There was an extraordinariness about her. She brandishes an un usual aural, and glides with the most superlative carriage I have ever seen in an academic. Prof.

Eyisi didn’t only spice up the Enugu seminar, but left me after an out-of- theatre surgery with a re-invented perception of the teaching profession. The endearing counter with Prof. Joy Eyisi has since changed my attitude to life, generally. If I must confess, I am better than I was before the Enugu seminar.

I boldly subscribed to why a seminar on capacity building for English Language, mathematics and the science subjects were imperative. The Federal Government, perhaps, was not taking lightly the mass failure of students in school certificate English Language that it was provoked into getting the organisers of the seminar to brain storm on how the unfortunate abysmal performance of students in these subjects at school certificate examinations could be reduced to the barest minimum, and put a stop to the blame game.

Arguably, these problem subjects coincidently doubled as the most relevant for the push for national development. Seminar resource persons were wonderful.

Dr. Nkiru Esther Ogwu, an Associate Professor with the department of Language and Linguistics, University of Benin, Benin-city was distinctive in her approaches to impacting knowledge. Prof. Sam Ayodele from Babalola University, would be remembered for his soft but reticent touches and minute details. Dr. Gideon Omachonu did not leave participants in doubt that he was worth his onion. Dr. Omachonu from Nasarawa state university, Simon Ogbonna and Prof. Joy Eyisi, showed that they were masters of their specialties.

Essentially, the seminar was built around the re-training paradigm. As a reference point, the five days workshop was billed to focus on the analysis of identified difficult areas of school certificate English as revealed by a previous comprehensive assessment and to marshal out effective learner – friendly techniques to tackling the challenges headlong.

For each of the four identified problem areas in Senior School Certificate English, a core module component was designed and a resource person attached to it. The four components and coincidentally, the problem areas in School Certificate English were Oral, Lexis, Summary and writing.

The objects of the designed modules were to avail teachers the opportunity to develop their content areas, update teachers with a range of new learner – friendly approaches, methods and techniques as well as to assist and support in the implementation of the new approach to teaching the language in a second language

*Participants at the English Teachers’ Workshop situation.

The seminar, however confirmed that all was not well with the Nigerian education system. The reason for the down ward slop both at the urban and rural areas varied from urban related distractions to the decaying and deplorable state of infrastructures particularly in the riverine areas. It was agreed by all that the education situation in the urban, especially, unity , and other elite Schools were better when compared to the ones in the rural areas where the system is bedeviled by lack of teachers and teaching aids.

I found solidarity in my Bayelsa brother, Igwe Sunday, who coincidentally was my group mate, and neighbour in Kambili. Before awed and incredulous looks of some

teachers of Unity schools, we took turns to speak on how pathetic our schools were at the creeks of the Niger Delta. I was at the seminar in the capacity of a senior teacher of English language, Alema College, Abeugborodo in Warri North LGA. Igwe Sunday was representing another public school in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state. Both Warri North and Ogbia LGAs are famous and in contemporary map for a reason.

Those who are conversant with the origins of President Goodluck Jonathan and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor of Delta state should know what am talking about.

In all, we had a well organised programme, and as a parting gift, Prof. Eyisi took us through the maze of

excellence in the use of the English Language, as she dropped a quote from her mentor, “errors are errors on whose lips or from whose pen they appear notwithstanding”.

As I embarked on the journey back South, I couldn’t bring myself to understand why Dr. Nzebunachi Oji was yet to be decorated a Professor, in spite of his enormous contributions to the study of English Language, within and outside the academic community of Nsukka. Dr. Nzebunachi Oji is Prof. Eyisi’s mentor. An irony I am yet to understand.

*Ubaka,a Senior teacher of English Language, Alema College, Abeugborodo in Koko, Warri North, Delta State.

How citizen Aigbedion was mobbed, ‘murdered’ in Turkey Continued from page 34 to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter.

It also urged the Speaker to prevail on the Turkish Government to take responsibility for repatriation to Nigeria, the corpse of the deceased, who was allegedly murdered on October 27, 2012.

The petition written through Mr. Jim Adun, who is representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency in the House, reads:”This is to formally protest the gruesome murder of my son on the street of Istanbul, Turkey by five Turkish youths who mobbed him into a state of coma. The said youths thereafter with the active connivance of the Turkish Police, clamped the deceased into cell for three weeks without granting him access to medical attention.

He died in Police cell as a result of injuries sustained and brutality of the five Turkish youths. ‘’While I note that nothing can be done at this stage to bring back the life of the deceased, the uncivilised, brutish and degrading of human life aided by Turkish Police authority brings to the fore the culpability of the Turkish government in the death of my son.’’

•Hon. Aminu Tambuwa It further said: ‘’In achieving justice, I want the Federal Government through the instrumentality of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Turkey to assist in finding answers to various questions on the matter in order to get justice for the deceased.’’

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 37 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Unless you are more careful matters-of-the-heart may cause avoidable trouble the way your career/business can suffer temporarily.

LIBRA; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression unnecessarily. Here is a day when secret love is capable of bringing serious pressure. Try to be very diplomatic.

SCORPIO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Your concentration level is not perfect and if you take bad advice from friends you would be misled. The more practical you are the better for you.

SAGITTARIUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your part along your career/business lines will back-fire more than you imagine. Graceful expression is what you will need.

CAPRICORN; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Happenings within your working arena can bring minor provocation but it is just a passing trend. Travelling for love will bring more challenges than expected.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

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HIS is a didactic story from which we can all learn especially some of us that know how to pretend a lot.

The story goes thus: There is this undergraduate girl who pretends to be a very serious Christian each time she is at home on holidays. At every point in time she is always going for church activities, if it is not house

Read your bible fellowship, it is a child dedication. And our dear sister is always holding her bible. Needless saying her father had pride in her and believe she reads her bible often.

Anytime our sister is going back to school, her father ensures that she is

TERROR MUDA

given enough cash in addition to an endorsed cheque of some amount which is placed in her bible unknown to her.

Anytime our sister request for more fund when she exhausted her pocket money, the answer from the father is always “Read your bible”. And one day

in “Never say goodbye”

she decided to actually check her bible in order to know why her father is always telling her to read the bible. Alas! She met signed cheques by her father.

The bible here connotes lots of things we do and we think we are the only one that knows about them. In everything we do, let us try to be our real self. Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Male members of this Star sign will need to watch their libido while female must not ignore their sex-life. Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.

PISCES; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re-action to those within your base of operation who are not as perfect as you. Protect your spouse.

ARIES; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is the wrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument.. Romance at work may bring disappointment.

TAURUS; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Trying to influence matters-of-the-heart with money will not give you the desired result. Any way it is a day you will need to be more careful with money.

GEMINI; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; It is important you are more careful while trying to pass judgement on people within your base of operation because you too may be wrong.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; Taking a pleasure drive or movement may bring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep away from whatever can not be placed above board today.

LEO; Partial Solar Eclipse in Virgo today ; /9 If you allow friends to force their ideas on you financially or on matters-of-the-heart, you would be the loser. Express yourself gracefully.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What should I know?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me where the Moon was placed when I was born and other things I should know about my star.

Muhammadu Jos. Dear Muhammadu, What space can take will be given here-under. Your natal Moon was in Aries.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Preponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an indication of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together with innate ability to attain prominence on one hand, on the other hand, exaltation of intellectual related Mercury in Aquarius at positive angle to both lucky Jupiter and Uranus (the planet of genius) in Libra pointed to a person with higher pitch of intelligence.

Action loving Mars as the final dispositor of your horoscope ( that’s most influential planet at home when you were born) will most times induce you to strongly desire importance with likeness for quick results; actually long promise without concrete action will bore you easily. Equally 60 percentage of pushfull influence in your chart means that the best for you is to go after your needs and wants.

Combination of all the placement and aspects formed within the planets when you were born are pointers to you as a person with balanced personality with little bias for good spiritual life. And you believe in disciplinarian life style.

Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in compassionate Pisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indications of your being mainly a Piscean and partly an Arian, however as Aries is also your Stellium sign, both basic characteristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

38 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

She complains I leave her sore Dear Bunmi, I DON’T ejaculate easily and can make love with nothing happening for a long time.

My current girlfriend is now getting frustrated and sore. I don’t know what the trouble is as I have no problem masturbating. Can you help?

Patrick, By e-mail

Is this toyboy trying to dump me?

Dear Bunmi, I AM in my early forties, divorced, with two children. I have a thriving business I enjoy running and recently met a young handsome chap who supplied a few items to my shop. One thing led to another and we started a relationship. He lives alone with his son but spends most of his free time with me.

He seemed really shocked a few months ago when he flicked through my passport and saw how old I was. He said I was over ten-years older than he was. He looked older to me and people have always said I looked lots younger for my age. He told

me he was not bothered by the age gap, that we should take each day as it comes.

Not long after, he stopped coming to my house altogether. He assured me it had nothing to do with my age, that after the relationship with the mother of his son, he didn’t want to rush into anything he would regret. Will he come back? I love him in spite of his age.

Helen, By e-mail.

Dear Helen, Underlying every relationship between a man and a woman whether they acknowledge it or not, is their

powerful desire to have children. Because you feared it might spoil the romance, you must have instinctively hidden your age from your man.

When he knew the truth, his underlying concern was that you were nearing the end of your child-bearing years.

Men search for women who are younger than them because they’re more likely to be fertile. The chemistry of attraction is also simple and as basic as that - and this must have been why your brief and heady romance ended so abruptly. He has obviously moved on, so should you, and cherish the memories he gave you.

Should I have this tryst with my ex?

Dear Bunmi, A FEW years back, I made a pact with my boyfriend that, no matter what, every five years, we’d meet at a certain restaurant we often frequented in the area where we lived.

The romance was really hot and he was my first love, so we put the date in our diaries, vowing we’d be there.

We split up about a year later because he went abroad for his masters but we parted on good terms. He’s since been back in the country and that date comes around in a few months. But I’m now married and have a child. I’m happy with my husband but I would still like to honour the promise I made all those years ago.

I know my loyalties should lie

with my family but I also feel an obligation to a man who was once very important to me.

My question is, should I go or not? I have had no contact with my ex since he came back simply because he doesn’t know my contact address. I have no way of finding out if he even remembers our pact. What if he doesn’t turn up? I’m driving myself mad trying to decide. Can you help?

Yemisi, By e-mail

Dear Yemisi, Have you thought of selling the film rights to this deliciously complex moral dilemma to any of these Nollywood producers?! I can see you’re dy-

If you honestly don’t have any ulterior motives of rekindling the romance or having a stolen night of love making, why haven’t you told your husband about this; you never know, he might just be happy to watch over the baby and sit at home curious and excited to find out what happened when you get home

’

ing to honour this pact out of curiosity. But before you dorn your glad rags and sit in that restaurant (if it still exists!) you need to have a brutally honest look at your motives for going.

You say you’re happy with your husband and child but it’s tough being a wife and mother and there’s a bit of fantasy wrapped around this secret meeting. Think of what is likely to happen when you meet up, and be honest with yourself. Will the goodbye at the end involve a handshake and “lovely to see you,” or a lingering kiss with promises, e-mail and phone calls and next thing you know, you're meeting up in five days rather than five years?

If you honestly don’t have any ulterior motives of rekindling the romance or having a stolen night of love making, why haven’t you told your husband about this? You never know, he might just be happy to watch over the baby and sit at home curious and excited to find out what happened when you get home.

Your best bet here is not to go anywhere near the restaurant. Instead, send a friend (with his photo) in your place to tell him you couldn’t turn up but wish him well. You could also leave a message with the owner of the place saying the same thing. Do let me know what happened.

I’m desperate to find out if he turns up or not!

Dear Patrick, Some few men have difficulty reaching orgasm. For most of these men, if will be only temporary, but for some, it can be due to an underlying

health problem like diabetes.

Prescription drugs can also delay ejaculation as can too much alcohol.

When you masturbate, you know how to touch yourself to get the best feel. Teaching a girlfriend to stimulate you the same way may also help your performance. For some men, it is more in the mind with worries about the relationship. Let your girlfriend know how you feel and tell her you need her co-operation for both of you to have a fulfilled love life.

Help, my libido is failing!

Dear Bunmi, I AM in my mid 30s and have a good job and a healthy social life. However, there is an embarrassing problem that is bringing me a lot of shame.

Whenever I go to bed with a partner, the chemistry is right and I have no problems performing. Lately, however, I just don’t seem to be able to get it up. Most of the time, my organ doesn’t rise to the occasion. I’m nervous about trying because I know it won’t work and I don’t want to be ridiculed by my women. Is there anything I can do?

Funsho, By e-mail

Dear Funsho, Your problem could be caused

by what is referred to as ‘performance anxiety.’ You’ve had a couple of bad experiences and now, your nerves make sure it happens nearly every time. There are some questions you need to answer.

Could your present predicament have a physical cause?

If it does, you need to see a doctor who may be able to help with this problem.

Are you leading an unhealthy lifestyle? Drinking too much booze can cause erectile problems, so cut down now.

Lastly, if your confidence is at its lowest ebb and you think of failing all the time, you will concentrate on what you’re good at in bed and take things slowly until you get your confidence back.

Why couldn’t he trust me?

Dear Bunmi, AT the time I met my current partner four years ago, he was in a marriage that was heading for the rocks. He was having affairs and so was his wife.

In the end, the wife left with the two children of the marriage to be a second wife with one of her lovers. It was after she left him we became attached to each other and we now have a daughter.

The problem is that, in spite of my constantly showing and telling my partner how much I love him, he just doesn’t trust me. He’s over ten years older than I am and this could be a reason for his insecurity. Every day, I get drilled about where I’ve been and who I’ve spoken to. He accused me of arranging dates with men in my office and even clients. He rummages through my handbags any time he has the opportunity. I have never been unfaithful to him and wouldn’t dream of betraying his trust. I just don’t know how to deal

with this insane jealousy of his.

Dolapo, By e-mail

Dear Dolapo, A relationship founded on the ruins of a marriage is often difficult to sustain. Your partner thinks of you as the woman for whom he deserted his wife and children.

Because both of them were constantly unfaithful, he has lost confidence in the integrity of men and women. He feels no one could be faithful to him after the experience he went through with his ex, so he expects you to go the route his ex went.

Both of you need to discuss the need for absolute honesty in your relationship and agree to live only in ways that allow both of you to feel proud and secured. But you also need to be patient with him. In time I hope that his faith in human nature - and the belief that he is worthy of love - will be restored.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

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Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 —39

Hon. Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor, (centre) supported by his wife, Rachael, cutting his 47th birthday cake at Government House in Yenagoa, while Chief Pere Ajuwa, former presidential aspirant (4thleft) and a cross-section of members of the State Executive Council, at the birthday celebration, Monday.

Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Commissioner of Transport, Delta State, addressing taxi and bus drivers on the Unified Number Code and Identification Data, at the State Secretariat, Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor, presenting a gift to Commodore Kenneth Bolanle, the team leader, Syndicate 7 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, during a courtesy call by the team to the Governor's Office, in Abeokuta

Rev. Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe, General Overseer, MANNA Miracle Mountain, flanked by wife, Dr. Ejiro Kwakpovwe (left) and Rev. John N . Fair of Miracle Life, as Special Quest, at the World Anointing Night by the MANNA Miracle Mountain with the theme: 'I Shall Recover All', at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, week-end. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Mr. Job Bebenimibo (left), Director of Education, presenting educational items on behalf of Tompolo Foundation to Mr. McDonald Akpojevwa, as Comrade Paul Bebenimibo (middle), Executive Secretary and others, look on.

From left: Dr. Femi Orebe, Chairman, Nigerite Ltd; Mr. Alberto Tenorio, new MD, Nigerite Ltd; Chief Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman, Odu'a Investment; Mr. Adebayo Jimo, GMD, Odu'a' Investment and Mr. Jean-Luc Viatour, the outgoing MD of Nigerite Ltd, during the visit of the new MD of Nigerite Ltd and his predecessor in office to the group Headquarters of Odu'a Investment Company Ltd, Cocoa House, Ibadan.

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Hon. Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor, (2nd right); his wife, Rachael (right); Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Deputy Governor, (left) and the mother of the Governor, Madam Goldcoast Dickson, shortly after cutting the Governor's birthday cake.

From left: Mr. Robert Ikazoboh, Managing Director, Dragnet Solutions, Olusegun Oshinowo, Director General, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, NECA and Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, Director General, National Directorate of Employment, NDE, with the Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three parties, at the NDE Headquarters, in Abuja.

From left: Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo, President; Dr. Agozie Ubesie, member, (both of Paediatric Association of Nigeria); Dr. Aloysius Ononye, Research Scientist; and Mrs. Adebusola Opanubi, Regulatory & Technical Relations Manager, (both of Procter and Gamble, at the Procter and Gamble's press conference organised as part of the 44th Annual Conference of the Paediatric Association, in Enugu.

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 30, 2013

Binji LG pegs bride prices at N40,000, N15,000

BY ABDALLAH EL-

KUREBE OKOTO—APPAR ENTLY worried by the high cost of marriages in Sokoto State, the Binji Local Government Area in the state has now pegged bride prices to between N40,000 and N15,000 for eligible spinsters and divorcees.

According to the Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Umar TudunKosai, those interested in marrying spinsters would pay N40,000 only while divorced women would attract N15,000, pointing out that decision was in line with Islamic injunction which encourages modesty in everything that any Muslim does.

He said: ”This is sequel to the promulgation of the bye-law recently enacted by the local government to curb the menace of extravagance in marriage, naming and other religious ceremonies.”

He adding that a committee has been apponited to enforce the provisions of the law.

S

Palmer Eghagha for burial

M

R Palmer Arantse Eghagha (retired diplomat), of Mereje in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, is dead. He died on December 11, 2012, after a brief illness.

There will be a Service of songs on Friday, February 1, at his residence, 46, Enerhen Road, beside Coca-Cola depot, Enerhen, Delta State.

Funeral service and interment will hold at his home Town, Mereje.

He is survived by the widow, Mrs. Mary Abiaha Eghagha, children and many relations incuding, Mr. Omamerhi Eghagha and Mr. David Eghagha.

From left: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto; Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during the National Economic Council Meeting in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Acting Director General of NTA, Alhaji Musa Mayaki (right) and Senior Vice President/Managing Director, VIMN Africa, Alex Okosi, at the signing of MoU for local content and capacity building in Abuja, yesterday.

Abia commissioners fault Kalu on funding of exco

BY ANAYO OKOLI MUAHIA—THE raging altercation between the Abia State House of Assembly and the state Executive Forum on one side and the former governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu, on the other, deepened yesterday, when the commissioners denied a statement credited to the former governor to the effect that they were not

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getting enough funding from the government.

The forum in a statement by its chairman and state Attorney General, Chief Ume Kalu, said: “Each member of the executive forum enjoys unprecedented job satisfaction arising from his or her appointment as the conditions of service prevalent in Governor Theodore Orji’s administration are incomparable to what obtained during the eight dark years of Kalu’s discriminatory and exploitative rule in the state.

’’Apart from the paraphernalia of office, exco forum members are certainly and obviously proud to serve in Governor Orji’s government as it has proved to be driven by the passion to transform the state holistically.

“Political appointees serving under Governor Orji hold the governor in very high esteem for many reasons; including not demanding any bribe from them or subjecting them to any sort of oath-taking before being appointed.’’

ACF charges Jonathan on leadership

BY EMEKAMAMAH ADUNA—THE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to provide leadership to the nation in order to increase performance by nation’s leaders saddled with the responsibility of governace.

National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr. Anthony Sani, made this known while reacting to media reports that the the threetiers of government had so far spent over N80 trillion between

K

2005 and 2012, going by the annual budgets of the states and the Federal Governments since 2005.

Out of the N80 trillion, about N56 trillion went to the payment of salaries and other entitlements of civil servants and political office holders, leaving a balance of N24 trillion for development of infrastructural facilities.

The budgets however, did not include those of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the NIger Delta De-

velopment Commission, NNDC among others.

Reacting to the development, ACF said: “If the reports of the governments’ spending of as much as N80 trillion is true, then it has vindicated the allegations of a contradictions in an economy which grows at over six percent, yet carries gold medals in misery indices and brings the rear in human development index like insecurity, poverty, unemployment, infant and maternal mortality rates.”

CAN crisis: Atilade wants end to media cautioned that if the crisis Haramcrisis facing them frontally. war by leaders wasHeallowed Atilade, president of Christian to persist, it might

L

AGOS—CHAIRMAN South-West Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, yesterday, called for a cease-fire to end the raging press war by some national leaders of the organization.

Atilade said in a statement in Lagos, yesterday, that the war should stop without delay before any damage was done to the entire Christendom and polarize its members nationwide.

erode the vision, mission and objectives of CAN’s founding fathers, stressing that what the present leadership should do was to dialogue instead of engaging in press war.

The South-West CAN leader pointed out that Christians would be shooting themselves in the foot if they should engage themselves in unnecessary friction or rancour when there was a common enemy, the Boko

Welfare Initiative, CWI, and chairman, South West Zone of Organised African Instituted Churches, OAIC, said CAN should put its house in order instead of precipitating crisis that could consume the entire organization if not properly managed and allow out-siders to meddle into CAN’s internal affairs.

He futher stated that a house divided against itself can never stand.

They, however, asked the former governor to apologise to it and to retract the said statement.

Land matters: Ibeju-Lekki monarchs back Akiolu on ban

BY INNOCENT ANABA AGOS—TRADITIONAL rulers in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, have supported the ban of all Obas in Lagos State in land matters by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

Oba Akiolu, who is Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas, last week, at a meeting of the council, warned all Obas to steer clear of all land matters or incur his wrath.

He promised to hand over any erring Oba caught in shoddy land deals to the police, adding that he would use his position to ensure that such Oba goes to jail.

Seven traditional rulers in Ibeju-Lekki, yesterday, at OkoOlomi, Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, expressed their support and appreciation to the “bold step Oba Akiolu had taken to curb the incessant forceful acquisition of land in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State by certain traditional rulers, acting in connivance with top unscrupulous Lagos State Government officials.”

In attendance were Baale of Ekutu, Adegunwa Adeboyejo, among others.

They alleged that their families had beenexercisingrightofownershiponlarge expanse of land in the Ibeju-Lekki Area of Lagos until recently, when a stranger was imposed on them as Oba.

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Ifiekporo leadership tussle: I’m being victimised —Omadeli

W

Late Palmer Eghagha

BY DANIELGUMM

ARRI—EMBATTLED Chairman of Ifiekporo Community Trust in Warri South Local Government, Prince Charles Omadeli, has said that the claim by treasurer to Warri South-WestLocalGovernmentCouncil, Mr. Monday Agbeyi, that he is the new chairman of Ifiekporo is a deliberate ploy by agents of

Delta State Government to victimise him as a result of his political stance.

Prince Omadeli accused the government of Delta State its agents of “incessantly” provoking his leadership to act irrationally.

InastatementinWarri,PrinceOmadeli alleged that the special project director of Trans Warri Ode-Itsekiri bridges and access roads, Chief Otimeyin Adams,

“stopped all benefits due us as executive for almost five months” and “completely ignored the Olu’s mandate letter directing Setraco to be having dealings” with his leadership.

The statement further alleged that Chief Adams ordered “Monday Agbeyi and his cohorts to complain to the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs to invite all companies operating within Ifiekporo Com-

munity with a view to ensuring that he uses the government to up-turn the palaceorder”.

He queriedtherationalebehindMonday Agbeyi’s letter appealing to governor Uduaghan’s SSA on Community Affairs for recognition when he has already gone to court to challenge his leadership and the “mandate for community leadership in Warri Kingdom is the prerogative of the Olu of Warri.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 41

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42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PDP 2015 PRESIDENCY:

Coveted seat, veiled contenders AMIDST continuous denial by those already mentioned as having presidential ambition, the game will boil down to one seat hotly contested by many from the same party.

is fueling the rumoured interest by several influential party men in the political race. Apart from Alhaji Sule Lamido, who was earlier said to be preparing to run with Rotimi Amaechi , several others have also indicated circuitous interest in the emerging game.

Sule Lamido

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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VEN before the whistle is blown, the contenders are already enmeshed in a muffled hide-and-seek game.

Curiously, none is willing to admit they are interested in the game that can catapult one of them to the zenith of Nigeria’s leadership and change the ego for life.

Interestingly, all the major contenders are from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, which has been holding the nation’s mantle of leadership since the return to popular democracy in 1999. There is no sign the party, which prides itself as the largest in Africa is ready to concede its covetous job to the opposition it has often ‘defeated’ with overwhelming votes and subsequently floored in the election tribunal. As it has always been, the contenders are holding their game plans to themselves, hoping to see who will bell the cat. It is not unlikely that repercussions will follow party members, no matter how

H

OW Labran Maku would rank in a performance appraisal of Nigeria’s Information Ministers remains a fiercely debatable issue.

Given the disrepute that trailed some of his more controversial predecessors, judgment on what Mr. Maku makes of his time in office understandably would unlikely be delivered until his exit.

Among his predecessors were Prof. Jerry Gana who Comrade Adams Oshiomhole mocked for parroting jerry can of lies, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije who in the opinion of some had an overriding design to force the descendants of Oduduwa out of Nigeria, and off course, the sometimes comical Alex Akinyele, whose laborious efforts in dressing and makeup produced minuscule results in burnishing the image of the Ibrahim Babangida regime.

There was also Dr. Walter Ofonagoro who served Gen. Sanni Abacha, lacing intellectual fervour into the brutish instincts of that regime.

But how does one place Mr. Maku, one of few professional journalists to have occupied the

influential, who challenge President Jonathan’s right to contest in 2015. Jonathan’s inexplicable reluctance to come

clean on the matter of his 2015 ambition is what has prompted many into the ring. And that in itself, is sure to hurt both the

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com SMS 08052201189

Drawing the line:

Comrade Maku’s assault on Ezekwesili position of Minister of Information? His journalism background is also spiked with a history of activism which Mr. Maku obviously would now want to be forgotten. A former official of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Maku reportedly led campaigns against the increase in petroleum product prices during the Ibrahim Babangida regime. Mr. Maku’s position on issues dealing with the welfare of the people is now an issue.

His rabid defence of the administration despite gapping holes on the issue of the multi-trillion naira subsidy

fraud was a defining point in the redefinition of the once socialist inclined Comrade Labran Maku.

For whatever effort he has made, no one had expected Mr. Maku with his new outlook to life and the masses, to take head on, one of the more credible officials of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili.

Mrs. Ezekwesili, a chartered accountant who helped in founding the global anticorruption body, Transparency International, was also the pioneer head of the Price Monitoring Unit of the Obasanjo administration, a unit that brought into our lexicon,

pretending president and a courageous army of first-timers to the contest.

His lethargy is perhaps what the concept of due process in the procurement programmes of government.

It was her staunch inclination to due process and undoubtedly her incorruptibility that led to the sobriquet, ‘Madam Due Process’ and the agitation among many contractorlegislators for her sack on account of her hard opposition to reducing the bar for the legislators.

Mrs. Ezekwesili was also pivotal to the enactment of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, a programme that was conceived to enhance transparency in the petroleum and other extractive sectors.

Mrs. Ezekwesili is also known to be a forthright person who does not suffer fools gladly despite her acclaimed Christian faith and marriage to a pastor.

For such a woman, one would need to prepare a damning dossier to confront her. So, when Mrs. Ezekwesili last Thursday gave a convocation speech at the graduation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and detailed the failures of Nigeria as a nation state, it was remarkable that the

Governor Sule Lamido, who was widely touted to have been anointed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to succeed President Jonathan, has kept a studied silence on the matter. In several fora where the question was put to him, the former foreign affairs minister, has parried the issue, preferring instead to say he feels flattered by the linkage of his humble self with the high office in the land.

The governor, who does not however hide his closeness to Obasanjo, has continued to dazzle his people with good performance that has changed the face of his state capital, Dutse, and given a sense of hope to the natives.

Despite the high calling of his office, Lamido has chosen to live with the people and cater for their needs. He wants to be identified with the poor rather than be carried away by the trappings of the office. The governor has sworn not to borrow a dime to run the affairs of the state, so as not to leave behind any debt for his

Continues on page 43 newspapers focused on the aspect of the speech where she lamented the squandering of $67 billion left by the Obasanjo administration by the successor Umaru Yar‘adua and Jonathan administrations. But beyond that observation was the intellectual lushness of a speech this correspondent would class among the best to have been presented in these shores in recent times.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Maku returned to his riotous past to engage Mrs. Ezekwesili by lampooning her character and her stewardship of the Ministry of Education.

By resorting to mob mentality to engage Mrs. Ezekwesili, Mr. Maku has only helped to strengthen the arguments canvassed by Mrs. Ezekwesili.

He has also done the administration no favour, chasing shadows rather than substance on the issues of development raised in the speech.

Many on twitter and other online media are even canvassing that the Ezekwesili speech be circulated and made a compulsory text for civic education in our schools.

I no less agree.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 — 43

nation.

Despite all that, will he be able to replicate what he has started in Bauchi across Nigeria and will Nigerians take him serious if he were to run and become president of Nigeria?

Rabiu Kwankwaso

•Babangida Ailyu

•Rabiu Kwankwanso

•Isa Yuguda

Coveted seat, veiled contenders successor. How he manages to transform the state therefore remains a miracle to many of his admirers and visitors to the once downward state.

Lamido it appears, is driven by the passion and policies of his late role model, Mallam Aminu Kano.

“I am going to confront the underdevelopment in the state in a way that could satisfy the yearnings of the vast majority of our people whom poverty and misery have reduced to conditions unworthy of human beings," he has said.

“That is the ideological framework, which defined the Talakawa struggle founded and led by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. This ideology simply means democratising love, care and compassion so as to bench mark humanity in terms of diginity and respect,” the governor stated in his inaugural address in 2011.

If the coast becomes clear for him to contest, Lamido would be riding on the crest of his modest achievements in Jigawa to sell himself to Nigerians and ask for their votes to occupy the exalted office of the President of Nigeria.

The humility and connection with the people have made him to regard the post of a governor as a privilege to interact the more with the people rather close the gap against them.

He says: “I do not see any big deal being the governor of a state.

I am still myself and I continue to relate with the people the same way I have been dealing with them when I was a private individual. To me, governance is just a position of leadership to provide service for your people.

It does not change anything in me.

What may however work against his alleged presidential ambition is finance, which he may not have as much as most of his

contenders. But if the goodwill of the people of Jigawa State were all that was needed to put him in Aso Rock, Lamido would have started celebrating his victory. The people have already endorsed him for the job not minding the daunting task that lies ahead.

Babangida Aliyu

The Niger State Governor is unarguably one of the most visible governors in the Northern part of Nigeria, having occupied many federal posts before settling down to the job of governing his state in 2007.

The “Chief Servant” is already at home with the politics of his people and the North, having been holding sway as the Chairman of the powerful Northern Governor’s Forum, a political platform that canvasses the interest of the North and its people on many national issues.

But he has not openly declared any interest in the presidential race. Nonetheless, his name keeps coming up whenever the presidential race is discussed.

How that continues to recur and who is linking his name with the contest, could best be explained by his handlers and supporters in Minna and Abuja.

The Talban Minna remains a popular face in the north particularly with his novel concept of servant leadership, as a paradigm shift from the known brutal master-servant leadership in Nigeria.

Aliyu explains the concept as “the need for a paradigm shift from our present style of masterleader relationship, which sees leadership as a means to personal wealth to that of servantleadership, which recognises the people as the target beneficiaries and encourages participatory democracy.”

According to him, the servantleader must perceive his/her role

,

Continues from page 42

Despite the veiled interest being expressed by interested individuals, it may not be long before the PDP wields the big stick against those with an eye on the presidency

,

as a humble employee, a steward who forgets his/her personal interests and who is more concerned with the greatest good for the greatest number.

Though the governor has been using the concept to run the state since being elected governor in 2007, it is only the people of the state who can vouch how far the principle has gone in changing the ways of doing things in the state. The people are also in a better position t judge if the Chief Servant has changed their landscape and fortune.

But beyond that if the concept has worked in Minna, will it work in Nigeria if Babangida Aliyu were to be elected the president of Nigeria?

Isa Yuguda

Again, like other governors, Isa Yuguda has not publicly declared his interest in the presidential race. But like his colleagues, his name rings a bell among those said to be interested in the contest. As one of the governors well liked by the system, apparently because he does not easily rock the boat, Yuguda remains a possible contender, whose chances may be brighter than others in the murky game.

Asked recently to clear the air on the matter, the former aviation minister, said, “I am just hearing that from your mouth. Is that what they are saying about me?

But should he make up his mind to run, what would count for and against Yuguda?

Yuguda’s decamping from the ANPP, which sponsored him for election in 2007 for the PDP remains a sour point for him as his accusers see him as one who can easily be assuaged to change course.

But the governor insists he remains who he is-simple, steady and straightforward in his dealings. He does not bend or change course as long as what he does is in the interest of the people and society, he insists.

“Before I came into office, there was that dichotomy between indigenes and non-indigenes. I have also abolished discriminatory fees in all Bauchi schools to ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of their states of origin, who are in Bauchi State can access the same quality of education like Bauchi state people,” the governor said.

His argument is that all Nigerian children should have access to education and that they should enjoy the crumbs that fall from the government and should not be discriminated against under any guise.

“I don’t want any child in Bauchi State to grow up and begin to imagine that he or she is not from here or somebody will come and tell him that he is a non-indigene because he has another state. I want a situation that will make it possible for those who are from other states but are staying and doing business in Bauchi to have a sense of belonging and benefit from all that the administration can provide.

It is by so doing that our country Nigeria will make progress and prosper as a united

The governor of Kano State is known for his hard stance on several national issues and he appears to have ‘answers’ to all matters relating to Nigeria. He has not however made public his rumoured presidential ambition.

However those close to him, describe Kwankwaso, as a man who can change the fortunes of Nigeria and Nigerians if he becomes President either in 2015 or in the near future.

His admirers describe Kwankwaso as one Nigerian politician who has ‘seen it all’, having been a long standing public officer and a member of the House of Representatives before becoming governor of Kano State for the first time in 1999. His second time in the Government House Kano in 2011 has given him additional political impetus to canvass for any position in Nigeria. He may not be a very popular Nigerian politician because of his controversial views of national issues.

He is currently embroiled in a verbal war with the National Assembly over the review of the 1999 Constitution, which he describes as a sheer waste of time and resources. According to him, nothing will come out of the exercise and that Nigerians should not waste their time paying attention to it. But that position has pitted him against the national assembly members, who see him as someone trying to disrupt the review of the law.

In Kano, where Kwankwaso has been holding sway in the last two years, things are said to be looking up and there is hope he can continue to change the landscape with more projects and infrastructure.

But can he address Nigeria’s problems if he is made the president?

PDP and Jonathan’s disposition

Despite the veiled interest being expressed by interested individuals, it may not be long before the PDP wields the big stick against those with an eye on the presidency.

The party has already told an Abuja Federal High Court that it can sponsor Jonathan for the next election. And there appears to be little or nothing interested party members can do to change the decision of the party in that regard.

The option that may be left when that happens is for the aggrieved to either bury their muffled ambition or leave the party and the coveted seat for the leader of the party-Jonathan.

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Malian troops recover rebel arms

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RENCH-backed Malian troops searched house-to-house in Gao and Timbuktu yesterday, uncovering arms and explosives abandoned by Islamist fighters.

This is even as France said it would look to hand over longer-term security operations to African troops.

French and Malian troops retook the two Saharan towns in northern Mali virtually unopposed at the weekend after an 18day French-led offensive that has pushed back the al Qaeda-allied militants into hideouts in the deserts and mountains.

Malian government soldiers were combing through the Niger River towns and their neighborhoods of dusty alleys and mud-brick homes. In Gao, they arrested at least five suspected Islamist rebels

and sympathizers, turned over by local people, and uncovered caches of weapons and counterfeit money. Residents reported some looting of shops in Timbuktu owned by Arabs and Tuaregs suspected of having helped the Islamists who had occupied the world-famous seat of Islamic learning, a UNESCO World Heritage site, since last year.

Fleeing Islamist fighters torched a Timbuktu library holding priceless ancient manuscripts, damaging many.

Malian army sources told Reuters pockets of armed Islamist fighters, on foot to avoid French air strikes, were still hiding in the savannah and deserts around Gao and Timbuktu and near main roads leading to them, parts of which were still unsafe.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom yesterday boosted its offer of aid to

help France fight Islamist rebels in Mali, and pledged troops to help other African governments in the region counter a rising tide of Islamist radicalism.

Up to 240 British troops could be deployed as part of two missions to train African troops, 40 in Mali as part of a European Union mission, and a further 200 in anglophone West African countries, Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman said.

At least 70 more British personnel could be involved in logistical and support missions. “It is an African operation in support of the Malian government and we think that the right way to do this is for regionally-led forces to take the lead,” the spokesman said, adding Britons would take no combat role.

Obama joins immigration reform move

U

S President Barack Obama will try to build support later for an immigration overhaul, a day after a bipartisan group of senators said

the time was right for reform.

Mr Obama will present his plan at a high school in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is expected to mirror

Egyptian army warns against unrest deploying troops in cities

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GYPT’s army chief has said that political unrest was pushing the state to the brink of collapse, a stark warning from the institution that ran the country until last year as Cairo’s first freely elected leader struggles to curb bloody street violence.

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a U.S.-trained general appointed by President Mohamed Mursi last year to head the armed forces, added in a statement yesterday that one of the primary goals of

on the Suez Canal was to protect the waterway that is vital for Egypt’s economy and world trade.

Sisi’s comments, published on an official army Facebook page, followed 52 deaths in the past week of disorder and highlighted the mounting sense of crisis facing Egypt and its Islamist head of state who is striving to fix a teetering economy and needs to prepare Egypt for a parliamentary election in a few months that is meant to cement the new democracy.

the senators’ framework, though possibly with a faster path to citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants.

The move reflects the growing influence of Hispanic voters.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Obama made his case for an immigration revamp, which is expected to largely reflect a blueprint he rolled out in 2011.

Mr Obama is not expected to unveil legislation, but to rally support for the proposals promoted on Monday by a group of four Democratic and four Republican senators.

Like the bipartisan plan, Mr Obama is also expected to push for an overhaul of the existing legal immigration system and securing US borders.

Nigeria, others commemorates Holocaust

BY DAYO ADESULU

N

IGERIANS, yesterday in Lagos, joined other 192 countries in the United Nations to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust in 1939-1945.

Recapitulating the brutality of Adolf Hitler on millions of people who did not conform to his ideology of Aryan perfection during the second World War, the United Nations

Secretary General, Ban KiMoon said it is important to pay tribute to them because they risked their lives and families to save the Jews and others from death under Nazi rule.

Speaking through Mrs Olajumoke Araba, Officerin-Charge, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), at Fountain Height Secondary School, Surulere, where eleven schools were represented,

Ban Ki-Moon said: “We observe the International Day of commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust so as never to forget these crimes where people were murdered and others cruelly worked to death.”

According to him, the stories of the rescuers vary, adding that while some sheltered the intended victims in their homes; others led families to safety or helped them to obtain the necessary documents to escape.

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Eagles victory: Umeh boasts, Maigari prays C

HIEF Mike Umeh was boastful and Aminu Maigari sombre.

“We will teach Ivory Coast a lesson,”shouted Umeh while celebrating Nigeria’s quarter final qualification at the ongoing Nations Cup in South Africa. Nigeria almost lost hope when time ticked and it appeared they were crashing out of the Nations Cup in the first round. Tension had overwhelmed all Nigerians here as only ten minutes remained in the game and it was still goalless with Ethiopia who were easily hammered 4-0 by Burkina Faso and all wondered why Eagles could not overrun them.

Victor Moses rescued Nigeria with two penalties that he created in the last ten minutes.

This sent Umeh, the Vice President of the Football Federation into wild celebration and he showed no respect for the

T

CELEBRATION . . . Super Eagles defender Efe Ambrose (2nd R) celebrates with an acrobatic display after Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in their last Group C match of AFCON 2013 at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Photo: AFP star studded Ivory Coast that the Eagles will play on Sunday. “We’ll teach them a lesson. We will show that football can change and favourites

may turn losers. Watch out for Nigeria on Sunday,” Umeh said immediately after the

match. Maigari, the President was calm.

“There’s nothing prayers cannot do, there’s

ARCELONA will name a killer squad for their midweek Copa del Rey meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeau on Wednesday.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are arriving at this Clásico in completely different circumstances because of the players available to their coaches.

Madrid will be without Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Casillas, Coentrao and Di Maria, all key players in Jose Mourinho’s team.

On the other hand, Barcelona’s assistant manager Jordi Roura will have all his top players.

In fact, virtually the whole squad is available with the exception of Eric

•Ronaldo C M Y K

Abidal and Jonathan Dos Santos.

Barça’s coach can line up his dream team against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The starting XI is pretty much decided. In goal - barring any surprises – will be Pinto. The question is who will be defending and more specifically, who will be rightback, Alves or Adriano. In recent games the former has been more important, but Adriano offers greater tactical discipline in defence.

The other three positions are easy: Piqué and Puyol in central defence and Alba at left back again. Iniesta returns to the team after resting against Osasuna.

•Messi

nothing prayers cannot do,” he said repeatedly as they walked out of the stadium.

Moses

Continued from BP

Classico: Barca name killer squad for Real

B

Eagles get $30,000 each

Burkina Faso oust African champions

B

URKINA Faso put on a tenacious display to oust defending champions Zambia from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in a Group C match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday night as the match ended 0-0.

The game finished scoreless at Mbombela Stadium in a match that Zambia dominated, but their poor turnover in front of goal came back to haunt them after doing everything right except put the ball into the back of the net.

Zambia have now broken a 20-year record that was held by Algeria, who also bowed out at

same stage at the 1992 tournament.

Burkina Faso, on the other hand, reached their first quarterfinals since 1998 when they hosted the tournament.

Chipolopolo finished the tournament unbeaten on three points.

Keshi

Continued from BP

“This victory is for Nigeria”, he said.

Also speaking, Coach of Ethiopia, Sewne Bishaw, said the Eagles that defeated his team were different in their approach from the ones that played Burkina Faso

while Ehtiopia played 44-2, with a diamond in midfield, Saladin and Omod upfront.

In the first half, pressure was on Ethiopia but they held firm.

Nigeria got 66 percent possession and 4 shots on target while Ethiopia had zero shot on target.

With scores still goalless , the pressure was really on Nigeria.

Aware that his cookies were about to crumble, Keshi took out the ineffective Uche and Emenike, replacing them with, Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye, respectively. And the changes seemed to spark the Eagles into life again as it allowed Moses to take a more central position in the attack to torment the Ethiopians as Nigeria sought last minute goals. and Zambia.

“The Eagles I saw today (yesterday) were different from the ones who played draws with Burkina Faso and Zambia. They were better”. Bishaw heaped praise on his team for giving a good fight at the tournament.

Keshi described the Ethiopian side as a “quality one.”

HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation yesterday dolled out US $30,000 to each member of the Super Eagles for qualifying for the quarter final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles yesterday defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in a tension soaked match played in Rustenburg. The Eagles qualified alongside Burkina Faso from Group D. Burkina Faso on the other hand ended their tie with Zambia 0-0 at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. The result ensured the elimination of Zambia that ended third in the log with 3 points from three matches.

As the clock approached the 79min mark, Moses went on a attacking run, changing his pace and was hacked down by defender Alula Girma, leaving the Moroccan referee with no choice than to call for a penalty.

The Chelsea man picked himself up and calmly converted the spot kick to bring Eagles back to life.

Moses was not done with his yeoman job. He was certainly smelling Ethiopian blood now.. In one of his rampaging ruins, he sliced his way into the Ethiopian box and was felled for the second time by goalkeeper Sasay Bancha, Bancha got his second yellow card and was subsequently shown a red. It had gone from bad to worse for Ethiopians, who had made all three substitutions.

Moses was again the man tasked with converting the spot-kick. It takes plenty of composure to keep your head after such a long enforced break, but Moses showed it in abundance. He fired into the bottom-left corner, which sealed Nigeria’s passage to the quarterfinal. On a night when all the other big boys failed, Moses delivered Nigeria.

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Afcon 2013: Why Keshi left out local players S

Ghana's midfielder Derek Boateng (L) vies with Niger's forward Issoufou Alhassane (down) at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth Ghana won 3-0. PHOTO: AFP

UPER Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has explained why only Sunshine Stars of Akure defender Godfery Oboabona out of the six Nigeria Premier League stars in South Africa has enjoyed playing time at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Keshi the home based stars who were pivotal in securing qualification for Nigeria to the ongoing Afcon tournament have the quality to play against Africa’s best but are currently undone by fitness issues.

“Of course, I still have trust in my home boys, it’s not that they are not good enough but they have been having fitness problems. It was because the Nigerian League was not on at the time camping started.

“The likes of Reuben Gabriel, Ejike Uzoenyi have been down with one illness or the other but thank God they are fine now so you would get to

see them play for Nigeria soon, if not here in the near future,” Keshi told reporters at a press conference in Rustenburg.

The Eagles gaffer since

•Oboabona

Tunisia’s Msakni to line up against Togo

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HE midfielder scored the lastminute goal that gave his country a 1-0 victory over Algeria, although they then lost 3-0 to Ivory Coast.

Ghana pay Black Stars US$35,000 each G HANA players have been paid US$ 35,000 each for advancing to the last eight of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars booked their berth as Group B leaders after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Niger on Thursday night in Port Elizabeth.

“The bonuses were paid at 10:30 pm last night and you can see that is why the players are happy,” Ghana FA spokesperson Ibrahim Daara-Sannie confirmed at Tuesday ’s press conference.

Ghana FA Executive Committee member Emmanuel Kyeremeh further explained the mechanism for paying bonuses.

“The budget management submitted to the Ministry was approved and we also agreed the qualifying bonus with the players.

We actually didn’t base it on matches,” C M Y K

Kyeremeh said.

“If we had not qualified yesterday, then we were not going to pay any bonus.”

Ghana finished with 7 points, three more than

assuming his position has been well commended in different quarters for giving the home lads the opportunity to showcase their talents at the national team level.

second-placed Mali and set-up a showdown with high-flying Cape Verde.

The Black Stars beat the the Blue Sharks 1-0 in an international friendly in Portugal two months ago.

Togo also have three points after a win over Algeria and a loss to Ivory Coast but a better goal difference means they only need a draw to progress.

Dove Wome, who scored against Algeria, is expected to shake off a knock.

Tunisia coach Samir Trabelsi said, “All the team are fine, except Msakni, who had quite a strong case of angina.

“He trained alone with the doctor when we arrived here (on Sunday). For Monday’s session he trained with a group of injured players.

“But I’m not worried about him.”

Betis admit missing Igiebor B

•Igiebor

ETIS manager, Pepe Mel has admitted that the absence of Super Eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, and some other players in the side has left the side weakened.

“It is true that we have had absences for this game and they are a factor to consider, because the more pawns on the board the more you can facilitate.

“We were weakened, we missed clear chances and the opponents’ intensity was greater and that has tipped the balance. We had a whole

bench of players from the cantera and whilst that is great, sometimes with great teams something else is needed, because the burden becomes a problem.”

But the out spoken tactician conceded that Rayo Vallecano deserved their win over Real Betis, even if he believes it is no time for the Seville side to panic.

Betis fell to a 3-0 loss in Madrid on Sunday to drop a place in the table to fifth. Whilst admitting that it was a deserved defeat, their Coach looked to add perspective

too.

“It was a tough game, we had no luck in front of goal and they have had more intensity, so we have conceded three goals, concluded Mel at the end of the game. “ We have our feet on the ground, since we have 35 points and that means we are still going very well. We are even above Rayo, a great team that is also doing very well and I hope that both Betis and Rayo achieve great things.

My message is one of optimism, because we are well placed.”

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

We’ll be different against Ivory Coast – Keshi

A

FTER steering Nigeria to the quarterfinal, where they meet Ivory Coast, Coach |Stephen Keshi has said that the Super Eagles will approach the Sunday’s

match with a different mentality and different approach.

Speaking in the post match press conference yesterday in Rustenburg, Keshi, said that the

Moses delivers Nigeria C

HELSEA forward, Victor Moses yesterday powered Nigeria to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations, with two penalty goals that sealed a difficult 2-0 win over the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in Rustenburg.

On a night that everything appeared to be going wrong for the Eagles, it was the 22 year-old Moses, who rose from the ashes of impending shame to draw two penalty kicks, which he expertly converted to send the Coach Stephen Keshi-tinkered team to the last eight, where they might possibly face tournament favourites, Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Desirous of results, Keshi started with Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Giodfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile in defence, while the trio of Jon Mikel Obi, Fegor Ogude and Sunday Mba, operated in the defence.

Emmanuel Emenike, Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Moses were in attack.

TODAY'S

Eagles were going to up their game to the highest level against the Ivorians, who are the favourites to lift the Cup. “It is going to be a different game against Ivory Coast. It is going to be a different mentality.

We will up our game in the quarterfinal. When you play against a big team, you are bound to up your game and I can assure you that we will definitely be at our best against them”, said the former Togo and Mali coach, who warned critics not to write off his team’s chances of beating the Ivorians.

“Do not write off Nigeria. We have been improving with every game and will continue to get better as the tournament progresses”, said Keshi, who dedicated the victory over Ethiopia to Nigerians.

Continues on Page 54

A TRUE LEADER: Nigeria’s Midfielder Victor Moses vies with Ethiopia’s defender Biyadiglign Eliase during the Nations Cup Group C match at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Nigeria won 2-0 . PHOTO: AFP

With these players, fans were looking forward to a goals feast but instead of that, all they got was a slow game and wasted opportunities. Uche was

PUZZLE

the worst culprit, followed

by Emenike. They simply lacked the killer instinct to wear down the Ethiopian defence.

Mba was pushing YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

forward from midfield Continues on Page 54 RESULTS

Ethiopia B/Faso

TODAY'S MATCHES

0 Nigeria 0 Zambia

2 0

Algeria vs Ivory Coast— 6 pm Togo vs Tunisia — 6 pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Across 1 Too (4) 4 Fruit (4) 6 Team (4) 8 Current (6) 9 Sullen (6) 10 Recede (3) 12 Defraud (5) 14 Gay (5) 15 Squander (5) 18 Placid (6) 20 Decayed (6) 24 Knowing (5) 26 Hate (5) 28 Bequeath (5) 30 Finish (3) 32 Flag (6) 33 Draw out (6) 34 Prophet (4) 35 Consume (3) 36 Want (4)

Down 2 Catch (5) 3 Intimidate (7) 4 Title (4) 5 Grave (4) 6 Swell (5) 7 Merit (7) 11 Portion (3) 12 Lettuce (3) 13 Brown (3) 16 Ocean (3) 17 Epoch (3) 19 Clasp (7) 21 Mineral (3) 22 Stress (7) 23 Novel (3) 25 Pale (3) 27 Proprietor (5) 30 Sea-eagle (4) 31 Dextrous (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 2 Patch 7, Broad 8, Stock Shoot 12, Ado 13, Abate 15, Pottery Revere 19, Woe 20, Elderly 23, Snip Yowl 26, Dossier 30, Sot 31, Defeat Pursuit 37, Filth 38, Tie 39, Cabin Copse 41, Nanny 42, Rebel

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

Down: 1, Probe 2, Paste 3, Adhere 4, Crop 5, Stately 6, Scorn 9, Ode 11, Towered 13, Arise 14, Avoid 16, Tor 18, Elastic 21, Yokel 22, Sloth 24, Possess 27, Sou 28, Refine 29, Tutor 32, Final 33, Atone 35, Rip 36, Tame

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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