2014 budget: PDP, APC senators unite against Okonjo-Iweala by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62069

11 PDP senators defect to APC 9

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

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2014 BUDGET

PDP, APC senators unite against Okonjo-Iweala •Accuse her of carrying out IMF, World Bank agenda BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

BUJA—SENA TORS elected on both the PDP and APC platforms, yesterday, united against the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and MinContinues on page 5

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COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17

Josef Omorotionmwan •P.19

Mr & Mrs

PDP AND HOUSE MEMBERS MEETING— Cross Section of governors at the PDP National Working Committee meeting with members of the House of Representatives in Abuja, Tuesday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

FG to phase out Reactions trail bill on table water sachets, interception of SMS, 48 emails, fax, others 8 other plastics 9

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POCKET CARTOON

AGONY OF A WIDOW—The widow (R) and sister of a man killed by Anti-Balaka combatants react as his body (not pictured) is transported on a cart in Bangui, Central African Republic, yesterday. Photo: AFP.

2014 BUDGET: PDP, APC senators unite against Okonjo-Iweala Continues from page 1 ister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, blaming her for the country ’s economic woes. They specifically accused the minister of imposing the economic policies of the International Monetary Fund, IMF and the World Bank on Nigeria. The senators also accused themselves of being part of the problem in the non-implementa-

tion of previous budgets in the country, pointing out that this was because they had not been living up to their constitutional responsibilities in the discharge of their oversight functions. Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, PDP, Bauchi Central, cautioned against Nigeria depending on the policies of the IMF, the World Bank and other advanced economies of the world, adding that

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Never test the depth of a river with both feet. Take life one step at a time.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

UCCESS is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome —Booker T. Washington And from Alain Botton from his TED presentation about a kinder gentler philosophy of success, he says that one of the interesting things about success is that we think we know what it means. A lot of the time our ideas about what it would mean to live successfully are not our own. They’re sucked in from other people. And we also suck in messages from everything from the television to advertising to marketing, etcetera. These are hugely powerful forces that define what we want and how we view ourselves. What I want to argue for is not that we should give up on our ideas of success, but that we should make sure that they are our own. We should focus on our ideas and make sure that we own them, that we’re truly the authors of our own ambitions. Because it’s bad enough not getting what you want, but it’s even worse to have an idea of what it is you want and find out at the end of the journey that it isn’t, in fact, what you wanted all along. And remember that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.

the country should evolve indigenous economic policies that would impact positively on the people. He hinged his argument on the premise that western economies were collapsing, unlike the home-grown economies of India and China, which according to him were waxing stronger by the day. Similarly, Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West, said that Okonjo-Iweala should be told in clear terms that the economic policies of the IMF and the World Bank would not work in Nigeria. According to him, “the policy must be reviewed. The IMF and World Bank policies cannot work 100 per cent in Nigeria. We don’t need IMF commendations. What we need is what will impact on the lives of Nigerians. We need to concentrate on key areas such as power and other sectors as well as work on budget management.” Also, in his contribution, Professor Sola Adeyeye, APC, Osun Central, accused the Finance Minister of confusing Nigerians with foreign economic jargons, which he described as ‘Okonjonomics’, adding that they would not impact positively on the domestic economy and lives of Nigerians.

Adeyeye called on the PDP and the APC to unite so as to terminate any rascal in government. He also asked the Senate to find a way of terminating waivers to companies that have no direct impact on the country. Senator Odion Ugbesia, PDP, Edo Central, in his contribution said: “This budget proposal may not be the best and cannot satisfy everybody but it can be seen as a working paper that will guide towards a budget that will satisfy everybody. “It could be used to find some solutions to our problems. My worry is the concept of envelop that comes with it annu-

ally. To me, it is an impediment. We should use the opportunity of this budget process to redefine the roles of the executive and legislature as it relates to designs and implementation of budgets,” he said. Senator Ganiyu Solomon, APC, Lagos also advised the executive to change policies that had not been yielding results, saying, “ we should increase the ratio of capital expenditure to recurrent.” Commenting on the ratio of the capital votes to recurrent, most of the Senators observed that the 76 per cent recurrent expenditure and the 24 per cent capital components of the budget were rather lopsided, and therefore far from meeting the needs and aspirations of the people. According to Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South), the distribution of the allocation in the budget is worrisome and unacceptable. He called on the executive to swap the figures for capital with the recurrent. “The Federal Government budget is the reverse of the Rivers State budget. I wish the budget will be 74 per cent capital and 26 percent recurrent,” Gaya said.

Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East, APC), in his contribution, pointed out that capital expenditure in the last three years had witnessed some downward swing. Presenting a statistical analysis of capital votes in the last three years, he said, “the capital allocation for 2012 was 31 per cent; in 2013, it came down to 23.7 per cent while 2014 is 23.4 per cent. Observing that the 2014 budget estimates negated the requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Ashafa described the document as an illegality, calling for its return to the ‘sender', (Executive). Majority of the APC, senators, in their contributions, insisted that the Appropriation Bill should be returned to the executive for lacking necessary indices for rapid socio-economic development. The Senate President, David Mark renewed his appeal to his colleagues to make their contributions from a nationalistic stand point, and not from party leanings. “Let us look at this budget from a national perspective, rather than political party perspective”, Mark appealed. The debate would continue to today.

Fasuyi laments over-reliance on foreign aid “From the Kainji Dam BY IKENNA ASOMBA

AGOS—THE Presi dent, Ibadan Business School, Mr. Yinka Fasuyi, yesterday, lamented the slow pace of the country’s development despite various developmental plans initiated by past and present administrations. Blaming over-reliance on foreign aid and products, Fasuyi argued that unless government involves the country’s professional engineering community as a key

player in the development plans, improving the standards of living would remain a mirage. In his lecture entitled: “Entrepreneurship for Development: The Place for Engineering” in Lagos he said: “In Nigeria, we have observed that irrespective of various developmental plans enunciated in the immediate post-colonial period right up to the present, it is sad but true that our various governments have tended to put greater stock on foreign engineers rather than our own engineers.

up to the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex as well as the design and construction of the nation’s capital city, Abuja, the thinking of the powers-that-be had always been that foreign engineers are preferred to our local engineers. Even the much-trumpeted Second Niger Bridge supposedly to be designed and constructed by our own engineers, seem to have generated a lot more heat than light as the project has become, more or less, a declaration of intent.”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Man declared wanted over N4m dud cheque BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU— THE Enugu State Police have declared one Benneth Nkwocha wanted for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N4.040 million. The 40-year-old man, who is now at large, is said to have issued the cheque to one Zed Chukwujama. According to a statement issued in Enugu, Nkwocha, a resident of No 44b, Imoke Street, G.R.A Enugu, disappeared after issuing the cheque. The statement signed by the police spokesman in the state, Ebere Amaraizu disclosed that “the suspect issued the dud cheque of four million, forty thousand naira having paid in the sum of one million naira out of the sum of five million, forty thousand naira, which a court had earlier awarded against him in a civil suit against him at the Court of Appeal. “The person who the dud cheque was issued in his favour, Zed Chukwujama had gone to one of the new generation banks for the payment of the said amount when he was informed that the suspect had no such amount of money in his account. “He later discovered that the suspect is nowhere to be seen and this prompted him to report to the state police command. “The state police command is appealing to members of the public, particularly those with relevant information about the whereabouts of Benneth Nkwocha, who is said to be about 40 years old, fair in complexion, about 5 feet tall and plump looking to report promptly to the state Criminal Investigation Department, Enugu or any nearest police station.”

Some of the 275 Boko Haram suspects released by the Police in Port Harcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: Jimitota Onoyume.

Man ties his 7 children to wheel-barrow, solicits for buyers BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI — PALPABLE confusion reigned in Owerri, yesterday, as a father tied his seven children, including his triplet, to a wheel-barrow and was heading to an unknown destination before officials of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development intervened. Vanguard investigations revealed that the 44-year-old man, Israel Dike, is a native of Odenkume, Obowo Local Government Aarea of Imo State, but resides in Ugwu Ekwema, Egbu Road, Owerri. The children’s hands were securely tied to a wheelbarrow while the man was soliciting for buyers for the children, saying he was fed up with his dwindling economic fortunes. A staff of the ministry told Vanguard: “Following a tip off, a high powered team led by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Nma Onyechere, quickly went and rescued the

children.” Apart from disclosing that he planned selling some of them with a view to enabling him take proper care of others, Dike equally lamented that Governor Rochas Okorocha put him in the mess he has found himself today. “Owelle Okorocha is the cause

of what I am passing through today. He made me a promise in the past and has failed to redeem it till today,” Dike said. Speaking to newsmen at the scene, the commissioner described Dike as a “depressed man, who is mentally deranged.” While urging Dike’s wife to go for family planning, the commis-

Police nab man, 60, for raping 12-yr-old girl BY FUNMI AJUMOBI & BOSE ADELAJA

AGOS — A 60-year-old man simply identified as Akinduro is cooling his heels in police net for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old student of May Flower School, Ikenne, Ogun State. Vanguard gathered that the girl (names withheld) was put in the custody of the suspect who runs a private hostel in the town. Findings revealed that the

her parents could not afford the exorbitant accommodation fee in the school, prompting her parents to send her to the private hostel. However, the custodian, Akinduro, had canal knowledge of her on two occasions and the girl could no longer cope with the situation and raised the alarm which attracted sympathisers. Also, the matter was said to have been suppressed for days until the quick intervention of some concerned citi-

Pregnant women allege ill-treatment during delivery in Bauchi BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI— PREGNANT women residing in rural areas of Bauchi State have accused nurses and doctors of molesting them during delivery, saying that the situation has increased the rate of mother and child mortality. Vanguard investigation shows that most of the pregnant women residing in villages like Bayara, Turum, Durum and Kangare are unhappy with treatment they get from the

various hospitals leading to complications during delivery. At the Bayara Specialist Hospital in Bauchi, a pregnant woman and a mother of three, Aishatu Danladi complained of the maltreatment she received from some of the nurses during her first delivery, describing her experience as very traumatic. According to her, “during my first delivery I had a very nasty experience because of the way some of the nurses treated me.

sioner equally promised that government would carefully ascertain the level of the man’s mental problem. Answering a question, Mrs. Onyechere said the ministry would find a way of giving out the children to foster parents with a view to ensuring adequate care and their education.

“When the labour started, I was rushed to the hospital by my husband but when we arrived at the theatre, they abandoned me, telling me that they had other patients to attend to.” Aishatu said that she resolved never to attend any ante-natal service again, but to have her babies at home like her fellow women in the villages. For Zuwaira Musa, she agreed with her husband to give birth at home because of the ill-treatment by nurses and doctors during labour.

“I have six children and I gave birth to all of them at home. I resolved to giving birth at home because of the way the nurses treat people like animals “.I don’t think I deserve to be treated in such a way”. In her reaction, the chief matron of the ante-natal unit in Bayara Specialist Hospital. Mrs Lious Danladi refuted the allegation that nurses maltreat pregnant women during delivery, saying it is false and does not correspond with the ethics of the medical profession.

zens who notified Ogun police and his arrest was effected. Confirming the arrest, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, said investigations revealed the suspect did not have a clean record. The PPRO said the suspect had been involved in such acts before and such cases were swept under the carpet. ‘’The girl gave us some descriptions which fits the man. Truly, he had canal knowledge of her on Friday and Sunday. “On getting to the community, we discovered that he had been caught in such act on several occasions but the victims did not report such incidents for reasons best known to them." Adejobi, however, said the suspect would face the music this time around. He said: "Personally, I hate such acts, also, Nigerian law is against it. Imagine somebody who supposed to be a custodian of a 12-year-old girl was now caught defiling her. He is not supposed to go scot-free."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 —7

Youths on rampage over killing of hunter’s dog in Ilorin zPoliceman injured, over 50 motorcycles burnt BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

LORIN — THE killing of a dog belonging to a hunter has caused a violent clash between two communities in Ilorin, the Kwara Stae capital, yesterday. The development which prompted police's intervention also led to a gun attack on a policeman who is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. Over 50 motorcycles were destroyed in the fracas. Vanguard reliably gathered that disagreement ensued between some residents of Abayawo area and hunters from Dada community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state over a dog owned by a member of Dada community. The dog was reportedly killed by a car. The said car is owned by a member of Abayawo, the rival community. Residents of the area accused the police of burning over 50 motorcycles, raiding their houses, collected mobile phones and ate their soup. Alhaji Baba Asileke, who spoke on behalf of Abayawo residents, accused the police of attacking residents who were not involved in the fracas. He urged the government to come to their aid. “Our motorcycles were burnt

and we don’t know why they resorted to attacking us when we were not the ones fighting. They entered our houses, collected phones belonging to our wives and even beat them up,” he said.

The ever-busy AbayawoOkelele road was deserted when Vanguard visited the area. Scores of policemen were seen while no vehicular movement was allowed. Pupils also rushed home

while residents remained indoors. Contacted, the state police spokesman, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the development, saying some arrests have been made.

Collapsed bridge on Iseyin-Abeokuta Road in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Tuesday. PHOTO: NAN.

Banker docked for allegedly stealing N28m ATM money BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

AGOS — CHIEF Magis trate, Mrs. OshodiMakanju, of an Ikeja Magistrate Court has heard how two former staff of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) allegedly stole N28.81 million belonging to the bank. The prosecutor, Police Supretendent J. Onilegbale told the court that the money, which was meant for the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), was stolen in bits by the two defendants over a period of seven months (February to September 2009 ) until it accumulated to N28 million. The defendants, Olanrewaju Shittu, 26, and Babatunde Salami, 25, are standing trial before the court and had since pleaded not guilty to the charges preffered against them. They are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and stealing. The court had earlier granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in the like sum, one of which the magistrate said must be a director of

a bank or in the civil service. The prosecutor told the court that Shittu and Salami, on September 8, 2009 conspired to defraud the bank of the said sum contrary to the law. He submitted that Salami received N700,000 from Shittu, knowing same to have been stolen from the money meant for ATMs and thereby committed an offence. He claimed that one of the defendants, Shittu, opened different accounts with FirstBank of Nigeria Plc with the intent to defraud

the defunct Intercontinental Bank. The prosecutor alleged that part of the stolen N28.7 million was lodged into the accounts and gave details as follow: Account no: 4852010020068— N1,016,136.25; current account no: 4854010003780— N3,000,000.00; fixed deposit account no: 48554010003629— N5,000,000.00 and fixed deposit account no: 4852920730396— $7,282.89 He alleged that Salami did re-

ceived the various sums of money from Shittu knowing fully well that the money was meant for the ATM Machine. The prosecutor further argued that Shittu also stole N110,000 that was meant for the ATMs from the Lawanson Branch of the defunct Intercontinental Bank on September 4, 2009 at about 09. 07 a.m., adding that the money was, however, recovered by one Mr Akinshola Akinshina, who was the Acting Operations Officer of the branch of the bank at that time.

Man jailed 9 years for attempting to defraud Army General BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

AGOS — JUSTICE Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court, yesterday, convicted and sentenced one Abdulkadir Mohammed to nine years imprisonment with an option of N1,200,000 fine for offences bordering on conspiracy and forgery. The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a threecount charge for attempting to

defraud a retired army general, Garba Ali, of N14, 000, 000 in a land deal. The accused pleaded guilty to all the three counts and was immediately convicted by Justice Riman. On counts one and three, Abdulkadir is to serve two years imprisonment each but with an option of N350,000 fine while he is to serve five years imprisonment with an option of

N500,000 fine on count two. The sentences are to run concurrently. Abdulkadir, a 40-year-old resident of Kano is alleged to have deceived one Major General Garba Ali (rtd) under false pretence to deliver the title documents of his property to him by issuing two Fidelity Bank cheques in the sum of N14,000,000 to the General which on presentation to the bank were dishonoured as they were discovered to be forged.

Police arrest 5 for robbery, rape in Ogun BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police command said, yesterday, that it arrested five persons after they robbed and raped a businesswoman along Idi-Iroko road in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said that the victim, who left Lagos for Idi-Iroko, Tuesday, was taken to Olodo village where the hoodlums beat her up thoroughly and raped her. The suspects also robbed the victim of N1,803,000 cash, gold worth N200,000 and a wrist watch worth N5,000 and mobile/blackberry phones, all valued at N2,187,500 According to Adejobi, the anti-robbery team led by Sergeant Adebayo Oyesomi attached to the command’s State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Eleweran, Abeokuta while on normal routine patrol along Obada/Ewekoro/Ifo/ Sango road sighted the victim by the road side at Papalanto junction in Ogun State after her release by the robbers and interrogated her. “She narrated her ordeal in the hands of the hoodlums and volunteered to assist the police to apprehend the suspects."

Ten bathed with acid over debt in Anambra

WKA — NO fewer than 10 persons were bathed with acid following a misunderstanding over a debt in Mgbakwu, Awka Local Government Area of Anambra State. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident in Awka, yesterday, said the police had begun investigation into the matter. Mr Onochie Nzekwe, a spokesman for youths in the community, told newsmen that the incident happened on January 28 when some persons went as a group to invite a man over a N15, 000 debt owed a woman.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Mixed reactions trail draft wiretap bill BY EMEKA AGINAM

AGOS — MIXED reactions have trailed the draft lawful interception of communications regulations by the Federal Government which empowers security agents to intercept and record electronic communications between individuals, and seize usage data from internet service providers and mobile networks. It would be recalled that the Nigerian telecoms regulatory authority, NCC, had earlier come up with the Draft Lawful Interception of Communications Regulation, which provides the legal and regulatory framework for the lawful interception of communications in Nigeria. Already, details of the bill have been submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly last week. Reacting to the development, the President of Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi in an email message to Vanguard said the government had a responsibility to provide security for its people and sometimes that may necessitate monitoring the communication activities of the bad actors. At the same time, he said the government had a responsibility to protect the privacy of its citizens which is a right that is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. For the former President of Information Technology of Nigeria, ITAN, Dr. Jimson Olufuye, what is key in the bill was court authorization for surveillance and data interception to be carried out by law enforcement agents. In his opinion, once there is such court authorization, lawful interception of communication is good for the collective security of the country. But in a swift reaction, the President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Chris Uwaje, noted that the bill should not directly or indirectly empower telecommunication companies to conduct surveillance on individuals, and release user data to authorities.

APC Reps vow to block funding for Police, capital projects zYou are endangering democracy — Presidency zAPC Reps are jesters —Ogor BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, BEN AGANDE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

BUJA — All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the House of Representatives put their threat to shut the affairs of the Federal Government in higher gear when they vowed to block funding for the Nigeria Police and all capital projects in the 2014 Appropriation Bill. Rising from the House session, yesterday, the APC lawmakers promised to throw up a doctrine of necessity to allow the National Assembly push through a budget that would only allow the payment of salaries and other necessary recurrent expenditure of government. The plans by the APC were dismissed by the Presidency which described it as anti-democratic and a direct attack on the Nigerian people. Deputy leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the House, Rep. Leo Ogor, on his part described the threat from the APC as a joke from jesters.

Their grouse

The APC legislators, who addressed the press after plenary, noted that they would follow their party’s directive and would focus on appropriations to the police and capital projects. Noting the weight of the APC in the House, the APC legislators, who were led to the press conference by the APC leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, noted the failure of the PDP leader to push through any motion or bill in the last two months since the APC achieved its majority status in the House. He also flayed what he described as President Goodluck Jonathan’s disdain for the National Assembly through his action in sending an employee of the government to present the 2014 budget proposals. “As far as the House is concerned, keen observers would have noticed that since last year, most bills presented on the floor of the House through the PDP leader in the House, Mulikat Adeola, have suffered an almost instant and premature death,” he said.

Good governance

“While the focus for now remains the happenings in Rivers, our broad and overall concern remains good governance and covers the whole gamut of our national life. “Let us be categorical, we intend to continue to protest the culture of impunity, immorality and illegality this government

Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) and Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, Kablan Duncan, during an international forum for investments in Cote d' Ivoire.

insists in entrenching in our system. "We intend to insist on good governance, we intend to stand firm on our oath of office to defend the constitution and discharge our legislative duties in the interest of the people of Nigeria. Good governance is the end goal and filibustering or stalling executive bills is the means and we believe that in this case the end definitely justifies the means.

On the budget

“On the budget itself, we will not support a budget that does nothing for the people we represent. We will not rubber stamp a budget that seeks to borrow more money at ridiculous rates and further impoverish the country. “Indeed, we refuse to support a budget that comes in with a huge deficit. We certainly do not agree with a budget that allocates a pitiable 25 per cent for capital expenditure which capital component will only be implemented 30 per cent while recurrent will be implemented 100 per cent. “How in the world do you stimulate an economy the size and population of Nigeria with a 25 per cent allocation to capital? “We do not want to be accessories after the fact by passing a budget when the President or Minister of Finance, who has publicly admitted to the disappearance of $10 billion has not given explanations but seeks to borrow more money. And who continues to blame shortfall in revenue on crude theft by some phantom thieves. “More importantly, we will not be party to the appropriation of funds and tax payers money to a

police force that will turn around and use same to maim and kill the same tax payers. No we will not!

On presentation of budget

“Let us quickly add at this point that the first disdain and contempt for the budgeting process and Nigerians came from Mr President himself when against all known democratic tradition, at least in this country, sent his employee to present the budget to the National Assembly and for the first time in our history representatives and indeed Nigerians did not have the opportunity of hearing their President address the country on the state of the nation, the performance of the last budget and the contents and objectives of the new budget. “Whilst the constitution was interpreted by apologists not to require his presence, they failed to address the break in tradition, the spirit behind the provision of the constitution and the implications of the action. “Perhaps, next time we can expect a Special Assistant of the President to present the budget for him to mail it to the National Assembly as he would then be said to have 'caused' it to be laid before both Houses of the National Assembly as provided by the constitution. “In coming to this decision, we note that salaries of many innocent Nigerians are tied to the budget. “However, we will do all we can to address this catch. We will hope that our progressive colleagues will agree to an ingenious and creative idea like we did through the doctrine of necessity

to isolate the recurrent expenditure and perhaps for the first time pass a recurrent only budget."

APC lawmakers are jesters —Ogor

Countering the APC’s position, Deputy Leader of the House, Rep Ogor said: “If you do not allocate money to police, who will secure lives and property of Nigerians they claim they represent? “Are they going to bring armed robbers to guard Nigerians or create their own police?” Ogor dismissed the call by APC as “one of the biggest jokes this new year and a clear testimony that APC lawmakers are jesters. “We do not need them to pass the budget, we have the constitutional number in PDP to get Budget 2014 passed.”

You are endangering democracy— Presidency

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who flayed the APC plans at a press briefing following the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting at the Presidential Villa, said it was a direct attack on the economy. He said: “If you say that the budget should not be passed, it means you want to stop the nation’s economy. “When you say they should block bills which are for the development of the country and the well-being of the people, you are killing democracy itself and you are truncating national development. “I believe that was a mistake, it must have been one of those slips of tongues. This democracy should be supported. If this nation progresses, it does not belong to Goodluck Jonathan alone or any party."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 — 9

11 senators decamp to APC zAs APC laments defection of Bafarawa, Shekarau to PDP BY OKEY NDIRIBE, BEN

AGANDE, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of luring former governors of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and his counterpart in Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa to the ruling PDP, saying however that APC was relieved that the two former governors did not leave APC with their supporters. Interim National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made tshis known in a telephone interview with Vanguard yesterday. Mohammed spoke even as 11 PDP senators defected to the APC. Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Adamu Mu’azu, condemned automatic tickets for political office seekers describing it as undemocratic. However, Shekarau said that he left the APC in obedience to the decision of his teeming supporters following mishandling of affairs in the opposition party by a clique. Addressing supporters in his supporter at his Mudubawa Road, GRA, Bompai, Kano residence, Shekarau catalogued their frustration in APC, stressing that “the party had been hijacked by cliques that employed undemocratic tactics to ruin the party." The 11 senators who formally defected from the PDP to APC include Bukola Saraki-Kwara Central; Umaru Dahiru-Sokoto South and Magnus Ngei AbeRivers South-East. Others include Wilson Asinobi Ake-Rivers West; Bindawa Muhammed Jibrilla-Adamawa North; Mohammed Danjuma Goje-Gombe Central; Aisha Jummai Alhassan-Taraba North; Mohammed Ali Ndume-Borno South; Mohammed Shaba Lafiaji-Kwara North; Abdullahi Adamu-Nasarawa West and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir-Sokoto East. This came on a day that Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, LP, and Peter Obi of Anambra, APGA, attended a PDP caucus meeting with House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and 100 PDP Reps.

Why I left APC – Shekarau

Shekarau, who played a central role during the formative stage of the opposition merger party accused the APC of violating critical norms of democracy, pointing out that “ within these six months, various unconstitutional

SWEARING IN: From left: Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau, Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Titus Alams, and Acting Chief Judge of Plateau, Justice Pius Damulak, at the swearing in of the Acting Chief Judge in Jos, yesterday: Photo: NAN. decisions have been passed by a clique of the leadership of the party, and in our position as bonafide members of that party then, we challenged such decisions. We presented written petitions signed by over 250 stakeholders on December 18, 2013. Today is exactly six weeks since we presented that petition, no acknowledgement, no contact, no one has referred to us to address the petition we have submitted. “APC has nothing to show in this last six months, there is nothing on ground, not a single member of APC has been registered, not a single leadership structure exists anywhere within the states. No structure of interim leadership at ward levels, at local government levels, at state levels. “Up till this time, we are yet to receive any detailed programme of democratic elections to produce leaders of the party at various levels. To our dismay and to our surprise, within the six months which was the formal and official constitutional period given the interim leadership of the party, we now hear that leadership of the interim has no limited period.” The former Presidential flag bearer of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, maintained that “failure to address these petitions is a clear indication to us that the leadership of APC has taken sides and is not prepared to listen to genuine grievances which are against the spirit of democracy, adding that “it was against the spirit of fair hearing and against the spirit of social justice for which the party stands for. “ Shekarau declared: “It is as a result of this very conspicuous display of injustice that the stakeholders of the ANPP of Kano assembled here today, moved a motion, which has been passed and supported, that we

members of the defunct ANPP of Kano State do hereby denounce our membership of the All Progressive Congress, APC.” Shekarau declared to the admiration of his supporters that “we dump the party from this moment; and based on the motion moved and adopted and accepted unanimously, we the members of ANPP stock of Kano State are moving en mass and collectively into the Peoples Democratic Party.” He, therefore, called on his supporters across various divide to disassociate themselves with anything that has to do with the APC and “join hands with our brothers, our sisters and our fellow citizens of Nigeria to take the country to greater heights.”

11 PDP senators defect to APC

The APC, which announced the defection of the senators, in a statement signed by Mohammed, said that a ‘’ formal letter to this effect had been delivered to Senate President David Mark and was expected to be read on the floor of the Senate yesterday afternoon.” Mohammed further stated that “This is only the first batch of many other senators of the PDP expected to defect to the APC soon.” Just before the National Assembly went on recess last December, 37 members of the House of Representatives defected from PDP to APC. Since last November when five PDP governors defected to the APC, the ruling party had been hit by defections of many legislators elected on its platform at both federal and state levels.

Obi, Mimiko at PDP NWC crucial meeting with Reps

Mu’azu, who spoke after a closed-door caucus meeting with PDP members of the House of Representatives, waved aside the

possibility of automatic tickets for lawmakers. Also, to the surprise of even PDP Reps, Governors Mimiko and Obi startled all when they walked alongside Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio at about 9.05pm yesterday into the venue of the meeting. The PDP Chairman, however, clarified issues on free tickets saying: “automatic tickets are given for parties that are undemocratic. We have a democratic process and we will go through that, those that deserve it will surely be there”. On the promise by his predecessor to give the members in the National Assembly automatic tickets , Mu’azu said, “ I have no knowledge of what you are telling me. “ Asked what the thrust of the meeting was, the PDP leader said, “it is normal consultation meeting between the party leadership and the caucus of the party in the House of Representatives that is what we came here to do.” Before the meeting, however, Mu’azu had while responding to a demand by House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola said he would reserve his comment on the matter till the end, saying they would look into it. The PDP chairman also denied the existence of any arrangement by immediate past chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to give the lawmakers automatic tickets. Responding to a question on such an arrangement, Mu’azu said, “as far as I’m concerned, I’m hearing it for the first time from you. I’m not aware of such arrangement in the PDP before now.” Asked why he seemed to have turned down the idea when his initial comment suggested he might have supported it, Mu’azu said, “this thing about body language or sign

language; I have mouth to talk when I want to say something, and that is what I just told you; no automatic ticket.” Akande-Adeola had demanded that “Members of this House will want to be reassured of the party’s promise of automatic tickets in the forthcoming election, their welfare and opportunity to nominate membership of various committees from their respective constituencies whenever the need arises.” On the outcome of the meeting, Mu’azu said it was fruitful as the PDP NWC and nine governors of the party were in the House as part of their consultation process. Present at the meeting were Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduagham, Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero and Kebbi State Governor and Saidu Usman Dakingari. Others were Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Babangida Mu’azu of Niger State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State and Taraba acting governor, Garba Umar. The meeting also had in attendance Speaker of the House, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, House deputy leader, Leo Ogor and about 100 other PDP lawmakers. Mimiko and Obi simply told journalists on their way out of the complex that they accompanied Gov Akpabio to the venue from another meeting.

Why I didn’t leave PDP –Aliyu

Meanwhile, the Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu who was also at the PDP national secretariat with a delegation from his state explained why he did not join his G5 colleagues to dump the PDP for APC. Aliyu said: “I led a protest, which came to be known as G7. It was not intended to kill the party and move away. Many people asked me, ‘you led the group how come you did not move?’ I didn’t move because my conscience, understanding and my position is with the PDP. And I believe in 2015, PDP will form the government.” The Niger State governor who hailed the emergence of Mu’azu as chairman of the party, stressed that the travails he went through after his tenure as governor of Bauchi State were preparatory to his emergence as chairman of the PDP at these trying times, adding that his return has brought hope to the party and they can hold their heads high. He stressed that the challenges faced by the party will make them face elections in 2015 better.

10—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

‘Wonder bank' operator jailed 14yrs for N14.7m fraud

‘Deported' Igbos sue LASG for N1bn zCase adjourned till February 19 BY INNOCENTANABA

AGOS—Justice L Ibrahim Buba of a

Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced Godwin Nwaichie to 14 years imprisonment after he admitted committing a N14.7 million fraud. Nwaichie was charged by the Police Special Fraud Unit, SFU, alongside another accused, Fortune Etaba and their company, Establishment House Ltd, in a N9.8 billion fraud case. The judge sentenced Nwaichie, after he pleaded guilty to an amended three-count charge bordering on the offence. Buba said: “The convict, a 23-year-old man at the time of arrest, who ought to be vibrant and hardworking, decided to utilise his intelligence for fraud. “For such offence, the law provides a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and minimum of seven years. “The convict is hereby sentenced to 14 years in prison beginning from Jan. 9, 2010 when he was first arrested.” The accused were first rearraigned on Jan. 21 on the amended charge. Nwaichie had pleaded guilty to the charge, while the second accused, (Etaba) pleaded not guilty. Buba, however, did not convict Nwaichie as at that time due to a conflict on the amount he fraudulently obtained. The accused, after pleading guilty, had maintained that the amount of money he fraudulently obtained was less than the sum reflected on the charge. At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, the prosecutor, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, informed the court of an amended charge, having regularised it. In the amended charge, Nwaichie was accused of fraudulently obtaining N14.7 million of the N9.8 billion involved in the case. The accused was, therefore, re-arraigned on the amended charge. After the re-arraignment, Nwaichie maintained his guilty plea and was thereafter sentenced by the judge. Meanwhile, the judge admitted the other accused (Etaba) to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till February 19, 2014 for hearing in the suit by seven Igbo deportees, against the Lagos State government, over inhuman treatment. The applicants are claiming the sum of N1 billion against the respondents jointly and severally, as general damages for breach of their rights.

The plaintiffs

The plaintiffs are: Joseph Aniebonam, Osondu Mbuto, Osondu Agwu, Nnenna Ogbonna, Emily Okoroariri, Friday Ndukwe and Onyeka Ugwu, suing on behalf of 76 others, while respondents are the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State. At the resumed hearing in the matter, yesterday, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Ugo Ugwunnadi, told the court that the case was coming up for the first time, informing that he had only been served with the processes from Attorney General of Lagos, and was yet to receive any process from the second respondent. He applied for a date for hearing. Counsel to the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Tayo Odupitan, in reply, said that he had filed a counter-affidavit, written address and an exhibit, all in response to the plaintiffs' suit. He informed the court that the A-G of Lagos State, Mr. Ade

Ipaye, had indicated his intention to defend the suit personally. Meanwhile, counsel to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Adebeshin, told the court that he was yet to regularise the processes on behalf of the second respondent. Trial judge, Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia adjourned the case till February 19 for continuation of hearing. The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that their arrest and detention in various camps in Lagos and subsequent

deportation to Anambra State on July 24, 2013, for no offence, amounted to a serious breach of their fundamental rights.

Deportees also demand written apology

The deportees also want the court to mandate the respondents to tender a written apology to them by publishing same in three national newspapers continuously for 30 days, for unlawful and gross violation of their constitutional rights. They also want an order, directing the Lagos State Government to re-integrate them

into Lagos State, and perpetually restrain the respondents, their agents, and officers from further deporting or refusing them free entry into Lagos State.

Lagos governent

Meanwhile the Lagos State Government in its counteraffidavit, contended that the deportation was not borne out of malice, but out of genuine intention to re-unite the applicants with their families, averring that the applicants were assisted by the government, to rejoin their families, after pleading that they had no homes, relatives or businesses in Lagos State.

FORUM: From left: Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on Central Business District, Mrs. Derin Disu, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko, and former Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Supo Sasore, at the 2014 Lagos Central Business District's stakeholders' forum in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

NNPC alleges sabotage over Ijegun oil spill

BY CHRISOCHAYI

BUJA—THE management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its midstream operator, Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, has blamed the oil spill reported in the Ijegun area of Lagos State on activities of pipeline vandals who hacked a product pipeline in the area. The Acting Group General

Manager, Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim said in a statement that the Ijegun area has always been very notorious for the activities of oil thieves who have incessantly hacked into pipelines with the aim of stealing products. According to him, “we wish to acknowledge oil spill from our pipeline at the Ijegun area in Lagos and to state that the unfortunate incident is a result of pipeline sabotage by people suspected to be oil thieves.

Ibrahim said: “Lately, we have been experiencing a rise in the incidents of pipeline vandalism on the Ijegun section of our pipeline and we are doing our best to fix them as soon as they are noticed. In this month alone, we have located and fixed 73 ruptured points on that Mosimi – Ijegun – Atlas Cove line,” He noted that the entire stretch of that pipeline was replaced in 2010, ruling out the possibility that the rupture may have been as a result of the old age of the

Lagos, Ogun girls boost ICT skills BY ESTHERONYEGBULA

AGOS—A least 50 girls from about 13 secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states at the weekend came together to sharpen their skill in application development and programming. The initiative was facilitated by a group known as Women in Technology in Nigeria, WITIN. The challenge tagged; ‘Technovation challenge,’ according to WITIN, is a global technology entrepreneurship

programme for girls, created to discover their ingenuity in concerned area. Coordinator and President of WITIN, Mrs. Martha Alade, who said the Delta State and Abuja version of the programme will come up later in the year, said the association is a regional coordinator of the event. Alade explained that the challenge is the largest and longest-running global technology competition exclusively for girls to inspire the

pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, STEM, related courses. She said: “This contest allows girls to learn how to code and develop mobile applications, conduct market research, write business plans, and scout for funding." Participating schools this year include – Queensland Academy; Vivian Fowler; Fountain Heights; UNILAG international school, among others.

pipeline. The NNPC spokesman assured that PPMC engineers have since been mobilised to the area to contain the spill, locate and fix the ruptured points. “Despite the difficult nature of the terrain, our engineers are working relentlessly to fix the damaged line. They are doing everything to contain the spill and stop it from spreading to cause more environmental damage. We, therefore, call on members of the public not to go near the area for safety reasons” Ibrahim said. He called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement around pipelines to the law enforcement agencies and support NNPC in its fight against oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He said: “When incidents like this occur, they do not just lead to disruption in the petroleum products supply system and cause hardship for the ordinary hardworking citizens, they have long-lasting devastating effects on the environment which could affect future generations

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—11

S-West PDP leaders want Oyinlola, Oni, others reinstated A

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West have called for the immediate reinstatement of the removed National Secretary of the party; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, National Auditor; Chief Bode Mustapha and Zonal Chairman; Chief Segun Oni. The leaders also called for the reinstatement of all ex-officio members of the National Working Committee as constituted before. In the communique issued after the PDP Southwest stakeholders meeting at Abeokuta on Sunday, the party leaders also expressed concern about what they described as the “unprecedented marginalisation of the Southwest from the National scheme of things,” and demanded for immediate redress. The communique which was signed by Hon. Kayode Babade for the convener, read: “Concerned about the lingering crisis in the party, PDP, in the Southwest and the current efforts of the new National Chairman, His Excellency Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu to foster peace and unity in the party, the leaders agreed to reaffirm our demand for; “The immediate reinstatement of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Bode Mustapha as National Secretary and National Auditor respectively, and reinstatement of all ex-officio members of the National Executive as constituted before. “Immediate restoration of the

Southwest Exco chaired by Chief Segun Oni, which was illegally dissolved in defiance of due process of law. “Immediate restoration of the dissolved Ogun State Executive Council led by Senator Dipo Odujinrin. “Urgent steps be taken to address the issue of composition of the Executives of the party in

Ekiti and Lagos states. “Concerned about the marginalisation of the South-West from the National scheme of things, the leaders further demand for immediate redress of this anomaly in order to foster a sense of belonging on the part of our people. “The meeting noted the release of election timetable by INEC for Ekiti and Osun states slated for June and August 2014

respectively and urged all hands to be on deck in order to ensure our party’s victory at the polls.” The meeting, which was convened by former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, was attended by Prince Oyinlola, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Chief Paul Alabi, former Deputy Governors of Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo and Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, among others.

OBJ vs Kashamu: Ogun PDP chietain counsels Mu'azu BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—THE new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has been urged not to tamper with the existing structure of the party in Ogun State. A PDP chieftain in the state, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, stated this yesterday, saying that the national chairman’s visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was a step in the right direction. He added that any effort to reconcile all aggrieved interests within the party should be commended and encouraged. He, however, advised the national chairman not to succumb to any pressure to alter the party structure in favour of Obasanjo’s camp. The former House of Assembly member contended that any move to change the state PDP structure would be in contravention of existing court judgements.

VISIT: From left: Chairman, Governing Board, National Root Crops Research Institute, NRCRI, Chief Oluwole Aina, Deputy governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Governor Rauf Aregbesola, during a visit by NRCRI management team to the governor in Osogbo, yesterday.

Amosun, Fayemi, Mimiko mourn Okeowo BY LEKEADESERI,S-WEST

REGIONALEDITOR B E O K U T A — CONDOLENCES have

continued to pour in for the family of Chief Segun Okeowo, the arrowhead of ‘Ali Must Go’ protests, a day after his death.. Okeowo, former president of the National Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS, who championed the students protest in the late 70s against General Olusegun Obasanjo-led military government died on Tuesday at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, at the age of 73.

Amosun

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned Okeowo’s death by describing him as a “fearless reformer.” Amosun, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama commiserated with the family of the deceased and Nigerian students and said late Okeowo

was a true hero and dogged pace setter worthy of emulation by youths who should be in the sustained vanguard for a better Nigeria. “We recall his struggle in 1978 during the ‘Ali Must Go’ saga when he championed the resistance by university students, the 50 kobo increment in the price of meals on campuses by the then Supreme Military Council, SMC, an action which was driven by patriotism and selflessness." Amosun prayed God to give the Okeowo family, his friends and associates, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Fayemi

Also, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed regret on the death of the former President of the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students, NUNS. Fayemi in a statement, described Okeowo’s death as the end of an era of a freedom fighter whose legacy inspired future generations to the defence of the rights of the oppressed. He said Okeowo’s place in the annals of the nation’s

history is forever secured with championing the cause of the Nigerian students in his capacity as NUNS leader during the ‘Ali Must Go’ protest of 1978. Fayemi said Okeowo’s fearlessness and refusal to be silent in the face of tyranny is a lesson to those in positions of leadership to always respect the rights of the people they are leading. He also said Okeowo used his wealth of experience as an educationist to reposition the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board. The governor urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that he left behind a good name and worthy legacies they can build upon.

Mimiko too

Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state has described Chief Segun Okeowo, as “a brave, bold and courageous patriot.” Mimiko, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Akure by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Eni Akinsola, said the deceased and his colleagues stood firm in promoting the interest of students and Nigerians in general under a military regime. He expressed his government’s condolence on the great loss to Okeowo’s family, NANS and Nigerians at large.

12 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—13

Kinsmen honour J. P. Clark at 80 BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

APGA MEETING: From left—All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Deputy National Chairman, South, Chief Ejike Uche; APGA Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu and APGA Anambra governorship contestant, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, during the party's stakeholders meeting at Achi, Oji-River Local Government Area, Enugu State, yesterday.

$3.8bn FPSO parties in court

Rivers Police release 275 Boko Haram suspects BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

BY OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

HE proposed $3.8 billion Egina floating, production, storage and offloading, FPSO, oil platform project has become a matter of litigation as Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, LADOL, has instituted court action against Samsung Heavy Industry and its allies, alleging breach of local content. The action is coming on the heels of alleged plots to deny LADOL part the $3.8 billion Egina project, which it jointly won late last year. Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (Total), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Minister of Petroleum Resources are joined as co-defendants in the suit. The suit is before Justice Aneke at the Federal High Court Lagos. The facility, located 130 kilometers offshore was conceived by Total in collaboration with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and is expected to take off by the end of 2017. However, a letter dated October 18, 2013 drew the President's attention to the fact that the Maritime Workers Union had on the June 6, 2013 protested the construction of the FPSO in LADOL facilities in Lagos.

ORT HARCOURT— THE Rivers State Police Command, yesterday, released 275 persons, suspected to be members of Boko Haram. They were among the 294 suspects arrested in the early hours of Sunday by the Police at the border between the state and Imo State. Head of the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, of the Police Command in the state, Mr. Sam Okaula, said 19 of the suspects were held back to be thoroughly investigated because they could not give convincing reason on why they were in the state. Okaula said 294 persons were arrested. He said the Police had to release the 275 after it established that they were doing legitimate business in the state. Okaula said the Police acted on a tip-off. He said: “On the night of January 24, the Commissioner of Police received alarming information that members of Boko Haram were being massively transported to Rivers State,

particularly Port Harcourt from certain parts of the country for the purpose of causing havoc. “As it were, such information cannot be taken lightly, hence all DPOs, Area Commanders

and operatives were alerted to be vigilant by the Commissioner of Police. ‘’On January 26, the DPO of Nkpolu and Oyigbo Division intercepted 17 vehicles and arrested 294 suspects.”

Edo teachers set to resume strike BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN— PRIMARY school teachers in Edo State have served the state government a notice of resumption of their suspended strike on February 17 if the government fails to pay the arrears of the 10.5 percent TSA balance to all primary school teachers from July to November 2013, later than February 14, 2014. The decision to resume the suspended strike was contained in a communiqué after an enlarged State Executive Council meeting in Benin, yesterday. The communiqué by Mr. Mike Uhunmwangho, the state

chairman and Mr. Akin Adeojo, reminded the state government that teachers suspended their last strike in the state to allow for an amicable resolution of their unpaid salary arrears that accumulated between July and November last year. The union said: “Edo State Government should urgently meet our demand or the union would resume her earlier suspended indefinite strike of July 10, 2013 come February 17, 2014.” It called on the government to act quickly and fulfill its promise to set up a committee of stakeholders to review the cases of the over 836 primary school teachers disengaged from service in December.

AMNESTY: Presidency disowns 6,166 ex-militants BY SONI DANIEL

BUJA— THE Presidency, yesterday, denied enrolling additional ex-militants into its amnesty programme. Special Adviser to the

President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, said the President had not approved the inclusion of another batch of 6,166 persons in the programme. He said the total number of beneficiaries captured in the

three phases of the programme is 30,000, dismissing claims by some youths, claiming to be Bakassi Freedom Fighters, who recently staged a protest in Calabar, Cross River State, over alleged unpaid stipends.

ARRI— IJAW kinsmen of Emeritus Professor John Pepper ClarkBekederemo, joined by younger scholars and admirers inspired by his works, held a day of merriment and tributes in honour of the literary icon, who has clocked 80. The birthday gathering in Warri, Delta State, for the renowned poet and author was at the instance of the Ijaw Heritage Project, IHP, a sociocultural body of the academia, businessmen and politicians of Ijaw extraction dedicated to sustainable promotion of Ijaw arts, history and culture. Eyinimi Omorzi, Director-General of IHP, said that the passion to honour J. P. Clark was in recognition of the fact that long before birth of IHP, Clark had through his works and exemplary consciousness of his roots, been championing the Ijaw renaissance against all odds.

APC to drag Rivers' CP, Mbu before UN BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

ORT HARCOURT— ALL Progressives Congress, APC, is set to drag the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, to the United Nations over allegations of abuse of office. Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Davis Ikanya, made this known when he constituted a three-man committee headed by the party ’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Andy Nweye to compile Mbu’s alleged crimes for onward transmission to the United Nations for action. Ikanya said: “This committee is made up of well-informed political experts and meticulous researchers. “So I expect a list of not less than 100 sins of CP Mbu against Rivers State and its people for formal submission to the UN.”

14 – Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY

C M Y K

30, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—15

Alleged double registration: INEC asks court to hands-off suit against Obiano BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

ABUJA — THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, asked Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to hands-off the case of alleged multiple registration levelled against the Governorelect of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, for the issue to be determined by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in the state. INEC made the request on a day the court adjourned till February 27, to allow parties in the matter file their relevant court processes in respect of the suit by two indigenes of Anambra State, Ugochukwu Ikegwuonu and Kenneth Moneke. The plaintiffs are contending that Obiano, having been involved in the alleged illegal possession of multiple voters’ card prior to the November 16, governorship election, ought to have been disqualified from contesting the election. Trial judge Justice R. Mohammed, had earlier ordered the service of all the court processes on Chief Obiano and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, under which he contested to enable them appear and enter their defence. INEC was also joined as a defendant in the suit. The plaintiffs argued that the voters’ card Obiano tendered before his party for which he was allowed to participate in the party’s screening exercise, was different from the one he submitted to INEC. The plaintiffs urged the court to determine whether by his alleged conduct, Obiano, was qualified to vie for the election by virtue of the provisions of Sections 12(2), 16(2)(3) and 31(5) of the Electoral Act, among other issues.

Shell to pay N1.84trn fine for Bonga spill incident …affected communities to get N1.04trn BY GODWIN ORITSE

HELL NIGERIA Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, was, yesterday, ordered by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the National Oil Spill Response and

Akpobolokemi, Director General, NIMASA, said the maritime agency calculated a total of $6.5 billion, about N1.04 trillion, as compensation to be paid to the communities affected by the spill. Meanwhile, the Director General of NOSREA, Mr. Peter Idabo said that on its part, it fined Shell

INAUGURATION: From left, Professor Adisa Bello, National Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, NIME; Engr. Amos Komolafe, 3rd chairman of NIME, Lagos chapter, his wife, Modupe, during the inauguration of Engr. Komolafe, as 3rd chairman of NIME, Lagos chapter and lecture, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

$5 billion, about N800 billion for the oil spill incident. Explaining his experience during the investigation of the spill, the NIMASA boss said that Shell tried as much as possible to frustrate the agency's moves to get to the site of the spill, adding that the agency had to step in immediately after the spill by providing some stop gap measures such as providing relief materials to some of the communities. He lampooned Shell and its allies over their nonchalant attitude towards the spill and called on the organisation to take responsibility for its actions and ensure that such does not repeat itself. He said: “The kind of impunity Shell and its allies have demonstrated so far in the Niger Delta area in the past must stop if the future of the people of Nigeria and the environment are to be protected. “And in other climes when spills like this occur, the first thing is remuneration, attention to the affected communities and finding ways of reducing the suffering of the people and restoring the ecosystem, but Shell fell short of all these criteria and of course, it is sad that it is only in Nigeria that we can witness this degree of impunity."

Ohaneze to Northern elders: Touch Ihejirika, incur our wrath BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA — OHANEZE Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, yesterday, warned the North-

ern Elders Forum, NEF, to stop threatening the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, or be prepared to face the wrath of Ndigbo. Anambra State president of

'APC legislative blockade, political rascality'

HE INSTRUCTION by All Progressives Congress, APC, leadership to its members in the National Assembly, to block the passage of the 2014 budget and confirmation of service chiefs, among others, has been described as political rascality. A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former aide of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia

First Lady congratulates Catholic Archbishop of Abuja on 70th birthday THE FIRST Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has congratulated the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, describing his life as a glowing testimony of wisdom, humility, effective leadership and outstanding service in the vineyard of the Lord. This was contained in a birthday message the First Lady sent to Cardinal Onaiyekan as he

Emergency Agency, NOSREA, to pay a total of $11.5 billion, about N1.84 trillion, as fines and compensation for the 2011 Bonga oil spill incident. Speaking at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, Mr. Patrick

marked his 70th birthday, yesterday. Dame Jonathan noted that the many accomplishments of the Archbishop will forever be written in marble. While wishing him a memorable day, the First Lady also prayed that the good Lord would continue to increase the Archbishop’s divine blessings as his years increase.

State, Mr. Ben Onyechere, who made the call in Umuahia, yesterday, noted that APC was now a private property of a few people. He said: “It is a tip of the iceberg and an insight to what Nigerians should expect from APC government. Our democracy is too nascent to be confined in the hands of a political association, which is yet to undergo the processes of party formation because it is not enough to be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, lNEC. "The only way to qualify as party is when you go through the process of interest articulation and aggregation, during which members will show their true colours. “It is a big disgrace to Nigeria and Africa in general for fellow Nigerians to stand against the wheel of progress in the bid to be relevant. This is where the difference lies because nobody in PDP can harbour such wicked plan to undermine the collective welfare of Nigerians.”

Ohaneze, Dr. Chris Eluemunor, who spoke with reporters in Awka, said that the former Army chief never did anything unlawful, adding that he performed his duties diligently for Nigeria. Eluemunor was reacting to a statement by NEF threatening to drag Ihejirika to the International Criminal Court, ICC, at the Hague for alleged extrajudicial killings. NEF had, in a communiqué recently, accused Ihejirika and six others of allegedly engaging in extra-judicial killings and strangulation of civilians by soldiers in Bama and Giwa Barracks in Borno State using an underground detention centre. Describing the communiqué, which was signed by Professor Ango Abdullahi and six others as empty threat, he said: “Any attempt on Ijejirika will be resisted with maximum force by Ndigbo. "If they try it, they will meet fire. We have records of atrocities perpetrated on the people of this side of the country by the Northerners and we chose to keep quiet in the interest of our dear country. If they try anything funny this time, they will see Ndigbo in their true colour.” Eluemunor also spoke on the

stand of Ndigbo in the 2015 presidential race, saying, “we are not thinking of an Igbo president in 2015 as our stand is that Ndigbo will support Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.”

Chief UgwuadaEzirigwe is dead

HE HEAD of Ezirigwe ancestral patriarchy, Chief Jude UgwuadaEzirigwe (Ozor Ekalezirigwe) is dead. A statement by the family said Christian wake-keep will hold today, while his remains will be interred at Amadim village, Ukehe, Enugu State tomorrow, January 31, 2014. The late Chief UgwuadaEzirigwe is survived by wife, children and grandchildren.

Late Chief Ugwuada-Ezirigwe

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Presidency tasks opposition parties, media on 2015 BY HUGO ODIOGOR

HE SPECIAL Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak has challenged the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, and the media community to focus on critical issues that will determine the agenda for the 2015 general elections rather than concentrate on bashing President Goodluck Jonathan and threatening mayhem, if the election results did not favour them. Gulak said the mass media was making itself a willing tool in the hands of the political opportunists in APC, whose stock in trade was to abuse the office and person of Mr. President because they had nothing to offer Nigeria. In a telephone interview in Lagos, yesterday, Gulak said: “I hold the media in highest esteem and I expect them to be guided by the ethics of their profession, to be fair to all sides."

FG releases modalities for confab today BY TAYE OBATERU, OKEY NDIRIBE & MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

HE FEDERAL Government will today release modalities for the convocation of the National Dialogue proposed last October by President Goodluck Jonathan. This was contained in a special invitation sent to Vanguard, yesterday, by Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, the Special Adviser on Media to Secretary of the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. This was even as Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State urged the National Assembly, NASS, to suspend action on the amendment of the constitution as it might not reflect the yearnings of Nigerians. Jang urged NASS to instead, await the outcome of the proposed national dialogue. Jonathan, had during his Independence Day broadcast last October, promised to set up a Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue with Senator Femi Okurounmu as Chairman. Other members of the committee included, Dr. Akilu Sani Indabawa -Secretary, with Senators Khairat AbdulrazaqGwadabe, Timothy Adudu as well as Professors Olufunke

Adeboye, George Obiozor and Ben Nwabueze, SAN. They also included Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed; Malam Bukhari Bello, Mr. Tony

Uranta ; Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd); Alhaji Dauda Birmah and Dr. Mrs. Mairo Ahmed Amshi. Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on October 7,

2013, Jonathan had described the committee as ‘’a child of necessity,’’ comprising ‘‘Nigerians with wide experiences from various disciplines.’’

What I said at Ekiti colloquium — Nyiam BY CHARLES KUMOLU

ORMER MEMBER of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference,

Col Tony Nyiam (rtd) has clarified his claim on the relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Southwest, saying the present administration

FG lauded over same sex prohibition law

ATIONAL ASSEMBLY legislators and the Jonathan Administration have been commended for having the courage to pass the samesex prohibition Act 2014. An Ikeja-based legal consultant, Chief Kofi-Atiemo Gyan, who made the remark in Lagos, yesterday, said the law would go a long way to tackle immorality and reduce the HIV/AIDS scourge in the country. Gyan said that homosexual practice was a mental disease and any Nigerian involved in the mess should be sent to psychiatric hospital for examination. He noted that Nigeria has set the pace for other Africans to follow in their efforts to ban ho-

mosexual practices in the continent, stressing that this was not only unAfrican, but an imported behaviour. Gyan said that to make the same-sex prohibition Act effective, the church should intervene by ex-communicating their known homosexual members, stressing that homosexuals should not be allowed to mingle with members of the society. He said Nigerians must be grateful to the legislators and President Goodluck Jonathan, who despite the pressure from Britain and the US, they went ahead to ensure the law was passed and save Nigeria from being turned into Sodom and Gomorrah as recorded in the Holy Bible.

did not contribute to the problems of the zone. He, nevertheless, insisted that his stance was that the region was marginalised by virtue of the existing structures in the country and not by the actions of the President, who, he said, was working actively to redress such. Nyiam: ‘’There was no time I said the South West is marginalised by President Jonathan’s government. What I said was that the South West is marginalised by the virtue of the existing structure. "And I appealed to the President to do something about the marginalisation and that one is appreciative of the fact that the President has already started addressing that marginalisation through the appointments he is already making. "For example, he has made a South West person one of the service chiefs. And the President is going to do more by giving South West people key appointments.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 — 17

T was Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo who once warned that a political society can endure with unbelief, but it will sooner, rather than later, crumble with injustice. Of course, Shehu Fodiyo was a religious and political leader, who led one of the most extensive and remarkable state building projects in pre-colonial Africa. Rooted in a deep religious consciousness, he nevertheless understood that the right religious bona fide alone, cannot be the basis for state survival, where the state itself is built upon an enduring project of injustice. I have thought very hard on that famous observation in recent days, because of developments in Nigerian society, especially in the lead to the 2015 elections on the one hand, and the general pattern of elite behaviour in Nigeria, since the 1999 transition to civilian regime on the other. The political and economic choices foisted upon Nigeria have seen the entrenchment of deep-seated inequalities and injustice in the land. The state has increasingly withdrawn from positively impacting upon the lives of the majority of the Nigerian people and became ‘privatised’ as an instrument of the protection of the

God! His basic responsibility ought to and should be accountability to and respect for the Nigerian people first and foremost! The second part of this problem of manipulative use of religion is the constant prayer to God to give us “God fearing” leaders. We make that demand on God so much, we forget to ask for or actively nurture leaders who will respect us as a people, through upholding the social contract with the Nigerian people.

Nigerian politics and the cynical manipulation of religion religion to enhance electoral fortunes. In the past one year especially, with new elections looming in early 2015, and with a not-tooimpressive record in power, the religious card has returned to the top of the agenda. President Jonathan has turned receptions of CAN leaders or visits to churches as occasions to make farreaching political statements. On Christmas Day last year, he worshipped at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Anglican

There is so much posturing by groups of the Nigerian ruling class, Muslim and Christian, to be seen to be pious and religious; they make a show of pilgrimages, elaborate rituals, hobnobbing with equally complicit clergymen, yet preside over the under development that is responsible for the despair that most of our people face today

privileges of the rich. So an ordinarily religious society has retreated further into religion since lived existence has become tortuous and unbearable. Religion has an economic dimension in Nigeria, with religious bodies similarly preying on the insecurities of the Nigerian people. It is double whammy for the Nigerian people because the political elite has been at its most cynical exploiting religion in all its ramifications. Last week, President Jonathan’s godfather, Chief EK Clarke, told a South-south delegation, that those fighting President Jonathan, were fighting God, because it was actually God that made it possible for him to have emerged as president. It obviously escaped the old man that Jonathan’s presidency is a product of democratic election and central to the political process was the right of other politicians to pitch for the position that the president now occupies. The Jonathan presidency has cynically made several efforts to manipulate and exploit the fault lines of Nigerian society in a very frightening manner. Leading to 2011, the election was pursued as a “Christian” agenda with Christian religious bodies and leaders brought into the voteharvest project for Jonathan. One of the iconic moments was when Jonathan knelt in front of Pastor Adeboye; it was a defining exemplar of exploitation of C M Y K

Communion, Gwarimpa, Abuja. He took the opportunity to warn his political opponents not to heat

up the polity. On the first Sunday of 2014, he was at the COCIN church, where he lashed out at some Nigerians he described as “evil”, then ‘prophesying’ that Nigeria ‘must be liberated’ from such people. And just last Sunday, he was at the Winners’ Chapel, Goshen City, on Keffi Road, Nasarawa state, where he said he was going to account to God for his actions as Nigerian president. The well-orchestrated appearances from one church to the other, without prejudice to doctrinal differences, are part of a project to repeat the manipulations from 2011. Jonathan is drumming into the consciousness of the country, a subtle message that he remains the candidate for and of the Christian community. And given the deep religious divisions in the country and the blind often, irrational emotions, which these religious divides can trigger, Jonathan’s cynical manipulation of religion must not be underrated. It is clear that this will be one of the points on which the 2015 election will be lost and won. The

tragedy of this scenario, is that the irresponsibility in the governance process; the mind-boggling heists since Jonathan’s 2011 election and the worsening indices of development in the country, are pushed to the back burner as people then retreat into religious laagers to the detriment of even their own best interests. A “they versus us” religious approach plays into the political agenda of elite groups but has never been in the interest of national harmony and it has never enhanced the tendency towards ruling class accountability and a sense of responsibility. We have lived with this situation for most of our lives as a country. When Jonathan said he will account to God, it probably sounded very pious and must obviously appear very appropriate to the religious mind. But in truth, whatever account he gives to God will be between him and the Almighty. None of the Nigerian people whose lives he has impacted upon as president, for good or evil, will be witness on his day of reckoning with God. Besides, we did not elect him to account to

Complicit clergymen There is so much posturing by groups of the Nigerian ruling class, Muslim and Christian, to be seen to be pious and religious; they make a show of pilgrimages, elaborate rituals, hobnobbing with equally complicit clergymen, yet preside over the under development that is responsible for the despair that most of our people face today. Nigerian politics today, in the hands of the nation’s political elite, underdevelops the country. On all indices of democratic development, governance and accountability, the Nigerian people are victims of an elaborate robbery and disrespect. Socioeconomic existence has been dire. In consequence, the retreat to more religious attitudes only reflects the soul of a soulless world, to paraphrase Karl Marx. It is this religious fervour that has become such a potent weapon of political warfare in our land in the hands of contending groups of the elite. But central to the society’s foundation is the injustice that Shehu Usman Dan Fodiyo pointed out, can lead to the fall of society. Nigeria lives dangerously at the edge of the precipice!

Nomads, farmers, conflicts and changing patterns of climate

AST week, the Kwara state government took a decision to open new grazing reserves, to stem the growing patterns of conflict between nomadic herdsmen and sedentary farming communities. The decision came in the wake of recent clashes in some parts of the state, between farmers and nomadic herdsmen. These patterns of clashes have become especially frequent in recent years in many parts of central Nigeria and even as far afield as the South. In places like Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Benue states and even the satellite towns of the FCT, there have been several clashes between these groups. A major element of these clashes, has been the use of modern sophisticated weapons, leading to the killing of hundreds of people. Old relationships between peoples from these groups have soured. As a Fullo, I know of the old joking relationships between FulBe and Tiv people in Benue; these relationships have broken down in areas where there have been constant fighting.

Many elite groups have built careers upon the breakdown in relationships that have ensued, while many in the media have reported these clashes, often with biased twists that consolidate hate and prejudice, but doing little to enhance the understanding that can aid practical solutions beneficial to groups in conflict and the country in general. But at the root of this serious crisis, include changing patterns of climate leading to the relentless expansion of the desert into the North of Nigeria. A study from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, says that the Sahara is advancing by as much as 15Km per year; and in the past 60 years, the desert has claimed 351, 000 square miles. The consequence is the endangering of 28 million people and about 58millionn livestock. As herdsmen move into the central plateau of Nigeria and further into the rain forest of the south, with excellent conditions for cattle grazing, they come into contact with farmer communities, whose population have also been increasing.

They alienate ever-greater acres of land for agriculture to feed growing populations. Cattle herds enter into these farms, especially with the blurring, if not complete erasure of old cattle routes and grazing reserves. The result has been been the repeated pattern of tragic killings and reprisals, which has cost so much in lives of people on all sides. The growth of religious militancy and the insurgency in Northern Nigeria have also complicated the very difficult situation.

Farmers and herdsmen There is no gainsaying the fact that both groups, farmers and herdsmen, play a vital role in the economic well being of the country. It is poignant that agriculture as a whole contributes 40% of the country’s GDP. This economic reality must therefore be an urgent reason to find very enlightened ways to resolve these increasingly complicated clashes. There are very legitimate needs on all sides which the Nigerian state must

find means and ways of meeting in the interest of inter-community harmony. The killings and displacements of thousands of people from their areas of abode and livelihood can only deepen the resentment and anger which continue to fuel the crises. Meanwhile, the political elite makes perfunctory gestures which do not get to the root of the complicated problem, with its multi-faceted dimensions. There are even cynical efforts to manipulate these tensions to score cheap political points. A related point is the profiling of nomadic groups, especially in the media, by journalists who come from farming backgrounds and therefore reflect the prejudices of their origins against nomadic groups. These prejudicial reportages and commentaries make a thorough understanding of the salient issues in the nomadfarmer conflict patterns around Nigeria, very difficult. In the long run, it is the country that suffers. But we cannot allow these patterns of conflict to continue forever.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 THE Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, LIE, has had its fair share of unearned attention from the controversies surrounding repairs of the road commissioned 36 years ago. It has degenerated to a stage that its motorable portions are like seeing oasis in the desert. LIE is subject of more controversies after failed attempts to repair the road, including the Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement with Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited that won a concession in 2009 to reconstruct, expand and modernise the expressway at a cost of N89.53bn, on a Design Build Operate and Transfer, DBOT, basis. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan last July 5 visited LIE to usher in “major reconstruction work” at a cost of N187bn. A 2011 report of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, which Chief Ernest Shonekan, ICRC head until last year, presented to the President had identified possible failure of the LIE concession. ICRC listed approval of design, securing the right of way, financial model and environmental and social impact assessment among challenges the project faced. Clause 6.1

BY ROMANUS UWA

HEAD of the 2015 general elections, the political atmosphere across the country is becoming tense. Politicians are busy jostling for political relevance and are already doing everything possible to run down anybody or person who poses a possible threat to their political ambition. Already manifesting in this direction is the recent media attacks and campaign of calumny by some desperate politicians and cynics against Abia state governor Chief Theodore Orji and his family members, since he was adopted by major stakeholders in Abia Central senatorial district as the consensus senatorial candidate for 2015. One of such cynics is one Chuks Akamadu who in his article titled Orji’s wave of endorsement published in one of the national dailies recently launched a virile attack on the governor and his family. In the write-up, Akamadu exposed his ignorance about the tenets of democracy and constitutionalism, this is inspite of the fact that the country has had uninterrupted democratic governance for more than a decade. Instead of concentrating on issues, legalities and facts concerning the endorsement of the governor for the senatorial seat in 2015, Akamadu took on his wife, Mrs.Mercy Odochi Orji, and his son, Engr. Chinedum Orji, levelling all sorts of unfounded allegations against them. Perusing through the article, one needs no prophet to know that it was the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau. And it is expected that in the days ahead more of such frivolous and malicious media attacks would be sponsored against the governor by those who are envious of his personal success as a technocrat, his achievements in government so far, rising

New Controversies Over LIE of the concession agreement holds the Federal Government responsible for review and approval of design. According to ICRC report, approval for a final design was granted on 10 May 2011, two years after the concession agreement was signed. Estate valuers completed review of properties along the axis in July 2011. Compensations and relocation of PHCN facilities are still outstanding issues. “Without an agreed design and scope of works based on the grantor’s performance and output standards, there cannot be an agreed fixed cost for the project. Without a financial model setting out the expected project costs and revenues, financing costs cannot be

determined,” the report said. The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen last week said that the Federal Government was mobilising N300bn from private investors, in a PPP arrangement, for LIE and two other major roads in Nigeria. The FG would raise only N50bn of the N169bn needed to fix the LIE, only 30 per cent of the required funding. Only N25bn can be raised this year and another N25bn in 2015 through Infrastructure Bank. Government, according to the Ministry of Works, would also provide an irrevocable guarantee in raising the funds. Is it a PPP or concessioning? ICRC Act requires that concessionings should be advertised and due process followed in assessing proposals. Will financiers of the 70 per cent funding be selected without competitive bidding? Will funding be early enough to meet the President’s 48 months delivery period? Is government aware that termination of BiCourtney’s concession could stall construction? How did the cost balloon to N187bn from N89bn? It seems LIE is in more dangers of never being executed than five years ago!

OPINION Matters arising obn Orji's senatorial endorsement political profile and endorsement by various groups in his zone as the consensus senatorial candidate for 2015. It is true that Gov. Orji is not the only governor under such sponsored and wellorchestrated attacks in the media today ahead of the 2015 general elections. His Akwa Ibom and Delta State counterparts, Dr. Godswill Akpabio and Emmanuel Uduaghan are being attacked heavily in the media by some forces in their respective states for legally nursing senatorial ambition in 2015. It is quite clear that the forces behind such puerile and unfounded attacks in the media are failed politicians who have lost relevance and touch with their people, while still living in delusion that election could be contested and won on the pages of newspaper. No wonder they have not advanced any superior arguments backed by any constitutional provision to buttress their reasons for being against the senatorial ambitions of these governors. Sincerely and legally, every Nigerian knows that there is nothing absolutely wrong in Orji’s endorsement by various groups in his zone. Instead the endorsement should been seen as a true manifestation and confirmation of his wider acceptance by his people because of his performance and track record right from his days in public service till date. After all, how many politicians today including Governor Orji’s contemporaries have enjoyed such early endorsement and pressure from their people to contest for senatorial seat in 2015? Some of those who tried their luck at the polls in the past against the people’s

wishes were rejected by the people. The likes of Akamadu is adviced to brace up for the challenges ahead by trying his luck at the polls in 2015, instead of engaging in cheap blackmail and campaign of calumny against possible contenders or potential winners. There is no doubt that such exercise will surely end up in futility in 2015 because the gimmick is not new to Nigerians especially the people of Abia state. It could be recall that such attacks were launched against President Goodluck Jonathan, Gov. Orji and others in 2011, but they were not enough to deny them victories at the polls as Nigerians massively voted for them in the elections. The same scenario will repeat itself again in 2015, despite the media propaganda by some failed politicians in Abia state to run Gov. Orji and his family down. The people will definitely speak through their votes at polls and not on the pages of newspapers when the time comes. On Akamadu’s attacks on Gov. Orji’s wife, it is a calculated attempt to rubbish the integrity and personality of a woman of substance for no just cause. Mrs. Orji unlike many young girls today got married to Gov. Orji when he was in secondary school. Though, Gov. Orji despite being born into a royal family was then a student struggling to carve a niche for himself in life. Marriage which is a bond bind them together early in life. They were like Siamese twins as they grew together, bore children and have built a united family blessed today with humble and dedicated children and grand children. Since his husband assumed office as

governor of Abia in 2007, she has been a major pillar behind her husband’s success in all direction. She is and has always been there as a wife, mother and comforter, because Gov. Orji being the only child of his parents has no other person, except his immediate family. That has been the common bond binding the family together from inception, and it has not changed. As the first lady of the state, Mrs. Orji has quietly touched the lives of the less privileged ones in the state, particularly widows and provision of shelter for them. That was not case in the state before Orji came into office. Also, their son, Mr. Chinedum Orji, a first class graduate of Engineering is an example of a good and well-trained son who has never allowed himself to be carried away by his father’s political profile. Apart from his generous support to the non-governmental organisation, Ochendo Youth Foundation that collaborate with the state government and other public spirited individuals and organisations to empower the teeming unemployed youths in the state, he has no direct or indirect involvement in the business of governance in the state. Even when he is legally overqualified to be appointed a government functionary, he was not appointed. This is because his father has always drawn a parallel line between his family and business of governance. Thus, Akamadu’s postulation that the present government in Abia is a family affair is a barefaced lie. •Dr. Uwa, a medical practitioneer, wrote from Aba, Abia State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014— 19

, A

DMITTEDLY, our relationship with the West has been defined by undue duplicity. Close to 54 years of our so-called independence, we are still largely in chains. Nigeria’s annual Balance Sheet is perhaps still prepared in Washington, DC. Even in the area of our much touted oil wealth, when the multi-nationals sneeze, Nigeria catches cold because they hold the key to the industry. Who is still asking questions about the $10.8 billion hitherto unexplained oil money, which came down from Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s original claim of $49.8 billion? Such probably did not listen to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, when he was writing his own testimonial and rendering the account of his selfaudit. For those who were lucky not to have listened to him, he said that a bulk of the money went into subsidy for kerosene -- even when the pomp price of the product has

remained around N200 per litre as against the N50 that we have always been told is the official pomp price. Once upon a time, we thought there was a Minister in-charge of the Petroleum Ministry. We also erroneously assumed that the stock of professional audit firms and good chartered accountants was not in short supply in this country. That explains why Sanusi’s $49.8 billion has now been explained away with a wave of the hand, without a word from those authorised to speak on such an issue. At the threshold of his departure from the Central Bank, Sanusi has just been reduced to an alarmist overnight. What an inglorious way to end a career that once looked quite alluring! Just imagine how $49.8 billion has simply evaporated into thin air! But for how long will this financial rascality continue? Why has the audit of the NNPC accounts suddenly become a mirage? This is perhaps the relics from the West

- just do it and don’t explain! It’s a height of impunity. Even granting that the whopping sum of $49.8 billion (close to N1 trillion) has been spent on the best of motives, where can it be located in the 2013 appropriations? The National Assembly should be ashamed of itself for not living up to its responsibilities. Under its very nose, CBN and NNPC, among others, have transformed themselves into bigger Republics within the smaller republic of Nigeria. They have no spending limits and they require no legislative authorisation and approval! But whatever happened to the provisions of Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution?

he overbearing attitude of the West is carried through all aspects of our lives. At the social spectrum, for instance, they insist on determining everything: We must eat what they eat and forbid what they forbid. We must worship

2015: Ndokwa as the bridgehead to stability of Delta State BY GODSON ANIMAM

ITH INEC announcing the timetable for the general election, we expect that the different forces for the elective offices across the country will begin to mobilise. Delta is no different. For me and others who believe in our cause for equity and justice, we feel that as 2015 get close, the race for the tenancy of Osadebey House, Asaba will become more interesting. The truth is every qualified citizen has the inalienable right to aspire to any elective position, in saying that I believe that Delta state has obviously taken into account its multi-ethnic dimension by effectively evolving the rotation of political office including the office of the Executive Governor of the State in the current political dispensation. Since 1999, the state has seen the emergence of Governors from different senatorial zones representing different ethnic stock which has greatly enhanced the stability. Now everyone in the state feels a sense of belonging. An ownership of this joint enterprise called Delta state. Currently the incumbent Governor of Delta state, Dr. E. E. Uduagan, an Itsekiri is from Delta South Senatorial District and he took over at the expiration of the tenure of Chief James Ibori an Urhobo from Delta Central Senatorial District. It is in view of the above that we canvass support for Delta North, (Anioma) to produce the next Governor of Delta state come 2015. Our appeal for such support is hinged on the need to entrench equity, fairness and inclusiveness in our daily polity. I canvass this position on the strong belief that all senatorial districts and by extension C M Y K

all components parts of Delta state have capable people to superintend over the affairs of Delta state. It is therefore my firm belief that giving Delta North (Anioma) the privilege to produce the Chief Executive of Delta state will not entrench mediocrity. Having laid the above premise, I want to make a case that an Ndokwa person deserves a special consideration in the coming dispensation. My position is hinged on various factors which support the belief that a Delta state Governor of Ndokwa extraction will be a plus to Delta state political stakeholders. One of the major factors supporting the Ndokwa project is the fact that Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta state that shares close borders with and have lived and continued to live peacefully with all but one of the seven ethnic nationalities that makeup Delta state. The Ndokwa nation shares close borders with Aniocha/Oshimili and Ika ethnic nationalities in Delta North, the Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta South senatorial districts. This central position will enhance empathy and even development across Delta state. This centrality has sprouted cultural and language assimilation as well as inter-ethnic nationalities features which make the Ndokwa person a true and detribalised Deltan. A Delta state Governor of Ndokwa extraction will ensure even spread of development across the state. This will make a Delta Governor of Ndokwa extraction a rallying point of all ethnic nationalities in Delta state. It should not also be forgotten that though Delta state has made progress in promoting unity, there is the lingering fear, doubt and

Homosexuality: This new Western religion

To our greatest consternation, the Western leaders are now asking us to swallow the bitter pill of sodomy and attract the wrath of God. Their next move might be to begin to coerce us into sleeping with our cats and dogs

God the way they do or face the harsh punishment prescribed by them for non-adherence. We may lose the right to pick the crumbs that fall from their breakfast tables. When they suddenly turn homosexual, we must quickly bury our heterosexual instincts or risk loss of funding for those diseases, a bulk of which had been exported to us by them. That’s where we are now. Since the enactment of the Prohibition of Gay Marriages Act, the penultimate week, a storm of indignation has burst forth in the West. They have been crying blood and threatening all types of reprisal against us. For us, though, the need for efficiency and order remains a powerful weapon against an obstreperous nation’s conscience to maintain her ethical autonomy. By ethical autonomy, we mean the willingness to assert one’s own principled judgment, even when that entails violating rules, values and perceptions of others. A nation is ethically autonomous to the extent that it sticks to its guns about what it believes, even where doing so might put her in conflict with other nations. That’s why Nigeria has acted forcefully to prevent the further embezzlement of public trust. The West introduced Christianity to us and did not hide the fact that homosexuality is an aberration. In the book of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 the Bible describes homosexuality as an abomination. In his own teaching, Jesus Christ made it clear that the reference to marriage is a reference to male and female (Mark 10: 5-9; Matthew 19:4-6). The Apostle Paul was most emphatic in his reproach of homosexuals, when in the book of Romans 1:26-27, he admonished,

Despite the huge economic contribution that Ndokwa land has made, its political relevance has not been fully appreciated

suspicion in different sections of the state over a number of issues, such as the location of capital, who has benefited the most, marginalisation, where does the oil income into the state coffers flow from, etc. In all this, Ndokwa represents a major bridge that can assuage all these. Another factor is the fact that the Ndokwa ethnic nationality is the second largest ethnic group with three local government in Delta state. However, we are aware that we cannot go it alone, hence we appeal to our brothers across Delta state to support an Ndokwa person to ascend to the office of the Chief Executive of Delta state.

he third factor I believe that should favour the emergence of an Ndokwa person for governor of Delta state is our enviable economic position in the state coupled with our peaceful disposition. The Ndokwa ethnic nationality is home to huge oil and gas deposits. In fact, according to existing seismic and geological data, the area today known as Ndokwa estimated to house oil reserves in excess of 2.5 billion barrels of crude oil and home to the largest non-associated gas reserves in West Africa, well in excess of 100 trillion standard cubic feet of gas. Little wonder that the Ndokwa nationality plays hosts to the NOAC operated multi-billion dollars Kwale/Okpai Independent Power Plant which current generates 480 megawatts of electricity to

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of women, burned in their lust towards another; men with men working that which is unseemly; and receiving in themselves that recompense of the error….” To our greatest consternation, the Western leaders are now asking us to swallow the bitter pill of sodomy and attract the wrath of God. Their next move might be to begin to coerce us into sleeping with our cats and dogs! Meanwhile, they are preaching one thing and practising another. Otherwise, by now, one would have heard that they have dissolved their existing marriages and replaced their former spouses with gays. Certainly, these Western leaders have a lot of explaining to do. If in this their new religion, they have stumbled into the fact that gay relationships lead to salvation; or that they are a panacea to corruption; or that therein lies the much needed cure for AIDS, then, one can understand the reason for the arm-twisting. Whichever way they go, this new religion of hypocrisy for which they offer no explanation certainly portends multiple tragedies: for contradicting God’s commands, they risk eternal condemnation; for turning people away from the ways of God, they risk more condemnation; and for cutting down on foreign assistance on HIV-AIDS of which they are the originators (with the direct correlation between homosexuality and AIDS), they could stand most condemned. All the same, God remains the final Judge but by all means, we deserve to be left alone!

the national grid thereby accounting for about 20% of current national electricity output. However, the Ndokwa nationality also has very arable and fertile land. If well harnessed we believe that the Ndokwa soil can feed the entire South-South region. This is so because the Ndokwa soil is good for both cash and no cash crops. In fact, this position can be gleaned from the fact that the Ndokwa nationality is home of one of the largest rubber plantation to wit; the Michelin Rubber Plantation Utagbe-Uno, Ndokwa West LGA. Despite the huge economic contribution that Ndokwa land has made, its political relevance has not been fully appreciated. For instance, the Ndokwa ethnic nationality has never had the privilege of producing a governor or deputy governor either in the old Midwest/Bendel state or the current Delta state. However, our brothers have had the privilege of producing a deputy governor and Acting governor of (Chief S. Ebonka and Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi), and our Aniocha/Oshimili brother have also had the luck of producing the Premier of Old Midwest Region and Deputy Governor of Delta state to wit; Chief Osadabey and Chief B.S.C. Elue. As earlier noted, I am firmly convinced that all ethnic nationalities in Delta state have qualified manpower to superintend over the affairs of Delta state and build on the achievement recorded by the present administration of Dr. E. E. Uduaghan. Having posited the above, I therefore implore our brothers and sisters in Delta North senatorial district to support the emergence of a Delta state governor of Ndokwa extraction. This appeal is hinged on the fact that our brothers and sisters in Delta south and Central will be more disposed to supporting Ndokwa area because of the above points that we have made.

*Mr. Animam, a political analyst, wrote from Kwale, Delta State.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY,

JANUARY 30, 2014

Angst as suspected homosexuals escape lynching in Bauchi BY SUZAN EDEH

igerians demon strated their disdain for samesex relationships last week when an angry mob almost lynched seven suspected homosexuals who were brought for trial before Sharia Court 4 in Anguwan Jaki, Bauchi State. This is coming less than a month after President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law, the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act that criminalises gay marriage, gay organisations and anyone working with or promoting them. The presence of the seven suspected homosexuals at the court premises sparked off an uproar from the crowd who came to witness the trial. The suspects are facing trial for allegedly engaging in gay activities, an action that contravenes the Islamic laws, which the Bauchi State operates. Security personnel had a hectic time trying to Angry mob waiting outside the court rescue the endangered

The charged atmosphere compelled the trial Sharia Judge, Yakubu Aliyu, lawyers and the horde of journalists to run for their lives

seven. They fired tear gas canisters and several gunshots into the air in a bid to disperse the mob. Tension started brewing around the court premises when the suspects who were brought n a Hilux van, alighted from the court room.. The suspects - Ibrahim Marafa, Shehu Adamu, Yusuf Adamu, Aliyu Dalhatu, Abdulmalik Tanko, Usman Sabo and Hazif Sabo Abubakar were hurriedly taken back to prision by the security personnel as the angry crowd hurled stones at the van. A few people sustained various degrees of injury in the process. The crowd which gathered on hearing about the trial, rained C M Y K

abuses on the suspects and pelted them with stones. The charged atmosphere compelled the trial Sharia Judge, Yakubu Aliyu, lawyers and the horde of journalists to run for their lives. Earlier, inside the rowdy court, the Counsel to the Sharia Commission, Danlami Ayuba, told the court that one of the suspects identified as Ibrahim Marafa, is the Principal of a Government Secondary School. But Counsel to the suspects, Abdul Musa told the judge that he was not ready and sought for bail for his clients to enable them study the charges. The bail application was however opposed by the Counsel to the Sharia Commission.

The trial judge, ElYaqub Aliyu refused to grant the bail application and adjourned the case to a later date to enable the prosecutors present their witnesses. In a related development, the State Sharia Commission also arraigned six other suspects before the court. When their case was mentioned, the Judge cautioned the Commission’s Counsel to ensure that they have proper evidence on the accused persons before arraigning them in court. He decried a situation where an accused had pleaded guilty of the offence he committed four years ago and had repented but was brought to court after he had repented. Quoting sections of the Hadith, he said the accused remained innocent until proper evidence is established that he had committed the offence again. Counsel to the Sharia commission presented two witnesses against two of the suspects but under cross examina-

The crowd that gathered tion, none of the witnesses said he saw them while they were committing the alleged offence. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said that the suspects were arrested by the Bauchi State Sharia Commission. In a similar incident, a young man convicted of sodomy by an Islamic Shariah court in northern Nigeria was whipped 20 times. 20-year-old Mubarak

Ibrahim, an artisan, pleaded guilty to the gay crime carried out seven years ago. He said he was tricked into the act by the principal of the High School he was attending and has not since committed a homosexual act. Mr Ibrahim was spared a sentence of death by stoning because the incident occurred many years ago and because he had shown “great remorse,” Judge Nuhu Mohammed said. The lashes were given

using an animal skin whip in the packed public court. Mr Ibrahim was also ordered to pay a fine of 5,000 naira (around £20). It was not clear if he was able to immediately pay the fee and go free. Some residents of the State who spoke with VM expressed their disgust with the seven gay suspects, saying that they deserve to die because they have no fear of God and respect for humanity.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 —

MEETING: From left: Retired federal civil servant, Engr. Olugbenga Olabinjo; Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr. Toyin Ayinde; Chairman, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Mr. Taiwo Sebiola; Executive Secretary, Mrs. Tanwa Koya and Executive Director (Finance & Admin), Lagos State Water Corporation, Mr. Diran Akingba, during a Games Village Stakeholders Meeting, at LSWRC office, Ikeja, Lagos.

WEF: Foreign investors impressed with Nigeria — Okonjo Iweala BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

HE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has said that foreign investors were impressed with Nigeria’s economic growth and overall performance at the just concluded World Economic Forum that held in Davos, Switzerland. The minister stated this while speaking at the Creative Industry Awards organised by Creative Entrepreneurs Association of

Nigeria where she also received an award for the best overall contributor to the development of the Nigerian creative industry in 2013. According to her, “Having come straight from the entourage of Mr. President’s investment team, from the gathering of world’s CEOs in Davos, Switzerland, I can tell you that Nigeria was much celebrated. And contrary to the image that many try to promote, of lack of hope, negativity and the country not doing well, the overall assessment is that in spite of

the problems we have, Nigeria is a country to be celebrated,” she said. “It’s a country of spirit, entrepreneurship, drive of creativity and that was what we saw in Davos, and I want all Nigerian people to hold on to it that this country is a country that we can be proud of. It is a country in which we can have hope,” she added. She explained that Nigeria has very creative entrepreneurs, who are working against all odds to help drive the economy, adding that despite those

challenges, there is hope since the economy has shown steady seven per cent growth over the past few years. She said, “We all know that Nigeria has one of the most versatile and hardworking entrepreneurs today. The Nigerian economy has its challenges and problems, we do acknowledge that. There are problems of unemployment, inequality, lack of inclusion, but our economy is an economy that is very vibrant and the fact that it has been growing at a steady seven percent is something that we should applaud because that gives us the means to address some of the challenges that we see. “The economy is vibrant, therefore we have hope, and we know that Nigeria has earned its place as the preferred destination for foreign investment in Africa. And many Nigerian businesses, especially the 32 million SMEs that we have in this country are investing in the economy and driving economic growth.” The minister, who also used the opportunity to speak on the Youth Enterprise with Innovation, YOUWIN programme, noted that many businesses that are trying to establish within the Nigerian economy, particularly the ones by young entrepreneurs, face lots of challenges, prominent of which is access to finance.“Sadly this constraint has turned many of our enterprising youths into job seekers rather than job providers,” she added. She explained that the lessons drawn from the YOUWIN programme so far included the fact that government can get policy implementation right if it makes effort, and that if Nigeria must eradicate youth unemployment, then it must place the required premium on entrepreneurship.

LCCI decries exemption from FG policy formulations BY NAOMI UZOR

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has its decried exemption from Federal Government’s policy formulations. In a chat with Vanguard, the President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, said the Federal Government is introducing so many programmes, activities and policies without involving the chamber in any of its policy formulation. “Government is introducing so many programmes, activities and policies but you just see some of these things being announced in and out on televisions, the newspapers, but we need to be carried along as a chamber of commerce. That is not being done. You start scouting, scavenging for the information like the dry season farming funding which the president announced recently, We had to start

scouting for information about it, that is not good. We don’t want to be irrational, we want to be part and parcel of their policy formulation, so we will know how our members can benefit or participate” he said. Bello noted that the economy is made up of the public and private sector and members of the chamber who are the private sector operators would like to be part of government policy formulation so as to know how their members can benefit or participate. “They are doing a lot, so many incentives, but who are these incentives made for? Are they not for our members? When we are not carried along, how are we are going to know what to benefit? The area of energy is being done, the area of oil and gas, that is the cash cow of the economy, that is where the money is being made, but it is full of uncertainties and why ? This is

because there is no guide line, the law that is being expected is the PIB, which we are praying that the National Assembly to do something on this fast. If this is done, if the fiscal responsibilities are being put in place and well defined, then a whole lot will happen in the oil and gas and government budget implementation, the budget process. The structure of the budget process as it is right now cannot take us anywhere; something serious has to be done” he stated. According to him, government is the largest spender of our resources and if the resources are being spent the way things are being structured now, we won’t get anywhere. He added that a situation whereby about 76 percent is being spent on consumables or recurrent expenditure, then just 24 percent is left for capital expenditure is not

Server failure:

Agents raise alarm, warn on impending congestion BY GODFREY BIVBERE

ongestion is once again building in the nation’s ports following the breakdown of the server for processing import documents by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS since Monday, Vanguard can authoritatively report. Investigation revealed that apart from imports that got the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR, before Monday and others with Pre-release are currently working at taking delivery of their goods. Recalled that agents had cried out over delay in the issuance of PAAR a forth night ago even when the server was working. An agent who spoke with Vanguard noted that the breakdown of the server is becoming too frequent, which end up causing congestion that would cost the shipping community as well as the nation’s economy millions of naira. In a statement by the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the National President, Joe Sanni, they confirmed that the server breakdown is not only affecting cargo delivery in the nation’s ports, but also at the border post. Sanni said noted that constant failure of the server presently powered by Webb Fontaine is left unchecked, saying that it will put a clog in the wheel of PAAR’s implementation.

114.1

-0.55

2,882.00

-23.00

14.79

-0.23

CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR 154.75 STERLING 256.4672 EURO 211.11 FRANC 171.849 YEN 1.501 CFA 0.3033 WAUA 237.5407 RENMINBI 25.573 RIYAL 41.2612 KRONA 28.2876 SDR 238.2995

107.15

-0.26

96.84

-0.57

SELLING 155.25 257.2958 211.7921 172.4042 1.5058 0.3133 238.3082 25.656 41.394 28.379 239.0695

155.75 258.1245 212.4742 172.9595 1.5107 0.3233 239.0757 25.7391 41.5278 28.4704 239.8394

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/01/2014

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Cashless: Lagos to unveil e-payment platform for revenue ...to redeem N50bn bond next month By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

he Lagos State gov ernment will soon un veil an electronic payment platform for cashless payment of its services. Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Bola Shodipo disclosed this at the 2014 Budget Analysis by the state’s Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. Responding to question on preponderance of cash payment in the state’s institutions, two years after the inception of the cashless policy in the state, Shodipo said the state committed to the cashless policy, and is working on a electronic payment platform that would enable people to pay for services rendered by the state via PoS terminal, internet and other channels. He said, “The state’s policy is that the state would not collect cash in payment for any liability or obligation you need to pay to the state. Except in some areas where we know that getting to the banks is difficult, and the maximum of cash anyone can collect in such area is N2000 otherwise you find a way to get to the bank "Now in terms of making it more convenient for people, we are looking at e-payment where if you can seat in the comfort of your room, and swipe your credit or debit card from wherever, and make necessary payment into whatever kind of fee, charge or levy or service payment you want to make from inside your room, we are at a very advance stage at this point and we would be rolling out soon-

VISIT: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde

Durosinmi-Etti (left); new Managing Director of Emerging Markets Payment (EMP) Africa, Mr. Murat Ozulku (right); Chief Commercial Officer, Emerging Markets Payment, Mr. Fany Fekry and the Managing Director of EMP West Africa, Mr. Tunde Coker during the visit of the EMP team to Skye Bank, in Lagos.

er than later. So for those who want to use PoS, internet, web based or different kind of portals to effect payment, they would soon get to that level.

But as at today, if you want to make payment, if you have cash, you go and lodge it into the relevant account code in any of the receiving bank for

Emphasis on entrepreneurship critical to reducing unemployment — Okonjo-Iweala By JONAH NWOKPOKU

he Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Okonjo Iweala has said Nigeria must make entrepreneurship its top priority if it must tackle the high youth un-

employment in the country. She stated this while speaking at the Creative Industry Awards organized by the Creative Industry Association of Nigeria in Lagos. She said, “We need to prioritise entrepreneurship as a solution to Nigerian and indeed,

NEXIM Bank emerges best performing DFI in Africa

the state.” Meanwhile, the state would next month, commence the redemption of N50 billion Bond issued in 2009. Elabo-

rating on this, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi said, “The full principal repayment plus the coupon for the last half of the year would be fully paid in February. This has been fully provided for in a sinking fund that is managed by Trustees on behalf of bondholders.” He said, “The government has a total of four tranches of bond in issue. The first one is the N50 billion, five year bond, issued in 2009, maturing this February. We have a second tranche of bond, N57.9, issued in 2010. It is seven year bond, maturing in 2017. The third tranche is an N80 billion in value, it was issued in 2012, and it would mature in 2019. And the latest tranche of bond is N87.5 billion. It has tenure of seven years, it matures in 2020. So in total we carry a bond portfolio of N275 billion". He said though the state has a total debt stock of about N435 billion, which is net of N98 billion in sinking funds, it is still well below its debt sustainability benchmark. “Our total debt service is about 13.15 per cent, 40 per cent is the global benchmark, hence well below the threshold.”

he Association of African Develop ment Finance Institutions (AADFI) has rated the Nigerian Export-Import Bank– NEXIM as ‘Best Performing African DFI.’ The decision was an outcome of the ‘2013 Annual AADFI CEOs Forum of African Development Banks and Finance Institutions’ on the theme ”Strengthening African DFIs with Appropriate Standards and Guidelines: 3rd Peer Review & Rating of African DFIs” held in Kenya. The Forum marked the conduct of the 3rd Peer Review of DFIs with the AADFI Prudential Standards, Guidelines and Rating System (PSGRS). The outcome of the rating was conveyed in a letter by the Secretary General of AADFI to NEXIM Bank. He said “we are pleased, on behalf of the Chairman of the Association, to extend our warm congratulations

to your Board of Directors and Management Team on this record performance, and urge you not to relent in your effort at entrenching best practices in the operations of your institution as you continue to sustain your development financing mandate.” According to AADFI, the Peer Review Exercise with the AADFI PSGRS was not a competition but an approach to evaluate DFIs in the various areas of governance, finance and operation in order to identify areas of weaknesses for self-improvement and strengths for consolidation. Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Roberts U. Orya attributed the ‘A’ rating by AADFI to the hard work, painstaking commitment and dedication that his executive management team and staff have put into rebuilding an otherwise moribund institution over the past four years.

Africa’s high youth employment. We must promote entrepreneurship education, by linking curriculum and training of entrepreneur skills to young Africans early in the system, by getting businesses and private sectors involved in entrepreneurship training in Nigeria and in Africa at large, in our schools, colleges and universities. Nigerian youths must think of creating jobs rather than seeking jobs and it is our duty to make sure that when they do, we provide the right environment that can make their dream come true.” The minister who received an award for the best overall contributor to the development of the Nigerian creative industry in 2013 also used the opportunities to outline some lessons drawn from the Federal Government’s Youth Enterprise with Innovation, YOUWIN programme launched in 2011. She said the basic lessons to be learnt from the initiative included the fact that government can get policy implementation right if it makes effort,

and that if Nigeria must eradicate youth unemployment, then it must place the required premium on entrepreneurship. She also said that another important lesson was that government must improve on its efforts to make funds available to entrepreneurs. She said, “The first lesson is that government can get it right, if it tries. YOUWIN’s open, transparent and merit based selection process which has been applauded within and outside the country, is perhaps its major reason for success. Pessimism that often trail government programmes, for instance, access to government support depends on who you know as man-know-man does not exist for YOUWIN, and shows that as Nigerians, we can change our mindsets, and do it the way it should be done, when government decides to set the pace with an example. I think that this is a success we can build not just for YOUWIN but for other programmes supported by government and as in the economy at large.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 — 23

New ethanol plant berths in Ogun

INSPECTION: From left: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu; Registrar, Commercial Law, Salman Mann; Director, Human Resources, Dr. Bolatito Obisesan and the Project Manager, World Intellectual Property Organisation, Mr. Hisham Fayed during the inspection of office space for Industrial Property Automated System (IPAS) at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

new ultra modern ethanol manufacturing plant will be commissioned today at Igbesa, Ogun State. Among those expected to grace the occasion are past president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the host governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, captains of industries and other eminent personalities in the country The plant is built by AAtlantic Distilleries Ltd (AADL), a subsidiary of the Lexcel Group, to produce ethanol, a major component in the production of spirit, using cassava. In a statement, Tuesday, Production Manager of AADL, Mr. Sowemimo Michael, said that the factory has 10 million liters per annum installed capacity of ethanol; requiring approximately 240 tons of

UNIDO proposes post-2015 industrial policy Stories by FRANKLIN ALLI

he UN Industrial De velopment Organisa tion (UNIDO) says industrial policy in the years 2015 and beyond should be rooted in the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. Ulla Heher, Post-2015 Strategic Planning Coordinator at UNIDO, said as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been the global benchmark for development progress since their adoption in 2000, expire in 2015, right now, the international development community is considering what happens next. “For many developing countries, accelerating the transformation of their productive structures is increasingly an integral part of their strategies for achieving inclusive and sustainable development. “This is supported by the fact that almost one-third of manufacturing value added is now created in developing countries, up from under 20 percent about 15 years ago. In fact, the real question about industrial policy in the years beyond 2015 is not whether but how it should be practiced to best strengthen the global approach to development,” he said. According to him, so far, preparations have included an array of thematic, national and regional consultations bring-

ing the UN system together with a broad range of development partners; the report of a high-level panel of eminent persons appointed by the UN Secretary-General; intergovernmental discussions on sustainable development arising out of the Rio+20 conference; and countless initiatives from the grassroots up. “All of these are aimed at informing the multilateral negotiations kicking off at the UN General Assembly in the fall 2014. It is no secret that the MDGs, despite their undoubted successes, suffered from shortcomings. “In particular, they had little to say about the means by which they should be

achieved. As an organisation dedicated to achieving prosperity through inclusive and sustainable industrial development, it was especially apparent to the UNIDO that this aspect was sadly lacking. It is ironic that, while in the 1990s industrial development fell out of fashion in the socalled “North” due to the hike

in the services sector and the prevailing gospel of Washington Consensus policies, at the very same time industrialisation was slashing poverty rates in East and South Asia. In fact, it is largely through industry that MDG Goal 1 – to halve extreme poverty and hunger – will be met at the global level.”

WIPO helps Nigeria to improve trade mark, patent registration

he World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has commenced the installation of Industrial Property

Automated System, IPAS, to improve the registration of Trade Mark, Patent and Design in Nigeria.

Volkswagen Group delivers 9.7m vehicles in 2013

cassava per day at an average of 10 tons per hour. “After the weighing, it will be transported to the rasper machine where it will go through milling, liquefaction, and fermentation process. In each of these segments, stateof-the-art machines and equipments have been installed to ensure the plant operates at optimal capacity. “This is certainly the beginning of a new dawn in the wine and spirit industry in Nigeria, and we are setting the pace in line with our company’s objective to remain the number one in the nation’s distillery sector,” he said. He added that the new plant has further reinforced the company’s objective to remain the market leader, not withstanding competition in the distillery sector as no other distilleries have distillation plants in Nigeria, not to talk of extracting ethanol from cassava. “I will give kudos to the management team because this is another initiative which will make us to be in total control of the quality of our products and other necessary materials and relevant parameters of the ethanol. Our product will be quite different from any other distilleries company because as far as Nigeria is concerned today we are the only group of companies laying claims to the production of beverages, wine and spirit with the aid of a distillation plant,” he said.

he Volkswagen Group has reported yet another strong increase in its worldwide deliveries for 2013, topping the record set in 2012. “In total, our Group delivered over 9.7 million vehicles to customers last year, ranging from small city cars to heavy trucks,” said Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales at Volkswagen Group. Commenting on the overall delivery figures which also include estimates for the MAN and Scania brands, Klingler added: “Across the board, all brands contributed to these positive results which are a very good achievement in light of the difficult conditions on markets all over the world. As far as the current year is concerned, we expect market developments on a level similar to 2013. Even though the situation in Europe

would appear to be stabilising, economic uncertainty will continue and the challenges we will be facing on markets will remain virtually unchanged.” Locally, Volkswagen Group South Africa ended 2013 as the market leader of the passenger car segment for the fifth consecutive year with the total sales of 102 962 (99 106; +3.9 percent) units (Volkswagen – 83 627 and Audi – 19 335). This achievement gave Volkswagen Group South Africa the overall market share of 22.9 percent. Volkswagen’s passenger car sales growth of 3.9 percent was more than double the total passenger car market growth of 1.8 percent in 2013. In the total vehicle market, Volkswagen Group South Africa delivered 111 722 (108 386; +3.1 percent) vehicles and gained the market share of 17.2 percent.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, who disclosed this while inspecting the office space for the project in Abuja, said while the WIPO is funding the project, the ministry is providing the enabling environment for agents to dropped their applications and leave and come back at their affordable time to collect the acknowledgment. “It is about less interaction between the agents of the applicants with the staff doing the work. That is what we are trying to do, to improve the quality of work we are doing, integrity of the system, transparency of it and of course it will drive revenue as well,” he said. The Registrar, Commercial Law Department in the Ministry, Salman Mann, explained that the industrial property registration would be done digitally from submission of application to registration to enhance the department work.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

NIMASA unveils online verification for seafarers

BY GODWIN ORITSE

OME officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, will on Saturday travel to the Headquarters of the United States Coast Guard to inspect facilities that are connected to administration of port security. Disclosing this to Vanguard in Abuja recently, Executive Director in charge of Safety and Security in NIMASA, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, said that the visit was reciprocal, which is meant to know how the United States government was implementing the guideline of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Agaba said that NIMASA’s officials will spend two days at the Headquartes of the Coast Guard agency before going to other states like Florida to inspect port facilities. One of the Recognised Security Organisation told Vanguard that the visit was a continuation of the coast guard’s visit to Nigeria, adding that it is an exchange programme. Recall that the United States Coast Guard during its visit to Nigeria declared that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is on the right path to the successful implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria. The leader of the US Coast Guard team to Nigeria, Mr Tivo Romero, made the declaration at a meeting with members of the ISPS Code Implementation Committee in Nigeria on their last visit last month in Lagos. Mr Romero, said that they visited six port facilities in the country during their two-week visit to Nigeria, saying that they have noticed tremendous improvement since the last visit to the country. He commended NIMASA for the outreach to facilitate operators. In his words: “I must commend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for its efforts so far. However, the United States Coast Guard will provide required technical assistance to ensure

By OLAITAN AYOOLA

National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Olayiwola Shittu, answering question from newsmen in Port Harcourt during the sensitisation of its eastern members on the new Customs import policy Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR.

ISPS Code : NIMASA to inspect port facilities in United States that infrastructural and legal instruments needed for effective implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria are put in place. I urge you all to see this project as a voyage which we have all embarked on, and that must be concluded.” Romero dismissed media reports that claimed that the United States Government

would embargo vessels from visiting Nigerian ports, noting that the US government is fully behind Nigeria as a strong business partner that requires desired partnership, a reason for which both countries would always continue to work together and to ensure adequate security in the maritime sector. On his part, the Direc-

tor General of NIMASA Mr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, expressed gratitude for the support so far to ensure compliance in Nigeria. The Director General, who was represented by the Executive Director, Cabotage and Shipping Development, Barrister Callistus Obi, noted that the implementation of the

ISPS Code in Nigeria requires the support of all stakeholders. He urged port and terminal operators to see NIMASA as partners whose ultimate goal is to make their facilities a better and safer place.

Customs to stop use of pre-release for cargo clearance By GODFREY BIVBERE & OLAITAN AYOOLA

IGERIA Customs Service, NCS, will next week stop the use of Pre-release for the clearance of cargoes from the ports, even as it assured that it would soon overcome the problems hindering the issuance of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report, PAAR. Pre-release enables importers and their agents, who do not have their RAR or PAAR to take delivery of their consignments until the document is ready. Disclosing this to Vanguard in his office, the Public Relations Officer of Tin-can Island Command of the NCS, Chris Osunkwo, attributed the delay in the issuance of PAAR to the churning out of about a 100,000 Risk Assessment Report, RAR, by the Service Providers. According to him, “We have worked hard and we

are even working to clear the backlog (created by the Service Providers) and very soon all things being equal, next week or there about, the management may suspend the “Prerelease.” So, we are looking forward to when it will be suspended and the PAAR will start rolling out.” Continuing he said, “The delay came as a result of exiting Service Providers chocking up our system by generating approximately 100,000 RAR at once just before they left. We inherited a backlog and you know what happens when you have a backlog at hand, you have to work to clear the backlog before you can settle down. “There is no prefect human system.. We are very prepared, we are making progress. I can speak authoritatively for the Tin-can Island port Command, which last

month netted N23.2 billion which is unprecedented and then if PAAR is not working and we are not prepared, it would have shown in our revenue profile.” On insinuations making the rounds that application for Pre-release takes weeks to get the approval, Osunkwo said that some agents do not follow the guideline issued by the Service for benefiting from Pre-release, which is intended to ease clearance of consignments from the ports. H e pointed out that the right thing is for an importer or his agent to pay the duty for the consignment before applying for Pre-release, but noted that many have not been complying with the guideline. In his words, “The guideline recommended that upon payment of duty, you should apply to the Area Controller for Pre-release.

You must follow the guideline, not a situation where you just come and apply to Prerelease without payment. What gives the paper in your hand authority and add value to it, is your payment to the F e d e r a l Government.” Continuing he said, even after payment of duty, “there must be verification of validity of their electronic Form and confirmation of payment before we proceed (Process document). “We cannot say because there are a lot of people waiting we should not do what is needful,” he concluded.

he Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)has unveiled an online verification of Certificates of Competency(CoC) to enable shipping Companies and other stakeholders in the industry to authenticate certificates presented to them by seafarers. The new CoC online verification by NIMASA was presented to Maritime stakeholders recently in Lagos at an interactive forum organised by the Agency to highlight the special feature of the system. The verification is to bring an end to the era of waiting for response from NIMASA to ask about the details of Seafarers, as answer to any question could be obtained online. The Director General of NIMASA , Patrick Akopolokemi, in his welcome address at the forum, said that the initiative was part of the agency’s effort to ensure that its operations are in line with acceptable international best practices practice.

Bello, Nted, Jolapamo, Folarin get MML nomination BY OLAITAN AYOOLA & THELMA OGBU

OUR maritime stakeholders have been nominated by the management of Maritime Media Limited, MML, for the Maritime Man of the Year award. They are: Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Hassan Bello; National President of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Tony Nted; President of Nigeria Shipowners Association, Isaac Jolapamo and Chairman of Port Consultative Council, PCC, Kunle Folarin. Hassan Bello was nominated for his contribution to curbing arbitrary charges by shipping companies and terminal operators, while Nted nomination came as a result of his efforts in improving the quality of lives of Nigerian workers in the maritime sector. For Jolapamo and Folarin, they got their nomination for consistency in the fight for proper recognition for indigenous shipowners in line with the Cabotage Act and for working for inter-agency relationship in the maritime sector respectively. According to the management of MML, the four nominees can be voted for by typing the last name of their preferred nominee and sending same through SMS to 09093774980.

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•Dr Ayo Ogunsan, Chairman, Executive Trainers; Prof. Geoff Layer, Vice Chancellor, University of Wolverhampton UK; Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan, CEO Executive Trainers and Dr Moruf Adebakin, Deputy Rector, Yaba College of Technology at Sheraton Hotel Abuja during the VC's visit to the ETL/UWBS Alumni.

Why ASUU’s education summit is necessary —Educationists BY AMAKA ABAYOMI & LAJU ARENYEKA

WO good heads are better than one. This popular adage buttresses the fact that a conglomeration of truly intellectual minds is sure to bring about more results than the idea of one single individual. With the challenges the education sector has faced in recent times, it is no wonder that many stakeholders are supporting the decision by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to host an education summit this year. The National Treasurer, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Demola Aremu said: “There have been so many challenges in the education sector and a lot of

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them stem from a faulty foundation of policy making. Our leaders tend to jump from one policy to another without bothering about implementation. “To formulate enduring policies, we believe that it is necessary to involve all players in the sector. That is why ASUU is championing an education summit. So that all the stakeholders from the all the different levels of the sector-primary, secondary, colleges of education, polytechnics, universities, government etc can come together and chart a course for the sector. “The previous ones the government has held in the past have just been a jamboree; making policies out of guess work. But we need to move beyond that.” Vanguard Learning sampled

the thoughts of concerned stakeholder in the sector concerning the summit. Charging the promoters of the summit to ensure that the summit comes up with practical steps to forge a linkage between private sector brains and university faculties especially through multimedia projects, an education policy consultant, Mr. Wale Samuel, said this is one of the secrets of European and Asian economies. “This partnership would enhance students’ dexterity in research”, Samuel said. For a parent, Mr. Mike Chigbu, whose daughter ought to have been doing her youth service but for the prolonged ASUU strike, said the summit is a welcome development, especially if it would put an end to the rot and incessant strikes always

embarked upon by lecturers in institutions of higher learning. “The summit is long overdue as it would address and provide meaningful solutions to the challenges bedevilng the education sector. But the isssue is hope the recommendations would not go the way of all things Nigeria where government would not bother to implement the agreements reached.” In agreement is another educationist, Bala Dauda, urged government to ensure that the recommendations of the summit are strictly implemented so as to move the sector forward. “The idea of the education summit couldn’t have come at a better time but we need

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Limited varsity spaces: More varsities is solution — NUC scribe Pg. 28

Be careful private universities can fold up Pg. 31

3 Nigerian varsities win World Bank grants Pg. 30

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Limited varsity spaces: More varsities is solution — NUC scribe

s ’ U U S A y h W education summit... Continues from page 27

•From left: Programmes Coordinator, Port Harcourt World Book Capital (PHWBC), Wale Salami; Customer Service Officer, Euphemie Jude- Brail; Line Manager, Ijeoma Arguba, both of British Council, Port Harcourt; Project Director, Mrs. Koko Kalango; Programme Coordinator, Daniella Menezor and Exams Officer, Mary Onuagha during a courtesy visit to British Council to announce its activities.

By DAYO ADESULU

XECUTIVE Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie has lamented the dearth of admission spaces for the over one million students jostling for university education every year. He noted that although we have 50 private universities which complement the 79 public universities, admission spaces are still inadequate. Okojie who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Akinbode Agbaoye, disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Islamic University, Uganda, led by the Deputy Vice-Rector, Academic Affairs, Dr. Mouhamad Mpezamiligo, on a study visit to the Commission. He said, “All the 129 universities are contributing to the development of the system. However, access is still a challenge in the country, as the current enrolment is about a million.” He, however

expressed optimism that when more universities are licensed and existing ones fully develop, their capacities to absorb more students would grow in multiples of millions. Welcoming the team, the Executive Secretary said that the Nigerian University System (NUS) had grown from a humble beginning during the colonial era, to a position where more universities have been established to provide access to the high demand for tertiary education. Explaining how the Commission works in Nigeria, Okojie stated that Act No.1 of 1974 established the Commission as a statutory body charged with the responsibility to oversee the orderly development of the NUS. He added that the law provides that the NUC collects grants and distributes same to the universities as well as to Act as the clearing house for the channeling of external aids to the universities. He told the delegation that Act No.16 of 1985 empowered

the Commission to set up minimum academic standards for universities and to license private universities. He maintained that the NUC had intensified its regulatory activities beyond the use of instruments of accreditation, by embarking on inspection and monitoring visits to the universities. The Scribe pointed out that the exercise was being carried out so that the universities remained committed to ensuring quality of their academic programmes adding, “the Commission had in 2006, established a Student Support Services Department that handled the career counselling needs, entrepreneurship studies and the general well-being of students.” Meanwhile, Dr. Mpezamiligo, who is also a member of Uganda’s Higher Education Board, in his remarks informed the Executive Secretary that the purpose of the visit was for both countries to share

Deaf association tasks government on special education By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

HE Association of Deaf, has appealed to Kogi State government to open up the Universal Basic Education(UBE)Special School approved for the Deaf by the Federal Government. Kogi State Chairman of the Association, Prince Tokula G. Sobo who made the appeal while addressing journalists in Lokoja, expressed concern over what he termed the non -challant attitude of the state government toward deaf education in the state, adding that the school which has been approved since 2009 is yet to be opened. He also lamented that the two existing Deaf Schools in the state, have not been given adequate attention, alleging that teachers in the schools lack qualification requirement for such tasks.

“The Association therefore urged the state government to employ more qualified teachers in the area of Special Education. The Mopamoro Local Government School of Handicap and MMC School of Handicap, Iyale teachers were not trained in special curriculum to cater for the deaf ” Sobo also urged the state government to establish another special school in Lokoja, the State capital, to cater for the education of deaf people in the state, stressing that considering the size of Kogi state; only two schools are not enough for the handicap. He also stated that the Executive Committee of the Association is making efforts to seek alternative solutions to this problem, urging practitioners in the state to assist in this regard.

experiences in their management of university education and to also seek for partnership in Cross Border Education, noting that they had similar educational structures as a result of their colonial history. He pointed out that a growing number of Nigerian students and faculty staff were in Ugandan universities, saying that with the internationalisation of education, the Islamic University was willing to cooperate more with their Nigerian counterparts. He acknowledged that the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) had done well in the expansion of access to university education through its online programmes, which, he noted, competed favourably with others like the Open University of the United Kingdom (OOK). The Deputy Vice-Rector stated that unlike Nigeria, Ugandan universities have no national umbrella union for the academic staff, saying that each of its universities has the right to negotiate the welfare of its members which is also dependent on productivity. He, however, affirmed that like Nigeria, his home country had a National Council for Higher Education, which was established in 2001 that managed its universities and other tertiary institutions. He said that Ugandan Universities had a Board that coordinated their activities and that the Board derived its authority from the Ministry of Education and Sports, while its members were drawn from the government and the private sector. The Council, he further explained, had divisions, including quality assurance, that was in charge of the review of qualifications of the universities and the personnel, research and documentation, human resource/administration

to ask ourselves what would be the essence of the summit if the recommendations are not implemented because it would be a waste of time and resources to organise a summit of such magnitude and not adhere to the recommendations.” The National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, ERC, Mr. Hassan Soweto, also lauded the proposed ASUU initiative as a ‘good idea’ saying that the ERC has been calling for such since 2009. Continuing, Soweto said: “ASUU has been the vanguard union in the fight for the revitalization of the education sector, and it is no surprise that it is taking the lead in organizing this much needed summit. “We believe that the Government has failed woefully in the area of making the right policies for the education sector. It is stakeholders such as teachers, students and parents that have been at the receiving end of such failed policies. “We hope that the summit will bring together all unions and civic societies in the sector, lay a basis for unity for all unions in the sector; redress the government’s commercialization of the education system, and postulate a comprehensive charter of demands that would be accepted by all the unions which will in turn be tabled before the government. “We also hope that stakeholders would be able to work out a programme of action that will lead to a sustainable campaign for better funding of education and democratic management of public schools.” ASUU is yet to set a date for the summit, but stakeholders anticipate that it should be before the third quarter of this year. Whether or not the summit will have its desired impact on the ailing education sector, only time will tell.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—29

We've addressed issue of out-of-school children — Commissioner By DAYO ADESULU

HE Rivers State Government RSG says it has addressed the issue of out of school children in the State. The Commissioner for Education, Rivers State, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi stated this while on inspection of schools after the resumption of second term academic session. She said that the State Government under the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi

Amaechi has provided the necessary facilities for academic excellence in the State. The Commissioner noted that the number of completed schools in the State will accommodate the every child in Rivers State. ‘’The State Government is serious about children not being in school. Out-ofschool is something which no state will tolerate particularly in Rivers State because His Excellency has put in place the right infrastructure and

recruited teachers’’, she said. Lawrence-Nemi who was delighted with the turn-out of pupils and students in schools noted that the State has made big improvement since Governor Amaechi took over the mantle of leadership. She pointed out that pupils and students are now trooping in to schools on resumption days because of the state-of-art facilities provided for them in their schools. The Commissioner

also commended the teachers who she described as the best in the country because of their commitment and dedication. She maintained that Rivers State teachers will provide quality teaching to their pupils and students in 2014. “Well as you can see all the teachers are in the classroom compared to seven years ago when His Excellency came on board, teachers are very serious minded. Also, you can see the population compared to seven years ago. I have been in the Ministry of Education for nearly six and half, if you go, you won’t see any child on resumption day but now parent are more dedicated to see that their children are in school.’’ she stated. On his part, the new Permanent Secretary Rivers State Ministry of Education, Barr Micheal West said that he is delighted with his posting to the Ministry of Education. Micheal West who had served in the Ministries of Power and Finance stated that he will assist t h e Commissioner

for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi in realizing the visions of the Governor in the education. The Permanent Secretary said that he was amazed with the infrastructures put in place in different model primary and secondary schools in the State. He said, “the people of Rivers State should be really proud of this administration because of the number of completed projects in the State. ‘’I am delighted to be here. This is the first time I have actually entered any of these new primary schools and I can tell you that I am amazed at what the Government is doing, and the people of Rivers State should be really proud of this administration. This is fantastic and I am going to support the Commissioner to drive the vision of the State Governor on education’’ he said. The Head Teacher of Model Primary School Elekahia Port Harcourt, Mrs Erebulo Nyanabo said that academic activities have commenced fully in their school. The Head Teacher stated that the teachers are well prepared for the second term academic session. She noted that the teachers have all prepared their lecture notes during the Christmas holidays and promised of improved teaching from the teachers. ‘’We have started in earnest, right from the morning devotion to the classroom. The teachers prepared themselves during the holidays for this week, they have already prepared their notes and have submitted them to me. I have already gone through them and have approach them’’, she said.

Salem varsity matriculates 188 students

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

OKOJA - 188 students at the weekend matriculated at a faith based private university, Salem University for the 2012/2013 academic session. Administering the oath of matriculation on the students ,the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Joseph Adeola Fuwape, said the 188 students were

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admitted into the college of peace and Social Sciences, college of Natural and applied sciences and college of information and communication technology. He said the institution which started in 2007 has risen to be a centre of excellence for training global leaders and inculcating the core value of Godliness and leadership.

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

3 Nigerian varsities win World Bank grants

•From left: Director, NTIC Foundation, Mr. Fetullah Celik; Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Segun Odubela; the Olofin of Isheri Aworiland, Oba Nurudeen Adekanbi and Principal, NTIC, Lagos, Mr. Faithi Keskin, during the distribution of stationery packs to students in Isheri Primary School, Isheri Olofin, near Ojodu Berger, Ogun State.

By DAYO ADESULU

IGERIAN universities have again proven to be globally competitive in their tripartite functions of teaching, research and community service as three more universities: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi, have won grants in the ongoing World Bank-assisted Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) project. With the new development, Nigerian institutions now have 10 out of the 18 ACE projects in Africa. The new projects are: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU Knowledge Park; A Model for National Science Technology and Knowledge Park Initiative, STEM) Bayero University, Kano (African Centre of Excellence in Dryland Agriculture, Agriculture) and Benue State University, Makurdi (Centre for Food Technology and Research, CEFTER, Agriculture). It would be recalled that seven universities had earlier emerged among the 15 African universities earlier selected for the World Banksponsored ACE project. The universities were selected after their proposals were evaluated and considered to have met the requirements for the ACE project, at the end of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting, held in Dakar, Senegal, on 28 October, 2013. The previous seven ACEs in Nigeria and their project titles were: Redeemer ’s University, Mowe, Ogun

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State/University of Ibadan, Ibadan (African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, ACEGID); African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja (Pan-African Materials Institute [PAMI]); Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment); Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and

Forensic Biotechnology); University of Jos (Phytomedicine Research and Development, ACEPRD); University of Benin (Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health and Innovation) and the University of Port Harcourt (ACE Centre for Oil Field Chemicals). The ACE project was launched in 2013 by the Governments of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and

Togo, with support from the World Bank, to promote regional specialisation among participating universities within areas that address particular regional development challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver high quality training and applied research. The project is aimed at developing regional higher education that promotes regional specialisation among universities and addresses particular common regional development challenges. It is also targeted at strengthening the capacities of benefitting universities to deliver high quality training and applied research. This is to meet the demand for skills required for Africa’s development, such as the extractive industries and agricultural productivity. The project would also contribute to the strengthening of the best African universities within science-based education. The seven countries across West and Central Africa participating in the first phase of the project are Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroun, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Following the call for proposals by the World Bank on 15 July, 2013, Nigerian universities submitted 55 proposals to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Agriculture and Health Sciences.

Child’s rt o p p u S I ‘ s k c a b n • As Nigerian-Turkish Ogu e foundation donates v ti ia Education’ init education materials ility ea of social responsib bl e was not the only ar ita ar ch n-Tu rk is h A th at th e N ig er ia rtook. He said others BY BASHIR ADEFAK pa d ha n tio organiza se ct or as w el l, rnational in cl ud ed , “T he he al th ve cataract and te In ish rk Tu nia HE Niger e who ha sa nd ) Fo un da tio n, particularly, thos C ol le ge s (N TI C ed iti on of its ou r ta rg et is to ha ve ov er a th ou Also s. ’s nt ar tie m ar ki ng th is ye itiative tagged, “I operations for the cataract pa in are trying education support Ed uc at io n” , ha s in different parts of Nigeria we to access Su pp or t C hi ld ’s ution of stationery to sing boreholes for the people ib . str rs d many othe continued its di bo ok s an d ot he r potable water anmmissioner for Education, pa ck s co nt ai ni ng Ogun State. Co e at Ogun St in w ho sa id th e writing materials ed off on D r. Se gu n O du be la , d w ith gr ea t ck ki n io ut ib str di s The bookth e go ve rn m en t ha d no te of NTIC ar y, 2014 with th Friday 17 Janu y School, Gbessan, appreciation the contribution various ar of t velopmen Government Prim Abuja. Foundation to de , gun State, along Airport Road ith O gu n St at e sectors especially education in O ik un le C ol la bo ra tin g w io n, th e N TI C pr om is ed th at th e Se na to r Ib do all at uld M in is tr y of Ed uc lly a ch ar ita bl e Amosun-led administration wo e NTIC ca th si at ba th n, re su tio to en Fo un da er ge d on Is he ri within its reach it smoothly in the state. nv co n, tio za ni l endeavours have or ga ba heri Olofin, Ifo Loca ent, the Olofin, O Primary School, Is on e, at St n In his own comm expressed boundless gu O of ea Ar t en m , Govern th e Nurudeen Adekanbi l ary, 2014 to do th rkish Internationa Friday 24 Janu a event. that the Nigerian-Tu in his community joy uj Ab e th of blished replicate tullah Celik, who College was esta The director, Mr. Fe told pressmen during his reign. uja, came in from Ab education support at th t en ev e during th

400 Nigerians in Chinese jails BY VICTORIA OJEME

BUJA: Four hundred Nigerians are serving jail term in various Chinese prisons, Treasurer of Nigerian Students Association, Alhaji Tukur Hassan Tingilin, has disclosed to Vanguard Learning. Tingilin, a student of Tianjin University of Technology and Education, studying, Mechanical Manufacture and Automation, who spoke exclusively with Vanguard in Bejing, quoted the Nigerian Ambassador in China, Ambassador Aminu Wali, as saying that majority of affected Nigerians were jailed for drug related offences. According to Tingilin “I was opportuned to be at Beijing in July just before the Presidential visit where I heard the Ambassador Aminu Wali saying there are currently over 400 Nigerians serving terms in various jails in China. “Wali also disclosed that 80 per cent of the prisoners committed drug related offences and about 80 per cent of the crimes committed by Africans were committed by Nigerian citizens. “We certainly have big issues with drug related crimes committed by Nigerians in China and when you look at the whole of Africa you find out that about 80 percent of all the offences and crimes committed by Africans in China about 80 percent is committed by Nigerians; that is why I think we are having running battle to try and control the situation. He further quoted Ambassador Wali as saying, “But we need assistance from back home, from the security agencies manning our exits and entry points in Nigeria to be more alert and vigilant to make sure these type of individuals do not escape and pass through our routes to come into, not only to China but any other country in the world because drug trafficking as it were, drug is the biggest problem that we have as far as Nigerians are concerned. “A lot of them don’t come in with their real names so sometimes with difficulties we only know when they are taken prisoners or they are sentenced and they are looking for consular visits."

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CIMA president highlights value of management accountancy to Nigerian economy BY DAYO ADESULU

Be careful, private universities can fold up “I can’t validate anything like that because I just came to close down the school. I’m here to close the campus down; we are closing the school in 30 days. Academic programmes have since stopped”. Pete Sith, President Saint Paul’s College, Virginia, U.S.A According to Sahara Reporters, the College (University) where Ms Stella Oduah claimed to have attended for her Master ’s Degree in Business Administration, had not only stated that: “we do not have any graduate programmes at all”, exposing the fraudulent claim, but it has disclosed that the school was closing down due to “financial reasons”. The College was founded in 1888 – one of several universities established by various Christian denominations for the education of kids born into those faiths. The most widespread were Catholic colleges. As populations grew and the people became more wealthy, on the aggregate, it was assumed that college enrollment would also increase for ever. In fact, the baby boom, which occurred after the Second World War, encouraged the expansion of many universities. Nobody foresaw the break that would come as the generations which would follow started practicing birth control and having fewer babies. Today, some American universities are experiencing a scarcity of

alphabetical order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Achievers Ajayi Crowther Al-Hikmah Babcock Benson Idahosa Bowen Covenant Crescent Joseph Ayo Babalola Madonna Novena Redeemers Wesley

There might be one or two missing from the list, but, that would not invalidate the points being made here. About two weeks ago, writing on the Business pages of the VANGUARD, under the title THE INHERITORS: WHY NIGERIA’S ONE MAN BUSINESSES DON’T LAST, the point had been made that the spirit of the founder of a great business empire had not been demonstrated to be inheritable by his successors. No big Nigerian business had survived beyond the founder. The series is still on. Unfortunately, when we examine the history of most religious bodies established by Nigerians, using Christian churches as examples, we can easily observe a unique trend which might pose dangers to the fatebased universities in Nigeria. Two churches will be sufficient to illustrate the point – the Cherubim and Seraphim Churches and the Christ Apostolic Church. There are, at least, twenty separate groups laying claim to the name Cherubim and Seraphim; yet all started from the church established by Mose Orimolade. The Christ Apostolic Church is once again going through the motions for “reconciliation”. There are now over twelve bodies to be reconciled. But, the Christ Apostolic Church started with Joseph Ayo Babalola. Fortunately for the C&S churches, Mose Orimolade died before the arrival of private universities. The same can be said of the Celestial Church of Christ under Oshoffa and the Aladurra Church under Ositelu. But, virtually all these churches broke up into splinter groups after the founder died.

There are, at least, 20 separate groups laying claim to the name Cherubim and Seraphim; yet all started from the church established by Mose Orimolade

students and a few, like St Paul’s College are closing down. There is a lesson for Nigerians in this development. The next series of articles might as well be titled THE VULNERABILITY OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES, and it will still be correct; because, the sustainability of Nigerian private universities is more suspect than most people realize. It is a matter of money and control. We start with fate-based universities and the sustainability problems which they pose. The Federal Ministry of Education through the National University Commission, NUC, had eagerly accredited private universities merely by assessing the individuals or groups promoting them at the moment and without asking if their successors will be able to carry on for – ten, twenty, fifty, hundred years from now. St Paul’s has only served to remind us that universities, like all things established by people, actually die. Some sooner than expected. Below is the list of the few Nigerian private universities which had been established by religious groups – Christians and Muslims in

Continues next week

HE Chartered Institute of Management Accountant’s global president, Malcolm Furber, will outline how Nigerian organisations - in both the state and private sectors - can be both successful and sustainable if they utilize the skills of Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMAs). During a three-day visit to Nigeria, Mr Furber will discuss the recent joint venture between CIMA and the America Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) which resulted in a new designation, the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Since the CGMA launch in January 2012, the designation has attracted support from leading businesses around the world. The CIMA president will explain that 132 of the Fortune 500 companies are based in North America and the power of these companies spreads across the world. With the increasing demand for the CGMA designation by senior executives at these organisations, the international profile and reputation of CIMA members are enhanced greatly. Mr Furber, a South African citizen, will go on to discuss Nigeria’s rapid elevation in international standing and how CGMA finance professionals have the technical and business skills to ensure that the country’s future - and the wider economic development of the African continent - are built on foundations that will ensure longterm, sustainable success. “ CGMA designation holders have broader skills,” he explains. ‘They are trained to connect the dots in business activity and have the deep leadership abilities to help their colleagues understand income and costs, and risks and

opportunities of all kinds – not just financial. We believe we have the right formula for our members to play a central role in driving success and many business leaders agree with us. A total of 75% of the CEOs we surveyed said that they would like their finance employees to obtain the CGMA designation. “ Mr Furber went on to add that CIMA’s qualification focuses on relevance and integrity. “ We regularly update our syllabus to ensure that our qualification reflects the ever-changing needs of business,” he explains. “In terms of our ‘thought leadership’ research, we are constantly scanning the horizon to ensure that our members are at the cutting edge of their profession. Our members are also obliged to adhere to codes of ethics and good conduct. Combined, this makes a winning formula that is driving business excellence around the world.” CIMA and the AICPA will be reinforcing their global profile as leaders in the science of management accounting as the principle sponsors of the 2014 World Congress of Accountants in Italy. The World Conference is one of the largest and most prestigious global gatherings of finance business leaders and provides an excellent platform for the institute to highlight how CGMAdesignated management accountants can meet the business needs of today and tomorrow. Mr Furber concluded: “The CIMA community of 218,000 members and students in 177 countries continues to thrive. Together, we are achieving our goals of expanding opportunities for members and students around the world, developing our reputation for innovation and embracing change and embedding professionalism and sustainability into the heart of the business world”.

Executive Director, Corona Trust Council, Mrs Igun Olufunto (middle) and Corona Schools directors cutting the cake of her 50th birthday during Corona 2013 Staff Awards Day, in Lagos.

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

TRC Colleges Foundation programme makes case for students’ admission By MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

HE Director of TRC Colleges (UK) University Foundation Programme, Mr Keith Broomer has guaranteed entry of Nigerian students to its partner universities in UK/USA/CAN and RUSSIA which will run at two top Nigerian boarding schools from January 2014. He said that after due process and consultations, Whiteplains British School in Abuja and other centres that will soon be named as centres in Nigeria. According to him, Students applying for the TRC Colleges University Foundation course are

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able to enter on their forecast SSCE results in January and finish the course in July to enabling entry to overseas university September 2014, saving students a whole year in time in their qualification process. He said: “The TRC Colleges University Foundation Programme provides a pathway to all degree subjects, Accounting, Business, Engineering, Law etc and is the only university foundation programme which provides a medical degree pathway. With

over 20 endorsing partner universities TRC with Michelle and Anthony Consulting ensure each student graduating from the TRC University Foundation Programme gains entry to a suitable university overseas.” Also unique, he added that the TRC Colleges University Foundation Programme provides a university transcript from Kursk State Medical University, which oversees the programme in conjunction with the TRC Colleges monitoring process, in all the subjects, for every student.

U.S, Gordon Barrett task corps members on innovation By VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU and PRISCA SAM-DURU

HE United States Public Affairs Section in partnership with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Gordon Barrett have charged Corps members, who have been identified as potential leaders, to build a prestigious network of young African

leaders at the forefront of change and innovation in their respective disciplines. US Acting Consul General Dehab Ghebreab, who spoke at an event organised for corps members, enjoined them to remain steadfast in their exemplary leadership skill, so as to withstand the constantly changing technology that continues to change the way people live, learn, and work. She said, “In Africa, considerable progress has been made in developing leadership in support of national development. You are 22-23 years now, and in ten years, if you plan it well, you could be directors, vice presidents of companies, successful politicians, judges, professors, and so, I urge you all to dream big.” Ghebreab noted that Americans of Nigerian descent have achieved extraordinary successes noting that; some are doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and educators at various Universities across the US, and given the same opportunities, young men and women of Nigeria would attain similar successes. “Although, challenges of globalizations, such as transnational crime, terrorism, trafficking in persons, and regional conflicts are dampening economic growth, they should not deter efforts to grooming 21st century leaders, who posses the knowledge, skills, discipline, integrity and wisdom to solve global challenges, Dehab said, stressing that, “I am hopeful that beneficiaries of these and other programs will be the effective leaders who will transform Nigeria in the next twenty years. The US Acting Consul General who strongly believes that through in-country programs and exchange opportunities, such as Fulbright, Humphrey Fellowship and a number of International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Nigerian youths leadership skills will have no match across the world, disclosing that, a number of outlined U.S embassy programs in 2014, intend to bring more than 500 young African leaders to the United States each year for leadership training and mentoring. “These proposed programs intend to create unique opportunities in Africa for youths to use their new skills to propel economic growth and prosperity in the country.” She said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 — 37

38 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—39

Don discovers effects of aerial bombings on climate change BY DAUD OLATUNJI

Professor at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Philip Adetiloye, has said that recent findings have shown that aerial bombing is the cause of climate change. Adetiloye, a cropping system specialist with bias in agro-climathology, said unusual rainfall patterns, heat wave, ice rains, black rains, melting of polar ice and sea level rise, hurricanes, typhoons, floods as well as earthquakes were all effects of the climate change. He urged world leaders to put an end to the spate of aerial bombings, saying the

action has greatly contributed to the adverse effect of climate change being witnessed in the world. He faulted claims that greenhouse gas emissions were responsible for global warming in Africa and other continents, adding that the climate change was being caused by aerial bombing wars. The Don lamented that African nations suffer most from the climate change that arose from aerial bombing wars because most of the wars were being fought close to or within the African continent. He said “bombing wars are responsible for climate change all over the world; from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to the Gulf war, to the Iraqi war to the Afghanistan war. The various climate change scenarios in Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the

world happened soon after aerial bombing of Iraq in the Gulf war. “It is the forceful pressure released back into the atmosphere by these massive bomb explosions that forcefully disrupted and altered the directions of the trade winds and world rainfall patterns.” To curb the proliferation of aerial bombing, Adetiloye called for the establishment of a Global Security Council with equal representation from all continents. “The proposed Global Security Council should also put in place a treaty that bans the manufacture, distribution, sales and use of ground or aerial bpmbs, missiles and nuclear bombs to prosecute wars, if there is indeed a serious concern about mitigating climate change.”

Differences between American and British English (Vocabulary)2

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American English (AmE) Hood

British English (BrE) bonnet

high school

secondary school

period

fullstop

course

module

drunk driving

drink driving

can windshield mail fall muffler corn

tin windscreen post autumn silencer maize

cookie overpass

biscuit

flyover

Some words mean different things in the two varieties of English. Examples are: Mean: American English – nasty guy, bad humoured British English -tight fisted ,not generous potato chips fender crazy wing mirrors

crisps bumper mad side mirrors

Rubber: American English (informal) – a condom (male contraceptive) British English – tool used to erase pencil marks from paper

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

BITS Bits Labour ministry commissions data base system

DSM calls for review of ban on Okada in Niger state

HE Democratic Social ist Movement (DSM) has called for a review of the ban on commercial motorcycle riders ( commonly called okada) in Niger State. It noted: “It is the economic downturn in Nigeria with its attendant decaying infrastructure and scarce employment opportunities that has given birth to commercial motorcyclists. Jobless youths began to use them to earn money by transporting passengers on narrow and mostly poor roads so far into cities and villages. These roads are not easily accessible to buses and cars because of their poor states”. Niger State is not the only state that has banned commercial motorcyclists from operating . Nearly all state governments that have prohibited them from plying some roads have attributed the ban to rising insecurity which has involved some okada riders.

Students leaving campus (inset) Comrade Peter Esele

ASUU: Beyond the strike BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

HE year 2013 was quite eventful with the Aca demic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, making a mark with a strike that lasted six months. That was perhaps the longest strike in the history of the labour movement in Nigeria. This edition of Labour Vanguard is a review of the strike, lessons from it and the way forward. The lecture rooms have roared back to life with students and lecturers in most universities back at work. The six-month strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities under the leadership of Dr. Nasir Issa Fagge stirred so much controversy; many for, several others against the strike.

Ideological trade union All of that is now history. However, to those of us, who have followed ASUU and its strikes for over two decades, one cannot but commend ASUU leadership for living up to the tradition of the union. Today, ASUU remains perhaps the only ideological trade union in this country. The union is one that continues to benefit from the experience of its past leaders. This is rare in other unions. What we find is a 'new' crop of labour leaders who would do everything to do away with the past and even try to wipe out the legacy of their predecessors. ASUU's struggle was about the sanctity of collective bargaining.

Nigeria ratified Convention 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO); tripartism and the principle of collective bargaining and once earned the international organisation's respect, during President Obasanjo's tenure when his government negotiated and implemented a new national minimum wage with the Nigeria Labour Congress under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association ( NECA). Oshiomhole as NLC president, told journalists that the N5,000 national minimum wage announced by Obasanjo “ was what we agreed.” Labour Vanguard sought the views of a former national president of the Petroleum and Gas Senior Staff Association ( PENGASSAN) and immediate past president of the Trade Union Congress ( TUC), Comrade Peter Esele on ASUU's strike, and other issues. Labour Vanguard: What impact do you think the ASUU strike of last year had on labour relations in our country? Peter Esele: "The strike by ASUU was the labour headliner for 2013. Though some may feel aggrieved about how long it took; but in the long run it is actually what the universities in the country need to be able to build capacity for our manpower development. They have also demonstrated they can do anything legally possible to defend whatever agreement reached with their employers (Government). There is a

general consensus that something needs to be done about the state of our universities. The relationship between the union and the government won't be affected, due to the fact that their goals are similar- an educational system that we can all be proud of. . What is the way forward, especially in governmentlabour relations? The way forward is very simple. Government must respect whatever agreement signed after negotiation. Secondly, it has to ensure that knowledgeable people are

HE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu has commissioned an Automated Data Base management system, with a standalone server to enable error free handling of the large number of beneficiaries under the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment Project ( CSWYE) of SURE-P. Represented by the the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, Chief Wogu stated that the move for an automated Data Base Server System became necessary in view of the large number of beneficiaries numbering at least 3,000 in each state and the FCT with plans to increase to 10,600 in 2014. .Throwing more light, Dr. Clement Illoh assured Nigerians that the CSWYE project domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity will not rest on its oars but will strive towards ensuring the success of the Transformation Agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan , which is aimed at job creation for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths. “ I have no doubt that CSWYE have recorded tremendous milestones and will continue to record more achievements in the coming years. This project is an eye-opener for us in terms of the pursuit of the Transformation Agenda of the present Administration” especially in the employment sector, Dr. Illoh concluded.

ers will mouth the fact that they respect the constitutional provision which guarantees freedom of association; the reality is further from the truth. The dangerous trend that is gathering steam is the fact that most of the private employers are anti union. Union branch officers are either victimised or intimidated. There is also an increasing number of employers showing total disregard for the collective barging aggrement (CBA) . To improve the relationship, both labour centres and NECA should drawn up a plan or rules of engagement . This will be a foundation for having a clearing house for all labour related issues before it escalates. The labour ministry must have powers to ensure that best labour friendly practices are encouraged. If anyone is found wanting, appropriate sanctions should be meted out.” The strike is over but ASUU also needs to do some internal cleansing. Some lecturers need to benefit from more lectures and earn the student’s confidence and respect. There must be an end to exploitation of students by selling hand-outs that lack originality. Some come so cheap that they are financially induced by students. Yet there are many who are principled and uncompromising. For instance, students of the University of Benin have spoken of how tasking it was for final year students of the Department of Business Admin-

Though some may feel aggrieved about how long it took; but in the long run it is actually what the Universities in the country needs to be able to build capacities for our manpower development

sent to represent it. A situation where government feels it was short- changed is unacceptable. The unions should also continue to give ample time in issuing of ultimatum— its a call for lets talk before something happens. Thirdly, the laws of the land should be respected; irrespective of how uncomfortable it may be to our reasoning. Failure to do so will only result in chaos which will do both parties no favours. The Ministry of Labour should also be given more powers. It deserves to not only bark, but also bite . What is your assessment of labour relations between private employers and the trade unions? Majority of private employ-

istration when they have to write the late Professor Iyayi’s paper. A student who prefers anonymity said, “ Students meet Iyayi in their final year and you really have to know your onions to pass his papers.” He said some have had a year extra because they failed Professor Iyayi’s paper. There are so many Iyayis in our universities but there are also lecturers who help to produce half baked graduates. The era of lecturers awarding grades due to financial or sexual inducement by students should be over. For Nigerian university certificates to be worth the paper on which they are written, government, lecturers and parents should live up to their roles.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013—41

STORIES BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

he Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004 is be ing reviewed. As a member of the National Assembly, how far has it gone as workers are asking for upward review of the contributory ratio instead of the present 50-50? Well, it has gone far. The issue of contribution is a major area of concern to us. We are looking at the feasibility of that option where employers will contribute more than workers should contribute. But whatever we are doing we are mindful of the fact that some of these things can push up new issues like retrenchment and things like that. So, we will not do anything that will be an incentive to unemployment or disincentive to investment itself so we try to find a point between them. It’s pretty difficult but we will do all that we can. The review is necessary because after a decade of implementation of the past Pension Act, the time is ripe for a review so that some of the identified loopholes and grey areas can be properly fixed so that we can now have a piece of law that addresses reasonable percentage of our challenges, if not all. The issue of old retirees that are not covered by the con-

Why we‘re reviewing Pension Reform Act of 2004 — HON. AKPATASON

ONOURABLE Peter Akpatason, is a Trustee of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and immediate past President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG. A member of the House of Representative Committee on Labour among other committees, in this interview with Pension and You, speaks on the ongoing amendment of the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004 among other sundry issues. Excerpts: Well, I look at this from a practical point. By the 2004 Act two regimes were created, the regime of Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, and then the Closed Pension Scheme which was particularly for those who have been in employment for so many years and never made contribution and have few years to go. I happen to benefit from that as a retiree. The generation of PFAs is where people do 5050 contribution. Now it is true the management of the closed

The review is necessary because after a decade of implementation of the past Pension Act, the time is ripe for a review

tributory pension scheme, especially from the federal civil service where pensioners are not paid, but some dubious public servants steal money meant for the payment. Is there any effort to ensure that legally, more supervision is done, especially through the National Pension Commission, PenCom?

pension funds in the public sector is characterized by a number manipulations and fraud. But for some of us, we believe that the solution to it is not to merge them or to migrate all of them to PFAs because it is difficult to actually determine what will now be accruable to individuals. In the PFA regime or dispensation,

you get what you contributed. Now these people did not make contributions. For instance, I did not make contributions; SPDC made all the contributions for workers at that time. Now for such category of people you get your pension until death. If you now migrate from that arrangement to the PFA arrangement, how much are you going to put in stock for them because there must be some value attached to it for every individual? How do you determine that? That is going to be pretty difficult. Secondly, you don’t change a policy simply because there are challenges. You seek to address those challenges first. It is not when they become more or less difficult or impossible to ameliorate that you begin to think of a total change. So, I still have my fears that even if we decide to migrate all of them to PFAs, new challenges will arise and it will not solve the problem. So, it is better to fine-tune the existing arrangement and see how the loopholes can be plugged and then sanity is assured in their management of such schemes. I know for instance that there is the Police Pension Scheme.

zHonourable Peter Akpatason The government is making effort to bring in a more credible administrator with a pedigree who has done it elsewhere, who is capable of transparently managing it. I think that is the kind of approach that I personally expect from government rather than thinking of how to migrate. If you have to migrate such funds for instance, what are you going to do to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC? What are you going to do to other organisations that have been able to effectively and efficiently manage their own? So, if you do a blanket policy of migration of public sector closed pension funds, you may be undoing these kind of organizations..... it will be a disservice to retirees in this category. Can’t they be brought under the supervision of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, so that they can be reporting to commission directly? There is no one that does not

report to PenCom. Presently, they all report to PenCom, I don’t think that there is any pension fund administrator or custodian that does not report to PenCom; I don’t think so. They report to PenCom, but it might not be there to audit them on a daily basis. So, we should focus on auditing and ensure that if you are saying that PenCom should over sight more frequently to ensure that they audit, maybe once in six months or annually, that makes more sense to me. But I don’t think that the problem is with the present structure, it is not. The problem is with us because we have very fraudulent people, because we have a thriving culture of fraud. That is the problem. Is it possible to know when the amendment will be through with? I can’t predict just now because I know that it involves a lot of processes and we have a lot of work to do. So, what I know is that no effort will be spared in ensuring that all the loopholes are plugged for a better legislation.

Labour opposes appointment of Mu’azu as PenCom’s Board Chairman RGANISED Labour has PenCom’s Board Chairman will People’s Democratic Party the Contributory Pension chairmanship of the Board of O appealed to President definitely lead to conflict of (PDP) is remarkable. However, Scheme. The Commission’s PenCom as well as its Director Goodluck Jonathan, to recon- interest and crisis of confidence that raises a new issue with his remarkable growth and General.

sider the appointment of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as the Chairman of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, reiterating its earlier view that the position should not be politicized in the interest of workers and the contributory pension scheme, CPS. Speaking through the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, labour insisted that making Mu’azu

especially with his recent appointment as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. NUTGTWN in a statement by its president, Oladele Hunsu contended that as a critical stakeholder of the Pension Scheme, we register our strong opposition to this appointment. The statement reads: “The emergence of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, former Executive Governor of Bauchi State as the new National Chairman of the

recent appointment as Chairman of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and a critical stakeholder of the Pension Scheme, we register our strong opposition to this appointment as it will no doubt lead to conflict of interest and crisis of confidence in the system.” “The National Pension Commission has recorded a huge success in the management and operation of

development in just less than 10 years of its establishment, shows that Nigeria is capable of institution building. With 20 PFAs, seven closed pension fund administrators, four Pension Fund Custodians with turn over of billions of Naira, about N3.7 trillion worth of pension fund assets and 5.83 million registered workers, PenCom deserves commendation.” ”We therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan not to politicize the position of the

The President should have an eye on institution building which requires statesmanship and not partisanship. We cannot afford to play politics with the new pension scheme given the ugly experience of the recent past.” The statement added, “We therefore call on President Goodluck Jonathan to rethink his appointment of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as Chairman of Pencom Board.”

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Aregbesola is bad news for us — Akinlabi SENATOR Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District between 2003 and 2007 is taking a shot in this year governorship race in Osun State on the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party. He spoke with our Osun State correspondent Gbenga Olarinoye on so many issues. Excerpts.

OW would you ensure that there would be no imposition of candidates in your party? I think what matters most is the transparency of our party leaders. Like our party Chairman said, three aspirants obtained intention forms to contest for the governorship election this year, I think that is what matters most. And so far we have three aspirants that have signified intention to slug it out at the primaries level. I know that there would be equal opportunities for all the aspirants. Am sure they will not impose any candidate on Osun people or PDP because our goal is the same. Our goal is to drive Aregbesola out of Government House in 2014. That is our common goal as far as Osun PDP is concerned. And our party will do everything possible to make sure that Aregbesola is out of that Government House this year. Among the three aspirants, how do you rate your self? I have said it several times that I believe that am the most qualified, having served at the both the highest law making body of the nation, that is Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and served at the highest executive level in this country.

Executive level Don’t forget that I was a member of National Executive Council from the inception of Ya r a d u a / J o n a t h a n administration. So, to a large extent, I think I am the most qualified out of the three aspirants. What sectors do you think the current administration in the state under Aregbesola is not handling well that you may want to correct if voted in? I don’t see any sector where he has excelled really, I can’t see any sector. In the road sector, tell me how he has excelled? He has opened everywhere projects that he cannot complete within the next two or three years. In the road sector, he has not excelled. He has messed up the education sector. Either you are talking

of the school uniform where he said that all students should put on the same uniform. I don’t know where that is done in Nigeria? Or is it through the education re-classification schools that you want to say he has excelled? Can Osun be different from other states of the federation? Osun cannot be different from other states. Or is it the mega nonsense that is called mega school that you want to say he has excelled? How many of the mega schools has he built? Do we really need the mega school in Osun State? More so, the school feeding programme he is claiming as part of his achievements, Oyinlola actually started it, go and find out. Or is it the Opon-Imo that he has listed as his achievement for the past three years? Go and find out how many tablets he has distributed to our students up till date? Is that an achievement? Or is it in the health sector you want to say he has achieved? I cannot see any sector he has excelled except his achievements on the pages of newspapers. If you are actually elected as governor would you continue the projects of the Aregbesola’s Administration?

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

Religion matter has never been a problem before, but it was at the time Aregbesola came in, that all these crises started

Let me say this that so many unpopular programmes of Aregbesola will be re-visited by our administration. We are going to re-visit many of his programmes by the grace of God if the good people of Osun State vote me in as their governor this year. We are going to re-visit so many unpopular programmes of his. Let me give one of example. Religion matter has never been a problem before, but it was at the time Aregbesola came in, that all these crises started. We had not seen riot in Osun State as far as issue of religion is concerned in the state before until Aregbesola came to office. For the first time, we have seen students protesting heavily around the state. I can assure you that we are going to re-visit that

•Akinlabi after thorough consultation with all the stakeholders in the state. We are not going to govern as if we are in the military era. Our administration is going to be truly civilian, like I always says, I am from Osun, I schooled in Osun, I went to school in Osun, I live here and after my university, I am back to Osun. So what I am saying in essence is that I am familiar with the needs of our people here in osun and we shall do extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders before we introduce any new policy. Let me go back to the issue of education, the merger of schools, can you tell me that Aregbesola actually consulted stakeholders? I have seen some teachers complaining that the policy was imposed on

What the PDP, Muazu need to do BY AFOLABI IGE

ET me start by congratulating the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, the father of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for his unusual swift reactions at exterminating the PDP cancer before it is too late. The President has demonstrated large-hearted leadership by pushing aside all the entrapments of personal ego and the shenanigans of ego massagers to wake up to the reality of our party. Though seemingly late it may appear but its “better late than never”. The PDP volcano that finally swept off the Bamanga

oligarchy is a great pointer to the awesome strength of the PDP to always save itself from impending doom no matter how looming. I also want to extend my congratulations to the members of NEC, NWC and the G72 for putting behind us that ugly scepter of our party history.The Chairman really needs the honest advice and unalloyed support of all stakeholders to make a success in these assignments and hence this piece. The starting point is the resolution without further delay of the southwest zonal Exco debacle since the zone coordinates and supervises activities in the states. Considering time, the astute

option left to the new Chairman on this is to walk the middle course by putting in place a result oriented caretaker team with target and marching orders. The leadership of that team should not be negatively controversial and must be a tested go-getter as human manager and politician. Now coming to managing the Ekiti State case and looking at the very short time available to the party before the governorship election proper, our greatest challenge and priority now is the selection of the party flag bearer for this year’s election. It is believed that whosoever is successfully selected (including through a primary election) will galvanize the party machinery

them, complaining that Aregbsola did not consult anybody before he took the step. Let me give you another example when Aregbesola came in for the first two years, we were battling with the issue of Osun State or State of Osun. How has that affected or improved the life of the people in the state? So, all these unpopular policies will be r-visited. Can you shed more light on how you are going to rule the state if elected . Yes, you see, my major focus in my first year is going to be education or what I will call human capital development, infrastructure development and employment generation. The first priority is human capital development. and human resources toward success at the poll. However, arriving at that destination is still a very tall order particularly in the face of current realities.Part of these current realities is that political office aspirants are the greatest mobilization agents for all political parties especially when such a party is not in government. Their numbers often times signposts the virility of the party and the confidence of people in its goodwill. However the temptation is always there for the party not to check the growing numbers of its aspirants particularly for seeing them as the milking cows of the party even to the point of selling forms to even those that the constitution of the party forbids.

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 —43

Rivers:No one has accused Amaechi of not working — Peterside HON. Dakuku Peterside (APC, Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Rivers State) is Chairman House Committee on Petroleum, Downstream. In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke on the crisis rocking Rivers state, directive of APC leaders on government shutdown and the need for state police among others. Excerpts: BY GBENGA OKE

N APC leaders’ directive to APC legislators to shut down government The directive was given to stop the lawlessness in the country particularly in Rivers State. It is the right step in the right direction because this act of impunity must stop, it is not part of democratic culture. I fully support it and will join others to comply with the directive. The height of patriotism is to respect the law under which we are elected. If you don’t respect the law which is the foundation of a democratic society, then there is no basis for democracy itself. APC cannot appear to be helpless in the face of impunity. On the crises ravaging Rivers State The crises that have engulfed Rivers in recent times are condemnable and it should be condemned by all men of goodwill. You need to understand the background to appreciate what

The police that are supposed to be the enforcer of our laws are now the principal law breaker, they are now the ones acting as if they are the laws to the land. The second dimension is the fact that this has shown that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intolerant of the opposition or alternative choices. That again must be condemned because democracy is about people having choices, democracy is about the views of the majority while the minority must be able to express themselves as well. The PDP controls the police and they are extremely intolerant of the opposition. Finally, it is obvious that Rivers State has become a test case of what will likely happen in the days ahead especially the 2015 elections. The government at the centre is becoming more repressive, they are showing that they don’t respect the rules of engagement and if Nigerians do not stand up to defend their

Rivers State has become a test case of what will likely happen in the days ahead especially the 2015 elections

the situation is. First, this Save Rivers Movement (SRM) is a non-governmental organisation. Yes, police claimed they are sympathetic to APC, the group decided to convene a peaceful rally and notified the police seven days ahead but unfortunately on that day, police cordoned off the area when the people had gathered and started shooting tear gas at innocent and helpless citizens that are without arms. At the end, Senator Magnus Abe was shot and several others were wounded. We must condemn that; the implication is that there is an affront on our constitutional drive, freedom of association, freedom of movement and freedom to carry out our legitimate political choices. This is an affront on those rights which are constitutionally guaranteed by the 1999 constitution, nothing in that constitution gave the police powers to deal with the public the way they so dealt with the group. Nigerians must rise up to defend their rights, if they don’t, then these people will continue to trample on their rights especially the police.

rights, then their votes will not count in the 2015 elections. It is clear that the PDP will use the police to suppress Nigerians but I know that Nigerians are irrepressible, nobody can rig elections. There are divergent views as to whether Sen Magnus Abe was actually shot or not. What do you have to say to that?

Continues from page 42 This will be an invitation to a chaos that we cannot afford now in the after matter of the primaries. The national and zonal leadership of the party should provide transparent leadership, guardianship, monitoring and supervision of the whole process leading to the emergence of the party’s candidate. Neither the Ondo nor the Anambra processes in the recent past was good enough for success at the poll. The party should therefore advertise its guidelines, setting out the rules in accordance with the constitution of the party and be transparent and fair minded in managing whatever fallouts

I was not actually on ground in Rivers as at the time of this development but I contacted a lot of people present when the development happened and they confirmed to me that police shot tear gas and rubber bullets and Senator Abe was rushed to Krisany Medical hospital in Port-Harcourt where he got immediate medical attention and I am told the hospital authorities said he should be flown to London to get better medical attention and I can confirm he is in London at present. Given the nature of the Rivers crisis, do you support calls for state police? I have been an unrepentant supporter of state police and I have my reason for it. I have said it severally that Nigeria is the only place in the world where unitary police exists.That is unfortunate and that explains the inefficiency and ineffectiveness in our policing. We need to understand that policing is by intelligence. Nobody can ignore the fact that intelligence is key and you can’t gather more intelligence than those people who are in that area, they know the individuals and their characters, they will know them better. The secondary thing is the argument that it is subject to abuse, that again for me does not add up. Are you saying the current police controlled by the Federal Government is not subject to abuse? Anything that is not regulated is subject to abuse and that is why our position all along has been to put in place

•Peterside a regulative framework to check the police and policing institutions. On the clash on interest between old and new members in the APC APC in Rivers state is one big family that accommodates members of defunct new PDP, defunct CPC, ACN, ANPP and several other parties who believe in the progressive ideology, that human nature needs to make progress and we can’t make progress if we rise on pre conceived notion, our ideas must be dynamic.

Views of the majority We can’t make progress if we are not driven by the people, we can’t make progress where the interest of the few will reign over the interest of the majority. We cannot make progress unless the views of the majority is accommodated. What has happened in Rivers State is everybody has a sense of accommodation and so I don’t foresee any crisis in Rivers APC.

Why didn’t some commissioners, advisers and staunch supporters of Governor Amaechi defect with him to APC? We have different interest and motives for going into public service. Some are driven by sincere commitment to serve the people, others are driven by their personal interest. So all these factors determine the choices we make. The resignation we have had in Rivers, you need to look at the individuals who resigned and the reasons for their resignation, some may be well intended and some may be because they lack the moral courage to defend the good of their people. There are different reasons why we have this resignations but none has said the government of Governor Rotimi Amaechi has not performed or his government is not working for the interest of Rivers people. Nobody has said that. Some have said for personal reasons while some said they are not comfortable with APC, they prefer to stay back in PDP.

What the PDP, Muazu need to do

•Muazu arises from the process. The next Ekiti PDP

gubernatorial candidate should come from the south senatorial district since Fayose took the first PDP shot from the central in 2003 – 2007 and then Chief Segun Oni from the North in 2007 – 2011. By coincidence these two senatorial districts have been producing governors from the other parties since the beginning of this democratic dispensation in 1999 till date. Only the south senatorial district is yet to have a shot at the governorship seat. If the PDP was mindful to rotate the governorship ticket to the North senatorial district after the Central in 2007, it is unexpected that the party will

now turn blind eye not to rotate the ticket to the south particularly in the spirit and letters of our party ’s constitution. Consequently some categories of aspirants stands excluded legally by the party’s constitution from the governorship race and should be so advised by the party rather than turning a blind eye and allow the brewing of cataclysmal problem for the party towards the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti state. *Afolabi Ige is from the Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State and a stakeholder in Ekiti State PDP.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

UPC sets up c'ttee on DSC

VISIT : From left— Dr. Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State during Atiku's courtesy visit to the Governor in Benin, yesterday.

RHOBO Political Congress, UPC, has set up a committee, DSC Resuscitation Committee, to look into the problems of Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State, and how it could be resuscitated. UPC National Chairman, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, told newsmen in Effurun, Delta State, that the group had decided to tackle the problem of DSC head-on because of its economic importance and the prospects of mitigating the unemployment situation in the Niger Delta. The committee has OmoAgege as Chairman, while the members include Elegbete Moses Odibo, Evelyn Oboro, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Chief Felix Anira, Prince George Ugen, and Edewor Omonemu as Secretary. Chief Mike Adiotomre and Chief Tom Amioku will serve as advisers to the committee. Omo-Agege added that UPC had also concluded plans to organise a summit on DSC’ problems.

Forum faults APC's threat BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI— FORUM of Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, local government party chairmen in Delta State has told All Progressives Congress, APC, to stand down its threat to block all executive bills, advising political leaders not to overheat the polity with their statements and actions. The forum, in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Princewill Ejogharado after its meeting in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state, said: “Being in the opposition does not mean they should strangulate Nigeria. They should work towards the growth and development of the country.” The forum passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan and the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and congratulated the new PDP national Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

S'African investors plan ethanol refinery in Edo BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN— SOUTH African investors have indicated interest to set up an ethanol refinery in Edo State. Executive Chairman of Industrial Development Holding, South Africa, Mr. Mxolesi Mbetse, made the disclosure when he paid Governor Adams Oshiomhole a courtesy visit in Benin. He said: “What we plan for Edo State is that in the next five to 10 years, we will

completely eliminate the importation of palm oil. We want to ensure that Nigeria becomes the exporter of not only palm oil, sugar, but also ethanol. “I was in Brazil and was amazed at the way they used technology to produce ethanol and today, Brazil produces billions of ethanol.” Mr. Mbetse told the governor that from his findings, Edo State was well-endowed with abundant agriculture and natural resources that could sustain industrialisation and

industrial growth, not only in the state and the geo-political zone, but the entire country. He said “When you look at the issue of agriculture and how important it is to Nigeria and the strategic nature of Edo State, it becomes very necessary that all hands must be put on deck to improve the lives of the people. “What we need to do is to, within a foreseeable future, use renewable energy and ethanol is the most important component of this renewable energy.”

Ignore APC antics, S'South indigenes in UK tells Jonathan BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

E N A G O A — INDIGENES of the South-South geo-political zone based in the United Kingdom, have called on the President Goodluck Jonathan to shun the antics of the opposition political parties in the country in trying to stop him from declaring his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election. The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Igho Derek Emuobome, insisted that the right of President Jonathan to run for second term was constitutional and divine. The President, they insisted, has divine obligation to Nigerians to declare and run for a second term in office, describing as unrealistic and

distorted the opposition political parties’ rating of the President’s performance. The South-South indigenes, made up of professionals and technocrats, under the aegis of the South-South Peoples Assembly, United Kingdom

Chapter, urged Jonathan not to be deterred by the unpatriotic antics of the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, and remain focused on the transformation programme of his administration.

Nigeria crossed the Rubicon on anti-gay law — CLERIC BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

A R R I — COORDINATOR, Movement for Democratic Equity, MDE, Evangelist Josiah Mashomi, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his stance against fears of sanctions from Western countries and signing the anti-same sex marriage bill, insisting that Nigeria had crossed the Rubicon. Mashomi also commended the National Assembly, noting that there was no going back on the law, no matter the intimidation and threats. He urged the Federal Government to withstand all pressures and safeguard the moral fibre of the country. The cleric gave the commendation in Warri, Delta State, while reacting to the fall-out of the same-sex marriage prohibition law.

Oyibode Foundation backs Jonathan for 2015 presidential election

ABRIEL Oyibode Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, has declared it support for the President Goodluck Jonathan 2015 project. The group at a meeting in Abuja, also pledged its support for Ambassador Gabriel Oyibode on his gubernatorial ambition in Delta State. Oyibode addressed the gathering, including Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, faithful, who visited him in Abuja to declare their support for him to become the next governor of Delta State due to his humanitarian activities across Nigeria. He advised the people to support President Jonathan 2015 presidential ambition, owing largely to his transformation agenda. Oyibode noted that since Jonathan assumed office as

President, virtually all aspects of the economy have been transformed, including employment generation for young graduates. The Delta PDP members, who were in Abuja, also pledged their support and total commitment to Oyibode gubernatorial ambition come 2015, adding that the state needed somebody to continue the good works of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

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Power cut disrupts Bayelsa Assembly sitting BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

E N A G O A — MEMBERS of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, yesterday, suspended sitting indefinitely over persistent power outage and breakdown of the power generating set that served as alternative source of power supply to the Assembly complex. The development, it was learnt, might delay the quick deliberation on the 2014 budget proposals. The appropriation bill was submitted to the House on December 17, 2013, by Governor Seriake Dickson. Electricity supply to the state has been epileptic in recent time with most government offices and residential buildings relying on power generating plant.

Energy Commission DG makes case for alternative source BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

E N I N — DIRECTORGeneral of Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Bala has reemphasised the need for the development of alternative sources of energy, if the country is to overcome its energy supply crisis as well as environmental threats arising from global warming and pollution. He made the call yesterday in Benin, Edo State, during his visit to National Centre for Energy and Environment, NCEE, University of Benin, under the purview of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. He said: “If poverty is to be eradicated and our economy is to grow, the threat of energy crisis and climate change must be tackled through research and innovation strategies capable of reacting to environmental changes.” C M Y K

CHURCH DEMOLITION: Oritsejafor, Lagos govt lock horns BY INNOCENT ANABA

OUNDER of World of Life Bible Church and President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called on Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to prevail on the state Building Agency Enforcement Department to stop further demolition of the Lagos Headquarters of his church in Victoria Island. Pastor Oritsejafor, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, on the demolition of the fence of the church by agents of the state government, wondered why the government was moving against the church despite the fact that all necessary conditions for building had been complied with. Speaking through the Lagos Pastor of the church, Pastor Shegun Buraimoh, Oritsejafor said: “On January 20, 2014, we got a notice and the next, a demolition notice. “On January 23, we saw the Lagos State Building Agency Enforcement Department with a team of armed policemen, bulldozer and caterpillar pull down our gate and part of our fence. "We voted the Lagos State Government into power not to attack us and deny us our due rights. “We call on the Lagos State Government to as matter of urgency stop both the subtle and vicious attack on our church by depriving us of our right of assembly to worship our God because that is contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We're not in opposition

“The Church is not in opposition to the Lagos State Government and has been praying and supporting the government by teaching its members to be law abiding, empowering the citizens economically and spiritually. “All we expect is government support of the church as a partner in progress. We are taken aback by this act of injustice which is a wrong signal to the body of Christ in Lagos State. “We bought the above property over 10 years ago and perfected the title on April 30, 2003. Our construction work was stalled since 2005 because land bureau would not issue us clearance letter to perfect our building plan approval, despite the fact that we have

submitted all documents and paid all statutory fees for building approval. “We have sought audience with the authorities including the past and present government of Lagos as to why the Clearance Letter and approval we sought was being denied since 2005. No explanation was given to us. “The current governor requested the Physical Planning Department to look into our complaint following high level intervention via our letter of 27/6/2010. “The department of Physical Planning wrote to inform us on the 27/7/2010 ‘that all efforts to trace the file for our application

No. IV04/DO/208/68A in the office has been unsuccessful.

Resubmitting documents

“We resubmitted all our documents to enable the processing of our application as requested, but are yet to be issued clearance letter from the Land Bureau. “We reapplied for the renewal of the clearance letter issued to us by the Land Bureau on October 15, 2010; the Clearance Letter is one of the documents specified by Physical Planning to enable them process and grant approval of our building plan. “The Land Bureau in its

wisdom has refused to renew the Clearance Letter. It is pertinent to note that it is renewal we need now as the Bureau had issued one clearance in 2010 after all due diligence. “Following another appeal letter to the governor dated 19/ 02/2013, we got a call from the Governor ’s Office that the appeal letter had been treated and we should liaise with the Land Bureau for the clearance letter. “Till date, the Land Bureau Department has refused and or failed to act despite the fact that we have paid all statutory charges and have complied with all the processes.”

MEETING: From left— National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, and PDP National Women Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe, at the Akwa Ibom State PDP stakeholders meeting in Wadata House, Abuja.

Ugborodo community leaders grant Falana, Keyamo right to recover $6m BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI— APPARENTLY not satisfied with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s assurance that the contentious $6 million community development fund from Chevron Nigeria Limited was is intact, some leaders in the crisis-torn Ugborodo community in War ri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have granted Femi Falana Power of Attorney to cause transfer of the money to the community coffers. The decision was contained in the resolution of a meeting held at the residence of Pa Johnson Ayomike and presided over by the OlajaOrori of Ugborodo, Benson Omadeli, who signed the resolution with three others. The community in the

resolution, directed “that the legal firm of Femi Falana and Festus Keyamo be retained as legal counsel to pursue all outstanding legal matters involving the community. “Femi Falana is to represent the community in the Asaba, Delta State peace process instituted January 28, 2014 by the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and others in Abuja.” The document requested the lawyers to “facilitate the payment and collection of the sum of $6 million paid by Chevron International to Ugborodo community and other monies outstanding to the credit of the community.” Reacting to the development, Mr. David Tonwe, who leads a faction in the current leadership strife, said “It is a welcome

development. I am not a signatory to the said document and I am in total support. “The Ugborodo people are saying that the Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, where the $6 million is domiciled is alien and unacceptable to Ugborodo. “The community from the beginning never accepted that arrangement which tended to isolate the Ugborodo community constituted authority. The matter is even a subject of litigation. “Those who have approached Falana to recover our monies have spoken to the feelings of the majority in the community.” In a phone interview, yesterday, Falana confirmed that “ we have received the request and have taken over the matter. We are on it.”

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Clash prevention: Abia plans to create grazing reserves

MUAHIA — THE Abia Government says it will establish modern grazing reserves as part of efforts to reduce clashes between rural communities and herdsmen in the state. The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Kenneth Nwosu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Umuahia, yesterday. Nwosu, the former Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute, NRCRI, Umudike, said the reserves would be established in collaboration with private investors. He said that the reserves would be equipped with modern facilities, to improve the health of animals and nomads. He said that the recurring incidences of crop destruction by cattle was a major concern to farmers and the government, adding that measures would be taken to protect farmers from such preventable losses.

Fed Poly, Nekede expels 26 students, suspends 26 BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI — THE management of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri in Imo State, has expelled 26 students while 26 others were suspended for one academic session over varying offences, including examination malpractices. This was even as one student was asked to retake some courses. The institution’s Registrar, Mr. Matthew Aligbe, who spoke to newsmen in Owerri, also said that the punishments handed down to the affected students were in line with the prescriptions for such infractions. According to Aligbe, the institution warned all students on admission that the school management had zero tolerance for all manner of vices, including examination malpractice, cultism, arson, sexual abuse, among other despicable acts.

UNN crisis deepens with rejection of Pro-Chancellor's N2m scholarship BY EMEKA MAMAH

ORKERS IN University of Nigeria, Nsukka, added a new dimension to the trouble in the crisis-ridden uni-

versity when they shocked the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, by rejecting his offer of scholarship to indigent students. The workers issued a public

statement rejecting the money, yesterday, under the auspices of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, comprising of lecturers and non-academic staff. Leaders, who signed the statement that was circulated on both

FORUM: Front row, (from left): President, Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa; Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Committee, Dr. Yunusa Tanko; former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, and Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Maria Brewer. Back row, (from left): Special Adviser to the President on Inter-party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; the Country Representative, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Gloria RichardsJohnson, and Director, Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development, Professor Ebere Onwudiwe, at the opening of National Stakeholders' Forum on Electoral Reform, in Abuja

2015: 21 Igbo youth organisations support Jonathan for presidency BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA — A coalition of 21 Igbo youth organisations is planning a rally in Umuahia, Abia State capital to drum up support for the presumed ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 election. The youths also said that similar efforts would be carried out to ensure the state Governor, Theodore Orji, over his desire to contest the Abia Central Senatorial seat The groups in the coalition include, the South-East Coalition of Youths and Pressure Groups; South-East Democratic Movement, all Ochendo Youth Organisations, Conference of South-East SouthSouth Youth Leaders and Ukwa Ngwa Political Forum. According to the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the coalition was supporting Jonathan because he had been in the “forefront of restructuring Nigeria, which would be of immense benefit to Ndigbo.” He said Jonathan’s proposed national conference would lead to the restructuring of the country, and thus wipe out tears from the faces

of Ndigbo who had been the “ weeping child” of the Nigerian federation. “While other geopolitical zones in the country have at least six states each with the North West having seven, the South-East has only five states. This was even as the sharing of federal allocation in Nigeria is based on the number of states and local governments that you have.

“So, you can see the injustice, we have suffered over the years. We are fully behind the President because he has shown genuine commitment towards restructuring this country,” Isiguzoro noted. He also said they would use the opportunity of the rally to task President Jonathan on state of federal roads in the South-East and amnesty for Igbo youths, among others.

campuses of the University were: Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Abada, Chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of the Universities, ASUU; Paul Erua, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities; Godfrey Okeke Ugwu, Chairman, NonAcademic Staff Union, Nsukka Campus; and Patrick Emeter, Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union, Enugu Campus. They rejected Mr. Ukala’s scholarships worth N2million as a “Greek gift,” saying it was designed to divert attention from the pressing problems of the university, which according to them, included exploitation of the students by the present administration of the university and lack of facilities for effective academic work. They said: “Do our students need the paltry scholarship or the removal of the N25, 000 (per student) acceptance fee, Internet fee of N18, 000 (per student) and other sundry charges on our dear students?” They also demanded immediate reinstatement of student unionism which the administration of Vice Chancellor, Professor Bartho Okolo banned five years ago. The workers’ leaders also enumerated lack of lecture halls and habitable hostels as some of the problems demanding urgent attention. JAC’s statement was its second in less than three days. At the weekend, it circulated a warning that its suspended demonstrations would resume unless the Federal Government recalled the popular former ProChancellor, Dr. Emeka Enejere, who was removed by supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, without giving any reasons. In its current statement, JAC said: “Dr. Emeka Enejere-led Council came, heard us, talked to us, gave us hope, gave us voice and confidence and liberated us ... On Enejere-led Council we stand.”

Don't vote for ungodly, inhuman person as gov, cleric tells Abia people BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA — THE Archbishop of Methodist Church, Umuahia, in Abia State, Rev. Sunday Agwu has warned Abia people not to vote any “ungodly and inhuman person” as governor of the state in 2015. Agwu, also, said any ungodly politician who wins the governorship seat in the state in the next election would not last long in office. He spoke at a thanksgiving church service for the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mkpa Agu Mkpa, who survived an auto crash.

Agwu then advised the state governor, Theodore Orji to be very mindful of the type of person who would succeed him, pointing out that Abia people would ensure the removal of any bad person from office through prayers. “We have heard that your party has a zoning system; so you intend to hand over to an Ukwa/ Ngwa man or woman. Your Excellency, our plea is that you be careful about the person you wish to support to succeed you. “We will not want to have a governor who is selfish, inaccessible, an idol worshipper, not compassionate, parochial, clannish and inhuman; or a governor who would not support the work of

God. ”We want someone who will see the entire Abia as his parish, otherwise, he will not last in office. Our prayers will drive him out of office. ’’Just like we have been praying to support you because of the kind of governor you are; if we should have someone who comes to exercise power over us unnecessarily, without taking care of us, we all will not be happy,” the Archbishop said. Quoting from the Bible, he added that, “when God is with you, safety and security are assured,” and urged the people to stop looking for security where they cannot find it.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

VISIT: Chairman House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (2nd left), presenting a brochure to the Vice Chancellor University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey (2nd right), Hon. Mustapher Habeeb (left) and Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, during a fact finding visit to University of Ghana on the issues affecting Nigerian Students in Ghana ianUniversities in Accra.

VISIT: From left: Administrative Secretary, INEC, Enugu, Mr. Irokwe Okorie, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Enugu State Director, Mr. Isaac Onukwube, INEC Resident Commissioner, Enugu State, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, and INEC Enugu Head, Publicity, Dr. Chiebonam Ekwo, during a working visit by the officials of NOA, to INEC, in Enugu. Photo:

PRESENTATION: Regional Director, South-East and South-South, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Okey Ezeala, presenting a prize to one of the winners of the Bank's 30th anniversary promo, Mr. Okwudilichukwu Ede of Nigeria Fire Service, at the South-East/South-South regional draw of the promo in Enugu. With them from left are Mr. Eke Michael, zonal cordinator of the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission, Zonal Head, Enugu, FCMB, Mr. Chijioke Mbagwu and MD, Eastman Microfinance Bank, Mr. Obiora Ugwuanyi.

AWARD: Mr. Austin Igbuku, Founder, Austin Epadi-Igbuku Lights on Foundation (4th left), his wife, Erezi (5th left) and invited Principals of secondary schools in Isoko-North and Isoko-South Local Government Areas of Delta State, during the 5th annual award ceremony of the foundation, at Aviara Secondary Commercial School, Delta State.

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WEDDING: From left: Wife of Nigeria's Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom/mother of the groom, Mrs. Biodun Lawal, groom, Jide Lawal, bride, Jumoke, Nigeria's Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom/ groom's father, Ambassador Kayode Lawal, bride's mother, Alhaja Afusat Adeyinka and bride's father, Alhaji Nurudeen Adeyinka, at the wedding introduction of Jide and Jumoke in Lagos.

VISIT: From left: Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, Executive Director, Operations, Bank of Industry, BoI; Captain Reginald Abbey-Hart, member, Bonny Council of Chiefs, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, MD, Bank of Industry, Chief Owen ManillaPepple, Chairman, Bonny Council of Chiefs and Chief Abel Attoni, member, during the visit of Bonny Chiefs to the bank in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

INSTALLATION: From left: Hon. Yomi Ogunnusi, Hon. Lanre Odutola and Hon. Olumide Osoba, at the installation of Hon Yacoob Bush Alebiosu as the Otunba Fuwagbuyi of Ijebu, by Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

AWARD: From right: Dave Emelike, Rotn. Godfrey Iweka, President,, Mr. Elias Isiaka, awardee, Mr. Kabiru Adeniji, Mrs.Folake Oguntuashe, PP. Sunday Gbenjo and Rotn. Adegoke Adeoye, when Rotary Club of Isolo, Rotary Club of Isolo, honoured two staff of Totaltelecoms Limited, during the Rotary vocational service award, in Lagos.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

5,666 military personnel, others receive N968.92m pension

BUJA—ABOUT 5,666 military personnel and those of other security services received N968.92 million as pension payment in the second quarter of 2013, the National Pension Commission, PenCom, has said. In the latest edition of “Penlife”, a quarterly publication of PenCom, it said that the payment covered personnel of Military Pension Board, State Security Service and Defence Intelligence Agency. The commission stated that it had also begun the process of paying more personnel of the services. The agency confirmed receiving data from the respective organisations. The commission said it was processing 35,122 for payment, made up of 18,924 Army pensioners, 7,222 for Navy and 8,976 State Security Service pensioners.

ICTSI sells 25% stake in Lekki Free Trade Zone BY ENOCH EFEROBOR

AGOS—INTERNA TIONAL Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI), has through its subsidiary, ICTSI Capital BV, sold 25 per cent of its stake in Lekki International Container Terminal Services LFTZ Enterprise, in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, to French firm, CMA Terminals. The deal was finalized after ICTSI Capital BV entered into a share purchase deal with CMA Terminals, which is part of the Marseille-based CMA-CGM Group. CMA Terminals, the world’s third largest container shipping line, paid $25,000 for 25,000 units of Lekki International shares.

FG to phase out water satchets, other non-biodegradable plastics A

BUJA—THE Federal Ministry of Environment has developed a draft action plan for the phasing out of light weight non-biodegradable plastics in the country, a top official of the ministry, said, yesterday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, said that the draft action plan had already been adopted by stakeholders in the sector. He recalled that the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, had in December 2013, organised a workshop to sensitise Nigerians on the process. “What we intend to do now

is to follow the implementation of the action plan since the awareness has already started; the next step is to source funds from UNIDO to implement the plan. “Once we have funds, we will continue with other activities in the process of phasing out heavy non-biodegradable plastics.” The official said it was not possible to completely phase out non-biodegradable plastics because of its importance in the society. He cited the example of a plastic chair, which is a nonbiodegradable component, to buttress his point. He said that the ministry would start with the phasing out of light weight non-degradable plastics such as ta-

ble water sachets and polythene bags. “Those countries that have succeeded in phasing out the substance started with placing a ban on the light weight ones. “Countries like China and South Africa have placed outright ban on light weight plastic bags while some other countries have placed tax levies on the manufacture, retailer and buyers of light weight bags. “We are going to be gradual in the phasing out process as well, so that we will not cause havoc to the livelihood of people working in the industry. “We will also use alternative sources that are economically feasible and environment-friendly to replace the non-degradable products,” the official said.

He further said that the ministry would start the process of phasing out with a pilot project whereby manufacturers would be required to introduce a substance called “addictive” that would reduce the non-biodegradable component in their products. NAN reports that several countries have adopted measures to reduce the production and use of plastic materials by the imposition of taxes, fines, restriction or outright ban of plastic shopping bags. The countries include South Africa, Taiwan, Kenya, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Mecedonia, China, Hong Kong, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico and United Arab Emirates, among others.

Kaduna Govt, WHO distribute free drugs to health camps

ADUNA—THE Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, WHO, yesterday distributed free drugs to some selected health camps in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the drugs included anti-malaria, Vitamin A and polio vaccines. One of the officials, Malam Hamza Ikara, said the gesture was to eradicate polio and other child killer diseases in the state. He said the health camps were additional areas of support provided to address the challenges of non- compliance and rejection of polio vaccines. Ikara said the state had been identified as one of the “high NEPAD—From right: Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs,Prof. Viola Onwuliri; Nige- risk states” in spite of its berian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Amb Paul Lolo; the Deputy, Amb. Peter Iyamabo and Direc- ing free from polio in the last tor, Corporate Services, NEPAD, Mr Bankole Adeoye, at the 30th meeting of NEPAD Heads 14 months. of State and Government Orientation Committee in Addis Ababa, yesterday. Photo: NAN. “We are happy there is no reported case of polio disease in the state, and we hope to record more success and end the issue of non-compliance by the end of this exercise. “We want the state to be totally free from polio and other diseases,” he said. close cooperation in areas of Ikara expressed appreciation AGOS—NIGERIA and Sambo’s visit was on the oil exploration, procurement for the support the state was Cote d’Ivoire have invitation of the Prime Min- and the development of the getting from its local and inagreed to strengthen their ister of Cote D’Ivoire, Daniel oil sector through the estab- ternational partners towards lishment of appropriate infra- total eradication of the disease. mutual cooperation as well as Kablan Duncan. NAN reports that the health maintain excellent bilateral Officials of the two coun- structure. "They also agreed to pro- camps that benefited from the relations in the interest of the tries held several meetings on two countries. a broad range of bilateral and mote synergies between the drugs include; Malali, Kawo and Badarawa in Kaduna This was contained in a other topical issues on Africa two countries’ chambers of North Local Government and communiqué signed by the in particular and the world in commerce and industry Tudun Nupawa, Badiko, and through a draft agreement Anguwa Sunusi in Kaduna two countries in Abidjan, the general. Ivoirian capital, Tuesday. Apart from this, the two that would be finalised as South Local Government Area. The communiqué was countries also agreed on the well as work towards the reOther areas were Zaria, signed after a two-day official need for experience sharing alization of community Kwarbai , Durumi and Tukurvisit of the Vice President, on mining, energy, agricul- projects including the Tukur in Zaria Local GovernMohammed Namadi Sambo ture and manufacturing as Abidjan-Lagos highway de- ment and Miyyeti Allah Clinic in Igabi Local Government. to Cote D’Ivoire. well as the need to work in velopment project."

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52 – Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

C M Y K

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African leaders make life African leaders uncomfortable make life for writers

Second edition of Americanah, Fine Boys for release By PRISCA SAM-DURU

uncomfortable — ace Sierra Leonian writer, Syl Cheney-Coker for writers —

Syl Cheney-Coker is one of Sierra Leone’s most renowned poets, novelist, and journalist who has a global sense of literary history. Educated at the Universities of Oregon and Wisconsin, and a former visiting writer at the International Writing Programme at the University of Iowa, he has through his write ups, introduced styles and techniques from French and Latin American literature to Sierra Leone. He was one of the writers who criticized the one-party government of then President Siaka Stevens, an action that forced him to exile. He spent most of his life away from his native country and through those eyes he has written extensively (in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction) about the condition of exile and the view of Africa from an African abroad. Syl Cheney-Coker was one of the international writers that graced the Ake Art and Book Festival held recently at Abeokuta. In this interview, the author of Concerto for Exile, The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar, The Graveyard also has Teeth, said that African leaders make life uncomfortable for writers. Excerpts: By JAPHET ALAKAM

ROM your profile, one can observe that you spent much of your time in exile, why? I spent much time in Sierra Leone than in exile. While, things happen in everybody’s life and the time frame to preserve your sanity, to be able to do your best contributions, however small to society, you must leave and in my own

I don’t think I wrote more about the conditions of Africans in exile. I’ve written about conditions of people from all the five centres of the world, I’ve written about what is going on in the middle east, in the Carribean, in Latin America, but my primary focus is the African continent of course because that is what I know best and a writer should write about what he or she knows. Don’t try to go where

I think writers should be free and independent, if writing means anything it means the freedom not only to express oneself, but the freedom to say what one wants to say

case I have a responsibility, my daughter was overseas, I wanted to be close to her, my wife was overseas then, I wanted to be close to her. And as the politics in Sierra Leone became intolerable in 1997, I left, intending to spend only one year but that one year became 14 years, as they kept on extending invitations to me and I stayed. That was how it happened. In most of your works, you raised the issue of the conditions of people in exile and views of African abroad, why? C M Y K

you don’t know anything because it becomes terrible. What is your view about what writers of your generation wrote and what the present writers are writing? I think we were interested more in politics, we were concerned about tomorrow, about where we are going to be tomorrow, we were concerned about a sense of responsibility, not just on our part but on the part of everybody on the African continent. I am not quite sure that the writers of today have the same concern. I doubt, may be they

•Syl Cheney-Coker...writers should be free to write

are concerned about something different. May be because they were born in the age of technology, the age of urgency, they travel more etc. But generations are different, the present generation have different concerns, we can’t express the same. In your paper, you said that you are opposed to the issue of the West telling writers what to write to get published, so how would you think that will be possible in this generation? I don’t oppose the Americans or whites telling us what to write. I am opposed to anybody telling a writer what to write in order to get published. I think writers should be free, independent.

Sacred river If writing means anything it means the freedom not only to express oneself, but the freedom to say what one wants to say . It is not a matter of Americans telling us what to write, let me say it clear, it is a matter of whether you are an African government, American publisher or Spainish journalists, or you for that matter as a journalist telling a writer what to say. You talked about your new book, what is the title and

what is it all about? The title is Sacred River, but what it is all about, you have to buy the book and read it. It is like many African writers seem to get it right when they are outside Africa or in exile, why? May be our leaders don’t make our life comfortable, they make it impossible for us to be comfortable, not financially but just health wise. And the time frame to be removed from everything gives you broader perspectives, you are removed from the immediate environment, so when you are away, you can see things more clearly and write about it. Writers are known to intervene, raise questions and proffer solutions, have they been doing that? We are not philosophers, we are not kings, we are not Obas, we are not politicians, we don’t offer solutions, we raise questions, we ask questions perhaps others refuse to ask. Yes that is what we do But have they been playing that role they are supposed to play? Some of us, I hope. Others decide to intervene in politics. Is an individual choice, some writers say yes, others say I don’t want to be part of it. So it is up to the writer.

arafina, the literary imprint of Kachifo Limited, is set to release the second editions of Fine Boys by Eghosa Imasuen, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Half of a Yellow Sun, by the same author. The last will sport a film tie-in cover, while all of them will be pocket-sized, freshly designed editions. Farafina will also publish the Nigerian edition of Yejide Kilanko’s Daughters Who Walk This Path, in the third quarter. Also, the Kachifo Limited which publishes the Farafina, Farafina Educational and Prestige books have added two imprints to its stable namely, Breeze and Kamsi Books. Announcing the achievement, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, COO, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, said it is the start of a new era at the company. “Genre fiction will see a renaissance in the coming years and Kachifo Limited is poised to be a leader in this field." From the early years, Kachifo Limited has been interested in getting such stories to our people. Eghosa Imasuen’s first novel, To Saint Patrick (2008), then published under the Farafina imprint, was a crime, police-procedural, that played with the tropes of the Alternate History genre,” he explained. Slated for release in early April under the Breeze imprint, such stories will feature as well romance, mystery, thrillers, and scifi/fantasy novels and short stories.

Osumune's debut book for presentation

he stage is now set for the public presentation of John Osumune’s book entitled Fire in the Centre, Osumune. The book which is written in simple yet engaging language rich in imagery, dialogue and suspense is a gripping story of commitment to service, courage and love set in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. The Applied Bio Chemistry graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who disclosed that his aim of writing the novel is to use the chief priest to portray a way of life, that he wants people to view things said that the book will be presented to the public in February.

54—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Your legal rights and responsibilities: Problems and solutions

Road to confab is full of pitfalls — Braithwaite Page 56

Page 55

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

WOMEN Arise for Change Initiative, a human rights group, led by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, on December 23, 2013, led a peaceful protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly and submitted a petition on the alleged inhuman assault on two women in a market in Ejigbo, a Lagos surburb, and demanded for an immediate investigation by the lawmakers inorder to ensure justice was done by punishing the perpetrators. Earlier, there was a video clip of the incident played on a mobile phone before the lawmakers which ran for about eight minutes, where the horrific scene of the incident copied from one of the social media, showing how the women were being tortured and pepper applied into their genitals over alleged stealing of pepper. “A woman, her daughter and her step daughter were alleged to have gone to a pepper stall at Ejigbo Central Market in the night and allegedly stole certain amount of pepper before they were caught by a group of young vigilante who descended on them. It was later gathered that one of the women died from injuries sustained from the torture. The group, based its claim on the 1999 Constitution as amended; in chapter 4 section 34, which states clearly that ‘every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly, no person should be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment”. To underscore the seriousness of the perceived inhuman treatment melted out to the women, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has indicated interest in taking over the investigation of the matter. However, in a brief interview with Odumakin, she spoke on the incident and other related human rights issues. Excerpts:

Women Arise protesting at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa. Dr. Joe Odumakin

Ejigbo torture: We're out to ensure justice is done—Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin

Do you think justice will be done at the end of the day? Well, it is too early to doubt the Police ability to prosecute the case well. For now I want to give the Police the benefit of doubt on this matter and believe that they will prosecute the case We must all monitor the case, the well. media; the Civil Society OrganiHowever, the case is already popular zations (CSO) and all stakeholdamong Nigerians ers must follow the case and blow even Nigerians in Diaspora, so we are the whistle if we notice any all going to monitor ‘smart’ practice the proceedings and update ourselves. We must all HE suspects in the Ejigbo assault monitor the case, the media; the Civil have been arrested and handed Society Organizations (CSO) and all over to the police for prosecution, just stakeholders must follow the case and as the Lagos State Office of Public De- blow the whistle if we notice any fenders has stepped into the matter.

‘smart’ practice. We must all ensure that justice is done. As for Office of Public Defender (OPD) I have no doubt that the victims are in safe hands and I am also sure that by the time the trial of the culprits starts fully - OPD will be a reliable institution that can follow-up on the matter and ensure justice is done.

Update on the matter Women Arise will also not rest on its oars, the matter has just started and we are going to follow it through to the very end. We would keep a time to time update on the matter. We would also ensure that the court proceeding is not hidden from Nigerians. What actually motivated you and

your organisation on this particular case, considering the fact that there were other similar cases in the past

Continues on page 55

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

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014—55

Your legal rights and responsibilities: Problems and solutions rights we should with corresponding vigor perform our duties. The question then is what are our legal rights? The Black’s Law Dictionary 8th Edition defines the word “right” among others as something that is due to a person by just claim, legal guarantee or moral principle. There are many categories of rights namely: (i) Absolute right – A right that belongs to every human being (ii) Accessory right – A supplementary right that has been added to the main right that is vested in the owner. (iii) Accrued right – A matured right, a right that is ripe for enforcement. (iv) Acquired right – A right that a person does not naturally enjoy but that is instead procured, such as

THE topic of this paper “Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities: Problems & Solutions” is very apt in our present democratic dispensation. As the topic suggests, this paper will examine the following issues: (i) Citizens legal rights (ii) Citizens responsibilities/obligations (iii) The problems and solutions in pursuit of these rights and obligations I will try to be less legalistic, verbose or grandiloquent in use of legal terminologies because of the various categories of the audience. It is important to mention at this juncture that legal rights and responsibilities or duties are on many occasions intertwined. John Chipman Gray in his book The Nature and sources of the Law stated as follows: Right is a correlative to duty; where there is no duty there can be no right. But the converse is not necessarily true. There may be duties without rights. In order for a duty to create a right, it must be a duty to act or forbear. Thus, among those duties which have rights corresponding to them do not come the duties, if such there be, which call for an inward state of mind, as distinquished from external acts or forbearances. It is only to acts and forbearances that others have a right. It may be our duty to love our neighbor, but he has no right to our love. John Chipman Gray, The Nature and sources of the Law 8-9(2d ed.1921). This is instructive (though not an alibi for the government’s failure to guarantee our rights) that while we agitate for our

Ejigbo torture: We're out to ensure justice is done — Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin Continues from page 54

ferred as “the constitution”). The interpretation section of the constitution did not define Fundamental Rights under the said constitution however, legal pundits usually use the word “enshrine” to refer to the provisions of the Funda-

The Fundament Rights are enshrined in Chapter 1V of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended (hereinafter referred as the constitution

the right to own property. (v) Conjugal right – Obtainable between husband and wife. (vi) Civil right – right provided by the constitution of the country. (vii) Fundamental right – right enshrined in the constitution of the country. The list of the categories of right is in-exhaustive; however, this paper will treat only the fundamental and civil rights of the citizens. The Fundament Rights are enshrined in Chapter 1V of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended (hereinafter re-

mental Rights in our constitution to emphasize its importance. Again, section 9(3) of the constitution also provides a stiffer requirement for the alteration of the provisions of fundamental Rights to the effect that fourfifths majority of all the members of Legislative House at both federal and state are required for proper and effective alteration unlike some other provisions that require only two-thirds majority of the said Legislative Houses. Nigeria has also through the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights

(Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 adopted the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as part of our existing legislation. This African Charter contains most of the provisions on our Fundamental Human Rights. Sections 33-46 of the constitution enumerate the Fundamental Rights of the citizens, some of them as follows: (i) Right to life. (ii) Right to respect for dignity of his person. (iii) Right to personal liberty. (iv) Right to fair hearing. (v) Right to privacy of citizens, homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications. (vi) Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. (vii) Right to freedom of expressions including freedom to hold opinions, receive and impart ideas and information without interference. To be continued.

that were left unattended to and probably been swept under the carpets? It is the way and manner the women were dehumanized, brutalized and assaulted that motivated me, more so my organization because one of the mandates of Women Arise is zero tolerance for any form of violence against women and girls in Nigeria. I decided to pursue this case because injustice to one is injustice to all and we must not keep quiet in the face of tyranny and oppression. The need to build a plural society where the rights of every human person are respected irrespective of sex, age, status is what motivates me to whatever I am doing. What is your advice to residents and women in particular on assault and other inhuman acts in the society and what is also your advice to the government? My advice to residents and women in particular is that they should always be observant, they should be conscious of their surroundings and be quick to re-

port any act of violence against anyone. Residents must be ready to work together to restrict any form of violence. Government on their part need to double efforts on securing our communities, there must be proper community policing and the activities of local securities and ethnic militias need to be regulated by government. Government must also initiate policies that eradicate jungle justice and curb all forms of violation against women and girls. There are insinuations that your organisation is only interested in the fame and monetary gains in pursuing cases of this nature, how do you react ? That is not correct. Women Arise had handled so many cases without getting a dime from anyone. We have organized several rallies and protests on women issues in Nigeria. We have demanded justice for various victims of human rights violations such as the protest in Sagamu over the killing of a poultry attendant, Funmilayo Abudu, who was murdered by the Police and labelled as a leader of an armed robbery gang. The case is still in court. Women Arise was also part of the women group that call for justice for Titilayo Arowolo, the lady who was allegedly murdered by her husband. So it will be wrong for anyone to insinuate or think that we are doing what we are doing for fame and monetary gains.

56—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Road to confab full of pitfalls —Braithwaite BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

HUMAN rights lawyer and Pan-African elderstate man, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, has expressed fear over the impending National Conference, saying that it is strewn with pitfalls on a nature that could throw the country into a calamitous depth that might take future generations another 100 years from which to climb out. Braithwaite, who is the founder and former Presidential candidate of the defunct Nigerian Advance Party (NAP), posited that the amalgamated country called Nigeria needs to be reconfigured before any elections in the country and described the 1999 Constitution as a fraud and imposition on Nigerians. Speaking as Guest Lecturer of the 15th memorial anniversary of Pastor S. A. Odunaiya, on the topic “The Role of the Church of Christ in the Impending National Conference” he

Tunji Braithwaite pointed out that what is today called 1999 Constitution is decree 24, which was imposed on the country by an indigenous British-trained and moulded military. “The road to attaining a successful outcome of the Conference is certainly

strewn with pitfalls on a nature that could throw the country into a calamitous depth that might take future generations another 100 years from which to climb out. Nigeria needs to be reconfigured and the reconfiguration must be attained before any elections

in the country. “The military Junta of General Abdulsalam, in the charade of a democratic election in 1999 manipulated the systems and ensured the victory of one of its own, Gen. Obasanjo as a Civilian President of Nigeria. A man who had previously headed a militarygovernment in Nigeria for almost 3 years, and who, subsequently was tried and jailed by his fellow comrade-in-arms for coup plotting. ”When the present fourth Republic was instituted by them in 1999, with Gen. Obasanjo as President of Nigeria, Obasanjo had the effrontery to attempt, single-handedly, to sabotage even their foisted Constitution. He proceeded in 2005 to convoke a National Conference of sorts, not for redressing the obvious structural National imbalance, nor ameliorating the anaemia social/economic condition of the mass of the

Lagos AG grants plea bargain to Sgt charged with murder

Ade Ipaye BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Defence counsel, Mr. O. Ajanaku, who appeared for a police officer charged with murder, has told a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere that the state Attorney General (AG), Mr. Ade Ipaye, granted plea bargain to his client. The Police officer, Sgt. Olowojoyin Abolade, 43, was said to have on August 28, 2009 at Ademuyi-

wa Junction, Iponri, Lagos, allegedly murdered one Yusuf Omole by shooting him at close range in the chest with a gun. According to the charge marked LCD/99/20z10, the alleged offence is contrary to Section 319 (1) of the criminal code law Cap C. Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State 2003. However, at the resumed hearing, the defense counsel pointed out that there is a change in the trial, saying they wrote to the office of Lagos AG for plea bar-

gain and same was granted to them. Ajanaku said: “The plea bargain letter was dated June 23, 2013 The AG responded and came up with certain terms and we have come to the court today to inform the court of our position. The response was received in July 17.” The prosecutor, Mrs Akin Adesomoju, confirmed that the defense counsel’s plea bargain was granted by Ipaye, and urged the court to allow her substitute the charge considering the evidence before the court. Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Ebenezer Adebajo, took the testimony of the prosecution’s witness, noting that there was nothing stopping him from doing so. The witness, Dr. Sunday Soyemi, informed the court that he is a pathologist and does post mortem examination. He said the internal examination carried on the deceased revealed blood on the left side of his chest. ”There was di structure of the blood vessel. Other findings were not contributory to the cause of the death. The death was as a result of penetration to the

deceased’s chest. Autopsy report was written and issued out. I am a registered pathologist” Soyemi said. When the judge asked the defense counsel to go on with his cross examination, Ajanaku prayed the court for an adjourned date to enable him come for cross examination since he did not prepare for it, saying “if I go on cross examination today, the defendant may not be adequately represented. On entering the plea bargain, what we are asking for is an adjourned date”. It will be recalled that at the last adjourned date, the court received a pistol and a 38mm bullet allegedly used by Sgt Abolade in killing the deceased. The sergeant who last served at the Nigeria Police Division, Iponri had pleaded not guilty but was remanded in Ikoyi prison

people” Braithwaite said. According to him, Obasanjo’s 2005 National Conference was a grand ploy to further tinker with decree 24 (1999 Constitution) thereby giving him an illegal third term in office. ”That was his (Obasanjo) idea of national conference, which some gullible persons in their puerile opposition to the imminent Sovereign National Conference, would have us accept as a genuine national conference.

Ethnic nationalities Such persons reason that the country should dust up the relics of the dubious 2005 national conference and simply modify it to suit the yearnings of the generality of the ethnic nationalities for a Sovereign National Conference” he added. Braithwaite denied being a politician but described himself as a Revolutionalist. He noted that principalities and powers are at work, night and day to sabotage the Conference, adding that prayers with hardwork and doggedness

are the major twin sureties for a successful outcome of any lasting endeavour. ” Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon in 1966 proclaimed that the basis for a one united country (Nigeria) was not available. The call for the Conference is not new. The call is as old as about the age of Independent Nigeria. The first Constitution of Independent Nigeria ran into serious troubles by the fact that it was deviously fabricated to disenfranchise a large part of the two Amalgamated territories in the election of the Prime Minister of the country ” Braithwaite explained. On the role of the church in the impending National Conference, the senior lawyer said Christians needed to engage God in fervent prayers to enable the impending National Conference become successful, stressing that the role of Christians should not be limited to prayers only, “we must go out there armed with faith, determination, commitment to righteousness and be fully involved in the generational duty of salvaging our freedoms” he added.

Lagos NBA focusses on membership programmes for young lawyers BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Alex Muoka, has said that his administration will focus on institutionalizing, training, empowerment schemes, employment bureau, internship and membership programmes for young lawyers. He also promised to pursue effective welfare schemes for membership, such as group medical and life insurance packages and co-operative schemes for home and asset acquisition. In a statement, Muoka said he would encourage active participation of members in sporting and recreational activities and ensure regular health talks and free or affordable medical check ups. The chairman pointed out that he would ensure regular continuing legal education programmes in various practice areas, increase networking opportunities for members by ensuring periodic hostel social events attended by in-house counsel and corporate clients, including

enlightening members on tax and other regulatory compliance issues. According to Muoka, the current executive would provide quality leadership and effectively harness the enormous human and capital resources available to the premier branch, by providing direction, motivation and galvanizing the executive committee to work as a cohesive team. He noted that his administration would establish effective committee and encourag more members to get involved in branch activities through committee work and projects. “The branch will work with the judiciary to ensure the provision on renovation of lawyer’s common rooms/ e-cafes in courts within our precincts. The branch will re-start and assiduously pursue the branch secretariat building project, conclude the branch database, directory and identity card schemes to enhance planning and proper identification of members. We will organize enlightenment programmes for lawyers on ethics, comportment, and dressing, and inaugurate an effective branch disciplinary committee” he added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 —57

Why drug abuse is on the rise — EXPERT

1m women march for endometriosis, Mar 8 BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

IGERIA is taking her place among nations worldwide in March 2014 as activities for the “Million Woman March for Endometriosis Worldwide” kick off in earnest as part of the ongoing campaign to save Nigerian women from the pain and trauma of endometriosis. At least one million women are expected to participate in the historic event Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, described the Million Woman March as a global initiative through which women unite to take a stand against endometrioisis. “The activity is to educate, empower and and effect change while improving the living standard for females, young and old as well as society at large, said Ajayi, who is the Endomarch Country Affiliate Partner. Worldwide, the month of March is designated for endometriosis and each year, the Endometriosis Support Group, ESGN, marks the month with series of activities. The march is a global initiative where women unite all over the world and take a stand against endometriosis. The activity seeks to educate, empower and effect change, while improving their quality of life and society at large. In line with this, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, in conjunction with the Endometriosis Support Group, ESGN - an NGO seeking to assist women, with the challenge of endometriosis - are facilitating

a fund raising event, at the Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos. Endometriosis an incurable female health disorder that occurs when the endometrium (cells lining the uterus) grow in other areas of the body. It often leads to pain, irregular bleeding and problems getting pregnant. It occurs in 5-10 percent of women within reproductive age group (15-44 years) worldwide. Women with this condition have 20 percent less chances of having children. While the Global Million Woman March holds March 13, 2014 in Washington DC, the Nigerian leg of the endomarch itself is earmarked for 8.30am on March 8, 2014 at the Onikan Stadium, Surulere featuring interactive sessions with

the US and Nigerian Endo teams. The train moves to the FCT, Abuja on March, 18, with a lecture taking at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where Gerald Harkins, a Fellowship Director, Minimally Invasive Gynaecology Surgery, PennState Mittons, Hershey Medical Centre, Pennsylvania USA, will present the keynote address. On March 20, the campaign and free consultations move to Asaba, Delta State Interested parties can take a stand to ensure better living for the women by registering for the global walk and supporting the worthy cause on www.endometriosis-sign.org. or write endomarch.nigeria@endometriosissgn.org.

•Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja, in collaboration with the Endometriosis Support Group, ESGN, is organising the Million Woman March for Endometriosis. March 8, 2014.

CTING Registrar, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, ICCON, Ms Taiwo Bammodu, has blamed the increase in drug abuse in the country on ignorance. Bammodu who spoke in Lagos at a sensitisation seminar on two global initiatives known as Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) and the Globally Harmonised System for Classifying and Labelling Chemicals (GHS), told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that “When viewed in the light of the enormous havoc being inflicted on society’s manpower by drug abuse, the imperative of DDR cannot be overemphasised. “It is particularly painful that this undesirable trend is most prevalent among the younger generation – the supposed leaders of tomorrow. “I am of the conviction that a good percentage of today’s drug addicts are victims of the non-availability of enlightenment programmes such as this. “Hence, they indulge in narcotics, stimulants, cannabis, sedatives and hallucinogens among others,’’ Bammodu said. Bammodu said the body had visited six states in Nigeria already, including Lagos. What has been a challenge to us in all the places we visited is suspicion. A consultant with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mr Dan Modebe, said most of the prevalent social vices were done under the influence of drugs.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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hands down the best thing I have ever taken. I feel so potent in bed that I am so sure that I can satisfy three women all at once. To imagine that a few months ago, I never had the energy and reliable erection to do all of this. You are the man. Thank you and keep it up. I am very grateful – Chijoke That is good to hear. The manufacturers of Exploding Thunder also say that it helps control premature ejaculation in addition to giving the user stronger erections and performance stamina. So it must be one hell of a product – Uche I used to masturbate a lot when I was younger. Today when I am with a woman, no matter how long I have sex, I find it difficult to ejaculate. Please what supplement will help me? – Cyril Dear Cyril, this happens to some men. Even though it might seem strange, what happens is that your body has been conditioned to only ejaculate during masturbation based on a habit you formed years ago. It can be repaired but not with a supplement. You basically need to retrain your mind to understand sex as an activity between two human beings. This you need to do with educational books and movies on human sexuality. Visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com for more information or call the numbers here for recommendations – Uche Power Zen is mild and didn’t work well for me but Red Lips Premium is the baba of them all. Powerful stuff. I took Red Lips on Wednesday night last week and it is still working. I feel like having sex ever single minute – John That’s good to hear. Red Lips Premium is the best – Uche The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.comUche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

58 – Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY

30, 2014

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 —59

Syrians debate power shift in Geneva

YRIAN state television said yesterday that the government delegation had announced its willingness to discuss the Geneva communique “paragraph by paragraph” during the so-called Geneva 2 peace talks in Switzerland. “The Syrian government delegation announced its full readiness and since the beginning to put Geneva on the table and discuss it paragraph by paragraph from the first article,” a news bulletin said.

The opposition expressed optimism at the development. “Today we had a positive step forward because for the first time now we are talking about the transitional governing body, to

Nigerian, Four Others Receive U. S. Highest Award For Teachers

HE Dallas Inde pendent School District (ISD) has announced the award of the US highest professional credential known as the National Board Certification 2013 to one of its Nigerian-American teachers Dr. Acho Orabuchi and four oth-

Libya’s deputy PM escapes assassination

IBYA’s state news agency has said that the country’s deputy prime minister, has escaped an

Snowden nominated for Nobel prize OMINATIONS for this year ’s Nobel Peace Prize — whose previous winners include such figures as the late South African President Nelson Mandela, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Barack Obama — close on Saturday, with the winner announced in October. According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s rules, Solhjell and Valen

end dictatorship and end the fighting and the misery in Syria,” opposition delegation spokesman Louay Safi told reporters, adding he hoped for “more progress in the coming days.”

are qualified, as national lawmakers, to make a nomination. The names of each year’s nominees are not revealed until 50 years later. “There is no doubt that the actions of Edward Snowden may have damaged the security interests of several nations in the short term. We do not necessarily condone or support all of his disclosures,” said the statement by Solhjell and Valen.

assassination attempt in Tripoli, the capital. LANA said that Al-Sadik Abdel-Karim was heading to a meeting of the interim parliament on Wednesday when he came under fire from unidentified gunmen. The car was damaged but he survived, the agency said. Officials told the Reuters news agency, however, that the attack happened as he was about to enter the interior ministry, which he also heads. Assassinations and bombings targeting security officials, journalists and others have been regular occurrences in Libya in the two years since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

•US President, Obama

Obama vows to bypass Congress to create jobs

ONGRESSIONAL Republicans swiftly and sharply rejected President Barack Obama’s vow to act on his own if lawmakers won’t help him create jobs and narrow the na-

tion’s yawning income gap, insisting he’ll accomplish little in a divided government without them. “The authority he has doesn’t add up to much for those without

ers. According to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees, Orabuchi along with Rhonda Bliss, Ignacio Javier, Fernandez-Castro and Tiffanye Lockhart Oliver were given the award because of their individual accomplishments in their various fields According to the award committee, the National Board Certification is the highest professional credential in the field of teaching. It is a voluntary process established by the U. S National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), with a certification process involving a rigorous performancebased assessment that takes nearly a year to complete.

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Nigerian South African wives protest discrimination BY UDUMA KALU with agency report

OUTH African women married to Nigerian men have cried out to the South African government that officials of their country ’s ministries describe them prostitutes and their husbands dogs. In a report published by the South African Mail and Guardian, entitled ‘Fighting to love their Nigerian men’ the south African women narrated how her nationals married to Nigerians are discriminated against in their own country. One of the women is the leader of the newly formed United Nigerian Wives in South Africa (Unwisa), a

support group for local women married to Nigerians. The report went thus: ‘Thelma Okoro (née Dee) and Kenneth Sunday Okoro had gone to a home affairs office for a routine interview to have their new marriage officially recognised. Because he was a foreigner, authorities had to satisfy themselves that this was indeed a legitimate couple and not a case of a South African woman accepting cash to help the Nigerian to get South African citizenship by virtue of being married to a local. ‘The interview went swimmingly, until the

matter of the sheet cropped up. “My husband said the sheet was red; and I said it was rust,” said Okoro. “But this is to be expected. Men are generally colour-blind, or imprecise when it comes to colours. But the officials latched on to that. ‘They said the discrepancy in our answers showed that we were not living together, that I had been paid and was being used to facilitate and justify his stay in our country. I was ridiculed and insulted as a gold digger. They said I was helping a foreigner to abuse our system.” ‘One of the officials proceeded to say – in the presence of the Okoros child – that he would

Malawi begins Cashgate of s' trial offfender enders'

trial looking into the biggest financial scandal in Malawi’s history has begun in the capital, Lilongwe. At least 68 prominent figures stand accused of stealing funds in what has been dubbed “Cashgate” by the media. It is estimated that as much as $550m over a 10year period has been lost. A senior Malawian civil servant and two executives on Wednesday became the first of dozens of defendants to go to trial. “The cases have started and I pray that they’ll go fast so that Malawians can finally know what happened,” Information Minister Brown Mpinganjira told the AFP news agency. “We have been looking for answers and the answers can be found through the court proceedings.”President Joyce Banda, who has appointed international investigators to probe the allegations, has said that about 30 percent of the country’s budget could have been looted. So far authorities have tracked $20m in stolen state funds, Mpinganjira said, amid rumours the figure could exceed $550m. Government officials allegedly used a central computer payment system to transfer money to non-existent firms for

•Malawian President Joyce Banda supposed services, then deleted the companies’ information from the system.

Donor countries are withholding millions of dollars in financial aid pending the investigation. Western donors provide about 40 percent of the country’s annual income. “People are awaiting the outcome of this case with great intensity, knowing as they do that in the past cases such as this have simply disappeared,” said Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna, reporting from Lilongwe.

Ukraine’s parliament considers amnesty for protesters

KRAINE’s parliament has held a special session to vote on a bill that could see dozens of anti-government activists freed but protesters in Kiev, the capital, said it would not stop their battle against President Viktor Yanukovich. The debate over the possible new law on Wednesday was seen as an attempt to placate anti-government demonstrators by releasing those detained during two months of increasingly bitter protests. But the opposition has yet to meet conditions

the government has demanded if the bill is to be passed, including that they leave buildings they have occupied. Protesters in Kiev’s Independence Square, some of them manning barricades and calling themselves “fighters”, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that an amnesty would not affect the “spirit of the revolution”. ”We are not here for the amnesty. We are here to get rid of the mafia in the country. It doesn’t really matter whether they release the activists or not. The revolution will continue,” Borgan Kurtiak, an antigovernment said.

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62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Toure to quit Elephants Y

AYA Toure will decide whether to quit international football after the World Cup. Manchester City’s Ivory Coast midfielder wants to bow out for his country on a high and has admitted that if his nation performs well in Brazil then it could be a fitting swansong to a career that has already realised 82 caps. That would be a major boost to City, with the African Cup of Nations scheduled to be staged in Morocco next winter. Toure, who missed crucial parts of the season for City in 2012 and 2013 to play for his country, said: “I will see what happens at the World Cup. It’s a very difficult decision and I want to do it at the right moment. “I am thinking about it, but I haven’t decided when it will happen. “I want to leave with a good name, in a good moment. The generation of players we have has always been regarded as something special, so we all want to give something good to remember.” Ivory Coast have been drawn in a group that includes Japan, Colombia and Greece and, after failing to live up to expectations at the last two tournaments, there will be huge pressure to progress to the knockout stages for the first time. The City talisman thought about quitting international football in 2012, when he missed four crucial weeks, which saw the Blues knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United and lose in the semi-finals of the League Cup to Liverpool. But he found it impossible to walk away when Ivory Coast’s golden generation suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Zambia in the final. Toure, who turns 31 next month, said: “It is very difficult for a player like me to leave his

C M Y K

I LOVE MY COUNTRY — Yaya Toure tackles Ronaldo club at an important time of the season. I don’t feel good about

that. “But I couldn’t walk away because we lost in

the final and it is important to me that when I do stop playing for Ivory Coast, I

leave in a good moment. “I’ve always said I’d stop once I had won

something – and maybe that has brought some bad luck.”

Lasisi threatens Bash Ali’s Guinness World Book of Records’ title fight JOE Lasisi, a former African Boxing Union light heavyweight champion, on Wednesday threw a challenge to fight Bash Ali, for the “Guinness World Book of Records” title fight. Lasisi, 60, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that “Ali should accept my challenge if he really wants to prove he deserves to be in the record book. “I have decided to come out of retirement; I’m fit and ready and Ali should accept my challenge and let us see who is truly Nigeria’s great.” NAN reports that the National Sports Commission on Jan. 7 in Abuja inaugurated a Local Organising Committee for the proposed Bash Ali Guinness World Book of Records title fight. Ali will be 58 on February 27. Lasisi said if Ali accepted his challenge, he

•Bash Ali would remind Nigerians of the “dazzling display ” that earned him his reputation as one of the country’s best boxers. Lasisi was at different times the National, African and Commonwealth light heavyweight boxing champi-

•Joe Lasisi on before he retired. Responding, Ali said he was willing to accept Lasisi’s challenge on the condition that a contract would be signed for “a winner takes all battle.” Ali boasted that he was ready for any opposition, adding that his only concern was that Lasisi could

decide to pull out of the contest. “A fight with Lasisi, two years ago would have been good but he chickened out of it because he was scared. I believe I can conquer any opponent. “Lasisi can come with everything he’s got; I’m

ready for him. But we must sign an agreement before the fight will hold,” Ali said. Ali, a former World Cruiser weight Boxing Champion, said that nothing would stop him from writing his name in the Guinness World Book of Records.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 — 63

Team Nigeria storm Sri Lanka ahead of ICC World Cricket League in Malaysia BY TONY UBANI

Nigerian team of 14 players and five officials are set to storm Malaysia for the 2014 ICC World Cricket League Division 5 which starts from March 4 to March 14. Team Nigeria which shot into global reckoning with its superlative promotion to the World Division 5 are already in camp in Abuja preparing for the Malaysian championship. President of Nigerian Cricket Federation, NCF, Engr Emeka Onyema said yesterday that they would also train in Sri Lanka before storming Malaysia for the big show, The Nigerian National Cricket team gained promotion to the International Cricket Council, ICC, World League Division 5 after placing second at the Division 6 League. The Nigerian team twinkled winning four out of five matches, a performance Engr Onyema described as ‘spectacular’. “We’ve been doing absolutely well gaining promotion to Division 5. And we’re hopeful of yet another splendid performance in Malaysia’’, Onyema excitedly said. Team Nigeria beat highflying teams like Argentina, Kuwait, Bahrain, Vanuatu but got cut short by Jersey. At the World Cricket League Division 5 in Malaysia, Team Nigeria would face challenges from Cayman Islands, Malaysia, Tanzania and one other team that also gained promotion with Nigeria. Aware of the difficult opposition, the Nigerian team would sharpen its reflexes in Sri Lanka. “We’ve gotten to a place where we cannot afford to fumble. If we do well, we will be promoted to Division 4 which is regarded as the Elite Club and the money-spinning stage. The boys are well aware of this and are determined to do better”, Engr Onyema said adding that they would jet

NOGIG 2014: Poor officiating mars Total/ NLNG tie •Total cr y foul after ouster

Still advancing reasons why Nigeria should get a wild card for the World Cup, the NBBF president said, “Our team has a pool of sustainable talent in some of the best basketball leagues around the world that can perform and compete against the best at the highest levels of the game (i.e.the Olympics and the FIBA Basketball World Cup)”.

OOR officiating, which is one of the biggest problems of Nigerian football, yesterday reared its ugly head during the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games preliminary soccer match between defending champions, Total and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. It was the final preliminary match of Group A, which Total needed to win with at least two clear goals to progress automatically for tomorrow’s semifinal at same venue. They had played Nigeria Agip Oil Company 2-2 in their opening match on Monday. NAOC on Tuesday defeated NLNG 1-0, leaving Total with the simple task of beating NLNG with an higher margin than NAOC to pick the first automatic ticket. It looked a simple task but events that unfolded in the one hour the game lasted left a bitter taste in the mouth of Total and fans, who were treated to the worst kind of officiating, that saw the defending champions losing 2-0 and crash out of the tournament.

scored their spot kicks while Uzoneyi was the lone scorer for the Eagles. Solomon Kwanbe, and

Ugona Uzochukwu both missed their penalties, to mark an end to Eagles run while Ghanaian fans went wild in celebrations.

CLEARANCE . . . Manchester United’s Juan Mata ( C) clears the ball ahead of Chelsea players during one of their matches out to Sri Lanka on February 22 and move straight from there to Malaysia.

However, like other sports in their class, they are suffering neglect from the Sports Ministry and

the National Sports Commission, NSC, which have shown glaring bias for football at the detri-

ment of other sports that win medals for the country without release of funds to them.

Basketball: Nigerians expectant as FIBA name wild cards

ITH just two days to the announcement of the four successful bid for the wild cards for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Nigerian basketball family are pregnant with expectations as the Central Board of the world body meets in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday. The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF along

with 15 other federations met the October 30, 2013 deadline for submission of bids for the wild cards for their national teams and NBBF president Tijanni Umar said in an interview in Abuja that the federation expects to be among the successful bids. He stressed that Nigeria’s basketball would be greatly honoured to be the first African side to bag

a wild card for the World Cup following the country’s formidable team’s failure to qualify directly at the 2013 Afrobasket held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Umar argued that the national male team failed in Abidjan “largely due to a depleted roster caused by major injuries and the players are itching to redeem the team’s profile.”

Eagles pay penalty continues from BP convert their penalties. They scored only one of their three spot kicks while Ghana netted four times, to end Coach Stepehn Keshi’s bid to become the first African coach to lead a team to Africa Cup of Nations and African Nations Championship success. In retrospect, the Eagles can only have themselves to blame for their failure as their strikers failed to make the most of the ample opportunities that came their way. They strikers were simply wasteful.

Barnabas Imenger was the worst culprit. Playing against a 10man Ghana team was not enough motivation for them to dim the Stars of theie west African rivals. Ghana’s Kwabena Adusei was sent off by the referee on 63 minutes but the Nigerians failed to press home their oneman advantage in the encounter. Star player, Ejike Uzoenyi tried his best but it was not enough to break down the defence of the Stars, who came into the match with an impressive defensive record of having

conceded just one goal. That record still stands and they fancy their chances of beating Libya in the final. Eagles will confront Zimbabwe in the losers final also on Saturday. It is a mere consolation for a team that showed so much promise but failed to find their range when it mattered most. Ghana were resolute and purposeful last night as they kept the Eagles at bay. They also showed glimpses of a team with a potent attacking power. They were clinical in the execution of the penalties as all their four players

Libya through to final after penalties continues from BP fell to Simba Sithole but the Zimbabwean nodded his effort off target. After the break, neither side were able to find their rhythm and the lone opportunity came seven minutes from the end when Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Mahachi smashed over from inside the box. Extra-time was a cagey affair - in keeping with the

pattern of the pervious 90 minutes - but Libya might have snatched victory when Elmutasem Abushnaf struck a shot between the legs of keeper George Chigova only for the ball to drift wide. Instead, it needed penalties to separate the teams and it took Abdaula to hold his nerve to send Libya through at the third time of asking.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Libya through to final after penalties

IBYA beat Zimbabwe 5-4 in a penalty shootout to clinch a place in the African Nations Championship final. The sides cancelled

Eagles pay penalty ...As 10-man Ghana 'shames' Nigeria S

ATURDAY’S final of the 3 rd African Nations Championship at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa will be between Libya and Ghana, after the Black Stars eliminated the Super Eagles on penalties last night at the Free State Stadium, Mangaung. The two teams emerged victorious in their respective semi final matches in dramatic circumstances. Both matches were resolved through penalties as scores after 120 minutes of gruelling football action ended in goalless draws. Eagles, tipped to qualify for the final, paid the price of failing to

GRITTY. . . Super Eagles’ Abdullahi Shehu ( R ) vies with Black Stars of Ghana’s Samuel Ainooson during their semi final match of the 2014 CHAN in South Africa.

Continues on Page 63

each other out in a goalless 180 minutes, with Zimbabwe having the better of the chances but failing to take them. It took Libya three attempts to win on penalties after missing their fifth and seventh spotkicks after Zimbabwe had fallen behind with misses of their own. But goalkeeper Mohamed Abdaula scored his side’s eighth kick to earn victory. Libya will meet the winner of the semi-final between Ghana and Nigeria, which kicks off at 1830 GMT. Javier Clemente (pictured) took over as Libya boss only in October last year but has already steered them through to a final - although the Spaniard’s side rode their luck a little against Zimbabwe. The Warriors were the first to threaten, Ali Sadiki testing Abdaula with a 25-yard shot that the keeper tipped over the bar. Seven minutes later Libya had a chance to the the lead but Mohamed Ghanudi sent a close-range header wide. The only other noteworthy chance of the half Continues on Page 63

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Grasp (4) 4 Obscure (3) 6 Trouble (4) 9 Untruth (3) 10 Surround (8) 11 Unfortunately (4) 14 Prohibit (3) 16 Pity (5) 19 Bewildered (8) 21 Cut (5) 23 Deluded (8) 24 Penniless (5) 27 Tear (3) 31 Cat-noise (4) 33 Copied (8) 34 Owing (3) 35 Respect (4) 36 Brown (3) 37 Story (4)

DOWN 2 Position (4) 3 Bucket (4) 4 Dead (8) 5 Encounter (4) 6 Fight (5) 7 Sicken (3) 8 Kingdom (5) 12 Deride (5) 13 Fish (5) 14 Coach (3) 15 Not ever (5) 17 Living (5) 18 Avoid (5) 20 Verdict (8) 22 Material (3) 25 Ooze (5) 26 Challenged (5) 28 Droop (4) 29 Woman (4) 30 Tolerate (4) 32 Regret (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Morass 5, Defeat 8, Horrible 9, Shoe 10, Add 12, Messy 15, Day 17, Roe 18, Eke 19, Ace 20, Arena 21, Ale 22, Awn 23, Rat 24, Dud 26, Titan 29, Hid 33, Edit 34, Earliest 35, Propel 36, Dither.

DOWN: 2 Ovoid 3, Airy 4, Sable 5, Dress 6, Fuss 7, Aroma 10, Award 11, Dread 12, Meant 13, Spent 14, Yearn 15, Death 16, Yield 25, Under 27, Ideal 28, Acrid 30, Issue 31, Step 32, Mist.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.