ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS:FG pleads with parents for time

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62133

Detectives grill Nyako over alleged genocide

by FG 9

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Frontline producer, Amaka Igwe, dies at 51 54

BOOK SERIAL What were the horse-trading and compromises Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to get the backing of the minor ‘parties’ and ‘undecided’ for the Action Group? How did the NCNC blow its chance through basic electoral mistakes? Could the outcome of the 1951 Western Region election have been different given the testimony of Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, who observed proceedings at the Western House of Assembly? Flip to pages 38 and 39 for answers.

ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS:

BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE, JOSEPH ERUNKE, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & NDAHI MARAMA

FG pleads with parents for time

A

•Four more girls escape from abductors •Sultan, Awujale ask God to expose sponsors of Boko Haram •It's difficult to rescue all girls — Sen. Zanna •Says girls ferried to Chad, Niger, Cameroon •Agrieved parents storm Abuja; Reps summon CDS, Service Chiefs

BUJA—THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, made a passionate appeal to parents of 234 female students of a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists, to give it more time for rescue operation even as four more girls were said to have escaped from the terrorists’ den.

The government appeal came on a day the Senate called for full scale military campaign

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

The landscape of the law at Nigeria’s centenary •P.24

Will Jonathan go to Sambisa •P.19 forest?

Mr & Mrs

FOR THE ABDUCTED STUDENTS: Mothers of the abducted Chibok school girls weep during a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Confab: Northern delegates want derivation cut to 5% C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

From left: Mr. John Momoh, Chairman, Channels Television; Mr Segun Ogunsanya, MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria; Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State; Mr. Simon Kolawole, CEO, TheCable online newspaper; Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Senator Chris Anyanwu, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor-in-chief Thisday media group, during the unveiling of TheCable newspaper, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS: FG

pleads with parents for time Continues from page 1 against the insurgents, just as the House of Representatives summoned the Chief of Defence Staff and all the Service Chiefs to appear before it and explain how the abducted girls would be rescued.

Also, the senator representing Borno North, Ahmed Zanna claimed, yesterday, that he informed the military as the terrorists were moving the girls from one place to the other but the military failed to act on time.

Parents protest at National Assembly

Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina, while addressing the parents of the abducted girls, who stormed the National Assembly to protest what they described as the insensitivity of the Federal Government to their plight since the abduction of the girls, said concerted efforts were being made by the security forces to secure their release.

The aggrieved parents in black attires and armed with various placards had early in the day staged a peaceful demonstration at the popular Eagle Square before moving to the National Assembly where they

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH Sometimes the word ‘no’ simply means ‘not now, but ask again’. So don’t let rejection stop you. Only when you see failure as final, are you finally a failure.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Let your light shine. Shine within you so that it can shine on someone else. Let your light shine— Oprah Winfrey

S

TAYING true to who you are means going right whenever everyone else goes left, it means leaving a place because you aren’t comfortable while everyone else stays, it means not wearing the same masks that everyone else wears, and showing your face, showing who you really are, while everyone else would rather wear the same masks in order to fit in. Not everyone will like you when you are yourself, but those that do will genuinely like you.

Not only will people like you, but they will like you for who you truly are and everything will become so much easier. Follow your own intuition, and follow what your heart says at all times, no matter what consequences come out of doing this. It is better being who you are than it is to pretend to be someone that you are not. As soon as you discover who you really are, take advantage of this knowledge of yourself and follow your heart!

staged another peaceful demonstration, demanding the immediate intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan for the rescue of their daughters before any harm was done to any of them.

Speaking on behalf of the parents under the umbrella of Kibaku Area Development Association, KADA, Mrs Naomi Mutah lamented that it was “painful that our daughters were carried away into the wilderness over 15 days now like cows to be slaughtered.

Since then, we have not heard any thing from the Federal Government.

“Where are the human rights groups in the country? Where is the Women Affairs Ministry?.

Is there no government in the country? Are there no fathers and mothers in government again to deem it fit to see the parents of the abducted school girls and tell us what is actually happening?

“If our children are dead, where are their corpses? Let us see their corpses. For the past two weeks, nobody has come to us, we are dying in silence, where are members of the international community? We need their assistance.”

The women later presented a letter containing their grievances to the Minister of Women Affairs for onward transmission to President Jonathan which she promised to deliver to him before the close of work, yesterday, because of its importance.

FG pleads for time

The minister, however,

denied the allegations that the Federal Government was not making efforts to rescue the students. She said: “As I speak, all the nation’s security forces are in the forest on the orders of President Jonathan to search for the children and bring them alive within days.

According to the minister, “the President is worried, the First Lady is worried too; we are all worried, we are not security agents, all the security forces have been fully mobilised by the President himself; he is on top of the matter, he has been holding series of meetings with the security chiefs and all the meetings centred on the security challenges we are facing which brought about this abduction”.

The minister, who expressed the optimism that all the efforts being made to locate the children would soon pay off, appealed to the parents of the students to be patient with the government on the matter and as well intensify efforts in prayers for their early release.

Four more girls escape from abductors Meanwhile, four more girls were said to have escaped from captivity and found their way to Monguno area of Borno State, according to sources.

This now brings to 48 the number of girls who have escaped out of the 234 abducted. The source said, the girls were rescued by some good samaritans in a village near Monguno council area last Sunday before they were handed over to security operatives in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Monguno is about 134 kilometres from Maiduguri while Chibok is about 130 kilometres south of the state capital.

According to the source, “four abducted school girls who were smuggled out of Sambisa forest en route Monguno were in the last few days rescued by villagers. In fact, the girls, who looked traumatized and frustrated were sighted around the outskirts of Monguno. Only one of them managed to talk as she said, they were students writing their final year exams in Chibok but were kidnapped by unknown gunmen. She said that when four of them developed serious illnesses while conveying them to unknown destination, they were later abandoned by their captors in the bush, before being rescued by

some villagers”.

The source revealed that, “already, four of the rescued students are under the custody of a female security personnel receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Maiduguri. As soon as their condition gets better, they will be handed over to relevant authorities for onward delivery to their parents”.

When contacted on the development, the Caretaker Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Mr. Ba’ana Lawan said: “ Yes, I also heard that four of the abducted school girls have been rescued in Monguno before handing them over to the security operatives. I was told that they are currently receiving treatment at one of the hospitals in Maiduguri due to the condition they found themselves. I quickly rushed to the hospital to verify such an important information, but I was disappointed as I was not allowed to see or know the whereabouts of the girls by security men and the hospital authorities.

“As you may recall, the last time we received an information that four school girls were rescued and were under the custody of military operatives in Maiduguri, I visited the hospital where they were admitted and was given access to see them; but this time, I was not opportuned. So I cannot be in the position to confirm to you now, until I see the girls. Although, I was told by the security operatives to exercise patience, promising that they will call me in due course over the matter, so as soon as I am called upon, I will let you know the situation of things”, the Council boss said.

Mark urges full scale military campaign against insurgents The Senate President, David Mark, also yesterday in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to

declare full scale military operation against insurgents in the North East.

Mark made the call in an address to welcome senators back from Easter recess.

He said the heightened spate of terrorist attacks and killings carried out by insurgents in the North East amounted to a declaration of war against the country.

He noted that in view of the fact that the insurgents had rejected calls for dialogue, the government should embark on comprehensive military onslaught to stamp out the menace.

“There is no doubt that our nation is at war. The enemy has clearly and unequivocally served the nation notice of its vile intentions. It is obvious that we are dealing with insurgents and wellfunded nihilists who are determined to violently trample upon the secularity of the Nigerian state and destroy the country.

“Therefore, a clear, unambiguous and decisive military response from the government, beyond the imposition of a state of emergency, is urgently required in this circumstance. The full might and strength of our security services must now be deployed to confront this scourge. And this must be done within the shortest possible time frame with minimal casualties,” he said.

Mark also urged the Federal Government to deploy all available resources to not only combat the forces of destruction, but also unmask and punish the sponsors of terrorist groups plundering the country.

He said the campaign would be realised when local communities and other sections of Nigerians give adequate support to the armed forces in their quest to contain the insurgency.

He added: “Our emphasis must, therefore, be on winning the hearts and minds of the communities in the immediate theatres of conflict.

“Government must do Continues page 60

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

57-yr-old vice principal defiles 12-yr-old student

BY GBENGA

ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — A 57-year-old vice -principal of a school, Mr. Taiwo Ajayi, has been caught defiling a 12-year-old student of his school.

According to a police statement in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Ajayi was said to have allegedly committed the offence inside his office at Saint Mary ’s Girls Grammar School, Ikole Ekiti.

According to the police image maker, Mr Victor Babayemi, one of the staff in the school had reported the matter to the police after suspecting the movement of the young girl (names withheld) inside the vice principal’s office.

According to Babayemi, “the witness became apprehensive when the student, after spending a considerable time in the VP's office, did not come out.

"The witness went near the door and discovered it was bolted from behind, she knocked and the movements, sounds and subsequent demeanor of both the suspect and the victim gave them away.”

According to the police image maker, investigation revealed that the suspect had a similar case in the past which was not reported and added that the victim also admitted that the suspect had carnal knowledge of her on his table.

“The report of a medical examination confirmed that the victim's hymen is not intact,” Babayemi said Ajayi was, however, said to have denied the allegation “With the evidence against him, he will soon be arraigned in court for defilement," according to the police.

Deportee, one other arrested with 1.6kg of heroin

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — TWO persons, among them a deportee from India, have been arrested by operatives of the Lagos state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for allegedly being in possession of 1.6kg of heroin.

The suspects, Ogbonna Paul Obioma, 36, an auto parts dealer and Okpoagu Stanley Chijioke, 30, were apprehended at Festac Town, Lagos.

Lagos State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Aliyu Sule, said the suspects were nabbed following a tip-off.

How I was arrested – Suspect

In his confessional statement to the operatives, Chijioke, who was recently deported from India, said he wanted to use the profit from the drug sales to set up a business.

He said: “I was recently deported from India. At present, I am jobless and need to establish myself. My friend in India told me to collect the drug from a lady at Oshodi area of Lagos.

But in the process, we were arrested.

Ogbonna Paul Obioma

The recovered heroin Obioma said: “My friend came

I wanted to make quick to me with the drugs that I money—Suspect should assist in looking for a On his part, Ogbonna Paul

Okpoagu Stanley Chijioke him because he promised to reward me handsomely. My intention was to make quick money.”

buyer. I decided to partner with

Barber docked for sexually harassing neighbour

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS— A BARBER, Olalekan Oyekan, has been arraigned before an Ebute Metta court over alleged sexual harrasement of his neighbour, Wilson Esse.

According to the prosecutor, Sergent Ishola Samuel, the accused's offence is different from what was contained in the charge sheet.

He alleged that it was a case of rape and not sexual touch for which he was arraigned.

He said: "There are typographical errors in the charge sheet. This is a complete case of rape and not sexually touch.”

The charge states: “ That you Olalekan Oyekan on the 5th day of April 2014 at about 1830 hrs at 9, Oluwaseun Street, off Ayanwale Road, Ikotun sexually touched one 24-year-old Mrs

Wilson Esse.”

Counsel to the accused, Mr Emelda Adebambo said the accused was innocent until proven otherwise by the court. He went further to plead for his bail on the ground that ”the defendant has no criminal record.”

However, Mrs M.O. Tanimola granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till May 12.

Trader nabbed for stealing base station equipment

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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AGOS — AN electrical parts dealer in Alaba International market, Chika Ndubusi, has been arrested by the Police for alleged involvement in vandalizsing and stealing telecommunication mast’s batteries and generators.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect was apprehended after police arrested one of his partners in crime simply identified as Emeka, who indicted the suspect during interrogation.

Chika was arrested at Zephas Hotel in Ajagbadi where we went to collect the money from Emeka whom he had earlier lent N4,000.

Chika Ndubusi, 30, told Van-

Chika Ndubusi

guard that he was introduced to robbery by one Lewis, who is currently serving a jail term in Kirikiri prison.

According to him, “we travel to different parts of Nigeria like Kwara, Sagamu along LagosIbadan expressway to carry out these operations.

“I have participated in three operations. But at a point I discovered that the amount Lewis, the leader of the gang, was giving me after each operation was not good enough.

“From the amount I received from the operations, my friend and I decided to buy a tokunbo J5 bus, which we used to transport goods like garri to the north.

“From the first operation, I received N45,000, the second time they gave me N30,000.

Protesters demand Ibori’s release

W

ARRI — A least 7,000 youths and the elderly at the early hours of yesterday protested on the streets of Warri, Delta State, demanding the release of their son, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, by the London Court since they lack evidence against him.

They carried placards with inscriptions: ‘Judge Pitts release Ibori for lack of evidence’; ‘We want our son back’, ‘You cannot keep our Ibori there when you lack

evidence’, ‘Our son is innocent.’

In a chat, one of the leaders of the protesters, Dr. Joseph Eromosere, a media analyst said: “The decision of the London court goes against the grain of legal procedures and ominous because it reinforces the believe in some quarters that Ibori had been targeted for jail by hook or crook by the British authorities for reason yet unknown.”

Eromosere further urged the London court to release

Ibori based on lack of good evidence to prove their case against him, in the case which will be coming up soon Another protester, Chief Gabriel Efeduku, said: “The procedure being adopted by the British court smacks of working from answer to question.

“What further gives us serious thought is that the credibility and the internationally recognised and applauded British judiciary is being showcased to the world as not being above human manipulation.”

After the last operation in Kwara State, where we vandalised several masts, which we sold at Ikeja computer village, I eventually stopped after Lewis had problems.

Mode of operation

"Usually we operate at night.

When we get to each location, we will hide in the bush to monitor the movement of security guard stationed at each mast site. Once we discover the location of security, we then monitor him until he sleeps. Once he sleeps we tie him down before starting the operation.

"At other times we hit the guards with planks to make them unconscious before tying them up and then we use iron cutter to cut and dismantle the mast before taking the battery and generator.

"In each operation we take about 12 to 16 batteries and generators. We sell each of the battery at Computer village in Ikeja for N13, 000.

How I was arrested

"I lent one Emeka N4,000 sometime ago. I was at Alaba market selling when I received a call from Emeka who said I should come to Zephas Hotel at Ajangbadi and collect my money. When I got there, I met Emeka and some Police officers who arrested me."

Vanguard gathered that investigation is on-going to apprehend other members of the gang.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—7

Police disperse protesting ASUP, COEASU, NLC members with water cannon, teargas

By LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA — FORCES deployed by the Federal Government, yesterday, in Abuja used water cannon and teargas to disperse striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, and College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, and their students who took to the streets to protest government’s failure to implement agreements reached with them.

The aggrieved lecturers, who converged on the federal secretariat as early as 9 am, carried placards with such inscriptions

as 'Wike must go now', 'Spend money on tertiary institutions', 'Give priority to teacher’s education in Nigeria', 'Adequate funding, democratic management of all higher institutions’, amongst others.

It would be recalled that ASUP and COEASU had been on strike for the past 10 and four months respectively, over government’s inability to address four outstanding issues, including appointment of governing councils, release of white paper on the visitation panels, implementation of CONTISS 15, and the setting up of the NEEDs committee.

The protesting lecturers, after being addressed by the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, were on their way to the National Assembly to submit their protest letter to President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, unknown to them that security forces had already laid siege for them.

The police dispersed the lecturers and students with water canon and tear gas. Although the lecturers dispersed, they later regrouped but were again dispersed by the security forces.

EFCC arrests 6 over N5.5m bank fraud

Biodun Adebanjo

L

Ademola Okunlola

"The duo reportedly sent Musibau’s photograph and signature specimen to a member of their syndicate who effected the money transfer into two accounts: N4.1 million was moved into

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

AGOS — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, said it had arrested six persons, including two staff of Skye Bank, over an alleged N5.5m fraud.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects identified as Ademola Okunlola, 36; Tajudeen Oluwanisola, 41; Kolawole Adams, 52; Temitope Pedro, 27; Bayo Olowoyo, 39 and Otunba Biodun Adebanjo, 56, were arrested in different parts of Lagos when operatives of the commission received a complaint that the suspects had fraudulently transferred N5.5 million from the account of one Ajani Kareem Musibau, a customer of Skye Bank Plc. Spokesman for the commission, Wilson Uwujeren, who made this known to Vanguard, said the fraudulent transfers took place on March 3, 2014.

He said: "Ademola Okunlola, a staff of Skye Bank, Ikeja Branch, Lagos, set the stage for the scam when he covertly used his camera phone to capture the photograph and signature specimen of

Temitope Pedro

Kolawole Adams

Tajudeen Oluwanisola Musibau.

“He accessed his account and sent the details to another staff of the bank, Bayo Olowoyo, at the Toyin Street, Ikeja branch.

Adebajo B i o d u n Olusola’s account with Wema Bank, Sagamu branch, Ogun State while N1.4 million was moved into another account operated by Te m i t o p e Pedro with Guaranty Trust Bank, Ikeja branch.”

Wilson further stated that the suspects will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Police kill 3 Fulani herdsmen in robbery operation

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA — THREE Fulani herdsmen were, yesterday, killed in a gun battle with the police when they were allegedly caught in the act robbing motorists plying Asaba-Benin highway.

This came barely one week after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State set up a task force to checkmate the movement of

the herdsmen, which he said was posing a security threat.

Addressing newsmen in Asaba, yesterday, the State Police Comand's spokesperson, Celestina Kalu said: Operatives of Special anti-robbery squad (SARS) Asaba received information that hoodlums were sighted in the forest linking Issele-Azagba/Ibusa and Ogwashi-Uku."

The lecturers were seen using water and kerosene to rub their faces to cushion the effect of the tear gas.

In his earlier address, Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, said: “The truth is that we are almost there. I want to reassure you that the Federal Government is doing its best. And I want to assure you that immediately we leave here, I will go with your leaders to discuss and conclude. I cannot discuss with everybody.”

He appealed to them to allow the leaderships of both unions to discuss with him, saying: ”I am happy about the way you conducted yourself; you are not violent, so allow your leaders to discuss with me at the end of the procession.

Before evening, you will get an answer.”

COEASU National President, Asagba Nkoro, said despite the treatment meted out on them by the police, the strike would continue until the Federal Government met all their demands.

According to him, "if you decide to attack us when we are peaceful and unarmed, it is a terrible thing. We are not going to give up, we will still find a way to submit our protest letters at the National Assembly.

If they want to kill us, they should kill us.”

Juju scare in Benue Govt House

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI — THERE was ‘juju’ scare at the Benue State Government House, yesterday morning, when a mysterious clay pot, containing fetish substances was found at the main roundabout leading to the seat of power.

The presence of the strange object caused panic among staff and security personnel attached to the Government House.

Sources at Governent House told Vanguard that the pot was sighted at the spot when workers reported for work as early as 7 am.

The presence of the strange object compelled security operatives stationed at the Government House to be at red alert as they conducted a thorough search on anyone going into the premises.

It was further gathered that the mysterious pot which contained substances suspected to be palm oil, meat and some reddish materials was deposited at the spot during the wee ours of the day.

A Government House official who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the strange object initially scared most of them from going into their offices.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

EDITORS LAB: Practitioners advocate social media coverage of 2015 elections

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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AGOS— JOURNALISTS, web designers and developers from top media houses and the academia, have canvassed for a paradigm shift by utilising new internet applications and social media for effective coverage of the 2015 elections.

The call was made, yesterday, at the two-day Editors Lab Hackdays sponsored by Google and organised by Global Editors Network, GEN, in conjunction with Vanguard Newspapers.

Participants were drawn from from Vanguard, Daily Trust, Leadership, The Nation, The Nigerian Tribune, Channels Television, Television Continental, TVC, Tell newsmagazine, The News, The Sun newspapers, Cool FM, the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, and the Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos, UNILAG.

‘Online journalism is today's media’

While declaring the programme open, Mr. Eze Anaba, Vanguard’s Deputy Editor, said: “Online journalism, many will say, is of the future. But I daresay, without any fear of being immodest, that online journalism is the media of today.

“You cannot be a complete journalist without knowing about the online media. It complements the print media.

Vanguard as a print media, gets firsthand knowledge about stories it publishes from the online media.

“Increasingly, you discover that the online media makes things happen, which the print media follow-up on.

“For example, one of the resource persons talked about the ‘go-and-die’ widow and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, which was first carried by the online media before the print media followed-up with the story.

“Other examples are stories about policemen collecting bribes from motorists. The online media first carry the news before the print media pounce and give it more flesh.

“The online media practitioners have also contributed as part of agents of change. So, it will be apt to say that one cannot be a fantastic newspaper person without engaging in the online media.”

Participants

The participants were taken first-hand on the fundamentals of Google applications such as Google search, display ads,

knowledge panel, modifiers, conversion, Google scholar, Google translate, Google trends, Youtube, Google maps, Google streaming among others, by the duo of Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications & Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa and Mr. Ameth Sokhna from GEN. They were later asked to develop digital tools for journalists with the focus on “New ways to cover elections online and through social media.”

The participants lauded the initiators, while expressing optimism that journalists will effectively report the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, The Nation’s Managing Editor, Online, said: “It has been an interesting session, starting with the Google representatives that have done a lot of presentation on the use of Google beyond ordinary search. It is very informative.”

Dr. Ifeoma Amobi, a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, UNILAG, Akoka, while lauding the initiative, said: “The workshop became imperative as it is a wellknown fact that the audience of the media have today migrated to the Internet.

“Any journalist who wants to be competitive in today’s media world must be technosavvy. He must be efficient in the use of the new media, particularly, the social media because that is where we now have large number of our audience.

Also, Oba Adeoye, a correspondent with TVC, said: “As a TV journalist, you will realise that most times when you go out on the field you need to still package and present what you come back with in form of a report, and this takes a lot of time.

“It takes an hour or two before you write your script, pass it on to the visual editor, before you package the voice and so on.

“However, when you have something that is online, something that is handy and interactive, the media consumers out there can easily relate with, then the job becomes easier for the journalist.

“In order words, as you get the information, the consumer of the information are ready. It is an instantaneous thing and I think this is very good for the Nigerian media practice in

this age.”

Google emphasises elections

While explaining the essence of the two-day event, KolaOgunlade, affirmed that it’s high time media practitioners began to take their knowledge of online media to the next level, especially as 2015 elections draw close.

He said: “As the 2015 general elections approaches, I think it’s high time media practitioners take their knowledge of the online space to the next level because an appreciation of how the internet works is really important to be able to serve the current generation of online savvy Nigerians.

“Current data shows that over 49 percent of Nigerians are online and about 70 percent of them go online to source

for news.

“This training becomes imperative. The media practitioners are not educated enough. They do not have enough appreciation on how the internet works. So there is a problem serving the teeming Nigerians who want news online.”

Vanguard

Explaining the choice for Vanguard as host of the Nigerian maiden edition, KolaOgunlade said: “Vanguard is one of Nigeria’s top online media. Not only is it a reputable brand, it is also one of the most prominent brands online.

“So when the entire conversation started in conjunction with the Global Editors Network, it was an easy decision picking Vanguard.”

The Google West African

spokesperson urged the participants to have an open mind, pointing out that the media terrain is expanding.

He said: “Participants must have an open mind. They must not think ‘this is how they have been doing it’. The essence of training such as this is to get journalists to begin to think out of the box.

“Participants must also be willing to meet new friends from other media organisations and share ideas.

This can be the beginning of greater and much bigger things to come.”

The Editors Lab is a worldwide series of hackdays hosted by some of the world’s leading newsrooms. This edition will conclude in an international two-day final Hackathon at the GEN Summit from June 11 to 13 in Barcelona, Spain.

HACKDAYS: Mr. Ameth Sokhna, Project Manager, Global Editors Network, GEN, (right) addressing participants during GEN's Editors Lab at Vanguard newspapers, yesterday.

Dangote makes CNBC's top 25 tycoons

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

LHAJI Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group and Africa’s richest man, has been ranked one of the 25 people that have had most profound impact on business and finance worldwide by CNBC, a South Africa based broadcast medium.

The ranking by CNBC came barely a week after Dangote was ranked among the 100 most influential personalities in the world by the renowned Time magazine, a leading business broadcast organisation.

Forbes had earlier named him the second most powerful black man, coming only after the United States President,

Barack Obama and the 64th most powerful in the world in the ranking of the movers and shakers of the world.

CNBC ranked Dangote as 23th among the first 25 people who have impacted the business world most since 1989, the year CNBC went live on air.

In the list, Steve Jobs led the pack followed by world richest, Bill Gates.

Others in the list are Ben Bernanke and Alan Greenspan, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Bogle, Larry Ellison, Rupert Murdoch, Jack Welch, Narayana Murthy, Howard Schuldt, Bernard Arnault

and Li Ka-shing.

The rest are Carl Icahn, Meg Whitman, Amancio Ortega, Michael Bloomberg, Sandy Weill, Cher Wang, Martha Stewart and Carlos Slim.

CNBC said: “They have disrupted industries, sparked change and exercised an influence far beyond their own companies.

“As CNBC embarks on its second quarter-century, it faces a world completely altered from when it started.

Then, the Dow was below 2,400, Wal-Mart didn’t make the list of America’s 500 largest companies and there was no World Wide Web. “No dictionary contained the words e-commerce or app and a blog was still archaic slang for a servant boy.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 —9

Jonathan sacks Political Adviser, Gulak

BY SONI DANIEL, HUGO ODIOGOR & BEN AGANDE

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CONFAB: From left— Mr. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; Mr. Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of United Kingdom and Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc., at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, yesterday.

Detectives grill Gov Nyako over genocide allegation against FG

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA— DETECTIVES from force headquarters, yesterday, grilled Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State for four hours at Government House, Yola, over a recent memo he sent to the Northern Governors Forum, NGF, alleging genocide in the North by President Goodluck Jonathan.

This came as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, warned politicians, including serving governors, against inflammatory and divisive statements capable of endangering the peace and security of the nation.

Vanguard gathered that the team of investigators, drawn from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Intelligence Bureau and the IGP monitoring unit, included two Deputy Commissioners of Police, one Assistant Commissioner of Police and two Superintendents of Police.

It was gathered that the interrogation of Nyako, which started at 10am, lasted till 1.30pm and was the first part of the session as the governor is expected to produce a proof of his allegations.

The areas said to have been concentrated on by the detectives were those of the Federal Government’s genocide to reduce the voting populace of the North, allegation of Boko Haram terrorism and the herdsmen attacks and killings which the

governor alleged to be a project pursued by the government for political purposes.

Contacted on the development, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank

Mba, confirmed the visit of the Police team to Adamawa State Government House, but noted that the officers were on a fact-finding visit.

Meanwhile, the IG, in a statement by Mba, stressed

that inflammatory statements were capable of desecrating the national symbol and identity, and promoting a regime of lawlessness, vowing to visit same with sanctions.

Eko, Ikeja DISCOs sack 5,075 workers

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG, AUSTIN OGWUDA, EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

I

NDICATIONS emerged yesterday that the management of Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, have sacked no fewer than 5,075 workers.

A breakdown of the number of the affected workers shows that 2,600 workers had their identity cards withdrawn by Eko Distribution Company, DISCO, while 2,475 were from Ikeja DISCO. An affected worker said: “We are totally confused because we do not know what to do. Our ID cards have been withdrawn without any explanation.’’

However, a senior officer said: “All workers are to submit their ID cards and then re-apply to the DISCOs as new workers.

We will definitely re-engage some, while some would be laid off.”

Labour reacts

Reacting, organised labour dared any of the DISCOs and generation companies, GENCOs, to sack the workers

and face their wrath.

This came as operations of DISCOs and power plants were crippled in Asaba, Warri and Ughelli Delta State council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, led by its Chairman, Williams Akporeha.

Other grievances of labour are perceived de-unionisation of workers by the management of the DISCOs and victimisation of labour leaders by the new investors.

Speaking to Vanguard over the withdrawal of ID cards of over 5,000 workers, General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said the union was expecting a conversion of the temporary employment to full employment in accordance with extant labour law, warning that anything short of that would mean trouble.

He said: “If the DISCOs and GENCOs decide to behave like dictators, we will treat them like dictators. Instead of them to provide power to Nigerians, they are busy chasing shadows.

“If they are not prepared to do business in Nigeria, we will

help them to stay out of business. We have avoided confronting them since November 2013 so that they will not have an alibi for their failure.”

Meanwhile, workers in Warri, led by officials of NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, crippled operations at Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, in Warri.

Augustine Omars of NLC, said: “Before the concessioning, BEDC agreed that all the severed workers would get their dues. But they have refused to keep their part of the bargain after we have made sacrifices to keep ours.

“We have written several letters, but the MD is adamant. They have left us with no option than to picket.

“They promised us severance packages, but today our families are suffering.

Even if it takes 20 years to meet our demands, we will remain here. This is last warning before we go on a solidarity strike.”

In Asaba, Chairman of NLC, Akoreha, led the picketing.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, sacked his Political Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, in an unceremonious manner.

Sources told Vanguard that Gulak’s sacking might not be unconnected with his undue meddling in the affairs of some People’s Democratic Party, PDP, states.

However, Gulak told Vanguard that his leaving the government had nothing to do with the face-off with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Chairman of PDP Governor’s Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

He said that he left the presidency to join the governorship race in Adamawa State, saying “indigenes of Adamawa State are fed up with the misgovernment of Admiral Murtala Nyako, whose accomplishments in office has been very negligible and controversial.”

He said the people of Adamawa have been urging him “to come and contest and the need to give his people the type of leadership that they deserve has come.

“My relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan is very cordial and PDP is functioning as a family. There is no faction among us and our focus is winning 50 percent of the governorship seats in 2015.”

However, a top source told Vanguard that the President had lately become uncomfortable with the activities of his Political Adviser and had to send him packing.

The source pointed out that some governors of PDP had also been kicking against the activities of the former Political Adviser and had asked the President to call him to order for the sake of 2015 elections.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Lagos records 67% budget performance

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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A G O S — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday said the infrastructure deficit in the state would require time to bridge, even as he said the state budget performed 67 percent in the first quarter of its 2014 budget implementation.

It will be recalled that 2014 budget for the state was N489.69 billion into law, aimed at completing the on-going projects, and consolidates on the previous achievements.

Fashola, who spoke after the first quarter budget review, said infrastructure was not provided in a vacuum.

According to him “The general infrastructure deficit in Lagos will take some time to bridge. And one don’t provide infrastructure in a vacuum; it is meant for the people. We haven’t had a population deficit.

So as population is growing, infrastructure development increases.

“That was why we open the right of way for the benefit of the people," the governor said.

Abubakar tasks politicians on security

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—FORMER military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, (rtd)yesterday, urged politicians to shelve politics and unite to address the security challenges facing the country.

This came as Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and other prominent citizens called on all Nigerians to actively participate in the search for solutions to the multifaceted challenges plaguing the country.

Abubakar, who spoke at the inauguration of an online newspaper, named The Cable, at

...Fashola, Anyanwu, others harp on nation building the City Hall, Lagos, said the country needed the support of politicians irrespective of the parties, to tackle the common problems confronting Nigeria.

According to him, “At this moment of our nationhood we are faced with several challenges threatening our quest for a greater tomorrow. We are facing security challenges, as well as the need to reduce the poverty in the land. All of us as Nigerians have a duty to join hands in fighting these challenges. If Nigeria is safe and secure and the quality of life in the country improves, it

Alternative dispute resolution: Judge blames lawyers for failure

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS—A judge of the Lagos State High court, Justice Toyin Ipaye, yesterday blamed lawyers for the failure of the Alternative Dispute Resolution,ADR, in the state.

The judge, who was one of the facilitators at the ongoing legal education programme organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja Branch, said rather than litigants denouncing the application of ADR mechanism to settle disputes, it was the lawyers that were resisting the system.

In her paper titled: “Exploring

is in the benefit of the nation. The singular fight should make us strive to build the country together.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to politicians and to all Nigerians to always put the country first. The politicians in the country should forget their differences when issues of security and stability in the country are at stake. Perhaps, our politicians can learn a lesson from the Americans, whenever there is election, they identify themselves as Republicans and Democrats but as soon as the election is over, they identify themselves as Americans.

Their country’s interest always set precedent over partisan interest.”

Nation building

the mediation window at the Court of Appeal, Magistrates Court, High Court, Family Court, Criminal Court: Prospects,Challenges, Drawbacks,Efficacy”, Ipaye said it was high time for lawyers to embrace the alternative dispute windows.

The programme has as theme: ”Surmounting Professional Challenges through Continuous Legal Education”.

Discussing the topic, however said in most times, the lawyers can be absolved of the blame because they were mostly trained in litigation, the adversarial method of resolving disputes.

Other speakers, who spoke on, “Nigeria at 100: Reflections on the future”, agreed that all sectors of the nations’ economy had critical role to play in the nation building.

Speaking, Governor Fashola said the electorate had a major role to play in deciding the right leadership of the country.

He asked, “Is this where we ought to be in the country? All of the advances we have made in this country, what improvement have we made of those advances? Yes, we can talk about telephone but where are the made in Nigeria telephones? In this competitive world, we must begin to ask ourselves some questions, otherwise we are not taking the right steps.”

The governor, who commended

the initiative of the publisher, said moving from newsprint to digital newspaper publication would redefine the way newspapers were read in the country.

In her contribution, Senator Chris Anyanwu, said the country had made some strides in different spheres of national life, noting “there are a few things that we have to get right. In the communication sector, we have made a quantum leap in the banking sector and something good has happened.”

John Momoh, Chief Executive Officer Channels Television, said “though the country has become a conglomeration of the bad, good and ugly the degree to which the different components are placed define the polity and makes it great.

Also speaking, the publisher of The Cable, Simon Kolawole, said “in this age of anything goes journalism, The Cable is a professionally run newspaper. It is not a blog or an aggregator but a classy newspaper produced by those with the professional expertise. We are not tools in the hands of any political, ethnic, business or religious interest."

Also, present at the launch were Mr. Nduka Obiagbena, Chairman, Thisday media group and Arise Television Network, Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, frontline medical practitioner, Dr. Tunde Soleye, captains of industries and media executives.

Nigerians'll never support removal of fuel subsidy — ASUU

BY OLAAJAYI

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BADAN–THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU said yesterday that Nigerians would never embrace any attempt by the Federal Government to remove fuel subsidy.

The academic union spoke through its national treasurer, Dr Ademola Aremu.

Speaking in a lecture entitled, “Clamour for fuel subsidy removal: In whose interest?”, at the pre-May Day lecture organised by journalists in Oyo State, he said government would not curry the favour of the union until knotty issues

surrounding the petroleum industry were resolved.

According to him, subsidy could not be removed from fuel without tackling other policies and socio-economic issues which could re-ignite the faith of Nigerians in their leaders.

He said, “The starting point of this would be the removal of corruption which has become second nature to oil business in Nigeria, albeit a general characteristic of the business the world over. This could only be achieved through government accountability to its citizens.”

Ademowo charges FG on security

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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AGOS—THE Anglican Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Adebola Ademowo has charged the Federal Government to provide adequate security for the citizens, lamenting the frequency of violent killings, kidnapping and other crimes going on across the country.

Ademowo, who said provision of security was a primary responsibility of the government, tasked the government to tighten security across the nation for the safety of the citizens.

At a briefing to announce the church’s

2nd Session of the 32nd Synod of the diocese schedule for Sunday, 4th to Wednesday, 7th May, 2014 at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina in Lagos with the theme: “Divine Intervention”, the cleric said religious leaders were doing their part to assist government in curbing security challenges confronting the country.

Lamenting the rate of incessant killing in the country, Ademowo described the abduction of secondary school girls in Borno State as barbaric, adding that majority of Nigerians now live in fear.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 201 4 — 11

Boko Haram: Sultan, Aregbesola, others pray against sponsors

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

BYABDULWAHABABDULAH

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RESIDENT, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, his Ogun counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, yesterday prayed to God to expose the sponsors of Boko Haram in the country.

Sultan Abubakar, who spoke alongside other prominent Nigerians at the commissioning of the New Aiyepe Central Mosque at Ijebu-Aiyepe, in Ogun State, said Nigerians had a long history of peaceful co-existence irrespective of tribe and religion.

The Sultan, who insisted that Islam was a religion of peace, wondered how the Boko Haram insurgents were trying to create hatred between Muslims and Christians in the country, saying “It is important to respect another person’s religion. You do not decide who is right or wrong. That should be left for Allah.”

Oba Adetona, who chaired the event, lamented the incessant

O

SUMMIT: From left Professor Alade Fawole, Dept of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Hassan Sunmonu, Chairman of the occassion; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Mr. Abiodun Agboola, National Coordinator, Peoples Welfare League and Dr Wale Bolorunduro, Commissioner for Finance, Osun State at the Osun 2014 Economic Summit organised by Peoples Welfare League held in Osogbo on Tuesday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele killings of innocent Nigerians by the insurgents and prayed to God to bring an end to their activities.

He said, “There is no house or family in the south west that you do not have Muslims and Christians as members of the households and we live in peace.

We do not discriminate because we are brothers.”

On his part, Governor Amosun while urging the insurgents to desist from killings or face the wrath of God, said the gathering which had non-Muslims in attendance, again demonstrated

peaceful co-existence among different faiths.

Similarly, Governor Aregbesola, urged Nigerians to continue to be united and not give in to those who wanted to destroy the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by Nigerians for years.

APC accuses PDP of plotting to rig Ekiti, Osun guber polls He said the PDP had always

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE ...You are only exposing your plans – PDP clamoured for the removal of the

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SOGBO—OSUN State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday raised the alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had developed a new strategy to rig the June 21 and

Osun launches civil servants’ smart identity cards

August 9 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states respectively.

The APC in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi in Osogbo,

alleged that the PDP was planning to hack into the data base of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to corrupt the voters' register and disenfranchise thousands of voters by eliminating their names from the register.

However, the PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Bola Ajao denied the allegation, saying APC was only revealing its plan to rig the election.

state's Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, wondering how the same party that was not pleased with the INEC boss could plan such illicit act with INEC. But Oyatomi alleged that “the PDP members are reported to have accessed the telephone numbers of the voters and are pretending to be calling from INEC’s office in Osogbo that prospective voters should confirm their voters’ cards’ PIN numbers for security purposes.

Ogun attracts $4.3bn investments from 43 companies in 2 years

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State government has attracted up to $4.3 billion investments from 43 companies within the last two years.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Abeokuta yesterday to announce the second edition of the bi-annual Ogun State Investors’ Forum scheduled to come up in May. He said about 43 companies had each invested in excess of $100 million, while a 44th company had just concluded

plan to invest $50 million in the state.

This, according to, was a fallout of the 1st Investors’ Forum held in 2012.

The governor said the focus of this year’s edition was on agriculture and urban development.

Amosun explained that the state chose the two sectors as the focus of the forum because they were interwoven, noting that the state wanted to leverage on its comparative advantage in Agric u l t u r e . ”For us to succeed as a state, we must ask ourselves what we need to do," the governor said.

SOGBO – OSUN State government yesterday launched the state civil servant smart identity card and biometric automation tagged ‘I am Alive.’

The launch, a first of kind in the country, carries the data base of all civil servants in the state and will also serve as credit card, debit card and also serves as staff identification, with their profiles.

During the launch, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in his speech titled: ‘Identifying the Living’, said the civil servant smart card was to further intensify the state’s use of information technology for administrative efficiency.

Aregbesola said the introduction of the smart card would be highly beneficial to both government and the workers in the state.

Police chief harps on community policing to fight crimes

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—THE Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Department of Criminal Investigation in the south west states, Peter Gana yesterday, stressed the need to embrace the concept of community policing to effectively police in the country.

Gana, who addressed stakeholders in security matters in Ogun State at the Police Officers Wives Association Secretariat, Eleweran, Abeokuta, said security should be taken as a collective responsibility.

He however, promised to take up some security challenges raised by some individuals and groups with the police management team in Abuja for possible solutions.

The audience comprised members of the Police Community Relations Committee, security officers of tertiary institutions, manufacturing companies and private schools in the state, owners, managers and community leaders.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Oil spill: Bayelsa community vows to shut oil firm's crude exports W

ARRI—THE people of Agge and its neighbouring communities on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean around Ramos River and its estuaries, mid-stream of Bayelsa and Delta states, have threatened to shut down crude oil export of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company, SEEPCO, if the compensation issue being handled by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, was not urgently resolved.

Chairman of Agge community, Mr. Stephen Fiyepade, who led other members of his executive and a representative of the traditional council to NOSDRA’s zonal office in Warri, Delta State, handed down the warning at a tripartite meeting between the communities, NOSDRA officials and representatives of SEEPCO. The community leaders, who condemned the delay in the payment of compensation following two oil spills in the community in 2013, called on NOSDRA to facilitate the payment

so that the people of Agge and its environs could recover from the huge losses to their sources of livelihood and consistent pollution of their waters from the operations of the company.

The community alleged that all efforts to get the company to pay

the compensation after series of JIVs and damage assessment proved abortive, as the company has continued to find one reason after another to cause delays, including the recent claim that it was awaiting the agency’s final report.

MTN FOUNDATION Y'ELLO DOCTOR: From left: Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof.

Amos Utuama; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, and Commissioner for Health, Delta State, Dr. Joseph Otumara, at the MTN Foundation Y'ello Doctor official flagoff ceremony in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday.

Mid-West Bar Forum slams Agbakoba over stance on next NBA president

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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HE Mid-West Bar Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called on former President of the association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, to stop crying louder than the bereaved, over his stance that it was the turn of the West to produce the next president of the association. The Forum insisted that the core West and Mid-West make up the West.

Chief David Omaghomi, the Government and Community Affairs Manager, Marine Operations for Sterling Oil, in a chat, explained that his company complied with all global best practices options available to them at the time.

Agbakoba had, in a statement, on Monday, said that it was the turn of the West, which translates to the core West, to produce the next president of the NBA to the exclusion of the MidWest, as he called for the zoning adopted by the association to be respected.

However, Mid-West Bar in a statement by its chairman, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, expressed shock over the source of the story: We would not want to be-

lieve that the letter under reference was indeed written by Agbakoba.

Our disbelief stems from the fact that at a meeting in March, 2012 to address the legitimate demands and aspiration of the Midwest Bar Forum for the NBA presidential slot, Agbakoba submitted a written position wherein he clearly stated that for the purpose of the zoning of the NBA presidency, both the MidWest Bar Forum and Egbe Amofin belong to the West..."

Delta journalist alleges threat to life

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JOURNALIST and publisher of Delta Guide Newspaper, Prince Orhomonokpaye, has alleged that his life was in danger, saying that he was trailed by unknown persons last Saturday.

He said that no fewer than seven gunmen trailed him to his office and residence, the second time so far.

Speaking in Sapele, Delta State, yesterday, he noted that those who arrested him recently over the report he published may be connected with the latest attempt.

He said: “Yesterday, I received a phone call with an unknown number from some persons demanding to know my whereabout. This was after they had gone to look for me at my residence.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 13

Edo APC crisis: Ize-Iyamu, Jonathan, Anenih in secret meeting

BY HENRY UMORU

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GGRIEVED chieftains of Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, met with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Led by former South-South Vice Chairman and leader of APC in the state, Chief IzeIyamu, the APC leaders, drawn from the three senatorial districts, met briefly with the President at the Presidential Villa, where they were said to have consulted with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national leader.

A source at the meeting rebuffed claims that they went to negotiate their defection to the PDP. “It has not come to divorce yet,” one of the leaders present at the meeting told Vanguard.

The aggrieved APC leaders met with the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

Chief Anenih was said to have entertained them, informing them that they were not new to him having worked closely with them in the past before

their defection to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Also in the team that visited the President and Anenih, were the pioneer state chairman of the defunct ACN, Chief Tony Omogahe; APC leader in Edo

South, Chief Amos Osunbor, the Eson of Benin; Edo North APC leader, Alhaji Usman Shagadi, among others.

Confirming the visit by the APC leaders and plans to dump the APC for PDP, Chairman, Edo State PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke with Vanguard de-

scribed the move as homecoming and a welcome development, adding that in recent times, PDP has successfully carried out a smooth sensitisation programme, noting that the APC government had been disconnected from the people.

Confusion trails APC's congress in Delta ...as Erue emerges Chairman

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA & FESTUS AHON

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SABA—PROPHET Jones Erue has emerged Delta State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, amidst bickering from some members of the party.

The election was held amidst tight security on Saturday at a church premises on the BeninAsaba-Onitsha highway in Asaba, and progressed into the early hours of Sunday.

Vanguard gathered that at the end of counting, the interim state chairman, Prophet Erue, was declared winner after polling 825 votes to defeat his runner up,

Prince Ikpama, who got 18 votes, while the other two contestants, Major Isaac Adueshi (rtd) and Chief Adolo OkotieEboh scored zero vote, while 89 votes were voided.

Speaking on the development, Prophet Erue, said: “The election is a good omen for the party in the state. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will definitely be in the opposition after the 2015 general elections.”

However, a chieftain of the party, Mr. Ameachi Ogbonna, described the congress as a sham, saying: "There was no congress. We did not know the venue of the congress till about 12 noon on the date of the said

congress.

“We are going to exhaust all the laid down mechanisms of the party to address the injustice after which we will consider the next line of action.

As far as we are concerned, there were no ward, local government and state congresses in Delta State.”

Another chieftain of the party, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, said: “No one can say there was no congress. The congress held on April 26. Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC was there represented by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC and other officials to monitor and report on the congress."

Utuama to grace book launch in Warri

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ELTA State deputy governor Pro. Amos Utuama, is to grace the public presentation of a book marking the 70th birthday of Chief Ono Sorhue on May 3, in Udu Local Government Area of the state.

Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Minister for Information, is Chairman of the occasion, while Royal Fathers of the day are the Ovie of Udu and the Okobaro of the Ughievwen Kingdom.

The celebration will also feature the launch of two books authored by the celebrant Chief Ono Sorhue. The book will be reviewed by Dr. John Aregbode and Dr. Patrick Chuke. The chief launcher is Chief John Oguma the Udu of Olomu Kingdom.

According to the celebrant's wife, Felicia, the occasion is also to thank God for keeping her husband these 70 years.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Imo govt goes after fleeing contractors

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — IMO State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has set up a State Central Recovery Committee in a bid to save the corporate image of his administration to recover all funds paid contractors handling government projects.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at Government House, Owerri, Okorocha made it clear that the main function of the committee was to recover the fund given to contractors who abandoned projects or to ensure they completed such projects.

Okorocha recalled that during his tour of local governments recently, he discovered that most rural road projects were abandoned by contractors.

APC congress produces 3 factions

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — EBONYI State congress of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was, yesterday, conducted in confusion as three factions held separate congresses at different locations.

While one of the factions held its congress at Abakaliki Stadium where Elder Sam Igwe emerged the chairman and Ebere Bernard, secretary; another held its congress in front of the stadium, where Mr. Patrick Igwe emerged the chairman and Prince Chima Oti, secretary.

The third faction’s congress was still being conducted at the party secretariat at the time of filing this report..

A few hours to the conduct of the congresses, no fewer than 500 members of the APC in the state embarked on peaceful protest against the leadership of the state congress committee over alleged fraudulent activities and biases in the conduct of the congresses.

The protesters accused the state chairman of the committee, Mrs. Ndu Adenisi, and her team of not following the specified guidelines and falsifying results of the congresses.

A chieftain of the party, Elder Sam Igwe, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, accused the committee of acting to destabilize the party.

Helicopter mistakenly lands in Enugu Govt House ...crew detained

BY TONY EDIKE

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HELICOPTER that mis takenly landed at Governor’s Lodge of Enugu Government House at about 11am yesterday was detained for alleged

security breach.

Pilot of the helicopter and other members of his crew whose number could not be immediately ascertained, are also being detained inside Government House.

Vanguard learnt that the helicopter mistook the Government House for the State House of Assembly complex from where the pilot was meant to convey the corpse of a deceased member of old Anambra State House of As-

sembly, Sir Andrew Umeoji A security aide to Governor Sullivan Chime confirmed that the helicopter was still inside the lodge by press time, while preliminary investigations were being conducted.

Ok o: Our Igw e snubbed me when I ask ed about m Oko: Igwe asked myy son — victim's father

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Chief of Army Staff and copied to President Goodluck Jonathan, the senate and the House of Representatives, crying for help and demanding justice.

In an emotion Bladen speech yesterday at Oko, Pa Anyaene said he was becoming more confused each passing day as he does not know what has happened to his son.

He told Vanguard: "When this incident happened, I called Igwe Laz Ekwueme on phone. When he picked the call, I asked if he knew the whereabout of my son who was shot by soldiers. He hung up on me and since then, he has neither returned the call, nor sent

BY PETER OKUTU anybody to find out what BAKALIKI — EBONYI State House of happened."

According to Anyaene, Assembly has suspended its deputy who works in the security speaker, Chief Blaise Orji, the member repredepartment of the Federal senting Afikpo South West constituency, Mr.

WKA — MR. Linus Anyaene, the father of Mr. Chidozie Anyaene, who has been missing since April 19, 2014 when he was allegedly shot while he was in masquerade attire by soldiers, lamented, yesterday, that the traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, said to have invited the soldiers, has not asked after the victim.

Pa Anyaene has also petitioned the

2015: Ebonyi suspends Deputy Speaker, 2 others

A

Eni Uduma Chima and his Ohaukwu North counterpart, Mr. Frank Onwe, for alleged acts capable of causing disaffection in the running of affairs of the state.

Moving the motion for their suspension under matter of urgent public importance, the Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Izzi East constituency, Mr. Francis Nwifuru said the deputy speaker, Onwe and Chima should be suspended for acts he described as detrimental to the developmental drive of the present administration.

Seconding the motion, the member representing Ikwo South constituency, Mr. Chike Ogiji, condemned the actions of the three members, adding that anybody found trying to cause disaffection between the state executive and other organs of government would be shown the way out.

Seek redress for marginalisation, Okorocha tells S/E confab delegates

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — IMO State Governor, Chief Roch as Okorocha, has charged South East Confab delegates to work in harmony and use the opportunity to seek redress for decades of marginalisation of the geo-political zone “Such areas include seeking additional state, accelerated industrial development, adequate political representation and ecological management,” Okorocha said.

He warned that people of the South East would view the participation of their delegates a waste if they failed to achieve these objectives.

“Let me warn that our people will not be happy if you fail to address these key issues. The current marginalization of the region cannot continue and you may be our last hope to bring justice to our people,” Okorocha said.

Polytechnic, Oko, "I had expected our monarch to show some concern because we belong to the same kindred and whenever a misfortune happens to somebody, his other relations usually go to sympathize with the person.

"Since my son got missing, none of our Umunna (kindred) had come here to ask us what happened, which suggests to me that there was something more to it than meets the eye," he said.

He said that his ordeal worsened when he went to the police at Oko to make a statement and was asked to go to Ufuma Police Station, regretting that one of the policemen told him

bluntly that he should bring N100,000 before making entry as the police would use the money to look for his son.

Anyaene stated that if he waited for sometime without reply, he would send reminders because he does not have the capacity to fight constituted authorities.

Meanwhile, part of the letter Anyaene addressed to the COAS and made available to Vanguard read: "My, son, Chidozie Anyaeme of Umuezeokweghe ward, Ezioko village, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra, was a victim of Army shooting at Oko on 19/04/2014."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—15

EDITORS' LAB/VANGUARD HACKDAYS

From Left; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager, Publications/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. John Abayomi, Online Editor, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Ameth Sokhna, Project Manager, Global Editors' Network, and Mr. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Google, Anglophone West Africa, during 'Global Editors' Network, GEN, Editors' Lab and Vanguard Hackdays,' Cross section of participants. at Vanguard head office, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gb. adamosi

Dr. Ifeoma Amobi and Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndusika, both of Mass Comm Dept, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

C M Y K

From left, Temitope Falade, Kehinde Haastrup, both of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos; Ameth Sokhna, Global Editors Network, and Oliseh Kelikume, Pan Atlantic University

From left, Olagunju David, Ajayi Gboyega, and Seyi Gesinde, all of Nigerian Tribune Newspapers.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

N1 0bn je opping Maduek e’s pr obe N10bn jett scandal: Cour Courtt denies st stopping Madueke’s probe

…summons House of Reps to appear May 5

A

BUJA — JUSTICE Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, denied granting an interim injunction that stopped the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives from investigating the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, over allegation that she spent N10 billion on chartered private jets.

This was even as the embattled Minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, told the court that they never

served such restraining order on either the House of Reps or the Hon. Solomon Olamilekan led probe Committee.

It will be recalled that the House Committee had suspended its original plans to commence investigation into the matter last Monday, saying it was served with a copy of a restraining order from the High Court.

The restraining order was said to have emanated from a suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/295/2014 which was entered before the Federal High Court on April 11, 2014, by both the Minister and

the NNPC. However, at the resumed sitting on the matter, yesterday, the presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed, said he never made such order, saying he only directed both the National Assembly and the House of Reps, who were listed as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit, to appear and show cause why he should not stop the probe as the plaintiffs prayed him to do.

The Judge said it was unfortunate that the House of Reps, which relied on a nonexistent order and claimed that it was stopped from carrying out its

oversight function by the court, failed to enter appearance in the matter yesterday.

Consequently, he directed

the House to appear before him on May 5 to explain the origin of the restraining order it said was issued by the court.

Ano ther tterr err orist gr oup Another errorist group link ed with Bok o Haram linked Boko disco discovvered

BY WOLE MOSADOMI & UMAR YUSUF

A

NOTHER SUSPECTED terror ist Islamic sect with link to the Boko Haram sect has been uncovered in Bida, Niger State.

Already, the state government has set up a two-man committee with the mandate to identify the sect members and flush them out of the state.

State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who made this known in Minna, the state capital yesterday, said the government had already set up a committee to investigate the activities of the suspects and report back to him within three days to enable government take an urgent step on the matter.

This was even as gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kubla Village in Madagali Local Government area of Adamawa State killing eight people and burning two churches, among other private houses.

Some residents of the affected village who fled the

area said that they were attacked by the terrorists on Monday night.

Some residents of the affected village who fled the area said that they were attacked by the terrorists on Monday night. ”I cannot actually say how many people were killed but I saw about six dead bodies being evacuated,” one of the residents who identified himself as Heldia Apogu said.

Another resident claimed that some houses were also attacked by the gunmen who took some men hostage. ”I saw some people crying saying that their relations had been taken hostage by the gunmen,” the resident who preferred anonymity said.

However, Aliyu said, “The state government is acting on security report given by the League of Imams in the state and this led to the setting up of the two man committee to investigate the report as a matter of urgency. “

Enugu House holds valedict or or lat e aledictor oryy session ffor late ex-dep speak er speaker

T

HE ENUGU State House of Assembly yesterday held a valedictory session for the former Deputy Speaker of the House, Honourble Linus Ali who would be buried Friday in his country home, Onicha, Enugu- EnuguEzike in Igboeze North Local Government Area.

Pouring encomiums on the late legislator, the Speaker, EugeneOdo described his former colleague as a courageous man who stood out when it mattered most, stressing that he contributed immensely not only towards the development of the people of his EnuguEzike Community, but to the Enugu State and Nigeria in general.

Odo said, “When the issue of this nature comes up, it makes us sober. It reminds us that someday we shall be in this state. This is a death for mourning and not celebration.”

Various speakers at the session agreed that the late Ali was one of the John the Baptists of the Assembly, recalling that he was one of the major actors in the legislative house between 1999 and 2003.

“Although Hon Ali lived a short life but his life was a glorious one as he died a natural death. He was a courageous man who laid his life for justice, equity and fair-play,” they added.

The lawmakers, however, called on Governor Sullivan Chime to pay the withheld salaries and entitlements of their late colleague while he was in assembly as a way of reducing the suffering of the deceased widow and her children.

The eldest son of the deceased, Ikechukwu, who was in tears thanked the lawmakers for giving his father the great of honour, urging them not to abandon the family.

V anguard, WEDNESD AY, APRIL 30, 2014— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDA

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 A SEARCHLIGHT on fish importers by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has revealed the prevalence of bad fish in the cold rooms and markets. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, weeks ago, had undertaken unscheduled visits to cold-rooms and storage facilities in Lagos, only to uncover large-scale sales of spoilt fish to the unsuspecting public. Of three major outfits visited, only one was found to be operating according to industry guidelines.

Other inspections led to the discovery of 3,020 cartons or 60.5 metric tonnes of contaminated fish in a foreign-owned company on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and 4,738 or 95.7 tonnes of rotten fish in a company with Nigerian connection in Lagos. The Federal Government has since embarked on massive destruction of such fish once discovered, while the law enforcement agencies have been

Rotten Fish Galore mobilised to bring the perpetrators to book.

How long would the checks last?

Something is terribly wrong if it takes a ministerial visit to uncover the sale of contaminated fish. How often would the Minister make the visits? Can he possibly visit the whole country? What has happened to the numerous agencies at the ports that should ensure importation of wholesome products?

How did the fish escape quality control tests at the ports? Where have the health authorities been operating? The surroundings of some of these companies stink from

bad fish. Hardly any training is required to fish out the culprits, many of who throw away their rotten products close to their surroundings.

Another possibility is that the fish went bad in the cold rooms.

Companies battling with the rising costs of producing their own electricity, elected to put the lives of the public at risk to recover their investment. Their cases should not be treated lightly.

Many consumers have been complaining of the prevalence of bad imported fish.

The relevant departments and agencies of the state and federal

governments should re-double their efforts and ensure that the prevalence of unwholesome products is halted. Businesses should have regard for the health of consumers and the larger interest of Nigeria. The foreign domination of the sector with consistent reports of violations of domestic and international laws on over-fishing are other causes for concern.

It is time the relevant organisations enlisted the partnership of the consumers to alert the nearest law enforcement agencies once the well-known signs of decay are noticed in fish. These include sunken eyes and softness when a finger is pressed on the fish. It is well established that consumption of unwholesome fish can result in deadly food poisoning. It is also cited as a source of cancer.

Risks from unwholesome food products are too high to be treated with levity.

OPINION

BY KENNETH IMANSUANGBON

P

RESENTLY, our country seems to be at crossroad. This is not the first time or the second and definitely may not be the last, because human lives just like every other thing is synonymous with change and challenges. They are inevitable and certain.

Before now, Nigerians have witnessed many leadership, socio-economic and security challenges, and had always overcome them, thereby keeping the country together for more than 100 years. The present security challenges confronting the country predate the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is also a common knowledge that terrorism is now a global challenge that must be dealt with headlong and collectively for it knows no boundary, religion or party affiliation.

The present terrorism challenge in Nigeria is not different from what has happened and still happening in different parts of the world.

For the fact that Nigeria’s case is now restricted to some Northeastern states is a confirmation of the tremendous efforts of the security agents, the people and government of the country in combating the menace. One wonders what the situation would have been by now, if the insurgents have succeeded in taking over the whole country and plunge it into deep crisis. May be that would have been the end of the country called Nigeria, God forbid. Whether we like it or not, be it South, North, East or West, Christian or Muslim, Nigeria is our country and will remain ours. The task or burden of building the country, especially at this critical moment demands

Nigerians and the task of nation building comprehensive involvement and collaboration between the leaders and the led.

We cannot run away from it or abdicate responsibilities because of the enormous challenges, unless we say we have collectively failed as a people. Solutions or panacea to the country’s problems must be eclectic, collective and committed. All hand must be on deck because the success or failure of the country has direct and great impact on all Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora. Lest we forget, no place is like home and charity begins at home.

In trying to find solutions to our problems, we should be mindful and inspired by the likes of T. Joseph Benziger, the editor of the online Dynamic Youth Magazine who says that commitment never allows us to lose sight of our target. It is the battery that gives power to all types of activities. That is why it is considered most important for individuals and organisations as well. Without the help of committed employees no organisational goal can be attained. “ Without displaying firm commitment no organisation can earn the goodwill of its customers. If the citizens are not fully committed to nation building, no country can progress and achieve peace and prosperity. This is because hurdles are those impediments which could be removed or overcome, if only we make determined efforts. We should identify the hurdles without wasting time. We should not allow them to discourage us. We should neither

magnify nor minimise them.”

The above statement should be food-forthought for all Nigerians at present. The ongoing blame game over insecurity and killings in the country between politicians and people from different ethnic and political divide at the moment is diversionary, divisive, ill-timed and unpatriotic. It is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. Countries like America, Britain and others have their own fair share of challenges before now, but they collectively and committedly dealt with them, despite their political-cum-sociocultural differences. Till date they have not fully overcome all of them, but they have managed to live together peacefully as a people. President Goodluck Jonathan will not be the president of the country forever, and the country will outlive his administration.

But if Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and religion, continue to be nonchalant about the challenges facing their country now, posterity and history will not judge them well as a people. This is not the time for anybody to sit on the fence, take sides or engage in pedestrian criticisms against any government or individual. It is a time of contribution and sacrifice for nation building. This is also the reason delegates at the ongoing National Conference must be mindful and conscious of what they say or do because Nigerians and the world are watching. If past National Conferences had failed for one reason or the other, the current

mood of the country and the timing of the present Conference demand that it must not fail for any reason.

Delegates to the Conference were chosen based on their merit and the confidence the people had in them, so they should in return justify such confidence by coming out of the Conference with something very progressive, peaceful and developmental for the country.

The delegates should realise that to whom much is given, much is expected, because Nigerians cannot afford to waste another huge taxpayers’ money for another jamboree.

They should know that Nigerians have expressed worry over unguarded and inflammatory utterances of some delegates at the Conference aimed at causing confusion or probably truncating the Conference. Some have even started fanning the embers of discord by calling for the balkanisation of the country into the North/ South, but they fail to realise that no part of the world is insulated from crisis or terrorism. It is just a matter of time. Who told the people of Southern Sudan that they will not have peace today after more a decade of war to secure independence.

So to me, balkanising the country or not is not and may not be the ultimate solution to the country’s problems. Delegates at the Conference must eschew primordial sentiment, ethnic and religious bias and work towards a united country with purposeful leadership and followership that will outlive us all and lay a solid foundation for a new Nigeria of great hope and prosperity.

*Mr. Imansuangbon, a lawyer, wrote from Virginia, USA.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014— —19

, Will Jonathan go to Sambisa forest?

I

Tis indeed pertinent to ask if President Goodluck Jonathan, the armed forces over which he presides as Commander-in-Chief, and other security agencies, will go after the terrorists that abducted more than 200 teenage girls into their hideout in Sambisa Forest, in Borno State. That question can be posed in another way: Can President Goodluck Jonathan go into Sambisa Forest? The point is that the question of willingness is closely allied to that of capability.

But before one goes on to look at the issue of capability, it is important first to settle that of willingness because that is at the very heart of President Jonathan’s administration’s strategy towards prosecuting our own battle against terror.

From the very beginning when the terror insurgents resurfaced during his administration, President Jonathan had showed himself incapable of rising to the challenge. He lacked the will to take on the terrorists and failed to exercise the power invested in him as president to bring the terrorists to their knee. He was all too tentative, in turns weak and vacillating on what to do. Even

though what he needed to do was clear --crush the rising revolt with one firm and determined blow and thereafter take the initiative from the terrorists- he was clearly unprepared for it. More so, as the Northern oligarchy that lost the election that brought him into office were yet breathing fire and speaking from both sides of the mouth about the dangers posed by the terrorists. It’s no wonder today that he is effusive in his gratitude and showering of praise on Mohammadu Buhari for his belated condemnation of the terrorists.

But lacking both the decision and the decisiveness to act, the President went about making virtue of his weakness by saying he wanted to respect the law and avoid the mistakes of Odi and Zaki Biam. But the criminalities that prompted the military outrage of Odi or Zaki Biam were not the handiwork of terrorists. Yet, Jonathan blossomed in weakness and continues today to luxuriate under the delusion of respecting the rights of beasts who are neither human nor respectful of the minimum standards of human relations. He dithered way too long

We are all held in Sambisa until the terrorists are destroyed; as a metaphor of our failures and challenges many are the Sambisa and Soka forests in which Nigerians are bound

,

in the pit latrine that flies now swarm around him.

He allowed the sore of intermittent outbursts of hoodlums to fester into the cancer of routine terrorism with international dimensions. Now Nigerians wonder how things got to this point where terror has taken over our land, where school children are shot on their way to sit public examinations and hundreds of teenage school girls are rounded up in their hostels and herded into forests within national territorial spaces known to the ruling authorities. The impunity of terror is spreading fast as was reported in parts of Mushin in Lagos where rival criminal gangs terrorised, robbed and raped residents for many hours without a whimper from the police.

W

hich brings me back to my earlier question- Will Jonathan go into Sambisa Forest, will he, can he effectively deploy the apparatus of state power to take on the terrorists? For his initial lack of initiative, he now has a tough row to hoe. His job has been compounded and he cannot

and must not expect any relief any time soon- not when his thoughts are wholly directed at retaining his tenancy at Aso Villa. His strategy against terror, if he has any, has become too routine to be effective just as the battle his poorly motivated, battle-weary military pretended to be waging against the terrorists has been too much prolonged. You don’t have to be Hannibal, heard of Napoleon, read Sun Tzu or fought alongside Shaka to know nothing good can come out of it. It is a non-starter of a battle. We need not confer the grandeur of war on these boys scout-like skirmishes yet. So let nobody call this a war on terror.

The postponed meeting between the President and the state governors last week confirmed the routing bog into which the response to the reign of terror has fallen into. The much anticipated meeting was an anti-climax as all that came out of it was the same call on the military and the security agencies to work to rescue the abducted school girls. Wonder what comfort this would be to their traumatised families. This confirms my suspicion that the military, personified by Goodluck Jonathan, is not ready for Sambisa. Or they wouldn’t make false military claim on the rescue of the school children or, in fact, got the actual figures of the abducted wrong while going on with their jaded promises of ensuring the end of terror.

Although by their initial silence on, justification of and covert accommodation of the activities of the terrorists, the Northern oligarchy stands complicit in nurturing them, not minding the blame-trading, unreflective letter of Murtala Nyako who appeared to have been sleeping while terrorists prowled his territory. But by playing footsie with them when he ought to have sent hot lead into

Aniomas and zoning: What they must do in 2015 A

GREED, equity is fair, equity is justice. This is the pillar on which those from Delta North have hung their demand for the position of Delta State governor to be given to them. However, fairness and justice demand that proponents of zoning must be told the bitter truth that there has never been zoning in Delta State and never will such be.

Many will argue that Governor James Onanefe Ibori's first term sign-posted the return of democracy in 1999, hence it was an all comers' affair. But considering that some of Ibori's most determined challengers for his second term were people like Cairo Ojougboh and Ned Nwoko from Delta North, Anioma's current argument for zoning is not sincere and falls flat on its face.

If Governor Ibori occupied Government House to take the Urhobo turn, what were Ojougboh, Nwoko and others from Delta North thinking when they ventured into the race to slug it out with Governor Ibori if it was truly the turn of Delta Central?

If we assume Governor Ibori was not a pure beneficiary of zoning, what about his successor — Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who faced serious challenge from Ifeanyi Okowa, Godswill Obielum, Cairo Ojougboh, etc, from Delta North in the PDP primaries in Ogwashi-uku in 2007?

To bury the lies of the existence of a zoning arrangement because it exists only in the minds of Delta North people, let us take a look at those who battled it out against Governor Uduaghan during the re-run election in 2011 from the three senatorial districts to show that if there was truly a binding zoning arrangement, the contestants from Delta North and Central

would not have run against Dr.Uduaghan from Delta South. * Accord Party, AP – Peter Oghenerwogaga (M) and running mate, Akinagun Fedelis E. (M) * African Democratic Congress, ADC – Chief Ngozi Ogbogo (F) and running mate, Michael Akiele (M) *All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP – Chief Veronica Bamutumtu (F) and running mate,Prince Omughele (M). *Citizens Popular Party, CPP – Chief Onokpite Ogbe (M) and running mate, Egho Rossy Arogoghene(M) * Democratic People’s Alliance, DPA – Mr. Emmanuel Mafiana (M) and running mate, Michael A. Sugo (M). * Democratic People’s Party, DPP – Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru (M) and running mate, Fidelis Tilije (M) * Justice Party, JP – Donald Chukwuemeka (Esq) (M) and running mate, Felix Ovogun (M). *Labour Party, LP – Abel Omama O. Edijala (M) and running mate, Obed Onwochie (M). * Movement for the Restoration and Defense of Democracy, MRDD – John O.Aje Boghuku (M) and running mate, Enibashi Michael (M). *National Majority Democratic Party (NMDP) – Okeya Ojamoro (M) and running mate, Dr. Partick Ikenwayo (M). *Peoples Democratic Party, PDP – Dr. Emmanuel E. Uduaghan (M) and running mate, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) (M). *Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA – Mr. Jayu Sumonu Isichei (M) and running mate, Chief Erobuke Alordiah (M). *Peoples Redemption Party, PRP – EgbiniOdafe Emmanuel (M) and running mate, ErhuvieOhuvieOhinoavwoma (JP)(M).

•Republican Party of Nigeria, RPN – Barrister Ovie Augustine Omo – Agege (M) and running mate, Mrs. Carol Chukwudu Mebi Enuha (F).

Note that I did not mention Mr. Peter Okocha from Delta North who spent millions to challenge the election of Governor Uduaghan up to the Supreme Court. So where lies the claim that Delta State has always practised zoning? The likes

,

BY ESE ONAJITE

Qualified Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri and Ijaw sons and daughters are entitled to aspire to be governor of Delta State in 2015; no one should rob them of their inalienable rights in their fatherland

,

of Governor Uduaghan's Chief of Staff, Dr. Festus Okubor, an aspirant from Delta North who said recently that PDP in Delta fully recognises zoning must not drag Delta State into this power rotation madness that can only guarantee mediocrity.

Even if we must accept that there is zoning in the PDP constitution, all discerning minds will quickly agree that it has never been implemented even at the national level as in all occasions since 1999, the party presidential ticket has been contested by aspirants across geo-political zones. Suffice it to say too that the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan made a mess of whatever form of power rotation existed and

their midst and scattered them into the winds, Jonathan can neither escape blame nor responsibility for the terrorists gaining ground.

So entrenched are they now that their enclave in the forest of Sambisa is a no-go area for even the military. The President until recently kept far from the terror zones in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and even travellers in far-flung places like Lagos and Ibadan are now held by the terror of insurgent attacks as was the case a few days ago. This is pure madness, where people can no longer see order or feel the protection of state power.

The terrorists have been lionised beyond measure, their capacity given mythical proportions.

Sambisa is now the metaphor of the forbidden, of the criminalities of the Nigerian society writ large.

Nigeria does have a huge fight ahead of it. Large sections of our society are being brutalized. The enslavement -and I use that word deliberately- of over 200 teenage girls in the 21st century in their fatherland by criminals whose hideout is well-known routs whatever anyone can imagine. We now have 234 more potential terrorists on our hand and for no fault of theirs! The trauma of such enslavement may never be healed.

The exploitation that must go with this enslavement is painful to imagine. That the parents of these hapless youths are alive to witness this and powerless to act is beyond words. The shame is not theirs but of a people that would allow it. We are all held in Sambisa until the terrorists are destroyed. As a metaphor of our failures and challenges many are the Sambisa and Soka forests in which Nigerians are bound. There is the Sambisa of corruption, the Soka of misappropriation, of dereliction of duty and, above all, inept leadership.

the ascension of Aminu Tambuwal Waziri as the Speaker of the National Assembly finally buried the PDP's so-called zoning arrangement. Can the current proponents and advocates of the zoning principles in Delta North see that they have been left behind by the progressive wind of change?

Little wonder former speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, who supported Okowa in 2007, stated clearly that he is not in support of zoning. So too is Senator Okowa himself who said recently that PDP "itself has not come out to speak about zoning", and that power rotation should not be used to determine the next governor of Delta State.

Governor Uduaghan's success at the polls was pure political artistry and mastery of the game by the master himself – James Ibori and not the efforts of any particular tribe. If anyone must be allowed into Government House, it has to be on the basis of qualification, competence and most of all, integrity.

It is foolhardy for Delta North to disturb our peace with ‘equity is fair’, 'Anioma bu Ofu’ and ‘Delta North deserves a chance,’ when they have always contested for the governorship in all past elections. As it was in 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 where everyone, irrespective of their ethnicity and senatorial districts, fought for the governorship position, so shall it be in 2015.

For crying out loud, qualified Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri and Ijaw sons and daughters are entitled to aspire to be governor of Delta State in 2015 and no one should use the toga of equity or Senatorial District to rob them of their inalienable rights in their fatherland. As much as the Delta Igbos want the governorship, so other Deltans deserve to be given the opportunity to run for the position. *Mr. Onajite, a journalist, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Water transport: Why it’s risky, frustrating for passengers in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

L

AGOS has recorded some heart-breaking boat mishaps in recent time, especially in places like Festac Town, Apapa and Lagos Island. The most recent at the Majidun area of Ikorodu sent a 38year-old shipping company executive, Isaac Akere, his wife and about six others to their untimely death.

Following the Ikorodu incident, the Lagos State government had set up an 11-man inter-ministerial committee to ascertain the immediate and remote cause(s) of the boat mishap which is yet to come up with a report.

Earlier tragic incidents had prompted the state *Passengers in a boat at Badore. Photo: Bose Adelaja. government to take various steps in ensuring safety of lives on the State have discouraged them captain looking rather sober. On nowater. An example is the on-going from travelling on water. Others ticing this, I decided to find out what campaign on the use of life jackets blame the incessant traffic snarls on the problem was. This I learnt through as well as deploying staff of the La- most Lagos roads on why they still one of his colleagues to ask him thus gos State Waterways Authority, rely on water transport irrespective in Yoruba: ‘Se eti ri ?’ (have you seen of the astronomical fares.

LASWA, to some jetties. him ?). I was later made to understand A hotelier, Mr. Sola Fatunmibi, This, according to the government, that he went out on test run in a boat was to assist in regulating activities said some of the boats usually de- around 6am of that day, heading for of water transport operators and as velop fault while on water. “Many Falomo, when suddenly one of his well minimise tragic occurrences on of the boats usually develop fault at boys, who did not wear a life jacket the middle of the river; in most cas- fell into the river,” she said. The body water.

Meanwhile, a check by Vanguard es, we spend about 40 minutes on of the unfortunate lad was recovered Metro revealed that boat mishap is the sea while the captain looks for about three days after. presently on the increase across the ways to repair the boat engine,’’ he ‘’Some of the Captains are not convarious jetties on account of some said. versant with the routes. Sometime in A trader in Apapa area, said the January this year, I boarded a boat boat operators paying little or no attention to safety of lives on water. boats usually run out of fuel, thus from Victoria Island which missed its Many of them have failed to im- putting passengers’ lives at a risk. route and we found ourselves inside prove on the business in spite of the “On several occasions, the boats ran the bush. out of fuel. Two ago, our Regulating We ran out of fuel at the middle weeks boat took of from of the sea; we were tossed about Victoria Island the fares on the water until we found our- around 6pm Luckily, one of the passengers used heading for Ikohis cell phone to connect the internet selves at Epe rodu. But to our which gave us our bearing. Imagine shock, we ran out periodic hike in fares, especially at of fuel at the middle of the sea fol- what would have happened if such a peak periods, with the charges rang- lowed by a downpour. We were learned person was not on board,’’ ing between N300 and N800 per trip. tossed about on the water until we said Mr. Chukwuemeka Philips.

To madam Fehintola Adeagbo, govAt various jetties like CMS, Mari- found ourselves at Epe. Fortunateernment needs to regulate the fares na, Ebute-Ero, Majidun, Victoria Is- ly for us, some local fishermen came being charged by the water transport land, Apapa, Lekki, Falomo, Ijede to our rescue and conveyed us back companies. ‘’They charge exorbitant and Badore, to mention but a few, to Ikorodu in their canoes. This was fares of between N300 and N600 most life jackets used are usually around midnight. which they later increased to N800 and sub-standard and dirty, apart from A passenger, Mrs. Anikulapo above, especially during rush hours. passengers having to endure the Adeola, who usually board the boat I spend a minimum of N1,500 daily to disrespect of shabbily dressed oper- at Ebute-ero identified over- load- transport myself,” she said. ators. There was also little or no no- ing as a major challenge in the area.

A boat operator at Badore area who ticeable presence of government of- ‘’Ordinarily, the boats are not sup- did not want his name in print, told ficials at the jetties. posed to carry more than 24 pas- VM that his company had never reDuring VM’s visit to most jetties sengers, but some of them carry corded a mishap because they usully across the State, the situation was the more than that and if one challeng- appease the water goddess. same, as passengers bemoaned the es them, they tell us to go and board Contacted, LASWA Managing Diprevailing situation, saying officials BRT,’’ she informed. rector, Olayinka Marinho, did not reof LASWA and National Inland WaAnother passenger, Madam Tolu- spond to VM’s calls while his federal terways who are expected to regu- wani Ijaodola, shared her recent ex- counterpart, Muazu J. Sambo, said: late such activities have been pay- perience with VM. ‘’I got to one of ‘’Madam, why are you calling me afing lip services to their responsibili- the jetties around 2pm and a boat ter closing hours (6pm)? Of course, ty. A cross section of the passengers belonging to a company (names you know the appropriate authority to said some recent tragic incidents in withheld) was at the dock with the channel your questions to’’.

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The safest means of transportation?

BY EBELE ORAKPO DON’T even know which one is the safest ‘ Ianymore, whether air, land or sea; they are

all dangerous in Nigeria,” noted Phina, a commuter in the Wuse, Abuja-bound bus as the vehicle passed a car accident scene.

“I think air travel is still the safest means,” said Jude. “Please, don’t even go there. Road for me, is still the safest means,” protested Amos. Said Jude: “Let me land first… haba!

Allow me to die before you bury me now . You have not heard my reasons yet.”

“So what are your reasons?” Amos asked.

Chipped in Ken in response to Jude: “May be you have phobia for heights (Acrophobia) just as some people have phobia for water.

Replied Amos: ”I am not, but I still maintain that road is the safest.”

“Why I insist that air is the safest is that there are fewer accidents and fewer dangers in the air than on land. How many road accidents do we have in a year and how many air accidents?

Again, think of Boko Haram guys, armed robbers, kidnappers stopping vehicles on the roads, robbing, kidnapping or killing them,” said Jude.

“Yes, but air accident when it occurs, is always fatal … almost always, there are no survivors unlike road accidents. If a driver is overspeeding, you can tell him to stop and you get down but can you try that in the air?” asked Amos, with an air of triumph.

Number of vehicles “I don’t think the entire aircraft that goes through Nigerian air space is one quarter of the number of vehicles on our roads, so, of course, the frequency of road accidents will be higher.”

“I believe water is safer than both air and land,” said Audu.

“Hmmm, water! I have to comment my reserve,” said,” said Ken. “Comment your reserve? asked Phina confused.”

“Yes, I had wanted to keep quiet but I cannot because of an experience I had. I had gone to Nasarawa State with some people for a programme which ended a bit late and going by road was going to take us a long time. So we were advised to take a canoe and cross over River Benue and from there, take a motorcycle to our destination. I was afraid but I did not know that my colleague was aquaphobic, he is terribly afraid of water. As we approached the middle of the river, you know, when you are neither in heaven nor on earth, the canoe man began to tell us the story of how a canoe capsized at that exact spot the previous week and almost all the occupants drowned. My co-traveller snapped: ‘Enough of this trash my friend!

What’s the matter with you? Will you face what you are doing?’ I was taken aback by the vehemence in his voice,” said Ken. “But the canoe man kolo sha (mentally ill)!

How can you start a story of drowning in the middle of the river?” noted Jude.

“What about the Niger Delta canoe guys who will tell passengers to pay clearly exorbitant fares and anyone who argues with them is told to get down,” said Phina.

“Ehn, I will get down and wait for another one. Wetin,” said Audu.

“In the middle of the ocean? You no fit except you wan commit suicide,” replied Phina.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 21

Massive investment needed to sustain rebased GDP — Experts

From right: Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko; Managing Director, BGL Group/Chairman, Planning Committee, Third Annual National Workshop of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Albert Okumagba, and President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Ariyo Olushekun at 2014 Annual National Workshop of CIS in Abuja.

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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inancial experts have called for massive investment in socio economic infrastructure so as to sustain the rebased gross domestic product (GDP) of the country. They spoke at a finance conference organised

by Lagos Business School (LBS), with the theme, “Resilience of the Nigerian Financial Industry in the Face

of Changing Global Circumstances.”

Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivative Company Limited (FDC), Mr. Bismarck Rewane noted that though rebasing

198.25

-6.5

2,931.00

-14.00

16.96

-0.24

108.22

-1.36

100.97 +0.37 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA

CENTRAL SELLING

154.73 155.23 259.8845 260.7243 213.9606 214.652 175.2917 175.8582 1.5103 1.5152 0.3074 0.3174 239.1355 239.9082 RENMINBI 24.7583 24.8387 RIYA 41.2569 41.3903 KRONA 28.6505 28.7431 SDR 239.6768 240.4513

155.73 261.5641 215.3434 176.4246 1.5201 0.3274 240.681 24.9192 41.5236 28.8357 241.2258

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/04/2014

has made Nigeria the largest economy in Africa, the infrastructure base of the country has not changed in the last 20 years.

He said, “The reality is that the lesson from the GDP

rebasing is like we have just come back from an x-ray.

What the rebasing has done is to tell us much more accurately, what the structure and size of the economy is.

Africa to attract $880bn investment in agric by 2030 — Report T he African Development Bank (AfDB) has said that Africa has potential to attract 880 billion dollars (about N141.7 trillion) investment in agriculture by 2030. This is contained in a report jointly produced by the Agriculture and Agroindustry and Development Research Departments of the bank.

The report said that investment opportunities in agriculture abound in Africa, adding that the continent accounted for about 60 percent of the uncultivated arable land in the world.

According to the report, it is estimated that Africa has the potential to increase the value of its annual agricultural output from 280 billion dollars in 2010 to about 500 billion dollars by 2020 and to 880 billion dollars by 2030.

“Africa’s projected output is expected to impact significantly on its demand for upstream products such as fertiliser, seeds, pesticides and machinery.

“It is also expected to result

in the growth of downstream activities such as bio -fuel production, grain refining and food processing.”

The report further stated that both upstream and

“The infrastructure base in 1990 is probably the same infrastructure base that you have today. The same kilometre of roads we had as at 1990, it is still the same amount of roads tarred today.

Between 1990 and today, only one bridge has been built in Nigeria and that is the LekkiIkoyi bridge. Between 1990 and today, no new refinery has been built. Between 1990 and today, no new port or port rehabilitation has taken place.

Between 1990 and today, not one rail line or rail infrastructure has been built.

Between 1990 and today, we have few scattered IPP power projects. We are still at 3,800 megawatts. So, power, roads, bridges, ports, refineries with 400 universities.”

He advised the government and financial institutions to focus on sectors that would build infrastructure. “The infrastructure gaps are so glaring that you cannot use the infrastructure of a $100 billion GDP economy, to run an economy of $510 billion GDP. If you are 20 years old, you can’t wear trousers of a nine-year old.So the winners are those who invest in infrastructure, institutional, physical and otherwise.”

downstream markets could be valued at up to 275 billion dollars by 2030, if the continent had credible public-private partnerships and sound investment environment. It said that 16 private agents have been engaged in upstream and downstream phases of the agricultural value chain for the transformation of Africa’s agriculture and its economies.

Stringent regulations limit growth of micro-finance banks — Association

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he National Association of Micro Finance Banks (NAMB) has said government’s stringent regulations are limiting the operations and growth of micro finance banks in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Kabir Yar ’Adua, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Central Bank of Nigeria was imposing too strict guidelines on Micro

Finance Banks (MFBs).

“MFBs are one of the most heavily regulated subsectors and I think there should be a limit to these regulations.

“If you look at what an individual promoter is supposed to do before establishing MFB, you will see the extent of the regulations. “ For you to set up MFB, your Managing Director must be an ex-banker and

you must have two other ex-bankers among the board members of the bank. “ You need to employ an IT staff, an Internal Auditor for cheques and balances among other requirements”, he said.

Yar ’Adua explained that MFBs are not allowed to take deposits from any tiers of government or engage in foreign exchange, yet they lend money to civil servants and the general public.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

BRIEF

Texas announces top 10 insurance fraud cases of 2013

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ore than $10.3 million in insurance fraud was identified in criminal cases referred for prosecution by the Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, Fraud Unit in fiscal year 2013. Court-ordered restitution for cases that reached final adjudication during this same period totalled more than $7.5 million. Each year, TDI announces the top 10 insurance fraud cases to raise public awareness of serious crimes that have a direct impact on insurance premiums.

“The amount of insurance fraud committed in Texas is growing and the schemes to make false claims for insurance benefits are becoming more complex,” Texas Insurance Commissioner Julia Rathgeber said. “I would like to thank local prosecutors for their diligent efforts to combat fraud with all of the tools available to them.

Together, we can build a strong line of defence against these crimes.”

Etco rewards staff

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TCO Nigeria Limited, an electrical and mechanical engineering contracting firm, has rewarded no fewer than 55 of its staff that had served the firm for 10 to 40 years.

Speaking at the long service award ceremony held at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, the Executive Director of the firm, Mr. Benson Tugbobo, said the long service award which marks the company’s 50 years of service, was aimed at motivating, encouraging and appreciating ETCO workers, who had dedicated themselves to the firm’s progress.

He said ETCO Group was now a family, which is the reason for the height they had attained with its workers.

Tugbobo said: “Everyone here is happy because the company rewards hard work, diligence and commitment.

“I am pleased to note that our staff do not shy away from challenges and are able to seize the opportunities to seek new and better ways of doing things ensuring that projects are completed on time through self sacrifice, providing good service, using good ideas to ensure smooth operations, going extra mile, using initiative and taking responsibility.”

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Insurance operators must recognise our rights — INSCAN Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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he Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, has called on insurance operators to see claims payment as the right of the insurance consumer and not as a favour.

The National Technical Adviser of INSCAN, Mr. Yemi Soladoye, who made the assertion, stated that the insurance premium does not belong to any insurance company, it is money held in trust for the policy holders.

Soladoye said “We the insurance consumers in Nigeria feel that insurance business is that of collecting money from the shareholders and the policy holders mainly for the benefit of the practitioners or how else would we describe a situation whereby in 2011 the net claims paid to us was N30.7 billion but management expenses was N36.7 billion out of N163 billion generated as gross premium from the general business class.

This is 18 per cent and in fact one of the most ridiculous claims ratios in the world. In some individual company cases the gross claims ratio was as ridiculous as 3.0 per cent. We the consumers are very much aware of the fact that – the insurance premium does not belong to any insurance company, it is money held in trust for the policy holders.”

Soladoye said that a claims ratio of 18 per cent should be a source of concern to any industry that is interested in its future, adding “In most other countries of the world, claim servicing cost alone – provision of replacement car, a l t e r n a t i v e accommodation, cost of investigation, payment for temporary staff, and computer are well over 25 per cent of the gross premium income.”

Soladoye said “According to Ralph Nader and Wesley Smith in their book “Winning the Insurance Game”- “The greatest calamity that can befall a man is to suddenly discover that his so called insurance protection is a worthless piece of paper”.

Research has shown that in any country where the

claims ratio is below 30 per cent, it is either that the premiums charged are too high or claims are not adequately paid. In Nigeria, it appears it is both.

He also charged insurance operators to minimize the claim documentation and investigation process and time. “Stop the practice of requesting for claims documentation piece- meal as a way of buying time. In other countries of the world, insurers have stipulated period on which claim must be paid and at times they conduct their investigation for up to seven years but the claim must be paid promptly.

In Nigeria, our members are made to wait on adjuster ’s report which takes ages to come and who we did not appoint in the first place. The insurers in Nigeria are

protected by Sec. 52 of the NAICOM Act 1997 in case they paid out any fraudulent claim, and hence our members should receive their entitlement at the time they are still in grieve,” Soladoye said. He said that insurers should also pay claims to meet the intended purposes, adding “For the past three years, we have been looking for instances where burial expenses benefit would be paid for its intended purpose and we have not gotten one. Insurance claims especially on life and accident classes are usually classified into payment, reimbursement or capital sum but we do not have such luxury here.

Payment for towing expenses, burial expenses, repatriation expenses all fall within the category of “Payment” and we expect them to be paid for the intended purposes.”

The INSCAN Technical Adviser also tasked insurers to issue their discharge voucher with cheque, stating “The discharge voucher usually issued to our members is confirmation of receipt of payment and then we have cases of death for that matter that took up to 18 months after signing the DV. Henceforth, our members want the payment cheque or evidence of bank transfer at the same time we are made to sign the Discharge Vouchers. In Nigeria today, we are not getting “indemnity” in line with the definition of the underwriters themselves and to make us to sign papers to discharge you of your liability which ends up not discharged up to three months after is to say the least unacceptable irrespective of whatever the law says.”

From left: ED/COO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Samuel Ogbodu; Captain, Ibadan Golf Club, Prince Bayo Adeleke; Hon. Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan & MD/ CEO of Boff & Co. Insurance Brokers, Chief Olatunde Babajide Agbeja at the 2nd Sovereign Trust Insurance

NAICOM board set to deepen insurance penetration

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hairman of the Governing Board of National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has said that he has five strategic goals aimed at moving the insurance industry forward.

Nwuche disclosed this at an interactive session with insurance industry operators held in Lagos recently.

Nwuche said that his leadership will focus on deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria, strengthen insurance institution, enhance the commission’s regulatory capacity and oversight, effective management of stakeholders’ expectation and optimize revenue collection and effective management of resources He said that in addition to ongoing efforts to facilitate compliance with the laws on compulsory insurance, the governing board is committed in ensuring the successful implementation of financial inclusion initiatives such as the microinsurance and takaful insurance.

He added that the board will ensure adequate level of capital and ensure effective implementation of the risk framework for insurance institutions.

In his remarks, Chairman of Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, Mr. Remi Olowude called for the immediate review of 2003 Insurance Act. According to Olowude, most of the laws governing insurance business operation have become obsolete and completely out of tune with the prevailing circumstances.

He noted that if the insurance industry is to contribute positively to the nation’s Gross Domestic products there is need for the laws governing insurance to be reviewed.

He also frowned at the non-inclusion of the insurance industry in the bailout plan of federal government, noting that the federal government bailed out the banking sector, Stockbrokers and aviation sector but left the insurance industry which happens to be the risk bearer of the any economy.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 23

BRIEFS

Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

Aon reports first quarter 2014 results

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he Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, has charged the federal government to stop further encroachment on the business of insurance.

Chairman of NIA, Mr. Remi Olowude, who gave the charge noted that there is a recent encroachment move on insurance business by government agencies, which try to provide insurance protection to aviation passengers and public liability for nuclear risks.

He also stated that the Nuclear Agency wants to establish fund for nuclear damage insurance, instead of seeking conventional insurance cover for the risks which are covered in international insurance market Olowude said, “The Federal Government in 2007 divested its interest in insurance business when it sold NICON and Nigeria Re, on the understanding that such concerns are better managed by the private sector. But ironically, the same Government extracted workmen’s compensation insurance business and transferred it to Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, as Employee Compensation Scheme. In similar vein, the Federal Government split pension business between insurance industry and PFA’s, assigning the chunk of the business to National Pension Commission, PenCom and Pension Fund Operators, PFAs; while it also moved health insurance from the insurance industry to National Health Insurance

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President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Ayodapo Shoderu (2nd left); Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Lead Consultant of Netherwoods Consulting (2nd right); Mr. Fatai Adegbenro, Executive Secretary of the NCRIB (right) and and Mr Egwu Kenneth who represented the National Insurance Commission after the commencement of IFRS training for Registered Insurance Brokers in Lagos.

NIA cautions govt on encroachment into insurance business Scheme, NHIS.” “It is an open secret that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, under the Ministry of Aviation, is planning to establish insurance fund for aviation passengers’ liability,” Olowude said.

According to him, all over the world, aviation passengers’ liability is subject to international conventions and the risks are covered by conventional insurance policies; Nigeria cannot be

an exception. According to Olowude, there is need for government patronage of insurance services and the need for prompt payment of premium as well.

He said, “Government and its agencies have been paying lip service to the importance and benefits of insurance, without serious patronage and support. There is hardly sufficient budget provision for payment of insurance premium by government and its agencies. Therefore, when

insurance services are patronized, payment of the premium becomes an issue, a clear negation of the provisions of the law on “No premium, No cover ”. Some government parastatals or enterprises are funded without allocation for insurance. Many insurance policies contracted by the MDAs in the past were not renewed, thus leaving the assets exposed to risk, damage and losses without insurance protection.”

Insurance claims: Over N2bn settled through NAICOM’s intervention T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, said it successfully facilitated claims payment of over N2 billion in 2013. In a statement, NAICOM said the move is in line with its continuing efforts at ensuring adequate protection of policyholders and insurance consumers over settlement of genuine insurance claims.

Accordingly, the Commission said it received a total of 193 complaints from various facets of the economy, ranging from the insuring public, insurance companies, insurance intermediaries and legal practitioners.

According to NAICOM, a total of 61 complaints were successfully resolved in 2013 and this was achieved through correspondences, adjudication meetings and direct contact with the insurance companies. The settled cases amounted to N2, 236,700,113.92.

Some of the settled cases included Crystalife Assurance Federal Medical Center Owo Group life N7,795,980.00; Lasaco Int’l Insurance Brokers Fire n33,949,709.39; NEM Insurance

Dominion SBJ Elite trust Insurance Brokers N1,041,622.20; Niger Insurance Fair Plus int’l limited Motor Vehicle N5,745,100.00; NICON Insurance Dr. Olanrewaju Vehicle N560,075.34; Union Assurance Okeke Udochukwu Maturity Benefit N542,075.34; Leadway Assurance Plc NURTW Motor vehicle N397,290.00; Equity Assurance NURTW Motor vehicle N48,780.00; STACO Insurance NURTW Motor vehicle N397,290.00; AIICO Insurance Young Bourdillon Ditimiya Motor vehicle N1,200,000.00; Unity Kapital Aura Loss Adjusters Non payment of fees N128,440.90; Crystalife & Capital Express Bauchi State Government Group Life N214,113,484.84; IGI Mr. Ogun Michael Life policy N361,061.00; N14 Law Union & Rock Charles Mekwunye & Co. Motor N752,142.86; Standard Alliance Pastor Ayo Oluwatosin Motor N3,304,800.00; Sovereign Trust Opeba Company Nig. No payment of fees N2,000,000.00; Oceanic Insurance Express Discount House Motor N2,078,800.00; Aiico Insurance Kayode Isaac Ogunola

N2,342,300.00; Aiico Insurance Samuel Salako N311,000.00; Mayfair Insurance Brokers Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc Non remittance of premium N2,000,000.00; ADIC Insurance Burglary Hennadis Nigeria & Co Burglary N4,261,624.23; Standard Alliance Umeneri Emmanuel Emeka Maturity benefits N354,516.20; A&G Engr. O. Oyelola Maturity benefits N685,325.71; IGI Dr. Umoru Benjamin Motor N540,000.00; AIICO Insurance Plc Upper Room Theft N6259,843.86; Finsurance Plc Odengene Air shuttle service Limited (part payment) Aviation N60,154,223.98; Standard Alliance Afro Asia Garden Fire N705,173.99; Standard Alliance Engr.

Olufemi Falano Maturity benefit; AIICO Insurance Co. Emmanuel Dunu Nonpayment of Commission N50,000.00; Mutual Benefit Ojeifoh Okosun Maturity Benefit N844,204.42; AIICO Insurance co Olaniyi Temitayo N52,000.00; Guinea Insurance Standwell Int’l Co. Nonpayment of Commission N500,000.00; Finsurance Top quality Fire N66,133,400.00; Linkage Insurance & Royal exchange Top quality Fire N66,133,400.00; Linkage Mr. Akinbami Motor vehicle N33,066,700.

ON plc reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net income attributable to Aon shareholders was $325 million, or $1.06 per share, compared to $261 million, or $0.82 per share, for the prior year quarter. Net income per share attributable to Aon shareholders, adjusted for certain items, and increased 15% to $1.28, compared to $1.11 in the prior year quarter. Certain items that impacted first quarter results and comparisons with the prior year quarter are detailed in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures - Operating Income and Diluted Earnings per Share” on page 12 of this press release.

“Our first quarter results reflect a solid start to the year with double-digit earnings growth, highlighted by strong performance across Risk Solutions and effective capital management,” said Greg Case, president and chief executive officer. “We are returning a record amount of capital to shareholders, highlighted by the repurchase of $600 million of ordinary shares in the quarter and the recently declared 43% increase in our quarterly cash dividend.”

Oil spill ravages Benikrukru community in Delta

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IL spill is reported to have ravaged the Benikrukru Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, with a call on the National Oil Spill Detection and Respond Agency, (NOSDRA) to compel Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, to rescue the community.

The Chairman of Benikrukru community, Mr. Victor Eseimieghan, told newsmen in Warri, last week that the oil spill occurred on April 13, 2014, adding that all efforts to get Chevron, operator of the facility in the area, to clean up the spill proved abortive.

He claimed that no fewer than 500 barrels of oil were spilled and implored NOSDRA to wade into the matter.

He said, “An oil spill from Chevron facility is currently ravaging our community. The location of the facility is Abeteye-Escravos 18” pipeline at Saghara II creek in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta. Our fishermen and women have been rendered jobless and Chevron has refused to act on the matter since a Joint Investigation, JIV was conducted.”

24 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

The landscape of the law at Nigeria’s centenary

‘WEF’ll e xpose oppor tunities expose opportunities in Nigerian econom y’ economy’

BY WILLIAMJIMOH

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head of the World Economic Forum in Africa holding in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, has said that the forum will help to expose many opportunities that exist in Nigerian economy. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Mrs. David-Borha, said the forum will provide a unique platform to scrutinize ongoing reforms in critical sectors of Nigeria’s economy with a view to strengthening policies and efforts to engender sustainable development in Africa’s most populous nation.

She used the opportunity of the conference to express Stanbic IBTC’s unwavering support to the ongoing reforms in the power sector that would eventually lead to the development of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs in the country. David-Borha added that development of the SMEs would lead to the growth of the entire economy as most of the SMEs, which are not listed or represented on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, would eventually seek listing on the Exchange as they grow and become profitable.

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he further said that the global forum’s theme, ‘Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs,’ finds synergy with Stanbic IBTC’s strategic objective of building a franchise that will help individuals, C M Y K

organisations and businesses to achieve their goals.

Specifically referring to Nigeria, which is hosting the yearly forum for the first time since its inception 24 years ago, David-Borha said Stanbic IBTC recognises the huge potentials that exist in the country and enjoined all stakeholders to see the forum as a platform to showcase Nigeria’s endowments to a global

audience.

“That we identify with the ideals of the World Economic Forum and its hosting by Nigeria is yet another demonstration of our commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development. This is in turn founded on our deep belief in the country and its massive developmental potential. This forum will help focus attention on opportunities in Nigeria’s economy,” she stated.

Access Bank wins CSR award A

CCESS Bank has been adjudged the best Nigerian company in corporate citizenship in the first ever competitive index on corporate social responsibility in Nigeria by CSR-in-Action, a registered social enterprise devoted to the advancement of social ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance in Nigeria.

In the Corporate Citizenship Index (3Cindex) released by the organisation, a total of 117 private sector companies ranked in the report were assessed using six ranking pillars: Human Right, AntiCorruption, Community Investment, Economic, Labour and Reporting which reflect how companies are functioning in these areas of development.

On a scale of 100 percent, Access Bank scored 83.3 percent on Millennium

Development Goals focus areas to emerge the best Nigerian organisation in corporate citizenship. To emerge the best company, Access Bank outperformed Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Exxon Mobil, GT Bank and Procter and Gamble (P&G) in the top five category.

CSR-in-Action noted that it is no surprise that Access Bank scored in the highest in targeted community investment, especially on MDG focus areas with a score of 83.3 percent, a comment which is a tacit acknowledgement of the bank’s pioneering role in sustainability on the African continent.

Speaking on the bank’s performance, its Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, said: “At Access Bank, we have set for ourselves the ambitious target of becoming the world’s most respected African Bank.

ersons not versed in legal matters often wonder as to why there is great difficulty in the prosecution of criminal complaints against persons alleged to be responsible for the mismanagement of some banks in which the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened as well as against persons alleged to have made away with huge sums of money belonging to the government. The public perception is that persons who are alleged to have committed relatively minor offences are readily brought to trial and that the ideals of moral justice, fairness and equal treatment before the law for all are being abandoned.

However, the true position is that criminal procedure in the

With respect to the banking sector, the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, provides under Duties of Banks, Sections 16 to 20, for the procedures to be adhered to in the grant of advances and loans by banks. In the situation in which these procedures have not been followed and the loans and advances have to be recovered, recovery is usually by criminal prosecution of charges against the bank officials as indicated

by BOFIA. BOFIA should be amended to provide for civil recovery processes as primary means of recovery. Criminal prosecution should be retained for situations where it is

,

From left: Managing Director, Investment Banking, UBA Capital Plc, Wale Shonibare; Acting Director General, National Pensions Commission, Chinelo Ahonu-Amazu; Group Chief Executive Officer, Oluwatoyin Sanni, UBA Capital Plc; Managing Director, UBA Capital Asset Management, Modupe Mujota, and Managing Director, UBA Capital Securities, Jude Chiemeka at the UBA Capital Plc’s investors’ forum, in Lagos.

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courts allow the It appears that a defendant in a criminal prosecution to constitutional apply for the charges amendment should be against him or her to be quashed before used to adopt the commencement of a position of Lagos State trial. The Supreme Court has set law for the Federal standards for the High Court and the quashing of charges against a defendant High Courts in the without a trial of the states defendant in Ikomi vs.

State (1986) 3 NWLR 340 and Abacha vs.

State 11 NWLR 437. When the obvious that a bank’s business defendant applies for the charges is not being conducted in an against him or her to be quashed, appropriate moral climate.

There are far too many the request would be first killings currently being determined by the High Court and reported which killings should which ever way the decision goes, ordinarily be the subject of the application would be further criminal investigations.

In brought before the Court of Appeal some instances, the killings and subsequently before the Supreme Court. The effect is that are being used to secure the defendant’s trial would not property rights but the killings start for a number of years and only are being described as arising after a Supreme Court decision to from communal clashes. Our the effect that the charges against social contract requires that we should account for each person the defendant should be tried.

The laws of Lagos State do not at any point in time and if allow for any appeal from a someone is killed unlawfully, criminal matter to hold up we should bring to justice the proceedings and a criminal person or persons responsible prosecution in Lagos State should for the death. Before our proceed until the judgement is independence in 1960, there given and after which judgement were one or two spectacular there could be an appeal. It murder trials that caught the appears that a constitutional attention of the public given amendment should be used to the manner in which the cases adopt the position of Lagos State were investigated. We would law for the Federal High Court and get the population behind law the High Courts in the states. It is enforcement if we are not good public policy to allow committed to securing the life persons who are alleged to have and property of each person mismanaged the resources in the and if when the laws are banking sector or in government broken, the state is committed providing credible to walk away from the allegations to brought against them before the protection for any witnesses that would assist in securing courts without a trial. a conviction of the offenders.

,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 25

DIARY zTelecom CEM World Congress 2014 April 2014, Venue TBC, London zHong Kong ICT Expo 13 – 16 April 2014 Hong Kong. z Cards & payment Asia holds in Singapore 23-24 April 2014. zTransport Networks for Mobile Operators 2014 13 – 14 May 2014 London.

•Eugene Juwah

•Chris-Uwaje

•Leo-Stan-Ekeh

•Austin Okere

•Ernest Ndukwe

zCritical Communications World 27-29 May 2014 BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

DNA nanodevice capable of evading the body’s immune defenses Researchers from Harvard University ’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a cloaked DNA nanodevice capable of evading the body ’s immune defenses. The design was inspired by real world viruses and could be used to diagnose cancer and better target treatments to specific areas of tissue.

The researchers used a method known as “DNA origami” to construct the nanoscale device. This method involves folding a long strand of DNA into three-dimensional shapes and programming them to carry molecular instructions to specific cells.

I N S I D E

•Tadesse Bekele

As technology gets solid footing…

Behold the beacons of Nigerian ICT industry

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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he common talk around the coun try now is that there is no economy without Information and Communications Technology, ICT. The support which this sector gives to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP and growing activities to

Microsoft finally completes Nokia acquisition

keep it oily, can never be over emphasised.

However, there are beacons, human and material, upon which this solid sector rests.

And as the drums rolled out in their celebration, at the weekend, in Lagos, it was an emotion laden Saturday Night.

The organizers of the Beacon of ICT awards, said the night was for

recognising the toils of great Nigerians who have suffered to keep the country ’s Information and Communications Technology, ICT industry in its present solid footing.

The award which held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, drew prominent and notable Nigerians out of their quiet zones, to a

rare night of celebration.

However, when events unfolded, it turned out to be well deserved, as citations for the awardees drew emotions from old horses in the game and gave encouragement to future industry leaders. Leading the pack of the awardees was the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications

ISO certification has put Nigeria on world map — NIMC

Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah , whose commission was adjudged Regulator of the year.

Juwah, who was represented by the Director Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Tony Ojobo, was credited to have managed the affairs of the NCC so well and carved out a brand cum template, from the commission, on which other African and indeed all emerging markets base their regulatory policies.

NCC, according to the organizers has shaped the Nigerian ICT industry, turned it into a money spinner and mainstay of the economy as well as initiating and creating new business models like the broadband sector, the infrastructure companies, InfraCo among others. These initiatives would ensure continued sustenance of Foreign Direct Investment, FDI inflow into the industry.

The commission was

Continues on page 28

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Microsoft finally completes Nokia acquisition STORIES BY EMEKA AGINAM

T

he suspense is over!

The long wait to see Nokia dissolve into Microsoft has finally ended as Microsoft at the weekend, announced it has completed acquisition of the Nokia mobile and devices division. The deal allows the two companies to come together as one to deliver a family of devices and services that will delight

A

ware of the under rep resentation of women in viable careers and sectors, the Federal Government of Nigeria, has launched a gender based budgeting initiative known as the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria (GWIN), to drive the economic and social inclusion of the female population of Nigeria.

GWIN is being implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Finance, Communication Technology, Agriculture, Water Resources, Health, Works and Women Affairs. Each Ministry receives extra-budgetary finance to develop and/or expand initiatives that catalyse the potential of Nigerian women.

The Ministry of Communication Technology, is empowering women and girls through specific technology initiatives.

These initiatives include the-ICT Girls Clubs, collaboration with a private sector IT entity to train 1000 girls, and the SmartWoman Nigeria project.

Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson said that considering that women and girls make up approximately 50% of Nigeria’s population, the Federal Government’s intervention is geared at empowering women both socially and economically via ICTs with a view to reducing the technology gender divide.

But after a close monitoring of the 10th batch of the training session of about fifty girls in ICT training last week at the Huawei’s office in Lagos, there were convincing signals that the capacity building program would unlock girls’ potentials through Information Communication Technology.

The three day training programme for 50 girls per session is part of the ongoing training of 1,000 girls in ICT,

consumers and empower businesses.

Already, the acquisition has been approved by Nokia shareholders and governmental regulatory agencies around the world.

Completion of the acquisition marks the first step in bringing these two organizations together as one team. As part of the transaction, Microsoft will honor all existing Nokia customer warranties for existing devices.

Reacting on the new development, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, said: “we welcome the Nokia devices and services business to our family. The mobile capabilities and assets they bring will advance our transformation.

“Together with our partners, we remain focused on delivering innovation more rapidly in our mobile-first, cloudfirst world.”

With the deal finally done,former Nokia President

and CEO Stephen Elop, will serve as Executive Vice President of the Microsoft devices group, overseeing an expanded devices business that includes Lumia smartphones and tablets, Nokia mobile phones, Xbox hardware, Surface, Perceptive Pixel (PPI) products and accessories. He

1,000 girls in ICT to correct imbalance in Nigeria ICT adoption

Group of ICT girls in training with the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson a capacity building program launched late last year by the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in partnership with Huawei, a global leader in Information Communication Technology to empower girls with ICT skills, improve their employability thereby increasing their interest in pursuing careers in ICT. Commenting on the programme, the Vice- President of Huawei West Africa, Mr. Hover Gao said that about 200 top participants out of the 1,000 girls will get further training for the attainment of a certification as Huawei Certified Datacom Associate (HCDA). He added that top achievers with Huawei HCDA certification will have the priority-access to be employed

by Huawei.

At the launch of the 1000 ICT Girls training last year, Mrs Omobola Johnson had said that ICT has the transforming power to accelerate the development of women by helping them to be more effi-

cient and effective in their jobs, careers and businesses.

According to her, ICT also has the potential to significantly contribute to increasing the social welfare of women.

Meanwhile, the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, has applauded Nigeria for this initiative, saying that the training when fully completed would correct the imbalance in ICT adoption and appropriation among men and women.

ITU estimates a skill shortfall of over 2 million ICT jobs in the coming years, but quickly added that girls and young women who learn coding, apps development and computer science will be wellplaced to enter a career in ICTs, leading to their economic empowerment.

Some of the beneficiaries of the programme who spoke to Hi-Tech expressed confidence that with the quality of training they were receiving, the women would soon give men a run for their place in ICT.

One of them, a student of Urban and Regional Panning from the University of Lagos, Oladimeji Omobolariwa, stated that “this training really opened my eyes. It has exposed me to the basics ICTs

will also report to Nadella.

Microsoft will now inherit personnel with deep industry experience in more than 130 sites across 50 countries worldwide, including several factories that design, develop, manufacture, market and sell a broad portfolio of innovative smart devices and services.

especially on telecommunication and networking. The training is beyond basic computer appreciation. I thank the Communications Technology ministry and Huawei for giving me the opportunity for this training. The training will give me an edge over my colleagues. It is time girls get involved in ICTs, it should not be for men alone” Another beneficiary of the training, Olowolede Iretiola, corroborated the earlier speaker, adding that “the training is a step in the right direction. It has really exposed me to the basic knowledge on telecommunication, GSM, computer appreciation.

The training has made me to be digitally included. I thank the Federal Government and Huawei for this opportunity.

I urge every Nigerian girl to be part of digital inclusion in the knowledge economy. It is a way to leverage on the opportunities in ICTs” she added. One of the tutors for the training, Umar Biliyaminu said that the training will prepare the participants for global competitiveness.

ASUS increases market share with COSCHARIS partnership

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ORLD No. 3 consumer note book vendor, ASUS, recently officially announced partnership with COSCHARIS Technologies, one of the largest IT distributors in Africa.

The partnership with COSCHARIS opens up the door for more possibilities and accessibility of ASUS products for the Nigerian users with the bid to increasing it’s market share.

Mr. Simplice Zaongo Country Product Manager of ASUS Nigeria, said "this partnership with a re-

liable indigenous company like COSCHARIS Technologies is in line with our business strategy, which is to increase our reach-out in the channel and make our incredible products accessible to more Nigerians.

Meanwhile, Managing Director, COSCHARIS Technologies Limited, Mr. Mukoro Emomine, said that it was amazing to see that the products brought in got exhausted at the point of clearing at the airport which we credit to the quality, pricing and 2years warranty on the ASUS products.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 27

Inlaks holds feedback forum, recognises customers

BY RICHARD UDOFIA

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From left: DG NIMC, Mr Chris Onyemenam; Chairman, Technical Board Committee NIMC, Alhaji Mohammed Ukashatu; MD/CEO Digital Jewels, Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa; representative of British Standards Institute (BSI), Mr. Shahm Barhom and Director IT Identity Database NIMC, Aliyu Aziz at the presentation of ISO/IEC 27001 Certificate to NIMC.

ISO certification has put Nigeria on world map — NIMC

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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he National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, says the award of International Organization for Standardization ISO 27001:2005 certification to the commission at the weekend has put Nigeria on the global map. The Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Barr. Chris Onyemenam disclosed this in Abuja.

Barrister Onyemenam said, with the ISO certification of NIMC, Nigeria has joined the global community in doing things the right way.

He said that the certification followed the successful conclusion of an inspection audit by independent auditors

appointed by British Standards Institute, BSI, having complied with global standards by its guidelines and standards. Sequel to this, The NIMC boss said the commission has concluded plans to commence the issuance of the National Identity Number across the country, promising to cross the two million mark

by December 2014 as given to them by the President.

The International Organization for Standardization ISO 27001:2005 certification followed the successful conclusion of an inspection audit by independent auditors appointed by the BSI for this purpose.

On the ISO certification, Barr. Onyenemerem said, the certification was an affirmation that NIMC is doing the right

thing based on global best practices. “What we guarantee is a single version of truth concerning the identity of the individual. What I have promised is systems that can enable you assert your identity that can be put to any use, whatever institutional use apart from identity affirmation will be worked out between us and the institution that wants to use it,” he said.

The NIMC boss explained that the certification was done to ensure that the integrity of the NIMS infrastructure especially as it concerns the National Identity Database, NID is not compromised.

According to him, the ISO 27001:2005 certification formally specifies a management system that brings information security under explicit management control.

NCS trades ideas with FG on Nigeria’s digital future

BY EMEKA AGINAM

H

ow best to advance the country’s digital future for social and economic growth was top on the agenda when the leadership of the Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, recently visited the Chairman House Committee on ICT, Engr.

Ibrahim Shehu Gusau and other relevant stakeholders in the industry.

During the visit, the NCS President, Prof. David Adewumi said that, “We’re not being shy to say we feel strongly about the lack of professional representation in decision making in critical sectors, absence of follow-through as well as the digitally excluded.”

NCS, according to him was dedicated to ensuring sustain-

able technology impact and development that make a real difference to the lives and future of Nigerians.

Also at separate visits to SystemSpecs CEO, John Obaro and Precise Financial Systems MD, Yele Okeremi, the NCS President said that despite some recent achievements and improvements in the digital landscape in Nigeria, the country needs to do more to sustain those achievements According to him, the role of technology is vital in empowering citizens economically and socially and laying the foundations for sustainable development. “However, talk is cheap. We have had more discussions on technology than ever before. But NCS is concerned that there is too much

talking without walking the talk. Digital Inclusion is still a challenge that can’t be covered up by empty sloganeering.

Technology must transform people’s lives” he noted.

For him, words will not secure or advance Nigeria’s digital future, adding that the visits and NCS’s upcoming conference were organized to sensitize stakeholders on the need to start embracing individual and organizational responsibility for technological growth that creates a better, brighter future for the nation. “NCS is walking the talk through inclusive dialogue and strategic initiatives, dropping the prevailing analogue mentality in leadership, starts with the mainstreaming of technology into all vital practices and programs.

ANAGING Director of Inlaks Computers, Mr Femi Adeoti, last week advised business executives in the country to adopt feedback mechanism as a way of assessing service standards of their businesses to the public. Adeoti spoke at the Quarterly Customer Relationship and Feedback Forum held by the company in Lagos recently to recognize its customers for their outstanding patronage.

Represented by Mr. Tunji Agbaje, an Executive Director, Adeoti said that apart from recognizing customers, the interactive forum was aimed at enabling the company to review its service delivery efficiency with its customers and obtain feedback on its performance. He emphasized the importance of feedback in improving the company ’s service delivery and enhancing its customers’

business through innovative solutions and support services.

He further explained that the forum which started in 2013 is a quarterly convergence of Inlaks’ numerous customers in Nigeria and is designed to take evaluation from its customers. He noted that “Feedback is essential for continuous optimum support and improvements in service delivery; it increases our customer base and a way of recognizing our customers who have given us good business,” he added.

Participants at the forum included all banks in the financial industry, many big players in the Oil & Gas, Telecoms and Manufacturing sectors. During the interactive session,some of the customers commended Inlaks for acting on feedback from the previous forum by providing solutions for issues raised.

CBN, ChamsAccess advocate shared technology for instant issuance of payment cards

BY RICHARD UDOFIA

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O retain and attract new card holders, increase activation rates, as well as card programme profitability, deposit money banks in the country have been advised to take advantage of financial instant issuance solution. This was the view of experts at the Datacard-ChamsAccess Financial Instant Issuance Seminar for deposit money banks, switch operators and certified card issuers in the country.

Speaking at the Seminar, Chidi Umeano, Director, Shared Services Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), represented by Babatunde Ajiboye, Deputy Manager, Shared Services Office, described financial instant issuance as the next frontier for payment cards in the banking industry. He stated that banks in developing and advanced financial markets are presently deploying the instant issuance solution to position their brands for future advancements in the fast paced payment cards ecosystem.

In deploying Instant Issuance solution in the Nigerian market, Umeano urged banks to consider the Shared Service Centre approach which entails integrating the solution with an existing central infrastructure in the market.

He said this will ensure the existence of a fully interoperable and streamlined process at the backend and points of issuance thereby strengthening the existing relationships between issuers, payments schemes and other value chain players.

On her part, Funke Alomoluwa, Managing Director, ChamsAccess Limited said “The contemporary consumer want banks to offer great, convenient and secure products and services that align with their lifestyle.

Instant Issuance of payment cards provide deposit money banks with a real opportunity to respond to this ubiquitous yearning. The solution makes it possible for new and existing customers of banks to walk into their branch to pick up a fully-functioning debit/credit card with exceptional security features in a few minutes. This will indeed delight the contemporary consumer.

“For the banks, Instant Issuance has huge benefits too. These include improved customer experience, reduced costs, and increased profitability. Available statistics from prior deployments

by Datacard Group in other markets indicate that banks using Instant Issuance solution record higher debit/credit cards activation rates than banks that do not.

Instant Issuance creates opportunities for banks to increase payment cards activation rates, customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as profitability.”

Paul Ballington, Financial Instant Issuance Sales Manager, EMEA, Datacard Group and lead facilitator at the seminar described CardWizard Financial Instant Issuance Solution by Datacard as the world’s best selling software in its segment with full PCI PA-DSS compliance, about 7500 installations worldwide.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Behold the beacons of Nigerian ICT industry Continues from page 25 said to be well deserving of the award, having primed its activities in a way that Nigeria is always mistakenly regarded as a regulatory economy, despite the fact that many other regulators, both in the banking, environment, business and promotions, food and drugs among other sectors are there.

No wonder, a noticeably elated Ojobo, after receiving the awardonbehalfofNCC,dedicated the award to the board andmanagementofthecommissionwhoputtheirpersonalpleasuresontheline,working at odd hours, to ensure Nigeria’s flag flies high in the worldtelecomregulatoryreckoning. He promised that the award would spur NCC, its board and management, to continue pursuing policies that would ensure every Nigeriantelecomsubscribergets equal value for his or her subscription.

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lso on the roll call of awardees as Beacons of Nigeria ICT, included Dr Chris Uwaje, Chief Leo-Stan Ekeh, Mr Bekele Tadesse who were crowned for their life time Achievements in the sector;Engr.DrErnestNdukwe and Mr Austin Okere ,whocartedawayBroadband Champion and Man of the Year awards respectively.

The stories and achievements of these awardees also became a lecture every upcoming industry practitioner was happy to hear. Uwaje, popularly known as the oracleoftheNigerianICTindustry, is highly regarded for his die-hard stance on generating and protecting indigenousITcompanies,localsoftware and other contents.

It was Uwaje who singularly pioneered the conceptualization framework and content drafting strategy for

the establishment of National Information Technology Development Policy for Nigeria. Since then, Uwaje had taken his crusade to many ICT fora across the globe as leader of many local and international ICT groups, including recently, the presidency of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON. As the award plaque touched his hands, Uwaje declaredthatthestrugglecontinues until no nation talks ICT without Nigeria on her mind.

Another Long Time Achievementawardee,Chief Leo-Stan Ekeh, an entrepreneurial and business Czar alsoenjoyedenviablecitation.

Accordingtotheorganisers, Ekeh in 2001, led a team of tested IT technocrats with a combined experience of over 128 years in different continentstoestablishAfrica’smost integratedICTfirm,theZinox Technologies Ltd. Meanwhile, even as this company risked into the uncharted terrain of computer production in West Africa, Ekeh had Nigeria in mind andexpresseditdebutinghis Zinoxbrandwiththefirstever Nigerian internationally certifiedbrandedcomputerswith the Naira keyboard.

The company is also credited with strong research and developmentbackbone.

Ekeh’s life time Achievement, included developing a variety of uncommon products that are internationally certifiedandenoughlocaland international capacities to supportfutureexpansionand structured growth in other digital solutions areas other than computer manufacturing.

The most interesting thing about the other Life Time Achiever, Mr Tadesse Bekele wasthefactthat heisnoteven a Nigerian. For an Ethopian, the passion that exudes from

Bekele in growing the Nigerian ICT sector is unprecedented.

CurrentlytheManagingDirector and country representative,CeragonNetworks,Nigeria and Ghana, Bekele in early 2000s as CEO of then Reltel Wireless, stunned Nigeriansbyhismassmarketapproach to disposing his Reltel hand held devices.

AsagainsttheoverN50,000 marketpriceofhandhelddevices at the time, Bekele pressured Reltel management to offer its phone lines at a modest 14,000. That singular act wastermedasdemonstrating thattelephoneisforeveryone and since then, he has remained more Nigerian than mostNigerians.

The story of Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, though fresh to almost everybody in the industrywasalsoreassuringtohear again.ItwasNdukwethatlaid part of the foundation upon whichtheNCCstandstoday, being the Executive Vice Chairman,EVCforten years.

Ndukwewhochampioned the telecom revolution in the country is hoping to replicate sameinthebroadbandsector afterbeingappointedaschairman, Presidential committee saddledwiththeresponsibility of drawing a framework for thepromotionandencouragement of accelerated deploymentofbroadbandinfrastructures and services.

Editor in Chief, Nigerian Communications Week, organisersoftheevent,MrKen Nwogbo, said that being one of the pioneers of ICT reportinginNigeria,hehaswatched with keen interest, the contributions of these icons to the growth of the sector and decided that it would not be out of place to honour them.

He believed that the honour would encourage more people to invest time and resourcestofurthergrowthofthe ICT industry.

National e-ID card ready, NIMC declares

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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INALLY, Nigerians would very soon, have in their possession, an identification which is not only authorized and authenticated, but would serve as wallet for other transactions because it is truly electronic.

That has been the essence of the much publicized National Identity Management project which the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was charged to champion.

However, the company, last weekend announced

that the cards are now ready and would soon be rolled out.

The Director Corporate Communications, Mr Anthony Okwudiafor, who confirmed this, said that the Card would be formally launched by President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, the launching would be an important development and would usher in the formal and comprehensive identification of Nigerians and legal residents with the e-ID card embedded with the National Identification Number (NIN).

However, the director explained that part of the reasons why the launch of the New National e-

Identity card was delayed is to allow Nigerians understand and appreciate the difference between the National Identification Number (NIN) and the National ID Cards.

He said. “Part of the reasons why we delayed the roll out of the Cards is because we deliberately meant to separate and distinguish between the National Identification Number (NIN) which is a person’s identity in the strict sense of the Universal Identification Infrastructure and the National ID-Cards which will carry the National Identification Number (NIN).”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014— —29

C M Y K

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32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

C h e ls e a s e t fo r n ig h t o f te n s io n a g a in s t A tl e ti c o M a d r id

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HE past 10 days at Chelsea Football Club has witnessed anxiety and turmoil bundled together with diligence and triumph.

It has been a charged period of intensity that will be turned up yet another notch when the Blues host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal.

Chelsea, and particularly manager Jose Mourinho, have played the role of both hero and villain in the past fortnight. The manager’s tongue-incheek appraisal of the officiating in the home defeat to Sunderland — which has landed him a disciplinary charge from the thought police at the Football Association — and open disdain for some members of the press corps has seen him attract a flurry of negative headlines.

That was most evident in Sunday’s newspapers that appeared to be proclaiming that the end of the Portuguese’s reign as the Special One was nigh ahead of his impeding meeting with his protege, Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers. Fast forward a few hours and many of those writing for the same publications were hailing him as a tactical genius after the 2-0 humbling of media darlings Liverpool, apart from the myopic few that decried his team’s approach as antifootball.

Whatever the general consensus of Mourinho’s methods, the fact is that there remains an excellent chance of Chelsea representing England and the Premier League in the biggest club match in world football, however much that will stick in the craw of many rival fans.

Terry, Cech, Hazard return for Atletico clash

Schürrle expects a more physical Atlético

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 33

NDRÉ Schürrle said in an interview published by FIFA that he expects a “more physical” Atlético de Madrid side at Stamford Bridge, one with a strong will to defend and fight for every ball.”

“We’ve all seen Atlético de Madrid this season. We’ll have to use our attacking players and show our goal-scoring skills. I think our coach will come up with a plan and he’ll tell us how we have to play against them,” said the midfielder ahead of the Champions League semi-final return leg between Chelsea and the Spanish side in London (0-0 from the first leg).

Chelsea paid Bayer Leverkusen •20m for 23-year-old Schürrle last summer. He was Portuguese manager José Mourinho’s first new signing upon his return to the Blues’ dugout. “One of his best attributes (José Mourinho) is his will to win. He’s here to win silverware. What impresses me most about him is his winning •Schürrle mentality,” said the German international.

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HELSEA captain John Terry, goal keeper Petr Cech and attackers Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o all took part in training ahead of today’s Champions League semi-final second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid.

Terry and Cech both picked up knocks in the first leg at Vicente Calderon and neither player was expected to play again this season, with the Czech international diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder.

Hazard, meanwhile, picked up a a hamstring injury in the quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, a match the Blues would go on to win despite the Belgian’s early withdrawal, while Eto’o has featured sporadically due to an ongoing knee problem.

But all four players were on the training field at Chelsea’s Cobham base yesterday and took part in fitness drills, though it remains to be seen whether they are in contention for a place in the squad to face Atleti today.

Though he joined in with the fitness exercises, Cech did not accompany Hilario and Mark Schwarzer as the two goalkeepers were put though their paces, and the Australian shot-stopper, fresh from a clean sheet at Anfield, is still expected to start against the Liga leaders.

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OSE Mourinho has been at it again, and to devastating effect. After weeks of spite and sarcasm, Chelsea are back in the title race and a game away from another European final.

The manager doesn’t care who he upsets, be it institutions or personalities, as long as the stress and strain of three matches a week doesn’t weigh heavily on his players.

Communication between Mourinho and his adulating public has admittedly waned since the move back here last summer, but the incessant drive to win games and trophies – regardless of who gets in the way – has not.

Indifferent experiences abroad

Deco hails Mourinho, backs Chelsea to beat Atletico have clearly made him a pricklier beast, but if there is only one thing to say about the enigmatic boss, it’s that his players adore him.

Deco, who as the MasterCard Player Mascot Manager will help give 22 kids a Priceless Experience at the UEFA Champions League Final, was Mourinho’s first

real superstar and had the allconquering Porto side built around him. If anyone understands the quirks of the Portuguese, it’s him.

‘Jose is my friend,’ he smiled. ‘For me he is the same person I’ve always known.’

•Cech

•Mourinho

•Deco

Arda believes Atletico will reach Champions League final RDA Turan has revealed that Atletico Madrid still believe that they can upset Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and reach the final of the Champions League.

The Rojiblancos were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their last-four clash with the Blues at the Vicente Calderon last Tuesday, prompting many pundits to make Jose Mourinho’s men the favourites to progress to next month’s tournament decider in Lisbon.

However, Arda says that the tie is still perfectly balanced and that Atletico’s faith in themselves has not been affected by their inability to secure a lead to protect in west London. ”[0-0] is neither an advantage nor disadvantage; just a fresh start,” the Turkey international told

•Hazard

We’re in top form, Costa warns Chelsea D

IEGO Costa has warned Chelsea that Atlético Madrid travel to Stamford Bridge in their “best form” ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown. The La Liga side were kept out by José Mourinho’s men at the Vicente Calderon last week as the Blues sealed a goalless draw in the first leg

of the last-four clash.

But striker Costa, who has been heavily linked with a transfer to Chelsea in the summer, is expecting a different encounter in west London.

“The game will be a little bit different to how [Chelsea] set up at the Calderon,” said Costa.

“I believe they will have to

come out a bit more. We are going there in our best form, and we believe we have a chance to do something really big.”

• Chelsea have won only one of their four previous Uefa competition semi-finals against Spanish opponents, against Barcelona in the 2011-12 Champions League semi-finals. They lost to the same opponents in that competition in 2009 and, in the Cup Winners’ Cup, against Mallorca (1998/99) and Real Zaragoza (1994-95).

scar, Willian and David Luiz, three of the Chelsea players set to face Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, used a video to show their support for Dani Alves in condemning the racist abuse he received in Villarreal.

The Brazilian footballers, kitted out in the London club’s colours showed

Johnson is part of the Guggenheim Partners, which owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, so it wasn’t completely unreasonable to think the former hoops star would be interested in buying out the team.

Johnson was included in Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s alleged racist rant. Johnson responded by vowing to never attend a Clippers game as long as Sterling is owner.

•Arda the Andadolu News Agency. “We will see.

We are a team that fight for every ball; for every second of the game. ”We believe in our ability, our dream. We chase our dreams and go as far as possible to realise them. Atletico supporters know that we give everything we have on the playing field before leaving it - win or lose. We believe we will reach the final.”

tletico Madrid will expect another exhibition of ultra-disci plined counter-punching from Chelsea when the teams reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge today.

Chelsea emerged from last week’s first leg with a 0-0 draw after a cautious display in which they enjoyed only 38 percent of possession and mustered five attempts at goal to Atletico’s 26.

Jose Mourinho’s side were at it again on Sunday, relaunching their Premier League title bid with a 2-0 success at leaders Liverpool after again surrendering possession and playing on the counter-attack.

the symbolic banana that has taken over social networks over the past few hours as an ironic and fun response to what the Barcelona full-back was subjected to during his team’s game against Villarreal.

“We’re happy, we’re all monkeys” were the words the players used to accompany their footage, in a clear reference to Neymar’s earlier comments.

•Magic Johnson

Controversy won’t sink Clippers’ finances

HE racist statements attributed to Los Angeles Clip pers owner Donald Sterling have caused team sponsors to flee. Fans are threatening to boycott games.

And NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appears poised to take action against Sterling on Tuesday.

But all of this will likely mean relatively little for the finances of the team and Sterling himself, at least for now.

First, while a dozen sponsors have ended or suspended sponsorship deals, it’s not clear how many have stopped making payments to the team.

Sports marketing consultant Marc Ganis said it’s likely most of the contracts do not allow sponsors to stop paying out solely because of comments by Sterling or similar controversies. “They don’t want to be connected with a brand as reviled as the Clippers brand is at the moment,” said Ganis. “But they still may be required to make payments by the existing •Sterling contracts.”

Doc Rivers won’t return to the Clippers if Sterling stays

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Costa MIDWEEK SPORTS 29-08-2013

BA legend Magic Johnson is denying interest in buying the Clippers despite earlier reports on Monday claiming otherwise.

Atletico braced for Blues bus

Brazilian Blues unite behind Alves Ó

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•Terry

Magic denies rumors he is trying to buy Clippers

•Doc Rivers

hen asked this week about his future with the LA Clippers, head coach and team president Doc Rivers said he was unsure if he could keep working for someone like Donald Sterling. According to the latest report from Yahoo! Sports, Rivers would walk away if the NBA doesn’t push Sterling out today. (Magic Johnson is said to be interested in acquiring the team, denials be damned. And this report digs deeper into Sterling’s breathtaking racism): “(Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Doc Rivers are) the stars of the Clippers show now, not Sterling anymore,” one deposed Clippers official said. “They moved him aside and he didn’t matter anymore.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Ese Walter B

LOGGER Ese Walter had shocked Nigeria last year when she’s revealed her romps with her pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA, on her now infamous blog. Now, she announces in what she promises to be her last post on the incidence that she has evidence. While not clarifying the exact nature of this evidence, the Delta babe took time to apologize to three categories of people whom she felt her confession might have affected.

“Firstly, my family: I don’t know how you guys aren’t sick of me yet. Secondly, ‘the body of Christ, my intention was never to cause trouble but to stop a rot I felt might spread and become worse if nobody spoke u p T is impossible to navigate any way on cyberspace without about colliding with news of sweet songstress and new kid on the it. Lastly, to those who said Don Jazzy block Tiwa Savage, who tied the knot in her Dubai I shouldn’t blog again, I is, writing is not just my gift, white wedding last weekend to her heartthrob Tee Billz. The buzz respect and it is also my ‘curse’. I cannot is the brand new SUV gift from godfather Don Jazzy, who was in understand your ‘NOT’ write but I PROMISE, attendance with a retinue of aides. The gist continues. concerns but the truth this is the last I will say on this issue except the Christian body ALF of the tennis duo sensation Serena needs to see me.”

Williams has caused not a little stir on the blogosphere when her holiday pictures hit the screens of billions of ogling fans.

The same week Serena Williams told the world that she has learned to love her ‘curves’ and with the pictures being shared out of control, the tennis ace has made sure everyone can see exactly what she is talking about.

The 32-year-old’s vacation was with friends, and their YBERSPACE has been frolicking in the water had given paparazzi the drenched with the opportunity of a lifetime to photograph her from virtually monumentally sad news of the every angle. Viva Serena, for making womanly black sensational duo of P-Square- Peter curves famous! and Paul Okoye. The twice as nice twosome had thrilled audiences across the world and shattered so many glass ceilings until recently, when rumours began to leak out of trouble in paradise.

But the reaction of Nigerians online has been astonishing to say the least, with the HE multiple award winning United traditionalists (they are in the Nations Ambassador, Hajia Habiba majority, and mostly men) putting AJIA Abubakar, it seems, is not the F you thought you’ve heard the last of Abubakar has lashed at President Jonathan the blame at the door of the only one calling for ‘fire-for-fire’. erstwhile aviation minister Princess Stella for taking a trip to Kano State while Nigeria beautiful women in the life of the Betty, wife of erstwhile Ondo state ACN was mourning the death of more than 70 Oduah, you have another thing coming. twins- their wives. gubernatorial contender Rotimi Akeredolu The rest of Nigeria might be demonizing her, and abduction of more than 100 innocent In the meantime, Lola’s friend and breast cancer survivor/activist has used but her brothers and sisters from the south Nigerians. She did this while inadvertently and Cool FM’s on air personality her facebook page to call for the right to eastern part of Nigeria count her worthy of more calling for a military coup.

Freeze has tweeted her to pray bear arms to be included in the Nigerian She reportedly says: “Goodluck Jonathan honours as she bags the Ikenga Award of so that the break up will not be constitution. Using this platform she decries: Excellence in Enugu in the last week alongside is insane over 2015 Elections that nothing possible. Is Lola to blame? Good “We pray too much. We ask God to defend madam integrity herself former Minister of matters to him any more’”. She also contrasts thing everyone has hugged and us when we know it is not possible. Boko Information and Culture, Professor Dora him with his American counterpart, who made up. haram is with AK47 and we are still praying? cancelled his plans for the day recently in Akunyili, who is a past recipient.

You deal with every situation as it arises! 1 And Oduah says there are no regrets, because order to’-pay respect to three people were can now understand why Americans can she was privileged to be made to serve the shot in a school. never let go of their guns. It has a historical Interesting reactions on blogosphere to this nation at the ministerial capacity. She said she precedence. I am thinking Republican. My was elated by the award and described it as coup-calling lady who has been romantically husband can’t believe this. Flip-flopping is with the evidence that what was done at linked human after all!” transforming the airports was appreciated; N o l l y w o o d ’ s “We have a terrible crisis in our hands that however, she sexiest male the security operatives in the country have attributed all the actors Jim lyke failed woefully to tackle. Do you still rely on achievements to and Chidi them whereas you can do something to collective efforts of M o k e m e , protect yourself? Received an alert yesterday her and her team.” e s p e c i a l l y that the Fulani herdsmen are killing people It is a privilege to considering that on Benue-Abuja road and warned travellers serve Nigeria, a the United to turn back. For how long? I am asking all country where you Nations (UN) of you that are afraid of the “Right to bear have 170 million picked her last arms”. As usual, reactions are varied. One people.” Other year as a Peace respondent writes: “thank God ACN did not recipients include and Charity win Governorship election in Ondo State; I n n o c e n t ambassador in so we would have got this kind of woman Chukwuma and commemoration as our 1st Lady who’ll proffer violence for owner of Innoson of the violence!” Of course, that is just his own International Day Motors. opinion. of Peace.

Tiwa

Savage

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Williams

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Lola

Okoye C

Betty

Akeredolu

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C M Y K

Stella Oduah I

Habiba Abubakar T

Vanguard, wednesday APRIL 30, 2014—35

SMS ONLY 08052202289

see, every business must know what it is targeting and what it wants to offer people. I knew that if I started small, the kind of patients that I wanted to treat (which like I told you before was the same reason I preferred standard private practice) are highly demanding patients who want everything to be in place. You cannot ask an oil company to come and inspect you when you do not have the right facilities. Everything has to be perfectly ready. So, we started with a bang so to speak.

You’re almost refuting the popular ‘start small’ gospel…

You can start small of course.

But remember, I put in 20 years into paid employment as an “apprentice” and I learnt a lot.

And that’s the mistake some people make- not wanting to start small. I’m not saying everybody has to spend 20 years working for somebody but the truth is, I learnt a lot. So, it was so easy to know what to get,

treat free of charge. We go to schools and companies to also give free talks. So, people are learning more about dental services. Take for instance people who may have children whose teeth are sticking out.

Most of them don’t even know there are things they can do about such.

What’s your biggest challenge?

Electricity. We had to buy a big power generator and are just about to invest in another bigger one so we can be double sure of power supply. Bad power supply could be harmful to most of our high-end equipment, so, we use only generator on most of them.

Sometimes while you’re in the middle of a cycle, power failure could strike and ruin your equipment.

Advise for dentists aspiring to go into private business…

A lot of medical practitioners are not business-minded. I’m

If I had done my final post graduate examination, my parents would have lured me into working for government

•Dr Yemisi Fadahunsi

I spent 20 years in apprenticeship —Dr Yemisi Fadahunsi, MD, Skky Dental Services

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA FROM her scintillating personality to the serene and classy atmosphere housing her dental clinic, everything about Oluyemisi Adebola Fadahunsi exudes excellence.

The Executive Director of Skky Dental Services, Oluyemisi is a dental surgeon who has, since 1985 when she graduated from the University of Ibadan, pursued excellence with fervour.

This demystifies her decision to garner 20 years of experience at a leading private dental clinic before launching out into private practice in 2011. In this interview, Oluyemisi who refused to sit for her final post graduate examinations at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital simply because she didn’t want to be lured into working for government, speaks on her thirst for delivering C M Y K

standard dental services amongst sundry issues.

But why did you have to take such a radical decision simply to avoid working for government?

If I had done my final post graduate examination, my parents would have lured me into working for government. I wanted to do advanced, interesting dentistry and I also wanted to work with people who would be interested in what is available rather than just remove their teeth.

At that time, you could only get such in high-end private practice. So, I joined one of the leading dental clinics at that time and decided to work there as long as 20 years to gather enough experience.

You didn’t grow up abroad but in Ibadan; why then were you particular about standards?

I didn’t grow up outside the country but I did travel a lot. My

parents always took us on holiday. Personally, I just want to achieve the best. I’ve always wanted a clinic that is world standard. Even now, we’re constantly striving to learn new things. I just want to do things at the highest level if possible.

I want to offer top level dentistry to even the average Nigerian who wants the best.

Top level dentistry That’s why we’ve tried to set up a pleasant environment right from 2011 when we started. I think Nigerians deserve the best. Thus, I don’t want to do any backyard kind of dentistry.

We want to show the world that dentistry can also be done at the highest level by Nigerians.

It’s only three years since you established Skky and yet it’s so big?

We actually took a loan. You

where to get them, who to talk to, what kind I staff I needed, etc. And of course, the financial backing of my husband also helped. Again, that’s because we had both worked for so long and could then do this together.

We actually started small in different areas of our lives.

Like in what way?

For instance, we’ve always been very careful with money.

We just don’t splash money anyhow. I always joke with my husband that I don’t think we know how to throw a party. I really can’t remember when we last had a party. Also, we decided to buy a house rather than continue renting. God in his infinite mercy has also blessed our efforts.

Again, how come you were able to access a loan for a business that was yet to start?

One of my clients assisted. My husband also was very supportive financially. In fact, we had to put up our house as collateral and he also had to put down his own money. Some people actually thought it was foolish but it paid off.

You know people hardly visit dental clinics in this country; isn’t that affecting your business?

Some people are indeed conscious of their dental health. However, to increase awareness, we are working hard to expose more people.

Thus, we do a lot of corporate social responsibility work and free checks just to expose people. We choose a few people every year to

lucky because my husband is a business person and he takes this seriously. I actually have to give him reports at the end of every month. Besides, I’m looking beyond this being a family business. It’s going to grow into partnerships. So, my advice to anyone who wishes to do same is that they face training squarely and spend enough time learning under good people and doing as many courses as they can. Also, apart from being medical practitioners, they must inculcate learning some business skills by attending business courses. You can actually be the best doctor and not be able to make a success of your practice because you’re not making shrewd business decisions.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014— 37 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire.

If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?

SCORPIO; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but.

SAGITTARIUS; The Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed CAPRICORN; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powersthat-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation AQUARIUS; Better days are ahead of you but, you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/ or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

By Richard Eromosele

Succeeding Anyway

Y

ES! The w i t h i n exercises a great deal of control over the without.

I am sure you are getting my

point here. For example, what are you going to teach a man who believes he can never go to school. How do

TERROR MUDA

you convince a man who believes that no matter what he does he will never be a suc-

in “Never say goodbye”

cess?

Want success, then first settle the internal contradictions within you – self doubt, unbelief, fear, impossibility etc.

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; If what you’re doing today ’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now. Even things may not go according to your personal plans today.

Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now ARIES; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble TAURUS; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today.

It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

GEMINI; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

CANCER; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image LEO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling. Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

Joseph Enugu.

Dear Joseph, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality.

Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political.

Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity. One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

38—Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

VANGUARD'S EXCLUSIVE BOOK SERIALS ZIK, NDI-IGBO AND THEIR SOUTHERN NEIGHBOURS:

Charting a new political direction for Nigeria Yesterday we published why southern Nigeria ethnic nationalities are disunited, the 1951 Western Regional election and its aftermath and the horsetrading that gave Chief Awolowo's AG majority over Dr Azikiwe's NCNC. Today, we take you deeper into the discourse on how Awolowo got the upper hand in the battle for the soul of Western Region. Read on...

T

HE arrowhead of these fringe groups which tilted the balance in Awolowo’s favour by teaming up with the Action Group (AG) was of course five members of the six elected parliamentarians from the Ibadan Peoples Party (IPP) led

by Adisa Akinloye; the sixth member, Adegoke Adelabu, Deputy President of the IPP, joined forces with the NCNC to form the NCNC-Mabolaje Grand Alliance.

Given that the IPP and some other fringe groups and individuals were earlier allied to the NCNC and later changed sides, including one or two Yoruba NCNC members who subsequently colluded with the Action Group to frustrate Zik from moving to the central legislature, the said cross-carpeting saga has been somewhat over-stretched to create the impression that majority of Western NCNC members abandoned Zik on the floor of the Western House of Assembly and crossed over to Awolowo’s side.

This impression has of course deepened inter-ethnic misunderstanding between the Igbo and the Yoruba which had almost gotten to a flash point when tribal animosities were first aroused by the advent of tribal politics about 1947/8.

The Ikejiani testimony But there is something that needs to be clarified at this point.

Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani who observed proceedings at the Western House of Assembly from the stands on the fateful day when the House commenced business wrote thus about what he saw and what transpired a day before the opening of Parliament: I lived at Ibadan at the time.

The rumour was rife that the AG was buying some of the NCNC members. I, as well as some members of the NCNC, told Zik about the rumour. He dismissed the idea and said that he would not be part of the use of corrupt means to win the election for the party. One of the prominent NCNC members from Ibadan who won the election on NCNC

platform was Chief Adisa Akinloye. It was the general feeling of members of the NCNC Central Working Committee that we should, that night, visit Chief Akinloye who lived in Oke Ado. Among those who went to Chief Akinloye’s house were Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, Chief T O S Benson, Kola Balogun and others. Upon arrival, Chief Akinloye and his wife welcomed us and we were served drinks.

Soon after, the matter of the rumour that some members of the NCNC would cross carpet to the AG the next day was brought up.

Chief Akinloye vehemently denied that he would cross carpet to the AG. We finally left, satisfied that he had told us the truth. The next day we all went to witness the opening of the Western House of Assembly.

Opening ceremony Immediately after the initial opening ceremony and after members of the House of Assembly had taken their seats with the parties [to] which they belonged, the first person to cross over to the AG side was Chief Arthur Prest. Others, including Chief Augustus Adisa Akinloye, followed him. The carpet crossing resulted in an increase in the number of seats won by the AG to 42 and reduced the NCNC seats from 43 to 23. The Mabolaje Grand Alliance of Adegoke Adelabu and J M Johnson refused to be bribed and did not cross over.—Okechukwu Ikejiani, The Unrepentant Nationalist (2007) pp. 198-199.

Actually the final figures showed that the Action Group had 45 seats while the NCNC had 30-35 seats. (Richard L. Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties (1963) p. 35) Of course it might look okay, based on Ikejiani’s testimony, to regard the five IPP members who crossed over to the AG as defectors from the NCNC because of Akinloye’s alleged assurances of support for the NCNC a night before the fateful “crossover episode”. But I do not think that so much weight should be attached to that so-called reassurance, given other available testimonies. According to Sklar, two of the elected

•(left) Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe during the struggle for independence candidates of IPP, “Mr S. O. Lanlehin and Mr A. M. A. Akinloye, President of the Ibadan People’s Party, participated in early organisational meetings of the Action Group. (Minutes of the 7th Meeting of the Action Group, November 12, 1950;

Action Group Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the Action Group, March 31, and April 1, 1951.) Akinloye’s association with the Action Group appears to have preceded that with the Ibadan People’s Party, since it was reported that he would inaugurate the I.P.P. on June 16, 1951, following his nomination by the Action Group.

Other Ibadan personalities who were reported as sympathetic to the Action Group but ‘noticeably inactive,’ included Rev. Alayande, S. A. Akinfewa, Mr Lanlehin, and E. C. B. Omole. Daily Times, June 16, 1951.” (Sklar, op. cit. p. 295) Chief Akinloye was to become the Minister of Agriculture in the emergent AG government of the Western Region; an offer that may have been made to him before the inaugural opening of the Western House of Assembly and the so-called carpet crossing episode.

It was possible that Akinloye warmly welcomed the last minute NCNC delegation that visited a night before the D-day in the hope that the NCNC would make him and his group a better offer for coalition or alliance; an offer that never came, hence his apparent volte face.

Actually, circumstantial evidence points to a possible earlier commitment of the IPP to the NCNC. Ibadan people immediately embraced Adegoke Adelabu for not crossing over to the AG. In subsequent elections, Ibadan people voted for the NCNC-Mabolaje Grand

Alliance. This indicates that the IPP won the 1951 elections in Ibadan probably because it had identified with the NCNC, which the Ibadan people that never wanted anything to do with Awolowo, rallied to.

Now let us look at the actions of men like Chief Arthur Prest. In April, 1948, Chief Arthur Prest, an Urhobo who claimed to be Itsekiri, emerged as a Legal Adviser of the NCNC National Executive Committee. In 1950, at the height of the anti-Azikiwe, anti-Igbo campaign by the Awolowo group and consequent inter-tribal exchanges between the Igbo and the Yoruba, Chief Arthur Prest, President of the Warri

,

BY UCHENNA NWANKWO

claimed by Dr Ikejiani must have been part of the plot, a prearranged move for needed dramatic effect and possibly to pull over the undecided through the bandwagon effect. And the bandwagon effect actually worked. The undecided or the confused joined Chief Prest and the others in crossing over to the AG. In Obafemi Awolowo’s own words: Some independents who were not sure of the truth sat on the fence . . . During the meeting three members of the NCNC crossed to the Action Group, one of whom crossed back to the NCNC . . . {Address by Obafemi Awolowo (Mimeographed) See also Daily Service, January 8, 1952} So, Awolowo’s statement is a confirmation that some bonafide NCNC legislators crossed carpet to join the AG on the fateful day.

But given Ikejiani’s claim that twenty NCNC members crossed carpet on the floor of the Western House of Assembly to join the AG at the said occasion, what may be in dispute is the actual number.

There is another fact to be derived from Dr Ikejiani’s testimony. The NCNC did not take the business of lobbying the elected legislators or independents for support seriously. It was only a night to the opening of Parliament, weeks after the elections, that some NCNC members visited Chief

,

No concessions were made to the IPP even till the last day as to what its place would be if it helped the NCNC form government

National Union, an affiliate member of the NCNC, joined hands with Chief Anthony Enahoro (a former editor of the Lagos Daily Comet, owned by Azikiwe, who was disillusioned over issues surrounding his imprisonment for six months for his role in the uprising of the Zikist Movement of October 27, 1948) to inaugurate a Mid-West Party, which evolved into the Mid-West section of the Action Group.

Owo Conference At Action Group’s Owo Conference of April 28-29, 1951, Chief Arthur Prest was elected a Vice-President of the Action Group. Therefore that he and his likes sat with NCNC members on the fateful day the Western House commenced business did not mean that he was an NCNC member at that point in time. He and others like him had defected, ‘crossed carpet’, a long time before the fateful day.

They imbibed the anti-Azikiwe plot much earlier. His leading the other so-called NCNC members in “crossing carpet to the AG”, as

Adisa Akinloye, leader of the third largest party in the contest, a party the NCNC was hoping would be its junior partner in government. The NCNC did not enter into any concrete agreement with this party. No assurances were established.

No concessions were made to the IPP even till the last day as to what its place would be if it helped the NCNC form government. If the NCNC could not or did not bother to lobby or talk with the IPP, which had six elected members, then one can safely assume that it did not reach out to the undecided independents scattered all over the Western Region.

On the other hand, Awolowo took the business of getting majority of these legislators to his side seriously. There is nothing a politician, in fact any individual, likes more than to be consulted.

A mere visit from Awolowo could be enough to sway an elected parliamentarian to his side. And Awolowo exploited these nuances of practical politics to the fullest.

On the other hand, going by Continues on page 39

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—39

VANGUARD'S EXCLUSIVE BOOK SERIALS

Charting a new political direction for Nigeria

including stalwart parliamentarians like TOS Benson, H P Adebola etc, stayed with Zik, to say nothing about the firebrand, Adegoke Adelabu, who, in his own words followed ‘ideology ’ without any prompting or lobbying from the NCNC, and did everything to promote Nigerian nationalism in the Western Region and to place it above tribe. (At the seamy NCNC Annual Convention of October 28-30, 1957, in Aba, Adelabu “exclaimed that he would have been welcomed into the camp of the Action Group or the Northern Peoples’ Congress as an ally, but that he rejected both tribalism and religion as the basis of party affiliation. I followed Zik because of ideology; let that ideology live on.” (Sklar, op. cit. p. 199)

Party affiliation

Continues from page 38 Ikejiani’s testimony, Azikiwe dismissed reports about what Awo was doing and declined to get involved. He probably felt that the NCNC’s stronger ideological position or tactics of militant nationalism with regard to the anti-colonial struggle was enough to see his party through; that it was enough to attract the elected independents to his party without any further discussion or assurances. And so like Julius Caesar he adopted a lackadaisical attitude to this important game of practical politics and left too much to chance. Like Caesar he forgot that “security gives way to conspiracy” and that “It is the bright day that brings forth the adder; And that craves wary walking”. It is also possible that Zik had at this time become warweary and a bit lethargic. Or perhaps he was assailed by sheer pessimism.

Sheer pessimism But he did snap out of it later.

When in 1952/53 Zik had to battle the ‘sit tight’ ministers in the Eastern Region, he displayed remarkable spirit and acumen, and was able to show that he was equally adept at the practical end of political mobilisation in the way he fought, against all odds, to mobilise the Assemblymen against the ‘sit tight’ ministers and the British Lieutenant Governor of Eastern Nigeria.

Indeed, Zik’s attitude in the immediate aftermath of the Western elections was even worse than that of Caesar; for the Roman conspirators hid their intentions until the last moment, but in Zik’s case his opponents did trumpet their intentions even from atop Olumo Rock for years.

Zik fought them vigorously at the theoretical level; at the level of newspaper campaign and doctrinal exposition. But when it came to the real thing; the

practical politics of door to door canvassing, he left the field and allowed his opponents to operate unchallenged.

Had Zik and his Yoruba lieutenants engaged their opponents adequately at this level, they would have discovered that the mere notion that the great Zik visited, to say nothing about the words his sharp tongue could have uttered, could have changed minds and given victory to their party.

Indeed, if Zik had for instance offered Chief Adisa Akinloye the premiership or the position of Head of Government Business of Western Nigeria, the NCNC would have beaten the Action Group.

Ministerial post It would have garnered the majority to form Government in Western Nigeria and the AG would subsequently have fizzled out. But then such is the ‘if’ of life. Personal assurances from Azikiwe could have defused the lie that he had the ambition of becoming the Head of Government Business or Premier of Western Nigeria. How many people read the Daily Times of November 23, 1951, where Zik declared his disinterest in such a ministerial post? Even his close friend, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani had no idea that Zik had no ambition of becoming a Head of Government either in the regions or at the centre at that point in time.

That all he wanted was to frustrate governance or the institution of government under the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 and hence force its replacement with a new constitution that would grant independence. If Ikejiani knew about this plan, he couldn’t have added his opinion that with the “cross carpeting” in the Western House in 1952, “It was obvious that the dream of the NCNC that

Zik would become Leader of Government Business in the Western Region was a forlorn hope.” And if Ikejiani did not know, how many, even within the NCNC, would have known?

This is not to say, by the way, that there was anything wrong if Zik had aspired as a Nigerian resident in Lagos to head the Government of Western Nigeria.

He certainly had the right to so aspire. But he was the leader of a national party.

Therefore his place was at the centre, in the national legislature and not in any of the regional Assemblies. This was why he aspired to go to the Central Legislature. He found himself in the Western House of Assembly because the British had mischievously made Lagos part of the Western Region and constituted the Western House of Assembly into an Electoral College to elect two out of the five elected legislators from Lagos that would represent Lagos in the central or national legislature, in spite of protestations from the NCNC and, remarkably, from H O Davies of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), all of whom rightly argued that a nation’s capital territory should not be subsumed into a region.

But then the British colonialists did not want Zik in the central legislature, knowing how much he could upset their apple cart if he got there. So they actually hoped and desired that he would be trapped in the Western House of Assembly and prevented from getting into the national legislature if the Action Group achieved parliamentary majority in the House. And this was exactly what happened in the end.

The commitment of the western NCNC All in all, we must never overlook the fact that majority of members of the Western NCNC,

,

• A great mobiliser, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (right) with one of his die-hard supporters, Mr Ayo Opadokun (left)

And that these and others like them continued to carry the NCNC banner long after the 1952 saga and Zik’s eventual departure from the Western House of Assembly in 1952/3.

They fought vigorously to stem the tide of ethnicism from Nigerian politics and were able to defeat the Action Group (23 parliamentary seats to 18) in the Federal elections of 1954 in the Western Region as well as hold unto NCNC’s superiority in Lagos politics for another decade.

Indeed, the NCNC victory in the 1954 Federal elections in the Western Region, coming so soon after the fateful ‘cross-carpeting’ episode of 1952, forced Awolowo

. . . Davies withdrew from the Nigerian Youth Movement early in 1951 before its incorporation into the Action Group. On May 1, 1951, the community of Effon-Alaye, Ekiti, conferred on him the title of Otun, and three days later he inaugurated a political party, Nigerian People’s Congress.

Davies and Azikiwe then negotiated an agreement to cooperate in bringing about an early reform of the Constitution, but the entente between their two parties lapsed when the Nigerian People’s Congress refused to affiliate formally with the NCNC. (Daily Times, May, 2, 5, and 9, and August 8, 1951) Subsequently Davies became Legal Adviser of the NCNC {– Richard L Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties (1963) Apparently, H O Davies was not an insider; he apparently did not know the real purpose for which the Egbe Omo Oduduwa was created. Hence he allowed his enormous talent and personality to be used in entrenching the organisation.

And he must have been embittered by this development!

As a matter of fact, Chief

But then the British colonialists did not want Zik in the central legislature, knowing how much he could upset their apple cart if he got there

to steer clear of a snap election to test the popularity of his government despite all the ensuing criticism that AG’s victory and access to power in Western Nigeria in 1952 was fraudulently contrived and unpopular with the masses; and that it was indeed facilitated by the British ploy of imposing the system of indirect election which they knew and hoped would enthrone intrigue in that election.

Furthermore, the role of principled men like H O Davies must always be put in perspective. Hezekiah Oladipo Davies was a stalwart of the Nigerian Youth Movement.

According to Richard Sklar, Davies was also a prominent member of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa; at the inaugural conference of June 1948 he was chosen as co-legal adviser (with Bode Thomas) and he was largely responsible for the successful promotion of the Egbe Endowment Fund for ‘Oduduwan scholars’. But he opposed the Egbe philosophy of regionalism and its utilization for political purposes. In this regard he clashed with Obafemi Awolowo, who had been a follower and admirer of Davies in the Youth Movement.

,

Awolowo had to grapple with the problem of reining in men like Chief H O Davies and pacifying the other Yoruba leaders who refused to accept him, for the rest of his life. (See, APPENDICES: Chief Ayo Opadokun, ‘Reminisces on Efforts to Unite Yoruba Nation’) Anyway, since the vast majority of Yoruba voters continued to vote NCNC even in the aftermath of the ‘carpet-crossing’ incidence in the Western House of Assembly, how can we turn around to lump them together with the few individuals who sold out, succumbed to whatever Awolowo offered, or embraced Action Group’s philosophy of tribal solidarity and exclusivity?

Indeed, these generalisations do not take cognizance of the fact that the Western NCNC stood solidly behind Zik to the bitter end.

TOMORROW Find out how Chief Awolowo successfully stopped Zik's movement to the Central legislature in Lagos using Western Region as the springboard and the roots of Igbo-Yoruba conflict in Nigeria n politics. It will be explosive. keep a date with your vendor.

40— VANGUARD,

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

His weight turns me off!

Does she long after her ex?

Dear Bunmi, I recently ran into an old mate of mine. I was with my current girlfriend and they seemed to know each other

pretty well. She later told me they were an item but later broke up.

I know as a fact that my friend is well-endowed. He

,

Whenever he makes an effort, praise him instead of blackmailing and criticising him.

Believe me, you’d soon discover that the grass is not really greener after you’d left

,

I still want my ex Dear Bunmi, I’m currently in love with a very nice man who is smashing to the two children I had in my earlier relationship. Unfortunately, I’m still in love with the father of my children.

Even though we broke up, we still remain friends because of the children.

When he visits the kids, we often end up falling into bed together. Do you think it’s possible to love two men at the same time?

Grace, by e-mail.

Dear Grace, It is possible to love two men at the same time, but do you think it’s wise?

For a start, you risk hurting both of them very badly and getting hurt yourself. But more importantly, you also risk hurting your kids.

Is their daddy going to

come back and be with them as a family? If he isn’t then you could be raising false hopes and making them very confused.

If you and your ex have a chance of working out your differences, then concentrate on that and let your boyfriend go. If you have no chance, then let your ex go and build a good life with your boyfriend.

Dear Thelma, For some reasons, you have developed a phobia

Dear Peter, Be rest assured that your girlfriend is not with you because of your size, but because of your all-round attractiveness. You are average sized and, what’s more, it’s what you’re like as a lover that counts.

Stop worrying about your size or your insecurity could ruin that good relationship you have now. It doesn’t matter what your size is, as long as you know how to use it effectively.

He wants his wife back because of his kids Dear Bunmi, I was in love with my boyfriend for close to a year when he had a misunderstanding with his wife and moved in with me.

He’s always been responsible for the rent and I was happy to finally have him all to

Am I frigid?

Dear Bunmi, Although I am an enlightened 24-year-old secretary, the thought of intimacy has often made me feel sick to my stomach for years.

I have to get very drunk and grit my teeth before I allow my boyfriend to make love to me. Friends have always bragged of how mindblowing they find intimacy.

Why am I different? Am I frigid?

Thelma, by e-mail.

used to brag about it when we were in school and had no qualms about flashing it around at the slightest opportunity.

My worry now is that she may think I don’t measure up to this ex of hers. I have never had any complaints about my prowess but I am just less than six inches long and slim.

She says she loves me as I am. But as she’s been intimate with someone with a huge tackle, how could she not prefer him sexually?

Peter, by e-mail.

about intimacy— a strong physical response you can’t simply overcome by pulling yourself together. Don’t try to get over this on your own.

Most importantly, don’t add to the problem by forcing yourself to make love. I advise you to see a medical practitioner that specialises in problems such as yours, who’ll help you break the link between the nausea you feel from the act, and instead link pleasure— rather than sickness— to love making.

In time, you’ll be able to learn to relax and enjoy it.

Turning to alcohol is certainly not the answer.

myself.

Recently, he told me there had been reconciliatory moves by both sides of the family and he’s set to go back to his wife because of the children. He said the move wouldn’t affect our relationship but how can that be when he would no longer be living with me?

Esther, by e-mail.

Dear Esther, You make it sound as if you’re competing with your lover’s wife but it’s a competition you’re unlikely to win.

When he moved in with you, you probably thought his marriage was on the rocks. But the reality is that apart from his wife, he has to consider his children. It’s fruitless trying to get things back to where they were before.

And going back to being a mistress would leave you feeling bitter and used. Next time you fall in love, look for someone who is free to love you.

Dear Bunmi, I got married over 12 years ago to a man who was on the plum side. I didn’t mind this too much as I wasn’t slim either. Unfortunately, he’s piled on a lot of weight since we got married and I hate the way he looks.

I’m not nasty to him about his weight because this upsets him but as a wife I think it’s my duty to be honest with him.

He tells me he’s trying to lose weight but I haven’t seen any change. His weight has put me off love making with him— he’s all fat and no muscles.

He snaps at me that I’m the one with the problem as the world is full of big, fat men like him who are happily married.

My husband is an attractive man. If he shows some care about his weight and diets, he would look real. If he is happy to be a fat, I think the best thing is to leave to find myself a new partner.

Even though he’s a good dad to our children, he owes it to us to slim down—surely losing weight is better than losing a family?

Tessy, by e-mail.

Dear Tessy, Your demand on your husband is outrageous, cruel and ridiculous. How dare you threaten the happiness of your whole family because your husband is unwilling or unable to lose weight?

You were on the plum size once, according to you. Is that why you’re now trying to boost your ego by demanding that a husband who’s always been large becomes slim? Of course, he’s sensed correctly that this problem lies with you and not him.

Tell him what you’ve told me that he’s handsome and a good father and that he deserves to be loved.

A caring woman can have a big influence on her husband’s health, weight and happiness.

Serve him only healthy meals and reduce the portions he normally eats.

Whenever he makes an effort, praise him instead of blackmailing and criticising him. Believe me, you’d soon discover that the grass is not really greener after you’d left.

He is a freeloader living on my generosity Dear Bunmi, I met my boyfriend six years ago when we were undergraduates but I’ve worked with my dad for some four years now.

I also live in one of his flats.

My boyfriend got a job three year ago and is currently living with me. I pay virtually all the bills because he says he can’t afford to pay much.

He said he would be finished financially if he had to live alone. Yet he thinks nothing of going out with his friends and buying trendy cloths and shoes for himself.

Once in a while, he gives me some peanuts as his contribution and has opted to pay for electricity bill only. As things are, I pay for things in the flat and maintain my car used by both of us.

I know he earns considerably less than I do, but I feel I’m being used as a money bag. Should I kick him out?

Jonpo, by e-mail.

Dear Jonpo, Your boyfriend’s behaviour

is appalling, to say the least.

His behaviour is way away from what I could ever recommend. He manages to buy what he wants while ignoring his financial responsibility to you. What a leech!

What really bothers me is not his sorry behaviour but that you’ve put up with it for at least two years. Don’t you believe you deserved much better? If the answer is yes— and it had better be— then you need to realise that there’s nothing more empowering than a sense of self worth.

So pack his bags and send him to another sucker he can live off. If he comes crawling back to you, he must be prepared to accept your terms for how things will work in the future.

Let him realise that you should each contribute equal percentage proportionate to what you both earn. If you bring in say 60% of the income, he brings in 40%; you must contribute in that proportion.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—41

We've repositioned University of Calabar — Prof. James Epoke TRIB UTE TRIBUTE

BY JIM REX-LAWSON MOSES

A

PERSONALITY like the highly venerated and celebrated Professor James Epoke really needs no introduction. But it is necessary to capture the essential background of Professor Epoke, the Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar, who like no other, thrives in a class of his own.

Born on April 21, 1954, Epoke had his First School Leaving Certificate in 1964 at Imabana and his secondary school education from 1965 to 1971 at Community Secondary School, Ugep. In 1974, the young James secured admission into the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and obtained a B.Sc. Microbiology, with Second Class (Upper Division), in 1983. He obtained his M.Sc. Microbiology, from the London School of Hygiene arid Tropical Medicine and bagged his Ph.D in Medical Microbiology, in 1990 from the College of Medicine, University of Calabar.

Prior to his appointment, Prof.

Epoke had served the university in various capacities as head of department, sub dean, member of Senate, chairman of ASUU Strategic Plan Review Committee (2007 -2010), chairman of University of Calabar Senior Staff Club Electoral Committee (20042010), dean, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, member, University of Calabar College of Medical Sciences, Board of Governors and Member of Council.

He has also served his state at various levels as member of the State Onchocerciasis Programme, Disaster Relief Committee, State Transition Committee on Health, State Opinion Leaders for the

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

N

Prof. James Epoke, vice chancellor, University of Calabar and worked so hard but when the money came, it was shared according to age not according to how much one worked. I just woke up one morning and felt that it was not worth it because you came back with peanuts, being the smallest they felt that you are a small boy what do you need the money for despite the fact that I carried their implements for them, walked around with them arid even worked with them. So those are some of the things I experienced while growing up."

Passion for teaching: The passion for teaching came at a very tender age, it has always been there. He said, "when I noticed that people liked my teaching it was there and then I decided that if people liked my teaching then it is better I go and teach in a big way. I felt that teaching in the university will be the ultimate, in a more satisfactory manner. So I

,

We are gradually putting the university where it should be. Now if you go out and say you are from the University of Calabar, you will be respected

Resolution of Niger Delta Crisis and National Expert Committee on Seroiogica! Surveillance (1993 -1999). A a well published academic, regular figure at national and internationa! conferences, member of several professional bodies, Prof. Epoke is a passionate fan of cricket, football, arts and drama. He came in as a Graduate Assistant, and has risen through the ranks, to become a professor in 2003.

Growing Up: His growing up was quite simple. He had attended a village primary school, in Igbo Imabana in Abi Local Government Area, and had to finish up at Asiga in Yakurr Local Government Area, both in Cross River State. Like other children did at that time, he went to farm. He says, ”sometimes you have to go and till farm lands for money to enable you use it during the term to change your knickers or something else. We did all that. At a point we even went to neighbouring villages to make mounts for money. But you could see that I was the youngest and smallest,

Why Nigerians in diaspora should consider investing in agric —envoy

,

applied to the University of Calabar and University of Maiduguri and I was employed into the University of Calabar in 1980 as a Graduate assistant. Since then I have been here.

"After my secondary school, again the question of money came up. So I had to waste one year going to work at the veterinary because I wanted where I could be sent free. Because at that time, we were told we will be sent to the university free of charge from the veterinary. I did not know that it was a Diploma, by the time I went there and worked for one year, they took me to University of Nigeria, Nsukka and that was when I discovered it was a Diploma. I did not feel that was the best and I resigned. So I took the entrance for the degree programme and eventually was able to secure state scholarship which enabled me to study Micro Biology at a degree level in the University Nigeria, Nsukka."

Efforts and achievements as vice chancellor since assumption of office: "This place is quite a

challenging place. The environment is very challenging. Despite the fact that people here are better paid than the ministries, the tendency for fraud, racketeering and extortion is highest here. And those are the things you come and grapple with, and struggle on how to stem these. Before now sorting, certificate racketeering, admission racketeering, results and certificates never came out on time, etc. Students were not paying school fees, relying on finance officers to give them receipts which they used in writing their exams and the school was losing a lot of money.

All these things were things we struggled to grapple with. We have waddled through these with continuous struggle and fights and I can now proudly say that we are a carving a niche for the University. We are gradually putting the university where it should be. Now if you go out and say you are from the University of Calabar, you will be respected.

But there was a time people laughed at people from this University. We have shored up the image of the university to a point that you can now proudly be happy that you are a student or staff of the university. And this we have done in various ways; we have curbed sorting as much as possible, lecturers now release results within one month of examination...so there is no time for students to come back and sort.

By the time they come back from home, their results have been pasted. School fees are also now paid in the designated banks. We have also, along with the Registrar signed close to 40,000 certificates since I assumed office. Some of these certificates are dating 1.998,2000 and 2002. We have signed all of them and we are still signing. I have a very wonderful Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, who in the academic; aspect has struggled and fought everybody, wiping everybody in line; results me coming up, compiling them, transcripts which use to be a problem is now on-line. You can now stay in theUnitedKingdomorUnitedStates of America and get your transcript on-line without sending anybody to the University.

Nigerians in China have been playing significant roles in promoting investments between China and Nigeria and are also contributing to the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. All responsible Nigerian authorities should support efforts made by the teeming number of Nigerians in China to achieving industrialization in Nigeria.”

Also addressing fellow Nigerians in China, Chairman Shangaia Constructing Company, Mr. Festus Uzoma Mbisiogu, urged them to be steadfast in endeavours to ensure a progressive Nigeria, by getting involved in products manufacturing. He said that efforts to bring investors into the country early in the year was not futile, as the trip resulted into signing of series of MOUs in various areas of interest, including power generation, Housing and

IGERIAN Ambassador to the Federal Republic of China, Ambassador Cyril Anozie, has charged Nigerians in China, to diversify their interests on commodity trading to investing in agriculture and products manufacturing.

Ambassador Anozie who made this plea at the Nigeria-China business summit in Beijing also stressed the need for the diaspora Nigerians in China to intensify efforts on industrialization, noting that if majority of them who were involved in several trading businesses in China diversified into industrialization and manufacturing, the Nigeria economy would be boosted the more.

Citing example with the Chairman of Shangai Engineering Works and Blue Diamond Logistics, Mr Festus Uzoma Mbisiogu, who he said had already established products manufacturing industries in Nigeria, China, Dubai and many other countries across the globe, including Imo State, his state of origin, he urged Nigerians in China and those in various countries abroad to follow suit and ensure committed efforts are made in establishing Small Scale or Cottage industries in Nigeria.

He said, “I implore you to engage in industrialization, especially in agriculture. I am also delighted with the •Ambassador Cyril Anozie progressive reports of a good number of you who have taken the giant stride Agriculture.

Also encouraging to establish industries in Nigerians in China, Nigeria and various countries of abode abroad. Nigerians in Mbisiogu stressed the need China could take advantage of to diversify from commodity their strong presence globally trading, noting that a good to form joint partnerships and number of Nigerian ensure they make proper use businessmen and women in of Nigeria’s many landmass China belong to the SME and raw materials to produce categories and find it difficult to clarify between investment better finished goods.”

Lack of proper awareness and commodity trading.

“Our only plea with the and sensitization: Ambassador Anozie also cited lack of proper Nigerian government is to awareness and or sensitization hasten effort to provide as a major factor leading to the adequate power supply failure of many Diaspora which is a basic factor that can Nigerians achieving success in discourage any meaningful investor, many Diaspora products manufacturing.

He said, “It would interest me Nigerians in China who are to have more than half of the equally engaged in very population of Nigerians in prosperous businesses here China diversify into in China want to repatriate industrialization and impact their funds and investment positively to promoting home but have been structured investment in abysmally held back by the Nigeria. I have no gain in power supply nightmare in denying the fact that Diaspora Nigeria,” said Mbisiogu.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

•Ekweremadu being bestowed with the traditional chieftaincy title of Dike Eji Ejemba by the Oduma Community

New twist in Enugu’s unending power game

BY TONY EDIKE

I

T was another power game in Enugu State on Saturday, April 19, 2014 when eight autonomous communities of Oduma Kingdom in Aninri local government area of the state rolled out their drums to honour the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The communities had arranged a civic reception and conferment of chieftaincy title on Ekweremadu in appreciation of his role in facilitating the construction of the N12 billion Nenwe-Oduma-Uburu road.

Work on the project which was flagged off in November 2012 has made the people of the region normally cut off during the rainy season to heave a huge sigh of relief.

However, once the plans to celebrate the breakthrough came out, political rivals of Ekweremadu, allegedly within the state government, went to work apparently to frustrate what they saw as another cap to the feathers of the highest elected political office holder from the state.

Even more embarrassing for Governor Sullivan Chime was the fact that the community appreciating Ekweremadu is geographically next to the

governor’s own Mpu community.

For many associates of the governor the honour for Ekweremadu was out of context with Chime’s plans to displace the incumbent deputy president of the Senate as senator representing the Enugu West Senatorial District.

Chieftaincy titles Days before the set day for the ceremony, the state government vide a letter dated April 7, 2014 with reference number MCM/ CM/98/T/203 and addressed to all recognised traditional rulers in the state stopped traditional rulers in the state from conferring chieftaincy titles on individuals from that date till December, 2014.

The letter signed by Ibe Nnamani on behalf of the Commissioner, Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu read thus: “I am directed to inform you that Enugu State Government has suspended the conferment of Chieftaincy titles on individuals with effect from Monday, 7th April 2014 and ends 31st December 2014 by Traditional rulers or group of Traditional rulers in Enugu State.

“If there is however any reason

for which any Traditional ruler will confer any title on anybody, a written permission should be obtained from the Hon. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters.

“Please ensure strict adherence to this directive as appropriate sanctions, in line with traditional rulers law will be meted on defaulters. Please accept the assurance of our warm and best regards.” Though the letter was sent to all traditional rulers in the state, many believed that it was targeted at the honour planned for Ekweremadu and three others.

Organising committee A member of the organising committee, Chief Johnson Orji had said in the midst of the controversy that the community would go ahead with its plan to honour the selected personalities, whom he said had long been notified and have mobilized their friends and wellwishers for the ceremony.

As learnt, the government had planned to dethrone any traditional ruler found at the event but unknown to the government the eight monarchs had decided to stay away but members of their cabinets

(cabinet chiefs) were fully present at the ceremony which was well attended by thousands of people from Oduma communities and well-wishers from within and outside the state.

Apart from Ekweremadu, who was conferred with the traditional title of Dike Eji Eje Mba 1 of Oduma (a worthy ambassador) others honoured were the member representing Udi – Ezeagu federal constituency and Chairman House Committee on

,

THE accolade given Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the Senate and the highest elected political office holder from Enugu State by communities in his constituency causes a stir. Why?

it. While announcing a donation of N6.3 million for the completion of St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish Oduma, venue of the event, Ekweremadu said he would continue to collaborate with other representatives of Enugu state at the National Assembly, including Hon Ozomgbachi to attract dividends of democracy to the people.

“I have not come to receive a chieftaincy title, no; I have come to celebrate with the people of Oduma because God has eventually heard their cries. You see this road? This Egyptian you are seeing today, you’ll see them no more; your problem is over.

By this time next year, there will be asphalt the whole length and breadth of Oduma,” he said.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Uwakwe said the people of Oduma were limited by human language in expression of their gratitude to Senator Ekweremadu for attracting the road project currently being handled by SETRACO Nig Ltd, through the assistance of Hon Ozongbachi and the Federal Ministry of Works. Prof Uwakwe said the ceremony was divine as it came at the time the entire world was celebrating the death of Jesus Christ.

Uwakwe, a university don, said Ekweremadu has resurrected Oduma community from the dearth of infrastructure especially roads which had constituted great impediment to the development of the area. He said he was aware of the challenges the DSP encountered in attracting the road project, stressing that “even the dead will be shaking in their graves because of what is happening here today just like the living are celebrating this great and historic achievement.”

I have not come to receive a chieftaincy title, no; I have come to celebrate with the people of Oduma because God has eventually heard their cries

Works, Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, the Minister of Works, Arch Mike Onolememen and the group Managing Director of SETRACO Nigeria Limited, Engr. Fayez Khalaf.

The people of the community including Prof Richard Uwakwe, who served as chairman of the occasion, the National President Oduma Unity Forum, Chief Ezekiel Chukwu and Mrs. Felicia Aka, a woman leader; who spoke on behalf of the community at the event, described Senator Ekweremadu as a liberator of the people sent

by God. Speaking at the occasion, Senator Ekweremadu expressed gratitude to God for making the event possible despite efforts made by some people to frustrate

,

The event was attended by Sen Hope Uzodimma, Sen Gilbert Nnaji, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi, members of House of Representatives Linus Okorie, Toby Okechukwu, and Offor Chukwuegbo among others.

Prior to the conferment of the chieftaincy titles on the personalities, tension actually heightened among the people of the community as the natives feared that the state government might deploy security operatives to disrupt the event having given an order suspending conferment of chieftaincy titles in the state.

Sources said that the state police command had in compliance with the government’s order deployed its Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—43

Benue 2015:

Majority 'll decide for

Idomas — Mbachiantim DR. James T. Mbachiantim, a gubernatorial hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Benue State, was until recently a special aide to the Director General of the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC. A public health expert, Mbachiantim in this interview explains his mission and message.

BY PETER DURU

W

HY did you join the Benue 2015 governorship race?

I am in the race because I am competently qualified and I strongly believe that I am one of the most qualified persons to contest the governorship position. I am from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and I am coming in with a depth of pedigree that is beyond any of the contestants.

I’m in the race because I believe that there is need to usher in a leadership in Benue State that will consolidate on the gains of the present leadership of the state and take Benue State beyond the level where it is now. I’m poised to do that because I have the experience, wide knowledge and exposure needed to get the job done.

What makes you think you are one of the most qualified persons for the job?

I have many years of working experience in other countries particularly the USA. I have the educational background, the committee experience and exposure. I come from a political background and I have seen all these things and believe that with the network of people I have

come to know the world over, I would be able to tap into their experience and expertise to develop and add value to the state in such a way that the state will be reckoned with in the comity of states.

Some critics say you lack the pedigree and political wherewithal to embark on the project, how would you react to this?

I think political background and experience is not a necessary yardstick to leadership. I can count on my fingers many people who were very good politicians but never occupied any political leadership position. I can also mention many people who were limited in terms of their political participation and yet became leaders. If I may just look at what happened since 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came out of prison with limited political exposure to become an elected president of Nigeria; and by all accounts rendered service. I can say this without fear of contradiction that most of the people that contested elections in 1999 were mostly new comers with little or no political experience.

The history is there to show abundantly that one doesn’t

•Mbachiantim: I am one of the most qualified persons have to have a long political history before being qualified to run for an elective office or being elected as a leader. But having said that, I want to believe that of all the people that have been mentioned as contestants, I don’t think that you will count three before mentioning my name in the political development of Benue State.

In recent times I was actively involved in the PDP’s efforts to bring in the current Governor, Gabriel Suswam for a second term in office. None of the aspirants can boost of a political

backbone or coming from a family of political participation than me.

What is your take on the zoning arrangement of your party, the PDP with the other zones especially the Idoma insisting that it is their turn to produce the next governor of the state?

I don’t think there is any serious confusion as to which zone should lay claim to the mantle of power come 2015. If you are talking about Zone C which is the Idoma speaking area of the state and zone B which is the Masev, Iyareve and

New twist in Enugu’s unending power game Continues from page 42 operatives in the morning of April 19 to stop the event but a superior order reportedly came from the Force Headquarters directing the command to provide adequate security and ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order during the event at Oduma. This led to the flooding of the venue with several policemen while the event progressed peacefully.

The controversy that preceded the reception only succeeded in attracting more people to the venue as supporters of Ekweremadu and Ozomgbachi in the divided political camps of Peoples Democratic Party in the state trooped to the venue in solidarity. However, supporters of Governor Chime and officials of the party stayed away.

Defending the award, Orji said:“The entire Oduma community made up of several villages has been planning this reception for Senator

Ekweremadu since last year for making it possible in our lifetime what we never imagined could be possible.

Many administrations in the state from military to the present democratic regime had come with promises during campaign, but always reneged on the promises after election.

Difficult topography This is due majorly to the very difficult topography of the Nenwe and Oduma once described by Governor Sullivan Chime as an impossible terrain, but this has been made possible by our son, Chief Ekweremadu,” Chief Orji had told reporters in Enugu before the event.

Apparently to avoid being sanctioned as threatened by the government, the traditional rulers from the eight autonomous communities in Oduma were absent but the entire community

agreed to honour the personalities.

Hence, leaders of the eight chiefdoms in Oduma came together under the aegis of Oduma Unity Forum and conferred the titles on them using the traditional Igbo regalia which were procured by the royal fathers.

But as Ekweremadu and his large entourage were driving from his Mpu base through the road which has been asphalted from Mpu up to Ohafia Ndumeze Kingdom, Oduma, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Onyioha Nwanjoku came out with some members of his cabinet to the gate of his palace to welcome the Deputy Senate President. The royal father blessed Ekweremadu, whispered to him and shortly after the convoy continued to the reception venue near Oduma market square.

But while the community and the chieftaincy awardees were still celebrating the honour bestowed

on them, the Enugu State Government came up with another statement last Friday, a week after the event, declaring that “none of the traditional rulers from the eight communities that constitute Oduma or from any other part of Enugu State conferred any chieftaincy title on either Senator Ekweremadu and/or others on the said April 19, 2014,” a statement issued by the state commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Abugu deposed.

The government frowned at the chieftaincy titles conferred on Ekweremadu by those other than traditional rulers in Oduma, saying Section 19 of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 151 of the Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004, prescribed two years jail for anybody who falsely ‘’holds himself out, portrays or allows himself to be portrayed or addresses other persons; or himself as a recognized chief of any town or community.”

Nongov Development Area, MINDA, axis, it is enriching to know that MINDA which is part of Zone B has not got its share of the pie in terms of the governorship rotation. So, we are quite positioned in our argument and we believe strongly that the time has come for MINDA to produce the next governor of the state.

Clearly, Zone C people may also have reason to believe that it is their turn. In any society where democracy prevails, democracy is by number and the majority wins. And if we just use that as a yardstick, the argument is that, it is good that in Benue State we want to zone the governorship and we are rotating it. But we must not lose sight of the fact that in a perfect democracy, the majority carries the day.

Do you believe in zoning?

As far as zoning is concerned and as far as the party is concerned, first and foremost, I have subscribed myself totally and completely to the principles of the PDP. And the party as we know is in support of zoning and as a person who believes in the tenets of the party, it would be unwise for me to deviate from the position of the party.

What are your chances of picking the ticket of the PDP? I am going into this contest knowing full well that I am the only candidate that the PDP should work with. I say so because I believe that I have what is needed and what it takes to be the next governor of Benue State.

Developmental programmes I have in my arsenal, developmental programmes and ideas about how to develop the agric sector, educational sector and add value. I have ideas on how to boost revenue, develop tourism and how to ensure that the sector is fully exploited. I have ideas on how to bring people from the left and from the right and unify them for a peaceful Benue State. At the right time I will unveil all what I’m talking about.

On the Tiv/Fulani herdsmen crisis I think we have to do some introspection about the cause of this crisis and who is aiding and abetting the problem. Of course, we need to use whatever logical means to address the problem, but we also have to do some soul searching to identify ways and means to dialogue and to seek ways of resolving this conflict.

A war that is fought on one’s turf is a bitter problem. It creates psychologically effects because wars are fought on many fronts, with weapons, food as a factor all in order to over power the opponent. And clearly, anyone fighting you on your turf has an advantage over you. That is why we must resolve the crisis and very fast too.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 45

How to tackle oil theft in N-Delta —Activist

Okpe group faults lawmaker on party loyalty

A

GROUP, Concerned Okpe Citizens of Nigeria, COCN, has called on the member representing Okpe people in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Julius Okpoko, to declare which party he belongs to and whether he was seeking re-election.

It will be recalled that Okpoko was elected in 2011 on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP. According to COCN, in view of the fact that some other aspirants are aspiring to represent the kingdom in the state House of Assembly, come 2015, it was imperative that Okpoko declares the party he belongs to and whether he intends to seek re-election.

The group, in a statement by its President General, Mr. Ufuoma Ogbotor, said: “Okpoko was elected into the state House of Assembly on the platform of DPP, but up till now, the people of Okpe Kingdom cannot say which political party he belongs to, because for us, he is sitting on the fence.”

Zipamor lauds Bayelsa Speaker, Majority Leader

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ENAGOA—MANAGING Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Zipamor Construction Company, AZCC, Mr. Anderson Zipamor, has commended the Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Benson Konbowei and the Majority Leader, Pastor Akpe, for their quality representation and legislative experience in the state House of Assembly.

Zipamor, in a chat with newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, noted that Konbowei has, since his appointment as Speaker, pursued popular bills for the advancement of not only Bayelsans, but the Ijaws in general, adding that the Speaker ’s wealth of experience in legislative duties has brought about a new spirit amongst the Bayelsa lawmakers, who have the interest of the people at heart.

A

VISIT: From right: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Mr. Solomon Adelegan National President, Almagamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Servicess Employess, AUPCTRE, and Mr. Sylvester Ejiofoh; during a visit by the union's executive to the governor in Benin City, yesterday.

Customs to publish names of revenue defaulters

BY IFEYINWA OBI

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T will no longer be business as usual for importers who default in honouring their obligations as beneficiaries of duty payment concessions, as the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has said it will henceforth publish the list of defaulters.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, while reviewing the activities of the Revenue Recovery Team set up to address dwindling revenue in the service.

Defaulters, it was gathered, include importers who were given various forms of deferred payment concessions to avoid accumulation of demurrage and facilitate trade.

Others who have un-utilised

Risks Assessment Reports, RARs, still hanging in the system long after the departure of the Service Providers issued them during their dispensation.

Abdullahi said: “We can no longer tolerate the abuse of the privilege. We are reminding the banks that their bonds were provided to guarantee payment of customs duty. We have given defaulters only one week to pay all outstanding duties, failure of which their names will be published in the national dailies.”

He directed that the bank bonds secured to cover the defaulting transactions be converted to duty payments at the expiration of the grace period.

Within the first month of the Recovery Team’s activities, the

sum of N 2.5 billion was recovered from unpaid assessments and un-utilised Risk Assessment Reports.

On Temporary Importation, the sum of N1.6 billion outstanding had been established against three beneficiaries, who contravened the regulations. The defaulting beneficiaries applied for and enjoyed Temporary Importation concession while they had active Forms M and Risk Assessment Reports against their names. The team has over 2,000 companies under investigation. Transactions of RARs and unpaid assessment of these companies are undergoing a comprehensive audit to confirm evidence of RAR utilisation and duty payments.

Seven months power outage in Bayelsa councils takes toll on SMEs

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—SEVEN months after the state independent power plant, the Kolo Creek Gas Turbine, collapsed, plunging the entire Ogbia Local Government Area and parts of Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Areas into total darkness, residents of the affected areas may have to wait till the end of May for power to be restored.

The entire Ogbia council has not been connected to the national grid with its communities depending solely on the troubled state owned Kolo Creek Gas Turbine, which is

currently undergoing repairs in Vancouver, Canada.

Accordingly, the communities, including the university town of Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan's hometown, have since been in darkness, forcing residents to make do with their generators despite the high cost of fuel in the predominantly riverine state.

The prolonged power outage is already having its toll on small scale businesses such as welders, bar owners, saw mill operators and restaurant operators, among others, many of whom have been forced to close shop due to the high cost of petrol in the state, which is sold at N130 per litre at filling

stations.

Some residents of Otuoke, who spoke to Vanguard, lamented the lingering power outage and called on the federal and state governments to expedite action on the repair of the turbine, and also connect the area to the national grid.

A restaurant operator, who simply identified herself as Jessica, said: “Doing business has not been easy for us here. As you can see, I have been on generator in the last seven months. Every customer wants something cold to drink after meal. It is even more difficult now that a litre of petrol is sold at N130 at filling stations.”

NIGER Delta activist, Mr. Bernard Jagboro, has advised the Federal Government to urgently tackle the prevalent youths restiveness and poor education confronting the oil rich region as panacea to oil theft and other related crimes in the area.

Jagboro, in Warri, Delta State, shortly after he was given an award of Distinguished Niger Delta Personality In Youth Empowerment and Community Development, by the National Association of Niger Delta Students NANDS, said: “Although we have many profit making oil companies exploiting oil in the Niger Delta, our graduates and youths are not gainfully employed, a situation that has been responsible for the persistent agitations in the region.”

He appealed to the Federal Government to set up a special and compulsory education and employment programmme for every child in the region, adding that when the youths are educated and gainfully employed, human and infrastructural development will be accelerated in the region.

Book on Esan language launched in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—A BOOK, the Vernacular Architecture of Esanland, an ethnic group in Edo State, has been launched in Uromi, Esan NorthEast Local Government Area of Edo State.

The 238-page book is about the vernacular architecture of the Esan people, the architectural opulence of the palaces of the traditional rulers, the court yards and documentation of the contributions of the Esan people to the development of the study of the field of architecture.

The author, Prof.

Joseph Ahianba, at the launch, said that the idea behind the book came to him in 1984 as a 400 level student.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Scientists seek more funding for malaria research

Confab: Youths accuse delegates of working against Ndigbo interest

BY ANAYO OKOLI

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

S

CIENTISTS in the country have called for increased funding for malaria research and intervention strategies to eliminate the disease by 2020.

The scientists, who at a symposium to mark World Malaria Day at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, in Lagos, declared malaria as a major public health problem that requirs the collective efforts of the three tiers of government, the private sector, NGOs and the community.

In his views, the DirectorGeneral of the institute, Professor Innocent Ujah, noted: “Malaria is responsible for high mortality rate especially in children under five years.

Malaria accounts for 60 per cent of hospital outpatient clinic attendants and it is responsible for 11 per cent of maternal deaths in Nigeria.”

Owerri family alleges threat to life, petitions police

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—THE Nlem family of Umunwanyi, Umuguma autonomous community of Owerri West local government area of Imo State is now living in palpable fear over an alleged plot by another family to eliminate them over a land tussle.

The family, in a letter signed by its head, Mr. Darlington Benjamin, and addressed to the state Commissioner of Police linked its predicament to a land tussle, and pointed accusing finger at a police officer serving in Okigwe Division and his father.

While informing the Imo police boss that the land belonged to his family by virtue of customary inheritance, Benjamin also recalled that both the community and the Customary Court gave judgment in favour of his family.

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MUAHIA—THE youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has accused Igbo delegates at the on-going National Conference of allegedly not representing Igbo interests

well, accusing them of portraying Ndigbo as not being united.

Rising from a meeting in Enugu, the youths warned delegates to sit up or should not bother returning to Ala-Igbo if they squandered the golden opportunity of correcting the

structural imbalances inherent in the present Nigerian polity.

The youths, in a statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the leader, Mazi.

Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said: “We frown on the lukewarm approach of the Igbo delegates to the on-

DONATION: Hajia Jemila Umar (left), receiving Mortein insecticide from Marketing Director, West Africa, Reckitt and Benckiser, Oguzhan Silivrili (middle), and Marketing and Activation Lead, West Africa, Reckitt and Benckiser, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, during the Mortein-sponsored World Malaria Day 2014 held at Tego Barracks, Apapa, Lagos. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi

Buhari denies supporting any faction in Abia APC congress

BY ANAYO OKOLI

F

ORMER Head of State and a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Major General Muhammadu Buhari has denied supporting any candidate or group in Abia State congress of

the party, insisting that all members were equal stakeholders.

This came as the party elected a 31- member state executive committee, with Mr. Fabian Okonkwo as the state chairman.

Buhari’s position was made known through a statement

Ex-Commissioner lauds Orji on projects

BY ERIC UGBOR

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BA—FORMER Commis sioner for Commerce and Industry in Abia State, Chief Okey Ogbonna, has lauded the state governor, Theodore Orji, for his ingenuity in delivering democracy dividends to the people under difficult circumstances and lean federal allocation.

Ogbonna, who spoke with journalists in Aba yesterday, praised the governor for bringing the state to the path of growth through legacy projects in all sectors across the three zones of the state.

He said: “Governor Orji has done well in delivering democracy dividends to the people; providing basic infrastructure such as quality health facilities, building of the new Government House, the international conference centre, new workers’ sec-

retariat, renovation of schools, youth empowerment, and skill acquisition, among others.

“I’m proud of his accomplishments as a leader with solid credentials and pedigree, he has set an enviable foundation for the future, I’m more confident that his best days as a leader lie ahead.”

Ogbonna, who is a lawyer, said the governor battled kidnapping, which nearly ran Abia aground.

“Governor Orji operated under a difficult environment in his first term. He resisted the handover of the state to some unprogressive forces. Only a governor of his pedigree could have driven Abia to the path of growth after such distractions.

“He could have chosen to play ball with the unprogressive forces and serve out his tenure but he resisted them because of his unwavering commitment to the best interest of the Abia State.

issued by the South East zonal spokesman of the party, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, who warned against dropping his name to gain advantage over others in the quest to control the party structure.

He said: “Gen. Buhari wishes to dissociate himself from supporting any faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in any state of the federation, Abia State inclusive.

“I am not supporting any faction in Katsina, Kano or Kaduna states, not to talk of Abia. I regard all members of APC as my compatriots. We are equal joiners and owners of our great party.

“I want to debunk the rumour making the rounds that I, Gen. Buhari is backing the faction that is holding Abia State Congress today (Monday) in controversial circumstance in Abia State”.

Meanwhile, the party has elected a 31- member state executive committee with Mr. Fabian Okonkwo as state chairman.

While the new chairman is from Umunneochi in Abia North senatorial district, Mr. Smart Ebere from Aba South Council of Abia South zone emerged the state secretary. About 1,040 delegates participated in the congress held at the National War Museum, Umuahia.

going National Conference; where their near ineptitude is portraying the Igbo nation as one that lacks cohesion and visionary leaders when issues that border on the restructuring of the Nigerian federation are tabled.

“We, hereby, call on the Igbo delegates to, as a matter of urgency, revisit the various Igbo pre-confab position documents and push for those positions as enunciated.

“The Igbo delegates should not bother coming back to Ala-Igbo, if they squander this golden opportunity of correcting the structural imbalances inherent in the present Nigerian polity.”

Meanwhile, the statement also fixed for Thursday, June 5, 2014, the inauguration of the newly elected National Executive Committee, NEC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing.

It noted that Chika Nzelu would chair the inauguration committee, while Chinedu Ogah and Comrade Chukwudi Ibegbu were appointed as deputy chairman and secretary respectively.

Group supports call for FG’s intervention in Taraba killings

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

W

ORRIED by the continued killings in Southern and Central Taraba State, the Jukun Development Association, JDA, has expressed support for the state House of Assembly’s resolution inviting the Federal Government to take over the security apparatus of the state.

At its earlier sitting, the lawmakers, worried about the rising killings in Southern Taraba now spreading to the central, had passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to urgently take over management of security in the state.

They said the call became necessary as the state executive had failed in the task of protecting lives and property.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, JDA National President, Mr. Benjamin Bako Danborno, said the group, which is the umbrella body of Southern Taraba people, was fully in support of the call by the state lawmakers, as it remained the only way of protecting lives and property.

He said: “As we speak, several villages from southern and central Taraba are being attacked and burnt on a daily basis. Most of our villages are becoming desolate and it is only the northern part of the state where the governor comes from that is free of the invasion of the armed men, masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—47

VISIT: From left, Mr. Siraj Bello,Assistant General Manager, Business Development and Support; Mr. Lampe Omoyele,Africa Marketing Director, Family Nutrition, GSK/Second Vice President, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN; Mr. George Noah,Managing Director LASAA; Mr. Kola Oyeyemi,President, ADVAN, and Mr. Onyekachi Onubogu,Executive Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, during a courtesy visit to ADVAN office, in Lagos, at Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau VISIT: Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade (right), during the monarch's visit to the Governor, at the Government House, in Akure, weekend.

PROGRAMME: A beneficiary, Mrs. Kemi Awelewa, from Ikosi-Isheri LCDA; representative of Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Mr. Tunji Saka, and the Secretary of Somolu Local Government, Dr. Owolabi Salu, during the weekly empowerment programme of the senator, at his constituency office, Ikosi- Ketu, lagos.

MUSIC: From left, Star Music Artiste, Harry Song, Brand Manager, Star, Biyi Fagade, and another Star Music Artiste, KCee, during the Star Music Trek, at Umuahia, Abia State.

PRESENTATION: Ms Bekeme Masade, Executive Director, CSR-in-Action (middle), presenting the Collective Social Investment Report, which features Nigeria’s first ranking of businesses along sustainability lines, the 3C-Index, to Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank and overall winner of the CSR ranking, and from left, Mr. Daniel Obi, Media Business Editor, BusinessDay; Ms Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, and Professor Juan Elegido, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-African University. Photo: Akeem Salau

HEALTH: From left, Rot. Bola Oyebade, District Secretary; Mrs. Toyin Martins, an eye glasses beneficiary; Rot. Olugbemiga Olowu, District Governor, and Rot. Niyi Adesanya, Chairman, Planning Committee, during Rotary International District 9110's Family Health Days, at the Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

DEDICATION: From left, Mr. Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Mr. Okpolupm Etteh, Leader of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; and Elder Samuel Ikon, Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, during the child dedication of Mr. Ekoakwaha Etteh, Ibeno Local Government Chapter Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Assemblies of God Church, Upenekang, Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom.

VISIT: From left, Mr. Gbade Adeyemi, Financial Secretary, AFBCN; Prince Jacob Adejorin, President of the association, and Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, MD/CEO, HFML, during the visit of Master Bakers & Caterers of Nigeria Lagos State Chapter to the new MD/CEO of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, in his office, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

AWARD: Chairman, Otonyatsere Community in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Austine Arieja (right), being presented with “A Distinguished Niger-Delta Personality in Youth Empowerment and Community Development” award, by Mr. Lucky Omonefe of the University of Benin, Edo State (left), representing members of the National Association of Niger Delta Students, NANDS, for his humanitarian service to the people of the Niger Delta.

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Zamfara NUJ elects new officers

FG spends N198bn to eradicate malaria in 10 years

BY SALISU MARADUN

G

USAU — MEMBERS of the Correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zamfara State, have elected new officers to run the affairs of the chapel in the next three years.

The election which took place at the Press Centre was supervised by the state NUJ Chairman, Ibrahim Muhammad Kanoma.

During the election, Maiharaji Altine of The Path newspaper was elected unopposed, as the new chairman, while Is’haka Tambuwal of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, emerged the secretary.

The position of vice chairman and auditor were yet to be filled.

In his remarks after the election, the new chairman, Altine thanked the members for giving him another opportunity to serve the union and appealed for their support and cooperation to enable the NUJ chapel to move to the next level.

By MICHAEL EBOH

L

AGOS — THE Federal Gov ernment disclosed that it has spent over N198 billion in the last 10 years in the fight against malaria.

This was even as the Federal Government entered into a partnership with Reckitt Benckiser, maker of Mortein insecticide, to eradicate the scourge of malaria in Nigeria.

Speaking at a joint ministerial press briefing with key partners as part of activities marking the World Malaria Day, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, said government had committed about N198 billion in the last decade in the fight against malaria, while many other interventions had been scaled up in this regard.

He also called for sustained

tempo and collaboration in the on-going fight against malaria.

He said: “I encourage us all to strive towards effective leadership and partnership, which I believe will give us the needed leverage to free Nigeria and indeed Africa of malaria. I call on everyone to play an active part in this fight because together, we can have a malaria free Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Managing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Rahul Morgai, affirmed the commitment of the company to offer Mortein, the company’s brand of insecticide, as partner brand to government in leading the charge in the fight against malaria in Nigeria.

Quoting statistics from UNICEF, Rahul said: “Despite great progress in the fight against Malaria, the disease

still remains the third largest killer of children globally.

Most Malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa and every year more than 500 million people become severely ill with Malaria. More than one million people die each year. Majority of the victims are children and pregnant women.”

He further charged stakeholders to be ready to join hands with government in the campaign, saying: “If according to the World Health Organisation, malaria still kills 3,000 children under the age of five everyday and one African child still dies every 30 seconds while Sub-Saharan Africa bears 90 per cent of the burden, then we all must rise to the occasion and put an end to malaria in Nigeria.”

Bukola Saraki consoles Sambo over brother's death

BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

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AGOS — FORMER Min ister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has been honoured with Legends of Travel Award at the Abuja Bantaba, the meeting events for travel professionals, organised by the Akwaaba Travel Market.

According to the organisers of the event, Oduah left a mark on the “aviation sands of time that will take a long time to be surpassed. She upgraded the airports, transformed some into international standards.

“She started the construction of brand new international terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.

She transformed the Airport environment in Nigeria.”

It will be recalled that two weeks ago, the former Minister of Aviation received an award from the Ikenga Award for Excellence Foundation for her enviable performance while she was Minister of Aviation.

According to the organisers of the award, “it is ironic that commendations and awards are being given to Oduah whose tenure was turbulent and controversial. But indications show that these approval ratings of what she did as minister was not and cannot be eclipsed by the negative campaigns that led to her removal as minister.”

Group demands ministry for the elderly persons

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LORIN— FORMER gover nor of Kwara State and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Senator Bukola Saraki, has condoled Vice President Namadi Sambo over the death of his immediate younger brother, Capt. Sabo Sambo in an auto-crash along the International Airport road, Abuja, on Sunday.

Saraki in a statement in Ilorin, yesterday, described the death as a big loss to the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.

Saraki, who described the late Sambo as a technocrat, a dedicated and committed Muslim and a lover of peace said he would be greatly missed.

He said: “My heart goes to the entire family of the Sambos and most especially, the vice president and the immediate family of Sabo Sambo.

"I pray Almighty Allah to grant the departed Aljana Fridauz and also the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.

“Let us at this sober period have the entire Sambo’s family in our prayers as a result of the painful loss of one of the bread winners of the family.

They need our collective prayers to encourage them as well. It is Allah that giveth and He alone taketh whenever He wishes.”

Oduah honoured with Legend of Travel award

From right: Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State; Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors' Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio; VicePresident Namadi Sambo; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State during a condolence visit to the vice-president on the death of his younger brother, Captain Sabo Sambo.

APC postpones congresses in Jigawa, Benue

BY PETER DURU & ALIYU DANGIDA

D

UTSE— The All Progressives Congress, APC, Jigawa State has postponed its party congress earlier scheduled for yesterday to Saturday, May 4, to enable it produce consensus candidates.

The Interim Secretary of the party, Mr Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia has said.

Also, the Benue State APC congress scheduled for yesterday in Benue State has again been shifted to today due to the crisis rocking the party in most parts of the state.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Philip Anza, made this known in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday Hassan explained that the decision was taken in good faith, pointing out that it would enable the party consult widely to pro-

duce popular candidates.

According to him, “the arrangement is not new, we applied it in the wards and local government congresses and it worked successfully without any complaint.”

He further said that the party’s interim state executive and other stakeholders agreed to produce the executive members through consensus, adding that the position was shared by all the defunct political parties including the ANPP, ACN and CPC which fused into the APC for peace and unity in the party.

In Benue State, Anza said the state congresses were postponed to give room for wider consultation by stakeholders.

The party had been factionalised following the outcome of the last ward and local government congresses which pitched the Senate Minority

Leader, Senator George Akume and a member of House of Representatives representing Buruku constituency, Mr. Orker Jev, in a supremacy fight.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the situation got to a head when a retired senior female Customs officer was allegedly beaten to a pulp in Buruku by alleged supporters of one of the factional leaders.

In Ushongo and Kwande Local Government Areas, it was also gathered that materials meant for the congresses were diverted by the supporters of one of the factional leaders to an unknown destination.

Also at the Benue South Senatorial zone, Akume and Alhaji Usman Abubakar, a former gubernatorial running mate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, were also allegedly locked in a battle for the control of the party in the area.

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

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AGOS — A GROUP, Char ity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People, COWAP, has urged the Federal Government to create ministry that will cater for the welfare of the elderly citizens in Nigeria.

Speaking at the 4th edition of the health seminar organised for older citizens in FESTAC Town, AmuwoOdofin of Lagos, the President of the group, Mr Esan Olushola said government had not done anything meaningful to better the lives of older citizens in the country.

In his words; “Look at the government policies on ground now, there is none that guarantees good life at old age. We have heard of Police pension being embezzled and nothing meaningful had come out of it. People being retired after long years in active service without their pension duly paid. The government should create a ministry that caters for the elderly in our society so that people that are growing old would have nothing to fear.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 49

C M Y K

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C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 51

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

The 18 men and their running mates

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC yesterday unveiled 18 candidates for the Ekiti State governorship contest. The electoral commission in a notice also unveiled the running mates to the all male candidates list with four women and an eighty year old man who is running mate to the PDP’s candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

The INEC statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner,(REC), Alh. Halilu Pai gave details of the names, qualifications of all the candidates.

•Fayose: PDP

•Fayemi: APC

•Ajayi: Accord

•Bamidele: LP

Ajayi, born 1967, a publisher and lawyer as candidate while his deputy is Mr Akinyemi Adeola, born 1974 and B.Sc holder.

AA The Action Alliance, (AA) has Mr Opeyemi Akinyemi, (46), a holder of a Secondary School Certificate as candidate while his

deputy is Mrs Taiwo Phebe, (35) as running mate.

CPP While Citizens Popular Party,(CPP), has Mr Ayodele Olayinka, born 1975 and holder of HND certificate as candidate while his deputy is Mr Oluwafemi Idowu, born in 1986

APC The All Progressives Congress APC has Dr Kayode Fayemi, aged (49), a PhD holder as the candidate and he is to run with Prof. Modupe Adelabu, aged 63.

PDP The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has Ayo Fayose (53), an HND holder as candidate while his deputy is Mr Joshua OlusolaOjo, a Grade 11 Certificate holder, aged 80.

LP For the Labour Party, INEC affirmed Mr Opeyemi Bamidele,(51), a lawyer as candidate while his deputy is Mrs Bolanle Bruce,(47), a Journalist and holder of Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism.

Accord Party The Accord Party has Mr Kole

Bribery allegations:

Show evidence, Fayemi tells Fayose

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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HE Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has challenged the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose to come forward with “incontrovertible evidence” over allegations that governor Dr Fayemi has bribed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Spokesperson of the organisation, Mr Dimeji Daniels faulted the claims made by Mr. Fayose saying “we are tired of all this scare-mongering by the PDP candidate. Let him be a man of honour for once.”

It, however, challenged him to come forward with the “so-called incontrovertible evidence that he has.”

Arguing that Fayose is fond of screaming blue murder when in fact he is the one guilty of same offence.”

On the allegation that the Fayemi and the APC orchestrated violence in the state, he said “Governor Kayode Fayemi’s convoy must have passed the route where Fayose’s campaign office is located over a hundred times over the past three and a half years and his convoy was never attacked for once until Ayo Fayose became the candidate of the PDP. The governor’s convoy had not been attacked anywhere in the entire state since 2010 until the emergence of Ayodele Fayose as candidate of the PDP and indeed both times directly in front of Fayose’s campaign office. “ Furthermore, he maintained that “From the antecedents of our candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and that of the PDP candidate, Ayo Fayose, Ekiti people, and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians, know Fayose is the one who thrives on violence as his ideology. The spate of attacks

on APC members started when Fayose came into the race with his usual style of violent politicking. What he is doing now is to draw cheap sympathy, but he used up whatever goodwill he ever had during his reign of terror in Ekiti between 2003 and 2006 when the whole of Ekiti sent him packing.”

Absolving Fayemi of influencing traditional rulers in the state, the spokesman said “I am not aware that any of our revered traditional rulers is not allowing the PDP candidate to campaign in their domain. But then, any kabiyesi who heard about how the PDP unleashed terror on Egbe and some other towns, they might not want a rehash of such in their domain because they have a duty to protect their people. Don’t also forget that Fayose desecrated the traditional institution when he was governor."

and holder of B.Sc. SDP Social Democratic Party, (SDP) has Mr Adekola Ayo born 1954, an Engineer as candidate while his deputy is Mr. Ayeni Isaac, born 1987 and holder of WAEC. KOWA The KOWA Party has Pastor Ade Joseph, born in 1953 and holder of Diploma Certificate as candidate while his deputy is Mr Oluwadare Fagboro, born in 1951 and holder of School certificate.

NCP The National Conscience Party, (NCP) has Mr Ilesanmi Emmanuel (1956) and a school certificate holder as candidate, while his deputy Mrs Adegoro Adeolu, born in 1972 holds a school certificate.

MPPP The Mega Progressive Peoples Party, (MPPP) has Mr Akinbola Joseph, born 1948 and holder of Msc as candidate while his deputy is Mr Kayode Durodola, born in 1945 and holder of Bsc certificate.

UDP The United Democratic Party,(UDP) has Mr Adeniyi Philip, born in 1968 and holder of B.Ed certificate as candidate while his deputy is Mr Kunle Adeolu, 1971 and holder of WASC. ACPN Governorship candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria,(ACPN) is Mr Peter Bamigbade, born 1960 and a holder of Diploma certificate while his deputy is Mrs Comfort Ibrahim, born 1978 and holder of WASSC. ADC The African Democratic Congress, (ADC) has Mr Okoko Bola, born 1951 and holder of Bsc as certificate while his deputy is Mr Ogundipe Lawrence, born 1977 and holder of WASC. APA The African Peoples Alliance,(APA) has Mr Adebayo Ogunlola, born in 1969 and holder of Bsc as candidate while his deputy is Mrs Feyisayo Magret, born 1959 and holder of WASC. PPA The Progressive Peoples Alliance,(PPA) has Mr Animasanu Goke, born 1978 and holder of OND is the candidate while his deputy is Mr Agunbiade Ayokunle, born 1978 and holder of NCE. Meanwhile, the statement urged the various political parties who intend to change their candidates or deputy nominees to do so up till May 18, 2014 for substitution of names.

Ado'll give maximum votes from Ado — Ajijola

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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CHIEF TAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr Lati Ajijola has described as laughable, the claim by the APC that Mr Ayodele Fayose was adopted as the solecandidate of the people of Ado-Ekiti, saying; “we in Ado Ekiti can say with 100 percent assurance that votes of Ado people will go to the PDP overwhelmingly.”

Ajijola, in a statement yesterday, said the campaign of calumny being orchestrated against the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose that the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe will be deposed was a function of “fear of imminent defeat on the part of the APC.” He said: “I am a full-blooded son of Ado-Ekiti and from my interaction with Fayose, what Ado-Ekiti people will get from Fayose-led PDP government will be a total face-lift of the state capital, not removal of Ewi.” Ajijola, who challenged the APC government in the state to embark on issue based campaign, instead of peddling falsehood, added; “in the history of Ekiti State, has any governor done half of what Fayose did for AdoEkiti?

“Is it not a fact that it was Fayose that made Ado-Ekiti what it is today? Can anyone deny the fact that Fayose is the architect of the modern Ado-Ekiti?

“Apart from Old Garage to Ojumose and Atikankan to Baptist Church that Fayemi dualised, all the roads that were dualised in the State capital were done by Fayose.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014—53

Resource control:

Northern delegates want derivation reduced to 5% •Demand abolition of NDDC, N-Delta Ministry, others STORIES BY HENRY UMORU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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ORTHERN delegates have said that unless the 1999 constitution was amended to take away the ownership of mineral resources from the Federal Government, total resource control by any Nigerian state was a breach of the covenant of the federation.

Likening the desire for resource control to a claim to pullng out of the Nigerian federation, the delegates said that all regions in the country were equal stakeholders in the Nigerian oil.

In the same vein, the delegates vehemently rejected the abrogation of onshore/offshore oil dichotomy, which they said gave away a national resource to only littoral states and called for reversal of the system.

These positions were contained in a booklet circulated to various committee members, which Vanguard obtained yesterday.

The issues of resource control and removal of local governments as the third tier of government from the concurrent list have so far proved contentious and set members against one another especially in the committee of Devolution of Power mandated to discuss the issues.

The book which was titled: “Key issues before the northern delegates to the 2014 national conference,” maintained that the North accounts for 80 percent of the Nigerian population leaving

•Confab executives brainstorming the South with 20 percent, stressing that Northern Nigeria is the back bone and strength of Nigeria.

“The North rejects the frequent assertions by the South on the population figures of the North and state clearly that the rate of population growth attributed to the North over the years is extremely understated”, the booklet read in part.

Onshore/offshore dichotomy The delegates added that “the North recommends the rejection of claim to oil resources by oil producing areas that led to the cancellation of the onshore/ offshore oil dichotomy which action gave away a national resource to littoral states, seriously eroding revenue available for the distribution to all part of the country. The North demands a

reversal to status quo ante.

Institutions and programmes

“The North recommends that all institution and programmes established for the benefit of a few states be abolished. These include the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Amnesty Programme for the Niger-Delta ex-militants and the Component C of the SURE-P programme, the HYPADEC.” According to them, “the derivation which is now at 13 per cent should be reduced to five percent and must be limited only to the onshore”.

They continued: “The demand for resource control is indeed also oblivious of other relevant facts:

INEC to begin distribution of permanent voters’ cards May 23

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HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, disclosed, yesterday, that it was not feasible for the Commission to conduct the 2015 general and presidential elections with electronic system.

According to him, INEC would commence the distribution of permanent voters’ cards on May 23 this year and that the exercise will be done in three phases and the first batch will be in 12 states.

Speaking yesterday when he appeared before the Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters, Professor Jega explained that it became imperative not to

use the system because the commission has been barred by law from using the electronic voting system for the conduct of the general election in 2015.

The Committee is co-chaired by former Senate Presidents, Iyorchia Ayu and Chief Ken Nnamani.

The INEC boss, who was represented by the National Commissioner in charge of operations, Mr. Nuhu Yakubu, said INEC has written to the National Assembly on the need to amend the said law before the 2015 elections.

Yakubu also told the Committee that INEC would require about 750, 000 polling units staff for the successful conduct of the 2015

general elections. About 500, 00 polling staff were used for the conduct of the 2011 elections. He said that the number was increased to 750, 000 as a result of INEC’s on-going delineation exercise.

He said that if the Commission succeeds with the use of technology in the conduct of the 2015 general elections, the issue of rigging will be made impossible, just as he declared that the responsibility of conducting free, fair, credible and transparent elections in the country was not that of INEC alone.

INEC has been asked to appear before the committee on May 13 for further questioning.

the Nigerian constitution gave the ownership of all mineral resources found in any part of the country to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The history of revenue sharing between the Regions and the centre was 50:50, but limited to revenue derived from activities that involved human effort. All mineral resources had belonged to the centre, and this new adventure on resource control is totally new concept, and alien to the practice in Nigeria.”

“The North demands a new revenue sharing formula which seeks to empower the strata of government closer to the people than the centre, i.e. the states and the local governments to be able to deliver on their governance responsibilities to the people. " The formula is also to ensure a strong enough Federal Government for the security of the country, and give the country the stability of direction and focus on human and economic development…We recommend a vertical revenue sharing formula as follows: federal government 26 per cent, states 39 per cent, local government 35 per cent.

Also we recommend a horizontal revenue sharing formula for the states and local government areas as follows: equality 35 per cent; population 30 per cent; population density 2 per cent; land mass 20 per cent; terrain 5 per cent; internal revenue generation effort 5 per cent; and social development factor 3 per cent.”

Smugglers killed 46 officers in 2013 — Custom boss

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HE Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, yesterday, disclosed that 46 officers of the Nigerian Custom Service were killed by smugglers last year.

He also revealed that the agency seized rice valued at N1.35 billion from smugglers.

According to him, smuggling activities have gone up to an unprecedented level due to what he termed, high level of desperation on the part of Nigerians to bring in the heavily taxed imported rice and making profit from the product.

Dikko disclosed these at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja when he appeared before the Senator Adamu Aliero-led Committee on Public Finance and Revenue.

He said with more than 200,000 trailer loads of rice valued at N1.35 billion seized by the service last year, Nigeria was losing huge revenue.

Deputy Comptroller of Custom in-charge of Tariffs and Trade, G.T. Aliu, who represented Dikko said waiver and tax exemptions given to some companies and importers is not good, lamenting that the policy was rather killing the economy because it is not well implemented.

He said: “There is need to make our taxes on rice more reasonable so that there would be no need to smuggle. When taxes are high, people would want to evade it, but when they are reasonable, compliance level would be high and the income would increase.”

Dikko noted that the porous nature of the country’s borders was a major headache for the agency as that contributes to the challenge of controlling the influx of these goods and tracking the smugglers to collect the necessary tariffs required by the government.

•••As secretariat mulls extension

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HERE were strong indications, yesterday, that the life span of the on going National Conference may be extended beyond the stipulated three months, Vanguard’s investigations have shown.

The first obvious indication to that effect came handy on Monday when for two hours, the conference secretariat led by its Chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd) met behind closed doors with the various chairmen of the committees.

It was reliably gathered that a good number of the chairmen raised some concerns which

hinged on time factor.

A source privy to the discussions told Vanguard that the chairmen asked for more time for their committees to do a thorough job They cited the series of public holidays during the Easter break, which they said affected their work and more so, the forthcoming World Economic Conference due for next week in Abuja in which most of the delegates are participants as reasons for the extension.

It will be recalled that the committees had earlier been told to complete all work today.

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

Frontline producer, Amaka Igwe, dies at 51 •Atiku, Nollywood, AfricaMagic, AMAA mourn

, •The late Amaka Igwe

By AYO ONIKOYI, BENJAMIN NJOKU & SAMILOLA SHOLOLA

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AGOS — ACCLAIMED movie producer and director, Mrs Amaka Igwe, is dead. She died in her country home, Udi, Enugu State, at 51.

The creator of the popular TV series “Checkmate” and “Fuji House of Commotion,” reportedly died of an asthma attack Monday night.

She was in Enugu where she had gone, in company of her husband, Charles, for pre-production preparations for a new Igbo soap.

She was said to have finished a film lecture in her home town, Udi. A film producer who works in her studio located at Marwa Gardens, Mr Chris Ihidero, confirmed the sad news to Vanguard yesterday.

According to him, the acclaimed producer, writer and director suffered an asthma attack and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital after initial interventions had failed. She passed on before getting to the hospital.

Ihidero said before her death, Amaka Igwe was teaching some film makers the art of film making in her home town, Udi, Enugu State.

He described the late founder and CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM as a lover of “sharing knowledge” and “Duchess of Nollywood.”

“Amaka Igwe was one woman who would not hesitate to share knowledge. Her dream was to bring up enough producers, directors and script writers who would take over from her generation when they are no more,” Ihidero added.

Meanwhile, when Vanguard called at her studio at Marwa Gardens, yesterday, the atmosphere was one of grief, calm and solemnity.

Some of her staff were dumb-

founded, even as they refused to come to terms with the sad news.

Surprisingly, on the first floor of the one-storey building, the cast of a new TV series by the late producer which ends today was on set.

One of them who spoke with Vanguard said the deceased would not be happy with them wherever she was if they had to halt the production because of her demise.

Mrs. Igwe is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles, three children, an aged mother, siblings and a large extended family.

Nollywood mourns

Since the news broke yesterday morning, her colleagues, friends and well-wishers have continued to pour out their hearts on the exemplary leadership and uncommon talent of the woman who not only discovered many great talents but also fostered and inspired many more.

One of her colleagues, Don Pedro Obaseki, Enogie-Isi of Benin Kingdom, could not hide his sorrow as he declared: “We won’t miss you because everywhere we turn in Nollywood we see you! We feel you, Amaka! I remain your friend, even in the afterlife! Your body of work will be an inspiration to many generations.”

Comedian Julius Agwu, whose life was also touched by the famed Amaka, had this to say: “Death visits the wrong home at the wrong time and snatches the wrong person. She gave me my first movie role in Nollywood as Peter, Jnr. in her blockbuster Rattlesnake. May Almighty God grant her family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. Rest in Peace, Aunty Amaka.

The African creative arts industry has lost an admired and respected leader whose vast knowledge, proven business acumen and boundless imagination made an immeasurable contribution to the development and success of our community

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Top Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji, expressed her grief thus: “This is the darkest day of my entire career. That I believe sums up how I feel right now. Your legacy will live on, Aunty Amaka, I promise you.”

For Kate Henshaw, “a great woman who dared where men tread has passed on! RIP, Aunty Amaka. Our prayers are with you, Uncle Charles.”

According to Stephanie Linus, “I am still in shock. Oh! How we have lost a great one. Rest in Peace, Amaka Igwe.”

Stella Damasus said: “She has gone home. God rest her soul. For the rest of us here, I wonder what the future holds or how long we have. I would rather spend each day working towards my salvation. Death does not have a clock.RIP Aunty Amaka. My prayer goes out to Uncle Charles and the children.“ Alex Eyengho, President, Association of Nollywood Core Producers, ANCOP, wondered why Amaka Igwe should bow to death now.

Substantial part of Nollywood is dead

“A substantial part of Nollywood and the African motion picture industry is dead with her sudden demise. She was indeed the Duchess of Nollywood. She never did any business outside Nollywood and the Nigerian entertainment industry generally.

She gave the indsutry her all,” Eyengho said However, actor John Njamah, remembered in the sitcom “Fuji House of Commotion” as the notorious Gbenro was discovered by the deceased and John could not hide his feeling.

“Words are not enough to say goodbye to this awesome woman that carved my yesterday and defined my today as a film-maker.

Farewell, Mrs Igwe," he said.

Belinda Effah, a fast-rising Nollywood actress, gave a stirring account of her meeting with the great lady and expressed her emotion: “A lady with a great personality. Her name resonated in the industry such that those that spoke about her revered her. My first encounter was not short-lived at all. I relive the moment all the time because she was able to impact upon me and challenged me not to restrict my acting locally but

aim for the sky and become an internationally acclaimed actor.

Another fast-rising actor, Ken Eric, eulogised her in few, yet touching words: “Shocking. She really was a pace setter. A director par excellence. Words cannot explain everything she stood for.

She would be greatly missed. But her towering legacy lives on.

Adieu, Amaka Igwe."

...AfricaMagic too

Also paying tribute to the prolific film maker was the AfricaMagic family. It said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of iconic Nigerian film and TV producer, Mrs. Amaka Igwe.

“The African creative arts industry has lost an admired and respected leader whose vast knowledge, proven business acumen and boundless imagination made an immeasurable contribution to the development and success of our community.

“AfricaMagic extends its sincere condolences to her husband, her children, her family and friends during this difficult time, and will honour Mrs. Igwe’s memory by screening a collection of her most beloved works in the days and weeks ahead."

M-Net West Africa Regional Director, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu confirmed the special tribute, saying: ‘Amaka Igwe was a giant in our world, a loyal supporter, a committed professional and a valued partner."

AMAA boss mourns

In her tribute, the CEO of Africa Film Academy Award, AMAA, Ms Peace AnyiamOsigwe, said: “I received with sadness this morning the news of the passing away of my big sister and Nollywood icon, Mrs. Amaka Igwe.

"The motion picture industry in Nigeria and Africa will sorely miss this revolutionary who raised the bar of professionalism and artistic excellence early in Nollywood when it was not fashionable.”

Atiku mourns

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, yes-

terday described Amaka Igwe as “a jewel of the Nollywood industry.”

In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Atiku expressed shock at the demise of Mrs. Igwe, who was a major player in the Nigerian movie industry.

Atiku recalled that Mrs. Igwe’s first major production, “Decrees of Fate” won four awards at the National Festival of Television Programmes in 1988.

“Amaka (Igwe) was one of the pioneers of the movie industry.

Her presence in Nollywood grew to become quite impressive as she amassed a number of well received movies,” Atiku said.

He said the versatile artiste organized the annual BOB TV film festival and was noted for productions, which included “Rattlesnake” and “Violated” that dwelt heavily on contemporary family issues.

The Turaki Adamawa expressed his condolences to the Igwe and Ene families and friends and associates of the deceased, in particular members of Nollywood.

Life and times of Amaka Igwe

Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher. She is the founder of BoBTV Expo, founder and CEO of Top Radio 90.9FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks.

A visionary and pioneer of modern Nigerian TV drama and film, she hit national limelight as the writer and producer of awardwinning TV soap ‘Checkmate’ and its off shoot ‘Fuji House of Commotion’.

Her Nollywood projects include RattleSnake and Violated, two critically-acclaimed movies that set apart Amaka Igwe Studios in the much-criticised Nollywood industry.

Amaka Igwe studied Education/Religion at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). She had a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan. She had her early education at All Saints School (now Trans Ekulu Primary School), Girls High School Awkunanaw, Enugu and Idia College, Benin, where she did her A levels.

She worked as a lecturer at Anambra State University of Technology and briefly in the oil and gas sector before settling for the motion picture industry. She is arguably the most important woman in the creation and evolution of the movie industry, called Nollywood and was born and bred in Enugu.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 55

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

hidden at home or lumped with the deaf, dumb or mentally retarded children. In rural areas where there are no psychiatric hospitals, majority end up on the streets as insane fellows.”

Martins lamented that, today, there are no schools for children with ASD. Although there had been attempts by parents of autistic children to set up schools to cater for children with autistic- like challenges, lack of funds and limited skills hindered the vision.

“What is in the country today is a centre that caters for persons with physical, mental and developmental disabilities,” he stated.

For Martins, exorcism is the common treatment and mothers are blamed for their children’s autism. There is a lot of stigma and discrimination against disabled persons.

Economic liabilities

•Nigerian children in dire need of a better tomorrow

Autism disorder: Any hope for children in Nigeria?

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HE license to a child’s hap piness is embedded in his or her right to life, education and basic living standards. Legally, every Nigerian child has the right to education and good health, right to develop, and to participate actively in the promotion of his/ her rights, according to the 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child. This also includes the right of children with disability. The one million naira question on the lips of concerned Nigerians is: Are these children really getting this attention as written in the said convention which Nigeria has ratified and signed into law?

Sadly, these disabled children are denied their rights. The case of Master Ekpono-Abasi, Ofofon-Ono Umanah, Uwakmfon, currently living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates, relates with people around them, readily comes to mind. Today, little or no attention is paid to various disabilities in Nigeria.

One of such disabilities is Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. Most children living with ASD are denied their basic human rights, resulting in poor quality

of life and trauma for their parents, relations and care givers.

There is, however, growing concerns that majority of these children suffer stigma and are relegated to the background. Many are not enrolled in schools and they are also not brought out to access health care in appropriate institutions.

Critical observers are worried that when their parents are no more, they may turn out to be a nuisance to the society. This, they say, is against the 1990 African Charter on the Rights of the Child which Nigeria is a signatory to. As enshrined in this legal document, every child has a right to education and good health, right to develop, and to participate actively in the promotion of his/ her rights.

Centre for Disease Control Experts have estimated that one out of 88 children under eight years would have autism. According to a new research from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, published on March 27, autism rates in America is now believed to affect one in 68 children, which is almost 1.7 percent of the U.S population. Unfortunately, the driver of that increase is still unknown.

Another cause of worry is the fact that despite the debilitating nature of the condition, many Nigerian

professionals still do not understand the nature of the epidemic and how it affects the children.

Worse still, the Federal Ministries of Health and Education which should have been on top of the situation, do not have any structure in place and are even not aware of the growing occurrence of developmental disabilities afflicting these future leaders.

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has admitted its concern over the increase in cases of autism currently being reported across the world. According to the WHO report, an estimated one percent of the world population suffers these disorders. Going by this global data, 1.7 million Nigerians are living with this condition, but a new study suggests that the number of Nigerians affected may be higher.

In the views of a Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist, Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and has become the most urgent international health and educational issue. It is a disability that interferes with the normal development of the brain resulting in impaired speech, language, communication, play and social skills.

According to researchers, the disorder occurs more in males than females at a ratio of 4:1. It has no

known medical cure or test but is highly treatable. There is evidence that behavioural and educational intervention with young children can significantly remediate the deficits in language play and communication skills.

However, early intervention remains key for better prognosis.

Experts posited that outside the

,

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

Continuing, he said: “Autistic Children are hopeless economic liabilities or you must be blind, deaf or physically handicapped to deserve any support. Even the Federal Ministry of Education does not categorise autism as a distinct disability in spite of the fact that the condition is currently reputed as third most common childhood disorders and fastest growing developmental disability. Many of the so-called “mad” persons on Nigerian streets are recoverable persons with autism who were neither diagnosed nor treated. Yet they could have been treated. They could have been among our leaders today.”

In the views of Co- Founder, Thoughtful House Foundation, Mrs. Kemi Barrow, there is urgent need for the Federal Government to develop early intervention programmes for children with ASD, in the country. “Au-

Many of the so-called “mad” persons on Nigerian streets are recoverable persons with autism who were neither diagnosed nor treated; they could have been among our leaders today

country, concerns have resulted into efforts encompassing the enactment of laws mandating early diagnosis and intervention, provision of free appropriate services and education for children with autism, acceptance and inclusion of such children in mainstream or regular schools, amongst others.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, particularly, in the rural areas, persons with autism and disabilities are thought to be possessed and evil and the level of awareness about autism in Nigeria is pathetically low.

According to the Coordinator, Autism Associates, Mr. Okey Martins Nwokolo: “Many children in Nigeria with autism are either not diagnosed or mis-diagnosed. They either end up being

,

tism is very expensive to deal with; talking about the therapy, the nutritional supplements and getting people who are specialists to work with the affected children,” she stated.

Corroborating their views, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Child and Adolescent Centre, Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Oshodi, Dr. Grace Ijarogbe, who stated that relations and neighbours attribute autistic symptoms in children to witchcraft and diabolic activities, listed some signs of autism to include a child that is not growing well and not interacting with others. A child that cannot do simple things other children can do who cannot speak or talk and has an abnormal behaviour, may also be exhibiting autism symptoms.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

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Agonies of couple with autistic and down syndrome children •What will be their fate when we are gone, Umanahs cry out

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Y worry till date has been ‘what happens to these children when we are gone,” Mrs. Umanah said to no one in particular.

It all began, 13 years ago when the first child, Master Ekpono-Abasi arrived amid fanfare. Mr. and Mrs. Idongesit Ezekiel Umanah had no inkling that the arrival of the child would come with a price. A price, only those with gold mines could pay.

Like any other parents, they were full of dreams for their first child, especially in this part of the world where first sons are regarded as heir-apparent. As the child continued to grow, there were no signs to make the couple think otherwise. Precisely, eight months after, Mrs. Umanah noticed that the child was not looking straight into anyone’s eyes. Another sign, she noticed was the fact that the child was withdrawn. Though, she had no idea of what could be the problem, she was worried that her son was not doing the things he ought to do at that stage in life.

“For this child, there was no

•The Umanah children. L: R -Master Ofofon-Ono 11, Ms. Uwakmfon 4 and Master Ekpono-Abasi 13.

problem from pregnancy till birth. His birth was uneventful.

The whole problem manifested when he was eight months to one year. At that stage, a child should be able to do certain things but he did not,”she said.

Unlike other autistic children, Ekpono-Abasi at the age of one, stood up by himself and cut his birthday cake. But at a point when he was supposed to utter words like mama, daddy, he did not. “I was still watching but my concern was that he was not trying to say anything. I became worried when he clocked two years and was still not talking,” she said.

Teaching hospital After his second birthday, Mrs Umanah took him to Military Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos. Unfortunately, after series of tests and examinations, he was certified fit and they were sent back home.

Getting back home, the situation remained the same. He was still not talking. Not satisfied with the result, the parents took

him again to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idiaraba, Lagos but the doctors at the Teaching Hospital told them that there was nothing wrong with the child.

“We were sent to Afonex hospital for hearing and brain tests.

But the tests results showed he was okay. We went back to LUTH with the result and we were told the result Afonex hospital gave us was wrong again.”

In this age of social media, Idongiesit, decided to consult the internet. “I used the goggle search engine to find out what could be wrong with a child that could not talk and focus properly.

That was the first time I heard about the word ‘Autism’. I saw that he had all the symptoms of what I read about autism from the search.

Signs of autism I compared what I read on the internet with what was happening to my child and I discovered that it was exactly the same. That was when I knew that there was a problem. From that time, 2001 till 2014 there has not been any difference.”

Two years later, Mrs Umanah’s second child Master Ofofon–Ono, now 11, arrived.

He was also growing well until his own signs of autism manifested.

At that period, just like any other African, the couple tried to find answers to this re-occurrence but found none. “I have been thinking; sometimes as human being, I ask myself whether the situation was on account of my haven offended somebody. Is their anything from my husband or my own side that could have caused this? Though, there are problems here and there, but the Lord is our strength,” she managed to say.

After their third child who has

no deformity, their fourth child came, this time a girl. Miss Uwakmfon Umanah, presently aged four, was diagnosed of another disorder called Down Syndrome, a speech and communication disorder. Medical experts say it is caused by extra chromosomes.

Since the birth of these children, life has not been the same for this family. The worst is that no house help would agree to stay with them because of the tedious nature of work involved in taking care of these children.

This has forced their mother to resign from her job. The family can no longer perform their day-to-day duties due to the conditions of their three children. They have to always be around home to practically fulfill the basic needs of these children.

“It is not easy, it is a serious case because of the situation of these children. At 13 to 14 years, I am still washing them up whenever they answer the call of nature. I bath and dress them. It is a lot of work. House helps don’t stay. What I do all

,

THERE is no gainsaying that bringing up a child is hard enough for any family. But for the parents of a child with special needs, worries about their future can be overwhelming. Not only is it three times more expensive to raise a child with disability but having to cater for more than one could be very daunting. In such a situation, the parents often lack the financial and professional support necessary.

In an environment like Nigeria where bringing up one normal child is not a child’s play, you can imagine what it will take to bring up three children having a disease that is not fully understood by the medical community. If you can picture this scenario then, you can begin to imagine what Mr. & Mrs. Idongesit Ezekiel Umanah are going through because this aptly describes their situation right now. The couple who are ‘blessed’ with three children, two of who are suffering from autism and the other down syndrome are looking for somebody to wipe away their tears of sorrow. Vanguard’s Features Writer, Chioma Obinna spoke to the couple at their rented three- bedroom apartment located at No.31 Unity Close, Irawo, Ajegunle in the Ikotun area of Lagos. They spoke of their hopes, fears, frustrations and expectations for the future. Read their heart- rendering story. Excerpts:

stopped. Since then, they have been with us in the house.”

She appealed to the Federal, state and local governments to provide facilities to train more speech and behavioural therapists to help children with developmental disability like autism. “Just like we heard it is done abroad, we are pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to build affordable schools and other facilities that would help these children to live a near normal life.

Roaming the streets What will be the fate of these children when their parents are no more. They will be roaming the streets because they cannot help themselves,” she lamented.

The father of the children, Mr.Idongesit Umanah, a security operative and Computer Science graduate said: “I must admit it has been quite expensive to take care of these children. All the same, if I as a father, cannot stand firm, then my

At 13 to 14 years, I am still washing them up whenever they answer the call of nature; I bath and dress them; it is a lot of work; house helps don’t stay

day, is to take care of them,” she added.

Still explaining how difficult it is to feed them, she said: They do not eat just any food. But we cannot afford their feeding so we give them what we eat against what the doctors have advised.

Right now, these children are not in school because they cannot fit into the regular school and their parents cannot afford to engage a speech and behavioural therapists recommended for them. “We tried to engage a speech therapist who was charging us N200, 000.00 per child but after sometime, we were not able to cope, so we

,

wife cannot.”

Asked what was his reaction when the first and second children turned out to have such disabilities, the Akwa-Ibom indigene said: “If I don’t stand by my family, then, I am not fit to be a father in the first place.

This is because I do not hold any body responsible for it. I have not been asking why it happened to me because if it does not happen to me who will it happen to? No body is a stone,” he said stoically.

The couple appealed to Nigerians, corporate organisations and government officials to come to their aid.

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

How bandits forge car papers at Apapa Wharf in 30 mins

E-X-P-O-S-E-D

•2 kingpins in Police net

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

T

WO suspected robbery kingpins that have been terrorizing residents in Ketu area of Lagos have been arrested by the police. Two other members of the gang are said to be at large and detectives are hot on their heels. The arrested suspects were identified as Ekene Igbonezu and Sunday Emeka, while the fleeing members of the gang are Tony and Kelechi, a.k.a. Biggie.

Reports said they were arrested after one Dr. Onafaliyo Akin, a lecturer with the Lagos State University, LASU, reported that four armed robbers broke into his apartment at No 33, Oremeji Avenue, Ketu-Ijanikin, tied up his guards and carted away valuable items.

It was gathered that a team of anti-robbery detectives from Ijanikin division promptly swung into action and pursued the bandits.

They were later arrested, while items recovered from them include an ash-coloured Nissan Pathfinder SUV with registration number AA355 EPE, Nissan Sunny car with registration number AGL 572BH, a generator, Tecno phone, Rolex wrist watch, a wedding ring belonging to the wife and the sum of N22,000 cash.

Prior to this report, on December 31, 2013, one Eze John residing at 16, Jubliee Estate, Ijanikin, also reported to the Police that at

College Road, Rabiu- Adio Street, Apapa, residence of one Jude Ubannatu, where the stolen vehicles belonging to the second complainant were recovered.

Narrating his role in the robbery incidents, Ekene Igbonezu told Crime Alert: “I was introduced into armed robbery last December, by a friend called Kelechi, a.k.a. Biggie, who usually came to a relaxation centre near my house in Jubilee Estate, Ketu, along Badagry expressway.

“One day while drinking and relaxing, Biggie saw an SUV which was parked close by, and he asked me who owns it. I showed him the owner, who happens to be a neighbour. We then arranged on how we would carry out the operation.

Suspect’s account

Sunday Emeka 34 yr-old father of three

The suspects, Ekene and Sunday

Few days later, Biggie called me on phone and said that somebody will bring something for me at the bus stop. When I got to the bus stop, I collected a black bag which contained an iron cutter from the person. “Later in the night, he called me to bring the iron cutter for him. I asked him what he wanted to do with it and he said that they want to make use of it at that estate to steal my neighbour’s SUV. That day, I slept in Zephas Hotel, because I didn’t go with them on the operation for fear of

,

When they finished the operation, they called me that they had succeeded and I met them at an agreed location from where I drove the stolen SUV to Apapa

about 2am, four armed men entered his house and made away with cash and valuables which include jewellery whose value was not stated, cash of about N12,000. and an ash-coloured Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number EKT 416AW. On further investigation, Ekene Igbonezu, suspected to be the brain behind the robberies was tracked via his mobile phone and arrested at Zephas Hotel, Ajangbadi through the combined efforts of patrol teams from Ijanikin and Ilemba-Hausa Police stations.

Upon further interrogation, the suspects confessed that they were the brains behind series of robbery incidents in Ijanikin and Ilemba-Hausa and its environs.

Crime Alert learnt that on April 10, 2014, the suspects led Policemen from both divisions to No.13,

Orile,I called Ejike in the morning to notify him that the vehicle was available. He gave us N250,000 advance payment. I called Ubanatu Jude’s townsman who lives in Tolu, Ajegunle that I wanted to park two vehicles that I brought from Cotonou in his place and he agreed. I drove the vehicles to his place. All these while, I never told Ejike Odili or Ubanatu Jude that the vehicles were stolen; they knew nothing about the operations. I don’t know where Biggie gets ammunition from and how he has just disappeared.”

,

being recognized. When they finished the operation, they called me that they had succeeded and I met them at an agreed location where I drove the stolen SUV to Apapa. I bought the Rolex wrist watches which they stole from my neighbour from Biggie.”

How he forged vehicles’ papers “When I got to the wharf in Apapa, I met some of these touts and I told them that I have a vehicle that has no number and Customs papers. One of them said that he can do it and we bargained. In less than 30 minutes, he had done papers for the SUV and I paid him N30,000. After getting the necessary papers for the vehicle, I carried it to my village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Imo State, the next day to meet Ejike Odili, a prospective buyer

who had told me that he wanted a vehicle. In my village, they are aware that I work in Apapa as a clearing agent but they didn’t know that I had stopped working there because I had some issues.

“When I got to the village, Ejike said he had no money to purchase the vehicle because it was after Christmas season and that he would get a buyer for the vehicle, but he kept driving the vehicle.

After the Yuletide, that was in January, I told him that I wanted to go back to base and continue •CP, Lagos - Umar-Manko business, so he sold the car to a friend for N1.3m and gave “I came back to Lagos for anthe money to me. The profit after other operation after Biggie called selling it was N300,000 because me. I slept in Zephas Hotel at of the expenses which we in- Ajangbadi. When Biggie came, curred. And I got N150, 000 from he said we were going for anoththat deal. er robbery operation and that was when I met Sunday Emeka for the Buying and selling first time. We were four that went for the operation that night, Bigof phones gie, Sunday, Tony and I. When “After that operation, I aban- we got to the compound, Biggie doned my house in Lagos and and Tony jumped inside the fence started selling phones in Aba, I while Sunday and I waited outwould come to Ikeja in Lagos and side. When they got inside, they buy phones and take them to Aba tied the gate man and asked Sunto sell. Last month, I received a day to give them the iron cutter, call from Ejike who said a friend they opened the gate and entered of his wanted to buy Sienna, that the main building. They brought was when I called Biggie to noti- the keys of two vehicles, generafy him that the guy that bought tor, plasma TV, and asked Sunthe first vehicle needs another day and I to take the vehicles outone. Biggle asked how much are side. I drove the Nissan Sunny they going to pay and Ejike said while Sunday drove the Pathfindhe will pay N500,000 and we told er SUV. “So, we drove both vehicles to him that the least we can sell is Alafia in Orile. When we got to N800,000.

“I am a trader, I sell electrical parts at Alaba international market. I got involved in robbery after I was duped by a travel agent who was supposed to take me to Switzerland. In order to survive, I engaged in hustling jobs, which was how I met Lewis, a friend before he had problem with goods diversion, and was brought to SARS and is now in jail at Kirikiri. After Lewis was jailed I had no means of survival. So I asked Biggie to lend me N5,000 to enable me visit Lewis in Kirikiri prison.

He said he will call me later.

True to his word he called me five days later that I should come to Zephas Hotel. Immediately, I boarded a bike to the hotel. I met Ekene and Tony, who were drinking with Biggie for the first time, so I joined them. Biggie asked me if I can drive; I told him yes, and he said I would help him drive a car. We stayed in the hotel till about 10pm and then Biggie instructed that we move in pairs to Pako in Ketu.”

“We moved in pairs, I was with Ekene, while Tony was with Biggie. We all converged at Pako in Ketu and discovered that the place was locked, so Biggie opened it with pliers and asked us to walk down to the end of Pako. When we got there, we hid inside the bush because of the vigilante guards. Tony brought a bag which contained ammunition while Biggie brought out an iron cutter. Tony brought out two locally-made guns from the black bag he carried and gave Biggie a single barrel shotgun while he took a double barrel shot gun. He also brought out four red bullets, gave Biggie two and took two. He gave me the iron cutter.

“When I saw the riffles, I shouted to Biggie in my dialect; what is happening?. He said I should keep quiet. Tony then asked Biggie what I said because he doesn’t Continues on page 59

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 59

How bandits forge car papers at Apapa Wharf Continues from page 58

understand Ibo language.

Biggie then told him what I said and he asked me to relax and not mess up the entire operation. I kept quiet. We kept waiting for the security men to come out but they didn’t, so we walked inside the area. On our way, Biggie and Tony caught two men who were returning from a party, while the third one fled.

They took us to where the security men were staying that night. When we got there, we met two security men, the other two fled when they heard the noise.

We asked them to call the other guards that there was no problem, which they did and the other guards returned. We released the two young men returning from party and tied the guards.

“Ekene and I watched the guards while Biggie and Tony jumped into the building. I threw the iron cutter inside, which they used to open the big gate.

They brought the keys of a Nissan Pathfinder SUV and a Nissan Sunny car, Plasma TV set, generator, and laptop. When we got to Cassidy bus stop, Biggie asked me to stop the vehicle while he carried the Plasma TV, generator, laptop and his bag which contained the cutter. He said he would contact us later.

So, I drove the SUV to Alafia in Orile, we parked in one of the streets waiting for one Ejike who is a townsman of Ekene, to bring money. Ejike came with N250,000. and they gave me N60,000. I left them there and boarded a bus back home.

How I was arrested “Three days later, I used the money I got from that deal to buy turkey, chicken and fish from Cotonoue which I stored in a coldroom. Few days later, I found a customer who bought some of the consignments from me. The day I sold the turkey and chicken, Ekene kept calling me on phone to come to the hotel, so I went there to meet him without knowing that he has been arrested. When I got there, I met him and some policemen who arrested me.

They took me to Ijanikin Police division and from there, they brought us here. I believe that God wants to arrest me because he knows that I will like to follow them again in another operation. This is the first time I am participating in robbery that entails using ammunitions.”

The illegality of Chief Clark’s call for the removal of govs of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states

By FEMI FALANA, SAN

W

HEN President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States in May 2013 he rejected the illegal advice of some power mongers to remove the elected governors and dissolve other democratic structures in the affected states. In my reaction to the development I commended the President for not allowing the forces of fascism to mislead him.

But following the escalation of dastardly attacks and mayhem unleashed on unarmed citizens including children in the affected states not a few persons have engaged in the diversionary tactics of demanding for the removal of the governors of the three States.

One would have wanted to dismiss the diversionary call but for the intervention of Chief Edwin Clark who wields enormous influence around the presidency.

In joining issues with the Chief it is germane to examine the statement credited to him to the effect that, “there is nothing like partial declaration of a state of emergency in the 1999 Constitution; what section 305 (c) of the Constitution contemplates is the recourse to ‘extraordinary measures to restore peace’ and security where there is a breakdown of public order and public safety. This in effect means that all democratic institution should be suspended to permit the military exercise full control until peace and order returns” (ThisDay Newspaper, April 25, 2014).

With profound respect to the elder statesman, Section 305 of the Constitution which empowers the President to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country does not make any provision, expressly or impliedly, for the removal of elected democratic structures. In other words, the power of the President, to take “extraordinary measures to restore peace and security” under a state of emergency does not include the removal of elected public officers or the dissolution of democratic structures.

In any case, State Governors cannot be held vicariously liable for the inability of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to stem the rising wave of insurgency in the country. It is submitted that the adoption of “extraordinary measures” should not be construed outside the ambit of the power of the President to deploy the armed forces and the police to restore public peace whenever there has been a breakdown of law and order in the whole country or any part thereof. In the process, the fundamental rights of all persons in the affected areas, save the right to life, may be infringed upon in the interest of defence,

Borno gov, Kashim public safety and public order.

To that extent, Section 45 (2) of the Constitution provides that “An Act of the National Assembly shall not be invalidated by reason only that it provides for the taking, during periods of emergency, of measures that derogate from the provisions of section 33 or 35 of this Constitution; but no such measures shall be taken in pursuance of any such Act during any period of emergency save to the extent that those measures are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of emergency: Provided that nothing in this section shall authorize any derogation from the provisions of Section 33 of this Constitution, except in respect of death resulting from acts of war or authorize any derogation from the provisions of Section 36 (8) of this Constitution.”

Utter violation of constitution As Chief Clark could not refer to any law or decided case to justify his stand he has enjoined President Jonathan to follow the bad example of President Obasanjo who suspended the Governor of Plateau State and the Acting Governor of Ekiti State for six months in utter violation of the Constitution. That was an era of executive recklessness which has been consigned to the dustbin of history. Assuming without conceding that President Obasanjo was right is Chief Clark suggesting, by any stretch of imagination, that if the Federation is waging a war against another country leading to the imposition of emergency rule in the entire land the President should vacate office for a retired General to take over and run the country like a Sole Administrator?

Those who are asking the President to jettison the rule of law under the pretext of fighting insurgency in the North East region are challenged to refer to any specific provision of the Constitution to back up their invitation to anarchy in the country.

Having regard to the provisions of the Criminal Code Act, it is submitted, without any fear of contradiction, that the suspension of elected governors by

Yobe gov, Gaidam President Obasanjo was treasonable in every material particular.

In addition, such removal was a gross contravention of section 1 (2) of the Constitution which states that “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

It is time the attention of Nigerians was drawn to Sections 180,188 and 189 of the Constitution which provide that an elected Governor can only cease to hold office on account of resignation from office, death, permanent incapacity and impeachment. For the avoidance of doubt, Section 11 (4) of the Constitution provides that whenever the House of a State is unable to sit for any reason whatsoever and the National Assembly takes over the legislative functions of the State it shall not be construed “as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or Deputy Governor of the State from office”.

In the case of Senator Victor Akan &Anor v. Attorney-General, Cross Rivers State & 7 Ors. (1982) 3 NCLR 881 it was held that the removal of elected councilors in Cross River State was illegal and unconstitutional as a “Governor has no constitutional power to appoint any person or body of persons into a local government council because under section 7(1) of the 1979 Constitution, a State government can only constitute Local Government Councils under a law made by the State House of Assembly which provides for local government council that are democratically elected and not otherwise. ”If a governor cannot remove elected Chairmen and councilors it stands to reason that the President lacks the vires to sack elected governors.

Although the State Independent Electoral Commission has since successfully conducted local government elections in Yobe State it is submitted that even if the President considers that it is not practicable to hold elections on account of the raging insurgency in the North East region Section 180 (3) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to extend the 4-year ten-

Adamawa gov, Nyako ure of the elected governors “but no such extension shall exceed a period of six months at any one time”.

It ought to be pointed out that the imposition of emergency rule does not authorize the President to suspend constitutionalism or rule of Law in any part of the Federation.

At the height of the Hitlerite menace during the Second World war Lord Atkin reminded fellow Judges in the United Kingdom that “In this country, amid the clash of arms, the laws are not silent. They may be changed, but they speak the same language in war as in peace.

It has always been one of the pillars of freedom, one of the principles of liberty for which on recent authority we are now fighting, that judges are no respecter of persons and stand between the subject and any attempted encroachment on his liberty by the executive, alert to see that any coercive action is justified in law” ( Liversidge v Anderson (1941) UKHL 1).

Maximum dictator Even under the maximum dictatorship of theSaniAbacha junta the Federal High Court (per Odunowo J.) declared that the military occupation of the premises of the Punch Newspapers was illegal. According to his lordship,“These violations cannot be justified on any of the grounds that the invasion of their rights was done in the interest of security, public safety, public order or public morality. Even if a state of emergency was declared it is still incumbent on the government to pay due regard to the rule of law which implies that every person, including Ministers, Judges and other officials, is subject to the ordinary laws of the land.

Finally, in confronting the menace of terrorism the President of the Republic should not be encouraged by people with vested political agenda to resort to undemocratic tactics associated with military dictators. As Nigeria has successfully replaced autocracy with democracy all actions of the government have to be conducted in strict compliance with the tenets of the rule of law.In view of the clear provision of the Constitution on the vexed issue of a state of emergency I am compelled to urge the President to ignore the illegal and unconstitutional call for the removal of the Governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

60—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

ASUP PROTEST—Policemen, Journalists and protesters running as the Police sprayed water and tear gas to disperse a protest by members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and students (below left)over 'Discrimination and Neglect' of the sector in Abuja, yesterday. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan & NAN.

ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS: FG pleads with

parents for time Continues from page 5 all it can to immediately identify the sponsors and the source of funds to the terrorists and the insurgents. In this connection, anybody who is implicated, no matter how highly placed, should not be treated as a sacred cow.”

Reps summon CDS, Service Chiefs The House of Representatives on its part summoned the Chief of Defence Staff,CDS, Air Marshal Alex Badeh and all the Service ChiefsChief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt Gen Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosun- to explain how the 234 girls abducted by insurgents would be rescued.

This was sequel to a motion brought to the floor of the House under matters of national importance by Rep Peter Biye Gumtha, APC, representing Damboa/ Gwoza/Chibok, Borno.

Gumtha in his motion had prayed the House to ask the service chiefs to explain how the girls could be rescued and the National Emergency Management Agency , NEMA to provide relief materials to victims of insurgency in Chibok.

He said: “During the night of April 14 and 16, Boko Haram terrorist invaded Chibok town in

Borno State, destroyed houses, looted market stalls and abducted 273 SS3 girls at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok writing their Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, SSCE. “But 43 of the kidnapped girls have escaped from the hands of their captors and 230 are still in captivity, two weeks after the incidence”.

At this juncture, Tambuwal called for a debate and all the lawmakers present wanted to contribute and two prayers were included in Gumtha’s motion.

Rep Nnenna ElenuUkeje, PDP, Abia prayed the House to seek international communities' support to help combat the menace of terrorism.

She said: ”Today, we have Nigerians occupying positions in several world bodies, for instance Joy Ugwu is in the Security Council of the UN. “ Elendu-Ukeje said ”terrorism is not a local thing so seeking for support to solve the problem is most appropriate."

In his submissions too, Bitruz Kaze, PDP, Plateau described the incident as quite unfortunate, with the image of the country at stake. He argued that there have already been poor statistics of girls enrolment in the North East zone of Nigeria, and that the current development would only worsen the situation.

It “ll be difficult to rescue all the girls —Sen. Zanna Senator Ahmed Zanna, representing Borno North has said that it would be difficult for Nigeria to get back all the girls abducted by the insurgents, saying the girls have not only been split by their abductors but ferried across border islands to neighboring countries.

Zanna, who represents Borno North in the Upper Chamber, while claiming that he was privy to information about the movement of the insurgents when they were abducted, told security agents that contrary to their belief that the abducted girls were in Sambisa forest with their abductors, they have since been split and ferried through Lake Chad to neighboring countries among which he said were Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

The senator who blamed the military for failure to rescue the girls before the development given that they got all immediate information about the movement of the insurgents from him, said he was informed by some people closed to the insurgents that the girls, after being split, were given out in marriage to some insurgents.

He spoke during his contribution to a motion titled: Abduction of

School Children in Chibok, Borno State, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba.

“I have been constantly in touch with the security agencies, telling them the developments, the movement of the girls from one place to the other and then the splitting of the girls and eventually the marriage of these girls by the insurgents.

“What bothers me most is that whenever I informed them where these girls were, after two to three days, they will be moved from that place to another and still, I will go back and inform them that see, this is what is happening.

“I lost hope two days ago when I found out that some of them were moved to Chad and Cameroon. Actually, some of them move through the Mandara Mountain that is in Gwoza and some of them are just a stone throw from their barracks, even now as I am talking to you, some of them are in Kolofata, which is in Cameroon but about 15 kilometres or even less to the borders.

“One of the insurgents called somebody in Bama and said I just got married and said I am now settling in Kolofata and then three or four days ago, some Fulani men reported that they saw some girls being taken by boats into the island in Lake Chad and that some of them happened to be between Marte and

Mungonu.

Insurgents moving out of Sambisa forest “What is most disturbing is that hitherto, Sambisa was their base and is well known to the military and Nigerian security. After the abduction of those girls, they have started moving out of that Sambisa and even before then I have been discussing with the military and they said they were going to attack that place, about 15 or 20 days ago, I don’t know what delayed them.

But eventually when they launched the attack, all the insurgents had already gone out of the place. So, I don’t know what is happening,” he said.

He insisted that it would not be possible to get the girls in their number, saying if at all they will be seen, it will be in trickle just as he said the military caused the degeneration of the ugly development.

“When we talk, they (the military) will say we are against them, we are exposing them, we have demoralizing their troops.

These are the facts. So unless there is spirit of seriousness on the part of our military, we have no hope of getting those girls. Even if we are going to get them, we are going to get them in trickles, maybe getting two, three, four, and five. They are now scattered. So it is not possible for us to get 50, 60,100 in one particular position. This is the po-

sition as at today,” he said.

Senator Zanna said it was possible that some of the girls were still being held by their captors within some remote areas of the North East, given that there was information that some insurgents were settling in a remote area he called Chikungudua.

“Maybe, those ones might still be within Nigeria but that is the current and new base of the insurgents, they just took over that place less than a week and that village is called Chikungudua, the place is the constituency of Senator Maina Marji.

“But I informed the security agents about the situation and from that place, they can just go into the Lake and go to either Chad or Cameroon because it is very open, there are no weeds in the lake and so they can go to anywhere,” he added.

Zanna, while condemning the act, called on everybody to rally round government by providing necessary information that can lead to the curbing of insurgency in the country.

“I rise to adopt this motion passionately based on the ages of the girls that were involved and the human lives that have suffered as a result of this unfortunate development.

Since the beginning of this saga, I kept mute on this issue as far as press releases and press interviews were concerned."

He said the insurgents have taken over the island bordering the country and driven away all inhabitants of the area just as he said the boats being used by the local in the area have been seized including that belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation, NNPC which is meant for surveillance in the area.

“They have snatched all the boats around that area including the one for NNPC and so they are free to go anywhere without being chased by anybody. There are about 40 islands there and they have ejected most of the occupants and they have occupied the islands."

Senator Zanna said there was a near Lake Chad where the insurgents always camp during raining season, saying with the coming of the rain now, they have started moving into the place.

“Even before the abduction, I even told them (military) about the shrubs in northern Borno where they stayed last year till after the rainy season.

Since rainy season is approaching, I told them that these people will leave Sambisa and other areas and go to that shrub but it seems there is no much presence of military around that area up till."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 61

62 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

G-O-I-N-G B-A-N-A-N-A-S-!

Banana-eating stars back Alves Stars from the world of football have backed Barcelona’s Dani Alves after he reacted to having a banana thrown at him by peeling it and taking a bite.

The racist taunt occurred as the Brazilian was about to take a corner during Sunday’s 3-2 win at Villarreal.

Manchester City ’s Sergio Aguero posted a photo of him with Brazilian female player Marta eating bananas in support.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter tweeted: “What Alves tolerated is an outrage. Will be zero tolerance at #WorldCup.” Blatter, referring to this summer’s tournament in Brazil, added: “We must fight all forms of discrimination united.”

Neymar, who plays alongside Alves for club and country, posted a picture of himself holding a banana in a demonstration of solidarity - a move repeated on Instagram by Chelsea’s Brazilian trio

•Aguero and Marta Oscar, David Luiz and Willian.

Another Brazilian, Liverpool midfielder Philipe Coutinho, posted a picture on Twitter of himself and Reds teammate Luis Suarez holding bananas.

Compatriots Hulk, Fred and Lucas Leiva displayed their support via their social media accounts, with the Liverpool midfielder writing on Twitter: “Congratulations on your attitude yesterday. We

NFF

Continues from BP Perumal was nothing more than ‘distinct fiction’ and insisted that the true heroes of Nigeria’s qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals were the Federal Government, the NFF, players and coaches of the Super Eagles and the generality of Nigeria ball fans. ”We have gone through the fictitious write-up by the Singaporean, who was fittingly convicted for his nefarious activities and has spent time in jail. The NFF will only say at this moment that there was no truth to the claim and that we had nothing to do with Perumal all through the Super Eagles’ qualifying series for 2010 FIFA World Cup. ”Perumal’s statements are a hogwash and have no legs to stand on. We have ordered for the book itself with a view to digesting it and looking critically at it. If the book impugns on the image of

the Nigeria Football Federation, our players and the larger image of our dear country, we will take appropriate action,” NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said on Tuesday.

Amadu said that further enquiries should be directed to world football governing body, FIFA, since the match was a FIFA qualifier.

Furthermore, NFF’s Integrity Officer, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, stated that alongside the NFF Match-fixing Investigative Officer, Dr. Christian Emeruwa, he is in communication with FIFA Security on match-fixing matters and they will dig deeper into the claim.

Nigeria overhauled Tunisia, Kenya and Mozambique in the final rounds of the qualification series to reach the first FIFA World Cup finals to be staged on African soil, in 2010.

are together on this fight against racism.”

Tottenham duo Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele were also pictured eating bananas along with a message supporting the fight against racism.

Togo and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor said he had “massive respect” for Alves, adding on Twitter: “There is no place for racism in Football. #saynotoracism.”

Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, joined

the widespread outrage.

“The player Dani Alves gave a daring and strong response to racism in sports,” she said in a series of Twitter messages, adding that such racism had become “unfortunately common.”

Villarreal have confirmed they have identified the person responsible for throwing the banana and have issued them with a lifetime stadium ban.

A statement on the club’s website read: “The club deeply regrets

2ND OKPEKPE 10KM ROAD RACE

Injury stops IAAF World Cross Country Champion

F

ORMER International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Cross Country champion,Joseph Ebuya of Kenya is out of Saturday’s 2nd Okpekpe 10km road race.

Ebuya who won the senior men’s title at the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Champion-ships in Bydgoszcz, Poland copped an injury in training and will be unavailable for the world acclaimed race in Okpkepke,Edo state.

‘I am sorry to have to inform you that Joseph Ebuya has suffered a setback in training and so will not be able to participate in the Okpekpe 10k (race) this weekend.Apologies for the inconve-nience,’’wrote Michael Skinner,the

athlete’s representative in an e-mail message dated Monday April 28,2014 and addressed to Yusuf Ali,the Okpekpe race manager.

Ali who is a former Nigeria and Africa’s long jump champion has however assured that Ebuya’s confirmed absence will not take the shine off Saturday’s race.

“The quality of the elite cast is probably the best you can get in any road race in the world. We have some of the top road runners coming for this race,”said Ali who was also a former African record holder in the long jump.

Ali also revealed that all arrangements have been concluded for a very successful race on Saturday.

‘We are ready to host another world class event ,”assures Ali.

•Coutinho and Suarez and condemns the incident.

“Thanks to the security forces and invaluable assistance of Villarreal fans, the club have

identified the culprit and decided to withdraw their season ticket and ban them from entering El Madrigal stadium for life.”

Queiroz Continues from BP his Nigerian counterpart, this time in the African continent.

With Carlos Queiroz strongly rumoured to be linked with the Bafana Bafana job when Gordon Igesund’s contract expires, it could be that the Portuguese will be auditioning for the role when he leads Iran at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The 61-year-old led Bafana Bafana from 2000 until 2002 where he enjoyed a reasonable amount of success.

However, he cut his time short after reportedly falling out with the South African Football Association.

Earlier reports in Nigeria and South Africa had linked the Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi with the Bafana Bafana job but with the latest reports from South Africa, where Queiroz and his Iranian squad for World Cup have been camping for the past two weeks, it appears the battle for the Bafana job will be keener than expected.

Although Keshi insists

that he has not been contacted by the South Africa Football Association, it is strongly believed that his romance with the Nigeria Football Federation would come to a soothing end after the World Cup and the next destination for the Afcon winner is thought to be South Africa.

While Keshi who led modest Togo to qualify for the 2006 World Cup and led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations crown in 2013 is regarded as the most successful Nigerian tactician in history, Queiroz boasts experience of coaching at some of the best teams in the world like Manchester United, Real Madrid as well as the Portuguese national team.

Queiroz’s recent stint with Iran has also proved to be a huge success. He successfully led the lesserknown football nation to only their fourth appearance at the world’s showpiece tournament.

The Lions are in a tough group alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

RESULTS

BAFANA BAFANA JOB:

Real Madrid 4

Deco: Mourinho can cause Champions League shock with Chelsea • P.32

Iran coach threatens Keshi I

RAN coach, Carlos Queiroz will come face to face with Coach Stephen Keshi on June 16 in a Group F opening game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when his team take on the Super Eagles.

After the World Cup, the Portuguese born Iran trainer has another battle to contend with

Bayern Munich 0

Going Bananas! •P. 62 Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid — 7:45 p.m.

NFF dismisses claims by Singaporean match-fixer

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed as ‘totally fallacious’, the claim by a self-confessed and convicted Singaporean match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal, that he helped Nigeria qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

In a statement in Abuja, the NFF declared that the entire claim by Continued on Page 62 •Mourinho

Continued on Page 62

2 unbeatable sports pages — P. 32 & 33 •Queiroz

•Keshi

•Diego

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Moving (5) 9 Gain (6) 10 Beer (6) 11 Swift (5) 12 Responsibility (4) 15 Singer (4) 17 Affair (7) 20 Guided (3) 21 Keen (5) 23 Greedy (4) 25 Hobble (4) 26 Frogman (5) 28 Offer (3) 30 Sickness (7) 33 Tart (4) 35 Roster (4) 36 Emulate (5) 38 Thoroughfare (6) 39 Small (6) 40 Class (5)

DOWN 1 Trail (5) 2 Market-place (5) 3 Tune (3) 4 Posture (6) 5 Bird (4) 6 Free (3) 7 Booth (5) 8 Offspring (5) 13 Wandering (7) 14 Agreeable (5) 16 Storm (7) 18 Relaxed (5) 19 Solidify (3) 22 Jockey (5) 24 Noise (3) 27 Coarse (6) 28 Trite (5) 29 Cubed (5) 31 Artery (5) 32 Consumed (5) 34 Jetty (4) 36 Mat (3) 37 Untruth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Thrash 5. Botany 9, Eater 10, Repeat 11, Gambol 12, Legal 14, Ever 17, Den 18, Fete 20, Today 22, Aired 23, Vestige 24, Seven 26, Elder 29, Arid 30, Ale 32, Date 33, Sleep 35, Rabbit 36, Rather 37, Devil 38, Deeper 39, Eluded.

DOWN: 1, Target 2, Rapped 3, Seal 4, Hated 5, Began 6, Oral 7, Ambler 8, Yelled 13, Gentile 15, Voter 16, Raved 18, Field 19, Tenet 21, Yen 22, Age 24, Sacred 25, Viable 27, Dashed 28, Reered 30, Alter 31, Eerie 33, Side 34, Pall.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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.

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